Inventors:
Alonzo M. Burns - Inman SC
Jeffrey E. Silliman - Spartanburg SC
Woodrow P. Gilbert - Spartanburg SC
William M. Pascoe - Spartanburg SC
Assignee:
Milliken Research Corporation - Spartanburg SC
International Classification:
D06Q 102
D06P 500
D06M 316
Abstract:
A method for sculpturing a pile fabric, e. g. , acrylic pile fabric, is provided which comprises contacting selected areas to be sculptured of the pile surface of the fabric with a sufficient amount of a sculpturing composition to provide a sculptured effect, said composition comprising: at least one lower alkylene carbonate, e. g. , ethylene carbonate, propylene carbonate, etc. , provided in said composition in a concentration sufficient so that said fibers may be subsequently caused to shrink to a lower energy configuration upon application of heat; said sculpturing composition further containing E-caprolactam in an amount sufficient to maintain a relatively soft hand of the shrunken pile fibers; and heating said pile fabric to a temperature sufficient to cause the pile height of said fibers in the selected areas of the pile fabric to be reduced sufficiently to provide a sculptured effect on said pile fabric.