Abstract: A lap is produced in a spreading lapping machine (2) by successively folding a fiber web from a card (1), whereafter the lap is drawn in a drawing machine (4). The drawing machine (4) is provided with rotatable devices having peripheral fittings with spikes that are driven into the core of the lap. The degree of drawing is adjusted in such a way that most fibers in the drawn product are arranged in two directions which are substantially symmetrical relative to the lengthwise direction of said drawn product, and lie at an angle of 30.degree.-60.degree. C. relative thereto. The method is particularly useful for improving the mechanical properties of lapped products.

Abstract: A high-quality nonwoven product is manufactured by making use of an intermediate product in which the majority of fibers are distributed in two orientations which form an angle with each other. The intermediate product is fed to a spreading and lap-forming machine (13A, 13B) which deposits the intermediate product in alternate pleats on its delivery belt so as to form a lap of superposed layers such that the majority orientations of the fibers within each layer form an angle with the majority orientations of the fibers of the contiguous layers, and the lap is subjected to a fixing treatment, for example by means of a needle-punching machine (14A, 14B).