In-line flock cutting process

Claim 1

In a continuous in-line method for making flock from a tow selected from the group consisting of rayon, nylon, polyester and acrylic which comprises a plurality of filaments and which contains a lubricant which is detrimental to said flock, the steps which comprises: a. continuously feeding the tow and said lubricant as a running tow, b. continuously scouring said tow by contacting it with a liquid scouring agent for removal of said lubricant from said tow, c. continuously squeezing excess scouring liquid from said tow, d. continuously rinsing said tow with water, e. continuously applying a predetermined pressure to squeeze excess rinse water from said rinsed tow, f. continuously applying a liquid finish to said tow, g. continuously applying another predetermined pressure of from about 60 to 100 lbs./square inch to said tow to remove a portion of the applied finish, h. continuouslycutting the resulting tow into flock, i. continuously drying the resulting wet flock wherein the drying step is controlled to moisture regain values of: ______________________________________ % Regain ______________________________________ AC Flocking DC Flocking ______________________________________ for rayon 6 - 8 10 - 12 for nylon 2 - 2.4 3 - 5 for polyester 1 - 2 1 - 2 for acrylic 1 - 2 1 - 2 ______________________________________ to produce a moist, hot air by-product, and wherein said by-product is continuously diverted from said flock, j. continuously beating the resultant dried flock with the admission of air, wherein the temperature of said admitted air is below about 100° F, and k. packaging the flock.