Abstract: A process for coloring substrates, using the application of liquid colorants, in which the assignment of color is done on a pixel-by-pixel basis, and corresponding products. Relatively large areas of a substrate may be given the appearance of being uniformly colored by successively replicating or tiling a group of individually colored pixels comprising a repeating unit (i.e., a superpixel) across the substrate surface. The repeating unit is constructed in such a way that if a colorant application error develops, causing one or more pixels within the repeating unit to be colored incorrectly or incompletely, the overall arrangement of the pixels within the repeating unit will render such error less visually apparent when viewed on the substrate.

Abstract: A computer-assisted process for the design and placement of multi-colored patterns on absorbent substrates using a limited number of transparent process colorants is described. Through use of this system, a designer, working with a computer-aided design system, can generate and accurately represent on a computer monitor or similar display a multi-colored pattern, as that pattern would appear on a specified absorbent substrate, using coloring elements comprised of groups of multiple pixels in which process colors have been mixed in a controlled manner to expand the range of available colors, and to compensate for colorant delivery limitations that prevent the application of small, accurately metered quantities of colorant. Actuation instructions for a specific dye injection machine capable of patterning a moving textile substrate may be generated.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for using thickening agents with specific properties in connection with the automated pixel-wise patterning of textile substrates using liquid dyes.

Abstract: A process by which dithering techniques may be used to reproduce a desired multi-colored dyed pattern on a substrate using precisely delivered quantities of liquid colorants that are available in only a relatively few colors. In one embodiment, the process is one in which a designer, working with a conventional computer-aided design system, can be provided with an image that accurately predicts the appearance of individual colorants, or a specific combination of colorants that are physically blended on the substrate within specified pixels, as those colorants would appear on the substrate selected by the designer. In other embodiments incorporating the process disclosed herein, specific actuation instructions for a specific dye injection machine capable of patterning a moving textile substrate may be generated.

Abstract: A polygon-shaped air bag for use in vehicle restraint system is constructed from two panels of different sizes, each of which is in the form of an n-sided equiangular polygon, where n may be five or greater but is preferably six or eight. The panels are cut from a blank which is comprised of fabric or other suitable material, then superimposed in concentric relation onto one another with the perimeter portions of the larger panel folded and adhesively secured to the corresponding perimeter portions of the smaller panel for the purpose of distributing the stresses of inflation and impact across an area wider than the conventional equatorial seam and transferring such stresses into shearing, rather than tensile forces. In a preferred embodiment, the width of the overlapping panel portion is equal to the distance between an edge of the smaller panel and a corresponding parallel edge of the larger panel, where the panels are superimposed in concentric relation to one another.

Abstract: A flexible container in the form of a bag is described for use in a non-immersion dry cleaning process. Bag walls that are appropriately stiff and slick are preferred (preferred Kawabata Evaluation System stiffness and surface friction values are given), as are bag designs that are inherently three-dimensional and self-supporting. A preferred embodiment is a tetrahedral bag having a slick polymeric coating on the interior surface.

Abstract: A fabric having at least one hydraulically napped surface comprised of tangled fibers is disclosed. Because the fiber tangles are created from intact, undamaged fibers, fabric strength is not adversely affected by treatment. In addition, laundering enhances entanglement and the aesthetic qualities attributed to this fabric property: surface texture (hand), resistance to pilling, drapeability, and the like. These subjective characteristics have been quantified using values from the Kawabata Evaluation System. A process for creating such fabrics has also been disclosed. The fabric passes through one or two treatment zones in which high pressure fluids (e.g., water) are directed at the fabric surface as the fabric moves away from a support member. In the case of dual treatment zones, a substantially lower pressure is used in the second treatment zone.

Abstract: A method for printing an image on an absorbent substrate using liquid colorants. The colorants are assigned to pixel groups on the substrate surface that define the image. Some colorants are applied to pixels in quantities that exceed the absorption capacity of the substrate. These colorants migrate into adjoining pixels, blending with other colorants in those pixels and forming new, otherwise unavailable colors.

Abstract: A polygon-shaped air bag comprised of fabric for use in vehicle restraint systems is disclosed. The air bag is constructed from fabric panels in the shape of congruent, n-sided equiangular polygons, where n may be between five and eleven, but is preferably six or eight. The individual panels may be in the form of a single polygon, or in the form of two abutting polygons. The use of polygon-shaped panels allows for economical fabric utilization and increased fabrication efficiency, compared with panels having a circular shape.

Abstract: A flexible container in the form of a bag is described for use in a non-immersion dry cleaning process. Bag walls that are appropriately stiff and slick are preferred (preferred Kawabata Evaluation System stiffness and surface friction values are given), as are bag designs that are inherently three-dimensional and self-supporting. A preferred embodiment is a tetrahedral bag having a slick polymeric coating on the interior surface.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to an improved system for mounting and aligning, in a manner that is both accurate and precise, an array of tubes used for delivering relatively small quantities of air or other fluids in various applications, as, for example, in patterning systems in which a stream of a patterning fluid such as a liquid dye is deflected from a trajectory by the impingement of a stream of a control fluid such as air.

Abstract: This invention relates to an image processing method whereby large scale patterning artifacts in a pattern comprised of a large number of pattern repeats can be detected by processing a single pattern repeat and, if desired, the method can be used to modify the pattern repeat to render such artifacts less visually obtrusive.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for pattern dyeing of textile substrates in which the dyeing is done in two stages. In the first stage, a dye is uniformly applied in a manner that allows the dye to fix on contact. The uniformly dyed substrate is then moved under a series of spaced arrays, each array being associated with a separate color and being comprised of a plurality of individually controlled liquid dye applicators. Liquid dye of a given color is selectively applied through one or more dye applicators as the substrate passes under the array associated with that color. The applied dye remains unfixed until the substrate passes under all the arrays and the patterning is complete, whereupon all dye applied by the dye applicators is fixed by steaming or other appropriate application of energy to the substrate.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a rigid fiber composite material and the product thereof created by needling a composite of a non-woven blend of first fibers with a initial melting point with one or more other fibers with higher melting points that are interposed between two interentangled non-woven layers of the first fibers and then heating this composite to a level above the melting point of the first fibers forming a plasticized structure.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for space-dyeing yarns. A yarn sheet passes over a yarn-driven roll equipped with a digital sensor that tracks the position of the sheet as it then passes through a dyeing apparatus. A computer precisely controls the spray application of dyes at the desired locations on the length of the yarn sheet. Undyed areas and areas of unwanted overlap of dyes are virtually eliminated, reducing the amount of off-quality yarn produced versus conventional methods. Sprayed dye droplets are collected and reused.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a rigid fiber composite material and the product thereof created by needling a composite of a non-woven blend of first fibers with a initial melting point with one or more other fibers with higher melting points that are interposed between two interentangled non-woven layers of the first fibers and then heating this composite to a level above the melting point of the first fibers forming a plasticized structure.

Abstract: A warp-knitted fabric of at least three-bar construction, which is comprised of multifilament synthetic pile yarns on the technical back which are raised or broken to produce a plush surface and monofilament synthetic ground yarns on the technical face, the pile yarns being comprised of microdenier filaments having a denier no greater than 1.1.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for knitting needle and guide alignment for consistently and accurately aligning knitting needles and other knitting elements on warp knitting machines. This includes checking for needle spacing, needle height, guide spacing, guide height, and needle to guide interference. This may also check back-to-front needle and guide alignment. This system includes a video camera for acquiring an image of the knitting elements and a means of displaying this image on an electronic display.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for creation of a textile fabric that has been patterned with a selective application of heat, which provides a carved portion in registry with a color change. The textile fabric includes a blend of fibers of a first polymer having a first color with fibers of a second polymer having fibers of a second color. The melting point of the first fibers exceeds that of the second fibers. When patterned with a selective application of heat that exceeds that of the second fibers but is less than that of the first fibers, the second fibers melt away leaving the first fibers with the first color dominating. In the uncarved areas, the resulting color is a blend of the first color and the second color.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for selectively carving textile fabric by selectively applying chemicals containing a liquid repellent either alone or with other chemicals such as dye to a textile fabric and subsequently finishing said fabric. The textile fabric is then rewetted by the application of liquid. The printed areas containing liquid repellant remain dry and the areas without liquid repellent are selectively wetted out. The textile fabric is then subjected to pressurized heated gas which selectively carves the dry areas printed with liquid repellent leaving the wetted areas protected and uncarved. As an alternative embodiment, the yarns that make up a textile fabric can be individually treated with a liquid repellent prior to being formed into a textile fabric.