Claims
- 1. A process of forming a nonwoven fabric, comprising:(a) forming a lofty precursor web of substantially continuous multicomponent filaments, wherein the web has a density of about 0.09 grams per cubic centimeter or less; (b) exposing the precursor web to a hydraulic arrangement treatment to form apertures, wherein said hydraulic arrangement treatment is performed without imparting substantial filament entanglement; and thereafter (c) autogenously bonding the web, wherein the bonded web has a density of about 0.09 grams per cubic centimeter or less.
- 2. The process according to claim 1 wherein the lofty precursor web comprises a web of substantially loose multicomponent filaments.
- 3. The process according to claim 2 wherein the lofty precursor web comprises crimped multicomponent filaments.
- 4. The process according to claim 1 wherein said hydraulic arrangement treatment comprises application of liquid streams at about 100 pounds per square inch or less.
- 5. The process according to claim 4 wherein said hydraulic arrangement treatment comprises application of liquid streams at about 70 pounds per square inch or less.
- 6. The process according to claim 1 wherein the step of autogenously bonding the web comprises forming inter-filament bonds using heated air.
- 7. The process according to claim 1 wherein the components of said multicomponent filaments are selected from the group consisting of polyolefins, polyesters, polyamides, and polyurethanes.
- 8. The process according to claim 1 wherein the components of said multicomponent filaments comprise polypropylene and polyethylene.
- 9. The process according to claim 1 wherein said continuous multicomponent filaments are formed by a spunbonding process.
- 10. The process according to claim 9 wherein said continuous multicomponent filaments have an average filament diameter greater than about 10 micrometers.
- 11. A process of forming a nonwoven fabric, comprising:(a) forming a precursor web of substantially continuous multicomponent filaments; (b) exposing the precursor web to a hydraulic arrangement treatment to form apertures, wherein said hydraulic arrangement treatment is performed without imparting substantial filament entanglement: and thereafter (c) autogenously bonding the web.
- 12. The process according to claim 11 wherein the precursor web comprises a web of substantially loose multicomponent filaments.
- 13. The process according to claim 11 wherein the precursor web comprises multicomponent filaments having latent crimp.
- 14. The process according to claim 13 wherein said latent crimp is activated during the step of autogenously bonding the web.
- 15. The process according to claim 11 wherein said hydraulic arrangement treatment comprises application of liquid streams at about 100 pounds per square inch or less.
- 16. The process according to claim 15 wherein said hydraulic arrangement treatment comprises application of liquid streams at about 70 pounds per square inch or less.
- 17. The process according to claim 11 wherein the step of autogenously bonding the web comprises forming inter-filament bonds using heated air.
- 18. The process according to claim 11 wherein the components of said multicomponent filaments are selected from the group consisting of polyolefins, polyesters, polyamides, and polyurethanes.
- 19. The process according to claim 18 wherein the components of said multicomponent filaments comprise polypropylene and polyethylene.
- 20. The process according to claim 11 wherein said continuous multicomponent filaments are formed by a spunbonding process.
Parent Case Info
This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/257,246 filed on Dec. 20, 2000, the entire contents of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference.
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Provisional Applications (1)
|
Number |
Date |
Country |
|
60/257246 |
Dec 2000 |
US |