Bagworm silk harvesting device and method for producing long-size bagworm silk

Abstract

The present invention provides a cocoon silk collecting device for a cocoon silk of a long size, which prevents the cocoon silk from being detached from a linear path and from changing the direction of the cocoon silk, and which reduces the burden on the cocoon and efficiently collects the cocoon silk without causing the cocoon silk to be wound loosely during the recovery. The cocoon silk collecting device includes a movable ring-shaped linear path configured to be able to secure a leg portion of a cocoon and to move in a long axis direction; a fixing device configured to fix the cocoon; and an adhesive controller configured to store an adhesive control liquid for cleaning or removing an adhesive component of the cocoon silk discharged onto the movable ring-shaped linear path.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a method for collecting long-sized bagworm silk and a silk-collecting device using the method. Background Technology

[0002] Silk, which forms insect cocoons, and hair, which forms mammal hair, have been used as animal fibers in clothing and other products since ancient times. In particular, the silk derived from the silkworm larva (often referred to as "silkworm silk" in this specification) has excellent moisture absorption and release, moisture retention, and heat retention properties. In addition, it has a unique luster and a smooth feel against the skin, so it is still valued as a high-grade natural raw material today.

[0003] In recent years, research has been conducted to explore animal fibers from nature that possess properties comparable to or even superior to silk, and they are expected to be utilized as new natural raw materials. Spider silk (often referred to as "spider silk" in this specification) and bagworm silk (often referred to as "bagworm silk" in this specification) are good examples.

[0004] Spider silk, besides possessing elasticity several times greater than polystyrene, also exhibits softness and elasticity. The silk produced from the longitudinal silk proteins of this spider is expected to be used as a medical raw material, such as surgical sutures, and as a special raw material for disaster relief ropes and protective clothing (Non-Patent Literature 1 and 2). However, many challenges remain before the practical application of spider silk. First, spider silk is difficult to mass-produce due to the difficulty in large-scale breeding of spiders and the difficulty in large-scale silk harvesting from spiders, resulting in high production costs. However, this problem has now been solved by producing spider silk using recombinant genes from silkworms and E. coli (Patent Literature 1, Non-Patent Literature 1). However, recombinant genes can only be bred and cultivated in facilities with predetermined equipment, revealing new problems such as a heavy burden of maintenance and management.

[0005] On the other hand, kangaroo silk, as an animal fiber with superior mechanical properties compared to spider silk, has attracted attention in recent years. For example, kangaroo silk derived from the tea budworm (Eumeta minuscula) boasts an elastic modulus 3.5 times that of silkworm silk and 2.5 times that of spider silk from Nephila clavata, demonstrating exceptional strength (Non-Patent Literature 2). Furthermore, the cross-sectional area of ​​a single fiber in kangaroo silk is only about 1 / 7 that of a single fiber in silkworm silk, resulting in a fine texture, a smooth skin-like feel, and the ability to produce lightweight fabrics. Moreover, kangaroo silk possesses a luster and vibrancy equal to or better than silkworm silk. Like silkworms, kangaroos are easily raised in large quantities, and silk is harvested based on the larvae's spinning, unlike spider silk, allowing for mass production. Additionally, kangaroo silk offers advantages over silkworm silk in terms of management. For example, silkworms primarily feed on fresh mulberry leaves, so their rearing location and season are influenced by the availability of mulberry leaves and the leafing period of the mulberry trees. On the other hand, bagworms are polyphagous and have low specificity for feed leaves; most species can feed on leaves from various tree species. Therefore, feed leaves are readily available, and they are not picky about rearing locations. Furthermore, depending on the species, evergreen tree leaves can also serve as feed leaves, unlike deciduous trees like mulberry trees, which can provide feed leaves year-round. Therefore, compared to silkworms, rearing costs can be significantly reduced. Moreover, bagworm silk can be obtained directly from wild-type bagworms, eliminating the need for genetically modified organisms and special maintenance equipment required for spider silk production. For these reasons, bagworm silk is anticipated as a promising new natural raw material.

[0006] However, several problems need to be solved in the practical application of kangaroo silk. The biggest challenge is the difficulty in obtaining fibers longer than 1 meter from kangaroo. In the case of silkworms, silk is obtained from cocoons, which are formed during pupation through the continuous spinning of silk by the larvae. Therefore, if the completed cocoons are boiled and reeled, fibers longer than tens of meters can be obtained relatively easily. On the other hand, kangaroo pupates in the nest where the larvae live, so they do not spin cocoons again before pupation. In addition, the kangaroo nest itself is composed of relatively short intertwined silks, and usually, there are no fibers longer than 1 meter in length within the nest. Furthermore, with current technology, it is only possible to spin yarn from the innermost layer with less adhesive component attached to the silk, but even from this innermost layer, the silk can only be obtained in lengths of less than 50 cm. For these reasons, it is almost impossible to obtain meter-long kangaroo silk from a single fiber with current technology. In fact, fabrics woven with kangaroo silk are unknown to date.

[0007] Another challenge in the practical application of bagworm silk lies in the fact that leaves, twigs, and other debris inevitably adhere to the surface of the bagworm's nest. When collecting bagworm silk from the nest for commercial production, these impurities must be completely removed. However, this removal process is extremely time-consuming and costly, resulting in high production costs. Furthermore, with current technology, it is difficult to completely remove these impurities. Besides the fact that the final product may contain traces of small leaves, there is also the problem of the silk being dyed a light brown color due to pigments from these impurities, leading to a lower-quality product.

[0008] For the reasons mentioned above, in order to make kangaroo silk a practical new biological raw material, it is necessary to develop a production method for pure, long-length kangaroo silk that is free of impurities.

[0009] Besides the silk used to build their nests (nest silk), bagworms also produce serrated silk as a support for their legs (scaffolding) to prevent falling from branches and leaves, moving while attaching their claws to the silk. The inventors discovered that this support silk (support silk) is mechanically superior to the nest silk and attempted to develop a technique for producing and retrieving the support silk from bagworms in long lengths. As a result, they successfully and stably mass-produced continuous, pure bagworm silk exceeding tens of meters in length, previously considered impossible, and filed a patent application based on this method (Patent Document 2). This method utilizes the property that bagworms spontaneously and continuously produce support silk along a linear path of a specific width. This method is groundbreaking for producing long-length bagworm silk, but it also reveals new challenges. One is the issue of the bagworm's endurance. In the case of bagworms, in order to produce silk while maintaining the nest, energy is needed in addition to the energy required for silk production. Therefore, prolonged silk spinning during a single silk-collecting process places a significant burden on the kangaroo. Furthermore, while kangaroos positioned along a linear path generally spin silk in a constant direction, their high degree of freedom sometimes leads to changes in direction or detachment from the path. These changes in direction can cause silk entanglement and breakage during retrieval. Moreover, the kangaroo silk layered on the annular linear path can become firmly adhered due to binding agents, making retrieval from the linear path and the removal of these binding agents difficult.

[0010] To address the aforementioned issues, the inventors conducted further research and developed a device that automates the process of collecting and recycling kangaroo silk, and filed a patent application based on this device (Patent Document 3). According to this device, by including a retainer that fixes each kangaroo nest within the device and a movable linear path that moves along its long axis, the kangaroo can be relieved of the load supporting the nest, and its directional movement can be kept constant. Thus, long-length kangaroo silk can be produced stably while maintaining the kangaroo's endurance. In this device, the annular linear path is the most space-saving and has the best production efficiency. However, the kangaroo silk tends to stack on the linear path due to its encirclement. The stacked kangaroo silk adheres firmly to each other due to sericin-like adhesive components, so recycling the kangaroo silk requires not only peeling it off the linear path but also tearing the adhered kangaroo silk apart. However, because the adhesive components are very strong, the swabworm silk is thinner than silkworm silk, so forcibly tearing it can cause the swabworm silk to break. To avoid this, the swabworm silk needs to be recycled in a way that prevents the swabworm silk from sticking together.

[0011] Existing technical documents

[0012] Patent documents

[0013] Patent Document 1: WO2012 / 165477

[0014] Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-197415

[0015] Patent Document 3: Japanese Patent Application 2018-227669

[0016] Non-patent literature

[0017] Non-patent literature 1: Kuwana Y, et al., 2014, PLoS One, DOI: 10.1371 / journal.pone.0105325

[0018] Non-Patent Literature 2: Shigeyoshi Osaki, 2002, Journal of the Fiber Society (Fiber and Industry), 58: 74-78 Summary of the Invention

[0019] The problem that the invention aims to solve

[0020] In Japanese Patent Application 2018-227669, the problem of recovering bagworm silk in a state where it does not stick together is solved by incorporating a stripper and a collector into the device. In the silk-collecting device disclosed in Japanese Patent Application 2018-227669, the bagworm silk ejected onto the annular linear path is immediately stripped from the linear path by the stripper, and the stripped bagworm silk is collected in the collector. With this method, the ejected bagworm silk is collected before it wraps around the annular linear path, so the bagworm silk does not stick together with each other on the linear path. However, when the bagworm silk stripped from the annular linear path is collected in the collector, a new problem arises: the bagworm silk may frequently become loose from winding. This loose winding can lead to breakage of the bagworm silk.

[0021] Therefore, the present invention further improves the silk-collecting device for kangaroo silk disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-197415, with the objective of improving the problem of loose winding during the recovery of newly exposed kangaroo silk.

[0022] Technical solutions for solving the problem

[0023] The loosening of the kangaroo filaments occurs during the winding (collecting) process, which involves the synchronous rotation of the collector and the annular linear path. This is because the filaments are collected linearly within the collector, with a slightly serrated motion relative to the silk-spinning action of the kangaroo on the linear path. To address this new problem, the inventors employed a method where the kangaroo filaments extruded onto the annular linear path are not immediately detached from it, but rather extruded over a certain period, after which the filaments are collected back onto the linear path. If tension is applied to the collected filaments on the linear path and they are collected from the collector, the loosening of the winding is prevented. However, as described above, this method still leaves the problem of the kangaroo filaments tearing apart. Therefore, the inventors immediately treat the kangaroo filaments extruded onto the annular linear path with an adhesive control liquid, controlling the adhesive force of the adhesive components, thereby solving the aforementioned problem. According to this method, because the adhesive force of the bonding components is moderately suppressed, although the kangaroo filaments adhere to each other to a degree that allows them to aggregate, they are not firmly bonded together. Therefore, during recycling, a single kangaroo filament can be easily pulled out from the aggregated filament block with a weak force, without tangling or breaking. Thus, the need for management and adjustment to prevent tangling and loosening of the kangaroo filaments during recycling is eliminated, further improving the production efficiency of long-length kangaroo filaments. Based on this development, the present invention provides the following solution.

[0024] (1) A device for collecting swab filaments, comprising a movable annular linear path with a collector, a fixator for fixing swabs, and an adhesive controller, wherein the movable annular linear path has a width smaller than the maximum left and right outstretched leg width of the swab fixed to the fixator, and is configured to lock the legs of the swab; the collector is integrally disposed on the movable annular linear path and is configured to collect swab filaments expelled from the swab fixed to the fixator onto the movable annular linear path; the fixator is disposed at a position where the fixed swab can be locked onto the movable annular linear path; and the adhesive controller is configured to store an adhesive control liquid and cause the swab filaments expelled onto the movable annular linear path to contact the adhesive control liquid.

[0025] (2) The silk-collecting device according to (1) further includes one or more strippers, which are configured to store stripping liquid and / or vapor for stripping bagworm silk from the collector, and are positioned to allow all or part of the collector to come into contact with the stripping liquid and / or vapor inside the collector.

[0026] (3) The silk collection device according to (1) or (2) further includes a collector independent of the movable annular linear path, the collector being configured to collect bagworm silk from the collector.

[0027] (4) According to any one of (1) to (3), the movable annular linear path is circular in shape.

[0028] (5) According to any one of (1) to (4), the movable annular linear path is an automatic linear path.

[0029] (6) According to any one of (3) to (5), the silk-collecting device has a winding section configured to wind the swirling silk of the bagworm around its outer periphery.

[0030] (7) A method for producing long-length bagworm silk, comprising: a silk-spinning step, wherein the silk-spinning step is a step of locking the foot of a bagworm used in silk collection into a movable annular linear path and continuously spinning silk along the movable annular linear path, the movable annular linear path having a width smaller than the maximum left and right spread foot width of the bagworm and capable of locking the foot of the bagworm; a contact step, wherein the contact step is a step of contacting the bagworm silk on the movable annular linear path with an adhesive control liquid after the silk-spinning step; a gathering step, wherein the gathering step is a step of gathering the bagworm silk after the contact step; and a recycling step, wherein the recycling step is a step of recycling the gathered bagworm silk after the gathering step, wherein in the silk-spinning step, the bagworm or the bagworm nest used is fixed in a position where the bagworm can lock its foot into the movable annular linear path, and the movable annular linear path moves in the long axis direction automatically and / or by the movement of the bagworm.

[0031] (8) The production method described in (7) further includes a second contact step, which is a step of contacting the bagworm filaments aggregated into the linear path after the aggregation step with a stripping liquid and / or vapor.

[0032] This specification contains the disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2020-096444, which forms the basis of the priority claim of this application.

[0033] Invention Effects

[0034] The sericulture device for bagworm silk according to the present invention enables automated and stable production of long-length bagworm silk from sericulture to recycling.

[0035] The method for producing bagworm silk according to the present invention can prevent bagworms from bearing the load of supporting their nests and allow them to spin silk only in a constant direction.

[0036] According to the method for producing bagworm silk according to the present invention, the bagworm silk can be aggregated and bonded together with a weak force that allows for easy peeling through a contact process with an adhesive control liquid. This simplifies the handling of the aggregated bagworm silk, eliminating the need for winding, loosening, and adjusting the tangled silk during recycling. Furthermore, by completely separating silk collection and recycling, the required silk collection space can be reduced compared to conventional production equipment. Attached Figure Description

[0037] Figure 1 This is a conceptual diagram of the wire-collecting device of the present invention. (a) shows the front view, and (b) shows the top view.

[0038] exist Figure 2In diagram A: This is a conceptual diagram of the linear path in the silk-collecting device of the present invention. The diagram shows a linear path with a circular cross-section. In the diagram, L represents the length of the major axis of the linear path, and φ represents the cross-sectional diameter of the linear path. In this linear path, φ corresponds to the width of the linear path. In diagram B: This is a rear view of the head and thorax of a kangaroo with its legs extended to the left and right at their maximum width. In the diagram, FL represents the front leg, ML represents the middle leg, and RL represents the rear leg. Additionally, W1 represents the maximum extended width of the middle leg, and W2 represents the maximum extended width of the rear leg.

[0039] Figure 3 The figures show specific examples of the linear path in the wire-collecting device of the present invention. (a) shows a linear path (0301) formed by the outer edge of the disc, (b) shows a linear path (0302) formed by the rim of the wheel, and (c) shows a linear path (0303) formed by the inner wall surface of the tube.

[0040] Figure 4 This is a conceptual diagram of the fixator in the wire-collecting device of the present invention. (a) shows a structure in which the fixation object is held by a plurality of claw-like members, (b) shows a tubular structure in which the fixation object is embedded, and (c) shows a structure in which the fixation object is joined (including attached or sewn) to a support.

[0041] Figure 5 This is a diagram showing an example of the shape of the winding section provided at the outer periphery of the recycle unit. (a) shows a disc shape, and (b) shows a cylindrical shape. A protrusion (0501) is shown at the end of the winding section.

[0042] Figure 6 This is a basic process flow diagram of the method for producing long-sized bagworm silk according to the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0043] 1. Silk-collecting device for kangaroo worms

[0044] 1-1. Overview

[0045] The first aspect of the present invention is a silk-collecting device for bagworm silk. The silk-collecting device of the present invention is configured to include a movable annular linear path, a fixing device, and an adhesive controller as essential components, and the movable annular linear path also includes a collector as an essential component. Furthermore, it is configured to include a peeler and a collector as optional components.

[0046] The silk-collecting device according to the present invention maintains the gadget bug's directional movement by sustaining its traction, thus automating the collection of long-length gadget bug silk. Furthermore, it avoids the slackness during the recovery of the extruded gadget bug silk, preventing breakage of the silk or tangling of the silk during recovery. Therefore, it enables highly efficient production of long-length gadget bug silk, resulting in reduced manufacturing costs and stable production.

[0047] 1-2. Definition

[0048] The following terms, which are commonly used in this specification, are defined as follows.

[0049] "Bagworms" refers to the larvae of moths belonging to the family Psychidae in the order Lepidoptera. Moths of the Psychidae family are distributed worldwide, and all bagworm larvae live their entire larval stage by piecing together natural materials such as leaves and branches using their own silk, sewing these materials together in a nest. The nest is a bag-like structure that can enclose the bagworm's entire body, and can be spindle-shaped, cylindrical, or conical. Bagworms usually remain hidden in the nest, and always move with it while feeding and traveling. Pupation also generally takes place in the nest. In this instruction manual, when referred to simply as "nest," unless otherwise specified, it means the bagworm's nest.

[0050] The bagworms used in this specification are larvae of moths belonging to the family Acanthopsycheidae, regardless of species, age, or sex, as long as they are the species that built the nests described. For example, the family Acanthopsyche includes genera such as *Acanthopsyche*, *Anatolopsyche*, *Bacotia*, *Bambalina*, *Canephora*, *Chalioides*, *Dahlica*, *Diplodoma*, *Eumeta*, *Eumasia*, *Kozhantshikovia*, *Mahasena*, *Nipponopsyche*, *Paranarychia*, *Proutia*, *Psyche*, *Pteroma*, *Siederia*, *Striglocyrbasia*, *Taleporia*, *Theriodopteryx*, and *Trigonodoma*, but the bagworms used in this specification can be species belonging to any genus. Specific examples of bagworm moth species include *Eumeta japonica*, *Eumeta minuscula*, and *Nipponopsychefuscescens*. The larval age can be any age from the first instar to the last instar. However, if the purpose is to obtain thicker and longer bagworm silk, larger bagworms are preferred. For example, if they are of the same species, the final instar larvae are preferred, and if they are male and female, larger females are preferred. In addition, within the bagworm moth family, larger species are preferred. Therefore, the large bagworm moth and the tea bagworm moth are suitable species for use in this invention.

[0051] In this instruction manual, "silk" refers to silk derived from insects, specifically the protein-based silk spun by insect larvae and adults for purposes such as nest building, movement, anchoring, cocooning, and baiting. Unless otherwise specified, the term "silk" in this instruction manual refers to bagworm silk.

[0052] In this specification, "bagworm silk" refers to silk derived from bagworms. The bagworm silk in this specification includes single fibers, spinning fibers, and aggregated fibers.

[0053] In this specification, "monofilament" refers to the smallest unit constituting fiber components, the filament, also known as a monofilament. Monofilaments are primarily composed of fibroin-like proteins that make up silk. In its natural state, kangaroo silk is produced as a difilament formed by two monofilaments bonded together by a protein-based adhesive. This difilament is called a "spun fiber." By refining the spun fiber, the adhesive components are removed, yielding the monofilament.

[0054] In this specification, "aggregate fiber" refers to a fiber composed of multiple fiber bundles, also known as multifilament. "Aggregate fiber" is what is known as raw silk, which in principle consists of multiple single fibers, but in this specification, it also includes cases composed of multiple single fibers and spinning fibers, or multiple spinning fibers. Aggregate fiber in this specification may also include blended fibers other than kangaroo silk such as silkworm silk, but unless otherwise specified, it means aggregate fiber composed solely of kangaroo silk. Aggregate fibers are twisted to become stronger silk. However, aggregate fiber in this specification is not limited to twisted silk fibers, but also includes untwisted silk fibers that have a soft and smooth feel to the skin.

[0055] The silk produced by a pancoris contains two types of silk: support silk and nest silk. The "support silk" is the silk spun by the pancoris before it moves, serving as a support (foothold) to prevent it from falling off branches, leaves, etc., during movement. The pancoris typically uses this support silk as a foothold, gripping its claws as it moves in the direction of travel. Regarding the support silk, the pancoris spins silk while swaying its head from side to side. Whenever it turns back, it uses the aforementioned adhesive components to fix the silk to the branches or leaves that form the base; therefore, it is usually serrated when spinning the silk. This structure allows the pancoris to easily attach its left and right legs to the support silk, and the load on the silk is distributed to the left and right. On the other hand, the "nest silk" is the silk that forms the nest, spun to attach leaves, branches, or to create a comfortable environment for the inner walls of the nest, which serves as its living area. In principle, the support silk is thicker and stronger than the nest silk.

[0056] In this specification, "long length" refers to a length longer than is generally understood in the art. Specifically, it means longer than the length of silk fibers (less than 1 m) that can be obtained from bagworms using existing techniques. More specifically, it is 1 m or more, preferably 1.5 m or more, or 2 m or more, more preferably 3 m or more, 4 m or more, 5 m or more, 6 m or more, 7 m or more, 8 m or more, 9 m or more, or 10 m or more. The upper limit is not particularly limited, but corresponds to the length of silk that bagworms can continuously spin. For example, it is less than 1.5 km, less than 1 km, less than 900 m, less than 800 m, less than 700 m, less than 600 m, less than 500 m, less than 400 m, less than 300 m, less than 200 m, or less than 100 m. The length of the silk fibers spun by bagworms is also the length of the individual fibers constituting it, corresponding to the length of silk continuously spun by the bagworm. Therefore, as long as bagworms can continuously spin silk, longer lengths of bagworm silk can be obtained.

[0057] In this specification, "silk collection" refers to the act of causing a bagworm to expel silk for the purpose of obtaining bagworm silk. However, in the case of the silk collection device of the present invention, "silk collection" may include not only the act of expelling silk, but also the recovery of the expelled silk. Furthermore, in this specification, the bagworm silk that is the object of silk collection is the support silk.

[0058] In this specification, "foot" refers to all or part of the foot of a kangaroo. On the thorax of the kangaroo, there are feet called thoracic legs. These thoracic legs consist of six legs in total, consisting of three on each side (foreleg, midleg, and hind leg) and three pairs on each side.

[0059] "Catching" generally refers to hooking and securing, but in this specification, it refers to the way a pangolin catches its legs on a linear path to move. Pangolins typically catch their legs on twigs or leaves to support all or part of their own and their nest's weight. That is, catching includes preventing itself, including the nest, from falling, but in this invention, the pangolin is secured and therefore does not need to support its own weight. Therefore, the catching described in this specification does not, in principle, imply supporting its own weight. Furthermore, catching and releasing the legs are the pangolin's own business and do not mean that the temporarily caught legs are fixed in that position. By repeatedly catching and releasing its legs, the pangolin can move freely on the linear path.

[0060] 1-3. Composition

[0061] The conceptual diagram of the silk-collecting device of the present invention is shown in... Figure 1 As shown in the figure, the wire-collecting device (0100) of the present invention includes a movable annular linear path (0101), a fixing device (0102), and an adhesive controller (0103) as the wire-collecting section. Additionally, the wire-collecting device of the present invention includes a stripper and a retrieving device (not shown) as the retrieving section. In the wire-collecting device of the present invention, each component of the wire-collecting section is an essential component, while each component of the retrieving section is an optional component. The following describes each component.

[0062] 1-3-1. Movable Circular / Linear Path

[0063] The "movable annular linear path" (0101) is an annular linear path that moves in the long axis direction. In the silk-collecting device of the present invention, it constitutes a silk-collecting section for collecting silk from bagworm silk as an essential component. The movable annular linear path includes a collector (0104) as an essential component, and may also include a ratchet (0105) as needed.

[0064] (1) Composition of linear paths

[0065] In this specification, "linear path" refers to the walking path of a kangaroo that presents a linear morphology. In this specification, "linear morphology" refers to a single track-like morphology with the same or similar width. Its cross-sectional shape is not particularly limited, but examples include circular, roughly circular (including elliptical), polygonal (including square, roughly square), or combinations thereof.

[0066] The width of the linear path is configured to be shorter than the maximum spread leg width of the kangaroo used in the silk-collecting device of the present invention. In this specification, "width of the linear path" refers to the length of the portion of the linear path that directly participates in locking the kangaroo's leg when it is locked in place. This is approximately equivalent to the length of the minor axis of the linear path. The upper limit of the width of the linear path is a length less than the maximum spread leg width of the kangaroo used in the silk-collecting device of the present invention. On the other hand, the lower limit is not particularly limited as long as the kangaroo can lock its leg in place. For example, it could be the edge of a thin sheet metal with a thickness of approximately 0.5 mm. Figure 2 In the linear path shown in A, the diameter (φ) of the cross-section is equivalent to the width of the linear path.

[0067] In this instruction manual, "maximum spread leg width of the kangaroo" refers to, for example, Figure 2 Figure B shows the widths (W1 and W2) of the kangaroo when its left and right legs are spread out to their maximum extent. Kangaroos have three pairs of legs (forelegs, midlegs, and hindlegs), but the maximum spread leg width is preferably set as either the second longest or the shortest spread leg width, excluding the longest (widest) spread leg width. More preferably, it is the shortest (narrowest) spread leg width. Figure 2In B, among the three pairs, the maximum spread leg width (W1) of the middle leg (ML) is the widest, while the maximum spread leg width (W2) of the hind leg (RL) is the shortest. Therefore, when determining the width of the linear path, the maximum spread leg width of the bagworm is preferably set to the maximum spread leg width of either the foreleg (FL) or the hind leg (RL), especially W2, which is the maximum spread leg width of the hind leg (RL). This maximum spread leg width varies depending on the species of bagworm moth, sex, and age of the bagworm, but for bagworms of the same species and at the same age, it is generally within a certain range. For example, the width of the linear path varies depending on the species, age, and sex of the bagworms used. For the large bagworm (approximately 1st to 3rd instar), the width is 2mm–4mm or 3mm–5mm; for the middle-aged bagworm (approximately 4th to 5th instar), it is 3mm–7mm or 4mm–8mm; and for the sub-final or final instar bagworms, it is 4mm–9mm, 5mm–10mm, or 6mm–12mm. Similarly, for the tea bagworm (approximately 1st to 3rd instar), the width is 1.5mm–3.5mm; for the middle-aged bagworm, it is 2.5mm–6mm or 3mm–7mm; and for the sub-final or final instar bagworms, it is 3.5mm–8mm, 4mm–9mm, or 5mm–10mm. Therefore, the width of the linear path can be adjusted appropriately based on the species, age, and sex of the bagworms used. The width of the linear path, according to the following description of its relationship with the foot's locking, is preferably shorter than the shortest (narrowest) length among the range of maximum spread foot widths for each instar of the species of basidios used.

[0068] The linear pathways allow the kangaroo to secure its legs. "Capable of securing the legs" means the kangaroo can attach its legs to the linear pathways. Any leg can be used to secure itself to the pathways. For example, it can be secured by at least one leg from each of the three pairs of six legs, or by two or three legs from either side of the kangaroo, which can be placed shoulder-to-shoulder relative to the pathways. Once the kangaroo can secure its legs to the linear pathways, it can move along them while expelling support threads.

[0069] The linear path in the silk-collecting device of the present invention is a ring-shaped linear path. "Ring-shaped linear path" refers to a linear path without ends, generally in the shape of a wheel. In this specification, unless otherwise specified, the term "linear path" will be used to mean "ring-shaped linear path" or, as described later, "movable ring-shaped linear path." Since the ring-shaped linear path has no ends, long silk threads can be collected as long as the bagworm continuously circles around it. The ring-shaped linear path can be closed-loop or open-loop. A closed-loop shape is preferred. In the case of an open-loop shape, the gap in the open loop is set to a width sufficient for the bagworm to traverse. Multiple such gaps can exist in the open-loop linear path. Furthermore, the overall shape of the ring-shaped linear path includes circular, approximately circular, square, approximately square, polygonal, irregular shapes, and combinations thereof. A circular ring-shaped linear path or an elliptical ring-shaped linear path with a approximately circular shape is preferred.

[0070] As a specific example of a circular, loop-shaped, or linear path, the following can be cited: Figure 3 (a) shows a linear path (0301) formed by the outer edge of a disk. Figure 3 (b) shows a linear path (0302) formed by the rim portion, or Figure 3 (c) shows a linear path (0303) formed by the inner wall surface of the tube.

[0071] The linear path (0301) formed by the outer edge of the disk refers to a linear path formed by the outer periphery of a circular plate-like member. In this case, the thickness of the disk is equivalent to the width of the linear path. The diameter φ of the disk is not limited and can be in the range of 5cm to 50cm, 10cm to 30cm, 15cm to 25cm, or 17cm to 20cm.

[0072] The linear path (0302) formed by the rim portion refers to a linear path formed by looping a rod-shaped member, such as a metal wire. In this case, the diameter or minor axis width of the rod-shaped member is equivalent to the width of the linear path. The wheel diameter φ is not limited, but like the diameter of the disc, it can be in the range of 5cm to 50cm, 10cm to 30cm, 15cm to 25cm, or 17cm to 20cm.

[0073] The linear path (0303) formed by the inner wall surface of the pipe refers to a linear path formed by a portion of the inner wall surface of the pipe. This portion is configured as an annular protrusion along the inner circumference of the pipe, having a structure in which the width of its minor axis is equal to the width of the linear path. The inner circumference diameter φ of the pipe is not limited, and can be in the range of 10cm to 60cm, 15cm to 50cm, 20cm to 40cm, or 25cm to 30cm.

[0074] The raw materials for the linear path are not limited. For example, metal, ceramics (including enamel), glass, stone, resin (including synthetic and natural resins), wood (including branches, vines, bamboo, etc.), fiber, bone, teeth, or combinations thereof can be used. Materials that will not cause injury due to the bite force of the bagworm are preferred. For example, metal, ceramics, glass, and stone are suitable. Furthermore, to facilitate the recovery of the expelled bagworm silk, the area where the silk adheres is preferably made of a smooth material. "Smooth material" here refers to materials such as metal, glass, and plastic, which are processed to achieve a smooth surface. It also includes materials such as wood and fiber, which, although difficult to process into a smooth surface, can be made smooth by coating them with paint or the like. When the linear path is the outer edge of a plate-like component, the materials of the plate-like component and the outer edge can be the same or different.

[0075] Multiple linear paths can be included within the wire-collecting device. The shape, raw materials, and other conditions of each linear path can be the same or different, or they can be a combination of each other. For example, a linear path composed of the outer edges of multiple coaxial disks arranged side by side can be cited.

[0076] In the wire-collecting apparatus of the present invention, the linear path may also have an inclination relative to the horizontal plane. The inclination angle is not limited. For example, when the linear path is formed by the outer edge of a disk, if the planar portion of the disk member that forms the base is configured horizontally, the inclination angle of the linear path is 0 degrees. On the other hand, if the planar portion of the disk member is configured vertically, the linear path may include all inclination angles.

[0077] (2) Construction of movable loop-shaped linear circuit

[0078] The "movable annular linear path" is configured such that the annular linear path moves along its long axis. Here, "long axis direction" refers to the direction along the long axis of the linear path, meaning that the linear path is configured to rotate within the annular linear path. For example, in the case of a circular annular linear path formed by the outer edge of a disk, it has a structure in which the entire disk component can rotate.

[0079] The movable annular linear path is not limited, but is configured to rotate synchronously with the movement of the kangaroo as it spins silk and moves in the direction of travel along the linear path. Therefore, the force required for the initial movement of the linear path is preferably less than or equal to the propulsive force generated by the kangaroo as it moves along the linear path. Examples of power sources for driving the linear path include the kangaroo's propulsive force and electricity.

[0080] "The moving propulsion force of the bagworm" is the propulsion force generated when the bagworm moves along a linear path. In the silk collection device of the present invention, the bagworm is fixed by a holder described later. Therefore, even if the bagworm moves while spinning silk on a linear path, it is substantially impossible to move forward in the traveling direction. The moving propulsion force generated by the movement of the bagworm can be used as a force acting in the direction opposite to the traveling direction of the bagworm to drive the linear path. In this specification, this force is expressed as the moving propulsion force of the bagworm.

[0081] On the other hand, in the case of electricity, it is configured to be able to automatically drive the linear path via a motor, gears, etc. The moving direction of this automatic linear path is the direction opposite to the traveling direction of the bagworm. In addition, the moving speed of the linear path is preferably equal to or less than the moving speed of the bagworm. The specific moving speed of the bagworm varies depending on the species, age, individual size, etc. of the bagworm, but usually ranges from 3 m / hr to 15 m / hr, and in the fastest case ranges from 17 m / hr to 22 m / hr. Therefore, in the case of the automatic linear path, the moving speed (v) can also operate below these speeds. For example, it can operate at 0 m / hr < v ≤ 22 m / hr, 0 m / hr < v ≤ 20 m / hr, 0 m / hr < v ≤ 17 m / hr, 0 m / hr < v ≤ 15 m / hr, 0 m / hr < v ≤ 12 m / hr, 0 m / hr < v ≤ 10 m / hr, 0 m / hr < v ≤ 8 m / hr, 0 m / hr < v ≤ 5 m / hr, 0 m / hr < v ≤ 4 m / hr or 0 m / hr < v ≤ 3 m / hr. In addition, even in the case of the automatic linear path, when collecting silk, the moving propulsion force of the bagworm also acts on the linear path at the same time. That is, the automatic linear path is a mechanism that assists the movement of the bagworm. In this case, since the driving force of the automatic linear path is applied, the burden on the movement of the bagworm can be significantly reduced.

[0082] In addition, the movable circular linear path is configured to be detachable from the silk collection device of the present invention. This detachable function is convenient in the case of maintaining the bagworm silk collected by the collector on the movable circular linear path in a collected state or in the case of being associated with a stripper and / or a collector located at different positions in the silk collection device when recovering the bagworm silk.

[0083] The movable circular linear path has an "aggregator" (0104) as an essential component, and also has a ratchet (0105) as a selective component. Hereinafter, each component will be described.

[0084] (a) Aggregator

[0085] The "aggregator" (0104) is integrally arranged on the movable circular linear path and is configured to be able to aggregate the bagworm silk spit out.

[0086] The term "integration" as used here refers to something inseparable. That is, the silk-spinning surface of the linear path constitutes a collector, which is configured to hold the kangaroo filaments layered onto the silk-spinning surface of the linear path. In this specification, "collection" refers to the kangaroo filaments being repeatedly ejected onto the silk-spinning surface. The collection of kangaroo filaments is achieved by the kangaroo, fixed to a retainer, spinning silk more than one turn (one revolution) on the movable annular linear path. The kangaroo filaments do not necessarily need to be in contact with each other on the collector. However, as the number of turns of the kangaroo filaments ejected onto the linear path increases, the kangaroo filaments collected in the collector soon come into contact with each other and thus layer. In conventional methods, when multiple kangaroo filaments ejected onto the annular linear path come into contact with each other, the filaments are firmly adhered due to adhesive components, making it difficult to tear them apart without causing breakage or damage. Therefore, when feeding silk onto a circular or linear path, the bagworm silk is collected before it wraps around the linear path, preventing the silk from sticking together. However, in the silk-collecting device of the present invention, even if the bagworm silk is stacked together in contact with each other in the collector, it can be easily separated by the adhesion controller described later. Therefore, the bagworm silk can be collected without being collected before the bagworm finishes feeding.

[0087] (b) Ratchet

[0088] The movable annular linear path can also have a "ratchet" (0105) as an optional component. A "ratchet" is a part used to restrict the direction of movement to one direction. Although not limited, it is usually composed of a gear with teeth inclined in a constant direction and a pawl configured to be mounted on the teeth. When the gear is reversed, the pawl engages with the teeth of the gear, so that the gear can only rotate in a constant direction.

[0089] In the silk-collecting device of the present invention, by synchronizing the movement of the movable annular linear path with the gear, the movable annular linear path can only move in one direction. For example, when the movable annular linear path is formed by the outer edge of a disc, by making the disc coaxial with the gear, the disc can only rotate in the direction in which the ratchet can rotate. By having this feature, even if the bagworm, which is locked onto the movable annular linear path, moves backward, the linear path will not move, so the silk-collecting direction will not change and can always remain constant.

[0090] The ratchet can also have a release function as needed.

[0091] 1-3-2. Fixture

[0092] The “fixer” (0102) is a device for fixing the bagworm used in silk collection. In the silk collection device of the present invention, it is an essential component of the silk collection unit together with the movable annular linear path and the adhesive controller described later.

[0093] The retainer is configured to hold the bagworm in a predetermined position within the silk-collecting device of the present invention. The retainer restricts the bagworm's free movement within the silk-collecting device, causing it to spin silk in a constant direction along the linear path. The retainer restricts the bagworm's movement direction during silk collection and its detachment from the linear path.

[0094] The fixing method is not limited. Examples can be given. Figure 4 (a) shows a structure that uses multiple claw-like components to hold and fix an object. Figure 4 (b) shows the tubular structure in which a fixed object is embedded. Figure 4 (c) shows a structure that combines (including attaching or sewing) the object to the support, but any configuration is acceptable as long as the object can be fixed. A fixing adjustment part can also be included to finely adjust the fixing force, so as not to subject the bagworm, which is the object being fixed, to excessive load or pressure when fixing it.

[0095] The object of fixation is either the kangaroo nest (assuming that kangaroos are present inside) or the kangaroo itself. The nest is preferred. This is because kangaroos separated from the nest will be in an excessively stressed state due to their continued naked state, which may affect the amount and efficiency of silk production.

[0096] In the silk-collecting device of the present invention, a retainer is disposed at a position where the fixed kangaroo can be locked in the aforementioned movable annular linear path. The retaining part may also include a position adjustment part capable of finely adjusting the position of the kangaroo, which is fixed at the position where the kangaroo can lock its feet in the linear path, forward, backward, left, and right.

[0097] 1-3-3. Adhesive Controller

[0098] The "adhesion controller" (0103) is a device that brings the kangaroo filaments ejected onto the movable annular linear path into contact with the adhesion control liquid. In the filament-collecting apparatus of the present invention, it is an essential component forming the filament-collecting section together with the movable annular linear path and the retainer. The adhesion controller functions by using the contained adhesion control liquid to wash away or remove a portion of the adhesive components adhering to the surface of the kangaroo filaments ejected onto the linear path, thereby suppressing the adhesive effect of the adhesive components and controlling the adhesion force of the kangaroo filaments to the collector on the linear path. Although some adhesiveness remains due to the residual adhesive components, this adhesion force is suppressed, so even if the kangaroo filaments come into contact with each other on the collector, they can be easily pulled apart with a tension that does not cause them to break. Furthermore, the presence of residual adhesive components also allows the kangaroo filaments to be managed as bundles of filaments that are not tangled together but adhered with a moderate adhesive force.

[0099] The adhesive controller only needs to be able to bring the bagworm filaments on the linear path into contact, and its specific configuration is not limited. Examples of configurations that bring the bagworm filaments into contact with the adhesive control liquid include spraying, spreading, coating, dripping, impregnation, and exudation of the adhesive control liquid. Specifically, for example, it can be configured to impregnate a portion of the linear path with the adhesive control liquid within the adhesive controller; to drip the adhesive control liquid from the adhesive controller onto a portion of the linear path; to spray or spread the adhesive control liquid from the adhesive controller onto a portion of the linear path; or to integrate the adhesive controller with the linear path so that the adhesive control liquid exudes from an exudation groove and / or exudation hole provided on a portion of the linear path. Alternatively, a combination of these configurations may also be used.

[0100] The shape of the adhesive controller is not limited. Examples include a storage tank shape, a drip hole with adhesive control liquid dripping or ejecting into a portion of the linear path, a container-shaped ejection hole, or a tubular or disc shape with one or more exudation grooves or holes opening into the flow path and the linear path inside or at the bottom of the linear path. When exudation grooves or holes are present, the shape of the exudation groove is not particularly limited. Examples include slit-shaped, wavy, and dotted-line shapes. Similarly, the shape of the exudation hole is not particularly limited. Examples include circles, ovals, triangles, squares, approximately squares, polygons (e.g., hexagons), and irregular shapes. The width of the exudation groove and the size of the exudation hole are not limited, but if the width of the exudation groove and the diameter of the exudation hole are too large, they will not function as the original site for expelling bagworm silk. Therefore, the width of the exudation groove and the diameter of the exudation hole are preferably small enough to prevent clogging of the adhesive control liquid. In addition, the adhesive controller is preferably positioned in a location where the adhesive control liquid will not come into direct contact with the bagworm.

[0101] The raw materials for the adhesive controller are not limited to any material that is linear and will not dissolve, corrode, or denature due to the adhesive control fluid. The choice depends on the type of adhesive control fluid being used. For example, if the adhesive control fluid is an aqueous solution containing a surfactant, then plastics, ceramics (enamel), and glass are suitable materials for the adhesive controller.

[0102] The bonding controller may have a supply port for supplying bonding control fluid into the device and / or a discharge port for discharging bonding control fluid from the device.

[0103] In the wire-collecting apparatus of the present invention, one or more adhesive controllers may be provided. In the case of multiple adhesive controllers, the shape and size of each adhesive controller may be the same or different, or they may be a combination thereof. In addition, when multiple adhesive controllers are provided, the type, volume, and other conditions of the adhesive control liquid stored in each adhesive controller may be determined independently in each adhesive controller.

[0104] "Adhesion control liquid" refers to a solution that controls the adhesive strength of pangolin silk by washing or removing a portion of the water-soluble adhesive component (sericin-like protein) that is expelled from the pangolin silk along with the fibrous component (silk fibroin-like protein) and exists around the fibrous component.

[0105] The adhesive control liquid is not a liquid that completely removes the water-soluble adhesive components, so some adhesive components remain on the surface of the kangaroo silk. Although the kangaroo silk treated with the adhesive control liquid loses its strong adhesive force due to the reduction in the amount of adhesive components, some adhesive force remains. Therefore, the kangaroo silk gathered on the collector is bonded to each other with a weak adhesive force and does not spread out in layers. The layered kangaroo silk is also fixed as a ring-shaped bundle (kangaroo silk bundle), so subsequent processing becomes easier, and the kangaroo silk forming the bundle will no longer tangle with each other. On the other hand, the adhesive force between the kangaroo silk in the kangaroo silk bundle is weak, so if the kangaroo silk is pulled out from the silk end, it can be pulled out loosely without breaking it and without the coiling that occurs during recycling.

[0106] The adhesive control liquid can control the adhesion and peeling of bagworm filaments onto or between linear paths. It is desirable that the adhesive control liquid has properties that do not cause chemical and / or physical damage to the bagworm filaments, or are unlikely to cause such damage.

[0107] The adhesive control liquid is any liquid that has the function of cleaning or removing adhesive components as described above, and is not limited to any particular type. However, liquids with strong cleaning and removing power of adhesive components, such as scouring solutions, are not preferred because they can completely remove the adhesive components through repeated contact with the surface of the bagworm silk. The adhesive control liquid can be water or an aqueous solution, but a surfactant solution is particularly preferred.

[0108] "Surfactant solution" refers to a solution obtained by dissolving a surfactant in a suitable solvent. Examples of solvents include water (including distilled water, sterile water, and deionized water), physiological saline, or phosphate buffer. Water is preferred. The concentration of the surfactant in the solution is not limited, but is acceptable in terms of volume % as 0.01%–10%, 0.05%–5%, 0.1%–2%, or 0.5%–1%.

[0109] The surfactant used in the surfactant solution is not particularly limited. For example, it can be a nonionic surfactant such as Triton X-100, Triton X-114, NP-40, Brij-35, Brij-58, Tween-20, Tween-80, octyl-β-glucoside or OTG, a high molecular weight nonionic surfactant such as a copolymer of PEG and PPG, anionic surfactant such as SDS, amphoteric surfactant such as CHAPS or CHAPSO, or any combination thereof.

[0110] Furthermore, when two or more adhesive controllers are set in a linear path, the same or different adhesive control liquids can be stored in each adhesive controller.

[0111] 1-3-4. Peeler

[0112] The "stripper" (0105) is a device capable of storing stripping liquid and / or vapor. In the silk-collecting apparatus of the present invention, it is a selective component that, together with the collector described below, forms the collection section. In the silk-collecting apparatus of the present invention, the stripper is configured such that the stripping liquid and / or vapor contained within it comes into contact with all or part of the bagworm silk collected on the collector on the movable annular linear path.

[0113] The basic structure of the stripper is similar to that of the adhesive controller. However, unlike the adhesive controller, which processes the bagworm silk during spinning as part of the silk-collecting section, the stripper processes the bagworm silk that has been spun and gathered on the collector as part of the recycling section. The stripper is a selective component that has an auxiliary function to the adhesive controller. It facilitates the stripping of the bagworm silk from the collector by removing all or most of the residual adhesive components from the bagworm silk processed by the adhesive controller, and / or facilitates the stripping and pulling out of the bagworm silk bundles that have been gathered on the collector and formed into rings.

[0114] The raw materials for the stripper are basically the same as those for the adhesive controller. The collector, stripper, and their inner walls can be made of any material that will not dissolve, corrode, or denature due to the stripping liquid or vapor; there are no restrictions. The appropriate material can be determined based on the type of stripping liquid or vapor being stored. For example, if high-temperature, high-pressure vapor is being stored, metals such as copper and stainless steel are suitable. Conversely, if the stripping liquid consists of an aqueous solution containing surfactants, materials such as plastic, ceramic (enamel), and glass are suitable.

[0115] The stripper may have a supply port for supplying stripping fluid or vapor into the device and / or an outlet for discharging stripping fluid or vapor from the device. Additionally, it may have an inlet for supplying stripping fluid into the device and / or an outlet for discharging stripping fluid from the device.

[0116] Multiple strippers can be installed on a single wire-collecting device.

[0117] Similar to the adhesive control solution, the stripping solution is not limited to any solution that can wash away or remove the water-soluble adhesive components of the bagworm silk. Preferably, it is a solution containing a component that has a stronger removal effect on the water-soluble adhesive components compared to the adhesive control solution. Examples of such solutions include refining solutions such as sodium carbonate solution, sodium bicarbonate solution, and Marseille soap solution used in the refining of silkworm cocoons. Furthermore, the steam can be water vapor.

[0118] 1-3-5. Recycler

[0119] The "recoverer" is a device capable of recovering the kangaroo filaments stripped from the movable annular linear path. In the filament-collecting apparatus of the present invention, it is a selective component forming the recovery section together with the stripper, but it is desirable to include the recoverer for producing long-length kangaroo filaments. In the filament-collecting apparatus of the present invention, the recoverer is completely separate from the filament-collecting section.

[0120] The structure of the collector is not limited as long as it can collect and retain the stripped bagworm filaments. Preferably, it is configured to wind the collected filaments around its outer periphery. The shape of the collector is not particularly limited as long as it can wind the filaments around its outer periphery. For example, it can be any of the following shapes: disc-shaped, cylindrical, prismatic (including the shape of the long axis sides of a prism formed by multiple rod-shaped members), plate-shaped, or a combination thereof. A bobbin or a similar shape is suitable.

[0121] The recycle bin can be configured to rotate automatically to wind the filament around its outer periphery. The driving force for rotation can be obtained, for example, through electricity via a motor or the like.

[0122] The raw materials for the recycler can be, for example, metals, resins (including synthetic and natural resins), wood (including branches, vines, bamboo, etc.), pottery, stone, or combinations thereof. Preferably, the raw materials are those that can be curved and / or smoothed at the parts in contact with the silk to avoid damaging the coiled bagworm silk.

[0123] The collector may have one or more protrusions / recesses on its outer circumferential surface. These protrusions / recesses are formed along the long axis of the collector's outer circumference, configured to collect the recovered kangaroo filaments within the recesses to prevent them from detaching from the collector. Examples include... Figure 5 As shown, the shape of the winding section is disc-shaped. Figure 5 (a)) or tubular ( Figure 5 In the case of (b), the case is a winding bobbin with a protrusion (0501) at the end.

[0124] 2. Production method of long-sized kangaroo worm silk

[0125] 2-1. Overview

[0126] The second aspect of the present invention is a method for producing long-length kangaroo worm filaments. According to the production method of the present invention, long-length kangaroo worm support filaments can be produced efficiently and in large quantities from kangaroo worms without requiring special skills. Furthermore, by separating the spinning process group from the recycling process group, the management and adjustment of the winding and loosening of the kangaroo worm filaments are eliminated, thereby improving the production efficiency of long-length kangaroo worm filaments.

[0127] 2-2. Methods

[0128] An example of the process flow of the production method of the present invention is shown below. Figure 6 The production method of the present invention includes a spinning process (S0601), a contact process (S0602), a gathering process (S0603), and a recycling process (S0605) as essential production processes. Additionally, as optional processes, a second contact process (S0604), a refining process (S0606), and / or a twisting process (S0607) are included. The spinning process, contact process, and gathering process are included in the spinning process group involved in the collection of bagworm silk, and the second contact process, recycling process, refining process, and twisting process are included in the recycling process group involved in the recycling and silk production of bagworm silk. Each process will be described in detail below.

[0129] (1) Silk spinning process (S0601)

[0130] The "silk-spinning process" is a process in which, under the active conditions of the kangaroo, the kangaroo's legs are fixed in a movable annular linear path, and it continuously spins silk along this path. This process is included in the silk-spinning process group and is an essential process in the production method of this invention.

[0131] In this specification, "activity conditions" refers to the conditions under which the kangaroo caterpillar can perform daily activities such as movement and feeding. Examples of such conditions include air temperature, air pressure, humidity, light intensity, and oxygen levels, but air temperature is the most important condition in this invention. Insects are poikilothermic (cold-blooded) animals, so they cease activity and enter a dormant state as the air temperature decreases. Therefore, the lower limit of the suitable air temperature in the activity conditions of this invention is the temperature at which the kangaroo caterpillar will not enter dormancy. Although the specific temperature varies depending on the species, it is generally above 10°C, preferably above 12°C, more preferably above 13°C, even more preferably above 14°C, and further preferably above 15°C. On the other hand, the upper limit of the air temperature is the upper limit of the temperature at which the kangaroo caterpillar can survive. Generally, it is below 40°C, preferably below 35°C, more preferably below 30°C, even more preferably below 27°C, and further preferably below 25°C. As for air pressure, humidity, light intensity, and oxygen concentration, for example, they should be similar to the conditions in temperate plains. For example, the atmospheric pressure is around 1 atmosphere, the humidity is 30-70%, the light and dark conditions are 6-18 hours in 24 hours, and the oxygen concentration in the atmosphere is in the range of 15-25%.

[0132] The bagworms used in this process can be individuals collected in the wild or individuals that have been raised in captivity for generations, but individuals that are not starving are preferred, and individuals that have been given sufficient food before use are even more preferred. If the silk-spinning individuals are not starving, bagworms that have been given sufficient food will continuously spin silk while moving along the linear path under the above conditions for 1 hour to 4 days, 3 hours to 3 days, or 6 hours to 2 days.

[0133] The bagworm used in this process can be either in a nest-holding state or in a nest-removed state. Typically, the bagworm moves with its nest, so it is preferable to use the nest along with the bagworm in this process. However, for example, if the bagworm is used in this process with a tubular holder for holding a naked bagworm removed from its nest, the nest may not need to be held. When the bagworm holds its nest, the nest only needs to cover most of the bagworm's body, or it may not need to completely cover it. The materials used to construct the nest do not need to be leaves or branches found in nature; they can also be constructed using artificial materials (such as paper, wood chips, fiber sheets, metal sheets, plastic sheets, etc.).

[0134] In this process, the key feature is that the kangaroo is fixed at a position where it can anchor its feet to the linear path. This fixation restricts the kangaroo's free movement and keeps the silk-spinning direction on the linear path constant. Furthermore, in principle, one kangaroo is positioned and fixed on each linear path, but multiple kangaroos can also be fixed. In this case, they are positioned and fixed on the linear path in a manner that ensures all kangaroos travel in the same direction.

[0135] The structure and configuration of the linear path used in the production method of the present invention can be the same as those described in the linear path configuration and configuration of the silk-collecting device for kangaroo silk described in the first embodiment. A preferred configuration is a ring-shaped linear path, especially a circular ring-shaped linear path. Multiple linear paths can also be used. In this case, the linear paths are arranged side-by-side to secure the kangaroo's foot to each linear path. The kangaroo is secured using a fixator or the like. The fixator can be the one described in the first embodiment. By securing the kangaroo to the linear path under active conditions, the kangaroo continuously spins silk while spontaneously moving along the linear path.

[0136] In this instruction manual, "continuous silk-spinning" refers to the uninterrupted silk-spinning of the kangaroo. The kangaroo, with its legs anchored to a linear path, instinctively and continuously spins supporting silk as it moves. The continuity is lost at the point when the silk ejected from the silk-spinning openings located on either side of the larva's proboscis ceases.

[0137] In this process, the direction of movement of the kangaroo, with its feet secured to the linear path, is, in principle, the kangaroo's direction of travel. As mentioned earlier, the kangaroo used in this process is fixed in place with its feet secured to the linear path. In this state, the kangaroo cannot move in any direction other than its direction of travel. Even if the kangaroo occasionally moves backward on the linear path, the ratchet mechanism on the linear path restricts any reverse movement, so the direction of movement is necessarily limited to the direction of travel.

[0138] As another feature of this process, the linear path moves automatically and / or through the movement of the bagworm along its long axis. Thus, even if the bagworm is fixed in a constant position, it can continuously spin silk along the linear path.

[0139] The linear path operates by utilizing the propulsive force of the kangaroo, whose feet are locked in place, moving it in the direction of travel. Therefore, its direction of movement is opposite to the kangaroo's direction of travel. In the case of a circular linear path formed by the edge of a disc, the disc rotates due to the kangaroo's movement, thus enabling the linear path to move. The linear path can also move automatically. In this case, the direction of movement of the linear path is also opposite to the kangaroo's direction of travel.

[0140] The moving speed of the linear path is approximately equal to the moving speed of the silkworm caterpillar in the case of the moving propulsion force based on the silkworm caterpillar. Additionally, in the case of automatically moving the linear path, it is also made to be at or below the same level as the moving speed of the silkworm caterpillar. When automatically operating the linear path, it can be operated with a known driving technique, such as a combination of a motor and gears. As described above, the moving speed of a normal silkworm caterpillar is in the range of 3 m / hr to 15 m / hr, and in the fastest case, it is in the range of 17 m / hr to 22 m / hr. Therefore, the speed (v) when automatically moving the linear path only needs to operate below these speeds. For example, it is in the range of 0 m / hr < v ≤ 22 m / hr, 0 m / hr < v ≤ 20 m / hr, 0 m / hr < v ≤ 17 m / hr, 0 m / hr < v ≤ 15 m / hr, 0 m / hr < v ≤ 12 m / hr, 0 m / hr < v ≤ 10 m / hr, 0 m / hr < v ≤ 8 m / hr, 0 m / hr < v ≤ 5 m / hr, 0 m / hr < v ≤ 4 m / hr or 0 m / hr < v ≤ 3 m / hr.

[0141] According to the method of the present invention, since the silkworm caterpillar continuously and continuously spits out silk on the movable annular linear path, it is possible to collect the support silk of the long-sized silkworm caterpillar.

[0142] (2) Contact process (S0602)

[0143] The "contact process" is a process of bringing the silk of the silkworm caterpillar on the movable annular linear path into contact with the adhesion control liquid. This process is included in the silk-spinning process group and is a necessary process in the production method of the present invention. Through this process, a part of the adhesion component on the linear path to which the silk of the silkworm caterpillar adheres is washed or removed, and the adhesive force of the adhesion component is suppressed. As a result, the adhesion of the silk of the silkworm caterpillar to the linear path and the adhesion of the silk of the silkworm caterpillar caused by the aggregation of the silk of the silkworm caterpillar become weak, and although it can be adhered, the peeling also becomes an easy state.

[0144] This process is preferably carried out at an early stage before the adhesion component on the surface of the silk of the silkworm caterpillar dries and cures after the silk-spinning process. Preferably, it is immediately after silk-spinning. Therefore, for this process, as long as the silkworm caterpillar continuously and continuously spins silk on the movable annular linear path, it can be carried out almost simultaneously in synchronization with the silk-spinning process.

[0145] The adhesion control liquid used in this process is the same as the adhesion control liquid described in the first aspect. The method of bringing the adhesion control liquid into contact with the silk of the silkworm caterpillar spit out onto the linear path is not limited. For example, a part of the linear path after the silk-spinning process can be immersed in the adhesion control liquid poured into the tank, or the adhesion control liquid can be dropped, sprayed, scattered or coated on the silk of the silkworm caterpillar spit out onto the linear path after the silk-spinning process. Or, the adhesion control liquid can be made to seep out from a tank or hole provided on the linear path. Or, it can be a combination of them.

[0146] In the method for producing long-length kangaroo silk of the present invention, since a movable annular linear path is used, the kangaroo silk that has been spun onto the linear path in the spinning process is immediately executed in this process. However, due to the encirclement of the movable annular linear path, the kangaroo silk that has passed through this process once can pass through this process again.

[0147] (3) Aggregation process (S0603)

[0148] The "aggregation process" is the process of aggregating the bagworm silk after the contact process. This process, together with the silk spinning process and the contact process, is included in the silk spinning process group and is an essential process in the production method of the present invention.

[0149] The location where the kangaroo silk gathers is not limited, but when the kangaroo is fixed in place by a fixator and the silk-spinning process is carried out by spinning silk on a movable annular linear path, the kangaroo silk gathers in the collector on the movable annular linear path.

[0150] The accumulation process takes place after the movable annular linear path has circled the starting point of the silk-spinning process. In the method for producing long-length kangaroo filaments of the present invention, the spun kangaroo filaments are not immediately recovered, but are recovered after the silk-spinning process is completed. Therefore, the kangaroo filaments spun onto the movable annular linear path during the silk-spinning process are continuously accumulated by circling the linear path until the silk-spinning process is completed. Therefore, this process continues as long as the silk-spinning process continues.

[0151] Furthermore, after the spinning process is completed, the contact process and this process are also completed, thus ending the spinning process group. The spinning process group and the recycling process group are carried out independently, so the recycling process group can be carried out immediately after the spinning process group is completed, or it can be carried out after the idle time.

[0152] (4) Second contact process (S0604)

[0153] The "second contact step" is a step after the aggregation step in which the aggregated kangaroo filaments are contacted with a stripping liquid and / or vapor. This step is included in the recycling step group and is an optional step in the method for producing long-length kangaroo filaments of the present invention. By performing this step after the aggregation step and before the recycling step, it is possible to prevent the aggregated kangaroo filaments from re-adhering due to adhesive components that were not completely removed in the contact step. Furthermore, in the event of re-adhesion, the kangaroo filaments can be easily recycled from the linear path.

[0154] This process is usually performed after the aggregation process and before the subsequent recycling process, but it can also be performed simultaneously with the recycling process.

[0155] The stripping liquid and steam used in this process are the same as those described in Scheme 1. The method of contacting the stripping liquid and steam with the bagworm filaments aggregated on the linear path is not limited. Examples include immersing all or part of the linear path after the aggregation process in the stripping liquid poured into the tank, exposing all or part of the linear path after the aggregation process to water vapor filled in the tank, dripping, spraying, spreading, or coating the stripping liquid onto the bagworm filaments aggregated on the linear path after the aggregation process, spraying water vapor onto the bagworm filaments aggregated on the linear path after the aggregation process, or combinations thereof.

[0156] Furthermore, by using the stripping liquid as a refining liquid, the second contact step can also become the refining step described later (S0606). In this case, the single fiber separated from the twin filaments can be recovered in the subsequent recycling step instead of the spun fiber. The refining step will be described later.

[0157] (5) Recycling process (S0605)

[0158] The "recycling process" is the process of peeling off and recycling the bagworm filaments that have been aggregated after the aggregation process. This process is included in the recycling process group and is an essential step in the method for producing long-length bagworm filaments according to the present invention. After the contact process or the second contact process, the bagworm filaments become easily peeled off from the linear path and the same bagworm filaments due to the removal or reduction of the adhesive components. Therefore, by peeling off the ends of the bagworm filaments on the linear path and then applying tension in the opposite direction to the winding direction of the bagworm filaments on the annular linear path, the bagworm filaments aggregated on the linear path can be easily peeled off.

[0159] The method for recovering the bagworm filaments gathered in the linear path is not particularly limited, as long as it does not break the bagworm filaments. However, in the production method of the present invention, a method of recovering the filaments while winding them onto a winding member is suitable. A conventional winding member used in this field can be used. For example, it can be wound onto the outer edge of a disc-shaped member, a tubular member, a plate-shaped member, etc.

[0160] As a concrete example of recycling, the ends of the kangaroo silk filaments on the movable annular linear path can be fixed to the winding member. While applying tension in the direction opposite to the winding direction of the kangaroo silk filaments gathered on the collector, the winding member is rotated to recycle the kangaroo silk filaments on the collector to the winding member. At this time, the movable annular linear path can rotate synchronously with the rotation of the winding member. This ensures that a certain degree of tension is always applied to the kangaroo silk filaments between the linear path and the winding member, thus preventing slack winding.

[0161] The rotation speed of the wire winding member is not limited. However, if the rotation speed is too fast, the tension of the bagworm silk applied between the linear circuit and the wire winding member will be too strong. As a result, the bagworm silk may break. Therefore, the rotation speed of the wire winding member may be in the range of 15 m / hr or less or 22 m / hr or less. For example, ranges such as 0 m / hr < v ≤ 22 m / hr, 0 m / hr < v ≤ 20 m / hr, 0 m / hr < v ≤ 17 m / hr, 0 m / hr < v ≤ 15 m / hr, 0 m / hr < v ≤ 12 m / hr, 0 m / hr < v ≤ 10 m / hr, 0 m / hr < v ≤ 8 m / hr, 0 m / hr < v ≤ 5 m / hr, 0 m / hr < v ≤ 4 m / hr or 0 m / hr < v ≤ 3 m / hr are suitable rotation speed ranges. In the case of automatically operating the wire winding member, it can be operated with known drive technologies, such as a combination of a motor and gears.

[0162] (6) Scouring process (S0606)

[0163] The "scouring process" is a process for scouring long-sized bagworm silk. "Scouring" means removing sericin-like adhesive components from the silk fibers to obtain single fibers. Usually, it is carried out after the recovery process, but it can also be carried out simultaneously with the second contact process as described above. In addition, as described later, in the case where a twisting process is carried out after the recovery process before this process, it can also be carried out after the twisting process. This process is a selection process and can be carried out as needed.

[0164] The scouring method is not particularly limited as long as it can remove the adhesive components without causing a decrease in the strength of the fiber components of the bagworm silk. For example, the scouring method of mulberry silk can be applied. Specifically, the bagworm silk recovered in the recovery process is immersed in a scouring liquid such as a sodium bicarbonate solution with a concentration of 0.01 mol / L to 0.1 mol / L, 0.03 mol / L to 0.08 mol / L or 0.04 mol / L to 0.06 mol / L. Boiling treatment for 5 minutes to 1 hour, 10 minutes to 40 minutes or 15 minutes to 30 minutes is more preferred. Through this process, single fibers of long-sized support silk can be obtained.

[0165] (7) Twisting process (S0607)

[0166] The "twisting process" is a process for twisting the bagworm silk obtained after the recovery process or the scouring process. "Twisting" means twisting the silk. In this process, by twisting the spinning fibers and / or single fibers of multiple bagworm silks, bagworm silk with high toughness is manufactured.

[0167] The twisting process can be used to bundle and twist the single fibers of kangaroo silk obtained after the refining process, or it can be used to bundle and twist the spinning fibers of kangaroo silk obtained after the recycling process. In the former case, twisted kangaroo silk with adhesive components removed is obtained. On the other hand, in the latter case, twisted kangaroo silk composed of spinning fibers and retaining adhesive components is obtained. Therefore, it can be used as silk that retains adhesive components without undergoing a refining process, or a refining process can be performed as needed to produce twisted kangaroo silk with adhesive components removed.

[0168] In this process, the silk can also be mixed with fibers other than kangaroo silk, such as animal fibers like silkworm silk, plant fibers like cotton, chemical fibers like polyester, or regenerated fibers like rayon, and then twisted. When producing one twisted kangaroo silk filament, the number of spinning fibers and / or monofilaments constituting it is not particularly limited. For example, ranges of 2 to 200, 4 to 150, 6 to 100, 8 to 50, or 10 to 30 fibers can be given.

[0169] The twisting method is not particularly limited. Any twisting method known in the field can be used. For example, right-hand twisting (S-twist) and left-hand twisting (Z-twist) can be employed. The number of twists can be determined appropriately as needed. In the case of producing coarse kangaroo silk, further twisting by combining multiple twisted kangaroo silk strands can also be used. Twisting can be performed manually or using a twisting machine.

[0170] The bagworm filaments obtained using the production method of the present invention are long in length, but they can also be spun to obtain even longer bagworm filaments.

[0171] Through the above processes, long-length kangaroo silk, which was previously impossible to produce, can be manufactured into single fibers or aggregated fibers. Therefore, using the long-length kangaroo silk of this invention as material, alone or in combination with other fibers, it is possible to manufacture fabrics containing kangaroo scaffold silk, which was previously impossible. Kangaroo silk fabrics are beautiful, smooth, and have excellent tensile strength, so they are promising not only for clothing but also, like spider silk, for use as medical raw materials, protective clothing, and other special raw materials. Furthermore, they can be used in high-end textiles, such as high-quality legless chairs, sofas, curtains, or wallpaper made of tensioned fabric with enhanced friction.

[0172] Example

[0173] <Manufacturing of a silk-collecting device for kangaroo silk and verification of silk-collecting length>

[0174] (Purpose)

[0175] The fabrication device for collecting bagworm silk of the present invention was manufactured, and it was verified that no slack in the winding of bagworm silk occurred during the operation of the device, and that the daily production of bagworm silk that could be collected was greater than that of the bagworm silk collecting device disclosed in the embodiment based on Japanese Patent Application 2018-227669.

[0176] (method)

[0177] 1. Manufacturing of the device

[0178] In this embodiment, a silk-collecting device for bagworm silk as described in the first aspect of the present invention was manufactured.

[0179] The movable annular linear path is a circular movable annular linear path with a diameter of 12cm and a thickness of 2.1mm on the outer edge of a disc. This movable annular linear path can rotate about the center of the disc.

[0180] For the fixation device, a polypropylene centrifuge tube with a diameter of 18 mm (inner diameter of 16 mm) is used and tilted at about 30 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, so that the kangaroo attached to the fixation device can lock its feet into the upper part of the movable annular linear path.

[0181] For the adhesive controller, a storage tank containing 1 L of 0.1% polyethylene glycol monostearate (n=appox.40, Tokyo Chemical Industry Co., Ltd., Cas No. 9004-99-3) was used as the adhesive control fluid. A movable annular linear path was arranged vertically within the device (the disc surface being perpendicular to the horizontal plane) so that the lower part of the disc could be immersed in the adhesive control fluid in the storage tank.

[0182] The recycle bin is a winding drum with an inner diameter of 0.9 cm.

[0183] 2. Production of long-length kangaroo worm silk

[0184] (1) Materials

[0185] For bagworms, the final instar larvae of the bagworm moth were used.

[0186] (2) Production methods

[0187] The aforementioned kangaroo, along with its nest, was inserted halfway into a centrifuge tube serving as a fixation device and secured. Next, the kangaroo's feet were positioned to engage a longitudinally placed, movable, annular linear path, adjusted so that the path would rotate in the opposite direction of the kangaroo's movement as it moved forward. The kangaroo silk expelled onto the linear path was immediately immersed in an adhesive control liquid within an adhesive controller located at the bottom of the linear path. This process was repeated multiple times with the adhesive control liquid each time the linear path was rotated. The kangaroo was allowed to continuously expel silk onto the linear path for approximately 5 hours.

[0188] After silk collection is completed, the bagworms are removed from the retainer, and the silk ends of the bagworm silk collected in the movable annular linear path are removed and connected to the collector. Next, the collector is rotated by applying tension to the bagworm silk in the opposite direction to the direction it is wound around the collector, and the bagworm silk is retrieved from the collector by winding it around the collector. Afterward, the length of the collected bagworm silk is measured.

[0189] For comparison, the silk-collecting apparatus disclosed in the embodiment of Japanese Patent Application 2018-227669 (hereinafter referred to as the "prior application apparatus") was used. Using the production method disclosed in the embodiment of Japanese Patent Application 2018-227669 (hereinafter referred to as the "prior application method"), bagworms were continuously spinning silk on a linear path for approximately 5 hours. The processes following silk collection were performed in accordance with the above method.

[0190] (result)

[0191] The length of bagworm silk obtained using the prior application device was 269.7 m, while the length of bagworm silk obtained using the silk-collecting device of the present invention was more than twice that, at 636.2 m. Furthermore, in the same silk-collecting space, 10 of the prior application devices were installed, while more than 20 of the silk-collecting device of the present invention were installed. Moreover, in the prior application device, slack winding frequently occurred between the thread path and the collector during silk collection, but this did not occur in the silk-collecting device of the present invention.

[0192] Based on the above results, it can be seen that if the silk-collecting device of the present invention is used, the amount of silk collected per unit predetermined time is more than twice that of the device in the prior application, and the silk-collecting space can be reduced to about 50%, thus significantly improving production efficiency. In addition, it is shown that during silk collection, there is no need for management personnel to monitor and eliminate the slack of bagworm silk, thereby reducing the required labor costs.

[0193] All publications, patents and patent applications referenced in this specification are incorporated herein by direct reference.

Claims

1. A method for producing long-length bagworm silk, comprising: The silk-spinning process is a process in which the foot of the bagworm used in silk collection is locked in a movable annular linear path and continuously spins silk along the movable annular linear path. The movable annular linear path has a width smaller than the maximum left and right spread width of the bagworm's foot and is able to lock the foot of the bagworm. The contact process is a process that, after the spinning process, brings the bagworm silk on the movable annular linear path into contact with the adhesive control liquid. The aggregation process is the process of aggregating the bagworm silk after the contact process; as well as The recycling process is a process of recovering the aggregated bagworm silk after the aggregation process. In the silk-spinning process, the bagworm or its nest is fixed in a position where the bagworm can lock its legs into the movable annular linear path, and the movable annular linear path moves along its long axis automatically and / or by the movement of the bagworm. During the silk-spinning process, the bagworm silk that is spun onto the movable annular linear path continuously accumulates as it is surrounded by the movable annular linear path until the silk-spinning process is completed.

2. The method for producing long-length bagworm silk according to claim 1, The production method further includes a second contact step, which is a step of contacting the bagworm filaments aggregated into the linear path after the aggregation step with a stripping liquid and / or vapor.

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