Abstract: A method and apparatus for simultaneously filling separate compartments of a duvet by pneumatically fluidizing material from a drum with pulsed jets of air using a venturi effect.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing, in bulk, long tailed neps, the apparatus including a housing supporting a main rotor the periphery of which has a plurality of teeth and beaters which co-operate with teeth on a set of feed rollers mounted in the housing alongside the periphery of the main rotor, the housing having an intake chute and a closeable discharge door, the arrangement being such that, in use, a synthetic or material fibrous material fed to the intake chute, while the discharge door is closed, is fed into the housing by the feed rollers, the fibrous material being removed by the beaters and teeth of the rotor from the feed rollers, the fibrous material being spun in the housing and the interaction between the teeth and the beaters of the main rotor and the teeth of the feed rollers causing the fibrous material to be entangled and felted to form a plurality of long tailed neps which are discharged from the housing when the discharge door is opened.

Abstract: A needle for tufting, sewing, stitching the like machines, the needle including a shaped elongate blade having at one end thereof a shank and at the other end thereof a point to which is positioned a needle eye, the elongate blade having a shaped longitudinal input recess in one side of the blade above the eye, the input recess having a sloped floor region immediately above the eye which is in the same plane as any bias on the shank of the needle and wherein the angle of the floor relative to the sides of the needle eye is outside the range of 85.degree.-95.degree. degrees.

Abstract: A looper for a tufting machine for producing cut-pile has a base portion, a forward hook-shaped end and a yarn engaging portion around which a loop of yarn is formed extending between the base portion and the forward end, the yarn engaging portion having smooth contours adjacent only the forward end of the looper, the remainder of the length of the yarn engaging portion having a cutting edge formed thereon for effecting the cutting upon cooperation with an independently operable cutting blade of at least one of a series of accumulated loops collected on the yarn engaging portion. Thus, any catching, cutting or breaking of the loop of yarn before being cut by the cutter blade is avoided.

Abstract: A needle for tufting, sewing, stitching and the like machines, which needle comprises a suitably shaped elongate blade having at one end thereof a shank and at the other end thereof a point adjacent to which is positioned a needle eye which is shaped and dimensioned to allow unimpeded movement of yarn therethrough particularly when the needle is withdrawn in an upward direction with a loop of yarn held on a looper.