US005599420A
United States Patent [19] [ii] Patent Number: 5,599,420
Yeo et al. [45] Date of Patent: Feb. 4, 1997
[54] PATTERNED EMBOSSED NONWOVEN
FABRIC, CLOTH-UKE LIQUID BARRIER
MATERIAL AND METHOD FOR MAKING
SAME
[75] Inventors: Richard S. Yeo, Dunwoody, Ga.;
Duane G. Uitenbroek, Little Chute,
Wis.; Jennifer R. Powers, Woodstock,
Ga.
[73] Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Corporation, Neenah, Wis.
[21] Appl. No.: 388,770
[22] Filed: Feb. 15,1995
Related U.S. Application Data
[63] Continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 43,335, Apr. 6, 1993, Pat. No. 5,399,174.
[51] Int. CI.6 A61F 13/15; B32B 31/20
[52] U.S. CI 156/290; 156/167; 156/220;
156/308.2; 156/309.9; 604/366; 604/370
[58] Field of Search 156/290, 308.2,
156/219, 220, 308.2, 309.6, 309.9, 167; 428/198, 288, 296, 362, 373; 604/365, 366, 370, 378, 384
[56] References Cited
U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
A patterned nonwoven fabric comprising polymeric strands which include a primary polymeric component and are bonded together without the use of compression, but instead with a heat activated adhesive polymeric component which adheres the respective primary components together. The fabric has an embossed pattern of densified areas separated by high loft areas. Preferably, the strands are continuous, crimped, multicomponent filaments. Also preferably, the nonwoven fabric is laminated to a liquid barrier film to form an outercover material for products such as personal care absorbent articles, and the like. Methods for making these materials are also encompassed.
14 Claims, 3 Drawing Sheets
