Abstract: Poly(m-phenyleneisophthalamide) fibers are simultaneously dyed and imparted improved flame retardant properties with a fire retardant liquid in which a disperse or acid dye is dissolved. Fabrics thus dyed and FR treated exhibit no afterglow when exposed to an open flame and a Limiting Oxygen Index greater than their undyed counterparts.

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

Abstract: Aramid fibers, polybenzimidazole fibers or blends of aramid and polybenzimidazole fibers are rendered flame resistant by a flame retardant introduced into the fibers by a polar organic swelling agent such as DMSO. Dyed or undyed fibers so treated exhibit substantially improved flame resistance as compared with untreated fibers.

Abstract: Flame resistance is imparted to high polyester content (50%) polyester/cotton blend fabrics by the successive application of a cyclic phosphonate ester flame retardant followed by THP/urea precondensate/NH.sub.3 and then by THPS. Commercially acceptable, flame retarded polyester/cotton products with improved hand result.

Abstract: In a data base of inventoried fabric pieces (e.g. rolls) having associated predetermined color parameter value data, a target fabric piece is initially selected having color parameter values which substantially deviate from a nominal center point within the color parameter space. Thereafter, a subset of the inventoried fabric pieces is identified having associated color parameters sufficiently near to those of the identified target piece as to be commonly usable therewith (e.g. in the construction of a garment). The color parameters may include red/green difference (da*), yellow/blue difference (db*) and lightness difference (dL*) values.

Abstract: A thin fabric wind resistant mitten, made primarily of a fabric having an air permeability of less than 15 cubic feet per minute per square foot at 0.5 inches head of water, and preferably having a wear resistant palm portion and an extendable trigger finger, may be used over or in place of anti-contact gloves. The wind resistant mitten may store in a pocket formed on the outside surface of a cold weather mitten. The cold weather mitten has inner and outer synthetic material fabrics, and an open cell foam at least about 1/8 inch thick (e.g. 1/2-1 inch thick) between the fabrics. The size of the access opening to the cold weather mitt is easily changed, it has a curvature corresponding to the curvature of a normal human hand at rest, and a lanyard attached to the outer fabric is connected to the wind mitt, storable in the outer pocket. A suspension system comprising barrel locks and suspension cords readily adjustably supports the cold weather mitts on a wearer's neck.

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: A cold weather buoyant garment has inner and outer layers with an intermediate layer therebetween. The intermediate layer is formed of a major portion of open cell foam material, such as polyurethane, with a minor portion of a closed cell material, such as polystyrene beads, uniformly dispersed in the open cell material. This composite intermediate layer exhibits good vapor transmission characteristics while simultaneously providing buoyancy characteristics sufficient to assist an individual immersed in cold water and wearing the garment to remain afloat.

Abstract: An automatic method and apparatus for determining whether adequate size has been applied to yarn ends includes at least one photo-optic detector for counting the number of frays or hairs at various locations of a warp beam made up of yarn ends, comparing the count to a predetermined upper limit of acceptable frays or hairs and displaying the result. An alarm is enabled whenever the detected amount of frays of hairs exceeds the predetermined acceptable upper limit. A feedback control loop provides for the control of yarn transport speed, pressure roll force and/or size pump speed to maintain the amount of applied size within an acceptable range of values.

Abstract: A system of operating room garments including two-component scrub pants with an elastic waist band and elastic bands in the mid-thigh area to define a containment zone between the two and knit cuffs at the ankle area, to be worn under a tabard for maximum protection against bacterial transmission is required and, over both, a surgical gown is worn with barrier panel sleeves and in the chest area extending from the neck to the mid-thigh area. The barrier panel composed of a bacteriostatically-treated polyester/cotton fabric sandwiched between a pair of light-weight, water repellent tightly woven, fine denier, breathable polyester fabrics, the composite being stitched together. The system provides the choice of garment selection depending upon the surgical procedure involved.

Abstract: An electrode for use in a fluid-jet marking apparatus includes a flexible and tensionable electrode member mounted in confronting, substantially parallel alignment to a linear array of fluid droplet streams. The mounting of the flexible and tensionable electrode member is accomplished by a pair of mounting arms in spaced-apart relationship, one of the arms being pivotal while the other arm is immovable. The one pivotal arm is thus displaced relative to the other immovable arm so as to responsively tension the electrode member therebetween.In order to increase the vibrational frequency of the flexible and tensionable electrode member and/or to substantially decrease the vibrational amplitude thereof, at least one intermediate arm having a terminal end in operative contact with the electrode member is provided.

Abstract: A cold weather garment is produced from inner and outer fabrics and a layer of open cell skinned foam at least 1/4 inch thick, and preferably about 3/4 inch thick. The skin may be provided on a major flat face of the foam and the other face convoluted, or both faces can be skinned, or the foam layer may include two or more thicknesses of skinned foam. The garments provide better wind resistance than garments with simple open cell foam constructions and allow the selection of a wider variety of outer fabrics while still having the desired MVT, insulation, and wind resistance properties. The skinned foam is also easier to handle, cut, and sew during the construction of cold weather garments.

Abstract: Polyester/cotton and nylon/cotton blends are rendered flame-resistant in a two step process in which a THP salt prepolymer condensate of urea is applied, exposed to ammonia, then oxidized to form a polymer network in the cotton fibers, and cyclic phosphonate ester or hexabromocyclododecane is applied to impart flame resistance to the nylon or polyester fibers. Flame-resistant cotton/synthetic blended fabrics having excellent hand and washfastness result.

Abstract: A "pick and pick" unit for weaving fabric on a fluid jet weaving machine is modified by a quick change kit to function as a single pick unit. A method of modifying the "pick and pick" unit is also disclosed.

Abstract: Resin impregnated graphite materials used in the aerospace industry, such as to make wing, and empennage and fuselage panels, are constructed in such a way that there is a lower labor content, the probability of delamination is greatly reduced, and there is less chance for damage of the components since there is less handling during construction. A fabric is woven having a thickness in the range of about 0.25-1.0 inches. The fabric preferably has two face and two back warp ends, a plurality of stuffer warp ends between the face and back, and binder warp ends interconnecting the face and back warp ends. The binder warp ends are preferably aramid, and the other warp ends preferably graphite. Pure carbon fiber inclusions may be provided in the interior of the fabric, and even in the face and back, and are connected up to a source of electricity to heat the fabric from within to produce a uniform resin flow.

Abstract: Spun yarns are subjected to the vortex action of an impinging, circularly rotating fluid to lay down extending staple fibers against the yarn body while causing the yarn path to balloon and are then contacted with a melt size presented on a slower moving grooved melt size applicator. As a result of the ballooned yarn path, the yarn wipes melt size from the sides and bottom of the groove, giving the yarn a smooth, substantially continuous coating on its outside surface. Spun yarns so treated may be successfully woven as filling yarn on a water jet loom and knit as the warp yarn or as laid-in yarns on a knitting machine without excessive lint accumulation.

Abstract: A frequency-stabilized oscillator is frequency modulated by band-limited random varying signals used to drive a suitable transducer randomly to and artificially perturb fluid jets in an electrostatic fluid jet applicator. Such random artificial pertubation is desirable (especially with longer cross-machine orifice plates) so as to obscure printing irregularities caused by standing wave or other phenomena. However, such random variations are best made with respect to a highly stabilized center frequency.

Abstract: An orifice plate mounting assembly includes a manifold having an interior cavity defining an elongated slot and fluid communication therewith and a pair of exterior vertical guide surfaces bracketing a recessed substantially planar surface surrounding the elongated slot. A pair of clamping members each having a clamp body, a clamping arm extending horizontally outwardly from the clamp body and defining substantially planar contact surfaces, and hinge elements are provided to horizontally position the planar contact surface of each clamping arm in planar contact with the respective portion of the planar orifice plate laterally of the linear array of orifices. Suitable securing elements bridge the manifold assembly in each clamp body to cause each planar contact surface to exert a clamping force against the orifice plate so as to, in turn, exert a clamping force between the planar orifice plate and the recessed planar surface.

Abstract: A thermal and/or protective glove construction is disclosed which increases tactile sensitivity. In each of the thumb and fingertip portions of the glove there is provided a finger contact pad and a relatively stiff transmission system for transmitting detected vibrations from external stimuli to the wearer's fingertips. The finger contact pads may be Velcro.TM. fastener material and the transmission system may comprise a plurality of rigid plastic prongs embedded in the relatively thick insulating material used in thermal gloves. Additional response surface pads, which also may be of Velcro.TM. fastener material, may be applied to the external side of the transmission material.

Abstract: An aesthetic dimensionally stable fabric suitable for use as drapery and upholstery or other decorative fabric is produced utilizing a weft inserted warp knitting machine having two or more stitching bars. A substrate that is dimensionally stable warp-wise (such as a 100 percent polyester nonwoven fabric that is dimensionally stable both warp-wise and weft-wise) is fed to the machine, as are weft yarns. The weft yarns are stitched in place by stitching thread fed to the stitching bars, the two main stitching bars moving in opposite directions in a basically zigzag form to create an aesthetically pleasing effect, but forming a pattern which is not dimensionally stable. However the end fabric produced is dimensionally stable as a result of the substrate properties. Stitching thread is preferably fed to a third stitching bar which is utilized to provide a dimensionally stable stitching pattern in the selvage areas of the fabric to facilitate finishing operations on the fabric.