Appeal No. 2002-2246
Application No. 09/192,110
BACKGROUND
Appellants’ invention relates to a nonwoven web composite. The nonwoven web
composite includes a matrix comprising filaments that are formed by splitting a bicomponent
thermoplastic filament. The bicomponent filament includes a first thermoplastic polymer
and a second thermoplastic polymer arranged in distinct zones across a cross-section of the
individual bicomponent filament. The first and second thermoplastic polymers are
incompatible with each other and are responsive to a nonmechanical stimulus that induces
separation from each other. The matrix also includes fibers or particles as third component.
The nonwoven composite is useful in personal care absorbent articles. Claim 1, which is
representative of the claimed invention, appears below:
1. A nonwoven web composite, comprising:
a matrix including filaments formed by splitting bicomponent thermoplastic
filaments, the bicomponent filaments including a first thermoplastic polymer
and a second thermoplastic polymer arranged in distinct zones across a cross-
section of individual bicomponent filaments;
the first and second thermoplastic polymers being incompatible with each
other and responsive to a nonmechanical stimulus to induce separation from
each other; and
a third component contained within the matrix, the third component selected
from the group consisting of fibers, particles, and combinations thereof.
2
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