An enhanced, co-formed fibrous web structure is disclosed. The web structure may have a co-formed core layer sandwiched between two scrim layers. The core layer may be formed of a blend of cellulose pulp fibers and melt spun filaments. The scrim layers may be formed of melt spun filaments, and the filaments forming one or both scrim layers may have a number average diameter of 4.5 μm or less. Filaments of one or both of the scrim layers, and optionally the core layer, may also be meltblown filaments. Alternatively, the filaments forming the scrim layers may constitute from 1 to 13 percent of the weight of the structure. Alternatively, the scrim layers may have a combined basis weight of from 0.1 gsm to less than 3.0 gsm. A method for forming the structure, including direct formation of layers, is also disclosed.

This document presents algae-derived antimicrobial fiber substrates, and a method of making the same. The fiber may be a synthetic fiber, but can also be formed as a cellulosic (e.g., cotton). In various implementations, an algae-derived antimicrobial fiber substrate can be made to have identical properties and characteristics of nylon-6 of nylon 6-6 polymer or the like, and yet contain antimicrobial, anti-viral, and/or flame retardant algal derived substances. Any of various species of red algae, brown algae, blue-green algae, and brown seaweed (marine microalgae and/or macroalgae) are known to contain a high level of sulfated polysaccharides with inherent antimicrobial, antiviral, and flame-retardant properties, and can be used as described herein. Additionally disclosed are algae-derived flexible foams, whether open-cell or closed-cell, with inherent antimicrobial, antiviral, and flame resistant properties. Further, a process of manufacturing is presented wherein the process may include one or more of the steps of: harvesting algae-biomass; sufficiently drying the algae biomass; blending the dried algae biomass with a carrier resin and various foaming ingredients; adding an algal-derived antimicrobial compound selected from various natural sulfated polysaccharides present in brown algae, red algae, and/or certain seaweeds (marine microalgae); and adding a sufficient quantity of dried algae biomass to the formulation to adequately create a fire resistant flexible foam material.

Nonwoven materials having at least one layer comprising high core bicomponent fibers are provided. The nonwoven materials can have multiple layers and are suitable for use in a variety of applications, including in absorbent products. Such nonwoven materials can be patterned to create a three-dimensional topography including indentations formed of valleys and ridges. The nonwoven materials can have improved resiliency and strength and can retain their structure under wetted conditions and after tension and compression. The nonwoven materials can further facilitate the transfer of the liquid through the nonwoven material for improved liquid distribution and can also have improved liquid retention properties.

A method for wet processing of hemp fibers for commercial use is provided. The method includes steps of loading raw hemp fibers with water into a vessel and heating the contents of the vessel. The method also includes the addition of a sequence of certain chemical compounds, which include a scouring agent, a wetting agent, a caustic compound, an acidic compound, a lubricant, and a softening agent. The water may be heated to boiling during the process to aid in opening up the fibers during processing. Peroxide is not utilized in the process. The process produces commercially viable quantities of hemp fibers that are soft, clean, and easily spinnable while maintaining fiber burst strength.

Disclosed herein are improvements to processes and equipment for the manufacture of composite nonwoven webs comprising a mixture of two or more different fibers and formed from at least two streams of air-entrained fibers. Adjacent the perimeter of an exit port of one of the fiber streams are located a series of spaced tabs and apertures. As a first stream of air-entrained fibers pass the series of tabs and apertures, vortices are formed therein. When mixed with a second stream of air-entrained fibers, the vortices within the first stream of fibers causes increased mixing of the fibers, helping to drive the first fibers deeper into the second stream of air-entrained fibers.

A fine cellulose fiber in which when the fine cellulose fiber is formed into a dispersion, the dispersion has very high light transmittance and viscosity, and a method for producing the fine cellulose fiber. The fine cellulose fiber has a fiber width of 1 to 200 nm. A part of hydroxy groups of the cellulose fiber are substituted with a predetermine functional group to introduce an ester of phosphorus-oxo acid, and the introduction amount of the functional group is more than 2.0 mmol per 1 g of the cellulose fiber. For producing the fine cellulose fiber, to cellulose fiber is added a solution having a pH of less than 3.0 and including an additive (A) containing at least one of a phosphorus-oxo acid and a phosphorus-oxo acid metal salt and an additive (B) containing at least one of urea and a urea derivative, and the mixture is heated to perform fibrillation.

A method of dissolving lignocellulosic biomass waste includes obtaining raw lignocellulosic biomass waste, reducing a size of the biomass waste to provide a biomass particle size of less than about 200 μm; using dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) solvents to dissolve the biomass particles and achieve a dissolved lignocellulose solution. The present method dissolves at least about 94% of the lignocellulose fraction in the waste biomass. In an embodiment, the biomass particle size can be about 180 μm.

The invention relates to methods for providing crimped bast fibers which may include providing an input of bast fibers, adjusting the moisture content of the bast fibers to be in the range of about 10% to about 40% by weight to form a fiber mat, and contacting the fiber mat with a pair of heated crimping rolls to provide crimped bast fibers having a crimp of about 1 to about 10 crimps per centimeter. The invention further provides for a nonwoven fabric comprising at least 5% of the crimped bast fibers. The crimping of the bast fibers in these nonwoven fabrics is beneficial to forming a drylaid, airlaid or wetlaid nonwoven fabric that has desirable properties related to performance in a variety of nonwoven product applications.

An apparatus has one or more conveyor systems, each conveyor having a conveyor bed having a first end, and a second end opposite the first end, a conveyance mechanism configured to move material from the first end to the second end, a material inlet at the first end, a material outlet at the second end, and a waste discharge outlet, at least one liquid dispenser arranged to dispense liquid into each conveyor bed, and at least one sensor at least partially inserted into each conveyor bed, wherein the material inlet of the one or more conveyors is configured as an initial material inlet, and the material outlet of the one or more conveyors is configured as a final material outlet. A method of rinsing coir includes moving the coir through at least two conveyor beds, applying liquid to the coir as it moves through the at least two conveyors, monitoring a composition of the liquid in the conveyor beds, and automatically adjusting application of the liquid based upon the monitoring.

Fabrics and garments are disclosed that exhibit fire resistance. The fabric has yarn containing FR materials that provide for the fire resistance. The fabric is optionally dyed. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention.