Abstract: An automated system and method wrap the fastening ties around the body of a continuous stream of facemasks in a facemask production line. The facemasks are oriented such that each facemask has a leading pair of ties and a trailing pair of ties extending from a body in a conveying direction of the production line. The leading pair of ties is drawn below the body as the facemask continues to be conveyed in the conveying. The body is conveyed through a plurality of conveyor sections oriented at angles such that the conveying direction of the body changes at a junction from one conveyor section to an adjacent conveyor section. At the junctions between conveyor sections, an impinging force is directed against the body that causes the body to flip, thereby causing the leading and trailing pairs of ties to further wrap around the body.

Abstract: A full jet nozzle for use with a water cannon, the nozzle having a body that encloses a flow channel running along an axial direction, having an outlet opening provided at an axial end of the flow channel, which has an external circumference which encloses an outlet surface to form a flow cross-section. The flow cross-section has a substantially circular or annular base area. There is at least one radial cross-sectional extension of the outlet area is provided exclusively in an angular range of the outer circumference of a maximum of 180°. The full jet nozzle also has at least one radial cross-sectional extension formed by a slot running with its longitudinal axis parallel to the axial direction, which opens perpendicular to the base area or has a recess running with its longitudinal axis parallel to the axial direction, which opens perpendicular to the base area.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides articles having an absorbent core. The absorbent core has a plurality of segmented volumes possessing an absorbent material therein. Suitable articles which may be formed with this absorbent core include, for example, diapers such as infant diapers, juvenile diapers and training pants, feminine hygiene products such as menstrual pads, adult incontinence products such as adult briefs, protective underwear, pads and bladder control pads, pet training pads, and other disposable products utilized to absorb fluids.

Abstract: In a unit for making sections of padding for absorbent sanitary articles comprising a first rotary conveyor for feeding and forming a continuous succession of outer pads, comprising at least one layer, a second rotary conveyor for feeding and forming a continuous succession of inner pads comprising two layers, a third rotary conveyor for the pads defining a position for superposing the outer pads and the inner pads, there are compressing means for the two-layer inner pads upstream of the superposing position and second compressing means for the superposed pads downstream of the superposing position.

Abstract: A manufacturing method of an absorbent body used for an absorbent article, includes molding the absorbent body by sucking in a gas, mixed with a liquid absorbent fiber and a superabsorbent polymer, using a suction hole at a bottom portion of a mold, and laminating the liquid absorbent fiber and the superabsorbent polymer on the bottom portion, and making a lamination thickness of the absorbent body thin by sucking out gas in the absorbent body placed on a placement surface on which the absorbent body is placed by, after the molding, in a state in which the gas is not supplied, sucking air through the suction hole on the placement surface, and creating an air pressure, in a space in between fibers in the absorbent body while sucking out the air, lower than that in a space in between fibers in the absorbent body while laminating in molding.

Abstract: Methods for making yarns are provided which include the steps of supplying continuous polymer filaments, detaching from at least a part of the continuous polymer filaments, and at least one continuous reinforcement filament, a plurality of discontinuous polymer fibers and of discontinuous reinforcement fibers to obtain a composite sliver, and twisting the composite sliver to obtain a roving from which yarn may be obtained. Yarns produced by such methods as well as textiles, fabrics and garments which include such yarns are also provided. Such yarns may be particularly useful in the production of, for example, protective gloves.

Abstract: The present invention provides cellulose-based fibers including cellulose and at least one polymer selected from the group consisting of a polysiloxane, a polyacrylic acid, a polyacrylamide, an m-aramid, and a polyvinylalcohol/polystyrene copolymer, and a tire cord including the same. Furthermore, the cellulose-based fibers of the present invention have an advantage in superior elongation and tenacity of the prior cellulose fibers by blending at least one polymer having a functional group that is capable of a hydrogen bond with a hydroxyl group of a cellulose molecule.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming fiber balls uses automated clippers that can cooperate with a wheel that turns to hold clipped segments of elongate fibers, then cuts the segments to form fiber balls with a clip or clips at a medial portion thereof.

Abstract: A rain protective towel for use in association with sporting events, work endeavors, or general use is provided. Also presented are methods of manufacturing of such a towel. In general, the towel is formed of a terrycloth or other cotton water absorbent material, which is rendered waterproof or rain resistant by being subjected to a bath of a water-diluted water repellant fluoropolymer that is allowed to permeate the cloth. The edges of the towel are bound or otherwise finished, and the towel may have any of various desired aesthetic designs thereon. The towels may be formed from processing a web of terrycloth material through a bath of diluted water repellant fluoropolymer, thence through a wringer, various dryer stations, a station for printing, embroidering or embossing and subsequent stations for cutting and edge binding. Alternative processes are disclosed.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention relates to a non-woven fiber assembly comprising one or more fibers wherein each fiber contains: a hydrophilic component; and an elastomeric component, and wherein the non-woven fiber assembly further comprises an adhesive component. In still another embodiment, the present invention relates to a non-woven fiber assembly comprising one or more fibers wherein each fiber contains: a hydrophilic component; an elastomeric component; and an adhesive component, wherein the hydrophilic component, the elastomeric component and the adhesive component are all contained within each fiber. Also disclosed is a method of making the afore-mentioned non-woven fiber assemblies. Additionally, a medical dressing made from the non-woven fiber assemblies of the present invention is disclosed.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention relates to a non-woven fiber assembly comprising one or more fibers wherein each fiber contains: a hydrophilic component; and an elastomeric component, and wherein the non-woven fiber assembly further comprises an adhesive component. In still another embodiment, the present invention relates to a non-woven fiber assembly comprising one or more fibers wherein each fiber contains: a hydrophilic component; an elastomeric component; and an adhesive component, wherein the hydrophilic component, the elastomeric component and the adhesive component are all contained within each fiber. Also disclosed is a method of making the afore-mentioned non-woven fiber assemblies. Additionally, a medical dressing made from the non-woven fiber assemblies of the present invention is disclosed.

Abstract: A method for incorporating optical fibers into sheet materials, such as fabrics, creates a structure which can be incorporated into items such as plush toys. Optical fibers are made to pass through the sheet material in a desired arrangements. Ends of the optical fibers are enlarged such that they will not readily pass back through the fabric. The ends are then covered with material that permits light to pass therethrough. The resulting structure can be readily incorporated into an item, such as a plush toy.

Abstract: A method of forming a lap mat for use in a subsequent molding operation to form a headliner includes forming a first continuous particulate layer having a non-uniform composition; folding the first continuous particulate layer to form a plurality of first layers; and binding the first layers together wherein the first layers cooperate to define a first region having a first material composition, and a second region having a second material composition different than the first material composition.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for depositing particulate material (30, 36) in an airlaid fibrous web (94) includes a moving of a forming surface (22) through a forming chamber (24), and a laying of a fibrous material (96) onto the forming surface to form the fibrous web. The particulate material is delivered into the forming chamber with an arcuate curved nozzle (86) which is positioned within the forming chamber at a location spaced from the forming surface.

Abstract: A process for producing dyed spun cotton yarns having a reduced number of irregularities and increased luster is described. The process involves dyeing at least a portion of the cotton fibers which are to form the yarn, then combing the dyed fibers subsequent to the dyeing process. The dyed and combed fibers are then optionally blended with fibers having a visually distinct appearance, and spun into a yarn using conventional spinning methods. The resulting yarns having a dramatically reduced number of thick and thin places and improved yarn properties including improved luster and hand. Furthermore, when the thus-dyed fibers are blended with differently-colored fibers prior to the combing operation, the resultant yarns match the visual colors of like-colored yarns produced by conventional processes, while the color is more intimately blended and the yarns have a markedly increased uniformity, luster and tenacity.

Abstract: A binder is applied to fibers to bind particles to the fibers. The fibers have hydrogen bonding functional groups. The particles have functional groups capable of forming a hydrogen bond or a coordinate covalent bond. The binder comprises binder molecules, the binder molecules having at least one functional group that is capable of forming a hydrogen bond or a coordinate covalent bond with the particles, and at least one functional group that is capable of forming a hydrogen bond with the fibers. A substantial portion of the particles that are adhered to the fibers are adhered in particulate form by hydrogen bonds or coordinate covalent bonds to the binder, and the binder is in turn adhered to the fibers by hydrogen bonds. Fibers containing particles bound by this method are easily densified.

Abstract: A method of producing easily densified high bulk fibers that have adhered particulates. The high bulk fibers have hydrogen bonding or coordinate covalent bonding functionalities, and a binder is applied to the fibers to bind the particles to the fibers. The binder has a functional group that forms a hydrogen bond or a coordinate covalent bond with the particles, and a functional group that forms a hydrogen bond with the fibers. A substantial portion of the particles that are adhered to the fibers are adhered in particulate form by hydrogen bonds or coordinate covalent bonds to the binder, and the binder is in turn adhered to the fibers by hydrogen bonds. Fibers containing particles bound by this method are easily densified.

Abstract: This invention is a cut resistant article comprising a cut resistant jacket surrounding a less cut resistant member. The jacket comprises a fabric of yarn and the yarn consists essentially of a high strength, longitudinal strand having a tensile strength of at least 1 GPa. The strand is wrapped with another fiber or the same fiber. In another embodiment, the invention is a highly cut resistant yarn of at least two nonmetallic fibers. One fiber is inherently cut resistant like high strength polyethylene, polypropylene or aramids. The other fiber in the yarn has a high level of hardness.

Abstract: A textile fiber blending apparatus comprises a blending conveyor having an upstream end and a downstream end as viewed in its direction of travel; a waste fiber feeder having a discharge end for discharging waste fiber on the upstream end of the blending conveyor for forming a waste-fiber layer thereon; and a useful-fiber mixer having a plurality of fiber hoppers, each having a top portion, a bottom portion and a discharge opening at the bottom portion. The discharge openings are arranged above the blending conveyor, downstream of the discharge end of the waste fiber feeder and each depositing, in succession, a layer of useful fibers, whereby on the conveyor a fiber layer stack is formed, constituted by a lowermost waste fiber layer deposited by the waste-fiber feeder and a plurality of superposed useful-fiber layers. The apparatus further has a fiber removing device arranged at the downstream end of the blending conveyor for receiving the fiber layer stack therefrom.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus for the manufacture of absorption pads for sorbing body fluid which is composed of two substantially identical so-called flake applicators each including a vacuum cylinder having shaped recesses which are so-called flake wheels. A first component layer of the absorption pad is produced on the first flake wheel and a second component layer is produced on the second flake wheel. The component layers produced on the first flake wheel are applied to the component layers produced on the second flake wheel by means of a transfer roll. A second transfer roll lifts the finished absorption pad from the second flake wheel and delivers the absorption pad by means of a vacuum belt to a machine for further processing.

Abstract: A fluff pad for an absorbent product such as a diaper, sanitary napkin or the like is formed by superposing two layers of fluff top-to-top. The layers are formed separately but simultaneously on conveyor wires. The non-wire side of a layer is the "top". Each layer is scarffed and debulked. One layer is removed from its wire by suction and placed with its wire side engaging a wrap sheet traveling beneath the wire on which the second fluff layer is formed. The second layer is removed from its wire by applying suction from beneath, through the wrap sheet and first layer to deposit the second layer on the first in inverted relation. An additional dispersion sheet may be added between the fluff layers, if desired.