Burlington Industries, Inc.

Edward J Davis

Robert David Jacobs

It is possible to produce denim fabric suitable for manufacture into garments that have the look and feel of washed and tumble dried garments, practiced in a relatively simple and quick manner. Denim fabric is treated to raise the warp yarns so that the warp yarns are adjacent the face of the fabric and positioned so that they can be rubbed and abraded to loosen the surface fibers; and then effecting abrading and rubbing of the tips of the warp crimp so as to duplicate the surface abrasion of washing and tumble drying without making a napped or brushed type finish or face. The abrading action may be practiced by sanding utilizing a fine sandpaper in the range of about 50-100 grit, employing a 9-roll T-Ralph sander with 2 to 6 rolls running at a speed of about 50 ydm. The fabric is lightly singed prior to the raising action, and the raising is accomplished by scouring with a blend of phosphated esters; open-width washing through about 5-10 wash boxes at speeds of about 30-80 yards per minute; effecting first and second rope washings of about 15-25 minutes each, the first at about 180.degree. F. and the second at about 140.degree. F.; drying under tension; finishing utilizing wetters and softeners; and Sanforizing.RTM. (compressively shrinking). After the abrading step, the fabric is shrunk to stabilize it to a 0-2 percent warp shrinkage range.

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Dunn, NC, United States of America

Edward J Davis