Invista North America S.a.r.l.

The Lycra Company LLC

Invista Technologies S.a.r.l.

Steven Wayne Smith

Geoffrey David Hietpas

Hong Liu

Willem Bakker

David A Wilson

James B Elmore

Gregory Paul Weeks

Tianyi Liao

Raymond S P Leung

Juan Cera

David A Price, Sr

Dong Wang

Achille Mayelle Bivigou Koumba

Geoffey Davis Hietpas

Andreas J Blab

Lijuan Pi

Richard Terry Wood

Gregory P Weeks

Included are multiple component elastic fibers prepared by a solution-spinning process such as dry spinning or wet spinner of spandex fibers including polyurethaneurea and polyurethane compositions. These fibers have a cross-section including at least two separate regions with definable boundaries wherein at least one region defined by the boundaries of the cross-section includes a polyurethaneurea or polyurethane composition. One region of the fiber includes a fusibility improvement additive to enhance adhesion to itself or to a substrate.

Fusible bicomponent spandex

An elastic multiple component fiber comprising a cross-section, wherein at least a first region of said cross-section comprises a polyurethaneurea composition; and comprising a second region.

Bicomponent spandex

Included are segmented polyurethane elastic fibers or spandex fibers, capable of bonding to polymer fiber such as nylon or polyamide fibers, in addition to bonding to itself, for apparel textile applications. More particularly the invention relates to bicomponent spandex fibers, with a heat resistant core and a heat sensitive sheath, spun from polymer solutions. The nylon fabrics containing such spandex fibers have enhanced stretch performance and improved surface appearance after heat treatment to activate the fusing and bonding between nylon fibers and spandex fibers.

Disclosed herein are spandex fibers having reduced friction. The spandex fibers have a sheath-core cross-section with a lubricating additive is included in the sheath. A fusing additive is optionally included where a coalesced multifilament spandex yarn is desired.

Bicomponent spandex with reduced friction

Disclosed herein are spandex fibers having reduced friction combined to provide a multiple end spandex package. The spandex fibers have a sheath-core cross-section with a lubricating additive is included in the sheath. A fusing additive specifically excluded to avoid coalescence among the individual filaments in the yarn. When combined in a yarn package, the multiple filaments are separable.

Bi-component spandex with separable reduced friction filaments

The invention provides a polyester bicomponent staple fiber comprising poly(trimethylene terephthalate) and at least one polymer selected from the group consisting of poly(ethylene terephthalate), poly(trimethylene terephthalate), and poly(tetramethylene terephthalate) or a combination of such members, said bicomponent staple fiber having:

Scalloped oval bicomponent fibers with good wicking, and high uniformity spun yarns comprising such fibers

The invention provides a bicomponent staple fiber comprising poly(ethylene terephthalate) and poly(trimethylene terephthalate) wherein the bicomponent fiber has a substantially oval cross-section shape having an aspect ratio A:B of about 2:1 to about 5:1 wherein A is a fiber cross-section major axis length and B is a fiber cross-section minor axis length, a polymer interface substantially perpendicular to the major axis, a cross-section configuration selected from the group consisting of side-by-side and eccentric sheath-core, a tenacity at 10% elongation of about 1.1 cN/dtex to about 3.5 cN/dtex, a free-fiber length retention of about 40% to about 85%, and a tow crimp development value of about 30 to 55%, and a spun yarn comprising the bicomponent staple fiber.

Bicomponent fiber and yarn comprising such fiber

The invention provides a woven fabric comprising at least about 18% available stretch in at least a first direction and less than about 5% growth in at least the first direction, wherein the fabric consists essentially of staple fiber yarns in at least the first direction, and wherein the staple fiber yarns comprise poly(ethylene terephthalate) and poly(trimethylene terephthalate) bicomponent staple fiber.

Stretch polyester/cotton spun yarn

Bicomponent fiber and yarn comprising same

A spun yarn of cotton (35 wt %-80 wt %) and a bicomponent staple fiber (20wt%-65wt%) of poly(ethylene terephthalate) and poly(trimethylene terephthalate) based on total weight of the spun yarn. The spun yarn has a total boil-off shrinkage of about 22%. The bicomponent staple fiber component has a tow crimp development value of about 35%-70%; a tow crimp index value of about 14%-45%; a length of about 1.3-5.5 cm; and a linear density of about 0.7-3.0 decitex per fiber. The difference between the crimp index and the crimp development values is about 24%-35% absolute.

Stretch polyster/cotton spun yarn

An apparatus and process for applying finish to an expanded filament array in a quench system with air directed inward to the filament bundle. The applicator may be used inside or proximate quench zones in a radial, pneumatic, or cross-flow quench system. The apparatus includes a spinneret, a quench zone located below said spinneret, wherein cooling gas is directed inward to an expanded filament array inside said quench zone, and an applicator inside or below said quench zone, wherein the applicator contacts the filament and delivers the finish to the expanded filament array.

Growing community of inventors

Waynesboro, VA, United States of America

Steven Wayne Smith