Patent ID: 6218009
Filing Date: 2001-04-17
Classification: D01F,Y10T

Abstract:
A bicomponent binder fiber comprising a polyolefin core and an aliphatic polyester blend sheath, wherein the aliphatic polyester blend comprises:a. an aliphatic polyester polymer selected from the group consisting of a polybutylene succinate polymer, a polybutylene succinate-co-adipate polymer, a polycaprolactone polymer, a mixture of such polymers, or a copolymer of such polymers, wherein the aliphatic polyester polymer exhibits a weight average molecular weight that is between about 10,000 to about 2,000,000, wherein the aliphatic polyester polymer is present in the aliphatic polyester blend in a weight amount that is between about 40 to less than 100 weight percent;b. a multicarboxylic acid having a total of carbon atoms that is less than about 30, wherein the multicarboxylic acid is present in the aliphatic polyester blend in a weight amount that is between greater than 0 weight percent to about 30 weight percent; andc. a wetting agent, which exhibits a hydrophilic-lipophilic balance ratio that is between about 10 to about 40, in a weight amount that is greater than 0 to about 25 weight percent, wherein all weight percents are based on the total weight amount of the aliphatic polyester polymer, the multicarboxylic acid, and the wetting agent present in the aliphatic polyester blend;wherein the aliphatic polyester blend exhibits an Apparent Viscosity value at a temperature of about 170.degree. C. and a shear rate of about 1000 seconds.sup.-1 that is between about 5 Pascal seconds and about 200 Pascal seconds.