US2633624A

US2633624A - Device for treating fabrics

Info

Publication number: US2633624A
Application number: US118129A
Authority: US
Inventors: Merle R Meyer
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1949-09-27
Filing date: 1949-09-27
Publication date: 1953-04-07
Anticipated expiration: 1970-04-07

Description

M. R. MEYER l 633,624

DEVICE FOR TREATING FABRICS Filed Sept. 27, 1949 April 7', 1953 INVENTOR l BY Mer/e ayer E@ 214m AT1-Q RNEY Patented Apr. 7, 1953 `ofthe fabric.

Ye a further 'bje'ct'of this inventionis to profi. u 2,633,624

alter the interengaged yarns and lfibers of the fabric in a manner to substantially reproduce the original appearance and condition thereof.

A garment or fabric shows a worn appearance when the constituent yarns and fibers become compacted and distorted so as to lose their original configuration. Also, when the original interrelation of the adjacent yarns is altered, a Worn appearancemay result. In the 'case 'of fabrics havingfan original nap or pile, any loss or diminution thereof, is readily perceptible and gives a threadbare, Worn appearance to the garment or fabric. Original color effects in fabrics are materially altered by a change in the physical condition of the individual yarns as Well as their relative disposition in the fabric. Colors in fabrics tend to become dull when the fibers are compacted and when they loose their nap. This becomes quite apparent in mono-colored fabrics as Well as in mixed shade fabrics.

This invention may be practiced on fabrics of various Itypes including those having Woolen, cotton, silk and synthetic fiber bases. While the invention is particularly applicable to fabrics having napped or piled surfaces, it also has been found to be useful in connection with unnapped fabrics.

As illustrated in Figs. -1 and 2, means is provided for treating garments or fabrics in accordance with the invention. Such means comprises a rectangular shaped, open frame ID which is made up of horizontally and vertically disposed, elongated members interconnected by means of Suitable fittings. On one of the horizontal members I I is fixed a substantially rectangular shaped base member I2. The opposite ends of member II are journalled in aligned T fittings I3 which form part of frame I0. The base member I2 is thus adapted to be revolved to any desired position. A flange I4 is fixed on the horizontal portion of fitting I3 and a similar flange l5 is fixed to member II inwardly of the right hand journalled end thereof. The flanges I4, I5 are in .contacting relation and are formed with registerapplied to the outer surface of base member I2 and is secured thereto by means of adhesive or the like.

On another horizontal member I8 of frame I0,

vwhich is disposed above base member I2, is

mounted a lighting fixture I9 for illuminating the work positioned on the base member. The xture I9 may be slidably mounted on member I8. On another horizontal member 20 of frame I Il, disposed atthe top thereof, is mounted a motor 2 I. The motor 2| is resiliently mounted on member 20 by means of spring members 22 which may be attached at their upper ends to member 2B in any desired position along member 2B. A flexible shaft 23 extends from motor 2|, with a rotary type brush 24 detachably attached to the terminal end thereof. Brushes 25, 2S which vary as to diameter, bristle type and the like, may be suspended from member 20 for selective use in lieu of brush 24.

A-spraying device 21 of a conventional type,

which is operated by means of compressed air, is

4 provided for carrying and applying lubricating compositions to the garment or fabric 'being treated. Such device includes a exible air line 28 which is adapted to be attached to an air compressor or compressed air tank, not shown. The device 2'I may be hung from member I8 by means of a clip, when not in use.

While the base member I2 may comprise a core of a rigid nature, to which the resilient facing II is attached, alternatively-the core may be of an expansible nature. As shown in Fig. 3, the core may take the form of an inflatable member 29, to which the facing II is secured. The core may be inflated by suitable means. It is understood that the core member of base I2 may be made expansible by means of inserts, screws or the like. 'Ihe base may be contoured to complement the contours of the garment positioned thereon.

A Worn garment or fabric which is to be treated, is examined to determine the nature of the fabric and weave, to determine the specific nature and extent of the treatment required. The garment need not be dry cleaned inasmuch as the treatment has some cleaning action and the garment is usually dry cleaned at the end of the treatment. After examination, the garment may be brushed and vacuumed to remove dust or other foreign matter.

The garment is then positioned on thekbase member I2 with its inner surfaces in contact with the resilient facing I'I. Localized areas of the garment which show the greatest degree of wear, such as pockets, collars, cuffs, lapels, hems and the like, are sprayed With an aqueous solution containing a detergent, -by means of spraying device 21.

The sponge rubber facing I'I may .be of the open pore type or of the closed pore type with a highly irregular or rugose surface. In either case, the irregularity of the facing tends to retain the overlying garment against lateral movement during the subsequent treatment thereof.

While the garment is supported on the base I 2, the sprayed localized areas of the garment are subjected to the action of rotary brush 24 which is moved across the areas in different directions. The brush 24, which may be provided 4with bristles of nylon and of suitable length, lneness and flexibility, engages the fibers of the garment in a manner to rearrange and to alter the physical condition thereof. Compacted fibers are loosened and their original configuration is substantially restored. If the fabric is of the nap type, a brush is selected Which will raise anap on the fabric.

The action of the brush relative to the fabric, is controlled and made effective by the solution applied to the fabric and by the resilient facing which supports the fabric. The facing appears to render the action of the brush uniform and to minimize the tearing or abrading effect of the bristles. This may be due to the absorption of the shock produced by the mechanical engagement of the individual bristles with the fibers of the fabric. With the proper selection of the brush to be used, and proper manipulation thereof, it has been found that the Worn areas of the garment are quickly and eiiiciently restored to substantially their original appearance and condition. The brushing operation is followed by a drying operation which removes the residual moisture in the fabric.

ment, including areas of lesser wear, may be treated to renew the garment as a whole. Thus, the entire surface of the garment may be sprayed and then subjected to the brushing action while supported on base l2. The rounded edges and corners on the base, as well as the adjustment of position thereof, facilitates both the spraying and brushing action, particularly with respect to selected areas of the garment. The treatment may be applied to successive sections of the garment or to the entire garment, depending on the overall area thereof. Upon conclusion of the treatment, the garment is inspected and dry cleaned in a conventional manner.

The brushes used in treating garments or fabric, in accordance with the invention may have their bristles extending radially or otherwise from the brush hub. The bristles may be arranged in spiral rows or in any other suitable manner. It is understood that reciprocally operated brushes, as well as hand manipulated brushes, may be used in lieu of the rotary brush shown. When a single brush is used, the operator may manipulate the same in a manner to provide brush action in different directions relative to the surface of the fabric, thus treating the fibers of the fabric in different directions. Alternatively, a plurality of brushes rotating simultaneously in opposite directions may be used. Such an arrangement of brushes avoids drag of the fabric in one direction and accelerates the treatment. Brushes having wire bristles or bristles of fiber other than nylon may be successfully used in connection with selected types of fabric. In any case, the resilient facing underlying the garment or fabric controls and otherwise increases the brushing emciency of the bristles. y

When treating fabrics substantially devoid of nap originally, the brushing action in conjunction with the resilient facing on the base member is highly effective in loosening the yarns and fibers from their compacted condition and restoring the flattened, distorted individual yarns to substantially their original physical condition and appearance.

The use of an aqueous solution containing detergents facilitates the treatment by temporarily softening and lubricating the fabric fibers. Non-aqueous agents such as textile treating oils known in the art, which are adapted to soften and lubricate the `fibers, may also be used. It has been found that the coaction of the brushing action and the resilient facing on the base member, in respect to the fabric being treated, is further modified by the presence of fiber lubricant whereby to produce desired fabric effects quickly and in an efficient manner.

With the use of detergent containing solutions,

the fabric being treated is cleansed to a certain extent, particularly as regards deep seated foreign material which is not readily removed by the preliminary brushing and vacuuming operation or by conventional dry cleaning procedures.

In the treatment of some fabrics, the application of a lubricating agent to the fabric may be omitted, satisfactory effects being obtained from the conjoint action of the brush and the resilient facing on the work support.

While the process herein disclosed is particularly applicable to worn garments and fabrics, it is understood that the treatment may also be accorded to newly woven fabrics and new garments for the purpose of napping the same or loosening the original weave to a desired extent. Fabrics and garments also may be treated to selectively nap predetermined areas thereof.

The resilient facing material on base l2 may take the form of materials other than sponge rubber. Combinations of synthetic or natural rubber-like materials and fibrous reenforcing elements, as well as various natural and synthetic porous structures, having the desired degree of resiliency, may be used as a facing for the base member I2.

It will thus be seen that there is provided a method and means, in which the several objects of this invention are achieved, and which is well adapted to meet the conditions of practical use.

As various possible embodiments might be made of the above described invention, and as various changes might be made in the embodiments above set forth, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent:

1. In a device for renewing garments including fabric having interengaged yarns in a compacted condition, comprising in combination, a resilient base having an irregular upper surface for supporting a garment, and means for brushing the exposed surface of the garment to loosen the fabric yarns thereof, the upper surface of said base being adapted to retain said garment against lateral movement during the brushing operation.

2. In a device for treating fabric, the combination of means for supporting the fabric including an outer sheet of porous, resilient material having an irregular outer surface, means for applying a lubricant to the fabric and brush means for treating the lubricated fabric while supported ond said resilient means.

3. In a device for treating fabric, the combination of a frame, a base member adjustably mounted on said frame, a resilient porous facing having an irregular outer surface on said base member and brush means for treating fabric polsoitioned on the resilient facing of said base mem- 4`. In a device for treating fabric, the combination of an expansible base member, a resilient porous facing having an irregular outer surface on said base member and brush means for treating fabric positioned on the resilient facing of said base member.

MERLE R. MEYER.

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

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 889,851 Kazanjian June 2, 1908 1,225,671 Maussner May 8, 1917 1,304,281 Dunklee May 20, '1919 1,412,503 Black et al Apr. 11, 1922 1,480,352 Suzuki Jan. 8, 1924 2,273,489 Holmes Feb. 17, '1942 2,327,492 Braun Aug. 24, 1943 2,490,981 Reiss et al. Dec. 13, 1949 2,539,714 Young et al Jan. 30, 1951 ,2,539,715 Young et al. Jan. 30, 1951