Patent Description:
In an effort to meet fuel-economy regulations, as well as improve recyclability of components utilized in a vehicle while still maintaining the ambiance or perceived comfort of the vehicle, various aspects of automotive interior design are being revamped. One consideration is the modification of the materials utilized in interior applications including the floors, accessory mats, cargo mats, trunk lining, glove box lining, load floor, console and map pocket linings, seatback and trim, package trays, outer wheel arch liners and the visible surfaces of under-body shields.

While non-woven materials may be known for use in laminate construction in, e. g, carpeting applications, room remains for improvement to reduce the thickness and weights of the nonwoven material and in addition, to develop non-woven products where the non-woven itself provides decorative features visible to the consumer. Further, it would be beneficial to provide materials that, while meeting the above goals, provide similar or enhanced durability and color fastness compared to known needle punched nonwoven products. <CIT> relates to a non-woven fabric having a three-dimensional printed surface.

An aspect of the present disclosure relates to a method of forming a decorative nonwoven scrim laminate. A method of forming a decorative non-woven scrim laminate for vehicle flooring, comprising: affixing a first side of a first non-woven to a first side of a polymeric sheet, wherein said first non-woven has a thickness in the range of <NUM> to <NUM> and an areal density of <NUM>/m2 to <NUM>/m2 and said polymeric sheet has a thickness in the range of <NUM> to <NUM> and an areal density in the range of <NUM>/m2 to <NUM>/m2. depositing a colorant selected from an ink. paint or pigment dye on the surface of a second side of said first non-woven at a thickness of <NUM> to <NUM>; depositing a topical coating over said colorant and said second side of said first nonwoven at a thickness of <NUM> to <NUM> and a coating weight of <NUM>/m2 to <NUM>/m2; affixing a second non-woven to a second side of said polymeric sheet, wherein said second non-woven has a thickness of <NUM> to <NUM> and an areal density of <NUM>/m2 to <NUM>/m2; and wherein said laminate with said colorant has a minimum fade resistance ranking of <NUM> in a xenon test system at <NUM> kJ/m2 to <NUM> kJ/m2 as measured by ISO <NUM>-A02/AATCC evaluation Procedure <NUM> and wherein said vehicle flooring has a Taber abrasion of <NUM>,<NUM> cycles using an H18 wheel and <NUM> gm weight according to ASTM D3884 or SAE J1530.

Preferably, when present, the polymeric sheet includes one or more polymeric materials selected from the following: polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, polyamide, co-polyester, ethyl vinyl acetate, thermoplastic elastomer, thermoplastic olefin, and combinations thereof. Further, the polymeric sheet and the first nonwoven are preferably laminated upon the application of heat, pressure, or both heat and pressure. In embodiments where the polymeric sheet is omitted, the first nonwoven and the second nonwoven are preferably mechanically bonded. Further, the colorant is preferably deposited by screen printing. In addition, the colorant preferably provides a checkered, houndstooth, wood-grain, carbon fiber, camouflage, leather appearance, or other geometric designs.

Further, in any of the above embodiments, the laminate may or may not be formed into a three-dimensional geometry.

In another aspect, the present disclosure relates to a decorative, nonwoven laminate, which is preferably made according to the above described method. A decorative, non-woven laminate for vehicle flooring, comprising: a first side of a first non-woven affixed to a first side of a polymeric sheet, wherein said first non-woven has a thickness in the range of <NUM> to <NUM> and an areal density of <NUM>/m2 to <NUM>/m2 and said polymeric sheet has a thickness in the range of <NUM> to <NUM> and an areal density in the range of <NUM>/m2 to <NUM>/m2; a colorant selected from an ink. paint or pigment dye deposited on the surface a second side of said first non-woven at a thickness of <NUM> to <NUM>: a topical coating applied on said colorant and said second side of said first non-woven at a thickness of <NUM> to <NUM> and a coating weight of <NUM>/m2 to <NUM>/m2; a second non-woven affixed to a second side of said polymeric sheet, wherein said second non-woven has a thickness of <NUM> to <NUM> and an areal density of <NUM>/m2 to <NUM>/m2; and wherein said laminate with said colorant has a minimum fade resistance ranking of <NUM> in a xenon test system at <NUM> kJ/m2 to <NUM> kJ/m2 as measured by ISO <NUM>-A02/AATCC evaluation Procedure <NUM>, and wherein said vehicle flooring has a Taber abrasion of <NUM>,<NUM> cycles using an H18 wheel and <NUM> gm weight according to ASTM D3884 or SAE J1530. The colorant also preferably provides a checkered, houndstooth, wood-grain, carbon fiber, camouflage, leather appearance, or other geometric designs.

In any of the above embodiments, the polymeric sheet is one or more polymeric materials selected from the following: polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, polyamide, co-polyester, ethyl vinyl acetate, thermoplastic elastomer, thermoplastic olefin, and combinations thereof. In embodiments, the second nonwoven is affixed to a second side of the polymeric sheet.

Further, in any of the above embodiments, the laminate may or may not exhibit a three-dimensional geometry.

The above-mentioned and other features of this disclosure, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and better understood by reference to the following description of embodiments described herein taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:.

The present disclosure is directed to decorative, nonwoven laminates, and particularly, patterned, nonwoven laminates for automotive interiors. The decorative, nonwoven scrim laminates preferably include a spunbond, spunlace, or needlepunched nonwoven scrim layer affixed to a) first side of a polymeric sheet or b) a second nonwoven and a colorant deposited on the second side of the nonwoven scrim layer.

The decorative, nonwoven laminates allow for the use of scrims, commonly used on the backside of automotive textiles, as the decorative face layer. Further, the decorative, nonwoven scrim is relatively lighter than the nonwoven needle punched materials presently utilized in comparable applications. In addition, the method of forming the decorative, nonwoven laminates herein expands the color options and pattern options, even to patterns such as woodgrain and camouflage. Finally, the laminates herein achieve a fade resistance level of performance between <NUM>-<NUM> kJ/m<NUM> as measured by ISO <NUM>-A02/AATCC evaluation Procedure <NUM>.

As noted above, and illustrated in <FIG>, the decorative, nonwoven laminate <NUM> generally includes a first side <NUM> of a first nonwoven layer <NUM> affixed to a first side <NUM> of a polymeric sheet <NUM>. A colorant <NUM>, such as paint, stain, pigment, or an ink, is deposited on the second side <NUM> of the first nonwoven <NUM>, which opposes the first side of the nonwoven.

The first nonwoven layer is itself preferably spunbond, spunlace, or needlepunched scrim and formed from fibers that are preferably sourced from a thermoplastic polymer material, such as but not limited to polypropylene, high density polyethylene (e.g. <NUM>/cc to <NUM>/cc), low density polyethylene (<NUM>/cc to <NUM>/cc), linear low density polyethylene (e.g. <NUM>/cc), polyester, polyamides (including nylon <NUM> and nylon <NUM>,<NUM>), glycol modified polyethylene terephthalate (PETg), or combinations thereof. The fibers also preferably exhibit a denier in the range of <NUM> denier to <NUM> denier, including all values and ranges therein. The use of the term scrim herein, may be understood to indicate a web-like product. That is, the fibers lay on top of one another. A spunbond is reference to a nonwoven where the fibers are spun and then dispersed into a web, e.g., by utilizing deflectors or they may be directed by air streams. A spunlace nonwoven is reference to formation of entanglement in the nonwoven that is preferably provided by water jets, the resulting bonded material being a nonwoven that has isotropic properties, meaning substantially similar strength in any direction. Needlepunched is reference to a nonwoven where the fibers are mechanically entangled, which is achieved by repeated penetration of barbed needles through a fibrous web.

The first nonwoven layer <NUM> may exhibit a thickness in the range of <NUM> to <NUM>, including all values and ranges therein, and an areal density in the range of <NUM> grams per square meter to <NUM> grams per square meter, including all individual values and ranges therein. For example, the first nonwoven may preferably have an areal density in the range of <NUM> grams per square meter to <NUM> grams per square meter, or <NUM> grams per square meter to <NUM> grams per square meter, or <NUM> grams per square meter to <NUM> grams per square meter. The particular thicknesses and areal densities may depend on the application for which the first nonwoven scrim layer is selected.

For example in trunk applications, the first nonwoven layer preferably exhibits a thickness in the range of <NUM> to <NUM>, including all values and ranges therein, and an areal density in the range of <NUM> grams per square meter to <NUM> grams per square meter, including all values and ranges therein. Preferably for a trunk application, the first nonwoven layer can have an areal density in the range of <NUM> grams per square meter to <NUM> grams per square meter, and even more preferably, in the range of <NUM> grams per square meter to <NUM> grams per square meter.

For flooring applications, the thickness of the first nonwoven layer herein is preferably in the range of <NUM> to <NUM>, including all values and ranges therein, and the areal density of the first nonwoven is preferably in the range of <NUM> grams per square meter to <NUM> grams per square meter, more preferably in the range of <NUM> grams per square meter to <NUM> grams per square meter, and even in the range of <NUM> grams per square meter to <NUM> grams per square meter.

The polymeric sheet is preferably a thermoplastic polymer such as but not limited to polyethylene (such as high density polyethylene (e.g. <NUM>/cc to <NUM>/cc), low density polyethylene (<NUM>/cc to <NUM>/cc), or linear low density polyethylene (e.g. <NUM>/cc)), polypropylene, ethyl vinyl acetate, thermoplastic elastomer, thermoplastic olefin, polyester, co-polyester, polyamides (such as nylon <NUM> and nylon <NUM>,<NUM>) or combinations thereof. In embodiments, the thermoplastic polymer may be crosslinked, or a thermoset polymer may alternatively be utilized. The polymeric sheet preferably exhibits a thickness in the range of <NUM> to <NUM>, including all values and ranges therein, and an areal density in the range of <NUM> gsm to <NUM> gsm, including all values and ranges therein.

One or more colorants are used to form the visible decorative appearance on the first nonwoven layer for viewing by the consumer. The colorants preferably include inks, paints or stains such as pigment dyes. The colorants are preferably deposited at thickness in the range of <NUM> to <NUM>. In particularly preferred embodiments, the colorants are deposited in patterns, such as checkered, houndstooth, wood grain, carbon fiber, leather, camouflage, or other geometric designs, which may be understood herein as designs including one or more geometric shapes. While the figures (see <FIG>) illustrate the placement of the colorant in discrete locations on the surface of the first nonwoven layer as in the case of the identified patterns, it should be appreciated that the colorant (or multiple colorants) may also be applied to the entire face of the first nonwoven layer to form a colorant layer. Colorants may include black, gray, and white, as well as a number of other colors.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the laminate <NUM> optionally includes a topical coating <NUM> deposited on the first nonwoven <NUM> and the polymeric sheet <NUM>, to enhance the overall durability of the first nonwoven material. The topical coating <NUM> may include, for example, thermoplastic elastomers, thermoplastic olefins, polyurethane, high density polyethylene, polypropylene, or glycol modified polyethylene terephthalate (PETg) or a combination thereof. The topical coatings <NUM>, when present, exhibit a thickness in the range of <NUM> to <NUM>, including all values and ranges therein. Topical coating weight can range from <NUM> gsm to <NUM> gsm, more specifically between <NUM> gsm and <NUM> gsm. Topical layer can be slick or have a grain applied to improve traction on the surface of the floor. Taber abrasion testing for the flooring with topical coatings can be as high as <NUM>,<NUM> cycles using (H18 wheel, <NUM> gm weight) compared to a best in class nonwoven at <NUM> cycles using (H18 wheel, <NUM> gm weight). Testing for taber is based on SAE J1530 and/or ASTM D3884.

In other embodiments, binder fibers maybe utilized to enhance the durability of the first nonwoven layer.

In any of the above embodiments, a second nonwoven layer <NUM> is optionally affixed to the second surface of the polymeric sheet <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG>. The second nonwoven may be a spunbond, spunlace, needlepunched, or airlaid nonwoven. Preferably, the second nonwoven exhibits a basis weight in the range of <NUM> grams per square meter to <NUM> grams per square meter, including all values and ranges therein, and a thickness in the range of <NUM> to <NUM>, including all values and ranges therein. The fibers forming the second nonwoven are preferably formed from a thermoplastic material such as but not limited to polyester, cotton, co-polyester, high density polyethylene (e.g. <NUM>/cc to <NUM>/cc), low density polyethylene (<NUM>/cc to <NUM>/cc), linear low density polyethylene (e.g. <NUM>/cc), polypropylene, polyamide (such as nylon <NUM> or nylon <NUM>,<NUM>), glycol modified polyethylene terephthalate (PETg), and combinations of thereof. In addition, the fiber denier is preferably in the range of <NUM> denier to <NUM> denier, including all values and ranges therein.

The nonwoven laminates are preferably formed herein by affixing the first nonwoven to a first side of the polymeric sheet. The first nonwoven may be affixed by a number of methods including extruding the polymeric sheet directly onto the first nonwoven, allowing some interlocking of the fibers into the polymeric sheet while the polymeric sheet is still molten. In particularly preferred embodiments, the first nonwoven and polymeric sheet are laminated together wherein heat, pressure, or both heat and pressure are applied to the first nonwoven and polymeric sheet. In addition, or alternatively, a layer of adhesive may be provided between the first nonwoven and the polymeric sheet to join the layers together. When present, the second nonwoven layer may also be laminated to the polymeric sheet. The second nonwoven layer may be affixed to the polymeric sheet at the same time, before, or after the first nonwoven is affixed to the polymeric sheet.

In embodiments, the polymeric sheet may be omitted from the laminates as illustrated in <FIG>. In such embodiments, the decorative, nonwoven laminate <NUM> generally includes a first side <NUM> of a first nonwoven layer <NUM> affixed to a first side <NUM> of a second nonwoven <NUM>. Similar to the above, a colorant <NUM>, such as paint, stain, pigment, or an ink, is deposited on the second side <NUM> of the first nonwoven <NUM>, which opposes the first side of the nonwoven.

Again, the first nonwoven layer is itself preferably spunbond, spunlace or needlepunched scrim and formed from fibers that are preferably sourced from a thermoplastic polymer material, such as but not limited to polypropylene, high density polyethylene (e.g. <NUM>/cc to <NUM>/cc), low density polyethylene (<NUM>/cc to <NUM>/cc), linear low density polyethylene (e.g. <NUM>/cc), polyester, polyamides (including nylon <NUM> and nylon <NUM>,<NUM>), glycol modified polyethylene terephthalate (PETg), or combinations thereof. The fibers also preferably exhibit a denier in the range of <NUM> denier to <NUM> denier, including all values and ranges therein. The use of the term scrim herein, may be understood to indicate a web-like product.

Similar to the above embodiments, the first nonwoven layer <NUM> may exhibit a thickness in the range of <NUM> to <NUM>, including all values and ranges therein, and an areal density in the range of <NUM> grams per square meter to <NUM> grams per square meter, including all individual values and ranges therein. For example, the first nonwoven may preferably have an areal density in the range of <NUM> grams per square meter to <NUM> grams per square meter, or <NUM> grams per square meter to <NUM> grams per square meter, or <NUM> grams per square meter to <NUM> grams per square meter. The particular thicknesses and areal densities may depend on the application for which the first nonwoven scrim layer is selected.

Again, in trunk applications, the first nonwoven layer preferably exhibits a thickness in the range of <NUM> to <NUM>, including all values and ranges therein, and an areal density in the range of <NUM> grams per square meter to <NUM> grams per square meter, including all values and ranges therein. Preferably for a trunk application, the first nonwoven layer can have an areal density in the range of <NUM> grams per square meter to <NUM> grams per square meter, and even more preferably, in the range of <NUM> grams per square meter to <NUM> grams per square meter.

The second nonwoven layer <NUM> affixed to the first surface <NUM> of the nonwoven <NUM> is preferably a spunbond, spunlace, needlepunched, or airlaid nonwoven and exhibits a basis weight in the range of <NUM> grams per square meter to <NUM> grams per square meter, including all values and ranges therein, and a thickness in the range of <NUM> to <NUM>, including all values and ranges therein. The fibers forming the second nonwoven are preferably formed from a thermoplastic material such as but not limited to polyester, cotton, co-polyester, high density polyethylene (e.g. <NUM>/cc to <NUM>/cc), low density polyethylene (<NUM>/cc to <NUM>/cc), linear low density polyethylene (e.g. <NUM>/cc), polypropylene, polyamide (such as nylon <NUM> or nylon <NUM>,<NUM>), glycol modified polyethylene terephthalate (PETg), and combinations of thereof. In addition, the fiber denier is preferably in the range of <NUM> denier to <NUM> denier, including all values and ranges therein.

Again, one or more colorants are used to form the visible decorative appearance on the first nonwoven layer for viewing by the consumer. The colorants preferably include inks, paints or stains such as pigment dyes. The colorants are preferably deposited at thickness in the range of <NUM> to <NUM>. In particularly preferred embodiments, the colorants are deposited in patterns, such as checkered, houndstooth, wood grain, carbon fiber, leather, camouflage, or other geometric designs. While the figures (see <FIG>) illustrate the placement of the colorant in discrete locations on the surface of the first nonwoven layer as in the case of the identified patterns, it should be appreciated that the colorant (or multiple colorants) may also be applied to the entire face of the first nonwoven layer to form a colorant layer. Colorants may include black, gray, and white, as well as a number of other colors.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the laminate <NUM> optionally includes a topical coating <NUM> deposited on the first nonwoven <NUM> and colorant <NUM> to enhance the overall durability of the first nonwoven material. Again, the topical coating <NUM> may include, for example, thermoplastic elastomers, thermoplastic olefins, polyurethane, high density polyethylene, polypropylene, or glycol modified polyethylene terephthalate (PETg). The topical coatings <NUM>, when present, exhibit a thickness in the range of <NUM> to <NUM>, including all values and ranges therein. Topical coating weight can range from <NUM> gsm to <NUM> gsm, more specifically between <NUM> gsm and <NUM> gsm. Topical layer can be slick or have a grain applied to improve traction on the surface of the floor. Taber abrasion testing for the flooring with topical coatings can be as high as <NUM>,<NUM> cycles using (H18 wheel, <NUM> gm weight) compared to a best in class nonwoven at <NUM> cycles using (H18 wheel, <NUM> gm weight). Testing for taber is based on SAE J1530 and/or ASTM D3884.

In other embodiments, binder fibers may be utilized to enhance the durability of the first nonwoven layer.

The above nonwoven-nonwoven laminates are preferably formed herein by a number of mechanical bonding methods including forming the second nonwoven directly onto the first nonwoven, allowing some interlocking of the fibers of the nonwovens, or by needling the first nonwoven layer into the second nonwoven using an entanglement process, such as needlepunching or hydroentangling. In other embodiments, the nonwovens may be laminated together with the application or heat, pressure, or both heat and pressure. In addition, or alternatively, a layer of adhesive may be provided between the nonwovens to join the layers together.

<FIG> illustrates preferred embodiments where the first nonwoven <NUM> and second nonwoven <NUM> are needlepunched or hydroentangled. As illustrated, a portion of the fibers <NUM> of the first nonwoven are pushed into and, in some embodiments, through the second nonwoven, vice-versa where the fibers of the second nonwoven are pushed into the first nonwoven, or both. This mechanically interlocks the nonwovens, without the need for providing additional adhesive materials. However, such adhesive materials may also be added to promote durability.

In any of the above embodiments, either before or after forming the laminates, the colorant is deposited on the first nonwoven. One or more layers of colorant may be applied by the printing process to create a desired decorative appearance as noted above. In preferred embodiments, the colorant is deposited on the nonwoven utilizing a printing process, and in particularly preferred embodiments a screen printing process is employed. Additionally, or alternatively, other printing processes may be utilized, such as flexographic printing or pad printing. If a topical coating is applied, the topical coating is applied after the colorant has been deposited.

In addition, any of the above laminate sheets may be formed into a three-dimensional geometry using pressure, the application of heat, or a combination of heat and pressure before, after, or when the colorant is applied. Such methods may, therefore, include thermoforming, compression molding, and vacuum forming. The three-dimensional geometries are understood herein as being three-dimensional as they may include projections or depressions extending from the laminate sheets.

Automotive vehicles may, therefore, include the decorative, nonwoven laminates described herein to aid in achieving the goal of weight reduction while still maintaining the performance characteristics of previously utilized needle punched face fabrics. The nonwoven laminates may be utilized in flooring, accessory mats, cargo mats, trunk lining, glove box lining, console and map pocket lining, seatback and trim, package trays, outer wheel arch liners, and visible surfaces of under-body shields. The decorative, nonwoven laminates may be utilized in other applications where nonwovens currently provide decorative layers.

While the resultant laminates exhibit relatively light weights, including a <NUM>% weight reduction in trunk materials, Taber wear characteristics, particularly for trunks, has been maintained and has passed OEM requirements of (H10 <NUM> <NUM> cycles). Testing for taber is based on SAE J1530 and/or ASTM D3884.

Further, the laminates also pass OEM fade tests and exhibit a resistance to fade, as measured by ISO <NUM>-A02/AATCC evaluation procedure <NUM>, (and FLTM BO <NUM>-<NUM>), of at least <NUM> kJ per square meter and up to <NUM> kJ per square meter for using a xenon test system. The results are visually obtained by gray scale and must pass a minimum ranking of <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A method of forming a decorative nonwoven scrim laminate for vehicle flooring, comprising:
affixing a first side of a first nonwoven to a first side of a polymeric sheet, wherein said first nonwoven has a thickness in the range of <NUM> to <NUM> and an areal density of <NUM>/m<NUM> to <NUM>/m<NUM> and said polymeric sheet has a thickness in the range of <NUM> to <NUM> and an areal density in the range of <NUM>/m<NUM> to <NUM>/m<NUM>,
depositing a colorant selected from an ink, paint or pigment dye on the surface of a second side of said first nonwoven at a thickness of <NUM> to <NUM>;
depositing a topical coating over said colorant and said second side of said first nonwoven at a thickness of <NUM> to <NUM> and a coating weight of <NUM>/m<NUM> to <NUM>/m<NUM>;
affixing a second nonwoven to a second side of said polymeric sheet, wherein said second nonwoven has a thickness of <NUM> to <NUM> and an areal density of <NUM>/m<NUM> to <NUM>/m<NUM>; and
wherein said laminate with said colorant has a minimum fade resistance ranking of <NUM> in a xenon test system at <NUM> kJ/m<NUM> to <NUM> kJ/m<NUM> as measured by ISO <NUM>-A02/AATCC evaluation Procedure <NUM> and
wherein said vehicle flooring has a Taber abrasion of <NUM>,<NUM> cycles using an H18 wheel and <NUM> gm weight according to ASTM D3884 or SAE J1530.