Abstract: This invention provides a method of producing chitosan non-woven fabrics and an apparatus thereof. At first, a chitosan acidic solution is extruded to form a chitosan fibrous stream. Then, a solidifying agent is ejected to form a solidifying agent stream. The solidifying agent stream and the chitosan fibrous stream are combined to form a pre-solidified chitosan fiber. Then, high-pressure air is ejected on the pre-solidified chitosan fiber to stretch the pre-solidified chitosan fiber. Finally, the chitosan fibers are collected to form chitosan non-woven fabrics.

Abstract: A solid-stranding method and apparatus for forming optical cables. Solid-stranding combines buffering and stranding operations, as well as performs the stranding operation while the flextubes are still hot so that they adhere together without additional binders. Optical fibers and/or wires are supplied to an extruder which forms flextubes around individual ones or groups of the optical fibers and/or wires. A central element may be supplied to, and go through, the center of the extruder. A rotating pulling device, such as a caterpillar, helically or in an SZ-manner solid-strands the flextubes around the central element—or solid-strands the flextubes to themselves when no central element is present—as the flextubes cool down. That is, solid-stranding includes buffering and stranding operations that are performed together without a water cooling stage therebetween. Thus, the flextubes adhere together, and may adhere to the central member, thereby forming a solid-stranded composite core.

Abstract: The use of conductive polyaniline fibers for resistive heating applications is described. Unlike metal wires and conductive-polymer coated fibers, under certain conditions, electric voltages or currents used to generate heat in the fibers were found to produce irreversible changes to the polymer backbone that destroy its electrical conductivity but not its structural integrity. The temperature that these changes occur varies with dopant and fiber diameter, and can be tailored to specific applications. Since these changes occur at lower temperatures than the temperature at which dopant molecules within the conductive polymer are lost or decomposed, both of which lower the conductivity of the material, polyaniline fibers can be used for resistive heating applications where the heating element is in the vicinity of the skin of the wearer thereof.

Abstract: A method is provided for simultaneous spin-drawing of continuous yarns consisting of one or more filaments, comprising the steps in which a melt of a thermoplastic material is fed to a spinning device, the melt is extruded through a spinneret by means of extrusion openings with the formation of continuous yarns, the continuous yarns are cooled by feeding them through a first and a second cooling zone, wherein the continuous yarns are cooled essentially by a stream of air on passing through the first cooling zone and essentially by a fluid, consisting wholly or partly of a component that is liquid at room temperature, on passing through the second cooling zone, and the continuous yarns are then dried, subsequently drawn and wound up by means of winding devices, the method being distinguished in that the continuous yarns are fed through the first and second cooling zones at a speed of up to 500 m/min and that the residence time of the continuous yarns within the first cooling zone is at least 0.1 sec.

Abstract: The present invention provides yarn and cloths made by utilizing bamboo fiber and methods for manufacturing these yarn and cloths, thereby the bamboo fiber can be utilized by being extracted from sheaths of bamboo shoots or bamboo sheaths that generate at the root of bamboo abundantly, which have been left as they are or mostly disposed of as wastes. By fibrillating or chemically treating bamboo sheaths 10 which is a main raw material, bamboo fiber 16 mainly comprising cellulose is obtained, and then it is formed into yarn by spinning. A cloth is produced as woven or knitted fabric using the yarn.

Abstract: A method of producing a polyethylene terephthalate-based polyester fiber includes spinning polyethylene terephthalate based polyester to produce an undrawn yarn with an intrinsic viscosity of 0.83 or more and a density of 1338 g/cm3 or more, multi-stage drawing the undrawn yarn, heat-setting the drawn yarn, relaxing heat-set yarn, and winding the relaxed yarn to produce the resulting drawn yarn with an intrinsic viscosity of 0.83 or more and a density of 1.38 to 1.3865 g/cm3, so that the thusly produced industrial polyester yarn with high modulus and low shrinkage contributes to significantly improving strength retention (tenacity of a dip cord/tenacity of a grey yarn) of the dip cord, produced by treating the polyester yarn with an adhesive (RFL) and subsequently heat-treating the RFL-treated polyester yarn, to be useful as a tire cord.

Abstract: New composite materials having a high density of small particles, such as hollow microspheres, in a matrix material are disclosed. The microspheres are densely packed in the matrix material such that adjacent microspheres are positioned in contact with each other or very close together. Fiber flanking may be provided on the opposite sides of a layer of a core of composite material having the small particles and matrix material. Also disclosed are methods of making and using the composite materials.

Abstract: A side-by-side or eccentric sheath-core bicomponent fiber wherein each component comprises a different poly(trimethylene terephthalate) composition and wherein at least one of the compositions comprises styrene polymer dispersed throughout the poly(trimethylene terephthalate), and preparation and use thereof.

Abstract: This invention relates to a poly(trimethylene terephthalate) BCF carpet yarn having a Y-shaped cross-section that has an modification ratio and a arm angle within a specific range, and a method for preparing it. The BCF carpet yarn has excellent bulk property and spinning efficiency, and a carpet made from it has good appearance, sense of touch, and tufting efficiency.

Abstract: A method for producing an artificial leather includes mixed spinning an island polymer and a sea polymer having a different dissolving property from that of the island polymer at a predetermined temperature, producing a non-woven substrate from the fiber obtained, immersing the non-woven substrate into a polymer, dissolving and removing the sea polymer in the non-woven substrate to obtain an artificial leather as a semi-finished product, and polishing the surface of the artificial leather to obtain an artificial leather having excellent dyeability and advanced fluff-like property. The ratio of melt flow index of the sea polymer to relative viscosity of the island polymer is about 20 to about 55, in which the relative viscosity of the island polymer is about 2.7 to about 3.5 and the weight percentage of the sea polymer relative to the sum of the sea polymer and the island polymer is about 30% to about 70%.

Abstract: A multilayer laminate is produced with in-line fabric deposition. One layer of the multilayer laminate has stable, heat-set, helically crimped fibers which are uncompacted and therefore retain their loft.

Abstract: A process for the production and for the winding of one polyester yarn, preferably multi-filament yarn, which comprises at least about 85 weight %, in relation to the total weight of the polyester yarn, of polytrimethylene terephthalate (PTT) wherein said process is characterized in that filaments of said polyester yarn is heat-treated, before it is wound on a bobbin, at a temperature in the range of about 70° C. to about 180° C. The method of accomplishing this is by heating the godets that are used in the spinning part of the process, preferably the last pair of godets, to relax the yarns so that the yarn package will not shrink significantly during storage and/or transportation. It is thus possible to obtain at least one PTT yarn package with long-term stability during storage and which is insensitive against elevated temperatures during storage and transport.

Abstract: Bristles for applying media are produced in that a filament, which can be cut into bristles, is extruded with a core which also determines the mechanical properties of the bristle. Cavities are formed at a separation from the center of the core and open towards the circumference of the filament which can be filled with medium from the outside, wherein the circumferential openings of the cavities are formed such that the medium is discharged only when the bristle is appropriately used. The cavities may also have a larger opening width and be covered by a layer or jacket. A bristle and brushes having such bristles produced in accordance with this method are also described.

Abstract: A method of producing a textile preform to be used for making a fiber reinforced plastic composite product involves the following steps. A two- or three-dimensional semi-finished textile material or article is produced by essentially any textile production process, such as weaving, knitting or braiding. A binder is applied to the textile material, which is then subjected to a reforming and/or draping process by being applied onto a carrier and reforming tool having a contour or geometry adapted to that of the desired preform that is to be produced. Thereby, the previously unfixed fibers of the textile material are brought into the desired finished orientation and are then fixed, and the cross-sectional shape of the material is changed. This produces the preform having the desired contour, geometry and fiber orientation. The preform may then be subjected to further processing steps to form the finished composite product.

Abstract: A spinning process for poly(trimethylene terephthalate) and an analytical method wherein the process provides an aging resistant poly(trimethylene terephthalate) yarn and the analytical method provides predictability to the process.

Abstract: An air handler for collecting air discharged from a melt spinning apparatus. The air handler includes an outer housing having walls defining a first interior space. One of the walls has an intake opening for receiving the discharge air. Another wall has an exhaust opening for discharging the air. The intake opening is in fluid communication with the first interior space. An inner housing is positioned within the first interior space and has walls defining a second interior space. At least one of the walls of the inner housing has an opening. The first interior space communicates with the second interior space through the opening. The second interior space is in fluid communication with the exhaust opening.

Abstract: A stable partially oriented poly(trimethylene terephthalate) yarn suitable for use in subsequent drawing and/or draw-texturing operations characterized by an elongation to break of at least 110%, and a process for false-twist texturing a partially oriented poly(trimethylene terephthalate) yarn.

Abstract: The present invention provides continuous fiber nonwoven webs with high material formation uniformity and MD-to-CD balance of fiber directionality and material properties, as measured by a MD:CD tensile ratio of 1.2 or less, and desirably of about 1.0 or less, and laminates of the nonwoven webs. The invention also includes a method for forming the nonwoven webs wherein the fiber production apparatus is oriented at an angle less than 90 degrees to the MD direction and the fibers are subjected to deflection by a deflector oriented at an angle B with respect to the centerline of the fiber production apparatus where B is about 10 to about 80 degrees.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing a transversely aligned web has a spinning device provided with a plurality of nozzles for extruding molten polymer as filaments, and a conveyor on which the filaments spun by the spinning device are piled and traveling in a direction cross to the direction of array of the nozzles. The spinning device is provided with a high-speed fluid blowing unit for blowing a high-speed fluid in a direction parallel with a direction in which the filaments are extruded from the nozzles so as to attenuate the filaments. Further, the apparatus for manufacturing the transversely aligned web has at least one air stream vibrating mechanism for cyclically changing the flowing direction of the high-speed fluid blown from the high-speed fluid blowing unit in a direction cross to the machine direction of the conveyor. The filaments are vibrated in a direction cross to the machine direction of the conveyor, owing to the high-speed fluid by the air stream vibrating unit.

Abstract: A manufacturing method of an electret processed product, comprising the steps of allowing a section nozzle (22) to come into contact with a nonconductive fiber sheet (S) so as to cross in the lateral direction of the sheet while running the sheet, allowing the surface of the sheet on the opposite side of the contact portion to come into contact with or to immerse into a water surface, sucking water from the suction nozzle (22) so that the water can be passed through the sheet in the thickness direction of the sheet to penetrate the water into the nonconductive fiber sheet (S), and drying the nonconductive fiber sheet (S), whereby a high quality and high performance electret processed product can be manufactured at a low cost.

Abstract: A process for preparing poly(trimethylene terephthalate) fibers including (a) providing a poly(trimethylene terephthalate) composition comprising about 0.05 to about 10 weight % ionomer and (b) spinning the polymer composition to form fibers. In addition, a poly(trimethylene terephthalate) fiber including poly(trimethylene terephthalate) with about 0.1 to about 10 weight % ionomer dispersed throughout the poly(trimethylene terephthalate), and use thereof in yarns, fabrics, and carpets, as well as the yarns, fibers and fabrics.

Abstract: A filter cartridge formed of wound polypropylene yarn lacking a spin-finish and method of making same are disclosed herein. The method includes the steps of: providing a filter core; providing a plurality of continuous polypropylene filaments; applying water to the filaments without applying a spin finish to remove static therefrom; gathering together a plurality of the filaments to form at least two bundles; air texturing the at least two bundles of filaments to form a yarn; and winding said yarn around said filter core to provide a filter media.

Abstract: Manufacturing method for polyester fine denier multifilament. The length of a protective delay shroud of the radial outer-flow quenching system used in melt spinning process for manufacturing fine hollow polyester filaments is expressed as (2˜8060×throughput÷filaments square), and the length of quenching air tube is from 15 to 40 centimeters. The velocity of quenching air is between 0.2 m/sec to 0.6 m/sec. For the layout of the spinneret orifices, the diameter difference of outermost layer orifice and the innermost layer orifice is set less than 20 mm; and the distance between the diameter of innermost orifice layout and the diameter of quenching air tube is at least 12 and less than 33 mm. The orifice density of spinneret layout (orifice density) is set as 7˜15 orifices per square centimeter.

Abstract: A process for preparing poly(trimethylene dicarboxylate) multifilament yarns and monofilaments. One process for preparing poly(trimethylene dicarboxylate) multifilament yarns includes (a) providing a polymer blend including poly(trimethylene dicarboxylate) and about 0.1 to about 10 weight % styrene polymer, by weight of the polymer in the polymer blend, (b) spinning the polymer blend to form poly(trimethylene dicarboxylate) multiconstituent filaments containing dispersed styrene polymer, and (c) processing the multiconstituent filaments into poly(trimethylene dicarboxylate) multifilament yarn including poly(trimethylene dicarboxylate) multiconstituent filaments containing styrene polymer dispersed throughout the filaments. Another process includes spinning at a speed of at least 3,000 m/m and processing a blend including poly(trimethylene dicarboxylate) to form partially oriented poly(trimethylene dicarboxylate) multifilament yarn.

Abstract: A process for preparing poly(trimethylene terephthalate) fibers comprising (a) providing a poly(trimethylene terephthalate) composition comprising about 0.05 to about 5 mole % tetramethylene terephthalate repeat units and (b) spinning the polymer composition to form fibers. Poly(trimethylene terephthalate) fiber comprising poly(trimethylene terephthalate) composition comprising about 0.05 to about 5 mole % tetramethylene terephthalate repeat units, as well as yarns, fabrics (e.g., woven, knitted, and nonwoven fabrics) and carpets. A poly(trimethylene terephthalate) composition comprising about 0.05 to about 5 mole % tetramethylene terephthalate repeat units.

Abstract: A method for producing a flame retarding polypropylene fiber having both good flame retardancy and good fiber strength, and which generates no toxic gas, includes mixing 0.4% by wt. or more of a hindered amine-based stabilizer and 0.5% by wt. or more of a phosphoric ester-based flame retardant with a polypropylene resin having an MPR of 5 to 50 g/10 min, melt-spinning the mixture to form an undrawn yarn, drafting the yarn at a drafting magnification of 2 to 7 fold and a drafting temperature of 50 to 100° C., and further thermally setting at 60 to 140° C.

Abstract: A method and a device for the production of a ribbon are provided. The method may be performed on a narrow fabric needle loom and may include repeating the following steps: picking a weft thread (4), with (only) one weft needle (1); meshing the weft thread (4), with a catch thread (5), delivered from the side opposite the weft side (weft exit side), by a knitting needle (2) working on the weft exit side; returning the weft needle (1) and wrapping the weft thread (4), with a catch thread (6), delivered from the weft side by a knitting needle working on the weft side. The device may include a narrow fabric needle looms, for production of a ribbon, in particular by the above method. A webbing is also provided that may be produced from the above method.

Abstract: A non-woven fabric which consists of a blend 75% to 95% by weight of polypropylene based fibers and 5 to 25% by weight of polyester based fibers. The polypropylene fibers are extruded from a melt mixture of about 80 to 99% by weight polypropylene and about 1 to 20% by weight of a suitable heat stabilizer. The polyester based fibers are extruded from a melt mixture of 80% to 100% by weight polyester and 0 to 20% by weight of other stabilizers and/or fire retardants. The flame retardant compounds are added to and blended with the polyester melt prior to the extrusion of the polyester based fibers. Most preferably, the extruded polypropylene and polyester based fibers are staple fibers of between about 2 and 12 denier.

Abstract: The present invention provides a multicomponent fiber containing at least two polymer components arranged in distinct zones or segments across the cross-section of the fiber wherein at least one component of the fiber contains a thermoplastic polymer and at least one component of the fiber contains a thermoset polymer. The invention also provides fabrics and fabric laminates containing the multicomponent fibers, and articles containing the fabric. Additionally provided is a process for producing the multicomponent fibers.

Abstract: A spin finish which enhances yarn processability and contributes to improved yarn performance. The spin finish is advantageous when compared with conventional spin finishes applied to industrial yarn because the present spin finish enhances yarn processability as evidenced by low forming, improved mechanical quality at lower amounts of spin finish per yarn, improved mechanical quality at higher draw ratios, and minimal depositing. It also improves yarn performance as evidenced by improved strength and wicking.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for making polyamide filaments, such as nylon 6,6, having high tensile strength. The invention also relates to yarns and other articles formed from such filaments. The invention is particularly useful for providing a filament yarn with tenacity equal or superior to the prior art at high spinning process speeds while retaining the ability to draw the yarn. The invention further relates to providing a filament yarn extruded from a delustered or pigmented polyamide polymer.

Abstract: A fabric for providing reinforcement and the like which is made from a two dimensional flat fabric which includes portions that the warp and weft fibers are interlocked together and portions that are non-interlocked together that allow the fabric to be folded to create a three dimensional structure without the need for cutting and darting.

Abstract: A method includes the steps of co-extruding a first component and a second component. The first component has a recovery percentage R1 and the second component has a recovery percentage R2, wherein R1 is higher than R2. The first and second components are directed through a spin pack to form a plurality of continuous, molten fibers. The plurality of molten fibers is then routed through a quenching chamber to form a plurality of continuous cooled fibers. The plurality of continuous cooled fibers is then routed through a drawing unit to form a plurality of continuous, solid linear fibers. The linear fibers are then deposited onto a moving support, such ass a forming wire, to form an accumulation or fibers. The accumulation of fibers are stabilized and bonded to form a web. The web is then stretched by at least 50 percent in at least one direction before being allowed to relax.

Abstract: A polyester blended yarn giving a woven or knitted fabric exhibiting a swollen touch and a high grade texture is stably obtained by melt-spinning a polyester including A including a substrate polymer including a polyester and 0.5 to 5.0 percent by weight of a polymer P, and the substrate polymer from an identical spinneret or different spinnerets to obtain the filament group A including the polyester composition A and the filament group B including the substrate polymer, blowing cooling air on the filament groups B and A at a speed of 0.20 to 0.80 m/sec and at a speed of not less than 1.1 times said speed, respectively, to once separately cool and solidify the filament groups B and A, doubling the cooled filament groups, and then taking off the obtained doubled yarn at a speed of not less than 2,500 m/min.

Abstract: A process for preparing nonwoven webs including multiple component continuous filaments having high levels of three-dimensional helical crimp utilizing draw rolls to provide a high degree of orientation to each of the polymeric components by mechanically drawing the filaments under conditions wherein the polymeric components remain substantially amorphous and a stretchable nonwoven web including multiple component, continuous filaments having high levels of three-dimensional helical crimp.

Abstract: A parallel spinning process, in particular for filaments, e.g. for textile or industrial applications, made from polymers such as, for example, PET or PA, in each case having a thread interlacing device between two godets for each individual thread, the godets being moved in relation to one another during the piercing or feeding operation in such a way that each individual thread is automatically threaded into its interlacing device associated therewith, and the angle of wrap in the operating mode is at least from 85° to at most 200°, preferably from 175° to 185°.

Abstract: A method includes the steps of co-extruding a first component and a second component. The first component has a recovery percentage R1 and the second component has a recovery percentage R2, wherein R1 is higher than R2. The first and second components are directed through a spin pack to form a plurality of continuous, molten fibers. The molten fibers are then muted through a quenching chamber to form a plurality of continuous cooled fibers. The coiled fibers are then routed through a drawing unit to form a plurality of continuous, solid linear fibers. Each of the solid fibers is then stretched by at least 50 percent before it is allowed to relax. The relaxation step forms the linear fibers into a plurality of continuous 3-dimensional fibers each having a coiled configuration over at least a portion of its length. The continuous 3-dimensional, coiled fibers are then deposited onto a moving support to form a web.

Abstract: A wind tunnel blade (30) connected to a base (32) and held in position by a two-piece cuff (34). The wind tunnel blade (30) is formed in a resin transfer molding process in which central, fore, and aft foam core sections (70, 72, 74) are placed together to form the wind tunnel blade (30). Radius fillers (120) are used to fill the gaps between the outer edge of the foam core sections. The radius fillers (120) used in the wind tunnel blade (30) are formed by a braided sleeve (122) surrounding a number of unidirectional tows (124). A tip (68) is formed separately from the rest of the wind tunnel blade (30) and is glued to the top thereof. Stacked layers of braided fibers (100) are used to reinforce the central core section (70).

Abstract: A device and a method for the melt spinning and depositing of a plurality of tows (5.1, 5.2, . . . , 5.n) utilizes several spinning devices (1.1, 1.2, . . . , 1.n) by means of which one of the tows 5.1, 5.2, . . . , 5.n is produced from a filament bundle (4.1, 4.2, . . . , 4.n). Each spinning device (1.1, 2.2, . . . , 1.n) is associated with a respective drawing-off device and a respective can depositing device (3.1, 3.2, . . . , 3.n) so that each of the tows (5.1, 5.2, . . . , 5.n) can be deposited individually in a respective can (19.1, 19.2, . . . , 19.n).

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: Melt blown nonwoven webs are formed by supplying attenuating fluid to a meltblowing die through an attenuating fluid distribution passage whose distribution characteristics can be changed while the die and manifold are assembled. By adjusting the distribution characteristics of the passage, the mass flow rate of attenuating fluid to channels in the meltblowing die and the temperature of the attenuating fluid at the die outlets can be made more uniform.

Abstract: An acid dye stain-resistant fiber-forming polyamide composition comprising a fiber-forming polyamide and a reagent, at least a portion of which associates with free acid dye sites in the polyamide, thereby disabling the acid dye sites in fibers formed from the composition from taking up acid dye stains; a masterbatch concentrate for addition to a fiber-forming polyamide to form an acid dye stain-resistant fiber-forming polyamide composition comprising a carrier compatible with the fiber-forming polyamide combined with an amount of the above reagent in excess of that desired in the acid dye stain-resistant fiber-forming polyamide; as well as fibers and articles of manufacture prepared therefrom.

Abstract: A product includes a dimensionally stable polymeric multifilament yarn having a decitex per fiber count DPF of at least 7.5 and a fatigue strength retention FR, wherein preferred yarns are spun and drawn such that FR increases when DPF increases. Particularly preferred yarns are fabricated from poly(ethylene terephthalate) and have a DPF of between 10 and 20.

Abstract: Melt blown or spun bond nonwoven webs are formed by flowing fiber-forming material through a die cavity having a substantially uniform residence time and then through a plurality of orifices to form filaments, using air or other fluid to attenuate the filaments into fibers and collecting the attenuated fibers as a nonwoven web. Each die orifice receives a fiber-forming material stream having a similar thermal history. The physical or chemical properties of the nonwoven web fibers such as their average molecular weight and polydispersity can be made more uniform. Wide nonwoven webs can be formed by arranging a plurality of such die cavities in a side-by-side relationship. Thicker or multilayered nonwoven webs can be formed by arranging a plurality of such die cavities atop one another.

Abstract: A synthetic leather made of a nonwoven fabric impregnated and/or coated with a polymer, with a surface weight of 100 to 500 g/m2, and a tensile strength greater than 300 N/5 cm in the lengthwise and the crosswise direction, where the nonwoven fabric is made up of melt-spun multi-component endless filaments, aerodynamically stretched and directly laid up to form a nonwoven material, having a titer less than 2 dTex, and wherein the multi-component endless filaments, after preliminary bonding, are split and bonded by at least 90% to produce supermicro endless filaments having a titer less than 0.2 dTex.

Abstract: Poly(trimethylene terephthalate) tetrachannel cross-section staple fibers, as well as yarns, fiberfill webs, batts and products, and fabrics made therewith. Also, the process of making such staple fibers, yarns, fiberfill webs, batts and products, and fabrics.

Abstract: A graft (1) having a band of fibrous material (13) on an outer surface thereof adjacent its proximal end (9). The band of fibrous material extends circumferentially around the graft to promote adhesion. The band can be continuous around the proximal end of the graft. The band can be formed from a patch of fibrous material, cut or loop pile velour, by fibres woven or knitted into the material of the graft or by brushing of material of the graft to raise fibres of the material of the graft. The band of fibrous material has a length of from 5 mm to 15 mm along the length of the graft.

Abstract: Disclosed are water-dispersible fibers derived from sulfopolyesters having a Tg of at least 25° C. The fibers may contain a single sulfopolyester or a blend of a sulfopolyester with a water-dispersible or water-nondispersible polymer. Also disclosed are fibrous articles from the water-dispersible fibers. The fibrous articles include water-dispersible nonwoven webs, fabrics, and multilayered articles such as wipes, gauze, tissue, diapers, panty liners, sanitary napkins, bandages, and surgical dressings. Also disclosed is a process for water-dispersible fibers and nonwoven fabrics. The fibers and fibrous articles have further applications in flushable personal care and cleaning products, disposable protective outerwear, and laminating binders.

Abstract: The polypropylene-based thermoplastic fibers are uniform in cross-section, not having any degraded surface skin, and they are heat-weldable at a pressure at a temperature which is lower than the melting temperature, by virtue of internal heating due to the effect of said pressure. They are made of a first constituent with high crystallinity and at least one second constituent, compatible with the first constituent, and of crystallinity that is lower than that of the first constituent. They have a quantity of primary oxidation inhibitor lying in the range 350 ppm to 1000 ppm. Such fibers are made by spinning under conditions that avoid molecular degradation by thermal oxidation at the periphery of the fibers, in particular with cooling that is rapid immediately on leaving the extrusion head. The non-woven fabric obtained by heat-bonding such fibers is characterized by weld points that are in the form of a polymer laminate that is uniform and transparent.

Abstract: A method of melt spinning a group of multifilament yarns (1) from a polymer melt, wherein each group of yarns (10) is formed from a plurality of filaments (4) that are extruded through a nozzle bore (3) and withdrawn by a withdrawal means by the action of a withdrawal tension. In accordance with the invention, each group of yarns (10) is cooled in a precooling zone (5) and in an aftercooling zone (6) downstream thereof. The cooling in the precooling zone (5) and in the aftercooling zone (6) is adjusted such that the group of yarns (10) is cooled within the aftercooling zone (6) by the action of a coolant flow directed into the path of the yarn, so that the filaments (4) of the group of yarns (10) solidify in a solidification range within the aftercooling zone (6).