Abstract: According to a first aspect, load-bearing systems can have one or more serpentine tensioners. According to another aspect, load-bearing systems can have one or more repositionable load-bearing members. Load-bearing systems having serpentine tensioners and load-bearing systems having repositionable load-bearing members are not mutually exclusive of each other. Accordingly, some disclosed load-bearing systems have a serpentine tensioner in combination with a repositionable load-bearing member. To facilitate disclosure of such principles, wearable packs incorporating one or more aspects of innovative load-bearing systems are described.

Abstract: A fabric construct consists of a woven fabric of weft and warp yarns, and the fabric has an area defined by plurality of zones consisting of at least one zone of a first zone type, optionally, at least one zone of a second zone type; and at least one zone of a third zone type. The third zone is a transition zone disposed adjacent the first and/or second zones. All the zones are formed in a unitary woven construct, with adjacent zones seamlessly joined together. The transition zone includes a plurality of bands of sets of weft and/or warp yarns that collectively provide a progressive transition for an attribute of the first zone type through at least the transition zone and to the second zone type, if present. The fabric construct may be used in various end products and is particularly suited for use in apparel applications.

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: Multilayer substrates are provided that do not require use of an attachment mechanism to combine the different layers of material. Further, the systems and method for creation thereof is also provide. Additionally, structured garments with very few or no seams are provided herein. The systems and method for creation thereof is also provided. More specifically, sprayable nanofibers are utilized to create the above-described multilayered fabrics and structured garments. Accordingly, the provided systems and method are more efficient and more cost effective than previously utilized systems and methods for creating multilayer or structured substrates or garments that required the use of adhesive mechanisms and/or several seams.

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: 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 textile construct has a first fiber configured to convert one or more forms of ambient energy to an electrical potential. A plurality of second fibers are mechanically coupled with the first fiber to define a textile. An electrical connector operatively couples to the first fiber to convey the electrical potential to a complementarily configured electrical device. An energy-harvesting platform can have such a textile construct. The complementarily configured electrical device can be a platform accessory.

Abstract: A pack having a body defining a volume for the containment of items. The body has a height, width, and depth, and, optionally, at least one body strap coupled to the pack body. An elevator system is associated with a compartment of the pack. The elevator system includes: (i) a cradle that is movable upwardly and downwardly in the compartment and which is configured with a support portion to receive an item storable in the compartment; and (ii) a coupling system that couples the cradle to a user grasp element disposed on the pack. The pulling of the grasp element lifts the cradle from a lower position in the compartment to a raised position. The raising of the cradle is sufficient to allow a stored item that is enclosable in the compartment to protrude from the compartment.

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: 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: 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: Among other things, the inventive subject matter generally relates to bulk fill materials suitable for an insulative or cushioning material. The bulk fill material consists of a plurality of discrete units comprising clusters or loose webs of fibers. The fibers consist of superfine fibers and/or fibers in a range of 1 to 5 denier; the fibers being entangled to form the clusters or loose webs. In some embodiments the clusters or webs are multinode fiber structures that mimic natural down. The inventive subject matter is also directed to related methods of production.

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: Among other things, 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, for use in articles that have, for example a predetermined degree of waterproofness with breathability, or windproofness with breathability.

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: A fabric construct consists of a woven fabric of weft and warp yarns, and the fabric has an area defined by plurality of zones consisting of at least one zone of a first zone type, optionally, at least one zone of a second zone type; and at least one zone of a third zone type. The third zone is a transition zone disposed adjacent the first and/or second zones. All the zones are formed in a unitary woven construct, with adjacent zones seamlessly joined together. The transition zone includes a plurality of bands of sets of weft and/or warp yarns that collectively provide a progressive transition for an attribute of the first zone type through at least the transition zone and to the second zone type, if present. The fabric construct may be used in various end products and is particularly suited for use in apparel applications.

Abstract: According to a first aspect, load-bearing systems can have one or more serpentine tensioners. According to another aspect, load-bearing systems can have one or more repositionable load-bearing members. Load-bearing systems having serpentine tensioners and load-bearing systems having repositionable load-bearing members are not mutually exclusive of each other. Accordingly, some disclosed load-bearing systems have a serpentine tensioner in combination with a repositionable load-bearing member. To facilitate disclosure of such principles, wearable packs incorporating one or more aspects of innovative load-bearing systems are described.

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 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.