Kimberly-clark Worldwide, Inc.

Kimberly-clark Corporation

Daniel Kenneth Schiffer

Ann Louise McCormack

Bryan David Haynes

Michael David Powers

Richard S Yeo

Michael P Mathis

Steven R Stopper

Hue Scott Snowden

Rob Lee Jacobs

Douglas Jay Hulslander

Billy Ray Jones, Jr

Robert James Baldy

Steven Edward Knothe

Clayton James Logan

Described herein are improvements to processes and equipment for the manufacture of nonwoven webs useful in numerous applications including personal care, protective apparel, and industrial products. The fiber and/or filaments used to form the nonwoven fabric are deposited on a forming surface in a controlled orientation using application of an electrostatic charge to the fibers and/or filaments in combination with directing them to an electrode deflector plate while under the influence of the charge. The plate may be made up of teeth with a separation and angle orientation that are selected in accordance with the desired arrangement of the fibers and/or filaments in the nonwoven web. As a result, properties of the web such as relative strengths in the machine direction and cross-machine direction can be controlled. The charging of the pins is controlled so that not all pins remain at maximum charge during a cycle with the result that extended run times may be obtained.

Use of a pulsating power supply for electrostatic charging of nonwovens

The present invention provides an efficient method for topically treating and drying fibrous web materials such as nonwoven web materials and nonwoven laminate materials without unduly damaging the materials due to excessive heating during drying.

Method for treating fibrous web materials

Process for die extrusion of melted polymers that reduces die lip buildup and its deleterious effects. Direct extrusion of mixed polymer pellets and filler concentrate pellets in one embodiment avoids a precompounding step and reduces the tendency of polymer and filler particles to adhere to the exit portion of the die. In other embodiments a reduced die lip radius and lower melt processing temperatures further enhance the benefits obtained. For co-extruded muitilayer film embodiments elimination of fillers and antiblock additives in skin layers add to the levels of die lip buildup reduction obtained. Hours of continuous operation without excessive die lip buildup in one arrangement have been increased from a level of 4 to 6 hours, for example, to in excess of 20 hours. Reduced product defect levels have also been attained.

Reduced die lip buildup extrusion of polymer compositions

The present invention is directed to cloth-like, liquid-impervious, breathable composite barrier fabrics. More particularly, the present invention is directed to cloth-like, liquid-impervious, breathable film-nonwoven composite fabrics having biological liquid barrier capabilities for use as, for example, sterilization wrap, surgical draping, surgical gowns, cover garments, such as over-suits, and the like.

Cloth-like, liquid-impervious, breathable composite barrier fabric

Breathable barrier

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Marietta, GA, United States of America

Daniel Kenneth Schiffer