The present invention provides bi-component polymeric macrofibers having an ethylene-vinyl alcohol (EVOH) outer component and a core or second component comprising a polymer blend of polypropylene grafted with maleic anhydride and polypropylene or polyethylene. The bi-component polymeric macrofibers provide excellent fiber reinforcement in concrete applications.

The present invention provides bi-component polymeric macrofibers having an ethylene-vinyl alcohol (EVOH) outer component and a core or second component comprising a polymer blend of polypropylene grafted with maleic anhydride and polypropylene or polyethylene. The bi-component polymeric macrofibers provide excellent fiber reinforcement in concrete applications.

The invention relates to a fiber comprising a blend of 10-50 wt % of a polymer blend modifier and 50-90 wt % of a propylene-based elastomer; 5-50 wt % of a propylene-modifier and 50-95 wt % of a propylene-based elastomer; and 5-35 wt % of a polymer blend modifier and 65-95 wt % of a propylene-modifier. The polymer blend modifier has a first propylene-based polymer and a different second propylene-based polymer that is a propylene homopolymer or a copolymer of propylene and ethylene and a C.sub.4 to C.sub.10 alpha-olefin. The propylene-modifier is a propylene homopolymer or a copolymer of propylene with 0.5-4 wt % ethylene or C.sub.4 to C.sub.10 alpha-olefins. The propylene-based elastomer is propylene and 5-25 wt % of one or more C.sub.2 to C.sub.4-C.sub.12 alpha-olefins and has a triad tacticity greater than 90% and a heat of fusion less than 75 J/g.

The invention relates to a fiber comprising a blend of 10-50 wt % of a polymer blend modifier and 50-90 wt % of a propylene-based elastomer; 5-50 wt % of a propylene-modifier and 50-95 wt % of a propylene-based elastomer; and 5-35 wt % of a polymer blend modifier and 65-95 wt % of a propylene-modifier. The polymer blend modifier has a first propylene-based polymer and a different second propylene-based polymer that is a propylene homopolymer or a copolymer of propylene and ethylene and a C.sub.4 to C.sub.10 alpha-olefin. The propylene-modifier is a propylene homopolymer or a copolymer of propylene with 0.5-4 wt % ethylene or C.sub.4 to C.sub.10 alpha-olefins. The propylene-based elastomer is propylene and 5-25 wt % of one or more C.sub.2 to C.sub.4-C.sub.12 alpha-olefins and has a triad tacticity greater than 90% and a heat of fusion less than 75 J/g.

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.

The present invention is directed to fibers, nonwoven fabrics, and nonwoven laminates comprising a blend of at least one impact copolymer and at least one propylene-based elastomer. The blends comprise from about 45 to about 85 wt % of an impact copolymer, where the impact copolymer comprises a blend of a propylene homopolymer and a copolymer comprising from about 20 to about 80 wt % propylene-derived units and from about 20 to about 80 wt % ethylene-derived units. The blends further comprise from about 15 to about 55 wt % of a propylene-based elastomer, where the propylene-based elastomer comprises from about 5 to about 25 wt % units derived from one or more C.sub.2 or C.sub.4-C.sub.12 alpha-olefins and has a triad tacticity greater than about 90% and a heat of fusion less than about 75 J/g.

The present invention is directed to fibers, nonwoven fabrics, and nonwoven laminates comprising a blend of at least one impact copolymer and at least one propylene-based elastomer. The blends comprise from about 45 to about 85 wt % of an impact copolymer, where the impact copolymer comprises a blend of a propylene homopolymer and a copolymer comprising from about 20 to about 80 wt % propylene-derived units and from about 20 to about 80 wt % ethylene-derived units. The blends further comprise from about 15 to about 55 wt % of a propylene-based elastomer, where the propylene-based elastomer comprises from about 5 to about 25 wt % units derived from one or more C.sub.2 or C.sub.4-C.sub.12 alpha-olefins and has a triad tacticity greater than about 90% and a heat of fusion less than about 75 J/g.

A leather-like fabric has a feel of natural nubuck leather and a napped feel and air permeability of suede leather, as well as high wear resistance. The leather-like fabric includes a fibrous structure including ultrafine fibers having an average monofilament fineness of 0.0001 dtex or more and 0.5 dtex or less, at least one surface of the fibrous structure being napped, the napped surface having resin layers located discontinuously, and each of the resin layers containing two or more layers.

A leather-like fabric has a feel of natural nubuck leather and a napped feel and air permeability of suede leather, as well as high wear resistance. The leather-like fabric includes a fibrous structure including ultrafine fibers having an average monofilament fineness of 0.0001 dtex or more and 0.5 dtex or less, at least one surface of the fibrous structure being napped, the napped surface having resin layers located discontinuously, and each of the resin layers containing two or more layers.