Abstract: A method of forming carded fibers of different materials. A feed system has a plurality of separate laterally spaced chambers containing fibers of different materials. The different fibers are fed in separate laterally spaced paths into a carding apparatus having a plurality of rollers and cylinders each having laterally spaced sections in alignment with the laterally spaced paths to receive and maintain the different fibers in the laterally spaced paths thereon as they move through the carding apparatus. The different fibers are combined into a multi-fiber roving or web after they exit the carding apparatus. Depending on the composition of the different fibers, they may be combined by conveying them through a humidifying and heated chamber or chambers.

Abstract: Smoking articles including filter elements formed from two or more fibrous inputs with different physical properties are provided. The two or more fibrous inputs are provided in the form of staple fibers, which are at least partially entangled with each other to form a mixed fiber sliver. The mixed fiber sliver includes a first plurality of cellulose acetate staple fibers blended with a second plurality of staple fibers comprising a polymeric material different from the first plurality of staple fibers, such as staple fibers of a degradable polymeric material. The entangled fibers of the mixed fiber sliver may be sufficiently separated from one another such that blooming operations typically required in filter element production may not be necessary prior to incorporating the mixed fiber sliver into a filter element. Related methods, apparatuses and mixed fiber products are also provided by the disclosure.

Abstract: A pile layer is formed of a plurality of bundles, which are partially opened up into individual fibers and which contain carbon fibers and foreign substances. The carbon fibers have at least a mass fraction of 70% of the total mass of the pile layer and the foreign substances take up no more than 30%, but not less than 2%. The foreign substances are obtained from a recycling process.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel nonwoven felt fabric, which is made of at least one low-melting-point short fiber and at least one high-melting-point short fiber of same type or different types, wherein the fabric is stiff enough to be self-sustaining and have the ability of shape maintenance. The felt fabric exhibits excellent pleatability, moldability and compressive strength. The invention also provides a method for producing the felt fabric, and a filter comprising the felt fabric used as the material of a filter medium of the filter, wherein the filter medium requires no support structure to stand alone and persistently retains its shape.

Abstract: A nonwoven sheet for use in absorbent articles such as disposable diapers which is capable of reducing the range of surface diffusion of, and reducing re-adhesion to the skin of, highly viscous fluid excretion. The nonwoven sheet has mutually perpendicular longitudinal, transverse and thickness directions, and has in the aforementioned thickness direction a front surface and a back surface opposite thereof. Ridges and grooves are formed alternately so as to extend in parallel in the aforementioned longitudinal direction and so as to form repeated undulations in the aforementioned transverse direction. The nonwoven sheet has a bottom surface which, when the aforementioned nonwoven sheet is placed on a horizontal surface with the back surface (opposite of the front surface in contact with the skin of the wearer) down, is the surface that contacts the aforementioned horizontal surface.

Abstract: A non-woven fabric material according to the present invention is used to produce articles of clothing and comprises a plurality of thin layers superimposed and interlaced with each other. Each layer is formed by carded fibers which comprise at least 15% in weight, of the total fibers present, of self-gathering fibers. Each self-gathering fiber develops in a main direction of development and is formed by two or more polymers that define corresponding two or more regions joined and adjacent to each other in said main direction of development of the self-gathering fiber.

Abstract: A temperature resistant material, comprising a temperature resistant matrix and a set of short metal fibers, which characterized in that the set of short metal fibers represents at least 0.5% by weight of the temperature resistant material. The set of short metal fibers has an equivalent diameter D in the range of 1 to 150 ?, and comprising curved fibers and entangled fibers. The curved fibers have an average length L in the range of 10 to 2000 ?.

Abstract: The invention relates to webs or batts including polytrimethylene terephthalate crimped staple fibers and fiberfill products comprising such webs and batts, as well as the processes of making the staple fibers, webs, batts and fiberfill products. According to the preferred process of making a web or batt, polytrimethylene terephthalate staple fibers, containing polytrimethylene terephthalate is melt spun at a temperature of 245-285° C. into filaments. The filaments are quenched, drawn and mechanically crimped to a crimp level of 8-30 crimps per inch (3-12 crimps/cm). The crimped filaments are relaxed at a temperature of 50-130° C. and then cut into staple fibers having a length of about 0.2-6 inches (about 0.5-about 15 cm). A web is formed by garnetting or carding the staple fibers and is optionally cross-lapped to form a batt. A fiberfill product is prepared with the web or batt.

Abstract: A nonwoven fabric comprised of a self-sustaining pre-bonded web formed by carding together first relatively thin monocomponent fibers, second relatively thicker monocomponent fibers, and 1-5% bicomponent fibers with the low softening point component thereof bonding together the first, second and bicomponent fibers to form the self-sustaining web. Six to ten percent by weight of cured latex particles are disposed within the fabric and smeared on the outer surfaces of the fabric, the particles being cured in situ to provide enhanced tensile strength to the fabric.

Abstract: A system for forming a non-woven fabric with high resilience and high loft in a continuous process comprising first and second carding systems arranged in parallel carding fibers from a first and second fiber supply, a doffer associated with each carding system for removing the carded fibers, a transport associated with each doffer for transporting the carded and doffed fibers to a pair of independent blending and feed chutes. A housing associated with the blending and feed chutes receiving the carded and blended fibers for further blending, and a feed roll within the housing and adjacent discharge end of each blending and feed chute for withdrawing the fibers delivering them into the housing for further opening and blending. A beater roll removing the further opened and blended fibers from the housing into a chute for forming non-woven fabrics. Here the fibers are compacted into a non-woven fabric having high loft and resilience.

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.