Abstract: Aesthetic warp-knit, weft-inserted fabrics are produced having multiple substrate layers, warp yarns extending in the warp-wise direction of the fabric, and weft yarns extending in the weft-wise direction of the fabric. The warp and/or weft yarns are interposed between the multiple substrate layers. Warp stitching yarns forming stitch wales spaced-apart along the warp-wise direction of the fabric and stitched through the substrate layers hold the warp and weft yarns in position relative to one another and relative to the substrates. The substrates may also be provided in juxtaposed relationship to one another so as to increase the opacity, esthetics, and dimensional stability of the resulting fabric. Thermoplastic fibers may be incorporated in the fabric such that upon plasticization and subsequent cooling, they assist in binding of the resulting fabric.

Abstract: A fluid distribution bar has a plurality of superposed channels with the lower channel in communication with an orifice plate for issuing fluid droplets for deposition on a substrate. The bar is formed from identically cast sections having channel portions opening through a side face thereof which open into one another when the sections are secured each to the other. The channels have a plurality of longitudinally spaced ports providing communication one between the other, the ports communicating between the lower and the intermediate channels being longitudinally offset from the ports communicating between the intermediate and upper channels. The upper surfaces of the lower and intermediate channels are shaped to guide air bubbles in the fluid to the ports such that, as fluid is supplied to the orifice plate, the air bubbles rise in the fluid and pass from one channel to the next through the ports and out of the bar.

Abstract: Polyester/cotton fabrics are flame retardant treated with a flame-retardant cyclic phosphonate ester and tetrakis-(hydroxymethyl)phosphonium sulfate (THPS), usually applied simultaneously, then cured. The resulting fabrics retain their flame-retardant properties after numerous machine washings and have an acceptable hand.

Abstract: Fluid jet printing apparatus having a fluid jet printhead and a pair of substrate positioning rolls for moving the substrate between a position below the printhead for printing on the substrate and a position removed from the printhead enabling access to the printhead. Two or more printing stations, each having a fluid jet printhead and substrate positioning rolls, are serially aligned in the direction of movement of the substrate to print different fluids on the substrate. Idler rolls are arranged to effect printing on opposite sides of the substrate at the respective printing stations. The direction of travel of the substrate past the printhead may be in a direction to first pass the catcher and then the droplet streams thereby minimizing or eliminating the tendency of particles to enter the region of the electrodes.

Abstract: A fluid jet printing line has a plurality of fluid jet printing devices arranged serially to sequentially print on a substrate. Each printing device includes a print bar movable relative to a print head and substrate. Each print head including the print bar carried thereby is mounted for movement between positions in the line and a clean or ready room. In the print line, a sensor detects any increased thickness of the substrate and a pneumatic-mechanical system responds to the sensor to raise the print bar above the thickened portion of the substrate as it passes below the orifice plate and to lower the print bar after the thickened portion has passed. Should a print head malfunction, the line is converted to a full-catch mode, the substrate transport is stopped and the malfunctioning print head is removed.

Abstract: Nylon impression fabric is used as a cover fabric for an acoustical material (e.g., 1 inch thick polyester foam) substrate in an environment--such as a textile workplace environment having textile machinery such as texturing air jets--to provide for good sound absorption while being easily cleanable, and having other desirable properties that lead to significant high frequency (e.g., 4000-20000 Hz) noise reduction over long periods of time. The substrate and fabric combination has an HFNRC (high frequency noise reduction coefficient) of at least about 0.80. The facing fabric has a fractional cover factor of about 0.80, a coefficient of friction of less than about 0.30, an air porosity of about 10-50 cfm, and a Taber abrasion resistance of greater than about 400 cycles. The facing fabric preferably is uncoated, and is not full surface bonded to the substrate (e.g., either wrapped or point bonded).

Abstract: A fluid-jet printer has a droplet catcher structure and an ingestion blade whereby deflected charged droplets flow by means of a vacuum from the catcher structure along the ingestion blade for recirculation and reuse. The ingestion blade is preferably flat and is releasably clamped between a retainer plate along the underside of the catcher structure and a set screw threaded into the upper surface of the catcher structure. The ingestion blade is disposed in the opening of a cavity along the underside of the catcher structure and is removable therefrom by backing off the set screw, whereby the blade can be removed through the bottom cavity opening for replacement.

Abstract: Fabrics constructed of high-modulus, high-tenacity, low-shrinkage polyamide fabrics are continuously dyed with acid dyes by applying at ambient temperatures a pad bath solution formulated to provide a continuous film on the fabric surface followed by drying and dry heat curing or thermosoling at elevated temperatures to fix the dye molecules inside the fibers.

Abstract: An interactive real-time, distributed control system for textile weaving machines including real time, interactive bi-directional communications centrally manages the whole range of activities of a weaving room. Microcontrollers at each weaving machine control most of the routine weaving functions and operations, but communicate in real time with a central computer which provides large-scale data storage and analysis. Easy, consistent automatic machine set-ups result from electronically downloading cloth style and dobby control data from the central computer to the weaving machine microcontrollers. Because communications between the microcontrollers and the central computer as well as much of the analysis performed by the central computer occur interactively on a real time basis, correction and optimization of the weaving process at individual machines is possible, resulting in higher productivity and quality.

Abstract: A yarn carrier structure upon which yarn is wound to form a yarn package includes an axially extended body having a cylindrical exterior surface formed about an axis and a through opening having at least first and second opposed surfaces for engagement by the fingers of a yarn package manipulating machine. Yarn entry ports are provided at one end of the yarn carrier structure and lead to internal passages for accepting and accommodating the leading and transfer tails of the yarn wound upon the yarn carrier structure. First and second slots are provided in the yarn carrier structure to facilitate mounting of the carrier on a utilizing machine. The position of the engagement and mounting surfaces relative to the yarn entry ports are known to provide a yarn carrier structure well suited for automatic machine manipulation.

Abstract: Filament nylon 6 and 66 fabrics are dyed in a multi-step continuous aqueous dyeing process. Uniformly dyed fabrics having a high degree of fiber bundle penetration result.

Abstract: The fluid jet applicator orifice plate inspection apparatus provides an optoelectronic inspection system including a laser light source and an optical detector mounted on a carriage for traversing an orifice plate to cause laser light to pass through the orifices one at a time for detection on the other side of the orifice plate by an optical detector. The intensity of the detected light is proportional to the area of an individual orifice through which the laser light has been transmitted. The detector generates light intensity signals which are proportional to the area of the orifices and which signals are processed, digitized, and further processed by a data processor to determine, for example, the relative sizes of the orifices along the plate, the orifice size distribution along the plate and flaws of the individual orifices.

Abstract: A tray for a fluid-jet printing device for starting fluid-jet streams issuing from an orifice plate in a direction substantially perpendicular to the orifice plate. The tray includes an elongated box-like structure movable between various positions, including a sealing position below the orifice plate for drawing a vacuum through the orifice plate and facilitating flow of fluid from a plenum chamber above the orifice plate through the orifice plate for start-up. The tray is provided with backlighting such that, upon movement of the tray into a second position, the fluid streams issuing from the orifice plate may be visually observed against the backlighting to ensure proper start-up. Thereafter, the tray is moved to subsequent positions enabling location of the charging and deflection electrodes and droplet catcher structure below the orifice plate, as well as the substrate on which the printing will be effected.

Abstract: A fluid jet applicator is disclosed which senses orifice plate fluid pressure and the fabric substrate speed and electronically controls the flow of fluid by modulating fluid pressure in accordance with the speed and characteristics of the fabric substrate. In this fashion, a highly uniform solid shade is applied across the width of the fabric. The uniformity of the applied solid shade is limited only by the uniformity of the orifices in the applicator orifice plate. Additionally, by operating at higher fluid pressures than electrostatic fluid jet applicators, the present invention is significantly more productive than such electrostatic applicators.

Abstract: The headwear includes a headgear formed of flexible material for comfortably encompassing the individual's head. The forward portion of the headgear has an opening to which is mounted the inner end of a face tunnel, which projects forwardly of the headgear. The headwear is formed of three layers, an inner layer, an intermediate foam layer and an outer layer. One of the inner and outer layers is formed of a high wind resistant material having high heat retention and moisture vapor transmission characteristics. In one form, the foam forming the intermediate layer of the face tunnel has a greater density than the foam forming the intermediate layer of the headgear, whereby the face tunnel is substantially rigid, stiff and self-sustaining in shape, even in the face of high winds. An access opening is provided adjacent the back of the headwear to enable it to be placed on and pulled off the individual's head.

Abstract: Textile fabrics such as polyester, nylon and high-tenacity nylon are continuously dyed using a non-aqueous dye composition at elevated temperatures in an air atmosphere. The non-aqueous dye composition consisting of high-boiling, nonionic solvent and a dye, is applied to the textile in an air atmosphere at a temperature below 280.degree. F. then, while the dye composition is entrained in the fabric, the fabric is heated also in an ambient atmosphere to effective dyeing. Non-reactive environments or inert temperatures are not required.

Abstract: The flame-resistant properties of aramid fibers are improved using a swelling agent to introduce a flame retardant into the fiber. The treated fiber has properties of strength approximating the untreated fiber, flame resistance greater than the untreated fiber and is conveniently dyed to an unlimited range of colors with high color yield. An aqueous dimethylsulfoxide solution is used as the swelling agent.

Abstract: Nylon/cotton blend fabrics containing at least 40% by weight of nylon are rendered flame resistant and durable to multiple launderings in a two step process in which a THP/urea precondensate/ammonia polymer network is formed within the cotton fiber structure then durability is enhanced in a second step 1 which a flame resistant cyclic phosphonate ester and a THP salt plus urea are applied. Durability up to 50 multiple washings and continued flame resistance for these nylon/cotton blend fabrics are reported.

Abstract: Photodegradation and light-stabilizing amounts of a combination of an oxalanilide UV absorber and a hindered amine light stabilizer are applied to a dyed polyester fabric providing a lightfastness rating of at least 4 AATCC Gray Scale following 100 hours WeatherOmeter exposure. Fabrics so protected are useful for automotive fabrics and draperies.

Abstract: A print pulse control and driver circuit for an electrostatic fluid jet applicator is provided which promotes enhanced image quality by adjustably controlling the rising and falling edge duration of print pulses that are applied to the applicator's charge electrode array. The control circuit in pattern printing applications employs a print pulse drive bus which is shared by a large number of high voltage charge electrode drive circuits. Print pulses present on the bus are selectively used to gate high voltage to individual charge electrodes. In addition, the print pulse control circuit includes circuitry for detecting short circuits on an individual electrode basis.