Abstract: A positioning unit for a yarn splicer mountable to a creel in a yarn winding operation includes a rolling unit attachable to the creel, a main support member secured to the rolling unit, and a slide unit supporting the yarn splicer. The slide unit is slidably mounted to the main support member. In one arrangement, the main support member includes an air cylinder, and the slide unit includes an actuator driven by the air cylinder. In another arrangement, the slide unit is secured to the main support member for manual positioning by a creel attendant and is supported by a counterweight assembly. The positioning unit enables a creel attendant to easily and readily position a mechanical splicer or the like relative to yarn packages on a creel to facilitate yarn package maintenance.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are provided for generating a simulation of a colored material. In particular, the method and apparatus generate a simulation of a colored target material utilizing a "selected" point in color space and a character reference pattern. The selected point in color space can itself be determined according to novel aspects of the invention (e.g., color candidate representation points), or other inputted as a result of other processes (e.g., colorant formula performance analyses). In one mode of the invention, the selected point in color space can represent a color of a constituent element of the target material after the material has undergone one or more color-affecting treatments or processes. Advantageously, the present invention not only generates a simulation of a color material of a central color, but also generates simulations useful for representing color shade variations with respect to the central color.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are provided for generating a simulation of a colored material. In particular, the method and apparatus generate a simulation of a colored target material utilizing a "selected" point in color space and a character reference pattern. The selected point in color space can itself be determined according to novel aspects of the invention (e.g., color candidate representation points), or other inputted as a result of other processes (e.g., colorant formula performance analyses). In one mode of the invention, the selected point in color space can represent a color of a constituent element of the target material after the material has undergone one or more color-affecting treatments or processes. Advantageously, the present invention not only generates a simulation of a color material of a central color, but also generates simulations useful for representing color shade variations with respect to the central color.

Abstract: A vacuum molding process for adhering a porous, foam-backed fabric 50 to a thermoplastic substrate 60 and for providing a nonplanar contour to the substrate 60 with fabric 50 adhered thereto. The porous, foam-backed fabric 50 is loosely positioned over a female mold 30. The substrate 60 is heated sufficiently for the substrate 60 to sag. The sagging substrate 60 is deposited over the female mold 30 in a manner whereby the substrate 60 contacts the fabric 50 around an effective mold perimeter 36. A vacuum applied through the female mold 30 is transmitted through the porous foam-backed fabric 50 and attracts the sagging substrate 60 into the mold 30. The attraction causes contact and adhesion of the heated substrate 60 and the foam-backed fabric 50.

Abstract: A loom mechanism and method which delays the harness crossing and provides tighter, more uniform beat-up during the weaving process.