System for producing a bleached cotton, nonwoven web

Abstract

A continuous textile processing system and method are disclosed for producing a nonwoven web containing bleached cotton fibers in a single line system which includes a supply of fibers such as a bale opening device, a plurality of fiber delivery lines transport the fibers through a fiber opening process where the fibers are individualized and opened. The opened fibers are collected and fed through a blending system. The blended fibers are passed to a continuous flow bleaching unit comprised of a forming station and a bleachery. The bleached web is passed through a drier unit. The dried web is subjected to further processing which includes carding machines forming a blended fiber web and a hydroentangling machine stabilizing the web. The web is then rolled and readied for other processing. The final nonwoven web consisting of bleached cotton fibers may be made into highly purified and absorbent wipes, pads, and other articles for medical, industrial, or domestic use.