Abstract: A woven fabric made from flat warp and weft tapes of polypropylene, such as is currently used as a primary carpet backing, is subjected to a repeated needling operation which breaks down each warp and weft component into a multiplicity of fibrils. This fibrillation of the warp and weft in the woven fabric produces a marked change in the surface of the fabric from a relatively shiny to a relatively matt finish. The fibrillated fabric may be rendered dyeable to a good coloration (similar to the color of dyed face yarns of a carpet) either by including a dyeable material in with the polypropylene from which the tapes are originally formed, or by adhering a dyeable coating to the fibrillated fabric. Further repetition of the needling operation reduces the denier of the fibrils still more and produces a generally softer fabric.

Abstract: A nonwoven fabric is comprised of a blend of fine staple fibers and coarse staple fibers randomly oriented with the fine staple fibers having a higher melt flow than the coarse staple fibers. In the manufacture of the nonwoven fabric, same is needled whereby the needles select the fine fibers and portions of same are positioned in a plane generally transverse to the plane of the fabric. Infrared heat is used to fuse the fine fibers at overlapping portions thereof to provide integrity for the fabric. The coarse staple fibers are held in the interstices of the fabric at least partially by frictional engagement with the fine staple fibers.

Abstract: A scrimless poly(m-phenylene isophthalamide) fiber felt suitable for high temperature gas filtration and a process for preparing the felt.

Abstract: A nonwoven fabric is produced by forming a batt comprising staple fibers oriented primarily in the fill direction, drafting the batt in the warp direction in a first warp-drafting zone, needling the drafted batt, drafting the needled batt in the warp direction in a second warp-drafting zone, and drafting the warp-drafted, needled batt in the fill direction in a fill-drafting zone. A fabric, apparatus for producing the fabric, and a method for fusing a nonwoven batt are provided.

Abstract: Apparatus for loosening the needled structure of a textile fabric. A moveable surface having penetrating elements which penetrate the fabric, produce planar forces on the internal fibers of the fabric. A co-operating surface provides an opposite force to that exerted by the moveable surface. The moveable surface moves at a different speed than the cooperating surface and compressive forces are applied to the internal fibers of the fabric at discrete points by the penetrating elements, and internal fibers are moved relative to other fibers.

Abstract: A method of producing a reinforced sheet by feeding a layer of foam material to a stitching machine at a rate greater than that at which the stitched material is produced by the machine. The stitching in the product is thus disposed below the surface of the foam and hence is not destroyed during subsequent flame-bonding.

Abstract: A non-woven textile fabric having a non-woven central web and tufts projecting from opposite faces of the web is produced by pushing through the central web simultaneously and from opposite sides thereof a plurality of needles constructed to displace strands of the web beyond opposite faces thereof.