Abstract: Nonwoven fabrics are provided that include a plurality of crimped bicomponent fibers having a first component comprising a first polymeric material comprising a first polymer or a first polymeric blend and a second component comprising a second polymeric material, in which the second polymeric material comprises a second polymeric blend of (i) at least one polypropylene polymer, (ii) at least one polyethylene polymer, and (iii) at least one compatibilizer comprising or consisting of at least one polypropylene-polyethylene copolymer.

Abstract: Acquisition-distribution-layers (ADL) comprising a hydroentangled composite are provided. The hydroentangled composite includes (a) a first outer layer including a first plurality of synthetic fibers, (b) a second outer layer including a second plurality of synthetic fibers, and (c) at least one core layer including cellulose fibers comprising natural cellulose fibers, synthetic cellulose fibers, or a combination thereof, in which the at least one core layer is located directly or indirectly between the first outer layer and the second outer layer. The first plurality of synthetic fibers, the second plurality of synthetic fibers, and the cellulose fibers are physically entangled together. The hydroentangled composite further comprises a three-dimensional topography defined by a first outermost surface of the hydroentangled composite, in which the three-dimensional topography includes a plurality raised portions and a plurality of recessed portions.

Abstract: Absorbent composites suitable for a wide variety of uses (e.g., sorbent drapes, sorbent patches around a fenestration area, tray liners for surgical tools, incontinence pads and liners, other liners, etc.) are provided. The composite includes an absorbent nonwoven. The absorbent nonwoven may comprise a hydroentangled spunbond web. The composite also may comprise a liquid-impermeable film. One or more absorbent nonwovens of a composite may additionally comprise a three-dimensional pattern, for example, a three-dimensional pattern that has been imaged using hydroentanglement. Optionally, any one or more layers of the composites may comprise an antimicrobial additive.

Abstract: A process for forming a nonwoven fabric is provided. The process includes depositing at least a first nonwoven layer comprising a first plurality of interlaid individual meltspun fibers, which may comprise a plurality of monocomponent fibers having different onset of melting temperatures, bicomponent fibers having distinct fiber components having different onset of melting temperatures, and/or a plurality of different bicomponent fibers having one or more distinct components having different onset of melting temperatures, directly or indirectly onto a moving collection belt to form a precursor nonwoven. The process includes subjecting the precursor nonwoven web to a heat-setting operation (HSO) to heat-set the first plurality of interlaid individual meltspun fibers to form an intermediate nonwoven fabric, followed by consolidating the intermediate nonwoven fabric to provide that nonwoven fabric.

Abstract: A nonwoven fabrics and composite nonwoven fabrics having a three-dimensional (3D) image imparted therein are provided. The nonwoven fabrics and composite nonwoven fabrics include a plurality of meltblown fibers physically entangled together either alone or in combination with a plurality of cellulosic fibers, and/or a plurality of spunbond fibers.

Abstract: Nonwoven fabrics are provided that include a first nonwoven layer comprising a first plurality of fine fibers. The first plurality of fine fibers comprises a first polymeric material including (i) a first polymer component and (ii) optionally one or more first additives, wherein the first polymer component comprises a first recycled-polypropylene (rPP) comprising a visbroken spunbond grade polypropylene having a first melt flow rate (MFR) before visbreaking and second MFR after visbreaking, and wherein the second MFR is larger than the first MFR.

Abstract: A fabric suitable as an alcohol repellent fabric is provided. The fabric includes a fibrous substrate including a first outermost surface and a second outermost surface, in which a non-fluorinated barrier coating (NFBC) or a fluorinated barrier coating (FBC) is located on at least a portion of a first outermost surface of the fabric, at least a portion of a second outermost surface of the fabric, or both.

Abstract: Nonwoven fabrics having liquid barrier properties are provided. The nonwoven fabrics may include one or more nonwoven layers, in which one or more of the nonwoven layers may include a liquid-barrier-enhancing-additive (LBEA) comprising an amide. The nonwoven fabrics may be suitable for use in a wide variety of liquid barrier applications, including facemasks, surgical gowns, surgical drapes, lab coats, and barrier components of absorbent articles (e.g., barrier leg cuffs).

Abstract: A spinneret for melt-spinning polymeric fibers including a spinneret body defining a plurality of orifices extending through the spinneret body, wherein the plurality of orifices each comprise a capillary that open at a face of the spinneret body for polymer filament extrusion therefrom. The plurality of orifices include (i) a first group of orifices each having a first capillary having a first capillary length (L) and first capillary hydraulic diameter (DH) defining a first L/DH ratio; and (ii) a second group of orifices each having a second capillary having a second capillary length (L) and second capillary hydraulic diameter (DH) defining a second L/DH ratio, in which the first L/DH ratio is larger than the second L/DH ratio. The first group of orifices define at least one first zone at the face of the spinneret body, and the second group of orifices define at least one second zone at the face of the spinneret body.

Abstract: Nonwoven fabrics having desirable wiping properties while also providing pleasant tactile properties are provided. The nonwoven fabrics may include a first nonwoven outer layer, a second nonwoven outer layer, and a core layer located between the first nonwoven layer and the second nonwoven outer layer. At least one of the first nonwoven outer layer and the second nonwoven outer layer may include a plurality of blended filaments comprising a blend of a polymer and an elastomeric polyolefin.

Abstract: Nonwoven fabrics including a first spunmelt through-air-bonded (TAB) nonwoven layer comprising a first plurality of spunmelt fibers, in which the first plurality of spunmelt fibers comprise a biopolymer. The first plurality of spunmelt fibers may be physically entangled with cellulosic fibers, such by hydroentangling. Methods of forming a nonwoven fabric including a first spunmelt TAB nonwoven layer are also provided.

Abstract: Nonwoven fabrics having desirable wiping properties while also providing pleasant tactile properties are provided. The nonwoven fabrics may include a first nonwoven outer layer, a second nonwoven outer layer, and a core layer located between the first nonwoven layer and the second nonwoven outer layer. At least one of the first nonwoven outer layer and the second nonwoven outer layer may include a plurality of blended filaments comprising a blend of a polymer and an elastomeric polyolefin.

Abstract: A spinneret for melt-spinning polymeric fibers including a spinneret body including a plurality of spinning orifices formed through a thickness of spinneret body is provided. The plurality of spinning orifices include (i) a plurality of multicomponent spinning orifices comprising a first multicomponent opening and a separate second multicomponent opening, and (ii) a plurality of monocomponent spinning orifices comprising a single monocomponent opening. Nonwoven fabrics having regions of monocomponent and multicomponent fibers are provided as well as methods of forming such nonwoven fabrics utilizing a zoned-spinneret.

Abstract: Nonwoven fabrics having liquid barrier properties are provided. The nonwoven fabrics may include one or more nonwoven layers, in which one or more of the nonwoven layers may include a liquid-barrier-enhancing-additive (LBEA) comprising an amide. The nonwoven fabrics may be suitable for use in a wide variety of liquid barrier applications, including facemasks, surgical gowns, surgical drapes, lab coats, and barrier components of absorbent articles (e.g., barrier leg cuffs).

Abstract: Nonwoven fabrics including a first spunmelt through-air-bonded (TAB) nonwoven layer comprising a first plurality of spunmelt fibers, in which the first plurality of spunmelt fibers comprise a biopolymer. The first plurality of spunmelt fibers may be physically entangled with cellulosic fibers, such by hydroentangling. Methods of forming a nonwoven fabric including a first spunmelt TAB nonwoven layer are also provided.

Abstract: Self-crimped multi-component fibers (SMF) are provided that include (i) a first component comprising a first polymeric material, in which the first polymeric material comprises a first melt flow rate (MFR) that is less than 50 g/10 min; and (ii) a second component comprising a second polymeric material, in which the second component is different than the first component. The SMF includes one or more three-dimensional crimped portions. Also provided are nonwoven fabrics comprising a plurality of SMFs. Methods of manufacturing SMFs and nonwoven fabrics including SMFs are also provided.

Abstract: Self-crimped multi-component fibers (SMF) are provided that include (i) a first component comprising a first polymeric material, in which the first polymeric material comprises a first melt flow rate (MFR) that is less than 50 g/10 min; and (ii) a second component comprising a second polymeric material, in which the second component is different than the first component. The SMF includes one or more three-dimensional crimped portions. Also provided are nonwoven fabrics comprising a plurality of SMFs. Methods of manufacturing SMFs and nonwoven fabrics including SMFs are also provided.

Abstract: Nonwoven fabrics are provided that include a plurality of crimped bicomponent fibers having a first component comprising a first polymeric material comprising a first polymer or a first polymeric blend and a second component comprising a second polymeric material, in which the second polymeric material comprises a second polymeric blend of (i) at least one polypropylene polymer, (ii) at least one polyethylene polymer, and (iii) at least one compatibilizer comprising or consisting of at least one polypropylene-polyethylene copolymer.

Abstract: Multi-component fibers or filaments that are ribbon shaped are provided having polymer components positioned in a side-by-side fashion. For example, the multi-component fibers may be bicomponent fibers having ribbon shape. The polymer components of the fibers are selected to have differential shrinkage behavior. Nonwovens are also provided that are manufactured from such ribbon shaped multi-component fibers or filaments.

Abstract: Nonwoven fabrics are provided that include a plurality of mono-component spunbond fibers comprising a polymeric material including a polymeric blend of (i) a TS7 value of at most about 30 as determined by a Tissue Softness Analyzer (TSA) from Emtec Innovative Testing Solutions; (ii) a HF value of at least about 40 as determined by a Tissue Softness Analyzer (TSA) from Emtec Innovative Testing Solutions; (iii) a delta value of at least 20, wherein the delta value is determined by subtracting the TS7 value from the HF value; (iv) a TS7 value that is from about 5% to about 35% lower than that of an identically constructed nonwoven fabric formed from 100% polypropylene; and (v) a HF value that is from about 5% to about 35% larger than that of an identically constructed nonwoven fabric formed from 100% polypropylene.