Targeted bonding fibers for stabilized absorbent structures

Abstract

A fiber is provided wherein the fiber contains an energy receptive additive. The fiber provides rapid heating when subjected to dielectric energy such as radio frequency or microwave radiation. The energy receptive additive has a dielectric loss of between about 0.5 and 15, preferably between 1 and 15 and most preferably between 5 and 15. The fibers may be crimped, extensible or elastic.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A fiber comprising an energy receptive additive capable of dielectric heating and wherein said fiber has a dielectric loss of between 0.5 to 15.  
     
     
         2 . The fiber of claim and wherein said fiber has a dielectric loss of between 1 to 15.  
     
     
         3 . The fiber of  claim 1  and wherein said fiber has a dielectric loss of between 5 to 15.  
     
     
         4 . The fiber of  claim 1  having a dielectric loss tangent of between 0.1 to 1.  
     
     
         5 . The fiber of  claim 4  having a dielectric loss tangent of between 0.3 to 0.7.  
     
     
         6 . The fiber of  claim 3  further comprising a synthetic polymer selected from the group consisting of polyolefins, polycaprolactones, polyamides, polyetheramides, polyurethanes, polyesters, poly(meth) acrylates metal salts, polyether, poly(ethylene-vinyl acetate) random and block copolymers, polyethylene-b-polyethylene glycol block copolymers, polypropylene oxide-b-polyethylene oxide copolymers and blends thereof.  
     
     
         7 . The fiber of  claim 3  wherein said energy receptive additive is selected from the group consisting of carbon black, ferrite, tin oxide, silicon carbide, calcium chloride, zircon, magnetite, silicon carbide, calcium chloride, alumina, magnesium oxide, and titanium dioxide.  
     
     
         8 . The fiber of  claim 5  wherein said energy receptive additive is present in an amount between 2 and 40 weight percent.  
     
     
         9 . The fiber of  claim 6  wherein said energy receptive additive is present in an amount between 5 and 15 weight percent.  
     
     
         10 . The fiber of  claim 7  wherein said fiber is a bicomponent fiber selected from the type consisting of sheath/core and island in the sea.  
     
     
         11 . The fiber of  claim 8  wherein said fiber is a sheath/core bicomponent fiber and said additive is present in said sheath.  
     
     
         12 . The fiber of  claim 8  wherein said fiber is a sheath/core bicomponent fiber and said additive is present in said core.  
     
     
         13 . The fiber of  claim 8  wherein said fiber is a sheath/core bicomponent fiber and said additive is present in said sheath and said core.  
     
     
         14 . The fiber of  claim 7  wherein said fiber is a biconstituent fiber.  
     
     
         15 . The fiber of  claim 8  wherein said fiber is crimped.  
     
     
         16 . The fiber of  claim 8  wherein said fiber is extendible.  
     
     
         17 . The fiber of  claim 8  wherein said fiber is elastic.  
     
     
         18 . The fiber of  claim 11  wherein said energy receptive additive is carbon black in an amount between 2 and 40 weight percent.  
     
     
         19 . A fiber comprising an energy receptive additive in an amount between 5 and 15 weight percent, synthetic polymer and wherein said fiber has a dielectric loss of at least 0.5.  
     
     
         20 . A nonwoven web comprising fibers having an energy receptive additive capable of dielectric heating and having a dielectric loss of between 0.5 to 15.