Process for Preparing a Non-Woven Cellulosic Structure and the Non-Woven Cellulosic Structure Prepared Therefrom

Abstract

The present invention relates to a process for preparing a non-woven cellulosic structure comprising the steps of extruding continuous filaments from a cellulosic solution; passing the extruded filaments through a regenerating liquid to attenuate the filaments and laying the attenuated filaments into a web and to the non-woven cellulosic structure prepared therefrom.

1 - 17 . (canceled) 
   
   
       18 . A process for preparing a non-woven cellulosic structure comprising the steps of:
 a) extruding filaments from a cellulosic solution;   b) passing said extruded filaments through a regenerating liquid, to attenuate and randomize said filaments; and   c) laying said attenuated and randomized filaments into a web.   
   
   
       19 . The process of  claim 18 , wherein said filaments are continuous. 
   
   
       20 . The process of  claim 19 , wherein said structure is uniform. 
   
   
       21 . The process of  claim 20 , wherein said non-woven cellulosic structure is consolidated. 
   
   
       22 . The process of  claim 18  wherein said regenerating liquid and said extruded filament are passed through a gap of from 3 mm to 7 mm. 
   
   
       23 . The process of  claim 22 , wherein said regenerating liquid and said extruded filament are passed through a gap of from 4 mm to 6 mm. 
   
   
       24 . The process of  claim 18  wherein said regenerating liquid has a velocity of from 50 m/min to 330 m/min. 
   
   
       25 . The process of  claim 24  wherein said regenerating liquid has a velocity of from 200 m/min to 216 m/min. 
   
   
       26 . The process of  claim 24  wherein said velocity of said regenerating liquid is attained by a gravitational force. 
   
   
       27 . The process of  claim 18  wherein said filament is from 1 to 5 denier. 
   
   
       28 . The process of  claim 18  wherein a velocity of said extruded filament when it exits from said regenerating liquid is from 8 m/min to 80 m/min. 
   
   
       29 . The process of  claim 18  wherein a velocity of said extruded filament provides a maximum draw ratio of 6. 
   
   
       30 . The process of  claim 18  wherein said laying is carried out by a vacuum assisted process. 
   
   
       31 . The process of  claim 30  wherein said vacuum assisted process is achieved by a rotary vacuum drum system. 
   
   
       32 . A non-woven cellulosic structure comprising:
 a plurality of extruded continuous filaments attenuated in a regenerating liquid and laid into a web.   
   
   
       33 . The non-woven cellulosic structure of  claim 32 , wherein said plurality of filaments is formed of lyocell, viscose or a combination of lyocell and viscose. 
   
   
       34 . A non-woven consolidated structure comprising:
 at least one layer of a non-woven cellulosic structure having a plurality of extruded continuous filaments attenuated in a regenerating liquid and laid into a web; and   another layer of a cellulosic or synthetic non woven material.