Polymer Webs Having Enhanced Softness

Abstract

The present invention provides a nonwoven substrate comprising a fibrous web defining a surface; and a layer of a benefit agent wherein said benefit agent is selected from an additive composition, an enhancement component and combinations thereof; wherein said benefit agent is frothed and bonded to the fibrous web surface through a creping process and wherein said nonwoven substrate demonstrates improvements selected from enhanced tactile feel, enhanced printing, a decrease in hysteresis, an increase in bulk, an increase in elasticity/extensibility, an increase in retractability, a reduction in rugosities and combinations thereof when compared to an untreated substrate.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A nonwoven material comprising:
 a web containing fibers comprised of a synthetic thermoplastic polymer, the web defining a creped surface; and   an additive composition present on the creped surface of the fibrous web, the additive composition comprising a polyolefin copolymer.   
     
     
         2 . A nonwoven material as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the creped surface of the web has a Fuzz on Edge of greater than about 1.5 mm/mm. 
     
     
         3 . A nonwoven material as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the creped surface of the web has a Fuzz on Edge of greater than about 2.0 mm/mm to less than about 10 mm/mm. 
     
     
         4 . A nonwoven material as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the web has a bulk of greater than 25 cc/g. 
     
     
         5 . A nonwoven material as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the web has a bulk of greater than 28 cc/g and up to about 50 cc/g. 
     
     
         6 . A nonwoven material as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the fibers contained in the web comprise continuous filaments. 
     
     
         7 . A nonwoven material as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the web comprises a spunbond web. 
     
     
         8 . A nonwoven material as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the web comprises a hydroentangled web, a meltblown web, a SMS web, or a coform web. 
     
     
         9 . A nonwoven material as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the additive composition forms a collapsed foam film layer on the creped surface. 
     
     
         10 . A nonwoven material as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the additive composition further comprises a copolymer of ethylene and acrylic acid. 
     
     
         11 . A nonwoven material as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the polyolefin copolymer in the additive composition comprises a copolymer of ethylene or propylene and an alkene. 
     
     
         12 . A nonwoven material as defined in  claim 9 , wherein the collapsed foam film layer is discontinuous. 
     
     
         13 . A nonwoven material as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the additive composition further comprises a nonionic surfactant. 
     
     
         14 . A nonwoven material as defined in  claim 13 , wherein the nonionic surfactant comprises an ethoxylate of an alkyl polyethylene glycol ether. 
     
     
         15 . A nonwoven material as defined in  claim 13 , wherein the nonionic surfactant comprises an ethylene oxide adduct of a linear lauryl myristyl alcohol. 
     
     
         16 . A nonwoven material as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the material comprises a laminate, the web being combined with a film. 
     
     
         17 . An absorbent article including an outer cover and an absorbent structure and wherein the outer cover comprises the laminate of  claim 16 . 
     
     
         18 . A nonwoven material as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the web has a basis weight of from about 10 gsm to about 40 gsm. 
     
     
         19 . A nonwoven material as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the web comprises a spunbond web, the spunbond web having a basis weight of from about 10 gsm to about 25 gsm, the additive composition further comprising a nonionic surfactant comprising an ethoxylate of an alkyl polyethylene glycol ether, the additive composition further comprising a copolymer of ethylene and acrylic acid, the web having a bulk of at least 25 cc/g and wherein the creped surface of the web has a Fuzz on Edge greater than about 1.5 mm/mm. 
     
     
         20 . A nonwoven material comprising:
 a web containing fibers comprised of a synthetic thermoplastic polymer, the fibers comprising filaments, the web having a basis weight of from about 5 gsm to about 25 gsm, the web having less than about 5% bond area, the web defining groove lines extending generally along a common direction, the web defining a first surface and a second and opposite surface, the first surface having a Fuzz on Edge of at least about 1.5 mm/mm.   
     
     
         21 . A nonwoven material as defined in  claim 20 , wherein the groove lines are generally parallel and wherein the first surface of the web has a groove density of about 5 grooves per inch to about 15 grooves per inch.