A process comprising forming fibers having at least a first region and a second region wherein the first region comprises an ethylene/alpha olefin interpolymer composition characterized by: density in the range of 0.930 to 0.965 g/cm.sup.3; melt index (I2) in the range of from 10 to 60 g/10 minutes; molecular weight distribution in the range of from 1.5 to 2.6; tan delta at 1 radian/second of at least 45; a low temperature peak and a high temperature peak on an elution profile via improved comonomer composition distribution (ICCD) procedure; and full width at half maximum of the high temperature peak is less than 6.0? C. and stretching the fibers to an elongation of at least 20% thereby increasing curl of the fiber. The process may further include forming a non-woven from the fibers and the stretching of the fibers may occur before or after forming of the non-woven.

A process comprising forming fibers having at least a first region and a second region wherein the first region comprises an ethylene/alpha olefin interpolymer composition characterized by: density in the range of 0.930 to 0.965 g/cm.sup.3; melt index (I2) in the range of from 10 to 60 g/10 minutes; molecular weight distribution in the range of from 1.5 to 2.6; tan delta at 1 radian/second of at least 45; a low temperature peak and a high temperature peak on an elution profile via improved comonomer composition distribution (ICCD) procedure; and full width at half maximum of the high temperature peak is less than 6.0? C. and stretching the fibers to an elongation of at least 20% thereby increasing curl of the fiber. The process may further include forming a non-woven from the fibers and the stretching of the fibers may occur before or after forming of the non-woven.

A drum sealing gasket of a washing and drying machine is disposed on an end of a drum. The drum sealing gasket includes a band-shaped belt manufactured by cutting a felt in which natural fiber and synthetic fiber are mixed. A finishing space is formed by folding both peripheral portions of the belt and sewing the peripheral portions to the body of the belt with an adhesive-coated sewing thread. An extension is formed on one of the folded peripheral portions to cover a portion of the other of the folded peripheral portions. A flexible band is added and sewn to the surface of the extension with an adhesive-coated thread. Both ends of the belt are bound without a height difference.

A drum sealing gasket of a washing and drying machine is disposed on an end of a drum. The drum sealing gasket includes a band-shaped belt manufactured by cutting a felt in which natural fiber and synthetic fiber are mixed. A finishing space is formed by folding both peripheral portions of the belt and sewing the peripheral portions to the body of the belt with an adhesive-coated sewing thread. An extension is formed on one of the folded peripheral portions to cover a portion of the other of the folded peripheral portions. A flexible band is added and sewn to the surface of the extension with an adhesive-coated thread. Both ends of the belt are bound without a height difference.

Infection control or protective clothing articles, such as gowns, to be worn by healthcare workers in a medical environment, for example a hospital or assisted living facility are disclosed. The articles are formed of a hydrophobic, breathable, poly-olefin-based web with a controlled pore size less than or about equal to the size of most bacterial or viral particles. The articles can also be made from composites including the polyolefin-based web. Methods of manufacturing the articles are also disclosed.

Infection control or protective clothing articles, such as gowns, to be worn by healthcare workers in a medical environment, for example a hospital or assisted living facility are disclosed. The articles are formed of a hydrophobic, breathable, poly-olefin-based web with a controlled pore size less than or about equal to the size of most bacterial or viral particles. The articles can also be made from composites including the polyolefin-based web. Methods of manufacturing the articles are also disclosed.

A nonwoven web for an absorbent article is provided. The nonwoven web includes a first surface and a second surface. The nonwoven web includes a repeat unit comprising a visually discernible pattern of three-dimensional features on the first surface or the second surface. The three-dimensional features comprise one or more first regions and a plurality of second regions. The one or more first regions are different than the plurality of second regions. The one or more first regions comprise a plurality of substantially linear segments. A first group of the plurality of substantially linear segments intersects with a second group of the plurality of substantially linear segments at angles of intersection. The angles of intersection are in the range of about 70 degrees to about 110 degrees.

A nonwoven web for an absorbent article is provided. The nonwoven web includes a first surface and a second surface. The nonwoven web includes a repeat unit comprising a visually discernible pattern of three-dimensional features on the first surface or the second surface. The three-dimensional features comprise one or more first regions and a plurality of second regions. The one or more first regions are different than the plurality of second regions. The one or more first regions comprise a plurality of substantially linear segments. A first group of the plurality of substantially linear segments intersects with a second group of the plurality of substantially linear segments at angles of intersection. The angles of intersection are in the range of about 70 degrees to about 110 degrees.

A method of making a nonwoven fiber web comprises: providing a melt-blown nonwoven fiber web comprising bonded primary fibers having an average fiber diameter of 2 to 100 microns, wherein the primary fibers comprise a copolymer comprising divalent hydroxyethylene monomer units and divalent dihydroxybutylene monomer units; opening at least a portion of the melt-blown nonwoven fiber web to provide loose primary fibers; combining the loose primary fibers with secondary fibers; and forming a secondary nonwoven fiber web comprising the primary fibers and secondary fibers. A fiber web preparable according to the method and a multicomponent fiber including a first phase comprising a copolymer comprising divalent hydroxyethylene monomer units and divalent dihydroxybutylene monomer units and a second phase comprising a non-biodegradable polymer.

A method of making a nonwoven fiber web comprises: providing a melt-blown nonwoven fiber web comprising bonded primary fibers having an average fiber diameter of 2 to 100 microns, wherein the primary fibers comprise a copolymer comprising divalent hydroxyethylene monomer units and divalent dihydroxybutylene monomer units; opening at least a portion of the melt-blown nonwoven fiber web to provide loose primary fibers; combining the loose primary fibers with secondary fibers; and forming a secondary nonwoven fiber web comprising the primary fibers and secondary fibers. A fiber web preparable according to the method and a multicomponent fiber including a first phase comprising a copolymer comprising divalent hydroxyethylene monomer units and divalent dihydroxybutylene monomer units and a second phase comprising a non-biodegradable polymer.