Abstract: A three dimensional fabric suitable for use as a moisture management system for footwear and apparel which includes a first surface and a second surface which encase a center section. At least one surface is water repellent and may include pores of a predetermined size to allow moisture to pass therethrough. The fabric further contains a moisture absorbing agent which functions to capture and hold moisture which is later evaporated within a predetermined time period.

Abstract: A transmission fluid filter material and transmission filter produced therefrom comprising a gradient density composite felt which exhibits high particle removal efficiency at 40 micron diameter particle size and larger with exceptionally high dirt holding capacity and no significant increase in clean pressure drop. The upstream portion of the composite felt contains fine fibers that selectively remove first the fine particles while the downstream portion acts to sieve coarse particles and build a porous filter cake, thereby extending the useful life of the filter.

Abstract: A transmission fluid filter material and transmission filter produced therefrom comprising a gradient density composite felt which exhibits high particle removal efficiency at 40 micron diameter particle size and larger with exceptionally high dirt holding capacity and no significant increase in clean pressure drop. The upstream portion of the composite felt contains fine fibers that selectively remove first the fine particles while the downstream portion acts to sieve coarse particles and build a porous filter cake, thereby extending the useful life of the filter.

Abstract: A method of removing both Sr and Cs from an alkaline solution having a pH between about 9 to 14 includes providing a keratin protein from essentially a fiber portion separated from a quill portion of a poultry feather. A slurry is made of the keratin protein and the alkaline solution and is treated ultrasonically. The Sr and Cs may each be present in the alkaline solution at least at about 5 ppb. The keratin protein is contacted with the Sr and Cs by mechanical agitation at a temperature between about 20 to 90° C. and at a pressure not greater than about 10 psi. A supernatant produced in the step of contacting is then filtered.

Abstract: A hydroentangled composite fabric is made by subjecting a spunbonded base web material of continuous man-made filaments to stretching in the cross direction at least 5 percent of its original dimension but less than the cross direction elongation of the material under ambient temperature conditions at the time of stretching. The base web material in its cross-stretched condition is stabilized to provide a prestretched base web material substantially free from cross direction tensioning. A covering layer of fluid dispersible fibers, preferably in the form of one or more wet-laid wood pulp fibrous webs, is applied to one surface of the relaxed prestretched base web to form a multilayer structure and the multilayer structure is subjected to hydroentanglement while in its relaxed condition to embed the covering fibers in the spunbonded base layer and affix the fiber layer to one surface of the prestretched base material.

Abstract: A molded article, for example, a filter or a preform used in the manufacture of fiber-reinforced composites, is manufactured from an air laid batt from a single fiber type or a mixture of fibers. The batt is either resinated with a thermoplastic material or includes a thermoplastic binder fiber. The batt is formed into the desired shape of the molded article in a through-air mold and heated sufficiently to set the thermoplastic material, so that the resulting article retains the desired shape. If the article is to be used as a fluid filter, it can be used either as it is removed from the mold if a filter of uniform density is desired, of the article can be further processed in a compression mold to densify portions of the article to thereby form, for example, a fluid impervious portion used as a gasket. If the article is to be used as a preform for a structural composite, it is then to be transferred to a resin injection mold.

Abstract: Filtering media consist of formable air laid batting comprising a thermoplastic or thermosetting binder resin and a fiber mixture comprising coarse fibers, such as wood pulp and man-made fibers, having a diameter of at least 20 microns, and fiberglass or other fibers having a diameter of less than about 3 microns.

Abstract: A method of forming a laminated fabric which includes an inner air-laid, batt-like material comprising randomly arrayed fibers of carbon and a thermoplastic copolyvinyl sich as Vinyon is manufactured by feeding the outer shell layers on opposite sides of the batt through an ultrasonic treatment station where ultrasonic energy is applied to the material. The sonic horn engages one side of the laminate, while a patterned anvil roller from which pins extend radially in a predetermined pattern engages the other side of the material being treated. Accordingly, ultrasonic energy applied by the ultrasonic horn is concentrated at the pins, which fuses the thermoplastic fibers in the batt at the places where the pins engage. Since the shell fabrics are also thermoplastic, the columns formed through the batt due to their engagement by the pins and the ultrasonic energy are also fused to the outer shell fabrics.

Abstract: A fiber reinforced, composite article is manufactured by forming a nonwoven, air-laid batt from a single fiber type or a mixture of fibers. The batt is either resinated with a thermoplastic material or includes a thermoplastic binder fiber. The batt is formed into a preform having the desired shape in a through-air mold and heated sufficiently to set the thermoplastic material, so that the resulting preform retains the desired shape and is sufficiently stiff to withstand the pressure of the injected resin. The preform is then transferred to a resin injection mold, where the interstices between the fibers are saturated with an appropriate resin matrix. As the fibers of the preform are saturated (or after a saturation but before the resin sets) the resin transfer mold is compressed, thereby forming the preform into its final desired thickness and increasing the concentration of the fibers to give the preform appropriate strength.