Abstract:
Provided is a composite sheet that is particularly useful as an AQDL component in absorbent articles. The composite sheet includes a fluid acquisition component and an airlaid component. The airlaid component may include one or more airlaid layers that are successively formed overlying each other. Each of the airlaid layers are adjacent to, and in direct contact with, immediately adjacent layers of the airlaid component so that adjacent layers are in fluid communication with respect to each other. The fluid acquisition component includes a nonwoven fabric comprising a carded nonwoven fabric comprised of a plurality of staple fibers that are air through bonded to each other to form a coherent nonwoven fabric. The airlaid layer(s) include a blend of cellulose and non-cellulose staple fibers. The staple fibers may be bicomponent fibers having a polyethyelene sheath and a polypropylene or polyethylene terephthalate core, and mixtures of such fibers.
Abstract:
A system and associated method for preparing a composite sheet material is provided. The system includes a nonwoven fabric source; a collection surface onto which a nonwoven fabric is deposited; a carding device disposed downstream of the nonwoven fabric source overlying the collection surface, the carding device including a main cylinder, an air source configured to provide a stream of air; an air manifold having an air inlet in communication with the air source, an air outlet, a fiber inlet, an interior channel, and a fiber outlet. The air outlet is positioned to direct an air stream against a surface the cylinder to dislodge fibers from the surface of the cylinder. The dislodged fibers enter the fiber inlet and flow to the fiber outlet at which point the fibers are deposited onto a surface of the nonwoven fabric. The fabrics are then bonded to form a coherent sheet material.
Abstract:
A system for preparing a polylactic acid (PLA) spunbond nonwoven fabric is provided. In particular, the system includes a first PLA source configured to provide a stream of molten or semi-molten PLA resin; a spin beam in fluid communication with the first PLA source, the spin beam configured to extrude and draw a plurality of PLA continuous filaments; a collection surface disposed below an outlet of the spin beam onto which the PLA continuous filaments are deposited to form the PLA spunbond nonwoven fabric; a first ionization source positioned and arranged to expose the PLA continuous filaments to ions; and a calender positioned downstream of the first ionization source.
Abstract:
A system having a first polymer source and a spin beam in fluid communication with the first polymer source is provided. The spin beam includes a spinneret assembly having filament nozzles configured and arranged to extrude a plurality of filaments of a first polymer. A gas distribution plate is disposed downstream of the spinneret assembly, and includes a plurality of gas distribution slots that are configured and arranged to receive two or more corresponding filament nozzles of the spinneret assembly therein. A stream of gas is introduced into the plurality of slots to draw and attenuate the filaments extruded by the plurality of filament nozzles. The drawn and attenuated filaments are collected on a collection surface disposed downstream of the gas distribution plate to form a nonwoven fabric. A solid additive, such as pulp fibers may be blended with the filaments prior to collecting the filaments on the collection surface.
Abstract:
One or more aspects of the disclosure provides a nonwoven fabric comprising a single layer in which the single fabric layer comprises a plurality of different fibers in which each fiber type has desired functionality. In one aspect, a system for preparing a nonwoven fabric having a single fabric layer in which the single fabric layer comprises a plurality of different fiber types, is provided. The system includes a spin beam having a zoned distribution plate disposed upstream of a spinneret, the zoned distribution plate includes a plurality of distribution apertures arranged in zones, wherein each zone is configured and arranged to extrude a plurality of polymer streams that are of a different polymer type than polymer streams extruded by an adjacent zone to the spinneret to form a single layer having two or more types of fibers that are of a different type from each other.
Abstract:
A nonwoven fabric having improved fluid management properties is provided. The fabric is formed of a plurality of the fibers that include at least an aliphatic polyester polymer. The aliphatic polyester polymer defines at least a portion of an outer surface of the fibers, and includes a natural-based finish composition that is adhered thereto.
Abstract:
A cleaning wipe having a high sustainable polymer content is provided. The cleaning wipe includes a fibrous layer having fibers of a melt spinnable sustainable polymer; and an abrasive layer having meltblown fibers of a melt spinnable sustainable polymer. The abrasive layer defining an outer surface of the cleaning wipe, and includes a plurality of abrasive structures formed thereon in which the abrasive structures are formed from conglomerated fibers, meltblown shot, fibers having average diameters greater than 4 micrometers and fibers having a tortuous geometry. The melt spinnable sustainable polymer content of the cleaning wipe is at least 50 weight % by weight of the cleaning wipe. A method of preparing the cleaning wipe is also provided.
Abstract:
Process of preparing meltblown fibers that are reclaimed from a starting material of a polypropylene component and a sustainable polymer component is provided. In one aspect, the method includes blending starting fibers of a polypropylene component and a sustainable polymer component under heat to form a molten stream, and then vis-breaking the components to obtain a polymeric blend that is suitable for use in meltblowing applications. The molten stream of the vis-broken polymer components are extruded through a meltblowing die to form a stream of meltblown fibers that is then collected on a collection surface to form a coherent meltblown web. The starting material may be bicomponent filaments having a sheath-core configuration in which the polypropylene component is oriented in the sheath and the sustainable polymer component is oriented in the core of the filaments. The invention is also directed to meltblown fibers and webs prepared from the process.
Abstract:
Provided is a composite sheet material having a first layer and an airlaid nonwoven layer overlying the first layer wherein the airlaid nonwoven layer includes a blend of bamboo derived staple fibers and non-cellulose staple fibers, and in which the airlaid nonwoven layer includes a first surface disposed towards, and thermally bonded, to a surface of the first layer, and a second surface defining an outer surface of the composite sheet material.
Abstract:
Nonwoven fabrics having a plurality of fibers that are bonded to each other to form a coherent web, wherein the fibers comprise a blend of a polylactic acid (PLA) and at least one secondary alkane sulfonate are provided. The nonwoven fabrics exhibit increased tensile strengths, elongation and toughness.