Abstract: This disclosure relates to a “hybrid” fabric made from a textured multifilament yarn in combination with an untextured multifilament yarn. The portion of multifilament yarns comprising this hybrid fabric are substantially without bulk or texture while the textured portion of multifilament yarns comprising the fabric have bulk. Such hybrid fabrics from this combination of yarns retain substantially similar abrasion resistance and tactility of a fabric made entirely of high tenacity air textured multifilament yarns. Nylon woven hybrid fabrics disclosed herein provide excellent properties especially for uses in apparel, rucksacks, softsided luggage, duffle bags, tenting and the like.

Abstract: A method for preparing stretchable bonded nonwoven fabrics which involves forming a substantially nonbonded nonwoven web of multiple-component continuous filaments or staple fibers which are capable of developing three-dimensional spiral crimp, activating the spiral crimp by heating substantially nonbonded web under free shrinkage conditions during which the nonwoven remains substantially nonbonded, followed by bonding the crimped nonwoven web using an array of discrete mechanical, chemical, or thermal bonds. Nonwoven fabrics prepared according to the method of the current invention have an improved combination of stretch-recovery properties, textile hand and drape compared to multiple-component nonwoven fabrics known in the art.

Abstract: A fabric having a camouflage appearance in the near infrared (NIR) spectrum with a substantially a single color appearance in the visible (VIS) spectrum is provided. The novel fabric may include at least two synthetic polymer multifilament yarns. The multifilament yarns are selected from 3 types of multifilament yarns: multifilaments comprising carbon black, multifilaments comprising pigments which modify the NIR reflectance characteristics of the multifilaments, and multifilaments substantially free of additives capable of modifying the NIR reflectance characteristics of the multifilaments. The fabric is dyed to a substantially single color appearance in the visible spectrum. In general, the fabric has a NIR spectrum comprising two reflectance curves having about 10% to about 85% reflectance separated by about 5% reflectance in a range of wavelengths from about 700 to about 860 nanometers (nm).

Abstract: A body-shaping garment and fabric is provided. The garment includes an inner fabric layer and an outer fabric layer. The inner fabric layer is placed in an angular orientation relative to the outer fabric layer. Further, the inner fabric layer and the outer fabric layer have sufficiently isotropic hysteresis.

Abstract: The invention relates to nonwoven fabrics containing polymeric multiple component fibers which include a core component and a plurality of wing components attached to the core. The polymeric core component has an elasticity that is greater than the elasticity of at least one of the wing polymeric components. The fibers assume a spiral twist configuration in which the plurality of wings substantially spiral about the core. In a preferred embodiment, the nonwoven fabrics have elastic stretch and recovery properties with a textile-like hand.

Abstract: This invention relates to stretchable nonwoven sheets prepared by substantially uniformly impregnating a necked nonwoven substrate or an easily extensible as-made nonwoven substrate with an elastomeric polymer by treatment with an elastomeric polymer solution. The nonwoven sheet is useful in the manufacture of diapers and other hygiene articles.

Abstract: Novel aqueous polyurethane dispersions and adhesive films formed therefrom are provided. The aqueous polyurethane dispersions are provided in solvent-free systems of a prepolymer comprising at least one polyether or polyester polyol, a mixture of MDI isomers, and a diol. The adhesive films from such dispersions can be heat-activated for bonding, lamination, and adhesion of textile fabrics, including stretch fabrics.

Abstract: A process for making a synthetic melt spun polyamide filament in a solid phase polycondensation apparatus is disclosed. The flow rate of the purge (make-up) gas to the apparatus is increased, and the overall pressure in the apparatus is decreased, as compared to solid phase polycondensation apparatus of the prior art. As a result, the removal of the thermal degradation impurity from the polymer flake contributes to improving the yarn quality and at the same time, extends the spinneret wipe life.

Abstract: Polyurethaneurea compositions in the form of powders and dispersions are provided for enhancing properties of washed fabric including easy care, better iron gliding, improved shape retention, perfume substantiation and stain management properties.

Abstract: Polyurethaneurea compositions in the form of powders and dispersions are provided for enhancing properties of washed fabric including easy care, better iron gliding, improved shape retention, perfume substantiation and stain management properties.

Abstract: Commercial spandex can be prepared with greater efficiency, improved consistency and at lower costs from a high-solids content polyurethaneurea polymer solution. The polyurethaneurea is prepared using a combination of 4,4?-MDI and 2,4?-MDI, and an amount of chain extenders and chain terminators such that the polymer solution, prior to spinning, is highly soluble and has an appropriate pre-spun IV and primary amine content. Such spandex fibers, and the fabrics and garments comprising them, have good dyeability and colorfastness, as well as other desirable characteristics.

Abstract: Circular knit, elastic fabrics of at least one of single jersey, French terry, and fleece are disclosed that include a bare elastomeric material plated with spun and/or continuous filament hard yarns. The circular knit, elastic fabrics of at least one of single jersey, French terry, and fleece are manufactured by a method that does not require a dry heat setting step. The method requires drafting the bare elastomeric material no more than about 7× its original length when knitting to form the circular knit, elastic, single jersey, French terry, or fleece fabric. The method includes contacting the knit fabric with an aqueous solution under very low tension and under conditions of temperature and pressure for a period of time sufficient to substantially set the elastomeric material.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for knitting fabric with bare spandex comprising: providing bare spandex yarn; providing hard yarn; drafting the bare spandex; knitting fabric from the hard yarn and the drafted bare spandex with the hard yarn and the drafted bare spandex plated in every course; and contacting the knit fabric with a continuous phase aqueous solution under conditions of temperature and pressure for a time sufficient to set the bare spandex without heating the knit fabric on a tenter frame above 160° C. in air having a relative humidity of less than 50%. The invention further provides a bare spandex-containing knit fabric containing spandex in every knit course that has been exposed to manufacturing process temperature no higher than 160° C. as shown by molecular weight analysis of the spandex and that exhibits wash shrinkage of less than about 14%.

Abstract: Stable aqueous poly(urea/urethane) polymers and dispersions are made that do not require the inclusion of chain extenders, curing agents or crosslinking agents. The disclosed poly(urea/urethane) dispersions can be used to make articles such as films and gloves with reduced chance of chemical and biological allergic reaction to skin, and which exhibit improved puncture and tear resistance when compared to such articles made with other materials.

Abstract: Included is a woven fabric having warp yarns and weft yarns. Either warp yarn or weft yarn or both warp and weft yarns have two separate systems of yarns. The systems of yarns include a hard yarn forming the main body of fabric and a composite covered elastic yarn with an elastic fiber core; wherein the fabric has an outer face side, a back side, and the fabric includes at least one of: (a) a weaving pattern where the composite yarn and at least one adjacent hard yarn pass over the same pick when the composite yarn is on the outer surface; (b) the ratio of hard yarn denier to composite yarn denier is at least 1:1; and (c) the composite yarn floats over no more than 5 picks on the outer face side.

Abstract: The present invention compact creel using the OETO method that accommodates an increased number of packages in a relatively small footprint while providing a straight in-line delivery path in which fiber bends and changes in direction are minimized. In addition, the present invention is a system, apparatus and method for tension control in a fiber feeding system that provides a fast and reliable method for feeding high tack elastomeric thread or fiber from a package to a manufacturing process. Furthermore, the present invention provides a method and apparatus for changing packages on a creel without interrupting the manufacturing process. In particular, the compact creel of the present invention provides for continuous operation of unwinding and fiber delivery by allowing a standby package to be loaded on the same mandrel as an active package that is presently being unwound.

Abstract: The invention provides a polyester bicomponent core spun yarn comprising a sheath of at least one hard fiber and having an English cotton count of from about 5 to about 60 and a core of bicomponent polyester filament. The invention further includes a fabric substantially free of grin-through of the bicomponent polyester filament.

Abstract: Circular knit, elastic fabrics of at least one of single jersey, French terry, and fleece are disclosed that include a bare elastomeric material plated with spun and/or continuous filament hard yarns. The circular knit, elastic fabrics of at least one of single jersey, French terry, and fleece are manufactured by a method that does not require a dry heat setting step. The method requires drafting the bare elastomeric material no more than about 2.5× its original length when knitting to form the circular knit, elastic fabrics of at least one of single jersey, French terry, and fleece.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for preparing bicomponent fibers by melt spinning two semi-crystalline polymers differing in crystallization rate.

Abstract: A multi-layer composite sheet comprising a shrinkable layer intermittently bonded a to a gatherable layer with the bonds separated by a specified distance and wherein the shrinkable layer can shrink and at the same time gather the gatherable layer between the bonds. A process for preparing multi-layer composite sheets by intermittently bonding a shrinkable layer to a gatherable layer with the bonds separated by a specified distance and causing the shrinkable layer to shrink while at the same time gathering the gatherable layer between the bonds. Preferably, the shrinkable layer comprises an array of fibers or nonwoven web comprising fibers having latent spiral crimp.