The present invention relates to a process and an apparatus for making a fibrous web comprising a plurality of first areas comprising hydroentangled fibers, the first areas being discrete in a machine direction and/or a counter-machine direction, wherein the process comprises subjecting a fibrous web to a first hydroentanglement process directing water jets from a water injection means comprising a plurality of orifices on to the fibrous web; blocking at least one water jet from the water injection means discontinuously by use of a first blocking member positioned between the water injection means and the fibrous web.

A plant and a method for connecting a web of fibrous material to a nonwoven or consolidating it therewith includes a first circulating belt on which the web of fibrous material is laid, a device for introducing a nonwoven into the plant, and a further successive circulating belt on which the nonwoven is to be connected to or consolidated with the web of fibrous material. The web of fibrous material from the first circulating belt is first laid on the nonwoven and subsequently the fibrous material is transferred onto the successive belt together with the nonwoven for connection or consolidation by use of water jets.

A plant and a method for connecting a web of fibrous material to a nonwoven or consolidating it therewith includes a first circulating belt on which the web of fibrous material is laid, a device for introducing a nonwoven into the plant, and a further successive circulating belt on which the nonwoven is to be connected to or consolidated with the web of fibrous material. The web of fibrous material from the first circulating belt is first laid on the nonwoven and subsequently the fibrous material is transferred onto the successive belt together with the nonwoven for connection or consolidation by use of water jets.

A carding apparatus (2) and a carding method for producing a card web (12) are based on the carding apparatus (2) including a web forming device (5) for creating a preliminary web (3), followed by a web layering apparatus (7) which is followed by a card (6), and a controllable or adjustable profiling device (8). The profiling device (8) precedes or is associated with the web layering apparatus (7). The profiling device (8) is used for profiling the preliminary web (3) in order to preventively compensate for peripheral bulges in the card web (12) discharged by the card (6).

A carding apparatus (2) and a carding method for producing a card web (12) are based on the carding apparatus (2) including a web forming device (5) for creating a preliminary web (3), followed by a web layering apparatus (7) which is followed by a card (6), and a controllable or adjustable profiling device (8). The profiling device (8) precedes or is associated with the web layering apparatus (7). The profiling device (8) is used for profiling the preliminary web (3) in order to preventively compensate for peripheral bulges in the card web (12) discharged by the card (6).

A method is described for forming reconstituted leather sheet material from a mixture of base fibres, such as leather fibres, and bi-component synthetic fibres which have outer layers which melt at a lower temperature than their inner cores. The fibres are mixed, formed into a web and then heated so that the synthetic fibres fuse together to form a network within the web. The base fibres are then tangled, whilst constrained by the network, preferably using hydroentanglement. A high quality reconstituted leather sheet material is thus produced.

A method is described for forming reconstituted leather sheet material from a mixture of base fibres, such as leather fibres, and bi-component synthetic fibres which have outer layers which melt at a lower temperature than their inner cores. The fibres are mixed, formed into a web and then heated so that the synthetic fibres fuse together to form a network within the web. The base fibres are then tangled, whilst constrained by the network, preferably using hydroentanglement. A high quality reconstituted leather sheet material is thus produced.

A hydro-formed film includes a polymeric web having a first substantially planar surface and a second substantially planar surface opposite the first substantially planar surface, and a plurality of three-dimensional micro-apertures extending from the first substantially planar surface. The plurality of three-dimensional micro-apertures have a mesh count in a range of about 40 to about 75 apertures per linear inch. The hydro-formed film has a Compression Sensor Point (CSP) count of at least about 80.

A hydro-formed film includes a polymeric web having a first substantially planar surface and a second substantially planar surface opposite the first substantially planar surface, and a plurality of three-dimensional micro-apertures extending from the first substantially planar surface. The plurality of three-dimensional micro-apertures have a mesh count in a range of about 40 to about 75 apertures per linear inch. The hydro-formed film has a Compression Sensor Point (CSP) count of at least about 80.

A method of manufacturing a wet-laid nonwoven web includes the following steps: feeding a pulp suspension onto a forming screen for depositing a fibrous web thereon, wherein the pulp suspension has industrially produced, inorganic fibers or fibers of synthetically produced polymers and the pulp suspension is substantially free from binders, such as chemical binders, and hydraulic consolidation of the fibrous web to generate the nonwoven web through water jet needling of the fibrous web.