Innovations in Fibres, Textiles, Apparel and Machinery - February 2008 edition

Innovations in Fibres, Textiles, Apparel and Machinery - February 2008 edition

SUMMARY
DEVELOPMENTS IN FIBRES
Dow XLA stretch fibre is being used in the 2(x)ist liquid cotton collection
Wheat protein fibres: a biodegradable alternative to wool?
DEVELOPMENTS IN YARNS
Teijin has developed a polyester false-twist yarn with long lasting antistatic properties
DEVELOPMENTS IN FABRICS
Textured patterns on textiles using heat shrunk yarns and printing machinery
Fabric for moisture management and thermal insulation
DEVELOPMENTS IN APPAREL
A new smart bra detects breast cancer
Two Taiwan-based inventors have developed a computer process for creating a virtual mannequin
Computer program which corrects garment manufacturing measurements to allow for shrinkage
DEVELOPMENTS IN OTHER TEXTILE PRODUCTS
Sumitex has teamed up with Toppan Printing to develop a washable integrated circuit tag for linens
and uniforms
A protective shield for stain protection
DEVELOPMENTS IN TEXTILE TREATMENTS AND FINISHES
Spraying or impregnating fabrics with solution containing titanium powder for health enhancing effects
Toray NanoMatrix nanoscale finishing technology
Yonex anti-pollen fabrics
Anti-crease treatment for textiles
Treatment for wool to reduce shrinkage and improve abrasion resistance
Removing oligomers from polyester fibres
DEVELOPMENTS IN DYEING AND PRINTING
Improved heat transfer of coloured patterns to fabrics
Using a diluent to digitally print two-sided textiles
Discharge printing method for fabrics dyed with indigo or sulphur dyes
Electronic transmission of colour data
DEVELOPMENTS IN TEXTILE MACHINERY
Control of lint around textile machinery List of tables
Table 1: Examples of diluent formulations for pigmented inks, dye-based inks and reactive dye-based inks
for use in digital printing
List of figures
Figure 1: Device for collecting lint from moving yarns

Innovations enable firms to differentiate their products and improve their competitiveness. Dow’s novel
olefinic stretch fibre is being used in designer underwear by 2(x)ist. Fibres made from wheat protein
resemble wool in character but are biodegradable and much cheaper. Teijin Fibers has a
multifilament antistatic polyester yarn, while Malden Mills (Polartec) has a new moisture management
fabric for sportswear using plaited polyester for moisture transport and a refractory carbide for
insulation. A UK university is developing a bra for detecting breast cancer at an early stage.
Taiwanese workers have developed a computerised virtual mannequin which uses data from a body
scanner, and a US inventor has a computer program which enables garment manufacturers to make
allowances for fabric shrinkage. Sumitex and Toppan Printing, meanwhile, have developed a radio
frequency garment tag for industrial laundries.
Several patents provide stain protection in the armpit areas of garments. Phild has invented a method of
reducing perspiration by incorporating titanium particles into underwear while Toray has developed a
nanoscale coating for stain resistance in collars and cuffs. Meanwhile, an anti-crease treatment using a
graft copolymer has been developed in France for cotton fabrics, and a Russian patent describes a way
of reducing shrinkage in wool by forming a polymer in situ within the fibres.
Nicca has a method for removing residual oligomer from polyester fibres and processing equipment
using a surfactant blend, while a British researcher has developed a device for collecting lint from
the area around knitting machinery.
Digital printing features in a number of patents. A US researcher has developed a novel printing
technique for producing textured patterns on household and automotive polyester upholstery using
heat-shrunk yarns. Reflex Holding in Norway has a new heat transfer technique for applying high
resolution prints on to textiles. Meanwhile, J-Teck3, an Italian company, has come up with an
ingenious method for obtaining two-sided textiles using digital printing.
Matsui Shikiso has developed a discharge printing technique for use on denim fabrics dyed with indigo
or sulphur dyes while Sun Chemical has patented a system for simplifying the transmission of colour
data electronically—thereby helping to avoid misunderstandings and disputes in garment production.