Abstract: The improved creped non-laminar singular web structure comprising long fibers and short fibers demonstrated by high TWA and Z peeling. Creping causes a certain portion of long synthetic fibers and short fibers to substantially be oriented in a predetermined vertical or Z direction across the thickness of the web structure. In particular, when a stratified preparation containing wet stiff CTMP fibers is used, the vertically oriented CTMP fibers increase the total water absorption (TWA) of the web structure without collapsing. The high TWA print/double-creped paper products manufactured from the above web structure are suitable for heavy wipe and dry uses.

Abstract: An improved wet-laid nonwoven fabric for a battery separator wherein 20 to 95% by weight of thermoplastic staple fibers having a single fiber diameter of 20 .mu.rm, or less are three-dimensionally entangled with hot-melt fibers having a melting point lower by 20.degree. C. than that of the thermoplastic staple fibers so that a mean fiber entangling point interval is 300 .mu.m or less, wherein at least part of the hot-melt fibers are fused to bond the fibers with each other to fix the nonwoven structure. The nonwoven fabric has a basis weight in a range from 10 to 350 g/m.sup.2, a thickness in a range from 30 to 1000 .mu.m and an apparent density in a range from 0.26 to 0.7 g/cm.sup.3, and is excellent in uniformity and mechanical strength. The wet-laid nonwoven fabric is particularly excellent in air permeability, liquid holding capability, liquid retention capability and liquid absorption rate and satisfies the requirement for a battery separator.

Abstract: A towel, sponge and gauze made from a plurality of fibers of polyvinyl alcohol that are only water soluble at temperatures above 37.degree. C. The polyvinyl alcohol fibers have a degree of hydrolysis of at least 80% with a degree of polymerization between approximately 300 to 3000.

Abstract: Spunbond multicomponent filaments and nonwoven webs made from the filaments are disclosed. In accordance with the present invention, the multicomponent filaments contain a crimp enhancement additive. Specifically, the crimp enhancement additive is added to one of the polymeric components in order to accelerate its solidification rate. The additive enhances crimp, allows for highly crimped filaments to be made at smaller deniers, and produces low density webs with improved stretch and cloth-like properties. Specifically, the additive incorporated into the filaments is a nonionic surfactant such as an alkyl ether alkoxylate, a siloxane alkoxylate, an ester of a polyalkylene glycol, a polysaccharide derivative, a glycerol ester, or mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A method for producing asphalt fibers includes supplying molten asphalt to a rotating asphalt spinner, centrifuging asphalt fibers from the asphalt spinner, and collecting the asphalt fibers. The molten asphalt is supplied to the asphalt spinner at a temperature within the range of from about 270.degree. to about 500.degree. F. Also disclosed is a method for integrating asphalt with reinforcement fibers including the steps of establishing a downwardly moving veil of reinforcement fibers, such as glass fibers, and centrifuging asphalt fibers from a rotating asphalt spinner positioned within the veil of reinforcement fibers to integrate the asphalt with the reinforcement fibers. A method for making an asphalt roofing shingle includes the steps of assembling together a mat of asphalt fibers with a mat of reinforcement fibers, coating the assembled mats to form an asphalt coated sheet, applying granules to the asphalt coated sheet, and cutting the asphalt coated sheet into roofing shingles.

Abstract: A porous ceramic film which is formed onto and bonded to an oxide layer provided on the surface of a porous base, the film composed of finely deposited particles comprising at least one compound including (a) at least one selected from the group consisting of Si, B and Al or the group consisting of the metals of the Groups IVa, Va and VIa and (b) at least one selected from the group consisting of C and N in which the particles are intertwined with each other and bonded to each other through the component of the oxide layer to form a three-dimensionally intertwined structure. This porous ceramic film is produced by forming the oxide layer on the base surface and then heating it to a temperature of at least of the liquid-phase formation temperature of the oxide layer in a gaseous atmosphere containing the above elements (a) and (b).

Abstract: The invention provides a process for producing a highly absorbent, high strength wiper, which comprises the steps of providing a bonded nonwoven web selected from the group consisting of spunbond fiber webs and staple fiber webs, stretching the nonwoven web by applying a stretching tension in at least one direction, aperturing the nonwoven web while maintaining the stretching tension, and relaxing the apertured web, thereby returning the apertured nonwoven web substantially to its pre-stretched dimensions, wherein the process is conducted at a temperature below the softening point of the nonwoven web. The invention also provides a nonwoven wiper produced in accordance with the production process.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a film/nonwoven laminate which incorporates a low gauge machine direction oriented film layer laminated to a nonwoven support layer. The individual layers are designed such that the film layer in the laminated state has an elongation at break value in the cross machine direction that is greater the elongation at peak load value for the nonwoven layer in the same direction. Consequently, if the laminate is subjected to severe stretching forces in the cross machine direction, the nonwoven layer will fail before the film layer. In addition, the laminate has a peak load value of at least 300 grams. As a result, the laminate is particularly useful as, for example, an outercover material for personal care absorbent articles.

Abstract: An apertured nonwoven fabric comprising one or two outer carded web(s) and a polymeric sheet thermally bonded thereto. The polymeric sheet has a lower melting temperature than the nonwoven layers and a property of shrinking when melted. Heat and pressure are applied to the combination of layers through a calender roll such that the polymeric sheet becomes bonded to the fibers of the carded web(s) and simultaneously shrinks and pulls back the fibers away from the calendering points, thereby generating apertures through the nonwoven fabric. Preferably, the fibers are polyethylene or polypropylene fibers, and the polymeric sheet is a thin plastic film of linear low density polyethylene, elastomeric, or heat shrink material. One outer carded web may be combined with the plastic film layer to form a bi-laminate product, or two outer carded webs may be combined with an intermediate plastic film to form a tri-laminate product.

Abstract: A nonwoven fabric of superior uniaxial elasticity is provided. The nonwoven fabric comprises of conjugate filaments each of which is about concentric sheath-core type. Core component is composed of polyester and sheath component is composed of polyolefine. In the nonwoven fabric, heat bonded areas are interspersed by heat bonding the conjugate filaments one another by softening or melting the sheath component. The nonwoven fabric satisfies following four properties concurrently: (i) breaking elongation in cross direction is 150% or more, (ii) ratio of breaking elongation in cross direction to breaking elongation in machine direction is 5 or more, (iii) percentage of elastic recovery at the time of extending the nonwoven fabric by 50% in cross direction is 60% or more, and (iv) percentage of elastic recovery at the time of extending the nonwoven fabric by 100% in cross direction is 50% or more. A heat is partially applied to a filamentous web, thereby obtaining a filamentous fleece.

Abstract: A bulky and highly strong filament nonwoven fabric and method of manufacturing the filament nonwoven fabric which is made of conjugated filaments, whose intersections are melted and adhered, and which has a 15-35 cc/g specific volume and satisfies the following Formula (1) between strength and specific volume;Y.gtoreq.-1.25X+125 (1)wherein Y is a geometrical mean of vertical and horizontal strength per 5 cm wide and 1 g/cm.sup.2 nonwoven fabric ?unit: g/(g/m.sup.2 .multidot.5 cm!; Y=(MD.times.CD).sup.1/2 where MD is vertical strength ?unit: g/(g/m.sup.2 .multidot.5 cm! and CD is horizontal strength ?unit: g/(g/m.sup.2 .multidot.5 cm!; and X=specific volume of a nonwoven fabric ?unit: cc/g!; and wherein the conjugated filament is made of a low melting point polymer and a high melting point polymer with a difference in melting points of at least 15.degree. C., and has the low melting point polymer on at least one section of a filament surface and has crimps.

Abstract: A loop material suitable for use in a hook-and-loop fastening system, which loop material includes a bonded carded web having a first side and a second side. The bonded carded web has a basis weight of from about 15 to about 140 grams per square meter and a thickness of from about 1 mm to about 15 mm. The bonded carded web may be thermally pattern bonded. The bonded carded web is composed of fibers having a denier per filament greater than 2, with from 100 to 0 percent by weight of the fibers being thermoplastic polymer fibers and from 0 to 100 percent by weight of the fibers being bicomponent thermoplastic polymer fibers. The first component of the bicomponent fibers has a melting point which is at least about 50.degree. C. lower than the melting point of the second component. The bonded carded web has a plurality of interfiber bonds.

Abstract: A fluid impervious and non-slip fabric is manufactured by thermally laminating a polyolefin film onto a non-woven fabric backing. The polyolefin film preferably comprises a polyblend of propylene copolymer and polyethylene. A shoe cover manufactured from the above laminated fabric has enhanced non-slip and fluid impervious properties.

Abstract: Nonwoven webs consolidated and elastic transverse direction, laminates and methods of making same are disclosed.

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: A method for manufacturing of an absorbent structure in an absorbent article, such as a sanitary napkin, tampon, panty protector, incontinence guard, diaper, bed protector, wound or sore dressing, saliva absorbent and like articles is comprising the use of absorbent material in roll form directly in the product without first defibrating the material and then forming a mat. The material possesses good aquisition properties, which are meaningful to the function of the product. A high surface dryness is obtained, among other things. In addition to cellulose fibers, the absorbent structure may also include superabsorbent material and/or binding fibers, among other ingredients. The pulp mat is very thin, therewith obviating the need to compress the mat further in the product. In the case of certain product applications, the material is softened mechanically prior to its use as an absorbent material.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an absorbent structure in an absorbent article, such as a sanitary napkin, tampon, panty protector, incontinence guard, diaper, bed protector, wound or sore dressing, saliva absorbent and like articles is produced by using absorbent material in roll form directly in the product without first defibrating the material and then forming a mat. The material possesses good wicking properties and swelling properties, which are meaningful to the function of the product. A high surface dryness is obtained, among other things. In addition to cellulose fibres, the absorbent structure may also include superabsorbent material and/or binding fibres, among other ingredients, The pulp mat is very thin, therewith obviating the need to compress the mat further in the product. In the case of certain product applications, the material is softened mechanically prior to its use as an absorbent material.

Abstract: Described is a rollable thermal insulation comprising synthetic fiber material and having a thermal conductivity of not more than 0.04 W/m*K (determined in accordance with DIN 4108 Part 1) and a DIN 4102 Part 1 fire behavior corresponding to building material class B1, wherein the synthetic fiber material is composed of carrier and bonding fibers made of polyester, preferably polyethylene terephthalate, the bonding fibers consisting in at least parts of the surface of a polyester having a melting point which is below the melting point of the carrier fibers.

Abstract: There is provided a process which comprises the step of subjecting a just produced spunbond web to a high flow rate, heated stream of air across substantially the width of the web to very lightly bond the fibers of the web together. Such bonding should be the minimum necessary in order to satisfy the needs of further processing yet not detrimentally affect the web. The fibers of the web may be monocomponent or biconstituent and the web should be substantially free of adhesives and not subjected to compaction rolls.

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: A nonwoven disposable article is constructed using adhesive compositions containing 1 to 25% of a surfactant, which causes the adhesive composition to exhibit a contact angle of 90.degree. or less and a reduction in surface tension of less than or equal to about 35-40 dynes/cm, giving improved wicking capabilities to the nonwoven.

Abstract: The invention concerns a vehicle seat, in particular for aircraft, comprising: a cushion made of plastic foam, a supporting body of an open-cell, resilient plastic foam with a first relative density; a middle layer with a second relative density different from the first; and a covering material. The layers are bonded together. A flame-resistant intermediate layer may be arranged between the supporting body and the covering material. The intermediate layer may be formed from a lattice or mesh of high temperature-resistant fibers or threads. The middle layer (18) is a nonwoven fabric of at least one fiber layer of needled or thermally bonded fibers or threads of synthetic and/or natural materials which are preferably applied to a carrier layer by needling.