Abstract: An inflatable airbag cushion (10, 110, 210, 310, 410, 510) is provided. The bag includes a face portion and a rear portion formed from first and second fabric layers (30, 32). The bag further includes a number of straight line woven in joints (16) defining flow barrier elements (14). The flow barrier elements (14) serve to contain the inflation gases and to restrict inflation of the cushion.

Abstract: A process for making sanded elastic fabrics having low fuzz is described. The process involves sanding an elastic fabric with a microfinishing film to achieve a fabric having good side-center-side consistency, and a thick, consistent nap produced from a large number of short hairs. The fabrics can be produced at greater efficiency than achieved from conventional sanding methods, and with an enhanced aesthetic appearance.

Abstract: A washfast and down-proof metallized fabric which comprises a metallic side, a non-metallic side and a cross-linked polyurethane latex coating over both sides which encapsulates said metal particles, its method of preparation and articles of clothing comprising such fabric are described.

Abstract: A composite fabric structure having unique visual and physical properties is described. The composite fabric includes a textile fabric layer having a visual surface and a rear surface. A layer of diffractive or retroreflective material is secured beneath the textile fabric layer, either directly or beneath a layer of substantially transparent material. The textile fabric layer is of an open or semi-transparent construction, so that light can pass through it to reach the layer of diffractive or retroreflective material and be reflected back through the layer of textile fabric, to provide a unique appearance to its visual surface. Because fabric constructions can be provided which are extremely conspicuous, they have particular utility in the formation of safety equipment and automobile components. Furthermore, the fabrics have high durability, improved hand, and in many embodiments can be stretched as well as molded.

Abstract: A material having a unique, multi-colored appearance is described. More specifically, a material having a multi-colored appearance and a three-dimensional surface is described, along with a method of making such a material. The process involves providing a pile material having an upper portion of the pile yarns of a first color and a lower portion of the pile yarns of a second color that is visually distinct from the first color, then treating the material so as to displace at least some of the pile yarns to a different position with respect to the base web portion of the fabric from other of the pile yarns. In this way, the lower portions of at least some of the pile yarns are exposed, to provide a unique visual appearance as a result of the color differential, and a unique three dimensional appearance as a result of the difference between the position of the treated and untreated portions.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically cleaning the clips on a web processing apparatus is described. The apparatus includes a scraper for scraping the web supporting surface of the clips on the web transporting machine, and also desirably includes a clip opener, for facilitating opening of the clip to enable the scraper to easily access the clip web support surface. The scraper is desirably supported in a manner that enables it to move upwards and downwards relative to the web supporting surface of the clips, to account for variations in clip height and positioning. The clip cleaner can be readily applied to existing web processing apparatus, such as tenter frames, and desirably can be selectively moved from an operative position to an inoperative position.

Abstract: A process for improving the colorfastness of dyed thermoplastic textile materials is described. The process involves heatsetting the materials to a temperature which minimizes the amount of semi-crystalline regions, dyeing the material and subjecting it to a reductive clear. The process can be used on a variety of textile materials including fibers, yarns and fabrics. The process is particularly effective in achieving high colorfastness on microdenier products, even when the product is dyed a dark shade. The materials also retain good strength and flexibility characteristics.

Abstract: Textile materials having high colorfastness, and methods for their production are described. The process involves heatsetting a textile material, then applying a polysiloxane/catalyst combination to the heatset material. The textile material is then dried at low temperature, thereby resulting in a material having good colorfastness and shade. The process can be used to process fibers, yarns or fabrics, and is particularly useful in the processing of microdenier fibers.

Abstract: A compact core and effect yarn producing texturing machine which employs a face plate on which the core and effect yarn godets are mounted in one area of the face plate and another pair of godets are mounted in another area of the space plate. A loop breaker is mounted on said face plate between the godets of the ones mounted in another area of the face plate to break the loops of yarn produced in an air jet mounted between the core and effect yarn godets and the other set of godets.

Abstract: A method for continuous conditioning of a rubber blanket such as the type used on compressive shrinkage apparatus is described. The blanket includes an inner bearing surface defining a bearing face and an outer surface defining a web-contacting face. The web-contacting face is contacted under pressure with an abrasive conditioning roll while the blanket is in its regular, web treating operation. The blanket working face can thus be continuously conditioned without the need for lengthy machine stops. In this way, the conventional grinding and cleaning operations can be minimized or eliminated.