Abstract: A suede-like micro-fibril finish is imparted to fibrillatable cellulosic materials by open width hydraulic treatment. Additional enhancement of the fabric finish is obtained by post hydraulic enzyme and wet processing treatments. Fluid treated fabrics of the invention are characterized by substantially uniform fibrillation of fibers within the fabric body and surface areas.

Abstract: A method of forming thermal insulation comprising forming recycled cotton fibers into a relatively loose mass, impregnating the cotton fibers with a liquid fire retardant, drying the impregnated cotton fibers, mixing the impregnated cotton fibers with the dry granules of fire retardant while causing the granules to adhere to the cotton fibers, blending the cotton fibers with synthetic springy fibers and with bi-component bonding fibers having core components and sheath components, forming the blended fibers into a composite web of predetermined thickness to provide a desired insulation value, heating the composite web to soften the sheath components of the bi-component fibers to cause the same to bond the fibers together into a bonded composite web, slitting the bonded composite web longitudinally into narrower strips of a predetermined width corresponding to the widths of individual batts of insulation, severing the strips into predetermined lengths to form individual batts, and packaging the individual batt

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sequentially performing dye strikes on a continuous dye range from a plurality of dye lots to reduce downtime of the range. The apparatus employs two dye pans that are horizontally and vertically movable relative to the dye pad on the range so that each can be sequentially moved into and out of a dyeing position while the machine is running and fabric continues to move therethrough. The textile material includes a leader section ahead of the fabric to be dyed in a desired strike order, such as, for example comprised of three leaders with first and second dye strike patches positioned therebetween in order to provide first and second strikes or runs on a continuous basis without stopping the dye range.

Abstract: Fabric such as textile material is automatically inspected at high speed by diffraction of light techniques. The fabric is moved through a plane and irradiated with monochromatic light of given cross sectional area sufficient to encompass a large number of warp and fillings making up the fabric. The diffraction pattern developed after the beam has passed through the fabric is detected and various regions of this diffraction pattern are processed to provide data indicative of the quality of the fabric. The major regions involved in the diffraction pattern include the developed central lobe and first order side lobes along orthogonal axes normal to the directions of the warps and filling threads of the fabric.

Abstract: A technique is provided for analyzing the shape of the amplitude envelope of a diffraction pattern's first order side lobe resulting from passing coherent light through a fabric material. The light intensity of the lobe is scanned from one side of the lobe to the other by a linear photo-diode array to provide successive voltage signals whose respective voltage values are a function of the light intensity at successively spaced increments from one side of the lobe to the other. Each of these successive voltage signals are compared with a series of reference voltages of substantially less number than the number of spaced increments, each reference voltage having a value greater than the value of the preceding reference voltage in the series to define a voltage range encompassing the highest voltage in the series of voltage signals.

Abstract: First and second pairs of mirrors are oriented to intercept first and second regions respectively of a diffraction pattern and deflect these regions to individual detectors so that simultaneous analysis of the regions of the diffraction pattern can be carried out. The pairs of mirrors can be spaced along the optical axis in a manner to provide focused regions of the diffraction pattern at the detectors wherein the diffraction pattern itself is imaged at two spaced focal planes resulting from astigmatic conditions. The physical arrangement not only overcomes problems introduced by astigmatism but also permits practical physical positioning of individual photo-diode arrays such that simultaneous processing of the regions in the diffraction pattern can be carried out.

Abstract: A system is provided for scanning a laser beam across the width of fabric material to be inspected. A scanning mirror receives coherent light from the beam and is mounted to repeatedly swing through a given scan angle. An optical arrangement of mirrors in side-by-side relationship receives the light beam from the scanning mirror and directs it in successive side-by-side parallel directions or channels towards the fabric to irradiate successive areas of the fabric across its width. A de-scanning mirror is mounted to repeatedly swing through the same given scan angle in synchronism with the scanning mirror and a second optical arrangement of mirrors in alignment with the first mentioned mirrors receives the beam after passing through successive areas of the fabric and directs it to the de-scanning mirror. The beam reflected from the de-scanning mirror in turn can then be analyzed.