Method for strengthening a textile fiber bundle for a spinning line, electrospinning station, strengthened yarn and its use

Abstract

A method for strengthening a textile fiber bundle (2) for a loom (3) comprises the following operating steps. a) Move the textile fiber bundle (2), such as a sliver or roving or yarn, along the bundle running direction (X). b) Provide a first electrospinning station (1) suitable for producing solid nanofibers (25) by means of an electrospinning device (120). c) Deposit the solid fibers (25) on the textile fiber bundle (2) by means of the first electrospinning station (1) to obtain a strengthened textile fiber bundle (21) on the first surface (22). d) Move the strengthened textile fiber bundle (21) towards a workstation (31) downstream of the first electrospinning station (1). The electrospinning station (1) for strengthening the textile fiber bundle (2) comprises an electrospinning device (120) having a storage part (11, 11') suitable for containing an electrospinnable strengthening solution (13), an emitter electrode (10, 10'), and a collector electrode (12, 12') facing the emitter electrode (10, 10') and arranged at a distance from the emitter electrode (10, 10'), and the effect of the generated electric field enables the formation and transport of solid nanofibers (25) on the textile fiber bundle (2). The yarn is composed of a strengthened textile fiber bundle (21) reinforced with solid nanofibers (25) obtained by electrospinning and interwoven with the textile fibers.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for strengthening a textile fiber bundle for a loom in a spinning line for processing fibers into yarns.

[0002] The present invention also relates to an electrospinning station that can be employed in the above-described method, and a yarn or fabric obtained from a textile fiber bundle strengthened according to the above-described strengthening method.

Background Art

[0003] Generally, in the fiber industry, it is known to produce non-woven fiber materials by thermoforming textile fibers into thermopolymers. Such non-woven fabrics (hereinafter, NWT) have an inconveniently large inherent variation in fiber size.

[0004] Among the production methods of NWT, electrospinning provides a solution to the problem of variation in fiber size because the fiber formation process can be controlled more finely.

[0005] As is well known, known electrospinning systems typically enable the production of NWT materials by the continuous deposition of nanofibers onto a physical substrate for the production of filters or membranes or films for making special-purpose fabrics.

[0006] Therefore, in a conventional electrospinning process, a nanofiber layer or film can be formed on a substrate and the NWT portion can be separated therefrom. According to some variations, further, in a conventional electrospinning process, a layer of nanofibers obtained by electrospinning can be deposited on a fabric to cover a part of a fabric previously woven with yarns obtained by known spinning techniques.

[0007] Such NWT production types have proven to be particularly complex and expensive and difficult to scale up to a wide range of fabric types.

[0008] Therefore, the prior art method of electrospinning is exclusively used for the production of high - value - added fibers such as in medical, microbiological, and similar applications.

[0009] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to identify a method for producing textile fibers and yarns that integrates the advantages of the fiber production technology by electrospinning and improves the properties of the textile fibers and the yarns obtained by the prior art.

[0010] A further object of the present invention is to identify a method for producing textile fibers and yarns (and thus fabrics), which in addition to incorporating the advantages of the electrospinning production technology, is cheaper, simpler, and ensures an improvement in production volume and production efficiency with respect to the known electrospinning production technology.

[0011] The above - mentioned objects are achieved by a method for strengthening a textile fiber bundle, an electrospinning station, a spinning line, and a yarn or fabric according to the appended independent claims. Preferred embodiments are described in the dependent claims.

[0012] The features and advantages of the method for strengthening a textile fiber bundle, the electrospinning station, the spinning line, and the yarn or fabric according to the present invention will become apparent from the following description, which is provided by way of non - limiting example in accordance with the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0013]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 3a

Figure 3b

Figure 3c

Figure 3d

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

[0014] According to an embodiment of the present invention, referring to FIG. 1, a spinning line 1000 installed in a spinning mill includes, for example, one or more blow room machines 200 (such as a plucker, mixer, opener, mixer loader, scale loader, or tuft blender), one or more carding machines 400, one or more gilling machines 600 (such as a drawing frame, lap winder, or comber), and one or more spinning machines 800 (such as a roving frame or a spinning frame), and one or more electrospinning stations (1, 1') arranged upstream or downstream of one or more of the looms 200, 400, 600, 800.

[0015] According to the present invention, the electrospinning station 1 is suitable for enriching the textile fiber bundle 2 with the solid nanofibers 25 generated by electrospinning. Once the enriched textile fiber bundle 2 is preferably intended for processing in one or more looms 3 of the spinning line 1000, such as a blow room machine 200 or a carding machine 400, or a gilling machine 600 or a spinning machine or a slubbing machine 800.

[0016] It is clear that the terms "enrich", "enriched", and "enrichment" mean that the basic textile fiber bundle is strengthened with additional solid nanofibers 25 from an electrospinning process that is not included in the basic textile fiber bundle and is commonly used in the standard processes of the spinning line.

[0017] The electrospinning station 1 includes an electrospinning device 120, preferably a needleless electrospinning device.

[0018] The electrospinning device 120 comprises reservoirs 11, 11' suitable for containing an enrichment solution 13 (i.e., a solution capable of electrospinning), for example, a solution containing natural and / or artificial polymers and / or monomers dissolved in one or more solvents. The enrichment solution 13 is suitable for the formation of solid nanofibers 25 by electrospinning deposited on the textile fiber bundle 2 in the electrospinning process.

[0019] The electrospinning device 120 comprises emitter electrodes 10, 10', preferably rotating electrodes (e.g., a rotating drum), known in some cases as spinnerets, suitable for being disposed on the first side 22 of the textile fiber bundle 2.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the emitter electrodes 10, 10' are at least partially or completely immersed in the enrichment solution 13.

[0021] The electrospinning device 120 comprises collector electrodes 12, 12' disposed opposite and spaced apart from the emitter electrodes 10, 10' and suitable for being disposed on the second side 23 of the textile fiber bundle 3 opposite the first side 22. Due to the electric field generated between the emitter electrodes 10, 10' and the collector electrodes 12, 12', solid nanofibers 25 are formed from the enrichment solution 13, and these solid nanofibers 25 are transported over the textile fiber bundle 2, so that the solid nanofibers 25 are deposited on the textile fiber bundle 2 to obtain a reinforced fiber bundle 21.

[0022] According to one embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 2 to 3b for example, the electrospinning station 1 includes one or more winding rollers 7. Each winding roller 7 is rotatable around its own roller rotation axes Z, Z1, Z2, Z3, and guides the textile fiber bundle 2 so as to be wound around the winding roller 7 in a coil 71 shape centered on the roller rotation axes Z, Z1, Z2, Z3 (that is, forms the coil 71). The one or more winding rollers 7 are disposed between the emitter electrodes 10, 10' and the collector electrodes 12, 12', and due to the electrospinning effect, the solid fibers 25 are deposited on the first surface 22 of the textile fiber bundle 2 wound around the one or more winding rollers 7.

[0023] It is obvious that the coil 71 may be partially formed around the roller rotation axes Z, Z1, Z2, Z3. For example, in the case of a plurality of winding rollers, as shown in FIGS. 3 to 3d for example, the coil 71 is formed around the plurality of roller rotation axes so as to straddle two or more roller rotation axes Z, Z1, Z2, Z3.

[0024] According to one embodiment, the electrospinning station 1 includes guide means 720 configured to guide the bundle of textile fibers 2 to form the coil 71 in a helical shape 81, 82 around the plurality of winding rollers 7. Thereby, in the electrospinning space region S generated between at least two rollers 700, 701; 702, 703 of the winding roller 7, a plurality of coils 71 of the same textile fiber bundle 2 are formed at intervals along the direction Z' parallel to the roller rotation axes Z, Z1, Z2, Z3.

[0025] This enables the formation of a structure in the spatial region S in which consecutive coil segments 713, 714, 715 of the same fiber bundle 2 are arranged side by side with an interval therebetween, and the solid nanofibers 25 are driven into the fiber bundle 2 from the emitter electrodes 10, 10' at any time as the textile fiber bundle 2 advances in the bundle traveling direction X. Advantageously, the guiding means is configured to be able to adjust the optimal distance between the coils 71 according to the type and size of the textile fiber bundle 2. This makes it possible to minimize the amount of solid nanofibers 25 that are dispersed, i.e., not retained by the textile fiber bundle 2 when passing between the coils 71 and deposited on the collector electrodes 12, 12'. Furthermore, this enables the number of passes of the textile fiber bundle 2 in the region where the solid nanofibers 25 are deposited to be optimized according to specific needs.

[0026] According to one embodiment, the guiding means is suitable for guiding the textile fiber bundle 2 such that the distance between the coils 71 increases or decreases along a direction Z' parallel to the roller rotation axes Z, Z1, Z2, Z3. This makes it possible to gradually adjust the appropriate amount of solid nanofibers 25 deposited on the textile fiber bundle because the amount of solid nanofibers 25 to be deposited also depends on the amount of solid nanofibers 25 already deposited.

[0027] Preferably, the electrospinning space S formed between at least two rollers 700, 701; 702, 703 is defined as the region of the space facing both rollers, i.e., between two virtual planes P1, P2; P3, P4 in contact with the outer surfaces of the two rollers 700, 701; 702, 703, parallel to the roller rotation axes Z, Z1, Z2, Z3 of the respective winding rollers 7, and as a region of the space that can be traversed by the coils 71.

[0028] Particularly advantageously, the guiding means 720 enables the distance between the coils 71 to be changed without changing the size of the electrospinning space S.

[0029] According to one embodiment, the guiding means 720 comprises protrusions or indentations 72 present on each winding roller 7.

[0030] According to one embodiment, the guiding means is fixed to one or more winding rollers 7 or is movable (e.g., rotatable) independently of the rotation of one or more winding rollers 7 and comprises a coil guide 721 suitable for receiving the textile fiber bundle 2 in sliding contact. Preferably, the fact that the coil guide 721 is movable independently of the rotation of one or more winding rollers 7 means that it is not directly connected to the winding roller for rotation, but can rotate independently, or be dragged by the textile fiber bundle 2 or another transmission system, or can rotate around a rotation axis different from the rotation axis of the winding roller 7.

[0031] For example, according to one embodiment, the coil guide comprises one or more partition walls, one or more fixed or rotatable cylinders, one or more struts, or a combination thereof, or a similar mechanical guide.

[0032] According to one embodiment, the coil guide 721, preferably a strut or a cylinder (e.g., a rotatable strut or cylinder), is arranged in the electrospinning region of the space S. Thereby, the space of the electrospinning station can be optimized.

[0033] According to one embodiment, the coil guide 721, preferably a strut or a cylinder (e.g., a rotatable strut or cylinder), is arranged outside the electrospinning space region S. Thereby, the electrospinning process can be prevented from being affected.

[0034] According to one embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 3c and 3d for example, the coil guide 721 is a support or cylinder positioned such that its main extension axis (rotation axis if rotatable) is incident on or perpendicular to the roller rotation axes Z, Z1, Z2, Z3. Further, these supports or cylinders are spaced along a direction Z' parallel to the roller rotation axes Z, Z1, Z2, Z3.

[0035] According to one embodiment, the support or cylinder is repositionable along a direction Z' parallel to the roller rotation axes Z, Z1, Z2, Z3, and the distance between the supports or cylinders, and thus the distance between the coils 71, can be adjusted.

[0036] According to one embodiment shown in FIGS. 3a and 3b for example, each winding roller 7 comprises projections or recesses 72 (i.e., guide means 720 in the form of projections or recesses) for guiding a textile fiber bundle 2 wound around the winding roller 7 in a coil 71 arrangement spaced along the roller rotation axes Z, Z1, Z2, Z3.

[0037] In a variant with the coil guide 721 described above, shown in FIGS. 3c and 3d for example, it is clear that each winding roller 7 may also have a smooth outer surface without recesses or projections 72.

[0038] Preferably, the deposition of the solid fibers 25 takes place while the textile fiber bundle 2 is moving along a direction X of bundle travel, preferably a direction incident on or perpendicular to the direction of transport of the strengthening solution from the emitter electrode towards the textile fiber bundle 2.

[0039] According to one embodiment, one or more winding rollers 7 include a first group of rollers 7' and a second group of rollers 7'' spaced apart from the first group of rollers 7'. The first group of rollers 7' is arranged to expose the first surface 22 of the textile fiber bundle 2 to the solid fibers 25 from the electrospinning device 120. The second group of rollers 7'' receives the textile fiber bundle 2 already strengthened on the first surface 22 and is arranged downstream of the first group of rollers 7' in the bundle traveling direction X so as to expose the second surface 23 of the textile fiber bundle 2 to the solid fibers 25 from the electrospinning device 120.

[0040] Preferably, the second group of rollers 7'' includes one or more second group rollers 700, 701 each rotatable about its own roller rotation axis Z, Z1 in a direction opposite to the rotation direction of the first group of rollers 7''. The second surface 23 of the textile fiber bundle 2 is easily exposed, and the small installation area of the electrospinning station 120 is maintained together with mechanical symmetry and equal utilization of components.

[0041] According to one embodiment, the electrospinning station 1 includes an idler roller 7''' arranged between the first group of rollers 7' and the second group of rollers 7'' in the bundle traveling direction X. The idler roller 7''' is out of alignment with the first group of rollers 7' and the second group of rollers 7''. Preferably, the idler roller 7''' is rotatable about an idler roller rotation axis Z4 that is out of alignment with the roller rotation axes Z, Z1, Z2, Z3 of the first group of rollers 7' and the second group of rollers 7''.

[0042] Preferably, the roller rotation axes Z, Z1, Z2, Z3 of the rollers 7' of the first group and the rollers 7'' of the second group are all located on a single rotation axis plane. Preferably, the idler roller 7''' is offset with respect to the rollers 7' of the first group and the rollers 7'' of the second group in that its idler roller rotation axis Z4 is not located on the same plane as the rotation axes, for example, the idler roller rotation axis Z4 is on a plane parallel to the plane of the rotation axes.

[0043] According to one embodiment, the rollers 7' of the first group include a first group first roller 702 and a first group second roller 703. Preferably, the rollers 7'' of the second group also include a second group first roller 700 and a second group second roller 701. According to this embodiment, the first group first roller 702 and the first group second roller 703 are each rotatable about the rotation axes Z2, Z3, and both are rotatable in the same first rotation direction R1.

[0044] Preferably, the second group first roller 700 and the second group second roller 701 are also each rotatable about the rotation axes Z, Z1, and both are rotatable in the same second rotation direction R2 opposite to the first rotation direction R1.

[0045] In this way, when the fiber bundle 2 is transported through the first group first roller 702 and the first group second roller 703, the first surface 22 of the fiber bundle 2 is strengthened. Then, when the fiber bundle 2 with its first surface 22 already strengthened is transported through the second group first roller 700 and the second group second roller 701, the second surface 23 of the fiber bundle 2 is strengthened.

[0046] Accordingly, the present invention also relates to an electrospinning station 1 which is movable along the bundle running direction X and which comprises a textile fiber bundle 2 arranged around and conveyed therealong to the first group of rollers 7' and the second group of rollers 7''. In use, i.e. when the electrospinning station 1 is in operation, the textile fiber bundle 2 is accordingly preferably arranged around the first group of rollers 7' and the second group of rollers 7''.

[0047] According to one embodiment, the textile fiber bundle 2 forms a first helical shape 81 around the first group of rollers 7' and a second helical shape 82 around the second group of rollers 7''.

[0048] According to one embodiment, the electrospinning station 1 comprises a chamber 9 for housing the electrospinning device 120.

[0049] Preferably, the electrospinning station 1 also comprises suction means 91 configured to suck gases (fumes) resulting from the evaporation of solvents from residual textile fibers and / or strengthening solutions within the chamber 9.

[0050] The present invention also relates to a method for strengthening a textile fiber bundle 2, preferably intended for a loom 3, for example a blowroom machine 200 or a carding machine 400, or a drawing frame 600 or a wool carding machine, or a spinning machine or a roving frame 800.

[0051] The method according to the present invention comprises the following operating steps. a) Moving the textile fiber bundle 2, for example a sliver or a roving or a thread, along the bundle running direction X. b) Providing a first electrospinning station 1 of the type described herein, which is suitable for producing solid nanofibers 25 by means of an electrospinning device 120 which is preferably needleless. c) With this first electrospinning station 1, the solid fibers 25 are deposited on the textile fiber bundle 2 to obtain a reinforced textile fiber bundle 21. The reinforced textile fiber bundle 21 is reinforced by the solid fibers 25 deposited on the first surface 22 of the textile fiber bundle 2 as a result of electrospinning. d) Move the reinforced textile fiber bundle 21 towards a work station 31 downstream of the first electrospinning station 1 in the bundle travel direction X, for example a station for winding the reinforced textile fiber bundle 21 onto a reinforced bobbin 32, or towards a loom 3.

[0052] Preferably, in step b), the first electrospinning station 1 is arranged in the bundle travel direction X, for example upstream of the loom 3, or downstream of the loom, or on the loom 3 (for example integrated into the loom 3), in the process of treating or creating the textile fiber bundle 2.

[0053] Thus, according to one embodiment, it is clear that the method comprises an operating step of providing a loom 3.

[0054] According to one embodiment, in step c), the step of depositing the solid fibers 25 on the textile fiber bundle 2 to obtain the reinforced textile fiber bundle 21 is carried out by moving the textile fiber bundle 2.

[0055] According to one embodiment, in step c), the step of laying the solid fibers 25 on the textile fiber bundle 2 to obtain the reinforced textile fiber bundle 21 is carried out with the textile fiber bundle 2 fixed or temporarily fixed in the bundle travel direction X.

[0056] According to one embodiment, step c) comprises the following operating steps. c10) Step of winding the textile fiber bundle 2 around one or more bundle winding rollers 7. Here, the guiding means 720 is configured to guide the textile fiber bundle 2 to form coils 71 in helical shapes 81, 82 around the plurality of bundle winding rollers 7, so that in the electrospinning region of the space S between at least two rollers 700, 701; 702, 703 of the bundle winding roller 7, a plurality of coils 71 of the same textile fiber bundle 2 are formed at intervals along the direction Z' parallel to the roller rotation axes Z, Z1, Z2, Z3.

[0057] According to one embodiment, step c) comprises the following operating steps. c1) Step of winding the textile fiber bundle 2 around one or more bundle winding rollers 7. Here, each bundle winding roller 7 is provided with a protrusion or indentation 72 for guiding the textile fiber bundle 2 wound around the bundle winding roller 7 in the form of a coil 71 spaced along the roller rotation axis Z.

[0058] In an advantageous embodiment, the protrusion or indentation 72 is either a single helical protrusion or a single helical indentation, each of which is continuously wound around the roller rotation axis Z, preferably substantially along the entire length of the roller along the roller rotation axis Z.

[0059] Preferably, in step c1), the one or more bundle winding rollers 7 comprise a first group of rollers 7' and a second group of rollers 7'' spaced apart from the first group of rollers, and step c1) comprises the following operating steps. c11) First, wind the textile fiber bundle 2 around the first group of rollers 7' such that the first surface 22 of the textile fiber bundle 2 is exposed to the solid fibers 25 from the electrospinning device 120. c12) Following step c11), the textile fiber bundle 2 is wound around the second group of rollers 7' such that the second side 23 of the textile fiber bundle 2 is exposed to the solid fibers 25 from the electrospinning device 120 downstream of the first group of rollers 7' in the bundle travel direction X. The second side 23 is at least partially free from the solid fibers 25 deposited as a result of electrospinning on the first side while the textile fiber bundle 2 passes through the first group of rollers 7'.

[0060] According to a further embodiment, the method includes the following additional steps. b1) Provide a second electrospinning station 1' disposed downstream of the first electrospinning station 1 in the bundle travel direction X. b2) Provide a bundle conveyance station 4 which rotates the reinforced textile fiber bundle 21 at the outlet from the first electrospinning station 1 and exposes the second side 23 of the reinforced textile fiber bundle 21 for receiving the solid fibers 25. This second side 23 is at least partially free from the solid fibers 25 deposited as a result of electrospinning at the first electrospinning station 1.

[0061] In this embodiment, therefore, it is possible to reinforce two opposite sides of the textile fiber bundle 2 along the path of the fiber bundle, and it is not necessary for each electrospinning station 1, 1' (the first and second electrospinning stations) to provide reinforcement on both sides of the bundle. This simplifies the components of a single electrospinning station and makes it more compact.

[0062] In addition, however, this embodiment does not rule out the possibility that each of the first electrospinning station and the second electrospinning station itself strengthens both sides of the fiber bundle 2. In a variant in which each of the first electrospinning station 1 and the second electrospinning station 1' is configured to strengthen both sides of the fiber bundle 2, an additional bundle conveying station 4 can, therefore, reverse the plane between the first electrospinning station 1 and the second electrospinning station 1' to effect double strengthening on both sides of the bundle, and thus improve the homogeneity of the strengthening.

[0063] According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, step c) is carried out by an electrospinning station having a needleless electrospinning device.

[0064] According to one embodiment, in step b2), the bundle conveying station 4 comprises a guide 41 such as a bent sheet. It receives the textile fiber bundle 2 while slidably supported on the curved guide surface 410 of the guide 41 and rotates the reinforced textile fiber bundle 21 at the outlet from the first electrospinning station 1 so as to expose the second surface 23 of the reinforcing textile fiber bundle 21 to the solid fibers 25 from the electrospinning device 120.

[0065] It is also understood that the present invention is also related to a thread or fabric consisting of a reinforced textile fiber bundle 21 obtained by the strengthening method described herein. It is clear that "yarn" can also mean a sliver obtained from a blowroom machine or a carding machine or a gilling machine, or a roving obtained from a spinning machine such as a fly frame, or a thread.

[0066] According to one aspect, the present invention also relates to a thread formed by reinforcing a textile fiber bundle 21 containing textile fibers, such as natural or synthetic textile fibers, with solid nanofibers 25 obtained by electrospinning and interweaving the textile fibers.

[0067] According to one embodiment, the solid nanofibers 25 are not only superficially deposited on the yarn, but also woven and embedded together with the textile fibers constituting the yarn.

[0068] According to another embodiment, the solid nanofibers 25 are only superficially deposited on the yarn.

[0069] According to one embodiment, the textile fibers are natural textile fibers such as cotton, hemp, or wool.

[0070] According to one embodiment, the textile fibers are synthetic textile fibers, for example, textile fibers made from synthetic polymers such as polyamide or polyester.

[0071] <Example of a roving machine system> In a spinning line 1000 including a roving machine 800 and the electrospinning stations 1, 1' according to the present invention, the electrospinning stations 1, 1' are preferably located immediately upstream of the roving machine 800, as shown in FIG. 6, for example.

[0072] For example, the electrospinning stations 1, 1' are arranged immediately upstream of the flyer rail 801 of the roving machine 800 or upstream of the roving machine pressure arm.

[0073] Therefore, in this example, the electrospinning station is suitable for strengthening the supplied sliver of the roving machine 800, or depending on the positional relationship with the electrospinning station, is suitable for directly strengthening the roving formed by the roving machine 800.

[0074] <Example of a drawing frame system> In a spinning line 1000 including a drawing frame 100 according to the present invention and the electrospinning stations 1, 1', the electrospinning stations 1, 1' are preferably arranged immediately upstream of the drawing frame 100, as shown in FIG. 5, for example.

[0075] Therefore, in this example, the electrospinning stations 1, 1' are suitable for strengthening the sliver supplied by the roving frame 100.

[0076] In another example, the electrospinning station is installed above the roving frame and, depending on the position of the electrospinning station, directly strengthens the sliver formed by the roving frame 100.

[0077] Innovatively, the electrospinning station and method according to the present invention enable the successful overcoming of the prior art by the possibility of strengthening textile fiber bundles with nanofibers by electrospinning, which are used in subsequent process steps of the spinning line or as end products for subsequent weaving such as fabric lines or looms.

[0078] In particular, the advantageous aspect is due to the possibility of strengthening (i.e., processing or creating yarn) the bundle with textile fibers during the production and processing process in the spinning line. This can increase production volume and efficiency, reduce complexity, and lower the production cost of yarns or fabrics made with normal production techniques dedicated to electrospinning.

[0079] In a particularly advantageous aspect, furthermore, the method according to the present invention enables the inline strengthening of textile fiber bundles, i.e., directly during the process of processing and producing slivers or rovings or finer yarns in the spinning line. Thereby, normal textile fibers are strengthened during the process of being formed and processed with electrospun solid nanofibers that are subsequently incorporated into the textile fibers (and thus into the sliver or roving or finer yarn formation process), improving the properties of the textile fibers with respect to fabrics obtained by the prior art that only provide a surface deposition of electrospun solid nanofibers.

[0080] Furthermore, in the case of finer yarns, in the method according to the invention, the nanofibers can also be incorporated into the final fabric obtained from the reinforced finer yarns produced by the method of the invention. This also applies when the nanofibers are deposited only on one first side of the finer yarn or even on both sides of the finer yarn, but not woven into the finer yarn itself. In fact, at the time of weaving the finer yarn, the nanofibers are embedded in the fabric.

[0081] Furthermore, since the textile fiber bundle can be directly strengthened inline, i.e., in the spinning line, during the process of processing and producing sliver or roving or finer yarn, it is not necessary to interrupt the normal sliver / roving / finer yarn supply process. Furthermore, according to some variations, it is not always necessary to modify the standard loom in the spinning line.

[0082] More advantageously, the electrospinning method and station according to the invention also make it possible to strengthen two or more surfaces of the fiber bundle (sliver, roving or finer yarn) to be processed with the solid nanofibers of the electrospinning process without modifying the loom of the spinning line and without interrupting the working process of the spinning line. Moreover, this is done in a simple, efficient and compact way.

[0083] Furthermore, also advantageously, thanks to the strengthening method according to the invention, it is possible to strengthen sliver / roving / finer yarn in the normal production process with nanofibers having specific chemical / physical properties. For example, according to the invention, it is possible to produce sliver / roving / finer yarn having properties that cannot normally be achieved in the normal production process unless the fibrils already have such properties. For example, advantageously, it is possible to strengthen the textile fiber bundle with nanofibers incorporating silver ions having an antibacterial effect, or to strengthen the textile fiber bundle with nanofibers that can enhance the basic mechanical strength of the textile fiber and its flame retardancy or bactericidal properties.

[0084] It is obvious to those skilled in the art that the above invention can be modified to meet accidental needs, and all these modifications are included in the scope of protection defined by the following claims.

Claims

1. A method for strengthening a textile fiber bundle (2) for a loom (3), a) moving the textile fiber bundle (2), for example, a sliver or roving or yarn, along the bundle running direction (X); b) providing a first electrospinning station (1) suitable for producing solid nanofibers (25) by an electrospinning device (12); c) spreading the solid fibers (25) onto the textile fiber bundle (2) by the electrospinning station (1) to obtain a strengthened textile fiber bundle (21), wherein the strengthened textile fiber bundle (21) is strengthened by the solid fibers (25) deposited as a result of electrospinning on a first surface (22) of the textile fiber bundle (2); d) moving the strengthened textile fiber bundle (21) in the bundle running direction (X) towards a work station (31) downstream of the first electrospinning station (1), for example, a winding station for winding the strengthened textile fiber bundle (21) onto a strengthening bobbin (32), or towards the loom (3). comprising method.

2. including the step of providing a loom (3), In step b), the first electrospinning station (1) is located upstream of the loom (3), or downstream of the loom, or on the loom (3), for example, in the process of processing or forming the textile fiber bundle (2) in the bundle running direction (X). The method according to claim 1.

3. Step c) is c10) A step of winding the textile fiber bundle (2) around one or more bundle winding rollers (7), wherein the guiding means (720) is configured to guide the textile fiber bundle (2) to form a coil in a helical shape (81, 82) around the plurality of bundle winding rollers (7), and in the electrospinning space region (S) generated between at least two rollers (700, 701; 702, 703) of the bundle winding roller (7), a plurality of coils (71) of the same textile fiber bundle (2) are formed and are arranged at intervals along a direction (Z') parallel to the roller rotation axes (Z, Z1, Z2, Z3). including The method according to claim 1 or 2.

4. Step c) c1) A step of winding the textile fiber bundle (2) around one or more bundle winding rollers (7), wherein each bundle winding roller (7) is provided with protrusions or recesses (72) for guiding the textile fiber bundle (2) wound around the periphery of the bundle winding roller (7) in the form of coils (71) arranged at intervals along the roller rotation axis (Z). including The method according to claim 1 or 2.

5. In step c1), the one or more bundle winding rollers (7) include a first group of rollers (7') and a second group of rollers (7'') arranged at an interval from the first group of rollers. Step c1) c11) A step of first winding the textile fiber bundle (2) around the first group of rollers (7') such that the first surface (22) of the textile fiber bundle (2) is exposed to the solid fibers (25) from the electrospinning device (120). c12) Following step c11), downstream of the first group of rollers (7') in the bundle running direction (X), winding the textile fiber bundle (2) around the second group of rollers (7'') such that the second face (23) of the textile fiber bundle (2) is exposed to the solid fibers (25) from the electrospinning device (120), wherein the second face (23) has at least partially no said solid fibers (25) deposited as a result of electrospinning on the first face while the textile fiber bundle (2) passes around the first group of rollers (7'); comprising The method according to claim 3 or 4.

6. b1) Providing a second electrospinning station (1') arranged downstream of the first electrospinning station (1) in the bundle running direction (X); b2) Providing a bundle conveying station (4) which rotates the reinforced textile fiber bundle (21) at the outlet from the first electrospinning station (1) to expose the second face (23) of the reinforced textile fiber bundle (21) for receiving the solid fibers (25), wherein the second face (23) has at least partially no said solid fibers (25) deposited as a result of electrospinning in the first electrospinning station (1); The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. Step c) is carried out by an electrospinning station having a needleless electrospinning device. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. The loom is a carding machine (400) or a wool carding machine (600) or a drawing frame or a lap drawing frame or a roving frame or a spinning frame. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. The textile fiber bundle (2) is a roving or a yarn. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. In step b2), the bundling transport station (4) comprises a guide (41) such as a vent sheet, and the guide (41) receives the textile fiber bundle (2) while being slidably supported by a curved guide surface (419) of the guide (41), and rotates the reinforced textile fiber bundle (21) at the outlet from the first electrospinning station (1) so as to expose the second surface (23) of the reinforced textile fiber bundle (21). The method according to any one of claims 6 to 9.

11. An electrospinning station (1) for strengthening a textile fiber bundle (2), A storage part (11, 11') suitable for containing an electrospinnable reinforcing solution (13) suitable for forming solid nanofibers (25) as a result of electrospinning, and the solid nanofibers (25) are deposited on the textile fiber bundle (2) as a result of electrospinning, the storage part (11, 11'); An emitter electrode (10, 10') suitable for being arranged on the first surface (22) of the textile fiber bundle (2); A collector electrode (12, 12') facing the emitter electrode (10, 10'), arranged at a distance from the emitter electrode (10, 10'), and arranged on the second surface (23) of the textile fiber bundle (2) opposite to the first surface (22); Comprising an electrospinning device (120); The solid nanofibers (25) are formed from the reinforcing solution (13) by an electric field generated between the emitter electrode (10, 10') and the collector electrode (12, 12'); These solid nanofibers (25) are transported on the textile fiber bundle (2), and as a result, the solid nanofibers (25) are deposited on the textile fiber bundle (2) to obtain a reinforced textile fiber bundle (21). The electrospinning station (1).

12. The electrospinning station (1) comprises one or more bundle winding rollers (7). Each of the above-mentioned winding rollers (7) is rotatable around its own roller rotation axis (Z, Z1, Z2, Z3), and guides the textile fiber bundle (2) wound around the winding roller (7) in a coil (71) shape centered on the roller rotation axis (Z). The one or more winding rollers (7) are arranged between the emitter electrode (10, 10') and the collector electrode (12, 12'), and as a result of electrospinning, the solid nanofibers (25) are deposited on the first surface (22) of the textile fiber bundle (2) wound around the one or more winding rollers (7). The electrospinning station (1) according to claim 11.

13. It includes guide means (720) configured to guide the textile fiber bundle (2) to form a coil (71) in a spiral shape (81, 82) around the plurality of winding rollers (7). In the electrospinning space region (S) generated between at least two rollers (700, 701; 702, 703) of the winding roller (7), a plurality of coils (71) of the same textile fiber bundle (2) are formed and are arranged at intervals along a direction (Z') parallel to the roller rotation axis (Z, Z1, Z2, Z3). The electrospinning station (1) according to claim 12.

14. Each of the above-mentioned winding rollers (7) is provided with protrusions or recesses (72) for guiding the textile fiber bundle (2) wound around the winding roller (7) in a coil (71) shape arranged at intervals along the roller rotation axis (Z). The electrospinning station (1) according to claim 12.

15. The one or more winding rollers (7) include a first group of rollers (7') and a second group of rollers (7'') arranged at intervals from the first group of rollers. The rollers (7') of the first group are arranged to expose the first surface (22) of the textile fiber bundle (2) to the solid fiber (25) from the electrospinning device (120). The rollers (7'') of the second group receive the textile fiber bundle (2) already strengthened on the first surface (22), and are arranged downstream of the rollers (7') of the first group in the bundle running direction (X) so as to expose the second surface (23) of the textile fiber bundle (2) to the solid fiber (25) from the electrospinning device (120). The electrospinning station (1) according to any one of claims 11 to 13.

16. The rollers (7'') of the second group include one or more second group rollers (700, 701) that can each rotate around their own roller rotation axes (Z, Z1) in a direction opposite to the rotation direction of the rollers (7') of the first group. The electrospinning station (1) according to claim 15.

17. It includes an idle roller (7''') arranged between the rollers (7') of the first group and the rollers (7'') of the second group in the bundle running direction (X). The idle roller (7''') is offset with respect to the rollers (7') of the first group and the rollers (7'') of the second group, and preferably can rotate around an idle roller rotation axis (Z4) that is offset with respect to the roller rotation axes (Z, Z1, Z2, Z3) of the rollers (7') of the first group and the rollers (7'') of the second group. The electrospinning station (1) according to claim 15 or 16.

18. The rollers (7') of the first group include a first group first roller (702) and a first group second roller (703). The rollers (7'') of the second group include a second group first roller (700) and a second group second roller (701). The first group first roller (702) and the first group second roller (703) are each rotatable about its own rotation axis (Z2, Z3), and both are rotatable in the same first rotation direction (R1). The second group first roller (700) and the second group second roller (701) are each rotatable about its own rotation axis (Z, Z1), and both are rotatable in the same second rotation direction (R2) opposite to the first rotation direction (R1). The electrospinning station (1) according to any one of claims 15 to 17.

19. It is movable along the bundle traveling direction (X) and includes a textile fiber bundle (2) disposed around the rollers (7') of the first group and the rollers (7'') of the second group. The textile fiber bundle (2) forms a first helical shape (81) around the rollers (7') of the first group and a second helical shape (82) around the rollers (7'') of the second group. The electrospinning station (1) according to any one of claims 15 to 18.

20. It includes a chamber (9) for accommodating the electrospinning device (120). The electrospinning station (1) also includes suction means configured to suck residual textile fibers in the chamber (9). The electrospinning station (1) according to any one of claims 15 to 19.

21. A thread or fabric composed of a reinforced textile fiber bundle (21) obtained by the method according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

22. It is composed of a reinforced textile fiber bundle (21) comprising textile fibers reinforced with solid nanofibers (25) obtained by electrospinning, and a thread woven into the textile fibers.

23. The textile fibers are natural textile fibers such as cotton or hemp or wool, for example. The thread according to claim 22.

24. Comprising silver ions embedded in solid nanofibers (25) woven into the textile fiber, The thread according to claim 22 or 23.

25. The method of using the thread according to any one of claims 22 to 24 for forming fibers by weaving.

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