IE50912B1 - Surface-abraded textile fabrics - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to surface-abraded textile fabrics.

Such fabrics may be produced by the process, and by the use of the apparatus, claimed in our Patent Specification No. SOT 11 .

According to the present invention, a textile material has a body 5 portion containing a plurality of fibres, of which at least 20% by weight are synthetic fibres, which have a curvature, with convex side portions and concave side portions, in which there are exposed convex side portions which are substantially scarred and have, extending therefrom, a multiplicity of lamella-shaped protrusions having an average length of less than 0.05 mm (measured as defined below).

Preferably at least 45% by weight of the fibres are synthetic fibres, e.g. thermoplastic synthetic fibres such as polyester or nylon fibres.

The remaining portion of the textile material, if it is not totally synthetic, may be made up of natural fibres and may even include some non-fibrous materials.

Those exposed convex side portions of the fibres of a material of the invention, i.e. those portions which are at or near the surface of the material and are not covered by other fibres, are substantially scarred and have a multiplicity of lamella-shaped protrusions extending therefrom.

While the actual length and number of the protrusions may vary considerably, depending upon the type of material treated and the severity of treatment, it has been determined that, on average, the length of such protrusions is less than 0.05, and preferably less than 0.03, mm. This length is measured from the base of the protrusions where they are joined to the main body portion of the fibres, to the tip of the protrusions. As 50913 mentioned, it has also been observed that the extent of modification of these exposed convex side portions of the textile material may vary depending upon the fabric substrate composition. It is quite apparent, however, that the modification of such characteristics is significant and unique, as applied to a broad range of fabrics, and may be easily identified by comparison of the fabric substrate, after modification, with an untreated control sample or even with a sample of the same composition and structure which has been surface finished using conventional techniques.

The shape of the protrusions has been described in general as being lamella-shaped. This characterisation is not meant to imply that individual protrusions have a precisely identifiable and reproducible shape. Rather, the term lamella is used in its conventional sense to refer to a thin, flat scale or part (see Webster's Seventh New Collegiate Dictionary, 1965 ed.). Individual protrusions, furthermore,may be of a rather irregular shape, some even being rather long by comparison with their cross-sectional dimension. Nonetheless, on average, the protrusions are rather short and are rather flat in cross-sectional dimension, rather than being of a generally circular cross-sectional dimension which might characterise a true fibril.

It has also frequently been observed, particularly with regard to the preferred products of the present invention, that the crosssectional dimension of the fibres on or near the surface of the textile material may themselves be distorted as a result of the mechanical surface treatment described and claimed in our Patent Specification No. 50R|| , while the dimension of the fibres not at the surface may remain undisturbed. This has been observed in certain instances, such as where the fabric sample is a thin, hard fabric, as a smearing of the synthetic fibres which are thermoplastic in nature. This smearing may be a result of thermoplastic deformation, although we are not certain of the mechanism by which such smearing occurs. Furthermore, individual synthetic fibres at or near the surface of the textile material may actually be flattened somewhat as a result of mechanical surface finishing. For example if the crosssectional dimension of the individual fibres is substantially circular prior to mechanical surface treatment, it may be observed that, after mechanical surface finishing, the cross-sectional dimension is ovoid. Conversely, if the cross-sectional dimension is multiloba), fibres at or near the surface of the material may be substantially deformed. A smearing effect is observed, and this and any distortion of the cross-sectional dimension of the individual fibres at or near the surface of the textile material may contribute to beneficial surface characteristics of the product.

Examples of fabrics which may be subjected to mechanical surface treatment, co obtain products of the invention, are woven, knitted and non-woven fabrics, as well as coated fabrics. Certain films, e.g. polymeric films may be treated. Cellulosic, e.g. paper, and natural products such as leather in sheet form may also be treated.

Examples of knitted fabrics which may be treated include double knits, jerseys, tricots, warp knit fabrics and weft-insertion fabrics. Suitable woven fabrics are plain weaves, twills and other well known constructions. Such fabrics may be constructed from spun or filament yarns or may be constructed by using both types of yarns in the same fabric. Fabrics made from natural 5091a fibres such as wool, silk, cotton or linen may also be treated, although the preferred fabrics are those made from synthetic fibres such as polyester, nylon, acrylic, cellulosic or acetate fibres, or mixtures thereof with natural fibres. Particularly significant improvement in surface characteristics has been observed on fabrics containing polyester fibres.

Products of the invention may be characterised as having a more uniform surface finish than fabrics treated by conventional methods.

The novel products may have a finish apparent to the naked eye, or a finish apparent not to the naked eye but to the touch. The novel products may have a generally softer hand and lower fabric bending modulus than known products.

Products of the invention may be treated by, for example, brushing using, for example, nylon or metal, such as brass or steel, brushes.

Products of the invention may be prepared by the process generally and specifically described in our Patent Specification No. 50ΗΙΙ , and by use of the apparatus generally and specifically described therein, and as shown in Figures 1 to S of the accompanying drawings.

XO Products of the invention are exemplified in the Examples of that Application, and illustrated in Figures 8, 9, 15, 16, 17, 21, 22, 31, 32, 35, 36, 41, 42, 45, 46, 50 and 52 of the accompanying drawings.

Figures 1 to 52 of Patent Specification No. 50*111 are duplicated herein in the accompanying drawings.

Claims (6)

1. A textile material having a body portion containing a plurality of fibres, of which at least 202 by weight are synthetic fibres, which have a curvature, with convex side portions and concave side portions, 5 in which there are exposed convex side portions which are substantially scarred and have, extending therefrom, a multiplicity of lamellashaped protrusions having an average length of less than 0.05 mm (measured from the base of the protrusions where they are joined to the main body portion of the fibres, to the tip of the protrusions). 10

2. A textile material according to claim 1, in which the crosssectional dimension of the fibres, at or near the surface of the material, has been distorted.

3. A textile material according to claim 2, in which the fibres which have been distorted are thermoplastic fibres and the 15 distortion is a result of thermoplastic deformation.

4. A textile material according to claim 2, in which the fibres, at or near the surface of the material, have been flattened somewhat as a result of mechanical surface finishing.

5. A textile material according to any preceding claim, in 20 which the cross-sectional dimension of the fibres, at or near the surface of the material, is ovoid.

6. A textile material according to claim 1, substantially as illustrated in any of Figures 8, 9, 15, 16, 17, 21, 22, 31, 32, 35, 36, 41, 42, 45, 46, 50 and 52 of the accompanying drawings.