Hydroengorged spunmelt nonwovens
View Patent ↗A hydroengorged spunmelt nonwoven formed of thermoplastic continuous fibers and a pattern of fusion bonds. The nonwoven has either a percentage bond area of less than 10 percent, or a percentage bond area of at least 10% wherein the pattern of fusion bonds is anisotropic.
1. A hydroengorged spunmelt nonwoven comprising:
a web comprising thermoplastic continuous fibers; and
a pattern of fusion bonds on said web,
said nonwoven after hydroengorgement having a density less than about 0.081 g/cm 3 and a softness of less than about 5 g.
2. The nonwoven of claim 1 , wherein said nonwoven after hydroengorgement exhibits both an increased caliper and an increased softness relative to said nonwoven prior to hydroengorgement.
3. The nonwoven of claim 1 , wherein said nonwoven after hydroengorgement exhibits an increase of at least 50% in caliper relative to said nonwoven prior to hydroengorgement.
4. The nonwoven of claim 1 , wherein said nonwoven after hydroengorgement exhibits an increase of at least 10% in softness relative to said nonwoven prior to hydroengorgement.
5. The nonwoven of claim 1 , wherein said nonwoven exhibits a tensile strength after hydroengorgement of at least 75% of the tensile strength prior to hydroengorgement.
6. The nonwoven of claim 1 , wherein said nonwoven exhibits an increase of at least 10% in density after hydroengorgement relative to said nonwoven prior to hydroengorgement.
7. The nonwoven of claim 1 , wherein said nonwoven has one of
a positive percentage fusion bond area of less than 10%, and
a percentage fusion bond area of at least 10% wherein said bonding pattern of fusion bonds is anisotropic.
8. The nonwoven of claim 1 , wherein said nonwoven has a percentage fusion bond area of at least 10% wherein said bonding pattern of fusion bonds is anisotropic.
9. The nonwoven of claim 1 which is orthogonally differentially bonded with fusion bonds.
10. The nonwoven of claim 1 , wherein said bonds have a maximum dimension d, and a maximum bond separation of at least 4d.
11. The nonwoven of claim 1 including a finish modifying the surface energy thereof.
12. The nonwoven of claim 1 including a finish increasing the condrapable nature thereof.
13. The nonwoven of claim 1 having a basis weight of about 5-50 gsm.
14. An absorbent article including the nonwoven of claim 1 .
15. A non-absorbent article including the nonwoven of claim 1 .
16. A laminate or blend including the nonwoven of claim 1 .
17. A hydroengorged synthetic fiber structure comprising:
a web formed of thermoplastic continuous fibers; and
a pattern of fusion bonds on said web,
said structure after hydroengorgement having a density less than about 0.081 g/cm 3 and a softness of less than about 5 g.