Disclosed is an artificial leather base material including: a non-woven fabric that is an entangle body of fibers (A) and fibers (B); and an elastic polymer applied inside the non-woven fabric, wherein the fibers (A) are crimped fibers that are formed from two types of resins with intrinsic viscosities different from each other, and that are filaments of 0.6 dtex or more, and the fibers (B) are ultrafine fibers of less than 0.6 dtex.

The invention relates to non-woven protein fibers and to methods for forming and producing the same. In certain embodiments, the invention provides a method of processing a protein comprising dissolving a protein in a solution, optionally removing any insoluble materials from the solution, and spraying the solution under an applied pressure. In other embodiments, the protein can be derived from a range of sources, including but not limited to arthropod silks, animal keratin (e.g. hair and wool), tissue elastin, collagen, resilin, and plant protein. In certain embodiments, the methods of the invention are an alternative to electrospinning methods known in the art.

The invention relates to non-woven protein fibers and to methods for forming and producing the same. In certain embodiments, the invention provides a method of processing a protein comprising dissolving a protein in a solution, optionally removing any insoluble materials from the solution, and spraying the solution under an applied pressure. In other embodiments, the protein can be derived from a range of sources, including but not limited to arthropod silks, animal keratin (e.g. hair and wool), tissue elastin, collagen, resilin, and plant protein. In certain embodiments, the methods of the invention are an alternative to electrospinning methods known in the art.

An object of the present invention is to provide a method for efficiently manufacturing a protein crimped staple from protein filaments at a low cost. A manufacturing method for a protein crimped staple according to the present invention includes: a) preparing an artificial fibroin filament containing a modified fibroin; b) cutting the artificial fibroin filament to obtain an artificial fibroin staple; and c) performing crimping by bringing the artificial fibroin filament into contact with an aqueous medium to crimp the artificial fibroin filament before the cutting or bringing the artificial fibroin staple into contact with an aqueous medium to crimp the artificial fibroin staple after the cutting.

The invention addresses the problem of providing a filter medium for a liquid filter, which has a low weight per unit and yet has high strength, high collectability, and a long life, and also a liquid filter. As a means for resolution, using a main fiber having a fiber diameter of 4.0 m or less and an aspect ratio of 100 to 2,500 and a binder fiber having a fiber diameter of 3.0 m or less and an aspect ratio of 100 to 2,500, a filter medium for a liquid filter in which the weight proportion of the binder fiber relative to the weight of the filter medium is 10 to 50 wt %, and the weight per unit is within a range of 5 to 80 g/m.sup.2, and also a liquid filter are obtained.

The invention addresses the problem of providing a filter medium for a liquid filter, which has a low weight per unit and yet has high strength, high collectability, and a long life, and also a liquid filter. As a means for resolution, using a main fiber having a fiber diameter of 4.0 m or less and an aspect ratio of 100 to 2,500 and a binder fiber having a fiber diameter of 3.0 m or less and an aspect ratio of 100 to 2,500, a filter medium for a liquid filter in which the weight proportion of the binder fiber relative to the weight of the filter medium is 10 to 50 wt %, and the weight per unit is within a range of 5 to 80 g/m.sup.2, and also a liquid filter are obtained.

The invention provides a method and a structure for cutting out elastic filaments. The cutting structure has a conveying device and a cutting device; the cutting method cutting an elastic membrane material, the elastic membrane material being combined with at least one cushion layer, conveying the elastic membrane material to the cutting device to cut the elastic membrane material a plurality of times, cutting the elastic membrane material into elastic filaments with certainty, and even cutting out fine elastic filaments. The elastic filament can be woven into a textile, or used as a sewing thread or an embroidery thread for apparel.

The invention is a composite yarn construction whose structure provides more fiber-shedding resistance while preserving the look-and-feel characteristics of the underlying core structure.

Disclosed embodiments describe a reconstructed filament comprising natural protein fibrils and an additive. Disclosed embodiments also describe a wool comprising: a plurality of staple fibers formed of reconstructed filaments, wherein the reconstructed filaments comprise natural protein fibrils and an additive. Disclosed embodiments also describe a yarn spun from staple fibers, the yarn comprising: staple fibers comprising reconstructed filament, wherein the reconstructed filament comprises natural protein fibrils and an additive. Disclosed embodiments also describe an item comprising a reconstructed filament, wherein the reconstructed filament comprises natural protein fibrils and an additive.

Disclosed embodiments describe a reconstructed filament comprising natural protein fibrils and an additive. Disclosed embodiments also describe a wool comprising: a plurality of staple fibers formed of reconstructed filaments, wherein the reconstructed filaments comprise natural protein fibrils and an additive. Disclosed embodiments also describe a yarn spun from staple fibers, the yarn comprising: staple fibers comprising reconstructed filament, wherein the reconstructed filament comprises natural protein fibrils and an additive. Disclosed embodiments also describe an item comprising a reconstructed filament, wherein the reconstructed filament comprises natural protein fibrils and an additive.