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.

Embodiments of the present invention replace relatively bulky nonwoven thermal insulating materials used in thermal liners with thin, lightweight, flexible films that maintain or improve TPP performance while reducing the thickness, and enhancing the flexibility, of the thermal liner so as to increase wearer comfort. Moreover, the films incorporated into the thermal liners can be both air and vapor permeable such that the TPP performance is not realized at the expense of THL performance. Rather, the THL performance of garments incorporating embodiments of thermal liners contemplated herein is comparable toif not improved overgarments formed with traditional thermal liners.

The invention relates to a high-strength light-weight non-woven fabric made of spunbonded non-woven, particularly for use as a reinforcement or strengthening material, comprising at least one ply of melt-spun synthetic filaments, which are bonded by means of high-energy water jets, characterized in that it includes a thermally activatable binding agent, which is applied onto the ply of melt-spun filaments in the form of at least one thin layer. The invention further relates to a method for producing such a non-woven fabric.

The instant invention provides bi-component fibers and fabrics made therefrom. The bi-component fiber according to the present invention comprises: (a) from 5 to 95 percent by weight of a first component comprising at least one or more first polymers, based on the total weight of the bi-component fiber; (b) from 5 to 95 percent by weight of a second component comprising at least an ethylene-based polymer composition, based on the total weight of the bicomponent fiber, wherein said ethylene-based polymer composition comprises; (i) less than or equal to 100 percent by weight of the units derived from ethylene; and (ii) less than 30 percent by weight of units derived from one or more -olefin comonomers; wherein said ethylene-based polymer composition is characterized by having a Comonomer Distribution Constant in the range of from greater than from 100 to 400, a vinyl unsaturation of less than 0.1 vinyls per one thousand carbon atoms present in the backbone of the ethylene-based polymer composition; a zero shear viscosity ratio (ZSVR) in the range from 1 to less than 2; a density in the range of 0.920 to 0.970 g/cm.sup.3, a melt index (I.sub.2) in the range of from 10 to 40 g/10 minutes, a molecular weight distribution (M.sub.w/M.sub.n) in the range of from 1.8 to 3.0, and a molecular weight distribution (M.sub.z/M.sub.w) in the range of from less than 2; and wherein said bi-component fiber has a denier per filament in the range of from 0.5 to 10 g/9000 m.

A nonwoven web for an absorbent article is provided. The nonwoven web comprises a first surface, a second surface, and a visually discernible pattern of three-dimensional features on the first surface or the second surface. The three-dimensional features comprise one or more first regions and a plurality of second regions. The one or more first regions are different than the plurality of second regions in a value of an average intensive property. The one or more first regions comprise a first line, a second line, and a third line extending at least partially intermediate the first line and the second line. The first line and the second line extend in substantially the same direction. The third line extends in a direction transverse to the first line and the second line.

A nonwoven web for an absorbent article is provided. The nonwoven web includes a first surface and a second surface. The nonwoven web includes a repeat unit comprising a visually discernible pattern of three-dimensional features on the first surface or the second surface. The three-dimensional features comprise one or more first regions and a plurality of second regions. The one or more first regions are different than the plurality of second regions. The one or more first regions comprise a plurality of substantially linear segments. A first group of the plurality of substantially linear segments intersects with a second group of the plurality of substantially linear segments at angles of intersection. The angles of intersection are in the range of about 70 degrees to about 110 degrees.

A splash resistant multi-layered structure is provided. The structure includes a specific arrangement of layers of material and a plurality of three-dimensional spacers that helps prevent penetration through the structure by a fluid that contacts an outer surface of the structure due to a state of forced separation that exists between two adjacent layers of the structure due to the presence of the plurality of three-dimensional spacers positioned between the layers. The plurality of three-dimensional spacers can be positioned on one of the adjacent layers of the structure such that a distance at least as large as the maximum height of the plurality of three-dimensional spacers separates the two layers from each other and can be present on a layer of material in a continuous or discontinuous pattern or can be present on a layer of material in a random fashion. The presence of the three-dimensional spacers can reduce the basis weight or eliminate one or more layers of the structure, which, in turn, can reduce thermal resistance, lower the pressure drop across the layers of the structure, and reduce the overall weight of the structure to enhance breathability and comfort.

A textile applicator for application of a sanitizing and/or disinfecting solution to a surface. The applicator incorporates a plurality of direct spun polyester microfiber yarns to define a textile surface which does not bind or inactivate quaternary ammonium compounds, chlorine-based or peracetic and/or other peroxygen based sanitizing and/or disinfecting agents. Thus, the sanitizing and/or disinfecting agent is readily released to the surface being treated without any requirement of pre-loading surface binding sites or applying a charge-modifying surface treatment.

A nonwoven web for an absorbent article is provided. The nonwoven web includes a first surface and a second surface. The nonwoven web includes a repeat unit comprising a visually discernible pattern of three-dimensional features on the first surface or the second surface. The three-dimensional features comprise one or more first regions and a plurality of second regions. The one or more first regions are different than the plurality of second regions. The one or more first regions comprise a plurality of substantially linear segments. A first group of the plurality of substantially linear segments intersects with a second group of the plurality of substantially linear segments at angles of intersection. The angles of intersection are in the range of about 70 degrees to about 110 degrees.

Extensible nonwoven fabrics having improved elongation, extensibility, abrasion resistance and toughness. In particular, embodiments of the invention are directed to extensible spunbond fabrics comprising a polymeric blend of a metallocene catalyzed polypropylene, polyethylene, and a third polymer component.