Nonwovens Having Reduced Poisson Ratio

Abstract

Nonwoven materials having a pattern incorporated into the materials are disclosed. The nonwoven materials may be, for instance, tissue webs, meltspun webs such as meltblown webs or spunbond webs, bonded carded webs, hydroentangled webs, and the like. The pattern may be incorporated into the webs using various techniques. For instance, the pattern may be formed into the web by topically applying a bonding material. In an alternative embodiment, the pattern may be formed according to a thermal bonding process. The pattern contains individual cells that include two spaced apart expanded regions separated by a constricted region. By incorporating the pattern into the web, a material is produced having a relatively low Poisson ratio.

1 . A web having a reduced Poisson ratio comprising: 
 a nonwoven web comprising fibers, the nonwoven web having a first side and a second side; and    a pattern formed into the nonwoven web, the pattern comprising a plurality of interconnected individual cells, each cell comprising first and second expanded regions connected together by a constricted region.    
   
   
       2 . A web as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the nonwoven web comprises a meltspun web and wherein the pattern is thermally bonded into the web.  
   
   
       3 . A web as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the nonwoven web comprises a tissue web containing pulp fibers, the pattern being formed into the nonwoven web by applying a bonding material to at least one side of the web.  
   
   
       4 . A web as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the nonwoven web comprises a tissue web, and wherein the tissue web is formed on a forming fabric having a 3-dimensional topography, the pattern being contained in the 3-dimensional topography and being incorporated into the tissue web during formation.  
   
   
       5 . A web as defined in  claim 3 , wherein the tissue web has been creped after application of the bonding material.  
   
   
       6 . A web as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the nonwoven web comprises a hydroentangled web.  
   
   
       7 . A web as defined in  claim 1  wherein the nonwoven web comprises an elastic web containing an elastomeric material.  
   
   
       8 . A laminated web comprising a patterned layer of material, wherein the patterned layer is arranged in a pattern comprising a plurality of individual cells, each cell comprising first and second expanded regions connected together by a constricted region.  
   
   
       9 . A laminated web as defined in  claim 8  wherein the patterned layer is chosen from a scrim or a film.  
   
   
       10 . A laminated web as defined in  claim 9  further comprising a tissue web containing pulp fibers, wherein the tissue web is laminated to the patterned layer.  
   
   
       11 . A laminated web as defined in  claim 9  further comprising a meltspun web, wherein the meltspun web is laminated to the patterned layer.