Nonwoven fabric with characteristics similar to woven and knitted fabrics
US7192499B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 3, 2002 |
| Grant date | Mar 20, 2007 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 26, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC D)Textiles; Paper
- CPC primaryD04H3/14
- WIPO fieldTextile and paper machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A nonwoven fabric having characteristics resembling woven and knitted fabrics is produced by extruding a plurality of plural component fibers, where each fiber includes first and second polymer components with the first polymer component having a degree of shrinkage when subjected to heat. A nonwoven web of the extruded fibers is formed on a web forming surface and bonded. The bonded web of fibers are post-bond treated to shrink at least the first polymer component and separate at least a portion of the second polymer component from the first polymer component utilizing any combination of heat, mechanical agitation and dissolving of fiber components. The resultant nonwoven fabric has a texture, drape and feel of woven and knitted fabrics.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.