GB1380613A - Process and apparatus for producing nonwoven fabric and product produced thereby - Google Patents

Abstract

1380613 Non-woven fabric JOHNSON & JOHNSON 27 Jan 1972 [27 Jan 1971] 3867/72 Headings D1R and D2B A non-woven fabric having a uniform fibre density (number of fibres/unit volume) has areas of different opacity and fibre concentration (number of fibres/unit area). Areas 108 of low fibre concentration may be distributed irregularily but are preferably aligned in both the longitudinal and transverse directions of the fabric. Some or all of these areas may be perforations. The pattern is produced by supporting a fibrous web 31 upon an impermeable support roll 30 having for example a regular array of 100 round nubs (raised areas) per sq. in., 100 raised square areas per sq. in. or 25 round depressions per sq. in. and applying water or gas from jets 45 so as to move fibres from the areas of the nubs to adjacent areas. A random pattern is produced by means of a roll and having a polyurethane foam surface layer. The roll may be resilient or non resilient. Preferably web 31 is passed between roll 30 and a permeable woven nylon belt 32 tensioned by roll 38. The crossover points of the belt filaments protect the adjacent portions of the web from the displacing action of the fluid thereby adding a regular array of fibre clusters (102, Figs. 8, 9, not shown) to the pattern of less opaque areas. Water is removed by a suction box 47 situated outside the fibre displacing zone. The web may be an air-laid random web, an orientated carded web, wetlaid or a laminate. The “" to 2¢" length fibres may .be one or more of cotton, flax, glass, viscose rayon, cellulose acetate polyamide, polyester, acrylic or polyolefin. The web may be bonded after the fibre rearrangement by printing adhesive in an aqueous or non-aqueous medium by means of engraved roll 51, by impregnating or coating, or by incorporation of thermoplastic powder or fibres and heating to produce fusion. The fabric is dried by heated rolls 54.