International Paper Company

Polymer Group, Inc.

Other

Bba Nonwovens Simpsonville, Inc.

Textile Enhancements International, Inc.

Charles Samelson Co.

W. S. Libbey Co.

Greenwood Mills, Inc.

Herschel Sternlieb

Frank E Malaney

J Michael Greenway

Frederick Ty

Jodie M Siegel

Jackson Lawrence

John M Greenway

Paul F Zolin

James T Beaty

Timothy J Connolly

Arlene T Simon

Zoltan Mate

Jack Rogers

Craig Tutterow

D A Parker

Duane A Parker

Gregory Henning

J Steve Hines

An apparatusand 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 membersand impacted with a fluid curtain including high pressure jet streams. Controlled process energies and use of support membershaving open areaswhich 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.

Apparatus and method for hydroenhancing fabric

An apparatus and method for hydroenhancing fabrics is described. The method uses the force of pressurized liquid passing through elongated orifices and impinging on the fabric. The pressurized liquid exits in a coherent or columnar fashion from elongated orifices that are generally rectangular or linear in shape. The elongated orifices can be arranged so as to produce various effects on a web of fabric, including striping, graduated shading and seer-suckering. The elongated orifices also facilitate the hydroenhancement of high-warp-count fabrics without streak or moire effects. Liquid filtration can be relaxed without clogging the orifices, because the elongated orifices permit larger solid objects to pass. The use of elongated orifices also enhances the energy efficiency of the hydroenhancement process.

Method of hydroenhancing fabrics using a shaped orifice

A method for hydroenhancing fabrics is described. The method uses the force of pressurized liquid passing through elongated orifices and impinging on the fabric. The pressurized liquid exits in a coherent or columnar fashion from elongated orifices that are generally rectangular or linear in shape. The elongated orifices can be arranged so as to produce various effects on a web of fabric, including striping, graduated shading and seer-suckering. The elongated orifices also facilitate the hydroenhancement of high-warp-count fabrics without streak or moire effects. Liquid filtration can be relaxed without clogging the orifices, because the elongated orifices permit larger solid objects to pass. The use of elongated orifices also enhances the energy efficiency of the hydroenhancement process.

Method for hydroenhancing fabrics using a shaped orifice

Improvements in Hydroenhancement efficiency are obtained by operating a manifold in relative movement to fabric transported under the manifold so as to deliver a low energy to the fabric per pass in multiple passes on the fabric. This results in greater enhancement efficiency and reduction in wasted energy, and also improves fabric coverage and reduces fabric shrinkage. The low-energy per pass, multiple-pass approach can be implemented with improved hydroenhancing equipment of reduced equipment size and cost which simulate multiple passes on the fabric. Embodiments employ a manifold or manifold system that is reciprocated, oscillated, or rotated to simulate multiple passes on the fabric. Other variations for improving hydroenhancement include angling the manifold at a diagonal to the fabric travel direction, using a high density number of double rows of jets to eliminate interference patterns.

Fabric hydroenhancement method & equipment for improved efficiency

Improvements in hydroenhancement efficiency are obtained by operating a manifold in relative movement to fabric transported under the manifold so as to deliver a low energy to the fabric per pass in multiple passes on the fabric. This results in greater enhancement efficiency and reduction in wasted energy, and also improves fabric coverage and reduces fabric shrinkage. The low-energy-per-pass, multiple-pass approach can be implemented with improved hydroenhancing equipment of reduced equipment size and cost which simulate multiple passes on the fabric. In one embodiment, a jigging hydroenhancing equipment transports the fabric back and forth under a stationary manifold between a pair of unwind/windup reels to simulate multiple passes on the fabric. Other embodiments employ a manifold or manifold system that is reciprocated, oscillated, or rotated to simulate multiple passes on the fabric. Other variations for improving hydroenhancement are disclosed.

Improvements in hydroenhancement efficiency are obtained by operating a manifold in relative movement to fabric transported under the manifold so as to deliver a low energy to the fabric per pass in multiple passes on the fabric. This results in greater enhancement efficiency and reduction in wasted energy, and also improves fabric coverage and reduces fabric shrinkage. The low-energy-per-pass, multiple-pass approach can be implemented with improved hydroenhancing equipment of reduced equipment size and cost which simulate multiple passes on the fabric. In one embodiment, a jigging hydroenhancing equipment transports the fabric back and forth under a stationary manifold between a pair of unwind/windup reels to simulate multiple passes on the fabric. Other embodiments employ a manifold or manifold system that is reciprocated, oscillated, or rotated to simulate multiple passes on the fabric.

Fabric hydroenhancement method and equipment for improved efficiency

A suede-like micro-fibril finish is imparted to fibrillatable cellulosic materials by open width hydraulic treatment. Additional enhancement of the fabric finish is obtained by post hydraulic enzyme and wet processing treatments. Fluid treated fabrics of the invention are characterized by substantially uniform fibrillation of fibers within the fabric body and surface areas.

Uniformity and product improvement in lyocell fabrics with hydraulic

Uniformity and product improvement in lyocell garments with hydraulic

A structural reinforcement substrate with a conformable batt of relatively long staple oriented structural fibers disposed between at least two layers of randomly oriented short staple fibers and method of production thereof provides a strong, cohesive product which can readily be handled upon subsequent molding yet is readily conformable. Preferably, long oriented structural fibers are used in a plurality of planar elements. The jet orifices are widely spaced to minimize hydro-entanglement such that the original planar relationships of the fibers are substantially maintained.

Conformable structural reinforcement substrate and method of making same

An hydraulic treatment apparatus (10) and method is provided for finishing and upgrading the quality of continuous filament cloth materials. The fabric (12) is supported on a member and impacted with a uniform, high density jet, fluid curtain (34,70) under controlled process energies. Low pressure/low energy treatments spread filaments in the fabric to reduce air porosity and provide improved uniformity in material finish. High pressure and energy treatments increase fabric bulk and porosity. Fluid treated fabrics of the invention demonstrate substantial improvement in at least two of uniformity, cover, opacity, increased or decreased bulk, increased or decreased air permeability, abrasion resistance, tensile strength, edge fray, and seam slippage.

Apparatus and method for hydraulic finishing of continuous filament

Striped patterning of dyed fabric, particularly dyed denim, is obtained by impacting the fabric with a row of columnar jet streams of fluid generated from a manifold under pressure while conveying it on a support member in a machine direction through a patterning station. The orifice gauge and diameter, manifold pressure, and line speed are selected to obtain optimal striping without blurring, loss of fabric strength or durability, or excessive warp shrinkage. Preferably, the jet strip is removably interchangeable in a common hydrojet manifold for forming different kinds of striped patterns. The back side of denim fabric may be subjected to pre-treatment to cause the surface of the dyed warp side to fill in and darken with color. A strie striping effect can also be obtained using a combination of jet strips. The striped patterning station can be incorporated at any suitable point in a conventional denim finishing range.

Method and apparatus for striped patterning of dyed fabric by hydrojet

An hydropatterning apparatus conveys a sheet of fabric through a patterning station along a machine direction on a conveyor, preferably a drum, having a support surface formed with a pattern of raised or solid areas and lowered or void areas, and has one or more manifolds of hydrojet nozzles disposed above the conveyor for directing a continuous curtain of fluid downwardly to impact on the fabric so that properties of the fabric become altered in correspondence to the pattern of the support surface. The hydropatterning technique is used to emboss the screen pattern into the nap of napped fabric in order to produce aesthetically pleasing surface textures and patterns in the napped fabric, such as a fur-like surface texture. The technique can also be used for displacement of yarn or fiber to obtain three-dimensional effects such as ribbing, wavy lines, checkering, geometric or floral designs, or lacework.

Method for hydropatterning napped fabric

A white blackout fiber comprising a unitary fiber having a light blocking substance that substantially prevents the transmission of light therethrough and a whitening agent, where the whitening agent is present in an amount which provides for good after processing while the light blocking substance is present in the maximum amount which is masked by the whitening agent. Generally, the whitening agent is present in an amount between about 2.5-4% by weight of the fiber, and the whitening agent and light blocking substance are present in a ratio of between about 1000:1 and 800:1. Preferably, the whitening agent is TiO.sub.2 and the light blocking substance is carbon black.

Unitary fiber white blackout fabric

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.

Growing community of inventors

Brunswick, ME, United States of America

Herschel Sternlieb