DE102019004890A1 - Textile fiber, textile and method of making a textile fiber - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a textile fiber (10) with a core (12) and a sheath (14) enveloping the core (12) at least partially along its longitudinal extension, the core (12) comprising at least one thermoplastic and the sheath (14) at least one Thermoplastic (16) and leather parts (18) bound in the thermoplastic (16) of the jacket (14). The invention also relates to a textile and a method for producing a textile fiber (10).

Description

The invention relates to a textile fiber. The invention also relates to a textile and a method for producing a textile fiber.

A number of requirements are placed on textiles. Textiles should preferably be abrasion-resistant, weather-resistant, insensitive to dirt, light, color-fast, pleasant to the touch and inexpensive. In addition, the respective textile fibers should be easy to process further in a variety of ways. The mechanical resilience, for example due to tension, of textile fibers is also important. In their combination, such requirements can be met particularly well by synthetic fibers and textiles made from them. However, there is a strong need for textile fibers which have natural raw materials, look natural and feel particularly natural, since such fibers are generally regarded as being of higher quality. In addition, there is an increasing need for sustainable textiles in order to protect the environment.

Overall, there is a need for new textile fibers and textiles and manufacturing processes for them. Some examples are given below, but they are unsatisfactory for various reasons. Some of these reasons are given by way of example, although their naming is not exhaustive.

In the U.S. 4,131,713 for example, the cutting of leather into fibers is described, with which a leather fiber is to be provided that can be further processed in a knitting process. However, such fibers can be very expensive to manufacture and exhibit the inherently changing mechanical properties of natural products. For example, a grain in the leather used as the starting material can weaken the leather fiber and, in principle, also make it more difficult to produce the leather fibers. In addition, the maximum length of such a fiber is limited by a maximum expansion of the starting material. Since minimum fiber lengths must be observed for further processing, a large amount of unusable waste is to be expected. Even a minimum diameter of such a fiber will be unfavorably large compared to synthetic fibers.

In the U.S. 5,958,554 For example, an artificial leather is described in which leather fibers are mixed with a resin, which resin is then cured and pressed to produce a type of reconstituted leather product. This method is also expensive and ultimately only provides a flat synthetic leather product with natural leather components in its material mixture. Further processing requires correspondingly customary, complex steps in processing leather and artificial leather, such as, for example, cutting.

In the EP 1 736 577 describes a method for producing a leather fiber from collagen from animal leather and other textile fibers. For this, leather has to be broken down in a complex process to generate collagen, whereby the natural character of leather is lost.

In the EP 0 284 784 A2 describes a nozzle package for spinning bicomponent threads with a core-sheath structure. This allows the production of threads from plastic with two polymer components.

The object of the present invention is to provide a novel textile fiber, a novel textile and a method for producing a novel textile fiber.

This object is achieved by the subjects of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments and expedient further developments of the invention are specified in the respective subclaims.

A first aspect of the invention relates to a textile fiber. A textile fiber is a linear structure which can be processed into a textile. In particular, the textile fiber can correspond to the DIN 60000 standard. This textile fiber can consist of several components distributed over the cross section. In particular, the textile fiber can have a core and a sheath, which is arranged on the core along a longitudinal extent thereof. In particular, the jacket can thus envelop the core at least partially in the circumferential direction or along the circumference of the core. The core is preferably completely enveloped by the jacket in the circumferential direction or along its circumference. The sheath then completely surrounds the core instead of only partially in the radial direction of the textile fiber. For example, a concentric core-jacket structure can be provided in which the jacket completely envelops the core at least partially along its longitudinal extent and in the circumferential direction. The core can, however, also be arranged eccentrically to the jacket and be completely enveloped by this in the circumferential direction. The complete enclosure advantageously allows the core to be protected by the jacket.

The textile fiber can also have several cores, which can preferably be encased together by the jacket in the circumferential direction and / or are arranged at a distance from one another, in particular in the jacket. Such a configuration is also known as split fiber and / or islands in the sea. There are configurations too possible in which, for example, the jacket is arranged next to the core on this. In this case, the jacket only partially envelops the core in the circumferential direction. In the cross section of the textile fiber, for example, two layers, the sheath and the core, are arranged next to one another. Such a configuration of the textile fiber can also be referred to as side-by-side. As a result, the textile fiber can advantageously have a different surface or different surface properties and possibly internal stresses depending on the orientation. For example, the textile fiber can be processed in a textile in such a way that one side of the textile fiber with the jacket forms one side of the textile and one side of the textile fiber with the core forms another, in particular opposite, side of the textile. Orientation of the textile fiber is particularly easy with this configuration if it does not have a round, but rather a flat or flattened cross-section. However, the textile fiber preferably has a round cross section for reasons of strength. Alternatively, the side-by-side configuration can also use a different shrinkage behavior of core and jacket, whereby automatic crimping can be achieved during cooling and / or post-treatment.

The sheath preferably envelops the core along its entire length. The core can have at least one thermoplastic or a thermoplastic-like material. In the context of this document, thermoplastic elastomers (TPE) can be viewed as thermoplastics, especially since they can be spun out as a melt. However, TPE can also be viewed as a material similar to thermoplastic, since it has at least some of the properties of an elastomer as well as a thermoplastic. A material similar to thermoplastic should be able to be formed into at least one fiber. In particular, a thermoplastic material should be capable of being spun from a melt to form a textile fiber. Thermoplastic-like materials are preferably meltable. The jacket can have at least one thermoplastic or thermoplastic-like material and leather parts bound in the thermoplastic or thermoplastic-like material of the jacket. The core can therefore consist of plastic, in particular comprising one or more thermoplastics. The jacket can, for example, consist of a mixture of real leather and plastic, in particular comprising one or more thermoplastics.

In the following, the thermoplastic of the core and the thermoplastic of the jacket are used. Instead of a thermoplastic, however, a material similar to thermoplastic can also be used for the core. Instead of a thermoplastic in the jacket, a thermoplastic-like material can also be used in the jacket, in addition to the leather described below. Correspondingly, statements and features for the thermoplastic also apply analogously to the thermoplastic-like material, if applicable. For example, in the case of the thermoplastic-like material of the jacket and the core, the same thermoplastic-like material can be used for improved adhesion. However, a mixture can also be used, i.e. a material similar to thermoplastics for the core and a thermoplastic for the jacket and vice versa.

The core and the jacket can be integrally connected to one another, in particular by matching the thermoplastics, in particular plastics, of the core and jacket. The textile fiber can be monolithic and / or designed as a continuous fiber. The textile fiber is preferably designed to be limp. The textile fiber can, for example, also be designed as a short fiber and / or cut into short fibers from which, for example, staple fiber yarns can be formed. Likewise, the textile fiber can of course be designed as a conventional long fiber.

Such a textile fiber can also be referred to as a bicomponent fiber. The textile fiber can have two characteristic components that determine its essential properties. The core can determine the essential mechanical properties, such as tensile strength. The properties of the core can be very consistent through the exclusive use of one or more plastics, so that certain minimum requirements can be met very easily. The core can form a kind of supporting structure for the fiber. A random distribution of leather parts in the jacket does not ensure a wide spread of the structural strength or the formation of weak points in the textile fiber, for example due to local agglomeration or accumulation of leather parts at a certain point. The leather parts in the jacket can therefore be arranged randomly without falling below a minimum of critical mechanical properties.

The jacket, on the other hand, can determine the essential optical and haptic properties of the textile fiber. By using leather parts, a particularly natural and high-quality appearance can be created. In terms of touch, the respective leather components can also predominate, so that the textile fiber can essentially be perceived as leather fiber by humans. These fibers can then be further processed into textile surfaces, for example woven fabrics. Such a surface can haptically and visually correspond to a suede. The thermoplastic of the jacket can be one of the leather parts Form holding or supporting matrix. Thus, for example, the structural properties of the leather parts can be irrelevant for the load-bearing capacity of the textile fiber, so that respective irregularities in the leather raw material do not have to adversely affect the properties of the textile fiber. In particular, the leather parts and / or the thermoplastic of the jacket do not have to allow any power transmission. This means that less high quality leather can be used with regard to these properties. It is also possible to use leather parts whose size is too small for any other use, such as offcuts and leftovers from textile production. Optical irregularities in the original leather, such as grains, can also be no more or at least less of a weight when it comes to assessing the quality of the textile fiber or a textile made from it due to dividing or comminuting into leather parts, for example by grinding. Overall, the textile fiber can be very sustainable and combine the advantages of synthetic fibers with those of leather. Since the leather acts as an additive in the fiber, less plastic can be used overall than with a textile made from pure synthetic fibers. This can also be beneficial for sustainable resource use.

In the case of textile fibers, a maximum length is not limited by a size of the leather used as the starting material. The textile fiber can be designed and / or manufactured as a continuous fiber. In addition, the textile fiber can be much thinner than a pure leather fiber or many natural fibers, since the leather does not have to transfer any tensile loads. Correspondingly, very fine leather parts or leather particles can be used for the jacket, whereby a very small diameter of the textile fiber is also possible.

The respective thermoplastic can be referred to as the material of the jacket or the core, in particular also as a thermoplastic material. The thermoplastics can also be referred to as thermoplastics. The plastic or the thermoplastic can in particular be a polymer. The respective thermoplastic can also be formed from a mixture of several different plastics. The respective thermoplastic can therefore be a mixture or a compound. If appropriate, additives such as plasticizers, preservatives, UV protection agents or the like can also be contained in the respective thermoplastics.

The leather parts can be designed as leather fibers, leather pieces and / or leather grains. These are preferably parts made of real leather. Leather parts can also be referred to as leather particles. The leather parts have preferably been produced from the leather without a decomposing treatment, for example for the production of collagen. The leather parts are preferably made from leather for textile production, which, for example, may already have been tanned and / or treated with chrome, particularly preferably purely by mechanical separation such as grinding, splitting and / or cutting. In particular, the leather can already have been tanned with chrome before it is used in the textile fiber. The leather from which the leather parts are made can be in a flat design, for example, in a state in which it can also be used for other applications, for example as a cover. In the present case, leather part can mean that, although there is basically conventional leather, the respective part has a size that is too small for regular textile applications, such as covers or covers. The leather or leather parts can be, for example, recycled leather or leather parts and / or the remnants, in particular offcuts, from customary leather processing and / or leather production processes. A suitable material for the coat is, for example, a mixed material from the Bader company sold under the brand name “Kollamat”, in which the leather parts are already mixed with thermoplastic.

The thermoplastic of the sheath can form an essentially axially continuous shell into which the leather parts are integrated. The core can be designed to be axially continuous. The core is preferably made as thin as possible, but preferably thick enough to guarantee respective structural properties such as a minimum tensile strength or to meet structural load requirements. The jacket can be made as thin as possible in order to keep the use of leather parts which are expensive compared to thermoplastics low and / or to provide the finest possible fiber. However, the jacket can also be designed to be particularly thick, so that particularly coarse and / or large leather parts or leather particles can then be used. This can make a grinding process for reducing the original leather into a sufficiently small size, for example grain size or particle size, significantly cheaper.

A single textile fiber can also be referred to as a filament, with several filaments usually being spun out as one yarn. A further aspect of the invention relates to a yarn which has textile fibers according to the first aspect. The features and advantages resulting from the textile fiber according to the first aspect can be found in the descriptions of the first aspect, wherein advantageous configurations of the first aspect are to be regarded as advantageous configurations of the further aspect and vice versa.

The sheath and core can also be viewed as two layers of textile fiber. Alternatively or additionally, the thermoplastics can also be referred to as respective layers, with only the thermoplastics forming essentially axially continuous layers. The thermoplastic of the jacket can be doped with the leather parts. Correspondingly, it can be a two-layer textile fiber, with respective layers extending axially. Additional layers can also be provided. For example, the textile fiber can be impregnated on the outside or coated in some other way. An intermediate layer can also be provided between the core and the jacket. For example, the textile fiber can have a further functional layer as an intermediate layer between the core and the sheath, in particular in order to improve a connection between the sheath and the core. Preferably, however, no intermediate layer is provided. In particular, the core and the jacket are preferably in direct contact with one another along their entire axial extent.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the textile fiber, it is provided that the leather parts are shavings from leather manufacture and / or a cut, in particular ground cut, from leather blanks. For example, the leather parts can be shavings of so-called wet blue shavings or white shavings. Shavings can correspond to shavings. Wet blue shavings can refer to leather after chrome treatment, for example, and white shavings leather parts of leather before or without chrome treatment or leather that has been tanned without chrome. For example, it can be leftovers from leather production for shoes, seat covers and / or clothing. In particular, the leather parts can be remnants, such as shavings from a rear side of the animal's skin, which has been removed to produce leather with a uniform thickness. The respective starting materials are preferably further processed in order to increase the uniformity of the size of the respective leather parts or leather grains, for example by grinding. The leather parts can also be colored with the thermoplastic before a mixing process. In particular, the leather color can be matched to the plastic color or a two-tone textile fiber can be provided. In the case of textile fibers, parts of leather can be used, which are usually waste and have to be disposed of at great expense. As a result, the textile fiber can be particularly inexpensive and / or can be produced particularly sustainably. This is also advantageous for reasons of environmental protection.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the textile fiber, it is provided that the thermoplastic of the jacket and the thermoplastic of the core have an essentially identical composition. The two thermoplastics can therefore have the same plastic or the same plastic composition, for example. For example, both thermoplastics can be polyethylene (PE). A biopolymer is preferably used for environmental reasons. By using the same thermoplastic or plastic, fewer different plastics are present in the textile fiber, which makes their recycling and / or disposal easier. In addition, the jacket and the core can thus have homogeneous properties and high adhesion between the core and the jacket layer. The production of the textile fiber can also be more cost-effective due to the increased purchasing volume of the thermoplastic materials and the associated lower price. The composition of the respective thermoplastics can differ in particular through the respective additives or additives. For example, the use of a UV protective material can be dispensed with in the case of the core, since this is protected by the jacket. The jacket, however, can contain such an additive. Slight differences in the composition, which in the present case are still to be considered essentially identical, can also arise, for example, from the release of substances from the leather parts, such as tanning agents, to the thermoplastic of the jacket. Likewise, additives which do not significantly change the composition, respective additives for protection and / or for better binding of the leather parts in the thermoplastic of the jacket, which in contrast are not required in the core.

The essentially identical composition can also promote adhesion of the clad to the core. In particular, the jacket and the core can be connected to one another in a materially bonded manner in this way simply by melting. This can be particularly inexpensive and the resulting textile fiber can be particularly resistant. In particular, there can be a cost advantage if the starting materials of both the sheath and the core are already melted during textile fiber production and are connected to one another in this melted state to form the textile fiber, for example by simply bringing them into contact.

Alternatively, the composition of the thermoplastic of the core and of the jacket can also be different in order to be able to meet their respective special requirements. For example, a particularly weather-resistant and / or environmentally-resistant, such as a UV-resistant thermoplastic, and / or a soft material can be selected for the thermoplastic of the jacket. On the other hand, for the thermoplastic of the core a Material with particularly high mechanical strength can be selected. The weather and / or environmental resistance of the core, on the other hand, may be less relevant because of the jacket. In the case of different compositions of the respective thermoplastics, a combination is preferably chosen which adheres well to one another or forms a good bond, for example cohesively when heated above the melting temperature.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the textile fiber, it is provided that the thermoplastic of the jacket and the thermoplastic of the core are connected to one another, in particular fused. The textile fiber can accordingly be formed in one piece or monolithically. The textile fiber can accordingly be particularly robust. The core and the jacket are preferably also manufactured together in a single step, as a result of which the costs can be particularly low. The core and the sheath are then to be delimited from one another to the extent that, above a certain limit radius, leather parts are present radially outwards and the textile fiber is free of leather parts radially inwards. Alternatively, the core and the jacket can also be glued to one another or, for example, can be adhered to one another by adhesion.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the textile fiber, it is provided that the leather parts of the jacket at least partially form an outer circumferential surface of the textile fiber. As a result, a leather feel and / or leather look can be provided particularly well. The outer circumferential surface is preferably not formed continuously by the leather parts, but by leather parts and thermoplastic areas. Overall, the outer circumferential surface can appear leather-like despite a non-continuous leather surface. Preferably at least 25%, more preferably at least 50%, even more preferably at least 60% and very particularly preferably at least 75% of the outer circumferential surface of the textile fiber is formed by the leather parts, whereby the desired leather-like effect can be achieved particularly well.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the textile fiber, it is provided that the respective leather parts of the jacket protrude at least partially radially outward beyond the thermoplastic of the jacket. In this way, when the textile fiber is touched, contact with the thermoplastic of the jacket can be prevented or at least reduced, so that a feel can more closely resemble a fiber made entirely of leather. Likewise, the above leather components can block a viewer's view of the thermoplastic of the jacket or reduce the proportion of the visible thermoplastic, whereby the visual similarity to a fiber made entirely of leather can also be increased. In addition, the leather parts protruding radially can form fine leather hairs on the surface of the textile fiber, which optically and haptically can in particular resemble suede. All or only some of the leather parts can protrude from the thermoplastic of the jacket. For protruding, a radial thickness of the thermoplastic layer of the jacket is preferably smaller than an average diameter of the respective leather parts, so that the leather parts do not have to be arranged separately for protruding. The diameter of the respective leather parts for determining the average diameter of all or the leather parts can be defined as their respective largest, smallest or average diameter.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the textile fiber, it is provided that a radial thickness of a part of the jacket formed by the thermoplastic of the jacket is smaller than an average grain size of the respective leather parts of the jacket. As a result, a portion of the outer circumferential surface which is formed by the leather parts can correspond to a leather portion in the jacket, whereby this portion can be advantageously adjusted in a particularly simple manner, in particular if the leather parts are randomly distributed in the jacket. The decisive factor here is the geometry of the spinneret, through the gap or opening of which the leather particles of the sheath polymer have to pass. In particular, by subsequent stretching, the overall diameter can be reduced while the leather particles retain their size or remain the same thickness. This can also ensure that the leather parts protrude from the thermoplastic.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the textile fiber, it is provided that the jacket, in particular its thermoplastic, is post-treated, in particular mechanically, physically, chemically or thermally. Alternatively, only the leather parts can be treated. The surface can be smoothed with knives, for example, in order to produce a smooth leather feel and / or smooth leather look, for example. Chemical or thermal removal, for example of the polymer by dissolving or by flame treatment after the actual fiber production, can also be used as post-treatment. As a result, for example, more of the leather parts can be exposed in order to increase a leather content in the outer circumferential surface and / or to increase an average protrusion of the leather parts over the thermoplastic of the jacket. These aftertreatment processes can be carried out on the fiber, on the textile, on the semi-finished product or on a product that has such a textile fiber. The textile fiber can also be textured after its production, for example in order to roughen its surface more strongly. The texturing can advantageously have a stronger effect on the Thermoplastic than act on the leather parts. The texturing can also relate to a puffing or curling of smooth fibers. In the present case, texturing is preferably also or only used to roughen a surface of the textile fiber. Some of the plastic or polymer layer of the jacket can thereby be removed, the leather parts or leather fibers being held in the direction and being further exposed. The texturing can take place, for example, by means of friction, in particular by means of false twist texturing. By rotating ceramic disks, a twist can briefly be applied to the textile fiber or a yarn, after which, however, these are turned back again. So it is only swirled locally, so to speak.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the textile fiber, it is provided that the core has a diameter of 5 μm to 3000 μm, preferably 50 μm to 500 μm. A particularly high tensile strength can thus be provided.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the textile fiber, it is provided that the jacket has a radial thickness of 40 μm to 3000 μm, preferably 100 μm to 500 μm. In this way, an advantageous amount of leather parts can be used.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the textile fiber, it is provided that the respective leather parts have a maximum diameter of 40 μm to 3000 μm, preferably 100 μm to 500 μm. The diameter of the leather parts can also be referred to as their fiber length. The grinding takes place in a disorderly manner, whereby the ground leather can appear fibrous. The fiber length can in particular correspond to a largest diameter of the leather parts. The leather parts can be significantly thinner transversely to the longitudinal extension of the respective leather fibers. This size of the leather parts, in particular in combination with the mentioned diameter of the jacket, advantageously allows the surface of the textile fiber to be adjusted with regard to its properties, in particular leather-like properties.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the textile fiber, it is provided that the radial thickness of the jacket is smaller than the diameter of the core. Only a small proportion of leather is required in production and a particularly high tensile strength textile fiber can be provided with the same thickness. Radial can be defined transversely, in particular orthogonally, to the longitudinal extension of the textile fiber. In particular, a radial extension such as a thickness can be measured in the same direction as a diameter of the core and / or the entire textile fiber. The radial thickness of the jacket can also be referred to as the jacket thickness.

Conversely, in a further advantageous embodiment of the textile fiber, it can be provided that the radial thickness of the jacket is greater than the diameter of the core. A particularly large proportion of leather can be used in production. This can be advantageous if the leather otherwise has to be disposed of or recycled at great expense and / or if the leather is cheaper than the thermoplastic.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the textile fiber, it is provided that an overall diameter of the textile fiber is less than 4000 μm, preferably less than 3000 μm. This makes the textile fiber particularly suitable for further processing into a yarn and / or the textile.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the textile fiber, it is provided that a proportion of the leather parts in the jacket is less than or equal to 99%, preferably less than or equal to 80%, even more preferably less than or equal to 70%, particularly preferably less than or equal to 60%. As a result, the structural strength of the jacket is retained while at the same time a high proportion of leather and a very leather-like look and feel can be achieved. The leather content is also limited, for example, by matrix compatibility in the thermoplastic of the jacket. The leather content in the jacket is preferably greater than or equal to 1%, preferably greater than or equal to 25%, even more preferably greater than or equal to 40%. The respective proportions can be based on a volume and / or a weight.

The above-mentioned properties with regard to diameters, proportions and thicknesses are particularly advantageous in order to provide a textile fiber which can be further used in conventional textile production processes or which is particularly suitable for use in textiles.

A second aspect of the invention relates to a textile. The textile can have at least one textile fiber according to the first aspect. In particular, the textile can have at least one yarn which has at least one textile fiber according to the first aspect. The textile fiber according to the first aspect can be processed further in the textile as a yarn, a twisted thread, a fleece, a braid and / or a felt. The textile fiber can preferably be woven, braided, knitted and / or warp knitted directly after spinning in order to produce the textile inexpensively.

The features and advantages resulting from the textile fiber according to the first aspect can be found in the descriptions of the first aspect, wherein advantageous configurations of the first aspect are to be regarded as advantageous configurations of the second aspect and vice versa.

A third aspect of the invention relates to a method for producing a textile fiber. The method can have the step of providing at least one core of the textile fiber, the core preferably comprising at least one thermoplastic. The method can also include the step of producing such a core, for example in an extrusion method. In addition, the method can have the step of enveloping the core at least partially along its longitudinal extent and at least partially, preferably completely, along its circumference with at least one jacket. The finished textile fiber can thus be formed. In the process, the core can be supplied as a fully formed fiber and then sheathed. However, the core can also be produced together with the jacket. The jacket preferably has at least one thermoplastic and leather parts bound in the thermoplastic of the jacket. The method can also have the step of producing the jacket, for example in an extrusion method. In addition, it can be provided that the core is connected to the jacket when it is enveloped or also afterwards.

Furthermore, the method can also include the formation of a textile from the textile fiber produced in this way. In this case, it can be a process for producing a textile. Furthermore, a method for producing a textile from at least one textile fiber according to the first aspect is provided as a further aspect of the invention, this textile fiber being processed into the textile for example by a knitting, weaving and / or felting process.

The method according to the third aspect can preferably be used to produce a textile fiber according to the first aspect and / or a textile according to the second aspect. The features and advantages resulting from the textile fiber according to the first aspect and the textile according to the second aspect can be found in the descriptions of the first and second aspects, with advantageous configurations of the first and second aspects being regarded as advantageous configurations of the third aspect and vice versa are.

The core can also be formed and provided at the same time. At the same time or approximately at the same time, the core can also be enveloped with the jacket, in particular with the simultaneous formation and / or provision of the jacket.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the method it is provided that the sheath and the core are extruded together for the integral formation of the textile fiber. As a result, the textile fiber can be produced in a single step with the joint production of the core and sheath. Extrusion is a particularly cost-effective process with a high throughput for producing fibers from thermoplastics. A common spinneret block can be provided for this purpose, to which the material of the core and the jacket is fed at the same time.

An associated extruder screw can each be provided for providing the jacket material and the core material. A thermoplastic granulate can be provided as a starting material for the core, which is processed into a liquid thermoplastic in the extruder screw. As the starting material for the jacket, leather and also thermoplastic granulate can be provided separately or as a previously produced mixture of leather particles and thermoplastic, for example likewise in granulate form. Such a mixture is sold by the Bader company, for example, under the brand name “Kollamat”. The leather is preferably already provided as leather parts or leather grains in the desired particle size, in particular in granulate form already mixed with thermoplastic. However, the method can also comprise comminuting, in particular grinding, into the desired size. Alternatively, however, the extruder screw can also grind the respective leather into the desired grain sizes during extrusion, which saves a previous comminution step. The extrusion of the jacket material preferably brings about a homogeneous mixing of leather parts and thermoplastic, which means that a separate mixing step can also be saved. If necessary, however, mixing can also take place before feeding to the extruder in order to homogenize the distribution of leather parts and thermoplastic. In this way, the textile fibers produced can have particularly constant properties. The use of extrusion processes makes it possible to vary the respective process parameters very easily and in a wide range. The extrusion process can also include a melt spinning process or be part of it. Variable process parameters are, for example, the starting materials of the core and cladding, setting their respective diameter or thickness, the temperatures during spinning and further process steps, a respective throughput, a spinning draft and the use of the respective spinneret packs.

An integral connection of the jacket and the core can be realized by fusing the thermoplastics at a contact surface between the core and the jacket. The respective thermoplastics are preferably liquefied during extrusion. When they are fed together to the spinneret block, they connect firmly to one another, in particular in a materially bonded manner. This creates an integral textile fiber.

The process can therefore be a single-stage spinning process. The respective spinning speeds are preferably at least 3000 m / min., Particularly preferably at least 4000 m / min. However, spinning speeds of up to 5500 m / min can also be used. can be achieved. Accordingly, a material throughput per spinning station of at least 10 kg / h can be achieved, more preferably of at least 15 kg / h. However, a material throughput of up to 20 kg / h per spinning station can also be achieved. Two extruders are preferably used: one each for the jacket and one for the core. The respective core material and shell material are conveyed together into a spinneret block, in particular by the extruder screws. The single-stage process can therefore have a particularly high productivity.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the method, it is provided that the sheath and the core are manufactured separately and are connected to one another to form the textile fiber. Such a process can also be referred to as a two-stage process. The connection and / or arrangement of the jacket on the core can be done, for example, by sheathing the core that has already been produced with the jacket. Alternatively, the core can also be inserted into the shell, which can also be referred to as threading. Even in the case of separate production, a connection between the jacket and the core can be made by melting the respective thermoplastic. For example, these can also be glued to one another. Advantageously, particular properties of the core and the shell can be set particularly well in the two-stage process. For example, a temperature during extrusion of the core can be set particularly easily independently of a temperature of the shell. This makes the process particularly suitable, for example, when using different thermoplastics for the core and shell. In addition, an already finished fiber, in particular a standard synthetic fiber, can be used for the core, which is then further processed into the desired textile fiber with core and shell.

The two-stage method can be designed, for example, similar to the sheathing of foam tubes with a plastic sheath or for sheathing copper wires with a plastic sheath.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the method, it is provided that the method comprises mixing the thermoplastic and the respective leather parts to produce a material of the jacket, the mixing preferably being carried out with melting of the thermoplastic, particularly preferably by means of an extrusion process. The melting facilitates a connection between the shell and the core. By mixing, a particularly homogeneous distribution of the leather parts in the thermoplastic matrix of the shell is achieved, so that the thermoplastic of the shell can also transmit tensile forces in addition to the core. In addition, a particularly uniform outer circumferential surface is achieved in the textile fiber produced. The material of the sheath is used to encase the core. Likewise, a core material that is used to form the core can be provided by mixing, in particular when the core is formed by a combination of several materials such as thermoplastics. The mixing can in particular also cause the thermoplastic of the core to melt, particularly preferably by means of an extrusion process.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the method, it is provided that the textile fiber formed in particular in previous steps, in particular its sheath, in particular the thermoplastic of the sheath, is post-treated, in particular mechanically, chemically or thermally, particularly preferably by means of texturing. Properties of the outer circumferential surface of the textile fiber can thus be adjusted accordingly.

• - Dosieren jeweiliger Ausgangsmaterialien, insbesondere mittels einer Dosiereinheit und/oder vor Zuführen zu einer Extruderschnecke, insbesondere aufweisend eine Dosierschnecke, wobei die Ausgangsmaterialien jeweils dem Kern und dem Mantel zugeordnet sein können;
• - Zuführen jeweiliger Ausgangsmaterialien zu jeweiligen Extruderschnecken, wobei die jeweilige Extruderschnecke jeweils dem Kern und dem Mantel zugeordnet sein kann;
• - Extrudieren der jeweiligen Ausgangsmaterialien, insbesondere unter Verflüssigung wenigstens jeweiliger Thermoplaste;
• - Zuführen der jeweiligen extrudierten Ausgangsmaterialien zu einem oder mehreren Spinndüsenblöcken; insbesondere mittels jeweiliger Spinnpumpen, wobei die Spinnpumpen jeweils dem Kern und dem Mantel bzw. deren Extruderschnecken zugeordnet sein können;
• - Dosieren der Kernmaterials und des Mantelmaterials vor einem Einführen in den Spinndüsenblock, insbesondere mittels der Spinnpumpen;
• - Erzeugen einzelner Filamente bzw. Textilfasern in dem Spinndüsenblock;
• - Erzeugen eines Garns aus einer Mehrzahl an Filamenten, insbesondere in einem Blasschacht mit optionaler Windkühlung und/oder Ölung der Filamente;
• - Strecken und/oder Recken der jeweiligen erzeugten Filamente, Garne, und/oder Textilfasern, insbesondere mittels jeweiliger Duo-Galetten und/oder Mono-Galetten;
• - Aufwickeln der erzeugten Textilfaser bzw. des erzeugten Garns, insbesondere mittels eines Wicklers mit Spule.

The method for producing a textile fiber can also have one or more of the following steps:

• - Dosing of the respective starting materials, in particular by means of a dosing unit and / or before being fed to an extruder screw, in particular having a dosing screw, wherein the starting materials can each be assigned to the core and the shell;
• - Feeding of the respective starting materials to the respective extruder screws, wherein the respective extruder screw can be assigned to the core and the shell;
• - Extruding the respective starting materials, in particular with the liquefaction of at least the respective thermoplastics;
• - feeding the respective extruded starting materials to one or more spinneret blocks; in particular by means of respective spinning pumps, wherein the spinning pumps can each be assigned to the core and the shell or their extruder screws;
• - Dosing the core material and the jacket material prior to introduction into the spinneret block, in particular by means of the spinning pumps;
• - Production of individual filaments or textile fibers in the spinneret block;
• - Production of a yarn from a plurality of filaments, in particular in a blow duct with optional wind cooling and / or oiling of the filaments;
• - stretching and / or stretching of the filaments, yarns and / or textile fibers produced, in particular by means of respective duo-godets and / or mono-godets;
• - Winding up the textile fiber or yarn produced, in particular by means of a winder with a bobbin.

A respective spinning process or the method can be fully automatic. A spinning plant for the production of a bicomponent fiber can have two separate extruders in order to melt a core granulate and a shell granulate. The granulate can be fed into the dosing unit. In the extruder, the granulate can be melted using shear forces and / or built-in heaters, in particular designed as heating zones. The respective melt can be introduced into the respective spinning pump via heated pipes. The spinning pump can direct or push the melt into the spinneret. Here, for example, the melt can be filtered by sand and / or steel mesh filters and / or homogenized using glass balls. The melt can then exit through holes in a nozzle plate. The spinning pump can be used for the exact dosing of the respective melts, which is important for a uniform result, especially with two materials. The spin pack or the spinning nozzle block can be used to build up a counterpressure and to shape or form respective filaments.

The method can also have the step of spinning a yarn from one or more textile fibers. This can also be referred to as a method of making a yarn. An additional aspect relates to a method for producing a yarn, wherein the method can include spinning a yarn from one or more textile fibers according to the first aspect and / or textile fibers produced according to the method according to the third aspect. A textile according to the second aspect can also be produced from this yarn.

Further features of the invention emerge from the claims, the figures and the description of the figures. Embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to schematic drawings.

• 1 in einer schematischen Schnittansicht eine Textilfaser;
• 2 in einer weiteren schematischen Schnittansicht die Textilfaser gemäß 1; und
• 3 veranschaulicht schematisch eine Herstellanlage und ein Verfahren zur Herstellung von Textilfasern gemäß 1

It shows:

• 1 a schematic sectional view of a textile fiber;
• 2 in a further schematic sectional view the textile fiber according to FIG 1 ; and
• 3 illustrates schematically a manufacturing plant and a method for manufacturing textile fibers according to FIG 1

1 shows a textile fiber 10 , which is shown cut transversely to its longitudinal extent. In 2 is the textile fiber 10 Shown cut orthogonally to its longitudinal extent. The textile fiber has a core 12 on and one the core 12 at least partially enveloping jacket along its longitudinal extension 14th . The coat 14th wraps the core 12 in the circumferential direction along its circumference in the present case completely, whereby the core 12 from the coat 14th is protected and the radial outer surface of the textile fiber 10 completely through the coat 14th is formed. The core 12 is concentric to the mantle 14th arranged, which results in advantageous mechanical properties. However, there are also textile fiber constructions 10 possible at which core 12 and coat 14th are not arranged concentrically and / or the core along its circumference only partially from the jacket 14th is enveloped. In the present case, the core extends 12 axially wider than the jacket due to manufacturing 14th . Preferably the core extend 12 and the coat 14th but the same distance axially. The textile fiber 10 can be designed as a continuous fiber. Shows accordingly 1 just a section.

The core 12 is formed from a thermoplastic, in this case, for example, polyethylene (PE). The coat 14th assigns a matrix 16 on, which is also designed as a polyethylene layer. In the matrix 16 or the thermoplastic 16 of the coat 14th are respective leather parts 18th bound. The leather parts 18th are designed, for example, as leather fibers. The leather parts 18th in the present case extend radially further than the matrix 16 . This makes a predominant part of the outer peripheral surface of the textile fiber 10 through the leather parts 18th educated. In particular, a person will touch the textile fiber 10 initially come into contact almost exclusively with the leather fibers, which creates a feel similar to suede. Even when looking at the textile fiber 10 Only the leather parts are initially radial from the outside 18th seen while the polyethylene matrix 16 is for the most part obscured by this. The textile fiber is accordingly similar 10 also optically strong to a leather or suede.

In 1 is the transition between core 12 and coat 14th presented as a clear separation. However, the two areas can also gradually merge into one another and / or be mixed with one another in an intermediate area. In particular, respective leather parts 18th be unevenly distributed and / or at Kern 12 and coat 16 The same thermoplastic can be used, which means that they bond with one another and are no longer necessarily recognizable as separate layers. The separation then results from an area in which leather is present and another area in which there is no leather. The area with leather is preferably radially outward to the area without leather.

The core 12 represents the tensile strength or basic structural properties of the textile fiber 10 ready. This is independent of a possibly unfavorable distribution of the leather parts 18th in the matrix 16 . The coat 14th represents a protection of the core 12 ready and creates with the leather parts 18th haptic and optical properties similar to a product made entirely of leather. This allows the essential advantages of a synthetic fiber and a natural fiber to be combined. In particular, the freely selectable properties of synthetic fibers are largely retained and at the same time the appearance of the textile fiber becomes 10 Similar to or even indistinguishable from a natural product. The textile fiber is suitable, for example, to be used in clothing, paneling, coverings, covers, handles and / or floor coverings.

The textile fiber 10 can for example have an overall diameter of 500 µm. A radial thickness of the matrix 16 of the mantle, like this one by arrow 20th illustrated may, for example, be equal to or greater than a diameter of the core 12 be and / or smaller than an average diameter of the leather parts 18th or an average fiber length of the leather fibers in the jacket, which can be achieved, for example, by stretching after spinning. This means that at least some of the leather parts are standing 18th automatically at least partially from the matrix 16 emerged. Alternatively or additionally, this can also be done by texturing the textile fiber 10 , for example by means of friction. Also a solution of thermoplastic on the surface of the textile fiber 10 for exposing or enlarged exposure of the leather parts 18th , for example by chemical aftertreatment, is possible.

The core 12 and the coat 14th , especially its matrix 16 , for example, are fused together, bringing the textile fiber 10 is uniformly monolithic.

With the respective leather raw material for the coat 14th it is, for example, shavings from wet blue and / or white shavings and / or ground offcuts from leather processing. Normally, these residues have to be disposed of in a laborious manner and are therefore available in large quantities as inexpensive or even free raw materials. With the textile fiber 10 this waste can be used advantageously as a raw material in order to become part of a particularly high-quality fiber or a particularly high-quality textile. So that is the textile fiber 10 particularly sustainable and environmentally friendly.

3 illustrates in a schematic representation a manufacturing plant, by means of which the textile fiber 10 can be produced. The system has a first metering unit 40 on, by means of which polymer granules a first extruder 42 can be fed. The granulate is melted and conveyed by means of a drive and various heating zones, thus providing a starting material for producing the core 12 is produced. This starting material of the core 12 is powered by a spin pump 44 to a spinneret block 46 dosed promoted.

The system also has a second metering unit 48 on, by means of which polymer granules a second extruder 50 is fed. Furthermore, the second metering unit 48 also a leather starting material, for example the respective leather parts 18th forming leather fibers, the second extruder 50 respectively. The second dosing unit 48 can also mix the granulate and the leather fibers in advance. The second extruder preferably mixes and homogenizes 50 these components of the mantle 14th . The system can also have another with the second extruder 50 have connected dosing unit for separate dosing of the leather fibers. This also enables the leather fibers to be fed to the second extruder at a different location 50 feed, which allows additional process parameters to be set. In the second extruder 50 the plastic granulate is also melted, the leather fibers preferably remaining unchanged. This melt with leather fibers distributed in it as the starting material for the jacket 14th is also by means of another associated spinning pump 64 doses the spinneret block 46 fed. Through the two spinning pumps 44 , 64 the respective proportions can advantageously be precisely matched to one another, which can be important for producing a bicomponent fiber.

When the two starting materials pass through the spinneret block 46 are a single number or a plurality of filaments in a blow shaft 54 generated. A plurality is shown here. The basic structure of the filaments 52 corresponds to the textile fiber 10 , but with much larger diameters. The coat 14th and the core 12 are created together in one step and then only deformed to a nominal size. In particular, a radial thickness of the jacket 14th and / or the matrix 16 be thicker than the respective lengths of the leather parts 18th . The respective The starting material is fed through the spinneret 46 preferably pressed at a temperature which is at least as high as the melting temperature of the respective thermoplastic. In the case of polyethylene, for example, the temperature should be at least 110 ° C. The temperature can be selected to be higher for process reliability and / or to increase the viscosity, for example approx. 180 ° C to 220 ° C. The temperature is preferably below a temperature at which the respective leather parts 18th to be damaged. In the blowhole 54 can the melt or the filaments 52 be cooled quickly to avoid tearing off. An air stream can be provided for this purpose, for example.

In the blowhole 54 can also use an oiler 56 be arranged, which on the respective filaments 52 Apply oil to protect them for further processing. The single or multitude of filaments 52 are in the present case, for example, spun into a yarn, for example also by means of the spinneret block 46 .

Then the yarn or filaments 52 for example, peeled off to stretch and / or stretch it. In particular, a spinning draft is introduced around the respective polymer chains in the filaments 52 align. Simultaneously or alternatively, a diameter of the filaments can thus be influenced, in particular reduced. The textile fiber can then 10 or a yarn with a large number of textile fibers 10 be generated. A duo godet is required for this process step 58 and two mono godets 60 intended. The godets can for example have running rollers. The duo galette 58 can be a drive for pulling off the filaments 52 and provide for their stretching and / or stretching. The mono godets 60 can provide a primary drive without such a function.

Finally the yarn or the textile fibers 10 by means of a winding device with a coil 62 wound up. The yarn obtained in this way can then be further processed into textiles. The process of making the textile fiber 10 can be fully automatic, have a high throughput and provide a textile fiber with a real leather component.

List of reference symbols

10

Textile fiber

12

core

14th

coat

16

Matrix (polyethylene of the jacket)

18th

Leather parts (leather fibers)

20th

Arrow (radial thickness)

40

Dosing unit

42

first extruder

44

Spin pump

46

Spinneret block

48

Dosing unit

50

second extruder

52

Filaments

54

Blasschacht

56

Oiler

58

Duo godets

60

Mono godets

62

Kitchen sink

64

Spin pump

QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Patent literature cited

• US 4131713 [0004]
• US 5958554 [0005]
• EP 1736577 [0006]
• EP 0284784 A2 [0007]

Claims (10)

Textile fiber (10) with a core (12) and a sheath (14) enveloping the core (12) at least partially along its length and at least partially, preferably completely, along its circumference, the core (12) at least one thermoplastic or one thermoplastic-like material, and wherein the jacket (14) has at least one thermoplastic (16) or a thermoplastic-like material and leather parts (18) bound in the thermoplastic (16) or thermoplastic-like material of the jacket (14). Textile fiber (10) after Claim 1 , wherein the leather parts (18) are shavings from leather manufacture and / or a cut, in particular ground cut, from leather blanks. Textile fiber (10) according to one of the Claims 1 or 2 wherein the thermoplastic (16) or thermoplastic-like material of the jacket (14) and the thermoplastic or thermoplastic-like material of the core (12) have an essentially identical composition. Textile fiber (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the thermoplastic (16) or thermoplastic-like material of the sheath (14) and the thermoplastic or thermoplastic-like material of the core (12) are connected to one another, in particular fused. Textile fiber (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the leather parts (18) of the jacket (14) at least partially form an outer circumferential surface of the textile fiber (10) and / or respective leather parts (18) of the jacket (14) at least partially radially outwards the thermoplastic (16) or thermoplastic-like material of the jacket (14) protrude. Textile fiber (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a radial thickness of a part of the sheath (14) formed by the thermoplastic (16) or thermoplastic-like material of the sheath (14) is smaller than an average grain size of respective leather parts (18) of the sheath (14). Textile with at least one textile fiber (10) according to one of the preceding claims, in particular with at least one yarn which has at least one textile fiber (10) according to one of the preceding claims. A method for producing a textile fiber (10), comprising at least the following steps: - Provision of at least one core (12) of the textile fiber (10), the core (12) comprising at least one thermoplastic or thermoplastic-like material; and - Wrapping the core (12) at least partially along its longitudinal extension and at least partially, preferably completely, along its circumference with at least one sheath (14) to form the textile fiber (10), the sheath (14) at least one thermoplastic (16) or thermoplastic-like material and leather parts (18) bonded in the thermoplastic (16) or thermoplastic-like material of the jacket (14). Procedure according to Claim 8 , the sheath (14) and the core (12) being extruded together to form the textile fiber (10) integrally, in particular with an integral connection of the sheath (14) and the core (12) by fusing their thermoplastics or thermoplastic-like materials into one Contact area between the core (12) and the jacket (14). Method according to one of the Claims 8 or 9 , the formed textile fiber (10), in particular its jacket (14), in particular the thermoplastic (16) or thermoplastic-like material of the jacket (14), being post-treated, in particular mechanically, chemically or thermally, particularly preferably by means of texturing.

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