Strong nonwoven fabrics from engineered multiconstituent fibers
US5108827A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 28, 1989 |
| Grant date | Apr 28, 1992 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 28, 2009 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T442/681
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
The present invention provides a thermally-bonded nonwoven fabric that is made from a web which comprises from 100 to 5 percent by weight of multiconstitutent fibers. The multiconstituent fibers are composed of highly dispersed blends of at least two different immiscible thermoplastic polymers and have a dominant continuous polymer phase with at least one noncontinuous phase dispersed therein. The noncontinuous phase exists as an elongated fibrillar polymer domain oriented generally in the direction of the fiber axis. No single polymer domain cross-section of said noncontinuous phase or phases is larger than 0.1% of the cross-sectional area of said fiber. The polymer of the noncontinuous phase or phases has a Polymer Melt Temperature (PMT) at least 30.degree. C. below the PMT of the continuous phase. The fiber is configured such that the noncontinuous phase or phases occupy a substantial portion of the fiber surface. In addition to such fabrics, laminates--made by combining nonwoven fabrics made from the materials and processes as described herein with films, paper, tissue, woven fabrics, or nonwoven fabrics such as meltblowns--are also contemplated. The fabric according to the inv…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.