A nonwoven sheet can comprise a plurality of cellulosic pulp fibers and a plurality of synthetic polymeric fibers. The cellulosic pulp fibers can include a plurality of cedar pulp fibers that have a length weighted average fiber length of at least 1.0 millimeters (mm), optionally between 1.5 and 2.0 mm, and an average hydrodynamic specific surface area of at least 4.5 square meters per gram (m.sup.2/g), optionally at least 5 m.sup.2/g. The cellulosic pulp fibers can also include a plurality of softwood pulp fibers that, optionally, are NBSK pulp fibers and do not include cedar pulp fibers. The synthetic polymeric fibers can comprise polyester fibers.

The present invention relates to a nonwoven fabric and the production thereof. More specifically, the invention relates to a dispersible and biodegradable nonwoven fabric comprising a web prepared using a wet lay forming process. The process involves forming a web from the aqueous suspension on a wire support, hydroentangling and drying the web. The web can be provided with a high quality hydroembossed pattern, which remains even in wet wipes prepared from the material.

The present invention relates to a method for producing a nonwoven fabric. The method according to the invention comprises forming a nonwoven web using a wet lay forming process, hydroentangling the web and providing the web with a high quality hydroembossed pattern. The invention also concerns a nonwoven fabric exhibiting a three dimensional pattern, which remains even in wet wipes prepared from the material.

A superhydrophobic surface includes a substrate treated with a composition including a hydrophobic matrix component free of fluorine; filler particles, wherein the filler particles are plant-based elements of a size ranging from 100 nm to 100 m; and water, wherein the hydrophobic component is in an aqueous dispersion, and wherein the surface exhibits a water contact angle of 150 or greater. Also, a disposable absorbent article includes a substrate having a surface, the surface including a composition including a hydrophobic matrix component free of fluorine; filler particles, wherein the filler particles are plant-based elements of a size ranging from 100 nm to 100 m, wherein the plant-based elements include micro- and nano-fibrillated cellulose; and water, wherein the hydrophobic component is in an aqueous dispersion, and wherein the surface exhibits a water contact angle of 150 or greater.

A superhydrophobic surface includes a substrate treated with a composition including a hydrophobic matrix component free of fluorine; filler particles, wherein the filler particles are plant-based elements of a size ranging from 100 nm to 100 m; and water, wherein the hydrophobic component is in an aqueous dispersion, and wherein the surface exhibits a water contact angle of 150 or greater. Also, a disposable absorbent article includes a substrate having a surface, the surface including a composition including a hydrophobic matrix component free of fluorine; filler particles, wherein the filler particles are plant-based elements of a size ranging from 100 nm to 100 m, wherein the plant-based elements include micro- and nano-fibrillated cellulose; and water, wherein the hydrophobic component is in an aqueous dispersion, and wherein the surface exhibits a water contact angle of 150 or greater.

The invention relates to a nonwoven fabric material having sufficient strength to be used in a pre-moistened state but also having dispersibility properties which allow the product to be flushed. The material comprises at least two nonwoven webs, at least one of which is hydroentangled. Each of the individual webs comprise 50%-95% wood pulp and 5%-50% of short cut man-made fibers and/or natural fibers and has a basis weight of 20-100 gsm. After forming the webs, the two nonwoven webs are dried and then joined together by particle binders through size press or spraying. The particle binder joined webs separate into individual webs after flushing due to the breakage of particle binder-nonwoven hydrogen bond which makes the material highly dispersible.

The invention relates to a nonwoven fabric material having sufficient strength to be used in a pre-moistened state but also having dispersibility properties which allow the product to be flushed. The material comprises at least two nonwoven webs, at least one of which is hydroentangled. Each of the individual webs comprise 50%-95% wood pulp and 5%-50% of short cut man-made fibers and/or natural fibers and has a basis weight of 20-100 gsm. After forming the webs, the two nonwoven webs are dried and then joined together by particle binders through size press or spraying. The particle binder joined webs separate into individual webs after flushing due to the breakage of particle binder-nonwoven hydrogen bond which makes the material highly dispersible.

A recycled cellulose pulp composition is provided which comprises recycled cellulosic fibers and cellulose ester staple fibers. A wet-laid fibrous product is also provided which comprises recycled cellulosic fibers and cellulose ester staple fibers. A bailed article is also provided that comprises recycled cellulosic fibers and cellulose ester staple fibers. In embodiments, the recycled cellulosic fibers are present in an amount of 50 wt % or more, based on the total dry weight of fibers, and the cellulose ester staple fibers are present in an amount sufficient to increase the Canadian standard freeness (CSF) of the composition by 5% or more compared to a 100 wt % cellulosic fiber pulp composition processed under similar conditions.

A composition obtained by combining virgin cellulose fibers, cellulose ester (CE) staple fibers having a denier per filament (DPF) of less than 3, and water, and water. The CE staple fibers can also have a short cut length of less than 6 mm and can be crimped. The compositions, when co-refined, are useful to make wet laid products such as paper, cardboard, and filters that have improved water drainage, air permeability, tensile strength, bulk, burst strength, or stiffness, or a combination of these properties.

A composition is contained a blend zone prior to refining containing non-fibrillated virgin cellulose fibers, waste/recycle cellulose fibers or both; cellulose ester fibers, water, and one or more additives comprising fillers, internal sizing agents, biocides, process anti-foaming agents, colorants, optical modifiers, or a combination thereof. An in-line mixer can be used for adding the additives, and the consistency of the composition is lowered relative to a feed of material from a hydropulper.