The provided articles and methods use a non-woven fibrous web containing 60-100 wt % of oxidized polyacrylonitrile fibers; and 0-40 wt % of reinforcing fibers having outer surfaces comprised of a polymer with a melting temperature of from 100° C. to 300° C. The non-woven fibrous web has an average bulk density of from 15 kg/m.sup.3 to 50 kg/m.sup.3, with the plurality of fibers substantially entangled along directions perpendicular to a major surface of the non-woven fibrous web. Optionally, the oxidized polyacrylonitrile fibers can have a crimped configuration. Advantageously, these articles can display a combination of low thermal conductivity, high tensile strength, and flame resistance.

The present invention relates to a flame-retardant nonwoven fabric for a mattress, and a flame-retardant nonwoven fabric for mattresses comprising flame-retardant rayon (FR-Rayon) staple fibers of 20 to 50% by weight; modacrylic staple fibers of 30 to 60% by weight; polyimide (PI) staple fibers of 10 to 30% by weight; and low melting polyester (LM PET) staple fibers of 5 to 20% by weight provides enhanced flame retarding and mechanical properties.

Shown are thermo-fusible conjugate fibers having a high degree of crystallinity, while a degree of orientation is suppressed, and a bulky and soft nonwoven fabric using the same. The thermo-fusible conjugate fibers have, as a first component, a polyester-based resin, and as a second component, an olefin-based resin having a melting point lower than a melting point of the first component, in which the degree of orientation in the polyester-based resin is 6.0 or less, and the degree of crystallinity therein is 20% or more. The conjugate fibers are preferably sheath-core conjugate fibers in which the first component is a core component and the second component is a sheath component.

Shown are thermo-fusible conjugate fibers having a high degree of crystallinity, while a degree of orientation is suppressed, and a bulky and soft nonwoven fabric using the same. The thermo-fusible conjugate fibers have, as a first component, a polyester-based resin, and as a second component, an olefin-based resin having a melting point lower than a melting point of the first component, in which the degree of orientation in the polyester-based resin is 6.0 or less, and the degree of crystallinity therein is 20% or more. The conjugate fibers are preferably sheath-core conjugate fibers in which the first component is a core component and the second component is a sheath component.

A method for producing a nonwoven element particularly for hygiene products, has at least the following steps: forming a fibrous web sheet with a width direction extending transverse to the production direction and a thickness direction perpendicular thereto by supplying staple fibers from at least a first group which are formed from a thermoplastic material, consolidating the fibrous web sheet to form a nonwoven web by heating exclusively a first side of the fibrous web sheet through contact with a heated surface such that the staple fibers of the first group are partially melted, and cooling the nonwoven web.

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.

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.

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 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.

The provided articles and methods use a non-woven fibrous web containing 60-100 wt % of oxidized polyacrylonitrile fibers; and 0-40 wt % of reinforcing fibers having outer surfaces comprised of a polymer with a melting temperature of from 100° C. to 300° C. The non-woven fibrous web has an average bulk density of from 15 kg/m.sup.3 to 50 kg/m.sup.3, with the plurality of fibers substantially entangled along directions perpendicular to a major surface of the non-woven fibrous web. Optionally, the oxidized polyacrylonitrile fibers can have a crimped configuration. Advantageously, these articles can display a combination of low thermal conductivity, high tensile strength, and flame resistance.