DE102015207732A1 - Apparatus and method for fiber coating - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device and a method for wetting fibers, the device comprising a fiber inlet, a liquid supply unit and a roller unit, which is downstream of the fiber movement of the unit for supplying liquid, wherein the waling unit is adapted to having walk areas in which, by means of movement or pressure, a mechanical pressing of the coating liquid into the fiber interspaces is effected, and the device preferably additionally has units by means of which the viscosity of the coating liquid is reduced.

Description

The invention relates to a device and a method for coating fibers, in particular with plastics.

With the increasing demand for fiber composites to replace metals or to optimize structures, it is becoming increasingly important to make the production of fiber composites cheaper, faster and of higher quality. In particular, the wetting of the fibers with a matrix material in the embedding of the fibers in this matrix is a problem.

Wetting methods customary today are produced under pressure and temperature in discontinuous processes. These are very time consuming and are mostly done manually.

The disadvantage of the prior art is the comparatively high costs, the discontinuous production and generally the optimization of the quality of the wetting.

The object of the present invention was to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art and to provide an apparatus and a method by means of which a user is able to carry out a cost-effective, continuous production of coated fibers.

This object is achieved by an apparatus and a method according to the claims.

Even if the term "fiber-reinforced semi-finished products" is often used in this sense, the term "coated fibers" is generally used in the following. Fiber-reinforced semi-finished products represent a preferred embodiment. A method and a device are described below which ensure a reliable and reproducible wetting of individual fibers or fiber composites.

Basically all known fibers are suitable as fibers. Preferred fibers include carbon fibers, aramid fibers and glass fibers, natural fibers such as hemp or cotton, stone fibers such. As basalt fibers, plastic fibers or metal fibers (eg., Steel, copper, alloys). These fibers may be present as single fibers, as filaments of multiple fibers or as fibers of fiber or fiber composites. There may be a single type of fiber or mixtures of two or more different fibers. The fibers may have different cross-sections such as round, oval, triangular, square or any other polygons, or for example as hollow fibers or multilayer fibers z. For example, coextruded fibers having one or more layers, fibers coated in one or more layers, or also fiber bundles (eg, twisted, braided) may be present.

The fibers are wetted with a coating liquid. This coating liquid is basically arbitrary, but preferably plastic melts or liquid (and curable) resins are used. In the following, the term "coating liquid" will generally be used, which means in particular these plastic melts and / or synthetic resins. Preferred coating liquids are paints, inks, pigmented systems, single and multi-component resins, radiation curing plastics (eg, UV or electron beam curing), and all sorts of other crosslinking systems and combinations thereof.

The fiber wetting apparatus according to the present invention comprises a fiber inlet, a fluid supply unit and a roller unit, the roller unit being adapted to have flexing areas in which mechanical compression of the coating fluid into the fiber spaces is effected by movement or pressure Device preferably additionally comprises units by means of which the viscosity of the coating liquid (preferably in the region of the largest flexing work) is reduced.

• – Zusammenführen einer Beschichtungsflüssigkeit mit mindestens einer Faser,
• – Walken des Verbundes aus Beschichtungsflüssigkeit und Faser in mindestens einem Walkbereich, wobei durch Bewegung oder Druck ein mechanisches Einpressen der Beschichtungsflüssigkeit gegen die Faser oder in Faserzwischenräume bewirkt wird,
• – Herabsetzung der Viskosität der Beschichtungsflüssigkeit vor und/oder während und/oder nachdem sie mit der Faser in Kontakt gebracht wurde.

The method according to the invention for wetting fibers comprises the steps:

• Combining a coating liquid with at least one fiber,
• - casting the composite of coating liquid and fiber in at least one flexing area, whereby a mechanical pressing of the coating liquid against the fiber or in fiber gaps is caused by movement or pressure,
• - Reduction of the viscosity of the coating liquid before and / or during and / or after it has been brought into contact with the fiber.

The function of the flexing areas is to obtain a better incorporation of the coating liquid into the fiber interstices.

The device is preferably part of an extrusion tool or represents an extrusion tool.

According to a preferred embodiment, the device additionally comprises at least one vacuum unit in which a vacuum is generated around the passing material. This serves, for example, for drying or degassing. Preferably, at least one vacuum unit is the Unit upstream of the liquid supply and / or downstream of the rolling unit.

The inventors have found that a significant improvement in wetting results when the viscosity of the coating liquid can be significantly lowered in the Walk ranges. This is achieved with the following preferred embodiments, which can preferably also be combined with each other.

The term "walking areas" encompasses those areas of the rolling unit in which wetting of the fiber by forces (often mechanical forces) is carried out as intended. These walk areas are, for example, the deflection points of a guide. z. B. wave crests or troughs of a wave-like leadership. Preferred other walks are z. As channels with smaller diameter or less height than the adjacent channels or areas where otherwise takes place an increase in pressure on the fiber and the liquid. The walk channels can be designed as horizontal or vertical meander-shaped structures with the same or varying cross-sections and radii or combinations thereof.

According to a preferred embodiment, the viscosity of the coating liquid is reduced by vibrations (eg sound, in particular ultrasound). For this purpose, the device preferably has sonotrodes, by means of which the sound (in particular ultrasound) is radiated into the coating liquid or the respective flexing region. The sonotrodes are preferably arranged in the walk areas and / or shortly before (max 5 cm in front of them) in such a way that they emit sound (in particular ultrasound) into the liquid.

According to a preferred embodiment, the viscosity of the coating liquid is reduced by microwaves or heating elements. Heating the liquid lowers the viscosity.

For this purpose, the device preferably has microwave sources or other heating elements (for example, ohmic or capacitive heating elements) by means of which the coating liquid or the relevant flexing area is heated. The microwave sources or other heating elements in the walk areas and / or shortly before (max 5 cm in front of them) are preferably arranged in such a way that they radiate microwaves or heat into the liquid. It is understood that in the case of using electromagnetic radiation (eg, microwave radiation), it must be ensured that either the matrix material or the fibers themselves can absorb this electromagnetic radiation.

Preferably, the viscosity of the coating liquid is thus deliberately lowered in each case at the location of the deflection, ie where the highest mechanical load on the dressing occurs, or just before that a viscosity-reduced liquid enters the walk area. The term "shortly before" means that the effect of the viscosity reduction measure must not have subsided before the walk area. Preferred distances are the abovementioned maximum 5 cm or even only max. 1 cm.

According to a preferred embodiment, the device comprises traveling rollers which are in particular driven and / or heated. These rollers are arranged one behind the other and / or one above the other, wherein they preferably do not touch each other in the case of an arrangement one behind the other and preferably exert a pressure (in particular> 1 bar) on the liquid-soaked fibers in an arrangement one above the other. This can be z. B. be achieved in that at least one of the rollers is movably mounted and by a force (eg., Spring force or weight) is pressed onto the other role.

Preference is given to successively arranged Walkrollers arranged so that running on the Walk rolls running fibers alternately on top and bottom of adjacent Walkrollrollen and from an alternating guide, z. B. a zigzag or wavy guide, the fibers results. This wave motion can be horizontal or vertical or as a combination of these two spatial directions.

In the case of a wave-shaped guidance of fibers in a block, in particular in the deflection areas of these waves, walk-on rollers are arranged. The Walkrollrollen an additional flexing work is generated, which reduces the viscosity. In this case, so the waves are combined with the Walkrollrollen.

According to a preferred embodiment, the gussets are spherically shaped, so that they no longer have a cylindrical shape, but the lateral surface is convexly formed with respect to the longitudinal axis. Alternatively or in combination, the surface preferably has a channel guide in the direction of the circumference or a surface provided with an embossed pattern. These embodiments lead to a broadening or narrowing of the fiber bundles.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the surface of at least one roller has a surface texture. Preferred surface textures are corrugations, cones, grooves, teeth and needles. In this case, opposed Walkrollrollen are preferably formed so that their Interfacing surfaces, that is, the surface textures are each designed so that a protrusion of a walkroll can engage in a retrusion of the opposite walker roll (eg, similar to two gears, which represent a preferred embodiment). In this way, wetting of the surface of the fibers can be further improved.

The flexing work can be further enhanced by rotating these rollers with different relative speeds to the fibers and / or by the eccentric rolling mill rollers are stored.

According to a preferred embodiment, the device comprises at least one movement unit which is designed to rotate two of the traveling rolls at different speeds and or in different directions (of course about their longitudinal axis).

According to a preferred, combinable embodiment, the device comprises at least one eccentrically mounted Walkrolle.

According to a preferred embodiment, the rolling unit comprises walkrolls which, in addition to the flexing, also take over the guidance of the fibers. This is achieved in particular by arranging the rollers as calenders. Preferably, the coating of the fibers with a coating liquid takes place at least partially in the calender, in particular in which the coating liquid is applied to at least one roller by means of nozzles or channels and is brought into contact with the fibers by means of these. The pressure prevailing in the calendering pressure additionally has an advantageous effect on the wetting. There are many ways of arranging Walkrollrollen possible. Preference is given to an I, F or Z form. The rollers are preferably heated. It is also preferable to pass the fibers through more than one calendering arrangement.

• – Einführen der Fasern in einen Kalander umfassend mindestens zwei Walkrollen,
• – Aufbringen einer Beschichtungsflüssigkeit auf mindestens eine Wallkrolle und/oder auf die Fasern,
• – Durchführung der Fasern zusammen mit der Beschichtungsflüssigkeit durch den Kalanderspalt.

A related preferred method comprises the steps:

• Introducing the fibers into a calender comprising at least two rolls,
• Applying a coating liquid to at least one wall roll and / or to the fibers,
• - Passing the fibers together with the coating liquid through the calendering gap.

Optionally, the last two steps can be repeated and thus a multiple coating (possibly also with different coating liquids) thereby made possible. Preferably, the calendering is followed by the passage of the coated fibers through a calendering unit.

According to a preferred embodiment, the device comprises units for heating the fibers. A preheating of the fibers has an advantageous effect on the coating.

According to a preferred embodiment, the device comprises at least one circulating conveyor belt, which simplifies a coating of the fibers or an insertion and removal from the device. Preferably, the conveyor belt is designed as an endless belt, which is deflected to the outlet and fed back to the inlet, wherein the deflection and return is preferably achieved by means of deflection or guide rollers.

According to a preferred embodiment, the device comprises at least one deflection roller, in particular a plurality of deflection rollers, which are in particular tempered.

According to a preferred embodiment, the (viscous) coating liquid is conveyed by means of a nozzle into a laminating unit between laminating agent. In addition to this coating liquid, at least one layer of fibers, in particular at least two layers of fibers, is introduced into the laminating unit between the laminating agents.

The laminating agents are in particular laminating jaws and / or laminating rolls. Preferably, two laminating jaws or two laminating rolls or a laminating jaw face a laminating roll. In the region where the laminating agents are closest, their distance is preferably such that during movement through the device the fibers are pressed into the strand of the coating liquid. In the region of the laminating means, in particular in that in which the laminating means are closest, at least one sonotrode, as described above, is preferably arranged. This measure advantageously lowers the viscosity in this range.

The laminating agents are preferably provided in each case with a circulating conveyor belt, which simplifies a coating of the fibers and an insertion and removal from the device. Preferably, the conveyor belt is designed as an endless belt, which is deflected to the outlet and fed back to the inlet, wherein the deflection and return is preferably achieved by means of deflection or guide rollers. For some applications, it is advantageous to use a disposable tape. Therefore, it is also preferred that the conveyor belt is rolled up on a reel and is not returned.

Generally, the tape can be a functional film.

The introduction of the layer of fibers is preferably carried out to at least one side, in particular on both sides, of the conveyed coating liquid, in particular by means of deflection rollers. The movement of the fibers is toward the coating liquid in the direction of movement of the coating liquid to bring fibers and coating liquid into contact with each other.

A particular advantage of this embodiment is that two or more different types of fibers or types of fabric can be incorporated into a solid composite.

As already indicated above, the embodiment preferably has at least one deflection roller, in particular a plurality of deflection rollers, preferably at least where the fibers are introduced into the laminating jaws. Preferably, the embodiment has deflection rollers at the exit of the laminating jaws, which are in particular tempered in order to achieve an optimal exit of the belt from the laminating unit.

Preferably, the laminating jaws and / or the laminating rollers are heated by means of heating elements to temperatures between 30 ° C and 700 ° C, in particular between 150 ° C and 450 ° C at the conveyor belt side.

According to a preferred embodiment, functional films pass through the device together with the fibers, e.g. B. to achieve optical effects or special surface properties. For this purpose, the device is preferably designed such that at least one functional film can be introduced parallel to the fibers.

In addition, the device preferably additionally comprises a calender with a calendering gap downstream of the fiber path in which the product can be further treated.

According to a preferred embodiment, at least one ultrasound sonotrode is arranged in the region of the merging of coating liquid and fibers in order to lower the viscosity of the coating liquid further.

According to a preferred embodiment, the device, preferably in its unit for supplying liquid, comprises special distributors for optimally distributing the liquid. Since the coating liquid typically has a non-negligible viscosity (eg when using plastic melts), good distribution over a surface with multiple fiber strands or fiber webs is not trivial. Herringbone distributors are generally used in the prior art.

Distributors are preferably used for distributing the coating liquid, which are similar to a deer antler "Hirschgeweihverteiler", preferred is a form of the branches of a main channel smaller, parallel side channels, which have at their ends outlets for the coating liquid. Since different angles and radii for the melt can occur in spite of the same path lengths in this form of distributor, irregularities in the melt stream sometimes occur, this can be achieved by a deflection of the melt perpendicular to the distribution direction (ie, for example, upwards and backwards). be reached at appropriate positions, ie in or shortly after the respective sub-distribution. The different flows and velocities in the melt are thereby neutralized. Also preferred are those manifolds in which a reversal of the melt flow takes place.

Even though these distributors preferably serve the flow of the coating liquid, embodiments are also preferred in which such distributors are used for splitting and guiding fiber bundles.

According to a preferred embodiment, the device comprises at least two nozzles arranged one after the other in the direction of movement of the fibers, which are designed so that different materials can be introduced through them in the direction of the fibers and / or at least one nozzle, by means of which a coextruded material (in particular a multilayered material) Material) can be introduced in the direction of the fibers (hereinafter also referred to as "multi-layer nozzle").

By means of this embodiment, one can bring several layers simultaneously (with the multi-layer die) or sequentially (with two or more nozzles) into contact with the fibers and embed them in a multi-layered matrix. It is preferred that the coating liquid which comes into contact with the fibers first has a lower viscosity than the coating liquid which is subsequently introduced. When using multilayer nozzles, it is preferred if the viscosity of the coating liquid is so great that thorough mixing of the individual layers is not possible, and in particular, the layer which is closest to the fiber composite has a lower viscosity than the layer which follows the former layer. The low viscosity favors wetting, while the higher viscosity of the following layer or coating liquid is advantageous for good embedding of the coated fibers in the Multilayer Association is. The differences in viscosity can be achieved inter alia by different materials or else by different temperature control or crosslinking reactions of the materials.

In this way it is possible, for example, to provide a release layer which wets the fibers and in addition to apply an outer layer with other properties which, if necessary, would not adhere well to the fibers alone.

It is also preferred that the nozzles are configured differently at the top and bottom of the device and / or the device is designed to introduce different coating liquids via the nozzles on the top and bottom of the fibers. Thus, the production of materials with different surfaces (different front and back) is possible.

This embodiment for coating multi-layer fibers may well be an independent invention. The apparatus for multi-layer wetting of fibers according to the invention in this case comprises a fiber inlet, a liquid supply unit and a waling unit, which is preferably downstream of the fiber movement of the unit for supplying liquid, wherein the waling unit is such that it has walk areas, in which Movement or pressure, a mechanical pressing of the coating liquid is effected in the fiber interstices, wherein the device additionally comprises at least two in the direction of movement of the fibers arranged behind one another nozzles which are designed so that different materials can be introduced through them in the direction of the fibers and / or at least having a multi-layer nozzle.

The state of the art can hitherto only produce a single-layer coating, ie the embedding of fibers in a uniform matrix. The object of the independent invention was to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art and to provide an apparatus and a method by means of which a user is able to carry out a cost-effective, continuous production of multilayer-coated fibers.

According to a preferred embodiment, at least one nozzle for introducing coating liquid is also arranged in the rolling unit, in particular behind the first flexing area, so that the fibers can be coated a further time (in particular with another coating liquid) after a first flexing. In this way, a very good bond can be produced in which fibers are embedded in a multilayer matrix. The fibers are coated, which by wetting the layer wets the fibers well, then applied another layer and improves the wetting of the fibers and the cohesion of the layers by further Walken. In this way, several layers can be optimally connected with each other and with the fibers. However, it is preferred that after the introduction of the last layer (the last time a coating liquid is introduced), the material passes at least one further flexing area, so that it is drummed at least once more.

According to a further embodiment, the viscosity of the coating liquid is reduced by vibrations, in particular pressure oscillations or electromagnetic oscillations (for example vibrations such as sound, in particular ultrasound, or microwaves / infrared rays), the elements for emitting the vibrations (for example sonotrodes or Microwave sources or IR emitters) are adapted to emit discrete wavelength ranges whose mode frequency width is more than 10 times (in particular more than 100 times) smaller than the maximum of the respective mode and which are designed to: to emit at least one of the coating materials on a specific absorption line.

In this way, it is possible to purposefully lower the viscosity of one of the coating materials (eg, the innermost layer) while not lowering the viscosity of the other coating materials (eg, those of the outer layers). Thus, in the presence of a multi-layer composite during the Walkung the viscosity of the innermost layer can be reduced for a better wetting while the layer structure remains undisturbed.

Vibrations in narrow frequency bands are absorbed only by the materials whose absorption lies in the frequency range of the vibrations.

According to a preferred embodiment, the device is of modular construction and comprises segments of the group of inlet segments, preheating segments, coating segments (for coating on one or both sides), walk segments, vacuum segments, cooling segments, rolling segments and smoothing segments.

Preferably, the fibers are placed under tension for coating so that they are straightened in the later matrix. For this purpose, the device preferably comprises at least one unit for tensioning the fibers. This can be z. B. by a Roller assembly can be realized, over which the fibers run and put the spring via a spring tension the fibers.

The invention also includes fibers which have been produced by means of a device according to the invention or by means of a method according to the invention. This can be easily tested, for example, by measuring the degree of wetting. If the fibers are more than 95% wetted by the liquid, in particular more than 98%, and the wetting liquid has a viscosity of more than 10000 mPa · s during the normal coating, it is highly likely to be involved with the invention manufactured product.

Examples of preferred embodiments of the device according to the invention are shown in the figures.

1 schematically shows a preferred embodiment.

2 schematically shows a further preferred embodiment.

3 shows a preferred embodiment of the rolling unit.

4 shows a further preferred embodiment of the rolling unit.

5 schematically shows a preferred embodiment.

6 schematically shows a preferred embodiment.

7 schematically shows a preferred embodiment.

8th schematically shows a preferred embodiment.

By way of introduction, it should be noted that in the differently described embodiments, the same parts are provided with the same reference numerals or the same component names, wherein the disclosures contained in the entire description can be mutatis mutandis to the same parts with the same reference numerals or component names. Also, the location selected in the description, such as. B. top, bottom, side, etc. related to the immediately described and illustrated figure and these position information in a change in position mutatis mutandis to transfer to the new location.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

1 schematically shows a preferred embodiment, in particular its side view. the device for wetting fibers comprises an inlet for the fibers 3 (left), a unit for hydration 1 , wherein the coating liquid 4 is introduced through channels at the top and bottom and brought into contact with the fibers just before the end of the liquid supply unit. In this embodiment are sonotrodes 5 already in the area of the unit for hydration 1 arranged in which the initial contact of fibers and coating liquid 4 takes place to ensure there already for a good contact. Nevertheless, the wetting of the fibers with the coating liquid is often still to improve.

From the unit for hydration 1 occurs the composite of coating liquid 4 and fibers 3 in the waling unit 2 a, which here a block in which a wavy guide was introduced. The inversion areas in the wave crests and valleys are the walk areas. In these are here to reduce the viscosity sonotrodes 5 arranged. In the rolling unit, an intimate cohesion of the composite is produced with a very good wetting of the fibers with the coating liquid.

2 schematically shows a further preferred embodiment, which is a further development of the embodiment according to 1 is. In addition, here in the Walk areas Walkrolls 6 arranged, which achieve an additional reduction of the viscosity of the coating liquid by their movement and / or the pressure exerted by them. This further optimizes the wetting of the fibers with the coating liquid.

3 shows a preferred embodiment of the rolling unit 2 , z. B. in side view. From a unit for hydration 1 which is, for example, a unit for supplying a plastic melt, becomes a coating liquid 4 , z. As a viscous melt strand or a melt surface, between two opposing laminating jaws in the rolling unit 2 introduced. In the following, for the sake of clarity, the term "melt" is used instead of a coating liquid.

Along with the melt are fibers from above and below 3 and functional films 8th in the waling unit 2 introduced. This happens, for example, over pulleys, as shown as circles in the figure. To improve the guidance runs between the walls of the rolling unit 2 and the composite of melt, fibers 3 and functional films 8th a conveyor belt 7 which is designed as an endless belt, and transported this composite by the rolling unit.

In the area of the rolling unit 2 in which a mechanical pressure is exerted on the above-mentioned composite via the walls, sonotrodes can be used to lower the viscosity above and below 5 are located, which radiate ultrasound in the Walk range.

To prepare the contact with the melt, the fibers and also the functional film can be preheated. This is preferably done by means of heating elements 9 , Which are advantageously arranged in the laminating jaws.

In this figure, the preferred embodiment is shown, in addition downstream of a calender 10 is arranged with a calendering nip, in which the product can be further treated.

In 4 is a similar structure as in 3 also shown in side view. The fibers 3 and the functional film 8th However, they are not introduced via laminating jaws but by means of laminating rollers. Between the laminating rollers become fibers 3 , functional film 8th and the coating liquid 4 brought into intimate contact by means of mechanical pressure.

Although no ultrasonic or heating means are shown in this figure, but they may also be located at the appropriate locations.

In order to achieve an optimal effect of the ultrasonic waves or to ensure a good control of the temperature, it is generally advantageous if the laminating rollers are formed as rollers with a wall thickness of at most one cm, in particular less than 0.5 cm, in whose Inside, possibly also in the wall, there are heating elements or sonotrodes. Again, downstream is a preferred calender 10 shown.

5 shows a modification of the in 1 illustrated embodiment. Here are located in the Walkeinheit before two Walk areas additional channels for the passage of a coating liquid 4 , The fibers 3 run through the unit for hydration 1 A, be with a first coating liquid 4 Coated, where also the option is shown that sonotrodes 5 already in the area of the unit for hydration 1 are arranged.

From the unit for hydration 1 occurs the composite of coating liquid 4 and fibers 3 in the waling unit 2 one, and goes through a first Walk range, here optionally with a sonotrode 5 is equipped to achieve a good wetting of the fiber with the first coating liquid by means of the viscosity thereby reduced. Behind the first walk area is another coating liquid 4 added to the composite, this coating liquid 4 compared to the initial coating liquid 4 may be the same or different, and the coated composite passes through another swaging unit (which also has an optional sonotrode 5 Is provided). After this wiping, a third coating liquid is added 4 applied the same as for the second applied coating liquid 4 applies, and the composite further durchwalkt, wherein in the 5 two walk areas accomplish this task. By this final Durchwalkung, which is improved with the illustrated sonotrodes, an intimate cohesion of the layers is produced with each other and the innermost layer with the fibers.

In the 6 to 8th are diagrammatically illustrated various preferred embodiments in which the Walkeinheiten 2 are designed by calender arrangements. In the same area is also the unit for liquid supply 1 , The walking thus happens with the introduction of the coating liquid 4 , The fiber 3 is always between Walkrollrollen 6 while coated and this coating eingealkt.

In 6 Walk-in is done by means of two rollers 6 , From below, coating liquid is applied via a channel or a nozzle 4 on the walkroll 6 applied and comes by the rotation of the Walkrolle 6 with the fibers 3 in contact. Above, a second possibility is shown, in which the coating liquid 4 right on the fibers 3 or even introduced directly into the calendering nip. The exiting fibers 3 are coated and can be smoothed and / or dried in optional units. In 7 is a similar arrangement as in 6 to see, only that different coatings take place in different Walkrollpaarpaaren.

In 8th is an I-shaped calender arrangement of Walkrollrollen 6 shown. Although the introduction of the coating liquid is done here on different Walkrollpaarpaaren, but could also be done on a single pair of rollers.

It is further added that a multilayer composite is also compatible with the embodiment according to FIG 1 can be achieved if the supply shown there for the coating liquid 4 for introducing a multilayer, viscous fluid composite, for. As a coextruded plastic melt consisting of several layers is designed. The sonotrodes 5 would be optional but preferred in this case.

The embodiments show possible embodiments of the invention, it being noted at this point that the invention is not limited to the specifically illustrated embodiments thereof, but rather various combinations of the individual embodiments are possible with each other and this possibility of variation due to the teaching of technical action by representational Invention in the skill of those skilled in this technical field.

Furthermore, individual features or combinations of features from the different exemplary embodiments shown and described can also represent independent, inventive or inventive solutions.

The task underlying the independent inventive solutions can be taken from the description.

All information on ranges of values in objective description should be understood to include any and all portions thereof, e.g. For example, the indication 1 to 10 is to be understood as meaning that all partial regions are included, starting from the lower limit 1 and the upper limit 10, that is to say from FIG. H. all subareas start with a lower bound of 1 or greater and end at an upper bound of 10 or less, e.g. 1 to 1.7, or 3.2 to 8.1, or 5.5 to 10.

Above all, the individual embodiments shown in the figures can form the subject of independent solutions according to the invention. The relevant objects and solutions according to the invention can be found in the detailed descriptions of these figures.

For the sake of order, it should finally be pointed out that, for a better understanding of the structure, the figures or their components have in some cases not been shown to scale and / or enlarged and / or reduced in size.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

Unit for hydration

2

Walk unit

3

fiber

4

coating liquid

5

sonotrode

6

Walk roles

7

conveyor belt

8th

Functional foil

9

heating element

10

calender

Claims (17)

A device for wetting fibers comprising a fiber inlet, a liquid supply unit and a whale unit, characterized in that the whale unit is adapted to have walk areas in which by movement and / or pressure, a mechanical pressing of the coating liquid is effected in the fiber interstices , Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that it additionally comprises at least one unit by means of which the viscosity of the coating liquid is reduced and / or comprises at least one vacuum unit in which a vacuum is generated around the passing material, preferably at least one vacuum unit of the unit connected upstream of the liquid supply and / or the rolling unit is connected downstream. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device is adapted to reduce the viscosity of the coating liquid by ultrasound, microwaves or heat, wherein the device preferably sonotrodes, microwave sources and or heating elements comprises, which in particular in the Walk areas and / or a maximum of 5 cm in front are arranged so that they emit ultrasound, microwaves and / or heat in the coating liquid. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the rolling unit comprises traveling rollers, which are in particular driven and / or heated and which are arranged one behind the other and / or one above the other, wherein one behind the other arranged Walker rollers are preferably arranged in such a way that on the Walk rolls running fibers changing Run over the top and bottom of adjacent Walkrollrollen and from it an alternating guide, z. B. a zigzag or wavy guide, the fibers results, and which are arranged in particular in the form of a calender. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the rolling unit comprises Walkrollrollen which are spherically shaped and / or whose surface has a channel guide in the direction of the circumference. Apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that the Walkrollrollen with Rotate different relative velocities to the fibers and / or that the Walkrollrollen are mounted eccentrically. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device is designed so that the coating liquid is conveyed by means of a nozzle together with at least one layer of fibers, and preferably also together with at least one functional film in a laminating unit between laminating, wherein the laminating agents are in particular laminating jaws and / or laminating rolls. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device comprises at least one circulating conveyor belt for a guide of coating liquid and fibers, which is preferably formed as an endless belt, and the device comprises in particular deflection rollers for guiding the conveyor belt. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least one deflection roller, in particular a plurality of deflection rollers, preferably at least where the fibers are introduced or led out into the rolling unit, wherein the deflection rollers are tempered in particular, to an optimal emergence of the belt reach the laminating unit. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises heating elements to heat elements of the rolling unit to temperatures between 30 ° C and 700 ° C, in particular between 150 ° C and 450 ° C. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it additionally has a calender with a calendering gap downstream of the fiber path in which the product can be further treated. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that arranged in the region of the merging of coating liquid and fibers at least one ultrasonic sonotrode to lower the viscosity of the coating liquid on. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises in its unit for supplying liquid particular distributors for optimally distributing the liquid, and / or that it comprises distributors for splitting fiber bundles, preferred distributors being "deer antler distributors" or distributors with reversing melt flow are. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device comprises at least two in the direction of movement of the fibers arranged one behind the other nozzles, which are designed so that different materials can be introduced through them in the direction of the fibers and / or at least one nozzle, by means a coextruded material can be introduced in the direction of the fibers ("multilayer nozzle"), wherein the nozzles are preferably configured differently on the top and bottom of the device and / or the device is designed to different coating liquids through the nozzles on the top and bottom on the fibers or on Walkrollrollen bring. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device comprises elements for emitting vibrations, in particular sonotrodes or microwave sources or IR radiators, which are such that they emit discrete wavelength ranges whose mode frequency width is more than 10 times is less than the maximum of the respective mode and which is designed to emit on a specific absorption line at least one of the coating materials. Wetting method for fibers comprising the steps: Combining a coating liquid with at least one fiber, - casting the composite of coating liquid and fiber in at least one flexing area, whereby a mechanical pressing of the coating liquid against the fiber or in fiber gaps is caused by movement or pressure, - Reduction of the viscosity of the coating liquid after it has been brought into contact with the fiber. Coated fiber, characterized in that it has been produced in a device or by means of a method according to one of the preceding claims.

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