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US 2014/0242309 A1Published application
Teabags and Coffee/Beverage Pouches Made From Mono-component, Mono-constituent Polylactic Acid (PLA) Fibers
AssigneeNonwoven Network LLC
InventorsStephen W. Foss, Jean-Marie Turra
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Abstract
A non-woven mono-component, mono-constituent poly lactic acid (PLA) web is disclosed. The web material is useful for production of tea bags and other infusion beverages. The nonwoven network of PLA fibers in mono-component, mono-constituent configuration provides infusion properties, strength and weight properties that surpass current beverage bags and pouches because of its unique composition and structure.
Claims41
A non-woven fabric composition web of mono-component, mono-constituent PLA fiber composition consisting of:
- a plurality of fiber layers made from a plurality of individual fibers that are blends of a mono-component, mono-constituent polylactic acid (PLA) fiber;
- said polylactic acid (PLA) fiber having different deniers and blend percentages of high and low fibers having a melt flow temperature in a range of 145-175° C. and 105-165° C., respectively.
A nonwoven web for use in producing beverage infusion pouches and bags, said web consisting of:
- a plurality of mono-component mono-constituent Polylactic Acid (PLA) fibers forming said web by dry thermo-bonding without the use of plasticizers and other surface treatments, wherein said web provides for biodegradability after usage and recyclability of waste materials during each step of a manufacturing process of said web;
- the mono-component mono-constituent Polylactic Acid (PLA) fibers having an amorphous portion and a crystalline portion;
- said mono-component mono-constituent Polylactic Acid (PLA) fibers form pore sizes of the web that are maintained if infused with hot liquids to enhance flow;
- and.
- the PLA fibers are blended with synthetic cellulose fibers selected from a group consisting of Rayon, Lyocell (Tencel®), regenerated cellulose, acetate or any combination thereof to make a blend.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.