Abstract: An article of apparel including insulation material includes an insulating layer formed of waterfowl fibers and synthetic fibers. The waterfowl fibers can be present in an amount of at least 20% by weight of the insulating layer. The insulating layer is generally free of waterfowl plumage.

Abstract: In a method producing a molded article of a composite resin containing base resin and fibers, the composite resin containing a fibrous filler in the base resin and the fibrous filler including natural fibers with a fibrillated part on each end of the fibrous filler in a fiber length direction, the base resin and the fibrous filler are charged into a melt-kneading device. The base resin is melted and the molten base resin and the fibrous filler are kneaded in the melt-kneading device, thereby fibrillating only the ends of the fibrous filler. The obtained composite resin is discharged from the melt-kneading device and formed into a pellet shape, with the molded article of the composite resin produced by molding the pellets.

Abstract: A garment includes a covering fabric; padding to be filled inside the covering fabric; and quilting stitches. The padding is constituted by polyester staple fibers including fibers having a circular outer peripheral cross section and has an open fiber structure. The fibers constituting the padding have an irregular diameter, and a smoothing agent is fixed to surfaces of the fibers. Thus, it is possible to provide a garment free from problems of uneven distribution of padding and having favorable water removability at the time of washing, quick dryability, and a favorable sliding property between fibers. This garment is suitable as a garment for sports to be washed repeatedly. Further, since the garment can be worn in a puffy state even when wet, it dries quickly by the body heat.

Abstract: The disclosure provides blowable insulation or filling material, and apparatus and methods for making same. The blowable insulation or filling material includes a plurality of discrete elongate floccules each formed of a plurality of fibers. The floccules include a relatively open enlarged medial portion. The floccules also include relatively condensed twisted tail portions extending from opposing ends of the medial portion. The floccules can be utilized by existing garment fill blowing machines without clogging thereof, and include a superior soft hand feel, thermal resistance and launderability. The floccules may be formed by forcing staple fibers through apertures of a rotating hollow drum to partially form the floccule structure within the drum. The partially formed floccules may be retained within the rotating drum for a dwell time to finalize the floccule structure.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the inventive subject matter relates to a fiber construct suitable for use as a fill material for insulation or padding, comprising: a primary fiber structure comprising a predetermined length of fiber; a secondary fiber structure, the secondary fiber structure comprising a plurality of relatively short loops spaced along a length of the primary fiber. In some embodiments, the inventive subject matter relates to insulative fiber structures that mimic the structure and scale of natural down and thereby provide similar properties.

Abstract: A filter media is provided. The filter media has a blend of filter media fibers, including oxidized polyacrylonitrile (OPAN) fibers and fibers of at least one other polymer, such that the OPAN fibers comprise between 30% and 95% by weight of the blend. A filter element incorporating the filter media is also provided. A method of using the filter element is provided as well. Also provided is a method of manufacturing the filter media. The filter media has applicability for filtering air in such acidic environments as a cement factory, lime kiln, asphalt process, rock dust application, and coal fired boilers.

Abstract: Embodiments of a method to fabricate complex structures include making a pre-cured laminate template. The laminate template is first cured to the required shape, then surface prepared for joining to additional composite lamina. The laminate templates are used to position composite lamina in contact with one another. The composite lamina are then co-cured together to form one monolithic composite structure lacking bond lines or bonded joints. The laminate template supports additional composite lamina for formation of complex structures and replaces template tools from conventional methods.

Abstract: A sulfonated aliphatic or aromatic compound for the production of a modified polyamide that can significantly increase the glass transition temperature of the polyamide is described. A polyamide composition including at least: one polyamide modified by a sulfonated compound, the compound being chemically bonded to the polymer chain of the polyamide; and reinforcing or filling agents is also described. The composition can be a composition to be molded, for example, in the form of granules or powder, to be used in the production of articles using an injection molding method.

Abstract: A hybrid type fiber filtering apparatus includes an enclosure, a strainer, a first filtering layer and a second filtering layer. The enclosure has an upper case and a lower case coupled to the upper case. The strainer is mounted inside the upper case in a longitudinal direction. The first filtering layer includes a plurality of fiber filters fixed between upper and lower fixing units and surround an outer circumferential surface of the strainer. The second filtering layer includes a plurality of fiber ball filters disposed inside the lower case. Raw water introduced into the upper case through a raw water inflow pipe passes through the first filtering layer, flows into the strainer, drops downwardly from an inside of the strainer, is introduced into the lower case, passes through the second filtering layer, and then, is discharged out through a filtered water discharge pipe.

Abstract: A chassis and a method of manufacturing a chassis of an information handling system are disclosed. The chassis includes a carbon-fiber composite and a plurality vents of formed in the carbon-fiber composite. Each of the plurality of vents is a channel extending through the carbon-fiber composite.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention there are devices and processes for making ceramic nanofiber mats and ceramic filters for use in high temperature and in corrosive environments. The process for forming a ceramic filter can include electrospinning a preceramic polymer solution into a preceramic polymer fiber having a diameter from about 10 nm to about 1 micron and forming a preceramic polymer fiber web from the preceramic polymer fiber onto a collector. The process can also include pyrolyzing the preceramic polymer fiber web to form a ceramic nanofiber mat having a diameter less than the diameter of the preceramic polymer fiber, the ceramic nanofiber mat comprising one or more of an oxide ceramic and a non-oxide ceramic such that the ceramic fiber mat can withstand temperature greater than about 1000 ° C.

Abstract: A composition and method for improving retention and drainage in a papermaking process is disclosed. An unexpected synergistic effect has been observed when certain amounts of a promoter are used in conjunction with a microparticle. Optionally, a flocculent is also used to further improve the observed synergism. The microparticle includes an inorganic anionic or cationic siliceous material. The promoter includes a modified diallyl-N,N-disubstituted ammonium halide polymer. The flocculant includes one or more high molecular weight, water-soluble cationic, anionic, nonionic, zwitterionic, or amphoteric polymers.

Abstract: This disclose relates to dope for spinning lyocell including cotton linter pulp and an aqueous solution of N-methylmorpholine-N-oxide (NMMO), a method for manufacturing lyocell filament fiber using the dope, lyocell filament fiber manufactured by the method, a method for manufacturing lyocell staple fiber using the dope, and lyocell staple fiber obtained by the manufacturing method. According to the present invention, fiber that exhibits a low orientation degree and fibrillation degree, and a high elongation, and thus may be applied for fiber for high grade clothing, may be provided without conducting additional processes.

Abstract: A method of making regenerated cellulose microfibers includes forming segmented fibers with multiple longitudinally-extending segments of slightly different composition such that there is defined splittable interfaces between juxtaposed segments of the fibers which are then split into microfibers at yields of greater than 50%. Fibers so produced may be incorporated into absorbent sheet with other papermaking fibers to provide strength, softness, bulk and absorbency to tissue, towel, and personal care products.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a reinforcement composition and a method of reinforcing an asphalt cement concrete composition. The reinforcement composition includes a core and an outer container. The core includes a plurality of fibers, and the outer container includes a polyolefin selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, polypropylene, and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a reinforcement composition and a method of reinforcing an asphalt cement concrete composition. The reinforcement composition includes a core and an outer container. The core includes a plurality of fibers, and the outer container includes a polyolefin selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, polypropylene, and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: Polylactic acid fibers excellent in wearing resistance and in the ability to smoothly pass through processing steps. The polylactic acid fibers contain a fatty acid bisamide and/or an alkyl-substituted fatty acid monoamide in an amount of 0.1 to 5 wt. % based on the whole fibers.

Abstract: A filling material for filling into articles of bedding and the like is presented and includes polyester fibres having an average dimension of 0.5 to 2.5 dtex and being coated with a slickener and crimped. The fibres have been cut to an average length of 4-15 mm and have subsequently been opened. In a method of forming a filling material a tow of slickened fibres of the above type is formed and crimped and is then cut to the above mentioned length. The cut fibres are then opened to form the filling material.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for producing sheath-core staple fibers with a three-dimensional crimp and to a sheath-core staple fiber of this type. In this case, the fiber is extruded with a symmetrical sheath-core arrangement consisting of two different polymer melts with a first polymer component for the core and with a second polymer component for the sheath. In order to generate an as far as possible intensive three-dimensional crimp in the fiber, the cooling of the fiber takes place by means of a sharp cooling air stream with a blowing air velocity of at least 3 m/sec., after the combining of the fibers into a tow the multistage treatment in a fiber line taking place under a maximum temperature load which lies below the glass transition temperature of the second polymer component in the sheath of the fiber. A high degree of three-dimensional crimping can consequently be achieved after the multistage treatment and before the cutting of the fiber.

Abstract: Synthetic staple fibers having good air opening property and useful for producing an air-laid nonwoven fabric having excellent quality, have a fiber length of 0.1 to 45 mm and a cross-sectional profile having 1 to 30 concavities, in which cross-sectional profile the ratio D/L, of a largest depth D of each concavity to a largest width L of the opening of the concavity, is in the range of from 0.1 to 0.5.

Abstract: Improved staple fibers and processes for producing them are provided. The processes are particularly useful for forming staple fibers from poly(trimethylene terephthalate), especially carpet staple fibers. The processes include prewetting undrawn yarns and drawing the fibers under wet and warm conditions, thermo-fixing the texture, and drying at relatively low temperatures. Fibers produced according to the processes disclosed herein have improved properties and reduced brittleness as compared to fibers prepared using conventional processes.

Abstract: A self-texturing hollow fiber that exhibits a desirable tendency to coil rather than to bend sharply or zig-zag. In one embodiment the invention is a hollow polymer filament having a generally cylindrical cross-section. The filament is further defined by a cylindrical wall formed of at least two generally C-shaped sections, each section including first and second ends separated by an intermediate portion in which no two points along the cross-section of the wall corresponding to the intermediate portion share the same width. In another aspect, the invention is a coiled bilateral hollow polymeric filament in which the two component polymers are identical except for their degree of orientation. The filament is further defined by a non-linear wall formed of at least two non-linear sections.

Abstract: A blended yarn is provided having at least one component fiber type being made of stretch broken fibers, preferably of a stretch broken high performance fiber, along with multi-end yarns containing the blended yarn, composite yarns having at least one component being the blended yarn, and articles made from the blended, multi-end or composite yarn.

Abstract: The processes and apparatus of the present invention concerns melt spinning high viscosity fluoropolymers into single filaments or multi-filament yarns at high spinning speeds, the melt spinning being carried out at a temperature which is at least 90° C. greater than the melting point of the polymer or in the case of perfluoropolymer, at a temperature of at least 450° C., and the yarns produced by the process, wherein the filaments can exhibit an orientation at the surface of the filament no greater than at the core of the filament.

Abstract: The present invention relates to aliphatic polyester microfibers, films having a microfibrillated surface, and methods of making the same. Microfibers of the invention can be prepared by imparting fluid energy, typically in the form of high-pressure water jets, to a highly oriented, highly crystalline, aliphatic polyester film to liberate microfibers therefrom. Microfibrillated films of the invention find use as tape backings, filters for particulate contaminants, such as face masks and water or air filters, fibrous mats, such as those used for removal of oil from water and those used as wipes, and thermal and acoustical insulation. Microfibers of the invention, when removed from the film matrix may be used in the preparation of woven or nonwoven articles and used as wipes for the removal of debris or dust from a surface. The microfibers and microfibrillated articles of the invention may be biodegradable, rendering them useful for geotextiles.

Abstract: A filter element that comprises a porous molded web 10′ that contains thermally bonded staple fibers 12 and non-thermally bonded electrically charged microfibers 14. The molded web is retained in its molded configuration, at least in part, by bonds between the staple fibers 12 at points of fiber intersection 13. The web may be molded, for example, into the shape of filtering face mask 16.

Abstract: The elasticity of elastic, absorbent structures, e.g., diapers, is improved without a significant compromise of the absorbency of the structure by the use of bicomponent and/or biconstituent elastic fiber. The absorbent structures typically comprise a staple fiber, e.g., cellulose fibers, and a bicomponent and/or a biconstituent elastic. The bicomponent fiber typically has a core/sheath construction. The core comprises an elastic thermoplastic elastomer, preferably a TPU, and the sheath comprises a homogeneously branched polyolefin, preferably a homogeneously branched substantially linear ethylene polymer. In various embodiments of the invention, the elasticity is improved by preparation techniques that enhance the ratio of elastic fiber:cellulose fiber versus cellulose fiber:cellulose fiber bonding.

Abstract: A decorticated bast fiber such as from flax that is particularly suitable as a reinforcement for polymeric resins, thermoplastic, and thermoset composites. The invention specifically overcomes past difficulties involving compounding and injection molding of composite specimens with bast fiber reinforcements. In one form, ultrasonic energy is applied to decorticated bast fibers to cause fibrillation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a synthetic fiber blend and methods for its use comprising a first fiber component formed of a homopolymer polypropylene fiber and a second fiber component being a copolymer formed of a polypropylene and a high density polyethylene. The first fiber component is fibrillated and the second fiber component is a twisted bundle comprised of multiple strands of a nonfibrillating monofilament. The synthetic fiber blend imparts improved reinforcement properties to the building materials to which they are added. In particular, the synthetic fiber blend when incorporated into a building material provides reduced permeability, increased fatigue strength, improved toughness, and reduced plastic shrinkage. The unique combination of the twisted second fiber component blended with the first fiber component provides improved mixability and uniform distribution of the synthetic fiber blend in cementitious materials.

Abstract: Novel fibers having improved liquid absorption capacity combined with the ability to provide a dry feeling even when nearly saturated. The fibers are expected to be useful in diverse applications such as diapers, incontinent briefs, feminine hygiene napkins, tampons, surgical sponges, wound dressings, towels, separation of oil from the surface of water, and the containment or collection of oil in industrial installations.

Abstract: A composite structure has composite skin layers and at least two elongated stiffener/spacer composite members interposed between the skin layers. The stiffener/spacer composite members are arranged generally longitudinally of the skin layers in spaced-apart relation laterally. Each of the skin layers is formed by assembling a layer of an uncured resin-impregnated fiber material on a forming surface of a jig. Each stiffener/spacer composite member is formed of an uncured resin-impregnated fiber material that is laid up over an elongated hollow mandrel of a stiffened fabric and is assembled to one of the uncured skin layers. The jigs are juxtaposed to form a sandwich with the assembled uncured composite layers, which are then vacuum-bagged and co-cured under a predetermined pressure and a predetermined temperature to render the structure unitary.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a shoe sole that includes a polyamide in the form of powder or microfibers admixed with a thermoplastic base material to improve the strength, durability, abrasion resistance, and other desirable physical properties of the shoe sole. Suitable thermoplastic base materials include rubber, polyurethane or ethylene vinyl acetate. The polyamide microfibers are randomly and nonuniformly oriented to reinforce the shoe sole in all directions.

Abstract: The present invention provides poly(trimethylene terephthalate) copolymerized with ester-forming sulfonate and a fiber thereof. The polymer of the present invention is high in melting point, small in loss of melting viscosity and has a high molecular weight. The fiber of the present invention is high in toughness, excellent in whiteness and dyeable with a cationic dye, whereby it is useful for clothing, carpets or non-woven sheets, etc.

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

Abstract: A reflector is disclosed which enables bright image display with a wide angle of view and can be efficiently fabricated by a a simplified process. The reflector includes a resin layer having at its surface microscopic projections and depressions and formed by application of a coating composition containing a binder resin and crosslinked resin particles.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a yarn having improved abrasion resistance and a fabric made from that yarn, as well as process for preparing the yarn and fabric. The yarn includes (a) aramid fibers and (b) up to 40 weight percent of fibers of synthetic polymers having a melting point between 200 and 300 degrees C., based upon the total weight of (a) and (b) only, the yarn or fabric including the yarn being heat treated at a temperature below the melting point of the fibers of component (b).

Abstract: Polyester-based heat-bonding conjugate staple fibers capable of giving a high grade fiber structure which has good dimensional stability and is hardly deformed, even when used under a high temperature atmosphere, comprises an amorphous polyester having a glass transition point of 50 to 100° C. and not having a crystal-melting point as a heat-bonding component and a polyalkylene terephthalate having a melting point of not less than 220° C. as a fiber-forming component, have characteristics comprising the number of crimps of 3 to 40 crimps/25 mm, a crimp percent of 3 to 40% and a web area shrinkage percent of not more than 20%. Herein, the web area shrinkage percent (%) is represented by the expression: (A0−A1)/A0×100, wherein a card web nonwoven fabric comprising 100% of the heat-bonding conjugate staple fibers and having an area of A0 and a basis weight of 30 g/m2 is left in a hot air dryer maintained at 150° C. for two minutes, and the area of the left nonwoven fabric is A1.

Abstract: The present invention provides a cardable fiber blend which forms a moldable fiber batt, the blend comprising fibers having a modulus of 550 g/denier or more with fibers of a thermoplastic polymer wherein the high modulus polymer fibers are all uncrimped fibers or a mixture of crimped and uncrimped fibers. The moldable batt is useful in making speaker cones.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a yarn containing superabsorbent fibers of polyacrylate, wherein said superabsorbent fibers are blended with supporting fibers of a material stronger than that of the superabsorbent fibers so as to form a sliver from a blend of said fibers. The sliver is spun into a yarn by using an open end spinning method, wherein the fibers of the sliver are individualized. Subsequently the fibers are fed in an air flow to a rotating spinning space, from where the yarn is spun.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for producing polyester fibers having uniform primary and secondary crimps. The method includes the steps of advancing fibers into a stuffer box having an upper doctor blade and a lower doctor blade, positioning the upper doctor blade and the lower doctor blade such that the doctor blade gap is broad enough to permit the formation of secondary crimps and yet is narrow enough to maintain primary and secondary crimp uniformity, and then applying a longitudinal force against the advancing fibers to impart uniform primary and secondary crimps. The polyester fibers crimped according to the disclosed method have substantially uniform primary and secondary crimps, and are further characterized by tensile factor that is about the same as the tensile factor possessed by an otherwise identical uncrimped polyester fiber.

Abstract: Dual glass fibers can be processed into coherent webs and felts by first blending the dual glass fibers with an equal or greater amount of uncrimped fibers. Optionally, other crimped fibers can be added without significant impact on processibility.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a soil substitute useful in supporting plant growth. More particularly, the present invention relates to biodegradable and non-biodegradable polymer fibers for use in plant cultivation.

Abstract: A filter composite comprises a first layer of glass fibers having random orientation, and synthetic resinous fibers extending in close association with the glass fibers, the glass fibers having: i) diameters between 1 and 16 microns ii) lengths between about ¼ and 1½ inches the synthetic fibers having denier between 1.6 and 40, and length between ¼ and 2 inches.

Abstract: A continuous fiber granulate material includes granulate particles having reinforcing staple fibers helically arranged in a thermoplastic matrix. The reinforcing staple fibers are located in a sheathed zone of the granulate particles along with a melted matrix material, with the granulate further including a core zone having unmelted thermoplastic staple fibers. The continuous fiber granulates have good free-flowing properties and a uniform distribution of reinforcing fibers.

Abstract: A composite prepreg material (10) with improved resistance to core crush and porosity incorporates a plurality of different fiber forms having varying cross-sectional configurations. Preferably, the fibers are interwoven in a warp (14) and fill (18) perpendicular orientation pattern. The varying cross-sectional configurations of the different fiber forms causes the fiber forms to have different levels of spreadability and frictional resistance to movement of the fiber. The present invention overcomes the susceptibility to many defects (specifically core crush and porosity) associated with composite material of a single fiber form having a set cross-sectional configuration, by incorporating multiple fiber forms having varying cross-sectional configurations. This multi-fiber form incorporation allows the strengths of one fiber form's properties to help compensate for the weaknesses of another fiber form's properties, and vice versa.

Abstract: A continuous fiber nonwoven comprising composite continuous fibers having the spiral crimps obtained by compositely spinning two thermoplastic resins having the difference in the melting points of 15° C. or more is provided, and it is characterized in that the contact points of the fibers are adhered one another by fusing of the thermoplastic resin having a low melting point and located on the outside of the spiral crimps.

Abstract: Dual glass fibers can be processed into coherent webs and felts by first blending the dual glass fibers with an equal or greater amount of uncrimped fibers. Optionally, other crimped fibers can be added without significant impact on processibility.

Abstract: The present invention relates to surface modified staple fiber, and more particularly, polyester fiberfill and fiber clusters which are made by a completely coupled bulked continuous filament (BCF) process.

Abstract: A staple yarn comprising a blend of 35 to 90 weight percent fluoropolymer fiber and 65 to 10 weight percent of one or more types of blend fiber.

Abstract: The invention relates to Al2O3-containing and high-temperature resistant glass sliver on silica basis having a highly textile, cotton-like and voluminous character. The invention also relates to glass staple fiber products from said glass sliver and their use. The textile character and high-temperature resistance are obtained in particular by selective acid extraction. The composition of the inventive glass sliver comprises in particular SiO2 as main component and 1-5% (wt.) Al2O3 as subsidiary component.