US Patent 7803459 Non-fibrous adhesive matrix and laminate formed therefrom

A laminate comprising at least one non-fibrous adhesive layer positioned between a plurality of substrates, the non-fibrous adhesive layer comprising a stereo reticulated, continuous, non-fibrous matrix formed from a polymeric material. A process for producing such a stereo reticulated non-fibrous adhesive matrix comprising: a) blending an adhesive polymer with a blowing agent, b) melting the adhesive polymer/blowing agent blend while passing the molten polymer/blowing agent blend through an extruder to a shaping die and thereby producing a non-fibrous extrudate, c) cooling, drawing and orienting the non-fibrous extrudate, and thereby producing a continuous, stereo reticulated non-fibrous adhesive matrix.