The present invention relates to an absorbent article comprising a liquid permeable topsheet, a liquid-impermeable backsheet and an absorbent core positioned between the topsheet and the backsheet. The absorbent article comprises pressure sensitive adhesive on a garment facing surface of the backsheet, and the backsheet is a breathable polyolefin-based film and has a Water Vapour Transmission Rate measured according to NWSP 070.4.RO (15) of at least 1000 g/m.sup.2/24 h, preferably at least 3000 g/m.sup.2/24 h, and a tear resistance measured according to Elmendorf Tear ASTM D1922 (15) of at least 300 mN.

A disposable diaper 1 has an elasticized leg cuff 10 on each longitudinally extending, lateral side of the crotch portion C. The elasticized leg cuff 10 includes an elastic member fixing sheet 5, an elastic member 6, an inner sheet 31, and an outer sheet 32 in order from the skin facing side. The inner sheet 31 and the outer sheet 32 are bonded to each other via a plurality of longitudinally extending and laterally spaced bonds 7. The elastic member 6 is located between the elastic member fixing sheet 5 and the inner sheet 31 and arranged at a location that does not overlap the bonds 7.

The invention relates to a breathable film. The specific ball-drop impact resistance of the film is more than 100 mm per gram polymer per square meter. The film has a water vapor permeability of at least 1000 g/m2 in 24 hours. The elongation at break of the film in the machine direction is less than 200%.

Methods and products for maintaining a target pH range of an environment including at least one organism are provided. A method can include releasing a carbon source to the environment. A method can further include allowing the carbon source to be metabolized by the at least one organism and lower a pH of the environment. The method can also include releasing a nitrogen source to the environment. The method can additionally include allowing the nitrogen source to be metabolized by the at least one organism and increase the pH of the environment. The releasing of the carbon source to the environment and the releasing of the nitrogen source to the environment can be selectively timed to control the pH of the environment to the target pH range of the environment.

A sanitary article comprises a fluid permeable surface layer and a backsheet. The backsheet is provided with an adhesive in at least one adhesive region arranged on an outwardly oriented side for attachment of the sanitary article to an undergarment on a user-facing side of the undergarment and at least one adhesive-free region arranged on the outwardly oriented side. The surface layer is an air-through-bonded fibrous nonwoven surface layer having a basis weight of from 14 to 30 g/m.sup.2 and a density of from 20 to 90 kg/m.sup.3. The adhesive-free region extends in the longitudinal direction and the transverse width of the adhesive-free region is from 7% to 40% of total transverse width of the backsheet, as measured at a widest transverse width of the backsheet in the rear portion.

A multi-layer liquid absorbing and retaining textile assembly (100) is disclosed. The textile assembly (100) comprises at least a first layer (110), a second layer (120) and an intermediate layer (130). The intermediate layer (130) is constructed as a warp knitted spacer fabric having a plurality of sections (130A, 130B, 130C) with at least one section (130A) being proximal to the first layer (110) and at least another section (130B) being proximal to the second layer (120). The first layer (110) is adapted to transfer liquid from a first side (100A) of the textile assembly (100) to the intermediate layer (130). The intermediate layer (130) is adapted to receive and transfer liquid to the second layer (120). The second layer (120) is adapted to retain the liquid at or proximal to a second side (100B) of the textile assembly that is oppositely facing to the first side (100A).

A forming structure includes an outer surface configured to receive a polymer web, an inner surface, a thickness between the outer surface and the inner surface, and a plurality of openings extending through the thickness at an acute angle relative to a plane tangential to the outer surface. Each of the plurality of openings has a shape at the outer surface defined by a first ellipse having a first major axis and a first minor axis and a second ellipse having a second major axis and a second minor axis. The first major axis is substantially parallel to a machine direction and coincides with the second minor axis. The second major axis is substantially parallel to a transverse direction orthogonal to the machine direction and is offset from the first minor axis.

A nonwoven fabric. The nonwoven fabric can include a first surface and a second surface and a visually discernible pattern of three-dimensional features on one of the first or second surface. Each of the three-dimensional features can define a microzone comprising a first region and a second region. The first and second regions can have a difference in values for an intensive property, and wherein in at least one of the microzones the first region exhibits a Contact Angle of greater than 90 degrees, as measured by the Contact Angle Test Method detailed herein.

An absorbent article comprises a liquid permeable topsheet, a liquid impermeable backsheet, and an absorbent core positioned at least partially intermediate the topsheet and the backsheet. A wearer-facing nonwoven material comprising three-dimensional features and forming at least a portion of a wearer-facing surface of the topsheet of the absorbent article is provided. The wearer-facing nonwoven material comprises a plurality of generally planar regions that do not overlap with the three-dimensional features. The generally planar regions comprise recesses. The recesses may comprise apertures. The wearer-facing nonwoven material comprises at least 50% natural fibers, by weight of the nonwoven material.

Provided is a multi-ply sheet production method and a multi-ply sheet production device for producing a multi-ply sheet which uses an elastic member, exhibits stretchability, and has reduced residual strain. The multi-ply sheet production method includes forming a multi-ply sheet by joining a first fibrous sheet, and a second fibrous sheet including a material containing a cellulose-based component, with an elastic member interposed therebetween, the elastic member being in a stretched state and coated with an adhesive on peripheral surface, and then heat-treating the multi-ply sheet at a temperature in accordance with the thermal characteristics of the adhesive.