Selectivity altering a fiber height in a pile fabric and apparatus
US7240408B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 14, 2004 |
| Grant date | Jul 10, 2007 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 17, 2025 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC D)Textiles; Paper
- CPC primaryD06C13/00
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A region of a pile fabric is impacted with a laser at spaced illuminated areas in a dithered image, wherein the laser energy and duration of impact in the illuminated areas are selected to shorten the fibers within the illuminated area. The spacing of the illuminated areas within the region and the amount of shortening within the illuminated areas are selected to essentially maintain a hand or feel of the pile fabric. Fleece and corduroy can be sculpted to provide a three-dimensional image, while maintaining the hand of the fleece. In dyed pile fabrics, the illuminated areas can be selected to change the dye distribution within the pile material to provide an altered coloration.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.