Kimberly-clark Worldwide, Inc.

Billy Dean Arnold

David Lewis Myers

Samuel Edward Marmon

Bryan David Haynes

Richard Daniel Pike

Debra Jean McDowall

Ty Jackson Stokes

Jeffrey Lawrence McManus

Christopher Cosgrove Creagan

Darryl Franklin Clark

Philip A Sasse

Xin Ning

Charles Allen Smith

Lawrence James Romano, Iii

Kevin Edward Smith

Ganesh Chandra Deka

Justin Max Duellman

Stephen Harding Primm

Ryan Clinton Frank

Michael Lawrence Gross

Christopher John Lawler

David Joseph Reader

Ronald C Cox

The present invention provides a nonwoven web or laminate having at least one surface with abrasion resistance and a low degree of free fibers on the surface. Also provided is a lofty nonwoven web laminate from multicomponent fibers having at least one surface with improved abrasion resistance and reduced fuzziness over other multicomponent fiber nonwoven webs. This nonwoven webs and laminate can be used where nonwoven webs and laminates are currently used, but are particularly suitable as a filter media. Also described is a method for producing a nonwoven web having at least one abrasion resistant surface. The process includes using a liner material between the forming surface and the forming nonwoven web, wherein the liner is removed after the nonwoven web is bonded. Removing the liner exposes the abrasion resistant surface of the nonwoven web or laminate.

Nonwoven fabric with abrasion resistance and reduced surface fuzziness

A nonwoven web useful as a filter medium includes a plurality of bicomponent multilobal fibers including a higher melting polymer component, a lower melting polymer component, and an interface between the polymer components. The fibers are bonded together at points of contact including the lower melting polymer components, to provide a coherent filter medium. The multilobal fibers include raised lobal regions and depressed regions between the lobes which catch, trap or ensnare particulate matter that is being filtered from a gaseous or liquid medium. The multilobal fibers may be electrecized to provide electrostatic attraction between the fibers and the particles.

Filtration medium with enhanced particle holding characteristics

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.

Bicomponent nonwoven webs containing splittable thermoplastic filaments and a third component

An integrated nonwoven laminate material suitable for use as a filter medium having a microfiber layer integrated with a low loft multicomponent spunbond layer and a high loft multicomponent spunbond layer and a method of producing the integrated nonwoven laminate material. In one embodiment of this invention, a laminate material is through-air bonded to form an integrated nonwoven laminate material which is then electret treated to enhance attraction between particles being filtered and the fibers of the integrated nonwoven laminate material. In one embodiment of this invention, the integrated nonwoven laminate material is used as a filter having an ASHRAE Standard 52.1-1992 Dust Spot Efficiency of about 40% to about 95% and an ASHRAE Standard 52.2-1999 MERV (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value) of 12 to 16.

Integrated nonwoven laminate material

Nonwoven webs of continuous filaments are provided having a mixture or blend of first and second continuous filaments wherein the first and second continuous filaments are different from the first continuous filaments in one or more respects such as size, cross-sectional shape, polymer composition, crimp level, wettability, liquid repellency, and charge retention. The second continuous filaments can be substantially surrounded by the first continuous filaments wherein the ratio of first continuous filaments to second continuous filaments exceeds about 2:1.

Continuous filament composite nonwoven webs

There is provided a process which comprises the step of subjecting a just produced spunbond web to a high flow rate, heated stream of air across substantially the width of the web to very lightly bond the fibers of the web together. Such bonding should be the minimum necessary in order to satisfy the needs of further processing yet not detrimentally affect the web. The fibers of the web may be monocomponent or biconstituent and the web should be substantially free of adhesives and not subjected to compaction rolls.

Compaction-free method of increasing the integrity of a nonwoven web

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Alpharetta, GA, United States of America

Billy Dean Arnold