Resilient, Multi-Layered Wiping Product
AssigneeKimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
InventorsDavid A. Lilley, Donald E. Waldroup, Charles W. Colman, Joseph K. Baker, Marvin E. Swails, Michael Payne, Vicky S. Polashock
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Abstract
A multi-layered web is disclosed that is resilient and/or elastic in the Z-direction. Thus, when the web is compressed, the web assumes a compacted state and then expands to an expanded state when the compressive forces are removed. In one embodiment, the multi-layered web includes a middle layer made from a resilient blend of fibers positioned inbetween two outer layers. The middle layer, for instance, can contain elastomeric fibers, three-dimensional fibers, and/or debonded fibers.
Claims24
An absorbent, multi-layered web comprising:
- a first layer comprising pulp fibers;
- a second layer comprising pulp fibers;
- and
- a middle layer positioned in between the first layer and the second layer, the middle layer comprising a resilient fibrous layer, the resilient fibrous layer comprising elastomeric fibers, three-dimensional fibers, debonded cellulosic fibers, or mixtures thereof.
An absorbent, multi-layered web as defined in any of the preceding claims, wherein the middle layer contains the elastomeric fibers, the elastomeric fibers being formed from an elastomeric polymer, the elastomeric polymer comprising a styrenic block copolymer, a thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer, a polyamide elastomer, a copolyester elastomer, a metallocene catalyzed polyolefin elastomer, or a silicone elastomer.
An absorbent, multi-layered web as defined in any of the preceding claims, wherein greater than about 50% of the fibers in the middle layer are oriented in a first direction and wherein greater than about 50% of the fibers in the first layer and greater than about 50% of the fibers in the second layer are oriented in a second direction.
An absorbent, multi-layered web as defined in any of the preceding claims, wherein the web has been creped on at least one side.
An absorbent, multi-layered web as defined in any of the preceding claims, wherein the web comprises a multi-phase formed web.
An absorbent, multi-layered web as defined in any of the preceding claims, wherein the middle layer comprises from about 10% by weight to about 60% by weight of the web, such as from about 10% by weight to about 35% by weight of the web.
An absorbent, multi-layered web as defined in any of the preceding claims, wherein the web has a basis weight of from about 10 gsm to about 150 gsm, such as from about 15 gsm to about 45 gsm.
An absorbent, multi-layered web as defined in any of the preceding claims, wherein the first layer and the second layer both further contain synthetic fibers.
An absorbent, multi-layered web as defined in any of the preceding claims, wherein the first layer comprises a top surface layer and the second layer comprises a bottom surface layer.
An absorbent, multi-layered web as defined in any of the preceding claims, wherein the web contains a foam-forming surfactant.
An absorbent, multi-layered web as defined in any of the preceding claims, wherein the web is a single ply article.
A spirally wound product comprising the absorbent, multi-layered web as defined in any of the preceding claims.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.