Method for wet processing of hemp fibers
AssigneeBastcore, Inc.
InventorRobert A. Miller, III
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method for wet processing of hemp fibers for commercial use is provided. The method includes steps of loading raw hemp fibers with water into a vessel and heating the contents of the vessel. The method also includes the addition of a sequence of certain chemical compounds, which include a scouring agent, a wetting agent, a caustic compound, an acidic compound, a lubricant, and a softening agent. The water may be heated to boiling during the process to aid in opening up the fibers during processing. Peroxide is not utilized in the process. The process produces commercially viable quantities of hemp fibers that are soft, clean, and easily spinnable while maintaining fiber burst strength.
Claims16
A method of processing hemp fibers, wherein the method comprises the steps of:
- loading raw hemp fibers into a vessel with water to form a first water bath containing the raw hemp fibers;
- heating the first water bath;
- adding a scouring agent to the first water bath;
- then adding a wetting agent to the first water bath after adding the scouring agent;
- then adding a caustic compound to the first water bath after adding the wetting agent;
- then adding an acidic compound to the first water bath after adding the caustic compound;
- then draining the first water bath from the vessel to leave wet hemp fibers remaining in the vessel;
- then refilling the vessel with water to form a second water bath containing the wet hemp fibers remaining in the vessel;
- then adding a lubricant to the second water bath;
- and
- then adding a softening agent to the second water bath after adding the lubricant.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.