Patent ID: 6746978
Filing Date: 2004-06-08
Classification: B29C,D06C,Y10S,Y10T

Abstract:
A nonwoven web having elastic properties in the cross-machine direction wherein the anisotropic precursor web consists essentially of thermally bonded thermoplastic and non-thermoplastic fibers, said nonwoven web containing from 60 to 100% thermoplastic fibers and the remainder non-thermoplastic fibers, said precursor web being continuously drawn within a web heating means by a multiplicity of drawing means wherein the heated web is subjected to a variable tension means sufficient to provide a strain rate of at least 3.5 in./in./minute but equal to or less than 8 in./in./minute, said strain rate calculated based on the apparent gage length between individual elements of said tension means, whereby the resultant web is characterized by a narrowing of its lateral dimension, an increase in its length, an increase in web thickness and the development of a web elasticity of at least 85% recovery after being elongated at least 50% in the direction perpendicular to and in the same plane as the drawing forces.