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 patterned apertured web is disclosed. The patterned apertured web includes a plurality of land areas in the patterned apertured web and a plurality of apertures defined in the patterned apertured web. At least some land areas of the plurality of land areas surround at least some apertures of the plurality of apertures. The patterned apertured web has an Effective Open Area in the range of about 3% to about 30%, according to the Aperture Test herein. The patterned apertured web has a plurality of Interaperture Distances, according to the Aperture Test herein. The Interaperture Distances have a distribution having a median and a mean. The plurality of apertures include a first set of apertures defining a first shape and a second set of apertures defining a second shape.

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.

A patterned apertured web is disclosed. The patterned apertured web includes a plurality of land areas in the patterned apertured web and a plurality of apertures defined in the patterned apertured web. At least some land areas of the plurality of land areas surround at least some apertures of the plurality of apertures. The patterned apertured web has an Effective Open Area in the range of about 3% to about 30%, according to the Aperture Test herein. The patterned apertured web has a plurality of Interaperture Distances, according to the Aperture Test herein. The Interaperture Distances have a distribution having a median and a mean.

A patterned apertured web is disclosed. The patterned apertured web includes a plurality of land areas in the patterned apertured web and a plurality of apertures defined in the patterned apertured web. At least some land areas of the plurality of land areas surround at least some apertures of the plurality of apertures. The patterned apertured web has an Effective Open Area in the range of about 3% to about 30%, according to the Aperture Test herein. The patterned apertured web has a plurality of Interaperture Distances, according to the Aperture Test herein. The Interaperture Distances have a distribution having a median and a mean, wherein the mean is different than the median. The plurality of apertures include a first set of apertures defining a first shape and a second set of apertures defining a second shape. The first shape is positioned within the second shape.

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.

Patterned apertured webs are provided. The patterned apertured webs include a plurality of land areas and a plurality of apertures defined in the patterned apertured webs. At least some land areas of the plurality of land areas surround at least some apertures of the plurality of apertures. The patterned apertured webs have an Effective Open Area in the range of about 3% to about 30%, according to the Aperture Test.

There is disclosed a laminated, nonwoven fabric and a process for producing such a laminated, nonwoven fabric having desirable fluid holding and fluid release characteristics. The process provides that two sheets of meltblown fiber fabric are produced on forming wire assemblies, cooled at a cooling area, and are then laminated on opposite sides of a sheet of spunbonded fibers using to form the laminated, nonwoven fabric.

A method of forming a three-dimensional laminate for an absorbent article is provided. The method comprises providing a first nonwoven layer, providing a second nonwoven layer, and applying a pre-strain force to the first nonwoven layer or to the second nonwoven layer. The method comprises joining the first nonwoven layer to the second nonwoven layer while the first nonwoven layer or the second nonwoven layer is in a pre-strained condition, and releasing the pre-strain force to form the three-dimensional laminate.

A laminate comprising a first nonwoven layer comprising a plurality of apertures and a second nonwoven layer is provided. One of the first and second nonwoven layers is a pre-strained layer and is joined to the other one of the first and second nonwoven layers. The other one of the first and second nonwoven layers is a non-pre-strained layer. The pre-strained layer and the non-pre-strained layer together form a three-dimensional laminate.