Methods, apparatus and kits for modifying natural feathers that are used in sporting goods that result in long lasting feathers with increased mechanical stability, reliability and durability as well as improved flight consistency is disclosed. Some of the sporting goods that use natural feathers are badminton shuttlecocks, arrow fletchings, and darts. The disclosed methods consist of controlled treatment of feather shuttlecocks with crosslinking agents to crosslink the keratin protein present on the natural feathers of the shuttlecock.

A method of forming a single piece, shaped, down feather thermally insulating article having different thermal insulating sections is described. A mold is formed with a cavity defining a non-uniformed prescribed shape and having sections of different shapes and depths. Down feather clusters or a mixture thereof is mixed with a binding material and is injected into the mold which is then heated with a suitable heat source to cause the binding material to soften and fuse the mixture together. After cooling the mold, there is formed a single piece, shaped, down feather article which is comprised of sections having different thermal insulating values for use in a product where parts of the product provide different thermal insulating properties.

A method of forming a single piece, shaped, down feather thermally insulating article having different thermal insulating sections is described. A mold is formed with a cavity defining a non-uniformed prescribed shape and having sections of different shapes and depths. Down feather clusters or a mixture thereof is mixed with a binding material and is injected into the mold which is then heated with a suitable heat source to cause the binding material to soften and fuse the mixture together. After cooling the mold, there is formed a single piece, shaped, down feather article which is comprised of sections having different thermal insulating values for use in a product where parts of the product provide different thermal insulating properties.

Methods, apparatus and kits for modifying natural feathers that are used in sporting goods that result in long lasting feathers with increased mechanical stability, reliability and durability as well as improved flight consistency are disclosed. Some of the sporting goods that use natural feathers are badminton shuttlecocks, arrow fletchings, and darts. The disclosed methods consist of controlled treatment of feather shuttlecocks with crosslinking agents to crosslink the keratin protein present on the natural feathers of the shuttlecock.

Methods, apparatus and kits for modifying natural feathers that are used in sporting goods that result in long lasting feathers with increased mechanical stability, reliability and durability as well as improved flight consistency are disclosed. Some of the sporting goods that use natural feathers are badminton shuttlecocks, arrow fletchings, and darts. The disclosed methods consist of controlled treatment of feather shuttlecocks with crosslinking agents to crosslink the keratin protein present on the natural feathers of the shuttlecock.

Washing system (1) suitable for continuous processing, for the pre-treatment of keratinaceous material, preferably feathers, hair or wool. The washing system (1) comprises an infeed device (2) for feeding the keratinaceous material to the washing system (1) and a washing space (3) for washing the keratinaceous material with an aqueous washing liquid. A washing liquid system for supplying and extracting the washing liquid to and from the washing space (3) is comprised in the washing system (1). The washing space (3) comprises a sinking zone wherein material with a higher density than the washing fiquid sinks below the keratinaccous material. An extracting system (8) is placed at the bottom of the sinking zone (6) for extracting the material with a higher density than the washing liquid. Furthermore, at least one washing structure (4) that sloshes the washing liquid and/or causes turbulence in the washing liquid is present in the washing space (3). Finally, an outfeed device (9) is provided for extracting the keratinaceous material from the washing system (1).

Washing system (1) suitable for continuous processing, for the pre-treatment of keratinaceous material, preferably feathers, hair or wool. The washing system (1) comprises an infeed device (2) for feeding the keratinaceous material to the washing system (1) and a washing space (3) for washing the keratinaceous material with an aqueous washing liquid. A washing liquid system for supplying and extracting the washing liquid to and from the washing space (3) is comprised in the washing system (1). The washing space (3) comprises a sinking zone wherein material with a higher density than the washing fiquid sinks below the keratinaccous material. An extracting system (8) is placed at the bottom of the sinking zone (6) for extracting the material with a higher density than the washing liquid. Furthermore, at least one washing structure (4) that sloshes the washing liquid and/or causes turbulence in the washing liquid is present in the washing space (3). Finally, an outfeed device (9) is provided for extracting the keratinaceous material from the washing system (1).

Methods, apparatus and kits for modifying natural feathers that are used in sporting goods that result in long lasting feathers with increased mechanical stability, reliability and durability as well as improved flight consistency is disclosed. Some of the sporting goods that use natural feathers are badminton shuttlecocks, arrow fletchings, and darts. The disclosed methods consist of controlled treatment of feather shuttlecocks with crosslinking agents to crosslink the keratin protein present on the natural feathers of the shuttlecock.

Methods, apparatus and kits for modifying natural feathers that are used in sporting goods that result in long lasting feathers with increased mechanical stability, reliability and durability as well as improved flight consistency is disclosed. Some of the sporting goods that use natural feathers are badminton shuttlecocks, arrow fletchings, and darts. The disclosed methods consist of controlled treatment of feather shuttlecocks with crosslinking agents to crosslink the keratin protein present on the natural feathers of the shuttlecock.

The present invention relates to a process for cleaning and/or washing down and/or feathers comprising: (a) mixing the down and/or feathers with a solution of an alkyl polyglucoside; (b) optionally adding simultaneously or sequentially a solution of a Group 4 metal salt to the mixture of (a); and (c) removing excess liquid; and (d) optionally drying the down and/or feathers.

The invention also relates to down and/or feathers prepared according to such a process.

The invention additionally relates to a down and/or feather washing and/or cleaning composition for rendering the down and/or feathers hydrophobic comprising a solution of an alkyl polyglucoside, optionally a solution of a Group 4 metal salt, and a water-repellent treatment.

The invention further relates to a kit for cleaning and/or washing down and/or feathers and rendering the down and/or feathers water repellent comprising (i) a closed vessel containing a solution of an alkyl polyglucoside; (ii) optionally a closed vessel containing a solution of a

Group 4 metal salt; and (iii) a closed vessel containing a water repellent treatment;