Patents Assigned to The Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel Limited
  • Publication number: 20200262108
    Abstract: A method for separating and recycling a waste polyester-cotton textile by a hydrothermal reaction catalyzed by an organic acid, comprising the following steps: dividing a waste polyester-cotton textile into fragments and dispersing in an aqueous solution system of the organic acid catalyst to obtain a mixed system; in a high-pressure reactor, heating the mixed system to 110˜180° C. so that cotton fibers in the waste polyester-cotton textile undergo a degradation reaction for 0.5˜3 h to obtain a mixture; and filtering the mixture by a sieve, washing to obtain a polyester fiber aggregate, and then filtering the remaining portion by a filtration membrane in vacuum so as to obtain cotton fiber fragments after washing. Embodiments of the present disclosure may provide advantages for the separation, recycling and reuse of waste polyester-cotton textiles. For example, the catalyst used during processing is derived from nature and is biodegradable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2017
    Publication date: August 20, 2020
    Applicant: THE HONG KONG RESEARCH INSTITUTE OF TEXTILES AND APPAREL LIMITED
    Inventors: Edwin Yee Man KEH, Lei YAO, Xiao LIAO, Yang LIU, Kevin CHEUK, Alex CHAN
  • Publication number: 20200259185
    Abstract: This disclosure provides a method for preparing a current collector. The method includes: (1) anchoring vinyl groups onto the surface of textiles through the silanization between hydroxyl groups and coupling agents; (2) synthesizing polyelectrolyte brushes through in-situ radical polymerization; and (3) obtaining catalyst ions on the polyelectrolyte brushes through ion-exchange and obtaining metal-coated layers through subsequent electroless deposition). The current collector according to the present disclosure has high electrical conductivity and excellent mechanical flexibility, and thus the lithium ion battery including the same is suitable for portable and wearable electronic devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2017
    Publication date: August 13, 2020
    Applicant: The Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel Limited
    Inventors: Zijian ZHENG, Dongrui WANG
  • Patent number: 10713780
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method and a computer-readable storage medium for color quality assessment of a batch-sample image based on multispectral imaging. The method comprises: selecting an operation area on a reference image and locating a corresponding operation area on a batch-sample image, wherein the reference image is used for color comparison with the batch-sample image to determine whether the batch-sample image satisfies a pass requirement; generating and comparing the color-information items obtained from the reference image and from the batch-sample image respectively and determine whether the batch-sample image satisfies the pass requirement based on one or more thresholds. This method can be applied to automatically and precisely assess the quality of mixed-color fabrics in textile industry, which is more objective, reliable, and cost-effective, as compared to conventional methods for color quality assessment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: The Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel Limited
    Inventors: John Haozhong Xin, Hui-liang Shen, Quan-geng Ge
  • Patent number: 10702421
    Abstract: A medical pressure sock with an antibacterial fabric packing and an adhesive structure is provided. The antibacterial fabric packing is arranged on the inner surface. The adhesive structure is arranged at a position the pressure of which needs to be improved relative to the medial ankle of the lower limb; an adhesive surface connected with the adhesive structure is arranged on one side of the antibacterial fabric packing; the antibacterial fabric packing cross section includes a cross section front side, a cross section intermediate connection layer and a cross section rear side; the cross section intermediate connection layer has a special shape capable of being inserted into the cross section front side and the cross section rear side. The provided medical pressure sock solves the imbalance pressure and the not long-lasting antibacterial time problems of the traditional pressure socks, thus speeding up the recovery process of patients with varicose veins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: The Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel Limited
    Inventors: Xiaoming Tao, Qiao Li, Yuheng Zhang, Sui Yee Lui, Cheuk-Wa Chad Tse
  • Publication number: 20200157310
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a degradable synthetic fiber composition, a manufacturing method thereof, and a degradable synthetic fiber product manufactured therefrom; wherein the degradable synthetic fiber composition comprises a polymer and two or more transition metal salts dispersed in the polymer; at least one of the two or more transition metal salts is a polyvalent metal salt. The present invention may degrade polymer such as polyester, polyamide, and polystyrene, two or more transition metal additives are selected to produce a synergistic effect, thereby directly improving the utilization of ultraviolet light and visible light; the present invention is the first application of oxidative-biodegradation to synthetic fiber, and can be commercially produced by existing equipment; the formulations and methods of the present invention particularly can be applied directly in weaving techniques such as nonwovens, to further reduce the environmental pollution caused by waste.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2019
    Publication date: May 21, 2020
    Applicant: THE HONG KONG RESEARCH INSTITUTE OF TEXTILES AND APPAREL LIMITED
    Inventors: Chi Chung LAM, Hao WU
  • Publication number: 20200158659
    Abstract: Disclosed are a method and system for automatic detection of a fabric defect. The method comprises: preprocessing a region of a fabric to be detected during a fabric transmission process by a noise removing device to eliminate noise interference during a detection process; triggering a camera to perform image acquisition on the fabric to be detected according to rotation information of a motor of a roller of a cloth inspection machine; and automatically identifying a defect on the fabric to be detected based on an acquisition image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2018
    Publication date: May 21, 2020
    Applicant: THE HONG KONG RESEARCH INSTITUTE OF TEXTILES AND APPAREL LIMITED
    Inventor: Wai Keung Wong
  • Patent number: 10611891
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods for processing cotton containing textile waste that include alkaline pretreatment at freezing temperatures and a regeneration process. The method enhances cellulose digestion of the cotton to glucose and produces a solution containing glucose. In some aspects of the disclosed methods, the conversion yield of cotton to glucose can be as high as 80% or even 90%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: The Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel Limited
    Inventors: Yunzi Hu, Carol Sze Ki Lin, Shao-Yuan Leu, Houde Jing, Chi Shun Yeung
  • Patent number: 10604891
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a reactive dye bath and a dyeing process for textiles. The reactive dye bath for textiles comprises an organic solvent, an aqueous dye solution, a surfactant and a co-surfactant. The reactive dye bath or the dyeing process of the present invention allows for full up-take of the dye without subjecting the textiles to any special pre-treatment and without the addition of a salt for accelerating dyeing, so as to obtain dyed textiles with a higher dyeing depth, uniformity and fastness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: The Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel Limited
    Inventor: Yee Man Edwin Keh
  • Patent number: 10577726
    Abstract: A biodegradable antibacterial knitted fabric, a cross section of the knitted fabric includes a front side of cross section made of wool short fiber yarns, an intermediate connection layer of cross section capable of transferring moisture and a rear side of cross section made of antibacterial filaments; the intermediate connection layer of cross section is made of filament yarns having a special shape capable of being inserted into the front side of cross section and the rear side of cross section so that the front side of cross section is connected with the rear side of cross section. The biodegradable antibacterial knitted fabric proposed by the present application has a long time significant antibacterial effect by adopting a cross section structure with three layers and antibacterial material, and does not contain any antimicrobials and metal ions, and has the advantages of low cost, easy manufacturing and long lasting antibacterial effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: The Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel Limited
    Inventors: Xiaoming Tao, Shirui Liu, Lijuan Liang, Xinxin Huang
  • Patent number: 10561484
    Abstract: The present application relates to a hernia mesh and its preparation method. A preparation method of hernia mesh comprises selecting and adding a first material particle into a filler tube attached to a 3D printer, and making an external pressure pipe connected; heating the filler tube to a first temperature, and maintaining for a first preset time to remove moisture contained in the first material particle; continuously heating the filler tube to a second temperature, and maintaining for a second preset time to completely melt the first material particle; continuously heating filler tube to a third temperature, and using a designed hernia mesh 3D print file to prepare the hernia mesh by the 3D printer. The hernia mesh prepared has controllable pore size, biocompatibility, tensile strength, and elasticity; the preparation process is convenient and quick, reducing the cost; the patient's foreign body sensation and discomfort can be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: The Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel Limited
    Inventors: Xiaoming Tao, Wei Zeng, Yu Yuan
  • Publication number: 20190376945
    Abstract: A micro-environment controllable temperature and humidity system evaluates heat and humidity comfort level of textiles. The system includes a bed-shaped partitioned platform having one or more non-temperature and humidity-controllable sections and one or more temperature and humidity controllable sections. One or more temperature and humidity control machine is in communication with the one or more temperature and humidity control sections for supplying air with a pre-set temperature and humidity. A central controller electrically is connected to the one or more temperature and humidity control machines. The micro-environment controllable temperature and humidity system can perform partitioned control on the temperature and humidity in a micro-environment during sleep, and is used for studying the influence of the temperature and humidity on the comfort level of different regions of a subject.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2017
    Publication date: December 12, 2019
    Applicant: The Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel Limited
    Inventors: Lei YAO, Xiao LIAO, Siyu LIN
  • Patent number: 10413894
    Abstract: This invention discloses a method for preparing a catalyst for catalyzing the degradation of organic pollutants in printing and dyeing wastewater by ozone, wherein the catalyst comprises a porous carbon material as a substrate and metal oxide nanoparticles deposited on the surface of the substrate. The method comprises the steps of: allowing a mixture of resorcinol, formaldehyde, trimethylhexadecyl ammonium bromide, multi-walled carbon nanotubes and deionized water to react to form cured product, which is then calcinated and carbonized at high temperature to produce the porous carbon material; impregnating the resulting porous carbon material with nitrate solution, drying the porous carbon material, and calcinating it at high temperature, wherein the absorbed nitrate is decomposed into metal oxide and embedded into the porous carbon material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: The Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel Limited
    Inventors: Songmin Shang, Enling Hu, Xiao-ming Tao
  • Patent number: 10392362
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the catalytic synthesis of lactide from lactic acid. The method relates to the synthesis of lactide from lactic acid under the catalysis of a zinc oxide nanoparticle aqueous dispersion as a catalyst. The present invention has four technical characteristics: I. the zinc oxide nanoparticle aqueous dispersion catalyst has a sufficient surface area, and the size of nanoparticles is merely 30-40 nm, providing a sufficient contact area between the substrate (lactic acid) and the catalyst; II. the new catalyst has a milder catalytic effect on polymerization, allowing the molecular weight distribution of a prepolymer within a range of 400-1500 g/mol, which is advantageous for depolymerization to proceed; III. the new catalyst is stable, thus avoiding oxidation or carbonization in a high temperature reaction; and IV. the new catalyst has a low toxicity and a small threat to human health.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: The Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel Limited
    Inventors: Yunzi Hu, Carol Sze Ki Lin, Walid Daoud
  • Publication number: 20190233610
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods for processing cotton containing textile waste that include alkaline pretreatment at freezing temperatures and a regeneration process. The method enhances cellulose digestion of the cotton to glucose and produces a solution containing glucose. In some aspects of the disclosed methods, the conversion yield of cotton to glucose can be as high as 80% or even 90%.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2018
    Publication date: August 1, 2019
    Applicant: The Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel Limited
    Inventors: Yunzi HU, Carol Sze Ki LIN, Shao-Yuan LEU, Houde JING, Chi Shun YEUNG
  • Patent number: 10288499
    Abstract: A process for manufacturing a fabric pressure sensor comprises cutting a sensing fabric to a pre-determined size, connecting a flexible electric wire with a wire of the sensing fabric by sewing, fixing the sensing fabric by means of a clamping positioner at a pre-determined tension, bonding a lower conversion layer with the sensing fabric by means of a lower conversion layer positioning box, bonding an adjustable column with the sensing fabric by means of an upper conversion layer positioning box, and bonding the upper conversion layer with the adjustable column by means of the upper conversion layer positioning box. A tool for manufacturing the sensor comprises an electrical property measuring device, a wire connecting tool, and a sensor structural component assembling tool. The present invention provides an easy and convenient way of manufacturing a fabric pressure sensor, monitoring the quality of manufacture, and enhancing the manufacturing precision and product yield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: THE HONG KONG RESEARCH INSTITUTE OF TEXTILES AND APPAREL LIMITED
    Inventors: Xiaoming Tao, Tao Hua, Yangyong Wang, Qiao Li, Yee Kwan Chow
  • Publication number: 20190048522
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a reactive dye bath and a dyeing process for textiles. The reactive dye bath for textiles comprises an organic solvent, an aqueous dye solution, a surfactant and a co-surfactant. The reactive dye bath or the dyeing process of the present invention allows for full up-take of the dye without subjecting the textiles to any special pre-treatment and without the addition of a salt for accelerating dyeing, so as to obtain dyed textiles with a higher dyeing depth, uniformity and fastness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2016
    Publication date: February 14, 2019
    Applicant: The Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel Limited
    Inventor: Edwin Yee Man Keh
  • Publication number: 20190047976
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the catalytic synthesis of lactide from lactic acid. The method relates to the synthesis of lactide from lactic acid under the catalysis of a zinc oxide nanoparticle aqueous dispersion as a catalyst. The present invention has four technical characteristics: I. the zinc oxide nanoparticle aqueous dispersion catalyst has a sufficient surface area, and the size of nanoparticles is merely 30-40 nm, providing a sufficient contact area between the substrate (lactic acid) and the catalyst; II. the new catalyst has a milder catalytic effect on polymerization, allowing the molecular weight distribution of a prepolymer within a range of 400-1500 g/mol, which is advantageous for depolymerization to proceed; III. the new catalyst is stable, thus avoiding oxidation or carbonization in a high temperature reaction; and IV. the new catalyst has a low toxicity and a small threat to human health.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2016
    Publication date: February 14, 2019
    Applicant: The Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel Limited
    Inventors: YUNZI HU, Carol Sze Ki Lin, Walid Daoud
  • Publication number: 20180184731
    Abstract: A leg-protecting apparatus is arranged in close contact with a body surface of a wearer to cover a thigh, a knee, and a calf of the wearer, including a biomechanically protecting strap (A) arranged to correspond with structural locations and paths of tendons and ligaments of the knee and muscles proximal thereto during an exercise process. The strap comprises a cruciate ligament protecting strap (A-1), a patellar tendon protecting strap (A-2), a thigh muscle group protecting strap (A-3), and a calf muscle group protecting strap (A-4). Elastic moduli of the cruciate ligament protecting strap (A-1) and the patellar tendon protecting strap (A-2) has a step-change upon a change in a fabric tensile ratio caused by the knee bending of the wearer, wherein the step-change occurs after an initial low tensile modulus stage, during a tensile sudden-change stage, and before a high tensile modulus stage transitioning between the stages as knee angle decreases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2015
    Publication date: July 5, 2018
    Applicant: The Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel Limited
    Inventors: Yi LI, Yinglei LIN, Shu SUN, Xiao HAN, Jinyun ZHOU, Xuyong CAO, Yueping GUO, Jiao JIAO, Ru LV, Qing YE
  • Patent number: 9488536
    Abstract: A process for manufacturing a fabric pressure sensor comprises cutting a sensing fabric to a pre-determined size, connecting a flexible electric wire with a wire of the sensing fabric by sewing, fixing the sensing fabric by means of a clamping positioner at a pre-determined tension, bonding a lower conversion layer with the sensing fabric by means of a lower conversion layer positioning box, bonding an adjustable column with the sensing fabric by means of an upper conversion layer positioning box, and bonding the upper conversion layer with the adjustable column by means of the upper conversion layer positioning box. A tool for manufacturing the sensor comprises an electrical property measuring device, a wire connecting tool, and a sensor structural component assembling tool. The present invention provides an easy and convenient way of manufacturing a fabric pressure sensor, monitoring the quality of manufacture, and enhancing the manufacturing precision and product yield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: THE HONG KONG RESEARCH INSTITUTE OF TEXTILES AND APPAREL LIMITED
    Inventors: Xiaoming Tao, Tao Hua, Yangyong Wang, Qiao Li, Yee Kwan Chow
  • Patent number: 9475257
    Abstract: This present application relates to a three dimensional negative Poisson's ratio spacer knitted fabric and a method for making the same; the fabric includes a first surface layer fabric, a second surface layer fabric, and a spacer yarn layer connecting the first surface layer fabric with the second surface layer fabric, both the first surface layer fabric and the second surface layer fabric are bi-dimensional structures having the negative Poisson's ratio effects; the method is to compress and/or stretch a three dimensional mesh spacer knitted base fabric along one or two plane directions to form a structures having the negative Poisson's ratio effects. The advantages of the present application include low making cost, simple operation method, significant negative Poisson's ratio effects, good elastic recovery, and high practical application value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: THE HONG KONG RESEARCH INSTITUTE OF TEXTILES AND APPAREL LIMITED
    Inventor: Hong Hu