Abstract: A self-wrapping, non-woven sleeve for routing and protecting elongate members and method of construction thereof is provided. The sleeve includes an elongate non-woven wall having opposite sides extending along a longitudinal axis of the sleeve. The sides are self-wrapping about the longitudinal axis to provide a tubular cavity. The sides are extendable away from one another under an externally applied force to expose the cavity for insertion of the elongate members, wherein the sides return to their self-wrapped configuration upon removal of the externally applied force. The wall includes discrete first regions of a material and discrete second regions of a material. The first and second regions of material are different and provide the wall with non-uniform physical properties.

Abstract: A nonwoven trough and method of construction thereof are provided. The nonwoven trough includes at least one nonwoven wall formed from a mixture of bonded natural cellulosic fibers and thermoplastic fibers. The at least one nonwoven wall extends along a longitudinal axis and has a midsection and opposite end portions. The midsection has a base and a pair of walls extending upwardly from the base to provide the midsection with a generally U-shaped cross-section taken generally transversely to the longitudinal axis. At least one flange extends laterally from the at least one nonwoven wall, wherein the flange is configured for attachment to a vehicle member.

Abstract: A nonwoven trough and method of construction thereof are provided. The nonwoven trough includes at least one nonwoven wall formed from a mixture of bonded natural cellulosic fibers and thermoplastic fibers. The at least one nonwoven wall extends along a longitudinal axis and has a midsection and opposite end portions. The midsection has a base and a pair of walls extending upwardly from the base to provide the midsection with a generally U-shaped cross-section taken generally transversely to the longitudinal axis. At least one flange extends laterally from the at least one nonwoven wall, wherein the flange is configured for attachment to a vehicle member.

Abstract: A nonwoven trough and method of construction thereof are provided. The nonwoven trough includes at least one nonwoven wall formed from a mixture of bonded natural cellulosic fibers and thermoplastic fibers. The at least one nonwoven wall extends along a longitudinal axis and has a midsection and opposite end portions. The midsection has a base and a pair of walls extending upwardly from the base to provide the midsection with a generally U-shaped cross-section taken generally transversely to the longitudinal axis. At least one flange extends laterally from the at least one nonwoven wall, wherein the flange is configured for attachment to a vehicle member.

Abstract: An enhanced, lightweight acoustic absorber is provided. The acoustic absorber is bounded by the at least one scrim layer without need for additional layers, such as melt-blown or nonwoven layers. The at least one scrim layer includes at least one non-planar, folded scrim layer bonded to itself or another scrim layer to form a plurality of air spaces between folded portions of the at least one scrim layer. The at least one scrim layer establishes a thickness of the acoustic absorber extending across opposite exposed sides of the acoustic absorber.

Abstract: A high surface area fiber and method of construction thereof is provided. The high surface area fiber includes an inner fiber extending along a longitudinal central axis. The inner fiber has a plurality of legs extending lengthwise in generally parallel relation with one another and with the central axis. Each of the legs extends radially away from the central axis to a first peak. First channels are formed between adjacent legs in generally parallel relation with one another and with the central axis. At least some of the legs have protrusions extending laterally outwardly therefrom. The protrusions extend lengthwise in generally parallel relation with one another and with the central axis.

Abstract: A nonwoven, moldable material and method of construction thereof is provided. The nonwoven material includes at least one nonwoven mat formed from blended and bonded natural cellulosic fibers and Polypropylene containing Maleic Anhydride grafted Polypropylene fibers. A scrim layer is at least partially melted and diffused into the nonwoven mat to form an alloy region containing material of both the nonwoven mat and the scrim layer, which provides the nonwoven, moldable material having a density between about 300-1200 gsm with a flexural strength across machine direction of about 76N.

Abstract: An enhanced, lightweight acoustic absorber is provided. The acoustic absorber is bounded by the at least one scrim layer without need for additional layers, such as melt-blown or nonwoven layers. The at least one scrim layer includes at least one non-planar, folded scrim layer bonded to itself or another scrim layer to form a plurality of air spaces between folded portions of the at least one scrim layer. The at least one scrim layer establishes a thickness of the acoustic absorber extending across opposite exposed sides of the acoustic absorber.

Abstract: A reflective panel and method of construction thereof from post consumer mixed Asian cardboard for forming structural and/or acoustic and/or thermal panels is provided. The method includes providing post consumer mixed Asian cardboard and comminuting the cardboard into predetermined reduced sized pieces. Then, combining the reduced sized pieces with a heat bondable textile material to form a substantially homogenous mixture. Further, forming a web of the mixture of a predetermined thickness in a dry nonwoven webbing process. Then, heating the web to bond the heat bondable material with the reduced sized pieces to form a nonwoven sheet having opposite sides. Further, bonding at least one reflective layer to at least one of the opposite sides of the nonwoven sheet.

Abstract: A self-wrapping, non-woven sleeve for routing and protecting elongate members and method of construction thereof is provided. The sleeve includes an elongate non-woven wall having opposite sides extending along a longitudinal axis of the sleeve. The sides are self-wrapping about the longitudinal axis to provide a tubular cavity. The sides are extendable away from one another under an externally applied force to expose the cavity for insertion of the elongate members, wherein the sides return to their self-wrapped configuration upon removal of the externally applied force. The wall includes discrete first regions of a material and discrete second regions of a material. The first and second regions of material are different and provide the wall with non-uniform physical properties.

Abstract: A nonwoven acoustic sheet material including Asian cardboard and a scrim layer and method of construction thereof is provided. The method of construction includes providing Asian cardboard and comminuting the cardboard into pieces of a predetermined size. Further, combining the reduced size pieces of cardboard with heat bondable textile fibers and staple fibers to form a substantially homogenous mixture, and then, forming a web from the mixture. Then, thermally bonding the constituent ingredients of the web to produce a matt of a desired thickness. Further, laminating a scrim layer to at least one side of the matt while maintaining the thickness of the matt as initially produced.

Abstract: A nonwoven sheet material and method of construction thereof is provided. The nonwoven sheet material includes a heat bondable textile material and a used post consumer material. The used post consumer material includes at least one of a non-thermoplastic material, thermoplastic material, a plastic composition including different types of plastic constituents, and other materials containing contaminants such as dirt, oil, grease and the like in a non-washed state, which are ordinarily considered non-reusable waste. The used post consumer material is bonded with the heat bondable textile material to form the nonwoven sheet material and panels formed therefrom.

Abstract: A nonwoven material and method of construction thereof from post consumer mixed Asian cardboard for forming structural and/or acoustic and/or thermal panels. The method includes providing post consumer mixed Asian cardboard and comminuting the cardboard into pieces of a predetermined size. Further, combining the reduced sized cardboard pieces with heat bondable textile fibers to form a substantially homogenous mixture, and then, forming a web of the mixture, with the web having a predetermined thickness, in a dry nonwoven webbing process. Then, heating the web to bond the heat bondable material with the reduced size pieces of mixed Asian cardboard to form the nonwoven material.

Abstract: A nonwoven material and method of construction thereof from post consumer mixed Asian cardboard for forming structural and/or acoustic and/or thermal panels. The method includes providing post consumer mixed Asian cardboard and comminuting the cardboard into pieces of a predetermined size. Further, combining the reduced sized cardboard pieces with heat bondable textile fibers to form a substantially homogenous mixture, and then, forming a web of the mixture, with the web having a predetermined thickness, in a dry nonwoven webbing process. Then, heating the web to bond the heat bondable material with the reduced size pieces of mixed Asian cardboard to form the nonwoven material.

Abstract: A hand wrappable heat shield and method of construction thereof has outer and inner layers of metal embossed with peaks and valleys. An intermediate layer of insulation material is sandwiched between the outer and inner layers of metal. The peaks embossed in the outer layer are offset relative to the peaks embossed in the inner layer.

Abstract: A nonwoven material and method of construction thereof from post consumer mixed Asian cardboard for forming structural and/or acoustic and/or thermal panels. The method includes providing post consumer mixed Asian cardboard and comminuting the cardboard into pieces of a predetermined size. Further, combining the reduced sized cardboard pieces with heat bondable textile fibers to form a substantially homogenous mixture, and then, forming a web of the mixture, with the web having a predetermined thickness, in a dry nonwoven webbing process. Then, heating the web to bond the heat bondable material with the reduced size pieces of mixed Asian cardboard to form the nonwoven material.

Abstract: A multi-branch overwrap for protecting elongated items is disclosed. The overwrap is formed from a flexible, resilient substrate. Interengageable attachments are positioned on opposite sides of the substrate for releasably attaching one surface of the substrate to the other. The substrate may be biased to form a plurality of interconnected tubes or reverse folded to form channels that receive the elongated items. Biasing or folding brings the opposite sides of the substrate into overlapping relation. The overwrap may be formed from a unitary blank or assembled from component parts. Preferred materials for the substrate include polyester felt, and preferred attachments include hook and loop fasteners distributed on the surface of the substrate.

Abstract: A kit and a method for splicing together porous sleeves are disclosed. The kit includes a release liner in the form of a non-porous membrane, preferably in the shape of an elongated tube. Adhesive and an adhesive applicator may also be included. The method includes the steps of inserting the release liner within an end of a first sleeve and then inserting that sleeve end into the end of a second sleeve. The outer surface of the first sleeve engages the inner surface of the second sleeve and defines an engagement zone having a predetermined length. The release liner extends along the engagement zone. Adhesive is applied to the outer surface of the second sleeve. The adhesive penetrates the second sleeve and bonds it to the first sleeve. The release liner acts as a barrier preventing the adhesive from bonding the first sleeve closed at the splice.

Abstract: A multi-branch overwrap for protecting elongated items is disclosed. The overwrap is formed from a flexible, resilient substrate. Interengageable attachments are positioned on opposite sides of the substrate for releasably attaching one surface of the substrate to the other. The substrate may be biased to form a plurality of interconnected tubes or reverse folded to form channels that receive the elongated items. Biasing or folding brings the opposite sides of the substrate into overlapping relation. The overwrap may be formed from a unitary blank or assembled from component parts. Preferred materials for the substrate include polyester felt, and preferred attachments include hook and loop fasteners distributed on the surface of the substrate.