Nonwoven textile fabrics in accordance with the present invention are formed primarily of individualized bast fibers substantially free of pectin. The nonwoven fabric can include staple fibers to a lesser extent than the individualized bast fibers. Individualized bast fibers include fibers derived from the flax and hemp plants. The nonwoven textile fabric is formed into a web while in a dry state and subsequently bonded to produce a nonwoven fabric.

A blend of polyester staple fibers and insulation fill materials useful as a replacement for natural down in articles such as outdoor apparel, sleeping bags, bedding, etc. The blend includes first, second and optionally third polyester staple fiber formats that differing in terms of average diameter. A length of substantially all the fibers of the blend is in the range of about 16 to about 63 mm, alternatively 20-40 mm. At least a majority of the fibers of the blend are opened. In some embodiments, some or substantially all of the fibers of the blend are crimped and/or include a lubricant (e.g., siliconized). One non-limiting example blend includes 20-30 weight percent of not greater than 1 Denier fibers, 20-30 weight percent of greater than 1 up to 2 Denier fibers, and 40-60 weight percent of greater than 2 Denier fibers.

A blend of polyester staple fibers and insulation fill materials useful as a replacement for natural down in articles such as outdoor apparel, sleeping bags, bedding, etc. The blend includes first, second and optionally third polyester staple fiber formats that differing in terms of average diameter. A length of substantially all the fibers of the blend is in the range of about 16 to about 63 mm, alternatively 20-40 mm. At least a majority of the fibers of the blend are opened. In some embodiments, some or substantially all of the fibers of the blend are crimped and/or include a lubricant (e.g., siliconized). One non-limiting example blend includes 20-30 weight percent of not greater than 1 Denier fibers, 20-30 weight percent of greater than 1 up to 2 Denier fibers, and 40-60 weight percent of greater than 2 Denier fibers.

An active fibre comprising material activated by an external stimulus, wherein the fibre has a first configuration in an unactivated state, and in response to activation by the external stimulus the fibre adopts a second, increased twist, configuration, relative to the first configuration, and wherein the fibre can reversibly move between the active state and the unactivated state.

To provide a rugged elastic nonwoven fabric, in which a first fibrous layer containing heat-shrinkable fibers (1A) being latent crimp conjugate fibers, and a second fibrous layer containing heat-fusible heat-shrinkable fibers (2A) or non-heat-shrinkable fibers (2B) both having smaller shrinkage as compared with the fibers (1A) are laminated, and both of the fibrous layers are partially bonded and united with a number of bonded parts arranged at intervals, wherein a maximum shrinkage development temperature of the first fibrous layer is 135 C. or higher, a melting or softening point of a heat-fusible component of the fibers (2A) or (2B) is 70 C. or higher to 130 C. or lower, the second fibrous layer between the bonded parts is projected in a convex by shrinking of the first fibrous layer, and fibers constituting the first fibrous layer are not bonded with each other.

To provide a rugged elastic nonwoven fabric, in which a first fibrous layer containing heat-shrinkable fibers (1A) being latent crimp conjugate fibers, and a second fibrous layer containing heat-fusible heat-shrinkable fibers (2A) or non-heat-shrinkable fibers (2B) both having smaller shrinkage as compared with the fibers (1A) are laminated, and both of the fibrous layers are partially bonded and united with a number of bonded parts arranged at intervals, wherein a maximum shrinkage development temperature of the first fibrous layer is 135 C. or higher, a melting or softening point of a heat-fusible component of the fibers (2A) or (2B) is 70 C. or higher to 130 C. or lower, the second fibrous layer between the bonded parts is projected in a convex by shrinking of the first fibrous layer, and fibers constituting the first fibrous layer are not bonded with each other.

A method is for filling a fillable portion of a garment to be padded to obtain a padded garment, such as a garment or blanket. A cashmere fiber mass is fed towards a carding station. The cashmere fiber mass is mechanically opened and blended in the carding station by a carding machine to obtain a staple cashmere fiber. The staple cashmere fiber exiting from the carding station is fed towards a beating station. The staple cashmere fiber is cleaned in the beating station by cleaning air flow adapted to cross and inflate the staple cashmere fiber to remove residual impurities and dust from the staple cashmere fiber. The staple cashmere fiber exiting from the beating station is fed towards an injecting station and injected into the fillable portion by a pusher for introducing the staple cashmere fiber into the fillable portion to obtain the padded garment.

The invention provides a nonwoven fabric which can improve these problems of the conventional technologies, can be produced at relatively low costs, is bulky and excellent in cushioning properties, has a good texture and is excellent in shaping ability at post-processing. Specifically, the present invention provides a bulky nonwoven fabric, comprising a fiber layer A containing a spiral crimp fiber and a fiber layer B, wherein the fiber layer B is laminated on at least one surface of the fiber layer A, the spiral crimp fiber of the fiber layer A and the fiber of the fiber layer B are partly entangled and integrated at the interface in a thickness direction of both layers, the fiber layer B exhibits a structure in which the layer is lifted up to the fiber layer B side between individual entangled parts; and having a specific volume of 30 cm.sup.3/g or more.

The invention provides a nonwoven fabric which can improve these problems of the conventional technologies, can be produced at relatively low costs, is bulky and excellent in cushioning properties, has a good texture and is excellent in shaping ability at post-processing. Specifically, the present invention provides a bulky nonwoven fabric, comprising a fiber layer A containing a spiral crimp fiber and a fiber layer B, wherein the fiber layer B is laminated on at least one surface of the fiber layer A, the spiral crimp fiber of the fiber layer A and the fiber of the fiber layer B are partly entangled and integrated at the interface in a thickness direction of both layers, the fiber layer B exhibits a structure in which the layer is lifted up to the fiber layer B side between individual entangled parts; and having a specific volume of 30 cm.sup.3/g or more.

Nonwoven webs/nonwoven laminates for use in absorbent articles are disclosed. The nonwoven laminate includes a first nonwoven web with continuous spunbond crimped fibers and a second web joined to the first nonwoven web. A plurality of apertures extend through at least one of the first nonwoven web or the second web. The nonwoven web includes a plurality of continuous spunbond crimped fibers wherein a plurality of apertures extend through the nonwoven web.