DE1099983B - Washable non-woven fiber - Google Patents

Description

Washable nonwoven fibrous material Nonwoven fibrous material made from nonwovens or layers of loosely arranged fibers of various lengths are known. The fibers are connected to each other by impregnating the whole piece or by applying connected by binders in a pattern. These known fibers are either relatively firm, but more or less stiff and board-like and have more the property of paper or cardboard, or they have textile-like softness and Drapery, but low strength and can only be used in cases where washability is not a requirement. The products from these well-known textile-like fibers are intended for single use, so they are so-called Disposable items.

The invention relates to a washable non-woven fiber material with textile-like properties from a layer of intersecting, overlapping, parallel fibers in different directions in the plane of the fabric, those perpendicular to the plane of the fabric are relatively dense, but loose in the plane itself are joined together at a distance, and distributed approximately evenly with a large number arranged binding agent sites, which is characterized in that the binding agent sites on average 14 to 70 times the diameter compared to the diameter of fibers, and at least five, but preferably at least twenty fibers embedded several times included. The binder sites of the fibrous material can be one mean diameter from about 0.18 to 0.89 mm, preferably from 0.25 to 0.76 mm, and the fiber weight of the fabric can be about 11 to 93 g / m2.

In contrast to the well-known fibers, it is yours Fiber material according to the invention to a washable non-woven fiber material with textile-like Softness and fabric-like drapery. It is ribbelfest when wet, fluffy-soft, absorbent and, in addition to other textile properties, also has a certain tensile strength in the longitudinal and cross direction. The substances are therefore particularly suitable for use as lining in clothing, especially when worn next to the skin are, for outer and underwear in general, for washable towels, napkins, Tablecloths, handkerchiefs, sanitary towels, bandages, curtains, decoration fabrics, reusable fabrics for industrial purposes as well as a variety of others Applications in which a combination of these properties is essential.

In accordance with the invention, a plurality are relatively smaller, more granular thermoplastic binder particles, which can have various shapes, such as applied evenly in a layer of overlapping and crossing fibers, where the fibers are surrounded by the binder and at least two or embedded three times in the relatively close together areas of the binding agent are.

The diameter of the binding agent sites is about 14 to 70 times as large like that of the structural fibers and each binder site is large enough to at least embed five, but preferably twenty or more fibers running through them. The binding agent sites are far enough apart to allow a large number of non-connected fiber areas that still retain the textile properties of the original fiber layer to a large extent. As the binder sites on the other hand are densely distributed and the fibers cross relatively often the fiber is firm and washable, but at the same time still has a high degree of Softness and the folds of the starting layer made of non-connected fibers.

The fibers of the fleece are usually flat or parallel to it Main plane and extend in various directions parallel to this Level, where they cross and overlap. Parallel to the main plane of the pulp the fibers are relatively loosely arranged while they are in the direction of the Thickness of the fabric are huddled together, due to the crossing of the fibers an open porous structure is formed.

The granular binder sites extend through the fabric, preferably from a surface to the other, and bed one proportionately a large number of fibers so that the fibers are firmly anchored. The parts of the Fibers running through the binder sites are in the direction of the thickness of the Fabric relatively densely packed while in the sections between the binder sites are less crowded together, creating a multitude of loose, pillow-like fiber spots that keep the fabric soft.

The wash resistance largely depends on the density of the interstices between the granular binding agent sites. The diameter of the binder sites is, as already mentioned, several times, preferably 14 to 70 times the mean fiber average. With an essentially even distribution of these binding agent sites in the fabric is calculated for the average distance per unit or for the distance in each direction to the main plane of the substance the number of binder sites in the unit under consideration, e.g. B. in 1 cm2 the square root of that number, which is the average number of binder sites per centimeter of length of the fabric.

For a fabric with about 95 granular binding agent sites per square centimeter with a mean diameter of about 0.38 mm, the average number is of binder sites per centimeter in each direction of the fabric about 9.7.

The binder is applied to the fiber fleece in the form of granules. These granules are evenly distributed on the fiber layer and by heat and pressure made to flow and formed into solid binder sites in which the fibers are anchored. The granules preferably have one prior to melting mean diameter, which is about 8 to 30 times as large as the mean diameter of fibers, and when melted, about 14 to 70 times as large in diameter.

The granules are spherical or similarly regular or irregular Particles of roughly the same length and width. However, under certain conditions the length-to-width ratio can be up to 3: 1. Under the term diameter the granule here is the mean diameter of the cross-sections over the entire The shape of the grains meant.

The preferred mean cross-section for roughly round binder sites lies between 0.18 and 0.31 mm, while grains of only 0.10 mm up to a size -. 0.38 mm can be used and under certain conditions even a little larger or smaller granules are suitable. The corresponding orders of magnitude for the average diameter of the granular binder sites the expansion that occurs during melting. For example, the middle Diameter of the granular binder sites according to the invention after melting between 0.18 and 0.89 mm, -where preferably binding agent sites with a Diameters of 0.25 to 0.76 mm can be formed.

The total amount of binder in the fabric is an important factor in the fabric properties influencing factor. The optimal content of binder for the invention Fabric depends on the type of binder, the size and shape of the binder sites and their arrangement in the fabric, the type and length of the fibers and their total weight away. Most binders have a content of around 10 to 35 percent by weight, based on the weight of the fabric, <_m most advantageous. Generally will an binder content of 15 to 2011 / Q is preferred here. The. Granules can under the fibers are distributed during or after the formation of the fiber layer. Indifferent, whether the grains are contained in it or not, this layer may be according to a number known methods are produced, for example by air stratification, according to the papermaking process, etc. The individual fleeces or thin layers, which have been produced by one of these processes can be laid on top of one another in order to obtain thicker layers as a basis for the fiber material. In general the fibers in such a layer run in a multitude of different directions, being oriented towards the main plane of the fabric, each other overlap, cross over and hold to form an open porous structure.

There are relatively long, textile-like fibers of about 6.35 up to 50.8 mm in length are preferred, that is to say fibers which are longer than those used for papermaking and almost as long as fibers for textile production. But it can also be shorter Fibers less than 6.35 mm in length are used, especially in admixture with longer fibers: These shorter fibers are preferably in unbeaten or practically non-hydrated state used.

The average thickness of the fabric varies depending on the weight of the fibers used. To when using the binder sites according to the invention To achieve maximum effectiveness, a layer of fibers becomes a weight of at least about 31 g / m2 is preferred. Satisfactory substances according to the invention can consist of fiber layers with a weight between about 11 g / m2 or slightly less and 93 g / m2 or more.

The binder sites are created by the application of heat and pressure formed in the fleece or in the fiber layer. The binder is melted, and the fibers are embedded in it. At the same time, both surfaces become one Subjected to pressure. Heat can be applied before or during the application of pressure will. The layer is either under or between heated plates heated rollers guided or between pressure rollers that are in an oven, or the layer is heated first and then still hot between unheated calender rolls carried out who exert the necessary pressure.

Pressure and temperature must be regulated so that the granular binding elements not be deformed in an undesirable manner.

Every binder has an optimal temperature range within of which the granules liquefy and close at relatively low pressure start flowing and not just get sticky. If the pressure is too high, there is a risk of that the melted binder is too much distributed in the fleece and thereby the Binder sites are weaker and the properties of the fabric are impaired.

In the drawing is an execution forum of the subject matter of the invention shown.

Fig. 1 is an enlarged schematic plan view of a part a non-woven fabric; FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross section taken along FIG Line 2-2 of Figure 1; Fig. 3 is a greatly enlarged cross-section through a Part of one of the granular binder sites of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show a fiber material consisting of one layer overlapping and crossing fibers 11 is made by a plurality at intervals arranged, essentially formed from granules, solid binding agent sites 12 are held together or connected, the practical run through the thickness of the fabric from side to side (Fit-. 2). the Binder sites 12 are in the main plane of the substance A-A and more or less at the same distance with respect to this plane in the fabric. The fibers 11 are mostly flat or parallel to the main plane of the fabric (Fig. 2) and extend in different directions (Fig. 1). The fibers are proportionate loosely arranged parallel to the main plane of the fabric and form a myriad of smaller ones Openings or gaps 13 (Fig. 1) and are proportionate to the thickness of the fabric closely arranged, where they, as Fig. 2 shows, overlap and lie on top of one another.

The average diameter D of the binder sites on the fabric the fig. 1 and 2 is much larger than the diameter of the original granules, from which these binding agent sites are formed. The normal expansion or Increase in the cross-section of the binding agent sites compared to that of the original Granules themselves, can have a ratio of about 2: 1.

Each binder site 12 encloses a large number of fibers and embeds them so that they are firmly anchored. The through the binder sites running parts of the fibers are bound by the binder in relation to the thickness of the The fabric is relatively tightly compressed while the between the binding agent sites lying fiber sections in the same direction usually less densely packed are and thus form a large number of loose, pillow-like fiber areas 14, through which the softness of the fabric is preserved.

The binder practically extends from one surface of the fabric on the other hand, although certain indentations 16 can be seen that with the are not visible to the naked eye. The binder site 12 itself is not an absolutely solid binder mass, but contains in most cases Air holes or cavities 17.

Fibers made from a wide variety of substances can be used to produce the Fiber structure of the substance according to the invention can be used. But it will be flexible Fibers preferred. To give a product certain properties, you can Fibers with these or similar properties are used, e.g. B. absorbent Fibers for the production of nonwovens with high absorbency. Natural fibers of vegetable or animal origin or artificial fibers from both regenerated Cellulose and similar substances as well as pure synthetic substances can be used used «to earth. Likewise, fibers based on cellulose, such as viscose rayon, cotton or wood pulp, can be used, but the wood fibers, as already mentioned, Must be relatively long and practically not hydrated to get good results to achieve.

Granules of polyamides from co-aminocaproic acid or a-caprolactam or from co-aminoundecanoic acid, from plasticized ethyl cellulose and from plasticized Cellulose acetate are particularly suitable for bonding viscose rayon and go generally excellent compounds with these and other cellulosic fibers a. Since viscose rayon fibers are very weak when wet, the The fact that there are nonwovens or layers of viscose rayon fibers according to the invention Can be connected to washable, non-woven fabrics, a surprising proof for the effectiveness of the binding system and for the strength of the binding agent sites formed.

Examples 1. A fibrous layer with binder particles with a weight of about 55.9 - / m2, the about 46.4 g / m2 fibers and 10.5 g / m2 binder particles contains, according to papermaking processes from a mixture of about 12.7 mm long viscose rayon fibers of 1.5 denier with a diameter of about 0.012 mm and ethyl cellulose particles with a mean cross-section of about 0.254 mm manufactured. The ethyl cellulose particles are melted under pressure to form a to establish a close connection with the fibers, creating a substance that is approximately corresponds to that of FIG. For this purpose, a pressure of 3.5 kg / cm2 at a Temperature of 213 ° C applied. The obtained substance is firm and can be several Times can be washed in a modern washing machine. The fabric is also soft and absorbent.

2. A non-woven fabric with a full weight of about 62 g / m2 will be following the procedure of Example 1 from approximately 14 percent by weight approximately spherical Granules of polyamide from co-aminoundecanoic acid with a cross section of about 0.17 min and the rest of 9.5 mm long, 1.5 denier viscose rayon fibers with a Manufactured in diameter of about 0.1 mm, the granules but held at 191 ° C melted at 213 ° C. This fabric has textile-like softness and textile-like Wrinkle and absorbency and can be washed in the washing machine.

Claims (3)

PATENT REQUESTS: 1. Washable non-woven finite textile-like fiber Properties from one layer of intersecting, overlapping, and different layers Directions in the plane of the fabric of parallel fibers that are perpendicular to the The fabric level is relatively dense, but loosely joined together in the level itself are, and with a large number of almost evenly distributed binding agent sites, characterized in that the binder sites have an average of 14 to 70 times the diameter compared to the diameter of the fibers and at least five, but preferably contain at least twenty fibers embedded several times. 2. Fibrous material according to claim 1, characterized in that the binding agent sites an average diameter of about 0.18 to 0.89 mm, preferably one of 0.25 up to 0.76 mm. 3. Fibrous material according to claim 1 and 2, characterized in that the weight of the fibers is about 11 to 93 g / m2. Considered publications: German Patent Specifications Nos. 804 678, 767 479; USA. Patent Nos. 2,705,687, 2,705,498.