Abstract: The present invention relates to a apparatus for compacting (10) a web (N) of flexible fiber-based or filament-based material. The apparatus (10) includes at least one pair of superimposed plates (11), whose facing surfaces (11a, 11b) create therebetween at least one compaction space (12). The apparatus is fed with the continuous web (N), that is moved through said at least one space (12), so as to be subjected to compaction by the closure of the plates, actuated by thrust means (25). Moreover, the invention relates to a method for compacting webs (N) of flexible fiber-based or filament-based materials.

Abstract: A method of producing a decorative carpet tile may include providing a carpet tile in accordance with the prior art techniques and then treating the carpet tile in one of various manners to provide a separation internal to side edges of the carpet tile. The treatment can include tip shearing side portions relative to an internal portion to provide at least one discontinuity, dripping colors to provide a frame, carving, burning, or otherwise providing a separation internal to the side edges of the carpet tile in various disclosed embodiments.

Abstract: A nursing assembly for use in nursing an infant is provided. The nursing assembly includes a blanket and a strap. The strap includes a first end and an opposite second end, a tightening mechanism slidably coupled to the strap, the tightening mechanism configured to adjust a length of the strap, and at least two coupling mechanisms coupled to the strap. A first of the at least two coupling mechanisms is coupled between the first end and the tightening mechanism, and a second of the at least two coupling mechanisms is coupled to the strap second end. The strap is removably coupled to the blanket using the at least two coupling mechanisms.

Abstract: The invention is an apparatus and method for a protective cover to protect a user's shoulder area during such activities as burping, feeding, or playing with an infant. The cover has two grooves, one to contour around the user's neck region, and another to contour the user's arm region. In one embodiment of the present invention, the cover has multiple layers, wherein least one of the layers is made of a high friction fabric to prevent the cover from slipping off the user's shoulder. In another embodiment of the present invention two elasticized straps are attached to the cover and wrap around the user's neck to prevent the cover from slipping off the user's shoulder. The straps are convenient and easy to use, allowing one to either slip the cover over one's head or quickly fasten or unfasten around the neck.

Abstract: A method of producing a decorative carpet tile may include providing a carpet tile in accordance with the prior art techniques and then treating the carpet tile in one of various manners to provide a separation internal to side edges of the carpet tile. The treatment can include tip shearing side portions relative to an internal portion to provide at least one discontinuity, dripping colors to provide a frame, carving, burning, or otherwise providing a separation internal to the side edges of the carpet tile in various disclosed embodiments.

Abstract: A garment, in the form of an apron, holds an electrical cord out of the way. The apron includes an elongated length of material having a front panel, a rear panel, and a neck portion adapted to fit about a person's neck and a plurality of releasable fasteners for securing the cord to the elongated length of material. The length of material is adapted to cover a person's torso. The releasable fasteners may be attached to the neck portion and to the elongated length of material. Each of the fasteners may include a strap adapted to hold the cord and hook and loop type fasteners.

Abstract: The invention relates to a ceramic nozzle core and a method for producing a ceramic nozzle core which is part of a device used for producing loop yarn. The inventive ceramic nozzle core is embodied with an approximately constant wall thickness and a reduced size so as to perform the central functions of the yarn processing duct comprising air injection and a yarn outlet for forming loops while being produced in a molding process. In a particularly preferred method, the ceramic nozzle core is injection-molded with high precision. The inventive ceramic nozzle core can be configured in a miniaturized fashion and as part of a two-piece nozzle core, the ceramic nozzle core being inserted into an outer nozzle core jacket. The two-piece nozzle core can be incorporated into a housing known in prior art, for example, as a replaceable nozzle core.

Abstract: A protective over-garment is disclosed that can be manufactured entirely by making cuts in a single sheet of plastic or other flexible material. In preferred embodiments it is disposable. The sheet has a neck hole in the center and covers the user's shoulders, upper arms, back, and chest. A cut radiating from the hole allows insertion of the user's head. The rim of the hole is held against the wearer's neck by tying together two strips of material formed by cuts that partially separate them from the sheet. Similar strips can hold the first cut and/or the sides of the garment closed. In preferred embodiments the sheet can be rectangular, hourglass, or double-hourglass in shape, and/or the sheet can be folded to fit in a standard home hair coloring kit. Cuts can be perforated, and the garments can be manufactured as a continuous length of sheets joined at perforated intersections.

Abstract: Crimping machine for chemical-fiber filaments with crimping chamber having an oscillating upper plate loaded with a closure force for imparting a pressure on the tow which passes through the crimping chamber, wherein the plates of the crimping chamber are mounted on respective supports through two or more linear guides provided with a roller or ball recirculation system. The longitudinal operating position is determined by two pairs of hydraulic cylinders, having an axis parallel to the linear guides, which maintain the plates, or a portion thereof, pushed against respective fixed abutments without the use of further mechanical or oleodynamic blocking elements. Load cells are arranged between the abutments and the plates, for detecting the variations of the tightening force during machine operation, the variations, representative of the variable longitudinal force imparted by the filaments of the tow being processed on the plates, are used for monitoring the quality of the crimp obtained.

Abstract: Methods are described for forming unitary fabric elements for use in engineered thermal fabric articles, including thermal fabric garments, thermal fabric home textiles, and thermal fabric upholstery covers, and for forming these articles, having predetermined discrete regions of contrasting insulative capacity positioned about the thermal fabric article in correlation to insulative requirements of a user's body. In one implementation, loop yarn in first regions is formed to a first pile height, and loop yarn in other regions is formed to another, different, relatively greater pile height. In another implementation, loop yarn having a first shrinkage performance is formed in first regions to a predetermined loop height, and loop yarn having another, different shrinkage performance is formed in other regions; the loops are cut and finished to a common pile height and the web is exposed to heat to cause loop yarn to shrink to one or more different pile heights.

Abstract: A textile stuffer box includes a housing having an entrance and an exit, and including cooperating chamber-forming surfaces defining an internal crimping chamber for receiving and accumulating a length of yarn. An adjustable sliding gate defines at least one of the chamber-forming surfaces adjacent the exit of the housing. A set screw releasably locks a position of the gate to selectively enlarge and narrow the exit of the housing, such that selective adjustment of the gate operates to control axial compression of yarn accumulating inside of the crimping chamber.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing a stabilized tampon from a tampon pledget. The method includes the steps of providing a tampon pledget; providing a compression mold having disposed therein a plurality of fluid communication passages; moving the tampon pledget into the compression mold, the compression mold being in an open position; applying a force delivery means through the fluid communication passages to deform the tampon pledget into a pre-folded shape; and compressing the pledget in the compression mold by closing the compression mold into a closed position to form a folded, compressed tampon.

Abstract: An armpit sweat absorption system comprised of a disposable absorption pad that is placed inside a pocket located under the armpit of a conventional yet modified men and women's undershirt. The pocket, located at the arm pit location serves as an “under-pocket” to contain the disposable absorption pad. The under-pocket is a simple layer of undershirt material that reinforces the under arm and has room to hold the pad. The pad material is a composite of gauze-like cotton material suitable for absorbing moisture. The combined effort of under pocket and absorption pad is meant to absorb unsightly underarm perspiration and provide garment protection from clothes fading and discoloration due to sweating and deodorant stains that tend to drain through.

Abstract: Disclosed is a napkin holder for easy use and easy carrying. A napkin holder comprises a neck band and the fixing holes are positioned at both end portions of the neck band to hold a napkin, a bib or a towel. The fixing holes may be formed in assorted sizes and various shapes to fix the napkin, bib and towel, and the neck band may be formed using rubber material like silicone or plastics like soft PVC so that the napkin holder may be formed using elastic materials and used semi-permanently.

Abstract: A dining garment for a child's high chair or toddler's table or other similar furniture article, comprises a tray cover, a bib extension of the tray cover extending over the tray, and a bolster disposed around and extending upward from the perimeter of the tray cover, the combination forming a basin. The bolster has sufficient rigidity to maintain the basin form and sufficient flexibility to facilitate installation, removal, and cleaning, without requiring inflation of the bolster and without requiring a separate supporting frame. The dining garment includes a trough between the tray cover and the bib extension for accumulating spilled food materials. A drain may be provided in the trough for draining the spilled material. The drain may include a cap, stopper, or plug.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus involves crimping a multifilament thread, wherein the thread which is produced by melt spinning is compressed to a thread plug. The thread plug is cast on the circumference of rotating processing drum for thermal treatment and is wrapped around the circumference of the processing drum with many side-by-side wraparounds. Following that, the thread plug is unravelled in an unravelling area on the circumference of the processing drum into the crimped thread which is pulled of the processing drum. To obtain a continuous and regular unravelling of the thread plug with multiple wraparounds and mutual touching of the wraparounds of the thread plug, the thread is guided at a slant from the unravelling area of the thread plug such that a growing axial space appears between the thread and the thread plug, on the circumference of the processing drum, during increasing wraparounds of the thread on the circumference of the processing drum.

Abstract: A device for air interlacing (10) of a yarn (Y), comprising an interlacing chamber (24), a first entrance channel (22) for receiving the yarn (Y) at the device (10) entrance and feeding it to the interlacing chamber (24), and a second exit channel (23) for receiving the yarn from the interlacing chamber (24) and releasing it at the device exit, in which the interlacing chamber (24) is delimited by a first emitting wall (24a) bearing a nozzle (26) for the emission of a continuous jet of compressed air (31), and a second deflecting wall (24b), opposite the first wall (24a), suitable for receiving and deflecting the jet of compressed air (31) emitted by the nozzle (26) and intersecting the yarn to be interlaced, and in which the second deflecting wall (24b) is concave in shape both on a transversal plane and on a longitudinal plane with respect to the feeding path (11) of the yarn (Y) through the device.

Abstract: A self warming mask is disclosed. The self warming mask includes a facing layer configured to cover at least a portion of a person's face. Attached to the facing layer is at least one thermal delivery pad. The thermal delivery pad contains an exothermic composition. Once the mask is removed from a sealed package, air contacts the thermal delivery pad causing the mask to elevate in temperature . The thermal delivery pad can be constructed so that the rise of temperature and the length of time the mask remains heated is carefully controlled. The mask product can be used in combination with a fragrance or vapor delivery device for also releasing a fragrance, a vapor, or both as the mask is heated. In one embodiment, the fragrance or vapor delivery device can be attached and removed to the mask as a user desires.

Abstract: A bib for use by an individual seated in a vehicle having a vehicle cup holder mounted in the vehicle adjacent the seated individual, includes an upper section for covering at least a portion of the seated individual's front torso which is attached in such a way as to maintain the upper section in a substantially vertical position on the seated individual, a lower section for covering the seated individual's lap and thighs, and a lateral section extending from the lower section to beyond the vehicle cup holder, with a portion of the lateral section adapted to be inserted in the vehicle cup holder and releasably maintained therein. The bib includes an upper absorbent surface for absorbing liquid spills and a lower impermeable surface for preventing liquid spills from contacting the seated individual or the vehicle.

Abstract: The invention relates to a multiaxial complex of multifilament threads formed of continuous filaments, whereby the multifilament threads are placed on top of one another in different orientations, and the threads of the 0° layers run in the production direction, and whereby the multifilament threads of the 0° layers are laid in between the other multifilament layers layered in different orientations and, spread apart and without any torsion before their placement, are placed onto the previous multifilament layer.