Textiles: weaving – Fabrics – Pile
Reexamination Certificate
2000-06-23
2001-06-19
Worrell, Danny (Department: 3765)
Textiles: weaving
Fabrics
Pile
C139S037000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06247505
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to a terry-cloth or velours fabric and to a process for producing said fabric; with a carrier web and, anchored in said web, an open- or closed-loop nap; with a cotton-loop warp the cut or uncut loops of which protrude from one surface of the carrier web; and with a microfiber-loop warp the cut or uncut loops of which protrude from the opposite surface of the carrier web.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A generically similar terry or velours fabric has been described in DE 42 00 278 C1. Carrier webs are produced in essentially conventional fashion by weaving, interlacing or knitting. In the case of terry or velours fabrics, the woven or knit substrate is provided with a pile of open or closed loops which give the cloth concerned its characteristic properties. The loops of a cotton fabric contribute to the absorptivity of the material that is desired in towels or bathrobes. The loops can also serve as spacers between the basic web and the body of the user, for instance in the case of bedding which makes it feel pleasantly cool.
In order to significantly enhance the absorptivity (water absorption) of a terry or velours fabric, the method applied in prior art has involved the addition of microfibers which form an open or closed-loop nap on the surface opposite the surface with the cut or uncut cotton-loop pile.
Microfiber yarns in the form of multifilar, mostly textured synthetic fibers consisting for instance of polyamide have been used for flat fabrics in making wind-resistant and water-repellent clothing. In terms of moisture transfer, a combination of cotton terry and microfibers has proved particularly advantageous. The open- or closed-loop microfibers readily absorb the moisture and transfer it to the basic terry or velours material, making this type of fabric especially suitable for towels, bathrobes, leisure clothing etc.
In conventional terry cloth, the loops are always of the same height due to the production process employed, i.e. the proportion of the various materials incorporated on the nap side is about 50/50. When a terry fabric is produced on a loom, a change in texture is obtainable only by varying the weft, i.e. the course grouping per centimeter. Multiple variations are also possible by changing the thickness of the yarn in the weft and in the basic warp.
In all cases, however, the loops of different materials on either side of the carrier web will always be identical in height.
It follows that the terry or velours fabrics cannot be optimized for different purposes.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Given the current state of the art, this invention is aimed at providing a terry-cloth or velours fabric, and an appropriate, predictably economical production process, whereby it is possible to optimize the fabric for different purposes.
According to the methodology-related technical solution proposed for improving the generic process, the cotton-loop warp and the microfibre-loop warp are individually interlaced into the respective surface at the time the carrier web is produced.
The method according to this invention, employing a novel production device including at least one additional interlacing bar, results in an altogether new type of terry or velours fabric, with loop sequences on both sides the height of which can be controlled at random. This permits optimization of the terry or velours fabric for any desired purpose by employing the process according to this invention.
If, for example, increased moisture absorption is to be attained, it will be desirable to provide a higher microfiber pile on the upper or lower surface supporting the microfiber warp. The cotton-loop warp on the opposite surface can still be of any desired height, for instance short if a light-weight material is to be produced.
The terry or velours fabric produced by the process according to this invention is characterized by the fact that the cotton-loop warp and the microfiber-loop warp on the respective surface are stitched in at the time the carrier web is produced. The respective warp may differ in height, the loop picks are tied into the heddles. This offers the advantage of permitting control of the firmness of the fabric. Depending on the purpose intended, a more loosely or more tightly knit fabric can be produced. The loops can be cut to create a velours fabric without the risk of loops coming loose and falling out.
Preferably, a loop sequence from each surface, perhaps consisting of different materials, is broad-knit on the woven carrier web during the weaving cycle.
The invention presents an innovative process for producing a terry or velours fabric, the result being a novel type of terry or velours fabric. It is basically possible to substitute other yarns for the microfiber warp if that makes the terry cloth more suitable for the intended purpose.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3721272 (1973-03-01), Hager
patent: 5336543 (1994-08-01), Pyle
patent: 5557950 (1996-09-01), Richards et al.
patent: 5667865 (1997-09-01), Jackson et al.
patent: 42 00 278 (1993-08-01), None
patent: 2 221 948 (1974-07-01), None
patent: 2 746 818 (1997-10-01), None
Cantor & Colburn LLP
Frottierweberei Vossen GmbH
Worrell Danny
LandOfFree
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