Abstract: A nonwoven fabric including a plurality of endless crimpable multicomponent filaments, a plurality of loops that extend only in a direction out of a base plane of the nonwoven fabric, the base plane being an imaginary plane through the nonwoven fabric that extends in a machine direction and a cross direction of the nonwoven fabric, each of the plurality of loops made up of at least three of the plurality of filaments, the nonwoven fabric being devoid of loops that extend within the base plane, a plurality of bows that extend in directions within and out of the base plane of the nonwoven fabric, each of the plurality of bows made up of no more than one of the plurality of filaments, and a plurality of fused inter-filamentary conjunctions between at least some of the plurality of filaments.

Abstract: A nonwoven fabric including a first layer made of spunbond fibers and a second layer made of meltblown fibers, wherein the first layer is bonded with the second layer, and wherein the spunbond fibers of the first layer are interspersed with the meltblown fibers of the second layer so that the nonwoven fabric exhibits enhanced breathability and filtration properties. In exemplary embodiments, the nonwoven fabric may be used in personal protective equipment, such as, for example, face masks and respirators.