Method of softening nonwoven fabrics
AssigneeClupak, Inc.
InventorErnest J. Groome
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A bonded web of nonwoven fibers is stretched beyond its elastic limit in one direction sufficiently to permanently elongate those filaments or filament portions of the web extending generally in the direction of the applied tension. This results in a narrowing or necking down of the web in the cross direction and consequent shortening or lateral buckling of those filaments or filament portions extending generally transverse to the direction of applied tension. This imparts increased softness, flexibility and resilient stretchability to the fabric, in that transverse direction. The elongated filaments are then compacted longitudinally while the web is retained in its narrowed condition to impart increased softness, flexibility and resilient stretchability in the longitudinal direction.
Claims5
The method of treating nonwoven fabrics to increase the softness and flexibility thereof in transverse directions, comprising the steps of:
- feeding a web of said fabric through a stretching zone and applying longitudinal tension to said web, in the feed direction, sufficient to elongate the generally longitudinally extending filaments thereof and thereby reduce the transverse dimensions of said web and buckle the generally transversely extending filaments thereof;
- and
- thereafter compacting a substantial proportion of said longitudinally elongated filaments of said web in the longitudinal direction by shortening them in their longitudinal direction while maintaining said web against increase in thickness or creping.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.