Imitation leather fabric and method of producing same

Abstract

An imitation leather fabric formed from a basis fabric, wherein the basis fabric includes a first fabric layer including a first set of fibre elements and a second set of fibre elements woven together to form a plain weave or a twill weave. The basis fabric of the imitation leather fabric also includes a second fabric layer facing the first fabric layer. The second fabric layer includes a third set of fibre elements woven together with the first set of fibre elements to form a long loop blister weave.

1 .- 30 . (canceled) 
     
     
         31 . An imitation leather fabric formed from a basis fabric, wherein the basis fabric includes:
 a first fabric layer including a first set of fibre elements and a second set of fibre elements woven together to form at least one of a plain and a twill weave; and   a second fabric layer facing the first fabric layer, the second fabric layer including a third set of fibre elements woven together with the first set of fibre elements to form a long loop blister weave.   
     
     
         32 . An imitation leather fabric as claimed in  claim 31  wherein the first set of fibre elements include at least one warp yarn of the first fabric layer. 
     
     
         33 . An imitation leather fabric as claimed in  claim 31  wherein the second set of fibre elements include at least one weft yarn of the first fabric layer. 
     
     
         34 . An imitation leather fabric as claimed in  claim 31  wherein the third set of fibre elements include at least one weft yarn of the second fabric layer. 
     
     
         35 . An imitation leather fabric as claimed in  claim 31  wherein the third set of fibre elements are in substantial alignment with the second set of fibre elements. 
     
     
         36 . An imitation leather fabric as claimed in  claim 31  wherein the long loop blister weave includes a satin weave. 
     
     
         37 . An imitation leather fabric as claimed in  claim 31  wherein the first set of fibre elements are relatively non-stretchable. 
     
     
         38 . An imitation leather fabric as claimed in  claim 31  wherein at least one of the second and third sets of fibre elements are relatively stretchable. 
     
     
         39 . An imitation leather fabric as claimed in  claim 31  wherein the third set of fibre elements are configured to limit an amount of stretch of the second fibre elements. 
     
     
         40 . An imitation leather fabric as claimed in  claim 31  wherein at least one of the following finishing processes are applied to the basis fabric:
 (i) singeing; 
 (ii) rinsing; 
 (iii) heat-setting; and 
 (iv) shrinking 
 
     
     
         41 . An imitation leather fabric as claimed in  claim 31  including a coating layer disposed on the first fabric layer. 
     
     
         42 . An imitation leather fabric as claimed in  claim 41  wherein the coating layer includes a polyurethane resin. 
     
     
         43 . An imitation leather fabric as claimed in  claim 41  wherein the coating layer is sprayed on to the basis fabric. 
     
     
         44 . A method for producing an imitation leather fabric from a basis fabric, the method including the steps of:
 (i) applying a coating to the basis fabric; and   (ii) treating the basis fabric with the coating applied thereon to produce an imitation leather effect;   wherein, the basis fabric includes:   a first fabric layer including a first set of fibre elements and a second set of fibre elements woven together to form at least one of a plain and a twill weave; and   a second fabric layer facing the first fabric layer, the second fabric layer including a third set of fibre elements woven together with the first set of fibre elements to form a long loop blister weave.   
     
     
         45 . A method as claimed in  claim 44  wherein the first set of fibre elements include at least one warp yarn of the first fabric layer. 
     
     
         46 . A method as claimed in  claim 44  wherein the second set of fibre elements include at least one weft yarn of the first fabric layer. 
     
     
         47 . A method as claimed in  claim 44  wherein the third set of fibre elements include at least one weft yarn of the second fabric layer. 
     
     
         48 . A method as claimed in  claim 44  wherein the third set of fibre elements are in substantial alignment with the second set of fibre elements. 
     
     
         49 . A method as claimed in  claim 44  wherein the long loop blister weave includes a satin weave. 
     
     
         50 . A method as claimed in  claim 44  wherein the first set of fibre elements are relatively non-stretchable.