James A Bottomley

US Patent:

55002811, Mar 19, 1996

Filed:

Feb 23, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/200597

Inventors:

Ramesh Srinivasan - Billerica MA
James Bottomley - Andover MA
W. Andrew Coslett - Medfield MA

Assignee:

International Paper Company - Purchase NY

International Classification:

D04H 158

US Classification:

428288

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.

US Patent:

55000681, Mar 19, 1996

Filed:

Jun 5, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/463650

Inventors:

Ramesh Srinivasan - Billerica MA
James Bottomley - Andover MA
W. Andrew Coslett - Medfield MA

Assignee:

International Paper Company - Purchase NY

International Classification:

C09J 502

US Classification:

156148

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.