A felting needle has a working part that extends lengthwise along a part of the longitudinal extent thereof. The needle has a cross-sectional area which extends in the radial and circumferential directions of the felting needle and forms the cross-sectional area of the working part for much of the length thereof and at least one barb which penetrates into the working part which is formed by an incut running from the outer surface of the working part towards the interior of the needle. The needle includes at least one bulge which projects beyond the circumferential surface of the felting needle in the working part thereof. The bulge extends lengthwise only along a part of the working part and has volume constituents that do not belong to the barbing bead of the barb. The barb adjoins the outer surface of the bulge lengthwise along the felting needle.

A preform manufacturing apparatus comprising a supply of fiber strip, a moveable positive fiber strip delivery mechanism coupled between a desired lay down location and the supply of fiber strip to positively deliver and orient the supply of fiber strip to the desired lay down location, and an electronic unwinder coupled to the supply of fiber strip is described herein. The electronic unwinder is configured to interact with the moveable positive fiber strip delivery mechanism.

A preform manufacturing apparatus comprising a supply of fiber strip, a moveable positive fiber strip delivery mechanism coupled between a desired lay down location and the supply of fiber strip to positively deliver and orient the supply of fiber strip to the desired lay down location, and an electronic unwinder coupled to the supply of fiber strip is described herein. The electronic unwinder is configured to interact with the moveable positive fiber strip delivery mechanism.

The needle module for mounting in receptacles of a needle board of a needling machine comprises a plurality of module segments. Each module segment comprises a segment head and at least one needle, and the segment head is equipped with the at least one needle. The needle module also comprises a guide element extending in a longitudinal direction of the needle module. In an adjustment state of the needle module, the module segments are connected to the guide element, and at least one module segment is movable along the guide element.

An installation for consolidating a batt of fibers, for example a nonwoven web, includes a mechanical consolidation workstation using needlepunching from which the fiber batt emerges in a machine or MD direction. A device is provided downstream of the consolidation workstation for stretching in the cross or CD direction which is transverse, in particular perpendicular, to the machine direction, and parallel to the plane of the batt, particularly before it is wound onto a reel. A consolidated nonwoven that can be obtained by the installation is also provided.

An installation for consolidating a batt of fibers, for example a nonwoven web, includes a mechanical consolidation workstation using needlepunching from which the fiber batt emerges in a machine or MD direction. A device is provided downstream of the consolidation workstation for stretching in the cross or CD direction which is transverse, in particular perpendicular, to the machine direction, and parallel to the plane of the batt, particularly before it is wound onto a reel. A consolidated nonwoven that can be obtained by the installation is also provided.

A loom system for making a fibrous preform may comprise a base, a bedplate coupled to the base, wherein the bedplate is configured to rotate about an axis of rotation, and an air entangling module coupled to the base. The air entangling module may comprise an air entangling head coupled to an outer support and an inner support, wherein the air entangling head is configured to apply a jet of air toward the bedplate at an entangling zone. The air entangling head may have freedom of motion along the outer support and the inner support, and may be configured to rest on top of a fibrous layer.

A loom system for making a fibrous preform may comprise a base, a bedplate coupled to the base, wherein the bedplate is configured to rotate about an axis of rotation, and an air entangling module coupled to the base. The air entangling module may comprise an air entangling head coupled to an outer support and an inner support, wherein the air entangling head is configured to apply a jet of air toward the bedplate at an entangling zone. The air entangling head may have freedom of motion along the outer support and the inner support, and may be configured to rest on top of a fibrous layer.

One or more fastener tabs using particular spunlace materials are described. The fastener tabs find wide application as closure systems and can be used in products such as in disposable diapers.

One or more fastener tabs using particular spunlace materials are described. The fastener tabs find wide application as closure systems and can be used in products such as in disposable diapers.