Bicomponent nonwoven webs containing splittable thermoplastic filaments and a third component

US6686303B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Bryan David Haynes · Cumming, US
• Billy Dean Arnold · Alpharetta, US
• Justin Max Duellman · Little Rock, US
• Ryan C. Frank · Westerville, US
• Jeffrey Lawrence McManus · Woodstock, US
• Charles Allen Smith · Snellville, US
• Ty Jackson Stokes · Suwanee, US
• Kevin Edward Smith · Highlands Ranch, US
• Darryl Clark · Alpharetta, US
• Debra Jean McDowall · Roswell, US
• Samuel Edward Marmon · Alpharetta, US
• Christopher Cosgrove Creagan · Marietta, US
• Xin Ning · Alpharetta, US
• David Lewis Myers · Cumming, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Nov 13, 1998
• Grant date: Feb 3, 2004
• Expiry date: Jun 27, 2020

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10T442/699
• WIPO field: Textile and paper machines
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

An improved nonwoven web composite is formed by combining splittable bicomponent thermoplastic filaments with a component selected from other fibers and particles. The bicomponent filaments include distinct regions of first and second incompatible polymers extending the length of the filaments. After the bicomponent filaments are combined with the other fibers and/or particles, the bicomponent filaments are caused to split lengthwise along boundaries between the regions of different polymers, resulting in a web or matrix of finer filaments which entrap, ensnare and contain the other fibers and/or particles within the web or matrix. The nonwoven web composite is particularly useful for making absorbent articles, which require durability and optimum levels of absorbent fibers and/or particles.