Pleating and laminating

Abstract

A method of producing a laminated, pleated fabric is provided which method comprises passing a first layer of fabric through a pleating machine to form temporary pleats and then feeding the first layer of fabric together with an adhesive material and a second layer of fabric onto a winding roller so that the adhesive layer is disposed between the first layer of fabric (which is formed with the temporary pleats) and the second layer of fabric. The three layers are substantially co-extensive in size. The adhesive material is then activated e.g. with steam or dry heat, so that the first and second layers of fabric are laminated together. The steam or heat also makes the pleats in the first layer of fabric permanent. The method can be operated as a relatively simple, continuous process to produce a laminated, pleated fabric which is visually attractive and comfortable to wear.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.