Patent ID: 6863697
Filing Date: 2005-03-08
Classification: D06M,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A process for improving the absorption characteristics of a fabric, the fabric being comprised of continuous conjugate filaments that are longitudinally separable into elementary filaments and having at least a first elementary filament material and a second elementary filament material, wherein said first filament material is a polyester that is substantially resistant to acid degradation and said second filament material is a polyamide that is susceptible to acid degradation, said process comprising the steps of: (a) subjecting the fabric to an acid-containing solution for a first determinate time and then rinsing, wherein the acid-containing solution degrades at least a portion of said second filament material; and (b) subjecting the fabric to a basic solution for a second determinate time and then rinsing, wherein the basic solution makes said first filament material more hydrophilic.