US3086252A - Method of producing staple fibers - Google Patents
Method of producing staple fibers Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US3086252A US3086252A US133128A US13312861A US3086252A US 3086252 A US3086252 A US 3086252A US 133128 A US133128 A US 133128A US 13312861 A US13312861 A US 13312861A US 3086252 A US3086252 A US 3086252A
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- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- filaments
- tow
- staple fibers
- stretching
- relaxation
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status 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 status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
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Classifications
-
- 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
- D01D5/04—Dry spinning methods
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D01—NATURAL OR MAN-MADE THREADS OR FIBRES; SPINNING
- D01G—PRELIMINARY TREATMENT OF FIBRES, e.g. FOR SPINNING
- D01G1/00—Severing continuous filaments or long fibres, e.g. stapling
- D01G1/02—Severing continuous filaments or long fibres, e.g. stapling to form staple fibres not delivered in strand form
- D01G1/04—Severing continuous filaments or long fibres, e.g. stapling to form staple fibres not delivered in strand form by cutting
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- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D02—YARNS; MECHANICAL FINISHING OF YARNS OR ROPES; WARPING OR BEAMING
- D02J—FINISHING OR DRESSING OF FILAMENTS, YARNS, THREADS, CORDS, ROPES OR THE LIKE
- D02J1/00—Modifying the structure or properties resulting from a particular structure; Modifying, retaining, or restoring the physical form or cross-sectional shape, e.g. by use of dies or squeeze rollers
- D02J1/22—Stretching or tensioning, shrinking or relaxing, e.g. by use of overfeed and underfeed apparatus, or preventing stretch
- D02J1/228—Stretching in two or more steps, with or without intermediate steps
Definitions
- the present invention relates to the production of synthetic fibers, and more particularly to staple fibers which are of good strength, are readily dispersible in fluids, and which exhibit similar shrinkage characteristics.
- filaments formed by an evaporative process in separate spinning cells are coated with a finish, either in the form of an oil or water emulsion, and then gathered into a single tow.
- the filaments are extremely plastic and generally contain from about 6 to 8% acetone and finish, as Well as oc-. eluded water when an emulsion is employed, as based on the dry weight of the filaments.
- the tow of filaments is out into short sections, providing a mass of curled and tangled staple fibers generally of varied lengths.
- Such fibers are, of course, difficult to process and. when placed in an aqueous medium, as for example in paper manufacture, they exhibit different shrinkage properties and poor dispersibility.
- a primary object of this invention is to provide a generally new or improved and more satisfactory method for producing synthetic staple fibers having better properties than heretofore obtained.
- Another object is the provision of a method wherein a tow of continuous synthetic filaments is conditioned to facilitate cutting of the same into staple fibers having good dispersibility and similar shrinkage characteristics in aqueous mediums.
- 'Still another object is the provision of a method wherein a tow of synthetic filaments produced by conventional spinning procedures is relieved of uneven internal strains prior to cutting of the same to provide staple fibers having improved properties.
- the method includes, broadly, the steps of shaping of the Vinyon resin into filaments by conventional evaporative or wet spinning procedures, applying a finish to the shaped filaments and gathering the same into a single tow, relaxing the tow of filaments to permit the release of uneven internal strains from within the filaments, stretching of the tow after the relaxation thereof, and converting the tow, while under tension, into staple fibers.
- tow relaxation permits uneven strains, which are induced within the filaments during their formation, to be at least partially equalized or released to thus elimi nate or at least minimize any tendency for the resulting.
- Vinyon fibers to curl and tangle or entwine with each other, as occurs in conventional staple fiber manufacture.
- rate at which such uneven strains are relieved will vary inversely with time, with the maximum release occurring during the initial stage of the relaxation period followed by a rapid leveling off to a somewhat uniform rate.
- the period of tow relaxation may be extended to as much as one week or more so that the relaxation period selected may well vary with the particular operating conditions and the ultimate use to which the staple fibers are to be applied. While considerable latitude exists as to the period during which the tow is maintained in a relaxed condition, the importance of this step of the method resides in the fact that even a relatively short period of relaxation provides for a large release of uneven internal strains and a remarkable improvement in the properties of the resulting staple fibers.
- Tow relaxation may, of course, be effected in a variety of ways.
- the tow of filaments may be relaxed, for example, by (1) metering its rate of travel between pairs of spaced rolls or wheels so that the tow sags under its own weight, (2) plating the tow on an endless belt traveling slower than the rate at which the tow is delivered thereto, and (3) loosely wrapping a series of turns of the tow about a rotating cylinder.
- different portions of the tow are being continuously advanced through different steps of the method, yet with the tow being permitted to assume a relaxed condition at a desired stage during its move ment.
- the tow may be delivered into a container, with its leading end being fed into a cutter after the tow has been stored in a relaxed condition for a desired period.
- Maximum tow relaxation may, of course, be achieved by storing the tow in a container for a relatively long period, as for example a week or more, as heretofore mentioned.
- stretching of the Vinyon filaments after the relaxation thereof and maintaining the same under tension during their transfer to a cutter is critical for the satisfactory production of staple fibers having the desired characteristics mentioned above. Stretching, of course, effects orientation of the molecules Within the filaments and thereby provides the resulting staple fibers with improved strength. Additionally, maintaining the tow of filaments under the influence of a stretching or tension force during cutting provides proper linearity to the filaments and thus assures production of staple fibers which are substantially uniform in length.
- the degree of stretch applied to the relaxed filaments may, of course, be varied to suit particular operating conditions and to provide the resulting fibers with the strength properties desired.
- stretching of the tow of filaments from about to 60%, and preferably from about to 40%, has been found to be highly satisfactory.
- the degree of stretch applied at this stage is preferably within the same range as set forth above, andis in addition to the normal or usual tensions applied to the filaments during their formation and travel through the spinning apparatus.
- the Vinyon staple fibers produced in accordance with the present invention may be spun into yarns in the conventional manner and are particularly well adapted for use in non-woven fabric or paper manufacture.
- the staple fibers possess no tendency to curl or entwine with each other and are well open, fiuffy fibers which are'free of coalesced ends, regardless of the moisture and/or solvent content of the filaments during cutting.
- the fibers disperse readily when placed within a liquid medium, exhibit greater and more uniform shrinkage characteristics than conventional Vinyon staple fibers and are substantially uniform in length thus facilitating easier processing during subsequent stages.
- Vinyon is shaped into filaments 11 of desired denier by conventional procedures employing, for example, dry spinning cells as indicated at 13.
- the bundle of shaped filaments from each spinning cell are each guided by a rod 14 into and through a finish bath 15 located at the bottom of each of the spinning cells 13, and are then gathered into a tow as shown at 17.
- the tow17 is passed over and around pairs of spaced godet wheels 19 and 21, the latter of which is driven at a more rapid speed than the Wheels 19 to thus elongate or stretch the filaments from about 10 to 40%.
- the tow of stretched filaments is permitted to sag and is then laced over and around godet wheels 23 which are rotated at the same'speed as the wheels 21.
- the slackened tow is subjected to only the weight of the suspended filaments and is thus free to relieve itself of uneven internal strains.
- a series of idler rollers 27 may be positioned between a pair of godet wheels 21 and 23 to at least partially support the tow 17 as it sags, to assure proper relaxation of the tow without obstructing its free and continuous advancement.
- the tow 17 is passed over and around a pair of godet wheels 29 which are rotated at a faster speed than the godet wheels 23 to thereby induce further stretching and orientation of the filaments.
- the tow of filaments is preferably elongated or stretched from about 10 to 40% at this stage for satisfactory results.
- the filaments will undergo some drying by the surrounding atmosphere. While such drying is not critical for the satisfactory practice of the method described, from the standpoint of more efficient processing, it is desirable that the solvent content of the filaments be reduced but without involving extreme drying conditions.
- the-stretched tow is fed under tension to a conventional staple cutter 33 where it is severed into short sections 35 and collected in a container or hopper as indicated at 37.
- Example I Each of 50 dry spinning cells was arranged to produce, by conventional procedures, a 300 denier bundle containing Vinyon filaments (3 denier/filament). A finish was applied to each bundle at the base of its respective spinning cell after which the bundles were gathered into a single tow.
- a free end of the relaxed tow was then fed between spaced pairs of godet wheels driven at differential speeds to apply a further stretch of about 25% to the filaments.
- the tow was then severed by a conventional rotary cutter while under tension to provide fibers of /8 inch in length.
- the fibers formed as described above were not entwined or tangled with each other, exhibited good dispersibility when placed in Water and collected on a screen and were of greater strength than conventional Vinyon fibers.
- Example II Employing the apparatus as described in Example I, 50 bundles of 330 denier, 60 Vinyon filaments (5.5 denier/filament) were gathered into a'single tow after the application of a finish thereto. of driven godet wheels, the tow was stretched about 33% and then deposited on a slowly advancing endless belt Where it remained in a relaxed condition'for a period of about 10 minutes. The tow was then stretched 15% between pairs of spaced godet wheels after which it was delivered under tension to a conventional rotary cutter Where it was cut into fibers of inch in length. These resulting staple fibers exhibit properties similar to those of the staple fibers described in Example I.
- the Vinyon has been used for the sake of convenience. However, it is obvious and it is to be understood that the method may be applied satisfactorily to all of the filament-forming vinyl chloride copolymer resins, such as the vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate and vinyl chlorideacrylonitrile copolymers represented to resins marketed as Vinyon. As employed in the claims, the term filament-forming vinyl chloride copolymers is intended to designate these types of synthetic resins. Further, since the method facilitates the production of high strength fibers which are free of substantial uneven internal strains it is thus generally suited for the production of fibers from other filament-forming materials.
- a method for producing synthetic staple fibers including the steps of forming a tow comprised of a plurality of synthetic filaments, permitting the tow to relax to relieve uneven internal strains fromthe filaments thereof, said filaments being subjected at most to such tension as may be induced by the weight of the filaments themselves during the relaxation thereof, stretching the tow of filaments to effect molecular orientation thereof,
- a method for producing synthetic staple fibers including the steps of forming a tow comprised of a plurality of synthetic filaments, stretching the tow to effect at least partial molecular orientation within the filaments thereof, relaxing the stretched tow to relieve the filaments of uneven internal strains which may develop therein during the formation thereof, said filaments being subjected at most to such tension as may be induced by the weight of the filaments themselves during the relaxation thereof, stretching the tow after relaxation thereof to effect further molecular orientation within the filaments, and maintaining the tow of filaments under tension while cutting the same into short lengths.
- a method for producing staple fibers including the steps of forming a tow comprised of a plurality of filaments of vinyl chloride copolymers, stretching the tow to effect at least partial molecular orientation within the filaments thereof, relaxing the stretched tow to relieve the filaments of uneven internal strains which may develop therein during the formation thereof, said filaments being subjected at most to such tension as may be induced by the weight of the filaments themselves during the relaxation thereof, stretching the tow after relaxation thereof to efiect further molecular orientation within the filaments, and maintaining the tow of filaments under tension while cutting the same into short sections.
Description
Claims (1)
- 6. A METHOD FOR PRODUCING STAPLE FIGERS INCLUDING THE STEPS OF FORMING A TOW COMPRISED OF A PLURALITY OF FILAMENTS OF VINYL CHLORIDE COPOLYMERS, STRETCHING THE TOW TO EFFECT AT LEAST PARTIAL MOLECULAR ORIENTATION WITHIN THE FILAMENTS THEREOF, RELAXING THE STRETCHED TOW TO RELIEVE THE FILAMENTS OF UNEVEN INTERNAL STRAINS WHICH MAY DEVELOP THEREIN DURING THE FORMATION THEREOF, SAID FILAMENTS BEING SUBJECTED AT MOST TO SUCH TENSION AS MAY BE INDUCED BY THE WEIGHT OF THE FILAMENTS THEMSELVES DURING THE RELAXATION THEREOF, STRETCHING THE TOW AFTER RELAXATION THEREOF TO EFFECT FURTHER MOLECULAR ORIENTATION WITHIN THE FILAMENTS, AND MAINTAINING THE TOW OF FILAMENTS UNDER TENSION
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US133128A US3086252A (en) | 1961-08-22 | 1961-08-22 | Method of producing staple fibers |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US133128A US3086252A (en) | 1961-08-22 | 1961-08-22 | Method of producing staple fibers |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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US3086252A true US3086252A (en) | 1963-04-23 |
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US133128A Expired - Lifetime US3086252A (en) | 1961-08-22 | 1961-08-22 | Method of producing staple fibers |
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Cited By (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3488934A (en) * | 1966-10-27 | 1970-01-13 | Filament Extruders Pty Ltd | Method and apparatus for producing twisted plastic fibre of predetermined length |
US3636590A (en) * | 1968-04-25 | 1972-01-25 | Saint Gobain | Means for preventing the adhesion of mineral fibers to the walls thereof of a forming chamber |
US3675409A (en) * | 1970-01-27 | 1972-07-11 | Hartford Spinning Canada Ltd | Compact multi-filament textile tow and method of making the same |
US4483727A (en) * | 1983-02-07 | 1984-11-20 | Celanese Corporation | High modulus polyethylene fiber bundles as reinforcement for brittle matrices |
US4524101A (en) * | 1983-02-07 | 1985-06-18 | Celanese Corporation | High modulus polyethylene fiber bundles as reinforcement for brittle matrices |
Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US1914491A (en) * | 1929-12-16 | 1933-06-20 | Celanese Corp | Textile material and method of making the same |
US2208497A (en) * | 1937-01-08 | 1940-07-16 | Courtaulds Ltd | Manufacture and production of staple fiber |
US2333279A (en) * | 1942-05-02 | 1943-11-02 | Du Pont | Yarn handling |
US2941259A (en) * | 1956-09-18 | 1960-06-21 | Jr James L Lohrke | Filament processing |
-
1961
- 1961-08-22 US US133128A patent/US3086252A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Patent Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US1914491A (en) * | 1929-12-16 | 1933-06-20 | Celanese Corp | Textile material and method of making the same |
US2208497A (en) * | 1937-01-08 | 1940-07-16 | Courtaulds Ltd | Manufacture and production of staple fiber |
US2333279A (en) * | 1942-05-02 | 1943-11-02 | Du Pont | Yarn handling |
US2941259A (en) * | 1956-09-18 | 1960-06-21 | Jr James L Lohrke | Filament processing |
Cited By (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3488934A (en) * | 1966-10-27 | 1970-01-13 | Filament Extruders Pty Ltd | Method and apparatus for producing twisted plastic fibre of predetermined length |
US3636590A (en) * | 1968-04-25 | 1972-01-25 | Saint Gobain | Means for preventing the adhesion of mineral fibers to the walls thereof of a forming chamber |
US3675409A (en) * | 1970-01-27 | 1972-07-11 | Hartford Spinning Canada Ltd | Compact multi-filament textile tow and method of making the same |
US4483727A (en) * | 1983-02-07 | 1984-11-20 | Celanese Corporation | High modulus polyethylene fiber bundles as reinforcement for brittle matrices |
US4524101A (en) * | 1983-02-07 | 1985-06-18 | Celanese Corporation | High modulus polyethylene fiber bundles as reinforcement for brittle matrices |
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Owner name: WESTERN AND SOUTHERN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY THE C/ Free format text: AS SECURITY FOR INDEBTEDNESS RECITED ASSIGNOR GRANTS , BARGAINS, MORTGAGES, PLEDGES, SELLS AND CREATES A SECURITY INTEREST WITH A LIEN UNDER SAID PATENTS, SUBJECT TO CONDITIONS RECITED.;ASSIGNOR:AVTEX FIBERS INC. A NY CORP.;REEL/FRAME:003959/0219 Effective date: 19810301 Owner name: PROVIDENT ALLIANCE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY C/O THE Free format text: AS SECURITY FOR INDEBTEDNESS RECITED ASSIGNOR GRANTS , BARGAINS, MORTGAGES, PLEDGES, SELLS AND CREATES A SECURITY INTEREST WITH A LIEN UNDER SAID PATENTS, SUBJECT TO CONDITIONS RECITED.;ASSIGNOR:AVTEX FIBERS INC. A NY CORP.;REEL/FRAME:003959/0219 Effective date: 19810301 Owner name: PAUL REVERE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY THE C/O THE PAU Free format text: AS SECURITY FOR INDEBTEDNESS RECITED ASSIGNOR GRANTS , BARGAINS, MORTGAGES, PLEDGES, SELLS AND CREATES A SECURITY INTEREST WITH A LIEN UNDER SAID PATENTS, SUBJECT TO CONDITIONS RECITED.;ASSIGNOR:AVTEX FIBERS INC. A NY CORP.;REEL/FRAME:003959/0219 Effective date: 19810301 Owner name: NEW ENGLAND MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY 501 BOYL Free format text: AS SECURITY FOR INDEBTEDNESS RECITED ASSIGNOR GRANTS , BARGAINS, MORTGAGES, PLEDGES, SELLS AND CREATES A SECURITY INTEREST WITH A LIEN UNDER SAID PATENTS, SUBJECT TO CONDITIONS RECITED.;ASSIGNOR:AVTEX FIBERS INC. A NY CORP.;REEL/FRAME:003959/0219 Effective date: 19810301 Owner name: BALBOA INSURANCE COMPANY C/O THE PAUL REVERE EQUIT Free format text: AS SECURITY FOR INDEBTEDNESS RECITED ASSIGNOR GRANTS , BARGAINS, MORTGAGES, PLEDGES, SELLS AND CREATES A SECURITY INTEREST WITH A LIEN UNDER SAID PATENTS, SUBJECT TO CONDITIONS RECITED.;ASSIGNOR:AVTEX FIBERS INC. A NY CORP.;REEL/FRAME:003959/0219 Effective date: 19810301 Owner name: KELLOGG CREDIT CORPORATION A DE CORP. Free format text: AGREEMENT WHEREBY SAID HELLER AND RAYONIER RELEASES ALL MORTGAGES AND SECURITY INTERESTS HELD BY AVTEX ON APRIL 28, 1978, AND JAN. 11, 1979, RESPECTIVELY AND ASSIGNS ITS ENTIRE INTEREST IN SAID MORT-AGAGE AGREEMENT TO ASSIGNEE;ASSIGNORS:WALTER E. HELLER & COMPANY, INC. A NY CORP.;ITT RAYONIER INCORPORATED, A DE CORP.;AVTEX FIBERS INC., A NY CORP.;REEL/FRAME:003959/0350 Effective date: 19800326 Owner name: WALTER E. HELLER & COMPANY, INC., A CORP. OF DEL. Free format text: AGREEMENT WHEREBY AETNA RELEASES AVTEX FROM ALL MORTAGES AND SECURITY INTERESTS IN SAID INVENTIONS AS OF JANUARY 11,1979, AND ASSIGNS TO ASSIGNEE THE ENTIRE INTEREST IN SAID MORTAGE AGREEMENT TO ASSIGNEE;ASSIGNORS:AETNA BUSINESS CREDIT, INC., A CORP. OF N.Y.;AVTEX FIBERS, INC, A CORP. OF NY;KELLOGG CREDIT CORP., A CORP. OF DEL.;REEL/FRAME:003959/0250 Effective date: 19800326 Owner name: JOHN HANCOCK MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY JOHN HA Free format text: AS SECURITY FOR INDEBTEDNESS RECITED ASSIGNOR GRANTS , BARGAINS, MORTGAGES, PLEDGES, SELLS AND CREATES A SECURITY INTEREST WITH A LIEN UNDER SAID PATENTS, SUBJECT TO CONDITIONS RECITED.;ASSIGNOR:AVTEX FIBERS INC. A NY CORP.;REEL/FRAME:003959/0219 Effective date: 19810301 |