Abstract: An improved allergen-barrier cover for completely surrounding an allergen-carrier article, such as bedding, is provided. The cover is formed from a multilayer fabric such as an SMS fabric that allows passage of air, but blocks the passage of allergens and liquid water. This fabric is formed into an enclosure by thermally welding any seams necessary to provide a enclosure which completely encases the allergen-carrier article except for an opening sufficient to allow insertion of the allergen-carrier article into the enclosure. The cover also includes a closure in the form of a plastic seal made up of two portions: a first portion having at least two parallel ridges spaced apart from one another by a first distance and a second portion comprising at least two parallel grooves spaced apart from one another by the same distance as the parallel ridges and sized to receive the at least two parallel ridges in sealing engagement.

Abstract: An article which includes a layer of formable fabric of the type which when subjected to molding under heat and/or pressure possesses a high degree of stiffness. A layer of variable compression fabric capable of assuming variable thickness when subjected to molding under heat and/or pressure being bonded to the surface of the variable compression fabric, with said layers are made of the same thermoformable polymeric chemical substance.

Abstract: A laminate material formed of an elastomeric polymer sheet and a nonwoven fabric sheet. The sheets are passed through a niproll assembly during lamination, one of the niprolls having a series of embossing points protruding therefrom, and the other niproll being substantially flat. The embossing points press selective areas of the preferably molten polymer sheet into the fabric sheet, encapsulating the fabric fibers and bonding thereto. The resulting material has points of bonding where penetration has occurred and areas of nonpenetration, providing adherence of the two sheets while permitting independent movement of the fibers and elastic properties. Preferably, a release agent is added to the elastomeric polymer to reduce the possibility of the elastomer layer sticking to the nonwoven layer when the laminate is wound onto a supply roll.

Abstract: A spunbonded elastic nonwoven fabric comprises a web of bonded thermoplastic filaments of a thermoplastic elastomer. The spunbonded fabrics of the invention are prepared in a slot draw spunbonding process operated at a rate of less than about 2000 meters per minute. The elastic fabric is used in absorbent products, such as disposable diapers, adult incontinence pads, sanitary napkins and the like, and as coverstock for absorbent personal care products.

Abstract: A steam sterilizable nonwoven material which is subjected to charging, and more particularly electrostatic charging is provided. The nonwoven materials may include laminate nonwovens wherein one or more layers are subjected to charging. The nonwoven material(s) are treated with an antistatic material before charging.

Abstract: A mat is provided which comprises a plurality of strands, each including reinforcing fibers and polymeric material. First portions of the strands are angularly positioned at an angle relative to second portions of the strands and are joined to the second portions via the polymeric material. Also provided is a method for forming the mat.

Abstract: Composite fabrics particularly suited for upholstery backings and furniture decking comprise at least one layer of a needlepunched web of nonwoven staple fibers adhered to at least one layer of a substantially continuous filament nonwoven web comprising substantially randomly disposed filaments. The filaments comprise a multi-phase, thermoplastic, elastomeric olefin copolymer.

Abstract: Electrostatic fibers with high efficiency for small particles and low pressure drop are formed by spot laminating an assembly of a stack of at least 2 layers of thermoplastic, electrostatic, non-woven media having lightweight scrims disposed on each end face of the stack between the nip of a roller with a pattern of raised dots and a heated roller or ultrasonic generator.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel face masks, which include a spunbonded/meltblown/spunbonded (SMS) laminate. The face masks of the present invention may include other layers, in addition to the SMS layer, such as an electret meltblown layer, a spunbonded layer, a wet-laid layer or a second SMS laminate. In one embodiment, the face mask includes an outermost SMS layer, an intermediate electret meltblown layer, and an innermost layer in the form of a spunbonded layer, a wet-laid layer or a second SMS laminate.

Abstract: The invention relates to the field of forming fibrous structures. A fibrous structure according to the invention has an upper group of fibrous layers and lower group of fibrous layers subjacent the upper group of fibrous layers. A multitude of Z-fiber bundles cohere the fibrous layers, each fibrous layer within the upper group of fibrous layers having a portion of the multitude of Z-fiber bundles originating in that fibrous layer and passing through a number of fibrous layers disposed beneath that fibrous layer without passing through all of the fibrous layers disposed beneath that fibrous layer. The number of fibrous layers penetrated by the Z-fiber bundles is constant within the first portion.

Abstract: An elastomeric laminated fabric which is elastic in the cross direction. The laminate includes an elastomeric film having one or two nonwoven webs of carded thermoplastic staple fibers thermally point bonded thereto using heated calendar rolls. The resulting laminated fabric is stretchable by at least 100% in the cross direction without breaking for at least two cycles and recovers elastically. The fiber content of the nonwoven webs is at least 50% high-elongation polyolefin staple fibers having a breaking strain of at least 400%.

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.

Abstract: A nonwoven web having improved particulate barrier properties is provided. A surface treatment having a breakdown voltage no greater than 13 KV direct current is present on the nonwoven web. The particulate barrier properties are improved by subjecting said surface treatment treated nonwoven web to corona discharge.

Abstract: A recoat layer 2 formed of a nonwoven fabric is laminated onto a pattern layer 4 provided on the surface of a substrate sheet 3 to constitute a recoatable decorative sheet 1, and the recoatable decorative sheet 1 is laminated onto a substrate for a decorative material, thereby constituting a recoatable decorative material. The above constitution can provide a recoatable material, which can form a surface having excellent build.

Abstract: A method for improving the strike through properties of hot melt adhesive compositions comprising the step of incorporating therein a nonionic fluorchemical surfactant in an amount of 0.1 to 10 parts by weight per 100 parts adhesive.

Abstract: Making fibrous substrates. The method consists for a given substrate thickness in adopting a displacement step size that varies in application of a step size reduction relationship adopted to impart constant thickness to the various superposed and bonded-togehter layer thickness making up said substrate thickness. Application to manufacturing friction parts.

Abstract: A mat is provided which comprises a plurality of strands, each including reinforcing fibers and polymeric material. First portions of the strands are angularly positioned at an angle relative to second portions of the strands and are joined to the second portions via the polymeric material. Also provided is a method for forming the mat.

Abstract: The present invention comprises processes for preparing biodegradable fibrils from one or more biodegradable homopolymeric or copolymeric resins, said process comprising: a) forming a liquid resin mixture by melting or solvating the resin or resins; and b) introducing the liquid resin mixture to a flow of a gaseous substance. The present invention further comprises biodegradable fibrils made according to the processes of the present invention. The invention further comprises nonwoven fabrics comprising biodegradable fibrils. The invention further comprises disposable absorbent articles comprising a water-permeable topsheet, an absorbent core, and a water-impermeable backsheet, wherein the topsheet comprises a nonwoven substrate comprising biodegradable fibrils. The invention further comprises disposable articles comprising biodegradable fibrils.

Abstract: There is provided a web which has been spun from a mixture of thermoplastic polymer and a softening additive in an amount up to about 3 weight percent, and which has been mechanically treated to increase softness. The web has a final cup crush value which is less than 50 percent of the starting cup crush value and the drop in cup crush value is greater than the sum of the treatments individually. The web may be a single layer or may be a laminate of spunbond and other materials such as meltblown and coform fabrics.

Abstract: The present invention teaches a textile structure and method of making thereof which is useful for fire blocking a structure and insulating it from sound and heat. The textile structure includes at least one composite having three layers which are placed upon one another to form top, middle and bottom layers. The middle layer is a densified matt or batting having at least 10% by weight of carbonaceous fibers. The top and bottom layers are less densified matts or battings which have at least 10% by weight of carbonaceous fibers. Multiple composites may be secured together for increased protection against fire, sound and heat.

Abstract: An improved article of manufacture and method thereof utilizing a fibrous structure of initially discrete layers, each having first and second sides. At least one side of each layer is rough and the structure has a shrinkage of no more than about 2 percent. The structure is impregnated with a thermoplastic-type polymeric material, and in the final structure there is no visible layer separation.

Abstract: A ballistic resistance multi-structure material having multiple layers. The material has at least one layer of hard surfaced ballistic resistant woven material, at least one layer of ballistic nonwoven material and one layer ballistic nonwoven material with at least one layer of a plurality of deflection devices embedded within. The deflection devices are adjacent one another and have a ballistic deflecting geometric. The path of a bullet is diverted by crushing the structure of the bullet, altering the angle of the path of projection or stopping the penetration of the bullet beyond the layer of multiple geometric shapes. In a further embodiment, for use with lasers, the ballistic deflecting geometric shapes have a reflective surface. A reflective layer can be placed adjacent the layer of geometric shapes, reflecting laser beams away from the user's body.

Abstract: The present invention provides composite nonwoven fabric laminates and processes for producing such. The fabric is comprised of a web of thermoplastic filaments laminated to at least one other web. Preferably, the filaments are spunbonded continuous polyolefin filaments which have an oxidatively degraded outer sheath portion to promote better interfilamentary bonding and improved fabric laminate strength. In a preferred embodiment, two outer nonwoven webs comprise oxidatively degraded spunbonded filaments and are positioned around and laminated to a web of meltblown microfibers thus forming an spunbond/meltblown/spunbond fabric. Additionally, a stretch compatible fabric may be formed in which a web of oxidatively degraded filaments is laminated to an elastic web. The fabrics of the invention may be advantageously used in numerous applications such as medical garments and disposable adsorbent products.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composite structure comprising one or more plies of nonwoven and one or more plies of film, these being manufactured from thermoplastics, wherein all the plies making up the structure, for example (12, 13, 14), are totally manufactured from a member of the group: a polymer derived from lactic acid, a copolymer of lactic acid, a blend of polymers derived from lactic acid.The invention also relates to a process for obtaining said composite structure.

Abstract: An article made from at least one network of high strength fibers and a thermoplastic polyurethane matrix material derived from an aliphatic didiisocyanate and a polyol. Preferably, the article is made from at least one prepreg element which includes at least two adjacent layers of the high strength fiber network in the thermoplastic polyurethane matrix material.

Abstract: The base layer of the cushion material is comprised of a ground body of meta-aromatic polyamide fibers and a bonding layer of substantially non-drawn meta-aromatic polyamide fibers integrated by needling. The airtight layer over the base layer comprises a non-woven fabric sheet of meta-aromatic polyamide fibers. The non-woven fabric sheet is integrated to the base layer under pressure by applying temperatures at or above the glass transition temperatures but at or below the decomposition temperatures of the constitutent fibers of the bonding layer.

Abstract: A medium temperature conductive-resistive article employing graphite suspended in a high temperature polymer based activator and water is disclosed. The conductive-resistive substance can be applied to a fabric-like substrate in order to provide an electrical resistive temperature adjustable heating element which can alter the temperature of the fabric-like substrate when electrical current is permitted to flow through the conductive-resistive substance. A process of making the article is also disclosed.

Abstract: A multi-layered smooth-calendered surface aramid paper with high break strength and tear resistance comprises a substrate layer and at least one surface layer intimately bonded to the substrate layer, wherein the surface layer(s) consists essentially of 65 to 90% by weight aramid fibrids and 10 to 35% by weight aramid floc and comprises 10 to 67% of the total basis weight of the paper.

Abstract: Laminates with improved peel strength are obtained by point bonding thermoplastic layers wherein one of the layers comprises sheath/core bicomponent fibers or filaments wherein the density of the core component exceeds the density of the sheath component and both layers contain compatible components. Peel strengths of at least about 125% of those obtained without such bicomponent fibers or filaments are obtained. Laminates with films and other nonwovens also have a broad bonding window. They are useful for many nonwoven applications including barrier applications such as health care including surgical gowns and drapes, institutional garments, agricultural fabrics, recreational fabrics, and personal care product components.