Methods and apparatuses for producing a zoned and/or layered substrate are described. A substrate can include a first layer including a first zone, a second zone, and an interface between zones. The first zone can include a plurality of fibers. The second zone can include a plurality of fibers and can be offset from the first zone in a cross-direction. The interface can include at least some of the plurality of fibers of the first zone and at least some of the plurality of fibers of the second zone to provide a purity gradient with a transition width less than 3.8 cm as defined by the Purity Gradient Test Method as described herein.

An article comprising hollow ceramic microspheres and multi-component fibers is disclosed. The multi-component fibers are adhered together, and the hollow ceramic microspheres are adhered to external surfaces of the multi-component fibers. A method of making the article and use of the article for insulation are also disclosed.

Multi-component fibers or filaments that are ribbon shaped are provided having polymer components positioned in a side-by-side fashion. For example, the multi-component fibers may be bicomponent fibers having ribbon shape. The polymer components of the fibers are selected to have differential shrinkage behavior. Nonwovens are also provided that are manufactured from such ribbon shaped multi-component fibers or filaments.

A liner, comprising a layered material in which a carded nonwoven wadding is thermally bonded to a thin carded nonwoven top layer, for upholstered furniture. In the liner, a high proportion of the staple fibers in the top layer are thin bi-component binder fibers. Further, at least 20 wt % of the staple fibers in the wadding is thick staple fibers. Furthermore, also the wadding comprises bi-component binder fibers.

A feminine hygiene pad is disclosed. The pad may include a topsheet comprising a nonwoven web, and a fluid management layer beneath the topsheet. The web may include bicomponent staple fibers having an average denier of 1.5 to 2.5 and a sheath-core configuration, have a basis weight of about 18 gsm to 40 gsm, and a plurality of randomly-distributed inter-fiber bonds wherein sheaths of adjacent fibers are fusion-bonded together without compression. The sheaths may comprise PE and the cores may comprise PET, in a weight ratio of 40:60 to 60:40. The web may be formed predominantly of hydrophobic fibers, or the web may include a blend of hydrophilic fibers and hydrophobic fibers, in a weight ratio of 30:70 to 70:30, wherein fiber hydrophilicity is effected by application of a surface treatment composition. The topsheet may bear an application of an anti-stick agent and/or have a pattern of apertures therethrough.

A non-woven fabric is provided having a high strength and a low basis weight. The fabric comprises a plurality of multi-component fibers that are bonded together into a web having a basis weight of 20 gsm or less, an air porosity of at least 1600 L/M2/s and a bonding area percentage in the range of 15-50%, wherein the multi-component fibers include a sheath and at least one core that are each formed of the same substantially pure polymer material. The invention further provides a method of making the non-woven fabric as well as a filtered container or beverage capsule formed with the non-woven fabric.

A method of preparing a cleaning wipe having a high sustainable polymer content is provided. The cleaning wipe includes a fibrous layer having fibers of a melt spinnable sustainable polymer; and an abrasive layer having meltblown fibers of a melt spinnable sustainable polymer. The abrasive layer defining an outer surface of the cleaning wipe, and includes a plurality of abrasive structures formed thereon in which the abrasive structures are formed from conglomerated fibers, meltblown shot, fibers having average diameters greater than 4 micrometers and fibers having a tortuous geometry. The melt spinnable sustainable polymer content of the cleaning wipe is at least 50 weight % by weight of the cleaning wipe. A method of preparing the cleaning wipe is also provided.

The present invention is directed to a hygiene article for use in personal care absorbent products such as nappies or diapers, training pants, sanitary napkins, incontinence garments, wound aids, personal protective equipment, facemasks, gowns, head and shoe covers and the like. More particularly, invention provides a hygiene article including a fibre composition comprising a combination of sheep wool fibres and polymeric fibres, wherein the polymeric fibres are not derived from one or more petrochemicals.

Methods and apparatuses for producing a zoned and/or layered substrate are described. A method can include providing a first supply of fibers, providing a second supply of fibers, and providing a headbox. The headbox can include a machine direction, a cross-direction, and a first cross-directional divider that separates a first zone of the headbox from a second zone of the headbox in a cross-directional manner. The method can further include transferring the first supply of fibers and the second supply of fibers to the headbox. The method can also include transferring the first supply of fibers and the second supply of fibers through the headbox to provide the substrate.

Provided are a nonwoven fabric, wherein in a broken end part formed by a tensile test in accordance with JIS L 1913 of stretching in one direction to lead breakage, letting an innermost point in the one direction be P.sub.in and an outermost point be P.sub.out, distance D along the one direction between point P.sub.in and point P.sub.out is less than or equal to 50 mm, and a bandage using the same.