Abstract: Improved absorbent core components including multiple layers configured to enhance fluid handling properties. The layers include absorbent material layers, with or without absorbent material-free lanes. The layers also include nonwoven layers, including air-through nonwovens, bulkified nonwovens, slitted nonwovens, and bulky nonwovens.

Abstract: A bearing bushing (1) and to a method for manufacturing a bearing bushing are provided. The bearing bushing includes a wire article (2) formed from knitted wire mesh or knitted wire fabric (6) and compressed into a dimensionally stable compressed product (3). The bearing bushing can be provided for supporting a throttle valve used in high-temperature applications. The wire article (2) is formed from a stainless steel. Existing voids (10) of the compressed product (3) are filled with solder (4).

Abstract: A PEM fuel cell assembly includes cooler plates (10) with internal coolant manifolds (25) isolated from the cell stack assembly by an isolation gap (28) to minimize the risk of contamination of the cells by antifreeze. The internal coolant manifolds are formed by seal assemblies (24), each disposed between inlet or outlet openings (14, 15) in projections (16) of each cooler plate extending outwardly from the fuel cell planform (20) to provide a gap (28), which may be used as an air turn manifold. Flanges (40) with through holes (41) may receive tie rods to assist assembly of a fuel cell stack with the cooler plate.

Abstract: A soft, durable, nonwoven fabric formed of hydroentangled synthetic polymer fibers in sheet form. The polymer fiber is surface embossed on at least one major surface with a predetermined pattern to provide a fiber sheet having enhanced dimensional stability. The fiber sheet is surface napped to soften the surface and disturb and make indistinct the surface embossed pattern. The pattern may preferably be a twill pattern, and the napping process is preferably a wire-napping process. The fabric can be constructed into blankets and numerous apparel items.

Abstract: A process for producing fancy woven fabrics having balanced hand characteristics on each of the face and back is described. The process involves hydraulically processing a fancy-woven fabric having spun yarns in the warp to force fibers from spun yarns which are dominant on one fabric surface through the fabric to regions to form a nap on the other surface of the fabric. The process achieves fabrics having balanced hand characteristics with superior strength to those formed by conventional napping and sanding processes. In addition, the patterns have good pattern clarity.

Abstract: A process for making sanded elastic fabrics having low fuzz is described. The process involves sanding an elastic fabric with a microfinishing film to achieve a fabric having good side-center-side consistency, and a thick, consistent nap produced from a large number of short hairs. The fabrics can be produced at greater efficiency than achieved from conventional sanding methods, and with an enhanced aesthetic appearance.

Abstract: A decorative texturized fabric is provided. The fabric is produced from a fabric substrate that includes a yarn nappable from one side of the substrate. For instance, in one embodiment, the fabric substrate is a warp knitted fabric. According to the present invention, the fabric substrate is treated with a size composition according to a particular pattern. The fabric is then napped causing a nap to form on one side of the fabric where the size composition has not been applied. In this manner, a texturized pattern is formed into the fabric. After napping, the size composition can be removed from the fabric and the fabric can be dyed.

Abstract: Fabrics and methods of making such fabrics whereby no evident pile structure is present in raised pattern areas on the face of the fabric. The construction of the fabric is nonetheless such that the yarns forming the raised pattern areas are more susceptible to napping as compared to the yarns forming the recessed ground regions of the fabric. This fabric construction of selected yarns will thus permit preferential napping of the pattern areas to be achieved (e.g., using conventional napping wires) while the adjacent ground regions of the fabric remain substantially unnapped. Subsequent shearing of the napped pattern areas thereby results in a velvet-like hand being achieved.

Abstract: A distinctive method for contouring a fibrous web includes the steps of (a) providing a fibrous web which defines an interconnected series of appointed article segments along a length dimension of said web, and (b) conveying said web at a selected speed along an appointed machine direction. The method also includes the step of (c) removing predetermined quantities of fibers from selected regions of said fibrous web with a moving, outer peripheral scarfing surface, which is movable along a selected movement direction. The scarfing surface is constructed to provide each of the article segments with a selected contoured basis weight which varies along the length dimension of said segment in a selected correspondence with a predetermined scarfing pattern. The scarfing pattern is provided by the outer peripheral scarfing surface and is variably patterned along the movement direction of the scarfing surface.

Abstract: A distinctive apparatus for contouring a fibrous web includes a supplying mechanism for providing a fibrous web which defines an interconnected series of appointed article segments along a length dimension of the web. A conveying mechanism moves the web at a selected speed along an appointed machine direction. A scarfing mechanism removes predetermined quantities of fibers from selected regions of the fibrous web. The scarfing mechanism is constructed to provide each of the article segments with a selected contoured basis weight which varies at least along the length dimension of the segment in a selected correspondence with a predetermined scarfing pattern. The scarfing pattern is provided by an outer peripheral surface of the scarfing mechanism, and the pattern is configured to have a selected variation at least along a movement direction of the scarfing mechanism.

Abstract: A novel textile fabric having a napped face which is uniform in height and in which most of the fibers comprising the nap extend from yarns extending in the warp direction of the fabric.

Abstract: Insulating fabric having a knitted base fabric incorporating air-entrapping cells on one or both sides. The base fabric is knit from a bulk acrylic yarn, preferably high bulk acrylic yarn, and a combination polyester and cotton yarn, the yarns being knitted separately in selected fabric courses. The inner face of the fabric is formed of the bulk acrylic yarn, to provide a soft, warm and comfortable interior surface when worn. The outer face of the fabric is formed of the polyester/cotton yarn, which provides a knitted framework for anchoring and stabilizing the high bulk yarn in the fabric. Following knitting, the fabric is subjected to a series of finishing operations which include scouring, padding, drying and calendering. Preferably, the inner acrylic surface of the fabric is napped prior to calendering. As the result of repeated washings, the insulating fabric of the invention increases in thickness to enhance its heat insulating capability and provide increased warmth.

Abstract: Insulating fabric having a knitted base fabric incorporating air-entrapping cells on one or both sides. The base fabric is knit from a high bulk acrylic yarn and a combination polyester and cotton yarn, the yarns being knitted separately in selected fabric courses. The inner face of the fabric is formed of the high bulk yarn, to provide a soft, warm and comfortable interior surface when worn. The outer face of the fabric is formed of the polyester/cotton yarn, which provides a knitted framework for anchoring and stabilizing the high bulk yarn in the fabric. Following knitting, the fabric is subjected to a series of finishing operations which include scouring, padding, drying, napping and calendering. As the result of repeated washings, the insulating fabric of the invention increases in thickness to enhance its heat insulating capability and provide increased warmth.

Abstract: Disclosed is a suede-like raised woven fabric of a combination weave. A yarn having a thickness in a range between 30 and 300 denier, the thickness of most of individual filaments or fibers thereof being in a range between 1.0 and 8.0 denier, is utilized as the warp; while a spun yarn having a thickness represented by a total denier in a range between 50 and 1000 denier, the thickness of the most of individual component fibers thereof being in a range between 0.0001 and 0.4 denier, is utilized as a first weft, and a yarn having a fineness represented by a total denier in a range between 30 and 300 denier, the thickness of the most of individual filaments or fibers thereof being in a range between 1.0 and 8.0 denier, is utilized as a second weft. At least one of the warp and the second weft does not substantially involve crimped filaments or fibers. A combination woven fabric structure provided with a number of floating points of the first weft upon the warp in a range between three and seven is adopted.

Abstract: A process of forming an emboss on textile material such as blankets, bedspreads and the like wherein areas to be unembossed are outlined on the textile material preferably after the textile material has been washed, subsequently treating the outlined areas with a resinous material preferably having additives such as an affixer and a softener which is subsequently permitted to cure and performing a teazeling operation on the textile material to remove the nap from the untreated areas and finally subjecting the teazeled textile material to a finishing operation to provide a smooth teazel nap of the desired length on the textile material.