Apertured elastic film laminates
AssigneeKimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
InventorsJose Augusto Vidal De Siqueira, Michael R. Vaughan
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Abstract
An elastic laminate is provided including at least one gathered outer facing layer of a fabric and an apertured elastic film attached thereto. The aperture film includes a series of alternating first and second segments that extend continuously along the direction of elasticity. The first segments of the film are substantially devoid of any apertures and the second segments are strewn with apertures of irregular size and shape. The regionally limited and irregular apertures are formed by the controlled rupturing of the film within those segments. The elastic laminate has excellent air-permeability and elastic properties.
Claims20
A composite elastic material comprising:
- a laminate having a first fabric attached to an elastic film, the laminate extends in a first direction and a second direction perpendicular to the first direction;
- the first fabric is extensible in the first direction and the laminate is elastic in the first direction;
- and
- wherein the laminate is formed by inserting the first fabric and the film in a stacked relationship and stretched in the first direction into intermeshing grooved rolls, such that the first fabric and film become bonded and stretched in the second direction providing controlled rupturing of the film resulting in:
- the film having a plurality of alternating first and second segments that extend continuously in the first direction,
- the first segments of the elastic film being strewn with randomly positioned apertures of irregular size and shape,
- the second segments of the elastic film being substantially devoid of apertures;
- and
- wherein the laminate has an air permeability of between about 150-1000 CFM.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.