Self-crimped multi-component fibers (SMF) are provided that include (i) a first component comprising a first polymeric material, in which the first polymeric material comprises a first melt flow rate (MFR) that is less than 50 g/10 min; and (ii) a second component comprising a second polymeric material, in which the second component is different than the first component. The SMF includes one or more three-dimensional crimped portions. Also provided are nonwoven fabrics comprising a plurality of SMFs. Methods of manufacturing SMFs and nonwoven fabrics including SMFs are also provided.

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.

Provided is a composite nonwoven fabric including: a silk region that contains crimped silk fibers as a main component; and a synthetic fiber nonwoven fabric region that contains polyolefin resin-containing synthetic fibers as a main component.

The present invention is generally related to a high capacity, high efficiency nonwoven filtration media comprising a gradient pore structure. In particular, the filtration media can comprise thermoplastic synthetic microfibers, fibrillated fibers, staple fibers, and a binder. Furthermore, the filtration media may be produced without the use of glass fibers or microglass fibers. Consequently, the filtration media of the present invention does not cause the same issues as conventional filtration media that comprises glass fibers and/or microglass fibers. Moreover, the filtration media can be used to treat fuel, lubrication fluids, hydraulic fluids, and various other industrial gases.

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 nonwoven composite fabric including a first nonwoven layer composed substantially of meltblown fibers, the fibers within the first nonwoven layer having diameters that vary in accordance with a first distribution, a second nonwoven layer composed substantially of meltblown fibers, the fibers within the second nonwoven layer having diameters that vary in accordance with a second distribution, and a third nonwoven layer composed substantially of meltblown fibers, the third nonwoven layer disposed between the first and second nonwoven layers, the fibers within the third nonwoven layer having diameters that vary in accordance with a third distribution that is greater than the first and second distributions.

A non-woven fiber article for use in a food, medical, or pharmaceutical production environment including a melt-spun polymer fiber is provided having a cross-section and a length and a detectable particulate present in an amount of 20 to 80 weight percent loadings of metal or 10 to 80 weight percent loadings of radiopaque particles to render the polymer fiber detectable by magnetic or X-ray detection, alone or in combination with a secondary functional particulate distributed with the polymer fiber to render the polymer fiber chemically responsive to a chemical reactant, change in pH or temperature. The detectable particulate and the secondary functional particulate are each independently present in a core, a sheath, or both portions of polymer matrix. A process of detecting a fabric made from such a fiber. The fabric article passes through detector. A signal is collected from the detector indicative of the presence of the fabric article.

A non-woven fiber article for use in a food, medical, or pharmaceutical production environment including a melt-spun polymer fiber is provided having a cross-section and a length and a detectable particulate present in an amount of 20 to 80 weight percent loadings of metal or 10 to 80 weight percent loadings of radiopaque particles to render the polymer fiber detectable by magnetic or X-ray detection, alone or in combination with a secondary functional particulate distributed with the polymer fiber to render the polymer fiber chemically responsive to a chemical reactant, change in pH or temperature. The detectable particulate and the secondary functional particulate are each independently present in a core, a sheath, or both portions of polymer matrix. A process of detecting a fabric made from such a fiber. The fabric article passes through detector. A signal is collected from the detector indicative of the presence of the fabric article.

Charged polymeric webs, such as electret webs, include a thermoplastic resin and a charge-enhancing additive. The additives are a mercapto-benzothiazole salts or mercapto-benzoxazole salts. The electret webs may be a non-woven fibrous web or a film. The electret webs are suitable for use as filter media.

A cleansing wipe may be formed from a nonwoven and includes a first ethylene/alpha-olefin interpolymer and a second ethylene/alpha-olefin interpolymer. The cleansing wipe may also have a SaMbSc configuration, wherein the M, meltblown layer, is formed from the first ethylene/alpha-olefin interpolymer and the second ethylene/alpha-olefin interpolymer. The cleansing wipe may be formed a nonwoven comprising bicomponent fibers that incorporate the first ethylene/alpha-olefin interpolymer and the second ethylene/alpha-olefin interpolymer.