Abstract: A system for hydroentangling a fabric material, while reducing the incidence of jet streaks therein, is provided. Various embodiments of the present invention provide an elongate hydroentangling jet strip spaced apart from the fabric material and extending substantially across a width of the fabric perpendicular to the processing direction. The strip defines a first row of orifices, each having a first diameter. The first plurality of orifices is spaced apart along a width of the elongate strip. The strip further defines a second plurality of orifices disposed downstream from the first plurality of orifices in the processing direction and offset therefrom along the width of the elongate strip. The second plurality of orifices each define a second diameter smaller than the first diameter such that fluid streams generated thereby impart a correspondingly smaller impact force on the fabric material than fluid streams generated by the first plurality of orifices.

Abstract: A composite nozzle strip for hydroentangling of a fibrous mass is provided to lower nozzle erosion potential and increase operational efficiency. The composite nozzle strip comprises a substrate comprising a material of a first hardness having at least one aperture and at least one orifice element comprising a material of a second hardness greater than the first hardness and further defining an aperture of a second diameter less than the first diameter. The at least one orifice element is affixed to the substrate so that the aperture in the orifice element is aligned with the at least one aperture in the substrate for creation of a constricted water jet when subjected to pressurized water.

Abstract: An Antenna comprising a ground layer, a feed layer, an antennal layer and a corrugated or dimpled non-woven fabric dielectric substrate interposed between two of the layers. The use of said non-woven corrugated fabric is to provide differing distances between the ground layer and the antenna layer as well as to provide both light weight construction and flexibility.

Abstract: The subject matter disclosed herein relates generally to fabrics composed of micro-denier fibers wherein said fibers are formed as bicomponent fibrillated fiber. The energy is sufficient for fibrillating as well as entangling (bonding) the fibers. These fabrics can be woven or knitted and made from made from bicomponent islands in the sea fibers and filaments or can be nonwovens and formed by either spunbonding or through the use of bicomponent staple fibers formed into a web by any one of several means and bonded similarly to those used for the spunbonded filament webs.

Abstract: A photoluminescent thermoplastic multi-component fiber comprising a pigmented component and processing enhanced luminescence and mechanical properties. Most suitably, the pigmented component comprises between 5% and 30% by weight of photoluminescent pigment and the pigmented component is between 20% and 50% by weight of the multi-component fiber. The multi-component fiber can be formed from either POY or FDY, and the multi-component fiber can have many different cross section shapes including sheath/core. These single component or multi-component fibers can be made into a variety of fabrics. Additionally, single component or multi-component fibers can also be formed into single or multi-component meltblown and spunbonded fabrics.

Abstract: A method of producing a nonwoven fabric comprising spinning a set of bicomponent fibers which include an external fiber component and an internal fiber component. The external fiber enwraps said internal fiber and has a higher elongation to break value than the internal fiber and a lower melting temperature than the internal fiber component. The set of bicomponent fibers are positioned onto a web and thermally bonded to produce a nonwoven fabric.

Abstract: A three-dimensional flexible deep molded structure is provided having at least one planar flexible textile non-woven substrate that has been processed through thermo-forming or calendaring equipment to form a multiplicity of compressible projections extending from the planar surface which return to their shape after being substantially compressed. The non-woven substrate preferably is a staple fiber based non-woven fabric manufactured from fibers with a diameter of less than 100 microns and a fiber length of 5 to 50 millimeters. The non-woven fabric preferably has a constant anisotrophy ratio fp between ?1/2 to +1/2.

Abstract: A nonwoven material which can be elongated and which will partially recover. The material comprises a web of fibers comprising polymeric chains which fibers are entangled with one another. The fibers are stretched in a first direction at a temperature wherein the fibers are aligned in a first direction and the polymeric chains within the fiber are also orientated in such first direction. The fibers are then cooled and demonstrate an ability to elongate and partially recover in a second direction that is different from the first direction.

Abstract: A hydroentangling jet strip device is provided, wherein such a device comprises a plate member having opposing sides and defining at least one nozzle orifice extending between the opposing sides. Each of the at least one nozzle orifice includes an axially-extending capillary portion having an aspect ratio between a length of the capillary portion and a diameter of the capillary portion, wherein the aspect ratio is less than about 0.70 so as to be capable of providing a cavitation-free constricted waterjet.

Abstract: A three-dimensional deep molded structure made from planar knits or wovens composed of homo-component, bicomponent or multi-component fibers having a fiber diameter of less than 100 microns and nonwovens composed of fibers or filaments of any size. Most suitably, nonwovens with a random fiber orientation distribution and a high degree of crimp with partially oriented fibers are preferred for use in forming the deep molded structure.

Abstract: A composite nozzle strip for hydroentangling of a fibrous mass is provided to lower nozzle erosion potential and increase operational efficiency. The composite nozzle strip comprises a substrate comprising a material of a first hardness having at least one aperture and at least one orifice element comprising a material of a second hardness greater than the first hardness and further defining an aperture of a second diameter less than the first diameter. The at least one orifice element is affixed to the substrate so that the aperture in the orifice element is aligned with the at least one aperture in the substrate for creation of a constricted water jet when subjected to pressurized water.

Abstract: Methods for reducing the surface pilling tendency and improving abrasion resistance of a pillable fabric are disclosed. The methods include providing a pillable fabric including fibrils extending from the surfaces thereof, supporting the fabric, and exposing the fabric to a hydroentanglement process that imparts an energy in the range of at least about 4000 to 5000 KJoules/Kg of fabric using pressures of 200 bars or greater. The presence of fibrils on the fabric surface are reduced to an amount wherein the pilling production on the fabric is less than about 20% after 5,000 cycles of abrasion on a Martindale device according to ASTM D4970 testing standard and the fabric remaining mass is at least about 80% to 90% after 50,000 cycles of abrasion on a Martindale device according to ASTM D4966 testing standard.

Abstract: A filler or pack material composed of homocomponent or multi-component fibers comprising various polymers with varying melting behavior. Most suitably, the filler fabric's volume fraction is between 10% and 70%. The filler can be cut, shaped, molded and fitted into the gutter. Additionally, single component or multi-component fibers can also be used together with other solids such as foam to form filler.

Abstract: Optical methods for evaluating various surface and physical optical properties of structures made wholly or partially from fibers, polymers, films or a combination thereof. Such methods are comprised of special illumination, special software algorithms and controls that provide a unique solution for evaluating such properties as fiber orientation distribution function, basis weight uniformity, fuzz and pilling, texture, and other physical and surface properties.

Abstract: A three-dimensional deep molded structure made from planar knits or wovens composed of homo-component, bicomponent or multi-component fibers having a fiber diameter of less than 100 microns and nonwovens composed of fibers or filaments of any size. Most suitably, nonwovens with a random fiber orientation distribution and a high degree of crimp with partially oriented fibers are preferred for use in forming the deep molded structure.

Abstract: A photoluminescent thermoplastic multi-component fiber comprising a pigmented component and processing enhanced luminescence and mechanical properties. Most suitably, the pigmented component comprises between 5% and 30% by weight of photoluminescent pigment and the pigmented component is between 20% and 50% by weight of the multi-component fiber. The multi-component fiber can be formed from either POY or FDY, and the multi-component fiber can have many different cross section shapes including sheath/core. These single component or multi-component fibers can be made into a variety of fabrics. Additionally, single component or multi-component fibers can also be formed into single or multi-component meltblown and spunbonded fabrics.

Abstract: A drug delivery system in the form of homo-component, bi-component or multi-component fibers wherein one of more of the components comprise a drug compounded with a polymer carrier. These fibers are packed to form a tablet directly, or are chopped and placed in a capsule.

Abstract: An improved apparatus and method for characterizing in-plane liquid transport, liquid absorbency, liquid desorbency and pore volume distribution of liquid in a textile, paper or similar material test sample. A camera is used for recording images of the fluid on the material sample, and the recorded images are then analyzed with a computer in order to make real time determinations of selected properties of in-plane liquid transport, liquid absorbency and/or desorbency and pore volume distribution in the material sample. Also, an improved test plate is provided for use with the improved apparatus and method.