Abstract: A laundry device and use thereof to sealingly engage a visor of a ball cap to be cleaned with a solvent. The laundry device includes at least one compressible sheet configured to contact at least a portion of at least one side of the visor continuously from side to side proximate an inner perimeter portion of the visor that faces and extends from a crown of the ball cap; first and second plates configured to sandwich the at least one compressible sheet and the visor therebetween, and having respective inner perimeter portions that face the crown, having respective outer perimeter portions that extend toward and optionally beyond the visor, and having a shape that accommodates the visor; and at least one attachment member that engages the first and second plates to join the plates and to compress and sealingly engage the at least one compressible sheet around the visor.

Abstract: An apparatus for hanging a garment comprising a vertical suspension member hangable from a body, a garment support member suspended from the suspension member, the garment support member extending laterally from opposed sides of the suspension member; and an arcuate hood support member extending between first and second ends and having a midpoint therebetween, wherein the first and second ends of the hood support member are secured to the garment support member and wherein the midpoint of the hood support member is cantilevered upward from the garment support member. A method for hanging a garment comprising providing an apparatus for hanging a garment, positioning a shoulder portion of the garment on the garment support member with the suspension member extending above the shoulder portion, positioning a hood on the hood support member and hanging the apparatus on a support.

Abstract: Compressible conical springs with unsecured tabs are positioned between an outer helmet and an inner rigid liner to absorb and distribute impact forces to minimize concussion risks and other head injuries.

Abstract: Described herein are shields adapted for permanent attachment or removable attachment in the armpit area of a shirt. The shields are multi-layered fabrics that absorb perspiration, and in certain aspects, are used to control, reduce, or prevent perspiration from bleeding through and being shown on the outer surface of a garment. For example, these garments can include, but are not limited to, a multilayered fabric having at least a first fabric layer configured to wick moisture away from a person's body, at least a second fabric layer configured to absorb the moisture, and at least a third fabric layer that does not absorb moisture. As further described herein, various antimicrobial agents can be included in at least one fabric layer. These antimicrobial agents can be used to reduce or prevent the growth of microbes in and/or on the fabric, and these antimicrobial agents can be used to reduce or prevent odors derived from odor producing microbes.

Abstract: A clothing hanger apparatus may include a hanger frame member extending from a first end to a second end. The hanger frame member may include a hanger portion and a securing portion. The hanger portion may include a hook member configured to engage a hanger rod. The clothing hanger apparatus may include a hanger body that defines at least one aperture configured to operably engage the hanger frame member. The hanger body includes a first portion and a second portion, and the first portion may be disposed entirely on one side of a hook centerline defined by the hook member of the hanger frame member.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a multi-layered design for an article of apparel such as swimwear. In particular, at least one layer may include a stretch resistant matrix made of a thermoplastic polymer, a silicone or other similar material to provide additional support and modesty to certain areas of the apparel, such as the bust area. Further, a method of manufacturing the article of apparel is also disclosed. According to aspects described herein, the layers may be integrated using techniques to increase the overall integrity of the apparel.

Abstract: A protective helmet includes a plurality of fluid filled bladders, impact sensors, valves, and pumps wherein the helmet absorbs energy from an impact to protect a person wearing the helmet from traumatic brain injury. The bladders expel fluid in response to a triggering event such as energy from an impact detected as a pressure spike event and/or detected as an acceleration event. A selected bladder may expel fluid to other bladders, to a reservoir, to the environment outside of the protective helmet, or combinations thereof. In embodiments where the bladders need additional fluid after an impact, one or more pumps may refill selected deflated bladders. When a bladder is underinflated, an indicator light may emit light on an outer surface of the protective helmet to warn that the bladder is not yet ready to be placed in operation to absorb another impact.

Abstract: An exemplary elongated elevator load bearing member includes a plurality of tension elements that extend along a length of the load bearing member. A plurality of weave fibers transverse to the tension elements are woven with the tension elements such that the weave fibers maintain a desired spacing and alignment of the tension elements relative to each other. The weave fibers at least partially cover the tension elements. The weave fibers are exposed and establish an exterior, traction surface of the load bearing member.

Abstract: A belt is configured to be worn around a waistline of a pair of pants. The belt includes a belt buckle located at a first terminal end of the belt, a belt strap end segment including at least two adjoined link sections at a second terminal end of the belt, and a belt strap middle portion extending between the belt buckle and the belt strap end segment and including a plurality of binary, repeating, alternating belt strap component segments of two varieties, a first variety including a plurality of stacked, unconnected link sections and second variety including a plurality of stacked, adjoined link sections.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing continuous web or sliver of milkweed fibers without the use of conventional carding machines is disclosed. The method generally includes feeding raw materials including milkweed fibers into the apparatus, transferring the milkweed fibers to a sliver collecting net, and producing the slivers on the surface of the sliver collecting net. The slivers can be separated from the sliver collecting net.

Abstract: A pairing device for securing to articles of clothing together includes a first fastener assembly, having a male buckle having a rigid protrusion extending from the male buckle; and a first band attached to the male buckle and to secure to a first of the articles of clothing; a second fastener assembly, having a female buckle with a flexible opening to receive the rigid male protrusion; and a second band attached to the female buckle and to secure to a second of the articles of clothing; the male buckle and female buckle are to secure together, thereby securing the first article of clothing to the second article of clothing.

Abstract: The helmet uses a new fastener to fasten a cage to the helmet shell allowing sides of the cage to be mounted directly against the shell, reducing the width of the shell on each side. A ball is attached to a portion of a bar of the cage to act as a limit stop precluding movements of the cage with respect to the helmet. A chin bar is fastened to the helmet at two points on each side of the shell. The shell is molded with recessed portions designed to receive the two branches of the chin bar on each side where they will be fastened to the shell so that the outer surfaces of the chin guard are flush with the shell at the locations of attachment to provide a smooth transition and reduce weight. An adjustment device to adjust the fit of the helmet to the user includes a star wheel on each side of the helmet attached to an arcuate flexible strip extending rearwardly around the occipital area of the skull.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for protecting a garment from wrinkling, stretching or abrasion during washing, drying and storing of the garment. Permeable sections has mesh stretched over them. A garment is folded about and within each section. The garment maximizes the flow of fluids through the garment while minimizing the wrinkling, stretching or abrasion of the garment during washing, drying and storing.

Abstract: An innerduct for a cable containing one or more strip-shaped lengths of woven textile fabric configured to create a flexible, longitudinal compartment for enveloping a cable. The woven fabric comprises a plurality warp yarns and a plurality of picks of weft yarns, the weft yarns contain a repeating first weft pattern of at least one monofilament yarn, at least one multiple-inserted multifilament yarn, and optionally at least one single-inserted multifilament yarn. The woven fabric contains an alternating pattern containing first weave zones and partial float weave zones. The warp yarns in the first weave zone pass successively over and under each adjacent weft yarn and at least a portion of the warp yarns in the partial float zone float over some adjacent weft yarns.

Abstract: A forming and shaping device for shaping a baseball or softball glove into a desired shape is provided. The device can include an exterior wall shaped to generally conform to the exterior web of the glove, an interior wall shaped to generally conform to the interior web of the glove, and a void defined between the exterior and interior walls configured to receive and hold the web of the glove in the desired shape. The device can include an opening defined between the interior and exterior walls to allow the glove to be inserted into the void. The device can have an arcuate shape configured to form the glove web into the desired shape. The interior wall can include upper and lower portions configured to form a pocket into the glove. The device can be constructed into a rigid shape in order to protect the glove and prevent deformation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a yarn (1) for screening applications, especially for screening applications preventing solar heat while transmitting solar light, a fabric obtained from the yarn, and a manufacturing method thereof. The yarn (1) consists of at least one polyester outer yarn (5) wound on a polyester core yarn (2). The manufacturing method keeps the core and outer yarns at certain temperatures for certain durations after the core and outer yarns have been twisted.

Abstract: The present nursing cover comprises a panel having a semirigid support retained in a sleeve in the upper side of the panel which forms an opening that allows a caregiver easier access to a nursing infant when the nursing cover is in use. A pouch for storing the nursing cover when not in use is attached to the upper side of the panel.

Abstract: A fabric belt on which, when used as intended in a machine for producing spunbonded fabric webs, such spunbonded fabric webs are formed and transported. The belt has longitudinal threads and transverse threads that bind with the longitudinal threads. The threads are formed substantially of a polymer material and some of the longitudinal and/or transverse threads include electrically conductive material. The longitudinal threads form, on the web material contact side, convex longitudinal thread offsets with a knuckle, and the transverse threads have first transverse threads which form, on the web material contact side, first transverse thread offsets with a knuckle. A height difference between the knuckle crowns of at least some of the convex longitudinal thread offsets and the knuckle crowns of at least some of the first convex transverse thread offsets on the web material contact side is less than 220 ?m or even less than 150 ?m.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a hood adjusting mechanism for improving the fit and adjustability of a hood over a wearer's head when worn by the wearer and may include a hood portion with a generally circumferential opening, a first and second aperture, and a first and second channel. In addition, the hood adjusting mechanism may further include a first and second continuous cord that extend through the first and second channels, exit at the first and second apertures, and are releasably secured by a tightening mechanism. The hood adjusting mechanism may be included as part of an apparel item with a body portion, such as a jacket or a coat.

Abstract: A foot positioning device is described. The device includes a strap, which can be utilized to place the foot in a desired position. The device can further include an article of footwear, such as a sock, which can assist with placement of the strap. The strap can include a first portion that is laterally offset from other portions of the strap adjacent to opposing sides of the first portion.