EP1176235A1 - Method and apparatus for making filament like textile products - Google Patents

Abstract

To form a textile material of threads/yarns, from a quasi continuous fiber web (1) of loose staple fibers, it is divided longitudinally into a number of fiber slivers to be fixed. The fixed slivers are worked into a textile material. Fluid dynamic forces are used to separate the web longitudinally and/or for at least a part of the sliver fixing action. To process the fiber web, the fluid dynamic forces give it an eddy movement and give a twist to the separated slivers. The fluid dynamic streams are directed to a side of the web/slivers, to penetrate through to strike a perforated and longitudinal stencil (10), to be extracted through it by suction. The fluid streams are of water, saturated steam or air, with stream diameters of 0.01-1.0 mm. The web/slivers move through the processing zone at the initial stencil or at a carrier sieve between the web/slivers and the stencil. The fluid streams have a needle jet action to eddy the web/slivers on passing through. The fluid streams give a twist action, and can be passed through the material from both sides, in opposite directions. The web is a carded web, with the fibers in a longitudinal orientation. After the fluid dynamic processing stage, a further stage applies an increased fixing effect where the slivers are false twisted, where the slivers are eddied or rubbed, and treated with an adhesive contained in the fluid streams. The web material contains bonding fibers, or the slivers are wrapped with filaments. The bonding fibers/filaments are of a thermoplastic material, activated by the fluid dynamic streams or an additional heat treatment. The thermoplastic adhesive can be dissolved or evaporated, to be extracted at least partially. An Independent claim is included for an assembly to convert a carded web into yarns. The web is fed through a stage where it is divided longitudinally by fluid dynamic forces, to give slivers for fixing.

Description

The invention is in the field of textile technology and relates to a method and a Device according to the preambles of the relevant independent claims. The method and device are used to produce thread-like, textile Made from staple fiber material.

Staple fiber materials such as cotton or wool consist of fibers of limited length. To thread-like structures from such materials To manufacture, the fibers are usually flat by carding Carded fleece processed, which is then combined into a carding tape. in the The carded sliver is no longer random, but is preferred in the direction of processing aligned. Then the card sliver is stretched and more Aligning the fibers transformed into a longitudinal structure in which the fibers are closer lie closer together than in the carding fleece and parallelized to an even greater extent are. This longitudinal structure is made into a thread by turning (spinning), in which thread the fibers are created by mutual friction are connected and which thread through this friction a considerable tensile strength having. Such threads are made by weaving, knitting or others in the Known methods of textile industry are further processed into flat structures.

One advantage of the process mentioned is that of a very loose fiber structure like it represents the carding fleece to a flat structure with a high strength leads, is that no additives are necessary per se, that with it So high-quality, flat structures can be produced, which essentially only from the Fibers of the starting material exist. For the above-mentioned process they have to processing fibers have a minimal length. Of a natural fiber material, that also contains short and shortest fibers, some of the fibers may fall as waste. The threads produced by the above process are very compact, so that they are very close to one another in the flat structures produced therefrom must be arranged (high thread density) if the flat structure should be opaque.

Less compact threads that contain the same amount of fiber material a larger volume than the spun threads described above and could with a lower thread density form a covering fabric that is nevertheless opaque. For this The reason is in particular for the production of cheaper, flat textile structures tries to increase the thread volume, for example by using it a looser fiber structure, in which the fibers in addition to the mutual Friction can be held together by other means, or by connecting a common spun thread with a looser fiber structure. The fibers in these looser fiber associations, for example, are held together with Adhesives that allow short and shortest fibers to be held in the bandage. It is also known that from flat structures that consist of such thread-like Formed are produced, the adhesive is at least partially removed again can be. This is possible because of a thread-like structure for further processing to a flat structure a significantly higher strength (better cohesion of fibers) must have than in the resulting flat structure the case is where threads in contact with each other further stabilize each other. The following sections give some examples of known methods, with which attempts are made by using fiber dressings that are looser are as the fiber associations in spun threads, with less fiber material anyway flat structures as possible with a satisfactory strength produce.

For example, US Pat. No. 5,622,766 or EP-0629723 propose increase the volume of common threads by adding a vertical stripe to each a card fleece is assigned. A group of threads running parallel brought together with a carding fleece and with the help of a suitable adhesive treated. Then the card fleece, the fibers of which are treated with the adhesive are also glued together, with the threads adhering to them between each cut two threads in length. These longitudinal structures, each one Thread and a strip of nonwoven adhering to it are according to a corresponding Conditioning as a weft thread for weaving a flat structure usable, whereby the conditioning is not specified in the publication. The adhesive is removed from the flat structure after weaving. It shows yourself that in this way a covering fabric can be created that is up to has six times less weft threads per unit length than a fabric with the same untreated threads are woven without additional loose fiber dressing becomes. A fabric made in this way is because of the looser arrangement of the fibers from the nonwoven fabric are very absorbent and one cannot to withstand excessive mechanical stress.

A similar process is also described in the publication DE-1660214. According to this process, multi-thread yarns are produced, the volume of which is Adding a looser fiber structure is increased. The threads are made of thermoplastic Filaments and are not yet completely cooled with associated with the loose fiber structure, such that the fibers on the threads stick more or less permanently. Also according to publication FR-515357 becomes a bevy of sticky thermoplastic fibrils with a flat loose fiber dressing brought together, which is then cut into strips becomes. Both methods are not applicable for the production of flat, textile structures that, for example, should only consist of natural fibers.

Other methods of increasing the volume of threads or yarns Joining of spun threads, for example, by adding loose fibers (Flocking) are described in publications EP-0339965, US-3835638 or JP-2289137, in all cases an adhesive effect for the connection between thread and loose fibers is used.

Methods according to which direct from fiber materials, that is without the production of thread-like structures, flat, textile structures are usually made in arranging the fibers flat, the fiber fleece thus produced compress and swirl the fibers in the compressed dressing in such a way (English: entangle). e.g. needling or matting that as possible Many fiber contact points are created for an internal friction that the flat structure can give a desired strength. For swirling the fibers in one Flat fiber structure mechanical means are used, such as Needles, or more recently fluid dynamic means such as water, saturated steam or Air jets.

With the help of such fluid-dynamic methods it is not only possible to work in one to swirl the pressed nonwoven predominantly disordered fibers, but at the same time it is also possible to structure them in a predetermined area assign. For example, in publications US-3768121 and CH-619581 described as from a substantially disordered nonwoven fabric by action a structured, flat structure of targeted fluid-dynamic forces is produced, which is suitable for example for disposable wipes. The structure consists of low-fiber areas or openings that alternate with areas higher Fiber density in which the fibers are also aligned to a greater degree in parallel are as in the original nonwoven. This structuring is achieved by the nonwoven fabric is positioned between perforated templates and by Fluid jets directed through the stencils and the non-woven fabric arranged between them become. It turns out that through increases in that template, against which the fibers are pushed by the air or water jets to low fiber Lead areas and that the fibers displaced from such low fiber areas arrange themselves more or less aligned with each other around the low-fiber areas. It is proposed in the publications to use such methods To produce structures in which fiber-rich areas extend criss-cross and alternate with low-fiber areas that have a structure that at least reminiscent of a woven structure.

The object of the invention is to demonstrate a method with which a staple fiber material thread-like, textile structures can be produced, which without further processing for the production of flat, textile structures methods known per se in the textile industry. The thread-like Formations have a high volume, such that they are relatively small Thread densities can still be processed to cover, flat structures. The filiform Structures should be like this without the addition of permanent adhesives be stable that flat structures can be made from it, for example only consist of natural staple fibers and which are nevertheless intended for an intended Application have sufficient strength. Furthermore, it should be possible in the thread-like structures to integrate even the shortest fibers and fiber parts. It is also the object of the invention, an apparatus for performing the method to create the thread-like structures.

These tasks are solved by the method and the device as described in the claims are defined.

The method according to the invention is based on a staple fiber material that is in Form of a flat and quasi endless manufactured in a conventional manner There is a nonwoven fabric, for example a carded nonwoven or a carded nonwoven. The fibers in this nonwoven are advantageously already in one increased mass aligned in the longitudinal direction of the quasi-endless fleece, such as this is the case in a carded or carded fleece. The almost endless fleece is in a plurality of fiber tapes are divided and the fiber assembly is solidified, whereby for the division and / or for at least part of the consolidation accordingly controlled fluid dynamic forces are used. One if necessary necessary, further solidification is carried out using methods known per se.

A particularly simple and therefore particularly advantageous method results when the fibers used to produce the fiber tapes from the nonwoven, Fluid dynamic forces can be controlled in such a way that the nonwoven fabric through them Forces in fiber ribbon is separated and the fiber structure in the resulting Ribbon essentially simultaneously through swirling (English: entangling) or swirl is solidified. It turns out that fiber ribbons produced in this way can achieve a strength necessary for the strength of a flat Formed is sufficient. To further increase the strength of the fiber ribbons, in particular for the manufacture of the flat structure, these can be subjected to further treatment (for example with adhesive or by incorrect turning) be, the solidification from the further treatment after the production of the flat structure advantageously at least partially reversed becomes. Spinning the ribbon is not recommended as a further treatment, because it reduces the volume of the fiber ribbons too much. Further it turns out that very short fibers are also good in such a fiber ribbon are stabilized.

On the other hand, it is also possible to use nonwovens other than fluid dynamic To separate forces in fiber ribbons, for example with mechanical Release agents and the fluid dynamic forces only for their solidification use. And it is also possible to use the fluid dynamic means essentially use only for the separation of the nonwoven fabric in the fiber ribbon and the Realization using the same methods as for further processing is described.

The method according to the invention for the production of thread-like, textile structures is, as can be seen from the brief description above, in particular at Application of fluid dynamic forces for the separation of the nonwoven in Ribbon and for the consolidation of the fiber structure or partial consolidation of the fiber structure very easily and in a single, continuous process feasible.

The fiber ribbons produced by the process according to the invention are special without substantial stretching and without spinning and also without connection with another thread-like structure according to known in the textile industry Methods can be processed into flat structures, being used for a specific Processing is not subject to specific conditioning have to. The consolidated fiber tapes produced by the process according to the invention are advantageously wound on spools and are from spools e.g. processed into flat structures by weaving or knitting. It can too Blended fabrics are made, for example, a spun thread as Warp thread and fiber tapes produced by the method according to the invention can be used as a weft.

Flat structures, for example fabrics, which are at least partially derived from the fiber ribbons produced by the process according to the invention have a similar appearance as corresponding structures made of spun threads, but have with a significantly smaller thread density there are no visible gaps so opaque. The flat structures have a small amount of fibers per unit area on, they can run at high process speeds because of the low thread density and they can make up a significant portion of short, that means contain inferior fiber material. Do all of these features flat structures, the fiber tapes produced by the method according to the invention included, compared to corresponding structures from spun threads or from spun threads flocked in some way, very cheap. Of course, they are not as hard-wearing as the corresponding fabrics spun fiber material.

For the reasons mentioned are made from the method according to the invention Ribbon-made flat structures, for example fabrics, in particular suitable for modest requirements, for example as material for Disposable laundry or cleaning wipes. In the area of disposable laundry (e.g. table or bed linen) they can be matched against corresponding "non-woven" products continue to compete, but by the fact that they are just woven have the advantage of looking more like traditional laundry and feeling more like to feel such.

The device according to the invention, with which the fiber tapes are produced, is equipped for the generation and control of fluid dynamic forces and for Positioning of a quasi-continuous non-woven fabric, which may already be through other means is divided into a plurality of fiber tapes, in the area of this Forces, the two functions in such a way on each other and on the processed Nonwovens are matched that the positioned nonwoven by the fluid dynamic Forces divided into a plurality of compressed fiber ribbons and / or the fiber structure is solidified. The device according to the invention has a treatment area a striped, perforated treatment template, Means for generating directed against the treatment template Fluid jets (e.g. air, saturated steam or water jets) and means for suction the fluid from the other side of the treatment template. advantageously, the device is equipped in such a way that the nonwoven fabric passes through the treatment area can be performed, it being on the processing template or bears against a carrier screen arranged between the template and the nonwoven fabric. Possibly is the arrangement of the fluid jets and / or the structuring of the Processing template in such a way that its effect is between the entrance in changes the editing area and the exit from the editing area.

Furthermore, the device has means for preferably continuous feeding of the nonwoven fabric to and through the treatment area and means for a corresponding Conveying the compressed fiber tapes away from the treatment area, optionally also means for winding up the finished fiber tapes (e.g. one Warp beam and / or a plurality of winding devices).

In addition to the processing area in which the fiber fleece or the fiber ribbon The device can be exposed to the fluid dynamic forces Separation of the nonwoven into fiber tapes and means for further treatment of the Have fiber tapes, for example a means for treating the fiber tapes with an adhesive that comes back after the manufacture of the flat structure is removable from the fibers, or a means for the known, temporary Twisting (wrong turning) of the fiber ribbons. Such a treatment agent is downstream of the treatment area in which the nonwoven fabric fluid-dynamic forces is to be arranged.

Figur 1

die Umwandlung eines Faservlieses in Faserbändchen nach der bevorzugten Ausführungsform des erfindungsgemässen Verfahrens;

Figuren 2A bis 2C

Schnitte durch ein Faservlies bzw. durch daraus hergestellte Faserbändchen während der Behandlung mit fluid-dynamischen Kräften (Schnittlinien A-A, B-B, C-C in Figur 1);

Figur 3

eine beispielhafte Düsenanordnung zur Erzeugung von Fluidstrahlen zur Durchführung des Verfahrens gemäss Figuren 2A bis 2C;

Figuren 4A bis 4D

vier Schnitte durch Faservlies bzw. Faserbändchen zur Illustration einer weiteren Ausführungsform des erfindungsgemässen Verfahrens;

Figur 5

ein Ausschnitt aus einer beispielhaften Ausführungsform der Behandlungsschablone und mit der Schablone zusammenwirkende Fluidstrahlen zur Herstellung und Verfestigung von Faserbändchen aus einem Faservlies;

Figur 6

eine schematisch dargestellte, beispielhafte Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemässen Vorrichtung;

Figur 7

eine weitere, schematisch dargestellte Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemässen Vorrichtung.

Exemplary embodiments of the method according to the invention and the device according to the invention are described in detail with reference to the following figures. Show:

Figure 1

the conversion of a nonwoven into fiber tapes according to the preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention;

Figures 2A to 2C

Cuts through a nonwoven fabric or through fiber tapes made therefrom during treatment with fluid dynamic forces (cutting lines AA, BB, CC in FIG. 1);

Figure 3

an exemplary nozzle arrangement for generating fluid jets for performing the method according to Figures 2A to 2C;

Figures 4A to 4D

four cuts through fiber fleece or fiber tapes to illustrate a further embodiment of the method according to the invention;

Figure 5

a section of an exemplary embodiment of the treatment template and fluid jets interacting with the template for producing and consolidating fiber tapes from a nonwoven fabric;

Figure 6

a schematically illustrated, exemplary embodiment of the device according to the invention;

Figure 7

a further, schematically illustrated embodiment of the device according to the invention.

FIG. 1 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention for producing thread-like, textile structures from a staple fiber material, which thread-like, textile structures are suitable for the production of flat, textile structures by methods known in the textile industry for processing, for example, spun threads ,

A quasi-endless non-woven fabric 1 is in a conveying direction F against a treatment area 2 and promoted by this treatment area 2. During the Funding through the treatment area 2 is on one side of the nonwoven fabric 1 positioned a machining template and hit fine fluid jets, e.g. Water-, Saturated steam or air jets from the other side onto the nonwoven fabric 1 (Fluid jets and treatment template are not shown in Figure 1). The effect of fluid jets and processing templates creates in the nonwoven fabric strip-shaped, low-fiber regions 4 and running in the conveying direction F. alternating with these a plurality of parallel fiber tapes 3. After the treatment site 2, the fiber tapes 3 in one Transported away direction F '. The fiber structure in the fiber ribbon 3 is compacted and consolidated with respect to the fiber structure of the nonwoven fabric 1, that is, the fibers are closer to each other in the ribbon, mostly in the direction of conveyance aligned and more intertwined or twisted.

FIGS. 2A to 2C show sections (corresponding to the section lines AA, BB, CC in FIG. 1) through the fiber fleece 1 or through the fiber tapes 3 produced therefrom during an exemplary type of treatment with a processing template and fluid jets.

FIG. 2A shows the nonwoven fabric 1 positioned on a treatment template 10 is. The treatment template 10 is through perforations 11 and elevations 12 in Direction of conveyance structured in a strip shape, the elevations 12, as shown extend in the conveying direction and the perforations 11 in the between the elevations 12 lying valleys are arranged. In the first phase of treatment (FIG. 2B) the fluid jets 13 (generated by nozzles 20) are against the elevations directed and move the fibers positioned over the elevations 12 in the Valleys between the elevations 12 and also give them a preferred orientation in the conveying direction F. In a second phase of treatment (Figure 2C) the fluid jets 13 against the valleys 11 with perforations between the Elevations 12 directed, whereby the fibers that are positioned in these valleys pressed against each other and as if swirled by the action of needles entangled).

In all parts of the machining area, the fluid is under the machining template 10 aspirated.

It turns out that with a configuration of the processing template 10, how it is shown in Figures 1A to 2C, also with regularly over the width of the Nonwoven fabric distributed fluid jets, the arrangement of which varies from the entrance to the processing area remains the same until its exit, good results can be generated are.

FIG. 3 shows a top view of an arrangement of nozzles 20 for generating water, saturated steam or air jets in a treatment area, as illustrated by FIGS. 2A to 2C. The nozzles 20 are designed, for example, as corresponding openings in three nozzle bars 21 extending across the width of the nonwoven fabric or as individual nozzles. The nozzles 20 in an area B (FIG. 2B, initial phase of the treatment) are aligned with the elevations 12 of the treatment template 10. Towards area C (FIG. 2C, final phase of the treatment), the nozzles move against the valleys arranged between the elevations 12. In area C, the nozzles 20 are aligned with the valleys.

As already mentioned in connection with FIGS. 2A to 2C, also good results are achieved if the nozzles are distributed regularly over all nozzle bars 21 are.

For the treatment of the nonwoven fabric 1 very fine fluid jets are necessary This means that the nozzles have a diameter of the order of 0.01 to 1.0 mm.

FIGS. 4A to 4D show a further, exemplary treatment of a nonwoven fabric 1 with fluid dynamic forces in essentially the same way as FIGS. 2A to 2C. In contrast to the fluid treatments described above, the fiber fleece 1 or the fiber ribbon 3 lies against a carrier sieve 40. The carrier screen 40 has, for example, regular perforations. In the processing area, a stationary processing template 10 is provided, which has a strip-like pattern of slots 41. The slots 41 narrow from the entrance of the treatment area (5B) towards the exit of the treatment area (5D). The fluid jets 13 are generated by an arrangement of substantially evenly distributed nozzles 20. The arrangement of the nozzles 20 and the slots 41 results in fluid flows parallel to the carrier sieve 40, through which low-fiber regions are formed between the slots 41 and the fiber material is solidified over the slots 41.

FIG. 5 shows a section of a further processing template 10 (section as in FIGS. 2A to 2C) with a stripe-shaped structuring and perforation, which can be the same through the entire processing area. As already shown in FIGS. 2A to 2C, the processing template 10 has elevations 12 oriented in the processing direction and valleys 42 between elevations. The valleys 42 have a first, steeper side wall 43 and a second, less steep and stepped side wall 44. The fluid jets 13 are aligned with the valleys 42 in such a way that the one runs along or reflects the less steep wall 44 over the step, while other fluid jets are guided essentially along the steeper wall 43 onto the valley floor. The fluid is sucked off through the processing template 10 in the valley bottom. Fluid nozzles 20 can be arranged aligned with the walls 43 and 44, as shown in FIG. 5, or they can be distributed in a regular pattern over the width of the template 10.

The fiber fleece 1 lies on the elevations at the entrance of the processing area and is then separated into fiber tapes 3, which are driven into the valleys 42. Positioned on the valley floor, the fiber tapes 3 experience through the effect the fluid jets a twist, through which the fiber structure is solidified.

Figure 6 shows in a very schematic manner an exemplary embodiment of the device according to the invention. This device each has a conveyor belt 40.1 and 40.2 for feeding the nonwoven fabric 1 and for conveying away the fiber tapes 3. The treatment area 2 is arranged between these conveyor belts. The nonwoven fabric 1 or the resulting fiber tapes 3 are conveyed through the treatment area by means of the treatment template 10, which is also designed as a correspondingly structured conveyor belt. Fluid jets 13 are directed against the treatment template 10. A means 48 for heat treatment of the fiber tapes can optionally be arranged downstream of the means for generating these rays. Fiber tapes treated with water jets are dried here, for example.

The drying of fiber tapes can also be carried out off-line.

The conveyor belt designed as a treatment template 10 can be an endless Carrier sieve, which moves over a stationary treatment template, as shown in Figures 4A to 4D.

FIG. 7 shows a further exemplary embodiment of the device according to the invention. This device is also shown very schematically. The nonwoven fabric 1 is produced by a card 50 and fed directly to the method according to the invention. The device according to the invention is essentially a drum-like arrangement 51. The lateral surface of the drum rotating in the direction of the arrow is designed, for example, as a treatment template 10. A region of a second stencil 30 designed as an endless band is guided over rollers 60 such that it is pressed between the rollers against a region of the first stencil 10. The rollers can be spring-loaded for metering the pressing action. The pressing area represents the treatment area 2, in which a means 61 for generating fluid jets 13 is also arranged, such that the fluid jets 13 hit the nonwoven fabric 1 lying on the drum surface through the second template 30. The means 61 for generating the fluid jets 13 is designed, for example, as a hollow bar which is aligned parallel to the drum axis and which has a wall which is directed toward the drum surface and is accordingly equipped with nozzles and which can be pressurized with a fluid.

The drum assembly 51, which is used to treat the nonwoven fabric with fluid dynamic Forces can, as shown in Figure 7 at the exit of a usual card 50 or another device for producing a nonwoven fabric then be installed. But it can also be in a card or other Device for the production of a nonwoven fabric, for example the Replace take-off roller 62 or one of the rollers 63 following the take-off roller 62.

The fiber tapes created in the treatment area 2 are removed from the drum arrangement 51 3 optionally fed to a further processing station, which is shown in FIG Trap an adhesive bath 52, a tape storage 53 and a tape dryer 54 includes. After the belt dryer 54, the adhesive treatment stabilized fiber ribbon 3 rolled up on rollers 55.

When the compressed fiber tapes 3 are further treated by adhesive , it is advantageous to select the adhesive so that it consists of a can be removed from the fiber tapes 3, flat structures again can that he so the fiber ribbon 3 only for the manufacture of the flat structure temporarily stabilized.

• Umschlingung der Faserbändchen mit Fibrillen aus einem thermoplastischen Kunststoff, der in einem Wärmebehandlungsschritt aktivierbar und aus dem flächigen Gebilde durch Lösen oder Verdampfen mindestens teilweise entfernbar ist;
• Beimischung von Bindefasern aus einem thermoplastischen Kunststoff zum ursprünglichen Stapelfasermaterial, wobei der thermoplastische Kunststoff bei der Fluidbehandlung (z.B. mit Sattdampf) oder in einer weiteren Wärmebehandlung aktiviert und aus dem flächigen Gebilde durch Lösen oder Verdampfen mindestens teilweise entfernbar ist;
• Beimischung eines Klebstoffes zum Fluid, welcher Klebstoff aus dem flächigen Gebilde durch Lösen oder Verdampfen mindestens teilweise entfernbar ist.

Other reversible further treatments suitable for the compressed fiber tapes are, for example, methods known per se, such as:

• Wrapping the fiber ribbons with fibrils made of a thermoplastic, which can be activated in a heat treatment step and at least partially removed from the flat structure by loosening or evaporation;
• Admixture of binding fibers made of a thermoplastic to the original staple fiber material, the thermoplastic being activated during the fluid treatment (eg with saturated steam) or in a further heat treatment and being at least partially removable from the flat structure by dissolving or evaporating;
• Admixing an adhesive to the fluid, which adhesive can be at least partially removed from the sheet by loosening or evaporating.

A particularly suitable thermoplastic is polyvinyl alcohol, which activated by heat and soluble in water, that means simply from a flat surface Structure is washable.

• Falschdrehen oder Verwirbeln mit Luft (Faserbändchen wird durch Dralldüse oder Verwirbelungsdüse geführt) oder mechanisch;
• Nitscheln (rubbing).

Further consolidation steps which can be used after the conversion of the nonwoven fabric into a plurality of fiber tapes for a further, irreversible consolidation of the fiber tapes are advantageously processes of this type which work without adding foreign material to the original fiber material. For example:

• Incorrect rotation or swirling with air (fiber ribbon is passed through a swirl nozzle or swirling nozzle) or mechanically;
• Nitscheln (rubbing).

Of course, the fiber tapes can be added by adding a suitable adhesive or of suitable binding fibers (e.g. made of polypropylene) also permanently be solidified.

Claims (33)

A process for the production of thread-like, textile structures from a quasi-endless fiber fleece (1) in which staple fibers are present in a loose fiber structure, characterized in that the fiber fleece (1) is longitudinally separated into a plurality of fiber bands (3) and the originally loose fiber structure is consolidated in such a way that the consolidated fiber tapes (3) can be processed into a flat, textile structure, the fiber assembly being exposed to fluid dynamic forces for the longitudinal separation and / or for at least part of the consolidation. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the fiber structure is swirled by the fluid dynamic forces. A method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the fiber tapes (3) get a twist by the fluid dynamic forces. Method according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that for the treatment with fluid dynamic forces, fluid jets (13) are directed against one side of the nonwoven fabric (1) or the fiber ribbon (3), that the fluid jets (13) penetrate the fiber fleece (1) or the fiber tapes (3) and, on the other side of the fiber fleece (1), meet a first treatment template (10) which is perforated in the longitudinal direction of the fleece and that the fluid is sucked off through this treatment template (10). A method according to claim 4, characterized in that the fluid jets (13) are water, saturated steam or air jets. Method according to one of claims 4 or 5, characterized in that the fluid jets (13) have a diameter in the range from 0.01 to 1.0 mm. Method according to one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that the nonwoven fabric (1) or the fiber ribbon (3) abuts the first processing template (10) or on a carrier screen (40) positioned between the fiber material and the first processing template (10) the processing area (2) is moved. Method according to one of claims 4 to 7, characterized in that the nonwoven fabric (1) is separated into fiber tapes (3) and the fibers are increasingly aligned in the longitudinal direction of the nonwoven fabric by the fact that fluid jets (13) onto imperforate areas in the first treatment template (10) be judged. Method according to one of claims 4 to 8, characterized in that the fiber structure in the nonwoven fabric (1) and / or in the fiber ribbon (3) is swirled in that it is penetrated by fluid jets (13) like a needle. Method according to one of claims 4 to 7, characterized in that the fiber structure in the fiber ribbon (3) is solidified by twisting, in that fluid jets are directed in opposite directions on two sides of the fiber ribbon. Method according to one of Claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the nonwoven fabric (1) is a carded nonwoven or a carded nonwoven in which the fibers are preferably oriented in the longitudinal direction of the nonwoven. Method according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the fiber tapes (3) after treatment with the fluid dynamic forces are subjected to at least one further process step in which their strength is further increased. A method according to claim 12, characterized in that in the additional process step, the fiber tapes (3) are given a false twist, that the fiber assembly is swirled or the fiber tapes (3) are dripped. A method according to claim 12, characterized in that the fiber tapes (3) are treated with an adhesive in the additional process step. A method according to claim 14, characterized in that the adhesive is contained in the fluid of the fluid jets (13). A method according to claim 12, characterized in that binding fibers are admixed to the staple fiber material or the fiber tapes (3) are wrapped with filaments, which binding fibers or filaments consist of a thermoplastic, and that the thermoplastic during treatment with fluid dynamic forces or in another heat treatment is activated. Method according to one of claims 14 to 16, characterized in that the adhesive or the thermoplastic is soluble or evaporable in such a way that it can be at least partially removed from a flat structure containing the fiber ribbon (3) by dissolving or evaporating. A method according to claim 17, characterized in that the thermoplastic is polyvinyl alcohol. Use of a method according to one of claims 1 to 18 manufactured fiber ribbon (3) for the production of flat structures according to known methods. Use of a method according to one of claims 1 to 18 manufactured fiber ribbon (3) for the production of flat structures, the additional to the fiber ribbon (3) have further thread-like structures. Use of a method according to one of claims 1 to 18 manufactured fiber ribbon (3) for the production of flat structures by Weave. Use of a method according to one of claims 1 to 18 produced fiber ribbon (3) as a weft in a fabric. Use of a method according to one of claims 1 to 18 manufactured fiber ribbon (3) for the production of fabrics for disposable laundry. Device for producing thread-like structures from a nonwoven fabric (1), which consists of a staple fiber material and in which fibers are in a loose fiber structure, characterized by means for feeding the nonwoven fabric (1) in a feed direction (F), means for longitudinally separating the nonwoven fabric (1) into a plurality of fiber tapes, means for strengthening the fiber assembly in the nonwoven fabric (1) and / or in the fiber tapes (3) such that the solidified fiber tapes are suitable for the production of flat structures, and means for conveying away the solidified Fiber tapes (3) in a direction of conveyance (F '), the means for longitudinal separation and / or the means for strengthening having means for treating the nonwoven fabric (1) and / or the fiber tapes (3) with fluid dynamic forces. Apparatus according to claim 24, characterized in that the means for treatment are a strip-like perforated treatment template (10) on which the nonwoven fabric (1) can be positioned, means for generating fluid jets directed against the nonwoven fabric (1) positioned on the treatment template (10) (13) and means for sucking the fluid through the treatment template (10). Device according to claim 25, characterized in that the treatment template (10) can be moved continuously in a direction connecting the feed direction (F) and the removal direction (F ') and that the nonwoven fabric (1) can be applied to the treatment template (10). Apparatus according to claim 25, characterized in that the treatment template (10) is essentially stationary and that a support screen (40) is provided which continuously connects the feed template (Z) and the removal direction (Z ') with each other via the treatment template (10) is movable and to which the nonwoven fabric (1) can be placed. Device according to one of claims 25 to 27, characterized in that the treatment template (10) has a pattern of perforations or slots (41). Device according to claims 25 to 28, characterized in that the treatment template (10) has elevations and valleys running between the elevations and that the perforations or slots (41) are arranged in the valleys. Apparatus according to claim 29, characterized in that the valleys (42) of the treatment template (10) have a first, steeper wall (43) and a second, less steep and stepped wall (44). Device according to one of claims 25 to 30, characterized in that the treatment template (10) or the support screen (40) is designed as a circumferential band or as a jacket of a rotating drum. Device according to one of claims 25 to 31, characterized in that a means (61) for generating the fluid jets (13) has a plurality of nozzles (20) which are arranged in a pattern matched to the perforation of the treatment template (10), and that the nozzles (20) have a diameter in the range from 0.01 to 1.0 mm. Device according to one of claims 24 to 32, characterized in that the means for strengthening the fiber structure means for heat treating the fiber tapes (3), means for adhesive treatment of the fiber tapes (3), means for imparting a false twist to the fiber tapes (3) and / or have means for nitscheln the fiber ribbon (3).

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