US4918795A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method to soften fabric by air impingement
Assignee: Milliken and Co
•
Filing: 1989-08-10
•
Granted: 1990-04-24
•
Expires: 2009-08-10
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus and method of treating fabric by directing low pressure air at near-sonic velocity between the fabric and a rigid plate tangentially in the warp direction of the fabric to cause the fabric to vibrate at extremely high rate. This high speed vibration causes sawtooth waves in the fabric to break fiber-to-fiber resin or finish bonds thereby decreasing the bending and shear stiffness to enhance the flexibility, drape and softness of the fabric.
Inventors
- 👤 Louis Dischler
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 18:15
CPC Classifications
D; D06; D06C; D06C19/00; D06B; D06B13/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
111 words
The method of treating a web of fabric comprising the steps of: supplying a web of fabric at low tension, taking up the web of fabric supplied and breaking up the fiber-to-fiber bonds in the web of fabric between the supply and take-up thereof by projecting a plurality of low pressure, high velocity streams of gaseous fluid against only one side of the web of fabric in a direction opposite and substantially tangential to the path of travel of the web of fabric causing vibrations in the web of fabric to create saw-tooth waves therein having small bending radii which travel down the fabric to increase the drape and flexibility thereof.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
111 words
The method of treating a web of fabric comprising the steps of: supplying a web of fabric at low tension, taking up the web of fabric supplied and breaking up the fiber-to-fiber bonds in the web of fabric between the supply and take-up thereof by projecting a plurality of low pressure, high velocity streams of gaseous fluid against only one side of the web of fabric in a direction opposite and substantially tangential to the path of travel of the web of fabric causing vibrations in the web of fabric to create saw-tooth waves therein having small bending radii which travel down the fabric to increase the drape and flexibility thereof.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
109 words
The method of treating a web of fabric comprising the steps of: supplying a web of fabric at low tension, taking up the web of fabric supplied and breaking up the fiber-to-fiber bonds in the web of fabric between the supply and take-up thereof by projecting a low pressure, high velocity stream of gaseous fluid against only one side of the web of fabric in a direction opposite and substantially tangential to the path of travel of the web of fabric causing vibrations in the web of fabric to create saw-tooth waves therein having small bending radii which travel down the fabric to increase the drape and flexibility thereof.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
109 words
The method of treating a web of fabric comprising the steps of: supplying a web of fabric at low tension, taking up the web of fabric supplied and breaking up the fiber-to-fiber bonds in the web of fabric between the supply and take-up thereof by projecting a low pressure, high velocity stream of gaseous fluid against only one side of the web of fabric in a direction opposite and substantially tangential to the path of travel of the web of fabric causing vibrations in the web of fabric to create saw-tooth waves therein having small bending radii which travel down the fabric to increase the drape and flexibility thereof.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-04-23 | 1993-10-23 | 1994-04-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-04-23 | 1997-10-23 | 1998-04-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-04-23 | 2001-10-23 | 2002-04-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |