Abstract: A slipcover combination for covering a movable item of furniture having an upright and a lounging position is described. The slipcover combination has a main body panel having a substantially rectangular shape with first and second adjacent corners being notched to form a pair of substantially V-cut slits defining a panel portion therebetween for covering the pivotable foot rest of the recliner. First and second skirts are also provided, one for covering the seat main body and the other for individually covering the movable foot rest portion. The skirt for the main body is preferably in the form of a longitudinal piece of material, while the other skirt is desirably formed as a ring which fits the foot rest in the manner of a sleeve. A plurality of stay puts and spiral fasteners may also be provided.

Abstract: A terry fabric and method of forming a terry fabric are provided in which a ground fabric is formed of ground yarns while terry yarns are interlaced with the ground yarns to form terry loops with a height substantially greater than normal (a terry yarn length greater than 4.25 inches per linear inch of ground fabric), the terry yarns being formed of singles yarns plied together with a ply twist lower than normal (ply twist lower than seven (7) turns per inch) and the singles yarns having a lower than normal twist multiple (less than 3.75). The terry fabric is partially mercerized during finishing to soften the fabric, a softener is applied of no more than about 0.4% by weight and a wetting agent is also applied to increase even further the rate of absorbency thereof.

Abstract: A semi-fitted, unitary slipcover for covering items of furniture have a base, back, arms, and a cushioned seat portion is described. The slipcover has a seat cushion covering portion which is surrounded by a cinching element for reducing its effective peripheral dimension, and specifically, for individually covering the seat portion of an item of furniture and defining the juncture between a lower edge of the seat portion and the furniture base. A main body portion of the slipcover is attached to the seat cushion covering portion along a first lengthwise side and includes first and second arm covering portions. The main body portion has a second lengthwise side which forms an open pouch; the main body portion is also surrounded by a cinching element for reducing its effective peripheral dimension, preferably along the same plane as that of the seat cushion covering portion.

Abstract: An apparatus and related method for forming a double hem in a textile web includes a first scroll which folds the margin inwardly and then outwardly positioning the margin between the first hem and the web. The apparatus relaxes the first hem and a second scroll and a guide wire cooperate to form a second hem which is in alignment with the first hem.

Abstract: A modular shipping container and a clip for use therein to interconnect various components of the container, such as the sidewalls, bottom pallet, and top pallet. The container components are designed for compact storage and easy assembly. The clip used in the container includes a first portion for affixing the clip to the sidewall structure and a second portion having a rigid arm extending from the first portion. A resilient flex arm is attached to the end of the rigid arm farthest the first portion and extends generally toward the first portion. The flex arm has a locking face thereon for engaging an edge of a receiving slot in the pallet. Insertion of the clip into the receiving slot removably interconnects the sidewall structure to the pallet.

Abstract: A terry loom having a negative pile warp let-off motor is electronically controlled to produce terry having uniform pile-to-ground warp ratio. The negative pile warp let-off motor is controlled to dispense pile warp yarn at a rate which yields the desired pile-to-ground warp ratio regardless of the tension on the pile warp yarn. The desired rate of pile warp let-off may be provided to the loom controller as a known quantity or may be calculated by the loom controller based upon the known desired pile-to-ground warp ratio and a measured or preset ground warp let-off rate. The desired pile warp let-off rate is compared to the actual pile let-off rate, and a signal is generated based upon deviations between actual and desired pile warp let-off rates, to control the pile warp let-off motor. Simplified control with uniform pile-to-ground warp ratio is thereby provided.

Abstract: A woven terry fabric having tucks formed therein for obtaining novel aesthetic effects in the fabric and the method of weaving such fabrics.

Abstract: Air spliced yarn and associated method and apparatus for forming the spliced yarn. The spliced yarn has the ends extending in a common direction laterally of the body of the yarn with the fiber components of the spliced ends of yarn being intimately entangled with each other and forming a commingled projection of entangled fiber components extending laterally from the body of the yarn. The spliced yarn is disclosed for connecting a running package of yarn to a reserve package of yarn as in a yarn creel feeding a bank of yarns to a carpet tufting machine.The apparatus comprises a hand held manually actuatable air valve for compressed air connected to a housing having a hollow wall. The housing has an open ended passageway therethrough for receiving side-by-side yarn ends facing in the same direction. A series of openings for entrance of compressed air into the passageway extend through the inner wall of the housing for effecting air entanglement of the ends of yarn positioned in the passageway.

Abstract: Air spliced yarn and associated method and apparatus for forming the spliced yarn. The spliced yarn has the ends extending in a common direction laterally of the body of the yarn with the fiber components of the spliced ends of yarn being intimately entangled with each other and forming a commingled projection of entangled fiber components extending laterally from the body of the yarn. The spliced yarn is disclosed for connecting a running package of yarn to a reserve package of yarn as in a yarn creel feeding a bank of yarns to a carpet tufting machine.The apparatus comprises a hand held manually actuatable air valve for compressed air connected to a housing having a hollow wall. The housing has an open ended passageway therethrough for receiving side-by-side yarn ends facing in the same direction. A series of openings for entrance of compressed air into the passageway extend through the inner wall of the housing for effecting air entanglement of the ends of yarn positioned in the passageway.

Abstract: A textile winder has manually actuatable yarn air splicers mounted on the winder closely adjacent the path of travel of the yarn from its source to the yarn package being wound. The yarn air splicers mainly serve for connecting the yarn from the trailing end of the relatively large package being wound to the leading end of the yarn from the source of supply, such as skeins of yarn carried by a creel.A yarn end severing means is mounted adjacent each yarn air splicer for severing the ends of the yarn to be spliced so as to obtain substantially coextensive yarn ends for facilitating splicing and obtaining more effective splicing. Manually performed methods of operation of the yarn air splicer and associated yarn end severing means by the winder attendant are also disclosed.

Abstract: An end effector mechanism is provided which is adapted to be attached to a robot having means for moving the end effector mechanism in at least up and down and forward and reverse paths of travel. The end effector mechanism is characterized by a construction for gripping a generally flat textile article in a predetermined orientation and holding the textile article while maintaining at least one edge thereof in such predetermined orientation during transportation of the textile article by the robot and subsequently releasing the textile article. The end effector mechanism is in the form of a generally U-shaped member having a flat bottom surface for contact with the textile article and having needle gripping devices mounted for inward and outward movement from the forward free ends of the U-shaped member for gripping and releasing the textile article, while holding at least one edge thereof taut and in a predetermined orientation.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for automatically and continuously feeding and folding successive textile articles, such as towels and the like, from a supply stack of such textile articles. The apparatus includes a supply mechanism for successively receiving a first stack of textile articles in a non-feeding position, moving the first stack into a feeding position, and receiving a second supply stack of textile articles in a non-feeding position for being moved into the feeding position when the first stack of textile articles is depleted. A folding mechanism successively receives the textile articles and folds the textile articles in the desired folded condition.

Abstract: A heated bedcover containing an electrical heating element therein is provided with an integrated solid state control circuit which functions providing control over the heating element both for comfort control so as to maintain a desired heat output from the heating element and to also provide protection against overheating conditions in the blanket.