A spunbond nonwoven laminate has a stack of at least two and at most four spunbond nonwoven layers each formed by or consisting of crimped continuous filaments. A degree of crimping of the filaments in each of the spunbond nonwoven layers is different from a degree of crimping in each of the other spunbond nonwoven layers and each of the crimped filaments of the spunbond nonwoven layers has a crimp with at least two loops per centimeter of length. The crimped filaments of the spunbond nonwoven layers are multicomponent filaments each having at least one first plastic component and at least one second plastic component with each of the plastic components being present in the respective filament in a proportion of at least 10 wt %.

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.

A system that receives nanomaterials, forms nanofibrous materials therefrom, and collects these nanofibrous materials for subsequent applications. The system include a housing coupled to a synthesis chamber within which nanotubes are produced. A spindle may extend from within the housing, across the inlet, and into the chamber for collecting nanotubes and twisting them into a yarn. A body portion may be positioned at an intake end of the spindle. The body portion may include a pathway for imparting a twisting force onto the flow of nanotubes and guide them into the spindle for collection and twisting into the nanofibrous yarn. Methods and apparatuses for forming nanofibrous are also disclosed.

The present invention relates to a hollow fiber membrane in which the thickness L of a spherical structure layer is 60-500 ?m (inclusive), the spherical structure layer has a first surface and a second surface, the average diameter Da.sub.1 of the spherical structure in a region Sa.sub.1 10 ?m or less from the first surface and the average diameter db.sub.2 of the spherical structure in a region Sb.sub.2 10-20 ?m from the second surface satisfy the relational expression Da.sub.1>db.sub.2, and the spherical structure satisfies certain parameters.

A carded staple fiber nonwoven comprising three or more stratums. The carded staple fiber nonwoven has a basis weight of up to about 175 gsm and includes a blend of absorbing fibers, stiffening fibers and filler fibers. The carded staple fiber nonwoven is heat stiffened and the three or more stratums are integrated without adhesives.

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 article of apparel including insulation material includes an insulating layer formed of waterfowl fibers and synthetic fibers. The waterfowl fibers can be present in an amount of at least 20% by weight of the insulating layer. The insulating layer is generally free of waterfowl plumage.

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.