Hydroentangled shell, assembly thereof with carrier, method of making hydroentangled shell and method of making nonwoven fabric
By designing and molding a fluid jet rebound surface on the surface of the hydraulically entangled shell and using an electroforming manufacturing method, the rebound effect and entanglement strength of the fluid jet are improved, overcoming the shortcomings of the existing technology and realizing more efficient nonwoven fabric manufacturing.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202580004077.2
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2024-11-06
- Filing Date
- 2025-02-04
- Publication Date
- 2026-03-20
AI Technical Summary
Existing hydraulically entangled shells have shortcomings in terms of fluid jet rebound effect and water efficiency. The entanglement effect is not strong enough in the direction perpendicular to the machine, and the manufacturing method is complex and unreliable.
The design of the hydraulically entangled shell features a shaped fluid jet rebound surface, including different inclined portions at a negative angle relative to the front side, which are formed into an interconnected dam structure by an electroforming manufacturing method to improve the lateral orientation rebound effect of the fluid jet.
It improves the entanglement effect and water efficiency of nonwoven fabrics, reduces water and energy consumption, and enhances the strength of nonwoven fabrics in the direction perpendicular to the machine.
Smart Images

Figure CN121712935A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This invention relates to hydraulically entangled shells, particularly to hydraulically entangled shells for manufacturing nonwoven fabrics using a web bonding process via fluid jets, and to assemblies relating to said hydraulically entangled shells, the assemblies comprising a carrier on which at least one hydraulically entangled shell is assembled. Furthermore, the invention also relates to methods for manufacturing hydraulically entangled shells and methods for manufacturing nonwoven fabrics using hydraulically entangled shells. Background Technology
[0002] The hydroentanglement (sometimes called spunlace) technique for manufacturing nonwoven fabrics (hereinafter also referred to as nonwovens) with a uniform surface appearance (without patterns or embossing) involves providing nonwoven starting materials such as fibers, filaments, strips, sheets, etc., which are applied (under pressure) in the form of webs to a support (also called a shell) with openings, such as a (rotating) screen with a plurality of (micro)pores. Such a shell can be made of woven mesh or formed into a thin metal cylinder by laser drilling. Another example is a shell made by electroforming. A jet of a large amount of fluid (e.g., liquids such as water or gas) is directed under pressure to the exposed surface of the starting material, thereby forming a dense and solidified web through entanglement of the starting material. The fluid from the jet passes through the web and bounces back from the perforated support. The combination of direct jets and deflected (bounced) jets causes entanglement from both sides. Examples of perforated supports include strips or flat, curved, or cylindrical shells. Typically, thin perforated supports are supported by a suitable carrier provided with discharge holes for removing fluid that has lost its velocity and thus its energy to form entanglements, at least in the case of liquids such as water.
[0003] The configuration of the shell surface allows patterns to be formed on the back of the nonwoven web as an embossed relief.
[0004] EP0776391B1 discloses a method for manufacturing a nonwoven unpatterned fabric using pressurized water jets, the method comprising passing a base fabric made of basic fibers through a perforated rotating roller, applying a partial vacuum inside the roller, and having a large number of micropores on the surface of the roller; and guiding a row of pressurized water jets to the rotating roller carrying the fabric, the micropores of the roller being distributed in a random manner.
[0005] EP0223614A2 discloses a perforated support member with sufficient rigidity to generate a rebound flow upon impact by a jet of water, thereby allowing these rebound flows to contribute to promoting fiber entanglement. The perforated support member can be a cylinder, a traveling annular belt, or a hemispherical curved fixing plate. In such cases… Figures 6 to 8In the illustrated embodiment, the support includes a plurality of protrusions for forming holes in the fiber web at predetermined intervals, and a plurality of discharge holes formed in a regular array in the surface region between adjacent protrusions. The protrusions preferably have a shape that gradually diverges from their apex toward their base, such as a hemisphere, to improve the efficiency of forming holes in the fiber web and facilitate the peeling of the nonwoven fabric from the support. For forming clearly defined holes in the nonwoven fabric, each of the protrusions preferably has a diameter of 0.3 mm to 15 mm and a height of 0.4 mm to 10 mm. The protrusions are preferably arranged at intervals of 1 mm to 15 mm. The protrusions themselves may also have discharge holes. The diameter of the discharge holes is then preferably 0.2 mm to 2.0 mm, and their total area preferably occupies 2% to 35% of the effective surface area of the support. It is thought that the holes are formed in the nonwoven fabric by forcing the fibers laterally along the surface of the protrusions using a water jet.
[0006] CN112981709A discloses a hydroentangling technology for manufacturing nonwovens, in which entanglement is allegedly improved by altering the springback function of the support, particularly by providing an eccentric discharge filter screen with a self-heating spring wheel, which supposedly achieves basic static springback and strong dynamic springback in multiple directions. This screen is highly complex and difficult to assemble, and its function is unreliable due to the drive rope between the spring wheel and the water wheel, as well as uncontrolled heating due to the irregular movement of friction balls in the plate of the spring wheel.
[0007] Therefore, the need to improve entanglement by altering the rebound effect persists.
[0008] One object of the present invention is to provide a hydraulically entangled shell for manufacturing nonwovens with a uniform appearance, particularly unpatterned nonwovens, which improves fluid jet rebound effect and / or water (energy) efficiency.
[0009] Another object of the present invention is to provide a hydraulically entangled housing in which the entanglement effect is enhanced in the direction perpendicular to the machine direction.
[0010] Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for manufacturing a hydraulically entangled shell, particularly by electroforming, wherein the hydraulically entangled shell has an improving effect on entanglement. Summary of the Invention
[0011] This invention is based on improving the fluid jet rebound characteristics of a hydraulically entangled shell through shell design. Accordingly, the shell has a rebound profile on the surface between the opening or discharge port, the rebound profile being configured to establish a lateral orientation rebound effect for the fluid jet.
[0012] Therefore, the present invention relates to a hydraulically entangled housing for manufacturing nonwoven fabrics, particularly nonporous nonwovens, using a web bonding process with fluid jets. The hydraulically entangled housing includes a body comprising interconnected dams, wherein the body has a front side that guides the fluid jet during use and a back side opposite the front side, wherein the dams define openings configured to allow fluid to pass from the front side to the back side, and wherein the dams have a shaped fluid jet rebound surface on the front side of the housing, the shaped fluid jet rebound surface being configured to establish a lateral orientation rebound effect of the fluid jet. By providing a fluid jet rebound surface with varying height on the front side of the housing, the fluid jet will be reflected in a more diffuse manner, which improves entanglement.
[0013] In one embodiment of the invention, a hydraulically entangled housing for manufacturing nonwoven fabrics, particularly nonwoven fabrics, using a web bonding process with fluid jets includes a body comprising interconnected dams, wherein the body has a front side that guides the fluid jet during use and a back side opposite to the front side, wherein the dams define openings configured to allow fluid to pass from the front side to the back side, and wherein the dams have shaped fluid jet rebound surfaces comprising different inclined portions at a negative angle relative to the front side. By providing such a fluid jet rebound surface with height variations of a plurality of different inclined portions at a negative angle relative to the front side, the fluid jet will be reflected in a more diffuse manner, which improves entanglement. "Different inclined portions" are defined relative to the direction of the fluid jet, which is generally perpendicular to the front side of the housing.
[0014] Furthermore, the use of the hydraulically entangled shell according to the invention allows for increased water efficiency. That is, to achieve the same strength as nonwovens made using shells from the prior art, less water and / or lower water pressure are required when using the hydraulically entangled shell according to the invention. This reduction in water pressure and / or water consumption also results in lower energy consumption.
[0015] In another aspect, the present invention provides a preferred method for manufacturing a hydraulically entangled shell according to the invention, the method comprising the following steps:
[0016] A support member with a surface is provided, the surface being provided with a conductive region corresponding to the main body of the interconnected dam to be formed and a non-conductive region corresponding to the opening to be left in the main body;
[0017] Metal is deposited from a solution containing metal ions on conductive regions to form an electroformation comprising a body of interconnected dams defining openings, wherein conductive and non-conductive regions are arranged and metal deposition is performed such that the dams in the network have shaped fluid jet bounce surfaces, such as different inclined portions at a negative angle relative to the front side of the hydraulically entangled shell.
[0018] Separate the electroformed material from the support.
[0019] This manufacturing method is based on the controlled growth of metal on the conductive areas of the support to produce a hydraulically entangled shell, which includes a shaped fluid jet rebound surface on its front side, for example, creating different inclined sections in a dam, thereby producing improved entanglement.
[0020] The present invention also relates to an assembly of a carrier having a plurality of discharge openings and a hydraulically entangled shell according to the invention mounted on the carrier.
[0021] In another aspect, the present invention provides a method for manufacturing nonwoven fabrics by web bonding using fiber entanglement induced by a fluid jet, the method comprising the following steps:
[0022] Provide fiber webs;
[0023] At least one fluid jet is sprayed onto the fiber web while it is supported by the hydraulically entangled shell or assembly according to the invention. Attached Figure Description
[0024] The invention is further illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:
[0025] Figure 1 A diagram of one embodiment of a hydroentangling system for producing nonwoven fabrics is shown;
[0026] Figure 2 The illustration shows the details of the hydraulic entanglement process using a combination of a carrier and a rotating hydraulically entangled shell;
[0027] Figure 3 An embodiment of the hydraulically entangled shell according to the present invention is shown;
[0028] Figure 4 It shows Figure 3 Section A-A' of the implementation scheme;
[0029] Figure 5 It shows Figure 3 Another section B-B' of the implementation scheme; and
[0030] Figure 6 It shows the use of electroforming Figure 3 An embodiment of the design of conductive and non-conductive regions on the support of a hydraulically entangled shell;
[0031] Figure 7 It shows a composition similar to Figure 6 Photographs of the electroformed hydraulically entangled shell designed and manufactured;
[0032] Figure 8 Another embodiment of the design of the conductive and non-conductive portions on a support for an electroforming hydraulically entangled shell according to the invention is shown;
[0033] Figure 9 To illustrate the graph of fabric density as a function of pump pressure for different hydraulically entangled shells;
[0034] Figure 10 To illustrate the graph of transverse strength as a function of jet pressure for different hydraulically entangled shells; and
[0035] Figure 11 A graph showing the intensity in the machine direction as a function of jet pressure for different hydraulically entangled shells. Detailed Implementation
[0036] The present invention is based on improving the fluid jet rebound characteristics of a hydraulically entangled shell through shell design, particularly by providing a shaped fluid jet rebound surface of a dam on the front side of the shell, the shaped fluid jet rebound surface being configured to establish a lateral orientation rebound effect of the fluid jet, for example in different inclined portions at a negative angle relative to the front side in the interconnected dams forming the body of the shell.
[0037] The hydraulically entangled shell according to the invention comprises a body of interconnected dams. The body has a back side and a front side opposite thereto. During use, the front side is directed to a water jet. The back side is the water discharge side of the hydraulically entangled shell. The dams define a through opening allowing fluid to pass from the front side to the back side. On the front side, the dams have a fluid jet rebound surface. According to the invention, the fluid jet rebound surface of the dam at the front side of the shell is shaped to establish a lateral orientation rebound effect of the fluid jet. In one embodiment, the shaped fluid jet rebound surface of the dam includes portions with different bevels. Hereinafter, these portions may also be referred to as (scattering) surfaces. For example, in addition to the lateral sides inclined toward the opening, the dam may also have a surface on the front side that is not perpendicular to the direction of the fluid jet. These deflecting surfaces scatter the fluid jet back in different directions at angles relative to the incoming fluid jet, thereby facilitating entanglement of fibers from the back side of the fiber web.
[0038] In other words, an additional scattering surface is provided on the front side of the dam. This additional scattering surface is not perpendicular to the direction of the water jet, but is oriented at a certain angle. With the front side of the shell as a reference, the angle is negative. Therefore, the inclined surface forms a concave rather than a protrusion, and a protrusion has a positive angle relative to the front side.
[0039] In existing housings, the openings have circular cross-sections, and the top surface of the dam defining the opening is substantially flat. Therefore, the direction of the rebounding water is primarily the same as, but opposite to, the direction of the water jet from the water jet station. In the hydraulically entangled housing according to the invention, the total area and shape (direction and angle) of the inclined surfaces are increased relative to the circular aperture pattern, thus enhancing the scattering of the rebounding water, which improves the strength of nonwovens manufactured using the hydraulically entangled housing according to the invention.
[0040] The sloping sides of the concave portion can be designed and manufactured to create a preferred direction for water rebound. For example, it has been found that nonwovens always exhibit higher strength in the machine direction MD than in the transverse direction CD (= the length direction of the rotating shell). To make the nonwovens have more uniform (isotropic) properties, the rebound effect can be preferentially increased to the sides.
[0041] In one embodiment, the fluid rebound surface comprises different surfaces that differ from each other in the difference in the direction of inclination and / or the difference in the angle of inclination relative to the direction of the fluid jet, which is generally perpendicular to the plane of the body.
[0042] In one embodiment, the fluid jet rebound surface includes recessed portions (hereinafter also referred to as valleys) having a height, measured from the back side to the front side, lower than the height of the ridges surrounding these recessed portions (valves). Unlike openings, such valleys are recesses in the bodies of interconnected dams that do not allow fluid to pass through them. Advantageously, these valleys are positioned at connecting portions that connect two or more dams in the body network. In another embodiment, the ridges have sides sloping towards the valleys. The different sloping sides in the fluid jet rebound surface scatter the fluid jet back in different directions, thereby facilitating entanglement of fibers from the back side. In one embodiment, the valleys have an elongated shape, such as an elliptical shape.
[0043] In one implementation, the lateral sides of adjacent dams inclined toward the through opening are connected, thus also forming a recessed area.
[0044] The shape of the dam defining the opening can be designed to further improve backscattering effects. In particular, variations in the tilt direction and / or tilt angle relative to the fluid jet plane can be increased. In one embodiment, the opening has a non-circular cross-section, such as an elliptical or teardrop-shaped cross-section. Preferably, in a top view, the opening on the first side has a non-circular shape at the mouth.
[0045] Typically, the longest dimension of the opening is in the range of 100 μm to 450 μm, preferably in the range of 250 μm to 320 μm. The larger the formed fluid jet rebound surface area, the greater the rebound effect. In order to increase the total area of the formed fluid jet rebound surface while maintaining sufficient discharge (suction) capacity, the opening area is typically in the range of 4.5% to 10%, for example, 5% to 8.5%.
[0046] By arranging the scattering surface in a predetermined orientation, the rebound effect can be controlled at least to some extent. For example, it has been observed that nonwovens have higher strength in the machine direction than in the transverse direction. The strength in the transverse direction can be improved by enhancing the rebound effect in that direction. In one embodiment, the fluid jet rebound surface is configured to rebound the fluid jet primarily in a plane perpendicular to the machine direction. Examples include the aforementioned elongated valleys or grooves that can remain open, with their main sides extending primarily in the machine direction. The sides then face primarily in the transverse direction, thereby creating additional entanglement in the transverse direction.
[0047] In one embodiment, the housing is an electroformed metal housing. Advantageously, the metal is nickel or a nickel alloy.
[0048] The hydraulically entangled shell can have a plate shape. In one embodiment, the hydraulically entangled shell has a cylindrical shape.
[0049] Typically, the hydraulically entangled shell is supported on a carrier with a discharge port for discharging fluids such as water, for example, by suction.
[0050] In one aspect, the invention provides an assembly of a hydraulically entangled shell according to the invention and a carrier provided with a plurality of discharge holes. The hydraulically entangled shell according to the invention is mounted on the carrier.
[0051] The hydraulically entangled shell according to the invention can be manufactured using various techniques for creating through-holes, such as by perforation (e.g., punching or (laser) drilling) combined with additional surface treatments to provide additional bevels. Given the precise and small dimensions of the dam and openings in one embodiment, the hydraulically entangled shell is manufactured by electroforming.
[0052] Another aspect of the invention is a preferred method for manufacturing a hydraulically entangled shell according to the invention, the method comprising the following steps:
[0053] A support member with a surface is provided, the surface being provided with a conductive region corresponding to the main body of the interconnected dam to be formed and a non-conductive region corresponding to the opening to be left in the main body;
[0054] Metal is deposited from a solution containing metal ions on conductive regions to form an electroformation comprising a body of interconnected dams defining openings, wherein conductive and non-conductive regions are arranged and metal deposition is performed such that the dams in the network have shaped fluid jet rebound surfaces configured to establish a lateral orientation rebound effect of the fluid jet, for example including fluid jet rebound surfaces comprising different inclined portions at a negative angle relative to the front side of the hydraulically entangled shell;
[0055] Separate the electroformed material from the support.
[0056] In the manufacturing method according to the invention, a support is used, having conductive and non-conductive regions thereon on which a network of dams will form (typical points that will create through openings and points for valleys (if present)). The support can be a mandrel or a patterned sleeve. The conductive regions define the dams to be formed. Since metal growth occurs in both the vertical and lateral directions during electroforming, the width of the conductive regions is typically smaller than the width of the corresponding final dam. Similarly, the dimensions of the non-conductive regions are larger than the dimensions of the corresponding final through openings. The support is placed in and electrically connected to an electroforming bath containing an electrolyte containing metal ions. Metal is deposited from this bath onto the conductive regions. Initially, metal is not deposited on the non-conductive regions. During further metal growth, the non-conductive regions for the through openings partially overgrow. During further growth, the non-conductive regions for the valleys and surrounding sloping portions are filled. After achieving the desired metal deposit thickness, the metal shell thus manufactured, comprising a network of interconnected dams with different sloping portions, is removed from the support. It is also conceivable to deposit metal on the conductive portion of the support until a skeleton is formed, which is then removed from the support and further grown to its final thickness.
[0057] The present invention also relates to a method for manufacturing nonwoven fabrics by web bonding using fiber entanglement induced by a fluid jet, the method comprising the following steps:
[0058] Provide fiber webs;
[0059] While the fiber web is supported by the hydraulically entangled shell according to the invention, a fluid jet is sprayed onto the web.
[0060] Detailed description of the attached figures
[0061] The invention is further illustrated by the accompanying drawings.
[0062] Figure 1The illustration shows one embodiment of a hydroentangling system 10 and method for producing nonwoven fabrics. A fiber web 12 is conveyed by a conveyor, such as a conveyor belt schematically represented by guide rollers 14. The web 12 is guided above a rotating hydraulic entanglement housing 16. A water jet station 18 for generating multiple water jets 20 is arranged at a circumferential position on the housing 16. Water is sprayed from this station 18 through multiple nozzles arranged in a transverse direction relative to the machine direction, thereby covering at least the width of the web 12. Typically, the water jets 20 are guided perpendicular to the web 12. As the fiber web 12 passes through, the water jets 20 establish fiber entanglement. Water is drained from the interior of the housing 16, for example, by a water suction device for collecting water, and is typically filtered in a water filtration device to remove dust and other particles from the starting material before being recycled back to the water jet station 18. After hydraulic entanglement, the consolidated web 12' is transferred to a dewatering station in which water is removed, for example using roller 22, and then dried in dryer 24 and wound onto reel 26.
[0063] In practicing this invention, the nonwoven fabric production line may include several hydraulic entanglement stages. A first hydraulic entanglement step of the nonwoven fabric can be performed on a flat conveyor, followed by a second hydraulic entanglement step in which water is directed to a first side of the nonwoven fabric, such as the upper side, using a first cylindrical assembly according to the invention, and then a third hydraulic entanglement step in which water is directed to the opposite side of the nonwoven fabric, such as the bottom side, while the nonwoven fabric is conveyed along an S-shaped conveyor path through the assembly using a second cylindrical assembly according to the invention.
[0064] Figure 2 The illustration shows a cross-section of a portion of a cylindrical hydraulically entangled housing 16 supported on a cylindrical carrier 28 (e.g., a perforated mesh or electroformed sleeve with openings generally much larger than those in a hydraulically entangled housing). The housing 16 and carrier 28 together form one embodiment of the assembly 30 according to the invention. Entanglement of the fibers in the web 12 occurs due to the water jet 20 originating from the water jet station 18 and due to the water rebounding from the housing 16. In this embodiment, a water suction device, such as a vacuum chamber 32, is arranged within the carrier 28.
[0065] Figures 3 to 5An embodiment of a hydraulically entangled housing 16 according to the invention is shown, which allows for the scattering of rebounding water jets in a more diffuse manner. In the illustrated embodiment, the housing 16 has a through opening 34 (shown in black) having a droplet shape. The housing opening 34 is defined by dams 36, which are interconnected to form the body of the housing 16. The dams 36 have lateral sides 38 (shown in gray) that gradually slope from a ridge 40 (shown in white) toward the opening 34. The ridge 40 has its maximum thickness in the height direction h. The dams 36, particularly at their intersection 42, also have recesses or valleys 44 (valleys 44 and lateral sides 46 are also shown in gray) surrounded by the sloping sides 46 of the ridges 40. Furthermore, the lateral sides 38 between adjacent dams can grow together to form recesses 44'. The ridges 40, recesses 44, 44', sides 46, and lateral sides 38 form a fluid jet rebound surface 50 on the front side of the housing 16. Due to the asymmetric shape of opening 34 and, consequently, the asymmetric shape of dam 36, as well as the presence of recesses 44, 44' and side 46, water rebounding from the shell will scatter in a more random manner, thereby improving the entanglement of the fiber web and thus improving the density and strength of the fiber web. The front side is indicated by reference numeral 52 and the back side by reference numeral 54. Figure 4 express Figure 3 The cross section A-A' of the hydraulically entangled shell 16. Figure 5 The section B-B' of the hydraulically entangled shell 16, perpendicular to section A-A', is shown. The recess may have, if deemed beneficial for further dehydration, as in... Figure 4 The small through-hole is schematically represented by the dashed line in the left side of the dam.
[0066] Figure 6 The following are examples of electroforming methods. Figures 3 to 5This is one embodiment of the support 60 of the hydraulically entangled housing 16 shown. The conductive support 60 is provided with regions 62 (shown in black) of a non-conductive material (typically photoresist). The non-conductive regions 62 include dumbbell-shaped regions 62a and dots 62b. In this embodiment, the regions 62 are arranged in a regular pattern. During electroforming, metal will initially be deposited on the conductive regions 64 (shown in white) of the support 60. The growth of the deposited metal will create a network of dams with variations in orientation, angle, and height in the inclined portions. The precise inclined profile of the dams and valleys, including minute dehydration pores (if present), can be controlled by the design of the non-conductive regions 62. The dots 62b, which initially also form openings, will be filled with metal during the electroforming process through overgrowth, but with a lower height than their surroundings (the ridges of the dams). Due to overgrowth, the rod portion of the dumbbell-shaped region 62a will be filled, thereby creating a recess 44' in the housing 16 that separates the similarly resulting droplet-shaped openings 34. Point 62b overgrows and produces recess 44. After sufficient metal deposition, the resulting network body is separated from the support. Figure 7 For based on similar Figure 6 The design is shown in a photograph of a portion of a nickel hydraulically entangled shell manufactured by electroforming.
[0067] exist Figure 8 In one embodiment, the electroformed support 60 is provided with a region 62 of non-conductive material. In this embodiment, region 62 includes randomly distributed circular regions 62a for the housing opening to be formed and elliptical regions 62b arranged between regions 62a. A regular pattern of regions 62a and / or 62b is also possible. The longitudinal axis of the elliptical region 62b extends in the machine direction. Using the above-mentioned... Figure 6 The support member 60 is generally described as an electroformed hydraulically entangled shell. The electroformed shell thus has a circular through-opening defined by a dam and narrow longitudinal recesses within the dam. The main sides of these recesses are oriented primarily in the machine direction, causing the water jet to bounce primarily perpendicular to the length of the web, thereby achieving additional entanglement in the transverse direction.
[0068] Using the invention of the present invention Figure 6 The design electroforms a hydraulically entangled shell with an opening area of 5% and 8% respectively, and uses metal wire mesh with an opening area of 89 mesh and 22.9% respectively. The non-porous nonwoven fabric is made of viscose fiber (1.7 dtex) under different pump pressures (= jet pressure) of 40 bar, 60 bar and 80 bar.
[0069] Figure 9 A graph showing the density of these nonwoven fabrics as a function of pump pressure.
[0070] Figure 10A graph showing the strength of these nonwoven fabrics in the transverse direction as a function of pump pressure; and
[0071] Figure 11 A graph showing the strength of the same nonwoven fabric in the machine direction as a function of pump pressure.
[0072] Tensile strength was measured according to DIN EN ISO 9073-3. As can be seen, the use of the hydraulically entangled shell according to the invention allows for the manufacture of nonwovens with higher strength in both the machine direction (MD) and transverse direction (CD) under all test pressures than nonwovens made using wire mesh. The hydraulically entangled shell according to the invention, with an opening area of 5%, provides optimal results in terms of strength.
[0073] Therefore, nonwoven fabrics with similar strength to those made using wire mesh can be manufactured under lower water pressure according to the present invention, thereby resulting in reduced water and / or energy consumption.
Claims
1. A hydraulically entangled housing (16), particularly for manufacturing nonwoven fabrics, preferably nonporous nonwoven fabrics, using a web bonding process with a fluid jet (20), the hydraulically entangled housing (16) comprising a body including interconnected dams (36), wherein the body has a front side (52) guiding the fluid jet during use and a back side (54) opposite to the front side (52), wherein the dams (36) define an opening (34) configured to allow fluid to pass from the front side (52) to the back side (54), and wherein the dams (36) have a shaped fluid jet rebound surface (50) on the front side (52), the shaped fluid jet rebound surface (50) being configured to establish a lateral orientation rebound effect of the fluid jet.
2. The hydraulically entangled shell (16) according to claim 1, wherein the shaped fluid jet rebound surface (50) includes different inclined portions (38, 40, 44, 44', 46) at a negative angle relative to the front side (52).
3. The hydraulically entangled shell according to claim 2, wherein the different inclined portions (38, 40, 44, 44', 46) have inclined surfaces that are different in terms of inclined direction and / or inclined angle.
4. The hydraulically entangled housing according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the shaped fluid jet rebound surface (50) includes a recess (44) and the height of the recess (44) from the back side (54) to the front side (52) is lower than the height of the ridge (40) surrounding the recess (44).
5. The hydraulically entangled shell according to claim 4, wherein the ridge (40) has a side (46) inclined toward the recess (44).
6. The hydraulically entangled shell according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the dam (36) has a lateral side (38) inclined toward the opening (34).
7. The hydraulically entangled shell according to claim 6, wherein the lateral sides (38) of adjacent dams (36) are connected to create a recess (44').
8. The hydraulically entangled shell according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the opening (34) has a non-circular shape.
9. The hydraulically entangled shell according to any one of claims 4 to 8, wherein the recess (44; 44') has an elongated shape.
10. The hydraulically entangled housing according to claim 9, wherein the elongated shape extends in the machine direction.
11. The hydraulically entangled housing according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fluid jet rebound surface (5) is configured to rebound the fluid jet primarily in a direction perpendicular to the machine direction.
12. The hydraulically entangled shell according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the longest dimension of the opening is in the range of 100 μm to 450 μm, preferably 250 μm to 320 μm.
13. The hydraulically entangled shell according to any one of the preceding claims, having an opening area in the range of 4% to 10%, preferably 4.5% to 8.5%.
14. The hydraulically entangled shell according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the shell (16) is an electroformed metal shell.
15. The hydraulically entangled shell according to claim 14, wherein the metal is nickel or a nickel alloy.
16. The housing according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing (16) has a cylindrical shape.
17. A combination (30) of a carrier (28) having a plurality of discharge openings and a hydraulically entangled shell (16) according to any one of the preceding claims.
18. A method for manufacturing a hydraulically entangled shell (16) according to any one of claims 1 to 16, comprising the following steps: A support member (60) with a surface is provided, the surface being provided with a conductive region (64) corresponding to the body of the interconnected dam to be formed and a non-conductive region (62; 62a) corresponding to the opening to be left in the body. 62b); Metal is deposited from a solution containing metal ions on the conductive region (64) to form an electroformation comprising the body of interconnected dams defining openings, wherein the conductive region (64) and the non-conductive regions (62; 62a) are... 62b) is arranged and the metal deposition is performed such that the dam in the network has a fluid jet rebound surface, the fluid jet rebound surface including different inclined portions (38, 40, 44, 44', 46) at a negative angle relative to the front side of the hydraulically entangled shell. Separate the electroformed material from the support.
19. The method of claim 18, further comprising the step of growing the interconnecting dams of the electroformed material by further deposition of metal after separating the electroformed material from the support.
20. A method for manufacturing a nonwoven fabric by web bonding using fiber entanglement induced by a fluid jet, comprising the following steps: Provide fiber webs; While the fiber web (12) is supported by the hydraulically entangled shell (16) according to any one of claims 1 to 16 or the assembly (30) according to claim 17, a fluid jet (20) is sprayed onto the web (12).
Citation Information
Patent Citations
Accumulated flow rebound auxiliary type non-woven fabric spunlace processing technology
CN112981709A
Process and apparatus for producing nonwoven fabric
EP0223614A2