Abstract: A system allows a user to create new designs for apparel and preview these designs before manufacture. Software and lasers are used in finishing apparel to produce a desired wear pattern or other design. The system swaps garments in a digital asset to garments that are designed using the system. The wear pattern is created by a laser using a laser input file. Generating the preview image comprises combining first and second contributions to obtain a combined value for a pixel at the pixel location of the preview image.

Abstract: Compositions for providing a dielectric layer in an electronic device wherein the composition comprises a polymer which polymer contains one or more building blocks, wherein at least 25 mol % of the total number of building blocks in the polymer are of the general formula having olefinic oligo-dihydrodicyclopentadienyl functionalities.

Abstract: A damage process for a textile product may include, but is not limited to, irradiating a laser beam onto a surface region of a textile product which is dyed, to burn the surface region, exposing the textile product to an ozone gas; and agitating the textile product together with at least one of: pieces of one or more solid materials having uneven surfaces and one or more abrasives of artificial fibers to allow the surface region to be shaved by the at least one of: the pieces of one or more solid materials and the one or more abrasives of artificial fibers. One or more subsequent processes can be carried out, without dipping the textile product into water or a liquid of chemicals, after agitating the textile product and until softening the textile product.

Abstract: Software and lasers are used in finishing apparel to produce a desired wear pattern or other design. A technique includes determining a fabric's response to a laser, capturing an initial image of a wear pattern on a garment, and processing the initial image to obtain a working image in grayscale. The working image is further processed to obtain a difference image by comparing each pixel relative to a dark reference. The difference image is converted to a laser values image by using the previously determined fabric response to the laser.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying a surface coating to a target surface by providing a sealable containment means for receiving a target surface and a surface coating located in a container or containers within the sealable containment means.

Abstract: Described herein are modification of fabrics using a microwave initiation technique to produce a porous coating on the fibers providing adsorbent properties as well as the potential for further modification. In embodiments, the fabric incorporates a periodic mesoporous organosilica compound (PMO) optionally bound to a porphyrin or other functional group, and/or a catalyst or optical indicator.

Abstract: A continuous feed discharge surface treater for treating web materials has a discharge chamber where ionization of a process gas occurs defined and contained by one or more rollers. Enhanced chemical coronas and plasmas are achieved by limiting depletion of the gas chemistry from the discharge chamber and dilution or contamination from mixing with drawn in ambient air. Atmospheric coronas can also be achieved in which minimal or no ozone is exhausted from the treater. Various roller and electrode assemblies, including both fixed and rolling electrodes, can be employed.

Abstract: A terminal blocking processing agent of a polyester-based fiber structure allows a treated product to efficiently take up a terminal blocking agent.

Abstract: Methods for modifying high tenacity fibers without reducing the physical strength properties of the fibers. More particularly, methods for modifying fibers with a plasma treatment or a corona treatment without reducing the physical strength properties of the fibers.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for preparing a disinfecting wound dressing for the protection of wounds, such as burn wounds, ulcers and cuts. The process comprises the steps of providing a yarn-based substrate, subjecting a surface of the substrate to a plasma environment, thereby providing non-leaching and biocidal features to the substrate surface by exposing the substrate surface to an antimicrobial active compound reaction.

Abstract: A method for stabilizing yarns made from polyacrylonitrile using chemical stabilization reactions, including: generating a field of high-frequency electromagnetic waves in an application space of an applicator, which has areas with minimum electric field strength and areas with maximum electric field strength, the maximum electric field strength in the application space being in a range from 3 to 150 kV/m; continuously supplying a precursor yarn based on a polyacrylonitrile polymer into the application space, and conveying the precursor yarn through the application space and through the field of the high-frequency electromagnetic waves; introducing a process gas into the application space and conveying the process gas through the application space with a flow rate of at least 0.1 m/s relative to the precursor yarn being conveyed through the application space, wherein a temperature of the process gas is in a range between 150 and 300° C.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of treating keratinous fibers, especially hair fibers, comprising at least one step of at least partially bleaching the fibers, in which at least one region to be treated is exposed to at least one light pulse, characterized in that this pulse is generated by a diode-pumped laser or by a regenerative amplifier laser.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for generating gas-phase active chemical species suitable for selectively processing one side of a textile or nonwoven material are described. Processing includes etching or stripping coatings, as examples. A low-temperature plasma is used to produce an ionized gas containing radical species, atoms, ions, and electrons, some of which are suitable for removing or modifying the coating. For the purposes of the present invention, the plasma may be generated in a vacuum, or at atmospheric pressure. Dielectric-barrier discharges, atmospheric-pressure plasma jets, micro hollow-cathode discharges, coronas, or plasmas produced by a microwave discharge or laser-supplied energy may be used to generate the required species.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to a method of treating a folded garment to achieve good alcohol repellency on the innermost layers of the folded garment.

Abstract: An article is provided that includes a polymeric fiber that has an excess number of surface active reactive moieties relative to the number of surface reactive moieties found on the fiber in a native state. A particle is bonded covalently to the fiber through an intermediate coupling agent. Multiple particles can be covalently bonded to the fiber, the multiple particles can be bonded uniformly or asymmetrically around the fiber diameter. A process for modifying a fiber includes creating surface activated reactive moieties thereon. The activated fiber is then exposed to a liquid solution containing a coupling agent to form a covalent bond. The coupling agent is also reacted with a particle in a liquid solution to form a covalent bond between the coupling agent and the particle. The coupling agent is covalently bonded to either a particle and then bonded to the fiber, or vice versa.

Abstract: Pretreatment of a fabric using a material that binds to the fabric and changes some characteristic of the fabric. In an embodiment, the characteristic that is changed can be at least one of stain and flash for wrinkle resistance. The material can be Permafresh material. The material can bind to the fabric, and intends to be maintained within the fabric for the life of the fabric. After pretreatment, the pretreated material is processed by a laser which intends to change the look of the material without undesirably damaging the material. The treatment may make the treatment by lasers more consistent and allow the lazed graphic to maintain its quality after repeated washings and wearing.

Abstract: A device for locally producing microwave plasma. The device comprises at least one microwave feed that is surrounded by at least one dielectric tube. At least one of the dielectric tubes, such as an outer dielectric tube, is partially surrounded by a metal jacket. A locally delimited plasma is produced by the device by shielding microwaves.

Abstract: Pretreatment of a fabric using a material that binds to the fabric and changes some characteristic of the fabric. In an embodiment, the characteristic that is changed can be at least one of stain and flash for wrinkle resistance. The material can be Permafresh material. The material can bind to the fabric, and intends to be maintained within the fabric for the life of the fabric. After pretreatment, the pretreated material is processed by a laser which intends to change the look of the material without undesirably damaging the material. The treatment may make the treatment by lasers more consistent and allow the lazed graphic to maintain its quality after repeated washings and wearing.

Abstract: Durable stretch fabrics are made and processed from one or more crosslinked, heat-resistant olefin elastic fibers, e.g., a substantially linear, homogeneously branched ethylene polymer. The fabrics can be made by any process, e.g., weaving, knitting, etc., and from any combination of crosslinked, heat-resistant olefin elastic and inelastic (“hard”) fibers, e.g., cotton and wool. These fabrics exhibit excellent chemical, e.g., chlorine, resistance and durability, e.g., they retain their shape and feel (“hand”) over repeated exposure to processing conditions, e.g., stone-washing, dye-stripping, PET-dyeing and the like, and service conditions, e.g., washing, drying, etc.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method which consists in irradiating at least one face of the article with UV radiation, causing the article to be photodegraded over a thickness of at least 1 ?m, and in contacting the irradiated face of the article with a colouring agent so as to diffuse the colouring agent in the entire thickness of the photodegraded surface layer of the article. The invention is useful for optical and ophthalmologic articles.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a specific process in which wool is initially subjected to a plasma treatment and then to a wet chemical treatment with a finishing agent, which provides nonfelting wool in a technically simple and easily handleable manner.

Abstract: A method for activating chemical reactions using a non-thermal capillary discharge plasma (NT-CDP) unit or a non-thermal slot discharge plasma (NT-SDP) unit (collectively referred to as “NT-CDP/SDP”). The NT-CDP/SDP unit includes a first electrode disposed between two dielectric layers, wherein the first electrode and dielectric layers having at least one opening (e.g., capillary or a slot) defined therethrough. A dielectric sleeve inserted into the opening, and at least one second electrode (e.g., in the shape of a pin, ring, metal wire, or tapered metal blade) is disposed in fluid communication with an associated opening. A non-thermal plasma discharge is emitted from the opening when a voltage differential is applied between the first and second electrodes. Chemical feedstock to be treated is then exposed to the non-thermal plasma.

Abstract: Formation of fractal garments using a laser to scribe a total pattern onto jean parts. The pattern is formed into a 60 by 60 image, that is formed to form all parts of the denim design.

Abstract: A process for making a pattern according to intended design on cloth or clothing, particularly denim clothing, dyed with a colorant or a dye through decolorizing is provided. Fabric or clothing dyed with a colorant or a dye is impregnated with a substance forming an oxidized active species upon electrolysis and inserted between a pair of electrodes, and electricity is applied to the electrodes, whereby only a part where electricity is applied is selectively decolorized to make a pattern with gradated effect.

Abstract: A system of forming simulated seam abrasion on denim materials. The simulated seam abrasion is formed by using a laser beam to form a seam abrasion type pattern on the material. The pattem is like a ladder with uneven rungs. After the pattern is formed, the material is washed to better simulate real seam abrasion.

Abstract: The present invention is in the field of liquid or gel detergents. More specifically, the invention relates to a method for removing stains and/or odors and for disinfecting fabrics by applying a liquid or gel detergent composition to the fabric and subjecting the fabric to microwaves. This method provides enhanced cleaning and improved stain removal. These cleaning compositions comprise a bleaching agent, preferably diacyl peroxide in a liquid or gel detergent formulation. These compositions in combination with the method of microwaving are also very effective in disinfecting and deodorizing fabrics.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of producing wool or animal hair material with improved properties such as shrink-proofed (anti-felting tendency), increased whiteness, improved dyeability, increased softness and/or reduced pilling tendency, the method comprising the steps of treating wool, wool fibers or animal hair material in a process selected from the group consisting of plasma treatment processes and the Delhey process, and subjecting the wool or animal hair material to a treatment with a proteolytic enzyme (a protease), preferably a serine protease, more preferably a subtilisin, in an amount effective for improving the properties.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of producing wool or animal hair material with improved properties such as shrink-proofed (anti-felting tendency), increased whiteness, improved dyeability, increased softness and/or reduced pilling tendency, the method comprising the steps of treating wool, wool fibres or animal hair material in a process selected from the group consisting of plasma treatment processes and the Delhey process, and subjecting the wool or animal hair material to a treatment with a proteolytic enzyme (a protease), preferably a serine protease, more preferably a subtilisin, in an amount effective for improving the properties.

Abstract: The invention relates to the antifelt finishing of wool in which the wool is (a) first exposed to a plasma in a corona treatment and (b) subsequently treated with an aqueous dispersion of self-dispersing isocyanates.

Abstract: A method for coating a textile includes applying a substantially water-free, energy-curable, polymer-forming composition to the textile and exposing the textile and composition to a source of energy under such conditions as to generate chemically active sites on the surface of the textile and polymerize the composition. The resulting polymer is grafted onto the textile. Preferably, the energy is derived from electron beam radiation. The composition includes an epoxy oligomer having at least two ethylenically unsaturated moieties, and at least one alkoxylated polyol monomer having at least two ethylenically unsaturated moieties and capable of being copolymerized with the epoxy oligomer. Preferably, the composition also includes a surface active agent capable of rendering the uncured composition dispersible in water. Optionally, the composition can contain a colorant, and photoinitiator. The composition is especially suitable for use as a screen printing ink and coating material for textiles.