Malden Mills Industries, Inc.

Lloyd Pease

Moshe Rock

Yechiel Naor

Amiram Inbal

Amnon Gabay

Robert Ryan

The present invention relates to an improved method for embossing and decorating a thermoplastic velvet-like fabric. A transfer sheet supporting a thermally-activated decoration is simultaneously passed with a fabric between two rolls which are under pressure with respect to each other. At least one of the rolls is engraved so as to cause embossing of the fabric. The passing of the fabric and transfer sheet between the rolls is carried out at a temperature sufficient to activate the decoration and allow the transfer of the decoration to the embossed portions of the fabric. The fabric may be heated prior to the embossing-decorating step so that the velvet-like pile is at least partially plasticized. The fabric is then brushed to erect the pile to an erect position. If the decorating is printing, the fabric may be heated immediately before and after the embossing/printing step to transfer a sufficient amount of dye, and to penetrate and seal the dye within the fabric.

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Westford, MA, United States of America

Lloyd Pease