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EP3867435B1 - Tissu non-tissé biodégradable contenant de la pâte et son procédé de production - Google Patents

Tissu non-tissé biodégradable contenant de la pâte et son procédé de production Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3867435B1
EP3867435B1 EP19787262.5A EP19787262A EP3867435B1 EP 3867435 B1 EP3867435 B1 EP 3867435B1 EP 19787262 A EP19787262 A EP 19787262A EP 3867435 B1 EP3867435 B1 EP 3867435B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
biodegradable
fibers
woven fabric
wet
binder
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Revoked
Application number
EP19787262.5A
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German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP3867435A1 (fr
Inventor
Henning RÖTTGER
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Glatfelter Gernsbach GmbH and Co KG
Original Assignee
Glatfelter Gernsbach GmbH and Co KG
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Filing date
Publication date
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Publication of EP3867435A1 publication Critical patent/EP3867435A1/fr
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Revoked legal-status Critical Current
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    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06B—TREATING TEXTILE MATERIALS USING LIQUIDS, GASES OR VAPOURS
    • D06B5/00—Forcing liquids, gases or vapours through textile materials to effect treatment, e.g. washing, dyeing, bleaching, sizing impregnating
    • D06B5/12—Forcing liquids, gases or vapours through textile materials to effect treatment, e.g. washing, dyeing, bleaching, sizing impregnating through materials of definite length
    • D06B5/22—Forcing liquids, gases or vapours through textile materials to effect treatment, e.g. washing, dyeing, bleaching, sizing impregnating through materials of definite length through fabrics
    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D04—BRAIDING; LACE-MAKING; KNITTING; TRIMMINGS; NON-WOVEN FABRICS
    • D04H—MAKING TEXTILE FABRICS, e.g. FROM FIBRES OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL; FABRICS MADE BY SUCH PROCESSES OR APPARATUS, e.g. FELTS, NON-WOVEN FABRICS; COTTON-WOOL; WADDING ; NON-WOVEN FABRICS FROM STAPLE FIBRES, FILAMENTS OR YARNS, BONDED WITH AT LEAST ONE WEB-LIKE MATERIAL DURING THEIR CONSOLIDATION
    • D04H1/00—Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres
    • D04H1/40—Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres from fleeces or layers composed of fibres without existing or potential cohesive properties
    • D04H1/42—Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres from fleeces or layers composed of fibres without existing or potential cohesive properties characterised by the use of certain kinds of fibres insofar as this use has no preponderant influence on the consolidation of the fleece
    • D04H1/425—Cellulose series
    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D04—BRAIDING; LACE-MAKING; KNITTING; TRIMMINGS; NON-WOVEN FABRICS
    • D04H—MAKING TEXTILE FABRICS, e.g. FROM FIBRES OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL; FABRICS MADE BY SUCH PROCESSES OR APPARATUS, e.g. FELTS, NON-WOVEN FABRICS; COTTON-WOOL; WADDING ; NON-WOVEN FABRICS FROM STAPLE FIBRES, FILAMENTS OR YARNS, BONDED WITH AT LEAST ONE WEB-LIKE MATERIAL DURING THEIR CONSOLIDATION
    • D04H1/00—Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres
    • D04H1/40—Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres from fleeces or layers composed of fibres without existing or potential cohesive properties
    • D04H1/42—Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres from fleeces or layers composed of fibres without existing or potential cohesive properties characterised by the use of certain kinds of fibres insofar as this use has no preponderant influence on the consolidation of the fleece
    • D04H1/425—Cellulose series
    • D04H1/4258—Regenerated cellulose series
    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D04—BRAIDING; LACE-MAKING; KNITTING; TRIMMINGS; NON-WOVEN FABRICS
    • D04H—MAKING TEXTILE FABRICS, e.g. FROM FIBRES OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL; FABRICS MADE BY SUCH PROCESSES OR APPARATUS, e.g. FELTS, NON-WOVEN FABRICS; COTTON-WOOL; WADDING ; NON-WOVEN FABRICS FROM STAPLE FIBRES, FILAMENTS OR YARNS, BONDED WITH AT LEAST ONE WEB-LIKE MATERIAL DURING THEIR CONSOLIDATION
    • D04H1/00—Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres
    • D04H1/40—Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres from fleeces or layers composed of fibres without existing or potential cohesive properties
    • D04H1/44—Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres from fleeces or layers composed of fibres without existing or potential cohesive properties the fleeces or layers being consolidated by mechanical means, e.g. by rolling
    • D04H1/46—Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres from fleeces or layers composed of fibres without existing or potential cohesive properties the fleeces or layers being consolidated by mechanical means, e.g. by rolling by needling or like operations to cause entanglement of fibres
    • D04H1/48—Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres from fleeces or layers composed of fibres without existing or potential cohesive properties the fleeces or layers being consolidated by mechanical means, e.g. by rolling by needling or like operations to cause entanglement of fibres in combination with at least one other method of consolidation
    • D04H1/488—Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres from fleeces or layers composed of fibres without existing or potential cohesive properties the fleeces or layers being consolidated by mechanical means, e.g. by rolling by needling or like operations to cause entanglement of fibres in combination with at least one other method of consolidation in combination with bonding agents
    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D04—BRAIDING; LACE-MAKING; KNITTING; TRIMMINGS; NON-WOVEN FABRICS
    • D04H—MAKING TEXTILE FABRICS, e.g. FROM FIBRES OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL; FABRICS MADE BY SUCH PROCESSES OR APPARATUS, e.g. FELTS, NON-WOVEN FABRICS; COTTON-WOOL; WADDING ; NON-WOVEN FABRICS FROM STAPLE FIBRES, FILAMENTS OR YARNS, BONDED WITH AT LEAST ONE WEB-LIKE MATERIAL DURING THEIR CONSOLIDATION
    • D04H1/00—Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres
    • D04H1/40—Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres from fleeces or layers composed of fibres without existing or potential cohesive properties
    • D04H1/44—Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres from fleeces or layers composed of fibres without existing or potential cohesive properties the fleeces or layers being consolidated by mechanical means, e.g. by rolling
    • D04H1/46—Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres from fleeces or layers composed of fibres without existing or potential cohesive properties the fleeces or layers being consolidated by mechanical means, e.g. by rolling by needling or like operations to cause entanglement of fibres
    • D04H1/48—Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres from fleeces or layers composed of fibres without existing or potential cohesive properties the fleeces or layers being consolidated by mechanical means, e.g. by rolling by needling or like operations to cause entanglement of fibres in combination with at least one other method of consolidation
    • D04H1/49—Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres from fleeces or layers composed of fibres without existing or potential cohesive properties the fleeces or layers being consolidated by mechanical means, e.g. by rolling by needling or like operations to cause entanglement of fibres in combination with at least one other method of consolidation entanglement by fluid jet in combination with another consolidation means
    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D04—BRAIDING; LACE-MAKING; KNITTING; TRIMMINGS; NON-WOVEN FABRICS
    • D04H—MAKING TEXTILE FABRICS, e.g. FROM FIBRES OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL; FABRICS MADE BY SUCH PROCESSES OR APPARATUS, e.g. FELTS, NON-WOVEN FABRICS; COTTON-WOOL; WADDING ; NON-WOVEN FABRICS FROM STAPLE FIBRES, FILAMENTS OR YARNS, BONDED WITH AT LEAST ONE WEB-LIKE MATERIAL DURING THEIR CONSOLIDATION
    • D04H1/00—Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres
    • D04H1/40—Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres from fleeces or layers composed of fibres without existing or potential cohesive properties
    • D04H1/44—Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres from fleeces or layers composed of fibres without existing or potential cohesive properties the fleeces or layers being consolidated by mechanical means, e.g. by rolling
    • D04H1/46—Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres from fleeces or layers composed of fibres without existing or potential cohesive properties the fleeces or layers being consolidated by mechanical means, e.g. by rolling by needling or like operations to cause entanglement of fibres
    • D04H1/492—Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres from fleeces or layers composed of fibres without existing or potential cohesive properties the fleeces or layers being consolidated by mechanical means, e.g. by rolling by needling or like operations to cause entanglement of fibres by fluid jet
    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D04—BRAIDING; LACE-MAKING; KNITTING; TRIMMINGS; NON-WOVEN FABRICS
    • D04H—MAKING TEXTILE FABRICS, e.g. FROM FIBRES OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL; FABRICS MADE BY SUCH PROCESSES OR APPARATUS, e.g. FELTS, NON-WOVEN FABRICS; COTTON-WOOL; WADDING ; NON-WOVEN FABRICS FROM STAPLE FIBRES, FILAMENTS OR YARNS, BONDED WITH AT LEAST ONE WEB-LIKE MATERIAL DURING THEIR CONSOLIDATION
    • D04H1/00—Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres
    • D04H1/40—Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres from fleeces or layers composed of fibres without existing or potential cohesive properties
    • D04H1/54—Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres from fleeces or layers composed of fibres without existing or potential cohesive properties by welding together the fibres, e.g. by partially melting or dissolving
    • D04H1/541—Composite fibres, e.g. sheath-core, sea-island or side-by-side; Mixed fibres
    • D04H1/5412—Composite fibres, e.g. sheath-core, sea-island or side-by-side; Mixed fibres sheath-core
    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D04—BRAIDING; LACE-MAKING; KNITTING; TRIMMINGS; NON-WOVEN FABRICS
    • D04H—MAKING TEXTILE FABRICS, e.g. FROM FIBRES OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL; FABRICS MADE BY SUCH PROCESSES OR APPARATUS, e.g. FELTS, NON-WOVEN FABRICS; COTTON-WOOL; WADDING ; NON-WOVEN FABRICS FROM STAPLE FIBRES, FILAMENTS OR YARNS, BONDED WITH AT LEAST ONE WEB-LIKE MATERIAL DURING THEIR CONSOLIDATION
    • D04H1/00—Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres
    • D04H1/40—Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres from fleeces or layers composed of fibres without existing or potential cohesive properties
    • D04H1/54—Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres from fleeces or layers composed of fibres without existing or potential cohesive properties by welding together the fibres, e.g. by partially melting or dissolving
    • D04H1/541—Composite fibres, e.g. sheath-core, sea-island or side-by-side; Mixed fibres
    • D04H1/5418—Mixed fibres, e.g. at least two chemically different fibres or fibre blends
    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D04—BRAIDING; LACE-MAKING; KNITTING; TRIMMINGS; NON-WOVEN FABRICS
    • D04H—MAKING TEXTILE FABRICS, e.g. FROM FIBRES OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL; FABRICS MADE BY SUCH PROCESSES OR APPARATUS, e.g. FELTS, NON-WOVEN FABRICS; COTTON-WOOL; WADDING ; NON-WOVEN FABRICS FROM STAPLE FIBRES, FILAMENTS OR YARNS, BONDED WITH AT LEAST ONE WEB-LIKE MATERIAL DURING THEIR CONSOLIDATION
    • D04H1/00—Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres
    • D04H1/40—Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres from fleeces or layers composed of fibres without existing or potential cohesive properties
    • D04H1/58—Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres from fleeces or layers composed of fibres without existing or potential cohesive properties by applying, incorporating or activating chemical or thermoplastic bonding agents, e.g. adhesives
    • D04H1/587—Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres from fleeces or layers composed of fibres without existing or potential cohesive properties by applying, incorporating or activating chemical or thermoplastic bonding agents, e.g. adhesives characterised by the bonding agents used
    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D04—BRAIDING; LACE-MAKING; KNITTING; TRIMMINGS; NON-WOVEN FABRICS
    • D04H—MAKING TEXTILE FABRICS, e.g. FROM FIBRES OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL; FABRICS MADE BY SUCH PROCESSES OR APPARATUS, e.g. FELTS, NON-WOVEN FABRICS; COTTON-WOOL; WADDING ; NON-WOVEN FABRICS FROM STAPLE FIBRES, FILAMENTS OR YARNS, BONDED WITH AT LEAST ONE WEB-LIKE MATERIAL DURING THEIR CONSOLIDATION
    • D04H5/00—Non woven fabrics formed of mixtures of relatively short fibres and yarns or like filamentary material of substantial length
    • D04H5/02—Non woven fabrics formed of mixtures of relatively short fibres and yarns or like filamentary material of substantial length strengthened or consolidated by mechanical methods, e.g. needling
    • D04H5/03—Non woven fabrics formed of mixtures of relatively short fibres and yarns or like filamentary material of substantial length strengthened or consolidated by mechanical methods, e.g. needling by fluid jet
    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D04—BRAIDING; LACE-MAKING; KNITTING; TRIMMINGS; NON-WOVEN FABRICS
    • D04H—MAKING TEXTILE FABRICS, e.g. FROM FIBRES OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL; FABRICS MADE BY SUCH PROCESSES OR APPARATUS, e.g. FELTS, NON-WOVEN FABRICS; COTTON-WOOL; WADDING ; NON-WOVEN FABRICS FROM STAPLE FIBRES, FILAMENTS OR YARNS, BONDED WITH AT LEAST ONE WEB-LIKE MATERIAL DURING THEIR CONSOLIDATION
    • D04H5/00—Non woven fabrics formed of mixtures of relatively short fibres and yarns or like filamentary material of substantial length
    • D04H5/04—Non woven fabrics formed of mixtures of relatively short fibres and yarns or like filamentary material of substantial length strengthened or consolidated by applying or incorporating chemical or thermo-activatable bonding agents in solid or liquid form
    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D21—PAPER-MAKING; PRODUCTION OF CELLULOSE
    • D21H—PULP COMPOSITIONS; PREPARATION THEREOF NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES D21C OR D21D; IMPREGNATING OR COATING OF PAPER; TREATMENT OF FINISHED PAPER NOT COVERED BY CLASS B31 OR SUBCLASS D21G; PAPER NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D21H13/00—Pulp or paper, comprising synthetic cellulose or non-cellulose fibres or web-forming material
    • D21H13/02—Synthetic cellulose fibres
    • D21H13/08—Synthetic cellulose fibres from regenerated cellulose
    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D21—PAPER-MAKING; PRODUCTION OF CELLULOSE
    • D21H—PULP COMPOSITIONS; PREPARATION THEREOF NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES D21C OR D21D; IMPREGNATING OR COATING OF PAPER; TREATMENT OF FINISHED PAPER NOT COVERED BY CLASS B31 OR SUBCLASS D21G; PAPER NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D21H21/00—Non-fibrous material added to the pulp, characterised by its function, form or properties; Paper-impregnating or coating material, characterised by its function, form or properties
    • D21H21/14—Non-fibrous material added to the pulp, characterised by its function, form or properties; Paper-impregnating or coating material, characterised by its function, form or properties characterised by function or properties in or on the paper
    • D21H21/18—Reinforcing agents
    • D21H21/20—Wet strength agents
    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D21—PAPER-MAKING; PRODUCTION OF CELLULOSE
    • D21H—PULP COMPOSITIONS; PREPARATION THEREOF NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES D21C OR D21D; IMPREGNATING OR COATING OF PAPER; TREATMENT OF FINISHED PAPER NOT COVERED BY CLASS B31 OR SUBCLASS D21G; PAPER NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D21H27/00—Special paper not otherwise provided for, e.g. made by multi-step processes
    • D21H27/002—Tissue paper; Absorbent paper

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a biodegradable non-woven fabric, a method for producing a biodegradable non-woven fabric and wipes or tissues comprising the biodegradable non-woven fabric.
  • the biodegradable non-woven fabric may be a plastic-free, entirely compostable non-woven fabric or substrate suitable for disposable applications, such as wipes or tissues.
  • Disposable wipes such as wet toilet wipes or personal care wipes like baby wipes, facial wipes etc. are very popular for cleaning the skin of human bodies or facilities in the household because of their comfort for consumers and efficacy in cleaning.
  • increasing concerns about plastic contamination of the environment create an increasing demand for plastic-free and fully compostable/biodegradable substrates for disposable wipes and similar products.
  • Spunlacing (which may also be referred to as hydroentanglement) and needle punching are technologies conventionally used for producing non-woven fabric or substrates suitable as wipes.
  • Spunlacing is a bonding process for wet or dry fibrous webs where fine, high pressure jets of water penetrate the fibrous web and cause an entanglement of fibers, thereby providing fabric integrity.
  • Needle punching is a bonding process where fibers are mechanically intertwined by needles.
  • Spunlace technology only using compostable fibers made of regenerated cellulose like Viscose/Rayon, Tencel or Cellulose Acetate or natural fibers like cotton provide a technical solution for plastic-free and compostable/biodegradable disposable wipes but is challenged by the significant increase of material cost by replacing PET fibers commonly used in disposable wipe substrates (e.g. baby wipes) by compostable fibers at an up to 50% increase of material cost. Due to the too high material cost, such products so far have only been used in a niche premium segment but could not replace standard volume products like baby wipes.
  • wetlaid/airlaid technology blending fibers and pulp combined with spunlace technology for bonding without the application of binders as it is commonly used for the production of dispersible wipes (moist toilet tissue) as disclosed in EP 2 985 375 A1 or non-dispersible wipe substrates (airlaced) is facing two limitations in the mechanical integrity of the non-woven structure, especially after exposure to liquid being critical for using such substrates in applications like baby wipes and personal care wipes requiring higher mechanical strength and resiliency:
  • EP 0 602 881 A1 discloses a wet wipe with good wet strength properties, comprising a nonwoven which is obtained by hydroentangling a mixture of wood pulp and rayon fibers, then applying a wet-strength agent.
  • the present invention aims at overcoming the above described problems and drawbacks.
  • the present inventor has made diligent studies and has found that the mechanical properties (such as strength and/or resiliency) of a non-woven fabric made by mechanically entangling a blend of pulp fibers and biodegradable fibers may be improved by (i) adding a biodegradable binder potentially including softening agents like glycerol after formation of an entangled textile structure from biodegradable fibers and pulp fibers, by (ii) adding a preferably compostable wet-strength agent prior to the head box before formation of a textile structure from biodegradable fibers and pulp fibers, and/or by (iii) blending biodegradable binder fibers (in particular biodegradable thermobonding fibers) to a fiber blend comprising biodegradable fibers and pulp fibers, these objects can be solved.
  • a biodegradable binder potentially including softening agents like glycerol after formation of an entangled textile structure from biodegradable fibers and pulp fibers
  • the present inventor assumes that by any of the above measures (i) to (iii), bonding points (in particular covalent bondings) at the pulp fibers may be created bonding them together and fixing them to an integrated structure within the structure of the spunlaced fibers.
  • a pulp-web-structure may be formed which is integrated into (or embedded in) the structure of entangled biodegradable fibers such that a structure is created where the pulp fibers may not substantially move within the entangled fiber structure even after exposure to a liquid, such as water, and crumpling the web or applying mechanical strength to the web.
  • a liquid such as water
  • biodegradable fibers and pulp fibers as well as the content of wet-strength agent, binder and/or binder fiber, it may be possible to properly adjust the material properties in a wide range and to avoid pulp fibers moving and clumping after exposing the substrate to liquid/water and tailoring the desired web-strength and resiliency. This may allow the design of wipe substrates with similar properties like spunlace materials also in the wet state and replacing a high content of compostable fibers by much lower cost pulp fibers.
  • the present invention relates to a biodegradable non-woven fabric comprising biodegradable fibers and pulp fibers, wherein at least a part of the biodegradable fibers is entangled with each other (at least partly entrapping pulp fibers), and wherein at least a part of the pulp fibers is covalently bonded (fixed, adhered) to each other (together) by a biodegradable binder.
  • the present invention further relates to a method for producing a biodegradable non-woven fabric, comprising the steps of (a) forming a fibrous web from a fiber blend comprising biodegradable fibers and pulp fibers or forming a layer of biodegradable fibers on a tissue carrier, (b) entangling at least a part of the biodegradable fibers with each other (thereby enclosing at least a part of the pulp fiber) by subjecting the fibrous web (or layer of tissue/fibers) to a water-jet treatment, and (c) drying the entangled fibrous web (at a temperature sufficient to cure applied binders), wherein the method further comprises the following step:
  • the present invention relates to a wipe or tissue comprising the biodegradable non-woven fabric as described herein.
  • the expression "at least a part of", as used herein, may mean at least 5 % thereof, in particular at least 10 % thereof, in particular at least 15 % thereof, in particular at least 20 % thereof, in particular at least 25 % thereof, in particular at least 30 % thereof, in particular at least 35 % thereof, in particular at least 40 % thereof, in particular at least 45 % thereof, in particular at least 50 % thereof, in particular at least 55 % thereof, in particular at least 60 % thereof, in particular at least 65 % thereof, in particular at least 70 % thereof, in particular at least 75 % thereof, in particular at least 80 % thereof, in particular at least 85 % thereof, in particular at least 90 % thereof, in particular at least 95 % thereof, in particular at least 98 % thereof, and may also mean 100 % thereof.
  • the present invention relates to a biodegradable non-woven fabric.
  • non-woven fabric may in particular mean a web of individual fibers which are at least partially intertwined, but not in a regular manner as in a knitted or woven fabric.
  • biodegradable (which may also be referred to as “compostable”), as used herein, means that the material concerned, such as the biodegradable non-woven fabric, the biodegradable fibers, the biodegradable binder fiber (if present), the biodegradable wet-strength agent (if present) and the biodegradable binder and the like, complies at least with the requirements for industrial compostability, for instance in accordance with EN 13432, and preferably also with the requirements for home compostability and is most preferred also marine biodegradable.
  • the term “marine biodegradable”, as used herein, may in particular mean that the material biodegrades by more than 90% by weight within 12 month storage in sea water at min. 15 °C and exposure to daylight.
  • the biodegradable non-woven fabric comprises biodegradable fibers and pulp fibers.
  • the biodegradable fibers comprise cellulosic fibers.
  • cellulosic fibers may in particular denote fibers based on cellulose, in particular modified or regenerated cellulose fibers, such as fibers prepared from cellulose, or cellulose derivates, such as ethyl cellulose, cellulose acetate and the like.
  • regenerated cellulose fibers may in particular denote manmade cellulose fibers obtained by a solvent spinning process.
  • the regenerated cellulose fibers may be selected from the group consisting of viscose (rayon) or lyocell (tencel).
  • Viscose is a type of solvent spun fiber produced according to the viscose process typically involving an intermediate dissolution of cellulose as cellulose xanthate and subsequent spinning to fibers.
  • Lyocell is a type of solvent spun fiber produced according to the aminoxide process typically involving the dissolution of cellulose in N-methylmorpholine N-oxide and subsequent spinning to fibers.
  • the biodegradable fibers may have an average fiber length of from 1 mm to 100 mm, for instance an average fiber length of from 3 mm to 80 mm, for instance an average fiber length of from 5 to 70 mm, for instance an average fiber length of from 10 to 65 mm, for instance an average fiber length of from 15 to 60 mm, for instance an average fiber length of from 18 to 50 mm, such as an average fiber length of from 20 to 40 mm.
  • the biodegradable fibers may have an average fiber length of from 1 mm to 12 mm, in particular of from 3 mm to 10 mm. This may be advantageous, in particular when the non-woven fabric is prepared by an airlaid process.
  • the biodegradable fibers may have an average fiber length of from 1 mm to 12 mm, in particular of from 3 mm to 8 mm. This may be advantageous, in particular when the non-woven fabric is prepared by a wetlaid process.
  • the biodegradable fibers may have an average fiber length of from 10 mm to 100 mm, in particular of from 10 mm to 80 mm. This may be advantageous, in particular when the non-woven fabric is prepared by an airlay process.
  • the biodegradable fibers may have an average fiber length of from 15 mm to 60 mm. This may be advantageous, in particular when the nonwoven fabric is prepared by a carding process.
  • the biodegradable fibers may have a fiber coarseness of from 0.5 to 10 dtex, in particular from 0.5 to 4.0 dtex or from 1.0 to 10 dtex, such as from 1.0 to 2.5 dtex.
  • the biodegradable fibers may be comprised in an amount of from 10 to 80 wt.-%, such as in an amount of from 15 to 70 wt.-%, such as in an amount of from 20 to 60 wt.-%, such as in an amount of from 25 to 50 wt.-%, such as in an amount of from 30 to 40 wt.-%, based on the total weight of the non-woven fabric.
  • the pulp fibers may be natural pulp fibers, in particular pulp fibers of natural origin, such as softwood pulp fibers or hardwood pulp fibers.
  • Pulp may in particular denote a (lignocellulosic) fibrous material prepared by chemically or mechanically separating cellulose fibers from wood or the like, such as by a kraft process (sulfate process).
  • the pulp fibers may have an average fiber length of from 1.0 mm to 4.0 mm, for instance from 1.5 mm to 3.5 mm, such as from 2.0 mm to 3.2 mm.
  • the pulp fibers may have a fiber coarseness of from 0.3 to 3.5 dtex, such as from 0.6 to 2.5 dtex.
  • the pulp fibers may be comprised in an amount of from 20 to 90 wt.-%, such as in an amount of from 30 to 85 wt.-%, such as in an amount of from 40 to 80 wt.-%, such as in an amount of from 50 to 75 wt.-%, such as in an amount of from 60 to 70 wt.-%, based on the total weight of the non-woven fabric.
  • At least a part of the biodegradable fibers is entangled with each other.
  • at least a part of the biodegradable fibers may be entangled with each other such that at least a part of the pulp fibers is entrapped (with)in the entangled biodegradable fibers.
  • the term "entangled”, as used herein, may in particular mean that the biodegradable fibers are at least partly intertwined with each other, thereby imparting strength, such as tear strength or tensile strength, to the non-woven fabric. Entangling of the biodegradable fibers might in particular be achieved by a treatment of a fibrous web with water jets, as will be explained in further detail below, which may also be referred to as “hydroentanglement” or “spunlacing” and the entangled fibers may thus also be referred to as “hydroentangled fibers” or “spunlaced fibers”.
  • the layer of biodegradable fibers may also be formed on top of a layer of tissue using carding or airlay or airlaid technology and then be fed into the spunlacing unit which is disintegrating the tissue forming a web of at least partially entangled biodegradable fibers enclosing at least part of the pulp fibers.
  • the pulp fibers is covalently bonded (fixed, adhered) to each other (thereby forming an integrated pulp layer within the biodegradable spunlaced fiber structure) by a biodegradable binder.
  • a pulp-web-structure may be formed which is integrated into (or embedded in) the structure of entangled biodegradable fibers such that a structure is created where the pulp fibers may not substantially move within the entangled fiber structure even after exposure to a liquid, such as water. Moreover, a clumping of pulp fibers may be substantially avoided. Therefore, the bonding of the pulp fibers is preferably initiated by application of heat after entangling the biodegradable fibers by means of hydroentangling or needle punching.
  • At least one of the group consisting of a biodegradable binder, a biodegradable wet-strength agent and a biodegradable binder fiber may optionally, but not necessarily, also bond the biodegradable fibers, in particular the entangled biodegradable fibers, together and may optionally, but not necessarily, also bond pulp fibers to the biodegradable fibers, in particular to the entangled biodegradable fibers.
  • the (large) majority of the at least one of the group consisting of a biodegradable binder, a biodegradable wet-strength agent and a biodegradable binder fiber bonds the pulp fibers together (rather than bonding to the biodegradable fibers) thereby forming a pulp-web-structure which may also (but does need to) bond to the structure of entangled biodegradable fibers.
  • the increase in bulkiness due to the formation of a pulp-web-structure and the resulting integration or embedding thereof within the structure of entangled biodegradable fibers is believed sufficient (even without bonding to the biodegradable fibers) for substantially limiting a free movement of the pulp within the entangled fiber structure even after exposure to a liquid, such as water, and for substantially avoiding extraction and/or clumping.
  • the formation of a layer of inter-bonded pulp fibers within the structure of entangled biodegradable fibers may increase the resiliency of the material.
  • the pulp fibers is bonded to each other by a biodegradable binder fiber.
  • the term "binder fiber”, as used herein, may in particular denote a fiber that is able to bind (e.g. by thermobonding, by forming covalent bonds, by ionic interactions or the like) to each other or to other fibers.
  • the biodegradable binder fiber is a biodegradable thermobonding (or thermally activatable) fiber.
  • the biodegradable binder fiber may in particular be a biodegradable thermoplastic fiber.
  • thermoplastic fibers may in particular denote fibers that soften and/or partly melt when exposed to heat and are capable to bind with each other or to other nonthermoplastic fibers, such as cellulose fibers, upon cooling and resolidifying.
  • the biodegradable binder fiber comprises a multicomponent fiber, in particular a bicomponent fiber, such as bicomponent fibers of the sheath-core type.
  • Bicomponent fibers are composed of two sorts of polymers having different physical and/or chemical characteristics, in particular different melting characteristics.
  • a bicomponent fiber of the sheath-core type typically has a core of a higher melting point component and a sheath of a lower melting point component.
  • the biodegradable binder fiber may comprise polylactic acid (PLA), polybutylene succinate (PBS), polybutyratadipate terephthalate (polybutylene adipate terephthalate, PBAT), and other biodegradable thermoplastic polymers. Combinations of two or more thereof may also be applied.
  • the biodegradable binder fiber may be comprised in an amount of from 0.1 to 30 wt.-%, such as in an amount of 0.2 to 20 wt.-%, such as in an amount of from 0.2 to 10 wt.-%, such as in an amount of from 0.2 to 7.5 wt.-%, such as in an amount of from 0.35 to 5 wt.-%, such as in an amount of from 0.5 to 4 wt.-%, based on the total weight of the non-woven fabric.
  • At least a part of the pulp fibers is bonded to each other by a biodegradable wet-strength agent.
  • the term "wet-strength agent”, as used herein, may in particular denote an agent that improves the tensile strength of the non-woven web in the wet state, for instance by forming covalent bonds.
  • the wet-strength agent is biodegradable.
  • a non-biodegradable wet-strength agent for instance in small amounts not negatively impacting the biodegradability/compostability which may significantly increase the wet tensile strength of the non-woven fabric.
  • the biodegradable wet-strength agent may be selected from the group consisting of chitosan, modified starch, cellulose derivatives and others. Combinations of two or more thereof may also be applied.
  • the term "cellulosic derivatives", as used herein, may in particular denote chemically modified (for instance methylated, ethylated, hydroxypropylated, acetylated and/or carboxylated) cellulose compounds, and may in particular include cellulose ethers and cellulose esters, such as methylcellulose, ethylcellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose or cellulose acetate.
  • the biodegradable wet-strength agent may be comprised in an amount of from 0.1 to 3 wt.-%, such as in an amount of from 0.2 to 2 wt.-%, such as in an amount of from 0.35 to 1.5 wt.-%, such as in an amount of from 0.5 to 1 wt.-%, based on the total weight of the non-woven fabric.
  • the biodegradable non-woven fabric may comprise a further wet-strength agent, in particular a non-biodegradable wet-strength agent.
  • a further wet-strength agent may include an epichlorhydrine resin, such as a polyamine-polyamide-epichlorohydrin resin
  • binder may in particular denote a chemical compound that is able to bind (e.g. by forming covalent bonds, by ionic interactions or the like) to two or more fibers, thereby interconnecting the fibers, resulting in an increased tensile strength of the web or fabric.
  • the biodegradable binder may be selected from the group consisting of chitosan, modified starch, cellulose derivatives, in particular blends of carboxymethylcellulose and citric acid, protein based binders, such as casein, and others. Combinations of two or more thereof may also be applied.
  • Further suitable biodegradable binders are disclosed in WO 2014/117964 A1 , the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
  • the biodegradable binder may be comprised in an in amount of from 0.05 to 5 wt.-%, such as in an amount of from 0.1 to 4 wt.-%, such as in an amount of from 0.25 to 3 wt.-%, such as in an amount of from 0.5 to 2 wt.-%, based on the total weight of the non-woven fabric.
  • the biodegradable binder further comprises an additive, such as glycerol, (configured for) acting as softening agent improving the flexibility and drapability of the (dried treated) non-woven fabric.
  • an additive such as glycerol, (configured for) acting as softening agent improving the flexibility and drapability of the (dried treated) non-woven fabric.
  • glycerol or similar softening additives may be added to the biodegradable binder or wet-strength agent in order to improve the flexibility and drapability of the dried treated non-woven fabric.
  • a wet-strength agent within the meaning of the present application and a binder within the meaning of the present application may in particular be distinguished by the time of its application.
  • a wet-strength agent is typically added to a fiber blend prior to formation of a fibrous web or textile structure.
  • a wet-strength agent may be applied into or prior to a head box of a paper-making machine.
  • a binder is typically applied after formation of a fibrous web or textile structure, and may even be applied after entanglement of the fibrous web.
  • a binder may be applied or added to an entangled fibrous web, but preferable prior to drying the entangled web. It is also feasible to apply the binder after drying the hydroentangled web but this would be less efficient due to the necessity of drying the web twice.
  • a binder fiber may be added to the blend of the other fibers prior to formation of a fibrous web or textile structure.
  • At least a part of the pulp fibers may be bonded to each other by a biodegradable wet-strength agent and/or by a biodegradable binder, and optionally further by a biodegradable binder fiber.
  • At least a part of the pulp fibers may be bonded to each other only by a biodegradable wet-strength agent; at least a part of the pulp fibers may be bonded to each other only by a biodegradable binder; at least a part of the pulp fibers may be bonded to each other by a biodegradable wet-strength agent and by a biodegradable binder; at least a part of the pulp fibers may be bonded to each other by a biodegradable wet-strength agent and by a biodegradable binder fiber; at least a part of the pulp fibers may be bonded to each other by a biodegradable binder and by a biodegradable binder fiber; and/or at least a part of the pulp fibers may be bonded to each other by a biodegradable binder, by a biodegradable wet-strength agent and by a biodegradable binder fiber.
  • substantially all fibers comprised in the biodegradable nonwoven fabric may be biodegradable fibers, in particular substantially all fibers comprised in the biodegradable non-woven fabric may be the biodegradable fibers, the pulp fibers and optionally the biodegradable binder fiber described herein.
  • the biodegradable non-woven fabric does substantially not comprise any other fibers than biodegradable fibers, in particular no other fibers than the biodegradable fibers, the pulp fibers and optionally the biodegradable binder fiber described herein.
  • other fibers than biodegradable fibers may still be present in relatively minor amounts of up to 10, up to 5, up to 3, up to 2, or up to 1 wt.-% based on the total weight of the non-woven fabric.
  • the biodegradable non-woven fabric may have a grammage or basis weight of from 20 to 150 g/m 2 , such as from 30 to 125 g/m 2 , such as from 40 to 100 g/m 2 , such as from 50 to 80 g/m 2 .
  • the non-woven fabric is non-dispersible in water, rather than dispersible.
  • the term "dispersible” may in particular denote the property of a non-woven fabric to be capable of disintegrating or decomposing in water by applying a relatively low mechanical energy, such as a situation that typically occurs in a toilet upon flushing.
  • a dispersible non-woven fabric when being flushed, may be no longer intact, for instance a certain amount of individual fibers or of fiber aggregates may be released from the fabric and/or the fabric may break to several pieces.
  • non-dispersible may accordingly denote the property of the non-woven fabric to be capable of resisting to disintegration in water upon applying a relatively low mechanical energy, such as a situation that typically occurs in a toilet upon flushing.
  • the non-woven fabric may be treated (impregnated) with a liquid or a lotion.
  • the non-woven fabric may further comprise a liquid or a lotion.
  • the non-woven fabric may in particular represent a wet wipe or wet tissue.
  • the liquid or the lotion is not particularly limited, and any liquid or lotion customary in the field of wet wipes or wet tissues may be applied.
  • the liquid or the lotion may comprise a solvent, such as water, an alcohol, or mixtures thereof, surfactants or detergents, skin care agents, emollients, humectants, perfumes, preservatives etc. depending on the intended use.
  • the biodegradable non-woven fabric shows an increase of material resiliency characterized by a Circular Bend Stiffness Force determined in accordance with modified ASTM D 4032-94 as described further below of more than 25%, preferably more than 50% and most preferably more than 75%, compared to a non-woven fabric without any one of a biodegradable binder fiber, a biodegradable wet-strength agent and a biodegradable binder.
  • the biodegradable non-woven fabric shows an increase of material resiliency characterized by a bending stiffness in machine direction (MD) and/or in cross direction (CD) determined in accordance with modified ISO 5628 (DIN 53 121) as described further below of more than 25%, preferably more than 50% and most preferably more than 75%, compared to a non-woven fabric without any one of a biodegradable binder fiber, a biodegradable wet-strength agent and a biodegradable binder.
  • MD machine direction
  • CD cross direction
  • the present invention relates to a method for producing a biodegradable non-woven fabric as described herein.
  • the method comprises the steps of:
  • the method further comprises the following step:
  • the fibrous web may be prepared for instance by a conventional wetlaid process using a wet-laid machine, such as an inclined wire or flat wire machine, or a dry-forming air-laid non-woven manufacturing process.
  • a wet-lay process is described for instance in US 2004/0129632 A1 .
  • a suitable dry-forming air-laid non-woven manufacturing process is described for instance in US 3,905,864 .
  • the fibrous web may be formed for instance by a wet-laid process or an air-laid process.
  • the fibrous web is formed by a wet-laid process. In another embodiment, the fibrous web is formed by an air-laid process. Also a combination of a carding process or an airlay process combined with an airlaid process is suitable for forming a layer of biodegradable fibers combined with a layer of pulp fibers. Instead of the airlaid process the pulp fibers can also be fed into the process as a tissue/paper layer getting combined with the fiber layer prior to entering the hydroentangling section where the tissue/pulp get disintegrated and blended with the biodegradable fibers.
  • the fiber blend used for forming the fibrous web comprises biodegradable fibers and pulp fibers and may optionally further comprise a biodegradable binder fiber and/or a biodegradable wet-strength agent.
  • step (b) at least a part of the biodegradable fibers are entangled with each other by subjecting the fibrous web to a water-jet treatment.
  • at least a part of the biodegradable fibers may be entangled with each other such that at least a part of the pulp fibers may be enclosed (with)in the entangled biodegradable fibers (the entangled fibrous web of biodegradable fibers).
  • water-jet treatment may in particular mean a process of mechanically entangling fibers by giving the fibrous web an impact with jets of water.
  • Water-jet treatment may also be referred to as hydroentanglement or spunlacing.
  • Water-jet treatment typically involves the ejection of fine, high pressure jets of water from a plurality of nozzles on a fibrous web provided on a conveyor belt or forming-wire. The water jets penetrate the web, hit the belt where they may be reflected and pass again the web causing the fibers to entangle.
  • the fibrous web to the water-jet treatment, the fibers are entangled, in particular hydroentangled.
  • a biodegradable binder is applied to the entangled fibrous web.
  • the biodegradable binder may be applied in the form of a solution or dispersion to the entangled fibrous web.
  • the biodegradable binder may be applied by spraying or other means of liquid application like a size-press, foulard or other. It may be favorable to remove excessive water prior to application of the binder especially in case of spray application by application of vacuum, pressure or other removing excessive water to avoid dilution of the binder.
  • a softening agent like glycerol is added to the biodegradable binder providing an enhanced flexibility/drapeability (reduced stiffness) of the finished non-woven especially in the dry state.
  • step (c) the drying of the entangled fibrous web may preferably be carried out such that the biodegradable binder fiber softens and/or partly melts, in particular is thermally activated, and/or that the biodegradable wet-strength agent and/or the biodegradable binder is cured, in particular undergoes a chemical reaction.
  • the drying is preferably carried out at a (sufficiently high) temperature to thermally activate the biodegradable binder fiber and/or to cause a chemical reaction of the biodegradable wet-strength agent and/or the biodegradable binder, for instance at a temperature of more than 80 °C, such as more than 100 °C, such as more than 120 °C, such as more than 140°C, such as more than 180°C, depending on the specific biodegradable binder fiber, biodegradable wet-strength agent and/or biodegradable binder used.
  • the present invention relates to a wipe or tissue comprising the biodegradable non-woven fabric as described herein.
  • the non-woven fabric according to the present invention may be usable as a wipe or a tissue.
  • the wipe or tissue may be a dry wipe or dry tissue. Dry wipes may be particularly suitable for use as kitchen tissue/towel, shop floor towel and paper towel, enabling the soakage of liquids.
  • the wipe or tissue may be a wet wipe or wet tissue.
  • the wet wipe may be treated with a liquid or a lotion, as described in further detail above.
  • Wet wipes may be particularly suitable for personal care applications cleaning the skin of a human body, including the private parts thereof.
  • wet wipes may be particularly suitable for personal care use such as facial wipes or baby wipes.
  • the wipe is selected from the group consisting facial wipes, cosmetic wipes, baby wipes, sanitary wipes, kitchen towel, paper towel, handkerchiefs (facial tissue), cleaning tissue, cleansing tissue, floor mop and hard surface cleaning wipe.
  • resiliency may in particular denote a property of a textile like structure, such as an elasticity or capability of at least partly reverting to an original shape after crumpling.
  • the resiliency may be characterized for instance by a Circular Bend Stiffness Force determined in accordance with modified ASTM D 4032-94 and/or a bending stiffness in machine direction (MD) and/or in cross direction (CD) determined in accordance with modified ISO 5628 (DIN 53 121) as described in further detail below.
  • a Circular Bend Stiffness Force determined in accordance with modified ASTM D 4032-94 and/or a bending stiffness in machine direction (MD) and/or in cross direction (CD) determined in accordance with modified ISO 5628 (DIN 53 121) as described in further detail below.
  • a blend of 20 wt.-% of viscose fibers and 80 wt.-% of natural pulp fibers have been processed on an inclined wire machine with a basis weight of 60 g/m 2 and hydroentangled by application of water jets and dried as described in the patent EP 2 985 375 B1 .
  • the substrate is used as "base substrate” to demonstrate the effect of different binder applications. Due to the lack of binder the substrate can get “reactivated” by application of the aqueous binder system simulating an in-line process.
  • This layer of entangled fibers has been treated in 3 different ways:
  • the measurement of the 2-point bending stiffness is used to characterize the resiliency of the material describing the capability of a material to resist to get crumpled up.
  • Measurement of the 2-point bending stiffness according to modified ISO 5628 (DIN 53 121) The 2-point bending stiffness has been measured according to a modified ISO 5628 (DIN 53 121) test.
  • Fig. 3 illustrates an exemplary set-up for the sample measurements. This can be done either by measuring the force needed to bend a test piece to a predetermined angle, or by measuring and determining the bending stiffness, which is an elastic property of the material.
  • test piece 38 mm x 50 mm
  • the clamp turns slowly to move the free end of the test piece in contact with the load cell.
  • the test piece is bent to the selected angle of 30°.
  • the instrument records the force throughout the measurement process.
  • the clamp then returns to the start position and the test piece can be released.
  • Bending stiffness Bending force ⁇ Bending length L 2 ⁇ 60 ⁇ ⁇ Bending angle ⁇ ⁇ Test piece width
  • the measurement is repeated 6 times and the mean value of these measurements is used.
  • Circular Bend Force The measurement of the Circular Bend Force is used to characterize the resiliency of the material describing the capability of a material to recover after getting crumpled up.
  • Circular Bend Stiffness Force has been measured according to a modified ASTM D 4032-94 test.
  • Fig. 4 illustrates an exemplary set-up for the Circular Bend Force measurements (not to scale).
  • Circular Bend Stiffness Force is measured as the force required to push a sample (38 mm x 38 mm) with a moisture content of 200 wt.% positioned on top of an orifice into the orifice with a piston at a defined penetration distance (see Fig. 3 ).
  • the piston is made of smoothly polished stainless steel with a length of 72 mm and a diameter of 6.3 mm having tip shaped as a round-nose with a radius of 3 mm and is used to push the sample into an orifice in a smoothly polished stainless-steel plate of the dimensions 102 mm x 102 mm x 6.4 mm with a diameter of 18.75 mm.
  • the lap edge of the orifice is at a 45° angel to a depth of 4.8 mm.
  • the force required to push the sample lying flat of the surface of the orifice with the piston positioned central on top of the orifice into the orifice is measured using a load cell positioned between the piston and a drive moving the piston into the orifice.
  • a Zwick Z.2.5/TN1S has been used to move the piston and to measure the force.
  • the Circular Bend Stiffness Force is defined as the max. force measured when pushing the sample with the piston at a speed of 500 mm/min into the orifice to a depth of 6.4 mm. The measurement is repeated 5 times and the mean value of these measurements is used.
  • Figure 1 shows photographs of a reference sample subjected to a crumpling test wherein the photograph on the left-hand side illustrates a flat moistened sample prior to crumpling, the photograph in the middle illustrates the sample crumpled in a fist and the photograph on the right-hand side illustrates the sample after crumpling.
  • Figure 2 shows photographs of a sample of a biodegradable non-woven fabric according to an embodiment of the invention subjected to a crumpling test wherein the photograph on the left-hand side illustrates a flat moistened sample prior to crumpling, the photograph in the middle illustrates the sample crumpled in a fist and the photograph on the right-hand side illustrates the sample after crumpling.
  • the simple crumpling test demonstrates the substantially increased resiliency of the hydroentangled blend of biodegradable fibers and pulp fibers by adding a binder after hydroentanglement which bonds the pulp fibers together forming a layer with integrity within the structure of the entangled biodegradable fibers. This is clearly seen by an increase of the Circular Bend Stiffness Force measuring the resistance of the material against getting crumpled trying to move the sheet back into the original flat shape prior to crumpling. Comparing the tensile strength and elongation at break data of sample a) and the reference reveal that these properties alone are not suitable to characterize/predict the effect of increased resiliency.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Textile Engineering (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Materials Engineering (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • General Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Nonwoven Fabrics (AREA)

Claims (15)

  1. Tissu non tissé biodégradable comprenant des fibres biodégradables et des fibres de pâte à papier,
    dans lequel au moins une partie des fibres biodégradables sont entremêlées les unes avec les autres,
    caractérisé en ce que
    au moins une partie des fibres de pâte à papier sont liées de manière covalente les unes aux autres par un liant biodégradable,
    dans lequel le tissu non tissé biodégradable est non dispersible dans l'eau.
  2. Tissu non tissé biodégradable selon la revendication 1, dans lequel toutes les fibres présentes dans le tissu non tissé biodégradable sont les fibres biodégradables, les fibres de pâte à papier et facultativement une fibre de liant biodégradable.
  3. Tissu non tissé biodégradable selon la revendication 1 ou 2, dans lequel les fibres biodégradables comprennent des fibres cellulosiques, en particulier des fibres de cellulose régénérée.
  4. Tissu non tissé biodégradable selon la revendication 3, dans lequel les fibres de cellulose régénérées sont choisies dans le groupe constitué de viscose ou de lyocell.
  5. Tissu non tissé biodégradable selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel les fibres de pâte à papier sont présentes en une quantité de 20 à 90 % en poids sur la base du poids total du tissu non tissé, et/ou dans lequel les fibres biodégradables sont présentes en une quantité de 10 à 80 % en poids sur la base du poids total du tissu non tissé.
  6. Tissu non tissé biodégradable selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel au moins une partie des fibres de pâte à papier sont en outre liées les unes aux autres par une fibre de liant biodégradable, en particulier dans lequel la fibre de liant biodégradable présente une fibre à deux composants.
  7. Tissu non tissé biodégradable selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel au moins une partie des fibres de pâte à papier sont en outre liées les unes aux autres par un agent résistant à l'humidité biodégradable, en particulier dans lequel l'agent résistant à l'humidité biodégradable est choisi dans le groupe constitué du chitosane, de l'amidon modifié, des éthers de cellulose et des esters de cellulose.
  8. Tissu non tissé biodégradable selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel le liant biodégradable est choisi dans le groupe comprenant le chitosane, l'amidon modifié, des esters de cellulose, des éthers de cellulose, en particulier des mélanges de carboxyméthylcellulose et d'acide citrique, et des liants à base de protéine, tels que la caséine.
  9. Tissu non tissé biodégradable selon la revendication 8, dans lequel le liant biodégradable comprend en outre un additif, tel que du glycérol, agissant en tant qu'agent adoucissant et/ou améliorant la flexibilité et l'aptitude au drapement du tissu non tissé.
  10. Tissu non tissé biodégradable selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, présentant une augmentation de l'élasticité du matériau caractérisé par une force de rigidité en flexion circulaire déterminée conformément à la norme ASTM D 4032-94 modifiée, telle que décrite dans la description, de plus de 25 %, de préférence de plus de 50 % et de la manière la plus préférée de plus de 75 %, par rapport à un tissu non tissé sans un quelconque parmi une fibre de liant biodégradable, un agent résistant à l'humidité biodégradable et un liant biodégradable.
  11. Procédé de fabrication du tissu non tissé biodégradable selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 10, comprenant les étapes consistant à :
    (a) former une bande fibreuse à partir d'un mélange de fibres comprenant des fibres biodégradables et des fibres de pâte à papier ou former une couche de fibres biodégradables avec une couche de tissu ;
    (b) entremêler au moins une partie des fibres biodégradables les unes avec les autres en soumettant la bande fibreuse ou la bande fibreuse combinée à une couche de tissu à un traitement par jet d'eau ; et
    (c) sécher la bande fibreuse entremêlée,
    dans lequel le procédé comprend en outre l'application d'un liant biodégradable à la bande fibreuse entremêlée avant le séchage de la bande fibreuse entremêlée.
  12. Procédé selon la revendication 11, dans lequel lors de l'étape (a), la bande fibreuse est formée par un procédé de dépôt à l'état humide ou un procédé de dépôt à l'air ou la bande fibreuse combinée à une couche de tissu est formée par un procédé de dépôt à l'état sec tel qu'un cardage ou de dépôt à l'air.
  13. Procédé selon la revendication 11 ou 12, dans lequel le procédé comprend en outre au moins l'une des étapes suivantes consistant à :
    - ajouter un agent résistant à l'humidité biodégradable au mélange de fibres,
    - mélanger une fibre de liant biodégradable au mélange de fibres.
  14. Lingette ou serviette comprenant le tissu non tissé biodégradable selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 10.
  15. Lingette ou serviette selon la revendication 14,
    dans lequel la lingette ou la serviette est une lingette sèche ou une lingette humide et/ou
    dans lequel la lingette ou la serviette est choisie dans le groupe constitué de lingettes pour le visage, de lingettes cosmétiques, de lingettes pour bébé, de lingettes hygiéniques, d'essuie-tout, de serviettes en papier, de mouchoirs, de serviettes de nettoyage, de lingettes nettoyantes, de serpillières et de lingettes de nettoyage de surface dure.
EP19787262.5A 2018-10-17 2019-10-16 Tissu non-tissé biodégradable contenant de la pâte et son procédé de production Revoked EP3867435B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP18200989 2018-10-17
PCT/EP2019/078089 WO2020079083A1 (fr) 2018-10-17 2019-10-16 Non tissé biodégradable contenant de la pâte à papier et procédé de production d'un tel non tissé

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EP3867435A1 EP3867435A1 (fr) 2021-08-25
EP3867435B1 true EP3867435B1 (fr) 2023-05-03

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US (1) US20210340700A1 (fr)
EP (1) EP3867435B1 (fr)
CN (1) CN113227480B (fr)
CA (1) CA3116792A1 (fr)
ES (1) ES2949666T3 (fr)
PL (1) PL3867435T3 (fr)
RU (1) RU2769362C1 (fr)
WO (1) WO2020079083A1 (fr)

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RU2769362C1 (ru) 2018-10-17 2022-03-30 Глатфельтер Гернсбах Гмбх Биоразлагаемый нетканый материал, содержащий древесную массу, и способ его изготовления
EP3854923A1 (fr) * 2020-01-22 2021-07-28 Glatfelter Gernsbach GmbH Tissu non-tissé biodégradable et son procédé de production
EP3910102A1 (fr) * 2020-05-12 2021-11-17 Glatfelter Gernsbach GmbH Étoffe non tissée contenant un agent de désinfection et son procédé de production
WO2021246924A1 (fr) * 2020-06-04 2021-12-09 Essity Hygiene And Health Aktiebolag Procédé de consolidation d'un matériau fibreux avec un liant à base biologique, matériau fibreux consolidé et solution aqueuse de liant
GB2599642A (en) 2020-10-02 2022-04-13 Teknoweb Mat S P A Spunlace composite web comprising staple fibers, short absorbent fibers and binder
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WO2020079083A1 (fr) 2020-04-23
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