Abstract: A conductive composite yarn having: a) a core formed of at least one metallic strand of 40 or higher gauge which is electrically conductive; b) at least one inner cover wrapped around the core in a first direction at a rate sufficient to provide substantially complete coverage of the core by the inner cover, wherein the inner cover is a natural or synthetic yarn; c) at least one outer cover wrapped around the at least one inner cover, wherein the outer cover is wrapped in a second direction opposite to a direction of a cover layer on which the outer cover is directly wrapped, at a rate sufficient to provide substantially complete cover of the cover layer on which the outer cover is directly wrapped; d) at least one bonding agent applied onto the at least one outer cover; and e) optionally, a lubricant. a conductive composite sewing thread therefrom, and use of the yarn/sewing thread in production of smart fabrics or smart garments having electrical segments, patterns, or grids therein.

Abstract: A conductive composite yarn capable of signal or data transmission with minimized crosstalk having: a core formed of at least two metallic strands, wherein the at least two strands of electrically conductive metal are configured such that one strand is wrapped around the other strand, wherein: at least one inner cover wrapped around the core in a first direction at a rate sufficient to provide substantially complete coverage of the core by the inner cover; at least one outer cover wrapped around the at least one inner cover, wherein the outer cover is wrapped in a second direction opposite to a direction of a cover layer on which the outer cover is directly wrapped, at a rate sufficient to provide substantially complete cover of the cover layer; at least one bonding agent applied onto the at least one outer cover; and optionally, a lubricant.

Abstract: A conductive composite yarn/sewing thread comprising: a) a core formed of at least a first strand of a conductive metal of 40 or higher gauge, and b) at least one inner cover wrapped around the core in a first direction at a rate sufficient to provide substantially complete coverage of the core by the inner cover; c) at least one outer cover wrapped around the at least one inner cover, wherein the outer cover is wrapped in a second direction opposite to a direction of a cover layer on which the outer cover is directly wrapped, at a rate sufficient to provide substantially complete cover of the cover layer on which the outer cover is directly wrapped; wherein one of the inner cover or the outer cover contains a second strand of conductive metal of 40 or higher gauge, and is configured such that a distance between said second strand and said at least first strand is substantially constant; and d) optionally, a lubricant, and a stretch conductive composite yarn, comprising: a core formed from an elastic yarn, an

Abstract: A flame retardant composition containing a phosphorous containing ammonium salt, a crosslinker, and water is provided, and its application to yarn or fabric to provide a flame retardant yarn or fabric. In a preferred embodiment, the yarn or fabric is made from a polyurethane elastomer, such as a spandex. A method to prepare the flame retardant composition and apply it to the fiber or yarn is also provided.

Abstract: A conductive composite yarn having: a) a core formed of at least one metallic strand of 40 or higher gauge which is electrically conductive; b) at least one inner cover wrapped around the core in a first direction at a rate sufficient to provide substantially complete coverage of the core by the inner cover, wherein the inner cover is a natural or synthetic yarn; c) at least one outer cover wrapped around the at least one inner cover, wherein the outer cover is wrapped in a second direction opposite to a direction of a cover layer on which the outer cover is directly wrapped, at a rate sufficient to provide substantially complete cover of the cover layer on which the outer cover is directly wrapped; d) at least one bonding agent applied onto the at least one outer cover; and e) optionally, a lubricant. a conductive composite sewing thread therefrom, and use of the yarn/sewing thread in production of smart fabrics or smart garments having electrical segments, patterns, or grids therein.

Abstract: A cut, slash and/or abrasion resistant shaped knit garment having both high cut resistance and preferably light fabric weight, a cut resistance of at least 4, preferably at least 5 (as measured by ASTM-F1790-97) and preferably a fabric weight of no more than 27.9 ounces/square yard (OPSY).

Abstract: A flame retardant composition containing a phosphorous containing ammonium salt, a crosslinker, and water is provided, and its application to yarn or fabric to provide a flame retardant yarn or fabric. In a preferred embodiment, the yarn or fabric is made from a polyurethane elastomer, such as a spandex. A method to prepare the flame retardant composition and apply it to the fiber or yarn is also provided.

Abstract: A flame retardant composition containing a phosphorous containing ammonium salt, a crosslinker, and water is provided, and its application to yarn or fabric to provide a flame retardant yarn or fabric. In a preferred embodiment, the yarn or fabric is made from a polyurethane elastomer, such as a spandex. A method to prepare the flame retardant composition and apply it to the fiber or yarn is also provided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for continuously treating traveling filaments includes an assembly for causing at least one filament to travel along a travel path and assembly for rotatably supporting one or more filaments for payout therefrom responsive to the influence of the assembly for causing the filaments to travel, an assembly for rotating the filament supports at a predetermined angular velocity to form a traveling twisted filament and an arrangement for applying treating fluid to the traveling filaments.

Abstract: An apparatus defining a travel path for dyeing a traveling textile strand in a continuous in-line process includes: an applicator for metering and applying a predetermined amount of a liquid to a traveling textile strand along a travel path defined by the apparatus whereby the traveling strand is saturated with the liquid; means for heating the traveling strand to a first predetermined temperature and then to a second predetermined temperature for drying and finishing the traveling strand, the heating means including at least one heated roll disposed along the travel path adjacent to and downstream of said applicator; and a winding arrangement disposed at the end of the travel path adjacent to and downstream of the heating means for winding the dried and finished traveling strand on a bobbin to form a finished package following the heating of the traveling strand.

Abstract: A method for dyeing a traveling strand of textile yarn includes applying an aqueous dye solution to the yarn, heating the yarn to a temperature less than 100.degree. C. to dry the strand without boiling the water in the dye solution and then heating the strand to a temperature between 120.degree. C. and 220.degree. C. for further thermal treatment of the traveling strand.

Abstract: A support for a traveling strand of rubber yarn being wound on a winder is disposed intermediate a rubber yarn supply in the winder with the support including a vertically oriented support member disposed upstream of the winder and downstream of the yarn supply and a first frictionless bearing movably mounted to the support for selected vertical movement of the bearing to allow entanglements of rubber to dissipate as the yarn travels the vertical distances between the supply and the first frictionless bearing and the first frictionless bearing and the winder.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the winding pattern on a yarn package for traverse winder used for winding elastomeric yarn to prevent repetitive patterns of individual yarn segments on the package includes an apparatus for monitoring the operation of a yarn package spindle, an apparatus for monitoring the operation of a traverse arm associated with a winder, an arrangement for predicting the occurrence of repetitive patterns of yarn strands, and an arrangement for adjusting the relative speed of the yarn package spindle and the traverse arm to prevent the occurrence of thusly predicted repetitive patterns.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the tension on a traveling strand of rubber yarn being wound on a winder includes the yarn guide defining three yarn passage regions, a first assembly for detecting the presence of the traveling strand in the second region, and providing an output as a response and a second assembly for detecting the presence of the traveling strand in the third region and providing an output as a response thereto. The apparatus further includes an arrangement for adjusting the tension on the traveling strand responsive to input from the yarn detectors.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for stabilizing and increasing the yield of natural rubber yarn includes stretching the yarn three times while allowing the yarn to relax intermediate and following the stretching steps. The method is accomplished using a plurality of nip rolls wherein a second roll is caused to travel faster than a first roll or the second roll is larger than the first roll, or both, to achieve the stretch while the yarn is relaxed intermediate three such stretching assemblies.

Abstract: A proportional flow control valve is provided for use with low air loss patient support systems. The valve includes a valve housing having an inlet and an outlet defined therein with a valve passage defined through the housing between the inlet and outlet. A chamber is defined in the housing, the chamber further including a nipple cavity defined in the bottom thereof and a cam stop extending from the bottom into the chamber. A valve spool is rotatably disposed within the chamber. The valve spool includes an alignment nipple fitting into the nipple cavity and a cam defined on the bottom thereof through a predetermined rotational arc. The cam and cam stop cooperate to limit the rotational arc of the valve spool within the chamber. A proportional flow control groove is defined in the valve spool. The flow control groove establishes linear air flow through the valve depending on the angular displacement of the spool within the chamber.