Kimberly-clark Worldwide, Inc.

Simon K Poruthoor

Ali Yahiaoui

Hue Scott Snowden

Herb F Velazquez

Bryan David Haynes

Kelly Dean Branham

Oomman Painummoottil Thomas

Charles John Morell

Nathan John Vogel

Lei Huang

Christopher Cosgrove Creagan

Shawn Jeffrey Sullivan

Peter D Honer

Dean M Wydeven

Karen Goeders

Rebecca Willey Griffin

Amanda Ann Thelen

Frank Fritz Kromenaker

Balaji Kovil Kandadai

Lisa Sanabria

April Montoya Vaverka

Suzanne Murray

Robert Carter Pilecky

Olesya Sukhareva

Allen F Vater

Jenna L Bednar

The present invention discloses a nonwoven web and methods for manufacturing the nonwoven web. One aspect of the invention includes a plurality of outwardly facing nozzles that are positioned at various angles with respect to the axis of a pipe the nozzles are located on. Another aspect of the invention pertains to perturbing at least a portion of a fiber matrix prior to the fiber matrix collecting on a forming surface. The perturbed fiber matrix provides for an increase in cross-machine direction fiber strength of the nonwoven web.

Nonwoven web with increased CD strength

The current disclosure provides for a woven or nonwoven textured substrate that is stable in water based solutions. The textured substrate is generated by a controlled placement of ink on to portions of the surface and/or between layers of the textured substrate which is then followed by heat activation which expands the ink to puff out where the ink was applied to the textured substrate.

Cleansing substrate with synchronized printed and expanded texture

A textured laminate that contains a coform nonwoven web formed from a matrix of synthetic fibers and an absorbent material is provided. The coform web is positioned adjacent to a cellular film that includes a plurality of cavities encapsulating a gas (e.g., air). By selectively controlling various aspects of the coform web, film, and the particular manner in which the film and coform web are laminated together, the present inventors have discovered that the resulting laminate can achieve an increased bulk that remains relatively stable even in a wet condition. Thus, the resulting laminate can be readily employed in a wet wipe without losing its bulk and overall texture.

Textured nonwoven laminate

An aesthetically pleasing elastic film with three-dimensional characteristics is provided. In one embodiment, a two-dimensional ink structure is printed onto an elastic film, which is then activated, for example, by heat, which transforms the two-dimensional ink structure into a three-dimensional ink structure on one or more outer surfaces of the film. The location and amount of ink applied can be selectively controlled so that the film has the desired hand feel without sacrificing the elastic properties of the film. Further the printing and activating of the ink can be controlled to increase the tear resistance of the film or to conversely allow the film to tear or rip at desired locations on demand. In another embodiment, the elastic film can be laminated to a facing to form a laminate, where the outer surface of the film that is not in contact with the facing contains the three-dimensional ink structures.

Printed 3D-elastic laminates

An absorbent article has a longitudinal direction, a transverse direction, a first major surface which forms a body-facing surface of the absorbent article, and a second major surface disposed distally from the first major surface which forms a garment-facing surface of the absorbent article. The article includes an absorbent core positioned between the first major surface and the second major surface. The article also includes at least one heat-activatable expandable structure. The at least one heat-activatable expandable structure is disposed on or below the first major surface. Application of heat to the heat-activatable expandable structure causes the heat-activatable expandable barrier structure to form distinctive designs, barriers and/or channels.

Article with heat-activatable expandable structures

A printed nonwoven web having improved oil crockfastness when an ink composition is applied to an outer surface of the nonwoven is generally disclosed. For example, an ink composition that has improved resistance to rub off of the web, even if the ink composition contacts an oily substance (e.g., baby oil, lotion, etc.), can be printed on a surface of the web. The nonwoven web can be a layer in a laminate having at least a film layer and the nonwoven web layer. For example, the printed laminate can be used as the outercover of an absorbent article.

Substrates having improved ink adhesion and oil crockfastness

The present invention relates to mannequin systems that can be used for simulating motion for the performance testing of garments, including absorbent articles. The systems may include an assembled framework and a mannequin secured within the assembled framework. Motion of the mannequin is generated by an integrated system of pneumatic cylinders and a motor drive assembly. The mannequin may be made of a reinforced elastomeric composite material.

Mannequin system

Growing community of inventors

Alpharetta, GA, United States of America

Simon K Poruthoor