(19)
(11) EP 0 761 846 A3

(12) EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(88) Date of publication A3:
05.11.1997 Bulletin 1997/45

(43) Date of publication A2:
12.03.1997 Bulletin 1997/11

(21) Application number: 96305779.9

(22) Date of filing: 06.08.1996
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)6D01F 6/46, D01F 8/06, D04H 1/42
(84) Designated Contracting States:
DE DK FR GB IT

(30) Priority: 08.08.1995 US 512351

(71) Applicant: HERCULES INCORPORATED
Wilmington, Delaware 19894-0001 (US)

(72) Inventors:
  • Gupta, Rakesh Kumar
    Conyers, Georgia 30208 (US)
  • Harrington, James H.
    Stone Mountain, Georgia 30208 (US)

(74) Representative: De Minvielle-Devaux, Ian Benedict Peter 
CARPMAELS & RANSFORD 43, Bloomsbury Square
London WC1A 2RA
London WC1A 2RA (GB)

   


(54) Cardable hydrophobic staple fiber with internal lubricant and method of making and using the same


(57) Hydrophobic polyolefin fibers are provided with an internal hydrophobic polysiloxane of the formula X-[Si(R1)(R2)-O-]z-Y, in which X, Y, R1, and R2, which may be the same or different, or substituted or unsubstituted independently of each other, are aliphatic groups having not more than about sixteen carbon atoms, R1 and R2 also being selected from among aryl groups, and z being a positive number sufficiently high that the polysiloxane is hydrophobic (z is generally at least 10). The invention also provides a novel polymer melt for spinning these hydrophobic fibers. The fibers can be cut into staple lengths and carded and bonded to form hydrophobic woven and nonwoven products suitable for use in hygiene devices such as diapers. Such devices are improved by these fibers, which, as spun, present a greater hydrophobicity than melt-spun polyolefin fibers lacking the internal siloxane lubricant; the improved hydrophobicity is evidenced by an advancing contact angle for the as-spun fibers of at least about 95°.





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