The invention relates to a method for producing an antimicrobial fabric or yarn, said method comprising the steps of immersing a fabric or yarn in an aqueous solution of a metal salt while simultaneously subjecting said solution to ultrasonic radiation; and removing the fabric or yarn from said solution and subsequently converting the metal salt in situ in the fabric or yarn into metal oxide nanoparticles, preferably via chemical and heat treatment. Fabrics and yarns obtained or obtainable by such method are also provided. In a further aspect the invention provides an apparatus for performing such method.

An apparatus for cleaning a fabric article includes an emitting header that emits fluid towards the fabric article and a suction header that suctions the fluid emitted by the emitting header. The suction header and the emitting header are parallel to each other and separated from each other by a space. The space is configured for positioning the fabric article in the space so that fluid emitted by the emitting header flows through the fabric article towards the suction header. A washing appliance for cleaning a fabric article includes a detergent compartment, a control system monitor, a pump, a water compartment, an emitting header that emits fluid towards the fabric article, a suction header that suctions the fluid emitted by the emitting header, a screen disposed between the emitting header and the suction header, and a servo motor in communication with at least one of the emitting header and the suction header.

The particle impregnating device includes a placing body for placing a nonwoven fabric having a surface on which particles are sprayed; a vibrating member which is provided above the placing body and extends in the width direction of the nonwoven fabric placed on the placing body; a vibrator which applies ultrasonic vibration to the vibrating member; a lifting mechanism which lifts up and down the vibrating member; and a moving mechanism which relatively moves the nonwoven fabric and the vibrating member in a surface direction orthogonal to the width direction of the nonwoven fabric. When the nonwoven fabric and the vibrating member are relatively moved by the moving mechanism, the vibrating member is lowered by the lifting mechanism, so that the nonwoven fabric is pressed and compressed by the vibrating member and ultrasonic vibration is applied to the vibrating member by the vibrator.

An acoustic energy-transfer system includes: an acoustic chest arranged circumferentially around a container configured to receive a material to be processed; and an ultrasonic transducer arranged circumferentially inside the acoustic chest, the ultrasonic transducer defining an acoustic slot extending through the ultrasonic transducer, the acoustic slot angled with respect to a central axis of the acoustic chest.

An acoustic energy-transfer system includes: an acoustic chest arranged circumferentially around a container configured to receive a material to be processed; and an ultrasonic transducer arranged circumferentially inside the acoustic chest, the ultrasonic transducer defining an acoustic slot extending through the ultrasonic transducer, the acoustic slot angled with respect to a central axis of the acoustic chest.

An apparatus and method of manufacturing the apparatus is provided. The apparatus comprises a first transducer (107) and a first tank. The first transducer (107) is adapted to transmit ultrasonic waves of a first wavelength into the first tank (101). The first tank (101) is configured to establish a substantially standing ultrasonic wave pattern of the ultrasonic waves inside the first tank (101). A disposer (109.1, 109.2) adapted to dispose a textile (131) into the first tank (101) is provided. The disposer (109.1, 109.2) disposes the textile (131) into the first tank at a first distance from the first transducer (107). The first distance is determined based the first wavelength.

An apparatus and method of manufacturing the apparatus is provided. The apparatus comprises a first transducer (107) and a first tank. The first transducer (107) is adapted to transmit ultrasonic waves of a first wavelength into the first tank (101). The first tank (101) is configured to establish a substantially standing ultrasonic wave pattern of the ultrasonic waves inside the first tank (101). A disposer (109.1, 109.2) adapted to dispose a textile (131) into the first tank (101) is provided. The disposer (109.1, 109.2) disposes the textile (131) into the first tank at a first distance from the first transducer (107). The first distance is determined based the first wavelength.

A sorptive wiper for cleaning is disclosed, the wipe comprising a cleaned and dried sorptive material having fewer than 150 contaminant fibers per square meter that are greater than 100 m in length.

The present invention relates to a surface treatment and a method for its application for the introduction of a wide variety of differentiating properties to fibersin sliver form through a surface treatment of said fibers. The system can accommodate chemical processes, sonochemical processes, and acoustic cavitation processes whereby the fibers are speckled or plated with at least one predetermined compound in a liquid medium to impart at least one desired property to the fibers and for the orderly inclusion of such treated fibers in sliver form having such properties in yarns, woven, knit, or non-woven textiles.

A system for in-line treatment of thread for use with a thread consuming device is provided. The system includes a treatment unit including at least a first and a second print head each being configured to dispense one or more coating substances onto the at least one thread when activated; and a control unit configured to determine if a maintenance sequence is to be performed on at least the first print head, and if so schedule said maintenance sequence on at least the first print head. A method is further provided.