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Abstract

A nonwoven fabric having oil and grease absorbency properties but also having the capability to release at least about 60 percent of such oil or grease in accordance with the grease release test described. Such webs include a matrix of microfibers and may include up to about 75 percent of other fibers such as staple or wood pulp. The web is treated with one or more compositions selected from carboxymethyl cellulose and derivatives, vinyl carboxypolymers, hydroxy ethyl ether starch derivatives, and acrylics. The treatment permits the web to retain its fibrous structure while at least partially coating said fibers to reduce the oleophilic nature of the web. Examples of useful fibers include polyolefins, especially polypropylene, polyesters, and polyamides. The web is preferably bonded by a patterned application of fuse bonds covering up to about 14 percent of surface area and in a frequency of up to about 15 bonds per square inch. The result is a web particularly useful as a wiper for food service application where it aggressively absorbs and retains oily and greasy materials and yet when rinsed and wrung out releases a high proportion of such oils and greases so that upon reuse streaking is minimized. The preferred embodiment is a matrix including 25 percent polypropylene microfibers and 75 percent of a mixture of polyester and cotton staple bonded with a continuous cross-hatch pattern covering 14 percent of the surface area and 4 lines per inch and treated with up to 2 percent of a crosslinked polycarboxylic resin and polyethylene glycol in the finished fabric.

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First Claim