Textiles: cloth finishing – Rubbing
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-15
2001-03-06
Vanatta, Amy B. (Department: 3741)
Textiles: cloth finishing
Rubbing
C026S071000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06195854
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an apparatus for softening a web material by exerting local tensions at predetermined situses on the web.
Certain types of fabric web materials such as non-wovens, paper, paper with synthetic fibers and/or additives, printed knits and the like generally have a harsh hand or feel. Manufacturers and finishers of these fabrics have tried to soften the fabrics and improve their drape by applying chemical treatments, compacting and sometimes washing the web following same by relaxed drying. Chemical treatment is expensive and requires application apparatus plus drying equipment. Compacting increases weight of a fabric web material and also its cost. Washing and drying fabric webs also are expensive.
Printed woven fabrics have been, and still are, softened by applying longitudinal tension while at the same time passing the material in contact with several rollers that have a button head knobbed surface. This procedure causes application of localized tensions on the material as the knobs protrude into and stretch the fabric breaking its printed pigment surface thereby to end up with a softer fabric. A machine of this type is referred to in the art as a “Button Breaker.” While a Button Breaker works reasonably well on woven fabrics, it distorts other materials such as non-wovens, paper, paper with synthetic fibers and/or additives, and knits to a degree that substantially damages them. Usually imposing longitudinal tension on a knitted fabric stretches the fabric and curls or rolls its edges making the fabric undesirable for use.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus which functions to impart a soft feel or hand to a fabric web material which feel or hand is very desirable.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for achieving soft and desirable hand in an inexpensive and efficient manner.
Another object of the present invention is to soften fabric webs, especially non-wovens, paper, paper with synthetic fibers and/or additives, and printed knits, without applying excessive longitudinal tension thereto.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an inexpensive mechanical apparatus for softening various fabric web materials, especially non-wovens, paper, paper with synthetic fibers and/or additives, and printed knits, without substantially changing weight, shape or size of the fabric web and achieving at the same time a soft feel or hand to the fabric web.
Another object of the present invention is to offer a versatile selection among equipment arrangements and techniques for application to particular needs of various of the fabric webs to be softened.
Generally speaking, an apparatus according to the present invention comprises a means for allowing movement of the fabric web material through the apparatus and while the fabric web is so moving the apparatus imparts localized tension thereto in various predetermined locations distributed over the fabric web.
The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the present invention will appear more clearly hereinafter.
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Baxley Charles E.
Vanatta Amy B.
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