Abstract: A process for making a spunmelt nonwoven web including the steps of providing a mixture of recycled polypropylene, extruding the recycled polypropylene mixture to form a molten recycled polypropylene mixture, filtering the molten recycled polypropylene mixture through a filter to form recycled polypropylene filtrate, dosing the recycled polypropylene filtrate into the spunmelt production line by an amount of 80% to 100% by weight, passing the recycled polypropylene filtrate through at least one spinneret of the spunmelt production line to form filaments at a spinning speed of greater than 1200 meters per minute, cooling and drawing the filaments, and depositing the filaments on a moving belt to form at least one layer of the spunmelt nonwoven web made up of 80% by 100% by weight of recycled polypropylene fibers.

Abstract: A stretch laminate is disclosed. The stretch laminate may include a layer of nonwoven material that includes an accumulation of filaments and has an inner surface and an outer surface, the outer surface having an ordered arrangement of zones, each zone having an attenuated region adjacent to a build-up region wherein the attenuated region has a first basis weight and the build-up region has a second basis weight greater than the first basis weight, the difference in basis weights corresponding to disposition of the filaments according to the ordered arrangement. The stretch laminate may include a plurality of elastic strands space apart from each other in a crotch-stretch direction. In some examples the elastic strands may have an Average Strand Spacing no greater than 3 mm and/or an Average Decitex no greater than 300, and/or an Average Pre-Strain no greater than 250 percent.

Abstract: An artificial timber comprises the following components in parts by weight: 35-50 parts of cellulose, 20-35 parts of hemicellulose and 15-35 parts of lignin, wherein the artificial timber has a density of 0.01-0.05 g/cm3. The preparing method comprises: (1) dissolving 15-35 parts by weight of lignin, 35-50 parts by weight of cellulose and 20-35 parts by weight of hemicellulose with an ionic liquid; (2) cleaning and replacing it with water to obtain a lignocellulose hydrogel; and (3) drying the lignocellulose hydrogel to obtain an artificial timber. The artificial timber prepared by the present invention is large in specific area, low in density, low in material energy consumption, moderate in condition and easy for operation. The artificial timber obtained by the present invention is regular in shape and is shaped like a sandy beige cylinder without obvious damage and deformation, which indicates that such artificial timber with high specific area has well molding capacity.

Abstract: A method of forming a fiber-bound engineered material utilizing carrier screens is provided that imparts an intended characteristic at an intended relative location. Also provided are articles formed of fiber-bound engineered materials manufactured utilizing carrier screens. A fiber layer is placed adjacent at least one carrier screen and entangled with additional fibers in a manner to create a non-uniform engineered material. The lack of uniformity of a fiber-bound engineered material may be accomplished through manipulation of the fibers and/or through fiber binding a scrim. The fiber layer binds with additional fibers through entanglement such that a mechanical connection between the entangled fibers is provided. This entanglement allows the fibers to bind without supplemental adhesives, interlacing, or connections.

Abstract: A method of forming a fiber-bound engineered material utilizing carrier screens is provided that imparts an intended characteristic at an intended relative location. Also provided are articles formed of fiber-bound engineered materials manufactured utilizing carrier screens. A fiber layer is placed adjacent at least one carrier screen and entangled with additional fibers in a manner to create a non-uniform engineered material. The lack of uniformity of a fiber-bound engineered material may be accomplished through manipulation of the fibers and/or through fiber binding a scrim. The fiber layer binds with additional fibers through entanglement such that a mechanical connection between the entangled fibers is provided. This entanglement allows the fibers to bind without supplemental adhesives, interlacing, or connections.

Abstract: Nonwoven webs/nonwoven laminates for use in absorbent articles are disclosed. The nonwoven webs/nonwoven laminates are useful in leg cuffs of absorbent articles.

Abstract: The instant disclosure relates to an integral porous fiber media with distinguishable distribution of fiber density, fiber diameter and capillary force. The instant disclosure further relates to a fiber porous media that includes multiple density portions. The disclosed media is a single piece, such that the different density portions are not separable. The disclosed media provides improved liquid delivery properties for a specific liquid delivery device.

Abstract: An extensible nonwoven fabric, and method for its manufacture, on which the source, medicinal component, pattern and/or other pieces of information are recognizable at the beginning of and during fabric use. It is made mainly of highly crimped fibers, with a compressed region where no fibers are melted and bonded together, with a tensile strength of 25 N/5-cm-width or more in both the machine direction and the cross direction. It may be manufactured by causing a water jet having a pressure of 5 MPa or more to act onto a web made mainly of a latent crimpable fiber, forming an entangled fiber web, causing heat to act on it, crimping the fiber converting it to a highly crimped fiber while contracting the web's area by 30% or more forming a contracted fiber web, and embossing it such that the fibers are not melted and bonded together.

Abstract: An article of manufacture and a method of manufacturing a soft batt insulation material. The article of manufacture comprises fibers having crimps and surface features such as scales that provide a batt structure which is resiliently compressible. Fiber treatments provide fire, pest, fungus, and mold resistance. The treatments can be to the surface or to the internal structure of the fiber. The insulation batts are comprised of one or more layers of intermeshed fibers. The fibers can be wool or other protein based hair. The batts can include a restrainment structure that limits that expansion of the batts.

Abstract: A binding fiber having, as at least one first thermoplastic component, a copolyamide which has a relative viscosity of at least 1.50 (measured at 0.5% in m-cresol at 25° C.), a MVR of maximum 20 cm3/10 min at 190° C. and 2.16 kg load, a hydrophobicity of less than 7.2, a melting temperature lower than 105° C. in the water saturated condition and a higher melting temperature in the dry condition. The binding fiber can, on the one hand, be activated with hot steam at approximately ambient pressure during the manufacture of flat materials containing natural fibers, such as paper, cardboard, wood fiber boards, or fiber mats. The finished flat material can, on the other hand, be subjected to higher temperatures, and the copolyamide develops good bonding with respect to the cellulose fibers normally used in the indicated flat materials.

Abstract: Nonwoven textile fabrics in accordance with the present invention are formed primarily of individualized bast fibers substantially free of pectin having a mean length less than 6 millimeters. The nonwoven fabric can include staple fibers and/or pulp fibers. Individualized bast fibers include fibers derived from the flax and hemp plants. The nonwoven textile fabric is formed into a web while in a dry state and subsequently bonded to produce a nonwoven fabric.

Abstract: A sheet includes a pulp fiber and a linear magnetic material. The linear magnetic material has a substantially large Barkhausen effect. The linear magnetic material also has irregularities at an outer periphery of the linear magnetic material. The sheet in which the magnetic material is inhibited from being exposed at both surfaces of the sheet can be provided.

Abstract: Nonwoven textile fabrics in accordance with the present invention are formed primarily of individualized bast fibers substantially free of pectin. The nonwoven fabric can include staple fibers to a lesser extent than the individualized bast fibers. Individualized bast fibers include fibers derived from the flax and hemp plants. The nonwoven textile fabric is formed into a web while in a dry state and subsequently bonded to produce a nonwoven fabric.

Abstract: To produce a nonwoven fabric comprising a conjugated fiber comprising a plurality of resins which are different in thermal shrinkage and form a phase separation structure. In the nonwoven fabric, the conjugated fibers are arranged in a direction approximately parallel to a surface direction of the nonwoven fabric and crimped. In addition, the conjugated fibers have an average curvature radius of fiber crimp of 20 to 200 ?m and the crimps are distributed approximately uniformly in a thickness direction of the nonwoven fabric. The nonwoven fabric is substantially free from an adhesive agent. In the nonwoven fabric, each fiber is substantially not melt-bonded to another. The conjugated fiber may comprise a polyalkylene arylate-series resin and a modified polyalkylene arylate-series resin and have a side-by-side or eccentric sheath-core form.

Abstract: Cloth, in which air permeability is variable by energization, includes: a fibrous object composed of composite fibers, each of the composite fibers including: an electrical-conductive polymeric material; and a material different from the electrical-conductive polymeric material, the different material being directly stacked on the electrical-conductive polymeric material; and electrodes which are attached to the fibrous object, and energize the electrical-conductive polymeric material. Each of the composite fibers has a structure in which the material different from the electrical-conductive polymeric material is stacked on at least a part of a surface of the electrical-conductive polymeric material, or a structure in which either one of the electrical-conductive polymeric material and the material different from the electrical-conductive polymeric material penetrates the other material in a longitudinal direction.

Abstract: A nonwoven material has a plurality of randomly oriented and bulked crimped filaments, a plurality of point bonds interconnecting said crimped filaments into a fixed, 3-dimensional structure, and either a surface portion of said fixed, 3-dimensional structure having a greater density than an inner portion of said 3-dimensional structure or an external surface of said fixed, 3-dimensional structure being substantially free of any protruding filaments. The nonwoven material is made by: bulking a filament tow, fixing the bulked tow into a 3-dimensional structure, and calendering the 3-dimensional structure.

Abstract: An assembled intermediate is described comprising a fluid transport element proximate an absorbent material. The fluid transport element comprises a thermoplastic nonwoven web comprising a plurality of coiled filaments having an average diameter of 200 to 500 microns interengaged by means of intermittent bonds. The web preferably has certain properties such as a thickness of 3 to 20 mm, a density ranging from 0.02 to 0.10, and a work of compression of no greater than 20 kJ/m3. Also described are articles comprising such assembled intermediate.

Abstract: A composite material as a sheet material is described, being relatively cheap, most useful as a raw material of a sanitary product or the like, such as underwear, dust-proof mask or dispensable paper diaper, etc., and good in processability, stretchability, gas-permeability, softness, and touch. The composite material is formed by laminating a stretchable layer and a conjugate spunbonded nonwoven fabric including conjugate fibers including a low-melting-point component and a high-melting-point component. The conjugate fibers are partially bonded to each other by thermocompression, wherein each bonded portion has fine folded structures including alternate hill and valley regions in the CD, and the distance between neighboring hills is 100-400 ?m in average. The conjugate spunbonded nonwoven fabric exhibits stretchability through the spread of the fine folded structures, and has, at 5% elongation, a CD-strength of 0.1 N/5 cm or less and an MD/CD strength ratio of 200 or more.

Abstract: The invention relates to a nonwoven fabric which is bonded at selected points by use of a binder containing particles composed of filler material (a phase change material, among others) and which is not bonded at other selected points. The nonwoven fabric is characterized by a soft touch and good flexibility, and may be used as an interlining material or an intermediate layer.

Abstract: The invention relates to nonwoven fabrics containing polymeric multiple component fibers which include a core component and a plurality of wing components attached to the core. The polymeric core component has an elasticity that is greater than the elasticity of at least one of the wing polymeric components. The fibers assume a spiral twist configuration in which the plurality of wings substantially spiral about the core. In a preferred embodiment, the nonwoven fabrics have elastic stretch and recovery properties with a textile-like hand.

Abstract: The invention provides a nonwoven fabric which can improve these problems of the conventional technologies, can be produced at relatively low costs, is bulky and excellent in cushioning properties, has a good texture and is excellent in shaping ability at post-processing. Specifically, the present invention provides a bulky nonwoven fabric, comprising a fiber layer A containing a spiral crimp fiber and a fiber layer B, wherein the fiber layer B is laminated on at least one surface of the fiber layer A, the spiral crimp fiber of the fiber layer A and the fiber of the fiber layer B are partly entangled and integrated at the interface in a thickness direction of both layers, the fiber layer B exhibits a structure in which the layer is lifted up to the fiber layer B side between individual entangled parts; and having a specific volume of 30 cm3/g or more.

Abstract: A textile cushioning batting for use in furniture and the like having a high degree of loft and rebound is disclosed comprising: a non-woven blended batting comprising a major portion of a fine denier fiber and a minor portion of a coarse denier fiber. The fibers have increased crimping amplitudes, secondary crimping, sharper crimp and optimized crimps per inch. A low melt binds fiber binding the fine and coarse denier fibers together in the batting; and a sufficient number of the fibers being heat are bonded together at their intersections to provide a high loft resilient batting for cushioning.

Abstract: A nonwoven fabric 10 has a first layer 1 containing crimped fibers 11. In the layer 1, the crimped fibers gather in parts to form a large number of fiber clusters 12 that are distributed all over the layer 1. The clusters 12 interconnect to each other to form a network structure in the layer 1. The nonwoven fabric 10 further has another fiber layer as a second layer 2 disposed on a side of the first layer 1. The two layers are partly joined at a large number of joints 3. The second layer 2 protrudes outwardly between the joints 3 to form a large number of protrusions 20.

Abstract: The invention relates to a mounting mat for mounting an exhaust gas catalytic converter, which is used for purifying motor vehicle exhaust gases, in a catalytic converter housing. The mounting mat has at least three plies and is mechanically compacted by seams (6) that absorb tensile stresses. The seams (6) are made with a sewing thread (7) whose temperature resistance is lower than the temperature of the mounting mat (5) when the exhaust gas catalytic converter is in operation. According to the invention, an elastically compressible nonwoven (3) made of crimped metal filaments is placed between two outer plies (1, 1?) made of mineral fibers (2).

Abstract: A liquid acquisition layer having a multitude of fibers and a binder is useful in a variety of absorbent articles, such as diapers and sanitary napkins. The liquid acquisition layer has a caliper which decreases in response to external pressure and increases upon removal of said external pressure. The increase in caliper is measured by a recovery value, wherein the liquid acquisition layer recovery value at 45° C. is at least 65% of the recovery value at 20° C.

Abstract: According to the present invention, it is possible to obtain a non-woven fabric that is excellent in bulkiness, flexibility, and feeling, in which less fibers drop out even in the case wherein the non-woven fabric is used for an application such as clothing items and a wiping cloth in which a surface of a non-woven fabric is rubbed, that is, excellent in a lint-free property. A mixed continuous fiber non-woven fabric in accordance with the present invention is characterized by comprising a split continuous fiber and a crimped continuous fiber, and is preferably characterized in that a total amount of the crimped continuous fiber is in the range of 10 to 90% by weight (where a total weight of a split continuous fiber and a crimped continuous fiber is 100% by weight).

Abstract: An arrangement for producing a fibrous mat from a heated die source wherein the produced mat includes a first layered, preselected fiber portion of substantially straight fibers produced by directing such fibers directly to a collector source and a second layered preselected fiber portion of substantially curled fibers produced by diverting and exerting an external vortically creative curling force thereon before reaching the collector source.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for forming a bi-layered carpet underlay. More particularly, the method includes bonding a layer of non-woven fibers and a layer of re-bonded foam particles together to form the bi-layered carpet underlay. The layers of the carpet underlay can be bonded together with the use of adhesives, by heating a surface of one or both layers to a soft bondable state for lamination between the layers, by applying a film having adhesive surfaces between the layers, or by other suitable bonding means. The bi-layered carpet underlay combines the soft cushioning resilience of foam with the high durability bridging ability of fiber to provide a carpet underlay that maintains its height or thickness and firmness, while imparting softness and cushioning effects over an extended period of wear.

Abstract: A felt for papermaking which is less prone to be crushed during operation of high speed paper machine, promptly begins stable papermaking after starting the machine, assures durability, and maintains surface smoothness.

Abstract: Methods of making a sheet-form loop product are provided. One method includes placing a layer of staple fibers against a first side of a substrate comprising a nonwoven web; needling fibers of the layer through the substrate by penetrating the substrate with needles that drag portions of the fibers through the substrate, leaving exposed loops of the fibers extending from a second side of the substrate; and anchoring fibers forming the loops by fusing the fibers to each other and to filaments of the nonwoven web on the first side of the substrate, while substantially preventing fusion of the fibers on the second side of the substrate.

Abstract: Nonwoven fibrous webs are formed including a first group and a second group of fibers, where fibers of the first group are imparted with a degree of shrinkage that differs from a degree of shrinkage imparted to fibers in the second group. During or after bonding of the web, the web may be subjected to heat treatment causing fibers in one of the groups to shrink a greater amount in comparison to fibers in the other group, resulting in nonwoven products with desired textures and other physical characteristics.

Abstract: A nonwoven material has a plurality of randomly oriented and bulked crimped filaments, a plurality of point bonds interconnecting said crimped filaments into a fixed, 3-dimensional structure, and either a surface portion of said fixed, 3-dimensional structure having a greater density than an inner portion of said 3-dimensional structure or an external surface of said fixed, 3-dimensional structure being substantially free of any protruding filaments. The nonwoven material is made by: bulking a filament tow, fixing the bulked tow into a 3-dimensional structure, and calendering the 3-dimensional structure.

Abstract: New nonwoven fibrous webs are taught which comprise a collected mass of a) directly formed fibers disposed within the web in a C-shaped cross-sectional configuration and b) staple fibers having a crimp of at least 15% dispersed among the directly formed fibers in an amount of at least 5% the weight of the directly formed fibers. The web is lofty but free of macrovoids. Preferably, the web has a filling ratio of at least 50 and a light transmittance variation of about 2% or less. Typically, fibers within the web are bonded together at points of fiber intersection, preferably with autogenous bonds, to provide a compression-resistant matrix. The webs are especially useful as acoustic and thermal insulation.

Abstract: Methods of making a sheet-form loop product are provided. One method includes placing a layer of staple fibers against a first side of a substrate comprising a nonwoven web; needling fibers of the layer through the substrate by penetrating the substrate with needles that drag portions of the fibers through the substrate, leaving exposed loops of the fibers extending from a second side of the substrate; and anchoring fibers forming the loops by fusing the fibers to each other and to filaments of the nonwoven web on the first side of the substrate, while substantially preventing fusion of the fibers on the second side of the substrate.

Abstract: This invention relates to a composite laminate, a layup and preform for such a composite laminate and to a method of manufacturing the composite laminate. The layup (28), preform and composite laminate (22) include at least one ply (20) which includes hairy yarn (10). The action of the hairy yarn (10) is to provide cross ply linking owing to the extension of fibers from the hairy yarn into spaces both within the ply and between the plies. The addition of resin matrix material (26) to layup provides a firm cross ply linkage to the composite laminate.

Abstract: PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an elastic nonwoven fabric with a good elasticity, adequate strength under elongation, good antiblocking property and favorable feeling, suitable for fiber products, at low cost, as well as fiber products using the same. SOLUTION: An elastic nonwoven fabric comprising long elastomeric fiber and nonelastomeric fiber in a weight ratio within a range from 50/50 to 95/5, which has an elongation recovery rate of the elastic nonwoven fabric after 50% elongation equal to or higher than 70%, and a resistance to peel two sheets of the nonwoven fabric apart equal to or lower than the strength of the fabric under 50% elongation; as well as fiber products using the same.

Abstract: The invention relates to a high loft nonwoven composite comprising a nonwoven layer having a first and second side and a thermoplastic layer. The nonwoven layer comprises about 60 to 90% by weight of a high crimp polyester fiber having between about 5 and 20 crimps per inch and about 10 to 40% by weight of a core/sheath polyester fiber, where the sheath has a lower melting temperature than the core. The nonwoven layer is calendared on at least the first side. A thermoplastic layer is applied to the first side of the nonwoven layer.

Abstract: Fibrous stiffener (1) for making composite parts molded from an injected resin base, of the type comprising at least one layer (2) based on stiffening fibers, characterized in that the layer (2) is connected by sewing or stitching to an elastomer sheet (6) extending over one of the wide faces of the layer (2) and performing a barrier function for any resin injected on one side or the other side of this sheet (6), the said elastomer sheet (6) being associated with a non-woven material (7) on at least one of its faces, to improve the adhesion of a resin injected on this side of the sheet (6).

Abstract: This invention relates to a nonwoven article comprising a heterogeneous blend comprising: 1) from 60 to 99 weight percent of one or more semi-crystalline polymers (based upon the weight of the semi-crystalline and semi-amorphous polymers), each semi-crystalline polymer comprising propylene and from 0 to 5 weight % alpha-olefin comonomer (based upon the weight of the polymer), said semi-crystalline polymers each having a melting point between 100 and 170° C. and a melt flow rate of 2000 dg/min or less; and 2) from 1 to 40 weight % of one or more semi-amorphous polymers (based upon the weight of the semi-crystalline and semi-amorphous polymers), each semi-amorphous polymer comprising propylene and from 10 to 25 weight % of one or more C2 and or C4 to C10 alpha-olefin comonomers, said semi-amorphous polymers each having: a) heat of fusion of 4 to 70 J/g; b) a Melt Flow Rate of 0.

Abstract: A bulky sheet material having three-dimensional protrusions 10 is disclosed. The sheet material comprises a first layer 1 and a second layer 2 adjacent to the first layer 1. The first layer 1 and the second layer 2 is partly joined together at joints 3 in a prescribed pattern. The first layer 1 has a number of raised portions which are located among the joints 3. The second layer 2 comprises a material which exhibits elastomeric behavior. The bulky sheet material 10 exhibits elastomeric behavior as a whole and breathability.

Abstract: This invention relates to a thin reinforced nonwoven fabric having ridges and grooves for fire blocking an article and articles containing such fabrics. When exposed to heat or flame, the fabric is capable of increasing to a thickness that is at least 1.5 times its original thickness. The fabric comprises an open mesh scrim having a having crimped, heat-resistant organic fibers compressed thereon and held in a compressed state by a thermoplastic binder, on which is imparted a ridge and groove structure. When subjected to high heat or flame, the binder in the structure softens, releasing the restrained crimped fibers and any ridges and grooves and allowing the thickness of the fabric to increase.

Abstract: This invention relates to a thin reinforced nonwoven fabric for fire blocking an article, articles containing such fabrics, and methods for making the fabrics and fire blocking the articles. When exposed to heat or flame, the fabric is capable of increasing its thickness by at least three times. The fabric comprises an open mesh scrim having a having crimped, heat-resistant organic fibers compressed thereon and held in a compressed state by a thermoplastic binder. When subjected to high heat or flame, the binder in the structure softens and flows, releasing the restrained crimped fibers and allowing the thickness of the fabric to increase dramatically.

Abstract: This invention relates to a thin reinforced nonwoven fabric comprising a liquid impervious polymeric layer, a compressed web of crimped fiber, a binder, and a reinforcing scrim. The fabric bulks when exposed to heat or flame and is useful as a component for fire blocking mattresses, upholstery, and the like.

Abstract: A method for preparing stretchable bonded nonwoven fabrics which involves forming a substantially nonbonded nonwoven web of multiple-component continuous filaments or staple fibers which are capable of developing three-dimensional spiral crimp, activating the spiral crimp by heating substantially nonbonded web under free shrinkage conditions during which the nonwoven remains substantially nonbonded, followed by bonding the crimped nonwoven web using an array of discrete mechanical, chemical, or thermal bonds. Nonwoven fabrics prepared according to the method of the current invention have an improved combination of stretch-recovery properties, textile hand and drape compared to multiple-component nonwoven fabrics known in the art.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved method for preparing stretchable multiple-component bonded composite sheets which involves bonding a fibrous layer of spirally-crimpable multiple-component continuous filaments or staple fibers to one or more non-spirally-crimpable layers using an array of intermittent mechanical, chemical, or thermal bonds, and heating the bonded composite to activate the spiral crimp of the fibers in the spirally-crimpable layer. Multi-layer nonwoven fabrics prepared according to the method of the current invention have an improved combination of strength, aesthetics, stretch-recovery properties, and textile hand and drape compared to multiple-component nonwoven fabrics known in the art.

Abstract: A durable erosion control blanket featuring a novel synthetic fiber filler is disclosed. The erosion control blanket of the present invention addresses the need for a particularly resilient erosion control blanket through the use of a post-consumer, crimped, polyester fiber filler material. In one embodiment, the post-consumer fiber material is of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) readily available in post-consumer form from the recycling of soda bottles. In short, a preferred filler material for the blanket of the present invention would utilize recycled soda bottle material which has been converted into a crimped, highly-resilient fibrous filler. It is, thus, possible to achieve the desired physical and mechanical properties in the erosion control blanket of the present invention while conserving natural resources to some extent by using a readily available post-consumer polymer material.

Abstract: A nonwoven papermaker's fabric, usable in the dryer section of a paper machine, has a spiral wound machine direction (MD) base layer of raw stock which is wound around a pair of parallel rolls or cylinders until the desired length and width is achieved. The spiral wound MD layer is overlaid with a cross-machine direction (CD) layer of similar or dissimilar raw stock and mated by any of a number of means. The spiral wound MD layer can also be mated to another MD layer spiraled in the opposite direction and in one embodiment further mated to a CD layer. The fabric is preferably produced so that its neutral line is oriented toward the paper side of the fabric so that the paper sheet will stretch less than when typical dryer fabrics are used to turn the paper sheet and fabric around the dryer cylinders.

Abstract: A composite nonwoven fabric comprising multiple layers of a web formed from a blended mixture of metal fibers and nonmetal fibers is provided. The metal fibers preferably have a rough outer surface with irregular shaped cross-sections that vary along their length. The fibers of adjacent layers of the web material are interengaged in a needlepunching step. The composite nonwoven fabrics of the invention, which have very good isotropic strength. In a preferred embodiment, the composite nonwoven fabric is employed as a floor buffing pad for use with an electric floor buffing apparatus.

Abstract: A durable erosion control blanket featuring a novel synthetic fiber filler is disclosed. The erosion control blanket of the present invention addresses the need for a particularly resilient erosion control blanket through the use of a post-consumer, crimped, polyester fiber filler material. In one embodiment, the post-consumer fiber material is of polyethyleneterephthalate (PET) readily available in post-consumer form from the recycling of soda bottles. In short, a preferred filler material for the blanket of the present invention would utilize recycled soda bottle material which has been converted into a crimped, highly-resilient fibrous filler. It is, thus, possible to achieve the desired physical and mechanical properties in the erosion control blanket of the present invention while conserving natural resources to some extent by using a readily available post-consumer polymer material.

Abstract: A mat of mineral fibers has a random or quasi-random fiber orientation. The fibers have diameters which, for the great majority of them, are 2.5 to 4.5 micrometers, and a length of 2 to 15 cm. Its density is less than 40 kg/m3. Its resistance to compression, for a crushing of 10%, is equal to at least 0.5 kN/m2. The fineness of the fibers and their random distribution imparts to the mat an exceptional lightness and an excellent flexibility, making possible the perfect application of the mat on cylindrical surfaces.