Kimberly-clark Worldwide, Inc.

Norman Earl Brown

Ann Louise McCormack

Wing-Chak Ng

Howard Martin Welch

Margaret Gwyn Latimer

Jose Siqueira

Edward E Werner

David Charles Musil

Joseph Michael Kugler

James George Van Himbergen

Kenneth Thomas Borowski

John Christopher Garstka

Leon E Chambers, Jr

Leon Eugene Chambers, Jr

Margaret G Latimer

Ann L Mccormack

An elastic nonwoven composite that contains an elastic film laminated to one or more nonwoven web materials is provided. The composite is formed by passing the film through a nip to bond the film to the nonwoven web material(s). Concurrent with bond formation, apertures are also formed in the elastic film. The apertures are of a size sufficient to provide a desired level of texture, softness, hand feel, and/or aesthetic appeal to the composite without having a significant adverse effect on its elastic properties. Aperture and bond formation are accomplished in the present invention by selectively controlling certain parameters of the lamination process, such as film content, bonding pattern, degree of film tension, bonding conditions, etc.

Nonwoven composite containing an apertured elastic film

Methods and systems for making an absorbent pad for use in an absorbent article utilize a forming device for forming material into an absorbent core, a supply device for supplying a containment layer against the first surface of the absorbent core and spray apparatus for spraying fibers of molten resin onto the second surface of the absorbent core. The fibers form a stabilization layer on the absorbent core that increases the integrity of the absorbent core. The spray apparatus includes a nozzle having a resin aperture for exhausting resin therefrom and multiple gas apertures for exhausting gas therefrom to provide a random pattern to the fibers of molten resin as the fibers are sprayed onto the second surface. Resin can also be sprayed onto first and second portions of the containment layer extending outwardly from edges of the absorbent core so the containment layer and the stabilization layer encompass the absorbent core. In another embodiment, a second containment layer can be placed on the second surface of the absorbent core and first and second stabilization layers can be spaced outwardly therefrom and deposited on the absorbent core.

Apparatus for making an absorbent pad for use in absorbent articles

Method of making an absorbent pad

Growing community of inventors

Lithonia, GA, United States of America

Norman Earl Brown