Composite elastomeric material
First Claim
1. An elastic composite material comprising at least one elastic web joined at spaced-apart locations to at least one gatherable web, said gatherable web being gathered between said spaced-apart locations, said elastic web comprising a copolymer made of ethylene and from about 10% by weight to about 50% by weight of at least one other vinyl monomer selected from the group consisting of vinyl ester monomers and unsaturated aliphatic monocarboxylic acids and alkyl esters of said monocarboxylic acids.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Describes improved composite material comprising an elastic web preferably formed of collected, entangled, nonwoven fibers comprising a copolymer made of ethylene and at least one other vinyl monomer selected from the group including vinyl ester monomers and unsaturated aliphatic monocarboxylic acids and alkyl esters of these monocarboxylic acids, where the amount of monomer other than the ethylene in the copolymer is sufficient to impart elasticity to a cohesive nonwoven web formed from melt-blown fibers of the material. This elastic web is bonded to at least one other web, and preferably is interrelated between two other nonwoven webs of spun-bonded or melt-blown fibers. Discloses processes of making these composite materials. The composites are useful for protective covers and wraps, outerwear, undergarments, menstrual and incontinence control articles, and garments such as disposable diapers and the like.
218 Citations
74 Claims
- 1. An elastic composite material comprising at least one elastic web joined at spaced-apart locations to at least one gatherable web, said gatherable web being gathered between said spaced-apart locations, said elastic web comprising a copolymer made of ethylene and from about 10% by weight to about 50% by weight of at least one other vinyl monomer selected from the group consisting of vinyl ester monomers and unsaturated aliphatic monocarboxylic acids and alkyl esters of said monocarboxylic acids.
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13. An elastic composite material comprising at least one elastic web joined at spaced-apart locations to at least one gatherable web, said gatherable web being gathered between said spaced-apart locations, said elastic web comprising poly(ethylene-vinyl acetate) having a nominal melt index in the range from 50 to 200 at 190°
- C. and comprising from 18% by weight to about 36% by weight of vinyl acetate, said composite material being made by
(a) tensioning said elastic web to elongate it; (b) bonding said elastic web to at least one gatherable web under conditions that soften portions of said elastic web at locations that are spaced from each other, to form a bonded composite web, and (c) relaxing said composite web immediately after the bonding step whereby said elongated elastic web contract and the gatherable web is gathered to form said composite elastic material. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
- C. and comprising from 18% by weight to about 36% by weight of vinyl acetate, said composite material being made by
- 27. An elastic composite material comprising at least one elastic web joined at spaced-apart locations to at least one gatherable web, said gatherable web being gathered between said spaced-apart locations, said elastic web comprising poly (ethylene-vinyl acetate) comprising from about 10% by weight to about 50% by weight of vinyl acetate.
- 39. An elastic composite material comprising at least one elastic web joined at spaced-apart locations to at least one gatherable web, said gatherable web being gathered between said spaced-apart locations, said elastic web comprising poly (ethylene-vinyl acetate comprising from about 18% by weight to about 36% by weight of vinyl acetate.
- 51. An elastic composite material comprising at least one elastic web joined at spaced-apart locations to at least one gatherable web, said gatherable web being gathered between said spaced-apart locations, said elastic web comprising poly (ethylene-vinyl acetate) comprising from about 26% by weight to about 30% by weight of vinyl acetate.
- 63. An elastic composite material comprising at least one elastic web joined at spaced-apart locations to at least one gatherable web, said gatherable web being gathered between said spaced-apart locations, said elastic web comprising poly (ethylene-vinyl acetate) consisting essentially of from about 26% by weight to about 30% by weight of vinyl acetate.
Specification