Jonathan Grady Owen

US Patent:

6368609, Apr 9, 2002

Filed:

Apr 12, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/290713

Inventors:

Monica C. Fontenot - Marietta GA
Terry Pearce Ford - Woodstock GA
James Jay Tanner - Winnenconne WI
Jonathan Robert Owen - Eagan MN
John Joseph Lassig - Lawrenceville GA
Barbara Jean Burns - Appleton WI
Alan Grady Shuman - Woodstock GA
Victor Michael Gentile - Appleton WI

Assignee:

Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. - Neenah WI

International Classification:

A01N 2534

US Classification:

424404, 424402, 424443, 428221, 4282974, 604373

Abstract:

The present invention pertains to an airlaid composite which is made of pulp fibers, at least about 2% by weight bicomponent fiber, and moisture. This airlaid composite is unique in that a uniformly even composite is made which upon calendering, becomes a thin structure which maintains significant absorbency when saturated. The bicomponent fibers of the present invention include a first polymer component and a second polymer component, and the first polymer component melts at a temperature lower than the melting temperature of the second polymer component. Mixing of the pulp fibers with the bicomponent fibers is done in such a way that the fibers are evenly dispersed in the airlaid composite. This airlaid composite is then heated such that at least a portion of the first polymer component of the bicomponent fiber is melted, which bond the bicomponent fibers to many of the pulp and bicomponent fibers when cooled. Moisture is added on to the composite to further facilitate bonding when the composite is subsequently subjected to calendering.

US Patent:

6479061, Nov 12, 2002

Filed:

Oct 26, 2001

Appl. No.:

10/008860

Inventors:

Monica C. Fontenot - Marietta GA
Terry Pearce Ford - Woodstock GA
James Jay Tanner - Winnenconne WI
Jonathan Robert Owen - Eagan MN
John Joseph Lassig - Lawrenceville GA
Barbara Jean Burns - Appleton WI
Alan Grady Shuman - Woodstock GA
Victor Michael Gentile - Appleton WI

Assignee:

Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. - Neenah WI

International Classification:

A01N 2534

US Classification:

424404, 424402, 424443, 428221, 4282974, 604373

Abstract:

The present invention pertains to an airlaid composite which is made of pulp fibers, at least about 2% by weight bicomponent fiber, and moisture. This airlaid composite is unique in that a uniformly even composite is made which upon calendering, becomes a thin structure which maintains significant absorbency when saturated. The bicomponent fibers of the present invention include a first polymer component and a second polymer component, and the first polymer component melts at a temperature lower than the melting temperature of the second polymer component. Mixing of the pulp fibers with the bicomponent fibers is done in such a way that the fibers are evenly dispersed in the airlaid composite. This airlaid composite is then heated such that at least a portion of the first polymer component of the bicomponent fiber is melted, which bond the bicomponent fibers to many of the pulp and bicomponent fibers when cooled. Moisture is added on to the composite to further facilitate bonding when the composite is subsequently subjected to calendering.