Abstract: A flexible composite that can be set to become rigid or semi-rigid includes a first layer and a second layer opposing the first layer and separated from the first layer by a space. A fill material capable of setting to a rigid or semi-rigid solid is located in the space. A plurality of elements extend substantially into the space from the first layer and/or the second layer and which may pass through the opposing layer or join with other elements present in the space from an opposing layer, thereby forming linking elements for joining the layers together. The unset fill material is provided in the space at a pressure such that tension is applied one or more of the linking elements and to cause the first and/or second layers to bulge outwards relative to the longitudinal length of said one or more linking elements under tension.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a flexible composite that can be set to become rigid or semi-rigid, the composite comprising: a first layer; a second layer opposing the first layer and separated from the first layer by a space; a fill material located in the space between the first and second layers, which is capable of setting to a rigid or semi-rigid solid on the addition of a liquid, gas or radiation; a plurality of elements extending substantially into the space from the first layer and/or the second layer and which may pass through the opposing layer or join with other elements present in the space from an opposing layer, thereby forming linking elements for joining the layers together; and wherein the unset fill material is provided in the space at a pressure such that tension is applied one or more of the linking elements and to cause the first and/or second layers to bulge outwards relative to the longitudinal length of said one or more linking elements under tension.

Abstract: The application relates to a nonwoven composite containing a plurality of solid regions and a plurality of porous regions. The solid and porous regions form a repeating pattern on the surface of the composite. The solid regions contain a solid region nonwoven layer, an optional solid region polymer-fiber infused layer, and a solid region cap layer. The solid region nonwoven layer contains a plurality of first staple fibers and less than about 5% by volume of a first polymer. The solid region cap layer contains the first polymer and less than about 5% by volume of the first staple fibers. The porous regions contain a porous region nonwoven layer and a porous region polymer-fiber infused layer. The porous region nonwoven layer contains a plurality of the first staple fibers and less than about 5% by volume of a first polymer. The porous region polymer-fiber infused layer contains a plurality of pores.

Abstract: The invention relates to a liquid applied roofing membrane which contains a textile with a compatibility coating covering essentially all of the fibers of the textile forming a coated textile, a first membrane, and a second membrane. The textile contains a plurality of yarns, the yarns comprising a plurality of fibers. The compatibility coating has a weight of between about 0.5 and 10% of the weight of the textile and contains a first chemistry. The first membrane contains a second chemistry and is located on the first side of the textile, forms the lower surface of the roofing membrane, and covers at least a majority of the second side of the textile. The second membrane contains a third chemistry and is located on the second side of the textile. The first, second, and third chemistries comprise the same class of polymeric material.

Abstract: The invention relates to a liquid applied roofing membrane which contains a textile with a compatibility coating covering essentially all of the fibers of the textile forming a coated textile, a first membrane, and a second membrane. The textile contains a plurality of yarns, the yarns comprising a plurality of fibers. The compatibility coating has a weight of between about 0.5 and 10% of the weight of the textile and contains a first chemistry. The first membrane contains a second chemistry and is located on the first side of the textile, forms the lower surface of the roofing membrane, and covers at least a majority of the second side of the textile. The second membrane contains a third chemistry and is located on the second side of the textile. The first, second, and third chemistries comprise the same class of polymeric material.

Abstract: The application relates to a process for forming a nonwoven composite. The process includes forming a lofty nonwoven layer, obtaining a thermoplastic polymer, and applying the thermoplastic polymer to the second surface of the nonwoven layer, where the thermoplastic polymer is in the form of a molten polymer, semi-molten polymer, or solid film. Next, pressure and optionally heat is applied to the nonwoven layer and thermoplastic polymer, where the thermoplastic polymer and the second surface of the nonwoven layer are subjected to a textured surface forming a plurality of peak regions and a plurality of valley regions in the second surface of the nonwoven layer and embedding a portion of the primary fibers from the nonwoven layer into the thermoplastic polymer within the valley regions. The thermoplastic polymer is cooled forming a thermoplastic film and the nonwoven layer which together form the nonwoven composite.

Abstract: The application relates to a nonwoven composite containing a plurality of solid regions and a plurality of porous regions. The solid and porous regions form a repeating pattern on the surface of the composite. The solid regions contain a solid region nonwoven layer, an optional solid region polymer-fiber infused layer, and a solid region cap layer. The solid region nonwoven layer contains a plurality of first staple fibers and less than about 5% by volume of a first polymer. The solid region cap layer contains the first polymer and less than about 5% by volume of the first staple fibers. The porous regions contain a porous region nonwoven layer and a porous region polymer-fiber infused layer. The porous region nonwoven layer contains a plurality of the first staple fibers and less than about 5% by volume of a first polymer. The porous region polymer-fiber infused layer contains a plurality of pores.

Abstract: The application relates to a nonwoven composite containing a plurality of solid regions and a plurality of porous regions. The solid and porous regions form a repeating pattern on the surface of the composite. The solid regions contain a solid region nonwoven layer, an optional solid region polymer-fiber infused layer, and a solid region cap layer. The solid region nonwoven layer contains a plurality of first staple fibers and less than about 5% by volume of a first polymer. The solid region cap layer contains the first polymer and less than about 5% by volume of the first staple fibers. The porous regions contain a porous region nonwoven layer and a porous region polymer-fiber infused layer. The porous region nonwoven layer contains a plurality of the first staple fibers and less than about 5% by volume of a first polymer. The porous region polymer-fiber infused layer contains a plurality of pores.

Abstract: The application relates to a nonwoven composite containing a lofty nonwoven layer and a film. The lofty nonwoven layer contains a plurality of primary fibers and defines a plurality of peak regions and a plurality of valley regions. The film contains a thermoplastic polymer and has a peak film thickness in the peak regions of the layer. The film is present on at least a majority of the second surface of the nonwoven layer. Within the valley regions, the film encapsulates a plurality of fibers from the nonwoven layer. The cross-sectional area fraction of total fibers in the film within the valley regions is at least about 8% and the cross-sectional area fraction of total fibers in the film within the peak regions is less than about 5%.

Abstract: The application relates to a nonwoven composite containing a plurality of solid regions and a plurality of porous regions. The solid and porous regions form a repeating pattern on the surface of the composite. The solid regions contain a solid region nonwoven layer, an optional solid region polymer-fiber infused layer, and a solid region cap layer. The solid region nonwoven layer contains a plurality of first staple fibers and less than about 5% by volume of a first polymer. The solid region cap layer contains the first polymer and less than about 5% by volume of the first staple fibers. The porous regions contain a porous region nonwoven layer and a porous region polymer-fiber infused layer. The porous region nonwoven layer contains a plurality of the first staple fibers and less than about 5% by volume of a first polymer. The porous region polymer-fiber infused layer contains a plurality of pores.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a flexible composite that can be set to become rigid or semi-rigid, the composite comprising: a first layer; a second layer opposing the first layer and separated from the first layer by a space; a fill material located in the space between the first and second layers, which is capable of setting to a rigid or semi-rigid solid on the addition of a liquid, gas or radiation; a plurality of elements extending substantially into the space from the first layer and/or the second layer and which may pass through the opposing layer or join with other elements present in the space from an opposing layer, thereby forming linking elements for joining the layers together; and wherein the unset fill material is provided in the space at a pressure such that tension is applied one or more of the linking elements and to cause the first and/or second layers to bulge outwards relative to the longitudinal length of said one or more linking elements under tension.

Abstract: The application relates to a nonwoven composite containing a lofty nonwoven layer and a film. The lofty nonwoven layer contains a plurality of primary fibers and defines a plurality of peak regions and a plurality of valley regions. The film contains a thermoplastic polymer and has a peak film thickness in the peak regions of the layer. The film is present on at least a majority of the second surface of the nonwoven layer. Within the valley regions, the film encapsulates a plurality of fibers from the nonwoven layer. The cross-sectional area fraction of total fibers in the film within the valley regions is at least about 8% and the cross-sectional area fraction of total fibers in the film within the peak regions is less than about 5%.

Abstract: The application relates to a process for forming a nonwoven composite. The process includes forming a lofty nonwoven layer, obtaining a thermoplastic polymer, and applying the thermoplastic polymer to the second surface of the nonwoven layer, where the thermoplastic polymer is in the form of a molten polymer, semi-molten polymer, or solid film. Next, pressure and optionally heat is applied to the nonwoven layer and thermoplastic polymer, where the thermoplastic polymer and the second surface of the nonwoven layer are subjected to a textured surface forming a plurality of peak regions and a plurality of valley regions in the second surface of the nonwoven layer and embedding a portion of the primary fibers from the nonwoven layer into the thermoplastic polymer within the valley regions. The thermoplastic polymer is cooled forming a thermoplastic film and the nonwoven layer which together form the nonwoven composite.

Abstract: An improved, composite textile that can become rigid or semi-rigid by e.g., applying a liquid is provided. The composite can include a high loft non-woven layer having a first face and a second face and a midpoint between the first face and the second face. The high loft non-woven layer includes bulking fibers crossing the midpoint plane that form a tangential line at the midpoint plane that is at non-zero angle as set forth herein.

Abstract: An improved, composite textile that can become rigid or semi-rigid by e.g., applying a liquid is provided. The composite can include a high loft non-woven layer having bulking fibers and a binding material; a cured rigid or semi-rigid solid located in the high loft non-woven; a filter layer on a first face of the high loft non-woven layer; and a liquid barrier layer on a second face of the high loft non-woven layer. The liquid barrier layer may have a difference in in-plane stiffness as set forth herein. The distance between the first face and second face of the high loft non-woven layer may not vary by more than a certain localized distance across the high loft non-woven layer when the high loft non-woven layer is in a flat state or has a radius of curvature of not less than the thickness of the non-woven layer as set forth herein.

Abstract: A flexible textile or cloth is provided that can be hardened to a rigid or semi-rigid condition. The textile can incorporate reinforcement fibers to provide improved mechanical properties. The reinforcement fibers can be added in a various configurations without unnecessarily increasing the weight of the textile. Further, the textile can include at least one flap to facilitate readily joining the textile with another component such as another textile to create a composite construction.

Abstract: A flexible textile or cloth is provided that can be hardened to a rigid or semi-rigid condition. The textile can incorporate reinforcement fibers to provide improved mechanical properties. The reinforcement fibers can be added in a various configurations without unnecessarily increasing the weight of the textile. Further, the textile can include at least one flap to facilitate readily joining the textile with another component such as another textile to create a composite construction.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for treating textile substrates to obtain superior liquid repellent properties are disclosed. Durable microscopic surface structures imparted to the fibrous substrate allow liquids to bead up and roll off of its surface. Mechanical abrasion or sanding techniques may be used to create the microscopic surface structures on the surface of a fibrous textile substrate, without substantially breaking fibers, followed by a chemical treatment using, for example, fluorocarbon-containing repellent compositions. Particles may be employed in combination with repellent compositions to achieve superior repellent properties. A property of the roughened surface fibers, the Roughness Factor, is used to characterize the microscopic surface structures on the treated textile surface. Treated textile substrates are disclosed which achieve superior water and oil repellency, even after multiple abrasion or laundering cycles.

Abstract: A nanofiber nonwoven comprising a plurality of roped fiber bundles having a length axis. The roped fiber bundles comprise a plurality of nanofibers having a median diameter of less than one micrometer, where at least 50% by number of the nanofibers are oriented within 45 degrees of the length axis of the roped fiber bundles. The nanofibers within the same roped fiber bundle are entangled together. The roped fiber bundles are randomly oriented within the nanofiber nonwoven and are entangled with other roped fiber bundles within the nanofiber nonwoven.

Abstract: A consolidated nanofiber nonwoven comprising a plurality of roped fiber bundles having a length axis. The roped fiber bundles comprise a plurality of nanofibers having a median diameter of less than one micrometer, where at least 50% by number of the nanofibers are oriented within 45 degrees of the length axis of the roped fiber bundles. The nanofibers within the same roped fiber bundle are entangled together. The roped fiber bundles are randomly oriented within the nanofiber nonwoven and are entangled with other roped fiber bundles within the nanofiber nonwoven. At least a portion of the nanofibers are entangled with and adhered to other nanofibers within the same roped fiber bundle and at least a portion of the roped fiber bundles are entangled with and adhered to other roped fiber bundles within the consolidated nanofiber nonwoven.