EP0340982A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Melt-bondable fibers for use in nonwoven web
Assignee: 3M Co
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Filing: 1989-04-28
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2009-04-28
Abstract
Abstract The present invention provides melt-bondable, bicomponent fibers suitable for use in nonwoven articles, said fibers having as a first component a polymer capable of forming fibers and as a second component a compatible blend of polymers capable of adhering to the surface of the first component. The second component has a melting temperature at least 30°C below the melting temperature of the first component, but at least about 130°C. The blend of polymers of the second component comprises a compatible mixture of at least a partially crystalline polymer and an amorphous polymer. The fibers made according to this invention allow nonwoven webs prepared from these fibers to have a reduced level of shrinkage under conventional processing conditions. Accompanying this reduction in shrinkage is a reduction in curling or agglomerating of the individual bicomponent fibers, thereby providing a nonwoven web that will not mar smooth surfaces.
Inventors
- 👤 Duane J. C/O Minnesota Mining And Hayes
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 00:45
CPC Classifications
D; D04; D04H; D04H1/00; D04H1/40; D04H1/54; D01; D01F; D01F8/00; D01F8/04; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/29; Y10T428/2913; Y10T428/2922; Y10T428/2924; Y10T428/2929; Y10T428/2931; Y10T442/00; Y10T442/60; Y10T442/608; Y10T442/627; Y10T442/629; Y10T442/637; Y10T442/638; Y10T442/641; Y10T442/642; Y10T442/699
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
132 words
A bicomponent fiber comprising: (a) a first component comprising an oriented, crimpable, at least partially crystalline polymer, and adhering to the surface of said first component, (b) a second component, which comprises a compatible blend of polymers, comprising: (1) at least one amorphous polymer, and (2) at least one at least partially crystalline polymer, the melting temperature of said second component being at least 30°C lower than the melting temperature of said first component, but at least equal to or in excess of about 130°C, the concentration of said amorphous polymer of said second component being sufficiently high to reduce the melt flow rate of said at least partially crystalline polymer of said second component, but not so high as to prevent said bicomponent fiber from bonding to a like bicomponent fiber.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
132 words
A bicomponent fiber comprising: (a) a first component comprising an oriented, crimpable, at least partially crystalline polymer, and adhering to the surface of said first component, (b) a second component, which comprises a compatible blend of polymers, comprising: (1) at least one amorphous polymer, and (2) at least one at least partially crystalline polymer, the melting temperature of said second component being at least 30°C lower than the melting temperature of said first component, but at least equal to or in excess of about 130°C, the concentration of said amorphous polymer of said second component being sufficiently high to reduce the melt flow rate of said at least partially crystalline polymer of said second component, but not so high as to prevent said bicomponent fiber from bonding to a like bicomponent fiber.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The fiber of claim 1 wherein said first component is a polymer selected from the group consisting of polyesters, polyphenyl sulfides, polyamides, and polyolefins.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The fiber of claim 1 wherein said component, if used alone, would have a tenacity of at least 1 g/denier.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The fiber of claim 1 wherein the orientation ratio of said first component ranges from about 2.0 to about 6.0.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
The fiber of claim 1 wherein the weight ratio of said amorphous polymer of said second component to said at least partially crystalline polymer of said second component ranges from about 15:85 to about 90:10.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The fiber of claim 1 wherein said amorphous polymer of said second component is selected from the group consisting of polyesters, polyolefins, and polyamides.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
The fiber of claim 1 wherein said at least partially crystalline polymer of said second component is selected from the group consisting of polyesters, polyolefins, and polyamides.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
The fiber of claim 1 wherein said amorphous polymer of said second component and said at least partially crystalline polymer of said second component are of the same polymeric class.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
The fiber of claim 1 wherein said amorphous polymer of said second component and said at least partially crystalline polymer of said second component are polyesters.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The fiber of claim 1 wherein the weight ratio of said first component to said second component ranges from about 75:25 to about 25:75.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
The fiber of claim 1 wherein the weight ratio of said first component to said second component ranges from about 60:40 to about 40:60.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
11 words
A nonwoven web comprising a multiplicity of fibers of claim 1.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
13 words
The nonwoven web of claim 12 further including a multiplicity of abrasive particles.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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