In hygiene products, ears are the extended side panels attached to the chassis of a diaper or adult incontinence brief. They provide the stretch and fastening surface needed to secure the product around the wearer. Ears are typically made from specialized nonwovens, often combining spunbond and elastomeric films in a laminate to achieve high cross-directional stretch without tearing. Manufacturers convert these in massive volumes, die-cutting the shapes and bonding them to the main backsheet.
We're getting some delamination on the back ears at the ultrasonics station, so check the anvil pressure.
Stretch ears are a major driver of nonwoven laminate innovation, as they require high elasticity but must resist catastrophic tearing when pulled tight.
Also heard as
- side panel
Do not mix it up with
- TAB: The tab is the actual fastening tape or hook closure, while the ear is the wider nonwoven panel the tab attaches to.
Related terms
Backsheet
Outer, liquid-proof layer of a diaper or pad, usually breathable film laminated to a soft nonwoven.
Topsheet
Soft, liquid-permeable nonwoven layer of a diaper or pad that touches the skin.
Lamination
Joining a nonwoven to film, another nonwoven or other material to make one multilayer product.
CD
Cross direction: the direction across the width of a nonwoven roll, at right angles to machine travel.
Ultrasonic bonding
Bonding or laminating by vibrating a horn at ultrasonic frequency against a patterned anvil roll to melt fibers locally.