The application discloses a tape for stitchless joining of fabric sections. In some embodiments the tape is heat activated and includes a thermostable liner and a layer of dry latex of polyurethane with a crosslinker. Methods of manufacturing and using the tape are also disclosed.

An elongated device to seal an edge of a substrate has an elongated flexible linear form capable of rolling, akin to a tape. The tape has its own substrate encapsulated by a polyurethane coating. Upon application of heat, the tape welds to a base layer of a fabric, such as nylon. The tape continuously merges into the base and thus prevents intrusion of fluids and gasses through any stitching or other apertures of the base, including any pathogens, microbes, and viruses in the fluids and gasses. The tape resists over forty washings of the conjoined base part of a garment made from the fabric. The tape has proportions that promote a tight seal of the base and comfortable feel to the skin of a wearer of a garment having the tape upon the fabric.

Various examples are provided related to attachment of tape or strips of material along a seam of a garment or other material. In one example, among others, a robotic system includes a joining device that can attach a tape or strip of material across a seam, a loading system that can position material with the seam for attachment of the tape or strip of material, a seam feed system that can adjust positioning of the material for attachment, and a tape handling system that can supply the tape or strip of material to the joining head of the joining device for attachment across the seam. A tape handling system can include a tape joining assembly that can receive tape or strip of material from a current tape cartridge and bond it to the tape or strip of material clamped by the tape joining assembly.

The product manufactured according to the method is waterproof and provided with a cavity, such as a glove, shoe, or a backpack. Initially, a structure is made in the shape of the product by stitching portions of a laminated material attached together by corresponding seams. The stitched structure is then turned inside out and a thermally-curable silicone compound material, in uncured liquid state, is applied on the seams. The structure with applications is then simultaneously subjected to heating with a curing temperature of the material, and to a vacuum operation with pumping means that suck in air from outside the structure with applications into the structure and extract it outside. The invention also relates to a system for manufacturing according to the method.

A garment assembly system including a fixture including an opening, an abutment surface formed in either the fixture or a housing disposable on the fixture, and a carrier. The carrier is disposable in the opening. The carrier is moveable between a retracted position and an extended position. In the extended position, the carrier is configured to press an open first joint of a tubular component disposed on the carrier and an open second joint of a base component disposed on the fixture together against the abutment surface.

A device for connecting two or more pieces of fabric. The devices is formed as a bonding strip having a base and a plurality of spikes extending from the base. The bonding strip is formed of a material having a forming temperature that is lower than that of the fabric to be bonded. To bond the two or more pieces of fabric, the spikes are pushed through the fabric. The spikes are then formed at a temperature that is at least as high as the forming temperature of the bonding strip but lower than the forming temperature of the fabric. The forming can be performed so that the spikes bend over and press against the fabric. The spikes can be arranged on first and second rows along the bonding strip, and the forming can be performed such that spikes from the first strip connect with spikes of the second strip.

An article of clothing includes a first fabric layer having an inner surface and an outer surface. The article of clothing also includes a second fabric layer having an inner surface and an outer surface. The article of clothing further includes a silicone layer embedded with at least one of the inner surface of the first fabric layer and the inner surface of the second fabric layer, and thereby joining the first fabric layer and the second fabric layer. The article of clothing includes a first zone of a first thickness and a second zone of a second thickness. The first thickness is greater than the second thickness, and the first zone is disposed along an edge of the article of clothing while the second zone is disposed further away from the edge than the first zone.

Embodiments provide apparel products. The apparel products each include a major component forming a base portion of the apparel product. The major component is configured to be supported and worn at least partially over a portion of a wearer. The apparel product includes a minor component forming a secondary portion configured to be coupled to the major component. An adhesive is disposed at least partially between a portion of the major component and a portion of the minor component. The adhesive includes a polymer having a cyclodextrin moiety bonded to an azobenzene moiety.

The present invention relates to an elongated elastic seam tape comprising an elongated elastic conductor as well as to a method of manufacturing such an elongated elastic seam tape.

Clothes includes: fabrics having a stretchability; and a joined part where the fabrics are fixed together using an adhesive. A difference between a stress of the joined part at 50% elongation in a longitudinal direction of the joined part and a stress of the fabrics fixed by the joined part at 50% elongation in a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of the joined part is within 30%.