Latent elastic olefin film laminates and methods of making absorbent articles incorporating the same

Abstract

A latent elastic film laminate is provided including a film predominantly comprising olefin elastomers. The film is stretched and maintained in a stretched state in order to impart the desired level of latent elasticity such that the conditioned film laminate will shrink upon activation, such as by heating. The latent elastic film laminate can be advantageously used in the manufacture of various elasticated articles, including absorbent personal care articles, by activating the latent elasticity after attachment to the article and thereby shining and elasticizing components to which the film laminate is attached.

Description

[0001]This application claims priority from U.S. provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62 / 415186 filed on Oct. 31, 2016, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND[0002]Elastic materials are commonly incorporated into many articles worn on or about the body in order to improve their ability to better fit the contours of the body. Examples of such articles that commonly employ elastic materials include diapers, training pants, adult incontinence garments, personal protective garments, wrap bandages, and so forth. However, elastic materials often present an undesirable hand-feel and / or level of softness. Thus, it is common to employ elastic composite materials in personal care articles and garments in view of the potential for skin contact. The elastic composites material may, for example, be formed from an elastic film and one or more outer facing materials, such as a nonwoven fabric, that provide the desired hand-feel and softness. The nonwoven fa...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention provides a heat shrinkable composite material made of an elastic film and a support layer. The composite material has a heat shrinkage greater than 15% at 72°C. The elastic film can be made of olefin polymers, especially semi-crystalline polyolefin polymers, and may contain ethylene and propylene polymers or blends thereof. The support layer can be a fabric such as a nonwoven fabric. The composite material can be attached to one or more components of an article using heat and acts to pull inwardly between the points of attachment, creating an elasticized region within the article. The technical effect is the creation of elastic components in articles such as diapers or garments, allowing them to fit comfortably.

Problems solved by technology

However, elastic materials often present an undesirable hand-feel and / or level of softness.

Unfortunately, however, the stretchable nature of the composite materials often causes problems during the manufacturing process of the articles incorporating the same.

This partial extension of the stretchable composite material can make it difficult to properly measure and position the desired quantity of the elastic material in the final product.

Further, manufacture of multi-layered articles may require that the extensibility be imparted to the article itself and the processes of Vander Wielen and Wright, by their nature, are not readily applied to manufacture of complex multi-component articles.

However, Hughes requires the use of relatively expensive polymeric components as well as additional blending and compounding steps.

Images