Nonwoven Web

Abstract

Nonwoven webs for use in absorbent articles are disclosed. A nonwoven web can have a first nonwoven layer and a second nonwoven layer. The first nonwoven layer has a first plurality of fibers, a first side and a second side opposed to the first side, and a first plurality of apertures extending through the first nonwoven layer from the first side to the second side. The first nonwoven layer also has an additive which is disposed, at least in part, on at least a portion of the first plurality of fibers. The second nonwoven layer has a second plurality of fibers, a first side and a second side opposed to the first side. The second nonwoven layer is attached to the first nonwoven layer such that at least a portion of the second plurality of fibers is in liquid communication with the first plurality of apertures.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A nonwoven web for use in an absorbent article, the nonwoven web comprising:
 a first nonwoven layer comprising a first plurality of fibers, a first side and a second side opposed to the first side, a first plurality of apertures extending through the first nonwoven layer from the first side to the second side, wherein the first nonwoven layer comprises an additive which is disposed, at least in part, on at least a portion of the first plurality of fibers; and   a second nonwoven layer comprising a second plurality of fibers, a first side and a second side opposed to the first side, the second nonwoven layer being attached to the first nonwoven layer such at least a portion of the second plurality of fibers are in liquid communication with the first plurality of apertures, wherein the first nonwoven layer is hydrophobic and wherein the second nonwoven layer is hydrophilic.   
     
     
         2 . The nonwoven web of  claim 1 , wherein the second nonwoven layer comprises a second plurality of apertures which are substantially aligned with the apertures of the first nonwoven layer. 
     
     
         3 . The nonwoven web of  claim 1 , wherein the additive comprises a hydrophobic material with HLB value between 0 and 4. 
     
     
         4 . The nonwoven web of  claim 3 , wherein the additive has a melting point in the range of about 40 degrees C. to about 80 degrees C. 
     
     
         5 . The nonwoven web of  claim 4 , wherein the additive comprises glycerol tristearate. 
     
     
         6 . The nonwoven web of  claim 2 , wherein the first nonwoven layer and the second nonwoven layer are attached about at least a portion of a periphery of each aperture. 
     
     
         7 . The nonwoven web of  claim 1 , wherein the first plurality of fibers comprises bi-component fibers. 
     
     
         8 . The nonwoven web of  claim 1 , wherein the additive is present in the first nonwoven layer at from between about 0.5 percent to about 15 percent by weight. 
     
     
         9 . The nonwoven web of  claim 1 , wherein the first plurality of fibers comprises bi-component fibers comprising polyethylene and polypropylene arranged in a sheath/core configuration. 
     
     
         10 . The nonwoven web of  claim 9 , wherein the additive is applied to the first nonwoven layer at from between about 0.1 gsm to about 10 gsm. 
     
     
         11 . The nonwoven web of  claim 9 , wherein the additive is provided at different levels in each component of the bi-component fiber. 
     
     
         12 . The nonwoven web of  claim 1 , wherein the first plurality of fibers comprises bi-component fibers comprising a first polypropylene and a second polypropylene arranged in a side by side configuration. 
     
     
         13 . The nonwoven web of  claim 1  further comprising a plurality of tufts extending above the first side of the first nonwoven layer. 
     
     
         14 . A nonwoven web for use in an absorbent article, the nonwoven web comprising:
 a first nonwoven layer comprising a first plurality of fibers, a first side and a second side opposed to the first side, wherein second side comprises a plurality of discontinuities, wherein the first nonwoven layer comprises an additive which is disposed, at least in part, on at least a portion of the first plurality of fibers; and   a second nonwoven layer comprising a second plurality of fibers, a first surface and a second surface opposed to the first surface and a plurality of tufts extending through at least a portion of the discontinuities in the first nonwoven layer, wherein the second nonwoven layer is attached to the first nonwoven layer such that at least a portion of the second plurality of fibers are in liquid communication with the first nonwoven layer, wherein the first nonwoven layer is hydrophobic and the second nonwoven layer is hydrophilic.   
     
     
         15 . The nonwoven web of  claim 14 , wherein the first nonwoven layer comprises a first plurality of apertures, and wherein the second nonwoven layer comprises a second plurality of apertures which are substantially aligned with the first plurality of apertures of the first nonwoven layer. 
     
     
         16 . The nonwoven web of  claim 14 , wherein the additive comprises a hydrophobic material with HLB value between 0 and 4. 
     
     
         17 . The nonwoven web of  claim 16 , wherein the additive has a melting point in the range of about 40 degrees C. to about 80 degrees C. 
     
     
         18 . The nonwoven web of  claim 17 , wherein the additive comprises glycerol tristearate. 
     
     
         19 . The nonwoven web of  claim 14 , wherein the first plurality of fibers comprises bi-component fibers. 
     
     
         20 . The nonwoven web of  claim 19 , wherein the additive is present in the first nonwoven layer at from between about 1 percent to about 15 percent by weight. 
     
     
         21 . The nonwoven web of  claim 14 , wherein the first plurality of fibers comprises bi-component fibers comprise a first polypropylene and a second polypropylene arranged in a side by side configuration and are crimped. 
     
     
         22 . The nonwoven web of  claim 21 , wherein the additive is applied to the first nonwoven layer at from between about 0.1 gsm to about 10 gsm. 
     
     
         23 . The nonwoven web of  claim 22 , wherein the additive is provided at different levels in each component. 
     
     
         24 . The nonwoven web of  claim 14 , wherein the first nonwoven layer further comprises a plurality of caps, wherein each of the plurality of caps is positioned above the first surface of the first nonwoven layer and each of the plurality of caps at least partially overlies an opening of the plurality of discontinuities. 
     
     
         25 . The nonwoven web of  claim 14 , wherein the first plurality of fibers comprises bi-component fibers comprising polyethylene and polypropylene arranged in a sheath/core configuration.