Abstract: To provide an absorbent pad, the absorbent pad being formed of an inner absorbent pad which is positioned on the body-side and an outer absorbent pad positioned on the non-body side, wherein when the inner absorbent pad absorbs liquid excretions and swells, openings are provided at the side which is indented furthest towards the non-body side, improving the passage of liquid, and improving the dispersion of sites facing the openings in the outside absorbent pad, preventing leakage of liquid excretions to the exterior.

Abstract: Hollow fiber cartridges and components and methods of their construction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a collagen fiber construct composed of single collagen fibers, which is sterilized with alcohol and via irradiation and not populated with cells, wherein the single collagen fibers are isolated from collagen-containing tissue from mammals. The present invention also relates to a method for manufacturing a collagen fiber construct composed of single collagen fibers, which is sterilized with alcohol and via irradiation and is not populated with cells, wherein the single collagen fibers are isolated from collagen-containing tissue from rat tails. Finally, there is also described the use of the collagen fiber constructs as xenoimplants.

Abstract: Apparatus for producing spread fiber bundles by strategic use of tension control throughout the device and use of higher differential speeds between driven rollers and line speed of the running fiber bundle are provided herein, along with methods for producing spread fibers, prepregs, and articles of manufacture therefrom.

Abstract: A production method for a carbon fiber precursor fiber bundle and a production apparatus of the carbon fiber precursor fiber bundle. A carbon fiber precursor fiber bundle that has a degree of intermingle of 1 m-1 or less between small tows, consists of substantially straight fibers without imparted crimp, a tow of which straight fibers has a moisture content of less than 10% by mass when housed in a container, and has a widthwise dividing capability to maintain a form of a single aggregate of tows when housed in a container, taken out from the container and guided into a firing step, and to divide into a plurality of small tows in the firing step by the tension generated in the firing step.

Abstract: A method for preparing a textile can include obtaining silk components, such as non-spun silk components, from a cocoon. The method can also involve assembling the obtained silk components obtained from the cocoon into a pattern, and attaching the non-spun silk components together. The method can still further involve shaping the attached non-spun silk components, and finalizing the shape through heat-treatment. In one implementation, heat-treatment of the shaped components comprises heating the components with a heating apparatus (e.g., iron, or oven, etc.) for an appropriate time and at an appropriate temperature. A variety of end products, including jewelry, and textiles for further processing generally, can be made from the silk prepared in accordance with an implementation of the invention.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for felting three-dimensional objects is disclosed. The method involves wrapping a three-dimensional object with wool, and agitating the encased object within a drum in the presence of heated alkaline solution. The process may be repeated to achieve the desired felt consistency. An apparatus is provided for use with the method. Products produced in accordance with the invention have consistent texture, resiliency, and density throughout, with no visible seams or rough edges.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of melt-spinning a polyether ester thermoplastic elastomer under commercially viable conditions to produce an elastoester multifilament yarn, wherein the polyether ester thermoplastic elastomer is a polytrimethylene ether ester comprising a polytrimethylene ether dicarboxylate ester soft segment and hard segment selected from a trimethylene dicarboxylate ester and/or a tetramethylene dicarboxylate ester hard segment.

Abstract: Indeterminate length fiber tows ends are joined by overlapping end portions of the first and second fiber tows. The first and second tows are secured in a clamp with a portion of the overlapping area exposed. The overlapping area of the tows is positioned on a sewing unit having a support and sewing head, at least one of which is displaceable along first and second axes, and a controller for executing a preprogrammed stitching pattern. The controller is actuated to form the preprogrammed stitching pattern in the exposed portion of the overlapping area, thereby splicing the first and second fiber tows.

Abstract: A biodegradable playing surface (100) including a synthetic turf base (104) positioned atop a foundation (102) is provided. The synthetic turf base includes an at least partially biodegradable backing (112) having a plurality of openings (116), and synthetic fibers (110) secured to the biodegradable backing. The synthetic turf base also includes a surface layer of growth medium (118) applied on top of the biodegradable backing to reach a predetermined depth. Natural grass (120) is planted in the surface layer of growth medium. The biodegradable backing degrades over time so as to increase the size and number of the openings through the backing. This allows the roots of the natural grass to increasingly grow amongst the synthetic fibers and through the backing, so as to firmly integrate the synthetic turf base to the foundation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sliver piecing method wherein sliver piecing is performed with yarn incorporated in an overlapped portion of sliver ends and since yarn having a suitable thickness is incorporated in an overlapped portion of sliver ends and in this state the sliver piecing operation is performed, it is possible to surely detect and remove spun yarn obtained from such sliver overlapped portion, using a yarn clearer.

Abstract: The invention is generally accomplished by providing a roll having cavities suitable for retaining small quantities of particulate material. The roll further is adapted to be rotated such that the particulate material is deposited onto a web in discrete areas. These areas correspond to the depressions on the roll. The appartus and method of the invention further provides in its preferred form a roll applicator device for adhesive having a series of lands and valleys wherein the lands correspond to the areas between the discrete particulate material. The applicator roll provides adhesive on the land areas that is transferred to a web of material which is brought into contact with the substrate bearing the discrete deposits of particulate material and sealed thereto. There is thereby provided areas of discrete particulate material securely separated by the adhesive connected webs.

Abstract: The invention relates to a feed table for feeding slivers by way of a conveyor to a textile processing machine. The slivers are drawn off from associated spinning cans by way of draw-off devices and placed on the conveyor. In the event of a sliver running out or breaking, reserve slivers are fed in automatically by way of draw-off devices specifically devised for this purpose. The conveyor comprises individual conveyor belts associated with each sliver and each reserve sliver and have a draw-off devices, each conveyor belt being drivable by way of a controllable drive, the conveyor belts being a part of the draw-off devices.

Abstract: A first sliver in an exhaust can (2F) is introduced and held in a recess (38a) of a sliver piecing unit (38) while gripped by a sliver gripper (34). The first sliver is severed by the displacement of the gripper (34) away from the recess (38a) so that a trailing end of the first sliver is formed in the recess (38a). Next, a second sliver in a reserve can (2B) is introduced and held in the recess (38a) in the same way as for the first sliver and a leading end of thereof is formed in the recess (38a) so that the sliver ends overlap each other. The piecing operation is carried out on the overlapped sliver ends in a known manner.

Abstract: Methods are presented for continuous-line manufacture of composition board from furnish which is moved in a continuous-flow manner through a processing line and distributed for deposition at a uniform rate over a preselected area to continuously form a mat for compaction.Commercially economical production flow rates are achieved with a lightweight refined wood furnish to form fiberboard having directional properties without relying on pneumatic impulsion while uniformly distributed furnish is delivered substantially free of air turbulence effects enabling fiber orientation by means of an electrical field.Control of movement and accurate metering of furnish are facilitated by continuously over-feeding furnish into the processing line and returning excess furnish as part of an initial distribution of furnish over one dimension of the mat to be formed.

Abstract: Card-clothing wire is manufactured for use on rollers in textile fibre processing machines. The wire is formed into a helical coil, with the teeth projecting radially from the rib of the wire, in the same manner as in the condition of use on the roller, and while in this helical coiled formation is subjected to a high temperature chromium diffusion process to produce a surface layer enriched with chromium, producing a surface hardness in excess of 1500 HV as measured on the Vickers hardness scale. Although the surface is well able to withstand the abrasive action of the fibres in use, it is not subjected to cracking, because of the precoiling of the wire before it is subjected to the diffusion process.