Abstract: The invention provides composite materials, methods for making the same, and a containment structure incorporating the materials. A composite having a rigid structure includes first and second woven layers and a non-woven layer having first and second faces, first face fibers being attached to and mechanically entangled with fibers of the first woven layer and second face fibers being attached to and mechanically entangled with fibers of the second woven layer to form an integral material. A composite having a flexible structure includes a woven layer and a fire resistant non-woven layer having a first face, the first face including fibers being attached to and mechanically entangled with fibers of the woven layer to form an integral material. The woven layer includes an aramid and the non-woven layer includes a fiber blend. The integral materials are molded to form respective rigid and fire resistant, flexible composite materials.

Abstract: A leather-like sheet excellent in repulsive feeling is provided by a leather-like sheet substantially including a fibrous material which is a leather-like sheet in which a staple fiber nonwoven fabric (A) in which ultra-fine fibers of an average single fiber fineness of 0.0001 to 0.5 dtex and an average fiber length of 1 to 10 cm are entangled with each other and a woven or knitted fabric (B) including a conjugate fiber in which two or more polyesters are disposed in side-by-side or eccentric sheath-core relationship are laminated.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a hydroentangled flame retardant nonwoven fabric, and more specifically, to a cellulosic flame retardant fabric comprising a self extinguishing fiber so as to minimize the total percentage of fabric weight lost upon burning in accordance with technical bulletin 604. Use of natural fiber fabrics in bedding components is desirable due to the softness and durability associated with the fabrics; however, natural fiber, such as cellulose, is highly flammable and therefore lacks the ability to provide the proper flammability protection often sought out in bedding components. In accordance with the present invention, a small amount of self-extinguishing fiber, such as a modacrylic fiber, was blended with the natural fiber and hydroentangled to form a nonwoven composite fabric that is soft, flame retardant, and suitable for bedding articles.

Abstract: A leather-like sheet excellent in stretchability which is obtained by integrating by entanglement of a woven or knitted fabric and an ultrafine fiber of 0.0001 to 0.5 dtex, wherein at least one face of the leather-like sheet is substantially composed of said ultrafine fibers, and said woven or knitted fabric consists of a conjugate fiber in which two or more kinds of polyester-based polymers, at least one of which consists essentially of polytrimethylene terephthalate, are stuck along the fiber length direction side-by-side, or a conjugate fiber in which two or more kinds of polyester-based polymers, at least one of which consists essentially of polytrimethylene terephthalate, forms an eccentric sheath-core type conjugate structure, and the fiber constituting the woven or knitted fabric has a twist coefficient of 20000 or below.

Abstract: The present invention contemplates a method of forming a textile laminate or composite fabric from a plurality of woven fabric layers, with the method contemplating use of a three-dimensional image transfer device to facilitate efficient and commercially viable use of the method. Herein is disclosed a method of forming an imaged textile laminate or composite compound fabric, the fabric having a first textile fabric layer comprising a plurality of interwoven warp and weft yarns and at least one other textile fabric layer, the lamination of the fabric layers and imaging of the construct occurring on a three-dimensional image transfer device. The image transfer device has a foraminous, image-forming surface comprising a regular pattern of three-dimensional surface elements.

Abstract: Provided is a water-decomposable fibrous sheet including fibers containing at least 3% by mass of fibrillated rayon. The fibrillated rayon has a degree of beating of at most 700 cc and has primary fibers of a predetermined fiber length and microfibers extending from the primary fibers. In the fibrous sheet, the microfibers are entangled with at least either of other microfibers and other fibers therein, and the surface friction resistance of the fibrous sheet in dry, measured according to the abrasion resistance test method of JIS P-8136, is at least three rubbing cycles.

Abstract: Disclosed are cleaning sheets having at least two regions, where the regions are distinguished by basis weight. In particular, the cleaning sheet comprises one or more high basis weight regions having a basis weight of from about 30 to about 120 g/m2 and one or more low basis weight regions, wherein the low basis weight region(s) have a basis weight that is not more than about 80% of the basis weight of the high basis weight region(s). Also disclosed are cleaning sheets having substantial macroscopic three-dimensionality, in addition to having multiple basis weights. Optionally, the macroscopically three-dimensional cleaning sheets can comprise a scrim material, which when heated and then cooled, contracts so as to provide a macroscopic three-dimensional structure. Macroscopic three-dimensionality is described in terms of “average height differential”, as well as the “average peak-to-peak” distance.

Abstract: According to the present invention there is provided a wet wipe comprising a substrate that has tensile strength of at least 5 N/inch and which is biodegradable. In a further aspect, the present invention provides a flushable wet wipe comprising a substrate having a loading factor of at least 1.5 grams of cleaning composition per gram of substrate and which is biodegradable. The wet wipes is suitable for cleaning hard surfaces, especially lavatories and is flushable.

Abstract: A polymeric-resin-coated papermaking-processing belt, which may be used as a sheet-transfer, long nip press (LNP) or calender belt, includes a reinforcing base having the form of an endless loop with a face side and a back side, these being the outside and inside of the endless loop, respectively. The face side of the reinforcing base is coated with a polymeric resin material, while the back side has a staple fiber batt attached thereto. The staple fiber batt has a smooth, fused surface free of protruding fiber ends. This surface is kept clean more easily than that of a typical staple fiber batt. Methods for manufacturing the polymeric-resin-coated papermaking-processing belt, including several ways for providing the staple fiber batt with the smooth, fused surface, are also disclosed.

Abstract: A needled mat adapted to reinforce a thermoplastic matrix material to form a composite, the mat including: (a) a plurality of discontinuous glass monofilaments present in an amount ranging from at least about 30 weight percent to about 99 weight percent of the mat on a total solids basis and having a filament coating composition thereon which is compatible with a thermoplastic matrix material; and (b) a plurality of discontinuous glass fiber strands and having a strand coating composition thereon which is compatible with the thermoplastic matrix material, wherein the glass monofilaments and glass fiber strands are essentially uniformly distributed throughout the mat.

Abstract: The invention relates to coating compositions for producing watertight, vapor-permeable and flame-retardant coatings, comprising a vinyl chloride copolymer or vinyl acetate/ethylene dispersion, flameproofing agents, foam stabilizer and optionally crosslinkers. The invention further relates to a process for producing watertight, vapor-permeable and flame-retardant coatings by mechanically foaming the coating composition to produce a stable foam, applying the foam to a woven, knitted or nonwoven support material on one or both of the sides and drying it at a temperature of from 60.degree. to 180.degree. C. and optionally, after drying, compressing the foam layer. The textile support materials coated with the coating composition are suitable for use in building protection and in the geotextile sector.