Synthetic fur and process for preparation thereof

A synthetic fur closely resembling a natural fur comprises relatively long and thick guard hair-like raised synthetic fibers, each having a transverse cross-section wherein at least one constricted part is formed, and underfur-like raised synthetic fibers, each having a rate of dissolution in a solvent or of hydrolysis with a hydrolyzing agent higher than that of said guard hair-like raised fibers, and a length and fineness less than those of said guard hair-like raised fibers. The synthetic fur is prepared by applying a viscous treating liquid containing a solvent or hydrolyzing agent to a raised surface of a fabric comprising relatively thick raised synthetic fibers, each having a transverse cross-section wherein at least one constricted part is formed, and relatively fine raised synthetic fibers, each having a rate of dissolution in the solvent or of hydrolysis with the hydrolyzing agent higher than that of said relatively thick raised fibers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
The invention relates to a synthetic fur comprising raised synthetic fibers 
and a process for the preparation thereof. 
2. Description of Prior Art 
Natural furs generally comprise a hairy covering over the skin, which 
consists of fine, short and dense underfur (or fur fibers) providing the 
thermal insulation, and thick, long guard hair (or overhair) having 
tapered ends and forming a protective surface. As wearing apparel, natural 
furs are prized not only for their beauty and warmth but also as a mark of 
social standing. 
Attempts have hitherto been made to provide synthetic furs resembling 
natural furs. Particularly, a process disclosed in Japanese Patent 
Publication No. 48-4910 can provide a synthetic fur which fairly well 
resembles natural furs. This process comprises forming a pile fabric 
having piles consisting of two or more types of polyester fibers different 
in solubility in an alkali and dipping the end portions of the piles into 
an aqueous alkali solution to effect hydrolysis at the dipped end 
portions, thereby producing piles having tapered ends and being different 
in length. However, the synthetic fur obtained by this process is still 
unsatisfactory in surface feel to hands, softness, appearance and the 
like. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
It has been found that a synthetic fur having a surface feel to hands, 
softness and appearance closely resembling those of natural furs can be 
obtained by the use of fibers with a specific transverse cross-sectional 
shape as the guard hair-like raised synthetic fibers in a synthetic fur, 
such as proposed in the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Application No. 
48-4910. 
Thus, the present invention provides a synthetic fur comprising relatively 
long and thick guard hair-like raised synthetic fibers, each having a 
transverse cross-section wherein at least one constricted part is formed, 
and underfur-like raised synthetic fibers, each having a rate of 
dissolution in a solvent or of hydrolysis with a hydrolyzing agent higher 
than that of said guard hair-like raised synthetic fibers, and a length 
and fineness less than those of said guard hair-like raised synthetic 
fibers. 
According to the present invention, there is also provided a process for 
preparing a synthetic fur, which comprises applying a viscous treating 
liquid, containing a solvent or hydrolyzing agent and having a viscosity 
of 1,000 to 15,000 c.p., to a raised surface of a fabric comprising 
relatively thick raised synthetic fibers, each having a transverse 
cross-section wherein at least one constricted part is formed, and 
relatively fine raised synthetic fibers, each having a rate of dissolution 
in the solvent or of hydrolysis with the hydrolyzing agent higher than 
that of said relatively thick raised synthetic fibers, and then, 
optionally, subjecting the fabric to heat treatment to produce raised 
fibers different in length.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
The synthetic fibers usable for the raised fibers in the present invention 
include polyester fibers, polyamide fibers, polyacrylonitrile fibers and 
the like. Among them, polyester fibers and polyamide fibers are preferred. 
The polyester fibers may be made preferably of a polyester having ethylene 
terephthalate units as its main repeating units, especially of 
polyethylene terephthalate. However, there may also be employed an 
ethylene terephthalate copolymer containing a copolymerized third 
component such as isophthalic acid, 5-sulfo-isophthalic acid, methoxy 
polyoxyethylene glycol or the like. The polymerization degree of the 
polyester may vary depending on the type of the polyester employed, the 
desired shape of the transverse cross-section of the resulting fiber and 
the like. However, in the case of polyethylene terephthalate, in general, 
it should preferably have an intrinsic viscosity [.eta.] of 0.4 to 0.7, as 
measured using an O-chlorophenol solution at 35.degree. C. The polyamide 
fibers may include fibers made of nylon 6, nylon 66, aromatic polyamides 
and the like. 
In the present invention, the synthetic fibers employed as the guard 
hair-like raised fibers have a transverse cross-section having at least 
one constricted part. Examples of such transverse cross-sections are 
schematically illustrated in FIGS. 1A to 1S. These fibers can respectively 
be obtained using the spinnerets having orifices of the shapes as 
illustrated in FIGS. 2A to 2S. It is desirable that the guard hair-like 
raised fibers have a fineness of 10 to 100 deniers, preferably 20 to 70 
deniers, especially 30 to 50 deniers. 
On the other hand, the underfur-like raised synthetic fibers may have a 
circular or conventionally modified cross-section. They may desirably have 
a fineness of 0.1 to 10 deniers, preferably 0.1 to 6 deniers. 
The synthetic fur according to the present invention may be prepared by 
forming a fabric comprising on its surface relatively thick raised 
synthetic fibers, each having a transverse cross-section wherein at least 
one constricted part is formed, and relatively fine raised synthetic 
fibers, each having a rate of dissolution in a solvent or of hydrolysis 
with a hydrolyzing agent higher than that of the relatively thick raised 
synthetic fibers. Such a fabric can be formed, for example, by flocking a 
woven, knitted or non-woven fabric with the above-mentioned two types of 
synthetic fibers, knitting the fibers into a pile fabric, subjecting the 
fibers to sliver knitting, or weaving the fibers into a stitched double 
fabric and cutting the stitching threads to form two pile fabrics. It is 
desirable that the raised fibers exist in the resultant fabric at a 
density of 3,000 to 15,000 per cm.sup.2 and have a length of 10 to 50 mm. 
The resultant fabric may then be subjected, if desirable or necessary, to 
backing, brushing, polishing or shearing. Particularly, polishing is 
effective to stretch the end portions of the raised fibers under a heated 
condition, which is advantageous to remove the crimps of the raised 
fibers. The polishing may suitably be effected at a temperature of up to 
150.degree. to 250.degree. C. 
Then, the fabric is subjected to the surface treatment, which comprises 
applying a viscous treating liquid containing a solvent or hydrolyzing 
agent to the raised surface of the fabric. As the solvent or hydrolyzing 
agent, there may be used: 
(1) in the case of polyamide fibers, sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid, 
formic acid, phenol, m-cresol and dimethyl sulfoxide; 
(2) in the case of polyester fibers, a chloroform-phenol mixture, 
O-chlorophenol, sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide and sodium 
carbonate; and, 
(3) in the case of polyacrylonitrile fibers, dimethylformamide, dimethyl 
sulfoxide, dimethylacetamide, sulfuric acid, malonitrile, ethylene 
carbonate and anhydrous succinic acid. 
The amount of the solvent or hydrolyzing agent used is not critical and may 
vary depending on the type, cross-sectional shape, fineness or the like of 
the employed synthetic fibers. In the case where an alkali metal compound 
is used for the hydrolysis of polyester fibers, it is desirable to use a 
quaternary ammonium salt such as lauryl-dimethylbenzylammonium chloride or 
cetyl-dimethylbenzylammonium chloride as a hydrolysis-promoting agent. 
In the present invention, the guard hair-like raised fibers and the 
underfur-like raised fibers may be produced using different types of 
fibers in combination. For example, polyester fibers and polyamide fibers 
may be used in combination, while formic acid, phenol or dimethyl 
sulfoxide is used as the solvent, to produce the guard hair-like raised 
fibers consisting of the undissolved polyester fibers and the 
underfur-like raised fibers consisting of the partially dissolved and thus 
shortened polyamide fibers. In this combined use of polyester and 
polyamide fibers, if sodium hydroxide or sodium carbonate is used as the 
hydrolyzing agent, only the polyester fibers are hydrolyzed at their end 
portions to shorten the fiber lengths. Likewise, polyacrylonitrile fibers 
may be used in combination with polyester fibers or polyamide fibers. 
Further, the guard hair-like raised fibers may also be produced using the 
same types of fibers in combination. For example, polyethylene 
terephthalate fibers may be used in combination with polyester fibers 
consisting of an ethylene terephthalate polymer containing a copolymerized 
or blended third component and having a higher hydrolysis rate. In this 
combination, if sodium hydroxide or sodium carbonate is used as the 
hydrolyzing agent, a difference in length may be produced between the 
polyethylene terephthalate fibers and the other polyester fibers due to 
the difference in their hydrolysis rates. 
The surface treatment of the formed fabric is carried out by applying a 
viscous treating liquid having a viscosity of 1,000 to 15,000 c.p. to a 
raised surface of the fabric. If the viscosity of the treating liquid is 
lower than 1,000 c.p., the treating liquid has excessive fluidity and, 
thus, it is difficult to restrain the dissolution or hydrolysis of the 
raised fibers to the end portions since the treating liquid applied to the 
raised surface flows down rapidly to the base portions of the raised 
fibers. If the viscosity is higher than 15,000 c.p., it is difficult to 
uniformly apply the treating liquid to the raised surface. Preferably, the 
treating liquid has a viscosity of 3,000 to 8,000 c.p. 
The viscosity of the treating liquid can be regulated by adding thereto a 
natural, semi-synthetic or synthetic thickener such as wheat starch, rice 
bran, tragacanth gum, sodium alginate, locust bean gum, methyl cellulose, 
carboxymethylcellulose, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl acetate, polysodium 
acrylate or the like. The viscous treating liquid may be applied to the 
raised surface in a conventional manner, for example, by a knife coating, 
gravure coating, flat screen or rotary screen technique. 
When the treating liquid is applied to the raised surface of the fabric, 
the solvent or hydrolyzing agent contained in the treating liquid 
dissolves or hydrolyzes the end portions of the raised fibers not only to 
shorten their lengths, but also to make the end portions finer. If the 
fabric is placed so that the raised surface to which the treating liquid 
is applied is positioned upward, the treating liquid flows down slowly 
toward the middle or base portions of the raised fibers so that the 
deposited amount of the treating liquid is the largest at the ends and 
gradually decreases toward the middle or base portions. Thus, the end 
portions of the raised fibers are tapered and, in some cases, the end 
portions are divided into plural fibers at the constricted part or parts 
in each of their transverse cross-sections. If the raised fibers have 
preliminarily been wetted with water, such tapering effect can more easily 
be obtained. On the other hand, if the fabric is placed so that the raised 
surface applied with the treating liquid is positioned downward, the 
treating liquid is deposited at the ends of the raised fibers so that only 
the fiber ends are tapered and, optionally, divided. 
The dissolution or hydrolysis of the raised fibers may be accelerated by 
subjecting the fabric having the treating liquid applied to its raised 
surface to heat treatment. The heat treatment may advantageously make it 
possible to decrease the treating time and to carry out the treatment 
continuously. The heat treatment may be carried out in a conventional 
manner, for example, by heating the fabric in dry air at 130.degree. to 
200.degree. C. for 30 seconds to 20 minutes, in saturated steam at 
100.degree. to 130.degree. C. for 5 to 40 minutes, or in superheated steam 
at 130.degree. to 200.degree. C. for 5 to 30 minutes. The heat treatment 
in saturated steam is particularly preferred. 
After the completion of the partial dissolution or hydrolysis of the raised 
fibers, the fabric may be washed and dried in a conventional manner. If 
desirable, the raised fibers of the resultant fabric may further be coated 
with a silicone polymer. This treatment may be very advantageous to obtain 
a synthetic fur having a hand closely resembling that of a natural fur. 
The silicone polymer coating can be applied to the raised fiber surfaces 
by treating the raised fibers with a mixture of a polyepoxide and an 
aminosiloxane, an epoxysiloxane and a polyamine, or an epoxysiloxane and 
an aminosilane, and curing the silicone polymer on the fiber surfaces. 
Further, the fabric may optionally be subjected to back coating with an 
urethane resin, rubber or the like. 
In the present invention, the relatively thick raised synthetic fibers 
constituting the guard hair-like raised fibers may preferably have a flat 
transverse cross-section with a flatness ratio of not less than 1.2, as 
illustrated in FIGS. 1A to 1K. The use of such flat fibers as the guard 
hair-like raised fibers may advantageously produce a synthetic fur having 
an excellent surface feel to the touch, softness and appearance which 
closely resemble those of a natural fur. Preferably, the flatness ratio is 
not more than 12, particularly not more than 6. The "flatness ratio" as 
used herein is defined by L/M wherein L is the length of the maximum major 
axis of the fiber and M is the length of the maximum minor axis, as 
illustrated in FIG. 1B. 
Further, the relatively thick raised fibers having a flat transverse 
cross-section may be composite fibers made of two or more components. For 
example, if the constricted parts of the fibers, as illustrated in FIGS. 
1A to 1E or in FIGS. 1F to 1K, are composed of a first polymer which has a 
higher rate of dissolution in a solvent or of hydrolysis with a 
hydrolyzing agent, while the non-constricted parts are composed of a 
second polymer having a lower rate of the dissolution or hydrolysis, the 
raised fiber can easily be divided into two or more fibers at their end 
portions by dissolving or hydrolyzing the first polymer. 
At least some of the relatively thick raised synthetic fibers may consist 
of hollow fibers each having a transverse cross-section in which at least 
one hole is formed at the non-constricted part or parts, as illustrated in 
FIGS. 1F to 1K and FIGS. 1P to 1S. The use of the hollow fibers as a part 
of the guard hair-like raised fibers may also be advantageous for the 
production of a synthetic fur excellent in hand and appearance. 
particularly, the use of such hollow fibers in combination with non-hollow 
fibers may produce guard hair-like raised fibers of a tone-in-tone color 
shade when they are dyed. 
The relatively fine raised synthetic fibers constituting the underfur-like 
raised fibers may be made of a polyester containing -SO.sub.3 Me groups in 
which Me is a metal atom. A typical example of such polyesters is a 
polyester containing 1 to 15% by mole of copolymerized units: 
##STR1## 
However, it should be understood that the term "polyester containing 
-SO.sub.3 Me groups", as used herein, includes copolyesters containing a 
copolymerized third component having a -SO.sub.3 Me group, as well as 
polyester compositions blended with a compound having a -SO.sub.3 Me group 
such as a metal salt of an alkyl sulfonic acid or alkylphenyl sulfonic 
acid. The polyester containing -SO.sub.3 Me groups has a very high 
hydrolysis rate and a modified dyeability, i.e. it can be dyed with 
disperse dyes and with cationic dyes. Thus, if the polyester fibers 
containing -SO.sub.3 Me groups are employed as the relatively fine raised 
fibers, the underfur-like raised fibers having relatively short lengths 
can easily be produced and, in addition, the underfur-like raised fibers 
can easily be dyed in a color shade different from the color shade of the 
guard hair-like raised fibers. 
A majority of the underfur-like raised fibers may have three-dimensional 
crimps. The use of such crimped fibers can provide an excellent synthetic 
fur having good covering effect and heat retaining property. In the case 
where the raised fibers having three-dimensional crimps constitute more 
than 50%, preferably 50 to 80%, by weight of the underfur-like raised 
fibers, excellent feel to the touch, softness and appearance can be 
obtained in the resultant synthetic fur. The crimped fibers may be 
obtained from fibers having potential crimpability, such as false-twisted 
crimping fibers, composite crimping fibers, edged crimping fibers, 
structural crimping fibers and the like. Among them, composite crimping 
fibers of a side-by-side type or sheath and core type are particularly 
preferred. 
Further, if desirable, the non-raised surface (i.e. reverse side surface) 
of the synthetic fur according to the present invention may be subjected 
to flocking. The flocking may be carried out by applying an adhesive to 
the reverse side surface, and then, spreading an fixing flock thereonto. 
The present invention will further be illustrated with reference to the 
following illustrative, but not limitative, examples. 
EXAMPLE 1 
Polyethylene terephthalate having an intrinsic viscosity of 0.60, as 
measured in an o-chlorophenol solution at 35.degree. C., was made molten 
at 305.degree. C., spun from a spinneret having 50 orifices, as 
illustrated in FIG. 2D, and taken up at 700 m/min. The diameter of each of 
the main holes of each orifice was 0.3 mm and the width and length of each 
of the slits connecting the main holes were 0.06 mm and 0.15 mm, 
respectively. The spun filaments were put together and drawn in warm water 
of 70.degree. C., at a draw ratio of 3.8, into a tow having a monofilament 
fineness of 16 deniers. This tow was textured on a stuffing box type 
texturing machine and then cut into staple fibers 50 mm long. The 
resultant staple fibers had a cross-sectional shape as illustrated in FIG. 
1D and a flatness ratio of 4.2. 
The staple fibers were blended with staple fibers (circular cross-section, 
monofilament fineness of 3 deniers, fiber length of 51 mm) made of an 
ethylene terephthalate polymer containing 5% by mole of copolymerized 
polyoxyethylene glycol (molecular weight of 600) at a ratio of 40:60. The 
blended fibers were carded and formed into a sliver of 100 grains and the 
sliver was knitted into a tubular fabric on a sliver knitting machine, 
using a polyester spun yarn of 14S/l as the back thread. The tubular 
fabric was opened to form a pile fabric which was then subjected to back 
coating with an acrylic resin and heated at 120.degree. C. to fix the 
piles (raised fibers). The fabric was subjected to shearing to cut the 
piles to lengths of about 20 mm and then, to polishing three times, first 
at 200.degree. C., second at 160.degree. C. and third at 120.degree. C., 
to remove the crimps of the piles. Then, the fabric was again subjected to 
shearing to cut the raised fibers to lengths of 20 mm and the raised 
fibers were dressed. The density of the raised fibers in the obtained 
fabric was 6,500 per cm.sup.2. 
Onto the raised surface of the obtained fabric, an aqueous treating liquid 
containing 30% caustic soda and 2.5% sodium alginate, and having a 
viscosity of 3,000 C.P., was coated by a screen technique. The deposited 
amount of the treating liquid was 1.2 g/cm.sup.2. The coated fabric was, 
without being dried, steamed in a steamer at 100.degree. C. for 20 
minutes, and then, washed with water and dried. 
Thus, a synthetic fur comprising long and thick guard hair-like raised 
fibers, and short and fine underfur-like raised fibers was obtained. A 
majority of the guard hair-like raised fibers had end portions divided 
into four fibers and the individual raised fibers had tapered ends. The 
synthetic fur was soft to the touch and had an appearance resembling a 
natural fur. 
EXAMPLE 2 
Polyethylene terephthalate having an intrinsic viscosity of 0.60, as 
measured in an o-chlorophenol solution at 35.degree. C., was made molten 
at 305.degree. C., spun from a spinneret having 50 orifices, as 
illustrated in FIG. 2L, 2N and 2O, and taken up at 700 m/min. In the 
orifices as illustrated in FIG. 2L, the diameter d of the main holes was 
0.3 mm, the width w of the slits was 0.06 mm and the length l of the slits 
was 0.25 mm; in the orifices as illustrated in FIG. 2N, the diameter a was 
1.0 mm, the distance b was 0.25 mm, the width w was 0.08 mm and the length 
h was 0.08 mm; and, in the orifices as illustrated in FIG. 2O, the 
diameter a was 1.2 mm, the distance b was 0.15 mm, the width w was 0.06 
mm, the length h was 0.30 mm and the length h' was 0.08 mm. The spun 
filaments were put together and drawn in warm water of 70.degree. C., at a 
draw ratio of 3.5 in the case of the filaments spun from the orifices as 
illustrated in FIG. 2L, 4.0 in the case of the filaments spun from the 
orifices as illustrated in FIG. 2N and 4.2 in the case of the filaments 
spun from the orifices as illustrated in FIG. 2O, to obtain a tow having a 
monofilament fineness of 16, 23 and 25 deniers, respectively. This tow was 
textured on a stuffing box type texturing machine and, then, cut into 
staple fibers 51 mm long. The resultant staple fibers had a 
cross-sectional shape as illustrated in FIG. 1L, 1N and 1O, respectively. 
The staple fibers were blended with staple fibers (circular cross-section, 
monofilament fineness of 2 deniers, fiber length of 51 mm) made of an 
ethylene terephthalate polymer containing 3.2% by mole of copolymerized 
5-sulfoisophthalic acid at a ratio of 40:60. The blended fibers were 
carded and formed into a sliver of 100 grains. The sliver was knitted into 
a tubular fabric on a sliver knitting machine, using as the back thread a 
polyester spun yarn of 14S/L1, in which highly contracting polyester 
fibers were blended in an amount of 40%. The tubular fabric was opened to 
form a pile fabric which was then subjected to back coating with an 
acrylic resin and heated at 120.degree. C. to fix the piles. The fabric 
was subjected to shearing to cut the piles to lengths of about 20 mm and, 
then, to polishing three times, first at 200.degree. C., second at 
160.degree. C., and third at 120.degree. C., to remove the crimps of the 
piles. Then, the fabric was again subjected to shearing to cut the raised 
fibers to lengths of 20 mm and the raised fibers were dressed. The density 
of the raised fibers in the obtained fabric was 7,500 per cm.sup.2. 
Onto the raised surface of the obtained fabric, an aqueous treating liquid 
containing 25% of caustic soda and 5% of lauryl-dimethylbenzylammonium 
chloride and 2.5% of sodium alginate, and having a viscosity of 6,000 
C.P., was coated by a screen technique. The deposited amount of the 
treating liquid was 1.2 g/cm.sup.2. The coated fabric was, without being 
dried, steamed in a steamer at 100.degree. C. for 20 minutes, and then, 
washed with water and dried. 
Thus, a synthetic fur comprising long and thick guard hair-like raised 
fibers, and short and fine underfur-like raised fibers was obtained. The 
synthetic fur was soft to the touch and had an appearance resembling a 
natural fur. A majority of the guard hair-like raised fibers had end 
portions divided into three fine fibers of circular cross-sections in the 
case of the fibers as illustrated in FIG. 1L, divided into three fine 
fibers of triangular cross-section in the case of the fibers as 
illustrated in FIG. 1N, and divided into six fine fibers of triangular 
cross-sections in the case of the fibers as illustrated in FIG. 10, and 
the individual raised fibers had tapered ends. 
EXAMPLE 3 
In an analogous manner to that described in Example 1, except that the spun 
filaments were taken up at 600 m/min., drawn at a draw ratio of 3.3 and 
cut into staple fibers of 64 mm long, staple fibers having a monofilament 
fineness of 30 deniers and having a cross-sectional shape as illustrated 
in FIG. 1D and a flatness ratio of 4.5 were obtained (referred to as 
staple fibers A). 
Modified polyethylene terephthalate containing 2.0% by mole of 
copolymerized sodium 3,5-di-(carboxy)-benzene-sulfonate and having an 
intrinsic viscosity of 0.50, as measured in an o-chlorophenol solution at 
35.degree. C., was made molten at 310.degree. C., spun from a spinneret 
having 300 circular orifices with a diameter of 0.3 mm and taken up at 600 
m/min. The spun filaments were put together and drawn in warm water of 
70.degree. C., at a draw ratio of 4.3, to form a tow of a monofilament 
fineness of 2 deniers. The tow was textured on a stuffing box type 
texturing machine and, then, cut into staple fibers 38 mm long (referred 
to as staple fibers B). 
The above-mentioned two types of staple fibers A and B were blended at a 
ratio of 30:70. Then, the blended fibers were further processed as 
described in Example 1 to obtain a natural fur-like fabric, except that 
the density of the raised fibers in the obtained fabric was 9,000 per 
cm.sup.2. 
The obtained fabric was immersed into an emulsion containing 1% by weight 
of a mixture of 72 parts by weight of an epoxy-siloxane consisting 
essentially of units: 
##STR2## 
having an epoxidation degree of 1% by weight, and having 
--Si(CH.sub.3).sub.3 groups in both terminals and 6 parts by weight of an 
aminosilane having the structure: 
##STR3## 
After squeezing and drying, the fabric was subjected to curing at 
140.degree. C. for 1 minute. 
Thus, a synthetic fur having a configuration similar to that obtained in 
Example 1 was obtained. The synthetic fur had a softness and appearance 
closely resembling those of a natural fur. 
EXAMPLE 4 
Modified polyethylene terephthalate containing 7.5% by weight of 
copolymerized polyoxyethylene glycol of a molecular weight of 1,000 and 
having an intrinsic viscosity of 0.63, as measured in an o-chlorophenol 
solution at 35.degree. C., was made molten at 300.degree. C., spun from a 
spinneret having 50 orifices as illustrated in FIG. 2B and taken up at 600 
m/min. In each orifice, the diameter of the main holes was 0.35 mm and the 
width and length of the slits connecting the main holes were 0.08 mm and 
0.15 mm, respectively. The spun filaments were put together and drawn in 
warm water of 60.degree. C., at a draw ratio of 3.5, to form a tow. The 
tow was then heat treated at 200.degree. C. under tension, textured on a 
stuffing box type texturing machine and cut into staple fibers 64 mm long. 
The obtained staple fibers had a monofilament fineness of 30 deniers, a 
cross-sectional shape as illustrated in FIG. 1B and a flatness ratio of 
3.0 (referred to as staple fibers C). 
The staple fibers C were blended with the staple fibers B described in 
Example 3 at a ratio of 35:65. Then, the blended fibers were further 
processed as described in Example 3 and, thus, a synthetic fur similar to 
that of Example 3 was obtained. A majority of the guard hair-like raised 
fibers had end portions divided into three fibers and the ends of the 
individual raised fibers were tapered. 
EXAMPLE 5 
Polyethylene terephthalate containing 5% by weight of copolymerized 
polyoxyethylene glycol (molecular weight of 600) and having an intrinsic 
viscosity of 0.60, as measured in an o-chlorophenol solution at 35.degree. 
C., was made molten at 300.degree. C., spun from a spinneret having 50 
orifices as illustrated in FIG. 2H and taken up at 700 m/min. In each 
orifice, the width of each of the slits was 0.06 mm. The spun filaments 
were put together and drawn in warm water of 70.degree. C., at a draw 
ratio of 3.8, to obtain a tow of a monofilament fineness of 16 deniers. 
The tow was textured on a stuffing box type texturing machine and, then, 
cut into staple fibers 51 mm long. The resultant staple fibers had a 
cross-sectional shape as illustrated in FIG. 1H. 
The staple fibers were blended with staple fibers (circular cross-section, 
monofilament fineness of 3 deniers, fiber length of 51 mm) made of an 
ethylene terephthalate polymer containing 2.0% by mole of copolymerized 
sodium di-(carboxy)-benzenesulfonate at a ratio of 30:70. Then, the 
blended fibers were further processed as mentioned in Example 1. 
The steamed and water-washed fabric was then, without being dried, dyed in 
a conventional manner, using disperse dyes and cationic dyes, into a beige 
shade in the guard hair-like raised fibers and a deep brown shade in the 
underfur-like raised fibers. Onto the reverse side surface of the fabric, 
a solution of a polyurethane in dimethylformamide (containing 15% by 
weight of the polyurethane) was coated using a gravure coater to a 
coverage of 10 g/m.sup.2 and, then, the polyurethane was coagulated in 
water. Then, an emulsion of a polysiloxane was applied onto the raised 
surface of the fabric to a coverage of 0.2 g/m.sup.2 and the fabric was 
dried. 
Thus, a synthetic fur comprising long and thick guard hair-like raised 
fibers, and short and fine underfur-like raised fibers was obtained. A 
majority of the guard hair-like raised fibers had end portions divided 
into three fibers and the individual guard hair-like raised fibers had a 
luster inherent to hollow fibers. The synthetic fur had a softness and 
appearance closely resembling those of a natural fur. 
EXAMPLE 6 
Nylon 6 (polycaprolactam) having an intrinsic viscosity of 1.1, as measured 
in a m-cresol solution, was made molten at 270.degree. C., spun from a 
spinneret which was the same as that used in Example 1 and taken up at 600 
m/min. The spun filaments were put together and drawn, while jetting 
steam, at a draw ratio of 3.0, to form a tow. The tow was textured on a 
stuffing box type texturing machine and cut into staple fibers 64 mm long. 
The obtained staple fibers had a monofilament fineness of 50 denier, a 
cross-sectional shape as illustrated in FIG. 1D and a flatness ratio 4.5. 
The obtained staple fibers were blended with the staple fibers B described 
in Example 3 at a ratio of 25:75. Then, the blended fibers were further 
processed as mentioned in Example 3. 
Thus, there was obtained a synthetic fur similar to that obtained in 
Example 3, but having softer guard hair-like raised fibers. 
EXAMPLE 7 
Polyethylene terephthalate staple fibers were prepared as described in 
Example 3 for the preparation of the staple fibers A. 
A blend of modified polyethylene terephthalate containing 2.0% by mole of 
copolymerized sodium 3,5-di-(carboxy)-benzenesulfonate and having an 
intrinsic viscosity of 0.50, as measured in an o-chlorophenol solution at 
35.degree. C., with 1% by weight of sodium (C.sub.14)-alkylsulfonate was 
processed as described in Example 3 for the preparation of the staple 
fibers B to obtain modified polyethylene terephthalate staple fibers. 
Then, the above mentioned two types of staple fibers were further processed 
as described in Example 3. Thus, a synthetic fur similar to that obtained 
in Example 3 was obtained. In this synthetic fur, about 20% of the guard 
hair-like raised fibers had end portions divided into four fibers. 
EXAMPLE 8 
Two types of modified polyethylene terephthalate containing 3.0% by mole of 
copolymerized sodium 3,5-di-(carboxy)-benzenesulfonate and respectively 
having intrinisc viscosities of 0.50 and 0.38, as measured in an 
o-chlorophenol at 35.degree. C., were separately made molten, spun 
together, while conjugating them side-by-side at a ratio of 1:1, from a 
spinneret having circular orifices with a diameter of 0.3 mm, and taken up 
at 600 m/min. The spun filaments were put together and drawn in warm water 
of 70.degree. C., at a draw ratio of 4.0, to form a tow. The tow was then 
relaxed at 110.degree. C. for 5 minutes to generate gentle 
three-dimensional crimps and cut into staple fibers 51 mm long to provide 
staple fibers of a monofilament fineness of 2 deniers. 
The obtained staple fibers were blended with the staple fibers A described 
in Example 3 at a ratio of 65:35 and the blended fibers were further 
processed as described in Example 3. Thus, a synthetic fur similar to that 
obtained in Example 3, but having more excellent covering effect and heat 
retaining property, was obtained. 
EXAMPLE 9 
Nylon 6 staple fibers described in Example 6 were blended with composite 
crimping staple fibers as described in Example 8 at a ratio of 40:60. 
Then, the blended fibers were further processed as described in Example 3. 
Thus, a synthetic fur similar to that obtained in Example 8 was obtained.