CA2248886A1 - Improved printed flocked pile fabric and method for making same - Google Patents

Abstract

A printed multicolor synthetic pile fabric having a substrate and pile formed of fibers of substantially uniform length and diameter with the fibers arranged in random groups extending uniformly across the entire width and along the entire length of the fabric. Each group comprises a random number of fibers extending at an angle and in a direction that randomly varies from the angles and directions of the fibers in adjacent groups. The fibers within each group are preferably set in the greige goods.

Description

WO 97137072 PCT~US97/05460 IMPROVED P~NTED FLOCKED PILE FABRIC
AND METHOD FOR MAKING SAME

Field of Invention The present invention relates to an improved printed flocked pile fabric and method for making the same.
B~ck~round of Invention o Conventionally made printed flock fabrics involve a process in which the fabric, compri~in~ a flocked coated substrate, is printed u~ ing screen printing techniques. Thereafter, the pile is steamed, washed, and properly fini.chPd. These products generally result in a fabric having a pile surface of ullirolllJ texture, in which the individual fibers are uniformly oriented.
Such fabrics have no textured surfaces and rely primarily on the pattern that is imprinted to provide the fabric with its desired characteristics.
Additionally, pile fabrics have been made with textured surfaces. Insofar as theApplicant is aware, however, the textured surfaces herein described have not been fabricated in a multicolor flocked pile fabric in which greige goods are formed with the pile fibers arranged in random groups, ç~t~n-l;n~; uniformly across the width and along the length of the fabric, as a 20 result of a specific sequence of steps, including the washing of the greige goods prior to printing.
ln the prior art of fabricating multicolored printed flocked pile fabric with a uniform non-textured surface, occasional rejects occur when small numbers of the fibers forrning the pile are misoriented from the desired lay of the pile. These rejects or seconds usually result in an clrt-;t fabric having occasional creases or misdirected groups of fibers that mar and distort 25 the uniform surface of the fabric. The source of the occasional random orientation of the fibers in these seconds arises from a variety of processing problems. Heretofore, these random arrays of discrete misoriented fibers have been uniformly considered unacceptable. It has therefore been conventional to attempt to elimin~te this non-uniform appearance of printed flocked fibers.
In addition to occasional random appearances of discrete misoriented fibers in 30 multicolored flocked fabrics, uniformly dyed pile fabrics have also been made of natural woven fibers, such as cotton or viscose. In such woven systems, cotton or viscose pile fabrics are conventionally dyed. After dyeing, fabrics can be printed using conventional print techniques such as pigment printing or discharge printing.
Flocked fabrics have also been piece dyed. In these products. the fabric is dved with a 35 single color by conventional dyeing techniques. It is during the dyeing process that the fabric is _ _.

W O 97/37072 PCT~US97/05460 formed with its randomly arranged fibers. Because the fibers are dyed at temperatures in the order of 90~ C or 190~ F that are necessary to set the dyes, the resultant product does not lend itself to subsequent color treatment. In particular, the fabric has a solid ground w-hich cannot be further processed with resist printing. If dyed flocked fabrics were subsequently printed with .
s pigment or direct prints, the range of multicolor possibilities would be severely limited by this process.
Texturing has also been attempted by air embossing flocked fabrics and, thereafter, printing. Additionally, heat embossing greige goods and thereafter imprinting them have also been attempted. These systems, however, have certain limitations with respect to the 0 appearance, softness of pile, and styling.
Individual steps that are useful in practicing the present invention have also been well known in the fabric trade. This includes, for example, such practices as open width washing, in which greige goods are washed in an open width or, alternately, in a Beck machine prior to printing. The purpose of such washing steps, however, is to prepare the pile fabric by assuring 15 the directional lay of the pile or, alternately, for providing a light scouring for purposes of improving color adherence or for creating a uniform surface of the pile in one direction. Printed flocked fabrics have been washed in commercial jet or bleach machines after printing. However, it is not economically feasible to obtain a random textured effect in this manner.
Heretofore, the processes that have been commercially available have not been useful in 20 creating a printed pile fabric in which the surface texture of the pile is random or textured.

Summary of Invention The present invention provides a method of fabricating a multicolor printed flocked pile fabric having a non-uniform or textured pile surface, in which the fibers forming the piles are 25 oriented in small groups in various directions across the entire width and along the entire length of the fabric to provide a distorted or casual surface appearance, unlike the conventional velvet-like surface appearance of ordinary pile fabrics.
In the present invention, there is provided an improved method for fabricating a printed pile flocked fabric having f1bers arranged in small groups, randomly oriented, over the entire 30 length and width of the fabric, with these fibers providing a textured surface of random or distorted appearance.

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W097/37072 PCT~US97/05460 A further object of the present invention is to provide an improved and different printed pile fabric having more volume, a softer hand, and a gentler crush effect than fabrics heretofore made using conventional techniques.
A further object of the present invention is to provide an improved method of making 5 printed flock fabrics having textured surfaces.
Brief Description of the Drawin~
The foregoing objects and advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
Fig. 1 is a top plan view of a segment of fabric made in accordance with the present o invention;
Fig. 2 is a schematic cross section of a fabric made in accordance with this invention;
Fig. 3is a schematic fragmentary plan view of a segment of fabric made in accordance with the present invention, without the print illustrated; and Fig. 4 is a schematic plan view similar to Fig. 3, illustrating a defective fabric segment.
]s Description of Pl ~f~ .1 Embodiment In a conventionally formed multicolor flocked printed pile fabric, the surface of the pile is uniforrn and smooth and has no effective textured appearance, because the individual fibers forming the pile are secured to the substrate at substantially parallel angles to one another. In the 20 fabric made in accordance with the present invention, the fabric 10 is formed with a substrate 11 and flocking comprising fibers 14 secured to the substrate conventionally by a layer of adhesive 16. The fiber size, shape, and weight may vary depending upon the specific application desired.
The fibers may be dyed or not dyed. Typically, in the present invention, however, the individual fibers are formed in groups 18, 20, 22, etc. of random size and shape over the entire width and 25 length of the fabric, with the individual fibers within each group oriented in directions angular to one another. Thus, for example, one group may be at an angle of 70~ from the substrate and extend in one direction, while an adjacent group may have the fibers at an angle of 85~ from the . substrate and extend in a direction normal to this direction of the fibers of the first group. These groups 18, 20, 22, etc. have tuft-like appearances that extend across the entire surface of the 30 fabric 10. forming a surface of non-uniform appearance, as best illustrated at 10. This non-uniform appearance exists irrespective of the print or color design selected for the fabric. In this case, the multicolor print design includes, for example, a series of line designs 30.

W 097/37072 PCT~US97/05460 In viewing the embodiment of Figure 1, the textured nature of the fabric may be noted from the spacing visibly noticeable between groups that results from the random ~ariation in angles and directions of the fibers within the groups. These spaces 42 have essentially hairline appearances, for example, as illustrated at 40 and 41 in Fig. 2. Because the angles of the fibers to the substrate vary, the upper surface of the fabric is non-uniform, as illustrated by comparing the relative heights of groups 18 and 20.
The nature of the invention may also be understood from consideration of Figures 3 and 4. Here there is illustrated schematically a corner piece of fabric with the groups 18, 20, and ~2.
As illustrated, each group has a random shape and size that is defined by the different lo orientations of fibers from group to group. The defining borders of a group have a visual appearance of a fine line into the naked eye, as illustrated at 25. This fine line is formed by spacing 42 in the embodiment illustrated, comprised of very short, erratically directed segments.
However, if the fabric is processed in a manner outside the heating cycles described, the fibers may occasionally orient along very long lines. Such lines have the appearance of unwanted creases 50 and should, in the embodiment described, be avoided. However, there may be occasions in which a fabric is formed intentionally with lines similar to line 50. If so, however, such lines should appear sufficiently frequently across the width and along the length of the fabric to create an appearance that the crease is a desire component of the pattern. much like the long lines that frequently appear in leather.
The spaces between groups illustrated in Fig. 1 have a hairline appearance and, in the embodiment of the invention illustrated. the groups have relatively small shapes defined by sides that are of in the order of l/161' to 1/2~ in length. These lines, defining one group from the other, may be varied in length and, to some extent, in width, by varying the parameters of the process hereafter described. The hairlines illustrated at 40 and 41 may, for example, be much longer in 25 length than those heretofore described, by suitable variations in the parameters of the application and may, in fact, take on the appearance of creases, with the creases extending into the adhesive layer 16 or substrate 1 1. However, in forming a fabric of this type with longer lines, it is important that the fabric have a substantially uniforrn appearance over its entire length and width.
In short, an occasional line clearly defined, for example, two or three inches long or more, 30 appearing at a foot or two or three apart in the fabric, otherwise formed with creases or lines illustrated in Fig. 1, would not be desirable. The fabric should have uniformity throughout its W O 97/37072 PCT~US97/05460 surface to achieve the desired textured effect. These aberrant lines may be avoided by proper control of the parameters of the process.
The fabric illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 is formed by first subjecting the flocked substrate or greige goods to a batch washing cycle~ prior to printing, in which the wash cycle is designed to 5 create a non-uniform. random laydown of the fibers over the entire fabric being treated, which achieves the desired textured or distorted appearance. As used herein, greige goods include fabric having either dyed or undyed flocked fibers. In this process, selected flocked greige goods are prepared for washing. These flocked greige goods may vary, depending upon the particular end product desired, but typically, and for example, may comprise a poly-cotton woven t o Osnaburg, an acrylic adhesive layer and a flocked pile of polyamide fibers. The substrate, typically, may have a 3.4-ounce-per-square-yard weight, while the fibers, having cut lengths of .045" to .050", with a denier of 1.7 and a weight of 2 oz per square yard, are secured to the substrate by a suitable acrylic adhesive which may, for example, weigh 2.3 oz. per square yard.
Other possible substrate fiber combinations may be selected, depending upon the particular 5 purposes desired.
The greige goods are preferably cut into uniform lengths for batch processing. Thus, for example, eight lengths of greige goods are each formed into tubes by tacking or basting stitches along the length of the fabric to forrn elongated tubes. For the particular example set forth, the fabric tube would preferably be in the order of 200 meters in length. The tubes are tacked, 20 preferably with the pile on the inside, although, in alternate processes, arranging the piles on the outside or even processing the fabric in non-tubular form is contemplated. However, the tubular forms are preferred.
After the greige good fabrics are forrned into the tubes, they are loaded into a jet-dyeing machine for further processing. The machine should be fully loaded. Alternately. a Beck dyeing 2~ machine may be used, or even a continuous washing range. Liquor is added to the machine, with a liquor/fabric ratio of 1:10, although a range of 1:5 to 1:15 is possible. The liquor is formed by the sequential addition of water at 30~ C. Thereafter~ a fabric softener may be added. The fabric softener may be a commercially available one, sold under the mark CIBA FLUID-IJ'. Preferably.
1 cc per liter of water is added. After the liquor and fabric have been loaded into the machine~ a 30 non-ionic washing agent may be added, depending upon the particular fiber thae comprises the fabric. The purpose of the non-ionic washing agent is to remove spin oils; preferably approximately 1 cc per liter of water is added. After the fabric and liquor are in the machine~ the temperature of the liquor is raised to 40~ C. It is preferable to maintain the temperature at at least 40~ C in order to minimi7P the creasing that might otherwise occur in the washing cycle. The fabric is washed for 30 minutes, while the temperature is maintained at preferably at least 40~ C.
After this washing or scouring, the liquor is removed, and the dyeing machine is refilled. The 5 liquor is warmed to 80~ C. Preferably. a desizing agent is added. Ordinarily no more than 2 grams are needed. The purpose of the desizing agent is to take off the starch from the substrate, which further assists in minimi7ing the likelihood of creases forming and softens the overall fabric. The fabric is then again washed, with the temperature maintained at 80~ C. Following this second wash, the dyeing machine is emptied of the liquor and refilled once again with water I o at 30~ C. After the water is introduced at 30~ C, it is raised to 70~ C and the fabric again rinsed for 15 minutes at 70~ C. The water is then removed and the dyeing machine once again refilled with water at a temperature of in the order of 30~ C and rinsed for a further 10 minutes. The water is again removed and the fabric placed in a suitable centrifugal extraction machine, where the water is extracted for in the order of 15 minutes. During the extracting cycle, the fabric will 15 ordinarily remain in its tacked, tubular condition. Drying continues until about 75% of the water has been removed.
Following the removal of the water on the centrifugal extraction machine, the fabric is then opened by removing the basting stitches, and the fabric is flat folded.
The fabric is thereafter dried on a Tenter frame under an air flow which is slow enough so 20 that the pile is not disturbed. Typically, the drying may take place with an airflow ventilator fan rotating at 3,000 RPM over the fabric in which the Tenter frame is moving at a rate of in the order of 20 meters per minute and at a temperature of in the order of 160~ C for a period of in the order of one minute. The fabric is thereafter wound up on an A frame in a manner so as to avoid unnecessary crushing or compression of the pile fibers. The wind-up tension of the A frame 25 should also be selected to permit the pile to remain erect and present a consistent surface texture of the winding from one end to the other. Alternately. the fabric may be flat folded.
The temperature parameters selected for washing and treating the fabric prior toconventional screen printing set forth in the above exemplifications are intended to suggest a temperature in which re-orientation of the pile fibers in the random array described is effected.
30 Typical temperatures which may be used range from between 20~ C and 90~ C! as well as a dwell time of 1-4 hours. The particular size~ the arrangement of the various groups~ and the defined lines may be varied from very fine to very long or narrow to wider. depending upon the .

lines may be varied from very fine to very long or narrow- to wider, depending upon the particular parameters selected It should be recognized that when pile f~bric is subject to a wet printing process. pile. as for e.Yample nvlon flocked pile. is heat set during the steaming process when subjected to temperatures in e~cess of abo-lt 200~ F For that reason. it must be recognized that once the l'abric has been steamed at temperatures in e~cess of this order of magnitude~ the random te~tured effect cannot be effectivel,v removéd unless the fabric is subjected to hi~Jher temperatures.
After the l'abric has been dried on a Tenter frame. it is then subject to a conventional printing process. in which the fabric is, preferably, printed by screen printing processes. using a series of screens for different colors. Resist. direct, or pigment dyes may be used Thereafter. the printed o t'abric is steamed. washed once again. and finished in a conventional fashion. As an alternative to the wet printing process. transfer paper printing may also be used, As noted previously. the characteristics of the finished product may be changed by varying the cut length or size of the fibers, their shape. or the flock weight. Increasing the fiber length. for e~ample. tends to increase the appearance of a random effect. Similarly, increased flock weight 1~ appears to increase the appearance of a random effect h,McND~D Sli~E7'

Claims

Claims 1. A printed multicolor synthetic pile fabric having a substrate and a pile formed of fibers of substantially uniform length and diameter, with the fibers arranged in random groups extending uniformly across the entire width and along the entire length of the fabric, with each group comprising a random number of fibers extending at an angle and in a direction that randomly varies from the angles and directions of the fibers in adjacent groups.2. A printed pile fabric as set forth in claim 1, in which the fabric is a flocked fabric formed by washing the flocked fabric prior to printing, whereby the fibers are reset from an array in which the fibers extend in the same direction at essentially the same angle to an array defined by said random groups.
3. A printed pile fabric as set forth in claim 1, wherein the random variation in angles and directions of the fibers within each group define visible spaces on the surface of said groups.
4. A method of forming a printed multicolored flocked pile fabric having a substrate and flocking formed of fibers of substantially uniform length, wherein the fibers are arranged in random groups extending uniformly across the entire width and along the length of the fabric, with each group comprising a random number of fibers extending at an angle and in a direction that randomly varies from the angles and the directions of adjacent fibers, comprising the steps of washing greige goods at a temperature and time period sufficient to randomly re-orient the fibers forming the flocked surface from uniform parallel orientation into random groups of fibers with angular and directional orientations that vary from one group to the other and thereafter drying and printing the substrate with the fibers in said re-oriented position.
5. A fabric as set forth in claim 1 wherein said fabric is multicolored printed with a plurality of screens.
6. A fabric as set forth in claim 1 wherein said fabric is multicolored transfer printed.
7. A fabric as set forth in claim 6 in which said fabric is heat set before printing.
8. A fabric as set forth in claim 2 wherein said flocked fabric is heat embossed prior to washing and printing.
9. A fabric as set forth in claim 2 wherein said flocked fabric is air embossed prior to washing and printing.
10. A fabric as set forth in claim 1 wherein the fabric is dyed before printing.

11. A fabric as set forth in claim 1 wherein said fibers are arranged in said random groups when said fabric is in a greige goods stage.
12. A fabric as set forth in claim 11 wherein the said fibers in said greige goods stage are dyed.