Abstract: A pin tenter clamp for a tenter apparatus has a clamp base on which tenter pins are disposed. The clamp base is provided with a hinge about which a clamp top plate is pivotable. A resilient, elastomeric clamp pad is disposed on a side of the clamp top plate facing the clamp base and tenter pins. The clamp top plate is biased away from the clamp base to open the pin tenter clamp. Between the clamp top plate and clamp base is a stripper plate having openings through which the tenter pins may extend when the pin tenter clamp is closed. The stripper plate also has a resilient, elastomeric clamp pad having openings aligned with those in the stripper plate. When the pin tenter clamp is open, the stripper plate resides above the tenter pins. In use on a tenter apparatus, the present pin tenter clamp first holds the fabric to be stretched between the resilient, elastomeric clamp pads before the tenter pins may extend threrethrough.

Abstract: A sleeve with the horizontal seam worn on the medial side of the elbow or knee and a vertical seam worn on the lateral side of the joint disclosed. Placing the seams on opposite sides of the sleeve prevents bunching of material on the medial side opposite the knee or elbow when the limb is bent. The vertical seam on the lateral side of the knee or elbow reduces irritation in the particularly sensitive areas on the medial side which would occur if the vertical seam were on the medial side of the limb. The elbow sleeve is made of a double laminate with an elastomeric material such as neoprene on the outside and a polymer material such as nylon on the inside. The outside surface on the elbow brace is patterned to produce a roughened textured surface so the ball may be carried in the crook of the arm without slippage. The knee brace is made of a triple laminate with elastomeric material such as neoprene sandwiched between two layers of nylon.

Abstract: Protective body padding comprising a plurality of foam modules interconnected by a membrane. The foam modules and/or membrane have a plurality of perforations extending completely therethrough and a matrix of interconnecting air channels designed to provide breathability and cooling capacity to allow venting of heat and moisture from the skin. In a preferred embodiment, the foam in the modules is of a variable density, wherein the density of foam closest to the skin is less than the density of foam immediately above. For sports use, the modules can be positioned between the upper and lower resilient layers in a variety of positions to articulate with vulnerable body parts. Moreover, the foam can be colored or provided with an array of tradenames, trademarks and/or logos to enhance the aesthetic and fashion qualities thereof.

Abstract: Method and apparatus to soften the backing and consequently the material attached thereto of a nonwoven fabric by passing the back over and around a series of rollers arranged in a staggered diamond shape to break up the bond between individual fibers and clumps of fibers but maintain the bond at cross-over points of the fibers.

Abstract: Method and apparatus to soften the backing and consequently the material attached thereto of a nonwoven fabric by passing the back over and around a series of rollers arranged in a staggered diamond shape to break up the bond between individual fibers and clumps of fibers but maintain the bond at cross-over points of the fibers.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process and an apparatus for the continuous production of absorbent bodies (30) from a web of fiber material (40) which is folded longitudinally several times in a folding station (A) and which is surrounded in a guide tube (86) with a sheathing band (82), the longitudinal edges of which are connected to one another by means of a closing device. The web of fiber material (30) is thereafter fed to a press station (C) which consists of pairs of press and smoothing rollers arranged in close succession and offset at 90.degree. relative to one another. By means of these press rollers, the web of fiber material (130) is rolled down in steps to or below the final cross-section of the absorbent body (30), to form a fleece rod (240).

Abstract: A child is adapted to be zipped into a sleeveless vest which coacts with the lap and shoulder belts of a vehicle safety harness to restrain the child in the vehicle. The back side of the vest includes a generally horizontal loop for receiving the lap belt and further includes a vertically inclined loop for receiving the shoulder belt. Both loops are adapted to be opened and closed by zippers in order to enable the belts to be easily placed into and removed from the loops.

Abstract: An improved tenter-type stretcher comprises a pair of rails which diverge from one another, a plurality of clips carried in endless chains along the rails and a device for detecting obstructions in the tenter clips, wherein the detecting device is either a mechanical arm positioned to contact and move upon encountering foreign matter in the clips or a light beam which traverses the clips, and is interrupted by foreign matter in the clips.

Abstract: A mechanism for operating a needle board in a needling machine comprises two reciprocable rods which serve to operate the board and each of which, together with the associated eccentric drive, is mounted in a bearing housing. To permit an adaptation of the rod spacing to a desired board length, the two bearing housings are rigidly interconnected by at least one spacer to form a flexurally stiff structure.

Abstract: A method of forming a catamential tampon is disclosed which is capable of absorbing menstrual fluids. The method includes the steps of starting with an absorbent having a cross-sectional area of varying thickness. The thickest portion has a greater volume of fibers than the thinnest portion. The absorbent can be optionally enclosed with a cover. An opening is formed through the absorbent and/or cover and a withdrawal string is secured thereto. The absorbent is formed into a generally elongated, cylindrically shaped blank and then is compressed into a pledget having a zone of high density fibers and a zone of low density fibers. After compression, the zone of low density fibers will expand faster and/or to a greater extent than the zone of high density fibers, thereby forming a curved tampon. The curved tampon is rigid and self sustaining and can be used as either a digital tampon or with an applicator.

Abstract: In order to produce a needled nonwoven web having an improved surface quality, the needle board (1) of an apparatus for needling a nonwoven web should be provided with needles in a higher needle density. To that end the needles (2) of the needle board (1) are arranged in groups having a higher needle density and a perforated plate (5) of the stripper (4) and a perforated plate of the backing member (3) are provided in association with each group of needles with a common receiving hole (7). The needles (2) of each group are arranged in a longitudinal row generally extending in the direction of travel of the nonwoven web and are transversely offset from each other.

Abstract: A single dress of simple design is selectively changed into entirely different dresses by changing decorative front pieces which are located on the front of the dress by a rear flap sewed along a line of stitching corresponding in shape to that of a neckline and tucked behind the neckline to hold the respective dress front pieces of different design in place.

Abstract: An adjustable triangular weaving frame for weaving woven pieces of various sizes. The frame has sections formed by three rails. Each rail has an upper surface with a row of generally vertical pins. Means are provided for shortening the effective length of the sections and proportionately changing the number of vertical pins in each section.

Abstract: A shoulder pad comprising a left-hand member which fits over the left shoulder and a right-hand member which fits over the right shoulder. Each of the members is of generally inverted U-shape as viewed from the side and has a chestplate portion, a backplate portion and an arch connecting the plate portions, the arches being laterally spaced to provide an opening for the neck of the wearer. Each of the members is fabricated from lightweight synthetic resin sheet material having a corrugated central layer formed with parallel corrugations, and a pair of generally parallel outer layers forming opposite exterior surfaces of the sheet material. The corrugations are resiliently deformable upon application of an impact load to the sheet material to attenuate the shock of the impact load on the wearer.

Abstract: A nonwoven fabric having high performance aqueous fluid retention and wiping characteristics and a method of producing such fabric. The fabric comprises a reinforcing web of self-bonded continuous filament synthetic fibers having at least one surface with spaced clusters of synthetic staple fibers and short natural fibers generally surrounded by void areas having a concentration of synthetic staple fibers and short natural fibers which is lower than such concentration in the clusters. The desired pattern of clusters may be obtained by hydroentanglement using a coarse apertured forming surface.

Abstract: The process of treatment according to this invention is applied to a textile piece--weave, knit or finished article--constituted wholly or partly by yarns of continuous filaments with adherent microfilaments, obtained by star--or lamellar spinning, for example comprising six to eight unitary microfilaments of 0.2 to 0.4 dtex. It consists in subjecting said piece, resting on a support screen, to the action of jets of water at a pressure of at least 4.multidot.10.sup.6 Pa, whereby the structure of the piece is modified and the unitary microfilaments are separated.

Abstract: In a weft straightener having a machine frame (10); a pair of wheels (18) for holding each selvedge of a cloth (1) on the outer periphery (19) of each wheel (18); wheel supporting means (11 to 14, 16, 20) for keeping each wheel (18) rotatably, inclinably and widthwise-movably on each side of the machine frame (10); wheel inclination adjusting means (15, 31 to 36) for adjusting each wheel (18) to a desired inclination angle; and wheel position adjusting means (51 to 55) for adjusting each wheel (18) to a desired position in the widthwise direction; whereby the difference of rotation speed of both wheels (18) is made while the cloth (1) is travelling with its each selvedge held on the outer periphery (19) of each wheel (18) so that the skewed or bowed weft of the cloth (1) may be straightened, the improvement comprises a drum means (66, 67) mounted inclinably and projectingly on the inside of each wheel (18); drum supporting means (61, 65) for keeping each drum means (66, 67) rotatably and substantially in the

Abstract: A method of forming ornament elements in which a piece of material has its lateral ends folded over to form a tube of material and the tube is cut at positions along and transverse to the tube axis to form loop elements. Each loop element is then creased or folded to provide an ornament element.

Abstract: A plate for a separator for the successive seizure and separation of threads held in an array has a leading edge and at least one hook-shaped recess in the leading edge. The recess has a depth in the direction of plate movement which is greater than half the width of the recess. Between a hook tip and the leading edge there extends a fender edge at an angle of 15.degree. to 90.degree. relative to the direction of plate movement. The hook tip is rounded with a radius of up to 10% of the width of the hook-shaped recess.

Abstract: A sock having a cuff portion with an inner and outer layer disposed in overlying relation and including a pocket integrally formed therebetween having an opening near a top edge of the cuff. A seam extending downwardly on opposite sides of the opening and along a bottom of the cuff defines the boundaries of an interior of the pocket. A hook and loop-type fastener attached on opposite, opposing surfaces of the pocket's interior, adjacent the opening, serves to releasably secure the opening in a closed, sealed position.