Methods and systems are described for continuously densifying at least one nanofiber sheet using heat and an applied force that can include both compressive and tensile components. Nanofiber sheets densified using these techniques have a more uniform and more highly aligned microstructure than nanofiber sheets densified using a solvent alone. As a result, the nanofiber sheets of the present disclosure have, for example, higher tensile strength and better electrical conductivity than nanofiber sheets densified using other techniques.

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.

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.

Methods for treating a garment include: prewashing the garment; drying the garment in a first drying process; spraying a functional chemical onto the dried garment; and applying a curing treatment to the garment to cure the functional chemical. The method may further include drying the garment in a second drying process after spraying the functional chemical onto the garment.

Methods for treating a garment include: prewashing the garment; drying the garment in a first drying process; spraying a functional chemical onto the dried garment; and applying a curing treatment to the garment to cure the functional chemical. The method may further include drying the garment in a second drying process after spraying the functional chemical onto the garment.

The biocomponent fiber functions as a carrier or vehicle for delivering additives to a polymer composition. The bicomponent fiber may be splittable segmented pie or island-in-the-sea construction with the sea being the low melt temperature component and the island being the high melt temperature component. The low melt temperature polymer may be selected from the group consisting of low density polyethylene (LDPE), high density polyethylene (HDPE), polylactic acid (PLA), polyhydroxyalkenoate (PHA), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), polyvinylidene fluoride, polybutylene succinate (PBS), low melt temperature polyethylene terephthalate, polytrimethylene terephthalate (PTT) and low melt temperature nylons. The high melt temperature component polymer is selected from the group consisting of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), co-polyester, polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polyether ether ketones (PEEK), polyphenylene sulfides (PPS), high melt temperature nylon, polylactic acid (PLA), including stereocomplex PLA, namely 100% PDLA, 100% PLLA or a 50/50 blend of 100% PDLA and 100% PLLA.

The biocomponent fiber functions as a carrier or vehicle for delivering additives to a polymer composition. The bicomponent fiber may be splittable segmented pie or island-in-the-sea construction with the sea being the low melt temperature component and the island being the high melt temperature component. The low melt temperature polymer may be selected from the group consisting of low density polyethylene (LDPE), high density polyethylene (HDPE), polylactic acid (PLA), polyhydroxyalkenoate (PHA), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), polyvinylidene fluoride, polybutylene succinate (PBS), low melt temperature polyethylene terephthalate, polytrimethylene terephthalate (PTT) and low melt temperature nylons. The high melt temperature component polymer is selected from the group consisting of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), co-polyester, polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polyether ether ketones (PEEK), polyphenylene sulfides (PPS), high melt temperature nylon, polylactic acid (PLA), including stereocomplex PLA, namely 100% PDLA, 100% PLLA or a 50/50 blend of 100% PDLA and 100% PLLA.

A method and device for controlling the fixation of a treatment material being applied to a thread during a thread treatment process are disclosed. The method comprises performing a thread treatment process, forming part of the thread consuming process, by: i) applying a treatment material to the thread; and ii) applying an amount of energy to the thread to at least partly fix the applied treatment material to the thread; wherein the method further comprises controlling the amount of energy being applied to the thread as a response to a detected operational status of the in-line thread consuming process.

A method and device for controlling the fixation of a treatment material being applied to a thread during a thread treatment process are disclosed. The method comprises performing a thread treatment process, forming part of the thread consuming process, by: i) applying a treatment material to the thread; and ii) applying an amount of energy to the thread to at least partly fix the applied treatment material to the thread; wherein the method further comprises controlling the amount of energy being applied to the thread as a response to a detected operational status of the in-line thread consuming process.

Embodiments of the present disclosure, in one aspect, relate to structures having a polymer composition covalently bonded to the surface of the structure, methods of attaching the polymer to the surface of the structure, methods of decreasing the amount of microorganisms formed on a structure, materials, methods of attaching materials, and the like.