Colored loop substrate for releasably attachable abrasive sheet material

Abstract

A colored loop material suitable for use with a hook-and-loop fastening system, wherein the loop material includes a first fibrous nonwoven web having a first surface and a second surface and includes side by side bicomponent spunbond fibers in which the fibers have a melting point differential of at least about 15° C. and in which said bicomponent spunbond fibers are comprised of a polypropylene component including at between about 2% to 4% by weight of a coloring formulation, and a copolymer component. The first fibrous nonwoven web has a thickness of at least about 0.15 mm and a basis weight of at least about 20 grams per square meter; a pattern on the first surface thereof of continuous bonded areas defining a plurality of discrete unbonded areas formed by the application of heat and pressure, wherein individual fibers within the discrete unbonded areas have at least a portion thereof extending into and bonded within the continuous bonded areas; and a percent bonded area of from about 20 to about 50 percent. If desired, a film layer may be bonded to the second surface of the first fibrous nonwoven web. Alternatively, a second fibrous nonwoven web may be bonded or laminated to the second surface of the first fibrous nonwoven web. The loop material is particularly suitable for the preparation of a releasably attachable abrasive sheet material.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A loop substrate suitable for use with a releasably attachable abrasive sheet material comprising: 
 at least a first fibrous nonwoven web having a first surface and a second surface wherein the first fibrous nonwoven web has:    a pattern on the first surface thereof of continuous bonded areas defining a plurality of discrete unbonded areas formed by the application of heat and pressure, wherein individual fibers within the discrete unbonded areas have at least a portion thereof extending into and bonded within the continuous bonded areas; and    a percent bonded area of from about 20 to about 50 percent; and further, wherein said first fibrous web includes a colorant that matches the color of an abrasive sheet material with which it is to be used.    
     
     
         2 . The loop substrate of  claim 1  wherein the coloring of said first fibrous web has a Delta E* of between 0 and 3 when compared to the color of the abrasive sheet material with which it is to be used.  
     
     
         3 . The loop substrate of  claim 2  wherein the coloring of said first fibrous web has a Delta E* of between 0 and 1.25 when compared to the color of the abrasive sheet material with which it is to be used.  
     
     
         4 . A releasably attachable abrasive sheet material which comprises: a loop substrate of at least a first fibrous nonwoven web, having a first surface and a second surface, wherein the first fibrous nonwoven web has: 
 a pattern on the first surface thereof of continuous bonded areas defining a plurality of discrete unbonded areas formed by the application of heat and pressure, wherein individual fibers within the discrete unbonded areas have at least a portion thereof extending into and bonded within the continuous bonded areas; and    a percent bonded area of from about 20 to about 50 percent; and further wherein said first fibrous web includes a colorant; and    a backing or film layer, either bonded to the second surface of the first fibrous nonwoven web, or to a second fibrous nonwoven web that has been bonded to the second surface of the first fibrous nonwoven web, said backing or film layer of a color that matches the colorant of the first fibrous nonwoven web; and having    a layer of abrasive particles bonded thereto.    
     
     
         5 . The releasably attachable abrasive sheet material of  claim 4  wherein said coloring of said first fibrous web has a Delta E* of between 0 and 3 when compared to the color of the backing or film layer.  
     
     
         6 . The releasably attachable abrasive sheet material of  claim 5  wherein said coloring of said first fibrous web has a Delta E* of between 0 and 1.25 when compared to the color of the backing or film layer.  
     
     
         7 . A loop material suitable for use with a releasably attachable abrasive sheet material, the loop material comprising: 
 at least a first fibrous nonwoven web having a first surface and a second surface and comprised of side by side bicomponent spunbond fibers in which the fibers have a melting point differential of at least about 15° C., and in which said bicomponent spunbond fibers are comprised of a polypropylene component including about 2% by weight of a coloring formulation that matches the color of the releasably attachable abrasive sheet material to which it is to be used with, and a copolymer component; and wherein the first fibrous nonwoven web has:    a thickness of at least about 0.15 mm and a basis weight of at least about 20 grams per square meter;    a pattern on the first surface thereof of continuous bonded areas defining a plurality of discrete unbonded areas formed by the application of heat and pressure, wherein individual fibers within the discrete unbonded areas have at least a portion thereof extending into and bonded within the continuous bonded areas; and    a percent bonded area of from about 20 to about 50 percent.    
     
     
         8 . The loop material of  claim 7 , in which the copolymer component is a random copolymer.  
     
     
         9 . The loop material of  claim 7 , in which the thickness of the first fibrous nonwoven web is at least about 0.2 mm.  
     
     
         10 . The loop material of  claim 9 , in which the thickness of the first fibrous nonwoven web is from about 0.2 mm to about 1 mm.  
     
     
         11 . The loop material of  claim 7 , in which the first fibrous nonwoven web has a percent bonded area of from about 35 to about 45 percent.  
     
     
         12 . The loop material of  claim 7  which further comprises a film layer laminated to the second surface of the first fibrous nonwoven web.  
     
     
         13 . The loop material of  claim 7  which further comprises a second fibrous nonwoven web which is laminated to the second surface of the first fibrous nonwoven web.  
     
     
         14 . A releasably attachable abrasive sheet material which comprises: 
 a first fibrous nonwoven web having a first surface and a second surface and comprised of side by side bicomponent spunbond fibers in which the fibers have a melting point differential of at least about 15° C. and in which said bicomponent spunbond fibers are comprised of a polypropylene component including about 2% by weight of a coloring formulation, and a copolymer component;    a backing layer bonded to the second surface of the first fibrous nonwoven web, said backing layer of a color that matches the coloring formulation of said first fibrous nonwoven web; and    a layer of abrasive particles bonded to the backing layer; wherein the first fibrous nonwoven web has:    a thickness of at least about 0.15 mm and a basis weight of at least about 20 grams per square meter;    a pattern on the first surface thereof of continuous bonded areas defining a plurality of discrete unbonded areas formed by the application of heat and pressure, wherein individual fibers within the discrete unbonded areas have at least a portion thereof extending into and bonded within the continuous bonded areas; and    a percent bonded area of from about 20 to about 50 percent.    
     
     
         15 . A releasably attachable abrasive sheet material which comprises: 
 a first fibrous nonwoven web having a first surface and a second surface and comprised of side by side bicomponent spunbond fibers in which the fibers have a melting point differential of at least about 15° C. and in which said bicomponent spunbond fibers are comprised of a polypropylene component including about 2% by weight of a coloring formulation, and a copolymer component;    a second fibrous nonwoven web bonded to the second surface of the first fibrous nonwoven web;    a film bonded to the second fibrous nonwoven web, said film being colored; and    a layer of abrasive particles bonded to the film; wherein the first fibrous nonwoven web has:    a thickness of at least about 0.15 mm and a basis weight of at least about 20 grams per square meter;    a pattern on the first surface thereof of continuous bonded areas defining a plurality of discrete unbonded areas formed by the application of heat and pressure, wherein individual fibers within the discrete unbonded areas have at least a portion thereof extending into and bonded within the continuous bonded areas; and    a percent bonded area of from about 20 to about 50 percent, and further wherein said film has a colorant that matches the color of the first nonwoven web.    
     
     
         16 . The releasably attachable abrasive sheet material of  claim 15 , in which the layer of abrasive particles is bonded to the film by a layer of adhesive.  
     
     
         17 . The releasably attachable abrasive sheet material of  claim 15 , in which the layer of abrasive particles is coated with a layer of adhesive.  
     
     
         18 . The releasably attachable abrasive sheet material of  claim 15 , in which the copolymer is a random copolymer.  
     
     
         19 . The releasably attachable abrasive sheet material of  claim 15 , in which the thickness of the first fibrous nonwoven web is at least about 0.2 mm.  
     
     
         20 . The releasably attachable abrasive sheet material of  claim 19 , in which the thickness of the first fibrous nonwoven web is from about 0.2 mm to about 1 mm.  
     
     
         21 . The releasably attachable abrasive sheet material of  claim 15 , in which the first fibrous nonwoven web has a percent bonded area of from about 35 to about 45 percent.  
     
     
         22 . A releasably attachable abrasive sheet material which comprises: 
 a first fibrous nonwoven web having a first surface and a second surface and comprised of side by side bicomponent spunbond fibers in which the fibers have a melting point differential of at least about 15° C. and in which said bicomponent spunbond fibers are comprised of a polypropylene component including at between about 2% to 4% by weight of a coloring formulation, and a copolymer component;    a second fibrous nonwoven web bonded to the second surface of the first fibrous nonwoven web;    a backing layer bonded to the second fibrous nonwoven web, and having a color that matches the coloring formulation of the first fibrous web; and    a layer of abrasive particles bonded to the backing layer; wherein the first fibrous nonwoven web has:    a thickness of at least about 0.15 mm and a basis weight of at least about 20 grams per square meter;    a pattern on the first surface thereof of continuous bonded areas defining a plurality of discrete unbonded areas formed by the application of heat and pressure, wherein individual fibers within the discrete unbonded areas have at least a portion thereof extending into and bonded within the continuous bonded areas; and    a percent bonded area of from about 20 to about 50 percent.    
     
     
         23 . The releasably attachable abrasive sheet material of  claim 22 , in which the layer of abrasive particles is bonded to backing layer by a layer of adhesive.  
     
     
         24 . The releasably attachable abrasive sheet material of  claim 22 , in which the layer of abrasive particles is coated with a layer of adhesive.  
     
     
         25 . The releasably attachable abrasive sheet material of  claim 22 , in which the second fibrous nonwoven web is comprised of spunbond fibers.  
     
     
         26 . The releasably attachable abrasive sheet material of  claim 25 , in which the second fibrous nonwoven web is comprised of spunbond polypropylene fibers.  
     
     
         27 . The releasably attachable abrasive sheet material of  claim 26 , in which the second fibrous nonwoven web is comprised of spunbond polypropylene fibers, and in which said spunbond polypropylene fibers include about 2% by weight of a coloring formulation.  
     
     
         28 . The releasably attachable abrasive sheet material of  claim 22 , in which the thickness of the first fibrous nonwoven web is at least about 0.2 mm.  
     
     
         29 . The releasably attachable abrasive sheet material of  claim 28 , in which the thickness of the first fibrous nonwoven web is from about 0.2 mm to about 1 mm.  
     
     
         30 . The releasably attachable abrasive sheet material of  claim 22 , in which the first fibrous nonwoven web has a percent bonded area of from about 35 to about 45 percent.  
     
     
         31 . A releasably attachable abrasive sheet material which comprises: 
 a loop substrate of at least a first fibrous nonwoven web, said first nonwoven web having a first surface and a second surface, wherein the first fibrous nonwoven web includes a colorant;    a backing or film layer, bonded to the second surface of the first fibrous nonwoven web, said backing or film layer of a color that matches the colorant of the first fibrous nonwoven web; and having    a layer of abrasive particles bonded thereto.