Method for producing a textile material

Abstract

Disclosed is a method for producing a textile material, in particular a shoe upper, comprising the following steps: providing a forming support, in particular a shoe mold; melting the polymer compound at a first temperature; a molten polymer compound is applied to the shaped stent. According to the invention, the application of the molten polymer compound to the forming support is carried out by means of a nozzle, which has an outflow opening for the molten polymer compound and a plurality of air outlet openings arranged around the outflow opening, from which compressed air is loaded to the outflow polymer compound in such a way that the compressed air is discharged from the nozzle. In this way, the molten polymer compound flowing out of the nozzle is applied to the forming support as a spiral-shaped filament.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of the PCT patent application "Method for Manufacturing Textile Materials" (application number: 202180066802.0, applicant: Yunshang Co., Ltd.) which entered the Chinese national phase on March 29, 2023. Technical Field

[0002] The invention relates to the field of shoe production, in particular the production of textile materials, in particular shoe uppers, and to a method for producing such a textile material, as well as to a textile material produced by means of the method. Background Art

[0003] Numerous methods for manufacturing textile materials are known in the prior art. In particular, shoe uppers (also sometimes called shoe uppers) are often made of conventionally manufactured textile materials. Traditionally, shoe uppers are knitted and subsequently connected to the sole. The properties of the knitted textile material can be influenced by the appropriate choice of knitting technique or pattern design.

[0004] Furthermore, solid shoe uppers, such as those used in hard-shell shoes, such as ski boots, ice skates, etc., can be produced using injection molding processes (e.g., injection molding) or using additive manufacturing or 3D printing. The advantage of 3D-printed shoe uppers is that they can be individually adapted to the actual conditions of the runner's foot, in particular the contours of the foot. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Additive manufacturing, as always, presents problems for shoes with flexible textile uppers, especially those made of fibrous materials, as is commonly used in sports shoes, running shoes, and everyday shoes. This is particularly so because additive manufacturing of knitted or woven fabrics often results in the printed fibers becoming entangled, making it impossible to achieve the same properties, especially with regard to flexibility, as with conventional textile manufacturing methods (e.g., knitting or weaving).

[0006] As an alternative to 3D printing, especially FDM methods, meltblowing methods are also used to produce textile materials. However, meltblowing methods can only produce nonwovens, such as nonwoven fabrics, and regularly structured, especially web-like or loop-like textile materials cannot be achieved with the help of meltblowing methods.

[0007] Compared to conventional textile manufacturing methods, additive manufacturing of textile materials has the advantage that textiles can be constructed in different local configurations without significant effort. For example, fibers produced using 3D printing can have a larger diameter in some areas than in others, allowing, for example, selective reinforcement of specific regions. In contrast, using weft yarns that have a larger diameter in precisely the desired area of a textile than in other areas is not easily achievable with conventional knitting. Furthermore, additive manufacturing makes it possible to replicate different patterns and mesh widths. Thus, for example, one area of a textile could be knitted, while another area could be woven. This is practically impossible with conventional textile manufacturing methods. Furthermore, conventional textile manufacturing methods typically accumulate a large number of segments, which is detrimental to the sustainability of such methods.

[0008] The general object of the present invention is therefore to improve the prior art for methods of manufacturing textile materials, in particular shoe uppers. In advantageous embodiments, a method is provided that completely or partially overcomes the disadvantages of the methods known in the prior art. In other advantageous embodiments, a method is provided that allows for the production of shoe uppers that are particularly individually adapted to a runner's foot in a shorter time. In particular, in some advantageous embodiments, a method is provided that allows for the flexible production of loop- or mesh-like, preferably substantially continuous and directional, textile materials. Net- or loop-like textile materials include not only materials conventionally produced by knitting and weaving, but also materials produced by additive manufacturing. This also includes, for example, loops of filaments arranged at least partially one above the other, which simulate loop materials or mesh materials (sometimes also referred to as coil materials).

[0009] This general object is achieved by the subject matter of the independent claims. Further advantageous embodiments are apparent from the dependent claims as well as from the description and the drawings.

[0010] In one aspect, the present invention relates to a method for producing a textile material, particularly a shoe upper, comprising the following steps: providing a forming support, particularly a shoe mold; melting a polymer compound at a first temperature; and applying the molten polymer compound to the forming support. The molten polymer compound is applied to the forming support using a nozzle having an outflow opening for the molten polymer compound and a plurality of air outlet openings arranged around the outflow opening, from which compressed air is applied to the outflowing polymer compound such that the molten polymer compound flowing from the nozzle is applied to the forming support as a spiral filament. This means that the filament is present as a spiral filament at least between the outflow opening and the support, or at least in a partial region between the outflow opening and the support. As a result, an endless textile material comprising the polymer compound is formed on the forming support. The endless textile material may comprise a plurality of intersecting, but preferably unintertwined, coils or loops. Compared to nonwovens, a shoe upper thus has one or more regularly arranged filaments. By preselecting the spiral characteristics of the helix (particularly the pitch, thread height, thread angle, and radius), the properties of the textile material produced can be selectively varied and adjusted at any predetermined time. For example, a very small radius results in regions with very narrow loops or coils in the textile material, resulting in less elasticity and greater stability, as is required, for example, in regions subject to high mechanical stress. By selecting a larger radius for the helical filament, regions with larger loops or coils in the textile material are formed, which results in greater elasticity in these regions. The helical filament can have a constant or variable radius in the direction of the forming support. In particular, the radius of the helix can increase, preferably continuously, from the outflow opening in the direction of the forming support. Those skilled in the art understand that the shape of such a helix can be described, for example, by the circumference of a cone, and thus the path of the filament from the outflow opening to the forming support can be substantially conical. In particular, the shape of the helix can be described by the circumference of a cone with an opening angle greater than 5°, particularly greater than 10°, and particularly greater than 15°. Preferably, the opening angle of the cone can be between 5° and 25°, in particular between 10° and 20°. Another advantage of the present invention is that the method allows for the production of textile materials, in particular shoe uppers, in very short processing times. Thus, for example, it is possible to produce a complete shoe upper in just 1.5 minutes. Furthermore, due to the very short processing time, energy consumption per produced textile material, in particular per shoe upper, can be significantly reduced. For a shoe upper, in particular, only 0.035 to 0.06 kWh is required.

[0011] In the sense of this disclosure, a shoe upper is a shoe upper that is constructed as textile and is therefore softer and more pliable than a hard shell shoe upper. Such shoe uppers constructed as textile are known, for example, from sports shoes, such as tennis shoes or running shoes.

[0012] The spiral filament typically has a spiral portion with a minimum radius of 0.5 mm, preferably 1 mm, and in particular 2 mm. The radius of the spiral portion can be, for example, 0.5 mm to 20 mm, in particular 1 mm to 10 mm. In this case, the appropriate selection of the radius of the spiral portion of the spiral filament directly affects the mesh width of the textile material. For example, the spiral portion radius of the spiral element can roughly match the mesh width or the radius of the loop in the textile material. The smaller the radius of the spiral portion, the denser the mesh of the textile material. In this case, the radius can be temporarily constant and / or variable during application. This can be achieved, for example, by adjusting the compressed air loaded from the air outlet opening onto the polymer compound flowing out of the outflow opening. In addition, the spiral portion radius of the spiral element can also be adjusted by changing the distance between the nozzle or the outflow opening and the forming support when in contact with the forming support.

[0013] Furthermore, a person skilled in the art will understand that the selection of the first temperature depends on the melting point or melting range of the polymer compound and is usually selected so that the polymer compound is melted and has sufficient viscosity to be applied to the molded support using a nozzle. In this case, the first temperature can also include a certain temperature range. If, for example, a thermoplastic polyurethane (e.g., Desmopan 2790a Desmopan (Covestro)) is used as the polymer compound, the first temperature may be, for example, 210°C to 240°C, in particular 210°C to 220°C.

[0014] Typically, the molten polymer compound is pressed under pressure from a nozzle through an outflow opening.

[0015] This pressure can for example be provided by extruder or pump, especially by gear pump.Here, should preferably use of independent pump, especially gear pump, because can realize better control of pressure with this.

[0016] The polymer compound can be applied directly to the shaped support and / or indirectly. Indirect application can occur when multiple layers of spiral filaments or spiral filaments are applied. In this case, only the first applied filament or the first layer may be in direct contact with the shaped support.

[0017] Typically, only a single filament emerges from the nozzle rather than multiple filaments simultaneously.

[0018] Furthermore, in some embodiments, the helical filaments are applied at least temporarily or completely as continuous filaments. The resulting textile material comprises a plurality of continuous loops or coils, which are formed from a single, uninterrupted filament. Consequently, such a textile material is not a nonwoven fabric or a nonwoven. After a predetermined number of coils or loops have been applied, the application, and thus the filaments, can be interrupted and continued at another location on the forming support.

[0019] The air outlet openings are typically arranged in a circular pattern around the outlet opening of the nozzle. The horizontal angle β between the air outlet openings, or the axis extending through the air outlet openings in the direction of compressed air flow, and a horizontal plane perpendicular to the outlet openings and the outlet direction is between 40° and 60°, preferably between 50° and 60°, and in particular 55°. Furthermore, the air outlet openings, along the axis extending through the respective air outlet opening in the direction of compressed air flow, are not oriented directly toward the axis extending through the center of the outlet opening in the outlet direction, but are displaced horizontally, that is, perpendicular to the outlet direction and the outlet opening, by an angle α. Preferably, the angle α is between 5° and 35°, in particular between 15° and 30°. For example, the curling nozzle of Robatech No. 185147 can be used.

[0020] The forming support can be, for example, a shoe mold. In a first step, it can be produced based on a 3D model of the wearer's foot. To this end, the wearer's foot can be measured and a 3D model created based on this. This allows a shoe upper that is individually adapted to the runner's foot to be produced. Alternatively, the forming support can be the runner's foot itself. In this case, the shoe upper is applied directly to the foot. Due to the potentially high first temperature, the foot can be covered with a layer of thermally insulating material before the polymer compound is applied. This material can be designed to be peelable, releasable, or removable so that it can be removed from the shoe upper in a final step without damaging the shoe upper itself. In an alternative embodiment, the forming support can be a mold of a backpack or bag. Alternatively, the forming support can be a plate.

[0021] In some embodiments, the forming support (which can be, in particular, a shoe mold) has a heating element or is heatable. This has the advantage that the produced textile material can be directly connected to other components in a material-fitting manner, in particular welded. For example, in some embodiments, after applying a molten polymer compound to the heatable forming support and optionally after the applied polymer compound has cooled and solidified, the support can be heated at least in sections so that an insole (sometimes also called an insole) or a midsole can be welded directly to the shoe upper.

[0022] In some embodiments, the forming support, in particular the shoe mold, may have one or more recesses, in particular grooves or furrows. It may be possible to place additional elements (e.g. textile material, foam material, padding material, metal or plastic material) into the recesses before applying the molten polymer compound to the forming support. When the molten polymer compound is applied, a material-fit connection is formed between the polymer compound and the additional elements. For example, the forming support may be a shoe mold, which has one or more recesses in the heel area. Cushioning material may be placed into these recesses, the cushioning material being arranged in such a way that the heel area of the shoe top is designed to be cushioned, or a heel pad (so-called "heel padding") is formed. Alternatively, it is also possible that no additional elements are placed into the recess(es), but that they are completely filled with the polymer compound when the molten polymer compound is applied. This results in a reinforcement of the textile material in predefined areas of the textile material.

[0023] In some embodiments, the spiral filaments flowing out of the outflow opening have a filament thickness of 0.01 mm to 0.2 mm, in particular 0.05 mm to 0.15 mm, which also corresponds to the filament thickness of the filaments of the produced textile material.

[0024] In another embodiment, the forming support is moved relative to the nozzle. Typically, the movement of the forming support is controlled and manipulated by a control unit. The forming support can be moved in three dimensions, for example, using a positioning unit. Typically, the positioning unit is controlled and manipulated by the control unit. The control unit can be part of a circuit, a processor, and / or a computer.

[0025] In some embodiments, the nozzle can be arranged to be movable, particularly in space. For example, the nozzle can be moved in three-dimensional space, particularly relative to the forming frame, by means of a nozzle positioning unit. Typically, the nozzle positioning unit is controlled and operated by a control unit. The control unit can be part of a circuit, a processor, and / or a computer. In certain embodiments, both the nozzle and the forming frame can be moved independently of each other in three-dimensional space by means of the nozzle positioning unit.

[0026] In some embodiments, the forming support is moved relative to the nozzle at a speed of 1 m / min to 20 m / min, in particular 5 m / min to 15 m / min.

[0027] In some embodiments, compressed air is loaded onto the heated polymer compound in such a way that it flows out of the nozzle as a spiral filament. As a result, the spiral shape of the filaments flowing out of the outflow opening can be controlled particularly accurately. Although the spiral shape can also be achieved in other ways, for example by controlled movement of the nozzle itself, this can result in uncontrolled separation of the filaments, so that regular continuous loops cannot be constructed from the filaments. Preferably, the air outlet opening is arranged at a predetermined angle of inclination relative to the longitudinal axis and / or relative to the horizontal plane of the longitudinal axis of the outflow opening. In particular, the nozzle can have a plurality of air outlet openings, in particular at least 5, preferably exactly 6 air outlet openings. Preferably, all air outlet openings are arranged uniformly at an inclination or tilted relative to the longitudinal axis.

[0028] In other embodiments, compressed air is applied to the molten polymer compound continuously or discontinuously. In particular, compressed air can be applied continuously, for example, to form a spiral of filaments, and discontinuously, for example, to break the filaments. This can be achieved, for example, by a sudden, short-term increase in the pressure of the compressed air flowing out of the air outlet opening. Another spiral of filaments can then be applied continuously.

[0029] A person skilled in the art understands that the term "compressed air" includes all suitable gases and gas mixtures. However, for cost reasons, the use of ambient air is preferred.

[0030] In some embodiments, compressed air with a pressure of 1.2 to 1.5 bar is applied to the heated polymer compound.

[0031] In an advantageous embodiment, the compressed air applied to the molten polymer compound has a temperature above room temperature (25° C.). In particular, the compressed air can have a temperature corresponding to the first temperature. Preferably, the temperature of the compressed air is in the range of 200° C. to 300° C., in particular 240° C. to 260° C.

[0032] In some embodiments, the polymer compound is melted in step b using sequentially arranged temperature zones. Specifically, for example, before exiting the nozzle, the polymer compound may be subjected to a first temperature zone, then to a second temperature zone having a temperature above that of the first temperature zone, and then optionally to a third temperature zone having a temperature above that of the first and second temperature zones. For example, the first temperature of the first temperature zone may be in the range of 180°C to 185°C, the second temperature of the second temperature zone may be in the range of 230°C to 235°C, and optionally the third temperature of the third temperature zone may be in the range of >235°C to 240°C.

[0033] In another embodiment, the polymer compound is applied to the forming support as continuous filaments, thereby producing endless textile segments. Additionally or alternatively, the polymer compound can be applied partially as discontinuous filaments, thereby producing nonwoven-like textile segments. If the polymer compound is applied to the forming support continuously and discontinuously in different areas, the resulting textile material includes not only nonwoven-like, i.e., disordered, segments, but also endless and / or web-like, i.e., ordered segments. This is advantageous because the disordered segments have different properties, particularly with respect to flexibility, stability, and surface finish.

[0034] In some embodiments, a 3D model of the wearer's foot may be created before step b and optionally before step a. This can be accomplished, for example, using a camera. The 3D model can be created entirely or partially by computer. The 3D model can then be stored in a control unit. Based on the 3D model, the control unit can then determine a design pattern according to which the molten polymer compound is applied to the forming support. For example, it can be determined that, due to the individual shape of the wearer's foot, the shoe upper should be reinforced at a specific location. The control unit can then control the application in step c so that more layers of polymer compound are applied to this location than at other locations, thereby achieving reinforcement there.

[0035] In some embodiments, the polymer compound may have an adjustable second temperature during application, particularly when in contact with the forming support. This second temperature can be selected so that the filaments applied to the forming support are not materially connected at the intersections of the filament segments, or so that the filaments applied to the forming support are materially connected, particularly by fusing, at the intersections of the filament segments. The filament segments that are not materially connected are typically freely and independently movable relative to one another. This allows for advantageous flexibility in textile manufacturing. The materially connected loops of the polymer compound applied to the forming support can be connected at any predetermined time and in a predetermined area. The higher the proportion of materially connected intersections, the less flexible or stretchable the manufactured textile material, particularly a specific area of a shoe upper, and the higher the stability and strength of that area. This can be particularly advantageous in areas of the textile material that are subject to high mechanical stress, such as the top side of the forefoot area of a shoe upper, which is folded or compressed and stretched during the rolling process. A smaller proportion of materially bonded intersections correspondingly increases the flexibility or stretchability of the corresponding areas of the shoe upper, which is advantageous, for example, in areas of the shoe that are subject to significant stretching due to anatomical movements during running. The second temperature can be selected so that it lies below a predefined value in the melting temperature or melting temperature range, thereby preventing a materially bonded connection of the filament segments. If a materially bonded connection is to be achieved, the second temperature is selected so that it at least approximately corresponds to the melting temperature or melting temperature range of the polymer compound, or is only at a suitable value below the melting temperature.

[0036] In some embodiments, the second temperature can be adjusted by means of an air flow at a predetermined temperature applied to the polymer compound. This air flow is typically different from the compressed air flowing out of the air outlet opening. In particular, the air flow can be provided by an air delivery device arranged in the area between the nozzle outlet opening and the forming support. Thus, for example, an air delivery device with an air nozzle can be installed along the outflowing spiral filament, from which an air flow at a predetermined temperature is delivered in the direction of the spiral filament.

[0037] In other embodiments, the polymer compound may include or consist of a thermoplastic polymer, in particular polyamides, polyether block amides, polyurethanes (thermoplastic polyurethanes), and / or polyesters. Preferably, both low-molecular-weight and high-molecular-weight polyurethanes are used, with high-molecular-weight polyurethanes generally increasing strength, in particular tensile strength. The melting temperatures of these thermoplastic materials are known to those skilled in the art, allowing the first temperature and, optionally, the second temperature to be selected accordingly.

[0038] In some embodiments, the distance between the outflow opening and the molded support during application of the molten polymer compound is between 20 mm and 110 mm, in particular between 40 mm and 60 mm. This distance can vary within this range during application or can also be kept constant throughout the application period.

[0039] In another embodiment, the textile material is a shoe upper, and the manufactured shoe upper is connected to the sole to form a shoe, in particular a running shoe. Alternatively, the shoe upper can be connected to the sole directly during application. In this case, for example, the sole can already be detachably connected to the forming frame. After the shoe upper is manufactured, the forming frame can then be removed, thereby producing the shoe, in particular a running shoe.

[0040] In some embodiments, a method for producing a textile material, in particular a shoe upper, is performed with the aid of a delivery device comprising a pump, in particular a gear pump, a pump drive, a metering head, a nozzle disclosed herein with an outflow opening and air outlet openings arranged around the outflow opening, and a melting device. Furthermore, the delivery device may comprise an air delivery device, from which an air flow with a predetermined temperature can be applied to the filaments flowing out of the outflow opening of the nozzle in a spiral shape in order to adjust a second temperature. Preferably, the air delivery device may comprise an air nozzle. The melting device may comprise a plurality of, in particular three, temperature zones arranged one behind the other. Each temperature zone may comprise an individually controllable heating element. In particular, for example, the polymer compound may pass through a first temperature zone before exiting the nozzle, then a second temperature zone having a temperature above that of the first temperature zone, and then optionally a third temperature zone having a temperature above that of the first and second temperature zones. For example, the first temperature of the first temperature zone may be in the range of 180°C to 185°C, the second temperature of the second temperature zone may be in the range of 230°C to 235°C and optionally the third temperature of the third temperature zone may be in the range of >235°C to 240°C.

[0041] In some embodiments, the melting device may have an extruder with a roller and a screw arranged therein. In addition, the melting device may have a heating element for adjusting the first temperature. If an extruder is used, the extruder typically does not determine the pressure of the polymer compound with which it flows out of the outflow opening. The pressure of the polymer compound with which it flows out of the outflow opening is typically provided and controlled by a pump (especially a gear pump) because this allows for significantly more accurate adjustment and control of the pressure. Here, the pressure applied by the pump can be especially between 40 and 60 bar.

[0042] Another aspect of the present invention relates to an article of clothing, in particular a shoe, comprising a textile material, in particular a shoe top, manufactured according to a method according to one of the embodiments disclosed herein. Such an article of clothing, in particular a shoe top, comprises a loop-shaped textile material. This can have a plurality of substantially regularly arranged coils. Preferably, the plurality of coils or loops are formed from a single filament. The filament segments can cross at intersections. At the intersections, the filament segments can be materially connected to one another and / or not materially connected to one another. Preferably, the loop-shaped textile material comprises at least one intersection at which filament segments, in particular filament segments of the same filament, are materially connected. Preferably, the coils or loops are of substantially circular or elliptical design. A shoe top manufactured according to a method according to one of the embodiments disclosed herein typically does not form a continuous surface, but rather is mesh-shaped and thus has a certain porosity.

[0043] Another aspect is a dispensing device for carrying out the method according to one of the embodiments disclosed herein. The dispensing device includes a metering head in fluidic connection with a melting device and a separate metering pump. The melting device comprises an extruder, typically having a drum and a screw disposed therein. The dispensing device also includes a separate metering pump in fluidic connection with the metering head. The metering head comprises a nozzle having an outflow opening in fluidic connection with the metering head and a plurality of air outlet openings disposed around the outflow openings. The air outlet openings are arranged so that compressed air can be applied to the molten polymer compound flowing from the outflow openings, thereby applying the molten polymer compound flowing from the nozzle as a spiral filament to the forming support. The extruder has the advantage that the polymer compound is melted directly in the required amount, rather than being constantly maintained in a molten state in a melting device (e.g., a heatable tank or the like). If the polymer compound is kept in the molten state for a longer period of time, this results in a significant loss of polymer quality due to partial decay. Quality, and in particular yarn stability, is extremely important when manufacturing textile materials. The combination of a metering head and an extruder allows only the currently required amount of polymer compound to be melted, thus preventing decay of the polymer compound and the associated loss of stability.

[0044] The melting device can have multiple, in particular three, temperature zones arranged one behind the other. Each temperature zone can have a separately controllable heating element. For example, before exiting the nozzle, the polymer compound can pass through a first temperature zone, then a second temperature zone with a temperature above that of the first temperature zone, and then optionally a third temperature zone with a temperature above that of the first and second temperature zones. For example, the first temperature of the first temperature zone can be in the range of 180°C to 185°C, the second temperature of the second temperature zone can be in the range of 230°C to 235°C, and optionally the third temperature of the third temperature zone can be in the range of >235°C to 240°C.

[0045] A metering pump is a pump separate from the extruder. While the polymer compound can be dispensed from the outflow opening to the forming support solely with the aid of an extruder, it is important for the production of textile materials with a mesh-like structure and consisting of individual filaments across multiple meshes or coils that the dispensing pressure be precisely controlled, something that cannot be achieved to a sufficient degree with an extruder. Therefore, a separate pump is used to precisely regulate the melted polymer compound and the pressure at which it is dispensed. The metering pump is preferably a gear pump. Furthermore, the dispensing device may include a motor for driving the metering pump.

[0046] In some embodiments, the nozzle has at least 2, at least 3, at least 4, at least 5, at least 6, in particular 6 air outlet openings. The air outlet openings can be arranged concentrically and preferably evenly spaced from one another around the outflow opening.

[0047] In another embodiment, the air outlet openings do not point directly in the direction of the nozzle's outflow opening. In such an embodiment, the air outlet openings, along an axis running through the respective air outlet opening in the direction of compressed air flow, do not point directly toward an axis extending through the center of the outflow opening in the outlet direction. Instead, they are offset horizontally, that is, perpendicularly to the outlet direction and the outflow openings, by an angle α. Preferably, the angle α can be between 5° and 35°, in particular between 15° and 30°. This also allows the filament to be applied to the forming support in a spiral shape. The air outlet openings are typically, for example, linear channels.

[0048] In some embodiments, the horizontal angle β between a horizontal plane configured perpendicular to the outflow opening and the output direction and the air outlet opening or along an axis passing through the air outlet opening in the flow direction of the compressed air is between 40° and 60°, preferably between 50° and 60°, in particular 55°.

[0049] In a further embodiment, the discharge device further comprises an air discharge device which is designed to apply an air flow with a predetermined temperature to the filaments spirally emerging from the discharge opening of the nozzle in order to adjust a second temperature of the outflowing polymer compound. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0050] exist Figure 1 , a discharge device 1 for carrying out the method according to the invention is shown. The discharge device 1 comprises an extruder as a melting device, comprising a roller 2 with an inlet opening and a screw 3, in which the polymer compound is melted. An adapter 8 is connected to the extruder. The discharge device further comprises a metering pump 5 with a motor 4, a metering head 6, and a nozzle 7 with an outlet opening and air outlet openings arranged around the outlet opening, from which a spiral of filaments is applied to a forming support 9. The discharge device also comprises an air outlet 10, from which an air flow with a predetermined temperature can be applied to the filaments that emerge in a spiral from the outlet opening of the nozzle in order to adjust a second temperature.

[0051] Figure 2 The figure shows a regularly structured textile material produced using the method according to the present invention, which can form part of a shoe upper. Due to the spirally flowing filaments from the outflow opening, the textile material comprises regularly arranged filament segments that intersect at intersections to form circular loops. Depending on the setting of the second temperature, the filament segments can be materially or non-materially connected at the intersections. The textile material can be produced during production along the dashed arrows.

[0052] Figure 3 A schematic top view onto a nozzle 7 is shown, showing how it can be used in a dispensing device according to the method of the invention. Figure 3 As shown in FIG, the air outlet openings do not point directly toward the nozzle's outflow opening. The nozzle 7 has six such air outlet openings 71 (only one of which is indicated for greater clarity). Along an axis 74 running through the respective air outlet opening in the direction of compressed air flow, these do not point directly toward an axis 73 extending through the center of the outflow opening in the discharge direction. Instead, they are offset horizontally, that is, perpendicularly to the discharge direction and the outflow opening, by an angle α. The angle α along the air outlet opening, that is, along the axis 74 running through the respective air outlet opening in the direction of compressed air flow, relative to the axis 73 pointing directly toward the outflow opening 72 can be between 5° and 35°, in particular, between 15° and 30°.

[0053] Figure 4A schematic side view of a nozzle 7 is shown, showing how it can be used in a dispensing device according to the method of the invention. The horizontal angle β between a horizontal plane 76 arranged perpendicular to the outflow direction and the air outlet opening (the direction of the air outlet opening 71 is indicated by the axis 75 for better clarity) is between 40° and 60°, preferably between 50° and 60°, in particular 55°.

Claims

1. A method for producing a textile material, comprising the steps of: a. Provide forming bracket; b. melting the polymer composition at a first temperature; c. applying the molten polymer composition to the shaped support using a nozzle, wherein The nozzle includes an outlet opening and a plurality of air outlet openings arranged around the outlet opening, and compressed air impacts the melted polymer composition from the air outlet openings, so that the melted polymer composition exits from the nozzle as a spiral filament and is applied to the forming support as the spiral filament.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein The spiral filaments have a filament thickness of 0.01 mm to 0.2 mm.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein During the application the profile support is moved relative to the nozzle and / or the nozzle is moved relative to the profile support.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein: The movement of the forming support and / or the nozzle is controlled by a control unit.

5. The method according to claim 3, wherein: The forming support is moved relative to the nozzle at a speed of 1 m / min to 20 m / min.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein The compressed air impinges continuously or discontinuously from the air exit opening onto the molten polymer composition.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein The compressed air impinges on the molten polymer composition at a pressure of 1.2 to 1.5 bar.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein The molten polymer composition is applied to the forming support as continuous filaments, thereby forming an endless textile segment; and / or the molten polymer composition is applied as discontinuous filaments, thereby forming a nonwoven-type textile segment.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein: The melted polymer composition has an adjustable second temperature during the application, which is selected so that the filaments applied to the forming support do not form material bonds at the intersection of the filament segments, or the second temperature is selected so that the filaments applied to the forming support form material bonds at the intersection of the filament segments, in particular by melting.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein: The second temperature is adjusted by impinging a gas stream with a predetermined temperature onto the polymer composition.

11. The method according to claim 1, wherein The polymer composition includes a thermoplastic polymer.

12. The method according to claim 1, wherein The distance between the nozzle and the forming support is between 20 mm and 110 mm.

13. The method according to claim 1, wherein The produced textile material is a shoe upper and is connected to the sole, or the shoe upper is directly connected to the sole during the application.

14. The method according to claim 1, wherein The forming bracket includes a shoe last.

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