Eastman Chemical Company

C. I. Agent Solutions

Rakesh Kumar Gupta

Daniel William Klosiewicz

Scott Ellery George

Allen Lynn Crain

Kab Sik Seo

Coralie McKenna Fleenor

Melvin Glenn Mitchell

Marvin Lynn Mitchell

Mark Dwight Clark

Chris Delbert Anderson

Paula Hines Mitchell

Amber Layne Wolfe

Daniel Parker

Branden Michael Baer

Thomas Russell Downs

A versatile binder comprising at least one or more sulfopolyesters is provided. These sulfopolyester binders can enhance the dry tensile strength, wet tensile strength, tear force, and burst strength of the nonwoven articles in which they are incorporated. Additionally, the water permeability of these binders can be modified as desired by blending different types of sulfopolyesters to produce the binder. Therefore, the binder can be used in a wide array of nonwoven end products and can be modified accordingly based on the desired properties sought in the nonwoven products.

Wet-Laid process to produce a bound nonwoven article

A device or method to prevent penetration of oil and petroleum products while allowing high water flow rate is provided. Such device or method is beneficial in controlling the contamination of surrounding soil from accidental leak of hydrocarbons such as oil and other petroleum products from equipment or storage vessels containing such materials. The containment systems equipped with these devices will allow the rain water to flow through while providing barrier to oil and petroleum products.

Oil impervious device with high water flow rate

Disclosed are multicomponent fibers derived from a blend of a sulfopolyester with a water non-dispersible polymer wherein the as-spun denier is less than about 6 and wherein the water dispersible sulfopolyester exhibits a melt viscosity of less than 12,000 poise measured at 240&#xb0; C. at a strain rate of 1 rad/sec, and wherein the sulfopolyester comprising less than about 25 mole % of residues of at least one sulfomonomer, based on the total moles of diacid or diol residues. The multicomponent fiber is capable of being drawn at a relatively high fiber speed, particularly at least about 2000 m/min, and may be used to produce microdenier fibers. Fibrous articles may be produced from the multicomponent fibers and microdenier fibers. Also disclosed is a process for multicomponent fibers, nonwoven fabrics, and microdenier webs.

Process of making water-dispersible multicomponent fibers from sulfopolyesters

Water-dispersible and multicomponent fibers from sulfopolyesters

A water non-dispersible polymer microfiber is provided comprising at least one water non-dispersible polymer wherein the water non-dispersible polymer microfiber has an equivalent diameter of less than 5 microns and length of less than 25 millimeters. A process for producing water non-dispersible polymer microfibers is also provided, the process comprising: a) cutting a multicomponent fiber into cut multicomponent fibers; b) contacting a fiber-containing feedstock with water to produce a fiber mix slurry; wherein the fiber-containing feedstock comprises cut multicomponent fibers; c) heating the fiber mix slurry to produce a heated fiber mix slurry; d) optionally, mixing the fiber mix slurry in a shearing zone; e) removing at least a portion of the sulfopolyester from the multicomponent fiber to produce a slurry mixture comprising a sulfopolyester dispersion and water non-dispersible polymer microfibers; and f) separating the water non-dispersible polymer microfibers from the slurry mixture. A process for producing a nonwoven article is also provided.

Nonwovens produced from multicomponent fibers

Sulfopolyester thermoplastic resins provide advantages in papermaking processes and in paper products including paperboard. Improvements in wet strength and dry strength of paper products are achieved by addition of sulfopolyester thermoplastic resins and cationic strength additives during the paper making process. The use of sulfopolyester thermoplastic resins in paper products also significantly enhances the repulpability of the paper.

Sulfopolyesters for paper strength and process

Growing community of inventors

Kingsport, TN, United States of America

Rakesh Kumar Gupta