Abstract: The physical properties of an elastane, i.e. spandex, filament may be selectively altered basically by stretching the filament to a selected degree while heating the filament to a selected temperature above its glass transition temperature to set the filament at a reduced denier and a reduced degree of elongation. The tenacity of the filament may increase or decrease depending upon variable parameters of the methodology. The method may be performed on a single elastane filament or simultaneously on multiple filaments, e.g., in a draw warping operation.

Abstract: A composite yarn and a method for forming the composite yarn include the composite yarn being formed from different components wherein the resultant yarn exhibits characteristics not apparent from the individual component yarns with the composite yarn being formed from a first component yarn strand and a second component yarn strand with the first and second component strands being comingled using an entanglement device with the co-mingling occurring with the first and second component strands subject to a first tension value which is subsequently increased to a second, higher tension value for winding. A method for forming such a composite yarn includes propelling the strands through the entanglement device at a first tension value, entangling the strands, imparting a second tension value to the resultant entangled strands and winding the entangled strands.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method of draw warping a plurality of partially oriented synthetic continuous filaments traveling in parallel side by side relation to produce denier variations randomly along the length of each filament and randomly from filament to filament. This is accomplished by transporting the filaments collectively through a draw zone defined between first and second filament engaging members and by imposing a common lengthwise stretching force simultaneously to the filaments with the draw zone while heating the filaments and, finally, by causing the filaments to slip randomly and draw non-uniformly on at least one of the filament engaging members.

Abstract: An improved, safe and economical process for impregnating a cellulose fabric with a flame retardant compound comprises: (a) impregnating the fabric with an aqueous solution of a phosphonium salt precondensate and a buffer; (b) adjusting the wet pick-up of the fabric and the concentration of the phosphonium salt precondensate in the pad bath such that the impregnated fabric has a phosphorus content of from about 3% to about 4% and a moisture content of from about 10% to about 20% both based on the weight of the fabric; and (c) without the necessity of drying the impregnated fabric, exposing it to ammonia in an amount and for a period of time sufficient to cure the compound. The impregnated fabric may then be subjected to conventional oxidation and process washing steps to yield the finished fabric.