US 6,982,231 B1
Elastomeric, breathable laminate with enhanced breathability upon extension
Duane Girard Uitenbroek, Little Chute, Wis. (US); Susan Elaine Shawver, Roswell, Ga. (US); Paul Windsor Estey, Cumming, Ga. (US); Cindy Janja Blackstock, Cumming, Ga. (US); William Bela Haffner, Ball Ground, Ga. (US); and Glynis Allicia Walton, Roswell, Ga. (US)
Assigned to Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc., Neenah, Wis. (US)
Filed on Oct. 27, 2000, as Appl. No. 9/698,595.
Int. Cl. B32B 27/12 (2006.01)
U.S. Cl. 442—394 32 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A breathable laminate, comprising:
a breathable, microporous, elastic film; and
a nonwoven facing material bonded to the film;
wherein the laminate is selectively stretched to form at least one stretched zone thereof resulting in zones of differential breathability comprising at least one zone of higher breathability and at least one zone of moderate breathability;
wherein the at least one stretched zone of the laminate consists of the at least one zone of higher breathability; and
wherein each of the zones of differential breathability comprises a portion of the film and a portion of the nonwoven facing material.