Compositions are disclosed suitable as biobased and compostable binders for fiber-based materials, paper, textiles, woven and nonwoven materials. The compositions are adjusted to a pH<7 and comprise a water soluble biobased polymer or a protein hydrolysate, a support agent selected from at least one in the group of saccharides and polyols, and tannic acid. Also disclosed is fiber-based materials, paper, textiles, woven and nonwoven materials treated with the compositions and methods for such treatment.

A loom system for making a fibrous preform may comprise a base, a bedplate coupled to the base, wherein the bedplate is configured to rotate about an axis of rotation, and an air entangling module coupled to the base. The air entangling module may comprise an air entangling head coupled to an outer support and an inner support, wherein the air entangling head is configured to apply a jet of air toward the bedplate at an entangling zone. The air entangling head may have freedom of motion along the outer support and the inner support, and may be configured to rest on top of a fibrous layer.

A loom system for making a fibrous preform may comprise a base, a bedplate coupled to the base, wherein the bedplate is configured to rotate about an axis of rotation, and an air entangling module coupled to the base. The air entangling module may comprise an air entangling head coupled to an outer support and an inner support, wherein the air entangling head is configured to apply a jet of air toward the bedplate at an entangling zone. The air entangling head may have freedom of motion along the outer support and the inner support, and may be configured to rest on top of a fibrous layer.

A fiber assembly including fibrils including a fibril which is a part of a fiber extending in a direction of thickness of the fiber assembly and including a network structure formed with a binding portion resulting at least any from binding between fibrils and binding between a fibril and a fiber in at least any end portion in the direction of thickness of the fiber assembly and a liquid absorbent sheet-like article including the same as well as a fiber assembly which is excellent in diffusion of a liquid particularly at a surface and absorption thereof in the inside and includes fibrils and a liquid absorbent sheet-like article including the same as well as a method of manufacturing the fiber assembly can be provided.

A fiber assembly including fibrils including a fibril which is a part of a fiber extending in a direction of thickness of the fiber assembly and including a network structure formed with a binding portion resulting at least any from binding between fibrils and binding between a fibril and a fiber in at least any end portion in the direction of thickness of the fiber assembly and a liquid absorbent sheet-like article including the same as well as a fiber assembly which is excellent in diffusion of a liquid particularly at a surface and absorption thereof in the inside and includes fibrils and a liquid absorbent sheet-like article including the same as well as a method of manufacturing the fiber assembly can be provided.

An apparatus for forming deformations in a nonwoven web is disclosed. The apparatus includes a pair of forming members that form a nip therebetween. The forming members include: a first forming member having a surface comprising a plurality of discrete, spaced apart male forming elements; and a second forming member having a surface comprising a plurality of recesses in the second forming member, wherein the recesses are aligned and configured to receive the male forming elements therein, wherein the recesses have a plan view periphery that is larger than, and may completely surround, the plan view periphery of the male elements. At least one of the forming members has a plurality of discrete surface texture elements thereon.

An apparatus for forming deformations in a nonwoven web is disclosed. The apparatus includes a pair of forming members that form a nip therebetween. The forming members include: a first forming member having a surface comprising a plurality of discrete, spaced apart male forming elements; and a second forming member having a surface comprising a plurality of recesses in the second forming member, wherein the recesses are aligned and configured to receive the male forming elements therein, wherein the recesses have a plan view periphery that is larger than, and may completely surround, the plan view periphery of the male elements. At least one of the forming members has a plurality of discrete surface texture elements thereon.

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 hydroentangled nonwoven fibrous composition, comprising as a hydroentangled web from 60 to 90% by weight of defibrated or refined natural cellulose fibers; and from 10 to 40% by weight of manmade sustainable fibers and a method to prepare the fibrous composition is provided. The nonwoven fibrous hydroentangled web comprises no binder, adhesive or thermal bonding fiber and has sufficient wet strength to be usable as a wipe and water dispersibility to be suitable as a flushable product for disposal in a municipal sewer system. A disposable wipe containing the hydroentangled nonwoven fibrous composition is also provided.