Lavender fibre powder-containing synthetic yarn and production method

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a production method concerning the use in synthetic yarn production of lavender fibres, which possess antimicrobial and antioxidant properties, obtained in powder form from lavender stems that remain as waste in nature.

Description

[0001] LAVENDER FIBRE POWDER-CONTAINING SYNTHETIC YARN AND PRODUCTION METHOD

[0002] Technical Field

[0003] The present disclosure relates to the production of a lavender fibre powder-containing synthetic yarn, which can be used in the textile sector and in which natural lavender fibres are combined with a synthetic polymer.

[0004] State of the Art

[0005] The concept of sustainability, which we have started to hear frequently in recent years, is highly important for the textile sector as it is for every sector. In order to achieve the target of keeping the temperature increase constant at 1 .5 degrees, which is included in the Paris Climate Agreement, importance must be given to sustainability studies in textiles.

[0006] When sustainability in textiles is concerned, the reduction of water and chemical use, giving importance to recycling, the use of renewable energy sources, the production of long-lasting products, the use of natural raw materials and the reduction of waste are among the first studies that come to mind. In this way, the reduction of the water and carbon footprint within the concept of sustainability will be ensured.

[0007] According to 2023 data, synthetic fibre production constitutes 65% of the 124 million tonnes of fibre produced worldwide, that is, approximately 75 million tonnes. This production, which was 67 million tonnes in 2022, increased to approximately 75 million tonnes in 2023 with an increase of about 12%. If current trends continue in this direction, it is obvious that this production will gradually increase. The use of natural-content raw materials instead of petroleum-based raw materials will undoubtedly be an important step in terms of sustainability. In particular, the use of natural raw materials that remain as waste in nature will make these studies more valuable. Lavender is among the natural products whose production is increasing day by day worldwide. According to 2023 data, there is approximately 90,000 tonnes of lavender production in the world. In Turkiye, lavender production, which was approximately 7,700 tonnes in 2022, reached approximately 9,500 tonnes in 2023 with an increase of 24%. The most important part of lavender is its flowers, and the lavender oil obtained from these flowers has an important place worldwide as a value-added product. The area of use of the stems remaining from lavender production is quite limited.

[0008] Lavender stems are currently used mainly for decorative purposes or in a limited area as a natural raw material component in the cosmetic sector. A large portion of them is destroyed by burning after harvest. Although lavender stems, which have a share of approximately 30-40% remaining as waste after lavender harvest, are used for different purposes today, no method related to synthetic yarn production in the textile sector has been encountered in the background of the invention.

[0009] Description of the Invention

[0010] The present invention relates to a lavender fibre powder-containing synthetic yarn developed to eliminate the disadvantages mentioned above and to bring new advantages to the relevant technical field.

[0011] This invention aims both to increase environmental sustainability and to obtain a value- added product suitable for mass production that can be used in the textile sector by ensuring the use of fibre powder obtained from lavender stems that remain as waste in nature in synthetic yarn production.

[0012] The invention relates to the production of a lavender fibre powder-containing masterbatch in the textile sector and subsequently to the melt spinning of synthetic yarn using this masterbatch.

[0013] Among the advantages of the lavender fibre powder-containing synthetic yarn of the invention are the following:

[0014] ■ Providing environmental benefit by utilising lavender waste, the production of which increases day by day.

[0015] ■ Reducing the use of petroleum-based raw materials by being added to petroleumbased synthetic yarns. ■ A solution that is sustainable both economically and environmentally.

[0016] ■ Reducing the carbon footprint with a sustainable product.

[0017] ■ Obtaining a value-added product suitable for mass production from waste.

[0018] ■ Obtaining synthetic yarn with antibacterial properties.

[0019] ■ The possibility of obtaining yarn with antioxidant properties.

[0020] ■ Improved appearance and physical properties with the addition of lavender fibre powder.

[0021] ■ A positive effect on health and sleep through aromatherapy impact.

[0022] Brief Description of the Drawings

[0023] The exemplary embodiments indicated in the drawings, in accordance with one or more arrangements of the present invention briefly summarised above and addressed in more detail below, are provided solely for explanatory purposes and illustrate only some examples and / or applications of the invention. These drawings are provided to facilitate the reader’s understanding of the invention and should not be regarded as limiting the scope and applicability of the invention. It should be noted that these drawings are not absolutely scaled for clarity and ease of illustration.

[0024] Figure 1 - A schematic view of the process steps in the production of the lavender fibre powder-containing masterbatch of the invention.

[0025] Figure 2 - A schematic view of the process steps in the melt spinning of synthetic yarn using the lavender fibre powder-containing masterbatch of the invention.

[0026] Description of the Details in Figure 1 in the Drawings

[0027] 1 . Blend Preparation

[0028] 2. Extrusion

[0029] 3. Granulator (Cutting process)

[0030] Description of the Details in Figure 2 in the Drawings

[0031] 4. Chips Dosing

[0032] 5. Masterbatch Dosing 6. Extruder

[0033] 7. Yarn Spinning

[0034] 8. Bobbin Winding

[0035] Detailed Description of the Invention

[0036] In this detailed description, the production of the lavender fibre powder-containing synthetic yarn of the invention is explained for a better understanding of the subject and in a manner that will not have any limiting effect.

[0037] The invention relates to the production of melt-spinnable synthetic yarn such as polypropylene, polyester and nylon (polypropylene and the like) using lavender fibre powder obtained from lavender stems that remain as waste in nature.

[0038] For the production of the lavender fibre powder-containing synthetic yarn of the invention, lavender fibre powder was first obtained from lavender stems found as waste in nature and subsequently the production of a lavender fibre powder-containing masterbatch was carried out.

[0039] The production method of the lavender fibre powder-containing masterbatch (Figure 1 );

[0040] The masterbatch required for the production of the lavender fibre powder-containing synthetic yarn of the invention consists of a mixture of 10% lavender fibre powder and 90% homopolymer polypropylene and the like.

[0041] The production of the lavender fibre powder-containing polypropylene and the like masterbatch consists of three stages. The first stage is the blend preparation (1 ) process. Here, 10% lavender fibre powder and 90% homopolymer polypropylene and the like are brought into a blend.

[0042] A compatibiliser selected according to the synthetic polymer to be used is slowly added into this blend and the addition of the compatibiliser is continued until a homogeneous mixture is obtained. In this way, the bonding of the synthetic polymer and the organic material to each other and the obtaining of a homogeneous mixture are ensured. The second stage in the production of the masterbatch of the invention continues with the extrusion (2) process. In this stage, the prepared blend is fed into a single-screw or twin-screw extruder to obtain a homogeneous melt. The extruder temperature is 190-200<C.

[0043] The thick filaments of lavender-containing polypropylene and the like continuously obtained from the extruder (2) are subjected to the granulator (3), that is, the cutting process, and thus the lavender fibre powder-containing polypropylene and the like masterbatch of the invention is obtained.

[0044] The production method of the lavender fibre powder-containing synthetic yarn of the invention (Figure 2);

[0045] The production of the lavender fibre powder-containing synthetic yarn begins with the dosing unit. While the polypropylene and the like chips (4), which are the main raw materials, are found in the dosing unit, the lavender fibre powder-containing masterbatch is added to the masterbatch dosing unit (5).

[0046] The masterbatch dosing unit (5) is capable of dosing between 1 % and 5%. During the spinning of the synthetic yarn of the invention, with the aid of an automatic dosing system, a mixture comprising 1 % to 5% lavender fibre powder-containing masterbatch and 95% to 99% polypropylene and the like is obtained, and the prepared mixture is sent to the extruder (6).

[0047] In the extruder, with a melting temperature between 200-240<C, the melting and homogeneous mixing of the lavender fibre powder-containing polypropylene and the like mixture are ensured. Subsequently, with this mixture pumped to the spinnerets, yarn spinning (7) is carried out within a denier range of 100 to 1200.

[0048] After the yarn spinning of the invention, the yarns exiting the spinnerets encounter cold air, ensuring the cooling of the yarn. Subsequently, the obtained yarns are wound onto bobbins (8) after lubrication and interlacing processes, making them ready for use.

[0049] In this way, the lavender fibre powder-containing synthetic yarn of the invention, which is sustainable and possesses antibacterial and antioxidant properties, is produced. In terms of its industrial applicability, the lavender fibre powder-containing synthetic yarn will provide opportunities for use in all areas of textiles. When produced as polypropylene, it can be used in upholstery fabrics, when produced as polyester, it can be used in the field of home textiles, and when produced as nylon, it can be used in many areas such as the clothing sector.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A lavender fibre powder-containing synthetic yarn characterized by comprising; 1 % to 5% lavender fibre powder-containing masterbatch added during melt spinning in order to impart antioxidant properties.

2. A lavender fibre powder-containing melt-spun synthetic yarn production method characterized by comprising the process steps of:■ obtaining lavender fibre powder from lavender stems that remain as waste in nature with the aid of a grinder,■ obtaining a mixture (1 ) of 10% lavender fibre and 90% homopolymer polypropylene and the like while obtaining the lavender fibre powder-containing masterbatch required for synthetic yarn spinning,■ obtaining a homogeneous masterbatch melt containing 10% lavender fibre powder and 90% homopolymer polypropylene and the like by melting said mixture at 190-200<C with the aid of an extruder (2 ),■ obtaining a masterbatch containing 10% lavender fibre powder and 90% homopolymer polypropylene and the like by dividing said mixture, which is in the form of thick filaments after the extrusion process, into smaller pieces by means of the granulator (3),■ dosing said lavender fibre powder-containing masterbatch together with polypropylene and the like chips (4) by mixing it at 1 % to 5% during melt spinning using the masterbatch dosing unit (5),■ obtaining a homogeneous melt containing 1 %-5% lavender fibre powdercontaining masterbatch and 95%-99% polypropylene and the like chips by melting said mixture in the extruder (6) at 200-240<C, and■ feeding said melt to the spinnerets by means of pumps to perform synthetic yarn spinning (7) in the range of 100 denier to 1200 denier and winding it onto bobbins (8) to obtain the lavender fibre powder-containing synthetic yarn of the invention.

3. A lavender fibre powder-containing synthetic yarn, wherein said stems of lavender, whose production is increasing day by day worldwide and which remain as waste in nature, are utilised to obtain a value-added product suitable for mass production.

4. A lavender fibre powder-containing synthetic yarn, wherein said lavender stems are utilised to make use of a natural waste and, with this additive, to reduce the use of petroleum-based polymers, thereby obtaining an environmentally friendly and sustainable product.

5. A lavender fibre powder-containing synthetic yarn, wherein said lavender stems, which remain as waste in nature and are often disposed of by burning, are utilised so as to contribute to the reduction of air pollution and to reduce the carbon footprint through a circular production method.

6. A lavender fibre powder-containing synthetic yarn, wherein a specialised product that calms individuals and supports sleep quality is obtained by means of the antioxidant and antibacterial properties and aromatherapy effect originating from said lavender.

7. A lavender fibre powder-containing synthetic yarn according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein a mass-production-suitable, environmentally friendly, sustainable and value-added yarn usable in fabric production in many areas of the textile sector is obtained.

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