Abstract: A woven textile fabric having at least 65% thermoplastic fibers therein with an ultrasonically cut and sealed edge characterized by a wash durability of preferably at least 25 to 50 washings without significant raveling. Apparatus and processes are provided for effecting such ultrasonic cutting and sealing to produce the desired cut and sealed edge in the woven textile fabric.

Abstract: An improved anvil construction, for use in an ultrasonic apparatus for edge cutting and sealing moving lengths of at least partially thermoplastic material, particularly textile fabric having at least some thermoplastic fibers, and including a vibrating sonic horn cooperating with and vibrating against the anvil for such ultrasonic edge cutting and sealing as the material moves between the sonic horn and the anvil. The anvil includes a peaked cutting edge and first and second surfaces extending in respective opposite directions from the cutting edge and is characterized by being adjustable to positions for effecting clean and sharp edge cutting and desired amounts of edge sealing in the material while resisting wear on the anvil.

Abstract: A woven textile fabric having at least 65% thermoplastic fibers therein with an ultrasonically cut and sealed edge characterized by a wash durability of preferably at least 25 to 50 washings without significant raveling. Apparatus and processes are provided for effecting such ultrasonic cutting and sealing to produce the desired cut and sealed edge in the woven textile fabric.

Abstract: Apparatus and process for ultrasonically cutting off undesirable selvage and sealing the longitudinal cut edges from both sides of continuous lengths of textile fabric having at least some thermoplastic yarns therein. The apparatus and process are characterized by cutting off a predetermined width of the undesirable selvage from each side of the textile fabric regardless of the transverse variations in the path of travel of the fabric through the apparatus or width of the fabric. The apparatus utilizes a mechanism for shifting the moving textile fabric relative to a stationary ultrasonic cutting and sealing mechanism on one longitudinal edge of the fabric and a mechanism for shifting a movable ultrasonic cutting and edge sealing mechanism relative to the other longitudinal edge of the moving textile fabric.

Abstract: The level of released formaldehyde in a durable press treated fabric is significantly reduced or eliminated altogether by an oxidative aftertreatment process in which the fabric, after treatment with a formaldehyde-based durable press finishing agent and curing to impart durable press properties, is contacted with an oxidizing agent to destroy formaldehyde-releasing moieties present in the fabric. Preferably, the treatment of the durable press fabric with the oxidizing agent is carried out by impregnating the fabric with a solution containing the oxidizing agent and then providing the fabric a residence time in contact with the oxidizing agent to allow for reaction of the oxidizing agent with the formaldehyde-releasing moieties.

Abstract: A process of treating a textile fabric containing cellulosic fibers to impart crease resistance in which the fabric impregnated with an aqueous solution containing formaldehyde and a curing catalyst, vacuum is applied to the impregnated fabric to remove excess impregnation solution and provide a wet pickup of about 15 to 35 percent, and the fabric is then dried and cured.

Abstract: Cellulosic fiber-containing fabrics are made wrinkle resistant by a durable press process which comprises treating a cellulosic fiber-containing fabric with aqueous formaldehyde and a catalyst capable of catalyzing the cross-linking reaction between the formaldehyde and cellulose, heat-curing the treated cellulose fiber-containing fabric, preferably having a moisture content of more than 20% by weight, under conditions at which formaldehyde reacts with cellulose in the presence of the catalyst without a substantial loss of formaldehyde before the reaction of the formaldehyde with cellulose to improve the wrinkle resistance of the fabric.