The invention relates to a method for strengthening a nonwoven fabric by means of a water jet treatment. The method according to the invention is characterized in that the nonwoven fabric contains flat fibers in the form of collapsed hollow viscose fibers with a ratio of width B to thickness D of B:D10:1.

A carded staple fiber nonwoven having a basis weight of between about 45 grams per square meter (gsm) and about 150 gsm, includes a blend of absorbing fibers, stiffening fibers and filler fibers. The carded staple fiber nonwoven is non-heat stiffened, has an air permeability of between about 100 m.sup.3/m.sup.2/min and about 500 m.sup.3/m.sup.2/min, and a pore radius mode of between about 60 m and about 120 m.

Fabrics are provided that include mono-component staple fibers, a first group of split staple fibers comprising a first polymeric material, and a second group of split staple fibers comprising a second polymeric material that is different than the first polymeric material. The mono-component staple fibers, the first group of split staple fibers, and the second group of split staple fibers are physically entangled together to define a consolidated nonwoven. The fabrics may be physically entangled by hydroentanglement.

The present invention relates to a melt-blown fiber web having improved elasticity and cohesion, and a manufacturing method therefor. The objective of the present invention is accomplished by a melt-blown fiber web comprising a thermoplastic resin which comprises 10 to 60 wt % of thermoplastic resin microfibers and 40 to 90 wt % of non-circular cross-sectional hollow conjugated staple fibers with respect to the total weight of the fiber web.

Provided is batting that includes a bonded nonwoven web made from a fiber mixture containing: (a) 20 to 55 wt % of siliconized fibers having a denier of 1.5 to 10.0 and a length of 51 mm to 84 mm; (b) 10 to 45 wt % of hollow conjugate fibers having a spiral crimp, and having a denier of 1.5 to 10.0 and a length of 51 to 84 mm; (c) 10 to 45 wt % of a first population of binder fibers which are elastomeric co-polyester binder fibers having a denier of 1.5 to 8.0, a length of 51 mm to 84 mm, and a bonding temperature of 110? C. to 180? C.; and (d) 1 to 20 wt % of a second population of binder fibers, which have a denier of 1.5 to 6.0, a length of 51 mm to 84 mm, and a bonding temperature of 80? C. to 135? C.

An event or exhibition carpet is described having a needlefelt structure which can be low in weight but having good abrasion resistance. In accordance with embodiments of the present invention the event or exhibition carpet comprises at least a needle punched facing layer as top layer made of staple fibers, wherein the staple fibers comprise at least 50% by weight of solid multilobal fibers, and at least a partial binding. A process for making this event or exhibition carpet is described comprising the steps of: conveying a fibrous card web to a crosslapping machine and crosslapping the card web into a batt of material, wherein the multilobal nonwoven crosslapper travelling distance is less than 20% and larger than 10% bigger than the final width of the needle punched facing layer.

A method for arranging nanotube elements within nanotube fabric layers and films is disclosed. A directional force is applied over a nanotube fabric layer to render the fabric layer into an ordered network of nanotube elements. That is, a network of nanotube elements drawn together along their sidewalls and substantially oriented in a uniform direction. In some embodiments this directional force is applied by rolling a cylindrical element over the fabric layer. In other embodiments this directional force is applied by passing a rubbing material over the surface of a nanotube fabric layer. In other embodiments this directional force is applied by running a polishing material over the nanotube fabric layer for a predetermined time. Exemplary rolling, rubbing, and polishing apparatuses are also disclosed.

A polymer fiber comprising a thermoplastic polymer and an inorganic filler, wherein the filler content, based on the polymer fiber, is more than about 10% by weight and the mean particle size (D.sub.50) of the filler is less than or equal to about 6 m. A textile fabric, especially nonwoven, produced from the polymer fiber.

Fabrics are provided that include mono-component staple fibers, a first group of split staple fibers comprising a first polymeric material, and a second group of split staple fibers comprising a second polymeric material that is different than the first polymeric material. The mono-component staple fibers, the first group of split staple fibers, and the second group of split staple fibers are physically entangled together to define a consolidated nonwoven. The fabrics may be physically entangled by hydroentanglement.

The present invention relates to the use of a viscose fibre for the production of a transparent cosmetic mask. The use according to the invention is characterized in that the viscose fibre is a flat fibre, the cross section of the viscose fibre has a width-to-thickness ratio of 6:1 to 30:1, and the titre of the viscose fibre ranges from 1.0 dtex to 4 dtex.