Textiles: spinning – twisting – and twining – Apparatus and processes – Open end spinning
Reexamination Certificate
2000-07-24
2001-10-30
Worrell, Danny (Department: 1772)
Textiles: spinning, twisting, and twining
Apparatus and processes
Open end spinning
Reexamination Certificate
active
06308509
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed towards an improved fibrous structure. More particularly, the present invention relates to linear two-dimensional and three-dimensional textile structures.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Linear, 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional textile structures have found new uses beyond traditional apparel in recent years because of their unique combination of light weight, flexibility, permeability, and strength and toughness. Many of these applications including but not limited to medical, chemical separation, chemical protection require a broad range of fiber architecture, packing density, surface texture, porosity, total reactive surface areas and fiber tortuosity.
Some early work on fiber structures are discussed in an article by Frank K. Ko entitled Three Dimensional Fabrics for Composites, in
Textile Structural Composites
, Chou, T. W., and Ko, F. K., eds., Elsevier, 1989. Another discussion of the prior art is by Frank K. Ko entitled Preform Fiber Architecture for Ceramic Matrix Composites,
Bull Am. Cer. Soc
. February, 1989.
A key element dictating the range of these physical characteristics is the fineness (diameter, linear density-denier) of the constituent fibers and the way these fibers are organized and oriented. For many years, the range of fiber fineness expressed in terms of fiber diameter are well above 2 &mgr;m.
It would be of great advantage in the art if fibers of smaller diameter could be prepared for these applications. Another advantage would be if those smaller fibers could be made stronger.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a method of making fibers of much smaller diameter, in the range of what are known as nanofibrils.
Another object of this invention is to provide nanofibrils with adequate strength to permit their use in textile processing processes.
Other objects will appear hereinafter.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It has now been discovered that the above and other objects of the present invention may be accomplished in the following manner. Specifically, it has been discovered that it is now possible to produce fibrils—fibers in the nanometer diameter level.
One current limitation of these fibrils is their lack of sufficient strength to withstand the rigors of textile processing. The fineness of these fibrils also make them prone to stick to surfaces during process. The lack of strength can be remedied by combining the fibrils with stronger fibers or filaments. The problems caused by surface contacts can be minimized by a pneumatic(air) or fluid based processing of the fibrils. These fibrils in combination with the carrier or strengthening fibers/filaments can be converted directly into nonwoven fibrous assemblies or converted into linear assemblies(yarns) before weaving, braiding or knitting into 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional fabrics. The use of the electro-spinning process permits production of the desired nanofibrils.
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Balonis Richard J.
Scardino Frank L.
Munday John S.
Quantum Group, Inc
Worrell Danny
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