Nonwoven fabric laminate with enhanced barrier properties
AssigneeKimberly-Clark Corporation
InventorsStephen S. Bradley, David C. Strack, Randall D. Lowery, Deborah J. Zemlock, Mary K. Lawson
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Abstract
There is provided a laminate of nonwoven fabrics for barrier applications which has improved ratios of barrier and strength to weight, of softness to strength and of vapor transmission to barrier. The laminate has a meltblown layer sandwiched between spunbond layers to produce an SMS laminate. The meltblown and spunbond layers may have between 0.1 to 2.0 weight percent of a fluorocarbon and the meltblown layer preferably between 5 and 20 weight percent polybutylene. The laminate also may have pigments if desired. Such laminates are useful for garments.
Claims14
A nonwoven laminate comprising:
- a first layer of a nonwoven web having a basis weight between 5 and 70 gsm and comprising continuous filaments having an average diameter of greater than 10 microns and being prepared from a thermoplastic polymer;
- a second layer of a nonwoven web having a basis weight between 5 and 70 gsm and comprising filaments having an average diameter of less than 10 microns and being prepared from a mixture of a thermoplastic polyolefin, from about 5 to about 15 weight percent polybutylene, and a fluorocarbon compound in an amount from about 0.1 to 2.0 weight percent to impart low surface tension liquid repellency;
- a third layer of a nonwoven web having a basis weight between 5 and 70 gsm and comprising continuous filaments having an average diameter of greater than 10 microns and being prepared from a thermoplastic polymer;
- wherein said layers are thermally bonded to form a laminate having a ratio of hydrohead to said second layer basis weight of greater than 115 cm/osy, a ratio of resistance to blood penetration to said second layer basis weight of greater than 1 psi/osy, and a ratio of WVTR to hydrohead of less than 75 g/m.sup.2 /day per cm.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.