Filtration medium including polymeric netting of ribbons and strands

(Cross-reference to related applications) This application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, US Patent Provisional Application No. 62/042066, filed August 26, 2014, February 28, 2014. It claims the priority of No. 61/946601 filed in Japan and No. 61/946592 filed on February 28, 2014.

Polymer nets are used to reinforce paper articles or inexpensive textile products (eg, sanitary paper articles, paper towels, and durable bags), upholstery non-woven fabrics, window curtains, decorative net products, packaging materials, mosquitoes. It is used in a variety of applications including nets, protective net products for gardening insects or birds, grass or plant cultivation supports, sports net products, light fishing net products, and filter materials.

Extrusion processes for producing polymer nets are known in the art. For example, recent extrusion dies and methods using multiple shims have been reported to be able to produce polymer nets with thicknesses up to 750 micrometers. The polymer strands of the net are described as joining periodically at the binding region throughout the array. See Ausen et al., International Patent Application Publication No. 2013/028654, International Patent Application Publication No. 2013/032683, and International Patent Application Publication No. 2013/052371 respectively. Extruded articles containing wavy strands with an aspect ratio of at least about 2: 1 are disclosed in US Pat. No. 4,634,485 (Welygan et al.).

<p> The present disclosure provides a polymeric net that includes at least two different types of generally continuous elements, one of which is ribbon-like and oriented within the net on the edges of the elements. The ribbon-like element can be held in place, at least partially, by a second element of lower height.</p><p> In one aspect, the present disclosure provides a polymeric net, including a polymeric ribbon and a polymeric strand. Each of the polymer ribbon and strand has a length and width, the length being the longest dimension and the width being the shortest dimension. The polymer ribbon has a height-to-width aspect ratio of at least 5: 1, a main surface that is intermittently attached to only one polymer strand, and a height that is at least twice as high as the height of one polymer strand. Has. In some embodiments, the polymer ribbon is elastic, the polymer strand is elastic, or both the polymer ribbon and the polymer strand are elastic.</p><p> In another aspect, the present disclosure provides an absorbent article comprising the polymer net described above.</p><p> In another aspect, the present disclosure provides the above polymer net bonded to a carrier.</p><p> In another aspect, the present disclosure provides the above polymer net for use as an elastic bandage.</p><p> In another aspect, the present disclosure provides an absorbent article. Absorptive articles include a polymer net, a liquid impermeable backsheet, and an absorbent core. Polymer nets include polymer ribbons and polymer strands. Each of the polymer ribbon and strand has a length and width, the length being the longest dimension and the width being the shortest dimension. The polymer ribbon has a height-to-width aspect ratio of at least 3: 1 with a main surface intermittently attached to only one polymer strand and a height above the height of one polymer strand. The absorbent core may be between the polymer net and the backsheet, the polymer net may be between the absorbent core and the backsheet, or the polymer net may be in the absorbent core.</p><p> In any of the embodiments described above, each main surface of the polymer ribbon is typically intermittently attached to only one polymer strand.</p><p> In another aspect, the present disclosure provides an extruded die. The extrusion die comprises at least one cavity, a dispensing surface, and a fluid passage between at least one cavity and the dispensing surface. The dispensing surface has an array of first dispensing openings separated by an array of second dispensing openings, a first dispensing opening, a second dispensing opening, and any of them. The other dispensing openings are arranged in a row over the dispensing surface. The first and second dispensing openings have height and width, respectively. Each of the first dispensing openings has a height-to-width aspect ratio of at least 5: 1, and the height of the first dispensing opening is at least 3 higher than the height of the second dispensing opening. Twice as expensive.</p><p> In another aspect, the present disclosure provides a method of making a polymer net. The method comprises providing the extrusion die described above. In this method, the polymer ribbon is dispensed from the first dispensing opening at the first rate, while the polymer strands are simultaneously dispensed from the second dispensing opening at the second rate, and the polymer net is used. The first speed is at least twice the second speed, or the second speed is at least twice the first speed.</p><p> In another aspect, the present disclosure provides a method of making a polymer net. The method comprises providing an extrusion die comprising at least one cavity, a dispensing surface, and a fluid passage between the at least one cavity and the dispensing surface. The dispensing surface has an array of first dispensing openings separated by an array of second dispensing openings. The first and second dispensing openings have height and width, respectively. Each of the first dispensing openings has a height-to-width aspect ratio of at least 5: 1, and the height of the first dispensing opening is at least 2 higher than the height of the second dispensing opening. Twice as expensive. The method dispenses the polymer ribbon from the first dispensing opening at the first rate, while the polymer strands from the second dispensing opening are at least twice the first rate. It further comprises providing a polymer net by simultaneous dispensing at a rate.</p><p> In this application, the terms "a," "an," and "the" are not intended to refer to just one entity, and specific examples may be used to explain them in general. Includes categories. The terms "a", "an" and "the" are used interchangeably with the term "at least one". The expressions "at least one of" and "contains at least one of", followed by the enumeration section, are for any one of the items in the enumeration section and for two or more items in the enumeration section. Refers to any combination. All numerical ranges include their endpoints and non-integer values between those endpoints (eg, 1-5 are 1, 1.5, 2, 2.75, 3, 3.80, 4, and 5 unless otherwise stated. including).</p><p> The terms "first" and "second" are used in this disclosure. Unless otherwise noted, it will be understood that these terms are used only in their relative sense. In particular, in some embodiments, the particular components may be interchangeable and / or present in the same plurality (eg, pairs). For these components, the notations "first" and "second" may be applied to the components for convenience of merely describing one or more of the embodiments. However, when referring to the first and second edges, it should be understood that the first edges for a portion of the polymer ribbon are oriented in the same direction, respectively. For example, when focusing on a polymer net, the first edge can be all edges defining the top surface of the polymer net, and the second edge can be all edges defining the bottom surface of the polymer net. It is possible and vice versa.</p><p> The term "ribbon" refers to a longitudinally extending element of a polymer net having a generally rectangular or elliptical cross section. Polymer net ribbons may include ribbons other than those disclosed herein having a height-to-width aspect ratio of at least 3: 1, at least 5: 1, or at least 7: 1. In other words, not all elements of a polymer net with a rectangular cross section are required to have a height-to-width aspect ratio of at least 3: 1, at least 5: 1, or at least 7: 1. The polymer strand may also have a rectangular cross section.</p><p> The main surface of the polymer ribbon is the surface defined by the height and length of the ribbon.</p><p> The terms "multiple" and "a plurality" refer to being greater than one.</p><p> The term "net" is used herein to illustrate the structure of a space between a ribbon and a strand, eg, a space between a site where the ribbon and the strand bond to each other. Used in. Such a space provides an opening in the net.</p><p> The term "elastic" refers to any material that exhibits recovery from stretching or deformation (eg, a film with a thickness of 0.002 mm to 0.5 mm). In some embodiments, when a stretching force is applied, it is stretched to a length that is at least about 25 percent (50 percent in some embodiments) longer than its initial length, and when the stretching force is released, it is stretched. The material may be considered elastic if it can recover up to at least 40 percent. Percentage "elongation" refers to {(extended length-initial length) / initial length} multiplied by 100.</p><p> The above summary of the present disclosure is not intended to illustrate each of the disclosed embodiments, or all implementations of the present disclosure. The following description is a more specific example of an exemplary embodiment. Therefore, it should be understood that the following description should not be construed to unreasonably limit the scope of this disclosure.</p>

The disclosure may be more fully understood by reviewing the following detailed description of the various embodiments of the disclosure with the accompanying drawings.<figref num="1">It is sectional drawing side view of the embodiment of the polymer net which concerns on this disclosure.</figref><figref num="2">It is a perspective view of the embodiment of the polymer net which concerns on this disclosure.</figref><figref num="3">FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a plane of another embodiment of the polymer net according to the present disclosure, which is bonded to a substrate such as an absorbent component.</figref><figref num="4">It is a schematic sectional view of the plane of still another embodiment of the polymer net which concerns on this disclosure.</figref><figref num="5">It is a schematic sectional view of the plane of still another embodiment of the polymer net which concerns on this disclosure.</figref><figref num="6">It is a schematic sectional view of the plane of still another embodiment of the polymer net which concerns on this disclosure.</figref><figref num="7">It is a schematic sectional view of the plane of still another embodiment of the polymer net which concerns on this disclosure.</figref><figref num="8">It is a schematic sectional view of the plane of still another embodiment of the polymer net which concerns on this disclosure.</figref><figref num="9">For example, it is a top view of the embodiment of a shim suitable for the arrangement of shims capable of forming the polymer net shown in FIGS. 1 to 4.</figref><figref num="10">For example, it is a plan view of another embodiment of a shim suitable for the arrangement of shims capable of forming the polymer net shown in FIGS. 1 to 7.</figref><figref num="11">For example, it is a plan view of another embodiment of a shim suitable for the arrangement of shims capable of forming the polymer net shown in FIGS. 1 to 4.</figref><figref num="12A">FIG. 5 is an assembly perspective view of an array of shims that employ the shims of FIGS. 9, 10, and 11 configured to form part of the polymer net shown in FIG.</figref><figref num="12B">It is an enlarged view of the part shown as "12B" in FIG. 12A.</figref><figref num="13">For example, it is a plan view of an embodiment of a shim suitable for an arrangement of shims capable of forming the polymer net shown in FIG.</figref><figref num="14">For example, it is a plan view of another embodiment of a shim suitable for the arrangement of shims capable of forming the polymer net shown in FIG.</figref><figref num="15A">FIG. 5 is an assembly perspective view of an array of shims that employ the shims of FIGS. 10, 13, and 14 configured to form part of the polymer net shown in FIG.</figref><figref num="15B">It is an enlarged view of the part shown as "15B" in FIG. 15A.</figref><figref num="16">For example, it is a plan view of an embodiment of a shim suitable for an arrangement of shims capable of forming the polymer net shown in FIG.</figref><figref num="17">For example, it is a plan view of another embodiment of a shim suitable for the arrangement of shims capable of forming the polymer net shown in FIG.</figref><figref num="18A">FIG. 5 is an assembly perspective view of an array of shims that employ the shims of FIGS. 10, 11, 16 and 17, configured to form part of the polymer net shown in FIG.</figref><figref num="18B">It is an enlarged view of the part shown as "18B" in FIG. 18A.</figref><figref num="19">For example, it is a plan view of an embodiment of a shim suitable for an arrangement of shims capable of forming the polymer net shown in FIG. 7.</figref><figref num="20">For example, it is a plan view of another embodiment of a shim suitable for the arrangement of shims capable of forming the polymer net shown in FIG.</figref><figref num="21A">FIG. 5 is an assembly perspective view of an array of shims that employ the shims of FIGS. 10, 14, 19, and 20 configured to form part of the polymer net shown in FIG.</figref><figref num="21B">It is an enlarged view of the part shown as "21B" in FIG. 21A.</figref><figref num="22">FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of an example of a mount suitable for an extrusion die composed of a plurality of repetitions of the shim arrangement shown in FIGS. 12A, 15A, 18A, 21A, or 27A.</figref><figref num="23">It is a perspective view of the mount of FIG. 22 in the assembled state.</figref><figref num="24">For example, it is a plan view of an embodiment of a shim suitable for forming an array of shims useful for producing the polymer net shown in FIG.</figref><figref num="25">For example, it is a plan view of another embodiment of a shim suitable for forming an array of shims useful for producing the polymer net shown in FIG.</figref><figref num="26">For example, it is a plan view of yet another embodiment of a shim suitable for forming an array of shims useful for the polymer net shown in FIG.</figref><figref num="27A">For example, it is a perspective view of the arrangement of shims adopting the shims of FIGS. 24 to 26, which are configured to form a part of the polymer net shown in FIG.</figref><figref num="27B">It is an enlarged view of the part shown as "27B" in FIG. 27A.</figref><figref num="28">It is a schematic exploded view of an example of the absorbent article which concerns on this disclosure.</figref><figref num="29">FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a foot showing an embodiment of a polymer net according to the present disclosure used as a bandage.</figref><figref num="30">It is a photograph seen from the upper surface of the polymer net of Example 1.</figref><figref num="31A">It is a photograph seen from the upper surface and the side surface of the polymer net of Example 2, respectively.</figref><figref num="31B">It is a photograph seen from the upper surface and the side surface of the polymer net of Example 2, respectively.</figref><figref num="32A">It is a photograph seen from the upper surface and the side surface of the polymer net of Example 3, respectively.</figref><figref num="32B">It is a photograph seen from the upper surface and the side surface of the polymer net of Example 3, respectively.</figref><figref num="33A">It is a photograph seen from the upper surface and the side surface of the polymer net of Example 4, respectively.</figref><figref num="33B">It is a photograph seen from the upper surface and the side surface of the polymer net of Example 4, respectively.</figref><figref num="34A">It is a photograph seen from the upper surface and the side surface of the polymer net of Example 6, respectively.</figref><figref num="34B">It is a photograph seen from the upper surface and the side surface of the polymer net of Example 6, respectively.</figref><figref num="35">It is a photograph of the test jig used for evaluating the fluid strike-through time with respect to Examples 1, 1b, 4a, 4b, 6a, and 6b.</figref>

FIG. 1 shows a side view of an embodiment of the polymer net 10 according to the present disclosure. The polymer net 10 includes a polymer ribbon 1 and a polymer strand 3. The polymer ribbon 1 and the polymer strand 3 have lengths, widths "w1" and "w3", and heights "h1" and "h3", respectively. The lengths of the polymer ribbon 1 and the strand 3 are the longest dimensions and are not shown in FIG. The width is the shortest dimension. Ribbon height "h1" and strand height "h3" are usually between their respective lengths and widths, respectively. However, the strand 3 may also have a height "h3" that is substantially the same as the width "w3" of the strand. In the case of circular strands, their height and width may both be referred to as diameter. The height-to-width aspect ratio of at least some polymer ribbons is at least 3: 1. In some embodiments, the height-to-width aspect ratios of at least some of the polymeric ribbons are at least 5: 1, 7: 1, 8: 1, 10: 1, 11: 1, 15: 1, 20. 1, 30: 1, or 40: 1. The height of the polymer ribbon is generally higher than the height of the polymer strands. In some embodiments, the height of each of the polymer ribbons is at least 2-fold, 2.5-fold, 3-fold, 5-fold, 10-fold, or 20-fold higher than the height of a single polymer strand. The height of the polymer ribbon may be in the range of 50 micrometers to 3 millimeters (mm). In some embodiments, the height of the polymer ribbon exceeds 750 micrometers. In some of these embodiments, the height of the polymer ribbon is in the range of more than 750 micrometers to 3 mm (eg 0.775 mm to 2 mm or 0.8 mm to 1.5 mm). In some embodiments, the height of at least one of the polymer ribbons or polymer strands is less than 750 micrometers. In some of these embodiments, the height of at least one of the polymer ribbons or polymer strands is 0.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the polymer net 20 according to the present disclosure. In this perspective view, the length "l" of the polymer ribbon and strands can be confirmed.

Referring again to FIGS. 1 and 2, the polymer ribbons 1, 11 and 21 each have a first main surface 2, 12 intermittently bonded to a single polymer strand 3, 13. That is, the two or more polymer strands are not bonded to the first main surface of the polymer ribbon. If it is stated that the first main surface of the polymer ribbon is intermittently bonded to a single polymer strand, then the polymer strand is the junction to the polymer ribbon and another part of the net opposite the polymer strand. It can be observed to vibrate between and. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, the two adjacent polymer ribbons 11 and 21 are attached to each other by a single polymer strand 13 which is attached to the two adjacent polymer ribbons 11 and 21 at least partially alternately. Be joined. However, this is not a requirement. For example, in some embodiments, the polymer strand oscillates between the junction to the polymer ribbon and a non-oscillating strand that does not necessarily have a height-to-width aspect ratio of at least 3: 1. May be good. Polymer ribbons are usually bonded because the main surface of the polymer ribbon is intermittently bonded to the polymer strand, which is bonded to the polymer ribbon and another strand or ribbon of the net, at least partially alternating. , Does not intersect with polymer strands. In any of the polymer net embodiments disclosed herein, polymer strands and ribbons typically intersect each other substantially by forming either overlapping or sandwiched intersections. Not (for example, at least 50 (at least 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 99, or even 100) percent do not intersect each other in number).

In FIG. 1, the heights h1 of the polymer ribbon 1 are all about the same size, and the heights h3 of the polymer strand 3 are all the same size, but as shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, this is Not a requirement. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, there may be two different types of polymer ribbons 31, 41. The height-to-width aspect ratio of the polymer ribbon 31 is greater than the height-to-width aspect ratio of the polymer ribbon 41. In FIGS. 2 and 4, the polymer ribbons 11, 21, and 51 have a range of heights. In FIG. 4, the height-to-width aspect ratio of the polymer ribbon 51 is larger at the edge 55 than at the center 57 of the polymer net 50. In these embodiments, at least some of the polymeric ribbons 51 have a height-to-width aspect ratio of at least 3: 1.

In FIGS. 1-4, the spacing between the various polymer ribbons and polymer strands of the polymer net is approximately equal, but this is not a requirement. The spacing between any two adjacent polymer ribbons 1, 11, 21, 31, 41, 51 or any two adjacent polymer strands 3, 13, 33, 53 can vary in the web crossing direction. For example, any two adjacent polymer ribbons or any two adjacent polymer strands may be positioned closer to each other in the center than at the edges of the net and vice versa.

In the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4, the polymer ribbons and polymer strands alternate. In some embodiments of polymer nets according to the present disclosure and / or polymer nets manufactured according to the methods disclosed herein, polymer ribbons and polymer strands alternate at least in part of the net. In these embodiments, and in other embodiments where the polymer ribbons and polymer strands do not alternate, each main surface of the polymer ribbon is typically intermittently attached to only one polymer strand. Furthermore, it should be noted that the spacing shown in the planar cross-sections of the polymer nets shown in FIGS. 3, 4, 5, 6, and 8 (described later) is idealized. In a typical cross-sectional plan view, not all polymer strands appear to bond equally to the main surface of the polymer ribbon. Rather, the positions of the strands appear to be similar to those shown in the cross-sectional plan view of FIG. 7 and the side view shown in FIG.

Some embodiments of the polymer net configuration according to the present disclosure are shown in FIGS. 1, 5, and 6. In FIG. 1, the polymer ribbon 1 has a center line 4 that bisects the main surface 2, and a first edge 6 and a second edge 8 that are symmetrically arranged opposite the center line 4, respectively. Have. For each of the polymer ribbons 1, a single polymer strand 3 that connects is attached to the main surface 2 at a location between the centerline 4 and the first edge 6. In the illustrated embodiment, the single polymer strand 3 is attached to two adjacent polymer ribbons 1 at a position between the centerline 4 and the first edge 6. In other words, the single polymer strand 3 is attached to the main surface 2 which is closer to the first edge 6 than to the second edge 8. In yet another way, the polymer net 10 has first and second opposed main surfaces 5, 7 that traverse the main surface 2 of the polymer ribbon 1. The second main surface 7 of the polymer net 10 includes the second edge 8 of the polymer ribbon 1, and the first main surface 5 of the polymer net 10 is the first edge 6 of the polymer ribbon 1 and the polymer strands. Includes at least some part of 3.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the polymer ribbon 61 and the polymer strand 63 are vertically aligned. In these embodiments, the single polymer strand 63 is attached to the main surface 62 at a location that includes the centerline 64. In yet another way, the polymer net 60 has first and second opposing main surfaces 65, 67 that traverse the main surface 62 of the polymer ribbon 61. The first main surface 65 of the polymer net 60 includes the first edge 66 of the polymer ribbon 61, and the second main surface 67 of the polymer net 60 includes the second edge 68 of the polymer ribbon 61. Neither the first main surface 65 nor the second main surface 67 contains a portion of the polymer strand 63.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the polymer ribbons 71 and 81 have a center line 74 and 84 that bisect the main surfaces 72 and 82, respectively, and a second top symmetrically arranged opposite the center lines 74 and 84. It has edges 78, 88 and a first lower edge 76, 86, and some polymer ribbons 81 are single at a location between the centerline 84 and the second upper edge 88. It is attached to the polymer strand 73, and some of the polymer ribbons 71 are attached to a single polymer strand 73 at a location between the centerline 74 at the lower edge 76. In other words, the single polymer strand 73 is attached to the main surface 72 of the first portion of the polymer ribbon 71, which is closer to the first edge 76 than the second edge 78, and the single polymer strand 73. Is bonded to the main surface 82 of the second portion of the polymer ribbon 81, which is closer to the second edge 88 than the first edge 86. In yet another way, the polymer net 70 has first and second opposing main surfaces 75, 77 that traverse the main surfaces 72, 82 of the polymer ribbons 71, 81. The first main surface 75 of the polymer net 70 includes the first edge 86 of the first group of the polymer ribbon 81, and the second main surface 77 of the polymer net 70 is the second group of the polymer ribbon 71. Includes the second edge 78 of the. Neither the first main surface 75 nor the second main surface 77 contains a portion of the polymer strand 73. The first group of the polymer ribbon 81 does not extend to the second main surface 77, and the second group of the polymer ribbon 71 does not extend to the first main surface 75. Further details about this embodiment are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety, and co-pending U.S. Patent Application No. 61 / 946,592 filed February 28, 2014 (Legatt et al.). ) Can be found.

In FIGS. 1 to 6, the widths w1 of the polymer ribbons are almost the same, and the widths w3 of the polymer strands are all almost the same, but this is also not a requirement. The width of the polymer ribbon and / or polymer strands can vary over the entire net (eg, in a direction across the length of the polymer ribbon and polymer strands). For example, at least one of the polymer ribbons or polymer strands may have a wider width w1 or w3 centered than the edges of the net and vice versa.

In the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 6, the width w1 of the polymer ribbon is uniform from the second edges 8, 78, 88 to the first edges 6, 76, 86. Again, this is not a requirement. For example, FIG. 7 shows a polymer net 80 with a ribbon of uneven width between the upper and lower edges. This embodiment is similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, in which the polymer ribbon 61a and the polymer strand 63a are vertically centered. However, in the polymer net 80, the width of the polymer ribbon 61a is wider at the location including the center line 64a than the width of the upper edge 68 and the lower edge 66. That is, in the illustrated embodiment, the polymer ribbon 61a is wider where it binds to the polymer strand 63a.

In the polymer net 80 illustrated in FIG. 7, the polymer ribbon 61a is designed to be wider near the centerline 64a than the upper edge 68 and the lower edge 66. The width of the polymer ribbon can also be designed to vary from the upper edge to the lower edge in other forms. For example, the width of the upper edge portion 68 and / or the lower edge portion 66 may be wider than the portion near the center line 64a. The polymer strands can be attached to the polymer ribbon at these locations. Polymer ribbons can also have irregular width variations caused by the extrusion process. In all situations where the width of the polymer ribbon is not uniform, the width w1 of the polymer ribbon for determining the height-to-width aspect ratio is measured at the minimum width.

Similarly, the height of the polymer ribbon can be measured at maximum height. The height of the polymer ribbon is generally uniform. Polymer ribbons in any of the polymer net embodiments disclosed herein usually do not have any separate posts (eg, mechanical fasteners or hooks) that stand upright from the edges of the polymer ribbon. it is conceivable that. Similarly, the polymeric nets in any of the embodiments disclosed herein also typically have any separate posts (eg, mechanical fasteners or hooks) on the first or second main surface. It is thought that it will not be done.

In some embodiments, where the polymer ribbon has a centerline that bisects the main surface and first and second edges that are symmetrically arranged opposite the centerline, the first of the polymer ribbons. The edges of the polymer ribbon contain a different composition than the second edge of the polymer ribbon. An embodiment of such a polymer net is shown in FIG. In FIG. 8, the polymer net 90 includes a polymer ribbon 91 and a polymer strand 93. The polymer ribbon 91 has a first portion 91a and a second portion 91b, respectively. The first and second parts 91a and 91b are made from different polymer compositions. Similarly, the polymer strand 93 has a first portion 93a and a second portion 93b, respectively. In these embodiments, the polymer net 90 has first and second opposing main surfaces 95, 97 that traverse the main surface 92 of the polymer ribbon 91. The first main surface 95 of the polymer net 90 includes the first edge 96 of the polymer ribbon 91 and the second portion 93b of the polymer strand 93, and the second main surface 97 of the polymer net 90 is the polymer ribbon 91. Includes the second edge 98 of. The first portion 91a of the polymer ribbon 91 and thus the second edge 98 comprises the first polymer composition, and the second portion 91b of the polymer ribbon 91 and thus the first edge 96 , Includes a second polymer composition. The first portion 93a of the polymer strand contains a third polymer composition and the second portion 93b of the polymer strand 93 comprises a fourth polymer composition. In the illustrated embodiment, at least the first and second polymer compositions are different, the first polymer composition does not extend to the first edge 96 of the polymer ribbon 91.

Although other methods may be useful, the polymer nets in any of the embodiments disclosed herein can be conveniently prepared by the extrusion dies and / or methods according to the present disclosure. The extruded die according to the present disclosure has various passages from the cavity inside the die to the dispensing opening. Each of the dispensing openings corresponds to a width that corresponds to the width of the particular polymer ribbon or polymer strand, and the thickness of the resulting extruded polymer net and the height of the particular polymer ribbon or polymer strand. It has a height, which is a dimension.

In the extrusion dies and methods for producing the polymer nets according to the present disclosure, the extrusion dies have at least one cavity, a dispensing surface, and a fluid passage between the at least one cavity and the dispensing surface. The dispensing surface has an array of first dispensing openings separated by an array of second dispensing openings. This means that for any two first dispensing openings, there is at least one second dispensing opening between these first dispensing openings. However, for any two first dispensing openings, it is possible that there are two or more second dispensing openings between these first dispensing openings, and these second There may be a dispensing opening other than the second dispensing opening in a parallel configuration between the dispensing openings of.

The fluid passage physically draws the polymer from at least one cavity (eg, the first and second cavities inside the extrusion die and any additional die cavities as needed) until the fluid passage reaches the dispensing opening. Can be separated into. The shapes of the different passages in the die may be the same or different. Examples of cross-sectional shapes of passages include round shapes, square shapes, and rectangular shapes. These cross-sectional shapes, polymer material choices, and die wells can affect the cross-sectional shape of ribbons and strands.

In many embodiments, including the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 9-27A and 27B, the extrusion die comprises at least first and second cavities, with the first cavity and the first dispensing opening. It has a first fluid passage between them and a second fluid passage between the second cavity and the second dispensing opening. The first and second dispensing openings have heights and widths, respectively, and the first dispensing openings are at least 3: 1 (in some embodiments, at least 5: 1, 8 :), respectively. It has a height-to-width aspect ratio of 1, 10: 1, 11: 1, 15: 1, 20: 1, 30: 1, or 40: 1), and the height of the first dispensing opening is , Higher than the height of the second dispensing opening (at least 2x, 2.5x, 3x, 5x, 10x, or 20x higher in some embodiments). In some embodiments, specific embodiments of the extrusion die, the first dispensing opening, the second dispensing opening, and any other dispensing opening are arranged one by one over the dispensing surface. Will be done. That is, in these embodiments, the dispensing openings are arranged singly or one by one in the width dimension of the die, regardless of the arrangement of the dispensing openings in these embodiments. For example, the dispensing openings do not stack in groups of two, three or more in the height direction.

In some embodiments of the methods according to the present disclosure, the polymer ribbon is dispensed from the first dispensing opening at a first rate, while the polymer is dispensed from a second dispensing opening at a second rate. The strands are dispensed at the same time and the second velocity is at least twice the first velocity. In some embodiments, the second speed ranges from 2 to 6 times or 2 to 4 times the first speed. In some embodiments where the extrusion die comprises at least first and second cavities, the first cavity of the extrusion die dispenses the polymer ribbon from the array of first dispensing openings at a first rate. To feed the first polymer composition at the first pressure and the second cavity of the extrusion die to dispense the polymer strands from the array of second dispensing openings at the second rate. , The second polymer composition is fed at a second pressure and the second rate is at least 2 (2-6, 2-4 in some embodiments) times the first rate.

In another embodiment of the method according to the present disclosure, the polymer ribbon is dispensed from the first dispensing opening at a first rate, while the polymer strands are dispensed from a second dispensing opening at a second rate. Are dispensed at the same time, and the first speed is at least twice the second speed. In some embodiments, the first speed ranges from 2 to 6 times or 2 to 4 times the second speed. In some embodiments where the extrusion die comprises at least first and second cavities, the first cavity of the extrusion die dispenses the polymer ribbon from the array of first dispensing openings at a first rate. To feed the first polymer composition at the first pressure and the second cavity of the extrusion die to dispense the polymer strands from the array of second dispensing openings at the second rate. , The second polymer composition is fed at a second pressure and the first rate is at least 2 (2-6, 2-4 in some embodiments) times the second rate.

Although either the polymer ribbon or the polymer strand can be manufactured to vibrate, the vibration of the polymer strand usually results in a wider bond region. Therefore, in the methods described below, polymer strands are described as oscillating strands.

The size of the polymer ribbon and polymer strands can be determined, for example, by the composition of the polymer to be extruded, the speed of the extruded strands, and / or the design of the openings (eg, the cross-sectional area (eg, the height and / or width of the openings)). ) Can be adjusted. As taught by International Patent Application Publication No. 2013/028654 (Ausen et al.), Dispensing surfaces with a first polymer opening that is three times larger in area than the second polymer opening are characterized by the properties of the polymer composition and The pressure in the cavity does not allow the formation of nets with polymer ribbons that are taller than the polymer strands. In embodiments of the extrusion dies and methods according to the present disclosure, the height-to-width aspect ratio of the openings is at least 5: 1.

Conveniently, the extrusion die according to and / or useful for carrying out the present disclosure may consist of multiple shims. The shims together define at least one cavity, a dispensing surface, and a fluid passage between at least one cavity and the dispensing surface. In some embodiments, the plurality of shims comprises an array of the plurality of shims, each array providing a first fluid passage between at least one cavity and at least one of the first dispensing openings. Includes at least one first shim to provide and at least one second shim to provide a second fluid passage between at least one cavity and at least one of the second dispensing openings. .. In some embodiments, the shim defines both the first cavity and the second cavity, whereby the extrusion die has multiple first dispensing openings for fluid communication with the first cavity. And has a plurality of second dispensing openings for fluid communication with the second cavity.

In some embodiments, the shims will be assembled according to a plan that provides an array of a wide variety of types of shims. Sequences can have a wide variety of shims, as different applications can have different requirements. The sequence may be a repeat sequence that is not limited to a particular number of repeats in a particular zone. Alternatively, the sequences do not have to be repeated regularly and sequences of various shims may be used.

A plurality of shims useful for providing the polymer net according to the present disclosure are shown in FIGS. 9 to 11, 12A, and 12B. Here, with reference to FIG. 9, a plan view of the shim 100 is illustrated. Sim 100 is useful for the sequence of Sim 1000 shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B. Other shims useful for this sequence are shown in Figures 10 and 11. The shim 100 has a first aperture 110a, a second aperture 110b, and a third aperture 110c. When the shim array 1000 is assembled, the first apertures 110a, 210a, and 310a of the shims 100, 200, and 300 together define at least a portion of the first cavity 1012a. Similarly, the second apertures 110b, 210b, and 310b of the shims 100, 200, and 300 together define at least a portion of the second cavity 1012b, and the third aperture 110c of the shims 100, 200, and 300. , 210c, and 310c together define at least a portion of the third cavity 1012c. The shim 100 has, for example, a bolt for holding the shim 100 and a plurality of holes 147 that allow other things described below to pass through the assembly. The shim 100 has a dispensing surface 167, and in this particular embodiment, the dispensing surface 167 is useful for conveniently aligning the shim with a properly shaped key when assembling the shim into the die. It has an indexing groove 180 and an identification notch 182 that helps confirm that the die has been assembled as desired. The shim 100 has shoulders 190 and 192 to which the compression blocks 2204 described below in connection with FIGS. 22 and 23 can be conveniently engaged. The shim 100 has a dispensing opening 156, but the dispensing opening 156 and any one of the apertures 110a, 110b, or 110c are not integrally connected. For example, from the first aperture 110a to the dispensing opening 156, for example, there is no connection via passage 168a, but shim 1 as shown in assembly diagram 1000 (see FIG. 12A). When 00 is assembled with shims 200 and 300, the flow has a path 1068a to the dispensing surface. The dimensions of the duct 154 and in particular the dispensing opening 156 at its end can be designed to provide the desired dimensions for the polymer strands extruded from it. The dimensions of the dispensing opening 156 and the dimensions of the passage 158a also affect the desired strand speed.

Here, with reference to FIG. 10, a plan view of the shim 200 is illustrated. The shim 200 has a first aperture 210a, a second aperture 210b, and a third aperture 210c. When the shim 200 is assembled with other shims as shown in FIG. 12A, the aperture 210a helps to define the first cavity 1012a, the aperture 210b helps to define the second cavity 1012b, and the aperture 210c. Helps to define the third cavity 1012c. The shim 200 has, for example, a bolt for holding the shim 200 and a plurality of holes 247 that allow other things described below to pass through the assembly. The shim 200 has a dispensing surface 267, and in this particular embodiment, the dispensing surface 267 has an indexing groove 280 and an identification notch 282. The shim 200 also has shoulders 290 and 292. This shim creates a non-dispensing area along the width of the die, so there is no passage from any of the cavities to the dispensing surface 267. In use, the (plural) shims 200 separate the shim 100, which produces the polymer strand 3, and the shim 300, which produces the polymer ribbon 1.

Here, with reference to FIG. 11, a plan view of the shim 300 is illustrated. The shim 300 has a first aperture 310a, a second aperture 310b, and a third aperture 310c. When the shim 300 is assembled with other shims as shown in Figure 12A, aperture 310a helps define the first cavity 1012a, aperture 310b helps define the second cavity 1012b, and aperture 310c. Helps to define the third cavity 1012c. The shim 300 has, for example, a bolt for holding the shim 300 and a plurality of holes 347 that allow other things described below to pass through the assembly. The shim 300 has a dispensing surface 367, and in this particular embodiment, the dispensing surface 367 has an indexing groove 380. The shim 300 also has shoulders 390 and 392. The shim 300 has a dispensing opening 356, but the dispensing opening 356 is not integrally connected to any one of the apertures 310a, 310b, or 310c. For example, from aperture 310c to dispensing opening 356, for example, there is no connection through passage 368c, but when shim 300 is assembled with shims 100 and 200 as shown in sequence 1000 (see Figure 12A), the flow is minute. Note Has a path 1068c to the surface. Comparing FIG. 11 and FIG. 9, it is confirmed that the dispensing opening 356 is larger than the dispensing opening 156. In some embodiments, the dispensing opening 356 is at least twice the size of the dispensing opening 156. In some embodiments, the dispensing opening 356 is at least 2.5 times, 3 times, 5 times, 10 times, or 20 times larger than the dispensing opening 156.

12A and 12B show an assembly perspective view of an array of shims (collectively 1000) that employs the shims of FIGS. 9-11 to produce the polymer net 10 shown in FIG. Array 1000 goes from left to right, with two shims 100 and two shims 200 capable of extruding polymer strand 3, two shims 300 and two shims 200 capable of extruding polymer ribbon 1. To be equipped. Each of the first dispensing openings 1001 has an aspect ratio defined by a height h1001 and a width w1001. The height-to-width aspect ratio is at least 3: 1 (in some embodiments, at least 5: 1, 8: 1, 10: 1, 11: 1, 15: 1, 20: 1, 30: 1, Or 40: 1). The first dispensing opening 1001 and the second dispensing opening 1003 are separated by a two-instance shim 200. This separation results in the separation of the polymer ribbon 1 from the polymer strand 3 in the polymer net 10. The height h1001 of the first dispensing opening is higher than the height h1003 of the second dispensing opening. In some embodiments, the height h1001 of the first dispensing opening is at least 2 times, 2.5 times, 3 times, 5 times, 10 times, or more than the height h1003 of the second dispensing opening. 20 times higher.

Modifications of Sequence 1000 shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B can be used in combination with Sequence 1000 to produce, for example, the polymer nets 20, 40, and 50 shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 4. .. To produce the polymer net 40 shown in FIG. 3, sequence 1000 can be replaced, for example, with another sequence similar to 1000 in which the shim 300 has a somewhat smaller opening 356. A shim 300 with a somewhat smaller opening 356 can be useful for extruding the polymer ribbon 41, whereas a shim 300 can be useful for extruding the polymer ribbon 31. In some embodiments, the sequence 1000 can be alternated with another sequence similar to 1000 in which the shim 100 is replaced by the shim 300, and the flow rate of the polymer out of the cavity 1012c is controlled so that the strands do not vibrate. , Can be adjusted. This arrangement causes the polymer strand 33 to oscillate between the junction to the polymer ribbon 31 and the junction to a non-vibrating strand that does not necessarily have a height-to-width aspect ratio of at least 3: 1. Polymer nets can be manufactured. To produce the polymer net 20 shown in FIG. 2, sequence 1000 has a similar sequence with the shim 300 modified to have a progressively smaller opening 356, eg, to provide multiple shim sequences. Can be combined. A shim 300 with a somewhat smaller opening 356 can be useful for extruding the polymer ribbon 21, whereas a shim 300 can be useful for extruding the polymer ribbon 11. Such multiple shim sequences can be repeated in reverse order to provide the polymer net 50 shown in FIG.

In the method of making the polymer net shown in FIG. 1 using the extrusion dies shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B, for example, the polymer from the first cavity 1012a appears as polymer strand 3 from the second dispensing opening 1003. , The polymer from the third cavity 1012c appears as the polymer ribbon 1 from the first dispensing opening 1001. The dimensions of the fluid passage and the pressure in the cavities 1012a and 1012c are such that the velocity of the vibrating polymer strand 3 is typically about 2-6 times faster than the velocity of the polymer ribbon 1 (2-4 times in some embodiments). Selected to be faster. The second cavity 1012b is not used to make the polymer net shown in FIG. 1, but this cavity can be used to introduce another polymer composition of the polymer net 10.

Polymer nets such as those shown as Polymer Net 60 in FIG. 5 can be produced, for example, using the shim sequences shown in FIGS. 15A and 15B. 15A and 15B are perspective assemblies of an array of shims, including the shims 200 described above in relation to FIG. 10 and the shims 400 and 500 described below in relation to FIGS. 13 and 14, respectively. Shown.

Here, referring to FIG. 13, a plan view of the shim 400 is illustrated. The shim 400 has a first aperture 410a, a second aperture 410b, and a third aperture 410c. When the shim 400 is assembled with other shims as shown in FIG. 15, aperture 410a helps define the first cavity 1112a, aperture 410b helps define the second cavity 1112b, and aperture 410c. Helps to define the third cavity 1112c. The shim 400 has, for example, a bolt for holding the shim 400 and a plurality of holes 447 that allow other things described below to pass through the assembly. The shim 400 has a dispensing surface 467, and in this particular embodiment, the dispensing surface 467 has an indexing groove 480 and an identification notch 482. The Sim 400 also has shoulders 490 and 492. The shim 400 has a dispensing opening 456, but the dispensing opening 456 and any one of the apertures 410a, 410b, or 410c are not integrally connected. For example, from aperture 410c to dispensing opening 456, for example, there is no connection through passage 468a, but when shim 400 is assembled with shims 200 and 500 as shown in array 1100 (see Figure 15A), the flow is shown in the drawing. It has a path 1168a to the dispensing surface perpendicular to the plane of dimension. The dimensions of 456 can be designed to provide the desired dimensions for the polymer strands extruded from it. The dimensions of the dispensing opening 456 and the dimensions of the passage leading to it also affect the strand speed.

Here, with reference to FIG. 14, a plan view of the Sim 500 is illustrated. The shim 500 has a first aperture 510a, a second aperture 510b, and a third aperture 510c. When the shim 500 is assembled with other shims as shown in FIGS. 15A and 15B, aperture 510a helps define the first cavity 1112a and aperture 510b helps define the second cavity 1112b. , Aperture 510c serves to define the third cavity 1112c. The shim 500 has, for example, a bolt for holding the shim 500 and a plurality of holes 547 that allow other things described below to pass through the assembly. The shim 500 has a dispensing surface 567, and in this particular embodiment, the dispensing surface 567 has an indexing groove 580. The Sim 500 also has shoulders 590 and 592. The shim 500 has a dispensing opening 556, but the dispensing opening 556 is not integrally connected to any one of the apertures 510a, 510b, or 510c. For example, from aperture 510b to dispensing opening 556, for example, there is no connection through passage 568b, but when shim 500 is assembled with shims 200 and 400 as shown in the assembly drawing (see Figure 15A), the flow is minute. Note Has a path 1168b to the surface.

15A and 15B show an assembly perspective view of an array of shims (collectively 1100) that employs the shims of FIGS. 10, 13 and 14 to produce the polymer net 60 shown in FIG. .. Array 1100 goes from left to right, with four shims 400 capable of extruding polymer strands 63, four shims 200, two shims 500 capable of extruding polymer ribbon 61, and four shims 200. To be equipped. Dispensing openings 1101 and 1103 are separated by a 4-instance shim 200. This separation results in the separation of the polymer ribbon 61 from the polymer strand 63 in the polymer net 60. The arrangement of shims 1100 is an array of 1000, except that the dispensing openings 1101 and 1103 are vertically aligned so that the second dispensing opening is located in the center of the cross section of the dispensing surface 1167. Is similar to. Similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 12B, the first dispensing openings 1101 are at least 3: 1 (in some embodiments, at least 5: 1, 8: 1, 10: 1, 11: 1, respectively. It has an aspect ratio (defined by height h1101 and width w1101) of 15: 1, 20: 1, 30: 1, or 40: 1, and the height h1101 of the first dispensing opening is the first. The height of the dispensing opening of 2 is at least 2 times, 2.5 times, 3 times, 5 times, 10 times, or 20 times higher than h1103.

In the method of making the polymer net shown in FIG. 5 using the extrusion dies shown in FIGS. 15A and 15B, for example, the polymer from the first cavity 1112a appears as polymer strand 63 from the second dispensing opening 1103. , The polymer from the second cavity 1112b appears as the polymer ribbon 61 from the first dispensing opening 1101. The dimensions of the fluid passage and the pressure in the cavities 1112a and 1112c are such that the velocity of the vibrating polymer strand 63 is typically about 2-6 times faster than the velocity of the polymer ribbon 61 (2-4 times in some embodiments). Selected to be faster. Although the third cavity 1112c is not used to make the polymer net shown in FIG. 5, this cavity can be used to introduce another polymer composition of the polymer net 60.

Polymer nets such as those shown as Polymer Net 70 in FIG. 6 can be produced, for example, using the shim sequences shown in FIGS. 18A and 18B. 18A and 18B show a perspective assembly of an array of shims, including the shims 200 and 300 described above in relation to FIGS. 10 and 11, respectively, and the shims 600 and 700 described below.

Here, referring to FIG. 16, a plan view of the shim 600 is illustrated. The shim 600 has a first aperture 610a, a second aperture 610b, and a third aperture 610c. When the shim 600 is assembled with other shims as shown in Figure 18A, aperture 610a helps define the first cavity 1212a, aperture 610b helps define the second cavity 1212b, and aperture 610c. Helps to define the third cavity 1212c. The shim 600 has, for example, a bolt for holding the shim 600 and a plurality of holes 647 that allow other things described below to pass through the assembly. The shim 600 has a dispensing surface 667, and in this particular embodiment, the dispensing surface 667 has an indexing groove 680 and an identification notch 682. The Sim 600 also has shoulders 690 and 692. The shim 600 has a dispensing opening 656, but the dispensing opening 656 and any one of the apertures 610a, 610b, or 610c are not integrally connected. For example, from aperture 610b to dispensing opening 656, for example, there is no connection through passage 668b, but when the shim 600 is assembled with shims 200, 300, and 700 as shown in array 1200 (see Figure 18A), the flow Has a path 1268b to the dispensing surface. The dimensions of 656 can be designed to provide the desired dimensions for the polymer strands extruded from it. The dimensions of the dispensing opening 656 and the dimensions of the passage leading to it also affect the strand speed. Here, with reference to FIG. 17, a plan view of the Sim 700 is illustrated. The shim 700 is similar to the shim 300 shown in FIG. The shim 700 has a first aperture 710a, a second aperture 710b, and a third aperture 710c. When the shim 700 is assembled with other shims as shown in FIGS. 18A and 18B, the aperture 710a helps define the first cavity 1212a and the aperture 710b is the second cavity. The aperture 710c helps to define the tee 1212b and the aperture 710c helps to define the third cavity 1212c. The shim 700 has, for example, a bolt for holding the shim 700 and a plurality of holes 747 that allow other things described below to pass through the assembly. The shim 700 has a dispensing surface 767, and in this particular embodiment, the dispensing surface 767 has an indexing groove 780. The Sim 700 also has shoulders 790 and 792. The shim 700 has a dispensing opening 756, but the dispensing opening 756 and any one of the apertures 710a, 710b, or 710c are not integrally connected. For example, from the aperture 710a to the dispensing opening 756, for example, there is no connection via the passage 768a, but when the shim 700 is assembled with the shims 200, 300, and 600 as shown in the assembly drawing (see Fig. 18A), the flow flows. Has a path 1268a to the dispensing surface. Similar to FIG. 11, the dispensing opening 756 is larger than the dispensing opening 656. In some embodiments, the dispensing opening 756 is at least twice the size of the dispensing opening 656. In some embodiments, the dispensing opening 756 is at least 2.5 times, 3 times, 5 times, 10 times, or 20 times larger than the dispensing opening 656.

18A and 18B are assembly perspectives of an array of shims (collectively 1200) that employ the shims of FIGS. 10, 11, 16 and 17 to produce the polymer net 70 shown in FIG. The figure is shown. Array 1200 goes from left to right, with two shims 700 capable of extruding the polymer ribbon 81, two shims 200, two shims 600 capable of extruding the polymer strand 73, and two shims 200. It includes two shims 300 capable of extruding the polymer ribbon 71, two shims 200, two shims 600 capable of extruding the polymer strand 73, and two shims 200. The first dispensing openings 1201 are at least 3: 1 (in some embodiments, at least 5: 1, 8: 1, 10: 1, 11: 1, 15: 1, 20: 1, 30 :, respectively. It has a height-to-width aspect ratio of 1 or 40: 1). The dispensing openings 1201 and 1203 are separated by a shim 200, which results in the separation of the polymer ribbons 71 and 81 in the polymer net 70 from the polymer strands 73. Similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 12B, the height h1201 of the first dispensing opening is at least 2 times, 2.5 times, 3 times, 5 times, and 10 times higher than the height h1203 of the second dispensing opening. Or 20 times higher. In the methods disclosed herein, the polymer from the first cavity 1212a appears as the polymer ribbon 81 from the first dispensing opening 1201 and the polymer from the second cavity 1212b is the second dispensing opening. Appearing as strands 73 vibrating from section 1203, the polymer from the third cavity 1212c appears as polymer ribbon 71 from the first dispensing opening 1201. The dimensions of the fluid passage and the pressure in the cavity are typically about 2-6 times faster (in some embodiments, 2-4 times) faster than the speed of the vibrating polymer strands 73 than the speeds of the polymer ribbons 71 and 81. Is selected to be.

In the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 18A and 18B, the second dispensing opening 1203 is located closer to the upper edge than some of the lower edges of the first dispensing opening 1201. The second dispensing opening 1203 is located closer to the lower edge than some of the upper edges of the first dispensing opening 1201. In other embodiments, some of the upper edges of the first dispensing opening are substantially aligned with the upper edge of the second dispensing opening so that the first dispensing opening is substantially aligned. It is possible to substantially align the lower edge of some of them with the lower edge of the second dispensing opening. However, the oscillating strands are usually located somewhat above the lower edge of the first dispensing opening and somewhat below the upper edge because of the larger die wells and the ability to obtain a wider coupling region. It may be useful to have two dispensing openings.

Polymer nets such as those shown as Polymer Net 80 in FIG. 7 can be produced, for example, using the shim sequences shown in FIGS. 21A and 21B. 21A and 21B show a perspective assembly of an array of shims, including the shims 200 and 500 described above in relation to FIGS. 10 and 14, respectively, and the shims 800 and 900 described below.

Here, with reference to FIG. 19, a plan view of the Sim 800 is illustrated. The shim 800 has a first aperture 810a, a second aperture 810b, and a third aperture 810c. When the shim 800 is assembled with other shims as shown in FIGS. 21A and 21B, aperture 810a helps define the first cavity 1312a and aperture 810b helps define the second cavity 1312b. , Aperture 810c serves to define the third cavity 1312c. The shim 800 has, for example, a bolt for holding the shim 800 and a plurality of holes 847 that allow other things described below to pass through the assembly. The shim 800 has a dispensing surface 867, and in this particular embodiment, the dispensing surface 867 has an indexing groove 880 and an identification notch 882. The Sim 800 also has shoulders 890 and 892. The shim 800 has a dispensing opening 856, but the dispensing opening 856 is not integrally connected to any one of the apertures 810a, 810b, or 810c. For example, from aperture 810a to the dispensing opening 856, for example, there is no connection through passage 868a, but when the shim 800 is assembled with shims 200, 500 and 900 as shown in sequence 1300 (see Figure 21A), the flow is , Has a path 1368a to the dispensing surface.

Here, with reference to FIG. 20, a plan view of the Sim 900 is illustrated. The shim 900 has a first aperture 910a, a second aperture 910b, and a third aperture 910c. When the shim 900 is assembled with other shims as shown in FIGS. 21A and 21B, aperture 910a helps define the first cavity 1312a and aperture 910b helps define the second cavity 1312b. , Aperture 910c serves to define the third cavity 1312c. The shim 900 has, for example, a bolt for holding the shim 900 and a plurality of holes 947 that allow other things described below to pass through the assembly. The shim 900 has a dispensing surface 967, and in this particular embodiment, the dispensing surface 967 has an indexing groove 980 and an identification notch 982. The Sim 900 also has shoulders 990 and 992. The shim 900 has a dispensing opening 956, but the dispensing opening 956 and any one of the apertures 910a, 910b, or 910c are not integrally connected. For example, from aperture 910b to dispensing opening 956, for example, there is no connection through passage 968b, but when shim 900 is assembled with shims 200, 500 and 800 as shown in the assembly drawing (see Figure 21A), the flow is , Has a path 1368b to the dispensing surface. The dimensions of 956 can be designed to provide the desired dimensions for the polymer strands extruded from it. 21A and 21B are assembly perspectives of an array of shims (collectively 1300) that employ the shims of FIGS. 10, 14, 19 and 20 to produce the polymer net 80 shown in FIG. The figure is shown. Array 1300 goes from left to right, with three shims 800 capable of extruding polymer strand 63a, three shims 200, and one shim capable of extruding part of the polymer ribbon 61a around the centerline 64a. 900, two shims 500 that can extrude polymer ribbon 61a, and poly around centerline 64a Includes another Sim 900, which can extrude part of the Marribbon 61a, and three Sims 200. The dispensing opening 956 is considerably smaller than the dispensing opening 556, but both the Sim 900 and the Sim 500 extrude the polymer out of the cavity 1312b. The openings 956 and 556 are vertically centered so that more polymer is extruded from the cavity 1312b into the central portion of the polymer ribbon 61a. The dispensing openings 1301 and 1303 are separated by a shim 200, which results in the separation of the polymer ribbon 61a from the polymer strand 63a in the polymer net 80. The first dispensing openings 1301 are at least 3: 1 (in some embodiments, at least 5: 1, 8: 1, 10: 1, 11: 1) when the width w1301 is measured at the narrowest point, respectively. , 15: 1, 20: 1, 30: 1, or 40: 1) has an aspect ratio of height h1301 vs. width w1301. Similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 12B, the height h1301 of the first dispensing opening is higher than the height h1303 of the second dispensing opening (at least twice, 2.5 in some embodiments). Double, 3x, 5x, 10x, or 20x higher). It has an aspect ratio of 1, 10: 1, 11: 1, 15: 1, 20: 1, 30: 1, or 40: 1) height h1301 vs. width w1301. Similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 12B, the height h1301 of the first dispensing opening is higher than the height h1303 of the second dispensing opening (at least twice, 2.5 in some embodiments). Double, 3x, 5x, 10x, or 20x higher). It has an aspect ratio of 1, 10: 1, 11: 1, 15: 1, 20: 1, 30: 1, or 40: 1) height h1301 vs. width w1301. Similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 12B, the height h1301 of the first dispensing opening is higher than the height h1303 of the second dispensing opening (at least twice, 2.5 in some embodiments). Double, 3x, 5x, 10x, or 20x higher).

In the method of making the polymer net shown in FIG. 7 using the extrusion dies shown in FIGS. 21A and 21B, for example, the polymer from the first cavity 1312a appears as a polymer strand 63a from the second dispensing opening 1303. , The polymer from the second cavity 1312b appears as the polymer ribbon 61a from the first dispensing opening 1301. The dimensions of the fluid passage and the pressure in the cavities 1312a and 1312b are such that the velocity of the vibrating polymer strand 63a is typically about 2-6 times faster than the velocity of the polymer ribbon 61a (2-4 times in some embodiments). Selected to be faster. Although the third cavity 1312c is not used to make the polymer net shown in FIG. 7, this cavity could be used to introduce another polymer composition into the polymer net 80.

A variant of the shim arrangement shown in FIGS. 21A and 21B is similar to the polymer net shown in FIG. 7, but from the cavity 1312b to at least one of the lower edge 66 or upper edge 68 instead of the central 64a. It can be useful to provide a polymer net with a polymer ribbon from which more polymer is extruded.

An exploded perspective view of an embodiment of a mounting base suitable for an extrusion die composed of a plurality of repetitions of a shim arrangement is illustrated in FIGS. 22 and 23. In some embodiments of the extrusion dies described herein, very thin of different types (eg shims 100, 200, and 300) that are compressed between two end blocks (eg 2244a and 2244b). There will be a large number of shims (usually thousands of shims, and in some embodiments at least 1000, 2000, 3000, 4000, 5000, 6000, 7000, 8000. Sheets, 9000 sheets, or even at least 10, 000 sheets). Conveniently, the shims can be assembled to the end blocks 2244a and 2244b by passing through the shim holes 547 using through bolts. Inlet fittings 2250a, 2250b, and 2250c are provided on end blocks 2244a and 2244b, respectively, to introduce the material to be extruded into the extrusion die 2000. In some embodiments, the inlet fittings 2250a, 2250b, and 2250c are connected to a conventional type of melting train. In some embodiments, a cartridge heater 2052 is inserted into the outlet of the extrusion die 2000 to keep the extruded material at the desired temperature while in the die. A typical technician may consider an alternative assembly to the assembly of the extrusion die shown in the exemplary embodiment. In some embodiments, the assembled shim (conveniently bolted between the end blocks) further comprises a manifold body (not shown) to support the shim. The manifold body has at least one (or two or more (eg, two or three, four, or five or more)) manifolds inside, and the manifold has an outlet. An expansion seal (eg, made of copper or copper alloy) is provided to seal the manifold body and the shim so that the expansion seal is at least one portion of the cavity (in some embodiments, all). A part of the cavity) is defined and a conduit is provided between the manifold and the cavity.

The compression block 2204 has a notch 2206 that conveniently engages the shoulders on the shim (eg, 590 and 592 on the 500). When the mount 2000 is fully assembled, for example, the compression block 2204 is mounted on the back plate 2208 by machine bolts. Here, with reference to FIG. 23, the perspective view of the mounting base 2000 of FIG. 22 is illustrated in a partially assembled state. Some shims (eg, 500) are in their assembled position to show how they fit within the mount 2000, but the size of the shims that make up the assembled die Parts have been omitted for visual clarity.

In any of the above shims and sequences, the shims can have a thickness in the range of 50 micrometers to 500 micrometers, but thicknesses outside this range can also be useful. For larger fluid passages and dispensing openings, several thinner shims may be stacked or a single shim with the desired passage width may be used. The shim is typically metal, for example stainless steel. Metal shims are usually heat treated to reduce dimensional changes associated with thermal cycles. The shims can be manufactured by prior art techniques including wire discharge and laser machining. In many cases, after stacking a plurality of sheets, a plurality of shims are produced at the same time by forming desired openings at the same time. The variation of the flow path is preferably within 0.025 mm (1 mil), more preferably within 0.013 mm (0.5 mil). The shims are tightly compressed to prevent gaps between the shims and leakage of the polymer. For example, bolts with a diameter of 12 mm (0.5 inches) are commonly used and are tightened to the recommended torque rating for those bolts at extrusion temperature. Also, misalignment leads to the strands being tilted out of the die and impeding the desired binding of the net, so the shims are aligned to provide uniform extrusion through the extrusion openings. As described above, in order to assist the alignment, the indexing groove can be cut into the shim to receive the alignment key. The shaking table can also be useful in providing smooth surface alignment of the extruded tip.

Fluid passages typically have a height in the range of 50 micrometers to 3 mm and a length of less than 5 mm (generally, shorter lengths are preferred if the passage thickness is progressively smaller). Heights and lengths outside these ranges can also be useful. The height of the first dispensing opening may be in the range of 50 micrometers to 3 millimeters (mm). In some embodiments, the height of the first dispensing opening exceeds 750 micrometers. In some of these embodiments, the height of the first dispensing opening is in the range of more than 750 micrometers to 3 mm (eg 0.775 mm to 3 mm or 0.8 mm to 2.6 mm). In some embodiments, the height of at least one of the first or second dispensing openings is less than 750 micrometers. In some of these embodiments, the height of the first and second dispensing openings ranges from 0.1 mm to less than 750 micrometers (eg 0.3 mm to 0.745 mm or 0.5 mm). ~ 0.745mm).

In some embodiments relating to dies useful for extruding polymers, each of the first and second dispensing openings has a width, and each of the first and second dispensing openings has at least a width. Separated by the width of the corresponding dispensing opening and up to twice the width of the corresponding dispensing opening. If the dispensing openings have different widths, the separation between the first opening and the second opening is at least the width of the wider opening, up to twice the width of the wider opening. You may. The spacing between the openings must be sufficient to maintain the distance between the adjacent strands as they exit the die. This spacing adjusts the dice well at the distribution tip. If the spacing between the openings is too large, the strands and ribbons after being extruded at different velocities will not repeatedly collide with each other and will not form repetitive bonds of the polymer net.

In general, it has been observed that the strand bond rate is proportional to the extrusion rate of the polymer strand or ribbon extruded at a higher rate. Further, this binding rate can be increased, for example, by increasing the polymer flow rate for a given polymer flow rate or by decreasing the opening area for a given polymer flow rate. Have been observed. It has also been observed that the distance between the joints is inversely proportional to the speed of the strand bond and proportional to the speed at which the net is pulled out of the die. Therefore, it is considered that the distance between the joints and the basis weight of the net can be independently controlled by designing the cross-sectional area of the opening, the removal speed, and the extrusion speed of the polymer. For example, a relatively high basis weight net with a relatively short bond pitch by extruding at a relatively slow net removal rate and a relatively large polymer flow rate using a die with a relatively small second opening area. Can be manufactured.

In some embodiments, it may be useful to vary the number of polymer ribbons present per centimeter of lateral width over the width of the polymer net. One way to achieve this is to apply diffusivity to at least a portion of the polymer net, such as by advancing the web over curved rollers, branch rails, or branch disks. Once the polymer net has been unfolded, it is useful to attach the polymer net to another layer (eg, the carrier or layer of the absorbent article described below) to keep the web in this unfolded and open state. obtain. When expanded laterally, the individual openings in the mechanical direction, as defined by the average mechanical spacing of contact between the polymer ribbon and the polymer strands, remain in their original dimensions, while the opening in the polymer net is larger in the lateral direction. In some embodiments, the polymer is mechanically or laterally and bidirectionally to form a larger opening and / or to reduce the weight and cost of the polymer net relative to per unit area. It may be desirable to stretch the net. The mechanically uniaxial stretching of the polymer ribbon and polymer strands in the longitudinal direction can be performed by advancing the web on rolls at increasing speeds. A general purpose stretching method that allows uniaxial, continuous biaxial, or simultaneous biaxial stretching of a thermoplastic web uses a flat film tenter device. Such devices use multiple clips, grippers, or other edge gripping means along both edges of the thermoplastic web to advance the gripping means at different speeds along the branch rails. The web is gripped so that uniaxial, continuous biaxial, or simultaneous biaxial stretching is obtained in the desired direction. Increasing the clip speed in the mechanical direction generally results in stretching in the mechanical direction. Uniaxial and biaxial stretching are described, for example, in US Pat. No. 7,897, This can be done by the methods and devices disclosed in 078 (Petersen et al.) And the references cited in the patent. Flat film tenter stretching equipment is commercially available, for example, from Bruckner Maschinenbau GmbH (Siegsdorf, Germany).

In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 9 to 21, the first and second dispensing openings are on the same line, but this is not a requirement. In some embodiments, the first dispensing openings are on the same line as each other and the second dispensing openings are on the same line as each other, but the first dispensing opening and the second dispensing opening are on the same line. Note Does not overlap with the opening. If the first dispensing opening and the second dispensing opening do not overlap each other, it may be desirable to extrude the strands horizontally.

Embodiments of the extrusion dies and methods described above in connection with FIGS. 9-21 supply polymer ribbons and polymer strands of polymer nets from separate cavities, whereas other embodiments are positioned adjacent to each other. Including providing an extrusion die with multiple shims, the shims define one cavity together, and the extrusion die has the cavity so that the first and second dispensing openings alternate. It has a plurality of first dispensing openings for fluid communication with the cavity and a plurality of second dispensing openings for fluid communication with the cavity. In these embodiments, the polymer ribbon is dispensed from the first dispensing opening at the first rate, while the polymer strands are simultaneously dispensed from the second dispensing opening at the second rate. The second speed is at least 2 times the first speed (in some embodiments the range is 2-6 or 4-6). Since there is only one cavity, the resulting net polymer ribbons and polymer strands are made from the same composition. To prepare a polymer net from an extruded die with only one cavity, a shim with a first dispensing opening that results in a polymer ribbon is at least 3: 1, 5: 1, 7: 1, or more. Fig. 44 ~ of International Patent Application Publication No. 2013/028654 (Ausen et al.), Which has an aspect ratio of The shim sequence shown in 48 may be useful.

The polymer compositions useful in any of the polymer nets and embodiments of the method described above may be the same or different. In some embodiments, the polymeric ribbon and the polymeric strands comprise different polymeric compositions. These nets can be prepared, for example, by extrusion using any embodiment of the above method, by using different polymer compositions in the first and second cavities. Different polymer compositions of polymer ribbons and polymer strands can be selected for their surface or bulk properties (eg, tensile strength, elasticity, microstructure, color, refractive index, etc.). In addition, the polymer composition can be selected to provide the polymer net with certain functional or aesthetic properties such as hydrophilicity / hydrophobicity, elasticity, flexibility, hardness, rigidity, bendability, or color. .. The term "different" for polymer compositions also refers to (a) at least 2% difference at at least one infrared peak, (b) at least 2% difference at at least one nuclear magnetic resonance peak, and (c) number average molecular weight. Can refer to at least one of a difference of at least 2% in, or (d) a difference of at least 5% in polydisperse.

In any embodiment of the methods disclosed herein, the polymers used to make the polymer ribbons and polymer strands are compatible with each other so that the polymer ribbons and polymer strands bond together at the binding region. Be selected. Bonding generally refers to a melt bond, and the bond between the polymer strand and the polymer ribbon can be considered to be a melt bond. Bonding occurs in a relatively short time (typically less than 1 second). The bonding regions and polymer strands on the main surface of the polymer ribbon are usually cooled by air and natural convection and / or heat dissipation. In selecting polymers for polymer ribbons and polymer strands, in some embodiments it may be desirable to select a strand-bonded polymer with bipolar interaction (or hydrogen bonds) or covalent bonds. Bonding between the strands has been observed to improve by increasing the amount of time that the polymer ribbon and polymer strands can melt and increase the interaction between the polymers. Polymer binding is usually done by reducing the molecular weight of at least one polymer and / or by introducing additional comonomer to improve polymer interactions and / or by reducing the rate or amount of crystallization. It has been observed to improve.

Examples of polymer materials from which polymer nets can be produced include thermoplastic polymers. Polymeric polymers suitable for polymer nets include polyolefin homopolymers such as polyethylene and polypropylene, copolymers of ethylene, propylene and / or butylene; copolymers containing ethylene such as ethylene vinyl acetate and ethylene acrylic acid; ethylene methacrylate or ethylene. Sodium or zinc salt-based ionomers of acrylic acid; polyvinyl chloride; polyvinylidene chloride; polystyrene and polystyrene copolymers (styrene-maleic anhydride copolymer, styrene acrylonitrile copolymer); nylon; poly (ethylene terephthalate), polyethylene butyrate and polyethylene Polyesters such as naphthalate; Polypolymers such as poly (hexamethylene adipamide); Polyurethane; Polycarbonate; Poly (vinyl alcohol); Ketones such as polyether ether ketones; Polyphenylene sulfides; Polyacrylates; Cellulous derivatives; Fluororesin; Polysulfones; Silicone polymers; as well as mixtures thereof. The dies and methods according to the present disclosure may also be useful for coextruded polymeric materials that can be crosslinked (eg, by heat or radiation). When using a thermosetting resin, the die can be heated to initiate curing, which can adjust the viscosity of the polymeric material and / or the pressure in the corresponding die cavity. In some embodiments, at least one of the polymer ribbons or polymer strands is made from polyolefins (eg, polyethylene, polypropylene, polybutylene, ethylene copolymers, propylene copolymers, butylene copolymers, and copolymers and blends of these materials). To.

In some embodiments, the polymer ribbon is elastic, the polymer strand is elastic, or both the polymer ribbon and the polymer strand are elastic. For example, the second polymer composition includes ABA block copolymers, polyurethane elastomers, polyolefin elastomers (eg, metallocene polyolefin elastomers), polyamide elastomers, ethylene vinyl acetate elastomers, polyvinyl ethers, acrylics, especially acrylics with long-chain alkyl groups. Examples thereof include thermoplastic elastomers such as polyα-olefins, asphalt-based, silicones, polyester elastomers, and natural rubbers. ABA block copolymer elastomers are generally elastomers in which the A block is polystyrene-based and the B block is a conjugated diene (eg, a lower alkylene diene). The A block is predominantly formed from substituted (eg, alkylated) or unsubstituted styrene-based moieties (eg, polystyrene, poly (alpha-methylstyrene), or poly (t-butylstyrene)) and is approximately 4,000 ~ per mole. It has an average molecular weight of 50,000 grams. B blocks (s) are mostly formed from conjugated diene, which may be substituted or unsubstituted (eg, isoprene, 1,3-butadiene, or ethylene-butylene monomer), approximately 5,000-500, per mole. It has an average molecular weight of 000 grams. The A block and the B block may be configured in a linear, radial, or star shape, for example. ABA block copolymers may contain multiple A and / or B blocks, the blocks of which may be made from the same or different monomers. A typical block copolymer is a linear ABA block copolymer, which may be the same or different, or block having four or more blocks that are predominantly terminated at the A block. It may be a copolymer. Multi-block copolymers may contain, for example, certain proportions of AB diblock copolymers that tend to form more sticky elastomeric film segments. Other elastic polymers can be blended with block copolymer elastomers, and various elastic polymers may be blended to have different elasticity.

Many types of thermoplastic elastomers are commercially available, with BASF (Florham Park, NJ) under the trade name "STYROFLEX" and Kraton Polymers (Houston, Tex.) Under the trade name "KRATON", Dow Chemical (Midland). , Mich.) From "PELLETHANE", "ENGAGE", "INFUSE", "VERSIFY", or "NORDEL", from DSM (Heerlen, Netherlands) to "ARNITEL", EIdu Pont de Nemours and Company (Wilmington, Del.) Under the trade name of "HYTREL", and Exxon Mobil (Irving, Tex.) Under the trade name of "VISTA MAXX".

Mixtures of any of the above polymers may be useful in the polymer nets disclosed herein. For example, polyolefins can be blended with elastomeric polymers to reduce the modulus of elasticity of the polymer composition, which may be desirable for certain applications. Such blends may or may not be elastic.

In some embodiments, the polymeric materials from which the polymeric net can be produced are for functional purposes (eg, visual effects) and / or for aesthetic purposes (eg, each having a different color / shade). , Containing colorants (eg, pigments and / or dyes). Suitable colorants for use in various polymeric materials are colorants known in the art. Illustrative colors imparted by colorants include white, black, red, pink, orange, yellow, green, light blue, purple, and blue. In some embodiments, it is desirable that one or more of the polymeric materials have some degree of opacity. The amount of colorant (s) used in a particular embodiment can be readily determined by one of ordinary skill in the art (eg, to achieve the desired color, color tone, opacity, transmittance, etc.). Can be done.

The shape of the individual polymer ribbons and polymer strands of the polymer nets disclosed herein can depend on a variety of factors. As mentioned above, the polymer strands, which are lower than the polymer ribbon, may exit the die at a faster rate than the polymer ribbon and may vibrate. Thus, in some embodiments, the polymer ribbon can be substantially straight if, for example, the polymer nets, such as those shown in FIGS. 31A, 32A, and 33A, are not stretched. However, both polymer ribbons and polymer strands have a height difference between the polymer ribbon and the strands, the placement of the polymer strands on the main surface of the polymer ribbon, the modulus of elasticity of the polymer ribbon and the material from which the polymer strands are made. Depending on the situation, a sinusoidal path may be provided, for example, in the longitudinal direction shown in FIG. In some embodiments, the polymer ribbon may exit the die or vibrate at a faster rate than the polymer strand. In these embodiments, the polymer strands can occur substantially straight, for example, if the polymer net is not stretched.

In some embodiments, a single strand of net polymer strands or a single ribbon of polymer ribbons may comprise different polymer compositions. For example, one or more of the polymer strands of a polymer net may have a core made of one polymer composition and a sheath of different polymer compositions. Such nets can be extruded as described in International Patent Application Publication No. 2013/032683 (Ausen et al.), Which disclosure is incorporated herein by reference. Nets made from polymer compositions with different main surfaces facing each other are described in International Application (PCT / US) No. 2014/021494, filed March 7, 2014.

As mentioned above in connection with FIG. 8, in some embodiments, the polymer ribbons are the centerline that bisects the main surface and the first and second, respectively, that are symmetrically arranged opposite the centerline. With an edge, the first edge of the polymer ribbon contains a different composition than the second edge of the polymer ribbon. In an exemplary embodiment, the polymer strand also has a centerline that bisects the main surface and first and second edges symmetrically disposed opposite the centerline, the first of the polymer strands. The edge of one contains a different composition than the second edge of the polymer strand. Polymer nets such as those shown as Polymer Net 90 in FIG. 8 can be conveniently produced using, for example, the shim sequences 3000 shown in FIGS. 27A and 27B. 27A and 27B show a perspective assembly of an array of shims containing the shims 3100, 3200, and 3300 described below.

Here, with reference to FIG. 24, a plan view of the Sim 3100 is illustrated. The shim 3100 has a first aperture 3110a, a second aperture 3110b, a third aperture 3110c, and a fourth aperture 3110d. When the shim 3100 is assembled with other shims as shown in FIGS. 27A and 27B, the first aperture 3110a helps define the first cavity 3012a and the second aperture 3110b is the second cavity 3012b. The third aperture 3110c will help define the third cavity 3012c, and the fourth aperture 3110d will help define the fourth cavity 3012d. Extruding the molten polymer in the cavities 3012a and 3012d, as described more specifically below, results in a polymer ribbon 91 having a first portion 91a and a second portion 91b in two layers, as shown in FIG. The molten polymer in the cavities 3012b and 3012c can be extruded into a polymer strand 93 having a first portion 93a and a second portion 93b in two layers.

The shim 3100 has, for example, a bolt for holding the shim 3100 and a plurality of holes 3147 that allow other things described below to pass through the assembly. The shim 3100 has a dispensing opening 3156 on the dispensing surface 3167. From apertures 3110a and 3110d to the dispensing opening 3156, for example, it may appear that there is no path through passages 3168a and 3168d, but for example, when the sequence in Figure 27A is fully assembled, the flow is in the shim. It has paths 3068a and 3068d perpendicular to the plane of dimension. Like the shim 100, the dispensed surface 3167 of the shim 3100 has an indexing groove 3180, an identification notch 3182, and shoulders 3190 and 3192.

Here, with reference to FIG. 25, a plan view of the Sim 3200 is illustrated. The shim 3200 has a first aperture 3210a, a second aperture 3210b, a third aperture 3210c, and a fourth aperture 3210d. When the shim 3200 is assembled with other shims as shown in FIGS. 27A and 27B, the first aperture 3210a helps define the first cavity 3012a and the second aperture 3210b is the second cavity 3012b. The third aperture 3210c will help define the third cavity 3012c, and the fourth aperture 3210d will help define the fourth cavity 3012d. Similar to the shim 3100, the shim 3200 has a dispensing surface 3267, and in this specific embodiment, the dispensing surface 3267 has an indexing groove 3280. Also, similar to the Sim 3100, the Sim 3200 has shoulders 3290 and 3292 as well as holes 3247. This shim creates a non-dispensing area along the width of the die, so there is no passage from any of the cavities to the dispensing surface 3267. With reference to FIG. 8 again, the shim 3200 (s) are useful for separating the shim 3100, which produces the polymer ribbon 91, from the shim 3300, which produces the polymer strand 93.

Here, with reference to FIG. 26, a plan view of the Sim 3300 is illustrated. The shim 3300 has a first aperture 3310a, a second aperture 3310b, a third aperture 3310c, and a fourth aperture 3310d. When the shim 3300 is assembled with other shims as shown in FIGS. 27A and 27B, the first aperture 3310a helps define the first cavity 3012a and the second aperture 3310b is the second cavity 3012b. The third aperture 3310c will help define the third cavity 3012c, and the fourth aperture 3310d will help define the fourth cavity 3012d. Similar to the shim 3100, the shim 3300 has a dispensing surface 3367, and in this specific embodiment, the dispensing surface 3367 has an indexing groove 3380 and an identification notch 3382. Also, similar to the Sim 3100, the Sim 3300 has shoulders 3390 and 3392 as well as holes 3347. The shim 3300 has a dispensing opening 3356 on the dispensing surface 3367. From apertures 3310b and 3310c to the dispensing opening 3356, for example, it may appear that there is no path through passages 3368b and 3368c, respectively, but for example, when the sequence in Figure 27A is fully assembled, the flow is shim. Has a path perpendicular to the plane of the dimension of.

Referring here to FIGS. 27A and 27B, of an array of shims (collectively 3000) that employs the shims of FIGS. 24, 25, and 26 to produce the polymer net 90 shown in FIG. An assembly perspective view is shown. More specifically, from left to right in FIG. 27B, Array 3000 has 4 instances of shim 3200, 4 instances of shim 3300 capable of extruding polymer strand 93, 4 instances of shim 3200, and polymer ribbon 91. Equipped with 2 instances of Sim 3100, which can extrude. The dispensing openings 3001 and 3003 are separated by a shim 3200, which results in the separation of the polymer ribbon 91 from the polymer strand 93 in the polymer net 90. The first dispensing openings 3001 are at least 3: 1 (in some embodiments, at least 5: 1, 8: 1, 10: 1, 11: 1, 15: 1, 20: 1, 30 :, respectively. It has an aspect ratio of 1 or 40: 1) height h3001 vs. width w3001. In FIG. 27B, the width of the first dispensing opening can be thought of as the width of the two shims 3100. 2. Similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 12B, the height h3001 of the first dispensing opening 3001 is at least twice the height of the second dispensing opening h3003. 5x, 3x, 5x, 10x, or 20x higher. In this embodiment, at least the first dispensing opening 3001 is defined by an array of first inlets (vestibule) and the die is between the first cavity 3012a and one of the first inlets. The first fluid passage 3068a, the fourth passage 3068d extending from the fourth cavity 3012d to the same inlet, and the region where the first fluid passage 3068a reaches the first inlet is the fourth fluid. Prepare passage 3068d below the area that reaches the first entrance. The extruded die also includes a fluid passage that extends from one of the die's cavities to the second dispensing opening. In an exemplary embodiment, the second dispensing opening 3003 is defined by an array of second inlets and the die is a second between the second cavity 3012b and one of the second inlets. The fluid passage 3068b, the third passage 3068c extending from the third cavity 3012c to the same inlet, and the region where the second fluid passage 3068b reaches the second inlet are the regions where the third fluid passage 3068c Be prepared to be below the area that reaches the second entrance.

In other embodiments where the first edge of the polymer ribbon comprises a different composition than the second edge of the polymer ribbon, the polymer net is a surfactant (eg, in an amount of about 0.05-0.5% by weight). ) Can be surface treated. When a surfactant is used, the surfactant may be an internal additive in the polymer composition that moves to the surface, or by any conventional means (eg, spraying, printing, dipping or brush coating). Surfactants may be applied to the web. The polymeric composition (eg, the polymeric composition that results in the second moieties 91b and 93b shown in FIG. 8) may be selected to be hydrophilic or to include a surfactant, or for a particular application. To this end, surfactants may be applied to the main surface of the polymer net to impart the desired level of wettability and hydrophilicity to at least a portion of the polymer net.

In any of the above embodiments relating to the polymer net according to the present disclosure and / or the polymer net produced by the method according to the present disclosure, the distance between the joints is in the range of 0.5 mm to 20 mm (some embodiments). In the range of 0.5 mm to 10 mm). Further, in any of the above-described embodiments, the polymer net according to the present disclosure or the polymer net produced by the method disclosed in the present specification is 5 g / m.²~ 750g / m²(In some embodiments, 5 g / m²~ 400g / m²Or 10g / m²~ 200g / m²) May have a basis weight. In some embodiments, the polymer net in any of the above embodiments disclosed herein can be up to 4 mm (in some embodiments, up to 3.5 mm, 3 mm, 2 mm, 1 mm, 0.75 mm, Or less than 0.75 mm), and in some embodiments, 10 micrometers to 4 mm, 10 micrometers to 3.5 mm, 10 micrometers to 3 mm, 10 micrometers to 2 mm, 10 micrometers to 1 mm, It is in the range of 10 micrometers to 750 micrometers, 10 micrometers to less than 750 micrometers, 10 micrometers to 749 micrometers, 10 micrometers to 700 micrometers, or 10 micrometers to 650 micrometers.

Polymer nets according to the present disclosure and / or polymer nets produced in accordance with the present disclosure are useful, for example, in absorbent articles. Accordingly, the present disclosure provides an absorbent article comprising a polymer net according to the present disclosure. Personal care absorbent articles such as diapers, training pants, adult incontinence clothing, and women's hygiene pads (eg sanitary napkins and panty liners), and wound care absorbent articles (eg wound coverings and bandages) Often constructed with a fluid-permeable topsheet on the skin side, a fluid-impermeable backsheet on the clothing surface side, and an absorbent core located between these sheets. FIG. 28 shows a schematic exploded view of an example of an embodiment of the absorbent article 4000 according to the present disclosure. In the absorbent articles according to the present disclosure, the absorbent core 4060 is typically placed between the polymer net and the backsheet 4040. The polymer net can be useful, for example, as at least one of the topsheet 4010 or the capture / partition layer 4080. In an exemplary embodiment, the polymer net forms the topsheet 4010. When used as a capture / partitioning layer 4080, the polymer net may also be located between the absorbent core 4060 and the backsheet 4040, or within the absorbent core 4060 (eg, between two tissue sheets 4090).

The polymer net according to the present disclosure can be advantageously used as a top sheet for absorbent articles. With reference to FIG. 28, the topsheet 4010 is a layer on the user's skin and is therefore a first layer that comes into contact with liquids or other exudates from the user. The topsheet keeps the absorbent material inside the article, allows the fluid to pass quickly through the absorbent core, and provides a comfortable and comfortable contact surface for the skin in contact with the article. It serves several purposes, including keeping the skin clean and dry, and helping to prevent absorbed fluids from coming into contact with the skin. When used as a topsheet 4010 for sanitary goods, the polymer net may have, for example, the configuration shown in any one of FIGS. 1-4 and 8. In these configurations, the polymer ribbon 1 has a center line 4 that bisects the first main surface 2, and first and second edges 6, 8 that are symmetrically arranged opposite the center line 4, respectively. , And the polymer strand 3 is attached to the first main surface 2 at a location closer to the first edge 6 than the second edge 8. In other words, referring to FIG. 3, the polymer strands 33 are all disposed towards the same first edge of the polymer ribbons 31, 41, whereby both the polymer ribbon and the polymer strands of article 30 It can come into contact with the absorbent 47. This configuration also provides a larger surface area on one side of the polymer net 40 for adhesively bonding the net to the absorbent. However, in other embodiments, the configurations shown in FIGS. 5, 6, and 7 may be useful.

In any of the configurations shown in FIGS. 1-7, in some embodiments, the polymer net allows for rapid fluid uptake, directs the fluid towards the machine of the material, and provides a high degree of rewetting prevention. Provides a cleansing effect on the skin due to the flexibility of the ribbon-like elements caused by providing, giving the surface on the side of the skin contact surface after exposure to fluid a dry condition, and the natural movement of the body. It is demonstrated by the following examples that it can have at least one of the characteristics of the thing and bring a cleaner and drier condition to the wearer of the absorbent hygiene article using this new topsheet material. ..

In the absorbent articles according to the present disclosure, the backsheet (eg, 4040 shown in FIG. 28), sometimes referred to as the outer cover, is the layer farthest from the user. The backsheet is usually formed from a thin thermoplastic film (eg, polyethylene film) that is substantially impermeable to liquids. The backseat functions to prevent body exudates absorbed by the absorbent core from moistening or soiling the wearer's clothing, bedding, or other material that comes into contact with the absorbent article. Various materials for backsheets may be suitable for the absorbent articles according to the present disclosure. For example, the backsheet is constructed or treated with a polyethylene film (eg, having an initial thickness of about 0.5 mil (0.012 mm) to about 5.0 mil (0.12 mm)) to provide the desired level of liquid impermeability. May include a woven or non-woven fiber web, a laminate of woven or non-woven with a thermoplastic film, or a microporous "breathable" material that is virtually impermeable to liquids and permeable to steam or gas. .. The film useful as a backsheet may be embossed and / or matte finished, for example, to give a more aesthetically pleasing appearance.

In the absorbent articles according to the present disclosure, the absorbent core (eg, 4060 shown in FIG. 28) is usually a natural, synthetic, or modified natural capable of absorbing and retaining a liquid (eg, an aqueous liquid). Organic polymer can be mentioned. In some embodiments, the polymer is crosslinked. The term "crosslinked" usually refers to any means of making a water-soluble material effective into a substantially water-insoluble but swelling state. Such absorbent materials are usually designed to absorb a liquid quickly and usually retain it without releasing it. The dimensions and absorbency of the absorbent core are usually compatible with the amount of liquid carried by the intended wearer's physique and the intended use of the absorbent article. Various absorbents such as cellulosic materials (eg wood pulp fluff), hydrophilic synthetic melt blown fibers, super absorbent polymers (SAP), acrylic foam absorbents (eg US Pat. No. 5,817, The foams described in No. 704 (Shiveley et al.) And the references cited in the patent, eg, foams prepared by polymerization of high internal phase emulsions), and any combination thereof may be useful. The absorbent materials may be compartmentalized and their composition is selected to move the liquid away from the original location of the invader and to a more distant containment site. In some embodiments, the absorbent core comprises, for example, one or more tissue sheets 4090 that are substantially hydrophilic to help maintain the structural integrity of the absorbent core. obtain. The tissue sheet may be a single tissue sheet wrapped to provide two main-to-surfaces of the absorbent core, with an absorbent cellulosic material (eg, crepe padding or high wet strength tissue). Can include. In some embodiments, the tissue sheet may be configured to rapidly distribute the liquid to the absorbent core. In these embodiments, the tissue sheet can be considered as a partitioning layer that moves the fluid from the initial point of attachment to where accommodation is desired.

Some absorbent articles include a capture layer 4080, which can be useful for quickly receiving invaders so that the liquid does not leak out of the article, absorbing, retaining, moving, or moving the liquid. Either processing is possible in other ways. The capture layer may also be referred to as, for example, a surge layer, an ingestion layer, a migration layer, or a transfer layer. The capture layer is generally capable of treating about 60-100 ml (mL) of invasive material at an invasive volume flow rate of about 5-20 mL / sec, for example, for infants. The capture layer is approximately below the topsheet on the surface facing the user's skin. Various woven and non-woven webs and foams can be used to build the capture layer. The trapping layer may be composed of a substantially hydrophobic material, which may optionally be treated with a surfactant or, otherwise, the desired level of wettability. And may be processed to provide hydrophilicity. In some embodiments, the capture layer 4080 may have a generally uniform thickness and cross-sectional area. The polymer net according to the present disclosure may be used as a trapping layer in combination with a conventional topsheet (eg, a non-woven fabric or a perforated film described below), as a topsheet in combination with a conventional trapping layer, or in some embodiments. , Can be useful as an alternative to both conventional topsheets and capture layers. In other words, when the polymer net according to the present disclosure is used as a top sheet, the need for a trapping layer can be eliminated.

Suitable conventional joining techniques are also useful in assembling the absorbent articles according to the present disclosure. When used as the topsheet 4010, the polymer nets according to the present disclosure may be adhesive-bonded, thermally bonded, ultrasonically bonded, needling, or pin-drilled (eg, using aqueous, solvent-based, or heat-activated adhesives). At least one of them can be attached to the absorbent core 4060 or the capture layer 4080 (if used). When used as a trapping layer 4080, the polymer nets according to the present disclosure can also be attached to both conventional topsheets and absorbent cores 4060 using any one of these methods as well. When using adhesive binding, the amount of adhesive added should be sufficient to provide the desired level of binding (s) without excessively restricting the flow of liquid to the absorbent core 4060.

When used as a topsheet for absorbent articles, polymer nets can solve the shortcomings of conventional topsheet materials. For diapers, incontinence articles, and women's hygiene pads, conventional types of topsheets are broadly divided into two main groups: non-woven fabrics and perforated films. The non-woven fabric has the advantage of being soft to the touch and garment-like. The non-woven fabric can be made hydrophilic (eg, by treatment with a surfactant) to allow rapid fluid transfer through the non-woven fabric to the absorbent. Such hydrophilic materials tend to give the user a moist feel, probably because a small amount of fluid stays in the non-woven fabric. Also, if the fluid stays in the non-woven fabric, it becomes more visible, which is not desirable. Some hydrophilic non-wovens also tend to move fluid towards the lateral edges of the pad, which can cause lateral leakage. The non-woven fabric may be made of hydrophobic fibers in order to achieve the goal of flexibility and dry feel with the non-woven fabric topsheet. The use of hydrophobic fibers will usually improve the dry feel, but hydrophobic non-woven fabrics may not provide rapid fluid transfer to the pad. Hydrophobic non-woven fabrics can collect fluid on the surface of the pad, which can also cause leakage. The advantage of using a perforated film as the topsheet of the absorbent article is that it provides a relatively clean and dry surface as exudates pass through the film layer and enter the inside of the pad. The disadvantage of such film-based topsheets is that they do not provide the flexibility and comfort provided by non-woven topsheets.

In use as an absorbent article, the structure of the polymer net according to the present disclosure is such that the polymer ribbons are separated from each other by very short polymer strands, creating multiple air channels along the length of the polymer ribbon. Air can circulate between the absorbent and the wearer's skin, even while the first edge of the polymer ribbon distal to the absorbent is in contact with the wearer's skin. These channels are not found in traditional topsheet materials and can provide a dry feel and comfort. The first edge of the polymer ribbon extends beyond the height of the polymer strand and is free to bend and bend in response to any lateral force (eg, due to user movement) on the ribbon. The flexibility of the polymer ribbon gives the user a soft feel to the skin. It is also believed that the bending performance of the polymer ribbon can provide a detergency if the absorbent article moves slightly in that position with respect to the user's skin. When the first edge of the polymer ribbon comes into contact with the user's skin, a small movement of the user (eg, walking) allows the polymer ribbon to bend, which causes the polymer ribbon to liquid on the user's skin. It can come into contact with the droplet and pull the droplet into contact with the absorbent. In this way, the polymer ribbon functions as a small squeegee for removing the liquid from the skin.

Also, as shown in Table 1 of the Examples below, the polymer net structure according to the present disclosure is more fluid than conventional pads, using polymer ribbons separated from each other by very short polymer strands. Can be distributed longitudinally in the absorbent article. Better distribution of fluid can prevent leakage of absorbent articles.

Polymer nets according to the present disclosure and / or polymer nets produced in accordance with the methods disclosed herein allow some parts of the absorbent article (eg, using the methods described above) to be separated from each other compared to other parts. It may be useful to have a directionally spread polymer ribbon. To hold the web in this unfolded open state, it is useful to attach the unfolded polymer net to another layer of absorbent material or article. By spreading at a particular location, the performance of the polymer net can be provided, for example, with different uptake rates and other functional properties near the lateral centerline of the article rather than near the side edges of the article. Can be adjusted. However, in some embodiments, it may be desirable to spread the web laterally uniformly over the entire width of the polymer net.

When the polymer net is used in an absorbent article, the polymer composition selected for the polymer ribbon and polymer strand may be hydrophobic or hydrophilic, if desired. Additional material modifiers (eg, surfactants) can be added to at least one of the polymer ribbons or polymer strands to change their hydrophilicity, or how the liquid interacts with the polymer net. Can be adjusted. For example, polymer ribbons can be made relatively hydrophilic so that fluid penetrates through the polymer net more quickly, whereas polymer strands can be made hydrophobic to minimize rewetting. Can be done. Alternatively, various polymer net structures as shown in FIGS. 6 and 8 may be useful for adjusting the hydrophilicity of the polymer net. For example, in FIG. 6, when the polymer ribbon 71 extends away from the absorbent and the polymer net 70 is positioned above the absorbent so that the polymer ribbon 81 is in contact with the absorbent, to draw fluid into the absorbent. The polymer ribbon 71 can be made hydrophilic and the polymer ribbon 81 can be made hydrophobic to minimize rewetting. In FIG. 8, if the polymer net 90 is positioned above the absorbent so that the second portions 91b and 93b of the polymer ribbon and polymer strands are in contact with the absorbent, then at least the polymer ribbon first to draw fluid into the absorbent. The portion 91a of one can be made hydrophilic and at least one of the second portions 91b, 93b of the polymer ribbon or polymer strand can be made hydrophobic to minimize rewetting. In some embodiments, the opposite pattern of hydrophilicity, eg, a polymeric ribbon or portion thereof extending towards the skin away from the absorbent, is a polymeric ribbon, strand, or them located on the absorbent. It may also be desirable to be more hydrophobic than the portion of. Modified forms of these methods can be useful for providing a hydrophilic gradient to the polymer net. These hydrophilic and hydrophobic gradients

The polymer nets according to the present disclosure may also be useful as part of a cleaning device such as a wipe or sponge. Due to the cleaning action provided by the polymer ribbons described above in relation to absorbent articles, the polymer nets disclosed herein can also be useful for cleaning hard surfaces. Often, the cleaning sheet is too flat compared to the surface to be cleaned, so that the substance enters only the tip of the cleaning sheet. Various for raising a part of the cleaning sheet or denting a part of the cleaning sheet in order to take in dust, dirt, and dust more effectively and capture and hold it on the entire work surface. The technology is disclosed. See, for example, US Pat. No. 7,757,334 (Patel et al.) And US Patent Application Publication Nos. 2007-0136967 (Tochacek et al.) And 2009-0144923 (Tuman et al.). The first edge of the polymer ribbon may be useful on the working surface of the cleaning wipe or sponge to collect dust during use and in the polymer net structure to deliver the dust to the retaining surface inside the wipe or sponge. It is believed that the flow path can be useful.

The polymer nets according to the present disclosure are also useful, for example, as elastic bandages. Such bandages can be useful, for example, in medical and athletic applications. For example, the polymer net according to the present disclosure may be useful for compression therapy in which external pressure is applied to vascular elements to increase interstitial pressure. Compression treatment is a useful treatment for, for example, venous and lymphatic diseases, as this improves venous return and alleviates various symptoms (eg, venous ulceration and edema). The polymer net according to the present disclosure used as bandage 5000 is illustrated in FIG. The net construction of Bandage 5000 allows for bidirectional expansion and contraction and high breathability. The bandage can be secured using any conventional fastener (eg, adhesive or mechanical fastener).

A polymer net useful as a bandage may have any of the configurations shown in FIGS. 1-8. When used as a bandage, the polymer ribbon in any of the polymer net embodiments disclosed herein is positioned in contact with the wearer's skin and extends beyond the height of the polymer strands. The parts of the ribbons are free to bend and bend in response to any lateral pressure exerted on the tops of these ribbons. In other words, the polymer ribbon end of the polymer ribbon is more freely curved than the polymer strand. Because of this movement, it is considered that the movement of fine muscles during wearing is more comfortable than the case of using an elastic bandage that does not have this bending behavior. The deflection of the polymer ribbon gives the compression bandage a soft feel and a sponge-like feel.

Further, when the polymer net in any of the embodiments of the polymer net disclosed herein is used as a bandage, when the polymer net is in a rolled form, the polymer ribbon on one main surface of the net becomes the polymer net. Can be inserted between the polymer ribbons on the facing surfaces of the. Depending on the material used for the net, these ribbons sandwiched between them can show adhesion to each other and can help the wearer to fasten the wrapped bandage. For example, the structures of FIGS. 5 and 6 (eg, Examples 2-4) may exhibit this effect.

In embodiments where the polymer ribbons and polymer strands are of different colors, the polymer nets useful as bandages can, for example, have a unique aesthetic appeal. Using a different color for the polymer ribbon than the polymer strands can result in an iridescent color that makes the bandage color appear different depending on the viewing angle. Therefore, in some embodiments, the polymer nets according to the present disclosure, which are useful as bandages, have a polymer ribbon of a different color than the polymer strands. For example, if the polymer net has different polymer ribbons 31 and 41, or 71 and 81 shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, it may be useful for the different polymer ribbons to be of different colors.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, for example, a polymer ribbon 71, a polymer strand 73, and a polymer ribbon 81 can be produced using three different colored polymers. When the polymer ribbon 71 is viewed from an angle, the polymer net 70 may appear primarily in the color of the ribbon 71. When the polymer ribbon 81 is viewed from an angle, the polymer net 70 may appear primarily in the color of the ribbon 81, and when the polymer net is viewed straight (eg, in the arrangement outlined in FIG. 6), all three colors. You can see the color.

In some applications, polymer nets according to the present disclosure and / or polymer nets manufactured according to the methods disclosed herein are used, for example, to allow spacing between filtration layers for filtration packs and / or filter media. Can be imparted with rigidity and support. In some embodiments, a multi-layer polymer net is used to position each layer for optimal filtration. Also, in some embodiments, the elastic properties of the polymer nets disclosed herein can accommodate expansion of the filter when it is filled.

In addition to the above uses, polymer nets according to the present disclosure and / or polymer nets produced according to the methods disclosed herein are surface layers of surgical drapes and gowns, cast pads, tapes (including medical applications), Very different pest control articles (eg mosquito nets), geotextile applications (eg erosion control textiles), clothing moisture / steam control, non-woven article reinforcement (eg paper towels), elasticity or elasticity Self-expanding articles (eg, for packaging), floor rugs (eg, rugs and temporary mats), grip supports (eg, eg, for example), where the thickness of the polymer net is increased by stretching the polymer net with polymer ribbons and polymer strands. (For tools and athletic articles), as well as various other applications, including pattern coated adhesives.

In some embodiments, the polymer nets according to the present disclosure and / or the polymer nets produced in accordance with the present disclosure are bonded to a carrier for ease of handling or for the production of laminates for selected applications. The polymer net is bonded to the carrier, for example, by a laminate (eg, extrusion laminate), an adhesive (eg, pressure sensitive adhesive), or other bonding method (eg, ultrasonic bonding, compression bonding, or surface bonding). be able to.

The carrier may be continuous (ie, without any through-holes) or discontinuous (eg, including through-perforations or holes). Carriers include woven webs, non-woven webs (eg spunbond webs, spunlace webs, airlaid webs, melt blown webs, and adhesive card webs), textiles, plastic films (eg single layer or multilayer films, coextruded films, sides). It may contain a variety of suitable materials, including (one-laminated films, or films containing a foam layer), and combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the carrier is a fibrous material (eg, a woven fabric, a non-woven fabric, or a knit material). Examples of materials for forming thermoplastic films or thermoplastic fibers for fibrous carriers include polyolefins (eg, polyethylene, polypropylene, polybutylene, ethylene copolymers, propylene copolymers, butylene copolymers, and copolymers and blends of these polymers. ), Polyester, and polyamide. The fiber may also be a multi-component fiber having, for example, a core of one thermoplastic material and a sheath of another thermoplastic material. In some embodiments, the carrier comprises a multilayer non-woven material having, for example, at least one layer of meltblown non-woven fabric and at least one layer of spunbonded non-woven fabric, or any other suitable combination of non-woven materials. .. For example, the carrier may be a multi-layer material of spunbond-meltbond-spanbond, spunbond-spanbond, or spunbond-spanbond-spanbond. Alternatively, the carrier is a compound including a non-woven fabric layer and a high-density film layer.It can be a joint web. The useful carrier may have any suitable basis weight or thickness desired for a particular application. For fibrous carriers, the basis weight may range, for example, from at least about 5, 8, 10, 20, 30, or 40 grams per square meter to up to about 400, 200, or 100 grams per square meter. Good. The carrier can be up to about 5 mm, about 2 mm, or about 1 mm thick, and / or at least about 0.1, about 0.2, or about 0.5 mm thick.

In some embodiments where the polymer net is made from a thermoplastic material, the thermoplastic material can be bonded to the fiber web carrier using surface bonding or loft retention bonding techniques. The term "surface bond" refers to the bonding of fibrous materials in a state where the original (pre-bonding) shape of the polymer net is substantially maintained and at least some part of the polymer net is exposed in the surface bonding region. It means that at least a portion of the fiber surface is melt-bonded to at least a portion of the polymer net so as to substantially maintain the fiber. Quantitatively, surface-bonded fibers can be distinguished from embedded fibers in that at least about 65% of the surface area of the surface-bonded fibers is visible on the polymer net at the fiber-bonded portion. Inspection from more than one angle may be required to visualize the entire surface area of the fiber. The term "loft-holding bond" includes lofts in which the bonded fiber material is at least 80% of the loft exhibited by the material prior to the bonding process or in the absence of a bonding process when it comes to the bonding of the fiber materials. Means that. As used herein, the loft of a fibrous material is the ratio of the total volume occupied by the web (including not only the fibers but also the interstitial spaces of the materials not occupied by the fibers) to the volume occupied by the fibrous material alone. If only a portion of the fiber web is bound to the polymer net, the retained loft can be easily identified by comparing the loft of the fiber web in the binding region with the loft of the web in the non-binding region. In some cases, for example, if the entire fiber web is bound to a polymer net, it may be convenient to compare the loft of the bound web with the loft of the same web sample before binding. In some of these embodiments, the joining step involves moving a heated gaseous fluid (eg, ambient air, dehumidified air, nitrogen, an inert gas, or other gaseous mixture) through the fiber web carrier. The process of spraying onto the first surface of the web carrier and moving the continuous web onto the main surface of the polymer net. The step of spraying the heating fluid and the contact of the first surface of the fiber web with the polymer net so that the first surface of the fiber web is melt-bonded to the polymer net (eg, bonded by surface bonding or loft holding bond). Including the process. The step of spraying the heated gaseous fluid onto the first surface of the fiber web and the step of spraying the heated gaseous fluid onto the main surface of the polymer net may be carried out continuously or simultaneously. Further methods and devices for binding continuous webs to fibrous carrier webs using heated gaseous fluids are described in US Patent Application Publication Nos. 2011/0151171 (Biegler et al.) And 2011/0147475 (Biegler et al.). Et al.).

In some embodiments where the polymer net is bonded to the carrier, one or more compartments of the carrier extend in at least one direction when a force is applied and approximately their original dimensions after the force is removed. May include one or more elastic stretchable materials back to. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the carrier bonded to the plurality of strands of the backing or looping material is not stretchable. In some embodiments, some of the carriers attached to the plurality of strands extend up to 10 percent in the CD direction (in some embodiments, up to 9, 8, 7, 6, or 5) percent. Have a rate. In some embodiments, such a structure can be mechanically activated (eg, ring roll) to impart elasticity. In some embodiments, the carrier is extensible but inelastic. In other words, the carrier has an elongation rate of at least 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 40, or 50 percent, but is substantially unable to recover from that elongation (eg, up to 10 or 5). Recovery rate up to a percentage). Suitable extensible carriers include non-woven fabrics (eg, spunbond, spunbond-melt blown-spunbond, or card non-woven material). In some embodiments, the non-woven fabric may be a high elongation card non-woven fabric (eg, HEC). In some embodiments, the carrier is not pleated.

Some Embodiments of the present disclosure In the first embodiment, the present disclosure is a polymer net comprising a polymer ribbon and a polymer strand, each of which has a length and a width and a length. Is the longest dimension, the width is the shortest dimension, and the polymer ribbon has a height-to-width aspect ratio of at least 5: 1 and intermittently bonds to a single polymer strand at multiple spaced bond sites. It provides a polymer net with a main surface that is at least twice as high as the height of one polymer strand.

In a second embodiment, the present disclosure comprises a centerline for which the polymer ribbon bisects the main surface, respectively, and first and second edges symmetrically disposed opposite the centerline. The polymer net according to the first embodiment is provided, wherein the main surface is intermittently bonded to only one polymer strand at a location closer to the first edge than the second edge.

In a third embodiment, the present disclosure has a centerline that bisects the main surface, respectively, and first and second edges that are symmetrically disposed opposite the centerline. , The polymer net has first and second opposing main surfaces that traverse the main surface of the polymer ribbon, the first main surface of the polymer net includes the first edge of the polymer ribbon, second. Provides the polymer net according to the first or second embodiment, wherein the main surface of the polymer ribbon comprises a second edge of the polymer ribbon and at least some portion of the polymer strand.

In a fourth embodiment, the present disclosure shows that each polymer ribbon has a centerline that bisects the main surface, with the main surface intermittently attached to only one polymer strand at the location containing the centerline. , The polymer net according to the first embodiment.

In a fifth embodiment, the present disclosure provides the polymer net according to the first or fourth embodiment, in which the polymer ribbon and the polymer strand are vertically centered.

In a sixth embodiment, the present disclosure has a centerline that bisects the main surface, respectively, and first and second edges that are symmetrically disposed opposite the centerline. , The polymer net has first and second opposing main surfaces that traverse the main surface of the polymer ribbon, the first main surface of the polymer net includes the first edge of the polymer ribbon, second. First, second, fourth, or fifth embodiment, wherein the main surface of the polymer ribbon contains a second edge of the polymer ribbon, and neither the first main surface nor the second main surface contains a portion of the polymer strand. The polymer net described in the form is provided.

In a seventh embodiment, the present disclosure has a centerline that bisects the main surface, respectively, and first and second edges that are symmetrically disposed opposite the centerline. , The main surface of the first part of the polymer ribbon is bonded to only one polymer strand closer to the first edge than the second edge, and the main surface of the second part of the polymer ribbon, The polymer net according to the first embodiment is provided, which is bonded to only one polymer strand at a location closer to the second edge than the first edge.

In an eighth embodiment, the present disclosure has a centerline that bisects the main surface, respectively, and first and second edges that are symmetrically disposed opposite the centerline. , The polymer net has first and second opposing main surfaces that traverse the main surface of the polymer ribbon, and the first main surface of the polymer net is the first edge of the first portion of the polymer ribbon. The second main surface contains the second edge of the polymer ribbon, the first part of the polymer ribbon does not extend to the second main surface, and the second part of the polymer ribbon The polymer net according to the first, fourth, or seventh embodiment, which does not extend to the first main surface, is provided.

In a ninth embodiment, the present disclosure comprises a centerline for which the polymer ribbon bisects the main surface, respectively, and first and second edges symmetrically disposed opposite the centerline. The polymer net according to any one of the first to eighth embodiments, wherein the first edge of the polymer ribbon comprises a composition different from the second edge of the polymer ribbon.

In a tenth embodiment, the present disclosure provides the polymer net according to any one of the first to ninth embodiments, wherein the polymer ribbon and the polymer strands alternate with at least a portion of the polymer net. ..

In the eleventh embodiment, the present disclosure provides the polymer net according to any one of the first to tenth embodiments, wherein the polymer strand and the polymer ribbon do not intersect each other.

In a twelfth embodiment, the present disclosure describes the polymer according to any one of the first to eleventh embodiments, wherein at least some of the polymer ribbons have a height-to-width aspect ratio greater than 7: 1. Provide the net.

In a thirteenth embodiment, the present disclosure provides the polymer net according to any one of the first to twelfth embodiments, wherein at least some of the polymer ribbons have a height of more than 750 micrometers.

In a fourteenth embodiment, the present disclosure provides the polymer net according to any one of the first to twelfth embodiments, wherein at least some of the polymer ribbons are less than 750 micrometers in height. ..

In a fifteenth embodiment, the present disclosure comprises the polymer according to any one of the first to fourth embodiments, wherein at least some of the polymer ribbons have a different color than at least some of the polymer strands. Provide the net.

In a sixteenth embodiment, the present disclosure describes any one of the first to fifteenth embodiments, wherein at least some of the polymeric ribbons have a different polymeric composition than at least some of the polymeric strands. Provides a polymer net.

In a seventeenth embodiment, the present disclosure is any of the first to sixth embodiments, wherein the polymer ribbon is elastic, the polymer strands are elastic, or both the polymer ribbon and the polymer strands are elastic. One of the polymer nets described is provided.

In an eighteenth embodiment, the present disclosure provides the polymer net according to any one of the first to seventeenth embodiments, wherein the polymer ribbon is substantially straight.

In a nineteenth embodiment, the present disclosure provides the polymer net according to any one of the first to eighteenth embodiments, wherein the polymer ribbon does not have a uniform height.

In a twentieth embodiment, the present disclosure provides an absorbent article having a fluid uptake surface comprising the polymer net according to any one of the first to nineteenth embodiments.

In a twenty-first embodiment, the present disclosure further comprises a fluid uptake surface of which is a topsheet, a liquid impermeable backsheet, and an absorbent core between the topsheet and the backsheet. The absorbent article according to the embodiment is provided.

In a twenty-second embodiment, the present disclosure includes a polymer net, a liquid-impermeable backsheet, and an absorbent core, wherein the polymer net comprises a polymer ribbon and a polymer strand, respectively. Has a length and width, the length is the longest dimension, the width is the shortest dimension, and the polymer ribbon has a height-to-width aspect ratio of at least 3: 1 and is intermittent to the polymer strands. It has a main surface that is bonded to the polymer multiple times and a height that is higher than the height of one polymer strand, the absorbent core is between the polymer net and the backsheet, and the polymer net is with the absorbent core. Between the backsheet or the polymer net provides an absorbent article that is in the absorbent core.

In the 23rd embodiment, the present disclosure provides the absorbent article according to the 22nd embodiment, wherein the polymer net is the top sheet.

In a twenty-fourth embodiment, the present disclosure provides an absorbent article according to a twenty-second embodiment, wherein the polymer net is a trapping layer between the topsheet and the absorbent core.

In a twenty-fifth embodiment, the present disclosure has a centerline that bisects the main surface, respectively, and first and second edges that are symmetrically disposed opposite the centerline. , One of the 22nd to 24th embodiments, wherein the main surface is intermittently attached to only one polymer strand at a location closer to the first edge than the second edge. To provide absorbent articles.

In a twenty-sixth embodiment, the present disclosure has a centerline that bisects the main surface, respectively, and first and second edges that are symmetrically disposed opposite the centerline. , The polymer net has first and second opposing main surfaces that traverse the main surface of the polymer ribbon, the first main surface of the polymer net includes the first edge of the polymer ribbon, second. Provides the absorbent article according to any one of the 22nd to 25th embodiments, wherein the main surface of the polymer ribbon comprises at least some portion of a second edge of the polymer ribbon and a polymer strand.

In a twenty-seventh embodiment, the present disclosure discloses that each polymer ribbon has a centerline that bisects the main surface, with the main surface intermittently attached to only one polymer strand at the location containing the centerline. , The absorbent article according to any one of the 22nd to 25th embodiments.

In a 28th embodiment, the present disclosure comprises an absorbent article according to any one of the 22nd to 24th or 27th embodiments, wherein the polymer ribbon and the polymer strand are vertically centered. provide.

In a 29th embodiment, the present disclosure has a centerline that bisects the main surface, respectively, and first and second edges that are symmetrically disposed opposite the centerline. , The polymer net has first and second opposing main surfaces that traverse the main surface of the polymer ribbon, the first main surface of the polymer net includes the first edge of the polymer ribbon, second. 22nd to 24th, 27th, or 28th implementation, wherein the main surface of the polymer ribbon contains a second edge of the polymer ribbon, and neither the first main surface nor the second main surface contains a portion of the polymer strand. The absorbent article according to any one of the forms is provided.

In a thirtieth embodiment, the present disclosure has a centerline that bisects the main surface, respectively, and first and second edges that are symmetrically disposed opposite the centerline. , The main surface of the first part of the polymer ribbon is bonded to only one polymer strand closer to the first edge than the second edge, and the main surface of the second part of the polymer ribbon, The absorbent article according to any one of the 22nd to 24th embodiments, which is attached to only one polymer strand at a location closer to the second edge than the first edge.

In a thirty-first embodiment, the present disclosure comprises a centerline that bisects the main surface, respectively, and first and second edges that are symmetrically disposed opposite the centerline. , The polymer net has first and second opposing main surfaces that traverse the main surface of the polymer ribbon, and the first main surface of the polymer net is the first edge of the first portion of the polymer ribbon. The second main surface contains the second edge of the polymer ribbon, the first part of the polymer ribbon does not extend to the second main surface, and the second part of the polymer ribbon The absorbent article according to any one of the 22nd to 24th or 30th embodiments, which does not extend to the first main surface.

In a thirty-second embodiment, the present disclosure has a centerline that bisects the main surface, respectively, and first and second edges that are symmetrically disposed opposite the centerline. The absorbent article according to any one of the 22nd to 31st embodiments, wherein the first edge of the polymer ribbon comprises a composition different from the second edge of the polymer ribbon.

In a 33rd embodiment, the present disclosure provides the absorbent article according to any one of the 22nd to 32nd embodiments, wherein the polymer ribbon and the polymer strand alternate at least in a portion of the polymer net. To do.

In a thirty-fourth embodiment, the present disclosure provides the absorbent article according to any one of the 22nd to 33rd embodiments, wherein the polymer strand and the polymer ribbon do not intersect each other.

In a 35th embodiment, the present disclosure describes any one of the 22nd to 34th embodiments, wherein at least some of the polymeric ribbons have a height-to-width aspect ratio of at least 5: 1. To provide absorbent articles.

In a thirty-sixth embodiment, the present disclosure provides an absorbent article according to any one of the 22nd to 35th embodiments, wherein at least some of the polymeric ribbons have a height of more than 750 micrometers. ..

In a 37th embodiment, the present disclosure provides the absorbent article according to any one of the 22nd to 35th embodiments, wherein at least some of the polymeric ribbons are less than 750 micrometers in height. To do.

38. The absorption according to any one of the 22nd to 37th embodiments, wherein at least some of the polymer ribbons have a different color than at least some of the polymer strands. Providing sex goods.

In a 39th embodiment, the present disclosure describes any one of the 22nd to 38th embodiments, wherein at least some of the polymeric ribbons have a different polymeric composition than at least some of the polymeric strands. To provide absorbent articles.

In a 40th embodiment, the present disclosure is any of the 22nd to 39th embodiments, wherein the polymer ribbon is elastic, the polymer strand is elastic, or both the polymer ribbon and the polymer strand are elastic. Provide the absorbent article described in one or the other.

In a 41st embodiment, the present disclosure provides an absorbent article according to any one of the 22nd to 40th embodiments, wherein the polymeric ribbon is substantially straight.

In a 42nd embodiment, the present disclosure provides an absorbent article according to any one of the 22nd to 41st embodiments, wherein the polymeric ribbon does not have a uniform height.

In a 43rd embodiment, the present disclosure comprises at least one cavity, a dispensing surface, and a fluid passage between at least one cavity and the dispensing surface, where the dispensing surface is a second dispensing opening. Has an array of first dispensing openings separated by an array of, the first dispensing opening, the second dispensing opening, and any other dispensing opening over the dispensing surface. Arranged in a row, the first and second dispensing openings each have a height and width that are the distances between the upper edge, the lower edge, the upper edge and the lower edge, and the first Each of the 1 dispensing openings has a height-to-width aspect ratio of at least 5: 1, and the height of the first dispensing opening is at least 3 times the height of the second dispensing opening. Provides a high, extruded die.

In a 44th embodiment, the present disclosure describes the 43rd embodiment, wherein the fluid passages are provided by an array of shims, each array comprising at least one first shim that provides a fluid passage. Extrusion dies are provided.

In the 45th embodiment, the present disclosure discloses at least the first and second cavities, the first fluid passage between the first cavity and the first dispensing opening, and the second cavity and the second. The extrusion die according to the 43rd embodiment is provided with a second fluid passage to and from the dispensing opening of the above.

In a 46th embodiment, the present disclosure provides a fluid passage provided by an array of shims, each array providing at least one first shim providing a first fluid passage and a second fluid passage. The extruded die according to the 45th embodiment, which comprises at least one second shim, and the like.

In a 47th embodiment, in the present disclosure, at least the first dispensing opening is defined by an array of first inlets, and the die is of a third cavity, a first cavity and a first inlet. The first fluid passage between the three fluid passages and the third passage extending from the third cavity to the same entrance, and the area where the third fluid passage enters the first entrance is the first. The extrusion die according to any one of the 43rd to 46th embodiments, further comprising, is provided such that the fluid passage is below the area reaching the first inlet.

In a 48th embodiment, the present disclosure includes at least one first shim in which fluid passages are provided by an array of shims, each of which provides a first fluid passage, and a third fluid passage. Provided is the extrusion die according to the 47th embodiment, which includes at least one third shim provided.

In the 49th embodiment, the present disclosure discloses the 43rd to 48th embodiments in which the second dispensing opening is vertically aligned closer to the lower end than the upper end of the first dispensing opening. The extrusion die according to any one of the above is provided.

In a fiftyth embodiment, the present disclosure comprises an extrusion die according to any one of the 43rd to 48th embodiments, wherein the first and second dispensing openings are vertically centered. provide.

In the 51st embodiment, in the present disclosure, the second dispensing opening is vertically aligned, and the first portion of the first dispensing opening is a second dispensing than its upper edge. 43rd to 43rd, having a lower edge close to the opening, and a second portion of the first dispensing opening having an upper edge closer to the second dispensing opening than the lower edge. The extrusion die according to any one of the 48 embodiments is provided.

In a 52nd embodiment, the present disclosure is any of the 43rd to 51st embodiments in which the aspect ratio of at least some height to width of the first dispensing opening is at least 11: 1. The extrusion die described in one is provided.

In a 53rd embodiment, the present disclosure provides an extrusion die according to any one of the 43rd to 52nd embodiments, wherein the first dispensing opening does not have a uniform height. ..

In a 54th embodiment, the present disclosure is a method for producing a polymer net, wherein the method provides the extrusion die according to any one of the 43rd to 52nd embodiments. Dispensing the polymer ribbon from the dispensing opening at the first rate while simultaneously dispensing the polymer strands from the second dispensing opening at the second rate to provide a polymer net. Provided are methods that include, that the first speed is at least twice the second speed, or that the second speed is at least twice the first speed.

In a 55th embodiment, the present disclosure is a method of making a polymer net, the method comprising at least one cavity, a dispensing surface, and a fluid passage between at least one cavity and the dispensing surface. The dispensing surface has an array of first dispensing openings separated by an array of second dispensing openings, with the first and second dispensing openings being the upper and lower edges, respectively. It has a height and width that is the distance between the part, the upper edge and the lower edge, and each of the first dispensing openings has a height-to-width aspect ratio of at least 5: 1. The height of the first dispensing opening is at least twice as high as the height of the second dispensing opening, to provide an extrusion die and to provide a polymer ribbon from the first dispensing opening. Dispensing at a rate while simultaneously dispensing polymer strands from a second dispensing opening at a second rate to provide a polymer net, the second rate being the first rate. Provide methods, including that, which is at least twice that of.

In a 56th embodiment, the present disclosure describes the 55th embodiment, wherein the fluid passages are provided by an array of shims, each array comprising at least one first shim that provides a fluid passage. Provide a method.

In a 57th embodiment, the present disclosure discloses at least the first and second cavities, a first fluid passage between the first cavity and the first dispensing opening, and a second cavity and a second. The method according to the 55th embodiment, which comprises a second fluid passage to and from the dispensing opening of the.

In a 58th embodiment, the present disclosure includes at least one first shim in which fluid passages are provided by an array of shims, each of which provides a first fluid passage, and a second fluid passage. Provided is the method according to the 57th embodiment, which comprises at least one second shim provided.

In a 59th embodiment, in the present disclosure, at least the first dispensing opening is defined by an array of first inlets, and the die is of a third cavity, a first cavity and a first inlet. The first fluid passage between one of the three fluid passages and the third passage extending from the third cavity to the same inlet, and the area where the third fluid passage enters the first inlet is the first. The method according to any one of the 55th or 57th embodiments, further comprising such that the fluid passage is above or below the area entering the first inlet.

In a sixty-sixth embodiment, the present disclosure provides at least one first shim in which fluid passages are provided by an array of shims, each array providing a first fluid passage, and a third fluid passage. Provided is the method according to the 59th embodiment, which comprises at least one third shim provided.

In a 61st embodiment, the present disclosure provides the method according to any one of the 55th to 60th embodiments, wherein the polymeric ribbon is substantially straight.

In the 62nd embodiment, the present disclosure oscillates such that the polymer strands are attached to two adjacent polymer ribbons in an at least partially alternating manner, in any one of the 55th to 61st embodiments. The method described in is provided.

In the 63rd embodiment, the present disclosure provides the method according to any one of the 55th to 62nd embodiments, wherein the polymer strand and the polymer ribbon do not intersect each other.

In a 64th embodiment, the present disclosure is any of the 55th to 63rd embodiments in which the aspect ratio of at least some height to width of the first dispensing opening is at least 11: 1. The method described in one is provided.

In a 65th embodiment, the present disclosure provides the method according to any one of the 55th to 64th embodiments, wherein at least some of the polymeric ribbons have a height of more than 750 micrometers.

In a 66th embodiment, the present disclosure provides the method according to any one of the 55th to 64th embodiments, wherein at least some of the polymeric ribbons are less than 750 micrometers in height.

In the 67th embodiment, the present disclosure relates to any one of the 55th to 66th embodiments, wherein at least some of the polymer ribbons have a different color than at least some of the polymer strands. I will provide a.

In the 68th embodiment, the present disclosure describes any one of the 55th to 67th embodiments, wherein at least some of the polymeric ribbons have a different polymeric composition than at least some of the polymeric strands. Providing a method.

In a 69th embodiment, the present disclosure is any of 55th to 68th embodiments, wherein the polymer ribbon is elastic, the polymer strand is elastic, or both the polymer ribbon and the polymer strand are elastic. One of the methods described is provided.

In the 70th embodiment, the present disclosure discloses the 55th to 69th embodiments in which the second dispensing opening is vertically aligned closer to the lower end than the upper end of the first dispensing opening. The method described in any one of the above is provided.

In the 71st embodiment, the present disclosure has a centerline that bisects the main surface and first and second edges that are symmetrically arranged opposite the centerline, respectively. The method according to any one of the 55th to 70th embodiments, wherein the main surface is intermittently bonded to only one polymer strand at a location between the centerline and the first edge. I will provide a.

In a 72nd embodiment, the present disclosure has a centerline that bisects the main surface, respectively, and first and second edges that are symmetrically disposed opposite the centerline. , The polymer net has first and second opposing main surfaces that traverse the main surface of the polymer ribbon, the first main surface of the polymer net includes the first edge of the polymer ribbon, second. Provides the method according to embodiment 70 or 71, wherein the main surface of the polymer ribbon comprises at least some portion of a second edge of the polymer ribbon and polymer strands.

In a 73rd embodiment, the present disclosure provides the method according to any one of 55th to 69th embodiments, wherein the first and second dispensing openings are vertically centered. To do.

In the 74th embodiment, the present disclosure discloses that each polymer ribbon has a centerline that bisects the main surface, and the main surface is intermittently attached to only one polymer strand at the location containing the centerline. , 55-69 and 73. The method according to any one of the embodiments.

In the 75th embodiment, the present disclosure provides the method according to the 73rd or 74th embodiment, in which the polymer ribbon and the polymer strand are vertically centered.

In the 76th embodiment, the present disclosure has a centerline that bisects the main surface, respectively, and first and second edges that are symmetrically disposed opposite the centerline. , The polymer net has first and second opposing main surfaces that traverse the main surface of the polymer ribbon, the first main surface of the polymer net includes the first edge of the polymer ribbon, second. 55th to 69th and 73rd to 75th embodiments, wherein the main surface of the polymer ribbon includes a second edge of the polymer ribbon, and neither the first main surface nor the second main surface contains a portion of the polymer strand. The method described in any one of the above is provided.

In the 78th embodiment, in the present disclosure, the second dispensing opening is vertically aligned, and the first portion of the first dispensing opening is a second dispensing opening with respect to its upper end. One of the 55th to 69th embodiments having a lower end close to, and a second portion of the first dispensing opening having an upper end closer to the second dispensing opening than the lower end. The method described in one is provided.

In the 79th embodiment, the present disclosure discloses an upper edge portion in which the first dispensing opening is substantially aligned with the upper edge portion of the second dispensing opening, and a second dispensing opening. The method of the 78th embodiment, wherein the lower edge and the substantially aligned lower edge alternate with each other.

In the 80th embodiment, the present disclosure has a centerline that bisects the main surface, respectively, and first and second edges that are symmetrically disposed opposite the centerline. , The main surface of the first part of the polymer ribbon is bonded to only one polymer strand at the location between the center line and the first edge, and the main surface of the second part of the polymer ribbon is the second. The method according to any one of the 55th to 69th, 78th, or 79th embodiments, which is attached to only one polymer strand at a position between the center line and the edge of the ..

In the 81st embodiment, the present disclosure has a centerline that bisects the main surface, respectively, and first and second edges that are symmetrically disposed opposite the centerline. , The polymer net has first and second opposing main surfaces that traverse the main surface of the polymer ribbon, and the first main surface of the polymer net is the first edge of the first portion of the polymer ribbon. The second main surface contains the second edge of the polymer ribbon, the first part of the polymer ribbon does not extend to the second main surface, and the second part of the polymer ribbon The method according to any one of the 55th to 69th and 78th to 80th embodiments, which does not extend to the first main surface, is provided.

In the 82nd embodiment, the present disclosure provides the polymer net according to any one of the 1st to 19th embodiments bonded to a carrier.

In the 83rd embodiment, the present disclosure provides the polymer net according to any one of the 1st to 19th embodiments for use as an elastic bandage.

The following examples are provided to better understand the disclosure. It should be understood that these examples are for illustrative purposes only and do not limit this disclosure in any way. All parts and ratios (%) are based on weight unless otherwise noted.

<p> (Example 1) A coextruded die schematically shown in FIGS. 22 and 23 was prepared by assembling with a large number of shim repeating patterns of extrusion openings schematically shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B. The thickness of each shim in the repeating sequence was 4 mils (0.102 mm). These shims were formed from stainless steel by cutting perforations by wire electric discharge machining. With reference to FIG. 11, the height of the dispensing opening 356 of the shim 300 was cut to 100 mils (2.54 mm). With reference to FIG. 9, the height of the dispensing opening 156 of the shim 100 was cut to 30 mils (0.762 mm). Sims were stacked in a repeating array of 100, 100, 200, 200, 300, 300, 200, 200. When assembled, the widths of the dispensing openings 1001 and 1003 were 0.203 mm, respectively, and the land spacing between the openings was 0.203 mm. The extrusion openings were aligned on the same line in alternating arrangements, and the resulting dispensing surface is shown in Figure 12B. The overall width of the shim configuration was approximately 13 cm (5 inches).</p><p> The inlet fittings on the two end blocks were each connected to three conventional single-screw screw extruders. Polypropylene homopolymers (obtained under the trade name "1024PP" from Exxon Mobil (Irving, TX)) were charged into each extruder fed into cavities 1012a and 1012c.</p><p> The flow rate of the polymer exiting the opening 1003 was 1.7 kg / hour, and the flow rate of the polymer exiting the opening 1001 was 1.9 kg / hour. The melt was extruded vertically into an extrusion quenching device. The quench removal speed was 5.2 m / min and the melt fall distance was 3 cm. The extrusion temperature was 218 ° C. The polymer coming out of opening 1003 was vibrating. The quench roll was a temperature-controlled, smooth, chrome-plated steel roll with a diameter of 20 cm. The quench temperature was 10 ° C and was controlled by the internal water flow. The web path was wound 180 degrees around a chrome steel roll and then on a take-up roll.</p><p> A photograph of the obtained polymer net is shown in FIG. Using a light microscope at 30x magnification, the width and height of the polymer strands were measured at 80 micrometers and 373 micrometers, respectively, and the width and height of the polymer ribbon were measured at 80 micrometers and height, respectively. It was 600 micrometers. The basis weight of the polymer net was measured by weighing three 2 inch × 10 inch (5.1 cm × 25.4 cm) net test pieces with a chemical balance and averaging each value. The basis weight of the polymer net is 125 g / m²The total thickness was 600 micrometers.</p><p> The topsheet was removed from the 270 mm x 90 mm pad obtained under the trade name "OPTIONS ULTRA THINS" from First Quality Retail Services (Macon, Georgia) and replaced with the above polymer net test piece. The polymer net test piece was approximately 260 mm x 90 mm in size. The polymer net was placed on the capture / distribution layer without adhesive.</p><p> (Example 1b) A test piece (approximately 260 mm × 90 mm) of a polymer net prepared according to the description of Example 1 was subjected to 90 grams of water and the trade name of "TRITON X-100" from Dow Chemical Company (Midland, Mich.). It was immersed in a solution prepared from 10 grams of the obtained surfactant. After the polymer net was completely immersed, it was immediately removed from the solution to remove excess liquid. Samples were placed on aluminum trays and dried in a batch oven at 50 ° C. for 2 hours. The topsheet was removed from the 270 mm x 90 mm pad obtained under the trade name "OPTIONS ULTRA THINS" from First Quality Retail Services and replaced with a soaked and dried polymer net. The polymer net was placed on the capture / distribution layer without adhesive.</p><p> (Example 1c) The top sheet was removed from the 270 mm × 90 mm pad obtained under the trade name of "OPTIONS ULTRA THINS" from First Quality Retail Services, the capture / distribution part was removed, and the polymer net produced according to the description of Example 1 was prepared. Replaced with a test piece. The polymer net test piece was approximately 165 mm x 50 mm in size. The polymer net was placed on the absorbent material without adhesive and the original topsheet was positioned on the polymer net without adhesive.</p><p> (Example 2) The co-extruded dies schematically shown in FIGS. 22 and 23 were assembled and prepared with a number of shim repeating patterns of extrusion openings schematically shown in FIGS. 15A and 15B. However, there was a change to use one Sim 500 instead of two. The thickness of the repeating shims was 4 mils (0.102 mm) for shims 400 and 200. The thickness of the repeating shim was 8 mils (0.203 mm) for shim 500. These shims were formed from stainless steel by cutting perforations by wire electric discharge machining. With reference to FIG. 14, the height of the dispensing opening 556 of the shim 500 was cut to 100 mils (2.54 mm). With reference to FIG. 13, the height of the dispensing opening 456 of the shim 400 was cut to 20 mils (0.508 mm). Sims were stacked in a repeating array of 400, 400, 400, 400, 200, 200, 200, 200, 500, 200, 200, 200, 200. When assembled, the widths of the dispensing openings 1103 and 1101 were 0.406 mm and 0.203 mm, respectively, and the land spacing between the openings was 0.406 mm. The extrusion openings were aligned on the same line in alternating arrangements, and the resulting dispensing surface is shown in Figure 15B. The total width of the shim configuration was about 15 cm.</p><p> The inlet fittings on the two end blocks were each connected to three conventional single-screw screw extruders. Each extruder fed to cavities 1112a and 1112b has a 3% yellow and green colorant masterbatch (yellow colorant obtained from Americahem (Cuyahoga Falls, OH) under the trade name "PANTONE YELLOW", green. Is a dry blend of styrene-ethylene / butylene-styrene block copolymer elastomer (obtained under the trade name of "PAN3385C MINT GREEN" from Clariant (Minneapolis, MN)) and the trade name of "MD6751" from Kraton (Belpre, OH). (Obtained at) was put in.</p><p> The flow rate of the yellow polymer exiting the opening 1103 was 3.74 kg / hour and the flow rate of the green polymer exiting the opening 1101 was 2.95 kg / hour. The melt was extruded vertically into an extrusion quenching device. The quench removal speed was 1.54 m / min and the melt fall distance was 4 cm. The extrusion temperature was 232 ° C. The polymer coming out of opening 1103 was vibrating. The quench roll was a temperature-controlled, smooth, chrome-plated steel roll with a diameter of 20 cm. The quench temperature was 10 ° C and was controlled by the internal water flow. The web was further cooled on a quench roll using compressed airflow through four 2.5 inch (6.35 cm) Loc-Line® Swivel Nozzle 75 (Lockwood Products, INC (Lake Oswego, OR)). The web path was wound 180 degrees around a chrome steel roll and then on a take-up roll.</p><p> The photographs of the obtained polymer net are shown in FIGS. 31A and 31B. Using a light microscope at 30x magnification, the width and height of the polymer strands were measured at 426 micrometers and 773 micrometers, respectively, and the width and height of the polymer ribbon were measured at 229 micrometers and height, respectively. It was 2066 micrometers. When the basis weight of the polymer net is measured according to the description of Example 1, it is 568 g / m.²The total thickness was 2066 micrometers.</p><p> (Example 3) The co-extruded dies schematically shown in FIGS. 22 and 23 were assembled and prepared with a number of shim repeating patterns of extrusion openings schematically shown in FIGS. 21A and 21B. However, I made a change to use one Sim 500 instead of two. The thickness of the repeating shims was 4 mils (0.102 mm) for shims 800 and 200. The thickness of the repeating shim was 8 mils (0.203 mm) for shim 500. The shim thickness of the repeating sequence was 900 shims and was 2 mils (0.051 mm). These shims were formed from stainless steel by cutting perforations by wire electric discharge machining. With reference to FIG. 14, the height of the dispensing opening 556 of the shim 500 was cut to 100 mils (2.54 mm). With reference to FIG. 19, the height of the dispensing opening 856 of the Sim 800 was cut to 15 mils (0.381 mm). Sims were stacked in a repeating array of 800, 800, 800, 200, 200, 200, 900, 500, 900, 200, 200, 200. When assembled, the widths of the dispensing openings 1303 and 1301 were 0.305 mm and 0.203 mm, respectively, and the land spacing between the openings was 0.305 mm. The extrusion openings were aligned on the same line in alternating arrangements, and the resulting dispensing surface is shown in Figure 21B. The total width of the shim configuration was about 10 cm.</p><p> The inlet fittings on the two end blocks were each connected to three conventional single-screw screw extruders. 3% pink or black colorant master batch (pink and black are "PAN813C NEON PINK" and "PANTONE BLACK C" from Clariant (Minneapolis, MN) to each extruder fed to cavities 1312a and 1312b. ") And dry-blended styrene-ethylene / butylene-styrene block copolymer elastomer (obtained from Kraton (Belpre, OH) under the trade name of" MD6752 ") were introduced.</p><p> The flow rate of the pink polymer exiting the opening 1303 was 2.04 kg / hour and the flow rate of the black polymer exiting the opening 1301 was 3.61 kg / hour. The melt was extruded vertically into an extrusion quenching device. The quench removal speed was 1.67 m / min and the melt fall distance was 4 cm. The extrusion temperature was 232 ° C. The polymer coming out of opening 1303 was vibrating. The quench roll was a temperature-controlled, smooth, chrome-plated steel roll with a diameter of 20 cm. The quench temperature was 10 ° C and was controlled by the internal water flow. The web was further cooled on a quench roll using compressed airflow through four 2.5 inch (6.35 cm) Loc-Line® Swivel Nozzle 75 (Lockwood Products, INC (Lake Oswego, OR)). The web path was wound 180 degrees around a chrome steel roll and then on a take-up roll.</p><p> The photographs of the obtained polymer net are shown in FIGS. 32A and 32B. Using a light microscope at 30x magnification, the width and height of the polymer strands were measured at 476 micrometers and 614 micrometers, respectively, and the width and height of the polymer ribbon were measured at 189 micrometers and height, respectively. It was 2365 micrometers. When the basis weight of the polymer net is measured according to the description of Example 1, it is 649 g / m.²The total thickness was 2365 micrometers.</p><p> (Example 4) The coextrusion dies schematically shown in FIGS. 22 and 23 were prepared by assembling with a large number of shim repeating patterns of extrusion openings schematically shown in FIGS. 18A and 18B. The shim thickness in the repeating sequence was 4 mils (0.102 mm) for shims 700, 200, 600, and 300. These shims were formed from stainless steel by cutting perforations by wire electric discharge machining. With reference to FIGS. 11 and 17, the heights of the dispensing openings 356 and 756 of the shims 300 and 700 were both cut to 100 mils (2.54 mm). The height of the dispensing opening 656 of the Sim 600 was both cut to 30 mils (0.765 mm). Sims were stacked in a repeating array of 700, 700, 200, 200, 600, 600, 200, 200, 300, 300, 200, 200, 600, 600, 200, 200. When assembled, the widths of the dispensing openings 1203 and 1201 were 0.203 mm, respectively, and the land spacing between the openings was 0.203 mm. The extrusion openings were aligned on the same line in alternating arrangements, and the resulting dispensing surfaces are shown in FIGS. 18A and 18B. The total width of the shim composition was about 12.5 cm.</p><p> The inlet fittings on the two end blocks were each connected to three conventional single-screw screw extruders. Each extruder fed into cavities 1212a, 1212b and 1212c has a 3% pink, yellow and purple colorant master batch (yellow colorant from Americam (Cuyahoga Falls, OH) "YELLOW 116" Obtained under the trade name, neon pink and purple are dry blended with Clariant (Minneapolis, MN) under the trade names of "PAN813C NEON PINK" and "PAN266C PURPLE"), respectively, styrene-ethylene / butylene-styrene block copolymer. Elastomer (obtained from Kraton (Belpre, OH) under the trade name "MD6751") was introduced.</p><p> The flow rate of the pink polymer coming out of the opening 1201 is 2.0 kg / hour, the flow rate of the yellow polymer coming out of the opening 1203 is 3.08 kg / hour, and the flow rate of the purple polymer coming out of the opening 1201 is 1.36 kg / hour. there were. The melt was extruded vertically into an extrusion quenching device. The quench removal speed was 1.67 m / min and the melt fall distance was 4 cm. The extrusion temperature was 232 ° C. The polymer coming out of opening 1203 was vibrating. The quench roll was a temperature-controlled, smooth, chrome-plated steel roll with a diameter of 20 cm. The quench temperature was 10 ° C and was controlled by the internal water flow. The web was further cooled on a quench roll using compressed airflow through four 2.5 inch (6.35 cm) Loc-Line® Swivel Nozzle 75 (Lockwood Products, INC (Lake Oswego, OR)). The web path was wound 180 degrees around a chrome steel roll and then on a take-up roll.</p><p> The photographs of the obtained polymer net are shown in FIGS. 33A and 33B. Measuring the width and height of the polymer strands using a light microscope at 30x magnification was 306 micrometers and 747 micrometers, respectively, and measuring the width and height of the pink polymer ribbon was 204 micrometers, respectively. They were meters and 1736 micrometers, and the width and height of the purple polymer ribbon were measured to be 200 micrometers and 1782 micrometers, respectively. When the basis weight of the polymer net is measured according to the description of Example 1, it is 680 g / m.²The total thickness was 3.03 mm.</p><p> (Example 4a) The top sheet was removed from the 270 mm × 90 mm pad obtained under the trade name of "OPTIONS ULTRA THINS" from First Quality Retail Services, and the top sheet was replaced with the polymer net test piece prepared in Example 4. .. The polymer net test piece was approximately 260 mm x 90 mm in size. The polymer net was placed on the capture / distribution layer without adhesive.</p><p> (Example 4b) A polymer net test piece (approximately 260 mm × 90 mm) prepared according to the description of Example 4 was subjected to 90 grams of water and the trade name of "TRITON X-100" from Dow Chemical Company according to the description of Example 1b. Soaked in a solution prepared from 10 grams of surfactant obtained in, removed from the solution and dried. The topsheet was removed from the 270 mm x 90 mm pad obtained under the trade name "OPTIONS ULTRA THINS" from First Quality Retail Services and replaced with a soaked and dried polymer net. The polymer net was placed on the capture / distribution layer without adhesive.</p><p> (Example 4c) A polymer net prepared according to the description of Example 4 by removing the top sheet from the 270 mm × 90 mm pad obtained from First Quality Retail Services under the trade name of "OPTIONS ULTRA THINS" and removing the capture / distributor. Replaced with a test piece. The polymer net test piece was approximately 165 mm x 50 mm in size. The polymer net was placed on the absorbent material without adhesive and the original topsheet was positioned on the polymer net without adhesive.</p><p> (Example 5) Example 5 was prepared by using the method described above for Example 2 with the following modifications. The total width of the shim configuration was about 13 cm. Styrene-ethylene / butylene-styrene block copolymer elastomer (obtained from Kraton under the trade name "G1645") was charged into each extruder fed to cavities 1112a and 1112b. No colorant was added. The extrusion temperature was 254 ° C. The quench removal speed was 1.52 m / min and the melt fall distance was 3 cm. Using an optical microscope at 30x magnification, the width and height of the polymer strands were measured at 450 micrometers and 700 micrometers, respectively, and the width and height of the polymer ribbon were measured at 200 micrometers and height, respectively. It was 2400 micrometers. When the basis weight of the polymer net is measured according to the description of Example 1, 641 g / m.²The total thickness was 2400 micrometers.</p><p> (Example 6) Example 6 was prepared by using the method described above for Example 1 with the following modifications. The shim 400 shown in FIG. 13 was used in place of the shim 100 shown in FIG. The height of the dispensing opening 456 of the shim 400 was cut to 20 mils (0.508 mm). Sims were stacked in a repeating array of 400, 400, 200, 200, 300, 300, 200, 200. The total width of the shim configuration was about 10 cm.</p><p> The inlet fittings on the two end blocks were each connected to three conventional single-screw screw extruders. 2% by weight dark green and 3% by weight green colorant masterbatch (dark green colorant is the trade name of "DEEP SATURATED GREEN" and is colored green) for each extruder fed to the cavities 1012a and 1012c. As the agent, styrene-ethylene / butylene-styrene block copolymer elastomer (obtained from Kraton under the trade name of "113012O"), which was dry-blended with each of them under the trade name of "PAN802C GREEN" (obtained from Clariant), was introduced.</p><p> The flow rate of the polymer exiting the opening 1003 in a vibrating form was 1.3 kg / hour, and the flow rate of the polymer exiting the opening 1001 was 2.25 kg / hour. The quench removal speed was 1.5 m / min and the melt fall distance was 4 cm. The extrusion temperature was 232 ° C.</p><p> The photographs of the obtained polymer net are shown in FIGS. 34A and 34B. Using an optical microscope at 30x magnification, the width and height of the polymer strands were measured at 350 micrometers and 360 micrometers, respectively, and the width and height of the polymer ribbon were measured at 110 micrometers and height, respectively. It was 925 micrometers. When the basis weight of the polymer net is measured according to the description of Example 1, 240 g / m²The total thickness was 925 micrometers.</p><p> (Example 6a) The top sheet was removed from the 270 mm × 90 mm pad obtained under the trade name of "OPTIONS ULTRA THINS" from First Quality Retail Services, and the top sheet was replaced with the polymer net test piece prepared in Example 6. .. The polymer net test piece was approximately 260 mm x 90 mm in size. The polymer net was placed on the capture / distribution layer without adhesive.</p><p> (Example 6b) A polymer net test piece (approximately 260 mm × 90 mm) prepared according to the description of Example 6 was subjected to 90 grams of water and the trade name of "TRITON X-100" from Dow Chemical Company according to the description of Example 1b. It was immersed in a solution prepared from 10 grams of the surfactant obtained in the above, removed from the solution, and dried. The topsheet was removed from the 270 mm x 90 mm pad obtained under the trade name "OPTIONS ULTRA THINS" from First Quality Retail Services and replaced with a soaked and dried polymer net. The polymer net was placed on the capture / distribution layer without adhesive.</p><p> (Example 6c) The top sheet was removed from the 270 mm × 90 mm pad obtained under the trade name of "OPTIONS ULTRA THINS" from First Quality Retail Services, the capture / distribution part was removed, and the polymer net produced according to the description of Example 6 was prepared. Replaced with a test piece. The polymer net test piece was approximately 165 mm x 50 mm in size. The polymer net was placed on the absorbent material without adhesive and the original topsheet was positioned on the polymer net without adhesive.</p><p> Comparative Example A Comparative Example A was a 270 mm x 90 mm pad obtained from First Quality Retail Services under the product name "OPTIONS ULTRA THINS" without any changes.</p><p> Comparative Example B Comparative Example B is a 270 mm × 90 mm pad obtained from First Quality Retail Services under the trade name of "OPTIONS ULTRA THINS", and the top sheet was removed and replaced.</p><p> Test method Strike-through time: The strike-through time was measured using the test jig shown in FIG. The jig was made of poly (methylmethacrylate) sheet and had dimensions of 203 mm × 203 mm × 5 mm. A glass funnel with a circular opening 15 mm in diameter at the bottom was fitted into the complementary opening of a poly (methylmethacrylate) sheet and the funnel was sealed in the opening with wax. Comparative Examples A and B and Examples were individually placed between the test jig and a poly (methylmethacrylate) sheet having dimensions of 203 mm × 203 mm × 5 mm without an opening. The opening of the test jig was placed approximately on the center of the pad. Four 250 gram weights were placed on a poly (methylmethacrylate) sheet, one at each corner, and a force of 572 Pa (0.083 psi) was applied onto the pad. The bottom of the funnel was brought into contact with the pad. 0.9% by volume 20 mL containing a small amount of red dye obtained from Aldrich Chemical Company (Milwaukee, Wis.) Under the trade name "DIRECT RED 81" Aqueous NaCl solution was poured through a funnel. The strike-through time was measured by a stopwatch in seconds from the time when the solution was poured into the funnel until the funnel was completely emptied. One sample was tested for each example and comparative example.</p><p> Rewetting: At the end of the strike-through time evaluation, the test jig was removed from the pad and the pad was allowed to stand for 5 minutes after the solution was added. Then, 10 sheets of pre-weighed VWR filter paper # 110 (circular 11 cm) were stacked in the center on the pad, and a 152 mm × 78 mm weight (1967.2 g) was placed on the filter paper for 3 minutes. The weight was removed and the filter paper pieces were reweighed. Rewetting in grams was recorded as an increase in the weight of the filter paper pieces.</p><p> Fluid distribution: After removing the weight from the sample for rewetting evaluation, the distance traveled by the solution along the length and width directions of the pad was measured using a ruler.</p><p> Table 1 below shows the strike-through times, rewetting, and fluid distribution lengths and widths of Comparative Examples A and B and Examples 1, 1b, 1c, 4a, 4b, 4c, 6a, 6b, and 6c, respectively. Report to.</p><p><tables num="1"><img file="JP6606089B2_D0001.tif" /></tables></p><p> Predictable modifications and modifications of the present disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and gist of the present invention. The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described in the present application for the purpose of explanation.<u style="single">Some of the embodiments of the present invention are described in the following items [1]-[15].</u><u style="single">[Item 1]</u><u style="single"> A polymer net comprising a polymer ribbon and a polymer strand, each of which has a length and a width, the length being the longest dimension and the width being the shortest dimension. The polymer ribbon has a height-to-width aspect ratio of at least 5: 1, a main surface that is intermittently attached to only one polymer strand, and a height that is at least twice as high as the height of that one polymer strand. Has a polymer net.</u><u style="single">[Item 2]</u><u style="single"> Each of the polymer ribbons has a center line that bisects the main surface and first and second edges that are symmetrically arranged opposite the center line, and the main surface is the first surface. The polymer net of item 1, wherein the polymer net is intermittently attached to only one polymer strand at a location closer to the first edge than the edge of 2.</u><u style="single">[Item 3]</u><u style="single"> The polymer of item 1, wherein each of the polymer ribbons has a centerline that bisects the main surface, the main surface being intermittently attached to only one polymer strand at a location containing the centerline. Net.</u><u style="single">[Item 4]</u><u style="single"> The polymer net according to item 2 or 3, wherein the first edge of the polymer ribbon comprises a composition different from that of the second edge of the polymer ribbon.</u><u style="single">[Item 5]</u><u style="single"> Each of the polymer ribbons has a center line that bisects the main surface and first and second edges symmetrically arranged opposite the center line, and is the first of the polymer ribbons. The main surface of the group is attached to only one polymer strand at a location between the centerline and the first edge, and the main surface of the second group of the polymer ribbon is said to be the second. The polymer net of item 1, wherein the polymer net is attached to only one polymer strand at a location between it and the centerline at the edge.</u><u style="single">[Item 6]</u><u style="single"> The polymer net according to any one of items 1 to 5, wherein the polymer ribbon and the polymer strand are alternately replaced in at least a part of the polymer net.</u><u style="single">[Item 7]</u><u style="single"> The polymer net according to any one of items 1 to 6, wherein at least some of the polymer ribbons have a height-to-width aspect ratio greater than 7: 1.</u><u style="single">[Item 8]</u><u style="single"> The polymer net according to any one of items 1 to 7, wherein at least some of the polymer ribbons have a different color from at least some of the polymer strands.</u><u style="single">[Item 9]</u><u style="single"> The polymer net according to any one of items 1 to 8, wherein the polymer ribbon is elastic, the polymer strand is elastic, or both the polymer ribbon and the polymer strand are elastic. ..</u><u style="single">[Item 10]</u><u style="single"> An absorbent article comprising a polymer net, a liquid impervious backsheet, and an absorbent core, wherein the polymer net comprises a polymer ribbon and a polymer strand, each of the polymer ribbon and strand. It has a length and width, the length is the longest dimension, the width is the shortest dimension, and the polymer ribbon has a height-to-width aspect ratio of at least 3: 1 and only one polymer. It has a main surface intermittently attached to the strands and a height higher than the height of the one polymer strand, the absorbent core is between the polymer net and the backsheet, and the polymer. An absorbent article in which the net is between the absorbent core and the backsheet, or the polymer net is in the absorbent core.</u><u style="single">[Item 11]</u><u style="single"> An extrusion die comprising at least one cavity, a dispensing surface, and a fluid passage between the at least one cavity and the dispensing surface, wherein the dispensing surface is an array of second dispensing openings. Has an array of first dispensing openings separated by, the first dispensing opening, the second dispensing opening, and any other dispensing opening over the dispensing surface. Arranged in a row, the first and second dispensing openings each have a height and width, and the first dispensing openings each have a height-to-width aspect ratio of at least 5: 1. The extruded die, wherein the height of the first dispensing opening is at least three times higher than the height of the second dispensing opening.</u><u style="single">[Item 12]</u><u style="single"> A method of producing a polymer net, the method of which is</u><u style="single"> To provide an extrusion die comprising at least one cavity, a dispensing surface, and a fluid passage between the at least one cavity and the dispensing surface, wherein the dispensing surface is a second. Has an array of first dispensing openings separated by an array of dispensing openings, the first and second dispensing openings having heights and widths, respectively, of the first. Each of the dispensing openings has a height-to-width aspect ratio of at least 5: 1, and the height of the first dispensing opening is at least greater than the height of the second dispensing opening. Twice as expensive,</u><u style="single"> The polymer ribbon is dispensed from the first dispensing opening at the first rate, while the polymer strands are simultaneously dispensed from the second dispensing opening at the second rate to obtain the polymer net. A method comprising providing that the second speed is at least twice the first speed.</u><u style="single">[Item 13]</u><u style="single"> The method of item 12, wherein the polymer ribbon is substantially straight.</u><u style="single">[Item 14]</u><u style="single"> The extrusion die according to item 11 or the method according to item 12 or 13, wherein the height-to-width aspect ratio of at least some of the first dispensing openings is at least 11: 1.</u><u style="single">[Item 15]</u><u style="single"> The extrusion die comprises at least the first and second cavities, a first fluid passage between the first cavity and the first dispensing opening, the second cavity and the second. The extrusion die or method of any one of items 11-14, comprising a second fluid passage to and from the dispensing opening.</u></p>