Abstract: A high loft, low density, nonwoven fibrous web is provided comprising a plurality of irregularly arranged, intersecting, overlapping, mechanically interengaged, loosely assembled fibers including both thermoplastic synthetic wood pulp fibers and other fibers, segments of the thermoplastic synthetic wood pulp fibers being heat fused at a plurality of junctures with segments of other thermoplastic synthetic wood pulp fibers and with segments of fibers of other types, with additional binder distributed throughout the web.The web is prepared by air-laying a blend of thermoplastic synthetic wood pulp fibers and other fibers applying heat without pressure to the air-laid blend to fuse at least some of the thermoplastic synthetic wood pulp fibers to each other and to some of the other fibers to form a self-supporting fibrous web, introducing a latex binder into the web and drying and curing the binder.

Abstract: A disposable nursing pad is provided which comprises a flat but stretchable and conformable body constructed of a plurality of substantially coextensive layers and having a fibrous facing layer, an absorbent inner layer and a moisture-impervious backing layer. The coextensive layers may be constructed of compressively shrunk fabrics. The several layers of the pad are secured together at a plurality of circumferentially spaced zones by means of solidified, flexible strands of resin containing fibers therein, introduced by liquid stitching; or by sonically welding the layers of the pad together at the spaced zones.

Abstract: This disclosure includes descriptions of nonwoven fibrous webs including a minor amount of a binder securing the interfiber connections to maintain the fiber superstructure and having web densities less than about 0.02 gm./cm..sup.3 which has heretofore been considered about the lowest density attainable. The disclosure also includes a unique method of manufacturing such webs and contemplates the preferred use of an air laid web of fibers thoroughly impregnated with a fluid which includes a small amount of a permanent binder, preferably less than about 10% by weight of the fabric and a very substantial amount of a volatile liquid in the order of 100% by weight of the fabric. The volatile liquid explosively puffs the fibers into a gossamer web not attainable by conventional techniques and the small amount of binder secures the fiber interconnections together to maintain the superstructure.