Importance

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Abstract

The present invention provides a supported fibrous web assembly comprising a support material adhered to a nonwoven web of multicomponent fibers comprising a first polymer and a second polymer such that the second polymer is present on at least a portion of the surface of the multicomponent fibers and has a softening temperature below the softening temperatures of the first polymer and the support material, wherein the supported fibrous web assembly has a water flow rate of at least about 20% of the water flow rate of the nonwoven web of multicomponent fibers alone. The present inventive supported fibrous web assembly can further comprise a second fibrous web, which is adhered to the nonwoven web of multicomponent fibers such that the nonwoven web of multicomponent fibers is positioned between the second fibrous web and the support material, and wherein the supported fibrous web assembly has a water flow rate of at least about 20% of the water flow rate of the second fibrous web alone. The present invention also provides a filter element comprising a housing and such a supported fibrous web assembly, as well as a method of preparing such a supported fibrous web assembly and methods of using such a supported fibrous web assembly.

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First Claim