Milliken + Co

Kaushal Gandhi

Benjamin H Glover

Kirkland W Vogt

Heather Jean Hayes

Crystal A Garner

A nonwoven textile substrate formed from microfibers with a polyurethane matrix fully and/or partially impregnated therein, a nonazo disperse dye within microfibers, including the surface, and the matrix. The dyed fibers having an L value of about 35 or less, an &#x394;E light fastness of about 6 or less when subjected to about 225 kilo-joules, and a long term crock of at least about 1.5.

Dyed microfiber textiles

A nonwoven textile substrate formed from microfibers with a polyurethane matrix fully and/or partially impregnated therein, a non-azo disperse dye within microfibers, including the surface, and the matrix. The dyed fibers having an L value of about 35 or less, an &#x394;E light fastness of about 6 or less when subjected to about 225 kilo-joules, and a long term crock of at least about 1.5.

A nonwoven textile substrate formed from microfibers with a polyuerthane matrix fully and/or partially impregnated therein, a nonazo disperse dye within microfibers, including the surface, and the matrix. The dyed fibers having an L value of about 35 or less, an &#x394;E light fastness of about 6 or less when subjected to about 225 kilo-joules, and a long term crock of at least about 1.5.

In a preferred embodiment, the present process involves subjecting a fabric comprised of conjugate yarns to an acidic treatment, which degrades a portion of one component of the conjugate yarns and to dyeing. The acid treatment, given certain reaction kinetics, removes a portion of the polyamide element of the conjugate filament. The at least partial removal of the polyamide component results in a fabric has enhanced dyed appearance, especially when dyed a dark shade. In an alternate embodiment, the fabric may also be treated with a basic solution to improve its moisture transport properties.

Growing community of inventors

Spartanburg, SC, United States of America

Kaushal Gandhi