ACTIVATABLE ADHESIVE WEBS AND ARTICLES MADE THEREFROM

摘要

The present invention relates to activatable webs having fibrous substrates coated with activatable adhesive and methods of forming the webs into articl es by indirectly activating the adhesive using microwave energy. The activatabl e web may further include a protective coating of a material that is compatibl e with the adhesive. One or more activatable webs can be formed into the shape of an article such as by wrapping the activatable webs around a mandrel. The activatable webs can be subjected to microwave energy shortly before being formed into the shape of the article or while they are held in the appropria te shape. The microwave energy is absorbed by moisture retained within the fibrous substrate, which becomes heated. The heated moisture activates the adhesive, causing it to bond to any webs in which the activatable web has be en brought into contact and to stiffen.