Scot Patrick Honer

US Patent:

58585150, Jan 12, 1999

Filed:

Dec 17, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/754419

Inventors:

Ty Jackson Stokes - Suwanee GA
Cedric Arnett Dunkerly - Alpharetta GA
Darryl Franklin Clark - Alpharetta GA
Scot Patrick Honer - Corinth MS

Assignee:

Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. - Neenah WI

International Classification:

B32B 2714
D04H 308
A61F 1315

US Classification:

428195

Abstract:

The present invention is directed to a pattern-unbonded nonwoven fabric having continuous bonded areas defining a plurality of discrete unbonded areas, which is suitable for use as an improved loop fastening material for hook and loop fastening systems. The fibers or filaments within the discrete unbonded areas of the present invention are dimensionally stabilized by the continuous bonded areas that encircle or surround each unbonded area. The spaces between fibers or filaments within the unbonded areas remain sufficiently open or large to receive and engage hook elements of a complementary hook material. The hook material can be any of a wide variety of commercially available hook components which, as is known in the art, typically include a base material from which a plurality of hook elements project. The present invention further is directed to a process for making such a pattern-unbonded nonwoven fabric including the steps of providing a nonwoven fabric or web, providing opposedly positioned first and second calender rolls and defining a nip therebetween, with at least one of said rolls being heated and having a bonding pattern on its outermost surface comprising a continuous pattern of land areas defining a plurality of discrete openings, apertures or holes, and passing the nonwoven fabric or web within the nip formed by said rolls.