Composite nonwoven fibrous webs and methods of making and using the same

Abstract

The disclosure relates to composite nonwoven fibrous webs including a population of sub-micrometer fibers having a median diameter less than one micrometer ([mu]m), and a population of microfibers having a median diameter of at least 1 [mu]m. At least, one of the fiber populations is oriented, and each composite nonwoven fibrous web has a thickness and exhibits a Solidity of less than 10%. The disclosure also relates to methods of making composite nonwoven fibrous webs, and articles including composite nonwoven fibrous webs made according to the methods. In exemplary applications, the articles may be used as gas filtration articles, liquid filtration articles, sound absorption articles, surface cleaning articles, cellular growth support articles, drug delivery articles, personal hygiene articles, or wound dressing articles.

Description

[0001] Cross References to Related Applications [0002] This application claims priority to US Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 017,230, filed December 28, 2007, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. technical field [0003] This invention relates to composite nonwoven fibrous webs and methods of making and using such webs. The present invention also relates to low density composite nonwoven fibrous webs comprising blends of submicron fibers and microfibers useful in making absorbent articles. Background technique [0004] Nonwoven webs have been used to make absorbent articles that can be used, for example, as absorbent wipes for surface cleaning, gas and liquid absorbents or filter media, and barrier materials for sound absorption. In some applications where high absorbency is required, it may be advantageous to use a highly porous nonwoven article prepared from fine submicron fibers having a high surface area. However, fine s...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

For example, the use of such surface modifiers can cause complications when the nonwoven article is used as an absorbent wipe or filter medium.

Some of these complications include leaching of surface modifiers over time, the tendency of surface modifiers to contaminate other surfaces or pass through the gaseous or liquid media of nonwovens, and the use of surface modifiers only to suppress compression Broken and lead to increased cost

Although surface modifiers can help promote crush recovery in fine submicron webs, they rarely contribute to overall compressive strength and compactness under compressive loads

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