A nonwoven is provided having a pattern displaying at least two groups of areas having different optical properties distinguishable to reading and decoding equipment. The pattern may be arise from differences in the microstructure of the web. The nonwoven material may have an embossed pattern having a basic, static component and a dynamic component which varies within a given length of the nonwoven web. Further, a method is provided for obtaining information from a nonwoven web, comprising observing the web surface using an optical reading device, collecting data based on differences in optical properties in the web surface, storing in a digital memory a pattern based on the collected data and comparing the stored pattern to a collection of previously stored patterns.

A nonwoven is provided having a pattern displaying at least two groups of areas having different optical properties distinguishable to reading and decoding equipment. The pattern may be arise from differences in the microstructure of the web. The nonwoven material may have an embossed pattern having a basic, static component and a dynamic component which varies within a given length of the nonwoven web. Further, a method is provided for obtaining information from a nonwoven web, comprising observing the web surface using an optical reading device, collecting data based on differences in optical properties in the web surface, storing in a digital memory a pattern based on the collected data and comparing the stored pattern to a collection of previously stored patterns.

The present invention relates to a process and an apparatus for making a fibrous web comprising a plurality of first areas comprising hydroentangled fibers, the first areas being discrete in a machine direction and/or a counter-machine direction, wherein the process comprises subjecting a fibrous web to a first hydroentanglement process directing water jets from a water injection means comprising a plurality of orifices on to the fibrous web; blocking at least one water jet from the water injection means discontinuously by use of a first blocking member positioned between the water injection means and the fibrous web.

The present invention relates to a method for producing a nonwoven fabric. The method according to the invention comprises forming a nonwoven web using a wet lay forming process, hydroentangling the web and providing the web with a high quality hydroembossed pattern. The invention also concerns a nonwoven fabric exhibiting a three dimensional pattern, which remains even in wet wipes prepared from the material.

The present invention relates to a method for producing a nonwoven fabric. The method according to the invention comprises forming a nonwoven web using a wet lay forming process, hydroentangling the web and providing the web with a high quality hydroembossed pattern. The invention also concerns a nonwoven fabric exhibiting a three dimensional pattern, which remains even in wet wipes prepared from the material.

A web support with a high degree of patterning freedom and excellent durability, a production method therefor, and a patterning method. The web support is used when applying a pattern to a nonwoven substance by jetting a high-pressure water stream on a web. The web support production method comprises: a step of preparing a flat metal base material; a step for forming, by etching, a first water conduction hole and second water conduction hole that pass through the front surface of the base material to the back surface, and a recess on the front surface of the base material that includes the first water conduction hole and that corresponds to the pattern; and a step for forming the base material into a cylindrical main body section by welding the edges of the base material to each other.

A web support with a high degree of patterning freedom and excellent durability, a production method therefor, and a patterning method. The web support is used when applying a pattern to a nonwoven substance by jetting a high-pressure water stream on a web. The web support production method comprises: a step of preparing a flat metal base material; a step for forming, by etching, a first water conduction hole and second water conduction hole that pass through the front surface of the base material to the back surface, and a recess on the front surface of the base material that includes the first water conduction hole and that corresponds to the pattern; and a step for forming the base material into a cylindrical main body section by welding the edges of the base material to each other.

The present invention relates to a process for making a fibrous web comprising a plurality of first areas comprising hydroentangled fibers, the first areas being discrete in a machine direction and/or a counter-machine direction, the process comprises subjecting a fibrous web to a hydroentanglement process directing water jets from a water injection means on to the fibrous web, and blocking at least one of the water jets from the water injection means discontinuously using a first blocking member positioned between the water injection means and the fibrous web wherein the first blocking member comprises at least one aperture, or at least one recess on its surface, and is rotatable about an axis perpendicular to a z-direction.

The present invention relates to a nonwoven material for use as an absorbent wiping material produced by hydroentangling of a substrate web comprising at least one layer of fibers selected from amongst synthetic fibers, regenerated fibers and natural fibers, wherein the nonwoven material (1) has a base level h.sub.0 with protuberances (2, 3) on one side, wherein the protuberances (2, 3) form at least a first and a second surface structure respectively in the form of first (2) and second (3) protuberances from the base level h.sub.0, wherein the first protuberances (2) have a height h.sub.1 from the base level h.sub.0 and the second protuberances (3) have a height h.sub.2 from the base level h.sub.0, where h.sub.2 is higher than h.sub.1, and each of the second protuberances (3) occupies an area of the surface of the base level at least 4 times greater than each of the first protuberances (2). The present invention also relates to a method for producing a nonwoven material (111), wherein hydroentangling of a substrate web (101), which comprises natural fibers having a length of less than 10 mm, takes place on a surface-shaped carrier device (109) containing holes which form at least a first and a second pattern in the form of first and second holes respectively, wherein the second holes are at least 4 times larger than the first holes.

The present invention relates to a nonwoven material for use as an absorbent wiping material produced by hydroentangling of a substrate web comprising at least one layer of fibers selected from amongst synthetic fibers, regenerated fibers and natural fibers, wherein the nonwoven material (1) has a base level h.sub.0 with protuberances (2, 3) on one side, wherein the protuberances (2, 3) form at least a first and a second surface structure respectively in the form of first (2) and second (3) protuberances from the base level h.sub.0, wherein the first protuberances (2) have a height h.sub.1 from the base level h.sub.0 and the second protuberances (3) have a height h.sub.2 from the base level h.sub.0, where h.sub.2 is higher than h.sub.1, and each of the second protuberances (3) occupies an area of the surface of the base level at least 4 times greater than each of the first protuberances (2). The present invention also relates to a method for producing a nonwoven material (111), wherein hydroentangling of a substrate web (101), which comprises natural fibers having a length of less than 10 mm, takes place on a surface-shaped carrier device (109) containing holes which form at least a first and a second pattern in the form of first and second holes respectively, wherein the second holes are at least 4 times larger than the first holes.