COATED POLYESTER FIBER FABRIC AND PROCESS FOR ITS PRODUCTION

Abstract: A coated polyester fibre fabric has attached to the fibre surface porous inorganic fine particles having pores of average diameter smaller than 150A, pref. 10-100A, the particles being included in a resin coating membrane. The inorganic particles are SiO2, TiO2, ZrO2, Al2O3 or activated charcoal; the particles have a surface area of at least 200 m2/g and an average size of 10-50 micron pref. less than 15 micron m. The resin is a polyurethane. Amt. of inorganic particles is 1.5-10 wt.% w.r.t. fibres.

Description: The present invention relates to a coated fabric comprising polyester fibers dyed with dye stuff molecules, and at least one resinous coating layer. The coated fabric does not provide staining caused by a migration of the dye stuff molecules. Further, the present invention concerns a method of preparation said coated fabric. At present time used coated fabrics concern woven and knitted fabrics comprising nylon fibers as a main component and, for example, treated with such treatments to provide repellent and waterproof property, water-vapor permeable and repellent property, breathable property, flameproof and meltproof property and comprising respective coatings. However, as recently the differences in prices between nylon fibers and polyester fibers have remarkably increased, developments on coating treatments of polyester fibers have been actively carried out. Polyester fibers provide superior properties such as dimensional stability, strength, light resistance and diversity of the raw material with respect to nylon fibers. However, a coated fabric comprising polyester fibers shows a fatal defect that the dye in/on the polyester fibers migrates to the coating and stains this coated film and probably stains another film being in contact with the coating on the polyester fibers. Namely, in case of dyeing the polyester fibers with a disperse dye, the polyester fibers do not combine chemically with the dye stuff, as, for example, in contrast to the dyeing of nylon with an acid dye stuff. In addition, the typical disperse dye stuffs provide good solubility in and affinity with organic solvents and synthetic resins, so that the dye stuff molecules in/on the polyester fibers could easily migrate to the coated film layer. Therefore, contacting coated faces of different colors with each other will provide staining. Up to the present time various investigations and research work to solve this problem have been done. But, any perfect solution could not be obtained. Therefore, dyed products of coated fabrics comprising polyester fibers have not gained widely accepted practical use until nowadays. The document DE-A1-1.469.241 discloses a method for treatment of woven or knitted fabrics comprising synthetic fibers. The fibers may include polyester fibers. The treatment concerns the deposition of metal oxide particles having colloidal particle sizes on the fabric followed by a heating treatment up to the softening point of the fiber material in order to fix the particles. The metal oxide particles include highly dispersed colloidal aluminum oxide or colloidal silica. It is said that said deposition of metal oxide particles reduces essentially the migration of dispersion dye stuffs on the smooth synthetic fibers. This reference does not mention a fabric comprising polyester fibers which has been coated with a resinous coating layer. Therefore, this document does not deal with the technical problem of staining of resinous coating layers deposited on a polyester fiber fabric. The document JP-A-45.686/1985 discloses a method wherein such fine metal powders made of aluminum, copper and silver and metal oxides such as potassium titanate, titanium dioxide and tin(IV)oxide comprising bad miscibility with disperse dye stuffs were used to prevent a sublimation of the dye stuff molecules. However, with this known method, the migrating dye stuff molecules cannot be caught completely, and staining caused by migration of the dye stuff molecules cannot be prevented perfectly. The documents JP-A-4.873/1983 and JP-A-53.632/1987 disclose methods wherein fiber structures are treated to obtain a water repellance property. The water repellent agent comprises perfluoroalkyl groups. The fabric is coated with a polyurethane resin coating layer containing porous particles made of SiO₂ as the main component. The purpose is to obtain a waterproof fabric presenting both breathable and water-vapor permeable properties by providing fine pores within porous fine inorganic particles incorporated in a polyurethane resin to provide paths for air and water-vapor diffusion and transporation. In this document there is not any hint or suggestion that a coating film of said type may prevent staining caused by migrating disperse dye stuff molecules. The technical problem of the present invention is directed to substantially reduce or to prevent staining caused by migrating dye stuff molecules within a coated fabric comprising polyester fibers dyed with dye stuff molecules, and further comprising at least one resinous coating layer. In general, the present invention proposes a technical teaching wherein the dye stuff molecules of a disperse dye stuff typically used for dyeing polyester fibers are caught within fine pores having a specific pore diameter and provided by fine porous inorganic particles having defined properties. Said fine pores having a pore diameter of 15 nm or less. Said particles are adhered to the polyester fibers' surface and/or are incorporated into at least one coating layer. Said fine porous inorganic particles adhered to the surface of the polyester fibers comprise an average particle size in the range of 1 to 100 nm (nanometers). Said fine porous inorganic particles being dispersed within at least one coating layer comprise an average particle size of 15 µm (micrometers) or less. In addition, said fine porous inorganic particles comprise a surface area of 200 m²/g or more. Further, said particles being present in an effective amount to catch dye stuff molecules migrating from said polyester fibers into a coating layer, in order to substantially reduce or to prevent staining. In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a coated fabric comprising polyester fibers dyed with dye stuff molecules, and further comprising at least one resinous coating layer, characterized in that a) additionally providing porous fine inorganic particles being adhered to the surface of the polyester fibers; b) said particles comprise an average particle size in the range of 1 to 100 nm; c) said particles comprise fine pores having a pore diameter of 15 nm or less; and d) said particles comprise a surface area of 200 m²/g or more. In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a coated fabric comprising polyester fibers dyed with dye stuff molecules, and at least one resinous coating layer, characterized in that a) additionally providing fine porous inorganic particles being dispersed within at least one coating layer; b) said particles comprise an average particle size of 15 µm or less; c) said particles comprise fine pores having a pore diameter of 15 nm or less; and d) said particles comprise a surface area of 200 m²/g or more. In accordance with a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of preparation a coated fabric comprising polyester fibers dyed with dye stuff molecules, further comprising at least one resinous coating layer; said method is characterized by the steps: a) providing a dyed fabric consisting essentially of polyester fibers; b) adhering to at least one main surface of said fabric fine porous inorganic particles; and c) depositing at least one resinous coating layer to said treated surface of the fabric; wherein d) said particles comprise an average particle size in the range of 1 to 100 nm; e) said particles comprise fine pores having a pore diameter of 15 nm or less; and f) said particles comprise a surface area of 200 m²/g or more. In accordance with a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of preparation a coated fabric comprising polyester fibers dyed with dye stuff molecules and comprising at least one resinous coating layer; said method is characterized by the steps: a) providing a dyed fabric consisting essentially of polyester fibers; b) providing a resinous solution containing a homogeneous dispersion of fine porous inorganic particles; and c) coating at least one main surface of said fabric with said resinous solution; wherein d) said particles comprise an average particle size of 15 µm or less; e) said particles comprise fine pores having a pore diameter of 15 nm or less; and f) said particles comprise a surface area of 200 m²/g or more. According to the present invention, disperse dye stuff molecules being used for dyeing a coated fabric comprising polyester fibers and at least one resinous layer are caught by fine porous inorganic particles having defined properties and comprising fine pores of a specified pore diameter in order to prevent or substantially reduce migration of said dye stuff molecules which will cause staining of a fabric surface, of a coating layer of said fabric or of another coating layer of another adjacent coated fabric. In so far, the invention provides a solution to the underlying technical problem. Within the scope and explanation of the present invention, the term "polyester fiber" or "polyester fiber structure" or "polyester fabric" means not only woven and knitted fabrics and non-woven fabrics consisting to 100 % of polyester fiber but means also mixed spun, combined filament, different yarn-twisted union-woven and union-knitted fabrics wherein the main or essential components are made of polyester fibers without a specific limitation to specific weight % ranges. However, the effects provided with the present invention are more remarkable when the fabric is consisting of polyester fibers by 100 % or wherein the fabric comprises a blend of different fiber materials comprising a high rate of polyester fibers. Further, the effects provided with the present invention are more remarkable when the type of dye stuffs used for dyeing the coated fabric belongs to the group of disperse dye stuffs. According to the present invention, the fine porous inorganic particles may consist of a material selected from the following group comprising silicon dioxide, titanium oxide, zirconium oxide, aluminum oxide, active carbon and similar inorganic materials. Among them, silicon dioxide is most effective with respect to effect and utility, and preferred fine porous inorganic particles are made of silicon dioxide. The migrating dye stuff molecules are caught within the pores provided in the fine porous inorganic particles. Thereto, the dimension or diameter of the fine pores in the porous inorganic particles largely influences the capability of adsorption the migrating dye stuff molecules. Therefore, fine pores comprising a pore diameter of 15 nm (15 nanometers or respectively 150 Å) or smaller provide good results and can be used sucessfully. Pore diameters ranging of from 1 to 10 nm (10 to 100 Å) provide even better results with respect to the effectiveness of catching migrating dye stuff molecules, and fine porous inorganic particles having pores comprising a pore diameter in the range of 1 to 10 nm are preferred according to the present invention. With pores having a pore diameter larger than 15 nm (150 Å) the adsorption and retention of the migrating dye stuff molecules is not sufficient. In addition, the surface area of the fine porous inorganic particles has an effect to the retention of migrating dye stuff molecules. Thereto, the fine porous inorganic particles shall comprise a surface area of 200 m²/g or even a larger surface area. According to an even more preferred embodiment of the present invention, the fine porous inorganic particles shall comprise a surface area of 500 m²/g. If the fine porous inorganic particles comprise a surface area smaller than 200 m²/g, then the technical problem underlying the present invention cannot be solved in a sufficient and effective manner. According to an essential aspect of the present invention, fine porous inorganic particles are provided within a dyed and coated fabric made essentially of polyester fibers in order to substantially reduce or to prevent the migration of the dye stuff molecules which might cause an unpleasant staining. The particle size of said fine porous inorganic particles influences the effectiveness of the present invention. A proper selection of the particle diameter is depending of the manner of incorporating the fine porous inorganic particles into the coated fabric. There are essentially two main and different embodiments of incorporating the fine porous inorganic particles into the coated fabric. According to the first embodiment, the fine porous inorganic particles are adhered on the surface of the polyester fibers before applying a coating. A preferred method of adhering the fine porous inorganic particles directly to the fibers' surface is a padding treatment. According to the second embodiment, the fine porous inorganic particles are incorporated in a film of a coating resin. A preferred method of incorporating the fine porous inorganic particles into the coating comprises the steps of providing a resinous solution containing a homogeneous dispersion of fine porous inorganic particles as defined and coating at least one main surface of said fabric with said resinous solution. According to the first embodiment wherein the fine porous inorganic particles are adhered directly on the surface of the fibers, the particles may comprise an average particle diameter ranging of from 1 to 100 nm (1 to 100 nanometers which equals 1 to 100 millimicron (mµ)). Preferably, the particles shall comprise an average particle diameter ranging of from 10 to 50 nm (10 to 50 nanometers which equals 10 to 50 millimicron (mµ)). In this case of directly adhering or absorbing the fine porous inorganic particles to the surface of the fibers, the particle diameter has to be selected much smaller than the diameter of the fibers, which is typically in the range of several micrometers or more. Of course, in this first embodiment of directly adhering the fine porous inorganic particles to the fibers' surface and wherein the particles comprise an average particle diameter ranging of from 1 to 100 nm, preferably of from 10 to 50 nm, the fine pores provided with said particles have a pore diameter of 15 nm or less and smaller than the particle size. According to this first embodiment wherein the fine porous inorganic particles are adhered directly on the surface of the fibers, it is essential to provide a uniform distribution of the adhered particles on the surface of the fibers in order to obtain a complete effect. According to a preferred method with respect to handling and workability, an aqueous dispersion of the fine porous inorganic particles is provided, and the fine porous inorganic particles are adhered to the surface of the fibers by means of a padding treatment. The padding treatment of the dyed fabric made essentially of polyester fibers is followed by a drying step. The drying temperature shall be maintained in a range of from 80°C to 160°C, preferably in a range of from 100°C to 130°C; a drying temperature above 160°C decreases the effect as aimed with the present invention. According to this first embodiment wherein the fine porous inorganic particles are adhered directly on the surface of the fibers, the amount of adhered fine porous inorganic particles may range of from 0.5 to 15 % by weight based on the weight of the fabric. Even more preferred is an amount of adhered fine porous inorganic particles ranging of from 1.5 to 10 % by weight based on the weight of the fabric. In order to improve the durability of adherence of fine porous inorganic particles to the surface of the fibers a typical resin as used for finishing treatment may be applied in a parallel manner. This kind of treatment is preferred in order to obtain a good adherence of the fine porous inorganic particles to the polyester fibers. According to the second embodiment wherein the fine porous inorganic particles are incorporated in a film of coating resin, the particle size of said particles may range of from 15 µm (micrometers) at a maximum to less than 15 µm. The smaller particle sizes are preferred. In a preferred method of obtaining a product according to this second embodiment, the fine porous inorganic particles are homogeneously dispersed within a resinous coating solution, and this solution is applied on the prepared and dyed fabric. In this case, the particles flocculate, and larger particle sizes can be used than in the first embodiment. In this second method a good dispersion of the fine porous inorganic particles within the resin is important. An agglomeration of the particles causes a decrease in the effect of preventing staining and deteriorates the quality of the coating. According to this second embodiment wherein the fine porous inorganic particles are homogeneously dispersed in a film of coating resin, the amount of this particles may range of from 10 % by weight to more than 10 % by weight, based on the solid resin content of the resinous coating layer. According to a specific mode of carrying-out said second embodiment, a coating may be applied which comprises several coating layers 1, 2 and/or 3 as depicted in the drawing. These different coating layers 1, 2 and/or 3 may be prepared from different resinous coating solutions comprising each a different content of fine porous inorganic particles. For example, at least one coating layer may comprise a significant to high content of fine porous inorganic particles, and at least one further coating layer may comprise a small to negligible content of fine porous inorganic particles. According to this specific mode of carrying-out, a coating structure may be obtained wherein the fine porous inorganic particles are lamellarly distributed within the resin film. For example, as illustrated in the drawing, a lamellar structure may comprise one resin layer selected from the group comprising resin layers 1, 2 and 3, wherein the fine porous inorganic particles are lamellarly dispersed at a high concentration and at least a further resin layer selected from the group comprising layers 1, 2 or 3, wherein the content of fine porous inorganic particles is small or completely missing (negligible). Practically speaking, a resinous coating solution A containing a high concentration of fine porous inorganic particles in a magnitude of 10 % by weight or more based on the weight of the solid resin content of the resinous coating solution is prepared; further, a second resinous coating solution B is prepared containing no or less than 10 % fine porous inorganic particles. With respect to the order of applying or depositing, the first layer 1 (according to the drawing) may be prepared of the resinous coating solution B and the second layer 2 may be prepared of the resinous coating solution A. Futher, a method may be used wherein the procedure is done in a reverse order. Further, a triple layered coating structure may be prepared wherein at least one of the first, second or third layer according to the drawing is prepared of the resinous coating solution A and the other two layers are prepared of the resinous coating solution B. In the case of a double or triple structure wherein the first layer 1 is prepared of a resinous coating A, the adhesiveness of this coating layer 1 with the fiber structure 4 may be reduced in some cases. If a high or significant adhesiveness of the first coating layer 1 with the fiber structure 4 is especially required, it is preferred to prepare the first coating layer 1 of the resinous coating solution B and to prepare the second layer 2 or the third layer 3 of the resinous coating solution A. According to a further preferred aspect, the thickness of a coating layer 1, 2 and/or 3 comprising a high concentration of fine porous inorganic particles shall be selected 3 µm (micrometers) or thicker. No limitation exists with respect to a specific coating method used to apply the several coating layers 1, 2 and/or 3. Especially, in an embodiment wherein the fine porous inorganic particles are lamellarly incorporated and are contained in a high concentration within a resin layer of the coating structure, the high content of fine porous inorganic particles will catch completely any dye stuff molecules migrating from the dyed fiber structure into a resin film. The dye stuff molecules are adsorbed and kept within the fine pores which are provided within the fine porous inorganic particles. Thereto, the present invention provides an effect of permanently preventing the dye stuff molecules from migration. According to the present invention, a wide range of known and typical coating resins and resinous coating solutions can be used for coating a dyed polyester fabric. For example, the coating resin can be freely selected from a group comprising urethane, acrylic, silicone, vinyl chloride and vinyl acetate coating resins. Further, the usual and well-known coating treatments can be used to apply the coating solution. Further, several different coating layers may be applied prepared from different resinous coating solutions, wherein some resinous coating solutions do contain fine porous inorganic particles, and other resinous coating solutions do not. In the following the present invention will be explained in more detail by reference to Examples and Comparative Examples. The (inventive) Examples serve for explanation purposes and may not be construed to restrict the scope of the invention. Further, reference is made to a drawing wherein Figure 1 is a cross-sectional representation illustrating an example of a coated fabric made of polyester fibers and obtainable according to Example 4 of the present invention. There "1" denotes a first resinous coating layer; "2" denotes a second resinous coating layer; "3" denotes a third resinous coating layer; and "4" denotes a fiber structure. General Remarks: (1) An evaluation of the fastness to dye stuff migration and to the staining in the test pieces obtained according to the following Examples and Comparative Examples was performed according to the following method: A test piece (5 cm x 5 cm) obtained according to an Example or Comparative Example and attached white polyester fabrics (the same raw fabric as used to obtain the test piece and coated with the same resin as used for the test piece; 5 cm x 5 cm) were inserted between two glass plates in such a way that the coated faces of the attached white polyester fabrics were brought into contact with both the coated face and the non-coated face of the test piece. A mechanical force in an amount of 200 g was applied to compress the two glass plates together. The compressed sandwich-like arrangement was placed in an oven hold at a constant temperature of 100°C ± 2°C for 48 hours. After a cooling step the state of dye stuff migration from the test piece to the attached adjacent white fabric was evaluated in terms of a classification by means of a grey scale for evaluating staining. A rating was performed between values ranging from 1 to 5, wherein 1 denotes the lowest and 5 denotes the best fastness against dye stuff migration and staining. The results obtained in Examples and Comparative Examples are summarized in Table 1. (2) The following resins were used as coating resins in Examples and Comparative Examples: Polyether polyurethane resin ("Crysbon 8006HV" manufactured by Sanyo Chemical Co., Ltd.); Acrylic resin ("Cryscoat P-1,120" manufactured by Dainippon Ink Chemical Co.Ltd.); Silicone resin (Toray silicone "SD 8,001" manufactured by Toray Silicone Co., Ltd.). Example 1: A plain woven fabric was prepared from polyester filaments each of 50 denier warp yarn and 75 denier weft yarn. The obtained polyester fabric was dyed with a disperse dye "Resoline Blue FBL" of 3 % o.w.f. at 130°C for 60 min. Following the dyeing treatment, the polyester fabric was washed as usual. Following the washing treatment and a usual drying step, a heat-setting treatment at 180°C was performed. Thereafter, a dyed polyester fabric ready for coating was obtained. Thereafter, a padding treatment of this fabric was performed with an aqueous solution comprising 30 g/l trimethylolmelamine and silicon dioxide particles having a particle diameter of 20 nm (20 nanometers, which equals 20 millimicron (mµ)), a fine pore diameter of 6 nm (6 nanometers, which equals 60 Å) and a surface area of 300 m²/g. The content of the dispersed silicon dioxide particles within the aqueous padding solution is 15 % by weight of the solid content of the resin. Following the padding treatment, the fabric was dried at 130°C for 1 min. The build-up, that is the weight gain of the polyester fabric by the silicon dioxide particles was 2.4 % by weight based on the weight of the polyester fabric. Thereafter, the fabric was coated with a polyether polyurethane resin solution in dimethylformamide by means of a knife coater. The coating solution was coagulated by means of a wet process to obtain a coated fabric comprising a coating weight of 25 g/m². Comparative Example 1: Essentially, the procedure of Example 1 was repeated, however the padding treatment of the dyed polyester fabric to deposit silicon dioxide particles was omitted. This means, the dyed fabric obtained according to Example 1 was only wet-coated with a polyether polyurethane resin solution in dimethylformamide without prior deposition of silicon dioxide particles. Example 2: A dyed polyester fabric ready for coating was obtained by the same method as stated in Example 1. Particulate silicon dioxide with a particle diameter of 3 µm (3 micrometers), a fine pore diameter of 5 nm (5 nanometers, which equals 50 Å) and a surface area of 500 m²/g was dispersed in a polyether polyurethane resin solution in dimethylformamide. The content of the dispersed silicon dioxide particles within the resinous coating solution is 15 % by weight based on the weight of solid resin. The dyed polyester fabric was coated with this silicon dioxide particles containing coating solution by means of a knife coater to obtain a coated fabric. Comparative Example 2: Essentially, the method of Example 2 was repeated. Deviating, another type of silicon dioxide particles was used comprising a particle diameter of 20 µm, a fine pore diameter of 21 nm (210 Å) and a surface area of 150 m²/g. Example 3: Essentially, the method of Example 2 was repeated. Deviating, another type of resinous coating solution was used comprising an acrylic and a silicone resin as the coating resin. The obtained coating layer containing said fine porous inorganic particles had a thickness of 10 µm. Comparative Example 3: Essentially, the method of Example 3 was repeated. Deviating, each an acrylic resin and a silicone resin were separately applied in order to provide a coating which does not contain any silicon dioxide particles. Example 4: A dyed polyester fabric ready for coating was obtained by the same method as stated in Example 1. At first, this fabric was coated with a polyether polyurethane resin solution in dimethylformamide by means of a knife coater. The resinous coating solution was coagulated by means of a wet process to obtain a film. Next, a second coating was applied comprising fine porous inorganic particles. Thereto, particulate silicon dioxide comprising a particle diameter of 3 µm, a fine pore diameter of 5 nm (50 Å) and surface area of 500 m²/g was dispersed in the same resinous coating solution. The amount of the dispersed silicon dioxide particles is 30 % by weight based on the weight of the solid resin. The already coated fabric was further coated with this silicon dioxide particles containing coating solution by means of a knife coater. This second coating solution was coagulated by means of a wet process to obtain a top coat of a two-layered coating film. In a further embodiment of this Example an additional top coating was applied to the already prepared two-layered coating. This third coating layer was made of the same resinous coating solution containing no fine porous inorganic particles. This third coating solution was applied by means of a knife coater and was coagulated by means of a wet process to obtain a coated fabric comprising a three-layered coating structure, wherein the layer comprising inorganic particles forms an intermediate layer. The thickness of this intermediate layer containg fine porous inorganic particles is 10 µm. Comparative Example 4: A dyed polyester fabric ready for coating was obtained by the same method as described in Example 1. Particulate silicon dioxide comprising a particle diameter of 3 µm, a pore volume of 0.5 cm³/g, a fine pore diameter of 17 nm (170 Å) and a surface area of 300 m²/g was dispersed in a polyester polyurethane resin sulution in dimethylformamide. The content of the dispersed silicon dioxide within the resinous coating solution is 15 % by weight based on the weight of the solid resin. The dyed polyester fabric was coated with this silicon dioxide particles containting coating solution by means of a knife coater to obtain a coated fabric. Conditions Rating of Fastness against dye stuff migration and staining Silicon dioxide Resin Example 1 20 nm, 6 nm 300 m²/g Urethane 4 - 5 Comparative Example 1 -- Urethane 2 Example 2 3 µm, 5 nm 500 m²/g Urethane 4 - 5 Comparative Example 2 20 µm, 21 nm 150 m²/g Urethane 2 Example 3 3 µm, 5 nm 500 m²/g Acrylic 4 - 5 3 µm, 5 nm 500 m²/g Silicone 4 - 5 Comparative Example 3 -- Acrylic 1 -- Silicone 1 Example 4 3 µm, 5 nm 500 m²/g Urethane 5 Comparative Example 4 3 µm, 17 nm 300 m²/g Urethane 2 - 3 Silicone 1 The coated fabric according to the present invention can be widely used for preparing clothings and for industrial application purposes. Especially, the method according to the present invention is well suited to be performed along with other known procedures to provide various products with repellent and waterproof property, with a water-vapor permeable and repellent property, with breathable, flameproof and meltproof properties, and in order to obtain respective coatings. Especially, the coated fabric according to the present invention is well suited to overcome some defects of the coated nylon fabrics such as price, dimensional stability, light resistance and versatility of raw materials. The coated polyester fabric according to the present invention may at least substitute a part of the demand for coated nylon fabrics.

Claims: A coated fabric comprising polyester fibers dyed with dye stuff molecules, and at least one resinous coating layer, characterized in that a) additionally providing fine porous inorganic particles being adhered to the surface of the polyester fibers; b) said particles comprise an average particle size in the range of 1 to 100 nm; c) said particles comprise fine pores having a pore diameter of 15 nm or less; and d) said particles comprise a surface area of 200 m²/g or more. The coated fabric according to claim 1, wherein said fine porous inorganic particles being present in an amount of 0.5 to 15 % by weight based on the weight of the polyester fibers. The coated fabric according to claims 1 or 2, wherein said fine porous inorganic particles being present in an amount of 1.5 to 10 % by weight based on the weight of the polyester fibers. The coated fabric according to anyone of the claims 1 to 3, wherein said particles comprise an average particle size in the range of 10 to 50 nm. A coated fabric comprising polyester fibers dyed with dye stuff molecules, and at least one resinous coating layer, characterized in that a) additionally providing fine porous inorganic particles being dispersed within at least one coating layer; b) said particles comprise an average particle size of 15 µm or less; c) said particles comprise fine pores having a pore diameter of 15 nm or less; and d) said particles comprise a surface area of 200 m²/g or more. The coated fabric according to claim 5, wherein said fine porous inorganic particles being present in an amount of 10 % by weight or more, based on the weight of the solid resin content of the resinous coating layer. The coated fabric according to claim 6, wherein providing in addition at least one further resinous coating layer, wherein at least one coating layer comprising a significant to high amount of said content of fine porous inorganic particles; and wherein at least one further coating layer comprising a small to negligible amount of said content of fine porous inorganic particles. The coated fabric according to claim 7, wherein said coating layer comprising a significant to high amount of fine porous inorganic particles has a layer thickness of 3 µm or more. The coated fabric according to anyone of the claims 1 to 8, wherein said fine porous inorganic particles being selected from a group comprising silicon dioxide, titanium oxide, zirconium oxide, aluminum oxide and active carbon. The coated fabric according to anyone of the claims 1 to 9, wherein said particles comprise fine pores having a pore diameter in the range of 1 to 10 nm. The coated fabric according to anyone of the claims 1 to 10, wherein at least one resinous coating layer comprises a polyurethane resin. A method for preparing a coated fabric as defined in claim 1, characterized by the steps: a) providing a dyed fabric consisting essentially of polyester fibers; b) adhering to at least one main surface of said fabric said fine porous inorganic particles as defined; and c) depositing at least one resinous coating layer to said treated surface of the fabric. The method according to claim 12, wherein in step (b) said particles are dispersed in an aqueous solution which is used for a padding treatment of the dyed fabric. A method for preparing a coated fabric as defined in claim 5, characterized by the steps: a) providing a dyed fabric consisting essentially of polyester fibers; b) providing a resinous solution containing a homogeneous dispersion of fine porous inorganic particles as defined; and c) coating at least one main surface of said fabric with said resinous solution.

Inventors: IKEYAMA MASAMI, NAKABE IKUKO, TOHYAMA SYUNROKU, IKEYAMA, MASAMI, NAKABE, IKUKO, TOHYAMA, SYUNROKU
Applicants: TORAY INDUSTRIES, TORAY INDUSTRIES, INC.
Application year: 1989
Main classification: D06M11
IPC codes: D06B19, D06N3