Claims
- 1. A process for making a self-set yarn comprising:(a) twisting a yarn comprised of a majority of multicomponent fibers having a first polymer component with a first stress relaxation response and, longitudinally co-extensive therewith, a second polymer component of a second stress relaxation response, wherein said first stress relaxation response and said second stress relaxation response are sufficiently different to produce at least a 10% decrease in length of said yarn and wherein the first polymer component and the second polymer component are arranged in a side-by-side or eccentric sheath/core fashion; (b) after said twisting, stressing the resulting twisted yarn; and (c) after said stressing, allowing the twisted yarn to relax.
- 2. The process of claim 1 wherein said yarn is twisted to at least 1 tpi.
- 3. The process of claim 1 further wherein said twisting is ply-twisting together at least two plies of said multifilament yarn.
- 4. The process of claim 1 wherein said first polymer component is selected from the group consisting of:poly(ethylene terephthalate); modified poly(ethylene terephthalate); poly(butylene terephthalate); copolyesters; nylon 6; nylon 6/6; nylon 6/12; modified polyarnides; copolyarnides; polyethylene; and polypropylene.
- 5. The process of claim 4 wherein said second polymer component is selected from the group consisting of:poly(ethylene terephthalate); modified poly(ethylene terephthalate); poly(butylene terephthalate); copolyesters; nylon 6; nylon 6/6; nylon 6/12; modified polyarnides; copolyarnides; polyethylene; and polypropylene.
- 6. The process of claim 1 wherein said stressing is by stretching the yarn at ambient temperature to at least 10% of its original length.
- 7. The process of claim 1 wherein said stressing is by application of heat.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is a divisional of application Ser. No. 09/205,733, filed Dec. 4, 1998 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,158,204.
This application claims priority of provisional applications, U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 60/067,288, filed Dec. 5, 1997; U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 60/096,844, filed Aug. 18, 1998; and U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 60/096,845, filed Aug. 18, 1998.
US Referenced Citations (15)
Foreign Referenced Citations (2)
Number |
Date |
Country |
195 17 348 |
Aug 1996 |
DE |
1 382 597 |
Feb 1975 |
GB |
Provisional Applications (3)
|
Number |
Date |
Country |
|
60/067288 |
Dec 1997 |
US |
|
60/096844 |
Aug 1998 |
US |
|
60/096845 |
Aug 1998 |
US |