Biaxially elastic nonwoven laminates having inelastic zones

An absorbent or barrier product comprising a constrained elastic nonwoven laminate made by a method comprising:

• providing a biaxially elastic nonwoven laminate comprising at least one meltspun elastic fabric and at least one extensible fabric or film;
• and fusing at least a portion of the at least one meltspun elastic fabric to at least one of the extensible fabrics to create at least one inelastic zone;
• wherein the laminate has a CD width, and the at least one inelastic zone runs perpendicular to the CD of the laminate such that the inelastic zone has MD length longer than CD width of the inelastic zone, and where the CD width of the inelastic zone is at least 5% of the CD width of the laminate;
• and wherein the meltspun elastic fabric comprises 70 to 100 wt % of a propylene-based elastomer, based on the weight of the meltspun elastic fabric, where the propylene-based elastomer comprises propylene-derived units and 5 to 35 wt % ethylene-derived units, based on the weight of the propylene-based elastomer, and where the propylene-based elastomer has a heat of fusion of from 0.5 to 80 J/g and a MFR of from 11 to 50 dg/min, wherein the product is selected from personal care products, baby diapers, training pants, absorbent underpads, swim wear, wipes, feminine hygiene products, bandages, wound care products, medical garments, surgical gowns, filters, adult incontinence products, surgical drapes, coverings, garments, protective apparel, clothing apparel, or cleaning articles and apparatus, and wherein the at least one inelastic zone remains in the absorbent or barrier product.

A method of imparting constraint in a biaxially elastic nonwoven laminate comprising:

• providing a biaxially elastic nonwoven laminate comprising at least one meltspun elastic fabric and at least one extensible fabric or film;
• and
• fusing one or more discrete zones of the at least one meltspun elastic fabric to at least one of the extensible fabrics to create zones that possess an elasticity that is at least 40% less elastic relative to the initial elasticity of the meltspun elastic fabric;
• wherein the meltspun elastic fabric comprises 70 to 100 wt % of a propylene-based elastomer, based on the weight of the meltspun elastic fabric, where the propylene-based elastomer comprises propylene-derived units and 5 to 35 wt % ethylene-derived units, based on the weight of the propylene-based elastomer, and where the propylene-based elastomer has a heat of fusion of from 0.5 to 80 J/g and a MFR of from 1 to 50 dg/min,
• wherein at least one of the zones runs along the CD width and parallel to the MD of the biaxially elastic nonwoven laminate, such that the at least one zone has MD length greater than CD width of the zone, and the CD width of the zone is at least 5% of the CD width of the laminate.