Composite nonwoven fabric

Abstract

A composite nonwoven fabric is formed by providing a synthetic fiber web comprising staple length polymeric fibers, and a cellulosic fiber web, preferably comprising wood pulp fibers. Prior to integration of the webs, the synthetic fiber web is subjected to hydroentangling to form a partially entangled web, with the cellulosic fiber web thereafter juxtaposed with the partially entangled web for hydroentanglement and integration of the webs. Pre-entanglement of the synthetic fiber web desirably acts to minimize the energy input required for integration of the cellulosic fiber and synthetic fiber webs, and also desirably acts to abate loss of the cellulosic fibers during hydroentanglement and integration of the webs.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.