Moisture absorption and sweat releasing fiber and preparation method thereof

Abstract

The invention discloses a moisture-absorbing and sweat-releasing fiber and a preparation method thereof.The moisture-absorbing and sweat-releasing fiber comprises a skin layer and a core layer, the skin layer is of a microporous structure and comprises a base and a plurality of blades, the base wraps the core layer, the blades are arranged on the outer side of the base, a first groove is formed between every two adjacent blades, and a second groove is formed in each blade; the depth of the second groove is smaller than that of the first groove. The skin layer is of a micro-porous structure and can rapidly adsorb sweat molecules, the surface area of the fiber is further increased through the second grooves in the multiple blades, and the sweat absorption process is accelerated; the first grooves formed between the adjacent blades and the second grooves in the blades form a multi-layer capillary channel, sweat is promoted to be rapidly diffused and evaporated from the interior of the fiber to the exterior, the transmission path of the sweat is optimized through the depth difference of the first grooves and the second grooves, the perspiration efficiency is improved, and the perspiration effect is improved. And the requirements of various high-intensity sports and outdoor activities can be met.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of preparation and application of textiles, and in particular to a moisture absorbing and perspiration wicking fiber and a preparation method thereof. Background Art

[0002] Moisture-wicking fibers are widely used in sportswear and outdoor equipment. Their primary function is to quickly absorb and expel sweat, keeping the wearer dry and comfortable. In recent years, with the pursuit of a healthier lifestyle and the rise of high-intensity exercise, higher demands have been placed on the performance of moisture-wicking fibers. Common moisture-wicking fibers in the prior art are often made of synthetic fibers such as polyester or nylon, achieving moisture-wicking properties through surface groove design or hydrophilic treatment. However, these fibers have several limitations:

[0003] The traditional groove structure is relatively simple, and the moisture absorption speed and perspiration efficiency are limited;

[0004] The hydrophilic treatment is easily lost after repeated washing, resulting in insufficient durability;

[0005] Existing fibers lack innovation in microstructure optimization and cannot meet the requirements of use in extreme environments. Summary of the Invention

[0006] In order to solve the problem that the moisture absorption and perspiration removal effect of moisture absorption and perspiration removal fibers in the prior art is not ideal, the purpose of the present invention is to provide a moisture absorption and perspiration removal fiber with excellent moisture absorption and perspiration removal performance and durability and a preparation method thereof to meet the market demand for high-performance sportswear.

[0007] To achieve the above-mentioned purpose of the invention, one embodiment of the present invention provides a moisture-absorbing and perspiration-wicking fiber, which includes a cortex and a core layer, the cortex being configured as a microporous structure, the cortex including a base and a plurality of blades, the base being wrapped around the outside of the core layer, the plurality of blades being arranged on the outside of the base, a first groove being formed between adjacent blades, a second groove being formed on the blades, and the depth of the second groove being less than the depth of the first groove.

[0008] As a further improvement of the present invention, the blades are arranged in 4 groups or 8 groups, the multiple blade annular arrays are arranged on the outside of the base, and the shape of each of the first grooves is consistent.

[0009] As a further improvement of the present invention, the blade is configured to be arc-shaped, and the second groove is configured to be an arc-shaped groove recessed from the end of the blade toward the core layer.

[0010] As a further improvement of the present invention, the blade is configured as a triangle, the end of the blade is configured as an arc chamfer, and the second groove is configured as a special-shaped notch at the end of the blade.

[0011] As a further improvement of the present invention, the shapes of the irregular notches of at least two of the blades are different to form different perspiration paths.

[0012] As a further improvement of the present invention, the cross section of the core layer is substantially circular, and the base is in a ring shape and wraps around the core layer.

[0013] As a further improvement of the present invention, the core layer is composed of a single component material, and the skin layer is composed of a blend, which includes microporous zeolite and color powder. The microporous zeolite forms the microporous structure of the skin layer, and the color powder is used to form the original liquid coloring.

[0014] To achieve one of the above-mentioned objectives of the invention, one embodiment of the present invention provides a method for preparing a moisture-absorbing and perspiration-wicking fiber, comprising the following steps:

[0015] The masterbatch of the skin layer is prepared, wherein the material of the skin layer is a blend of microporous zeolite, color powder, polyvinyl alcohol and ethylene terephthalate, wherein the mass ratio of microporous zeolite, color powder, polyvinyl alcohol and ethylene terephthalate is 0.1-0.5:0.5-2.0:0.1-0.5:97-99.3;

[0016] The melt of ethylene terephthalate is used as the core layer spinning melt, and the melt of the masterbatch is used as the sheath layer spinning melt, and spinning is carried out through a sheath-core composite spinning assembly to obtain the moisture-absorbing and perspiration-wicking fiber with a composite structure of sheath and core layer, wherein the mass ratio of the sheath layer to the core layer is 3:7 to 4.5:5.5, and the sheath-core composite spinning assembly includes a spinneret with special-shaped holes, and the cross-section of the special-shaped holes is consistent with the cross-section of the moisture-absorbing and perspiration-wicking fiber.

[0017] As a further improvement of the present invention, the preparation of the masterbatch of the skin layer includes:

[0018] The mixed powder including microporous zeolite, color powder, polyvinyl alcohol and ethylene terephthalate is fed into a twin-screw extruder for melting, mixing, extrusion and granulation to obtain the color masterbatch of the skin layer.

[0019] As a further improvement of the present invention, the particle size of the microporous zeolite is 100 to 500 nm, and the micropore size is 1.0 to 20 nm.

[0020] Compared with existing technologies, the present invention has the following beneficial effects: The moisture-wicking fiber significantly improves its moisture absorption and perspiration performance through a unique skin-core structural design. Specifically, the skin layer is configured as a microporous structure, which can quickly absorb sweat molecules and significantly increase the fiber's moisture absorption capacity; the secondary grooves on the multiple blades further increase the fiber's surface area, accelerating the sweat absorption process; the primary grooves formed between adjacent blades and the secondary grooves on the blades form multi-layered capillary channels, promoting the rapid diffusion and evaporation of sweat from the fiber's interior to the exterior, keeping the skin dry; and the difference in depth between the primary and secondary grooves optimizes the sweat transmission path and improves perspiration efficiency. This fiber can meet the needs of various high-intensity sports and outdoor activities, and has significant application value and market prospects. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] Figure 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the moisture wicking fiber of the first embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a moisture wicking fiber according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Among them, 100, moisture wicking fiber; 10, core layer; 20, skin layer; 21, base; 22, blades; 23, first groove; 24, second groove. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the specific embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings. However, these embodiments do not limit the present invention, and any structural, methodological, or functional changes made by those skilled in the art based on these embodiments are all within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0025] It should be understood that the terms used herein, such as "upper," "above," "lower," and "below," etc., indicating spatial relative positions, are used for ease of explanation to describe the relationship of one element or feature relative to another element or feature as shown in the accompanying drawings. Spatially relative terms may be intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation other than the orientation shown in the drawings.

[0026] An embodiment of the present invention provides a moisture-wicking fiber having excellent moisture-wicking performance and durability and a preparation method thereof to meet the market demand for high-performance sportswear.

[0027] like Figure 1 and 2 As shown, the structure of the moisture wicking fiber 100 of this embodiment includes two parts: a skin layer 20 and a core layer 10.

[0028] The core layer 10 serves as the internal support structure of the fiber and is primarily responsible for providing mechanical strength and overall stability.

[0029] The skin layer 20 covers the outside of the core layer 10 and is designed to have a microporous structure. It can quickly absorb sweat molecules through tiny pores, greatly improving the moisture absorption capacity of the fiber.

[0030] The skin layer 20 includes a base 21 and a plurality of blades 22 . The base 21 is tightly wrapped around the outside of the core layer 10 , and plays the role of fixing the core layer 10 and supporting the blades 22 .

[0031] A plurality of blades 22 are arranged on the outer side of the base 21 , and first grooves 23 are formed between adjacent blades 22 . These first grooves 23 provide main channels for the transmission of sweat.

[0032] Each blade 22 is further provided with a second groove 24 . The depth of the second groove 24 is less than that of the first groove 23 , thereby further refining the flow path of sweat.

[0033] The depth here refers to the distance from the end away from the core layer 10 to the end close to the core layer 10 .

[0034] The moisture wicking fiber 100 of this embodiment exhibits excellent moisture absorbing and perspiration wicking properties, and its moisture absorbing effect is mainly reflected in:

[0035] The microporous structure of the skin layer 20 can quickly absorb sweat. The presence of micropores allows sweat molecules to be quickly adsorbed, thereby enhancing the moisture absorption capacity of the fiber.

[0036] The first groove 23 serves as the main sweat transmission channel, which can efficiently conduct the absorbed sweat from the inside of the fiber to the outside, thereby promoting the evaporation of sweat.

[0037] The second groove 24 forms an auxiliary transmission path on the surface of the blade 22. Its shallow depth design makes the sweat spread more evenly on the blade 22, thereby accelerating the perspiration process.

[0038] The second grooves 24 on the plurality of blades 22 further increase the surface area of the fiber, accelerating the sweat absorption process;

[0039] This multi-layered structure improves the sweat transfer efficiency of the fabric made of moisture-wicking fiber 100, ensuring the user's skin is dry and comfortable. In addition, the synergistic effect of base 21 and blades 22 enhances the overall stability of the fiber, allowing it to maintain good performance during long-term use.

[0040] The following is divided into two embodiments to further elaborate on the moisture wicking fiber 100.

[0041] Example 1

[0042] like Figure 1As shown, the blades 22 of this embodiment are arranged in 4 groups, that is, there are 4 groups of blades 22 on the cross section of the moisture wicking fiber 100, and the 4 groups of blades 22 are arranged in a circular array on the outside of the base 21, and the shape of each first groove 23 is consistent.

[0043] This uniform annular arrangement ensures symmetry of the blades 22 across the fiber cross-section, resulting in consistent fiber performance in all directions. The first grooves 23 formed between adjacent blades 22 have the same shape, so the fabric formed from the moisture-wicking fiber 100 has no directional properties and can be positioned against the user's skin in any direction.

[0044] The even distribution of the circular array enables the fibers to absorb and remove sweat from all directions, improving the wearer's comfort.

[0045] Further, if Figure 1 As shown, the blade 22 is configured to be arc-shaped. This smooth curve structure reduces the sharpness of the edge of the blade 22, making the moisture-absorbing and perspiration-wicking fiber 100 softer when in contact with the skin, reducing friction resistance, making the fabric smoother, and improving wearing comfort.

[0046] The second grooves 24 are arc-shaped grooves that extend from the ends of the blades 22 toward the core layer 10. This arc-shaped groove design not only increases the moisture absorption area of the blades 22, but also optimizes the flow of sweat through them, guiding sweat in a specific direction. In other words, sweat flows more easily through the arc-shaped second grooves 24. This directional flow accelerates the sweat removal process and enhances the perspiration-wicking effect of the fiber.

[0047] At the same time, the concave design of the arc-shaped groove makes the sweat more evenly distributed on the blade 22, avoiding local accumulation and further keeping the skin dry.

[0048] like Figure 1 As shown, the cross section of the core layer 10 is substantially circular, and the substrate 21 wraps the core layer 10 in an annular shape.

[0049] The circular core layer 10 evenly distributes stress when subjected to external forces, reducing the risk of localized fractures and enhancing the mechanical strength and durability of the fibers. The annular base 21 fits snugly against the core layer 10, providing a stable support platform for the blades 22 and ensuring that the entire core layer 10 is encased in a microporous structure.

[0050] This ensures that the fiber can maintain its moisture absorption and perspiration removal properties under various usage conditions, while extending its service life and providing reliable structural strength guarantees for the application of moisture absorption and perspiration removal fiber 100 in fabrics.

[0051] Furthermore, the core layer 10 is made of a single component material, usually polyethylene terephthalate (PET), to ensure its strength and stability.

[0052] The single-component material can have better toughness, which makes it easier for the moisture-wicking fiber 100 to bend in all directions without breaking, thereby ensuring that the moisture-wicking fiber 100 has excellent mechanical properties and can maintain stability and durability in various environments.

[0053] The skin layer 20 is composed of a blend including microporous zeolite and color powder. The microporous zeolite forms the microporous structure of the skin layer 20, and the color powder is used to form the original solution coloring.

[0054] Microporous zeolite significantly improves the moisture absorption capacity of the fiber through its microporous structure and quickly absorbs sweat molecules.

[0055] The addition of color powder allows the fiber to obtain the desired color during the production process, avoiding the water and chemical consumption of traditional dyeing processes and achieving environmentally friendly production. This material combination optimizes moisture absorption and perspiration performance while taking into account environmental protection and economic efficiency, providing significant advantages for fiber applications.

[0056] Example 2

[0057] The difference between Example 2 and Example 1 is that the blades 22 of Example 2 are arranged in 8 groups, that is, there are 8 groups of blades 22 on the cross section of the moisture-absorbing and perspiration-wicking fiber 100, and the 8 groups of blades 22 are arranged in a circular array on the outside of the base 21, and the shape of each first groove 23 is consistent.

[0058] The number and arrangement of blades 22 significantly impact the fiber's functionality. While four sets of blades 22 are suitable for everyday wear and moderate moisture wicking needs, eight sets of blades 22 in this embodiment, by increasing surface area and the number of transmission channels, are more suitable for high-intensity activities and other situations requiring increased perspiration.

[0059] like Figure 2 As shown, the blades 22 of Example 2 are set to be triangular. The triangular blades 22 enhance the structural strength of the fiber, making it less likely to deform when subjected to external force, thereby ensuring the durability of the fiber.

[0060] The ends of the blades 22 are provided with arc-shaped chamfers, which soften the edges of the ends of the blades 22 and reduce discomfort when in contact with the skin. The fabric is softer and the wearing experience is improved.

[0061] like Figure 2 As shown, the second groove 24 is set as a special-shaped notch at the end of the blade 22. Compared with the arc-shaped groove in Example 1, this special-shaped notch is smaller in size. On the one hand, it forms multiple tiny micro sweat transmission paths, and on the other hand, it increases the diffusion area of sweat, accelerates the evaporation process, and improves the sweat-wicking efficiency of the moisture-absorbing and sweat-wicking fiber 100.

[0062] Furthermore, the irregular notches of at least two blades 22 of this embodiment are of different shapes to form different perspiration paths. The notches of different shapes make the flow paths of perspiration on the fibers more diverse.

[0063] Preferably, the shapes of the second grooves 24 of the eight blades 22 are different.

[0064] This differentiated design optimizes the sweat-wicking performance of the fiber. Second grooves 24 of different shapes can form diverse transmission channels. For example, wider gaps can quickly drain a large amount of sweat, while narrower gaps can finely control the diffusion rate of sweat.

[0065] This diversity allows the fiber to adapt to the different directions and rates of sweat flow, which is particularly effective during high-intensity or multi-directional exercise. The differentiated paths improve the efficiency of sweat management, speed up the perspiration process, ensure the skin is kept dry for a long time, and enhance the overall functionality of the fiber.

[0066] In addition, in other embodiments, in addition to arc-shaped and triangular blades 22, blades 22 of other shapes may also be used, such as fan-shaped, waist-shaped, etc.

[0067] Furthermore, an embodiment of the present invention provides a method for preparing a moisture wicking fiber 100, comprising the following steps.

[0068] Step S10: preparing a masterbatch for the skin layer 20. The material of the skin layer 20 is a blend of microporous zeolite, color powder, polyvinyl alcohol and ethylene terephthalate, wherein the mass ratio of microporous zeolite, color powder, polyvinyl alcohol and ethylene terephthalate is 0.1-0.5:0.5-2.0:0.1-0.5:97-99.3.

[0069] Step S20: Using the melt of ethylene terephthalate as the spinning melt for the core layer 10, and using the melt of the masterbatch as the spinning melt for the skin layer 20, spinning is performed through a core-skin composite spinning assembly to obtain a moisture-absorbing and perspiration-wicking fiber 100 having a composite structure of the skin layer 20 and the core layer 10, wherein the mass ratio of the skin layer 20 to the core layer 10 is 3:7 to 4.5:5.5, and the core-skin composite spinning assembly includes a spinneret with special-shaped holes, and the cross-section of the special-shaped holes is consistent with the cross-section of the moisture-absorbing and perspiration-wicking fiber 100.

[0070] The microporous zeolite of this embodiment may be an aluminosilicate zeolite, and the particle size of the microporous zeolite is 100 nm to 500 nm, and the micropore size is 1.0 nm to 20 nm.

[0071] The color powder can contain oil-soluble dyes and pigments. The color powder imparts a specific color to the moisture-wicking fiber 100, creating a solution-dyed fiber. This color masterbatch, infused with color, imparts color to the moisture-wicking fiber 100. This color can then be woven into fabrics of the corresponding color, eliminating the need for subsequent water-bath dyeing, which consumes significant amounts of water, chemicals, and energy. This achieves environmentally friendly and energy-saving benefits. The particle size of the dyes and pigments ranges from 20 nm to 500 nm.

[0072] The molecular weight of the polyvinyl alcohol of the skin layer 20 is 25,000 to 35,000, and the intrinsic viscosity of the ethylene terephthalate is 0.7 to 0.8.

[0073] In step S10, preparing the masterbatch of the skin layer 20 includes:

[0074] A mixed powder comprising microporous zeolite, color powder, polyvinyl alcohol and ethylene terephthalate is fed into a twin-screw extruder for melting, mixing, extrusion and granulation to obtain a masterbatch of the skin layer 20 .

[0075] The masterbatch for obtaining the skin layer 20 is a particle with a size of 2*3 mm, and each 100 particles weighs 2.5-3.0 g.

[0076] In step S20, if the moisture wicking fiber 100 in Example 1 is produced, the cross section of the irregular shaped hole is as follows: Figure 1 If the moisture wicking fiber 100 in Example 2 is produced, the cross section of the shaped hole is as shown Figure 2 shown.

[0077] The spinning temperature for the sheath layer 20 is 270-275°C, and the spinning temperature for the core layer 10 is 280-285°C. The masterbatch for the sheath layer 20 and the core layer 10 chips are dried at 120-130°C to a moisture content of less than 30 ppm after drying. The spinning speed is 3500-4000 m / min.

[0078] The fiber fineness of the moisture absorbing and perspiration-releasing fiber 100 finally obtained is 50D to 100D.

[0079] Compared with the conventional technology, this embodiment has the following beneficial effects:

[0080] This moisture-wicking fiber 100 significantly improves its moisture absorption and perspiration performance through its unique skin-core structural design. Specifically, the skin layer 20 is configured as a microporous structure that can quickly absorb sweat molecules, significantly increasing the fiber's moisture absorption capacity. The second grooves 24 on the multiple blades 22 further increase the fiber's surface area, accelerating the sweat absorption process. The first grooves 23 formed between adjacent blades 22 and the second grooves 24 on the blades 22 form multi-layered capillary channels, promoting the rapid diffusion and evaporation of sweat from the interior of the fiber to the outside, keeping the skin dry. The difference in depth between the first grooves 23 and the second grooves 24 optimizes the sweat transmission path and improves perspiration efficiency. It can meet the needs of various high-intensity sports and outdoor activities, and has significant application value and market prospects.

[0081] It should be understood that although this specification is described in terms of implementation methods, not every implementation method contains only one independent technical solution. This narrative method of the specification is only for the sake of clarity. Those skilled in the art should regard the specification as a whole. The technical solutions in each implementation method can also be appropriately combined to form other implementation methods that can be understood by those skilled in the art.

[0082] The series of detailed descriptions listed above are only specific descriptions of feasible implementation methods of the present invention. They are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present invention. Any equivalent implementation methods or changes that do not deviate from the technical spirit of the present invention should be included in the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A moisture wicking fiber, characterized in that: The moisture wicking fiber includes a cortex and a core layer, the cortex is configured as a microporous structure, the cortex includes a base and a plurality of blades, the base is wrapped around the outside of the core layer, the plurality of blades are arranged on the outside of the base, a first groove is formed between adjacent blades, a second groove is formed on the blade, and the depth of the second groove is less than the depth of the first groove.

2. The moisture wicking fiber according to claim 1, wherein The blades are arranged in 4 groups or 8 groups, the plurality of blades are arranged in an annular array on the outside of the substrate, and the shape of each of the first grooves is consistent.

3. The moisture wicking fiber according to claim 2, wherein: The blade is configured to be in an arc shape, and the second groove is configured to be an arc groove recessed from the end of the blade toward the core layer.

4. The moisture wicking fiber according to claim 2, wherein The blade is configured as a triangle, the end of the blade is configured as an arc chamfer, and the second groove is configured as a special-shaped notch at the end of the blade.

5. The moisture wicking fiber according to claim 4, characterized in that The shapes of the irregular notches of at least two of the blades are different to form different perspiration paths.

6. The moisture wicking fiber according to claim 1, wherein The cross section of the core layer is substantially circular, and the base is in a ring shape and wraps around the core layer.

7. The moisture wicking fiber according to claim 1, wherein The core layer is composed of a single-component material, and the skin layer is composed of a blend comprising microporous zeolite and color powder. The microporous zeolite forms a microporous structure of the skin layer, and the color powder is used to form a stock solution coloring.

8. A method for preparing the moisture wicking fiber according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: The following steps are involved: The masterbatch of the skin layer is prepared, wherein the material of the skin layer is a blend of microporous zeolite, color powder, polyvinyl alcohol and ethylene terephthalate, wherein the mass ratio of microporous zeolite, color powder, polyvinyl alcohol and ethylene terephthalate is 0.1-0.5:0.5-2.0:0.1-0.5:97-99.3; The melt of ethylene terephthalate is used as the core layer spinning melt, and the melt of the masterbatch is used as the sheath layer spinning melt, and spinning is carried out through a sheath-core composite spinning assembly to obtain the moisture-absorbing and perspiration-wicking fiber with a composite structure of sheath and core layer, wherein the mass ratio of the sheath layer to the core layer is 3:7 to 4.5:5.5, and the sheath-core composite spinning assembly includes a spinneret with special-shaped holes, and the cross-section of the special-shaped holes is consistent with the cross-section of the moisture-absorbing and perspiration-wicking fiber.

9. The method for preparing the moisture wicking fiber according to claim 8, wherein: The color masterbatch for preparing the skin layer comprises: The mixed powder including microporous zeolite, color powder, polyvinyl alcohol and ethylene terephthalate is fed into a twin-screw extruder for melting, mixing, extrusion and granulation to obtain the color masterbatch of the skin layer.

10. The method for preparing the moisture wicking fiber according to claim 8, wherein: The particle size of the microporous zeolite is 100-500 nm, and the micropore size is 1.0-20 nm.

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