Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for fabricating a laminate. One method includes laying up a first set of layers comprising tows of unidirectional thermoplastic fiber-reinforced material for the laminate, and laying up a second set of layers comprising tows of braided thermoplastic fiber-reinforced material for the laminate.

Abstract: A cardiac support device includes a jacket and elastic attachment structure for self-securing the jacket to a heart. The attachment structures can include undulating metal and polymer elements, a silicone band and elastomeric filaments on a base end of the jacket.

Abstract: A rope has a braided sheath that includes a spiraling strand having a greater pitch in comparison with a pitch exhibited by other strands of a coverbraid that encloses that rope's strength member core. The rope is useful for forming pelagic trawl mesh, and is stronger for a given amount of material, has less drag, and exhibits the same or bettered lift when towed through water at trawl mesh angles of attack. The rope also is less costly to manufacture in comparison to known helix rope constructions.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of manufacturing a refrigerant fabric using warps and wefts in which Z-twist yarns and S-twist yarns are arranged at a ratio of 1:1 in the warps and the wefts and the refrigerant fabric manufactured by the method. The method includes: a Z-twist yarn manufacturing step of manufacturing Z-twist yarns with Z-twist using fibers; a S-twist yarn manufacturing step of manufacturing S-twist yarns with S-twist using fibers; a warp arrangement step of alternating the manufactured Z-twist yarns and S-twist yarns and arranging them as warps; a weft arrangement step alternating the manufactured Z-twist yarns and S-twist yarns and arranging them as wefts; and a fabric weaving step of weaving a fabric using the arranged warps and wefts.

Abstract: A cardiac support device including a jacket and elastic attachment structure for self-securing the jacket to a heart. The attachment structures can include undulating metal and polymer elements, a silicone band and elastomeric filaments on a base end of the jacket.

Abstract: An article including a woven fabric comprising warp yarns and weft yarns, wherein at least one of either the warp yarns or the weft yarns includes: (a) a corespun elastic base yarn having a denier and including staple fiber and an elastic fiber core; and (b) a separate control yarn selected from the group consisting of a single filament yarn, a multiple filament yarn, a composite yarn, and combinations thereof; having a denier greater than zero to about 0.8 times the denier of the corespun elastic base yarn; wherein the woven fabric includes (1) a ratio of corespun base yarn ends to control yarn ends of up to about 6:1; or (2) a ratio of corespun base yarn picks to control yarn picks of up to about 6:1; or (3) both a ratio of corespun base yarn ends to control yarn ends of up to about 6:1; and a ratio of corespun base yarn picks to control yarn picks of up to about 6:1.

Abstract: The invention relates to knit fabric having zones having normal stress-elongation behavior and having predefined zones having increased stress-elongation behavior, for example, knitted fabrics of this type, in particular knit fabric of this type used as medical aids or sport aids, and methods for producing this knit fabric.

Abstract: This invention is related to a method of manufacturing a cotton weft knit fabric that is resistant to fraying, curling, and laddering. The unique fabrication method described herein generates a cotton fabric that resists edge fraying and curling when cut. As a result of the unique manufacturing method described herein, the typical garment hemming process typically used to prevent hemming and fraying in weft knit fabric is not required.

Abstract: A woven fabric has weft and warp yarns, the weft yarns are extending over and below the warp yarns to provide correspondent over portions and under portions with respect to the warp yarns, whereby the ratio length of under portions:length of over portions is such that in the washed fabric the warp yarns corresponding to the over portions are in a position that is lower than the plane of the warp yarns corresponding to the under portions; the final fabric, after washing, has an elongation measured according to ASTM 3107, of at least 30%.

Abstract: This invention relates to warp knit fabric having a locknit pattern comprising polytrimethylene terephthalate yarn and elastic yarn having a weight ratio of from 70:30 to 90:10. The fabrics have a soft hand feel, better colorfastness after chlorine exposure and UV radiation as compared to other performance wear fabrics containing elastic yarn polyethylene terephthalate yarn.

Abstract: The invention addresses the problem of providing a warp knitted fabric manufacturing method capable of stably producing a warp knitted fabric wherein the longitudinal stretchability is 200%. To solve the problem, the invention is a warp knitted fabric manufacturing method that forms bands of a warp knitted structure with increased longitudinal stretchability by forming stitches with an elastic warp (2) while knitting in an elastic inserted yarn (3) in the warp direction and knitting in the weft (4) in the course direction, wherein: active feed means (30), which are obtained by placing a single follower roller (323) above two drive rollers (321, 322), are disposed on the respective paths of the warp (2) and the inserted yarn (3) to feed the warp (2) and the inserted yarn (3) to the warp knitting machine while increasing the respective elongation percentage.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a compression performance fabric is provided. In an embodiment of the invention, different yarns can be attached to a single jersey circular knitting machine. The yarns can include polyamide yarn and an elastane yarn. The single jersey circular knitting machine can be configured to create a fabric that includes a a three to one ratio (3:1) of polyamide to elastane and a fabric density of at least three hundred grams per square meter but no more than three hundred eighty grams per square meter can be created. Thereafter, the created fabric can be finished for use in producing apparel including performance apparel.

Abstract: This invention is directed to alkylphenol ethoxylate (APE)-free polymer binders formed by aqueous free radical emulsion polymerization and having specific peel and cure properties. The APE-free polymeric binders have a peel value, when adhered to a heated metal surface, of 35% to 200% of the peel value shown by a standard APE-based polymer binder control and exhibit a cure profile such that at least 55% cure is achieved within 30 seconds at a temperature required for cure, and a wet tensile strength at 30-seconds of cure of at least 1000 g/5 cm. Wet tensile strength is used as a measure of cure. Binders having the peel and cure properties described herein can be considered for use in crepe processes, especially DRC processes.

Abstract: Described herein is a method for manufacturing a non-run elastic fabric on weaving machines with loom of a warp/weft type having two weft-taker bars and a needle bar, consisting in prearranging a rigid thread (2) on one of the two weft-taker bars and an elastic thread (3) on the other weft-taker bar, and consisting moreover in arranging a rigid thread (2) and an elastic thread (3) in phase with one another and according to a weave having a periodicity of four stitches, in which three consecutive stitches are obtained on three different consecutive needles.

Abstract: An apparatus for the treatment of fabric which comprises transport means (20, 26) for effecting relative movement between a heat and pressure application means and the fabric, whereby the passage of the fabric through the apparatus results in the yarns substantially across the width of the fabric being forced closer together, thus imparting semi-permanent “ease” or “stretch” into the fabric, characterised in that fabric speed control means (28) are employed downstream of the apparatus whereby to maintain the fabric output speed at a predetermined level.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for stretching one or more zones of a web are disclosed. Webs including stretched or activated zones are also disclosed. Each of the zones in the web is stretched in the cross-web direction, i.e., the direction transverse to the down-web direction. The stretching it can be performed continuously as the web is advancing through the apparatus in the down-web direction. The stretching can occur in the absence of physical contact with the stretched zone of the web. Strain induced on the stretched zones can be introduced gradually over a stretch distance. The strain may increase at a linear rate. The stretching methods and apparatus may be used to activate an elastic zone or zones within a web.

Abstract: This invention is directed to APE-free polymer binders formed by emulsion polymerization and having specific peel and cure properties. The APE-free polymeric binders have a peel value, when adhered to a heated metal surface, of 35% to 200% of the peel value shown by a standard APE-based polymer binder control (i.e., AIRFLEX® 105 vinyl acetate-ethylene polymer emulsion) and exhibit a cure profile such that at least 55% cure is achieved within 30 seconds at a temperature required for cure. Wet tensile strength is used as a measure of cure. The peel value is determined by a modified release and adhesion test. Binders having the peel and cure properties described herein can be considered for use in crepe processes, especially DRC processes.

Abstract: A method of treating a woven fabric of thermoplastic synthetic fibres to produce a two-way stretchable fabric (20) which comprises providing a fabric (20) having stretch characteristics in the width direction, applying heat and pressure to the fabric (20) in such a manner that the yarn strands substantially across the width of the fabric (20) are forced closer together thus imparting stretch into the fabric (20) in the length direction. The fabric (20) material is a synthetic material which is thermoplastic and can be heat set, such as a polyester or polyamide textile material. Stretch in the width direction (normally the weft direction) may be produced conventionally, but owing to processing constraints, it is not normally as easy to produce as much stretch in the length (or warp) direction. By subjecting such a fabric (20) to compressive shrinkage, the stretch in the warp direction is increased.

Abstract: Method for producing elastic tapes from a fabric web having at least partially synthetic fibers or filaments, especially a nonwoven fabric web, for use in the garment industry, one or a plurality of industrially produced webs (1, 2; 16) being laid on top of one another and at their open edges (3, 4; 5, 6; 18, 19) being joined to one another and a tube (11) being formed; and wall (21) of the tube (11) is cut open slantwise, so that a new, more elastic fabric web (22) is created, which is cut to tapes (25) in the longitudinal direction (26).

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for creping a nonwoven web using a hot melt adhesive as the creping adhesive. As a second aspect of the present invention, an internal adhesive is added to the polymers used to produce the nonwoven web during the nonwoven web forming process and this internal adhesive adheres the nonwoven web to the creping roll. Using the processes of the present invention, more energy efficient methods are provided for creping nonwoven webs. The creped nonwoven webs of the present invention are useful in a wide variety of application including as wipes, liners, transfer or surge layers, outercovers, other fluid handling materials and looped attachment materials for hook and loop fasteners.

Abstract: A weft knitted fabric made from a poly(trimethylene terephthalate) fiber yarn and not containing other elastic yarns such as a polyurethane yarn, a polyester type elastic yarn and a polyester ether type elastic yarn, and showing an elongation under constant load in a range from 80 to 250% in the weft direction under a load of 19.6N per 2.5 cm, an elongation elastic modulus after elongation by 50% of 80% or more in the weft direction, a fabric weight per square meter in a range from 80 to 500 g/m2, a bulk density in a range from 0.28 to 0.60 g/cm3 and a shear rigidity G in a range from 0.28 to 1.50 cN/cm•deg.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing women's elastic winter shirts having an omasum inner-wall-like textile structure to render desired elasticity to a shirt. The process of this invention to make the raw material to have the omasum-like textile structure consists of including but not limited to weaving, hand tying-fabrics, heating, drying, cutting and sewing. The material suitable for the process of this invention is composed of wool and polyester.

Abstract: A textile fabric is treated subsequent to formation thereof to selectively stabilize, modify or otherwise alter the elastic power or elastic modulus of one or more discrete portions or areas of the fabric in comparison to other untreated or differently treated fabric areas or portions, by the localized application of an elastomeric material, either in liquid, vaporous or gaseous form, to be absorbed into the structure of the fabric.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing an all-fiber polyester cloth that is elastic, the cloth having a certain proportion of two-component polyester fibers of side-by-side structure suitable for developing helical and spiral crimp. The method comprises the operations of preparing the fiber mixture, spinning, weaving, and applying various treatments to the cloth. The operations of preparing and spinning lead to a non-extensible thread and the weaving is highly decompacted so as to take account of its potential elasticity, the loomstate cloth being subjected to heat pre-treatment in hot air at a temperature lying in the range 180° C. to 190° C. under very low tension, prior to performing any conventional treatment in a liquid medium, and in particular washing and dyeing; in addition during all operations subsequent to the heat pre-treatment, tension on the cloth is limited. For example, the dry heat pre-treatment consists in passing through a stenter for a duration of 1 min to 1.

Abstract: A process for imparting permanent elastic properties to fabrics constructed of yarns principally formed of natural, inelastic fibers, the process comprising the steps of spinning a first yarn with Z-twist, spinning a second yarn with S-twist, forming a fabric from the first and second yarns by alternating first and second yarns during fabric formation so that the fabric contains alternate S-twist and Z-twist yarns, shrinking the fabric, and setting the twist in the yarns in the fabric.

Abstract: A method of treating a woven fabric, this method including applying simultaneous and progressive heat and pressure to the fabric in such a manner that the yarn strands substantially across the width of the fabric are forced closer together thus imparting generally semi-permanent ease or stretch into the fabric, which is characterized and the method also includes affixing to the fabrics treated a selected interlining or interlining combination having inherent stretch whereby the semi-permanent ease or stretch imparted to the fabric is made substantially permanent is provided.

Abstract: The invention provides a highly stretchable fabric having an elongation percentage of 5 to 45% and a recovery percentage of elongation of at least 70% and comprising spun yarns serving at least as warps or wefts, the fabric being characterized in that the spun yarns contain two-component composite fibers comprising a highly shrinkable polyester component A and a polyester component B less shrinkable than the polyester component A, the composite fibers being so oriented that in the vicinity 5 of the crests of weaving crimps of the spun yarn, the polyester component A faces toward the inner side of the crimps. The invention also provides a process for producing the fabric. The fabric is excellent in stretchability and recovery from elongation and is capable of retaining its appearance and hand.

Abstract: Nonwoven fabrics having a desirable level of bulk, elasticity and low permanent set are produced by creasing a precursor web and heat setting the creases. Such webs may have varying basis weights and compositions depending on the intended end use. Applications disclosed include components for personal care products such as disposable diapers and feminine hygiene products, for example, as well as garment applications such as training pants, surgical gowns and the like. Also, absorbent products such as wipers are disclosed. Methods for forming the creased nonwoven fabric are disclosed using interdigitated rolls for creasing in the machine direction or in the cross-machine direction.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process and apparatus for aperturing, creping and optionally laminating webs such as, for example, films and fibrous nonwovens. The present invention is also directed to the resultant materials. The process for aperturing and creping webs utilizes a pattern roll and an anvil roll with the anvil roll being rotated faster that the pattern roll. The resultant material is visually much different than conventional materials which are typically run through similar rolls wherein the pattern roll and anvil roll are run at the same speed or wherein the pattern roll is run faster than the anvil roll. The resultant materials have a wide variety of applications not the least of which includes a liner material for personal care absorbent articles such as diapers, training pants, feminine hygiene products, bandages and the like.

Abstract: The present invention provides an article, comprising: a fabric sheet which has been compacted using a heat shrink yarn; and a curable or hardenable resin coated onto the fabric sheet. The present invention involves compacting a fabric sheet to impart stretchability and conformability to the fabric while minimizing undesirable recovery forces. Suitable fabrics for compacting are fabrics which comprise fiberglass fibers which are capable of first being compacted and then being set or annealed in the distorted, state. The article may be in the form of an orthopedic bandage and may optionally contain a microfiber filler associated with the resin.

Abstract: An improved process is provided for weaving an elastic stretch fabric. The fabric is woven with weft and/or warp yarns that are combination yarns which comprise a partially oriented synthetic crystalline polymer yarn combined with an elastomeric core. The fabric is then stretched, heat set and finished under particular conditions to provide the resultant fabric with an elastic stretch of 18 to 45% and dimensions about equal to the as-woven dimensions.

Abstract: A lengthwise and crosswise stretchable fabric comprising bicomponent polyester filaments produced by conjugate spinning in side-by-side relationship component (A), a polyethylene terephthalate copolymerized with a structural unit having a metal sulfonate group, and component (B), a polyethylene terephthalate or polybutylene terephthalate. The fabric is rendered stretchable by inducting crimps in the bicomponent filaments thereof through exposure to infrared rays while said filaments are in a relaxed condition. The filaments may have been mechanically crimped prior to being formed into the fabric.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing permanently set crumple pleat crease patterns in fabric webs, having a heatable crumple tube with an oscillatingly driveable stuffing element with which a fabric web in rope form is batchwise successively inserted into the crumple tube, compressed and finally forced out. Upstream of the entry end of the crumple tube there is a rope feed tube of smaller diameter than the crumple tube. The rope feed tube has a through-hole connected on the outside to a vacuum source, while part of the crumple tube is concentrically surrounded by a jacket tube. Annular gaps between the crumple and jacket tubes are tightly sealed by annular walls, thereby forming a heating chamber with an inlet and an outlet for a fluid heating medium.

Abstract: The circular knit two-layer upholstery fabric of the present invention has stability and limited stretchability in both coursewise and walewise directions to meet established industry standards. The fabric includes a first layer knit of thermoplastic base yarn and forming stitch loops in wales of successive courses to provide a technical face side. A second layer is formed of lay-in yarn extending generally coursewise and in a sinuous manner along the juncture of the stitch loops of certain courses of the first layer and provides a technical back side constituting the exposed wear surface of the fabric. The lay-in yarn is in the range of two to ten times larger than the base yarn so that the lay-in yarn substantially covers the base yarn and provides the tactile characteristics, appearance and hand of the lay-in yarn constituting the exposed wear surface of the fabric.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for giving relief in several directions to a textile cloth, characterized in that it consists:in known manner, in winding this cloth on a support tube,then in withdrawing said tube,thereafter in compressing the roll longitudinally along the axis of said support,finally, in fixing the roll thus compressed.The invention is more particularly applicable to fabric for home furnishings or clothes.

Abstract: Chain-weft fabrics and knitted fabrics, with a crepe effect, are obtained from continuous texturized synthetic yarns, substantially non-twisted, having a high "yarn count/no. of filaments" ratio, and a high shrinkage under hot conditions, and particularly yarns of 30-160 Dtex comprising filaments of between 5 and 19 Dtex.

Abstract: An apparatus for continuous untwisting and crimping of a cloth, including in a treating chamber, a pair of endless net conveyers spaced vertically apart and forming a gap therebetween to serve as a cloth passage. A plurality of jet pipes, each having a series of nozzles, are arranged to jet a high pressure fluid into the cloth passage. The jet pipes are provided in a zigzag up and down arrangement on the outside of the gap with the net conveyers between them. As a long knitted or woven cloth is passed continuously through the cloth passage while it receives the force of a fluid jetted zigzag from both sides, the cloth adopts a snaky or undulating state, and is stretched, beat and crumpled strongly so that the cloth is untwisted and crimped effectively.

Abstract: A stuffing attachment for a continuously operating crinkling unit for continuous material, has a stuffing ring which can be moved forwards and backwards in a straight line with an aperture through which a strip of the continuous material passes. The stuffing ring is pushed through a clamping device into the starting zone of a compression tube of the crinkling unit and thereafter withdrawn. As the stuffing ring is withdrawn, the clamping device closes, so that it grips the strip, holds it fast, and pulls it through the aperture of the stuffing ring as the latter travels further back.

Abstract: A method including transporting a cloth composed of twisted yarns continuously through a plurality of wet-heat treating chambers, which have a stepwise temperature gradient from 70.degree. C. to 100.degree. C. and are provided with an appropriate impact device to apply beating and rubbing forces to the cloth, in the direction from the low temperature side to the high temperature side of the chambers to de-twist the yarn of the cloth so as to crape the cloth successively. A cloth composed of highly twisted yarns can be advantageously and effectively de-twisted and craped due to the effect of the swelling of the cloth as well as the beating and rubbing forces applied to the cloth in each of the wet-heat treating chambers.

Abstract: An apparatus for continuous untwisting and crimping of a cloth, including, in a treating chamber, a pair of endless net conveyers spaced vertically apart and forming a gap therebetween to serve as a cloth passage. A plurality of jet pipes, each having a series of nozzles, are arranged to jet a high pressure fluid into the cloth passage. The jet pipes are provided in a zigzag up and down arrangement on the outside of the gap with the net conveyers between them. As a long knitted or woven cloth is passed continuously through the cloth passage while it receives the force of a fluid jetted zigzag from both sides, the cloth adopts a snaky or undulating state, and is stretched, beat and crumpled strongly so that the cloth is untwisted and crimped effectively.

Abstract: A narrow woven stretch fabric is formed from bare elastomeric warp threads separated by high shrink warp threads and from a high shrink weft thread. The edge elastomeric warp threads are loosely wrapped with heat set yarn. These edge threads, which are under the same tension as the other elastomeric warp threads, are wrapped between the supply and the loom. The weft thread is interwoven at a low weft per inch and the fabric is heat treated to shrink the non-elastic high shrink threads and corrugate the elastomeric threads without heat setting. The wrapping device and the surface feed rollers for the elastomeric threads are driven by the loom drive at appropriate speeds.

Abstract: Prostheses for inadequate or diseased heart valves and blood vessels, formed of fabrics comprising multifilament synthetic yarns. For a heart valve the fabric is supported on a three-lobed frame. During manufacture, the fabric is subjected to a plural step compressive shrinking and crimping process to impart nonisotropic elastic compliance approximating the natural mechanical properties. The resulting composite structures are free of thrombogenic complications.

Abstract: A woven heat stretched fabric of polyester fiber yarns is provided which offers an improved, dimensionally stable backing member for the manufacture of coated abrasive material. Coated abrasive material incorporating this backing member is characterized by suitably controlled elongation characteristics.

Abstract: Course count control during heat setting of stretchable warp knit fabric is provided by selvedge knitted with the fabric and along its edges, the selvedge having a predetermined lesser stretchability than that of the fabric to serve as a limit stop to the longitudinal stretch of the fabric to provide the course count desired for the fabric.

Abstract: A stabilized bi-elastic fabric bonded on its underside to an elastomeric, gas-tight film adapted for use in covering upholstered furniture. The fabric is formed from a ply yarn of elastomeric filaments, coarse yarn, and fine yarn. After being woven, the fabric is stabilized by a process involving steam shrinking, washing, drying and fixing. The stabilized fabric is then heat bonded to the film which makes the composite fabric well suited for filling with foam or for vacuum deep drawing.