Abstract: The present invention discloses a method and apparatus for reinforcing non-woven sheets by printing a cross-linkable binder on one surface by means of a relief or photogravure printing cylinder while simultaneously printing the opposite surface at corresponding positions with a thermally softenable adhesive applied by means of a screen printing cylinder.

Abstract: A microporous, multilayer material has a layer of microfibers having a weight of from about 0.5 to about 60 g/m.sup.2, the microfibers having diameters of from about 0.1 to about 10 microns. The microfiber layer is covered on opposite sides with nonwoven layers and all the layers are bonded together with a pattern of water repellent and, preferably, elastic paste members sufficiently penetrating through the layers. A process for making the microporous, multilayer material imprints the paste for the penetration-bonding paste members on one or both sides of the layers only squeezed dry after washing and water-repellentizing baths.

Abstract: An artificial split suede leather, especially for sport or casual style shoes, is a split, needled, nonwoven material of unshrunk fibers containing at least 20% polyamide fibers by weight of the fibers having a trilobate, Y-shaped cross section. In a process of making it, only needling is used for consolidating the fibers. A spherical filler may also be used.

Abstract: A soft, fluffy, bulky, nonwoven fabric is disclosed which is made from bonded or at least partially fused fibers which have been needle-punctured.

Abstract: This application relates to a non-woven fabric wherein the fibers of the fabric are bonded to each other and/or to another material in a plurality of equally spaced-apart spots, wherein the spots are the same size and are combined in a plurality of identical groups of not less than three nor more than five identical spots, each of said groups of spots being spaced apart from each other, and each of said spots within each group being positioned along a curved or straight line wherein the steady extension of said line beyond the end-spots of said group positioned along said line intersects and adjacent line along which an adjacent group of spots is positioned, and wherein the ratio of the distance separating the spots within each group of spots to the distance from an end-spot in each group to the next adjacent line along which an adjacent group of spots is positioned, is about 0.5 to about 3.0.

Abstract: A method is disclosed wherein a nonwoven fabric composed at least in part of thermally fusible fibers is at least partially fused and then is punched by needles to produce a soft, fluffy fabric that resists mechanical wear.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for manufacturing a fabric-type artificial leather, wherein a nonwoven fabric is formed by using a dry method to join together hydrophobic fibers. The fabric so formed is densified by needling and the activation of shrinking forces. It is then impregnated with a mixture of a heat sensitive elastomeric bonding agent, powdered barium sulfate and a compound that reacts with acid to form a gas. The impregnated fabric is then exposed to a heated, acidified liquid which triggers coagulation of the bonding agent and liberates a gas formed by reaction of the acid and acid-reactive compound. The resulting solidified fabric is then washed, dried and ground-over on at least one side to produce a nap. Finally, the fabric is intensively fulled.

Abstract: A multilayered nonwoven fabric is described which exhibits excellent resistance to drycleaning and washing abrasion but nevertheless is soft and drapable. It contains a varying amount of thermal bonding fibers in the various layers.

Abstract: The invention described herein relates to a method for heat sealing the opposing surfaces of planar textile materials which comprises applying a heat-seal adhesive to at least one of the opposing surfaces of the textiles, and then pressing the opposing surfaces of the textiles together under heat and pressure to heat-seal the textile surfaces together. The heat-seal adhesive employed is a low-melting polyurethane prepared by reacting at least one diisocyanate with at least one polyol having a molecular weight between about 500 and 5000, at least one diol which is branched or includes an ether group, and at least one diol which is unbranched. The diol reactants have an average molecular weight of less than about 500. The total hydroxyl group content of the reactants exceeds or equals the total isocyanate content of the reactants.

Abstract: The invention disclosed herein relates to a method for bonding the opposing surfaces of textile materials to each other with a heat-seal adhesive. The heat-seal adhesive is a polyurethane urea heat-seal adhesive prepared by first preparing a chain-extended polyurethane from at least one diisocyanate, at least one polydiol, and chain-extenders. The chain-extenders may comprise a mixture of low molecular weight diols comprised of at least one low molecular weight diol having a molecular weight below about 500 and having side chains or ether groups, and at least one unbranched low molecular weight diol having a molecular weight below about 500. The chain-extended polyurethane has a free-isocyanate group content which comprises from about 10 to about 40 mole percent of the isocyanate content of the starting mixture. An emulsifier is added to the chain-extended polyurethane, and the polyurethane and emulsifier mixture is emulsified with water. Diamines or diamine mixtures may be added to the emulsion.

Abstract: A method for bonding an unbonded fibrous web of natural and/or synthetic fibers by means of a binder which is cured by exposure to UV light, wherein the fibrous web is first compressed, smoothed, and heated, then one or both surfaces of the web is printed with a pattern of a prepolymer binder having a viscosity of from about 500 to 5000 centipoise and the prepolymer binder is cured by exposing the printed fibrous web to ultraviolet light.

Abstract: A nonwoven fabric having the appearance of a woven fabric and suited for use as a lining material for garments, comprising a nonwoven fabric substrate embossed on its face in a regular pattern of discrete areas of a maximum diameter of about 0.45 mm spaced not more than about 1.0 mm apart and carrying thereon in a regular printed pattern discrete areas of bonding-agent of a maximum diameter of about 0.45 mm spaced not more than about 0.7 mm apart. Advantageously the bonding-agent contains a coloring additive which differentiates it from the color of the nonwoven fabric, the spacing of the areas of the bonding-agent printed pattern is from about 50 to 95% of the spacing of the areas of the embossed pattern, the areas of the embossed and printed patterns are rectangular, the lengths of their lateral edges corresponding to a ratio of about 2:3, the sum of the length and width not exceeding a value of about 0.

Abstract: A hydrophilic foam is produced by mixing an isocyanate terminated branched polyethylene polyol with a polyester prepolymer and water. The foam may be used to impregnate fabrics, e.g., non-wovens, to produce reinforced sheets of foam of high absorbency and markedly improved abrasion resistance. Preferred polyesters are condensation products of adipic acid plus one or more alkanediols or a polylactone. Other prepolymers may also be included in the mix undergoing foaming, along with conventional additives.

Abstract: A fibrous nonwoven fabric of good drapability, comprising geometrically arranged spaced first surface areas of about 0.02 to 0.2 mm.sup.2 in area in which its fibers are chemically or thermally bonded at their intersections, and second area whose junctions are at least partially reopened and in which the bond points are disposed closely adjacent one another is produced by bonding a non-woven fleece chemically or thermally, and then stretching the resulting fabric at spaced areas so as to expand it partially and form areas where the fibers are less or not bonded. Where a chemical binder is used it may be set only partially prior to stretching, setting being completed thereafter.

Abstract: A nonwoven interlining and nonwoven chest piece are combined and together employed to be incorporated into a garment such as jacket or coat by pressing. This is accomplished by providing thermally activatable adhesive on both faces of the combination so that steam pressing serves to join it to the garment fabric. The individual nonwoven layers are only partially prefixed or internally bonded and a further mass of resilient binder adds to the cohesiveness of the unit.

Abstract: A scouring and cleaning cloth having a coating of a solid binding agent on at least a portion of each surface in an open pattern applied by a printing process, said pattern comprising superelevated bars, the bars in at least one surface having embedded therein at least one of an abrasive and a soap additive.