Abstract: Natural suede-like artificial leathers are manufactured by subjecting pile fibrous structures wherein at least the pile portion is composed of separatable composite filaments made by bonding different polymers having mutual low adhesive affinity with each other, the cross-section of which is constituted of a radial segment (A) and segments (B) complementing the radial segment or a radial segment (A), segments (B') corresponding to said radial segment and having wedge-shaped concave portions directing to the center and wedge-shaped segments (C) complementing said concave portions, to at least one of a heat treatment and a swelling treatment to shrink said fibrous structure at least 10% in the area, impregnating or coating said fibrous structures with a synthetic polymer solution or emulsion, coagulating said polymer solution or emulsion, drying the thus treated pile fibrous structure and then buffing said piles to raise naps.

Abstract: A base material for artificial leather having a water vapor absorption capacity of from 2 to 8% by weight, based on a fibre fleece impregnated with a rubber latex mixture containing a heat sensitizer, a quick-acting vulcanization accelerator and, as expanding agent, a silicone oil emulsion or an inert, emulsifiable substance which is insoluble both in the rubber and the other constituents of the latex. After the impregnation of the fibre fleece, the latex mixture is coagulated by heat, vulcanized and then dried.

Abstract: A decorative high pressure laminate having registered color and embossing is produced by effecting simultaneous embossing and laminating using a three dimensional press plate acting against an overlay sheet containing high flow melamine resin and pigment, so that during the pressing operation the resin and pigment flows laterally from the high pressure areas to the low pressure areas with the result that the underlying print sheet is visible through the overlay sheet in the high pressure areas while the pigment in the overlay sheet in the low pressure areas mask the print sheet.

Abstract: A method of mounting a shed snake skin. The shed snake skin is saturated in water to render it limber and free of folds with at least some foreign particles being removed. The skin is subjected to flowing water to remove the remaining foreign particles. A pool of water is placed on a plastic substrate. The saturated skin is placed on the pool of water, cut longitudinally, flattened on the pool of water and caused to dry to form a unitary structure, with the shed skin adhered to the substrate.

Abstract: The disclosed composite fabric, useful as a substratum for artificial leather, comprises a woven or knitted frabic and at least one non-woven fabric firmly bonded to the woven or knitted fabric, and is produced by providing a precursory sheet with two or more layers from a woven or knitted fabric and one or more fibrous webs which consist of numerous extremely fine fibers having an average diameter of from 0.1 to 6.0 microns, and uniformly impacting the fibrous web surface of the precursory sheet with numerous fluid jets ejected under a high pressure of from 15 to 100 kg/cm.sup.2, at a ratio of a total impact area of the fluid jets on the precursory sheet surface to an area of the precursory sheet surface to be impacted of at least 1.

Abstract: A composite fabric useful as a substratam sheet for artificial leather is composed of a woven or knitted fabric constituent and at least one non-woven fabric constituent consisting of numerous fibrous bundles composed of a plurality of individual fibers arranged parallel to each other, and varying in the number of the individual fibers from which the bundles are formed, and numerous individual fibers independent from each other and from the fibrous bundles, the individual fibers and the fibrous bundles being randomly distributed and entangled with each other to form a body of non-woven fabric, and the non-woven fabric constituent and woven or knitted fabric constituent being superimposed and bonded together, to form a body of composite fabric, in such a manner that portions of the individual fibers and the fibrous bundles of the non-woven fabric constituent penetrate into the inside of the woven or knitted fabric and are entangled with a portion of fibers in the woven or knitted fabric constituent.

Abstract: A base material for artificial leather having a water vapor absorption capacity of from 2 to 8% by weight, based on a fibre fleece impregnated with a rubber latex mixture containing a heat sensitizer, a quick-acting vulcanization accelerator and, as expanding agent, a silicone oil emulsion or an inert, emulsifiable substance which is insoluble both in the rubber and the other constituents of the latex. After the impregnation of the fibre fleece, the latex mixture is coagulated by heat, vulcanized and then dried.

Abstract: A diagonal bias-stretching device and a method of enhancing surface grain of imitation-leather material with such device, which device comprises a reciprocating roller moving between lateral positions on either side of a line of advance of an imitation-leather material, to provide for alternating diagonal stretching and relaxing of the material as it moves under tension in the line of advance.

Abstract: A substrate for a decorative cushioned vinyl floor covering, and a decorative cushioned vinyl floor covering comprising such a substrate, are described, the substrate comprising a smooth non-woven tissue having a substantially uniform thickness of from 0.13 to 0.76 mm and weighing from 30 to 150 g/m.sup.2 and comprising glass fibres 5 to 15 microns in diameter, bonded with from 10 to 30%, based on the total weight of tissue, of a synthetic binder and which has at least on one surface a continuous layer of resin impregnated at least partially into that surface.

Abstract: A decorative laminated structure having on its surface a pattern composed of concaves and convexes which are formed by local heat shrinkages of a layer of a heat-shrinkable resin sheet employed. Such decorative laminated structure can be obtained by laying a base, a heat-shrinkable resin sheet and a picture layer containing at least a plurality of heat sensitive picture areas in a predetermined order to form a composite material, said heat sensitive picture areas being contiguous and closely adherent to said heat-shrinkable resin sheet; and irradiating the resulting composite material with a heat ray to cause said heat-shrinkable resin sheet at its portions corresponding to said heat sensitive picture areas to cave in, thus forming concaves.

Abstract: There is provided a non-woven textile composite which simulates the strength, durability, appearance, temper, smooth surface, hand and feel of natural leather and a method of producing the same. The composite includes a non-woven needled textile fabric substrate having a coherent network of randomly entangled textile fibers with an as needled overall bulk density of at least 6 pounds/cubic foot and having a face surface and a back surface, and a geometric center therebetween. A shape-sustaining immobilized polymeric composition is differentially disposed in the substrate such that there is at least 25% more polymeric composition between the face surface and the geometric center than between the back surface and the geometric center. A moldable skin coat layer may be disposed on the face surface. The substrate and the immobilized polymeric composition are in a co-compacted state such that the thickness of the co-compacted substrate and immobilized polymeric composition are less than 0.

Abstract: Process for making a synthetic suede product, two rolls at a time, each roll consisting of a web of fibrous material, to the upper side of which is attached outwardly extending polyurethane fibers. The process consists of continuously feeding two thin films of polyurethane into the nips formed by two rotating heated cylinders wherein the two feed materials are forced into two flexible molding bands provided with a multiplicity of molding cavities by pressing the film against a heated silicone roller. Most of the urethane film fills the cavities and forms a fibrous surface when removed, leaving a very thin layer in molten state which becomes glued to the upper layers of fibrous webs which are passed into a second set of nips formed by two rotating heated cylinders. The fibrous material or fabric may be man-made such preformed woven, knitted, foamed, non-woven, spun bonded, spun laced, etc.

Abstract: An artificial leather sheet material, comprising a layer of permeable fabric made of interlaced multifiber yarns, the lower face of said fabric having an open nap of fibers teased from said yarns and bonded together, and a continuous layer of polymer material on the upper face of said fabric. The bonded nap may be subjected to spaced short cuts to give it a rough appearance.

Abstract: A counter stiffener for shoes is made from a thermoplastic base sheet, specifically a copolymer of ethylene and a vinyl monomer, laminated to a liner sheet. The liner sheet is a cross-linked copolymer of ethylene and a silane to which color has been added. The liner sheet is colorfast and wear-resistant.

Abstract: Rubber cement compositions which consist of rubbers and multi- (three and more) functional phenol-aldehyde modified bifunctional phenol resins, which are made by first obtaining the bifunctional phenolic resin by condensing 1 mole of bifunctional phenol with 0.5 to 3.0 moles of aldehydes in the presence of an alkaline catalyst, and then co-condensing 0.05 to 2.5 moles of multifunctional (three and more) phenols against 1 mol of the bifunctional phenols in the above-mentioned resin in the presence of an acidic catalyst, said co-condensed resin having a number average molecular weight of 700 - 1900, a resin melting point of 80.degree. - 160.degree. C, being curable and also being soluble in aromatic hydrocarbon solvents.

Abstract: A non-woven fabric usable as a substratum sheet for artificial leather having a relatively high flexural rigidity is prepared by a process in hich fibrous bundles, each consisting of a plurality of extremely fine filaments or fibers having a denier of 0.005 to 0.5, is provided while allowing the filaments or fibers to spontaneously adhere to each other without using an adhesive, the fibrous bundles are massed into the form of sheet or web, and the sheet or web is then subjected to a non-woven fabric forming operation in which the fibrous bundles are entangled with each other.

Abstract: A process for producing an artificial leather having excellent touch, appearance and full-hand similar to that of natural leather and having further excellent softness and surface strength, which comprises coating a composition comprising an urethane prepolymer, a combination of catalysts and a foam stabilizer and including a plurality of extremely fine cells (foams) of an inert gas, onto a release paper or a layer of a surface treating agent coated on a release paper in a specified thickness; subjecting the resultant to a steam treatment under a specified atmosphere; laminating a base sheet onto the coating layer under pressure; subjecting the laminated product to a heat treatment at a specified temperature, and then peeling off the release paper, and optionally further treating the product with a surface treating agent.

Abstract: Copolymers of(A) perfluoroalkylethyl acrylate C.sub.n F.sub.2n+1 CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 OCOCH.dbd.CH.sub.2(b) higher alkyl acrylate C.sub.m H.sub.2m+1 OCOCH.dbd.CH.sub.2(c) vinylidene chloride CH.sub.2 .dbd.CCl.sub.2(D) acroylbutylurethane CH.sub.2 .dbd.CH--CONHCOOC.sub.4 H.sub.9 at the weight ratio of 1(A) : 0.22-0.39(B) : 0.45-0.85(C) : 0.01-0.15(D) n being 6, 8, 10, 12 or 14 and m being a number from 10 to 16.They are prepared by conventional methods for preparing copolymers and are used as oil - and water repellents for porous materials, especially textile materials.

Abstract: There is disclosed a process in which both non-solvent e.g., water and filler particles e.g., microscopic sodium chloride are added in certain proportions to a polymer solution e.g., polyurethane in dimethylformamide preferably at elevated temperature and coagulated by immersion in non-solvent. This results in a more rapid coagulation time than when solvent or filler alone are used and also results in a microporous product of improved properties and novel pore structure.

Abstract: Upholstery material and shoe upper material made from a base sheet of criss-crossing elastomeric polyurethane fibers running parallel to the surfaces of the sheet, said fibers being bonded together at their points of contact. In one preferred form the product has a preformed skin whose thickness is less than about 100 microns and preferably less than about 50 microns, such as about 20 to 40 microns and the skin is joined to the fibers of the base sheet by spaced fingers of a binder.

Abstract: Natural suede-like artificial leathers are manufactured by subjecting pile fibrous structures wherein at least the pile portion is composed of separatable composite filaments made by bonding different polymers having mutual low adhesive affinity with each other, the cross-section of which is constituted of a radial segment (A) and segments (B) complementing the radial segment or a radial segment (A), segments (B') corresponding to said radial segment and having wedge-shaped concave portions directing to the center and wedge-shaped segments (C) complementing said concave portions, to at least one of a heat treatment and a swelling treatment to shrink said fibrous structure at least 10% in the area, impregnating or coating said fibrous structures with a synthetic polymer solution or emulsion, coagulating said polymer solution or emulsion, drying the thus treated pile fibrous structure and then buffing said piles to raise naps.

Abstract: A porous sheet material made of a polymeric material comprising mainly a polyurethane elastomer, which comprises a base layer of vertically penetrating vesicular structure and a surface layer of microporous structure integrally provided on at least one of the surfaces of the said base layer, which is suitable for the manufacture of a leather-like sheet product.

Abstract: A composition for dressing leather and leather substitutes comprising an aqueous emulsion of (A) an organic solvent solution of nitrocellulose or cellulose acetate butyrate and (B) an organic solvent solution of a linear polyurethane resin, in a ratio of A : B of 1 : 0.1 to 1 : 10.

Abstract: Crushed foam coated leather and leather-like materials characterized by excellent foam adherence, are prepared by flowing foamed compounded polymeric latices into contact with a leather or leather-like substrate and partially drying same, followed by compressive crushing of the dried foam, plating or embossing to achieve optimum adhesion, and further heating and curing to develop maximum physical properties.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for producing finished and/or irreversibly embossed microporous sheet structures by coagulation of a polyurethane solution, in which prior to the coagulation of the polyurethane solution a finishing agent is mixed into it or a finishing agent is applied to the free surface of the polyurethane solution which has been spread out flat and embossing is then carried out during or shortly after the coagulation or after the washing, but still before the drying, or else the microporous sheet structure obtained and into which the finishing agent has been mixed previously is, after drying, pressed between two plates or passed under pressure between at least two oppositely rotating rolls, at least one of which is highly polished.

Abstract: A napped fabric is treated to bond the nap fibers together while leaving the nap structure largely open and porous.The surface of the bonded nap is then subjected to a series of spaced short cuts to form spaced clumps of bonded fibers which clumps have free ends projecting from the bonded nap so that they can be brushed from stable upright positions to bent-over positions, giving an attractive rough appearance resembling a split suede leather.

Abstract: Method of making a leather-like sheet material having a low bounce impact elasticity, which comprises: (a) mixing (i) a solvent solution of a polymer (A) consisting mainly of an elastomer and (ii) a dispersion in a liquid of a polymer (B) consisting mainly of an elastomer, thereby obtaining a composite solution containing fine particles of (B) dispersed in a solution of polymer (A); (b) coating a sheet or impregnating a fibrous mat substrate with the composite solution; (c) immersing the substrate in a coagulation bath to deposit and coagulate both polymers; and (d) drying said sheet or mat.

Abstract: An embossed plastic sheet material having a surface design effect thereon, and the process of preparing such material which comprises: applying to compressed areas of an embossed release sheet having a design effect thereon a first polymer characterized by a high modulus of elongation; applying a continuous layer of a second polymer characterized by a low modulus of elongation over the first polymer in the depressed areas; removing the release sheet to provide a polymeric sheet material composed of a continuous layer of a low modulus polymer, with raised areas composed of a high modulus polymer secured thereto, the raised areas of the high modulus polymer forming a substantial part of the sheet surface; and flexing the low modulus polymer in the intervening low areas between the raised high polymer areas to the polymeric sheet to form a weak-hinge effect, thereby providing an imitation leather-type material with an accentuated design effect thereon.

Abstract: Bonded textile sheet materials having improved water vapor absorbency can be manufactured by bonding the sheets with polymeric binders and additionally impregnating these sheets with glycidyl ethers, chlorohydrin compounds corresponding thereto and/or reaction products of the chlorohydrin compounds with compounds containing NH groups, and drying the impregnated sheets at elevated temperatures and at the same time fixing the impregnants by means of compounds containing NH groups.

Abstract: Migration of plasticizer from plasticized PVC substrate is inhibited by coating the surface of the substrate by the steps of (1) applying to the surface of the plasticized polyvinyl chloride a solution consisting essentially of an inert organic solvent and an isocyanate-terminated polyurethane, said coating having a viscosity of from about 50 to 200 centipoise; (2) removing the organic solvent from the applied solution wherein a first substantially homogeneous film of thermosettable polyurethane is formed of from about 1.0 to 2.0 mils in thickness; (3) applying to the substantially homogeneous film surface of Step 2 said coating composition of Step 1; (4) removing said organic solvent from the applied solution of Step 3 wherein a second substantially homogeneous film of a thermosettable polyurethane is formed of from 2.0 to 3.

Abstract: A bulky non-woven fabric of improved softness and uniformity in surface density, flatness and thickness is provided. The non-woven fabric comprises (a) 50 to 95% by weight of spontaneously crimped acrylonitrile polymer fibers having lengths of 4mm to 20mm and at least 20 crimps per inch of length, said acrylonitrile polymer consisting essentially of, in polymerized form, 80 to 100% by weight of acrylonitrile and 0 to 20% by weight of a copolymerizable monoethylenically unsaturated monomer, and (b) 5 to 50% by weight of fibrillated fibers of at least one acrylonitrile polymer, said acrylonitrile polymer comprising, in polymerized form, 60 to 98% by weight of acrylonitrile and 2 to 40% by weight of a copolymerizable monoethylenically unsaturated monomer having a carboxyl group or an amide or N-alkyl substituted amide group.

Abstract: Composite materials are disclosed which consist of extensible polymer matrices in combination with three-dimensionally structured, interconnected fibrous masses which are formed "in situ". These composites exhibit novel mechanical characteristics which are distinctly different from those exhibited by conventional fiber-filled elastomers.

Abstract: This invention relates to the coating of textile sheets with polyurethane pastes by the reversal process for producing very soft coating articles with a hand resembling that of napa leather. The particular properties of the coating are obtained by using bonding pastes which contain a mixture which can be cross-linked by the action of heat, consisting of polyurethane hydrazodicarbonamides and melamine-formaldehyde resins and/or urea-formaldehyde resins.

Abstract: Synthetic leather comprising cross-linked foamed syndiotactic 1,2-polybutadiene as a main ingredient.

Abstract: The invention contemplates expanded-plastic coated fabric wherein the exposed surface of the expanded plastic is characterized by a random distribution of torn cellular pockets and by a random distribution of projecting free ends of flock elements which are rooted to the plastic at their other ends. Various methods of making the fabric are described, with different "hand" or "feel" depending upon the method and upon the materials and their dimensions.

Abstract: A process for the production of polyurethane solutions by reaction of a diisocyanate with a mixture of a glycol and a polymer bearing terminal hydroxy groups in a solvent medium under certain prescribed conditions. The resulting polyurethane solutions are especially valuable as impregnants or coating agents for textile substrates, for example in the preparation of a microporous synthetic leather.

Abstract: A polyglutamic ester having hydrogen containing groups which are reactive with an --NCO group and a hydroxyl polyester or a hydroxyl polyether are reacted with an organic diisocyanate and the resulting block polymer in an organic solvent is coated on a cloth to prepare a synthetic leather.

Abstract: A sheet material having leather-like grain, excellent scuffing and abrasion resistance and superior dyeability comprising in combination, a substrate, an intermediate layer of 0.05 to 2.5 mm thickness consisting of a finely napped porous polymer bonded to said substrate and an upper layer consisting of a polymeric coating of thickness ranging from 1-100 microns. In typical embodiments, the upper layer may be a polymeric coating material such as linear or cross-linked polyurethanes, the intermediate layer may be a porous polyester, polyamide, vinyl or elastomeric polymer, e.g. a polyurethane, and the substrate may be a woven or non-woven fabric. The upper layer is a laminar structure comprising a plurality of laminae, the bottom lamina consisting of a cross-linked polyurethane elastomer.

Abstract: An imitation leather material which comprises in combination: a woven fabric base sheet material, one surface of which is a napped surface and the other surface of which is not napped; the napped surface of the base sheet impregnated with a crosslinked polymeric material; the napped impregnated surface of the base sheet characterized by a smooth, buffed, flesh-like surface; an open-cell flexible polymeric foam layer bonded to the other unnapped surface of the base sheet material; a thin polymeric skin layer bonded to the surface of the foam layer; and the thin polymeric skin layer characterized by an imitation leather-like surface.

Abstract: Waterlaid sheets comprising essential solids consisting of (I) elastomeric binder, and (II) nonelastomeric solids comprising inflexible, non-fibrous, rounded, particulate fillers and a fibrous reinforcing component. The waterlaid sheets are useful as substitutes for leather in the manufacture of footwear, particularly as the outsole or insole portion of a shoe.

Abstract: Leather like compositions are produced by needling a fleece into a foam, compressing resulting product, depositing an elastomer into the compressed product, again compressing and optionally coating.

Abstract: A film or sheet material having antibacterial and antifungal activities is obtained by mixing a thermoplastic resin with 2-(4'-thiazolyl)-benzimidazole and N-(fluorodichloromethylthio)-phthalimide, and shaping the resulting mixture, or, alternatively, by coating a base film or sheet material on one side or both sides with a coating material containing a mixture of 2-(4'-thiazolyl)-benzimidazole and N-(fluorodichloromethylthio)-phthalimide, a mixture of 2-(4'-thiazolyl)-benzimidazole and N-dimethyl-N'-phenyl-N'-(fluorodichloromethylthio)-sulfamide, or a mixture of N-(fluorodichloromethylthio)-phthalimide and N-dimethyl-N'-phenyl-N'-(fluorodichloromethylthio)-sulfamide.

Abstract: A method of forming a laminated structure in which an outer layer of hardenable material and a carrier layer are respectively bonded to opposite faces of a preformed substantially shape-retaining barrier layer. The face of the carrier layer to which one of the opposite faces of the barrier layer is bonded is formed with projecting and recess portions and the barrier layer is bonded thereto in such a manner so as to adhere substantially only to the projecting portions without filling the recess portions. For instance, when the carrier layer is formed from a sheet of woven or knitted textile material, the barrier layer will adhere only to portions of the yarns or threads at the one face of the sheet substantially without filling the interstices between the threads.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a process for the production of a textile material length containing filling or bonding agents which are used in the production of synthetic leather which comprises impregnating the textile material with a thermo-sensibilized bonding or filling agent, heating said impregnated bonding or filling agent contact-free to a temperature at which the bonding agent coagulated and subjecting the textile material to subsequent treatment steps.

Abstract: An imitation leather material comprising a thin layer of a resin film having a decorative top surface, the film bonded to a fabric base layer through an intervening layer of essentially open-cell, carboxylated, elastomeric-cured foam. The foam layer is prepared with a foamable aqueous latex composition having a pH of about 5.0 to 6.5, a viscosity of from about 5,000 to 30,000 cps, and from about 2 to 10 phr of a free acrylic, acid-containing, partially ammonia-neutralized acrylate polymer.

Abstract: A napped fabric is treated to bond the nap fibers together while leaving the nap structure largely open and porous.The surface of the bonded nap is then subjected to a series of spaced short cuts to form spaced clumps of bonded fibers which clumps have free ends projecting from the bonded nap so that they can be brushed from stable upright positions to bent-over positions, giving an attractive rough appearance resembling a split suede leather.

Abstract: A polymeric film and a nonwoven fabric of drawn synthetic fibers are bonded together to produce a laminate which is useful as upholstering material.

Abstract: A non-woven fabric adapted for use in footwear is impregnated with a polymer prepared by polymerizing acrylic acid or methacrylic acid, mixtures thereof, or mixtures with other vinyl monomers in the presence of polyethylene oxide to improve its water absorption characteristics.

Abstract: Polyurethane coated textile sheets are disclosed and a reversal process for their preparation, wherein the textile sheets are coated by means of a top coat solution with a polymer mixture comprisingI. 50 to 90% by weight, based on the total polymer, of a substantially linear polyurethane which is substantially free of reactive end groups and which has been prepared by a process which comprises reacting an organic dihyroxyl compound of molecular weight 500 to 4000 and an organic diol of molecular weight 60 to 450 with an aromatic diisocyanate,Ii. 0 to 50% by weight of a vinyl copolymer, andIii. 1 to 50% by weight of a diene graft copolymer,Said polymer mixture having been applied to a release substrate prior to said coating process.

Abstract: This disclosure includes descriptions of nonwoven fibrous webs including a minor amount of a binder securing the interfiber connections to maintain the fiber superstructure and having web densities less than about 0.02 gm./cm..sup.3 which has heretofore been considered about the lowest density attainable. The disclosure also includes a unique method of manufacturing such webs and contemplates the preferred use of an air laid web of fibers thoroughly impregnated with a fluid which includes a small amount of a permanent binder, preferably less than about 10% by weight of the fabric and a very substantial amount of a volatile liquid in the order of 100% by weight of the fabric. The volatile liquid explosively puffs the fibers into a gossamer web not attainable by conventional techniques and the small amount of binder secures the fiber interconnections together to maintain the superstructure.