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.

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.

A nonwoven fabric composite 1 includes: a multilayer and long-fiber nonwoven fabric (A) which is a laminate of nonwoven fabrics continuously obtained through spinning melted resin formable into fibers; and a yarn (B) formed of fibers different from the fibers forming the multilayer and long-fiber nonwoven fabric (A), and introduced in the multilayer and long-fiber nonwoven fabric (A) by in-line lamination. The fibers of the yarn (B) include electrically conductive fibers.

An article with a component joined with stitchbonding to a nonwoven textile formed from a plurality of thermoplastic polymer filaments. The nonwoven material, component, yarn, and stitch pattern can be optimized using disclosed structures and components to provide the article with desirable characteristics such as increased tensile and tear strength, improved aesthetics, moisture resistance and to limit or modify the stretch of the article in one or more directions and the like. A variety of products, including apparel (e.g., shirts, pants, footwear) may incorporate the article. In some of these products, the nonwoven textile may also be joined to the component with other bonding structures such as heat bonding, adhesives and the like.

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.

The disclosed technology is generally directed to a method for manufacturing a carbon fiber structure. In one example of the technology, the method may include mounting inner mold segments on a rod. The rod may correspond to one of: a continuous threaded rod and a cogged center rod. A first motor may spin the rod to linearly move the inner mold segments on the rod. While the inner mold segments are moving linearly, a second motor may spin a set of carbon fiber tows mounted on a mandrel around the inner mold segments to wind a set of carbon fiber threads of the set of carbon fiber tows around the inner mold segments. Further, a set of outer mold segments may compress the wound carbon fiber threads around the inner mold segments by applying heat and pressure to manufacture the carbon fiber structure.

The disclosed technology is generally directed to a method for manufacturing a carbon fiber structure. In one example of the technology, the method may include mounting inner mold segments on a rod. The rod may correspond to one of: a continuous threaded rod and a cogged center rod. A first motor may spin the rod to linearly move the inner mold segments on the rod. While the inner mold segments are moving linearly, a second motor may spin a set of carbon fiber tows mounted on a mandrel around the inner mold segments to wind a set of carbon fiber threads of the set of carbon fiber tows around the inner mold segments. Further, a set of outer mold segments may compress the wound carbon fiber threads around the inner mold segments by applying heat and pressure to manufacture the carbon fiber structure.

The present invention provides a nonwoven fabric that is biodegradable and has a good pleat retaining property, and an application thereof. The present invention relates to a nonwoven fabric comprising at least one fiber layer (I) which contains a polylactic acid polymer and which has an average fiber diameter of 10-30 m, wherein in polarized Raman spectroscopy of the fiber layer (I), the value I///I, which is the ratio of the peak intensity I// at 872 cm.sup.1 of a Raman spectrum measured with polarized light parallel to a fiber axis, to the peak intensity I at 872 cm.sup.1 of a Raman spectrum measured with polarized light perpendicular to the fiber axis, is not more than 1.80. The present invention also relates to a filter material comprising the nonwoven fabric, and a filter for foods, an air filter, and a mask which each comprise the filter material.