Method of producing a nonwoven fabric from filaments

Abstract

Spun bond is made by collecting thermoplastic filaments on a perforated surface and the spun bond is then subjected to hydrodynamic consolidation with high-pressure water jets. The filaments before the formation of the spun bond or after the formation of the spun bond are treated with a wetting agent prior to the hydrodynamic consolidation.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A method of making a spun-bond web comprising the steps of: 
 (a) forming filaments of thermoplastic synthetic resin;    (b) collecting said filaments in a spun-bond web;    (c) treating said filaments with a wetting agent; and    (d) hydrodynamically consolidating said spun-bond web.    
     
     
         2 . The method defined in  claim 1  wherein said filaments are produced with a spinnerette and are then cooled.  
     
     
         3 . The method defined in  claim 2  wherein said filaments are collected on a continuously moved foraminous belt.  
     
     
         4 . The method defined in  claim 3 , further comprising drawing air through said belt from below said belt in a region at which said filaments are collected on said belt with at least one suction device.  
     
     
         5 . The method defined in  claim 4  wherein said filaments are treated with said wetting agent after the filaments have been collected into a spun-bond web on said belt.  
     
     
         6 . The method defined in  claim 5  wherein said wetting agent is a surfactant.  
     
     
         7 . The method defined in  claim 6  wherein said spun-bond web is hydrodynamically consolidated by training water jets thereon.