PRODUCING YARN

• US 20110098147A1
• Filed: 10/21/2010
• Published: 04/28/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 04/21/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Heathcoat Fabrics Limited (John Heathcoat & Company Limited)
• Original Assignee: Heathcoat Fabrics Limited (John Heathcoat & Company Limited)
• Inventors: Crane, Richard
• Granted Patent: US 8,499,539 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 474/266
• CPC Class Codes: D01F 8/12 with at least one polyamide as constituent
• CPC Class Codes: D02G 3/22 Yarns or threads characterised by constructional features , e.g. blending, filament/fibre piecing of yarns or threads D01H15/00
• CPC Class Codes: D02G 3/402 the adhesive being one component of the yarn, i.e. thermoplastic yarn
• CPC Class Codes: D02G 3/443 Heat-resistant, fireproof or flame-retardant yarns or threads fire- or flame-proof filaments D01F1/07; woven fabrics using heat-resistant or fireproof threads D03D15/513
• CPC Class Codes: D02G 3/447 Yarns or threads for specific use in general industrial applications, e.g. as filters or reinforcement
• CPC Class Codes: D02J 1/18 Separating or spreading
• CPC Class Codes: F16G 1/04 made of fibrous material, e.g. textiles, whether rubber-covered or not F16G1/28 takes precedence; making thereof D03D ; consisting of several parts F16G1/22
• CPC Class Codes: F16G 1/10 with textile reinforcement
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/249921 Web or sheet containing structurally defined element or component
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/2918 including free carbon or carbide or therewith [not as steel]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/2931 Fibers or filaments nonconcentric [e.g., side-by-side or eccentric, etc.]

Abstract

A process for the production of a yarn is disclosed, the process comprising providing a bundle comprising continuous filaments of a thermoplastic polymer, contacting the bundle with a sliver comprising fibres of a heat resistant material to form a mixed bundle, and applying a gas jet to the mixed bundle to distribute the fibres of the heat resistant material in the bundle. Also disclosed are yarns comprising filaments of a thermoplastic polymer and fibres of a heat resistant material, wherein the fibres are distributed between and among the filaments. Preferably, the heat resistant material is a non-thermoplastic polymer, especially an aramid. Yarns according to the invention find use in technical fabrics especially transmission belts.

Claims

1. A process for the production of a yarn, the process comprising

providing a bundle comprising continuous filaments of a thermoplastic polymer,

contacting the bundle with a sliver comprising fibres of a heat resistant material to form a mixed bundle, and

applying a gas jet to the mixed bundle to distribute the fibres of the heat resistant material in the bundle.

2. A process as claimed in claim 1, wherein the heat resistant material is selected from glass, carbon or a non-thermoplastic polymer.

3. A process as claimed in claim 2, wherein the non-thermoplastic polymer is selected from aramid, polyamide-imide, polyimide-amide, liquid crystal polymer, PVA, P84, PBI or PTFE.

4. A process as claimed in claim 2, wherein the thermoplastic polymer is a texturized thermoplastic polymer.

5. A process as claimed in claim 1, further comprising at least one activation step.

6. A process as claimed in claim 1, wherein the thermoplastic polymer is selected from polyamide, polyester, PBT, poly ether ether ketone, poly ether imide or polyolefin.

7. A process as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mixed bundle comprises the fibres of the heat resistant material in an amount of between 5 and 75% by weight.

8. A process as claimed in claim 1, wherein the filaments of thermoplastic are in the range 33 to 2000 decitex.

9. A process as claimed in claim 1, wherein the length of the fibres of the heat resistant material is between 10 mm and 200 mm.

10. A yarn comprising filaments of a thermoplastic polymer and fibres of a heat resistant material, wherein the fibres are distributed between and among the filaments.

11. A fabric comprising yarn as claimed in claim 10.

12. A transmission belt comprising fabric as claimed in claim 11.