A method of manufacturing an activated composite web includes laminating a film layer to a nonwoven web to form a composite web, forming a plurality of apertured protuberances in the film layer, and passing the composite web through intermeshing elements to form an activated composite web. The intermeshing elements form a plurality of first lanes, with first widths, substantially unaffected by activation, and a plurality of second lanes, with second widths. The second widths are less than the first widths. Portions of the plurality of apertured protuberances define first apertures in the first lanes and second apertures in the second lanes. The cross-sections of the second apertures are larger than the first apertures. The first apertures have their major axes substantially aligned in the first direction while the second apertures have their major axis substantially aligned in the second direction. An activated composite web also is provided.

An elastic sheet for an absorbent article includes a first fibrous layer disposed on a first surface of the elastic sheet, a second fibrous layer disposed on a second surface of the elastic sheet opposite to the first surface, and contractible elastic members secured between the first fibrous layer and the second fibrous layer. The first fibrous layer and the second fibrous layer each include continuous fibers of thermoplastic and gathers formed between adjacent ones of the elastic members. The gathers are disposed in an intersecting direction intersecting with a direction in which the elastic members extend. An average flexural rigidity value of the first fibrous layer and the second fibrous layer in accordance with a KES method is 0.003510.sup.4 to 0.02210.sup.4 (N.Math.m.sup.2/m). A thickness under a compression load to the gathers in accordance with the KES method is 0.22 to 1.5 mm.

A mixed fiber spunbonded nonwoven fabric which comprises 90 to 10% by weight of a long fiber of thermoplastic resin (A) that has been hydrophilization-treated and 10 to 90% by weight of a long fiber of thermoplastic elastomer (B) and which has a strength ratio [the ratio of a strength at 20% of an elongation at a maximum strength (elongation at a maximum point) to the maximum strength] in at least one direction of not more than 40% and a bulk density of 0.10 to 0.40 g/cm.sup.3. The fabric can exhibit excellent initial hydrophilicity, long-lasting hydrophilicity, liquid dispersibility, liquid transpiration property, moisture permeability, breathability, softness, resistance to fluff, stretchability and touch, and low stickiness, and is suitable for sheets constituting absorbent articles such as sanitary napkins, panty liners, incontinence pads, and disposable diapers. A production method is also provided.

A textile sheet element having selectively applied arrays of surface projection elements defining raised zones across an active surface for cleaning and/or personal care, The textile sheet element is adapted for use by itself and/or for attachment to a user manipulated support with or without a handle such as a mop head or the like.

The present disclosure is directed to substrates or topsheets having repeating patterns of apertures for absorbent articles. Each of the repeat units comprises at least three apertures.

Disclosed are technical fibers and yarns made with partially aromatic polyamides and non-halogenated flame retardant additives. Fabrics made from such fibers and yarns demonstrate superior flame retardancy over traditional flame retardant nylon 6,6 fabrics. Further, the disclosed fibers and yarns, when blended with other flame retardant fibers, do not demonstrate the dangerous scaffolding effect common with flame retardant nylon 6,6 blended fabrics.

A nonwoven web for use in an absorbent article is described. The nonwoven web has first and second nonwoven layers. The first nonwoven layer has a first plurality of fibers, an additive disposed, at least in part, on a portion of the first plurality of fibers, a first side and an opposing second side, wherein second side has a plurality of discontinuities. The second nonwoven layer has a second plurality of fibers, a first surface and an opposing second surface, and a plurality of tufts extending through at least a portion of the discontinuities in the first nonwoven layer, wherein the second nonwoven layer is attached to the first nonwoven layer such that at least a portion of the second plurality of fibers are in liquid communication with the first nonwoven layer, wherein the first nonwoven layer is hydrophobic and the second nonwoven layer is hydrophilic.

An activated composite web includes a nonwoven layer, and a formed film layer attached to the nonwoven layer. The formed film layer includes a plurality of first apertured protuberances having a mesh count of at least 35, and a plurality of second apertured protuberances. Each of the second apertured protuberances has a cross-sectional area larger than each of the first apertured protuberances. A plurality of first lanes are aligned in a first direction and have a first width extending in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction. The first apertured protuberances are located in the first lanes. A plurality of second lanes are aligned in the first direction and have a second width, less than the first width, extending in the second direction. The first lanes and the second lanes alternate with each other in the second direction. The second apertured protuberances are located in the second lanes.

A method for hydroforming a spun bonded nonwoven web includes applying a plurality of pressurized liquid jets onto an original unexpanded spun bonded nonwoven web having an original loft while the web passes over a forming structure. A plurality of spun bonded fibers in the original unexpanded spun bonded nonwoven web are reoriented from a closely packed substantially horizontal orientation to a more loosely packed orientation with greater vertical spacing between the fibers to produce a hydroformed expanded spun bonded nonwoven web having a loft of at least about 1.3 times greater than the original loft of the original unexpanded spun bonded nonwoven web, and an air permeability of at least about 1.2 times greater than an original air permeability of the original unexpanded spun bonded nonwoven web. The hydroformed expanded spun bonded nonwoven web has a surface with a plurality of protuberances in a pattern corresponding to the pattern of apertures in the forming structure.

A method for hydroforming a composite precursor material includes forming a composite precursor material comprising an original spun bonded nonwoven web and a polymer film layer. The method also includes applying a plurality of pressurized liquid jets onto an outer surface of the original spun bonded nonwoven web while the composite precursor material passes over a forming structure to push and reorient a plurality of spun bonded fibers from a closely packed substantially horizontal orientation to a more loosely packed orientation with greater vertical spacing between the fibers to produce a hydroformed composite material comprising an expanded spun bonded nonwoven layer having a loft of at least about 1.3 times greater than the original loft of the original spun bonded nonwoven web, and an air permeability of at least about 1.2 times greater than an original air permeability of the original unexpanded spun bonded nonwoven web.