The invention relates to a method for producing a tempered melt-blown nonwoven, comprising the following steps: a) producing a melt-blown nonwoven preferably by applying flowing air to the outside of polymer melt extruded through a nozzle and stretching said polymer melt before the filaments thereby formed are laid and cooled on a carrier, which is preferably a double suction drum, and b) tempering at least one section of the melt-blown nonwoven produced in step a) at a temperature that lies between the glass transition temperature and 0.1 C. below the melt temperature of the filaments of the melt-blown nonwoven, the melt-blown nonwoven having a weight per unit area of 100 to 600 g/m.sup.2, a density of 5 to 50 kg/m.sup.3 and a compression hardness at 60% compression, measured according to DIN EN ISO 3386, of at least 2 kPa. The invention further relates to a tempered melt-blown nonwoven produced by means of said method, preferably a tempered voluminous melt-blown nonwoven. Said tempered melt-blown nonwoven is characterized by a significantly increased compression hardness in comparison with an untempered melt-blown nonwoven.

A bonded and entangled non-woven structure made of at least 50% staple fibers by weight of the bonded and entangled non-woven structure, and at least a partial bonding of the fibers of the non-woven structure. The at least partial bonding including thermally activated bonds between a first polyolefin material produced with a catalyst including at least one metallocene catalyst and having a melting point in the range 130-170 C. and a second material having a melting point which is at least 10 C. higher than the melting point of the first material, the weight of the first material in the non-woven structure being at least 3% of the weight of the nonwoven structure.

A bonded and entangled non-woven structure made of at least 50% staple fibers by weight of the bonded and entangled non-woven structure, and at least a partial bonding of the fibers of the non-woven structure. The at least partial bonding including thermally activated bonds between a first polyolefin material produced with a catalyst including at least one metallocene catalyst and having a melting point in the range 130-170 C. and a second material having a melting point which is at least 10 C. higher than the melting point of the first material, the weight of the first material in the non-woven structure being at least 3% of the weight of the nonwoven structure.

In accordance with at least selected embodiments, the present invention is directed to novel, improved, or modified porous membranes, fibers, porous fibers, products made from such membranes, fibers or porous fibers, and/or related methods of production, use, and/or the like. In accordance with at least certain embodiments, the present invention is directed to novel, improved, or modified microporous membranes or films, fibers, microporous fibers, materials or layers made from such membranes, fibers or porous fibers, and the like for use in textile materials, garments, products, and/or textile related applications. Microporous membranes, fibers, and/or microporous fibers are made of one or more copolymers, such as block or impact copolymers, or of at least one polyolefin combined with at least one copolymer as a means of improving the hand, drape, and/or surface coefficient of friction performance properties for use in textile garments, textile materials or textile related applications.

Nonwoven fabrics having desirable wiping properties while also providing pleasant tactile properties are provided. The nonwoven fabrics may include a first nonwoven outer layer, a second nonwoven outer layer, and a core layer located between the first nonwoven layer and the second nonwoven outer layer. At least one of the first nonwoven outer layer and the second nonwoven outer layer may include a plurality of blended filaments comprising a blend of a polymer and an elastomeric polyolefin.

Nonwoven fabrics having desirable wiping properties while also providing pleasant tactile properties are provided. The nonwoven fabrics may include a first nonwoven outer layer, a second nonwoven outer layer, and a core layer located between the first nonwoven layer and the second nonwoven outer layer. At least one of the first nonwoven outer layer and the second nonwoven outer layer may include a plurality of blended filaments comprising a blend of a polymer and an elastomeric polyolefin.

A sheet (10) for a mask has a first fiber layer (11) and a second fiber layer (12). The second fiber layer (12) has a higher trapping ratio for particles having a particle diameter exceeding 1 m and/or a smaller average fiber diameter than the first fiber layer (11). The basis weight of the second fiber layer (12) is from 1 to 20 g/m.sup.2. In a natural state, the second fiber layer (12) has a plurality of projections (13) projecting toward a surface of the second fiber layer (12) that is opposite to a surface of the second fiber layer (12) facing the first fiber layer (11) and depressions (14) that are each arranged between corresponding projections (13) of the plurality of projections (13). The depressions (14) have joined portions (15) where the second fiber layer (12) and the first fiber layer (11) are joined to each other.

A sheet (10) for a mask has a first fiber layer (11) and a second fiber layer (12). The second fiber layer (12) has a higher trapping ratio for particles having a particle diameter exceeding 1 m and/or a smaller average fiber diameter than the first fiber layer (11). The basis weight of the second fiber layer (12) is from 1 to 20 g/m.sup.2. In a natural state, the second fiber layer (12) has a plurality of projections (13) projecting toward a surface of the second fiber layer (12) that is opposite to a surface of the second fiber layer (12) facing the first fiber layer (11) and depressions (14) that are each arranged between corresponding projections (13) of the plurality of projections (13). The depressions (14) have joined portions (15) where the second fiber layer (12) and the first fiber layer (11) are joined to each other.

A polymer composition includes a low ethylene random copolymer that can be used to form a meltspun or spunbond article at high spinning velocities. The polymer composition has a low xylene soluble content, a high crystallinity, or both, while having reduced spin-break at high spinning velocities. The polymer composition also exhibits good fiber tenacity and fabric softness.

A polymer composition includes a low ethylene random copolymer that can be used to form a meltspun or spunbond article at high spinning velocities. The polymer composition has a low xylene soluble content, a high crystallinity, or both, while having reduced spin-break at high spinning velocities. The polymer composition also exhibits good fiber tenacity and fabric softness.