US 6,281,289 B1 · Polypropylene/ethylene polymer fiber having improved bond performance and composition for making the same

Abstract

The subject invention is directed to fibers and polymer blend compositions having improved bonding performance. In particular, the subject invention pertains to a multiconstituent fiber comprising a blend of a polypropylene polymer and a high molecular weight (i.e. low melt index or melt flow) ethylene polymer. The subject invention further pertains to the use of the fiber and polymer blend composition which has improved bonding performance in various end-use applications, especially woven and nonwoven fabrics such as, for example, disposable incontinence garments and diapers. The fibers have good spinnability and provide fabrics having improved bond strength and elongation.

Claims10

Dependent claims

A fiber having a diameter in a range of from 0.1 to 50 denier and comprising:

(A) from about 0.1 percent to about 30 weight percent (by weight of the fiber) of at least one ethylene polymer having:
i. an I2 melt index less than or equal to 10 grams/10 minutes, and
ii. a density of from about 0.85 to about 0.97 grams/centimeters3, and
(B) a polypropylene polymer,
wherein the ethylene polymer is an ethylene homopolymer or ethylene/α-olefin interpolymer having a density greater than or equal to 0.94 g/cm3, the I2 melt index of the ethylene polymer is less than 5 g/10 minutes, and wherein the fiber is characterized as being thermal bondable at 340 pounds/linear inch (pli) and a bond roll surface temperature in the range of 127 to 137° C.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application

09/456,595Filed 8 Dec 1999 · us provisional application

Priority

8 Dec 1998

Granted

28 Aug 2001

Term ends

Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification10 codes

D01F 6/46
From mixtures of polymers obtained by reactions only involving carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds as major constituent with other polymers or…: of…
C08L 23/10
Not modified by chemical after-treatment: homopolymers or copolymers of propene
C08L 23/0815
With unsaturated hydrocarbons only containing four or more carbon atoms: with aliphatic 1-olefins containing one carbon-to-carbon double bond
C08L 2314/06
Polymer mixtures characterised by way of preparation: metallocene or single site catalysts

Polypropylene/ethylene polymer fiber having improved bond performance and composition for making the same

Life of this patent

Polypropylene/ethylene polymer fiber having improved bond performance and composition for making the same

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims10