Abstract: In a shaped sheet manufacturing method, it is possible to reliably shape a first sheet even if the tension of the first sheet is reduced at the time of manufacturing the shaped sheet. In a first step, a first sheet is conveyed along an outer peripheral surface of a first roll having a plurality of recessed parts. In a second step, a second sheet is overlapped with the first sheet and conveyed together with the first sheet so that the first and second sheets are held between the recessed parts of the first roll and projection parts of a second roll. In a third step, the first and second sheets having passed between the first roll and the second roll are bonded to each other. In the second step, the tension of the first sheet is made smaller than the tension of the second sheet.

Abstract: Melt-blown webs having a widened process window and better barrier properties (3rd drop, cm H2O resp. mbar). The melt-blown webs are made from so-called “controlled rheology” propylene (CR-PP), which has been visbroken without the use of peroxide but with a specific type of visbreaking additive.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to composite nonwoven fibrous web including an embedded phase having a population of particulates forming a substantially continuous three-dimensional network, and a matrix phase comprising a population of fibers forming a three-dimensional network around the particulates. The disclosure also relates to methods of making a composite nonwoven fibrous web including forming an embedded phase having a population of particulates in a substantially continuous three-dimensional network, and forming a matrix phase comprising a population of fibers forming a three-dimensional network around the particulates. Articles made from a composite nonwoven fibrous web prepared according to the methods as described above are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates, in exemplary embodiments, to compositions of matter comprising synthetic blends of at least two feedstocks that produce a distribution of fluorinated polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane molecule structures. The present disclosure also relates, in exemplary embodiments, to methods of making such synthetic blends.

Abstract: A cytokine adsorption sheet comprises a nanofiber web formed by electrospinning a spinning solution prepared by mixing an adsorbent material capable of adsorbing cytokine and an electrospinnable polymer material. Thus, the dissolution of the adsorbent material by blood can be prevented.

Abstract: A liquid-retaining sheet contains a liquid-retaining layer that is able to absorb a liquid component, and the liquid-retaining layer is formed from a nonwoven structural member containing a transparent fiber. In the liquid-retaining sheet, the transparency shown below is adjusted to not more than 0.27. Transparency=Whiteness (%) of a sheet impregnated with 700% by mass of water relative to the sheet mass/Basis weight (g/m2) The transparent fiber may contain a cellulose-series fiber substantially free from a carboxyl group (in particular, a regenerated cellulose fiber such as a solvent-spinning cellulose-series fiber). The proportion of the solvent-spinning cellulose-series fiber may be not less than 30% by mass in the transparent fiber. The liquid-retaining sheet may be a skin care sheet (in particular, a facial mask) that is impregnated with a liquid component containing a cosmetic preparation.

Abstract: A filter medium, in particular for air filtration, is provided with a substrate and at least one nanofiber layer applied onto the substrate. The nanofiber layer has cavities in or between the nanofibers. In a method for producing the nanofiber layer, a spinning solution for electrospinning from a polymer solution by a spinning electrode and a counter electrode is provided, wherein electrical voltage is applied to the spinning solution and air is passed through the spinning solution. The nanofibers produced by the spinning electrode are deposited onto the substrate that is moved past the counter electrode.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a to fine-grade stand-alone nanoweb and nanofibrous membrane comprising a nanofiber network with a number average nanofiber diameter less than 200 nm and the mean flow pore size less than 1000 nm that yield the selective barrier medium with a superior balance of flow versus barrier properties.

Abstract: Melt-blown fiber having an average diameter of not more than 5.0 ?m, said fiber comprises at least 85 wt.-% of a propylene copolymer, wherein •said melt blown fiber and/or said propylene copolymer has/have a melt flow rate MFR2 (230° C.) measured according to ISO 1133 of at least 200 g/10 min, •said propylene copolymer has a comonomer content of 0.5 to 5.5 wt.-%, the comonmers are ethylene and/or at least one C4 to C20 ?-olefin selected from the group consisting of 1-butene, 1-pentene, 1-hexene, 1-heptene, and 1-octene, •the propylene copolymer has <2,1> regiodefects of not more than 0.4 mol.-% determined by 13C-spectroscopy, and •said melt blown fiber and/or said propylene copolymer fulfill(s) the equation (1). wherein Tm [° C.] is the melting temperature [given in ° C.

Abstract: Provided is a waterproof sound-permitting sheet, including: a porous nanoweb that has a plurality of pores and that is formed by electrospinning a polymer material to which a black or a different color pigment is added, thereby shortening a manufacturing process and improving waterproofing performance and sound-permitting performance.

Abstract: A sea-island composite fiber has an island component which is ultrafine fibers having a noncircular cross-section, the ultrafine fibers being uniform in the degree of non-circularity and in the diameter of the circumscribed circle. The sea-island composite fiber includes an easily soluble polymer as the sea component and a sparingly soluble polymer as the island component, and the island component has a circumscribed-circle diameter of 10-1,000 nm, a dispersion in circumscribed-circle diameter of 1-20%, a degree of non-circularity of 1.2-5.0, and a dispersion in the degree of non-circularity of 1-10%.

Abstract: Nonwoven web products containing sub-micron fibers, and more specifically nonwoven web products having sub-micron fibers formed by fibrillation of polymer films, and nonwoven materials and articles incorporating them, and methods of producing these products.

Abstract: A textile light-protection material having a micro-filament non-woven fabric with a surface weight of 20 to 300 g/m2, wherein the non-woven fabric has composite filaments that are melt-spun and plaited as a non-woven fabric having a titer of 1.5 to 5 decitex and the composite filaments are split into at least 80% of elementary filaments having a titer of 0.05 to 2.0 and are solidified, and wherein the elementary filaments have at least one crystallization auxiliary means selected from titanium dioxide, silicon dioxide, magnesium silicate hydrate, in particular in the form of talcum and/or aluminum silicate, in particular in the form of kaolin, in each case in an amount of 0.2 to 5 wt %.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to composite nonwoven fibrous webs including a population of sub-micrometer fibers having a median diameter less than one micrometer (?m), and a population of microfibers having a median diameter of at least 1 ?m. At least, one of the fiber populations is oriented, and each composite nonwoven fibrous web has a thickness and exhibits a Solidity of less than 10%. The disclosure also relates to methods of making composite nonwoven fibrous webs, and articles including composite nonwoven fibrous webs made according to the methods. In exemplary applications, the articles may be used as gas filtration articles, liquid filtration articles, sound absorption articles, surface cleaning articles, cellular growth support articles, drug delivery articles, personal hygiene articles, or wound dressing articles.

Abstract: An abrasive cloth which comprises an article in a sheet form having, in at least a part thereof, nanofibers comprising a thermoplastic polymer and having a number average single fiber fineness of 1×10?8 to 2×10?4 dtex wherein the sum of single fiber fineness percentages (which is defined in the specification) of a single fiber fineness of 1×10?8 to 2×10?4 dtex is the range of 60% or more, and exhibits a stress at 10% elongation in a longitudinal direction of 5 to 200 N/cm-width; and a method for preparing a nanofiber structure, which comprises providing a nanofiber dispersion having a dispersant and, dispersed therein, nanofibers comprising a thermoplastic polymer and having a number average diameter of 1 to 500 nm, attaching the dispersion to a support, and then removing said dispersant. The above abrasive cloth is excellent in texturing characteristics, and the above method allows the preparation of a nanofiber structure wherein nanofibers form a composite with the support.

Abstract: A (semi)grain-finished leather-like sheet composed of an entangled nonwoven fabric of three-dimensionally entangled fiber bundles containing microfine long fibers and an elastic polymer contained in the entangled nonwoven fabric. When dividing the (semi)grain-finished leather-like sheet to five layers with equal thickness, i.e., surface layer, substrate layer 1, substrate layer 2, substrate layer 3 and back layer in this order along the thickness direction, part of the microfine long fibers forming the surface layer and/or the back layer are fuse-bonded to each other and the microfine long fibers forming the intermediate layer are not fuse-bonded. With such a fuse-bonding state of the microfine long fibers, the (semi)grain-finished leather-like sheet combines a low compression resistance and a dense feel each comparable to natural leathers, has a sufficient practical strength, and are excellent in properties which are required according to its use.

Abstract: Described is a fuser member having a substrate and a surface layer disposed on the substrate. The surface layer includes a non-woven polymer fiber matrix having dispersed throughout a siloxyfluorocarbon (SFC) networked polymer and a fluorinated polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane.

Abstract: Provided are a mixed-fiber nonwoven fabric suitable for air filters and a filter medium using the mixed-fiber nonwoven fabric. The nonwoven fabric includes at least two types of fibers having different melting points, which fibers are low melting point fibers made of a polyolefin resin component A, and high melting point fibers made of a high melting point resin component B having a higher melting point than that of the polyolefin resin component A. The number average fiber diameter of the high melting point fibers is larger than that of the low melting point fibers. At least one high melting point fiber having a fiber diameter of 20 ?m to 100 ?m is present per 1.00 mm of the length of the cross section of the nonwoven fabric. The number average fiber diameter of all fibers constituting the nonwoven fabric falls within the range of 0.3 ?m to 10 ?m.

Abstract: Fibrous materials and methods of manufacturing fibrous materials are disclosed. In particular, this application discloses methods of making and processing serially deposited fibrous structures, such as serially deposited fibrous mats. Serially deposited fibrous mats may be used in implantable medical devices with various characteristics and features. Serially deposited fibrous mats of various mat thickness, fiber size, porosity, pore size, and fiber density are disclosed. Additionally, serially deposited fibrous mats having various amounts of fiber structures (such as intersections, branches, and bundles) per unit area are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a porous sheet and a method for manufacturing the porous sheet. A porous sheet including a fine-fiber web layer and a support layer and a method for manufacturing the same are provided, and it is possible to implement a porous sheet with sufficient strength and thickness to be used in peeling and laminating processes of a multilayer ceramic capacitor.

Abstract: A textile applicator for application of a sanitizing and/or disinfecting solution to a surface. The applicator incorporates a plurality of direct spun polyester microfiber yarns to define a textile surface which does not bind or inactivate quaternary ammonium compounds, chlorine-based or peracetic and/or other peroxygen based sanitizing and/or disinfecting agents. Thus, the sanitizing and/or disinfecting agent is readily released to the surface being treated without any requirement of pre-loading surface binding sites or applying a charge-modifying surface treatment.

Abstract: To provide a polyketone porous film having heat resistance and chemical resistance and useful as a filter for filtration having a high particle collection efficiency and as a battery or capacitor separator having a low permeation resistance to ion and the like. A polyketone porous film comprising from 10 to 100 mass % of a polyketone as a copolymer of carbon monoxide and one or more olefins, wherein the polyketone porous film has a pore formed only by a polyketone, the pore diameter uniformity parameter as a value obtained by dividing the standard deviation of the pore diameter in the pore by an average pore diameter is from 0 to 1.0, and the average through hole diameter of the polyketone porous film is from 0.01 to 50 ?m.

Abstract: A fibrous properties-switching article comprises a mat consisting of fibers having a fiber diameter of 2 microns or less. The fibers comprise a polymer, copolymer, polymer blend, or polymer network, wherein the fibers have a diameter of 2 gm or less. The surface and/or bulk property of the mat changes over a range of temperatures, wherein the polymer, copolymer, polymer blend, or polymer network undergoes a structural change over the range of temperatures. The fiber mat is formed by electrospinning. In an exemplary embodiment, a blend of polystyrene and poly((N-isopropyl acrylamide) (b1-PS/PNIPA) in dimethylformamide (DMF) is electrospun to form a mat consisting of fibers with a diameter less than 2 ?m that shows a transition from a superhydrophilic surface to a nearly superhydrophobic surface over a temperature range from 30° C. to 45° C.

Abstract: Electret webs are presented which include a blend of a thermoplastic resin and a charge-enhancing additive. The charge-enhancing additives include a heterocyclic imide material which is free of fluorinated groups. The webs prepared from the blends may be in the form of films or non-woven fibrous webs. Non-woven microfiber webs are useful as filtration media.

Abstract: Disclosed are improved polymer materials. Also disclosed are fine fiber materials that can be made from the improved polymeric materials in the form of microfiber and nanofiber structures. The microfiber and nanofiber structures can be used in a variety of useful applications including the formation of filter materials.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention is a nonwoven fabric comprising a support web and a fibrous barrier web, having a hydrohead of at least about 145 cm and a Frazier permeability of at least about 0.3 m3/m2-min.

Abstract: A dimensionally stable bonded nonwoven fibrous web formed by extruding melt blown fibers of a polymeric material, collecting the melt blown fibers as an initial nonwoven fibrous web, and annealing the initial nonwoven fibrous web with a controlled heating and cooling operation, is described. The bonded nonwoven fibrous web shrinkage is typically less than 4 percent relative to the initial nonwoven fibrous web.

Abstract: Electret webs are presented which include a blend of a thermoplastic resin and a charge-enhancing additive. The charge-enhancing additives include N-substituted amino carbocyclic aromatic materials. The webs prepared from the blends may be in the form of films or non-woven fibrous webs. Non-woven microfiber webs are useful as filtration media.

Abstract: A glazing method for improving abrasion resistance using a heated smooth roll to melt the lower-melting-point portion of bicomponent fibers as the spunbond web passes over the heated smooth roll. Because there is no external pressure exerted in a nip by an opposing second roller, as in calendering, the outer surface of the web which does not contact the heated smooth roll remains essentially unchanged and the nonwoven fabric exhibits no compression as a result of the glazing process. The roll temperature and dwell time (roll diameter, wrap angle and line speed) are controlled for the purpose of surface treating only one side of the nonwoven fabric to improve abrasion resistance while allowing the air permeability and web thickness to remain essentially unchanged.

Abstract: The invention provides a nonwoven electret web comprising fibers made from a thermoplastic polymer material which comprises a polymer, a first additive (a) and a second additive (b), wherein the first additive (a) comprises a hindered amine and the second additive (b) comprises a metal salt of a carboxylic acid and/or an organic amide derived from a carboxylic acid and an amine. The invention further provides a process for making the nonwoven electret web, a fiber, a process for making the fiber, a mullti-layer sheet, and the use of the nonwoven electret web, the fiber or the multilayered sheet as a filter material or as a dust-removing fabric for cleaning purposes.

Abstract: The invention discloses a filtration material for desalination, including a support layer, and a desalination layer formed on the support layer, wherein the desalination layer is a fiber composite membrane and includes at least one water-swellable polymer. The water-swellable polymer is made of hydrophilic monomers and hydrophobic monomers, and the hydrophilic monomers include ionic monomers and non-ionic monomers, and the ionic monomers include cationic monomers and anionic monomers.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a stable production process for a melt-blown nonwoven fabric comprising thin fibers and having extremely few thick fibers [number of fusion-bonded fibers] formed by fusion bonding of thermoplastic resin fibers to one another, and an apparatus for the same. The present invention relates to a melt-blown nonwoven fabric comprising polyolefin fibers and having (i) a mean fiber diameter of not more than 2.0 ?m, (ii) a fiber diameter distribution CV value of not more than 60%, and (iii) 15 or less fusion-bonded fibers based on 100 fibers; a production process for a melt-blown nonwoven fabric characterized by feeding cooling air of not higher than 30° C. from both side surfaces of outlets of slits 31 from which high-temperature high-velocity air is gushed out and thereby cooling the spun molten resin; and a production apparatus for the same.

Abstract: Fluid filtration articles, including composite nonwoven fibrous webs, and methods of making and using such articles as gas or liquid filtration elements. The articles include a population of coarse microfibers having a population median diameter of at least 1 micrometer (?m) formed as a first layer, and a population of fine fibers having a population median diameter less than 10 ?m formed as a second layer adjoining the first layer. At least one of the fiber populations may be oriented. In one implementation, the coarse microfibers and fine fibers are polymeric, the coarse microfibers have a population median diameter of at least 10 ?m, and the fine fibers have a population median diameter less than 10 ?m. In another implementation, the population of fine fibers has a population median diameter less than 1 ?m. Optionally, one or both of the first and second layers may include particulates.

Abstract: [Problems] To provide an ion-exchange membrane using an inexpensive nonwoven fabric sheet as a base sheet, featuring excellent properties such as strength, dimensional stability and shape stability, effectively suppressing undulation when it is brought into contact with the electrolyte, and having a low membrane resistance and stable properties. [Means for Solution] An ion-exchange membrane comprising a nonwoven fabric sheet 1 and an ion-exchange resin coating 3 formed on one surface of the nonwoven fabric sheet 1, the nonwoven fabric sheet 1 having a fiber layer structure that includes long filament layers 5 of a fiber diameter of 8 to 30 ?m on both surfaces thereof and an extra-fine filament layer 7 of a fiber diameter of not more than 5 ?m as an intermediate layer formed by melt-adhesion of fibers between the long filament layers 5.

Abstract: Melt-blown fiber having an average diameter of not more than 5.0 ?m, said fiber comprises at least 85 wt.-% of a propylene copolymer, wherein • said melt blown fiber and/or said propylene copolymer has/have a melt flow rate MFR2 (230° C.) measured according to ISO 1133 of at least 200 g/10 min, • said propylene copolymer has a comonomer content of 0.5 to 5.5 wt.-%, the comonomers are ethylene and/or at least one C4 to C20 ?-olefin selected from the group consisting of 1-butene, 1-pentene, 1-hexene, 1-heptene, and 1-octene, • the propylene copolymer has <2,1> regiodefects of not more than 0.4 mol.-% determined by 13C-spectroscopy, and • said melt blown fiber and/or said propylene copolymer fulfill(s) the equation (1). wherein Tm [° C.] is the melting temperature [given in ° C.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing a non-woven fiber fabric by spinning a molten polymer. Thus, a non-woven fiber fabric which is substantially free from a solvent, different from the case of spinning a polymer solution, but yet has an extremely small fiber size (diameter of 0.5 ?m or less) is provided. The non-woven fiber fabric comprises an olefin-based thermoplastic resin fiber, said fiber having an average fiber size of 0.01-0.5 ?m, and said non-woven fiber fabric having an average pore size of 0.01-10.0 ?m and being free from a solvent component.

Abstract: A polymer electrolyte fiber having a high molecular weight is produced with ease by an electrospinning method. In an electrospinning method which comprises applying a voltage to a solution of a polymer electrolyte to allow a jet of the solution to spurt, forming a polymer fiber, the voltage applied to the solution of the polymer electrolyte is a voltage having the opposite polarity to the charge of molecular chains of the polymer electrolyte in the solution, and the voltage is applied to increase the viscosity of the solution to be higher than that of the solution before applying the voltage, allowing the solution to spurt.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a high surface area fibers and an improved filter composite media made from the same. More specifically, the composite media preferably comprises a winged-fiber layer having high surface area fibers for increased absorption and strength and a meltblown layer for additional filtration. In one preferred embodiment the high surface area fibers have a middle region with a plurality of projections that define a plurality of channels, which increases the surface area of the fiber. In one preferred embodiment, the high surface area fiber has a specific surface area of about 140,000 cm2/g or higher and a denier of about 1.0 to about 2.0. The high surface area fiber of the present invention is made using a bicomponent extrusion process using a thermoplastic polymer and a dissolvable sheath.

Abstract: Disclosed are improved polymer materials. Also disclosed are fine fiber materials that can be made from the improved polymeric materials in the form of microfiber and nanofiber structures. The microfiber and nanofiber structures can be used in a variety of useful applications including the formation of filter materials.

Abstract: A short-cut, water non-dispersible polymer microfiber is provided comprising at least one water non-dispersible polymer wherein the water non-dispersible polymer microfiber has an average fineness of less than 1 denier per filament; and wherein said water non-dispersible short-cut polymer microfiber has an aspect ratio of about 300 to about 1000. Processes to produce the short-cut, water non-dispersible polymer microfiber are also provided as well as process for producing nonwoven articles.

Abstract: A short-cut, water non-dispersible polymer microfiber is provided comprising at least one water non-dispersible polymer wherein the water non-dispersible polymer microfiber has an average fineness of less than 1 denier per filament; and wherein said water non-dispersible short-cut polymer microfiber has an aspect ratio of about 300 to about 1000. A process for producing water non-dispersible polymer microfibers and a process for producing nonwoven articles are also provided.

Abstract: The invention discloses a nano-fiber material, wherein the nano-fiber material is formed by spinning an ionic polymer into a nano-fiber nonwoven, and the ionic polymer is represented by the formula: wherein: R1 includes phenyl sulfonate or alkyl sulfonate; R2 includes R3 includes and m/n is between 1/50 and 50/1, q?0.

Abstract: In order to provide a non-woven fiber fabric, in particular, in the form of a flat material or as part of a flat material which can be used as a biodegradable material in medicine, in particular, as an implant or carrier material for living cells (tissue engineering) but also a non-woven fiber fabric which can be used in food technology in a variety of applications, in particular, as a preliminary product for foods, a non-woven fiber fabric is provided containing fibers consisting of a gelatin material, wherein the thickness of the fibers is on average 1 to 500 ?m and wherein the non-woven fiber fabric has a plurality of areas, at which two or more fibers merge into one another without any phase boundary.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fiber comprising a heat curable polyamide resin composition containing both a) a phenolic hydroxy group-containing polyamide and b) an epoxy resin having two or more epoxy groups in one molecule, a nanofiber comprising said resin composition obtained by electrospinning method, a nonwoven fabric obtained by applying heat treatment to a laminate of said nanofiber, a method for producing said nanofiber by electrospinning method and a heat curable polyamide resin composition for fiber. A nonwoven fabric can be obtained only by subjecting a deposit of the nanofiber obtained by electrospinning method to heat treatment, nanofibers in the obtained nonwoven fabric are bonded to each other by heat-curing, and the nonwoven fabric has such characteristics that its mechanical strength, heat resistance and chemical resistance are excellent and that it has a high strength.

Abstract: The present invention provides nonwoven webs comprising multicomponent nanocomposite fibers that enable the nonwoven webs to possess high extensibility. The multicomponent nanocomposite fibers comprise two or more components. Each component comprises a polymer composition and at least one component comprises a nanoparticles composition. The nonwoven webs comprising the multicomponent nanocomposite fibers have an average elongation at peak load which is greater than the average elongation at peak load of comparable nonwoven webs without nanocomposite fibers.

Abstract: The present invention provides nonwoven webs comprising monocomponent nanocomposite fibers that enable the nonwoven webs to possess high extensibility. The monocomponent nanocomposite fibers comprise a polymer composition and a nanoparticles composition. The nonwoven webs comprising the monocomponent nanocomposite fibers have an average elongation at peak load which is greater than the average elongation at peak load of comparable nonwoven webs without nanocomposite fibers.

Abstract: A nano-fiber non-woven comprising a plurality of thermoplastic nano-fibers and a plurality of particles. At least 50% of the particles are positioned adjacent a surface of the nanofibers and at least 70% of the nanofibers are fused to other nanofibers within the nano-fiber non-woven. A process for making the nano-fiber non-woven is also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a spunbonded non-woven made of polyolefin filaments having a titer <1.6 dtex, the spunbonded non-woven having a surface weight ?20 g/m2, a density ?0.06 g/cm3, a maximum tensile force of between 9.5 and 62 N in the direction of the machine and of between 4.5 and 35 N perpendicular to the direction of the machine.

Abstract: Disclosed are improved polymer materials. Also disclosed are fine fiber materials that can be made from the improved polymeric materials in the form of microfiber and nanofiber structures. The microfiber and nanofiber structures can be used in a variety of useful applications including the formation of filter materials.

Abstract: Polylactic acid fibers formed from a thermoplastic composition that contains polylactic acid and a polymeric toughening additive are provided. The present inventors have discovered that the specific nature of the components and process by which they are blended may be carefully controlled to achieve a composition having desirable morphological features. More particularly, the toughening additive can be dispersed as discrete physical domains within a continuous phase of the polylactic acid. These domains have a particular size, shape, and distribution such that upon fiber drawing, they absorb energy and become elongated. This allows the resulting composition to exhibit a more pliable and softer behavior than the otherwise rigid polylactic acid. Through selective control over the components and method employed, the present inventors have discovered that the resulting fibers may thus exhibit good mechanical properties, both during and after melt spinning.