Multicomponent fiber
AssigneeKimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
InventorsFu-Jya Tsai, Brian Thomas Etzel
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Disclosed are multicomponent fibers wherein at least one component forms an exposed surface on at least a portion of the multicomponent fiber which will permit thermal bonding of the multicomponent fiber to other fibers. The multicomponent fibers comprise two poly(lactic acid) polymers with different L:D ratios which provide biodegradable properties to the multicomponent fiber yet which allow the multicomponent fiber to be easily processed. The multicomponent fiber is useful in making nonwoven structures that may be used in a disposable absorbent product intended for the absorption of fluids such as body fluids.
Claims29
A multicomponent fiber comprising:
- a. a first component having a melting temperature and comprising a first poly(lactic acid) polymer with a L:D ratio, wherein the first component forms an exposed surface on at least a portion of the multicomponent fiber;
- and
- b. a second component having a melting temperature that is at least about 10.degree. C. greater than the melting temperature exhibited by the first component and comprising a second poly(lactic acid) polymer with a L:D ratio that is greater than the L:D ratio exhibited by the first poly(lactic acid) polymer.
A process for preparing a multicomponent fiber, the process comprising:
- a. subjecting a first component to a first temperature and a first shear rate, wherein the first component has a melting temperature, exhibits an apparent viscosity value at the first temperature and the first shear rate, and comprises a first poly(lactic acid) polymer with a L:D ratio;
- b. subjecting a second component to a second temperature and a second shear rate, wherein the second component has a melting temperature that is at least about 10.degree. C. greater than the melting temperature exhibited by the first component, the second component exhibits an apparent viscosity value at the second temperature and the second shear rate and the difference between the apparent viscosity value of the first component and the apparent viscosity value of the second component is less than about 150 Pascal.multidot.seconds, and the second component comprises a second poly(lactic acid) polymer with a L:D ratio that is greater than the L:D ratio exhibited by the first poly(lactic acid) polymer;
- and
- c. adhering the first component to the second component to form a multicomponent fiber.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.