CA1281537C

CA1281537C - Multilayer nonwoven fabric made with polypropylene and polyethylene

Info

Publication number: CA1281537C
Application number: CA 519897
Authority: CA
Inventors: Ralph V. Braun
Original assignee: Kimberly Clark Corp
Current assignee: Kimberly Clark Worldwide Inc
Priority date: 1985-10-07
Filing date: 1986-10-06
Publication date: 1991-03-19
Anticipated expiration: 2008-03-19
Also published as: US4668566A

Abstract

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a nonwoven fabric having at least two layers of nonwoven web.
More particularly, the present invention relates to a nonwoven fabric wherein one of the layers comprises a web having monofilaments or fibers made from polypropylene and another layer comprises a nonwoven web having mono-filaments or fibers made from polyethylene.

Description

MULTILAYER NONWOVEN FABRIC MADE
FROM POLYPROPYLENE AND POLYETHXLENE
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a nonwoven fabric having at least two layers of nonwoven web.
More particularly, the present invention relates to a nonwoven fabric wherein one of the layers comprises a web having monofilaments or fibers made from polypropylene and another layer comprises a nonwoven web having mono-filaments or fibers made from polyethylene.
Nonwoven materials are, of course, well known in the art. Such materials were developed primarily in the l950's and 1960's, although at least one reference dates back to 1943 (see, e.g., U.S. Patent No. 2,336,743 to Manning).
One of the most significant commercial appli-cations of nonwoven fabrics is in the fabrication ofdisposable products intended for a single use. Typical of such products are disposable diapers, feminine care products, surgical gowns, industrial wipes, and the like. Because the nonwoven fabric is intended as a cloth substitute in these applications, extensive effort has been expended to improve the properties of nonwoven fabric to more nearly approximate that of cloth. Of particular interest has been the softness of the nonwoven web, that is, improving the feel or "hand" of the fabric together with lowering the resistance of the fabric to lX8'1537 folding or bending. Another important area has been the improvement of the nonwoven web's tensile strength or tear resistance. Yet another area has been the development of nonwoven fabrics with specific wettabil-ity characteristics.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is a general object of the present invention to provide a nonwoven fabric with improved softness and tensile strength. It is also a general object of the present invention to provide a method of producing such a nonwoven fabric. It is a more specific object of the present invention to provide a nonwoven liner for a disposable diaper which has improved softness, tensile strength, and moisture transfer capability. It is another specific object of the present invention to provide a nonwoven wrap for a catamenial device which likewise has improved softness, tensile strenqth, and moisture transfer capability.
These and other objects are accomplished by the present invention by providing a nonwoven fabric comprising at least two layers of nonwoven web adjacent and bonded to each other. Each nonwoven web comprises a plurality of monofilaments of fibers of a thermoplastic material. In one of the web~ the monofilaments or fibers are made from polypropylene. In another of the webs the monofilaments or fibers are made from poly-ethylene. It has been found by the present inventor that a nonwoven fabric made with these two layers pro-vides remarkably increased softness and tensile strength as well as other desirable properties.
In accordance with one of the preferred embodi-ments, the nonwoven fabric consists of two layers of a nonwoven web. The nonwoven web of the first layer com-prises a plurality of substantially identically prepared lX8153t7 continuous and substantially randomly deposited polypropylene monofilaments. The nonwoven web of the second layer com-prises a plurality of substantially identically prepared continuous and substantially randomly deposited polyethylene monofilaments.
In a specific embodiment the nonwoven fabric is stabilized by discrete compacted areas of thermally induced filament bonds extending through a major portion of both webs, with these compacted areas distributed in an intermit-tent regular pattern and constituting from about lO to about30 percent oE the area of the fabric.
In the embodiments described in more detail below the nonwoven liner for a disposable diaper is constituted similarly to the embodiment mentioned immediately above, with the stipulation that the layer with the polypropylene monofilaments is intended to fit next to the wearer. Also, the polyethylene layer is used as a transfer layer to enhance the transfer of moisture through the nonwoven fabric and into the underlying absorbent material. This is accomplished by adding a wetting agent to the polyethylene monofilaments to thereby make the second layer which would otherwise be hydrophobic, somewhat hydrophillic or wettable. This addition can be done by mixing a wetting agent with the polyethylene before it is extruded or, more preferably, it can be done by applying a solution of the wetting agent to the polyethylene nonwoven web after it is formed.
In accordance with still other embodiments, a nonwoven wrap for a catamenial device is likewise oriented with the polypropylene layer next to the wearer. Also, the polyethylene transfer layer is made wettable in the same manner as the preferred embodiment of the nonwoven liner for a disposable diaper.
Another aspect of the invention resides in a process for forming a nonwoven fabric, the process including J, lX81537 the steps of continuously extruding polypropylene through a spinneret having a plurality of orifices to form discrete polypropylene monofilaments, drawing the polypropylene monofilaments and depositing the polypropylene monofilaments in a substantially random manner to form a polypropylene nonwoven web. The method further includes the steps of continuously extruding polyethylene through a spinneret having a plurality of orifices to form discrete polyethylene monofilaments, drawing the polyethylene monofilaments and depositing the polyethylene monofilaments in a substantially random manner to form a polyethylene web. The process further includes the step of bonding the polyethylene web to the polypropylene web to thereby form a multilayer nonwoven fabric.
The web of each layer can be joined in one of the following three ways. The first and most preferable involves the use of parallel web formers, i.e. spinnerets together with drawing apparatus. In this way, the first former lays down a nonwoven web on a laydown belt just ahead of the point where the second former lays down its web. As a result, the second web is laid down on top of the first and the two continue on the belt and through the remaining processing together. The two webs are then slightly compacted by passing through a pair of compaction rolls, Next, the two webs are bonded together and stabilized by passing through a pair of oppositely rotating heated rolls, the first of which has a smooth surface, and the second of which has a raised pattern. As a result, the two webs become thermally bonded in discrete areas arranged in a patten which corresponds with the raised pattern of the one heated roller. Preferably, the pattern of thermally bonded areas is formed so as to constitute about 10 to about 30 percent of the surface of the nonwoven fabric.
The second also involves the use of two parallel formers as in the first, with the exception 1~8i537 -- s --that the first laid down web passes through thermal bonding rolls as described above before the second web is laid on top of it. The two webs, i.e. one bonded and one not, are then slightly compacted and pass through a second pair of thermal bonding rolls. Preferably, in the interest of optimum softness, this second pair of thermal bonding rolls creates a bonded pattern in the two webs which occupies a lower percentage of ~ulti-layer fabric than the bonded pattern of the first laid down web.
The third process involves the step of forming the first laid down web in a prior step and then windinc it up. The fabric is then made by unrolling the first laid down web onto the belt on which the second laid down web is deposited. The two webs are then process as described above.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Fi~ure 1 is a schematic diagram of the prefer-red apparatus for producing the multilayer nonwoven fabric of the present invention.
Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of an alterna-tive apparatus for producing the multilayer nonwoven fabric of the present invention.
Figure 3 is a ~chematic diagram of another alternative apparatus for producing the nonwoven fabric of the present invention.
Figure 4 shows a bottom perspective view of a spinneret plate with bilobal shaped orifices to thereby extrude monofilaments of bilobal cross-section.
Figure 5 is a bottom and enlarged view of two of the bilobal shaped orifices of the spinneret plate of Figure 4.
Figure 6 is a bottom view of a trilobal shaped orifice in a spinneret plate.

128~537 Figure 7 is an illustration in partial cross-section of a nonwoven web with monofilaments of bilobal cross-section.
Figure 8 is an illustration in partial cross-section of a nonwoven web with monofilaments of trilobalcross-section.
Figure 9 is a cross section of a disposable diaper made with the nonwoven liner of the present inven-tion.
Figure 10 is a cross section of a catamenial device made with the nonwoven wrap of the present inven-tion.
Figures lla-c represent various patterns of intermittent heat bonding which can be applied to the nonwoven fabric of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
In its broadest terms, the present invention comprehends a multilayer nonwoven fabric at least two layers of nonwoven web, one of which comprises a plural-ity of polypropylene monofilaments or fibers, and anotherof which comprises a plurality of polyethylene monofila-ments or fibers.
In general, each web can be prepared from noncontinuous fibers, continuous monofilaments, or a combination thereof. The preferred method of producing each web is by spunbonding techniques, although meltblown techniques which produce noncontinuous fibers are also considered to be within the scope of this invention.
At present, the continuous monofilaments produced by spunbonding techniques, are preferred.
The polymer which is used in each web is critical to the invention. That is, it is significant that the present invention includes a nonwoven web of polypropylene filaments or fibers which is adjacent to ~281S37 a nonwoven web of polyethylene fibers. As used in the specification and claims, the term "polypropylene" includes copolymers of propylene and ethylene which are predominantly comprised of propylene units. A preferred copolymer includes 97% propylene and 3% ethylene. Likewise, by the term "polyethylene", the inventor intends to also refer to copolymers of ethylene and propylene which are predominantly comprised of ethylene units.
It is considered an important advantage of the present invention that although polyethylene is generally considered too soft and/or plastic to be successfully used in certain applications for a nonwoven web, when following the teaching of the present invention, a nonwoven web made from polyethylene can be used if i-t is bonded to a stronger nonwoven web, such as one made from polypropylene. Further-more, the nonwoven fabric with this particular pairing of polymers shows increases in both softness and tensile strength.
FIGURE 1 is a schematic diagram showing the preferred apparatus for forming the polymers into nonwoven webs. With one exception, this apparatus is made in accor-dance with the teachings of U.S. Patent No. 4,405,297 and operated in accordance with the teachings of 4,430,563 both to Appel and Morman. The exception is that instead of just one web former, i.e. spinneret and quenching/drawing ap-paratus, there are two such formers ll and 12 in the fabrica-tion line. The first former ll lays down a first web 13 on the moving belt 15, while the second former 12 lays down a second web 14 on top of the first web 13.
While this is the preferred configuration for the web formers, other types of web formers are also available.
For example, an alternative embodiment forms a nonwoven web with the apparatus and method described B

lZ~3153~7 in U.S. Patent No. 3,692,618, to Dorschner et al.
Briefly, each of the nonwoven web formers 11 and 12 shown in FIGURE 1 include a spinneret box 21 which receives a polymer in a melted state. As mentioned above, the polymer going into one web is polypropylene while the polymer going into the other web is polyethylene. The temperature of each polymer melt is selected so as to make it sufficiently fluid for spinning. For example, when the polypropylene is being spun, the preferred temperature is about 460F. When polyethylene is being spun, the preferred temperature is about 375F. Pressure is applied to each polymer melt to thereby push it through the holes or orifices in the spin-neret plates 22 and 23 to thereby form the curtains of monofilaments 24 and 25 respectively. Each curtain 24 and 25 falls through a quench chamber 26 and 27 wherein it is contacted by quench air. The quench air in each former is supplied at a relatively low pressure, but such that is sufficient pressure to also cause a degree of drawing of the monofilaments when they pass through the drawing nozzles 28 2'~ and 29.
Upon exiting the lower end of the drawing nozzle 28, the first curtain of monofilaments 24 are laid down on a moving foraminous surface 15, such as an endless screen or belt, to form a first nonwoven web 13. Upon exiting the lower end of the drawing nozzle 29, the second curtain of monofilaments 25 is laid down on top of the first nonwoven web 13 to form a second nonwoven web 14.
It should be noted that whether the polypropylene web is laid down first, or whether the polyethylene web is laid down first is not considered critical. That is, the polypropylene can be made into .

~8~LS~7 g a nonwoven web through either the Eirst former 11 or the second former 12. For reasons to be cliscussed below, it is preferred for the polypropylene to be laid down first, i.e.
formed in the first former 11.
After the second web 14 is laid on top of the first 13 then pass through a pair of compacting rollers 19 and 20 which slightly compact the filaments in the webs to thereby increase the integrity of the webs and to aid in further processing.
The two webs 13 and 14 next pass through the two heated bonding rolls 21 and 22. These rolls are preferably made and operated in accordance with the teachings of U.S.
Patent No. 3,855,046, to Hansen and Pennings. Briefly, the apparatus and process described therein includes the use of two rolls 21 and 22, at least one of which and preferably both of which are heated. The lower roll has a smooth surface while the upper roll 21 includes a raised intermit-tent pattern on its surface. In alternative embodiments, the heated roll with the pattern, i.e. the "embossing" roll is put underneath the webs to thereby contact the first laid web.
As the two webs 13 and 14 pass between these two heated rolls, each web becomes stabilized by the formation of discrete compacted areas of thermally induced filament bonds which extend through a major portion of the thickness of the web. These compacted areas are distributed in an intermit-tent pattern corresponding to the raised pattern of the roll 21 and provide unbonded filament spans therebetween. In addition, the two webs 13 and 14 become bonded together into bi-layered nonwoven fabric 18.
Figure lla-llc illustrate three patterns which can be used on the roll 21 and result in the same B

12l31537 patterns on the nonwoven fabric 18. Figure lla includes circular areas arranged in hexagons and triangles. Figure llb includes circular areas arranged in a repeating hourglass configuration. Figure llc, which is the presently preferred pattern, includes equilateral diamond shaped areas which are arranged in staggered rows.
Two parameters of concern in regard to the specific pattern that is used are the size of the compacted areas formed and the distance between the areas. These two para-meters together affect the percentage of area on the webwhich becomes bonded. It is important that the percentage of bonded area be great enough to insure sufficient integrity of the web for its intended use. In addition, it is important that the percentage of bonded area not be too great, as a higher bonded area usually produces a web with reduced softness. At present, it is preferred to have a bonded area between about 10 and about 30 percent of the surface area of the fabric. A range of about 12 to about 20 percent bonded area is more preferred, while about 17 percent is most preferred.
Another important factor relating to the bonding of the webs is the temperature at which the rolls 21 and 22 are maintained. Naturally temperatures below a certain point for each polymer will not effect any bonding, while temperatures above another point will melt too much of the web. Also, it has been observed the temperature of the rolls can affect both the tensile strength as well as the softness of the web produced. In particular, within a certain range, higher temperatures will produce a web with higher tensile strength.
However, these same higher temperatures can produce a web with decreased softness. This is likely due to a higher and lower degree of bonding which occurs within this range of temperatures. That is, the higher ~8153'7 temperatures likely result in a more and stronger inter-filament bonding which is beneficial to tensile strength and somewhat detrimental to softness. At present, the preferred bonding temperature for polypropylene mono-S filaments is between about 220 and about 320F. Atemperature of about 275F is most preferred. For poly-ethylene, the preferred range of bonding temperatures is between about 230 and about 240F, while about 235 is most preferred. Because the melting point of the polyethylene is lower than that of polypropylene, it is important to operate the bonding rolls close to the range for polyethylene. It has been observed that when bonding the two webs together that it is possible to bond them at a temperature well below which the poly-propylene melts as long as the temperature is close tothe melting point of the polyethylene. It is believed that this may be possible by virtue of the polyethylene melting into the polypropylene layer. In other words, it is thought that the melted polyethylene may be suf-ficient to bond both webs.
After the fabric 18 is bonded by rolls 21 and 22, it is wound on the take up roll 23. Alternatively, it may be desirable to design this apparatus to connect with a fabrication line for the end product.
The basis weight of the nonwoven fabric pro-duced can be readily varied depending on the intended use of the web. For example, the nonwoven fabric can be made from about 0.3 to about 3 oz./square yard.
Although in alternative embodiments, the basis weight of the polyethylene web may be made greater than that of the polypropylene web, or vice versa, the preferred embodiment includes a polypropylene and polyethylene nonwoven web of equal basis weight. A preferred basis weight for a disposable diaper liner, (i.e. both layers), is about 0.8 oz./square yard and a preferred basis 1~81S37 weight for a nonwoven wrap for a catamenial device i5 about 0.4 oz./square yard.
FIGURE 2 is a schematic diagram showing an alternative apparatus for producing the bilayered non-woven fabric of the preferred embodiment. This apparatusis identical to the apparatus depicted in FIGURE 1 with one exception. The exception is that between the first former 111 and the second former 112, there is included an additional pair of compaction rolls 219 and 220 to-gether with an additional pair of bonding rolls 221 and 222 which stabilize the first web 113 in the manner discussed above. Also, instead of one collection belt 115, there is an additional belt 215 which picks up the first nonwoven web 113. These compaction and bonding rolls 219-222 are configured and operate the same as those described above with the exception that they are set for compacting and bonding a single nonwoven web.
After being compacted and bonded, the first nonwoven web 113 is picked up by the collection belt 115 after which the second nonwoven web 114 is laid down on top of it. The two nonwoven webs, i.e. the bonded web 113 and the unbonded web 114, pass through the compaction rollers 119 and 120. Next, they pass through the bonding rollers 121 and 122 where the second web 114 is stabilized and the two webs 113 and 114 become bonded together into a bilayered nonwoven fabric 118. The fabric 118 is then rolled up on the take up roll 123.
FIGURE 3 shows another alternative apparatus for producing the multilayer nonwoven fabric. In this apparatus, a first nonwoven web 313 is supplied from roll 301. At this point, the nonwoven web 313 can be either bonded or unbonded. Bonded is preferable.
The web 313 passes along the collection belt 315 where-upon the second web 314 is laid on top of it. The twowebs then pass through the compaction rolls 319 and 320 ' and then pass through the bonding rolls 321 and 322 where either both or just the second web becomes stabil-ized and the two webs 313 and 314 become bonded together as described above to form the bilayered nonwoven fabric 318.
In discussing the embodiments described in connection with FIGURES 2 and 3, it should be noted that, if the first laid down web is bonded before the second laid down web is placed upon it, the bond pattern used when the two webs are put together should be selected in consideration of the bond pattern already used on the first laid down web. It is desirable to have the second bond pattern not overlap the first.
Therefore, if the second bonding pattern is the same as the first, it should be offset. However, in the interest of web softness, it is preferred to have the second bond pattern different from the first and particularly to occupy a lower percentage of the web than the first.
Naturally, the final bond pattern through the first laid down web will be a sum of the first and second bonding. Accordingly, this also favors a lower per-centage for the second bonding pattern.
It should be kept in mind that, in the above description, the polypropylene and polyethylene can 2S each be either the first laid down or the second laid down webs. As a point of clarification, it should be noted that the term first laid down web refers to the web which has been formed earlier in the processing line or alternatively to the web which has been made and rolled up in a previous step. It should also be noted that as used herein, and particularly in the claims, the terms "first web" and "second web" are arbitrary designations which do not necessarily refer to their order of forming.

1~ ~41 53~

It is an advantage of the present invention that the first laid down web can have a higher percentage area bonding pattern than the second laid down web. In this way, the first laid down web can possess sufficient tensile strength while the second laid down web can possess more softness. This is beneficial, for example, in a nonwoven web for a disposable diaper wherein the second laid down web can be used for increased softness on the "bodyside" of the diaper while the first laid down web can provide increased tensile strength for the liner. Alternatively, it may be desirable to first bond the polyethylene web, which inherently has greater softness, to thereby increase its tensile strength. In general, the order of laying down the two webs can be selected so as to provide each web on the side bsst suited for bonding and addition of wetting agent.
FIGURE 4 is a bottom perspective view of the spinneret plate 41 with bilobal shaped orifices 42. It is through these orifices 42 that the polymer is extruded.
The monofilaments produced consequently have a cross-section with a bilobal, "dogbone" or "dumbell" shape.
It has been found by the inventor that a multilayer nonwoven fabric produced with one of its layers being a nonwoven web with bilobal shaped monofilaments exhibits certain advantages. In particular, it has been found that nonwoven webs produced with monofilaments with a bilobal cross-section have increased softness, tensile strength, and capacity when compared to webs produced with cylindrical monofilaments. Accordingly, the most preferred embodiment of the present invention includes one web which has such bilobal shaped monofilaments.
The nonwoven fabric of this invention can be made with the bilobal monofilaments in either the first or the second laid down web. This bilobal spinneret plate can be in either of the formers shown in FIGURES

' ~ ~

~81537 1-3. For reasons to be discussed below, it is presently preferred to place the bilobal spinneret plate in the second former of the apparatus described above. That is, it is presently preferred to have the monofilaments with the bilobal cross-section in the second laid down web.
The spinneret plate of the other former can have orifices of any desired shape. It is believed that having the bilobal monofilaments in one layer of the fabric provides at least some degree of improvement regardless of the shape of the monofilaments in the other layer. Circular orifices are, of course, most common and it is clearly contemplated to use circular monofilaments in one of the layers of the fabric. In lS addition, in certain embodiments it is desirable to have both layers of the fabric with bilobal monofila-ments. At present, the most preferred shape of the cross-section of the monofilaments of the other, i.e.
nonbilobal, web is referred to as Y-shapad. Figure 6 shows a Y-shaped orifice to make such filaments.
The spinneret plate 12 is made with a width greater than the width to be produced. The preferred width of the web will vary depending on the end use to made of it. In many applications it is desirable to lay down a web which is wide enough to make more than one end product. For example, a nonwoven web made to be used as a liner for disposable diapers is preferably about 12.5 inches wide.
The number of orifices is selected and the orifices are arranged in the plate at the prescribed spacing in such a way so as to provide the desired den-sity of filaments in the web. At present, it is prefer-red to have between about 30 and about 100 orifices in the spinneret plate per inch of web width. Most prefer-able is about 85 orifices per inch of web width. For 1281~;37 example, in a 12 inch spinneret plate, i.e. one that will form a 12 inch wide nonwoven web, there are most preferably 1020 orifices.
FIGURE 5 is an enlarged view showing the pre-ferred configuration of two of the orifices 42 of thespinneret plate 41. The dimensions and proportions of the bilobal orifices are not known to be critical, pro-vided that they produce monofilaments which have the bilobal shaped cross-section according to the present invention. Currently, the preferred configuration of the orifice is as follows. ~he shortest dimension is the thickness of the elongate portion a. The diameter b of the substantially circular portions 25 and 26 is approximately twice that of the thickness a. The length c of the orifice 24 is approximately ten times that of the thickness a. Certainly, these proportions can be varied in alternative embodiments depending on factors such as specific polypropylene or polyethylene which is extruded and the desired properties of the nonwoven web.
As mentioned, the preferred spacing between orifices will depend on the density of the nonwoven web to be produced. In the most preerred embodiment, the space d between orifices is 7.25 mm. Also, the preferred orientation of the orifices is such that all of the orifices are arranged parallel to each other and that their length c is aligned in the direction in which the belt 17 moves (i.e. machine direction).
FIGURE 6 is bottom enlarged view of an Y-shaped orifice for a spinnèret plate. The inventor has observed that monofilaments produced by this orifice retain a Y-shaped cross-section even after drawing. The inventor has also observed that nonwoven webs made with such Y-shaped monofilaments have increased stiffness, i.e.
less softness than those made with circular or bilobal 1~8~537 monofilaments. However, the inventor also observed that the web produced with Y-shaped monofilaments with increased tensile strength over those produced with exhibited circular monofilaments. Accordingly, because the polyethylene possess such inherent softness, it is most preferred to extrude the polyethylene through such Y-shaped monofilaments. This is currently thought to be desirable to obtain a fabric with both increased softness as well as increased tensile strength.
FIGURE 7 is an illustration of a section of nonwoven web 71 made with bilobal monofilaments. This nonwoven web could be either the first or second laid down web in the processes described above, and would become part of the multilayer nonwoven fabric of the present invention. It is most preferable for the poly-propylene web to have such bilobal monofilaments. As can be seen the web comprises a number of continuous monofilaments 72 which are randomly oriented with respect to each other. It is desirable for the monofilaments to undergo a high degree of looping and overlapping in the web. These properties are influenced by factors such as the density of the monofilaments that are laid down, the speed at which the monofilaments are laid down, etc.
As can be seen, the monofilaments of this web 71 each have a bilobal cross-section. The dimensions of the bilobal cross-section are not known to be criti-cal, provided that the basic features of such cross-section are present. That is, the cross-section of the monofilaments includes a substantially rectangular por-tion which has at each of its furthest separated ends an enlarged portion which typically is substantially circular.
As mentioned above, the monofilaments are drawn after being extruded through the spinneret plate 1~8~5~7 41. As a result, they t~fpically have dimensions less than that of the orifices 42. The amount of this reduc-tion will depend on factors such as the specific polymer extruded, the rate of quenching the monofilaments, the S drawing force applied to the monofilaments, etc. In the preferred embodiment wherein polypropylene is used, the monofilaments typically end up with a cross-section length of between about 30 and about 60 microns. Most preferably, the cross-section length is about 40 microns, although this will vary depending on the desired proper-ties of the nonwoven web.
FIGURE 8 is an illustration similar to that of FIGURE 7 with the exception that the monofilaments shown have the Y-shaped cross-section. As mentioned, in the most preferred embodiment, the polyethylene non-woven web would have this type of monofilaments.
Figure 9 is a cross-section through a dispos-able diaper 91. The nonwoven liner 92 is positioned on the side of the diaper 91 which will be placed next to the infant's body. As shown, the liner 92 consists of two layers 93 and 94. In the most preferred embodiment, the bodyside layer 93 comprises polypropylene monofila-ments with the bilobal cross-section, while the other layer 94 comprises polyethylene monofilaments with the Y-shaped cross-section. Alternatively, the layer 94 can comprise bilobal or cylindrical monofilaments. The major portion of the diaper consists of a layer 9S of an absorbent material such as fluffed cellulose pulp.
Naturally, this layer 9S is intended to absorb moisture.
In addition, a moisture impermeable layer 96 is included.
An important property of the liner 92 is its softness. In particular, it is important for the liner 92 to be both extremely pliable as well as soft to the touch in consideration of the infant's comfort. The present inventor was somewhat surprised to observe that ~8~S37 a nonwoven liner made with nonwoven webs of polypropylene and polyethylene exhibited remarkably improved softness over the prior art nonwoven liners.
One test which the inventor has used to evaluate the softness of nonwoven fabrics is called the "SmeltniX
Stiffness Test". In this test a piece of nonwoven fabric is placed on top of an open cylinder. A hemispherical probe with a diameter slightly less than the inside diameter of the cylinder is then dropped from a standard height to thereby push the nonwoven fabric down into the cylinder. The distance that the probe travels into the cylinder is then measured and recorded as an indica-tion of the softness, i.e. pliability or drapability of the fabric. As a comparison, while a nonwoven diaper liner made with circular monofilaments recorded a dis-tance of 155 mm into the cylinder, a nonwoven diaper liner made with monofilaments of the same material but having a bilobal cross-section recorded a distance of 370 mm. Thus, a dramatic increase of the softness of the fabric was shown.
Another aspect of softness which is important particularly in diaper liners is the "hand" or softness to the touch. While a specific test for this property is not presently available to the inventor, he as well as others have observed an increased softness to the touch of the nonwoven fabric with layered polyethylene and polypropylene webs.
Another property of a nonwoven liners and nonwoven fabrics in general is tensile strength, i.e.
the resistance to tearing. This property has been measured by the present inventor on a device which grips a piece of a nonwoven fabric in a pair of jaws, and the pulls it apart. The force needed to break the fabric is recorded as the grab tensile strength. This test is performed either with the fabric oriented in the jaws ~X81~i3'7 so that the force is applied parallel to the direction in which the fabric was laid down (machine direction, MD), or with the fabric oriented so that the force is applied perpendicular to the direction in which the web was laid down (cross direction, CD). All of the values for tensile strength reported herein refer to machine direction (MD) strengths.
The inventor was pleased to observe that the nonwoven fabrics which had one layer with polypropylene monofilaments and another layer with polyethylene mono-filaments showed good tensile strength. While not wish-ing to be bound by any particular theory, it is currently believed that this good tensile strength results from the combination of the polyethylene web with the poly-lS propylene web. Also, as mentioned above, the tensilestrength of the multilayer fabric is increased when the first laid down web has a higher bonding area percentage.
It is also believed that the tensile strength is improved when a bilobal web and Y-shaped web are used in a multi-layer fabric, possibly due to the increased contactarea for thermal bonding.
Yet another property which is particularly important when the web is used as a liner for a dis-posable diaper is the wettability of the liner. Depend-ing on the design of the diaper, it is usually desirableto have the liner be at least partially wettable in order to facilitate passage of the moisture through to the absorbent layer. In addition, it is even more desir-able to provide a wettability gradient in the liner whereby moisture can be wicked away from the wearer.
In particular, it is most preferred to provide bodyside which is less wettable than the "transfer" layer, i.e.
the layer next to the absorbent material. In this way, moisture flows more easily through to the absorbent 3S material than it flows back to the wearer. Both poly-128~53~

propylene and polyethylene are completely hydrophobic. As a result, it is desirable to take steps to increase the wettability of nonwoven webs made with these polymers.
It is known in the art that wettability can be increased by the addition of wetting agents such as surfac-tants. Particularly, cationic, anionic, and nonionic surfactants may be added to materials to thereby make the material wettable. In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the polypropylene monofilaments are made wettable by addin~ a nonionic surfactant to the monofila-ments. This can be done by mixing the surfactant with the polymer before it is extruded, i.e. "internal addition". The wetting agent can be mixed with the polymer in an amount of up to about 5 percent by weight of the polymer. In addition, it has been found that the polypropylene, it is beneficial to heat the nonwoven web at some stage to thereby effect migration oE the wetting agent to the surface of the monofil-aments. Such a heating process which is used to bring an internally added lubricant to the monofilament surface is described in U.S. Patent Nos. 3,973,068 and 4,070,218 to Weber. Naturally, the temperature to which the web is heated should be below the melting point of the monoilaments.
An advantage of the present invention is that it is possible to produce the described wettability gradient by adding the desired amount of wetting agent to the polymer which will go into the nonwoven web of the transfer layer.
The web of the bodyside layer can either have no wetting agent, less wetting agent, or a less effective wetting agent added.
Another advantage of the present invention is the fact that when adding the wetting agent internally ;37 to the polyethylene monofilaments, there is no need to subsequently heat the filaments to effect migration of the surfactant to the surface. This is advantageous when the polyethylene web is used as the transfer layer because the heating step can be eliminated.
As an alternative to the internal application, the wetting agent can be applied in a solution to the nonwoven web after it is formed, i.e. "exterior appli-cation". This application can be carried out by dipping either each nonwoven web or both nonwoven webs together into a solution of the wetting agent, after which the solvent is evaporated to thereby leave an amount of the surfactant on the surface of the web or webs. It may also be desirable to heat the web to more quickly evapor-ate the solvent. Alternatively, the solution of sur-factant may be applied to the web by spraying, or by rotogravure printing. In both cases, the evaporation of the solvent may be hastened by heating the web.
Naturally, it is desirable for the evaporation to be complete before the web is wrapped on the wind up roll.
In all three exterior application methods, the surfac-tant is applied so as to end up with up to about 5 percent by weight of the web.
As with internal application, it is preferable to selectively apply the wetting agent to produce a wettability gradient. This can be done by applying the wetting agent to either one or both of the webs before they are joined. Alternatively, it can be done by use of different materials in the webs so that the wetting agent is more effective when applied to the transfer layer than it is when applied to the bodyside layer.
Still another property which is important in a nonwoven fabric for a liner is its opacity or hiding power. It is a known practice in the art to add minor amounts of titanium dioxide to the polymer melt in order :

1281~;3~

to increase the opacity of nonwoven fabrics. The inven-tor has found that the nonwoven fabrlc produced according to the present invention has an increased opacity, pro-bably due to the increased surface area of the bilobal and/or Y-shaped monofilaments which could reflect more light.
FIGURE 10 shows a cross section through a typical catamenial device such as a feminine napkin 101. As shown, the pad consists of a nonwoven wrap 102 which surrounds an absorbent portion 105. The wrap consists of two nonwoven webs 103 and 104. Most of the properties which are desirable for the nonwoven liner for a disposable diaper are likewise desirable to have in the nonwoven wrap for a catamenial device. In par-ticular, it is significant that the present inventio~provides a nonwoven web with increased softness, i.e.
both drapability and smoothness to the touch. Also, it is typically important to enhance the wettability of the wrap 102, most preferably with a wettability gradient.
This may be done by adding a wetting agent to the one or both of the webs in the wrap by methods such as those described in connection with the diaper liner above.
EXAMPLES
E~YAMPLE 1 was run on an apparatus such as that described above in connection with F~GURE 1. In particular, the web width was 12 inches and the first spinneret plate had 50 orifices per inch of width and the second spinneret plate had 50 orifices per inch of width. Polypropylene was extruded through the first spinneret at a melt temperature of about 460F through bilobal shaped orifices. Polyethylene was extruded through the second spinneret at a melt temperature of about 375F through Y-shaped orifices. The basis weight of the first laid down web was 0.4 oz./square yard. The basis weight of the second laid down web was 0.6 12~537 oz./square yard. The two webs weres bonded together with the pattern shown in FIGURE llc having a bonding area about 24% of the web area. The temperature of the bonding rolls was approximately 225F.
The resultant fabric had a Smeltnik Stiffness Test (SST) value of 325 mm. In addition, the fabric of this example was measured for grab tensile strength by placing a piece of the web between oppositely pulling grippers. The force needed to tear the web was in the direction at which it was laid down (machine direction or MD) was 9.5 lbs.
EXAMPLE 2 was run similarly to Example 1 except that the bonding temperature was 235F. The resultant fabric had an SST valve of 80 mm, and an MD tensile strength of 10.5 lbs.
EXAMPLE 3 was run similarly to Example 1 except that the polypropylene and polyethylene webs each had a basis weight of 0.5 oz/square yard. The two webs were bonded together with a bond area of about 9%. The embossing roll was maintained at a temperature of 230F
and the anvil or smooth roll was kept at a temperature of about 265F. The resultant fabric had SST value of 390 mm, and an MD tensile strength of 4 lbs.
EXAMPLE 4 was run similarly to Example 3 except that the layers and bonding temperatures were switched, i.e. the polyethylene was laid down first and the polypropylene was laid down second. Also, the embos-sing roll was at 265F and the anvil roll was at 230F.
The resultant fabric had a SST value of 550 mm (likely due to the fact that the polyethylene web which is more slippery was on the bottom and next to the cylinder), and an MD tensile strength of 5 lbs.
EXAMPLE S was run similarly to Example 3 except that the webs were bonded together with a bond area of about 6%. The resultant fabric had a SST value of 550 mm, and an MD tensile strength of 3 lbs.

1~8~537 EXAMPLE 6 was run similarly to Example 4 except that the polypropylene web had monofilaments with a Y-shaped cross-section, and the webs were bonded with a bond area of about 22.5%. The resultant fabric S had a SST value of 145 mm, and an MD tensile strength of 7 lbs.
EXAMPLE 7 was run similarly to Example 1 except that the polypropylene layer was bonded at about 270F before the polyethylene was laid on top of it with a bond pattern of about 22.5%. The resultant fabric had a SST value of 185 mm, and an MD tensile strength of 7 lbs.
While the invention has been described in connection with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description. In particular, although the nonwoven webs of the invention have been described in connection with liners for disposable diapers and with wraps for catamenial devices, other types of products such as surgical and other disposable garments, industrial wipes, and the like, are clearly contempla~ed. ~n addition, although the described em-bodiments have all had only two layers of nonwoven webs, fabrics with three or more layers are considered within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A multilayer nonwoven fabric comprising:
a first nonwoven web comprising a plurality of substantially identically prepared continuous and substan-tially randomly deposited polyethylene monofilaments; and a second nonwoven web which is adjacent and bonded to said first nonwoven web, said second nonwoven web compris-ing a plurality of substantially identically prepared continuous and substantially randomly deposited polypropylene monofilaments.

2. The multilayer nonwoven fabric of Claim 1 wherein the first nonwoven web comprises a wetting agent incorporated within said polyethylene monofilaments to thereby make said first nonwoven web more wettable than said second nonwoven web.

3. The multilayer nonwoven fabric of Claim 1 wherein the second nonwoven web comprises a wetting agent incor-porated within said polypropylene monofilaments to thereby make said second nonwoven web more wettable than said first nonwoven web.

4. The multilayer nonwoven fabric of Claim 1 wherein the first nonwoven web comprises a wetting agent applied to the exterior of said polyethylene monofilaments to thereby make said first nonwoven web more wettable than said second web.

5. The multilayer nonwoven fabric of Claim 1 wherein the second nonwoven web comprises a wetting agent applied to the exterior of said polypropylene monofilaments to thereby make said second nonwoven web more wettable than said first web.

6. A multilayer nonwoven liner for a disposable diaper which comprises:
a first nonwoven web comprising a plurality of substantially identically prepared continuous and substantially randomly deposited polyethylene monofilaments; and a second nonwoven web which is adjacent and bonded to said first nonwoven web, said second nonwoven web comprising a plurality of substantially identically prepared continuous and substantially randomly deposited polypropylene monofilaments.

7. A multilayer nonwoven wrap for a catamental device which comprises:
a first nonwoven web comprising a plurality of substantially identically prepared continuous and substantially randomly deposited polyethylene monofilaments; and a second nonwoven web which is adjacent and bonded to said first nonwoven web, said second nonwoven web comprising a plurality of substantially identically prepared continuous and substantially randomly deposited polypropylene monofilaments.

8. In an absorbent article which comprises a liner and an absorbent batt, the improvement comprising employing as the liner a multilayer nonwoven fabric comprising a first nonwoven web comprising a plurality of substantially identically prepared continuous and substantially randomly deposited polyethylene monofilaments; and a second nonwoven web which is adja-cent and bonded to said first nonwoven web, said second nonwoven web comprising a plurality of substantially identically prepared continuous and substantially randomly deposited polypropylene monofilaments.

9. The improvement of Claim 8 wherein the first nonwoven web is adjacent to said absorbent batt.

10. The improvement of Claim 9 wherein the first nonwoven web comprises a wetting agent incorporated within the polyethylene monofilaments sufficient to make said first nonwoven web more wettable than said second nonwoven web.

11. The improvement of Claim 9 wherein the first nonwoven web comprises a wetting agent applied to the exterior of the polyethylene monofilaments sufficient to make said first nonwoven web more wettable than said second nonwoven web.

12. The improvement of Claim 8 wherein the second nonwoven web is adjacent to said absorbent batt.

13. The improvement of Claim 12 wherein the second nonwoven web comprises a wetting agent incorporated within the polypropylene monofilaments sufficient to make said second nonwoven web more wettable than said first nonwoven web.

14. The improvement of Claim 12 wherein the second nonwoven web comprises a wetting agent applied to the exterior of the polypropylene monofilaments sufficient to make said second nonwoven web more wettable than said first nonwoven web.

15. In a process for forming a nonwoven fabric which process comprises:
continuously extruding polypropylene through a spinneret having a plurality of orifices to form discrete polypropylene monofilaments;

drawing the polypropylene monofilaments; and depositing the polypropylene monofilaments in a substantially random manner to form a polypropylene nonwoven web;
the improvement comprising:
continuously extruding polyethylene through a spinneret having a plurality of orifices to form discrete polyethylene monofilaments;
drawing the polyethylene monofilaments; and depositing the polyethylene monofilaments in a substantially random manner to form a polyethylene web;
bonding the polyethylene web to the polypro-pylene web to thereby form a multilayer nonwoven fabric.

16. The improvement of Claim 15 wherein said bonding is accomplished by passing said polypropylene web and said polyethylene web between two oppositely rotating rolls, at least one of which is heated, and at least one of which has a raised pattern to thereby form a plurality of discrete compacted areas of thermally induced filament bonds extending through a major portion of the thickness of both webs, said compacted areas being distributed in an intermittent pattern correspond-ing to the raised pattern of the at least one roll and said intermittent pattern providing unbonded filament spans therebetween.

17. The improvement of Claim 15 wherein the polypropylene web is stabilized by interfilament bonding before the polyethylene web is bonded to said polypropylene web.

18. The improvement of Claim 17 wherein said interfilament bonding is accomplished by passing said polypropylene web between two oppositely rotating rolls, at least one of which is heated, and at least one of which has a raised pattern to thereby form a plurality of discrete compacted areas of thermally induced filament bonds extending through a major portion of the thickness of the polypropylene web, said compacted areas being distributed in an intermittent pattern corresponding to the raised pattern of the at least one roll and said intermittent pattern providing unbonded filament spans therebetween.

19. The improvement of Claim 15 wherein the polyethylene web is stabilized by interfilament bonding before the polypropylene web is bonded to said poly-ethylene web.

20. The improvement of Claim 19 wherein said interfilament bonding is accomplished by passing said polyethylene web between two oppositely rotating rolls, at least one of which is heated, and at least one of which has a raised pattern to thereby form a plurality of discrete compacted areas of thermally induced filament bonds extending through a major portion of the thickness of the polyethylene web, said compacted areas being distributed in an intermittent pattern corresponding to the raised pattern of the at least one roll and said intermittent pattern providing unbonded filament spans therebetween.

21. The improvement of Claim 15 wherein a wetting agent is incorporated into the polypropylene filaments of the polypropylene web to thereby make it more wettable than the polyethylene web.

22. The improvement of Claim 15 wherein a wetting agent is applied to the exterior of the polypropylene filaments of the polypropylene web to thereby make it more wettable than the polyethylene web.

23. The improvement of Claim 15 wherein a wetting agent is incorporated into the polyethylene filaments of the polyethylene web to thereby make it more wettable than the polyethylene web.

24. The improvement of Claim 15 wherein a wetting agent is applied to the exterior of the polyethylene filaments of the polyethylene web to thereby make it more wettable than the polypropylene web.