US1661880A - Laminated fabric and method of making it - Google Patents

Description

March 6, 1928.

D. DE GUNCZ ET AL.

LAMINATED FABRIC AND METHOD OF MAKING IT Filed Feb.l9. 1925 3 Sheets-Sheet. 1

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He G'oemz, fllbefl a (forces, 2; Mfg 44W March 6, 1928.

D. DE GONCZ ET AL LAMINATED FABRIC AND METHOD OF MAKING I'I.

Filed Feb. 19. 1925 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 MAJ L H L P275155 cZe Joengz, bywwwmw March 6, 1928. 1,661,880

D. DE GONcz ET AL LAHIKATED FABRIC AND METHOD OF MAKING IT Filed Feb.19. 1925 3 Sheets-Sheet :5

W WfQAw into a colloidal cellulose derivative.

Patented Mar. 6, 1928.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

DENIS DI: 66x03 ALBERT B. JONES, OF NORTH ADAIS, IABSAOHUBE'ITB, A8- SIGNORS '10 ARNOLD PRINT WORKS, OF NORTH ADAMS, MASSACHUSETTS, A COB- POBATION OI MASSACHUSETTS.

LAIIN'AT ED FABRIC AND METHOD OF MAKING IT.

Application fled February 19, 1925. Serial No. 10.283.

cellulose derivative in the manner of a glue or varnish; and also the conversion of part of the cellulosic fiber; of which one or both of the assembled webs may be com ospd, ar

as we are aware, such attem ts have been, at best, only partially succ l, the cementitious material, whether a glue or a cellulose derivative, prepared and applied, or prepared by partial conversion of cloth fibers, serving to produce excessive stiffness in the final product, if the cementitious material was present in adequate quantity to integrate the several webs adhesively, or, in the case of a cellulose derivative produced by conversion of the cloth fibers themselves, producing a parchment-like efiect inconsistent with complete adaptability to the normal uses of textile fabric-if the proportion of fiber thus converted sufiiced to perform the adhesive function at all adequately. So far as we are informed, or have observed in the course of various experiments and demonstrations, the chief defects of laminated adhesively assembled fabric webs, made by heretofore known methods, have been either exuassive stifl'ness or inadequate and impermanent junction between the component webs, the latter even though the adhesive cellulosic material be abundant in uantity and therefore productive of the c aracteristics of stiffness and parchment-like consistency which unfits the composite structure for normal use as textile fabric.

We have discovered that if two or more webs of cotton fabric be impregnated severally and simultaneously with rea ents adapted to convert art of the cellulose bers into a colloidal ce ulose solution, and be in or brought into contact with each other while containing by absor tion the reagent materials and remain in relation while the dissolving action is still in regress, an intimate and permanent union 0 the several constituent webs of fabric will be produced by means of a proportion of cellulosic mater al insuflicient sensibly to impair or degrade ,the softness and liability of the textile material, which, wliile possessing increased body and stoutness, proportionate to the thickness of the laminated product, nevertheless retains both to sight and touch the characteristics expected of textile material adapted to normal uses; the fibers of the fabric -if it be cottonmay be so converted in part as to resemble linen, this in itself being a valuable transformation. Other characteristics of our discovery and invention will be made manifest by the following description of the process by which we pre fer to make the laminated, integrated textile fabric, a process which is here described as the best specific exemplification known to us, by which to carry our invention and discovery into efiect.

In an application for United States Letters Patent, filed by Dr. Denis de Goncz on or about the twenty-second day of September, 1924, and serially numbered 739,201 there 1s described a treatment of cellulosic materials which, in brief, is as follows:

Cellulosic fibrous material (cotton, jute, linen, ramie, wood, or other vegetable fibers) for example cotton cloth, is first uniformly wetted with an alkaline solution, such as of caustic soda, by padding, dipping and squeezing, or in any manner adapted to produce an even distribution on the surfaces and in the capillary spaces of the cloth of the reagent or activating'solution. When the alkaline reagent is thus applied, both a. predetermined concentration of reagent and a predetermined, measured content of water and alkali in relation to the cellulose volume, or the effective superficial area of the textile material may be secured. The concentration of caustic soda, thus applied, is recommended to be not much greater than 20 Twaddell and therefore insufiicient in itself to cause any material chemical effect such as mercerizing at normal temperatures and during normal time-duration of treat ment, other than adsorption'upon the cellulosic contents of the alkaline contents.

When the material is prepared by associating it with an alkaline reagent in this managent away from the textile or cellulosic nor, the capillary and adsorptive association of the material with the alkaline reagent prevents the latter from leaving the surfaces and capillary voids of the material in a subsequent dipping bath of material solvent or convertive of cellulose. This is important, because, while the alkaline reagent is necessary to activate the solvent, it is ensured that the solvent be not degraded by any substantial diffusion of the activating alkaline rematerial and into the solvent-bath. The reaction will thus be localized and confined at the surfaces and in the capillary voids of the fibrous material; the activation and decomposition of the solvent-bath is avoided, and other advantages ensue.

When the fibrous or textile material so carries a measured dosage of an activating re agent which primarily operates according to its chemical, physical, or catal tic nature, into the presence of a solvent or example, cotton cloth carrying a caustic soda solution into an ammoniacal copper solution) there ensues a three-part reaction participated in by the activating reagent (caustic soda} the solvent (cuprammonium solution) and the nascent cellulosic surface, solutions, or colloid extension formed at the seat of the reaction.

More specifically, and for example, the preferred process will beperformed by passing a continuous web of cotton fabric through a caustic soda solution (about 19 Twaddell squeezing between rolls, then conducting the caustic-wet web promptly into and through a cuprammonium solution, squeezing n eutralizing, washing, stretching and drying. A suitable solvent-bath consists of forty pounds of copper sulphate in seven gallons of commercial strong ammonia water, made up to twenty-five gallons by the addition of water. The immersion of the fabric in the solvent-bath may have an actual effective duration of from three to five seconds. Variations in weight and texture of cloth will call for variations in concentration of reagents and indurations of exposure to treatmen I In carrying out our present invention, we preferably use the above described treatment, applying it simultaneously to two webs of fabric, both in the preliminary caustic padding stage and the succeeding cuprammonium solvent stage, bringing the two webs into close union while still saturated with the caustic reagent and the cuprammonium solution and retaining them thus juxtaposed while the tripartite reaction between caustic alkali, cuprammonium, and cellulose is still in progress at the surfaces and in the capillary voids of the fibrous textile material. We have further discovered, that if the surfaces of the two fabric-webs which are destined to be thus brought together, are roughened by napping before the caustic padding takes place, the ultimate integration of the component webs into a unitary, though laminated, fabric, is made more intimate and secure.

An apparatus by the aid of which our process may advantageously be carried out and our new product roduced, is illustrated diagrammatically in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 represents the cloth supply rolls, caustic activating tank and rolls, cuprammonium solvent tank and rolls, and part of a tentering machine, all in side elevation;

Fig. 2 represents the same factors (omitting the cloth supply rolls) in plan;

Fig. 3 represents the delivery end of the tentering machine, and a soaring and washing apparatus in side elevation;

Fig. 4 shows an enlarged detail of the treated webs and pressing rolls; and

Fig. 5 illustrates the elements of a napping machine.

Taken in connection with the description above given of the preferred treatment of a web of cotton cloth, the progress of two webs through the illustrated apparatus will serve to exemplify and explain the'present invention.

Two rolls of cotton cloth, 1 and 2, are simultaneously unwound by the draft of the roller systems R and R and tentering machine M, all of which are adjusted to a uniform rate of translatory action. The webs 1 and 2 are first drawn through the caustic bath tank T where each web is given its predetermined dosage of caustic solution. Thence the webs pass to the cuprammonium bath tank T where the cuprammonium solvent solution enters the capillary interstices of both Webs simultaneously and mingles with the caustic reagent already associated with the cellulosic fibers. Reaction between the caustic, the cuprammonium and the cellulose is initated simultaneously and pro presses pari assu in both webs, and persists after the we s have emerged from the bath in tank T Passing between the rolls 1" and 1*, the two webs are laid together under pressure which need not be heavy, and thenceforward travel together in unison.

Preferably, each cloth web will have been napped on one side, as by a planetary napping machine, indicated diagrammatical y in Fig. 5, the cloth passing from the unwinding roll a through the napper n, and rewinding in roll b. The two rolls, as shown in Fig. 1, are so arranged that the union of the two webs 1 andr2 at the rolls r, 0" shall bring the napped surfaces of the webs together, as shown in Fig. 4.

From the roll s stem R the initially united webs, uniform y saturated with the reacting materials, passto the tentering machine M. The reaction at the fiber surfaces of the webs continues to progress and preferably should be allowed to exhaust 'the reacting components, so as to produce the predetermi'ned proportion of colloidal cellulosic solution before this is set or coagulated by the sourin and washing steps in the process. From t he tentering machine M the laminated fabric composed of the two webs 1 and 2 with their content of reaction-product gasses to the souring and washing tank in which d represents the compartment containing the sulphuric acid souring solution, and d, d washing compartments contain-, ing water. Thence the fabric, now a unitary double web, passesthrough squeeze rolls R and to winding-up rolls R. In practice it has been found advisable to subject the fabric thereafter to a second souring, followed by clear water washing, before it passes to the drying chambers.

The rate of translation of the cloth webs, the concentration of the alkaline and cuprammonium solutions, the duration of sourin and washing will of course vary to suit di erent weights, textures and materials of the webs under treatment. If the fibrous webs be felted, as paper, the presence of sizing or other in redients should be taken into account, an the adjustment of quantitative factors in the process made accordingl With two cotton cloth Webs, each of s yarn, both warp and filling, sley and pick in the nei hborhood of 80 to 100, the followin specifications have yielded good results.

ltateof translation of webs, 35 ards per minute. Alkali bath 22 Twaddel sodium hydroxide solution, time of immersion of webs fi seconds. Cuprammonium bath, 400 lbs. copper sulphate, 150 gallons water, 80 gallons ammonia (commercial strong solution); time of immersion 3 seconds. Time of tentering machine 55 seconds. First souning, 11 seconds in 12 Twaddell sulphuric acid. Second souring in 12 Twaddellsulphuric acid on an ordinary d e jig until the copper coloration is entirely removed; time approximately 1 to 2 hours.

By virtue of the substantially simultaneous initiation of the reaction in the several webs of cellulosic material, the roportion of colloidal cellulosic material, t e anchorage therein of cellulose fibers, and the superficial ateration of the cloth as a whole, are all s bstantially equal in the several web-components, and the union thereof with each other is of uniform tenacity anywhere in the material.

The importance of bringing the two cloth webs into contact while the reaction in their interstices is still in progress may be demonstrated by stopping the translatory movement of the webs for, say, a minute, and then resuming. It will be found that the lengths of web, in which the reaction was thus allowed to attain substantial completion separately in each, are mutual] attached very sli htly, if at all, in the finished product. en the webs have been brought together before the reaction ceases, either by exhaustion of the reagents present, or shy treatment of the cloth with a diluent, the colloidal cellulose proceeds toward its ultimate coagulation and becomes presently a matrix in which the fabric fibers of adjacent webs are embedded. This embedment, accompanied by such interlacement and kinking of indivldual fibers as has taken place, serves to bind the two component webs very firmly together; more firmly than can be the case when a colloidal material functions merel as an adhesive, as when the completed bin ing material, applied to or fully formed on i one web, is brought into contact with the other web.

The product of the above described process is a firmly integrated laminated sheet, presents a linen-like appearance and feel, and as a whole is of a conslstency similar to that of lightl starched cotton or linen of the same y, texture and thickness. While perfectly amenable to washin it restores itself to this flexibly cris con 1tion on drying and ironing, and is t erefore adapted to the manufacture ofsuch articles as collars or cuifs. The modification of the cellulose fiber renders the product resistant to moisture and soiling, so that, inan article of apparel, it will retain its cleanliness for a long time. As the binding and stifiening cellulosic material is insoluble in all ordiwashing liquids, an article of apparel of it has the valuable property of selfrestoration to its original crispness after washing.

We 0 aim:

1. The method of joining preformed cellulosic fiber webs, which comprises preliminarily applying to the webs a caustic alkali, subsequently subjecting the webs thus prepared to the action of cuprammonium solution and bringing the webs together prior to the completion of the ensuing action between the caustic alkali, the cuprammonium, and the cellulosic material of the webs.

2. The method of making a laminated sheet of cellulosic-fiber webs com risin applying an activzging reagent oi predetermined concentra on and in predetermined quantity to each of the component webs, causing the webs containing the activating reagent to take u a predetermined quantity of a solvent solutionadapted to be activated by said activating reagent, and bringing said webs into contact before and retaining them in contact during cessation of the cellulose-solvent reaction ensuing.

3. The method of making a laminated sheet of cellulosic-fiber textile fabrics comprising applying an activating reagent of determined quantity of a adapted to predetermined concentration and in predetermined quantity in relition to the cellulosic mass of the fabrics to each of the comnent fabrics causing the fabrics containmg the aotivetmg reagent to take up a presolvent solution said aclivating webs into con-. them in contact activated solvent be activated b reagent, and bringin sai tact before and retc ning during reaction ofthe to uilibrium; r

4. The method of uking a laminated sheet of cellulosic-flber webs conirisin appl ing an activating reagent 0 pre etermlned concentration and in predetermined quantity to each of the component webs, causing the webs containing, the activating reagent to take'up a predetermined quantity of a, solvent solution adapted to be activated by said activating reagent, bringing said webs intocOntact eiore and retainin them in contact during cessation of the ce iilosestituent in 'the product quality of withstanding severe laundering l without separation of solvent reaction ensuing, and dimlving out of the integrated webs all products of the reaction except the cellulosic material formed theeeby.

5. An article of manufacture com rising the product of claim 2 characterize as n. juxtaposed laminae of cellulosic fibrous ma.- teriul ph sicnlly modified over their ehtire inner an outer suiuces by superficially dissolved and recipitcbed uallulose of the conric and held together by the precipitated cellulose at adjacent surfaces, thus constituted having the the constituent lamime and without any material change in the upgearance of the surface. igned by us at North Adams, setts, this eleventh day of February,

DENIS D1. GONCZ. ALBERT s. JONES.

Massachn- 4 predetermined concentration and in predetermined quantity in relation to the cellulosic mass of the fabrics to each of the componcnt fabrics, causing the fabrics contain- 5 ;ing the activating reagent to take up a predetermined quantity of a solvent solution adapted to be activated by said activating reagent. and bringing said webs into contact before and retaining them in contact during reaction otthe activated solvent to equilibrium.

4. The method of making a laminated sheet of cellulosic-fiber Webs comprising applying an activating reagent ot' predetermined concentration and in predeterinined quantity to each of the component \vebs, causing the webs containing the activating reagent to take up a predetermined quantity of a solvent solution adapted to be activated by said activating reagent, bringing said webs into contact before and retaining them in contact during cessation of the cellulosesolvent reaction ensuing, and dissolving out of the integrated Webs all products of the reaction except the cellulosic material formed thereby.

5. An article of manufacture comprising the product of claim 2 characterized as a. juxtaposed laminae of celluiosic fibrous material physically modified over their entire inner and outer sufaces by superficially dissolved and precipitated cellulose of the con stituent fabric and held together by the precipitated cellulose at adjacent surfaces, the product thus constituted having the quality of withstanding severe laundering without separation of the constituent laniinae and without any material change in the appearance of the surface.

Signed by us at North Adams, Massachusetts, this eleventh day of February, 1925.

DENIS DE GoNoz. ALBERT s. JONES.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION.

Patent No. 1, 661,880.

Granted March 6, 1928, to

DENIS de GONCZ ET AL.

It is hereby certified thateerror appears in the printed specification of the abovenumbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 4, after line 28,

claim 5, insert the words "laminated fabric comprising a plurality of"; and

that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 10th day of April, A. D. 1928.

M. J. Moore,

( Acting Commissioner of Patents.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION.

Patent No. 1.661.880. Granted March 6, 1928, to

DENIS de GONCZ ET AL.

It is'hereby certified tha'ogerror appears in the printed specification of the abovenumbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 4, after line 28, claim 5, insert the words "laminated fabric comprising a plurality of"; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 10th day of April, A. D. 1928.

M. J. Moore, (Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents.

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