Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to elastic nonwoven webs and films made from thermoplastic polymers. In particular, the present invention is directed to forming nonwoven webs and films from an elastomeric polymer and then cross-linking the polymer in order to improve the stretch characteristics of the article. Cross-linking also makes the article more temperature resistant. in one embodiment, the elastomeric polymer is a metallocene-catalyzed copolymer of polyethylene. Elastic layers made in accordance with the present invention can be combined into laminates and used in various products, such as diapers and other personal care articles.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a breathable, oriented microporous elastomeric film. The present invention also relates to a process for forming the breathable film including the step of stretching a filled film to produce a microporous film layer.

Abstract: Uniaxially oriented microporous breathable films having exceptional toughness transverse to the direction of orientation are disclosed herein. Such films include a particulate filler and a nonelastic material including a copolymer of ethylene with at least one C.sub.4 -C.sub.8 .alpha.-olefin monomer, such copolymers being described in the trade as "super tough", "next generation", etc., and being prepared with "new" or "improved" catalyst systems or with metallocene or similar single-site catalysts. A method of manufacture is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a breathable laminate including an oriented microporous elastomeric film and at least one support layer bonded to the film. The present invention also relates to a process for forming the breathable laminate including the step of stretching a filled film to produce a microporous film before bonding it to a support.

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 extruding a film of substantially molten elastomer through a die tip; depositing the extruded elastomeric film onto a tensioned, necked material within from about 0.1 to about 1 second of exiting the die tip to form a multilayer material; and then immediately applying pressure to the multilayer material to bond the tensioned, necked material to the elastomeric film.

Abstract: An extrudable elastomeric composition including an elastomeric A-B-A' block copolymer where A and A' are each a thermoplastic polymer endblock and where B is a conjugated diene monomer unit having a low degree of residual ethylenic unsaturation; a polyolefin; and an effective amount of a transition metal compound which is substantially uniformly distributed in the blend containing the polyolefin and block copolymer so that the extrudable elastomeric composition is adapted form an elastic sheet that is degraded after less than about 30 days continuous exposure to a thermally oxidative environment. The transition metal compound may be a salt or complex of cobalt and/or manganese and is added in an amount that will provide at least about 0.01 percent, by weight, of the transition metal in the extrudable composition.

Abstract: Molecularly oriented films are produced which comprise a layer containing a blend of EVOH and nylon. The films exhibit a desirable balance of oxygen barrier and strength properties, and are ideally suited for many packaging applications.

Abstract: An unbalanced polymeric film has a plurality of adjacent molecularly oriented layers. The first, second, and third layers are molecularly oriented, and are, respectively (1) polypropylene, (2) anhydride modified polypropylene and (3) a barrier layer of either ethylene vinyl alcohol or nylon or a blend of ethylene vinyl alcohol and nylon. A fourth layer is optionally oriented and serves as a heat sealable layer having good adhesion to the barrier layer. In a more sophisticated structure, the fourth layer is oriented and serves an adhesive layer between the barrier layer and a fifth sealant layer. The fifth layer is then optionally oriented. A process for making the films comprises heating the exterior surfaces of the two surface layers to a temperature between 10.degree. and 100.degree. F. below the respective heat sealing temperature of each of the respective surface layers, stretching the so-heated film, annealing the stretched film, and cooling the annealed film.