Abstract: A method for forming biodegradable fibers is provided. The method includes blending polylactic acid with a polyepoxide modifier to form a thermoplastic composition, extruding the thermoplastic composition through a die, and thereafter passing the extruded composition through a die to form a fiber. Without intending to be limited by theory, it is believed that the polyepoxide modifier reacts with the polylactic acid and results in branching of its polymer backbone, thereby improving its melt strength and stability during fiber spinning without significantly reducing glass transition temperature. The reaction-induced branching can also increase molecular weight, which may lead to improved fiber ductility and the ability to better dissipate energy when subjected to an elongation force. To minimize premature reaction, the polylactic acid and polyepoxide modifier are first blended together at a relatively low temperature(s).

Abstract: A carbon/nanoparticle nanofiber includes a carbon base structure and a plurality of nanoparticles that include a lithium alloy or a lithium alloy precursor. One or more nanofibers may be formed into a nonwoven fabric. The fabric may be utilized as an electrode, such as for example in a battery. The carbon/nanoparticle composite nanofiber may be fabricated by forming a polymer/nanoparticle nanofiber, such as for example by a spinning technique, and carbonizing the polymer/nanoparticle nanofiber.

Abstract: The invention relates to nonwoven fabrics containing polymeric multiple component fibers which include a core component and a plurality of wing components attached to the core. The polymeric core component has an elasticity that is greater than the elasticity of at least one of the wing polymeric components. The fibers assume a spiral twist configuration in which the plurality of wings substantially spiral about the core. In a preferred embodiment, the nonwoven fabrics have elastic stretch and recovery properties with a textile-like hand.

Abstract: The electret filter for vehicular compartment interior of the present invention has a nonwoven fabric which contains a polyolefin resin having a melt flow rate of 1,000 to 3,000 g per 10 minutes, and a heat generation amount of 2.0 to 10.0 J/g in a temperature range from 80° C. to 120° C. when the temperature of the polyolefin resin is elevated at a rate of 10° C. per minute in a differential scanning calorimetric analysis. The electret filter for vehicular compartment interior is manufactured by a method including a process for producing the nonwoven fabric by melt-blowing method, and a process for electrostatic charging the nonwoven fabric by means of corona discharge.

Abstract: This invention relates to nonwoven fabrics with advantageous characteristics and the method to produce these fabrics. Advantageously, the fabrics of the subject invention have increased thickness (loft) compared to conventional nonwoven fabrics and have high air permeability and open space while maintaining softness and strength at the same basis weight.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a yarn providing a fabric manufactured thereof with good resistance against cutting as well as thermoregulation properties, said yarn comprising cut-resistant fibers and moisture-wicking fibers wherein said cut-resistant fibers and said moisture-wicking fibers are staple fibers. The invention also relates to a fabric containing thereof and to clothing comprising said fabric.

Abstract: A siding panel assembly includes an ornamental facing and a first insulation layer made from fibrous insulating material. That fibrous insulating material includes polymer fibers and glass fibers, polymer fibers, natural fibers and mixtures thereof. A method for making the siding panel assembly includes the steps of cutting a groove in and molding a first surface of a sheet of the insulation layer to match in profile a concavity in the ornamental facing and assembling the insulation layer and the ornamental facing.

Abstract: A method of forming a nonwoven material, the method comprising: receiving fibrous material comprising thermo-plastic fibers; processing the fibrous material to produce short fibers; adding the short fibers to a preformed web; and heating and optionally compressing the preformed web to form a nonwoven material.

Abstract: Conductive nonwoven webs are disclosed. The nonwoven webs contain pulp fibers combined with conductive fibers. In one embodiment, the webs are made in a wetlaid tissue making process.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an arc flash protection, multiple-use nonwoven fabric structure comprising one or more layers having fire resistant properties. The fabric structure has an arc flash facing nonwoven surface, and a nonwoven part of the fabric structure comprises non-inherent, and/or inherently fire resistant fibers, said fibers being mechanically, chemically, or thermally bonded, whereby the fabric structure has a minimum Arc Thermal Protection Value (ATPV) to fabric basis weight ratio of 250 cal/g, preferably greater than 350 cal/g, more preferably greater than 500 cal/g when measured in accordance with ASTM F1959—Standard Test Method for Determining the Arc Rating of Materials for Clothing, and the fabric structure maintains said ATPV to fabric basis weight ratio through at least 25 washing cycles when washed according to AATCC Method 135 (3, 1V, A iii).

Abstract: A non-woven fabric composite containing coir fibers and a method for producing such composites. The non-woven fabric composite is comprised of coir fibers, which are large diameter, lignin-rich fibers, with a high viscous flow temperature and a high degradation temperature combined with fibers made of a thermoplastic polymer with a lower viscous flow temperature such as polypropylene, polyethylene or a biodegradable thermoplastic polymer fiber such as polylactic acid, or mixture thereof. A hot-pressed non-woven fabric composite material prepared from the non-woven fabric composite.

Abstract: A non-woven fabric composite containing coir fibers and a method for producing such composites. The non-woven fabric composite is comprised of coir fibers, which are large diameter, lignin-rich fibers, with a high viscous flow temperature and a high degradation temperature combined with fibers made of a thermoplastic polymer with a lower viscous flow temperature such as polypropylene (“PP”), polyethylene (“PE”), polylactic acid (“PLA”), and polyester (“PET”) or mixtures thereof. A hot-pressed non-woven fabric composite material prepared from the non-woven fabric composite.

Abstract: The subject matter disclosed herein relates generally to the production of a predetermined ratio of multicomponent fibers in combination with monocomponent fibers or other multicomponent fibers, preferably through a spunbonding process. After extrusion, these fibers can produce a fiber network that is subsequently bonded to produce a nonwoven fabric comprising multiple types of fibers. The multicomponent fibers within the network may be processed to remove one component by dissolution or to split the individual components into separate fibers. As a result, the fabric will be comprised of fibers with a range of diameters (micro- or nano-denier fibers as well as higher denier fibers) such that the fibers will not pack as tightly as in a homogeneous nonwoven fabric produced from one type of monocomponent or multicomponent fiber. The present invention additionally relates to methods for producing nonwoven fabrics with increased loft, breathability, strength, compressive properties, and filtration efficiency.

Abstract: Patterned spunbond fibrous webs include a population of spunbond filaments captured in an identifiable pattern corresponding to a patterned collector surface and bonded together without the use of an adhesive prior to removal from the collector surface. The webs may exhibit a high degree of filament orientation and/or a gradient of filament density in one or more directions determined by the patterned collector surface. Methods of making patterned spunbond fibrous webs, and articles including patterned spunbond fibrous webs made according to the methods, are also disclosed. In exemplary applications, the webs may be used in gas filtration articles, liquid filtration articles, sound absorption articles, surface cleaning articles, cellular growth support articles, drug delivery articles, personal hygiene articles, or wound dressing articles.

Abstract: The present invention provides a nonwoven web prepared from multicomponent fibers which are partially split. The partially split multicomponent fibers have at least one component of the multicomponent fiber separated from the remaining components of the multicomponent fiber along a first section of the longitudinal length of the multicomponent fibers. Along a second section of the longitudinal length of the multicomponent fibers the components of the multicomponent fibers remain together as a unitary fiber structure. In addition, part of the second section of the multicomponent fibers is bonded to part of a second section of an adjacent multicomponent fiber.

Abstract: A superabsorbent bi-component fiber, wherein component A is at least one thermoplastic polymer and component B is a compound selected from at least one thermoplastic base polymer and at least one superabsorbent polymer (SAP), and also a method for production thereof are described. The melting point of the thermoplastic contained in component A is at least 20° C. higher than the melting point of the thermoplastic contained in component B, the average grain size of the SAP is 0.5 to 10 ?m and the compound has an SAP-fraction of 0.5 to 40 wt %. The bi-component fiber can be used to produce superabsorbent textile fabrics which are used in particular in the field of hygiene and medicine.

Abstract: Insulation for high temperature applications includes glass fibers having an average diameter of between about 2.7 to about 3.8 microns. In one possible embodiment the insulation includes a polyacrylic acid binder. Such insulation has about 98 weight percent glass fibers and about 2 weight percent binder.

Abstract: A method of and an apparatus for manufacturing a three-dimensional netted structure using thermoplastic resin. The netted structure includes a plurality of filaments which are helically and randomly entangled and partly and thermally bonded together. The netted structure is a three-dimensional plate type netted structure having an apparent density greater than a predetermined amount.

Abstract: A nonwoven fabric is provided having a plurality of semi-crystalline filaments that are thermally bonded to each other and are formed of the same polymer and exhibit substantially the same melting temperature. The fabric is produced by melt spinning an amorphous crystallizable polymer to form two components having different levels of crystallinity. During spinning, a first component of the polymer is exposed to conditions that result in stress-induced crystallization such that the first polymer component is in a semi-crystalline state and serves as the matrix or strength component of the fabric. The second polymer component is not subjected to stress induced crystallization and thus remains in a substantially amorphous state which bonds well at relatively low temperatures. In a bonding step, the fabric is heated to soften and fuse the binder component. Under these conditions, the binder component undergoes thermal crystallization so that in the final product, both polymer components are semi-crystalline.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a disposable meltblown scrubbing product for use in household cleaning or personal care applications and an abrasive aggregate fiber which may be utilized in the scrubbing product. The meltblown web is formed primarily of polymeric fibers in a disordered or random distribution as is typical of fibers deposited in meltblown processes so as to form an open, porous structure. The aggregate fibers of the present invention generally are formed of two or more separate abrasive polymer fibers or strands which are adhered together along at least about 5 mm of the fiber length. The abrasive fibers of the meltblown web are generally greater than about 15 microns in diameter.

Abstract: A molded respirator and method of making are disclosed, wherein the molded respirator is made from a porous nonwoven web containing meltblown fibers and staple fibers. The meltblown fibers may be present as a bimodal mixture of microfibers and mesofibers, and comprise an intermingled mixture with staple fibers further intermingled therein. The molded respirator may also contain at least one secondary filtration layer.

Abstract: A porous nonwoven web and method of making are disclosed, wherein the web contains meltblown fibers and staple fibers. The meltblown fibers may be present as a bimodal mixture of microfibers and mesofibers, and comprise an intermingled mixture with staple fibers further intermingled therein.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to articles comprising nanofibers. The nanofibers, having a diameter of less than 1 micron, may comprise a significant number of the fibers in one layer of the web contained by the article. Preferably, the nanofibers are produced in a melt film fibrillation process. The articles include diapers, training pants, adult incontinence pads, catamenials products such as feminine care pads and pantiliners, tampons, personal cleansing articles, personal care articles, and personal care wipes including baby wipes, facial wipes, and feminine wipes.

Abstract: Provided is a planar paper for an adhesive tape, and an adhesive tape utilizing such planar paper as a backing, which has an elongation sufficient to allow the adhesive tape to be favorably adhered to an adherend surface without being accompanied by any lift and separation, but with consistently conforming to the curved surfaces and/or the rough surfaces; which is capable of providing a clear painting line left in a portion of a painted layer required in automobiles; which is capable of being easily cut by hand without requiring any tool as a blade; and which is also excellent in handleability. The planar paper comprises a polyvinyl alcohol-series fiber having a fiber breaking temperature in water of 92 to 125° C., a tenacity of 0.5 to 3.5 cN/dtex at 10% elongation, and a breaking elongation of 17 to 60%.

Abstract: The present invention has an object of providing a novel multilayer composite fiber using polyacetal mainly derived from methanol, which is a petroleum-independent raw material, and having a low environmental load, and also providing a nonwoven fabric obtained by thermally bonding such fibers. According to the present invention, a multilayer composite fiber comprising a resin containing polylactic acid as a main component and a resin containing polyacetal as a main component, in which the components both form continuous layers in an axial direction of the fiber, and also a nonwoven fabric obtained by thermally bonding such fibers, can be provided.

Abstract: Dimensionally stable nonwoven fibrous webs include a multiplicity of continuous fibers formed from one or more thermoplastic polyesters and polypropylene in an amount greater than 0% and no more than 10% by weight of the web. The webs have at least one dimension which decreases by no greater than 10% in the plane of the web when heated to a temperature above a glass transition temperature of the fibers. A spunbond process may be used to produce substantially continuous fibers that exhibit molecular orientation. A meltblown process may be used to produce discontinuous fibers that do not exhibit molecular orientation. In some embodiments, the fibers comprise a viscosity modifier and/or an anionic surfactant. The webs may be used as articles for filtration, sound absorption, thermal insulation, surface cleaning, cellular growth support, drug delivery, personal hygiene, medical apparel, or wound dressing.

Abstract: Dimensionally stable nonwoven fibrous webs include a multiplicity of continuous fibers formed from one or more thermoplastic polyesters and polypropylene in an amount greater than 0% and no more than 10% by weight of the web. The webs have at least one dimension which decreases by no greater than 10% in the plane of the web when heated to a temperature above a glass transition temperature of the fibers. A spunbond process may be used to produce substantially continuous fibers that exhibit molecular orientation. A meltblown process may be used to produce discontinuous fibers that do not exhibit molecular orientation. The webs may be used as articles for filtration, sound absorption, thermal insulation, surface cleaning, cellular growth support, drug delivery, personal hygiene, medical apparel, or wound dressing.

Abstract: A shaped body comprised of individual, interconnected layers may be produced from fibers in accordance with a solid freeform fabrication or rapid prototyping method. The fibers may be produced by extrusion molding a thermoplastic material.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide: a process for conveniently producing a fiber with high strength, regardless of molecular weight polymer composition, or the like of PHAs, which vary depending on origins such as a wild-type PHAs-producing microorganism product, a genetically modified strain product, and a chemical product; and the fiber with high strength produced through the process. The present invention provides: a process for producing a fiber, comprising: melt-extruding polyhydroxyalkanoic acid to form a melt-extruded fiber; rapidly quenching the melt-extruded fiber to the glass transition temperature of polyhydroxyalkanoic acid +15° C. or less, and solidifying the fiber to form an amorphous fiber; forming a crystalline fiber by leaving the amorphous fiber to stand at the glass transition temperature +15° C. or less; drawing the crystalline fiber; and further subjecting the crystalline fiber to stretch heat treatment.

Abstract: Coated fibrous mats having properties particularly suited for a facer on gypsum wallboard, foam and other substrates and in laminates of various types, and the method of making the coated mat is disclosed. The mat contains a major portion of non-cellulosic fibers and a minor portion of cured resinous binder. The exposed surface coating has a smoothness of no more than about 15 microns and is comprised of one or more of a clay, a filler and a polymeric binder. The method comprises at least partially drying the coated mat while the exposed surface of the coating is in contact with a smooth surface.

Abstract: A method of making nanostructured polymeric film includes: providing a tool having a porous anodized aluminum surface or a metallic replica thereof, wherein the average depth of the pores and the average pore width fall with specified ranges; forming a continuous layer of thermoplastic polymer selected from cellulose esters, poly alpha-olefins, and combinations thereof on at least a portion of the surface of the tool such that the continuous layer extends into the pores of the surface; separating the continuous layer from the tool as a film having nanofibrils formed on a major surface of the tool, the surface of the tool having a fluorocarbon release agent thereon, or the continuous layer comprising a fluorocarbon melt additive, or both. Nanostructured films are also disclosed.

Abstract: A porous monocomponent nonwoven web contains a bimodal mass fraction/fiber size mixture of intermingled continuous microfibers and larger size fibers of the same polymeric composition. There are at least five times as many microfibers as larger size fibers, and a histogram of the mass fraction of fibers vs. fiber size exhibits a larger size fiber mode greater than 10 ?m. The web may be made by flowing fiber-forming material through a die cavity having larger size orifices and at least five times as many smaller size orifices to form filaments, attenuating the filaments into fibers and collecting the attenuated fibers to form the nonwoven web. The web is especially well suited to the manufacture of self-supporting three dimensional articles such as molded cup-shaped respirators and pleated air filters.

Abstract: This invention is to provide a sheet product that is excellent in moisture absorption amount, moisture absorption speed and moisture release speed and is capable of keeping a powder from falling off and that can have a large content of a moisture adsorbent, and the sheet product of this invention contains (a) a moisture adsorbent formed of a tubular or fibrous metal oxide, (b) a cellulosic fibrillated fiber, and (c) an organic fiber having a fineness of 0.01 dtex to 0.45 dtex and is characteristically produced by a paper-making method.

Abstract: Readily-fibrillable fibers of PVA polymer, having good chemical resistance, hydrophilicity, weather resistance and water resistance have a flattened cross-sectional profile and have a mean thickness D (?m) that satisfies the following formula (1): 0.4?D?5??(1) wherein D=S/L; S indicates the cross-section area (?m2) of the fibers; and L indicates the length (?m) of the major side of the cross section of the fibers. The fibers can be used for making nonwoven fabrics.

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: Nonwoven webs comprising visible compressed sites and more particularly to disposable pre-moistened nonwoven webs comprising non-thermoplastic fibers exhibiting a fiber length of less than about 15 mm and one or more compressed sites comprising the non-thermoplastic fibers, wherein at least one of the one or more compressed sites is visible when wet, wipes comprising such nonwoven webs and methods for making such nonwoven webs.

Abstract: A bicomponent fiber is obtainable from or comprises an ethylene/?-olefin interpolymer characterized by an elastic recovery, Re, in percent at 300 percent strain and 1 cycle and a density, d, in grams/cubic centimeter, wherein the elastic recovery and the density satisfy the following relationship: Re>1481?1629(d). Such interpolymer can also be characterized by other properties. The fibers made therefrom have a relatively high elastic recovery and a relatively low coefficient of friction. The fibers can be cross-linked, if desired. Woven or non-woven fabrics, such as spunbond, melt blown and spun-laced fabrics or webs can be made from such fibers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an aramid nonwoven fabric showing more improved tenacity and superior heat-insulating property, and a method of preparing the same. The aramid nonwoven fabric is what includes 10 to 100 wt % of para-aramid staple fibers and 0 to 90 wt % of meta-aramid staple fibers, and has an air permeability of 40 to 200 cm3/cm2/sec and an average pore size of 20 to 50 ?m. Such aramid nonwoven fabric can be prepared by carding aramid fibers including the para-aramid staple fibers and the meta-aramid staple fibers so as to form a web, needle-punching the same, and water-punching the same with a prescribed water pressure.

Abstract: A non-woven flame retardant barrier can be prepared from low denier, charring fibers and substantially free of polymers made from halogenated monomers. The charring fibers can be modified viscose fibers, for example Visil®. The blend of low denier fibers can be, for example, a blend of 1.5 denier fibers and 3.0 denier fibers.

Abstract: According to the invention, by preparing a solution of an aromatic copolyamide obtained by copolymerization of a specific third component, a spinning solution is stabilized even without using an alkali metal salt and a uniform aromatic copolyamide nanofiber can be obtained stably by an electrospinning method. Further, according to the invention, a fiber structure obtaining laminating a salt-free aromatic copolyamide nanofiber can be stably formed. Therefore, it can be applied to a product having no preference for ionic contamination of an alkali metal salt or the like, for example, a filter for gas or liquid filtration or an electronic component separator, and is useful in the textile industry.

Abstract: A fiber blend for yarns and fabrics for use in military, fire-fighting, industrial work wear, and first responder protective clothing to provide multifunctional protection to the wearer, the fiber blend including an aramid fiber blend, wool fibers, and electrostatic dissipative fibers, wherein the aramid fiber blend includes meta-aramid fibers, para-aramid fibers and electrostatic dissipative fibers.

Abstract: The present invention concerns an air-laid non-woven fibre product manufactured by a dry forming process, said product comprising a first portion of up to 98% recycled shredded material, where the shredded material is a mixture of shredded fabric material fibres from automotive tires or the like and residues of rubber and other components from the shredded tires, and a second portion of 1-30%, preferably 1-5%, bi-component fibres having a length between 2-50 mm, preferably 2-6 mm in length.

Abstract: This invention relates to improved plexifilamentary sheet material useful in protective apparel and filtration media, which material is comprised of substantially continuous polyethylene plexifilamentary fiber strands and has a Frazier Permeability, normalized to 1.0 oz/yd2 basis weight, of at least 2 cfm/ft2.

Abstract: To provide a conjugate fiber that demonstrates low-temperature processability and excellent thermal adhesiveness without shrinking significantly, can be processed with excellent card passability when processed into a nonwoven fabric, and can produce a bulky nonwoven fabric having excellent uniformity. Bulky nonwoven fabric and a formed article having excellent low-temperature processability and excellent feeling are also provided. A conjugate fiber in which a first component that contains at least 75% by weight of an ethylene ?-olefin copolymer having a melting point of 70 to 100° C.

Abstract: A method of making a fluorinated fibrous web, which method includes providing a nonwoven web 22 that contains polymeric fibers, creating a plasma that contains fluorine atoms at a first location 14, and contacting the nonwoven web with products from the plasma at a second location 26 remote from the first location 14. The method avoids exposure of the web to the plasma and hence expands the manufacturing processing window. Webs so fluorinated have a different C3F4H+ to C2F5+ ratio when compared to locally fluorinated webs having similar levels of surface fluorination. The remote fluorinated webs can be subsequently charged electrically to provide a good performing electret filter 40 suitable for use in an air purifying respirator 30. Webs fluorinated in accordance with this invention also may exhibit good performance even after being “aged” at high temperatures.

Abstract: A nonwoven material including at least two layers integrated into each other, for use as a body facing sheet in an absorbent article. The first layer includes spunlaid filaments and the second layer includes staple fibres. The staple fibres have a thickness ?1.5 dtex, and the filaments have a thickness ?2.5 dtex. Further, an absorbent article, such as a sanitary napkin, panty liner, incontinence protector or diaper can include the nonwoven material as a body facing sheet.

Abstract: A polyimide fiber assembly of the present invention includes polyimide fibers having curved shapes with an average fiber diameter falling within a range of greater than 1 ?m to not greater than 100 ?m, the polyimide fiber assembly having a bulk density falling within a range of not less than 1 kg/m3 to not greater than 30 kg/m3. This makes it possible to realize a polyimide fiber assembly that is both excellent in thermal insulation performance and sound absorbency and light in weight.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to absorbent articles. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to an absorbent article comprising a surge management layer comprising a nonwoven web. The nonwoven web includes a filler fiber and a binder fiber. A portion of the cross-sectional area of the filler fiber is hollow, and the binder fiber includes a sheath component and a core component.

Abstract: A non-woven textile may be formed from a plurality of thermoplastic polymer filaments. The non-woven textile may have a first region and a second region, with the filaments of the first region being fused to a greater degree than the filaments of the second region. A variety of products, including apparel (e.g., shirts, pants, footwear), may incorporate the non-woven textile. In some of these products, the non-woven textile may be joined with another textile element to form a seam. More particularly, an edge area of the non-woven textile may be heatbonded with an edge area of the other textile element at the seam. In other products, the non-woven textile may be joined with another component, whether a textile or a non-textile.

Abstract: A liquid acquisition layer having a multitude of fibers and a binder is useful in a variety of absorbent articles, such as diapers and sanitary napkins. The liquid acquisition layer has a caliper which decreases in response to external pressure and increases upon removal of said external pressure. The increase in caliper is measured by a recovery value, wherein the liquid acquisition layer recovery value at 45° C. is at least 65% of the recovery value at 20° C.