A method for manufacturing a composite may include: selecting an interlayer material having a first distortional-deformation capability; selecting a matrix material having a second distortional-deformation capability, which is less than the first distortional-deformation capability; disposing at least one reinforcing layer, formed of reinforcing fibers of a reinforcing material, and at least one interlayer, formed of a nonwoven fabric of the interlayer material, in an alternating configuration; and infusing the at least one reinforcing layer and the at least one interlayer with the matrix material such that the matrix material flows though the at least one reinforcing layer and the at least one interlayer. Selection of the interlayer material having the first distortional-deformation capability and the matrix material having the second distortional-deformation capability is configured to increase tensile strength of the composite.

A fluid-absorbent article having an upper liquid-pervious layer, a lower liquid-impervious layer, a fluid-absorbent core between the layer and the layer, containing from 0 to 20% by weight fibrous material and from 80 to 100% by weight of a water-absorbent polymer material, based on the sum of water-absorbent polymer material and fibrous material. The fluid absorbent article has a first intake time of 15 seconds or less by the hanging U-shape test (HUS).

An absorbent core and an absorbent article respectively with improved properties, especially rewet performance, are disclosed. The absorbent core has at least two layers, wherein each layer comprising from 0 to 10% by weight fibrous material and from 90 to 100% by weight water-absorbent polymer particles, based on the sum of water-absorbent polymer particles and fibrous material. The surface-postcrosslinked water absorbent polymer particles within the upper layer have a sphericity of at least 0.89 and a CRC of at least 34 g/g. Preferably the water-absorbent polymer particles have a sphericity of at least 0.89 and the sum of the CRC and AUL (0.3 psi, 21 g cm.sup.−2) (EDANA 442.2-02) of the water absorbent polymer particles is at least 65 g/g.

A waste collection apparatus having an absorbent pad having opposing outermost layers, comprising a permeable layer and an opposing substantially leak proof layer; the absorbent pad comprising at least one innermost layer of waste absorbing material sandwiched and completely enclosed between the opposing outermost layers and completely filling a volume therebetween extending to the outer peripheral border, which has an interior passageway, a draw tape therein, and a plurality of outside cut off corners having adjacent interior passageway openings; the draw tape having a length greater than that of the outer peripheral border; the draw tape routed through the adjacent interior passageway openings exposing the draw tape at the outside cut off corners; the waste collection apparatus forming a bag, when the draw tape is pulled taut.

Nonwoven fabrics having liquid barrier properties are provided. The nonwoven fabrics may include one or more nonwoven layers, in which one or more of the nonwoven layers may include a liquid-barrier-enhancing-additive (LBEA) comprising an amide. The nonwoven fabrics may be suitable for use in a wide variety of liquid barrier applications, including facemasks, surgical gowns, surgical drapes, lab coats, and barrier components of absorbent articles (e.g., barrier leg cuffs).

An architectural covering with an operable vane having a fabric backing is provided. The vane may include a vane fabric and a backing material connected to the vane fabric by a layer of adhesive. The backing material may increase a machine-direction stiffness of the vane while slightly affecting a cross-direction stiffness of the vane. As such, the vane may have increased stiffness in its machine direction while simultaneously remaining flexible in its cross direction.

One or more techniques and/or systems are disclosed for creating panels to simulate the real light tracing ability of wood fibers, and the light refractive properties of real wood figure. High light refractive man-made fibers can be molded into 3D figured panels which may then be filled with clear resin to magnify and to duplicate the light refractivity of wood figure. A protective backing material can be applied to the rear of the molded fiber panel, to provide a flat surface, and/or for adherence purposes. Rather, the 3D figured panels may also be machined into flat fiber panels to reveal a visual 3D surface that simulates the light refractivity of wood figure.

A unitary fabric structure for use within a personal care absorbent article includes a composite of at least two functional components for fluid intake. The two functional components include a fibrous, liner functional component and at least one fibrous, surge functional component. The functional components are positioned immediately adjacent one another within the composite and held together directly to one another.

A lightweight roofing shingle comprising a saturated mat having an exposed side and an unexposed side wherein a fabric reinforcing layer substantially replaces the bottom asphalt coating and the backing aggregate on the unexposed side of a conventional shingle. The lightweight shingle will have a top asphalt layer applied to the exposed side of the mat and a layer of granular material applied to the top asphalt layer opposite the mat per conventional construction, and the fabric reinforcing layer is adhered directly to the unexposed side of the saturated mat. In one embodiment, the fabric reinforcing layer covers an entire area of the unexposed side of the saturated mat. The reinforcing layer may preferably be a nonwoven fabric made from PET or polypropylene. The lightweight roofing shingle may also include a release tape layer applied to the reinforcing layer opposite the saturated mat.

A reinforced water-resistant board includes a cover board with a reinforced water-resistant membrane applied to a surface of the cover board. The reinforced water-resistant membrane includes a primer layer, a reinforced membrane, a traffic coat, and a sealing layer. The primer layer is applied over the surface of the cover board. The reinforced membrane includes fleece soaked in a liquid resin and is applied over the primer layer. The traffic coat is boned to the reinforced member. The sealing layer is applied over the traffic coat.