(19)
(11) EP 1 905 877 A8

(12) CORRECTED EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION
Note: Bibliography reflects the latest situation

(15) Correction information:
Corrected version no 1 (W1 A2)

(48) Corrigendum issued on:
02.06.2010 Bulletin 2010/22

(43) Date of publication:
02.04.2008 Bulletin 2008/14

(21) Application number: 08100329.5

(22) Date of filing: 19.07.1999
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC): 
D04H 1/46(2006.01)
D21F 9/00(2006.01)
 D21F 9/04(2006.01)
(84) Designated Contracting States:
DE FR GB NL SE
Designated Extension States:
BA RS

(30) Priority: 17.07.1998 JP 20320698

(62) Application number of the earlier application in accordance with Art. 76 EPC:
99305701.7 / 0972873

(71) Applicant: UNI-CHARM CORPORATION
Shikokuchuo-shi Ehime (JP)

(72) Inventors:
  • Takeuchi, Naohito c/o Technical Center
    Mitoyo-gun Kagawa 769-1602 (JP)
  • Okada, Kazuya c/o Technical Center
    Mitoyo-gun Kagawa 769-1602 (JP)
  • Konishi, Takayoshi c/o Technical Center
    Mitoyo-gun Kagawa 769-1602 (JP)

(74) Representative: Eke, Philippa Dianne 
Saunders & Dolleymore LLP 9 Rickmansworth Road
Watford Hertfordshire WD18 0JU
Watford Hertfordshire WD18 0JU (GB)

 
Remarks:
This application was filed on 10-01-2008 as a divisional application to the application mentioned under INID code 62.
 


(54) Wet process for manufacturing nonwoven fabric and apparatus therefor


(57) This invention provides a wet process for manufacturing a nonwoven fabric, comprising the steps of: forming a fibrous web by supplying raw material fibers together with water onto a net-shaped wire conveyor band; characterised by, running the net-shaped wire conveyor band on a cylinder mold to scoop the raw material fibers with the wire conveyor band; transferring the fibrous web over the wire conveyor band to a wire conveyor band at a next stage; completely forming a nonwoven fabric over the wire conveyor band at the next stage by supplying water jets to the fibrous web over the wire conveyor band; transferring the formed nonwoven fabric from the wire conveyor band to another conveyor band; and drying the nonwoven fabric. Also disclosed is an apparatus using the wet nonwoven fabric manufacturing process.