Polymer Group, Inc.

International Paper Company

The Kendall Company

Bba Nonwovens Simpsonville, Inc.

J Michael Greenway

Herschel Sternlieb

Frederick Ty

Frank E Malaney

Jackson Lawrence

Jodie M Siegel

Timothy J Connolly

Arlene T Simon

Donald Patience

Peter J Schoots

D A Parker

Duane A Parker

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

An improved fabric hydroenhancement method provides for inducing turbulence in a fluid flow in a hydroenhancing manifold and applying the turbulent fluid flow to impinge on a row of orifices of a jet strip in a manifold, such that jet streams issuing from the jet orifices at an output end of the manifold are formed with a constant state of fluctuation in their cross-sectional shape, direction, and structure. This results in the jet streams distributing their delivered energy over constantly changing impact areas on the fabric, whereby more of the delivered energy is converted into enhancement energy for hydroenhancing the fabric. The turbulent hydroenhancing method is also found to obtain a significant reduction in fabric shrinkage, and also eliminates the generation of interference patterns in the fabric. Turbulence is induced by positioning a baffle below the distribution element in the manifold with its lower end in close proximity to the row of jet orifices. Various types of baffle designs may be used. A refined baffle design has a solid center portion and flow paths around its sides to smooth out uneven fluid flow caused by flow distribution structures in the manifold upstream of the jet orifices.

Turbulence-induced hyrdroenhancing for improved enhancing efficiency

Woven or knit fabric is pre-tentered (stretched) prior to hydroenhancement treatment to a predetermined width in excess of the desired finished width of the fabric. The pre-tentering width is selected so that the expected shrinkage caused by the hydroenhancing process reduces the width of the enhanced fabric to slightly less than the desired finished width. The fabric is post-tentered hydroenhancing process only by a slight amount to the exact desired finished width. Since only a slight increase in width is required, there is very little loss in cover of the enhanced fabric. Post-tentering to a slight increase in width will also provide a slight tension for holding the fabric in the tenter clips and prevent the fabric from dragging in the tenter.

Method for tentering hydroenhanced fabric

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

Apparatus and method for hydropatterning fabric

A bandage comprising a fabric formed from at least one layer of nonwoven hydroentangled fibers having a skim coat of adhesive disposed thereon. Subsequent to entangling the fibers, the fabric is compacted to arrange the fabric into a series of wave-like configurations having crests and valleys. These wave-like configurations allow the fabric to stretch when pulled, and recover to most of its original form when the tension is released. After compacting, a light coat of adhesive is applied to the crests of the fabric to impart some slip resistance to the surface of the fabric while leaving the valleys substantially free from adhesive. The adhesive may be applied to one side or both sides of the fabric, depending on the requirements of the fabric. The thusly formed bandage, when stretched for application, has discontinuous areas of adhesives disposed therein that provide sufficient slip resistance while also permitting complete repositionability.

Growing community of inventors

Westwood, MA, United States of America

J Michael Greenway