Classifications

• • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
  • D04—BRAIDING; LACE-MAKING; KNITTING; TRIMMINGS; NON-WOVEN FABRICS
  • D04H—MAKING TEXTILE FABRICS, e.g. FROM FIBRES OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL; FABRICS MADE BY SUCH PROCESSES OR APPARATUS, e.g. FELTS, NON-WOVEN FABRICS; COTTON-WOOL; WADDING ; NON-WOVEN FABRICS FROM STAPLE FIBRES, FILAMENTS OR YARNS, BONDED WITH AT LEAST ONE WEB-LIKE MATERIAL DURING THEIR CONSOLIDATION
  • D04H5/00—Non woven fabrics formed of mixtures of relatively short fibres and yarns or like filamentary material of substantial length
• • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
  • D04—BRAIDING; LACE-MAKING; KNITTING; TRIMMINGS; NON-WOVEN FABRICS
  • D04H—MAKING TEXTILE FABRICS, e.g. FROM FIBRES OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL; FABRICS MADE BY SUCH PROCESSES OR APPARATUS, e.g. FELTS, NON-WOVEN FABRICS; COTTON-WOOL; WADDING ; NON-WOVEN FABRICS FROM STAPLE FIBRES, FILAMENTS OR YARNS, BONDED WITH AT LEAST ONE WEB-LIKE MATERIAL DURING THEIR CONSOLIDATION
  • D04H5/00—Non woven fabrics formed of mixtures of relatively short fibres and yarns or like filamentary material of substantial length
  • D04H5/02—Non woven fabrics formed of mixtures of relatively short fibres and yarns or like filamentary material of substantial length strengthened or consolidated by mechanical methods, e.g. needling
  • D04H5/03—Non woven fabrics formed of mixtures of relatively short fibres and yarns or like filamentary material of substantial length strengthened or consolidated by mechanical methods, e.g. needling by fluid jet
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61L—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES
  • A61L15/00—Chemical aspects of, or use of materials for, bandages, dressings or absorbent pads
  • A61L15/16—Bandages, dressings or absorbent pads for physiological fluids such as urine or blood, e.g. sanitary towels, tampons
  • A61L15/22—Bandages, dressings or absorbent pads for physiological fluids such as urine or blood, e.g. sanitary towels, tampons containing macromolecular materials
  • A61L15/225—Mixtures of macromolecular compounds
• • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
  • D01—NATURAL OR MAN-MADE THREADS OR FIBRES; SPINNING
  • D01D—MECHANICAL METHODS OR APPARATUS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF ARTIFICIAL FILAMENTS, THREADS, FIBRES, BRISTLES OR RIBBONS
  • D01D5/00—Formation of filaments, threads, or the like
  • D01D5/28—Formation of filaments, threads, or the like while mixing different spinning solutions or melts during the spinning operation; Spinnerette packs therefor
  • D01D5/30—Conjugate filaments; Spinnerette packs therefor
• • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
  • D01—NATURAL OR MAN-MADE THREADS OR FIBRES; SPINNING
  • D01F—CHEMICAL FEATURES IN THE MANUFACTURE OF ARTIFICIAL FILAMENTS, THREADS, FIBRES, BRISTLES OR RIBBONS; APPARATUS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF CARBON FILAMENTS
  • D01F8/00—Conjugated, i.e. bi- or multicomponent, artificial filaments or the like; Manufacture thereof
  • D01F8/04—Conjugated, i.e. bi- or multicomponent, artificial filaments or the like; Manufacture thereof from synthetic polymers
  • D01F8/06—Conjugated, i.e. bi- or multicomponent, artificial filaments or the like; Manufacture thereof from synthetic polymers with at least one polyolefin as constituent
• • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
  • D01—NATURAL OR MAN-MADE THREADS OR FIBRES; SPINNING
  • D01F—CHEMICAL FEATURES IN THE MANUFACTURE OF ARTIFICIAL FILAMENTS, THREADS, FIBRES, BRISTLES OR RIBBONS; APPARATUS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF CARBON FILAMENTS
  • D01F8/00—Conjugated, i.e. bi- or multicomponent, artificial filaments or the like; Manufacture thereof
  • D01F8/04—Conjugated, i.e. bi- or multicomponent, artificial filaments or the like; Manufacture thereof from synthetic polymers
  • D01F8/12—Conjugated, i.e. bi- or multicomponent, artificial filaments or the like; Manufacture thereof from synthetic polymers with at least one polyamide as constituent
• • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
  • D01—NATURAL OR MAN-MADE THREADS OR FIBRES; SPINNING
  • D01F—CHEMICAL FEATURES IN THE MANUFACTURE OF ARTIFICIAL FILAMENTS, THREADS, FIBRES, BRISTLES OR RIBBONS; APPARATUS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF CARBON FILAMENTS
  • D01F8/00—Conjugated, i.e. bi- or multicomponent, artificial filaments or the like; Manufacture thereof
  • D01F8/04—Conjugated, i.e. bi- or multicomponent, artificial filaments or the like; Manufacture thereof from synthetic polymers
  • D01F8/14—Conjugated, i.e. bi- or multicomponent, artificial filaments or the like; Manufacture thereof from synthetic polymers with at least one polyester as constituent
• • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
  • D04—BRAIDING; LACE-MAKING; KNITTING; TRIMMINGS; NON-WOVEN FABRICS
  • D04H—MAKING TEXTILE FABRICS, e.g. FROM FIBRES OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL; FABRICS MADE BY SUCH PROCESSES OR APPARATUS, e.g. FELTS, NON-WOVEN FABRICS; COTTON-WOOL; WADDING ; NON-WOVEN FABRICS FROM STAPLE FIBRES, FILAMENTS OR YARNS, BONDED WITH AT LEAST ONE WEB-LIKE MATERIAL DURING THEIR CONSOLIDATION
  • D04H1/00—Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres
  • D04H1/04—Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres from fleeces or layers composed of fibres having existing or potential cohesive properties, e.g. natural fibres, prestretched or fibrillated artificial fibres
  • D04H1/26—Wood pulp
• • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
  • D04—BRAIDING; LACE-MAKING; KNITTING; TRIMMINGS; NON-WOVEN FABRICS
  • D04H—MAKING TEXTILE FABRICS, e.g. FROM FIBRES OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL; FABRICS MADE BY SUCH PROCESSES OR APPARATUS, e.g. FELTS, NON-WOVEN FABRICS; COTTON-WOOL; WADDING ; NON-WOVEN FABRICS FROM STAPLE FIBRES, FILAMENTS OR YARNS, BONDED WITH AT LEAST ONE WEB-LIKE MATERIAL DURING THEIR CONSOLIDATION
  • D04H1/00—Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres
  • D04H1/40—Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres from fleeces or layers composed of fibres without existing or potential cohesive properties
  • D04H1/42—Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres from fleeces or layers composed of fibres without existing or potential cohesive properties characterised by the use of certain kinds of fibres insofar as this use has no preponderant influence on the consolidation of the fleece
• • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
  • D04—BRAIDING; LACE-MAKING; KNITTING; TRIMMINGS; NON-WOVEN FABRICS
  • D04H—MAKING TEXTILE FABRICS, e.g. FROM FIBRES OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL; FABRICS MADE BY SUCH PROCESSES OR APPARATUS, e.g. FELTS, NON-WOVEN FABRICS; COTTON-WOOL; WADDING ; NON-WOVEN FABRICS FROM STAPLE FIBRES, FILAMENTS OR YARNS, BONDED WITH AT LEAST ONE WEB-LIKE MATERIAL DURING THEIR CONSOLIDATION
  • D04H3/00—Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of yarns or like filamentary material of substantial length
  • D04H3/08—Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of yarns or like filamentary material of substantial length characterised by the method of strengthening or consolidating
  • D04H3/10—Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of yarns or like filamentary material of substantial length characterised by the method of strengthening or consolidating with bonds between yarns or filaments made mechanically
  • D04H3/11—Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of yarns or like filamentary material of substantial length characterised by the method of strengthening or consolidating with bonds between yarns or filaments made mechanically by fluid jet
• • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
  • D04—BRAIDING; LACE-MAKING; KNITTING; TRIMMINGS; NON-WOVEN FABRICS
  • D04H—MAKING TEXTILE FABRICS, e.g. FROM FIBRES OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL; FABRICS MADE BY SUCH PROCESSES OR APPARATUS, e.g. FELTS, NON-WOVEN FABRICS; COTTON-WOOL; WADDING ; NON-WOVEN FABRICS FROM STAPLE FIBRES, FILAMENTS OR YARNS, BONDED WITH AT LEAST ONE WEB-LIKE MATERIAL DURING THEIR CONSOLIDATION
  • D04H5/00—Non woven fabrics formed of mixtures of relatively short fibres and yarns or like filamentary material of substantial length
  • D04H5/02—Non woven fabrics formed of mixtures of relatively short fibres and yarns or like filamentary material of substantial length strengthened or consolidated by mechanical methods, e.g. needling
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
  • A61F13/00—Bandages or dressings; Absorbent pads
  • A61F13/15—Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the body; Supporting or fastening means therefor; Tampon applicators
  • A61F13/53—Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the body; Supporting or fastening means therefor; Tampon applicators characterised by the absorbing medium
  • A61F13/531—Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the body; Supporting or fastening means therefor; Tampon applicators characterised by the absorbing medium having a homogeneous composition through the thickness of the pad

Definitions

• This invention relates to nonwoven web composites which exhibit a combination of excellent strength, softness, flexibility and absorbency. More specifically, the invention is directed to nonwoven web composites including a combination of pulp and thermoplastic bicomponent continuous filaments.
• the pulp may be mixed with one or more superabsorbent materials.
• This invention is directed to a superior nonwoven web composite product having a variety of desirable properties.
• Bicomponent nonwoven filaments are known in the art generally as thermoplastic filaments which employ at least two different polymers combined together in a heterogeneous fashion.
• two polymers may, for instance, be combined in a side-by-side configuration, so that a first side of a filament is composed of a first polymer "A” and a second side of the filament is composed of a second polymer "B.”
• the polymers may be combined in a sheath-core configuration, so that an outer sheath layer of a filament is composed of a first polymer "A,” and the inner core is composed of a second polymer "B.”
• the polymers may be combined in an island-in-the-sea configuration in which one or more islands of a first polymer "A" appear in a sea of a second polymer "B.”
• Other heterogeneous configurations are also possible.
• Bicomponent filaments offer a combination of desired properties. For instance, certain polypropylene resins yield filaments which are strong but not particularly soft. Certain polyethylene resins yield filaments which are soft but not particularly strong. By combining both resins together in the form of bicomponent nonwoven filaments, a hybrid combination of strength and softness can be achieved.
• Bicomponent filaments have been disclosed in combination with carbon particles, zeolites, ion exchange resins, carbon fibers, sterilizing fibers, and/or gas adsorbing fibers for use in specialized filters.
• U.S. Patent 5,670,044, issued to Ogata et al. discloses the use of bicomponent meltblown filaments in these combinations, for use in cylindrical filters. In that case, the bicomponent filaments contain high and low melting polymers. The filaments of the filter are stacked and bonded together by melting only the lower melting component.
• Pulp fibers have been employed in certain absorbent applications, to enhance the absorbency.
• U.S. Patent 4,530,353 issued to Lauritzen, discloses pulp fibers in combination with staple length bicomponent fibers used in the manufacture of absorbent bandages. In that case, the fibers also contain high and low melting polymers. The staple length fibers are bonded together by melting only the lower melting component.
• the present invention is directed to an improved absorbent nonwoven web composite, and a personal care absorbent article constructed using the improved composite.
• the absorbent nonwoven web composite includes a matrix web of substantially continuous length bicomponent thermoplastic nonwoven filaments. A quantity of pulp fibers is contained within the continuous filament matrix.
• the substantially continuous bicomponent filaments which are uncut in length during nonwoven web formation, provide better distribution of liquids than staple length filaments, which are chopped into relatively short lengths ranging from less than one inch to a few inches.
• the polymers in the bicomponent filaments are selected so that at least one of the polymers provides strength and durability, and at least one of the polymers provides softness, to the nonwoven web.
• Absorbent pulp fibers which may constitute up to about 97% by weight of the absorbent nonwoven web composite, are better contained within the matrix of continuous filaments having strength and durability, as well as long length.
• nonwoven fabric or web means a web having a structure of individual fibers or threads which are interlaid, but not in a regular or identifiable manner as in a knitted fabric.
• Nonwoven fabrics or webs have been formed from many processes such as, for example, meltblowing processes, spunbonding processes, air laying processes, and bonded carded web processes.
• the basis weight of nonwoven fabrics is usually expressed in ounces of material per square yard (osy) or grams per square meter (gsm) and the fiber diameters useful are usually expressed in microns. (Note that to convert from osy to gsm, multiply osy by 33.91).
• microfibers means small diameter fibers having an average diameter not greater than about 75 microns, for example, having an average diameter of from about 1 micron to about 50 microns, or more particularly, having an average diameter of from about 1 micron to about 30 microns.
• denier is defined as grams per 9000 meters of a fiber. For a fiber having circular cross-section, denier may be calculated as fiber diameter in microns squared, multiplied by the density in grams/cc, multiplied by 0.00707. A lower denier indicates a finer fiber and a higher denier indicates a thicker or heavier fiber.
• the diameter of a polypropylene fiber given as 15 microns may be converted to denier by squaring, multiplying the result by .89 g/cc and multiplying by .00707.
• spunbonded fibers refers to small diameter fibers which are formed by extruding molten thermoplastic material as filaments from a plurality of fine capillaries of a spinnerette having a circular or other configuration, with the diameter of the extruded filaments then being rapidly reduced as by, for example, in U.S. Patent 4,340,563 to Appel et al., and U.S. Patent 3,692,618 to Dorschner et al., U.S. Patent 3,802,817 to Matsuki et al., U.S. Patent 3,338,992 and 3,341,394 to Kinney, U.S. Patent 3,502,763 to Hartman, U.S.
• Spunbond fibers are quenched and generally not tacky when they are deposited onto a collecting surface. Spunbond fibers are generally continuous and often have average diameters larger than about 7 microns, more particularly, between about 10 and 30 microns.
• meltblown fibers means fibers formed by extruding a molten thermoplastic material through a plurality of fine, usually circular, die capillaries as molten threads or filaments into converging high velocity heated gas (e.g., air) streams which attenuate the filaments of molten thermoplastic material to reduce their diameter, which may be microfiber diameter. Thereafter, the meltblown fibers are carried by the high velocity gas stream and are deposited on a collecting surface to form a web of randomly dispersed meltblown fibers.
• heated gas e.g., air
• Meltblown fibers are microfibers which may be continuous or discontinuous, are generally smaller than 10 microns in diameter, and are generally self bonding when deposited onto a collecting surface.
• Meltblown fibers used in the present invention are substantially continuous in length.
• Pulp fibers refers to fibers from natural sources such as woody and non-woody plants.
• Woody plants include, for example, deciduous and coniferous trees.
• Non-woody plants include, for instance, cotton, flax, esparto grass, milkweed, straw, jute hemp, and bagasse.
• average pulp fiber length refers to a weighted average length of pulp determined using a Kajaani fiber analyzer Model No. FS-100 available from Kajaani Oy Electronics in Kajaani, Finland. Under the test procedure, a fiber sample is treated with a macerating liquid to ensure that no fiber bundles or shives are present. Each fiber sample is dispersed in hot water and diluted to about a 0.001% concentration. Individual test samples are drawn in approximately 50 to 500 ml portions from the dilute solution and tested using the standard Kajaani fiber analysis procedure. The weighted average fiber lengths may be expressed by the following equation: k
• X, individual fiber length
• n, number of fibers having length X
• n total number of fibers measured.
• superabsorbent material refers to a water swellable, water- insoluble organic or inorganic material capable, under the most favorable conditions, of absorbing at least about 20 times its weight, preferably at least about 30 times its weight in an aqueous solution containing 0.9% by weight sodium chloride.
• polymer generally includes without limitation homopolymers, copolymers (including, for example, block, graft, random and alternating copolymers), terpolymers, etc., and blends and modifications thereof. Furthermore, unless otherwise specifically limited, the term “polymer” shall include all possible geometrical configurations of the material. These configurations include, but are not limited to isotactic, syndiotactic and atactic symmetries.
• bicomponent filaments or fibers refers to fibers which have been formed from at least two polymers extruded from separate extruders but spun together to form one fiber.
• the polymers are arranged in substantially constantly positioned distinct zones across the cross-section of the bicomponent fibers and extend continuously along the length of the bicomponent fibers.
• the configuration of such a bicomponent fiber may be, for example, a sheath/core arrangement wherein one polymer is surrounded by another, or may be a side-by-side arrangement or an "islands-in-the-sea" arrangement.
• Bicomponent fibers are taught in U.S. Patent 5,108,820 to Kaneko et al., U.S.
• the polymers may be present in ratios of 75/25, 50/50, 25/75 or any other desired ratios.
• Conventional additives, such as pigments and surfactants, may be incorporated into one or both polymer streams, or applied to the filament surfaces.
• substantially continuous filaments of fibers refers to filaments or fibers prepared by extrusion from a spinnerette, including without limitation spunbonded and meltblown fibers, which are not cut from their original length prior to being formed into a nonwoven web or fabric.
• Substantially continuous filaments or fibers may have average lengths ranging from greater than about 15 cm to more than one meter, and up to the length of the nonwoven web or fabric being formed.
• the definition of "substantially continuous filaments or fibers" includes those which are not cut prior to being formed into a nonwoven web or fabric, but which are later cut when the nonwoven web or fabric is cut.
• staple fibers means fibers which are natural or cut from a manufactured filament prior to forming into a web, and which have an average length ranging from about 0.1-15 cm, more commonly about 0.2-7 cm.
• personal care absorbent article includes diapers, training pants, swim wear, absorbent underpants, baby wipes, adult incontinence products, and feminine hygiene products.
• through-air bonding means a process of bonding a nonwoven, for example, a bicomponent fiber web in which air which is sufficiently hot to melt one of the polymers of which the fibers of the web are made is forced through the web.
• the air velocity is often between 100 and 500 feet per minute and the dwell time may be as long as 6 seconds.
• the melting and resolidification of the polymer provides the bonding.
• Through-air bonding has restricted variability and is generally regarded as a second step bonding process. Since TAB requires the melting of at least one component to accomplish bonding, it is restricted to webs with two components such as bicomponent fiber webs or webs containing an adhesive fiber or powder.
• thermal point bonding involves passing a fabric or web of fibers to be bonded between a heated calender roll and an anvil roll.
• the calender roll is usually, though not always, patterned in some way so that the entire fabric is not bonded across its entire surface.
• various patterns for calender rolls have been developed for functional as well as aesthetic reasons.
• One example of a pattern has points and is the Hansen Pennings or "H&P" pattern with about a 30% bond area with about 200 bonds/square inch as taught in U.S. Patent 3,855,046 to Hansen and Pennings.
• the H&P pattern has square point or pin bonding areas wherein each pin has a side dimension of 0.038 inches (0.965 mm), a spacing of 0.070 inches (1.778 mm) between pins, and a depth of bonding of
• Another typical point bonding pattern is the expanded Hansen and Pennings or "EHP" bond pattern which produces a 15% bond area with a square pin having a side dimension of 0.037 inches
• Another typical point bonding pattern designated “714" has square pin bonding areas wherein each pin has a side dimension of 0.023 inches, a spacing of 0.062 inches (1.575 mm) between pins, and a depth of bonding of 0.033 inches (0.838 mm). The resulting pattern has a bonded area of about 15%.
• Yet another common pattern is the C-Star pattern which has a bond area of about 16.9%.
• the C-Star pattern has a cross-directional bar or "corduroy" design interrupted by shooting stars.
• Other common patterns include a diamond pattern with repeating and slightly offset diamonds and a wire weave pattern looking as the name suggests, e.g., like a window screen. Typically, the percent bonding area varies from around
• the spot bonding holds the laminate layers together as well as imparts integrity to each individual layer by bonding filaments and/or fibers within each layer.
• the present invention is directed to an absorbent composite nonwoven web composite including substantially continuous bicomponent thermoplastic filaments and pulp fibers contained among the filaments.
• the absorbent nonwoven web composite contains from about 5-97% by weight pulp fibers and about 3-95% by weight substantially continuous bicomponent thermoplastic filaments.
• the absorbent nonwoven web composite contains about 35-95% by weight pulp fibers and about 5-65% by weight substantially continuous bicomponent thermoplastic filaments.
• the absorbent nonwoven web composite contains about 50-95% by weight pulp fibers and about 5-50% by weight substantially continuous bicomponent thermoplastic filaments.
• the substantially continuous bicomponent thermoplastic filaments may have any of the bicomponent configurations described above.
• the filaments have either a side-by-side configuration or a sheath-core configuration. In these configurations, both the filaments and the polymers within the filaments are substantially continuous in length.
• the substantially continuous filaments may be spunbond filaments or meltblown microfibers, and typically have an average diameter of about 1-75 microns.
• the substantially continuous filaments have an average diameter of about 1-50 microns, more preferably about 1-30 microns. Other processes for forming substantially continuous filaments may also be employed.
• the filaments may be crimped, using techniques available to persons skilled in the art.
• the substantially continuous bicomponent filaments contain at least two thermoplastic polymers.
• the substantially continuous bicomponent filaments contain a first polymer which imparts a first desirable property to the filaments, and a second polymer which imparts a second desirable property to the filaments.
• first and second desirable properties include without limitation durability and softness, durability and wettability, wettability and softness, durability and aesthetic appearance, and other desirable combinations.
• the first polymer may contribute one or more desirable properties
• the second polymer may contribute one or more additional desirable properties.
• the bicomponent filaments may include more than two distinct polymers, with each polymer contributing unique properties.
• the bicomponent filaments may include a distinct polymer blend having desirable properties, adjacent to another distinct polymer or polymer blend. Additives, such as pigments and hydrophilic modifiers, may be incorporated into one or both polymers, or applied to the filament surfaces.
• polymer components which contribute durability to bicomponent filament webs include without limitation polypropylene homopolymers, polypropylene copolymers containing up to about 10% ethylene or another C 4 -C 20 alpha-olefm comonomer, high density polyethylenes, linear low density polyethylenes in which the alpha-olefin comonomer content is less than about 10% by weight, polyamides, polyesters, polycarbonates, polytetrafluoroethylenes, and other high tensile materials.
• a first polymer can be said to contribute durability to bicomponent filaments when a nonwoven web made from bicomponent filaments containing a first polymer and a second polymer withstands a tensile load which is at least about 10% greater, and preferably at least about 30% greater, than a similar nonwoven web made from similar filaments containing the second polymer alone.
• polymer components which contribute flexibility and softness to bicomponent filament webs include without limitation high pressure (branched) low density polyethylenes, linear low density polyethylenes in which the alpha-olefin comononer content is more than about 10% by weight, copolymers of ethylene with at least one vinyl monomer (for example, ethylene vinyl acetate), copolymers of ethylene with unsaturated aliphatic carboxylic acids (including ester derivatives thereof) and copolymers of any two alpha-olefins having 2-20 carbon atoms wherein the content of each of the two comononers exceeds 10% by weight of the copolymer (including, for instance, ethylene-propylene rubbers).
• high pressure (branched) low density polyethylenes linear low density polyethylenes in which the alpha-olefin comononer content is more than about 10% by weight
• copolymers of ethylene with at least one vinyl monomer for example, ethylene vinyl acetate
• thermoplastic polyurethanes A-B and A-B-A' block copolymers where A and A' are thermoplastic end blocks and B is an elastomeric block.
• a second polymer can be said to contribute flexibility and/or softness to a bicomponent nonwoven web when a nonwoven web made from filaments containing a first polymer and the second polymer is more flexible, and/or has a softer feel, than a similar nonwoven web made from similar filaments containing the first polymer alone.
• thermoplastic nonwoven web examples include without limitation polyamides, polyvinyl acetates, saponified polyvinyl acetates, saponified ethylene vinyl acetates, and other hydrophilic materials.
• a second polymer generally contributes to the wettability of bicomponent filaments if a droplet of water positioned on a nonwoven web made from bicomponent filaments containing first and second polymers has a contact angle which is a) less than 90 degrees measured using ASTM D724-89, and b) less than the contact angle of a similar nonwoven web made from similar filaments containing only the first polymer.
• the hydrophilic polymer When used as an outer layer in a sheath/core bicomponent filament web, the hydrophilic polymer imparts surface wettability to the entire web.
• the ability of polymers to contribute desirable properties to nonwoven bicomponent filaments requires that there be a sufficient amount of each polymer in the filaments.
• the substantially continuous thermoplastic filaments contain about 10-90% by weight of the first selected polymer and about 10-90% by weight of the second selected polymer.
• the bicomponent filaments will preferably include about 25-75% by weight of each polymer, more preferably about 40-60% by weight of each polymer.
• the substantially continuous thermoplastic bicomponent nonwoven filaments may be combined with pulp fibers using processes well known in the art. For example, a coform process may be employed, in which at least one meltblown diehead is arranged near a chute through which other materials are added while the web is forming. Coform processes are described in U.S.
• Patent 4,818,464 to Lau and 4,100,324 to Anderson et al. the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference.
• the substantially continuous bicomponent filaments and pulp fibers may also be combined using hydraulic entangling or mechanical entangling.
• a hydraulic entangling process is described in U.S. Patent 3,485,706 to Evans, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference.
• the pulp fibers may be any high-average fiber length pulp, low-average fiber length pulp, or mixtures of the same.
• Preferred pulp fibers include cellulose fibers.
• the term "high average fiber length pulp” refers to pulp that contains a relatively small amount of short fibers and non-fiber particles.
• High fiber length pulps typically have an average fiber length greater than about 1.5 mm, preferably about 1.5-6 mm, as determined by an optical fiber analyzer, such as the Kajaani tester referenced above.
• Sources generally include non- secondary (virgin) fibers as well as secondary fiber pulp which has been screened. Examples of high average fiber length pulps include bleached and unbleached virgin softwood fiber pulps.
• low average fiber length pulp refers to pulp that contains a significant amount of short fibers and non-fiber particles.
• Low average fiber length pulps have an average fiber length less than about 1.5 mm, preferably about 0.7-1.2 mm, as determined by an optical fiber analyzer such as the Kajaani tester referenced above.
• Examples of low fiber length pulps include virgin hardwood pulp, as well as secondary fiber pulp from sources such as office waste, newsprint, and paperboard scrap.
• high average fiber length wood pulps examples include those available from the U.S. Alliance Coosa Pines Corporation under the trade designations Longlac 19, Coosa River 56, and Coosa River 57.
• the low average fiber length pulps may include certain virgin hardwood pulp and secondary (i.e., recycled) fiber pulp from sources including newsprint, reclaimed paperboard, and office waste.
• Mixtures of high average fiber length and low average fiber length pulps may contain a predominance of low average fiber length pulps. For example, mixtures may contain more than about 50% by weight low-average fiber length pulp and less than about 50% by weight high-average fiber length pulp.
• One exemplary mixture contains about 75% by weight low-average fiber length pulp and about 25% by weight high-average fiber length pulp.
• the pulp fibers may be unrefined or may be beaten to various degrees of refinement.
• Crosslinking agents and/or hydrating agents may also be added to the pulp mixture.
• Debonding agents may be added to reduce the degree of hydrogen bonding if a very open or loose nonwoven pulp fiber web is desired.
• One exemplary debonding agent is available from the Quaker Oats Chemical Company, Conshohocken, Pennsylvania, under the trade designation Quaker 2008.
• the addition of certain debonding agents in the amount of, for example, 1 -4% by weight of the composite may reduce the measured static and dynamic coefficients of friction and improve the abrasion resistance of the thermoplastic continuous polymer filaments.
• the debonding agents act as lubricants or friction reducers.
• Debonded pulp fibers are commercially available from Weyerhaeuser Corp. under the designation NB 405.
• the continuous bicomponent thermoplastic filaments are combined with other thermoplastic filaments in addition to pulp fibers.
• the continuous bicomponent thermoplastic filaments may include a mixture of bicomponent spunbond filaments and bicomponent meltblown filaments.
• the spunbond filaments impart greater strength and the meltblown filaments are more effective in capturing and entangling the pulp fibers.
• the continuous bicomponent filaments may be spunbond and mixed with meltblown fibers (not necessarily bicomponent) which have a relatively low melting point.
• the composite web may thus be formed by combining three or more streams of bicomponent spunbond filaments, lower melting meltblown filaments and pulp fibers.
• the meltblown filaments may still be hot and tacky when the pulp fibers are introduced, and may fuse with the pulp fibers to help consolidate the structure.
• Meltblown microfibers which typically have diameters much smaller than spunbond fibers, may in effect serve as a binder or adhesive for the pulp fibers.
• an elastic polymer may be combined with an inelastic polymer in side-by-side bicomponent filaments to produce substantially continuous bicomponent filaments having a tendency to crimp.
• the substantially continuous crimped bicomponent filaments may be in the form of meltblown microfibers, which are relatively fine and flexible, to help ensnare and entangle the pulp fibers.
• the crimped bicomponent filaments may also be spunbond filaments, for added loft and resilience. Crimped bicomponent filaments can be used with or without other thermoplastic filaments in a nonwoven web to provide enhanced bulk and lower web density.
• Exemplary combinations of elastic and inelastic materials, useful for producing substantially continuous crimped bicomponent filaments include without limitation the following:
• polymers are not made using a metallocene catalyst.
• polypropylene polymers are substantially isotactic.
• crimping may be achieved using combinations of heat shrinkable polymers (polymers whose filaments shrink upon secondary heating to a temperature below the melting peak) with non-heat shrinkable polymers in the substantially continuous bicomponent thermoplastic filaments.
• heat shrinkable polymers polymers whose filaments shrink upon secondary heating to a temperature below the melting peak
• non-heat shrinkable polymers in the substantially continuous bicomponent thermoplastic filaments.
• Exemplary combinations of heat shrinkable and non-heat shrinkable polymers include without limitation the following:
• a quantity of a superabsorbent material is combined with the substantially continuous bicomponent thermoplastic polymer filaments and pulp fibers, to improve the absorbency of the absorbent nonwoven web composite.
• superabsorbent or “superabsorbent material” refers to a water- swellable, water-insoluble organic or inorganic material capable, under the most favorable conditions, of absorbing at least about 20 times its weight and, more desirably, at least about 30 times its weight in an aqueous solution containing 0.9 weight percent sodium chloride.
• the superabsorbent materials can be natural, synthetic and modified natural polymers and materials.
• the superabsorbent materials can be inorganic materials, such as silica gels, or organic compounds such as cross-linked polymers.
• cross-linked refers to any means for effectively rendering normally water-soluble materials substantially water insoluble but swellable. Such means can include, for example, physical entanglement, crystalline domains, covalent bonds, ionic complexes and associations, hydrophilic associations, such as hydrogen bonding, and hydrophobic associations or Van der Waals forces.
• Examples of synthetic superabsorbent material polymers include the alkali metal and ammonium salts of poly(acrylic acid) and poly(methacrylic acid), poly(acrylamides), poly(vinyl ethers), maleic anhydride copolymers with vinyl ethers and alpha-olefins, poly(vinyl pyrrolidone), poly(vinylmorpholinone), poly(vinyl alcohol), and mixtures and copolymers thereof.
• Further superabsorbent materials include natural and modified natural polymers, such as hydrolyzed acrylonitrile-grafted starch, acrylic acid grafted starch, methyl cellulose, chitosan, carboxymethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, and the natural gums, such as alginates, xanthan gum, locust bean gum and the like. Mixtures of natural and wholly or partially synthetic superabsorbent polymers can also be useful in the present invention.
• Other suitable absorbent gelling materials are disclosed by Assarsson et al. in U.S. Patent 3,901,236 issued August 26, 1975. Processes for preparing synthetic absorbent gelling polymers are disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4,076,633 issued February 28, 1978 to Masuda et al. and U.S. Patent No. 4,286,082 issued August 25, 1981 to Tsubakimoto et al.
• Superabsorbent materials may be xerogels which form hydrogels when wetted.
• the term "hydrogel,” however, has commonly been used to also refer to both the wetted and unwetted forms of the superabsorbent polymer material.
• the superabsorbent materials can be in many forms such as flakes, powders, particulates, fibers, continuous fibers, networks, solution spun filaments and webs.
• the particles can be of any desired shape, for example, spiral or semi-spiral, cubic, rod-like, polyhedral, etc. Needles, flakes, fibers, and combinations may also be used.
• the superabsorbent material may be present within the absorbent nonwoven composite in an amount from about 5 to about 90 weight percent based on total weight of the absorbent nonwoven composite.
• the superabsorbent constitutes about 10-60% by weight of the absorbent nonwoven web composite, more preferably about 20-50% by weight.
• Superabsorbents are generally available in particle sizes ranging from about 20 to about 1000 microns. Examples of commercially available particulate superabsorbents include SANWET ® IM 3900 and SANWET ® IM-5000P, available from
• a fibrous superabsorbent is OASIS ® 101, available from Technical Absorbents, located in Grimsby, United Kingdom.
• the superabsorbents may be added using the same techniques described above for combining the pulp fibers and continuous bicomponent nonwoven filaments. For instance, the superabsorbent can be added with the pulp into the forming stream for the bicomponent filaments as they are being extruded onto a conveyor to form a nonwoven web, or at a later point in the forming stream, separate from the pulp.
• the superabsorbent can be added to a nonwoven web using a hydraulic entangling process. After combining the ingredients, the absorbent nonwoven composite may be binded together using the through-air bonding techniques described above, to provide a coherent high integrity structure.
• the absorbent nonwoven composite of the invention can be used in a wide variety of absorbent products including, in particular, personal care absorbent articles.
• Personal care absorbent articles include diapers, training pants, swim wear, absorbent underpants, baby wipes, adult incontinence products, feminine hygiene products, and the like.
• the absorbent nonwoven composite is particularly useful in diapers, wherein the substantially continuous bicomponent filaments contribute liquid distribution, softness and durability, while the pulp and (optional) superabsorbent contribute a high level of absorbency.
• the substantially continuous bicomponent filaments are made from a side-by-side or sheath/core combination of low density or linear low density polyethylene (which contributes softness) and polypropylene (which contributes durability).
• the polypropylene should be in the core, and surrounded by a sheath of low density or linear low density polyethylene.
• the absorbent nonwoven composite can also be used in absorbent medical products, including without limitation underpads, bandages, absorbent drapes, and medical wipes which contain alcohol and/or other disinfectants.
• Absorbent nonwoven web composites were prepared using a combination of crimped bicomponent spunbond filaments, pulp, and superabsorbent.
• the crimped bicomponent filaments had a side-by-side configuration and average denier of 1.5.
• the crimped bicomponent filaments were formed using the process described in U.S. Patent 5,382,400, issued to Pike et al. The two sides had the following compositions, with percentages based on the weight of the entire filaments.
• the filaments were exposed to a charge of 24.5 KV (0.0005 Amps) immediately after extrusion and quenching, to increase their efficiency in capturing the pulp and superabsorbent material.
• the charge was applied using an array of three charge bars and a ground bar, positioned on opposite sides of the filaments.
• a combination of pulp fibers and superabsorbent material was injected into the filament stream using air assist, before the bicomponent filaments were deposited onto a web forming conveyor. After depositing on the conveyor, the nonwoven web composite was subjected to through-air bonding at 264 °F, to cause improved bonding between the ingredients.
• the tensile tests were performed according to the INDA Strip Tensile test procedure 1ST 110.1-92. Each sample was 3" wide instead of the 2" width described in the 1ST 110.1-92 procedure. The parameters of the tensile test are described below:
• Example 1 reflects a control sample containing only pulp and superabsorbent, and no bicomponent filament matrix.
• Examples 2 and 4 reflect the use of a bicomponent filament matrix with pulp fibers, but without superabsorbent. The amount of pulp was twice as large for Example 2, as for Example 4.
• Examples 3 and 5 reflect the use of a bicomponent filament matrix with pulp fibers and superabsorbent. Example 5 utilized less pulp fibers and more superabsorbent than Example 3.
• Table 2 sets forth the test results for each Example. All of the tensile properties showed dramatically better results for the inventive samples, compared to the control. The inventive samples also retained considerable saturated capacity, most notably where superabsorbent material was used.

Landscapes

• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Textile Engineering (AREA)
• Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
• General Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
• Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
• Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
• Epidemiology (AREA)
• Public Health (AREA)
• Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
• Materials Engineering (AREA)
• Hematology (AREA)
• Wood Science & Technology (AREA)
• Nonwoven Fabrics (AREA)
• Absorbent Articles And Supports Therefor (AREA)
• Laminated Bodies (AREA)
• Orthopedics, Nursing, And Contraception (AREA)
• Treatments For Attaching Organic Compounds To Fibrous Goods (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=22706727

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (12)

Families Citing this family (23)

Family Cites Families (7)

• 1999
  • 1999-11-09 TW TW088119522A patent/TW479087B/zh not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 1999-11-09 AR ARP990105686A patent/AR021138A1/es unknown
  • 1999-11-10 BR BR9915271-1A patent/BR9915271A/pt not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 1999-11-10 KR KR1020017005976A patent/KR100655841B1/ko not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 1999-11-10 RU RU2001116102/12A patent/RU2208673C2/ru not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 1999-11-10 CN CNB998155411A patent/CN1192137C/zh not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 1999-11-10 WO PCT/US1999/026526 patent/WO2000029658A1/en active IP Right Grant
  • 1999-11-10 EP EP99972273A patent/EP1141460A1/en not_active Withdrawn
  • 1999-11-10 AU AU14744/00A patent/AU760457B2/en not_active Ceased
  • 1999-11-10 JP JP2000582633A patent/JP2002530540A/ja not_active Abandoned
  • 1999-11-12 CO CO99071661A patent/CO5100977A1/es unknown
• 2001
  • 2001-05-03 ZA ZA200103576A patent/ZA200103576B/en unknown

Non-Patent Citations (1)

Also Published As

Similar Documents

Legal Events