FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention concerns a process and apparatus for the production of a mul tilayer fabric, and in particular of multilayer fabrics comprising a non-woven fabric, of the spunbond type.

KNOWN PRIOR ART

As known, non-woven spunbond fabrics are obtained by extruding, drawing and dep osition of a plurality of plastic filaments on a conveyor belt. The filaments deposited on the belt are thus constrained or interlaced together in a plurality of points by means of different processes, such as for example calendering, applying a jet of air or water, or bonding, etc.

A typical plant for producing spunbond filaments comprises a spinning head fed by extruders, a drawing unit and a deposition unit for deposition of the drawn filaments on a mobile support (collecting surface) where the non-woven fabric is formed.

The non-woven fabrics of the spunbond type are used in different fields, such as for example in the medical, hygienic-sanitary, filtration and clothing fields, but also in the geotechnical field, in civil engineering and in building construction. Depending on the application, the non-woven fabric must have different mechanical characteristics in terms of finishings, resistance to particular agents, etc., able to meet the different requirements of the sectors of use.

In particular, different non-woven fabrics of different aesthetic appearance are known. For example, in the hygienic-sanitary, filtration and clothing fields, non-woven fabrics which are completely bulgy or with bulgy zones localized in predefined areas of the surface are known. The transport of such non-woven fabrics is inconvenient due to their size, since they incorporate a significant amount of air, which increases the volume of the product.

Moreover, again due to the dimensions, such non-woven fabrics are difficult to apply to final products, for example in the production of diapers or sanitary protections or in other fields where a high production speed is required since the volume penalizes the length, thus requiring frequent roll changes.

Different fabrics with folds, patterns and drawings, typically for aesthetic reasons, are also known. Such fabrics are complex to produce.

Non-woven fabrics obtained from filaments made from two or more components, so that to be able to exploit the different characteristics of the materials used, are known in the art.

For example, it is known to arrange two polymeric materials in a side-by-side config uration. In the side-by-side arrangement, two polymeric materials are coextruded, so that to form a multicomponent filament in which the two materials form two sub filaments arranged side-by-side to each other. Typically, the multicomponent filament has circular section, and the two sub-filaments have semicircular section. In other words, the section of the contact surface between the two filaments substantially coincides with the diameter of the section of the multicomponent filament. It is also known to vary the ratio between the two components. In this case, the contact sur face between the two sub-filaments coincides with a chord of the circular section of the multicomponent filament. Similar side-by-side filaments are for example de scribed in US 5S82400 and US 201S/0029555.

It is also known to select the materials of the two sub-filaments with different char acteristics so that to cause the multicomponent filament to crimp. Such a configura tion is used for providing the final nonwoven fabric with increased softness and vol ume, among other things.

For example, the two sub-filaments can be made up of materials having different fea tures, whereby the multicomponent filament is initially extruded and drawn, thus forming a non-crimped continuous filament. When the multicomponent filament is deposited on the collector, the two sub-filaments behave differently, thus crimping the multicomponent filament.

Similarly, the two sub-filaments may be made up of materials having different coeffi cients of thermal expansion. By subjecting the multicomponent filament to heat treatment, the two sub-filaments expand/shrink differently one from the other, thus crimping the multicomponent filament.

Furthermore, it is known to make the two sub-filaments of materials different from one another, resulting in uneven stresses between the two sub-filaments during the extrusion and drawing steps that cause the multicomponent filament to be crimped. Processes are known, wherein crimp develops before the fibers are deposited on the collecting mat, for example by exploiting a diffuser arranged downstream of the means to carry out the drawing of the filaments, to activate the natural crimp of the fibers, which are thus deposited in an already partially crimped condition on a con veyor belt before being further crimped by means of specific treatments.

However, non-woven fabrics with crimped filaments generally have poor mechanical properties, in particular a relatively low tensile strength.

Object of the present invention is therefore to produce a fabric provided with a non- woven spunbond fabric with high crimping, and thus volume, level.

A further object of the present invention is to produce such non-woven fabric that is easy to transport.

A further object of the present invention is to produce a non-woven fabric that can be easily coupled with the final product.

A further object of the present invention is to implement a process which allows to easily modify the aesthetic appearance of a non-woven fabric.

A further object of the present invention is to produce a multilayer fabric that is vo luminous while maintaining good mechanical properties.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

These and further objects are achieved by the present invention as described in one or more of the accompanying claims.

In particular, an aspect of the present invention concerns a process for producing a multilayer fabric comprising the steps of: (a) feeding at least a first fabric and a second fabric to a constraining device, wherein the first fabric is a non-woven fabric, compris- ing a plurality of filaments adapted to develop a crimp; (b) constrain the first and sec ond fabric to each other, so that to define a plurality of constraining points or zones between the first fabric and the second fabric, and so that the first and second fabric are superimposed; (c) heating the first and second fabric, constrained to each other, so that the filaments of the first fabric develop a crimp, thus increasing the thickness of the first fabric and shrinking the length and the width of the first fabric, the shrink ing of the first fabric being greater than the shrinking of the second fabric.

Preferably, the filaments of the first fabric are bicomponent filaments.

The first and second fabric combination allows to obtain the desired mechanical char acteristics. Moreover, the different behavior during the heat treatment allows to ob tain different aesthetic effects, depending on the position of the constraining points or zones.

In fact, the second fabric remains integral with the first fabric at the constraining points, while the remaining portions of the second fabric are deformed by the shrink age of the first fabric.

Moreover, given that the two fabrics are constrained to each other, it is possible to store the semi-finished product obtained in the constraining step (b), for example be fore the heating step (c). A possible storage solution provides rolling up the semi finished product on a bobbin or similar element. This way, it is possible to heat treat, i.e. to carry out the step (c), in a different place and/or at a different time. For exam ple, it is possible to carry out step (c) on a production line of the final product, such as for example a diaper.

In particular, according to a possible embodiment, step (c) is carried out in a different plant with respect to steps (a) and (b). In particular, a possible aspect of the present invention provides that a storage step of the semi-finished product obtained by steps (a) and (b), and the transport of the semi-finished product to a plant for carrying out said step (C), are carried out between steps (b) and (c).

Thanks to this, it is for example possible for a fabric manufacturer to produce the semi-finished product (i.e. the first and second fabric coupled with each other) and to send it to the relative customers, who can carry out the heat treatment, thus caus ing the crimping of the filaments of the first fabric. Thanks to this, the shipping of the semi-finished product allows to move a greater quantity of product per volume unit, given that the semi-finished product still has not increased its volume (or thickness at least) due to the heat treatment.

As mentioned above, the arrangement of the constraining points or zones allows to define the behavior of the product during the heat treatment. According to a possible aspect, the constraining points or zones are arranged along lines adapted to define, in a plan view, a plurality of closed figures, so that, due to the greater shrinking of the first fabric with respect to the second fabric during the heating step, bulgy zones form in the second fabric at said closed figures.

Although a first and second fabric have been discussed, it is possible to use further fabrics, so that to provide further layers to the multilayer fabric. In fact, embodiments of the present invention provide for the presence of a third fabric. In such embodi ments, in step (b), the first fabric is constrained to the second and third fabric by means of the constraining device, so that to be interposed between the second and third fabric. In step (c), the first fabric contracts/shrinks more with respect to both the second fabric and the third fabric. Preferably, the shrinking of the second is substan tially identical to the shrinking of the third fabric.

Various types of constraining devices can be used. Preferred embodiments provide for a constraining device selected between a needle loom, a device adapted to supply a glue, a device adapted to carry out an ultrasonic bonding, or a device able to apply a seam. Preferably, the constraining device is a device able to carry out an ultrasonic bonding.

As discussed above, the various fabrics can be selected so that to provide the desired mechanical characteristics to the multilayer fabric. Preferably, the tensile strength of the first fabric is lower than the tensile strength of the second fabric and, if present, also than the tensile strength of the third fabric.

The fabrics composing the multilayer fabric can be produced by the same plant (i.e. "in line") with respect to the constraining device, or can be produced ready-to-use, for example products found on the market.

An aspect of the present invention concerns a process wherein step (a) comprises the step (i) of depositing a plurality of filaments adapted to be crimped on a first deposit surface so that to form the first fabric. In particular, step (a) can comprise the steps of: (a') depositing a plurality of filaments on a second deposit surface; (a") consolidat ing the plurality of filaments on to each other, preferably by calendering, to obtain the second fabric; (a'") carrying out the mentioned step (i) to obtain the first fabric. The second fabric acts as the first deposit surface.

According to a possible aspect, the filaments of the first fabric are deposited on the deposit surface in a substantially non-crimped condition. It should be noted that the difference between the crimped and non-crimped condition of a filament is known to the field technician and, in particular, in a non-crimped condition the filaments are substantially free from crimps. On the other hand, crimped filaments have a plurality of crimps and a wavy and irregular pattern, such that the length of a crimped filament is significantly less than the length of the same filament in a non-crimped condition. The filaments of the present invention are deposited in a non-crimped way. When the non-crimped filaments are deposited, they thus have a "crimping percentage" typi cally greater than 50%, and preferably greater than 70%. The crimping percentage can be, for example, measured by placing two marks spaced from each other on a fila ment to be tested, and by measuring the distance between the two marks along a straight line. The same filament is thus extended (i.e. becomes straight, without sub stantially deforming - i.e. lengthening - the filament), and the distance between the two marks is measured again. The percentage ratio between the first value and the second value of the distance, as known, provides the crimping percentage value.

A further definition of crimped filaments is for example provided in the patent appli cation Reifenhauser US20090152757, according to which crimped filaments are con sidered to be those with a radius of curvature of less than 5 mm in relaxed state. According to a possible aspect, the heating step is carried out at a temperature se lected as a function of the type of polymer used in the production of filaments; suit able temperatures are generally between 80 and 190°C, depending on the melting points of the polymers used in the production of the multilayer fabric.

According to a possible aspect of the present invention, the heat treatment for bulk ing the non-woven fabric provides for a preheating step of the non-woven fabric, which precedes the heating step and which is carried out at a lower temperature with respect to the temperature of the heating step. Typically, the temperature difference between the preheating step and the heating step is greater than 5 degrees, prefera bly greater than 10 centigrade degrees.

The heating step favors the development of the crimp and also the strengthening of the structure of the multilayer fabric.

According to a possible aspect, during step (i), at least part, preferably all of the bi component filaments is/are coextruded from two different materials, so that to form two sub-filaments adhered to each other, according to the side-by-side arrangement, in which, in section, the contact surface between a first sub-filament and a second sub-filament has at least one inflection point, and wherein the first sub-filament forms at least one protrusion inside the second filament. Such protrusion has a de creasing width.

According to possible embodiments, the second and/or the third fabric, if present, is a woven fabric, a knit fabric or a non-woven fabric.

An aspect of the present invention further concerns a multilayer fabric as obtainable by a process according to one or more of the preceding aspects.

An aspect of the present invention concerns a multilayer fabric comprising a first fab ric and a second fabric superimposed onto each other, wherein the first fabric is a non-woven fabric comprising a plurality of crimped filaments, and wherein the first fabric and the second fabric are constrained to each other in a plurality of constraining points or zones. In possible embodiments, the second fabric has a plurality of bulgy zones between the constraining points or zones. As mentioned above, the heating of the multilayer fabric can occur after the storage and shipment of the semi-finished non-woven fabric.

An aspect of the present invention thus also concerns a multilayer fabric comprising a first fabric and a second fabric superimposed onto each other, wherein the first fab ric is a non-woven fabric comprising a plurality of filaments adapted to be crimped. The first fabric and the second fabric are constrained to each other in a plurality of constraining points or zones. The first fabric and the second fabric are configured so that, following a heating, the filaments of the first fabric develop a crimp, thus in creasing the thickness of the first fabric and shrinking the length and the width of the first fabric, the shrinking of the first fabric being greater than the shrinking of the second fabric.

According to a possible aspect, the points are arranged along lines, preferably straight or curved lines, adapted to define a pattern on the multilayer fabric, preferably a re petitive pattern, preferably formed by a plurality of closed figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

With reference to the accompanying figures, non-limiting exemplary embodiments of the present invention are now described, in which:

- figure 1 is a schematic view showing different steps of a method for the production of a multilayer fabric according to a possible embodiment of the present invention;

- figure 1A is an enlarged detail of figure 1;

- figure 2 is a schematic view showing different steps of a method for the production of a multilayer fabric according to a possible alternative embodiment of the present invention;

- figure 3 is a schematic plan view of a multilayer fabric portion according to a possible embodiment of the present invention, previously to the heating step; the imaginary lines, along which the constraining points are arranged, are shown with dotted line;

- figure 4 is a plan view of a portion of a multilayer fabric according to a possible em bodiment of the present invention, previously to the heating step;

- figure 4A is a schematic view of the fabric portion section of figure 4; - figure 5 is a plan view of a portion of the multilayer fabric of figure 4, following the heating step;

- figure 5A is a schematic view of the fabric portion section of figure 5;

- figure 6 is a plan view of a portion of a multilayer fabric according to a possible al ternative embodiment of the present invention, following the heating step;

- figure 7 is the cross section of a possible bicomponent filament which forms the first fabric of a multilayer fabric according to a possible embodiment of the present inven tion;

- figure 8 is the cross section of a possible bicomponent filament which forms the first fabric of a multilayer fabric according to a possible alternative embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

A multilayer fabric 100 comprises at least a first fabric 101 and a second fabric 102. The first fabric 101 is a non-woven fabric, comprising a plurality of filaments 1 adapted to be crimped, preferably bicomponent filaments.

The filaments 1 are configured so that to develop a crimp when heated. Typically, this is due to the different behavior of the components of the filament 1 (i.e. sub-filaments 2a, 2b which form the filament 1) when heated.

Typically, at least 50% of the filaments composing the first fabric 101 are filaments 1 configured so that to develop a crimp, more preferably at least 75%, even more pref erably at least 90%. In possible solutions, 100% of the filaments of the first fabric 101 are filaments 1 adapted to develop a crimp when heated.

In preferred embodiments, such as for example the ones shown in figures, the fila ments 1 preferably comprise two sub-filaments 2a, 2b, obtained by co-extruding two typically polymeric materials A, B. The sub-filaments 2a, 2b are arranged in a side-by- side arrangement.

The materials A, B for the two sub-filaments 2a, 2b are preferably selected among PP, coPP (coPP understood as copolymer PP), PE, coPE, PET, coPET, PBT, PA, PLA. Preferred combinations are: PP/PP, PP/CoPP, PP/PE, PET/PP, PET/CoPET, PET/PBT, PA/PP, PLA/PP, PLA/PE. In particular, the PP/PE, PET/coPET and PET/PBT combinations proved to be particularly suitable for the present invention.

According to a further aspect, the materials are oriented, i.e. not amorphous, to favor (during a heat treatment) the size variation of the sub-filaments in one direction, so that to allow an increased crimping of the filament and thus the increase in volume of the non-woven fabric.

According to a preferred aspect, the sub-filament materials 2a, 2b are selected so that the melting temperature T1 of the first sub-filament 2a is different by at least 10°C with respect to the melting temperature T2 of the second filament, more preferably by at least 20°C. In some embodiments, as mentioned above, it is possible to use two different types (i.e. two different "grades") of the same material (for example two different types of PP), as long as the condition relative to the aforesaid melting tem perature difference is met.

Preferably, the two materials also have different viscosity with respect to each other, with a difference of at least 20% between the two values when measured with the same method. In other words, the difference between the viscosity mΐ of the first sub filament 2a and the viscosity m2 of the second filament is greater than 20%.

As described above, the two materials (i.e. the materials with which the two sub filaments 2a, 2b are formed) can be tested with the same viscometer (for example rotational or capillary) or, more generally, the viscosity can be determined by a com mon method defined in a recognized standard (for example ASTM D3835).

In general, the sub-filament made up of material with lower melting temperature also has lower viscosity.

As mentioned above, the side-by-side arrangement provides that the two sub-fila ments 2a, 2b are arranged side-by side to each other, so that the section of the mul ticomponent filament 1 has two regions distinct from each other. In other words the two sub-filaments 2a, 2b, in section, are separated by a line representing the contact surface 3.

The materials A, B of the two sub-filaments 2a, 2b are such that, at the contact surface 3, the sub-filaments 2a, 2b are adhered ("joined") to each other, i.e. the materials are "co-adhesive". Such adhesion between the two sub-filaments does not only occur af ter the co-extrusion, but also in the final non-woven fabric, i.e. in the first fabric 101. In other words, the treatments carried out on the multicomponent filaments 1 and on the first fabric 101 (as well as on the multilayer fabric 100) do not cause the sepa ration of the sub-filaments 2a, 2b, i.e. they maintain the sub-filaments 2a, 2b adhered to each other.

According to a preferred aspect, there is at least one protrusion PI of the first sub filament 2a within the second sub-filament 2b. As discussed above, that portion of the first sub-filament 2a, comprised between the section of the contact surface 3 (i.e. the line defined by the contact surface shown in cross section) and the straight line R passing through the two ends 3a, 3b of the section of the contact surface 3, i.e. the points in which the section of the contact surface 3 reaches the edge of the filament section 2, will be defined as the protrusion PI.

The second sub-filament 2b, too, can form further protrusions P2, P3, i.e. portions of the second filament 2b comprised between the straight line R and the section of the contact surface 3. The protrusions P2, P3 are thus oriented in opposite way (i.e. they are arranged on the other side of the straight line R) with respect to the protrusion PI.

As better discussed hereunder, embodiments in which only a first sub-filament 2a forms a protrusion PI within the second sub-filament 2b are anyhow possible. Typi cally, in such embodiments, the straight line R intersects the section of the contact surface 3 only at the ends 3a, 3b thereof.

Moreover, according to a possible aspect, the contact surface 3 changes its curvature at least once, i.e. has at least one inflection point. Preferably, the contact surface 3 (in section) has at least two inflections (or inflection points), fl, f2.

According to an aspect, the shape of the section of the contact surface 3 is such that the protrusion PI has decreasing width L, i.e. so that to avoid the presence of under cuts. The width L of the protrusions is measured in a direction parallel to the straight line R passing through the two ends 3a, 3b of the section of the contact surface 3.

A section of the contact surface 3 having undercuts is in fact complex to obtain and is not effective during the crimping step of the filament 1 when, as in the present solu tion, the two sub-filaments 2a, 2b are adhered to each other.

In the embodiment shown in figure 7, the ratio between the areas of the two sub filaments 2a, 2b is of about 1:1. The filament section is typically substantially constant along the filament, thus such ratio is the ratio between the volumes of the two sub filaments 2a, 2b in the filament 1.

However, preferably, the sub-filament of the material with lower melting temperature with respect to the melting temperature of the material of the other sub-filament is present in lower quantities with respect to the other sub-filament in the filament 1. A preferred volume ratio is thus equal to about 40% - 60%. However, in general, good crimping levels are achieved when the volume ratio between the two sub-filaments 2a, 2b is between 1:4 and 4:1. In other words, it is possible to vary the volume per centage of each of the two sub-filaments between 20% and 80% of the volume of the multicomponent filament.

The embodiments of figures 7 and 8 depict possible shapes of the section of the con tact surface 3.

The protrusion PI is preferably arranged in a substantially central position with re spect to the filament section 1.

The second fabric 102 can be of different types, depending on the final use of the multilayer fabric 100.

The second fabric 102 can be, for example, a woven fabric, a knit fabric or a non- woven fabric.

In particular, in possible embodiments of the present invention, the second fabric 102 is a non-woven fabric.

The second fabric 102 can comprise mono-component filaments and/or bicomponent filaments. Possible mono-component filaments are made of PP, PE, PET, PA, PLA. Pos sible bicomponent filaments are made by combining PP/PP, PP/CoPP, PP/PE, PET/PET, PET/CoPET, PET/PBT, PET/PE. Typically, the bicomponent filaments of the second fab ric 102 are of the core-sheath type.

Independently of the type of fabric, the second fabric is configured so that to shrink (i.e. contract) less than the first fabric 101, when heated at the same temperature, typically between 70° and 190°C.

More in detail, as mentioned above, the filaments 1 of the first fabric 101 crimp when heated. This causes an increase in the thickness of the first fabric 101 and a reduction in the length and width thereof. Such width and length reduction of the first fabric 101 is greater than the width and length reduction of the second fabric 102, when the latter is heated at the same temperature as that of the first fabric 101.

In particular, considering a 10x10 cm sample of the first fabric 101 and a 10x10 cm sample of the second fabric 102, both subjected to the same treatment, i.e. to heating at the same temperature for the same amount of time and to cooling at the same temperature for the same amount of time, the final dimensions (length and width) of the sample of the first fabric will be smaller than the final dimensions (length and width) of the second fabric.

Typically, the second fabric 102 is configured so that to have shrinkage equal to or less than 5%, preferably less than 1%.

The shrinkage of a 10x10 sample of the first fabric 101 is instead greater with respect to that of the second fabric 101, preferably greater than 5%, more preferably greater than 10%. Preferred values are between 10% and 60% of the initial value. The assem bly of the two combined fabrics preferably has shrinkage greater than 3% when sub jected to the same heat treatment.

At the same time, the thickness of the first fabric 101 increases due to heat treatment, with an increase of up to 300% more than the initial value (for example 1 to 4 mm). The heating used for the treatment described above is preferably a dry treatment, or anyhow a treatment that does not provide for the immersion of the samples in a liq uid.

Moreover, the first and second fabric 101, 102 are preferably selected so that the second fabric 102 has a greater tensile strength than the first fabric, when such strengths are measured by means of the same test. In particular, the first and second fabric are preferably selected so that the specific toughness (typically measured in N/5cm) of the multilayer fabric is at least 2 times, preferably at least 3 times, greater than the specific toughness of the first fabric 101 in the Machine Direction, and so that the specific toughness of the multilayer fabric is at least 3 times, preferably at least 5 times greater than the specific toughness of the first fabric 101 in a direction orthogonal to the machine direction (i.e. in the Cross Direction). In the art, standards for measuring the tensile strength and/or toughness of a fabric are known, for exam ple UNI EN 29073 Part 3.

These values are measured considering individually the various layers of the finished product, i.e. separately considering the tensile strength of the first fabric 101 and the second fabric 102 after heating. Such a difference can be measured, for example, by treating (heating) the first fabric 101 and the second fabric 102 without bonding them to each other, or by treating the two fabrics individually.

As previously discussed, the first fabric 101 is composed at least in part of bi-compo- nent filaments, having a first sub-filament which forms a protrusion within the second sub-filament, forming a contact surface which, in section, has at least one inflection point fl, f2 and preferably at least two inflection points fl, f2.

This solution allows to obtain a first fabric 101 which, during heating, provides a high crimping of the relevant filaments, so that during heating, the first fabric presents high swelling (i.e. increase in thickness) and shrinkage in length and/or width.

Thanks to this solution, the final multilayer fabric 100 has very marked surface effects, in particular providing a greater protrusion of the swollen areas R with respect to the surface of the multilayer fabric 100.

Moreover, the second fabric 102 has a tenacity that is enough to provide the desired mechanical properties to the multilayer fabric 100. It is therefore preferable not to over-stiffen the multilayer fabric 100, so as to preserve flexibility and comfort for a user. According to a preferred aspect, the first fabric 101 is composed at least in part of bi component filaments having at least an inflection point fl, f2 in the contact surface and, in the multilayer fabric 100, the ratio between the tensile strength of the first and second fabric 101, 102 is such that the tensile strength of the second fabric 102 is 5 to 10 times greater in the machine direction and 12 to 20 times greater in the cross direction, i.e. in the direction orthogonal to the machine direction, with respect (respectively) to the tensile strength in the machine direction and in the cross direc tion of the first fabric 101. The tensile strength can be measured in different ways known in the art, preferably according to UNI EN 29073 Part 3.

These values preferably apply also to the ratio between the tensile strength of the third fabric 103 (if present) with respect to the first fabric 101.

It should be noted how the strength of the multilayer fabric is determined not only by the mechanical properties of the fabrics 101, 102 composing it, but also by the particular constraint used to join them. As better discussed hereunder, in fact, the fabrics 101, 102 are joined by means of a plurality of constraining zones (P). Various parameters, among which typically the density and arrangement, of the constraining zones can be modified so that to influence the strength of the multilayer fabric 100. A multilayer fabric 100 according to the invention is achieved by superimposing, con straining and subsequently heating a first fabric 101 and a second fabric 102 as dis cussed above.

According to a possible aspect, as in the embodiment of figure 2, it is possible to pro duce the first fabric 101 and the second fabric 102 in line, i.e. in the same plant, so that to be able to send them to a constraining device 15 after the production, as bet ter discussed hereunder.

In particular, according to possible embodiments, an apparatus 10 for producing a multilayer fabric 100 comprises a first device 11 for the production of the second fab ric 102, and a second device 14 for the production of the first fabric 101, arranged downstream of the first device 11.

A first device 11 is thus provided for the production of filaments 1' and to deposit them on a collecting surface 12. Various devices 11 known in the art can be used for the purpose. For example, the devices described in the patent applications W02008/072278 and W02008/075176 can be used.

In general, such devices have a spinneret or extrusion device 11a to extrude a plurality of filaments 1'.

The spinneret 11a is typically followed by a drawing unit lib. Generally, a cooling zone, not shown and known per se in the art, is arranged upstream the drawing unit to direct air flows towards the filaments 1 following the extrusion from the spinneret 11a, so that to appropriately cool them. A possible cooling chamber usable in the present invention is, for example, described in the patent EP1939334; this patent also describes a filament collecting surface adapted to be used in the present invention.

In general, a collecting surface 12, in general in the form of a conveyor belt or similar mobile element, is typically present underneath the extrusion device 11a. The collect ing surface 12 is typically provided with holes or anyhow permeable to gas. Specific devices not shown in detail and typically in the form of an aspirator or similar ele ment, can be provided in a known way underneath the collecting surface 12 so that to create a depression at the zone in which the filaments 1' are deposited thereon. The filaments 1' are thus typically consolidated, for example by calendering, by means of rollers 13, so that to form the second fabric 102, and in particular a fabric having high mechanical properties, in particular tensile strength, or anyhow with greater me chanical properties than those of the first fabric 101.

As discussed above, according to an aspect, the first fabric 101 can be deposited on the second fabric 102, which thus acts as a collecting surface for the first fabric 101. Similarly to that which was previously discussed for the second fabric 102, the second device 14 comprises a spinneret 14a.

Preferably, the spinneret 14a is configured so that to produce filaments 1 for the first fabric 101 which have the above-described conformation, i.e. with a first sub-filament which forms a protrusion within the second sub-filament, forming a contact surface which, in section, has at least one inflection point fl, f2. Preferably, such conformation is obtained by locally varying the pressure of extrusion in different zones of the sec tion of at least one of the sub-filaments 2a, 2b.

As for the first device 11, the spinneret 14a is typically followed by a drawing unit 14b, and a cooling zone, not shown and known per se in the art, is arranged upstream of the drawing unit to direct air flows towards the filaments 100 following the extru sion from the spinneret 14a.

The filaments 1 are thus deposited on the second fabric 102, so that to form the first fabric 101 above the second fabric 102.

According to a possible aspect of the present invention, unlike known solutions, such as the ones described in US2009152757 and US2008210363, the filaments 100 de posited on the collecting means 2 are deposited in non-crimped condition, i.e. are substantially free from crimps when they are deposited on the collecting means 2. The non-woven fabric 150 deposited on the collecting means 2 thus has a thickness typically comparable to that of the standard non-woven spunbond fabrics obtained with mono- and bicomponent filaments.

Different solutions can however be provided.

For example, in figure 1, a possible embodiment in which the first fabric 101 and the second fabric 102 are produced in a different plant, or anyhow at different stations, and then fed in series to a collecting surface 12, is schematized. In similar embodi ments, it is for example possible to use a second fabric 102 which is not a non-woven fabric, for example a woven fabric or a knit fabric.

In possible variants, it is also possible to arrange the second fabric 102 above the first fabric 101.

Further solutions, not shown in detail, are possible, in particular combinations of the embodiments discussed above.

For example, it is possible to arrange the second fabric 102 already formed on a col lecting surface 12 (for example a woven fabric obtained on a specific loom) and to arrange the first fabric 101 thereon, by depositing the filaments 1 produced by a de vice 14 similar to the one previously described. Similarly, it is possible to provide a first device 12 similar to the one described above to produce a second fabric, and to arrange a first fabric 101 above it, previously pro duced in a different plant or machine.

In general, in a first step of a method according to the present invention, the first fabric 101 and a second fabric 102, having the characteristics discussed above, are arranged one on top of the other, typically so that the second fabric 102 is arranged underneath the first fabric 101.

The first fabric 101 and the second fabric 102 are thus constrained to each other by a constraining device 15.

The constraining device 15 is configured so that to define a plurality of constraining points or zones P between the first fabric 101 and the second fabric 102.

The constraining device 15 is preferably selected among a needle loom (a needier or machine for "needle punching"), a device to carry out an ultrasonic bonding, a device to feed glue, a device to carry out a seam between the first and the second fabric. Preferably, the constraining device 15 is an ultrasonic device known in the art: for example ultrasonic devices are discussed in GB1243315, and their use is for example mentioned in US2019/0117478.

In general, the first fabric 101 and the second fabric 102 are joined by a plurality of constraining zones P, generally in the form of points.

According to a possible aspect, such constraining points or zones P are arranged along imaginary lines L, preferably straight or curved lines, so that to define a plurality of closed shapes F. Such lines are typically arranged so that to intersect each other.

In general, the constraining points or zones P (hereinafter also only named "constrain ing points") are preferably arranged along the perimeter of a plurality of closed shapes F (for example squares in figure 3, rectangles in figure 4), which are typically adjacent to each other.

According to an aspect, considering a finished multilayer fabric 100, the sum of the areas of the constraining zones P covers an area of less than 15% of the total surface of a face of the multilayer fabric 100. According to a possible aspect, considering a finished multilayer fabric 100, the sum of the areas of the closed figures F is equal to at least 50% of the total surface of a face of the multilayer fabric 100, preferably at least 80% of such surface.

It should be noted that the coupling of a first fabric 101 with a second fabric 102 has been described in detail.

It is however possible to add further fabrics, so that to form further "layers" of the multilayer fabric 100.

For example, in possible embodiments, a third fabric 103 can be added to the first and second fabric, typically so that to arrange the first fabric between the second fabric 102 and the third fabric 103.

The second fabric and the third fabric can be identical.

In general, it is preferable for the first fabric 101 to be configured so that to shrink more than both the second fabric 102 and the third fabric 103 due to a heat treat ment.

The assembly formed by the first and the second fabric (and possible further fabrics) coming out of the constraining device will be henceforth named "semi-finished fab ric" 150 for simplicity.

Preferably, the thickness of the semi-finished fabric 150 is lower than 40 mm, prefer ably lower than 30 mm.

If an ultrasonic bonding device is used, the thickness of the semi-finished fabric is preferably lower than 20 mm, preferably lower than 15 mm.

According to the invention, the semi-finished fabric 150 is then fed to a heating device 16.

According to possible embodiments, the heating can be carried out in line with the constraining by means of the same plant, or anyhow substantially immediately after having carried out the constraining by means of the constraining device 15, as shown for example in figure 2.

Nonetheless, a possible aspect of the present invention provides that the semi-fin- ished fabric 150 is arranged on a storage device 17, for example a bobbin, and trans ported in a different plant to carry out the heating discussed above, as for example in the embodiment shown in figure 1.

In particular, such solution allows to transport the semi-finished fabric 150, i.e. a fab ric in which the semi-finished fabric still has not increased its volume (in particular its thickness), as better discussed hereunder, by incorporating air in the fabric itself.

It should be noted that "heating device 16" means any apparatus adapted to heat the semi-finished product 150, in one or more steps, preferably in a dry way or without immersing it in a liquid, at a temperature sufficient to cause the crimping of the fila ments of the first fabric of the semi-finished fabric 150. Such apparatus can provide a single element adapted to heat the semi-finished fabric or more heating elements in series.

In general, various types of heating devices known in the art, and thus not discussed in detail, can be used.

It should be noted that, for simplicity of description, the semi-finished fabric 150 will be referred to in order to denote the fabric before heating, and to multilayer fabric 100 to denote the fabric following the heating. This does not necessarily imply that the fabric coming out of the heating device 16 is the finished product, so further treat ments can be applied to the fabric coming out of the heating device 16 before obtain ing the final fabric.

Typically, the heating device 16 comprises at least one environment 16a within which the semi-finished fabric 150 is arranged for a period of time. The temperature of such environment 16a is preferably between 70 and 190°C.

As discussed above, the heating preferably does not occur by means of immersion in a hot liquid, but is typically carried out by directing an air flow against the semi-fin ished fabric 150.

In general, the semi-finished fabric 150 is heated in one or more steps, so that to cause a greater shrinking, i.e. contraction, of the first fabric 101 with respect to the shrinking of the second fabric 102 (and also to the third fabric 103 if present). A possible heat treatment can for example be carried out by means of a crossing-air oven, known in the art.

Preferably, the heat treatment comprises a heating between 5" and 120", with a tem perature between 80 to 190°C. Such treatment can be used for the above mentioned verification of the difference between the shrinkage of the first and second fabric.

As discussed above, in the absence of external constraints, such shrinkage occurs in direction of the width and length of the semi-finished fabric 150. Instead, with regard to the thickness, the first fabric 101 typically increases its thickness, while the second fabric typically has a substantially unchanged thickness after the heating.

As a result, the second fabric 102 follows the shrinking of the first fabric 101 due to the presence of the constraining points P, i.e. the fabrics remain integral at the con straining points while the zones of the second fabric 102 not constrained to the first fabric 101 are free to move with respect to it.

As a result, the second fabric 102 bends, so that the surface of the second fabric is greater with respect to that of the first fabric 101, which is instead contracted.

Typically, the shrinking of the multilayer fabric 100 is lower than the shrinking that the first fabric 101 would have without the presence of the second fabric 102 (and of possible further fabrics). In possible embodiments, the shrinking of the multilayer fabric is equal to about half of the shrinking the single first fabric 101 would have with the same treatment.

The shape, and in particular the distribution, of the constraining points P thus allows to define the appearance of the multilayer fabric 100. As discussed above, the con formation and distribution of the constraining points P allows to define (or anyhow influence) the mechanical properties (toughness, rigidity, etc.) of the multilayer fab ric.

In possible embodiments, according to a possible aspect, such as for example shown in figures 4 and 5, the closed figures F defined by the constraining points P are free to move, so that to form bulgy zones R. Such bulgy zones are portions of the second fabric 102 which, due to the shrinking of the first fabric 101, tend to protrude out wards, i.e. tend to protrude from the surface of the multilayer fabric 100, so that to form "bubbles" or "pockets".

According to possible alternatives, by suitably arranging the constraining points P, it is possible to obtain folds arranged substantially randomly, along the second fabric 102, such as for example shown in figure 6. In particular, the fabric of figure 6 is the result of the heating of a semi-finished fabric 150 in which the constraining points P were arranged only at the vertexes of the closed figures F shown in figure 4.

Further variants are possible, not shown in the figures, with different arrangements of the constraining points P between the first and second fabric 101, 102.

If a third fabric 103 is present, the aesthetic effect discussed above can be obtained on both faces of the multilayer fabric 100.