Abstract: Fibers are hydroentangled at temperatures near or above their glass transition temperature, the resultant fabrics are then rapidly cooled. A process of preparing a nonwoven fabric that includes depositing fibers on a foraminous support; impinging hot or warm water upon the fibers to hydroentangle them; and then rapidly cooling the resultant fabric is disclosed. The hydroentangled fabric resulting from this process, products made from the hydroentangle fabric, and the equipment used to prepare the fabrics are described.

Abstract: The invention relates to a steam permissive and water non-permissive screen, particularly a sub-roof screen, a rain-proof screen, an air-proof screen or the like. The screen (1) is characterised in that it mainly includes a non-woven fabric made of a mat or a web of a majority of natural fibres (2), preferably vegetable fibres, that has been submitted to a binding operation by pressurised liquid jets, or hydrobinding, and to a hydrophobation process.

Abstract: A device is known in which the bulky felt arriving on the top side of an endless belt for water felting is compacted between a felting drum and the belt and at the same time it is wetted by a first water curtain from a nozzle beam, whose water jets first pass through the endless belt and then the fiber web and finally the felting drum. Now, according to the invention, the unconsolidated felt is held against the bottom of an endless belt by means of induced suction and transported, and it is brought up tangentially to a needle felting drum, arranged beneath the endless belt. In this way, the handover of the fiber web from the endless belt to the needle felting drum is accomplished under the influence of gravity.

Abstract: A multilayer nonwoven fabric comprises a first fiber layer and a second fiber layer laminated and arranged on a first surface of the first fiber layer, wherein a plurality of groove portions is formed along a prescribed direction in a shape depressed in a thickness direction of the multilayer nonwoven fabric and a plurality of raised ridge portions are formed adjacent to the plurality of groove portions in a shape projected in the thickness direction and in which the basis weight is greater than the basis weight in regions A constituting the bottoms of the groove portions 1 are formed, and the second fiber layer constituting each of the plurality of raised ridge portions is in such a shape that a surface, on the side of the first fiber layer, of the second fiber layer is projected in the same direction as the direction in which the second surface of the first fiber layer is projected.

Abstract: Temporary sizing agent for natural and/or artificial individualized textile fibres comprises a water-soluble homopolymer or copolymer of at least one acrylamide monomer having a molecular weight not less than one million, advantageously more than three millions.

Abstract: Provided are fibrous, non-woven structures having a drapeability of greater than about 4 gsm/g and a density less than about 0.08 g/cc, personal care articles comprising such structures, methods of making such structures including methods comprising: stabilizing a thin layer of non-woven fibers into a stabilized web; moving the stabilized web in a machine direction; and contacting the stabilized web with a stream of liquid that is directed at least partially along or against said machine direction.

Abstract: Provided are fibrous, non-woven structures having a drapeability of greater than about 4 gsm/g and a density less than about 0.08 g/cc, personal care articles comprising such structures, and methods of making such structures including methods comprising: stabilizing a thin layer of non-woven fibers into a stabilized web; supporting the stabilized web on an elastomeric support member; moving the support member and stabilized web thereon in a machine direction; and contacting the supported stabilized web with a stream of liquid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a nozzle suitable for jetting high pressure and high temperature steam, and a method and an apparatus for producing an entangled nonwoven fabric using the nozzle. According to the apparatus, a steam inlet side main conduit and a steam outlet side conduit are connected with both end parts of a tubular nozzle holder in a longitudinal direction provided integrally with nozzle members having a plurality of nozzle holes. A steam outlet side conduit is provided with an opening/closing valve and a trap conduit is branched from a conduit at an upstream side from the opening/closing valve. By opening the opening/closing valve, a rapid temperature rise of the nozzle holder can be enabled at a time of starting a production of a nonwoven fabric.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a nozzle suitable for jetting high pressure and high temperature steam, and a method and an apparatus for producing an entangled nonwoven fabric using the nozzle. According to the apparatus, a steam inlet side main conduit and a steam outlet side conduit are connected with both end parts of a tubular nozzle holder in a longitudinal direction provided integrally with nozzle members having a plurality of nozzle holes. A steam outlet side conduit is provided with an opening/closing valve and a trap conduit is branched from a conduit at an upstream side from the opening/closing valve. By opening the opening/closing valve, a rapid temperature rise of the nozzle holder can be enabled at a time of starting a production of a nonwoven fabric.

Abstract: A process for preparing a molded, textured, spunlaced, nonwoven web is provided and wipes made therefrom. Also provided is an apparatus for making molded, textured, spunlaced, nonwoven web. Molded, textured, spunlaced, nonwoven webs prepared by the inventive process and apparatus are also provided. Also provided is a molded, textured, spunlaced, nonwoven web.

Abstract: Nozzle beam on device for generating liquid jets for jet interweaving of the fibers of a fiber path, comprising an upper part that extends over the operational width of the fiber path, and a lower part that is attached to it in liquid-sealed fashion, wherein a) a pressure chamber is arrayed in the upper part over its length, to which liquid under pressure is fed, and b) a pressure-distributing chamber is provided parallel to chamber (a), which is connected with chamber (a) via liquid flow-through boreholes situated in an intermediate partition, and c) on the lower part, a nozzle strip having boreholes for the nozzle chamber is supported in liquid-sealed fashion, and d) (b) on the area that lies opposite the liquid flow-through boreholds runs out into a slot that terminates at the boreholes of the nozzle strip, and e) in (b) between the liquid flow-through boreholes and the slot, a baffle is situated over the length of the slot, which over its length and over its cross section is situated in (a) so as to al

Abstract: A water needling device has a housing having an intake side and defining a generally horizontal transport direction extending downstream from the intake side. A support in the housing has an upwardly directed foraminous support face. Upstream and downstream reversible winders in the housing spaced apart in the direction flank a plurality of rollers. A textile web passesin the housing along a path starting at the intake, extending over the support face and the rollers, and then downstream out of the housing. A nozzle beam is directed downward at the surface to consolidate the web as it passes over the foraminous face. A threading-in conveyor strand secured to the winders and having a gripper attachable to the textile web extends over at least some of the rollers. This strand is attached at its ends to reversible winders.

Abstract: A method is provided for conditioning a tubular knitted fabric. The method includes the step of placing on a supported member a tubular knitted fabric formed of yarns, the yarns having fibers of a high cotton content. The layers of the fabric are arranged in overlying layered relation, each layer having an outer surface. The fabric is traversed at a preselected rate while subjecting the outer surfaces of the overlying layers to jets of fluid at pressures of about 40 bar absolute or lower. The fibers forming the overlying layers do not interlock the overlying layers and are separable by subsequent fabric finishing or laundering.

Abstract: A system for hydroentangling a fabric material, while reducing the incidence of jet streaks therein, is provided. Various embodiments of the present invention provide an elongate hydroentangling jet strip spaced apart from the fabric material and extending substantially across a width of the fabric perpendicular to the processing direction. The strip defines a first row of orifices, each having a first diameter. The first plurality of orifices is spaced apart along a width of the elongate strip. The strip further defines a second plurality of orifices disposed downstream from the first plurality of orifices in the processing direction and offset therefrom along the width of the elongate strip. The second plurality of orifices each define a second diameter smaller than the first diameter such that fluid streams generated thereby impart a correspondingly smaller impact force on the fabric material than fluid streams generated by the first plurality of orifices.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying finishing agents onto a nonwoven web, wherein there is provided a device for pre-bonding of the nonwoven web. There is provided at least one guide surface, over which the pre-bonded nonwoven web is guided. Outlet openings for the finishing agent are provided in the guide surface, so that finishing agent can be applied onto the nonwoven web being guided over the guide surface.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for decorating and fixing a non-woven material (15) in the form of a web of endless fabric, said device comprising a screening drum (6) and a decoration shell (7) which surrounds the screening drum (6) from outside. The fibres (15) of the non-woven material, located on the decoration shell (7), are needled and fixed according to the decoration formed by the holes of the decoration shell (7) by means of energy-rich water jets (14) or air flows. The invention is characterised in that the decoration shell (7) and the screening drum (6) are interconnected by mechanical means (8, 9, 10) that can be easily detached. In a preferred embodiment, the decoration shell (7) comprises a counter-toothed ring (9) and the screening drum (6) comprises a toothed ring (8), said rings positively engaging in each other in such a way that a rotation of the decoration shell (7) and the screening drum (6) in relation to each other is prevented.

Abstract: The nozzle beam is arranged on a device for generation of liquid streams for the treatment of fibres of a material web running along the nozzle beam. The nozzle beam comprises an upper piece (4), running across the working width of the web and a lower piece (5), which runs out into a liquid outlet slot (10). According to the invention, a nozzle strip (14) is arranged below the liquid outlet slot (10) and an easily detachable so-called masking strip (18) is mounted directly above the above in a liquid-tight manner, when viewed in the flow direction of the water jet. A part of the nozzle outlet opening on the nozzle strip is covered by the masking strip (18) and a part is left free, whereby liquid jets emerge from the part left free and form a continuous liquid curtain. According to the invention, a nozzle strip (14) with a maximum stream width is fitted to the nozzle beam.

Abstract: A nozzle beam formed with an annular groove is fitted with a seal ring by an apparatus having an elongated support bar, a pair of holders fixed on the bar spaced apart sufficiently that the seal ring can be stretched between them, and a release element for pushing the seal ring off one of the holders.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process of forming a nonwoven fabric with microsponges comprising obtaining a nonwoven base comprising fibers having a first side and a second side and having a weight of greater than about 2 oz/yd2, stitching the nonwoven base with a stitching yarn in elongated spaced apart rows of stitches, the rows of stitching having a stitch shape factor greater than 0.54 wherein the stitching yarn has a tenacity greater than 1 gf/denier. Next, a plurality of microsponges is formed by impinging the first side of the stitched nonwoven fabric with a collimated fluid stream with from about 100 to 200 joules per gram while supporting the stitched nonwoven fabric on a supporting member having areas impervious to the collimated fluid and pores in the supporting member which are pervious to the collimated fluid.

Abstract: A drum for forming relief patterns on a surface of a textile web has a tubular jacket rotatable about an axis and having a substantially cylindrical outer surface centered on the axis and formed with an array of raised portions separated by lands and with a multiplicity of radially throughgoing holes. The holes are elongated and extend at angles between 20° and 170° to midplanes extending perpendicular to the axis, the web engaging the drum. Liquid jets are directed radially inward at the web where it engages the drum for impressing the raised portions into a face of the web. Liquid is aspirated inward through the holes from the web where it engages the drum.

Abstract: A method for producing spunlace non-woven cloth includes the following steps: clearing cotton—carding—spreading the web—water jetting—bleaching—drying—rolling the finished products. This method improves the good ratio of the finished products of the whole procedure, reduces the producing cost, economizes raw materials and save the power as well as reduces the impurity content of products and ensures the hygiene of finished products and greatly reduces the bacteria content. Moreover, the direct products of the present invention have the advantages of being soft, having good skin tolerance, no toxic, no stimulation, no sensibility, having good absorbency, convenient and comfortable to use.

Abstract: A nonwoven fabric comprises continuous polymer filaments of 0.5 to 3 denier that have been hydroentangled in a complex matrix for interconnecting filament loops, and that is otherwise substantially free of knotting, or of otherwise wrapping about one another. A process for making a nonwoven fabric comprises continuously extruding polymer filaments of 0.5 to 3 denier onto a moving support, pre-entangling the filaments with water jets, and entangling the filaments with a second set of water jets on a three-dimensional image transfer device. An apparatus for making a nonwoven fabric comprises means for continuously extruding substantially endless polymer filaments of 0.5 to 3 denier onto a moving support to form an unbonded web, a pre-entangling station for entangling the web with a plurality of water jets, and a plurality of water jets for final entanglement of the filament web on a three-dimensional image transfer device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a nozzle suitable for jetting high pressure and high temperature steam, and a method and an apparatus for producing an entangled nonwoven fabric using the nozzle. According to the apparatus, a steam inlet side main conduit (c1) and a steam outlet side conduit (c3) are connected with both end parts of a tubular nozzle holder (11) in a longitudinal direction provided integrally with nozzle members (15, 16, 23) having a plurality of nozzle holes (16a, 26). A steam outlet side conduit (c2) is provided with an opening/closing valve (55) and a trap conduit (57) is branched from a conduit at an upstream side from the opening/closing valve (55). By opening the opening/closing valve (55), a rapid temperature rise of the nozzle holder (11) can be enabled at a time of starting a production of a nonwoven fabric.

Abstract: Water needling is used to constantly subject the entire surface of a width of a goods line to water jets. However, it is also advantageous for units of commodity goods that are to be consolidated and optionally, if a cover nonwoven supporting these goods only needs to be consolidated around them or if a cover nonwoven is to be bonded around the goods. All possible patterns, such as line or strip consolidation, are advantageous. This is made possible by the invention, which provides for measures which specifically control, e.g. partially impede and/or interrupt the flow of the water jets from a water beam. This can occur by means of cover panels which advance with the line, supported by a screen or by means of a screen alone. Individually movable, computer-controlled nozzles are also advantageous for partial consolidation.

Abstract: A drum for processing nonwovens has a perforated lateral surface and an interior divided into first and second compartments, respectively associated with first and second lateral surface portions of the drum. A partial vacuum in each of the compartments aspirates and secures a tangentially-engaged nonwoven preform against the lateral surface of the drum for further processing. The drum may be incorporated in a production unit or installation including a spunbond tower for spinning filaments to form the nonwoven preform for tangential delivery to the drum. The resulting nonwoven may thereby be provided with uniform properties.

Abstract: A method is provided for conditioning a tubular knitted fabric. The method includes the step of placing on a supported member a tubular knitted fabric formed of yarns, the yarns having fibers of a high cotton content. The layers of the fabric are arranged in overlying layered relation, each layer having an outer surface. The fabric is traversed at a preselected rate while subjecting the outer surfaces of the overlying layers to jets of fluid at pressures of about 40 bar absolute or lower. The fibers forming the overlying layers do not interlock the overlying layers and are separable by subsequent fabric finishing or laundering.

Abstract: A hydrodynamic needling apparatus for use on a textile web moving in a longitudinal web-travel direction has a first array of needle-jet orifices emitting respective needle-jet sprays extending in the travel direction between the respective orifices and the web, the array extending transversely across a full transverse width of the web at a substantially constant spacing therefrom with the sprays forming an angle greater than 0° and less than 90° with the web-travel direction. There is a similar second array of needle-jet orifices, but with it the orifices are directed at the same angle but oppositely to the sprays of the first array. Thus the sprays of the first array are directed to one side and the sprays of the second array to an opposite side from the respective arrays.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for generating three-dimensional transparent patterns on a non-woven fabric or similar, whereby, for example, hot air is sucked through openings which form the pattern in the circumferential surface of a drum. The openings are straight or curved gaps instead of conventional holes and together with other openings form the desired pattern. The air or similar, flowing through the gaps, presses the fibres into the gaps and the vacuum on the inner side of the drum sucks said fibres onto the patterning.

Abstract: A nonwoven product is made by passing a fiber web longitudinally along a treatment path and preconsolidating it at an upstream location along the path. Then the web is fully consolidated by liquid jets downstream of the location at longitudinally spaced and transversely extending discontinuous strips each interrupted at least two break points. The web is then fully consolidated by liquid jets downstream of the location at least two transversely spaced longitudinally extending strips extending a full length of the web and crossing the transverse strips at the break points. Subsequently the web is cut up into pieces along the strips.

Abstract: A water-permeable drum assembly for the hydrodynamic needling of textile materials in order to reinforce and structure the textile materials or refine the surface thereof has an intrinsically stable sieve drum provided with apertures and an outer tubular sieve-type cloth made of intersecting wires and pulled across and fixed to an outer surface of the drum. The outer sieve-type cloth has a coating that stabilizes intersections of the wires.

Abstract: A method for producing three-dimensional colourless designs in a non-woven fabric or like material entirely bonded includes subjecting the fibers to a blowing process through openings, since the fibers in the openings are only displaced therein with limited depth, and are subsequently needle bonded against a supplementary support.

Abstract: A composite nozzle strip for hydroentangling of a fibrous mass is provided to lower nozzle erosion potential and increase operational efficiency. The composite nozzle strip comprises a substrate comprising a material of a first hardness having at least one aperture and at least one orifice element comprising a material of a second hardness greater than the first hardness and further defining an aperture of a second diameter less than the first diameter. The at least one orifice element is affixed to the substrate so that the aperture in the orifice element is aligned with the at least one aperture in the substrate for creation of a constricted water jet when subjected to pressurized water.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a nonwoven fabric having a relatively low level of ionic contaminates which is achieved by exposing the fabric to a deionized water wash, preferably, in-line with the nonwoven production process, thereby eliminating, or at least reducing, the need for an expensive and time consuming cleanroom laundering. The fabric is primarily comprised of continuous filament fibers and may be manufactured into such end-use products as cleaning wipes and protective clothing for cleanrooms and surface coating operations, such as automotive paintrooms. Also encompassed within this invention is a method for producing a nonwoven fabric having a relatively low level of ionic contaminates.

Abstract: The nozzle beam on a device for producing liquid jets in order to impinge said jets upon the fibres of a web of continuous material guided along the beam consists of a beam housing extending along the working width of the continuous web of fibre material, whereby two longitudinal bores placed on top of each other are accommodated in said housing and are separated from each other by means of an intermediate wall provided with continuous boreholes. The nozzle strip required to produce the liquid jets is mounted in a liquid-tight manner in the lower part of the housing and is cross-flown by pressurized water. In order to enable more needle water to reach the fabric than is usual with such a construction, two strips of nozzles are mounted in a housing and must be provided accordingly with pressurized water.

Abstract: The invention concerns an installation for producing non-woven textile webs comprising a conveyor on one side of which the non-woven textile web passes between an injector and a vacuum chamber driven in an oscillating motion. The resulting web bears no mark.

Abstract: Fabrics having improved aesthetic characteristics in addition to good FR characteristics and strength are described, as well as a method for making the fabrics. The fabrics are made by subjecting a fabric containing inherently flame resistant fibers to a fluid treatment process such that a fabric with good comfort and aesthetic characteristics is formed. In one form of the invention, the fabric comprises plied yarns, and the fluid treatment process serves to separate the plies from each other. The fabrics have a soft hand, good protective characteristics, good strength and durability, as well as good wicking and soil release characteristics.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a nonwoven fabric, and specifically to a durable lightweight nonwoven fabric wipe, comprising improved strength, as well as an improved MD to CD elongation ratio, which results in a material imminently suitable for application in the cleaning and cleansing of surfaces. A method of making the nonwoven fabric embodying the present invention includes the steps of providing a precursor web comprising a fibrous matrix. The method further comprises the steps of providing a precursor web, which is subjected to hydroentangling.

Abstract: A process for face finishing fabrics, and in particular fabrics containing filaments, to provide them with good aesthetic characteristics is described. In addition, fabrics made from filaments having aesthetic characteristics and surface effects similar to those of fabrics made from spun yarns are described. Also, items of napery made from filaments and having good surface effects and low pick and snag performance are described. The process involves pre-abrading a fabric, such as one made from filaments, and then subjecting it to a high energy fluid treatment process.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of forming a nonwoven fabric, which exhibits a first three-dimensional image and a second three-dimensional image whereby the first and second three-dimensional images are dissimilar from one another. In particular, the present invention contemplates a fabric comprised of sequentially formed three-dimensional images that are formed from a pre-entangled precursor web entangled on a first three-dimensional transfer device so as to impart a first image therein, then subjected to hydroentanglement on a second three-dimensional image transfer device wherein a second three-dimensional image is imparted to the web that is different from the first three-dimensional image, the resulting nonwoven fabric presenting aesthetic and tactile qualities representative of both imparted images.

Abstract: A suction device for use in a textile machine, especially a water jet weaving installation has a slot between two glide strips for a transport device transporting the textile material that terminates radially inwards in a stationary suction tube into the thicker wall of which a suction slot is milled across the entire working length, thereby removing the need for bores having intermediate webs that are soiled by the lint suctioned off. The longitudinal slot in the suction tube is held at the desired distance by U-shaped straps that are distributed across the length of the slot. The straps are held on the suction tube by screws and are arrow-shaped in the zone of their base limbs so that the lint is unimpeded as it flows past this surface.

Abstract: A method for changing the position of fibers in a nonwoven web to improve the isotropy of the web by using angled stream of fluid wherein the streams form a substantially coplanar curtain and impinge on the fibers at their leading ends, trailing ends or sides.

Abstract: Machine for producing a patterned textile product, comprising a drum with a perforated lateral surface rotated about its axis, a sleeve with holes which is slipped over the drum, and having a ration of the sum of the surface area of the holes to the surface area of its total lateral surface of between 5 and 75% and, preferably, between 7 and 50% and a hole diameter not greater than 1 mm, a device for spraying water jets in the direction of the drum in a direction substantially radial thereto and means for creating a vacuum inside the drum wherein an apertured sheath is slipped over the sleeve and has apertures at least one dimension of which is greater than 2 mm.

Abstract: A process for producing fancy woven fabrics having balanced hand characteristics on each of the face and back is described. The process involves hydraulically processing a fancy-woven fabric having spun yarns in the warp to force fibers from spun yarns which are dominant on one fabric surface through the fabric to regions to form a nap on the other surface of the fabric. The process achieves fabrics having balanced hand characteristics with superior strength to those formed by conventional napping and sanding processes. In addition, the patterns have good pattern clarity.

Abstract: A method and plant for producing an air-laid non-woven web of cellulose fibers or of cellulose fibers mixed with synthetic fibers that includes at least one air-laying section for depositing fiber fluff into a layer upon a forming wire, an overlying second wire for transferring the layer of fluff to a third wire having a mesh count small enough for preventing the fibers from penetrating into the wire, and at least one nozzle for directing a water jet towards the fluff on the third wire, thereby hydroentangling the fluff into a coherent web. By the method and plant according to the invention, it is possible to produce hydroentangled fiber webs which are less expensive and have better absorption properties than hitherto known. The webs can be produced with weights between about 20 and 2000 g/m2.

Abstract: Method for producing a composite non-woven fabric for the production of a hygiene product includes the steps of forming a spun-bonded non-woven fabric; compressing the spun-bonded non-woven fabric in the dry state in a continuous process after forming the spun-bonded non-woven fabric for pre-strengthening; coating the pre-strengthened spun-bonded non-woven fabric with a layer of pulp fibers; conducting a hydrodynamic water needling process to interconnect and strengthen the layer of pulp fibers and the pre-strengthened spun-bonded non-woven fabric to form a composite non-woven fabric; and then drying the composite non-woven fabric. The step of compressing the spun-bonded non-woven fabric provides only a light bonding of fibers of the spun-bonded non-woven fabric such that the pulp fibers enter into an internal bonding with fibers of the spun-bonded non-woven fabric in the hydrodynamic water needling process.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of forming a nonwoven fabric, which exhibits a pronounced durable three-dimensional image, permitting use of the fabric in secondary carpet backing of carpet backing systems so as to reduce deformation under normal use (walking) and provide better coverage in carpet system applications. In particular, the present invention contemplates that a fabric is formed from a precursor web comprising a spunbond and/or cast scrim, which when subjected to hydroentanglement on an imaging surface, an enhanced product is achieved. By formation in this fashion, hydroentanglement of the precursor web results in a more pronounced three-dimensional image; an image that is durable to abrasion and distortion.

Abstract: During the construction of the nozzle beam according to DE-A-195 01 738, the insertion slit for the nozzle strip (14) is sealed on the front side of the nozzle beam by means of a screwed cover (16,17). It is easier to exchange a nozzle strip (14) if a special closing unit (26) having an opening (3) for the nozzle strip is provided on the front side, and said opening (30) is closed in a liquid-tight manner by a simply fixed insertion mandrel (31).

Abstract: A method for producing a nonwoven web formed at least partly with hydrophilic fibers is provided. In one aspect, the method comprises producing by carding a textile layer (10) which is then compressed and moistened; subjecting the textile layer to a bonding treatment using water jets acting at least against one of its surfaces; and transferring said bonded layer to a unit (32, 33) to be dewatered and dried. One aspect of the method is characterized in that, after the bonding treatment (20) with water jets and before drying and delivery, the pre-bonded and moistened layer is transferred to a supplementary unit (28) to be treated by the action of one or several series of water jets, the unit comprising a mobile suction surface in the form of a drum covered with an open-work structure (30) comprising a wire-mesh fabric, the wire-mesh fabric comprising successive raised and recessed zones.

Abstract: A base textile with a camouflage pattern is subjected to hot fluid streams to create flat regions and puckered or wrinkled regions, enhancing the three dimensional characteristics of the resulting material.

Abstract: An apparatus 10 and related process for enhancement of woven and knit fabrics through use of dynamic fluids which entangle and bloom fabric yarns. A two stage enhancement process is employed in which top and bottom sides of the fabric are respectively supported on members 22, 34 and impacted with a fluid curtain including high pressure jet streams. Controlled process energies and use of support members 22, 34 having open areas 26, 36 which are aligned in offset relation to the process line produces fabrics having a uniform finish and improved characteristics including, edge fray, drape, stability, abrasion resistance, fabric weight and thickness.