Abstract: This invention relates to a process for forming composite yarns comprising an elastic filament and at least one relatively inelastic filament, which process comprises entangling a latent-contractable elastomer producing polymer filament with a relatively inelastic filament while the latent-contractable filament is relatively unelongated (less than tension maintained 100% elongation) or preferably substantially unelongated (merely taut) to produce a composite yarn which can be formed into a yarn package with minimum stored energy compared to conventional elastomeric yarn packages and which yarn can be processed (e.g., knitted or woven) into goods on equipment normally employed for non-elastic fiber processing; and yet which composite yarn upon actuation of the latent contraction within the polymeric filament provides a composite yarn which is elastic.

Abstract: This invention relates to melt extruded latent contractable elastic filaments which are formed by melt extruding certain segmented crosslinked thermoplastic polymers to form filaments, which filaments, when heat processed at elevated temperatures, significantly contract to yield an elastic filament. This invention also relates to the formation of composite covered yarn comprising said latent contractable melt extruded filaments. In addition, this invention relates to processes for forming articles from said latent contractable filaments or covered yarns comprising said contractable filaments and subsequently contracting said yarns to form an elastic article.