Patent ID: 6799382
Filing Date: 2004-10-05
Classification: D04H,D06C,D06M,F26B,Y10T

Abstract:
A method for drying a nonwoven fabric that has applied thereon a chemical finish composition comprising the steps of:providing a nonwoven fabric comprising thermoplastic polymeric fibers and containing a chemical finish composition comprising a solvent and at least one chemical agent; applying tension to the nonwoven fabric and transporting the fabric containing the chemical finish composition through a first drying zone wherein the solvent content of the nonwoven fabric is reduced to no less than about 2 weight percent, based on the dry weight of the nonwoven fabric, as the nonwoven fabric exits the first drying zone; transferring the nonwoven fabric from the first drying zone to a second drying zone, wherein the tension applied to the nonwoven fabric in the second drying zone is less than the tension applied to the nonwoven fabric in the first drying zone; heating the nonwoven fabric in the second drying zone to substantially completely remove the solvent from the nonwoven fabric; and cooling the nonwoven fabric in a cooling zone.