A method of manufacturing a cushioning material P includes a defibrating step of defibrating a cloth to produce fibers F in dry forming, a mixing step of mixing the fibers F with a bonding agent to produce a mixture, an accumulation step of accumulating the mixture in air to produce a web W, and a first forming step of pressurizing and heating the web W to form the web W.

A method of manufacturing a cushioning material P includes a defibrating step of defibrating a cloth to produce fibers F in dry forming, a mixing step of mixing the fibers F with a bonding agent to produce a mixture, an accumulation step of accumulating the mixture in air to produce a web W, and a first forming step of pressurizing and heating the web W to form the web W.

Disclosed are fibers comprising one or more branded fibers which exhibit surface markings in a repeated pattern along the length of the branded fibers. The branded fibers can be incorporated into yarns or fiber bands to represent supply chain information of the yarns, fiber bands, and/or articles made from the yards or fiber bands. In a specific example, branded fibers can be incorporated into an acetate tow band The branded fibers can be recovered from a cigarette filter, the repeated pattern decoded, and supply chain information associated with the acetate tow used to make the cigarette filter, such as manufacturer, customer, ship to location, and even the acetate tow bale, can be obtained.

Disclosed are fibers comprising one or more branded fibers which exhibit surface markings in a repeated pattern along the length of the branded fibers. The branded fibers can be incorporated into yarns or fiber bands to represent supply chain information of the yarns, fiber bands, and/or articles made from the yards or fiber bands. In a specific example, branded fibers can be incorporated into an acetate tow band The branded fibers can be recovered from a cigarette filter, the repeated pattern decoded, and supply chain information associated with the acetate tow used to make the cigarette filter, such as manufacturer, customer, ship to location, and even the acetate tow bale, can be obtained.

Disclosed are fibers which contains identification fibers. The identification fibers can contain a plurality of distinct features, or taggants, which vary among the fibers and/or along the length of the identification fibers, a fiber band, or yarn. The disclosed embodiments also relate to the method for making and characterizing the fibers. Characterization of the fibers can include identifying distinct features, combinations of distinct features, and number of fibers with various combinations of distinct features and correlating the distinct features to supply chain information. The supply chain information can be used to track the fibers, fiber band, or yarn from manufacturing through intermediaries, conversion to final product, and/or the consumer.

Disclosed are fibers which contains identification fibers. The identification fibers can contain a plurality of distinct features, or taggants, which vary among the fibers and/or along the length of the identification fibers, a fiber band, or yarn. The disclosed embodiments also relate to the method for making and characterizing the fibers. Characterization of the fibers can include identifying distinct features, combinations of distinct features, and number of fibers with various combinations of distinct features and correlating the distinct features to supply chain information. The supply chain information can be used to track the fibers, fiber band, or yarn from manufacturing through intermediaries, conversion to final product, and/or the consumer.

The invention relates to a pan scale (1) for weighing and ejecting fiber components (32) onto a mixing belt (34) with an upwardly open container (2), comprising a multiple number of side walls (4, 5, 6, 7) and a bottom (9) divided into two parts in the longitudinal direction of the container, whereas the bottom (9) is formed by two rotatably hinged bottom flaps (10, 11), which can be rotated away from one another from an inner closing position abutting against one another into an outer open position. In accordance with the invention, the two bottom flaps (10, 11) are formed in a manner asymmetrical to one another, such that they feature bottom surfaces of different sizes (18, 19). In addition or alternatively, at least one of the two bottom flaps (10, 11) features a retaining device (28) at least in one area on its bottom surface (18, 19), by means of which, upon the opening of the associated bottom flap (18, 19), a part of the fiber components (32) can be retained by means of a form closure and/or frictional closure up to a partial opening angle ().

The invention relates to a pan scale (1) for weighing and ejecting fiber components (32) onto a mixing belt (34) with an upwardly open container (2), comprising a multiple number of side walls (4, 5, 6, 7) and a bottom (9) divided into two parts in the longitudinal direction of the container, whereas the bottom (9) is formed by two rotatably hinged bottom flaps (10, 11), which can be rotated away from one another from an inner closing position abutting against one another into an outer open position. In accordance with the invention, the two bottom flaps (10, 11) are formed in a manner asymmetrical to one another, such that they feature bottom surfaces of different sizes (18, 19). In addition or alternatively, at least one of the two bottom flaps (10, 11) features a retaining device (28) at least in one area on its bottom surface (18, 19), by means of which, upon the opening of the associated bottom flap (18, 19), a part of the fiber components (32) can be retained by means of a form closure and/or frictional closure up to a partial opening angle ().

High-melting antimicrobial polymer fibers and antimicrobial fabrics comprising such fibers are prepared by preparing a masterbatch of polymer pellets (e.g., PET), silver and copper salts, and a compounding agent which provides free flowing polymer pellets which can be prepared in advance, with a long shelf life. Polymer masterbatches prepared by the methods of the invention can produce limited color or off-white antimicrobial fibers and fabrics using conventional melt spinning manufacturing methods. Fabrics incorporating fibers of the present invention are potent inhibitors of Athlete's foot fungi, gram negative and gram positive bacteria, and drug resistant pathogens.

High-melting antimicrobial polymer fibers and antimicrobial fabrics comprising such fibers are prepared by preparing a masterbatch of polymer pellets (e.g., PET), silver and copper salts, and a compounding agent which provides free flowing polymer pellets which can be prepared in advance, with a long shelf life. Polymer masterbatches prepared by the methods of the invention can produce limited color or off-white antimicrobial fibers and fabrics using conventional melt spinning manufacturing methods. Fabrics incorporating fibers of the present invention are potent inhibitors of Athlete's foot fungi, gram negative and gram positive bacteria, and drug resistant pathogens.