| (19) |
 |
|
(11) |
EP 1 612 314 A3 |
| (12) |
EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
| (88) |
Date of publication A3: |
|
22.11.2006 Bulletin 2006/47 |
| (43) |
Date of publication A2: |
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04.01.2006 Bulletin 2006/01 |
| (22) |
Date of filing: 16.09.1996 |
|
| (51) |
International Patent Classification (IPC):
|
|
| (84) |
Designated Contracting States: |
|
FR GB NL SE |
| (30) |
Priority: |
29.09.1995 JP 25167995
03.10.1995 JP 25607995
03.10.1995 JP 25608095
03.10.1995 JP 25608395
|
| (62) |
Application number of the earlier application in accordance with Art. 76 EPC: |
|
99108935.0 / 0949371 |
|
96114791.5 / 0765959 |
| (71) |
Applicant: UNITIKA LTD. |
|
Amagasaki-shi
Hyogo-ken (JP) |
|
| (72) |
Inventors: |
|
- Nagaoka, Koichi
23, Uji Kozakura,
Uji-shi,
Kyoto-fu (JP)
- Matsuoka, Fumio
23, Uji Kozakura,
Uji-shi,
Kyoto-fu (JP)
- Ichise, Naoji
Tsuzuki-gun, Kyoto-fu, 610-0261 (JP)
|
| (74) |
Representative: Kügele, Bernhard et al |
|
Novagraaf International SA,
25, avenue du Pailly
1220 Les Avanchets - Geneva
1220 Les Avanchets - Geneva (CH) |
|
| |
|
| (54) |
Filament nonwoven fabrics and method of fabricating the same |
(57) The invention concerns a nonwoven fabric made up of filaments comprised of a polylactic
acid-based polymer, wherein the polylactic acid-based polymer is a polymer selected
from copolymers of D-lactic acid and L-lactic acid, copolymers of D-lactic acid and
hydroxy-carboxylic acid, and copolymers of L-lactic acid and hydroxy-carboxylic acid,
said polymer having a melting point of 100°C or more, or being a blend of such polymers
having a melting point of 100°C or more. The constituent filaments of the nonwoven
fabric are partially fusion bonded with heat and pressure by embossing or ultrasonic
fusion, wherein said fusion bonding is present in spottedly configured individual
fusion bonded areas. The invention also concerns a method of fabricating a nonwoven
fabric made up of filaments comprised of a polylactic acid-based polymer.