Abstract: Assemblies for securing fractured bone are provided. The assembly includes a first fixation element, a second fixation element, and an adjustable flexible member construct. The first fixation element having a male or a female sleeve is secured within a first portion of the fractured bone. The second fixation element having the other of the male or female sleeve telescopically received within the one of the male or female sleeve is secured within a second portion of the fractured bone. The adjustable flexible member construct extends between the first and second fixation elements and has at least one adjustable loop coupled to the first fixation element and the second fixation element and a pair of adjusting ends extending through an opening in the first fixation element. The pair of adjusting ends can be pulled to reduce a diameter of the adjustable loop and to compress fragments of the fractured bone.

Abstract: A circular needling table for needling a textile structure made from an annular fiber preform, includes: a horizontal top on which an annular fiber preform is to be placed; a driver system constructed and arranged to drive the fiber preform in rotation about a vertical axis of rotation; and a needling device for needling the fiber preform, the device including a needling head extending over a predetermined angular sector of the table top and to be driven with vertical reciprocating motion relative to the table top, and a mover system constructed and arranged to move the needling head in a direction that is radial relative to the axis of rotation of the fiber preform.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for producing a nonwoven composite fabric. A nonwoven fabric layer is applied onto a support structure layer and connected to said layer by means of water jet needling. According to the invention, the following are provided: a number of deflecting rollers (U, US) around which a support structure (S) in the form of a screen or a mesh fabric is stretched and circulated, said support structure being designed as a continuous strip; a feeding device (V1R) for a nonwoven fabric (V1), which is brought into contact with the support structure (S) and further moved in contact with same; and a device for water jet needling (D11, D12, ST1), by means of which the nonwoven fabric (V1) is connected to the support structure (S).

Abstract: A method and device are provided for strengthening, in particular needling, a continuously fed material web (21), wherein the material web is strengthened in a strengthening zone and is drawn out of the strengthening zone by a drawing apparatus (24). At least one parameter, in particular the material speed, of the strengthened material web (21) is detected in a guiding zone arranged downstream of the fastening zone and before the drawing apparatus (24) by a measuring apparatus (22), preferably without contact, and is optionally used to control the strengthening apparatus.

Abstract: The invention disclosed herein relates to the use of laser energy to weld or fuse selected locations in paper machine clothing (“PMC”) and other industrial and engineered fabrics. The invention also relates to an improved loop seam for an on machine seamable papermaker or other industrial fabric.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a machine felt. Firstly a tube having a longitudinal yarn layer is manufactured with a peripheral length double the length of the machine felt, and a width that corresponds to the width of the machine felt. The tube is compressed into a flattened tube with the formation of longitudinal yarn loops which are exposed by the removal of fibers of a fiber batt layer. An auxiliary substrate web is manufactured with a width that is less than that of the machine felt; for the longitudinal yarns and/or for the auxiliary substrate web, a material is used that absorbs laser energy; the longitudinal yarns are brought together with the auxiliary substrate web and connected by a laser beam; the auxiliary substrate web is helically wound until the tube is formed; and upon exposure of the longitudinal yarn loops, the auxiliary substrate web(s) are also removed.

Abstract: The invention disclosed herein relates to the use of laser energy to weld or melt selected locations in papermachine clothing (“PMC”) and other industrial and engineered fabrics. The invention also relates to an improved seam for a papermaker or other industrial fabric that has properties such as strength, durability, openness, adequate number of support points, and fiber support index (FSI) essentially the same as the fabric body. The invention also relates to a fabric having a durable seam, wherein the seam width as measured in the MD is a fraction of the width of a normal seam or a seam that is formed using a conventional technique of equal strength.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing absorbent tampons with reduced fiber fluff includes a novel needlepunching unit. The method includes the steps of providing a continuous nonwoven fibrous web; separating individual nonwoven web sections from the continuous nonwoven fibrous web; forming distinct side edges of each individual nonwoven web section; rolling the nonwoven web section to form a substantially cylindrical tampon blank; and compressing the substantially cylindrical tampon blank to form the absorbent tampon. The distinct side edges of each individual nonwoven web section are formed by needlepunching proximate the longitudinal side edges of each individual nonwoven web section, folding both longitudinal side edges inwardly to form distinct side edges of the individual nonwoven web section, and needlepunching the folded longitudinal side edges to stabilize the distinct side edges of the individual nonwoven web section.

Abstract: The invention is a method for manufacturing a felt belt having a support which is embedded in a fiber matrix and is made up of at least two yarn layers arranged one above another, at least one is a longitudinal yarn layer made up of longitudinal yarns extending in parallel fashion, and at least one is a transverse yarn layer made up of transverse yarns extending in parallel fashion, transverse yarns being present that are continuous over the width of the felt belt. For each longitudinal yarn layer, a first support module is manufactured, by means of a first auxiliary support web, at a width that is less than the width of the completed felt belt, the first auxiliary support web being wound in helical fashion, before, during, or after the application of yarns, to a width that corresponds to the width necessary for manufacture of the completed felt belt.

Abstract: A turbine ring assembly for a gas turbine, the assembly comprising a complete ring (10) forming a single piece of ceramic matrix composite material (CMC), a metal structure for supporting the CMC ring having metal annular supports (20, 30) between which the CMC ring is placed while allowing differential expansion at least in a radial direction between the CMC ring and the annular supports, means (40-42) for centering the CMC ring, and at least one element for preventing turning of the CMC ring about its axis.

Abstract: A paper machine belt that includes at least one layer having parallel yarns. Additionally, a ratio of a volume of the parallel yarns in the at least one layer to a void volume in the at least layer is greater than 1:1.

Abstract: A method of joining two ends of a fabric for use in a paper machine, carried out using a joining assembly, includes the steps of: placing a first end of the fabric on a first portion of a pin plate, the pins in the first portion of the pin plate extending into the first end; placing a second end of the fabric on a second portion of the pin plate such that the first end and the second end are in close proximity to each other in a join area, the pins in the second portion of the pin plate extending into the second end; and joining the first end and the second end in the join area. The method results in a perforated (and therefore permeable) join area.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing a felt belt, particularly a press felt for a paper machine, including the steps of producing a longitudinal thread structure by continuous helical winding of at least one longitudinal thread in the direction of the provided width of the felt belt, particularly up to the provided width of the felt belt; placing a transverse reinforcement structure on the longitudinal thread structure and connecting the same to the longitudinal thread structure to form a tube-like composite structure; placing opposing sections of the tube-like structure one atop the other such that the tube-like structure forms a flat structure whose length corresponds to approximately half the circumference of the tube-like structure and which provides seam loops on its opposing longitudinal sides, the loops being formed by the at least one helically wound longitudinal thread; making the flat structure continuous by merging the opposing seam loops and connecting the same to one another; a

Abstract: A non-woven acoustic sleeve and method of construction thereof provides routing and protection for elongate members and suppression of noise generation from the elongate members while in the sleeve. The sleeve has an elongate wall with opposite sides that are self-wrapping about a longitudinal axis to define a generally tubular cavity. The opposite sides are extendable away from one another under an externally applied force to allow the elongate members to be disposed radially into or removed from the cavity. When the external force is released, the opposite sides of the wall to return to their self wrapped configuration to enclose the elongate members and suppress noise therefrom.

Abstract: A non-woven acoustic sleeve and method of construction thereof provides routing and protection for elongate members and suppression of noise generation from the elongate members while in the sleeve. The sleeve has an elongate wall with opposite sides that are self-wrapping about a longitudinal axis to define a generally tubular cavity. The opposite sides are extendable away from one another under an externally applied force to allow the elongate members to be disposed radially into or removed from the cavity. When the external force is released, the opposite sides of the wall to return to their self wrapped configuration to enclose the elongate members and suppress noise therefrom.

Abstract: A method of stabilizing the seam loops of a papermaking fabric or other industrial fabric until the fabric is ready to be installed and seamed on a machine. Stabilizing the loops prevents torque imbalance and other forces from distorting the loop alignment over time, thereby making the loops easier to connect and seam when the fabric is ready to be installed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of manufacturing a press felt and to a press felt and a base fabric. The base fabric comprises at least a first planar compo-nent (4), which includes a first transverse (CMD) joining edge area (11) and a second transverse joining edge area (12). The joining edge areas (11, 12) are arranged to overlap each other and attached to each other undetachably.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to fabrics for paper making machines that are rendered contamination resistant and maintain good permeability as a result of a durable coating that lasts the entire life of the fabric. A fluoropolymer will render the fabric contamination resistant over the entire fabric lifetime.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a press felt, a press section, and a press felt. The press felt comprises a base structure (11), a batt fibre layer (12) being attached to a first, web-side surface (B) of the base structure. Further, the structure of the press felt is compacted by treating it with a polymer material at least on the side of the first felt surface (B). After the polymer treatment, the surface of the felt is ground smooth.

Abstract: A paper makers felt comprising a fibrous outer layer formed of inter-engaged fibers of between 3.0 and 67 dtex inter-engaged preferably by needling, and a web layer formed of fibers which are between 200 and 600 dtex and are inter-engaged preferably by point bonding. The outer layer is engaged with the web layer, preferably by needling, forming a composite paper makers felt.

Abstract: A method for producing woven airbags, especially at least partially multi-layered airbags, includes the following steps: the warp threads are prepared in a warping room, warp threads which are suitable as marker threads for machine-readable markings being already placed in the warp; the airbag material is woven, weft threads which are suitable as marker threads for machine-readable markings being interlaced over at least part of the width of the cloth; and the airbag is cut out of the airbag material using a cutting device which is guided by the interlaced machine-readable markings.

Abstract: The invention relates to a textile web, especially a textile-covered web for a paper-making machine, which, viewed from a transverse direction, is provided with several web sections (6, 7, 8, 19, 20, 27, 28) that extend parallel to one another in a lengthwise direction and are aligned adjacent to one another, with their lateral edges (9, 10, 11, 12, 21, 22, 29, 30) being attached to one another via fasteners (15, 16, 17, 18, 25, 26, 33, 34). This textile web is characterized in that the adjacent lateral edges (10, 11, 21, 22, 29, 30) follow a meandering course with alternating projections (13, 23, 31) and recesses (14, 24, 32), and the web sections (6, 7, 8, 19, 20, 27, 28) are interlocked with one another via these projections (13, 23, 31) and recesses (14, 24, 32), and in that the fasteners (15, 16, 17, 18, 25, 26, 33, 34) connect the projections (13, 23, 31) to one another.

Abstract: A method of making a press felt, a press felt and a base fabric. The base fabric comprises a surface component on the surface facing the paper web to be dried and a base component below the surface component. The transverse jointing edges of the base component are provided with seam loops, by means of which the base component can be connected into a closed loop. At the first jointing edge of the base fabric the surface component extends for a predetermined distance longer than the base component and forms a seam flap that protects the seam area of the base component.

Abstract: A method of making a press felt, and a press felt. The press felt comprises a continuous base fabric in the lateral direction, and at least one batt fiber layer. The closed-loop base fabric is made of longitudinal and transverse yarns. The properties of the press felt, such as permeance, are arranged to be different in edge portions of the press felt from the midportion of the felt.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a press fabric for a paper machine includes the attachment of a strip of top laminate layer material to a base fabric using a heat-activated adhesive film. The top laminate layer material may be a woven fabric, a nonwoven mesh, or a thermoplastic sheet material, and, in any case, has the heat-activated adhesive film bonded to one of its two sides. The strip of top laminate layer material and heat-activated adhesive film together form a multi-component strip, which is spiralled onto the outer surface of the base fabric, with the side of the strip of top laminate layer material having the heat-activated adhesive film against the outer surface, in a closed helix, and bonded thereto with heat and pressure. The portions of the multi-component strip overhanging the lateral edges of the base fabric are then trimmed, and a staple fiber batt is needled into and through the top laminate layer formed by the multi-component strip to firmly attach it to the base fabric.

Abstract: An industrial process fabrics having embossed surfaces to facilitate water removal from the product such as paper and paper products being carried thereon by creating voids through embossing to assist in fluid management.

Abstract: A papermaker's fabric is manufactured by spirally winding a laminated structure in a plurality of turns. The laminated structure has a bottom layer and a top layer, both of which are strips having a common width. The bottom layer and the top layer are laminated to one another in a transversely offset manner, so that an unlaminated portion of the bottom layer is along one lateral edge of the laminated structure and an unlaminated portion of the top layer is along the other lateral edge. When the laminated structure is spirally wound, the unlaminated portion of the top layer in one turn overlies the unlaminated portion of the bottom layer in an adjacent turn. These are joined to one another to form the papermaker's fabric from the spirally wound structure.

Abstract: An on-machine-seamable papermaker's fabric has a base structure which is a flattened array of a spirally wound multicomponent yarn. The flattened array has two layers, two sides, a length, a width and two widthwise edges. In each turn of the spiral winding, the multicomponent yarn has a substantially lengthwise orientation and is joined side-by-side to those adjacent thereto by a fusible thermoplastic material in each of the two layers. The multicomponent yarn forms seaming loops along the two widthwise edges. At least one layer of staple fiber material is needled into one of the two sides of the base structure and through the two layers.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a press fabric for a paper machine includes the attachment of a strip of top laminate layer material to a base fabric using a heat-activated adhesive film. The top laminate layer material may be a woven fabric, a nonwoven mesh, or a thermoplastic sheet material, and, in any case, has the heat-activated adhesive film bonded to one of its two sides. The strip of top laminate layer material and heat-activated adhesive film together form a multi-component strip, which is spiralled onto the outer surface of the base fabric, with the side of the strip of top laminate layer material having the heat-activated adhesive film against the outer surface, in a closed helix, and bonded thereto with heat and pressure. The portions of the multi-component strip overhanging the lateral edges of the base fabric are then trimmed, and a staple fiber batt is needled into and through the top laminate layer formed by the multi-component strip to firmly attach it to the base fabric.

Abstract: A near netshape carbon preform is provided comprising a polar woven fabric of a plurality of carbon yarns, said polar woven fabric having a helical shape and an adjustable fiber orientation distribution, said polar woven fabric being laid down, turn by turn, into a near net shape preform, and each layer of said fabric being needled to produce a near net shape preform with increased interlaminar strength, an adjustable fiber orientation distribution and enhanced thermal conductivity. A method for manufacturing a near net shape carbon preform with a polar woven substrate is also disclosed.

Abstract: A press fabric for the press section of a paper machine has a base fabric which includes a nonwoven mesh fabric. The base fabric, or a layer thereof, is assembled in integral form using a strip or strips of the nonwoven mesh fabric. The assembly may be effected by spirally winding the nonwoven mesh fabric in a plurality of non-overlapping turns, by abutting each turn of the nonwoven mesh fabric against that previously wound, and by joining each turn of the nonwoven mesh fabric to that previously wound to form an endless loop. Alternatively, a plurality of endless loops of equivalent length are formed from separate strips of nonwoven mesh fabric, and arranged in a side-by-side abutting relationship. The endless loops are then joined, one to the next, to provide a base fabric, or component thereof, in the form of an endless loop.

Abstract: A three-dimensional fiber structure is formed by superposing layers of felt and by bonding them together by needling, then the structure is compressed to obtain a preform having a fiber volume fraction of not less than 20%. The preform is held in its compressed state by being impregnated with a liquid composition containing a bonding agent capable of bonding the fibers of the preform together. Thereafter, the preform consolidated in this way is densified, e.g. by chemical vapor infiltration.

Abstract: Preforms for producing annular parts of composite material are produced by inding a strip (1) of fibrous material around an elliptical mandrel (10) to produce an elliptical sleeve which can be cut obliquely, cutting taking place either before or after one or more densification steps. The cutting plane is inclined relative to the right cross section of the elliptical sleeve, and the inner and outer portions of the cut rings are machined to obtain circular elements. Such elements can produce annular parts of composite material having a reduced tendency to delanination under circumferential stress. The superposed layers are needling together during winding. A uniform needling density per unit area can be obtained by controlled displacement of the needle board (5) and of the elliptical mandrel (10) relative to each other as the mandrel turns, to compensate for the eccentricity of the cross section of the mandrel. These methods are particularly suitable for producing brake disk preforms.

Abstract: A near netshape carbon preform is provided comprising a woven fabric of a plurality of carbon yarns, said woven fabric having a helical shape and an adjustable fiber orientation distribution, said woven fabric being laid down, turn by turn, into a near net shape preform, and each layer of said fabric being needled to produce a near net shape preform with increased interlaminar strength and an adjustable fiber orientation distribution. A method for manufacturing a near net shape carbon preform with a polar woven substrate is also disclosed.

Abstract: A papermaker's fabric is provided having a spun bonded reinforcement. A layer of spun bonded material may be placed in any one of a number of possible locations in the fabric, depending upon the felt stratification desired. For example, it may be attached to the upper surface (or paper contacting side) of the base fabric layer; to the lower surface (or machine contacting side) of the base fabric layer; between two base fabric layers, in the case of a laminated felt; between layers of fibers; or in any other desired location. The spun bonded material may be attached through the use of needling or by use of adhesives, low melts, or ultrasonic methods.

Abstract: An on-machine-seamable multi-axial press fabric for the press section of a paper machine is made from a base fabric layer assembled by spirally winding a fabric strip in a plurality of contiguous turns, each of which abuts against and is attached to those adjacent thereto. The resulting endless base fabric layer is flattened to produce first and second fabric plies joined to one another at folds at their widthwise edges. Crosswise yarns are removed from each turn of the fabric strip at the folds at the widthwise edges to produce seaming loops. The first and second fabric plies are laminated to one another by needling staple fiber batt material therethrough. The press fabric is joined into endless form during installation on a paper machine by directing a pintle through the passage formed by the interdigitation of the seaming loops at the two widthwise edges.

Abstract: A felt, especially for the press part of a papermaking machine, comprises at least one support belt and at least one fiber belt deposited on and affixed to it. In order to impart to such a felt improved operational properties while retaining adequate transverse stability and in order to manufacture it at substantially lower cost, the support belt(s) 45, 50, 57, 58, 64, 71, 72 each are composed of at least one support-belt strip 46, 51, 52, 59, 60, 65, 66, 73, 74, 75 with a width less than that of the support belt(s) 45, 50, 57, 58, 64, 71, 72 , said strip(s) being continuously wound essentially in the direction of advance of the felt 42, 47, 53, 61, 67 and also spirally transverse to it.

Abstract: Making fibrous substrates. The method consists for a given substrate thickness in adopting a displacement step size that varies in application of a step size reduction relationship adopted to impart constant thickness to the various superposed and bonded-togehter layer thickness making up said substrate thickness. Application to manufacturing friction parts.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a papermaker's fabric by spirally winding a woven fabric strip, narrower than the intended width of the fabric, and the papermaker's fabric manufactured in accordance with the method, are disclosed. The fabric strip includes lengthwise and crosswise yarns, and has a lateral fringe along at least one lateral edge thereof, the lateral fringe being unbound ends of the crosswise yarns extending beyond the lateral edge. During the spiral winding of the fringed strip, the lateral fringe of a turn overlies or underlies an adjacent turn of the strip. The lateral edges of adjacent turns abut against one another. The spirally continuous seam so obtained is closed by ultrasonically welding or bonding the overlying or underlying lateral fringe to the fabric strip in an adjacent turn.

Abstract: Cross machine stuffer yarns are used in the construction of a base fabric for a papermakers wet felt. The stuffer yarns in combination with a multiple pass heat setting process stabilize the machine direction yarns of the base fabric to provide resistance to nip rejection. Preferably a fibrous batt is needled to the base fabric to finish the wet press felt.

Abstract: In a method of making a carbon fibre preform such as for use in the manufacture of a friction disc a compressible body of carbon fibre or carbon fibre precursor material is acted upon by compressing means to compress the body to a required thickness and then operated upon by means such as a barbed needle-punch needle for a stitching thread which penetrates substantially the whole thickness of the body whereby the compressed preform may be removed from action by the compressing means in a free-standing and compressed state. If the method uses carbon fibre precursor material, that is then subjected to carbonization.

Abstract: A press fabric incorporating bicomponent material in fiber form or yarn form, the bicomponent material having a core material with a higher melting point surrounded by a covering material with a lower melting point. The bicomponent material will be present in the base fabric in yarn form and/or in the batt material in fiber form in amount ranging from 10-100%. Upon heatsetting the assembled press fabric structure, the lower melting point material of the bicomponent material becomes soft, flowing into the crossing of the batt fibers, if present in the batt material, or into the crossings of the weave pattern, if present in a base fabric, to form a matrix.

Abstract: A press felt is devised for use in a papermaking machine, and a method is provided for manufacturing such a press felt. The press felt comprises a base fabric which is made of fabric of yarn material and is endless in the machine direction of the press felt, and one or more layers of fiber material arranged on the base fabric. The base fabric of the press felt comprises at least one layer composed of a spirally-wound strip made of fabric of yarn material and having a width which is smaller than the width of the final base fabric. Longitudinal threads of the spirally-wound fabric strip of yarn material make an angle with the machine direction of the press felt. The fabric strip of yarn material may advantageously be flat-woven.

Abstract: A magnetic marker comprising a plurality of magnetized fibers oriented substantially parallel to each other is attached to a fringe of ground fabric for production of felt in the form of an endless belt for detecting the travel of the ground fabric and changing various production parameters according to the number of turns which the ground fabric makes around a series of rolls for causing the movement of the ground fabric. Since the magnetic marker consists of extremely thin magnetized fibers, it can withstand the repeated piercing by needles which is required for the production of felt for the purpose of entangling the fibers of fiber web with the ground fabric.

Abstract: A felt, especially for the press part of a papermaking machine, includes at least one support belt and at least one fiber belt deposited on and affixed to it. In order to impart to such a felt improved operational properties while retaining adequate transverse stability and in order to manufacture it at substantially lower cost, the support belt(s) 45, 50, 57, 58, 64, 71, 72 each are composed of at least one support-belt strip 46, 51, 52, 59, 60, 65, 66, 73, 74, 75 with a width less than that of the support belt(s) 45, 50, 57, 58, 64, 71, 72 , said strip(s) being continuously wound essentially in the direction of advance of the felt 42, 47, 53, 61, 67 and also spirally transverse to it.

Abstract: Fibrous substrates for the production of carbon and/or ceramic (including mixtures of these) fiber reinforced carbon and/or ceramic (including mixtures of these) composites and to methods of manufacture of same. A shaped filamentary structure comprising at least a first braided filamentary tape layer of a width generally corresponding to that of the filamentary structure to be formed, the first braided filamentary tape layer superposed upon and joined to least one other filamentary layer by needlepunching to produce cross-linking of the layers by filaments displaced out of the layers and extending in a direction generally perpendicular to the faces of the layers, and methods of making same. The structure may include a plurality of hellically wound braided tapes arranged to form a flat, hollow annulus having a plurality of interleaved braided layers. The structure may be used in the production of friction discs.

Abstract: A paper machine felt comprising a base fabric of a predetermined width and length, a plurality of fiber batts having a predetermined length and width with fibers forming the fiber batts extending in the width direction, the fiber batts being arranged to extend along their length in juxtaposed manner across the width of the base fabric and to be intertangled therewith by needling so that the fibers extend in the length direction of the base fabric.

Abstract: A single layer non-woven fabric suitable for use as a cotton bale covering that is a single layer batt formed of cross-lapped fiber, having a structure compacted by needle tacking, and being thermally bonded by thermally set low melt thermoplastic material intermixed throughout the batt, and stitch bonded throughout the batt. A process for producing this non-woven fabric that includes forming a webb of fiber, cross-lapping the web to form a batt, needle tacking and stitch bonding the batt, and providing low melt thermoplastic material that thermally bonds the fiber in the batt upon heating.

Abstract: A nonwoven fabric and a process for making a nonwoven fabric consisting essentially of:(a) forming a carded web of staple fibers selected from the group consisting of polypropylene fibers, cellulose acetate fibers, nylon fibers, acrylic fibers, and combinations of two or more thereof, having a denier in the range of from about 11/2 denier to about 10 denier;(b) crosslapping said carded web to for a suitable batt;(c) needling said batt with a needle punch density of from about 500 to about 2000 needle punches/square inch to form a fabric having a first smooth fabric surface and a second fabric surface opposite to said first surface;(d) fusing said second surface in a manner which provides a light fusion of the staple fibers making up said second surface;thereby providing a nonwoven fabric weighing in the range of from about 6 ounces/square yard to about 10 ounces/square yard with a thickness of from about 65 millimeters to about 90 millimeters.

Abstract: In a process in which a non-woven strip is needled to a revolving endless carrier web, adjacent convolutions of the non-woven strip should exactly adjoin each other. For that purpose each convolution of the non-woven strip is initially needled to the carrier web with the exception of a marginal portion, which constitutes a free longitudinal edge, and that marginal portion is needled after the position and direction of the free longitudinal edge have been detected.