Printable elastic composite

Abstract

A composite that contains an elastic film laminated to a meltblown facing is provided. During lamination, apertures and discrete bond sites may be concurrently formed in the elastic film. The discrete bond sites may be located proximate (adjacent or near to) a perimeter defined by corresponding apertures formed by displacement of the film. The location of the bond sites adjacent to or near the apertures may enhance the durability of the meltblown facing by strengthening the area surrounding the apertures. Furthermore, the content of the elastic film and the temperature/pressure of lamination may be selected to that the film possesses a sufficient tack for adhering to the facing at regions other than those fused together by the bonding elements of the patterned roll. Such secondary bonding further stabilizes the meltblown facing and renders it suitable for printing. Further, the film is under tension in the machine direction during lamination. Subsequent to lamination, however, the film is retracted so that the facing retracts toward its original machine direction length, thereby gathering and forming pleats. It has been discovered that these pleats have a relatively small amplitude (height), as well as a substantially uniform frequency across the surface of the facing. Such a small height and increased regularity improves the ability to transfer an ink to 'peaks' of the pleats, thereby improving print quality and uniformity.