Yarns are described herein which, in some embodiments, comprise plies or single strands dyed with at least one vat dyestuff yielding a tweed or heathered appearance. In one aspect, a yarn comprises a first ply and a second ply each dyed with at least one vat dyestuff, wherein a difference in color depth (DL*) between the dyed first single strand and the dyed second single strand has an absolute value of at least 2 when the vat dyestuff is in an oxidized state. As described further herein, the first ply and the second ply are dyed in the same dyebath. In another aspect, a yarn comprises a first ply and a second ply each dyed with at least one vat dyestuff, wherein a reflectance ration between the second ply and the first ply ranges from 0.05 to 0.95.

A process and system for forming an apparel fabric having a predetermined requisite optical colour and pattern effect and predetermined physical fabric properties are disclosed. The process comprises the steps of: (1) providing a first plurality of n yarn; (ii) providing at least one further plurality of m yarn; and (iii) knitting the first plurality of n yarn with the at least one further plurality of m yarn by way of a knitting process to form a multi-ply apparel fabric; wherein each yarn is formed from a plurality of fibers formed from a polymeric material, wherein the fibers are formed from a dope dyeing process and wherein the fibers are colored during the dope dyeing process; wherein upon knitting the first plurality of n yarn with the at least one further plurality of m yarn to form the multi-ply apparel fabric, the apparel fabric is formed having the predetermined requisite optical colour and pattern effect devoid of optically detectable variants in the requisite optical colour and pattern effect; and wherein the first plurality of n yarn and the at least one further plurality of m yarn are selected to provide the predetermined requisite optical colour and pattern effect and the predetermined physical fabric properties.

A color-changing product includes a fabric and a connection bus disposed along at least a portion of the fabric. The fabric includes a plurality of color-changing fibers. Each of the plurality of color-changing fibers has an electrically conductive core and a coating disposed around and along the electrically conductive core. The coating includes a color-changing pigment. The connection bus has a multi-layer structure including a metallic foil layer and a film layer. The metallic foil layer forms a weld between at least a subset of the plurality of color-changing fibers so that current can flow through the connection bus and into the electrically conductive core of at least the subset of the plurality of color-changing fibers. The film layer at least partially isolates the weld from a surrounding environment.

Method for manufacturing yarn, wherein said yarn comprises a plurality of continuous filaments, wherein said method comprises at least the following steps: the step of spinning, preferably melt spinning, a plurality of continuous filaments; andthe step of treating said plurality of continuous filaments by means of a pressurized fluid supplied by two or more nozzles, and wherein one or more of said nozzles deliver said fluid at a varying pressure and/or rate and/or temperature.

Disclosed is a retro-reflective fabric, having an inner surface and an outer surface; one or more strands of retro-reflective yarn incorporated into the fabric; and a reflective ink coupled to the outer surface of the fabric. Also provided is a method of making a retro-reflective fabric, including: providing a coated retro-reflective yarn; incorporating the coated retro-reflective yarn into the weave or knit of a fabric; and disposing a reflective ink into an outward facing surface of the fabric.

Rare earth ceramic pigment luminescent nano-particle photon markers are mixed in specific proportions within cellulose slurry and extruded to form trace fiber strands. The trace fiber strands are processed into slivers and are blended with a base fiber or fibers at specific concentration levels. The number and proportion of different photon markers and their concentration levels within the yarn, thread, cloth, fabric, textile or garment generate specific photonic response signatures when examined under a spectrophotometer reader. Signatures may be assigned representing provenance, base fiber identification, base fiber concentration, the manufacturer, and/or other data throughout the manufacturing and supply chain of a finished product.

A dyeing and welding process may be configured to convert a substrate into a welded substrate having at least some color imparted thereto via a dye and/or coloring agent by applying a process solvent having a dye and/or coloring agent therein to the substrate, wherein the process solvent interrupts one or more intermolecular force between one or more component in the substrate. The substrate may be configured as a natural fiber, such as cellulose, hemicelluloses, and silk. The process solvent may include a binder, such as dissolved biopolymer (e.g., cellulose). After application of a process solvent comprised of a dye and/or coloring agent, the substrate may be exposed to a second application of a process solvent comprised of a binder, which second application may occur before or after a process temperature/pressure zone, process solvent recovery zone, and/or drying zone.

Systems for producing M bundles of filaments, wherein M?1, include N extruders, M spin stations, and a processor, wherein N>1. Each extruder includes a thermoplastic polymer having a color, hue, and/or dyability characteristic, which are different from each other. Each spin station produces N bundles of filaments that form a yarn. Each spin station comprises N spinnerets through which filaments are spun from molten polymers streams received by the respective spin station and N spin pumps upstream of the N spinnerets for the respective spin station. Each spin pump is paired with one of the N extruders. The processor is in electrical communication with the N*M spin pumps and is configured to adjust the volumetric flow rate of the polymers pumped from each spin pump to achieve a ratio of the polymers to be included in the yarn from each spin station.

A method for manufacturing a color-changing product using an electrical connectorization system including an ultrasonic welder includes providing a fabric to the electrical connectorization system where the fabric includes a plurality of color-changing fibers, providing a connection bus to the electrical connectorization system, and operating the electrical connectorization system to move the fabric and the connection bus into engagement with the ultrasonic welder to generate one or more welds between the connection bus and at least a subset of the plurality of color-changing fibers as the fabric and the connection bus pass the ultrasonic welder.

Rare earth ceramic pigment luminescent nano-particle photon markers are mixed in specific proportions within cellulose slurry and extruded to form trace fiber strands. The trace fiber strands are processed into slivers and are blended with a base fiber or fibers at specific concentration levels. The number and proportion of different photon markers and their concentration levels within the yarn, thread, cloth, fabric, textile or garment generate specific photonic response signatures when examined under a spectrophotometer reader. Signatures may be assigned representing provenance, base fiber identification, base fiber concentration, the manufacturer, and/or other data throughout the manufacturing and supply chain of a finished product.