WO2007022228A1 - Non-owen fabric comprising regions of fibers of different densities and method for making the same - Google Patents

Non-owen fabric comprising regions of fibers of different densities and method for making the same Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2007022228A1
WO2007022228A1 PCT/US2006/031921 US2006031921W WO2007022228A1 WO 2007022228 A1 WO2007022228 A1 WO 2007022228A1 US 2006031921 W US2006031921 W US 2006031921W WO 2007022228 A1 WO2007022228 A1 WO 2007022228A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
region
fiber
fibers
binder
composite
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2006/031921
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Gregory J. Thompson
David E. Wenstrup
Shah N. Huda
Qinghong Jessica Ann
Sterling R. Mensch
Original Assignee
Milliken & Company
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from US11/205,688 external-priority patent/US7651964B2/en
Priority claimed from US11/441,990 external-priority patent/US7605097B2/en
Application filed by Milliken & Company filed Critical Milliken & Company
Priority to CA002617126A priority Critical patent/CA2617126A1/en
Priority to BRPI0614987-1A priority patent/BRPI0614987A2/en
Priority to JP2008527083A priority patent/JP2009504936A/en
Priority to EP06801579A priority patent/EP1937887B1/en
Priority to MX2008001813A priority patent/MX2008001813A/en
Priority to AT06801579T priority patent/ATE470740T1/en
Priority to DE602006014852T priority patent/DE602006014852D1/en
Priority to CN2006800300334A priority patent/CN101243222B/en
Publication of WO2007022228A1 publication Critical patent/WO2007022228A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • DTEXTILES; PAPER
    • D04BRAIDING; LACE-MAKING; KNITTING; TRIMMINGS; NON-WOVEN FABRICS
    • D04HMAKING TEXTILE FABRICS, e.g. FROM FIBRES OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL; FABRICS MADE BY SUCH PROCESSES OR APPARATUS, e.g. FELTS, NON-WOVEN FABRICS; COTTON-WOOL; WADDING ; NON-WOVEN FABRICS FROM STAPLE FIBRES, FILAMENTS OR YARNS, BONDED WITH AT LEAST ONE WEB-LIKE MATERIAL DURING THEIR CONSOLIDATION
    • D04H1/00Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres
    • D04H1/40Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres from fleeces or layers composed of fibres without existing or potential cohesive properties
    • D04H1/58Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres from fleeces or layers composed of fibres without existing or potential cohesive properties by applying, incorporating or activating chemical or thermoplastic bonding agents, e.g. adhesives
    • D04H1/60Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres from fleeces or layers composed of fibres without existing or potential cohesive properties by applying, incorporating or activating chemical or thermoplastic bonding agents, e.g. adhesives the bonding agent being applied in dry state, e.g. thermo-activatable agents in solid or molten state, and heat being applied subsequently
    • D04H1/62Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres from fleeces or layers composed of fibres without existing or potential cohesive properties by applying, incorporating or activating chemical or thermoplastic bonding agents, e.g. adhesives the bonding agent being applied in dry state, e.g. thermo-activatable agents in solid or molten state, and heat being applied subsequently at spaced points or locations
    • DTEXTILES; PAPER
    • D04BRAIDING; LACE-MAKING; KNITTING; TRIMMINGS; NON-WOVEN FABRICS
    • D04HMAKING TEXTILE FABRICS, e.g. FROM FIBRES OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL; FABRICS MADE BY SUCH PROCESSES OR APPARATUS, e.g. FELTS, NON-WOVEN FABRICS; COTTON-WOOL; WADDING ; NON-WOVEN FABRICS FROM STAPLE FIBRES, FILAMENTS OR YARNS, BONDED WITH AT LEAST ONE WEB-LIKE MATERIAL DURING THEIR CONSOLIDATION
    • D04H1/00Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres
    • D04H1/40Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres from fleeces or layers composed of fibres without existing or potential cohesive properties
    • D04H1/54Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres from fleeces or layers composed of fibres without existing or potential cohesive properties by welding together the fibres, e.g. by partially melting or dissolving
    • D04H1/541Composite fibres, e.g. sheath-core, sea-island or side-by-side; Mixed fibres
    • D04H1/5412Composite fibres, e.g. sheath-core, sea-island or side-by-side; Mixed fibres sheath-core
    • DTEXTILES; PAPER
    • D04BRAIDING; LACE-MAKING; KNITTING; TRIMMINGS; NON-WOVEN FABRICS
    • D04HMAKING TEXTILE FABRICS, e.g. FROM FIBRES OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL; FABRICS MADE BY SUCH PROCESSES OR APPARATUS, e.g. FELTS, NON-WOVEN FABRICS; COTTON-WOOL; WADDING ; NON-WOVEN FABRICS FROM STAPLE FIBRES, FILAMENTS OR YARNS, BONDED WITH AT LEAST ONE WEB-LIKE MATERIAL DURING THEIR CONSOLIDATION
    • D04H1/00Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres
    • D04H1/40Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres from fleeces or layers composed of fibres without existing or potential cohesive properties
    • D04H1/54Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres from fleeces or layers composed of fibres without existing or potential cohesive properties by welding together the fibres, e.g. by partially melting or dissolving
    • D04H1/542Adhesive fibres
    • D04H1/544Olefin series
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32BLAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B5/00Layered products characterised by the non- homogeneity or physical structure, i.e. comprising a fibrous, filamentary, particulate or foam layer; Layered products characterised by having a layer differing constitutionally or physically in different parts
    • B32B5/02Layered products characterised by the non- homogeneity or physical structure, i.e. comprising a fibrous, filamentary, particulate or foam layer; Layered products characterised by having a layer differing constitutionally or physically in different parts characterised by structural features of a fibrous or filamentary layer
    • B32B5/022Non-woven fabric
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32BLAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B5/00Layered products characterised by the non- homogeneity or physical structure, i.e. comprising a fibrous, filamentary, particulate or foam layer; Layered products characterised by having a layer differing constitutionally or physically in different parts
    • B32B5/14Layered products characterised by the non- homogeneity or physical structure, i.e. comprising a fibrous, filamentary, particulate or foam layer; Layered products characterised by having a layer differing constitutionally or physically in different parts characterised by a layer differing constitutionally or physically in different parts, e.g. denser near its faces
    • B32B5/145Variation across the thickness of the layer
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32BLAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B5/00Layered products characterised by the non- homogeneity or physical structure, i.e. comprising a fibrous, filamentary, particulate or foam layer; Layered products characterised by having a layer differing constitutionally or physically in different parts
    • B32B5/22Layered products characterised by the non- homogeneity or physical structure, i.e. comprising a fibrous, filamentary, particulate or foam layer; Layered products characterised by having a layer differing constitutionally or physically in different parts characterised by the presence of two or more layers which are next to each other and are fibrous, filamentary, formed of particles or foamed
    • B32B5/24Layered products characterised by the non- homogeneity or physical structure, i.e. comprising a fibrous, filamentary, particulate or foam layer; Layered products characterised by having a layer differing constitutionally or physically in different parts characterised by the presence of two or more layers which are next to each other and are fibrous, filamentary, formed of particles or foamed one layer being a fibrous or filamentary layer
    • B32B5/245Layered products characterised by the non- homogeneity or physical structure, i.e. comprising a fibrous, filamentary, particulate or foam layer; Layered products characterised by having a layer differing constitutionally or physically in different parts characterised by the presence of two or more layers which are next to each other and are fibrous, filamentary, formed of particles or foamed one layer being a fibrous or filamentary layer another layer next to it being a foam layer
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32BLAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B5/00Layered products characterised by the non- homogeneity or physical structure, i.e. comprising a fibrous, filamentary, particulate or foam layer; Layered products characterised by having a layer differing constitutionally or physically in different parts
    • B32B5/22Layered products characterised by the non- homogeneity or physical structure, i.e. comprising a fibrous, filamentary, particulate or foam layer; Layered products characterised by having a layer differing constitutionally or physically in different parts characterised by the presence of two or more layers which are next to each other and are fibrous, filamentary, formed of particles or foamed
    • B32B5/24Layered products characterised by the non- homogeneity or physical structure, i.e. comprising a fibrous, filamentary, particulate or foam layer; Layered products characterised by having a layer differing constitutionally or physically in different parts characterised by the presence of two or more layers which are next to each other and are fibrous, filamentary, formed of particles or foamed one layer being a fibrous or filamentary layer
    • B32B5/26Layered products characterised by the non- homogeneity or physical structure, i.e. comprising a fibrous, filamentary, particulate or foam layer; Layered products characterised by having a layer differing constitutionally or physically in different parts characterised by the presence of two or more layers which are next to each other and are fibrous, filamentary, formed of particles or foamed one layer being a fibrous or filamentary layer another layer next to it also being fibrous or filamentary
    • DTEXTILES; PAPER
    • D04BRAIDING; LACE-MAKING; KNITTING; TRIMMINGS; NON-WOVEN FABRICS
    • D04HMAKING TEXTILE FABRICS, e.g. FROM FIBRES OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL; FABRICS MADE BY SUCH PROCESSES OR APPARATUS, e.g. FELTS, NON-WOVEN FABRICS; COTTON-WOOL; WADDING ; NON-WOVEN FABRICS FROM STAPLE FIBRES, FILAMENTS OR YARNS, BONDED WITH AT LEAST ONE WEB-LIKE MATERIAL DURING THEIR CONSOLIDATION
    • D04H1/00Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres
    • D04H1/40Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres from fleeces or layers composed of fibres without existing or potential cohesive properties
    • D04H1/42Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres from fleeces or layers composed of fibres without existing or potential cohesive properties characterised by the use of certain kinds of fibres insofar as this use has no preponderant influence on the consolidation of the fleece
    • D04H1/425Cellulose series
    • DTEXTILES; PAPER
    • D04BRAIDING; LACE-MAKING; KNITTING; TRIMMINGS; NON-WOVEN FABRICS
    • D04HMAKING TEXTILE FABRICS, e.g. FROM FIBRES OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL; FABRICS MADE BY SUCH PROCESSES OR APPARATUS, e.g. FELTS, NON-WOVEN FABRICS; COTTON-WOOL; WADDING ; NON-WOVEN FABRICS FROM STAPLE FIBRES, FILAMENTS OR YARNS, BONDED WITH AT LEAST ONE WEB-LIKE MATERIAL DURING THEIR CONSOLIDATION
    • D04H1/00Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres
    • D04H1/40Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres from fleeces or layers composed of fibres without existing or potential cohesive properties
    • D04H1/42Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres from fleeces or layers composed of fibres without existing or potential cohesive properties characterised by the use of certain kinds of fibres insofar as this use has no preponderant influence on the consolidation of the fleece
    • D04H1/4374Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres from fleeces or layers composed of fibres without existing or potential cohesive properties characterised by the use of certain kinds of fibres insofar as this use has no preponderant influence on the consolidation of the fleece using different kinds of webs, e.g. by layering webs
    • DTEXTILES; PAPER
    • D04BRAIDING; LACE-MAKING; KNITTING; TRIMMINGS; NON-WOVEN FABRICS
    • D04HMAKING TEXTILE FABRICS, e.g. FROM FIBRES OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL; FABRICS MADE BY SUCH PROCESSES OR APPARATUS, e.g. FELTS, NON-WOVEN FABRICS; COTTON-WOOL; WADDING ; NON-WOVEN FABRICS FROM STAPLE FIBRES, FILAMENTS OR YARNS, BONDED WITH AT LEAST ONE WEB-LIKE MATERIAL DURING THEIR CONSOLIDATION
    • D04H1/00Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres
    • D04H1/40Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres from fleeces or layers composed of fibres without existing or potential cohesive properties
    • D04H1/42Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres from fleeces or layers composed of fibres without existing or potential cohesive properties characterised by the use of certain kinds of fibres insofar as this use has no preponderant influence on the consolidation of the fleece
    • D04H1/4382Stretched reticular film fibres; Composite fibres; Mixed fibres; Ultrafine fibres; Fibres for artificial leather
    • D04H1/43825Composite fibres
    • D04H1/43828Composite fibres sheath-core
    • DTEXTILES; PAPER
    • D04BRAIDING; LACE-MAKING; KNITTING; TRIMMINGS; NON-WOVEN FABRICS
    • D04HMAKING TEXTILE FABRICS, e.g. FROM FIBRES OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL; FABRICS MADE BY SUCH PROCESSES OR APPARATUS, e.g. FELTS, NON-WOVEN FABRICS; COTTON-WOOL; WADDING ; NON-WOVEN FABRICS FROM STAPLE FIBRES, FILAMENTS OR YARNS, BONDED WITH AT LEAST ONE WEB-LIKE MATERIAL DURING THEIR CONSOLIDATION
    • D04H1/00Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres
    • D04H1/40Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres from fleeces or layers composed of fibres without existing or potential cohesive properties
    • D04H1/42Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres from fleeces or layers composed of fibres without existing or potential cohesive properties characterised by the use of certain kinds of fibres insofar as this use has no preponderant influence on the consolidation of the fleece
    • D04H1/4382Stretched reticular film fibres; Composite fibres; Mixed fibres; Ultrafine fibres; Fibres for artificial leather
    • D04H1/43835Mixed fibres, e.g. at least two chemically different fibres or fibre blends
    • DTEXTILES; PAPER
    • D04BRAIDING; LACE-MAKING; KNITTING; TRIMMINGS; NON-WOVEN FABRICS
    • D04HMAKING TEXTILE FABRICS, e.g. FROM FIBRES OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL; FABRICS MADE BY SUCH PROCESSES OR APPARATUS, e.g. FELTS, NON-WOVEN FABRICS; COTTON-WOOL; WADDING ; NON-WOVEN FABRICS FROM STAPLE FIBRES, FILAMENTS OR YARNS, BONDED WITH AT LEAST ONE WEB-LIKE MATERIAL DURING THEIR CONSOLIDATION
    • D04H1/00Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres
    • D04H1/40Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres from fleeces or layers composed of fibres without existing or potential cohesive properties
    • D04H1/54Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres from fleeces or layers composed of fibres without existing or potential cohesive properties by welding together the fibres, e.g. by partially melting or dissolving
    • D04H1/541Composite fibres, e.g. sheath-core, sea-island or side-by-side; Mixed fibres
    • D04H1/5418Mixed fibres, e.g. at least two chemically different fibres or fibre blends
    • DTEXTILES; PAPER
    • D04BRAIDING; LACE-MAKING; KNITTING; TRIMMINGS; NON-WOVEN FABRICS
    • D04HMAKING TEXTILE FABRICS, e.g. FROM FIBRES OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL; FABRICS MADE BY SUCH PROCESSES OR APPARATUS, e.g. FELTS, NON-WOVEN FABRICS; COTTON-WOOL; WADDING ; NON-WOVEN FABRICS FROM STAPLE FIBRES, FILAMENTS OR YARNS, BONDED WITH AT LEAST ONE WEB-LIKE MATERIAL DURING THEIR CONSOLIDATION
    • D04H1/00Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres
    • D04H1/70Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres characterised by the method of forming fleeces or layers, e.g. reorientation of fibres
    • DTEXTILES; PAPER
    • D04BRAIDING; LACE-MAKING; KNITTING; TRIMMINGS; NON-WOVEN FABRICS
    • D04HMAKING TEXTILE FABRICS, e.g. FROM FIBRES OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL; FABRICS MADE BY SUCH PROCESSES OR APPARATUS, e.g. FELTS, NON-WOVEN FABRICS; COTTON-WOOL; WADDING ; NON-WOVEN FABRICS FROM STAPLE FIBRES, FILAMENTS OR YARNS, BONDED WITH AT LEAST ONE WEB-LIKE MATERIAL DURING THEIR CONSOLIDATION
    • D04H1/00Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres
    • D04H1/70Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres characterised by the method of forming fleeces or layers, e.g. reorientation of fibres
    • D04H1/72Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres characterised by the method of forming fleeces or layers, e.g. reorientation of fibres the fibres being randomly arranged
    • D04H1/732Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres characterised by the method of forming fleeces or layers, e.g. reorientation of fibres the fibres being randomly arranged by fluid current, e.g. air-lay
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32BLAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B2262/00Composition or structural features of fibres which form a fibrous or filamentary layer or are present as additives
    • B32B2262/02Synthetic macromolecular fibres
    • B32B2262/0253Polyolefin fibres
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32BLAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B2307/00Properties of the layers or laminate
    • B32B2307/50Properties of the layers or laminate having particular mechanical properties
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32BLAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B2307/00Properties of the layers or laminate
    • B32B2307/70Other properties
    • B32B2307/72Density
    • B32B2307/722Non-uniform density
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32BLAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B2479/00Furniture
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32BLAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B2605/00Vehicles
    • B32B2605/003Interior finishings

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to fiber-containing composites (e.g.,
  • a unitary, fiber-containing composite is described herein.
  • the unitary, fiber-containing composite comprises a first region, a
  • the first region comprises a plurality of first thermoplastic binder fibers and a plurality of bast fibers
  • the second region comprises a plurality of second binder fibers and a plurality of bast fibers.
  • the first transitional region comprises concentrations of
  • the concentration of the first binder fiber in the first transitional region is greatest proximate to the first region and least proximate to the second region, and the concentration of the second binder fiber in the first transitional region is greatest proximate to the second region and least proximate to the first region.
  • the composite comprises a third region disposed above the second region, the third region comprising a binder material.
  • the binder material in the third region comprises a third binder fiber
  • the composite comprises a second transitional region disposed between the second region and the third region. In this embodiment, the second
  • 25 transitional region comprises concentrations of the second binder fiber, the bast fiber, and the third binder fiber.
  • concentration of the second binder fiber in the second transitional region is greatest proximate to the second region and least proximate to the third region, and the concentration of the third binder fiber in the second transitional region is greatest proximate to the third region and
  • the composite comprises a fourth region disposed above the third region, a third transitional region disposed between the third region and the fourth region, a fifth region disposed above the fourth region, and a fourth transitional region disposed between the fourth region and the fifth region.
  • the fourth region comprises a plurality of the second binder fibers and a plurality of the bast fibers
  • the fifth region comprises the first binder material and a plurality of the bast fibers.
  • the third transitional region comprises concentrations of the second binder fiber, the bast fiber, and the third binder fiber.
  • the concentration of the third binder fiber in the third transitional region is greatest proximate to the third region and least proximate to the fourth region, and the concentration of the second binder fiber in the third transitional region is greatest proximate to the fourth region and least proximate to the third region.
  • the fourth transitional region comprises concentrations of the second binder fiber, the bast fiber, and the first binder fiber.
  • the concentration of the second binder fiber in the fourth transitional region is greatest proximate to the fourth region and least proximate to the fifth region, and the concentration of the first binder fiber in the fourth transitional region is greatest proximate to the fifth region and least proximate to the fourth region.
  • a method for producing a unitary, fiber-containing composite comprises the steps of providing a plurality of first binder fibers having a first linear density, a plurality of second binder fibers having a second linear density, and a plurality of bast fibers.
  • the pluralities of first binder fibers, second binder fibers, and bast fibers are then blended to produce a fiber blend, and the fiber blend is then projected onto a moving belt such that a unitary, fiber-containing composite is formed.
  • the second linear density can be greater than the first linear density, such that the fibers are deposited onto the moving belt in regions or strata comprising different relative concentrations of the fibers.
  • the first step comprises providing a plurality of third binder fibers having a third linear density
  • the second step comprises blending the pluralities of first, second, and third binder fibers and the bast fibers to produce the fiber blend.
  • the resulting fiber blend is then projected onto the moving belt in the same or similar manner as that utilized in the first method embodiment.
  • the third linear density can be greater than the first and second linear densities.
  • the method further comprises the step of passing heated air through the unitary, fiber-containing composite produced by the above-described embodiments to at least partially melt the first, second, and third binder fibers.
  • the method further comprises the steps of heating the unitary, fiber-containing composite produced in the above-described embodiments to further melt the first, second, and third binder fibers and compressing the composite to retain the fibers contained therein in a compressed state.
  • the method comprises the step of cutting the unitary, fiber-containing composite along a plane that is parallel to the z-direction of the composite to produce at least a first section and a second section.
  • the first section is then placed on top of the second section, and the stacked sections are simultaneously compressed and heated.
  • the first and second sections produced by the cutting step each comprise the first region, first transitional region, second region, second transitional region, and third region of the unitary, fiber-containing composite from which they are cut, and the first section is placed on top of the second section so that the third region of the first section is adjacent to the third region of the second section.
  • the first section can be placed on top of the second section so that the first region of the first section is adjacent to the first region of the second section.
  • the first, second, and third binder fibers contained in the sections are further melted, and the opposing regions of the first and second sections are fused together.
  • the composite is then compressed in order to retain the fibers in the first and second sections in a compressed state.
  • Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a unitary, fiber-containing composite described in the current specification.
  • Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a unitary, fiber-containing composite described in the current specification.
  • Fig. 3 is a flow diagram depicting the steps of a method for making a unitary, fiber-containing composite.
  • Fig. 4 is an elevation view of an apparatus suitable for performing the method described in the current specification.
  • FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a unitary, fiber-containing composite described in the current specification.
  • a unitary, fiber-containing composite is described herein.
  • the term "unitary" refers to the fact that the enumerated regions of the composite do not form layers having distinct boundaries separating them from the adjacent region(s). Rather, the enumerated regions are used to refer to portions of the composite in which the different fibers are contained in different concentrations. More specifically, the enumerated regions are used to refer to portions of the thickness of the composite in which different fibers predominate or in which the concentration gradient of the fibers (e.g., how the concentration of a particular fiber changes with the thickness of the composite) differs from the adjacent portions (i.e., portions above and/or below) of the composite.
  • each region of the composite can contain any of the fibers present in the composite. Nevertheless, particular fibers or combinations of fibers will predominate in particular portions of the thickness of the composite, and the enumerated regions described herein are intended to refer to those portions of the composite.
  • one embodiment of the unitary, fiber-containing composite 100 comprises, as depicted in Fig. 1 , a first region 102, a second region 106 disposed above the first region 102, a first transitional region 104 disposed between the first region 102 and the second region 106, and a third region 110 disposed above the second region 106.
  • the first region 102 comprises a binder material, which is depicted as a plurality of first binder fibers 114, and a plurality of bast fibers 118
  • the second region 106 comprises a plurality of second binder fibers 116 and a plurality of the bast fibers 118
  • the third region 110 comprises a plurality of third binder fibers 120 and a plurality of the bast fibers 118.
  • the first transitional region 104 comprises concentrations of the first binder fiber 114, the second binder fiber 1 16, and the bast fiber 118.
  • the concentration of the first binder fiber 114 in the first transitional region 104 is greatest proximate to the first region 102 and least proximate to the second region 106, and the concentration of the second binder fiber 116 in the first transitional region 104 is greatest proximate to the second region 106 and least proximate to the first region 102.
  • bast fiber refers to strong woody fibers obtained chiefly from the phloem of plants. Suitable bast fibers include, but are not limited to, jute, kenaf, hemp, flax, ramie, roselle, and combinations thereof.
  • bast fibers include, but are not limited to, leaf fibers (e.g., fibers derived from sisal, banana leaves, grasses (e.g., bamboo), or pineapple leaves), straw fibers (e.g., fibers derived from wheat straw, rice straw, barley straw, or sorghum stalks), and husk fibers (e.g., fibers derived from com husk, bagasse (sugar cane), or coconut husk).
  • the bast fiber is jute.
  • the fiber-containing composite can contain any suitable amount of the bast fiber(s).
  • the bast fibers can comprise about 30 to about 70 wt.%, about 30 to about 60 wt.%, or about 60 wt.% of the total weight of the fiber- containing composite.
  • the bast fibers suitable for use in the disclosed fiber- containing composite and method can have any suitable linear density (i.e., denier).
  • the bast fibers can have a linear density of about 8.8 dtex (8 denier) to about 20 dtex (18 denier).
  • the binders contained in the fiber-containing composite can be any suitable binder material.
  • the binder materials can be a thermoplastic material that is capable of at least partially melting when heated so that the fibers contained within the composite will be bonded together.
  • Suitable thermoplastic binder materials include, but are not limited to, polyesters (e.g., polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or glycol-modified PET (PETG)), polyamides (e.g., nylon 6 or nylon 6,6), polyethylenes (e.g., high density polyethylene (HDPE) or linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE)), polypropylenes, polylactic acid, poly(1 ,4-cyclohexanedimethylene terephthalate) (PCT), and combinations thereof.
  • polyesters e.g., polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or glycol-modified PET (PETG)
  • polyamides e.g., nylon 6 or nylon 6,6
  • polyethylenes e.g., high density polyethylene
  • the binder material contained in the unitary, fiber- containing composite can be provided in the form of binder fibers.
  • the binder fibers contained in the fiber-containing composite can be any suitable binder fibers.
  • the binder fibers can comprise a thermoplastic material that is capable of at least partially melting when heated, thereby providing a means by which the binder fibers and bast fibers can become interconnected within the fiber-containing composite.
  • Suitable thermoplastic binder fibers include polyester fibers (e.g., polyethylene terephthalate (PET) fibers or glycol-modified PET (PETG) fibers), polyamide fibers (e.g., nylon 6 or nylon 6,6), polyethylene fibers (e.g., fibers containing high density polyethylene (HDPE) or linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE)), polypropylene fibers, polylactic acid fibers, fibers containing poly(1 ,4-cyclohexanedimethylene terephthalate) (PCT), cellulose fibers (e.g., rayon fibers), fibers containing 1,3-propanediol terephthalate, and combinations thereof.
  • polyester fibers e.g., polyethylene terephthalate (PET) fibers or glycol-modified PET (PETG) fibers
  • polyamide fibers e.g., nylon 6 or nylon 6,6
  • polyethylene fibers e.g., fibers containing high density polyethylene (HD
  • Suitable binder fibers also include, but are not limited to, bicomponent binder fibers (e.g., bicomponent binder fibers comprising a thermoplastic sheath) and thermoplastic binder fibers having a relatively low melt flow rate.
  • Suitable bicomponent fibers include bicomponent, sheath-core fibers in which the sheaths have a lower melting point than the cores of the fibers.
  • the bicomponent, sheath-core fiber can have a polyethylene sheath (e.g., a high density polyethylene sheath) and a polypropylene or polyester core.
  • Suitable bicomponent fibers include fibers having a PET copolymer sheath and a PET core, a PCT sheath and polypropylene core, a PCT sheath and a PET core, a PETG sheath and a PET core, a HDPE sheath and a PET core, a HDPE sheath and a polypropylene core, a LLDPE sheath and a PET core, a polypropylene sheath and a PET core, or a nylon 6 sheath and a nylon 6,6 core.
  • the composite can be heated so that the sheaths of the bicomponent fibers are melted to provide links between adjacent fibers within the composite, while the cores of the bicomponent fiber retain their fibrous structure.
  • the binder fibers can be thermoplastic binder fibers in which the thermoplastic material has a relatively low melt flow rate.
  • the melt flow rate of the thermoplastic fibers can be about 18 g/10 min. or less (e.g., about 8 g/10 min.
  • the composite can be heated so that the thermoplastic binder fibers are at least partially melted to provide links between adjacent fibers, while the relatively low melt flow rate of the thermoplastic material allows the binder fibers to retain their fibrous structure.
  • Suitable binder materials made from thermoplastic materials can also contain coupling, compatabilizing, and/or mixing agents. While not wishing to be bound to any particular theory, it is believed that these agents can improve the interaction and/or bonding between the bast fibers and the binder material, thereby yielding a composite having better mechanical properties.
  • Suitable coupling, compatabilizing, and mixing agents include, but are not limited to, titanium alcoholates; esters of phosphoric, phosphorous, phosphonic and silicic acids; metallic salts and esters of aliphatic, aromatic and cycloaliphatic acids; ethylene/acrylic or methacrylic acids; ethylene/esters of acrylic or methacrylic acid; ethylene/vinyl acetate resins; styrene/maleic anhydride resins or esters thereof; acrylonitrilebutadiene styrene resins; methacrylate/butadiene styrene resins (MBS), styrene acrylonitrile resins (SAN); butadieneacrylonitrile copolymers; and polyethylene or polypropylene modified polymers.
  • Such polymers are modified by a reactive group including polar monomers such as maleic anhydride or esters thereof, acrylic or methacrylic acid or esters thereof, vinylacetate, acrylonitrile, and styrene.
  • the binder fiber, or at least a portion of the binder fibers contained in the composite is a polyolefin (e.g., polyethylene or polypropylene) or a copolymer thereof having maleic anhydride (MAH) grafted thereon.
  • the coupling, compatabilizing, and/or mixing agents can be present in the binder fibers in any suitable amount.
  • the agents can be present in the binder fibers in an amount of about 0.01 wt.% or more, about 0.1 wt.% or more, or about 0.2 wt.% or more, based on the total weight of the binder fiber.
  • the agents can also be present in the binder fibers in an amount of about 20 wt.% or less, about 10 wt.% or less, or about 5 wt.% or less, based on the total weight of the binder fiber.
  • the binder fibers contain about 0.01 to about 20 wt.% or about 0.1 to about 10 wt.% of the coupling, compatabilizing, and/or mixing agents, based on the total weight of the binder fiber.
  • the amount of coupling, compatabilizing, and/or mixing agents included in the binder fiber can also be expressed in term of the number of moles of the coupling, compatabilizing, and/or mixing agents present per mole of the polymer from which the fiber is made.
  • the binder fiber can contain about 5 to about 50 moles of maleic anhydride per mole of the polypropylene polymer.
  • the fiber-containing composite of the invention can contain any suitable combination of the binder fibers described above.
  • the binder fibers contained within the composite or a particular region of the composite can all have substantially the same composition or make-up, or the fibers can be a combination of fibers having different compositions.
  • the binder fibers contained within the composite or a particular region of the composite can be polypropylene binder fibers having MAH grafted thereon (as described above), with the fibers within each of the region(s) having the linear densities specified below.
  • the binder fibers contained within the composite or a particular region of the composite can be a combination of polypropylene binder fibers having MAH grafted thereon and a second type of thermoplastic binder fibers, such as polyethylene fibers, polyester fibers, or bicomponent binder fibers (as described above).
  • a second type of thermoplastic binder fibers such as polyethylene fibers, polyester fibers, or bicomponent binder fibers (as described above).
  • the different types of fibers e.g., binder fibers having different deniers and/or different compositions
  • the composite can each be provided in a different color. Therefore, the presence of each fiber in the appropriate region of the composite can be quickly confirmed upon visual inspection of the composite during or after manufacture.
  • the binder fibers contained in the fiber-containing composite can have any suitable linear density or combination of linear densities.
  • each of the different binder fiber types contained in the composite can have different linear densities.
  • the first binder fiber 114 can have a linear density that is less than the linear density of the second binder fiber 116.
  • the first binder fiber 114 can have a linear density of about 6.6 dtex (6 denier) or less (e.g., about 0.5 dtex (0.5 denier) to about 6.6 dtex (6 denier)), and the second binder fiber 116 can have a linear density of about 6.6 dtex (6 denier) to about 22.2 dtex (22 denier).
  • the first binder fiber can have a linear density of about 1.6 dtex (1.5 denier)
  • the second binder fiber can have a linear density of about 11.1 dtex (10 denier).
  • the fiber-containing composite described herein can comprise any suitable amount of binder fibers.
  • the binder fibers can comprise about 30 to about 70 wt.%, about 30 to about 60 wt. %, or about 40 wt.% of the total weight of the composite.
  • the binder material contained in the third region can be any suitable binder material.
  • the binder material can comprise a layer of thermoplastic material that has been laminated to the upper surface of the second region. Such a layer can be formed, for example, by depositing thermoplastic particles onto the upper surface of the second region and at least partially melting the particles to bond them to the fibers contained in the second region.
  • the binder material in the third region 110 can comprise a third binder fiber 120
  • the composite 100 can comprise a second transitional region 108 disposed between the second region 106 and the third region 110.
  • the second transitional region 108 comprises concentrations of the second binder fiber 116, the bast fiber 118, and the third binder fiber 120.
  • the concentration of the second binder fiber 116 in the second transitional region 108 is greatest proximate to the second region 106 and least proximate to the third region 110, and the concentration of the third binder fiber 120 in the second transitional region 108 is greatest proximate to the third region 110 and least proximate to the second region 106.
  • the binder fibers suitable for use in the above-described third region 110 of the composite 100 can be any suitable binder fibers, including those described above as suitable for use as the first and second binder fibers.
  • the third binder fibers can have any suitable linear density.
  • the third binder fibers 120 have a linear density that is greater than the linear density of the first and second binder fibers 114, 116.
  • the third binder fibers 120 can have a linear density of about 22.2 dtex (22 denier) or more (e.g., about 22.2 dtex (22 denier) to about 72.2 dtex (65 denier)).
  • the third binder fibers can have a linear density of about 35.5 dtex (32 denier).
  • the unitary, fiber-containing composite described herein can have any suitable weight and density.
  • the composite can have a weight of about 500 to about 2000 g/m 2 , about 500 to about 1500 g/m 2 , or about 600 to about 1200 g/m 2 .
  • the unitary, fiber-containing composite can have a density of about 0.08 to about 2 g/cm 3 , about 0.08 to about 1.5 g/cm 3 , about 0.2 to about 1.5 g/cm 3 , about 0.2 to about 0.7 g/cm 3 , or about 0.25 to about 0.6 g/cm 3 .
  • the composite comprises fourth and fifth regions and third and fourth transitional regions disposed above the third region of the composite.
  • the additional layers of the composite i.e., the fourth and fifth regions and third and fourth transitional regions
  • a composite 200 comprises a first region 202, a first transitional region 204, a second region 206, a second transitional region 208, and a third region 210 similar to those of the embodiment depicted in Fig. 1.
  • the first region 202 comprises a plurality of first binder fibers 220 and a plurality of bast fibers 224
  • the second region 206 comprises a plurality of second binder fibers 222 and a plurality of the bast fibers 224
  • the third region 210 comprises a plurality of third binder fibers 226 and a plurality of the bast fibers 224.
  • the first transitional region 204 comprises concentrations of the first binder fiber 220, the second binder fiber 222, and the bast fiber 224.
  • the concentration of the first binder fiber 220 in the first transitional region 204 is greatest proximate to the first region 202 and least proximate to the second region 206, and the concentration of the second binder fiber 222 in the first transitional region 204 is greatest proximate to the second region 206 and least proximate to the first region 202.
  • the composite 200 further comprises a fourth region 214 disposed above the third region 210, a third transitional region 212 disposed between the third region 210 and the fourth region 214, a fifth region 218 disposed above the fourth region 214, and a fourth transitional region 216 disposed between the fourth region 214 and the fifth region 218.
  • the fourth region 214 comprises a plurality of the second binder fibers 222 and a plurality of the bast fibers 224
  • the fifth region 218 comprises a plurality of the first binder fibers 220 and a plurality of the bast fibers 224.
  • the third transitional region 212 comprises concentrations of the second binder fiber 222, the bast fiber 224, and the third binder fiber 226.
  • the concentration of the third binder fiber 226 in the third transitional region 212 is greatest proximate to the third region 210 and least proximate to the fourth region 214, and the concentration of the second binder fiber 222 in the third transitional region 212 is greatest proximate to the fourth region 214 and least proximate to the third region 210.
  • the fourth transitional region 216 comprises concentrations of the second binder fiber 222, the bast fiber 224, and the first binder fiber 220.
  • the concentration of the second binder fiber 222 in the fourth transitional region 216 is greatest proximate to the fourth region 214 and least proximate to the fifth region 218, and the concentration of the first binder fiber 220 in the fourth transitional region 216 is greatest proximate to the fifth region 218 and least proximate to the fourth region 214.
  • the unitary, fiber-containing composite can comprise other fibers in addition to those enumerated above.
  • the composite in order to increase the flame resistance of the resulting composite, can further comprise flame retardant fibers.
  • flame retardant fibers refers to fibers having a Limiting Oxygen Index (LOI) value of about 20.95 or greater, as determined by ISO 4589-1.
  • the fibers contained in the composite e.g., the bast fibers and/or the binder fibers
  • the composite can comprise fibers derived from animal sources, such as wool, silk, or feathers (e.g., chicken feathers separated from the quill), in addition to or in place of the bast fibers.
  • the fiber-containing composite can comprise a scrim disposed on one or more surfaces of the composite.
  • the fiber-containing composite 500 comprises a scrim 530 disposed on the surface of the composite adjacent the first region 102.
  • the scrim 530 can be attached to the surface adjacent the first region 102 of the composite 500 using any suitable adhesive (not shown) or the scrim 530 can be attached to the surface adjacent the first region 102 of the composite 500 via the partially melted binder fibers 114 in the first region 102 of the composite 500. While the composite has been depicted in Fig.
  • the scrim can be, in certain other embodiments, disposed on the surface of the composite that is adjacent the third region of the composite.
  • a first scrim can be disposed on the surface of the composite that is adjacent the first region of the composite
  • a second scrim can be disposed on the surface of the composite that is adjacent the third region of the composite.
  • the scrim used in the fiber-containing composite can be any suitable material.
  • the scrim can be a woven, knit, or nonwoven textile material comprising natural fibers, synthetic fibers, or combinations thereof.
  • the fibers 532 in the scrim 530 are thermoplastic fibers having a melting temperature that is higher than the binder fibers contained in the composite.
  • suitable thermoplastic fibers for the scrim can have a melting temperature of about 200 °C or higher, as well as high thermal stability and low heat deflection at elevated temperatures.
  • the scrim is a nonwoven textile material comprising a plurality of thermoplastic fibers, such as polyester fibers.
  • the scrim can be a nonwoven textile material comprising a plurality of spunbond thermoplastic (e.g., polyester) fibers. Scrims suitable for the composite can have any suitable weight. For example, the scrim can have a weight of about 15 to about 35 g/m 2 or about 17 to about 34 g/m 2 .
  • the unitary, fiber-containing composite described above can be utilized in a variety of applications.
  • the composite can be used as the substrate for an automobile headliner, an automobile door panel, a panel used in office furniture, etc.
  • the composite comprises the structural support for an automobile headliner.
  • the composite can have a fabric layer adhered to one surface with or without the use of an additional adhesive.
  • the binder material disposed on the surface of the composite can provide sufficient tack for the fabric to adhere to the surface of the composite.
  • Such an automobile headliner can also comprise a layer of foam or other suitable material (e.g., batting) disposed between the composite and the fabric layer.
  • a method for producing a unitary, fiber-containing composite comprises the steps of providing a plurality of first binder fibers having a first linear density, a plurality of second binder fibers having a second linear density, and a plurality of bast fibers.
  • the pluralities of first binder fibers, second binder fibers, and bast fibers are then blended to produce a fiber blend, and the fiber blend is then projected onto a moving belt such that a unitary, fiber-containing composite is formed.
  • the second linear density can be substantially equal to the third linear density and greater than the first linear density, such that the fibers are deposited onto the moving belt in regions or strata comprising different relative concentrations of the fibers.
  • FIG. 4 An apparatus suitable for performing the above-described method is depicted in Fig. 4.
  • a commercially available piece of equipment that has been found to be suitable for carrying out the above-described method is the "K-12 HIGH-LOFT RANDOM CARD" by Fehrer AG (Linz, Austria).
  • the binder fibers and bast fibers are blended in the appropriate proportions and introduced into a feed chute 410.
  • the feed chute 410 delivers the blended fibers to a transverse belt 440 that delivers a uniform thickness or batt of fibers to an air lay machine comprising a cylinder 420.
  • the cylinder 420 rotates and slings the blended fibers towards a collection belt 430.
  • the collection belt 430 typically comprises a plurality of perforations in its surface (not shown) so that a vacuum can be drawn across the belt which helps the fibers to properly settle on the collection belt 430.
  • the rotation of the cylinder 420 slings the fibers having a higher linear density a further distance along the collection belt 430 than it slings the fibers having a lower linear density.
  • the unitary, fiber-containing composite 100 collected on the collection belt 430 will have a greater concentration of the fibers with a lower linear density adjacent to the collection belt 430, and a greater concentration of the fibers with a higher linear density further away from the collection belt 430.
  • the first step comprises providing a plurality of third binder fibers having a third linear density
  • the second step comprises blending the pluralities of first, second, and third binder fibers and the bast fibers to produce the fiber blend.
  • the resulting fiber blend is then projected onto the moving belt in the same or similar manner as that utilized in the first method embodiment.
  • the third linear density can be greater than the first and second linear densities.
  • the fibers suitable for use in the above-described methods can be any suitable binder fibers and bast fibers.
  • the first, second, third, and bast fibers suitable for use in the described methods can be the same as those discussed above with respect to the various embodiments of the unitary, fiber-containing composite.
  • the unitary, fiber- containing composite produced by the above-described steps can be heated to at least partially melt the thermoplastic binder fiber and bond together at least a portion of the fibers contained in the composite.
  • the method can further comprise the step of passing heated air through the unitary fiber- containing composite produced by the above-described embodiments to partially melt all or a portion of the binder fibers.
  • the unitary fiber-containing composite can be heated by other means, such as infrared radiation. This step serves to set an initial thickness for the composite of, for example, about 5 to about 50 mm or about 10 to about 50 mm.
  • the unitary, fiber containing composite can be compressed to produce a composite having a density and/or a rigidity that are high enough for the composite to act as a structural support, for example, for an automobile headliner.
  • the method can further comprise the step of heating the unitary, fiber-containing composite produced in the above-described embodiments using, for example, a hot belt laminator, which concentrates heat on the surfaces of the composite. Such heating further melts the first, second, and third binder fibers, and the compressive forces exerted on the composite by the laminator serve to retain the fibers in a compressed state.
  • the unitary, fiber-containing composite can be further processed using convention "cold mold” thermoforming equipment in which the composite is first heated and then pressed to the appropriate shape and thickness using an unheated mold.
  • the composite can be heated to a temperature of about 170 to about 215 0 C during a heating cycle of about 30 to about 120 seconds using, for example, infrared radiation.
  • the heated composite is then placed inside a mold, which typically is maintained at a temperature of about 10 to about 30 °C, and compressed to the appropriate shape and thickness.
  • the compression step typically is about 1 minute in length, during which time the thermoplastic binder fibers will cool to such an extent that the composite will maintain substantially the compressed configuration upon removal from the mold.
  • the composite may expand (for example, in the z-direction) upon heating and before being placed in the mold.
  • the method comprises the step of cutting the unitary, fiber-containing composite along a plane that is parallel to the z-direction of the composite (i.e., the thickness of the composite) to produce at least a first section and a second section.
  • the first section is then placed on top of the second section, and the stacked sections are heated and compressed.
  • the first and second sections produced by the cutting step each comprise the first region, first transitional region, second region, second transitional region, and third region of the unitary, fiber-containing composite from which they are cut, and the first section is placed on top of the second section so that the third region of the first section is adjacent the third region of the second section.
  • the first section is placed on top of the second section so that the first region of the first section is adjacent to the first region of the second section.
  • the first, second, and third binder fibers contained in the sections are further melted, and the opposing regions of the first and second sections are fused together.
  • the step of heating and then compressing the composite also serves to retain the fibers in the first and second sections in a compressed state.
  • This example demonstrates a method for producing a unitary, fiber- containing composite as described above and the properties of a unitary, fiber- containing composite as described above.
  • Three similar unitary, fiber-containing composites (Samples 1A-1C) were produced by air laying a fiber blend using a K-12 HIGH-LOFT RANDOM CARD by Fehrer AG (Linz, Austria).
  • the composites were produced from a fiber blend containing approximately 40 wt. % (based on the total weight of the fiber blend) of bicomponent binder fibers and approximately 60 wt.% of jute fibers, which had a linear density of approximately 8.8-2 dtex (8-18 denier).
  • the binder fibers had a high-density polyethylene sheath (melting point of approximately 128 0 C) and a polypropylene core (melting point of approximately 149 0 C).
  • the binder fiber content was comprised of three bicomponent binder fibers having three different linear densities.
  • the first binder fibers which comprised approximately 10 wt.% of the total weight of the fiber blend, had a linear density of approximately 1.6 dtex (1.5 denier).
  • the second binder fibers which comprised approximately 20 wt.% of the total weight of the fiber blend, had a linear density of approximately 11 ⁇ dtex (10 denier).
  • the third binder fibers which comprised approximately 10 wt.% of the total weight of the fiber blend, had a linear density of approximately 35.5 dtex (32 denier).
  • the above-described fiber blend was air laid using the K-12 HIGH-LOFT FRANDOM CARD by projecting the fibers onto a moving belt.
  • the composites produced by the air laying step contained a greater concentration of the 1.6 dtex (1.5 denier) binder fiber in a first region closest to the collection belt, a greater concentration of the 11.1 dtex (10 denier) binder fiber in a middle region, and a greater concentration of the 35.5 dtex (32 denier) binder fiber in an upper region.
  • the resulting composites were passed through a through-air oven in which air heated to a temperature of approximately 175 0 C (347 0 F) was passed through the composite to partially melt the binder fibers.
  • Sample 1A was then produced by passing a composite, which had been laid so that it had a weight of approximately 1100 g/m 2 , through a compression oven in which the belts were heated to a temperature of approximately 204 0 C (400 0 F). After passing through the compression oven, Sample 1A had a thickness of approximately 3.3 mm.
  • Samples 1B and 1C were produced by cutting two composites, which had been laid so that the composites had weights of approximately 537 g/m 2 and approximately 412 g/m 2 , respectively, in the z-direction (i.e., along a plane parallel to the thickness of the composite) and stacking the resulting sections on top of each other so that the regions containing the greatest concentration of the 35.5 dtex (32 denier) binder fiber were adjacent to each other.
  • the stacked sections were then passed through a compression oven in which the belts were heated to a temperature of approximately 204 °C (400 0 F). After passing through the compression oven, Sample 1B had a thickness of approximately 3.3 mm, and Sample 1C had a thickness of approximately 2.3 mm.
  • Sample 1 B had a weight of approximately 1075 g/m 2
  • Sample 1C had a weight of approximately 825 g/m 2 .
  • Samples 1A-1C were then tested to determine their physical properties, such as the stiffness, strength, toughness, flammability, and sound absorption at different frequencies. The results of these measurements, including the test methods used to determine the properties, are set forth in Table 1 below.
  • Samples 1A-1C exhibited physical properties which should render the composites suitable for use as, for example, the substrate for an automobile headliner, an automobile door panel, or a panel used in office furniture.
  • the stiffness, strength, and toughness of the composites indicate that they should be able to span the width and/or length of a typical automobile passenger compartment without significant or observable sagging.
  • the composites should be able to pass the climatic sag requirements of most automobile manufacturers.
  • the sound absorption measurements demonstrate that the composites should be able to provide an amount of sound absorption that is desirable for certain applications, such as the substrate for an automobile headliner.
  • This example demonstrates a method for producing a unitary, fiber- containing composite as described above and the properties of a unitary, fiber- containing composite as described above.
  • Two similar, unitary fiber-containing composites (Samples 2A and 2B) were produced using substantially the same procedure as that described above and used to produce Sample 1A.
  • Sample 2A was produced from a fiber blend containing approximately 40 wt.% (based on the total weight of the fiber blend) of bicomponent binder fibers and approximately 60 wt.% of jute fibers, which had a linear density of approximately 8.8-20 dtex (8-18 denier).
  • the binder fibers had a high-density polyethylene sheath (melting point of approximately 128 °C) and a polypropylene core (melting point of approximately 149 0 C).
  • the binder fiber content was comprised of three bicomponent binder fibers having three different linear densities.
  • the first binder fibers which comprised approximately 15 wt.% of the total weight of the fiber blend, had a linear density of approximately 1.6 dtex (1.5 denier).
  • the second binder fibers which comprised approximately 10 wt.% of the total weight of the fiber blend, had a linear density of approximately
  • the third binder fibers which comprised approximately 15 wt.% of the total weight of the fiber blend, had a linear density of approximately 35.5 dtex (32 denier).
  • Sample 2B was produced from a fiber blend containing approximately 40 wt.% (based on the total weight of the fiber blend) of binder fibers and approximately 60 wt.% of jute fibers, which had a linear density of approximately 8.8-2 dtex (8-18 denier).
  • the binder fibers were polypropylene binder fibers containing polypropylene that had been grafted with approximately 10 wt.% maleic anhydride (MAH).
  • the binder fiber content was comprised of three binder fibers having three different linear densities.
  • the first binder fibers which comprised approximately 15 wt.% of the total weight of the fiber blend, had a linear density of approximately 1.6 dtex (1.5 denier).
  • the second binder fibers which comprised approximately 10 wt.% of the total weight of the fiber blend, had a linear density of approximately 11.1 dtex (10 denier).
  • the third binder fibers which comprised approximately 15 wt.% of the total weight of the fiber blend, had a linear density of approximately 35.5 dtex (32 denier).
  • Samples 2A and 2B were then tested to determine their physical properties, such as the stiffness, strength, and toughness.
  • the results of these measurements, including the test methods used to determine the properties, are set forth in Table 2 below.
  • the composite produced using the binder fibers containing a coupling agent i.e., Sample 2B
  • Sample 2A a coupling, compatabilizing, and/or mixing agent
  • Sample 2B also exhibited substantially reduced sagging compared to Sample 2A when the composites were tested to determine if they meet the climatic sag requirements of most automobile manufacturers. While not wishing to be bound to any particular theory, it is believed that the improved mechanical properties are due to the improved interaction and/or bonding between the bast fibers and the binder fibers.
  • This example demonstrates a method for producing a unitary, fiber- containing composite as described above and the properties of a unitary, fiber- containing composite as described above.
  • Two similar, unitary fiber-containing composites (Samples 3A and 3B) were produced using substantially the same procedure as that described above and used to produce Sample 1A.
  • Both samples were produced from a fiber blend containing approximately 45 wt.% (based on the total weight of the fiber blend) of binder fibers and approximately 55 wt.% of jute fibers, which had a linear density of approximately 8.8-2 dtex (8-18 denier).
  • the binder fibers were polypropylene binder fibers containing polypropylene that had been grafted with approximately 10 wt.% maleic anhydride (MAH).
  • MAH maleic anhydride
  • the binder fiber content was comprised of four binder fibers having four different linear densities.
  • the first binder fibers which comprised approximately 15 wt.% of the total weight of the fiber blend, had a linear density of approximately 1.7 dtex.
  • the second binder fibers which comprised approximately 10 wt.% of the total weight of the fiber blend, had a linear density of approximately 1 1 dtex.
  • the third binder fibers which comprised approximately 10 wt.% of the total weight of the fiber blend, had a linear density of approximately 30 dtex.
  • the fourth binder fibers which comprised approximately 10 wt.% of the total weight of the fiber blend, had a linear density of approximately 70 dtex.
  • Sample 3B further comprised a spunbond, nonwoven polyester
  • the scrim (i.e., polyethylene terephthalate) scrim having a weight of approximately 17 g/m 2 .
  • the scrim was disposed on the surface of the composite that was proximate to the region containing the greatest concentration of the first binder fibers (i.e., the binder fibers having a linear density of approximately 1.7 dtex).
  • the scrim was attached to the composite by placing the scrim onto the surface of the composite and then passing the composite through the compression oven, as described above.
  • Samples 3A and 3B were then tested to determine their physical properties, such as the stiffness, strength, toughness, and sound absorption.
  • the results of these measurements, including the test methods used to determine the properties, are set forth in Table 3 below.
  • the composite produced using the nonwoven scrim i.e., Sample 3B
  • Sample 3B exhibited improved mechanical properties relative to the composite produced without the scrim (i.e., Sample 3A).
  • Sample 3B also exhibited substantially reduced sagging compared to Sample 3A when the composites were tested to determine if they meet the climatic sag requirements of most automobile manufacturers.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Textile Engineering (AREA)
  • Nonwoven Fabrics (AREA)
  • Artificial Filaments (AREA)

Abstract

A unitary, fiber-containing composite comprises (a) a first region (102) comprising a plurality of first binder fibers (114) and a plurality of bast fibers (118), (b) a second region (106) disposed above the first region, the second region comprising a plurality of second binder fibers (116) and a plurality of bast fibers, and (c) a transitional region (104) disposed between the first region and the second region. The transitional region comprises concentrations of the first binder fiber (114), the second binder fiber (116), and the bast fiber (118). The concentration of the first binder fiber in the first transitional region is greatest proximate to the first region and least proximate to the second region, and the concentration of the second binder fiber and the bast fiber in the first transitional region is greatest proximate to the second region and least proximate to the first region. A method for producing a unitary, fiber-containing composite is also described.

Description

NON-OWEN FABRIC COMPRISING REGIONS OF FIBERS OF DIFFERENT DENSITIES AND METHOD FOR MAKING THE SAME
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to fiber-containing composites (e.g.,
5 natural fiber-containing composites), materials formed therewith, and methods for making the same.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0002] A unitary, fiber-containing composite is described herein. In a first embodiment, the unitary, fiber-containing composite comprises a first region, a
10 second region disposed above the first region, and a first transitional region disposed between the first region and the second region. The first region comprises a plurality of first thermoplastic binder fibers and a plurality of bast fibers, and the second region comprises a plurality of second binder fibers and a plurality of bast fibers. The first transitional region comprises concentrations of
15 the first binder fiber, the second binder fiber, and the bast fiber. The concentration of the first binder fiber in the first transitional region is greatest proximate to the first region and least proximate to the second region, and the concentration of the second binder fiber in the first transitional region is greatest proximate to the second region and least proximate to the first region.
20 [0003] In another embodiment, the composite comprises a third region disposed above the second region, the third region comprising a binder material. In certain embodiments, the binder material in the third region comprises a third binder fiber, and the composite comprises a second transitional region disposed between the second region and the third region. In this embodiment, the second
25 transitional region comprises concentrations of the second binder fiber, the bast fiber, and the third binder fiber. The concentration of the second binder fiber in the second transitional region is greatest proximate to the second region and least proximate to the third region, and the concentration of the third binder fiber in the second transitional region is greatest proximate to the third region and
30 least proximate to the second region. [0004] In a further embodiment of the unitary, fiber-containing composite described herein, the composite comprises a fourth region disposed above the third region, a third transitional region disposed between the third region and the fourth region, a fifth region disposed above the fourth region, and a fourth transitional region disposed between the fourth region and the fifth region. The fourth region comprises a plurality of the second binder fibers and a plurality of the bast fibers, and the fifth region comprises the first binder material and a plurality of the bast fibers. The third transitional region comprises concentrations of the second binder fiber, the bast fiber, and the third binder fiber. The concentration of the third binder fiber in the third transitional region is greatest proximate to the third region and least proximate to the fourth region, and the concentration of the second binder fiber in the third transitional region is greatest proximate to the fourth region and least proximate to the third region. The fourth transitional region comprises concentrations of the second binder fiber, the bast fiber, and the first binder fiber. The concentration of the second binder fiber in the fourth transitional region is greatest proximate to the fourth region and least proximate to the fifth region, and the concentration of the first binder fiber in the fourth transitional region is greatest proximate to the fifth region and least proximate to the fourth region.
[0005] A method for producing a unitary, fiber-containing composite is also described herein. In one embodiment, the method comprises the steps of providing a plurality of first binder fibers having a first linear density, a plurality of second binder fibers having a second linear density, and a plurality of bast fibers. The pluralities of first binder fibers, second binder fibers, and bast fibers are then blended to produce a fiber blend, and the fiber blend is then projected onto a moving belt such that a unitary, fiber-containing composite is formed. In this method, the second linear density can be greater than the first linear density, such that the fibers are deposited onto the moving belt in regions or strata comprising different relative concentrations of the fibers.
[0006] In a further embodiment of the method described herein, the first step comprises providing a plurality of third binder fibers having a third linear density, and the second step comprises blending the pluralities of first, second, and third binder fibers and the bast fibers to produce the fiber blend. The resulting fiber blend is then projected onto the moving belt in the same or similar manner as that utilized in the first method embodiment. In this embodiment, the third linear density can be greater than the first and second linear densities.
[0007] In another embodiment of the method described herein, the method further comprises the step of passing heated air through the unitary, fiber-containing composite produced by the above-described embodiments to at least partially melt the first, second, and third binder fibers.
[0008] In another embodiment of the method described herein, the method further comprises the steps of heating the unitary, fiber-containing composite produced in the above-described embodiments to further melt the first, second, and third binder fibers and compressing the composite to retain the fibers contained therein in a compressed state.
[0009] In a further embodiment of the method described herein, the method comprises the step of cutting the unitary, fiber-containing composite along a plane that is parallel to the z-direction of the composite to produce at least a first section and a second section. The first section is then placed on top of the second section, and the stacked sections are simultaneously compressed and heated. The first and second sections produced by the cutting step each comprise the first region, first transitional region, second region, second transitional region, and third region of the unitary, fiber-containing composite from which they are cut, and the first section is placed on top of the second section so that the third region of the first section is adjacent to the third region of the second section. Alternatively, the first section can be placed on top of the second section so that the first region of the first section is adjacent to the first region of the second section. In the heating step, the first, second, and third binder fibers contained in the sections are further melted, and the opposing regions of the first and second sections are fused together. The composite is then compressed in order to retain the fibers in the first and second sections in a compressed state.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a unitary, fiber-containing composite described in the current specification.
[0011] Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a unitary, fiber-containing composite described in the current specification.
[0012] Fig. 3 is a flow diagram depicting the steps of a method for making a unitary, fiber-containing composite.
[0013] Fig. 4 is an elevation view of an apparatus suitable for performing the method described in the current specification.
[0014] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a unitary, fiber-containing composite described in the current specification.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0015] A unitary, fiber-containing composite is described herein. As utilized herein with reference to the fiber-containing composite, the term "unitary" refers to the fact that the enumerated regions of the composite do not form layers having distinct boundaries separating them from the adjacent region(s). Rather, the enumerated regions are used to refer to portions of the composite in which the different fibers are contained in different concentrations. More specifically, the enumerated regions are used to refer to portions of the thickness of the composite in which different fibers predominate or in which the concentration gradient of the fibers (e.g., how the concentration of a particular fiber changes with the thickness of the composite) differs from the adjacent portions (i.e., portions above and/or below) of the composite. Furthermore, while the composite will be described herein as containing particular fibers in specific regions, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that each region of the composite can contain any of the fibers present in the composite. Nevertheless, particular fibers or combinations of fibers will predominate in particular portions of the thickness of the composite, and the enumerated regions described herein are intended to refer to those portions of the composite.
[0016] Referring now to the drawings, in which like reference numerals represent like parts throughout the several views, one embodiment of the unitary, fiber-containing composite 100 comprises, as depicted in Fig. 1 , a first region 102, a second region 106 disposed above the first region 102, a first transitional region 104 disposed between the first region 102 and the second region 106, and a third region 110 disposed above the second region 106. The first region 102 comprises a binder material, which is depicted as a plurality of first binder fibers 114, and a plurality of bast fibers 118, the second region 106 comprises a plurality of second binder fibers 116 and a plurality of the bast fibers 118, and the third region 110 comprises a plurality of third binder fibers 120 and a plurality of the bast fibers 118. The first transitional region 104 comprises concentrations of the first binder fiber 114, the second binder fiber 1 16, and the bast fiber 118. The concentration of the first binder fiber 114 in the first transitional region 104 is greatest proximate to the first region 102 and least proximate to the second region 106, and the concentration of the second binder fiber 116 in the first transitional region 104 is greatest proximate to the second region 106 and least proximate to the first region 102.
[0017] As utilized herein, the term "bast fiber" refers to strong woody fibers obtained chiefly from the phloem of plants. Suitable bast fibers include, but are not limited to, jute, kenaf, hemp, flax, ramie, roselle, and combinations thereof. Other suitable bast fibers include, but are not limited to, leaf fibers (e.g., fibers derived from sisal, banana leaves, grasses (e.g., bamboo), or pineapple leaves), straw fibers (e.g., fibers derived from wheat straw, rice straw, barley straw, or sorghum stalks), and husk fibers (e.g., fibers derived from com husk, bagasse (sugar cane), or coconut husk). In certain embodiments, the bast fiber is jute. The fiber-containing composite can contain any suitable amount of the bast fiber(s). For example, the bast fibers can comprise about 30 to about 70 wt.%, about 30 to about 60 wt.%, or about 60 wt.% of the total weight of the fiber- containing composite. The bast fibers suitable for use in the disclosed fiber- containing composite and method can have any suitable linear density (i.e., denier). For example, the bast fibers can have a linear density of about 8.8 dtex (8 denier) to about 20 dtex (18 denier).
[0018] The binders contained in the fiber-containing composite can be any suitable binder material. For example, the binder materials can be a thermoplastic material that is capable of at least partially melting when heated so that the fibers contained within the composite will be bonded together. Suitable thermoplastic binder materials include, but are not limited to, polyesters (e.g., polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or glycol-modified PET (PETG)), polyamides (e.g., nylon 6 or nylon 6,6), polyethylenes (e.g., high density polyethylene (HDPE) or linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE)), polypropylenes, polylactic acid, poly(1 ,4-cyclohexanedimethylene terephthalate) (PCT), and combinations thereof.
[0019] As noted above, the binder material contained in the unitary, fiber- containing composite can be provided in the form of binder fibers. The binder fibers contained in the fiber-containing composite can be any suitable binder fibers. For example, the binder fibers can comprise a thermoplastic material that is capable of at least partially melting when heated, thereby providing a means by which the binder fibers and bast fibers can become interconnected within the fiber-containing composite. Suitable thermoplastic binder fibers include polyester fibers (e.g., polyethylene terephthalate (PET) fibers or glycol-modified PET (PETG) fibers), polyamide fibers (e.g., nylon 6 or nylon 6,6), polyethylene fibers (e.g., fibers containing high density polyethylene (HDPE) or linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE)), polypropylene fibers, polylactic acid fibers, fibers containing poly(1 ,4-cyclohexanedimethylene terephthalate) (PCT), cellulose fibers (e.g., rayon fibers), fibers containing 1,3-propanediol terephthalate, and combinations thereof. Suitable binder fibers also include, but are not limited to, bicomponent binder fibers (e.g., bicomponent binder fibers comprising a thermoplastic sheath) and thermoplastic binder fibers having a relatively low melt flow rate. Suitable bicomponent fibers include bicomponent, sheath-core fibers in which the sheaths have a lower melting point than the cores of the fibers. For example, the bicomponent, sheath-core fiber can have a polyethylene sheath (e.g., a high density polyethylene sheath) and a polypropylene or polyester core. Other suitable bicomponent fibers include fibers having a PET copolymer sheath and a PET core, a PCT sheath and polypropylene core, a PCT sheath and a PET core, a PETG sheath and a PET core, a HDPE sheath and a PET core, a HDPE sheath and a polypropylene core, a LLDPE sheath and a PET core, a polypropylene sheath and a PET core, or a nylon 6 sheath and a nylon 6,6 core. When such fibers are used in the disclosed composite, the composite can be heated so that the sheaths of the bicomponent fibers are melted to provide links between adjacent fibers within the composite, while the cores of the bicomponent fiber retain their fibrous structure. As noted above, the binder fibers can be thermoplastic binder fibers in which the thermoplastic material has a relatively low melt flow rate. For example, the melt flow rate of the thermoplastic fibers can be about 18 g/10 min. or less (e.g., about 8 g/10 min. or less), as determined in accordance with, for example, ASTM Standard D1238 entitled "Standard Test Method for Melt Flow Rates of Thermoplastics by Extrusion Plastometer." When such fibers are used in the disclosed composite, the composite can be heated so that the thermoplastic binder fibers are at least partially melted to provide links between adjacent fibers, while the relatively low melt flow rate of the thermoplastic material allows the binder fibers to retain their fibrous structure.
[0020] Suitable binder materials made from thermoplastic materials, such as a polyolefin, can also contain coupling, compatabilizing, and/or mixing agents. While not wishing to be bound to any particular theory, it is believed that these agents can improve the interaction and/or bonding between the bast fibers and the binder material, thereby yielding a composite having better mechanical properties. Suitable coupling, compatabilizing, and mixing agents include, but are not limited to, titanium alcoholates; esters of phosphoric, phosphorous, phosphonic and silicic acids; metallic salts and esters of aliphatic, aromatic and cycloaliphatic acids; ethylene/acrylic or methacrylic acids; ethylene/esters of acrylic or methacrylic acid; ethylene/vinyl acetate resins; styrene/maleic anhydride resins or esters thereof; acrylonitrilebutadiene styrene resins; methacrylate/butadiene styrene resins (MBS), styrene acrylonitrile resins (SAN); butadieneacrylonitrile copolymers; and polyethylene or polypropylene modified polymers. Such polymers are modified by a reactive group including polar monomers such as maleic anhydride or esters thereof, acrylic or methacrylic acid or esters thereof, vinylacetate, acrylonitrile, and styrene. In certain possibly preferred embodiments, the binder fiber, or at least a portion of the binder fibers contained in the composite, is a polyolefin (e.g., polyethylene or polypropylene) or a copolymer thereof having maleic anhydride (MAH) grafted thereon.
[0021] The coupling, compatabilizing, and/or mixing agents can be present in the binder fibers in any suitable amount. For example, the agents can be present in the binder fibers in an amount of about 0.01 wt.% or more, about 0.1 wt.% or more, or about 0.2 wt.% or more, based on the total weight of the binder fiber. The agents can also be present in the binder fibers in an amount of about 20 wt.% or less, about 10 wt.% or less, or about 5 wt.% or less, based on the total weight of the binder fiber. In certain possibly preferred embodiments, the binder fibers contain about 0.01 to about 20 wt.% or about 0.1 to about 10 wt.% of the coupling, compatabilizing, and/or mixing agents, based on the total weight of the binder fiber. The amount of coupling, compatabilizing, and/or mixing agents included in the binder fiber can also be expressed in term of the number of moles of the coupling, compatabilizing, and/or mixing agents present per mole of the polymer from which the fiber is made. In certain possibly preferred embodiments, such as when the binder fiber comprises polypropylene and a maleic anhydride coupling agent, the binder fiber can contain about 5 to about 50 moles of maleic anhydride per mole of the polypropylene polymer.
[0022] The fiber-containing composite of the invention can contain any suitable combination of the binder fibers described above. For example, the binder fibers contained within the composite or a particular region of the composite can all have substantially the same composition or make-up, or the fibers can be a combination of fibers having different compositions. In certain possibly preferred embodiments, the binder fibers contained within the composite or a particular region of the composite can be polypropylene binder fibers having MAH grafted thereon (as described above), with the fibers within each of the region(s) having the linear densities specified below. In certain other embodiments, the binder fibers contained within the composite or a particular region of the composite can be a combination of polypropylene binder fibers having MAH grafted thereon and a second type of thermoplastic binder fibers, such as polyethylene fibers, polyester fibers, or bicomponent binder fibers (as described above). In order to provide a ready visual aid to confirming the appropriate blend of fibers in the composite, the different types of fibers (e.g., binder fibers having different deniers and/or different compositions) used to produce the composite can each be provided in a different color. Therefore, the presence of each fiber in the appropriate region of the composite can be quickly confirmed upon visual inspection of the composite during or after manufacture.
[0023] The binder fibers contained in the fiber-containing composite can have any suitable linear density or combination of linear densities. In certain embodiments, each of the different binder fiber types contained in the composite can have different linear densities. For example, as depicted in Fig. 1 , the first binder fiber 114 can have a linear density that is less than the linear density of the second binder fiber 116. In such an embodiment, the first binder fiber 114 can have a linear density of about 6.6 dtex (6 denier) or less (e.g., about 0.5 dtex (0.5 denier) to about 6.6 dtex (6 denier)), and the second binder fiber 116 can have a linear density of about 6.6 dtex (6 denier) to about 22.2 dtex (22 denier). In certain embodiments, the first binder fiber can have a linear density of about 1.6 dtex (1.5 denier), and the second binder fiber can have a linear density of about 11.1 dtex (10 denier). The fiber-containing composite described herein can comprise any suitable amount of binder fibers. For example, the binder fibers can comprise about 30 to about 70 wt.%, about 30 to about 60 wt. %, or about 40 wt.% of the total weight of the composite.
[0024] The binder material contained in the third region can be any suitable binder material. For example, the binder material can comprise a layer of thermoplastic material that has been laminated to the upper surface of the second region. Such a layer can be formed, for example, by depositing thermoplastic particles onto the upper surface of the second region and at least partially melting the particles to bond them to the fibers contained in the second region. As depicted in Fig. 1 , the binder material in the third region 110 can comprise a third binder fiber 120, and the composite 100 can comprise a second transitional region 108 disposed between the second region 106 and the third region 110. In this embodiment, the second transitional region 108 comprises concentrations of the second binder fiber 116, the bast fiber 118, and the third binder fiber 120. The concentration of the second binder fiber 116 in the second transitional region 108 is greatest proximate to the second region 106 and least proximate to the third region 110, and the concentration of the third binder fiber 120 in the second transitional region 108 is greatest proximate to the third region 110 and least proximate to the second region 106.
[0025] The binder fibers suitable for use in the above-described third region 110 of the composite 100 can be any suitable binder fibers, including those described above as suitable for use as the first and second binder fibers. As with the first and second binder fibers, the third binder fibers can have any suitable linear density. In certain embodiments, the third binder fibers 120 have a linear density that is greater than the linear density of the first and second binder fibers 114, 116. For example, the third binder fibers 120 can have a linear density of about 22.2 dtex (22 denier) or more (e.g., about 22.2 dtex (22 denier) to about 72.2 dtex (65 denier)). In certain embodiments, the third binder fibers can have a linear density of about 35.5 dtex (32 denier).
[0026] The unitary, fiber-containing composite described herein can have any suitable weight and density. For example, the composite can have a weight of about 500 to about 2000 g/m2, about 500 to about 1500 g/m2, or about 600 to about 1200 g/m2. In certain embodiments, the unitary, fiber-containing composite can have a density of about 0.08 to about 2 g/cm3, about 0.08 to about 1.5 g/cm3, about 0.2 to about 1.5 g/cm3, about 0.2 to about 0.7 g/cm3, or about 0.25 to about 0.6 g/cm3. [0027] In a further embodiment of the unitary, fiber-containing composite described herein, the composite comprises fourth and fifth regions and third and fourth transitional regions disposed above the third region of the composite. In such an embodiment, the additional layers of the composite (i.e., the fourth and fifth regions and third and fourth transitional regions) can resemble mirror images of the first and second regions and first and second transitional regions of the composite described above. For example, as depicted in Fig. 2, such a composite 200 comprises a first region 202, a first transitional region 204, a second region 206, a second transitional region 208, and a third region 210 similar to those of the embodiment depicted in Fig. 1. In particular, the first region 202 comprises a plurality of first binder fibers 220 and a plurality of bast fibers 224, the second region 206 comprises a plurality of second binder fibers 222 and a plurality of the bast fibers 224, and the third region 210 comprises a plurality of third binder fibers 226 and a plurality of the bast fibers 224. The first transitional region 204 comprises concentrations of the first binder fiber 220, the second binder fiber 222, and the bast fiber 224. The concentration of the first binder fiber 220 in the first transitional region 204 is greatest proximate to the first region 202 and least proximate to the second region 206, and the concentration of the second binder fiber 222 in the first transitional region 204 is greatest proximate to the second region 206 and least proximate to the first region 202.
[0028] In addition to these regions, the composite 200 further comprises a fourth region 214 disposed above the third region 210, a third transitional region 212 disposed between the third region 210 and the fourth region 214, a fifth region 218 disposed above the fourth region 214, and a fourth transitional region 216 disposed between the fourth region 214 and the fifth region 218. As shown in Fig. 2, the fourth region 214 comprises a plurality of the second binder fibers 222 and a plurality of the bast fibers 224, and the fifth region 218 comprises a plurality of the first binder fibers 220 and a plurality of the bast fibers 224. The third transitional region 212 comprises concentrations of the second binder fiber 222, the bast fiber 224, and the third binder fiber 226. The concentration of the third binder fiber 226 in the third transitional region 212 is greatest proximate to the third region 210 and least proximate to the fourth region 214, and the concentration of the second binder fiber 222 in the third transitional region 212 is greatest proximate to the fourth region 214 and least proximate to the third region 210. The fourth transitional region 216 comprises concentrations of the second binder fiber 222, the bast fiber 224, and the first binder fiber 220. The concentration of the second binder fiber 222 in the fourth transitional region 216 is greatest proximate to the fourth region 214 and least proximate to the fifth region 218, and the concentration of the first binder fiber 220 in the fourth transitional region 216 is greatest proximate to the fifth region 218 and least proximate to the fourth region 214.
[0029] The unitary, fiber-containing composite can comprise other fibers in addition to those enumerated above. For example, in order to increase the flame resistance of the resulting composite, the composite can further comprise flame retardant fibers. As utilized herein, the term "flame retardant fibers" refers to fibers having a Limiting Oxygen Index (LOI) value of about 20.95 or greater, as determined by ISO 4589-1. Alternatively, the fibers contained in the composite (e.g., the bast fibers and/or the binder fibers) can be treated with a flame retardant in order to increase the flame resistance of the composite. Also, in certain other embodiments, the composite can comprise fibers derived from animal sources, such as wool, silk, or feathers (e.g., chicken feathers separated from the quill), in addition to or in place of the bast fibers.
[0030] In certain possibly preferred embodiments, the fiber-containing composite can comprise a scrim disposed on one or more surfaces of the composite. As depicted in Fig. 5, the fiber-containing composite 500 comprises a scrim 530 disposed on the surface of the composite adjacent the first region 102. The scrim 530 can be attached to the surface adjacent the first region 102 of the composite 500 using any suitable adhesive (not shown) or the scrim 530 can be attached to the surface adjacent the first region 102 of the composite 500 via the partially melted binder fibers 114 in the first region 102 of the composite 500. While the composite has been depicted in Fig. 5 with the scrim 530 disposed on the surface adjacent the first region 102, the scrim can be, in certain other embodiments, disposed on the surface of the composite that is adjacent the third region of the composite. In certain other embodiments, a first scrim can be disposed on the surface of the composite that is adjacent the first region of the composite, and a second scrim can be disposed on the surface of the composite that is adjacent the third region of the composite.
[0031] The scrim used in the fiber-containing composite can be any suitable material. For example, the scrim can be a woven, knit, or nonwoven textile material comprising natural fibers, synthetic fibers, or combinations thereof. In certain possibly preferred embodiments, the fibers 532 in the scrim 530 are thermoplastic fibers having a melting temperature that is higher than the binder fibers contained in the composite. For example, suitable thermoplastic fibers for the scrim can have a melting temperature of about 200 °C or higher, as well as high thermal stability and low heat deflection at elevated temperatures. In certain possibly preferred embodiments, the scrim is a nonwoven textile material comprising a plurality of thermoplastic fibers, such as polyester fibers. More particularly, the scrim can be a nonwoven textile material comprising a plurality of spunbond thermoplastic (e.g., polyester) fibers. Scrims suitable for the composite can have any suitable weight. For example, the scrim can have a weight of about 15 to about 35 g/m2 or about 17 to about 34 g/m2.
[0032] The unitary, fiber-containing composite described above can be utilized in a variety of applications. For example, the composite can be used as the substrate for an automobile headliner, an automobile door panel, a panel used in office furniture, etc. In one embodiment, the composite comprises the structural support for an automobile headliner. In such an embodiment, the composite can have a fabric layer adhered to one surface with or without the use of an additional adhesive. For example, in certain embodiments, the binder material disposed on the surface of the composite can provide sufficient tack for the fabric to adhere to the surface of the composite. Such an automobile headliner can also comprise a layer of foam or other suitable material (e.g., batting) disposed between the composite and the fabric layer. [0033] A method for producing a unitary, fiber-containing composite is also described herein. In one embodiment, the method comprises the steps of providing a plurality of first binder fibers having a first linear density, a plurality of second binder fibers having a second linear density, and a plurality of bast fibers. The pluralities of first binder fibers, second binder fibers, and bast fibers are then blended to produce a fiber blend, and the fiber blend is then projected onto a moving belt such that a unitary, fiber-containing composite is formed. In this method, the second linear density can be substantially equal to the third linear density and greater than the first linear density, such that the fibers are deposited onto the moving belt in regions or strata comprising different relative concentrations of the fibers.
[0034] An apparatus suitable for performing the above-described method is depicted in Fig. 4. A commercially available piece of equipment that has been found to be suitable for carrying out the above-described method is the "K-12 HIGH-LOFT RANDOM CARD" by Fehrer AG (Linz, Austria). In the apparatus 400 depicted in Fig. 4, the binder fibers and bast fibers are blended in the appropriate proportions and introduced into a feed chute 410. The feed chute 410 delivers the blended fibers to a transverse belt 440 that delivers a uniform thickness or batt of fibers to an air lay machine comprising a cylinder 420. The cylinder 420 rotates and slings the blended fibers towards a collection belt 430. The collection belt 430 typically comprises a plurality of perforations in its surface (not shown) so that a vacuum can be drawn across the belt which helps the fibers to properly settle on the collection belt 430. The rotation of the cylinder 420 slings the fibers having a higher linear density a further distance along the collection belt 430 than it slings the fibers having a lower linear density. As a result, the unitary, fiber-containing composite 100 collected on the collection belt 430 will have a greater concentration of the fibers with a lower linear density adjacent to the collection belt 430, and a greater concentration of the fibers with a higher linear density further away from the collection belt 430. In general, the larger the difference in linear density between the fibers, the greater the gradient will be in the distribution of the fibers. [0035] In a further embodiment of the method described herein, the first step comprises providing a plurality of third binder fibers having a third linear density, and the second step comprises blending the pluralities of first, second, and third binder fibers and the bast fibers to produce the fiber blend. The resulting fiber blend is then projected onto the moving belt in the same or similar manner as that utilized in the first method embodiment. In this embodiment, the third linear density can be greater than the first and second linear densities.
[0036] The fibers suitable for use in the above-described methods can be any suitable binder fibers and bast fibers. For example, the first, second, third, and bast fibers suitable for use in the described methods can be the same as those discussed above with respect to the various embodiments of the unitary, fiber-containing composite.
[0037] In certain embodiments of the described methods, such as when at least one of the binder fibers is a thermoplastic binder fiber, the unitary, fiber- containing composite produced by the above-described steps can be heated to at least partially melt the thermoplastic binder fiber and bond together at least a portion of the fibers contained in the composite. For example, the method can further comprise the step of passing heated air through the unitary fiber- containing composite produced by the above-described embodiments to partially melt all or a portion of the binder fibers. As will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art, the unitary fiber-containing composite can be heated by other means, such as infrared radiation. This step serves to set an initial thickness for the composite of, for example, about 5 to about 50 mm or about 10 to about 50 mm.
[0038] In another embodiment of the method described herein, the unitary, fiber containing composite can be compressed to produce a composite having a density and/or a rigidity that are high enough for the composite to act as a structural support, for example, for an automobile headliner. In such an embodiment, the method can further comprise the step of heating the unitary, fiber-containing composite produced in the above-described embodiments using, for example, a hot belt laminator, which concentrates heat on the surfaces of the composite. Such heating further melts the first, second, and third binder fibers, and the compressive forces exerted on the composite by the laminator serve to retain the fibers in a compressed state.
[0039] The unitary, fiber-containing composite can be further processed using convention "cold mold" thermoforming equipment in which the composite is first heated and then pressed to the appropriate shape and thickness using an unheated mold. In such an embodiment of the method, the composite can be heated to a temperature of about 170 to about 215 0C during a heating cycle of about 30 to about 120 seconds using, for example, infrared radiation. The heated composite is then placed inside a mold, which typically is maintained at a temperature of about 10 to about 30 °C, and compressed to the appropriate shape and thickness. The compression step typically is about 1 minute in length, during which time the thermoplastic binder fibers will cool to such an extent that the composite will maintain substantially the compressed configuration upon removal from the mold. As will be understood those of ordinary skill in the art, owing at least partially to the rigidity of the bast fibers, the composite may expand (for example, in the z-direction) upon heating and before being placed in the mold.
[0040] In a further embodiment of the method described herein, the method comprises the step of cutting the unitary, fiber-containing composite along a plane that is parallel to the z-direction of the composite (i.e., the thickness of the composite) to produce at least a first section and a second section. The first section is then placed on top of the second section, and the stacked sections are heated and compressed. The first and second sections produced by the cutting step each comprise the first region, first transitional region, second region, second transitional region, and third region of the unitary, fiber-containing composite from which they are cut, and the first section is placed on top of the second section so that the third region of the first section is adjacent the third region of the second section. Alternatively, the first section is placed on top of the second section so that the first region of the first section is adjacent to the first region of the second section. In the heating and compression step, the first, second, and third binder fibers contained in the sections are further melted, and the opposing regions of the first and second sections are fused together. The step of heating and then compressing the composite also serves to retain the fibers in the first and second sections in a compressed state.
[0041] The following example further illustrates the invention but, of course, should not be construed as in any way limiting its scope.
EXAMPLE 1
[0042] This example demonstrates a method for producing a unitary, fiber- containing composite as described above and the properties of a unitary, fiber- containing composite as described above. Three similar unitary, fiber-containing composites (Samples 1A-1C) were produced by air laying a fiber blend using a K-12 HIGH-LOFT RANDOM CARD by Fehrer AG (Linz, Austria). In particular, the composites were produced from a fiber blend containing approximately 40 wt. % (based on the total weight of the fiber blend) of bicomponent binder fibers and approximately 60 wt.% of jute fibers, which had a linear density of approximately 8.8-2 dtex (8-18 denier). The binder fibers had a high-density polyethylene sheath (melting point of approximately 128 0C) and a polypropylene core (melting point of approximately 149 0C). The binder fiber content was comprised of three bicomponent binder fibers having three different linear densities. The first binder fibers, which comprised approximately 10 wt.% of the total weight of the fiber blend, had a linear density of approximately 1.6 dtex (1.5 denier). The second binder fibers, which comprised approximately 20 wt.% of the total weight of the fiber blend, had a linear density of approximately 11 Λ dtex (10 denier). The third binder fibers, which comprised approximately 10 wt.% of the total weight of the fiber blend, had a linear density of approximately 35.5 dtex (32 denier). [0043] As noted above, the above-described fiber blend was air laid using the K-12 HIGH-LOFT FRANDOM CARD by projecting the fibers onto a moving belt. Due to the difference in denier between the fibers contained in the fiber blend, the composites produced by the air laying step contained a greater concentration of the 1.6 dtex (1.5 denier) binder fiber in a first region closest to the collection belt, a greater concentration of the 11.1 dtex (10 denier) binder fiber in a middle region, and a greater concentration of the 35.5 dtex (32 denier) binder fiber in an upper region. Following the air laying step, the resulting composites were passed through a through-air oven in which air heated to a temperature of approximately 175 0C (347 0F) was passed through the composite to partially melt the binder fibers.
[0044] Sample 1A was then produced by passing a composite, which had been laid so that it had a weight of approximately 1100 g/m2, through a compression oven in which the belts were heated to a temperature of approximately 204 0C (400 0F). After passing through the compression oven, Sample 1A had a thickness of approximately 3.3 mm.
[0045] Samples 1B and 1C were produced by cutting two composites, which had been laid so that the composites had weights of approximately 537 g/m2 and approximately 412 g/m2, respectively, in the z-direction (i.e., along a plane parallel to the thickness of the composite) and stacking the resulting sections on top of each other so that the regions containing the greatest concentration of the 35.5 dtex (32 denier) binder fiber were adjacent to each other. The stacked sections were then passed through a compression oven in which the belts were heated to a temperature of approximately 204 °C (400 0F). After passing through the compression oven, Sample 1B had a thickness of approximately 3.3 mm, and Sample 1C had a thickness of approximately 2.3 mm. Due to the stacking of the sections, Sample 1 B had a weight of approximately 1075 g/m2, and Sample 1C had a weight of approximately 825 g/m2. [0046] Samples 1A-1C were then tested to determine their physical properties, such as the stiffness, strength, toughness, flammability, and sound absorption at different frequencies. The results of these measurements, including the test methods used to determine the properties, are set forth in Table 1 below.
Figure imgf000021_0001
Figure imgf000022_0001
[0047] As can be seen from the results set forth in Table 1 above,
Samples 1A-1C exhibited physical properties which should render the composites suitable for use as, for example, the substrate for an automobile headliner, an automobile door panel, or a panel used in office furniture. In particular, the stiffness, strength, and toughness of the composites indicate that they should be able to span the width and/or length of a typical automobile passenger compartment without significant or observable sagging. In particular, the composites should be able to pass the climatic sag requirements of most automobile manufacturers. Furthermore, the sound absorption measurements demonstrate that the composites should be able to provide an amount of sound absorption that is desirable for certain applications, such as the substrate for an automobile headliner.
EXAMPLE 2
[0048] This example demonstrates a method for producing a unitary, fiber- containing composite as described above and the properties of a unitary, fiber- containing composite as described above. Two similar, unitary fiber-containing composites (Samples 2A and 2B) were produced using substantially the same procedure as that described above and used to produce Sample 1A.
[0049] Sample 2A was produced from a fiber blend containing approximately 40 wt.% (based on the total weight of the fiber blend) of bicomponent binder fibers and approximately 60 wt.% of jute fibers, which had a linear density of approximately 8.8-20 dtex (8-18 denier). The binder fibers had a high-density polyethylene sheath (melting point of approximately 128 °C) and a polypropylene core (melting point of approximately 149 0C). The binder fiber content was comprised of three bicomponent binder fibers having three different linear densities. The first binder fibers, which comprised approximately 15 wt.% of the total weight of the fiber blend, had a linear density of approximately 1.6 dtex (1.5 denier). The second binder fibers, which comprised approximately 10 wt.% of the total weight of the fiber blend, had a linear density of approximately
11.1 dtex (10 denier). The third binder fibers, which comprised approximately 15 wt.% of the total weight of the fiber blend, had a linear density of approximately 35.5 dtex (32 denier).
[0050] Sample 2B was produced from a fiber blend containing approximately 40 wt.% (based on the total weight of the fiber blend) of binder fibers and approximately 60 wt.% of jute fibers, which had a linear density of approximately 8.8-2 dtex (8-18 denier). The binder fibers were polypropylene binder fibers containing polypropylene that had been grafted with approximately 10 wt.% maleic anhydride (MAH). The binder fiber content was comprised of three binder fibers having three different linear densities. The first binder fibers, which comprised approximately 15 wt.% of the total weight of the fiber blend, had a linear density of approximately 1.6 dtex (1.5 denier). The second binder fibers, which comprised approximately 10 wt.% of the total weight of the fiber blend, had a linear density of approximately 11.1 dtex (10 denier). The third binder fibers, which comprised approximately 15 wt.% of the total weight of the fiber blend, had a linear density of approximately 35.5 dtex (32 denier).
[0051] After production, Samples 2A and 2B were then tested to determine their physical properties, such as the stiffness, strength, and toughness. The results of these measurements, including the test methods used to determine the properties, are set forth in Table 2 below.
Table 2. Physical properties of Samples 2A and 2B.
Figure imgf000024_0001
[0052] As can be seen from the results above, the composite produced using the binder fibers containing a coupling agent (i.e., Sample 2B) exhibited improved mechanical properties relative to the composite produced using binder fibers that do not contain a coupling, compatabilizing, and/or mixing agent (i.e., Sample 2A). Sample 2B also exhibited substantially reduced sagging compared to Sample 2A when the composites were tested to determine if they meet the climatic sag requirements of most automobile manufacturers. While not wishing to be bound to any particular theory, it is believed that the improved mechanical properties are due to the improved interaction and/or bonding between the bast fibers and the binder fibers.
EXAMPLE 3
[0053] This example demonstrates a method for producing a unitary, fiber- containing composite as described above and the properties of a unitary, fiber- containing composite as described above. Two similar, unitary fiber-containing composites (Samples 3A and 3B) were produced using substantially the same procedure as that described above and used to produce Sample 1A.
[0054] Both samples were produced from a fiber blend containing approximately 45 wt.% (based on the total weight of the fiber blend) of binder fibers and approximately 55 wt.% of jute fibers, which had a linear density of approximately 8.8-2 dtex (8-18 denier). The binder fibers were polypropylene binder fibers containing polypropylene that had been grafted with approximately 10 wt.% maleic anhydride (MAH). The binder fiber content was comprised of four binder fibers having four different linear densities. The first binder fibers, which comprised approximately 15 wt.% of the total weight of the fiber blend, had a linear density of approximately 1.7 dtex. The second binder fibers, which comprised approximately 10 wt.% of the total weight of the fiber blend, had a linear density of approximately 1 1 dtex. The third binder fibers, which comprised approximately 10 wt.% of the total weight of the fiber blend, had a linear density of approximately 30 dtex. The fourth binder fibers, which comprised approximately 10 wt.% of the total weight of the fiber blend, had a linear density of approximately 70 dtex.
[0055] Sample 3B further comprised a spunbond, nonwoven polyester
(i.e., polyethylene terephthalate) scrim having a weight of approximately 17 g/m2. The scrim was disposed on the surface of the composite that was proximate to the region containing the greatest concentration of the first binder fibers (i.e., the binder fibers having a linear density of approximately 1.7 dtex). The scrim was attached to the composite by placing the scrim onto the surface of the composite and then passing the composite through the compression oven, as described above.
[0056] Samples 3A and 3B were then tested to determine their physical properties, such as the stiffness, strength, toughness, and sound absorption. The results of these measurements, including the test methods used to determine the properties, are set forth in Table 3 below.
Table 3. Physical properties of Samples 3A and 3B.
Figure imgf000026_0001
[0057] As can be seen from the results above, the composite produced using the nonwoven scrim (i.e., Sample 3B) exhibited improved mechanical properties relative to the composite produced without the scrim (i.e., Sample 3A). Sample 3B also exhibited substantially reduced sagging compared to Sample 3A when the composites were tested to determine if they meet the climatic sag requirements of most automobile manufacturers.
[0058] All references, including publications, patent applications, and patents, cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicated to be incorporated by reference and were set forth in its entirety herein.
[0059] The use of the terms "a" and "an" and "the" and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms "comprising," "having," "including," and "containing" are to be construed as open- ended terms (i.e., meaning "including, but not limited to,") unless otherwise noted. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., "such as") provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention.
[0060] Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention. Variations of those preferred embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:
1. A unitary, fiber-containing composite comprising:
(a) a first region comprising a plurality of first thermoplastic binder fibers and a plurality of bast fibers;
(b) a second region disposed above the first region, the second region comprising a plurality of second thermoplastic binder fibers, and a plurality of bast fibers; and
(c) a first transitional region disposed between the first region and the second region, the first transitional region comprising concentrations of the first binder fiber, the second binder fiber, and the bast fiber, the concentration of the first binder fiber in the first transitional region being greatest proximate to the first region and least proximate to the second region, and the concentration of the second binder fiber in the first transitional region being greatest proximate to the second region and least proximate to the first region.
2. The unitary, fiber-containing composite of claim 1 , wherein the
\ composite further comprises:
I
(d) a third region disposed above the second region, the third region comprising a plurality of third thermoplastic binder fibers and a plurality of bast fibers; and
(e) a second transitional region disposed between the second region and the third region, the second transitional region comprising concentrations of the second binder fiber, the bast fiber, and the third binder fiber, the concentration of the second binder fiber in the second transitional region being greatest proximate to the second region and least proximate to the third region, and the concentration of the third binder fiber in the second transitional region being greatest proximate to the third region and least proximate to the second region.
3. The unitary, fiber-containing composite of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the first binder fibers have a first linear density, the second binder fibers have a second linear density, and the second linear density is greater than the first linear density.
4. The unitary, fiber-containing composite of claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the first binder fibers have a first linear density, the second binder fibers have a second linear density that is greater than the first linear density, and the third binder fibers have a third linear density that is greater than the first and second linear densities.
5. The unitary, fiber-containing composite of any of claims 1-4, wherein at least a portion of the thermoplastic binder fibers comprise an additive selected from the group consisting of coupling agents, compatabilizing agents, mixing agents, and combinations thereof.
6. The unitary, fiber-containing composite of any of claims 1-5, wherein the thermoplastic binder fibers comprise a polyolefin.
7. The unitary, fiber-containing composite of claim 5 or claim 6, wherein the additive is present in the thermoplastic binder fibers in an amount of about 0.01 to about 20 wt.%, based on the weight of the binder fiber.
8. The unitary, fiber-containing composite of any of claims 1-7, wherein the composite further comprises a scrim disposed on a surface of the composite adjacent to the first region.
9. The unitary, fiber-containing composite of claim 8, wherein the scrim is a nonwoven scrim comprising a plurality of spunbond thermoplastic fibers.
10. A method for producing a unitary, fiber-containing composite, the method comprising the steps of:
(a) providing a plurality of first binder fibers having a first linear density, a plurality of second binder fibers having a second linear density, and a plurality of bast fibers, the second linear density being greater than the first linear density;
(b) blending the pluralities of first binder fibers, second binder fibers, and bast fibers to produce a fiber blend; and
(c) projecting the fiber blend onto a moving belt such that a unitary, fiber-containing composite is formed,
wherein the unitary, fiber-containing composite comprises (i) a first region comprising a plurality of the first binder fibers and a plurality of the bast fibers, (ii) a second region disposed above the first region, the second region comprising a plurality of the second binder fibers and a plurality of the bast fibers, and (iii) a first transitional region disposed between the first region and the second region, the first transitional region comprising concentrations of the first binder fiber, the second binder fiber, and the bast fiber, the concentration of the first binder fiber in the first transitional region being greatest proximate to the first region and least proximate to the second region, and the concentration of the second binder fiber in the first transitional region being greatest proximate to the second region and least proximate to the first region.
11. The method of claim 10, wherein step (a) further comprises providing a plurality of third binder fibers having a third linear density, the third linear density being greater than the first and second linear densities, and step (b) comprises the step of blending the pluralities of first, second, and third binder fibers and the bast fibers to produce the fiber blend, so that the unitary, fiber- containing composite formed in step (c) further comprises a third region disposed above the second region, the third region comprising a plurality of the third binder fibers and a plurality of the bast fibers, and a second transitional region disposed between the second region and the third region, the second transitional region comprising concentrations of the second binder fiber, the bast fiber, and the third binder fiber, the concentration of the second binder fiber in the second transitional region being greatest proximate to the second region and least proximate to the third region, and the concentration of the third binder fiber in the second transitional region being greatest proximate to the third region and least proximate to the second region.
12. The method of claim 10 or claim 11 , wherein the method further comprises the step of:
(d) passing heated air through the unitary, fiber-containing composite produced in step (c) to at least partially melt the binder fibers.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein the method further comprises the step of heating the fiber-containing composite produced in step (d) to further melt the binder fibers and the compressing the composite so that the fibers contained therein are retained in a compressed state.
14. The method of any of claims 10-13, wherein at least a portion of the thermoplastic binder fibers comprise an additive selected from the group consisting of coupling agents, compatabilizing agents, mixing agents, and combinations thereof.
15. The method of any of claims 10-14, wherein the thermoplastic binder fibers comprise a polyolefin.
16. The method of claim 14 or claim 15, wherein the additive is present in the thermoplastic binder fibers in an amount of about 0.01 to about 20 wt.%, based on the weight of the binder fiber.
17. The method of any of claims 10-16, wherein the method further comprises the step of providing a scrim on a surface of the composite adjacent to the first region.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein the scrim is a nonwoven scrim comprising a plurality of spunbond thermoplastic fibers.
PCT/US2006/031921 2005-08-17 2006-08-16 Non-owen fabric comprising regions of fibers of different densities and method for making the same WO2007022228A1 (en)

Priority Applications (8)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA002617126A CA2617126A1 (en) 2005-08-17 2006-08-16 Non-woven fabric comprising regions of fibers of different densities and method for making the same
BRPI0614987-1A BRPI0614987A2 (en) 2005-08-17 2006-08-16 non-woven fabric comprising fiber regions of different densities and method of production thereof
JP2008527083A JP2009504936A (en) 2005-08-17 2006-08-16 Nonwoven fabrics containing fiber regions of different density and process for producing the same
EP06801579A EP1937887B1 (en) 2005-08-17 2006-08-16 Non-woven fabric comprising regions of fibers of different densities and method for making the same
MX2008001813A MX2008001813A (en) 2005-08-17 2006-08-16 Non-owen fabric comprising regions of fibers of different densities and method for making the same.
AT06801579T ATE470740T1 (en) 2005-08-17 2006-08-16 NON-WOVEN FABRIC WITH FIBER REGIONS OF DIFFERENT DENSITY AND PRODUCTION PROCESS THEREOF
DE602006014852T DE602006014852D1 (en) 2005-08-17 2006-08-16 NONWOVEN FIBER REGIONS OF DIFFERENT DENSITY AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURE THEREOF
CN2006800300334A CN101243222B (en) 2005-08-17 2006-08-16 Non-woven fabric comprising regions of fibers of different densities and method for making the same

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US11/205,688 US7651964B2 (en) 2005-08-17 2005-08-17 Fiber-containing composite and method for making the same
US11/205,688 2005-08-17
US11/441,990 US7605097B2 (en) 2006-05-26 2006-05-26 Fiber-containing composite and method for making the same
US11/441,990 2006-05-26

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2007022228A1 true WO2007022228A1 (en) 2007-02-22

Family

ID=37461588

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US2006/031921 WO2007022228A1 (en) 2005-08-17 2006-08-16 Non-owen fabric comprising regions of fibers of different densities and method for making the same

Country Status (9)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1937887B1 (en)
JP (1) JP2009504936A (en)
KR (1) KR20080034469A (en)
AT (1) ATE470740T1 (en)
BR (1) BRPI0614987A2 (en)
CA (1) CA2617126A1 (en)
DE (1) DE602006014852D1 (en)
MX (1) MX2008001813A (en)
WO (1) WO2007022228A1 (en)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2010042536A1 (en) 2008-10-06 2010-04-15 Baylor University Non-woven fabric composites from lignin-rich, large diameter natural fibers
RU2573817C2 (en) * 2010-10-20 2016-01-27 Фитеза Джермани ГмбХ Nonwoven material, laminated material, article made of nonwoven material, multicomponent fibre, web and method of manufacturing nonwoven material
WO2016182618A1 (en) * 2015-05-13 2016-11-17 Milliken & Company Non-woven underbody shield
CN107530926A (en) * 2015-04-17 2018-01-02 三菱化学株式会社 Fibre reinforced composites products formed and its manufacture method

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20050176327A1 (en) * 2004-02-07 2005-08-11 Wenstrup David E. Moldable heat shield
WO2006124305A1 (en) * 2005-05-17 2006-11-23 Milliken & Company Non-woven material with barrier skin

Family Cites Families (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPH08209514A (en) * 1995-02-07 1996-08-13 Chisso Corp Fiber formed body and its production
JP4376439B2 (en) * 2000-09-27 2009-12-02 トヨタ紡織株式会社 FIBER LAYER, ITS MANUFACTURING METHOD, AND ITS MANUFACTURING DEVICE
JP4477248B2 (en) * 2001-02-01 2010-06-09 帝人ファイバー株式会社 Insulation
JP2005139582A (en) * 2003-11-07 2005-06-02 Toppan Printing Co Ltd Pulp formed body and method for producing the same
US7153794B2 (en) * 2004-05-07 2006-12-26 Milliken & Company Heat and flame shield

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20050176327A1 (en) * 2004-02-07 2005-08-11 Wenstrup David E. Moldable heat shield
WO2006124305A1 (en) * 2005-05-17 2006-11-23 Milliken & Company Non-woven material with barrier skin

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
A. BLAGA: "Les thermoplastiques", 1 September 1975, INSTITUT DE LA RECHERCHE EN CONSTRUCTION, XP002410994 *

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2010042536A1 (en) 2008-10-06 2010-04-15 Baylor University Non-woven fabric composites from lignin-rich, large diameter natural fibers
CN102239284A (en) * 2008-10-06 2011-11-09 贝勒大学 Non-woven fabric composites from lignin-rich, large diameter natural fibers
RU2573817C2 (en) * 2010-10-20 2016-01-27 Фитеза Джермани ГмбХ Nonwoven material, laminated material, article made of nonwoven material, multicomponent fibre, web and method of manufacturing nonwoven material
CN107530926A (en) * 2015-04-17 2018-01-02 三菱化学株式会社 Fibre reinforced composites products formed and its manufacture method
EP3284574A4 (en) * 2015-04-17 2018-04-25 Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation Fiber-reinforced composite material molded article and method for manufacturing same
US11084187B2 (en) 2015-04-17 2021-08-10 Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation Fiber-reinforced composite material molded article and method for manufacturing same
WO2016182618A1 (en) * 2015-05-13 2016-11-17 Milliken & Company Non-woven underbody shield

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP1937887A1 (en) 2008-07-02
BRPI0614987A2 (en) 2011-04-26
CA2617126A1 (en) 2007-02-22
EP1937887B1 (en) 2010-06-09
ATE470740T1 (en) 2010-06-15
KR20080034469A (en) 2008-04-21
MX2008001813A (en) 2008-04-09
DE602006014852D1 (en) 2010-07-22
JP2009504936A (en) 2009-02-05

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US7605097B2 (en) Fiber-containing composite and method for making the same
US7651964B2 (en) Fiber-containing composite and method for making the same
US7825050B2 (en) VOC-absorbing nonwoven composites
US7928025B2 (en) Nonwoven multilayered fibrous batts and multi-density molded articles made with same and processes of making thereof
US20200238659A1 (en) Planar composite material
US7409748B2 (en) Method of making high loft nonwoven
EP0747521B1 (en) Continuous fiber nonwoven and method for producing the same
WO2008041384A1 (en) Crimping composite fiber and fibrous mass comprising the same
JP7184537B2 (en) fiber structure
US20240092988A1 (en) Methods of improving lofting agent retention using bicomponent fibers
EP1937887B1 (en) Non-woven fabric comprising regions of fibers of different densities and method for making the same
US5336556A (en) Heat resistant nonwoven fabric and process for producing same
US9689097B2 (en) Nonwoven composite fabric and panel made therefrom
EP0505568B1 (en) Heat-resistant nonwoven fabric and method of manufacturing said fabric
WO2022168748A1 (en) Non-woven-fabric layered body for sound-absorbing material, and sound-absorbing material
KR101483368B1 (en) Needle punching non-woven fabric having an improved property and manufacturing method thereof
RU2284383C1 (en) Nonwoven fibrous material (versions)
EP1171291A1 (en) Moldable composite article and method of manufacture
JPH0931815A (en) Fiber aggregate and its production
US20230286257A1 (en) Sustainable nonwoven laminate for structural part applications
WO2003029541A1 (en) Moldable high performance nonwoven, woven, and knit forms
CN114846073A (en) Fibers, composites formed with the fibers, and methods for forming the composites

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
WWE Wipo information: entry into national phase

Ref document number: 200680030033.4

Country of ref document: CN

121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application
ENP Entry into the national phase

Ref document number: 2617126

Country of ref document: CA

WWE Wipo information: entry into national phase

Ref document number: MX/a/2008/001813

Country of ref document: MX

WWE Wipo information: entry into national phase

Ref document number: 2006801579

Country of ref document: EP

WWE Wipo information: entry into national phase

Ref document number: 1159/DELNP/2008

Country of ref document: IN

WWE Wipo information: entry into national phase

Ref document number: 1020087003669

Country of ref document: KR

WWE Wipo information: entry into national phase

Ref document number: 2008527083

Country of ref document: JP

NENP Non-entry into the national phase

Ref country code: DE

ENP Entry into the national phase

Ref document number: PI0614987

Country of ref document: BR

Kind code of ref document: A2

Effective date: 20080218