Manufacturing process and blend for down / wool composites

Abstract

A process for producing a mixture of down and wool, characterized by: a. that the wool is moved into down by means of compressed air (2) and / or a vacuum (5) in a range of 1000 - 4000 Pascal, b. the wool fibers have a fiber diameter of 12 - 40 microns, c. the length of the wool fibers is between 0.7 - 3.0 cm, d. the process is carried out in a temperature range of 17 - 35 °C.

Description

[0001] A process for the production of material mixtures for clothing and outdoor products, especially for use as a bulk mixture, is disclosed.

[0002] It is well known that down has a high insulating effect. However, down easily becomes damp and clumps. Furthermore, there is a risk that harmful microorganisms can enter the down filling and cause degradation processes that, among other things, impair the hygiene and durability of the filling.

[0003] To avoid these disadvantages, down is not used; instead, a blend of down and wool is employed. Wool absorbs moisture from the down and has antibacterial properties. It has been found that the optimal blend is 60-90% down combined with wool, and also 10-40%. This achieves the best of the aforementioned properties.

[0004] In one trial, a filling consisting of 70% down and 30% wool proved successful. In another trial, good results were also achieved with a filling consisting of 80% wool and 20% down.

[0005] A mixture or combination consisting of 90% down, 10% feathers and 20% wool by weight is particularly advantageous.

[0006] Further advantageous features and technical background can be found in DE 20 2016 104 916 U1 and DE 20 2017 103 029 U1.

[0007] DE 20 2022 102 255 U1 discloses a blend of down and wool. Wool absorbs moisture from the down and has antibacterial properties. It has been found that the optimal blend is 50-80% down and 20-50% wool. This achieves the best results. In one trial, a blend of 70% down and 30% wool proved effective. In another trial, good results were also achieved with a blend of 50% wool and 50% down.

[0008] In particular, German patent DE 20 2017 103 029 U1 describes methods for producing such a mixture. The main focus is on preparing the wool for mixing with the down. One suggestion is to form the wool into wool balls or spheres. Another is to treat the wool with an anti-felting finish. This anti-felting finish can be achieved either by chlorinating the wool or by applying a Teflon coating. The aim here is, among other things, to prevent the wool from tangling and clumping.

[0009] The washability of the finished blend is of paramount importance in the manufacturing process. If the wool is washed after the blend is produced and the components, especially the wool and down, separate again, the blend becomes unusable or cannot be processed further.

[0010] JP S57-150589 U discloses a filling in which wool is introduced into feathers for the production of futons by means of compressed air and brought into contact with each other, claiming that feathers and wool are mixed together and intertwined, each having a fiber length of 25 mm or less.

[0011] The conventional methods described in the prior art have proven inadequate for producing a usable wool / down blend. Furthermore, the washability of the resulting blends is insufficiently ensured, and separation of the blends and of wool blends or wool / down blends repeatedly occurs.

[0012] The object of the invention is to produce a usable wool / down mixture whose washability is ensured and to prevent separation of wool-down mixtures.

[0013] The problem is solved by the features of the independent patent claim. An advantageous further development of the invention is described in the dependent claim.

[0014] However, the problem can be solved by means of a process involving the creation of a vacuum or the use of compressed air when introducing the wool to or into the down.

[0015] It has proven advantageous to introduce the wool into the down by creating a vacuum or using compressed air of 1000 to 4000 Pascals.

[0016] Furthermore, it has been found that the process works particularly well at temperatures between 17 °C and 35 °C.

[0017] To produce a particularly good wool / down blend, a firmer wool in the range of 12 - 40 microns should be used.

[0018] Furthermore, it had been shown that the results were particularly good for wool with threads 0.7 - 3.0 cm long.

[0019] Blends produced using the aforementioned method are also of particularly high quality. They optimally combine the properties of wool and down; that is, moisture is drawn out of the down, and the blend is temperature-regulating, antibacterial, and warming. This creates a pleasantly dry climate, for example, in sleeping bags or clothing.

[0020] The process can also be used not only with pure down, but also with down containing a mixture of feathers.

[0021] A method as shown in the first claims leads to a product that has the following advantages over conventional wool / down mixtures: a) better mixing of the wool and down or feather components. b) better matched individual components, due to better dosing capabilities c) improved washability d) better climate-regulating properties

[0022] Thanks to the better coordinated production process, different scenarios could also be simulated more effectively: During production, it was found that a mixture of down and wool with wool fibers having a fiber diameter of 19 - 29 microns and wool fibers with a length of 0.7 - 3.0 cm has particularly good characteristics in terms of washability and climate control. Fig. Figure 1 shows a possible embodiment of the patented claims.

[0023] The process can be carried out in systems with one or more chambers. Reference symbol list 1. Raw materials (e.g., down and wool) 2 Compressed air 3 beaters or mixing unit 4 beaters or mixing unit 5 Vacuum extraction

Claims

[1] Method for producing a mixture of down and wool, characterized by, a. that the wool is moved into down by means of compressed air (2) and / or a vacuum (5) in a range of 1000 - 4000 Pascal, b. the wool fibers have a fiber diameter of 12 - 40 microns, c. the length of the wool fibers is between 0.7 - 3.0 cm, d. the process is carried out in a temperature range of 17 - 35 °C. [2] Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the wool fibers have a fiber diameter of 19 - 29 microns.

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