Abstract: The invention relates to a structured textile material made of at least two different, needled base nonwoven fabrics. The base nonwoven fabrics have a structure obtained by needling from at least one side. The needles used for the structure needling are fork needles or crown needles, and the depth of the forks and barbs, respectively, is so selected that, when piercing through, they completely fill up with fibers of the base nonwoven fabric facing the needles. The textile material have unmixed, pure fibers in the pattern, in the background and on the reverse side.

Abstract: A winding device (10) for use in the simultaneous formation and attachment of a loop (11) to an apertured implantable device (12), in which the loop is formed from a loosely structured fiber bundle of twisted yarn, and the device (12) has first and second apertures (13, 14) through which the loop can be taken, and comprising: withdrawing a leading end of yarn from a yarn supply (15, 18, 21) and feeding the leading end through the first aperture (13) in one direction, and through the second aperture (14) in an opposite direction; taking the leading end of yarn away from the device (12) and along a guide path formed by rotatable capstans (16) so as to form a basic loop; withdrawing further yarn from the supply simultaneously with applying movement of the basic loop along the guide path so as to apply successive loop turns to the basic loop and therefore from a progressively increasing loop core; and applying relative twists between the loop core and each successive loop turn so as to form a cohesive looped fibe

Abstract: A dustproof fabric for use in manufacturing a smock to be worn in a clean room of a semiconductor fabrication facility includes an inner layer of a knitted fabric, an intermediate layer attached to the inner layer and formed of a non-micro porous polyurethane resin film possessing a high degree of moisture absorbency, and an outer layer attached to the intermediate layer and formed of a high density polyester woven fabric containing conductive yarn in the warp and weft.

Abstract: A spunbond web formation apparatus includes a spinneret (1) of a spin pack (2) that extrudes an array of fibers (5) that are drawn into an aspirator (6). The attenuated fibers (8) discharged from aspirator (6) are deflected sideways by a Coanda device (7) that entrains the exiting air stream along with the fibers. The fibers are deposited on a vertically moving belt (9) and subsequently bonded by calender rolls (20, 21) to form a non-woven spunbond web. The spinning distance L is adjusted by vertically moving the aspirator (6), while the laydown distance M is adjusted by horizontally moving the belt (9) or aspirator (6) or by adjusting the size of the Coanda device (7). Deflection of the fibers exiting the aspirator permits the spinning distance L to be adjusted independently of the laydown distance M, without having to move the spin beam or adjust the height of the web-forming belt.

Abstract: A method for producing a material having z-direction ridges or folds in which a layer of continuous fibers is conveyed on a first moving surface into a nip formed by the first moving surface and a second moving surface which is traveling at a slower speed than the first moving surface, resulting in formation of a plurality of z-direction loops in the fibers giving loft to the material and a wave pattern producing ridges on both major surfaces of the resultant nonwoven web. The method permits easy real time adjustment of manufacturing parameters to produce a variety of materials. The method further produces lofty nonwovens at a commercially viable rate.

Abstract: To make an annular fiber structure, a strip-shaped fabric (50), is used which is made up of two superposed unidirectional sheets, with the directions of the sheets forming opposite angles relative to the longitudinal direction of the strip, the two sheets being bonded together so as to form deformable elementary meshes, the fabric being wound while being deformed so as to transform it into a flat helix, the elementary meshes deforming in such a manner that variation in mass per unit area between the inside and outside diameters of the turns remains small, and the flat turns are pressed against one another.

Abstract: Disclosed is fiber-reinforced thermoplastic resin pellets that satisfy the quality stability (homogeneous impregnation, deterioration prevention of reinforcing fiber) of the molding material and the strength performance of the molded product, using natural discontinuous fiber as the reinforcing fiber, and a manufacturing method of the pellets. A plurality of spun yarns with No. 5 to 80 counts are twisted 10 to 200 turns/m and pultruded when fiber-reinforced thermoplastic pellets containing natural fiber as the reinforcing fiber are manufactured by the impregnating pultrusion method.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a method of manufacturing a two-thread yarn having a certain degree of elasticity for use on the weaving industry and to an apparatus for carrying out the method. The method comprises the steps of providing at least one elastic yarn and at least one support yarn as a paired couple; applying a water-soluble thermosetting adhesive substance to said elastic yarn and support yarn paired as a couple; fastening said adhesive-coated elastic yarn and support yarn paired as a couple to each other to form a two-thread yarn; and simultaneously stretching, heating and setting said two-thread yarn comprising said elastic yarn and said support yarn paired as a couple.

Abstract: A hydroentangled nonwoven fabric exhibiting cross-direction extensibility and recovery comprises a nonwoven web of staple length fibers of about 0.8 to 3.0 denier having a basis weight of about 1.0 to 4.0 ounces per square yard. A polymeric binder composition substantially uniformly applied to the nonwoven web imparts desired elasticity to the web, with the fabric exhibiting at least about 50% extensibility in a cross-direction thereof, and at least about 90% recovery in a cross-direction. The nonwoven web may comprise synthetic fibers, natural fibers, and blends thereof, as well as continuous filaments. Patterned hydroentanglement of the web acts to entangle the fibers to provide the fabric with desired performance characteristics. A method of making the nonwoven fabric is disclosed. The nonwoven fabric is particularly suited for use in a mattress pad assembly, as also disclosed herein.

Abstract: The invention relates to a structured textile material made of at least two different, needled base nonwoven fabrics. The base nonwoven fabrics have a structure obtained by needling from at least one side. The needles used for the structure needling are fork needles or crown needles, and the depth of the forks and barbs, respectively, is so selected that, when piercing through, they completely fill up with fibers of the base nonwoven fabric facing the needles. The textile material have unmixed, pure fibers in the pattern, in the background and on the reverse side.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a sock having anti-microbial properties including the steps of providing a quality of a thermoplastic resin including an anti-microbial agent admixture having a predetermined microbial inhibition characteristic; blending the thermoplastic resin with a polyethylene resin to form an anti-microbial feedstock; forming the anti-microbial feedstock into relatively long, narrow, thin lengths of anti-microbial members; and knitting the anti-microbial members into an anti-microbial sock having predetermined microbial inhibition characteristics.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for producing a carded and air-laid non-woven composite fabric. First, a fiber is subjected to carding treatment through a carding machine to form a carded web. Then, a fiber, powder, or particulate material is subjected to air-laying through an air-laying device to form an air-laid web. The sequence of carding and air-laying steps can be exchanged, and the carding machine and the air-laying device are disposed on the same production line. Finally, the above webs are consolidated into a non-woven composite fabric. In the present invention, since carding and air-laying are conducted on the same production line, the procedure for producing air-laid webs off-line can be omitted. Therefore, the thermoplastic polymer amount added to increase the web strength can be decreased, thus decreasing the production cost.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a pipe liner bag which is composed of a tubular resin absorbent material having an outer surface covered with a highly air-tight plastic film and a hardenable resin impregnated in the tubular resin absorbent material. The method involves folding a strip-shaped resin absorbent material and aligning both ends thereof in the width direction, straight sewing overlapped portions to form a tubular resin absorbent material while leaving a sewing margin, turning the tubular resin absorbent material inside out such that a previous inner surface thereof appears outside, and welding or adhering a plastic film entirely or partially on the outer surface of the tubular resin absorbent material to air-tight seal the outer surface. The method can reduce a time required for a joining operation and simplifying a sealing operation after both ends of the strip-shaped resin absorbent material have been joined.

Abstract: A fiber preform is made from a fiber block by forming at least one cut in the block, so as to make a gap between two portions of the preform corresponding to segments of a spring that is to be made, and the preform is densified by a material for constituting the matrix of the thermostructural composite material. The gap between two portions of the preform is provided either by removing material, preferably after the preform has been consolidated, or else by forming a slot and then spacing apart the lips of the slot and holding the preform in the spaced-apart state.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a shoe lining having anti-microbial properties having the steps of: providing a quantity of a thermoplastic resin including an inorganic zinc-based anti-microbial agent admixture having a predetermined microbial inhibition characteristic; blending the thermoplastic resin with a polyethylene resin to form an anti-microbial feedstock; forming the anti-microbial feedstock into relatively long, narrow, thin lengths of anti-microbial members; weaving the anti-microbial members into an anti-microbial fabric having predetermined microbial inhibition characteristics; cutting the anti-microbial fabric into a plurality of pieces in accordance with a predetermined pattern; and joining the pieces of anti-microbial fabric together thereby constructing the anti-microbial shoe lining. A sock liner may be knitted from anti-microbial members as noted above.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of making an abrading sheet material comprising knitting a ground structure comprising a shrinkable polyolefin yarn with laid-in looped threads of a material which is preferably harder than that or those of the ground structure, such that the loop threads are raised from a surface of the ground structure, and shrinking the shrinkable yarn of the ground structure to grip the looped threads to lock the loops in place in the ground structure.

Abstract: A female fabric for use in a hook and loop connecting arrangement in which a plurality of spaced substantially parallel yarns having loops projecting from and integral therewith are held in spaced relationship by a suitable adhesive material.

Abstract: A three-dimensional fiber structure is formed by superposing layers of felt and by bonding them together by needling, then the structure is compressed to obtain a preform having a fiber volume fraction of not less than 20%. The preform is held in its compressed state by being impregnated with a liquid composition containing a bonding agent capable of bonding the fibers of the preform together. Thereafter, the preform consolidated in this way is densified, e.g. by chemical vapor infiltration.

Abstract: A multilayer material suitable for use as a cover or topsheet for personal care absorbent articles such as diapers, sanitary pads, adult incontinence garments, training pants and the like having a top layer and a bottom, where the top layer forms a plurality of apertures and contacts the bottom layer in land areas disposed between the apertures. The bottom layer has a permeability substantially equivalent to, or higher than, the top layer.

Abstract: To provide various members such as filter cloth for dust collection which assures small pressure loss and easy shaking down of dust particles and is excellent in friction property and mechanical strength, sliding member excellent in sliding property, water repellent member excellent in water repellency, non-sticking member excellent in non-sticking property and member for supplying mold releasing agent in electrophotographic apparatuses which is excellent in air permeability, heat resistance and oil resistance, and provide a multilayered felt used therefor and a process for producing the multilayered felt. The multilayered felt is obtained by placing a layer of a web comprising polytetrafluoroethylene staple fibers on at least one surface of a felt and then joining the polytetrafluoroethylene staple fibers and fibers which form the felt by intermingling through water jet needling and/or needle punching.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a shoe lining having anti-microbial properties having the steps of: providing a quantity of a thermoplastic resin including an inorganic zinc-based anti-microbial agent admixture having a predetermined microbial inhibition characteristic; blending the thermoplastic resin with a polyethylene resin to form an anti-microbial feedstock; forming the anti-microbial feedstock into relatively long, narrow, thin lengths of anti-microbial members; weaving the anti-microbial members into an anti-microbial fabric having predetermined microbial inhibition characteristics; cutting the anti-microbial fabric into a plurality of pieces in accordance with a predetermined pattern; and joining the pieces of anti-microbial fabric together thereby constructing the anti-microbial shoe lining.A sock liner may be knitted from anti-microbial members as noted above.

Abstract: A band element for mounting in the crown portion of a pneumatic tire to provide run flat ability to the tire in the event of loss of air pressure and to provide increased puncture resistance is formed of flat strips of tape having fibers embedded in a resin matrix which in one embodiment are twisted and then pultruded to provide a rectangular cross sectional configuration. The twisted tape is wrapped about a mandrel and forms either the only layer, or the intermediate layer of a composite band in combination with inner and outer layers of flat tape or wound filament fibers, whereby the fibers in the tape extend across the central axis of the band to reduce interlaminar sheer. In another embodiment, a plurality of dimples or depressions are formed in the individual tape layers to extend a plurality of the fibers across the layer boundaries to reduce interlaminar sheer.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a sock having anti-microbial properties including the steps of providing a quantity of a thermoplastic resin including an anti-microbial agent admixture having a predetermined microbial inhibition characteristic; blending the thermoplastic resin with a polyethylene resin to form an anti-microbial feedstock; forming the anti-microbial feedstock into relatively long, narrow, thin lengths of anti-microbial members; and knitting the anti-microbial members into an anti-microbial sock having predetermined microbial inhibition characteristics.

Abstract: A marker pen including an improved nib. The nib has an elongated body portion and an integral tip portion. The nib is constructed of a needled nonwoven material preferably impregnated with a thermoset resin, such as melamine. The nib member may have a specific gravity generally falling within a range of 0.34 through 0.80, with a specific gravity of 0.38 being preferred in one construction. The needled nonwoven material preferably contains needle tracks characteristic of inefficient needling. A method of producing the improved nib member is also disclosed.

Abstract: An elastic laminate structure is provided which is formed from at least one fabric layer and an open cell mesh having first and second strands. The laminate structure is formed such that the first strands are integrally bonded to the first fabric layer. The integrally bonded first strands both penetrate the first fabric layer and bond mechanically and/or chemically to the fibers of the first fabric layer. In addition, the first strands are deformed such that they are substantially flat in shape and substantially coplanar with the fabric layer. The elastic second strands have a substantially elliptical shape. The integral bonding of the first strands and the deformed shape of the first strands and the second strands provides an elastic laminate structure which can be worn about the body without irritation or other discomfort.

Abstract: An elastic laminate structure is provided which is formed from at least one fabric layer and an open cell mesh having first and second strands. The laminate structure is formed such that the first strands are integrally bonded to the first fabric layer. The integrally bonded first strands both penetrate the first fabric layer and bond mechanically and/or chemically to the fibers of the first fabric layer. In addition, the first strands are deformed such that they are substantially flat in shape and substantially coplanar with the fabric layer. The elastic second strands have a substantially elliptical shape. The integral bonding of the first strands and the deformed shape of the first strands and the second strands provides an elastic laminate structure which can be worn about the body without irritation or other discomfort.

Abstract: A glass fiber mat for a stampable sheet includes long fibers and short fibers which will not separate even during forming and which are distributed uniformly to make the features of the respective fibers effective. A production system includes a double belt press type laminator which stacks the glass fiber mat, a thermoplastic resin melt and a film which is taken up and applies heat and pressure for impregnation, and cools while maintaining a pressure condition. A supply supplies the glass fiber mat into the laminator. A pair of pressure shearing rollers are arranged between the supply and an endless belt of the laminator for partially cutting the glass fibers into short fibers. The rollers are made of steel to apply line pressure to the glass fiber mat to shear the continuous fibers to uniformly distribute the short fibers in long fibers.

Abstract: A zoned hot air knife assembly and process include a plurality of discrete, spaced apart air knives is useful for the inter-filament bonding of nonwoven webs, for the thermal bonding of laminates including nonwoven webs, and other applications. The zoned hot air knife assembly and process facilitate the manufacture of low bond area, low density nonwoven webs and laminates having high structural integrity. The zoned hot air knife also reduces the amount of heated air and, thus, energy required for the production of thermally bonded nonwoven webs and laminates.

Abstract: A yarn is formed from discontinuous parallel fibers which are not twisted d which are held together by a covering yarn of sacrificial material wound around the fibers. The fibers comprise an intimate mixture of fibers of at least two different natures selected from carbon fibers or pre-oxidized polyacrylonitrile based carbon precursor fibers, or anisotropic or isotropic pitch based carbon precursor fibers, or phenolic or cellulosic based carbon precursor fibers, and ceramic fibers or ceramic precursor fibers. The mixture of fibers comprises, in its carbon state, at least 15% by weight of high strength fibers, having a tensile strength of at least 1500 MPa and a modulus of at least 150 MPa, and at least 15% by weight of fibers with a low Young's modulus of at most 100 GPa.

Abstract: An improved headliner material is formed of two layers formed from two types of polyester fibers. The polyester layers include both binder and non-binder fibers. The binder fibers are provided by an adhesive sheath that melts to secure the binder and non-binder fibers together. The layers are provided with different percentages of binder fibers. One layer is provided with 20% to 30% of binder fibers, with the remainder being non-binder fibers. This layer is less rigid, and provides loft and sound absorption to the headliner material. The other layer is provided with a greater percentage of binder fibers, and preferably, 40% to 60% binder fibers. This layer provides structure and rigidity to the headliner material.

Abstract: A heat conductor used by being disposed between a heat sink and electronic parts mounted on a printed circuit board. The heat conductor is layered by a heat conductive layer, made of silicone gel with alumina as a heat conductive filler dispersed therein, and a potentially adhesive layer. The potentially adhesive layer consists of a hot melt layer, with alumina as a heat conductive filler dispersed therein, and a heat resistant film, to facilitate formation of the hot melt layer, adhered to the heat conductive layer on one face of the heat resistant film. The heat conductor is set on the electronic parts so that the potentially adhesive layer abuts them, and is made to adhere to the electronic parts due to heating by means of reflow soldering to reach the phase change temperature of the adhesive.

Abstract: Friction disk rings and a method for near net-shape fabrication of the friction disk rings are disclosed. The method includes cutting a friction material into tiled trapeziform strips. The strips are then folded into a disk ring structure that can be hot-pressed, stitched, or sewed, to preserve the disk ring structure. The disk rings include multiple layers of a friction material, each layer includes a plurality of triangular shaped panels. In one embodiment, the triangular shaped panels are symmetric with respect to the radial center of the disk ring.

Abstract: A pipe liner bag is provided with improved anti-peeling and anti-bursting properties by ensuring a high anti-peeling strength of the plastic film to be employed. The pipe liner bag has a tubular resin absorbent material, the outer surface of which is coated with a highly air-tight plastic film, and a hardenable resin impregnated in the tubular resin absorbent material. The tubular resin absorbent material is formed of tubular unwoven fabric subjected to the needle punching processing, where a side of the tubular unwoven fabric having stuck-out needles protruding therefrom is exposed to the outside to serve as an outer surface of the tubular resin absorbent material. The outer surface is coated with a plastic film.

Abstract: The invention relates to the field of forming fibrous structures by needling processes. A process is provided for achieving a desired Z-fiber distribution in a fibrous structure by controlling transport depth during formation of the fibrous structure in a series of needling passes. Each needling pass generates a portion of Z-fiber bundles that penetrate adjacent fibrous layers, the Z-fiber bundles penetrating only those adjacent fibrous layers that need more Z-fiber bundles to attain a predetermined number of Z-fiber bundles within each fibrous layer.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a rigid fiber composite material and the product thereof created by needling a composite of a non-woven blend of first fibers with a initial melting point with one or more other fibers with higher melting points that are interposed between two interentangled non-woven layers of the first fibers and then heating this composite to a level above the melting point of the first fibers forming a plasticized structure.

Abstract: A method of making a nonwoven material having good absorbency, softness and strength. A fibrous web is airlayed from fibers comprising at least one of natural fibers and rayon fibers. The web is prebonded by sequentially adding moisture on an upper surface of the web and on a lower surface of the web. The web is calendered with a heated roll a first time after adding moisture on the upper surface of the web and calendered with a heated roll a second time after adding moisture on the lower surface of the web. The web is then spunlaced.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a rigid fiber composite material and the product thereof created by needling a composite of a non-woven blend of first fibers with a initial melting point with one or more other fibers with higher melting points that are interposed between two interentangled non-woven layers of the first fibers and then heating this composite to a level above the melting point of the first fibers forming a plasticized structure.

Abstract: A filter element has a wavy filter portion including a plurality of ridges of a filter material, which are juxtaposed to one another and closed at their sides, and a flange portion extending along a mounting plane around the filter portion for supporting the filter portion. The flange portion is made of the same filter material extending from the filter portion, by compressing the filter material more densely than the filter portion. The filter element is manufactured by a step of preparing an intermediate product of a wavy sheet, and a step of forming the filter portion by leaving the central portion of the wavy intermediate product as in the wavy sheet, and forming the flange portion around the filter portion for supporting the filter portion, by pressing the side portions of the ridges of the wavy intermediate product along the mounting plane.

Abstract: Wear resistant devices and methods of their manufacture in which the intended function or result of the devices is to influence operational coefficients of friction. The devices are made of fiber-reinforced polymer composite materials produced by nonwoven textile and plastics industries' materials and methods.

Abstract: Decorative cords for leather, vinyl or leather and vinyl furniture are made by feeding a strip of vinyl and lengths of one or more filler yarns through a hollow cylindrical feeder tube which causes the longitudinal edges of the vinyl strip to wrap around the filler yarns and meet where they are welded together to form a tubular cord structure with an almost invisible seam. A plurality of such cords may be twisted together and welded to form multi-ply cords for decorating furniture. A tab may be welded along the length of the cords for being sewn into the seam of an upholstered cushion or the like.

Abstract: A fiber preform is made solely from a deformable base fiber structure that s initially in the form of a plane plate constituted by superposed two-dimensional fiber plies bonded together by needling. Cuts and/or splits are formed in the base fiber structure, and the preform is made from the cut and/or split base fiber structure by making use of its ability to be deformed. The structural part is obtained by densifying the preform using a material that constitutes a composite material matrix. It is possible to use a single fiber structure plate which is deformed with the help of splits or cuts so as to obtain the desired preform and in which continuity of the base fiber structure is preserved, or else a plurality of base fiber structure plates can be used which are assembled together by mutual interfitting via the splits or cuts, by deforming at least one of the plates.

Abstract: A method of continuously forming a composite structure comprised of a three-dimensional fabric including first and second sheets of fabric which face each other and which are connected by intermediate yarn, the method including providing a continuous supply of three-dimensional fabric; impregnating the three-dimensional fabric with resin which is thermoreactive; mating the three-dimensional fabric with a first outer strip which contacts the first sheet of fabric, and a second outer strip which contacts the second sheet of fabric to form a stratified structure containing the impregnated three-dimensional fabric; feeding the stratified structure along a path in a feed direction X which is straight; heating the stratified structure to at least partially polymerize the resin between the first outer strip and the first sheet of fabric and between the second outer strip and the second sheet of fabric, while the resin impregnating the intermediate yarn of the three-dimensional fabric remains substantially in the pla

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the continuous production of a multi-layer web comprising an exterior covering and a nonwoven material disposed underneath. According to the present invention, a nonwoven material which has been prebonded is used as the starting product, and the steps of additional bonding, calibrating, and smoothing of the nonwoven material and of laminating the nonwoven material and the exterior covering are combined in a single process. The present invention, in addition to achieving a cost advantage, also produces a covering material that provides better sitting conditions, equivalent to the foam backed covering materials with respect to physical textile values yet being easier to recycle and. In addition, recycled textile products can be worked into the covering material of the present invention as reprocessed fibers without losing any advantage.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a shoe lining having anti-microbial properties. The method comprises providing a quantity of a thermoplastic resin including an inorganic zinc-based anti-microbial agent admixture having a predetermined microbial inhibition characteristic. This thermoplastic resin is blended with a polyethylene resin to form an anti-microbial feedstock. The anti-microbial feedstock is formed into relatively long, narrow, thin lengths of anti-microbial members. These members are woven into an anti-microbial fabric having predetermined microbial inhibition characteristics. This fabric is cut into a plurality of pieces in accordance with a predetermined pattern and the pieces are joined together thereby constructing the anti-microbial shoe lining.

Abstract: Methods for making linear acoustic antennas designed to be towed behind a boat, wherein open-cell foam cylinders (101) are opened lengthwise (103) and electroacoustic receiver modules (101) are placed therein. After closing the cylinders, they are arranged end-to-end and a series of layers of porous nonwoven material, reinforcing nets (111) and wiring cables are wound around the cylinder surfaces. Finally, a protective sheath is extruded onto the cylinders and their end portions are joined together. The manufacture of such antennas may thus be mechanised using cable technologies.

Abstract: An improved structure for carbon-carbon composite piston architectures consists of replacing the knitted fiber, three-dimensional piston preform architecture described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,909,133 (Taylor et al.) with a two-dimensional lay-up or molding of carbon fiber fabric or tape. Initially, the carbon fabric or tape layers are prepregged with carbonaceous organic resins and/or pitches and are laid up or molded about a mandrel, to form a carbon-fiber reinforced organic-matrix composite part shaped like a "U" channel, a "T"-bar, or a combination of the two. The molded carbon-fiber reinforced organic-matrix composite part is then pyrolized in an inert atmosphere, to convert the organic matrix materials to carbon. At this point, cylindrical piston blanks are cored from the "U"-channel, "T"-bar, or combination part. These blanks are then densified by reimpregnation with resins or pitches which are subsequently carbonized.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for forming a fabric, suitable for mailing a finished composite product, using one or more composite strands. One embodiment of the apparatus comprises at least one bushing for forming reinforcing fibers; supply equipment for supplying matrix fibers; at least one applicator for applying bonding size (i.e., bonding chemical treatment) to the fibers; a gathering mechanism for gathering the treated fibers into at least one composite strand; a pulling mechanism for pulling the at least one composite strand; and a fabric forming mechanism for forming a fabric using the at least one composite strand.

Abstract: A planar porous composite structure including a plurality of regular textile planar layers formed of continuous yarns. The layers are placed on top of each other to form a structure having two dimensions at right angles to each other and a third dimension perpendicular to them and defining a plane having a direction along the two dimensions. A plurality of openings extends through the layers. Each opening is defined by portions of the continuous yarns extending substantially in the direction of the plane and existing in the regular textile planar layers to make the planar layers regular in structure prior to placing them on top of each other. A plurality of passages extends entirely through the structure in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane of the structure.

Abstract: An irregularly shaped glass fiber is provided which enjoys improved resiliency, and openness in pack structures. Wool packs and other wool portions having such irregularly shaped fibers may be processed directly through needling to form a non-woven material without intervening steps such as carding or blending of fibers which accompany conventional glass fiber processing operations. In a further aspect of the invention, a non-woven material including irregularly shaped fibers in a generally continuous wool tow is produced by "unwinding" a fiberglass wool pack collected by a direct forming method. Product applications include simplified, lower cost processing, and new uses of the irregularly shaped fibers produced by rotary fiberization in filtration elements, sorbants, gaskets, packings, shingles, composite structural elements, furnishings, textiles, yarns, and blown-in insulation systems.

Abstract: Semifinished material consisting of symmetrically-needled glass-fiber mat impregnated with a thermoplastic polymer. The glass mat can be made by, for instance, needling continuous filament web from above and below at the same time with a double needling machine.