Abstract: A flame retardant biodegradable non-woven article which is safe and comfortable to wear as apparel can be fabricated from a flame retardant non-woven textile. The flame retardant non-woven textile is prepared by bonding a fleece comprising cellulosic fibers incorporating at least one phosphorous containing flame retardant compound.

Abstract: Multiple needling with web guidance on alternate sides is achieved. Either an endless belt and/or a drum performs a carrying function, the belt or drum being arranged so that the fiber web can be associated meanderwise with the other side of a nozzle beam in each case. Transfer from one transport device or unit to another takes place by constant, positive, and non-stretching support of the fiber web, which is sensitive to being stretched.

Abstract: A bio-degradable composite nonwoven fabric for plant cultivation includes a wood pulp paper sheet laminated on a bio-degradable aliphatic polyester filament nonwoven fabric, wherein the polyester filaments and the pulp fibers are entangled to each other and a plurality of spot regions which are spaced from each other, are substantially free from the pulp fibers and have a decreased distribution density of the polyester filaments of 30 to 50%, an area of 0.16 to 16 mm.sup.2 and a total area coresponding to 5 to 60% of the total surface area of the composite nonwoven fabric, are formed. The polyester filament distribution density is defined as the ratio of the total area of the polyester filaments appearing within the spot regions to the total surface area of the spot regions, determined from photographs of the spot regions.

Abstract: The invention relates to the field of needling processes for forming fibrous preform structures. The invention is particularly useful in forming fibrous preform structures suitable for subsequent processing into high temperature resistant composite structures such as carbon/carbon aircraft brake disks. The process according to the invention compensates for fiber pull back induced by fiber resilience, and for compaction in previously needled layers induced during subsequent needling passes. According to a further aspect of the invention, Z-fiber distribution throughout the thickness of the fibrous preform structure may be manipulated as necessary to achieve a desired distribution.

Abstract: Apparatus for the production of a nonwoven material wherein a web of material is drawn over a series of parallelly aligned porous rolls. The web is treated with a jet of pressurized water as it moves in contact over each roll. The web is compressed between the first roll in the series and is wetted by a curtain of water as it is being compressed to increase the density of the web material prior to its being treated with the pressurized jets of water.

Abstract: A web of non woven textile fabric is fed on a porous belt into the nip between the belt and a rotating porous drum to compress the web within the nip. A curtain of water is passed through the web while it is in the nip into the drum and a vacuum is drawn on the drum to remove the water. The web, after passing the nip remains upon the drum and is subject to one or more high pressure jets of water to entangle the web fibers.

Abstract: A process for producing an absorbable biocompatible medical suture yarn includes the step of spin drawing a bioabsorbable polymer to form suture filaments. A spin finish using a non-aqueous based carrier is applied to the filaments during processing, and an air entangling step is used after the filaments are combined to form the suture yarn.

Abstract: A topographical support member and a method of forming a topographical support member for use in producing nonwoven fabrics with raised portions, especially intaglio and slub type portions. The topographical support member comprises a body having a top surface including a first micro-sized topographical pattern and a pattern of apertures extending through the body. At least one macro-sized region recessed below the top surface is provided. The micro-sized pattern produces a background portion of the fabric and the macro-sized recessed regions produce the raised portions of the fabric. Multiple levels may be provided in the macro-sized region to produce multiple level raised portions.

Abstract: A nonwoven fabric of entangled fibers defining a predetermined pattern of openings with the fabric having excellent draping characteristics.

Abstract: Woven or knit fabric is pre-tentered (stretched) prior to hydroenhancement treatment to a predetermined width in excess of the desired finished width of the fabric. The pre-tentering width is selected so that the expected shrinkage caused by the hydroenhancing process reduces the width of the enhanced fabric to slightly less than the desired finished width. The fabric is post-tentered hydroenhancing process only by a slight amount to the exact desired finished width. Since only a slight increase in width is required, there is very little loss in cover of the enhanced fabric. Post-tentering to a slight increase in width will also provide a slight tension for holding the fabric in the tenter clips and prevent the fabric from dragging in the tenter.

Abstract: An air bag of the type utilized in a vehicle occupant restraint system is constructed of a plurality of panels of uncoated fabric. Respective of the panels have been processed to achieve a selected air permeability with greater accuracy on a lot-to-lot basis than had generally been achieved with uncoated fabrics of the prior art. In one presently preferred methodology, a plurality of fluid jets, preferably water jets, are utilized to impact panels of the uncoated fabric under selected operating conditions. Pores created by the fluid jets may be heat set to achieve a selected permeability. Fluid jet processing may also be utilized to produce a fabric having a selected thread count.

Abstract: Here is disclosed an improved nonwoven fabric wiper obtained by a method comprising steps of forming a laminate from a web of thermally shrinkable hydrophobic synthetic fibers and a web of hydrophilic fibers put one upon another, jetting high pressure water onto the laminate supported on a supporting roll provided on its peripheral surface with a plurality of fine projections as well as a plurality of drainage apertures, causing the fibers to be entangled or intertwined and rearranged and thereby forming a nonwoven fabric having uneven fiber distribution densities, and heating the nonwoven fabric to crimp the synthetic fibers so that only portions of relatively high fiber density may bulge.

Abstract: A process for the production of a two-layer textile reinforcement for the production of bituminous sealing sheets for roofing consists first, from a first layer based on nonwoven cloth, in consolidating this nonwoven cloth by mechanical or hydraulic bonding and in thermostabilizing it. This first consolidated and thermostabilized layer is then assembled with a second mineral fiber layer, either by counter-gluing, or by needling, or by seam knitting. These two latter assembly methods are used only when the second mineral fiber layer is in the form of a grid or cloth of continuous or discontinuous mineral filaments. The first assembly method by counter-gluing is itself used no matter what the structure of the second mineral filament layer, whether it be in the form of a grid or a cloth of continuous or discontinuous mineral fibers or in the form of a scrim of mineral fibers.

Abstract: The invention refers to a flame-retardant non-woven textile article produced by bonding of a fleece without binder and is characterized in that the fleece contains cellulosic fibers in which at least one flame-retardant compound containing phosphorus is incorporated. The fleece is preferably bonded using water jets. The products according to the invention display excellent flame-retardation and good tear strength properties even with low area weights. The cellulosic fibers can be used either on their own or in blends with other fibers particularly high temperature resistant non-melting fibers.

Abstract: A laminated non-woven fabric for filtering medium, which is composed of a plurality of non-woven fabric layers having different average pore sizes and laminated in the order of the average pore size, and a plurality of entangled regions interposed between any of adjacent two non-woven fabric layers which is formed by causing fibers of one of the adjacent two non-woven fabric layers to penetrate into the other layers to entangle the penetrated fibers with fibers of the other layers. The presence of the entangled regions provide a gradual change of the pore size from a non-woven fabric layer to another non-woven fabric layer to result in a good filtering efficiency and an elongated lifetime of a filter.

Abstract: Disclosed is a hydraulically entangled, autogenous-bonding, nonwoven composite fabric composed of a matrix of substantially continuous, thermoplastic polymer filaments and at least one substantially non-thermoplastic fibrous material integrated in the matrix so that the composite fabric is adapted to autogenously bond to itself upon application of heat. The hydraulically entangled, autogenous-bonding, nonwoven composite fabric may be suitable as infusion package material for applications such as, for example, tea bags and coffee filter pouches. Also disclosed is a method of making a hydraulically entangled, autogenous-bonding, nonwoven composite fabric.

Abstract: A non-woven composite interlining fabric, which is capable of being fused on by application of an adhesive substance, contains a non-woven fabric having a mass per unit area of 10 to 40 g/m.sup.2 with warp reinforcement, which warp reinforcement contains 5 to 25 g/m.sup.2 textured warp yarn having a primary elongation of 10 to 35% with a total denier of 30 to 120 dtex. The weight ratio of warp yarn:non-woven fabric is from 1:3 to 3:1. The thread count is 3 to 25/inch. The composite fabric is manufactured in a warp knitting machine having a non-woven fabric feed, the non-woven fabric being reinforced with textured filaments and, at the end, the composite being thermofixed and provided with the melting adhesive. After the warp yarn is fed and prior to the thermofixing, the composite fabric is subjected to a shrinking process. The composite fabric exhibits a final elongation in the longitudinal direction of 50 to 120%.

Abstract: The invention relates to the field of needling processes for forming fibrous preform structures. The invention is particularly useful in forming fibrous preform structures suitable for subsequent processing into high temperature resistant composite structures such as carbon/carbon aircraft brake disks. The process according to the invention compensates for fiber pull back induced by fiber resilience, and for compaction in previously needled layers induced during subsequent needling passes. According to a further aspect of the invention, Z-fiber distribution throughout the thickness of the fibrous preform structure may be manipulated as necessary to achieve a desired distribution.

Abstract: An absorbent, flushable, bio-degradable, and medically-safe nonwoven fabric suitable for use as wraps, wipes, absorbent pads, etc., is composed of from 2% to 10% by weight of untreated, water-soluble polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) fibers that are heat-bonded to a matrix of absorbent fibers. The use of PVA fibers in low amounts provides softness, while sufficient wet strength is provided by heat bonding the PVA fibers completely to the other fibers in a two-stage heating process. The resulting nonwoven fabric has a high wet-to-dry tensile strength ratio, good drape softness, and high fluid absorptive capacity. In a method for producing the nonwoven fabric, the PVA fibers are blended with the absorbent fibers, the blended fibers are carded onto a moving web, sufficient water is added to wet the PVA fibers while maintaining web integrity, then the web is heated in two stages, the first with heating cylinders at 40.degree. C. to 80.degree. C., then the second with heating cylinders of 60.degree. C. to 100.degree. C.

Abstract: A composite nonwoven fabric and method for making the same includes subjecting a carded web to the action of a cross lapper (B) and then drafting the cross-lapped web by passing the same through a web drafter (C) utilizing a series of wire wound rolls of progressively increased speed. A web of substantially unbonded polymeric fibers is layed from a roll (D) forming a composite web by hydroentanglement utilizing a series of spun bonding steps resulting in a composite web of substantial strength comparison in the machine direction and in cross direction and possessing the characteristics of fabric suitable for use in hospital applications such as surgical gowns.

Abstract: Patterned spunlaced fabrics formed of synthetic fibers and woodpulp and/or woodpulp-like fibers are disclosed having very low wet and dry particle counts and good absorbency. The patterned spunlaced fabrics according to the invention are particularly useful as cleanroom wipers, robotic covers, food service wipes, and as coverstock for sanitary napkins, diapers, surgical body part bags, and the like. The invention also comprises a process of making the patterned spunlaced fabrics..

Abstract: A needlepunch fabric of staple polyester fibers is disclosed that is elastomeric and has foam-like compressibility and resilience. The polyester staple is formed of fibers having a differential birefringence. Mechanically crimped fibers are carded, crosslapped, and needlepunched to from about 150 to 1500 ppsi, and the resultant fabric is heated to from about 120.degree. to 240.degree. C. to induce a latent crimp in the fabric and to develop the elastomeric and foam-like properties of the fabric.

Abstract: This invention relates to a spun-laced fabric having improved water absorbency containing a blend of certain hydrophilic cellulosic and pack resistant fibers with a hydrophobic fiber material layer attached to one side of the blend. The fabric may be used as an absorbent layer in a multilayer or laminated structure.

Abstract: A low fluid pressure dual-sided fiber entangling method and apparatus for manufacturing a nonwoven fabric. A fibrous starting material whose individual fibers are capable of movement relatively to one another under the influence of applied fluid forces is subjected to coacting opposed fluid streams while being confined between a flexible screen belt and a rigid perforated hollow drum. The fibers of the starting material are entangled under the effect of fluid forces applied in opposition, forming a reticular network which defines a pattern of blind holes, each hole extending transversely to the fabric plane and containing a protuberant fiber packing at a closed end thereof.

Abstract: A sheet or web of fluoropolymer fibers, such as ethylene/chlorotrifluoroethylene fibers, which has been hydroentangled. Such hydroentangled sheets or webs may be employed as filters, masks, membranes, synthetic papers, industrial fabrics, or liquid separators for use in oil-in-water or water-in-oil emulsions.

Abstract: The invention provides composite elastic nonwoven fabrics and processes of making the same. The composite elastic fabrics of the invention include a plurality of longitudinally extending elastomeric filaments and at least one fibrous web including staple fibers and anchoring fibers entangled with the elastomeric filaments. The anchoring fibers strengthen the attachment of the staple fibers to the elastomeric filaments, so that the entire fibrous mass extends as a unit when the fabric is extended. The resultant product is a coherent, substantially unitary structure encompassing the elastomeric filaments.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a non-woven fabric printed with a decorative pattern. A fibrous starting material whose individual fibers are capable of movement relatively to one another under the influence of applied fluid forces is subjected to a fluid stream for entangling the fibers to form a unitary fibrous network. The unitary fibrous network is impregnated with liquid binder which solidifies and consolidates the non-woven fabric. Before the binder has cured and is still in a liquid condition, the unitary fibrous network is printed with a decorative pattern. Subsequently, the unitary fibrous network is dried to simultaneously cure the binder and the colorant forming the decorative pattern.

Abstract: A process for obtaining a multilayer composite textile structure containing nonwoven fibrous sheets (2, 3) between which is incorporated a reinforcing structure consisting of continuous yarns or filaments (5), the various constituents being bonded together by mutual entanglement of the fibers of the sheets. According to the invention, two nonwoven sheets (2, 3) are produced in which the elementary fibers are arranged preferentially in the length direction. Between these two sheets (2, 3) there is incorporated a sheet (4) of weft yarns (5) which are arranged transversely, at a distance from each other. The sheet (4) of weft yarns is produced immediately upstream of the line of junction (6) between the two nonwoven sheets (2, 3), and downstream of this zone of junction (6) the composite formed is subjected to the action of a mechanical treatment which makes it possible to implant the fibers of one sheet (2) within the other sheet (3) (and optionally vice versa). The homogeneous composite is then reeled up.

Abstract: A high pulp content nonwoven composite fabric is disclosed. The composite fabric contains more than about 70 percent, by weight, pulp fibers which are hydraulically entangled into a continuous filament substrate. This high pulp content composite nonwoven fabric may be used as a heavy duty wiper or as a fluid distribution material, cover material, and/or absorbent material in an absorbent personal care product. Also disclosed is a method of making the high pulp content nonwoven composite fabric.

Abstract: A process for making nonwoven fabric including the steps of meltspinning continuous multicomponent polymeric filaments, drawing the multicomponent filaments, at least partially quenching the multicomponent filaments so that the multicomponents have latent helical crimp, activating the latent helical crimp, and thereafter, forming the crimped continuous multicomponent filaments into a first nonwoven fabric web. By crimping the filaments before the web formation, shrinkage of the web after formation is substantially reduced and the resulting fabric is substantially stable and uniform. In addition, the resulting fabric can have a relatively high loft. The crimp activating step can include heating the multicomponent filaments and preferably includes drawing the multicomponent filaments with a flow of heated air to activate the latent helical crimp.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a flexible nonwoven mat comprising physically entangled shot-free ceramic oxide fibers. The flexible nonwoven mat is useful, for example, as filter material, mounting mat, thermal insulation, and sound insulation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for forming a hydraulically bound web. A homogeneous mixture of wood pulp and synthetic fibers is blown on a forming surface. The web has a mixture of at least 70% wood pulp by weight of the mixture. The web is subjected to hydraulic bonding to form a stable fabric. The web is further heated to a temperature to cause partial melting of the synthetic fibers and further bonding of the fabric.

Abstract: A nonwoven fabric comprising at least one layer of textile fibers or net of polymeric filaments and at least one web of melt blown microfibers, bonded together by hydroentangling. The nonwoven fabric may be apertured by hydroentangling or may have areas of higher density and areas of lower density. The fabric has a favorable combination of softness, dryness, tensile strength and hand. Several processes are provided for producing the nonwoven fabric of the invention.

Abstract: In the case of a process for the piecing of the starting portion of a new sliver to the end portion of a sliver travelling into a spinning arrangement, it is provided that the starting portion and the end portion of the sliver are overlapped, placed on a transport belt and loaded by means of a skid. A movable servicing device is provided for selectively moving the skid to accommodate the piecing.

Abstract: A process for the production of a non-woven sheet of continuous interconnected filaments, comprising producing biconstituted filaments of a size less than 4 dtex comprising two interconnected elemental filament components each of a different polymer, imparting to the biconstituted filaments a curl having a curling frequency of 3 to 30 curls per centimeter to impart to the filaments a bunching upon curling of 50 to 400%, and forming a non-woven sheet from the curled biconstituted filaments, the sheet having a weight of 10 to 400 g/m.sup.2. The non-woven sheet is then subjected to water jets supplied under a pressure of 50 to 300.times.10.sup.5 Pa to interlace and entangle the curled filaments constituting the sheet and to separate the interconnected filaments from each other.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing spunlace material in which there is formed a fibrous web by air-laying a layer of fibres of staple length on a forming wire and air-laying a layer of short fibres on top of the layer of staple fibres. According to the invention, the fibrous web is passed to an entangling wire 18 on which there is arranged at least one elongated element 17 whose diameter is much greater than the diameter of the wires 16 in the entangling wire 18, whereafter the fibrous web is entangled. The invention also relates to an arrangement for carrying out the method, and to a spunlace material produced in accordance with the method.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process of making an superabsorbent composite material which contains a hydraulically-needled fibrous web and superabsorbent materials. The method includes the steps of providing a nonwoven fibrous web; hydraulically needling the nonwoven web to enhance its liquid distribution properties; and introducing dry superabsorbent materials into intimate bonding contact with at least one surface of the hydraulically needled fibrous web. Also disclosed is the superabsorbent nonwoven composite material made by the described process. The hydraulically needled fibrous web component of the material may contain pulp fibers, synthetic fibers, natural fibers, bicomponent fibers, continuous filaments or mixtures thereof. The superabsorbent composite material has a saturation capacity greater than about 500 percent and a wicking rate greater than about 12 centimeters per 15 minutes. The superabsorbent composite material may be used as a liquid management material in an absorbent product or absorbent structure.

Abstract: The invention is directed to elastomeric meltblown webs having desirable strength and stretch/recovery properties which can be produced at relatively high throughputs and/or relatively low die pressures. The meltblown webs of the invention comprise a blend of (i) a fully hydrogenated diblock or triblock thermoplastic elastomer copolymer or mixtures thereof based on polystyrene and poly(ethylene-butylene) blocks; and (ii) from about 5% by weight up to about 50% by weight of a copolymer of ethylene and acrylic acid or ethylene and a lower alkyl ester of acrylic acid in which the ethylene content ranges from about 5% by weight up to about 50% by weight.

Abstract: A spun laced fabric consisting essentially of polyester fiber and cellulose fiber selected from the group consisting of cotton and rayon and a process of making said.

Abstract: A method to determine differential filter pressure caused by filter pluggage in a high pressure liquid system operated by a computer-operated control valve without the need for a pressure sensor coupled to the filter by corerlating the percent the control valve is open with the differential pressure of the filter. A signal is provided when the percentage of time the control valve is open exceeds a predetermined time and the filter is replaced in response to the signal.

Abstract: A nonwoven liner for a diskette cartridge is made of hydroentangled fibers and impregnated with a small amount of binder which is uniformly distributed throughout the fabric. The binder comprises no more than 5% by weight and preferably between 1.5-3.0% by weight of the fabric. The low concentration of binder ensures that the liner surface does not become totally coated with plastic film that reduces cleaning ability, while also providing improvements in tensile strength and debris reduction. The binder solution preferably has a high surface tension (low surfactant level), so that the binder becomes concentrated at the junction points of the fibers throughout the fabric. The low level of surfactant ensures a low risk of chemical attack of the disk media surface. The hydroentangled fabric cleans the disk media more efficiently, has less fiber debris, contains less environmental contaminants, is substantially loftier, and is cut with cleaner edges than standard thermally bonded diskette liners.

Abstract: A three-dimensional non-woven fabric with a thermally activated adhesive surface well suited for use as a facing fabric for covering a fibrous mat. The fabric comprises two adjoining fiber layers, namely an adhesive layer including bond-forming fibers fusible at a predetermined temperature and a facing layer of fibers having a considerably higher melting temperature than the bond-forming fibers. The fibers of both layers are mechanically engaged one with another and are arranged flat-wise in bundles interconnected at junctures by protuberant fiber packings disposed in a staggered relationship throughout the fabric. Bond-forming fibers are concentrated in the apex portions of the fiber packings to form the thermally activated adhesive surface. The invention also extends to a process for manufacturing the three-dimensional non-woven fabric, based on the so-called "rosebud" technique for producing foraminous webs.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for producing apertured or non-apertured nonwoven fabric wherein fibrous web is introduced onto support means and treated with high velocity water streams jetted from above. The non-apertured nonwoven fabric may be produced by fiber entangling treatment on a smooth surfaced plate including a plurality of drainage holes as first support means or by further fiber entangling treatment performed on water impermeable second support means after the fiber entangling treatment performed on the first support means.

Abstract: An electrically conductive textile fabric in which the electrical conductivity may be made to vary in a pattern configuration, and a method for manufacturing such fabric. A textile fabric is coated with an electrically conductive polymeric coating, and the coating is selectively removed in those areas in which a reduced electrical conductivity is desired. The removal may be achieved by means of high velocity water jets, sculpturing, or other means.

Abstract: Wet wipes having improved wet strength, wet thickness and wet toughness are provided by incorporating a wet strength agent in the fibrous web containing pulp fibers and at least five percent by weight man-made fibers and hydraulically entangling the web. No post-formation bonding treatment is employed and the fiber dispersion includes only about 1% by weight of the wet strength additive. The hydroentanglement coupled with the low amount of additive provides unexpected synergistic strength and absorbency characteristics. The wet wipe retains its strength characteristics despite packaging and prolonged storage in a wet condition.

Abstract: A process for hydraulically needling a web of staple fibers into an unbonded flash spun web made of continuous plexifilaments to form a spunlaced nonwoven fabric. The web of staple fibers is positioned against the unbonded flash spun web and then hydraulically needled such that the staple fibers are embedded into and entangled with the unbonded flash spun web to form a spunlaced nonwoven fabric. Optionally, the spunlaced nonwoven fabric can be thermally bonded to maintain or increase the permeability of the fabric. Thermal bonding can be used to control the level of permeability depending on the end-use desired. Spunlaced nonwoven fabrics made by the inventive process are particularly useful in filtration applications (e.g., vacuum cleaner bags) when thermal bonding is employed and as bulky, downproof and featherproof barrier liners for garments, sleeping bags, pillows, comforters and the like when thermal bonding is not employed.

Abstract: Stitchbonded fabrics are treated with columnar jets of water under specific conditions to rearrange fibers within the fabric so that holes caused by the stitches of the stitchbonding are substantially filled and the fabrics are made suitable for filter fabrics. The process requires at least the last part of the treatment to be performed on fine mesh screens with fine jets. The resultant fabrics are particularly suited for use as filter fabrics.

Abstract: A woven material of inorganic fiber, and a process for making the same, are disclosed in which exposed surfaces of warps and wefts constituting the woven material are opened as a result of being impinged by jets of pressurized water, whereby the fibers on the surface of the woven material are uniformly raised.

Abstract: An infusiblized, or infusiblized and slightly carbonized fiber of optically anisotropic pitch type is combined with a phenolic resin fiber to produce a high bulk density carbon fiber structure in the form of a laminate of mutually entangled carbon fiber sheets with improved handleability of fiber sheets and improved stability of a laminate structure formed through entanglement. A high flexural strength carbon-carbon composite material with a high volume fiber content is produced by impregnation with a precursor of carbon and subsequent carbonization of the carbon fiber structure of the kind as described above or a fiber laminate of mutually entangled sheets of the infusiblized, or infusiblized and slightly carbonized fiber of optically anisotropic pitch type blended with the phenolic resin fiber.

Abstract: An entangled polyester fiber nonwoven fabric with balanced tensile strength properties and with a fire retardancy in both the machine and cross machine directions of greater than 20 secs. when measured in accordance with NFPA Test No. 702.