Method for adding a softening and/or debonding agent to a hydroentangled nonwoven material

Abstract

Method of adding a softening and/or debonding agent to a fiber web of a hydroentangled nonwoven material comprising cellulose pulp fibers. The softening and/or debonding agent is added in an inline manufacturing process of the hydroentangled nonwoven material, subsequent to the hydroentanglement of the nonwoven material. The softening and/or debonding agent is added via a size press or a foulard comprising a soaking step to soak the hydroentangled nonwoven material with the added softening and/or debonding agent, and a pressing step, which causes the added softening and/or debonding agent to penetrate and impregnate the hydroentangled nonwoven material.

1 . Method of adding a softening and/or debonding agent to a fiber web of a hydroentangled nonwoven material comprising cellulose pulp fibers, which comprises adding the softening and/or debonding agent in an inline manufacturing process of the hydroentangled nonwoven material, subsequent to the hydroentanglement of the nonwoven material, whereby the softening and/or debonding agent is added via a size press or a foulard comprising a soaking step to soak the hydroentangled nonwoven material with the added softening and/or debonding agent, and a pressing step, which causes the added softening and/or debonding agent to penetrate and impregnate the hydroentangled nonwoven material.  
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising a dewatering step between the hydroentanglement step and the subsequent step where the softening and/or debonding agent is added.  
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the hydroentangled nonwoven material has a dry content when adding the softening and/or debonding agent of at least about 25% but not more than about 50%.  
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the fiber web of the hydroentangled nonwoven material comprises at least about 20% dry weight of cellulose pulp fibers.  
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the softening and/or debonding agent is added in the soaking step via a size press at the pressing step.  
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the pressing step is subsequent to the soaking step where the softening and/or debonding agent is added via a foulard.  
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the hydroentangled nonwoven material comprises at least one of synthetic fibers, staple fibers, and continuous filaments.  
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 7 , wherein the manufacturing process of the hydroentangled nonwoven material comprises a step where the synthetic fibers and/or filaments are extruded or laid down into a web in one step, and the cellulose pulp fibers are wetlaid or foamformed onto this thus formed web in a step preceding the hydroentanglement step.  
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 7 , wherein the manufacturing process of the hydroentangled nonwoven material comprises a step where the cellulose pulp fibers are wetlaid or foamformed, and the synthetic fibers and/or filaments are laid down onto this thus formed web in a step preceding the hydroentanglement step.  
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 8 , wherein the cellulose pulp fibers comprises synthetic fibers in the form of staple fibers when being wetlaid or foamformed.  
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein the cellulose pulp fibers comprises synthetic fibers in the form of staple fibers when being wetlaid or foamformed.  
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the hydroentangled nonwoven material has a dry content when adding the softening and/or debonding agent of at least about 30% but not more than about 40%.