The present invention relates to a process for the production of a nonwoven fabric. In particular, the present invention relates to the production of a nonwoven fabric having desirable tactile and haptic properties, as well as to the nonwoven fabric itself. The process requires the selection of specific materials and process conditions. The fabric is produced from a masterbatch of isotactic polypropylene homopolymer and a surface-treated calcium carbonate filler.

The present invention provides a method of making a nonwoven fabric of continuous fibers that includes forming a nonwoven web on a highly porous woven or knitted forming fabric that defines a pattern of recesses that are bordered by spaced apart filaments extending between the outer surfaces of the fabric and that allows air to pass both downwardly and sidewardly through the forming fabric. Bonded nonwoven webs are formed having protrusions with very low density and high surface area.

The present invention provides a method of making a nonwoven fabric of continuous fibers that includes forming a nonwoven web on a highly porous woven or knitted forming fabric that defines a pattern of recesses that are bordered by spaced apart filaments extending between the outer surfaces of the fabric and that allows air to pass both downwardly and sidewardly through the forming fabric. Bonded nonwoven webs are formed having protrusions with very low density and high surface area.

The invention concerns spunbond nonwoven fabrics comprising a plurality of bicomponent filaments, the bicomponent filaments having a segmented pie cross-sectional configuration including a polycarbonate component and a polypropylene component, wherein a ratio of the polypropylene component to the polycarbonate component is between about 5:95 and about 95:5.

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 nonwoven recyclable fabric and associated methods are provided. The fabric is formed from 100% polyester, and may also include surface coatings such as hydrophilic coatings to promote heat transfer as well moisture vapor transmission rates and/or a silicone coating to promote fabric smoothness and reduce abrasiveness of the fabric.

A nonwoven web made of substantially continuous fibers and comprising a three-dimensional pattern of protruding closed shapes, wherein the nonwoven web has a compression recovery of at least 30% after being compressed at 1 psi for 24 hours.

A nonwoven web made of substantially continuous fibers and comprising a three-dimensional pattern of protruding closed shapes, wherein the nonwoven web has a compression recovery of at least 30% after being compressed at 1 psi for 24 hours.

A fibrous structure exhibits an absorbency time of equal to or less than 1.5 s and exhibits an antimicrobial effect.