Abstract: A jet manifold (10) and a method for a hydroentanglement device (1) are provided. The jet manifold (10) has a hollow housing (11) that includes a housing shell (12). An opening (13) is provided in the housing shell. A nozzle strip (16) is located in the housing (11) and has a tub-shaped cross-section with a nozzle body (19). The nozzle body (19) is recessed in the opening (13) in the housing shell.

Abstract: The invention provides a wound dressing, which includes a 1 to 12 mm thick layer of absorbent non-woven fibre material between 150 and 1200 grams per square meter, which layer includes a mixture of viscose fibres and polyester fibres which more viscose than polyester, and of which the fines of the viscose is between 1.5 and 3 dtex and the fines of the polyester is between 2 and 3 dtex.

Abstract: A non-woven fabric composite containing coir fibers and a method for producing such composites. The non-woven fabric composite is comprised of coir fibers, which are large diameter, lignin-rich fibers, with a high viscous flow temperature and a high degradation temperature combined with fibers made of a thermoplastic polymer with a lower viscous flow temperature such as polypropylene (“PP”), polyethylene (“PE”), polylactic acid (“PLA”), and polyester (“PET”) or mixtures thereof. A hot-pressed non-woven fabric composite material prepared from the non-woven fabric composite.

Abstract: A filler cloth includes cellulosic fibers treated with a flame retardant chemistry such that the filler cloth has a char length of less than about nine inches when tested in accordance with NFPA 701, such that thermal shrinkage of the filler cloth at 400° F. is less than about 35% in any direction, and such that the filler cloth maintains flame and heat resistant integrity when impinged with a gas flame in accordance with testing protocols set forth in Technical Bulletin 603 of the State of California Department of Consumer Affairs. The filler cloth cellulosic fibers are treated with a flame retardant chemistry such that the filler cloth has a Frazier air permeability of less than about 400 cfm and a thermal resistance rating of at least about 3 when tested according to NFPA 2112.

Abstract: A filler cloth includes cellulosic fibers treated with a flame retardant chemistry such that the filler cloth has a char length of less than about nine inches when tested in accordance with NFPA 701, such that thermal shrinkage of the filler cloth at 400° F. is less than about 35% in any direction, and such that the filler cloth maintains flame and heat resistant integrity when impinged with a gas flame in accordance with testing protocols set forth in Technical Bulletin 603 of the State of California Department of Consumer Affairs. The filler cloth cellulosic fibers are treated with a flame retardant chemistry such that the filler cloth has a Frazier air permeability of less than about 400 cfm and a thermal resistance rating of at least about 3 when tested according to NFPA 2112.

Abstract: A filler cloth includes cellulosic fibers treated with a flame retardant chemistry such that the filler cloth has a char length of less than about nine inches when tested in accordance with NFPA 701, such that thermal shrinkage of the filler cloth at 400° F. is less than about 35% in any direction, and such that the filler cloth maintains flame and heat resistant integrity when impinged with a gas flame in accordance with testing protocols set forth in Technical Bulletin 603 of the State of California Department of Consumer Affairs. The filler cloth cellulosic fibers are treated with a flame retardant chemistry such that the filler cloth has a Frazier air permeability of less than about 400 cfm and a thermal resistance rating of at least about 3 when tested according to NFPA 2112.

Abstract: A hydroentangled nonwoven material (8), includes a mixture of randomized continuous filaments (3) and natural fibers (5), wherein at least part of the staple fibers and/or the continuous filaments includes thermoplastic material. The nonwoven material is bonded in a non-random bonding pattern including a plurality of bonding sites (14) in which thermoplastic material included in the nonwoven material has been caused to at least partly soften or melt to create thermal bonds between the continuous filaments. The nonwoven material includes no other thermal bonds between the filaments than provided by the non-random bonding pattern. The nonwoven material may also contain synthetic staple fibers (6).

Abstract: A non-woven fabric composite containing coir fibers and a method for producing such composites. The non-woven fabric composite is comprised of coir fibers, which are large diameter, lignin-rich fibers, with a high viscous flow temperature and a high degradation temperature combined with fibers made of a thermoplastic polymer with a lower viscous flow temperature such as polypropylene (“PP”), polyethylene (“PE”), polylactic acid (“PLA”), and polyester (“PET”) or mixtures thereof. A hot-pressed non-woven fabric composite material prepared from the non-woven fabric composite.

Abstract: A filler cloth includes cellulosic fibers treated with a flame retardant chemistry such that the filler cloth has a char length of less than about nine inches when tested in accordance with NFPA 701, such that thermal shrinkage of the filler cloth at 400° F. is less than about 35% in any direction, and such that the filler cloth maintains flame and heat resistant integrity when impinged with a gas flame in accordance with testing protocols set forth in Technical Bulletin 603 of the State of California Department of Consumer Affairs. The filler cloth cellulosic fibers are treated with a flame retardant chemistry such that the filler cloth has a Frazier air permeability of less than about 400 cfm and a thermal resistance rating of at least about 3 when tested according to NFPA 2112.

Abstract: A laminated composite material is provided. The material has first and second layers. The first layer is composed of a fibrous material and a binder, and the second layer is composed of a woven material and a binder.

Abstract: A non-woven fabric composite containing coir fibers and a method for producing such composites. The non-woven fabric composite is comprised of coir fibers, which are large diameter, lignin-rich fibers, with a high viscous flow temperature and a high degradation temperature combined with fibers made of a thermoplastic polymer with a lower viscous flow temperature such as polypropylene, polyethylene or a biodegradable thermoplastic polymer fiber such as polylactic acid, or mixture thereof. A hot-pressed non-woven fabric composite material prepared from the non-woven fabric composite.

Abstract: A non-woven fabric composite containing coir fibers and a method for producing such composites. The non-woven fabric composite is comprised of coir fibers, which are large diameter, lignin-rich fibers, with a high viscous flow temperature and a high degradation temperature combined with fibers made of a thermoplastic polymer with a lower viscous flow temperature such as polypropylene (“PP”), polyethylene (“PE”), polylactic acid (“PLA”), and polyester (“PET”) or mixtures thereof. A hot-pressed non-woven fabric composite material prepared from the non-woven fabric composite.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an absorbent personal care and/or cleansing product for cosmetic and/or dermatological applications comprising at least one non-woven absorbent sheet comprising 10 to 100 wt. % lyocell fibers and 0 to 90 wt. % of at least one other natural, man-made natural and/or synthetic fiber, wherein the lyocell fiber has a fiber titer in the range from 0.5 to 3.5 dtex, wherein the absorbent sheet has a basis weight in the range from 20 to 500 g/m2, and a tensile strength in the range from 5 to 1000 N/5 cm in machine direction and in cross direction.

Abstract: An hydroentangled integrated composite nonwoven material, includes a mixture of randomized continuous filaments, and synthetic staple fibers, where there are no thermal bonding points between the continuous filaments. The nonwoven material exhibits a cumulative pore volume, measured by PVD in n-hexadecane, in the pore radius range 5-150 ?m, where at least 70% of the cumulative pore volume is in the pores with a pore radius above 45 ?m. The nonwoven material also exhibits a cumulative pore volume, which when the synthetic staple fibers are chosen from the group of polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, polyamide, and polylactide staple fibers is at least 9 mm3/mg, and when the synthetic staple fibers are lyocell staple fibers is at least 6 mm3/mg.

Abstract: A fire-resistant fabric is provided that comprises a non-woven batt comprising an intertwined first plurality of flame-resistant fibers. The fire-resistant fabric further comprises one or more stitching yarns engaging the non-woven batt in the form of stitches configured for binding the intertwined flame-resistant fibers into a stitch-bonded fabric. The one or more stitching yarns include a yarn comprising a second plurality of flame-resistant fibers. At least one of the first and second pluralities of flame-resistant fibers comprises partially oxidized PAN fibers.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a low-density substrate, which has an optimized pore volume distribution. The optimized pore volume distribution allows the substrate to hold at least 50 percent of its cumulative volume within pores with a radius size of about 110 to 250 microns. The optimized pore volume distribution can also be characterized by having a dry fibrous web that absorbs less than 20 percent of the cumulative volume of the fibrous web at a pore radius of 75 microns. The optimized pore volume distribution of the substrate enables it to controllably release a fluid composition effectively onto a surface. The basis weight of the substrate is about 80 to 20 gsm and the density of the substrate is below 0.1 g/cc. The substrate may be a pre-loaded wipe, which is either moistened by a consumer prior to use or moistened prior to packaging. The composition loaded onto the substrate may contain dry and/or liquid compositions preferably for cleaning hard or soft surfaces.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to implantable bioabsorbable non-woven self-cohered web materials having a high degree of porosity. The web materials are very supple and soft, while exhibiting proportionally increased mechanical strength in one or more directions. The web materials often possess a high degree of loft. The web materials can be formed into a variety of shapes and forms suitable for use as implantable medical devices or components thereof.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a process for forming a wearable and functional fabric from a composite material comprising a nonwoven face layer containing a plurality of fibers, and at least one thermoplastic binder layer disposed underneath. The fibers are initially arranged in a generally planar web and subsequently needlepunched through at least one binder layer. The fiber layers can also be placed on both sides of one or more centrally-located binder layers, and further reinforced with scrims. In an innovative aspect of the invention, the composite is heated under low and uniform pressure to remove thermal stresses, resulting in at a least one relatively smooth face that can be coated to form a wearable fabric, e.g., artificial leather, odor absorbing fabric, and the like.

Abstract: The invention relates to an inherently flame resistant (FR) stitchbonded nonwoven fabric for mattresses, boxsprings, upholstered furniture, top-of-the-bed, office panel, transportation seating or any end use application where a FR textile material is desired. Two of the preferred forms of this invention include: 100% cotton. 100% rayon, 100% lyocell, cotton/non-FR fiber blends, rayon/non-FR fiber blends or lyocell/non-FR fiber blend battings that are stitchbonded with flame resistant fiberglass core-spun yarn. 100% cotton, 100% rayon, 100% lyocell, cotton/non-FR fiber blends, rayon/non-FR fiber blends or lyocell/non-FR fiber blend battings that are stitchbonded with FR spun yarn.

Abstract: The invention relates to slickened or siliconized flame resistant fiber blends that are well suited for use in mattresses, boxsprings, upholstered furniture, fiber-filled bed clothing, transportation seating or any end use application where a soft materials are desired for flame resistant (FR) purposes. Some of the fibers in the blend are slickened. The FR fibers incorporated into these blends include both char forming FR fibers and oxygen depleting FR fibers. FR char-forming fibers are those which exhibit little shrinkage when exposed to direct flame and are not spun from polymers manufactured with halogenated monomers. Oxygen depleting FR fibers are spun from polymers manufactured with halogenated monomers.

Abstract: The present invention provides a non-woven felt material that includes a blend of cotton shoddy and synthetic fibers, and a method of making the same. The blend of cotton shoddy and synthetic fibers is carded and needled to form a batt. The batt is compacted and unified into its stable final shape by heating and soft-pressing, which causes at least a portion of the synthetic fibers to soften and/or melt and thereby bond the needled cotton shoddy and synthetic fibers together. The non-woven felt material according to the invention is strong, tear resistant, yet provides a non-slip, cushioned walking surface that readily absorbs and contains spilled oils, water and/or glycols.

Abstract: An improved hydroentangled well integrated composite nonwoven material, including a mixture of continuous filaments, synthetic staple fibers, and natural fibers which has a reduced twosidedness and an improved textile feeling. The synthetic staple fibers should have a length of 3 to 7 mm, and preferably there should be no thermal bondings between the filaments. The method of producing such a nonwoven material is also disclosed. The nonwoven includes a mixture of 10-50 w-% continuous filaments preferably chosen from polypropylene, polyesters and polylactides, 5-50 w-% synthetic staple fibers chosen from polyethylene, polypropylene, polyesters, polyamides, polylactides, rayon, and lyocell, and 20-85 w-% natural fibers, preferably pulp.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a flame-retardant removable cover which may be applied to a mattress. The removable cover, when applied to mattress, may reduce the peak heat release rate and/or total energy released in accordance with 16 CFR 1633 testing protocols. The cover may comprise a non-woven material. The removable cover may also comprise a non-woven type construction and an elastomeric material. The removable cover may therefore be designed with respect to the different requirements of those mattresses to which it may be applied to assist in meeting open flame mattress flammability standards.

Abstract: A neckable nonwoven web is provided with a central region and two edge regions, the central region being selectively easier to neck than the two edge regions. The nonwoven fibers in the central region have a polymer composition and/or physical properties which differ from the nonwoven fibers in the two edge regions. The selectively easier necking in the central region causes the central region to neck to about the same extent as the two edge regions, which otherwise would experience greater necking than the central region if the starting nonwoven web were completely uniform. Necked nonwoven webs and neck-bonded laminates made using the improved neckable nonwoven web, are also provided.

Abstract: An abrasive ground fabric which is a composite ground fabric comprising a fiber substrate and a elastic polymer filled in the fiber substrate, wherein (1) the fiber substrate is composed of bundles, each consisting of 20 to 3,000 fine fibers, and (2) the average diameter (D1) of fine fibers existent in a center portion from the center of the cross section perpendicular to a lengthwise direction of each bundle to ½ of the radius of each bundle is 0.3 to 10 &mgr;m, the average diameter (D2) of fine fibers existent in a peripheral portion from ½ of the radius to the end of each bundle is 0.05 to 1 &mgr;m, and the D1/D2 ratio is 1.5 or more. According to the present invention, the abrasive ground fabric is suitably used for the texturing of a substrate in the production of a magnetic recording medium, particularly a hard disk, enables high-accuracy surface finish and has excellent strength.

Abstract: A nonwoven fabric includes a cohesively integrated web of hydrodynamically entangled short-staple or “waste cotton” fibers. A batt of waste cotton fibers is hydrodynamically needled by high-pressure streams of water. The hydrodynamic energy of the streams causes the fibers to cohere and to become mutually entangled, which in turn results in a fabric of sufficient strength to be used for, among other things, a bag for a bulk material and particularly a bag or cover for a cotton bale.

Abstract: A fire blocking non-woven needlepunched textile structure, comprising a first fiber component containing polyacrylonitrile copolymer with a halogen containing monomer and a second fiber component. The second fiber component is selected such that it supports the first fiber component during burning, optionally including an inorganic filler as a coating for the first and second fiber components. In alternative embodiment, the present invention provides a fire blocking non-woven textile structure containing the above first and second fiber components, blended with a third binder fiber component in the form of a vertically lapped nonwoven structure.

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.

Abstract: A launderable fluid containment textile composite of stitch bonded construction useful in an incontinence pad. The textile composite includes a fluid retention layer of non-woven fabric formed from a plurality of intermingled textile fibers. A liquid permeable barrier layer of porous fabric is disposed across the fluid retention layer. A plurality of spun yarns including polyester and rayon constituents extend in a repeating stitch bonding pattern through the fluid retention layer and the liquid permeable barrier layer such that the spun yarns form a surface layer over the liquid permeable barrier layer at the technical face of the textile composite. The stitch bonding pattern is characterized by a stitch density in the machine direction of about 4 to about 14 stitches per inch.

Abstract: An absorbent fleece for use in hospital supplies, comprises a fiber blend of about 80-95% viscose and 10% polyester formed into a dry laid, nonwoven web, wherein the web consists of multiple, carded and cross-lapped layers that are consolidated using a needle-punch process, whereby the fleece has a water absorbtion of at least about 1,000 wt % and an absorbing speed of at least about 20 mm after 10 seconds.

Abstract: A wound dressing comprises a blend of at least two types of discrete fibers wherein one discrete fiber is of a modified cellulose gel-forming material and a second discrete fiber is of another type of gel-forming material such as an alginate.

Abstract: To provide various members such as filter cloth for dust collection which assures small pressure loss and easy shaking down of dust particles and is excellent in friction property and mechanical strength, sliding member excellent in sliding property, water repellent member excellent in water repellency, non-sticking member excellent in non-sticking property and member for supplying mold releasing agent in electrophotographic apparatuses which is excellent in air permeability, heat resistance and oil resistance, and provide a multilayered felt used therefor and a process for producing the multilayered felt. The multilayered felt is obtained by placing a layer of a web comprising polytetrafluoroethylene staple fibers on at least one surface of a felt and then joining the polytetrafluoroethylene staple fibers and fibers which form the felt by intermingling through water jet needling and/or needle punching.

Abstract: A closure for a container having an opening, said closure comprising at least one resilient mass of fibers selected from synthetic fibers, natural fibers and mixtures thereof, said at least one resilient mass of fibers having a density in the range of 0.15 to 2.00 g/cm.sup.3 and having one of an interlocked structure, an associated structure and a combination thereof, and wherein the closure is sized and has a density to enable the closure to be sealingly inserted into the opening of said container.

Abstract: A web, formed from dielectric fibers and non-dielectric fibers, which has been subjected to corona discharge to improve the particulate filtration properties of the web is provided. The dielectric and non-dielectric fibers may be intermingled within the web such that the distribution of the dielectric and non-dielectric fibers within the web is generally uniform. In one embodiment, the dielectric fibers may be formed from a thermoplastic polymer, and particularly polyolefin and the non-dielectric fibers may be formed from cellulose, and particularly wood pulp.

Abstract: Disclosed is a liquid transport material composed of a pulp fibers hydraulically needled into a nonwoven fibrous structure adapted to have a liquid transport value of at least 12 grams of liquid per gram of material over 30 minutes. The liquid transport material may contain up to about 50 percent, by weight, short staple length fibers as well as effective amounts of various particulates. The liquid transport material may be used as a liquid transport component of an absorbent structure which may be part of, for example, a personal care product. Also disclosed is a process of making a liquid transport material utilizing hydraulic needling techniques.

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: An insole for shoes is a three-dimensionally shaped laminate composed of two adhesive-free formed fabrics, the formed fabric on the foot side being thin and abrasion-resistant, and the thicker formed fabric forming the base material of the insole consisting of staple fibers, having a composition of 50-60% by weight of core/sheath-polyester/copolyester fibers with a melting range of the core component of 255.degree.-260.degree. C. and of the sheath component of 110.degree.-140.degree. C., 5-15% by weight of high-shrinkage polyester fibers, and 25-40% by weight of absorbent fibers. The base material has a mass per unit area of 800-1200 g/m.sup.2 with a thickness of 0.70-0.85 cm.

Abstract: A kit for bathing a patient or for personal bathing includes a sealed polyethylene bag containing a plurality of cloths impregnated with a cleansing solution. The cloths are a needle-punched blend of cotton and cellulose acetate for softness and low cost. Furthermore, an anti-microbial agent is carried by the cellulose acetate to prevent the growth of bacteria, yeast and fungus and the package carries another anti-microbial solution as a preservative. The cleansing solution is a non-ionic, nonrinsing mixture of surfactants, emollients or humectants, vitamin E and de-ionized water. The kit is heated and then each cloth is used on a different part of the body and disposed of after use to prevent cross contamination.