Abstract: A process and apparatus for producing sub-micron fibers, and more specifically a process and apparatus for effecting formation of sub-micron fibers by fibrillation of polymer films, and nonwoven materials and articles incorporating them.

Abstract: The invention relates to a high-strength light-weight non-woven fabric made of spunbonded non-woven, particularly for use as a reinforcement or strengthening material, comprising at least one ply of melt-spun synthetic filaments, which are bonded by means of high-energy water jets, characterized in that it includes a thermally activatable binding agent, which is applied onto the ply of melt-spun filaments in the form of at least one thin layer. The invention further relates to a method for producing such a non-woven fabric.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are monofilament fibers and staple fibers comprising at least one polymeric resin and at least one coated filler, wherein the at least one coated filler has an average particle size of less than or equal to about 3 microns, and wherein the at least one coated filler is present in an amount of less than or equal to about 50% by weight, relative to the total weight of the monofilament fibers. Also disclosed herein are methods for producing monofilament fibers, staple fibers, webs, and fabrics comprising adding ground calcium carbonate to at least one polymeric resin and processing the resulting mixture.

Abstract: A method of making an electrochemical cell electrode substrate includes creating an aqueous or dry mixture of chopped carbon fibers, chopped cross-linkable resin fibers that are still fuseable after being formed into a felt, such as novolac, a temporary binder, such as polyvinyl alcohol fiber or powder, forming a non-woven felt from either an aqueous suspension of the aqueous mixture or an air suspension of the dry mixture, by a non-woven, wet-lay or dry-lay, respectively, felt forming process, a resin curing agent, such as hexamethylene tetramine may be included in the aqueous or dry mixture, or it may be coated onto the formed felt; pressing one or more layers of the formed felt for 1-5 minutes to a controlled thickness and a controlled porosity at a temperature at which the resin melts, cross-links and then cures, such as 150° C.-200° C.; and heat treating the pressed felt in a substantially inert atmosphere, first to 750° C.-1000° C. and then to 1000° C.-3000° C.

Abstract: A vane has an airfoil shell and a spar within the shell. The vane has an outboard shroud at an outboard end of the shell and an inboard platform at an inboard end of the shell. The shell includes a region having a coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) varying with depth.

Abstract: Multitubular sheathing for electrodes of industrial batteries, characterised in that it is made of thermo-formed non-woven fabric formed from staple fibres made integral with one another, at least a portion thereof consisting of thermo-forming fibres.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for making a non-woven mat to be used as a reinforcement for a frame in a flexible sealing membrane. The method is characterised in that it includes providing vegetable-origin natural fibres optionally mixed with a minority of thermoplastic or thermofusible fibres, forming a non-woven mat or web by mechanical, pneumatic or hydraulic batting, submitting the web to two successive consolidation operations including a needle punching operation and a binding operation with a chemical binder or by a thermal processing preferably under pressure, and finally submitting the non-woven consolidated web to a process for the hydrophobation of the fibres.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel locking pipe joint for use in fluid-carrying pipe systems. The locking pipe joint of the present invention provides a system of joints that will withstand the stresses and forces imposed on a pipe system carrying fluids during filed conditions. The joint is constructed on a push-fit principle. Sealing rings are used to make the joint leak-proof. Splines are provided to sustain the longitudinal forces imposed on the joint, and longitudinal ribs are provided on the outer surface of the jointed pipes to withstand the torsional loads. The joint is simple in its construction, easy to assemble in field and cost effective.

Abstract: A liquid separation device is provided, and is capable of suppressing the lowering of filtration function due to an increase in flow channel resistance of permeated liquid which results in a separation membrane falling in a groove of a permeated liquid flow channel material along with accompanied breakage of the separation membrane surface. A permeated liquid flow channel material is disposed on the back side of a separation membrane composed of a sheet-like material having a linear groove and a linear crest alternately arrayed on one surface or both surfaces, wherein a groove width of the linear groove in the sheet-like material is 10 to 200 ?m, and a ratio of the groove width of the linear groove to the pitch of the linear groove is 0.45 or more.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a fiber made of polylactic acid and having excellent strength, heat resistance and heat shrinkage resistance and a manufacturing method thereof. The present invention relates to the fiber is made of a composition which comprises (i) poly(L-lactic acid) having a weight average molecular weight of 50,000 to 300,000 (component A), (ii) poly(D-lactic acid) having a weight average molecular weight of 50,000 to 300,000 (component B) and (iii) 0.01 to 5 parts by weight of a phosphate metal salt (component C) based on 100 parts by weight of the total of the components A and B and has a strength of 2.5 to 10 cN/dTex and a manufacturing method thereof.

Abstract: Absorbable polyester fibers, braids, and surgical meshes with improved handling properties have been developed. These devices are preferably derived from biocompatible copolymers or homopolymers of 4-hydroxybutyrate. These devices provide a wider range of in vivo strength retention properties than are currently available and have a decreased tendency to curl, in the preferred embodiment, due to the inclusion of relaxation and annealing steps following methods are characterized by the following physical properties: (i) elongation to break from about 17% to about 85% (ii) Young's modulus of less than 350,000 psi, (iii) knot to straight ratio (knot strength/tensile strength) of 55-80% or (iv) load at break from 1100 to 4200 grams.

Abstract: This non-woven production installation comprises a spunbond tower (1), a device (7, 8) for consolidation by means of jets of water and a device (9, 10) for perforating by means of jets of water, the perforating device comprising three rows of jet outlet orifices.

Abstract: The Invention is a reinforced plastic sonar dome having a low acoustical insertion loss combined with sufficient mechanical strength. Acoustical and structural fibers are stochastically mixed and formed into a blended yarn. The blended yarn is woven into a blended fabric. The blended fabric is ordered into a stack having multiple layers of blended fabric. The blended fabric is incorporated into a polymer resin while the polymer resin is in liquid form using a vacuum assist. The acoustical fibers and the vacuum assist modify the acoustical properties of the resulting composite sonar dome.

Abstract: In an electrically conductive sheath-core conjugate fiber including an electrically conductive layer made of a thermoplastic polymer (A) containing electrically conductive carbon black fine particles which constitutes a sheath component and a protective layer made of a fiber-forming thermoplastic polymer (B) which constitutes a core component, the ratio of the (A) to the total weight of the (A) and the (B) is 10 to 35% by weight, the L1/L0 ratio is 1.04 to 10.0 where L1 represents the length of a boundary between the core component and the sheath component in a cross section of the conjugate fiber and L0 represents the length of the circumference of a core component, the fineness, the strength at break and the elongation at break are each adjusted within specified ranges, the shrinkage in hot water at 100° C. is within a specified range, and the fiber surface coverage of the sheath component is 85% or more.

Abstract: A method and system for manufacturing an inorganic yarn require a mixture of volcanic rock and an additive including potassium permanganate. This mixture is heated to form a melt. From the melt, a plurality of filaments are formed during a spinning process. After cooling and sizing the plurality of filaments to form fibers, the fibers are twisted to create the inorganic yarn.

Abstract: A reinforcement insert includes superposed laps of fiber which are coupled to each other by a coupling fiber which passes through the laps in order to form fiber sections wherein at least certain sections thereof are rectilinear. The fiber sections and laps are immersed in a cured resin. The total density of the fibers that make up the insert ranges from 50% to 60% of the volume of the insert and the fiber sections take up 3%-10% of the volume of the insert. A method for creating a sandwich structure includes at least one such insert.

Abstract: A composition of matter suitable for spinning polyaniline fiber, a method for spinning electrically conductive polyaniline fiber, a method for exchanging dopants in polyaniline fibers, and methods for dedoping and redoping polyaniline fibers are described.

Abstract: Absorbent articles including a twisted, compressed substrate are generally described. The twisted, compressed substrate of the present invention is configured to expand toward the skin of the wearer (i.e., in the z-direction of the absorbent article perpendicular to the plane of the absorbent article) upon contact with a liquid. However, the expansion of the twisted, compressed substrate is substantially limited to the z-direction. Also, upon contact with a liquid, the twisted, compressed substrate unwinds to penetrate through the absorbent core of the absorbent article to reduce any pressure put on the absorbent core during expansion.

Abstract: A composite wheel and a method of manufacture is provided for a vehicle wherein the composite wheel has a first and second section mounted to an annular mount. At least one of the first wheel section and second wheel section is composed of a resin having at least one braided polymeric fiber. The first and second sections are each formed by folding the braided fiber into a preform and then injecting resin into a mold containing the preform. The first and second sections are then bonded to each other and the annular mount.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing multi-functional yarn fiber material by mixing silver ion in the range of from wt. 5% to wt. 15% and functional powder in the range of from wt. 85% to wt. 95% is provided. The functional powder is one of coconut shell charcoal powder, bamboo charcoal powder, germanium powder, titanium dioxide powder, and aluminum oxide powder so as to produce the material which is applied in many purposes such as germproof, deodorization, producing far infrared ray and anion, balancing ion, anti-ultraviolet ray, cool, and comfort.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of making a polyamide mixed yarn comprising: simultaneously spinning a first group of filaments of a first polyamide and a second group of filaments of a second polyamide different from the first polyamide; combining the first and second groups of filaments through an air interlacing jet; and winding up the interlaced filaments. The invention also provides mixed yarns obtainable by the method of the invention, and fabrics and garments containing the yarns.

Abstract: A process for making a cigarette tow comprising: spinning a dope; taking-up the as-spun cellulose acetate filaments; lubricating the filaments; forming a tow from the filaments; crimping the tow with a stuffer box crimper; drying the crimped tow; and baling the dried crimped tow. The process further comprises at least two of the following: A. crimping further comprising one roller of the pair of nip rollers being adapted to induce crimp into the tow; B. crimping further comprising one roller of the pair of nip rollers being made of a solid ceramic material; C. crimping further comprising a pair of tow edge lubricators; D. crimping further comprising a steam injector; E. further comprising plasticizing the tow; F. lubricating the filaments further comprises a finish consisting of a water emulsion.

Abstract: In the manufacture of a fiber tow, particularly cellulose acetate tow, the tow is plasticized prior to entry into the crimper. The preferred plasticizer is water.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel composite materials, which comprise at least one thermoplastic organic polymer matrix and at least one hydraulic binder distributed in the polymer matrix. The invention also relates to a process for the preparation of such composite materials and to the use of these composite materials in textile materials. The composite materials comprise at least one thermoplastic organic polymer matrix and at least one hydraulic binder distributed in the polymer matrix, where the thermoplastic polymer matrix consists predominantly, i.e. to at least 60% by weight, in particular to at least 70% by weight, preferentially to at least 80% by weight, and especially preferred to at least 90% by weight, of at least one polymer, which is water-soluble or which under alkaline conditions is converted into a water-soluble polymer.

Abstract: A hose cover for a high pressure hose is disclosed. The hose cover includes an outer sheath and an inner sheath disposed within the outer sheath. The inner and outer sheaths have a woven construction, each have a plurality of warp threads, and a weft thread that it interwoven between the warp threads. The weft thread is woven between the warp threads of the inner and outer sheaths in a pattern such that weft thread is shared between the inner and outer sheath and the inner and outer sheaths are interwoven together.

Abstract: A flame retardant polymer fiber, a process for making such a fiber, and a material containing such fibers are provided. The flame retardant polymer fiber is a high tenacity fiber formed of a poly(trimethylene terephthalate) co-polymer containing a trimethylene terephthalate monomer and a phosphorous containing flame retardant monomer. The flame retardant PTT co-polymer fiber is produced by a process in which the trimethylene terephthalate monomer or its precursors and the phosphorous containing flame retardant monomer or its precursors are combined to form the PTT co-polymer in one or more pre-polymerization and polymerization steps, and the PTT co-polymer is spun into a fiber. Materials including such flame retardant PTT co-polymer fibers, e.g. carpets and textiles, are also provided.

Abstract: Carbon-nanotube arrays, yarns, films and composites, and the methods for preparing the same are provided. The substrate used is non-flat and has a radius of curvature of at least about 10 ?m. The length of the carbon-nanotube yarns and films is at least about 1 cm. The method for preparing the carbon-nanotube composites includes the step of contacting a carbon-nanotube yarn or film with a polymer.

Abstract: A plastic material having an antimicrobial characteristic and the method for making the plastic material is provided. The method includes blending and/or extruding a polymeric composition in a process which includes a temperature of at least about 170° C. The method also includes adding an antimicrobial component to the polymeric composition prior to or during the blending and/or extruding. The antimicrobial component includes a salt of a dehydroacetic acid (DHA) in an amount sufficient to provide the resulting plastic material with an effective antimicrobial characteristic. The antimicrobial component including a salt of DHA is stable at temperatures required for processing polymeric compositions.

Abstract: In some embodiments are an article including a woven fabric having warp yarns and weft yarns. Either warp yarn or weft yarn or both warp and weft yarns have two separate systems of yarns. The systems of yarns include a hard yarn forming the main body of fabric and a composite covered elastic yarn with an elastic fiber core; wherein the fabric has an outer face side, a back side, and the fabric includes at least one of: (a) a weaving pattern where the composite yarn and at least one adjacent hard yarn pass over the same pick when the composite yarn is on the outer surface; (b) the ratio of hard yarn denier to composite yarn denier is at least 1:1; and (c) the composite yarn floats over no more than 5 picks on the outer face side.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the production of a hydroentangled product comprising cellulose fibers, which includes the steps of (a) extruding a solution comprising cellulose dissolved in an aqueous tertiary amine-oxide through a spinneret into an air gap, thereby forming filaments (b) drawing said filaments by means of a gaseous stream (c) collecting and precipitating said filaments in order to form a web (d) bonding said web by means of a hydroentanglement process (e) contacting said filaments in the air gap with a medium which at least partially coagulates the filaments. Furthermore, the invention relates to products obtainable by said products, and uses thereof.

Abstract: A compressed wire mesh filter for an airbag assembly has one or more wires wrapped around the outer perimeter of the filter prior to final compression of the mesh to increase the hoop strength of the filter.

Abstract: A guidewire having an embedded matrix polymer construction and methods of making and using the same. The guidewire may include a core wire or member having a proximal region and distal region, a jacket disposed over the distal region, and a coil disposed over the jacket. The coil may include a coating and may be embedded within the jacket.

Abstract: In the manufacture of a fiber tow, particularly cellulose acetate tow, a stuffer box crimper has a steam injector in communication with the stuffer channel of the crimper. The steam injector consists of a single pair of injectors vertically aligned with one another above and below the stuffer channel of the crimper.

Abstract: In the manufacture of a fiber tow, particularly cellulose acetate tow, a stuffer box crimper has a pair of tow edge lubricators adapted to lubricate the lateral edges of the tow immediately prior to contact with the nip rollers of the crimper.

Abstract: Multi-filament polyamide yarns characterized by high tenacity and low shrinkage are disclosed. Such yarns or fabrics made therefrom can be used in industrial applications in which such a combination of properties is desirable. Such yarns are particularly useful in the manufacture of automobile airbag fabrics. Also disclosed is a process for making such yarns. The yarn manufacturing process involves spin-drawing molten nylon, relaxing and controlling the yarn tension, and then winding the yarn. Yarns made according to this process exhibit linear density in the range of 110-940 decitex, tenacity equal to or greater than 80 cN/tex, and shrinkage, measured at 177° C., of less than 5%.

Abstract: A method for making a polyester fabric includes: (a) providing a plurality of fibers made from a polyester polymer; (b) spinning the fibers to form pre-oriented yarns; (c) texturing the pre-oriented yarns using air textured yarn techniques; (d) warping a portion of the textured yarns so as to form warp yarns; (e) wefting the remainder of the textured yarns so as to form weft yarns; and (f) weaving the warp and weft yarns to form the polyester fabric.

Abstract: A three-dimensional hydraulically entangled nonwoven composite structure made of nonwoven fibrous web and a fibrous material integrated in the nonwoven fibrous web by hydraulic entanglement is disclosed. The nonwoven composite structure has a greater ability to maintain an embossed pattern when wet and has the ability for the structure to recover after it has been compressed, to a greater degree than previously found. Also disclosed is a method of making an embossed hydraulically entangled nonwoven composite fabric.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of producing rectifier parts which are made from a laminate composite material comprising reinforcing fibers that are embedded in a heat-polymerized polyimide resin matrix. The aforementioned parts comprise an inner platform, an outer platform and at least one solid blade which connects said platforms.

Abstract: A polymer fiber comprising a thermoplastic polymer and an inorganic filler, wherein the filler content, based on the polymer fiber, is more than about 10% by weight and the mean particle size (D50) of the filler is less than or equal to about 6 ?m. A textile fabric, especially nonwoven, produced from the polymer fiber.

Abstract: A compressed wire mesh filter for an airbag assembly has one or more wires wrapped around the outer perimeter of the filter prior to final compression of the mesh to increase the hoop strength of the filter.

Abstract: The electro-conductive substrate of the present invention may comprise filaments extruded from a die orifice and at least one metal powder dispensed from a second orifice of the same die unit by way of a gas or liquid carrier. As the polymeric filament is extruded from the die, one or more metal powders may be simultaneously dispensed to coat the surface of the filament. As the polymeric melt and metal powder is extruded, air pressure is impinged upon the metal powder directing the powder toward the extruded filament. The metal powder adheres to the molten polymer as it is extruded for the die, coating the surface of the filament. The metal powder may also be incorporated into the polymeric melt prior to extrusion.

Abstract: This invention relates to a continuous process for production of poly(trimethylene terephthalate), wherein gaseous 1,3-propanediol by product resulting from the process is condensed in a condenser, and a portion of the condensed by-product is recycled to the condenser while anther portion is recycled back into the process.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of making a nonwoven web with desired fiber orientation, the method including the steps of providing a source of fibers, subjecting the fibers to an electrostatic charge, deflecting the fibers with a non-contacting deflecting device, collecting the fibers on a moving forming surface to form the nonwoven web. The invention also provides an apparatus for forming fibrous nonwoven webs, the apparatus comprising a source of fibers, a device for applying an electrostatic charge to the fibers, a non-contacting fiber deflecting device adapted to affect the fibers while the fibers are under the influence of the applied electrostatic charge, and a forming surface for collecting the fibers as a fibrous nonwoven web.

Abstract: The invention concerns a fiber derived from 4,4?diaminodiphenyl sulfone amine monomer and a plurality of acid monomers; and yarns, fabrics and garments comprising this fiber, and methods of making the same. This fiber has use in heat-resistant protective apparel fabrics and garments.

Abstract: This invention relates to a flame-resistant spun staple yarns and fabrics and garments comprising these yarns and methods of making the same. The yarns have 25 to 90 parts by weight of a polymeric staple fiber containing a structure derived from a monomer selected from the group consisting of 4,4?diaminodiphenyl sulfone, 3,3?diaminodiphenyl sulfone, and mixtures thereof; and 10 to 75 parts by weight of a textile staple fiber having limiting oxygen index of 21 or greater, based on 100 parts by weight of the polymeric fiber and the textile fiber in the yarn.

Abstract: Described herein are improvements to processes and equipment for the manufacture of nonwoven webs useful in numerous applications including personal care, protective apparel, and industrial products. The fiber and/or filaments used to form the nonwoven fabric are deposited on a forming surface in a controlled orientation using application of an electrostatic charge to the fibers and/or filaments in combination with directing them to an electrode deflector plate while under the influence of the charge. The plate may be made up of teeth with a separation and angle orientation that are selected in accordance with the desired arrangement of the fibers and/or filaments in the nonwoven web. As a result, properties of the web such as relative strengths in the machine direction and cross-machine direction can be controlled. The charging of the pins is controlled so that not all pins remain at maximum charge during a cycle with the result that extended run times may be obtained.

Abstract: A tampon pledget has an absorbent mass of material and a withdrawal string located at one end thereof. During use, the tampon pledget expands to take on a geometric configuration that approximates the shape of the vagina into which the tampon pledget is inserted. An anthroprometrically expandable tampon pledget has an absorbent mass of material that is defined by a first end having a first density, a second end having a second density, and a portion intermediate the first and second ends. The material expands at different rates upon being contacted by body fluids, thereby allowing the tampon pledget to conform to the shape of a vagina. A method of making an expandable tampon pledget includes the steps of providing an absorbent material, attaching a string thereto, and compressing the material into a cylindrical shape such that a density gradient is realized over a length of the compressed material.

Abstract: Methods for making a nonwoven web on a collector traveling in a machine direction parallel to a length of the nonwoven web. The methods generally include forming a curtain of polymer filaments, mixing the curtain of polymer filaments with a flow of process air, depositing the curtain of polymer filaments on the collector to form the nonwoven web, and exhausting the process air through an air intake opening positioned below the collector. The method further comprises providing a substantially uniform air flow velocity across the air intake opening in a cross-machine direction perpendicular to the machine direction and adjusting an air flow velocity across the air intake opening in the machine direction to thereby define a ratio of the air flow velocity in the machine direction to the air flow velocity in the cross-machine direction.

Abstract: A new fiber-forming method, and related apparatus, and webs prepared by the new method and apparatus are taught. In the new method a) a stream of filaments is extruded from a die of known width and thickness; b) the stream of extruded filaments is directed through a processing chamber that is defined by two narrowly separated walls that are parallel to one another, parallel to said width of the die, and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the stream of extruded filaments; c) the stream of filaments passed through the processing chamber is intercepted on a collector where the filaments are collected as a nonwoven fibrous web; and d) a spacing between the walls of the processing chamber is selected that causes the stream of extruded filaments to spread before it reaches the collector and be collected as a web significantly wider in width than the die. Generally the increase in width is sufficient to be economically significant, e.g., to reduce costs of web manufacture.

Abstract: A radial flow filter element (10) includes at least one wound body (14) comprising a radially extending filtration zone (20) with alternating co-wound liquid-permeable layers respectively of a predominantly cellulosic material and a predominantly synthetic plastics or polymeric material.