Method for control of post molding fabric curl and distortion
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A process for molding textile fabrics and substantially preventing post molding fabric curl and distortion comprising:
- compression molding a fabric comprising a face fabric and a backing layer in a compression mold with at least the backing layer at an elevated temperature greater than a melting temperature of the backing layer;
cooling the backing layer while the face fabric and the backing layer remain in the compression mold, at least until solidification of the backing layer; and
heating the face fabric, while cooling the backing layer, to relax stresses introduced during the compression molding.
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Abstract
A process for eliminating post-molding fabric curl and distortion in molded fabrics and fabrics produced thereby. The molded fabrics are laminates including a non-woven fabric face and a binder layer and/or sheet backing. Post-molding curling and distortion can be eliminated by maintaining heat on the face fabric until the backing has been cooled enough to be rigid.
49 Citations
28 Claims
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1. A process for molding textile fabrics and substantially preventing post molding fabric curl and distortion comprising:
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compression molding a fabric comprising a face fabric and a backing layer in a compression mold with at least the backing layer at an elevated temperature greater than a melting temperature of the backing layer; cooling the backing layer while the face fabric and the backing layer remain in the compression mold, at least until solidification of the backing layer; and heating the face fabric, while cooling the backing layer, to relax stresses introduced during the compression molding. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 26, 27, 28)
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17. A process for molding textile fabrics and substantially preventing post molding fabric curl and distortion comprising:
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compression molding a fabric comprising a face fabric and a backing layer in a compression mold with at least the backing layer at an elevated temperature greater than a melting temperature of the backing layer; cooling the fabric while the fabric remains in the compression mold, at least until substantial solidification of the backing layer; removing the fabric from the compression mold upon the substantial solidification of the backing layer; placing the fabric in a tray having a shape and dimensions which are substantially the same as the compression mold; heating the face fabric to relax stresses introduced by the molding; and cooling the backing layer, simultaneously with the heating of the face fabric, to maintain the substantial solidification of the backing layer. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification