High strength through-bonding technique for elastomeric laminates

Abstract

The fabrication of multi-layered laminated structures involves a high strength through-bonding technique. In its preferred embodiment, the structure is a nonwoven trilaminate structure which has outer layers of nonwoven material, and an inner elastomeric layer which has a plurality of openings therethrough, (e.g., an elastomeric mesh). During fabrication, beads of through-bonding adhesive (e.g., oil resistant, polybutylene-based hot melt adhesive) is applied to at least one of the nonwoven webs. The inner elastomeric mesh web and the two outer nonwoven webs are then aligned and fed into a compression nip. The compression nip compresses the webs together to obtain intimate contact of the two outer nonwoven webs through the openings in the inner elastomeric mesh web. In the resultant trilaminate web, the inner elastomeric mesh layer is mechanically secured within the trilaminate structure via the through-bonding even if bonds directly between the inner elastomeric mesh and either of the outer nonwoven webs fail. Preferably, the beads of through-bonding adhesive are applied only in regions of the web where strength enhancement is desired to insure the integrity and durability of the finished product, e.g. adjacent the longitudinal edges of the finished nonwoven trilaminate product.