A smokeless tobacco product includes smokeless tobacco and structural fibers. The structural fibers forming a network in which the smokeless tobacco is entangled. The structural fibers have a composition different from the smokeless tobacco. The tobacco-entangled fabric can have an overall oven volatiles content of at least 10 weight percent. In some embodiments, the structural fibers form a nonwoven network. In some embodiments, fibrous structures of the smokeless tobacco are entangled with the structural fibers.

A method of needling a fiber layer, includes first needling the fiber layer by a needling head, during which the fiber layer is caused to move in translation relative to the needling head, wherein needles of the needling head are distributed uniformly over a surface of the needling head; after the first needling, shifting the fiber layer relative to the needling head along a shift direction through a distance d equal to N.Math.x.Math.p, where N is an integer not less than 1, x is a coefficient greater than 0, and less than 1, and p designates the pitch of two consecutive needles of the needling head along the shift direction; and second needling the fiber layer, after the shifting, and during which the fiber layer is moved in translation relative to the needling head, the needles not penetrating, during the second needling, into the holes formed during the first needling.

A method of needling a fiber layer, includes first needling the fiber layer by a needling head, during which the fiber layer is caused to move in translation relative to the needling head, wherein needles of the needling head are distributed uniformly over a surface of the needling head; after the first needling, shifting the fiber layer relative to the needling head along a shift direction through a distance d equal to N.Math.x.Math.p, where N is an integer not less than 1, x is a coefficient greater than 0, and less than 1, and p designates the pitch of two consecutive needles of the needling head along the shift direction; and second needling the fiber layer, after the shifting, and during which the fiber layer is moved in translation relative to the needling head, the needles not penetrating, during the second needling, into the holes formed during the first needling.

A smokeless tobacco product includes smokeless tobacco and structural fibers. The structural fibers forming a network in which the smokeless tobacco is entangled. The structural fibers have a composition different from the smokeless tobacco. The tobacco-entangled fabric can have an overall oven volatiles content of at least 10 weight percent. In some embodiments, the structural fibers form a nonwoven network. In some embodiments, fibrous structures of the smokeless tobacco are entangled with the structural fibers.

A smokeless tobacco product includes smokeless tobacco and structural fibers. The structural fibers forming a network in which the smokeless tobacco is entangled. The structural fibers have a composition different from the smokeless tobacco. The tobacco-entangled fabric can have an overall oven volatiles content of at least 10 weight percent. In some embodiments, the structural fibers form a nonwoven network. In some embodiments, fibrous structures of the smokeless tobacco are entangled with the structural fibers.

The present invention provides a mat comprising a layer having a mixture of long and short fibers wherein said short fibers have a length of not more than about 13 mm and wherein said long fibers have a length of at least about 20 mm and wherein the amount of said short fibers is at least about 3% by weight based on the total weight of said mixture of long and short fibers.

The present invention provides a mat comprising a layer having a mixture of long and short fibers wherein said short fibers have a length of not more than about 13 mm and wherein said long fibers have a length of at least about 20 mm and wherein the amount of said short fibers is at least about 3% by weight based on the total weight of said mixture of long and short fibers.

Nonwoven fabrics are provided that include (i) continuous fibers and (ii) a blend of staple fibers comprising polyester staple fibers, bicomponent staple fibers, microfiber staple fibers, and wettable staple fibers, in which the continuous fibers are mechanically entangled with the blend of staple fibers. The continuous fibers and the blend of staple fibers may be mechanically entangled via a hydroentangling process.

Nonwoven fabrics are provided that include (i) continuous fibers and (ii) a blend of staple fibers comprising polyester staple fibers, bicomponent staple fibers, microfiber staple fibers, and wettable staple fibers, in which the continuous fibers are mechanically entangled with the blend of staple fibers. The continuous fibers and the blend of staple fibers may be mechanically entangled via a hydroentangling process.

The present invention provides a mounting mat for mounting a pollution control element or monolith in a pollution control device, said mounting mat comprising a layer having a mixture of long and short fibers wherein said short fibers have a length of not more than about 13 mm and wherein said long fibers have a length of at least about 20 mm and wherein the amount of said short fibers is at least about 3% by weight based on the total weight of said mixture of long and short fibers.