Abstract:
A conformable surfacing veil (20) having an improved soft feel is formed by admixing a thermoplastic sheath-core bicomponent fiber (24) with a regularly or irregularly shaped structural fiber (22) to form a core composition for the mat. The bicomponent fiber is formed from a core material (26) and a sheath material (28). Suitable core material include thermoplastic polymers such as polyethylene terephthalate that have a higher melting point than the sheath like polymer. Suitable sheath materials include polyethylene, polypropylene, and copolyesters having softening points lower than the core material. Thus, when the mixture of structural fibers and bicomponent fibers is heated above the softening point of thesheath materials, the bicomponent fiber will fuse to the structural fibers. The surfacing veils can then be laminated to other reinforcing mats for use as a reinforcement for plastic articles.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to absorbent articles, such as diapers and sanitary napkins, and acquisition layers useful for such articles. More specifically, the invention relates to an acquisition layer for an absorbent article, the liquid acquisition layer com-prising a multitude of fibers and a binder, the liquid acquisition layer having a caliper which decreases in response to external pressure and increases upon removal of said external pressure. In accordance with the present invention the increase in caliper is measured by the recovery value as defined herein and the liquid acquisition layer recov-ery value at 45 C is at least 65 % of the recovery value at 20 C.
Abstract:
A process for making an absorbent material involves flash-drying a superabsorbent polymer precursor composition. The process may be used to make a superabsorbent-fiber material without the necessity of mixing conventional superabsorbent solid particles with pulp fluff is provided. The synthesis (i.e., polymerization) of the superabsorbent is completely integrated into the process for forming the absorbent material. One or more streams of superabsorbent polymer precursor composition are provided, to which a plurality of individual fibers may be added. The resulting in-situ polymerized superabsorbent-fiber material is then flash-dried and can subsequently be formed into a superabsorbent-fiber composite. The flash-drying is relatively inexpensive and requires little drying time compared to conventional drying methods.
Abstract:
A process for making an absorbent material involves flash-drying a superabsorbent polymer precursor composition. The process may be used to make a superabsorbent-fiber material without the necessity of mixing conventional superabsorbent solid particles with pulp fluff is provided. The synthesis (i.e., polymerization) of the superabsorbent is completely integrated into the process for forming the absorbent material. One or more streams of superabsorbent polymer precursor composition are provided, to which a plurality of individual fibers may be added. The resulting in-situ polymerized superabsorbent-fiber material is then flash-dried and can subsequently be formed into a superabsorbent-fiber composite. The flash-drying is relatively inexpensive and requires little drying time compared to conventional drying methods.
Abstract:
A method for preparing stretchable bonded nonwoven fabrics which involves forming a substantially nonbonded nonwoven web of multiple-component continuous filaments or staple fibers which are capable of developing three-dimensional spiral crimp, activating the spiral crimp by heating substantially nonbonded web under free shrinkage conditions during which the nonwoven remains substantially nonbonded, followed by bonding the crimped nonwoven web using an array of discrete mechanical, chemical, or thermal bonds. Nonwoven fabrics prepared according to the method of the current invention have an improved combination of stretch-recovery properties, textile hand and drape compared to multiple-component nonwoven fabrics known in the art.
Abstract:
A method for preparing stretchable bonded nonwoven fabrics which involves forming a substantially nonbonded nonwoven web of multiple-component continuous filaments or staple fibers which are capable of developing three-dimensional spiral crimp, activating the spiral crimp by heating substantially nonbonded web under free shrinkage conditions during which the nonwoven remains substantially nonbonded, followed by bonding the crimped nonwoven web using an array of discrete mechanical, chemical, or thermal bonds. Nonwoven fabrics prepared according to the method of the current invention have an improved combination of stretch-recovery properties, textile hand and drape compared to multiple-component nonwoven fabrics known in the art.
Abstract:
A process for preparing nonwoven webs comprising multiple component continuous filaments having high levels of three-dimensional helical crimp utilizing draw rolls to provide a high degree of orientation to each of the polymeric components by mechanically drawing the filaments under conditions wherein the polymeric components remain substantially amorphous and a stretchable nonwoven web comprising multiple component, continuous filaments having high levels of three-dimensional helical crimp.
Abstract:
The present invention is directed to crimped and resilient polymeric fibers and to fabrics and laminates made from the fibers. In general, the fibers are produced by crimping a polymeric fiber and then cross-linking a polymer and/or monomer contained within the fiber. Cross-linking the polymer makes the crimp contained with the fiber more permanent and more resilient. When formed into a nonwoven web, the fibers produce high loft fabrics which are resilient to compressive forces. Nonwoven webs made in accordance with the present invention are particularly well suited for use in filter products and liquid absorbent products.
Abstract:
Spunbond multicomponent filaments and nonwoven webs made from the filaments are disclosed. In accordance with the present invention, the multicomponent filaments contain a crimp enhancement additive. Specifically, the crimp enhancement additive is added to the polymeric component that has the slower solidification rate. The additive enhances crimp, allows for highly crimped filaments to be made at low fiber linear densities, improves the integrity of unbonded webs made from the filaments, and produces webs with improved stretch and cloth-like properties. The additive incorporated into the filaments is a random copolymer of butylene and propylene.
Abstract:
This invention relates to flash spinning copolymers which provide softness and quietness to nonwoven sheet structures formed of plexifilamentary film-fibril material. In particular, flash spinning polyethylene with an ethylene copolymer provides a substantial improvement in softness and quietness.