Abstract: In a method for forming a thermoplastic polymer sheet, a plurality of the forming blades are configured so as to have projected cross-sectional shapes on the sheet defined by similar curved lines and/or similar flexural lines arranged around a center of similitude and extending in the thickness direction of the sheet from the stationery mold and the movable mold so as to be engaged one with another but not to come in contact one with another. The method includes a step of introducing the sheet between the stationery mold and the movable mold and a step of bring the forming blades of the stationery mold and the movable mold into engagement with one another to stretch the sheet between distal ends of each pair of the adjacent forming blades.

Abstract: A nonwoven fabric and disposable articles comprising the same are provided. The nonwoven fabric can include one or more facing layers thermally bonded to one or more inner layers. The facing layers are inelastic or partially elastic nonwoven webs comprising one or more propylene-based polymers. The facing layer has a permanent set above 30%. The inner layers are elastic nonwoven webs comprising one or more propylene-based polymers and one or more slip agents. The inner layer has a permanent set below 28%, and the one or more propylene-based polymers have (i) 60 wt % or more units derived from propylene, (ii) isotactically arranged propylene derived sequences, and (iii) a heat of fusion less than 45 J/g.

Abstract: It is intended to provide a composite sheet which is excellent in comfort to the skin face when used in an absorbent article such as a disposable diaper. A composite sheet (1) fabricated by bonding stretchable nonwoven fabric (2) to a non-stretchable sheet (3) using an adhesive (4). The stretchable nonwoven fabric (2) is bonded in the stretched state to the non-stretchable sheet. The composite sheet (1) has a contact area ratio of 65% or more and an air permeation resistance of 0.20 KPa·s/m or less. By satisfying these numerical requirements, the composite sheet shows excellent sweat absorption properties and air permeability when used as a constituting member of an absorbent article such as a disposable diaper.

Abstract: Provided is an elastic network structure having durability and cushioning properties suitable for furniture, bedding such as a bed, seats for vehicles, seats for shipping, etc., the network structure being lightweight and having excellent chemical resistance, excellent light resistance, soft repellency, and excellent cushioning characteristics in a low temperature environment. The elastic network structure comprises a three-dimensional random loop bonded structure obtained by forming random loops with curling treatment of a continuous linear structure having not less than 300 decitex, and by making each loop mutually contact in a molten state to weld the majority of contacted part, the continuous linear structure mainly including a low density polyethylene resin with a specific gravity of not more than 0.94 g/cm3.

Abstract: An elastic laminate having fragrance releasing microcapsules embedded within a nonwoven web layer of the laminate is generally disclosed. The elastic laminate is configured to release the encapsulated fragrance upon stretching the laminate. The elastic laminate can continue to release fresh fragrance even after the first stretching force is applied, effectively extending the life of the elastic laminate. The resulting elastic laminate is useful for many applications, and is particularly useful in the construction of an absorbent article.

Abstract: An endless belt for use in digital imaging systems is provided having edge to edge uniform flatness, and precise circumferential and edge to edge thickness. The layers comprising the belt may be tailored as desired for use in either image recording, image transfer or sheet transport operations. In one embodiment, the belt includes an elastomeric base layer, a reinforcing support layer, and an elastomeric surface ply. The belt is preferably manufactured by building the layers on a workpiece and then curing the layers.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to textile fabrics, and more particularly, to a stretchable, nonwoven nanofiber fabric which is impermeable to water but allows vapor transport, capable of conforming to body parts, and is particularly useful in high performance apparels and personal care products. The fabric is combined with different substrates to form a laminate. The fabric and its laminate can retain their dimensional integrity on repeated stretching, have relatively high air permeability while maintaining liquid repellency, and have high stretching recovery. Methods of preparing and applying the nanofiber fabric and its laminate are also provided.

Abstract: A method of producing a laminate material includes the steps of providing a first flexible sheet material; providing a second flexible sheet material having a first surface and a second surface, and also having a first width of 1×; stretching the second flexible sheet material in a cross-machine direction to a second width of between about 1.2× and 3× when in a flattened state; necking the second flexible sheet material to produce an accordion shape, thereby reducing the second width of the sheet material to a third width, less than the width of the first width, such that the third width is between 0.65× to 0.975× when in an accordion shape; applying adhesive to the first surface of the second flexible sheet material with a slot coat adhesive process; and joining the first flexible sheet material to the first surface of the second flexible sheet material.

Abstract: An extensible nonwoven fabric comprises a fiber comprising at least two olefin-based polymers. These olefin-based polymers are of the same kind and have different induction periods of strain-induced crystallization as measured at the same temperature and shear strain rate. A composite nonwoven fabric of the invention comprises at least one layer comprising the extensible nonwoven fabric.

Abstract: A stretchable laminate, a process of making a stretchable laminate and a disposable absorbent article that includes a stretchable laminate are disclosed. The stretchable laminate includes a nonwoven web and a web of elastomeric material. The nonwoven web includes two layers of spunbond fibers and one layer of meltblown fibers. Some of the meltblown fibers are present in the interstices formed by the spunbond fibers of one of the layers.

Abstract: A stretchable laminate, a process of making a stretchable laminate and a disposable absorbent article that includes a stretchable laminate are disclosed. The stretchable laminate includes a nonwoven web and a web of elastomeric material. The nonwoven web includes two layers of spunbond multi-component fibers and one layer of meltblown fibers. The multi-component fibers include a first polymer and a second polymer having different melt temperatures. Thermo-bonds are formed at least partially through the nonwoven web. Some of the thermo-bonds can be elongated in the cross-machine direction of the nonwoven web.

Abstract: A stretchable laminate, a process of making a stretchable laminate and a disposable absorbent article that includes a stretchable laminate are disclosed. The stretchable laminate includes a nonwoven web and a web of elastomeric material. The nonwoven web includes two layers of spunbond fibers and one layer of meltblown fibers. Some of the meltblown fibers are present in the interstices formed by the spunbond fibers of one of the layers. As a result of activation of the stretchable laminate, the nonwoven web has a Residual Maximum Peak Force of at least 0.3 N/cm.

Abstract: In one embodiment the invention is an article comprising at least two layers, a first or low crystallinity layer comprising a low crystallinity polymer and a second or high crystallinity layer comprising a high crystallinity polymer. The high crystallinity polymer has a melting point as determined by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) that is about the same or within less than 25 C of the melting point of the low crystallinity polymer. The article is elongated at a temperature below the melting point of the low crystallinity polymer in at least one direction to an elongation of at least about 50% of its original length or width, to form a pre-stretched article. Preferably, the high crystallinity layer is capable of undergoing plastic deformation upon the elongation.

Abstract: An elastic composite includes a first nonwoven, a second nonwoven, and two elastic films sandwiched between the first and second nonwoven. The elastic composite also includes a lateral edge portion where the first nonwoven is bonded to the second nonwoven, a lane between the elastic films that is free of the elastic films, and a first bond joining the first nonwoven to the elastic film, and a second bond joining the second nonwoven to the elastic film. The elastic composite may be used as a component of a disposable garment.

Abstract: Described herein is a meltspun laminate comprising two or more layers of meltspun fabrics, wherein layers that are adjacent to one another are in situ entangled with one another to define an interfacial region of mixed fibers between the layers. Also described herein is a method of making a meltspun in situ laminate comprising simultaneously meltspinning two or more polymer melts adjacent to one another to form adjacent fabrics, wherein layers that are adjacent to one another are in situ entangled with one another to form an interfacial region of mixed fibers between the layers. Also described herein is a meltspinning apparatus comprising one or more dies, each die comprising two or more meltspinning zones, wherein each zone comprises a plurality of nozzles that are fluidly connected to the corresponding zone, and wherein each zone is fluidly connected to a melt extruder.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of imparting constraint in a biaxially elastic nonwoven laminate, and the constrained laminate itself, the method comprising providing a biaxially elastic nonwoven laminate comprising at least one meltspun elastic fabric and at least one extensible fabric or film; and fusing at least, or preferably, only a portion(s) of the at least one meltspun elastic fabric to at least one of the extensible fabrics to create at least one inelastic zone. Desirably, the at least one meltspun elastic fabric and at least one extensible fabric or film is biaxially elastic, and referred to as being “nonwoven” due to the at least one layer of meltspun elastomer. The meltspun elastic fabric may comprise a polyolefin-based elastomer or blend of an elastomer with a thermoplastic.

Abstract: A non-woven material is provided, comprising an external non-elastic base layer and an auxiliary layer comprising an elastic material, the base layer and auxiliary layer being mechanically bonded to one another.

Abstract: (1) An elastic nonwoven fabric and a fiber product using the elastic nonwoven fabric, the elastic nonwoven fabric containing a crystalline resin composition containing low crystalline polypropylene and high crystalline polypropylene, the low crystalline polypropylene satisfying items (a) and (b) below, and a crystallization temperature (Tc) of the crystalline resin composition measured with a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) being from 20 to 100° C.: (a) a melting point (Tm-D) being from 0 to 120° C., which is defined as a peak top of a peak observed on the most high temperature side of a melt endothermic curve obtained by maintaining at ?10° C. for 5 minutes and increasing in temperature at 10° C.

Abstract: The present invention provides an absorbent article imparting superior comfort during wearing without inhibiting an absorbent property of an absorbent body, and a manufacturing method thereof. In the stretchable non-woven fabrics composed of a stretchable thermoplastic fiber and a heat-adhesive fiber having a lower melting point than that of the thermoplastic fiber which is arranged on a skin non-contacting side of a chassis, a low-stretchability portion is formed, in which the stretchability of the stretchable non-woven fabrics is lowered, at least in a portion thereof which overlaps an absorbent body in a thickness direction. The low-stretchability portion is formed by heating and pressurizing the portion of an elasticized non-woven fabric being extended.

Abstract: A composite sheet that has a low basis weight and can inhibit adhesives from flowing out is provided. The composite sheet 1 according to the present invention is formed by bonding a stretchable nonwoven fabric 2 and a non-stretchable nonwoven fabric 3 to each other with adhesives 4. The stretchable nonwoven fabric 2 in an extended state is bonded to the non-stretchable sheet. The stretchable nonwoven fabric 2 has a plurality of strip-shaped non-dense regions 21 and a plurality of strip-shaped dense regions 22 formed on both its surfaces alternately and alternately in the transverse direction such that the dense regions 22 on one of the surfaces and the dense regions 22 on the other surface are not overlapped with each other. The stretchable nonwoven fabric 2 includes thermoplastic fibers that have been stretched at least partially and elastomer fibers.

Abstract: A composite structure including a substrate and a fluid in contact with the substrate, wherein the substrate comprises a non-woven, a foam, or combinations thereof and is characterized by having a basis weight of 15 to 500 grams per square meter.

Abstract: A fastener strip for diapers has a center part that is elastic in the longitudinal direction of the strip when the fastener strip is pulled, a non-elastic end part to which a hook element is attached, and a non-elastic connector part for attachment to a diaper. The end part and the connector part are attached to the center part. The center part has a layer of an elastic spun-bonded non-woven fabric, which possesses preferred stretching properties in the longitudinal direction of the strip. The spun-bonded non-woven fabric is made of filaments that have a filament core of a thermoplastic elastomer and a filament mantle of a non-elastic thermoplastic polymer, stretched by means of stretching the spun-bonded non-woven fabric.

Abstract: A process of preparing an elastic thermally bonded nonwoven web, whereby the process is characterized by the following steps: (i) providing a thermally bonded nonwoven precursor web containing thermoplastic fibers, (ii) subjecting the precursor web of step (i) to a drawing treatment in a machine direction at a drawing rate of from 45 to 70%, and a strain rate within a range of from 1000 to 2400%/min at a temperature between the softening point and the melting point of the fibers for preparing the elastic thermally bonded nonwoven web.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an activatable zero strain composite laminate web comprising an activatable elastic laminate web having an elastic core layer and at least one skin layer which is less elastic than the core layer, and at least one pre-bonded staple fiber nonwoven web which is attached to one of the skin layers of the elastic laminate web, the at least one staple fiber nonwoven web having an elongation at break of at least 100% in the cross-direction and said activatable elastic laminate web forming an essentially homogeneous microtextured surface when stretched in the first upload in the cross-direction past the elastic limit of the one or more skin layers.

Abstract: Provided is an artificial leather sheet that comprises microfine fibers of an inelastic polymer having a mean fiber diameter of at most 5 ?m and an elastic polymer, in which the major portion of the elastic polymer forms a fibrous structure of the entangled nonwoven fabric with the microfine fibers of inelastic polymer throughout the entire layer of the artificial leather sheet in the thickness direction thereof, and a part of the elastic polymer forms a porous layer integrated with the entangled nonwoven fabric structure on at least one face of the artificial leather sheet. The artificial leather sheet does not substantially undergo structure deformation even when repeatedly elongated and deformed. It has good elastic stretchability, and has a soft and dense feel, and its appearance is good not detracting from the drapability of the sheet.

Abstract: Problem to be Solved: To provide an elastic nonwoven fabric with a good elasticity, adequate strength under elongation, good antiblocking property and favorable feeling, suitable for fiber products, at low cost, as well as fiber products using the same. Solution: An elastic nonwoven fabric comprising long elastomeric fiber and nonelastomeric fiber in a weight ratio within a range from 50/50 to 95/5, which has an elongation recovery rate of the elastic nonwoven fabric after 50% elongation equal to or higher than 70%, and a resistance to peel two sheets of the nonwoven fabric apart equal to or lower than the strength of the fabric under 50% elongation; as well as fiber products using the same.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a process for forming a multilayer construction, and the multilayer constructions including at least one layer of an elastic meltblown fabric, the process comprising extruding one or more polyolefin polymer (e.g., a propylene-?-olefin copolymer) having a MFR from less than 90 dg/min through at least one die having a plurality of nozzles to form a plurality of continuous fibers, at least one die operating at a melt pressure from greater than 500 psi (3.45 MPa) to form at least one elastic meltblown fabric, and adhering the at least one elastic meltblown fabric to at least one extensible fabric.

Abstract: An elastic composite having a high tearing strength made of an elastomeric material and a consolidated entangled web, wherein the consolidated entangled fabric has at least 2 lbs of tearing strength in the machine direction and the composite has 70-95% elastic recovery from a 100% elongation in the cross direction and greater than 50% elastic recovery from a 150% elongation in the cross direction.

Abstract: A method for increasing the thickness of a fibrous sheet including stretching the sheet beyond its relaxed length and returning the sheet to about the relaxed length, causing the sheet to have a second thickness greater than the first thickness. The sheet can be a wet-wipe. The wet-wipe includes an elastic layer and a fibrous layer, which increases in thickness when stretched then relaxed. The wet-wipe can be stored in a container which causes the wet-wipe to stretch as it is removed from the container.

Abstract: This invention concerns an elastic multilayer composite, comprising a non-elastic film layer and an elastic nonwoven layer. This invention also concerns a process for manufacturing an elastic multilayer composite, comprising: forming the composite using a non-elastic film layer and an elastic nonwoven layer.

Abstract: A method for producing a stretch laminate includes forming an intermediate stretch laminate. Forming the intermediate stretch laminate includes providing a first substrate and attaching an elastic film to a surface of the first substrate via an adhesive. The first substrate and the elastic film are in a face to face orientation. The intermediate stretch laminate has a residual energy of greater than or equal to 50% at a predetermined applied strain. The method of forming the stretch laminate further includes mechanically activating the intermediate stretch laminate at a strain rate of at least 100 s?1.

Abstract: The present invention includes a neck-bonded laminate and a process for forming a neck-bonded elastic laminate, the laminate including a primary elastic region and a secondary elastic region. An exemplary process for forming the laminate includes providing a necked material and overlaying the necked material with an elastic sheet. The necked material and elastic sheet are passed through a nip between two rollers, the rollers being configured to form a primary elastic region and a secondary elastic region and the secondary elastic region having higher strength than the primary elastic region.

Abstract: A spunbonded elastic nonwoven fabric according to the invention comprises fibers formed from a polymer comprising a thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer, wherein the thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer has a starting temperature for solidifying of 65° C. or above as measured by a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) and contains 3.00×106 or less polar-solvent-insoluble particles per g as counted on a particle size distribution analyzer, which is based on an electrical sensing zone method, equipped with an aperture tube having an orifice of 100 ?m in diameter, and wherein the fibers have diameters such that the standard deviation of fiber diameters (Sn) divided by the average fiber diameter (Xave) (Sn/Xave) gives a value of 0.15 or less.

Abstract: A laminate including at least one elastic film having a width and at least one layer of non-woven fabric fixed to the film on at least said width, through interposition of a fixing agent, in particular adhesive, whereby the at least one layer of non-woven fabric has an outer surface at a distance from the film. The outer surface (25) of the at least one layer of non-woven fabric is corrugated in the stretched state of the laminate, having ridge zones (22) and hollow zones (23), whereby fixing agent (20) is provided between the ridge zones and the elastic film.

Abstract: A method for producing a machine direction and cross-machine direction elastic laminate includes the steps of providing a one direction elastic laminate material including at least one elastic layer and one facing layer and having a single direction of elasticity and coursing the one direction elastic laminate material through at least one stretching apparatus, such that the stretching apparatus stretches the laminate material in a direction perpendicular to the single direction of elasticity of the elastic laminate material, thereby producing a material that extends in a direction perpendicular to the direction of elasticity and also extends the elastic performance of the laminate in the single direction of elasticity.

Abstract: An elastic composite formed from a laminate that contains an elastic film and a lightweight nonwoven facing having a low strength in the cross-machine direction (“CD”) is provided. Due to the low strength of the facing, it is desirable that the elastic film have a sufficient thickness and weight to enhance the strength of the resulting composite. Unfortunately, the ability to join an elastic film to such a lightweight nonwoven facing becomes increasingly difficult as the thickness of the film increases. In this regard, the present inventors have discovered that a second laminate may be employed in the elastic composite that is formed from a thermoplastic film and nonwoven facing to impart increased strength to the composite. The film and facing of the second laminate may be formed from the same or different materials than the film and facing of the first laminate. Regardless, the laminates are positioned so that the elastic and thermoplastic films are in a face-to-face relationship.

Abstract: An elastic multilayer composite includes a pattern unbonded elastic layer attached to at least one extensible facing layer. A method for forming an elastic multilayer composite includes the steps of providing an elastic material; bonding the elastic material to form a pattern unbonded elastic material; and attaching the pattern unbonded elastic material to at least one facing material.

Abstract: An elastomeric film is bonded between two or more layers of nonwoven webs formed of nonelastomeric thermoplastic fibers. The laminate has, in a predefined transverse direction, an elastic elongation value greater than the predefined elastic elongation value of the nonwoven webs, and an ultimate force to break in the predefined transverse direction of at least 3000 g/in. The laminate advantageously provides a tear resistant, multiple ply, fabric that is soft to the touch as a result of the outwardly disposed nonwoven webs, and has a high elastic modulus. The laminate is particularly useful in applications where closure portions of a product must be stretched to keep the product in place when worn.

Abstract: A sheet of an artificial leather substrate contains an upper-layer nonwoven fabric A (1) and a base nonwoven fabric B (2). The upper-layer nonwoven fabric A (1) is a wet-laid nonwoven fabric having a density of 0.30 to 0.50 g/cm3 and being produced with synthetic fibers in which the component fibers have a fineness of 0.005 to 1.1 dtex, a fiber length of 3 to 10 mm and a weight per unit area of 20 to 150 g/m2, and the base nonwoven fabric B (2) is a layer of a nonwoven fabric having a density of 0.15 g/cm3 or more and less than 0.28 g/cm3 and being produced with synthetic fibers in which the component fibers have a fineness greater than that of the component fibers of the upper-layer nonwoven fabric A and 4.5 dtex or less, a fiber length of 2 to 15 mm and a weight per unit area of 50 to 400 g/m2. The upper-layer nonwoven fabric A (1) and the base nonwoven fabric B (2) are layered, made into a single body by entanglement of the component fibers of both layers and impregnated with an elastic polymer.

Abstract: The invention relates to an elastic laminate. The laminate is made from a co-extruded elastic film, comprising an elastomeric support layer, at least one cover layer and at least one textile outer layer made from a non-woven. The cover layer has a low layer thickness by comparison with the support layer. The outer layer is laminated onto the cover layer. According to the invention, the cover layer is made from an elastomeric material, with essentially the same expansion properties as the material of the support layer and contains additives for modification of the surface properties.

Abstract: An elastic laminate capable of being rolled for storage and unwound from a roll when needed for use, includes an elastic layer selected from the group consisting of an array of continuous filament strands, an array of continuous filament strands with meltblown deposited on the continuous filament strands, and a film; a gatherable facing layer bonded to only one side of the elastic layer; and either an adhesive that demonstrates a relatively short open time deposited between the elastic layer and facing layer, or such adhesive and a postbonding adhesive or nonblocking agent, or a nonblocking agent layer deposited on the elastic layer on a side opposite to the facing layer.

Abstract: A method of making an elastic laminate (10) comprising the steps of providing an intermediate elastic/fabric laminate (16) and segmenting the fabric layer (30) into fabric segments (31) by forming interruptions (32) which extend through the fabric thickness. The interruption-forming step comprising cutting/slitting/scoring the fabric layer (30) to form proximal/distal regions (33/34) of the interruptions (31) and incrementally rupturing the fabric layer (30) to form the remaining distal/proximal interruption region (34/33).

Abstract: A fiber is obtainable from or comprises a blend of a propylene based polymer and an ethylene/?-olefin interpolymer characterized by an elastic recovery, Re, in percent at 300 percent strain and 1 cycle and a density, d, in grams/cubic centimeter, wherein the elastic recovery and the density satisfy the following relationship: Re>1481?1629(d). Such interpolymer can also be characterized by other properties. The fibers made therefrom have a relatively high elastic recovery and a relatively low coefficient of friction. The fibers can be cross-linked, if desired. Woven, knitted or non-woven fabrics can be made from such fibers.

Abstract: A sheet comprising a non-woven fabric in which ultra-fine fibers of a single fiber thickness of 0.5 dtex or less are entangled and an elastomeric binder mainly composed of a polyurethane, wherein the polyurethane is a polycarbonate-based polyurethane having a polycarbonate skeleton represented by both of the following general formulas (1) and (2), and having a gelation point of 2.5 ml or more and less than 6 ml. R1 and R2 are aliphatic hydrocarbon groups with 7 to 11 carbons, and they may be same or different, n and m are positive integers, and when R1 and R2 are different, it is a block copolymer or a random copolymer. R3 and R4 are aliphatic hydrocarbon groups with 3 to 6 carbons, and they may be same or different, x and y are positive integers, and when R3 and R4 are different, it is a block copolymer or a random copolymer.

Abstract: An extensible composite member (1) including an extensible portion (10) having two sheet materials (2, 3) and elastic members (4) intermediate between the sheet materials. The two sheet materials (2, 3) are discontinuously bonded to each other in the extending direction of the extensible portion (10) (X direction) and a direction perpendicular thereto (Y direction). The elastic members (4) are arranged in the extensible portion (10) avoiding joints (5) between the sheet materials and have both ends thereof fixed to the sheet materials. Each of the two sheet materials (2, 3) forms folds (6) continuously running across a plurality of the elastic members (4).

Abstract: A press fabric for a machine for the production of web material, especially paper or cardboard, including a carrying structure and a plurality of layers on one web material contact side of the carrying structure, whereby polymeric material is contained in at least one of the layers of fibrous material.

Abstract: A non-woven fabric made from a composition prepared by combining a first propylene-based polymer blend, where the first polymer blend is prepared by combining a propylene-based elastomer with a propylene-based thermoplastic resin and where the first blend has an MFR (ASTM D-1238 2.16 kg @ (230° C.) equal to or less than 50 dg/min, with a second propylene-based polymer blend, where the second polymer blend is prepared by combining a propylene-based elastomer with a propylene-based thermoplastic resin and where said second blend has an MFR (ASTM D-1238 2.16 kg @ 230° C.) greater than 50 dg/min, where the propylene-based elastomers comprise from about 5% to 35% by weight units derived from ethylene or non-propylene alpha-olefin and have a heat of fusion, as determined by DSC, of less than 80 J/g, and where the propylene-based thermoplastic resins have a heat of fusion, as determined by DSC, equal to or greater than 80 J/g.

Abstract: A method of producing basic starting material for the manufacture of fastener tabs (31) intended for joining the side portions of the front and rear parts of an absorbent article that includes a front part, a rear part and an intermediate crotch part, so as to give the article a pants-like configuration According to the invention the method comprises the steps of stretching a first sheet (1) of elastic material in a first direction (T); applying a second and a third sheet of material (9, 10) onto respective opposite sides of the first sheet; fastening the three material sheets together in at least two mutually separated zones (14, 15) that extend parallel with each other in one direction (M) perpendicular to said first direction; dividing the first sheet (1) in each region between two zones (14, 15) along a line that lies between said zones, wherewith the first sheet in each region (16) between two zones (14, 15) contracts to a non-stretched state, and thereafter fastening the sheets together in each regio

Abstract: An elastic material for use in an absorbent article is provided. The elastic material contains a crosslinked network formed from a branched block copolymer having a monoalkenyl aromatic midblock positioned between conjugated diene endblocks (e.g., butadiene-styrene-butadiene (“B-S-B”) triblock copolymer). Prior to crosslinking, the branched block copolymers have a relatively low viscosity and thus may be readily formed into a precursor elastic material (e.g., film, strands, web, etc.) that is subsequently crosslinked to achieve the desired elastic and mechanical properties. Crosslinking is typically achieved through the formation of free radicals (unpaired electrons) that link together to form a plurality of carbon-carbon covalent bonds at the conjugated diene endblocks.

Abstract: A nonwoven web material that contains an elastic component is provided. The elastic component contains a crosslinked network formed from a linear block copolymer having a monoalkenyl aromatic midblock positioned between conjugated diene endblocks (e.g., butadiene-styrene-butadiene (“B-S-B”) triblock copolymer). Prior to crosslinking, such linear block copolymers have a relatively low viscosity and thus may be readily formed into a precursor elastic component that is subsequently crosslinked to achieve the desired elastic and mechanical properties. Crosslinking is typically achieved through the formation of free radicals (unpaired electrons) that link together to form a plurality of carbon-carbon covalent bonds at the conjugated diene endblocks.