US 4,961,307 AGranted

Textile processing employing a stretching technique

OwnerPaul P. Cookinventor

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Abstract

This invention provides methods by which any staple fiber or continuous filament fiber can be stretch processed similiar to continuous filament fiber stretch processing methods heretofore used, in that the fiber's internal molecular structure is oriented along the fiber strand axis, except substantially twisting as well as substantial stretching forces are employed. With only the simple continuous and simultaneous application of a single dynamic stretching stress, and a single dynamic twisting force, that is correct and precisely controlled relative to each other and to its input flow rate, every individual fiber is effectively and uniformly stretch processed. Such individual fiber's net strength properties gain and desirable quality characteristics improvement as well as their continuous cross-sectional uniformity are substantially enhanced for their greater utility, as are fabrics and other products produced from such treated fiber. This invention has been used to increase the tensile strength of cotton to more than 60 grams per tex (1/8 gauge) through simple dry mechanical fiber stretch processing. There are substantial advantages available through the use of this high tenacity cotton fiber. Other staple fiber can be similarly improved. The methods of this invention can substantially improve the stretch processing uniformity of continuous filament fiber and hold its substantial original extruded evenness allowing multiple series treatments providing substantially improved stretch processing effectiveness and uniformity. This invention lends itself well to integration into normal production processes.

Claims4

Dependent claims

The method of stretch treating every individual fiber of any type that is in an input configuration of substantial uniform thickness, said method comprising the steps of:

a. providing a means of feeding such input fiber at a desired input feed rate into a fiber stretch processing zone,
b. providing a fiber stretch processing zone between two stretching points,
c. adjusting such stretching points a distance apart and setting them at least greater than the longest staple fiber,
to obtain the minimum stress duration time desired,
to obtain the production rate desired allowing such stress duration time, and
to obtain the degree of stretch processing uniformity desired throughout such distance,
d. providing a means of twisting such input fiber within such fiber stretch processing zone at the desired twisting rate relative to the input flow rate so as to virtually prohibit relative slippage or drafting of the individual fibers relative to one another,
e. providing a means of simultaneously stretching such input fiber within such fiber stretch processing zone at the desired stretching rate relative to the input flow rate,
to subject every such individual fiber simultaneously to substantial twisting and substantial stretching for precisely correct stretching against twist processing in the required relative amounts
to each other and
to the input count,
as required by the characteristics of such input fiber to obtain the stretch processing results desired,
without substantial breakage of the fibers,
whereby such input fiber's
net strength properties are increased and
every individual fiber molecular structure is altered and improved and
wherein the uniformity of the output fibers is also improved throughout their length.

14 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.