Abstract: A waterproof multi-layered non-woven fabric having good vapor permeability and method for its production are provided. At least one layer of coarse melt-spun filaments of a thermoplastic polymer is thermally bonded at intermittent points to at least one layer of fine melt-blown microfibers. The bonded layers next are subjected while heated to a force in at least one direction in the absence of tearing so as to accomplish the permanent elongation of coarse melt-spun filaments and the straightening of fine melt-blown microfibers in the direction of the force in the substantial absence of drawing. Fine melt-blown microfibers when straightened in this manner form a less thick and denser array within the resulting fabric. The resulting product is capable of deterring the passage of liquid water, exhibits substantial vapor permeability, and exhibits a reduced basis weight.

Abstract: Multilayered filter material is provided with at least two layers having different filter properties (coarse filter layer and fine filter layer), for which the separation ratio of the coarse filter layer is selected depending on the number of layers of the filter material as well as the total separation ratio of the complete filter material. The separation ratio of the first layer is proportioned such that at least 20% of the total particles are filtered out by it. The first layer has a porosity of at least 95%. For the remaining filtration of the fine particles, at least one fine filter layer is present, which has a porosity of somewhat greater than 85%.

Abstract: A novel fibrous non-woven composite is provided that comprises as a first component substantially continuous coarse spun-bonded filaments of a thermoplastic polymer which exhibit molecular orientation, and as a second component fine discontinuous melt-blown microfibers of a thermoplastic polymer. The fibrous components are well admixed through their placement following their formation on the same equipment to form an integrated non-woven deposition in the absence of a discrete phase boundary between substantially homogeneous concentrations of the components, and are subsequently thermally bonded to form a unitary structure. The continuous coarse spun-bonded filaments provide good strength for a supporting function throughout the non-woven composite, and the fine discontinuous melt-blown microfibers perform an uninterrupted filtration and/or moisture transport function throughout the non-woven composite. The resulting product is useful in diaper, medical, and clothing applications.

Abstract: A multilayered elastic sheetlike structure and a process for producing it are described.The sheetlike structure consists of at least one elastomeric layer of a homogeneous film/sheet and at least one inelastic fibre or filament layer which is connected to the elastomeric layer at mutually spaced-apart connection sites. Between the connection sites the fibre or filament layer is in folds when the elastomeric layer is in an untensioned or partially tensioned state and smooth when the elastomeric layer is in the completely tensioned state. The inelastic fibre or filament layer consists of an originally smooth, undrawn or partially drawn material which has been melted or adhered to the untensioned elastomeric layer at the connection sites and, after conjoint extension therewith, exhibits a persistent extension.

Abstract: A coveting web formed by a compound web material of coarse filaments and fine microfibers constituting a mixture without discrete phase boundaries between the individual components. The compound web material is produced in an integrated formation process on the same layering device of a web-forming installation. As a novel feature, the compound web material has strip-like regions not forming a mixture but consisting only of coarse filaments or containing only a small proportion of free microfibers. These strips are bordered on either side by other strips containing a mixture of both components--coarse filaments and free microfibers.

Abstract: An improved process and apparatus are provided for producing fine microfilaments of a melt-spinnable polymeric material having a silk-like character. The molten polymeric material is melt extruded through a plurality of extrusion orifices, is passed from the extrusion orifices while surrounded by a stream of headed air that surrounds and flows parallel with the molten polymeric material, is passed through a solidification zone wherein cooling air is transversely blown to contact the same, and a pulling force is exerted on the resulting solidified microfilamentary material which is applied below the solidification zone so a to accomplish substantial drawing of the polymeric material intermediate the extrusion orifices and its transformation in to a solidified microfilamentary material. The formation at a high rate of 4,000 to 6,000 meters per minute of quality fine microfilaments of less than 1 dtex per filament (e.g., 0.33 dtex) is made possible.

Abstract: In the production of irregular non-woven material sheets of synthetic filaments, the warp from spinnerets is drawn off by means of a draw-off device and then deposited on a substrate. To avoid tangling of the individual filaments, they are guided along a nozzle wall formed by slot nozzles stacked on top of each other and forming a draw-off device. The slot nozzles as well as the air compressor are operated polytropically. The deposit of the warp on the substrate is accomplished by a flip-flop cross winding.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing a nonwoven fabric from continuous filaments, which are drawn off at a high speed in the form of a tow, under the influence of a gaseous propellant, from spinnerets of spinning plates of a spinning beam and after passing through a filament draw-off apparatus are laid down by means of a delivery apparatus, embodied as a spreader, on a delivery belt moving in the production direction. In the production direction, two spinning beams are disposed spaced apart from one another, and at least one spinning beam is rotatable, together with the delivery and spreading apparatus, in a plane extending parallel to the delivery belt. A varied pattern of laying down of the nonwoven fabric, or a new nonwoven product, can thus be produced during ongoing operation.

Abstract: To produce non-woven materials, endless filaments in the form of a warp are drawn off a filament draw-off nozzle to which are joined a filament offlet, a filament guide tube and a spreading extruder. An amount of compressed air under high pressure is admitted to the filament draw-off nozzle. By means of the invention the amount of compressed air at the filament draw-off nozzle is reduced and at the same time an additional amount of compressed air under relatively low pressure is admitted between the filament guide tube and the spreading extruder by means of a propelling nozzle. In spite of an additional amount of compressed air at the propelling nozzle the reduction at the filament draw-off nozzle is so large that for the isothermal compression output as a whole a considerable savings in energy of almost 30% can be achieved, and this while maintaining the important filament draw-off force necessary for the drawing of the filaments inside the filament offlet.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for bonding and embossing of sheet material is disclosed. The apparatus uses a pair of rotating calender rollers which are spaced apart. Sheet material is introduced into the space between the rollers. The calender rollers are equipped with raised, discrete points which form a surface design and determine the embossing design produced on the sheet material. The calender rollers are each driven at a synchronous speed by a drive system having the capability of varying the speed of one roller for a short period of time. This change in speed causes the surface designs of both calender rollers to shift relative to one another. This results in different degrees of overlap between opposing pairs of raised points. Thus, different embossing surface patterns can be produced as the overlapping areas are adjusted while the machines are in operation. This eliminates the necessity of replacing the calender rollers when a change of embossing patterns is desired.

Abstract: To produce non-woven materials, endless filaments in the form of a warp are drawn off a filament draw-off nozzle to which are joined a filament offlet, a filament guide tube and a spreading extruder. An amount of compressed air under high pressure is admitted to the filament draw-off nozzle. By means of the invention the amount of compressed air at the filament draw-off nozzle is reduced and at the same time an additional amount of compressed air under relatively low pressure is admitted between the filament guide tube and the spreading extruder by means of a propelling nozzle. In spite of an additional amount of compressed air at the propelling nozzle the reduction at the filament draw-off nozzle is so large that for the isothermal compression output as a whole a considerable savings in energy of almost 30% can be achieved, and this while maintaining the important filament draw-off force necessary for the drawing of the filaments inside the filament offlet.

Abstract: To produce non-woven materials, endless filaments in the form of a warp are drawn off a filament draw-off nozzle to which are joined a filament offlet, a filament guide tube and a spreading extruder. An amount of compressed air under high pressure is admitted to the filament draw-off nozzle, and by means of the spreading extruder provided with Coanda shells the warp is loosened before impacting on a screen conveyor. In order to achieve as evenly as possible a distribution and loosening of the warp, slot nozzles are provided on either side of the spreading extruder, which are supplied with a reduced amount of compressed air under relative low pressure. Simultaneously, a reduction of the amount of compressed air at the filament drawoff nozzle takes place.