Abstract: A composite sheet material for garments and the like is disclosed. The composite sheet material comprises a substantially continuous internal layer of porous material having low heat conductivity and high resilience. The internal layer is of a substantially uniform thickness and consistency, and its composition and thickness is such that it is supple and drapable. A flexible sheet of liquid impermeable material is adhered to the internal layer, and the flexible sheet having a plurality of capillary openings extended therethrough. The capillary openings each have a base open to one surface of the flexible surface and lying substantially in the plane of the flexible sheet, an apex extending away from the opposite surface of the flexible sheet and remote from the plane of the flexible sheet, and are of a character so as to inhibit the flow of fluids therethrough.

Abstract: A multi-ply shirt collar formed of two creased outer plies of fabric having a thermoplastic resin deposited on the inner surfaces and an improved method of fabricating the collar are provided. The edges of the fabric with resin are folded in over an interlining piece having a dimension corresponding substantially to the final collar and subjected to heat and pressure to fuse the fabric to the shape of the collar. A complimentary creased fabric/interlining intermediate or creased fabric is placed in back-to-back alignment and edge stitch along the folded edges to form the shirt collar.

Abstract: A heat insulation material which is used as wadding for winter clothes, bedclothes, cushions, etc. A fibrous sheet material such as non-woven fabrics, knitted fabrics and textile is used to support or carry a metal and the fibrous sheet material having a metal deposited surface is fixed to a heat insulating fibrous layer.

Abstract: A method of temporarily densifying a bulky non-woven matting or fabric for handling and storage is disclosed, wherein the non-woven is heated, preferably to a temperature above 100.degree. C. but below the softening temperature while in a compacted state, then immediately cooled in the compacted state. Means for reducing stiffness of the compacted matting are also disclosed.

Abstract: In a method of basting in the tailoring of clothes wherein an adhesive is used to secure the cloth, the improvement wherein said adhesive comprises as the main component a liquid, addition-reaction-type silicone polymer. Said basting method is applicable to basting interlinings and/or shoulder pads to front bodices, basting two back bodices and the like to simplify and automatize the tailoring process.

Abstract: A composite interlining sheet material for garments and the like is disclosed. The composite interlining sheet material comprises a substantially continuous internal layer of porous material having low heat conductivity and high resilience. The internal layer is of a substantially uniform thickness and consistency, and its composition and thickness is such that it is supple and drapable. A continuous layer of flexible reflective material is bonded to the outside of the internal layer at at least spaced intervals and functions to reduce the conduction of heat away from the internal layer and decrease the emissivity of the composite sheet, the outside being the side which is to be disposed away from the body of the wearer or person when used as a interlining of a garment or the like when it is desired to maximize heat retention.

Abstract: Sportswear suitable for a cold environment. Though light-weight and without undue bulk, the garment is adapted to keep the wearer warm, dry and comfortable. It is fabricated of a composite fabric that includes a vapor-permeable laminate formed by a core layer of hollow fibers acting as a thermal blanket sandwiched between inner and outer skins. Both faces of the inner skin and the inside face of the outer skin are metallized to render them reflective, whereas the outside face of the outer skin is blackened to render it absorbent of solar energy. When the garment is worn, radiant heat from the body is returned thereto by the reflective outside face of the inner skin while convection heat from the wearer's body passes by conduction through the inner skin of the laminate to be absorbed by the core layer. At the same time, solar heat absorbed by the blackened face is conducted through the outer skin to be absorbed by the core layer.

Abstract: A multi-layer unitized fabric construction and a method of making the same where the construction has top and bottom outer facing layers of shell fabric separated by a layer of a fusible lining fabric and a layer of adhesive with all of the layers being adhered together to form a single unitized structure.

Abstract: The heat retaining article according to the invention comprises at least one inflatable envelope attached on a sheet material. The envelope is made of an air-impermeable sheet which is produced by treating a cloth with at least one synthetic or natural rubber. The heat retaining property of the article can be controlled by adjusting the amount of air filled in the envelope.

Abstract: A glove having three layers, an outer covering layer of leather, cloth or the like, an inner lining of an insulating material such as cloth, wool, fur and an intermediate member of a thin plastic having microscopically minute pores through which gas may pass but not liquids, e.g. water. The outer and inner layers are formed into gloves as by sewing. The intermediate layer of, for example, extremely thin polyurethane, is fabricated by heat sealing the edges of the front and back blank halves together to form an integral glove member. The intermediate glove layer is telescoped into the outer glove layer and similarly, the inner lining is telescoped into the intermediate layer. Only the outer and inner layers are stitched together at the wrist portion leaving a free-standing, breathable, waterproof intermediate layer therebetween which is integral and unattached. The resulting glove structure is water resistant and air permeable.

Abstract: An expandable chest piece and a method of constructing a garment wherein the chest piece is connected to the garment fabric between the arm hole and the lapel break line. The chest piece is prefabricated by providing a carrier member composed of relatively stiff textile material and configured to have a first connecting edge in the vicinity of the lapel break line and a second connecting edge in the vicinity of the arm hole of the garment and connecting an elongated connecting strip composed of relatively stiff textile material and configured to extend substantially the entire length of the first connecting edge to the carrier member for movement from a rest position wherein the connecting strip overlaps the first edge with the outer edge of the strip spaced therefrom and substantially parallel thereto to an extended position wherein the outer edge is spaced further from the first edge. The chest piece is positioned on the fabric with the second edge aligned with the arm hole.

Abstract: The composite chest piece interlining material is formed of first and second outside layers of fabric with a sheet of foam material sandwiched therebetween. Discontinuous adhesive coating is applied to the inner surfaces of the outside layers of fabric and adhesively connects the same to the opposite surfaces of the middle layer of foam material. The foam material provides bulk and resiliency to the interlining material while the first and second outside layers of fabric provide smooth and nonabrasive surfaces to the interlining material and also restrict the normal tendency of the foam material to stretch and tear.

Abstract: The composite fusible interlining fabric is formed of a layer of nonwoven fabric, a layer of fibrous material positioned against the reverse or rear side of the layer of nonwoven fabric, stitch yarn knit through the layer of nonwoven fabric and the layer of fibrous material and securing them together, and a coating of thermoactive adhesive material on the front or face side of the layer of nonwoven fabric. The layer of nonwoven fabric provides a smooth surface for the coating of thermoactive adhesive material. Additionally, the layer of nonwoven fabric of closely compacted fibers provides a barrier or shield to prevent strike back of the adhesive coating material when the composite interlining fabric is fused to the base or garment fabric.

Abstract: In a first operating stage, the back of a face fabric material is imprinted with a flock-binding aqueous cross-linkable dispersion paste in a grid-like manner by an intaglio printing process, flock is electrostatically applied to the paste, and the paste is then pre-stabilized by thermal coagulation and/or pre-drying. In a further operating stage, in which the material is preferably formed into a stack, the paste is cross-linked in a heated chamber at 90 to 140.degree. C. Steps such as sewing and ironing may be interposed between the above-mentioned stages.

Abstract: Two sheets of reflective plastic film included in the construction of a fiber-insulated thermal garment mitigate radiated heat loss while retaining the conventional insulating properties of fibers. A layer of porous matted fibers separates the two layers of reflective sheets, holding them apart and allowing a free passage of air between. The plastic sheets are provided with venting holes which allow the garment to "breathe" and prevent moisture accumulation. The venting holes in opposing plastic sheets do not align but rather are offset, forcing warm air passing through the garment to follow a zigzag route. The plastic sheets are further provided with a flat black finish on their outer-facing surfaces in order that the inside sheet may recapture radiated heat from escaping warm air and the outside sheet may absorb any ambient radiated heat, such as sunlight.

Abstract: A combined chest piece and shoulder pad, comprising an integral unitary structure formed of molded non-woven fiber material including a chest piece portion having a shape to form a foundation for the chest area of a jacket and with the chest piece portion having a central area surrounded by peripheral edge portions and with the peripheral edge portions more tightly compacted than the central area to provide for a tapering between the central area and the peripheral edge portions and with the central area compacted sufficiently to provide for a firm support of the jacket in the chest area, and a shoulder pad portion having a shape to form a foundation for the shoulder portion of the jacket and with the shoulder pad portion having an inner edge and an outer edge and with a portion of the inner edge contiguous with a peripheral edge portion of the chest piece portion and with the inner edge more tightly compacted than the remaining portion of the shoulder pad portion and with the remaining portion of the shoulde

Abstract: A plurality of layers of high-loft polyester fiberfill batting separated by sheets of metal foil or metalized polymeric film results in an unexpected increase in thermal insulating properties based on weight which can provide thermal insulation equivalent to natural down.

Abstract: A garment comprising a shell having opposed edges along which the garment may be opened and closed and a gusset strip which is detachably securable between the edges to expand the girth of the garment when a thermal liner is used therewith. The liner is secured to the gusset strip adjacent one edge thereof and by a detachable fastener such as a Velcro (TM) fastener to the interior surface of the shell, thereby permitting the garment to be opened and closed along one of the edges of the shell in the same manner as if the liner were not present.

Abstract: A fabric article comprises a piece of stretch fabric and a piece of woven non-stretch fabric in superposed relationship, the two pieces of fabric being secured together in stretch-resisting manner, e.g. by stitching, along first and second lines which extend transversely to each other and obliquely to both the warp and weft directions of the woven fabric.

Abstract: Copolyester adhesives are disclosed which are derived from at least 40 mol percent terephthalic acid, up to about 60 mol percent of another dicarboxylic acid selected from isophthalic, succinic, adipic, and glutaric, and a blend of 1,6-hexanediol and diethylene glycol.These copolyesters are useful as adhesives, and especially as fusible interlining adhesives.

Abstract: An interlining material comprising a non-woven web of fibers wherein the area of the web comprises at least two distinct zones, each of which said zones has substantially uniform fiber content and extends across the width of said interlining, and in which adjacent zones have different fiber contents, the fibers of said zones merging into the fibers of each adjacent said zone; a method for making an interlining which comprises disposing a first fibrous fleece over a second fibrous fleece so as to define a web having at least two distinct zones, each of which zones have substantially uniform fiber content and adjacent said zones having different fiber contents, and thereafter randomizing the distribution of fibers through the web and merging the fibers of said first fibrous fleece with the fibers of said second fibrous fleece.

Abstract: A convertible women's ensemble capable of satisfying a range of apparel requirements, a single ensemble making it possible for the wearer to be appropriately dressed for active wear, for informal and formal occasions and for rain or shine. The ensemble is constituted by a long jacket and a pair of slacks, the jacket being preferably fabricated of waterproof material and having a removable hood in sac form equipped with a drawstring, whereby the hood is usable as a carrying bag. The jacket includes a removable liner which when removed functions as a long skirt to replace the slacks which are then stored in the carrying bag.

Abstract: A breathable lining and shaping material especially suited for garments, comprising a nonwoven layer of randomly arranged fibers superposed on a nonwoven layer of oriented fibers, means holding together the fibers of each layer and holding the layers together, and an outer binder imprinted on the outer face of the oriented fiber layer, the weight of the outer binder being at most 50% of the material weight, the length to width strength ratio of the randomly arranged fiber layer ranging from about 4:1 to 1:4. Advantageously a heat activatable adhesive is provided at spaced locations on the outer face of the randomly arranged layer, whereby the material can be joined to the underside of a garment by hot pressing. The outer binder on the outside of the oriented fiber layer preferably is printed in a regular pattern to ensure that all fibers are tied down by bonds at multiple points.

Abstract: A nonwoven interlining and nonwoven chest piece are combined and together employed to be incorporated into a garment such as jacket or coat by pressing. This is accomplished by providing thermally activatable adhesive on both faces of the combination so that steam pressing serves to join it to the garment fabric. The individual nonwoven layers are only partially prefixed or internally bonded and a further mass of resilient binder adds to the cohesiveness of the unit.

Abstract: An article of clothing having at least one layer of a fabric or a fabric having an aramid yarn knitted or woven with a heat settable yarn. The fabric is heated to set the heat settable yarn thereby dimensionally stabilizing the fabric without bonding. The fabric may be a scrim or a lining having a facing material laminated thereon.

Abstract: A new thermally insulating sheet material in which a thin drapeable specularly reflective sheet is supported in spaced relation from a thermally radiating surface by an array of resiliently flexible and compressible polymeric foam segments that cover only a portion of the area of the sheet.

Abstract: A fabric web intended for the production of garment inserts for reinforcing shoulder, chest or lap parts of garments the web having a reinforced region comprising a double-cloth formed by two fabrics, each having a warp thread and a weft thread system, and a reinforcing thread warp or weft system between the two fabrics, the reinforcing threads having a stronger spring force than the warp and weft threads of the two fabrics. Threads of a fabric are interlaced with threads of the other fabric and/or reinforcing threads are interlaced with fabric threads. The physical characteristics of at least one system, e.g. spring force of the reinforcing threads or thread spacing or density, vary in a direction transverse to the length of the threads of such system to provide a spring force and resilience which varies across and/or along the web from the reinforced region toward another portion of the web.

Abstract: An outer garment is provided with an interlining of graduated thicknesses, thickest around the upper chest and shoulder areas, thinner around the collar and lapel areas, a little less thick in area from below the buttons to about the lapel area, and least thick from below the button area to the lower edge of the garment. A single layer of interlining material extends the full length of the garment from the bottom edge to the lapel and collar areas; a second layer is superposed on the first layer extending from just below the button area to the collar; and a third layer is superposed upon the previous two layers but extending from above the area of the buttons through and past the lapels and around to the shoulder. The two or more layers or thicknesses are secured together along the overlapped portions thereof and at points on lines spaced therebetween.

Abstract: An additional, special warp thread system is woven into a web of woven material having a weft thread system and a warp thread system, the warp threads being arranged to have differing density in certain areas of the web for the purpose of increasing the structural rigidity. The additional warp thread system lies symmetrically with respect to the other warp thread system.