Entangled fabrics containing staple fibers

Abstract

An entangled fabric that contains a nonwoven web hydraulically entangled with a fibrous component is provided. The nonwoven web is formed from staple fibers and is creped. For example, in one embodiment, the nonwoven web is a creped, point bonded, carded web. Excellent liquid handling properties can be achieved in accordance with the present invention without resulting in the poor liquid handling capabilities often associated with point bonded nonwoven webs. In fact, the entangled fabric of the present invention can have improved bulk, softness, and capillary tension.

1 - 25 . (canceled)  
     
     
         26 . A composite fabric comprising a creped, bonded nonwoven web that is hydraulically entangled with a fibrous component, wherein the fibrous component comprises cellulosic fibers and the nonwoven web comprises staple fibers, the fibrous component constituting greater than about 50% by weight of the fabric.  
     
     
         27 . The composite fabric of  claim 26 , wherein the staple fibers are multicomponent fibers.  
     
     
         28 . The composite fabric of  claim 26 , wherein the staple fibers comprise polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, nylon, rayon, or combinations thereof.  
     
     
         29 . The composite fabric of  claim 26 , wherein the nonwoven web is a carded web.  
     
     
         30 . The composite fabric of  claim 26 , wherein the nonwoven web is point bonded.  
     
     
         31 . The composite fabric of  claim 26 , wherein the fibrous component constitutes from about 60% to about 90% by weight of the fabric.  
     
     
         32 . The composite fabric of  claim 26 , wherein the length of the staple fibers is from about 1 to about 150 millimeters.  
     
     
         33 . The composite fabric of  claim 26 , wherein the length of the staple fibers is from about 10 to about 40 millimeters.  
     
     
         34 . A composite fabric comprising a point-bonded, carded nonwoven web that is hydraulically entangled with a fibrous component, wherein the fibrous component comprises cellulosic fibers and the nonwoven web comprises multicomponent staple fibers, the fibrous component constituting greater than about 50% by weight of the fabric.  
     
     
         35 . The composite fabric of  claim 34 , wherein the staple fibers comprise polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, nylon, rayon, or combinations thereof.  
     
     
         36 . The composite fabric of  claim 34 , wherein the fibrous component constitutes from about 60% to about 90% by weight of the fabric.  
     
     
         37 . The composite fabric of  claim 34 , wherein the nonwoven web is creped before being hydraulically entangled with the fibrous component.  
     
     
         38 . The composite fabric of  claim 34 , wherein the length of the staple fibers is from about 1 to about 150 millimeters.  
     
     
         39 . The composite fabric of  claim 34 , wherein the length of the staple fibers is from about 10 to about 40 millimeters.  
     
     
         40 . A composite fabric comprising a point-bonded, carded nonwoven web that is creped and then hydraulically entangled with a fibrous component, wherein the fibrous component comprises cellulosic fibers and the nonwoven web comprises multicomponent staple fibers, the fibrous component comprising from about 60% to about 90% by weight of the fabric.  
     
     
         41 . The composite fabric of  claim 40 , wherein the staple fibers comprise polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, nylon, rayon, or combinations thereof.  
     
     
         42 . The composite fabric of  claim 40 , wherein the length of the staple fibers is from about 1 to about 150 millimeters.  
     
     
         43 . The composite fabric of  claim 40 , wherein the length of the staple fibers is from about 10 to about 40 millimeters.