Abstract: Improved apparatuses and methods for testing turf or other surfaces, in one embodiment, a turf testing apparatus includes two actuators for moving a shoe relative to a turf surface. The first actuator moves the shoe along a substantially horizontal axis and the second actuator moves the shoe along a substantially vertical axis.

Abstract: Improved apparatuses and methods for testing turf or other surfaces, in one embodiment, a turf testing apparatus includes two actuators for moving a shoe relative to a turf surface. The first actuator moves the shoe along a substantially horizontal axis and the second actuator moves the shoe along a substantially vertical axis.

Abstract: An apparatus for making alternate S and Z twist plied yarn from individual singles yarns. The apparatus twists the singles yarns as they move in a path through the process, twisting the individual yarns in either an S or Z direction. The bonding of the ply-twisted yarns at a node while applying twist forms a bond characterized by a dense region of filaments adhesively joined together where one of the strands overlaps another strand, followed by a less dense region along the one strand where fewer filaments are adhesively joined, followed by another dense region.

Abstract: An alternate twist plied yarn formed from a plurality of strands of singles yarn twisted in alternating directions in lengthwise intervals of first half-cycles of twist at a predetermined twist level followed by second half-cycles of twist at the same twist level with reversal nodes therebetween, the singles twisted yarns being ply-twisted together in alternating directions in lengthwise intervals of first half-cycles of ply-twist followed by second half-cycles of ply-twist, there being a bond formed adjacent each node wherein the first half-cycle of ply-twist is located within the bond and the second half-cycle of ply-twist originates at one end of the bond, the twist level in the singles twisted yarn is between 25% in the same direction and 60% in the opposite direction of the twist applied to the singles yarns before plying.

Abstract: An elongated pile article having a support strand for attachment to a plurality of yarn bundles, the yarn bundles including a dense portion with the filaments bonded to each other and bonded to the support strand, pile surface structure comprised of a plurality of elongated pile articles placed one next to the other, and a method and apparatus for making the elongated pile article.

Abstract: An elongated pile article having a support strand for attachment to a plurality of yarn bundles, the yarn bundles including a dense portion with the filaments bonded to each other and bonded to the support strand, pile surface structure comprised of a plurality of elongated pile articles placed one next to the other, and a method and apparatus for making the elongated pile article.

Abstract: An elongated pile article having a support strand for attachment to a plurality of yarn bundles, the yarn bundles including a dense portion with the filaments bonded to each other and bonded to the support strand, pile surface structure comprised of a plurality of elongated pile articles placed one next to the other, and a method and apparatus for making the elongated pile article.

Abstract: A system for bonding alternate S and Z twist plied yarn. The system bonds the plied yarns as they move in a path through the process and permits balanced expansion of the yarn while preventing lateral movement out of the path. The bonding of the yarn strands while plied together, forms a bond characterized by a dense region of filaments adhesively joined together where one of the strands overlaps another strand, followed by a less dense region along the one strand where fewer filaments are adhesively joined, followed by another dense region.

Abstract: An apparatus for making alternate S and Z twist plied yarn from individual singles yarns. The apparatus twists the singles yarns as they move in a path through the process, twisting the individual yarns in either an S or Z direction. The bonding of the ply-twisted yarns at a node while applying twist forms a bond characterized by numerous individual spaced bond sites between individual filaments that are distributed throughout the bond.

Abstract: An alternate S and Z twist plied yarn made from individual singles yarns. The apparatus twists the singles yarns as they move in a path through the process, twisting the individual yarns in either an S or Z direction. The bonding of the ply-twisted yarns at a node while applying twist forms a bond characterized by numerous individual spaced bond sites between individual filaments that are distributed throughout the bond.

Abstract: A process for making alternate S and Z twist plied yarn from individual singles yarns includes the steps of tensioning the singles yarns as they move in a path through the process, twisting the individual yarns in either an S or Z direction, stopping the forward movement of the yarn, then bonding the ply-twisted yarns at a node while applying twist, stopping the twisting operation, then repeating the procedure while twisting in the opposite direction.

Abstract: A process for making alternate S and Z twist plied yarn from individual singles yarns includes the steps of tensioning the singles yarns as they move in a path through the process, twisting the individual yarns in either an S or Z direction, stopping the forward movement of the yarn, then bonding the ply-twisted yarns at a node while applying twist, stopping the twisting operation, then repeating the procedure while twisting in the opposite direction.

Abstract: A process for making alternate S and Z twist plied yarn from individual singles yarns includes the steps of tensioning the singles yarns as they move in a path through the process, twisting the individual yarns in either an S or Z direction, stopping the forward movement of the yarn, then bonding the ply-twisted yarns at a node while applying twist, stopping the twisting operation, then repeating the procedure while twisting in the opposite direction.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a combined yarn, by open end rotor spinning, suitable for use in carpets is disclosed.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a combined yarn which includes feeding staple fibers to the collection groove of an open-end spinning rotor, twisting the staple fibers into a staple fiber yarn, combining the staple fiber yarn with a continuous filament yarn which is also fed into the spinning rotor and then twisting the continuous filament yarn and the staple fiber yarn together to form a balanced ply yarn.