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.

A method of needling a fiber layer, includes first needling the fiber layer by a needling head, during which the fiber layer is caused to move in translation relative to the needling head, wherein needles of the needling head are distributed uniformly over a surface of the needling head; after the first needling, shifting the fiber layer relative to the needling head along a shift direction through a distance d equal to N.Math.x.Math.p, where N is an integer not less than 1, x is a coefficient greater than 0, and less than 1, and p designates the pitch of two consecutive needles of the needling head along the shift direction; and second needling the fiber layer, after the shifting, and during which the fiber layer is moved in translation relative to the needling head, the needles not penetrating, during the second needling, into the holes formed during the first needling.

A method of needling a fiber layer, includes first needling the fiber layer by a needling head, during which the fiber layer is caused to move in translation relative to the needling head, wherein needles of the needling head are distributed uniformly over a surface of the needling head; after the first needling, shifting the fiber layer relative to the needling head along a shift direction through a distance d equal to N.Math.x.Math.p, where N is an integer not less than 1, x is a coefficient greater than 0, and less than 1, and p designates the pitch of two consecutive needles of the needling head along the shift direction; and second needling the fiber layer, after the shifting, and during which the fiber layer is moved in translation relative to the needling head, the needles not penetrating, during the second needling, into the holes formed during the first needling.

Provided is a nonwoven material as base interlining in sarking, roofing, or coated sealing membrane with an improved isotropy of the material. The nonwoven material comprises a spunbond nonwoven of polyester filaments. The nonwoven has a tensile strength ratio of the specific tensile strength MD to the specific tensile strength CD between 1 and 1.5. The nonwoven material for bituminous roofing membranes has a preferential thermal dimensional stability (TDS), as well as a preferential thermal shrinkage behaviour. Further, a method is provided to manufacture a nonwoven material with an improved mechanical homogeneity. In addition, a bituminous roofing product comprising a nonwoven material according to the invention is provided. The bituminous roofing product is preferably a bituminous roofing membrane.

Provided is a nonwoven material as base interlining in sarking, roofing, or coated sealing membrane with an improved isotropy of the material. The nonwoven material comprises a spunbond nonwoven of polyester filaments. The nonwoven has a tensile strength ratio of the specific tensile strength MD to the specific tensile strength CD between 1 and 1.5. The nonwoven material for bituminous roofing membranes has a preferential thermal dimensional stability (TDS), as well as a preferential thermal shrinkage behaviour. Further, a method is provided to manufacture a nonwoven material with an improved mechanical homogeneity. In addition, a bituminous roofing product comprising a nonwoven material according to the invention is provided. The bituminous roofing product is preferably a bituminous roofing membrane.

The present invention aims to provide a tissue regeneration substrate excellent in penetrability to cells as well as capable of effectively preventing cell leakage from the tissue regeneration substrate to accelerate tissue regeneration; and a method of producing the tissue regeneration substrate. The present invention relates to a tissue regeneration substrate including: a nonwoven fabric made of a bioabsorbable material, the tissue regeneration substrate having a laminated structure in which a layer containing a nonwoven fabric having an average pore size of 20 to 50 m and a layer containing a nonwoven fabric having an average pore size of 5 to 20 m are integrated.

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.

Disclosed are methods and devices for forming a combined polyester and fiberglass mat, in which separate polyester and fiberglass layers can be formed or polyester filaments and fiberglass threads can be mixed together by a disperser to form a polyester and fiberglass web. The polyester filaments and the fiberglass threads can be dispersed by separate dispersers on a web forming belt to form separate layers of polyester filaments and fiberglass threads, or can be dispersed by a single disperser to at least, somewhat evenly disperse, the fiberglass threads and polyester filaments.

Disclosed are methods and devices for forming a combined polyester and fiberglass mat, in which separate polyester and fiberglass layers can be formed or polyester filaments and fiberglass threads can be mixed together by a disperser to form a polyester and fiberglass web. The polyester filaments and the fiberglass threads can be dispersed by separate dispersers on a web forming belt to form separate layers of polyester filaments and fiberglass threads, or can be dispersed by a single disperser to at least, somewhat evenly disperse, the fiberglass threads and polyester filaments.