A system for making a nonwoven nonwoven spun-bond or melt-blown fabric has a spinneret for spinning fibers or filaments, a cooler downstream of the spinneret for cooling the spun fibers or filaments, a stretcher downstream of the cooler for stretching the cooled fibers or filaments, and a conveyor downstream of the stretcher. The stretched and cooled fibers or filaments are deposited as a nonwoven web on the conveyor. Sensors measure input parameters at the spinneret, at the cooler, at the stretcher, and/or at at least one diffuser or at the conveyor. An evaluating unit for determining an output parameter from the measured input parameter with respect to a predetermined reference parameter.

In an aspect, provided herein are 3D-printed textiles, such as spacer fabrics. The textiles can have structures and properties that are not possible when made using conventional technologies having knitting, weaving, or sewing needles. For example, the textiles described herein can have variable yarn thickness, variable connectivity between sheets, and even sheets that intersect each other. Also provided herein are methods for making such textiles.

A system for forming a waterproof seam between to sewn materials. The seam is formed using an adhesive coated thread. A thin strip of adhesive is placed between the two materials at the seam line. As the coated thread is sewn into the seam heat and pressure are simultaneously applied, melting the adhesive coating thereby filling the needle punctures. The melted adhesive coating will also flow into the areas between the needle punctures and between the materials. The heat and pressure applied to the coated thread will also melt the adhesive strip, causing additional adhesive to flow into the needle punctures and the areas between needle punctures.

A system for preparing a polylactic acid (PLA) spunbond nonwoven fabric is provided. In particular, the system includes a first PLA source configured to provide a stream of molten or semi-molten PLA resin; a spin beam in fluid communication with the first PLA source, the spin beam configured to extrude and draw a plurality of PLA continuous filaments; a collection surface disposed below an outlet of the spin beam onto which the PLA continuous filaments are deposited to form the PLA spunbond nonwoven fabric; a first ionization source positioned and arranged to expose the PLA continuous filaments to ions; and a calender positioned downstream of the first ionization source.

An applicator mitt assembly system comprises an applicator mitt tooling including: a tooling body having a mitt-perimeter cutter and weld bead thereon which are shaped to a perimeter of an applicator mitt to be cut; a heating element associated with the tooling body, the heating element being shaped so as to match or substantially match a shape of the weld bead so as to create a perimeter weld for the applicator mitt when engaged with the tooling body; and an ejector platen which is actuatable relative to the tooling body to eject a cut and welded mitt away from the tooling body. The system can further comprise a conveyor device adapted to feed uncut and unwelded mitt material towards the applicator mitt tooling and a tooling actuator adapted to actuate the applicator mitt tooling relative to the conveyor device.

The present invention relates to a process for the treatment of technical textiles based on thermoplastic fibers and comprising a coating, such as, in particular, airbags, using the principle of centrifugal decanting to separate the fiber residues and the coating material. The invention also relates to a process for the manufacture of a thermoplastic composition, in particular for molding, obtained by use of the fiber residues as obtained and optionally of reinforcing fillers. The distinguishing feature of this invention is based on the preparation of the fabric devoid of coating, thus resulting in formulations with elevated mechanical performances.

The present disclosure is directed to the use of additive manufacturing, and in particular, a fused deposition modeling (FDM) process, in the production of fabrics. More specifically, the present disclosure is directed to the use of additive manufacturing to fabricate three-dimensional elements on a fabric support structure. Also disclosed are methods for determining the spatial relationship between a fabric support structure and a print head used in additive manufacturing.

A method is provided for producing solid cellulose filaments or films from a solution of cellulose, NMMO (N-methylmorpholine-N-oxide) and water, including pressure-extruding the solution by one or more extrusion openings and by solidifying the filaments or films in a precipitation bath. The solution is guided between the extrusion opening and the precipitation bath by an air gap, the temperature of the solution on the extrusion opening being lower than 105 C. and the pressure difference in the air gap between the pressure of the solution immediately prior to extrusion and after extrusion is between 8 and 40 bar.

Methods, systems, and devices for extrusion-based three-dimensional printing are provided. The methods, systems, and devices allow for the printing materials such as fabrics, clothing, and wearable and/or implantable devices. A number of different enhancements are provided that allow for this improved form of three-dimensional printing, including: (1) printing using a polymer (e.g., cellulose acetate) dissolved in a solvent (e.g., acetone); (2) selectively bonding portions of a deposited filament onto one or more surfaces and/or one or more previously deposited filaments; (3) using particular toolpaths to create a fabric or similar material by creating a woven pattern; and (4) printing across multiple layers even when previous layers are not complete. Other aspects of the present disclosure, including other enhancements and various printer configurations, are also provided.

The present invention relates to a functional fabric, comprising: a substrate layer, said substrate layer including a cloth and a functional layer on said substrate layer, said functional layer including a silica gel masterbatch and anion additives, and having a three-dimensional configuration, wherein said functional layer has a thickness such that said functional fabric is capable of releasing a concentration of 1,000-6,000 anions per cubic centimetre.