Abstract: It is an object of the invention to provide a nonwoven fabric having projections and recesses, comprising extensible fiber and elastic fiber, which has excellent feel on the skin and elasticity, and excellent air permeability in the planar directions and the thickness direction, as well as a method of producing the nonwoven fabric. A nonwoven fabric having projections and recesses, comprising extensible fiber and elastic fiber, wherein the first surface of the nonwoven fabric has a plurality of projections and a plurality of recesses, and the proportion of extensible fiber in the projections is higher than the proportion of extensible fiber in the recesses.

Abstract: The subject matter of the invention is a method for draping on a form, which includes a step of deposition on the form of a first fold support in the form of one or more polymer nonwoven fabrics. The invention further relates to a thermoplastic nonwoven material manufactured with a nonwoven fabric of polymer fibers.

Abstract: A fiber composite material includes fibers and a resin connecting the fibers. The composite material has a high strength while reducing resin consumption and has great flexibility with respect to subsequent deformation. To achieve this, threads are used that include a plurality of individual filaments and a resin which can be crosslinked under an impact of at least one physical variable and/or one chemical substance. The resin is provided in non-crosslinked condition, but is essentially solvent-free, and holds the individual filaments in the threads together, wherein the individual filaments are arranged unidirectional to each other, and the threads form a composite by bonding together at contact surfaces of their respective external enveloping surfaces through resin bridges. The invention further relates to a fiber composite material including resin in a crosslinked state as well as a method for producing the fiber composite material.

Abstract: This present application relates to a three dimensional negative Poisson's ratio spacer knitted fabric and a method for making the same; the fabric includes a first surface layer fabric, a second surface layer fabric, and a spacer yarn layer connecting the first surface layer fabric with the second surface layer fabric, both the first surface layer fabric and the second surface layer fabric are bi-dimensional structures having the negative Poisson's ratio effects; the method is to compress and/or stretch a three dimensional mesh spacer knitted base fabric along one or two plane directions to form a structures having the negative Poisson's ratio effects. The advantages of the present application include low making cost, simple operation method, significant negative Poisson's ratio effects, good elastic recovery, and high practical application value.

Abstract: A fluff pulp is provided, which comprises softwood fibers; and 3 to 35% by weight of hardwood fibers. A fluff is also provided, which comprises the fiberized or shredded fluff pulp. A core is also provided, which comprises the fluff and at least an SAP. Processes for making and using the fluff pulp, fluff, and core are provided, and products made thereby.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for creating air laid, high loft, non-woven, variable density web structures. The fiber manipulation and distribution necessary to produce a variable weight and density web is accomplished by creating variable, negative pressure regions across the surface of a condenser or other vacuum screen, which causes fibers to migrate toward areas of lower pressure. Also disclosed are embodiments of condenser and vacuum screens for producing such variable density web structures.

Abstract: A dryer is provided. The dryer may include a main body having an inner space formed therein, a support body arranged in the main body so as to form a frame of the main body, a flexible drum rotatably installed on the support body so as to have a non-circular cross-section as it is rotated, and rotation guides arranged between the support body and the flexible drum so as to guide rotation of the flexible drum. A distance from a center of rotation of an inscribed circle contacting the inner circumferential surface of the flexible drum to one random point on the inner circumferential surface of the flexible drum is greater than a distance from the center of rotation of the inscribed circle to another point on the inscribed circle such that the drum maintains a non-circular cross section.

Abstract: A method for producing a sound-deadening insert of a silencer of an exhaust-gas discharge system in an internal-combustion engine of a vehicle; the method comprises the steps of providing a mattress made up of continuous voluminized fibres of sound-deadening material, and needling the mattress so as to cause a compacting/interweaving of the fibres in order to obtain compacting lines.

Abstract: It is an object of the invention to provide a method of easy production of a nonwoven fabric having at least one projection and at least one recess and to a method of easy processing of a nonwoven fabric. A method of producing a nonwoven fabric having at least one projection and at least one recess, comprising the steps of non-homogeneous stretching a nonwoven fabric so as to form a nonwoven fabric with high-stretch regions and low-stretch regions, and forming a nonwoven fabric having at least one projection and at least one recess by placing the nonwoven fabric with high-stretch regions and low-stretch regions on a support and spraying a fluid onto the nonwoven fabric with high-stretch regions and low-stretch regions for treatment.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide medical devices for treating a target site within the body and associated methods for fabricating and delivering medical devices. According to one embodiment, a medical device includes a tubular structure having proximal and distal ends and a side wall extending therebetween. At least a portion of the side wall can have a corrugated surface. The side wall further includes at least one layer of a metallic fabric configured to be compressed and heat set to define the corrugated surface. The tubular structure may comprise an expanded shape, and may be configured to be constrained to a smaller diameter than the expanded shape for delivery within a catheter to a target site and to assume the expanded shape upon release from the catheter.

Abstract: A continuous web as a component of a disposable wearing article is fed in a machine direction and first continuous elastic members are fed via guide elements adapted to oscillate the elastic members in a cross direction. Each of the guide elements has a first servomotor having a rotary shaft adapted to repeat reversal of its rotational direction, a first arm connected directly with the rotary shaft and extending in a direction crossing the rotary shaft so that the first arm swings around the rotary shaft as the rotary shaft rotates, and a first feed member adapted to direct the first continuous elastic members toward the guide element formed on the first arm.

Abstract: An absorbent core for use in an absorbent product, such as a sanitary napkin, a diaper, an incontinence protection or the like. The core after compression has a material density (based on the total content of the core) of at least 200 kg/m3, preferably at least 230 kg/m3, measured at a pressure of 0.5 kPa. The absorbent core has been formed in-line as a discrete or continuous core and includes SAP-particles, where at least 99.5% of the SAP-particles have a size of maximally 600 ?m. Hereby, problems with regard to clogging of SAP-particles to compression rollers during manufacturing are markedly reduced. Further, a method for manufacturing the absorbent core, as well as an absorbent product including the absorbent core is described.

Abstract: A method of making a web comprising a layer of airlaid pulp or synthetic material overlaying and fastened to at least one layer of regenerated cellulose fiber. The method can also provide a product in which the airlaid pulp or synthetic material can be sandwiched between two regenerated cellulose fiber layers. The regenerated cellulose can be viscose or lyocell.

Abstract: An absorptive article in which an absorptive body is deformed into a stable recessed shape to prevent leakage of a large amount of discharged bodily wastes including bodily fluid. The absorptive article has a front side sheet at least a portion of which is liquid permeable and that is placed on the skin contact surface side, a liquid non-permeable back side sheet placed on the clothing contact surface side, and a liquid retainable absorptive body placed between the front side sheet and the back side sheet. The absorptive body has a compression section formed, when compressed from the clothing contact surface side to the skin contact surface side, into a projected shape projected on the clothing contact surface side, toward the skin contact surface side, and the absorptive body also has a space section formed, when compressed from the skin contact surface side to the clothing contact surface side, into a recessed shape recessed on the skin contact surface side, toward the clothing contact surface side.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the production of a one-layered or multilayered nonwoven fabric, a machine for the production of such a nonwoven fabric, and a correspondingly produced nonwoven fabric. The task of improving such a method and a production apparatus underlies the invention to the effect that projecting loops and fibrils no longer stick out, and thus individual filaments can be prevented from pulling out during the use of the nonwoven fabric. According to the invention, this is achieved in that the nonwoven fabric is smoothed after water needling by the use of a calendar. The machine according to the invention is characterized by the fact that the machine has a spun bonded fabric, at least one subsequent needling device, a dryer connected thereto, and thereafter at least one calendar.

Abstract: This invention relates to a sanitary product for use by women for the absorption of menstrual fluid and such like. The product comprises a plug and a pad joined by a sheath. The plug is substantially cylindrical so that is fits comfortably in a vaginal cavity. The pad remains outside the vaginal cavity, but has an absorbent layer on an inward side proximal to the plug and a liquid impermeable layer on an outward side. In use, a wearer can insert a finger into the sheath from the outward side of the pad assist with insertion of the plug into the vaginal cavity. A string is provided that extends inside the sheath from the outward end of the plug to aid removal of the product. A line of weakness extends along the major axis of the pad, about which the pad is disposed to fold in use. This encourages the pad to fold around the plug to accommodate the plug during removal of the product, thus improving hygiene.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for producing nonwoven, fleece-like fiber products, said apparatus comprising a transfer belt configured to transport an intermediate product on the underside of a transfer belt to a roller arrangement, said roller arrangement comprising four rotatable rollers that are arranged and configured to interact in pairs in constellations that can be selectively modified, wherein each of the four rollers has a rotational axis, and the four rotational axes run at least approximately parallel to each other.

Abstract: A tampon including a compressed pledget of absorbent material. The tampon has a body portion and a longitudinal axis, wherein the tampon includes at least one patterned impression with one or more design elements oriented substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, wherein at least one design element is formed by contact with at least one corresponding pattern including at least one lead in portion. A method and apparatus for making the tampon are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for making a tampon including providing a tampon pledget, and providing a compression/stabilization mold. The method includes moving the tampon pledget into the compression/stabilization mold via a transfer member, wherein the compression/stabilization mold is in an open position, and laterally compressing the tampon pledget in the compression/stabilization mold by closing the compression/stabilization mold to form a stabilized tampon. An apparatus for making a tampon and a tampon made by the method are also disclosed.

Abstract: A tampon suitable for feminine hygiene and/or medical purposes is disclosed having a longitudinal body provided with a dome-shaped insertion end and a withdrawal end, from which withdrawal end a withdrawal cord extends. The tampon has compressed absorbent fibrous material and has an outer circumferential surface which is at least partially provided with longitudinal grooves that are separated from each other by longitudinal ribs. The path of the grooves and ribs of the tampon in the longitudinal direction are inclined and correspond to a continuous curved line that has only one point of inflection defining one convex part and one concave part that preferably does not show a maximum or a minimum.

Abstract: A tampon has a generally uniform fiber distribution along its length, an insertion end, a withdrawal end, and a longitudinal axis. A finger recess having a depth of at least about 5 mm is formed into the withdrawal end. Nonetheless, a column strength of at least about 10 Newtons (N) can still be achieved. The tampon can be formed by winding an absorbent fibrous web around a winding mandrel; transferring the blank into a press; inserting a forming mandrel into one end of a tampon blank while the tampon blank is positioned in the press; moving a plurality of press jaws toward a central longitudinal press axis to compress the tampon blank and to form a compressed tampon having a finger recess formed into the one end of the tampon; and ejecting the compressed tampon from the press.

Abstract: The invention concerns a machine for producing a nonwoven fabric comprising a conveyor for transmitting a mat to means designed to compact same in thickness and means designed to reduce the speed of the web while it is being compacted, by the compacting means, thereby obtaining an enhanced ratio of properties lengthwise relative to crosswise properties.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for producing a non-woven fiber fabric comprising a plurality of perforated structures extending along the entire cross-section of said fabric. The inventive method consists of the following steps: in a first step, the matted fibers are placed on a belt screen to form a web of fibers; in a second step, the web of fibers is conveyed to a perforated-structure manufacturing unit, in a third step, the perforated structures are manufactured by mechanically impinging upon the fibers, whereby the mechanical impingement upon said fibers does not affect the mechanical and chemical structure thereof; and in a fourth step, the web of fibers provided with said perforated structures is compacted in a compaction unit for form a non-woven fabric.

Abstract: The invention relates to a burner membrane comprising at least one layer consisting of a compressed, needled fibre web with a porosity of between 60% and 95%, and that is constructed of heat-resistant stainless steel fibres. Moreover, the invention relates to a method for its manufacture, comprising the steps of providing a fibre web composed of heat-resistant stainless steel fibres, needling the fibre web, and compressing the needled fibre web to the desired porosity.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method and an apparatus for manufacturing a non-woven fabric, in which a predetermined pattern of a forming body is transferred to a non-woven fabric immediately after or simultaneously with its formation by urging the non-woven fabric onto the forming body with water jets.

Abstract: A lofty, nonwoven material having a nonwoven web having a plurality of substantially continuous fibers oriented in a z-direction of the nonwoven web and a method for producing the lofty, nonwoven material from as-formed z-direction fibers. The method is fast, having no mechanical manipulation of the fibers to slow it down, easily adjustable and allows for in-line processing. The material can be varied from preponderantly open to preponderantly closed in its web structure.

Abstract: In an apparatus for feeding a fiber fleece web to a needling machine, a compacting means is arranged between a pre-compressor and a supply roller pair, said compacting means having rollers provided with teeth at their circumference. These rollers compress the fiber fleece and effect a partial re-orientation of the fibers from the horizontal into the vertical, which contributes to substantially maintaining the compacting of the fiber fleece. The compacting means may together with the supply roller pair form a drawing zone for the fiber fleece web. The compacting means preferably includes at least one roller triple that consists of two lower rollers arranged at a low mutual distance in juxtaposition, and upper rollers bridging over the gusset between the lower rollers. The rollers of the roller triple are provided on their periphery with all-steel armaments, and the supply rollers are preferably also provided with all-steel armaments and have higher speeds of rotation than the rollers of the roller triple.

Abstract: A method of compressing fibrous bodies which are held in place on a perforated support by means of negative pressure. Each fibrous body to be compressed is arranged on a first support that includes parts with and without perforations. A first compression of the fibrous body is then brought about over the part without perforations. The partly compressed fibrous body is then transferred to a second support which includes perforations in a part covered by compressed portions of the fibrous body and a part without perforations covered by uncompressed portions of the fibrous body. A second compression of the fibrous body is brought about in those portions of the fibrous body which cover the part without perforations of the second support.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of compressing fibrous bodies which are held in place on a perforated support (1, 3) by means of negative pressure. According to the invention, each fibrous body to be compressed is first arranged on a first support (1) which comprises parts with (8) and without (7) perforations within the region covered by the fibrous body. A first compression of the fibrous body is then brought about in those portions thereof which cover the part (7) or parts without perforations of the first support (1).

Abstract: A method for producing a nonwoven fabric comprises passing a fiber web through a pair of rollers to obtain a thermally bonded fabric with a high percentage of bond areas. The high percentage of bond areas is formed by an engraved pattern on at least one of the rollers. The engraved pattern has a high percentage of bond point areas and wide bond point angles. The nonwoven fabric has increased tensile strength, elongation, abrasion resistance, flexural rigidity, and/or softness.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method and an apparatus for manufacturing a non-woven fabric, in which a predetermined pattern of a forming body is transferred to a non-woven fabric immediately after or simultaneously with its formation by urging the non-woven fabric onto the forming body with water jets.

Abstract: A soundproofing material made of nonwoven materials containing thermoplastic fibers for the acoustic frequency range of 100 to 5000 Hz is characterized in that the nonwoven material is permanently compacted to a specific flow resistance of RS=800-1400 Ns/m3 in two stages by a mechanical compaction process and a subsequent pressure/heat treatment.

Abstract: A fabric for use in an air bag is provided. The fabric of the invention is produced by mechanically compressing a preliminary fabric constructed substantially of synthetic yarn such that the packed volume per unit area of the compressed fabric is less than the packed volume per unit area of the preliminary fabric. Air permeability is not adversely affected.

Abstract: A method of producing a porous film comprises subjecting a fibrous material comprised of fibers of a film forming material to conditions of heat and pressure to covert the fibrous material to a porous film. The method allows the production of film material having substantially uniform pore sizes. For example, the pore size distribution of the film may be such as to have a ratio of maximum pore size:mean flow pore of less than 1.2, e.g., less than 1.1.

Abstract: Process for the production of longitudinally extending pressed absorption bodies from an endless nonwoven web which is transported continuously in the direction of advance by pressing elements drivable in the direction of rotation and belonging to a pressing station and which is provided simultaneously with at least three longitudinal grooves arranged at equal angular spacings, whereupon the nonwoven web forming a pressed strand is subdivided into portions of specific length, characterized in that the nonwoven web (140) is driven in the conveying direction (x), by means of the pressing elements drivable in the direction of rotation, in a plane extending transversely relative to its longitudinal direction and simultaneously is pressed radially at least to the final cross-section of a pressed strand (240) and, at the same time, is provided with longitudinal grooves (131).

Abstract: Compostable and biodegradable compositions of a blend of natural cellulosic and thermoplastic biodegradable fibers are disclosed. Typically the compositions include cotton and cellulose acetate. A process for the manufacture of a nonwoven composition which comprises a compostable blend of natural cellulosic fibers such as cotton and thermoplastic biodegradable fibers such as cellulose acetate; the blend is then carded to obtain the nonwoven composition.

Abstract: A web of non woven textile fabric is fed on a porous belt into the nip between the belt and a rotating porous drum to compress the web within the nip. A curtain of water is passed through the web while it is in the nip into the drum and a vacuum is drawn on the drum to remove the water. The web, after passing the nip remains upon the drum and is subject to one or more high pressure jets of water to entangle the web fibers.

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: The invention relates to a non-woven layer that consists substantially of short polyolefin fibers the nonwoven layer being a felt with in the plane of the layer substantially randomly oriented fibers with a length of 40-100 mm, a tensile strength of at least 1.2 GPa and a modulus of at least 40 GPa. The invention also relates to a method for the manufacture of this felt and to layered structures in which the felt is used. Layered structures comprising a non-woven layer according to the invention have improved specific energy absorption on impact of ballistic projectiles.

Abstract: A gastight woven fabric sheet for air bags having no risk of burning a person due to formation of gas-permeable perforations and gas flowing out when the air bag is inflated, a high burst strength due to a reinforcing effect by adhesion, and a satisfactory feel, comprising a woven fabric composed of a plurality of warps and wefts each comprising a polyester multifilament having a yarn thickness of 200 to 550 deniers and a twist multiplier of 3,000 or less, and having a smooth surface formed by a calendering and a non-smoothed opposite surface thereof, the woven fabric having a gas-permeability function (ml/cm.sup.2 /sec) of 7.874 p to 78.74 p (wherein p is a pressure between 0 to 0.03 kg/cm.sup.

Abstract: An automatic lap piecing method of piecing two lap sheets (2, 4) together, comprising the steps of holding the leading end (3) of the lap sheet (2) of a full lap (1) by a tubular member (6) by suction created in the suction opening (7) of the tubular member (6), shifting the tubular member (6) to a position where the leading end (3) of the lap sheet (2) can be superposed on the trailing end (5) of a preceding lap sheet (4), releasing the leading end (3) of the lap sheet (2) from the tubular member (6) to superpose the leading end (3) on the trailing end (5), and movign the tubular member (6) to smooth down the lap of the leading end (3) and the trailing end (5) to piece the two lap sheets (2, 4) together, and an automatic lap piecing apparatus capable of carrying out the automatic lap piecing method.

Abstract: Disclosed is a formable nonwoven sheet of filaments of a polyester group and having superior forming properties, i.e., a forming processability and a shape retaining property and utilizability, i.e., physical properties and properties during use, produced by controlling a state of bonding between each single filament in the nonwoven sheet, which state of bonding is expressed by a relationship between a needle piercing resistance value and a hooking resistance value in a predetermined range.A formable nonwoven sheet having a smooth surface can be obtained by heat treating an intermediate nonwoven sheet while controlling an area shrinkage of the intermediate nonwoven sheet caused by the heat, by holding the intermediate nonwoven sheet from both sides while a formable nonwoven sheet having a high flexural endurance can be obtained by heat treating the intermediate nonwoven sheet while allowing the intermediate nonwoven sheet to be shrunk by heat from steam or boiling water.

Abstract: This invention relates to a sheet which is formed by randomly dispersing and accumulating polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) filaments and to a process for producing the same. The filaments drawn by a high-velocity air stream are formed directly into a sheet. The sheet is useful as industrial filters, heat insulating materials, electrical insulating materials, etc. because of its outstanding chemical resistance, heat resistance, and electrical insulating properties.

Abstract: Apparatus for treating fabric by beating while the fabric is in the spread or flattened state, particularly for use in a process and system for washing the fabric. The apparatus has a large number of beating bars arranged in groups each of which being adapted to effect a beating, in cooperation with beating anvils, on the fabric which is carried and fed by an endless rubber base running on the beating anvils. The driving mechanisms for the feed of the fabric and for the beating are operatively connected such that the feed and the beatings are made alternately. For washing the cloth, the cloth is immersed in the solution of a detergent, and is then beaten by the first group of beating bars. Subsequently, the fabric is beaten by the second group of beating bars under application of washing with hot water or water. The apparatus of the invention can treat thin fabrics such as gauze, and can ensure a high soft feel or touch of the finished fabric, due to the application of the beating.

Abstract: Methods of making feminine hygienic pads from non-layered and layered material by use of folding, pressure molding and various methods of bonding to create a long geometric form with an anterior leading panel of narrow thickness and a thicker posterior underpanel of a wider thickness. The folded panels may be bonded by either a suitable adhesive, crimping, heat, pressure or ultrasonic means leaving an anterior portion with a leading anterior edge and a larger posterior portion. A filler may be inserted between the folds of the material prior to bonding. Thereafter, the long geometric form is multiple cut transversely providing pads about two inches long. These pads are used for insertion into the female interlabial space. The geometric configuration of the pads facilitates insertion of the pad via the anterior leading edge into the interlabial space and has improved retention within such space.

Abstract: A fabric for use in an air bag is provided. The fabric of the invention is produced by mechanically compressing a preliminary fabric constructed substantially of synthetic yarn such that the packed volume per unit area of the compressed fabric is less than the packed volume per unit area of the preliminary fabric. Air permeability is not adversely affected.