A quick search I found these. I haven't read them so I don't know if they apply or not....
United States Patent 6,858,815
Costin February 22, 2005
Denim designs from laser scribing
and then this one....
United States Patent 6,777,643
Bowker , et al. August 17, 2004
Apparatus and method for laser etching wear patterns into denim pants
....and this one....
United States Patent 6,753,501
Costin, Sr. , et al. June 22, 2004
Processing of textile materials using laser beams and material sized in larger widths
...This one looks interesting
US 6,685,868 in that it describes a way to 'transfer' images to denim without carbonization, burn thru etc. using a laser.
There appears to be a 'lot' of patents concerning lasers and fabrics....
David
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