A fabric-contact device includes a first contact section having a first contact face on a first upper side, a second contact section having a second contact face on an underside facing the first contact section, and a retaining device. The first contact face faces the second contact section and the first contact section is connected to the second contact section on a first side of the first contact section. The retaining device has a first retaining element connected to a second side of the first contact section at a first fixed end. The first retaining element is guided laterally past the second contact section by a first section of the first retaining element bordering the first fixed end. A second section of the first retaining element bordering the first section on a side opposite the first fixed end engages behind the second contact section and affixes the second contact section to the first contact section.

A flexible heating apparatus can heat a heated body. The flexible heating apparatus includes a flexible carrier, a heating unit and a control module. The heating unit is at least one layer arranged inside the flexible carrier. The control module is arranged inside the flexible carrier and is electrically connected to the heating unit. Moreover, the control module is connected to an external electric apparatus, and is controlled by the external electric apparatus to control the heating unit to proceed a heating control to the heated body.

Knitmorphs and methods of knitmophing include knitting one or more yarn materials into knitted structure having a first shape. A thermal load may then be applied to all or part of the knitted structure to deform the knitted structure into a second shape. The thermal load can be removed to return the knitted structure to the first shape or a hardening agent can be applied to lock the knitted structure in the second shape.

A flexible heating device for hair shaping is disclosed. The flexible heating device in the form of a sheet, for hair shaping, comprises a heating layer comprising at least one flexible heater which can be supplied with electrical power, a flexible heat conductive layer provided on one surface of the heating layer, and a flexible heat insulation layer provided on the other surface of the heating layer, wherein the device is capable of forming an occlusive or closed space around the hair.

Active fabrics can be created by combining active and passive materials. Active materials with shape memory or other actuation characteristics can generate compression or dynamic fit, and the level of compression and/or change in fit can be determined by setting a knit index, wire diameter, and garment ease, or fit in relation to the body. Maximum compression can be set not only by varying physical properties of the knit structure but by built-in circuit breaking technologies, or by segmentation and control of the garment by a controller. In some embodiments, additive manufacturing can be combined with traditional textile equipment (e.g., circular knitting machine). Uniquely functional or active textiles can be made from additively manufactured, heterogeneous filaments. Yarn-like filament with varying properties (such as elasticity, stiffness, conductivity, activation, or surface properties) can be additively manufactured. This filament can be formed into a textile or garment with functional properties that are a results of emergent interactions between the heterogeneous filament components.

An electrical connection assembly includes a cable having a conductor, a metallic textile in electrical contact with the conductor, and a crimp element creating a pressure between the conductor and the metallic textile.

A knitted structure is configured for heat generation and distribution. In some embodiments, the knitted structure includes a knitted fabric including a first knitted layer and a second knitted layer opposite the first knitted layer. The first knitted layer has a first thermal conductivity. The second knitted layer has a second thermal conductivity. The second thermal conductivity is greater than the first thermal conductivity to facilitate heat transfer toward the first knitted layer. The knitted structure may further include a plurality of electrodes at least partially disposed inside the knitted fabric. Each of the plurality of electrodes is configured to generate heat within the knitted fabric upon receipt of electrical energy in order to distribute heat along the knitted structure and toward the first knitted layer.

A portable heating apparatus includes a top layer and a bottom layer connected to the top layer to form a cavity. An electric heating element is disposed within the cavity, and a temperature-retaining component, such as a gel layer, is affixed within the cavity adjacent to the electric heating element and adjacent to the top layer. A power cord is in electrical communication with the electric heating element and connectable to a power source to provide power to the electric heating element, the power cord detachable from the portable heating apparatus. The temperature-retaining component is capable of retaining heat generated by the electric heating element and creating a generally uniform distribution of heat across the top layer.

A knitted spacer fabric has a first warp-knitted layer having wales running in a production direction and rows of stitches extending in a transverse direction, a second warp-knitted layer also having wales running in a production direction and rows of stitches extending in a transverse direction. Spacer yarns connect the knitted layers, and at least one of the knitted layers are composed of nonconductive yarns and conductive yarns. The conductive yarns are incorporated into the one knitted layer in some areas in a functional region extending in a production direction and resting on the respective knitted layer in a connection region that extends over a plurality of rows of stitches as a float stitch.

An electrical active unit (100) for generating a physical effect such as heat, cold or light emission, with a particular application to a temperature regulation system for regulating the temperature of a body, or to a light emission system to be worn by such a portion of a body. The electrical active unit (100) comprises a textile support (102) supporting: an active element (101) adapted for generating said physical effect; at least one electrical connection point (104) adapted to be connected to a power source and a controlling unit, and located on said active element (101); a sensor (106) adapted for being connected to the power source and the controlling unit, such that the electrical active unit may be connected to the power source and the controlling unit via the connection point in order to allow the powering of the active element by the power source and the activation/deactivation of said active element by the controlling unit depending on data sensed by the sensor. The textile support (102) has a first face and a second face opposite to said first face, the at least one connection point (104) being located solely on the first face, the active element (101) being embedded in the textile support (102) so as to form a determined pattern on the first and second faces. The pattern can avoid electrical current discharged from the connection points (104) through the second face, thereby avoiding direct contact between the skin and hot spots located at connection points (104).