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Apparatus and method for hydroenhancing fabric

a technology of hydroentanglement and fabric, applied in the direction of lighting and heating apparatus, drying machines, drying machines, etc., can solve the problems of not developing apparatus and process line technology which achieves production line efficiency, fails to suggest or teach a hydroentanglement process that can be employed, and conventional processes have not proved entirely satisfactory in yielding uniform fabric enhancement. , to achieve the effect of uniform finish

Inactive Publication Date: 2008-06-10
BBA NONWOVENS SIMPSONVILLE
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0027]In the present invention, these purposes, as well as others which will be apparent, are achieved generally by providing an apparatus and a related method for hydroenhancing woven and knit fabrics through dynamic fluid action. A hydroenhancing module is employed in the invention in which the fabric is supported on a member and impacted with a fluid curtain under controlled process energies. Enhancement of the fabric is effected by entanglement and intertwining of yarn fibers at cross-over points in the fabric weave or knit. Fabrics enhanced in accordance with the invention have a uniform finish and improved characteristics, such as, edge fray, drape, stability, wrinkle recovery, abrasion resistance, fabric weight and thickness.
[0028]According to the preferred method of the invention, the woven or knit fabric is advanced on a process line through a weft straightener to two in-line fluid modules for first and second stage fabric enhancement. Top and bottom sides of the fabric are respectively supported on members in the modules and impacted by fluid curtains to impart a uniform finish to the fabric. Preferred support members are fluid pervious, include open areas of approximately 25%, and have fine mesh patterns which permit fluid passage without imparting a patterned effect to the fabric. It is a feature of the invention to employ support members in the modules which include fine mesh patterned screens which are arranged in offset relation with respect to the process line. This offset orientation limits fluid streaks and eliminates reed marking in processed fabrics.

Problems solved by technology

However, conventional processes have not proved entirely satisfactory in yielding uniform fabric enhancement.
The art has also failed to develop apparatus and process line technology which achieves production line efficiencies.
However, Willbanks fails to suggest or teach a hydroentangling process that can be employed to uniformly enhance fabric characteristics.

Method used

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  • Apparatus and method for hydroenhancing fabric
  • Apparatus and method for hydroenhancing fabric
  • Apparatus and method for hydroenhancing fabric

Examples

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examples i-xiii

[0066]FIGS. 3-15 illustrate representative woven and knit fabrics enhanced in accordance with the method of the invention, employing test conditions which simulate the line of FIG. 1. Table II sets forth specifications for the fabrics illustrated in the drawings.

[0067]As in the FIG. 1 line, the test manifolds 30 were spaced approximately 8 inches apart in modules 16, 18, and provided with densely packed columnar jet orifices 32 of approximately 60 / inch. Orifices 32 each had a diameter of 0.005 inches and were spaced approximately 0.5 inches from the first and second support members 22, 34.

[0068]The process line of FIG. 1 includes enhancement modules 16, 18 which, respectively, are provided with six manifolds. In the Examples, modules 16, 18 were each fitted with two manifolds 34. To simulate line conditions, the fabrics were advanced through multiple runs on the line. Three processing runs in each two manifold module was deemed to be equivalent to a six manifold module.

[0069]Fabrics...

example xiv

[0097]A plain woven 100% polyester fabric comprised of friction spun yarn having the following specifications was processed in accordance with the inventive: count of 16×10 yarns / in2, weight of 8 ounces / yd2, an abrasion resistance of 500 grams (measured by 50 cycles of a CS17 abrasion test wheel) and an air permeability of 465 ft3 / ft2 / min.

[0098]The fabric was processed on a test line to simulate a speed of 300 ft / min. on process apparatus including four drums 42 and eighteen nozzles 16 at a pressure of approximately 1500 psi. Energy output to fabric at these process parameters was approximately 0.46 hp-hr / lb. Table XII sets forth control and processed characteristics of the fabric.

[0099]

TABLE XII100% Polyester Friction Spun FabricFabric CharacteristicControlProcessedCount (yarns / in.2)16 × 1017 × 10Weight (ounces / yd.2)88.2Abrasion resistance (cycles)5085Air permeability (ft3ft2 / min.)465181

examples xv

AND XVI

[0100]The process conditions of Example XIV were employed to process a plain woven cotton osnaburg and plain woven polyester ring spun fabrics yielding the results set forth in Tables XIV and XV.

[0101]

TABLE XVPlain Woven Cotton OsnaburgFabric CharacteristicControlProcessedCount (yarns / in.2)32 × 2632 × 32Abrasion resistance (cycles)140344Air permeability (ft3ft2 / min.)710120

[0102]

TABLE XIVFabric CharacteristicControlProcessedCount (yarns / in.2)44 × 2848 × 32Abrasion resistance (cycles)100225Air permeability (ft.3 / ft2 / min.)252 63

[0103]Fabrics processed in Examples XIV-XVI are characterized by a substantial reduction in air permeability and increase in abrasion resistance. Process energy levels in these Examples were approximately 0.46 hp-hr / lb. It has been discovered that there is a correlation between process energy and enhancement. Increased energy levels yield optimum enhancement effects.

[0104]The foregoing Examples illustrate applications of the hydroenhancing process of the ...

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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.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Ser. Nos. 07 / 041,542 and 07 / 184,350, respectively filed Apr. 23, 1987; and Apr. 21, 1988, and now both abandoned.FIELD OF INVENTION[0002]This invention generally relates to a textile finishing process for upgrading the quality of woven and knit fabrics. More particularly, it is concerned with a hydroentangling process which enhances woven and knit fabrics through use of dynamic fluid jets to entangle and cause fabric yarns to bloom. Fabrics produced by the method of the invention have enhanced surface finish and improved characteristics such as cover, abrasion resistance, drape, stability as well as reduced air permeability, wrinkle recovery, seam slippage, and edge fray.BACKGROUND ART[0003]The quality of a woven or knit fabric can be measured by various properties, such as, the yarn count, thread count, abrasion resistance, cover, weight, yarn bulk, yarn bloom, torque resistance, wrinkle...

Claims

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Application Information

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Patent Type & Authority Patents(United States)
IPC IPC(8): D04H1/46D06C29/00
CPCD04H1/492D04H3/11D04H18/04D06C29/00
Inventor STERNLIEB, HERSCHELSIEGEL, JODIE M.GREENWAY, JOHN M.
Owner BBA NONWOVENS SIMPSONVILLE
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