The United States of America As Represented by the Secretary of

Premier Polytronics Ltd.

Michael D Watson

Frederick M Shofner

John G Frick, Jr

Brian W Jones

Betty Jo Shofner

Robbie L Stone

Methods and apparatus for effecting sample-specific cycles for the environmental conditioning of material samples, such as cotton samples, prior to testing; and for the environmental conditioning of testing laboratory space, a sub-space or 'oasis zone' within the testing laboratory space and/or a test zone within a testing machine. A sensor measures at least one material property of the sample, such as moisture content of a cotton sample. Based on the material property, a sample-specific conditioning cycle is determined and effected by driving through the sample a gas flow conditioned as to at least one parameter which affects properties of the sample, such as a temperature, relative humidity, and volume per unit time, and all of which are relevant in the case of a cotton sample. The determined conditioning cycle is a cycle which causes the sample to be conditioned to an optimum state for testing, and includes a sequence of time intervals in which sequence at least one of the selected parameters varies from one time interval to the next. A combination sample conditioning and air conditioning machine includes an environmental chamber for conditioning a sample for testing, and conditioned air discharge ports for directing conditioned air to the testing laboratory space, the oasis zone, and the test zone, as well as a return air port. Gas flow conditioning apparatus directs conditioned gas flows through the environmental conditioning chamber and out through the conditioned air discharge port.

Environmental conditioning methods and apparatus for improved materials

A cellulosic fabric is treated with a crosslinking agent selected from the group consisting of: an adduct from an amide and glyoxal, an acetal derived from a dialdehyde and an aldehyde other than formaldehyde and an acidic catalyst. The catalyst and crosslinking agent is of sufficient amount and concentration to impregnate the fabric and produce wrinkle-resistance and smooth-drying finishes when dried from about 3-10 minutes at from about 60.degree.-100.degree. C. and then cured from about 1-5 minutes at from about 120.degree.-180.degree. C. The resultant fabric is then dyed.

Dyed wrinkle-resistant and durable-press cotton fabrics

Growing community of inventors

Raleigh, NC, United States of America

Michael D Watson