US2434532A

US2434532A - Imitation fabric

Info

Publication number: US2434532A
Application number: US556003A
Authority: US
Inventors: Wurzburger Hugo
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1944-09-27
Filing date: 1944-09-27
Publication date: 1948-01-13
Anticipated expiration: 1965-01-13

Description

Jan. 13, 1948. WURZBURGER 2,434,532

IMITTION FABRIC Filed Sept. 27, 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 aaa alf-

TZNEY Jan. 13, 1948. H, WURZBURGER 2,434,532

IMITATION FABRIC Filed Sept. 27, 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 la J J5 IN VEN TOR. A060 /f//rzawrsf/e fwd@ ATTORNEY Patented Jan. 13, 1948 vUNITED STATES PATENT ori-ica IMITATION FABRIC Hugo 'Wurzbnrgen New York, N. Y., assignor to Paul D. Wurzburger, Cleveland Heights, Ohio Application September 27, 1944, Serial No. 556,003 (ci. 154-46) 3 Claims.

This invention relates to imitation fabrics and particularly to those fabrics which are formed at least in part of organic plastic material molded in situ without resorting to spinning, weaving,

knitting or other conventional textile methods of forming fabrics.

The prior art has made various attempts at providing imitation fabrics of the type to which the present invention generally pertains and disclosed, for example, in the United States patent to Bilgge, No. 2,276,608, granted March 17, 1942. These fabrics have been formed by molding synthetic organic plastic material between rolls, one or both of which have been so shaped, as by engraving orotherwise, as to provide the desired configuration for the fabric for simulating textiles produced by any of the ordinary methods as by weaving, knitting or otherwise.

All such fabrics, whether they simulate cloth woven in any one of the known ways, knitted material, lace, tulle or other known fabrics, comprise a plurality of threads of simulated filaments which cross one another at various points throughout the fabric. Most of the fabrics of the prior art which are formed in situ from plastic material rather than by conventional textile methods are relatively stiff and did not satisfactorily imitate the desired natural textile material due to this stiffness and lack of flexibility, primarily because at the crossing points the simulated fllaments were usually rigid with one another, either by being formed integral or by adhesion; and no means were yprovided for relieving this added stiffness by offsetting or compensating for this additional rigidity.

A primary objectI object of the present invention is to provide an imitation fabric of the type above generally set forth, wherein means are provided for compensating at least in part for the additional rigidity inherent in this type of fabric by providing particular flexibility for the simulated iilaments intermediate and/oradjacent to the crossing points. i

A more specic object of the present invention is to provide additional flexibility to such a fabric specifically by providing reduced portions or sec-4 tions for the filaments adjacent to the relatively rigid crossing points.

Filaments having grooves formed therein similar in many respects to the individual filaments of the fabric of the present invention are disclosed and claimed in my co-pending application, Ser. No. 595,642, filed May 24, 1945, entitled Imitation filaments, ropes, yarns and the like.

Other and more detailed objects of the present 2 invention will become apparent from the following specification and appended claims and taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a fragmentary diagrammatic enlarged view of an imitation fabric in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a section substantially on the line 2-2 of Fig. l;v

Fig. 3 is a section substantially on line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 1 showing an imitation fabric having a different type of pattern;

liig. 5 lis a transverse section substantially on line 5-5 of Fig.-4;\

Fig. 6 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 5 showing a. modified construction;

Figs. 'I and 8 are sectional views similar to Figs. 5 and 6, respectively, showing an imitation fabric having a flat rear face;

Fig. 9 is a view similar to Figs. 1 and 4 showing an imitation fabric formed with simulated filaments which are constricted adjacent to the crossing points thereof;

Fig. 10 is a section taken substantially along the line lill Il of Fig. 9;

' Fig. 11 is a View of another form of an imitation fabric similar to Figs. 1, 4 and 9, but with a simulation of the crossing filaments at different elevations;

Fig. 12 is a section taken substantially on the line |2--I2 of Fig. 11; and

Figs. 13, 14 and 15 are sectional views showing further different types of imitation fabrics made in accordance with the present invention.

Referring first to Figs. 1 to 3 inclusive, there is shown an imitation fabric simulating a conventional woven fabric, but in which the simulated warp and weft laments are disposed substantially in the same plane or section as shown best in Figs. 2 and 3. If we assume, for example, that the simulated warp filaments are shown at l, then the simulated weft filaments will be those shown at 2. These iilaments cross at points or zones 3 and may be rigid or integral with one another at such points. Where the simulated filaments all lie substantially in the same plane as shown in Figs. 1 to 3, I contemplate that the entire body of the material will be of synthetic organic plastic material, such as some of the materials now in common use in the making of rayon or artificial silk, for example, viscose or cellulose acetate. In this case the simulated filaments would not be separate and adhesively 3 Joined, but would be integral with one another at their crossing points 3. The fabric will, however, simulate natural fabric in that it is provided with holes Il therethrough closely simulating filaments as by usual Woven materials.

An imitation fabric formed in situ without resorting to the usual weaving operation on separate yarns or filaments is ordinarily quite rigid due to the rigid connections between the filaments at their crossing points; and hence while it might simulate usual fabric in appearance, at least from a distance, it would notbe as flexible as ordinary fabric made up of yarns of about the same diameter. In order to offset or compensate at least in part for this added rigidity incident to an imitation fabric of this type, I provide the simulated yarns or filaments at least intermediate their crossing points with one or more grooves as shown at 5, these grooves extending at a substantial angle to the axis of the simulated filaments, rather than parallel thereto, and preferably extending at least one-third of the way around the circumference of the filaments. In the specific embodiment shown in Fig. 1, for example, the grooves 5 are substantially parallel helical grooves, which is a preferred embodiment of the invention in this respect, as it not only provides for added flexibility for the imitation fabric as a whole, but also tends to simulate the appearance of usual doubled and twisted yarn or filaments produced by known twisting and spinning operations.

In Figs. 4 and 5 there is shown an imitation fabric having a slightly different pattern, that is, it has simulated warp filaments I as before, but the simulated weft filaments 6 are formed by two simulated parallel filaments before apparent reversal in respect to the simulated warp laments I. In this figure some reference numbers are used for parts corresponding respectively to the corresponding parts of previous figures. Here, however, the crossing points of the simulated filaments are of greater thickness in cross-section as best shown at l, Fig. 5, the total thickness at the crossing points preferably being less than the sum of the ordinary thicknesses or diameters of filaments crossing at such points, but greater than the thickness or diameter of either of such individual filaments. This is a preferred construction to simulate the appearance of the ordinary woven fabric with the weave or pattern as generally illustrated in Fig. 4 while reducing to some extent the thickness at the crossing points, yet keeping such thickness great enough so that the appearance of an ordinary fabric is simulated. The partial reduction in thickness tends to reduce the rigidity of the imitation fabric as a whole and yet is not so great that the imitation fabric is unduly stiff or rigid. Here again substantially the same novel expedient set forth in discussing Figs. 1 to 3 may be employed, that is, the simulated filaments I and 6 may have portions at least intermediate the crossing points provided with a plurality of preferably substantially helical grooves, which grooves extend between points where one simulated filament appears to cross under another, rather than merely between crossing points per se as in Figs. 1 to 3. Thus, in this form of my invention each crossing point will have grooves extending completely across it, the grooves being in one simulated filament of each crossing pair on one side of the imitation fabric and in the other of the simulated crossing filaments on the other side thereof as shown at 8 and 9, respectively, Fig. 5.

In Fig. 6 there is shown a slight variation of the embodiment of the invention disclosed in Fig. 5. In this case certain of the crossing points are thickened to approximately the sum of the total thicknesses or diameters of the simulated filaments crossing at such points as shown, for example, at I0, while other crossing points as shown at I I may be located substantially in the plane of the fabric similar to the crossing points 3 shown in Figs. 2 and 3. I contemplate that imitation fabrics having any of the variants disclosed, for example, in Figs. 2, 5 and 6 in any desired combination or even other variants as hereinafter set forth may be employed in accordance with the present invention for the purpose of simulating different types of fabrics and for producing imitation fabrics with different decorative effects.

In Figs. 7 and 8 there are shown different modifications of imitation fabrics with various types of crossing points for the laments thereof, but in both these figures the entire imitation fabric will have a fiat rear side as shown at I2. Such a fabric may be produced, for example, by an apparatus and a method as shown in United States Patent to Foltzer, No. 1,133,548, patented March 30, 1915, wherein the rear side of the fabric is formed against a smooth drum, it being understood. of course, that the present invention includes certain principles herein disclosed in respect to reducing the stiffness of the fabric, which are not disclosed in said Foltzer patent. In Fig. 7 there is shown a form of the invention wherein each of the crossing points I l is increased in thickness in respect to the ordinary thickness of the simulated filaments, the total thickness being substantially the sum of the thicknesses of the crossing filaments. Here again the grooves are extended across the crossing points in the filament which appears to lie above the other as shown at I4.

In Fig. 8 certain only of the crossing points are increased in thickness as shown at I3, while others of the crossing points I5 are of the same thickness as the individual simulated crossing filaments and the grooves extend across one or the other of the simulated crossing filaments as shown at Il.

In Figs. 9 and 10 there is shown another of the principal expedients of the present invention for reducing the stiffness of the imitation fabric, specifically by providing constricted portions between those portions of the simulated nlaments intermediate the crossing points and the points where they cross other such filaments. As shown particularly in these figures there are simulated warp filaments I6 and wef-t filaments I1. The pattern or weave being simulated in this case is substantially that shown in Fig. 4, that is, two parallel weft filaments are disposed between the warp filaments prior to the apparent reversal of the warp filaments for the next pair of weft filaments. The crossing points in the formA of the invention shown in Figs. 9 and 10 are arranged substantially in the plane of the imitation fabric, similar -to the imitation fabric shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, so that the crossing points are only about the same thickness as the main portions of the individual simulated filaments assumed to cross at such points. Here, however, the simulated filaments are provided with reduced diameter or constricted portions as indicated at Ill adjacent to the crossing points. This provides added flexibility adjacent to each of the crossing points and thus tends to offset or compensate for the stiftening effect upon the fabric of the crossing points thereof. As previously described in connection with other figures, there will be a plurality of apertures between the simulated .warp and weft filaments, which preferably extend completely through the fabric, the size and shape of these apertures depending, of course, upon the type of pattern or weave or fabric which is being simulated.

In Figs. 11 and 12 there is shown another type of imitation fabric which may be desirable in certain instances. Here the fabric simulated is one having a plurality of warp filaments I9 with simulated

weft filaments

20 and 2| not apparently woven between the warp filaments, but merely laying across them on both sides thereof respectively and integrally or adhesively joined thereto. In this case it is contemplated that the warp filaments i9 may be either of some type of synthetic plastic material the same or different than the simulated weft finaments 20 and/or 2| or the warp filaments may be of any known textile material including such ordinary threads as cotton, wool, linen or other known materials. The weft filaments 20 and 2i are rigid with the warp filaments I9 at their crossing points, which may be effected either by the process of making them of 'the material of the simulated weft filaments, which is preferably of synthetic organic plastic material as hereinabove set forth andl which will adhere thereto or penetrate thereinto; or either one or both may be provided with adhesive material to affect -rigid Joints at the crossing points. As lshown in Fig. 12 the weft filaments are so formed that pairs of simulated weft filaments will lay opposite one another on opposite sides of warp filaments and will weld with each other and with the warp filaments preferably in the process of making the fabric. To thislend the

simulated weft filaments

20 and 2| will be substantially semi-circular on their outside contour and will be provided witha plurality of grooves as herein- 4 above set forth, which are preferably substantially parallel and helical as shown. They will also have portions extending between the warp filaments and into contact with one another as shown at 22 and 23 and will weld on a line indicated generally at 2l. .c

In Fig. 13 there is shown another embodiment of the invention similar in many respects as that shown in Figs. 11 and 12, but with the exception that the crossing points 25 between the warp filaments 28 and the simulated weft filaments 21 are increased in thickness to substantially the sum of the ordinary thicknesses of the warp and weft filaments. The portions intermediate the crossing points shown at 28 are preferably reduced to the single thickness of the individual weft filaments 2l. The several simulated weft filaments may be provided with grooves in any of the ways described.

In Fig. 14 is shown a cross-section of a fabric, which is essentially the same as the showing of Fig. 5 with the exception that the section is taken at a different point in the fabric, i. e., between the simulated weft filaments rather than centrally through such filament. The warp filaments are shown at 29 and a simulated weft filament is shown at 30, there being crossing points 3| as shown, which extend to one side only of the general plane of the fabric, alternate crossing points extending toward opposite sides thereof, so that the fabric has in effect no right and wrong sides. This is also a useful characteristic of several of the fabrics previously described. Here again the grooves vextend across the crossing points of the simulated filaments which appears Nto lie above the other in a way that can be formed by mating calender rolls by which the fabric is adapted to be made.

In Fig. 15 there is shown an imitationvfabric in which the warp filaments 32 all lie continuously in the same plane, while the simulated weft filaments 33 are formed therebetween in a sinuous fashion. This imitation fabric is similar to that 4 shown in the Biigge patent above referred to. In this case, however, the simulated weft filaments 33 are provided with grooves as previously described and as shown at 3l. As shown in this figure only the weft filaments are so provided with grooves, which is one possible modification of the present invention. Also this form of the invention is applicable to a situation wherein the warp filaments are of known textile materials as set forth in connection with Figs. 11 and l2, while the simulated weft filaments are of synthetic organic plastic material formed in situ.

I not only contemplate completed imitation fabrics made in accordance with my present lnvention as described above, but also that individual filaments having grooves therein may be formed in substantially the manner above set 4 forth and will embody and form a part of the present invention. Such novel filaments may be made up into fabrics by any of the known ways including weaving, knitting or otherwise. Such individual filaments are similar in appearance to those illustrated in the accompanying drawings, for example, the weft filaments 20 of Fig. 1l, wherein there are a plurality of substantially helical grooves extending uniformly along at least one side of the filaments. I contemplate, however, that such grooves might be formed on both sides if desired and that these grooves would, as above set forth, provide a filament which would render a fabric made therefrom quite iiexlble and thus carry out many of the objects of this invention in regard to fabrics and also would tend to simulate the appearance of known doubled and twisted filaments or yarn. In this way a singlefilament complete in itself and ready for use could be formed as a single continuous thread, rather than from a large number of individual filaments twisted together as is now common in the rayon industry. The subject matter of the individual filaments described in this paragraph is not claimed herein but is described andclaimed in my co-pending application. Ser. No. 595,642, above referred to, which is a continuation-impart of the present application.

Thus there is described herein a number of modifications or embodiments of the present invention illustrating how the principles thereof can be applied in different ways and different combinations. In all of them. however, at least a part of the simulated' filaments are provided with one or more grooves intermediate the rigid crossing points uwith other such filaments, which tend to 'offset or compensate for the stiifening effect of the rigid crossing points. These grooves extend at a substantial angle to the axes of the' filaments and are preferably helical and substantially parallel to one another. The grooves extend in each instance at least about one-third of the way around each individual filament, as can be formed by suitably engraved or otherwise shaped calender rolls, by which it is contemplated the simulated filaments and the imitation fabrics as a whole can be made. The helical grooves simulate the appearance of natural doubled and twisted textile fibers or yarn, so that the fabric as a whole has an appearance of a conventional fabric made by Weaving, knitting or otherwise. The constricted portions of the filaments adjacent to the crossing points shown in Figs. 1l and l2 may be considered as grooves extending transverse to the axis of the filaments and hence come within the broad definition of applicants invention in this respect.

While I have shown and described herein a number of embodiments of the present invention, I do not Wish to be limited to these specific embodiments or any of them, but merely by the scope of the appended claims, which are to be construed validly as broadly as the state of the prior art permits.

What is claimed is:

l. A flexible unwoven fabric, formed integrally in situ, simulating a fabric made of distinct filaments, and composed of synthetic organic plastic.'

material, the portions simulated crossing points of the parts of the fabric simulating filaments being integral and homogeneous and lying substantially in the plane of the fabric, and said portions being solely convex in any plane perpendicular to the plane of the fabric, said fabric having in each of the simulated filaments at least intermediate the simulated crossing points thereof, at least one groove which extends at least one-third of the Way around the filaments and serves to impart exibility to the fabric by tending to compensate for the stiffening effect of the integral crossing points, said grooves further being formed solely as indentations from at least one face of the fabric, so as to impart fiexibility thereto as to bending in any direction, while retaining the resistance of the fabric against distortion in the plane thereof substantially unimpaired.

2. A exible imitation unwoven fabric formed integrally in situ and simulating a fabric made of distinct filaments and composed of synthetic organic plastic material, the parts of said fabric simulating filaments being integral at their crossing points and having at least one groove intermediate each of said crossing points and extending at least about one-third of the way around the filaments and serving to impart fiexibility to the fabric by tending to compensate for the stiening effect of the integral crossing points, said grooves further being formed solely as indentations from at least one face of the fabric so as to impart flexibility thereto as to bending in any direction, while retaining the resistance of the fabric against distortion in the plane thereof substantially unimpaired, wherein the plastic filaments are constricted adjacent to the crossing points thereof to. reduce the stiffening effect on the fabric of the rigid crossing points.

3. A flexible imitation unwoven fabric formed integrally in situ and simulating a fabric made of distinct filaments and composed of synthetic organic plastic material, the parts oi.' said fabric simulating filaments being integral at their crossing points and having at least one groove intermediate each of said 'crossing points and extending at least about one-third of the Way around the filaments and serving to impart flexibility to the fabric by tending to compensate for the still'- ening effect of the integral crossing points, said grooves further'being formed solely as indentations from vat leastone face-of the fabric so as to impart flexibilityzthereto as to bending in any direction, while retaining the resistance of the fabric against distortion in the plane thereof substantially unimpaired, wherein each of said filaments of organic plastic material is constricted adjacent to each of the crossing points thereof with other filaments, and wherein each of the portions of the plastic filaments intermediate said crossing points is provided with a plurality of substantially parallel helical grooves.

HUGO WURZBURGER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,133,548 Foitzer Mar. so, 1915 1,867,298 Zart et al July 12, 1932 2,334,754 Dreyfus Nov. 23, 1943 2,318,120 Whitehead May 4, 1943 2,294,966 Dreyfus Sept. 8, 1942