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

Abstract: Polycarbonate articles, especially eyeglass and optical lenses, are dyed in a dye solvent having a boiling point of at least 350.degree. F. in which a dye is dissolved. The article to be dyed is retained in the solution maintained at 200.degree. F. or more until sufficient dye has penetrated the polycarbonate, then removed, rinsed and dried. The dyeing operation does not unduly detract from impact resistance and the dyed product exhibits excellent ultraviolet light stability.

Abstract: Upper and lower body cold weather garments are provided which have excellent warmth, moisture permeability, wind resistance, and water resistance. The garment comprises an interior lining fabric, such as a loosely knit nylon lining, an outer fabric, and a layer of preponderantly open cell (e.g. polyurethane) foam at least 1/2 inch thick (preferably about one inch thick) between the interior lining fabric and the outer fabric, the components connected together by stitching at the edges of the garment. The outer fabric has air permeability of less than 15, and preferably less than 10, cubic feet per minute per square foot at 0.5 inches head of water, and has moisture vapor transmission of at least 1,000 grams per square meter per 24 hours. The outer or shell fabric preferably is woven from a fine denier, multi-filament, polyester yarn.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for electrodepositing a metallic layer (such as, an amorphous nickel-phosphorus alloy) onto a surface of a substrate includes forming the substrate into a cylindrical configuration and immersing it in a liquid electrodeposition bath containing the metallic substance to be deposited onto the substrate surface. During the electrodeposition of the metallic substance onto the substrate surface, the substrate is rotated within the bath so as to expose the substrate surface uniformly to the bath liquid and to the electric field which, on average, is substantially constant. The process finds particular utility in the production of orifice plates for use in fluid jet printing devices.

Abstract: A fabric grading method and system includes a computer and speech command system for converting oral commands spoken by an operator to signals for driving an inspection frame and a defect labeling device. The operator's spoken defect descriptions are automatically recorded and discriminated so that the defect labeler is only driven in response to detected major defects. The system also receives and records width and pick per inch measuring data for the fabric being inspected.

Abstract: Textiles, especially polyester, nylon and high-tenacity nylon, are continuously dyed in an organic medium containing a high-boiling, nonionic solvent admixed with one or more lower-boiling organic solvents and at least one dyestuff dissolved in the solvent media. The lower-boiling solvent acts as a carrier to entrain the dye and allows the dye to enter the fiber evenly. The non-aqueous dyestuff medium allows the process to be conducted above the boiling point of water which facilitates dye penetration into the fiber and, in turn, shortens the dyeing process. Atmospheric pressure may be used, thus avoiding the constraints of a batch-type operation of pressurized dyeing procedures, as is conventionally used in this art. Fabric may be dyed in open width under restraint at elevated temperatures thereby achieving uniform coloring of the fabric without shade variations from end-to-end or "tailing".

Abstract: The electrostatic fluid jet applicator of the present invention achieves patterning effects with an applicator designed to provide a uniform solid application of liquid onto substrates. The applicator requires no digital memory device to store extensive image data defining patterns to be printed and includes a single ganged charging electrode which is utilized to simultaneously charge (or not charge) droplets emanating from a linear array of orifices. The applicator generates patterning effects primarily by controlling the application of charging voltage to the single electrode and by controlling the print time.

Abstract: A hybrid fluid jet apparatus is disclosed which is particularly useful in uniformly applying liquid dye to a fabric substrate. The applicator is controlled in an electrostatic control mode while operating below the practical limit of speed for electrostatic operation to achieve uniform fabric coverage. When fluid is being supplied to the substrate at its maximum flow rate in the electrostatic control mode, the applicator senses that the "full flow" condition has been reached. The applicator is then controlled to operate in a non-electrostatic control mode to control the fluid flow rate by modulating the fluid pressure received at the orifice array in accordance with the required fluid flow rate needed to achieve a uniform application of fluid to the substrate.

Abstract: A fluid nozzle assembly is disclosed for dispensing liquid dye onto an underlying fabric in a substantially closed structure provided with an inert gas atmosphere. The assembly includes an elongated rotatable housing provided along its length with a relatively narrow opening or slot. An elongated manifold, provided with a plurality of laterally spaced dispensing nozzles, is concentrically mounted within the housing so that the nozzles are aligned with the slot. The housing and manifold are rotatable from a first operative position where the nozzles are in communication with the interior of the structure, to a second inoperative position where the nozzles are substantially isolated from the interior of the structure so that the nozzles may be removed for maintenance, cleaning or replacement without significant loss of inert gas from the interior of the structure.

Abstract: A sleeping bag has upper and lower portions, an access opening in the upper portion, and a breathing opening in the upper portion adjacent one end of the bag. Overlying and spaced from the breathing opening is a snorkel hood where outgoing exhalation is placed in heat and moisture exchange relation with incoming air so that an individual wholly enclosed within the bag may breathe preheated air having substantial moisture content. A curtain is provided along the upper portion adjacent the access opening for engaging about the upper torso of the individual and with the lower portion of the bag to divide and seal the bag into head and body compartments. In warm and cool weather conditions, the individual may sleep with his head exposed to ambient air. In warm weather conditions, the curtain underlies the upper portion above the individual's torso so that air may circulate into the body compartment.

Abstract: The average color, and excursions outside predetermined acceptable color limits, of non-solid-shade fabrics, such as denim, can be determined utilizing a filter colorimeter, an A/D convertor, and computer. A swatch of fabric having a length greater than its width is continuously moved past the colorimeter, and is continuously sampled at the rate of at least about 100 readings per second until the length of the entire swatch has been sampled and analog signals have been generated for all readings. Analog signals are continuously passed from the colorimeter to the A/D convertor, and from the convertor as digital signals to storage in the computer. After sampling is completed the stored digital signals are analyzed. The voltage of the electric light source of the colorimeter is monitored to calibrate the digital signals depending on the voltage to the light source.

Abstract: Pattern printed textile products, such as pillow cases and items of apparel, are produced in such a manner that the pattern is always properly positioned on the final product. The pattern is printed on a fabric web while it moves in a first direction, and in synchronization with the pattern printing a magnetic mark is disposed (e.g. jet printed) on the web in a known position adjacent the pattern in the direction of fabric movement. A number of marks may be printed, which define the perimeter portions of the fabric if cut into fabric panels. Subsequently, the magnetic marking on the fabric is detected, the fabric is stopped, and rough cut is made at a known position with respect to the mark. A fine cut later severs the mark from the rest of the fabric. Automatic hemming can take place during fine cutting, and after fine cutting and hemming, other steps are performed to turn the fabric into a final textile product.

Abstract: An anode configuration is provided particularly for a bath that is used for electrolytically plating a substrate with a nickel and/or cobalt phosphorus alloy. The anode comprises a plurality of widely spaced portions of material, preferably of platinum or rhodium. The anode configuration is such that the anode has a very high current density in use--at least 200 amperes per square foot and preferably 500 amperes per square foot. The wide spacing of the anode portions may be provided in a number of different ways. A platinum wire may extend between titanium screws attached to a pair of parallel spaced titanium buses, in a zig-zag manner. A platinum wire may be welded at its opposite ends to a titanium bus, and helically wrapped around the bus, with the welding junctions covered by an insulating material (e.g. vinyl). A platinum tube may be shrink fit onto a titanium bus.

Abstract: A tensioning mechanism includes a frame pivotally carrying an arm at one end intermediate its length and carrying an arm fixed to the frame at its opposite end intermediate its length. Tension springs are disposed between the arms on one side of the frame and the ends of the arms on the opposite side of the frame releasably carry clamps for securing a substrate between the arms. When the substrate is clamped to the arms, the springs pivot the one arm to apply a tension to the substrate to ensure flatness and planarity of the substrate. The mechanism may then be disposed in an electrolytic bath for plating the substrate and hence defining locations for orifices to be formed in the substrate.

Abstract: An all chloride bath is provided for electroplating nickel phosphorus on a substrate. The bath includes 0.7-1.3 molar Ni.sup.+, 1-2 molar Cl.sup.-, and 1-3 molar HPO.sub.3.sup.+2. The bath also optionally contains 0.2-0.6 molar PO.sub.4.sup.-3. The bath contains as little sulfate as possible. Any sodium lauryl sulfate in the bath can be removed using a carbon filter. The electroplatings produced according to the invention have Knight shift, density, and non-uniform thickness properties more characteristic of electroplated nickel phosphorus than electroless. They have lower tensile strength, increased inherent brightness, and reduced graininess compared to electroplating from baths including sulfate. The bath has increased cathode efficiency, increased conductivity, and reduced formation of unwanted precipitates compared to baths with sulfates. The bath constituents may be provided from NiCl.sub.2.6H.sub.2 O and H.sub.3 PO.sub.3 ; or from Ni(H.sub.2 PO.sub.3).sub.2 and HCl.

Abstract: Quick setting, nonaqueous melt size compositions suitable for application as a melt to textile yarns, and for later removal by solvent or aqueous means, include substantially equal amounts of an 80/20 ethylene/acrylic acid copolymer and a wax such as hydrogenated tallow intimately blended with a smaller amount of sebacic acid or dodecanedioic acid together with an amount of a nonionic surfactant to facilitate size removal.

Abstract: Simultaneous dyeing and flame-resistant property improvement of poly(m-phenyleneisophthalamide) fibers using a swelling agent to introduce a dye and a fire retardant into the fiber. The dyed fiber has properties of strength approximating the original undyed fiber, fire retardance greater than the untreated fiber and is conveniently dyed to an unlimited range of colors with high color yield and relatively good lightfastness at a reasonable cost. An aqueous dimethylsulfoxide solution is used as the swelling agent.

Abstract: A cloth take-up mandrel is fabricated by cutting pipe of a thermoplastic polymeric material (e.g. PVC) to a desired length, heating the ends of the pipe to a temperature at which the polymeric material softens (as by insertion into a bath of glycerine), inserting end caps into the thus softened pipe ends (having a cross-sectional dimension greater than the dimension of the pipe), and cooling the ends with the end caps inserted therein. The invention avoids problems such as splintering associated with conventional wooden mandrels.

Abstract: Dyes are removed from waterless dye compositions by mixing the dyeing composition, composed of one or more dyes in a high-boiling, nonionic liquid, with an extraction solvent that is immiscible with the high-boiling liquid, yet solubilizes the dye. The dye laden extraction solvent is separated as a separate phase from the high-boiling, nonionic liquid medium.

Abstract: A method of treating the water supplied for humidification of the textile processing room environment (e.g. weaving room) results in reduced apparent cotton dust concentrations, while maintaining or increasing processing efficiency. The water supplied to the humidification system for the processing environment is pure water, such as reverse osmosis water, distilled water, deionized water, demineralized water, etc. Humidification is primarily achieved utilizing atomizers, and a pure water supply can be generated on-site by treating tap water with conventional deionizers or demineralizers.