Tear resistant disposable bib

Abstract

The present invention provides a bib having a filamentary network disposed between a paper topsheet and a plastic film backsheet. The filamentary network can comprise a polymeric net having openings sized to prevent tearing of portions of the topsheet or backsheet from the bib. In one embodiment the filamentary network can comprise a nylon net having openings with a maximum width less than about 0.25 cm.

What is claimed: 
     
       1. A disposable bib having a composite construction and comprising: an absorbent, liquid permeable outer topsheet;   a garment facing backsheet layer, the backsheet layer being liquid impermeable relative to the topsheet; and   a filamentary network disposed intermediate the backsheet and the topsheet.   
     
     
       2. The disposable bib of claim 1 wherein the filamentary network layer is joined to a surface of the topsheet. 
     
     
       3. The disposable bib of claim 2 wherein the filamentary network is joined to a surface of the backsheet. 
     
     
       4. The disposable bib of claim 1 wherein the filamentary network comprises a plurality of openings there through, and wherein the filamentary network has an open area ratio of at least about 50 percent. 
     
     
       5. The disposable bib of claim 1 wherein the filamentary network comprises a plurality of openings there through, and wherein the openings have a maximum width of no more than about 2 cm. 
     
     
       6. The disposable bib of claim 5 wherein the openings have a maximum width of no more than about 1.0 cm. 
     
     
       7. The disposable bib of claim 6 wherein the openings have a maximum width of no more than about 0.5 cm. 
     
     
       8. The disposable bib of claim 5 wherein the maximum cross-sectional dimension of the filaments is less than about 0.25 mm. 
     
     
       9. The disposable bib of claim 1 wherein the filamentary network comprises a polymeric material. 
     
     
       10. The disposable bib of claim 1 wherein the filamentary network comprises a web made from fibers selected from the group consisting of natural fibers, synthetic cellulosic fibers, synthetic modified cellulosic fibers, synthetic mineral fibers, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
       11. The disposable bib of claim 1 wherein the filamentary network comprises a first plurality of generally parallel filaments extending in a first direction and a second plurality of generally parallel filaments extending in a second direction angled with respect to the first direction, wherein the maximum spacing between adjacent parallel filaments is no more than about 1 cm, and wherein the maximum cross-sectional dimension of the filaments is no more than about 0.25 mm. 
     
     
       12. The disposable bib of claim 1 wherein the topsheet comprises a paper web. 
     
     
       13. The disposable bib of claim 12 wherein the backsheet comprises a thermoplastic film. 
     
     
       14. A disposable bib having a composite construction and comprising: an absorbent, liquid permeable topsheet layer having a first outwardly facing surface and a second oppositely facing surface; and   a polymeric net comprising a first plurality of generally parallel filaments extending in a first direction and a second plurality of generally parallel filaments extending in a second direction angled with respect to the first direction, wherein the filaments are joined to the second surface of the topsheet layer, and wherein the maximum spacing between adjacent parallel filaments is no more than about 1 cm.   
     
     
       15. The disposable bib of claim 14 further comprising a backsheet layer which is liquid impermeable relative to the topsheet layer, and wherein the net is disposed intermediate the topsheet layer and the liquid impermeable backsheet layer. 
     
     
       16. The disposable bib of claim 14 wherein the maximum spacing between adjacent parallel filaments is no more than about 0.5 cm. 
     
     
       17. The disposable bib of claim 16 wherein the maximum spacing between adjacent parallel filaments is no more than about 0.25 cm.