Thermoadhesive conjugate fibers and nonwoven fabric employing them

Abstract

To provide thermoadhesive conjugate fibers, nonwoven fabrics and cellulosic fiber blended nonwoven fabrics employing them, and wipers and absorbers employing the fabrics, thermoadhesive conjugate fibers comprise a thermoplastic resin (I) containing a modified polyolefin with at least one type of reactive functional group as a first component and having a second component composed of a thermoplastic resin (II) with a higher melting point than the thermoplastic resin (I) of the first component combined in a conjugate therewith, the first component being formed continuously along the length of at least a portion of the fiber surface, wherein the fiber surfaces are coated with a fiber treating agent containing a multifunctional compound capable of reacting with the reactive functional group of the modified polyolefin.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . Thermoadhesive conjugate fibers which are fibers comprising a thermoplastic resin (I) containing a modified polyolefin with at least one type of reactive functional group as a first component and having a second component composed of a thermoplastic resin (II) with a higher melting point than the thermoplastic resin (I) of the first component combined in a conjugate therewith, the first component being formed continuously along the length of at least a portion of the fiber surface, wherein said fiber surfaces are coated with a fiber treating agent containing a multifunctional compound capable of reacting with the reactive functional group of the modified polyolefin.  
     
     
         2 . Thermoadhesive conjugate fibers according to  claim 1 , wherein the modified polyolefin is a copolymer of an olefin monomer and an unsaturated carboxylic acid or its derivative.  
     
     
         3 . Thermoadhesive conjugate fibers according to  claim 1 , wherein the modified polyolefin is a copolymer of polyethylene and an unsaturated carboxylic acid or its derivative.  
     
     
         4 . Thermoadhesive conjugate fibers according to  claim 1 , wherein the thermoplastic resin (II) is polypropylene.  
     
     
         5 . Thermoadhesive conjugate fibers according to  claim 1 , wherein the thermoplastic resin (II) is a polyester.  
     
     
         6 . Thermoadhesive conjugate fibers according to  claim 1 , wherein the multifunctional compound is a polyhydric alcohol.  
     
     
         7 . Thermoadhesive conjugate fibers according to  claim 1 , wherein the multifunctional compound is a polyamine.  
     
     
         8 . A nonwoven fabric comprising thermoadhesive conjugate fibers which are fibers comprising a thermoplastic resin (I) containing a modified polyolefin with at least one type of reactive functional group as a first component and having a second component composed of a thermoplastic resin (II) with a higher melting point than the thermoplastic resin (I) of the first component combined in a conjugate therewith, the first component being formed continuously along the length of at least a portion of the fiber surface, wherein said fiber surfaces are coated with a fiber treating agent containing a multifunctional compound capable of reacting with the reactive functional group of the modified polyolefin.  
     
     
         9 . A cellulosic fiber blended nonwoven fabric composed of cellulosic fibers and thermoadhesive conjugate fibers which are fibers comprising a thermoplastic resin (I) containing a modified polyolefin with at least one type of reactive functional group as a first component and having a second component composed of a thermoplastic resin (II) with a higher melting point than the thermoplastic resin (I) of the first component combined in a conjugate therewith, the first component being formed continuously along the length of at least a portion of the fiber surface, wherein said fiber surfaces are coated with a fiber treating agent containing a multifunctional compound capable of reacting with the reactive functional group of the modified polyolefin.  
     
     
         10 . A nonwoven fabric composed of thermoadhesive conjugate fibers which are fibers comprising a thermoplastic resin (I) containing a modified polyolefin with at least one type of reactive functional group as a first component and having a second component composed of a thermoplastic resin (II) with a higher melting point than the thermoplastic resin (I) of the first component combined in a conjugate therewith, the first component being formed continuously along the length of at least a portion of the fiber surface, wherein said fiber surfaces are coated with a fiber treating agent containing a multifunctional compound capable of reacting with the reactive functional group of the modified polyolefin, and wherein the nonwoven fabric is produced by an air-laid method.  
     
     
         11 . A cellulosic fiber blended nonwoven fabric composed of cellulosic fibers and thermoadhesive conjugate fibers which are fibers comprising a thermoplastic resin (I) containing a modified polyolefin with at least one type of reactive functional group as a first component and having a second component composed of a thermoplastic resin (II) with a higher melting point than the thermoplastic resin (I) of the first component combined in a conjugate therewith, the first component being formed continuously along the length of at least a portion of the fiber surface, wherein said fibers surfaces are coated with a fiber treating agent containing a multifunctional compound capable of reacting with the reactive functional group of the modified polyolefin, and wherein the cellulosic fiber blended nonwoven fabric is produced by an air-laid method.  
     
     
         12 . A wiper employing a nonwoven fabric or cellulosic fiber blended nonwoven fabric according to any one of  claims 8  to  11 .  
     
     
         13 . An absorber employing a nonwoven fabric or cellulosic fiber blended nonwoven fabric according to any one of  claims 8  to  11 .