Abstract

Nonwoven materials, methods of forming the same, and apparatus for forming the same, are disclosed. The nonwoven materials include at least one nonwoven web, with the at least one web being bonded by entangle bonding in spots, such entangle bonding being provided by hydraulic entangling. As a specific embodiment, elastomeric laminates are formed, the at least one nonwoven web subjected to spot-entangle-bonding including an elastomeric web spot-entangle-bonded to another web so as to form an elastomeric laminate. By spot-entangle-bonding (jet treating) the webs, utilizing hydraulic entangling to provide the spot-entangle-bonds, conventional bonding methods need not be used, whereby good hand and drape properties can be retained after bonding, and the overall bulk of the material can be maintained, while providing a product that does not easily delaminate and that is stretchable and resilient. Also disclosed is an apparatus for carrying out the spot-entangle-bonding, including two rotatable perforated drums having water jet manifolds inside thereof, the nonwoven material passing on the circumference thereof, with high pressure water jets issuing from the manifolds and through openings in the perforated drum so as to achieve hydraulic entangling of the nonwoven material at spots corresponding to openings of the perforated drums, with one side of the nonwoven material being adjacent the surface of one of the rotatable perforated drums and the opposite side of the nonwoven material being adjacent the surface of the other rotatable perforated drum.

Other References

• "The Outlook for Durable and Disposable Nonwoven Markets Through the 1980's" T. M. Holliday & Assocs. and R. G. Mansfield & Assoc. pp. 167-200
• "Spunlaced Products: Technology and End-Use Applications" E. I. du Pont de Nemours & Company Inc. Section XI