Abstract: A latent elastic laminate material, and methods of making latent elastic laminate materials. The laminate includes a latent polymer, which itself may or may not possess latent elasticity, that is applied to at least one elastic member while the elastic member is in a stretched configuration. The elastic member, at least partially covered with the latent polymer, is attached to at least one substrate. The amount of latent polymer applied to the elastic member may provide enough force to overcome a retractive force of the elastic member when the latent polymer is at a temperature below a softening point of the latent polymer, yet the amount of latent polymer may be small enough to allow the laminate to retract into an elastic, gathered structure when the laminate is heated to a softening point of the latent polymer. The laminate may be incorporated into a variety of articles including personal care garments and cleaning cloths.

Abstract: A stretch activated disposable article, such as a wipe or mitt, includes an upper material layer, and a lower material layer joined to the upper material layer such that a space is defined between the material layers. A functional element, for example a fluid composition, is stored in the space between the upper and lower material layers and becomes functional upon being exposed through the upper material layer with use of the article. The upper material layer includes a plurality of materially weakened positions along the surface thereof that are configured to part or separate upon stretching of the upper material layer to expose the functional element through the upper material layer.

Abstract: An apparatus for making an elastic laminate including a crosslinked elastic layer formed of an elastic copolymer includes a die for extruding a layer of crosslinkable elastic copolymer, at least one roll for conveying the elastic layer, a supply source for providing at least one nonwoven web, a lamination nip for laminating at least one nonwoven web to the elastic layer, a processing unit for crosslinking the elastic layer and a winder for collecting the elastic laminate. The crosslinkable elastic copolymer may be a crosslinkable elastic styrenic block copolymer, a crosslinkable semi-crystalline polyolefin plastomer, or a crosslinkable propylene-ethylene copolymer. The crosslinkable elastic layer may be extruded in the form of a plurality of parallel filaments such as by a filament die. The processing unit may be positioned between the at least one roll and the lamination nip or may be positioned between the lamination nip and the winder.

Abstract: A composite nonwoven fabric having latent elasticity is provided having a latently elastic core comprising a first component that includes a thermoplastic elastomer and a second component that includes a single site catalyzed polyolefin, and at least one gatherable facing material laminated to the elastic core. The first and second components may be, for example, in the form of alternating filaments of styrenic block copolymer and single site catalyzed polyolefin or in the form of conjugate filaments having a first section of styrenic block copolymer and a second section of single site catalyzed polyolefin. Also disclosed are methods of making the latently elastic stretch bonded laminates and personal care articles containing the latently elastic stretch bonded laminates.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are color change laminate materials suitable for a variety of uses. The color change laminate materials include at least two layers of extensible materials having visually distinct coloration, and indicate a stretched or extended state by exposing the previously covered coloration of a lower layer. The color change laminate materials may also indicate the amount of stretching or extension is applied to the laminate. When the laminate includes elastic materials capable of stretch and recovery, the color change laminate materials may further be reversible color change laminate materials that can display color change upon extension and then recover the extension and return to the original coloration. Such color change laminate materials and reversible color change laminate materials are highly useful for use in garments or other textile type applications, in or on personal care products, protective wear products, health care and medical care products, bandages and the like.

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 composite elastic material including a nonwoven layer, a layer of substantially parallel elastomeric filaments and a bonding component that joins the elastic filaments to the nonwoven layer. The nonwoven layer has a plurality of bonding elements resulting in greater total bonding in a first direction than in total bonding in a second direction; the second direction being nonparallel to the first direction. The configuration of the bonding elements of the nonwoven layer is used to control properties of the composite elastic material. Additional laminate bond elements on the composite elastic material, having greater bond area oriented appropriately can further control properties of the composite elastic.

Abstract: A universal programmable logic control device for monitoring the current of a circuit and for signalling a circuit control device, such programmable logic control device including; electrical power circuitry for activating the circuit control device; electrical circuitry for monitoring the current in the electrical circuit, such electrical circuitry including, adjustable electrical signal input circuitry to match the programmable logic control device to the electrical current in the circuit, adjustable pick-up circuitry for adjusting the level of the current monitored in the electrical circuit, adjustable time circuitry for adjusting the time duration of the selected level of electrical current, so as to command the electrical power circuitry to activate the control device when the electrical current in the electrical circuit reaches the selected level and time duration; and a zenor diode in reverse mode for controlling the level of voltage applied to the adjustable pick-up circuitry and time circuitry substa