The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 19, 1996
Filed:
Feb. 23, 1994
Ramesh Srinivasan, Billerica, MA (US);
James Bottomley, Andover, MA (US);
W Andrew Coslett, Medfield, MA (US);
International Paper Company, Purchase, NY (US);
Abstract
An absorbent, flushable, bio-degradable, and medically-safe nonwoven fabric suitable for use as wraps, wipes, absorbent pads, etc., is composed of from 2% to 10% by weight of untreated, water-soluble polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) fibers that are heat-bonded to a matrix of absorbent fibers. The use of PVA fibers in low amounts provides softness, while sufficient wet strength is provided by heat bonding the PVA fibers completely to the other fibers in a two-stage heating process. The resulting nonwoven fabric has a high wet-to-dry tensile strength ratio, good drape softness, and high fluid absorptive capacity. In a method for producing the nonwoven fabric, the PVA fibers are blended with the absorbent fibers, the blended fibers are carded onto a moving web, sufficient water is added to wet the PVA fibers while maintaining web integrity, then the web is heated in two stages, the first with heating cylinders at 40.degree. C. to 80.degree. C., then the second with heating cylinders of 60.degree. C. to 100.degree. C. The fiber web may also be hydroentangled and patterned for enhanced strength and textural properties.