KR940002697B1 - Apparatus and method for hydroenhancing fabric and the hydroenhanced fabric - Google Patents

Abstract

An apparatus (10) and related process for enhancement of woven and knit fabrics through use of dynamic fluids which entangle and bloom fabric yarns. A two stage enhancement process is employed in which top and bottom sides of the fabric are respectively supported on members (22), (34) and impacted with a fluid curtain including high pressure jet streams. Controlled process energies and use of support members (22), (34) having open areas (26), (36) which are aligned in offset relation to the process line produces fabrics having a uniform finish and improved characteristics including, edge fray, drape, stability, abrasion resistance, fabric weight and thickness.

Description

[Name of invention]

Method for improving water treatment characteristics of fabrics, apparatus and properties improved fabrics

[Brief Description of Drawings]

1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a production line comprising a wood straightener, flat plate and drum type water treatment characteristics improvement module and tenter frame for carrying out water treatment characteristics improvement of woven and knitted fabrics according to the present invention.

Figures 2a and b are 10x magnifications of the 36x29 90 ° and 40x40 45 ° mesh plane weave support members used in the flat and drum type water treatment characteristics improvement modules of FIG.

3a and b is a 10 times magnified photograph of the fine polyester woven fabric before and after the water treatment characteristics improvement according to the present invention.

4a and b are 16 times magnified photographs of the control examples of FIGS. 3a and 3b and the finished fabric.

5a and b are 10 times magnified photographs of the woven acrylic fabric with the control and water treatment characteristics improved.

Figures 6a and b show a 10-fold magnification of the control and water-treated characteristic woven acrylic fabrics woven with wrap spun yarn.

Figures 7a and b show a 10-fold magnification of an acrylic fabric with comparative and water treatment properties woven with a labspun yarn.

Figures 8a and b show a 10x magnification of the control and water treatment improved acrylic fabric, including open end wool spun yarns.

Figures 9a and b show a 10-fold magnification of the control and water-treated depressed nylon (80/20%) fabrics.

10A and B are 16-fold magnifications of the control and water treatment improved spun / filament polyester / cotton twill.

11A and B are 16-fold magnifications of control and water treatment modified dual knit fabrics.

Figures 12a and b are 16x enlarged front and back pictures of the wallpaper fabric of the control example.

Figures 13a and b are enlarged front and back pictures of the wallpaper fabric of Figures 12a and b, which have been improved water treatment properties according to the present invention.

Figures 14a and b are 0.09 magnification photographs of the control and water treatment improved acrylic fabric strips of fabrics of figures 7a and b, showing the reduction in fabric torque achieved by the method of the present invention.

15A-C are 0.23 magnification photographs of woven acrylic fabrics composed of wrapspun yarn and open-end wool spun yarns of FIGS. 5, 7 and 8, respectively, showing washability and wrinkle characteristics of the control and processed fabrics.

16 is a schematic view of another production line apparatus for performing water treatment characteristics improvement of woven and knitted fabrics according to the present invention.

FIG. 17 is an explanatory view of a composite fabric comprising a napped fabric bonded together in an integral structure by using the water treatment characteristic improvement processing method of the present invention.

Detailed description of the invention

[Field of Invention]

The present invention generally relates to a fabric processing method for improving the quality of woven and knitted fabrics. Specifically, the present invention is a hydroentangling process that improves the characteristics of woven and knitted fabrics by tangling fabric yarns by using dynamic fluid jets to bloom the fabric yarns. process). Fabrics produced by the process of the present invention are characterized by improved processing surface, improved cover, wear resistance, drape, stability, reduced breathability, wrinkle recovery, seam slippage and It has characteristics such as edge fray.

Background Technology

The quality of woven or knitted fabrics can be characterized by a number of properties: yarn count, thread count, wear resistance, sheathing, weight, yarn bulk, yarn bloom. It can be measured by torque resistance (torgue resistance), wrinkle recovery, drape and hand.

Yarn count is the relationship between weight and length as a numerical definition given to represent yarn size.

The countdown of woven or knitted fabrics refers to the number of ends and wefts per inch of fabric and the number of wales and courses, respectively. For example, the count of cloth first counts the number of warp ends per inch and then counts and displays the number of filling picks per inch. Ie 68 × 72 represents a fabric with 68 warp yarns and 72 weft yarns per inch.

Abrasion resistance refers to the fabric's ability to withstand the appearance, usability, and damage to the pile surface by the destruction of surface wear and rubbing.

Coverability is the extent to which the fabric's underlying structure is concealed by the surface material. The measure of coverage is provided by the fabric breathability, ie the fabric passability of the air. Breathability is a measure of the quality and properties of basic fabrics such as filterability and coating.

Yarn bloom is a measure of the opening and spreading of yarn fibers.

The load weight is measured in weight per unit area, for example, the number of ounces per square yard.

Torque of a fabric refers to the property of resisting its torsional moment as a result of twisting. It is desirable to remove or reduce the torque of the fabric. For example, fabrics used for vertical blinds should be free of torque, as they will twist the fibers when suspended in strip form.

Wrinkle recovery is a property of fabrics that can be recovered from folding deformations.

Hand is the feel characteristic of a fabric, such as flexibility and drape.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The prior art using water treatment entanglement processes in producing nonwovens is known.

In the conventional tangle processing method by water treatment, the web is treated with a high pressure fluid while a web of nonwoven fibers is supported on a perforated patterning screen. In general, patterned screens are constructed on drums or continuous flat conveyors, the conveyors passing through a pressurized fluid jet to entangle the web in a structure with cohesive aligned groups of fibers and open areas of the screen. The entanglement is carried out by the action of a fluid jet that causes the fibers of the web to entangle and intertwine into the open area of the screen.

Conventional water treatment tangle processing methods for producing patterned nonwovens are disclosed in US Pat. Nos. 3,485,706 (Inventor Evans), 3,498,874 (Inventor Evans, etc.), and US Pat. have.

Water treatment entanglement techniques have also been used as a technique to improve the properties of woven and knitted fabrics. By applying this technique, the warp and weft fibers of the fabric are entangled by water treatment at the cross-over points, thereby improving the coatability of the fabric. However, conventional processing methods have not been satisfactory in uniformly improving the properties of the fabric. In addition, the prior art did not develop a production line technology and its apparatus to obtain production line efficiency.

Australian patent specification 287821 (Inventor Bunting et al.) Discloses a prior art technique in which high speed columnar fluid streams are applied to a fabric supported by course porous members. It is described. Preferred parameters used in the method of Bunting et al. Described in Example XV-XVII of the Australian specification are jet orifices having a support screen of 20-30 mesh, a fluid pressure of 1500 psi, and a 0.007 inch diameter on a 0.050 inch center. orifices). The fabric is processed by performing multiple water treatment entanglement passages and reorients in a bias direction relative to the direction of travel in order to uniformly entangle the fabric. The data exemplified in the above examples show that the most appropriate improvement in the coatability and stability of the fabric was achieved.

Another prior art is described in European Patent Application No. 0177277 (Inventor Willibanks et al.), Which relates to a water treatment patterning technique. Willibank's technology applies high velocity fluid impact to woven fabrics, knitted fabrics and adhesive fabrics for decorative effects. Patterning is performed by redistributing the yarn tension in the fabric, whereby the yarns are selectively densely, loosely and refurbished to form a relief structure in the fabric.

Willibank's technology yields a limited degree of fabric characterization as a secondary product of patterning. However, Willibank does not suggest or suggest a water treatment type tangle processing method that can be used to uniformly improve the fabric properties (see Example 4 on page 40 of the European Patent Specification).

Therefore, there is a need in the art for a method for improving the water treatment characteristics of marketable woven fabrics. There is a demand for a technique that can provide aesthetic and functional effects by improving the characteristics of such fabrics, and can be applied to various kinds of fabrics. The water treatment improvement method improves the coatability of the fabric through dynamic fluid tangle and bulk processing of the fabric yarn to improve the stability of the fabric. Such a result can be easily obtained without having the requirements of the conventional fabric processing method.

This technique also requires a simple structured device for improving the water treatment properties of the fabric. Commercial scale production requires an apparatus to perform continuous water treatment of the fabric to produce fabrics with uniform properties and to perform instant drying of the fabric under controlled conditions.

Accordingly, it is a general object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for improving the water treatment properties of an improved woven fabric for producing a variety of new woven and knitted fabrics with improved properties.

It is a specific object of the present invention to provide a water treatment property improvement method for improving fabrics made of spun yarn and spun yarn / filament yarn.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a water treatment property improvement method which can be used to prepare novel composite fabrics and layered fabrics.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a production line apparatus for improving water treatment characteristics, which is simple in structure and improved in the prior art.

[Initiation of invention]

In the present invention, the above object and other objects which will become apparent from the following are generally achieved by providing an apparatus and a method for performing water treatment characteristic improvement of woven fabrics and knitted fabrics through the action of dynamic fluids. In the present invention, a water treatment type characteristic improvement module is used. The fabric is supported on one member and impacted with the fluid curtain under the adjusted process energy. The improvement of the properties of the fabric is carried out by tangling or interwinning yarn fibers at the intersection of the weave or knitting of the fabric. Fabrics improved in accordance with the present invention have improved properties such as uniform processing surface and edge unevenness, drape, stability, wrinkle recovery, abrasion resistance, weight and thickness of the fabric.

According to a preferred method of the present invention, a woven or knitted fabric is processed by two striking straighteners (weft straigencer) to two in-line fluid modules on one process line to improve the fabrication of one and two stage fabrics. Do this. The upper and lower sides of the fabric are respectively supported on the members of the module and impacted by the fluid curtain to provide uniform processing to the fabric. The support member is fluid permeable, includes a support area of about 25% and has a fine mesh pattern that allows the fluid to pass through without providing a patterning effect to the fabric. A feature of the present invention is the use of a support member in a module, which comprises fine mesh patterned screens arranged in an offset relationship to the process line. This offset arrangement limits the fluid streak of the fabric and eliminates body traces.

The improvement of the characteristics of the first and second stages is preferably carried out by columnar fluid spraying the fabric with an impact at a pressure in the range of 200-3000 psi and applying a total energy of about 0.10-2.0 hp-hr / lb to the fabric. .

Following the improvement of the properties, the fabric is advanced to a tenter frame, and the fabric is dried to a specific width under constant tension to uniformly arrange the fabric. The advantages of the apparatus of the invention are obtained by providing a continuous process line of simple construction. The first and second stages of characterization stations comprise a plurality of manifolds that are spaced apart in the transverse direction (" CD "). Columnar jet nozzles with an orifice diameter of about 0.005 inches and a center-to-center spacing of about 0.017 inches are arranged at about 0.5 inches apart on the screen. At the process energy of the present invention, this spacing arrangement creates a fluid curtain to provide a uniform improvement in the properties of the fabric. In an offset relationship, the use of a fluid permeable support member, preferably deflected at 45 degrees, effectively limits the jet stripe of the fabric and eliminates body traces.

Optimal quality improvement results of the fabric are obtained in woven or knitted fabrics of yarns comprising fibers with denier and staple lengths in the range 0.5-6.0 and 0.5-5 inches, and yarn counts in the range 0.55-50S. Preferred yarn spun systems of the fabrics according to the invention include cotton spuns, wrap spuns, wool spuns and friction spuns.

Other objects, features and effects of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention based on the accompanying drawings, and the present invention is not limited by the following detailed description.

Best Mode of the Invention

Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 is a preferred embodiment of the production line of the present invention for carrying out a water treatment characteristic improvement of a fabric 12 comprising a spun yarn and / or a spun yarn / filament yarn. ). This production line includes a conventional wood straightener 14, a flat and drum type characteristic improvement module 16, 18, and a tenter frame 20.

Modules 16 and 18 perform characterization of both sides of the fabric through fluid entanglement and bulk processing of the fabric yarn. This entanglement is imparted to the fabric at the cross section of the yarn. By adjusting the process energy and constructing a uniform fluid curtain, the improved characteristics including uniform processing surface and uneven edge, torque, wrinkle recovery, cupping, drape, stability, abrasion resistance, fabric weight and thickness Fabrics are produced.

[Operation Method and Mechanism of Fabric's Characteristics Improvement Module]

The fabric is run through a tooling modifier 14 to align the warp of the fabric prior to processing in the fabric characteristic improvement module 16, 18. After performing the characteristic improvement processing of the fabric, the fabric is advanced to the tenter frame 20 (having a normal structure) and dried under tension to produce a uniform fabric of a specific width.

The module 16 comprises a first support member 22, which is supported on an endless conveyor means comprising drive means (not shown) for rotating the roller of the roller 24. The preferred linear speed of the conveyor is in the range of 10-500 ft / min. The linear velocity is adjusted according to the requirements of the process energy which varies as a function of the type and weight of the fabric.

The support member 22, which preferably has a plate-like structure, includes a densely spaced fluid-permeable open area 26. The preferred support member 22 shown in FIG. 2A is a 36x29 90 ° mesh plain weave with 23.7% open area, made of polyester warp and shout round wire. The support member 22 is a tight seamless weave in which no angular displacement or snack occurs. The characteristics of the screens (manufactured by Albany International, Appleton Wire, Division of Wisconsin 54913, Applelon, P. Box 1939) are shown in Table 1 below.

[table]

Module 16 also includes an array of manifolds 30 spaced apart in parallel to the transverse direction (“CD”) relative to the direction of movement of fabric 12. The manifolds arranged at about 8 inches apart from each other include a plurality of densely arranged columnar jet orifices 32, which are disposed about 0.5 inches from the support member 22.

Jet Orifices are designed to impact fabrics with fluid jet at pressures in the range 200-3000 psi, with diameters and center-to-center spacing in the range of 0.005-0.010 inches and 0.017-0.034 inches, respectively. Preferred orifices are about 0.005 inches in diameter and about 0.017 inches in center-center.

Fluid jets in this arrangement provide fluid entangled stream curtains to achieve optimal characterization of the fabric. The energy input to the fabric is accumulated along the production line and is preferably fixed at about the same level in the modules 16 and 18 (two-stage system) to achieve uniform characterization of the top and bottom of the fabric. An effective first step characteristic improvement of the fiber yarn is obtained at an energy output in the range of at least 0.05 hp-hr / lb, preferably in the range of 0.1-2.0 hp-hr / lb.

Following the first step of characteristic improvement processing, the fabric is advanced to module 18 to perform the characteristic improvement of the other side of the fabric. The module 18 includes a second support member 34 of cylindrical structure which is supported on a drum. The second support member 34 includes a densely spaced fluid permeable open area 36 that constitutes about 36% of the screen area. The preferred support member 34 shown in FIG. 2B is a 40 × 40 45 ° mesh stainless steel screen, which is an AppletonWire product having the features shown in Table 1. Works the same. Manifold 30 and jet orifice 32 are configured to have approximately the same characteristics as in the first stage characteristic improvement module. A fluid energy for a fabric of at least 0.5 hp-hr / lb, preferably 0.1-2.0 hp-hr / lb, performs a second step characteristic improvement processing.

Conventional weaving processes form body marks on the fabric. Examples of such markings are illustrated in FIGS. 3a and 4a and are 10x and 16x magnifications of polyester "LIBBEY" brand fabric style number S / X-A8O5 (see Table II). Body marks in FIGS. 3A and 4A are denoted by the letter "R".

The present invention overcomes the drawbacks of conventional weaving through a one-step, preferably two-step, characteristic improvement process. The advantages of the method according to the invention are obtained by arranging the drum-shaped support member 34 in an offset relationship with respect to the longitudinal direction ("MD") of the water treatment characteristic improvement line, preferably at 45 °. See also b).

The support members 22 and 34 preferably have fine mesh open areas sized to allow fluid to pass through the support member without providing a patterning effect to the fabric. Preferred support members range from 17-40% of the effective opening area through which the fluid passes.

The comparative results of the comparative examples of FIGS. 3a, b, 4a, and b and the processed polyester fabric show the effect obtained by using the characteristic improvement method. Body mark R of a control polyester fabric is almost eliminated through the improvement of the fabric's properties. The offset screen arrangement is also effective in reducing the linear jet stripe associated with fabric improvement.

Example I-XIII

3 through 15 illustrate representative woven and knitted fabrics characterized according to the method of the present invention using the same test conditions as the production line of FIG. Table II shows the characteristics of the fabrics illustrated in the figures.

As in the production line of FIG. 1, the test manifold 30 is arranged about 8 inches apart from the modules 16 and 18 and has columnar jet orifices 32 packed densely at about 60 / inch. Each orifice 32 is 0.005 inches in diameter and arranged about 0.5 inches apart from the first and second support members 22 and 34.

The process line of FIG. 1 includes characteristic improvement modules 16 and 18, each having six manifolds. In this embodiment, two manifolds 22, 34 are formed in the modules 16, 18, respectively. In order to make the line conditions the same, the fabric was run by running multiple times on the line. Three runs on each of the two manifold modules were considered equivalent to six manifold modules.

The fabric was subjected to water treatment characterization at a process pressure of about 1500 psi. The linear velocity and cumulative energy output of the module were maintained at about 30 fpm and 0.46 hp-hr / lb, respectively. The linear velocity and fluid pressure were adjusted to accommodate the weight difference of the fabric for uniform processing and to maintain the desired energy level.

The fabrics processed in these examples showed significant improvement in quality including properties such as aesthetics, coatability, bloom, abrasion resistance, drape, stability and reduced sweating and undulation.

Table III-XI shows data for fabrics characterized by the present invention on a test process line. The properties of the control and fabrics were tested using the standard test method of The American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM). The data shown in Table III-XI were obtained according to the following ASTM criteria:

Washability tests were performed according to the following procedure. The weights of the control and fabric samples were measured ("before washing") each having a size of 8.5 "x 11" (weft direction 8.5 ", inclined direction 11"). The sample was then washed and dried three times in a conventional washer and dryer and then weighed "after washing". The weight loss (%) before and after washing of the sample was calculated according to the following equation. : Weight loss (%) = D / B × 100 where B = sample weight before washing, A = sample weight after washing and D = S-A.

Micrographs of the fabrics of FIGS. 4-15 show an improvement in the fabric coatability obtained in the present invention. Of note in the micrographs of the unwoven fabrics labeled A are the open areas, which areas have a reduced size in the micrographs of the workpiece fabric labeled B. Due to the water treatment improvement, the fiber yarns had blooming and entanglement at the intersection and filling of the open area, improving the coatability of the fabric and reducing the air permeability.

Figures 12 and 13 are micrographs of wallpaper fabrics of the HYTEX brand (products of Randolph Hytex Inc., Massachusetts, USA). The multi-textured surface appearance of the fabric is formed by weaving the yarn through separate regions of the fabric front. Free floating weave stitches, denoted by the letter "S" in Figures 12b and 13b, are formed on the back side of the fabric.

As a result of the water treatment improvement of the "HYTEX" wallpaper fabric with the pre-floating stitch S fixed to the back of the fabric, the stability and coating property of the fabric were improved (see FIGS. 12b and 13b). In the use of wallpaper, the need for adhesive back coatings is reduced or eliminated due to the improvement of the properties of the fabric and its associated stability effect. As a result of the improvement of the properties of the fabric, the penetration of the wallpaper adhesive through the fabric is limited. Another effect is obtained when the fabric is used for acoustics: the removal of the back coating reduces acoustic reflections and effectively transmits sound through the fabric.

TABLE 2

Characteristic of the fiber

TABLE 3

Nomex A805-4th

TABLE 4

22/6075 (16 ppi) -fifth

* Improvement of wrinkle recovery of fabric by ASTM test standard (D1295-67) is indicated by the increase of recovery angle.

Table 5

(Libbey) s / x-1160

TABLE 6

(Libery) S / X-1160-Chapter 7

TABLE 7

TABLE 8

Guilford Wool (80% melancholy / 20% nylon)-the ninth

Table 9a

Spun / Filament-Base Weight- FIG. 10

TABLE 9b

Abrasion-Spun Filament-Base Weight-Figure 10

TABLE 10

Double Piece-Part 11

Figures 14a and b show micrographs of the control and fabrics of the acrylic vertical blind fabric of style designation S / 406 made by W.S.Libbey). As a result of the specific improvement of the fabric, the fiber torque is reduced, which is particularly effective for vertical blinds. In the torque reduction test of FIGS. 14A and 14B, a 84 "long and 3.5" wide fiber strip was used. The fiber strip was suspended vertically without being restrained.

Torque was measured based on the angle of the twisted fiber on the flat paper surface. As can be seen in the micrographs, the torque of 90 degrees in the raw fabric of FIG. 14a was removed upon characteristic improvement.

15A-C show micrographs for acrylic fabrics, LIBBEY Style Nos. 022,406 and 152, which were tested for wash durability. Unwoven fabrics are easy to break and easily break, whereas the improved fabrics exhibit limited edge unwinding and yarn loss. Table XI shows the weight loss data of the laundry durability test results.

TABLE 11

200, 406, 152--15a-c

16 illustrates another embodiment of the device according to the invention, indicated by reference numeral 40. The apparatus includes a plurality of drums 42a-42d through which the fabric 44 passes to proceed to the improvement process. Specifically, the woven fabric 44 passes through the sinusoidal passage line continuously up and down the drum 42. The rollers 46 are provided at opposite ends of the line adjacent to the drums 42a-42d to support the fabric. Either or both of the drums can be rotated by suitable motor drive means (not shown) to advance the fabric on the line.

The plurality of manifolds 48 consists of several groups, four groups of which are illustrated in FIG. 16, which are arranged spaced apart from the drums 42a-42d, respectively.

A group of manifolds arranged at 90 degree intervals on a sinusoidal fabric path places the manifolds continuously in spaced relation to opposite sides of the fabric. Each manifold 48 impacts the fabric with columnar fluid jets 50 such as water. Fluid source 52 supplies fluid to manifold 48, which is collected in liquid drain 54 to be recycled to line manifold via line 56 during processing.

The support drum 42 can be porous or nonporous. It can be seen that the effect is obtained by using a drum including a perforated paper surface. The open area of the support surface facilitates the recirculation of the fluid used for the characteristic improvement machining.

As described in detail in the first embodiment, another effect is obtained by using a support surface having a fine mesh open area pattern that facilitates fluid passage. The treatment stripe and weave body mark are limited in fabrics characterized by an offset arrangement of the support member, for example a 45 degree offset arrangement as shown in FIG.

Improving the fabric's properties is a function of the energy imparted to the fabric. Preferred energy levels for improving the properties of the fabrics according to the invention are in the range of 0.1-2.0 hp-hr / lb. Variables that determine the process energy level include line speed, amount and rate of liquid impacting the fabric, fabric weight and fabric properties.

Fluid velocity and fluid pressure are determined in part by the characteristics of the fluid orifice, such as the structure of columnar jets and panjets, and the arrangement and spacing in the process line. A feature of the present invention is to impact the fluid curtain on the process line to provide an energy flux of about 0.46 hp-hr / lb to the fabric. A preferred description of the type and arrangement of the orifices is illustrated in the embodiment of FIG. In brief, the jet orifices are densely adjacent to the center-center spacing of about 0.017 inches and spaced 0.5 inches apart from the support member. An orifice diameter of 0.005 inches and 60 densities per inch of manifold eject the columnar fluid jet forming a uniform fluid curtain.

The following example illustrates the results obtained on the process line shown in FIG.

Example XIV

Plain weave 100% polyester fabrics of friction spun yarns with the following characteristics were processed according to the present invention.

Count 16 × 10 yarn / in ² ,

Weight 8 oz / yd ² ,

Abrasion resistance 500 gr (measured by 50 cycles of CS17 wear test wheel),

Air permeability 465ft ³ / ft ² / min

The fabric was processed on a test line operated at a speed of 300 ft / min in a processing apparatus including four drums 42 and 18 nozzles 16 at a pressure of about 1500 psi. At such process variables, the energy output for the fabric was about 0.46 hp-hr / lb. Table XII shows the control examples of the fabrics and the properties of the fabrics.

TABLE 12

Example XV and XVI

The results obtained by processing plain weave osnaburg and plain polyester polyester spun fabrics using the processing conditions of Example XIV are shown in Tables XIII and XIV.

TABLE 13

TABLE 14

Fabrics processed in Example XIV-XVI are characterized by significantly reduced air permeability and increased wear resistance. The process energy level in this example was about 0.46 hp-hr / lb. A correlation was found between the process energy and the characteristic improvement. Increasing the energy level achieves an optimal characteristic improvement effect. The following examples illustrate a method of applying the water treatment property improvement processing method of the present invention to improve the quality of single-stranded and knitted fabrics.

In another example of the water treatment characteristic improvement processing method of the present invention, the fabric layer is made into a composite fabric of integral structure by water treatment bonding. FIG. 17 shows a composite flannel fabric comprising fabric layers 62 and 64. The hydrothermal bonding of the layers first naps the opposing surfaces 62a, 64b of each layer to raise the surface fibers. Subsequently, the opposing surfaces 62a and 64a are superimposed and processed on the production line of the present invention (see FIGS. 1 and 16). The improvement of the properties of the layers 62 and 64 is carried out by tangling the fibers of the nap processing surface and combining the layers to form the integral composite fabric 60. The outer surfaces 62b and 64b are also improved during processing to improve the coverage and quality of the composite fabric.

Knap processing surfaces 62a and 62b are formed by using a conventional mechanical nap factory. Such devices include cylinders coated with metal points or teasel burrs that wear the fabric surface.

Since the composite fabric 60 requires a conventional laminated adhesive, it is preferable that the fabric is manufactured. As a result, the composite fabric has good breathability and has improved feel characteristics than those obtained with conventional laminated composite fabrics. It can be seen that such a composite fabric can be used in various fields such as clothing and footwear. Optimal characterization (in short and multi-strand fabrics) is a function of energy. Preferred results are obtained at an energy level of about 0.46 hp-hr / lb. Of course, because of the different process conditions necessary to meet the optimum energy level, the energy requirements for different fabrics are also different. In general, the desired process energy level can be achieved by varying the processing speed, nozzle structure and spacing.

It is preferred that the inventive improved fabric is woven from yarns comprising fibers having denier lengths in the range of 0.3-10.0 and 0.5-6.0 inches, respectively, and yarn counts of 0.5S-805. Optimum properties were obtained for fabrics of 0.5-6 of fiber denier, 0.5-6.0 inches of staple fiber and 0.5S-50S of yarn count. Preferred yarn spinning systems for use in the fabrics of the present invention include cotton spuns, wrap spuns, melancholy spuns. Experimental results have shown that desirable properties have been obtained for fabrics containing low denier, short length fibers and loosely twisted yarns.

The present invention has led to the development of the art by recognizing that improved fabric properties can be obtained under controlled process conditions and energy levels. That is, the prior art did not recognize at all about the effect and the extent to improve the quality of the fabric by using the water treatment characteristics improved processing method. The effect achieved in the present invention has made a remarkable and surprising contribution to the art.

The specific embodiments described above may be variously modified. For example, preferred methods and apparatus use fluid permeable support members, although nonporous support members are also within the scope of the present invention. 1 and 16 show similar two-step and four-step characteristic improvement process lines, respectively. In the present invention, a system structure including one or more modules having a plate type, drum type or other supporting member structure can be used.

The method of the present invention can be widely applied to the production of various characteristic improved fabrics. That is, the above embodiments are not intended to limit the present invention.

Finally, in the above-described characteristic improvement processing method, the fluid curtain is formed using columnar jet orifices, but other devices may be used for forming the fluid curtain. Reference may be made to U.S. Patent No. 4,995,151 (1991. 2.26) entitled "Water Treatment Patterning Apparatus and Method thereof" assigned to International Paper Company, the assignee of the present invention. A branched jet fluid entanglement apparatus for use in water treatment patterning is described. Accordingly, while the invention has been described in accordance with certain preferred embodiments, it is possible to devise other water treatment property improvement apparatuses and methods, which are also included in the technical scope and spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims. .

Claims (78)

A process for improving the properties of fabrics comprising spun yarns and / or spun filament yarns intersecting at intersections, wherein denier and length are in the range of 0.3 to 16.0 and 0.5 to 8 inches, respectively, and the yarn count is in the range of 0.5 to 80 s. Supporting a fabric comprising phosphorus yarn fibers on a first support member, and passing the first continuous curtain of incompressible fluid for a sufficient time on one side of the fabric to perform entanglement of the yarns at the intersection; , The fluid curtain is characterized in that to uniformly improve the coatability and quality of the fabric by impacting the fabric with energy in the range of 0.1 ~ 2.0hp-hr / lb. The fluid curtain of claim 1, wherein the fluid curtain is formed by a columnar fluid jet orifice having a diameter of about 0.005 inches, a center-center spacing of about 0.017 inches, and a distance from the first support member of about 0.5 inches. And the fluid jet impinges the fabric with a fluid at about 1500 psi pressure. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the support member includes a pattern of fluid permeable open regions densely spaced in a first direction alignment. 3. 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the open area occupies about 17-40% of the support member. 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: supporting the feature improved fabric on a second support member and passing a second continuous curtain of incompressible fluid for a sufficient time to pass through the other side of the fabric to further improve coat coverage and uniformity. And further performing a weaving, wherein the second fluid curtain impacts the fabric with energy in the range of 0.1-2.0 hp-hr / lb. 6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the first and second fluid curtains are formed by columnar fluid jets having a diameter of about 0.005 inches and a center-center spacing of about 0.017 inches, respectively, wherein the fluid curtains are formed on the first and second support members. Spaced about 0.5 inches apart, the fluid jets impinge on the fabric with fluid at a pressure of about 1500 psi and the first and second support members are densely spaced in alignment in the first and second directions, respectively. And a pattern of the fluid permeable open area, wherein the open area is large enough to allow fluid to pass through the support member without providing a patterning effect to the fabric. 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the open area occupies about 17-40% of each of the first and second support members. 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the first and second support members each have a plate-like and drum-like structure. 8. The method of claim 7, wherein said first and second support members have a drum-like structure. 9. The method of claim 8 wherein the first and second directions are offset by about 45 degrees. 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the first and second directions are offset by about 45 degrees. 7. A method according to claim 6, further comprising the step of following the improvement of the properties of the second step, drying the property improved fabric to a specified width under tension. A fabric improved by the method of claim 6, the fabric comprising denier and yarn fibers in the range of 0.3-16 and 5-8 inches in length and with a dread count in the range of 0.5s to 80s, respectively. The yarn crossing point of the fabric divides a crevice opening area, and the coating property of the fabric is improved by performing the characteristic improvement of the yarn in a crevice opening area by the said method. A fabric improved in properties by the method of claim 6, wherein the fabric comprises denier and yarn fibers in the range of 0.5-6 and 0.5-8 inches in length and with a dread count in the range of 0.5s-50s, respectively. Yarn cross point of weave partitions the crevice opening area, and improves the coating property of the fabric and reduces the air permeability of the fabric by performing the characteristic improvement of the yarn in the crevice opening area by the above method. Fabric. A polyester woven fabric improved by the method of claim 6, the woven fabric comprising an open-end cotton spun yarn having 2 denier, 1.9 inch polyester fiber, 17 s yarn count and 49 x 23 / inch yarn count, Woven fabrics, characterized in that the air permeability of the fabric is reduced by about 48% by the method. An improved acrylic woven fabric obtained by the method of claim 6, wherein the woven fabric is 3 denier, 1.5 inch fiber, 9 s yarn, open-end cotton spun yarn with 28 ends per inch, 3 denier, 3 inch acrylic fiber, A woven fabric comprising an open-end melancholy spun pill yarn with yarns of 4 s, 16 weft yarns per inch, wherein the air permeability of the fabric is reduced by about 36% by the method. A characteristic improved acrylic wrapspun fabric obtained by the method of claim 6, wherein the fabric comprises 100 denier textured polyester wrapspun yarn with 3 denier, 3.0 inches of acrylic fiber, 4s yarn number, and 14 x 16 yarn counts per inch. And wherein the air permeability of the fabric is reduced by about 65% by the method. A characteristic improved acrylic woven fabric obtained by the method of claim 6, wherein the woven fabric is 3 denier, 1.5 inch acrylic fiber, 9 s yarn, open-end cotton spun yarn with 28 ends per inch, and 3 denier, 3 inch acrylic A woven fabric, comprising: fiber, 4s yarn, 16 wraps per inch hollow hollow spunfil yarn with 6 twists per inch, by which the air permeability of the fabric is reduced by about 48%. An improved acrylic woven fabric obtained by the method of claim 6, wherein the woven fabric is 3 denier, 1.5 inch acrylic fiber, 4s yarn number, open-end wool spun yarn with 14 ends per inch, and 3 denier, 3 inch acrylic A woven fabric comprising an open-end wool spunfil yarn with fibers, yarns of 2.6 s, and 16 weft yarns per inch, wherein the fabric has an air permeability of about 48% reduced. A characteristic improved woven fabric obtained by the method of claim 6, wherein the woven fabric comprises 80% melancholy / 20% nylon of 2 × 1 twill, by which the air permeability of the fabric is reduced by about 49.5%. Woven fabric. An improved 53% polyester / 47% cotton fabric obtained by the method of claim 6, wherein the fabric has a 3 × 1 twill, a thread count of 120 ends × 38 weft, and the air permeability of the fabric is weak by the method. 50.6% less fabric. An improved 50% polyester / 50% cotton biwoven fabric obtained by the method of claim 6, wherein the fabric comprises 100 denier polyester labspun yarn, and the air permeability of the fabric is reduced by about 16% by the method. Fabric characterized in that. A spun yarn and / or a spun filament yarn that intersect at the intersection to define a crevice open area, the yarn comprising denier and fibers having a length of 0.5-6 and 0.5-5 inches, respectively, wherein the yarn is 0.1- A characteristic-improved or knitted fabric characterized in that it is entangled by a fluid in the interstitial open area by a fluid energy in the range of 2.0 hp-hr / lb. 24. The fabric of claim 23 wherein said yarn is a cotton spun. The fabric of claim 23 wherein said yarn is a wrapspan. The fabric of claim 23 wherein said yarn is a melancholy spun. A method of manufacturing a composite fabric comprising spun yarns and / or spunfilament yarns having a predetermined structure pattern intersecting at intersections by water treatment bonding a woven or knitted fabric, wherein the first and second surfaces of the fabric are snapped together. Processing and raising the surface fibers thereof, laminating the layers in such a manner as to face the first and second surfaces, supporting the layered fabric on a support member, and sufficient time on one side of the layered fabric. Passing through a first continuous curtain of fluid during the entanglement of the surface fibers raised at the first and second surfaces, wherein the fluid curtain is applied at an energy in the range of 0.1-2.0 hp-hr / lb. Impacting the fabric. The fluid curtain of claim 27 wherein the fluid curtain is formed by a columnar fluid jet orifice of about 0.005 inches in diameter and about 0.017 inches in center-center spacing, wherein the fluid curtain impacts the fabric with a fluid of about 1500 psi pressure. How to. 28. The method of claim 27, wherein the support member includes a pattern of densely spaced fluid permeable open regions aligned in a first direction. 30. The method of claim 29, wherein the open area occupies about 17-40% of the support member. 28. The method of claim 27, further comprising: supporting the upper limb layered fabric on a second support member, and performing a second entanglement process with a second continuous fluid curtain on the other side of the layered fabric to bond and process the uniform composite fabric. The method further comprises the step of performing, wherein in the second entanglement processing step, the layered fabric is impacted with an energy of 0.1-2.0 hp-hr / lb. 32. The system of claim 31, wherein the first and second fluid curtains are each formed by columnar fluid jets having a diameter of about 0.005 inches and a center-center spacing of about 0.017 inches, the fluid curtains being fabricated with a fluid of about 1500 psi pressure. Impacting the first and second support members, each having a pattern of densely spaced fluid permeable open regions arranged in first and second directions, the openings having a pattern effect on the fabric. And has a size enough to allow fluid to pass through the support member without providing it. At least two fabric layers comprising spun yarns and / or spun filament yarns having a predetermined pattern intersecting at the intersection, the fabric layers comprising first and second nap surface having raised surface fibers. And the two nap processing surfaces are arranged in an overlapping relationship so as to face each other and are bonded to each other by tangling the brushed surface fibers at the first and second surfaces by dynamic fluid energy. Knitted fabric. A device comprising a spun yarn and / or a spun filament yarn intersecting at an intersection point and subjected to a characteristic improvement process by applying a pressurized fluid jet to a woven fabric and knitted fabric having first and second faces, the apparatus comprising a first characteristic improvement station. Conveyor means for moving said fabric longitudinally ("MD") through a production line and supporting a first support member for supporting said fabric at said first characteristic improvement station; A curtain means spaced from said first support member to apply a fluid curtain to a first side of a fabric, said curtain means comprising a plurality of densely arranged orifices for ejecting a high pressure fluid jet, said curtain means including said first means; A device characterized in that it co-operates with a support member to entangle the fabric yarn at the intersection to improve the coatability of the fabric and impart processing to the fabric. 35. The apparatus of claim 34, wherein the fluid orifice has a columnar structure of about 0.005 inches in diameter and about 0.017 inches in center-center spacing, with an impact energy of about 0.1 to 2.0 hp-hr / lb. 36. The apparatus of claim 35, wherein the fluid jet has a spray pressure of about 1500 psi. 35. The fabric of claim 34, further comprising: a second characteristic improvement station, a second support member for supporting the fabric such that the fabric is moved on a production line by the conveyor means, and a second support member spaced apart from the second support member. A second curtain means for applying a fluid curtain to a surface, said second curtain means comprising a plurality of densely arranged second orifices for injecting a high pressure fluid jet to further characterize the fabric. . 38. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein the first and second fluid curtains each impart an energy of about 0.1 to 2.0 hp-hr / lb to the fabric. The apparatus of claim 38 wherein the second support member is fluid permeable and has an open area aligned in a biased relationship to the longitudinal direction of the production line. The apparatus of claim 39, wherein the first and second curtain means are spaced about 0.5 inches apart from the first and second support members, the fluid jet has a spray pressure of about 1500 psi, and the speed of the conveyor means is about 100 fpm. Device characterized in that. 41. The apparatus of claim 40, wherein the first and second support members are of flat plate and drum type structures, respectively. A method for uniformly improving the quality of a woven or knitted fabric comprising spun yarn and / or spun filament yarn, wherein denier and length are in the range of 0.3-16.0 and 0.5-8 inches, and the yarn count is 0.5s to 80s. Supporting a fabric comprising yarn fibers in the range on a support member, moving the supported fabric in the longitudinal direction, and adjacent stops of the densely arranged fluid jets in a transverse alignment with respect to the longitudinal direction. Uniformly impacting at least one side of the fabric being moved by continuous fluid curtains emitted from orifices having an axis approximately perpendicular to the fabric, the array, the speed, jet pressure, And selectively adjusting the orifice's diameter and center-to-center spacing to impact the fabric with an energy of 0.1-2.0 hp-hr / lb, thereby avoiding entanglement of the yarns at the intersections. Performing method comprising the steps of drying the treated fabric to improve impact resistance and coating quality of the fabric. 43. The method of claim 42, wherein the conveyor speed is 10 to 500 fpm, the jet pressure is 200 to 3000 psi, the jet has a columnar structure and the diameter and center-center spacing are 0.005 to 0.010 inches and 0.017 to 0.034 inches, respectively. Way. 44. The method of claim 43, wherein the jet is spaced about 0.5 inches apart from the support member. 43. The method of claim 42, wherein the support member is fluid permeable and comprises 17-40% open area and includes a fine mesh pattern that allows fluid to pass through without providing a patterning effect to the fabric. 46. The method of claim 45, wherein the support member comprises a fine mesh screen arranged in an offset relationship with respect to the longitudinal direction. 47. The method of any one of claims 42-46, wherein both sides of the fabric are treated. 47. The method of any one of claims 42-46, wherein the array of jets is formed by a plurality of parallel manifolds spaced about 8 inches apart. 43. The method of claim 42, wherein the pressure is about 1500 psi, the jet diameter is about 0.005 inches, and the center-to-center spacing of the jets includes about 60 jets per inch and impacts the fabric with an energy of about 0.46 hp-hr / lb. The method characterized in that the addition. 47. The method of any one of claims 42-46, wherein the fabric comprises low denier, short length fibers and loosely twisted yarns. A method of supporting a woven or knitted fabric comprising a spun yarn and / or spun filament yarn on a support member and subjecting it to impact by a plurality of fluid jet streams for improving the characteristics, denier and length of 0.3-16.0 and 0.5-, respectively. Supporting a fabric comprising yarn fibers in the range of 8 inches and having a yarn count in the range of 0.5 s to 80 s on the support member, moving the supported fabric in the longitudinal direction, transverse to the longitudinal direction Uniformly impacting at least one side of the fabric moved by the continuous fluid curtain emitted from the orifices having an axis approximately perpendicular to the fabric and arranged in a densely arranged adjacently arranged fluid jet, , 0.1-2.0 hp-hr / lb for the fabric by selectively adjusting the moving speed, jet pressure, and orifice diameter and center-to-center spacing according to the fabric type and weight. By applying an impact to the energy, characterized in that it comprises the steps of drying the shock treated fabric to perform jam processing of the yarn and improve the quality and coverage of the fabric at the intersections. 52. The method of claim 51, wherein the conveyor speed is 10 to 500 fpm, the jet pressure is 200 to 3000 psi, the jet has a columnar structure and the diameter and center-center spacing are 0.005 to 0.010 inches and 0.017 to 0.034 inches, respectively. Way. 53. The method of claim 52, wherein the jet is spaced about 0.5 inches apart from the support member. 52. The method of claim 51, wherein the support member is fluid permeable and comprises 17-40% open area and includes a fine mesh pattern capable of passing the fluid without providing a patterning effect to the fabric. 55. The method of claim 54, wherein the support member comprises a fine mesh screen arranged in an offset relationship with respect to the longitudinal direction. 56. The method of any of claims 51-55, wherein both sides of the fabric are treated. 56. The method of any one of claims 51-55, wherein the array of jets is formed by a plurality of parallel manifolds spaced about 8 inches apart. The apparatus of claim 51, wherein the pressure is about 1500 psi, the jet diameter is about 0.005 inches, and the center-to-center spacing of the jets includes about 60 jets per inch and impacts the fabric with an energy of about 0.46 hp-hr / lb. The method characterized in that the addition. 56. The method of any of claims 51-55, wherein the fabric comprises low denier, short length fibers and loosely twisted yarns. An apparatus for uniformly improving the quality of woven or knitted fabrics comprising spun yarns and / or spun filament yarns, comprising: a fabric support member, means for moving the supported fabric in the longitudinal direction, and transversely aligned with respect to the longitudinal direction An adjacent stationary array of fluid jets densely arranged in a closed state and comprising means for uniformly impacting the fabric moved by continuous fluid curtains emitted from orifices with axes approximately perpendicular to the fabric, By selectively adjusting the moving speed, jet pressure, and diameter and center-center spacing of the orifice according to the type and weight, the fabric is impacted with energy of 0.1 to 2.0 hp-hr / lb, and the fluid curtain is And acting to entangle the fabric yarns at the intersection to improve the coverage and quality of the fabric. 61. The method of claim 60, wherein the conveyor speed is 10 to 500 fpm, the jet pressure is 200 to 3000 psi, the jet has a columnar structure and the diameter and center-center spacing are 0.005 to 0.010 inches and 0.017 to 0.034 inches, respectively. Way. 62. The apparatus of claim 61, wherein the jet is spaced about 0.5 inches from the support member. 61. The apparatus of claim 60, wherein the support member is fluid permeable and comprises 17-40% open area and includes a fine mesh pattern that allows fluid to pass through without providing a patterning effect to the fabric. 66. The apparatus of claim 63, wherein the support member comprises a fine mesh screen arranged in an offset relationship with respect to the longitudinal direction. 65. The apparatus of any of claims 60-64, wherein both sides of the fabric are treated. 65. The apparatus of any of claims 60-64, wherein the array of jets is formed by a plurality of parallel manifolds spaced about 8 inches apart. 61. The method of claim 60, wherein the pressure is about 1500 psi, the jet diameter is about 0.005 inches, and the center-to-center spacing of the jets includes about 60 jets per inch and impacts the fabric with an energy of about 0.46 hp-hr / lb. Apparatus characterized in that for adding. 65. The apparatus of any of claims 60-64, wherein the fabric comprises low denier, short length fibers and loosely twisted yarns. A device for uniformly improving the quality of woven or knitted fabrics comprising spun yarns and / or spun filament yarns, comprising: a fabric support member, a conveyor for moving the supported fabric in the longitudinal direction, and a transverse alignment with respect to the longitudinal direction And a plurality of stationary parallel manifolds, which are densely arranged fluid jets which are guided approximately perpendicular to the fabric, and which define a continuous fluid curtain, the movement speed, jet pressure, and By selectively adjusting the orifice's diameter and center-to-center spacing, the fabric is impacted with an energy of 0.1 to 2.0 hp-hr / lb, and the fluid curtain cooperates with the support member to entangle the fabric yarns at the intersections. Apparatus characterized by improving the coverage and quality. 70. The method of claim 69, wherein the conveyor speed is 10-500 fpm, the jet pressure is 200-3000 psi, the jet has a columnar structure and the diameter and center-center spacing are 0.005-0.010 inch and 0.017-0.034 inch, respectively. Device. 71. The apparatus of claim 70, wherein the jet is spaced about 0.5 inches from the support member. 70. The apparatus of claim 69, wherein the support member is fluid permeable and comprises 17-40% open area and includes a fine mesh pattern capable of passing the fluid without providing a patterning effect to the fabric. 73. The apparatus of claim 72, wherein the support member comprises a fine mesh screen arranged in an offset relationship with respect to the longitudinal direction. 74. An apparatus according to any one of claims 69 to 73 wherein both sides of the fabric are treated. The apparatus of claim 69, wherein the pressure is about 1500 psi, the jet diameter is about 0.005 inches, and the center-to-center spacing of the jets includes about 60 jets per inch and impacts the fabric with an energy of about 0.46 hp-hr / lb. Apparatus characterized in that for adding. 74. An apparatus as claimed in any of claims 69 to 73 wherein the fabric comprises low denier, short length fibers and loosely twisted yarns. A uniformly characterized woven or knitted fabric comprising spun yarns and / or spun filament yarns intersecting a crevice-like open area at intersections, the yarns having denier and length of 0.3-16.0 and 0.5-8 inches, respectively. Uniformly bulked, entangled and bloomed in the interstitial open area by an array of densely arranged fluid jets containing fibers and delivering energy between 0.1 and 2.Ohp-hr / lb, improving properties The fabrics are characterized in that the at least two characteristics of air permeability, wear resistance, tensile strength, unevenness, sweating, wrinkle recovery, torque resistance and weight of the fabric are significantly improved. 78. The fabric of claim 77, comprising a loosely twisted yarn.

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