Abstract: The present invention relates to film-fibril plexifilamentary sheet products which demonstrate improved balance of toughness and softness combined with improved balance of air permeability and liquid barrier resistance, which are prepared by point bonding a nonwoven sheet on both sides by passing said sheet between embossing rolls at a combination of bonding temperature, pressure and residence time such that the majority of bond points are not bonded to the point of translucency.

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.

Abstract: Nonwoven webs for use as the surge layer of personal care articles are provided. The webs include a first, binder fiber, which is a biodegradable thermoplastic fiber that does not undergo severe heat shrinkage. The webs further include a second fiber which is a biodegradable, thermoplastic fiber. The first and second fibers are combined to form a web that has a moderate permeability, in the range of 500 to 1500 &mgr;m2, and a high void volume, greater than 25 cm3/g.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fibrous material which includes a plurality of polylactide containing fibers. The plurality of polylactide containing fibers can be considered low shrinkage or high shrinkage. The plurality of polylactide containing fibers are considered low shrinkage fibers if they provide a boiling water shrinkage propensity of less than about 20%. The plurality of polylactide containing fibers are considered high shrink fibers if they provide an average fiber boiling water shrinkage propensity of greater than about 10% and a heat of fusion of less than about 25 J/g. The invention additionally relates to the use of an extrusion process to provide low shrinkage fibers and high shrinkage fibers. The invention further relates to the use of these fibers in desirable products.

Abstract: A method of making a quilt includes a batting including a heat activated adhesive coating each side or faces of the batting. The quilt covers are attached to the batting by sequentially placing the covers onto the respective batting faces and heating each cover and adjacent adhesive by moving a hot iron over each cover. The covers are connected to each by a plurality of spaced yarn or other suitable decorative connecting means which extend through the covers and batting to secure the batting in place and may form a desired decorative pattern. The inactive adhesive remains in the quilt or is removed by washing of the quilt. The batting with the inactive adhesive is provided as a commercially available product.

Abstract: A laminated composite suitable for use in medical products such as tapes and wraps. The composite includes, for example, a first nonwoven fiber layer, an elastic layer, a melt blown adhesive fiber layer, and a second nonwoven fiber layer. A scrim layer serves as a deadstop, or stretch limit, to prevent over stretching. The non-woven fiber layer(s) and/or the scrim layer form suitable loops for a hook and loop fastening system. The scrim layer in some embodiments is employed to make the composite finger tearable. The melt blown adhesive layer, nonwoven web layer and elastic layer form a breathable, porous elastic composite. Methods of manufacturing the composite are also disclosed.

Abstract: A new fiber-forming method, and related apparatus, and webs prepared by the new method and apparatus are taught. In the new method a) a stream of filaments is extruded from a die of known width and thickness; b) the stream of extruded filaments is directed through a processing chamber that is defined by two narrowly separated walls that are parallel to one another, parallel to said width of the die, and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the stream of extruded filaments; c) the stream of filaments passed through the processing chamber is intercepted on a collector where the filaments are collected as a nonwoven fibrous web; and d) a spacing between the walls of the processing chamber is selected that causes the stream of extruded filaments to spread before it reaches the collector and be collected as a web significantly wider in width than the die. Generally the increase in width is sufficient to be economically significant, e.g., to reduce costs of web manufacture.

Abstract: A filter media formed in accordance with the present invention comprises hydroentangled, predominantly polyester staple length fibers having a basis weight of no more than about 12 oz/yd2. The filter media exhibits a Mullen burst strength of at least about 395 psi, and machine-direction and cross-direction shrinkage of less than about 3%, preferably less than about 2%. The filter media exhibits a machine-direction tensile strength of at least about 105 lb/in, and a cross-direction tensile strength of at least about 110 lb/in.

Abstract: An acoustical insulation product for a vehicle includes a blanket of fibers and a facing material adhered to a major surface of the blanket. The product has a perimeter flange made by pressing the facing material and an edge portion of the blanket together. The flange provides stiffness to the product, and the flange is capable of being held in place on the vehicle by an attachment system.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a hydroentangled nonwoven fabric, the outer surface of which exhibits highly entangled fibers whereas the inner layer exhibits lightly entangled fibers. In particular, the present invention contemplates that a fabric is formed from a fibrous batt that is subjected to fluidic energy, preferably hydraulic energy, applied to one or both faces of a fibrous batt. The hydraulic energy is moderated against the basis weight of the fibrous batt to achieve the degree of surface entanglement desired. Fabrics formed in accordance with the present invention exhibit a sufficient degree of softness and non-linting performance, while providing the necessary resistance to tearing and abrasion, to facilitate use in a wide variety of applications such as cast padding or orthopedic wraps.

Abstract: Nonwoven webs with good barrier properties are disclosed. The nonwoven webs can be, for instance, meltspun webs such as meltblown webs and spunbonded webs. In accordance with the present invention, a hydrophobic agent is incorporated into the polymer that is used to produce the web for improving the barrier properties of the web. Hydrophobic agents that may be used in accordance with the present invention include polydimethyl siloxanes and guerbet esters.

Abstract: A polyolefin plaque is made by hot compaction of an assembly of fibers of the oriented polymer. It has been found to be beneficial to subject the fibers to a prior crosslinking process. Hot compaction is then less temperature-sensitive and produces plaques with excellent hot strength properties. Preferably the fibers have been subjected to prior stages of irradiation and annealing, both in a non-oxidising environment, for example acetylene.

Abstract: A protective hood, particularly for automobiles, machines and the like, comprised of a composite material with a support material of nonwoven polypropylene and a coating material of a thermoplastic copolymer. According to the invention, the coating material is comprised of an ethylene-butyl acrylate copolymer and is introduced onto the support material by means of extrusion coating.

Abstract: A method is disclosed of controlling the thermohysteresis of a homogeneous or layered fibrous pre-form, comprised at least in part of thermoplastic staple length fibers, such that the physical properties of the resulting molded three-dimensional compound construct are significantly enhanced. In particular, the thermohysteresis is the result of a specific thermal history comprising the treatment of a fibrous pre-form with an elevated temperature incubation period followed by a cooling period. A so-treated fibrous pre-form can be subsequently molded by conventional thermomolding methods to render improved toughness, strength and structural stability to a resulting molded construct.

Abstract: A three-dimensional non-woven fabric formed by spinning semi-molten fibers onto a mold. The three-dimensional non-woven fabric includes a hanging fiber wall formed from the semi-molten fibers hanging down from the mold in a tangled state.

Abstract: Composite nonwoven material through which liquid can pass at a high speed and having an excellent resistance to rewetting and fluffing. The material comprises at least one first layer (2) of combed-type fibres and a second layer (3) of combed-type fibres, the fibres of the first layer having a denier greater than that of the fibres of the second layer, the layers being joined to one another by needling. Application to absorbent sanitary articles.

Abstract: The liner is formed by a “support” structure and an outer or decorative liner layer. The “support” structure consists of three superimposed layers made of polyester fibers, where the middle layer (1) is considerably thicker than the outer layers (2), while the decorative layer (3) is of a polyester liner or of another suitable material, allowing recycling of the entire set. The different layers are attached to each other by pre-heating layers (1) and (2) and the corresponding molding of the “support” formed by these, including the outer or decorative layer (3), without requiring any further adhesive to keep said layers joined.

Abstract: An inexpensive sheet or web shaped fibre material for use e.g., in sanitary napkins typically consists of a mixture of short cellulose fibres and some 15% of relatively long, thermoplastic binder fibers. It is a noticeable problem that the short fibres “dust” out of the material, and according to the invention this is remedied in that the material, when made by dry forming, is provided with a surface coating of very thin layers of pure binder fibres. In addition to a marked holding back of the dust, these layers condition that the amount of binder fibres in the base material can be halved and that the breaking stress of the material is noticeably improved. Thereby the products are usable not only as inserts, but also as individual, self-contained units e.g., for wiping in domestic or industrial cleaning.

Abstract: A wholly aromatic polyamide (aramid) fiber synthetic paper sheet includes 70-96 wt % of an aramid staple fiber component which includes 30 wt % or more of a para-type aramid staple fibers each having two or more annular projections spaced from each other and having an average ratio R/&ggr; of the largest diameter R of the annular projections to the smallest diameter &ggr; of the annular projection-free portions of the staple fiber, of 1.1 or more, and 4-30 wt % of a binder component, namely a resinous binder and/or heat resistant fibrids.

Abstract: A durable, low-density, high performance insulating material is suitable for use as a high temperature thermal and acoustic insulation. The insulation includes fiber batting made with non-thermoplastic fibers or blends of fibers such as aramid fibers and ceramic fibers, which are bound within at least some interstices by high temperature non-flammable thermoplastic binder such as polyphenylene sulfide. In addition, a fireblocking layer can be provided on at least one surface of the insulation to further improve fire ablation or flame retardance.

Abstract: Fibrous sorbent media or pads are formed from non-woven mats of thermoplastic fibers, preferably polypropylene fibers, having a mean diameter between about 0.5 microns and about 25 microns. The mats have a weight between about 2 ounces/yd2 and about 25 ounces/yd2; a thickness of at least {fraction (1/20)} of an inch; an oil absorbency ratio of at least 5 to 1 or a water absorbency ratio of at least 5 to 1. The sorbent media have first and second major surfaces with abrasion resistant, liquid permeable, integral skins and fibrous cores. The liquid permeable skins of the media are formed by melting fibers at and immediately adjacent the major surfaces of the mats to form thermoplastic melt layers which are subsequently solidified into the skins on the major surfaces of the mats. For many applications, the thermoplastic fibers of the mats are point bonded together at spaced apart locations to increase the integrity of the mats.

Abstract: A plant serves as a mean for production of a fibre web of synthetic fibres, such as plastic fibres and absorbent fibres, such as viscose and cellulose fibres. The plant includes a forming head preliminary to lay a homogeneously and smoothly distributed fibre layer on a net shaped wire. Furthermore the plant includes a hydro-entangling section with liquid nozzles with powerful liquid jets to treat the in the forming head formed fibre layer, which consists of both synthetic—and absorbent fibres. The plant also includes an oven subsequently to thermal bond the synthetic fibres with cross bonds in the affected areas. Finally the dried web is winded up in a roller. By the help of the plant according to the invention, by higher production speed than known previously a fibre web can be produced, which is far cheaper, and which has a better and more homogeneous structure than similar conventional fibre webs.

Abstract: A nonwoven web of multipolymer fibers is described that is unidirectionally stretched and permanently elongated at ambient conditions and exhibits a substantial increase in tensile strength in the stretch direction. The ratio of tensile strength of the web in the direction of fiber orientation to the tensile strength in the other direction is at least about 10:1. The ratio of elongation at peak load in a direction transverse to the direction of fiber orientation is at least about 6:1. The multipolymer fibers normally are a blend of polyethylene and a polypropylene homopolymer or copolymer, one of which is a dominant phase and one of which is a dispersed phase. A third component having elastomeric properties that is at least partially miscible with one or both of the other components is included in some blends.

Abstract: A fibrous insulation media is formed from a non-woven mat of thermoplastic fibers having a mean diameter of less than about 15 microns. Preferably, when used as an acoustical insulation, the media is formed of fibers having a mean diameter of less than about 13 microns; the media has a density of less than about 60 Kg/m3; and the media has a Fraiser air permeability of less than 75 cubic feet per minute per square foot of surface area. The media has first and second major surfaces and a fibrous core with at least one of the major surfaces having an integral skin thereon. The skin is formed by melting fibers at and immediately adjacent the major surface of the mat formed into the media to form a thermoplastic melt layer which is subsequently solidified into a skin on the major surface of the mat. The thermoplastic fibers of the mat are point bonded together at spaced apart locations to increase the integrity of the mat.

Abstract: A hydrophilic polyester fiber is supplied with an aqueous mixed dispersion on the surface and made hydrophilic by being heated at 35° C. or higher, and the aqueous mixed dispersion employed contains a polyester-polyether block copolymer composed of a polyester component and a polyether component and is stable at lower than 35° C. and precipitates the polyester-polyether block copolymer when its dispersion state is broken by being heated to 35° C. or higher.

Abstract: A non-woven fabric comprising staple fibers, having a fiber length of 3 to 25 mm and a single fiber fineness of 1 to 100 denier, and is produced by the fibers being dropped while being dispersed to be accumulated and adhered at the intersection point of the staple fibers. The non-woven fabric has a specific volume of 40 to 200 cm3/g, and the number of fiber lumps having a volume of not less than 1 mm3 is not more than 5 lumps per 20 g of the non-woven fabric. The bulky non-woven fabric of the present invention in which the sufficient contribution to bulkiness by fibers is exhibited is suitable for sanitary materials, such as disposable diapers, sanitary napkins, incontinence pads, nursing pads or the like, or wipes etc.

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: Polymeric monoliths having high stiffness and strength can be produced by heating an assembly of polymer fibres under a contact pressure to a temperature at which a proportion of the fibre is selectively melted and then compressing the assembly. Preferably at least 5% of the polymer is melted so that on compression the molten materials fills the voids within the assembly. The use of polyolefin fibres especially melt spun polyethylene fibres is preferred. The products are useful e.g. as orthodontic brackets, bone prostheses and in body armour.

Abstract: A spun nonwoven fabric contains monofilaments and bicomponent filaments, the spun nonwoven fabric having, over its cross section, different quantities of the bicomponent filaments. The bicomponent filaments contain at least two outward-facing segments made of a binding component. The proportions of bicomponent filaments over the cross sectional planes of the spun nonwoven fabric can be in a range of approximately 1% to 100% by weight. The cross sectional planes of the nonwoven fabric containing the different proportions of bicomponent filaments transition into one another without detectable phase boundaries. The apparatus for manufacturing the nonwoven fabric contains at least one, and may contain up to forty or more, spinneret devices, such as rectangular spinneret plates or round spinneret disks. The spinneret devices may be arranged in rows or in staggered arrangement above a linearly moving collector belt.

Abstract: A ceramic fiber blanket is inserted into a mold, and ceramic fiber slurry, preferably made with refractory ceramic fibers, binders, and water, is deposited on the blanket. Vacuum pressure is created under the blanket to pull the fibers of the slurry toward the fibers of the blanket to entangle them together. The slurry and blanket is then dried to form a rigid yet surface compliant ceramic fiber composite product with superior thermal insulating and acoustic dampening properties.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a polyester product excellent in resilient elasticity, shape retainability and shape stability, and a process for producing the same. The invention provides a polyester product with high resilient elasticity, shape retainability, and shape stability, which is produced by heat-treating a product comprising polyester fibers or a film prepared by taking up a molten polyester at a take-up speed of 2000 m/min to 4000 m/min, in wet heat and/or dry heat at not lower than 120° C. with the product maintained in a loose or constrained condition without being drawn. The product is very suitable, for example, as a collar interlining cloth of a shirt, a base fabric of a shirt, or a fabric of a lady's dress, etc.

Abstract: A fiber glass mat adapted to reinforce thermoplastic polymeric molding material is provided with improved flow properties in the molding process without sacrificing strength and without unduly increasing loft of the mat. The improvement is achieved by needling the mat from both sides with the number of needle punches per unit area on one side being greater than that on the opposite side.

Abstract: In the production of a nonwoven fabric of thermally bonded fibers, a heavy web of fibers is continuously fed to a toothed cylinder at a slow speed to form a layer of fibers, and a portion of this layer is removed and formed into a lightweight uniform web at a faster speed. The second web is conveyed without draw to a calender having a bonding nip, and the fibers of the web are rearranged by compression and heating and are supported on a hot surface of one of the calender rolls prior to entering the nip to additionally improve uniformity.

Abstract: A nonwoven composite web suitable for use, after post-treatment with a wetting agent, as a battery separator is formed by a wet process on a papermaking machine. One nonwoven composite material is made from a furnish of polyolefin binder fibers and polyolefin staple fibers. The web coming off the papermaking machine is dried using infra-red dryers followed by heated dryer cans. After drying, the web is thermally bonded using heated calendar rolls. The polyolefin binder fibers melt as the web passes through the calendar rolls and thermally bond the polyolefin staple fibers of the web when the melted binder fiber material fuses upon cooling.

Abstract: A loop material suitable for use with a hook-and-loop fastening system, wherein the loop material includes a first fibrous nonwoven web having a first surface and a second surface and includes carded sheath-core bicomponent staple fibers in which the fibers have a sheath-core melting point differential of at least about 20.degree. C. and a length of from about 10 mm to about 65 mm. The first fibrous nonwoven web has a thickness of at least about 0.15 mm and a basis weight of at least about 20 grams per square meter; a pattern on the first surface thereof of continuous bonded areas defining a plurality of discrete unbonded areas formed by the application of heat and pressure, wherein individual fibers within the discrete unbonded areas have at least a portion thereof extending into and bonded within the continuous bonded areas; and a percent bonded area of from about 20 to about 50 percent. If desired, a film layer may be bonded to the second surface of the first fibrous nonwoven web.

Abstract: The present invention provides a barrier laminate having a barrier layer and a lofty crimped-fiber nonwoven web layer, which laminate provides a foam-like resiliency, cloth-like texture and liquid barrier property. The barrier layer of the laminate is selected from films, microfiber nonwoven webs and laminates thereof, and the crimped-fiber web layer, which contains a structural fiber component and an heat-activatable adhesive component, has substantially uniformly distributed interfiber bonds. Additionally provided are thermoformed articles from the laminate and a thermoforming process for producing the articles.

Abstract: The specification discloses a synthetic paper composite web containing a relatively smooth, dense top layer comprising synthetic pulp, a relatively soft non-woven base layer of synthetic filaments and a low density polyolefin film layer substantially continuously interbonding the top and base layers together along their interface. An advantage of the composite of the invention is that it is substantially weather resistant, strong, recyclable and compatible with a range of inks and printing systems.

Abstract: The present invention relates to fibers, and nonwovens comprising said fibers, comprising a biodegradable copolymer, wherein the copolymer comprises at least two randomly repeating monomer units (RRMU) wherein the first RRMU monomer unit has the structure ##STR1## and the second RRMU has the structure ##STR2## wherein at least 50% of the RRMUs have the structure of the first RRMU. The present invention further relates to an absorbent article comprising a liquid pervious topsheet, a biodegradable liquid impervious backsheet comprising the above fibers and/or nonwovens, and an absorbent core positioned between the topsheet and the backsheet.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fabric for the production of clothing from at least two different threads. For the creation of such a fabric, which has on one side substantially the properties determined by one thread and on the other side substantially the properties determined by the other thread or threads and has from each side substantially the visual appearance of a homogeneous fabric, according to the invention the fabric consists of an upper fabric and a lower fabric, the upper fabric being formed exclusively from one thread and the lower fabric exclusively from the other thread or threads, while the upper fabric is connected to the lower fabric by the attachment in places of individual threads of the lower fabric to threads of the side of the upper fabric adjacent the lower fabric, or the upper side of the fabric is formed mainly from one thread and the lower side of the fabric is formed mainly from the other thread or threads.

Abstract: A coversheet is provided for covering an absorbent body of an absorbent sanitary article. The coversheet is elastic in at least one direction and has perforations which extend therethrough. The coversheet has an upper layer including a nonwoven material intended to face outwardly of the absorbent body, an intermediate layer including an elastic film, and a lower layer including a nonwoven material intended to face towards the absorbent body. The upper and lower layers are connected to the intermediate layer only around the perimeters of the perforations.

Abstract: The present invention provides bond patterns for nonwoven fabrics and laminates thereof, and a process of producing the bond patterns. The bond patterns provides highly distinct and recognizable patterns without significantly reducing the physical properties of the nonwoven fabrics. The bond pattern comprises a series of unbonded regions in a geometric pattern of regularly bonded regions, and each unbonded region forms an unbonded area enclosed by the bonded regions surrounding the unbonded region, whereby the series of unbonded regions forms a visually recognizable pattern, wherein the bonded regions cover from about 3% to about 50% of the surface of the nonwoven web, and wherein each of the unbonded areas has a size equal to or less than about 0.3 cm.sup.2.

Abstract: A nonwoven, porous fabric produced from a water modifiable polyolefin-containing film. In a preferred embodiment, the nonwoven fabric includes groups of elongated polyolefin fibers substantially oriented along a longitudinal axis. The fibers have branches extending from themselves and are bonded therebetween. Elongated channels extend generally parallel to the longitudinal axis on the surface of the fabric and within the fabric. A substantial portion of the channels are interconnected to other channels. To produce the fabric, a polymer blend is formed with the polyethylene as the minority constituent and the dispersed phase, and with polyethylene oxide as the continuous phase. In another embodiment wherein the polyethylene is the majority constituent and the polyethylene oxide is the minority constituent, a reactive blend is prepared during processing so that the blend exhibits an inverse phase morphology, the polyethylene oxide becoming the continuous phase and the polyethylene becoming the dispersed phase.

Abstract: The invention provides a sheet filter medium having autogenously bonded uncrimped conjugate fibers which contain a polyolefin and another thermoplastic polymer that have different melting points. The filter medium has a density between about 0.07 g/cm.sup.3 and about 0.2 g/cm.sup.3. The invention additionally provides a three-dimensionally thermoformed filter medium that has a density between about 0.07 g/cm.sup.3 and about 0.5 g/cm.sup.3.

Abstract: A resilient structure such as a seat cushion, mattress, furniture back or the like has enhanced resiliency and support at strategic locations due to the use of coil springs interlocked and held within a densified heat bonded low melt fiber batt used as the core or cover of the resilient structure. The densified fiber batt core includes low melt fibers which, when heated to the melting point and then cooled, intersect and interlock with the coil springs. The coil springs function as an integral part of the fiber batt, eliminating the need for lattice wires and the like to interlock the springs in the structure. The invention also increases the capability of manufacturing resilient structures in a wide variety of shapes and sizes.

Abstract: There is disclosed a biodegradable composite fiber comprising a first component consisting of a single component fiber produced by melt-spinning a biodegradable polymer composition consisting of a starch-based polymer, a partially hydrolyzed copolymer of vinyl acetate and an unsaturated monomer containing no functional groups, an aliphatic polyester, a decomposition accelerating agent, and a plasticizer, or such a biodegradable polymer composition; and a second component consisting of an aliphatic polyester, in which the first component is present continuously in the lengthwise direction over at least a part of the surface of the fiber of the second component, and there is also disclosed a non-woven fabric, a knitted fabric, and a molded article produced from this fiber.

Abstract: Polymeric monoliths having high stiffness and strength can be produced by heating an assembly of polymer fibres under a contact pressure to a temperature at which a proportion of the fibre is selectively melted and then compressing the assembly. Preferably at least 5% of the polymer is melted so that on compression the molten materials fills the voids within the assembly. The use of polyolefin fibres especially melt spun polyethylene fibres is preferred. The products are useful e.g. as orthodontic brackets, bone prostheses and in body armour.

Abstract: The present invention relates to fibers, and nonwovens comprising said fibers, comprising a biodegradable copolymer, wherein the copolymer comprises at least two randomly repeating monomer units (RRMU) wherein the first RRMU monomer unit has the structure ##STR1## and the second RRMU has the structure ##STR2## wherein at least 50% of the RRMUs have the structure of the first RRMU. The present invention further relates to an absorbent article comprising a liquid previous topsheet, a biodegradable liquid impervious backsheet comprising the above fibers and/or nonwovens, and an absorbent core positioned between the topsheet and the backsheet.

Abstract: A wall lining material consists of an upper mat body, a lower mat body and a granular moisture absorbent. The upper mat body and the lower mat body are made of a nonwoven fabric containing a multiplicity of fibers. The moisture absorbent is located between these two mat bodies. The mat bodies are sewn together over the laminated portion at many points by means of needle punching. This needle punching causes the fibers in the upper mat body to be connected with those in the lower mat wed and vice versa.

Abstract: A papermaker's fabric is provided having a spun bonded reinforcement. A layer of spun bonded material may be placed in any one of a number of possible locations in the fabric, depending upon the felt stratification desired. For example, it may be attached to the upper surface (or paper contacting side) of the base fabric layer; to the lower surface (or machine contacting side) of the base fabric layer; between two base fabric layers, in the case of a laminated felt; between layers of fibers; or in any other desired location. The spun bonded material may be attached through the use of needling or by use of adhesives, low melts, or ultrasonic methods.

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.