Abstract: The present invention discloses a method and corresponding system of processing waste fabrics to rejuvenated fibrous materials that will maintain their original quality in downstream production without a loss of downstream manufacturing efficiencies. The method involves (a) obtaining fabric data for each bale of incoming waste fabrics and storing the fabric data in a database; (b) obtaining target data relating to target product requirements; (c) processing the fabric data and the target data according to predetermined algorithms to generate a rejuvenation processing recipe which specifies bales information and rejuvenation processes information; (d) selecting corresponding bales of incoming waste fabrics for further rejuvenation processing; and (e) subjecting the selected bales to processes specified by the rejuvenation processing recipe.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method and corresponding apparatus for separating lightweight materials from fabric pieces.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method and corresponding apparatus utilizing UV-A and UV-C for treatment of textile materials. The method comprises the steps of (a) exposing incoming textile materials to UV-A radiation for detection of optically brightened textile materials and/or synthetic fiber materials; (b) separating detected optically brightened textile materials and/or synthetic fiber materials from the incoming textile materials; (c) exposing the separated incoming textile materials to UV-C radiation for sterilization and surface modification of the textile materials to increase wettability and absorbability and reduce pilling. The apparatus comprises an enclosed segregation chamber disposed with a cascading conveying means, a UV-A radiation source and an optically brightened textile materials and/or synthetic fiber materials separating means therewithin, and an enclosed segregation chamber disposed with a UV-C radiation source therewithin.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for application of chemicals on textile materials for removing surface chemicals and finishes from textile materials which comprises the following steps: reducing the textile materials to an appropriate size; applying a first catalyzed vapor to the textile materials at a predetermined temperature; penetrating the textile materials at a predetermined temperature; applying a second catalyzed vapor to the textile materials; blending the textile materials; applying a third catalyzed vapor to the textile materials in the one or more blending boxes and dwelling the fabric at a predetermined temperature for a predetermined period of time; and applying a blast of cool air to the one or more blending boxes to stop chemical actions in the textile materials and then transporting the textile materials to next station for further deconstruction processing.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method and corresponding apparatus utilizing UV-A and UV-C for treatment of textile materials. The method comprises the steps of (a) exposing incoming textile materials to UV-A radiation for detection of optically brightened textile materials and/or synthetic fiber materials; (b) separating detected optically brightened textile materials and/or synthetic fiber materials from the incoming textile materials; (c) exposing the separated incoming textile materials to UV-C radiation for sterilization and surface modification of the textile materials to increase wettability and absorbability and reduce pilling. The apparatus comprises an enclosed segregation chamber disposed with a cascading conveying means, a UV-A radiation source and an optically brightened textile materials and/or synthetic fiber materials separating means therewithin, and an enclosed segregation chamber disposed with a UV-C radiation source therewithin.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method and corresponding system of processing waste fabrics to rejuvenated fibrous materials that will maintain their original quality in downstream production without a loss of downstream manufacturing efficiencies.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for application of chemicals on textile materials for removing surface chemicals and finishes from textile materials which comprises the following steps: reducing the textile materials to an appropriate size; applying a first catalyzed vapor to the textile materials at a predetermined temperature; penetrating the textile materials at a predetermined temperature; applying a second catalyzed vapor to the textile materials; blending the textile materials; applying a third catalyzed vapor to the textile materials in the one or more blending boxes and dwelling the fabric at a predetermined temperature for a predetermined period of time; and applying a blast of cool air to the one or more blending boxes to stop chemical actions in the textile materials and then transporting the textile materials to next station for further deconstruction processing.

Abstract: Engineered wood products, methods of making the products, laminates including the products, and articles of manufacture which include the engineered products or composites, are disclosed. The products include wood and/or other cellulosic fibers, and can include non-cellulosic fibers, all or part of which can be derived from post-industrial and/or post-consumer materials. The products also include a binding agent, such as a latex dispersion, as well as hydrophobic materials, processing aids, colorants, and the like. The product can be in the form of a sheet, a three dimensional article or a plurality of laminated sheets, and can include one or more additional layers, such as top coat layers, reinforcing layers, cushioning layers, wood veneer layers, and/or additional product layers. The products can be used as flooring, and in construction, cabinetry, and the like.