Abstract: The invention provides spandex having an initial CIE whiteness of at least about 95 as measured by AATCC Test Method 110-1994, the spandex comprising an optical brightener selected from the group consisting of an oxazole, a biphenyl, a coumarin, a stilbene, a pyrazolene, a rhodamine, and a fluorescein, or a combination of such members, and an ultraviolet screener selected from the group consisting of a triazine, a benzotriazole, an oxalanilide, a benzophenone, and a bismalonate, or a combination of such members.

Abstract: The invention provides a woven fabric comprising at least about 18% available stretch in at least a first direction and less than about 5% growth in at least the first direction, wherein the fabric consists essentially of staple fiber yarns in at least the first direction, and wherein the staple fiber yarns comprise poly(ethylene terephthalate) and poly(trimethylene terephthalate) bicomponent staple fiber.

Abstract: The invention provides a polyester bicomponent staple fiber comprising poly(trimethylene terephthalate) and at least one polymer selected from the group consisting of poly(ethylene terephthalate), poly(trimethylene terephthalate), and poly(tetramethylene terephthalate) or a combination of such members, said bicomponent staple fiber having: a) a scalloped oval cross-section shape having an aspect ratio a:b of about 2:1 to about 5:1 wherein ‘a’ is a fiber cross-section major axis length and ‘b’ is a fiber cross-section minor axis length; b) a polymer interface substantially perpendicular to the major axis; c) a cross-section configuration selected from the group consisting of side-by-side and eccentric sheath-core; d) a plurality of longitudinal grooves; and e) a groove ratio of about 1.05:1 to about 1.9:1. Additionally, the invention provides a spun yarn comprising cotton and the polyester bicomponent staple fiber of the invention, as well as fabrics and garments comprising the spun yarn of the invention.

Abstract: The invention provides a bicomponent staple fiber comprising poly(ethylene terephthalate) and poly(trimethylene terephthalate) wherein the bicomponent fiber has a substantially oval cross-section shape having an aspect ratio A:B of about 2:1 to about 5:1 wherein A is a fiber cross-section major axis length and B is a fiber cross-section minor axis length, a polymer interface substantially perpendicular to the major axis, a cross-section configuration selected from the group consisting of side-by-side and eccentric sheath-core, a tenacity at 10% elongation of about 1.1 cN/dtex to about 3.5 cN/dtex, a free-fiber length retention of about 40% to about 85%, and a tow crimp development value of about 30 to 55%, and a spun yarn comprising the bicomponent staple fiber.

Abstract: A method for preparing stretchable bonded nonwoven fabrics which involves forming a substantially nonbonded nonwoven web of multiple-component continuous filaments or staple fibers which are capable of developing three-dimensional spiral crimp, activating the spiral crimp by heating substantially nonbonded web under free shrinkage conditions during which the nonwoven remains substantially nonbonded, followed by bonding the crimped nonwoven web using an array of discrete mechanical, chemical, or thermal bonds. Nonwoven fabrics prepared according to the method of the current invention have an improved combination of stretch-recovery properties, textile hand and drape compared to multiple-component nonwoven fabrics known in the art.

Abstract: A multi-layer composite sheet comprising a shrinkable layer intermittently bonded a to a gatherable layer with the bonds separated by a specified distance and wherein the shrinkable layer can shrink and at the same time gather the gatherable layer between the bonds. A process for preparing multi-layer composite sheets by intermittently bonding a shrinkable layer to a gatherable layer with the bonds separated by a specified distance and causing the shrinkable layer to shrink while at the same time gathering the gatherable layer between the bonds. Preferably, the shrinkable layer comprises an array of fibers or nonwoven web comprising fibers having latent spiral crimp.

Abstract: The invention provides a bicomponent polyester staple fiber and a spun yarn comprising cotton and a bicomponent polyester staple. The fiber of the invention exhibits unexpectedly good crimp and cardability properties, and the yarn has unusually high stretch characteristics and excellent uniformity.

Abstract: The invention provides a bicomponent staple fiber comprising poly(ethylene terephthalate) and poly(trimethylene terephthalate) wherein the bicomponent fiber has a substantially oval cross-section shape having an aspect ratio A:B of about 2:1 to about 5:1 wherein A is a fiber cross-section major axis length and B is a fiber cross-section minor axis length, a polymer interface substantially perpendicular to the major axis, a cross-section configuration selected from the group consisting of side-by-side and eccentric sheath-core, a tenacity at 10% elongation of about 1.1 cN/dtex to about 3.5 cN/dtex, a free-fiber length retention of about 40% to about 85%, and a tow crimp development value of about 30 to 55%, and a spun yarn comprising the bicomponent staple fiber.

Abstract: The invention provides a bicomponent polyester staple fiber and a spun yarn comprising cotton and a bicomponent polyester staple. The fiber of the invention exhibits unexpectedly good crimp and cardability properties, and the yarn has unusually high stretch characteristics and excellent uniformity.