A fabric comprising a plurality of textile fibres, wherein said plurality of fibres comprises fibres that have been selected from two groups of fibres. The first group of fibres comprises multiple fibres having a first average length, and the second group of fibres comprises multiple fibres having a second average length, the first average length being shorter than the second average length. Further, the fibres of the first group have a first length variance being greater than a second length variance of the fibres of the second group. Thereby, the elongation properties of the fabric is changed in respect of the cross direction of the fabric, whilst maintaining almost unchanged strength in the longitudinal direction at a low basis weight. The elongation properties include a controlled reduction in the cross-directional tensile strength and a corresponding increase in cross-directional elongation, whilst still providing enough cover and longitudinal direction strength for the material to be made and formed in industrial processes. Thus, the extension profile may be said to be engineered when using fibres of different average lengths in a fabric as disclosed. Further, the possibility of controlling the average lengths of fibres through the right selection of groups of fibres provides a possibility of engineering the strength in detail. More specifically, according to the present invention, a weakness is engineered in the cross direction, whereby the maximum elongation length in said cross direction is increased compared to a conventional and comparable fabric not comprising groups of fibres selected according to the invention.

A fabric comprising a plurality of textile fibres, wherein said plurality of fibres comprises fibres that have been selected from two groups of fibres. The first group of fibres comprises multiple fibres having a first average length, and the second group of fibres comprises multiple fibres having a second average length, the first average length being shorter than the second average length. Further, the fibres of the first group have a first length variance being greater than a second length variance of the fibres of the second group. Thereby, the elongation properties of the fabric is changed in respect of the cross direction of the fabric, whilst maintaining almost unchanged strength in the longitudinal direction at a low basis weight. The elongation properties include a controlled reduction in the cross-directional tensile strength and a corresponding increase in cross-directional elongation, whilst still providing enough cover and longitudinal direction strength for the material to be made and formed in industrial processes. Thus, the extension profile may be said to be engineered when using fibres of different average lengths in a fabric as disclosed. Further, the possibility of controlling the average lengths of fibres through the right selection of groups of fibres provides a possibility of engineering the strength in detail. More specifically, according to the present invention, a weakness is engineered in the cross direction, whereby the maximum elongation length in said cross direction is increased compared to a conventional and comparable fabric not comprising groups of fibres selected according to the invention.

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.

A masterbatch is disclosed, along with associated methods, and biodegradable filaments, fibers, yarns and fabrics. The masterbatch includes 0.2 to 5 mass % CaCO.sub.3, an aliphatic polyester with a repeat unit having from two to six carbons in the chain between ester groups, with the proviso that the 2 to 6 carbons in the chain do not include side chain carbons, and a carrier polymer selected from the group consisting of PET, nylon, other thermoplastic polymers, and combinations thereof.

Provided is a stretchable laminate which has a sufficient holding ability in the case of being stretched to be bonded onto another material and is excellent in feeling of touch. Also provided is an article including such stretchable laminate. The stretchable laminate of the present invention is a stretchable laminate, including: an elastomer layer; and a non-woven fabric layer arranged on at least one side of the elastomer layer, the stretchable laminate including an elastic lane portion and a rigid lane portion, the rigid lane portion requiring a strength of from 1 N/20 mm to 7 N/20 mm for obtaining a 5% deformation amount.

Provided is a stretchable laminate which has a sufficient holding ability in the case of being stretched to be bonded onto another material and is excellent in feeling of touch. Also provided is an article including such stretchable laminate. The stretchable laminate of the present invention is a stretchable laminate, including: an elastomer layer; and a non-woven fabric layer arranged on at least one side of the elastomer layer, the stretchable laminate including an elastic lane portion and a rigid lane portion, the rigid lane portion requiring a strength of from 1 N/20 mm to 7 N/20 mm for obtaining a 5% deformation amount.

A plant and a method for connecting a web of fibrous material to a nonwoven or consolidating it therewith includes a first circulating belt on which the web of fibrous material is laid, a device for introducing a nonwoven into the plant, and a further successive circulating belt on which the nonwoven is to be connected to or consolidated with the web of fibrous material. The web of fibrous material from the first circulating belt is first laid on the nonwoven and subsequently the fibrous material is transferred onto the successive belt together with the nonwoven for connection or consolidation by use of water jets.

A plant and a method for connecting a web of fibrous material to a nonwoven or consolidating it therewith includes a first circulating belt on which the web of fibrous material is laid, a device for introducing a nonwoven into the plant, and a further successive circulating belt on which the nonwoven is to be connected to or consolidated with the web of fibrous material. The web of fibrous material from the first circulating belt is first laid on the nonwoven and subsequently the fibrous material is transferred onto the successive belt together with the nonwoven for connection or consolidation by use of water jets.

An article and method includes a nonwoven textile forming at least part of an upper of an article of footwear and binding fibers entangled with fibers of the folded portion and the major portion, the edge being secured, at least in part, to the major surface. The nonwoven textile is comprised of fibers and has a major portion and a folded portion, the folded portion including an edge of the nonwoven textile folded over to bring the edge in contact, at least in part, with a major surface of the major portion to form a folded edge.