EP0252317A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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Method and apparatus for modifying fabrics to produce varied effects
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1987-06-09
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2007-06-09
Abstract
Abstract A method for modifying fabric to produce varied effects comprises projecting a stream of particles (9) towards the fabric surface. The particles (9) are projected under controlled conditions such that they contact the surface with a force effective to modify the fabric (1) and change the feel, appearance or material constitution of the fabric. Among the effects obtained are softening, worn or laundered appearance, design, pattern, picture, printing, textured or sculptured effects. The apparatus comprises a supply (29) of a length of fabric (1) and means for moving the fabric along a horizontal path. Located on the path is a support backing (33) such as a flat plate, and means (34) for slidably pressing the fabric (1) against the support backing (33). Opposite to the support backing (33) and facing the fabric surface is a treatment station (30) which includes means (32) for propelling a stream of particles (9) towards the fabric surface.
Inventors
- 👤 George R. Geller
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 08:43
CPC Classifications
D; D06; D06B; D06B11/00; D06B11/0093; D06B11/0096; D06C; D06C23/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
60 words
A method for modifying fabric (1) to produce varied effects, which comprises projecting under controlled conditions a stream of particles (9) towards a surface of a fabric (1), the particles contacting said surface with a force effective to modify said fabric (1) sufficiently so that one or more of the feel, appearance or material constitution of said fabric is changed.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
60 words
A method for modifying fabric (1) to produce varied effects, which comprises projecting under controlled conditions a stream of particles (9) towards a surface of a fabric (1), the particles contacting said surface with a force effective to modify said fabric (1) sufficiently so that one or more of the feel, appearance or material constitution of said fabric is changed.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said force is effective to produce at least one desired effect selected from softening (soft-hand); a worn or laundered appearance; and the creation of designs, patterns, pictures, printing effects, textured effects or sculptured effects.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said force is effective to remove or partially remove from the fabric (1) substances consisting of at least one of coatings, sizes, dyes, pigments or portions of the fabric material.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
59 words
A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said controlled conditions are established by selecting the properties of size, shape, momentum and rate of flow of said particles (9), shape and size of the contact area of said particles (9) on said surface; and movement of the fabric (1) relative to the stream of particles (9).
Claim 6
Independent Claim
30 words
A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said force is effective to modify said fabric (1) without substantially degrading the physical properties of said fabric (1).
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said particles (9) are projected by entrainment in a fluid stream or are projected by being mechanically accelerated and directed towards said surface.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 6, wherein said particles are projected by a centrifugal wheel blaster (6).
Claim 9
Independent Claim
23 words
A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a stencil is interposed between said surface and said stream of particles.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
16 words
A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said fabric (1) is denim.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
48 words
A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the particles (9) contact said surface with a force effective to remove or partially remove from said fabric (1) one or more of coatings, sizes, dyes or pigments to produce a softening (soft-hand), worn or laundered effect.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
51 words
A method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the particles (9) contact said surface with a force effective to remove or partially remove from said fabric (1) one or more of dyes, pigments or portions of the fabric material to form designs, patterns, pictures or printing effects.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
35 words
A method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein said particles (9) contact said surface with a force effective to remove or partially remove fabric material to produce textured or sculptured effects.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method according to claim 12, wherein said fabric (1) is a pile, napped, hooked, natural or man-made leather, natural or man-made fur, corduroy, velour or velvet fabric.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
115 words
An apparatus for modifying fabric (1) to produce varied effects, which comprises means (29) for supplying a length of fabric (1), said fabric (1) having a first fabric surface and a second fabric surface, means for moving the fabric along a horizontal path in lengthwise direction, a first support backing (33) positioned adjacent to said path, means (34) for slidably pressing the second fabric surface against the first support backing (33), a first treating station (30) located opposite from the first support backing (33), facing the first fabric surface and comprising means (32) for propelling a stream of particles (9) towards said first fabric surface, and means for removing treated fabric (1) from said path.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
115 words
An apparatus for modifying fabric (1) to produce varied effects, which comprises means (29) for supplying a length of fabric (1), said fabric (1) having a first fabric surface and a second fabric surface, means for moving the fabric along a horizontal path in lengthwise direction, a first support backing (33) positioned adjacent to said path, means (34) for slidably pressing the second fabric surface against the first support backing (33), a first treating station (30) located opposite from the first support backing (33), facing the first fabric surface and comprising means (32) for propelling a stream of particles (9) towards said first fabric surface, and means for removing treated fabric (1) from said path.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the means (32) for propelling a stream of particles (9) comprises a rotary wheel blaster (8).
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
28 words
An apparatus according to claim 14, further comprising means (35) for cleaning particles from the fabric (1) located adjacent to the path after said first treating station (30).
Claim 19
Independent Claim
68 words
An apparatus according to any one of claims 14 to 16, further comprising one or more additional treating stations (40) corresponding to said first treating station (30), facing said first fabric surface and located opposite corresponding support backings (33) against which said second fabric surface is slidably pressed, said additional treating stations (40) or stations being successively positioned adjacent to said path after said first treating station (30).
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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