Abstract: A process for forming a continuous filament yarn having the surface tactile character of a spun yarn. The process includes passing the cohesive yarn structure through the interior of a rotating sleeve member disposed in surrounding relation to the cohesive yarn structure. The rotating sleeve member includes an abrasive inner surface of diameter greater than the cohesive yarn structure and is adapted to contact the exterior surface of the cohesive yarn structure such that at least a portion of the elongate filaments disposed at the exterior of the cohesive yarn structure are broken. Terminal ends of the broken filaments define an arrangement of outwardly projecting hairs at discrete locations disposed substantially around the circumference of the cohesive yarn structure. An apparatus for carrying out the process is also provided.

Abstract: The inventive method provides highly desirable hand to various different types of fabrics through the initial immobilization of individual fibers within target fabrics and subsequent treatment through abrasion, sanding, or napping of at least a portion of the target fabric. Such a procedure includes “nicking” the immobilized fibers thereby permitting the fibers to produce a substantially balanced strength of the target fabric in the fill and warp directions while also providing the same degree of hand improvements as obtained with previous methods. Furthermore, this process also provides the unexpected improvement of non-pilling to synthetic fibers as the “nicking” of the immobilized fibers results in the lack of unraveling of fibers and thus the near impossibility of such fibers balling together to form unwanted pills on the fabric surface. Fabrics treated by this process are also contemplated within this invention.

Abstract: A process for forming a continuous filament yarn having the surface tactile character of a spun yarn. The process includes passing the cohesive yarn structure through the interior of a rotating sleeve member disposed in surrounding relation to the cohesive yarn structure. The rotating sleeve member includes an abrasive inner surface of diameter greater than the cohesive yarn structure and is adapted to contact the exterior surface of the cohesive yarn structure such that at least a portion of the elongate filaments disposed at the exterior of the cohesive yarn structure are broken. Terminal ends of the broken filaments define an arrangement of outwardly projecting hairs at discrete locations disposed substantially around the circumference of the cohesive yarn structure. An apparatus for carrying out the process is also provided.

Abstract: A process for forming a continuous filament yarn having the surface tactile character of a spun yarn. The process includes passing the cohesive yarn structure through the interior of a rotating sleeve member disposed in surrounding relation to the cohesive yarn structure. The rotating sleeve member includes an abrasive inner surface of diameter greater than the cohesive yarn structure and is adapted to contact the exterior surface of the cohesive yarn structure such that at least a portion of the elongate filaments disposed at the exterior of the cohesive yarn structure are broken. Terminal ends of the broken filaments define an arrangement of outwardly projecting hairs at discrete locations disposed substantially around the circumference of the cohesive yarn structure. An apparatus for carrying out the process is also provided.

Abstract: A continuous filament yarn having characteristics of a spun yarn. The filament yarn includes an arrangement of elongate polymeric filaments of extended length intermingled to form a cohesive yarn structure. At least a portion of the elongate filaments disposed at the exterior surface of the cohesive yarn structure are broken filaments disposed at discrete locations along the yarn. Fabrics formed from such continuous filament yarns are also provided.

Abstract: The inventive method provides highly desirable hand to various different types of fabrics through the initial immobilization of individual fibers within target fabrics and subsequent treatment through abrasion, sanding, or napping of at least a portion of the target fabric. Such a procedure includes “nicking” the immobilized fibers thereby permitting the fibers to produce a substantially balanced strength of the target fabric in the fill and warp directions while also providing the same degree of hand improvements as obtained with previous methods. Furthermore, this process also provides the unexpected improvement of non-pilling to synthetic fibers as the “nicking” of the immobilized fibers results in the lack of unraveling of fibers and thus the near impossibility of such fibers balling together to form unwanted pills on the fabric surface. Fabrics treated by this process are also contemplated within this invention.

Abstract: The inventive method provides highly desirable hand to various different types of fabrics through the initial immobilization of individual fibers within target fabrics and subsequent treatment through abrasion, sanding, or napping of at least a portion of the target fabric. Such a procedure includes “nicking” the immobilized fibers thereby permitting the fibers to produce a substantially balanced strength of the target fabric in the fill and warp directions while also providing the same degree of hand improvements as obtained with previous methods. Furthermore, this process also provides the unexpected improvement of non-pilling to synthetic fibers as the “nicking” of the immobilized fibers results in the lack of unraveling of fibers and thus the near impossibility of such fibers balling together to form unwanted pills on the fabric surface. Fabrics treated by this process are also contemplated within this invention.

Abstract: The inventive method provides highly desirable hand to various different types of fabrics through the initial immobilization of individual fibers within target fabrics and subsequent treatment through abrasion, sanding, or napping of at least a portion of the target fabric. Such a procedure includes “nicking” the immobilized fibers thereby permitting the fibers to produce a substantially balanced strength of the target fabric in the fill and warp directions while also providing the same degree of hand improvements as obtained with previous methods. Furthermore, this process also provides the unexpected improvement of non-pilling to synthetic fibers as the “nicking” of the immobilized fibers results in the lack of unraveling of fibers and thus the near impossibility of such fibers balling together to form unwanted pills on the fabric surface. Fabrics treated by this process are also contemplated within this invention.

Abstract: The inventive method provides highly desirable hand to various different types of fabrics through the initial immobilization of individual fibers within target fabrics and subsequent treatment through abrasion, sanding, or napping of at least a portion of the target fabric. Such a procedure includes “nicking” the immobilized fibers thereby permitting the fibers to produce a substantially balanced strength of the target fabric in the fill and warp directions while also providing the same degree of hand improvements as obtained with previous methods. Furthermore, this process also provides the unexpected improvement of non-pilling to synthetic fibers as the “nicking” of the immobilized fibers results in the lack of unraveling of fibers and thus the near impossibility of such fibers balling together to form unwanted pills on the fabric surface. Fabrics treated by this process are also contemplated within this invention.

Abstract: The inventive method provides highly desirable hand to various different types of fabrics through the initial immobilization of individual fibers within target fabrics and subsequent treatment through abrasion, sanding, or napping of at least a portion of the target fabric. Such a procedure includes “nicking” the immobilized fibers thereby permitting the fibers to produce a substantially balanced strength of the target fabric in the fill and warp directions while also providing the same degree of hand improvements as obtained with previous methods. Furthermore, this process also provides the unexpected improvement of non-pilling to synthetic fibers as the “nicking” of the immobilized fibers results in the lack of unraveling of fibers and thus the near impossibility of such fibers balling together to form unwanted pills on the fabric surface. Fabrics treated by this process are also contemplated within this invention.

Abstract: The inventive method provides highly desirable hand to various different types of fabrics through the initial immobilization of individual fibers within target fabrics and subsequent treatment through abrasion, sanding, or napping of at least a portion of the target fabric. Such a procedure includes “nicking” the immobilized fibers thereby permitting the fibers to produce a substantially balanced strength of the target fabric in the fill and warp directions while also providing the same degree of hand improvements as obtained with previous methods. Furthermore, this process also provides the unexpected improvement of non-pilling to synthetic fibers as the “nicking” of the immobilized fibers results in the lack of unraveling of fibers and thus the near impossibility of such fibers balling together to form unwanted pills on the fabric surface. Fabrics treated by this process are also contemplated within this invention.

Abstract: The inventive method provides highly desirable hand to various different types of fabrics through the initial immobilization of individual fibers within target fabrics and subsequent treatment through abrasion, sanding, or napping of at least a portion of the target fabric. Such a procedure includes "nicking" the immobilized fibers thereby permitting the fibers to produce a substantially balanced strength of the target fabric in the fill and warp directions while also providing the same degree of hand improvements as obtained with previous methods. Furthermore, this process also provides the unexpected improvement of non-pilling to synthetic fibers as the "nicking" of the immobilized fibers results in the lack of unraveling of fibers and thus the near impossibility of such fibers balling together to form unwanted pills on the fabric surface. Fabrics treated by this process are also contemplated within this invention.

Abstract: A fabric for use in the formation of a containment structure is provided. The fabric is formed by an arrangement of high tenacity polymer fibers. The fibers are at least partially coated with a powder which exhibits dilatant properties when hit by a moving article. Such powder is preferably nonlaminar in particle geometry and is more preferably characterized by fractal dimensionality. Among the contemplated uses for such fabric are automotive airbags and turbine engine safety wrappings.

Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus to apply a coating to a fabric which employs vacuum pressure to enhance the penetration of the coating into the fabric. The vacuum pressure source has a continuously moving surface to prevent build-up of the coating material at the outlet of the vacuum source.