Abstract: Disclosed are textile fibers, yarns, and fabrics having improved comfort and water and odor adsorption properties, and methods of manufacturing same. The improved textiles have an increased distribution of adsorbing particles distributed at the surface of the fibers and yarns to enable greater overall surface area for adsorbance.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to materials containing performance-enhancing particles. In particular, but not by way of limitation, the invention is related to mechanically attaching a performance-enhancing particle to various substrates including, but not limited to, natural materials such as cotton, wool, and down.

Abstract: An active particle bonding system comprising an active particle, a material chemically bonded to the active particle, and a substrate embedded to at least one of the active particle and the material.

Abstract: An active particle bonding system comprising an active particle, a material chemically bonded to the active particle, and a substrate embedded to at least one of the active particle and the material.

Abstract: A textile comprising a plurality of synthetic fibers and a plurality of active particles. The plurality of synthetic fibers comprise a plurality of meta-aramid and/or para-aramid fibers. The plurality of active particles are physically embedded in the plurality of synthetic fibers. The plurality of active particles comprise a higher heat stability temperature than the plurality of synthetic fibers.

Abstract: An active particle bonding system comprising an active particle, a material chemically bonded to the active particle, and a substrate embedded to at least one of the active particle and the material.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to active particle-enhanced membrane and methods for making and using the same. In some embodiments, a breathable membrane includes a base material solution and active particles. The active particles incorporated in the membrane may improve or add various desirable properties to the membrane, such as for example, the moisture vapor transport capability, the odor adsorbance, the anti-static properties, or the stealth properties of the membrane. In some embodiments, the base material may exhibit water-proof properties when converted into non-solution state, and thereby result in a water-proof membrane. In some embodiments, the active particles may be protected from losing activity before, during, or after (or any combination thereof) the process of producing the membrane. The membrane may be applied to a substrate, or may be used independent of a substrate.

Abstract: Exothermically-enhanced articles, such as those made of fabric, are provided. The enhancement allows for faster drying times. Enhancement may be provided by using activated particles exhibiting exothermic properties. The activated particles may be removably encapsulated with a protective substance that may be used to activate or deactivate the particles.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for substantially reducing undesired cumulative effects by preferentially heating the active particles. By preferentially heating the active particles, the active particles are “cleaned” of substances that may reduce or negate particle activity. In addition, preferential heating may reduce active particle adsorption of binder.

Abstract: Exothermically-enhanced articles, such as those made of fabric, are provided. The enhancement allows for faster drying times. Enhancement may be provided by using activated particles exhibiting exothermic properties. The activated particles may be removably encapsulated with a protective substance that may be used to activate or deactivate the particles.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to active particle-enhanced membrane and methods for making and using the same. In some embodiments, a breathable membrane includes a base material solution and active particles. The active particles incorporated in the membrane may improve or add various desirable properties to the membrane, such as for example, the moisture vapor transport capability, the odor adsorbance, the anti-static properties, or the stealth properties of the membrane. In some embodiments, the base material may exhibit water-proof properties when converted into non-solution state, and thereby result in a water-proof membrane. In some embodiments, the active particles may be protected from losing activity before, during, or after (or any combination thereof) the process of producing the membrane. The membrane may be applied to a substrate, or may be used independent of a substrate.

Abstract: The invention relates to preserving the properties of active particles through use of an encapsulant which may be removable. The encapsulant may protect the active particles against premature deactivation. If desired, the encapsulant may be removed to rejuvenate the active particles. Various processes can be implemented to introduce encapsulated particles to embedding substances which may be used in various products.

Abstract: The invention relates woven and knit materials with an incorporated particulate solid and to a process for producing woven materials incorporated with a particulate solid. The process comprises: entraining a particulate solid in a gaseous carrier; disposing one face of a woven material in the path of a stream of said gaseous carrier and entrained particulate solid; maintaining a pressure drop across the woven material from said one face to the other face of said material, thereby to obtain a woven material with at least some of the entrained particulate solid in the gaseous carrier; and fixing the incorporated particulate solid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for imprinting solid particles onto materials that enhance the performance characteristics, such as the odor adsorption capacity, of the material. The present invention uses a xerographic imprinting method to apply a toner formulation to the material. The toner formulation typically includes solid particles (e.g., activated carbon), binding agents, and additives. Using this method, a specific pattern can be imprinted onto the material. The present invention can also use a Gravure method to imprint performance enhancing solid particles onto a material. This method advantageously provides precise control over the volume of mixture (e.g., solid particles and binding agent) impressed onto the material. In addition, this method can imprint specific patterns of mixture onto the material.

Abstract: The invention relates to preserving the properties of active particles through use of an encapsulant which may be removable. The encapsulant may protect the active particles against premature deactivation. If desired, the encapsulant may be removed to rejuvenate the active particles. Various processes can be implemented to introduce encapsulated particles to embedding substances which may be used in various products.

Abstract: The invention relates woven and knit materials with an incorporated particulate solid and to a process for producing woven materials incorporated with a particulate solid. The process comprises: entraining a particulate solid in a gaseous carrier; disposing one face of a woven material in the path of a stream of said gaseous carrier and entrained particulate solid; maintaining a pressure drop across the woven material from said one face to the other face of said material, thereby to obtain a woven material with at least some of the entrained particulate solid in the gaseous carrier; and fixing the incorporated particulate solid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for imprinting solid particles onto materials that enhance the performance characteristics, such as the odor adsorption capacity, of the material. The present invention uses a xerographic imprinting method to apply a toner formulation to the material. The toner formulation typically includes solid particles (e.g., activated carbon), binding agents, and additives. Using this method, a specific pattern can be imprinted onto the material. The present invention can also use a Gravure method to imprint performance enhancing solid particles onto a material. This method advantageously provides precise control over the volume of mixture (e.g., solid particles and binding agent) impressed onto the material. In addition, this method can imprint specific patterns of mixture onto the material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and apparatuses for treating yarn to enhance the performance characteristics, such as the odor adsorption capacity, of the yarn while retaining the physical properties, such as hand and feel, associated with the yarn. Methods for treating the yarn involve incorporating solid particles such as activated carbon into the yarn using an air dispersion technique or a padding technique. The air dispersion technique disperses the solid particles over the yarn in a controlled air stream. The padding technique incorporates solid particles into the yarn when the yarn passes through a bath of solid particles. The yarn treating method may apply a binding agent to the yarn. The binding agent binds the solid particles to the yarn without inhibiting the performance characteristics of the solid particles. The yarn treating method further includes curing the binding agent to permanently attach the solid particles to the yarn.

Abstract: A photoconductor having a charge transport layer in illustrative embodiments of a polycarbonate binder, 30 to 60 percent by weight DEH hydrazone, 0.5 percent to 5 percent acetosol yellow, and 0.5 percent to 5 percent by weight of the butylated reaction product of p-cresol and dicyclopentadiene. The charge generation layer by type IV oxotitanium phthalocyanine in polyvinylbutyral, poly (methyl-phenyl) siloxane and polyhydroxystyrene. Light fatigue is largely eliminated while the physical and cost advantages of DEH are realized.