Abstract: Nonwoven fabric fabrics suitable for undergoing pleating to form filtration media are provided. The fabrics generally include at least three layers. The fibers forming the inner layer has a cross section providing greater stiffness, while the fibers forming the outer layers have a cross section providing greater durability. The resulting fabrics provide improved particulate holding and pressure drop characteristics at no sacrifice to durability.

Abstract: Nonwoven fabric laminates suitable for use as semipermeable membrane supports are provided. The fabric laminates generally include at least two layers: a spunbond layer of continuous filament fibers and a wet-laid layer of discontinuous filaments. The resulting semipermeable membrane supports provide an advantageous balance of properties, including smoothness, porosity, interlaminar adhesion, and flux properties.

Abstract: A nonwoven fabric printing medium comprises a first nonwoven fabric layer formed of thermoplastic polymer continuous filaments and at least one additional nonwoven fabric layer bonded to the first nonwoven fabric layer to form an integral unitary composite sheet material. The first nonwoven fabric layer has an outer surface adapted to receive printing ink, and the nonwoven fabric printing medium has a porosity of no more than 75 CFM pursuant to ASTM D-737-80, and in a preferred embodiment no more than 25 CFM. The first nonwoven fabric layer includes a thermoplastic polymer binder bonding together the thermoplastic polymer continuous filaments and also bonding the first nonwoven fabric layer to the one or more additional nonwoven fabric layers.

Abstract: A nonwoven composite cleaning pad is disclosed. The cleaning pad includes a first nonwoven layer having an absorbent surface. A second nonwoven layer is laminated to the first layer, and a plurality of abrasive polymer formations are provided on the exposed surface of the second layer.

Abstract: Nonwoven fabric fabrics suitable for undergoing pleating to form filtration media are provided. The fabrics generally include at least three layers. The fibers forming the inner layer has a cross section providing greater stiffness, while the fibers forming the outer layers have a cross section providing greater durability. The resulting fabrics provide improved particulate holding and pressure drop characteristics at no sacrifice to durability.

Abstract: The present invention provides a nonwoven fabric that is especially engineered to function as the substrate for a dryer activated fabric softener sheet. The substrate has a basis weight of 0.48 ounces per square yard or less, a thickness of from about 0.16 mm to about 0.38 mm, and comprises a nonwoven web of fibers, wherein at least some of the fibers are hollow. Preferably the fibers have a denier of from 2 to 8. In preferred embodiments of the invention, the hollow fibers have a void area at least 10 percent of the fiber cross-section, and the fibers have a noncircular trilobal cross-section.

Abstract: A moisture vapor permeable, water impermeable composite sheet material is provided which is suitable for use as a housewrap material, and is also useful for other applications such as tarpaulins, or as covers for automobile, boats, patio furniture or the like. The composite sheet material includes a nonwoven substrate and an extrusion-coated polyolefin film layer overlying one surface of the substrate. The nonwoven substrate is comprised of polymeric fibers randomly disposed and bonded to one another to form a high tenacity nonwoven web. The nonwoven substrate has a grab tensile strength of at least 178 Newtons (40 pounds) in at least one of the machine direction (MD) or the cross-machine direction (CD). The extrusion coated polyolefin film layer is intimately bonded to the nonwoven substrate. The film layer has micropores formed therein to impart to the composite sheet material a moisture vapor transmission rate (MVTR) of at least 35 g/m2/24 hr. at 50% relative humidity and 23° C.

Abstract: A nonwoven composite cleaning pad is disclosed. The cleaning pad includes a first nonwoven layer having an absorbent surface. A second nonwoven layer is laminated to the first layer, and a plurality of abrasive polymer formations are provided on the exposed surface of the second layer.

Abstract: A housewrap material for controlling moisture in the walls of a building includes a moisture vapor permeable, water impermeable sheet material having opposite surfaces with a plurality of drainage channels formed in the sheet material for directing the flow of liquid and for imparting to the sheet material a three-dimensional configuration. The sheet material has a crush resistance under a load of about 2.65 psi of at least 50%. In one embodiment, the integral drainage channels are defined by a plurality of generally parallel extending peaks and valleys that allow water to be drained from the wall. The composite nonwoven material has sufficient strength and stiffness to impart significant crush resistance to the composite, so that the integral drainage channels will not be collapsed or destroyed by the subsequent application of siding, stucco, paneling or the like to the building. Preferably, the composite sheet material has a crush resistance of at least 50% when subjected to a pressure of about 2.65 psi.

Abstract: A spunbond nonwoven fabric is provided, formed from a multiplicity of substantially continuous bicomponent filaments randomly arranged and bonded to one another. The bicomponent filaments have a multilobal cross-sectional configuration including a first polymer component formed of a higher-melting composition occupying at least the central portion of the filament cross-section and a second polymer component formed of a lower-melting composition being present in at least one lobe of the multilobal cross-section.

Abstract: A uniform, smooth, non-puckering, clothlike, ultrasonic sealing friendly laminate suitable for use as a vacuum cleaner outer bag includes a web of meltblown polymer fibers, with a first nonwoven web formed of staple fibers bonded to one surface of the web of meltblown fibers and with a second nonwoven web formed of staple fibers bonded to the opposite surface of the web of meltblown fibers. The laminate includes an outermost layer of a printed knit textile fabric material laminated to the exposed outer surface of the second nonwoven web.

Abstract: A separator pad for use in transporting stacked equal-height containers comprised of a liquid and gas impervious polymer film overlying a flexible core fabric. The core fabric preferably has a basis weight from about six to about eleven ounces per square yard, and the overall thickness of the pad preferably is from about 20 to about 40 mils. The polymer film, such as a polypropylene film, is chill rolled with rolls having a polished finish to impart a high friction gloss surface on the separator pad. The gloss-finish separator pad should have an average static coefficient of friction of at least 0.35, and an average kinetic coefficient of friction of at least 0.2. Due to the high friction surface, the separator pad prevents containers such as aluminum cans from falling during transport.

Abstract: A composite nonwoven fabric suitable for undergoing pleating to form filtration media includes two nonwoven fabric layers which are adhesively bonded. One layer is an air permeable nonwoven web of continuous filaments. A high loft nonwoven batt of staple fibers is laminated to the nonwoven web layer. The nonwoven batt has a gradient fiber density and includes a first layer of relatively low denier fibers and a second layer of relatively higher denier fibers.

Abstract: An improved apparatus is provided for the formation of a spunbonded fibrous web suitable for service in nonwoven end uses. A melt-processable thermoplastic polymeric material is melt-extruded to form a multifilamentary spinline, is quenched, and is wrapped about at least two spaced driven draw rolls that are surrounded by a shroud prior to collection to form a web, and is bonded to form a spun-bonded nonwoven product. The draw rolls exert a pulling force on the multifilamentary spinline so as to accomplish drawing of the molten multifilamentary spinline prior to complete solidification. The shroud makes possible the self-stringing of the spinline around the draw rolls. A pneumatic jet located at the exit end of the shroud assists in the contact of the multifilamentary spinline with the draw rolls in order to facilitate the imposition of a uniform pulling force and expels the multifilamentary spinline in the direction of its length toward a support where it is collected.

Abstract: An improved process and apparatus are provided for the formation of a spun-bonded fibrous web suitable for service in nonwoven end uses. A melt-processable thermoplastic polymeric material is melt-extruded to form a multifilamentary spinline, is quenched, and is wrapped about at least two spaced driven draw rolls that are surrounded by a shroud prior to collection to form a web, and is bonded to form a spun-bonded nonwoven product. The draw rolls exert a pulling force on the multifilamentary spinline so as to accomplish drawing of the molten multifilamentary spinline prior to complete solidification. The shroud makes possible the self-stringing of the spinline around the draw rolls. A pneumatic jet located at the exit end of the shroud assists in the contact of the multifilamentary spinline with the draw rolls in order to facilitate the imposition of a uniform pulling force and expels the multifilamentary spinline in the direction of its length toward a support where it is collected.

Abstract: An improved nonwoven multi-layered composite article is provided that is well amenable to pleating and service as a depth gaseous filtration medium. The components utilized to form the multi-layered composite consist essentially of polyester continuous filaments and staple fibers (as described in detail hereafter) and are mechanically secured together by needle-punching. At least one surface is lightly resin coated following the needle-punching in order to impart additional stiffness to the overall nonwoven laminated composite. The resulting article is capable of readily undergoing pleating to form a pleated filtration medium. In a preferred embodiment the resulting composite is free of any component that is capable of substantial moisture retention thereby enhancing the stability and shape retention properties of the product over a broader range of operating conditions.

Abstract: A geotextile having a soil treatment compound includes a porous sheet having a plurality of spaced nodules of composite material secured to the sheet. The nodules are composed of a soil treating agent and a binder which is injected through the sheet and solidified, such that the sheet is enmeshed by the nodules.

Abstract: A separator pad for stacked containers is composed of a spunbonded central fabric of polypropylene having a basis weight of 6 to 11 oz. per square yard and outer flat layers of polypropylene.

Abstract: Transportation package comprising at least three adjacent polls of wound sheet material in tangential contact with each other about a centrally located hollow tube capable of accommodating an insertable lifting means.

Abstract: A printable paper substitute is composed of a laminated sheet having a central layer of nonwoven spunbonded polypropylene and outer layers of pigmented polypropylene. The outer layers are capable of delamination to provide evidence of tempering.