Abstract: Industrial fabrics which contain thermoplastic weft or filling filaments characterized by having at least one segment of the filament's cross sectional area consisting of a foamed polymer are described. The unfoamed segment or segments of the filament contribute axial strength while the foamed segment or segments of the filament contribute to radial compressibility. Industrial fabrics utilizing these filaments have reduced permeability, reduced weft denier, and improved fabric rigidity.

Abstract: Woven industrial fabrics which have an air permeability of at least 200 cfm per square foot under a pressure differential of 0.5 inches of water are described. These fabrics contain finned weft fibers with a shape factor of 2.5 to 5.0 and a distortion index of less than 35. Improved fabric stability and a significant reduction in weft fiber denier are achieved.

Abstract: A papermaker's fabric constructed from polymeric fibers with 15 percent or more of the fabric'fibers larger than 100 denier and multipolymeric, the multipolymeric fibers containing two or more distinct polymeric regions within their cross sections. The multipolymeric fibers may be constructed in a sheath-core, side by side, or islands in the stream form. The components of the multipolymeric fibers are each selected to provide a combination of properties not available from any single polymer fiber.

Abstract: A woven or spiral papermaker's or industrial fabric characterized in that at least a portion of its fibers have two or more thin fins, some of which fins are designed for ease of flexing or compression by incorporation of a reduced cross section "hinge" area or by a variation in thickness of more than 20 per cent as a function of distance from the fiber center. This will achieve interlocking between crossing fibers at significantly reduced "beat-up" force in weaving or less shrinkage force in spiral fabrics. By remaining extended where there is no fiber to fiber crushing action, the fins fill the fabric interstitial spaces and control fabric porosity. Significant cost and quality benefits are achieved.

Abstract: A stuffed spiral link fabric, providing a supporting surface for transporting a web includes a plurality of synthetic spiral coil members connected together serially by elongated hinge members extending through intermeshed portions of adjacent intermeshing spiral coil members to form a spiral link fabric and a plurality of elongated shaped synthetic stuffer yarns extending through central portions of the spiral coil members to form a stuffed spiral link fabric. The stuffed spiral link fabric is heat set to form a fabric in which each spiral coil member has a cross sectional shape having arcuate ends joined by substantially straight portions and a central portion of each spiral coil member is substantially filled with a stuffer yarn which engages and is clamped to each intermeshed portion adjacent thereto, reducing the air and moisture permeability of the fabric and increasing the fabric stability. The stuffer yarn is modified in shape and trapped in place in the spiral fabric by the heat setting step.

Abstract: A woven papermakers' fabric containing warp and weft yarns wherein the weft yarns are monofilaments characterized by having two or more thin readily deformable fins or lobed extensions. By replacing the currently used round monofilaments or twisted and cabled weft yarns, these inventive finned monofilaments produce fabrics with significantly broadened permeability range control and stabilize the fabric against mechanical distortion.

Abstract: Thermoformable laminates, suitable for use as automobile headliners, comprising a layer of non-woven fabric (acoustical pad bonded to one side of a foamed polymer sheet are disclosed. The non-woven fabric comprises a certain blend of staple fibers which provide an optimum balance of characteristics including cost and improved sound absorption characteristics which are important headliner characteristics, especially, for compact and subcompact automobile uses.

Abstract: The invention relates to high-speed yarn traverse winding apparatus, method and product.Circling thrust members are provided to intercept a yarn being reciprocably traversed and forwarded to a bobbin in a winding zone to acceleratively control the reversal displacement of the yarn on the bobbin. A yarn package having a high resolution of symmetry is produced, the package being characterized in that the majority of the reversal curves of the helical windings are comprised essentially of camber curves generated substantially to a point of projected intersection of the diagonal linear extensions of the helical windings.