Abstract: The invention provides a bicomponent staple fiber comprising poly(ethylene terephthalate) and poly(trimethylene terephthalate) wherein the bicomponent fiber has a substantially oval cross-section shape having an aspect ratio A:B of about 2:1 to about 5:1 wherein A is a fiber cross-section major axis length and B is a fiber cross-section minor axis length, a polymer interface substantially perpendicular to the major axis, a cross-section configuration selected from the group consisting of side-by-side and eccentric sheath-core, a tenacity at 10% elongation of about 1.1 cN/dtex to about 3.5 cN/dtex, a free-fiber length retention of about 40% to about 85%, and a tow crimp development value of about 30 to 55%, and a spun yarn comprising the bicomponent staple fiber.

Abstract: Hydrogen sulfide is removed or reduced in absorbent products by the use of a particulate material attached to pulp fiber by a retention aid. The particulate material can remove or reduce the hydrogen sulfide in the environment surrounding the fiber. Suitable materials are zinc oxide, calcium oxide, cupric oxide, magnesium oxide, manganese dioxide, manganese oxide and aluminum oxide. Zeolites are also suitable. The particulate material may be combined with a filler prior to attachment to the fiber.

Abstract: The present invention provides monofilaments coated with certain adhesive layers and methods to produce the coated filaments. Also provided are fabrics formed from the monofilaments. The coated monofilaments and fabrics provide improved adhesion with additional coating top layers.

Abstract: Multi-component fibers having enhanced reversible thermal properties and methods of manufacturing thereof are described. In one embodiment, a multi-component fiber includes a fiber body formed from a set of elongated members, and at least one of the set of elongated members includes a temperature regulating material having a latent heat of at least 40 J/g and a transition temperature in the range of 22° C. to 40° C. The temperature regulating material provides thermal regulation based on at least one of absorption and release of the latent heat at the transition temperature. The multi-component fiber can be formed via a melt spinning process or a solution spinning process and can be used or incorporated in various products where a thermal regulating property is desired. For example, the multi-component fiber can be used in textiles, apparel, footwear, medical products, containers and packagings, buildings, appliances, and other products.

Abstract: Provided is an electrically conductive elastic composite yarn having an elastic member that is surrounded by at least one conductive covering filament. The conductive covering filament has a length that is greater than the drafted length of the elastic member such that substantially all of an elongating stress imposed on the composite yarn is carried by the elastic member. The elastic composite yarn may further include an optional stress-bearing member surrounding the elastic member and the conductive covering filament.

Abstract: A patterned scarf having a first fabric layer and a second fabric layer which are interwoven along the edges. The scarf has colors and/or patterns which are formed by weft threads their inserted spaced-out between warped threads of the same color. The warped threads are a textured yarn composed of chemical fibers.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an oxide superconducting wire which can manufacture the longest possible wire by connecting relatively short wires with each other and is capable of suppressing reduction of a critical current resulting from influence by strain when the wires connected with each other are bent, an oxide superconducting wire, a superconducting coil and a superconducting apparatus are provided. According to the method of manufacturing an oxide superconducting wire by superposing end portions of two oxide superconducting wires with each other thereby bonding the end portions and connecting the oxide superconducting wires with each other, a junction formed by superposing the end portions with each other is so worked as to reduce the quantity of strain on an end of the junction when the two oxide superconducting wires and connected with each other are bent.

Abstract: A multi-layer monofilament consisting of multiple layers that are extruded simultaneously in a single process step, having a first layer made from plastic A, a second layer, which is bonded directly to the first layer, made from plastic b, and a third layer, which is bonded directly to the second layer, made from plastic C, plastic B being a bonding agent between the two plastics A and C.

Abstract: The leather-like sheet substrate of the invention comprises a nonwoven fabric of three-dimensionally entangled superfine fibers (A) of at most 0.5 dtex in fineness and a polymer elastomer (B) filled in the entangled interspaces of the nonwoven fabric, in which the superfine fibers (A) comprise an organophosphorus component-copolymerized polyester and the polymer elastomer (B) contains a metal hydroxide or is copolymerized with an organophosphorus component. The leather-like sheet substrate of the invention and artificial leather obtained from it contain no halogen and are resistant to flames. These have a soft feel and are suitable to applications in the interior field that requires flame retardancy, especially to seats for vehicles, etc.

Abstract: Extensible bicomponent fibers and webs particularly adapted for disposable personal care product component applications. Sheath/core configurations providing desirable feel properties for elastic embodiments when compared with conventional elastic fibers and webs are obtained with specific olefin polymer combinations and sheath configurations.

Abstract: The present invention provides a nanoporous fiber being substantially free from coarse pores and having homogeneously dispersed nanopores, unlike conventional porous fibers. A porous fiber has pores each having a diameter of 100 nm or less, in which the area ratio of pores each having a diameter of 200 nm or more to the total cross section of the fiber is 1.5% or less, and the pores are unconnected pores, or a porous fiber has pores each having a diameter of 100 nm or less, in which the area ratio of pores each having a diameter of 200 nm or more to the total cross section of the fiber is 1.5% or less, the pores are connected pores, and the fiber has a strength of 1.0 cN/dtex or more.

Abstract: Disclosed are side-by-side or eccentric sheath-core bicomponent fibers comprising a poly(trimethylene terephthalate) component and a poly(tetramethylene terephthalate) component and preparation and use thereof.

Abstract: Herein is disclosed a modified ethylene vinyl alcohol polymer (EVOH) comprising an oxygen scavenging functional group. Preferably, the modified EVOH comprises structures IV, V, and VI: wherein x is an integer greater than or equal to 1, y is an integer greater than or equal to 1, z is an integer greater than or equal to 1, and R comprises a cycloalkenyl group. The modified EVOH is useful in oxygen barrier applications, such as a forming an oxygen barrier layer of a packaging article. Also disclosed are methods of modifying ethylene vinyl alcohol polymers, and using the modified EVOH to make packaging articles with a superior barrier to entry by atmospheric oxygen.

Abstract: Bicomponent fibers of syndiotactic polypropylene and ethylene-propylene random copolymer, can be prepared. The bicomponent fibers may exhibit self-crimp properties and high shrinkage characteristics.

Abstract: A method for stretch breaking fibers to produce a staple yarn and operating a staple fiber spinning machine that enables the production of a plurality of products of lot size smaller than a large denier tow product. The process includes at least two break zones and a consolidation zone downstream from a second break zone to form a staple yarn. The filaments are broken in a second break zone downstream from the first break zone by increasing the speed of the fiber fed into the process. The yarn includes discontinuous and, optionally, continuous filaments.

Abstract: The present invention provides a crimped multicomponent fiber containing at least two polymer components arranged in a crimpable configuration in distinct zones or segments across the cross-section of the fiber wherein one component comprises a dielectrically susceptible material. The invention also provides methods for producing the crimped multicomponent fibers and for forming web materials containing the crimped multicomponent fibers, and provides absorbent articles comprising the crimped multicomponent fibers and web materials.

Abstract: A conductive polyvinyl alcohol fiber having good mechanical properties and heat resistance contains a polyvinyl alcohol polymer and copper sulfide nano-particles having a mean particle size of at most 50 nm which are finely dispersed in the polymer. The content of the nano-particles in the fiber is at least 0.5% by mass/polyvinyl acohol polymer, and the degree of polymer orientation is at least 60%.

Abstract: The present invention concerns the use of sulphonic and phosphonic acids, functionalised with plastisizers, as dopants for polyaniline conductor films and polyaniline-based conductive composite materials. These acids meet the following formula: in which: R1 represents —SO3H or PO3H2 R2 is a linear or branched alkyl group and m equals 1 or 2, or R2 is a group having the formula: in which R1 is such as defined above and n is a whole number ranging from 1 to 16, and m equals 1.

Abstract: Highly crimped, fully drawn bicomponent fibers, prepared by melt-spinning, followed by gas-flow quenching, heat treatment and high speed windup, are provided, as are fine-decitex and highly uniform polyester bicomponent fibers.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for treating a polyester fiber comprising the steps of providing a bicomponent fiber comprising poly(ethylene terephthalate) and poly(trimethylene terephthalate) which has been heat-treated at a first temperature and cooled to lower than about 70° C. and has an initial crimp contraction value and a developed crimp contraction value, applying tension to the fiber of about 0.001 to 0.088 dN/tex, heat-treating the fiber at a second heat-treating temperature no lower than about 75° C. and no higher than the first heat-treating temperature, cooling the fiber to lower than the second heat-treating temperature, and releasing the tension from the fiber to give a fiber having a reduced crimp contraction value. The invention also provides a bicomponent fiber comprising poly(ethylene terephthalate) and poly(trimethylene terephthalate) having a reduced crimp contraction value of about 6% to 15%.

Abstract: We have determined that strength characteristics of elastic strand improve when the strand is heated. Thus, the present invention is directed to improving strength characteristics of an elastic strand by heating the strand. The strand may be heated by thermal conduction and/or convection, by irradiative methods using, for example, infrared or microwave radiation, or some combination of these. If the elastic strand is made at a location different from the location where the strand is used as a raw material, the strand may be heated at either location, or both locations. Furthermore, the strand may be heated in-line, i.e. as part of the process that makes the strand or the process that uses the strand as a raw material, or off-line, i.e. in a step separate from either of the aforementioned processes. Finally, in addition to heat treating the strand, the strand's exposure to water or water vapor may be regulated to reduce or eliminate strength degradation.

Abstract: A biodegradable hydrophilic binder fiber. These fibers may be produced by co-spinning an aliphatic polyester material in a side-by-side configuration with a polylactide polymer to obtain a fiber with improved material attributes. A multicarboxylic acid may be incorporated into either or both components of the fiber. The aliphatic polyester polymer may be selected from a polybutylene succinate polymer, a polybutylene succinate-co-adipate polymer, or a blend of these polymers. The biodegradable bicomponent fiber exhibits substantial biodegradable properties, yet has improved thermal stability and has significantly reduced shrinkage. The bicomponent fiber may be used in a disposable absorbent product intended for the absorption of fluids such as body fluids.

Abstract: Multicomponent fibers having an outer exposed surafec include a polyarylene sulfide polymer component and at least one additional component formed of a different polymer. The polyarylene sulfide polymer component forms the entire exposed surface of the fiber and imparts good thermal and chemical resistance to the fiber.

Abstract: Anti-microbial and/or anti-fungal footwear components formed from various thermoplastic polymers and additives in fibers in a mono-component form or a bi-component form in either a core-sheath or side-by-side configurations. The anti-microbial synthetic fibers include inorganic anti-microbial additives, distributed in certain areas to reduce the amount of the anti-microbial agents being used, and therefore the cost of such fibers. In certain embodiments, high tenacity polymers (e.g. PET) are employed in one portion and hydrolysis resistance polymers (e.g. PCT) in another portion with the additives. The fibers can further be blended with non-anti-microbial fibers such as cotton, wool, polyester, acrylic, nylon etc. to provide anti-microbial finished fabrics. In one embodiment, binder fibers are used which are mixed with other fibers.

Abstract: A functional composite fiber and preparation thereof, and a spinneret for preparing the same. The functional composite fiber comprises a plurality of the T-lobes connected with each other at their bases, wherein the caps of the T-lobes contain a component, and their bases T-lobes contain the component and an additive. The additive is not exposed on the surface of the fiber thereby preventing post-manufacturing abrasion of the spinning machine.

Abstract: The invention provides dyed yarn characterized by comprising dyed polytrimethylene terephthalate fiber, having an elastic recovery of 60% or greater under 10% elongation, and having a boiling water shrinkage of no greater than 4%. The dyed yarn of the invention has excellent stretchability and dimensional stability as well as a soft feel, and is therefore suitable for use in fabrics.

Abstract: A container liner, shelf liner or drawer liner that will absorb liquids spilled or leaked into a container or onto a shelf or drawer. The liner is a layered product having a layer which is impervious to liquids and an absorbent layer. The absorbent layer further contains a material which is capable of controlling odors, such as those odors found in refrigerators and waste receptacles. The liner of the present invention provides the benefit of absorbing spills and controlling odors in containers such as refrigerators and waste receptacles.

Abstract: Disclosed is a potentially elastic Interlaced-textured yarn including a potentially crimped yarn and a composite filaments interlaced with each other, and an elastic woven fabric produced using the same. The potentially elastic interlaced-textured yarn is produced by interlacing the PET/PTT polyester-based potentially crimped yarn with an ultrafine yarn having a monofilament fineness after the weight reduction by alkali treatment of 0.01 to 0.5 deniers and a total fineness of 30 to 300 deniers. At this time, the ultrafine yarn is selected from the group consisting of a sea-island type composite filaments, a radial type composite filaments, and a yarn produced through a direct spinning process. Furthermore, the potentially elastic interlaced-textured yarn has elasticity of 15 to 40%, and the woven fabric has superior elastic recovery, elasticity recovery, drape, and dyeability, in addition having soft, suede-like texture.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a cable erection technique using a plastically deformable coil comprising a metal wire formed in a spiral shape and synthetic resin coated on a surface of the metal wire, wherein said coil is inserted outside around a tensile line drawn between utility poles, the coil is elongated until its plastic deformation for forming a series of cable arrangement spaces inside the spiral, and a cable is extended, added or extracted through the cable arrangement space.

Abstract: A sewing thread made of synthetic fibers is described, whereby the ready-to-use sewing thread has an elongation at break between 25% and 85% and an elastic tensile elongation of between 30% and 95% of the elongation, determined by a measuring strength, corresponding to 70% of the absolute strength of the respective sewing thread. In addition, two methods for making a sewing thread are also described, whereby the sewing thread comprises either a plied yarn or an air-intermingled sewing thread. To produce this sewing thread yarn components with an elongation at break between 25% and 85% and an elastic tensile elongation of between 30% and 95% are selected, whereby thermal and preferably hydrothermal treatment is carried out after the actual yarn production.

Abstract: The inventive yarn comprises at least one strand (2) having a reinforcing core made of high-modulus and high-resistance staple-fiber yarn, which is made from organic or inorganic material, and a sheath (4) of long or short, low-modulus standard fibers. The other strands (5) are made from long or short, low-modulus standard fibers and are arranged so as to protect the sheath of the strand(s) having a reinforcing core.

Abstract: A thermoplastic monofilament for bristles which are exposed to excessive moisture during use, consists of a polymer mixture of at least one polyamide (PA) and at least one thermoplastic polyester (PE) whose mixing ratio is selected according to the technical, functional properties decisive for the use of the bristle as well as in dependence on the ambient conditions at the location of use decisive for the function of the bristle.

Abstract: An object of this invention is to provide an acrylonitrile based composite fiber having a new feeling different from that of an ordinary cellulose acetate fiber, cellulose fiber and acrylic fiber, excellent spinability, fiber properties and process ability of yarn spinning, and excellent functions, in particular, a deodorizing function and a moisture absorbing and retaining property. The composite fiber is comprised of 10 to 40% by weight of cellulose acetate and/or cellulose and 60 to 90% by weight of an acrylonitrile based polymer, and has a structure with the cellulose acetate and/or cellulose forming an island component in a cross section perpendicular to a fiber axis and the acrylonitrile based polymer forming a sea component.

Abstract: A positive variable resistive yarn having a core, a sheath, and an insulator. The sheath includes distinct electrical conductors intermixed within a thermal expansive low conductive matrix. As the temperature of the yarn increases, the resistance of the sheath increases.

Abstract: Charged, high-strength, high-modulus, melt-processed microfibers, films having a charged, microfibrillated surface, and methods of making the same are described. Charged microfibrillated articles 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, melt processed film to liberate microfibers or microfibrous flakes therefrom. Microfibrillated articles of the invention find use as tape backings, in the preparation of woven or nonwoven articles, 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, wipes for dust or debris removal, and thermal and acoustical insulation.

Abstract: Bicomponent fibers of isotactic polypropylene and syndiotactic polypropylene, methods of making such fibers and products made thereof are disclosed. Embodiments of the bicomponent fibers can exhibit self-crimp properties and high shrinkage characteristics.

Abstract: A poly(trimethylene terephthalate)-based conjugate fiber characterized in that the fiber is composed of single filaments which are combined with two polyester components in a side-by-side manner or an eccentric sheath-core manner, that at least one of the two polyester components forming the single filaments is a poly(trimethylene terephthalate), and that the fiber satisfies the following conditions: (1) the stretch elongation of crimp manifested prior to boiling water treatment is 20% or less; (2) the breaking elongation is from 25 to 100%; and (3) the maximum stress value of a dry heat shrinkage stress is from 0.01 to 0.24 cN/dtex.

Abstract: A spontaneously degradable fiber excellent in bulkiness, softness, stretchability and feeling, which comprises (A) a low heat-shrinkable fiber component comprising a high crystalline aliphatic polyester and (B) a high heat-shrinkable fiber component comprising an aliphatic polyester, e.g., a low crystalline or non-crystalline aliphatic polyester, and a block copolymer or a mixture the main component of which is an aliphatic polyester and which comprises a high-melting component and a low-melting component. Further, fibers excellent in self-crimpability or self-adhesion property and dividable fibers are obtained by suitably combining the fiber components (A) and (B) to form conjugated fibers or composite yarns.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an oxide superconducting wire which can manufacture the longest possible wire by connecting relatively short wires with each other and is capable of suppressing reduction of a critical current resulting from influence by strain when the wires connected with each other are bent, an oxide superconducting wire, a superconducting coil and a superconducting apparatus are provided. According to the method of manufacturing an oxide superconducting wire by superposing end portions of two oxide superconducting wires (1, 2) with each other thereby bonding the end portions and connecting the oxide superconducting wires with each other, a junction (L) formed by superposing the end portions with each other is so worked as to reduce the quantity of strain on an end of the junction (L) when the two oxide superconducting wires (1) and (2) connected with each other are bent.

Abstract: A spontaneously degradable fiber excellent in bulkiness, softness, stretchability and feeling, which comprises (A) a low heat-shrinkable fiber component comprising a high crystalline aliphatic polyester and (B) a high heat-shrinkable fiber component comprising an aliphatic polyester, e.g., a low crystalline or non-crystalline aliphatic polyester, and a block copolymer or a mixture the main component of which is an aliphatic polyester and which comprises a high-melting component and a low-melting component. Further, fibers excellent in self-crimpability or self-adhesion property and dividable fibers are obtained by suitably combining the fiber components (A) and (B) to form conjugated fibers or composite yarns.

Abstract: Highly crimped, fully drawn bicomponent fibers, prepared by melt-spinning, followed by gas-flow quenching, heat treatment and high speed windup, are provided, as are fine-decitex and highly uniform polyester bicomponent fibers.

Abstract: An anti-microbial and/or anti-fungal synthetic fiber that comprises various thermoplastic polymers and additives in a bi-component form in either a core-sheath or side-by-side configurations. The anti-microbial synthetic fibers comprise inorganic anti-microbial additives, distributed in certain areas to reduce the amount of the anti-microbial agents being used, and therefore the cost of such fibers. The fibers can incorporate anti-microbial additives so that they are not removed by repeating washing in boiling water and in dry clean cycles and become ineffective and conversely enhance access to the additives by washing or the like. The fibers comprise high tenacity polymers (e.g. PET) in one portion and hydrolysis resistance polymers (e.g. PCT) in another portion with the additives. The fibers can further be blended with non-anti-microbial fibers such as cotton, wool, polyester, acrylic, nylon etc. to provide anti-microbial finished fabrics.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a dope dyed sea-island type conjugate multifilament. In the dope dyed sea-island type conjugate multifilament, which comprises easy soluble polymer as a sea component and polyester as an island component, the island component contains a dope dyed component selected from the group consisting of carbon black, pigments and dyestuffs and the temperature range (T?-T?) showing more than 95% of the maximum thermal stress of yarns is from 120° C. to 210° C. The dope dyed sea-island type conjugate multifilament of the present invention has an excellent thermal shrinkage property and excellent wash fastness and light fastness, and the dyeing process thereof can be omitted after producing a woven or knitted fabric because a dope dyed component is contained in the island component (ultra fine yarn). The dope dyed sea-island type conjugate multifilament of the present invention is useful as yarns for warp knit fabrics used in production of women's apparel.

Abstract: A composite material includes a ceramic matrix and two different fractions of fiber bundles, namely a reinforcing fiber bundle fraction and a matrix fiber bundle fraction having different average fiber bundle lengths. The fractions of fiber bundles are separated in a total fiber bundle distribution relative to a fiber bundle length by a minimum. A method for manufacturing a composite material and a method for manufacturing elements formed of a composite material are also provided.

Abstract: A splittable yarns, fiber or filaments and a method and device for their production. The yarns, fiber or filaments includes at least two elementary filaments of a first polymer A and each second elementary filament is sheathed with a second polymer B.

Abstract: There is provided a conductive fiber capable of being sewn, woven or knitted, using conventional methods, into a conductive mesh for use with various wearable electronic devices and/or sensors that make direct contact with the skin. The conductive fiber, when combined with a non-slip fiber, facilitates comfortable electrical communication between different electronic devices and the skin.

Abstract: A core/sheath conjugate fiber comprises a sheath component B of an ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer and a core component A of a different thermoplastic polymer. In its cross section, the core component A has at least 10 projections or exists as an aligned group of at least 10 flattened cross-section core components, the distance (I) between the neighboring projections or between the neighboring flattened cross-section core components is at most 1.

Abstract: A self-crimping multicomponent fiber is manufactured utilizing the same-polymer components including at least one polymer component having a higher viscosity than at least one other polymer component. Crimping of the fiber is induced during fiber formation by achieving an effective crystallinity differential between the differing viscosity polymer components. The effective crystallinity differential may be obtained by varying a number of parameters during fiber formation, including the viscosity differential between polymer components and the transverse cross-sectional geometries of the differing viscosity components. Other factors, such as selecting a suitable drawing tension for the fiber can influence the crystallinity differential between differing viscosity components and thus resultant fiber crimp.

Abstract: A spinneret (140) for extruding side-by-side bicomponent fibers includes a spinneret hole (148) having a cross-sectional shape transverse to the direction of polymer flow that is asymmetric with respect to the arrangement of the side-by-side streams of polymer components therein. The lower viscosity component flows through a portion of the spinneret hole having a higher perimeter-to-area cross-sectional shape than the portion of the spinneret hole through which the higher viscosity component through which the lower viscosity component flows. The increased surface area (i.e., cross-sectional perimeter) of the spinneret hole contacting the lower viscosity polymer flow compensates for the viscosity differential between the polymer components that would otherwise result in dogleg bending of the extrudate.

Abstract: Surface coatings including azlactone-functional hydrogels and articles with the coatings disposed thereon are disclosed. Methods of making the coating and controlling the gellation time of the hydrogels are also disclosed.