U.S. patent application number 13/277398 was filed with the patent office on 2012-04-26 for fastening fabric structure.
Invention is credited to Chao-Mu CHOU.
Application Number | 20120096690 13/277398 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 45971369 |
Filed Date | 2012-04-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120096690 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
CHOU; Chao-Mu |
April 26, 2012 |
FASTENING FABRIC STRUCTURE
Abstract
The present invention relates to a fastening fabric structure,
which comprises a micro-fibriform loop fabric structure and a
fibriform pile fabric structure. The micro-fibriform loop fabric
structure has micro-fibriform loops erected and protruded from the
surface of the fabric processed with a fiber splitting treatment to
form erected and loosen micro-fibriform loops on the surface of the
fabric; the fibriform pile fabric structure has erected and
dispersed restrain fiber bundles on the surface of the fabric to
form fibriform loops processed with a shearing treatment. Because
the micro-fibriform loops are loosen and protruded from the surface
of the fabric, the capability of restrain the fibriform pile fabric
structure can be greatly enhanced, and the restrain fiber bundles
of the fibriform pile fabric structure are prevented from tangling
together, thereby greatly increasing the amount of effective
fastening fibers and strengthening the fastening and adhering
capability of the fastening fabric structure.
Inventors: |
CHOU; Chao-Mu; (Taipei,
TW) |
Family ID: |
45971369 |
Appl. No.: |
13/277398 |
Filed: |
October 20, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
24/445 |
Current CPC
Class: |
D03D 27/00 20130101;
A44B 18/0034 20130101; D03D 15/33 20210101; D10B 2501/0632
20130101; D04B 1/04 20130101; Y10T 24/2733 20150115 |
Class at
Publication: |
24/445 |
International
Class: |
A44B 18/00 20060101
A44B018/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 20, 2010 |
TW |
099135686 |
Claims
1. A fastening fabric structure, comprising: a micro-fibriform loop
fabric structure having micro-fibriform loops erected and protruded
from the surface of said fabric, said micro-fibriform loops being
fabricated by complex, textured micro-fiber yarn and processed with
a fiber splitting treatment for splitting into more and smaller
micro fibers, so said micro fibers being enabled to form erected
and loosen micro-fibriform loops on the surface of said fabric; a
fibriform pile fabric structure having erected and dispersed
restrain fiber bundles on the surface of said fabric, said restrain
fiber bundles being fabricated by spun yarn or synthetic filament
yarns to form fibriform loops then processed with a shearing
treatment; when said fibriform pile fabric structure and said
micro-fibriform loop fabric structure being in contact, said
erected restrain fiber bundles being fastened and restrained by
said micro-fibriform loops thereby forming an adhering and
fastening effect.
2. The fastening fabric structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein
the height of said micro-fibriform loops is 1 mm.about.5 mm, and
the height of said restrain fiber bundles is 1 mm.about.5 mm.
3. The fastening fabric structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein
the height of said micro-fibriform loops is 2 mm.about.3 mm, and
the height of said restrain fiber bundles is 2 mm.about.4 mm.
4. The fastening fabric structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein
said restrain fiber bundles are fabricated by erected non-hook
fibers having the dimension of 3 deniers; and said micro-fibriform
loops are fabricated by micro-fiber loops having the dimension of
0.1 denier.
5. The fastening fabric structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein
said micro fibers adopt two different high molecular materials for
becoming complex fibers by complex spinning, and said fiber
splitting treatment utilizes a chemical method to remove one of the
materials and allow the other material to be individually
remained.
6. The fastening fabric structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein
said micro-fibriform loop fabric structure are knitted or woven
loop fabrics made of said micro fibers of complex fibers being
processing with said fiber splitting treatment for fabricating
loosen micro-fibriform loops.
7. The fastening fabric structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein
said fibriform pile fabric structure are knitted or woven loop
fabrics fabricated by spun yarn or synthetic filament yarns with
the top ends of said loops being sheared to form erected and
dispersed fibers on the surface of said fabric.
8. The fastening fabric structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein
said restrain fiber bundles of said fibriform pile fabric structure
are knitted or woven corduroy fabrics fabricated by spun yarn or
synthetic filament yarns wherein said corduroy structure being
sheared in weft or warp direction to form erected and dispersed
fiber bundles on the surface of said fabric.
9. The fastening fabric structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein
said fibriform pile fabric made of a knitted or woven double-layer
structure fabricated by spun yarn or synthetic filament yarns is
cut into two fabrics and one side of said two fabrics being sheared
to provide said erected and dispersed fiber bundles of fibriform
pile.
10. The fastening fabric structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein
said micro-fibriform loops and said restrain fiber bundles are
fabricated on different surfaces of said same fabric.
11. The fastening fabric structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein
said micro-fibriform loops and said restrain fiber bundles are
fabricated at different locations on the same surface of a
fabric.
12. The fastening fabric structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein
said micro-fibriform loops and said restrain fiber bundles are
fabricated on two different pieces of fabrics.
13. The fastening fabric structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein
said micro-fibriform loops and said restrain fiber bundles are
fabricated on two different pieces of fabrics that are bonded
together to form a double-sided self-adhered fastening fabric.
14. The fastening fabric structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein
said micro-fibriform loops and said restrain fiber bundles are
fabricated on two different pieces of fabrics and a high molecular
elastic film is bonded therebetween to form a high elastic power
and double-sided self-adhered fastening fabric.
15. The fastening fabric structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein
said restrain fiber bundles of said fibriform pile fabric structure
are fabricated to erected and loosen and slightly-curved fibers by
a thermal treatment in an environment of 140.about.190 Celsius
degree.
16. The fastening fabric structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein
said micro fibers contain thermal shrinking fibers.
17. The fastening fabric structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein
the elastic fibers are added in the essential fabric structure of
said fastening fabric.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a fabric, especially to a
fastening fabric structure having the fastening effect similar to
the traditional VELCRO by a weaving machine.
[0003] 2. Description of Related Art
[0004] VELCRO, a leading brand of hook and loop fastening fabric,
as a conventional fastening or gripping fabrics can be found in our
living environment and widely used in garment, leather goods,
shoes, diaper, helmet, etc. The major reason is that the VELCRO or
other loop and hook fastening fabric are convenient in
fastening.
[0005] However, there are some unsatisfied drawbacks in using
VELCRO or other loop and hook fastening fabric, for example, the
VELCRO, stiff in texture, has a certain thickness and is difficult
produced and directly connected to the fabric. Normally, it should
be sewing or other ways to attach or connect the VELCRO on the
articles which using said VELCRO. Therefore, if the articles using
VELCRO requires to be a soft in texture or less thick than the
thickness of VELCRO, due to the texture of VELCRO material, the
VELCRO, the VELCRO is difficult to meet such requirements.
[0006] A conventional loop and hook fastener fabricated by a
weaving machine includes a loop and a hook corresponding to the
loop. Take the U.S. Pat. No. 5,231,738 as an example, said patent
has disclosed a mixed loop/hoop separable fastener and as shown in
FIG. 2b of said specification, the loop and the hook of the mixed
loop/hoop separable fastener are provided on the same surface, and
each loop has the dimension of 11 deniers and the density is 8,760
loops per square inch; however the corresponding hook is
monofilament having the dimension of 330 deniers with the density
of 290 hooks per square inch.
[0007] Take the U.S. Pat. No. 6,099,932 as another example, said
patent has disclosed a manufacturing method of a loop fabric of
hook and loop type fastener, and as shown in FIG. 4 of said
specification, the loop of the hook and loop type fastener is
fabricated by monofilament having the dimension around 10 to 150
deniers and processed with a brushing treatment.
[0008] Take the Taiwan Utility Model Publication No. 479477 as one
another example, said patent had disclosed thin base fabrics having
loops surface knitted by monofilament, wherein a special knitted
for forming curving floating circles is disclosed for providing a
loop and hook fastening tape with thinner thickness. In view of the
mentioned patents, the thickness of the VELCRO or other
conventional loop and hook fastening fabric brings certain
limitation and inconvenience when being used.
[0009] Beside the above-mentioned thickness issue, there is still a
problem of unintended adherence. The reason is that the loops of
convention fastening fabrics are too large in dimension which
providing the opportunity of small things to insert through or fall
within the loops. Moreover, when being washed and rinsed, the hooks
of the conventional fastening fabric may damage other clothes, e.g.
generating problems such as yarn loosening or breaking. The three
aforesaid patents disclosed the manufacturing method of the loop
and hook fastening fabric fabricated by a weaving machine and the
dimension of the components provided, and one another feature of
the three aforesaid patents is that the hook components are all
thick and hard monofilament with hook-like or mushroom-like
shapes.
[0010] Further, Taiwan Utility Model Patent No. M263013 (equivalent
to U.S. Pat. No. 7,231,789 B2), issued to the present inventor, has
discloses a fastening fabric structure entitled "Snapping Fabrics".
According to this invention, a hairiness treatment of brushing and
shearing is applied to form fibriform hook. However, employing a
brushing technique to form fibriform hook cannot keep fibriform
hook in direction, lowering the fastening ability. Further, the
fibriform hook tends to be tangled together, forming pilling and
loosing the fastening ability.
[0011] In addition, the Taiwan Patent Publish No. 201023784,
published on Jul. 1, 2010, applied by the inventor of the present
invention discloses a novel fastening fabric structure. The
micro-fibriform loops of the fastening fabric are the micro-fiber
yarn of the plain structure fabric, after the micro-fibriform loop
fabric is processed with a fiber splitting treatment, the
micro-fibriform loops having restrain function are formed between
the inter-knitting nodes of the yarn, as shown in FIG. 1 of said
specification: after the fiber splitting process, the micro-fiber
yarn of complex, textured yarn can only be separated to a bundle of
more and smaller micro fibers, but the length of the micro fibers
is not prolonged, so loosen micro-fibriform loops can not be
protruded from the surface of the fabric at the inter-knitting
nodes of the yarn. The flat and intensive micro fibers are
difficult to enable the micro-fibriform loops to restrain the
fibriform pile fabric, thus the adherence capability is poor,
especially the vertical adherence force.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] One primary object of the present invention is to provide a
fastening fabric structure having a micro-fibriform loop fabric
structure and a fibriform pile fabric structure wherein the
micro-fibriform loop fabric structure has micro-fibriform loops
erecting on the surface of the fabric, and erected and dispersed
restrain fiber bundles are fabricated by processing a shearing
treatment to the fibriform pile fabric structure; after a thermal
treatment in an environment with suitable temperature, the restrain
fiber bundles become erected restrain fiber bundles which are more
dispersed and slightly curved. As such, the restrain fiber bundles
of the fibriform pile fabric structure are prevented from tangling
together, thereby increasing the adhering and fastening capability
of the fastening fabric structure.
[0013] For achieving the mentioned object, one solution provided by
the present invention is to provide a fastening fabric structure,
which comprises:
[0014] a micro-fibriform loop fabric structure having
micro-fibriform loops erected and protruded from the surface of the
fabric, the micro-fibriform loops are fabricated by complex,
textured micro-fiber yarn and split thereafter to form more and
smaller micro fibers, so the micro fibers are enabled to fabricate
erected and loosen micro-fibriform loops on the surface of the
fabric;
[0015] a fibriform pile fabric structure having erected and
dispersed restrain fiber bundles on the surface of the fabric, the
restrain fiber bundles are fabricated by spun yarn or synthetic
filament yarns being fabricated to fibriform pile loops then
processed with a shearing treatment;
[0016] when the fibriform pile fabric structure and the
micro-fibriform loop fabric structure are in contact, the erected
restrain fiber bundles are fastened and restrained by the
micro-fibriform loops thereby forming an adhering and fastening
effect.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] The present invention will be apparent to those skilled in
the art by reading the following detailed description of a
preferred embodiment thereof, with reference to the attached
drawings, in which:
[0018] FIG. 1 is a schematic partially enlarged view illustrating a
knitted double-face loop fabric before the micro-fibriform loop
fabric structure being processed with the fiber splitting treatment
and before the fibriform loop fabric structure being processed with
the shearing treatment, according to the present invention.
[0019] FIG. 2 is a schematic partially enlarged view illustrating a
knitted double-face loop fabric after the micro-fibriform loop
fabric structure being processed with the fiber splitting treatment
and after the fibriform loop fabric structure being processed with
the shearing treatment, according to the present invention.
[0020] FIG. 3 is a schematic view illustrating the micro-fibriform
loop fabric structure and the fibriform pile fabric structure being
fabricated on different surfaces of the same woven fabric,
according to the present invention;
[0021] FIG. 4 is a schematic view illustrating the micro-fibriform
loop fabric structure and the fibriform pile fabric structure being
fabricated on different locations of the same surface of the same
woven fabric, according to the present invention; and
[0022] FIG. 5 is a schematic view illustrating the micro-fibriform
loop fabric structure and the fibriform pile fabric structure being
fabricated on two different woven fabrics, according to the present
invention;
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0023] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further
understanding of the invention, and are incorporated in and
constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate
embodiments of the invention and, together with the description,
serve to explain the principles of the invention.
[0024] As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the fastening fabric
structure provided by the present invention comprises a
micro-fibriform loop fabric structure 1 and a fibriform pile fabric
structure 2.
[0025] Please refer to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, which are schematic views
illustrating the micro-fibriform loop fabric structure 1 of a weft
knitted fabric before and after being processed with the fiber
splitting treatment. The micro-fibriform loop fabric structure 1
has erected and loosen micro-fibriform loops 11 fabricated on a
surface of the fabric, such that the micro-fibriform loops 11 are
equipped with a function similar to the loops of a conventional
VELCRO tape. In practice, the micro-fibriform loop fabric structure
1 is preferably to be made of complex textured micro-fiber having
the dimension less than 1 denier, and the micro-fibriform loop has
a height of 1 mm.about.5 mm, preferably to be 2 mm.about.3 mm. The
manufacturing method of micro fibers is a mature technology
therefore no further illustration is provided.
[0026] As shown in FIG. 3, which is a schematic view illustrating
the micro fibers fabricated on a surface of a woven double-face
loop fabric being processed with a splitting treatment. The
fabrication method of the micro fibers is to adopt two different
high molecular materials for becoming the complex fiber by complex
spinning, then separating each single complex fiber for obtaining
more and smaller micro fibers.
[0027] As such, the micro-fibriform loop fabric structure 1 of the
present invention is fabricated on a knitted or woven fabric with
the micro-fibriform loops 11 then being processed with the fiber
splitting treatment, so the micro fibers are enabled to fabricate
erected and loosen micro-fibriform loops 11 on a surface of the
fabric. Moreover, if the micro fibers contain thermal shrinking
fibers, a shrinking level of 20%.about.40% would be generated
during the heating process of fiber splitting and dyeing, such that
the micro fibers after being split become more loosened, thereby
enhancing the fastening and adhering capability of the fastening
fabric structure.
[0028] The texturing and fabricating means of the micro-fibriform
loop fabric structure 1 are as followings: (1) weft-knitting or
warp-knitting to fabricate a knitted loop fabric; and (2) weaving
to fabricate a woven loop fabric. The fiber splitting means can be
a chemical or mechanical separation treatment, wherein the chemical
separation treatment is to dissolve one of the materials through a
chemical solvent and allow the other material to be remained, the
mechanical separation treatment is to separate the two different
material of complex fiber through a mechanical rubbing means.
[0029] Please refer to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, which are schematic views
illustrating the fibriform pile fabric structure 2 of a weft
knitted fabric before and after being processed with a shearing
treatment. The fibriform pile fabric structure 2 is fabricated by
spun yarn or synthetic filament yarn, and has erected and dispersed
restrain fiber bundles 21 on a surface of the fabric. The texturing
and fabricating means of the restrain fiber bundles 21 are as
followings: (1) knitting or weaving for fabricating a loop fabrics
then shearing the top ends of the loop fabrics so as to fabricate
the erected and dispersed restrain fiber bundles; (2) knitting or
weaving for fabricating a corduroy structure, shearing the raised
yarns in weft and warp direction of the corduroy structure so as to
fabricate the erected and dispersed restrain fiber bundles; and (3)
knitting or weaving for fabricating a double-layer structure,
cutting the double-layer structure into two fabrics, then the
erected and dispersed restrain fiber bundles will be on the surface
of each fabric.
[0030] In addition, the micro-fibriform loop fabric structure 1 and
the fibriform pile fabric structure 2 can be fabricated on a
knitted or woven double-face loop structure for respectively
fabricating or synchronously existing on different surfaces of the
fabric.
[0031] Moreover, the fibers of the restrain fiber bundles 21 can be
processed with a thermal treatment in an environment of
140.about.190 Celsius degree, especially 160.about.170 Celsius
degree, for obtaining a more loosened and slightly curved fiber
bundles, thereby being more easily to be fastened by the
micro-fibriform loops 11 of the micro-fibriform loop fabric
structure 1. The restrain fiber bundles 21 has a height of 1
mm.about.5 mm, preferably to be 2 mm.about.4 mm. As such, the
aforesaid weaving and fabricating means of the fibriform pile
fabric structure 2 enables the restrain fiber bundles 21 to provide
a function similar to the hooks of a conventional VELCRO tape.
[0032] As mentioned above, the fabrication means of the fastening
fabric structure provided by the present invention is weaving or
knitting, if an essential fabric structure 3 of the fastening
fabric is added with elastic fibers, such as the elastic fibers
under the trademark of Lycra, the elasticity of the fastening
fabric structure can be increased, thereby more suitable being
applied for the purpose of wrapping and bonding for a protection
equipment.
[0033] As mentioned above, the fibriform pile fabric structure 2
and the micro-fibriform loop fabric structure 1 can be respectively
fabricated on two different fabrics, and a high molecular elastic
film can be provided between the two fabrics, so through adhering
back to back, a highly-elastic fabric with its front and rear sides
being able to adhere with each other can be fabricated, thereby
providing a stronger bonding and restraining function.
[0034] In practice, when the fibriform pile fabric structure 2 and
the micro-fibriform loop fabric structure 1 are in contact face to
face, the plural erected restrain fiber bundles 21 of the fibriform
pile fabric structure 2 are fastened and restrained by the
micro-fibriform loops 11 fabricated after the micro-fibriform loop
fabric structure 1 being processed with the fiber splitting
treatment, so there is a large friction force generated for forming
an adhering and fastening state, thereby achieving the adhering and
fastening effect similar to the effect provided by the conventional
VELCRO tapes.
[0035] In addition, the micro-fibriform loop fabric structure 1 and
the fibriform pile fabric structure 2 of the fastening fabric
structure provided by the present invention can be altered and
applied to different purposes according to the actual needs. As
shown in FIG. 3, which is a schematic view illustrating a woven
double-face loop fabric wherein the micro-fibriform loops 11 and
the restrain fiber bundles 21 being fabricated on opposite surfaces
of the same fabric; or as shown in FIG. 4, which is a schematic
view illustrating a woven single-face loop fabric, wherein the
micro-fibriform loops 11 and the restrain fiber bundles 21 being
provided and dispersed at different locations on the same surface
of the same fabric; or as shown in FIG. 5, which is a schematic
view illustrating a woven single-face loop fabric wherein the
micro-fibriform loops 11 and the restrain fiber bundles 21 being
fabricated on two different fabrics, and the two fabrics can be
bonded to a fabric with its front and rear sides being able to
adhere with each other through bonding the two fabrics back to
back.
[0036] One feature of the fastening fabric structure provided by
the present invention is that the restrain fiber bundles 21 of the
fibriform pile fabric structure 2 utilize erected non-hook fibers
having the dimension around 3 deniers contained in the 50.about.300
deniers yarn to replace the monofilament hooks of conventional
VELCRO tapes having the dimension around 325 deniers; the
micro-fibriform loops 11 of the micro-fibriform loop fabric
structure 1 are erected and protruded from the surface of a fabric,
and utilize micro-fiber loops having the dimension around 0.1
denier contained in the 50.about.200 deniers yarn to replace the
monofilament loops having the dimension around 20 deniers of the
conventional VELCRO tapes. Therefore, the dimension of the restrain
fiber bundles 21 of the present invention is about 100 times
smaller than the hooks of a conventional VELCRO tapes, and the
density of the restrain fiber bundles 21 is 275 times greater than
the hooks of the conventional VELCRO tapes; the dimension of the
micro fibers of the micro-fibriform loop 11 provided by the present
invention is 200 times smaller than the loops of the conventional
VELCRO tapes, and the density of the micro-fibriform loops 11 is
150 times greater than the loops of the conventional VELCRO tapes.
Thus, the softness and fiber dimension of the fastening fabric
structure provided by the present invention are substantially the
same as fabrics used in daily life, and through the large amount of
micro fibers generating the high-strength adhering and fastening
force, the present invention provides a fabric having the adhering
and fastening function without needs of additional adhesion or
fasten units.
[0037] Therefore, by adopting the present invention, the advantages
and effects can be achieved are:
[0038] (1) The thickness of the fastening fabric structure is
greatly reduced, especially the micro-fibriform loops of the
micro-fibriform loop fabric structure are fabricated by micro
fibers, thereby achieving extreme thin in dimension.
[0039] (2) The fastening fabric structure forms the loops and pile
directly on the surface of fabrics without base cloth or base
substrate, because the fastening fabric itself is a soft texture
equipped with adhering and fastening function, with the softness
and adhering capability provided by the fabric itself, when being
used in a band strip, the strong adhesion is continuously provided
during the binding and wrapping process, so a complete adhering
effect is provided, and slides are prevented between the binding
and wrapping layers, thereby providing a firmer and more stable
binding and wrapping effect and also providing comfort.
[0040] (3) The dimension of the restrain fiber bundles fabricated
on the fastening fabric structure is similar to nature cotton
fiber, especially micro-fibriform loop is much smaller than existed
nature cotton fiber, so the user would not feel irritated on
his/her skin and foreign articles inserting or falling within
fabrics is prevented, or other clothes or fabrics are protected
from being damaged when washed and rinsed together with the
fastening fabric.
[0041] (4) The restrain fiber bundles of the fibriform pile fabric
structure of the fastening fabric structure are erected and
non-hook fibers, so the micro-fibriform loops of the
micro-fibriform loop fabric structure are prevented from being
damaged when being mutually adhered; and the restrain fiber bundles
and the micro-fibriform loops allows even distribution of force
through the whole contact surface area of surface and enhancing the
fastening power and the durability of the fastening fabric
structure, and meeting the essential requirement of repeated use
for environmental-friendly materials.
[0042] (5) The restrain fiber bundles and the micro-fibriform loops
of the fastening fabric structure can be respectively fabricated on
the front and rear sides of one single fabric, so not only the
thickness can be reduced, the softness of the fastening fabric
structure can also be greatly improved, and the fastening fabric
structure is equipped with an excellent water absorbing property,
thereby being able to be fabricated to products such like a scarf,
shawl and towel which can be freely adhered.
[0043] (6) The fastening fabric structure can be made in a very
similar or even the same way as making an ordinary cloth, and the
shape thereof can be freely tailored and equipped with
whole-surface fastening without any other closure means; when used
as band strip, one single piece of band strip can be used to warp
different parts of the body; due to a wide range of fastening
application, the invention is a breakthrough in fastening fabric
industry.
[0044] Various modifications and other embodiments of the
inventions set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the
art to which these inventions pertain having the benefit of the
teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the
associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the
inventions are not to be limited to the specific examples of the
embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments
are intended to be included within the scope of the appended
claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used
in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of
limitation.
* * * * *