Patent · US Expired

Bondable, oriented, nonwoven fibrous webs and methods for making them

US6916752B2 · kind B2 · utility

80Cited by
24References
21Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMay 20, 2002
Grant dateJul 12, 2005
Priority date
Expiry dateSep 13, 2022

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T442/69
  • WIPO fieldTextile and paper machines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

Nonwoven fibrous webs comprise fibers of uniform diameter that vary in morphology along their length. The variation provides longitudinal segments that exhibit distinctive softening characteristics during a bonding operation. Some segments soften under the conditions of the bonding operation and bond to other fibers of the web, and other segments are passive during the bonding operation. Webs as described can be formed by a method that comprises a) extruding filaments of fiber-forming material; b) directing the filaments through a processing chamber in which the filaments are subjected to longitudinal stress; c) subjecting the filaments to turbulent flow conditions after they exit the processing chamber; and d) collecting the processed filaments; the temperature of the filaments being controlled so that at least some of the filaments solidify while in the turbulent field.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.