EP1761667A1 - Feuille en non-tisse elastique - Google Patents
Feuille en non-tisse elastiqueInfo
- Publication number
- EP1761667A1 EP1761667A1 EP05740351A EP05740351A EP1761667A1 EP 1761667 A1 EP1761667 A1 EP 1761667A1 EP 05740351 A EP05740351 A EP 05740351A EP 05740351 A EP05740351 A EP 05740351A EP 1761667 A1 EP1761667 A1 EP 1761667A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- nonwoven
- elastomeric polymer
- substrate
- necked
- sheet
- 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.)
- Granted
Links
- 239000000758 substrate Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 95
- 229920000642 polymer Polymers 0.000 claims abstract description 83
- 239000004745 nonwoven fabric Substances 0.000 claims description 47
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims description 42
- 239000000835 fiber Substances 0.000 claims description 36
- 239000002904 solvent Substances 0.000 claims description 26
- 230000015271 coagulation Effects 0.000 claims description 12
- 238000005345 coagulation Methods 0.000 claims description 12
- 229920002635 polyurethane Polymers 0.000 claims description 11
- 239000004814 polyurethane Substances 0.000 claims description 11
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 abstract description 5
- 239000000243 solution Substances 0.000 description 53
- LYCAIKOWRPUZTN-UHFFFAOYSA-N Ethylene glycol Chemical compound OCCO LYCAIKOWRPUZTN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 38
- 239000004744 fabric Substances 0.000 description 30
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 30
- 239000010410 layer Substances 0.000 description 19
- -1 for example Polymers 0.000 description 18
- WGCNASOHLSPBMP-UHFFFAOYSA-N hydroxyacetaldehyde Natural products OCC=O WGCNASOHLSPBMP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 16
- FXHOOIRPVKKKFG-UHFFFAOYSA-N N,N-Dimethylacetamide Chemical compound CN(C)C(C)=O FXHOOIRPVKKKFG-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 11
- ZMXDDKWLCZADIW-UHFFFAOYSA-N N,N-Dimethylformamide Chemical compound CN(C)C=O ZMXDDKWLCZADIW-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 11
- 230000001112 coagulating effect Effects 0.000 description 9
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 description 9
- 239000004970 Chain extender Substances 0.000 description 8
- 229920000728 polyester Polymers 0.000 description 8
- 238000000576 coating method Methods 0.000 description 7
- 229920001971 elastomer Polymers 0.000 description 7
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 7
- 241000272186 Falco columbarius Species 0.000 description 6
- 239000004743 Polypropylene Substances 0.000 description 6
- 239000002131 composite material Substances 0.000 description 6
- 239000000806 elastomer Substances 0.000 description 6
- 229920001155 polypropylene Polymers 0.000 description 6
- 239000002243 precursor Substances 0.000 description 6
- 239000011248 coating agent Substances 0.000 description 5
- 229920001577 copolymer Polymers 0.000 description 5
- 125000005442 diisocyanate group Chemical group 0.000 description 5
- 150000002334 glycols Chemical class 0.000 description 5
- 238000005470 impregnation Methods 0.000 description 5
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 description 5
- 230000035515 penetration Effects 0.000 description 5
- 229920003226 polyurethane urea Polymers 0.000 description 5
- 238000010998 test method Methods 0.000 description 5
- 239000004698 Polyethylene Substances 0.000 description 4
- 239000000654 additive Substances 0.000 description 4
- 229920001400 block copolymer Polymers 0.000 description 4
- 229920000126 latex Polymers 0.000 description 4
- 229920000573 polyethylene Polymers 0.000 description 4
- 229920006395 saturated elastomer Polymers 0.000 description 4
- 239000004094 surface-active agent Substances 0.000 description 4
- 229920001169 thermoplastic Polymers 0.000 description 4
- ZWEHNKRNPOVVGH-UHFFFAOYSA-N 2-Butanone Chemical compound CCC(C)=O ZWEHNKRNPOVVGH-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 3
- CSCPPACGZOOCGX-UHFFFAOYSA-N Acetone Chemical compound CC(C)=O CSCPPACGZOOCGX-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 3
- LFQSCWFLJHTTHZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N Ethanol Chemical compound CCO LFQSCWFLJHTTHZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 3
- UFHFLCQGNIYNRP-UHFFFAOYSA-N Hydrogen Chemical compound [H][H] UFHFLCQGNIYNRP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 3
- OKKJLVBELUTLKV-UHFFFAOYSA-N Methanol Chemical compound OC OKKJLVBELUTLKV-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 3
- SECXISVLQFMRJM-UHFFFAOYSA-N N-Methylpyrrolidone Chemical compound CN1CCCC1=O SECXISVLQFMRJM-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 3
- 238000003490 calendering Methods 0.000 description 3
- 150000002009 diols Chemical class 0.000 description 3
- 229920001519 homopolymer Polymers 0.000 description 3
- 239000004816 latex Substances 0.000 description 3
- 238000002844 melting Methods 0.000 description 3
- 230000008018 melting Effects 0.000 description 3
- 229920000098 polyolefin Polymers 0.000 description 3
- 238000012545 processing Methods 0.000 description 3
- 239000000047 product Substances 0.000 description 3
- JZUHIOJYCPIVLQ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 2-methylpentane-1,5-diamine Chemical compound NCC(C)CCCN JZUHIOJYCPIVLQ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- UPMLOUAZCHDJJD-UHFFFAOYSA-N 4,4'-Diphenylmethane Diisocyanate Chemical compound C1=CC(N=C=O)=CC=C1CC1=CC=C(N=C=O)C=C1 UPMLOUAZCHDJJD-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- IAZDPXIOMUYVGZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N Dimethylsulphoxide Chemical compound CS(C)=O IAZDPXIOMUYVGZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- VGGSQFUCUMXWEO-UHFFFAOYSA-N Ethene Chemical compound C=C VGGSQFUCUMXWEO-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 239000005977 Ethylene Substances 0.000 description 2
- PIICEJLVQHRZGT-UHFFFAOYSA-N Ethylenediamine Chemical compound NCCN PIICEJLVQHRZGT-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- KFZMGEQAYNKOFK-UHFFFAOYSA-N Isopropanol Chemical compound CC(C)O KFZMGEQAYNKOFK-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 239000004721 Polyphenylene oxide Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000004772 Sontara Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229920002334 Spandex Polymers 0.000 description 2
- KKEYFWRCBNTPAC-UHFFFAOYSA-N Terephthalic acid Chemical compound OC(=O)C1=CC=C(C(O)=O)C=C1 KKEYFWRCBNTPAC-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- GWEVSGVZZGPLCZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N Titan oxide Chemical compound O=[Ti]=O GWEVSGVZZGPLCZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 229920005603 alternating copolymer Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 description 2
- HQABUPZFAYXKJW-UHFFFAOYSA-N butan-1-amine Chemical compound CCCCN HQABUPZFAYXKJW-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- WERYXYBDKMZEQL-UHFFFAOYSA-N butane-1,4-diol Chemical compound OCCCCO WERYXYBDKMZEQL-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 239000001913 cellulose Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000007859 condensation product Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000007596 consolidation process Methods 0.000 description 2
- PAFZNILMFXTMIY-UHFFFAOYSA-N cyclohexylamine Chemical compound NC1CCCCC1 PAFZNILMFXTMIY-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 125000004427 diamine group Chemical group 0.000 description 2
- 150000004985 diamines Chemical class 0.000 description 2
- HPNMFZURTQLUMO-UHFFFAOYSA-N diethylamine Chemical compound CCNCC HPNMFZURTQLUMO-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 238000004049 embossing Methods 0.000 description 2
- 229920000578 graft copolymer Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 238000010438 heat treatment Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000005304 joining Methods 0.000 description 2
- 229910052751 metal Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 2
- 229920000570 polyether Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 229920000139 polyethylene terephthalate Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 239000005020 polyethylene terephthalate Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229920003124 powdered cellulose Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 235000019814 powdered cellulose Nutrition 0.000 description 2
- 238000002360 preparation method Methods 0.000 description 2
- 125000004805 propylene group Chemical group [H]C([H])([H])C([H])([*:1])C([H])([H])[*:2] 0.000 description 2
- 229920005604 random copolymer Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 239000004759 spandex Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000004416 thermosoftening plastic Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000000007 visual effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000037303 wrinkles Effects 0.000 description 2
- ZWVMLYRJXORSEP-LURJTMIESA-N (2s)-hexane-1,2,6-triol Chemical compound OCCCC[C@H](O)CO ZWVMLYRJXORSEP-LURJTMIESA-N 0.000 description 1
- AVQQQNCBBIEMEU-UHFFFAOYSA-N 1,1,3,3-tetramethylurea Chemical compound CN(C)C(=O)N(C)C AVQQQNCBBIEMEU-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- LFSYUSUFCBOHGU-UHFFFAOYSA-N 1-isocyanato-2-[(4-isocyanatophenyl)methyl]benzene Chemical compound C1=CC(N=C=O)=CC=C1CC1=CC=CC=C1N=C=O LFSYUSUFCBOHGU-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- XHJGXOOOMKCJPP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 2-[tert-butyl(2-hydroxyethyl)amino]ethanol Chemical compound OCCN(C(C)(C)C)CCO XHJGXOOOMKCJPP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- JMMZCWZIJXAGKW-UHFFFAOYSA-N 2-methylpent-2-ene Chemical compound CCC=C(C)C JMMZCWZIJXAGKW-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- WSSSPWUEQFSQQG-UHFFFAOYSA-N 4-methyl-1-pentene Chemical compound CC(C)CC=C WSSSPWUEQFSQQG-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- OKTJSMMVPCPJKN-UHFFFAOYSA-N Carbon Chemical compound [C] OKTJSMMVPCPJKN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229920003043 Cellulose fiber Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920000742 Cotton Polymers 0.000 description 1
- JOYRKODLDBILNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N Ethyl urethane Chemical compound CCOC(N)=O JOYRKODLDBILNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- IAYPIBMASNFSPL-UHFFFAOYSA-N Ethylene oxide Chemical compound C1CO1 IAYPIBMASNFSPL-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229920006309 Invista Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000005058 Isophorone diisocyanate Substances 0.000 description 1
- IOVCWXUNBOPUCH-UHFFFAOYSA-M Nitrite anion Chemical compound [O-]N=O IOVCWXUNBOPUCH-UHFFFAOYSA-M 0.000 description 1
- 244000137852 Petrea volubilis Species 0.000 description 1
- 239000004952 Polyamide Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000004793 Polystyrene Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920001131 Pulp (paper) Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000007983 Tris buffer Substances 0.000 description 1
- XSQUKJJJFZCRTK-UHFFFAOYSA-N Urea Chemical compound NC(N)=O XSQUKJJJFZCRTK-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000002253 acid Substances 0.000 description 1
- NIXOWILDQLNWCW-UHFFFAOYSA-N acrylic acid group Chemical group C(C=C)(=O)O NIXOWILDQLNWCW-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 238000007605 air drying Methods 0.000 description 1
- 150000001298 alcohols Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 125000001931 aliphatic group Chemical group 0.000 description 1
- 150000001408 amides Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 150000001412 amines Chemical group 0.000 description 1
- 239000003963 antioxidant agent Substances 0.000 description 1
- 125000003118 aryl group Chemical group 0.000 description 1
- 239000011230 binding agent Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000005540 biological transmission Effects 0.000 description 1
- CXUJOBCFZQGUGO-UHFFFAOYSA-F calcium trimagnesium tetracarbonate Chemical compound [Mg++].[Mg++].[Mg++].[Ca++].[O-]C([O-])=O.[O-]C([O-])=O.[O-]C([O-])=O.[O-]C([O-])=O CXUJOBCFZQGUGO-UHFFFAOYSA-F 0.000 description 1
- 239000004202 carbamide Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052799 carbon Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- SCKHCCSZFPSHGR-UHFFFAOYSA-N cyanophos Chemical compound COP(=S)(OC)OC1=CC=C(C#N)C=C1 SCKHCCSZFPSHGR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- GEQHKFFSPGPGLN-UHFFFAOYSA-N cyclohexane-1,3-diamine Chemical compound NC1CCCC(N)C1 GEQHKFFSPGPGLN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- VKIRRGRTJUUZHS-UHFFFAOYSA-N cyclohexane-1,4-diamine Chemical compound NC1CCC(N)CC1 VKIRRGRTJUUZHS-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229910003460 diamond Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000010432 diamond Substances 0.000 description 1
- 150000001991 dicarboxylic acids Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- KORSJDCBLAPZEQ-UHFFFAOYSA-N dicyclohexylmethane-4,4'-diisocyanate Chemical compound C1CC(N=C=O)CCC1CC1CCC(N=C=O)CC1 KORSJDCBLAPZEQ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229960001760 dimethyl sulfoxide Drugs 0.000 description 1
- 238000001035 drying Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000428 dust Substances 0.000 description 1
- 150000002148 esters Chemical group 0.000 description 1
- 238000011049 filling Methods 0.000 description 1
- 210000005224 forefinger Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 230000004927 fusion Effects 0.000 description 1
- RRAMGCGOFNQTLD-UHFFFAOYSA-N hexamethylene diisocyanate Chemical compound O=C=NCCCCCCN=C=O RRAMGCGOFNQTLD-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229910000515 huntite Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 229930195733 hydrocarbon Natural products 0.000 description 1
- 150000002430 hydrocarbons Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 229910052739 hydrogen Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000001257 hydrogen Substances 0.000 description 1
- 125000004435 hydrogen atom Chemical group [H]* 0.000 description 1
- 238000007654 immersion Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000003780 insertion Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000037431 insertion Effects 0.000 description 1
- ZFSLODLOARCGLH-UHFFFAOYSA-N isocyanuric acid Chemical compound OC1=NC(O)=NC(O)=N1 ZFSLODLOARCGLH-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- NIMLQBUJDJZYEJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N isophorone diisocyanate Chemical compound CC1(C)CC(N=C=O)CC(C)(CN=C=O)C1 NIMLQBUJDJZYEJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000004611 light stabiliser Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000314 lubricant Substances 0.000 description 1
- ZLNQQNXFFQJAID-UHFFFAOYSA-L magnesium carbonate Chemical compound [Mg+2].[O-]C([O-])=O ZLNQQNXFFQJAID-UHFFFAOYSA-L 0.000 description 1
- 230000014759 maintenance of location Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000000155 melt Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000004750 melt-blown nonwoven Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000178 monomer Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000011236 particulate material Substances 0.000 description 1
- WTSXICLFTPPDTL-UHFFFAOYSA-N pentane-1,3-diamine Chemical compound CCC(N)CCN WTSXICLFTPPDTL-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000000049 pigment Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920003023 plastic Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920002647 polyamide Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000004417 polycarbonate Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920000515 polycarbonate Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000002861 polymer material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000013047 polymeric layer Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920000306 polymethylpentene Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000011116 polymethylpentene Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920005862 polyol Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 150000003077 polyols Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 229920002223 polystyrene Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920003225 polyurethane elastomer Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000000843 powder Substances 0.000 description 1
- QQONPFPTGQHPMA-UHFFFAOYSA-N propylene Natural products CC=C QQONPFPTGQHPMA-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- AOHJOMMDDJHIJH-UHFFFAOYSA-N propylenediamine Chemical compound CC(N)CN AOHJOMMDDJHIJH-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 238000011084 recovery Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000002040 relaxant effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000005060 rubber Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920002545 silicone oil Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000007787 solid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000007921 spray Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000005507 spraying Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229920003048 styrene butadiene rubber Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920003002 synthetic resin Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000000057 synthetic resin Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000009864 tensile test Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229920001897 terpolymer Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 238000012360 testing method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229920001187 thermosetting polymer Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 210000003813 thumb Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 239000004408 titanium dioxide Substances 0.000 description 1
- DVKJHBMWWAPEIU-UHFFFAOYSA-N toluene 2,4-diisocyanate Chemical compound CC1=CC=C(N=C=O)C=C1N=C=O DVKJHBMWWAPEIU-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000000080 wetting agent Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000002759 woven fabric Substances 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D06M—TREATMENT, NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE IN CLASS D06, OF FIBRES, THREADS, YARNS, FABRICS, FEATHERS OR FIBROUS GOODS MADE FROM SUCH MATERIALS
- D06M15/00—Treating fibres, threads, yarns, fabrics, or fibrous goods made from such materials, with macromolecular compounds; Such treatment combined with mechanical treatment
- D06M15/19—Treating fibres, threads, yarns, fabrics, or fibrous goods made from such materials, with macromolecular compounds; Such treatment combined with mechanical treatment with synthetic macromolecular compounds
- D06M15/37—Macromolecular compounds obtained otherwise than by reactions only involving carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds
- D06M15/564—Polyureas, polyurethanes or other polymers having ureide or urethane links; Precondensation products forming them
-
- 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
- D04H13/00—Other non-woven fabrics
-
- 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
Definitions
- This invention relates to stretchable nonwoven sheets suitable for use in the manufacture of personal hygiene articles. More specifically, the stretchable nonwoven sheets are formed by substantially uniformly impregnating a necked nonwoven substrate or an easily extensible as-made nonwoven substrate with an elastomeric polymer.
- Elastic nonwoven materials are well known in the art.
- Examples of elastic nonwoven materials include "stretch-bonded” and "neck-bonded” laminates.
- Stretch-bonded laminates are prepared by joining a gatherable layer to an elastic layer while the elastic layer is in an extended condition so that upon relaxing the layers, the gatherable layer is gathered.
- Neck-bonded laminates are produced by joining a necked, non-elastic layer with an elastic film on fiber layer.
- the elastic layer generally comprises an elastic film or an elastic nonwoven web.
- 4,366,814 to Riedel describes a breathable elastic bandage material comprising at least 50 weight percent of an extensible fabric capable of an elongation of at least 30% without tearing and at least 15 weight percent of an elastomer impregnated in the fabric without filling the holes in the fabric.
- U.S. Patent No. 5,910,224 to Morman describes a method for making a stretchable composite by applying an elastomeric precursor to a neckable material such as a nonwoven web, neck stretching the neckable material and treating the elastomeric precursor, such as by heating, while the neckable material is in a necked condition to form an elastomeric layer bonded to the necked material.
- Preferred elastomeric precursors comprise a latex or a thermoset elastomer.
- the elastomeric precursor is applied to the neckable material in an amount between 5 g/m 2 to about 50 g/m 2 .
- the elastomeric layer typically penetrates the web from about 2 to about 10 fiber thicknesses and the degree of penetration of the elastomeric precursor is controlled so that there is no strikethrough to the side of the web opposite the side on which the elastomeric layer has been applied.
- the resulting stretchable composite therefore has a film-like hand on the side comprising the elastomeric layer and retains the original soft hand of the neckable material on the side opposite the elastomeric layer.
- 0472942 describes an elastomeric saturated nonwoven material having a compressibility and recovery in the Z-direction which includes a fibrous web, such as a nonwoven web of meltblown fibers, that is saturated with a polymeric material, such as an elastomeric acrylic latex, polyurethane latex, or nitrite rubber latex.
- a fibrous web such as a nonwoven web of meltblown fibers
- a polymeric material such as an elastomeric acrylic latex, polyurethane latex, or nitrite rubber latex.
- the subject invention is directed to a method for forming a stretchable nonwoven sheet comprising the steps of: providing a necked nonwoven substrate having a thickness, first and second outer surfaces, a machine direction and a cross-direction, the necked nonwoven substrate having a percent elongation of at least 30% in the cross- direction; substantially uniformly impregnating the necked nonwoven substrate with a solution comprising an elastomeric polymer dissolved in a solvent; and removing the solvent from the impregnated nonwoven substrate by wet coagulation to deposit the elastomeric polymer substantially uniformly throughout the thickness of the nonwoven substrate without forming a substantially continuous layer of elastomeric polymer on either of the first or second outer surfaces of the nonwoven substrate.
- the subject invention is further directed to a method for forming a stretchable nonwoven sheet comprising the steps of: providing an easily extensible as-made nonwoven substrate having a thickness, first and second outer surfaces, a machine direction and a cross- direction, a percent elongation of at least 30% in the cross-direction, a basis weight between about 15 g/m 2 and about 100 g/m 2 , a break tenacity greater than 500 g/in; substantially uniformly impregnating the easily extensible as-made nonwoven substrate with a solution comprising an elastomeric polymer dissolved in a solvent; and removing the solvent from the easily-extensible as-made nonwoven substrate by wet coagulation to deposit the elastomeric polymer substantially uniformly throughout the thickness of the nonwoven substrate without forming a substantially continuous layer of elastomeric polymer on either of the first or second outer surfaces of the nonwoven substrate.
- the subject invention is also directed to a stretchable nonwoven sheet comprising a nonwoven substrate that has been necked in a necked direction and substantially uniformly impregnated with an elastomeric polymer, the stretchable nonwoven sheet having a ratio of third unload cycle force at 100% elongation to third load cycle force at 100% elongation, after the stretchable nonwoven sheet has been extended to 140% in the necked direction three times, of at least 0.3:1.
- the subject invention is additionally directed to a stretchable nonwoven sheet comprising an easily extensible as-made nonwoven substrate that has been substantially uniformly impregnated wtih an elastomeric polymer, the stretchable nonwoven sheet having a ratio of third unload cycle force at 30% elongation to third load cycle force at 30% elongation, after the stretchable nonwoven sheet has been extended to 30% in the cross-direction three times, of at least 0.15:1.
- a stretchable composite nonwoven sheet is provided by impregnating a necked nonwoven substrate or an easily extensible as-made nonwoven substrate with a solution comprising a solvent and an elastomeric polymer.
- the necked nonwoven substrate or easily extensible as- made nonwoven substrate is impregnated under conditions that achieve substantially uniform impregnation of the nonwoven substrate without forming a polymer layer on either surface thereof.
- a breathable impregnated nonwoven sheet is obtained which has an unexpected combination of high unload cycle force compared to load cycle force (for good holding power and soft stretch) in the cross-direction and a textile-like hand.
- inventive sheet is typically simpler to make and thinner than conventional multilayer stretch laminates.
- inventive sheet can have a typical thickness of about 0.25 mm to 0.75 mm, whereas stretch laminates are generally thicker than 1.3 mm.
- polymer as used herein, generally includes but is not limited to, homopolymers, copolymers (such as for example, block, graft, random and alternating copolymers), terpolymers, etc. and blends and modifications thereof.
- polymer shall include all possible geometrical configurations of the material. These configurations include, but are not limited to isotactic, syndiotactic and random symmetries.
- polyester as used herein is intended to embrace polymers wherein at least 85% of the recurring units are condensation products of dicarboxylic acids and dihydroxy alcohols with linkages created by formation of ester units. This includes aromatic, aliphatic, saturated, and unsaturated di-acids and di-alcohols.
- polymers as used herein also includes copolymers (such as block, graft, random and alternating copolymers), blends, and modifications thereof.
- PET poly(ethylene terephthalate)
- polyurethane as used herein is intended to include block copolymers made by condensing a difunctional polyol with a diisocyanate and a difunctional chain extender, as described in detail hereinbelow.
- polyolefin as used herein, is intended to mean any of a series of largely saturated open chain polymeric hydrocarbons composed only of carbon and hydrogen. Typical polyolefins include, but are not limited to, polyethylene, polypropylene, polymethylpentene and various combinations of the ethylene, propylene, and methylpentene monomers.
- polyethylene as used herein is intended to encompass not only homopolymers of ethylene, but also copolymers wherein at least 85% of the recurring units are ethylene units.
- polypropylene as used herein is intended to embrace not only homopolymers of propylene but also copolymers where at least 85% of the recurring units are propylene units.
- elastomeric polymer as used herein refers to any polymer that, when formed into a sheet, fiber, or film and upon application of a biasing force, is elongatable to a stretched length that is at least about 160 percent of its relaxed unbiased length and that will recover at least 55 percent of its elongation upon release of the elongating biasing force.
- a one centimeter sample of material that is elongatable to at least 1.6 centimeters and which, upon being elongated to 1.6 centimeters by application of a force and with release of the force, will recover to a length of not more than 1.27 centimeters.
- Many elastomeric materials exist which may be stretched by much more than 60% of their relaxed length, for example 100 percent or more, and many of these will recover to substantially their original relaxed length, for example, to within 105 percent of their original relaxed length, upon release of the stretching force.
- nonwoven fabric or “nonwoven web” as used herein mean a structure of individual fibers, filaments, or threads that are positioned in a random manner to form a planar material without an identifiable pattern, as opposed to a knitted or woven fabric.
- spunbond filaments as used herein means filaments which are formed by extruding molten thermoplastic polymer material as filaments from a plurality of fine, usually circular, capillaries of a spinneret with the diameter of the extruded filaments then being rapidly reduced by drawing. Other filament cross- sectional shapes such as oval, multi-lobal, etc. can also be used. Spunbond filaments are generally continuous and have an average diameter of greater than about 5 micrometers.
- Spunbond nonwoven fabrics or webs are formed by laying spunbond filaments randomly on a collecting surface such as a foraminous screen or belt.
- Spunbond webs are generally bonded by methods known in the art, such as hot-roll calendering or passing the web through a satu ated-steam chamber at an elevated pressure.
- the web can be thermally point bonded at a plurality of thermal bond points located across the spunbond fabric.
- machine direction MD
- XD cross-direction
- necking refers to a method which involves applying a force to a nonwoven fabric, for example parallel to the machine direction of the nonwoven, to cause the nonwoven fabric to elongate in the direction the force is applied and to reduce its width in the direction perpendicular to that of the elongation, for example in the cross-direction, in a controlled manner to a desired amount.
- the direction perpendicular to the elongating force is referred to herein as the "necked direction”.
- the controlled stretching and necking may take place at room temperature or at temperatures higher or lower than room temperature and is limited to an increase in overall dimension in the direction being stretched up to the elongation required to tear or break the fabric.
- necked nonwoven fabric and “necked nonwoven substrate” are used herein to refer to any nonwoven fabric which has been constricted in at least one direction by processes such as drawing.
- a “neckable nonwoven fabric” is a nonwoven fabric that can be constricted in at least one dimension in a necking process.
- percent neckdown refers to the ratio determined by measuring the difference between the un-necked dimension and the necked dimension (measured in the necked direction) and then dividing the difference by the un-necked dimension and multiplying the resulting ratio by 100.
- Necked nonwovens are generally extensible in the necked direction by an amount corresponding (but not a linear relationship) to the percent neckdown during necking.
- the extensibility of a necked nonwoven is measured herein as the percent elongation by elongating a necked nonwoven in the necked direction to the maximum extent possible without elongating individual fibers within the nonwoven, disrupting any fiber-to-fiber bonds within the nonwoven or tearing the nonwoven.
- the term "easily extensible as-made nonwoven” is used herein to mean a nonwoven which, without any additional processing step (such as necking) beyond that normally used in the nonwoven production process, has a cross- direction elongation of at least 30% (typically about 60% to about 150%) without rupturing by application of a force of less than 200 grams per inch (g/in), typically less than 100 g/in, as determined by the "Force Required to Elongate to 30%" method described in the Test Method section.
- An elongation of 50% means that a 10-inch wide sample can be elongated to 15 inches.
- suitable easily extensible as-made nonwovens may have a basis weight between about 15 to about 100 grams per square meter (g/m 2 ), typically about 30 to about 80 g/m 2 , and a machine direction break tenacity of greater than 500 g/in as determined by the "Break Tenacity Analysis" described in the Test Method section.
- Easily extensible as-made nonwovens can be spunlaced (also referred to as hydroentangled), melt blown, or thermally-bonded nonwovens and can be made by these well-known processes.
- spunlaced nonwoven is used herein to refer to a fabric which has been formed by impinging a web (which can include preformed fabrics, spunmelt webs, air laid webs and carded webs) or a batt with jets of high pressure water.
- a web which can include preformed fabrics, spunmelt webs, air laid webs and carded webs
- a batt with jets of high pressure water.
- Easily extensible as-made nonwovens include Type 8075 Sontara® (Sontara® is a registered trademark of E.I. DuPont de Nemours and Company) and Flat Type Spunlaced Nonwoven, Item Number 4055-T produced by Sheng Hung Industrial Company, Taipei, Taiwan.
- melt blown nonwoven refers to a nonwoven formed by extruding molten polymer through a die into a high velocity stream of hot air or steam which converts the resulting filaments into fine and relatively short fibers.
- the fibers are deposited on a moving screen or belt and subsequently consolidated by a calendaring, embossing, heated air, or other thermal bonding process.
- thermally-bonded nonwoven refers to a fabric composed of a web or batt of fibers which contains heat-sensitive material, such as specially engineered low-melting-point binder fibers or a thermoplastic powder having a melting point less than the web fiber, which melts and adhesively bonds the fibers of the web or batt into a consolidated nonwoven upon the application of heat, for example by hot air, calendering, embossing, infrared heat, or other thermal bonding process, with or without pressure.
- nonwoven substrate is used herein to refer to a substrate which can be either a necked nonwoven substrate or an easily extensible as- made nonwoven substrate.
- nonwoven fabric is used herein to refer to a fabric which can be either a necked nonwoven fabric or an easily extensible as-made nonwoven fabric.
- substantially uniformly impregnating or “substantially uniformly impregnated” as used here refers to distributing a treatment or solution evenly through a bulk volume.
- wet coagulation is used herein to describe a process in which a nonwoven substrate, having impregnated therein a solution comprising an elastomeric polymer dissolved in a solvent, is contacted with a coagulating liquid which is a non-solvent for the elastomeric polymer but is miscible with the solvent used to form the elastomeric polymer solution.
- the coagulating liquid is also selected such that it does not dissolve the nonwoven substrate.
- the coagulating liquid causes the polymeric material to be coagulated and the solvent to be removed into the coagulating liquid.
- the coagulating liquid is subsequently removed from the polymer-impregnated nonwoven, such as by air drying or heating.
- Neckable nonwoven fabrics suitable for use in the current invention include spunbond webs, bonded carded webs, and hydroentangled webs.
- the neckable nonwoven fabric is preferably typically necked in the cross-direction using methods known in the art to achieve a percent neckdown of between about 25% and about 75% to obtain a necked nonwoven substrate having a percent elongation in the cross-direction of between about 30% and about 300%.
- Neckable nonwoven fabrics useful in the current invention may be made from a number of thermoplastic polymers including nonelastomeric polyolefins such as polyethylene, polypropylene, ethylene copolymers, polyamides, polyesters, polystyrene, and poly-4-methylpentene-1.
- the neckable nonwoven fabric comprises polypropylene, polyester, or a polypropylene- polyethylene copolymer.
- the neckable nonwoven fabric is a spunbond polypropylene fabric or carded thermal bond polypropylene or polyester fabric.
- the starting neckable nonwoven substrate preferably typically has. a basis weight between about 10 g/m 2 and about 50 g/m 2 .
- Relatively low basis weight neckable nonwovens are especially preferred such as those having a basis weight between about 10 g/m 2 and about 20-30 g/m 2 .
- the nonwoven substrate is typically moisture vapor permeable.
- the neckable nonwoven substrates are necked to provide necked nonwoven substrates generally having a basis weight greater than about 15 g/m 2 .
- Necked nonwoven fabrics are known in the art and are generally prepared by elongating a neckable nonwoven fabric in the machine direction to provide a necked nonwoven fabric that is necked in the cross-direction. Examples of necking processes are disclosed, for example, in U.S. Patent No. 4,443,513 to Meitner et al.(Meitner), U.S. Patent Nos.
- Necked nonwovens can be prepared using relatively low cost processes and are preferred over other extensible nonwoven fabrics because they have a higher degree of cross-direction extensibility and require relatively low extension (load) forces to extend the nonwoven in the cross-direction.
- necked nonwoven fabrics are generally substantially inextensible in the machine direction, that is they have a percent elongation of less than about 10% when subjected to a biasing force in the machine direction. Stretch in substantially one direction is highly desirable in certain end uses as discussed below.
- the necked nonwoven substrate is a consolidated web prepared using the method described in Hassenboehler.
- This method involves passing a bonded thermoplastic nonwoven web having relatively low processing extensibility through a heated zone, such as an oven, to increase the temperature of the web to a temperature between the polymeric web's softening temperature and melting temperature while drawing the web in the machine direction thereby plastically deforming the fibers oriented in the cross-direction and consolidating (necking) the web in the cross-direction.
- the drawing is conducted by passing the web into the zone at a first linear velocity and withdrawing it at a second linear velocity that exceeds the first velocity.
- the ratio of the second velocity to the first velocity is for example in the range from about 1.1 :1 to about 2:1.
- the starting bonded nonwoven web is a non- elastomeric neckable nonwoven fabric and is selected to have a breaking draw ratio during hot processing of less than about 4.0:1 and greater than about 1.4:1 evaluated while hot drawing at a strain rate greater than 2500%/min and a temperature greater than the softening point, but at least 10°F less than the melting temperature of the polymeric web.
- the room temperature elongation (strain) at break is for example between 2 and 40 percent, typically between 5 and 20 percent, based on test method ASTM D 1117-77 using an Instron tensile testing machine.
- the fibers in the starting web may be bonded by fiber-to-fiber fusion, fiber entanglement, or thermal bonds such as by point bonding.
- the fibers in the neckable nonwoven fabric have small average fiber diameters, for example less than about 50 micrometers.
- the bonding in the spunbond precursor is typically strong (e.g. high temperature point bonding) in order to locally elongate, buckle, and bend the filament segments without affecting the web integrity.
- the bond points and bonding pattern are generally selected such that the area of the bonding points is between about 5 and about 25% of the web area.
- the shape of the bonding points can be diamond shaped or a number of other shapes well known in the art.
- the heated drawing step causes plastic deformation of the cross-direction fibers and consolidation of the web such that a majority of the fibers are aligned generally in the direction of draw (machine direction).
- the web is consolidated in the cross-direction as it is longitudinally elongated and heat set with respect to the starting nonwoven.
- Necked nonwoven substrates having an elongation in the cross-direction of at least 30%, for example at least 50% can be used to prepare the elastic nonwoven sheet of the current invention.
- the percent neckdown of the nonwoven web during the consolidation process is for example between about 50% and about 75%, typically between about 60% and 70%, corresponding to an extensibility between about 100% and 300%, and 150% and 250 %, respectively.
- the basis weight of the necked nonwoven web can be 3 times or more higher than the basis weight of the starting neckable nonwoven web.
- the basis weight of the necked web is between about 15 g/m 2 and about 100 g/m 2 , for example between about 20 g/m 2 and about 100 g/m 2 , and typically between about 25 g/m 2 and about 100 g/m 2 .
- the basis weight of the necked nonwoven substrate is chosen according to the desired end use. For example, when used as elastic interliners the basis weight of the necked nonwoven is typically between about 30 g/m 2 and 70 g/m 2 whereas for hygiene end uses such as diaper waistbands, etc. the basis weight is typically between about 15 g/m 2 and 40 g/m 2 .
- the basis weight of the necked nonwoven substrate should also be selected to achieve the desired elasticity in the final impregnated nonwoven.
- the ratio of the unload force at 100% elongation to the load force at 100% elongation, after the impregnated nonwoven has been extended to 140 % three times and allowed to relax between extensions is at least 0.3:1 and y for example greater than 0.45:1.
- Elastomeric polymers useful in this invention include polyurethanes, styrene-butadiene block copolymers, and polyether-ester block copolymers. In a preferred embodiment, the elastomeric polymer is a polyurethane.
- Elastomeric polyurethanes useful in this invention can be prepared by reacting a polymeric glycol with a diisocyanate to form a capped glycol, dissolving the capped glycol (in a suitable solvent), and then reacting the capped glycol with a difunctional chain extender having active hydrogen atoms.
- Such polyurethanes are termed “segmented” because they are comprised of "hard” urethane and urea segments derived from the diisocyanate and chain extender and "soft" segments derived primarily from the polymeric glycol.
- Suitable solvents for preparing solutions of such polymers are amide solvents such as dimethylacetamide (“DMAc”), dimethylformamide (“DMF”), and N-methyl- pyrrolidone, but other solvents such as dimethylsulf oxide and tetramethylurea can also be used.
- amide solvents such as dimethylacetamide (“DMAc”), dimethylformamide (“DMF”), and N-methyl- pyrrolidone
- DMAc dimethylacetamide
- DMF dimethylformamide
- N-methyl- pyrrolidone N-methyl-pyrrolidone
- Polymeric glycols used in the preparation of the elastomeric polyurethanes include polyether glycols, polyester glycols, polycarbonate glycols and copolymers thereof.
- glycols examples include ⁇ oly(ethyleneether) glycol, poly(tetramethyleneether) glycol, poly(tetramethylene-co-2-methyl- tetramethyleneether) glycol, poly(ethylene-co-butylene adipate) glycol, poly(2,2- dimethyl-1 ,3-propylene dodecanoate) glycol, poly(pentane-1,5-carbonate) glycol, and poly(hexane-1 ,6-carbonate) glycol.
- Useful diisocyanates include 1 -isocyanato-4-[(4- isocyanatophenyl)methyl]benzene, 1 -isocyanato-2-[(4-isocyanato- phenyl)methyl]benzene, isophorone diisocyanate, 1,6-hexanediisocyanate, and 2,4-tolylene diisocyanate.
- the chain extender can be a diol or a diamine.
- Useful diols include , ethylene glycol, 1 ,3-trimethylene glycol, 1 ,4-butanediol, and mixtures thereof. Use of diol chain extenders leads to polyurethanes.
- Useful diamines include ethylene diamine, 1 ,2-propanediamine, 2-methyl-1 ,5-pentanediamine, 1 ,3- diaminopentane, 1 ,4-cyclohexane-diamine, 1 ,3-cyclohexanediamine, and mixtures thereof.
- the polymer produced is a polyurethaneurea (a sub-class of polyurethanes).
- the polymer produced is a polyetherurethaneurea; when a polyester glycol is utilized in combination with a diamine chain extender, a polyesterurethaneurea is produced.
- Monofunctional amine chain terminators such as diethyl amine, butylamine, cyclohexylamine, and the like can be added to control the molecular weight of the polymer.
- the elastomeric polymer is a diamine-extended polyurethane elastomer.
- Solvents suitable for preparing the elastomeric polymer solutions include dimethylacetamide, dimethylformamide, and N-methyl-pyrrolidone.
- the viscosity of the elastomeric polymer solution is directly related to the concentration of the polymeric material in solution and consequently, the solution viscosity can influence both the degree of penetration of the polymer into the necked nonwoven fabric or the easily extensible as-made nonwoven fabric and the amount of polymer deposited therein.
- the solution viscosity is too low, insufficient amounts of elastomer may be deposited in the necked nonwoven substrate or in the easily extensible as-made nonwoven substrate resulting in low unload force.
- the solution of elastomeric polymer to be impregnated into the necked nonwoven substrate or the easily extensible as-made nonwoven substrate for example has a solution viscosity of approximately 1000-300,000 centipoise ("cPs"), typically 10,000 - 40,000 cPs, measured at 25 °C.
- the solution can comprise about 5 wt% to 20 wt% polymer .
- the necked nonwoven substrate or the easily extensible as-made nonwoven substrate is able to absorb the polymer solution and that the polymer solution substantially completely and uniformly impregnate the nonwoven substrate.
- the necked nonwoven substrate or the easily extensible as-made nonwoven substrate should therefore not be coated or otherwise treated in such a way as to prevent the polymer solution from being absorbed into the necked nonwoven fabric or the easily extensible as-made nonwoven fabric.
- the elastomeric polymer solution and/or the nonwoven fabric can include a surface-active agent to facilitate the impregnation of the web by the polymeric solution. Suitable surface-active agents include non-ionic wetting agents such as polymeric surfactants.
- Additives for example, pigments, antioxidants, ultraviolet light stabilizers and lubricants, can be added in small quantities to the elastomeric polymer solution, provided such additives do not detract from the benefits of the invention.
- the elastomeric polymer solution may contain dispersed therein very short, fine fibers, such as cellulose fibers from wood pulp, cotton dust, or other synthetic or natural fibers having a length less than about 0.10 inches ( 2.5 mm), for example less than 0.5 mm. The fibers are typically small enough to fully penetrate the nonwoven fabric during the impregnation step.
- the short fibers can be added to the polymeric solution in amounts sufficient to deposit between about 3 and about 12 weight percent of short fibers in the impregnated nonwoven sheet, calculated based on the total weight of the nonwoven/elastomeric polymer composite.
- the short fibers are typically added to the elastomeric polymer solution at between about 10 and about 30 weight percent, for example between about 10 and about 20 weight percent, based on the total weight of the short fibers, elastomeric polymer, and solvent.
- Nonwoven sheets of the invention which have been prepared by impregnating a necked nonwoven fabric or an easily extensible as-made nonwoven fabric with an elastomeric polymer solution containing powdered cellulose may have a softer hand than those prepared using impregnating solutions which do not contain short fibers.
- An example of a very fine fiber particulate material suitable for use in the polymer solutions is powdered cellulose available under the trade name "Arbocel 30" available from J. Rettenmaier USA (Schoolcraft, Michigan).
- Any suitable method of coating the elastomeric polymer solution onto the necked nonwoven substrate or the easily extensible as-made nonwoven substrate or otherwise impregnating the necked nonwoven substrate or the easily extensible as-made nonwoven substrate can be used as long as the fabric is uniformly impregnated and the coating is not concentrated on one or the other surface of the necked nonwoven substrate or the easily extensible as-made nonwoven substrate.
- the solution and nonwoven properties and the coating process conditions are selected such that the polymer solution completely wets the nonwoven substrate or is otherwise completely absorbed into or driven into the nonwoven substrate so that a polymeric layer is not formed on either surface of the nonwoven substrate.
- the amount of polymeric solution applied during coating can be controlled by utilizing a coating implement held at a predetermined distance above the necked nonwoven fabric or the easily extensible as-made nonwoven substrate.
- the solution can also be mechanically pressed into the nonwoven substrate. Rollers, platens, scrapers, knives, and the like can be used in the process of this invention as coating implements.
- Spraying the solution onto the nonwoven substrate can also be effective provided that the elastomeric solution substantially completely and uniformly impregnates the nonwoven substrate.
- the force of the spray can be adjusted to assist in obtaining good penetration.
- the nonwoven substrate may be impregnated with the elastomeric polymer solution using a process known in the art as a "dip and squeeze" method in which the fibrous web is dipped or otherwise immersed into a tank containing the elastomeric polymer solution followed by squeezing, such as between nip rolls, to remove excess polymer solution. This method is preferred in order to minimize differences between the two surfaces of the stretchable composite nonwoven sheet.
- the necked nonwoven substrate or the easily extensible as-made nonwoven substrate is impregnated with sufficient polymer solution to provide the desired unload/load force ratio in the final impregnated nonwoven sheet.
- the nonwoven substrate is typically impregnated with sufficient polymer solution to deposit therein between about 10 and about 80 weight percent elastomeric polymer, for example between about 30 and about 50 weight percent of elastomeric polymer, based on the total weight of elastomeric polymer and nonwoven substrate.
- the ratio of unload force to load force can be undesirably low, and when the amount of elastomer is too high, the hand of the surfaces of the sheet can be undesirably tacky.
- the solution concentration and/or the amount of solution impregnated into the necked nonwoven fabric or the easily extensible as-made nonwoven substrate can be adjusted to achieve the desired polymer content in the impregnated sheet. For example, it was observed that using lower polymer concentration in the solution while retaining a similar elastomer content on the impregnated sheet by using a wider gap between nip rolls during application of the solution gave a product having an improved balance of hand and unload/load force ratio.
- Wet coagulation provides a product having a surprisingly softer, more cloth-like hand than thermal drying.
- Wet coagulation processes are well known in the art and are commonly used in the production of artificial leathers.
- Water is preferred as the coagulating liquid due to ease of handling and low cost.
- Other suitable coagulating liquids include methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, acetone, or methylethyl ketone.
- a solvent for the elastomeric polymer such as dimethylformamide, dimethylacetamide, or N-methyl-pyrrolidone or other additives such as surfactants may be added to the coagulating liquid to modify the rate of coagulation.
- the temperature of the coagulation bath can be controlled to change the coagulation rate.
- the impregnated nonwoven sheet of the current invention the elastomeric polymer phase uniformly distributed throughout the necked nonwoven substrate or the easily extensible as-made nonwoven substrate is breathable. Also, the impregnated nonwoven sheet is typically moisture vapor permeable.
- the hand of the impregnated nonwoven sheet can be improved by sanding or napping to raise fibers on the surface of the impregnated sheet resulting in a softer hand. Napping involves passing a fabric over a rotating roll that contains small metal points that effectively brush the fabric to raise fibers to the surface. In sanding, the metal brush is replaced with a rotating roll coated with sandpaper.
- the impregnated fabric is napped or sanded on both surfaces.
- the fabric can be sanded with 80 to 200 grit sandpaper.
- the stretchable impregnated nonwoven sheets of the current invention typically have a basis weight between about 40 g/m 2 and about 100 g/m 2 . They are especially useful in the waistbands or side panels of diapers and other personal hygiene garments such as underwear. Diapers are assembled commercially on long, high-speed lines in which the various diaper components are typically added in the machine direction to avoid slowing of the process. This is particularly true of elastomeric materials, which are normally stretched prior to insertion.
- a diaper generally includes about 20 or more individual components which must all be placed precisely in the right location on the diaper during the high-speed manufacturing process. This is much easier to achieve if the component (tape, sheet, fiber, etc.) is fed in the same direction in which the diaper is moving.
- the material stretches in the cross-direction so that it can be fed into the diaper making process as a tape in the machine direction.
- this tape may be a 7 inch wide and only 1 inch long piece that is cut from a sheet and glued to a diaper or other disposable undergarment.
- the diaper component being fed into the process be substantially inextensible in the machine direction to facilitate feeding into the process.
- the stretchable nonwoven sheets of the current invention are substantially inextensible in the machine direction and have a high degree of recoverable stretch in the cross-direction, making them particularly suitable for use in such a process.
- the stretchable nonwoven sheets of the current invention are also useful as an elastic interliner for various garments, particularly in jackets and coats. Interliners are fabrics inserted between the outer and inner layers of a garment that are intended to impart or to improve shape retention, padding, insulating value, stiffening, or bulk to a garment.
- the stretch nonwoven sheets of the current invention are particularly useful for this application because of their low cost combined with permanent elasticity and the ability to provide stretch for comfort in the around-the-body dimension.
- TEST METHODS Force Required to Elongate to 30% This analysis was performed on an Instron Model 5565 equipped with the Merlin data collection software system. Both the Merlin system and instrument hardware are available from Instron Corporation (Braintree, Massachusetts).
- a one inch +/- 0.05 inch wide (2.54 cm +/- 0.13 cm) and approximately 8 inch (20.32 cm) long sample of a nonwoven sheet is clamped in the jaws of the Instron machine with a sample length set at 3.00 inches (7.62 cm).
- the sample is prepared such that the length of the sample is aligned with the cross-direction of the nonwoven.
- the sample is elongated at a rate of six inches per minute (15.24 cm/min) to an elongation of 30%.
- the force in grams at 50% elongation is recorded.
- Basis Weight A rectangular sample of nonwoven sheet approximately 1.0 inch by 8.0 inches (2.54 cm by 20.32 cm) is relaxed with care so that the sample contains no puckers or wrinkles. The length and width of the sample are measured to the nearest millimeter and the sample is weighed to the nearest tenth of a milligram. The weight is divided by the calculated area and the result expressed in terms of grams per square meter to the nearest 0.1 gram.
- EXAMPLE 1 A 30 inch (76.2 cm) wide, 15 g/m 2 wettable spunbond polypropylene nonwoven manufactured by Avgol Nonwovens, Israel, was fed through a nip roll at 89 feet per minute (27 m/min) and passed through a 72 inch (1.83 m) long forced air oven at 290°F (143°C) to a second nip roll operating at 115 feet per minute (35 m/min) and then onto a take up roll. In this process, the 30 inch (76.2 cm) wide nonwoven was uniformly and smoothly consolidated ("necked") in the cross-direction to a width of 10 inches (25.4 cm). It could be extended back to its original 30 inch (76.2 cm) cross-directional width by application of minimal force.
- the necked nonwoven had essentially zero machine direction elongation and a basis weight of 32.0 g/m 2 .
- the necked nonwoven was coated on one surface with a 15 mil (0.38 mm) doctor knife and a dimethylacetamide (DMAC) solution of 20% by weight of a polyurethaneurea derived from 1800 molecular weight poly(tetramethyleneether) glycol, 1-isocyanato-4-[(4-isocyanatophenyl)methyl]benzene (1.69 mole ratio of diisocyanate to glycol), chain extenders (ethylene diamine and 2-methyl-1 ,5- pentanediamine in a 9:1 mole ratio), and diethylamine.
- DMAC dimethylacetamide
- the following additives were also used: 0.5wt% of a polymer of bis(4-isocyanatocyclohexyl)methane) and (3-t-butyl-3-aza-1 ,5-pentanediol) (Methacrol® 2462B , a registered trademark of E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company), 0.3 wt% titanium dioxide, 0.6 wt% silicone oil, 1.4wt% 2,4,6-tris(2,6-dimethyl-4-t-butyl-3- hydroxybenzyl)isocyanurate (Cyanox® 1790, a registered trademark of Cytec Industries), and 4wt% of a mixture of huntite and hydromagnesite).
- the polyurethaneurea - DMAC solution fully wet the nonwoven.
- the coated nonwoven was suspended substantially vertically in air for approximately 1 minute to allow full penetration of the polymer solution into the nonwoven and then immersed in a 70°F (21 °C) bath of 40% by volume DMAC in water. After one minute, the impregnated fabric was successively transferred to 30 volume %, 20 volume % and 10 volume % DMAC /water solutions for one minute each and finally immersed in a 100% water bath for 2 minutes.
- the impregnated fabric was dried in air at room temperature.
- the resulting impregnated nonwoven sheet had equivalent (dry, textilelike) hand and texture on both surfaces.
- Photomicrographs of the cross-section of the impregnated nonwoven sheet indicated a uniform composite structure through the thickness of the material and substantially no areas of continuous polyurethane on either surface.
- the nonwoven sheet was then lightly sanded with a 220 grit sand paper.
- the resulting material had a noticeably softer feel and visual observation showed numerous individual short fibers projecting from the surface compared to a completely smooth surface with no projecting fibers prior to sanding. It was unexpected that this treatment succeeded in giving a softer hand without significantly impairing the visual aesthetics or the elastic characteristics of the sheet.
- the resulting impregnated nonwoven sheet had a basis weight of 71.4 g/m 2 , indicating a polyurethaneurea content of 39.4 grams per square meter, or approximately 55 weight% elastomeric polymer. Hand elongation of the resulting material in the cross-direction indicated an elongation of between about 160% and 180%. Load and Unload Force analysis gave the following results:
- EXAMPLE 2 A portion, approximately 30 feet in length, of a 10 inch (25.4 cm) wide roll of a 55 g/m 2 flat type spunlaced nonwoven, Item Number 4055-T, manufactured by Sheng Hung Industrial Co., 116 Hou Kang Street, Shih-Lin District, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC, was used for this Example, which was run in a continuous fashion.
- the nonwoven substrate was first impregnated by immersion in a T-162 Lycra(R) solution in dimethylacetamide (DMAC) which contained 12.5% solids, which is available from INVISTA Inc., Wilmington, DE. Fabric speed was 3 fl/min with total fabric length in the bath being about 6 inches.
- DMAC dimethylacetamide
- Load and unload force analysis on the third cycle was performed as described in the Test Method section except that the sample was elongated to a maximum elongation of 50% and the load and unload retractive forces were recorded at 20%, 30%, and 40% elongation.
- This modified load and unload force analysis gave the following results:
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Abstract
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EP (1) | EP1761667B1 (fr) |
JP (1) | JP4918480B2 (fr) |
KR (1) | KR101228176B1 (fr) |
CN (1) | CN1997787B (fr) |
BR (1) | BRPI0509448B1 (fr) |
WO (1) | WO2005106092A1 (fr) |
Families Citing this family (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP1994218A1 (fr) * | 2006-03-15 | 2008-11-26 | INVISTA Technologies S.à.r.l. | Feuille non tissee elastique pour articles medicaux |
KR101601235B1 (ko) * | 2008-04-14 | 2016-03-07 | 인비스타 테크놀러지스 에스.에이 알.엘. | 횡기계 방향 신장성을 갖는 탄성 편직물 |
WO2015084865A1 (fr) * | 2013-12-02 | 2015-06-11 | Invista Technologies S.A R.L. | Vêtements mettant en valeur les formes comprenant une composition polymère élastique discontinue |
CN116728919A (zh) | 2014-12-19 | 2023-09-12 | 金伯利-克拉克环球有限公司 | 可横向延伸的非织造复合物 |
CN109688996B (zh) * | 2016-09-07 | 2023-01-31 | 莱卡英国有限公司 | 拉伸非织造物和膜 |
CN115634313B (zh) * | 2022-09-30 | 2023-12-22 | 北京航空航天大学 | 一种具有高各向异性系数的弹性体及其制备方法和用途 |
Family Cites Families (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
AU584155B2 (en) * | 1985-01-16 | 1989-05-18 | Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. | Elasticized non-woven fabric and method of making the same |
JPH0819611B2 (ja) * | 1986-07-19 | 1996-02-28 | 日本バイリーン株式会社 | 高フイツト性不織布及びその製造法 |
AU643014B2 (en) * | 1990-07-31 | 1993-11-04 | Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. | Elastomeric saturated nonwoven material |
US5910224A (en) * | 1996-10-11 | 1999-06-08 | Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. | Method for forming an elastic necked-bonded material |
US6322851B1 (en) * | 1998-06-30 | 2001-11-27 | Kuraray Co., Ltd. | Manufacturing process for leather-like sheet |
US6362389B1 (en) * | 1998-11-20 | 2002-03-26 | Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. | Elastic absorbent structures |
JP4379844B2 (ja) * | 2000-06-19 | 2009-12-09 | 丸榮日産株式会社 | 高伸縮性不織布およびその製造方法 |
AU2003209414A1 (en) * | 2002-04-15 | 2003-11-03 | E. I. Du Pont De Nemours And Company | Elastic nonwoven sheet |
-
2005
- 2005-04-22 CN CN2005800203147A patent/CN1997787B/zh active Active
- 2005-04-22 EP EP05740351.1A patent/EP1761667B1/fr active Active
- 2005-04-22 BR BRPI0509448-8A patent/BRPI0509448B1/pt not_active IP Right Cessation
- 2005-04-22 JP JP2007509712A patent/JP4918480B2/ja not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2005-04-22 KR KR1020067024465A patent/KR101228176B1/ko active IP Right Grant
- 2005-04-22 WO PCT/US2005/014082 patent/WO2005106092A1/fr active Application Filing
Non-Patent Citations (1)
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Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
BRPI0509448B1 (pt) | 2015-07-28 |
JP2008506042A (ja) | 2008-02-28 |
WO2005106092A1 (fr) | 2005-11-10 |
KR20070006920A (ko) | 2007-01-11 |
CN1997787A (zh) | 2007-07-11 |
CN1997787B (zh) | 2010-12-22 |
KR101228176B1 (ko) | 2013-01-30 |
BRPI0509448A (pt) | 2007-09-04 |
EP1761667B1 (fr) | 2015-01-14 |
JP4918480B2 (ja) | 2012-04-18 |
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