International Paper Company

Joseph N Kent

Michael E Ring

Roy S Swenson

Madhu P Godsay

A method of producing textile-like non-woven essentially binderless webs from fiber furnishes at least about 70% of which comprise man made non-fibrillatable low denier fibers having no large area flat surfaces and which are at least about 1/4 inch in length with a length to diameter ratio of between about 400:1 and 700:1. The method includes a wet laying system in which sufficient wetting agent is added to the water used in dispersing the fibers to wet the fibers completely and reduce the surface tension of the water to between about 30-35 dynes. It also includes agitating the dispersion vigorously to create tumbling water surface conditions in which up to, but less than about 4% by volumeof air is entrained in the water in the form of tiny air bubbles to create a water/air emulsion in which the fibers are dispersed without generating any substantial amount of surface foam. A viscosity modifier in the form of a natural or synthetic gum is also added to stabilize the emulsion and help prevent the dispersed fibers from reflocculating.

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Lewisburg, PA, United States of America

Joseph N Kent