Method for improving the softness and/or the drape of nonwoven fabrics

Abstract

A method for improving a quality of a fabric includes providing a nonwoven fabric a polyester component and a polyamide component, and subjecting the nonwoven fabric to at least one physical treatment so as to improve at least one of a softness and a drape of the nonwoven fabric.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method for improving a quality of a fabric, comprising: 
 providing a nonwoven fabric containing at least one of microfibers and microfilaments of synthetic polymers and including a polyester component and a polyamide component; and    subjecting the nonwoven fabric to at least one physical treatment so as to improve at least one of a softness and a drape of the nonwoven fabric.    
     
     
         2 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the nonwoven fabric includes micro fibers.  
     
     
         3 . The method as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the microfibers are at least partially split.  
     
     
         4 . The method as recited in  claim 1  wherein the nonwoven fabric includes microfilaments.  
     
     
         5 . The method as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the microfilaments are at least partially split.  
     
     
         6 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the nonwoven fabric further includes a polyurethane component.  
     
     
         7 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the providing of the nonwoven fabric includes providing a web of nonwoven fabric.  
     
     
         8 . The method as recited in  claim 7  wherein the web is a continuous web.  
     
     
         9 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the physical treatment includes a mechanical treatment.  
     
     
         10 . The method as recited in  claim 9 , wherein the providing includes providing the nonwoven fabric in form of a web, and wherein the mechanical treatement includes moving the web of nonwoven fabric.  
     
     
         11 . The method as recited in  claim 9 , whererein the providing includes providing the nonwoven fabric in form of a rope and wherein the mechanical treatment includes moving the rope of nonwoven fabric.  
     
     
         12 . The method as recited in  claim 9 , wherein the mechanical treatment includes moving the nonwoven material in a wet condition.  
     
     
         13 . The method as recited in  claim 12 , further comprising dyeing the nonwoven fabric and wherein the mechanical treatment is performed during the dyeing.  
     
     
         14 . The method as recited in  claim 13 , wherein the mechanical treatment is performed in a dyeing machine.  
     
     
         15 . The method as recited in  claim 14 , wherein the dyeing machine includes at least one of a rope-dyeing machine and a jet-dyeing machine.  
     
     
         16 . The method as recited in  claim 14 , wherein the physical treatment includes a thermal treatment of the nonwoven fabric performed at a same time as the mechanical treatment.  
     
     
         17 . The method as recited in  16 , wherein the thermal treatment is performed using vapor.  
     
     
         18 . The method as recited in  claim 17 , wherein the vapor is supersaturated water vapor.  
     
     
         19 . The method as recited in  claim 17 , wherein a temperature of the vapor is not higher than 130° C.  
     
     
         20 . The method as recited in  claim 17 , wherein a temperature of the vapor is not higher than 120° C.  
     
     
         21 . The method as recited in  claim 17 , wherein the vapor is applied to the nonwoven fabric for a dwell time of 10 minutes to 90 minutes.  
     
     
         22 . The method as recited in  claim 21  wherein the dwell time is 25 to 75 minutes.  
     
     
         23 . The method as recited in  claim 22  wherein the dwell time is 30 to 60 minutes.  
     
     
         24 . The method as recited in  claim 16 , wherein the thermal treatment is performed in a tumbler.  
     
     
         25 . The method as recited in  claim 24 , wherein the tumbler is a rope drier.  
     
     
         26 . The method as recited in  claim 16 , wherein the thermal treatment is performed by washing with a liquid.  
     
     
         27 . The method as recited in  claim 26 , wherein the liquid is water.  
     
     
         28 . The method as recited in  claim 26 , wherein a temperature of the liquid is 40 to 130° C.  
     
     
         29 . The method as recited in  claim 28 , wherein the temperature of the liquid is 60 to 95° C.  
     
     
         30 . The method as recited in  claim 26 , wherein the washing is performed for a duration of 20 minutes to 90 minutes.  
     
     
         31 . The method as recited in  claim 30 , wherein the duration is 25 to 75 minutes.  
     
     
         32 . The method as recited in  claim 31 , wherein the duration is 30 to 60 minutes.  
     
     
         33 . The method as recited in  claim 26 , wherein washing is performed in a rope washer.  
     
     
         34 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising manufacturing an article of clothing using the nonwoven material.  
     
     
         35 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a home textile using the nonwoven material.  
     
     
         36 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising manufacturing a cover fabric using the nonwoven material.  
     
     
         37 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising manufacturing a lining fabric using the nonwoven material.  
     
     
         38 . The method as recited in  claim 37 , further comprising manufacturing a baggage piece using the lining fabric.  
     
     
         39 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising manufacturing a shoe component using the nonwoven material.  
     
     
         40 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising manufacturing a flag using the nonwoven material.  
     
     
         41 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising manufacturing a trim of a vehicle using the nonwoven material.  
     
     
         42 . The method as recited in  claim 41 , wherein the trim an interior trim.  
     
     
         43 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising manufacturing a product for one of a medical and a hygienic application using the nonwoven material.