COMPOSITE ELASTIC IN ONE DIRECTION AND EXTENSIBLE IN ANOTHER DIRECTION

摘要

A laminate is provided that is highly conformable to the contours of a wearer's body when used in a personal care absorbent article or a medical article. The laminate is extendible in its cross direction to a width at least 25% greater than an original, unstretched width upon application of a stretching force and exhibits little or no retractive force in the cross direction once they have been stretched. Elastic elements are placed to provide stretch and recovery in the machine direction of the laminate without affecting the inelasticity of the cross direction. When the garment is worn, the laminate is extendible only in one axis where needed to provide a substantially perfect fit on the wearer while the retractive force provided in a second axis of the laminate helps ensure snug fit.