Heat bondable biodegradable fiber
AssigneeFiber Innovation Technology, Inc.
InventorJeffrey S. Dugan
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Disclosed are multicomponent fibers wherein at least one component comprises a conventional, non-biodegradable synthetic polymer forming the exposed surface of the multicomponent fiber, thereby permitting thermal bonding of the multicomponent fiber to other fibers. The fibers also include at least one biodegradable component. The multicomponent fibers are useful in the manufacture of nonwoven structures, and in particular nonwoven structures used as a component in disposable absorbent products.
Claims44
A multicomponent fiber having an exposed surface and capable of controlled biodegradation comprising:
- a first component comprising a thermobondable non-biodegradable synthetic polymer forming the entire exposed surface of the multicomponent fiber;
- and
- a second component comprising a biodegradable polymer.
A sheath/core bicomponent fiber, comprising:
- a sheath component comprising a non-biodegradable polymer having a melting temperature;
- and
- a core component having a melting temperature that is at least about 10° C. greater than the melting temperature of said first component, said second component comprising poly(lactic acid).
A process for making a multicomponent fiber capable of controlled biodegradation, comprising extruding a first polymeric component comprising a non-biodegradable synthetic polymer and a second polymeric component comprising a biodegradable polymer to produce a plurality of multicomponent fibers, each having an exposed surface, in which said non-biodegradable polymer forms the entire exposed surface thereof.
A fabric comprising a plurality of multicomponent fibers capable of controlled biodegradation, said multicomponent fibers having an exposed surface and comprising:
- a first component comprising a non-biodegradable synthetic polymer, wherein said first component forms the entire exposed surface of the multicomponent fiber;
- and
- a second component comprising a biodegradable polymer.
An absorbent disposable article comprising at least one layer formed of a plurality of multicomponent fibers capable of controlled biodegradation, said multicomponent fibers having an exposed surface and comprising
- a first component comprising a non-biodegradable polymer forming the entire exposed surface of the multicomponent fiber;
- and
- a second component comprising a biodegradable polymer.
A process for controlling the biodegradation of fabrics having a biodegradable component, said process comprising heat treating a fabric comprising a plurality of multicomponent fibers having an exposed surface, said multicomponent fibers comprising a first component comprising a non-biodegradable polymer forming the entire exposed surface of the multicomponent fiber;
- and a second compartment comprising a biodegradable polymer at a temperature sufficient to melt at least a portion of said first component to expose said second biodegradable component to conditions sufficient to initiate the subsequent degradation of said biodegradable component.
A multicomponent fiber having an exposed surface comprising:
- a first component comprising a thermobondable non-biodegradable synthetic polymer forming at least a portion of the exposed surface of the multicomponent fiber;
- and
- a second component comprising a biodegradable polymer, said fiber having been heat treated at a temperature sufficient to melt at least a portion of said first component to expose said second biodegradable component to conditions sufficient to initiate the subsequent degradation of said biodegradable component.
A fabric comprising a plurality of multicomponent fibers, the multicomponent fibers having an exposed surface and comprising:
- a first component comprising a non-biodegradable synthetic polymer, wherein said first component forms at least a portion of the exposed surface of a multicomponent fiber;
- and
- a second component comprising a biodegradable polymer, said fabric having been heat-treated at a temperature sufficient to melt at least a portion of said first component to expose said second biodegradable component to conditions sufficient to initiate the subsequent degradation of said biodegradable component.
A sheath/core fiber having an exposed surface and capable of controlled biodegradation comprising:
- a sheath component comprising a thermobondable non-biodegradable synthetic polymer forming the entire exposed surface of the sheath/core fiber;
- and
- a core component comprising a biodegradable polymer.
An islands in the sea fiber having an exposed surface and capable of controlled biodegradation comprising:
- a sea component comprising a thermobondable non-biodegradable synthetic polymer forming the entire exposed surface of the islands in the sea fiber;
- and
- a plurality of island components located within said sea component and comprising a biodegradable polymer.
A fabric comprising a plurality of sheath/core fibers having an exposed surface and capable of controlled biodegradation, said sheath/core fibers comprising:
- a sheath component comprising a non-biodegradable synthetic polymer, wherein said sheath component forms the entire exposed surface of the sheath/core fiber;
- and
- a core component comprising a biodegradable polymer.
A fabric comprising a plurality of islands in the sea fibers having an exposed surface and capable of controlled biodegradation, said islands in the sea fibers comprising:
- a sea component comprising a non-biodegradable synthetic polymer, wherein said sea component forms the entire exposed surface of the multicomponent fiber;
- and
- a plurality of island components located within said sea component and comprising a biodegradable polymer.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.