EP0685579A2
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EP
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Highly crimpable conjugate fibers and nonwoven webs made therefrom
Assignee: Kimberly Clark Worldwide Inc
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Filing: 1995-05-16
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2015-05-16
Abstract
Abstract The present invention provides conjugate fibers having an ethylene polymer component and a propylene polymer component, which are highly crimpable even at fine deniers. Also provided are nonwoven fabrics made from the fibers. The propylene polymer component of the conjugate fiber contains a propylene polymer having a melt flow rate equal to or higher than about 45 g/ 10 min. at 230°C.
Inventors
- 👤 Ty Jackson Stokes
- 👤 Alan Edward Wright
- 👤 Simon Kwame Ofosu
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 16:31
CPC Classifications
D; D04; D04H; D04H1/00; D04H1/40; D04H1/54; D01; D01F; D01F6/00; D01F6/02; D01F6/04; D01F6/28; D01F6/30; D01F8/00; D01F8/04; D01F8/06; D04H3/00; D04H3/08; D04H3/16
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
57 words
A highly crimpable conjugate fiber comprising an ethylene polymer component and a propylene polymer component, said propylene polymer component comprising a propylene polymer having a melt flow rate equal to or higher than about 45 g/ 10 min. at 230°C, wherein each of said components occupies a distinct section for substantially the entire length of said fiber.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
14 words
The conjugate fiber of claim 1 wherein said conjugate fiber has a side-by-side configuration.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The conjugate fiber of claim 1 wherein said conjugate fiber has an eccentric sheath-core configuration.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The conjugate fiber of claim 1 wherein said propylene polymer is selected from the group consisting of homopolymers and copolymers of propylene and blends thereof.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The conjugate fiber of claim 1 wherein said propylene polymer is selected from the group consisting of isotactic polypropylene and propylene copolymers containing up to about 10 wt% of ethylene.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The conjugate fiber of claim 1 wherein said propylene polymer has a melt flow rate between about 50 and about 200 g/ 10 min at 230°C.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The conjugate fiber of claim 1 wherein said propylene polymer has a melt flow rate between about 55 and about 175 g/ 10 min at 230°C.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
The conjugate fiber of claim 1 wherein said ethylene polymer is selected from the group consisting of homopolymers and copolymers of ethylene and blends thereof.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
The conjugate fiber of claim 1 wherein said ethylene polymer is selected from the group consisting of high density polyethylene and linear low density polyethylene.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The conjugate fiber of claim 1 has a weight-per-unit length equal to or less than about 2.5 denier.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
The conjugate fiber of claim 1 is a thermally crimped fiber selected from the group consisting of spunbond filaments and staple fibers.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
62 words
A nonwoven web comprising highly crimpable conjugate fibers, said conjugate fibers comprising an ethylene polymer component and a propylene polymer component, said propylene polymer component comprising a propylene polymer having a melt flow rate equal to or higher than about 45 g/10 min. at 230°C, wherein each of said components occupies a distinct section for substantially the entire length of said fiber.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
13 words
The nonwoven web of claim 12 wherein said conjugate fibers are continuous fibers.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
13 words
The nonwoven web of claim 12 wherein said conjugate fibers are staple fibers.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
14 words
The nonwoven web of claim 12 wherein said conjugate fibers have a side-by-side configuration.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
15 words
The nonwoven web of claim 12 wherein said conjugate fibers have an eccentric sheath-core configuration.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
25 words
The nonwoven web of claim 12 wherein said propylene polymer is selected from the group consisting of homopolymers and copolymers of propylene and blends thereof.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
26 words
The nonwoven web of claim 12 wherein said propylene polymer has a melt flow rate between about 50 and about 200 g/ 10 min at 230°C.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
25 words
The nonwoven web of claim 12 wherein said ethylene polymer is selected from the group consisting of homopolymers and copolymers of ethylene and blends thereof.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
22 words
The nonwoven web of claim 12 wherein said conjugate fibers have a weight-per-unit length equal to or less than about 2.5 denier.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
25 words
The nonwoven web of claim 12 wherein said conjugate fibers are thermally crimped fibers selected from the group consisting of spunbond filaments and staple fibers.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
10 words
A disposable article comprising the nonwoven web of claim 12.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
11 words
A personal care article comprising the nonwoven web of claim 12.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
12 words
A disposable medical fabric article comprising the nonwoven web of claim 12.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
9 words
A filter comprising the nonwoven web of claim 12.
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