Multi-layered fabric
The invention relates to a multi-layered fabric comprising an absorption layer between two liquid-permeable layers, which multi-layered fabric has a surface with: 1) one or more connection areas wherein a connection is present between both layers; and 2) one or more absorption areas wherein both layers are not connected to each other. The absorption areas are capable of absorbing a liquid whereby the liquid is absorbed by the absorption layer. The connection between the layer L 1 and the layer L 2 comprises a fusion of the layer L 1 and the layer L 2 , which fusion optionally also includes the absorption layer.
1. A multi-layered fabric comprising:
a layer L 1 that is liquid permeable;
a layer L 2 that is vapor-permeable and/or liquid permeable; and
an absorption layer between the layer L 1 and the layer L 2 , wherein
the fabric includes a surface comprising:
(i) one or more connection areas wherein a connection is present between the layer L 1 and the layer L 2 ; and
(ii) one or more absorption areas wherein no connection is present between the layer L 1 and the layer L 2 , wherein
the absorption areas are capable of absorbing a liquid such that the liquid is absorbed by the absorption layer and contained between the layer L 1 and the layer L 2 in the one or more absorption areas; and wherein
the connection between the layer L 1 and the layer L 2 comprises a fusion wherein the layer L 1 , the layer L 2 and the absorption layer participate.
2. The multi-layered fabric according to claim 1 , wherein the absorption layer comprises a support material and a water-swellable polymer, and wherein the support material comprises 25-95 wt.% of the absorption layer.
3. The multi-layered fabric according to claim 2 , wherein the support material is a thermoplastic material selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, polypropylene, poly(ethyleneterephthalate) and mixtures thereof.
4. The multi-layered fabric according to claim 1 , wherein the absorption layer comprises water-swellable polymer fibers having an aspect ratio of at least 10.
5. The multi-layered fabric according to claim 1 , wherein the layer L 1 and the layer L 2 comprise a thermoplastic material selected from the group consisting of acrylate polymers, acrylate copolymers, methacrylate polymers, methacrylate copolymers, polyesters, polyolefins, polyurethanes, poly(ether-ester) elastomers, poly(vinylacetate), ethylene-vinyl acetate co-polymers, vinyl ester polymers and mixtures thereof.
6. The multi-layered fabric according to claim 1 , wherein the fabric comprises a pattern of a plurality of the connection areas.
7. The multi-layered fabric according to claim 1 , wherein the fabric comprises a connection area in the shape of a grid defining a plurality of the absorption areas.
8. The multi-layered fabric according to claim 2 , wherein the support material has a glass transition temperature which is equal to or lower than a glass transition temperature of the layer L 1 and the layer L 2 .
9. A method for preparing the multi-layered fabric according claim 1 , comprising:
(a) providing a layered composition wherein an absorption layer is present between a layer L 1 that is liquid-permeable and a layer L 2 that is vapor-permeable and/or liquid-permeable, wherein the layer L 1 and the layer L 2 comprise a thermoplastic material;
(b) selecting an area of the layered composition where a connection between the layer L 1 and the layer L 2 is desired, wherein the absorption layer is present at the selected area between the layer L 1 and the layer L 2 ;
(c) pressing the layer L 1 and the layer L 2 together at the selected area and providing heat to the selected area so that the absorption layer fuses with the layer L 1 and the layer L 2 at the selected area; and
(d) cooling down the selected area to thereby form a connection area wherein a connection is present between the layer L 1 and the layer L 2 , the connection comprising a fusion wherein the layer L 1 , the layer L 2 and the absorption layer participate.
10. The method according to claim 9 , wherein step (c) is practiced by providing heat to the selected area so that the selected area reaches a temperature which is at least 30° C. lower than a melting temperature of the material of each of the layer L 1 , the layer L 2 and the absorption layer involved in the fusion.
11. The method according to claim 9 , wherein the absorption layer comprises a thermoplastic material.
12. The method according to claim 9 , wherein step (c) comprises conducting ultrasonic welding to cause fusion at the selected layer where the layer L 1 , the layer L 2 and the absorption layer participate.
13. The method according to claim 10 , wherein step (c) is practiced such that the temperature of the selected area is at least 40° C. lower than the melting temperature of the material of each of the layer L 1 , the layer L 2 and the absorption layer involved in the fusion.
14. A garment comprising the multi-layered fabric according to claim 1 .