The present invention is directed to a shaped soft goods article that is unitary non-woven material having at least one three-dimensional shape. The article includes a first region substantially formed of a first formula and a second region substantially formed of a second formula. Between the first and second regions, there is an intermingling region that includes at least some of the first formula and the second formula. The first and second formulas are both comprised of at least one type of natural or synthetic fibers and at least one of crosslinkers, natural and/or synthetic adhesives, biobased and/or synthetic thermoplastics, including nanocellulose, and/or latex; however, the first and second formulas differ in at least one characteristic. An intermingling region exists where the first region (and first formula) intermingle with the second region (and second formula) meet.
D04H 5/10 - Non woven fabrics formed of mixtures of relatively short fibres and yarns or like filamentary material of substantial length characterised by the method of forming fleeces or layers, e.g. reorientation of fibres or yarns otherwise than in a plane, e.g. in a tubular way
2.
SOFT GOODS FROM A SYSTEM OF MOLDING AND PRESSING USING A SLURRY CONTAINING FIBERS WITH A SECOND ELEMENT AT LEAST PARTIALLY EMBEDDED THEREIN
The present invention discloses a shaped soft goods article that includes a first material, and second element at least partially embedded therein. The first material is a unitary non-woven material having at least one three-dimensional feature that is made from a slurry containing at least one type of natural or synthetic fibers and at least one of crosslinkers, natural and/or synthetic adhesives, biobased and/or synthetic thermoplastics, including nanocellulose, and/or latex. The second element can be functional or decorative.
B29C 70/68 - Shaping composites, i.e. plastics material comprising reinforcements, fillers or preformed parts, e.g. inserts by incorporating or moulding on preformed parts, e.g. inserts or layers
B29C 70/42 - Shaping or impregnating by compression for producing articles of definite length, i.e. discrete articles
B29K 105/08 - Condition, form or state of moulded material containing reinforcements, fillers or inserts of continuous length, e.g. cords, rovings, mats, fabrics, strands or yarns
The present invention discloses a shaped soft goods article that includes a first material, and second element at least partially embedded therein. The first material is a unitary non-woven material having at least one three-dimensional feature that is made from a slurry containing at least one type of natural or synthetic fibers and at least one of crosslinkers, natural and/or synthetic adhesives, biobased and/or synthetic thermoplastics, including nanocellulose, and/or latex. The second element can be functional or decorative.
B29C 70/24 - Fibrous reinforcements only characterised by the structure of fibrous reinforcements using fibres of substantial or continuous length oriented in at least three directions forming a three dimensional structure
D04H 3/12 - Non woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of yarns or like filamentary material of substantial length characterised by the method of strengthening or consolidating with filaments or yarns secured together by chemical or thermo-activatable bonding agents, e.g. adhesives, applied or incorporated in liquid or solid form
B29C 43/36 - Moulds for making articles of definite length, i.e. discrete articles
B29C 43/00 - Compression moulding, i.e. applying external pressure to flow the moulding materialApparatus therefor
D21J 3/00 - Manufacture of articles by pressing wet fibre pulp, or papier-mâché, between moulds
4.
A UNITARY SHAPED SOFT GOODS ARTICLE HAVING VARIABLE PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS BETWEEN DIFFERENT REGIONS
The present invention is directed to a shaped soft goods article that is unitary non-woven material having at least one three-dimensional shape. The article includes a first region substantially formed of a first formula and a second region substantially formed of a second formula. Between the first and second regions, there is an intermingling region that includes at least some of the first formula and the second formula. The first and second formulas are both comprised of at least one type of natural or synthetic fibers and at least one of crosslinkers, natural and/or synthetic adhesives, biobased and/or synthetic thermoplastics, including nanocellulose, and/or latex; however, the first and second formulas differ in at least one characteristic. An intermingling region exists where the first region (and first formula) intermingle with the second region (and second formula) meet.
The present invention is directed to a method of making at least a portion of a garment that includes at least one three-dimensional contour. The disclosed method includes providing a fiber and solvent mixture that includes fibers and a solvent capable to causing a plurality of covalent bonds to be created between the fibers. In many embodiments, the plurality of covalent bonds form when a catalyst, such as heat, is provided to the fiber and solvent mixture. The process can be performed using, for example, either a 3D printer or mold form. The fibers used can be natural, synthetic, or a blend of natural and/or synthetic fibers. The solvent preferably includes ionic salts in water.
B29C 70/24 - Fibrous reinforcements only characterised by the structure of fibrous reinforcements using fibres of substantial or continuous length oriented in at least three directions forming a three dimensional structure
B29C 41/10 - Coating a former, core or other substrate by spraying or fluidisation, e.g. spraying powder by fluidisation
B29C 70/68 - Shaping composites, i.e. plastics material comprising reinforcements, fillers or preformed parts, e.g. inserts by incorporating or moulding on preformed parts, e.g. inserts or layers
B32B 3/26 - Layered products comprising a layer with external or internal discontinuities or unevennesses, or a layer of non-planar shapeLayered products comprising a layer having particular features of form characterised by a particular shape of the outline of the cross-section of a continuous layerLayered products comprising a layer with external or internal discontinuities or unevennesses, or a layer of non-planar shapeLayered products comprising a layer having particular features of form characterised by a layer with cavities or internal voids
D04H 3/12 - Non woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of yarns or like filamentary material of substantial length characterised by the method of strengthening or consolidating with filaments or yarns secured together by chemical or thermo-activatable bonding agents, e.g. adhesives, applied or incorporated in liquid or solid form
D06M 15/263 - Macromolecular compounds obtained by reactions only involving carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds of unsaturated carboxylic acidsSalts or esters thereof
The present invention is a method for forming a fibrous molded article that includes providing a aqueous slurry containing a plurality of fibers, providing the slurry into a dehydration chamber to remove at least some of the amount of water from the slurry to achieve an intermediate form, removing the fibrous intermediate form from the dehydration chamber and placing the fibrous intermediate form in a press having a first mold portion and a second mold portion wherein at least one of the first or second mold portions includes a contour, applying at least one of heat and pressure to the press such that at least fiber to fiber bonding or chemical cross-linking of fibers occurs, and removing the three-dimensional solid fibrous molded part from the press.
The present invention discloses a method and apparatus for molding a fibrous molded article. An aqueous slurry that contains an amount of water and a plurality of fibers is added to the molding apparatus. First and second molding screens are positioned on a first pressing unit and a second pressing unit, respectively, and include a plurality of openings. The first and second molding screens can include secondary relief features. A pressing chamber sleeve slidably engages with the first pressing unit and the second pressing unit to ensure proper alignment during molding operation. The first and second molding screens at least partially form a void that is intended to receive an amount of the aqueous slurry. The apparatus includes a heat and pressure source that removes at least some of the water from the aqueous slurry and bonds the fibers to one another resulting in the fibrous molded article.
D21J 3/00 - Manufacture of articles by pressing wet fibre pulp, or papier-mâché, between moulds
B29C 70/24 - Fibrous reinforcements only characterised by the structure of fibrous reinforcements using fibres of substantial or continuous length oriented in at least three directions forming a three dimensional structure
D04H 3/12 - Non woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of yarns or like filamentary material of substantial length characterised by the method of strengthening or consolidating with filaments or yarns secured together by chemical or thermo-activatable bonding agents, e.g. adhesives, applied or incorporated in liquid or solid form
10.
SOFT GOODS FORMED FROM A FIBER LIQUID SLURRY HAVING SURFACE FEATURES, AND METHODS FOR MAKING THE SAME
The present invention discloses a molded article having a surface feature created by a light reactive agent interacting with light from a light source, and a method for making the same. The article is molded from a slurry comprised of an aqueous solution that includes a plurality of fibers and a light reactive agent. The slurry is molded into a three-dimensional solid fibrous molded part. The solid fibrous molded part is exposed to a light source such that the light reacts with the light reactive agent to create at least one surface feature. The surface feature can be, for example, a texture or a color change.
D21J 3/00 - Manufacture of articles by pressing wet fibre pulp, or papier-mâché, between moulds
B29C 70/24 - Fibrous reinforcements only characterised by the structure of fibrous reinforcements using fibres of substantial or continuous length oriented in at least three directions forming a three dimensional structure
D04H 3/12 - Non woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of yarns or like filamentary material of substantial length characterised by the method of strengthening or consolidating with filaments or yarns secured together by chemical or thermo-activatable bonding agents, e.g. adhesives, applied or incorporated in liquid or solid form
11.
FORMING A CONTOURED FINISHED SOFT GOOD FROM A FLATTER FIBROUS INTERMEDIATE PART
The present invention is a method for forming a fibrous molded article that includes providing a aqueous slurry containing a plurality of fibers, providing the slurry into a dehydration chamber to remove at least some of the amount of water from the slurry to achieve an intermediate form, removing the fibrous intermediate form from the dehydration chamber and placing the fibrous intermediate form in a press having a first mold portion and a second mold portion wherein at least one of the first or second mold portions includes a contour, applying at least one of heat and pressure to the press such that at least fiber to fiber bonding or chemical cross-linking of fibers occurs, and removing the three-dimensional solid fibrous molded part from the press.
The present invention discloses a molded article having a surface feature created by a light reactive agent interacting with light from a light source, and a method for making the same. The article is molded from a slurry comprised of an aqueous solution that includes a plurality of fibers and a light reactive agent. The slurry is molded into a three-dimensional solid fibrous molded part. The solid fibrous molded part is exposed to a light source such that the light reacts with the light reactive agent to create at least one surface feature. The surface feature can be, for example, a texture or a color change.
The present invention discloses a method and apparatus for molding a fibrous molded article. An aqueous slurry that contains an amount of water and a plurality of fibers is added to the molding apparatus. First and second molding screens are positioned on a first pressing unit and a second pressing unit, respectively, and include a plurality of openings. The first and second molding screens can include secondary relief features. A pressing chamber sleeve slidably engages with the first pressing unit and the second pressing unit to ensure proper alignment during molding operation. The first and second molding screens at least partially form a void that is intended to receive an amount of the aqueous slurry. The apparatus includes a heat and pressure source that removes at least some of the water from the aqueous slurry and bonds the fibers to one another resulting in the fibrous molded article.
The present invention is directed to a method of making at least a portion of a garment that includes at least one three-dimensional contour. The disclosed method includes providing a fiber and solvent mixture that includes fibers and a solvent capable to causing a plurality of covalent bonds to be created between the fibers. In many embodiments, the plurality of covalent bonds form when a catalyst, such as heat, is provided to the fiber and solvent mixture. The process can be performed using, for example, either a 3D printer or mold form. The fibers used can be natural, synthetic, or a blend of natural and/or synthetic fibers. The solvent preferably includes ionic salts in water.
The present invention is directed to a method of making at least a portion of a garment that includes at least one three-dimensional contour. The disclosed method includes providing a fiber and solvent mixture that includes fibers and a solvent capable to causing a plurality of covalent bonds to be created between the fibers. In many embodiments, the plurality of covalent bonds form when a catalyst, such as heat, is provided to the fiber and solvent mixture. The process can be performed using, for example, either a 3D printer or mold form. The fibers used can be natural, synthetic, or a blend of natural and/or synthetic fibers. The solvent preferably includes ionic salts in water.
The present invention is directed to a method of making at least a portion of a garment that includes at least one three-dimensional contour. The disclosed method includes providing a fiber and solvent mixture that includes fibers and a solvent capable to causing a plurality of covalent bonds to be created between the fibers. In many embodiments, the plurality of covalent bonds form when a catalyst, such as heat, is provided to the fiber and solvent mixture. The process can be performed using, for example, either a 3D printer or mold form. The fibers used can be natural, synthetic, or a blend of natural and/or synthetic fibers. The solvent preferably includes ionic salts in water.
B29C 41/10 - Coating a former, core or other substrate by spraying or fluidisation, e.g. spraying powder by fluidisation
B29C 70/24 - Fibrous reinforcements only characterised by the structure of fibrous reinforcements using fibres of substantial or continuous length oriented in at least three directions forming a three dimensional structure
B29C 70/68 - Shaping composites, i.e. plastics material comprising reinforcements, fillers or preformed parts, e.g. inserts by incorporating or moulding on preformed parts, e.g. inserts or layers
B32B 3/26 - Layered products comprising a layer with external or internal discontinuities or unevennesses, or a layer of non-planar shapeLayered products comprising a layer having particular features of form characterised by a particular shape of the outline of the cross-section of a continuous layerLayered products comprising a layer with external or internal discontinuities or unevennesses, or a layer of non-planar shapeLayered products comprising a layer having particular features of form characterised by a layer with cavities or internal voids
D04H 1/732 - Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres characterised by the method of forming fleeces or layers, e.g. reorientation of fibres the fibres being randomly arranged by fluid current, e.g. air-lay
D04H 3/12 - Non woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of yarns or like filamentary material of substantial length characterised by the method of strengthening or consolidating with filaments or yarns secured together by chemical or thermo-activatable bonding agents, e.g. adhesives, applied or incorporated in liquid or solid form
D06M 15/263 - Macromolecular compounds obtained by reactions only involving carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds of unsaturated carboxylic acidsSalts or esters thereof
