Polyethylene meltblown fabric with barrier properties
AssigneeKimberly-Clark Corporation
InventorsDebra J. McDowall, Lawrence H. Sawyer, David C. Strack, Terry K. Timmons
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A nonwoven fabric is provided which has good barrier properties, softness and breathability. A linear low density polyethylene is used in a meltblown layer in this invention to provide barrier properties comparable to polypropylene. The meltblown layer may be used in a multilayer laminate and the other layers may be comprised of bicomponent fibers. The fabric may be used in, for example, diapers, feminine hygiene products, adult incontinence products, wound dressings, bandages, sterilization wraps, surgical gowns and drapes and wipers.
Claims17
A process of producing a soft nonwoven barrier fabric comprising the steps of;
- melting at least one thermoplastic polyethylene polymer, said polymer having a density in the range of about 0.86 to about 0.97 grams/cc;
- extruding said polymer through fine openings;
- drawing said polymer to produce fibers, and;
- depositing said fiberized polymer on a collecting surface to form a layer of meltblown disbursed fibers as a web, wherein said web has a hydrohead of at least 40 centimeters, and a cup crush peak load value of less than 40 grams.
A process of producing a soft nonwoven barrier fabric comprising the steps of;
- providing a polyethylene/polypropylene bicomponent sheath/core spunbond fiber web with polyethylene as the sheath as a first layer;
- melting at least one thermoplastic polyethylene polymer, said polymer having a density in the range of about 0.86 to about 0.97 grams/cc;
- extruding said polymer through fine openings;
- drawing said polymer to produce fibers, and;
- depositing said fiberized polymer on said web to form a layer of meltblown disbursed fibers as a second layer.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.