Strand, substrate, and/or composite comprising re-activatable adhesive composition, and processes for making and/or utilizing same

Abstract

The present invention is generally directed to webs, components, composites, and strands comprising re-activatable adhesive compositions, as well as health-and-hygiene products employing such webs, components, composites, and strands. By inputting energy to the web, component, composite, or strand (including, for example, an elastic web, component, composite, or strand) comprising a re-activatable adhesive composition, the adhesive is activated (i.e., rendered tacky) so that it can be used to join or adhere the web, component, composite, or strand to another material (or another location on the same web, component, composite, or strand). Generally, energy will be inputted to the adhesive in the form of infrared heat, heat, or ultrasonic energy, although any energy form may be used, so long as the energy is capable of activating the adhesive. Prior to activation, webs, components, composites, and strands comprising such re-activatable adhesives are convenient to handle because the adhesive is not yet tacky. Furthermore, the re-activatable adhesive may be activated at desired locations only, thereby permitting construction of bond patterns that promote desired characteristics (e.g., desired ratios of elastic properties and softness).