Abstract: A process and device useful therein for hydraulically entangling the fibers in a fiber batt to form a fiber-entangled base sheet for a non-woven fabric, and a uniformly and lightly fiber-entangled, base sheet formed by the process. The process includes applying at least one liquid curtain against the fiber batt while it is supported on a moving, apertured backing screen. The liquid curtain is uniform in width throughout its length and substantially non-diverging as it is delivered from a source of liquid under a pressure sufficient to effect entanglement of the fibers in the batt. Preferably, the pressure is at least about 200 p.s.i.g., and the maximum divergence of the curtain is about 4 degrees. The device for applying the liquid curtain includes first and second members and means for securing the members together to form a chamber therebetween in which the liquid is contained and to form a slot in communication from the chamber to the exterior of the device.

Abstract: A process and device useful therein for hydraulically entangling the fibers in a fiber batt to form a non-woven fabric. The process includes applying at least one liquid curtain against the fiber batt while it is supported on a moving, apertured backing screen. The liquid curtain is uniform in width throughout its length and substantially non-diverging as it is delivered from a source of liquid under a pressure sufficient to effect entanglement of the fibers in the batt. Preferably, the pressure is at least about 200 p.s.i.g. and the maximum divergence of the curtain is about 4 degrees. The device for applying the liquid curtain includes first and second members and means for securing the members together to form a chamber therebetween in which the liquid is contained and to form a slot in communication from the chamber to the exterior of the device. The slot has a substantially uniform width along its length and preferably also a uniform depth.