EP0179340B1 - Method and apparatus for producing a flocked yarn, and a flocked yarn - Google Patents

Abstract

A method and apparatus for producing thread or yarn-like material by electrostatically flocking it or covering it with fibers. Grounded base or carrier threads that are provided with adhesive are moved through an electrostatic field of high voltage, where the surfaces of the carrier threads are flocked all the way around with pretreated short fibers (flock material). During the course of producing the flocked thread or yarn, selective lengths of the carrier threads are nonuniformly flocked in an irregular sequence, with the flock material, in different flock patterns.

Description

Method and device for producing a flock thread or yarn and flock thread or yarn.

The invention relates to a method for producing an electrostatically flocked thread or yarn-shaped material, in which grounded or carrier threads provided with adhesive move through an electrostatic field of high voltage and are related to pre-treated short fibers, so-called flock material be flocked all around on the surface of the carrier thread.

The device according to the invention relates to a system which consists of a flock material store, a flock material dosing means and a flock material transport means, one of two electrodes which are arranged at a distance from one another and can be connected to high voltage, a thread take-up device, a thread tensioning device and a thread dryer. The flock material transporting means is arranged continuously through the space between the electrodes. The flocking chamber is preceded by storage and dosing agents as well as an adhesive application device. The thread sheet drawn off from the creel in front of the flocking chamber is held straight by a tensioning device. The flocked thread sheet is passed through a dryer arranged after the flocking chamber and the threads are then wound up by a winding device.

The well-known flock threads or yarns, which are processed on weaving, Raschel, knitting, knitting or non-woven machines or used for the production of tapes, borders, fabrics, knitted or coated, have a due to their uniform flocking and the same flock construction optically even surface.

This can only be interrupted by binding or laying the flock threads in constructed even images or designs, or a design can be created optically using different colors of the individual flock threads. The repeat of these designs is pre-programmed. In this way, e.g. B. herringbone, plaid or pepita pattern. These result in smooth, uniform or patterned goods.

According to the basic idea of the invention, designs are to be produced from flock threads that have a non-repeating image. Neither an education nor a repeat should be shown.

According to the technical object of the invention, a qualitatively perfect, but confused surface appearance is to be achieved by flocking the carrier threads during the ongoing production process.

According to the invention this is achieved in that certain but selectable carrier thread lengths are flocked differently during the ongoing flocking process, by flocking flock material in different flock patterns in an irregular sequence onto the carrier thread. Here, a flock image is to be understood as once, sometimes less dense and / or tangled or radially ordered all-round flocking. In addition, the flock fiber lengths and the flock colors are different, and the flocking is unequal, the same or mixed for each thread length.

In this way, flock threads are produced which are characterized by different flock structures in an intentionally uncontrolled sequence of different types of flocking and at different intervals.

The designs created from this show neither pictures nor rapport. There is no repetitive picture. Such a uniform unevenness brings life and imagination into the design. Designs with a high flock quality and with such a completely new look and character could not be created so far.

The uneven flocking can be done freely during the flocking process or by controlled use of the influencing variables for flocking during the ongoing process. The different flock patterns differ according to fiber length, fiber density and fiber arrangement direction, i.e. i. radial or non-radial, to the thread carrier.

The irregularities can be achieved by regulating the thread tension of the base or carrier thread. As a result, either radial all-round flocking or predominantly confused all-round flocking, i. i. non-radial all-round flocking to the thread surface. The irregularities can also be achieved by regulating the electrode high voltage, by means of which an optimal radial or tangled density or a. less dense flocking is achieved. Furthermore, by deliberately switching on the one and / or other existing metering device, which contain different flock materials separated according to fineness, length and color, a conscious flock pattern irregularity can be controlled.

The procedure after registration makes it possible to produce a flocked thread which, in its diversity of the individual flock constructions arranged in a row, cannot be compared with any known product in terms of expressiveness and imagination with high quality. The combination of the individual flock constructions affects both the respective length sections of the base or carrier thread as well as the different sequences in the flocked thread.

The repeat size in the yarn can be adjusted depending on the later use or the intended processing method of the flock thread. It can preferably be between 10 and 5000 meters. This ensures for the further processor of the flocked threads that a perfect, orderly, confused product image of the fabric, knitted fabric or the like can be obtained without the dreaded formation.

The flock constructions in the optional order can be changed to any length from preferably 5 cm to 7 m. At the same time, this also changes the color impressions that can be visually perceived. This results in a so-called effect flock thread.

The flock thread obtained has both tight radial and tangled flocking on certain, but selectable length sections, partly with long, partly with short flock fibers in a flock arrangement that is once more and once less dense. Each flock thread thus obtained has a particularly effective effect. So you get a new effect flock thread. The deliberate irregularity in construction and sequence can be achieved by flocking the threads through a number of adjustment options during production. This is done in a device that essentially consists of a flock transport device with preferably several storage / dosing devices containing different flock constructions, two spaced apart, high-voltage and tension-controllable electrodes and a thread take-off device with a tensioning device that can be regulated with the thread tension. The base threads or carrier threads are moved through this device and are preferably flocked in an irregularly controlled manner.

• Fig. 1 eine Auswahl von verschiedenen Flockbildern für ein Effektflockgarn,
• Fig. 2 eine Vorrichtung zum Herstellen eins Effektflockgarnes, schematisch dargestellt,
• Fig. 3 einen Effektflockfaden, der aus sich aneinanderanschließenden unterschiedlichen Flockbildern besteht.

The invention is illustrated and explained in exemplary embodiments. It shows

• 1 shows a selection of different flock images for an effect flock yarn,
• 2 shows a device for producing an effect flock yarn, shown schematically,
• Fig. 3 shows an effect flock thread, which consists of different flock images adjoining one another.

• Bild 21 einen dicht, radial rundumbeflockten Fadenabschnitt ; Flockschnittlänge etwa 0,5-1 mm, Flockdichte 100 %, bezogen auf die Fadenoberfläche ;
• Bild 22 einen weniger dicht, radial rundumbeflockten Fadenabschnitt, Flockschnittlänge etwa 0,5-1 mm, Flockdichte etwa 85-90 %;
• Bild 23 einen dicht, wirr beflockten Fadenabschnitt ; Flockschnittlänge etwa 0,5-1 mm, Flockdichte 98-100 ;
• Bild 24 einen weniger dicht, wirr beflockten Fadenabschnitt ; Flockschnittlän^ge etwa 0,5-1 mm, Flockdichte 85-90 %; Der Flock nach Bild 23 und 24 steht nicht im Winkel von im wesentlichen 90° zum Fadenkern, sondern unter zum Teil erheblich abweichendem Winkel von bis zu 30°,
• Bild 25 einen dicht, radial rundumbeflockten Fadenabschnitt ; Flockschnittlänge etwa 1-1,5 mm, Flockdichte 100 %, bezogen auf die Fadenoberfläche ;
• Bild 26 einen weniger dicht, radial rundumbeflockten Fadenabschnitt ; Flockschnittlänge etwa 1-1,5 mm, Flockdichte etwa 85-90 % ;
• Bild 27 einen dicht, wirr beflockten Fadenabschnitt ; Fadenlänge etwa 1-1,5 mm, Flockdichte 98-100 % ;
• Bild 28 einen weniger dicht, wirr beflockten Fadenabschnitt ; Fadenschnittlänge etwa 1-1,5 mm, Flockdichte 85-90 %. Es gilt das zu Bild 24 ergänzend Genannte.

Various flock construction arrangements, called flock images, are shown in a selection in FIG. 1. The carrier thread is 19 and the flock is 20. It shows

• Figure 21 a tight, radially all around flocked thread section; Flock cut length about 0.5-1 mm, flock density 100%, based on the thread surface;
• Figure 22 a less dense, radially all around flocked thread section, flock cut length about 0.5-1 mm, flock density about 85-90%;
• Fig. 23 a dense, tangled flock section; Flock cut length about 0.5-1 mm, flock density 98-100;
• Fig. 24 a less dense, tangled thread section; Flockschnittlän ^g e is about 0.5-1 mm, flock density 85-90%; The flock according to Figures 23 and 24 is not at an angle of essentially 90 ° to the thread core, but at an angle of up to 30 °, which in some cases differs considerably
• 25 a tight, radially all-round flocked thread section; Flock cut length about 1-1.5 mm, flock density 100%, based on the thread surface;
• Figure 26 a less dense, radially all around flocked thread section; Flock cut length about 1-1.5 mm, flock density about 85-90%;
• Fig. 27 a tight, tangled flock section; Thread length about 1-1.5 mm, flock density 98-100%;
• Figure 28 a less dense, tangled flock section; Thread cut length about 1-1.5 mm, flock density 85-90%. The supplementary to picture 24 applies.

The device for flocking according to FIG. 2 consists of an endless conveyor 15, the flock stores 2, 3, 4 assigned to the flocking chamber 11 on the inlet side and containing different flock materials, which are formed from the containers 5, 7, 9 and the metering devices 6, 8, 10 , the flocking chamber 11 with the high-voltage connectable upper electrode 12 and lower electrode 13, the take-off reel creel 16, the dryer 17 and the tension device 18 which can be controlled by the thread tension, the latter and the creel forming the take-off mechanism. The electrostatic field is designated 14.

The base or carrier threads 19 are moved through this device 1 and are flocked differently with flock 20 in the flocking chamber 11.

The effect flock thread 30 shown in FIG. 3 consists of different flock images 21-28 which are flocked in an irregular sequence, whereby for the repeat units, i. i. pure flocking and transition to a subsequent flocking of different types in the time unit, e.g. B. 0.2 meters thread path per second, an alternating high voltage of z. B. 50 KV to 40 KV, changing thread tension from z. B. 400 grams to 800 grams or 200 or 600 grams and changing dosages from one to the other flock construction are specified.

According to this, R - repeat unit, Ü transition, overlap, E - high tension, F - thread tension and D - dosage, eg. B. Di D ₂ ...

Due to the different controls / unit of time, the transitions or overlaps and the distances to the respective flock picture constructions in the respective thread length sections are very different for each of the individual influencing variables. Such effect flock threads do not cause undesired formation in the further processing into fabrics or other textile goods.

Areas of application are e.g. B. the upholstery industry, especially automotive upholstery. The carrier thread is first flocked with thread tension F = 400 g and electrical high voltage E = 50 KV with flock material in dosage D, on a thread length 29L, with flock according to flock pattern 21 = short fiber radially, tightly and then after a first change of the electrical high voltage E 'Flocked less densely to 40 KV. There is no overlap point Ü pure flock construction. This is followed by flocking with fibers according to flock pattern 22 and then another high-voltage change to E = 50 KV, but meanwhile the thread tension F 'has changed to 600 g and this has resulted in tangled flocking according to flock pattern 23.

Then the dosage is changed from D ₁ to D ₂ . With high tension E = 40 KV and decreasing thread tension F, flock is now flocked on a thread length 291 ₂ according to flock pattern 26 with long fibers radially, but less densely.

The consequence of flocking with different flock constructions and types of flock due to changing influencing variables with regard to thread tension F, high tension E and material or its dosage D is continued in the sequence indicated with flock pattern 28, 25 etc.

The repeat unit R is z. B. after 1000 s while production of the effect flock thread 30 with approx. 236 m is reached and repeated during the production of the additional effect flock thread repeat length.

In this way, an effect flock thread is obtained that shows neither image formation nor repeat in the production of designs, since the deliberately uniform non-uniformity creates a product character that has not been possible until now, and which creates a new product image due to the high flock quality.

Claims (11)

1. A method for producing an electrostatically flocked, filamentary or yarn-like material, wherein earthed baseor carrier-filaments (19), which are provided with an adhesive, are conducted through en electrostatic field (14) of high voltage and are flocked all-over with previously-treated short fibres which have been conducted thereto (flock material 20), relative to the carrier-filament surface, characterised in that, during the on-going production of the flock filament or yarn (30), predetermined selectable carrier-filament lengths (291_1.291₂- ..) are unevenly flocked in an irregular sequence with flock material (20) of different flock patterns (21-28).

2. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the carrierfilament (19) is unevenly flocked by the controlled use of the influential parameters (material, metering, tension) whilst the flock filament is being produced.

3. A method as claimed in claims 1 and 2, wherein flock material (20), having a flock pattern (21-28) which is variable in terms of fibre length, fibre density and direction of fibre disposition, is flocked onto the carrier-filaments (19).

4. A method as claimed in claims 1 to 3, wherein flock material (20) having a variable coloration is used.

5. A method as claimed in claims 1 to 4, wherein the filament tension F of the carrier-filaments (19) is changed during production of the flock filament.

6. A method as claimed in claims 1 to 5, wherein the high voltage E of the electrostatic field (14) is changed during production of the flock filament.

7. A method as claimed in claims 1 to 6, wherein the switching-off operation for the individual, different flock materials from the flock storage means (2, 3...) is changed during production of the flock filament.

8. A method as claimed in claims 1 to 7, wherein the metering (D_i, D₂...) of the flock materials (20) is changed during production of the flock filament.

9. A device for carrying out the method as claimed in claims 1 to 8, comprising flock storage means, flock metering means and flock conveyor means (2, 3, 4 ; 8, 7, 9 ; 6, 8, 10 ; 15), two electrodes (12, 13) which are spaced from one another and are connectable to electrical high voltage, a filament unwinding mechanism (16), a filament tensioning device (18) and a drying device (17), characterised in that storage and metering means (2-4 ; 6-10) for different flock structures and colours are provided in the inlet region of the flocking chamber (11), and the metering means (6, 8, 10), the electrodes (12, 13) and the filament tensioning device (18) are adjustable.

10. A flock filament or yarn, comprising carrier-filaments (19) and flock (20), produced in accordance with claims 1 to 9, characterised by an effect flock filament (30) which is provided with different flock patterns (21-28) in any desirable sequence in pre-determined, selectable filament lengths (291, ...).

11. A flock filament as claimed in claim 10, wherein an effect flock filament is provided which is adjustable with respect to repeat size in the yarn or filament.

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