Abstract: A water-dispersible nonwoven substrate includes a structured web of fibers. The structured web has a first surface and a second surface. The first surface has substantially filled protrusions extending outwardly from the first surface and connecting regions disposed between the protrusions. The average fiber densities of the protrusions and connecting regions are substantially the same, and the fibers are individualized plant-based fibers, reconstituted cellulosic fibers, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for scouring and increasing the brightness of non-wood fibers. The method comprises forming a mixture of non-wood fibers, exposing the mixture to a scouring liquor and a scouring agent comprising oxygen gas to form a scouring mixture, and scouring the scouring mixture by radially circulating the scouring liquor throughout the scouring mixture to provide scoured fibers.

Abstract: Nonwoven textile fabrics in accordance with the present invention include a web of entangled polymeric fibers with substantially pectin-free, individualized bast fibers having a mean length less than 9 millimeters (mm). A method of making a nonwoven fabric includes forming a web of polymeric fibers, forming a randomly arrayed fiber web of the substantially individualized bast fibers having a mean length less than 9 mm, disposing the web of the substantially individualized bast fibers onto the web of polymeric fibers, and entangling the polymeric fibers with the substantially individualized bast fibers to form the nonwoven fabric. In addition, laminates include the nonwoven fabric, a film, and an adhesive disposed between the fabric and the film to bond the nonwoven fabric to the film.

Abstract: A water-dispersible nonwoven substrate includes a structured web of fibers. The structured web has a first surface and a second surface. The first surface has substantially filled protrusions extending outwardly from the first surface and connecting regions disposed between the protrusions. The average fiber densities of the protrusions and connecting regions are substantially the same, and the fibers are individualized plant-based fibers, reconstituted cellulosic fibers, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: Nonwoven textile fabrics in accordance with the present invention include a web of entangled polymeric fibers with substantially pectin-free, individualized bast fibers having a mean length less than 9 millimeters (mm). A method of making a nonwoven fabric includes forming a web of polymeric fibers, forming a randomly arrayed fiber web of the substantially individualized bast fibers having a mean length less than 9 mm, disposing the web of the substantially individualized bast fibers onto the web of polymeric fibers, and entangling the polymeric fibers with the substantially individualized bast fibers to form the nonwoven fabric. In addition, laminates include the nonwoven fabric, a film, and an adhesive disposed between the fabric and the film to bond the nonwoven fabric to the film.

Abstract: A method for forming a fiber is provided. The method comprises supplying at least one aromatic polyester to a melt processing device and modifying the aromatic polyester with at least one polyether copolymer within the device to form a thermoplastic composition having a melt flow rate that is greater than the melt flow rate of the aromatic polyester. The polyether copolymer contains a repeating unit (A) having the following formula: wherein, x is an integer from 1 to 250, a the polyether copolymer further containing a repeating unit (B) having the following formula: wherein, n is an integer from 3 to 20; and y is an integer from 1 to 150.

Abstract: A method for forming a fiber is provided. The method comprises supplying at least one aromatic polyester to a melt processing device and modifying the aromatic polyester with at least one polyether copolymer within the device to form a thermoplastic composition having a melt flow rate that is greater than the melt flow rate of the aromatic polyester. The polyether copolymer contains a repeating unit (A) having the following formula: wherein, x is an integer from 1 to 250, a the polyether copolymer further containing a repeating unit (B) having the following formula: wherein, n is an integer from 3 to 20; and y is an integer from 1 to 150.

Abstract: A method for forming a fiber is provided. The method comprises supplying at least one aromatic polyester to a melt processing device and modifying the aromatic polyester with at least one polyether copolymer within the device to form a thermoplastic composition having a melt flow rate that is greater than the melt flow rate of the aromatic polyester. The polyether copolymer contains a repeating unit (A) having the following formula: C2H4Ox??(A) wherein, x is an integer from 1 to 250, the polyether copolymer further containing a repeating unit (B) having the following formula: CnH2nOy??(B) wherein, n is an integer from 3 to 20; and y is an integer from 1 to 150.

Abstract: A disposable air filter that includes: (a) air filtration media; (b) a substantially planar air filter frame providing three-dimensional support for the air filtration media; and (c) an inter-filter gap filler disposed along substantially the entire length of at least one side of an opposed pair of the first or second sides and integrated into the air filter frame is disclosed. The integral inter-filter gap filler reduces gaps between adjacent air filters disposed in a filter track of an air filter bank.

Abstract: A method for forming a biodegradable polylactic acid suitable for use in fibers is provided. Specifically, a polylactic acid is melt processed at a controlled water content to initiate a hydrolysis reaction. Without intending to be limited by theory, it is believed that the hydroxyl groups present in water are capable of attacking the ester linkage of polylactic acids, thereby leading to chain scission or “depolymerization” of the polylactic acid molecule into one or more shorter ester chains. The shorter chains may include polylactic acids, as well as minor portions of lactic acid monomers or oligomers, and combinations of any of the foregoing. By selectively controlling the hydrolysis conditions (e.g., moisture and polymer concentrations, temperature, shear rate, etc.), a hydrolytically degraded polylactic acid may be achieved that has a molecular weight lower than the starting polymer.

Abstract: A method for forming a biodegradable polyester suitable for use in fibers is provided. Specifically, a biodegradable polyester is melt processed at a controlled water content to initiate a hydrolysis reaction. Without intending to be limited by theory, it is believed that the hydroxyl groups present in water are capable of attacking the ester linkage of the polyester, thereby leading to chain scission or “depolymerization” of the polyester molecule into one or more shorter ester chains. By selectively controlling the reaction conditions (e.g., water content, temperature, shear rate, etc.), a hydrolytically degraded polyester may be achieved that has a molecular weight lower than the starting polymer. Such lower molecular weight polymers have a higher melt flow rate and lower apparent viscosity, which are useful in a wide variety of fiber forming applications, such as in the meltblowing of nonwoven webs.

Abstract: A disposable air filter that includes: (a) air filtration media; (b) a substantially planar air filter frame providing three-dimensional support for the air filtration media; and (c) an inter-filter gap filler disposed along substantially the entire length of at least one side of an opposed pair of the first or second sides and integrated into the air filter frame is disclosed. The integral inter-filter gap filler reduces gaps between adjacent air filters disposed in a filter track of an air filter bank.

Abstract: A method for forming a fiber is provided. The method comprises supplying at least one aromatic polyester to a melt processing device and modifying the aromatic polyester with at least one polyether copolymer within the device to form a thermoplastic composition having a melt flow rate that is greater than the melt flow rate of the aromatic polyester. The polyether copolymer contains a repeating unit (A) having the following formula: ?C2H4O?x ??(A) wherein, x is an integer from 1 to 250, the polyether copolymer further containing a repeating unit (B) having the following formula: ?CnH2nO?y ??(B) wherein, n is an integer from 3 to 20; and y is an integer from 1 to 150.

Abstract: The present invention provides conjugate fibers having an ethylene polymer component and a propylene polymer component, which are highly crimpable even at fine deniers. Also provided are nonwoven fabrics made from the fibers. The propylene polymer component of the conjugate fiber contains a propylene polymer having a melt flow rate between about 50 g/10 min. and 200 g/10 min. as measured in accordance with ASTM D1238, Testing Condition 230/2.16.