An article of apparel including insulation material is discussed. The insulation material includes an insulating layer formed of waterfowl fibers and synthetic fibers. The waterfowl fibers are present in an amount of at least 20% by weight of the insulating layer. The insulating layer is generally free of waterfowl plumage.

Laser finishing of apparel products allows an operating model that reduces finishing cost, lowers carrying costs, increases productivity, shortens time to market, be more reactive to trends, reduce product constraints, reduces lost sales and dilution, and more. Improved aspects include design, development, planning, merchandising, selling, making, and delivering. The model uses fabric templates, each of which can be used to produce a multitude of laser finishes. Operational efficiency is improved.

Laser finishing of apparel products allows an operating model that reduces finishing cost, lowers carrying costs, increases productivity, shortens time to market, be more reactive to trends, reduce product constraints, reduces lost sales and dilution, and more. Improved aspects include design, development, planning, merchandising, selling, making, and delivering. The model uses fabric templates, each of which can be used to produce a multitude of laser finishes. Operational efficiency is improved.

A fabric has enhanced response characteristics for laser finishing. The fabric can be denim for denim apparel such as jeans. Software and lasers are used to finish apparel made of the fabric to produce a desired wear or distressing pattern or other design. The fabric allows for relatively fast color change in response to the laser, color changes in hue from indigo blue to white, many grayscale levels, and maintains strength and stretch properties. A method used to make the fabric includes spinning, dyeing, and weaving yarns in such a way to obtain the desired enhanced response characteristics for laser finishing.

A fabric has enhanced response characteristics for laser finishing. The fabric can be denim for denim apparel such as jeans. Software and lasers are used to finish apparel made of the fabric to produce a desired wear or distressing pattern or other design. The fabric allows for relatively fast color change in response to the laser, color changes in hue from indigo blue to white, many grayscale levels, and maintains strength and stretch properties. A method used to make the fabric includes spinning, dyeing, and weaving yarns in such a way to obtain the desired enhanced response characteristics for laser finishing.

A fibrous nonwoven material which is vertically lapped in its entirety or which includes one or more lapped regions which include vertically lapped fibers provides for padding to be applied to a substrate (e.g., an article of interest such as a handle for sporting equipment or tool, or on the inside of a motorcycle or bicycle helmet, etc.). The skin contacting surface of the nonwoven has regions which are relatively thicker than other regions, and air, sweat, and the like are allowed to easily pass through these regions for cooling, wicking of fluid and enhanced breathability. The lapped nonwoven includes a backing material which helps define the pad shape and which permits securing to a substrate. A hook and loop fastener may be affixed to the lapped nonwoven at the backing material so as to allow retrieval and replacement of the nonwoven on the substrate. An acquisition layer on the surface can be used on the surface of the nonwoven, and a carded consolidated web may be positioned within the nonwoven. The nonwoven may take a variety of shapes including the shape of a strip and the shape of a koozie.

Insulation and filling material that includes a plurality of assemblages of a blend of a plurality of fiber are disclosed. The blend of fibers includes 20 to 80 wt % cellulosic fibers including a phase change material having a fiber size less than 6 denier and a specific latent heat of greater than 20 J/g in a temperature range from 15 to 45 degrees Celsius, and 20 to 80 wt % synthetic polymeric fibers having a fiber size less than 6 denier. The assemblages form three-dimensional structures with internal air spaces. The assemblages may be fiberballs or discrete longitudinally elongated floccules with a relatively open enlarged medial portion and relatively condensed twisted tail portions extending from opposing ends of the medial portion. The insulation or filling material has at least 0.8 clo/oz/sqyd.

Insulation and filling material that includes a plurality of assemblages of a blend of a plurality of fiber are disclosed. The blend of fibers includes 20 to 80 wt % cellulosic fibers including a phase change material having a fiber size less than 6 denier and a specific latent heat of greater than 20 J/g in a temperature range from 15 to 45 degrees Celsius, and 20 to 80 wt % synthetic polymeric fibers having a fiber size less than 6 denier. The assemblages form three-dimensional structures with internal air spaces. The assemblages may be fiberballs or discrete longitudinally elongated floccules with a relatively open enlarged medial portion and relatively condensed twisted tail portions extending from opposing ends of the medial portion. The insulation or filling material has at least 0.8 clo/oz/sqyd.

A ball-shaped light heat generating fiber aggregate and a method for producing the same include a light heat generating material that is sprayed and applied to any one filament or a mixture of two or more filaments selected from the group consisting of a polyamide-based filament, a polyester-based filament, and a polypropylene-based filament, opening and mixing the same to separate the filaments, and producing a ball-shaped fiber aggregate.

A ball-shaped light heat generating fiber aggregate and a method for producing the same include a light heat generating material that is sprayed and applied to any one filament or a mixture of two or more filaments selected from the group consisting of a polyamide-based filament, a polyester-based filament, and a polypropylene-based filament, opening and mixing the same to separate the filaments, and producing a ball-shaped fiber aggregate.