A partially separated fiber bundle includes separation-processed sections, each divided into a plurality of bundles of at least three bundles, and not-separation-processed sections, that are alternately formed along the lengthwise direction of a fiber bundle that comprises a plurality of single fibers. The partially separated fiber bundle is characterized in that, at any width-direction cross-section taken along the lengthwise direction thereof, a rate of single fibers contained in a region at which adjacent divided fiber bundles are joined by a not-separation-processed part is 67% or less relative to the total single fibers in the width-direction cross-section.

Methods, systems, and devices for changing cross-sectional sizes and/or shapes of flat braided sutures and the resulting constructs are disclosed. The flat braided sutures can have a textile first cross-sectional shape that can be changed to a textile second cross-sectional shape. The systems can have a heater and a die. The flat braided sutures can be movable through the heater and the die. When the flat braided sutures are in the heater, the flat braided sutures can be heatable from a textile first temperature to a textile second temperature greater than the textile first temperature. When the flat braided sutures are at the textile second temperature, the textile first cross-sectional shape can be changeable to the textile second cross-sectional shape.

Methods and systems for mechanically forming one or more surface protrusions integrally from a garment material, the one or more surface protrusions extending outwardly from a garment surface of the garment material, include placing at least one selected area of the garment surface against a first surface of a forming die having a plurality of openings which have a configuration and orientation corresponding with the configuration and orientation of the one or more surface protrusions of the garment material. The garment surface may be softened by application of a source of energy, wherein the source of energy comprises at least two sonotrodes mounted in a rotary drum. At least some of the softened garment surface is positioned into at least one opening of the plurality of openings.

Methods and systems for mechanically forming one or more surface protrusions integrally from a garment material, the one or more surface protrusions extending outwardly from a garment surface of the garment material, include placing at least one selected area of the garment surface against a first surface of a forming die having a plurality of openings which have a configuration and orientation corresponding with the configuration and orientation of the one or more surface protrusions of the garment material. The garment surface may be softened by application of a source of energy, wherein the source of energy comprises at least two sonotrodes mounted in a rotary drum. At least some of the softened garment surface is positioned into at least one opening of the plurality of openings.

An apparatus for processing yarns includes a first roller set for extending yarn beam; a node generator installed after the first roller set for forming node section of the yarn beam; a first cleaning chamber installed after the node generator for cleaning the yarn beams; a material chamber for adding additive to the yarn beam; a second roller set installed after the material chamber for extending the yarn beam; a first heating chamber installed after the second roller set for thermally setting additives to the yarn beam so that the additives are firmly secured to the yarn of the yarn beam; a third roller set installed after the heating chamber for controlling the heating time of the yarn beam in the first heating chamber; and a fourth roller set installed after the third roller set for winding the yarn beam to a desired shape.

An apparatus for processing yarns includes a first roller set for extending yarn beam; a node generator installed after the first roller set for forming node section of the yarn beam; a first cleaning chamber installed after the node generator for cleaning the yarn beams; a material chamber for adding additive to the yarn beam; a second roller set installed after the material chamber for extending the yarn beam; a first heating chamber installed after the second roller set for thermally setting additives to the yarn beam so that the additives are firmly secured to the yarn of the yarn beam; a third roller set installed after the heating chamber for controlling the heating time of the yarn beam in the first heating chamber; and a fourth roller set installed after the third roller set for winding the yarn beam to a desired shape.

An apparatus for processing yarns includes a first roller set for extending yarn bean; a node generator installed after the first roller set for forming node section of the yarn beam; a first cleaning chamber installed after the node generator for cleaning the yarn beams; a material chamber for adding additive to the yarn beam; a second roller set installed after the material chamber for extending the yarn beam; a first heating chamber installed after the second roller set for thermally setting additives to the yarn beam so that the additives are firmly secured to the yarn of the yarn beam; a third roller set installed after the heating chamber for controlling the heating time of the yarn beam in the first heating chamber; and a fourth roller set installed after the third roller set for winding the yarn beam to a desired shape.

An apparatus for processing yarns includes a first roller set for extending yarn bean; a node generator installed after the first roller set for forming node section of the yarn beam; a first cleaning chamber installed after the node generator for cleaning the yarn beams; a material chamber for adding additive to the yarn beam; a second roller set installed after the material chamber for extending the yarn beam; a first heating chamber installed after the second roller set for thermally setting additives to the yarn beam so that the additives are firmly secured to the yarn of the yarn beam; a third roller set installed after the heating chamber for controlling the heating time of the yarn beam in the first heating chamber; and a fourth roller set installed after the third roller set for winding the yarn beam to a desired shape.

A method for making a fiber reinforcement with variations in transverse cross section is disclosed. The method includes forming a fiber comprising polymeric material and exposing the fiber to a heat treatment, such that at least a portion of the polymeric material at or near said surface of said fiber is at or above the melting point temperature and substantially all of the polymeric material at or near the core is below the melting point temperature. The method further includes cooling the fiber to a temperature below the melting point temperature.

A method for making a fiber reinforcement with variations in transverse cross section is disclosed. The method includes forming a fiber comprising polymeric material and exposing the fiber to a heat treatment, such that at least a portion of the polymeric material at or near said surface of said fiber is at or above the melting point temperature and substantially all of the polymeric material at or near the core is below the melting point temperature. The method further includes cooling the fiber to a temperature below the melting point temperature.