Abstract: A durable launderable towel has a thermobonded core of thermoplastic and other fibers. The towel has at least one cover sheet which is preferably formed with apertures. The towel is also densified in a field pattern and is typically densified at the peripheral edge. Embossing is preferably used to form these densified areas. The combination of thermobonding the core, embossing and the use of apertured cover sheets results in a towel having the softness, drape and feed approaching that of cloth. By controlling the embossing on the wiping surfaces of the towel, a towel with surfaces having different wipe dry characteristics and textures can be produced.

Abstract: Pet pads contain insecticide and have at least one layer comprising a mixture of thermoplastic and other fibers. This latter layer may be thermobonded together and then densified along at least a section of the eventual peripheral edge margin of a pet pad to be formed from the material. By including insecticide in the mixture prior to thermobonding, the insecticide is fixed in the pad during thermobonding. Thermoplastic material-containing cover sheets may also be secured to the core and densified along the periphery of the pad. The entire eventual peripheral edge margin of the pet pad is typically densified. The densified edge acts as a partial liquid barrier and also helps retain the insecticide in the pad, especially if the insecticide is not fixed by thermobonding.

Abstract: Articles are formed of materials which have at least one layer comprising a mixture of thermoplastic and other fibers. This latter layer may be thermobonded together and then densified along at least a section of the eventual peripheral edge margin of an article to be formed from the material. Thermoplastic material containing cover sheets may also be secured to the core and densified in this manner. The entire eventual peripheral edge margin of the article is typically densified. The material is cut within the densified region or slightly outside the densified region to provide a soft peripheral edge. Absorbent materials may be thermobonded within the layer and surrounded by a densified edge to fix them within the article. The composite materials are used in manufacturing infant car seat liners and other articles. In addition, sections of the material may be densified and provided with weakened areas, such as perforations, to enable users to selectively separate the articles along the perforations.

Abstract: Materials have at least one layer comprising a mixture of thermoplastic and other fibers. This latter layer may be thermobonded together and then densified along at least a section of the eventual peripheral edge margin of an article to be formed from the material. Thermoplastic material-containing cover sheets may also be secured to the core and densified in this manner. The entire eventual peripheral edge margin of the article is typically densified. Fire retardant materials may be thermobonded within the layer to fix them within the article. The densified edge also helps to fix these materials in place. The composite materials are used in manufacturing infant car seat liners and other articles. Fire retardant films may be included as cover sheets for these materials. These films are typically bonded at every point of contact to an underlying core.

Abstract: Materials have at least one layer comprising a mixture of thermoplastic and other fibers. This latter layer may be thermobonded together and then densified along at least a section of the eventual peripheral edge margin of an article to be formed from the material. Thermoplastic material-containing cover sheets may also be secured to the core and densified in this manner. The entire eventual peripheral edge margin of the article is typically densified. The material is cut within the densified region or slightly outside the densified region to provide a soft peripheral edge. Absorbent materials may be thermobonded within the layer and surrounded by a densified edge to fix them within the article. The composite materials are used in manufacturing infant car seat liners and other articles. In addition, sections of the material may be densified and provided with weakened areas, such as perforations, to enable users to selectively separate the articles along the perforations.