Microfibres, Inc.

David I Walsh

James P Casey

William F Laird

George E Corneau

A pattern is impressed on flocked fabric by applying a patterned cylinder to the flocked surface before the adhesive that retains the flocking has cured. The projections on the cylinder surface tilt the flock fibers contacted by them to a new orientation, thereby forming the pattern in the flocked surface. Subsequent curing of the adhesive preserves the pattern.

Method and apparatus for impressing a pattern on flocked materials

The present invention relates to a method for producing a mixed flock fabric of different filaments in which highly curled filaments are straightened, sized, cut into a length of 0.1 to 0.4 inch and electrostatically flocked with non-sized fibres onto a substrate, so that when the size is removed, there is formed a mixed flock fabric having mixed, stiffened and individual fibres.

Curled flock fabric and method for making same

A continuous in-line flock cutting process is disclosed, for making flock from tow which contains a lubricant which is detrimental to the flock and must be removed. The tow is continuously fed, heat treated and immersed in an aqueous scouring liquid, and is continuously wet-processed. The excess scouring liquid is squeezed out, the tow is rinsed with water, rinse water is squeezed out, and a finish is applied to the tow and partially squeezed out in an in-line continuous process to remove a portion of the applied finish. Thus processed, the still-wet tow is continuously cut into wet flock, the wet flock is then dried and beaten to open up and separate the individual flock particles, and screened.

In-line flock cutting process

A synthetic suede is disclosed comprising a flexible backing having a multiplicity of upstanding flock fibers adhered to the base, and a fatty acid radical cationic softener substantially uniformly distributed over at least portions of the fibers at or near their ends. Typical cationic softeners include the fatty acid quaternary ammonium softeners.

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Barrnington, RI, United States of America

David I Walsh