A semi-finished textile for producing a fiber composite component part has a textile structure and a fixation structure so as to provide a semi-finished textile that can be easily handled and that is suitable for use in complex component part shapes. The textile structure includes a first multitude of reinforcement-fiber bundles of high-performance fibers. Displacement sections are formed between adjacent reinforcement-fiber bundles and adjacent reinforcement-fiber bundles can be displaced against each other. The fixation structure fixates the reinforcement-fiber bundles, depending on the textile structure, with a fixation pattern in such a way that the reinforcement-fiber bundles are fixated at least partially and the displacement sections remain at least partially free.

A continuous filament spun-laid web includes a plurality of polymer fibers within the web, the web having a first thickness and the web being free of any thermal or mechanical bonding treatment. Activation of the web results in at least one of an increase from the first thickness prior to activation to a second thickness post activation in which the second thickness is at least about two times greater than the first thickness, a decrease in density of the web post activation in relation to a density of the web prior to activation, the web being configured to withstand an elastic elongation from about 10% to about 350% in at least one of a machine direction (MD) of the web and a cross-direction (CD) of the web, and the web having a tensile strength from about 50 gram-force/cm.sup.2 to about 5000 gram-force/cm.sup.2.

A continuous filament spun-laid web includes a plurality of polymer fibers within the web, the web having a first thickness and the web being free of any thermal or mechanical bonding treatment. Activation of the web results in at least one of an increase from the first thickness prior to activation to a second thickness post activation in which the second thickness is at least about two times greater than the first thickness, a decrease in density of the web post activation in relation to a density of the web prior to activation, the web being configured to withstand an elastic elongation from about 10% to about 350% in at least one of a machine direction (MD) of the web and a cross-direction (CD) of the web, and the web having a tensile strength from about 50 gram-force/cm.sup.2 to about 5000 gram-force/cm.sup.2.

It is described a nonwoven cellulose fiber fabric directly manufactured from a lyocell spinning solution. The fabric comprises a network of substantially endless fibers. The fabric is characterized by at least one of the following features: (i) a rate of liquid spread is at least 3000 mm2 within 5 minutes; (ii) a water absorbing capability is characterized by a wicking speed of at least 0.25 gram water per 1 gram fabric and 1 second. It is further described a method and a device for manufacturing such a fabric, a product or composite comprising such a fabric, and various use applications for such a fabric.

Nonwoven webs comprising a water insoluble -(1,3.fwdarw.glucan) polymer and methods of forming the nonwoven webs are disclosed. The water insoluble -(1,3.fwdarw.glucan) polymer comprises 90% or greater -1,3-glycosidic linkages, less than 1% by weight of -1,3,6-glycosidic branch points, a number average degree of polymerization in the range of from 55 to 10,000, and a ratio of apparent DPw to true DPw in the range of from 2 to 10. The nonwoven webs can be used for personal hygiene wipes, filtration media, apparel, or other uses.

Nonwoven webs comprising a water insoluble -(1,3.fwdarw.glucan) polymer and methods of forming the nonwoven webs are disclosed. The water insoluble -(1,3.fwdarw.glucan) polymer comprises 90% or greater -1,3-glycosidic linkages, less than 1% by weight of -1,3,6-glycosidic branch points, a number average degree of polymerization in the range of from 55 to 10,000, and a ratio of apparent DPw to true DPw in the range of from 2 to 10. The nonwoven webs can be used for personal hygiene wipes, filtration media, apparel, or other uses.

Apparatus and methods for delivering a heated fluid. The apparatus includes at least a preheat zone, an expansion zone, and an expanded zone comprising a plurality of trim heaters, at least one fluid flow-distribution sheet, and an outlet. The apparatus may be used for delivering the heated fluid onto a moving fluid-permeable substrate.

Apparatus and methods for delivering a heated fluid. The apparatus includes at least a preheat zone, an expansion zone, and an expanded zone comprising a plurality of trim heaters, at least one fluid flow-distribution sheet, and an outlet. The apparatus may be used for delivering the heated fluid onto a moving fluid-permeable substrate.

According to the invention, there is provided a method of compressing an uncured man-made vitreous fibre web, the web having two opposed major faces. The method comprising the steps: passing the web along a path; and subjecting the web to thickness compression by applying compression to the two major opposed faces of the web. Compression of each of said major faces of the web is applied by passing the path between converging continuous or discontinuous compression surfaces. Further, the respective major face of the web that is being compressed is in contact with one of the converging compression surfaces, and said converging compression surface is inclined towards the path. Additionally, each inclined converging compression surface applies an amount of compression to the major face of the web with which the respective inclined converging surface is in contact, wherein the amount of compression applied to at least one of the two opposing major faces of the web is adjustable.

Apparatus and methods for delivering a heated fluid. The apparatus includes at least a preheat zone, an expansion zone, and an expanded zone comprising a plurality of trim heaters, at least one fluid flow-distribution sheet, and an outlet. The apparatus may be used for delivering the heated fluid onto a moving fluid-permeable substrate.