Abstract: A cleaning apparatus for a chenille production machine has a yarn fabricating head enclosure that includes a base member positioned in parallel and in close proximity with a back side of the yarn fabricating head and fixedly mounted to the supporting frame, a body member circumferentially encompassing the yarn fabricating head and fixed to the base member, and a cover member secured to the body member to enclose the fabricating head for collecting the fabricating dust. The cover member has at least one opening port for direct removal of the dust. A dust evacuating system is associated with the opening port. The dust evacuating system has a guiding member that is positioned within the cover member to direct the dust from the enclosure to a hose connected to an exhaust system. The cleaning apparatus optionally includes an automatic purge system which provides an automated cleaning service of the yarn fabricating head in a predetermined time intervals and for a predetermined duration.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for the manufacture of a novel chenille upholstery fabric and chenille decorative throw. The chenille yarn contains a continuous filament binder yarn comprising a polymer selected to have a melting point which allows melting to occur at maximum speeds either in a tenter frame or in a heat setting machine. The chenille yarn comprises a pile, a core and the continuous filament binder yarn. The chenille fabric is woven from the chenille yarn and the binder yarn is melted to bind the pile to the core. In one embodiment the melting occurs in a tenter frame during the curing of a latex backing for the fabric. In a second embodiment, the melting occurs in a heat setting machine prior to weaving. As part of both embodiments, the core is air textured together with the binder yarn.