Abstract: Nylon impression fabric is used as a cover fabric for an acoustical material (e.g., 1 inch thick polyester foam) substrate in an environment--such as a textile workplace environment having textile machinery such as texturing air jets--to provide for good sound absorption while being easily cleanable, and having other desirable properties that lead to significant high frequency (e.g., 4000-20000 Hz) noise reduction over long periods of time. The substrate and fabric combination has an HFNRC (high frequency noise reduction coefficient) of at least about 0.80. The facing fabric has a fractional cover factor of about 0.80, a coefficient of friction of less than about 0.30, an air porosity of about 10-50 cfm, and a Taber abrasion resistance of greater than about 400 cycles. The facing fabric preferably is uncoated, and is not full surface bonded to the substrate (e.g., either wrapped or point bonded).

Abstract: A cold weather buoyant garment has inner and outer layers with an intermediate layer therebetween. The intermediate layer is formed of a major portion of open cell foam material, such as polyurethane, with a minor portion of a closed cell material, such as polystyrene beads, uniformly dispersed in the open cell material. This composite intermediate layer exhibits good vapor transmission characteristics while simultaneously providing buoyancy characteristics sufficient to assist an individual immersed in cold water and wearing the garment to remain afloat.

Abstract: A cold weather garment is produced from inner and outer fabrics and a layer of open cell skinned foam at least 1/4 inch thick, and preferably about 3/4 inch thick. The skin may be provided on a major flat face of the foam and the other face convoluted, or both faces can be skinned, or the foam layer may include two or more thicknesses of skinned foam. The garments provide better wind resistance than garments with simple open cell foam constructions and allow the selection of a wider variety of outer fabrics while still having the desired MVT, insulation, and wind resistance properties. The skinned foam is also easier to handle, cut, and sew during the construction of cold weather garments.

Abstract: A thermal and/or protective glove construction is disclosed which increases tactile sensitivity. In each of the thumb and fingertip portions of the glove there is provided a finger contact pad and a relatively stiff transmission system for transmitting detected vibrations from external stimuli to the wearer's fingertips. The finger contact pads may be Velcro.TM. fastener material and the transmission system may comprise a plurality of rigid plastic prongs embedded in the relatively thick insulating material used in thermal gloves. Additional response surface pads, which also may be of Velcro.TM. fastener material, may be applied to the external side of the transmission material.

Abstract: A blow-off nozzle assembly provides protection for users, without increasing the noise level, and also protects the nozzle from breakage if dropped. A circular cross-section rod assumes an oblong configuration defining an oblong shaped opening, with circular cross-section support posts extending from one side of the rod. The support posts are received by a casing having channels on opposite sides of a linear array of individual jets of a multi-channel substantially flat jet nozzle. The oblong shaped guard is mounted so that it is spaced from the nozzle in the direction of air flow from the nozzle with a linear array of jets centered within a geometric projection of the opening. The guard prevents deadending, so that the pressure of compressed air if the guard were pressed against a worker's skin would be below the OSHA standard of 30 p.s.i.

Abstract: A cold weather garment system includes an upper body garment and a lower body garment. Each garment has three layers, an outer wind resistant shell fabric, an inner loosely knit or woven lining fabric, and a non-flat foam layer between the fabric layers. The face of the foam layer abutting the inner lining fabric is convoluted, having peaks and valleys. The peaks are disposed in a grid-like arrangement, with ridges between the peaks, and four peaks surrounding a valley, and four valleys surrounding a peak. The foam is open cell polyurethane or polyether foam, and has a thickness of at least 1/2 inch, and preferably about one inch. The thickness of the valley portions of the foam is about 1/2 that of the peak portions. The convoluted form of the foam increases flexibility and reduces material and weight, and provides added surface area for moisture transfer.

Abstract: A noise control system for reducing the noise level emanating from an air jet spinning machine includes an acoustical door for covering a jet chamber which contains the air jets. The door is automatically opened whenever a yarn suction tube is to be inserted into the jet chamber for a threading-up operation.

Abstract: A spinning or twisting ring assembly and method of utilization thereof provide for unexpectedly reduced noise. The ring assembly includes a metal ring for mounting a traveler, a rigid holder support, and an annular ring holder of resilient material operatively connecting the ring and support. The support has two openings formed therein radially outward of the ring, and spaced about 180.degree. apart. Each opening receives a fastener, the fastener extending through the opening and connecting the support to a ring rail. Between the support and the ring rail is a bushing of resilient material which isolates the support from the ring rail so that no portion of the support touches the ring rail and no metal portion of the fastener touches the ring rail. The assembly allows slight movement of the ring with the traveler.