Abstract: The disclosure describes vapor permeable retroreflective material for use on protective garments. The material may be formed in a non-continuous pattern that provides a high-level of retroreflective brightness, yet also provides adequate permeability to prevent exposure to trapped thermal energy and heated moisture. The non-continuous retroreflective pattern may include retroreflective regions and non-retroreflective regions arranged such that thermal decay through the protective garment is not substantially decreased in the regions corresponding to the retroreflective material. Rather, vapor permeation and thermal decay through the garment may be substantially the same as if the retroreflective material was not present.

Abstract: A weaving machine includes two temples whose axis is parallel to the weft threads and which are located at the lateral edges of the cloth, a cylindrical cloth-deflecting bar on which the cloth presses around an arc of contact before winding around a haul-off roll on which one or more backup rolls press. The clothdeflecting bar has a central cylindrical portion which connects coaxially on either side with two terminal portions next to the areas where the temples are installed, the terminal portions having a cross section which varies in shape proceeding from their ends adjacent to the central portion towards the free ends, causing a variation in the tension transmitted to the corresponding areas of the cloth by the hauloff roll, such that it varies from a minimum value at the ends of the terminal portions adjacent to the central portion to a maximum value at their free ends.

Abstract: A sunshade for use with a cap is made from a thin, tinted, resilient plastic sheet which is attached to the underside of a cap's visor by means of a duck-bill or semi-moon shaped support. The sunshade has an elongated minor segment and an elongated major segment with a seam or crease dividing the two segments. The major segment can be flipped downwardly to protect the eyes of the cap's wearer from the sun's rays. The seam or crease acts as a hinge between the minor and major segments.

Abstract: An I-beam having a web curved in two dimensions is used to provide an enhanced stiffness to weight ratio for molded plastic hangers. The I-beam includes first and second generally parallel flanges which extend in a longitudinal direction. The flanges are joined by a curved web, which is defined in part by first and second radii of curvature, wherein the radii are nominally orthogonal to each other.

Abstract: An absorbent article, such as a diaper, sanitary napkin, adult incontinent device, and the like having fused layers is provided. The absorbent articles preferably comprises a liquid pervious thermoplastic apertured film topsheet, a liquid impervious backsheet, an absorbent core, and a fibrous acquisition web of spunlaced nonwoven fibers. The absorbent core is positioned between the topsheet and backsheet which are joined at least about a portion of the periphery of the absorbent article and the topsheet is fused to the acquisition web at discrete points of attachment. The acquisition web is positioned between the topsheet and the absorbent core.

Abstract: A pinch-grip hanger includes an elongated body with at least one pinch-grip positioned along the body. A pinch-grip has two opposed legs that meet at a pivot axis and the ends of the legs are movable about the pivot axis. At least one of the two opposed legs has a gripping tooth located on the lower end of the legs. A biasing force is exerted on the two opposed legs by a biasing mechanism. Pinching the upper ends of the front leg rearwardly overcomes the biasing force and separates the lower ends of the legs, thereby opening the pinch-grip.

Abstract: According to a method for making disposable diapers/adult incontinence pads, a diaper/incontinence pad is made whose pad is in three layers one on top of another; two outer layers of the pad consist of absorbent material and are positioned on opposite sides of an intermediate layer, which consists of a mixture of the absorbent material forming the two external layers and shredded material obtained by shredding faulty diapers/incontinence pads rejected from the diaper/incontinence pad production line.

Abstract: A method of evaluating a product for use on a body used to develop a preferred product configuration using a computer-based virtual product development and testing system. A virtual wearer sub-model is created of the body and a virtual product sub-model is created of a product for use on the body. An environment sub-model is generated so that environmental factors affecting the product or the body are also used in designing or evaluating the product. Instructions defining how the wearer sub-model, the product sub-model and the environment sub-model interact are introduced in an interaction model. The sub-models and the interaction defined by the interaction model are then combined to create a virtual use model simulating the use of the virtual product sub-model by the virtual wearer sub-model. The use model determines the forces, deformations and stresses caused by movement and interaction between the virtual wearer sub-model and the virtual product sub-model using numerical method analysis.

Abstract: The invention relates to a gown having a gown body, an inflatable chamber capable of selectively inflating and deflating carried by the gown body, and a shaping element carried by the gown body. The shaping element is directly responsive to inflation of the inflatable chamber so that the shaping element is moved from an initial arrangement to a subsequent arrangement by inflation of the chamber. Upon subsequent deflation, the shaping member retains its shape. The entire structure is suitable for the self-assisted donning of a surgical gown.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a multi-pin pin seam used to join the a woven fabric wherein the loops are made around three or more cross-machine CD pins or pintles. Advantageously, this arrangement results in the seam area having a weave pattern that more closely conforms to that of the fabric body, and thus the risk of sheet marking and/or fabric abrasion in the seam area is reduced or eliminated.

Abstract: An actuating assembly for a weaving loom includes at least a first motor for actuating the weaving mechanism with a dual power take-off, the two power take-off points being connected to two opposite sections of a main drive shaft able to move devices for actuating the weaving mechanism which are located respectively on the two sides of the loom.

Abstract: An equipment of a weaving machine in which pile warp yarns (7–13), (16–22) extend through the space between the reed dents and are distributed between a number of pile warp yarn systems and provided on the weaving machine to weave a pile fabric. A group of pile warp yarns (7–22) extend through each space between the reed dents and comprise pile warp yarns of at least two pile warp yarn systems (7–13), (16–22). Because of this it is possible to weave pile fabrics having higher pile densities at a certain reed setting. It is an easy and quick method to modify the equipment of a weaving machine, maintaining the reed setting and the pile warp yarns of each space between the reed dents being distributed between at least two pile warp yarn systems. Furthermore, a weaving process is provided in which, per space between the reed dents the pile warp yarns (7–13), (16–22) of at least two pile warp yarn systems are supplied and a pile fabric woven in that manner.

Abstract: A shoe donning device is provided comprising a generally U shaped body 20, having an external portion 22 and an internal portion 24 extending downwardly from a top portion 26. The external portion having a top region, and spaced from said internal region for preventing said body from migrating forwardly from the rear of the shoe. The internal portion has an internal top region, and an internal bottom region which has at least one upwardly extending slot 50 cut in its rear region. Two side extensions extend forwardly from the rear portion and have grip enhancers to provide positive engagement between the shoe and the device. Each of the side extensions has a finger grips coupled to its upper side. The rear portion of the internal region is forwardly biased. The device is made of resilient, smooth, semi rigid material, such as molded plastic.

Abstract: Paper making machine fabric comprising weft yarns extending in the machine direction (MD) and forming seaming loops at each end of the fabric, cross machine direction (CD) warp yarns being interwoven with the weft yarns, wherein that at least one multifilament warp yarn is inserted so that there is at least one standard warp yarn between the multifilament yarn and the seaming loops on each side of the seam.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing garments with improved and customized fits to one or more target consumer groups fit are described in the present invention. One method provides for a garment fit to a target consumer group comprising the steps of determining common body types for the target consumer group, establishing customized body measurement standards for each body type, selecting at least one real fit model for each body type, creating a sample garment in a range of sizes using grading rules, checking each sample garment on a fit model selected for each size and body type, preparing a block for each sample garment size and body type, and using the block to provide a garment fit for a target consumer group. Additional aspects are also disclosed.

Abstract: A pile fabric such as may be used in automotive and furniture upholstery and other applications which fabric incorporates a pile surface formed from variable height fibers. The pile is made up of a first group of fibers having a first height and at least a second group of fibers having a second height which is on average less than the height of the first group. A method of formation is also provided.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and to a system for weaving fabrics with two useable sides (W1), (W2), in which per operating cycle one weft thread (6) is inserted, and in which each fabric comprises a first figure warp thread (1) and a second figure warp thread (2) that, in a number of operating cycles, are positioned together alternately above and below the weft insertion level, so that, at both fabric sides, these figure warp threads (1), (2) are bound over the same weft threads (6), while running above one another, and in which the mutual position (upper or lower position) taken up by the first figure warp thread (1) and the second figure warp thread (2) in each fabric (W1), (W2) during the weaving process is determined selectively according to a previously defined figure pattern, preferably by positioning the first (1) and second figure warp threads (2) in a first shed (I) at a first level (POS.

Abstract: A visored cap, such as a baseball cap, has the visor is formed with one or more openings through which air can pass from beneath the visor. The visor is provided with hinged flaps formed of two members to close the openings when no air is blowing the openings and pivotally open when air needs to be moved through the openings. The first member is sized to fit closely within the dimensions of the opening, while the second member is attached to the first member and is substantially larger than the first member to cover the opening. The second member is hinged to the visor for pivotal movement. The second member can be detachable from the first member to permit a substitution of a different imprinted logo on the second member. The hinge member is formed with side members to limit pivotal movement of the flap.

Abstract: A head protective device incorporating a sweat band bandana having a front portion secured to a head protective device and the rear portion bandana unsecured. The bandana in the first position has the free ends of the bandana overlapping and stored withthin the head encircling member of the head protective device although the ends may also extend down for tying. A second position has the bandana extending downwardly from the head protective device and the bandana has the free ends tied behind the head for the purpose of securing the head protective device against accidental removal.

Abstract: Lower body, upper body, and hood garments formed of a textile that inhibit the ability of insects or small animals to bite or sting the wearer. The textile of the garments have a base fabric and a cover fabric separated by a spacer layer. The base fabric is open to facilitate breathability. The cover fabric is sufficiently closed to inhibit insects, spiders, or other small animals from passing through the cover fabric, and sufficiently open so as not to inhibit the breathability of the textile. The spacer layer separates the base fabric from the cover fabric with sufficient distance to inhibit insects, spiders, or other small animals from probing through the textile to reach the wearer.