Abstract: A puffer jacket configured to provide improved temperature regulation through graduated venting. In one embodiment, the jacket includes a back panel with baffles and insulation arranged to provide reduced insulation and increased venting of heat and humidity toward the center of the back. The back panel may include an alternating arrangement of insulation baffles (containing insulation) and vent baffles (free of insulation). The insulation baffles and vent baffles may be formed by joining inner and outer layers of fabric with laterally extending lines of stitching. The lines of stitching may follow paths selected to progressively change the relative size of the vent baffles and the insulation baffles toward the center of the back. For example, the lines of stitching may give the insulation baffles a somewhat hourglass shape shortening toward the center of the back resulting in increasingly greater venting of heat and humidity toward the center of the back.

Abstract: A woven geotextile fabric derived from beta-nucleated polyolefin yarn or monofilament, the method of manufacture of fabric, and the use of such fabric are disclosed. The yarn is made by compounding one or more polyolefins and a beta-nucleator reagent wherein the compounded mixture is extruded then drawn to at least 9 times its original length. The yarn or monofilament is woven into synthetic fabric useful for roadway construction, embankment stabilization, and mechanically stabilized earth.

Abstract: This relates to the manufacturing of reinforced materials, such as reinforced cellular materials or reinforced textiles, for example. Reinforcement is achieved by including a textile semi-finished product into the material to be reinforced, by providing the semi-finished product at the rear side of the material in a zigzag or wave-like manner and then pulling the semi-finished product through the material by a plurality of needles. Thus, the manufacturing process may be performed in a time saving manner.

Abstract: A two-layer, non-skid protective cloth or pad for use as a painter's drop cloth or as a protective pad for surfaces such as boat decks, airplane wings or other surfaces where a non-skid pad is essential. The pad has a woven upper member, typically of a cotton canvas-like material, and a lower, resilient member. The two layers are typically stitched together. The lower, resilient member typically comprises downward-projecting bumps, often of two or more different sizes. The bumps are joined by a grid of resilient material. Bumps may be formed from a foamed thermoset plastic resin. In alternate embodiments, an impervious member may be inserted between the upper and lower members. The non-skid protective cloth or pad has a Sliding Coefficient of Friction greater than 0.75 and an average Slide Angle no less than approximately 40° measured in accordance with TAPPI T548 specification.

Abstract: A composite material includes a composite body having a composite surface, and a reinforcing element extending through the composite body in a first plurality of stitches and a second plurality of stitches. The first plurality of stitches are aligned relative to the composite surface substantially similarly to each other. The second plurality of stitches are aligned relative to the composite surface substantially dissimilarly to each other.

Abstract: A stuffed textile article and method of manufacturing the same has at least one compartment having a baffle gate which receives a tube-like stuffing tool through which loose stuffing is blown into the compartment. Upon removal of the tool, the surrounding layers and panels which define the compartment are placed under tension by the stuffing causing the baffle gates to automatically close upon removal of the tool permanently preventing migration of the stuffing out of the compartment. The gate has a primary panel secured to the top and bottom layers of the article and an adjacent secondary panel at least partially covering the primary panel. The primary panel has a slit and the secondary panel has a slot. Taken individually, the slit and slot are each preferably longer than the thickness of the stuffed textile article and longer than half the circumference of the stuffing tool.

Abstract: A device for fitting onto a foot and ankle of a human body which is a thermoformable element suitable for being thermoformed onto the foot. This element includes a first part and a second part which are joined together in an edge-edge relationship. Each of the first and second parts is formed of a sheet of thermoformable material. The sheet of the first part has a different thickness or density than the sheet of the second part. The first part extends over the foot and the second extends around the ankle. A third part can be joined in edge-to-edge relationship to the first and second parts and extends over the top of the foot.

Abstract: Camouflage sheet material is formed by sandwiching a resilient core material between an inner and an outer layer of fabric or the like, and providing a series of irregularly spaced seams across the material to compress the resilient material along the seams and provide a three dimensional, textured appearance resembling the bark of a tree. The inner and outer layers may be a natural or synthetic fabric, and the core material may be a natural as synthetic fiber or foam material. Multiple layers of the core material may be used for greater depth in the external three dimensional texture, and/or greater insulating properties. The outer layer of material may be patterned with different colors or shadings for greater realism, and may include leaf patterns sporadically placed thereon for greater realism. The sewing process may be automated by gang sewing the seams with pattern repeats.

Abstract: A textile fabric employs a corrugated synthetic flat yarn having a plurality of filaments arranged in side-by-side relationship and being integral with adjacent filaments. The tape is corrugated tape woven or knitted with other yarns in a flat, substantially untwisted attitude. The tape is fabricated without fibrillation but controlled splitting may occur during subsequent fabric sewing or stitching operations. The fabric is particularly suited for use as geotextiles, woven intermediate bulk containers, woven explosive bags, and strapping (webbing).

Abstract: A protective head gear comprising a plurality of concentric tubular rings formed of soft, yieldable material. The rings which are filled with non-flamable, light, yieldable material, are gradually reduced diametrically and joined by flexible ribbons. A chin strap and a rear support strap detachably maintain the rings on the head of the user.

Abstract: For high quality handcrafted furniture, cushioned upholstery (comprising a field of padded chambers respectively delineated by attractive deep channels) provides a luxurious external appearance. Cushioned upholstery material of the prior art is traditionally of the "discretely individually stuffable pockets" type. The cushioned upholstery material described herein differs markedly from the prior art in that pocket means is unnecessary, but rather, a relatively broad and thick piece of laminar resiliently compressible foam sheeting is stitchably incorporated into a plurality (and possibly even all) of the field padded chambers, the stitching rows also providing improved deep channel delineations for the resultant multi-chambered cushioned upholstery material.