Method for enriching textile fiber bundles for spinning line, electrostatic spinning station, enriched yarn and use thereof

Abstract

A method for enriching a textile fiber bundle (2) for a weaving machine (3), comprising the following operating steps: a) moving the textile fiber bundle (2), such as a sliver, roving or thread, in a bundle running direction (X); b) providing a first electrospinning station (1) adapted to produce solid nanofibers (25) by means of an electrospinning device (120); c) depositing solid fibres (25) on the textile fibre bundle (2) by means of the first electrospinning station (1) to obtain an enriched textile fibre bundle (21) on the first side (22); d) moving the enriched textile fiber bundle (21) towards a work station (31) downstream of the first electrospinning station (1). An electrospinning station (1) for enriching a textile fibre bundle (2) comprises an electrospinning device (120) having a reservoir (11, 11 ') adapted to contain an electrospinnable enriching solution (13), an emitter electrode (10, 10') and a collector electrode (12, 12 ') opposite and spaced apart from the emitter electrode (10, 10') so as to enrich a textile fibre bundle (2) by the action of a generated electric field. The formation and transport of solid nanofibers (25) takes place on the textile fiber bundle (2). A yarn consisting of a bundle (21) of enriched textile fibers comprising textile fibers enriched with solid nanofibers (25), obtained by electrospinning and interwoven with the textile fibers.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a method for enriching a textile fiber bundle for use in a loom on a spinning line for converting the fibers into yarn.

[0002] The invention also relates to an electrospinning station that can be used in the above-mentioned method, and to a yarn or a fabric obtained from a textile fiber bundle enriched according to the above-mentioned enrichment method. Background Art

[0003] Generally, in the textile industry, it is known to produce nonwoven textile materials, such as by thermoforming textile fibers into thermopolymers. Such nonwoven textile fabrics (hereinafter referred to as NWT) inconveniently have a large inherent variability in fiber size.

[0004] Among the NWT production methods, electrospinning offers a solution to the problem of fiber size variability due to the possibility of greater control over the fiber formation process.

[0005] As is well known, known electrospinning systems are able to produce NWT materials by continuously depositing nanofibers onto a physical substrate, typically used to produce membranes or films intended for use in the manufacture of filters or fabrics for specific applications.

[0006] Thus, the conventional electrospinning process allows the deposition of a nanofiber layer or film on a substrate from which the NWT portion can then be separated. Furthermore, according to some variants, the conventional electrospinning method allows the deposition of a nanofiber layer obtained by electrospinning on a fabric, so that it covers a fabric portion previously woven with yarns obtained by known spinning techniques.

[0007] This type of NWT production has proven to be extremely complex, expensive, and difficult to scale up to a wide range of fabric types.

[0008] Therefore, the electrospinning production methods of the prior art are exclusively used for the production of high value-added textiles, such as medical, microbiological and similar applications. Summary of the invention

[0009] The object of the present invention is therefore to identify a method for producing textile fibers and yarns which integrates the advantages of fiber production technology by electrospinning in order to improve the properties of textile fibers and yarns obtained by prior art.

[0010] Another object of the present invention is to identify a method for producing textile fibers and yarns (and fabrics therefrom) which, in addition to combining the advantages of electrospinning production technology, is less expensive, simpler and ensures increased output and production efficiency relative to known electrospinning production technology.

[0011] The above objects are achieved by a method for enriching a textile fiber bundle, an electrospinning station, a spinning line and a yarn or a fabric according to the attached independent claims. The dependent claims describe preferred embodiments. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] The characteristics and advantages of the textile fiber bundle enrichment method, electrospinning station, spinning line and yarn or fabric of the present invention will become apparent from the following description provided by way of non-limiting examples, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0013] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a textile production line, i.e. a spinning production line, according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0014] Figure 2 is a plan elevation view of an electrospinning station according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0015] Figure 3 According to an embodiment of the present invention Figure 2 A top view of the electrospinning station;

[0016] Figure 3a is a plan elevation view of an electrospinning station according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0017] Figure 3b According to an embodiment of the present invention Figure 3a A top view of the electrospinning station;

[0018] Figure 3c is a plan elevation view of an electrospinning station according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 3d yes Figure 3c FIG. 1 is a top plan view of an electrospinning station, wherein, for the sake of clarity, the chamber 9 containing the electrospinning device is not shown;

[0020] Figure 4 is an axonometric view of a fiber bundle winding roller according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 5 Three orthogonal views of a draw frame system according to an embodiment of the present invention are shown, the system comprising a draw frame 100, a creel 110 and electrospinning stations 1, 1', which are arranged downstream of the creel and upstream of the draw frame; in particular, a top plan view of the draw frame system is shown at the top, a plan elevation view is shown at the bottom, and a plan side view of the draw frame system is shown on the left;

[0022] Figure 6Three orthogonal views of a roving frame system according to an embodiment of the present invention are shown, and it includes a roving frame 800, a bobbin 802 and an electrospinning station 1, 1', which is arranged downstream of the bobbin and upstream of the roving frame; in particular, a top plan view of the roving frame system is shown at the top, a plan front view is shown at the bottom, and a plan side view of the roving frame system is shown on the left;

[0023] Figure 7 is an axonometric view of a fiber bundle delivery station according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] According to one embodiment of the present invention, referring to Figure 1 , a spinning production line 1000 installed in a spinning mill, includes one or more looms 200, 400, 600, 800, for example, one or more blow room machines 200 (for example, pluckers, blenders, openers, mixers, scale loaders or tuft blenders), one or more carding machines 400, one or more combing machines 600 (for example, drawing frames, lap winders or combing machines), one or more spinning machines 800 (for example, roving frames or spinning machines), installed in the spinning mill, and one or more electrospinning stations (1, 1') arranged upstream or downstream of the one or more looms.

[0025] According to the invention, the electrospinning station 1 is suitable for enriching a textile fiber bundle 2 with solid nanofibers 25 produced by electrospinning. Once enriched, the textile fiber bundle 2 is preferably used for processing in a loom 3 of a spinning line 1000, which includes one or more looms 3, such as a blowroom 200 or a carding machine 400, or a combing machine 600 or a spinning machine or a sliver machine 800.

[0026] It is clear that the terms "enriched", "enriched" and "enriched" mean that the basic textile fiber bundle is enriched with additional solid nanofibers 25 from the electrospinning process, which are not part of the basic textile fiber bundle and are typically used in the standard process of the spinning line.

[0027] The electrospinning station 1 comprises an electrospinning device 120, preferably a needle-free electrospinning device.

[0028] The electrospinning device 120 comprises a reservoir 11, 11' suitable for containing a rich solution 13 (i.e., a solution that can be electrospun), such as a solution containing natural and / or artificial polymers and / or monomers dissolved in one or more solvents. The rich solution 13 is suitable for forming solid nanofibers 25 by electrospinning, which are deposited on the textile fiber bundle 2 during the electrospinning process.

[0029] The electrospinning device 120 comprises an emitter electrode 10 , 10 ′, in some cases referred to as a spinneret, preferably a rotating electrode (eg a rotating drum), adapted to be arranged on a first side 22 of a textile fiber bundle 2 .

[0030] According to one embodiment, the emitter electrode 10 , 10 ′ is at least partially or completely immersed in the enrichment solution 13 .

[0031] The electrospinning device 120 includes collecting electrodes 12, 12', which face the emitter electrodes 10, 10' and are separated from them, and are suitable for being arranged on the second side 23 of the textile fiber bundle 3, opposite to the first side 22, so that due to the electric field generated between the emitter electrodes 10, 10' and the collecting electrodes 12, 12', solid nanofibers 25 begin to form from the enriched solution 13, and these solid nanofibers 25 are transported on the textile fiber bundle 2, and then the solid nanofibers 25 are deposited on the textile fiber bundle 2 to obtain the enriched fiber bundle 21.

[0032] According to one embodiment, for example Figures 2 to 3b As shown, the electrospinning station 1 includes one or more fiber bundle winding rollers 7, wherein each fiber bundle winding roller 7 is capable of rotating around its own roller rotation axis Z, Z1, Z2, Z3 to guide the textile fiber bundle 2 to be wound on the fiber bundle winding roller 7 to form a yarn roll 71 around the roller rotation axis Z, Z1, Z2, Z3 (i.e., to form a yarn roll 71). The one or more fiber bundle winding rollers 7 are arranged between the emitter electrodes 10, 10' and the collector electrodes 12, 12', so that the solid fiber 25 is deposited on the first side 22 of the textile fiber bundle 2 wound on the one or more fiber bundle winding rollers 7 due to the electrospinning effect.

[0033] It is clear that the yarn roll 71 can be formed partially around the roller rotation axis Z, Z1, Z2, Z3. For example, in the case of multiple winding rollers, the yarn roll 71 is formed around more than one roller rotation axis, so that it spans two or more roller rotation axes Z, Z1, Z2, Z3, as for example Figure 3 to Figure 3d shown.

[0034] According to one embodiment, the electrospinning station 1 includes: a guiding device 720, which is configured to guide the textile fiber bundle 2 to form a yarn roll 71 with a spiral shape 81, 82 around a plurality of fiber bundle winding rollers 7, thereby forming a plurality of yarn rolls 71 of the same textile fiber bundle 2 spaced apart along a direction Z' parallel to the roller rotation axes Z, Z1, Z2, Z3 in an electrospinning space area S formed between at least two rollers 700, 701; 702, 703 of the fiber bundle winding rollers 7.

[0035] This makes it possible to create in the spatial region S a structure of side-by-side and spaced-apart continuous yarn roll segments 713, 714, 715 of the same fiber bundle 2, which are occasionally hit by the solid nanofibers 25 from the emitter electrodes 10, 10' as the textile fiber bundle 2 advances in the fiber bundle running direction X. Advantageously, the guide device is constructed in such a way that the optimal distance between the yarn rolls 71 can be adjusted according to the type and size of the textile fiber bundle 2. This makes it possible to minimize the amount of dispersed solid nanofibers 25 (i.e., those solid nanomaterials 25 that do not remain on the textile fiber bundle 2 when passing between the yarn rolls 71 but are deposited on the collecting electrodes 12, 12'). In addition, this allows to optimize the number of passes of the textile fiber bundle 2 in the solid nanofiber 25 deposition area according to specific needs.

[0036] According to one embodiment, the guiding device is suitable for guiding the textile fiber bundle 2 in such a way that the distance between the yarn rolls 71 increases or decreases along the direction Z' parallel to the roller rotation axis Z, Z1, Z2, Z3. This makes it possible to adjust the appropriate amount of solid nanofibers 25 gradually deposited on the textile fiber bundle, because the amount of solid nanomaterial 25 to be deposited also depends on the amount of solid fibers 25 already deposited.

[0037] Preferably, the electrospinning space S formed between at least two rollers 700, 701; 702, 703 is defined as a spatial area facing the two rollers, that is, the spatial area defined between two imaginary planes P1, P2; P3, P4 is tangent to the outer surfaces of the two rollers 700, 701; 702, 703, parallel to the roller rotation axis Z, Z1, Z2, Z3 of each winding roller 7, and can be passed through by the yarn roll 71.

[0038] In particular, advantageously, the guide device 720 allows the distance between the yarn rolls 71 to be varied without changing the size of the electrospinning space S.

[0039] According to one embodiment, the guiding means 720 comprises a protrusion or a recess 72 present on each fiber tow winding roller 7 .

[0040] According to one embodiment, the guiding device comprises a yarn guide 721, which is fixed relative to one or more fiber bundle winding rollers 7, or is movable (e.g., rotatable) independently of the rotation of one or more fiber bundle winding rollers 7, and is suitable for receiving the textile fiber bundle 2 in a sliding contact manner. Preferably, the fact that the yarn guide 721 is movable independently of the rotation of one or more fiber bundle winding rollers 7 means that they are not directly connected to the fiber bundle winding roller for rotation, but can be rotated independently, or can be dragged by the textile fiber bundle 2 or other transmission systems, or can be rotated around a rotation axis different from the rotation axis of the fiber bundle winding roller 7.

[0041] For example, according to one embodiment, the yarn guide includes one or more bulkheads, one or more fixed or rotatable cylinders, one or more posts or a combination thereof, or similar mechanical guides.

[0042] According to one embodiment, a yarn guide 721, preferably a post or a cylinder (eg a rotatable post or cylinder), is placed in the electrospinning area of ​​the space S. This allows optimizing the space of the electrospinning station.

[0043] According to one embodiment, the yarn guide 721, preferably a post or cylinder (eg a rotatable post or cylinder), is placed outside the electrospinning spatial region S. This allows the electrospinning process to be unaffected.

[0044] According to one embodiment, for example Figure 3c and 3d As shown, the yarn guide 721 is a post or cylinder, which is positioned so that its main extension axis (or rotation axis, if it can rotate) is at an angle or perpendicular to the roller rotation axis Z, Z1, Z2, Z3. In addition, these posts or cylinders are spaced apart along a direction Z' parallel to the roller rotation axis Z, Z1, Z2, Z3.

[0045] According to one embodiment, the posts or cylinders are repositionable in a direction Z′ parallel to the roller rotation axes Z, Z1 , Z2, Z3, so that the distance between the posts or cylinders and thus the distance between the yarn reels 71 can be adjusted.

[0046] According to one embodiment, for example Figure 3a and 3b As shown, each fiber bundle winding roller 7 includes a protrusion or depression 72 (i.e., a guide device 720 in the form of a protrusion or depression) for guiding the textile fiber bundle 2 to be wound around the fiber bundle winding roller 7 into yarn rolls 71 spaced apart along the roller rotation axis Z, Z1, Z2, Z3.

[0047] It is clear that in a variation having the aforementioned yarn guide 721, for example Figure 3c and3d As shown, each fiber tow winding roller 7 may also have a smooth outer surface without depressions or protrusions 72 .

[0048] Preferably, the deposition of the solid fibers 25 occurs when the textile fiber bundle 2 moves along the fiber bundle running direction X, preferably at an angle of incidence to or perpendicular to the direction of transport of the enriched solution from the emitter electrode towards the textile fiber bundle 2.

[0049] According to one embodiment, one or more fiber bundle winding rollers 7 include a first group of rollers 7' and a second group of rollers 7" separated from the first group of rollers, wherein the first group of rollers 7' are arranged to expose the first side 22 of the textile fiber bundle 2 to the solid fibers 25 from the electrospinning device 120. The second group of rollers 7" is arranged downstream of the first group of rollers 7' in the fiber bundle running direction X so as to receive the textile fiber bundle 2 that has been enriched on the first side 22 and expose the second side 23 of the textile fiber bundle 2 to the solid fibers 25 from the electrospinning device 120.

[0050] Preferably, the second set of rollers 7" comprises one or more second sets of rollers 700, 701, each of which is capable of rotating around its own roller rotation axis Z, Z1 in a direction opposite to the rotation direction of the first set of rollers 7', so that the second side 23 of the textile fiber bundle 2 is easily exposed and the footprint of the electrospinning station 120 is kept small while maintaining mechanical symmetry and equal utilization of components.

[0051] According to one embodiment, the electrospinning station 1 includes a support roller 7'" arranged between the first set of rollers 7' and the second set of rollers 7" in the fiber bundle running direction X. The support roller 7'" is not aligned with the first set of rollers 7' and the second set of rollers 7". Preferably, the support roller 7'" is able to rotate around the support roller rotation axis Z4, and is not aligned with the roller rotation axes Z, Z1, Z2, Z3 of the first set of rollers 7' and the second set of rollers 7".

[0052] Preferably, the roller rotation axes Z, Z1, Z2, Z3 of the first group of rollers 7' and the second group of rollers 7" are all located on a single rotation axis plane. Preferably, the idler roller 7"' is not aligned with the first group of rollers 7' and the second group of rollers 7" because its idler roller rotation axis Z4 is not located on the same rotation axis plane, for example, the idler roller rotation axis Z4 is located on a plane parallel to the rotation axis plane.

[0053] According to one embodiment, the first group of rollers 7' comprises a first group of first rollers 702 and a first group of second rollers 703. Preferably, the second group of rollers 7" also comprises a second group of first rollers 700 and a second group of second rollers 701. According to this embodiment, the first group of first rollers 702 and the first group of second rollers 703 are each capable of rotating around their rotation axes Z2, Z3, and are both capable of rotating in the same first rotation direction R1.

[0054] Preferably, the second set of first rollers 700 and the second set of second rollers 701 are also respectively rotatable about their rotation axes Z, Z1, and both rotate in the same second rotation direction R2 opposite to the first rotation direction R1.

[0055] Thus, when the fiber bundle 2 is conveyed around the first set of first rollers 702 and the first set of second rollers 703, the first side 22 of the fiber bundle 2 is enriched; then, when the fiber bundle 2 that has been enriched on the first side 22 is conveyed around the second set of first rollers 700 and the second set of second rollers 701, the second side 23 of the fiber bundle 2 is subsequently enriched.

[0056] It is therefore clear that the present invention also relates to an electrospinning station 1 comprising a textile fiber bundle 2 conveyed therein, which is capable of moving along the fiber bundle running direction X and is arranged around a first set of rollers 7' and a second set of rollers 7". Therefore, when in use, i.e. when the electrospinning station 1 is working, the textile fiber bundle 2 is preferably arranged around the first set of rollers 7' and the second set of rollers 7".

[0057] According to one embodiment, the textile fiber bundle 2 is formed into a first helical shape 81 around the first set of rollers 7 ′ and into a second helical shape 82 around the second set of rollers 7 ″.

[0058] According to one embodiment, the electrospinning station 1 comprises a chamber 9 housing an electrospinning device 120 .

[0059] Preferably, the electrospinning station 1 further comprises a suction device 91 configured to suck any residual textile fibers in the chamber 9 and / or fumes generated by evaporation of the solvent in the enriched solution.

[0060] The invention also relates to a method for enriching a textile fiber bundle 2, which is preferably used for a weaving machine 3, such as a cotton blower 200 or a carding machine 400, or a drawing frame 600 or a combing machine, or a spinning machine or a sliver machine 800.

[0061] The method according to the present invention comprises the following steps:

[0062] a) moving a textile fiber bundle 2, such as a sliver, roving or thread, along a fiber bundle running direction X;

[0063] b) providing a first electrospinning station 1 , for example of the type described in this document, which is therefore suitable for producing solid nanofibers 25 by means of a preferably needle-free electrospinning device 120 ;

[0064] c) depositing solid fibers 25 on the textile fiber bundle 2 by means of a first electrospinning station 1 to obtain an enriched textile fiber bundle 21, wherein the enriched textile fiber bundle 21 is enriched with solid fibers 25 deposited on the first side 22 of the textile fiber bundle 2 by electrospinning;

[0065] d) moving the enriched textile fiber bundle 21 along the fiber bundle running direction X toward a work station 31 downstream of the first electrospinning station 1, such as a station for winding the enriched textile fiber bundle 21 onto an enrichment bobbin 32, or toward the loom 3.

[0066] Preferably, in step b), the first electrospinning station 1 is positioned in the process of processing or manufacturing the textile fiber bundle 2 along the fiber bundle running direction X, for example upstream of the loom 3, or downstream of the loom, or above the loom 3 (for example integrated into the loom 3).

[0067] It is thus clear that, according to one embodiment, the method further comprises the step of providing an operating step of the weaving machine 3 .

[0068] According to one embodiment, in step c), as the textile fiber bundle 2 moves, a step of depositing solid fibers 25 on the textile fiber bundle 2 is performed to obtain an enriched textile fiber bundle 21 .

[0069] According to one embodiment, in step c), while the textile fiber bundle 2 is stationary or temporarily stationary in the fiber bundle running direction X, a step of laying solid fibers 25 on the textile fiber bundle 2 is performed to obtain an enriched textile fiber bundle 21 .

[0070] According to one embodiment, step c) comprises the following steps:

[0071] c10) Winding the textile fiber bundle 2 onto one or more fiber bundle winding rollers 7, wherein the guiding device 720 is configured to guide the textile fiber bundle 2 to form a yarn roll 71 with a spiral shape 81, 82 around the multiple fiber bundle winding rollers 7, thereby forming multiple yarn rolls 71 of the same textile fiber bundle 2 spaced apart along a direction Z' parallel to the roller rotation axis Z, Z1, Z2, Z3 in the electrostatic spinning area of ​​the space S formed between at least two rollers 700, 701; 702, 703 of the fiber bundle winding rollers 7.

[0072] According to one embodiment, step c) comprises the following steps:

[0073] c1) Winding the textile fiber bundle 2 onto one or more fiber bundle winding rollers 7, wherein each fiber bundle winding roller 7 comprises a protrusion or a recess 72 for guiding the textile fiber bundle 2 to be wound into spaced apart yarn rolls 71 around the fiber bundle winding roller 7 along the roller rotation axis Z.

[0074] In an advantageous embodiment, the protrusions or depressions 72 are single helical protrusions or single helical depressions, each of which is wound continuously around the roller rotation axis Z, preferably substantially along the entire length of the roller rotation axis Z.

[0075] Preferably, in step c1), the one or more fiber bundle winding rollers 7 include a first set of rollers 7' and a second set of rollers 7" spaced apart from the first set of rollers, and the step c1) includes the following operating steps:

[0076] c11) firstly winding the textile fiber bundle 2 around a first set of rollers 7' so as to expose the first side 22 of the textile fiber bundle 2 to the solid fibers 25 from the electrospinning device 120;

[0077] c12) After step c11) and downstream of the first set of rollers 7' in the fiber bundle running direction X, the textile fiber bundle 2 is wound around a second set of rollers 7" so that the second side 23 of the textile fiber bundle 2 is exposed to the solid fibers 25 from the electrospinning device 120; the second side 23 is at least partially free of solid fibers 25 deposited on the first side due to electrospinning during the passage of the textile fiber bundle 2 through the first set of rollers 7'.

[0078] According to a further embodiment, the method comprises the following additional steps:

[0079] b1) providing a second electrospinning station 1 ′, which is arranged downstream of the first electrospinning station 1 in the running direction X of the fiber bundle;

[0080] b2) providing a fiber bundle conveying station 4, and through the fiber bundle conveying station 4, rotating the enriched textile fiber bundle 21 at the outlet of the first electrospinning station 1 to expose the second side 23 of the enriched textile fiber bundle 21 for receiving solid fibers 25; the second side 23 is at least partially free of solid fibers 25 deposited due to electrospinning in the first electrospinning station 1.

[0081] Thus, in this embodiment, it is possible to enrich two opposite sides of the textile fiber bundle 2 along the path of the fiber bundle, without requiring each electrospinning station 1, 1' (first and second electrospinning stations) to provide for enrichment of both sides of the fiber bundle. This simplifies the assembly of a single electrospinning station while making it more compact.

[0082] In addition, this embodiment does not exclude the possibility that each of the first and second electrospinning stations can enrich both sides of the fiber bundle 2, as described in various embodiments of the present invention (for example, in Figure 2 , 3, 3a and 3b). In the variant in which each of the first and second electrospinning stations 1, 1' is configured to enrich both sides of the fiber bundle 2, due to the additional fiber bundle transfer station 4, it is possible to perform double enrichment on both sides of the fiber bundle, flipping the side between the first and second electrospinning stations 1, 1', thereby improving the uniformity of the enrichment.

[0083] According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, step c) is carried out by means of an electrospinning station having a needle-free electrospinning device.

[0084] According to one embodiment, in step b2), the fiber bundle conveying station 4 includes a guide member 41, such as a curved plate, which can slidably supportively receive the textile fiber bundle 2 on the curved guide surface 410 of the guide member 41 to rotate the enriched textile fiber bundle 21 at the outlet of the first electrospinning station 1, thereby exposing the second side 23 of the enriched textile fiber bundle 21 to the solid fiber 25 from the electrospinning device 120.

[0085] It should be understood that the present invention also relates to yarns or fabrics consisting of enriched textile fiber bundles 21 obtained by the enrichment method described herein. It is clear that "yarn" can also refer to fiber strips obtained from a blower, carding machine or combing machine, or even roving or thread obtained from a spinning machine such as a roving frame.

[0086] According to one aspect, the invention also relates to a yarn consisting of an enriched textile fiber bundle 21 comprising textile fibers, such as natural textile fibers or synthetic textile fibers, enriched with solid nanofibers 25 obtained by electrospinning and interwoven with the textile fibers.

[0087] According to one embodiment, the solid nanofibers 25 are not only superficially deposited on the yarn, but are also woven and embedded with the textile fibers constituting the yarn.

[0088] According to an alternative embodiment, the solid nanofibers 25 are only superficially deposited on the yarn.

[0089] According to one embodiment, the textile fiber is a natural textile fiber, such as cotton, linen or wool.

[0090] According to one embodiment, the textile fibers are synthetic textile fibers, for example textile fibers made of synthetic polymers such as polyamide or polyester.

[0091] Roving frame system embodiment

[0092] In the spinning line 1000 according to the invention comprising a roving frame 800 and electrospinning stations 1 , 1 ′, the electrospinning stations 1 , 1 ′ are preferably located directly upstream of the roving frame 800 , e.g. Figure 6 shown.

[0093] For example, the electrospinning station 1, 1' is located just upstream of a flyer rail 801 of a roving frame 800, or upstream of a pressure arm of the roving frame.

[0094] Thus, in this embodiment, the electrospinning station is suitable for enriching the feed strip of the roving frame 800, or the roving being formed directly in the roving frame 800, depending on its positioning.

[0095] Drawing frame system embodiment

[0096] In the spinning line 1000 according to the present invention comprising a draw frame 100 and electrospinning stations 1, 1', the electrospinning stations 1, 1' are preferably placed directly upstream of the draw frame 100, e.g. Figure 5 shown.

[0097] In this embodiment, the electrospinning station 1 , 1 ′ is therefore suitable for enriching the feed strands of the draw frame 100 .

[0098] In another embodiment, according to the positioning of the electrospinning station, the electrospinning station is installed on the drawing frame to directly enrich the fiber strip formed in the drawing frame 100.

[0099] What is innovative is that the electrospinning station and the method according to the invention make it possible to successfully overcome the prior art thanks to the possibility of enriching textile fiber bundles with nanofibers by electrospinning, which textile fiber bundles are used in subsequent processing steps of a spinning line, or as a final product for subsequent weaving, such as in a weaving line or a loom.

[0100] In particular, one advantageous aspect is due to the possibility of enriching the fiber bundle with textile fibers during the production and processing of the spinning line (i.e., processing or manufacturing the yarn). This allows to increase the production volume and efficiency, reduce the complexity, and at the same time reduce the cost of producing the yarn or fabric simply by using the common production technology of electrospinning.

[0101] Furthermore, in a particularly advantageous manner, the method according to the invention enables the enrichment of textile fiber bundles in-line, i.e. directly in the process of processing and producing fiber strips, rovings or threads on a spinning line. This allows the enrichment of conventional textile fibers during the process of forming and processing electrospun solid nanofibers and then their introduction into the textile fibers (and thus into the fiber strip, roving or thread formation process), thereby improving the properties of the textile fibers relative to the fabrics obtained with the prior art, which only provide for superficial deposition of electrospun solid nanofibers.

[0102] Furthermore, in the case of a thread, the method according to the invention also allows the introduction of nanofibers into the final fabric obtained from the enriched thread produced by the method according to the invention. This is true even if the nanofibers are deposited only on one side of the thread or even on both sides of the thread, but are not woven into the thread itself. In fact, the nanofibers are embedded in the fabric as the thread is woven.

[0103] Furthermore, due to the possibility of enriching the textile fiber bundles in-line, i.e. directly during the process of processing and producing the sliver, roving or thread on the spinning line, there is no need to interrupt the normal sliver / roving / thread feeding process. Furthermore, according to some variants, it is not necessarily required to modify the standard loom on the spinning line.

[0104] Even more advantageously, the electrospinning method and station according to the invention also make it possible to enrich two or more sides of the fiber bundle (fiber strip, roving or thread) being processed with solid nanofibers of the electrospinning process, without having to modify the loom of the spinning line and without having to interrupt the operation of the spinning line. Moreover, this is done in a simple, efficient and compact manner.

[0105] Furthermore, it is still advantageous that, thanks to the enrichment method according to the invention, it is possible to enrich the fiber strands / rovings / threads with nanofibers having specific chemical / physical properties during their standard production process. For example, thanks to the invention, it is possible to produce fiber strands / rovings / threads with properties that cannot be obtained by standard production processes unless the original fibers already have said properties. For example, it is advantageously possible to enrich textile fiber bundles with nanofibers introduced with silver ions having an antibacterial effect or with nanofibers capable of increasing the basic mechanical strength of the textile fibers as well as the flame retardancy or bactericidal properties.

[0106] It is clear that a person skilled in the art may make modifications to the invention described above to meet contingent needs, all of which fall within the scope of protection defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A method for enriching a textile fiber bundle (2) for a loom (3), the method comprising the following steps: a) moving a textile fiber bundle (2), such as a fiber strand, a roving or a thread, in a direction (X) of travel of the fiber bundle; b) providing a first electrospinning station (1), which is suitable for producing solid nanofibers (25) by means of an electrospinning device (120); c) laying solid fibers (25) on the textile fiber bundle (2) by means of the electrospinning station (1) to obtain an enriched textile fiber bundle (21), wherein the enriched textile fiber bundle (21) is enriched with solid fibers (25), and the solid fibers (25) are deposited on the first side (22) of the textile fiber bundle (2) by electrospinning; d) moving the enriched textile fiber bundle (21) in the direction of travel (X) of the fiber bundle toward a workstation (31) downstream of the first electrospinning station (1) or toward a loom (3), wherein the workstation (31) is, for example, a winding station for winding the enriched textile fiber bundle (21) onto an enrichment bobbin (32).

2. The method according to claim 1 comprises the operating step of providing a loom (3), and wherein in step b), the first electrospinning station (1) is positioned in the process of processing or manufacturing the textile fiber bundle (2) along the running direction (X) of the fiber bundle, for example, upstream of the loom (3), or downstream of the loom, or on the loom (3).

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein step c) comprises the following steps: c10) The textile fiber bundle (2) is wound on one or more fiber bundle winding rollers (7), wherein the guiding device (720) is configured to guide the textile fiber bundle (2) to form a yarn roll (71) with a spiral shape (81, 82) around multiple fiber bundle winding rollers (7), so that in the electrostatic spinning space area (S) formed between at least two rollers (700, 701; 702, 703) of the fiber bundle winding rollers (7), multiple yarn rolls (71) of the same textile fiber bundle (2) are formed, which are spaced apart from each other along a direction (Z′) parallel to the roller rotation axis (Z, Z1, Z2, Z3).

4. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein step c) comprises the following steps: c1) Winding the textile fiber bundle (2) onto one or more fiber bundle winding rollers (7), wherein each fiber bundle winding roller (7) includes a protrusion or a recess (72) for guiding the textile fiber bundle (2) to be wound onto the fiber bundle winding roller (7) along the roller rotation axis (Z) to form yarn rolls (71) spaced apart from each other.

5. The method according to claim 3 or 4, wherein: In step c1), the one or more fiber bundle winding rollers (7) include a first set of rollers (7') and a second set of rollers (7"), the second set of rollers (7") being spaced apart from the first set of rollers, and wherein step c1) includes the following operating steps: c11) firstly winding the textile fiber bundle (2) onto the first set of rollers (7') so that the first side (22) of the textile fiber bundle (2) is exposed to the solid fiber (25) from the electrospinning device (120); c12) After step c11) and downstream of the first set of rollers (7') along the running direction (X) of the fiber bundle, the textile fiber bundle (2) is wound onto the second set of rollers (7") so that the second side (23) of the textile fiber bundle (2) is exposed to the solid fibers (25) from the electrospinning device (120), and during the passage of the textile fiber bundle (2) through the first set of rollers (7'), the second side (23) is at least partially free of the solid fibers (25) deposited on the first side due to electrospinning.

6. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising the steps of: b1) providing a second electrospinning station (1'), which is arranged downstream of the first electrospinning station (1) along the running direction (X) of the fiber bundle; b2) providing a fiber bundle delivery station (4), and rotating the enriched textile fiber bundle (21) at the outlet of the first electrospinning station (1) through the fiber bundle delivery station (4) to expose a second side (23) for receiving the solid fibers (25), wherein the second side (23) is at least partially free of the solid fibers (25) deposited due to electrospinning in the first electrospinning station (1).

7. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein step c) is performed by an electrospinning station having a needle-free electrospinning device.

8. The method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the weaving machine is a carding machine (400) or a combing machine (600) or a drawing frame or a lap drawing frame or a roving frame or a spinning frame.

9. The method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the textile fiber bundle (2) is a roving or a thread.

10. The method according to any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein: In step b2), the fiber bundle conveying station (4) includes a guide (41), such as a curved plate, which can slidably supportively receive the textile fiber bundle (2) on the curved guide surface (410) of the guide (41) to rotate the enriched textile fiber bundle (21) at the outlet of the first electrospinning station (1) to expose the second side (23) of the enriched textile fiber bundle (21).

11. An electrospinning station (1) for enriching a textile fiber bundle (2), comprising: - an electrospinning device (120), comprising: a reservoir (11, 11') suitable for containing an electrospinnable enriched solution (13), said enriched solution (13) being suitable for forming solid nanofibers (25) by electrospinning, said solid nanofibers (25) being deposited on said textile fiber bundle (2) by electrospinning, - an emitter electrode (10, 10') adapted to be arranged on a first side (22) of the textile fiber bundle (2); a collecting electrode (12, 12') facing the emitting electrode (10, 10') and spaced therefrom and adapted to be arranged on a second side (23) of the textile fiber bundle (3) opposite to the first side (22), Thus, due to the electric field generated between the emitter electrode (10, 10') and the collector electrode (12, 12'), the solid nanofibers (25) are formed starting from the enriched solution (13), and these solid nanofibers (25) are transported on the textile fiber bundle (2), and then the solid nanofibers (25) are deposited on the textile fiber bundle (2) to obtain an enriched textile fiber bundle (21).

12. An electrospinning station (1) according to claim 11, wherein the electrospinning station comprises one or more fiber bundle winding rollers (7), wherein each fiber bundle winding roller (7) can rotate around its own roller rotation axis (Z, Z1, Z2, Z3) to guide the textile fiber bundle (2) to be wound on the fiber bundle winding roller (7) to form a yarn roll (71) around the roller rotation axis (Z), The one or more fiber bundle winding rollers (7) are arranged between the emitter electrode (10, 10') and the collecting electrode (12, 12') so that solid fibers (25) are deposited on the first side (22) of the textile fiber bundle (2) wound on the one or more fiber bundle winding rollers (7) due to electrospinning.

13. The electrospinning station (1) according to claim 12 comprises a guiding device (720), wherein the guiding device (720) is configured to guide the textile fiber bundle (2) to form a spiral-shaped (81, 82) yarn roll (71) around a plurality of fiber bundle winding rollers (7), so that in the electrospinning space region S formed between at least two rollers (700, 701; 702, 703) of the fiber bundle winding roller (7), a plurality of mutually separated yarn rolls (71) of the same textile fiber bundle (2) are formed along a direction parallel to the roller rotation axis (Z, Z1, Z2, Z3).

14. The electrospinning station (1) according to claim 12, wherein: Each fiber bundle winding roller (7) comprises a protrusion or a recess (72) for guiding the textile fiber bundle (2) to be wound into yarn rolls (71) spaced apart from each other around the fiber bundle winding roller (7) along the roller rotation axis (Z).

15. An electrospinning station (1) according to claim 11, 12 or 13, wherein the one or more fiber bundle winding rollers (7) comprise a first set of rollers (7') and a second set of rollers (7"), the second set of rollers (7") being spaced apart from the first set of rollers, and wherein the first set of rollers (7') is arranged to expose a first side (22) of the textile fiber bundle (2) to the solid fibers (25) from the electrospinning device (120); And wherein the second set of rollers (7") is arranged downstream of the first set of rollers (7') in the fiber bundle running direction (X), so that it receives the textile fiber bundle (2) that has been enriched on the first side (22), and exposes the second side (23) of the textile fiber bundle (2) to the solid fibers (25) from the electrospinning device (120).

16. An electrospinning station (1) according to claim 15, wherein the second set of rollers (7") comprises one or more second sets of rollers (700, 701), each roller being capable of rotating about its own roller rotation axis (Z, Z1) in a direction opposite to the rotation direction of the first set of rollers (7').

17. An electrospinning station (1) according to claim 15 or 16, comprising a support roller (7'") arranged between the first group of rollers (7') and the second group of rollers (7") along the running direction (X) of the fiber bundle, the support roller (7'") is not aligned relative to the first group of rollers (7') and the second group of rollers (7"), and is preferably capable of rotating around a support roller rotation axis (Z4), and the roller rotation axis (Z4) is not aligned relative to the roller rotation axes (Z, Z1, Z2, Z3) of the first group of rollers (7') and the second group of rollers (7").

18. The electrospinning station (1) according to claim 15, 16 or 17, wherein the first set of rollers (7') comprises a first set of first rollers (702) and a first set of second rollers (703), and wherein the second set of rollers (7") comprises a second set of first rollers (700) and a second set of second rollers (701), The first group of first rollers (702) and the first group of second rollers (703) are both capable of rotating about their own rotation axes (Z2, Z3) and both rotate along the same first rotation direction (R1), And wherein the second group of first rollers (700) and the second group of second rollers (701) are both capable of rotating around their own rotation axes (Z, Z1), and both rotate along the same second rotation direction (R2) opposite to the first rotation direction (R1).

19. An electrospinning station (1) according to any one of claims 15 to 18, comprising: A textile fiber bundle (2) is movable along the running direction (X) of the fiber bundle and is arranged around the first group of rollers (7') and the second group of rollers (7"), wherein the textile fiber bundle (2) forms a first spiral shape (81) around the first group of rollers (7') and a second spiral shape (82) around the second group of rollers (7").

20. An electrospinning station (1) according to any one of claims 15 to 19, comprising a chamber (9) accommodating the electrospinning device (120), the electrospinning station (1) further comprising a suction device configured to suck any residual textile fibers in the chamber (9).

21. A yarn or textile consisting of enriched textile fiber bundles (21) obtained by the method according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

22. A yarn consisting of a bundle (21) of enriched textile fibers, comprising textile fibers enriched with solid nanofibers (25) obtained by electrospinning and interwoven with said textile fibers.

23. Yarn according to claim 22, wherein the textile fibers are natural textile fibers, such as cotton, linen or wool.

24. The yarn according to claim 22 or 23, comprising silver ions embedded in the solid nanofibers (25) interwoven with the textile fibers.

25. Use of a yarn according to claim 22 or 23 or 24 for producing fibres by weaving.

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