GB1400136A - Process and apparatus for producing staple fibres - Google Patents

Abstract

1400136 Stapling and crimping fibres FIBER INDUSTRIES INC 30 July 1973 [1 Aug 1972] 36135/73 Heading D1F Staple fibres of synthetic material, e.g. nylon, polyester, acrylics, polyolefins, cellulose acetate or triacetate, are produced by pulling a crimped dry, wet or melt-spun filamentary tow by a wetting means through roller means causing differential pulling of the tow whereby the crimps in the filaments are at least partially deregistered, then passing the tow into the cutting means which severs it into staple lengths. In the process shown, a band of tow is fed by rolls 12 into a stuffer-box crimper 14 when a crimped tow passes over a guide 16 and is cross-laid by reciprocating member 18 onto a perforated endless belt 20 which passes through a drying oven 24 in a straight (as shown) or tortuous path. Dried tow passes through a ring guide 28 and between pairs of rollers 30, 32, and 34, 36, the latter rotating at the faster speed to cause slipping of the tow through the former, thence is wrapped in layers about the rotating element of a cutter 48 (which applies 'the traction force to the moving tow) blades 50 of which sever the tow at the innermost layer to yield staple filter 54 which are prevented from accummulating by an air nozzle 56 and fall into a collecting box 58. Roll 30 (also 34) is metallic e.g. of stainless steel, and comprises a pattern e.g. a helical groove or screw thread, cut on its surface and cooperates with a rubber-covered roll 32 (also 36) to apply laterally shifting gripping points across the tow whereby the crimps of individual filaments are pulled out of register.