WO2023228072A1 - Method for enriching a textile fiber bundle intended for a spinning line, electrospinning station, enriched yarn and use thereof - Google Patents

Method for enriching a textile fiber bundle intended for a spinning line, electrospinning station, enriched yarn and use thereof Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2023228072A1
WO2023228072A1 PCT/IB2023/055284 IB2023055284W WO2023228072A1 WO 2023228072 A1 WO2023228072 A1 WO 2023228072A1 IB 2023055284 W IB2023055284 W IB 2023055284W WO 2023228072 A1 WO2023228072 A1 WO 2023228072A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
fiber bundle
textile fiber
electrospinning
rollers
bundle
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/IB2023/055284
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Filippo ALDEGHI
Original Assignee
MARZOLI MACHINES TEXTILE S.r.l.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by MARZOLI MACHINES TEXTILE S.r.l. filed Critical MARZOLI MACHINES TEXTILE S.r.l.
Publication of WO2023228072A1 publication Critical patent/WO2023228072A1/en

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Classifications

    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D02—YARNS; MECHANICAL FINISHING OF YARNS OR ROPES; WARPING OR BEAMING
    • D02G—CRIMPING OR CURLING FIBRES, FILAMENTS, THREADS, OR YARNS; YARNS OR THREADS
    • D02G3/00—Yarns or threads, e.g. fancy yarns; Processes or apparatus for the production thereof, not otherwise provided for
    • D02G3/22—Yarns or threads characterised by constructional features, e.g. blending, filament/fibre
    • D02G3/40—Yarns in which fibres are united by adhesives; Impregnated yarns or threads
    • D02G3/404—Yarns or threads coated with polymeric solutions
    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D01—NATURAL OR MAN-MADE THREADS OR FIBRES; SPINNING
    • D01D—MECHANICAL METHODS OR APPARATUS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF ARTIFICIAL FILAMENTS, THREADS, FIBRES, BRISTLES OR RIBBONS
    • D01D5/00—Formation of filaments, threads, or the like
    • D01D5/0007—Electro-spinning
    • D01D5/0061—Electro-spinning characterised by the electro-spinning apparatus
    • D01D5/0076—Electro-spinning characterised by the electro-spinning apparatus characterised by the collecting device, e.g. drum, wheel, endless belt, plate or grid
    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D01—NATURAL OR MAN-MADE THREADS OR FIBRES; SPINNING
    • D01D—MECHANICAL METHODS OR APPARATUS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF ARTIFICIAL FILAMENTS, THREADS, FIBRES, BRISTLES OR RIBBONS
    • D01D5/00—Formation of filaments, threads, or the like
    • D01D5/0007—Electro-spinning
    • D01D5/0061—Electro-spinning characterised by the electro-spinning apparatus
    • D01D5/0076—Electro-spinning characterised by the electro-spinning apparatus characterised by the collecting device, e.g. drum, wheel, endless belt, plate or grid
    • D01D5/0084—Coating by electro-spinning, i.e. the electro-spun fibres are not removed from the collecting device but remain integral with it, e.g. coating of prostheses
    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D02—YARNS; MECHANICAL FINISHING OF YARNS OR ROPES; WARPING OR BEAMING
    • D02G—CRIMPING OR CURLING FIBRES, FILAMENTS, THREADS, OR YARNS; YARNS OR THREADS
    • D02G3/00—Yarns or threads, e.g. fancy yarns; Processes or apparatus for the production thereof, not otherwise provided for
    • D02G3/22—Yarns or threads characterised by constructional features, e.g. blending, filament/fibre
    • D02G3/36—Cored or coated yarns or threads
    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D02—YARNS; MECHANICAL FINISHING OF YARNS OR ROPES; WARPING OR BEAMING
    • D02G—CRIMPING OR CURLING FIBRES, FILAMENTS, THREADS, OR YARNS; YARNS OR THREADS
    • D02G3/00—Yarns or threads, e.g. fancy yarns; Processes or apparatus for the production thereof, not otherwise provided for
    • D02G3/22—Yarns or threads characterised by constructional features, e.g. blending, filament/fibre
    • D02G3/38—Threads in which fibres, filaments, or yarns are wound with other yarns or filaments, e.g. wrap yarns, i.e. strands of filaments or staple fibres are wrapped by a helically wound binder yarn

Definitions

  • the present invention refers to a method for enriching a textile fiber bundle intended for a weaving machine in a spinning line for transforming fibers into yarn.
  • the present invention also refers to an electrospinning station, employable in the aforesaid method, as well as a yarn or fabric obtained from a textile fiber bundle enriched according to the aforesaid enrichment method.
  • non-woven textile materials are known to be produced, such as by thermoforming textile fibers into thermopolymers.
  • Such non-woven textile fabrics (henceforth, NWT) inconveniently have great inherent variability in fiber size.
  • the traditional electrospinning processes allow for the creation of nanofiber layers, or films, deposited on substrates from which the NWT portions may then be separated.
  • traditional electrospinning processes allow layers of nanofibers obtained by electrospinning to be deposited on a fabric so as to cover portions of the fabric previously woven from yarns obtained by known spinning techniques.
  • a further object of the present invention is to identify a method for producing textile fibers and yarns
  • FIG. 1 is a diagram of a textile production line, that is, a spinning, according to the present invention, in accordance with an embodiment
  • FIG. 2 is a planar elevation view of an electrospinning station according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 3 is a plan view from above of the electrospinning station in Fig. 2, according to an embodiment of the present invention
  • FIG. 3a is a planar elevation view of an electrospinning station according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 3b is a plan view from above of the electrospinning station in Fig. 3a, according to an embodiment of the present invention
  • FIG. 3c is a planar elevation view of an electrospinning station according to a further embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 3d is a plan view from above of the electrospinning station in Fig. 3c, wherein, for the sake of representational clarity, the chamber 9 containing the electrospinning device is not shown;
  • FIG. 4 is an axonometric view of a bundle winding roller, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 5 shows three orthogonal views of a drawing frame system according to an embodiment of the present invention, comprising a drawing frame 100, a creel 110, and an electrospinning station 1, 1' arranged downstream of the creel and upstream of the drawing frame; in particular, a plan view from above of the drawing frame system is shown at the top, a planar elevation view is shown at the bottom, and a planar lateral view of the drawing frame system is shown on the left;
  • FIG. 6 shows three orthogonal views of a roving frame system according to an embodiment of the present invention and comprising a roving frame 800, bobbins 802, and an electrospinning station 1, 1' arranged downstream of the bobbins and upstream of the roving frame; in particular, a plan view from above of the roving frame system is shown at the top, a planar elevation view is shown at the bottom, and a planar lateral view of the roving frame system is shown on the left;
  • FIG. 7 is an axonometric view of a bundle conveying station according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • a spinning line 1000 installed in a spinning mill, comprises one or more weaving machines 200, 400, 600, 800, e.g. comprises one or more bio wroom machines 200 (e.g. a plucker, a mixer, an opener, a mixer loader, a scale loader, or a tuft blender), one or more carding machines 400, one or more combing machines 600 (e.g., a drawing frame, lap winder, or comber), one or more spinning machines 800 (e.g., a roving frame or spinning frame), installed in the spinning mill, and one or more electrospinning stations (1, 1'), arranged upstream or downstream of one or more of the weaving machines.
  • bio wroom machines 200 e.g. a plucker, a mixer, an opener, a mixer loader, a scale loader, or a tuft blender
  • carding machines 400 e.g., a carding machines 400
  • combing machines 600 e.g., a drawing frame, lap winder, or com
  • the electrospinning station 1 is suitable for enriching a textile fiber bundle 2 with solid nanofibers 25 generated by electrospinning.
  • the textile fiber bundle 2, once enriched, is preferably intended for processing in a weaving machine 3 of a spinning line 1000 comprising one or more weaving machines 3, e.g., a blow room machine 200 or a carding machine 400, or a combing machine 600 or a spinning or slubbing machine 800.
  • the electrospinning station 1 comprises an electrospinning device 120, preferably a needleless electrospinning device.
  • the electrospinning device 120 comprises a reserve 11, 11' suitable for containing an enrichment solution 13 (i.e., an electrospinnable solution), for example a solution containing natural and/or artificial polymers and/or monomers dissolved in one or more solvents.
  • the enrichment solution 13 is suitable for forming solid nanofibers 25 by electrospinning that are deposited on the textile fiber bundle 2 in the electrospinning process.
  • the electrospinning device 120 comprises an emitter electrode 10, 10', in some cases known as a spinneret, preferably a rotating electrode (e.g., a rotating drum), suitable for being arranged on a first side 22 of the textile fiber bundle 2.
  • a spinneret preferably a rotating electrode (e.g., a rotating drum), suitable for being arranged on a first side 22 of the textile fiber bundle 2.
  • the emitter electrode 10, 10' is at least partially or totally bathed in the enrichment solution 13.
  • the electrospinning device 120 comprises a collector electrode 12, 12' facing and spaced apart from the emitter electrode 10, 10' and suitable for being arranged on a second side 23 of the textile fiber bundle 3, opposite to the first side 22, so that, due to an electric field generated between the emitter electrode 10, 10' and the collector electrode 12, 12', the solid nanofibers 25 are formed starting from the enrichment solution 13 and these solid nanofibers 25 are transported on the textile fiber bundle 2, with the consequent deposit of the solid nanofibers 25 on the textile fiber bundle 2 in order to obtain an enriched fiber bundle 21.
  • the electrospinning station 1 comprises one or more bundle winding rollers 7, wherein each bundle winding roller 7 is rotatable about its own roller rotation axis Z, Z1, Z2, Z3 for guiding the textile fiber bundle 2 to be wound around the bundle winding roller 7 in coils 71 (that is, so as to form coils 71) about the roller rotation axis Z, Z1, Z2, Z3.
  • the one or more bundle winding rollers 7 are arranged between the emitter electrode 10, 10' and the collector electrode 12, 12' so that, due to electrospinning effect, solid fibers 25 are deposited onto a first side 22 of the textile fiber bundle 2 wound around said one or more bundle winding rollers 7.
  • the coils 71 may be formed partially around the roller rotation axis Z, Z1, Z2, Z3.
  • the coils 71 are formed around more than one roller rotation axis so as to span two or more roller rotation axes Z, Z1, Z2, Z3, as for example shown in Fig. 3 to 3d.
  • the electrospinning station 1 comprises guide means 720 configured to guide the bundle of textile fibers 2 to form coils 71 in a helical shape 81, 82 around multiple bundle winding rollers 7, so that, in an electrospinning space region S resulting between at least two rollers 700, 701; 702, 703 of said bundle winding rollers 7, multiple coils 71 of the same textile fiber bundle 2 are formed, spaced apart along a direction Z' parallel to the roller rotation axis Z, Z1, Z2, Z3.
  • the guide means are configured in such a way that the optimal distance between the coils 71 may be adjusted according to the type and size of the textile fiber bundle 2.
  • This makes it possible to minimize the amount of dispersed solid nanofibers 25, that is, those solid nanofibers 25 that, when passing between the coils 71, are not retained on the textile fiber bundle 2 and are deposited on the collector electrode 12, 12'. Furthermore, this allows the number of passes of the textile fiber bundle 2 in the region in which the depositing of solid nanofibers 25 takes place to be optimized according to specific needs.
  • the guide means are suitable for guiding the textile fiber bundle 2 in such a way that the distance between the coils 71 is increasing or decreasing along the direction Z' parallel to the roller rotation axis Z, Z1, Z2, Z3. This makes it possible to adjust the appropriate amount of solid nanofibers 25 that are gradually deposited on the textile fiber bundle, since the amount of solid nanofibers 25 that are deposited also depends on the amount of solid nanofibers 25 already deposited.
  • the electrospinning space S resulting between at least two rollers 700, 701; 702, 703 is defined as the region of space facing towards both rollers, that is, the region of space defined between two imaginary planes Pl, P2; P3, P4 tangent to an outer surface of the two rollers 700, 701; 702, 703, parallel to the roller rotation axis Z, Z1, Z2, Z3 of each winding roller 7 and traversable by the coils 71.
  • the guide means 720 allow the distance between the coils 71 to be varied without changing the size of the electrospinning space S.
  • the guide means 720 comprise protuberances or depressions 72 present on each bundle winding roller 7.
  • the guide means comprise coil guides 721 that are either fixed with respect to the one or more bundle winding rollers 7 or movable (e.g., rotatable) independently of the rotation of the one or more bundle winding rollers 7 and are suitable for receiving the textile fiber bundle 2 in sliding contact.
  • the fact that the coil guides 721 are movable independently of the rotation of the one or more bundle winding rollers 7 means that they are not directly connected to the bundle winding roller for rotation but may rotate independently or may be dragged in motion by the textile fiber bundle 2 or other transmission system or otherwise may rotate around a rotation axis different from the rotation axis of the bundle winding rollers 7.
  • the coil guides comprise one or more bulkheads, one or more fixed or rotatable cylinders, one or more posts or a combination thereof, or similar mechanical guides.
  • the coil guides 721 preferably posts or cylinders (e.g., rotatable posts or cylinders), are placed in the electrospinning region of space S. This allows the spaces of the electrospinning station to be optimized.
  • the coil guides 721 are posts or cylinders positioned in such a way as to have their main axis of extension (or of rotation, if rotatable) positioned incident to or perpendicular to the roller rotation axis Z, Z1, Z2, Z3.
  • these posts or cylinders are spaced apart along a direction Z' parallel to this roller rotation axis Z, Z1, Z2, Z3.
  • said posts or cylinders are repositionable along the direction Z' parallel to the roller rotation axis Z, Z1, Z2, Z3 so that the distance between the posts or cylinders, and consequently the distance between the coils 71, may be adjusted.
  • each bundle winding roller 7 comprises protuberances or depressions 72 (that is, the guide means 720 in the form of protuberances or depressions) for guiding the textile fiber bundle 2 to be wound around the bundle winding roller 7 in coils 71 spaced apart along the roller rotation axis Z, Z1, Z2, Z3.
  • each bundle winding roller 7 may also have a smooth outer surface, without depressions or protuberances 72.
  • the depositing of the solid fibers 25 occurs while the textile fiber bundle 2 is moving along a bundle running direction X, preferably a direction incident to or perpendicular to the direction of transport of the enrichment solution from the emitter electrode toward the textile fiber bundle 2.
  • the one or more bundle winding rollers 7 comprise a first group of rollers 7' and a second group of rollers 7'’, spaced apart from the first group of rollers.
  • the first group of rollers 7' is arranged so as to expose the first side 22 of the textile fiber bundle 2 to the solid fibers 25 coming from the electrospinning device 120.
  • the second group of rollers 7'' is arranged downstream of the first group of rollers 7' in the bundle running direction X so as to receive the textile fiber bundle 2 already enriched on the first side 22 and so as to expose a second side 23 of the textile fiber bundle 2 to the solid fibers 25 coming from the electrospinning device 120.
  • the second group of rollers 7'' comprises one or more second group rollers 700, 701, each rotatable about its own roller rotation axis Z, Z1 in the opposite direction to the rotation direction of the first group of rollers 7'', so that the second side 23 of the textile fiber bundle 2 is easily exposed, and a small footprint of the electrospinning station 120 is maintained, along with mechanical symmetry and an equal utilization of components.
  • the electrospinning station 1 comprises an idler roller 7’’’ arranged between the first group of rollers 7' and the second group of rollers 7'' in the bundle running direction X.
  • the idler roller 7’’’ is out of alignment with respect to the first group of rollers 7' and the second group of rollers 7''.
  • the idler roller 7 , , ' is rotatable about an idler roller rotation axis Z4 out of alignment with respect to the roller rotation axes Z, Z1, Z2, Z3 of the first group of rollers 7' and the second group of rollers 7''.
  • the roller rotation axes Z, Z1, Z2, Z3 of the first group of rollers 7' and of the second group of rollers 7'' all lie on a single plane of rotation axes.
  • the idler roller 7’’’ is Out of alignment with respect to the first group of rollers 7' and the second group of rollers 7'' in that its idler roller rotation axis Z4 does not lie on the same plane of rotation axes, e.g., the idler roller rotation axis Z4 lies on a plane parallel to the plane of rotation axes.
  • the first group of rollers 7' comprises a first group first roller 702 and a first group second roller 703.
  • the second group of rollers 7'' also comprises a second group first roller 700 and a second group second roller 701.
  • the first group first roller 702 and the first group second roller 703 are each rotatable around their rotation axis Z2, Z3 and both in a same first rotation direction R1.
  • the second group first roller 700 and the second group second roller 701 are also each rotatable around their rotation axis Z, Z1 and both in the same second rotation direction R2 opposite to the first rotation direction R1.
  • the present invention also refers to an electrospinning station 1 that comprises a textile fiber bundle 2 which is transported therein, which is movable along the bundle running direction X and arranged around the first group of rollers 7' and the second group of rollers 7''.
  • the textile fiber bundle 2 is therefore preferably arranged around the first group of rollers 7' and the second group of rollers 7’’.
  • the textile fiber bundle 2 forms a first helical shape 81 around the first group of rollers 7' and a second helical shape 82 around the second group of rollers 7''.
  • the electrospinning station 1 comprises a chamber 9 that contains the electrospinning device 120.
  • the electrospinning station 1 also comprises suction means 91 configured to suction any residual textile fibers inside the chamber 9 and/or fumes deriving from the evaporation of solvents from the enrichment solution.
  • the present invention also refers to a method for enriching a textile fiber bundle 2 preferably intended for a weaving machine 3, such as a blowroom machine 200 or a carding machine 400, or a drawing machine 600 or combing machine, or a spinning or slubbing machine 800.
  • a weaving machine 3 such as a blowroom machine 200 or a carding machine 400, or a drawing machine 600 or combing machine, or a spinning or slubbing machine 800.
  • the method according to the present invention comprises the operating steps of:
  • a first electrospinning station 1 e.g., of the type described in the present document, which is therefore suitable for producing solid nanofibers 25 by an electrospinning device 120, which is preferably needleless;
  • the first electrospinning station 1 is positioned in the process of treating or creating the textile fiber bundle 2, e.g. upstream of a weaving machine 3, or downstream of a weaving machine, or on a weaving machine 3 (e.g., integrated into the weaving machine 3), in the bundle running direction X.
  • the method also comprises the operating step of providing the weaving machine 3.
  • step c) the step of depositing solid fibers 25 on the textile fiber bundle 2 for obtaining an enriched textile fiber bundle 21 is carried out with the textile fiber bundle 2 in motion.
  • step c) the step of laying solid fibers 25 on the textile fiber bundle 2 to obtain an enriched textile fiber bundle 21 is carried out with the textile fiber bundle 2 stationary or temporarily stationary in the bundle running direction X.
  • step c) comprises the operating step of:
  • step c) comprises the operating step of: cl) winding the textile fiber bundle 2 around one or more bundle winding rollers 7, wherein each bundle winding roller 7 comprises protuberances or depressions 72 for guiding the textile fiber bundle 2 to be wound around the bundle winding roller 7 in coils 71 spaced apart along a roller rotation axis Z.
  • the protuberances or depressions 72 are either a single helix-shaped protuberance or a single helix-shaped depression, each winding continuously around the roller rotation axis Z, preferably substantially along the entire length of the roller along the roller rotation axis Z.
  • the one or more bundle winding rollers 7 comprise a first group of rollers 7' and a second group of rollers 7'’, spaced apart from the first group of rollers, and said step cl) comprises the operating steps of:
  • step ell2 subsequent to step ell) and downstream of the first group of rollers 7' in the bundle running direction X, winding the textile fiber bundle 2 around the second group of rollers 7' in such a way that a second side 23 of the textile fiber bundle 2 is exposed to the solid fibers 25 coming from the electrospinning device 120; said second side 23 is at least partially free from the solid fibers 25 deposited as a result of electrospinning on the first side during the passage of the textile fiber bundle 2 on the first group of rollers 7'.
  • the method comprises the additional steps of:
  • [0079]b2) providing a bundle conveying station 4 and, by means of said bundle conveying station 4, rotating the enriched textile fiber bundle 21 at the outlet from the first electrospinning station 1 so as to expose a second side 23 of said enriched textile fiber bundle 21 for receiving the solid fibers 25; this second side 23 is at least partially free from the solid fibers 25 deposited as a result of electrospinning in the first electrospinning station 1.
  • each first and second electrospinning station may itself enrich both sides of the fiber bundle 2, as described in the embodiments of the present invention (e.g. in Fig. 2, 3, 3a and 3b).
  • each first and second electrospinning station 1, 1' are configured to enrich both sides of the fiber bundle 2, due to the additional bundle conveying station 4, it is therefore possible to perform a double enrichment on both sides of the bundle, reversing the side between the first and second electrospinning stations 1, 1', thus improving the homogeneity of the enrichment .
  • step c) is carried out by means of an electrospinning station with a needleless electrospinning device.
  • the bundle conveying station 4 comprises a guide 41, such as a bent sheet, which slidably supportingly receives the textile fiber bundle 2 on a curved guide surface 410 of said guide 41 to rotate the enriched textile fiber bundle 21 at the outlet from the first electrospinning station 1 so as to expose the second side 23 of said enriched textile fiber bundle 21 to the solid fibers 25 coming from the electrospinning device 120.
  • a guide 41 such as a bent sheet
  • the present invention also refers to a yarn or fabric composed of an enriched textile fiber bundle 21 obtained by the enrichment method described herein. It is clear that “yarn” may also mean a sliver obtained from blow room or carding or combing machines or even a roving obtained from spinning machines, such as a fly frame, or a thread.
  • the present invention also refers to a yarn composed of an enriched textile fiber bundle 21 comprising textile fibers, e.g., natural textile fibers or synthetic textile fibers, enriched with solid nanofibers 25 obtained by electrospinning and interwoven with the textile fibers.
  • textile fibers e.g., natural textile fibers or synthetic textile fibers
  • solid nanofibers 25 obtained by electrospinning and interwoven with the textile fibers.
  • the solid nanofibers 25 are not only superficially deposited on the yarn but are woven and embedded together with the textile fibers that make up the yarn.
  • solid nanofibers 25 are only superficially deposited on the yarn.
  • the textile fibers are natural textile fibers, such as cotton, linen, or wool.
  • the textile fibers are synthetic textile fibers, for example textile fibers made from synthetic polymers such as polyamides or polyesters.
  • synthetic textile fibers made from synthetic polymers such as polyamides or polyesters.
  • an electrospinning station 1, 1' is preferably located directly upstream of the roving frame 800, as for example shown in Fig. 6.
  • an electrospinning station 1, 1' is positioned immediately upstream of a flyer rail 801 of the roving frame 800, or upstream of a roving frame pressure arm.
  • the electrospinning station is suitable for enriching the feed sliver of the roving frame 800, or the roving being formed in the roving frame 800 directly, depending on the positioning of the electrospinning station.
  • an electrospinning station 1, 1' is preferably placed directly upstream of the drawing frame 100, as for example shown in Fig. 5.
  • the electrospinning station 1, 1' is suitable for enriching the feed sliver of the drawing frame 100.
  • the electrospinning station is installed on the drawing frame to directly enrich the sliver being formed in the drawing frame 100, depending on the positioning of the electrospinning station.
  • the electrospinning station and method according to the present invention make it possible to successfully overcome the techniques of the prior art due to the possibility of enriching, by means of electrospinning, a textile fiber bundle with nanofibers, which is used in the subsequent processing steps of a spinning line or used as an end product for subsequent weaving, such as in a textile line or loom.
  • an advantageous aspect is due to the possibility of enriching the bundle with textile fibers in the course of its production and processing in the spinning line (that is, processing or creating the yarn). This allows for increasing production volumes and efficiency, reducing complexities while at the same time lowering the cost of producing yarns or fabrics made by using the usual production techniques exclusively by electrospinning .
  • the method according to the present invention enables the textile fiber bundle to be enriched in line, that is, directly during the process of treating and producing a sliver or a roving or a thread in the spinning line.
  • the method according to the present invention also allows nanofibers to be incorporated into the final fabric obtained from the enriched thread produced according to the method of the present invention. This is true even if the nanofibers are deposited only on one first side of the thread or even on both sides of the thread, but without being woven into the thread itself. As a matter of fact, at the time of weaving the thread, the nanofibers are embedded in the fabric.
  • the electrospinning method and the station according to the present invention also make it possible to enrich two or more sides of the fiber bundle being processed (sliver, roving or thread) with the solid nanofibers of the electrospinning process, without having to modify the weaving machines of the spinning line and without having to interrupt the working process of the spinning line. This is done, moreover, in a simple, efficient and compact manner.
  • the enrichment method according to the present invention it is possible to enrich the sliver/roving/thread in its normal production process with nanofibers having specific chemical/physical properties.
  • nanofibers having specific chemical/physical properties.

Abstract

A method for enriching a textile fiber bundle (2) intended for a weaving machine (3) comprises the operating steps of: a) moving a textile fiber bundle (2), e. g., a sliver or a roving or a thread, along a bundle running direction (X); b) providing a first electrospinning station (1), suitable for producing solid nanofibers (25) by an electrospinning device (120); c) by means of said first electrospinning station (1), depositing solid fibers (25) on said textile fiber bundle (2) to obtain an enriched textile fiber bundle (21) on a first side (22); d) moving the enriched textile fiber bundle (21) towards a work station (31) downstream of the first electrospinning station (1). An electrospinning station (1) for enriching a textile fiber bundle (2) comprises an electrospinning device (120) having a reserve (11, 11') suitable for containing an electrospinnable enrichment solution (13), an emitter electrode (10, 10' ), and a collector electrode (12, 12'), facing and spaced apart from the emitter electrode (10, 10' ), so that, by the effect of a generated electric field, the formation and the transport of solid nanofibers (25) on the textile fiber bundle (2) take place. A yarn is composed of an enriched textile fiber bundle (21) comprising textile fibers enriched with solid nanofibers (25) obtained by electrospinning and interwoven with textile fibers.

Description

"METHOD FOR ENRICHING A TEXTILE FIBER BUNDLE INTENDED FOR
A SPINNING LINE, ELECTROSPINNING STATION, ENRICHED YARN AND USE THEREOF" DESCRIPTION
[0001]The present invention refers to a method for enriching a textile fiber bundle intended for a weaving machine in a spinning line for transforming fibers into yarn.
[0002]The present invention also refers to an electrospinning station, employable in the aforesaid method, as well as a yarn or fabric obtained from a textile fiber bundle enriched according to the aforesaid enrichment method.
[0003]In general, in the textile industry non-woven textile materials are known to be produced, such as by thermoforming textile fibers into thermopolymers. Such non-woven textile fabrics (henceforth, NWT) inconveniently have great inherent variability in fiber size.
[0004]Within the production methods of NWT, electrospinning provides a solution to the problem of fiber size variability, due to the possibility of greater control over the fiber formation process.
[0005]As is known, known electrospinning systems enable the manufacture of NWT materials through the successive deposition of nanofibers onto a physical substrate, typically for the fabrication of membranes or films intended for use in making filters or fabrics for special applications.
[0006]Therefore, the traditional electrospinning processes allow for the creation of nanofiber layers, or films, deposited on substrates from which the NWT portions may then be separated. According to some variants, moreover, traditional electrospinning processes allow layers of nanofibers obtained by electrospinning to be deposited on a fabric so as to cover portions of the fabric previously woven from yarns obtained by known spinning techniques.
[0007]Such NWT production types turn out to be particularly complex, expensive, and difficult to scale up to a wide scale of fabric types.
[0008]Therefore, electrospinning production methods of the prior art are used exclusively for the production of high value-added textiles, such as medical, microbiological and similar applications.
[0009]It is thus the object of the present invention to identify a method for producing textile fibers and yarns that integrate the advantages of fiber production techniques by electrospinning to improve the properties of textile fibers and yarns obtained by the prior art.
[0010]A further object of the present invention is to identify a method for producing textile fibers and yarns
(and thus fabrics) which, in addition to incorporating the advantages of electrospinning production techniques, is also less costly, simpler, and ensures improved volumes and improved production efficiency with respect to the known electrospinning production techniques.
[0011]The aforesaid objects are achieved by a textile fiber bundle enrichment method, an electrospinning station, a spinning line, and a yarn or a fabric according to the attached independent claims. The dependent claims describe preferred embodiments.
[0012]The features and advantages of the textile fiber bundle enrichment method, electrospinning station, spinning line and yarn or fabric according to the present invention will be evident from the description provided below, given by way of non-limiting example, according to the attached figures, wherein:
[0013]- Fig. 1 is a diagram of a textile production line, that is, a spinning, according to the present invention, in accordance with an embodiment;
[0014]- Fig. 2 is a planar elevation view of an electrospinning station according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0015]- Fig. 3 is a plan view from above of the electrospinning station in Fig. 2, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0016]- Fig. 3a is a planar elevation view of an electrospinning station according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0017]- Fig. 3b is a plan view from above of the electrospinning station in Fig. 3a, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0018]- Fig. 3c is a planar elevation view of an electrospinning station according to a further embodiment of the present invention;
[0019]- Fig. 3d is a plan view from above of the electrospinning station in Fig. 3c, wherein, for the sake of representational clarity, the chamber 9 containing the electrospinning device is not shown;
[0020]- Fig. 4 is an axonometric view of a bundle winding roller, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0021]- Fig. 5 shows three orthogonal views of a drawing frame system according to an embodiment of the present invention, comprising a drawing frame 100, a creel 110, and an electrospinning station 1, 1' arranged downstream of the creel and upstream of the drawing frame; in particular, a plan view from above of the drawing frame system is shown at the top, a planar elevation view is shown at the bottom, and a planar lateral view of the drawing frame system is shown on the left;
[0022]- Fig. 6 shows three orthogonal views of a roving frame system according to an embodiment of the present invention and comprising a roving frame 800, bobbins 802, and an electrospinning station 1, 1' arranged downstream of the bobbins and upstream of the roving frame; in particular, a plan view from above of the roving frame system is shown at the top, a planar elevation view is shown at the bottom, and a planar lateral view of the roving frame system is shown on the left;
[0023]- Fig. 7 is an axonometric view of a bundle conveying station according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0024]According to one embodiment of the invention, with reference to Fig. 1, a spinning line 1000, installed in a spinning mill, comprises one or more weaving machines 200, 400, 600, 800, e.g. comprises one or more bio wroom machines 200 (e.g. a plucker, a mixer, an opener, a mixer loader, a scale loader, or a tuft blender), one or more carding machines 400, one or more combing machines 600 (e.g., a drawing frame, lap winder, or comber), one or more spinning machines 800 (e.g., a roving frame or spinning frame), installed in the spinning mill, and one or more electrospinning stations (1, 1'), arranged upstream or downstream of one or more of the weaving machines.
[0025]According to the invention, the electrospinning station 1 is suitable for enriching a textile fiber bundle 2 with solid nanofibers 25 generated by electrospinning. The textile fiber bundle 2, once enriched, is preferably intended for processing in a weaving machine 3 of a spinning line 1000 comprising one or more weaving machines 3, e.g., a blow room machine 200 or a carding machine 400, or a combing machine 600 or a spinning or slubbing machine 800.
[0026]It is clear that the terms "enrich", "enriched", and "enrichment" mean that the basic textile fiber bundle is enriched with additional solid nanofibers 25 from the electrospinning process that are not part of the basic textile fiber bundle and generally used in standard processes of the spinning line.
[0027]The electrospinning station 1 comprises an electrospinning device 120, preferably a needleless electrospinning device.
[0028]The electrospinning device 120 comprises a reserve 11, 11' suitable for containing an enrichment solution 13 (i.e., an electrospinnable solution), for example a solution containing natural and/or artificial polymers and/or monomers dissolved in one or more solvents. The enrichment solution 13 is suitable for forming solid nanofibers 25 by electrospinning that are deposited on the textile fiber bundle 2 in the electrospinning process.
[0029]The electrospinning device 120 comprises an emitter electrode 10, 10', in some cases known as a spinneret, preferably a rotating electrode (e.g., a rotating drum), suitable for being arranged on a first side 22 of the textile fiber bundle 2.
[0030]According to one embodiment, the emitter electrode 10, 10' is at least partially or totally bathed in the enrichment solution 13.
[0031]The electrospinning device 120 comprises a collector electrode 12, 12' facing and spaced apart from the emitter electrode 10, 10' and suitable for being arranged on a second side 23 of the textile fiber bundle 3, opposite to the first side 22, so that, due to an electric field generated between the emitter electrode 10, 10' and the collector electrode 12, 12', the solid nanofibers 25 are formed starting from the enrichment solution 13 and these solid nanofibers 25 are transported on the textile fiber bundle 2, with the consequent deposit of the solid nanofibers 25 on the textile fiber bundle 2 in order to obtain an enriched fiber bundle 21.
[0032]According to one embodiment, for example shown in
Fig. 2 to 3b, the electrospinning station 1 comprises one or more bundle winding rollers 7, wherein each bundle winding roller 7 is rotatable about its own roller rotation axis Z, Z1, Z2, Z3 for guiding the textile fiber bundle 2 to be wound around the bundle winding roller 7 in coils 71 (that is, so as to form coils 71) about the roller rotation axis Z, Z1, Z2, Z3. The one or more bundle winding rollers 7 are arranged between the emitter electrode 10, 10' and the collector electrode 12, 12' so that, due to electrospinning effect, solid fibers 25 are deposited onto a first side 22 of the textile fiber bundle 2 wound around said one or more bundle winding rollers 7.
[0033]It is clear that the coils 71 may be formed partially around the roller rotation axis Z, Z1, Z2, Z3. For example, in the case in which there are multiple winding rollers, the coils 71 are formed around more than one roller rotation axis so as to span two or more roller rotation axes Z, Z1, Z2, Z3, as for example shown in Fig. 3 to 3d.
[0034]According to one embodiment, the electrospinning station 1 comprises guide means 720 configured to guide the bundle of textile fibers 2 to form coils 71 in a helical shape 81, 82 around multiple bundle winding rollers 7, so that, in an electrospinning space region S resulting between at least two rollers 700, 701; 702, 703 of said bundle winding rollers 7, multiple coils 71 of the same textile fiber bundle 2 are formed, spaced apart along a direction Z' parallel to the roller rotation axis Z, Z1, Z2, Z3.
[0035]This makes it possible to create, in the space region S, a structure of successive coil segments 713, 714, 715 of the same fiber bundle 2 side by side and spaced apart, which from time to time are struck with the solid nanofibers 25 from the emitter electrode 10, 10' as the textile fiber bundle 2 advances in the bundle running direction X. Advantageously, the guide means are configured in such a way that the optimal distance between the coils 71 may be adjusted according to the type and size of the textile fiber bundle 2. This makes it possible to minimize the amount of dispersed solid nanofibers 25, that is, those solid nanofibers 25 that, when passing between the coils 71, are not retained on the textile fiber bundle 2 and are deposited on the collector electrode 12, 12'. Furthermore, this allows the number of passes of the textile fiber bundle 2 in the region in which the depositing of solid nanofibers 25 takes place to be optimized according to specific needs.
[0036]According to one embodiment, the guide means are suitable for guiding the textile fiber bundle 2 in such a way that the distance between the coils 71 is increasing or decreasing along the direction Z' parallel to the roller rotation axis Z, Z1, Z2, Z3. This makes it possible to adjust the appropriate amount of solid nanofibers 25 that are gradually deposited on the textile fiber bundle, since the amount of solid nanofibers 25 that are deposited also depends on the amount of solid nanofibers 25 already deposited.
[0037]Preferably, the electrospinning space S resulting between at least two rollers 700, 701; 702, 703 is defined as the region of space facing towards both rollers, that is, the region of space defined between two imaginary planes Pl, P2; P3, P4 tangent to an outer surface of the two rollers 700, 701; 702, 703, parallel to the roller rotation axis Z, Z1, Z2, Z3 of each winding roller 7 and traversable by the coils 71.
[0038]In particular, advantageously, the guide means 720 allow the distance between the coils 71 to be varied without changing the size of the electrospinning space S. [0039]According to one embodiment, the guide means 720 comprise protuberances or depressions 72 present on each bundle winding roller 7.
[0040]According to one embodiment, the guide means comprise coil guides 721 that are either fixed with respect to the one or more bundle winding rollers 7 or movable (e.g., rotatable) independently of the rotation of the one or more bundle winding rollers 7 and are suitable for receiving the textile fiber bundle 2 in sliding contact. Preferably, the fact that the coil guides 721 are movable independently of the rotation of the one or more bundle winding rollers 7 means that they are not directly connected to the bundle winding roller for rotation but may rotate independently or may be dragged in motion by the textile fiber bundle 2 or other transmission system or otherwise may rotate around a rotation axis different from the rotation axis of the bundle winding rollers 7.
[0041]For example, according to one embodiment, the coil guides comprise one or more bulkheads, one or more fixed or rotatable cylinders, one or more posts or a combination thereof, or similar mechanical guides.
[0042]According to one embodiment, the coil guides 721, preferably posts or cylinders (e.g., rotatable posts or cylinders), are placed in the electrospinning region of space S. This allows the spaces of the electrospinning station to be optimized.
[0043]According to one embodiment, the coil guides 721, preferably posts or cylinders (e.g., rotatable posts or cylinders), are placed outside the electrospinning space region S. This allows the electrospinning process not to be affected. [0044]According to one embodiment, for example shown in Fig. 3c and 3d, the coil guides 721 are posts or cylinders positioned in such a way as to have their main axis of extension (or of rotation, if rotatable) positioned incident to or perpendicular to the roller rotation axis Z, Z1, Z2, Z3. Moreover, these posts or cylinders are spaced apart along a direction Z' parallel to this roller rotation axis Z, Z1, Z2, Z3.
[0045]According to one embodiment, said posts or cylinders are repositionable along the direction Z' parallel to the roller rotation axis Z, Z1, Z2, Z3 so that the distance between the posts or cylinders, and consequently the distance between the coils 71, may be adjusted.
[0046]According to one embodiment, for example shown in Fig. 3a and 3b, each bundle winding roller 7 comprises protuberances or depressions 72 (that is, the guide means 720 in the form of protuberances or depressions) for guiding the textile fiber bundle 2 to be wound around the bundle winding roller 7 in coils 71 spaced apart along the roller rotation axis Z, Z1, Z2, Z3.
[0047]It is clear that, in the variant with the previously described coil guides 721, for example shown in Fig. 3c and 3d, each bundle winding roller 7 may also have a smooth outer surface, without depressions or protuberances 72. [0048]Preferably, the depositing of the solid fibers 25 occurs while the textile fiber bundle 2 is moving along a bundle running direction X, preferably a direction incident to or perpendicular to the direction of transport of the enrichment solution from the emitter electrode toward the textile fiber bundle 2.
[0049]According to one embodiment, the one or more bundle winding rollers 7 comprise a first group of rollers 7' and a second group of rollers 7'’, spaced apart from the first group of rollers. The first group of rollers 7' is arranged so as to expose the first side 22 of the textile fiber bundle 2 to the solid fibers 25 coming from the electrospinning device 120. The second group of rollers 7'' is arranged downstream of the first group of rollers 7' in the bundle running direction X so as to receive the textile fiber bundle 2 already enriched on the first side 22 and so as to expose a second side 23 of the textile fiber bundle 2 to the solid fibers 25 coming from the electrospinning device 120.
[0050]Preferably, the second group of rollers 7'' comprises one or more second group rollers 700, 701, each rotatable about its own roller rotation axis Z, Z1 in the opposite direction to the rotation direction of the first group of rollers 7'', so that the second side 23 of the textile fiber bundle 2 is easily exposed, and a small footprint of the electrospinning station 120 is maintained, along with mechanical symmetry and an equal utilization of components.
[0051]According to one embodiment, the electrospinning station 1 comprises an idler roller 7’’’ arranged between the first group of rollers 7' and the second group of rollers 7'' in the bundle running direction X. The idler roller 7’’’ is out of alignment with respect to the first group of rollers 7' and the second group of rollers 7''. Preferably, the idler roller 7, ,' is rotatable about an idler roller rotation axis Z4 out of alignment with respect to the roller rotation axes Z, Z1, Z2, Z3 of the first group of rollers 7' and the second group of rollers 7''.
[0052]Preferably, the roller rotation axes Z, Z1, Z2, Z3 of the first group of rollers 7' and of the second group of rollers 7'' all lie on a single plane of rotation axes. Preferably, the idler roller 7’’’ is Out of alignment with respect to the first group of rollers 7' and the second group of rollers 7'' in that its idler roller rotation axis Z4 does not lie on the same plane of rotation axes, e.g., the idler roller rotation axis Z4 lies on a plane parallel to the plane of rotation axes.
[0053]According to one embodiment, the first group of rollers 7' comprises a first group first roller 702 and a first group second roller 703. Preferably, the second group of rollers 7'' also comprises a second group first roller 700 and a second group second roller 701. According to this embodiment, the first group first roller 702 and the first group second roller 703 are each rotatable around their rotation axis Z2, Z3 and both in a same first rotation direction R1.
[0054]Preferably, the second group first roller 700 and the second group second roller 701 are also each rotatable around their rotation axis Z, Z1 and both in the same second rotation direction R2 opposite to the first rotation direction R1.
[0055]In this way, when the fiber bundle 2 is transported by passing around the first group first roller 702 and the first group second roller 703, the first side 22 of the fiber bundle 2 is enriched; subsequently, when the fiber bundle 2, already enriched on the first side 22, is transported by passing around the second group first roller 700 and the second group second roller 701, the second side 23 of fiber bundle 2 then is enriched.
[0056]Thus, it is clear that the present invention also refers to an electrospinning station 1 that comprises a textile fiber bundle 2 which is transported therein, which is movable along the bundle running direction X and arranged around the first group of rollers 7' and the second group of rollers 7''. When in use, that is, when the electrospinning station 1 is operational, the textile fiber bundle 2 is therefore preferably arranged around the first group of rollers 7' and the second group of rollers 7’’.
[0057]According to one embodiment, the textile fiber bundle 2 forms a first helical shape 81 around the first group of rollers 7' and a second helical shape 82 around the second group of rollers 7''.
[0058]According to one embodiment, the electrospinning station 1 comprises a chamber 9 that contains the electrospinning device 120.
[0059]Preferably, the electrospinning station 1 also comprises suction means 91 configured to suction any residual textile fibers inside the chamber 9 and/or fumes deriving from the evaporation of solvents from the enrichment solution.
[0060]The present invention also refers to a method for enriching a textile fiber bundle 2 preferably intended for a weaving machine 3, such as a blowroom machine 200 or a carding machine 400, or a drawing machine 600 or combing machine, or a spinning or slubbing machine 800.
[0061]The method according to the present invention comprises the operating steps of:
[0062]a) moving a textile fiber bundle 2, e.g., a sliver or a roving or a thread, along a bundle running direction X;
[0063]b) providing a first electrospinning station 1, e.g., of the type described in the present document, which is therefore suitable for producing solid nanofibers 25 by an electrospinning device 120, which is preferably needleless;
[0064]c) by means of this first electrospinning station 1, depositing solid fibers 25 on the textile fiber bundle 2 to obtain an enriched textile fiber bundle 21, said enriched textile fiber bundle 21 being enriched with solid fibers 25 deposited as a result of electrospinning on a first side 22 of the textile fiber bundle 2;
[0065]d) moving the enriched textile fiber bundle 21 towards a work station 31 downstream of the first electrospinning station 1 in the bundle running direction X, for example a station for winding the enriched textile fiber bundle 21 onto an enriched bobbin 32, or towards the weaving machine 3.
[0066]Preferably, in step b), the first electrospinning station 1 is positioned in the process of treating or creating the textile fiber bundle 2, e.g. upstream of a weaving machine 3, or downstream of a weaving machine, or on a weaving machine 3 (e.g., integrated into the weaving machine 3), in the bundle running direction X. [0067]Therefore, it is clear that, according to one embodiment, the method also comprises the operating step of providing the weaving machine 3.
[0068]According to one embodiment, in step c) the step of depositing solid fibers 25 on the textile fiber bundle 2 for obtaining an enriched textile fiber bundle 21 is carried out with the textile fiber bundle 2 in motion.
[0069]According to one embodiment, in step c) the step of laying solid fibers 25 on the textile fiber bundle 2 to obtain an enriched textile fiber bundle 21 is carried out with the textile fiber bundle 2 stationary or temporarily stationary in the bundle running direction X.
[0070]According to one embodiment, step c) comprises the operating step of:
[0071]clO) winding the textile fiber bundle 2 around one or more bundle winding rollers 7, wherein guide means 720 are configured to guide the textile fiber bundle 2 to form coils 71 in a helical shape 81, 82 around multiple bundle winding rollers 7, so that in a electrospinning region of space S, resulting between at least two rollers 700, 701; 702, 703 of said bundle winding rollers 7, multiple coils 71 of the same textile fiber bundle 2 are formed, spaced apart along a direction Z' parallel to the roller rotation axis Z, Z1, Z2, Z3.
[0072]According to one embodiment, step c) comprises the operating step of: cl) winding the textile fiber bundle 2 around one or more bundle winding rollers 7, wherein each bundle winding roller 7 comprises protuberances or depressions 72 for guiding the textile fiber bundle 2 to be wound around the bundle winding roller 7 in coils 71 spaced apart along a roller rotation axis Z.
[0073]In an advantageous embodiment, the protuberances or depressions 72 are either a single helix-shaped protuberance or a single helix-shaped depression, each winding continuously around the roller rotation axis Z, preferably substantially along the entire length of the roller along the roller rotation axis Z.
[0074]Preferably, in step cl), the one or more bundle winding rollers 7 comprise a first group of rollers 7' and a second group of rollers 7'’, spaced apart from the first group of rollers, and said step cl) comprises the operating steps of:
[0075]ell) winding the textile fiber bundle 2 first around the first group of rollers 7' in such a way that the first side 22 of the textile fiber bundle 2 is exposed to the solid fibers 25 from the electrospinning device 120;
[0076]cl2) subsequent to step ell) and downstream of the first group of rollers 7' in the bundle running direction X, winding the textile fiber bundle 2 around the second group of rollers 7' in such a way that a second side 23 of the textile fiber bundle 2 is exposed to the solid fibers 25 coming from the electrospinning device 120; said second side 23 is at least partially free from the solid fibers 25 deposited as a result of electrospinning on the first side during the passage of the textile fiber bundle 2 on the first group of rollers 7'.
[0077]According to a further embodiment, the method comprises the additional steps of:
[0078]bl) providing a second electrospinning station 1', arranged downstream of the first electrospinning station 1 in the bundle running direction X;
[0079]b2) providing a bundle conveying station 4 and, by means of said bundle conveying station 4, rotating the enriched textile fiber bundle 21 at the outlet from the first electrospinning station 1 so as to expose a second side 23 of said enriched textile fiber bundle 21 for receiving the solid fibers 25; this second side 23 is at least partially free from the solid fibers 25 deposited as a result of electrospinning in the first electrospinning station 1.
[0080]In this embodiment, it is therefore possible to enrich two opposite sides of the textile fiber bundle 2 along the path of the fiber bundle, without the need for each electrospinning station 1, 1' (the first and second electrospinning stations) to provide for the enrichment of both sides of the bundle. This simplifies the components of the single electrospinning station while making it more compact.
[0081]In addition, this embodiment, however, does not exclude the possibility that each first and second electrospinning station may itself enrich both sides of the fiber bundle 2, as described in the embodiments of the present invention (e.g. in Fig. 2, 3, 3a and 3b). In the variant wherein each first and second electrospinning station 1, 1' are configured to enrich both sides of the fiber bundle 2, due to the additional bundle conveying station 4, it is therefore possible to perform a double enrichment on both sides of the bundle, reversing the side between the first and second electrospinning stations 1, 1', thus improving the homogeneity of the enrichment .
[0082]According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, step c) is carried out by means of an electrospinning station with a needleless electrospinning device.
[0083]According to one embodiment, in step b2), the bundle conveying station 4 comprises a guide 41, such as a bent sheet, which slidably supportingly receives the textile fiber bundle 2 on a curved guide surface 410 of said guide 41 to rotate the enriched textile fiber bundle 21 at the outlet from the first electrospinning station 1 so as to expose the second side 23 of said enriched textile fiber bundle 21 to the solid fibers 25 coming from the electrospinning device 120.
[0084]It is understood that the present invention also refers to a yarn or fabric composed of an enriched textile fiber bundle 21 obtained by the enrichment method described herein. It is clear that "yarn" may also mean a sliver obtained from blow room or carding or combing machines or even a roving obtained from spinning machines, such as a fly frame, or a thread.
[0085]According to one aspect, the present invention also refers to a yarn composed of an enriched textile fiber bundle 21 comprising textile fibers, e.g., natural textile fibers or synthetic textile fibers, enriched with solid nanofibers 25 obtained by electrospinning and interwoven with the textile fibers.
[0086]According to one embodiment, the solid nanofibers 25 are not only superficially deposited on the yarn but are woven and embedded together with the textile fibers that make up the yarn.
[0087]According to an alternative embodiment, solid nanofibers 25 are only superficially deposited on the yarn.
[0088]According to one embodiment, the textile fibers are natural textile fibers, such as cotton, linen, or wool.
[0089]According to one embodiment, the textile fibers are synthetic textile fibers, for example textile fibers made from synthetic polymers such as polyamides or polyesters. [0090]Roving frame system example
[0091]In a spinning line 1000 comprising a roving frame 800 and an electrospinning station 1, 1' according to the present invention, an electrospinning station 1, 1' is preferably located directly upstream of the roving frame 800, as for example shown in Fig. 6.
[0092]For example, an electrospinning station 1, 1' is positioned immediately upstream of a flyer rail 801 of the roving frame 800, or upstream of a roving frame pressure arm.
[0093]Therefore, in this example, the electrospinning station is suitable for enriching the feed sliver of the roving frame 800, or the roving being formed in the roving frame 800 directly, depending on the positioning of the electrospinning station.
Drawing frame system example
[0094]In a spinning line 1000, comprising a drawing frame 100 and an electrospinning station 1, 1' according to the present invention, an electrospinning station 1, 1' is preferably placed directly upstream of the drawing frame 100, as for example shown in Fig. 5.
[0095]Therefore, in this example, the electrospinning station 1, 1' is suitable for enriching the feed sliver of the drawing frame 100.
[0096]In another example, the electrospinning station is installed on the drawing frame to directly enrich the sliver being formed in the drawing frame 100, depending on the positioning of the electrospinning station.
[0097]Innovatively, the electrospinning station and method according to the present invention make it possible to successfully overcome the techniques of the prior art due to the possibility of enriching, by means of electrospinning, a textile fiber bundle with nanofibers, which is used in the subsequent processing steps of a spinning line or used as an end product for subsequent weaving, such as in a textile line or loom.
[0098]In particular, an advantageous aspect is due to the possibility of enriching the bundle with textile fibers in the course of its production and processing in the spinning line (that is, processing or creating the yarn). This allows for increasing production volumes and efficiency, reducing complexities while at the same time lowering the cost of producing yarns or fabrics made by using the usual production techniques exclusively by electrospinning . [0099]In a particularly advantageous way, moreover, the method according to the present invention enables the textile fiber bundle to be enriched in line, that is, directly during the process of treating and producing a sliver or a roving or a thread in the spinning line. This allows the usual textile fibers to be enriched during the process of forming and treating with electrospun solid nanofibers that are then incorporated into the textile fibers (and thus into the sliver or roving or thread formation process), improving the properties of the textile fibers with respect to the fabrics obtained by the prior art that instead provide for only superficial depositing of electrospun solid nanofibers.
[00100] Furthermore, in the case of the thread, the method according to the present invention also allows nanofibers to be incorporated into the final fabric obtained from the enriched thread produced according to the method of the present invention. This is true even if the nanofibers are deposited only on one first side of the thread or even on both sides of the thread, but without being woven into the thread itself. As a matter of fact, at the time of weaving the thread, the nanofibers are embedded in the fabric.
[00101] Additionally, due to the possibility of enriching the textile fiber bundle in line, that is, directly during the process of treating and producing a sliver or a roving or a thread in the spinning line, there is no need to interrupt the normal sliver/roving/thread feed process. Moreover, according to some variants, the modification of standard weaving machines in the spinning line is not necessarily required.
[00102] Even more advantageously, the electrospinning method and the station according to the present invention also make it possible to enrich two or more sides of the fiber bundle being processed (sliver, roving or thread) with the solid nanofibers of the electrospinning process, without having to modify the weaving machines of the spinning line and without having to interrupt the working process of the spinning line. This is done, moreover, in a simple, efficient and compact manner.
[00103] Additionally, still advantageously, thanks to the enrichment method according to the present invention, it is possible to enrich the sliver/roving/thread in its normal production process with nanofibers having specific chemical/physical properties. For example, due to the present invention, it is possible to generate a sliver/roving/thread having properties that cannot be achieved by the normal production process except from an original fiber already having said properties. For example, advantageously, it is possible to enrich the textile fiber bundle with nanofibers incorporating silver ions with an antibacterial effect or with nanofibers capable of increasing the basic mechanical strength of the textile fiber, as well as flame resistance or a bactericidal property.
[00104] It is clear that a person skilled in the art may make changes to the invention described above in order to meet contingent needs, these changes all falling within the scope of protection as defined in the following claims.

Claims

1. A method for enriching a textile fiber bundle (2) intended for a weaving machine (3), said method comprising the operating steps of: a) moving a textile fiber bundle (2), e.g., a sliver or a roving or a thread, along a bundle running direction (X); b) providing a first electrospinning station (1), suitable for producing solid nanofibers (25) by an electrospinning device (120); c) by means of said electrospinning station (1), laying down solid fibers (25) on said textile fiber bundle (2) to obtain an enriched textile fiber bundle (21), said enriched textile fiber bundle (21) being enriched with solid fibers (25) deposited as a result of electrospinning on a first side (22) of the textile fiber bundle (2); d) moving the enriched textile fiber bundle (21) towards a work station (31) downstream of the first electrospinning station (1) in the bundle running direction (X), for example a winding station for winding the enriched textile fiber bundle (21) onto an enriched bobbin (32), or towards the weaving machine (3).
2. Method according to claim 1, comprising the operating step of providing a weaving machine (3) and wherein in step b) the first electrospinning station (1) is positioned in the process of treating or creating the textile fiber bundle (2), e.g., upstream of the weaving machine (3), or downstream of the weaving machine, or on the weaving machine (3), in the bundle running direction (X).
3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein step c) comprises the operating step of: clO) winding the textile fiber bundle (2) around one or more bundle winding rollers (7), wherein guide means (720) are configured to guide the textile fiber bundle (2) to form coils (71) in a helical shape (81, 82) around multiple bundle winding rollers (7), such that in an electrospinning space region (S), resulting between at least two rollers (700, 701; 702, 703) of said bundle winding rollers (7), multiple coils (71) of the same textile fiber bundle (2) are formed, spaced apart from each other along a direction (Z') parallel to the roller rotation axis (Z, Z1, Z2, Z3).
4. Method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein step c) comprises the operating step of: cl) winding the textile fiber bundle (2) around one or more bundle winding rollers (7), wherein each bundle winding roller (7) comprises protuberances or depressions (72) for guiding the textile fiber bundle (2) to be wound around the bundle winding roller (7) in coils (71) spaced apart from one another along a roller rotation axis (Z).
5. Method according to claim 3 or 4, wherein, in step cl), the one or more bundle winding rollers (7) comprise a first group of rollers (7’) and a second group of rollers (7,'), spaced apart from the first group of rollers, and wherein said step cl) comprises the operating steps of: c11) winding the textile fiber bundle (2) first around the first group of rollers (7’) so as to expose the first side (22) of the textile fiber bundle (2) to the solid fibers (25) coming from the electrospinning device (120); cl2) after step c11) and downstream of the first group of rollers (7’) in the bundle running direction (X), winding the textile fiber bundle (2) around the second group of rollers (7'') so as to expose a second side (23) of the textile fiber bundle (2) to the solid fibers (25) coming from the electrospinning device (120), said second side (23) being at least partly free from the solid fibers (25) deposited as a result of electrospinning on the first side during the passage of the textile fiber bundle (2) on the first group of rollers (7').
6. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising the operating steps of: bl) providing a second electrospinning station (1'), arranged downstream of the first electrospinning station (1) in the bundle running direction (X); b2) providing a bundle conveying station (4) and, by means of said bundle conveying station (4), rotating the enriched textile fiber bundle (21) at the outlet from the first electrospinning station (1) so as to expose a second side (23) of said enriched textile fiber bundle (21) for receiving the solid fibers (25), said second side (23) being at least partly free from the solid fibers (25) deposited as a result of electrospinning in the first electrospinning station (1).
7. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein step c) is performed by an electrospinning station with a needleless electrospinning device.
8. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the weaving machine is a carding machine (400) or a combing machine (600) or a drawing frame or a lap drawing frame or a roving frame or a spinning frame.
9. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the textile fiber bundle (2) is a roving or a thread.
10. Method according to any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein, in step b2), the bundle conveying station (4) comprises a guide (41), such as a bent sheet, which slidably supportingly receives the textile fiber bundle (2) on a curved guide surface (410) of said guide (41) for rotating the enriched textile fiber bundle (21) at the outlet from the first electrospinning station (1) so as to expose the second side (23) of said enriched textile fiber bundle (21).
11. An electrospinning station (1) for enriching a textile fiber bundle (2), comprising:
- an electrospinning device (120) comprising: a reserve (11, 11') suitable for containing an electrospinnable enrichment solution (13), said enrichment solution (13) being suitable for forming solid nanofibers (25) as a result of electrospinning, said solid nanofibers (25) being deposited on the textile fiber bundle (2) as a result of electrospinning, an emitter electrode (10, 10'), suitable for being arranged on a first side (22) of the textile fiber bundle (2); a collector electrode (12, 12'), facing and spaced apart from the emitter electrode (10, 10') and suitable for being arranged on a second side (23) of the textile fiber bundle (3), opposite the first side (22), so that, due to an electric field generated between the emitter electrode (10, 10') and the collector electrode (12, 12'), the solid nanofibers (25) are formed starting from the enrichment solution (13) and these solid nanofibers (25) are transported on the textile fiber bundle (2), with the consequent deposit of the solid nanofibers (25) on the textile fiber bundle (2) in order to obtain an enriched textile fiber bundle (21).
12. Electrospinning station (1) according to claim 11, wherein said electrospinning station (1) comprises one or more bundle winding rollers (7), wherein each bundle winding roller (7) may be rotated about its own roller rotation axis (Z, Z1, Z2, Z3) for guiding the textile fiber bundle (2) to be wound around the bundle winding roller (7) in coils (71) about the roller rotation axis (Z), said one or more bundle winding rollers (7) being arranged between the emitter electrode (10, 10') and the collector electrode (12, 12') so that, as a result of electrospinning, solid fibers (25) are deposited onto a first side (22) of the textile fiber bundle (2) wound around said one or more bundle winding rollers (7).
13. Electrospinning station (1) according to claim 12, comprising guide means (720) configured to guide the textile fiber bundle (2) to form coils (71) in a helical shape (81, 82) around multiple bundle winding rollers
(7), such that in a electrospinning space region S, resulting between at least two rollers (700, 701; 702, 703) of said bundle winding rollers (7), multiple coils (71) of the same textile fiber bundle (2) are formed, spaced apart from each other along a direction (Z') parallel to the roller rotation axis (Z, Z1, Z2, Z3).
14. Electrospinning station (1) according to claim 12, wherein each bundle winding roller (7) comprises protuberances or depressions (72) for guiding the textile fiber bundle (2) to be wound around the bundle winding roller (7) in coils (71) spaced apart from one another along a roller rotation axis (Z).
15. Electrospinning station (1) according to claim 11 or 12 or 13, wherein the one or more bundle winding rollers (7) comprise a first group of rollers (7’) and a second group of rollers (7,'), spaced apart from the first group of rollers, and wherein the first group of rollers (7’) is arranged so as to expose the first side (22) of the textile fiber bundle (2) to the solid fibers (25) coming from the electrospinning device (120); and wherein the second group of rollers (7,') is arranged downstream of the first group of rollers (7’) in the bundle running direction (X) so as to receive the textile fiber bundle (2) already enriched on the first side (22) and so as to expose a second side (23) of the textile fiber bundle (2) to the solid fibers (25) coming from the electrospinning device (120).
16. Electrospinning station (1) according to claim 15, wherein the second group of rollers (7'') comprises one or more second group rollers (700, 701), each rotatable about its own roller rotation axis (Z, Z1) in the opposite direction to the rotation direction of the first group of rollers (7').
17. Electrospinning station (1) according to claim 15 or 16, comprising a idler roller (7'’’) arranged between the first group of rollers (7’) and the second group of rollers (7,') in the bundle running direction (X), said idler roller (7''') being out of alignment with respect to the first group of rollers (7’) and the second group of rollers (7,') and preferably being rotatable about a idler roller rotation axis (Z4) out of alignment with respect to the roller rotation axes (Z, Z1, Z2, Z3) of the first group of rollers (7’) and the second group of rollers (7’’).
18. Electrospinning station (1) according to claim 15 or 16 or 17, wherein the first group of rollers (7’) comprises a first group first roller (702) and a first group second roller (703) and wherein the second group of rollers (7,') comprises a second group first roller (700) and a second group second roller (701), wherein the first group first roller (702) and the first group second roller (703) are each rotatable about their own rotation axis (Z2, Z3) and both in a same first rotation direction (Rl) and wherein the second group first roller (700) and the second group second roller (701) are each rotatable about their own rotation axis (Z, Z1) and both in a same second rotation direction (R2) opposite the first rotation direction (Rl).
19. Electrospinning station (1) according to any one of claims 15 to 18, comprising a textile fiber bundle (2), movable along the bundle running direction (X) and arranged around the first group of rollers (7’) and the second group of rollers (7,'), said textile fiber bundle (2) forming a first helical shape (81) around the first group of rollers (7’) and a second helical shape (82) around the second group of rollers (7,').
20. Electrospinning station (1) according to any one of claims 15 to 19, comprising a chamber (9) which contains the electrospinning device (120), said electrospinning station (1) also comprising suction means configured to suction any residual textile fibers inside the chamber (9).
21. A yarn or textile composed of an enriched textile fiber bundle (21) obtained by the method according to any one of claims 1 to 10.
22. A yarn composed of an enriched textile fiber bundle (21) comprising textile fibers enriched with solid nanofibers (25) obtained by electrospinning and interwoven with the textile fibers.
23. Yarn according to claim 22, wherein the textile fibers are natural textile fibers, e.g., cotton or linen or wool.
24. Yarn according to claim 22 or 23, comprising silver ions embedded with the solid nanofibers (25) interwoven with the textile fibers.
25. An use of a yarn according to claim 22 or 23 or 24, for creating a fiber by weaving.
PCT/IB2023/055284 2022-05-23 2023-05-23 Method for enriching a textile fiber bundle intended for a spinning line, electrospinning station, enriched yarn and use thereof WO2023228072A1 (en)

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