Cross-directional elastic films with machine direction stiffness

1 . A multilayer film, comprising:

an elastomeric polymeric core layer; and

a polymeric skin layer on a side of the core layer, wherein the polymeric skin layer is not elastomeric;

wherein the multilayer film is elastic in a cross-direction.

2 . The multilayer film of claim 1 , wherein the core layer comprises a thermoplastic elastomer.

3 . The multilayer film of claim 1 , wherein the core layer comprises a polymer selected from styrenic block copolymers, thermoplastic polyurethanes, single-site catalyzed polyolefins, thermoplastic polyester elastomers, or combinations thereof.

4 . The multilayer film of claim 1 , wherein the skin layer is extendible in the cross-direction.

5 . The multilayer film of claim 1 , wherein the skin layer comprises a polyolefin selected from polypropylene, polyethylene, polybutylene, polyester, polystyrene, or combinations thereof.

6 . The multilayer film of claim 1 , wherein the multilayer film is stable in a machine-direction.

7 . The multilayer film of claim 1 , wherein the skin layer has a coefficient of friction of about 0.75 or less.

8 . The multilayer film of claim 1 , wherein the core layer and the skin layer are coextruded.

9 . The multilayer film of claim 1 , comprising about 2.5% to about 15% by weight of the skin layer.

10 . The multilayer film of claim 1 , wherein the multilayer film can be stretched by at least about 50% in the cross-direction.

11 . The multilayer film of claim 1 , wherein the multilayer film can retract at least 50% when stretched to 100% in the cross-direction.

12 . The multilayer film of claim 1 , wherein the core layer comprises filler particles.

13 . The multilayer film of claim 12 , wherein the filler particles comprise a material selected from calcium carbonate, non-swellable clay, silica, alumina, barium sulfate, sodium carbonate, talc, magnesium sulfate, titanium dioxide, barium carbonate, kaolin, mica, carbon, calcium oxide, magnesium oxide, aluminum oxide, or combinations thereof.

14 . The multilayer film of claim 1 , wherein the skin layer comprises filler particles.

15 . The multilayer film of claim 14 , wherein the filler particles comprise a material selected from calcium carbonate, non-swellable clay, silica, alumina, barium sulfate, sodium carbonate, talc, magnesium sulfate, titanium dioxide, barium carbonate, kaolin, mica, carbon, calcium oxide, magnesium oxide, aluminum oxide, or combinations thereof.

16 . The multilayer film of claim 1 , wherein both the core layer and the skin layer comprise filler particles.

17 . The multilayer film of claim 1 , wherein the multilayer film has a water vapor transmission rate of at least about 300 grams/m 2 -24 hours.

18 . The multilayer film of claim 1 , wherein the multilayer film has a water vapor transmission rate of about 1000 grams/m 2 -24 hours to about 5000 grams/m 2 -24 hours.

19 . A breathable multilayer film, comprising:

an elastomeric polymeric core layer;

a polymeric first skin layer on a first side of the core layer, wherein the polymeric first skin layer is not elastomeric; and

a polymeric second skin layer on a second side of the core layer, wherein the polymeric second skin layer is not elastomeric;

wherein the multilayer film is elastic in a cross-direction and has a water vapor transmission rate of at least about 300 grams/m 2 -24 hours.

20 . The multilayer film of claim 19 , wherein the core layer comprises a thermoplastic elastomer.

21 . The multilayer film of claim 19 , wherein the core layer comprises a polymer selected from styrenic block copolymers, thermoplastic polyurethanes, single-site catalyzed polyolefins, thermoplastic polyester elastomers, or combinations thereof.

22 . The multilayer film of claim 19 , wherein each of the first and second skin layers comprises a polyolefin selected from polypropylene, polyethylene, polybutylene, polyester, polystyrene, or combinations thereof.

23 . The multilayer film of claim 19 , wherein the multilayer film is stable in a machine-direction.

24 . The multilayer film of claim 19 , wherein the core layer and the first and second skin layers are coextruded.

25 . The multilayer film of claim 19 , wherein the first and second skin layers each constitute about 7.5% or less of an overall multilayer film weight.

26 . The multilayer film of claim 19 , wherein the core layer comprises filler particles.

27 . The multilayer film of claim 26 , wherein the filler particles comprise a material selected from calcium carbonate, non-swellable clay, silica, alumina, barium sulfate, sodium carbonate, talc, magnesium sulfate, titanium dioxide, barium carbonate, kaolin, mica, carbon, calcium oxide, magnesium oxide, aluminum oxide, or combinations thereof.

28 . The multilayer film of claim 26 , wherein at least one of the first and second skin layers also comprises the filler particles.

29 . A method of producing a multilayer film that is elastic in a cross-direction and inelastic in a machine direction, the method comprising:

extruding an elastomeric polymeric core layer between a first polymeric skin layer and a second polymeric skin layer, wherein the first and second polymeric skin layers are not elastomeric; and

orienting the first and second skin layers to provide the multilayer film with cross-direction elasticity.

30 . The method of claim 29 , wherein orienting the first and second skin layers comprises stretching the multilayer film in the machine direction.

31 . The method of claim 29 , wherein orienting the first and second skin layers comprises stretching the multilayer film in the cross-direction.

32 . The method of claim 31 , wherein stretching the multilayer film in the cross-direction comprises passing the multilayer film through a nip between two grooved rolls.

33 . The method of claim 31 , wherein stretching the multilayer film in the cross-direction comprises tentering the multilayer film.