Abstract: A carding machine includes a web delivering mechanism formed of a pair of cooperating rolls, for discharging a fiber web; and a web guiding element positioned immediately downstream of the roll pair as viewed in the direction of web advance. The web guiding element has an inner surface oriented towards the roll pair and is arranged transversely to the plane of the web for guiding and gathering the web. The web guiding element further has a web passage aperture through which the gathered web passes and leaves the web guiding element. A guiding body is positioned between the roll pair and the web guiding element in a zone of the aperture. The guiding body includes a supporting surface for supporting the gathered web prior to the passage thereof through the aperture.

Abstract: A sunshade cap with a double layer visor as a continue-in-part comprising an upper layer visor shaped annular or consisted of a front, a left, and a right visor and constituted of a middle layer and an upper and a lower layer made of a reflective material, the upper layer visor having a central hole defined by the annular inner circumferential edge or the inner edges of the three visors to fit around a circumferential edge of a sunshade cap body with a visor, and a fastener band fastening with a fastener band on a visor of the sunshade cap body.

Abstract: A wind drag reducing suit with integrated aerodynamic modules for use by speed sport athletes such as skaters and cyclists. The wind drag reducing suit is made from flexible fabric, and the aerodynamic modules of the suit are made integral therewith and fabricated as a flexible fabric composite. One form of the aerodynamic modules is as a rearwardly extending aerodynamic wedge-shaped module disposed on the portion of the suit sleeves which cover either the rear of the athlete's upper arm or lower leg. Another form of the aerodynamic modules is as a rear spoiler board, which is integral with the portion of the suit which covers the athlete's torso back, and which therefore is disposed on the back of the athlete when the suit is worn. Another form of the aerodynamic modules is as a vortex generator which projects from the exterior surface of the suit.

Abstract: A protective thermal overjacket for being worn over an outer protective shell and/or inner thermal liner of a person such as a firefighter, and for providing additional flame and thermal protection to the upper torso of the firefighter particularly the upper chest, upper back, and upper arms of the firefighter's body. Fasteners may be provided for interconnecting the collars of the protective thermal overjacket, the inner thermal liner and the outer protective garment; alternatively, the collar of the protective thermal overjacket may be provided with a fastener for fastening the collar of the overjacket around the collar of the outer protective garment.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for automating the sewing of tubular sleeve sections onto tubular shirt bodies, as in the manufacture of T-shirts. Shirt bodies and sleeve sections are applied over a generally cylindrical body form having portions aligned with the sleeve openings of the shirt body. In one version, the sleeve sections are applied inside-out and inner end first over opposed hollow sleeve cones. The areas of the shirt body surrounding the sleeve openings are engaged at spaced points by positioning devices, which independently position segments of the sleeve opening edges with respect to predetermined reference planes. Thereafter, tubular sleeve sections are applied axially over the body form, in surrounding relation to the shoulder areas of the shirt body. As segments of the sleeve inner edges approach the reference planes, individual segments are engaged and retained in position, until all portions of the sleeve edges are aligned with their respective reference plane.

Abstract: An electric steam iron includes a soleplate, an electric heater attached in heat transfer relation to the soleplate and a source of electric current connected to the heater for delivering electric power thereto. The iron includes a housing forming a reservoir. A dam is formed in the water reservoir. The iron further includes a steam generating chamber and a valve controlling the flow of water from the water reservoir to the steam generating chamber. The valve is positioned within the water reservoir relatively rearwardly of the dam so that a head of water is formed above the valve when the iron is placed upright with the iron heel rest in a relatively horizontal plane and the iron soleplate in a relatively vertical plane.

Abstract: Embroidery machine including several hundred embroidery locations each of which includes the following tools; a needle, a stiletto, a thread guide and a thread brake with respective drives. At least two actuators for connecting or disconnecting the tools from their respective drives are associated with every embroidery location. No more than one switching element, such as a shuttle spool valve is provided for each embroidery location which is switchable so as to switch all the actuators of said embroidery location jointly. Such a switching arrangement permits efficient switching of the tools enabling selective switching of only the tools of a switching point the embroidering/non-embroidering state of which is to be changed.

Abstract: The wrist and carpal protective glove includes a tubular section with padding enclosing the wrist region of an operator of control devices of computers or similar control equipment as protection against thermal and mechanical damage of the hand due to moving over a hard and cold desk surface. A thumb position which consists of flexible and stretchable material positions the padding relative to the thumb without restricting use of fingers and thumb during operation of the control device.

Abstract: Combing machine.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for creation of moire textile fabric. This can be achieved by directing at least one stream of pressurized heated gas at the surface of said first piece of overfed fabric to provide lateral yarn displacement and selectively interrupting and re-establishing contact between said stream and said surface in accordance with pattern information in order to pattern said first piece of fabric. This is followed by combining said patterned first piece of fabric with an unpatterned second piece of fabric in overlapping relationship and applying pressure by means of calender rolls having smooth surfaces to said combination of said first piece of patterned fabric and said second piece of unpatterned fabric. By using high pressure heated gas and shrinking some of the thermoplastic yarns, there is movement of the filling yarns in the fabric.

Abstract: A bracelet clasp fastening aid has a curved portion for gripping the edge of a table or countertop and another curved portion for receiving one's wrist. Pressure is applied from the wrist onto the curved side for the wrist allowing the other hand to be free to attach both sides of a bracelet clasp.

Abstract: A thread control apparatus having first and second thread retainer or holder mechanisms on a thread path, a feed passage control mechanism adapted to obtain the thread in a zig zag form between the first and second thread holder mechanisms, and a controller actuated to allow these holder mechanisms to be in a thread hold condition and a thread release condition, respectively, just before starting thread cutting or trimming operation. Slack is provided in the thread by deactuating the feed passage control mechanism after the thread has been delivered from the thread supply source by operation of the feed passage control mechanism. The thread is released by the first thread retainer mechanism and held by the second thread retainer mechanism until the next sewing operation is started upon trimming or cutting the thread to render the thread path longer by means of the feed passage control mechanism, thereby drawing back the residual thread.

Abstract: A seat for use in a vehicle is disclosed which is flame resistant. The seat comprises a foam plastic cushion having an supporting member of open cell resilient foam, an intermediate layer of high temperature-resistant threads forming a network, and a flame-proof layer of an open-cell resilient foam impregnated with a liquid flame proofing agent. The supporting member and the intermediate layer are bonded by an adhesive. A flame-resistant upholstery material covers the seat surface. A facing layer of flame-proof fabric is applied to the supporting member on the underside of the cushion.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for modifying fabric and fiber by impaction with particles that create axially aligned micro-cracks and increased porosity allowing penetration of dyestuffs into the fiber or fabric without the need for swelling agents or carriers. The apparatus includes a container, pressurized gas supplied to a first inlet, particles supplied to a second inlet, and an outlet passage through which the particles and gas are supplied to a textile fabric.

Abstract: A headwear piece having a crown defining a receptacle for the head of a wearer and illumination structure on the crown for projecting an unfocused light as an adornment to the crown to be visible from externally of the crown.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for automated inverting and pressing of apparel components. A turning apparatus is provided for inverting run-stitched shirt collars or other apparel components and an automated pressing apparatus is provided for aligning a two-dimensional component so that a crease pressed therein will be located in the proper position.

Abstract: Long sleeved army military battle dress shirts are temporarily converted to short sleeve shirts with uniformly folded, stiffened and shaped lower shirt cuffs disposed above the elbow. The cuffs are neatly shaped about an internally disposed substantially cylindrical plastic film cuff stiffener appliance. For shaping the cuffs, the sleeves are upwardly folded, outer fabric surface inward to provide a lowermost fold near the elbow. The lowermost portion of the folded over sleeve is then folded upward again to leave an uppermost flap at the sleeve end exposed. The cylindrical cuff stiffening appliance is inserted into a fold between shirt fabric layers and retained thereby so that the upper portion of the fabric at the end of the shirt sleeve may be folded back downwardly over the appliance. This exhibits the outer fabric in a neatly folded and shaped short sleeve cuff, which can produce neat, uniform appearance for non-battle use when short sleeves are desired.

Abstract: A forearm and skin protector worn over the hand and forearm to be used underneath standard rubber surgical gloves. The protector is a crushable, lightweight, semi-rigid material encompassing the palm and back of the hand and the forearm, and having openings for the thumb and at least two openings for the remaining four fingers, said material having an interior side nearest the skin and an exterior side opposite thereto, said interior side comprised of a moisture absorbing material, and the exterior side comprised of a cellophane-thin non-penetrable membrane.

Abstract: A footwear article and the method of making the same which will allow water vapor due to perspiration to transpire through the article but will prevent liquid water from external sources from reaching the wearer's foot. One form of the footwear article of the invention comprises a sock which is of three-ply construction with the inside and outside plies being knit and the intermediate ply being made from an elastomeric polyurethane film. The three plies are uniquely bonded together using a pliant, waterproof adhesive.

Abstract: A tentering frame is equipped with a tentering chain for the simultaneous treatment of a film web in two directions or in a so-called biaxial manner. The film web is carried by endless tentering chains which hold the film web edges by grippers carried by tentering clamps secured to the tentering chain. The chains have tiltable chain link plates and chain links, whereby the on-center spacing between neighboring clamps is continuously adjustable or variable for changing the chain pitch. In order to reduce the normal pitch when the chain is stretched out as much as possible, and in order to achieve a more efficient pitch adjustment in a larger adjustment range, each tentering clamp is carried by a single shaft which simultaneously functions as one of the two chain pins or chain axles that link two neighboring chain links to each other.