Abstract: The present invention is directed to triggerable, water-dispersible cationic polymers. The present invention is also directed to a method of making triggerable, water-dispersible cationic polymers and their applicability as binder compositions. The present invention is further directed to fiber-containing fabrics and webs comprising triggerable, water-dispersible binder compositions and their applicability in water-dispersible personal care products, such as wet wipes.

Abstract: A multi-layer elastic flat-shaped article having a predefined shape, consisting of at least two outer layers made of a porous fibrous or filamentous batting, and at least one inner layer, disposed between and adherent to a pair of said at least two outer layers. The inner layer is applied as at least one adhesive skein forming a latticework configuration. The adhesive skein is formed of a thermoplast having elastic properties at room temperature, and being adapted to recover its latticework configuration after tensile loading. The resulting article flat shaped article may be elastically stretched, and return to its original configuration. A preferred method for depositing the thermoplast is a printing process, for example intaglio printing, flexoprinting or screen printing. Nozzles may also be used to extrude hot thermoplast in a pattern defined by a relative movement of the outer layer or layers and the nozzle. The pattern may be continuous or interrupted.

Abstract: A nonwoven fabric includes a first composite layer that includes from about 50% to about 90% by weight non-thermoplastic absorbent staple fibers and from about 10% to about 50% by weight thermoplastic fibers. A preponderance of the fibers at a first outer surface of the first composite layer comprise non-thermoplastic absorbent staple fibers and a preponderance of the fibers at a second outer surface of the first composite layer comprise thermoplastic fibers. The nonwoven fabric further includes a second composite layer that includes from about 50% to about 90% by weight non-thermoplastic absorbent staple fibers and from about 10% to about 50% by weight thermoplastic fibers. The second composite layer is adjacent the second outer surface of the first composite layer.

Abstract: This invention relates to a nonwoven fabric made from a nylon and polyethylene blend. The addition of polyethylene enhances specific properties such as softness, lower production cost, improved process capabilities, and ease of further downstream processing such as bonding to other fabrics or itself.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a lyocell fiber having a high hemicellulose content. The fibers are readily cut into staple lengths and can be spun into yarns with excellent knitting and weaving characteristics which dye exceptionally well. The fibers have a cotton-like denier.

Abstract: A moldable batt is disclosed that comprises a fire-retardant cellulose, a fiber component, and a binder component. In one version of the invention, the fiber and binder components are provided as a conjugate fiber material. The batt is compressed and heated to form panels or other products that are particularly useful in the office furniture industry.

Abstract: An elastically stretchable nonwoven fabric including thermoplastic elastomer filaments; the filaments being heat-sealed and/or mechanically intertwined together to form the nonwoven fabric that has crimped regions and non-crimped regions wherein each of the crimped regions has fine crimps in the rate of 50/cm or higher.

Abstract: The present invention is directed a nonwoven fabric cleaning article which is imparted with a three-dimensional image or pattern during the fabrication stage. The three-dimensional image or pattern imparted into the structure of the nonwoven fabric results in a material with a variable level of leading surface contact region as measured across the face of the fabric. The leading surface contact regions are present in the form of projections out of the planar background of the fabric, the prevalence of three-dimensional projections being such that the number and/or dimension of such projections increases as one moves away from the leading edges of the cleaning article.

Abstract: The present invention provides a liquid repellent nonwoven protective material comprising a meltspun microfiber layer and one or more additional nonwoven layers bonded to the meltspun microfiber layer. The meltspun microfiber layer comprises a high melt flow rate olefin polymer (i.e., having a melt flow rate of at least 1500 grams per 10 minutes as measured by ASTM-D-1238-01 at 177° C.), a melt flow modifying agent and a liquid repellency internal additive. The high melt flow rate olefin polymer is substantially prodegradant-free and is present in amounts from about 78 percent by weight to about 94.9 percent by weight. The liquid repellency internal additive, such as a fluorochemical or fluoropolymer, is present in amounts from about 0.1 percent by weight to about 2 percent by weight, and the melt flow modifying agent, such as polymers and copolymers of butene, is present in amounts from about 5 percent by weight to about 20 percent by weight.

Abstract: Provided is a laminate of masticated rubber. A layer of fabric, capable of withstanding vulcanization temperatures, such as a non woven layer of polyester or polyester and nylon is bonded by means of vulcanization to at least one outer surface of the rubber laminate. Advantageously, this increases the stiffness of the rubber laminate. Further advantageously and unexpectedly, the fabric reinforced rubber laminate in accordance with the invention shows significant improvement in heat aging properties, such as heat resistance, tensile strength, hardness and tear strength.

Abstract: New fibrous nonwoven webs are taught that comprise a mass of polyethylene terephthalate fibers that exhibit a double melting peak on a DSC plot: one peak is representative of a first molecular portion within the fiber that is in non-chain-extended crystalline form, and the other peak is representative of a second molecular portion within the fiber that is in chain-extended crystalline form and has a melting point elevated over that of the non-chain-extended crystalline form. Webs comprising fibers having such a morphology have a unique combination of durability and dimensional stability. The fibers are generally autogenously bonded at points of fiber intersection.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a cleansing tissue, comprising a thermobonded non-woven fabric formed from a mixture of fibers containing greater than 75% of thermoplastic fibers, the non-woven fabric having a plurality of cells, each cell having a first density and a first volume, the cells being disposed adjacent to one another defining a region between adjacent cells, the region having a second density and a second volume, the second density being higher than the first density, and the second volume being less than the first volume. The fabric becomes thicker and its softness is increased because the cells have a low density large sized regions.

Abstract: A base web is comprising a base web consisting of synthetic fibers, air-laid cellulose fibers or synthetic fibers or cellulose fibers mixed with synthetic fibers air-laid in form of fluff on the base web, and a structure obtained by hydroentangling the fluff on the base web. The weight of the web is between 80 and 2000 g/m2. The heavy-duty webs of the invention can advantageously be used for producing e.g. corrugated board and heat- and/or sound-insulating materials.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to ion-sensitive, hard water dispersible polymers. The present invention is also directed to a method of making ion-sensitive, hard water dispersible polymers and their applicability as binder compositions. The present invention is further directed to fiber-containing fabrics and webs comprising ion-sensitive, hard water dispersible binder compositions and their applicability in water dispersible personal care products.

Abstract: Nonwoven fibrous webs including amorphous polymeric fibers with improved and/or more convenient bondability are disclosed. The nonwoven fibrous webs may include only amorphous polymeric fibers or they may include additional components in addition to amorphous polymeric fibers. The amorphous polymeric fibers within the web may be autogeneously bonded or autogeneously bondable. The amorphous polymeric fibers may be characterized as varying in morphology over the length of continuous fibers so as to provide longitudinal segments that differ from one another in softening characteristics during a selected bonding operation.

Abstract: Nonwoven fibrous webs comprise fibers of uniform diameter that vary in morphology along their length. The variation provides longitudinal segments that exhibit distinctive softening characteristics during a bonding operation. Some segments soften under the conditions of the bonding operation and bond to other fibers of the web, and other segments are passive during the bonding operation. Webs as described can be formed by a method that comprises a) extruding filaments of fiber-forming material; b) directing the filaments through a processing chamber in which the filaments are subjected to longitudinal stress; c) subjecting the filaments to turbulent flow conditions after they exit the processing chamber; and d) collecting the processed filaments; the temperature of the filaments being controlled so that at least some of the filaments solidify while in the turbulent field.

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.

Abstract: Disposable surgical drapes and gowns exhibiting desirable softness, foldability, absorbency and breathability characteristics incorporate cluster bonded nonwoven laminates. Film layers and nonwoven web layers are secured together by spaced apart unbounded adhesive clusters. Each adhesive cluster includes a perimeterless grouping of discrete spaced apart adhesive droplets. A method and modified apparatus for making the cluster bonded laminates is also described.

Abstract: A composite abrasive nonwoven web is prepared by passing fibers through a card to yield a pre-bond web following by the bonding of the pre-web in a calender to achieve a composite abrasive nonwoven web. The composite abrasive nonwoven web may be manufactured in, for example, one or two stages. The produced composite web may have at least two layers where, for example, one layer is an absorbent smooth layer and another layer is a rough abrasive layer.

Abstract: A fibrous moldable substrate is provided having a fibrous material and a binder. The fibrous material and binder is subjected to heat such that only a portion of the binder is wetted to the fibrous material.

Abstract: A nonwoven has low tensile and high elongation in the first direction (typically the CD) and high tensile and low elongation in the second direction (typically the MD). The nonwoven has a plurality of bonding points defining a total bonding area along the second direction greater than along the first direction. Accordingly, the nonwoven has unbonded fiber portions and bonded fiber portions, with a bonded portion/unbonded portion ratio greater along the second direction than along the first direction. The bonding points are preferably either circular or oval in plan.

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.

Abstract: Adhesive materials and articles containing adhesive materials are disclosed. Adhesive articles include adhesive fibers, adhesive films, an adhesive layer of fibers, adhesive nonwoven webs, and articles containing one or more of the adhesive materials. Stretched adhesive materials are also disclosed. Methods of making and using the adhesive materials and articles are also disclosed.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to completely cure a resin composition highly capable of screening energy radiation, such as a carbon fiber-reinforced composite material (CFRP), simply by exposing the resin composition to UV radiation in the presence of a specific photopolymerization initiator system (reaction catalyst system) comprising at least two components. To this end, the present invention provides a resin curing method wherein, when a resin composition is exposed to energy radiation typified by UV radiation, another kind of first energy than the energy from an energy radiation source is autogenously generated within the resin, and the same kind of second energy is successively generated by the autogenously generated energy, so that the resin composition is cured by means of the first and second energies, or both the first and second energies and the energy from the energy radiation source, whether or not the resin composition contains a substance capable of screening energy radiation.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of copolymerizing polyethylene glycol (PEG) and branching agent into polyethylene terephthalate (PET) to achieve a polyethylene glycol-modified polyester composition that can be spun into filaments. Fabrics made from fibers formed from the copolyester composition possess wicking, dyeability, and tactility properties that are superior to those of fabrics formed from conventional polyethylene terephthalate fibers of the same yarn and fabric construction. Also disclosed are polyethylene glycol modified copolyester compositions, fibers, yarns, and fabrics.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a nonwoven laminate fabric comprising at least two layers of light-weight SBS or SBBS fabrics, where B represents a barrier layer, said layers being bonded together to form a laminate fabric. The bonding methods can include thermal calendering, thermal point bonding, ultrasonic bonding, flat calendaring, and adhesive bond. The barrier layer comprises a material selected from suitable media, such media include: meltblown, cellulosic pulp, microporous film or monolithic film, with microfiber media such as meltblown being preferred.

Abstract: A stretchable nonwoven, laminated fabric having one or more cotton containing surface layers thermally bonded to one or both sides of a thermoplastic filament fiber core layer and a method for fabricating the fabric. These fabrics after being subjected to a heat-stretching process can provide instantaneous elastic recoveries of 83% to 93% for 50% extension. Furthermore, the fabric exhibits a hand similar to cotton knits, good strength, good wetting, good wicking good water retention, and minimal linting characteristics and can be used for medical applications. Consolidated nonwoven laminated fabrics are also disclosed which can provide instantaneous elastic recovery.

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 a method for preparing nonwoven fabrics having an improved balance of properties in the machine and cross-directions. More specifically, the invention utilizes nonwoven webs that include relatively low levels of multiple-component fibers having latent three-dimensional spiral crimp combined with fibers that do not develop spiral crimp. The latent spiral crimp of the multiple-component fibers is activated, such as by heating, under free shrinkage conditions, after formation of the nonwoven web to achieve re-orientation of the non-spirally-crimpable fibers and an improved balance of properties such as tensile strength and modulus.

Abstract: The present invention provides a one step method for bonding and creping a nonwoven web. In the method of the present invention, a nonwoven web is adhered to a creping roll and bonded while on the creping roll. The bonding of the nonwoven adheres the nonwoven to the creping roll in a pattern of the bonding roll. Once creped from the creping roll, the resulting nonwoven web is creped in the pattern of the bonding roll. The creped nonwoven webs of the present invention are useful in a wide variety of application including as wipes, liners, transfer or surge layers, outercovers, other fluid handling materials and looped fastener materials.

Abstract: An in-line formed, non-laminated web is suitable for use as a composite fluid distribution and fluid retention layer in a disposable absorbent article. The web can be formed by selective deposition of airlaid materials including absorbents, such as pulp and superabsorbents, together with binder fibers. The web so constructed will have a plurality of intermingled lower basis weight areas and higher basis weight areas coexisting and distributed in at least a central region of the web, the alternations crossing the X axis or Y axis, or both, of the web, with the higher basis weight areas being a greater thickness in the Z-direction than the lower basis weight areas. The web so constructed will further have no discrete material boundaries between the lower basis weight stripes and the higher basis weight stripes. Further the necessity of later processing on the web to achieve a ridged structure is removed and the fibers will remain whole and undisturbed.

Abstract: A fabric that comprises an entangled, creped and optionally stretched nonwoven web is provided. The nonwoven web is formed from splittable multicomponent thermoplastic fibers having individual segments exposed on an outer perimeter thereof. In one embodiment, the splittable multicomponent fibers are continuous spunbonded thermoplastic fibers. For example, in some embodiments, the creped nonwoven web can be hydraulically entangled with a fibrous material that contains cellulosic fibers and optionally synthetic staple fibers.

Abstract: This invention relates to nonwoven fabrics with advantageous characteristics and the method to produce these fabrics. Advantageously, the fabrics of the subject invention have increased thickness (loft) compared to conventional nonwoven fabrics and have high air permeability and open space while maintaining softness and strength at the same basis weight.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a dry-laid composition comprising: hollow synthetic fiber, absorbent and a binder system. The hollow fiber comprises from about 10 to about 50 percent by weight of said composition. The hollow synthetic fiber has a denier of between about 2 to about 18. The hollow synthetic fiber is selected from the class of polyolefins, polyesters, polyamides, acrylics, as well as mixtures and copolymers thereof. The absorbent comprises from about 40% to about 80% of the weight of said composition. The absorbent is a natural absorbent, or a synthetic absorbent, or a mixture of these. The natural absorbent is selected from the class of wood pulp fluff, cotton, cotton linters, and regenerated cellulose fibers, or a mixture of these. The synthetic absorbent is selected from the class of agar, pectin, guar gum, and synthetic hydrogel polymers. The binder fiber comprises from about 3 to about 15 percent by weight of said composition.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a protective outdoor fabric comprising one or more layers of fine denier spunbond filaments and at least one layer of barrier material, wherein said protective outdoor fabric has a significant barrier performance as measured by the hydrostatic head to barrier layer basis weight ratio being of about at least 4.9 cm/gsm. In the preferred practice of the present invention, first and second outer fabric layers are formed, each comprising continuous filament spunbond layers of thermoplastic fibers, with the size of the continuous filaments between about 0.7 and 1.2 denier, preferably less than or equal to 1 denier. The barrier layer preferentially comprises microfibers of finite length, wherein the average fiber diameter is in the range of about 1 micron to about 10 microns, and preferably between about 1 micron and 5 microns, said layers being consolidated into a composite fabric.

Abstract: Disclosed are absorbent structures including fibers bound with a polyvalent cation-containing compound and superabsorbent polymer particles. The fibers exhibit an ion extraction factor of at least 5%. Also disclosed are multi-strata absorbent structures, such as disposable absorbent articles, including the treated fibers and SAP particles. Further disclosed are methods for preparing absorbent structures including the treated fibers; structures including fibers combined with a polyvalent cation-containing compound; and methods for treating or coating SAP particles with polyvalent cation-containing compounds.

Abstract: The invention provides a treatment for edge surfaces and faces of metallized fiber structure framework plates for use in electric accumulators. The edge surfaces and faces, except for the starting portion of the current tapping tab, are mechanically, thermally or chemically freed of projecting metallized fiber ends and fiber bundles in order to avoid short circuits or soft shorts caused by dendrites penetrating the cell separator or by metallized fiber ends. The mechanical, thermal or chemical treatments can take place individually or in combination with one another.

Abstract: A nonwoven having varying densities of the fibers that make up the nonwoven. The nonwoven has a length direction x, a width direction y, and a thickness direction z. The density of the fibers 11 in the nonwoven 10 varies long the width direction y of the nonwoven 10.

Abstract: A nonwoven laminate material for mechanical closure systems, method for its production, and its use. The multi-layer nonwoven fabric laminate material has at least one layer of a polyolefin endless filament nonwoven fabric having a maximum tensile strength in the machine running direction that is at least as great as crosswise to that direction, and made up essentially of fibers having a titer of less than 4.5 dtex, as well as a second layer of a nonwoven fabric that is bonded to the first layer, which includes a sheet of crimped staple fibers made of polyolefins, and whose crimped fibers are coarser than the fibers of the nonwoven fabric of the first layer. The at least two nonwoven fabric layers are bonded to one another at the common interface by bonding in the form of a pre-determined pattern. With this laminate, it is possible to produce diapers that are also suitable for adult incontinence patients, which have a mechanical closure system, e.g., a Velcro™ closure.

Abstract: A two-layer laminate and a process for manufacturing a two-layer laminate including a first nonwoven layer including thermoplastic fibers, wherein the first nonwoven layer is pre-consolidated and pre-shrunk, a second nonwoven layer including glass fibers, and at least one thermoplastic binder, wherein the first nonwoven layer and the second nonwoven layer are bonded together by application of heat, the second nonwoven layer is pre-consolidated and the thermoplastic binder originates from the second nonwoven layer.

Abstract: A composite material, including at least one nonwoven fabric and a reinforcing material, thermally connected to it, situated in the form of regularly recurring patterns, which is derived from sheeting made of thermoplastic material. The new composite material may be used, for example, as an operating room coat, a textile outer material for one-time use, as a belt or in absorbent products, such as diapers or feminine hygiene products.

Abstract: Disclosed is both a method and composition for forming a thermo-formable acoustical panel. The panel may be formed from multi-component polymer fibers or mono-filament polymer fibers dispersed in a mineral fiber batt. The polymer fibers are bound to the mineral fibers by the application of heat to form the acoustical panel.

Abstract: A novel porous fibrous structure containing from 10 to 100% by weight of wet heat bonding fibers, having cellular cavities in the fibrous structure of the fibers, in which a plurality of indefinite cellular cavities are present independently or in a state of partially connected in the inside of the fibrous structure, at least a portion of the fibers constituting the fibrous structure is heat bonding by the wet heat bonding fibers, and a process for producing such porous fibrous structure.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to wiping products having great softness and strength. The wiping products are made from a web of material containing binder fibers alone or in combination with pulp fibers. Once the web is formed, the web is adhered to a creping surface and creped. According to the present invention, the web may be creped once or creped multiple times. Of particular advantage, the web can be adhered to a creping surface through the use of the binder fibers without the use of an adhesive.

Abstract: Disposable cleaning sheets for removing debris from a surface comprise a substrate and a plurality of protrusions affixed to the substrate, wherein the cleaning sheet is removably attachable to a cleaning implement. The protrusions are preferably hook-shaped. The preferred hook-shaped protrusions can be made of certain thermoplastic resins and can have certain geometric configurations. The protrusions can be affixed to the substrate via a variety of process and are preferably affixed to the substrate in one or more zones of the substrate. Methods of removing debris from a surface comprise contacting the surface with a cleaning sheet of the present invention.

Abstract: The subject invention concerns nonwoven fabrics containing filaments of at least two different cross sections. The subject invention further pertains to methods used to produce these fabrics. In an embodiment specifically exemplified herein, the nonwoven fabric of the subject invention is made of nylon.

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.

Abstract: A multi-density fibrous structure comprising a plurality of discrete pseudo-apertures disposed therein. The pseudo-apertures have individual areas of at least about 3 square millimeters and a basis weight from about 0.1 to about 5 gram per square meter. The fibrous structure can have from about 9,000 to about 90,000 pseudo-apertures per square meter.

Abstract: A nonwoven fabric with UV stability having a layer of meltblown fibers sandwiched between first and second layers of spunbonded fibers wherein each layer includes a base resin selected from the group consisting of polypropylene and polyethylene; combined with melt processable additives which are a mixture of (i) at least two hindered amine light stabilizers; (ii) a processing aid selected from the group consisting of hydroxyl amines and phosphites; and (iii) a carrier resin selected from the group consisting of polypropylene and polyethylene. Other melt processable additives include pigments which are added to provide the desired color in the resulting fabric layer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a filter media comprising (a) a nonwoven composite material comprising a stabilized mixture of thermoplastic microfibers and at least about 50%, by weight, of a secondary fibrous material such as pulp or polymeric staple fibers; (b) a first outer nonwoven web comprising a substantially uniform nonwoven web of autogenously bonded multicomponent fibers; and (c) a second outer nonwoven web wherein the nonwoven composite material is positioned between the first outer nonwoven web and second outer nonwoven web. The filter material is well suited to filtering liquid borne particulate matter ranging in size from 5&mgr; to about 25&mgr;.