Abstract:
The present invention provides a composite nonwoven fabric with a superior combination of extensibility, tensile properties and abrasion resistance. The composite nonwoven fabric (10) comprises at least one layer containing multipolymer fibers, with a plurality of bonds (B) bonding the fibers together to form a coherent extensible nonwoven web (11). This coherent extensible nonwoven web (11) has a Taber surface abrasion value (rubber wheel) of greater than 10 cycles and an elongation at peak load in at least one of the machine direction or the cross-machine direction of at least 70 percent. A second extensible layer (12) is laminated to this coherent extensible nonwoven web (11) by an adhesive layer (13).
Abstract:
A refastenable mechanical fastening system has built-in elasticity and stretchability. The fastening system includes a first member provided with engaging elements and a second member consisting of a stretchable elastic tab having opposite end portions. One end portion of the elastic tab is secured to one of the objects to be fastened. The free end portion of the elastic tab extends from the object. The first member of the attachment system, which consists of engaging elements, is secured to the second object to be fastened. The two objects are fastened together by extending the elastic tab to engage the engaging elements of the first member. The stretchable elastic tab provides freedom for adjustment of the spatial relation between the two secured objects. One application of this invention is to provide a flexible closure system for a disposable diaper.
Abstract:
The invention provides composite elastic nonwoven fabrics and the process of making them. The elastic nonwoven composite fabrics of the invention are formed from the combination of a plurality of cooperative elastic layers including an elastomeric fibrous layer and an elastomeric net layer which has increased elastic properties as compared to the elastomeric fibrous layer. The plural elastomeric layers are joined together in a unitary elastic fabric structure to provide a composite having a desirable combination of different elastic properties. Advantageously the elastic nonwoven composites of the invention are fabrics formed from the combination of an elastomeric net and one or more elastomeric fibrous spunbond or meltblown webs. The elastomeric net component imparts desirable strength and recovery properties to the composite fabric while the elastomeric fibrous web imparts desirable cover, barrier, and/or porosity properties to the composite.
Abstract:
The invention is directed to a composite nonwoven fabric (10) comprising a nonwoven web (11) of spunbonded substantially continuous thermoplastic filaments, a nonwoven web (14) of thermoplastic strands, and a nonwoven web (13) of thermoplastic meltblown microfibers sandwiched between the nonwoven web of spunbonded substantially continuous filaments and the nonwoven web of thermoplastic strands. An adhesive agent (12) is disposed between the nonwoven web (11) of spunbonded filaments and the nonwoven web (13) of meltblown microfibers and between the nonwoven web (14) of thermoplastic strands and the nonwoven web (13) of meltblown microfibers, adhering the respective nonwoven webs together to form a unitary composite nonwoven fabric. In a preferred embodiment, the composite nonwoven fabric of the invention comprises a nonwoven web of spunbonded substantially continuous polyamide filaments, a nonwoven web of polyamide strands, and a nonwoven web of polyethylene meltblown microfibers sandwiched between the nonwoven web of spunbonded substantially continuous filaments and the nonwoven web of strands.
Abstract:
The invention provides composite elastic nonwoven fabrics and the process of making them. The composite elastic fabrics of the invention include an elastomeric net and at least one fibrous web including binder fibers and which is intimately hydroentangled with the elastomeric net. At least a portion of the binder fibers in the hydroentangled fibrous web have been thermally activated thereby bonding the hydroentangled web into a coherent, substantially unitary structure encompassing the elastomeric net.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for providing uniformly distributed filaments from a spun filament bundle and a process for forming spunbonded fabric having superior uniformity and a favorable ratio between machine and cross direction tensile strengths. The apparatus includes a fiber transfer tube and a pair of adjustable deflector plates. The deflector plates form a channel having a tapering width for transporting the filaments in a stream of high velocity air. The apparatus may also include an electrostatic charging means for applying an electrostatic charge to each individual filament after it exits the channel. The method for providing uniformly distributed filaments includes a first stage of separating the filament bundle by the high velocity stream of air and may also include a second stage of electrostatically charging the filaments to achieve a uniform filament separation. The process for forming spunbonded fabric enables a fabric to be produced having a machine direction to cross direction tensile strength ratio less than about 1.5.