Abstract: An aesthetically-enhanced structure is formed by fusing a translucent layer with an aesthetic-enhancing layer. The translucent layer includes natural fibers impregnated by a thermoplastic. The translucent layer or the aesthetic-enhancing layer provide one or more aesthetic properties visible through the translucent layer, for example, a pattern, a color, a texture, a pigment, a dye, a design, an image or a relief.

Abstract: A vehicle seat covering including a laminar shell suitable which is removably attached to a vehicle seat having a horizontally-orientated seat portion and a vertically-orientated backrest. The covering includes a first portion which covers an upper surface of the horizontal seat portion for supporting a passenger's pelvis/buttocks. A second portion covers a forward surface of the backrest to support the back and/or the lumbar area of the passenger. The first and second portions are configured to provide first and second functional housings, respectively. A first padding is inserted into the first functional housing and has a main inner chamber suitable to improve the comfort, thermoregulation, breathability, and hygroscopicity properties of the laminar shell. A second padding is inserted into the second functional housing and has an auxiliary inner chamber suitable to improve the comfort, thermoregulation, breathability, and hygroscopicity properties of the laminar shell.

Abstract: A comfort device comprising a plurality of elongate inserts is disclosed herein. The comfort device can include one or more compartments configured to store the plurality of elongate inserts. The plurality of elongate inserts can have a length and a cross-section, where the cross-section has a cross-sectional area and a plurality of dimensions. The length of the inserts can be at least eight inches and at least eight times a greatest dimension of the cross-sectional area. The comfort device can include one or more openings and fastening mechanism corresponding to the one or more openings. The plurality of elongate inserts can generate tensional force in response to a force applied to the comfort device, thus providing improved elasticity for the comfort device.

Abstract: A soft interior trim component for an aircraft cabin, for example a headboard cover for a lie-flat seat, as a soft layer of foam (24, 124) the front of which is covered by a cover (40). The component is attached to a surface to be covered by attachment means (26, 28-32; 126, 129) which enable the component to be easily removed for replacement and/or cleaning. The attachment may comprise a double-sided adhesive tape (26; 126) and a series of fasteners (28-32).

Abstract: Filamentous bodies which are longitudinally extended and other film-like constructions are made by combining liquid silicone-containing precursors with air and extruding them. Distinct types or grades of fibers, strands, and other film-like constructions are produced which have a multiplicity of useful applications and indications for use owing to their inherent memory, compactability, tensile strength and density. Processes for making the novel enhanced filamentous bodies and products by the same can be optimized for uses ranging from safe and effective (“leak-free”) prosthetics to cushions, inserts, membranes, in a plurality of fields from consumer electronics to medical devices, and athletic or orthopedic shoe inserts.

Abstract: Disclosed is a cellulose nonwoven fabric containing cellulose fibers having a maximum fiber diameter of not more than 1500 nm and a crystallinity determined by solid state NMR techniques of not less than 60%. The porosity of the cellulose nonwoven fabric is not less than 40% and not more than 99%.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to hygiene articles comprising nanofibers. The nanofibers are made from a melt film fibrillation process with a polymer composition having a melt flow rate of less than about 400 decigram per minute. The nanofibers, having a diameter of less than 1 micron, must comprise a significant number of the fibers in one layer of the web contained by the hygiene article. The hygiene articles include diapers, training pants, adult incontinence pads, catamenials products such as feminine care pads and pantiliners, tampons, personal cleansing articles, personal care articles, and personal care wipes including baby wipes, facial wipes, and feminine wipes.

Abstract: A substrate for artificial leather comprising a nonwoven fabric of bundles of microfine filaments. The substrate for artificial leather simultaneously satisfies the following requirements 1 to 4: (1) the bundle of microfine filaments comprises 8 to 70 microfine filaments having a cross-sectional shape of nearly circle; (2) the bundle of microfine filaments has a cross-sectional area of 170 to 700 ?m2 and a flatness of 4.0 or less; (3) on a cross section parallel to a thickness direction of the nonwoven fabric body, cross sections of the microfine fiber bundles exist in a density of 1500 to 3000/mm2; and (4) on a cross section parallel to a thickness direction of the nonwoven fabric body, gaps between the microfine fiber bundles have a size of 70 ?m or less. By satisfying the requirements, the substrate for artificial leather combines high level of sensuous qualities and high level of physical properties which have been considered to be mutually exclusive.

Abstract: A magnetic material-nanomaterial heterostructural nanorod is provided. The magnetic material-nanomaterial heterostructural nanorod includes a nanomaterial template and a magnetic material. As the magnetic material, the film of a mono-compositional magnetic metal, magnetic ceramic, a multi-compositional magnetic metal, or magnetic ceramic alloy can be deposited on the tip of the nanomaterial template.

Abstract: A nonwoven web and method of preparing a novel nonwoven web of synthetic fiber are disclosed. An aqueous solution amide crosslinked synthetic precursor polymer is extruded under defined conditions through a plurality of die orifices to form a plurality of threadlines. The threadlines are attenuated with a defined primary gaseous source to form fiber under conditions of controlled macro scale turbulence and under conditions sufficient to permit the viscosity of each threadline, as it leaves a die orifice and for a distance of no more than about 8 cm, to increase incrementally with increasing distance from the die, while substantially maintaining uniformity of viscosity in the radial direction, at a rate sufficient to provide fiber having the desired attenuation and mean fiber diameter without significant fiber breakage. The attenuated threadlines are dried with a defined secondary gaseous source. The resulting fibers are deposited randomly on a moving foraminous surface to form a substantially uniform web.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a three dimensional batt comprising at least 70 vol. % randomly-oriented ultramicrocellular fibers mutually adhered with a thermoset adhesive binder.

Abstract: A composite formed of a polymer matrix phase having a reinforcement phase including polymeric microfibers. The microfibers are preferably formed of a highly oriented polymer, having a high modulus value and a large surface area. The large surface area can serve to tightly bind the microfibers to the polymer matrix phase. The microfibers can be provided as a fully- or partially- microfibrillated film, as a non-woven web of entangled microfibers, or as a pulp having free fibers. The microfibers can be embedded in, or impregnated with, a polymer or polymer precursor. Some composite articles are formed from thermoset resins cured about a highly oriented polypropylene microfiber reinforcement phase, providing a strong, tough, moisture resistant article. One composite includes a matrix and reinforcement formed of the same material type and having substantially equal refractive indices, allowing the composite to be optically clear.

Abstract: A liquid and stain-resistant antimicrobial fabric is provided that can withstand the high temperatures required for transfer printing. A coating composition comprising a copolymer composition, an antimicrobial agent and a fluorochemical composition is applied to fabric such as polyester, to produce the coated fabric. The liquid and stain-resistant, antimicrobial, printed fabric retains its natural texture, is durable and easy to handle.

Abstract: This invention relates to flash spinning copolymers which provide softness and quietness to nonwoven sheet structures formed of plexifilamentary film-fibril material. In particular, flash spinning polyethylene with an ethylene copolymer provides a substantial improvement in softness and quietness.

Abstract: An antitrauma packet for supplementing that resistance to mechanical impact and to ballistic penetration of structures that are made of at least one panel of polymeric fibers. At least one layer, having a plurality of polymeric fibers with a plurality of hollow microspheres scattered therein, is attached to the at least one panel.