An apparatus and method for applying one or more materials, such as one or more additive materials, to a substrate. The substrate may be a fabric, fiber or yarn but not limited thereto. The apparatus includes an array of a plurality of applicators arranged in proximity to the substrate while the substrate is moving or in a static position. The applicators are arranged to deliver a mixture of one or more materials and a material delivery vehicle to the substrate sufficient to bond at least a portion of the one or more materials into the substrate or adhere the one or more materials to the surface of the substrate. The material delivery vehicle may be air. The applicators include nozzles configured to generate a dispersion pattern that provides substantially uniform and substantially complete coverage of the one or more materials onto and/or in the substrate. The apparatus may include an optional heater to warm the substrate to improve adhesion of the one or more materials on and into the substrate.

Processes are disclosed which substantially eliminate the formation of oxidized indigo dye before and during dye application onto a natural fiber yarn or fabric while allowing the leuco-indigo dye molecule to diffuse fully into the natural fibers of the yarn where it can fix to the fibers prior to oxidation (i.e., exposure of the leuco-dyed yarns to oxygen). Indigo dyed textile products (e.g., dyed cotton yarns that may be twill woven to form a denim fabric) exhibit exceptionally high colorfastness as determined by the AATCC Crock Test.

Processes and apparatus are disclosed which substantially eliminate the formation of oxidized indigo dye before and during dye application onto a natural fiber yarn or fabric while allowing the leuco-indigo dye molecule to diffuse fully into the natural fibers of the yarn where it can fix to the fibers prior to oxidation (i.e., exposure of the leuco-dyed yarns to oxygen). Indigo dyed textile products (e.g., dyed cotton yarns that may be twill woven to form a denim fabric) exhibit exceptionally high colorfastness as determined by the AATCC Crock Test.

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.

Processes and apparatus are disclosed which substantially eliminate the formation of oxidized indigo dye before and during dye application onto a natural fiber yarn or fabric while allowing the leuco-indigo dye molecule to diffuse fully into the natural fibers of the yarn where it can fix to the fibers prior to oxidation (i.e., exposure of the leuco-dyed yarns to oxygen). Indigo dyed textile products (e.g., dyed cotton yarns that may be twill woven to form a denim fabric) exhibit exceptionally high colorfastness as determined by the AATCC Crock Test.

Processes and apparatus are disclosed which substantially eliminate the formation of oxidized indigo dye before and during dye application onto a natural fiber yarn or fabric while allowing the leuco-indigo dye molecule to diffuse fully into the natural fibers of the yarn where it can fix to the fibers prior to oxidation (i.e., exposure of the leuco-dyed yarns to oxygen). Indigo dyed textile products (e.g., dyed cotton yarns that may be twill woven to form a denim fabric) exhibit exceptionally high colorfastness as determined by the AATCC Crock Test.

The present invention relates to a method of producing a coating liquid impregnated sheet-like reinforcing fiber bundle formed by applying a coating liquid to a sheet-like reinforcing fiber bundle that is unidirectionally arranged continuous reinforcing fibers long in one direction. The present invention provides a production method and a coating device of a coating liquid impregnated sheet-like reinforcing fiber bundle, wherein the method and device can effect continuous running without clogging of generated fuzz even at a high running speed and effect efficient impregnation of a coating liquid into the sheet-like reinforcing fiber bundle. The present invention relates to a method of producing a coating liquid impregnated sheet-like reinforcing fiber bundle, including allowing a sheet-like reinforcing fiber bundle, which is unidirectionally arranged reinforcing fibers, to pass substantially vertically downward through the inside of a coating section storing a coating liquid, whereby the method provides the sheet-like reinforcing fiber bundle with the coating liquid; wherein the coating section includes a liquid pool and a narrowed section which are in communication with each other; wherein the liquid pool has a portion whose cross-sectional area decreases continuously along a running direction of the sheet-like reinforcing fiber bundle, and wherein the narrowed section has a slit-like cross-section and has a smaller cross-sectional area than the top side of the liquid pool.

The present invention relates to a process for depositing at least a culture of microorganisms to an elongated element, preferably a yarn, comprising the steps of: providing at least a first feeding device comprising at least a first outlet; supplying at least one elongated element to said at least first feeding device; feeding to said first outlet at least a first culture comprising at least one microorganism; dispensing said first culture from said at least first outlet; contacting at least part of said elongated element with said first culture of microorganisms, to provide at least a part of said elongated element with an amount of said first culture of microorganisms.

Particular techniques involve a device for wetting multiple threads with a fluid, and a dosing pump which is connected to the wetting means by multiple conveying lines. The dosing pump has multiple conveying means for generating multiple dosing flows of the fluid and has multiple pump outlets, to which the delivery lines are connected. The conveying means are formed by at least one planetary gear set arranged between housing plates. To achieve, as far as possible, a uniform throughflow without a significant dead space volume, multiple planet gears of the planetary gear set are guided freely by a centering plate between adjacent housing plates. The planet gears of the planetary gear set have in each case one passage opening, which are connected by a channel system to a central pump inlet. It is thus possible to realize close fits and flushing of gaps.

Particular techniques involve a device for wetting multiple threads with a fluid, and a dosing pump which is connected to the wetting means by multiple conveying lines. The dosing pump has multiple conveying means for generating multiple dosing flows of the fluid and has multiple pump outlets, to which the delivery lines are connected. The conveying means are formed by at least one planetary gear set arranged between housing plates. To achieve, as far as possible, a uniform throughflow without a significant dead space volume, multiple planet gears of the planetary gear set are guided freely by a centering plate between adjacent housing plates. The planet gears of the planetary gear set have in each case one passage opening, which are connected by a channel system to a central pump inlet. It is thus possible to realize close fits and flushing of gaps.