Abstract: The present invention entails a fastener unit for coupling two or more rafts together. In one embodiment the fastener unit is comprised of a pair of deformable closed walls, each having a central opening and designed to lock one in another. Each closed wall includes a connector extending therefrom for connecting to a raft. In a second embodiment, the fastener unit is comprised of a pair of fasteners, each having an eyelet with a flexible hook extending therefrom. The hook is extended from one eyelet and is connected to a second eyelet, and a hook from the second eyelet is extended back to the first eyelet to form a coupled relationship between the two fasteners. Each hook and eyelet fastener having a connector extending therefrom for connecting to a raft.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for making a nonwoven fabric wherein a first group of filaments are projected in a longitudinal direction into the nip of a pair of nipped and moving collecting surfaces in such a manner that the filaments fold into and are captured and held by the nip with spans of the filaments lying in the plane of the nip and at the same time projecting a second group of filaments in a longitudinal direction toward one of the collecting surfaces at a location spaced from the nip. The second group of filaments impinges on an impact plate positioned above the collecting surface and is pulled off the impact plate by the moving collecting surface, this causing the filaments in the second group to extend primarily in the machine direction. The moving collecting surfaces carry the groups of filaments into contact with each other to form a nonwoven fabric which is subsequently bonded in a conventional manner to form a finished fabric.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for making a nonwoven fabric wherein a first group of filaments are projected in a longitudinal direction into the nip of a pair of nipped and moving collecting surfaces in such a manner that the filaments fold into and are captured and held by the nip with spans of the filaments lying in the plane of the nip and at the same time projecting a second group of filaments in a longitudinal direction toward one of the collecting surfaces at a location spaced from the nip. The second group of filaments impinges on an impact plate positioned above the collecting surface and is pulled off the impact plate by the moving collecting surface, this causing the filaments in the second group to extend primarily in the machine direction. The moving collecting surfaces carry the groups of filaments into contact with each other to form a nonwoven fabric which is subsequently bonded in a conventional manner to form a finished fabric.