Apertured polymeric film webs and absorbent articles using such webs

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10850475-B2
Application number	US-202016813804-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 10, 2020
Priority date	Apr 7, 2000
Publication date	Dec 1, 2020
Grant date	Dec 1, 2020

Abstract

Methods for making an apertured composite web are disclosed. These webs may be utilized as a topsheet in an absorbent article and can provide fluid handling and softness benefits.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A method for making an apertured composite web for use in an absorbent article, the composite web comprising a polymeric film web and a carrier web, the method comprising the steps of:
providing a forming structure;
providing a composite web to the forming structure;
forming a plurality of three dimensional structures having a first size, wherein the plurality of three dimensional structures are formed via hydroforming or vacuum forming; and
subsequently forming a plurality of apertures having a second size that is greater than the first size, wherein the plurality of apertures is formed via needles or heatable pins.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the carrier web comprises a film web layer, and wherein the composite web has a wearer-facing surface and an opposing garment-facing surface.

3. The method of claim 2 , further comprising the step of extruding the polymeric film web onto the carrier web.

4. The method of claim 2 , further comprising the step of orienting the composite web in an absorbent article such that the polymeric film web forms a portion of the wearer-facing surface of the composite web.

5. The method of claim 2 , further comprising the step of orienting the composite web in an absorbent article such that the polymeric film web forms a portion of the garment-facing surface of the composite web.

6. The method of claim 2 , wherein the polymeric film web is more hydrophobic or more hydrophilic than the carrier web.

7. The method of claim 2 , wherein the polymeric film web has a basis weight of from between 5 to 30 gsm, and wherein the carrier web has a basis weight of from between 7 to 40 gsm.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of apertures comprises a second diameter in a range from 0.4 mm to 1.5 mm.

9. The method of claim 2 , wherein the polymer film web has a thickness of less than 25 microns.

10. The method of claim 2 , wherein at least a portion of the plurality of three dimensional structures extend in a first direction from the polymeric film web and the plurality of apertures extend in a second direction, opposite the first direction, from the polymeric film web.

11. The method of claim 1 , wherein there are on average at least 1000 three dimensional structures per square cm.

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the three dimensional structures comprise apertures.

13. The method of claim 1 , wherein at least 50 percent of the plurality of three dimensional structures comprise an open area of greater than 2000 square micrometers.

14. The method of claim 1 , wherein at least 30 percent of the plurality of three dimensional structures comprise an open area of greater than 3000 square micrometers.

15. The method of claim 1 , wherein at least 25 percent of the plurality of three dimensional structures comprise an open area of greater than 4000 square micrometers.

16. The method of claim 1 , wherein at least 20 percent of the plurality of three dimensional structures comprise an open area of greater than 6000 square micrometers.

17. A method for making an apertured composite web for use in an absorbent article, the composite web comprising a polymeric film web and a carrier web, the method comprising the steps of:
forming a plurality of three dimensional structures having a first size, wherein the plurality of three dimensional structures are formed via hydroforming or vacuum forming in the composite web;
subsequently forming a plurality of apertures having a second size that is greater than the first size, wherein the plurality of apertures is formed via needles or heatable pins.

18. The method of claim 17 , further comprising the steps of providing a forming structure and providing the polymeric film web to the forming structure.

19. The method of claim 17 , wherein the carrier web comprises a film web layer, and wherein the composite web has a wearer-facing surface and an opposing garment-facing surface.

20. The method of claim 19 , further comprising the step of orienting the composite web in an absorbent article such that the polymeric film web forms a portion of the wearer-facing surface of the composite web.

21. The method of claim 19 , further comprising the step of orienting the composite web in an absorbent article such that the polymeric film web forms a portion of the garment-facing surface of the composite web.

22. The method of claim 17 , wherein the polymeric film web is more hydrophobic or more hydrophilic than the carrier web.

23. The method of claim 17 , wherein the polymeric film web has a basis weight of from between 5 to 30 gsm, and wherein the carrier web has a basis weight of from between 7 to 40 gsm.

24. The method of claim 17 , wherein each of the plurality of apertures comprises a second diameter in a range from 0.4 mm to 1.5 mm.

25. The method of claim 17 , wherein the polymer film web has a thickness of less than 25 microns.

26. The method of claim 17 , wherein there are on average at least 1000 three dimensional structures per square cm.

27. The method of claim 17 , wherein at least 50 percent of the plurality of three dimensional structures comprise an open area of greater than 2000 square micrometers.

28. The method of claim 17 , wherein at least 30 percent of the plurality of three dimensional structures comprise an open area of greater than 3000 square micrometers.

29. The method of claim 17 , wherein at least 25 percent of the plurality of three dimensional structures comprise an open area of greater than 4000 square micrometers.

30. The method of claim 17 , wherein at least 20 percent of the plurality of three dimensional structures comprise an open area of greater than 6000 square micrometers.

Assignees

• Procter & Gamble

Inventors

• Lee Yann-Per
• Fereshtehkhou Saeed
• Stone Keith Joseph

Classifications

• B32B3/10

  characterised by a discontinuous layer, i.e. formed of separate pieces of material · CPC title

• B26F1/26

  Perforating by non-mechanical means, e.g. by fluid jet · CPC title

• B26F1/24

  Perforating by needles or pins · CPC title

• B26F1/10

  Roller type punches · CPC title

• A61F2013/51366

  with hydrophilic lower face · CPC title