AU736251B2 - Fibre processing - Google Patents

Description

WO 98/37263 PCT/AU98/00105 FIBRE PROCESSING The present invention relates to textile processing, in particular to a method and apparatus for blending and aligning a loose assembly of textile fibres to produce a sliver suitable for further processing'.

Fibre damage and breakage is undesirable and generally unavoidable in the processing of textile fibres. The fibre damage and breakage which is associated with conventional early stage processing of animal fibres such as wool results in a significant reduction in average fibre length. The length of the fibre determines the type and quality of the yarn produced from the fibre. Yams made from short fibres are typically used to produce low cost apparel or interior textiles. Longer fibres are more valuable and may be used to form yams for top quality end uses such as fine worsted suitings. It is therefore desirable for textile fibres to be processed, at economic rates, with minimal fibre damage and breakage.

Textile fibres such as wool are commonly processed by firstly scouring (washing), usually in soap or detergent solutions, or by the use of appropriate organic solvents, to remove dirt and grease contaminants. The scoured wool is then passed through a carding engine to convert the fibres into a relatively open continuous web or sliver for further processing. The carding engine consists of rotating cylinders covered with a dense arrangement of wire hooks designed to disentangle the fibres (such entanglement being an undesirable result of the scouring process), and (ii) remove vegetable contaminants, prior to the subsequent processes of gilling and combing. The wire hooks on the carding engine open the tangled fibres into a fine web by a tearing action. Significant fibre damage and breakage occurs during this process. Short fibres remaining in the carded web are removed as waste (noil) in the subsequent combing process. Typically, about to 10% of the wool is lost as noil. Furthermore, valuable fibre is lost during carding and associated burr removal as "card waste" and is generally in the range of 5 to Further, carding engines are also very expensive to purchase and to maintain. The card must be fettled (cleaned) between batches of different fibre type, and particularly after

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WO 98/37263 PCT/AU98/00105 -2batches of differently coloured fibre. Fettling is labour intensive and time-consuming due to the size and complexity of the card and the density and shape of the card wire hooks.

In conventional processing, carding is followed by gilling and combing. Gill boxes are used to attenuate and blend the card web and partially align the fibres by the "combing" action of metal pins set in metal holders called faller bars, which move in the same direction as the web of fibres, but at a faster, controlled rate such that the pins are drawn through the fibre mass, aligning and drawing out (drafting) into a "sliver". Further fibre breakage occurs during gilling. After gilling, the sliver is passed into a combing machine to prepare the fibre assembly for the spinning operation. The main action of the comb is to remove the short fibres which were broken in the carding and gilling steps, and to remove any remaining vegetable contamination. The resultant clean, blended, aligned sliver is referred to as a "top".

Australian Patent Application 225760 to Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation describes a process which incorporates the use of a modified gill box (referred to herein as the CSIRO Converter and alternatively known as the Geelong Converter) designed to eliminate the necessity for the use of a carding engine. The CSIRO Converter comprised a bed of faller bars arranged in intersecting relationship.

The wool is fed on a conveyor to rear rollers and then enters the bed of faller bars. The wool then passes through the faller bed to the front rollers in the form of a partially aligned sliver, to an output conveyor. The faller bars draw the wool from the back rollers and feed it to the front rollers which then draw it out past the faller pins. The draft (degree of drawing out) between the back rollers and rear faller bars is known as back draft and the draft between the front faller bars and the front rollers is known as front draft. The CSIRO Converter incorporates a high back draft and, back drafts of six or more are employed for optimum results.

We have now found a process which eliminates the necessity for the use of a carding engine. Accordingly, there is provided a process for producing an aligned sliver of textile fibres comprising the steps of passing a formative sliver of textile fibres through WO 98/37263 PCT/AU98/00105 -3a first drafting means, a second drafting means, an assembly of combs and a third drafting means in sequence wherein said first drafting means comprises a first feeding means which grips and controls the rate of passage of the formative sliver of textile fibres and at least one first drawing means which draws the formative sliver of textile fibres at an increased rate whereby a first draft is created, wherein said second drafting means comprises a second feeding means which grips and controls the rate of passage of the formative sliver of textile fibres, a controlling station wherein said controlling station supports the textile fibres and allows movement of the textile fibres relative to each other during the passage of the formative sliver of textile fibres through the controlling station and at least one second drawing means which draws the formative sliver of textile fibres at an increased rate whereby a second draft is created wherein the assembly of combs comprises a plurality of combs, each comb comprising a plurality of pins arranged transversely to the direction of motion of the textile fibres and wherein said combs are drawn through the formative sliver of textile fibres in the direction of motion of the formative sliver of textile fibres, wherein said third drafting means comprises a third feeding means which grips and controls the rate of passage of the formative sliver of textile fibres and at least one third drawing means which draws the formative sliver of textile fibres at an increased rate whereby a third draft is created, wherein the sum of the first draft and the second draft is less than According to a second aspect, the present invention provides an apparatus for producing an aligned sliver of textile fibres comprising a first drafting means, a second drafting means, an assembly of combs and a third drafting means positioned in sequence wherein said first drafting means comprises a first feeding means which grips and controls the rate of passage of the formative sliver of textile fibres and at least one first drawing means which draws the formative sliver of textile fibres at an increased rate whereby a first draft is created, wherein said second drafting means comprises a second feeding means which grips and controls the rate of passage of the formative sliver of textile fibres, a controlling station wherein said controlling station supports the textile fibres and allows movement of the textile fibres relative to each other during the passage of the formative sliver of textile fibres through the controlling station and at least one second drawing means which draws the formative sliver of textile fibres at an increased rate whereby a WO 98/37263 PCT/AU98/00105 -4second draft is created wherein the assembly of combs comprises a plurality of combs, each comb comprising a plurality of pins arranged transversely to the direction of motion of the textile fibres and wherein said combs are drawn through the formative sliver of textile fibres in the direction of motion of the formative sliver of textile fibres, wherein said third drafting means comprises a third feeding means which grips and controls the rate of passage of the formative sliver of textile fibres and at least one third drawing means which draws the formative sliver of textile fibres at an increased rate whereby a third draft is created, wherein the sum of the first draft and the second draft is less than The present invention is suitable for processing textile fibres. Textile fibres for which the present invention is particularly suited include fibres of animal, vegetable and synthetic origin. The present invention is also suited to creating intimate blends of various fibres such as animal, vegetable or synthetic fibres. Fibres of animal origin include hair and wool. Fibres of vegetable origin include cotton and flax. Fibres of synthetic origin include acrylic, polyamide and polyester fibres. The present invention is particularly suited to the processing of animal fibres such as wool or hair originating from sheep, goats, alpacas, llamas and camels.

The textile fibres may be in the form of a loose assembly of textile fibres, in raw or scoured form or as partially-processed or waste material. The process may also be used for reclaiming or recycling waste fibre. The process and apparatus of the present invention converts the textile fibres into an aligned, blended, top-like sliver, with minimal accompanying (undesirable) fibre damage and breakage compared to the conventional carding process, by gradually, in a controlled manner, drawing and aligning the textile fibres. Advantageously, the present invention employs a much gentler action than the carding and results in virtually no waste thereby providing higher valuable fibre yields than conventional carding processes.

The fibre-aligning capabilities of the present invention are of extreme importance in the reduced (or in some cases zero) "preparer gilling" is needed to prepare the sliver for the subsequent combing process. Such reduced gilling has the potential to further reduce WO 98/37263 PCT/AU98/00105 fibre breakage, compared to the conventional route of carding followed by 2 or 3 preparer gillings followed by combing. It is generally acknowledged in the trade that conventional carding induces considerable disordering of scoured fibres. For example, in grey wool, there is a high degree of order, each lock consisting of many thousands of parallel fibres. Conventional processing disarranges these locks partially in the scour, and then completely in the card, subsequent machines being used to restore the lost parallel order. Such a system is inefficient, and more satisfactory methods of cleaning the carding ae outstanding in wool textile processing.

The textile fibres may be of any length, typically from 20 to 300mm. The distance (ratch) between the various elements of the present process is able to be readily varied, and shall be determined by the average fibre length and the distribution of fibre lengths of the textile fibres being processed. It is particularly preferred that the controlling station comprises sufficient number of controlling means, with variable ratch between each controlling means, to allow control of the moving fibre mass without exerting sufficient pressure to induce fibre breakage. These two variables will vary with the type of fibre being processed.

The first drafting means comprising a first feeding means which grips and controls the rate of passage of the formative sliver of textile fibres and at least one first drawing means which draws the formative sliver of textile fibres at an increased rate whereby a first draft is created.

The first feeding means grips the textile fibres and retards the forward motion of the textile fibres so as to enable the formative sliver of textile fibres to be drafted by the at least one first drawing means. The first feeding means may also serve to feed the textile fibres into the apparatus of the present invention. The first feeding means may be any device suitable for the purpose, such as, rollers, conveyor belts or the like. It is particularly preferred that the first feeding means comprises at least one pair of driven rollers having a nip wherein the textile fibres of the formative sliver are gripped sufficiently to feed the textile fibres into the first feeding means and to retard the forward motion of the textile fibres as they are drafted by the at least one first drawing means.

WO 98/37263 PCT/AU98/00105 -6- The textile fibres may be fed into the first drafting means by any convenient means such as rollers, conveyor belts or the like. It is particularly preferred that the textile fibres are fed into the first drafting means on a conveyor belt, which may form part of the first feeding means.

The at least one first drawing means grips the textile fibres and controls the forward motion of the textile fibres at an increased rate relative to their passage through the first feeding means. The at least one first drawing means may be any device suitable for the purpose, such as rollers, conveyor belts or the like. It is preferred that the at least one first drawing means comprises at least one pair of driven rollers having a nip wherein the textile fibres are gripped to draw the textile fibres into the at least one first drawing means.

Where the at least one first drawing means consists of only one drawing means the entire first draft results from the increased rate at which the formative sliver of textile fibres is drawn through the drawing means relative to the rate at which it passes through the first feeding means.

Where the at least one first drawing means consists of two or more drawing means each successive drawing means operates at an increased rate relative to the preceding drawing means thereby resulting in a series of drafts which in total sum to the first draft.

The second drafting means comprising a first feeding means which grips and controls the rate of passage of the formative sliver of textile fibres and at least one first drawing means which draws the formative sliver of textile fibres at an increased rate whereby a first draft is created.

The second feeding means grips the textile fibres and retards the forward motion of the textile fibres so as to enable the formative sliver of textile fibres to be drafted by the at least one second drawing means. The second feeding means may be any device suitable for the purpose, such as, rollers, conveyor belts or the like. It is particularly preferred that the second feeding means comprises at least one pair of driven rollers having a nip

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WO 98/37263 PCT/AU98/00105 -7wherein the textile fibres of the formative sliver are gripped sufficiently to feed the textile fibres into the second feeding means and to retard the forward motion of the textile fibres as they are drafted by the at least one second drawing means.

The textile fibres may be fed into the second drafting means from the second drafting means by any convenient means such as rollers, conveyor belts or the like. It is particularly preferred that the textile fibres are fed into the second drafting means directly from the first drafting means. In the most preferred embodiment of the present invention the first drawing means also acts as the second feeding means and is in the form of a pair of nip rollers.

The at least one second drawing means grips the textile fibres and controls the forward motion of the textile fibres at an increased rate relative to their passage through the second feeding means. The at least one second drawing means may be any device suitable for the purpose, such as rollers, conveyor belts or the like. It is preferred that the at least one second drawing means comprises at least one pair of driven rollers having a nip wherein the textile fibres are gripped to draw the textile fibres into the at least one second drawing means. In the most preferred embodiment of the present invention the at least one second drawing means comprises the initial combs of the assembly of combs engaging the formative sliver of textile fibres as the ultimate second drawing means.

Where the at least one second drawing means consists of only one drawing means the entire second draft results from the increased rate at which the formative sliver of textile fibres is drawn through the drawing means relative to the rate at which it passes through the second feeding means.

Where the at least one second drawing means consists of two or more drawing means each successive drawing means operates at an increased rate relative to the preceding drawing means thereby resulting in a series of drafts which in total sum to the second draft.

The controlling station supports the formative sliver of textile fibres and controls the WO 98/37263 PCT/AU98/00105 -8drafting of the textile fibres between the second drafting means and the adjacent assembly of combs. The controlling station allows movement of the textile fibres relative to each other to minimise fibre breakage. Suitable controlling station include various combinations of rollers or pinned rollers and/or moving belts or pinned belts and/or pneumatic devices. The elements of the controlling station should be sufficiently closely spaced to allow close control of the textile over the spacing between the second drafting means and the assembly of combs. We have found it preferable that the elements of the controlling station are driven, each at an increased speed relative to the element before, thereby facilitating the second draft of the textile fibres. It is also preferred that the distance (ratch) between and within the elements of the controlling station be variable to accommodate textile fibres of varying length.

We have found it particularly convenient that the controlling station includes at least one pair of rollers, the lower roller being driven and the upper roller being driven or floating to minimize fibre breakage. The rollers may be plain, fluted or containing projecting pins (porcupine rollers).

The assembly of combs comprises a plurality of combs, each comb comprising a plurality of pins arranged transversely to the direction of motion of the textile fibres wherein the series of pins are adapted to engage the textile fibres and be drawn through the textile fibres in the direction of motion of the textile fibres. We have found that a preferred configuration of the assembly of combs comprises a series of pinned (porcupine) rollers and/or pinned belts which may be used in combination with driven rollers or the like.

In a preferred embodiment the assembly of combs comprises at least three processing regions. The first processing region draws the textile fibres. The second processing region is preferably located at least a fibre length from the first region. The third processing region preferably grips the formative sliver. We have also found that another preferred configuration of the assembly of combs consists of a multiplicity of faller bars similar to the faller bars of an intersecting gill box a gill box with faller bars moving above and below the textile fibres). A series of driven pinned (porcupine) rollers or one or more belts may be used, either alone or in combination with faller bars. The density and thickness of such pins is preferably similar to those of conventional gill-box faller WO 98/37263 PCT/AU98/00105 -9bars used in top-making.

The third drafting means comprising a third feeding means which grips and controls the rate of passage of the formative sliver of textile fibres and at least one third drawing means which draws the formative sliver of textile fibres at an increased rate whereby a third draft is created.

The third feeding means grips the textile fibres and retards the forward motion of the textile fibres so as to enable the formative sliver of textile fibres to be drafted by the at least one third drawing means. The third feeding means may be any device suitable for the purpose, such as, rollers, conveyor belts or the like. It is preferred that the third feeding means comprises at least one pair of driven rollers having a nip wherein the textile fibres of the formative sliver are gripped sufficiently to feed the textile fibres into the third feeding means and to retard the forward motion of the textile fibres as they are drafted by the at least one third drawing means.

The textile fibres may be fed into the third drafting means from the assembly of combs by any convenient means such as rollers, conveyor belts or the like. It is particularly preferred that the textile fibres are fed into the third drafting means on a conveyor belt, which may form part of the third feeding means directly from the assembly of combs.

It is particularly preferred that the final combs of the assembly of combs engaging the formative sliver of textile fibres be used as the third feeder means.

The at least one third drawing means may also serve to feed the textile fibres onto a lap.

The at least one third drawing means may be any device suitable for the purpose, such as rollers, conveyor belts or the like. It is particularly preferred that the at least one third drawing means comprises at least one pair of driven rollers having a nip wherein the formative sliver of textile fibres is gripped sufficiently to draw the textile fibres into the third drafting means from the assembly of combs.

The at least one third drawing means grips the textile fibres and controls the forward motion of the textile fibres at an increased rate relative to their passage through the third WO 98/37263 PCT/AU98/00105 feeding means. The at least one third drawing means may be any device suitable for the purpose, such as rollers, conveyor belts or the like. It is preferred that the at least one third drawing means comprises at least one pair of driven rollers having a nip wherein the textile fibres are gripped to draw the textile fibres into the at least one third drawing means.

Where the at least one third drawing means consists of only one drawing means the entire third draft results from the increased rate at which the formative sliver of textile fibres is drawn through the drawing means relative to the rate at which it passes through the third feeding means.

Where the at least one third drawing means consists of two or more drawing means each successive drawing means operates at an increased rate relative to the preceding drawing means thereby resulting in a series of drafts which in total sum to the third draft.

In the process of the present invention the sum of the first draft and the second draft is less than 5, preferbly in the range of from 2 to 4. It is preferred that the first draft is in the range of 1.1 to 1.5. It is preferred that the second draft is in the range of 1.1 to The third draft, between the assembly of combs and the third drafting means is preferably in the range of from 1.5 to Further controlling stations as hereinabove described may be used in the present invention either within or between the drafting means. Short or weak fibres may advantageously be processed by employing a controlling station between the first and second drafting means.

In another aspect of the present invention there is provided a process wherein the textile fibres to be treated are pretreated with a lubricant to reduce fibre/fibre and fibre/metal friction. In conventional carding engines the card consists of densely arranged card wires. This dense arrangement of card wires limits the amount of processing lubricants which may be used to reduce fibre/fibre and fibre/metal friction as the use of more than (on weight of fibre) of such processing lubricants may result in excessive build-up WO 98/37263 PCT/AU98/00105 11 of lubricant and short fibres on the dense card wires and it is necessary to interrupt the processing of the textile fibres in order to frequently clean the carding engine. In the present process the use of increased amounts of processing lubricants is possible. For example, we have found that amounts of processing lubricant of about 0.5 to 2.5% (on weight of fibre) may be employed in the process of the present invention in order to minimise fibre breakage without resulting in an unacceptable level of build-up of lubricants and other associated contaminants on the process equipment. Higher levels may also be desirable when processing particular fibres. The processed textile fibres may subsequently be backwashed to remove added lubricant, and/or scoured and dyed prior to subsequent combing. The present invention also permits unscoured fibres of low grease, such as alpaca and cashmere, to be processed in "greasy" form. Such "greasy" fibres cannot be readily processed by carding equipment.

The present invention allows the formation of a top-like sliver from a loose assembly of textile fibres having greater mean length, a lower proportion of residual short fibres and less wastage of combed out short broken fibres, resulting in greater yield of longer more valuable fibres than is obtained by the traditional carding method. We have also found that certain embodiments of the present invention may reduce the number of neps (undesirable small fibre entanglements) and may result in less damage to contaminants such as burrs in the textile fibres, which may allow the contaminants to be more easily removed in subsequent combing operations.

The process described above may be repeated in order to obtain the desired degree of alignment and conversion in the textile fibres to provide a sliver suitable for further conventional processing. Two or more of the above-described processes may be used in series, typically depending on the type of fibre, the average mean fibre length, and the distribution of lengths of the fibres. The determination of how many of the processes described above may be usefully employed in series will be readily determined by simple reference to sliver quality.

In the second aspect of the present invention there is provided an apparatus for producing a sliver of textile fibres. The main elements of the apparatus are described above. In a WO 98/37263 PCT/AU98/00105 12preferred embodiment the present apparatus may be configured such that the ratch between the various elements is variable. It is also preferred that the draft of the textile fibres in the formative sliver is controlled by the first drafting means, the second drafting means, the assembly of combs and the third drafting means being composed of elements which may be varied in speed. In this preferred embodiment the apparatus of the present invention has a versatility and ease of adjustment such that fibres of differing lengths may be easily accommodated.

The present invention will be more fully explained with reference to the accompanying drawings in which figures 1, 2 and 3 show diagrammatically three forms of the apparatus constructed according to the present invention.

In figure 1 a loose assembly of textile fibres 1 are fed into a first feeding means 2 consisting of a pair of rollers 21, 22. The pair of rollers 21, 22 grip the textile fibres 1 and are driven at a controlled rate so as to retard the movement of the textile fibres 1 relative to the speed of the first drawing means 3. The first drawing means 3 consists of a pair of rollers 31,32 which grip the textile fibres and are driven at a rate greater than the rate at which the rollers 21, 22 are driven. The rate differential between the first feeding means 2 and the first drawing means 3 results in a first draft 100 between the first feeding means 2 and the first drawing means 3. The pair of rollers 31, 32 also function as the second feeding means. A controlling station 4 consisting of three pairs of rollers 41 and 42, 43 and 44, 45 and 46 spaced between the pair of rollers 31, 32 and the assembly of combs 7 controls the drafting of the fibres over the second draft 101.

The lower rollers 42,44,46 are driven and the upper rollers 41,43,45 are driven or lightweight floating rollers. The assembly of combs 7 consists of a series of faller bars 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77,'78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98 which are arranged in intersecting relationship and driven in the direction of the movement of the textile fibres 1. A third drawing means 6 consisting of a pair of rollers 61,62 which grip the textile fibres 1 and are driven to draw the textile fibres 1 from the assembly of combs 7 over a third draft 102. The rollers 61 and 62 draw the textile fibres 1 at a rate higher than that at which the textile fibres 1 are travelling within the assembly of combs 7. The textile fibres 1 exiting the third drawing WO 98/37263 PCT/AU98/00105 13means 6 are in the form of a cohesive formative sliver in which the textile fibres are blended and aligned.

In figure 2 there is provided a first feeding means 2 consisting of a pair of rollers 21,22.

The pair of rollers 21,22 grip textile fibres as they pass from the conveyor belt 110 and drives the fibres at a controlled rate so as to retard movement of the fibres relative to the first drawing means 3. The first drawing means 3 consists of a pair of fluted rollers 33 and 34 which grip the textile fibres 1 and are driven at a rate greater than the rate at which rollers 21,22 are driven. The rate differential between the first feeding means 2 and the first drawing means 3 creates a first draft 100. The fluted rollers 33 and 34 also serve as the second feeding means. A controlling station 4 consisting of three pairs of rollers 48 and 49,50 and 51,52 and 53 as well as a porcupine roller 47 spaced between the fluted rollers 31 and 32 and the assembly of combs 7 controls the drafting of the fibres over second draft 101. Two the pairs of rollers 48 and 49 and 50 and 51 are fluted rollers. The lower rollers 49,51,53 are driven and the upper rollers 48,50,52 are lightweight floating rollers. The assembly of combs 7 consists of a series of faller bars 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98 which are arranged in intersecting relationship and driven in the direction of movement of the textile fibres 1. A third drawing means 6 consisting of a pair of fluted rollers 63,64 grip the textile fibres 1 and are driven to draw the textile fibres 1 from the assembly of combs 7 over a third draft 102. The rollers 63 and 64 draw the textile fibres at a rate higher than that at which the textile fibres are travelling as they leave the assembly of combs 7. The textile fibres 1 exiting the third drawing means 5 are in the form of a cohesive formative sliver in which the textile fibres are blended and aligned. The sliver is passed through a funnel 111 and wound onto a lap 112 by a pair of lap rollers 113 and 114.

In figure 3 a loose assembly of textile fibres 1 are fed into a first feeding means 2 consisting of a pair of rollers 21, 22. The pair of rollers 21, 22 grip the textile fibres 1 and are driven at a controlled rate so as to retard the movement of the textile fibres 1 relative to the speed of the first drawing means 3. The first drawing means 3 consists of a pair of rollers 31,32 which grip the textile fibres and are driven at a rate greater than WO 98/37263 PCT/AU98/00105 -14the rate at which the rollers 21, 22 are driven. The rate differential between the first feeding means 2 and the first drawing means 3 results in a first draft 100 between the first feeding means 2 and the first drawing means 3. The pair of rollers 31, 32 also function as the-second feeding means. A controlling station 4 consisting of three pairs of rollers 41 and 42, 43 and 44, 45 and 46 spaced between the pair of rollers 31, 32 and the assembly of combs 7 controls the drafting of the fibres over the second draft 101.

The lower rollers 42,44,46 are driven and the upper rollers 41,43,45 are driven or lightweight floating rollers. The assembly of combs 7 consists of a pair of opposed pinned belts 115 and 116 which are driven in the direction of the movement of the textile fibres 1. A third drawing means 6 consisting of a pair of rollers 61,62 which grip the textile fibres 1 and are driven to draw the textile fibres 1 from the assembly of combs 7 over a third draft 102. The rollers 61 and 62 draw the textile fibres 1 at a rate higher than that at which the textile fibres 1 are travelling within the assembly of combs 7. The textile fibres 1 exiting the third drawing means 6 are in the form of a cohesive formative sliver in which the textile fibres are blended and aligned.

Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

The present invention will be further described by the following non limiting examples.

EXAMPLE ONE Scoured wool having a MFL of 91mm (WIRA Single Fibre Method) was divided and one sample processed by conventional carding on a Tatham card followed by two gillings on Schlumberger gill boxes. The resulting sliver had a MFL of 41mm (Almeter Method).

After combing on a rectilinear comb, the resultant wool top had an MFL of (Almeter Method).

A second and third sample of the scoured wool was processed according to the process of the present invention in accordance with the parameters set out in Table 1 followed WO 98/37263 PCT/AU98/00105 15 by two gillings on Schlumberger gill-boxes. The MFL of the resulting slivers were 47mm and 52mm (Almeter Method) respectively. After combing sample on a rectilinear comb, the resultant wool top had an MFL of 63mm (Almeter Method).

Table 1 Draft 1 Ratch 1 Draft 2 Ratch 2 Draft 3 Ratch 3 Lubricant MFL MFL Added (Sliver) (top) 1.2x 150imm 1.8x 150mm 2x 30mm 0.5% 471nmm 63mm (ii) 1.2x 150mm 1.8x 150mm 2x 60immn 2.0% 52nm EXAMPLE TWO A sample of mohair having a MFL of 78mm (WIRA Single Fibre Method) was divided and one sample processed by conventional carding on a Tatham card followed by two gillings on Schlumberger gill-boxes. The resulting sliver had a MFL of 44mm (Almeter method). After combing on a rectilinear comb, the resultant mohair top had an MFL of (Almeter Method).

A second sample of the mohair was processed in accordance with the present invention employing the parameters set out in Table 2. The MFL of the resulting sliver was 54mm (Almeter method). After combing on a rectilinear comb, the resultant mohair top had a MFL of 72mm (Almeter Method).

Table 2 Draft 1 Ratch 1 Draft 2 Ratcl 2 Draft 3 Ratdi 3 Lubricant MFL MFL Added (Sliver) (top) 1.2x 150mm 1.8x 150mm 2x 60mm 1.5% 54mm 72mm EXAMPLE 3 A sample of alpaca having a MFL of 96mm (WIRA Single Fibre Method) was divided into 2 samples. One sample was processed by conventional carding on a Tatham card, followed by 2 gillings on Schlumberger gill-boxes. The resulting sliver had an MFL of 57mm (Almeter Method). After combing on a rectilinear comb, the resultant alpaca top had an MFL of 72mm (Almeter Method).

The second sample of alpaca was processed in accordance with the present invention, WO 98/37263 PCT/AU98/00105 -16employing the parameters set out in Table 2. The MFL of the resultant sliver was (Almeter Method). After combing on a rectilinear comb, the resultant alpaca top had an MFL of 76mm (Almeter Method).

WO 98/37263 PCT/AU98/00105 17- EXAMPLE 4 Samples of mohair, alpaca and wool were processed according to Example 3. The yields of fibre were determined and are shown in Table 3.

Table 3 Fibre Processed by present Processed by invention conventional card Total Top Total Top Wool 98% 87% 93% 83% Mohair 98% 88% 92% 86% Alpaca 98% 90% 95% 88% EXAMPLE Samples of fibres were processed in accordance with Example 3. Yields for the different fibres are shown in Table 4.

Table 4 Fibre Type Greasy (kg) Scoured (kg) Sliver (kg) Wool-white 3.0 2.1 2.1 Wool-grey 10.6 7.0 6.9 Wool-brown 2.7 1.5 Alpaca-black 3.0 2.8 2.8 Alpaca-brown 5.3 4.8 Alpaca-grey 1.4 1.1 Mohair-white 3.0 2.4 2.4 P'OPER\D\59753-98 rsl doc-17/04101 17a- The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgment or any form of suggestion that that prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in Australia.

Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" and "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.

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0 1 8 AP 2001 Batch No:

Claims (18)

18- THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS: 1. A process for producing an aligned sliver of textile fibres comprising the steps of passing a formative sliver of textile fibres through a first drafting means, a second drafting means, an assembly of combs and a third drafting means in sequence wherein said first drafting means comprises a first feeding means which grips and controls the rate of passage of the formative sliver of textile fibres and at least one first drawing means which draws the formative sliver of textile fibres at an increased rate whereby a first draft is created, wherein said second drafting means comprises a second feeding means which grips and controls the rate of passage of the formative sliver of textile fibres, a controlling station wherein said controlling station supports the textile fibres and allows movement of the textile fibres relative to each other during the passage of the formative sliver of textile fibres through the controlling station and at least one second drawing means which draws the formative sliver of textile fibres at an increased rate whereby a second draft is created wherein the assembly of combs comprises a plurality of combs, each comb comprising a plurality of pins arranged transversely to the direction of motion of the textile fibres and wherein said combs are drawn through the formative sliver of textile fibres in the direction of motion of the formative sliver of textile fibres, wherein said third drafting means comprises a third feeding means which grips and controls the rate of passage of the formative sliver of textile fibres and at least one third drawing means which draws the formative sliver of textile fibres at an increased rate whereby a third draft is created, wherein the sum of the first draft and the second draft is less than 2. A process according to claim 1 wherein the sum of the first draft and the second draft is in the range of from 2 to 4. 3. A process according to either claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the first draft is in the range of from 1.1 to 4. A process according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the second draft is in the range of from 1.1 to WO 98/37263 PCT/AU98/00105 -19- A process according to any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the third draft is in the range of from 1.5 to 6. A process according to any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein the textile fibres are animal, vegetable or synthetic origin or mixtures thereof. 7. A process according to any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein the textile fibres are in the range of from 20 to 300 mm in length. 8. A process according to any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein the first feeding means consists of a pair of driven rollers having a nip. 9. A process according to any one of claims 1 to 8 wherein the at least one first drawing means comprises at least one pair of driven rollers having a nip. A process according to claim 9 wherein the last of said driven rollers additionally functions as the second feeding means. 11. A process according to any one of claims 1 to 9 wherein a controlling station is located between the first drafting means and the second drafting means. 12. A process according to any one of claims 1 to 11 wherein the second feeding means consists of a pair of driven rollers having a nip. 13. A process according to any one of claims 1 to 12 wherein the at least one second drawing means comprises at least one pair of driven rollers having a nip. 14. A process according to any one of claims 1 to 12 wherein the last of the at least one second drawing means is the initial combs of the assembly of combs. A process according to any one of claims 1 to 14 wherein the controlling station comprises elements selected from the group consisting of plain rollers, fluted 'pi 20 rollers, pinned rollers, floating rollers, plain belts, fluted belts, pinned belts, pneumatic devices and combinations thereof. 16. A process according to any one of claims 1 to 15 wherein the assembly of combs comprises a series of opposed pinned rollers and/or pinned belts. 17. A process according to any one of claims 1 to 16 wherein the assembly of combs comprises a series of opposed faller bars. 18. A process according to any one of claims 1 to 17 wherein the last of the assembly of combs functions as the third feeding means. S"19. A process according to any one of claims 1 to 17 wherein the third feeding 1 means consists of a pair of driven rollers having a nip.

20. A process according to any one of claims 1 to 19 wherein the at least one third drawing means comprises at least one pair of driven rollers having a nip.

21. An apparatus for producing an aligned sliver of textile fibres comprising a first 20 drafting means, a second drafting means, an assembly of combs and a third drafting means positioned in sequence wherein said first drafting means comprises a first feeding means which grips and controls the rate of passage of the formative sliver of textile fibres and at least one first drawing means which draws the formative sliver of textile fibres at an increased rate whereby a first draft is created, wherein said second drafting means comprises a second feeding means which grips and controls the rate of passage of the formative sliver of textile fibres, a controlling station wherein said controlling station supports the textile fibres and allows movement of the textile fibres relative to each other during the passage of the formative sliver of textile fibres through the controlling station and at least one second drawing means which draws the formative sliver of textile fibres at an increased rate whereby a second draft is created, wherein the assembly of combs comprises a plurality of combs, each comb CC prising a plurality of pins arranged transversely to the direction of motion of the (471 C' /VVI WO 98/37263 PCT/AU98/00105 -21- textile fibres and wherein said combs are drawn through the formative sliver of textile fibres in the direction of motion of the formative sliver of textile fibres, wherein said third drafting means comprises a third feeding means which grips and controls the rate of passage of the formative sliver of textile fibres and at least one third drawing means which draws the formative sliver of textile fibres at an increased rate whereby a third draft is created, wherein the sum of the first draft and the second draft is less than

22. An apparatus according to claim 21 wherein the sum of the first draft and the second draft is in the range of from 2 to 4.

23. An apparatus according to either claim 21 or claim 22 wherein the first draft is in the range of from 1.1 to

24. An apparatus according to any one of claims 21 to 23 wherein the second draft is in the range of from 1.1 to An apparatus according to any one of claims 21 to 24 wherein the third draft is in the range of from 1.5 to

26. A process according to any one of claims 21 to 25 wherein the first feeding means consists of a pair of driven rollers having .a nip.

27. An apparatus according to any one of claims 21 to 26 wherein the at least one first drawing means comprises at least one pair of driven rollers having a nip.

28. An apparatus according to claim 27 wherein the last of said driven rollers additionally functions as the second feeding means.

29. An apparatus according to any one of claims 21 to 27 wherein a controlling station is located between the first drafting means and the second drafting means. r 22 An apparatus according to any one of claims 21 to 29 wherein the second feeding means consists of a pair of driven rollers having a nip.

31. An apparatus according to any one of claims 21 to 30 wherein the at least one second drawing means comprises at least one pair of driven rollers having a nip.

32. An apparatus according to any one of claims 21 to 30 wherein the last of the at least one second drawing means is the initial combs of the assembly of combs.

33. An apparatus according to any one of claims 21 to 32 wherein the controlling station comprises elements selected from the group consisting of plain rollers, fluted rollers, pinned rollers, floating rollers, plain belts, fluted belts, pinned belts, pneumatic devices and combinations thereof.

34. An apparatus according to any one of claims 21 to 33 wherein the assembly of combs comprises a series of opposed pinned rollers and/or pinned belts.

35. An apparatus according to any one of claims 21 to 34 wherein the assembly of combs comprises a series of opposed faller bars.

36. An apparatus according to any one of claims 21 to 35 wherein the last of the assembly of combs functions as the third feeding means.

37. An apparatus according to any one of claims 21 to 35 wherein the third feeding means consists of a pair of driven rollers having a nip.

38. An apparatus according to any one of claims 21 to 36 wherein the at least one third drawing means comprises at least one pair of driven rollers having a nip.