Elastic nonwoven webs and films
AssigneeKimberly-Clark Corporation
InventorWilliam B. Haffner
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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.
Claims12
A process for producing an elastic laminate comprising the steps of:
- extruding an elastomeric polymer into an elastic layer;
- cross-linking said elastomeric polymer an amount sufficient to improve the stress-relaxation properties of said elastic layer;
- and
- attaching said elastic layer to an extendable non-elastic layer in a manner that allows said elastic layer to be stretched and contracted, said non-elastic layer comprising a fibrous web.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.