Abstract: A method of fabricating a down feather sheet is described and it comprises forming a sheet of down feathers having been treated whereby to retain a homogeneous form. A binder is associated with the down feathers whereby they are retained together in sheet form. The down feather sheet product is also described.

Abstract: A down-fill quilted fabric comprised of stitched lines and tack stitches as well as the method of fabrication of the fabric is described. A down-fill material is disposed between fabric sheets which are secured together by stitched lines. A plurality of tack stitches are disposed between the stitch lines to compress the down-fill material to reduce the thickness of the quilted fabric by at least twice the normal loft of the down-fill material while maintaining pliability of the fabric. The tack stitches eliminates stitch lines which produce cold spots and which add rigidity to the fabric. Such quilted fabric may be used as outer or inner fabric pieces in the manufacture of articles of apparel, for the fabrication of bedding quilts or other articles wherein an insulating fabric is desired.

Abstract: An audible product information tag comprised of a pair of panels folded one over the other along a fold line. An electronic program circuit is located in a housing secured to an inner face of one of the panels. A switch actuator is connected at one end to an inner face of the other of the panels and has a switch contact operating connection at an opposed end to enable and disable the electronic programmed circuit. A speaker is connected to the programmed circuit for transmitting an audible message when a switch contact is enabled by the switch actuator upon displacement of the other of the panels a predetermined distance away from the other panel towards an open position. A detachable connection is provided to maintain the panels folded one over the other to a closed position with the switch contact disabled.

Abstract: A thermally insulated down-fill fabric of reduced thickness and having a down-fill composition. A patterned envelope is formed and defines a pouch in which down or a down-fill composition is inserted and distributed substantially evenly within the envelope. The envelope is then compressed and stitch seams are formed to define a quilt pattern of closely spaced stitch lines to reduce the loft of the down-fill composition by about twice the normal loft thereof. This procedure is repeated over the entire envelope whereby the fabric has at least half the thickness of the normal loft of the down-fill composition.

Abstract: An inner lining fabric of reduced thickness and having a down-fill composition for use as an inner lining in an article of apparel and a method of making the inner lining fabric is disclosed. A patterned envelope is formed and defines a pouch in which down or a down composition is inserted and distributed substantially evenly within the envelope. The envelope is then compressed in portions thereof and stitch seams are formed to define a quilt pattern of closely spaced stitch lines to reduce the loft of the down-fill composition by at least twice the normal loft thereof. This procedure is repeated over the entire envelope whereby the inner lining fabric has at least half the thickness of the normal loft of the down-fill composition. The inner lining fabric may have portions thereof with quilting defining surface areas of different portions to vary the thermal insulating value of different portions of the inner lining.

Abstract: A mirror heating device for securement to a rear coated surface of a mirror for heating a mirror to a temperature exceeding the ambient temperature of the mirror when used in an area where there is water vapor in the air. The device comprises a first conductive strip which is securable adjacent an edge of the rear surface of the mirror. A connection is made to the first conductive strip to apply a d.c. voltage thereto. A second conductive strip is located adjacent an opposed edge of the rear coated surface of the mirror and a ground connection is connected to that second strip. An intermediate resistive conductor element extends between the first and second conductive strips and is in contact therewith to heat the mirror. An electrical insulator extends over the first and second conductive strips and the intermediate resistive conductor to insulate same.