GB1149776A - Process for treating pile fabrics - Google Patents

Abstract

1,149,776. Finishing fabrics. GIRMESWERKE A.G. 27 Sept., 1966 [1 Oct., 1965; 6 June, 1966], No. 42995/66. Heading D1S. A pile fabric I containing thermoplastic fibres in the pile is treated by heating the fabric to a temperature at which the fibres become plastic, at least on their surfaces, by means of directing heated gas onto the fabric and thereafter engaging the heated fabric with one or more rotatable rollers 4 -having a surface engaging the fabric which is roughened or which is different to the imaginary surface produced by rotation of a generatrix about the axis of rotation of the roller. In one embodiment, Fig. 1, the fabric 1 to be treated, e.g. a knitted woven, tufted or non-woven fabric is warmed by hot, air jets D whilst being conveyed by the chain 2 of a stenter 3. The hot air may be supplied discontinuously and the fabric is exposed to cold air by the jets D or additional jets during the intervals between exposure with the hot air. Substances which are chemically reactive towards the pile fibres may be mixed with the hot air. Specified substances are steam, alcohol, methanol and ammonia. Infra-red radiation may be used additionally to warm the fabric. After leaving the chain 2, the fabric 1 contacts a rough-surface roller 4 backed by a smooth-surface roller 5 to produce a lustre. The roller 4 may rotate in either the direction of -movement of the fabric 1 or the direction opposite thereto and may be covered with wire, felt, bristles or rough studding or have a surface of wood or plastics material. The roller 4 may have a greater circumferential speed than that of the fabric 1. One or more stencils may be arranged between the surface of the fabric 1 and the roller 4 to produce pattern effects. Several rollers may be provided and may be driven in the same or different directions of rotation. The roller(s) may be of polygonal cross-section, Fig. 5 (not shown), may have beater segments, or may be profiled having a covering of different material from that of the body of the roller(s). An endless belt (8), Fig. 7 (not shown), having a raised or recessed pattern may be guided over at least two rollers (4e) to treat the fabric. In a modification, Fig. 6, the fabric 1 is subjected to the action of the side surfaces of disc-shaped rollers 6a having axes perpendicular to the fabric web and covered with wire, felt -or bristles. The contact pressure between the roller(s) and the fabric may be changed during treatment.