Abstract: The present invention provides a composite elastic necked-bonded material including at least one necked material joined to at least one elastic sheet. The composite elastic necked-bonded material is stretchable in a direction generally parallel to the direction of constriction or necking of the necked material. Also disclosed is a method of producing a composite elastic necked-bonded material by necking a neckable material and then joining the necked material to an elastic sheet.

Abstract: The present invention provides a composite elastic material capable of stretching in at least two directions. The material is disclosed as having at least one elastic sheet and at least one necked material joined to the elastic sheet at least at three locations arranged in a nonlinear configuration, so that the necked web is gathered between at least two of those locations. Also disclosed is a method of producing a composite elastic material capable of stretching in at least two directions.

Abstract: The present invention provides a composite elastic material adapted to stretch in at least two directions and which includes at least one reversibly necked material. The composite elastic material is disclosed as having at least one elastic sheet and at least one reversibly necked material joined to the elastic sheet at least at three locations arranged in a nonlinear configuration, so that the reversibly necked material is gathered between those locations. Also disclosed is a method of producing such a composite elastic material.

Abstract: A method of treating a low hydrohead fibrous porous web material to increase its retentive wettability, by at least about 50%, as compared to untreated low hydrohead web material, is disclosed. The increase in retentive wettability is evidenced by the increase in the average number of runoff tests that the treated web material can sustain without unacceptable runoff is disclosed.The invention is also directed to products prepared or preparable by the process.

Abstract: A method of treating a high hydrohead fibrous porous web to increase its retentive acquision rate and retentive absorbency, as compared to untreated web, is disclosed.The invention is also directed to products prepared by or preparable by the process.

Abstract: A composite elastic material including at least one reversibly necked material and at least one elastic sheet joined at least at two locations in which the reversibly necked material is formed from a neckable material which has been treated so that, upon application of a force to extend the necked material to its pre-necked dimensions, the material returns generally to its necked dimensions upon termination of the force. Also disclosed is a process for making a composite elastic material by joining a reversibly necked material to an elastic sheet at least at two locations.

Abstract: A reversibly necked material capable of stretching at least about 75 percent and recovering at least about 50 percent when stretched about 75 percent, typically in a direction generally parallel to the direction of necking. The reversibly necked material is made by applying a tensioning force to at least one material to neck the material, heating the necked material, and cooling the necked material that the reversibly necked material possesses a greater heat of fusion and/or a lower onset of melting than the material before heating while stretched.

Abstract: A stable, nonreactive, thermoplastic polymer blend comprising form about 10 to about 95 percent by weight of a superabsorbent, thermoplastic polymeric composition and from about 90 to about 5 percent by weight of at least one thermoplastic polymer.

Abstract: A nonwoven superabsorbent web comprising fibers composed of a superabsorbent, thermoplastic polymeric composition, such as a nonwoven superabsorbent web comprising a plurality of substantially randomly deposited monofilaments of a thermoplastic superabsorbent. Such a web is prepared by meltblowing a thermoplastic superabsorbent.

Abstract: A stable, nonreactive, thermoplastic polymer blend comprising from about 10 to about 95 percent by weight of a superabsorbent, thermoplastic polymeric composition and from about 90 to about 5 percent by weight of at least one thermoplastic polymer.

Abstract: An elastic laminate which includes a first elastic sheet having at least one other elastic sheet joined thereto. The first elastic sheet is formed from an ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer. The second elastic sheet is formed from a thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer. The sheets may be nonwoven webs of meltblown fibers.

Abstract: An elastomeric nonwoven web is formed by meltblowing fibers composed of a polyetherester. Nonelastic fibers and/or particulate materials may also be included in the web.

Abstract: Elastomeric materials such as elastomeric nonwoven webs of elastomeric meltblown fibers, elastomeric films or elastomeric molded materials are attained by forming, e.g., extruding or meltblowing, a polystyrenic poly(ethylenebutylene) thermoplastic block copolymer at elevated temperatures of at least about 290 degrees Centigrade, e.g., from about 290 degrees Centigrade to 345 degrees Centigrade. The resulting products retain good elastic elongation and strength properties. In the case of elastomeric nonwoven webs of elastomeric fibers, other fibers such as cellulosic fibers, e.g., cotton fibers, may be combined with the elastomeric fibers by known methods to provide an elastomeric nonwoven web comprising a blend of the elastomeric fibers with other fibers. Such web or film materials are useful generally in applications utilizing webs or sheets of elastic fabrics or the like, for example, in making composite materials in which an elastic layer of material is bonded to a gatherable web.

Abstract: The disclosure is generally directed to an extrudable elastomeric composition formed by blending from at least 10 percent, by weight, of an A-B-A' block copolymer where "A" and "A'" are each a thermoplastic endblock which includes a styrenic moiety and where "B" is an elastomeric poly(ethylene-butylene) midblock with up to at least about 90 percent, by weight, of at least one polyolefin which, when blended with the A-B-A' block copolymer and subjected to an effective combination of elevated temperature and elevated pressure conditions, is adapted to be extruded in blended form, with the A-B-A' block copolymer. Fibrous nonwoven elastomeric webs may be formed from the extrudable composition and processes for forming the fibrous nonwoven elastomeric webs are also disclosed.

Abstract: A process for producing a composite nonwoven elastic web including a nonwoven elastic web joined to a fibrous nonwoven gathered web is disclosed. The process includes the steps of (a) providing a nonwoven elastic web having a relaxed unbiased length and a stretched, biased length; (b) stretching the nonwoven elastic web to its stretched, biased length; (c) forming a fibrous nonwoven gatherable web directly upon a surface of the nonwoven elastic web while maintaining the nonwoven elastic web at its stretched, biased length; (d) forming a composite nonwoven elastic web by joining the fibrous nonwoven gatherable web to the nonwoven elastic web while continuing to maintain the nonwoven elastic web at its stretched length; and (e) relaxing the nonwoven elastic web to its relaxed length to gather the fibrous nonwoven gatherable web.

Abstract: Garments having a medial section which includes a gathered crotch portion and transversely opposed side sections are made by stretching an elastic layer transversely of the garment and stretch-bonding it to a gatherable non-elastic layer. Upon release of the elongating forces, the medial portion of the resulting composite contracts to form gathers and provides an elasticized portion which enhances fit and comfort of the garment. The elastic material may be liquid-impervious and the non-elastic material may be breathable whereby the medial portion of the garment, which may comprise a disposable diaper or panty, is rendered leak-proof or at least leak-resistant and the side portions are breathable for enhanced comfort. A method for making the garment comprises stretching the elastic material transversely to elongate it and maintaining it in its transversely elongated condition while bonding it by any suitable means to the gatherable non-elastic material.

Abstract: A process for producing a gathered nonwoven web having elastic characteristics is disclosed. The process includes the steps of (a) providing an extendable and retractable or contractable forming surface; (b) extending the forming surface to its extended length; (c) forming a fibrous nonwoven gatherable web directly upon a surface of the forming surface while maintaining the forming surface at its extended length to separably join the fibrous nonwoven gatherable web to the forming surface while continuing to maintain the forming surface at its extended length; (d) contracting the forming surface to its contracted length to gather the fibrous nonwoven gatherable web and (e) separating the gathered fibrous nonwoven web from the forming surface. The gathered fibrous nonwoven web formed by the disclosed process is also disclosed and described.

Abstract: A specific class of thermoplastic polymers with improved processability resulting from initial partial degradation of high molecular weight polymers using a chemical prodegradant present in excess of the amount reacted during pelletization. This class of polymers includes polymers and copolymers of polypropylene and butylene. After pelletizing, the polymer including unreacted prodegradant can be safely handled and shipped without difficulty. When remelted by extruding or the like, the prodegradant in the pellets reacts, further reducing the molecular weight as well as narrowing the molecular weight distribution of the polymer to a point where high capacity production of quality fibers and extruded products can be obtained.The prodegradant is preferably of the type that predictably and controllably affects the polymer molecular properties without being significantly affected by minor fluctuations in the polymer producer's or processor's manufacturing steps.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for forming nonwoven webs by spinning filaments into a quench chamber where they are contacted with a quenching fluid, then utilizing the quench fluid to draw the filaments through a two-dimensional nozzle spanning the full machine width, and collecting the filaments as a web on a porous surface. In contrast with the prior art, low motive fluid pressures can be used, and a non-eductive drawing means utilized to minimize air turbulence and the resulting filament entanglement in the drawing means while maintaining substantially constant cross machine filament distribution. The apparatus and process reduce problems relating to filament breakage and spreading and result in increased productivity and improved web formation. Other advantages include the ability to continuously spin highly pigmented polymer filaments and reduced hazards associates with high noise levels.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for forming nonwoven webs by spinning filaments into a quench chamber where they are contacted with a quenching fluid, then utilizing the quench fluid to draw the filaments through a two-dimensional nozzle spanning the full machine width, and collecting the filaments as a web on a porous surface. In contrast with the prior art, low motive fluid pressures can be used, and a non-eductive drawing means utilized to minimize air turbulence and the resulting filament entanglement in the drawing means while maintaining substantially constant cross machine filament distribution. The apparatus and process reduce problems relating to filament breakage and spreading and result in increased productivity and improved web formation. Other advantages include the ability to continuously spin highly pigmented polymer filaments and reduced hazards associated with high noise levels.