Abstract: An apparatus and related process for entangling a fibrous web which employs columnar fluid jets to eject a continuous curtain of fluid in an entangling station. The web is advanced through an entangling station on a conveyor which supports an entangling member having a symmetrical pattern of void areas. Baffle members disposed in the void areas are provided which include radiused curvatures and define apertures having a frusto-conical configuration. Dynamic forces in the fluid curtain impact the web in discrete and controlled patterns determined by the baffling members to enhance efficient energy transfer and web entanglement. Textile-like fabrics having a uniform, non-apertured, surface cover are obtained by coaction of fluid curtain and baffle structures.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for imparting visual surface effects to a relatively moving, thermally modifiable substrate by application of discrete streams of heated pressurized gas to surface areas of the substrate. The apparatus includes an elongate manifold assembly comprising two gas receiving compartments, each extending across the path of said substrate. Heated gas from the first compartment passes into the second compartment, which is comprised of a series of chambers with an elongate exit slot positioned closely adjacent the substrate surface. The gas is uniformly mixed within this second compartment, and may then be directed from the exit slot onto the substrate as a thin, continuous stream or curtain extending the length of the manifold.

Abstract: An apparatus and related process for entangling a fibrous web which employs columnar fluid jets to eject a continuous curtain of fluid in an entangling station. The web is advanced through an entangling station on a conveyor which supports an entangling member having a symmetrical pattern of void areas. Baffle members disposed in the void areas are provided which include radiused curvatures and define apertures having a frusto-conical configuration. Dynamic forces in the fluid curtain impact the web in discrete and controlled patterns determined by the baffling members to enhance efficient energy transfer and web entanglement. Textile-like fabrics having a uniform, non-apertured, surface cover are obtained by coaction of fluid curtain and baffle structures.

Abstract: An apparatus 10 and related process for enhancement of woven and knit fabrics through use of dynamic fluids which entangle and bloom fabric yarns. A two stage enhancement process is employed in which top and bottom sides of the fabric are respectively supported on members 22, 34 and impacted with a fluid curtain including high pressure jet streams. Controlled process energies and use of support members 22, 34 having open areas 26, 36 which are aligned in offset relation to the process line produces fabrics having a uniform finish and improved characteristics including, edge fray, drape, stability, abrasion resistance, fabric weight and thickness.

Abstract: The cross direction tensile strength of a carded web is increased by 30% to 50%, without a decrease in machine direction tensile strength, by realigning the fibers of the carded web at least partially in the cross direction. In the preferred embodiment, an air blower manifold is arranged above a scrambler roll onto which a carded web is transferred from a doffer roll at the output end of a conventional card. The air blower manifold has a plurality of louvers spaced across the width of the web in the cross direction for realigning the fibers in the cross direction. The increase in cross directional tensile strength is obtained in the resulting bonded, hydroentangled, and other nonwoven fabrics.

Abstract: An apparatus 10 and related process for enhancement of woven and knit fabrics through use of dynamic fluids which entangle and bloom fabric yarns. A two stage enhancement process is employed in which top and bottom sides of the fabric are respectively supported on members 22, 34 and impacted with a fluid curtain including high pressure jet streams. Controlled process energies and use of support members 22, 34 having open areas 26, 36 which are aligned in offset relation to the process line produces fabrics having a uniform finish and improved characteristics including, edge fray, drape, stability, abrasion resistance, fabric weight and thickness.

Abstract: An apparatus and related process for entangling a staple fibrous web which employs divergent fluid jets. The web is advanced through an entangling station on a conveying means which supports an entangling member having a symmetrical pattern of fluid pervious void areas. The divergent jet sprays which are disposed above the entangling member direct a continuous curtain of fluid onto the web, coacting with the entangling member to entangle web fibers into a coherent lattice structure. The divergent jet sprays are provided by nozzles having wide orifice diameters which accommodate less complex fluid recirculation and filtration systems than employed in prior art columnar jet processes.

Abstract: A nozzle for a tube comprising material to be expelled through the nozzle in a direction from the tube to an outlet at the end of the nozzle opposite the tube, the material being hardenable upon exposure to air and residual material at the tip of the nozzle forming a hardened plug, the nozzle comprising: a series of hollow members, the members having a first and second end wherein the first end has a first inner cross-sectional dimension and the second end has a second inner cross-sectional dimension, wherein the second dimension is at least as great as the first dimension, the first dimension being different for each member, wherein the member having the largest the first dimension is at one end of the nozzle and the member having the smallest dimension is at the other end of the nozzle, the members being positioned between the largest and the smallest dimensioned members in order of decreasing the dimensions in the direction of the material is to be expelled and, whereby the series forms a hollow vessel hav

Abstract: Novel CD-tearable non-woven fabrics having striations or other patternwise areas of substantially depthwise bonding of the fibers whereby the fabric is characterized as being tearable substantially evenly in the unbonded areas, the fabric further being characterized as having substantially greater tensile strength in the MD than is obtainable after manufacture of the fabric and prior to bonding.Preferably, patternwise bonded areas are provided by impregnating the fabric with a bonding agent.This invention further includes adhesive tape and other products employing the aforementioned non-woven fabrics.

Abstract: A stretchable textile-like fabric comprising at least one layer of nonwoven fibers hydroentangled into a diamond shaped structure so that a substantial number of fibers are oriented equally on all sides of the diamond. This fiber orientation results in a balanced fabric structure. Subsequent to entangling the fibers, they are compacted so as to arrange the fibers into a series of wave-like configurations. The combination of the diamond shape fabric structure and the wave-like configurations of the fibers permits multi-directional stretch in the fabric when tension is applied. Additionally, when the tension in the fabric is released, the inherent memory of the fibers causes the fabric to return to its original form without substantial permanent deformation.

Abstract: A blister bandage comprising at least one ply of an aerated latex microsized hydroentangled fabric, having an adhesive disposed on at least one surface of said fabric. The present invention has sufficient hydrophobicity in the fabric to be a barrier to liquid borne bacteria while preserving comfort, air permeability, and flexibility therein. In addition to the above properties, the bandage is sterilizable and will keep the skin beneath the bandage dry.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for pressurized fluid stream treatment of the surface of a relatively moving substrate to impart visual surface changes thereto, and resulting products. The apparatus includes a fluid discharge manifold comprising an elongate compartment with discharge slot disposed across the path of relative movement of the substrate to discharge pressurized heated fluid, such as air, in one or more narrow discrete streams into the surface of a substrate, such as a textile fabric. A plurality of spaced, cooler air outlets are disposed in the discharge slot of the manifold to selectively direct pressurized cooler air across the slot in accordance with pattern information to block the heated air streams. The slot of the discharge manifold also may be provided with an elongate shim member having a plurality of spaced notches along a side edge for discharge of the heated fluid onto the surface of the substrate to form a desired pattern.

Abstract: A wound dressing comprising at least one ply of an aerated latex microsized hydroentangled fabric, having an adhesive disposed on at least one surface of the fabric, and a nonwoven fibrous pad material centrally mounted thereon. The present invention has sufficient hydrophobicity in the fabric to be a barrier to liquid borne bacteria while preserving comfort, air permeability, and flexibility therein. In addition to the above properties, the dressing is sterilizable, and will keep the skin beneath the dressing dry.

Abstract: Method for pressurized fluid stream treatment of the surface of a relatively moving substrate to impart visual surface changes thereto. A fluid discharge manifold having an elongate discharge slot disposed across the path of relative movement of the substrate discharges pressurized fluid, such as air, in one or more narrow discrete streams into the surface of a substrate, such as a textile fabric. In one embodiment, a plurality of spaced air outlets are disposed in the discharge slot of the manifold and pressurized cooler air is selectively directed through the outlets and across the slot in accordance with pattern information to block heated air streams from exiting from the discharge slot in selected locations and thus pattern the surface of a substrate comprised of thermoplastic yarns. The slot of the discharge manifold also may be provided with an elongate shim member having a plurality of spaced notches in a side edge of the shim member.

Abstract: Improved apparatus for treatment of relatively moving substrate materials by precise selective application of discrete, high temperature pressurized streams of fluid against the surface of the materials to impart a visual change thereto. The apparatus includes an elongate manifold for receiving pressurized heated fluid, such as air, disposed across the width of the relatively moving material and having a plurality of spaced parallel fluid stream discharge channels for directing the fluid into the surface of the material. Pressurized cool fluid, such as air, is directed into selected manifold discharge channels to block selectively the passage of pressurized heated air therethrough.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for maintaining uniform temperature in a pressurized, heated fluid which is distributed from an elongate manifold in at least one pressurized stream. Associated with each of a plurality of inlet conduits is a separate heater unit and temperature sensing means, as well as an individual metering valve, for heating and adjusting the flow of pressurized fluid passing into the manifold. The individual metering valves are adjusted to balance the temperature of the heated fluid exiting from the inlet conduits into the manifold. A single temperature sensing device, located in the manifold, may then be used to adjust a uniform supply of power to all heater units, thereby maintaining a desired fluid temperature in the manifold.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing velvet having an appearance similar to that of a woven velvet wherein slubbed yarns are used in the weft. The apparatus includes a non-contact heater for heating the pile of a fabric which is then pressed against a cool pattern roll where it is cooled to permanently set the pattern into the pile.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for transferring heat between an advancing filamentary yarn and a fluid in which the yarn is passed through a vortex in the fluid substantially along or parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vortex.

Abstract: An apparatus 10 and related process for enhancement of woven and knit fabrics through use of dynamic fluids which entangle and bloom fabric yarns. A two stage enhancement process is employed in which top and bottom sides of the fabric are respectively supported on members 22, 34 and impacted with a fluid curtain including high pressure jet streams. Controlled process energies and use of support members 22, 34 having open areas 26, 36 which are aligned in offset relation to the process line produces fabrics having a uniform finish and improved characteristics including, edge fray, drape, stability, abrasion resistance, fabric weight and thickness.