EP3880460A1

EP3880460A1 - Laminate comprising a support element and an element having loops which are fixed to one another, in particular calendered to one another

Info

Publication number: EP3880460A1
Application number: EP19795594.1A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Sylvain André Paul DROCHON; Nathalie Christine Michèle Marie MOINARD
Original assignee: Aplix SA
Current assignee: Aplix SA
Priority date: 2018-11-14
Filing date: 2019-11-06
Publication date: 2021-09-22
Also published as: WO2020099205A1; US20210339500A1; JP2022505013A; BR112021004346A2; FR3088240B1; CN113056368A; FR3088240A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a laminate comprising a support element (1) in the form of a first layer of fibers and/or filaments, in particular a first nonwoven, and an element (2) having loops in the form of a second fiber and/or filament web, in particular a second loop nonwoven, the two elements being fixed to each other, wherein the fixing causes islands (3, 3'), so-called calendering islands, to appear on the outer surface of the loop element, which are S-shaped and have heads symmetrical to each other, characterized in that each S-shaped island with symmetrical heads consists of two sub-islands (3A, 3B; 3'A, 3'B) forming opposite heads and of a non-fixed intermediate zone (4;4') separating the two sub-islands forming opposite heads.

Description

Laminate comprising a support element and a loop element fixed to each other, in particular calendered to each other

The present invention relates to a laminate comprising a support element in the form of a first nonwoven and a loop element in the form of a second nonwoven with loops, the two nonwoven elements being fixed to each other by calendering, the calendering forming, on the outer surface of the looped nonwoven, calendering islands at a distance from each other.

The present invention also relates to an engraved roller intended to produce, during calendering the calendering islands, as well as to an installation comprising an engraved roller of this kind.

Already known in the prior art, in particular from international application WO 17190717, laminates of this kind, in which the calendering islands have an S shape with heads symmetrical to one another, the islands being arranged in rows and columns on the outer surface of the looped nonwoven. Although this arrangement of S-shaped islands in rows and columns has the advantage of giving a visual impression of greater softness, in particular by creating a kind of stroboscopic effect, we would like to have a laminate available of this kind, which, while retaining this visual effect of supposedly greater softness to the touch, is also in fact of greater softness to the touch.

The present invention thus relates to a laminate comprising a support element in the form of a first layer of fibers and / or filaments, in particular a first nonwoven, and a loop element in the form of '' a second layer of fibers and / or filaments, in particular of a second looped nonwoven, the two elements being fixed to each other, the fixing showing on the outside surface of the looped element so-called S-shaped calendering islands with symmetrical heads, characterized in that each S-shaped island with symmetrical heads consists of two sub-islands forming opposite heads and a non-intermediate zone fixed separating the two sub-islands forming opposite heads. By thus providing a truncated S-shaped island in an intermediate part, in particular central, one obtains not only a laminate whose two nonwoven elements, respectively support and loops, are as well held by calendering one to the other than in the prior art, but which moreover on the one hand has a larger useful surface of loops and on the other hand allows, in the case where the islets are arranged in rows and columns, in generally in the direction CD and MD, to create on the upper face of the laminate paths in the form of rectilinear lines which extend from one side to the other of the laminate without cutting any calendered area. According to the invention, in particular not only vertical lines of this kind are obtained, but also lines inclined to the left and lines inclined to the right. This results in a much softer feel to the touch than in the prior art, while retaining good gripping performance.

Preferably, each sub-island has a shape which has no symmetry (asymmetrical shape), neither with respect to a point, nor with respect to a straight line.

Preferably, the two sub-islands have the same shape, and preferably this same shape has no symmetry, in particular neither with respect to a point, nor with respect to a straight line. The same shape means that the shape of one sub-island to another is similar or identical.

Preferably, each asymmetrical sub-island has a substantially oblong base part, in particular in the direction CD, and a spout part projecting from the base part, in particular from an end part of the part of base, extending in a direction making an angle with respect to the longitudinal direction of the base part, in particular an angle between 30 ° and 60 °, in particular approximately 45 °.

Preferably, each sub-island is delimited by a closed peripheral line comprising in succession a first substantially straight base section; an intermediate base section substantially perpendicular to the first base section; a second substantially straight base section slightly inclined relative to the first base section, in particular at an angle of 3 °, which can be between 1 ° and 10 °; a first section of headland inclined with respect to the second base section in a direction opposite to the first section of base, in particular at an angle of 55 °, which can be between 45 ° and 80 °; an intermediate promontory section, inclined with respect to the first promontory section in a direction towards the side of the first base section, in particular at an angle of 81 °, which can be between 75 ° and 110 °; and a second promontory section, inclined with respect to the intermediate promontory section, in particular at an angle of 87 °, which can be between 85 ° and 120 °, the second promontory section joining the first base section by being inclined relative to it, in particular by an angle of 70 °, which can be between 60 ° and 90 °.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the S-shaped calendering islands are aligned in rows and columns, in particular in the direction MD and the direction CD, or in inclined directions each of a angle between and 10 ° relative to the directions MD and CD respectively.

In particular, the arrangement of the islands is such that it is possible to draw straight lines crossing the upper surface of the laminate in at least three different directions and not parallel to each other without encountering any calendered area, particular in four directions.

Preferably, the at least three lines comprise four lines, namely a vertical line extending in the direction MD, or substantially in the direction MD, the horizontal line extending in the direction CD, or substantially in the direction CD, and two inclined lines crossing each other and each making an angle between 10 ° and 35 ° relative to the direction CD, more particularly between 10 ° and 30 °, in particular between 15 ° and 25 °, in particular approximately 21

In particular, two types of islands are provided, namely a type of S-shaped island, said to be positive, and a type of island in the form of an inverted S or image as in a mirror of the shape. in S, said to be negative, a given row comprising a succession of positive or negative islands and the next and previous rows comprising a succession of negative or positive islands, the rows thus being alternately rows of negative islands and positive islands .

Preferably, between each row, there is an island offset of a sub-island, so that each column alternately comprises sub- blocks of a positive block and a negative block, while the preceding and following columns alternately contain sub-blocks of a positive block and a negative block.

In particular, the surface of the loop element covered by the calendering islands represents between 18% and 34% of the surface of the loop nonwoven, more particularly between 20% and 25% of the surface of the element with loops.

The present invention also relates to an engraved roller intended to press, in particular hot, one against the other the two layers of fibers and / or filaments, in particular the two nonwovens for support and loops to fix them to each other, in particular one against the other, by calendering, the engraved roller comprising patterns projecting from its outer surface, the patterns having shapes which correspond to the truncated S-shaped islands of the laminate according to the invention.

The present invention also relates to a calendering installation of a laminate according to the invention, the installation comprising a support or pressing roller and an engraved roller, in particular an engraved roller according to the invention.

Preferably, the peripheral speed of the engraved roller, in particular greater, is adjusted to be greater than the peripheral speed of the support roller, in particular lower, preferably by a ratio of between 1.1 and 1.5, in particular between 1, 1 and 1, 3.

By way of example, a preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a laminate according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 is a top view of the laminate of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a front view of an engraved roller according to the invention;

Figure 4 is an enlarged view of the encircled part of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a panty layer incorporating the laminate of Figures 1 and 2 to form a landing zone intended to cooperate with hooks from side tabs to removably close the belt of the diaper; Figure 6 is an enlarged view of part of Figure 2 to illustrate the paths in the form of straight lines which extend from one side to the other of the laminate without cutting calendered area;

FIG. 7 represents, seen from above and on a larger scale, respectively an S-shaped island and an inverted S-shaped island; and

Figure 8 is a sectional view along section AA of Figure 4.

In Figure 1, there is shown a laminate 1 2 according to the invention. This laminate 12 comprises a lower support element 1 in the form of a nonwoven, in particular a nonwoven of the “Spunbond” or “spunmelt” type (the “spunmelt” nonwoven can be arbitrary, notably including a non woven SM, SMS, SSMMS, SMSMS, SMMMS, SMMS, SSMMSS, SSMMMSS, SSMMMSSS or any other combination of layers S and M, S representing a layer of “spunbond” type and M representing a layer of “Meltblown” type), having a basic weight of, for example, between 5 g / m ² and 30 g / m ² , on which decorative / informative patterns can in particular be printed, and an element 2 with loops, in particular a carded one, for example thermo-bonded or hydrolied, or a spunbond, having for example a basis weight between 10 g / m ² and 35 g / m ² and having fibers and / or filaments between 1, 5 and 6.0 decitex, and which preferably should allow a user to see, through, the patterns printed on the support element.

The two nonwovens may have been passed between two rollers, respectively of support and engraved, to fix them to each other by having melted the fibers and / or filaments (synthetic or not) of the two nonwovens with each other in areas in the form of islands 3, 3 ′, respectively in inverted S and in S, corresponding to the etching patterns coming from the external face of the engraved roll.

Conventionally, the fixing is done by calendering, that is to say by applying pressure and / or heat on the two elements passing between the rollers. However, this fixing together of the materials of the fibers or filaments of the two elements can also be done by fusion welding, by ultrasonic welding, by embossing or the like. In the present application, to facilitate the description, these fixing zones are designated by the term "calendering zones". As an alternative embodiment, one could envisage extruding fibers and / or filaments directly on the support element (for example a nonwoven of the “spunmelt” or “Spunbond” type) and to calender the sheet of fibers and / or filaments with the support element to form a laminate according to the invention. In an alternative embodiment, one could envisage extruding fibers and / or filaments forming a first layer of fibers and / or filaments forming a support element and then extruding fibers and / or filaments forming a second layer of fibers and / or filaments forming loop element and calendering the at least two plies of fibers and / or filaments forming support element and loop element to form a laminate according to the invention.

The thickness of the islands 3, 3 ′ (measured perpendicular to the upper face of the laminate) is, due to the calendering, greatly reduced compared to the thickness of the laminate outside of the calendering zones. The non-calendered zones thus form zones forming loops protruding beyond the islands 3, 3 ′ and capable of receiving hooks for fixing by hooks and loops.

In particular, the surface of the nonwoven 2 with loops covered by the calendering islands represents between 18% and 34% of the surface of the nonwoven 2 with loops, in particular from 20% to 25%, for example 22 %.

It is shown in Figures 2 and 6 in top view the laminate of Figure 1 and in Figure 7 two islands 3 and 3 ', respectively in reverse S and S, on a larger scale.

The islands 3, 3 ’are arranged on the upper surface of the laminate so as to be aligned in rows in the direction CD and columns in the direction MD.

Each island 3 in the form of an inverted S, shown on a larger scale in FIG. 7, consists of two sub-islands 3A upper and 3B lower each forming a head of the inverted S in the form of island 3. The two sub-islands 3A and 3B forming the head of the S have the same identical shape which is asymmetrical.

Each island 3 in inverted or negative S thus comprises two sub-islands 3A upper and 3B lower separated by a hollow area 4. By hollow area 4 is meant that in this interstitial area 4, the two upper sub-islands and lower are at a distance from each other and fibers and / or filaments of the nonwoven 2 with non-calendered loops are present between the two sub-islands 3A and 3B. In this interstitial zone 4, loops 21 are then available to cooperate with hooks.

The upper sub-island 3A is delimited by a closed peripheral line comprising in succession an upper section 31 A of substantially straight base; a base intermediate section 32A substantially perpendicular to the upper section 31A; a substantially straight lower base section 33A extending under the section 31 A while being slightly inclined relative to the latter, in particular by an angle of 3 °, which can be between 1 ° and 10 °; a lower section 34A of a promontory inclined downward relative to the lower base section 33A, in particular at an angle of 55 °, which can be between 45 ° and 80 °; an intermediate promontory section 35A, inclined upward relative to the lower promontory section 34A, in particular at an angle of 81 °, which can be between 75 ° and 110 °; and an upper promontory section 36A, inclined relative to the intermediate promontory section 35A, in particular at an angle of 87 °, which may be between 85 ° and 120 °, the upper promontory section 36A joining the upper section 31A base by being inclined relative thereto, in particular by an angle of 70 °, which can be between 60 ° and 90 °.

The sections 31 A, 32A and 33A define a base part of the sub-island 3A.

This base part is terminated by a promontory or spout part, delimited by the sections 34A, 35A and 36A and directed towards the other respective sub-island 3B of the S.

The lower sub-island 3B is delimited by a closed peripheral line comprising in succession a lower section 31 B of substantially straight base; a base intermediate section 32B substantially perpendicular to the lower section 31B; a substantially straight upper upper section 33B extending below the section 31 B while being slightly inclined relative to the latter, in particular by an angle of 3 °, which can be between 1 ° and 10 °; an upper section 34B of a promontory inclined upward relative to the upper base section 33B, in particular at an angle of 55 °, which can be between 45 ° and 80 °; an intermediate promontory section 35B, inclined downward relative to the upper promontory section 34B, in particular at an angle of 81 °, which can be between 75 ° and 110 °; and a lower section of promontory 36B, inclined relative to the intermediate section of promontory 35B, in particular of a angle of 87 °, which can be between 85 ° and 120 °, the lower section 36B of promontory joining the lower section 31 B of the base by being inclined relative thereto, in particular by an angle of 70 °, which can be between 60 ° and 90 °.

The sections 31 B, 32B and 33B define a basic part of the sub-island 3B.

This basic part is terminated by a promontory or spout part, delimited by the sections 34B, 35B and 36B and directed towards the other respective sub-island 3A of the S.

Each island 3 'S-shaped, shown on a larger scale in Figure 7, consists of two sub-islands 3Ά upper and 3'B lower each forming a head of the S of the shape of the island 3 '. The two sub-islands 3Ά and 3’B forming the head of the S have the same identical shape which is asymmetrical.

Each 3 ′ S-shaped or positive island thus has two upper 3Ά and 3'B lower sub-islands separated by a recessed area 4 ’. By hollow zone 4 'is meant that in this interstitial zone 4', the two upper and lower sub-islands are at a distance from each other and from fibers and / or filaments of nonwoven 2 with non-looped calendered are present between the two sub-islands 3Ά and 3'B.

The upper 3Ά sub-island is delimited by a closed peripheral line comprising in succession an upper 31 Ά section of substantially straight base; a base intermediate section 32Ά substantially perpendicular to the upper section 31;; a substantially straight base 33Ά lower section extending under the section 31'A while being slightly inclined relative thereto, in particular by an angle of 3 °, which can be between 1 ⁰ and 10 °; a lower section 34Ά of a promontory inclined downward relative to the lower base section 33Ά, in particular at an angle of 55 °, which can be between 45 ° and 80 °; a section 35Ά intermediate promontory, inclined upward relative to the lower section 34Ά of promontory, in particular at an angle of 81 °, which can be between 75 ° and 110 °; and an upper 36Ά section of promontory, inclined relative to the intermediate section 35Ά of promontory, in particular at an angle of 87 °, which may be between 85 ° and 120 °, the upper 36Ά section of promontory joining the upper section 31 Ά base by being inclined relative thereto, in particular by an angle of 70 °, which can be between 60 ° and The sections 31'A, 32Ά and 33Ά define a basic part of the sub-island 3Ά. This base part is terminated by a promontory or spout part, delimited by sections 34Ά, 35Ά and 36Ά and directed towards the other respective sub-island 3'B of S.

The lower 3'B sub-island is delimited by a closed peripheral line comprising in succession a lower section 31 'B of substantially rectilinear base; a base intermediate section 32'B substantially perpendicular to the lower section 31'B; a substantially rectilinear upper section 33'B of base extending above section 31'B while being slightly inclined relative to the latter, in particular by an angle of 3 °, which can be between 1 ° and 1 0 °; an upper section 34'B of a promontory inclined upwards relative to the upper base section 33'B, in particular at an angle of 55 °, which can be between 45 ° and 80 °; a section 35'B intermediate promontory, inclined downward relative to the upper section 34'B of promontory, in particular at an angle of 81 °, which can be between 75 ° and 110 °; and a lower section 36'B of headland, inclined with respect to the intermediate section 35'B of headland, in particular at an angle of 87 °, which can be between 85 ° and 120 °, the lower section 36'B of headland joining the lower base section 31'B by being inclined with respect thereto, in particular by an angle of 70 °, which can be between 60 ° and 90 °.

The sections 31'B, 32'B and 33'B define a basic part of the sub-island 3'B.

This base part is terminated by a promontory or spout part, delimited by sections 34'B, 35'B and 36'B and directed towards the other respective 3Ά sub-island of S.

The two spout parts of the two sub-islands 3A and 3B form with the interstitial part 4 hollowed out the intermediate rod of the S of the overall shape of the negative island 3.

The two beak parts of the two sub-islands 3Ά and 3'B form with the interstitial part 4 ’hollowed out the intermediate rod of the S of the overall shape of the positive 3 ′ islet.

Each sub-island 3A, 3B, 3Ά and 3'B thus has an asymmetrical shape, in particular has, seen from above, no symmetry with respect to a straight line and / or a point, while each island 3 and 3 'has a symmetry with respect to a point located in the middle of the interstitial part 4, 4'. The shape of a positive 3 'island consisting of two sub-islands 3Ά and 3'B and an interstitial part 4' is the image as in a mirror of a negative island 3, consisting of two - islands 3A and 3B and an interstitial part 4.

As shown in the figures, the negative 3 and 3 'positive islands are arranged in rows (in a direction making an angle between 0 ° and 1 0 ° relative to the direction CD) and in column (in a direction or axis 10 making an angle between 0 ° and 10 ° relative to the direction MD).

A given row comprises a succession of positive or negative islands and the next and previous rows comprise a succession of negative or positive islands, the rows thus being alternately rows of negative islands and positive islands.

In addition, between each row, an island offset is provided with a width of a sub-island, so that each column alternately comprises upper sub-islands of a positive island and of a negative island, while the preceding and following columns alternately comprise lower sub-islands of a positive island and a negative island. This offset of a sub-island results in a vertical alignment (in the MD direction or the direction of the columns slightly inclined with respect to the MD direction) alternating between an area 4 intermediate a negative island and an area 4 'through a positive island.

This offset may however be greater than a width of the sub-island, so that the mutual overlap in a column, either of sub-islands 3A and 3Ά higher alternately, or of sub-islands 3B and 3'B lower alternately, corresponds to between 20% and 50% of the total width of a complete island, preferably between 30% and 50% (50% corresponding to the case of the offset shown in the figures for a width of the sub-island). In addition, between each row, there is provided a shift between a positive island and a negative island so that there is no mutual overlap of a row with an adjacent row, that is to say of a lower sub-island. 3B with a 3Ά upper sub-island, or an upper 3A sub-island with a 3'B lower sub-island.

Thus, a given column only has sub-islands that are either higher or lower, alternating from one column to the other, and in a given column, the sub-islands are alternately either of a positive island, either from a negative island. As can be seen in FIG. 6, this arrangement of the islands is such that it is possible to draw vertical lines in the direction of the axis 10 of the columns, inclined from 0 ° to 10 ° relative to the direction MD, parallel to each other and spaced about the length of a sub-island, whether higher or lower, depending on the column chosen, as well as inclined parallel lines 7 and 8, which allow crossing the laminate at an angle to the CD direction and to the MD direction, without encountering any calendered areas.

The two series of inclined parallel lines 7 and 8 intersect, in particular by forming between them an angle different from 90 °, in particular between 10 ° and 45 °, in particular of the order of 32 °. Advantageously, each series of lines 7 and 8 respectively form with the axis of the columns an angle between 65 ° and 85 °, preferably of the order of 75 °. The different dimensions and / or straight lines can be taken in an area of a sample comprising three islands in MD and three islands in CD.

The dimensions of the islands are in particular such that:

- The length of the sections 32A, 32B, 32’A, 32’B is approximately 1.06mm, in particular is between 0.8mm and 1.5mm.

- The length of the sections 31 A, 31 B, 31 Ά, 31’B is approximately 6.5 mm, in particular is between 4 mm and 10 mm, in particular between 5 mm and 8 mm.

- The length of the sections 33A, 33B, 33Ά, 33’B is about 6.0mm, in particular is between 4mm and 10mm, in particular between 5mm and 8mm.

- The length of the sections 36A, 36B, 36Ά, 36’B is approximately 1.9mm, in particular is between 0.8mm and 3.0mm, in particular between 1mm and 2.5mm.

- The distance between the two sections 35A and 35B, respectively 35Ά and 35'B, intermediate spouts delimiting the interstitial zone 4 or 4 'is approximately 0.93mm, in particular is between 0.5mm and 2.5mm, preferably between 0.8mm and 1.5mm.

- The ratio or ratio of the longest length in the MD direction of the block over the longest CD length of the block is between 0.1 and 1.0, preferably between 0.2 and 0.6 . - The ratio or ratio of the greatest length in the MD direction of a sub-island to the longest CD length of the sub-island is between 0.1 and 0.6, preferably between 0.1 and 0 , 4.

- The ratio or ratio of the greatest length in the MD direction of the assembly comprising a positive island and a negative island over the greatest length in CD of this assembly is between 0.15 and 1.4, preferably between 0.25 and 1.0.

- The length of the sections 35A, 35B, 35Ά, 35’B intermediate beak is about 0.53mm, in particular is between 0.4mm and 0.6mm.

- In rows and columns, an island density is provided between 150 and 350 sub-islands / column meter, for example 242, and from 80 to 200 sub-islands / meter of row, for example 129.

In FIG. 3, there is shown an engraved roller comprising engraving details as shown in FIG. 4.

For the manufacture of the laminate, the two elements 1 and 2 were sent together between two rollers for their mutual fixing by calendering. Alternatively, printing can be performed on the underside of the support element 1, before or after calendering.

In the gap formed between the two rollers, in particular upper and lower, the two elements 1 and 2 are pressed against each other by the respective outer surfaces facing each other of the two rollers .

One or both of the rollers is / are heated and one of the two rollers has an engraving pattern.

In addition, the respective speeds of the two lower and upper rollers at the level of contact with the laminate passing through the gap are oriented mutually parallel, in the direction of unwinding of the two elements, in particular the machine direction or MD. However, the value of the speed V1 of the engraved roller, in particular higher, at the level of the contact with the textile element with loop in the gap is higher than that of the speed V2 of the support roller, in particular lower, that is to say of the roller in contact with the support element. To obtain the laminate of FIG. 1, the ratio V1 / V2 in FIG. 3 has been adjusted so that it is equal to 1.15.

In the present invention, the term nonwoven means a product obtained after the formation of a sheet of fibers and / or filaments which has been consolidated. Consolidation can be mechanical, chemical or thermal and results in the presence of a bond between the fibers and / or the filaments. This consolidation can be direct, that is to say made directly between the fibers and / or filaments by welding, or it can be indirect, that is to say by means of an intermediate layer between the fibers. and / or the filaments, for example a layer of glue or a layer of binder. The term nonwoven refers to a ribbon-like structure or web of fibers and / or filaments which are intertwined in a non-uniform, irregular or random manner. A nonwoven may have a single layer structure or a multi-layer structure. A nonwoven can also be combined with another material such as a film to form a laminate. A nonwoven can be made from different synthetic and / or natural materials. Natural materials by way of example are cellulose fibers, such as cotton, jute, pulp, linen, and the like, and may also include reprocessed cellulose fibers, such as rayon or viscose (cellulose acetate ). Natural fibers for a nonwoven material can be prepared using various methods such as carding. Synthetic materials by way of example include, but are not limited to, synthetic thermoplastic polymers, which are known to form fibers and / or filaments which include, but are not limited to, polyolefins, for example polyethylene, polypropylene, polybutylene and the like; polyamide, for example polyamide 6, polyamide 6.6, polyamide 10, polyamide 11, polyamide 12 and the like; polyesters, for example polyethylene terephthalates, polybutylene terephthalates, polylactic acids (PLA) and the like, polycarbonates, polystyrenes, thermoplastic elastomers, vinyl polymers, polyurethanes and mixtures and co-polymers thereof. Some of these materials can be bio-plastic, for example bio-sourced (for example Bio-PE, PLA, polyamide 11, viscose (cellulose acetate), and the like) and / or biodegradable (PLA and the like). In general, the fibers and filaments differ mainly in their length and in their manufacturing process.

The term “filaments” is understood to mean unit elements, very large lengths with respect to the diameter in which their section is inscribed, continuously extruded to directly form a sheet of nonwoven which can then be consolidated by thermo-bonding. or any other means to allow the achievement of the desired performances and / or their transport. Preferably, the filaments have a length greater than 120mm.

By fiber is meant the generic term for a textile material or a textile material element of reduced length, less than the length of the filaments, and capable of being spun and / or used in the production of nonwovens. There are two types of fibers, short fibers formed of discontinuous material of short length less than 50mm (preferably 25 mm to 50 mm) and long fibers formed of discontinuous length of greater length greater than 50 mm (preferably 60 mm to 1 20 mm).

Unlike the filaments which are consolidated directly after being extruded, the fibers are commonly oriented and organized in a sheet during a carding step well known to those skilled in the art. This sheet can then be consolidated by thermal bonding or any other means to allow the achievement of the desired performances and / or their transport. According to the invention, it is advantageous to use a looped nonwoven comprising fibers with high elongation. According to the invention, it is advantageous to use a looped nonwoven comprising fibers with high elongation. According to the invention, it is advantageous to use a looped nonwoven or a support nonwoven comprising fibers and / or filaments of circular or non-circular section (trilobal or multilobal). The use of non-circular fibers and / or filaments would make it possible to obtain a shiny appearance.

According to the invention, it is advantageous to use a looped nonwoven or a support nonwoven comprising fibers and / or single-component or multicomponent filaments ("Core / Sheath" or "side / side").

By fibers with high elongation is meant fibers which have a maximum elongation before breaking greater than 250% elongation, that is to say fibers that can stretch at least 2.5 times their length at rest and before stretching.

More particularly, the fibers with high elongation have a maximum elongation before breaking greater than 300% of elongation, or else have a maximum elongation before breaking between 300% and 600% of elongation, more particularly between 350% and 500% elongation.

According to one embodiment, the looped nonwoven comprises fibers with high elongation, in particular at least 50% of fibers with high elongation.

According to the present invention, by loop is meant a filament and / or a fiber which comprises two ends each secured to the support at a respective point of the support or at the same point of the support. A loop can also be formed of several filaments or fibers secured to each other and at least two of which are secured to the support, at one point or at two respective respective points. The loops can have a particular asymmetrical shape here (see Figure 1).

The term nonwoven with loops means a nonwoven forming loops available for a hook after bonding (assembly / fixing / calendering) to the support.

Alternatively, one could consider activating the nonwoven fabric with loops before fixing it to the support element. The activation of the nonwoven is a treatment which makes it possible to reduce the cohesion of the structure of the nonwoven web, and to release the fibers and / or the filaments. Activation can be achieved with two toothed or disc activation rollers, as is well known in the art.

The MD direction is the Machine direction, that is to say the direction in which the laminate was transported on the production line during its calendering and the CD direction is the transverse or "Cross" direction, perpendicular to MD management.

In Figure 8, there is shown a tooth of the engraved roller which includes an entry angle (in the direction MD) and an exit angle. The entry angle X1 is preferably less than the exit angle X2 to allow more room for the formation of the loop and to avoid deterioration of the fibers and / or filaments during the calendering step. Preferably, the entry angle is between 5 ° and 14 °, more particularly of the order of 8 °. The exit angle is between 10 ° and 22 °, in particular of the order of 14 °.]

Claims

[Claim 1] [Laminate comprising a support element (1) in the form of a first layer of fibers and / or filaments, in particular a first nonwoven, and a loop element (2) in the form of '' a second layer of fibers and / or filaments, in particular of a second looped nonwoven, the two elements being fixed to each other, the fixing showing on the outside surface of the looped element so-called S-shaped calendering islands (3, 3 ') with symmetrical heads, characterized in that each S-shaped island with symmetrical heads consists of two sub-islands (3A, 3B ; 3Ά, 3'B) forming opposite heads and a non-fixed intermediate zone (4; 4 ') separating the two sub-islands forming opposite heads.

[Claim 2] Laminate according to claim 1, characterized in that each sub-island (3A, 3B, 3Ά, 3'B) has a shape which has no symmetry, neither with respect to a point, nor with respect to to a right.

[Claim 3] Laminate according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the two sub-islands of each island have the same shape.

[Claim 4] Laminate according to one of claims 2 or 3, characterized in that each asymmetrical sub-island has a substantially oblong base part, in particular in the direction CD, and a spout part projecting from the base part , in particular of an end part of the base part, extending in a direction making an angle with respect to the longitudinal direction of the base part, in particular an angle between 30 ° and 60 °, in particular about 45 °.

[Claim 5] Laminate according to claim 4, characterized in that each sub-island (3A, 3B; 3Ά, 3'B) is delimited by a closed peripheral line comprising a first section (31 A, 31 B; 31 Ά, 31'B) substantially straight base; a second section (33A, 33B; 33Ά, 33'B) of substantially straight base slightly inclined relative to the first base section, in particular at an angle of 3 °, which can be between 1 ° and 10 °; a base intermediate section (32A, 32B; 32Ά, 32'B) extending on one side between the first and second base sections and a promontory section extending on the other side between the first and second sections base by having an end point opposite the first base section relative to the second base section.

[Claim 6] Laminate according to claim 5, characterized in that the promontory section comprises a first section (34A, 34B; 34Ά, 34'B) of promontory inclined relative to the second base section in an opposite direction the first base section, in particular at an angle of 55 °, which can be between 45 ° and 80 ° and a second section (36A, 36B; 36Ά, 36'B) of promontory; the first and second headland sections joining opposite the basic intermediate section, in particular by an intermediate headland section (35A, 35B; 35Ά, 35'B), inclined with respect to the first headland section in a direction towards the side of the first base section, in particular at an angle of 81 °, which can be between 75 ° and 110 °; the second promontory section being inclined relative to the intermediate promontory section, in particular at an angle of 87 °, which can be between 85 ° and 120 °, the second promontory section joining the first base section by being inclined by relative to it, in particular an angle of 70 °, which can be between 60 ° and 90 °.

[Claim 7] A laminate according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the intermediate base section is substantially perpendicular to the first base section.

[Claim 8] Laminate according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the S-shaped calendering islands are aligned in rows and columns, especially in the MD direction and the CD direction, or in directions each inclined at an angle between 1 ° and 10 ° relative to the directions MD and CD respectively.

[Claim 9] Laminate according to one of Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the arrangement of the islands on the upper surface of the laminate is such that it is possible to draw straight lines crossing the upper surface of the laminate in at at least three different directions from each other without encountering any calendered zone, in particular in four directions.

[Claim 10] Laminate according to claims 8 and 9, characterized in that two types of islands are provided, namely a type of S-shaped island, called positive, and a type of island shaped S inverted or image as in a mirror of the S-shape, called negative, a given row comprising a succession of positive or negative islands and the next and previous rows comprising a succession of negative or positive islands, the rows thus being alternately rows of negative islands and d 'positive islands.

[Claim 1 1] Laminate according to claim 10, characterized in that, between each row, there is provided an island offset of a sub-island, so that each column comprises in succession alternating sub-islands d 'a positive island and a negative island, while the preceding and following columns alternately comprise sub-islands of a positive island and a negative island.

[Claim 12] Laminate according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the surface of the looped nonwoven covered by the calendering islands represents between 18% and 34% of the surface of the looped nonwoven, more particularly between 20% and 25% of the surface of the loop element.

[Claim 13] Engraved roll intended to press, in particular when hot, one against the other the two layers of fibers and / or support and loop filaments, in particular one against the other the two nonwovens of support and loops, to fix them one against the other, in particular one to the other, by calendering, the engraved roller comprising patterns projecting from its outer surface, the patterns having shapes which correspond to truncated S-shaped islands of the laminate according to one of the preceding claims.

[Claim 14] Installation for calendering a laminate, in particular a laminate according to one of claims 1 to 12, the installation comprising a support roller and an engraved roller according to claim 13.

[Claim 15] Installation according to claim 14, characterized in that the peripheral speed of the engraved roller, in particular upper is adjusted to be greater than the peripheral speed of the support roller, in particular lower, preferably of a ratio between 1, 1 and 1, 5, especially between 1, 1 and 1, 3.)