Abstract: In certain aspects, the inventive subject matter is directed to production of constructs of footwear and components thereof by jet extrusion. The inventive subject matter contemplates novel processes for making such constructs using jets or streams of materials that solidify as fibers, and which form into two- or three-dimensional webs as they are collected. The webs may be in the nature of films, membranes, or mats. In some embodiments, the inventive subject matter generally relates to nonwoven textiles consisting of webs of superfine fibers, i.e., fibers with diameters in nanoscale or micronscale ranges.

Abstract: A backpack may comprise a main body defining a first compartment, a first shoulder strap extending from the main body, a second shoulder strap extending from the main body, a cinching layer disposed adjacent an exterior surface of the main body, a first cinching cord coupled to the first shoulder strap and the second shoulder strap, and a second cinching cord coupled to the main body and extending through at least a portion of the cinching layer, wherein the second cinching cord is slideably coupled to the first cinching cord such that a tension applied to the first cinching cord causes the cinching layer to apply a compression force from the cinching layer toward the front exterior surface of the main body.

Abstract: A backpack with an improved load adjustment system includes a body, a frame, a pair of shoulder straps, a load lifting strap extending from each of the first shoulder strap and the second shoulder strap and suspended by the frame, a yoke attached to the first shoulder strap and the second shoulder strap, a back panel attached to a hip belt having a first hip pad and a second hip pad, and a torso length adjustment strap extending from a first lower side portion of the frame to a second lower side portion of the frame opposite the first lower side portion of the frame and passing through a strap receiving member fixed to the yoke. The improved load adjustment system allows for quick adjustment while wearing the backpack and increased freedom of movement.

Abstract: Woven and knit substrates having juxtaposed notches with finished edges are disclosed. Such substrates can be used as opposed fastener tapes and fastener elements can be formed, woven, or otherwise added to the opposed fastener tapes in a known fashion. The notched fastener tapes permit the resulting slide fastener to be curved in-plane without buckling either of the opposed the fastener tapes out-of-plane. The finished edges maintain structural integrity of the woven or knit substrates, in stark context to prior art substrates having cut notches. Also disclosed are panelized substrates having curved apertures and incorporating disclosed slide fasteners.

Abstract: A cord locking apparatus is described that includes an anchoring portion operative to be secured to a surface; and a cord lock portion having: a bottom coupled to the anchoring portion, and a top, a front, a first side, a second side, and a central axis defined between the top and the bottom; a channel extending from the front to one of the first side or second side along the bottom in a channel orientation direction, the channel operative to receive a cord therethrough; and a lock slot on the front side comprising a channel end at a bottom of the slot and a lock end at the top of the slot, and operative to receive and hold the cord in a tension lock direction at an angle to the channel orientation direction.

Abstract: Multi-climate sleeping bags and methods of making the same are described. One sleeping bag may comprise a bottom panel comprising a head end and a foot end, wherein the bottom panel is formed from an inner shell, an outer shell, and an insulating material disposed between the inner shell and the outer shell, a first top panel comprising an inner shell, an outer shell, and an insulating material disposed between the inner shell and the outer shell, a first fastening mechanism configured to detachably couple an edge of the first top panel to an edge of the bottom panel, a second top panel comprising an inner shell, an outer shell, and an insulating material disposed between the inner shell and the outer shell, and a second fastening mechanism configured to detachably couple an edge of the second top panel to the edge of the bottom panel.

Abstract: Substrates with transparency to infrared body radiation and opacity in the visible light spectrum are provided and systems and methods for creation thereof are provided. The IR radiation transparent substrate is IR radiation transparent and visible light opaque with enough breathability and softness to make it suitable for use in garments for body thermal regulation. Further, the IR radiation transparent substrate is created utilizing nanofiber technology to form specific sized micro pores between the nanofibers.

Abstract: A textile construct with a performance film formative built into a textile structure. The textile construct needs only to be subject to a fusing agent to cause the performance film formative to convert from its lattice structure (e.g., knit or woven structure) into a film that is built into a retained lattice structure of the textile. More particularly, the formation of the textile construct is based on fusion of selected filaments, e.g., thermoplastic fibers or yarns, to selectively create a film on one side or layer in the construct while substantially preserving the lattice structure of an opposing side or adjacent layer of non-fusible filaments in a lattice structure. This creates a hybrid film/lattice textile construct. Both open-faced and sandwiched constructions of the film in a unitary structure with the retained lattice structure of another side or layer(s) are possible.

Abstract: In some aspects, the inventive subject matter contemplates: providing a substrate; providing a biomaterial to be affixed to the substrate; and subjecting the substrate and biomaterial to reactive species from a plasma generated by an atmospheric plasma apparatus until the biomaterial affixes to the substrate. The biomaterial may be silk or wool polypeptide. The biomaterial is deposited as a monomeric film on the surface of the substrate before the substrate is subjected to the reactive species of the plasma. Once the substrate with the film of biomaterial is subjected to the reactive species, the reactive species facilitates the polymerization of the film as a coating on the underlying portion of substrate. The resulting coated substrates are novel constructs that have improved attributes based on the biomaterial selected for use. For example, silk proteins may be used improve the hand or strength of textile materials.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the inventive subject matter relates to a fiber construct suitable for use as a fill material for insulation or padding, comprising: a primary fiber structure comprising a predetermined length of fiber; a secondary fiber structure, the secondary fiber structure comprising a plurality of relatively short loops spaced along a length of the primary fiber. In some embodiments, the inventive subject matter relates to insulative fiber structures that mimic the structure and scale of natural down and thereby provide similar properties.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the inventive subject matter is directed to an arrangement of discrete elements of fill material on a substrate consisting of a sheet material wherein the discrete elements are fixed relative to the sheet material by pilings, fusion, and/or entanglement to fix the insulating elements in a layered arrangement over the sheet material. A second sheet of material may be used to create a sandwiched assembly of the discrete elements. In some embodiments, the inventive subject matter is generally directed to discrete elements of fill material that are engaged together to form a cohesive sheet-like or layered arrangement of the elements.

Abstract: A method of treating a substrate, comprising providing a substrate having a generally sheet or planar form or a fiber or yarn form; providing a colorant to be set at the surface of the substrate; and subjecting the substrate and colorant to reactive species from a plasma generated by an atmospheric plasma apparatus until the colorant is set at the surface of the substrate. A method of setting a colorant on a substrate, comprising performing an etch operation, or plasma pre-treatment to change surface charge, on a substrate using a plasma, particularly a plasma generated at atmospheric conditions, to create a desired surface texture, or surface charge, at the surface of substrate; and depositing a colorant on the surface under plasma or non-plasma conditions; and allowing the colorant to set at the surface of the substrate.

Abstract: A releasable closure having a first structure that encapsulates a magnetic composition based on magnetic particles, such as a smart fluid of the group electrorheological fluid, magnetorheological fluid, ferrofluid, or that is formed of a printable composition with dispersed magnetic particles. The first structure is magnetically attracted and thereby joinable to an opposing, second structure, with the first and second structures forming the releasable closure.

Abstract: Article, such as sports bras, and methods of making the same are described. A sports bra may comprise a front panel comprising a bust panel, a first shoulder strap, and a second shoulder strap. The sports bra may comprise a rear panel comprising a first back strap and a second back strap. The first back strap may coupled to the first shoulder strap at a first shoulder seam and the second back strap may coupled to the second shoulder strap at a second shoulder seam. The first back strap may be coupled to the bust panel at a first side seam and the second back strap may be coupled to the bust panel at a second side seam. One or both of the back straps may have the second a curve-linear shape exhibiting a tapered width.

Abstract: An aspect of the disclosure is a footwear article. The footwear article includes a double layer knitted upper having a foot bed, an upper portion continuous with the foot bed, an ankle opening, and an inner void for receiving a foot of a wearer. The double layer knitted upper has an outer knit layer defining an exterior surface of the double layer knitted upper. The double layer knitted upper also has an inner knit layer monolithically knit to the outer knit layer. The inner knit layer has a plurality of inner knit regions that spatially correspond to the plurality of outer knit regions of the outer knit layer. The outer knit layer and the inner knit layer substantially define the foot bed and the upper portion of the double layer knitted upper.

Abstract: An adjustable-length tensile member, for example, a strap for a wearable pack, can include a fastener member defining first and second apertures and a cross-member positioned therebetween. A strap can extend through the first aperture in a first direction, over the cross-member and through the second aperture in a direction opposite to the first direction. A cover plate can matingly engage with the fastener member to obscure a segment of the strap from view. Wearable packs can incorporate such adjustable-length tensile members. Methods for assembling such adjustable-length tensile members are also disclosed.

Abstract: The inventive subject matter is generally directed to a pack with an automatically opening compartment. The pack has a body that defines a volume for the containment of articles, and a strap system for supporting the pack in a user's body. A section of the pack is hingeably coupled to another body portion of the pack. The hingeable section has a first condition, providing an opening to a compartment in the pack, and a second condition, closing the opening to the compartment. The hingeable section is coupled to a spring system that is (1) unloaded when the hingeable section is in the first condition and (2) relatively loaded when in the second condition, so that the compartment automatically opens when the closure system is released. The pack may include a closure system for locking the hingeable section in the closed condition.

Abstract: Woven and knit substrates having juxtaposed notches with finished edges are disclosed. Such substrates can be used as opposed fastener tapes and fastener elements can be formed, woven, or otherwise added to the opposed fastener tapes in a known fashion. The notched fastener tapes permit the resulting slide fastener to be curved in-plane without buckling either of the opposed the fastener tapes out-of-plane. The finished edges maintain structural integrity of the woven or knit substrates, in stark context to prior art substrates having cut notches. Also disclosed are panelized substrates having curved apertures and incorporating disclosed slide fasteners.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an apparatus comprising a body, a pair of shoulder straps attached to the body, a pair of pockets, each of the pair of pockets being formed respectively in each of the pair of shoulder straps, and a sternum strap including two parts connectable with a connector, wherein each of the two parts is attached and can be stowed respectively inside of each of the pair of pockets. Each of the two parts has a first end attached to a first corner of the corresponding pocket and a second end attached to a second corner of the corresponding pocket, such that the connector can slide up or down along the two parts and, when the two parts are connected with the connector, each of the two parts forms a “V” shape.