Abstract: Corrugating apparatus that includes paddles and an ultrasonic welding device. The paddles are attached at one end to a transport that moves about a path. The paddles extend radially from the transport, and each paddle has a free end that is capable of supporting a web as the paddles move about the path. The free ends of the paddles are able to move towards each other to cause the web to corrugate. The ultrasonic welding device is located downstream to where the paddles' free ends move towards each other. The ultrasonic welding device has a horn and an anvil, and the anvil includes the free ends of the paddles.

Abstract: Apparel having thermal insulation containing a corrugated nonwoven web and a means for retaining the shape of a corrugated web. The shape-retaining means is not coextensive with the corrugated nonwoven web and is secured to the valleys of the corrugations. The corrugated nonwoven web has a solidity of 0.1 or less and contains microfiber and crimped staple fibers that have a percent crimp of at least 15 percent.

Abstract: A composite structure contains a lofty corrugated nonwoven web of polymeric microfiber that is maintained in a corrugated condition by securing a fabric to the corrugated web at the valleys of the corrugations. The composite structure is made without substantially effecting web loft by (i) introducing the nonwoven web to the ends of a plurality of spaced paddles, (ii) causing the spacing between the ends of the paddles to decrease to corrugate the nonwoven web, and (iii) securing the fabric to the corrugated nonwoven web at the valleys of the corrugations. A composite structure of this construction made by this method provides very good filtration performance, making it particularly suitable for use as a filter in a cup-shaped face mask. The composite structure also is very suitable for use as thermal insulation in apparel.

Abstract: Thermal insulation contains a corrugated nonwoven web and a means for retaining the shape of a corrugated web. The shape-retaining means is not coextensive with the corrugated nonwoven web and is secured to the valleys of the corrugations. The corrugated nonwoven web has a solidity of 0.1 or less and contains microfiber and crimped staple fibers that have a percent crimp of at least 15 percent.

Abstract: Disclosed is a lanate composite elastic material made by a method including the steps of applying a tensioning force to elongate at least one pressure sensitive elastomer adhesive sheet; inserting substantially individualized fibrous materials into the elastic sheet by mechanical needling the elastomer sheet while it is maintained in an elongated condition; and releasing the tensioning force so the attached fibrous materials are positioned closer together by the recovery of the elastic sheet. The resulting lanate composite elastic material has stretch and recovery properties, bulk, and desirable insulation properties. One or more layers of the lanate composite material may be combined with other layers of material to create a multi-layer structure.

Abstract: A method of making a corrugated nonwoven web of polymeric microfiber, which method comprises:(a) introducing a nonwoven web of polymeric microfiber having a solidity of 0.1 or less into a corrugating apparatus that has a plurality of paddles secured at a first end to a means for moving the paddles about a path, the nonwoven web of polymeric microfiber making contact with spaced second ends of the paddles opposite to the paddles' first ends; and(b) reducing the spacing between the second ends of the paddles to cause the nonwoven web of polymeric microfiber to become corrugated, wherein the corrugated nonwoven web of polymeric microfiber has a solidity of 0.1 or less.

Abstract: A pad of bank checks in which the check pad comprises multiple logos containing advertising coupons which are designed to be perforated for easy removal, and a series of bank checks each with a rotating advertising logo and/or slogan matching the sequential representation of the coupons.

Abstract: A stitchboard material including an elastomeric nonwoven fibrous web, e.g., an elastomeric web of meltblown fibers, and method of forming the material, is disclosed. The material, including the elastomeric web, is stretchable and has breathability, and avoids holes through the material at the location where the stitches pass through the material. The elastomeric web can be used in combination with elongatable or gatherable webs of fibrous material to provide stitchbonded stretchable composite fabrics having desired stretch and surface characteristics, and breathability, useful as fabric for wearing apparel (e.g., stretch corduroy) or other textile uses such as draperies and other home furnishings.