Microfibres, Inc.

Hartford Fibres Ltd.

William F Laird

David I Walsh

James P Casey

George E Corneau

Kenneth A Wood

A pattern is impressed on flocked fabric by applying a patterned cylinder to the flocked surface before the adhesive that retains the flocking has cured. The projections on the cylinder surface tilt the flock fibers contacted by them to a new orientation, thereby forming the pattern in the flocked surface. Subsequent curing of the adhesive preserves the pattern.

Method and apparatus for impressing a pattern on flocked materials

An AC electrostatic flocking method having a variable frequency alternating electrostatic field that optimizes flocked product characteristics and/or processing efficiency. The optimized frequency can be determined on-line or from a chart or computerized database containing pre-determined optimized frequencies. The optimized frequency varies depending upon the precursors used and the processing conditions and parameters. Multiple in-line flocking modules having alternating variable frequency electrostatic fields operating at different frequencies may be utilized.

Electrostatic flocking method

A cutter is provided for cutting rope into fibers of the same or varying lengths. A plurality of blades are provided having cutting edges arcuately arranged and facing either inwardly or outwardly. Rope is fed against the cutting edges and through the spaces between them. The cutting blades are parallel to each other and are obliquely arranged with respect to a plane passing through all of the cutter blades. In a preferred embodiment, the blades are equally spaced from each other so that the resulting cut products comprises a multiplicity of cut fibers which all have approximately the same length. Also disclosed is a novel reel structure comprising a pair of superposed blade support rings with a coaxial hub member extending therebetween and providing support therefor. A plurality of spokes extend radially from the hub and are connected to at least one of the blade support rings.

Cutter with angular blades and method for cutting rope therewith

A continuous in-line flock cutting process is disclosed, for making flock from tow which contains a lubricant which is detrimental to the flock and must be removed. The tow is continuously fed, heat treated and immersed in an aqueous scouring liquid, and is continuously wet-processed. The excess scouring liquid is squeezed out, the tow is rinsed with water, rinse water is squeezed out, and a finish is applied to the tow and partially squeezed out in an in-line continuous process to remove a portion of the applied finish. Thus processed, the still-wet tow is continuously cut into wet flock, the wet flock is then dried and beaten to open up and separate the individual flock particles, and screened.

In-line flock cutting process

A cutter is provided for cutting rope into fibers of varying lengths. A plurality of blades are provided having cutting edges arcuately arranged and facing either inwardly or outwardly. Rope is fed against the cutting edges of the blades, forcing the rope against the cutting edges and through the spaces between them. The planes of the cutting blades diverge from one another, providing an angular blade arrangement such that the spacing between any pair of blades varies along the length of the blade. The cut fibers, having different lengths, are preferably conveyed by a fluid such as air to a collecting chamber.

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Kingston, Canada

William F Laird