Lyocell staple fiber

A process for the manufacture of a Lyocell staple fiber, comprising the steps of:

• extruding a solution of cellulose dissolved in an aqueous tertiary amine-oxide through a spinneret exhibiting a plurality of spinneret orifices whereby filaments are formed;
• conducting said filaments via an air gap into a precipitation bath;
• drawing said filaments in said air gap;
• blowing air on said filaments in said air gap;
• precipitating said filaments in said precipitation bath;
• cutting said precipitated filaments in order to form cut filaments, wherein
• at least part of said spinneret orifices consists of an assembly of two or more holes being located adjacent such that when the solution is extruded through said holes, the filaments extruded from said holes are partially fused to form one fused filament,
• said process being characterized in that said air blown on said filaments in the air gap is directed onto said filaments;
• in case of a row arrangement of said holes, essentially parallel to the direction of said row;
• in case of a triangle arrangement of said holes, essentially parallel to the direction of one of the base lines of said triangle;
• in case of a square arrangement of said holes, essentially parallel to the direction of one of the base lines of said square;
• and
• in case of other geometrical arrangement of said holes, essentially parallel to the direction of the main orientation axis of said arrangement.