A drying method and to a drying device (2) for a moist material web (4) which is composed of a textile fibrous material and which has for example been compacted using liquid jets (45). The drying device (2) includes a drying chamber (22) with an aeration (ventilating) device (29) and an inlet (18), an outlet (19) and a fluid-permeable conveying device (23) for the running material web (4). The material web (4) is transported within the drying chamber (22) by the conveying device (23) and is dried using a heated gas, in particular air. The drying device (2) additionally has a suction device (5) which locally suctions and discharges liquid, in particular water, which is contained in the material web (4) by a suction flow (6) at one or more suction locations (53) at the material web (4).

The invention refers to a cover nonwoven for an interior lining for a vehicle, comprising a nonwoven fabric consisting of at least two nonwoven layers, a first nonwoven layer and a second nonwoven layer, wherein a first outer surface of the nonwoven fabric is formed by a surface of the first nonwoven layer and a second outer surface of the nonwoven fabric is formed by a surface of the second nonwoven layer, and wherein the first nonwoven layer and the second nonwoven layer are inseparably bonded on the entire surface. According to the invention, the first nonwoven layer is formed of a rough polypropylene spunlaced nonwoven and the second nonwoven layer is formed of a dense polypropylene spun-bonded nonwoven, wherein the first outer surface of the nonwoven fabric is suitable for the application of a pressure-sensitive adhesive, and wherein the second outer surface of the nonwoven fabric has hydrophobic properties.

The invention refers to a cover nonwoven for an interior lining for a vehicle, comprising a nonwoven fabric consisting of at least two nonwoven layers, a first nonwoven layer and a second nonwoven layer, wherein a first outer surface of the nonwoven fabric is formed by a surface of the first nonwoven layer and a second outer surface of the nonwoven fabric is formed by a surface of the second nonwoven layer, and wherein the first nonwoven layer and the second nonwoven layer are inseparably bonded on the entire surface. According to the invention, the first nonwoven layer is formed of a rough polypropylene spunlaced nonwoven and the second nonwoven layer is formed of a dense polypropylene spun-bonded nonwoven, wherein the first outer surface of the nonwoven fabric is suitable for the application of a pressure-sensitive adhesive, and wherein the second outer surface of the nonwoven fabric has hydrophobic properties.

An apertured nonwovens having a first nonwoven layer is described. The first nonwoven layer includes cellulose-based fibers and a plurality of apertures, wherein the plurality apertures have a minimum aperture distance between two adjacent apertures which has a relative standard deviation no greater than about 40%, as measured according to the Aperture Quality Test. The apertures have an aperture size no greater than about 2.2 mm.sup.2 and have an occlusion no greater than about 9%, as measured according to the Aperture Quality Test, or the apertures have an aspect ratio no greater than about 2.5 as measured according to the Aspect Ratio Test.

Provided is a fiber structure in which an extra-fine fiber layer and a substrate layer are integrated deeply. The fiber structure includes an extra-fine fiber layer 10 spreading in a plane direction, and a substrate layer 20 adjoining the extra-fine fiber layer, wherein the extra-fine fiber layer 10 includes extra-fine fibers having a number average single fiber diameter of 5 μm or less; the substrate layer 20 includes non-extra-fine fibers having a number average single fiber diameter of 7 μm or more; and in a cross section along a thickness direction of the fiber structure, the substrate layer 20 contains mixture portions 12 in each of which some of the extra-fine fibers pushed between the non-extra-fine fibers are widened in a crosswise direction.

A system and associated method for preparing a composite sheet material is provided. The system includes a nonwoven fabric source; a collection surface onto which a nonwoven fabric is deposited; a carding device disposed downstream of the nonwoven fabric source overlying the collection surface, the carding device including a main cylinder, an air source configured to provide a stream of air; an air manifold having an air inlet in communication with the air source, an air outlet, a fiber inlet, an interior channel, and a fiber outlet. The air outlet is positioned to direct an air stream against a surface the cylinder to dislodge fibers from the surface of the cylinder. The dislodged fibers enter the fiber inlet and flow to the fiber outlet at which point the fibers are deposited onto a surface of the nonwoven fabric. The fabrics are then bonded to form a coherent sheet material.

The invention relates to a device for hydroentangling and/or structuring webs that includes an suctioning rotating drum and a structured shell, including at least two rings which can be pushed on and attached to the drum, is disposed at a distance from the cylindrical surface of the drum around. A web can be at least partially looped around the structured shell. At least one water bar including a nozzle strip with a plurality of nozzles is arranged relative to the structured shell to entangle and/or to structure and/or to perforate the web by the water jets. The invention further relates to the structured shell.

A method of preparing an electret by saturating a nonwoven fabric with a liquid, such as water, and removing the liquid via suction to generate charges by friction between the fabric fibers and the liquid is described. The saturating can be carried out, for example, by impinging the bottom side of the fabric with a jet or jets of water while the fabric is being pulled under a solid roller. Excess water can also be applied during a water quenching step of a meltblowing or spunbonding process. An apparatus for preparing an electret according to the presently disclosed methods is also described.

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.

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.