EP1612314B2 - Vliesstoffe von Filamentfäden und Verfahren zur Herstellung - Google Patents

Vliesstoffe von Filamentfäden und Verfahren zur Herstellung Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1612314B2
EP1612314B2 EP05022050.8A EP05022050A EP1612314B2 EP 1612314 B2 EP1612314 B2 EP 1612314B2 EP 05022050 A EP05022050 A EP 05022050A EP 1612314 B2 EP1612314 B2 EP 1612314B2
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
filaments
nonwoven fabric
filament
polymer
melting point
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
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EP05022050.8A
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English (en)
French (fr)
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EP1612314A2 (de
EP1612314B1 (de
EP1612314A3 (de
Inventor
Koichi Nagaoka
Fumio Matsuoka
Naoji Ichise
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Unitika Ltd
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Unitika Ltd
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Priority claimed from JP25167995A external-priority patent/JP3434628B2/ja
Priority claimed from JP25608395A external-priority patent/JP3432340B2/ja
Priority claimed from JP25607995A external-priority patent/JP3938950B2/ja
Priority claimed from JP25608095A external-priority patent/JP3710175B2/ja
Application filed by Unitika Ltd filed Critical Unitika Ltd
Publication of EP1612314A2 publication Critical patent/EP1612314A2/de
Publication of EP1612314A3 publication Critical patent/EP1612314A3/de
Publication of EP1612314B1 publication Critical patent/EP1612314B1/de
Publication of EP1612314B2 publication Critical patent/EP1612314B2/de
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    • 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
    • D04H1/54—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 by welding together the fibres, e.g. by partially melting or dissolving
    • D04H1/541—Composite fibres, e.g. sheath-core, sea-island or side-by-side; Mixed fibres
    • D04H1/5412—Composite fibres, e.g. sheath-core, sea-island or side-by-side; Mixed fibres sheath-core
    • 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
    • D04H3/14—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 thermoplastic yarns or filaments produced by welding
    • 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
    • D04H3/14—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 thermoplastic yarns or filaments produced by welding
    • D04H3/147—Composite yarns or filaments
    • 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
    • D01F6/00—Monocomponent artificial filaments or the like of synthetic polymers; Manufacture thereof
    • D01F6/58—Monocomponent artificial filaments or the like of synthetic polymers; Manufacture thereof from homopolycondensation products
    • D01F6/62—Monocomponent artificial filaments or the like of synthetic polymers; Manufacture thereof from homopolycondensation products from polyesters
    • D01F6/625—Monocomponent artificial filaments or the like of synthetic polymers; Manufacture thereof from homopolycondensation products from polyesters derived from hydroxy-carboxylic acids, e.g. lactones
    • 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
    • D01F6/00—Monocomponent artificial filaments or the like of synthetic polymers; Manufacture thereof
    • D01F6/78—Monocomponent artificial filaments or the like of synthetic polymers; Manufacture thereof from copolycondensation products
    • D01F6/84—Monocomponent artificial filaments or the like of synthetic polymers; Manufacture thereof from copolycondensation products from copolyesters
    • 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
    • D04H1/40—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
    • D04H1/4326—Condensation or reaction polymers
    • D04H1/435—Polyesters
    • 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
    • D04H1/4382—Stretched reticular film fibres; Composite fibres; Mixed fibres; Ultrafine fibres; Fibres for artificial leather
    • D04H1/43825—Composite fibres
    • D04H1/43828—Composite fibres sheath-core
    • 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
    • D04H1/4391—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 characterised by the shape of the fibres
    • D04H1/43912—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 characterised by the shape of the fibres fibres with noncircular cross-sections
    • 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
    • D04H1/4391—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 characterised by the shape of the fibres
    • D04H1/43914—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 characterised by the shape of the fibres hollow fibres
    • 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
    • D04H1/44—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 the fleeces or layers being consolidated by mechanical means, e.g. by rolling
    • D04H1/46—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 the fleeces or layers being consolidated by mechanical means, e.g. by rolling by needling or like operations to cause entanglement of fibres
    • D04H1/48—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 the fleeces or layers being consolidated by mechanical means, e.g. by rolling by needling or like operations to cause entanglement of fibres in combination with at least one other method of consolidation
    • 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
    • D04H1/54—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 by welding together the fibres, e.g. by partially melting or dissolving
    • D04H1/542—Adhesive fibres
    • D04H1/55—Polyesters
    • 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
    • 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
    • D04H3/005—Synthetic yarns or filaments
    • D04H3/009—Condensation or reaction polymers
    • D04H3/011—Polyesters
    • 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
    • D04H3/018—Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of yarns or like filamentary material of substantial length characterised by the shape
    • 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
    • D04H3/16—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 thermoplastic filaments produced in association with filament formation, e.g. immediately following extrusion

Definitions

  • the present invention relates generally to filament nonwoven fabrics which are degradable due to microorganisms and the like in natural environments and a method of manufacturing the same. More particularly, the invention relates to a degradable filament nonwoven fabric which can be produced from a biodegradable polymer composed principally of a thermoplastic aliphatic polyester under particular conditions, and a method of manufacturing the same.
  • nonwoven fabrics which are degradable due to microorganisms have been known including, for example, biodegradable nonwoven fabrics made from natural or regenerated filaments, such as cotton, flax, hemp, ramie, wool, rayon, chitin, and alginic acid filaments
  • degradable nonwoven fabrics which are generally hydrophilic and water absorptive, are not suitable for use in such an application as disposable diaper top sheet, wherein it is required that the fabric be hydrophobic and less water absorptive and should have a dry feel when it gets wet.
  • Another problem is that such nonwoven fabrics are very much liable to deterioration in strength and dimensional stability under wet environmental conditions; and this has limited the possibility of exploiting new uses for such nonwoven fabrics in general industrial material applications. Further, such nonwoven fabrics, because of their non-thermoplastic nature, have no thermoformability and are therefore less processable.
  • microbially degradable filaments which may be obtainable by the melt spinning technique from a microbially degradable polymer having thermoplastic and hydrophobic characteristics, and microbially degradable nonwoven fabrics made up of such filaments.
  • a group of polymers generally called aliphatic polyesters are attracting high attention because they have microbial degradation characteristics.
  • such polymers include, for example, poly- ⁇ -hydroxyalkanoate as represented by microbially degradable polyester, poly- ⁇ -hydroxyalkanoate as represented by polycaprolactone, polyalkylene dicarboxylate composed of a polycondensate of glycol and dicarboxylic acid, such as polybutylene succinate, or copolymers of these polymers.
  • poly- ⁇ -hydroxyalkanoate as represented by microbially degradable polyester
  • poly- ⁇ -hydroxyalkanoate as represented by polycaprolactone
  • polyalkylene dicarboxylate composed of a polycondensate of glycol and dicarboxylic acid, such as polybutylene succinate
  • copolymers of these polymers include, for example, poly- ⁇ -hydroxyalkanoate as represented by microbially degradable polyester, poly- ⁇ -hydroxyalkanoate as represented by polycaprolactone, polyalkylene dicarboxylate composed of a polycondensate of glycol and dicarbox
  • polylactic acid in particular has a relatively high melting point such that, when a nonwoven fabric comprised of that material would prove to be very useful in applications which require heat resistance. As such, much expectation is now entertained for possibilities of polylactic nonwoven fabrics for practical use.
  • a polylactic nonwoven fabric is already disclosed in JP-A-7-126970 in which is described a staple filament nonwoven fabric composed principally of polylactic acid.
  • JP-A-6-212511 there is given a teaching about a polylactic staple filament material useful for the manufacture of polylactic staple filament nonwoven fabrics.
  • the manufacture of such a staple filament nonwoven fabric involves many operating stages, from melt spinning and up to nonwoven fabric forming; and this poses a problem from the standpoint of production cost economy.
  • JP-A-6-264343 which pertains to a biodegradable agricultural filament assembly, there is no detailed statement as to such important manufacturing conditions as filament drafting speed, and other necessary particulars, nor is there any teaching on the properties of the nonwoven fabric produced.
  • the teaching of International Nonwovens Journal, Vol. 7, No. 2, pp 69 (1995 ) is merely such that hard and brittle plate-like, polylactic spun bonded fabrics were obtained.
  • EP 0637641 (A1 ) there is no teaching that a polylactic spun bonded fabric having good flexibility and high mechanical strength can be produced.
  • the present invention is intended to solve the foregoing problems and has as its primary object the provision of a polylactic filament nonwoven fabric degradable due to microorganisms and the like in natural environments and yet having sufficient mechanical strength for practical use.
  • a nonwoven fabric made up of filaments comprised of a polylactic acid-based polymer, wherein the polylactic acid-based polymer is a polymer selected from the group consisting of poly(D-lactic acid), poly(L-lactic acid), copolymers of D-lactic acid and L-lactic acid, copolymers of D-lactic acid and hydroxy-carboxylic acid, and copolymers of L-lactic acid and hydroxy-carboxylic acid, said polymer having a melting point of 100°C or more, or a blend of such polymers having a melting point of 100°C or more, characterized in that constituent filaments of the nonwoven fabric are partially fusion bonded with heat and pressure by embossing or ultrasonic fusion, wherein said fusion bonding is present in spottedly configured individual fusion bonded areas.
  • the polylactic acid-based polymer is a polymer selected from the group consisting of poly(D-lactic acid), poly(L-lactic acid), copolymers of D-lactic acid and L-lactic acid
  • the constituent filaments of the nonwoven fabric are partially bonded with heat and pressure.
  • polylactic acid-based polymer filaments are not joined together at their intersections but are partially bonded with heat and pressure, whereby the nonwoven fabric is allowed to retain its form as such. Therefore, in contrast to known nonwoven fabrics formed with polylactic acid-based polymers, which are characteristically hard and brittle, the nonwoven fabric of the invention has good flexibility while retaining sufficient mechanical strength for practical purposes. Further, being comprised of polylactic acid-based polymer filaments, the nonwoven fabric is well degradable under natural environmental conditions.
  • a method of fabricating a nonwoven fabric made up of filaments comprised of a polylactic acid-based polymer comprising the steps of melting a polymer selected from the group consisting of poly(D-lactic acid), poly(L-lactic acid), copolymers of D-lactic acid and L-lactic acid, copolymers of D-lactic acid and hydroxy-carboxylic acid, and copolymers of L-lactic acid and hydroxy-carboxylic acid, said polymer having a melting point of 100°C or more, or a blend of such polymers having a melting point of 100°C or more, said polymer or polymer blend having a melt flow rate of 10 to 100 g/10 minutes as measured at 190°C according to ASTM-D-1238 (E), in a temperature range of from (Tm + 20)°C to (Tm + 80) °C, where Tm°C is the melting point of the polymer or polymer blend; extruding the melt through a spinneret
  • Filaments employed in the present invention are comprised of a polylactic acid-based polymer.
  • polylactic acid-based polymer a polymer having a melting point of 100°C or more selected from the group consisting of poly(D-lactic acid), poly(L-lactic acid), copolymers of D-lactic acid and L-lactic acid, copolymers of D-lactic acid and hydroxy-carboxylic acid, and copolymers of L-lactic acid and hydroxy-carboxylic acid, the selected polymer having a melting point of 100°C or more, or a blend of such polymers.
  • a plasticizer be added thereto especially for enhancement of spinnability during the process of spinning and flexibility improvement with respect to the resulting filaments and nonwoven fabric.
  • useful plasticizers for such purposes include triacetin, lactic acid oligomers, and dioctyl phthalate.
  • the amount of addition of such a plasticizer should be from 1 to 30 % by weight, preferably from 5 to 20 % by weight
  • the melting point of constituent filaments of the nonwoven fabric is 100°C or more. Therefore, it is important that the melting point of the polylactic acid-based polymer, a constituent material of the filaments, be 100°C or more. More specifically, whereas the melting point of poly(L-lactic acid) or poly(D-lactic acid) as a polylactic homopolymer is about 180°C, it is important that, where any of aforesaid copolymers is used as a polylactic acid-based polymer, the copolymerization molar ratio of monomer components must be determined so as to enable the copolymer to have a melting point of 100°C or more.
  • the melting point of the polylactic polymer is and, in turn, the melting point of constituent filaments of the nonwoven fabric is lower than 100°C, or the polymer may become an amorphous polymer.
  • the quenching effect of filaments in the spinning stage is lowered, and this adversely affects nonwoven fabrics formed from such filaments in respect of heat resistance, with the result that the range of applications for such a nonwoven fabric is limited.
  • polylactic acid-based polymer is a copolymer of lactic acid and hydroxy-carboxylic acid
  • examples of hydroxy-carboxylic acid include glycolic acid, hydroxybutanoic acid, hydroxyvaleric acid, hydroxypentanoic acid, hydroxycaproic acid, hydroxyheptanoic acid, and hydroxyoctanoic acid.
  • hydroxycaproic acid or glycolic acid is particularly preferred from the standpoints of microbial degradation performance and cost economy.
  • polylactic acid-based polymers may be used alone or in the form of a blend of two or more kinds.
  • conditions such as polymers to be mixed and mixing proportions may be suitably determined in consideration of spinnability and other factors.
  • Such polymers each may be added with various additives, such as dulling agent, pigment, and crystallizing agent, as required within the limits in which the advantageous feature of the invention will not be affected.
  • each constituent filament of the nonwoven fabric may have any cross-sectional configuration, such as solid and otherwise. More specifically, it is preferable that the filament has one of such cross-sectional configurations as hollow section, odd-shaped section, sheath-core type composite section, and slit type composite section.
  • Fig. 1 shows a cross sectional view in which filament 1 has a hollow cross section.
  • Reference numeral 2 designates a filament portion
  • 3 designates a hollow portion.
  • the nonwoven fabric has good degradation capability. The reason is that as microorganisms and moisture erode inward from the outer circumferential portion for entry into the hollow portion 3 through holes formed in the filament portion 2 so that the surface area per unit polymer weight is so enlarged as to enhance the rate of degradation by microorganisms and the like.
  • a filament having an hollow section exhibits good performance for enhancement of quenching efficiency with respect to filaments spun, because per-unit-time polymer passage through a quenching region during spinning operation is relatively small in weight terms, and because the filament contains therein air bubbles of a small specific heat.
  • the filament has a polygonal odd-shaped cross section or a planar odd-shaped cross section as shown in Figs. 2 and 3
  • such sectional configuration can enhance filament quenching and spreading-open efficiency in the spinning stage, and can provide improved degradability with respect to the nonwoven fabric to be obtained.
  • the reason for this is that where a filament has an odd-shaped sectional configuration, the filament provides a larger surface area per unit polymer weight.
  • the filament cross section is a sheath-core type composite section
  • filaments of a sheath-core structure be formed of two kinds of components including the one filament component, the two kinds of components being arranged in such a manner that one having a higher melting point (hereinafter referred to as high melting point component) is used to assume a core position, the other of a lower melting point (hereinafter referred to as low melting point component) being used to assume a sheath position.
  • the melting point difference between the two components is determined in such a manner that for the core component, the melting point of one of the constituent polymers of the blend which has a lowermost melting point is taken as a basis, whereas for the sheath component, the melting point of one of the constituent polymers of the blend which has the highest melting point is taken as a basis.
  • the resulting nonwoven fabric can have good flexibility.
  • the filament cross section is a split type composite section
  • a nonwoven fabric formed from filaments of such a cross-sectional configuration can exhibit good degradability and good flexibility.
  • split type composite section refers to a filament section such that the filament comprises two kinds of filament components arranged in divisions separate from one another in a circumferential direction of the filament section, the two kinds of filament components including at least one of a polylactic acid-based polymer and a blend of plural kinds of polylactic acid-based polymers, chosen as one filament component, wherein both components extend continuously in the longitudinal direction of the filament and are exposed to the exterior of the filament.
  • cross-sectional configurations as shown in Figs. 4 to 6 may be exemplified. More particularly, Fig.
  • Fig. 4 shows a cross section wherein two components of filament 1, that is, high melting point component 4 and low melting point component 5 have respective radially extending divisions arranged in alternate relation.
  • Fig. 5 shows a cross section wherein low melting point component 5 constitutes a center portion of filament 1 and wherein high melting point component 4 has a plurality of divisions arranged along a circumferential edge of the low melting point component 5 in such a way that they protrude outward of the low melting point component 5.
  • a nonwoven fabric formed from filaments of such cross-sectional configuration will have improved degradability.
  • Fig. 5 shows a cross section wherein two components of filament 1, that is, high melting point component 4 and low melting point component 5 have respective radially extending divisions arranged in alternate relation.
  • Fig. 5 shows a cross section wherein low melting point component 5 constitutes a center portion of filament 1 and wherein high melting point component 4 has a plurality of divisions arranged along a circumferential edge of the low melting point component 5
  • a filament cross section which is similar to the one shown in Fig. 4 but is different in that there is provided an hollow portion 3.
  • Such filament configuration provides for further improvement in degradability, and filament quenching and spreading-open efficiency.
  • split type composite section it is possible as well to carry out fusion bonding in a temperature range near the melting point of low melting point component 5 during the process of web bonding with heat and pressure. In this operation, no fusion is caused to high melting point component 4. Thus, it is possible to obtain a nonwoven fabric having good flexibility.
  • various other odd-shaped composite cross-sectional configurations may be used including, for example, triangular, quadrangular, hexagonal, planar, Y-shaped, and T-shaped.
  • a web is partially bonded with heat and pressure without individual filaments being joined at intersection points, so that the web can retain a sheet-like configuration of nonwoven structure.
  • Such a nonwoven fabric has good flex properties because the constituent filaments are bonded only in partially formed fusion-bonded areas.
  • the single filament fineness of constituent filaments of the nonwoven fabric is preferably in the range of from 1 to 12 denier. If the single filament fineness is less than 1 denier, there may frequently occur single filament breaks in spinning and drafting stages, which results in poor spinning efficiency and lower strength characteristics of nonwoven fabrics obtained. If the fineness is more than 12 denier, quenching effect for filaments spun is insufficient, and the flexibility of filaments obtained is unfavorably affected.
  • the nonwoven fabric of the invention be comprised of filaments having a single filament fineness of the above mentioned range, and that weight per unit area of the fabric be within the range of from 10 to 200 g/m 2 . If the weight per unit area is less than 10g/m 2 , the fabric has poor texture and insufficient mechanical strength and is unsuitable for practical use. If the weight per unit area is more than 200g/m 2 , the resulting nonwoven fabric is unfavorably affected in flexibility.
  • the nonwoven fabric of the invention preferably has a tensile strength of not less than 5 kg/5cm width as calculated on the basis of weight per unit area 100 g/m 2 .
  • the term "tensile strength" used herein means an average value of tensile strength measurements in both machine direction which is parallel to the manufacturing line and crossing direction perpendicular to the machine direction as measured according to JIS-L-1096 as will be described hereinafter, which is proportionally converted on the basis of weight per unit area 100 g/m 2 for evaluation. If the tensile strength of the nonwoven fabric is less than 5 kg/5cm width, the mechanical strength of the fabric is too insufficient and may not serve for practical purposes.
  • the nonwoven fabric of the invention can be efficiently manufactured by the so-called spun bond process.
  • a polylactic acid-based polymer of the above mentioned type having a melt flow rate of 10-100 g/10 minutes as measured at a temperature of 190°C in accordance with ASTM-D-1238 (E) is melted in a spinning temperature range of from (Tm + 20)°C to (Tm + 80) °C, where Tm°C is the melting point of the polymer, and the melt is spun into filaments through a spinneret which provides a desired filament cross section.
  • the filaments obtained are quenched by means of a conventional quenching device known in the art, such as horizontal blow type or annular blow type, and then the filaments are drafted by a suction device.
  • the melt flow rate (hereinafter referred to as MFR value) of the polylactic acid-based polymer composition be within the range of 10-100 g/10 min. when measured at 190°C in accordance with the method described in ASTM-D-1238(E). If the MFR value is less than 10 g/10 min., the melting viscosity is excessively high, which results in poor high-speed spinnability. If the MFR value is more than 100 g/10 min., the melting viscosity is too low, which results in poor drafting ability, it being thus difficult to maintain stable operation.
  • the polymer used should be melted within a temperature range of from (Tm + 20) °C to (Tm + 80) °C, where Tm°C is the melting point of the polymer.
  • Tm °C should be a melting point which is the highest of the melting points of the constituent polymers of the blend. If the spinning temperature is lower than (Tm + 20) °C, drafting operation in high-speed air currents will be of low efficiency.
  • the drafting speed be within the range of from 1,000 to 5,000 m/min.
  • the drafting speed may be suitably selected according to the MFR value of the polymer. If the drafting speed is less than 1,000 m/min., oriented crystallization of the polymer is retarded, which may result in inter-filament adhesion; and therefore the resulting nonwoven fabric is likely to have hard feel and inferior mechanical strength. If the drafting speed is more than 5,000 m/min., the process of drafting is forced to be carried out in excess of a critical drafting limit, and this results in filament break occurrences, it being thus difficult to maintain stable operation.
  • a partial bonding apparatus with heat and pressure is used to give partial bonding with heat and pressure at a temperature lower than the melting point which is the lowest of the melting points of polymeric components of the filament.
  • the expression "partially bonding with heat and pressure” means formation of fusion bonded areas by embossing or ultrasonic fusion bonding. Specifically, a web is passed through a clearance between a heated embossing roll and a flat surface metal roll for formation of inter-filament fusion bonded areas.
  • individual bonded areas with heat and pressure as particular partial areas in a web, each have an area of 0.2 to 15 mm 2 which may be of any configuration, such as circular, elliptic, diamond, triangular, T-shaped, and number sign-shaped.
  • the density of distribution of such areas that is, the density of bonded areas with heat and pressure is within the range of 4 to 100 bonded areas per cm 2 . If the density of bonded areas with heat and pressure is less than 4 bonded areas per cm 2 , no improvement can be had in the mechanical strength and shape retention capability of the resulting nonwoven fabric. If the density is more than 100 bonded areas per cm 2 , the resulting nonwoven fabric is rough and hard and has only poor flexibility.
  • the ratio of total bonded area with heat and pressure to total surface area of the web should be 3 to 50 %, though it depends upon the area of each individual pressure bonded area. If the pressure bonded area ratio is less than 3 %, the resulting nonwoven fabric cannot have improved mechanical strength or improved form retention capability. If the pressure bonded area ratio is more than 50 %, the resulting nonwoven fabric is rough and hard and has only poor flexibility.
  • Operating temperature for bonding with heat and pressure that is, the surface temperature of the embossing roll, as already stated, must be lower than the melting point of the polymer used.
  • the web to be bonded with heat and pressure is formed from filaments comprised of a blend of two or more kinds of polylactic acid-based polymers, or where the web is formed from bicomponent filaments having a composite cross-sectional configuration, for example, such a sheath-core type composite section or a split type composite section as earlier mentioned
  • the melting point of one polymer whose melting point is the lowest of those of all component polymers of the blend, or the melting point of one component of the bicomponent composite cross section which is lower than that of the other is taken as a reference, and operation must be carried out at an operating temperature lower than such a melting point.
  • the operating temperature exceeds that temperature limit, there may occur polymer adhesion to the bonding apparatus with heat and pressure, with the result that operating efficiency is adversely affected.
  • the resulting nonwoven fabric has a very hard hand, it being thus impractical to obtain a reasonably flexible nonwoven fabric.
  • the ultrasonic fusion bonding apparatus comprises an ultrasonic oscillator having a frequency of about 20 kHz which is generally called "horn", and a pattern roll having raised projections arranged circumferentially thereon in a area pattern or belt-like pattern.
  • the pattern roll is disposed below the ultrasonic oscillator so that partial hot fusion bonding can be effected by passing a web through a nip between the ultrasonic oscillator and the pattern roll.
  • Raised projections arranged on the pattern roll may be of a single row or plural rows. In the case of plural-row arrangement, the raised projections may be arranged either in parallel rows or in staggered rows.
  • MFR Melt Flow Rate
  • Weight per unit area (g/m 2 ) From each sample in standard condition were prepared 10 specimens, each of 10 cm x 10 cm. After the moisture content of each specimen was brought to equilibrium, each specimen was weighed for determining the weight (g) thereof. The average of the values obtained was converted into a value per unit area, which was defined as weight per unit area (g/m 2 ).
  • KGSM tensile strength (kg/5 cm width) Measurement was made in accordance with the strip method described in JIS-L-1096. Ten specimens, each being 5 cm wide and 20 cm long, were prepared for each sample, and by using a constant stretch type tensile strength tester ("Tensilon UTM-4-1-100", made by Toyo Baldwin), each specimen was stretched by being clamped at positions 10 cm distanced from each other, at a stretch rate of 10 cm/min in both directions of the nonwoven fabric, i.e., machine direction which is parallel to the manufacturing line and crossing direction perpendicular to the machine direction. The average of breaking load values (kg/5 cm width) obtained was converted on a 100 g/m 2 weight per unit area basis, and the converted value was taken as a KGSM tensile strength (kg/5cm width).
  • Biodegradability Nonwoven fabrics were buried in an aged compost maintained at about 58°C and were taken out three months later. In the case where the nonwoven fabric did not retain its configuration as such, or where even if the fabric retained its configuration, its tensile strength had been lowered to 50 % or less of the initial strength level of the fabric prior to the burial, the degradability of the nonwoven fabric was evaluated to be good, whereas in case that the strength was more than 50 % of the initial strength prior to the burial, the nonwoven fabric was evaluated to be of poor degradability.
  • L-lactic acid-hydroxycaproic acid copolymer of L-lactic acid / hydroxycaproic acid 90 / 10 mol % which has a melting point of 168 °C and an MFR value of 20 g/10 min. was melt spun into filaments through a circular spinneret at a spinning temperature of 195°C and at a mass out flow rate from each orifice of 1.75 g/min. The filaments were quenched by a conventional quenching device, and were then drafted and attenuated at a drafting speed of 4500 m/min. Filaments were spread open each other and deposited on a collecting surface of a travelling conveyor, being thus formed into a web.
  • the web was then passed through a partial bonding apparatus with heat and pressure comprising embossing rolls wherein partial bonding with heat and pressure was carried out under the following conditions: roll temperature of 138°C, or 30°C lower than the melting temperature of the polymer; pressure bonded area ratio of 15.0 %; pressure bond density of 22.0 bonded areas per cm 2 ; and linear pressure of a roll set of 50 kg/cm.
  • roll temperature 138°C, or 30°C lower than the melting temperature of the polymer
  • pressure bonded area ratio of 15.0 % pressure bond density of 22.0 bonded areas per cm 2
  • linear pressure of a roll set of 50 kg/cm a filament nonwoven fabric comprised of filaments of 3.5 denier in single filament fineness and having a weight per unit area of 30 g/m 2 was obtained.
  • Manufacturing conditions, spinnability, and properties and biodegradability of the nonwoven fabric in this instance are shown in Table 1.
  • Example 1 Example 2
  • Example 3 Example 4
  • Example 5 Example 6 MFR value g/10min 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20
  • Note 220 0 Melting point °C 168 139 110 112 168 111 141 Manufacturing conditions Filament cross section - Solid Solid Solid Solid Solid Divided type composite ( Fig.
  • the copolymerization ratio of L-lactic acid to hydroxycaproic acid in the L-lactic acid-hydroxycaproic acid copolymer, and the spinning temperature, the mass out flow rate, the drafting speed, and the embossing temperature were changed as shown in Table 1.
  • operation was carried out in the same way as in Example 1 to obtain a filament nonwoven fabric.
  • the manufacturing conditions, spinnability, and properties and biodegradability of the nonwoven fabric obtained in this Example 2 are shown in Table 1.
  • a filament nonwoven fabric was produced using a copolymer of L-lactic acid and D-lactic acid.
  • the copolymerization ratio of L-lactic acid to D-lactic acid, spinning temperature, mass out flow rate, drafting speed, and embossing temperature used in each respective example were as shown in Table 1.
  • operation was carried out in the same way as in Example 1 to obtain the nonwoven fabric.
  • the manufacturing conditions, spinnability, and properties and biodegradability of the nonwoven fabric obtained, in each respective Example 3, 4 are shown in Table 1.
  • Example 1 Operation was carried out in the same way as in Example 1, except that a mass out flow rate of 3.00 g/min. and a drafting speed of 5,000 m/min. were used. As a result, a filament nonwoven fabric comprised of filaments having a single filament fineness of 5.4 denier was obtained.
  • the manufacturing conditions, spinnability, and properties and biodegradability of the nonwoven fabric obtained in this Example 5 are shown in Table 1.
  • the components were melt spun into filaments through a spinneret having a configuration such that, in a split type composite cross section as shown in Fig.
  • the first and second components could be respectively arranged in the core and leaf portions, the spinning operation being carried out at a spinning temperature of 170°C and at a mass out flow rate of 1.59 g/min. Filaments spun were quenched by a conventional quenching device and were then drafted and attenuated at a drafting speed of 4,100 m/min. Filaments were spread open each other and deposited on a collecting surface of a travelling conveyor, being thus formed into a web.
  • Filament nonwoven fabrics were produced in the same way as in Example 1, except that the MFR value of the polymer was changed as shown in Table 2. Manufacturing conditions and spinnability in these comparative examples are shown in Table 2.
  • Filament nonwoven fabrics were produced in the same way as in Example 1, except that the spinning temperature was changed as shown in. Table 2. Manufacturing conditions and spinnability in these comparative examples are shown in Table 2.
  • a filament nonwoven fabric formed of filaments was produced in the same way as in Example 4, except that an embossing temperature of 113 °C was used for bonding operation with heat and pressure. Manufacturing conditions, spinnability, and properties and biodegradability of the nonwoven fabric produced in this comparative example are shown in Table 2.
  • Comparative Example 2 a drafting speed higher than 5,000 m/min. was used and this resulted in poor draft efficiency in a high-speed air current. As such, filament breaks frequently occurred and this prevented sheet formation.

Claims (9)

  1. Vliesstoff, der aus Filamenten besteht, die aus einem Polymer auf Polymilchsäurebasis, das ein Polymer ist, das aus der Gruppe Copolymere aus D-Milchsäure und L-Milchsäure, Copolymere aus D-Milchsäure und Hydroxycarbonsäure und Copolymere aus L-Milchsäure und Hydroxycarbonsäure gewählt ist, wobei das Polymer einen Schmelzpunkt von 100°C oder mehr hat, oder aus einer Mischung aus diesen Polymeren bestehen, die einen Schmelzpunkt von 100 °C oder mehr haben, wobei konstituierende Filamente des Vliesstoffes mit Wärme und Druck durch Profil- oder Ultraschallschmelzen teilweise schmelzverbunden sind und die Schmelzverbindung in einzelnen schmelzverbundenen Bereichen vorliegt,
    dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
    der Vliesstoff ein Spinnvliesstoff ist,
    die Schmelzverbindung vorliegt, ohne dass die konstituierenden Filamente an Schnittpunkten in anderen Bereichen als den Schmelzverbindungsbereichen verbunden sind,
    jeder der einzelnen Schmelzverbindungsbereiche eine Fläche von 0,2 bis 15 mm2 hat und eine beliebige Gestalt hat, wie etwa kreisförmig, elliptisch, rhombisch, dreieckig, T-förmig und nummernzeichenförmig,
    die Dichte von Punkten, die mit Wärme und Druck schmelzverbunden worden sind, 4 bis 100 Bereiche je cm2 beträgt und
    der Anteil des gesamten Bereichs der mit Wärme und Druck erzeugten Schmelzverbindung an der Gesamtoberfläche eines Flors 3 bis 50 % beträgt.
  2. Vliesstoff nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Querschnitt jedes konstituierenden Filaments ein massiver oder offener hohler Querschnitt oder ein polygonaler oder planarer Querschnitt mit ausgefallener Gestalt ist.
  3. Vliesstoff nach Anspruch 1, der aus Filamenten besteht, die aus einem Polymer auf Polymilchsäurebasis bestehen, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Querschnitt jedes konstituierenden Filaments ein zusammengesetzter Kern-Mantel-Querschnitt eines Bikomponentenfilaments ist.
  4. Vliesstoff nach Anspruch 1, der aus Filamenten besteht, die aus einem Polymer auf Polymilchsäurebasis bestehen, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Querschnitt jedes konstituierenden Filaments ein zusammengesetzter geteilter Querschnitt ist, sodass Bikomponenten des Filaments ihre jeweilige geometrische Form haben, die voneinander getrennt sind, und beide an sich durchgehend in der Richtung einer Filament-Achse verlaufen und an der Oberfläche des Filaments freiliegen.
  5. Vliesstoff nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Filamente eine Einzelfadenfeinheit von 1 bis 12 Denier haben.
  6. Vliesstoff nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Vliesstoff eine Flächenmasse von 10 bis 500 g/m2 hat.
  7. Verfahren zur Herstellung eines Vliesstoffes nach Anspruch 1, der aus Filamenten besteht, die aus einem Polymer auf Polymilchsäurebasis bestehen, mit den Schritten:
    Aufschmelzen eines Polymers, das aus der Gruppe Poly-D-Milchsäure, Poly-L-Milchsäure, Copolymere aus D-Milchsäure und L-Milchsäure, Copolymere aus D-Milchsäure und Hydroxycarbonsäure und Copolymere aus L-Milchsäure und Hydroxycarbonsäure gewählt ist, wobei das Polymer einen Schmelzpunkt von 100°C oder mehr hat, oder einer Mischung aus diesen Polymeren, die einen Schmelzpunkt von 100 °C oder mehr haben, wobei das Polymer oder die Polymermischung eine Schmelzfliessgeschwindigkeit von 10 bis 100 g / 10 Minuten, gemessen bei 190°C nach ASTM-D-1238 (E), in einem Temperaturbereich von (Tm + 20°C) bis (Tm + 80 °C) hat, wobei Tm (°C) der Schmelzpunkt des Polymers oder der Polymermischung ist;
    Extrudieren der Schmelze durch eine Spinndüse zu Filamenten;
    Verstrecken der extrudierten Filamente mittels einer Saugvorrichtung mit einer Streckgeschwindigkeit von 1000 bis 5000 m/Minute, wodurch sie zu feineren Filamenten verfeinert werden;
    Abscheiden dieser Filamente, wenn sie auseinandergefaltet sind und auf der Oberfläche eines sich bewegenden Sammlers liegen, um einen Flor herzustellen; und
    teilweises Schmelzverbinden der Filamente mit Wärme und Druck bei einer Temperatur unter dem Schmelzpunkt der Polymerkomponente des Filaments oder bei einer Temperatur unter dem Schmelzpunkt, welcher der niedrigste der Schmelzpunkte der Polymerkomponenten der Filamente ist, durch Profil- oder Ultraschallschmelzen, wobei die Schmelzverbindung in einzelnen Schmelzverbindungsbereichen vorliegt, um dadurch den Vliesstoff zu erhalten.
  8. Herstellungsverfahren nach Anspruch 7, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass konstituierende Filamente des Flors mit Wärme und Druck bei einer Temperatur, die niedriger als der Schmelzpunkt des Polymers oder der Polymermischung ist, teilweise verbunden werden.
  9. Herstellungsverfahren nach Anspruch 8, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
    zwei oder mehr Arten von Komponenten, die das Polymer oder die Polymermischung bilden, mittels einer Spinndüse, die eine Konfiguration eines zusammengesetzten Querschnitts für den Faserquerschnitt jedes der Filamente ermöglicht, zu Filamenten schmelzversponnen werden und
    das teilweise Verbinden mit Wärme und Druck bei einer Temperatur bewirkt wird, die niedriger als der Schmelzpunkt eines der zwei oder mehr Arten von Komponenten ist, der der niedrigste ihrer Schmelzpunkte ist.
EP05022050.8A 1995-09-29 1996-09-16 Vliesstoffe von Filamentfäden und Verfahren zur Herstellung Expired - Lifetime EP1612314B2 (de)

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JP25167995A JP3434628B2 (ja) 1995-09-29 1995-09-29 ポリ乳酸系長繊維不織布およびその製造方法
JP25607995A JP3938950B2 (ja) 1995-10-03 1995-10-03 ポリ乳酸系長繊維不織布およびその製造方法
JP25608095A JP3710175B2 (ja) 1995-10-03 1995-10-03 ポリ乳酸系長繊維不織布およびその製造方法
JP25608395A JP3432340B2 (ja) 1995-10-03 1995-10-03 生分解性成形用長繊維不織布およびその製造方法
EP96114791A EP0765959B1 (de) 1995-09-29 1996-09-16 Vliesstoffe von Filamentfaden und Verfahren zu seiner Herstellung
EP99108935A EP0949371B1 (de) 1995-09-29 1996-09-16 Vliesstoffe von Filamentfäden und Verfahren zur Herstellung

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KR100406244B1 (ko) 2004-03-30
EP0949371A2 (de) 1999-10-13
EP1612314A2 (de) 2006-01-04
EP1612314B1 (de) 2009-09-09
EP0765959A1 (de) 1997-04-02
EP1612314A3 (de) 2006-11-22
KR970021415A (ko) 1997-05-28
EP0949371A3 (de) 2004-05-12
EP0765959B1 (de) 2000-01-19
EP0949371B1 (de) 2008-11-05

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