Mechanically Interengaged By Needling Or Impingement Of Fluid (e.g., Gas Or Liquid Stream, Etc.) Patents (Class 442/387)
  • Patent number: 6998360
    Abstract: The invention relates to a hydrophilic cotton product of 100% cotton fibers and including at least one first and one second outer layers. In the invention, the first layer is of fine fibers exhibiting a low micronaire value and constitutes a soft side and the second layer is of fibers exhibiting a higher micronaire value and constitutes a scraping surface. In particular, the product of the invention applies to cosmetics for makeup deposition on and/or removal from the skin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Georgia-Pacific France
    Inventor: Bernard Louis Dit Picard
  • Patent number: 6987075
    Abstract: The present invention describes a new mattress cover sheet with barrier effect against bacteria and parasites, consisting of a spunlace fiber based fabric. The spunlace fabric mattress cover can be produced in a structure with one or more layers, and can contain antibacterial substances. The sheet subject of the invention provides an effective barrier between the person and the mattress, in particular avoiding the transfer of pollutants from the mattress to the person and at the same time protecting the hygiene of the mattress itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2006
    Assignee: Orlandi S.p.A.
    Inventor: Vittorio Orlandi
  • Patent number: 6887486
    Abstract: The invention relates to a hydrophilic cotton pad for skin-care exhibiting a specific surface weight of at least 150 g/m2, and having two different outer sides of which the fibers are entangled. In the invention, the first outer side has hollow striae apart by a spacing s1 between 1 and 8 mm and having a depth d of at least 0.25 mm and wherein at least 50% of the fibers are entangled. The pad of the invention is used to apply skin-care products, such as cosmetics, to the skin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Assignee: Georgia-Pacific France
    Inventor: Philippe Gregoire
  • Patent number: 6846545
    Abstract: A material to reduce the effects of trauma received from the impact of a projectile. One embodiment is a needle-punched, non-woven material including at least one type of ballistic fibers selected and oriented to provide a cushioning effect and maintain a high compressive restitution constant. A percentage of the fibers are oriented with at least their ends lying approximately perpendicular to the fabric plane and/or oriented to lie in a waveform generally along or parallel to the fabric plane. This enables the ends of the fibers lying perpendicular to the fabric plane to cushion the impact from the projectile by dissipating energy through compressional resistance, and the fibers along the fabric plane to reduce energy through dispersal along fiber lines, thereby reducing the trauma resulting from an impact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2005
    Assignee: Auburn University
    Inventor: Howard Thomas
  • Publication number: 20040202851
    Abstract: A turf reinforcement mat composite includes a turf reinforcing support mat core and an integrally attached fiber matrix.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2003
    Publication date: October 14, 2004
    Inventors: Richard A. Goodrum, Kurt Chirbas
  • Publication number: 20040185729
    Abstract: A wet paper web transfer belt 10 comprises a base body 30, a wet paper web side layer 11 and a machine side layer 12. The wet paper web side layer 11 is formed by a high molecular weight elastic section 50 and a fiber body 20. The fiber body 20 is hydrophilic, and at least a part of the fiber body 20 is exposed on the surface of the high molecular weight elastic section 50. The hydrophilic fiber body 20 exposed on the surface of the wet paper web side layer 11 holds water from a wet paper web and therefore, attachment of the wet paper web to the transfer belt, and the smoothness of removal the wet paper web from the transfer belt, are both improved without impairing the durability of the transfer belt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2004
    Publication date: September 23, 2004
    Inventor: Kenji Inoue
  • Patent number: 6790797
    Abstract: A system, for example a footwear system, with moisture transport properties includes an insulating layer, which has transport properties, coupled to a fabric lining fabric with moisture transport properties. Antimicrobial efficacy can also be obtained by adding anti-bacterial treatments to the insulation and the lining, where the treatments could be anti-bacterial fibers, applications, or other technologies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: Invista North America S.a.r.l.
    Inventors: Thomas E. Benim, Susan C. Chamberlin, Roger Franklin Parry
  • Patent number: 6777056
    Abstract: Composite nonwoven webs are provided having two distinct regions extending adjacent one another in the machine direction of the web; the first region is formed from first continuous filaments and the second region is formed from second continuous filaments. The interface of the first and second region is formed from a mixture the first and second continuous filaments in a confluent relationship with one another and such that the two distinct regions form a unitary nonwoven web. The respective first and second regions can have distinct physical attributes as a result of utilizing first and second filaments which are different from one another. The first and second continuous filaments can vary with respect to average fiber denier, cross-sectional shape, cross-sectional configuration, polymer composition, crimp level, and additive composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Lavada Campbell Boggs, Kevin George Hetzler, Glen Thomas Mildenhall, Michael Tod Morman, Dan Kenneth Schiffer, Susan Elaine Shawver, Sandy Chi-Ching Tan
  • Publication number: 20040116026
    Abstract: A resin charged media can be a single or layered construction needled together to provide a graded-density structure of fine fibers intermixed with finer fibers. This resulting media possesses a higher particulate loading retention capability, particularly early in the filtration cycle, relative to other cellulose, spun-bonds, or other similar materials commonly applied to filtration applications where filtration is predominantly a surface-loading phenomenon. The filtration media provides for depth filtration with the multi-layered needled layers, thereby enhancing the overall particulate-holding capacity of the charged media. This results in more resistance to fine particulates and improvements in efficiency due to increased sub-micron particle loading. With the filter media consisting of a graded structure, surface loading phenomenon can be reduced and filter life improved. Since the layers in the media are physically combined using needling technology, they will not separate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2003
    Publication date: June 17, 2004
    Applicant: Filter Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Don A. Kubose, Jin Young Choi, James T. Greene
  • Publication number: 20040084134
    Abstract: A process for producing a non-woven composite fabric by water-jet entangling. First, at least two webs are formed. These at least two webs include at least one spunbonded web or meltblown web. Then, the at least two webs are consolidated by water-jet entangling into a non-woven composite fabric. Compared to a conventional process using thermal bonding to consolidate webs, since the present invention uses water-jet entangling to consolidate webs, the non-woven composite fabric produced from the present invention has superior softness. In addition, the non-woven composite fabric produced from the present invention can be further processed to produce various non-woven composite fabric products such as disposable diapers, sanitary napkins, panty liners, and artificial leather, all with superior softness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2003
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Inventor: Jung Chi Tai
  • Patent number: 6713413
    Abstract: A buffing or polishing material has a nonwoven fleece layer and a backing layer that adds strength and dimensional stability to the material. The nonwoven fleece layer is a needled blend of natural fibers and synthetic fibers having a uniform density and working surface, resulting in a better polishing or finishing consistency. The material can withstand high heat levels and can be worked quickly, resulting in a more efficient polishing or finishing operation. The buff material can be converted into any preferred shape or tool, such as an endless belt, disc, flapwheel, or spiral band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Freudenberg Nonwovens Limited Partnership
    Inventor: Gerald F. Kruegler
  • Patent number: 6696120
    Abstract: A shrink wrap material for protecting articles includes at least one non-woven fabric and a woven scrim defining apertures. A sufficient portion of the fibers from the non-woven fabric being forced into the apertures of the scrim such that the scrim reinforces and supports the non-woven fabric, thus increasing their strength. A shrinkable, stretchable film is intermittently bonded to at least one non-woven fabric. The material is used by placing the material around the article to be protected and then shrinking the film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: Transhield Technology AS
    Inventor: Gregory L. Todt
  • Publication number: 20040029479
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of forming a nonwoven fabric, which exhibits a plurality of three-dimensional images whereby the fabric is comprised of at least a first and second three-dimensional image that are dissimilar from one another. The three-dimensional images may be imparted into the fabric in a co-planar arrangement, multi-planar arrangement, or by utilizing both arrangements within the same fabric. Further, the present invention contemplates a fabric comprised of a plurality of three-dimensional images which can provide the fabric with various physical and/or aesthetic performances.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2003
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Inventors: Jerry Snider, Andrew Delaney, Nick Carter, Cheryl Carlson, Julie Thompson, Jennifer Mayhorn
  • Publication number: 20030211801
    Abstract: A three-dimensionally imaged nonwoven fabric, as formed in accordance with the principles of the present invention, contemplates a material formed by hydroentanglement of at least one lightly bonded continuous filament layer upon a device having a three-dimensional foraminous forming surface. The preferred continuous filament substrate is in the form of a precursor web comprising spunbond continuous polymeric filaments. A nonwoven fabric formed in accordance with the present invention may be formed to include substantially continuous filaments (from a relatively lightly bonded spunbond precursor web), with the resulting fabric having a machine direction tensile strength of at least about 1,472 grams per centimeter at 47% machine-direction elongation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2003
    Publication date: November 13, 2003
    Inventors: Michael Putnam, Ralph A. Moody, Greg Day, Nick Carter
  • Publication number: 20030211800
    Abstract: A composite nonwoven fabric manufactured by joining a fibrous web that comprises wood fibers, or a mixture of wood fibers and synthetic fibers, to a spunlaid or other nonwoven baseweb by means of a hydroentanglement process. The spunlaid nonwoven web, which may be made of a polyester such as a poly (ethylene terephthalate) or of a polyolefin such as polypropylene, is a less-than-fully bonded web, which may be produced by a method in which the thermal calendering is effected at lower than normal temperatures, in particular temperature lower than the melting point or softening point of the polymeric material from which the spunlaid nonwoven web is made. The strength of the composite fabric may be significantly greater than that of the spunlaid nonwoven web itself, in certain embodiments the base web contributes no more than about 45% of the strength of the composite fabric.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2003
    Publication date: November 13, 2003
    Inventors: Graham Kirk Duncan, Alan William Meierhoefer, Raymond Anthony Volpe
  • Patent number: 6635329
    Abstract: An insulation member (1) based on non-woven material, wherein In order to provide the insulation member based on non-woven it material, which is distinguished by fulfilling one or more requirements such as a high level of sound absorption and sound damping, high heat insulation and low formation of liquid water at high temperature gradients and high humidity gradients, a layered construction is provided from different non-woven materials such as padding-type (fleece) non-woven material or melt-extruded non-woven spun material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: Illbruck GmbH
    Inventors: Rainer Arndt, Hans-Rudolf Czerny
  • Patent number: 6607998
    Abstract: A burner membrane has at least one layer consisting of a compressed, needled fiber web with a porosity of between 60% and 95%, and that is constructed of heat-resistant stainless steel fibers. A method for its manufacture includes the steps of providing a fiber web composed of heat-resistant stainless steel fibers, needling the fiber web, and compressing the needled fiber web to the desired porosity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Assignee: N. V. Bekaert S.A.
    Inventors: Eddy Lambert, Gabriel Dewaegheneire
  • Patent number: 6605553
    Abstract: A multiaxial laminated non-woven fabric is formed with tows overlaid and bonded with one another. The starting material tow is crimped and has a total tex of not more than 300,000 and filaments in the tow have an average fineness of not more than 3 tex. A three-dimensional molded product made from the multiaxial non-woven fabric is also provided. The non-woven tow fabric of ensured quality is produced by bonding tows multiaxially and obliquely overlaid with one another, for example by needle punching or heat treatment, while the tows are held by pins of an overlaying machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: Polymer Processing Research Institute, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuki Kuroiwa, Kazuhiko Kurihara, Yasuo Sasaki
  • Patent number: 6596658
    Abstract: A laminated fabric consisting of a relatively lightweight layer formed of dimensionally stable, heat-resistant fibers, and a relatively heavyweight layer formed of one of more plies. The laminate is imaged on a three-dimensional support surface, and the laminate may be treated with a fire-retardant binder to stabilize the image and enhance the flame-retardant properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: Polymer Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Putnam, Herbert P. Hartgrove
  • Patent number: 6592960
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a non-woven fabric which is bulky caused by fiber-raised construction on the surface of a non-woven fabric includes adhering a non-woven web with its surface layer portion containing an easy-to-heat-melt component showing a property to be adhesive as heated to a smooth surface heated at the temperature for the easy-to-heat-melt component to show a property to be adhesive with the surface layer portion in contact with the smooth surface, and then raising the fibers of the non-woven web by peeling the non-woven fabric like web off the smooth surface so that a fiber-raised bulky state is generated, whereby a fiber-raised bulky structure is formed on the surface of the non-woven fabric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: Japan Absorbent Technology
    Inventors: Migaku Suzuki, Shingo Mori
  • Publication number: 20030129912
    Abstract: The invention relates to a reinforcing material formed from bulked fibres that are combined in the form of a mat or a nonwoven. The bulked fibres differ as regards the material or degree of bulking. Alternatively or in addition, unbulked fibres are used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2002
    Publication date: July 10, 2003
    Inventor: Klaus K. Kolzer
  • Publication number: 20030114069
    Abstract: Flexible, substantially dry, disposable article suitable as a personal care article for cleaning and conditioning skin, sanitizing and disinfecting hard surfaces, methods of manufacturing and using the same wherein the article comprises: a first water insoluble flexible nonwoven thermoplastic outer layer having an outer and inner surface; a core layer containing a treatment composition adapted for cleaning, sanitizing or disinfecting hard surfaces or for personal cleaning and conditioning and a second water insoluble flexible nonwoven thermoplastic layer having an outer and inner surface positioned so its inner surface is opposite the inner surface of the first layer; the core layer having been mechanically bonded by needling to and between the first and second layers so as to form a unified article having pin dot perforations of an average pore opening size of less than 300 microns and preferably less than 100 microns in diameter formed by the needling extending through all three of said layers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2002
    Publication date: June 19, 2003
    Inventors: Gerard Scheubel, Albert R. Kelly
  • Patent number: 6573204
    Abstract: A cleaning cloth having a nonwoven structure for wet, damp and/or dry cleaning, the cleaning cloth being made from micro staple fibers of at least two different polymers and from absorbent secondary staple fibers bound into the micro staple fibers and securely retained therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignee: Firma Carl Freudenberg
    Inventors: Dieter Philipp, Jochen Wirsching, Steffen Kremser
  • Publication number: 20030045197
    Abstract: A floor cleaning sheet (1) impregnated with an aqueous detergent is used as attached to a cleaning part (11) of a cleaning tool (10) having a handle (12) of stick form connected to the cleaning part (11). The surface layer of the floor cleaning sheet (1) which is to be brought into contact with a floor comprises nonwoven fabric formed by fiber entanglement of a fiber web and has a static friction resistance of 900 to 2500 cN against #1200-grit sandpaper.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2002
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventors: Shusuke Kakiuchi, Kenji Ishikawa, Taeko Hayase, Hiroyuki Akai
  • Publication number: 20030024092
    Abstract: Method of producing a composite nonwoven for receiving and storing liquids or the like, comprising a carded nonwoven, which is treated in order to consolidate it, and a pulp layer, such as a wood pulp fiber layer, applied to the consolidated carded nonwoven and brought into secure contact with same, characterised in that the carded nonwoven is consolidated dry before being coated with the super-absorbent material, then the layer formed from the pulp fibers is applied to this pre-consolidated carded nonwoven and everything is interconnected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2002
    Publication date: February 6, 2003
    Inventor: Vittorio Orlandi
  • Publication number: 20020132548
    Abstract: Wet-laid nonwoven webs having mechanical reinforcement properties are provided by employing unpulped vegetable fiber bundles as the predominant fiber component. The unpulped fiber bundles have a modulus of elasticity of about 2-5×10 6 psi and a chopped fiber length of about 25 mm. The fibers are cordage fibers including sisal, abaca, henequen, kenaf and jute. Composites of the unpulped fiber webs with cellulosic and spunbonded sheets find application as thermoformed vehicle interior trim products.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 1999
    Publication date: September 19, 2002
    Inventors: RUI B. FERREIRA, JOSEPH A. RIEGER
  • Patent number: 6451404
    Abstract: A leather-like sheet having naps on its surface and having writing effect, a high-class external appearance, hand touch and feel like natural leather, and folds like natural leather. When it is subjected to lasting shoemaking, it is possible to obtain shoes which have at its surface no unevenness and do not get out of shape. A leather-like sheet wherein the following fiber-entangled nonwoven fabrics (A) and (B) are stacked with an adhesive agent present in a discontinuous state: (A) a fiber-entangled nonwoven fabric containing an elastic polymer and comprising a microfine fiber (a) having a fineness of 0.1 denier or less, the surface opposite to its stacking surf ace being fluffed, and rupture elongations in the longitudinal and latitudinal directions thereof being 50% or more and 80% or more, respectively, and (B) a fiber-entangled nonwoven fabric containing an elastic polymer and comprising a microfine fiber (b) having a fineness of 0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Assignee: Kuraray Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiki Nobuto, Kazundo Akamata, Hisao Yoneda
  • Publication number: 20020115370
    Abstract: A hydraulically entangled nonwoven composite structure that includes a matrix of substantially continuous filaments; and recycled synthetic fibers and fiber-like materials having at least one thread element composed of synthetic material with at least one irregular distortion generated by hydraulic fracture of the thread element to separate it from a bonded fibrous material while the bonded fibrous material is suspended in a liquid. This nonwoven composite structure may be used as a wiper or an absorbent material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2001
    Publication date: August 22, 2002
    Inventors: Gustavo Palacio, Maria Clara Garcia, Priscilla M. Jones, Fred Robert Radwanski, Pablo Ramirez, John Richard Skerrett, Henry Skoog, Bernardo Vanegas
  • Patent number: 6412154
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for the production of bounded non-wovens carriers. The method includes providing a glass staple fiber containing non-woven which is pre-consolidated with a binder. The glass staple fiber non-woven is placed adjacent to one or more non-wovens of synthetic fibers and hydro-dynamically needling at a water beam pressure in the range of 100 to 400 bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Assignee: Johns Manville International, Inc.
    Inventor: Kurt Plötz
  • Publication number: 20010006866
    Abstract: A multiaxial laminated non-woven fabric is comprised of tows used as a constituent material and overlaid and bonded with one another. The starting material tow has crimps and has total tex of not more than 300,000 and tow-constituting filaments have an average fineness of not more than 3 tex. A three-dimensional moulded products from the multiaxial non-woven fabric is also provided, and a method for stably producing the non-woven tow fabric while ensuring quality comprises subjecting tows multiaxially and obliquely overlaid with one another to bonding treatment, such as needle punching, or heat treatment while they are held by pins of an overlaying machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2000
    Publication date: July 5, 2001
    Applicant: POLYMER PROCESSING RESEARCH INSTITUTE, LTD.
    Inventors: Yuki Kuroiwa, Kazuhiko Kurihara, Yasuo Sasaki
  • Patent number: 6227258
    Abstract: Empirically determined models allow the predetermination of the accurate amount and quality of modified zeolite required to produce textile articles having a specific degree of antibacterial activity in accordance with the requirements for particular applications. Equations accurately predict the relationship between the amount and spatial orientation of modified-zeolite-containing polymers or fibers and the desired degree of antibacterial activity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Inventors: Karl Krietsch, Ronald W. M. Hecht, Paul Denis Samec
  • Publication number: 20010000585
    Abstract: This invention relates to making nonwoven fabrics which are durable for machine washing and durable for other wet and hard use or abusive applications. The inventive fabrics comprise two layers of fabric sheet bonded together at closely spaced locations where the bonding includes fibers from both fabrics thoroughly involved with the binder. The inventive fabrics retain the qualities of a spunlaced nonwoven fabric which include low cost, comfort, drapability, softness, absorbency, breathability and others while having the durability comparable to traditional knitted or woven fabrics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2000
    Publication date: May 3, 2001
    Inventors: Charles C. Cruise, Robert H. Peterson, James T. Summers
  • Patent number: 6211100
    Abstract: A composite filter media (100) includes a meltblown/spunbond composite fiber material and a mixed fiber triboelectric material are preferably attached to each other by needling the mixed fiber material with the meltblown/spunbond composite fiber material. A netting (104) is then attached by preferably needling the mixed fiber triboelectric material and meltblown through the netting (104).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Pierre Legare
  • Patent number: 6177370
    Abstract: The present invention desirably provides a fabric including a synthetic fiber structure first zone, a synthetic fiber structure second zone, and a short fiber third zone. The first zone may include a spunbond web layer and a meltblown web layer. The synthetic fiber structure second zone may be positioned proximate to the synthetic fiber structure first zone and the short fiber third zone may be positioned substantially between the first and second zones. Desirably, the first and second zones are entwined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2001
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Henry Skoog, Fred R. Radwanski, Terry R. Cleveland, Frances W. Mayfield, Lawrence M. Brown
  • Patent number: 6171984
    Abstract: This invention relates to generally to geosynthetic materials which can be used for earthen reinforcement, and more particularly to a novel geosynthetic material exhibiting less strain under an initial tensile load then presently available geosynthetic materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: PPG Industries Ohio, Inc.
    Inventors: John N. Paulson, Mikhail M. Girgis, Jeffrey A. Neubauer, Narasimhan Raghupathi
  • Patent number: 6110848
    Abstract: A three ply sandwich structured hydroentangled web is disclosed. The top and bottom plies of this web comprise long synthetic fibers having a fiber length of about 30 to 100 mm and the middle ply comprises cellulosic fibers having a fiber length of about 1 to 8 mm. The middle layer cellulosic fiber can optimally be wholly or partially replaced with short synthetic or other natural fibers having a fiber length of about 6 to 27 mm.These hydroentangled webs are useful in the manufacture of towels, wet wipes, industrial wipes and medical gowns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Assignee: Fort James Corporation
    Inventor: Michael Paul Bouchette
  • Patent number: 6080466
    Abstract: The present invention overcomes drawbacks of prior composite sheets consisting of a spun-bonded nonwoven fabric and pulp fibers and provides an inexpensive composite sheet with excellent draping qualities, a nearly fabric-like touch and good usability. According to the present invention, a composite sheet made by entangling a web of thermoplastic filaments with pulp fibers under water stream is creped to increase the elongation in machine direction as high as in cross direction enough to obtain a usability equal to those of fabric wipers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2000
    Assignee: Nippon Paper Industries, Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jiro Yoshimura, Akira Sakamoto, Hirotoshi Aikawa, Yoichi Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 6063717
    Abstract: A reinforced hydroentangled nonwoven fabric having small thickness and weight, draping characteristics and flexibility, and improved balance of longitudinal and transverse strength, and more particularly a thin, light-weight, reinforced, hydroentangled nonwoven fabric (9) obtained by entangling the fiber of a reinforcing support base (2) or the fiber of a fiber web laminated on the fiber of the support base (2) with the support base (2) and uniting them by ejecting high-pressure thin water jet streams (5a, 5b) against these materials, characterized in that the reinforcing support base (2) comprises a stretched unidirectionally oriented nonwoven fabric obtained by stretching a nonwoven fabric of long fiber, which is produced by spinning a thermoplastic resin, in the direction with the fiber oriented substantially in one direction, or stretched, crossed, laminated, nonwoven fabric obtained by cross-laminating the stretched unidirectionally oriented nonwoven fabric; and a method of producing the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Assignee: Nippon Petrochemicals Company Ltd.
    Inventors: Sadayuki Ishiyama, Jun Yamada
  • Patent number: 6048809
    Abstract: An improved headliner material is formed of two layers formed from two types of polyester fibers. The polyester layers include both binder and non-binder fibers. The binder fibers are provided by an adhesive sheath that melts to secure the binder and non-binder fibers together. The layers are provided with different percentages of binder fibers. One layer is provided with 20% to 30% of binder fibers, with the remainder being non-binder fibers. This layer is less rigid, and provides loft and sound absorption to the headliner material. The other layer is provided with a greater percentage of binder fibers, and preferably, 40% to 60% binder fibers. This layer provides structure and rigidity to the headliner material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2000
    Assignee: Lear Automotive Dearborn, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark J. Brow, Philip L. Guthrie
  • Patent number: 6036819
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: Albany International Corp.
    Inventors: Lawrence G. Miller, Joseph Salitsky, Karen L. Crawford
  • Patent number: 5899785
    Abstract: A nonwoven lap of very fine continuous filaments, crimped or not, obtained by means of a controlled direct spinning process, with a weight between 5 g/m.sup.2 and 600 g/m.sup.2, and formed, after napping, of composite filaments separable in the direction of their length, characterized in that said composite filaments have a filament number between 0.3 dTex and 10 dTex and are formed, each, of at least three elementary filaments of at least two different materials and comprising between them at least one plane of separation or cleavage, each elementary filament having a filament number between 0.005 dTex and 2 dTex, the ratio between the cross-sectional area of each elementary filament and the total cross-sectional area of the unitary filament being between 0.5% and 90%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1999
    Assignee: Firma Carl Freudenberg
    Inventors: Robert Groten, Jean Baravian, Georges Riboulet
  • Patent number: 5872067
    Abstract: A needled mat adapted to reinforce a thermoplastic matrix material includes (a) a primary layer having a plurality of thermoplastic fibers in an amount greater than about 20 weight percent of the primary layer on a total solids basis, the primary layer being less than about 20 weight percent of the mat on a total solids basis; and (b) a secondary layer having a plurality of discontinuous glass fiber strands and having thereon a strand coating composition which is compatible with the thermoplastic matrix material, the secondary layer being essentially free of individual glass monofilaments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1999
    Assignee: PPG Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Jian Meng, Thomas V. Thimons, Thomas P. Unites
  • Patent number: 5869411
    Abstract: Fibrous substrates for the production of carbon and/or ceramic (including mixtures of these) fiber reinforced carbon and/or ceramic (including mixtures of these) matrix composites, particularly friction discs, and to methods of manufacture of same. Offcut waste fibrous sheet material may be recycled and reformed into a web useful in the manufacture of such composites.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1999
    Assignee: The B. F. Goodrich Company
    Inventors: Afshin Bazshushtari, Edward Lee Morris, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5849647
    Abstract: The invention relates to a hydrophilic cotton lap constituted 100% of cotton fibers. In the invention, the lap is a composite and comprises three cotton layers evincing inter-cohesiveness arising from a continuous lap manufacturing procedure. The external layers and enclosing the central layer are webs. The lap of the invention is used in the form of packaged or formatted units of hydrophilic cotton.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1998
    Assignee: James River
    Inventor: Jean-Louis Neveu
  • Patent number: 5830555
    Abstract: An apertured nonwoven fabric comprising one or two outer carded web(s) and a polymeric sheet thermally bonded thereto. The polymeric sheet has a lower melting temperature than the nonwoven layers and a property of shrinking when melted. Heat and pressure are applied to the combination of layers through a calender roll such that the polymeric sheet becomes bonded to the fibers of the carded web(s) and simultaneously shrinks and pulls back the fibers away from the calendering points, thereby generating apertures through the nonwoven fabric. Preferably, the fibers are polyethylene or polypropylene fibers, and the polymeric sheet is a thin plastic film of linear low density polyethylene, elastomeric, or heat shrink material. One outer carded web may be combined with the plastic film layer to form a bi-laminate product, or two outer carded webs may be combined with an intermediate plastic film to form a tri-laminate product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Assignee: International Paper Company
    Inventors: Ramesh Srinivasan, W. Andrew Coslett
  • Patent number: 5789328
    Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a nonwoven fabric which is excellent in bulkiness and touch feeling as well as strength and dimensional stability and to provide a method for producing the above nonwoven fabric through a simple and convenient manner without employing any particular spinning device. The invention relates to a bulky nonwoven fabric composed of a stretched filament web which is prepared from either at least one layer of a stretched unidirectionally arranged filament web which is composed of almost unidirectionally arranged long fibers being stretched and shrunk or a stretched crosswise laminated filament web made of two or more layers of the stretched unidirectionally arranged filament webs and a short fiber web which is entangled with said stretched filament web and is crimped as a result of shrinkage of the long fibers, and a method for producing the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1998
    Assignees: Nippon Petrochemicals Company, Limited, Polymer Processing Research Inst., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Kurihara, Hiroshi Yazawa, Sadayuki Ishiyama, Jun Yamada
  • Patent number: 5789075
    Abstract: The present invention relates to mat-shaped composites having porosities above 60% and densities below 0.6 g/cm.sup.3, comprising an aerogel and fibers dispersed therein, the aerogel having cracks and the aerogel fragments enclosed by the cracks, whose average volume is 0.001 mm.sup.3 to 1 cm.sup.3, being held together by the fibers. The present invention further relates to processes for producing the composites of the invention and to their use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1998
    Assignee: Hoechst Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Dierk Frank, Andreas Zimmermann
  • Patent number: 5780369
    Abstract: A saturated hydroentangled fibrous web which includes fibers and a saturant. The fibers include from about 20 to 100 percent by weight, based on the total weight of the fibers, of cellulosic fibers, and from 0 to about 70 percent by weight, based on the total weight of the fibers, of mercerized cellulosic fibers. From about 80 to 0 percent by weight of the fibers, based on the total weight of the fibers, are synthetic polymer fibers. Finally, at least 10 percent by weight of the fibers are mercerized cellulosic fibers, synthetic polymer fibers, or a mixture thereof. The saturant is present in the saturated fibrous web at a level of from about 25 to about 100 percent, based on the dry weight of the fibers. When synthetic polymer fibers are present in the web, the saturant may be adapted to wet synthetic polymer fibers. A second layer composed of a bonded nonwoven web may be present. Also provided is a method of preparing the saturated hydroentangled fibrous web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1998
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: John Patrick Allison, Russell Lynn Dolsey
  • Patent number: 5759929
    Abstract: A bio-degradable composite nonwoven fabric for plant cultivation includes a wood pulp paper sheet laminated on a bio-degradable aliphatic polyester filament nonwoven fabric, wherein the polyester filaments and the pulp fibers are entangled to each other and a plurality of spot regions which are spaced from each other, are substantially free from the pulp fibers and have a decreased distribution density of the polyester filaments of 30 to 50%, an area of 0.16 to 16 mm.sup.2 and a total area coresponding to 5 to 60% of the total surface area of the composite nonwoven fabric, are formed. The polyester filament distribution density is defined as the ratio of the total area of the polyester filaments appearing within the spot regions to the total surface area of the spot regions, determined from photographs of the spot regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1998
    Assignee: New Oji Paper Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideo Ikezawa, Masaru Kadota, Tomotsugu Miyoshi
  • Patent number: 5662507
    Abstract: The invention provides a heat-resistant felt for hot products which is sufficiently heat-resistant for conveying or placing hot products thereon in manufacturing processes of iron and steel, non-ferrous metal, and ceramics products, and contributes to the improvement of the quality and life of products. A heat-resistant fiber web of a blend or laminate comprising metal fibers and inorganic fibers or a heat-resistant fiber web of a blend or laminate comprising metal fibers or inorganic fibers and heat-resistant organic fibers is needle-punched with or without a heat-resistant ground fabric laminated so as to intermingle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 2, 1997
    Assignee: Ichikawa Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akizo Ohba, Hironori Misawa, Yukihiro Nomura