Kimberly-Clark Corporation

Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.

Kimberley-Clark Corporation

Cherie H Everhart

Fred R Radwanski

Henry Skoog

Ann Louise McCormack

Terry R Cleveland

Debra Nell Welchel

Paulette Mary Rosch

Ronald F Cook

Lloyd E Trimble

Danial O Fischer

Danial Owen Fischer

Roland C Smith

Stephen O Chester

Gary L Goggans

J Eric Frost

Monica V Ozbirn

Deborah A Kimmitt

Harold K Barnes

Adrian J Trevisan

Daniel O Fischer

A high pulp content nonwoven composite fabric is disclosed. The composite fabric contains 1) from more than about 0 to less than about 30 percent, by weight, of a nonwoven layer of conjugate spun filaments, the filaments containing at least one low-softening point component and at least one high-softening point component and having at least some exterior surfaces of the filaments composed of at least one low-softening point component; 2) more than about 70 percent, by weight, of pulp fibers; and 3) regions in which the low-softening point component at the exterior surfaces of the filaments is fused to at least a portion of the fibrous component. This high pulp content composite nonwoven fabric may be used as a heavy duty wiper or as a fluid distribution material, cover material, and/or absorbent material in an absorbent personal care product. Also disclosed is a method of making the high pulp content nonwoven composite fabric.

High pulp content nonwoven composite fabric

Disclosed is a liquid transport material composed of a pulp fibers hydraulically needled into a nonwoven fibrous structure adapted to have a liquid transport value of at least 12 grams of liquid per gram of material over 30 minutes. The liquid transport material may contain up to about 50 percent, by weight, short staple length fibers as well as effective amounts of various particulates. The liquid transport material may be used as a liquid transport component of an absorbent structure which may be part of, for example, a personal care product. Also disclosed is a process of making a liquid transport material utilizing hydraulic needling techniques.

Liquid transport material

Disclosed is a continuous process of non-compressively and uniformly applying a liquid saturant throughout a permeable sheet. The process includes the steps of: 1) providing a continuously advancing permeable sheet having a first surface and a second surface, 2) depositing a substantially laminar flowing curtain of a liquid saturant generally across and onto the first surface of the continuously advancing permeable sheet, 3) applying a vacuum to the second surface of the continuously advancing permeable sheet, and 4) drawing a substantial portion of the liquid saturant through the permeable sheet to generate a substantially uniform distribution of liquid saturant throughout the permeable sheet. The process may also include the step of drying the liquid saturated permeable sheet. The dry bulk of the liquid saturant treated permeable sheet may be within about 15 percent of the dry bulk of an identical untreated permeable sheet. Also disclosed is a non-compressively and uniformly liquid saturant treated permeable sheet and an apparatus for non-compressively and uniformly applying a liquid saturant throughout a permeable sheet.

Liquid saturation process, apparatus and article thereof

Liquid saturation process

A high pulp content nonwoven composite fabric is disclosed. The composite fabric contains more than about 70 percent, by weight, pulp fibers which are hydraulically entangled into a continuous filament substrate. This high pulp content composite nonwoven fabric may be used as a heavy duty wiper or as a fluid distribution material, cover material, and/or absorbent material in an absorbent personal care product. Also disclosed is a method of making the high pulp content nonwoven composite fabric.

Process for making a high pulp content nonwoven composite fabric

Disclosed is a process of making an superabsorbent composite material which contains a hydraulically-needled fibrous web and superabsorbent materials. The method includes the steps of providing a nonwoven fibrous web; hydraulically needling the nonwoven web to enhance its liquid distribution properties; and introducing dry superabsorbent materials into intimate bonding contact with at least one surface of the hydraulically needled fibrous web. Also disclosed is the superabsorbent nonwoven composite material made by the described process. The hydraulically needled fibrous web component of the material may contain pulp fibers, synthetic fibers, natural fibers, bicomponent fibers, continuous filaments or mixtures thereof. The superabsorbent composite material has a saturation capacity greater than about 500 percent and a wicking rate greater than about 12 centimeters per 15 minutes. The superabsorbent composite material may be used as a liquid management material in an absorbent product or absorbent structure.

Process for making a hydraulically needled superabsorbent composite

A hydraulically needled nonwoven pulp fiber web is disclosed. This nonwoven pulp fiber web has a mean flow pore size ranging from about 18 to about 100 microns, and a Frazier porosity of at least about 100 cfm/ft.sup.2. The web may also be characterized by a specific volume ranging from about 8 to about 15 cm.sup.3 /g. The nonwoven pulp fiber web may contain a significant proportion of low-average fiber length pulp and still have a total absorptive capacity greater than about 500 percent and a wicking rate greater than about 2 centimeters per 15 seconds. The hydraulically needled nonwoven pulp fiber web may be used as a hand towel, wipe, or as a fluid distribution material in an absorbent personal care product. Also disclosed is a method of making the hydraulically needled nonwoven pulp fiber web.

Hydraulically needled nonwoven pulp fiber web

A composite nonwoven elastomeric web material, and method of forming such material, as well as a nonwoven elastomeric web material and method of forming such material, are disclosed. The composite web material is provided by hydraulically entangling a laminate of at least (1) a layer of meltblown fibers; and (2) at least one further layer, preferably of at least one of pulp fibers, staple fibers, meltblown fibers, and continuous filaments, with or without particulate material, with at least one of the layer of meltblown fibers and the further layer being elastic so as to form an elastic web material after hydraulic entanglement. The nonwoven elastomeric web material is provided by hydraulically entangling a layer of meltblown elastomeric fibers. The material formed can be cloth-like with smooth surfaces, and with isotropic elasticity and strength. Different texture properties, including a corrugated stretchable fabric, can be provided by pre-stretching and then hydraulically entangling while stretched.

Hydraulically entangled nonwoven elastomeric web and method of forming

An elastic pad which is elastic in at least one direction, includes an elastic sheet having at least one nonelastic nonwoven web joined thereto at least at two areas. The nonelastic web is gathered between the two areas. The sheet may be formed from a polyetherester and the nonelastic nonwoven web may be a web of spunlaced hydraulically entangled polyester fibers. The nonelastic nonwoven web may also include rayon or wood pulp fibers.

Elastic nonwoven pad

Growing community of inventors

Alpharetta, GA, United States of America

Cherie H Everhart