Method of chemical treatment on nonwovens

Abstract

Nonwovens having low-density and resilience have a chemical formulation applied on one surface (e.g., a top surface) by any of various application methods. Then, the chemical formulation is forced to move toward the opposite surface of the nonwoven (e.g., move downward through the nonwoven from top to bottom). The chemical-treated nonwoven is dried to fix the chemical on the nonwovens. Movement through the nonwoven is performed in a controlled fashion so that after drying the distribution of a chemical formulation throughout the nonwoven (e.g., from the top surface to the bottom surface of a nonwoven) is controlled.

1 . A chemical treatment method for a nonwoven, comprising:
 applying a chemical formulation to one surface of a nonwoven comprised of a manufactured sheet, web, or batt of natural and/or man-made fibers or filaments that are bonded to each other having low-density ranging from 0.15 g/cm 3  to 0.001 g/cm 3 ; then   distributing the chemical formulation through a thickness of the nonwoven by a physical process; and then   drying the chemical formulation distributed within the nonwoven after the distributing step,   wherein the nonwoven has a resilience of having a thickness loss of not more than 80% after performing the steps of applying, distributing and drying.   
     
     
         2 . The chemical treatment method of  claim 1 , wherein said applying step is performed using an application device selected from the group consisting of non-contact digital chemical deposition technology, valve jet technology, spraying, foam application, digital printing, roller coating, doctor blade coating, and screen/rotary printing. 
     
     
         3 . The chemical treatment method of  claim 1  wherein said chemical formulation comprises one or more of water/oil repellents, antimicrobials, flame retardants, microencapsulated scents, microencapsulated phase change materials (PCM), microencapsulated cosmetics, microencapsulated essential oils, probiotics, odor control agents, photocatalytic agents, UV absorbers, anti-allergens, probiotics, hydrophilic agents, hand modifying agents, antistatic agents, insect repellents, and ceramics that emit far infrared and/or negative ions. 
     
     
         4 . The chemical treatment method of  claim 3  wherein said chemical formulation further includes at least one colorant. 
     
     
         5 . The chemical treatment method of  claim 1  wherein said distributing step is performed using a pressing plate, a pair of press rollers, or vacuum suction. 
     
     
         6 . A chemical treatment method, comprising:
 applying using a non-contact digital chemical deposition technology a chemical formulation on a first surface of a nonwoven comprised of a manufactured sheet, web, or batt of natural and/or man-made fibers or filaments that are bonded to each other which has a low-density ranging from 0.15 g/cm 3  to 0.001 g/cm 3 , wherein said nonwoven has second surface opposing said first surface and separated by a thickness; then   physically distributing the chemical formulation from the first surface through the thickness toward the second surface by either applying a pressing force on the first surface or applying a suction force on the second surface; and then   drying the chemical formulation on the nonwoven.   
     
     
         7 . The chemical treatment method of  claim 6 , wherein the nonwoven is resilient. 
     
     
         8 . The chemical treatment method of  claim 6 , wherein the non-contact digital chemical deposition technology is a digital printer. 
     
     
         9 . The chemical treatment method of  claim 6 , wherein the chemical formulation comprises one or more of water/oil repellents, antimicrobials, flame retardants, microencapsulated scents, microencapsulated cosmetics, microencapsulated phase change materials (PCM), microencapsulated essential oils, probiotics, odor control agents, photocatalytic agents, UV absorbers, anti-allergens, probiotics, hydrophilic agents, hand modifying agents, antistatic agents, insect repellents, and ceramics that emit far infrared and/or negative ions. 
     
     
         10 . The chemical treatment method of  claim 9  wherein said chemical formulation further includes at least one colorant.