GB1380071A - Method of processing pile fabrics - Google Patents

Abstract

1380071 Finishing fabrics LAMBEG INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH ASSOCIATION 9 March 1973 [11 Dec 1971] 57626/71 Heading D1S A pile fabric is treated to develop crimping and/or bulking characteristics in the pile by causing the pile elements of the fabric to spread apart temporarily in localised regions and subjecting the spread-apart elements to a fluid medium. Steam and water are specified fluid treatment media. The pile yarns may comprise cotton, wool, viscose, acrylic, modacrylic, nylon, polyester, polypropylene or bi-component acrylic or nylon fibres. A carpet fabric may be treated with steam (14) as it is drawn over a sharp edge (12), Fig. 1 (not shown), or around a sharp radius of curvature, Fig. 2 (not shown), formed by a stationary polished bar or a freely rotating or driven roller (16), the surface of which may be polished or roughened, e.g. clad with short spikes. A non-circular cross-section bar (18), Fig. 3 (not shown), may be used. The fabric 10, Fig. 4, may be folded and drawn back over itself as it is treated with steam 14. The pile surface may be drawn over a doctor blade (22), Fig. 5 (not shown), as it is treated or the pile 20, Fig. 6, may be constrained by a plate 24 to assume a back-lying position and released immediately before being steamed. In Fig. 7, a latex-backed carpet having a bicomponent polypropylene fibre pile tufted into a polypropylene backing is fed from a roller 2 and is steamed as it passes around a pinned roller 1. The carpet is passed flat under a cowl 5 which traps excess heat from the steam jet. The cowl 5 is fitted with drains 6 to remove condensate and prevent it dripping onto the carpet.