Method and an apparatus for producing filamentous textile structures

• US 20020033222A1
• Filed: 07/23/2001
• Published: 03/21/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 07/26/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Maschinenfabrik Rieter AG (Rieter Holding AG)
• Original Assignee: Maschinenfabrik Rieter AG (Rieter Holding AG)
• Inventors: Griesshammer, Christian, Anderegg, Peter
• Application Number:
  US09/911,074
• Publication Number:
  US 20020033222A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 156/174
• CPC Class Codes: D01G 15/52 Web-dividing arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: D03D 15/46 Flat yarns, e.g. tapes or films
• CPC Class Codes: D04H 18/04 with water jets
• CPC Class Codes: D04H 3/11 by fluid jet
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1087 Continuous longitudinal slitting

Abstract

Filamentous textile structures are produced from a quasi continuous planar nonwoven (1) by subjecting the nonwoven (1) to fluid-dynamic forces, namely in such a way that the nonwoven (1) is split up longitudinally into a plurality of parallel slivers (3) and the fiber structure of the nonwoven (1) is bonded in the slivers. For the treatment with fluid-dynamic forces, the nonwoven (1) is placed for example against a treatment template (10) which is structured in a strip-like manner by perforations (11) and elevations (12) and fine water, saturated steam or air jets (13) are directed against the nonwoven (1) and the template (10). The slivers produced during the treatment with the fluid-dynamic forces can be processed without any further treatment into a planar textile structures or they can be subjected to a further treatment prior to said processing in order to increase their strength. Said further treatment can preferably be performed without any application of additives (false twist, rubbing) or it is a further treatment which can be reversed after the production of the planar structure (treatment with glue). The slivers (3) have a relatively large volume and can therefore be weaved into covering fabrics with relatively low thread densities. They are suitable for example as weft yarns in fabrics for low-quality needs such as fabrics for disposable linens.

Claims

1. A method for producing filamentous textile structures made of a quasi continuous nonwoven (1) in which staple fibers are present in a loose fiber structure, characterized in that the nonwoven (1) is split up longitudinally into a plurality of slivers (3) and the originally loose fiber structure is bonded in such a way that the bonded slivers (3) can be processed into a planar textile structure, with the fiber structure being subjected to fluid-dynamic forces for the longitudinal splitting and/or for at least a part of the bonding of the fiber structure.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the fiber structure is entangled by the fluid-dynamic forces.

3. A method as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the slivers (3) are subjected to twist by the fluid-dynamic forces.

4. A method as claimed in one of the claims 1 to 3, characterized in that fluid jets (13) are directed against the one side of the nonwoven (1) or the slivers (3) for the treatment with fluid-dynamic forces and that the fluid jets (13) penetrate the nonwoven (1) or the slivers (3) and impinge on the other side of the nonwoven (1) upon a first perforated treatment template (10) which is strip-like in the longitudinal direction of the nonwoven and that the fluid is sucked off by said treatment template (10).

5. A method as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that the fluid jets (13) are water, saturated steam or air jets.

6. A method as claimed in one of the claims 4 or 5, characterized in that the fluid jets (13) have a diameter in the range of 0.01 to 1.0 mm.

7. A method as claimed in one of the claims 4 to 6, characterized in that the nonwoven (1) or the slivers (3) are moved through the processing zone (2) resting on the first processing template (10) or on a supporting screen (40) disposed between the fiber material and the first processing template (10).

8. A method as claimed in one of the claims 4 to 7, characterized in that the nonwoven (1) is split up into slivers (3) and the fibers are aligned to a higher extent in the longitudinal direction of the nonwoven in such a way that the fluid jets (13) are directed against unperforated areas in the first treatment template (10).

9. A method as claimed in one of the claims 4 to 8, characterized in that the fiber structure is entangled in the nonwoven (1) and/or in the slivers (3), this being in such a way that it is penetrated by the fluid jets (13) in a needle-like manner.

10. A method as claimed in one of the claims 4 to 7, characterized in that the fiber structure is bonded in the slivers (3) by imparting a twist, such that fluid jets are guided in opposite directions on two sides of the sliver.

11. A method as claimed in one of the claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the nonwoven (1) is a card web or a carded web in which the fibers are preferably aligned in the longitudinal direction of the nonwoven.

12. A method as claimed in one of the claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the slivers (3) are subjected after the treatment with the fluid-dynamic forces to at least one further processing step in which their strength is further increased.

13. A method as claimed in claim 12, characterized in that the slivers (3) are subjected in said additional processing step with a false twist, that the fiber structure is entangled or the slivers (3) are rubbed.

14. A method as claimed in claim 12, characterized in that the slivers (3) are treated in said additional processing step with a glue.

15. A method as claimed in claim 14, characterized in that the glue is contained in the fluid of the fluid jets (13).

16. A method as claimed in claim 12, characterized in that bonding fibers are admixed to the staple fiber material or the slivers (3) are wrapped around with filaments, which bonding fibers or filaments consist of a thermoplastic material, and that said thermoplastic material is activated during the treatment with fluid-dynamic forces or in a further heat treatment.

17. A method as claimed in one of the claims 14 to 16, characterized in that the glue or the thermoplastic material is soluble or can be evaporated in such a way that it can be removed at least partly by extraction or evaporation from a planar structure comprising the sliver (3).

18. A method as claimed in claim 17, characterized in that the thermoplastic material is polyvinyl alcohol.

19. The use of a sliver (3) produced according to the method as claimed in one of the claims 1 to 18 for producing planar structures according to methods which are known per se.

20. The use of a sliver (3) produced according to the method as claimed in one of the claims 1 to 18 for producing planar structures which comprise further filamentous structures in addition to the sliver (3).

21. The use of a sliver (3) produced according to the method as claimed in one of the claims 1 to 18 for producing planar structures by weaving.

22. The use of a sliver (3) produced according to the method as claimed in one of the claims 1 to 18 as a weft yarn in a fabric.

23. The use of a sliver (3) produced according to the method as claimed in one of the claims 1 to 18 for producing fabrics for disposable linens.

25. An apparatus as claimed in claim 24, characterized in that the means for treatment comprises a strip-like perforated first treatment template (10) on which the nonwoven (1) can be positioned and means for producing fluid jets (13) directed against the nonwoven (1) positioned on the first treatment template (10).

26. An apparatus as claimed in claim 25, characterized in that the first treatment template (10) can be moved in a direction combining the feeding direction (F) and the discharging direction (F′

) and that the nonwoven (1) can be placed against the first treatment template (10).

27. An apparatus as claimed in claim 25, characterized in that the first treatment template (10) is substantially stationary and that a supporting screen (40) is provided which can be moved over the first treatment template (10) in a direction combining the feeding direction (Z) and the discharging direction (Z′

) and can be placed against the nonwoven (1).

28. An apparatus as claimed in one of the claims 25 to 27, characterized in that the first treatment template (10) is provided with a pattern of perforations or slots (41).

29. An apparatus as claimed in claim 25 to 28, characterized in that the first treatment template (10) is provided with elevations and valleys extending between said elevations, and that the perforations or slots (41) are disposed in the valleys.

30. An apparatus as claimed in claim 29, characterized in that the tillers (42) of the treatment template (10) are provided with a first, steeper wall (43) and a second, less steep wall (44) which is provided with a step.

31. An apparatus as claimed in one of the claims 25 to 30, characterized in that the treatment template (10) or the supporting screen (40) is arranged as a revolving belt or as a jacket of a rotating cylinder.

32. An apparatus as claimed in one of the claims 25 to 31, characterized in that a means (61) for producing fluid jets (13) comprises a plurality of nozzles (20) which are arranged in a pattern adjusted to the perforation of the first treatment template (10) and that the nozzles (20) have a diameter in the range of 0.01 to 1.0 mm.

24. An apparatus for producing filamentous structures made of a nonwoven (1) which consists of a staple fiber material and in which the fibers are present in a loose fiber structure, characterized by means for supplying the nonwoven (1) in a feeding direction (F), means for the longitudinal severing of the nonwoven (1) into a plurality of slivers, means for bonding the fiber structure in the nonwoven (1) and/or in the slivers (3), namely in such a way that the bonded slivers are suitable for producing planar structures, and means for discharging the bonded slivers (3) in a discharging direction (F′

), with the means for longitudinal severing and/or the means for bonding comprising means for treating the nonwoven (1) and/or the slivers (3) with fluid-dynamic forces.

33. An apparatus as claimed in one of the claims 24 to 32, characterized in that the means for bonding the fiber structure comprise means for a heat treatment of the slivers (3), means for treatment with glue of the slivers (3), means for providing a false twist to the slivers (3) and/or means for rubbing the slivers (3).