Abstract: An elastic web that can be made breathable upon application of a tensile force such as would be encountered in certain applications, such as in absorbent articles and other hygienic or non-hygienic articles, and bandages is described. Breathability is achieved by insertion into the web of slits whose open area increases upon application of a force on the web acting along the major axis of said slits.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing composite webs and composite webs made thereby in which the web includes a perforated thermoplastic film and one or more nonwoven webs. The method provides a perforated thermoplastic film, a creped nonwoven web, the webs are fed in a face to face relationship to be bonded. The perforated thermoplastic film and the creped nonwoven web are bonded in a face to face relationship at a plurality of points of contact such that the creped structure of the nonwoven web is maintained and the composite web has a nonwoven face and a film face. The composite webs are extensible at least in the direction of the creping.

Abstract: A three-dimensional highly elastic film/non-woven composite having a fluid and air impervious core layer and a first and second consolidated layer. The consolidated layers have unidirectional and non-unidirectional fibers. The composite is formed by laminating the air and fluid impermeable elastic core layer between the two layers of consolidated non-wovens. The resulting composite stretches only in the cross-machine direction due to the unidirectional properties of the consolidated non-woven material. The layers are then point bonded or welded together. Preferably the layers are welded by passing the composite between an ultrasonic horn and an ultrasonic bond roll having raised areas for effecting the weld points. A thin inelastic membrane is formed at each of the weld points. The welded composite may then be pre-stretched to rupture the membranes, thereby creating apertures, which makes the composite permeable.

Abstract: A three-dimensional highly elastic film/non-woven composite having a fluid and air impervious core layer and a first and second consolidated layer. The consolidated layers have unidirectional and non-unidirectional fibers. The composite is formed by laminating the air and fluid impermeable elastic core layer between the two layers of consolidated non-wovens. The resulting composite stretches only in the cross-machine direction due to the unidirectional properties of the consolidated non-woven material. The layers are then point bonded or welded together. Preferably the layers are welded by passing the composite between an ultrasonic horn and an ultrasonic bond roll having raised areas for effecting the weld points. A thin inelastic membrane is formed at each of the weld points. The welded composite may then be pre-stretched to rupture the membranes, thereby creating apertures, which makes the composite permeable.

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 tough low set elastic film exhibiting surprisingly high tear resistance and method of making the same. The film of the invention is especially beneficial when holes form on the films during manufacturing or normal wear and method of making. The film has activated and non-activated zones formed during an activation process. The activated zones allow the film to expand without generating excessive tensional forces. The film has M-polypropylene or M-polyethlyene skin layers and a core layer having an elastomeric polyurethane, ethylene copolymer such as ethylene vinyl acetate, an ethylene/propylene copolymer elastomer or ethylene/propylene/diene terpolymer elastomer. The activation process allows the skin layers to behave more like the core layer.

Abstract: Improved thermoplastic polymer elastic film blend compositions including a crystalline isotactic polypropylene component and a crystallizable alpha-olefin and propylene copolymer component, the copolymer having crystallizable alpha-olefin sequences. In a preferred embodiment, improved thermoplastic polymer blends are provided made up of from 0% to 95%, preferably 2% to 40 weight % of the crystalline isotactic polypropylene and from 5% to 100%, preferably 60% to 98 weight % of a crystallizable ethylene and propylene copolymer, wherein the copolymer has isotactically crystallizable propylene sequences and is predominately propylene. The resultant blends manifest unexpected compatibility characteristics, and improved resistance to elastic deformation of the crystalline isotactic polypropylene and from of a crystallizable ethylene and propylene copolymer.

Abstract: A tough low set elastic film exhibiting surprisingly high tear resistance and method of making the same. The film of the invention is especially beneficial when holes form on the films during manufacturing or normal wear and method of making. The film has activated and non-activated zones formed during an activation process. The activated zones allow the film to expand without generating excessive tensional forces. The film has M-polypropylene or M-polyethylene skin layers and a core layer having an elastomeric polyurethane, ethylene copolymer such as ethylene vinyl acetate styrenic elastomer, an ethylene/propylene copolymer elastomer or ethylene/propylene/diene terpolymer elastomer. The activation process allows the skin layers to behave more like the core layer.

Abstract: A laminate having a first nonwoven and a second nonwoven bonded to an elastic web. The laminate includes at least one elastic lane and at least one stiffened lane.

Abstract: Bales of unvulcanized rubber, or compounding ingredients for unvulcanized rubber are packaged in film or bags made from an ethylene .alpha.-olefin copolymer having a Vicat softening point below 90.degree. C. and a melting point below 100.degree. C., and optionally a second ethylene copolymer is added to improve processability of the first ethylene copolymer. The second ethylene copolymer will contain more long-chain branches than the first ethylene copolymer. Such films may be included in a rubber compounding operation.

Abstract: Disclosed is an elastic film having improved properties. The elastic film can be blown, cast or cast embossed. The elastic film is processed by polymerizing olefins in the presence of a metallocene catalyst system.

Abstract: Bales of unvulcanized rubber, or compounding ingredients for unvulcanized rubber are packaged in film or bags made from an ethylene .alpha.-olefin copolymer having a Vicat softening point below 90.degree. C. end a melting point below 100.degree. C., and optionally a second ethylene copolymer is added to improve processability of the first ethylene copolymer. The second ethylene copolymer will contain more long-chain branches than the first ethylene copolymer. Such films may be included in a rubber compounding operation.

Abstract: This invention provides a process for preparing a heat shrinkable film by extruding a blend of elastomer, hydrocarbon oil and polyolefin to form a film, stretch orienting the film to form a stretched film, annealing the stretched film while still under stress, then cooling while further maintaining stress on the film. This invention further provides a process for preparing an elasticized composite material by attaching strips of the heat shrinkable film to a flexible substrate and then heating the composite.

Abstract: An oriented thermoplastic elastomer comprising an elastomer, EVA, and process oil is prepared by stretch orienting the film at an elevated temperature and annealing the film to freeze in stresses and strains in the film. In one embodiment, the thermoplastic elastomer is provided with a thin coating of a thermoplastic to provide nonblocking.

Abstract: An oriented thermoplastic elastomer comprising an elastomer, EVA, and process oil is prepared by stretch orienting the film at an elevated temperature and annealing the film to freeze in stresses and strains in the film. In one embodiment, the thermoplastic elastomer is provided with a thin coating of a thermoplastic to provide nonblocking.