Patent GB-401652-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in the treatment of threads and the like
IPC: D06M13/244
Filed: 1932-04-14
Abstract: Threads are produced from a plurality of artificial filaments containing organic derivatives of cellulose, particularly cellulose acetate, by causing the filaments to adhere superficially to one another by the application thereto of a substance exerting a solvent or softening action on the filaments, the superficial adherence being effected without substantial alteration in the cross-sectional form of the filaments, to yield a product having a flexibility substantially equal to that of an ordinary thread of similar constitution, and from which individual filaments can be withdrawn substantially without rupture.  The threads are used for the production of fabrics of ordinary appearance, the component filaments being sufficiently adherent to one another to prevent mutual dissociation while the thread is undergoing textile operations such as twisting, winding, knitting, weaving, and the like, although separation may take place with a light mechanical treatment such as is involved in scouring.  The formed thread may be untwisted or may be taken up, for example, on a cap spinning device having simultaneously imparted to it a twist of the order of 0.5 to 1.5 turns per inch.  Lubricants or de-electrifiers may be applied to the threads, although not essential, in order to prevent fanning.  The products are formed by applying a solvent or softening agent to a bundle of associated filaments, preferably untwisted, in any suitable way enabling a limited quantity to be applied.  It may be applied as a very dilute solution in an inert diluent, or alternatively, only small quantities of a less dilute solution in a diluent may be applied, the methods preferably employed being those described in Specification 326,462, [Class 2 (ii), Cellulose &c.], namely the use of wicks, rollers, rods or other devices moistened with the solvent or softening agent.  A spray may also be employed, or the filaments may be led through a chamber containing the vapour of the solvent or softening agent.  While relatively volatile solvents such as acetone, acetone and alcohol or methylene ethylene dioxide for acetone soluble cellulose acetate, may be used, less volatile or non-volatile solvents are preferably employed.  If a lubricating oil is to be applied to the filaments for any particular textile operation, the solvent or softening agent may be applied in solution in or in conjunction with such a medium.  Similarly de-electrifiers or other agents may be applied either separately from or together with the solvent or softening agent.  Examples of such agents are glycol mono-oleate and other esters of glycols, glycerine or other polyhydric alcohols in which part but not all of the hydroxy groups are esterified with higher fatty acids such as oleic, stearic, palmitic, ricinoleic acid and the like; soaps, especially organic soaps and such as have free hydroxyl groups, for example, ethanolamine oleate and other ethanolamine soaps, or oleates or other soaps of other amino alcohols; other alcoholic bodies in general, as for example glycerine and derivatives of glycerine and the higher alcohols obtainable by chlorination of paraffin hydrocarbons followed by the substitution of the chlorine by a hydroxy group; and aminoalkylamines of fatty acids, and particularly higher fatty acids, for instance the monooleyl-ethylene-diamine.  The adhesion process may be carried out at any stage of the manufacture of the filaments, for example, while they are travelling from bobbin to bobbin, from bobbin to pirn or cone, or in any other rewinding operation, or in a beaming or a sizing operation.  The process may also be applied to the filaments continuously with their manufacture, for example, a wick or other device may be mounted in front of or on a spinning machine employing the dry method, and the filaments directed from the spinning machine or from a feed roller used in conjunction therewith may be carried over or otherwise in contact with the wick.  The process may be carried out in an enclosed apparatus in which the temperature and humidity are capable of being controlled.  The solvent or softening agent need not be removed, although in cases where it is desirable, the diluent may be removed without removing the solvent or softening agent.  The filaments may adhere continuously or intermittently along their length.  Specifications 325,823 and 326,462, [both in Class 2 (ii), Cellulose &c.], are referred to.  The Provisional Specification also includes the production of threads made from filaments of the cellulosic type of artificial silk, using solvents or softening agents such as Schweitzer's reagent, sulphuric acid, or zinc chloride.  The production is also described of threads of special shapes for effect fabrics, for example, threads of ordinary flattened cross-section, and threads formed by causing lightly to adhere to one another the individual filaments of two or more bundles or portions of a bundle of filaments, and then causing the bundles lightly to adhere, such latter threads being used to give the impression of two wefts, for example, in a single shed.  The production of cr<\>zepe threads having a twist of 50 to 70 turns per inch by the same process of causing light adherence is also referred to.