Abstract: Synthetic polymeric filaments containing SAP particles adhered to the filament surfaces by an nylon binder which is soluble in alcohols (e.g., lower C1-C3 aliphatic alcohols). Such SAP-coated filaments may then be incorporated into telecommunications cables as a component part thereof to achieve enhanced water-blocking functions. In preferred embodiments, the SAP particles include homopolymers, copolymers, and/or mixtures of sodium and potassium polyacrylates, starch grafted sodium polyacrylates and partial sodium salts of polypropenoic acid which are bound to the yarn surfaces by the nylon binder. Most preferably, the coated multifilamentary yarns of the present invention are made by bringing an uncoated yarn into contact with a nonaqueous liquid coating material comprised of the nylon binder dissolved in an alcohol solvent containing a dispersion of the SAP particles for a time sufficient to coat the yarn with the liquid coating material.

Abstract: Magnetized bobbin cores are preferably wound with sewing thread to obtain sideless, pre-wound bobbins that have beneficial draw-off tensions, draw-off tension uniformity and overspin characteristics. The pre-wound sideless bobbins may thus be satisfactorily used in lock stitch sewing applications due to improved uniformity of draw-off tension combined with reduced bobbin overspin. The magnetized pre-wound sideless bobbins are also especially well suited for end-use sewing applications where automatic bobbin changing equipment is employed. Most preferably, the core is a cylinder formed of a thermoplastic or thermoset material in which magnetized particles are dispersed.