Abstract: A needling apparatus for making a patterned felt web comprises at least one needle board, which is connected to a needle board drive, a feed drive for feeding the felt web through a felt guide between a felt support and a stripper, and means for adjusting the stroke position of the needle board relative to the felt guide between an idle stroke position and a working stroke position for the largest depth of penetration. To permit an increase of the average feeding speed along a series of patterns, the feeding speed imparted to the feed web by the feed drive is adapted to be controlled in dependence on the stroke position of the needle board relative to the felt guide in accordance with a predetermined coordination between the stroke position of the needle board and the feeding speed of the felt web.

Abstract: A composite structural material and a method of making it, which material is thermoformable and capable of being rigidified by application of a resin, and which is useful in certain electronics applications because of a metallic layer incorporated within the structure. A layer of a selected metal is needle punched onto a fibrous batt of selected synthetic thermoplastic fibers, which is then thermoformed to a desired shape and rigidified by contacting with, and being embedded in, a suitable resin. Specific applications of the use of this composite include a parabolic dish-shaped antenna, an electromagnetic interference shield for electronic equipment, and a radioactive emission shield.

Abstract: A needle loom is disclosed. The loom comprises a frame; a needle beam; means, including a drive shaft and crank means carried by the drive shaft and coupled to the needle beam, for reciprocating the needle beam relative to the frame; and, means, including a guide means fixedly carried by the frame and a slide means pivotally carried by the needle beam and slidable relative to the guide means, for guiding the needle beam during its reciprocating movement relative to the frame.

Abstract: An elastic quilted composite fabric is provided. The quilted fabric has at least one gathered fibrous layer and at least one elastic fabric layer. The elastic fabric layer preferably includes 1/2 to 10% by weight of spandex fibers and is a stitch-bonded fabric whose elastic characteristics are not activated until after the various layers of the composite fabric have been quilted together.

Abstract: A high temperature filter felt comprising a scrim and an entangled batt. The machine-direction component of the scrim is made up of intermeshed continuous filament yarns which are 40 to 75% glass fibers and 25 to 60% poly(tetrafluoroethylene) fibers. The fiber of the cross-machine direction component of the scrim is glass, poly(tetrafluoroethylene), aramid, polyacrylate, polyphenylene sulfide or blends of these fibers or the bulked yarn previously described at the machine-direction yarn.

Abstract: A fiber entanglement is provided which is characterized in that it is a three-dimensional entanglement comprising elastic fibers (A) each being a fine-denier fiber bundle or exhibiting porous fiber structure as seen on a fiber cross section with a number of irregularly-shaped pores extending in the fiber axis direction; nonshrinkable, nonelastic fibers (B); and shrinkable, nonelastic fibers (C); said fibers (A) are at least partially bonded or fused together at various points of contact with one another and, thereby, produce a taut condition; said nonshrinkable, nonelastic fibers (B) are folded several times over by means of the elastic fibers (A) and the shrinkable, nonelastic fibers (C). This fiber entanglement is useful as a base material for leather-like sheet materials.

Abstract: A papermaker's wet press felt constructed entirely from a plurality of layers of non-woven batt fibers which have layers of polymeric mesh interposed between and alternating with the batt layers. The mesh layers may be a thermoplastic material having a lower melt temperature than the batt fibers. The mesh layers and batt layers may be fixed by needling, sewing, heating or some combination thereof.

Abstract: A nonwoven textile fiber panel, useful, for instance, in manufacturing car truck liners, in which synthetic thermoplastic fibers that vary in fiber length, diameter, denier, and/or density are needle-punched to produce a carpeting material, which can then be directly utilized, or thermoformed to retain a desired shape. The fibers that one desires to show up on the face side of the final product are preferentially driven by the needle barbs of a needle loom through the precursor batt material. This preferential needling can also be enhanced through selection of various needle lengths, needle diameters, and barb spacing configurations.

Abstract: An improved wet press felt for a papermaking machine which includes a woven base layer, a layer of monofilament fiber mesh oriented adjacent the woven base and at least one layer of non-woven batt material affixed to the combination of woven base layer and mesh layer. When a plurality of layers of non-woven batt material are employed, a layer of mesh is oriented between adjacent batt layers.

Abstract: A method is provided for the determination and elimination of visible defects in textile webs, wherein the web is moved in the longitudinal direction over a defect seeking and registering area, and the surface position of visible defective areas, such as material deficiencies or excesses with regard to fiber components of the web are located in their surface dimension by known means during the movement of the web, as compared to the adjacent areas of the web. The defective areas are registered as a deviation from the reference condition, and the web is subsequently stopped with the defect in a position above a needle base into which felting needles are sunk. In the case of material deficiencies, the defective areas are supplied with donor material from a reserve, to control their defect by pushing the donor material into the web and stitching it to the defective area with at least two felting needles at 50 to 500 perforations per cm.sup.

Abstract: A nonwoven textile panel for use as a fire retardant and sound deadening barrier in the interiors of aircraft, comprised of three layers of nonwoven textile fibers of polyphenylene sulfide fibers and Nomex brand aramid fibers that have been carded, cross-lapped, needle punched and thermally bonded by heating the panel to the temperature softening point of the polyphenylene sulfide fibers. The fibers are capable of being thermoformed and retaining a permanent shape due to the thermoplastic properties of the polyphenylene sulfide fibers.

Abstract: An endless fibrous web is to be needled from both sides by needling means for piercing the web in only one direction. For that purpose the web is needled in the form of a twisted endless web, which is known as a Mobius web and has been formed in that the two ends of a finite length of the web have been rotated through 180.degree. relative to each other about the longitudinal axis of the web and have then been joined.

Abstract: A nonwoven textile panel for use as a fire retardant and sound deadening barrier in the interiors of aircraft, comprised of five layers of nonwoven textile fibers of polyphenylene sulfide fibers and Nomex brand aramid fibers that have been carded, cross-lapped, needle punched and thermally bonded by heating the panel to the temperature softening point of the polyphenylene sulfide fibers, whose panel exterior is comprised of a skin of polyvinyl chloride that has been adhered to the outermost fibrous layer. The fibers are capable of being thermoformed and retaining a permanent shape due to the thermoplastic properties of the polyphenylene sulfide fibers. An important alternative embodiment uses a layer of polyester polyurethane foam underneath the vinyl to shield it from the heat radiating properties of the polyphenylene sulfide and prevent puckering of the vinyl material during the processing.

Abstract: A floor covering such as a nap mat or carpet of washable type comprises a rubber or plastic back, wherein the nap or tufts is/are fastened in the back material. The floor covering has means for increasing the drain of liquid from the nap when the floor covering is subjected to the influence of a force, such as a pressing force, a centrifugal force, and/or a pressure difference between the front and rear side of the floor covering. This means may be a normally closed perforation of the back material and/or an intermediate tissue via which the nap is secured to the back material. Preferably the intermediate tissue is a non-woven material, mainly consisting of synthetic fibres having a weight of 100-300, preferably 250 g per m.sup.2, a fibre thickness of 5-30, preferably 8 decitex, and a tissue thickness of 1-5, preferably 2 mm. Thereby a nap mat or carpet is achieved having a short drying time and/or provides a small drying energy consumption after washing.

Abstract: A nonwoven fabric is provided which comprises a layer of nonbonded, polyethylene, plexifilamentary film-fibril strands, which layer is multi-needle stitched with a stitching thread that forms spaced-apart, parallel rows of stitches in the fabric. Stitching thread of spandex yarn which causes the fabric to contract to 35 to 70% of its original area is preferred. The nonwoven fabric is particularly suited for use as a wipe-cloth.

Abstract: A cleaning material constituted of a non-woven web of fibers having ends and/or loops protruding from one face thereof, and obtained by needle-punching a web containing a mixture of at least two fibers, one of which has a weight of at least 100 decitex and the other a weight equal to or less than 30 decitex. The cleaning material may be bonded to a porous body, for example, by an intermediate layer to constitute a cleaning pad.

Abstract: Apparatus for producing needled fibrous bodies of a predetermined geometrical shape and height or strength of fiber material, particularly as padding elements for the clothing industry.

Abstract: The present invention provides a textured non-woven insulating laminate lining material which is light weight. The material has a layer of flexible plastic material, on one side upon which is placed a thin layer of thermally reflective metal. Fiber wadding is placed on the side remote from the metal reflective layer, with fibers extending from the wadding through the plastic and reflective layer to form a light nap on the side of the reflective layer, to not only give the material the desirable characteristics of touch and absorbancy normally associated with fine fabric lining and enhance the insulating properties of the material, but also act as a wick, picking up moisture, e.g. perspiration, and transmitting it through the laminate to the fiber, away from the body. The nap is of sufficient weight to permit adequate wicking while permitting exposure of the reflective metallic material.

Abstract: A papermaker's felt is formed by needling a compressible batt layer onto one or both sides of a base layer woven fabric. The batt layer is formed from a mixture of at least two types of fibers. A first type is present in much smaller quantities than the remainder and has a melting point at a temperature below the melting point of the remainder. The felt is heated to a temperature between the melting point of the first type of fibers and the remainder, so as to melt the first type such that it bonds the remainder together and to the base fabric. The felt is then formed into an endless belt.

Abstract: A method for the production of textile sheets with specific surface effects, and the textile sheet as a product, for outer wear, upholstered furniture or car seat covers or decoration, from yarns of yarn strengths typical for carded yarns (for example, ring-spun yarn, OE Yarn, MJS yarn, friction yarn), generally having low hairiness and low wool portion. This is accomplished in that on one or both surfaces of the textile sheet, a wool fleece remnant is present as the original of the wool fiber portions, the portions penetrating the thread system partially through the entire thickness of the sheet, in the stitch direction of a multiple one or two-sided needle device, and projecting in the stitch direction from the surface of the sheet as a nap, together with such fiber material portions, which have their origin in the textile sheets to be finished.

Abstract: A method for the finishing of textile sheets, in which textile sheets for outer wear, upholstered furniture and car seat covers, as well as for decoration, preferably made of yarns having yarn strengths typical for carded yarns and/or worsted yarns (for example, ring yarns, OE-yarns, MJS yarns, friction yarns), are adjusted in a "custom-made" fashion, according to the sheet forming process. Textile sheet is supplied to a needling process alone, or together with the most varied sheets (for example, fleece, woven materials, foam materials, etc) or warps as well. Because of the needling process, by means of which the fibers are displaced from one layer into another with 50 to 1200 stitches per cm.sup.2 by felting needles, preferably CB notched needles, there is a permanent layering which, however, for the production of sheets with naps, can be cut as well.

Abstract: A textile sheet made with improved surface effects and from yarns with typical unfavorable characteristics (firm round yarn cross-section, low hairiness), of the rotor OE (open end), MJS (murate-jet), sirospun or friction yarns, which, as the result of a multiple needle process with the effect of already known felting needles, shows improved properties including a higher volume, a softer touch, is warmer, and has increased tenacity and hairiness than before the finishing process.

Abstract: A heat pack and a process for its preparation are described wherein the heat pack comprises an earth-like mass between two outer layers surrounding the mass and the two outer layers are joined together by means of holding fibers uniformly distributed over their entire surface area. The joining of the three layers may be effected by a needle bonding process known in the needle tufting process of the textile industry. Webs of the three-layer system needle bonded in this manner are cut into pieces according to their application, thereby forming the heat packs as such, and packaged into foil bags in which the heat packs may be stored and heated.

Abstract: There is provided an integral textile composite fabric of non-woven, needled textile fibers which comprises at least one organic textile fiber layer of laid and needled textile organic fibers, at least one glass fiber layer of laid and needled glass fibers, and a plurality of needled stitches composed essentially of the organic fibers from the organic fiber layer needled in and disposed substantially through the glass fiber layer. The layers are bound together at their inner surfaces, are substantially non-detachable from each other and form an integral textile composite fabric having substantially uniform and high physical properties. There are at least 700 stitches per square inch passing through the glass fiber layer, and the organic fiber layer is essentially free, at least on the outer surface thereof, of glass fibers displaced from the glass fiber layer.

Abstract: An entangled fibrous mat comprising an elastic polymer fiber A and a nonelastic polymer fiber B, said fiber A having voids therein and being in a taut condition within the mat; while said fiber B is in a slack condition and is highly elastic and flexible, rich in fullness, and firm-bodied, thus being very suitable for use as a substrate for artificial leather.

Abstract: A rug underlay comprising a central open lattice of stiffening material, and intermediate layer of fiber batting on each side of the lattice needle punched through the lattice, an upper outer corrugated layer of heat fused fibers, and a lower outer stiff, backing layer of a mixture of clay and an elastomeric latex impregnating the lower portion of the intermediate layer. This article is used as a padding or an underlay for rugs or carpeting particularly as an underlay for an oriental rug laid over carpeting.

Abstract: The disclosure is of a method of preparing a papermakers wet press felt fabric, felts made therefrom and their use, as wet press felts on papermaking machines. By the method of the invention, there is obtained a method of making a papermaker's press felt harder and denser while at the same time maintaining a high level of void volume and permeability in a loaded nip of a paper machine press.

Abstract: This invention relates to a sheet which is formed by randomly dispersing and accumulating polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) filaments and to a process for producing the same. The filaments drawn by a high-velocity air stream are formed directly into a sheet. The sheet is useful as industrial filters, heat insulating materials, electrical insulating materials, etc. because of its outstanding chemical resistance, heat resistance, and electrical insulating properties.

Abstract: A method is disclosed wherein a nonwoven fabric composed at least in part of thermally fusible fibers is at least partially fused and then is punched by needles to produce a soft, fluffy fabric that resists mechanical wear.

Abstract: A nonwoven textile fabric laminate comprising at least one layer of nonwoven textile fabric secured by needle punching to an elastic layer such that the nonwoven fabric layer is permanently stretched when the elastic layer is drafted to a condition within its elastic limit and the nonwoven fabric layer exhibits increased bulk when the elastic layer is allowed to relax and return to substantially its condition prior to drafting. One form of the fabric laminate includes a nonwoven textile fabric layer needle punched to each side of the elastic layer. Various methods and apparatus for producing such laminates are also disclosed.

Abstract: A textile flat structure is manufactured by needle processing of a pile yarn tufted into a carrier layer so that some pile loops of the pile yarn forming an upper layer are engaged by needles and their height and shape are changed, whereas at least one pile yarn is pulled toward the carrier layer, whereby a texture and/or pattern is produced. The textile flat structure has a carrier layer, a pile yarn tufted into the carrier layer and having pile loops at an upper side of the carrier layer and connecting base loops at a lower side thereof, whereas the pile loops forming an upper layer have at least non-uniform different heights.

Abstract: A fur-like napped fabric and process for manufacturing same are disclosed wherein a fiber layer comprising uncrimped short fibers or short fibers having a number of crimps of not greater than 10 crimps per inch are provided as a fiber layer on a base fabric. The fibers are then implanted into the base fabric by needle punching. Thereafter, the fibers are raised to form a nap. After needle punching, the base fabric and fibers may be bonded to each other by means of a backing treatment or the like which is carefully applied so as not to permeate the raised hair portion extending on the front surface of the fabric. Especially pleasing aesthetic effects are produced when the napped fibers have static frictional coefficients of less than 0.35 and wherein the bending recovery rate of said fibers is higher than 50%.

Abstract: A multi-layer nonwoven fabric is provided comprising at least one layer of waste fibers positioned between layers of virgin synthetic fibers joined by, for example, needle punching. A process for producing the fabric comprises the steps of forming a base web of virgin staple fibers, adding a second web of waste fibers, adding a top web of virgin staple fibers, and consolidating the webs as by needle punching to form a composite fabric.

Abstract: A process is described for improving needling efficiency in the preparation of continuous fiber glass strand needled mat involving subjecting the continuous glass strand mat to environmental treatments before and during needling to control mat moisture and temperatures. A low relative humidity and warm temperature environment is maintained during needling and the mat is exposed to similar treatment prior to needling.

Abstract: A felting machine for non-woven fabrics comprising a frame provided with a guide path for the fabric and two needle boards. Two crank-rod mechanisms are fixed to a beam of I-shaped cross-section. Each mechanism comprises two crank-rod units fixed on both sides of the web of the beam. These units are easily accessible through the front or through the rear of the machine in any operating position of the system.

Abstract: A nonwoven textile fabric comprising a batt of nonwoven filaments and having at least a portion of the filaments extending outwardly from one face of the batt to form a raised pile. In one embodiment at least a portion of the filaments are fused together on one side of the batt forming a fused face, and the raised pile extends outwardly from the fused face. In another embodiment, the batt has a fused face on each side thereof and the raised pile extends outwardly from one of these fused faces. In still another embodiment, the batt has a single fused face and the raised pile extends outwardly from the side of the batt opposite the fused face. The textile fabrics are also disclosed with an adhesive and/or a backcoating layer on the side opposite the raised pile. Method and apparatus for the production of the nonwoven textile fabrics are also disclosed which employ needle punching the nonwoven batt with forked needles to provide the raised pile.

Abstract: The disclosure is of a composite papermakers felt made up of a textile base layer, an intermediate layer of polymeric resin foam particles and a covering layer of non-woven staple fibers. The felt is useful in the wet press section of a papermaking machine. The disclosure is also of a method of manufacturing the felt of the invention.

Abstract: A non-woven fabric is manufactured which utilizes as a primary component material the fringed selvage band resulting as a by-product in the manufacture of certain woven fabrics. Strips of selvage band are laid down on a non-woven backing or web in various configurations, depending upon the ultimate appearance that is desired. The selvage strips are then secured to the backing by punching with an array of forked needles, each of which forces a loop of yarn from the selvage through a hole in the backing.

Abstract: A nonwoven textile fabric comprising a needled and drawn batt comprising intermixed acrylic fibers and additional fibers selected from the group consisting of polyester fibers, nylon fibers and mixtures of polyester fibers and nylon fibers, with at least a portion of said additional fibers being fused and the acrylic fibers being essentially unfused. The nonwoven textile fabric is produced by forming a batt comprising the acrylic fibers and the additional fibers, drafting and needling the batt and fusing at least a portion of the additional fibers of the needled and drafted batt while allowing the acrylic fibers to remain substantially unfused. Fusing the additional fibers is preferably accomplished by means of infrared radiation.

Abstract: A fiber glass mat making process is described which utilizes an improved method of transferring unbonded mat from a mat forming chain to a bonding station on a continuous basis.The system involves passing the unbonded mat from a continuous conveyor surface to a roll which has on its surface a draped conveyor chain rotating around the roll but driven by the roll on which it is draped. By permitting the draped chain to hang freely below the roll and to rotate with the roll stray strands falling between the conveyor surface and the roll are returned on the draped chain to the feed end of the bonding station. Means are also provided to maintain the draped chain centered to insure that mat is delivered to the bonding station in a straight line from the conveyor surface.

Abstract: An outer thread layer, which forms a predetermined pattern from a plurality of endless threads, is connected to a carrier by attaching portions of at least some of the threads to the carrier.

Abstract: An interlining material comprising a non-woven web of fibers wherein the area of the web comprises at least two distinct zones, each of which said zones has substantially uniform fiber content and extends across the width of said interlining, and in which adjacent zones have different fiber contents, the fibers of said zones merging into the fibers of each adjacent said zone; a method for making an interlining which comprises disposing a first fibrous fleece over a second fibrous fleece so as to define a web having at least two distinct zones, each of which zones have substantially uniform fiber content and adjacent said zones having different fiber contents, and thereafter randomizing the distribution of fibers through the web and merging the fibers of said first fibrous fleece with the fibers of said second fibrous fleece.

Abstract: The specification describes a multi-layered, needle-punched, felt-like cushioning material for a hot-pressing machine. The cushioning material is made of at least two fibrous batts and at least one foundation fabric interposed between the batts and needle-punched with the batts. The specification also describes a method for producing the above cushioning material. The cushioning materials according to this invention have a high density and can maintain high elasticity and excellent cushioning properties over a relatively long period of hot-pressing operation.

Abstract: A papermakers wet felt comprising a three layer fabric having a first or lower layer which defines a machine roll contacting surface, a second or intermediate layer, and a third or top layer which defines a paper-receiving surface. The lower layer is woven of machine direction yarns which are of much greater diameter than the cross machine direction yarns. The intermediate layer is also woven, and adds stability and strength to the felt while providing void areas for drainage. The top layer comprises a batt or fleece of non-woven batting material.Also disclosed is a method of making the papermakers felt wherein the lower and intermediate cloths are separately woven and then associated with each other so that the inner surface of the intermediate layer contacts the outer surface of the bottom layer. The associating of the two layers takes place on a conventional fiber locker or needling machine associated with a conventional stretching device.

Abstract: A fiber glass reinforced thermoplastic laminant of high flexural strength and a method of preparing the laminant is described in which special needling of the fiber glass mat used as the reinforcement is undertaken to minimize damage to the strands making up the mat during needling while insuring that the strands are moved during needling of the mat to provide strands in the mat that are transverse through the long axis of the mat after needling. The mat upon completion of the needling is then laminated with a thermoplastic resin to produce a sheet product having improved tensile characteristics.

Abstract: Non-woven fabrics suitable for use as carpeting and the like are produced by needlepunching staple length monofilament fibers having an elastic modulus of from 5,000 to 60,000 psi. The fibers are also characterized by an area moment of inertia of from 400.times.10.sup.14 to 7,000.times.10.sup.14 in.sup.4 and a stiffness parameter of from 1.times.10.sup.-5 to 1.times.10.sup.-8 lb-in.sup.2.

Abstract: Needle felt machine in which the needle beam worker arm is articulated on a supporting bearing.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for the attenuation or advancing of strand material, such as glass strands. The apparatus includes a single belt and a plurality of wheels around which the belt is driven and guided. The strand is attenuated as it passes between the belt and one of the wheels. The wheel which, along with the belt, attenuates or advances the strand may have a plurality of pins or bars to form its exterior surface, which surface is then discontinuous. Alternatively, this wheel surface may be continuous. The driving force for the belt comes from another of the wheels, with the driving force being applied to the belt on the opposing surface of the belt from that which contacts the strand.

Abstract: A nonwoven fabric is produced from a batt of staple fibers by passing the unneedled batt of staple fibers to at least two needling zones, each needling zone having a plurality of needles which move in a reciprocating motion having a first needling direction and a second needling direction, the needles in a first needling zone having barbs which catch staple fibers of the batt primarily when the needles move only in the first needling direction and the needles in a second needling zone having barbs which catch staple fibers of the batt when the needles move in both the first needling direction and the second needling direction.

Abstract: There is provided an integral textile composite fabric of non-woven, needled textile fibers which comprises at least one organic textile fiber layer of laid and needled textile organic fibers, at least one glass fiber layer of laid and needled glass fibers, and a plurality of needled stitches composed essentially of the organic fibers from the organic fiber layer needled in and disposed substantially through the glass fiber layer. The layers are bound together at their inner surfaces, are substantially nondetachable from each other and form an integral textile composite fabric having substantially uniform and high physical properties. There are at least 700 stitches per square inch passing through the glass fiber layer, and the organic fiber layer is essentially free, at least on the outer surface thereof, of glass fibers displaced from the glass fiber layer.