Abstract: Reinforcement preforms and methods for making same for use in fiber-reinforced composite materials structures are disclosed, in which the reinforcement preforms comprise first and second reinforcement preform elements which include strength reinforcement fibers that are in desired directional orientation. The first element has a cross-fiber surface which extends transverse of its constituent strength reinforcement fibers and is in contacting juxtaposition to a selected surface region of the second element, forming an abutment therebetween. Abutment strength reinforcing fibers, which may optionally be introduced in situ by a continuum of fibers, such as a yarn or thread, extend through at least a portion of said second element and its said selected surface region, the abutment, said cross-fiber edge surface, and into the first element substantially in the direction of orientation to its constituent strength fibers to which its cross-fiber surface is transverse.

Abstract: A pucker free garment seam providing a garment with a tailored and wrinkle free appearance. The pucker free seam and method for production utilizes a bonding strip which contains at least a thermal adhesive component which is inserted between first and second garment components sewn together along the seam. A sufficient amount of heat and pressure is applied to the seam which causes the adhesive of the bonding strip to flow onto the surfaces of the garment components and into interstices thereby creating a seam and permanently bonding the first and second garment components together along the seam to eliminate puckering associated with shrinkage of the sewing thread.

Abstract: A method of stitching a sewable material, which method includes the steps of: providing a support with a surface; providing a first sheet material with first and second sides; adhering the first side of the first sheet material to the surface of the support; adhering the sewable material to the second side of the first sheet material; and performing a stitching operation on the sewable material with the first sheet adhered to the surface of the support and the sewable material adhered to the first sheet. An adhesive on the first sheet, with a tackiness that increases upon being exposed to a reactant, is used to at least one of a) adhere the first side of the first sheet material to the surface of the support and b) adhere the sewable material to the second side of the first sheet material.

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: A method for manufacturing a passport comprises combining data sheet of an individual with a plurality of visa sheets binding the combined sheets and bound by a thread along a central folding line, and laminating an individual's data printing page of the data sheet with a protective film composed of a see-through synthetic resin film. An anti-counterfeit structure of the manufactured passport is characterized in that the protective film is laminated over a gutter portion of the data sheet including the central folding line, and the thread binding is formed through the laminated area of the gutter portion.

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 pucker free garment seam providing a garment with a tailored and wrinkle free appearance. The pucker free seam and method for production utilizes a bonding strip which contains at least a thermal adhesive component which is inserted between opposing surface of a garment component along the seam. A sufficient amount of heat and pressure is applied to the seam which causes the adhesive of the bonding strip to flow onto the surfaces of the garment component thereby creating a compressed seam and permanently bonding the surfaces of the garment component together along the seam to eliminate puckering associated with shrinkage of sewing thread at the seam.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method for producing articles in which ends of optical filaments are inserted in a fabric; trailing lengths of filament are drawn from the inserted ends, and are captive in a terminal block; many inserted ends form one or more display patterns, and all the trailing lengths of filament of one or more patterns are grouped and retained at one or more common selected portions of the terminal block.

Abstract: A stitched waterproof joint can be formed between the vamp and top plug of a shoe by applying waterproof coatings to the interior facing surfaces of the vamp and plug, stitching the vamp and plug together to merge the waterproof coatings, heating the vamp and plug to eliminate voids in the merged film, and applying an additional waterproofing layer to the interior edge of the stitched joint between the vamp and the plug.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and to a system for producing a reinforcement for a composite component, formed by said reinforcement embedded in a cured matrix, said reinforcement comprising superposed plies of thread. According to the invention, the system comprises means (5) for the memory storage and processing of data, in which means the mathematical model of the reinforcement (A) to be produced may be created and stored in memory and which are capable of controlling means (3) for steering the tool (1) for laying down and/or stitching thread (F).

Abstract: A method of making a reinforced insulating panel which includes the steps of covering insulating material, such as urethane foam of a regular size with glass fiber textiles, quilting the insulating material and the glass fiber textiles together so as to produce an integral middle member, covering the inner covering of the glass fiber of the middle member with an outer covering of the glass fiber and impregnating the covered member with a thermosetting resin and hardening the impregnated member. The glass fiber reinforced panel produced has excellent fire retardant and water repelling properties, has improved compressive strength and does not deform or delaminate easily.

Abstract: Rigidifiable composites are formed by stitching a reinforced B-stage resin sheet stock to form a three-dimensional preform. The preform is subsequently rigidified by initiating final cure of the resin. Molded articles, inflatable and other structures, such as, tank, tunnel and sewer liners are some of the typical structures which can be formed by the methods of the invention. Control of thread count, thread tension and thread spacing can be used to consolidate multi-ply or layered preforms, which, upon cure, can have up to 90% of the load carrying capacity of compression molded fiber reinforced articles.

Abstract: Conduit liners and methods for their construction and use are provided. The liners include a first flexible layer mechanically bonded to at least one glass-containing layer and folded to form a tubular laminate. The laminate can be penetrable by resinous liquid capable of setting the form of substantially continuous matrix within the laminate following the expansion of the laminate within a conduit. In preferred versions of the liner, multiple glass layers are provided on the inner and outer diameter of the construction with a polyester core so as to meet minimum thickness requirements for vibration resistance under American in situ pipe vibration resistance codes.

Abstract: A belt for use on a long nip press for dewatering a fibrous web includes a base assembled by spirally winding a prepared structure strip in a plurality of non-overlapping turns. Successive turns are abutted against and joined to those previously wound by sewing or otherwise bonding along the continuous spiral seam thus formed. The prepared structure strip may be a fabric strip woven from lengthwise and crosswise yarns, which may be monofilament yarns of a synthetic polymeric resin. The fabric strip may be of either a single- or multi-layer weave. At least one side of the base, namely, that side which will be on the inside of the belt in its endless loop form, and which slides over the arcuate pressure shoe component of the long nip press during its operation, is coated with a polymeric resin, such as polyurethane, to render it impervious to liquids, and especially to the oil used to lubricate the surface of the arcuate pressure shoe.

Abstract: A method for fabricating composite parts having improved pulloff strengths between portions of the composite part. In one embodiment, a sine wave spar is formed from two U-shaped channels having opposing flanges and a central web. The U-shaped channels are joined along the webs. The triangular gaps between the edges of the joined U-shaped channels are filled using a titanium radius filler that is configured to fit within the gaps. After the titanium radius filler is placed within the gaps, additional layers of composite material are placed over the titanium radius filler and the flanges of the U-shaped channels to form the caps of the I-beam. The resulting composite workpiece is then placed within appropriate tooling and cured within an autoclave. In other embodiments, the method of the invention is used to form spars, ribs, stringers, or bulkheads from composite materials.

Abstract: A composite component is made up by laying pre-forms one on top of the other and tacking the pre-forms together at spaced, discrete locations by blind stitches which tack an upper pre-form layer to the one beneath it, using a stitching head. The stitching head 16 includes a curved needle 18 reciprocally movable in one plane and a looper 30 reciprocally movable in a transverse plane. In use the looper catches the thread from the needle as it emerges from the material and draws it into a loop around the next entry point for the needle.

Abstract: A stitch-bonded fabric suitable for use as an airbag.

Abstract: A pucker free garment seam providing a garment with a tailored and wrinkle free appearance. The pucker free seam and method for production utilizes a bonding strip which contains at least a thermal adhesive component which is inserted between first and second surfaces of a garment component along the seam. A sufficient amount of heat and pressure is applied to the seam which causes the adhesive of the bonding strip to flow onto the surfaces of the garment components thereby creating a compressed seam and permanently bonding the first and second surfaces of the garment component together along the seam to eliminate puckering associated with shrinkage of the sewing thread.

Abstract: A process of making a shoe includes bonding a flat structure to an upper layer of the shoe to form a bonded structure. The flat structure has a melting temperature T.sub.2 and provides stability to a shape of the upper layer. The bonded structure is positioned into a mold so that an underside of the bonded structure faces the mold. A liquid sole material at a temperature T.sub.1 which is greater than T.sub.2 is sprayed into the mold, thereby contacting and melting the flat structure. The sole material cools and solidifies to form a shoe. The flat structure has a melting temperature T.sub.2 and provides stability to a shape of the upper layer.

Abstract: A pucker free garment seam providing a garment with a tailored and wrinkle free appearance. The pucker free seam and method for production utilizes a bonding strip which contains at least a thermal adhesive component which is inserted between first and second garment components along the seam and a sewing thread is used to bind the components together into a seam. A sufficient amount of heat and pressure is applied to the seam which causes the adhesive of the bonding strip to flow onto the surfaces of the garment components thereby creating a compressed seam and permanently bonding the first and second garment components together along the seam to eliminate puckering associated with shrinkage of the sewing thread.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for production of a three-dimensional fabric including laminated fiber layers having a fiber arranged along axial lines and a connection yarn inserted into the fiber layers to connect the fiber layers with each other are described. The fiber layers are formed by arranging the fiber while folding the fiber back along the axial lines. The laminated fiber layers are formed by arranging the fiber along axial lines, by engaging the fiber to a plurality of restriction members located with a predetermined pitch on a frame so as to surround an area where the connection fiber is inserted into the fiber layers, and then folding the fiber back along the axial lines. A plurality of yarn inserting needles arranged in a series together with the connection fiber are simultaneously thrust into the fiber layers until a holding section of each yarn inserting needle projects outside of the fiber layers to make a loop of the connection yarn at each holding section.

Abstract: A woven fabric is formed from polypropylene fibers by simply weaving the fabric using polypropylene fibers in both the warp and weft directions. The edges are left frayed and could become unraveled. In order to prevent the fabric from fraying further, particularly during washing, binding fibers are incorporated at least in the weft direction, but only along the edges. The binding fibers are polyester fibers coated with a low-melting-point thermoplastic adhesive. The thermoplastic adhesive is one that melts at a temperature lower than the melting point of the polypropylene fibers. Once these are incorporated into the fabric at the loom, the fabric is placed in an oven and heated to a temperature above the melting point of the thermoplastic adhesive and below the melting point of the polypropylene fibers to cause the thermoplastic adhesive to melt, binding the polypropylene fibers together.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a reinforcement in the form of a sheet for a composite component, the reinforcement including superposed plies of thread. In accordance with the method, straight portions of thread are arranged, for each ply, at least substantially in a parallel fashion with respect to each other and all the superposed plies are consolidated by using a thread passing through the plies. According to the invention, the superposed plies are laid down on a support, the superposed plies are compacted by mechanical pressure, and in order to preserve the state of compaction of the plies which is thus obtained, the thread for consolidating the plies is stitched, without knotting, through the plies down to at least the level of the surface of the support, the plies having, after compaction, a density of the portions of the thread constituting them which is sufficient to retain the consolidating thread by friction.

Abstract: An apparatus for implanting one or more optical fibers in a panel having a uniform planar surface is comprised of a frame for supporting a fiber inserter above a fiber insertion table above a bath containing ultra-violet light activated liquid adhesive for adhering the optical fiber to the panel and a source of ultra-violet light, the fiber inserter carries the optical fiber downward to the fiber insertion table piercing the interposed panel at a desired point of insertion and carrying the optical fiber to the underside of the panel through an opening in the fiber insertion table for immersion into and removal from the liquid adhesive in the bath and subsequent irradiation by ultra-violet light, exposure to the ultra-violet light causing a change of state of the adhesive from liquid to solid resulting in the permanent adherence of the optical fiber to the panel at the point of insertion.

Abstract: A pucker free pocket seam for a shirt providing the shirt with a tailored and wrinkle free appearance. The pucker free seam and method for production utilizes a bonding strip which contains at least a thermal adhesive component which is inserted between folded portions of a first garment component along a seam. A sufficient amount of heat and pressure is applied to the seam which causes the adhesive of the bonding strip to flow onto the surfaces of the folded portions of the first garment component thereby creating a compressed seam and permanently bonding the folded portions of the first garment component together along the seam to eliminate puckering associated with shrinkage of the sewing thread at the seam.

Abstract: A cover sheet for medical tables, beds or gurneys comprises a sheet formed from a high tensile strength, plastic with opposed ends of the sheet folded and seamed to provide pockets. The pockets are inverted for assemblage over the ends of the medical tables, beds or gurneys. Methods of continuously fabricating such cover sheets from a roll of plastic material are also disclosed.

Abstract: This invention relates to hot melt adhesive compositions useful for waterproofing stitched seams and a method of using the same. This invention particularly relates to certain hot melt adhesives which can be directly applied to a stitched seam such that the resulting seam is resistant to water penetration.

Abstract: An improved method for the manufacture of baseballs including the steps of coating the core of the ball with a heat activated water based latex based glue, drying the glue, positioning a multi-part cover about the surface of the ball, stitching together the adjoining edges of the multi-part cover, heating the ball to activate the heat activated glue in order to securely glue the cover to the core after the stitching of the cover to join the seams of the cover about the core.

Abstract: Rigidifiable composites are formed by stitching a reinforced B-stage resin sheet stock to form a three-dimensional preform. The preform is subsequently rigidified by initiating final cure of the resin. Molded articles, inflatable and other structures, such as, tank, tunnel and sewer liners are some of the typical structures which can be formed by the methods of the invention. Control of thread count, thread tension and thread spacing can be used to consolidate multi-ply or layered preforms, which, upon cure, can have up to 90% of the load carrying capacity of compression molded fiber reinforced articles.

Abstract: A quilt design planner in the form of relatively thin but substantially rigid panels or strips having a grid marking on an upwardly exposed surface thereof positioned in overlying relation to the sashings and/or borders on the quilt top to enable a quilter to more effectively plan the design to be formed on the sashings and/or borders prior to making any marks on the quilt top. The panels or strips having the grid marking thereon have an easily erasable surface on which designs may be formed by using templates or stencils and a marking pencil or other marker. This enables a quilter to form, lay out and adjust the design on the panels or strips with the planned design overlying the sashing and/or borders around each block of the quilt top.

Abstract: Cloth transfers such as twill numbers and letters include a cloth layer coated with a plastic layer which is, in turn, coated with a pressure sensitive adhesive layer. The intermediate plastic layer permits the cloth transfer to be temporarily bonded to a cloth substrate by a very thin film of pressure sensitive adhesive as it is sewn onto the substrate. The intermediate plastic layer prevents the sewing needle from being gummed up with the pressure sensitive adhesive.

Abstract: An alarm trigger is a component part of an anti-theft security system which also comprises a detector. The alarm trigger is integrated into a support and is fastened to merchandise, preferably articles of clothing, by means of this support. In order that the alarm trigger may remain inconspicuous and so as not to impair visual appraisal of the merchandise outfitted with this alarm trigger, a process is proposed in which a continuous textile web is produced from thread material. This textile web has successive web pieces comprising textile functional strips specific to the merchandise, e.g., a woven label. Every web piece is constructed, at least partially, in two layers so as to form a cavity, this cavity being produced by portions in at least two partial steps. In the first partial step, only an initial portion of the web piece is produced at first. This initial portion has a pocket which is still open in the double-layer region.

Abstract: To implement a process for operating a device for making labels from strip material with a roll (1) of strip material, a feed device (2, 3) for the strip material, clamping tongs (16) to take the end of the strip from the feed device, a folding sheet (23) which inserts the strip between the jaws of positioning tongs (8) which transfer it to a processing device, and a separating device (7) to separate the strip from the strip material, by means of which strips of different lengths can be simply folded and processed, it is proposed that the movement cycles of the components of the device are controlled in such a way that, after the end of the strip has been transferred to the clamping device, first of all the folding device advances towards the positioning device, then the separating device (7) separates the strip from the strip material upstream of the feed device (2, 3) and either the positioning device closes and secures the folded strip while the folding device returns to the initial position, or after the

Abstract: A pucker free garment seam providing a garment with a tailored and wrinkle free appearance. The pucker free seam and method of manufacture utilizes a bonding element which contains at least a thermal adhesive component which is inserted between first and second garment components along the seam. A sufficient amount of heat and pressure is applied to the seam which causes the adhesive of the bonding element to flow onto the surfaces of the garment components thereby creating a compressed seam and permanently bonding the first and second garment components together along the seam to eliminate puckering associated with shrinkage of the sewing thread.

Abstract: A rigid improved penetration resistant composite of the type comprising a plurality of fibrous layers comprising network of fibers in a polymeric matrix selected from the group consisting of thermoplastic polymers, thermosetting resins or a combination thereof, at least two of said layers secured together by a securing means, said improvement comprising a securing means which comprises fiber stitches wherein the average stitch length is greater than the average stitch path, a process for forming the composite and articles fabricated from said composite.

Abstract: A pucker free garment seam providing a garment with a tailored and wrinkle free appearance. The pucker free seam and method of manufacture utilizes a bonding element which contains at least a thermal adhesive component which is inserted between first and second garment components along the seam. A sufficient amount of heat and pressure is applied to the seam which causes the adhesive of the bonding element to flow onto the surfaces of the garment components thereby creating a compressed seam and permanently bonding the first and second garment components together along the seam to eliminate puckering associated with shrinkage of the sewing thread.

Abstract: Bound and structurally reinforced thermoplastic-fabric composite construction materials, that are moldable, are described, comprising a structurally reinforced multilayer bound together in a binding process. A barrier fabric layer, and/or a decorative layer, may also be included in order to produce or vary decorative, and/or other effects. The structurally reinforced multilayer is made from a thermoplastic resin system and at least one fabric layer containing reinforcing fibers. Reinforcing fibers are introduced into components of the structurally reinforced multilayer, within the fabric layers, and may also be comingled with or layered into the thermoplastic resin system before addition to the fabric.

Abstract: A soft, flexible patch which will not fray, but which may be ironed on to the softest garments, especially suitable for decoration or reinforcement of fleece or flannel sweatsuits, as well as a method of manufacturing such a patch. The patch is made of a layer of fleece material such as flannel, bonded to a layer of heat-fusible transfer web. The patch is trimmed to a pattern and bound with thread using an overlock stitch of 2.5 to 5 stitch per cm density and approximately 5.+-.2 mm depth.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing a reinforcement for a composite component, said reinforcement including superposed plies of thread, according to which method:straight portions of thread are laid down on a support; andall the superposed plies are consolidated by stitching, without knotting, a continuous thread.According to the invention:said straight portions of thread (4, 5) are laid down by means of a needle, with respect to which the continuous thread (F), of which each of said portions forms part, can slide, said needle being capable of moving relative to said support (6), pulling tight the straight portion of thread (4, 5) above the latter, over an extent equal to the length of said straight portion of thread; andsaid straight portions of thread (4, 5) are fixed by stitching, without knotting, at least one of the ends (4a, 4b; 5a, 5b) of each of said portions of thread into said support (6) using said needle.

Abstract: Stitchbonded articles and methods of making same are presented. The articles may be either dual purpose wiping/scrubbing articles or only scrubbing articles. The articles may be constructed to have three dimensional scrubbing surfaces. Both the dual purpose articles and the scrubbing articles comprise thermoplastic nodules melt-bonded to the stitching yarn, and preferably to the fibers of an absorbent material, the nodules providing the primary scrubbing utility.

Abstract: A method for making applique elements without the need for a light box, and without the need for tracing outlines of the applique elements onto the applique fabric materials. A pre-printed paper sheet is provided having outlines of the applique elements printed thereon in non-transferable ink. The back surface of the paper sheet is coated with a low softening temperature coating, such as a wax or a polymeric coating having a low heat softening temperature to releasably attach the cut, printed applique elements to the back of the applique fabric material. The applique elements are cut from the sheet of applique material and are releasably adhered to the back or wrong side of the applique fabric by pressing with a warm iron. An adhesive coating is applied to the seam allowance and to the peripheral edge of the template, and applique elements are cut from the applique material sheet together with the seam allowance, which is then folded over the template edge to adhere the seam allowance to the template.

Abstract: The device consists of a placing head whose wire drive roller and placing wheel are interconnected by an intermediate gear which may be retracted so as to disconnect them, said placing head being translation-mobile with respect to the distributing machine/head interface, complementary means providing a variable pressure of the placing head on the shape. Application for wire placing so as to form a complex structural piece.

Abstract: A method of bonding fabric materials together into an integral structure is unique in the attachment of a mating fabric onto a base fabric. The mating fabric is disposed to have a longitudinal binding end of specified profile for adhesion to the base fabric with improved tensile strength. Also disclosed is a structurally durable seamless quilt obtained by the use of the method.

Abstract: Method for producing a fibrous reinforcement (1) for a component of composite material comprising at least two non-coplanar walls, which are for example orthogonal.According to the invention, at least one first fibrous element (2) is produced as a fiber mat, said first fibrous element (2) is applied via one of its narrow sides (4) against a first face (5) of a second element; and there are inserted, through a second face (7) of said second element (3), on the opposite side to said first face (5), and by the stitching without knotting of a continuous filament (F) by means of a needle, transverse fibers passing through said second element (3).Production of fiber-matrix composite components.

Abstract: Seat covers are sewn inside-out and then inverted to fit over a frame. Inversion is accomplished by threading the sewn seat cover over a pair of generally parallel arms. The sewn seat cover is generally in the form of a pocket. The closed end of the pocket is engaged by the blunt edge of a plate. The plate pushes the closed end between the arms forcing the structure of the pocket to ride up and over the top of the arms and downward between the two arms thereby inverting the seat cover to a right side out condition.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of providing a formable composite material comprising providing a reinforcing material (9) having a plurality of superimposed layers (1-6), each layer consisting of a plurality of unidirectional non-woven yarns or threads (10) laid side-by-side, the yarns or threads in at least some of the different layers extending in different directions, said layers being stitched (12) together, and before said stitching incorporating in or with the reinforcing material (9) a matrix material (7, 8).

Abstract: Method for producing a fibrous reinforcement (1) for a component of composite material comprising a panel provided with a rib. Transverse fibers (4A) are inserted over the whole extent of the first fibrous element (2), through the opposite face of the first fibrous element (2) to the second fibrous element (3) and by the stitching without knotting of a continuous filament (4) by means of a needle (33, 40), so that the transverse fibers (4A), which are located opposite the bearing flange (3A) of the second fibrous element (3), form stitches (4B) joining the first and second fibrous elements together and that some (4A1) of the transverse fibers (4A) are located vertically in line with the stiffening flange (3B) of the second fibrous element (3). Also a method for the production of composite components of the aircraft structural panel type.

Abstract: An arrangement for pressing flat workpieces that includes first and second heatable pressure plates forming a continuous channel therebetween and movable toward each other. First and second transport and pressure belts are associated with the first and second pressure plates, respectively. Each belt is endless and movable through the continuous channel. At least one electrically conductive abrading device is disposed in the exit region of the first transport and pressure belt from the first pressure plate with the abrading device in contact with the first transport and pressure belt.

Abstract: A plane formed body, especially a floor covering, is described with a cover layer (1), a base layer (3) and a core layer (2) that have fibers that can be stitched. The three layers are stitched by means of fibers (1a) taken from the cover layer (1). The core layer (2) consists of polyvinyl chloride material in the form of pieces that are in solid form and a PVC binder or plastisol paste. The fibers (1a) are tightly bonded into all three layers (1,2,3).

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a water barrier fabric, in flexible or rigid form, and articles manufactured thereby, formed by dispersing a water-absorbent material, in powdered or granular form, among a mass of fibers during the formation of a loose mat of said fibers, to homogeneously disperse the powdered or granular water-absorbent material above, below and on each side of the fibers forming the mat, and thereafter densifying and structurally consolidating the mat, to secure the fibers in position surrounding and entrapping the water-absorbent material, such as by sewing, quilting, needle punching or otherwise bonding the fibers into a consolidated, structurally secure fabric at least partially filled with the powdered or granular water-absorbent material. In a preferred embodiment, one, or both, major surfaces of the fabric is coated with a water-insoluble adhesive to substantially increase the tensile strength of the fabric and to prevent shifting of fibers when installed on sloping surfaces.