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: Nonwoven fibrous webs having substantial strength in the direction normal to their planes and the preparation of such webs.

Abstract: To avoid breakage and weak points at the points of deflection in case of a large deflection angle and deep deformations a non-woven is formed of several fiber components, which forms a flexible, dimensionally stable molded article under pressure and temperature. An additional CoPES-fiber component facilitates lamination with other fibers without having to use additional auxiliaries.

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: An improved wet wipe includes a multiple layer basesheet to provide a unique combination of properties to the wipe which are not capable in a single layer basesheet. The layered basesheet includes at least two layers which include different fibers and have different physical properties. One of the layers may include polyethylene fibers to provide a soft, gentle feel for contacting the skin of the user during use while the other layer may include polypropylene fibers to provide strength and resiliency to the wipe to withstand the forces exerted by the user, and maintain its shape and integrity in use.

Abstract: This invention relates to a filter and a method of making a filter. The filter is made of randomly orientated fibers made from an interpenetrating network formed from at least two polymers which are substantially water soluble in their salt form and which ionically interact in an aqueous solution to form the interpenetrating network. The filter is made without organic solvents, particularly, volatile organic compounds, and the filter is sufficiently water soluble to biodegrade upon disposal. A desired use of the filter is a cigarette filter.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fabric used for preparing a base member of a trim member. This fabric is prepared by heating a mixture of a vegetable stiff fiber and a thermoplastic fiber. With this heating, the thermoplastic fiber becomes soft, and thus the vegetable stiff fiber and the thermoplastic fiber are united together. Examples of the vegetable stiff fiber are hemp fiber, coconut fiber and bamboo fiber. An example of the thermoplastic fiber is a composite fiber made of polyethylene and polypropylene. The fabric is superior in strength and workability and becomes advantageously low in heating temperature for molding the fabric.

Abstract: A low-stretch and dimensionally stable floor covering (1) comprising polymer-containing pile material (2) which is retained to a polymer-containing primary backing (3), to the back of which an underlying secondary backing layer (5) is retained by means of an interleafing adhesive layer (4). The secondary backing layer (5) comprises a needled fibre structure of thermoplastic, polymer-containing, continuous or staple fibres being inter-fixated by heating. The adhesive layer (4) comprises an organic, polymer-containing binder which is activated by heat application. According to the invention, at least the secondary backing layer and/or the binder layer comprise a substantially re-usable material. After being formed, the carpet is wound onto so-called broadloom rollers and can, if desired, be cut partially into carpet tiles. Thus, carpet tiles and broadloom carpets can be manufactured in the same production process.

Abstract: Non-woven fiber fabrics are described, suitable for use in self-supporting dust filter units having at least one passage (10) defined by wall portions (12) made from air permeable fiber fabric through which wall portions (12) air can pass a d be drawn off along the passage (10) but which prevent the passage therethrough of dust and/or other debris carried by the air. The non-woven fabrics are blends of high temperature resistant fibers. A preferred blend consists of 50% by weight polyimide fibers and 50% by weight aramid fibers, but may include glass fibers, polytetrafuoroethylene fibers, or others and may optionally include an amount of heat activated fibers having a relatively high melting point for example, polyphenylene sulphide fibers.

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: 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 glass and metal fiber material includes a web of nonwoven metal fibers and glass. The metal fibers of the web are joined by bubbles of glass to other metal fibers of the web. The nonwoven metal fibers can be the same or different lengths and do not need to be sintered. The material is flexible and capable of withstanding very high temperatures. Spaces or voids between metal fibers allow embodiments of the material to be porous. However, the voids can be completely or partially filled to alter the porosity of the material. An exemplary method of making the glass and metal fiber material in accordance with the invention includes the steps of juxtaposing metal fibers with glass fibers and heating at least the glass fibers to cause them to melt. The melting glass envelops part or all of the metal fibers. When the glass cools, at least some of the of metal fibers are bound to other metal fibers by the glass.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a fabric capable of reflecting electromagnetic waves. The fabric contains metal-coated (preferably aluminum) glass fibers bonded together with sheath-core binder fibers. The glass fibers are typically less than 11/4 inches long and the binder fibers are originally approximately 2 inches long. The glass and binder fibers are thoroughly mixed and spread across a flat surface, such as a conveyor, prior to heating. After heating, the mixture is compressed to form the reflective fabric.

Abstract: This invention relates to a filter and a method of making a filter. The filter is made of randomly orientated fibers made from an interpenetrating network formed from at least two polymers which are substantially water soluble in their salt form and which ionically interact in an aqueous solution to form the interpenetrating network. The filter is made without organic solvents, particularly, volatile organic compound, and the filter is sufficiently water soluble to biodegrade upon disposal. A desired use of the filter is a cigarette filter.

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: An abrasive nonwoven fibrous web material is produced by initially forming a nonabrasive precursor nonwoven fibrous web material having on a first planar surface thereof a substantially uniform distribution of attenuated meltable thermoplastic fibers, such as polypropylene fibers. The precursor web is heated sufficiently to cause the attenuated thermoplastic fibers therein to shrink and form nodulated fiber remnants that impart a roughened abrasive character to the planar surface of the resultant web material. The concentration of the abrasive fiber remnants decreases across the thickness of the web material from the abrasive planar surface toward the opposite planar surface of the web to provide an abrasive fiber remnant gradient across the web. The nodulated abrasive fiber remnants comprise about 10%-50% by weight of the total fiber content of the web material and exhibit an average particle size of at least about 100 micrometers.

Abstract: Compostable and biodegradable compositions of a blend of natural cellulosic and thermoplastic biodegradable fibers are disclosed. Typically the compositions include cotton and cellulose acetate. A process for the manufacture of a nonwoven composition which comprises a compostable blend of natural cellulosic fibers such as cotton and thermoplastic biodegradable fibers such as cellulose acetate; the blend is then carded to obtain the nonwoven composition.

Abstract: An evaporative cooler pad includes a high loft body of synthetic staple fibers having a plurality of channels extending along the longitudinal axis thereof. The open nature of the pad allows air to flow freely through the pad, while the longitudinal channels serve to wick water contacting the pad throughout the pad, thus optimizing the cooling efficiency of the pad.

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 mat made on the basis of a nonwoven comprising fibrous parts predominantly of plastic which are in part thermoplastic and of low-melting point and in part high-melting point, and wherein coherence is obtained by superficial melting of the low-melting point thermoplastic fibers.

Abstract: A glass-fiber-containing nonwoven polymer web is prepared by providing a nonwoven polymer web, applying a layer of glass fibers onto the nonwoven polymer web, and encapsulating the glass fibers into the nonwoven polymer web utilizing heat and pressure. Alternatively, a glass-fiber-containing polymer web is prepared by providing a first nonwoven polymer web, applying a layer of glass fibers onto the first nonwoven polymer web, superposing over the layer of glass fibers a second nonwoven polymer web, and laminating together the assemblage to encapsulate the glass 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: Method to produce a nonwoven needled fabric in which the needled fabric includes 15-30% of low melt nylon 6 and nylon 12 fusible fibers to aid in holding the nonwoven fabric together when passed through an oven to melt the fusible fibers and then allow them to cool and bind the fabric together.

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: A composite nonwoven material comprises at least one layer (2) of a carded voile of hydrophobic thermoplastic fibers, the said fibers being partially disoriented in at least a proportion of the thickness of the voile so that a proportion of the said fibers has an angular orientation in relation to the main plane of the fibers of the said voile, and a layer (3) made of voile of nonwoven of noncarded type of hydrophobic thermo-plastic fibers, the fibers of at least one of the layers being chosen from fibers with a low melting point, two-component fibers, mixtures of such fibers with fibers of high melting point and fibers mixed with a binder or one face of the voile of one of the layers is coated with a binder, the layers being joined together by heat-melting.