Abstract: A non-woven fabric having a pattern defined by an array of discrete areas having a reduced fibre density but which are substantially free of perforations is produced by supporting a freshly wet laid web of the non-woven fabric on a porous surface and directing spaced jets of fluid against the unsupported side in order to displace fibres within discrete areas while maintaining in position a proportion of fibres that are within those areas and that are adjacent the porous surface. The fabric web may be supported on a Fourdrinier wire (1) and the jets of fluid (e.g. water) may be directed through the apertures in a perforated cylinder (6), the fluid being supplied under pressure from a water-knife device (11). The apertures in the cylinder (6) preferably have a cross-section that increases in the direction of the water jets.

Abstract: Fibrous casing paper is treated with viscose, a polyamide-epihalohydrin resin and cationic polyethylene imine resin to provide a synergistic improvement in the alkaline wet tensile strength while maintaining satisfactory viscose absorbency.

Abstract: Fibrous paper webs of high water absorbency and improved alkaline wet tensile strength are obtained by treating the fibers prior to web formation or subsequent to web formation with aqueous solutions of a water-soluble thermosetting reaction product of a polyamide and an epichlorohydrin, a water-soluble nonviscose film-forming material such as hydroxy ethyl cellulose and a water-soluble polyethylene imine. The resultant absorbent sheet material maintains its absorbency upon aging, exhibits high wet caustic strength and can be used in the manufacture of tea bags or food casings.