According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for producing a nonwoven fabric, the method comprising the steps of providing fibres comprising 10-100 wt-% of bast fibres, the bast fibres having at least one angle of at least 20°, and the bast fibres having an average fibre length of 10-60 mm; carding the fibres and forming a web of fibres on a wire support; hydroentangling the formed web by using at least a first and a second hydroentangling unit, wherein a hydroentanglement energy in the first hydroentangling unit is lower than the hydroentanglement energy in the second hydroentangling unit; dewatering the hydroentangled web; and drying the dewatered web at a temperature of 105-125° C.

The provided articles and methods use a non-woven fibrous web containing 60-100 wt % of oxidized polyacrylonitrile fibers; and 0-40 wt % of reinforcing fibers having outer surfaces comprised of a polymer with a melting temperature of from 100° C. to 300° C. The non-woven fibrous web has an average bulk density of from 15 kg/m.sup.3 to 50 kg/m.sup.3, with the plurality of fibers substantially entangled along directions perpendicular to a major surface of the non-woven fibrous web. Optionally, the oxidized polyacrylonitrile fibers can have a crimped configuration. Advantageously, these articles can display a combination of low thermal conductivity, high tensile strength, and flame resistance.

A water disposable nonwoven web having good MD and CD strength is provided. The nonwoven web is obtained by hydroentangling an airlaid web of no less than 50% by weight of natural cellulose fibers having a fiber length of no more than 3.5 mm and no more than 50% by weight staple fibers having a fiber length of no less than 8.0 mm. The nonwoven web contains no adhesive, binder or thermal bonding fibers. Products containing the disposable nonwoven web meet municipal guidelines for flushability.

A water disposable nonwoven web having good MD and CD strength is provided. The nonwoven web is obtained by hydroentangling an airlaid web of no less than 50% by weight of natural cellulose fibers having a fiber length of no more than 3.5 mm and no more than 50% by weight staple fibers having a fiber length of no less than 8.0 mm. The nonwoven web contains no adhesive, binder or thermal bonding fibers. Products containing the disposable nonwoven web meet municipal guidelines for flushability.

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.

Aspects herein are directed to a reflective textile, and articles of apparel, uppers for an article of footwear constructed therefrom, comprising a reflective material dispersed between a first and second surface of the textile in a first zone. The first zone reflects a greater amount of light than a second zone of the textile. Other aspects herein are directed to a method of manufacturing a reflective textile or article having a portion comprising a reflective textile.

The present invention relates to inorganic fibres having a composition comprising: 61.0 to 70.8 wt % SiO.sub.2; 28.0 to 39.0 wt % CaO; 0.10 to 0.85 wt % MgO other components, if any, providing the balance up to 100 wt %,

The sum of SiO.sub.2 and CaO is greater than or equal to 98.8 wt % and the other components comprise less than 0.70 wt % Al.sub.2O.sub.3, if any.

The present invention relates to a multipurpose functional nonwoven fabric, and more particularly, to a multipurpose functional nonwoven fabric which is manufactured by performing a pretreatment process on carbonized fiber cotton, and stacking the pretreated carbonized fiber on natural cotton, mixing the pretreated carbonized fiber cotton with the natural cotton and scutching the mixed cotton, or introducing the natural cotton and stacking the natural cotton on an intermediate layer of the pretreated carbonized fiber, and a method for manufacturing same. Web formation and stacking at a cutting machine can be easily performed by performing the pretreatment process on the carbonized fiber. Also, excellent heat resistance and conductivity can be obtained by stacking the carbonized fiber cotton on natural cotton, mixing the carbonized fiber cotton with the natural cotton, scutching the mixed carbonized fiber cotton and the natural cotton and stacking the scutched cotton, or introducing natural cotton into an intermediate layer of the carbonized fiber cotton, stacking the natural cotton on the intermediate layer of the carbonized fiber cotton, and subjecting the stacked cotton to needle punching. Since a surface temperature of the nonwoven fabric can be lowered and the loss of heat can be reduced through dissipation and dispersion of heat, thermal retention and insulation properties of the entangled natural cotton can be enhanced, and carbonization prevention and incombustiblization of the natural cotton can be achieved. Also, the multipurpose functional nonwoven fabric can be manufactured at a low production cost and exhibit environmentally friendly characteristics, and a waste material can be recycled.

The present invention relates to a multipurpose functional nonwoven fabric, and more particularly, to a multipurpose functional nonwoven fabric which is manufactured by performing a pretreatment process on carbonized fiber cotton, and stacking the pretreated carbonized fiber on natural cotton, mixing the pretreated carbonized fiber cotton with the natural cotton and scutching the mixed cotton, or introducing the natural cotton and stacking the natural cotton on an intermediate layer of the pretreated carbonized fiber, and a method for manufacturing same. Web formation and stacking at a cutting machine can be easily performed by performing the pretreatment process on the carbonized fiber. Also, excellent heat resistance and conductivity can be obtained by stacking the carbonized fiber cotton on natural cotton, mixing the carbonized fiber cotton with the natural cotton, scutching the mixed carbonized fiber cotton and the natural cotton and stacking the scutched cotton, or introducing natural cotton into an intermediate layer of the carbonized fiber cotton, stacking the natural cotton on the intermediate layer of the carbonized fiber cotton, and subjecting the stacked cotton to needle punching. Since a surface temperature of the nonwoven fabric can be lowered and the loss of heat can be reduced through dissipation and dispersion of heat, thermal retention and insulation properties of the entangled natural cotton can be enhanced, and carbonization prevention and incombustiblization of the natural cotton can be achieved. Also, the multipurpose functional nonwoven fabric can be manufactured at a low production cost and exhibit environmentally friendly characteristics, and a waste material can be recycled.