BR112015012621B1 - SUBSTRATE COMPRISING FOAM BENEFIT AGENT FOR IMPROVED SUBSTRATE BENEFITS - Google Patents

Abstract

substrates comprising foamed benefit agent for improved substrate benefits. the present invention provides a non-woven substrate comprising a fibrous web that defines a surface; and a layer of a benefit agent, wherein said benefit agent is selected from an additive composition, an enhancing component and their combinations; wherein said benefit agent is foamed and bonded to the surface of the fibrous web through a creping process and wherein said non-woven substrate demonstrates improvements selected from improved feel, improved print, a reduction in hysteresis, an increase in volume, an increase in elasticity/extensibility, an increase in shrinkage, a reduction in roughness and combinations thereof, when compared to an untreated substrate.

Description

[001] This application is a continuation in part of US Patent Application No. 13/330440 filed December 19, 2011, which is a continuation in part of US Patent Application No. 12/979852 filed in December 28, 2010.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[002] The present invention relates to a creped non-woven substrate comprising a polymer comprising a foamed polymer and additional softness enhancers that demonstrate an improved tactile feel, improved printability, a reduction in hysteresis, an increase in volume, an increase in elasticity/extensibility, an increase in shrinkage, a reduction in roughness and other benefits of using the product when compared to an untreated substrate.

HISTORY OF THE INVENTION

[003] Absorbent non-woven products such as paper towels, tissue paper, diapers and other similar products are designed to have desired levels of volume, softness and strength. For example, in some tissue paper products, softness is enhanced by a topical additive composition such as a softening agent for the outer surface(s) of a tissue paper web. Such an additive composition can be a binding agent that is topically applied to a substrate, such as a non-woven fabric alone or in combination with creping operations. Creping can be part of a non-woven fabrication process, where tissue paper is adhered to the hot surface of a rotary drum dryer by an additive composition. The dried tissue paper and additive composition are scraped together from the drying drum by a doctor blade unit. Creping adds volume to base sheets of tissue paper, which in turn increases softness as determined by touch. Other properties are also affected, such as strength, flexibility, crepe folds and the like. Typically, the additive compositions can be sprayed onto the drying drum of a Yankee dryer. However, the spray process has low levels of chemical mass efficiency (40% to 70%) due to wasted additive composition caused by a boundary layer of air close to the dryer surface and relatively high dryer temperatures. By necessity, the applicator is typically about 4 inches (101.6 mm) away from the dryer surface. Due to the high rotational speed of the dryer, the boundary layer of air close to the dryer surface is pulled together, creating a pressure barrier that prevents spray particles from reaching the dryer surface.

[004] Furthermore, modification of any additional additives to include solid particles and short fibers that improve the overall softness of a substrate is somewhat limited. Many additional particles that can improve the finishing touch of a substrate require mixing into a dispersion that is sprayed onto the dryer. As many of these particles are larger than spray nozzles, nozzle clogging is a problem that prevents the additive dispersion from being properly applied to the dryer surface. Thus, there is a need for a method of applying an additive composition alone or in combination with enhanced softener particles to a dryer surface and, optionally, a substrate, in order to provide a substrate that has improved softness.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[005] The present invention provides a non-woven substrate comprising a fibrous web that defines a surface; and a layer of a benefit agent, wherein said benefit agent is selected from an additive composition, an enhancing component and their combinations; wherein said benefit agent is foamed and bonded to the surface of the fibrous web through a creping process and wherein said non-woven substrate demonstrates improvements selected from improved feel, improved print, a reduction in hysteresis, an increase in volume, an increase in elasticity/extensibility, an increase in shrinkage, a reduction in roughness and combinations thereof, when compared to an untreated substrate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[006] For the purposes of illustrating the invention, the drawings show an exemplary form; it should be understood, however, that this invention is not limited to the precise provisions and instrumentalities presented.

[007] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of process steps used to create an embodiment of a foam in accordance with the present invention.

[008] FIG. 2 shows an SEM image of an unprinted ink treated spunbond.

[009] FIG. 3 shows an SEM image of an embodiment of the present invention in which spunbond was used as a substrate and was treated in accordance with the present invention and printed with ink.

[0010] FIG. 4 shows a graphical representation of elastic strain versus applied stress for embodiments of hydroknit materials that have been treated in accordance with the present invention, along with comparative data for an untreated substrate.

[0011] FIG. 5 shows a graphical representation of elastic strain versus applied stress for embodiments of spunbond materials that have been treated in accordance with the present invention, along with comparative data for an untreated substrate.

[0012] FIG. 6 is a series of SEM photographs showing the structural change of a tissue paper material after it has been treated by an embodiment of the present invention.

[0013] FIG. 7 shows elastic deformation in the mechanical direction (MD) versus applied stress of an embodiment of a tissue paper substrate that has been treated in accordance with the present invention, together with comparative data for an untreated substrate.

[0014] FIG. 8 shows the elastic deformation in the transverse direction (CD) versus applied stress of an embodiment of a tissue paper substrate that has been treated in accordance with the present invention, together with comparative data for an untreated substrate.

[0015] FIG. 9 shows SEM images of an untreated control film.

[0016] (a) shows an SEM image of one side of the untreated control film.

[0017] (b) shows an SEM image of the opposite side of the untreated control film.

[0018] (c) shows a cross-sectional SEM image of the untreated control film.

[0019] (d) shows a cross-sectional SEM image of an untreated control film at 5X magnification of Fig. 9(c).

[0020] FIG. 10 shows SEM images of a collapsed foam film layer of an embodiment of a benefiting agent according to the present invention, wherein such embodiment comprises a HYPOD® dispersion.

[0021] (a) shows an SEM image of one side of the collapsed foam film layer.

[0022] (b) shows an SEM image of an opposite side of the collapsed foam film layer.

[0023] (c) shows an SEM image of the cross-sectional view of the collapsed foam film layer.

[0024] (d) shows a cross-sectional SEM image of the collapsed foam film layer at 2X magnification of Fig. 10(c).

[0025](e) shows a cross-sectional SEM image of the collapsed foam film layer at 7X magnification of Fig. 10(c).

[0026] (f) shows a cross-sectional SEM image of the collapsed foam film layer at 25X magnification of Fig. 10(c).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0027] While the specification concludes with the claims particularly pointing to and distinctly claiming the invention, it is believed that the present invention will be better understood from the description below.

[0028] All percentages, parts and proportions are based on the total weight of the compositions of the present invention, unless otherwise specified. All such weights as pertain to the ingredients listed are based on the active level and therefore do not include solvents or by-products that may be included in commercially available materials, unless otherwise specified. The term "percentage by weight" may be symbolized by "% by weight" herein. Except where specific examples of actual measured values are presented, numerical values referred to herein should be considered to be qualified by the word "approximately".

[0029] As used herein, "understanding" means that other steps and other ingredients that do not affect the end result may be added. This term encompasses the terms "consisting of" and "consisting essentially of". The compositions and methods/processes of the present invention may comprise, consist of and consist essentially of the essential elements and limitations of the invention described herein, as well as any of the ingredients, components, additional or optional steps or limitations described herein.

[0030] The term "additive composition", as used herein, refers to chemical additives (sometimes called chemicals, chemistry, chemical composition, and complement) that are applied topically to a substrate. Topical applications according to the method of the present invention can take place during a drying process or a conversion process. Additive compositions according to the present invention can be applied to any substrate (for example, woven or non-woven) and may include, but are not limited to, polymer dispersions, polymer solutions or mixtures thereof.

[0031] The term "air-disposed web", as used herein, is made with an air-forming process, where bundles of small fibers, having typical lengths of about 3 to about 52 mm, are separated and contained in an air supply, and then deposited onto a forming screen, usually with the aid of a vacuum supply. The randomly deposited fibers are then bonded together using, for example, hot air or a spray adhesive. The production of nonwovens arranged by air is clearly defined in the literature and documented in the technique. Examples include, but are not limited to, the DanWeb process as described in US Patent No. 4,640,810 to Laursen et al., and assigned to Scan Web of North America Inc.; the Kroyer process as described in US Patent No. 4,494,278 to Kroyer et al.; and US Patent No. 5,527,171 to Soerensen assigned to Niro Separation a/s; and the method of US Patent No. 4,375,448 to Appel et al. assigned to Kimberly-Clark Corporation, or other similar methods.

[0032] The term "benefit agents" are compositions or components that provide benefits to the treated substrate, such as softness, smoothness, moisture, odors and the like. The benefit agents of the present invention include, but are not limited to "additive compositions" and "enhancement components".

The term "bonded carded weft" ("BCW") refers to a non-woven fabric formed by carding processes as are known to those skilled in the art and described, for example, in US Patent No. 4,488. 928, which is incorporated herein by reference to the extent consistent with the present invention. In the carding process, a mixture of staple fibers, bonding fibers and possibly other bonding components such as an adhesive can be used. These components are formed into a bulky ball that is combed or otherwise treated to create a substantially uniform basis weight. This web is heated or otherwise treated to activate any adhesive component, resulting in a thick, integrated non-woven material.

[0034] The term "coform", as used herein, is a meltblown polymeric material to which fibers or other components can be added. In the most basic sense, coforming can be done when you have at least one meltblown die head arranged next to a chute through which the second material is added to the meltblown material as the web is formed. Such "other materials" can be natural fibers, superabsorbent particles, natural polymeric fibers (eg rayon) and/or synthetic polymeric fibers (eg polypropylene or polyester). Fibers can be fiber length. The coformed material may contain cellulosic material in an amount of from about 10% by weight to about 80% by weight, such as from about 30% by weight to about 70% by weight. For example, in one embodiment, a coformed material can be produced containing cellulose fibers in an amount of from about 40% by weight to about 60% by weight.

[0035] The term "creping", as defined herein, occurs when a web that is adhered to a dryer surface is scraped off with a blade, such as a doctor blade.

[0036] The "enhancement components" of the present invention are benefit agents that are additional components that can be added to the additive composition in order to impart tactile or other additional benefits that cannot be achieved by the additive composition alone. Enhancement components include, but are not limited to, microparticles, expandable microspheres, fibers, additional polymer dispersions, fragrances, antibacterials, moisturizers, medications, tranquilizers, and the like.

[0037] The term "foam", as defined herein, is a liquid foam. In accordance with the present invention, when the foamable composition of the present invention is heated on the surface of the dryer, it will not form a solid foam structure. Instead, when applied to a heated surface, the foamable composition turns into a substantially continuous film with air bubbles inside the film.

[0038] The term "hydroentangled web", according to the present invention, refers to a web that has been subjected to columnar jets of a fluid that causes the fibers of the web to tangle. The hydroentanglement of a web generally increases the strength of the web. In one aspect, the cellulose fibers can be hydroentangled into a continuous filament material, such as a "spunbond web". The hydroentangled web resulting in a non-woven composite may contain cellulose fibers in an amount of about 50% to about 80% by weight, such as in an amount of about 70% by weight. Hydroentangled composite webs, as described above, are commercially available from Kimberly-Clark Corporation under the name HYDROKNIT®. Hydraulic entanglement is described, for example, in US Patent No. 5,389,202 to Everhart.

[0039] The term "non-woven" is defined herein as a class of fabrics generally produced by bonding fibers. Nonwoven fabric is manufactured by mechanical, chemical, thermal, adhesive, or solvent means, or any combination thereof. Nonwoven fabrication is different from weaving, knitting or quilting. Nonwoven fabrics can be made from synthetic thermoplastic polymers or natural polymers such as cellulose. Cellulosic fabric is an example of a non-woven material.

[0040] The term "meltblowing", as used herein, refers to the process of forming a non-woven web that expels and attracts polymeric resins with heated air at high velocity in order to form thin filaments. The filaments are cooled and collected as a web on a moving screen. The process is similar to the spunbond process, but meltblown fibers are much finer and are usually measured in microns.

[0041] The term "process aids", as used herein, refers to compounds that can aid in the process of forming the treated substrate of the present invention. For example, foaming agents can serve as suitable process aids of the present invention. Additionally, creping aids can help with additional adhesion or debonding properties for substrate creping from a drying drum.

[0042] The term "roughness", as used herein, describes the behavior of an elastic laminate to appear as fluted wrinkles as a result of an elastic material (film or filaments) that is pre-stretched while being bonded to a substrate of non-elastic material (such as a non-woven fabric). Roughness may depend on how the laminate is fixed or bonded to the inelastic material substrate. When the laminate is relaxed or loosened, the substrate appears as grooved or channeled wrinkles similar to those of an accordion. This effect is common in toiletries, where cuffs and waistband are often grouped together to provide a better fit for the wearer. Roughness is also described in more detail in accordance with US Patent No. 6,475,600 to Morman, et al, issued November 5, 2002.

[0043] The term "thermowelding", as used herein, refers to a non-woven weft process, in which filaments have been extruded, attracted and placed on a moving fabric to form a weft. The term "thermowelding" is often alternated with "spunbond", but the industry has conventionally adopted the term spunbond to denote the specific formation process of a web. This serves to differentiate this weft formation process from the other two forms of heat welding weft formation, which are the meltblown(ing) and flashspinn(ing) methods.

The term "spunbond/meltblown composite", as used herein, is a laminar composite defined by a multilayer fabric that is generally made up of several alternating layers of spunbond ("S") and meltblown ("M") wefts "): SMS, SMMS, SSMMS, etc.

[0045] The term "tissue paper", as used herein, generally refers to various paper products, such as facial tissues, shower wipes, paper towels, table napkins, sanitary napkins and the like. A tissue paper product of the present invention can generally be produced from a cellulosic web having one or more layers. For example, in one embodiment, the cellulose or "paper" product may contain a single-layer paper web formed from a blend of fibers. In another embodiment, the paper product may contain a multi-layered (i.e. laminated) paper web. In addition, the paper product can also be a one or more layered product (e.g., more than one paper web), in which one or more layers can contain a paper web formed in accordance with the present invention.

[0046] The present invention is an alternative to the current method of spraying onto a dryer surface (for example the drum of a Yankee dryer or a hot calender) of an aqueous dispersion or a solution of creping chemicals. In contrast to liquid chemistry, foamed chemistry has sufficient structural integrity to reach the dryer surface against gravity, due to its significant high viscosity. By creating a foamed chemistry in accordance with the present invention, a chemistry applicator can be placed much closer to the dryer surface. Furthermore, using the foam chemistry of the present invention, it is possible to incorporate additional benefits that would otherwise be more difficult to apply.

[0047] Another advantage of the present invention is that less energy is consumed by the dryer. The proximity of the chemical applicator to the dryer surface improves chemical mass efficiency (ie, less waste in the application process) and energy efficiency. Efficiency is increased because air introduced into the foam of the present invention acts as a diluting agent. As a result, less heat is needed to remove water from the foamed creping chemistry (ie, benefit agents) during the drying process. This is an improvement over the spray process that uses water to dilute the benefit agent.

[0048] Furthermore, after the creping step, a layer of the benefit agent remains on the surface of the non-woven substrate in order to add more volume and softness. This volume increase is due to the air trapped inside the coated layer. The increased softness is due to the benefit agents that can be foamed onto the dryer surface and subsequently transferred or adhered to the substrate surface via the creping process. Although foaming benefit agents become a film during the drying step, not all of the air trapped in the foam is lost during the drying step, due to the higher viscosity associated with higher solids levels in the foamed additive composition.

[0049] The "film" of the benefit agent is more appropriately and correctly described as a "collapsed foam film layer". To better understand this distinction, FIG. 9 shows the view of a traditional film (such as cast, extruded or blown film). As shown in FIG. 9a the film is relatively smooth with some voids on one side and completely smooth on the other side, as shown in FIG. 9b. When viewing the cross-sectional views of FIGS. 9c and 9d, the film voids can be seen relatively parallel to the horizontal axis of the film. In contrast, FIG. 10 shows a view of a layer of the collapsed foam film of the present invention. Both sides (as shown in Fig. 10a and Fig. 10b of the collapsed foam film layer) show a unique cellular structure which allows it to have a difference in both mechanical and tactile properties when compared to traditional films. FIGs. 10c - 10f show an SEM image of cross-sectional views of a collapsed foam film layer embodiment of the present invention. As shown, the foamed benefit layer has trapped air voids due to the foam which leads to the advantages provided by the present invention. Also, the cell structure in the z-direction can be easily seen where the layer voids are more perpendicular to the horizontal axis of the layer. Thus, the present invention is not limited to providing a film in the traditional sense of the word, but provides an advantageous collapsed foam film layer via foaming and creping which provides the enhancements and improvements as described herein.

[0050] Various substrates other than tissue paper can be treated according to this publication. Examples include but are not limited to wet laid webs, air laid webs, spunbond webs, meltblown webs, coformed webs, bonded carded webs (BCW), continuous film, spunlace, laminated film/sheets, and hydroentangled webs. The benefit agent is typically applied to one side of any substrate, but can be applied to both sides as desired. Benefit agents 1. Additive composition

[0051] In a desired application, the additive composition may be present at a level of from about 50 mg/m2 to about 10,000 mg/m2 or from about 50 mg/m2 to about 1000 mg/m2 or from about 100 mg/m2 to about 1000 mg/m2. The difference between these suggested ranges depends on whether or not the additive composition is applied to the substrate either on an in-line machine (such as a tissue machine) or an off-line machine (such as a non-woven converting line) . The additive compositions of the present invention may be in the form of a polymer dispersion or a polymer solution as set forth below. A. Polymeric Dispersions

[0052] The foamy compositions of water-insoluble polymers can be in the form of dispersions. Water-insoluble polymeric materials that are solid, such as powder, granules and the like, can be converted into a foamy dispersion by mixing it with water and surfactant(s) under certain processing conditions, such as high pressure extrusion at a elevated temperature. The polymer dispersion can then be mixed with air and a foaming agent to convert it into a foam.

[0053] Examples of dispersions in accordance with the present invention include, but are not limited to, a polyolefin dispersion, such as HYPOD 8510®, commercially available from Dow Chemical, Freeport, Texas, USA; polyisoprene dispersions, such as KRATON®, or styrene-ethylene/butylene-styrene copolymers (SEBS), commercially available from Kraton Polymers U.S. LLC, Houston, Texas, USA; polybutadiene-styrene block copolymer dispersion, such as Butanol®, commercially available from BASF Corporation, Florham Park, New Jersey, USA; latex dispersion, such as E-PLUS®, commercially available from Wacker, Munich, Germany; polyvinyl pyrrolidone-styrene copolymer dispersion and ethylene polyvinyl alcohol copolymer dispersion, both available from Aldrich, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA. B. Polymeric solutions

[0054] The foamy compositions of water-soluble polymers can also be in the form of solutions. Water-soluble polymeric materials that are solid, such as powder, granules and the like, can be dissolved in a solution. The polymer solution can then be mixed with air and a foaming agent to convert it to foam.

[0055] Examples of polymeric solutions according to the present invention include both synthetic and natural water-soluble polymers. Water-soluble synthetic polymers include, but are not limited to, copolymers of polyalcohols, polyamines, polyamides, polyimines, polycarboxylic acids, polyoxides, polyglycols, polyethers, polyesters, and mixtures of those listed above.

[0056] Natural water-soluble polymers include, but are not limited to, modified cellulose, such as cellulose ethers and esters, modified starch, chitosan and its salts, carrageenan, agar, gellan gum, guar gum, other polysaccharides and modified proteins, and combinations thereof. In a particular embodiment, water-soluble polymers include: copolymers of poly(acrylic acid) and its salts, poly(acrylate esters) and poly(acrylic acid). Other suitable water-soluble polymers include polysaccharides of sufficient chain length to form films, such as, but not limited to, pullulan and pectin. For example, water-soluble polymers can contain additional monoethylenically unsaturated monomers that do not carry a pendant acid group, but are copolymerizable with the monomers that do have acid groups. Such compounds include, for example, the monoacrylic esters and monomethacrylic esters of polyethylene glycol or polypropylene glycol, the molar masses (Mn) of polyalkylene glycols are up to 2000, for example.

[0057] In another particular embodiment, the water-soluble polymers may be hydroxypropylcellulose (HPC), marketed by Ashland, Inc. under the brand name KLUCEL®. The water-soluble polymers can be present in the additive composition in any operative amount and will vary based on the chemical component selected, as well as the final properties that are desired. For example, in the case of KLUCEL®, the biodegradable water-soluble polymers can be present in the additive composition in an amount of from about 1% to about 75%, or at least about 1%, at least about 5% , or at least about 10%, or up to about 30%, up to about 50% or up to about 75%, based on the total weight of the additive composition to provide improved benefits. Other examples of suitable water-soluble polymers include methylcellulose (MC) marketed by Ashland, Inc. under the brand name Benecel®; hydroxyethyl cellulose sold by Ashland, Inc. under the brand name NATROSOL®; and hydroxypropyl starch sold by Chemstar (Mineapolis, Minnesota, USA) under the brand name GLUCOSOL 800®. Any of these chemical groups, once diluted in water, are placed on a hot, non-porous dryer surface to ultimately transfer the chemical group to the web surface. Water-soluble polymers in these chemical groups include, but are not limited to, polyvinyl alcohol, polyethylene glycol, polyethylene oxide, hydroxypropyl starch, hydroxypropyl cellulose, and combinations thereof.

[0058] Conventional creping chemicals in tissue paper making may include water-soluble polymeric solutions such as an aqueous mixture comprising polyvinyl alcohol and a polyamide-epihalohydrin resin. Although these conventional creping chemicals comprise water-soluble polymeric solutions, they are not able to provide the benefits of the present invention, which include improved softness, without compromising tissue sheet strength.

[0059] The additive composition of the present invention may be commercially available, such as the dispersion HYPOD 8510®, from Dow Chemical Corporation, which consists of water, a copolymer of polyethylene-octene and a copolymer of ethylene and acrylic acid. Polyethylene-octene copolymer is commercially available from Dow Chemical Corporation under the name AFFINITY® (type 2980I) and ethylene-acrylic acid copolymer is commercially available from Dow Chemical Corporation under the name PRIMACOR® (type 59081). PRIMACOR® acts as a surfactant to emulsify and stabilize AFFINITY® dispersion particles. PRIMACOR® acrylic acid comonomer is neutralized by means of potassium hydroxide to a degree of neutralization of approximately 80%. Therefore, in comparison, PRIMACOR® is more hydrophilic than AFFINITY®. In a dispersion, PRIMACOR® acts as a surfactant or dispersant. Unlike PRIMACOR®, AFFINITY®, suspended in a dispersion, takes the form of small droplets with a diameter of a few microns. PRIMACOR® molecules surround the AFFINITY® droplets to form a "micelle" structure that stabilizes the droplets. HYPOD 8510® contains approximately 60% AFFINITY® and 40% PRIMACOR®.

[0060] When the dispersion becomes a hot molten liquid on the surface of the dryer, AFFINITY® forms a continuous phase and PRIMACOR® a dispersion phase forming islands in the "ocean" of AFFINITY®. This phase shift is called a phase inversion. However, the occurrence of this phase inversion depends on external conditions such as temperature, time, molecular weight of solids and concentration. Ultimately, phase inversion only occurs when the two polymers (or two phases) have sufficient relaxation time to allow the phase inversion to complete. In the present invention, the coated film of the HYPOD 8510® maintains a dispersion morphology which indicates that there is a phase inversion incompleteness. Benefits of the remaining dispersion morphology include, but are not limited to, a more hydrophilic coating layer due to PRIMACOR® phase exposure; and improved smoothness of the coated product, due to air bubbles trapped within the layer coated with HYPOD 8510® which provides extra volume.

[0061] The diluted dispersion can have a very low viscosity (around 1 cp, just like water). A low viscosity dispersion, when applied over a hot drying drum, will undergo a water evaporation process and complete AFFINITY® phase inversion. The resulting continuous cast film then has PRIMACOR® dispersion islands incorporated therein. The film formed after water evaporation is completely solid, without any air bubbles trapped in it. After transferring the fused film onto the weft through the creping process, the thin film covering the surface of the treated fabric is discontinuous but interconnected; see Fig. 6c, discussed below.

[0062] The process of the present invention can use a highly solid dispersion with high viscosity (about 10% to about 30%) and can contain a large amount of air bubbles (the air volume is at least 10 times larger than the dispersion volume). Desirably, the commercially available dispersion HYPOD 8510® (about 42% solids, including AFFINITY® and PRIMACOR®) has a viscosity of about 500 cps, while water has a viscosity of about 1 cps. A dispersion containing about 20% HYPOD 8510® may have a viscosity of about 200 cps, a relatively high viscosity, while a dispersion having less than about 1% HYPOD 8510® may have a viscosity closer to that of water (1 cp). After trapping a high proportion of air, the viscosity of the HYPOD 8510® foamed dispersion increased exponentially relative to the dispersion before it was foamed.

[0063] With respect to FIG. 1, when a foamed dispersion is applied to the non-porous surface of dryer 23, a limited amount of water will quickly evaporate. It is believed that the slow evaporation of the dispersion due to the high solids content combined with its high viscosity will prevent the AFFINITY® -PRIMACOR® dispersion from completing a phase inversion (where AFFINITY® becomes continuous and PRIMACOR® becomes continuous. a dispersion) and the trapped air escapes. This results in a microstructured fused film on the surface of the hot dryer.

[0064] With reference to FIG. 6, SEM photos confirm the above hypothesis. Two immediate benefits can be seen when purchasing the prior art tissue papers and the surface treated tissue papers of the present invention. First, the method of the present invention produces a tissue paper that is bulkier and has a softer feel due to the entrapment of air bubbles 21 (see FIG. 6b). Second, the tissue paper of the present invention has a more wettable surface due to incomplete phase inversion, which in turn results in surface exposure of the hydrophilic component.

[0065] Visually compare FIGS. 6a, 6b, 6c to FIGS. 6a', 6b' and 6c'. The coated layer has dispersion beads 19 and trapped air bubbles 21 shown in FIG. 6b, is softer than the cast film shown in FIG. 6b', as determined by the tactile property classification test disclosed herein. II. Enhancement Components

[0066] The present invention not only provides a substrate with greater softness due to the beneficial agents and processes described herein, but also provides for an improved feel. Enhancement components are added to the dispersions of the present invention to provide a cottony/soft feel to the substrate, rather than the silky/slippery feel that can often be felt using the dispersions alone. It can be understood that the improved feel produced by the present invention may also include properties such as a velvety, suede-like, hairy, soft, fuzzy appearance and similar descriptors used to describe the soft tactile properties. While a silky/slippery feel may be desirable for some substrates, the present invention provides other options so that a variety of textures and aesthetics can be provided. The enhancing components of the present invention include, but are not limited to, microparticles such as silica gel particles, thermally expandable microspheres such as EXPANCEL®, fibers such as cotton linter flakes, polymer dispersions such as poly(vinylpyrrolidone-styrene ), and their combinations. When cotton linter flakes or other types of fibers are used, they can be about 0.1mm fiber length to about 5mm fiber length.

[0067] In addition to the enhancement components that provide a contrasting tactile feel, the enhancement components can also provide additional benefits that could not be appreciated using dispersion alone. The enhancing components of the present invention may also include fragrances, antibacterials, moisturizers, softeners, coloring agents, hydroxyethyl cellulose, medications, and combinations thereof. Such components will provide an overall substrate that feels better from dispersion in combination with benefits that otherwise could not be provided without current technology. The present invention may utilize any one or a combination of enhancing components to be included in the additive composition of the present invention. For example, the enhancer components can be added to a dispersion of the present invention in an amount of from about 0.5% to about 30% or from about 1% to about 20% or from about 2% to about 10% by weight of the dispersion composition.

[0068] Enhancement components can be added to the foaming chemical group either before or after the chemical group is foamed. In a desired application, the level of enhancement component is from about 0.5% to about 30%, from about 1% to about 20%, or about 2% to about 10%, based on the total dry weight of the additive composition.

[0069] When enhancing components are used in combination with the additive compositions of the present invention, they allow for improved softness without compromising strength. For example, when the facial tissue is used as the substrate of the present invention, there is an overall log probability of increase of about 0.5 to about 18 and a GMT level of about 800 to about 1200, as compared to substrates that have not been processed in the same way as the present invention. As used herein, "GMT" refers to a combination used herein refers to the combination of machine and cross machine directions to determine tensile strength. Expanded microspheres stay on the surface of both film and tissue paper to contribute to improved feel when consumers touch it under use conditions. III. Process Assistants

[0070] Process aids of the present invention include chemicals that can aid in the process of forming the treated substrate of the present invention. Process aids may appear slightly or may dissipate into the final treated substrate. Although they are included solely to aid in the production process of the treated substrates, they can also impart some benefits to the substrate that are desired in the present invention. For the purposes of this application, "process aids" are those used in the process of foaming or applying benefit agents to the substrate and are not used in the process for manufacturing the substrate precursor. A. Foaming agents

[0071] Most commercial foaming agents are suitable for creating the foam of the present invention. Suitable foaming agents include, but are not limited to, polymeric or low molecular weight materials in liquid form. Foaming agents can be anionic, cationic or non-ionic. These foaming agents can be divided into four groups depending on their function: 1. Air Trapping Agent - used to enhance the ability of a liquid (dispersion, solution, or a mixture, etc.) to trap air, which it can be measured by determining a "breath ratio". A list of examples of foaming agents includes, but is not limited to, potassium laurate, sodium lauryl sulfate, ammonium lauryl sulfate, ammonium stearate, potassium oleate, disodium octadecyl sulfosuccinimate, hydroxypropyl cellulose, etc.

[0072] 2. Stabilizing Agent - used to improve the stability of the foam air bubbles in proportion to time and temperature; examples include, but are not limited to, sodium lauryl sulfate, ammonium stearate, hydroxypropyl cellulose, etc.

[0073] 3. Wetting agents - used to enhance the wettability of the dry film coated surface. Examples include, but are not limited to, sodium lauryl sulfate, potassium laurate, disodium octadecyl sulfosuccinimate, etc.

[0074] 4. Gelling Agent - used to stabilize the air bubbles in the foam, causing the additive composition to take the form of a gel, which serves to strengthen the cell walls. Examples include, but are not limited to, hydroxypropyl, hydroxyethyl cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose and other modified cellulose ethers, the like and combinations thereof.

[0075] Some foaming agents may provide more than one of the functions listed above. Therefore, it is not necessary to use all four foaming agents in a foamable additive composition. The selection of foaming agents depends on the chemical group of the additive composition. For example, when the additive composition comprises an anionic component, such as HYPOD 8510®, suitable foaming agents need to be selected from either anionic or nonionic groups. If a cationic foaming agent is used to improve the foaming of an anionic additive composition, the cationic components of the foaming agent will form ionic bonds with the anionic components in the additive composition and cause both to become water insoluble due to to the formation of links. On the other hand, if an additive composition contains cationic components, anionic foaming agents are not suitable for use. B. Creping Aids

[0076] Creping aids are chemicals that are added to the benefit agents of the present invention to optimize the adhesion and release properties of the substrate to the dryer surface. These can be divided into the following groups: 1. Adhesion aid - used to increase the adhesion of the tissue paper sheet to the dryer surface. Examples include, but are not limited to: polyvinyl alcohol, polyacrylate, hydroxypropyl starch, carboxymethyl cellulose, Kymene, polyvinyl amine, copolymers or mixtures thereof.

[0077] 2. Release aid - used to decrease the adhesion (increase the release) of the tissue paper sheet from (stop) the surface of the dryer. Examples include, but are not limited to: polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, polyethylene oxide, polypropylene oxide, polyolefins, fluorinated polyolefins, copolymer and blends comprising the above examples.

[0078] 3. Curing aid - used to accelerate or delay the setting of the creping pack, such as a plasticizer or hardener.

4. Lutensol A 65 N Iconol 247®, hereinafter "Lutensol®" (from BASF® Chemical Company) may also be used to aid creping within the scope of the present invention. Foam Generation Process

[0080] In general, the preparation of chemical products with foam uses a system that pumps liquid and air into a mixer. The mixer mixes air into the liquid to produce a foam that inherently includes a plurality of small air bubbles. The foam leaves the mixer and flows into an applicator.

[0081] A parameter to define the quality of the foam chemical is the blow ratio, which is defined by the ratio between the volume of small air bubbles trapped by the dispersion chemical and the volume of dispersion before mixing. For example, at a blow ratio of 10:1, a dispersion flow of 1 liter/minute will be able to hold 10 liters/minute of air in your liquid and produce a total foam flow of 11 liters per minute.

[0082] To achieve a high blow ratio, both the mechanical mixing and the foaming capacity of the additive composition are determining factors. If a chemical can only hold or trap a volume of air up to a blow ratio of 5, no matter how powerful a foam unit is, it will not be able to produce a stable foam with a blow ratio of 10. Any extra air beyond the blow ratio of 5 will exit the foaming system as the mechanical force is removed. In other words, any trapped air greater than the dispersion's air-holding capacity will become unstable. Most such unstable air bubbles will escape from the foam (debubbling) immediately after stopping mechanical agitation.

[0083] Referring to FIG. 1, a system 10 that can generate the foamed chemical according to the present invention is schematically shown. To begin with, the foaming chemicals (eg HYPOD 8510®, KRATON®, and the like) are placed in a chemical tank 12. The chemical tank 12 is connected to a pump 14. It may be desirable to modify the tubing 13 between the chemical tank 12 and the pump 14 so that the foam-forming chemicals can be conveyed to two different sizes of pumps. Desirably, the chemical tank 12 is situated at a high level above the pump 14 in order to keep the pump primed.

[0084] An optional small secondary pump (not shown) can be used to run the foaming process at slower speeds relative to pump 14. The larger main pump 14 is capable of producing flow rates of up to 25 liters/minute of flow. of liquid for high application speeds and/or large amounts of additive composition. The smaller secondary pump (not shown) is capable of producing liquid flows of up to about 500 cc/min for low application speeds and/or low additive composition.

[0085] A flowmeter 16 is situated between the pump(s) 14 and a foam mixer 18. Liquid flows are calculated from desired additive composition, chemical solids, line speed and applicator width. The flow rate can range from about 5:1 to about 50:1. When using the small secondary pump, its flow rate ranges from about 10 cm3/min to about 500 cm3/min. When using the large pump 14, its flow rate ranges from about 0.5 liters/min to about 25 liters/min. A 20 liter/min air flow meter is selected when using the small secondary pump. There is a 200 liter/minute air flow meter to use when operating the large main pump 14.

[0086] In one aspect, the foam mixer 18 is used to mix air into the liquid foamable chemical mixture to create small air bubbles in the foam. Air is measured in system 10 using certain liquid flow rates and blow ratios as discussed above. Desirably, the foam mixer 18 with a size of 25.4 cm (10 inches) can be used to generate foam. One possible 18 foam mixer is a CFS-10 inch Foam Generator from Gaston Systems, Inc., of Stanley, North Carolina, USA.

Desirably, the rotation speed of the foam mixer 18 is limited to approximately 600 rpm. The rotation speed of the mixer in this process depends on the additive composition's ability to foam (ie, its ability to trap air to form stable bubbles). If the additive composition foams easily, a lower rpm will be required. If the additive composition does not foam easily, a higher rpm will be required. Mixer speed helps speed up foam balance or optimal blow ratio. A typical rpm for the mixer is approximately 20% -60% of the maximum rotational speed. The type and/or amount of foaming agent in addition to the additive composition also has an effect on the speed requirement of the mixer.

[0088] The foam is checked for bubble uniformity, stability and flow pattern. If bubble uniformity, stability and standard flow are not within the desired standards, adjustments can be made to flow rates, mixing speeds, blow ratio and/or chemical compositions of the solutions/dispersions before sending the foam to the applicator 24.

[0089] In one aspect of the invention, the HYPOD 8510®, or other chemicals to be foamed and used in creping are mixed and added to the chemical tank 12. Diluted solutions of HYPOD 8510® (<10% total solids) and other difficult-to-foam chemical groups generally require something added to the formulation to increase viscosity and foamability. For example, hydroxypropyl cellulose or other foaming agents or surfactants can be used to produce a stable foam for uniform application to the non-permeable heated surface of a rotating drum of a surface dryer. Enhancing components, such as silica gel particles or cotton linter flakes, can be added to the additive composition in a number of ways, including, but not limited to: adding the additive composition before the additive composition is pumped. for a foaming machine; introduced into the foamed additive composition after the additive composition is exited from the foaming machine, but before the foamed additive composition is applied to the surface of the dryer; or applied to the dryer before the substrate comes into contact with the additive composition. When the enhancement components are introduced into the additive composition, it is necessary to constantly agitate the mixture before adding it to the foaming machine in order to prevent the solid enhancement component from settling into the bottom of the container. When the enhancement components are introduced into the foamed additive composition, a suitable device is required, which ensures a uniform mixture of the enhancement components and the foamed additive composition. Substrates

[0090] Suitable substrate materials include, but are not limited to, facial tissue; non-creped air-dried tissue paper (UCTAD); paper towels; HYDROKNIT® non-woven material from Kimberly Clark Corporation, Neenah, Wisconsin, USA, wet-laid wefts, air-laid wefts, spunbond wefts, meltblown wefts, co-formed wefts, bonded carded wefts (BCW), continuous film, spunlace, film/sheets laminates, hydroentangled wefts, and all kinds of paper, tissue paper and other non-woven products.

[0091] In the non-limiting examples discussed herein, foamed chemistry can be applied to a non-woven fabric such as tissue paper. As used herein, non-wovens are meant to include facial tissue, shower tissue, paper towels, spunbond, feminine hygiene body-side diaper or lining and outer covers, napkins (for hands and face) and the like. Tissue paper can be made in different ways, including but not limited to tissue paper conventionally pressed into felt; standard densified tissue paper, high volume; and high-volume uncompressed tissue paper. Tissue paper products can be of a single layer or multilayer construction, such as in US Patent Publication No. 2008/0135195. Another embodiment for forming a tissue paper of the present invention uses a known UCTAD - uncreped through-air dried papermaking technique, which in loose translation would be "air-dried and non-creped". Examples of such a technique are disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 5,048,589 to Cook, et al.; US Patent No. 5,399,412 to Sudall et al.; US Patent No. 5,510,001 to Hermans et al.; US Patent No. 5,591,309 to Rugowski et al.; and US Patent No. 6,017,417 to Wendt et al. surface coating process

[0092] Unlike a process that sprays a dilute solution or dispersion onto a surface dryer, such as a surface of Yankee dryer 23 (or other surface of the drying drum (not shown)), the process of the present invention can apply a high solid foam chemistry on the dryer surface 23. In the present invention, air is used to dilute a benefit agent comprising any level of solids where the viscosity is in the range that can be pumped by the foam machine. For example, having up to about 65% solids, up to about 50% solids, up to about 35% or up to about 20% solids.

[0093] The high solid coating process of the present invention can have the benefits of the product or process, including but not limited to smoother surface due to the unique microstructure of the collapsed foam film layer, less chemical residue due to close application and direct from the foamed chemical and does not require the use of soft or deionized water due to the high chemical to water ratio (for example, a chemical such as HYPOD 8510 ® becomes unstable when exposed to a large amount of hard water. is, a solids level of 1% or less); and less drying energy needed to dry the foam chemical as well as the base sheet. Additional benefits due to the addition of the enhancement components include, but are not limited to, the uniformity of the overall film coating of the benefit agent on the non-woven substrate; the improved adhesion of the overall benefit agent coating to the non-woven substrate; improved mechanical strength of the general benefit agent coating film; and greater foam stability of the benefit agent foam from the foam generating unit to the dryer surface.

[0094] Foamed benefit agents can be applied to a substrate in two ways: an in-line application or an off-line application. In in-line processes, a foam generator and applicator will be incorporated into tissue papermaking and the foamed chemicals will be applied to any substrate during tissue fabrication. An off-line application allows the application of the foamed chemical to these substrates which are produced by a creping-free process. For example, through the air-drying and non-creping ("UCTAD") process, the bath tissue and melt-spun non-woven materials are suitable for use with the off-line application method.

[0095] With reference to FIG. 1, in one aspect of the invention, foamed chemicals are applied to the dryer surface 23 through an applicator 24. The foam applicator 24 is placed close to the dryer surface (0.64 cm or 1/4 inch) for evenly distributing the foam over the surface of dryer 23. Such placement allows for better direct contact of the foamed chemical with the surface of dryer 23, particularly during high speed operations.

[0096] It is more desirable to use a single parabolic applicator 24 to apply the chemical to the drum surface of the rotary dryer 23. However, if different levels of chemical application are required across the width of the dryer surface due to variability of the dryer or base sheet, applicators (not shown) with multiple zones of miniature parabolic applicators can be used.

[0097] In general, the enhancement component gives the coating of the additive composition (ie the ocean layer) a new and improved feel. For example, HYPOD 8510® can be used as an additive composition and is foamed and spread over the surface of a substrate without an enhancement component. When its surface is touched, it provides a significant improvement in softness compared to the same tissue paper with conventional creping chemistry. However, at the same time also in the section to be slightly waxy or slippery. Some types of consumers may like this slippery feeling, but others may not want it. Adding an enhancement component can change the feel, without compromising the enhanced smoothness. The feel obtained through this approach includes, but is not limited to, a fluffy, velvety, soft and/or hairy feel. Another advantage of adding the enhancement components is that the coating layer of the HYPOD 8510® additive composition has improved strength, which was important when the benefit agents were applied over pre-prepared substrates such as thermoplastic nonwovens. This improved strength allows the benefit agents coated film to have complete and even coverage over the substrate.

[0098] In addition, it can be demonstrated that the enhancement components and the application method can be used to improve the surface feel, such as smoothness or improve surface properties, such as absorbency, friction, volume etc. In addition, other surface benefits, such as flavors, antibacterials, moisturizers, calming agents, etc., can be better applied more than the HYPOD 8510® additive composition alone would. Substrates comprising HYPOD 8510® and polyvinylpyrrolidone-styrene were found to have 1.5 log softer (significant) odds than using HYPOD 8510® without any enhancement components.

[0099] Applicants have found that the IHR results of the HYPOD 8510® foamed substrate with 6% silica gel particles as the enhancing components resulted in the softest perceived results with a log difference of probability 5 times greater than the substrate not foamed with conventional creping chemical. The foamed HYPOD 8510® control, without any enhancement components, was second, close to more than 4 log odds of difference. All other foamed substrates were 3 log odds softer than the non-foamed control substrate.

[00100] Another benefit of adding enhancement components is the increased thickness that can be achieved when you have a higher tensile strength than the untreated substrate or generally have higher tensile strength than the unfoamed substrate surface not treated. These substrates were calendered at the same clamping pressure for the facial conversion process. The percentages listed beside the data points are the amounts of enhancement compounds added based on the dry weight of HYPOD 8510® in the formulation prior to foaming. Foamed and creped substrates have been shown to demonstrate an additional increase in volume compared to unfoamed and creped substrates, with the highest levels reaching nearly 35%. Most substrates with the enhancement components increased in volume compared to the foamed substrate comprising only HYPOD 8510®. All processing conditions, such as blade types, drawdowns and pressure loads, were the same. creping process

[00101] Creping is part of the substrate manufacturing process, and consists of scraping the substrate from the surface of a rotary dryer (eg a Yankee dryer) through a blade unit. Creping can be done as described in Patent Application No. 13/330440 to Qin, et al., granted December 19, 2011 Other Beneficial Factors

[00102] The benefit agents of the present invention can be used to provide numerous advantages that can be used to coat a substrate and provide the aforementioned benefits. Furthermore, there are other advantages that the present invention provides that can be clearly pointed out and described in accordance with the following. Improved printing

[00103] A unique advantage that the present invention provides is that it allows for improved printing capabilities on a non-woven substrate. The additive composition can be applied in such a way that it essentially forms a surface on the substrate that is more film-like, so the print is more consistent and, in some cases, more vibrant. For example, spunbond is prized for its cloth-like tactile properties, however it is not a favored substrate over a film laminate when it comes to printing, as the ink tends to mirror or be absorbed into the material, reducing the ink coverage that is shown on the substrate. Of course, a film laminate is excellent for graphic printing, but it is not ideal as a substrate for this close to the skin. Prior to the present invention, the solution for printing onto a non-woven substrate was to laminate a printed adhesive film onto the substrate. While this worked well, it can weigh on the manufacturing process and costs. The present invention, therefore, offers a unique compromise, in which the cloth-like tactile properties of the substrate are not removed, however, it also offers a surface that allows for improved printing relative to substrates. The present invention provides a relatively smooth surface, eliminating the pixelated appearance of current exterior covering materials. Furthermore, ink adhesion is improved. The substrates of the present invention will have improved ink coverage of at least about 25%, at least about 50%, or at least about 75% when compared to an untreated substrate. The present invention provides an improved surface area so that more of the substrate can be covered by the printed ink, thus improving the appearance or clarity of the print on the substrate as compared to an untreated substrate. Today's surface printing of exterior cover laminates requires the use of specialized inks to avoid potential ink peeling problems. The present invention can accommodate any commercially available ink used for printing onto substrates. In addition, conventional techniques useful for printing can be used within the scope of the present invention. Such techniques may include, but are not limited to, gravure coating, offset printing, screen printing, flexographic printing, inkjet printing, laser printing, digital printing and the like. The dispersions of the present invention provide polar units that are envisioned to improve ink adhesion and thus improve printing on non-woven substrates directly.

[00104] FIG. 2 shows an untreated spunbond fabric that has been printed with ink. (White spots are the ink printed on the fibers of the spunbond material). In comparison, FIG. 3 shows a spunbond substrate that has been treated with the benefit agent of the present invention and printed with ink. It can be seen that the treated sample (FIG. 3) has a skin coating on the surface, which gives it a larger area for the ink to cover the surface, leading to improved visual aesthetics in terms of clarity and sharpness of the print. Only approximately 20% of the surface was covered by paint on the untreated spunbond material (FIG. 2) compared to the 50% paint coverage of the spunbond material (FIG. 3), which was treated with the present invention. These data were obtained by quantifying SEM images using image analysis software. The ink is able to adhere more consistently and easily to the treated substrate and therefore improves the overall appearance of the print. Improved volume and stretch

[00105] In addition to improving the overall tactile feel of the non-woven substrate, the present invention also allows for an increase in volume and basis weight compared to an untreated substrate. Without being limited by theory, the volume may be proportional to the basis weight of fibers within the substrates of the present invention. As the basis weight increases, the curling of the fibers can expand their volume in the Z direction, and thus, expand the fiber volume. The fibers will rise, thus increasing the volume. The beneficial agents of the present invention, alone or in combination with certain creping mechanisms within the present invention, contribute to said increase in volume and basis weight. For example, without being limited, when compared to an untreated spunbond substrate with a basis weight of 12 g/m2 and a volume of 13 cm3 /g, the present invention can allow the spunbond material to demonstrate a basis weight of 16 g/ m2 and a volume of 27 cm3/g (or an increase of 33% and 108%, respectively). Likewise, the creping mechanism and process can demonstrate an even greater advantage and allow the spunbond material to demonstrate a basis weight of 25 g/m2 and 25 cm3/g (or an increase of 108% and 92%, respectively). For example, the present invention allows non-woven materials of varying cellulosic content to have a basis weight increase greater than at least 20% to about 250% compared to an untreated substrate. For example, an untreated cellulose substrate has been shown to have a basis weight of about 56 g/m2 and 84% hysteresis. A non-woven cellulosic substrate of the present invention, however, can demonstrate a basis weight of about 95 g/m2 (about a 70% increase in basis weight) and about a 74% hysteresis. In addition to the benefit agent, such as the HYPOD 8510 ® foamed dispersion used in the present invention, a second component, such as a non-ionic surfactant such as Lutensol ® can further aid in the successful bulking of the substrates of the present invention. Lutensol® is composed of a seven mole ethylene oxide adduct of a linear myristyl lauryl alcohol that is also readily biodegradable. Furthermore, with the use of a non-ionic surfactant such as Lutensol®, the present invention allows a foaming benefit agent such as the HYPOD 8510® dispersion to be used at a low supplement level and yet evenly spread over the entire area of the skin. substrate. The present invention, however, allows for an increase in volume without addition or with the addition of up to 50% of a non-ionic surfactant such as Lutensol®. For example, about 500 mg/m2 of the foamed benefit agent, for example, the HYPOD 8510® dispersion can be combined with about 250 mg/m2 of a non-ionic surfactant such as Lutensol® in some embodiments of the present invention (ie, a surfactant to benefit agent ratio of about 1:2).

[00106] As used here, the "hysteresis" value of a sample can be determined by first stretching the sample to a desired elongation, and then letting the sample retract in a controlled manner at the same rate. The hysteresis value is the reduction or loss of energy during this cyclic load. The hysteresis percentage (% hysteresis) is calculated by integrating the area under load (AL) and discharge curve (AUL); doing your subtraction and dividing your result by the area under the loading curve. % Hysteresis = (AL-A UL)*100/(AL). These measurements are performed using a "strip elongation test" that substantially conforms to the specifications of ASTM D5035-95. Specifically, the test uses two clamps, each with two wedges, and each wedge has a contact facing the specimen. The clamps hold the material in the same plane, usually in an upright position, inches apart, and move apart at a specified rate of extension. The sample size is 3 inches by 6 inches, with a grip height of 1 inch and a width of 3 inches, and a constant speed of 10 inches/min. The sample is secured in an MTS (Mechanical Testing Systems) electromechanical test frame that has data acquisition capability. The test is carried out in ambient conditions, in the machine direction (MD) and in the transverse direction (CD). Results are reported as an average of at least five samples.

[00107] Without being limited by the data presented, FIG. 4 gives an example of the present invention, foamed and creped using hydroknit as a substrate, has about 22% to about 25% elastic strain at about 100% applied stress before showing any breakage. Comparatively, the control hydroknit has only about 15% elastic deformation and breaks at about 25% of applied stress. Likewise, without being limited by the data shown in FIG. 5, the present invention, foamed and creped, using spunbond material as a substrate, has about 27% to about 55% elastic deformation to about 100% stretch compared to the control which only stretches to about 18% of elastic deformation to about 50% stretch before rupture. Without being limited by the data presented, FIG. 7 shows elastic stretch in the mechanical direction (MD) (recovery) versus applied stretch. The present invention shows an increase in stretch due to the presence of the foamed dispersion HYPOD 8510® combined with foamed Lutensol® on a tissue paper substrate. The present invention shows about 30% elastic stretch at about 80% applied tension = whereas basic tissue paper does not show more than about 8% elastic stretch at about 18% applied tension. Without being limited by the data presented, FIG. 8 shows the comparison of shear stress (CD) versus applied stress of a tissue paper of the present invention versus an untreated tissue paper substrate. As shown, the present invention, using foamed benefit agent such as HYPOD 8510® dispersion combined with Lutensol® on a tissue paper substrate, has the most elastic stretch to break compared to basic cellulose tissue paper.

[00108] Thus, while untreated non-woven substrates may demonstrate a stretch or elongation to break, they generally do so at earlier stages of stretching. Generally speaking, traditional untreated substrates can demonstrate an elongation to break of about 8% to about 45%. The present invention, however, allows substrates treated as described herein to demonstrate an elongation at break above about 45%. For example, the present invention can demonstrate an elongation at break of about 45%, or from about 47% to about 55%, to about 80%, to about 280%, to about 337% or to about 350%. Particularly for certain substrates where elongation at break is generally low, the present invention can provide an elongation at break of about 25%, about 30%, about 35%, about 38%, about 45% or about 47%. Such stretching can be especially exemplified in tissue paper substrates of the present invention.

[00109] The non-woven substrates of the present invention will demonstrate at least about 5%, at least about 20%, at least about 30%, at least about 40%, at least about 50%, at least about 60%, at least about 70%, or at least about 100% reduction in hysteresis, compared to a similar untreated substrate. It will also demonstrate at least about 20%, to about at least 25%, at least about 50%, at least about 70%, at least about 80%, at least about 90%, at least about 100%, at least about 110%, at least about 125%, at least about 200%, at least about 225%, or at least about 250% increase in volume compared to an untreated substrate, as per determined by the volume test described in this document.

[00110] Again, the present invention will increase volume and/or elasticity in a substrate with or without the presence of Lutensol® and may demonstrate volume and/or elasticity with the HYPOD 8510® foamed dispersion alone. Without being limited, an untreated hydroknit substrate can demonstrate about 87% hysteresis and about 25% elongation to failure. A hydroknit substrate of the present invention, however, can demonstrate about 67% hysteresis and about 337% elongation to failure. Likewise, an untreated spunbond substrate can demonstrate 100% hysteresis and about 45% elongation to break, whereas a spunbond substrate of the present invention can demonstrate about 40% hysteresis and about 280% elongation to failure. break. Thus, the present invention provides improved versatility, allowing substrates that generally do not offer any elasticity not only to stretch, but also to recover easily and go beyond the normal and expected nature of a similar substrate that has not been processed by the present invention. .

[00111] A material that has more elastic tension has more elasticity or elastic energy. The substrates of the present invention can demonstrate an increased ability to withstand stretches of at least 25%, at least about 50%, at least about 75%, or at least about 100%, of the applied stress, compared to a substrate not treated similar. While various substrates will vary, it is clear that the present invention allows for greater elongation compared to substrates that have not been treated accordingly. For example, untreated hydroknit can withstand about 15% stretch, with about 25% applied stress. At about 50% applied tension, the same untreated hydroknit is unable to sustain the stretch without breaking. The hydroknit of the present invention can withstand a stretch of about 12% to about 25% of the applied stress, a stretch of about 18% to about 50% of the applied stress, a stretch of about 21% to about 75 % applied stress and a stretch of about 23% to about 100% applied stress. Likewise, the untreated spunbond material can withstand a stretch of about 10% to about 25% of the applied stress and a stretch of about 16% to about 50% of the applied stress. At about 75% applied tension, the same untreated spunbond material is unable to sustain the stretch without breaking. The spunbond material of the present invention, however, can withstand a stretch of about 17% to about 25% of the applied stress, a stretch of about 36% to about 50% of the applied stress, a stretch of about 46% at about 75% applied stress and a stretch of about 54% at about 100% applied stress. Improved stretch with elastic shrinkage

[00112] Currently existing elastic skin laminates, such as those described in US Patent No. 8287677 to Lake et al, issued October 16, 2012, are incorporated into personal care products that utilize coatings that are non-elastic or extensible. As a result, the elastic film (and this is also the case for designs with elastic filaments) must be stretched before lamination of the coatings and then relaxed. As a result of the stretching/relaxing of the film, elastic laminates tend to be bulkier compared to traditional textile materials. In addition to the increase in volume, the visual appearance of the elastic laminate is dictated by the bonding pattern used for the lamination. The visual effect is more like an accordion with peaks and valleys stacked in succession. Roughness, as technically known, is generally seen along the cuffs and waistbands of disposable personal care products, such as, but not limited to, women's articles, incontinence products and diapers. Consumer feedback indicates that materials that are thin, drapeable, and have cloth-like visual and tactile aesthetics are highly desired. Thus, a softer stretch area that looks more like an underwear due to the reduced or absent number of roughness is more desirable. In addition, elastic film laminates rely on the inelastic coating to drive the perception of aesthetics (visual and tactile) similar to cloth. Currently, approaches to modifying the aesthetics of laminate coatings rely on a post-lamination treatment (eg, slot lamination) or the use of high basis weight materials (bonded carded webs in particular that are not cost-effective). Thus, a backing material that is stretchable, has a relatively low basis weight, and provides bulk conveys a more cloth-like appearance and tactile properties and provides an excellent opportunity to have laminated films that mimic traditional fabrics, ie, look like more with cloth underwear. The present invention provides such a solution by providing a creped non-woven substrate that has increased elongation capabilities and greater volume to provide a product, specifically an elastic film laminate for a product with little or no roughness. The non-woven substrates, when combined with a non-prestretched elastic film to create an elastic laminate of the present invention can demonstrate a roughness elimination (100% roughness reduction) or a roughness reduction of at least about 5%, at least about 10%, at least about 25%, or at least about 50% relative to an untreated substrate. Crepe coatings could also be used on work and health garments (especially on the body side of the garment) to increase the perception of softness and more fabric-like texture for a better visual and tactile feel. Creping can also provide opportunities for better moisture drainage, depending on the non-woven substrate used as a coating.

[00113] Therefore, in addition to the improvements in softness and volume mentioned above, the present invention allows the creping of non-woven substrates, such as spunbond material, bonded carded weft, spunlace, etc., spunlace that lead to the development of structures with improvements such as increased volume and improved tactile and visual aesthetics. As the present invention provides a benefit agent layer in the form of a collapsed foam film on non-woven substrates, this helps the non-woven to maintain a crepe structure which should be advantageous during the lamination process. Structural assessment of non-woven materials, eg spunbond material, using the present invention shows that the coating with the benefit agent layer remains essentially on one side of, specifically the surface of the non-woven material. The benefit agent of the present invention is primarily concentrated in creping material peaks that may coincide with non-woven material attachment points. Creped non-woven fabric has machine-direction extensibility (with some degree of recovery) and a more fabric-like visual aesthetic as the appearance of bonding points (if present) in the non-woven material is minimized and thus reduces roughness . When laminated with an elastic film/filaments (without the need to pre-stretch the elastic), the result is a laminated web that can be incorporated into a product, for example, a disposable toiletries, that resembles clothing. intimate, yet provides the protective and manageable care qualities of a disposable item. While not limited to these items, this may be especially desirable in disposable incontinence items, where adults desire a product that is less diaper-like, that builds up on the waistband and legs to use a more discreet product for a more discreet feel. .

[00114] The ability to crepe an extensible and retractable non-woven material coating has been leveraged to produce pre-stretched elastic laminates (with little or no roughness). To produce the laminates, the creped nonwoven materials of the present invention, for example (a spunbond material layered with the benefit agent comprising HYPOD® 8510) was laminated to one or both sides of an elastic film using adhesive. As a result, the benefit agent can be applied to the side of the creped substrate that is attached to the film to produce tactile and visual signs of laminates that are bulkier and fabric-like. As the film layer is not stretched and shrunk, the basis weight of the film can be adjusted to meet physical property requirements rather than process requirements. The present invention provides creped non-woven substrates made from a variety of raw materials. Nonwovens made from polypropylene, polyamides, polyesters, polyethylene, ethylene/propylene copolymers and other polyolefin blends are particularly interesting. In addition, the creping level can be adjusted to provide varying degrees of MD extensibility, allowing for elastic laminates with varying amounts of stretch/recovery.

[00115] The use of creped substrates of the present invention also provides the opportunity to improve the visual and tactile aesthetics of elastic film laminates such as those used as exterior coating materials in personal care products, such as, but not limited to, , women's articles, incontinence products and diapers. The adhesive lamination of crepe coatings provides a more voluminous, fabric-like appearance and tactile properties without requiring the use of high basis weight materials.

[00116] The present invention demonstrates unfounded improvements in substrates that have not been treated by the means provided by the present invention. As described, the improvements of the present invention, compared to untreated substrates can be selected, improved tactile sensation such as softness and the like, improved printability, a reduction in hysteresis, an increase in volume, an increase in elasticity/extensibility, an increase in shrinkage, a reduction in roughness and other product use benefits when compared to an untreated substrate. Other additives

[00117] The non-woven substrates of the present invention may have additional compositions added to provide additional benefits beyond those cited above, such as softness, improved printability, elasticity and volume. Compositions can be added to substrates treated with the benefit agent to aid overall substrate performance. Specifically, in products such as toiletries, additional compositions can help the performance or overall user experience of the product.

[00118] Rheological modifiers of bodily fluids

[00119] The advantage of providing a body fluid rheological modifier is to assist the non-woven substrates of the present invention in processing fluids comprising blood components such as, but not limited to, feminine care products and dressings. Body fluid rheological modifiers include, but are not limited to, mucolytic agents, mucin modifiers, red blood cell modifiers, the like, and combinations thereof. The body fluid rheological modifiers of the present invention comprise a variety of compositions or agents that are capable of interacting with body fluids to better assist the interaction of the body fluid with the substrate. For example, mucolytic agents are known to break critical intramolecular disulfide and/or intermolecular bonds in the mucus glycol-protein or mucin component of menstrual fluid, thereby significantly decreasing the viscoelasticity of mucus. These agents were described in US Patent No. 7687681 to DiLuccio et al, issued March 30, 2010 and are useful herein. Mucolytic agents can also modify mucin by cleaving the protein backbone, modifying the 3D structure and decreasing the entanglement within the mucin structure. These include nonionic surfactants such as Lutenzol®, enzymes such as papain, and carbohydrates such as dextran as further described in US Patent No. 8044255 to Potts et al, issued October 25, 2011, US Patent No. 6,060,636 to Yahiaoui, et al., issued May 9, 2000 and US Patent No. 7928282 to Dibb, et al., issued April 19, 2011, respectively. Mucolytic agents of the present invention include, but are not limited to L-cysteine, thioglycolates, dithiotrichol and combinations thereof. The body fluid rheological modifiers can be used within the present invention in amounts of from about 0.1% or from about 0.2% to about 5% or to about 20% or based on the weight of the agent composition. of benefit.

[00120] On some substrates, the non-woven material may exhibit a blockage of pores caused by red blood cells which results in a decrease in fluid intake and the capillary capabilities of the substrate. There are also red blood cell modifiers that can reduce viscosity as well as reduce pore blockage. These include Glucopon 220®, PLURONIC®, and those described in U.S. Patent No. 6350711 to Potts et al., issued February 26, 2002. In addition, where the substrate is used to capture bodily fluids, including but not limited to red blood cells, blockage of pores can result in increased leakage. Thus, the addition of such a composition to the non-woven substrate of the present invention can improve the end-user experience, thus creating an advantageous substrate product. Anti-adherence agents

[00121] In order to prevent viscoelastic fluids, such as menstruation and feces, from sticking to the skin, anti-adherence agents may be added. The anti-adherent agents may comprise at least one viscoelastic material, at least one non-adherent material, or combinations thereof and may be added to the non-woven substrate of the present invention. Non-stick agents are described in U.S. Patent No. 7642,396 to Schroeder et al, issued January 5, 2010. Specifically, the non-stick agents act to prevent the adhesion of menstrual flow and/or fecal material to the skin in the labial and labial regions. perianal, during and after menstruation or defecation, respectively. Suitable viscoelastic materials include, but are not limited to linked enzymes, alkyl polyglycosides having 8 to 10 carbon atoms in the alkyl chain, bovine lipid extract surfactants, dextrans, dextran derivatives and combinations thereof. Suitable anti-adherent compounds of the present invention include, but are not limited to alginic acid, beta-benzal-butyric acid, botanical extracts, casein, farnesol, flavones, fucans, galactolipid, hyaluronate kininogen, inulin, iridoid glycosides, nanoparticles, perlecan, oligodeoxynucleotide of phosphorothioate, poloxamer 407, polymethylmethacrylate, silicone, sulfated exopolysaccharides, tetrachlorodecaoxide and combinations thereof. The non-stick agents can be added to the non-woven substrates of the present invention in an amount of from about 0.01% to about 25% by weight of the viscoelastic material or non-stick material. Other amounts include from about 0.05% to about 10% or from about 0.1% to about 8% or from about 0.1% to about 5% by weight of the viscoelastic material or non-stick material. Odor control materials

[00122] Any variety of odor control materials can be used in accordance with the present invention that are capable of imparting odor control to a non-woven substrate. Such odor control is particularly used in absorbent personal care articles. For example, the odor control materials can be a deodorizing mixture of an anhydrous mixture of basic, pH neutral and acidic odor absorbent particles as described in U.S. Patent No. 5,342,333 to Tanzer et al., issued in August 30, 1994 or US Patent No. 5,364,380 to Tanzer et al, issued November 15, 1994. Suitable odor control materials of the present invention may also comprise odor control systems that reduce odor odor by acting on malodorous substances in a substrate (such as an absorbent article) or odor reduction by acting on the user's olfactory receptors, as described in US Patent Application No. 2008249490 to Carlucci et al, filed on October 9, 2008. Other odor control materials of the present invention may also comprise odor control systems that provide extended odor control by focusing on materials with high and low volatility, t such as those described in US Patent Application No. 2008071238 to Sierri et al, filed March 26, 2008. Odor control materials are also described in US Patent No. 8066956 to Do, et al. Issued November 29, 2011 and US Patent No. 6,926,862 to Fontenot, et al, Issued August 9, 2005. The odor control materials of the present invention to include, but are not limited to, neutralizers of ammonia, functional perfumes, chelating agents, inorganic oxide particles such as silica, alumina, zirconia, magnesium oxide, titanium dioxide, iron oxide, zinc oxide, copper oxide, sodium bicarbonate, activated carbon, carbon activated, diatomaceous earth, zeolites, clays (eg smectite clay) and combinations thereof. Odor control materials can be present from about 2 to about 80 g/m2, from about 8 to about 40 g/m2, or from about 12 g/m2 to about 30 g/m2, depending of the base weight of the non-woven substrate. EXAMPLES

[00123] The following examples describe and demonstrate further embodiments within the scope of the present invention. The examples are given for illustrative purposes only and are not to be construed as limitations of the present invention, as many variations of these are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Example 1

[00124] The commercial HYPOD® dispersion was diluted with water to a level of 30% solid HYPOD®, and then foamed by a Gaston unit. Stable foam was applied to the hot drum surface of a 60-inch calendar dryer. The cured HYPOD® dispersion was creped from the dryer surface. Spunbond base sheets were creped using the foaming process of the present invention as described herein. The HYPOD® coated base sheets were then printed with cyan ink, in which 100 parts of ink were mixed with 4.5 parts of vulcanizing agent by weight. The samples were hand-printed using a 10.8 bcm (billion cubic microns) anilox roll.

[00125] Foaming process conditions: % solids in dispersion: 10-30% HYPOD8510® Dryer temperature: 260 - 300 degrees F Dispersion flow rate: 100 - 500 cm3/min Mixer speed: 20% - 60 % blow ratio: 5 - 30

Exemplo 2[00126] SEM images were analyzed to quantify surface paint coverage on both treated and untreated spunbond materials with the benefit agent of the present invention. Treated samples have a higher percentage of surface paint coverage than untreated spunbond material, as shown in Table 1.

Example 2

HYPOD 8510® commercial polyolefin dispersion was diluted with water to varying levels of solid HYPOD 8510 with or without up to 50% addition of Lutensol® A 65 N ICONOL® 24 7 based on the solids of HYPOD 8510®. This chemistry was then foamed by a Gaston Systems foaming unit and the stable foam was applied to the hot surface of a 60 inch dryer. The base sheet was pressed onto the foam coated surface of the dryer, creped from the surface of the dryer, and rolled into a reel drum.

[00128] The base sheets, namely paper towel based on cellulose, hydroknit®, spunbond material were used to create elastic materials that use the process, controlling the creping blade geometry and/or stretch ratio.

[00129] Foaming process conditions: % dispersed solids: 5% -30% HYPOD 8510 ® Dryer temperature: 230 - 300 degrees F Dispersion flow rate: 50 - 500 cm3/min Mixer speed: 20 - 60% Blowing ratio: 5 - 30 Mechanical tests -% hysteresis:

Testes mecânicos - Energia elástica:[00130] Testing was performed using the MTS Traction Tester Model # Insight Model EL1. A 3-inch-wide test sample was removed at 10 inches/min to 20% tension, and then collected at the same rate of 0% tension. The area under the loading and unloading curve was measured as % hysteresis, as shown in Tables 2 and 3. In addition, Table 3 shows the elongation to failure for each of the substrates tested.

Mechanical tests - Elastic energy:

Exemplo 3[00131] Testing was performed using the MTS Traction Tester Model # Insight Model EL1. A 3-inch-wide test sample was removed at 10 in./min through numerous cyclic charge and discharge curves with increasing stress percentages (25, 50, 75, and 100). The amount of permanent deformation was measured after each cycle according to the applied stress (in/in) for each cycle, as shown in Table 4.

Example 3

MÉTODOS DE TESTE (1) Teste de classificação de propriedades táteis (Teste IHR):[00132] The volume was measured by quantifying the basis weight (g/m2) and volume (cm3/g) by measuring the weight and thickness of the material. The results are shown in Table 5.

TEST METHODS (1) Tactile Properties Classification Test (IHR Test):

[00133] The IHR rating test is a basic hand feel assessment of fibrous tissue and assesses attributes such as softness. This test is useful to get a quick read as to whether a change in the process is humanly detectable and/or affects the perception of smoothness, compared to a control. The difference in the IHR smoothness data between a treated frame and a control frame reflects the degree of smoothness improvement.

[00134] A panel of testers has been trained to provide more accurate assessments than an average untrained consumer can provide. The classification data generated for each code sampled by the panel was analyzed using the proportional hazards regression model. This computational model assumes that the panel member proceeds through the procedure of ranking the most rated attribute to the least rated attribute. Smoothness test results are presented as log probability values. Log probabilities are the natural logarithm of the hazard ratios that are estimated for each code in the proportional hazards regression model. Higher log probabilities indicate that the attribute of interest is perceived with greater intensity.

[00135] As the IHR results are expressed in log probabilities, the difference in smoothness improvement is actually much more significant than the data indicates. For example, when the IRH data difference is 1, it represents a 10-fold improvement (101 = 10) in overall smoothness, or a 1,000% improvement over your control. In another example, if the difference is 0.2, it represents 1.58 times (100.2 = 1.58) or a 58% improvement.

[00136] The IHR data can also be presented in a classification format. The data can often be used to make relative comparisons within tests, as the classification of a product depends on the products it is classified with. Test comparisons can be made when at least one product is tested by both tests. (2) Volume test

[00137] The sheet volume is calculated as the quotient between the thickness of a conditioned fibrous sheet, expressed in microns, divided by the dry basis weight, expressed in grams per square meter. The resulting leaf density is expressed in cubic centimeters per gram (cm3/g). More particularly, sheet thickness is the representative thickness of a single sheet, measured following TAPPI test methods T402 “Standard Test Atmosphere and Conditioning for Paper, Paperboard, Cellulosic Hand Towels and Related Products” and T411 om-89 “ Thickness of paper, cardboard and combined” with note 3 for stacked sheets. The micrometer has used for the T411 om-89 is an Emveco 200-A fabric thickness tester from Emveco, Inc., Newberg, Oregon, USA. The micrometer has a load of 2 kilo Pascals, a pressure area of 2500 square millimeters, a pressure diameter of 56.42 millimeters, a dwell time of 3 seconds and a derating rate of 0.8 millimeters per second. (3) Viscosity Test

[00138] Viscosity is measured using a Brookfield viscometer, model RVDV-II+, available from Brookfield Engineering Laboratories, Middleboro, Massachusetts, USA. Measurements are taken at room temperature (23 C), at 100 rpm, with either a 4-axis or a 6-axis, depending on the expected viscosity. Viscosity measurements are presented in units of centipoise. (4) Quantity of HYPOD 8510® Additive Composition Test

[00139] In one aspect of the invention, the complement of HYPOD is determined by digestion using acid. The samples were wet mineralized (wet ashing) with sufficient sulfuric acid and concentrated nitric acid to destroy the carboniferous material and isolate the potassium ions from the cellulosic matrix. Potassium concentration is then measured by atomic absorption. The HYPOD 8510® complement are determined by referring the potassium concentration of the HYPOD 8510® in the sample to volume measurements of the HYPOD 8510® from a control HYPOD 8510® dispersion solution (LOTVB1955WC30, 3.53%). (5) Method to determine the content of the additive composition in tissue paper.

[00140] The samples were digested following the EPA 3010A method. The method consists of digesting a known amount of material with nitric acid in a block digester and bringing it to a known volume at the end of digestion.

[00141] The analysis was performed in a flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer using the EPA 7610 method dated July 1986, which is a direct aspiration method using an air/acetylene flame. The instrument used was a Varian AA240FS available from Aligent Technologies, Santa Clara, California, USA.

[00142] The analysis was performed as follows: The instrument was calibrated with one blank and five standards. Calibration was followed by analysis of a second original standard to confirm the calibration standards. In this particular case, the recovery was 97% (90-110% being acceptable). Then, a digestion blank with a digestion pattern was analyzed. In this particular case, the blank was less than 0.1 mg/l and the standard recovery was 93% (85-115% being acceptable). The samples were then analyzed and after every tenth sample, a standard was run (90-110% being acceptable). At the end of the analysis, a blank and a pattern were performed. (6) Base weight

[00143] The basis weight of the tissue paper sheet samples was determined using a TAPPI T410 procedure. Pre-folded samples were conditioned at 23±1°C and 50±2 percent relative humidity for at least 4 hours. After conditioning, a 16-3"x3" pre-folded pile was cut using an associated die press. This represents a tissue sheet sample area of 144 in2 or 0.0929 in2. Examples of suitable stamping presses are the TMI DGD press, manufactured by Testing Machines, Inc., Islandia, NY, or a Swing Beam testing machine, manufactured by USM Corporation, Wilmington, MA. Array size tolerances are +/-0.008 inches in both directions. The specimen stack is then weighed to 0.001 gram accuracy on a tared analytical balance. The basis weight in grams per square meter (g/m2) is calculated using the following equation: Basis weight (conditioned) = pile weight in grams / (0.0929 m2) (7) Geometric mean tensile strength (GMT )

[00144] The geometric mean tensile strength (GMT) is the square root of the product of the dry machine direction (MD) tensile strength multiplied by the dry cross machine direction (CD) tensile strength and is expressed in grams by 3 inches of sample width. MD tensile strength is the maximum load per 3 inches of the specimen length when it is pulled towards the machine until it breaks. Likewise, tensile strength CD represents the maximum load per 3 inches of sample length when it is pulled across the machine until it breaks. Tensile curves are obtained under laboratory conditions of 23.0°C ± 1.0°C, 50.0 ± 2.0% relative humidity and after the tissue paper samples have equilibrated to the test conditions during a period of not less than four hours.

[00145] Samples for tensile strength tests are prepared by cutting a 3 inch (76 mm) x 5 inch (127 mm) long strip in machine direction or cross machine direction using a JDC precision shear ( Thwing-Albert Instrument Company, Philadelphia, PA, Model No. SC130). Tensile tests are measured on an MTS Systems Synergie 100 running TestWorks® 4 software version 4.08 (MTS Systems Corp., Eden Prairie, MN).

[00146] The load cell is selected from 50 Newtons or 100 Newtons maximum, depending on the strength of the sample being tested, so that most maximum load values fall between 10% and 90% of the value range of the load cell. charge. Length between gauge jaws is 4 +/- 0.04 inches (102 +/-1 mm). The grips are operated using pneumatic action and are rubber lined. Minimum grip face width is 3 inches (76 mm) and approximate grip height is 0.5 inches (13 mm). The head speed is 10 ± 0.4 inches/minute (254 ± 10 mm/minute), and burst sensitivity is set to 65%.

[00147] The specimen is positioned on the jaws of the instrument, centered both vertically and horizontally. The test is then started and ended when the specimen breaks. The peak load is recorded as the "MD tensile strength" or the "CD tensile strength" of the specimen depending on the direction of the specimen being tested. At least ten (10) samples are tested in each direction, with the arithmetic mean being reported as the MD or CD tensile strength value of the product. The geometric mean of tensile strength is calculated from the following equation: GMT = (MD strain*CD strain)1/2

[00148] The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be understood as being strictly limited to the exact numerical values recited. Instead, unless otherwise specified, each dimension is intended to signify the quoted value and a functionally equivalent range around this value. For example, a dimension disclosed as "40 mm" is intended to mean "about 40 mm".

[00149] All documents cited in the "Detailed Description of the Invention" are, in relevant part, incorporated herein by reference; citation of any document is not to be construed as an admission that it is prior art in relation to the present invention. To the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in this written document conflicts with any meaning or definition of the term in a document incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition ascribed to the term in this written document shall control.

[00150] Although specific embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications which are within the scope of this invention.

Claims (15)

1. Non-woven substrate comprising a fibrous web defining a surface; and a layer of a benefit agent, said benefit agent being an additive composition; the benefit agent being foamed and bonded to the surface of the fibrous web through a creping process, characterized by the fact that said non-woven substrate is printed and demonstrates improved printability when compared to an untreated substrate. 2. Non-woven substrate according to claim 1, characterized in that it demonstrates at least a 5% reduction in hysteresis, an increase of at least 40% in volume, and combinations thereof, when compared to an untreated substrate . 3. Non-woven substrate according to claim 1, characterized in that the fibrous web is selected from a group consisting of tissue paper, air-dried tissue paper, paper towels, hydroentangled web, spunbond web, meltblown, co-formed, carded bonded, air disposed, laminates, paper and combinations of compounds thereof. 4. Non-woven substrate according to claim 1, characterized in that the additive composition is a polymer dispersion selected from polyolefin dispersions, SEBS copolymer dispersions, polyisoprene dispersions, polybutadiene-styrene copolymer dispersions, dispersions of latex, polyvinyl pyrrolidone-styrene copolymer dispersions, polyvinyl alcohol-ethylene copolymer dispersions, and combinations thereof. 5. Non-woven substrate according to claim 1, characterized in that the benefit agent further comprises an enhancement component selected from microparticles, expandable microspheres, fibers, additional polymer dispersions, fragrances, antibacterials, moisturizers, medications, tranquilizers and the like. 6. Non-woven substrate according to claim 4, characterized in that it further comprises an enhancing component which is added to the polymer dispersion in an amount of 0.5% to 30% by weight of the dispersion. 7. Non-woven substrate according to claim 1, characterized in that the additive composition is a water-insoluble polyolefin copolymer selected from ethylene-acrylic acid copolymers, polyethylene-octene copolymer, and combinations thereof. 8. Non-woven substrate according to claim 1, characterized in that the additive composition is selected from a water-soluble synthetic polymer, a water-soluble natural polymer, and mixtures thereof, preferably the additive composition is a polymer water soluble selected from copolymers of polyalcohols, polyamines, polyamides, polyimines, polycarboxylic acids, polyoxides, polyglycols, polyethers, polyesters, and mixtures thereof, or the additive composition is a natural water soluble polymer selected from modified cellulose, modified starch, modified proteins, chitosan, chitosan salts, carrageenan, agar, gellan gum, guar gum and combinations thereof. 9. The non-woven substrate of claim 1, characterized in that it exhibits an improved ink coverage of at least 25% to improve the appearance of the print on said substrate, or exhibits a 20% to 250% increase in volume, as determined by the volume test. 10. Non-woven substrate according to claim 4, characterized in that a non-ionic surfactant is combined with the additive composition in a ratio of about 1:2. 11. The non-woven substrate according to claim 1, characterized in that it demonstrates an elastic deformation capable of sustaining 25% to 100% of an applied tension stretch before breaking, or demonstrates an elongation to break of 45% . 12. Non-woven substrate according to claim 1, characterized in that it is combined with a non-pre-stretched elastic film to create an elastic laminate with roughness reduction from 5% to 100%. 13. Non-woven substrate according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises from 0.1% to 20% of rheological modifiers of bodily fluids, preferably selected from mucolytic agents, said mucolytic agents characterized by being selected to from L-cysteine, thioglycolates, dithiotrichol and combinations thereof; mucin modifiers; red blood cell modifiers; and their combinations. 14. Non-woven substrate according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises a non-stick agent selected from 0.01% to 25% of at least one viscoelastic material, such viscoelastic material selected from linked enzymes, polyglycosides of alkyl having 8-10 carbon atoms in the alkyl chain, bovine lipid extract surfactant, dextrans, dextran derivatives and combinations thereof; at least one non-stick compound, said non-stick compound characterized in that it is selected from alginic acid, beta-benzal-butyric acid, vegetables, casein, farnesol, flavones, fucans, galactolipid, kininogen, hyaluronate, inulin, iridoid glycosides, nanoparticles, perlecan, phosphorothioate oligodeoxynucleotides, poloxamer 407, polymethylmethacrylate, silicone, sulfated exopolysaccharides, tetrachlorodecaoxide, and combinations thereof; and combinations thereof. 15. Non-woven substrate according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises from 2 g/m2 to 80 g/m2 of an odor control material.

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