Provided is a fabric for use as sportswear, the side fabric of a futon or the inner bag thereof that has superior heat retention and a soft texture despite being lightweight and thin. The fabric is a thin fabric having a fabric density of 15 g/m.sup.2 to 50 g/m.sup.2 in which thermoplastic synthetic fibers having fineness of 5 dtex to 30 dtex are arranged in at least a portion of the warp yarn or weft yarn, wherein the average deviation of the coefficient of friction on at least one side of the fabric is 0.008 to 0.05, and the value of Qmax of that one side of the fabric is 85 W/m.sup.2.Math. C. to 125 W/m.sup.2.Math. C.

Provided is a fabric for use as sportswear, the side fabric of a futon or the inner bag thereof that has superior heat retention and a soft texture despite being lightweight and thin. The fabric is a thin fabric having a fabric density of 15 g/m.sup.2 to 50 g/m.sup.2 in which thermoplastic synthetic fibers having fineness of 5 dtex to 30 dtex are arranged in at least a portion of the warp yarn or weft yarn, wherein the average deviation of the coefficient of friction on at least one side of the fabric is 0.008 to 0.05, and the value of Qmax of that one side of the fabric is 85 W/m.sup.2.Math. C. to 125 W/m.sup.2.Math. C.

Provided is a process for producing a nonwoven fabric. The process includes extruding a plurality of filaments from a spinneret, the filaments being at least bicomponent filaments; depositing the filaments to form a nonwoven fabric on an element collecting the filaments; performing a bonding of the nonwoven fabric; increasing the thickness of the nonwoven fabric by crimping at least part of the filaments by heating the nonwoven fabric; and, preferably performing a setting of the nonwoven fabric, wherein the bonding and the increasing the thickness steps are performed substantially simultaneously by means of a heated calendar. Also provided is the nonwoven fabric formed using the process and an apparatus for carrying out the process.

Provided is a process for producing a nonwoven fabric. The process includes extruding a plurality of filaments from a spinneret, the filaments being at least bicomponent filaments; depositing the filaments to form a nonwoven fabric on an element collecting the filaments; performing a bonding of the nonwoven fabric; increasing the thickness of the nonwoven fabric by crimping at least part of the filaments by heating the nonwoven fabric; and, preferably performing a setting of the nonwoven fabric, wherein the bonding and the increasing the thickness steps are performed substantially simultaneously by means of a heated calendar. Also provided is the nonwoven fabric formed using the process and an apparatus for carrying out the process.

Methods and apparatuses for treating webs are disclosed. In one embodiment, an apparatus for treating at least one web passing through the apparatus may comprise a first roller comprising a pair of spaced apart ends, a length extending between the ends, a circumference, and at least two bearer rings connected to the first roller between the pair of spaced apart ends of the first roller, a first pressure applicator coupled to the first roller and operatively connected to a load source for selectively applying a force to the first roller, and a second roller positioned adjacent the first roller to define a nip for receiving the at least one web.

Methods and apparatuses for treating webs are disclosed. In one embodiment, an apparatus for treating at least one web passing through the apparatus may comprise a first roller comprising a pair of spaced apart ends, a length extending between the ends, a circumference, and at least two bearer rings connected to the first roller between the pair of spaced apart ends of the first roller, a first pressure applicator coupled to the first roller and operatively connected to a load source for selectively applying a force to the first roller, and a second roller positioned adjacent the first roller to define a nip for receiving the at least one web.

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a method of producing a fabric for an air bag that, during high-pressure deployment at high speed, maintains low air permeability as an air bag and is capable of maintaining the low air permeability even after exposure to heat. This method of producing a fabric for an air bag comprises the steps of: 1) weaving with high tension warp threads at 0.20 cN/dtex to 0.65 cN/dtex in a water jet loom, 2) carrying out a washing treatment step at 80 C. or lower or not carrying out a washing step, 3) drying at a temperature of 110 C. or lower, and 4) carrying out calendering processing.

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a method of producing a fabric for an air bag that, during high-pressure deployment at high speed, maintains low air permeability as an air bag and is capable of maintaining the low air permeability even after exposure to heat. This method of producing a fabric for an air bag comprises the steps of: 1) weaving with high tension warp threads at 0.20 cN/dtex to 0.65 cN/dtex in a water jet loom, 2) carrying out a washing treatment step at 80 C. or lower or not carrying out a washing step, 3) drying at a temperature of 110 C. or lower, and 4) carrying out calendering processing.

Methods and apparatuses for treating webs are disclosed. In one embodiment, an apparatus for treating at least one web passing through the apparatus may comprise a first roller comprising a pair of spaced apart ends, a length extending between the ends, a circumference, and at least two bearer rings connected to the first roller between the pair of spaced apart ends of the first roller, a first pressure applicator coupled to the first roller and operatively connected to a load source for selectively applying a force to the first roller, and a second roller positioned adjacent the first roller to define a nip for receiving the at least one web.

Methods and apparatuses for treating webs are disclosed. In one embodiment, an apparatus for treating at least one web passing through the apparatus may comprise a first roller comprising a pair of spaced apart ends, a length extending between the ends, a circumference, and at least two bearer rings connected to the first roller between the pair of spaced apart ends of the first roller, a first pressure applicator coupled to the first roller and operatively connected to a load source for selectively applying a force to the first roller, and a second roller positioned adjacent the first roller to define a nip for receiving the at least one web.