Fiber for artificial hair having excellent bulkiness

Abstract: Fiber for artificial hair having an excellent bulkiness and also a soft feeling like the human hair, as compared with conventional fibers, are provided. The fiber comprise synthetic fibers, wherein the apparent bulk specific gravity of the fiber before crimping is within a range of from 0.1 to 0.2, the apparent bulk specific gravity of the fiber after crimping is within a range of from 0.02 to 0.05, the cross-section of the fiber is a modified cross-sectional shape comprising one central connecting portion, and projections extending in at least three directions from the central connecting portion, a part of the surface or the entire surface of the fiber is open in the longitudinal direction of the fiber, and the fiber has a single yarn fineness of from 25 to 75 denier.

Description: The present invention relates to a fiber for artificial hair having an excellent soft feeling and a bulkiness, which can be used for the decoration of hair on the head such as wigs, hair pieces, braids, hair extensions and doll's hair. In general, modacrylic fibers, vinyl chloride fibers, vinylidene chloride fibers, polyester fibers, nylon fibers, and the like are known as synthetic fibers to be used in the manufacturing of artificial hair. Conventionally, when articles for artificial hair such as wigs or hair pieces are formed using those fibers, if a soft feeling is pursued in the articles, fibers having a large specific gravity such as vinyl chloride fibers have been selected. Further, if a bulkiness is required in the articles, fibers having small specific gravity such as modacrylic fibers have been selected. Thus, the selection of the fibers has been required depending on the articles to be intended. In order to avoid such a complicated selection of the fibers as much as possible, an improvement is made on the cross-sectional shape of the fibers. For example, JP-A-55-76102 proposes to exhibit properties near the human hair by employing a fiber having a cross-section which resembles a star shape or a cocoon shape. (The term "JP-A" used herein means a "Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication"). However, in general, when a fiber having a substantially circular cross-sectional shape is used, the use of such a fiber is suitable to obtain a soft feeling and for a straight hair style, but is not suitable for braid articles that require a bulkiness. As a fiber for artificial hair that can provide an article having a bulkiness and being rich in volume, JP-U-A-56-42980 (corresponding to JP-U-B-58-37961) proposes a fiber capable of increasing the bulkiness by improving the cross-sectional shape of the fiber. (The terms "JP-U-A" and "JP-U-B" used herein mean a "Japanese Unexamined Utility Model Publication", and a "Japanese Examined Utility Model Publication", respectively). In that proposal, the fiber has a three-forked, Y-shaped cross-section, and the bulkiness to a certain extent is provided by such a cross-sectional shape. However, the projections extending from the central portion of the cross-section have an approximately rectangular shape, and such a fiber provides a slightly rigid feeling. As a result, it has been found that such a fiber is not always sufficient in order to simultaneously satisfy both the soft feeling and the bulkiness for the decoration of hair. JP-U-A-58-65316 (corresponding to JP-U-B-63-48652) proposes a fiber providing a bulkiness by a hollow cross-section, wherein the cross-section is formed by 3 to 6 T-shaped projections which are arranged radially from the center of the cross-section, and the top edge of each projection is brought into contact with the top edges of both the adjacent projections. However, when such a fiber is used, there is a problem that articles formed using such a fiber have rigid feeling due to strong flexural rigidity, although a good bulkiness effect is obtained. US-A 4 311 761 refers to synthetic fibers filament usable for the manufacture of wigs, comprising, in cross section, a center portion and connected thereto and extending outwardly therefrom three substantially rectangular portions. In order to impart a soft feeling (similar to that of human hair) to synthetic fibers and also to increase the bulkiness of the fibers, according to the present application, it has been found that a fiber for artificial hair having an excellent bulkiness can be obtained by using a fiber having a specific modified cross-section. Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a fiber for artificial hair providing an improved bulkiness and an excellent soft feeling compared with the conventional fibers. According to a main embodiment of the present invention, a fiber is provided for artificial hair comprising synthetic fibers, wherein the cross-sectional shape of the fiber is a modified cross-sectional shape comprising one connecting portion and projections extending in at least three directions from the central connecting portion, and a part of the surface or the entire surface of the fiber is open in the direction of the length of the fiber characterized in that the apparent bulk specific gravity of the synthetic fibers before crimping (E 0 ) is within a range of from 0.1 to 2.0. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a fiber is provided for artificial hair, wherein the apparent bulk specific gravity of the synthetic fibers after crimping (E 1 ) is within a range of from 0.02 to 0.05. In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, a fiber is provided for artificial hair, wherein the synthetic fibers have a single yarn fineness of from 2.78 to 8.33 tex (25 to 75 denier). In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, a fiber is provided for artificial hair, wherein the synthetic fibers have an approximately Y-shaped cross-section comprising one central connecting portion and projections extending in three directions from the central connecting portion. In still a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, a fiber is provided for artificial hair, wherein the fiber is used for the decoration of hair such as wigs, hair pieces, braids or hair extensions. Figs. 1(a) and 1(b) are explanatory views showing a method for measuring the bulk specific gravity of fibers before crimping, in which Fig. 1(a) is a perspective view of a measurement vessel, and Fig. 1(b) is a cross-sectional view of the measurement vessel at measurement; Figs. 2(a) to 2(e) are cross-sectional views showing various cross-sectional shapes of the fibers according to the present invention; Fig. 3 is an explanatory view showing the dimensions of a preferred cross-sectional shape of the fiber according to the present invention; Fig. 4 is an explanatory view showing another preferred cross-sectional shape of the fiber according to the present invention; Fig. 5 is a view showing a cross-section of a spinning nozzle used in Examples 1, 3 and 4; Fig. 6 is a view showing a cross-section of the spinning nozzle used in Comparative Example 1; Fig. 7 is a view showing a cross-section of the spinning nozzle used in Comparative Example 2; Fig. 8 is a view showing a cross-section of the spinning nozzle used in Example 2; Fig. 9 is a view showing a cross-section of the spinning nozzle used in Comparative Example 3; and Figs. 10(a) to 10(e) are cross-sectional views of fibers obtained in the Examples and the Comparative Examples, in which Fig. 10(a) is a cross-sectional view of the fiber obtained in Examples 1, 3 and 4, Fig. 10(b) is a cross-sectional view of the fiber obtained in Example 2, Fig. 10(c) is a cross-sectional view of the fiber obtained in Comparative Example 1, Fig. 10(d) is a cross-sectional view of the fiber obtained in Comparative Example 2, and Fig. 10(e) is a cross-sectional view of the fiber obtained in Comparative Example 3. The term "apparent bulk specific gravity of fibers before crimping" used herein means a bulk specific gravity measured under the following conditions. A fiber bundle before crimping is accurately cut into 1 m length, and 200 g of the cut bundle are weighed out (total fineness is 200 000 tex (1,800,000 denier)) to obtain the fiber bundle F. This fiber bundle F is placed in a groove of a grooved vessel 1 with the groove having a size of a length (L) of 30 cm and a width (W) of 6 cm and having both ends open as shown in Fig. 1 (a). A thin plate 2 having the same size as the size of the groove is placed on the fiber bundle placed in the groove from the upper side, and a load of 0.25 g/cm 2 , is applied to the thin plate 2. The specific gravity E 0 of the fiber bundle F in the grooved vessel 1 is defined after 1 minute from the application of load as the apparent bulk specific gravity, and is calculated by the following equation (1): E 0 = 60/(180 x H) wherein H is the height (cm) from the inside bottom of the grooved vessel 1 to the lower face of the thin plate 2 as shown in Fig. 1 (b). Further, the term "apparent bulk specific gravity of fibers after crimping" used herein means a bulk specific gravity measured under the following conditions: 100 g of a fiber bundle before crimping are weighed out (total fineness is 100 000 tex (900,000 denier)), the fiber bundle is subjected to crimping, and the fiber bundle is sufficiently subjected to setting with a comb or the like so as to make the fiber bundle uniform. The fiber bundle is adjusted as follows. A crimped shape, wherein the total length of the height of a crest and the depth of a root which are adjacent with each other is from 5 to 8 mm on the average comprises 5 to 10 crimps as a repeating unit of the crest and root in a distance of 100 mm of the fiber in an axial direction, to obtain fiber bundle F'. In the same manner as in the measurement of the apparent bulk specific gravity before crimping as described above, the fiber bundle F' is placed in the vessel 1 shown in Fig. 1 (a), the thin plate 2 having the same size as the size of the groove is placed on the fiber bundle from the upper side, and a load of 0.25 g/cm 2 is applied to the thin plate 2. Then, the height (H) shown in Fig. 1 (b) after 1 minute of the application of the load, which is the height (cm) from the inside bottom of the grooved vessel to the lower face of the thin plate 2, is measured. The fiber bundle portions projected from the grooved vessel 1 are cut off, and the weight G (g) of the fiber bundle remained in the grooved vessel is measured. The specific gravity E 1 of the fiber bundle F' is defined as the apparent bulk specific gravity after crimping, and is calculated by the following equation (2): E 1 = G/(180 x H) wherein H is the same as defined above. The synthetic fibers that constitute the fiber for artificial hair of the present invention are not particularly limited, and the examples thereof include modacrylic fibers, vinyl chloride fibers, vinylidene chloride fibers, polyester fibers, polyamide fibers, and polyolefin fibers. In order to obtain the desired qualities having an excellent soft feeling and bulkiness, fibers having a relatively low Young's modules, such as modacrylic fibers or vinyl chloride fibers, are suitable for processability for imparting crimps and to obtain a soft feeling. Further, modacrylic fibers having a low specific gravity are more preferred in order to achieve an excellent bulkiness. As long as the fibers are used for the decoration of hair, it is preferred that polyolefin fibers such as polypropylene fiber (and also polyester fibers and polyamide fibers) be imparted with flame retardance for the purpose of use of the articles formed therefrom. The polyolefin fibers are excellent in the polymer specific gravity, and the desired high bulk specific gravity is liable to be obtained. The modified cross-sectional shape intended in the present invention, in which the cross-section comprises one central connecting portion and projections extending in at least three directions from the central connecting portion, and a part of the surface or the entire surface of the fiber is open in the longitudinal direction of the fiber, includes not only T-shaped, Y-shaped and X-shaped cross-sections as shown in Figs. 2 (a) to 2 (c) having projections radially extending from the center of the connecting portion, with the entire surface of the fiber being open in the longitudinal direction of the fiber, but the modified cross-sectional shape also includes cross-sections as shown in Figs. 2(d) and 2(e), in which top edges of the adjacent projections are connected with each other to form hollow portions, and only a part of the surface of the fiber is open in the longitudinal direction of the fiber. However, although the cross-section having hollow portions as shown in Figs. 2 (d) and 2 (e) is excellent with respect to the bulkiness, fibers having such cross-sections tend to be rigid. In order to obtain the desired fiber having an excellent bulkiness and a soft feeling according to the present invention, a cross-sectional shape in which all portions formed between a projection and the adjacent projection are open is more preferred as shown in Figs.2 (a) to 2 (c). The number of the projections extending from the central connecting portion may be at least three, but if the cross-section has 7 or more projections, fibers having a large specific gravity become poor in the bulkiness. Therefore, the number of the projections in the cross-section is preferably from 3 to 6, and more preferably 3 or 4. The shape of the projections may be a shape wherein the width of the projections from the central connecting portion to the top edge is not constant. A taper shape having the width gradually narrowed toward the top edge is preferred. Another preferred shape is one wherein a portion which is nearer to the top edge of the projection than 1/2 of the length R, which is the length from the central connecting portion to the top edge of the projection, is most narrowed, and the width gradually increases toward the top edge from the most narrowed portion. A further preferred shape is a cross-section as shown in Fig. 3. The cross-section comprises one central connecting portion, and projections extending in three directions from the central connecting portion, where the entire surface of the fiber is open in the longitudinal direction of the fiber. At least one of the projections is most narrowed at a portion which is nearer to the top edge of the projection than 1/2 of the length, which is the length from the center of the central connecting portion to the top edge of the projection. The ratio of W1/W2 is within the range of from 1.05 to 2.0, wherein W1 is the width at the widest portion in the portion which is nearer to the top edge from the most narrowed portion, and W2 is the width of the most narrowed portion. Further, the ratio of R/W1 is within the range of from 1.10 to 5.0, where R and W1 are the same as defined above. Namely, it is preferred that at least one of the projections extending in three directions is not a rectangular shape as in the conventional cross-section, but is narrowed. By forming a cross-sectional shape having the narrowed portions in the projections, fibers having a predetermined bulk specific gravity and also having an excellent soft feeling and bulkiness can be obtained, compared to the conventional fibers . The W1/W2 ratio is from 1.05 to 2.0, and preferably from 1.05 to 1.5. If the W1/W2 ratio is less than 1.05, the number of the narrow top edge portions increases depending on the types of the synthetic fibers used, and the fiber may be liable to crack at crimping or the like. On the other hand, if the W1/W2 ratio is larger than 2.0, the balance in the dimension of the cross-section as a whole is destroyed, and the width W2 at the most narrowed portion becomes too narrow, so that the problem may occur that fibers are liable to crack at the production of the fiber. As a result, the bulkiness intended in the present invention may not be achieved. The R/W1 ratio is from 1.10 to 5.0, and preferably from 2.0 to 4.0. If the R/W1 ratio is less than 1.10, an area effect of the . projection may be lost. On the other hand, if the R/W1 ratio is larger than 5.0, the width of the projections as a whole becomes too narrow, and the fibers may bend. As a result, the bulkiness intended in the present invention may not be achieved. Incidentally, as shown in Fig. 3, the center of the central connecting portion in the cross-section of a fiber means the center O in an inscribed circle of the central connecting portion in the cross-section of a fiber. The top edges of the projections mean points A 1 , A 2 , and A 3 of the projections, which are the farthest from the center O of the central connecting portion. The width W1 which is a width of the widest portion in the portion which is nearer to the top edge from the most narrowed portion of the projection, and W2 which is a width of the most narrowed portion mean widths W1 1 , W1 2 and W1 3 , and W2 1 , W2 2 and W2 3 in the portions in the direction crossing lines which connect the center O of the central connecting portion and the top edges A 1 , A 2 and A 3 of each projection, respectively. A more preferred embodiment of the cross-section is one wherein at least two of the projections are most narrowed at the portions which are nearer to the top edges of the respective projections than 1/2 of the length R, which is the length from the center of the central connecting portion to the top edge of the respective projection, the ratio of W1 max/W1 min is within the range of from 1.05 to 1.7 wherein W1 max is the maximum value of the width W1 in the widest portion nearer to the top edge of the projection than the most narrowed portion, and W1 min is the minimum value in the widest portion nearer to the top edge of the projection than the most narrowed portion, and the ratio of R max/R min is within the range of from 1.05 to 1.5 wherein R max is the maximum value of the length R from the center of the central connecting portion to the top edge of each of the projections, and R min is the minimum value in the length R. The maximum value W1 max and the minimum value W1 min of the width W1, which is the widest portion in the portion which is nearer to the top edge from the most narrowed portion of the projection, mean, for example, the maximum value and the minimum value, respectively, in the widths W1 1 , W1 2 and W1 3 , of the widest portion in the portion which is nearer to the top edge from the most narrowed portion in each projection in the cross-section of a fiber as shown in Fig. 3. The maximum value R max and the minimum value R min of the length R of from the center of the central connecting portion to the top edge of the projection mean the maximum value and the minimum value, respectively, in the lengths R 1 , R 2 and R 3 from the center of the central connecting portion to the top edges A 1 , A 2 and A 3 . The cross-section comprising the central connecting portion and the projections extending in three directions from the central connecting portion as shown in Fig. 3 is described as a preferred embodiment of the cross-section, but a preferred cross-sectional shape further includes a cross-section comprising a central connecting portion, and projections extending in four directions from the central connecting portion, as shown in Fig. 4. This cross-section is explained below. The central connecting portion has four projections extending therefrom, and the entire surface of the fiber is open in the longitudinal direction of the fiber. At least one of the projections is most narrowed at a portion which is nearer to the top edge of the projection than 1/2 of the length R, which is the length from the center of the central connecting portion to the top edge of the projection. The ratio of W1/W2 is within the range of from 1.05 to 2.0, and preferably from 1.05 to 1.5 wherein W1 is the width of the widest portion in a portion which is nearer to the top edge from the most narrowed portion, and W2 is the width of the most narrowed portion. The ratio of R/W1 is within the range of from 1.10 to 5.0, and preferably from 2.0 to 4.0 wherein R and W1 are the same as defined above. As shown in Fig. 4, the center of the central connecting portion in the cross-section of a fiber means a center O of an inscribed circle in the cross-section of a fiber. The top edges of the projection mean points A 1 to A 4 which are the farthest from the center O of the central connecting portion. Further, the width W1, the widest portion in the portion which is nearer to the top edge from the most narrowed portion of the projection, and the width W2, the most narrowed portion, mean widths W1 1 to W1 4 , and W2 1 to W2 4 , respectively, in each portion in the direction crossing lines which connect the center 0 of the central connecting portion and the top edges A 1 to A 4 . Further, at least two of the projections are most narrowed at the portions which are nearer to the top edges of the respective projections than 1/2 of the length from the center of the central connecting portion to the top edge of each projection. The ratio of W1 max/W1 min is preferably within the range of from 1.05 to 1.7 wherein W1 max is the maximum value of the width W1, which is the widest portion in the portion which is nearer to the top edge from the most narrowed portion, and W1 min is the minimum value of the width W1, which is the widest portion in the portion which is nearer to the top edge from the most narrowed portion. The ratio of R max/R min is preferably within the range of from 1.05 to 1.5 wherein R max and R min are the maximum value and the minimum value, respectively, of the length R, which is the length from the center of the central connecting portion to the top edge of each projection. The maximum value W1 max and the minimum value W1 min of the widest portion in the portion which is nearer to the top edge from the most narrowed portion mean, for example, the maximum value and the minimum value, respectively, in widths W1 1 to W1 4 , which are the widest portions in the portion which is nearer to the top edge from the most narrowed portion in the projection in the cross-section of the fiber as shown in Fig. 4. The maximum value R max and the minimum value R min of the length R, which is the length from the center of the central connecting portion to the edge of the projection mean the maximum value and the minimum value, respectively, in lengths R 1 to R 4 from the center O of the central connecting portion to the top edges A 1 to A 4 of each projection. As a nozzle used in producing the fibers for artificial hair of the present invention, a nozzle which can obtain fibers having a cross-sectional shape as described above, such as a Y shape, a T shape, a cross shape, or a star shape, is selected. Further, in order to obtain fibers having a cross-sectional shape wherein the projection is most narrowed at a portion which is nearer to the top edge than 1/2 of the length R, which is the length from the center of the central connecting portion to the top edge of the projection, and the W1/W2 ratio wherein W1 is the width of the widest portion in the portion which is nearer to the top edge from the most narrowed portion, and W2 is the width of the most narrowed portion, and the R/W1 ratio wherein R and W1, are the same as defined above, and fall within the specified ranges described above. It is desirable to use a spinning nozzle having a hole shape substantially similar to the cross-sectional shape of the desired fibers to be obtained, for example, where a melt spinning method or a dry spinning method is employed. Also, the same as above can apply to the employment of a wet spinning method. However, when a modacrylic fiber is produced using a wet spinning method, it is not always necessary for the nozzle to have a hole shape having the same cross-section as the desired fibers to be obtained. Even if a nozzle is used the. shape of which does not have a narrowed portion in the projection extending from the central connecting portion a fiber having a cross-section with a narrowed portion in the projection as described above can be obtained by increasing the spinning draft. Spinning conditions for obtaining a fiber of the present invention are not particularly limited. However, it is necessary to determine optimum conditions that meet the spinning method in order to attain a cross-sectional shape for obtaining the desired bulkiness. In the use of, for example, modacrylic fibers which are the most preferred materials, the spinning draft, when using a spinning nozzle having an approximately Y shaped cross-section, is preferably at least 1.0, more preferably from 1.1 to 1.7, and most preferably from 1.1 to 1.5. A method of imparting crimps to a fiber of the present invention includes a gear crimping method and a stuffing box method. However, as far as a fiber is intended to be used for the decoration of hair on the head, it is only required to impart the necessary and minimum crimping shape to the fiber, and, therefore, a gear crimping method is preferred in respect of workability or the like. The shape of the gear and working conditions in such treatment may be appropriately selected depending on the types of polymer for the fibers. The crimping is conducted to impart crimps such that 5 to 10 crimping shapes comprising as a repeating unit a crest and a root, wherein the total length of the height of the crest and the depth of the root (the crest and the root being adjacent with each other), is from 5 to 8mm on average. The crimping shapes are present in a length of 100 mm of the fiber in an axial direction when the fiber bundle thus treated is subjected to sufficient setting with a comb or the like. Thereby, the apparent bulk specific gravity after crimping of 0.02 to 0.05 intended in the present invention can be achieved. Depending on the types of the polymer, the crimped shape may loosen (the average total length of the height of the crest and the depth of the root, and the number of the repeating units of the crest and the root may decrease) by subjecting the fiber bundle to setting, such as with a comb. Therefore, it is desirable to expand the upper limits in the steps of imparting crimps such that the average total length of the height of the crest and the depth of root is from 5 to 12 mm, and the number of the repeating units of the crest and the root is from 5 to 15. However, if the number of the repeating units of the crest and the root is too large, although a bulkiness is improved, problems may occur that the loss due to such an excess length is large, volume is too large, hair style is not well arranged, and workability such as knitting decreases. On the other hand, if the number of the repeating units after subjecting the fiber bundle to setting with a comb is less than 5, the bulkiness decreases, and the commercial value of the article is reduced. Therefore, the crimping shape having the number of the repeating units of about 5 is preferable. It is preferred for a fiber for artificial hair of the present invention to have a single yarn fineness in a range of from 2.78 to 8.33 tex (25 to 75 denier), but in order to emphasize a soft feeling, the fineness of from 2.78 to 4.44 tex (25 to 40 denier) is more preferred. The present invention is described in more detail with reference to the following Examples and the Comparative Examples. Unless otherwise indicated, denier is expressed by "d" for the brevity. EXAMPLE 1 A copolymer resin composed of 49% by weight of acrylonitrile, 50% by weight of vinyl chloride, and 1% by weight of sodium styrene-sulfonate was dissolved in acetone to prepare a 28% by weight spinning solution. The spinning solution was spun into a 30% by weight acetone aqueous solution through an approximately Y-shaped spinning nozzle having one central connecting portion and projections extending in three directions from the central connecting portion, each projection having an expanded portion at the top portion thereof, as shown in Fig. 5. The spinning draft at that time was 1.5. The fiber obtained was subjected to stretching with a stretching ratio of 2 times in a state that the solvent remained in the fiber. The fiber was dried at 120°C, was subjected to stretching with a stretching ratio of 2.5 times, and was then subjected to a dry heat treatment at a temperature higher than the drying temperature The fiber obtained had a cross-sectional shape as shown in Fig. 10 (a), and had a single yarn fineness of 3.56 tex (32 d). The fiber obtained was bundled to obtain a bundle having a total fineness of 200 000 tex (1,800,000 denier). When the apparent bulk specific gravity of the bundle before crimping was measured with a measurement vessel shown in Fig. 1, the height H was 2.5 cm (E 0 = 0.13). A half of the fiber bundle was subjected to crimping using a crimping machine having a gear pitch of 8 mm and a gear depth of 5 mm, and then subjected to setting with a comb. When the apparent bulk specific gravity of the fiber bundle thus treated was measured with the same measurement vessel as used above, the height H was 8.2 mm, and the weight G of the fiber bundle was 33.5 g (E 1 = 0.023). Further, a fiber bundle which was subjected to crimping under the same conditions as in the measurement conditions above and then subjected to setting was formed into a three bundle-knitted article of 5 g and 30 corrugations (regular size) which was a sample braid, and a functional evaluation was performed on the bulkiness and the soft feeling of the braid. The results obtained are shown in Tables 1 and 2 below. COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 1 The copolymer resin as used in Example 1 above was dissolved in acetone to prepare a 28% by weight spinning solution. The spinning solution was spun into a 30% by weight acetone aqueous solution through an approximately Y-shaped spinning nozzle having a central connecting portion and projections extending in three directions from the central connecting portion as shown in Fig. 6. The spinning draft at that time was 1.2. The fiber thus obtained was subjected to drying, stretching and heat treatment in the same manner as in Example 1. The fiber had a cross-sectional shape as shown in Fig. 10 (c), and had a single yarn fineness of 5 tex (45 d). The fiber was bundled to form a fiber bundle having a total fineness of 200 000 tex (1,800,000 d). When the apparent bulk specific gravity of the fiber bundle before crimping was measured with the measurement vessel as shown in Fig. 1, the height H was 1.5 cm (E 0 = 0.22). The fiber bundle was subjected to crimping using a crimping machine and then subjected to setting in the same manner as in Example 1, and the apparent bulk specific gravity of the fiber bundle was measured with the same measurement vessel. As a result, the height H was 4.0 cm, and the weight G of the fiber bundle was 39 g (E 1 = 0.054). Further, the fiber bundle which had been subjected to crimping and then setting in the same manner as in Example 1 was formed into a three-bundle knitted article of 5 g and 30 corrugations (regular size) which was used as a sample braid, and a functional evaluation was performed on the bulkiness and the soft feeling of the braid. The results obtained are shown in Tables 1 and 2 below. COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 2 The same copolymer resin as used in Example 1 was dissolved in acetone to prepare a 28% by weight spinning solution. The spinning solution was spun in a 30% by weight acetone aqueous solution through an approximately C-shaped spinning nozzle as shown in Fig. 7. The spinning draft at that time was 1.2. The fiber was subjected to drying, stretching and heat treatment in the same manner as in Example 1. The fiber obtained had a cross-sectional shape as shown in Fig. 10 (d), and had a single yarn fineness of 3.56 tex (32 d). The fiber obtained was bundled to form a bundle having a total fineness of 1,800,000 denier, and the apparent bulk specific gravity of the bundle before crimping was measured with the measurement vessel as shown in Fig. 1. As a result, the height H was 1.8 cm (E 0 = 0.19). Further, the fiber bundle was subjected to crimping using a crimping machine and then subjected to setting in the same manner as in Example 1, and the apparent bulk specific gravity of the bundle was measured with the same measurement vessel. As a result, the height H was 7.5 cm, and the weight G of the bundle was 44 g (E 1 = 0.033). The fiber bundle which had been subjected to crimping and then setting in the same manner as in Example 1 was formed into a three-bundle-knitted article of 5 g and 30 corrugations (regular size) which was the sample braid, and a functional evaluation was performed on the bulkiness and the soft feeling. The results obtained are shown in Tables 1 and 2 below. EXAMPLE 2 The same copolymer resin as used in Example 1 was dissolved in acetone to prepare a 28% by weight spinning solution. The spinning solution was spun into a 30% by weight acetone aqueous solution through an approximately cross shaped spinning nozzle having a central connecting portion, and projections extending in four directions from the central connecting portion, each projection having an expanded portion at the top portion thereof. The spinning draft at that time was 1.1. The fiber was subjected to drying, stretching and heat treatment in the same manner as in Example 1. The fiber obtained had a cross-sectional shape as shown in Fig. 10 (b), and had a single yarn fineness of 3.56 tex (32 d). The fiber obtained was bundled to form a fiber bundle having a total fineness of 200 000 tex (1,800,000 denier), and the apparent bulk specific gravity of the fiber bundle before crimping was measured with the measurement vessel as shown in Fig. 1. As a result, the height H was 1.7 cm (E 0 = 0.20). The fiber bundle was subjected to crimping using a crimping machine and subjected to setting in the same manner as in Example 1, and the apparent bulk specific gravity of the fiber bundle was measured. As a result, the height H was 4.5 cm, and the weight G of the fiber bundle was 39.2 g (E 1 = 0.048). Further, the fiber bundle which had been subjected to crimping and setting in the same manner as in Example 1 was formed into a three bundle-knitted article of 5 g and 30 corrugations (regular size) as the representative braid. A functional evaluation was performed on the bulkiness and the soft feeling as the braid. The results obtained are shown in Tables 1 and 2 below. COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 3 Polypropylene (MI (melt index according to JIS K7210) = 10 g/min) was melt spun with a melt extruder using a spinning nozzle as shown in Fig. 9. Spinning temperature was 240 to 265°C, and drawing speed was 100 m/min. The fiber obtained was further stretched with a stretching ratio of 4 times to obtain a fiber having a single yarn fineness of 4.44 tex (40 d). The fiber had a cross-sectional shape as shown in Fig. 10 (e). The fiber obtained was bundled to form a bundle having a total fineness of 200 000 tex (1,800,000 denier). When the apparent bulk specific gravity of the bundle before crimping was measured, the height H was 2.2 cm (E 0 = 0.15). The fiber bundle was subjected to crimping using a crimping machine and subjected to setting in the same manner as in Example 1, and the apparent bulk specific gravity of the fiber bundle was measured with the same measurement vessel. As a result, the height H was 6.0 cm, and the weight G of the bundle was 38.6 g (E 1 = 0.036). Further, the fiber bundle which had been subjected to crimping and setting in the same manner as in Example 1 was formed into a three bundle-knitted article of 5 g and 30 corrugations (regular size) which was the sample braid, and a functional evaluation was performed on the bulkiness and the soft feeling of the braid. The results obtained are shown in Tables 1 and 2 below. EXAMPLE 3 Polypropylene (MI (melt index according to JIS K7210) = 10 g/min) was melt spun with a melt extruder using a spinning nozzle as shown in Fig. 5. Spinning temperature was 240 to 265°C, and the drawing speed was 100 m/min. The fiber obtained was stretched with a stretching ratio of 4 times to obtain a fiber having a single yarn fineness of 4.44 tex (40 d). The fiber had a cross-sectional shape as shown in Fig. 10 (a). The fiber was bundled to form a bundle having a total fineness of 200 000 tex (1,800,000 denier). When the apparent bulk specific gravity of the fiber bundle before crimping was measured with the measurement vessel as shown in Fig. 1, the height H was 3.1 (E 1 = 0.11). The fiber was subjected to crimping using a crimping machine, and subjected to setting in the same manner as in Example 1, and the apparent bulk specific gravity of the fiber bundle was measured with the same measurement vessel. As a result, the height H was 8.9 cm, and the weight G of the fiber bundle was 33.5 g (E 1 =0.021). Further, the fiber bundle which had been subjected to crimping and setting in the same manner as in Example 1 was formed into a three bundle-knitted article of 5 g and 30 corrugations (regular size) which was the sample braid, and a functional evaluation was performed on the bulkiness and the soft feeling of the braid. The results obtained are shown in Tables 1 and 2 below. EXAMPLE 4 Polyethylene terephthalate having a limiting viscosity of 0.53 was melt spun with a melt extruder using a spinning nozzle as shown in Fig. 5. The spinning temperature was 270 to 285°C, and the drawing speed was 100 m/min. The fiber obtained was stretched with a stretching ratio twice in hot water at 75°C, stretched with a stretching ratio of 2.5 times in hot water, and then heat treated with a heater roll at 140°C. The fiber obtained had a cross-sectional shape as shown in Fig. 10 (a), and had a single yarn fineness of 3.56 tex (32 d). The fiber obtained was bundled to form a bundle having a total fineness of 200 000 tex (1,800,000 denier). When the apparent bulk specific gravity of the bundle before crimping was measured with the measurement vessel as shown in Fig. 1, the height H was 1.75 cm (E 0 = 0.19). The fiber bundle was subjected to crimping and setting in the same manner as in Example 1, and the apparent bulk specific gravity of the fiber bundle was measured with the same measurement vessel. As a result, the height H was 5 cm, and the weight G of the fiber bundle was 45 g (E 1 = 0.050). Further, the fiber bundle which had been subjected to crimping and setting in the same manner as in Example 1 was formed into a three bundle-knitted article of 5 g and 30 corrugations (regular size) which was the sample braid, and a functional evaluation was performed on the bulkiness and the soft feeling of the braid. The results obtained are shown in Tables 1 and 2 below. Evaluation method and evaluation standard (Bulkiness) o ○ : Very excellent ○ : Excellent Δ : Slightly poor x : Poor (Soft feeling) o ○ : Very soft ○ : Soft Δ : Slightly hard x : Hard The fiber for artificial hair according to the present invention has an apparent bulk specific gravity before crimping within the range of from 0.1 to 0.2 and an apparent bulk specific gravity after crimping and setting within therange of from 0.02 to 0.05. When the fiber for artificial hair according to the present invention is used for the decoration of hair on the head such as wigs, hair pieces, extension hair, or doll's hair, the fiber can provide articles having an excellent bulkiness and a soft feeling. In particular, the fiber for artificial hair according to the present invention exhibits a very excellent effect when used to form articles which require a bulkiness, such as hair pieces or braids.

Claims: Fiber for artificial hair comprising synthetic fibers, wherein the cross-sectional shape of the fiber is a modified cross-sectional shape comprising one central connecting portion, and projections extending in at least three directions from the central connecting portion, and a part of the surface or the entire surface of the fiber is open in the direction of the length of the fiber characterized in that the apparent bulk specific gravity of the synthetic fibers before crimping (E 0 ) is within the range of from 0.1 to 0.2. The fiber for the artificial hair as claimed in claim 1, wherein the apparent bulk specific gravity of the synthetic fibers after crimping (E 1 ) is within a range of from 0.02 to 0.05. The fiber for the artificial hair as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the synthetic fibers have a single yarn fineness of from 2.78 to 8.33 tex (25 to 75 denier). The fiber for the artificial hair as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the cross-sectional shape of the synthetic fibers is an approximately Y-shaped cross-section having one central connecting portion, and projections extending in three directions from the central connecting portion. The fiber for the artificial hair as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, which is used for a decoration of hair on the head. The fiber for the artificial hair as claimed in claim 5, wherein the decoration of hair on the head is wigs, hair pieces, braids, hair extensions, or doll's hair.

Inventors: CHO KENICHIRO, KATIKA NAOHIKO, NAKASHIMA HIROYUKI, NISHI NOBUYUKI, NISHIURA KOICHI
Applicants: KANEGAFUCHI CHEMICAL IND, KANEGAFUCHI KAGAKU KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
Application year: 1996
Main classification: D01D5
IPC codes: D01D5, A61L27, A63H3, A41G3