Abstract: A method of bulking tufted pile fabrics by means of the controlled application of dry heat thereto. The method of the present invention is particularly well suited to the continuous in-line bulking of carpet.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a fur-like pile fabric of two-layer construction formed of guard hair fibers and under-fur fibers and used as artificial fur and a method for the production thereof.This invention produces a pile fabric 1 possessing guard hair fibers 2 having sharpened leading terminals and under-fur fibers having a satisfactorily uniform length by a method that comprises preparing a pile knitted or woven fabric with a pile yarn obtained by mixing limited-length polyester type fibers for guard hair fibers of sharpened terminals with limited-length polyester type fibers more susceptible to the action of an alkali treating agent and used for under-fur fibers, imparting an alkali treating agent 6 of a specific viscosity to the hair-raised surface of the pile knitted or woven fabric, and thereafter heat-treating the alkali-treated fabric thereby shortening the under-fur fibers and sharpening the leading terminals of the under-fur fibers.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for continuous treatment of webs of fabric having upright pile comprised of wetting the fabric to at least 50% saturation, heating the fabric to approximately 225.degree. to 350.degree. Fahrenheit and then brushing the fabric in both the pile and counter-pile directions. The presence of liquid and steam plasticize and lubricate the fibers, thereby allowing an easier, more complete return to the uncrushed state.

Abstract: The invention discloses a heat processing apparatus for processing the surface in undulated form and expressing a pattern in a pile sheet having multiple piles on a base cloth, in particular, a pile sheet having piles composed of synthetic fibers, which comprises conveying means for conveying the pile sheet, heating means for heating the pile sheet during the conveying process, and pressing means provided on the conveying route for pressing the pile to the base cloth side by selectively pressing different ones of the piles of heated pile sheet to deform the piles, in which the processing for expressing a pattern by undulating the surface of the pile sheet forming multiple piles on the base cloth is done efficiently and simply by useing a plurality of elements in the pressing means.

Abstract: An apparatus for shearing, tigering, napping or other surface treatment of a finite length of a textile fabric, particularly pile and plush fabrics, is disclosed which is especially adapted for experimental research and development usage in a laboratory setting. The apparatus includes a rotatably driven roller having a fabric surface-engaging periphery and an arm assembly for supporting the fabric piece for presentation to the roller, the arm assembly being movable between a fabric-loading position spaced from the roller and a treatment position in close adjacency to the roller.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for continuous treatment of webs of fabric having an upright pile comprising spraying the pile fabric with a sheet of liquid and then optionally heat-setting the fabric. The spraying of pile fibers allows the fibers to return to their preferred upright orientation.

Abstract: Method to refurbish cut or loop pile carpet products including carpet tiles by passing the product under a high pressure water or liquid dispensing head projecting a stream of water against the subject product at a pressure in the range of 200-2000 p.s.i.g.

Abstract: A heavy, roller-mounted base plate has thereon a conventional pile carpet trimmer having a shearing head disposed to be swung into and out of a pile access opening in the base plate either to trim the pile of a carpet by sliding the plate on top of the pile, or to bevel the carpet edge by sliding the plate beneath and along one edge of the carpet. Attached to the plate adjacent opposite ends of its pile access opening are two, linearly aligned guide members, which slidably engage a carpet edge during a beveling operation. A retention bracket projects from one of the guide members to overlie the pile surface to prevent any bunching or folding of the carpet edge during the edge-beveling operation.

Abstract: A pile-detecting apparatus is used in a machine wherein a pile fabric is deflected over a smooth surface of a roll to detect the edge between the pile-free portion of the fabric and the portion with the pile, which edge runs parallel to the displacement direction of the fabric over the roll. The apparatus has a support plate, a frame carrying the plate, a plurality of rollers mounted on the frame and riding on the surface of the deflecting roll, and at least one light source on the plate for generating light beams and directing same tangentially of the surface. Respective detectors on the plate receive the respective light beams.

Abstract: A textile material which consists of interweaving of synthetic filaments as warps and wefts having a fluffy layer of a pile of rayon fixed to the textile material by having its base curved around warps and wefts and wherein the pile is shaved to constitute a uniform surface wherein the material is useful for general cleaning when used with or without a cleaning product.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for imparting visual surface effects to a relatively moving, thermally modifiable substrate by application of discrete streams of heated pressurized gas to surface areas of the substrate. The apparatus includes an elongate manifold assembly comprising two gas receiving compartments, each extending across the path of said substrate. Heated gas from the first compartment passes into the second compartment, which is comprised of a series of chambers with an elongate exit slot positioned closely adjacent the substrate surface. The gas is uniformly mixed within this second compartment, and may then be directed from the exit slot onto the substrate as a thin, continuous stream or curtain extending the length of the manifold.

Abstract: Method for dyeing a cotton nap fabric or carpet wherein the dyestuffs belong to a group of vat dyestuffs and reactive dyestuffs and are applied to the cotton nap. The product after the application of the dyestuff is treated with a uniform application of a liquid agent from a group of agents which are able to make the selected dyestuff absorbable by cotton.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for continuous treatment of a web of thermoplastic pile fabric comprising heating the fabric to a temperature between the dyeing and heat setting temperature of the fabric, then vibrating the fabric biaxially by means of a rotating cylindrical roll with spaced protrusions or depressions along the exterior surface of the cylinder followed, optionally, by vibrating the fabric uniaxially by means of a second rotating cylindrical roll having flat portions continuously extending along the longitudinal axis of the second cylinder. The repeated and rapid front to back and side to side movement of individual pile fibers caused by multiple vibrational waves during biaxial treatment allows the fibers to return to their preferred heat-set orientation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treatment of relatively moving substrate materials by preheating the substrate before precise selective application of discrete, high temperature pressurized streams of fluid against the surface of the materials to impart a visual and tactile change thereto. The apparatus includes an elongate manifold for receiving heated pressurized fluid, such as air, disposed across the width of the relatively moving material and having a single slit the full width of the substrate for directing the fluid into the surface of the material. Pressurized cool fluid, such as air, is directed across selected portions of the manifold discharge slit to deflect pressurized heated air away from the substrate. The manifold is provided with cool air outlets which direct the heated air to a position upstream of the path of movement of the substrate for preheating purposes. The apparatus is further arranged and configured to enhance the visibility of faults in the substrate.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to allow the pile of a pile fabric to become substantially erect by heating the pile fabric to a temperature between the heat setting and dyeing temperatures of the fabric and applying a vibratory force thereto. The vibratory force is applied by impinging a high velocity air stream against a flexible diaphragm over which the heated pile fabric is passed.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing permanently set crumple pleat crease patterns in fabric webs, having a heatable crumple tube with an oscillatingly driveable stuffing element with which a fabric web in rope form is batchwise successively inserted into the crumple tube, compressed and finally forced out. Upstream of the entry end of the crumple tube there is a rope feed tube of smaller diameter than the crumple tube. The rope feed tube has a through-hole connected on the outside to a vacuum source, while part of the crumple tube is concentrically surrounded by a jacket tube. Annular gaps between the crumple and jacket tubes are tightly sealed by annular walls, thereby forming a heating chamber with an inlet and an outlet for a fluid heating medium.

Abstract: An improved method for manufacturing an artificial fur from an intermediate pile cloth such as a double velvet weave fabric, a knitted pile fabric provided with two ground constructions and a connecting pile connecting these two ground constructions, and an intermediate pile cloth provided with looped pile projected upward from a ground construction fabric or knitted fabric or non-woven fabric. In the method of this invention, the continuity of the pile yarns of the intermediate pile cloth is broken by sliding separation, so as not to break at least a partial number of fibrous material which will become guard hair of the artificial fur.

Abstract: A napped sheet has a pattern thereon formed by the sharp contrast between an area with a nap surface and an area with a reversed nap surface on which nap ends are reversed and extend into the inner part of the sheet.A process for producing the sheet includes the step of first raising a fiber sheet and next impinging a high-pressure columnar fluid jet stream on part of the fiber sheet.The product of the invention is soft, strong and beautiful, and has good durability. The production process is simple and inexpensive.

Abstract: A floor covering such as a nap mat or carpet of washable type comprises a rubber or plastic back, wherein the nap or tufts is/are fastened in the back material. The floor covering has means for increasing the drain of liquid from the nap when the floor covering is subjected to the influence of a force, such as a pressing force, a centrifugal force, and/or a pressure difference between the front and rear side of the floor covering. This means may be a normally closed perforation of the back material and/or an intermediate tissue via which the nap is secured to the back material. Preferably the intermediate tissue is a non-woven material, mainly consisting of synthetic fibres having a weight of 100-300, preferably 250 g per m.sup.2, a fibre thickness of 5-30, preferably 8 decitex, and a tissue thickness of 1-5, preferably 2 mm. Thereby a nap mat or carpet is achieved having a short drying time and/or provides a small drying energy consumption after washing.

Abstract: A woven fabric, namely a velours, consists of a foundation fabric and a pile layer of synthetic fibers, at least the pile fibers having a strong crinkle in the untreated woven state. The fiber sections of the pile fibers projecting out of the foundation fabric are permanently uncrinkled, straightened and largely paralleled in the nap surface area and assume an essentially straight position while the pile fibers in the area of the foundation fabric still have the initial crinkle. Due to this, a very easy-to-care-for velours is created with excellent pile retention in the foundation fabric.

Abstract: A self-engaging separable fastener is disclosed which comprises a base member of woven separable fastener material having at least two adjacent mating fastener sections. At least one section is defined by a plurality of loops upstanding from the base member, and the other section is defined by a plurality of hooks upstanding from the base member. The loops are formed of respective generally parallel rows of multifilament yarns interwoven into their respective base section so as to repeat the same loop direction and construction every predetermined number of picks and the hooks are cut from respective generally parallel rows of loops of monofilament yarns interwoven into their respective base section so as to repeat their loop direction and construction every predetermined number of picks, which latter number of picks is greater than the number of picks in which the direction of the multifilament loops is repeated.

Abstract: A cleaning material constituted of a non-woven web of fibers having ends and/or loops protruding from one face thereof, and obtained by needle-punching a web containing a mixture of at least two fibers, one of which has a weight of at least 100 decitex and the other a weight equal to or less than 30 decitex. The cleaning material may be bonded to a porous body, for example, by an intermediate layer to constitute a cleaning pad.

Abstract: A process for washing textile material wherein a non-foamed washing liquor, combined with a foam-producing chemical, is applied to a continuously fed textile material, the foam is produced on the textile material by effecting alternating compression and pressure relief of the textile surface while simultaneously loosening the dirt, and finally the foam, and thus the dirt dissolved in and taken up by the foam, is removed by suction.

Abstract: The present invention provides a textured non-woven insulating laminate lining material which is light weight. The material has a layer of flexible plastic material, on one side upon which is placed a thin layer of thermally reflective metal. Fiber wadding is placed on the side remote from the metal reflective layer, with fibers extending from the wadding through the plastic and reflective layer to form a light nap on the side of the reflective layer, to not only give the material the desirable characteristics of touch and absorbancy normally associated with fine fabric lining and enhance the insulating properties of the material, but also act as a wick, picking up moisture, e.g. perspiration, and transmitting it through the laminate to the fiber, away from the body. The nap is of sufficient weight to permit adequate wicking while permitting exposure of the reflective metallic material.

Abstract: A cut pile fabric such as a velvet composed of a synthetic fiber pile having deep color shade and smooth touch on its pile surface, the piles thereof having non-mushroom shaped cut ends at their tip portions, defined by the equation d.sub.1 /d.sub.2 .ltoreq.1.3, where d.sub.1 is the maximum diameter of the tip portion and d.sub.2 is a diameter of the remaining portion of the piles. The pile fabric is obtained by utilizing, as a pile yarn, a synthetic yarn having a breakage strength of less than 2.8 g/De, a primary yielding strength of more than 1.2 g/De, a breakage elongation of less than 50%, and a primary yielding elongation of less than 10%. Such synthetic yarn can advantageously be prepared by a crystallization drawing process.

Abstract: The length of material, provided uniformly over the operating width with a liquid mixed with frothing chemicals, is to be massaged on the pile side for producing the froth and/or for the complete wetting of all pile fibers. A reel or a similar device exhibiting round bars uniformly distributed over its circumference and partially encompassed by the material serves for this purpose. The length of material is in contact under tension with the rotating reel. On the rear side, the material is urged against the reel by means of an air-impermeable hugger belt, held under tension, or by means of a wearproof pressure shell.

Abstract: Method for pressurized fluid stream treatment of the surface of a relatively moving substrate to impart visual surface changes thereto. A fluid discharge manifold having an elongate discharge slot disposed across the path of relative movement of the substrate discharges pressurized fluid, such as air, in one or more narrow discrete streams into the surface of a substrate, such as a textile fabric. In one embodiment, a plurality of spaced air outlets are disposed in the discharge slot of the manifold and pressurized cooler air is selectively directed through the outlets and across the slot in accordance with pattern information to block heated air streams from exiting from the discharge slot in selected locations and thus pattern the surface of a substrate comprised of thermoplastic yarns. The slot of the discharge manifold also may be provided with an elongate shim member having a plurality of spaced notches in a side edge of the shim member.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for making the appearance of a raised fabric suede-like comprising jet spraying a high pressure liquid (12) (14) onto the nap surface of a raised fabric through the means of the liquid passable material (2) having liquid impassable parts thereon while keeping the reverse side of the raised fabric (26) in close contact with the supporter (16) whose surface has a pattern of random contour variation specified by raised parts and hollow parts, in order to make the appearance of the raised fabric, which has the nap composed of extra fine fibers of monofilament fineness in the range of 0.0001 to 0.8 denier, suede-like.

Abstract: Apparatus for imparting visual surface effects to a relatively moving substrate by application of discrete streams of heated pressurized fluid to surface areas of the substrate. The apparatus includes an elongate manifold assembly comprising two fluid receiving compartments, each extending across the path of said substrate. Fluid from the first compartment passes into the second compartment, which is comprised of a series of chambers, each associated with a throttling gap. The fluid is uniformly mixed within this second compartment, and may then be directed onto the substrate as a thin, continuous stream extending the length of the manifold. By use of blocking streams of relatively cool fluid, smaller streams or groups of streams extending along selected portions of the manifold may be formed.

Abstract: Method and apparatus to remove wrinkles in a running web of material by the use of rotating members on the selvedges of the fabric in conjunction with vacuum pressure to urge the selvedges outward and to slightly overfeed the fabric.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing pile articles having complicated and high color tone and structure, such as artificial furs, writing brushes, brushes, etc. comprises a rotating body to which a pile article is fixed and which is rotated together with the pile article whereby centrifugal force is applied to the piles, a rotary container wherein at least one treating liquid for the above described piles is retained and at least one inner interface of the treating liquid is formed owing to the centrifugal force caused by the rotation to contact the piles with the treating liquid, and a feeding portion from which the treating liquid is fed into the rotary container and a discharging portion from which the treating liquid is discharged.

Abstract: A textile flat structure is manufactured by needle processing of a pile yarn tufted into a carrier layer so that some pile loops of the pile yarn forming an upper layer are engaged by needles and their height and shape are changed, whereas at least one pile yarn is pulled toward the carrier layer, whereby a texture and/or pattern is produced. The textile flat structure has a carrier layer, a pile yarn tufted into the carrier layer and having pile loops at an upper side of the carrier layer and connecting base loops at a lower side thereof, whereas the pile loops forming an upper layer have at least non-uniform different heights.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for brushing the pile of a pile fabric and removing wrinkles in a running web of the material by the use of rotating members on the selvedges of the fabric in conjunction with vacuum pressure to urge the selvedges outward and to slightly overfeed the fabric.

Abstract: A method of producing surface height patterned materials by application of streams of pressurized, heated fluid into surface areas of a relatively moving material having thermally modifiable surface components. The heated fluid streams are selectively activated and deactivated in accordance with pattern information to strike selected surface areas of the material to thermally shrink and compact the surface areas by a desired amount. Heated fluid stream flow is controlled by use of cooler pressurized fluid which is selectively directed into the heated fluid stream flow to block the same from striking the surface of the moving material. The temperature of selected of the heated fluid streams striking the material is controllably varied by rapidly introducing small amounts of cooler fluid which blend into the heated streams to correspondingly vary the height reduction of the surface of the material.

Abstract: A fur-like napped fabric and process for manufacturing same are disclosed wherein a fiber layer comprising uncrimped short fibers or short fibers having a number of crimps of not greater than 10 crimps per inch are provided as a fiber layer on a base fabric. The fibers are then implanted into the base fabric by needle punching. Thereafter, the fibers are raised to form a nap. After needle punching, the base fabric and fibers may be bonded to each other by means of a backing treatment or the like which is carefully applied so as not to permeate the raised hair portion extending on the front surface of the fabric. Especially pleasing aesthetic effects are produced when the napped fibers have static frictional coefficients of less than 0.35 and wherein the bending recovery rate of said fibers is higher than 50%.

Abstract: A stuffing attachment for a continuously operating crinkling unit for continuous material, has a stuffing ring which can be moved forwards and backwards in a straight line with an aperture through which a strip of the continuous material passes. The stuffing ring is pushed through a clamping device into the starting zone of a compression tube of the crinkling unit and thereafter withdrawn. As the stuffing ring is withdrawn, the clamping device closes, so that it grips the strip, holds it fast, and pulls it through the aperture of the stuffing ring as the latter travels further back.

Abstract: Improved apparatus for imparting visual surface effects to a relatively moving substrate material by application of discrete streams of heated pressurized fluid to surface areas of the material. The apparatus includes an elongate manifold assembly disposed across the path of relative movement of the material and comprising a pair of elongate manifold housings which are coupled by quick release clamping means in fluid tight relation to facilitate pattern changes and maintenance of the treating apparatus. The manifold housings are constructed and arranged so that any distortion of the manifold assembly caused by differential thermal expansion of the same is resolved to minimize displacement of the manifold toward or away from the substrate. Baffle means, filter means, and fluid passageways are provided in the manifold assembly to evenly distribute the heated air at uniform temperature throughout the full length of the assembly.

Abstract: Method and apparatus to remove wrinkles in a running web of material by the use of rotating members on the selvedges of the fabric in conjunction with vacuum pressure to urge the selvedges outward and to slightly overfeed the fabric.

Abstract: Improved apparatus for treatment of relatively moving substrate materials by precise selective application of discrete, high temperature pressurized streams of fluid against the surface of the materials to impart a visual change thereto. The apparatus includes an elongate manifold for receiving pressurized heated fluid, such as air, disposed across the width of the relatively moving material and having a plurality of spaced parallel fluid stream discharge channels for directing the fluid into the surface of the material. Pressurized cool fluid, such as air, is directed into selected manifold discharge channels to block selectively the passage of pressurized heated air therethrough.

Abstract: A non-woven fabric is manufactured which utilizes as a primary component material the fringed selvage band resulting as a by-product in the manufacture of certain woven fabrics. Strips of selvage band are laid down on a non-woven backing or web in various configurations, depending upon the ultimate appearance that is desired. The selvage strips are then secured to the backing by punching with an array of forked needles, each of which forces a loop of yarn from the selvage through a hole in the backing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for maintaining uniform temperature in a pressurized, heated fluid which is distributed from an elongate manifold in at least one pressurized stream. Associated with each of a plurality of inlet conduits is a separate heater unit and temperature sensing means, as well as an individual metering valve, for heating and adjusting the flow of pressurized fluid passing into the manifold. The individual metering valves are adjusted to balance the temperature of the heated fluid exiting from the inlet conduits into the manifold. A single temperature sensing device, located in the manifold, may then be used to adjust a uniform supply of power to all heater units, thereby maintaining a desired fluid temperature in the manifold.

Abstract: Apparatus to pattern brush pile fabric which has been pre-heated so that the pattern brushed into the pile fabric will remain as the fabric cools. An adjustable fabric pressure rod positions the fabric in a pre-determined position relative to the bristles of the rotating brush. To provide the desired pattern on the surface of the pile fabric, a plurality of movable reed members deflect the bristles of the rotating brush.

Abstract: A process for erecting the pile and increasing the yarn bulk of dyed or printed carpeting which has been bent, matted and crushed during processing. The carpeting is heated in a steam chamber to a temperature above the highest processing temperature and in the range of 170.degree.-212.degree. F., to override the yarn memory. A beater bar within the steam chamber then beats the carpet to reduce the bending, matting and crushing of the pile.

Abstract: A print screen stencil for printing with corrosive printing compositions is disclosed. The stencil comprises a screen fabric having open mesh areas in a predetermined pattern adapted to allow the passage of a printing composition to a substrate positioned beneath the fabric and filled or closed mesh areas adapted to prevent the passage of a printing composition, the filled mesh areas comprising a resist coating encasing the mesh in the filled areas, the resist coating comprising cross-linked acrylic polymer intimately dispersed in fused vinyl resin.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing velvet having an appearance similar to that of a woven velvet wherein slubbed yarns are used in the weft. The apparatus includes a non-contact heater for heating the pile of a fabric which is then pressed against a cool pattern roll where it is cooled to permanently set the pattern into the pile.

Abstract: A method and a washing machine for cleaning of rugs or mats having a nap or pile side, whereby the rugs or mats are successively conveyed along a conveying path and are exposed to cleaning operations, at least one of which is a pulsating operation, during which each mat or rug is also exposed to a relatively abrupt change of direction of conveyance in order to open an area of pile at the pile side of the mat or rug. The change of direction preferably has a radius of curvature in a range between 1.5 cm and 15 cm during an angular change of direction of approximately 180 degrees. The cleaning fluid used in one operation is for saving of energy preferably used also in another earlier cleaning operation on the mats or rugs, possibly after having been conditioned for this earlier operation.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating a length of textile material which has a pile surface includes at least one sieve drum washing bath for washing the entire width of the textile material to even out or level irregularities across the width of the pile surface, a first steamer unit for treating the washed textile material, a dye applicator unit for applying dye to the steamed and washed textile material and a second steamer unit for treating the dye-containing textile material with steam to fix the dye to the textile material. The sieve drum washing bath includes a sieve drum positioned within a container for the treatment liquid and is provided with a plurality of nozzle openings arranged within the container and spaced closely adjacent to the sieve drum for directing the treatment liquid in the form of a plurality of jets across the width of the textile material being supported on the sieve drum.

Abstract: A method for increasing the depth of a tack-spun thermoplastic pile on a backing layer comprises space heating the pile side of the product for a time and temperature less than that at which the pile collapses, said temperature being between the glass rubber transition temperature but above ambient and the temperature at which the pile collapses, using a heat source not in contact with the pile, and subsequently cooling the pile to ambient temperature.

Abstract: Process of producing a nonwoven needled napped fabric, adaptable for use in the formation of blankets and other types of products, characterized by providing superior resistance to pilling and shedding of the napped fabric, as follows. A batt of textile fibers of a desired construction is sequentially needled from a first side to a second side and then from the second side to the first side thereof to form a multiplicity of fiber entanglements for interlocking the fibers of the batt with each other to form an integrated needled fabric. The first and second sides of the needled fabric are napped for producing raised fiber surfaces on each side of the fabric. The needled and napped fabric is then reneedled from the first side to the second side thereof for providing resistance to pilling and shedding of the napped fibers. Preferably, the napped sides of the needled, napped and reneedled fabric are chemically treated for providing further resistance to pilling and shedding of the napped fibers.

Abstract: Improved apparatus is provided for crushing cloth, such as velvet or other pile type fabric, by continuously forcing lengths of the cloth into an elongated treatment chamber to form random creases therein. The cloth is stuffed into the treatment chamber by a bank of individual pusher feet which are reciprocated back and forth adjacent the entrance end of the treatment chamber. The pusher feet are moved downwardly into resilient driving engagement with the cloth during each forward movement and are lifted out of driving engagement with the cloth during each rearward movement by a cam and control lever. A cloth retaining gate or comb is provided on the entrance end of the treatment chamber to aid in retaining the crushed cloth in the entrance end of the treatment chamber.