Abstract: A process for bonding at least two substrates with a hotmelt adhesive using microwave energy is provided. The process includes applying a microwave-activatable primer to a least one of the substrates and applying a hotmelt adhesive to a least one of the substrates. The method also includes pressing the substrates together so that the microwave-activatable primer and the hot melt adhesive are between the substrates, and exposing at least the microwave-activatable primer to microwaves to heat the hotmelt adhesive. The present invention also provides a process for spraying a hot melt adhesive onto a substrate where the hot melt adhesive includes nanoparticles having ferromagnetic, ferrimagnetic, superparamagnetic or piezoelectric properties.

Abstract: Staple fibers made from crimped, in particular compression crimped, multicomponent filaments of the matrix/segment type, the cross section of which shows, in addition to the matrix, at least 6 peripheral wedge-shaped or lenticular segments, not completely covered by the matrix, are processed into a web, which is then mechanically bonded, preferably by needling. Subsequently, the fabric is subjected to a shrinkage process, by which its density is increased by more than 30%, themulticomponent fibers being completely or partly split up into their components. The difference in shrinkage between the components should be at least 10%. The liquids used for the shrinkage treatment are in particular organic liquids, such as methylene chloride, as well as other liquids producing a difference in shrinkage of at least 20%.

Abstract: A new and useful hydrophilic polyester fiber and process of making same are disclosed; the fiber has a stable pore system exhibiting a moisture pickup (regain) of at least about 2 percent by weight at 40.degree. C. and a relative humidity of 92%. Our experiments indicate that the proportion of moisture regain is attributable to capillary condensation in an amount of at least 25%. The hydrophilic properties are the result of a certain pore system within the fiber which enables capilliary condensation to occur significantly. The invention describes one way to accomplish this, namely by the addition of a predetermined amount of a suitable oxalato-complex to a suitable polyester mass. Most preferably, about 10% by weight K.sub.3 Al(C.sub.2 O.sub.4).sub.3 is added to the polyester mass.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for the separation of mixtures of liquids insoluble in each other, e.g., water and oil, where the mixture of liquids is brought into contact, from one side, with a fabric allowing only one of the liquids to pass so that the liquids can be collected separately.

Abstract: Fiber structures such as staple fibers, filaments, yarns as well as textile sheet structures such as woven or knitted fabrics as well as non-woven fabrics and the like made from multicomponent fibers of the matrix-segment type having in their cross sections a plurality of segments arranged peripherally without being fully surrounded by the matrix and being composed of polyalkylene terephthalate and copolyamides based on .epsilon.-caprolactam and hexamethylene diamine/adipic acid salt, are split by treatment with liquid or vaporous water. The difference in shrinkage between copolyamide and polyalkylene terephthalate in water is temporarily at least 10%. Corresponding short-staple fibers are particularly well suited for making wet-laid non-woven fabrics. The water used for treatment of the fiber structures may contain inorganic salts.

Abstract: Fibrillatable multicomponent fibers of the matrix segment type and a process for production of fiber structures by splitting shrinkable, basically unset, multi-component fibers consisting of at least two incompatible components which in the fiber cross section are arranged in the form of a matrix and several segments, the latter accounting for about 20% to 80% of the total cross section. After having been processed into fiber structures such as staple fibers, yarns or fabrics, the multicomponent fibers are treated with a liquid or gaseous organic solvent, particularly chlorinated lower alkanes, to partially or completely split the segment filaments from the matrix component. Useful solvents are those which will reduce the zero-shrinkage temperature of the matrix or the segment polymer by at least 160.degree. C. and in which the polymer components constituting the fiber show different shrinkage behavior. Splitting may be further enhanced by the application of mechanical agitation, e.g. by ultrasonic waves.

Abstract: Staple fibers made from crimped, in particular compression crimped, multicomponent filaments of the matrix/segment type, the cross section of which shows, in addition to the matrix, at least 6 peripheral wedge-shaped or lenticular segments, not completely covered by the matrix, are processed into a web, which is then mechanically bonded, preferably by needling. Subsequently, the fabric is subjected to a shrinkage process, by which its density is increased by more than 30%, the multicomponent fibers being completely or partly split up into their components. The difference in shrinkage between the components should be at least 10%. The liquids used for the shrinkage treatment are in particular organic liquids, such as methylene chloride, as well as other liquids producing a difference in shrinkage of at least 20%.

Abstract: A new and useful hydrophilic polyester fiber and process of making same are disclosed; the fiber has a stable pore system exhibiting a moisture pickup (regain) of at least about 2 percent by weight at 40.degree. C. and a relative humidity of 92%. Our experiments indicate that the proportion of moisture regain is attributable to capillary condensation in an amount of at least 25%. The hydrophilic properties are the result of a certain pore system within the fiber which enables capilliary condensation to occur significantly. The invention describes one way to accomplish this, namely by the addition of a predetermined amount of a suitable oxalato-complex to a suitable polyester mass. Most preferably, about 10% by weight K.sub.3 Al(C.sub.2 O.sub.4).sub.3 is added to the polyester mass.

Abstract: Fibrillatable multicomponent fibers of the matrix segment type and a process for production of fiber structures by splitting shrinkable, basically unset, multi-component fibers consisting of at least two incompatible components which in the fiber cross section are arranged in the form of a matrix and several segments, the latter accounting for about 20% to 80% of the total cross section. After having been processed into fiber structures such as staple fibers, yarns or fabrics, the multicomponent fibers are treated with a liquid or gaseous organic solvent, particularly chlorinated lower alkanes, to partially or completely split the segment filaments from the matrix component. Useful solvents are those which will reduce the zero-shrinkage temperature of the matrix or the segment polymer by at least 160.degree. C. and in which the polymer components constituting the fiber show different shrinkage behaviour. Splitting may be further enhanced by the application of mechanical agitation, e.g. by ultrasonic waves.

Abstract: A tubular device for separating liquid-liquid systems, said device having at least one slot covered with a sheet structure permeable to only one of the liquids, a collecting means for the separated liquid and means for reinforcing the tubular device to prevent compression or collapse thereof.