Apparatus and method for hydroenhancing fabric
AssigneeInternational Paper Company
InventorsHerschel Sternlieb, Jodie M. Siegel, John M. Greenway
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus 10 and related process for enhancement of woven and knit fabrics through use of dynamic fluids which entangle and bloom fabric yarns. A two stage enhancement process is employed in which top and bottom sides of the fabric are respectively supported on members 22, 34 and impacted with a fluid curtain including high pressure jet streams. Controlled process energies and use of support members 22, 34 having open areas 26, 36 which are aligned in offset relation to the process line produces fabrics having a uniform finish and improved characteristics including, edge fray, drape, stability, abrasion resistance, fabric weight and thickness.
Claims41
A method for enhancing and finishing textile fabrics including spun and/or spun filament yarns which intersect at cross-over points, and first and second sides, the fabric including yarn fibers having deniers and lengths in the range of 0.3 to 16.0 and 0.5 to 8 inches, respectively, and yarn counts in the range of 0.5s to 80s, the method comprising the steps of:
- supporting the fabric on a first support member, and
- traversing the first side of said fabric with a first continuous curtain of fluid for sufficient duration to effect entanglement of said yarns at the cross-over points, thereby enhancing fabric cover and quality,
- said curtain of fluid impacting the fabric with an energy in the range 0.1 and 2.0 hp-hr/lb.
An enhanced woven or knit textile fabric which comprises:
- spun and/or spun filament yarns which intersect at cross-over points to define interstitial open areas, said yarns including fibers having deniers and lengths in the range of 0.3 to 16.0 and 0.5 to 8 inches, respectively, wherein said yarns are fluid entangled in said interstitial open areas by application of fluid energy in the range of 0.1 to 2.0 hp-hr/lb.
A method for hydrobonding woven or knit fabric materials to form a composite textile fabric, the fabric including spun and/or spun filament yarns in a structured pattern including yarns which intersect at cross-over points, the method comprising the steps of:
- napping first and second surfaces of the fabric to raise surface fibers thereof,
- arranging said first and second surfaces in opposing and overlying layered relation,
- supporting the layered fabric on a support member, and
- traversing one side of said layered fabric with a first continuous curtain of fluid for sufficient duration to effect entanglement of said raised surface fibers in said first and second surfaces,
- said curtain of fluid impacting the fabric with an energy in the range 0.1 and 2.0 hp-hr/lb.
An enhanced composite woven or knit textile fabric which comprises:
- at least two fabric layers which each include spun and/or spun filament yarns in a structured pattern of yarns which intersect at cross-over points, said fabric layers including first and second napped surfaces which have raised surface fibers, said napped surfaces being arranged in overlying and opposed relation and bonded together by dynamic fluid energy through entanglement of said raised surface fibers in said first and second surfaces.
An apparatus for enhancing and finishing woven and knit fabric including spun and/or spun filament yarn by impacting the fabric with pressurized fluid jets, the fabric including yarns which intersect at cross-over points, and first and second sides, the apparatus comprising:
- conveyor means for conveying the fabric in a machine direction ("MD") through a production line including a first enhancing station, said conveying means supporting a first support member which underlies the fabric in said enhancing station;
- curtain means spaced from said first support member for directing a curtain of fluid onto the first side of the fabric, said curtain means including a plurality of densely spaced orifices which eject high pressure fluid jets;
- said curtain means coacting with said first support member to entangle fabric yarns at the cross-over points, enhancing fabric cover and imparting a uniform finish to the fabric.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.