Abstract: A yarn blocking and storage device is provided. The device includes an upper platform having a first plurality of apertures therethrough and a lower platform having a second plurality of apertures therein. A plurality of support spacers is securable between the upper and lower platforms to maintain the upper and lower platforms in a spaced configuration. A plurality of blocking staves is removably securable through the first plurality of apertures and within the second pluralities of apertures, wherein the plurality of blocking staves can be selectively positioned along the upper and lower platforms to support a motif thereon.

Abstract: A knitting machine part comprises a plurality of tool guides, each for one knitting tool. Each tool guide has a hardened region. The majority of the hardened regions are formed to be integral without seams or joints which transition integrally into adjacent, non-hardened regions. At least one hardened region of the knitting machine part is formed by a non-integral region, in that a hardened, separate component is arranged there, which forms the non-integral hardened region. The component can be designed as an insert part and inserted in a receptacle recess. The integral regions are preferably formed by induction hardening of a knitting machine part which is not yet hardened, wherein a separate hardened component can be arranged in each insufficiently hardened region in order to provide a hardened, non-integral region.

Abstract: A reinforcing fiber mat manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention is a reinforcing fiber mat manufacturing apparatus that includes a hitting mechanism (40) that comes into contact with a reinforcing fiber bundle to split the reinforcing fiber bundle into a plurality of pieces, and, disperses the plurality of pieces. The hitting mechanism (40) includes a rotation shaft (41), a pair of rotation plates (42) attached to portions of the rotation shaft (41) apart from each other, and a plurality of hitting pieces (43) arranged to extend in parallel to the rotation shaft (41) between the pair of rotation plates (42). The reinforcing fiber mat manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention is a simple apparatus that reliably hits a reinforcing fiber bundle to split the fiber bundle into thin bundles, and disperses the thin bundles to a wide range without causing air turbulence to manufacture a reinforcing fiber mat having a uniform fiber basis weight.

Abstract: A ginning plate for a crop analytics research cotton gin, wherein the ginning plate comprises a body fabricated. The body includes a front face, a back face, a top end, a bottom end, and opposing sides. The ginning plate additionally comprises a plurality of blade slots extending through the body. Each blade slot comprises an elongated midsection, a mouth disposed at a top of the midsection, and a tail disposed at a bottom of the midsection. The midsection has a first width throughout its length, the mouth has a second width that is greater than the first width, and the tail has a third width that is less than the first width.

Abstract: Embodiments of particle protection headwear apparatuses and use thereof are detailed herein. In general, embodiments of the present invention include a shield and a shroud which couple to, or are partially or wholly integral with, a hat. The shield extends downwardly from the hat and is typically embodied as part of the hat. Further, the shield is designed for a user to be able to look through it. The shroud is coupled to and extends downwardly from the shield and the hat. The shroud extends entirely around a perimeter of the hat to form a breathable barrier between particles and the user's head. The shroud may be removeable from the shield and washable.

Abstract: Each of a set of knitting needles have a length correlated to at least two factors (e.g., needle diameter, and yarn weight) to provide appropriate strength, stability, and suitable take-up for stitches created during the knitting process. The correlation is such that as needle diameters (D) grow, and/or the yarn weight increases, the needle length grows in a particular relation, as follows: L = ( W + 2 ) ? ? ( 15 ? D + 15 ) ( .4 ? ? W + 2 ) ? ( .9 ? D + 5 ) where “L” is the length of the needle, “D” is the needle diameter, and “W” is the yarn weight from 0 to 7 (i.e., lace=0, super fine=1, fine=2, light=3, medium=4, bulky=5, super bulky=6, and jumbo=7). Raw wood for the needle is stabilized in a process including application of a composition that is maintained thereon for a period of time and in a vacuum, and heat treatment.

Abstract: Provided is a knit fabric which does not cause feelings of clamminess, feels very cool to the touch and is comfortable, and limits feelings of stickiness and post-sweat chill through rapid drying of sweat, and at the same time is capable of further improving texture. The garment comprises a multilayer-structure circular-knit fabric made of a single circular knit with a layered structure of at least two layers, and the surface that contacts the skin is the needle-loop side of the circular-knit fabric. The circular-knit fabric has portions in which long cellulose fibers and hydrophobic fibers are knit together to form the same knit loops. The garment contains 10-50 weight % of the long cellulose fibers. The exposure rate of the long cellulose fibers in the region from the surface of the side that contacts the skin to 0.13 mm into the interior of the circular-knit fabric is at least 30%.

Abstract: A plant stalk decortication apparatus and method are provided. The apparatus includes an alignment system in which a series of rotating spindles with blades attached to the spindles are positioned over a bed on which plant stalks are longitudinally aligned and conveyed by the blades. The apparatus also includes rollers and breakers downstream of the blades for crushing and breaking the plant stalks to cause the bast fibers and hurd to separate. The apparatus also includes a suction chamber that separates loose bast fiber from hurd chips formed by the breakers.

Abstract: An impurity-removal system for refining cotton is provided. In the system, the bottom of the first bin shell is open, and the top of the first bin shell is provided with a first discharge opening, the air inlet of the first induced draft fan communicates with through a first air duct. The front wall of the first bin shell is provided with a first feeding opening, from which the rear of the conveying mechanism penetrates into the first bin shell, and the pressuring roller is installed on the first feeding opening of the first bin shell, and located above the mechanism. The first opening roller is movably installed in the first bin shell, located at the rear of the conveying mechanism, and first saw teeth in a row are set on the periphery of the first opening roller. The first motor is drivingly connected with the first opening roller.

Abstract: A secondary impurity-removal recycling system for refining cotton is provided. A first feeding opening is set on the side of the first bin shell, in which the first drum is movably installed, and the first drum is tube shaped. A first mesh is set on the peripheral wall of the first drum, and a first scraper is set at the first feeding opening inside the first bin shell. One end of the first drum is provided with a first impurity-discharging pipe, the outer periphery of which is provided with a first annular hump. The first connecting sleeve is installed on the outer wall of the first bin shell, and the first impurity-discharging pipe is movably stuck in the first connecting sleeve through the first annular hump, and communicates with the first connecting sleeve. The first induced draft fan communicates with the first connecting sleeve through a first air duct.

Abstract: A device (1), a sinker arrangement (5) and a method for loop-forming are described. The device (1) may include a cylinder (2) with first grooves (3) for needles (4) accommodated in a first groove (3), whereby the needles (4) include a loop forming section, and a sinker ring (27) with second grooves (15) for the sinker arrangement (5). The sinker arrangement (5) may include an actuating section (12) and a loop forming section (7). The loop forming section (7) includes an opening (11), and the sinker arrangements (5) are accommodated in one single second groove (15). The opening (11) may be delimited in the width direction (x) by two side faces (23) and the loop forming section of the needle (4) is movably disposed between the two side faces (23) of the opening (11).

Abstract: A feeder for a knitting machine may include: a carrier configured to secure the feeder to a knitting machine such that the feeder is movable along an axis with respect to a rail of the knitting machine; a feeder arm extending from the carrier, the feeder arm including a dispensing area configured for supplying a yarn to a needle bed of the knitting machine; and a cutting device coupled to the feeder arm, where the cutting device includes a cutting edge for cutting the yarn to disengage an upper portion of the yarn from the needle bed of the knitting machine.

Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods are disclosed for a counting crochet hook. An apparatus comprises a handle. The apparatus includes an elongate rod comprising a first end and second end, the first end coupled to the handle and the second end comprising a hook that is pointed with a lateral groove behind the hook. The apparatus further comprises a first button disposed on the handle. The first button is configured to increment a first counter when actuated. The apparatus additionally comprises a second button disposed on the handle. The second button is configured to increment a second counter when actuated. The apparatus also comprises a display disposed on the handle for displaying a value of the first counter and a value of the second counter.

Abstract: An arch support may include a base plate having a base plate top surface. The arch support may further include a contoured arch plate attached to the base plate at a joint. The arch plate may include an arch plate bottom surface. The arch plate bottom surface may face and be separated from the base plate top surface, with an extent of the separation increasing toward a medial side of the arch support.

Abstract: An outdoor activity suit includes a body having a front portion, a back portion, opposed sides where the front portion connects to the back portion, a neck receiving portion, an arms receiving portion and a legs receiving portion. The front portion, the neck receiving portion and the legs receiving portion of the body form a first component of the body. The back portion and the arms receiving portion form a second component of the body. An endless loop zipper connects the first component and the second component such that the second component is selectively removable from the first component.

Abstract: An upper may include a first knitted portion configured to form an outer surface of the upper, a second knitted portion configured to form an inner surface of the upper, where the second knitted portion is at least partially coextensive with the first knitted portion, an interstitial space between the first knitted portion and the second knitted portion, and a knitted connection structure connecting the first knitted portion to the second knitted portion. The knitted connection structure may extend at least partially along at least one of a tongue and a collar of the upper, and the second knitted portion may include at least one double jersey knit structure that is coextensive with the first knitted portion.

Abstract: Disclosed here is an extended use mask hat. The principal components are a hat member, a mask member and an attachment means. Under conditions where there is no desire for protection, the mask member can be easily stored against the interior surface of the hat member. When there is a desire for protection, the mask member can be easily and quickly donned. The service period of the mask hat is extendable by washing. Several technological problems are overcome, including, individual and community protection from the airborne spread of infectious disease in a manner that is effective, not noxious to human sensibility and not overly bearing.

Abstract: Orthotic devices for providing arch support for the foot are disclosed. The orthotic device includes a base member, an arch support portion, and a covering for coupling the arch support portion to the base member. A method of providing continuous contact with the plantar surface of the foot during all phases of the gait cycle is also disclosed. In addition, methods of assembling and using the orthotic device are also disclosed.

Abstract: A shoe, in particular an athletic shoe, comprising a heel portion that includes an adaptive heel element arranged in the heel portion of the shoe, wherein the adaptive heel element comprises a stretch material. A heel counter is arranged in the heel portion, wherein the heel counter comprises a lateral portion and a medial portion for supporting the heel of a wearer's foot and a posterior gap therebetween wherein the posterior gap forms an essentially vertical split portion, wherein the split portion is adapted such that the adaptive heel element can move and deform within the split portion, and wherein the adaptive heel element within the split portion is adapted to contour to the anatomical shape of the heel of the wearer.

Abstract: The invention relates to the textile industry, and specifically to methods for processing bast-fiber materials, for instance the fiber of flax, hemp, jute, nettle, kenaf, and others. The technical result which the present invention aims to achieve consists in: enhancing the quality of a cottonized fiber, when processing bast-fiber materials, by means of high-voltage electric pulse discharges following preliminary biochemical and final minimal mechanical processing; and in enhancing the physical/mechanical and spinning properties thereof, which, overall, allows for an optimized, efficient production process.