Abstract: A method of making a non raveling stretchable fiberglass fabric by knitting an elastic yarn under tension into the fabric in the length direction, releasing the tension from the elastic yarn to compact the fabric and removing the elastic yarn from the fabric.

Abstract: A composite article is made by braiding a 3D article shaped preform including non-fugative braider reinforcing fibers and fugative fibers and removing the fugative fibers to form a plurality of matrix-ingress passages in the braided preform. During impregnation of the braided preform with a matrix material, matrix material is supplied to the interior of the preform via the passages. The fugative fibers typically comprise fugative monofilaments which are substantially larger in size than the non-fugative fibers to permit one or more dimensions of the preform and thus the composite article to be increased beyond the capacity of the particular braiding apparatus employed.

Abstract: A multiple winding machine for winding lace bands or similar type fabric material onto cores uses a plurality of cup-like guides through which the lace bands pass. The guides are positioned horizontally and vertically with respect to each other so as to be aligned with a corresponding core onto which the lace band is wound. The guides move transversely in a back-and-forth path so that the lace bands wind on the corresponding cores in a uniform, tightly packed manner. Transfer rollers provide uniform tension to the lace bands while imparting uniform tangentional speed to the cores and lace bands as the lace bands are wound on the cores. A mechanism for determining improper removal of draw threads between adjacent lace bands is also disclosed so as to stop the machine if a faulty removal condition exists.

Abstract: A method and apparatus provide for the effective automatic separation of two textile blanks, such as collars for knit sport shirts. Blanks are connected together by connector threads which extend generally in a first dimension. The blanks rest on a support surface, and are engaged by a presser foot which moves into contact with them and then moves them horizontally along the support surface to a first position. At the first position, the connector thread is sensed and severed at one edge of the blanks, and at the other edge of the blanks a pair of brushes mounted on a scissors linkage move into engagement with each other to grasp a loop of the connector thread between them. The scissors linkage is then moved in the first dimension away from the blanks to begin unravelling of the connector thread, and then the connector thread is released.

Abstract: Programmable apparatus for cutting woven fabric wound on a supply roll includes a fabric spreader which pays-off fabric from the supply roll and onto a cutting table as the spreader moves relative to the table. A vibrating member carried by the fabric spreader and over which the payed-off fabric is constrained to pass imparts vibration to a portion of the fabric which extends across the entire width of the fabric to relieve residual stresses within the fabric as it is spread onto the table surface. The spread fabric is immediately cut by a rotary cutting wheel which moves in cutting engagement with the fabric in response to command signals received from a programmable controller.

Abstract: A window shade comprises a multiplicity of elongate fabric strips connected to one another along their longitudinal edges by means of severable connecting threads. Mounting and weighting rods inserted in respective pockets at the upper and lower end of the multistrip fabric web are adjustable in length to match the width of the window shade upon a reduction thereof owing to a tearing of one or more fabric strips from the body of the window shade web. The window shade web is advantageously provided with a foam backing which contributes in part to the mechanical stability of the shade.

Abstract: A slide fastener chain has a plurality of spaced separating regions along which the slide fastener chain can be separated or torn to slide fastener lengths one after another by hand without a cutting device. Each separating region extends transversely across the fastener chain and is at least partially thinned or recessed by fusing the thermoplastic synthetic materials of the fastener stringers at the prospective separating region.

Abstract: Wide woven fabric having dipped and treated cords is made by first connecting warp cords of relatively strong material in at least two narrow sheets. The narrow sheets are dipped and treated after which they are positioned in loom letoff rolls adjacent a loom where they are joined to form a wide fabric having a width greater than the width of either of the narrow sheets. The warp cords from the narrow sheets are guided from the letoff rolls into the loom and during the process the narrow sheets may be run through a cord separating apparatus to separate the warp cords. The warp cords may be woven in the loom with a dipped and treated weft cord to provide a wide reinforcing sheet with a heavy woven construction having a width greater than the width of any one of the narrow sheets.

Abstract: A system for selectively collecting washed articles with a washing device and conveyor to convey the articles therethrough, first and second detectors for detecting fabric faults and improperly washed articles, respectively, a device to roll the articles, a control device for controlling the washing treatment and a distributing device in response to signals generated by the detectors.

Abstract: A process for producing a non-woven fabric having excellent draping properties and strength and further having a handling similar to that of woven fabrics, which comprises drawing uniaxially or biaxially a non-woven sheet material comprising not less than 90% by weight of semi-drawn fibers of a linear high molecular weight compound (e.g. polyesters) having a breaking elongation of 80 to 150% wherein the fibers of said sheet material are crossed and intertwined with each other and are partially bonded at the crossing points, said drawing being carried out until the bonding of the fibers is partially broken or the fibers are partially cut.

Abstract: Methods of making network structures include forming on one side of a sheet of thermoplastic polymer a plurality of parallel continuous main ribs and forming on the other side of the sheet in a different direction a plurality of parallel discontinuous tie ribs. The tie ribs are discontinuous in the areas where they cross over the main ribs to eliminate any increased thickness at the cross-over points of the main ribs and tie ribs. The ribbed sheet thus formed is drawn in either one direction or in two preferably perpendicular directions to open the sheet into a network structure and to orient the main ribs and preferably also to orient the tie ribs.

Abstract: An improved method for producing and processing deregistered and disorientated synthetic tow for forming fiber filled articles in which crimped registered tow is deregistered through pairs of rolls utilizing a non-continuous groove-threaded surface. The synthetic tow is dispersed and spread, and collected for continuous distribution into and envelopment by article surface material. The automatic process and apparatus associated therewith additionally form and finish the fiber filled articles themselves for additional fabrication processes or for use as is. Vacuum suction and reciprocating distribution of the open tow web may be varied as desired to arrive at particular article thicknesses directed towards particular article uses.

Abstract: An improved process is disclosed for preparing a warp beam wound with tapes slit from at least two webs of superimposed flexible film at least 1 m wide, comprising feeding the slit superimposed tapes through nip rolls, separating the tapes at the nip and winding the tapes onto a warp beam.

Abstract: A method and a device for cutting ribbons from a large fabric as provided by any weaving machine wherein the cutting-sealing operation is effected downstream of said weaving machine before the fabric is wound up in bobbins and serially with the production of the fabric which moves through the units carrying out the cutting-sealing operation.

Abstract: Course count control during heat setting of stretchable warp knit fabric is provided by selvedge knitted with the fabric and along its edges, the selvedge having a predetermined lesser stretchability than that of the fabric to serve as a limit stop to the longitudinal stretch of the fabric to provide the course count desired for the fabric.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating and winding pre-treated yarn, for example, tire cord, the method comprising two stages. In a first stage, a coated and heat-set fabric, constituted of longitudinally running warp cords and laterally running picks interlaced with the warp cords, is subdivided into a plurality of elongate tapes, each tape having a lesser number of warp cords than the fabric and picks of reduced linear extent. The tapes are then wound into respective packages. In the second stage, the tapes are unwound and divided each into a plurality of independent warp cords free from the picks. The warp cords are then wound into respective packages.