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EP3132085A1 - Process for improving the chemical and/or physical properties of hollow-structure natural fibers - Google Patents

Process for improving the chemical and/or physical properties of hollow-structure natural fibers

Info

Publication number
EP3132085A1
EP3132085A1 EP15726311.2A EP15726311A EP3132085A1 EP 3132085 A1 EP3132085 A1 EP 3132085A1 EP 15726311 A EP15726311 A EP 15726311A EP 3132085 A1 EP3132085 A1 EP 3132085A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
fibers
hollow
natural fibers
process according
structure natural
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP15726311.2A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Elisabetta CANEPA
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Canepa SpA
Original Assignee
Canepa SpA
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Canepa SpA filed Critical Canepa SpA
Publication of EP3132085A1 publication Critical patent/EP3132085A1/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06M—TREATMENT, NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE IN CLASS D06, OF FIBRES, THREADS, YARNS, FABRICS, FEATHERS OR FIBROUS GOODS MADE FROM SUCH MATERIALS
    • D06M15/00—Treating fibres, threads, yarns, fabrics, or fibrous goods made from such materials, with macromolecular compounds; Such treatment combined with mechanical treatment
    • D06M15/01—Treating fibres, threads, yarns, fabrics, or fibrous goods made from such materials, with macromolecular compounds; Such treatment combined with mechanical treatment with natural macromolecular compounds or derivatives thereof
    • D06M15/03—Polysaccharides or derivatives thereof
    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06M—TREATMENT, NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE IN CLASS D06, OF FIBRES, THREADS, YARNS, FABRICS, FEATHERS OR FIBROUS GOODS MADE FROM SUCH MATERIALS
    • D06M10/00—Physical treatment of fibres, threads, yarns, fabrics, or fibrous goods made from such materials, e.g. ultrasonic, corona discharge, irradiation, electric currents, or magnetic fields; Physical treatment combined with treatment with chemical compounds or elements
    • D06M10/04—Physical treatment combined with treatment with chemical compounds or elements
    • D06M10/08—Organic compounds
    • D06M10/10—Macromolecular compounds
    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06M—TREATMENT, NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE IN CLASS D06, OF FIBRES, THREADS, YARNS, FABRICS, FEATHERS OR FIBROUS GOODS MADE FROM SUCH MATERIALS
    • D06M2101/00—Chemical constitution of the fibres, threads, yarns, fabrics or fibrous goods made from such materials, to be treated
    • D06M2101/02—Natural fibres, other than mineral fibres
    • D06M2101/04—Vegetal fibres
    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06M—TREATMENT, NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE IN CLASS D06, OF FIBRES, THREADS, YARNS, FABRICS, FEATHERS OR FIBROUS GOODS MADE FROM SUCH MATERIALS
    • D06M2101/00—Chemical constitution of the fibres, threads, yarns, fabrics or fibrous goods made from such materials, to be treated
    • D06M2101/02—Natural fibres, other than mineral fibres
    • D06M2101/04—Vegetal fibres
    • D06M2101/06—Vegetal fibres cellulosic
    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06M—TREATMENT, NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE IN CLASS D06, OF FIBRES, THREADS, YARNS, FABRICS, FEATHERS OR FIBROUS GOODS MADE FROM SUCH MATERIALS
    • D06M2101/00—Chemical constitution of the fibres, threads, yarns, fabrics or fibrous goods made from such materials, to be treated
    • D06M2101/02—Natural fibres, other than mineral fibres
    • D06M2101/10—Animal fibres
    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06M—TREATMENT, NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE IN CLASS D06, OF FIBRES, THREADS, YARNS, FABRICS, FEATHERS OR FIBROUS GOODS MADE FROM SUCH MATERIALS
    • D06M2101/00—Chemical constitution of the fibres, threads, yarns, fabrics or fibrous goods made from such materials, to be treated
    • D06M2101/02—Natural fibres, other than mineral fibres
    • D06M2101/10—Animal fibres
    • D06M2101/12—Keratin fibres or silk

Definitions

  • the present invention refers to a process for improving the chemical and/or physical properties of hollow-structure natural fibers, preferably kapok fibers, to be used pure or mixed with natural animal fibers, plant fibers, synthetic polymeric fibers, man-made natural polymer fibers, continuous filaments of animal origin and/or discontinuous filaments of animal origin, for obtaining paddings, yarns, fabrics or non- woven fabric.
  • hollow-structure natural fibers preferably kapok fibers
  • the expression weave is generally used for distinguishing the warp and weft and for distinguishing the weave for knitted garments.
  • - animal fibers are intended to cover fleece or hair fibers (such as wool, alpaca, vicuna, cashmere and others);
  • - continuous filaments of animal origin are intended to cover filaments obtained by reeling from whole cocoons (such as silk);
  • - discontinuous filaments of animal origin are intended to cover filaments obtained by unravelling from defective cocoons (such as waste silk);
  • - vegetable fibers are intended to cover all the fibers obtained from plants, shrubs, inflorescences, roots, leaves (such as cotton, flax, hemp, jute, coir, ramie, bamboo, and others);
  • the expression synthetic polymeric fibers is used to indicate, for example, the polyamide, polyester, acrylic, polypropylene fibers etc.;
  • - man-made natural fibers are intended to cover, for example, rayon viscose, modal, acetate, cupro, tencell, and others and
  • long fibers is used to indicate fibers having a length of at least 0.01 m (i.e. 1 cm), such fibers being suitable to be used for various subsequent processes, such as for example spinning.
  • the characteristic of the fiber used for obtaining the padding being light, resistant, so as to return to the initial state after being compressed by a load, and possibly being antibacterial, disinfectant and the like is very appreciated.
  • Analogous considerations may be referred to yarns or fabrics made using natural fibers, with addition, in this case, of the characteristic of fibers of being soft besides light.
  • the problem on which the present invention is based is that of devising and providing a process for improving the chemical and/or physical properties of hollow-structure natural fibers, to be used pure or mixed with natural animal fibers, plant fibers, synthetic polymeric fibers, man-made natural polymer fibers, continuous filaments of animal origin and/or discontinuous filaments of animal origin, for obtaining paddings, yarns, fabrics or non-woven fabric, thus the process allowing meeting the aforementioned need.
  • the invention also addresses the use of hollow-structure natural fibers according to claim 19, as well as the use of kapok fibers according to claim 20.
  • the hollow- structure natural fibers are internally coated, at least partly, and/or filled, at least partly, with a substance suitable to improve the chemical and/or physical properties of the hollow- structure natural fibers with the aim of improving the chemical and/or physical properties of said hollow-structure natural fibers.
  • - figures 1 and 2 each show an image of a kapok fiber analyzed using a scan electron microscope (SEM) before being processed with the process according to the invention
  • FIG. 3 and 4 each show an image of a kapok fiber analyzed using a scan electron microscope (SEM) after being processed with the process according to the invention and
  • FIG. 5 shows images of kapok fibers analyzed using an optical microscope with a 100X enlargement during the processing step using the process according to the invention.
  • the process for improving the chemical and/or physical properties of hollow-structure natural fibers comprises the steps of:
  • hollow-structure natural fibers of animal or plant origin to be used pure or mixed with natural animal fibers, plant fibers, synthetic polymeric fibers, man-made natural polymer fibers, continuous filaments of animal origin and/or discontinuous filaments of animal origin, in which the interior cavities of said hollow-structure natural fibers are in fluid communication with the exterior and
  • the process according to the invention is characterized in that it comprises a step for internally coating, at least partly, and/or filling, at least partly, the aforementioned hollow-structure natural fibers with the aforementioned substance, or with several substances, with the aim of obtaining an improvement of the chemical and/or physical properties of the hollo w- structure natural fibers.
  • the aforementioned hollow- structure natural fibers comprise, or are constituted, by kapok fibers to be used for obtaining paddings, yarns, fabrics or non-woven fabric pure or mixed with natural animal fibers, plant fibers, synthetic polymeric fibers, man-made natural polymer fibers, continuous filaments of animal origin and/or discontinuous filaments of animal origin, after being treated with the process according to the present invention.
  • the kapok fibers have a hollow tubular structure, which is open at the opposite ends.
  • the kapok fibers are suitable to be at least partly internally coated and/or filled as indicated hereinafter.
  • kapok as hollow-structure natural fibers, with the cavities in fluid communication with the outside, there can also be used other fibers, possibly mixed with kapok or with other fibers.
  • other fibers possibly mixed with kapok or with other fibers.
  • ordinary animal hair wool i.e. animal hair wool having fibers with large diameters, which are at least partly hollow, with the cavities in fluid communication with the outside.
  • the process according to the invention comprises a step of preparing a solution, or bath, comprising the aforementioned substance, so that the aforementioned step of internally coating, at least partly, and/or internally filling, at least partly, the aforementioned hollow-structure natural fibers is carried out by submerging the hollow-structure natural fibers in the prepared solution.
  • the aforementioned substance for improving the chemical and/or physical properties of the hollow-structure natural fibers is present in the solution with a concentration of 0.5-15% w/v, more preferably with a concentration of 1-7% w/v.
  • the aforementioned substance used for internally coating, at least partly, and/or internally filling, at least partly, the aforementioned hollow-structure natural fibers may be selected from the group comprising: chitosan and/or its derivatives, antibacterial substances, substances efficient against acari, disinfectant substances, perfuming substances, substances for increasing the resilience of the fibers and/or substances for increasing the resistance of the fibers against breakage.
  • Chitosan is a natural polymer derived from chitin, a protein contained in the exoskeleton of crustaceans, and it is made of material renewable in nature given that it can be obtained from the food industry by-products.
  • a chitosan, a chitosan oligomer or other chitosan derivatives, all having a medium or preferably low molecular weight is advantageous as a substance for improving the chemical and/or physical properties of the hollow-structure natural fibers.
  • the aforementioned substance for improving the chemical and/or physical properties of the hollow-structure natural fibers comprises, or it is constituted, by chitosan, chitosan oligomer and/or chitosan derivatives having a molecular weight less than 200,000 Da, more preferably having a molecular weight less than 100,000 Da and, even more preferably, having a molecular weight of 1,000-50,000 Da.
  • concentrations of chitosan in the liquid solution used were in the order of 1% w/v or higher, given that good results were verified with a concentration of chitosan up to 15% w/v or up to 20% w/v.
  • chitosan, chitosan oligomer and/or with low viscosity chitosan derivatives for example a chitosan, a chitosan oligomer and/or a chitosan derivative all having a molecular weight of 1,000-5,000 Da, preferably having a molecular weight in the order of 1,000- 2,000 Da.
  • the filling and the ensuing coating of the hollow-structure of the natural fibers are particularly problematic when the fibers are long fibers, i.e. fibers having a length at least in the order of 0.01 m (i.e. 1 cm).
  • the internal cavity of the hollow-structure natural fibers identifies an actual capillary, whose transverse section dimension is infinitely smaller than the axial length.
  • Such configuration constitutes a hindrance to the filling - with the solution, or bath, comprising the aforementioned substance - of the interior cavity of natural fibers over the entire axial length of the fibers.
  • the solution, or bath comprising the aforementioned substance - of the interior cavity of natural fibers over the entire axial length of the fibers.
  • the fibers used for obtaining paddings or yams should be long fibers in the sense defined above, given that too short fibers are not suitable for spinning and they are not even suitable for obtaining paddings and the like.
  • natural fibers cut into pieces having an axial length lesser than 0.005 m (i.e. 5 mm) are not suitable for the purpose.
  • a step during which the hollow- structure natural fibers are processed using ultrasounds while they are submerged in the aforementioned liquid solution, or bath Basically, there is obtained a stirring, using ultrasounds, of the solution in which the hollow-structure fibers are submerged, also obtaining a better dispersion in the solution, or bath of the various components.
  • the aforementioned step of processing through ultrasound may, for example, be attained by submerging an ultrasound emission probe in the aforementioned solution, or bath.
  • the ultrasounds due to their frequency, for example in the order of 20 KHz, induce a sort of vibration in the liquid solution which determines a micro cavitation effect with partial implosion of the bubbles that form in the liquid solution, thus determining a more efficient penetration of the liquid solution and substance, or substances, therein contained inside the cavities of the natural fibers being processed, without causing any damage to the hollow-structure of the natural fibers thus processed.
  • the aforementioned ultrasound processing in solution, or bath determines an optimal filling even of long fibers, for example hollow-structure natural fibers, in particular kapok, having an axial length even greater than 1 cm, for example in the order of 3-5 cm, such treatment advantageously allowing coating the internal hollow-structure over the entire extension thereof.
  • the solution, or bath, into which there are submerged the hollow- structure fibers whose chemical and/or physical properties are to be improved may be of the aqueous base type, or based on other solvents (both of the polar and non-polar type).
  • the time for the ultrasound processing of hollow- structure fibers whose chemical and/or physical properties are to be improved may be in the order of 10-70 minutes.
  • the power of the ultrasounds to be used for the treatment on the hollow- structure fibers whose chemical and/or physical properties are to be improved may be in the order of 100-750 Watt.
  • the aforementioned step of submerging the hollow-structure natural fibers - whose chemical and/or physical properties are to be improved - in the solution containing the aforementioned substance is preceded by a step of subjecting hollow-structure natural fibers to vacuum.
  • the hollow-structure natural fibers are brought to an external pressure below the atmospheric pressure, for example at a pressure comprised between 20% and 90% of the atmospheric pressure, preferably a pressure comprised between 30% and 80% of the atmospheric pressure.
  • the aforementioned step of submerging the hollow-structure fibers is liquid solution is obtained stalling from an initial condition in which the fibers to be submerged are at an external pressure lesser than the atmospheric pressure.
  • this can be obtained by preparing a sealingly closed container provided with:
  • the hollow-structure fibers to be treated are positioned in the aforementioned sealingly closed container. Subsequently the first valve means are opened and the vacuum pump is actuated up to obtaining, inside the container, the desired pressure value lesser than the atmospheric pressure. Subsequently, the first valve means are closed and the second valve means are closed, determining the entry of the liquid solution containing the aforementioned substance for improving the chemical and/or physical properties of the hollow-structure natural fibers into the container.
  • the hollow- structure natural fibers contained in the container are submerged in the liquid solution while they are in an environment with pressure below the atmospheric pressure. This determines a greater penetration of the liquid solution in the cavities of the natural fibers, particularly when the pressure in the container is brought to the atmospheric pressure value.
  • the process according to the invention comprises a step of drying the hollow-structure natural fibers carried out, for example in an oven, after the hollow-structure natural fibers were removed from the liquid solution.
  • the aforementioned drying which can be carried out through the ventilation of hot air or through to a different drying method, may be extended up to obtaining a complete drying of the hollow-structure natural fibers, with ensuing adhesion of the substance contained in the dried solution to the walls of the hollow-structure natural fibers.
  • the internal walls of the cavities of the natural fibers are at least partly coated/covered, preferably completely coated/covered, with the aforementioned substance added in the solution, as observable in figures 3 and 4.
  • the drying of the fibers may be conveniently carried out at a temperature comprised between 60 °C and 105 °C.
  • Figure 5 shows some hollow- structure natural fibers while submerged in the solution containing the substance, outlining the previously attained partial filling of the tubular cavities using the liquid solution.
  • the aforementioned substance added in the solution for improving the chemical and/or physical properties of the hollow-structure natural fibers be chitosan, chitosan oligomer and/or a chitosan derivative
  • a step of chemical cross-linking and/or through chitosan ultraviolet rays, chitosan oligomer and/or chitosan derivative applied to the hollow- structure natural fibers there can be provided for a step of chemical cross-linking and/or through chitosan ultraviolet rays, chitosan oligomer and/or chitosan derivative applied to the hollow- structure natural fibers.
  • crosslinking of chitosan, chitosan oligomer and/or chitosan derivatives allows conferring the treated hollow-structure natural fibers greater mechanical physical resistance besides a long-lasting disinfection effect efficient against acari.
  • cross-linking of chitosan, chitosan oligomer and/or a chitosan derivative may advantageously be obtained physically, for example by exposure to ultraviolet rays, or chemically, for example by adding citric acid and/or acrylic monomers, for example HEMA, to the solution where the hollow- structure natural fibers to be treated are submerged.
  • the at least partial coating of the walls of the internal cavities of the natural fibers substantially allows doubling the adsorbing surface of the treated hollow-structure natural fibers. This is particularly useful to obtain filters in which the filtering elements comprise the treated hollow-structure natural fibers.
  • the substance to be penetrated into the cavities of the natural fibers may be earned/loaded by cyclodextrins, nanocapsules and/or microcapsules.
  • kapok as the hollow-structure natural fiber is extremely advantageous not only as regards the fact that kapok fibers have a hollow tubular configuration open at the ends, being suitable to be coated or filled internally, but also due to the fact that kapok fibers are extremely light, soft.
  • the hollow- structure natural fibers are suitable to be used for obtaining paddings, yarns, fabrics or non- woven fabric, pure or mixed with natural animal fibers, plant fibers, synthetic polymeric fibers, man-made natural polymer fibers, continuous filaments of animal origin and/or discontinuous filaments of animal origin.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Textile Engineering (AREA)
  • Treatments For Attaching Organic Compounds To Fibrous Goods (AREA)
  • Chemical Or Physical Treatment Of Fibers (AREA)
  • Nonwoven Fabrics (AREA)
  • Woven Fabrics (AREA)

Abstract

For improving the chemical and/or physical properties of hollow-structure natural fibers, such as kapok fibers, said fibers are subjected to a process, which determines the internal coating and/or filling thereof, at least partly, with a substance capable of improving the chemical and/or physical properties of the fibers.

Description

"Process for improving the chemical and/or physical properties of hollow- structure natural fibers"
DESCRIPTION
The present invention refers to a process for improving the chemical and/or physical properties of hollow-structure natural fibers, preferably kapok fibers, to be used pure or mixed with natural animal fibers, plant fibers, synthetic polymeric fibers, man-made natural polymer fibers, continuous filaments of animal origin and/or discontinuous filaments of animal origin, for obtaining paddings, yarns, fabrics or non- woven fabric.
In the present invention, the expression weave is generally used for distinguishing the warp and weft and for distinguishing the weave for knitted garments.
In the present description, by way of example:
- animal fibers are intended to cover fleece or hair fibers (such as wool, alpaca, vicuna, cashmere and others);
- continuous filaments of animal origin are intended to cover filaments obtained by reeling from whole cocoons (such as silk);
- discontinuous filaments of animal origin are intended to cover filaments obtained by unravelling from defective cocoons (such as waste silk);
- vegetable fibers are intended to cover all the fibers obtained from plants, shrubs, inflorescences, roots, leaves (such as cotton, flax, hemp, jute, coir, ramie, bamboo, and others);
- the expression synthetic polymeric fibers is used to indicate, for example, the polyamide, polyester, acrylic, polypropylene fibers etc.;
- man-made natural fibers are intended to cover, for example, rayon viscose, modal, acetate, cupro, tencell, and others and
- the expression long fibers is used to indicate fibers having a length of at least 0.01 m (i.e. 1 cm), such fibers being suitable to be used for various subsequent processes, such as for example spinning.
In order to obtain paddings, yarns, non-woven fabric there is known the use of various types of fibers, used pure or mixed to each other, with the aim of obtaining products having the desired chemical/physical properties.
Thus, for example, in case of padding, whether for a couch or jacket, the characteristic of the fiber used for obtaining the padding being light, resistant, so as to return to the initial state after being compressed by a load, and possibly being antibacterial, disinfectant and the like is very appreciated.
Analogous considerations may be referred to yarns or fabrics made using natural fibers, with addition, in this case, of the characteristic of fibers of being soft besides light.
In the light of the above, it is clear that today there strongly arises the need of being able to improve the chemical/physical properties of natural fibers, such as the kapok or ordinary animal hair wools, to be used pure or mixed with natural animal fibers, plant fibers, synthetic polymeric fibers, man-made natural polymer fibers, continuous filaments of animal origin and/or discontinuous filaments of animal origin, for obtaining paddings, yarns, fabrics or non- woven fabric.
The problem on which the present invention is based is that of devising and providing a process for improving the chemical and/or physical properties of hollow-structure natural fibers, to be used pure or mixed with natural animal fibers, plant fibers, synthetic polymeric fibers, man-made natural polymer fibers, continuous filaments of animal origin and/or discontinuous filaments of animal origin, for obtaining paddings, yarns, fabrics or non-woven fabric, thus the process allowing meeting the aforementioned need.
Such problem is overcome by a process for improving the chemical and/or physical properties of hollow-structure natural fibers according to claim 1.
According to a further aspect, the invention also addresses the use of hollow-structure natural fibers according to claim 19, as well as the use of kapok fibers according to claim 20.
According to the invention, the hollow- structure natural fibers are internally coated, at least partly, and/or filled, at least partly, with a substance suitable to improve the chemical and/or physical properties of the hollow- structure natural fibers with the aim of improving the chemical and/or physical properties of said hollow-structure natural fibers.
Further characteristics and advantages of the process according to the present invention shall be apparent from the description provided hereinafter regarding some of its preferred embodiments, provided by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the attached figures, wherein:
- figures 1 and 2 each show an image of a kapok fiber analyzed using a scan electron microscope (SEM) before being processed with the process according to the invention;
- figures 3 and 4 each show an image of a kapok fiber analyzed using a scan electron microscope (SEM) after being processed with the process according to the invention and
- figure 5 shows images of kapok fibers analyzed using an optical microscope with a 100X enlargement during the processing step using the process according to the invention.
The process for improving the chemical and/or physical properties of hollow-structure natural fibers comprises the steps of:
- preparing hollow-structure natural fibers of animal or plant origin to be used pure or mixed with natural animal fibers, plant fibers, synthetic polymeric fibers, man-made natural polymer fibers, continuous filaments of animal origin and/or discontinuous filaments of animal origin, in which the interior cavities of said hollow-structure natural fibers are in fluid communication with the exterior and
- preparing a substance suitable to improve the chemical and/or physical properties of the aforementioned hollow- structure natural fibers.
Advantageously, the process according to the invention is characterized in that it comprises a step for internally coating, at least partly, and/or filling, at least partly, the aforementioned hollow-structure natural fibers with the aforementioned substance, or with several substances, with the aim of obtaining an improvement of the chemical and/or physical properties of the hollo w- structure natural fibers.
According to a preferred embodiment, the aforementioned hollow- structure natural fibers comprise, or are constituted, by kapok fibers to be used for obtaining paddings, yarns, fabrics or non-woven fabric pure or mixed with natural animal fibers, plant fibers, synthetic polymeric fibers, man-made natural polymer fibers, continuous filaments of animal origin and/or discontinuous filaments of animal origin, after being treated with the process according to the present invention.
As result from figures 1 and 2, the kapok fibers have a hollow tubular structure, which is open at the opposite ends. Thus, the kapok fibers are suitable to be at least partly internally coated and/or filled as indicated hereinafter.
As an alternative to kapok, as hollow-structure natural fibers, with the cavities in fluid communication with the outside, there can also be used other fibers, possibly mixed with kapok or with other fibers. For example, it is possible to use ordinary animal hair wool, i.e. animal hair wool having fibers with large diameters, which are at least partly hollow, with the cavities in fluid communication with the outside.
According to a preferred embodiment, the process according to the invention comprises a step of preparing a solution, or bath, comprising the aforementioned substance, so that the aforementioned step of internally coating, at least partly, and/or internally filling, at least partly, the aforementioned hollow-structure natural fibers is carried out by submerging the hollow-structure natural fibers in the prepared solution.
As regards the aforementioned solution, or bath, it should be observed that, it preferably has a pH value comprised between 4 and 7, more preferably a pH value comprised between 4.5 and 7.
Furthermore, it should be observed that the aforementioned substance for improving the chemical and/or physical properties of the hollow-structure natural fibers is present in the solution with a concentration of 0.5-15% w/v, more preferably with a concentration of 1-7% w/v.
The aforementioned substance used for internally coating, at least partly, and/or internally filling, at least partly, the aforementioned hollow-structure natural fibers may be selected from the group comprising: chitosan and/or its derivatives, antibacterial substances, substances efficient against acari, disinfectant substances, perfuming substances, substances for increasing the resilience of the fibers and/or substances for increasing the resistance of the fibers against breakage.
Chitosan is a natural polymer derived from chitin, a protein contained in the exoskeleton of crustaceans, and it is made of material renewable in nature given that it can be obtained from the food industry by-products.
Following various experimental tests, it was observed that a chitosan, a chitosan oligomer or other chitosan derivatives, all having a medium or preferably low molecular weight, is advantageous as a substance for improving the chemical and/or physical properties of the hollow-structure natural fibers.
According to a preferred embodiment, the aforementioned substance for improving the chemical and/or physical properties of the hollow-structure natural fibers comprises, or it is constituted, by chitosan, chitosan oligomer and/or chitosan derivatives having a molecular weight less than 200,000 Da, more preferably having a molecular weight less than 100,000 Da and, even more preferably, having a molecular weight of 1,000-50,000 Da.
For example in the case where the aforementioned substance was chitosan, chitosan oligomer or another chitosan derivative, there was obtained an optimal result, in terms of increase of resilience and resistance of the treated fibers, as well as in terms of high antibacterial characteristics, disinfectant characteristics and efficiency against the acari fibers treated using a chitosan, a chitosan oligomer or any other chitosan derivative all having a molecular weight in the order of 2,000 Da, or lesser.
The concentrations of chitosan in the liquid solution used were in the order of 1% w/v or higher, given that good results were verified with a concentration of chitosan up to 15% w/v or up to 20% w/v.
The attained results were very good with the use of chitosan, chitosan oligomer and/or with low viscosity chitosan derivatives, for example a chitosan, a chitosan oligomer and/or a chitosan derivative all having a molecular weight of 1,000-5,000 Da, preferably having a molecular weight in the order of 1,000- 2,000 Da.
In addition to the above, it should be observed that the filling and the ensuing coating of the hollow-structure of the natural fibers are particularly problematic when the fibers are long fibers, i.e. fibers having a length at least in the order of 0.01 m (i.e. 1 cm).
This depends on the fact that the internal cavity of the hollow-structure natural fibers identifies an actual capillary, whose transverse section dimension is infinitely smaller than the axial length. Such configuration constitutes a hindrance to the filling - with the solution, or bath, comprising the aforementioned substance - of the interior cavity of natural fibers over the entire axial length of the fibers. Thus, in case of long fibers, only a short end section of the hollow-structure natural fibers is filled and it is coated at the end of the process.
Regarding this, it should be observed that, generally, the fibers used for obtaining paddings or yams should be long fibers in the sense defined above, given that too short fibers are not suitable for spinning and they are not even suitable for obtaining paddings and the like. For example, natural fibers cut into pieces having an axial length lesser than 0.005 m (i.e. 5 mm) are not suitable for the purpose.
With the aim of overcoming the aforementioned drawbacks, according to a further aspect of the process according to the invention, there is provided for a step during which the hollow- structure natural fibers are processed using ultrasounds while they are submerged in the aforementioned liquid solution, or bath. Basically, there is obtained a stirring, using ultrasounds, of the solution in which the hollow-structure fibers are submerged, also obtaining a better dispersion in the solution, or bath of the various components.
The aforementioned step of processing through ultrasound may, for example, be attained by submerging an ultrasound emission probe in the aforementioned solution, or bath.
It should be observed that the ultrasounds, due to their frequency, for example in the order of 20 KHz, induce a sort of vibration in the liquid solution which determines a micro cavitation effect with partial implosion of the bubbles that form in the liquid solution, thus determining a more efficient penetration of the liquid solution and substance, or substances, therein contained inside the cavities of the natural fibers being processed, without causing any damage to the hollow-structure of the natural fibers thus processed.
As observed by way of experiment, the aforementioned ultrasound processing in solution, or bath, determines an optimal filling even of long fibers, for example hollow-structure natural fibers, in particular kapok, having an axial length even greater than 1 cm, for example in the order of 3-5 cm, such treatment advantageously allowing coating the internal hollow-structure over the entire extension thereof. The solution, or bath, into which there are submerged the hollow- structure fibers whose chemical and/or physical properties are to be improved may be of the aqueous base type, or based on other solvents (both of the polar and non-polar type).
The time for the ultrasound processing of hollow- structure fibers whose chemical and/or physical properties are to be improved may be in the order of 10-70 minutes.
The power of the ultrasounds to be used for the treatment on the hollow- structure fibers whose chemical and/or physical properties are to be improved may be in the order of 100-750 Watt.
According to a preferred and advantageous embodiment, the aforementioned step of submerging the hollow-structure natural fibers - whose chemical and/or physical properties are to be improved - in the solution containing the aforementioned substance is preceded by a step of subjecting hollow-structure natural fibers to vacuum. Basically, before being submerged in the aforementioned liquid solution, the hollow-structure natural fibers are brought to an external pressure below the atmospheric pressure, for example at a pressure comprised between 20% and 90% of the atmospheric pressure, preferably a pressure comprised between 30% and 80% of the atmospheric pressure.
In the experiments, there were obtained optimal results taking the hollow-structure natural fibers to be processed up to very high depressions with respect to the atmospheric pressure.
It should be observed that, in this case, the aforementioned step of submerging the hollow-structure fibers is liquid solution is obtained stalling from an initial condition in which the fibers to be submerged are at an external pressure lesser than the atmospheric pressure. By way of example, this can be obtained by preparing a sealingly closed container provided with:
- an inlet connected through first closure/interception valve means with a vacuum pump or other equivalent means, as well as
- an inlet connected through second closure/interception valve means with a tank containing the solution in which the hollow-structure fibers to be treated are submerged.
The hollow-structure fibers to be treated are positioned in the aforementioned sealingly closed container. Subsequently the first valve means are opened and the vacuum pump is actuated up to obtaining, inside the container, the desired pressure value lesser than the atmospheric pressure. Subsequently, the first valve means are closed and the second valve means are closed, determining the entry of the liquid solution containing the aforementioned substance for improving the chemical and/or physical properties of the hollow-structure natural fibers into the container. Thus, the hollow- structure natural fibers contained in the container are submerged in the liquid solution while they are in an environment with pressure below the atmospheric pressure. This determines a greater penetration of the liquid solution in the cavities of the natural fibers, particularly when the pressure in the container is brought to the atmospheric pressure value.
Preferably, the process according to the invention comprises a step of drying the hollow-structure natural fibers carried out, for example in an oven, after the hollow-structure natural fibers were removed from the liquid solution.
The aforementioned drying, which can be carried out through the ventilation of hot air or through to a different drying method, may be extended up to obtaining a complete drying of the hollow-structure natural fibers, with ensuing adhesion of the substance contained in the dried solution to the walls of the hollow-structure natural fibers. Thus, even the internal walls of the cavities of the natural fibers are at least partly coated/covered, preferably completely coated/covered, with the aforementioned substance added in the solution, as observable in figures 3 and 4.
The drying of the fibers may be conveniently carried out at a temperature comprised between 60 °C and 105 °C.
Figure 5 shows some hollow- structure natural fibers while submerged in the solution containing the substance, outlining the previously attained partial filling of the tubular cavities using the liquid solution.
Should the aforementioned substance added in the solution for improving the chemical and/or physical properties of the hollow-structure natural fibers be chitosan, chitosan oligomer and/or a chitosan derivative, there can be provided for a step of chemical cross-linking and/or through chitosan ultraviolet rays, chitosan oligomer and/or chitosan derivative applied to the hollow- structure natural fibers.
This allows obtaining a permanent adhesion of chitosan, chitosan oligomer and/or chitosan derivative to the treated hollow-structure natural fibers, guaranteeing the duration of the beneficial effects over time due to the presence of chitosan even following several wash cycles or further fixing steps such as dying.
In addition, the crosslinking of chitosan, chitosan oligomer and/or chitosan derivatives allows conferring the treated hollow-structure natural fibers greater mechanical physical resistance besides a long-lasting disinfection effect efficient against acari.
The aforementioned cross-linking of chitosan, chitosan oligomer and/or a chitosan derivative may advantageously be obtained physically, for example by exposure to ultraviolet rays, or chemically, for example by adding citric acid and/or acrylic monomers, for example HEMA, to the solution where the hollow- structure natural fibers to be treated are submerged.
It should be observed that while the cross-linking of chitosan, chitosan oligomer and/or chitosan derivative through exposure to ultraviolet rays is only efficient on the chitosan present on the external of the treated natural fibers, the chemical cross-linking by adding suitable substances to the solution in which the hollow-structure natural fibers are submerged is efficient even as regards chitosan, chitosan oligomer and/or chitosan derivative which are adhered to the natural fibers in the cavities.
It is clear that the at least partial coating of the walls of the internal cavities of the natural fibers substantially allows doubling the adsorbing surface of the treated hollow-structure natural fibers. This is particularly useful to obtain filters in which the filtering elements comprise the treated hollow-structure natural fibers.
According to a further aspect, the substance to be penetrated into the cavities of the natural fibers may be earned/loaded by cyclodextrins, nanocapsules and/or microcapsules.
In the light of the above, it is clear that the process according to the invention described above, allows meeting the need subject of reference in the initial part of the present description, given that it allows internally coating, at least partly, and/or filling, at least partly, the hollow-structure natural fibers treated with the substance, or substances, capable of improving the chemical and/or physical properties of the aforementioned hollow-structure natural fibers.
What has been described above is susceptible to numerous modifications and variants, all falling within the inventive concept identified by the following claims.
In addition, the use of kapok as the hollow-structure natural fiber is extremely advantageous not only as regards the fact that kapok fibers have a hollow tubular configuration open at the ends, being suitable to be coated or filled internally, but also due to the fact that kapok fibers are extremely light, soft.
As described above, the hollow- structure natural fibers, in particular kapok, are suitable to be used for obtaining paddings, yarns, fabrics or non- woven fabric, pure or mixed with natural animal fibers, plant fibers, synthetic polymeric fibers, man-made natural polymer fibers, continuous filaments of animal origin and/or discontinuous filaments of animal origin.
The use of the aforementioned hollow-structure natural fibers mixed with other types of fibers allows obtaining a mixture of fibers with optimal characteristics.
* * * * * * *

Claims

1. Process for improving the chemical and/or physical properties of hollow- structure natural fibers, comprising the steps of:
- providing hollow-structure natural fibers of animal or vegetable origin to be used at pure or blended together with animal natural fibers, vegetable fibers, polymeric synthetic fibers, man-made natural polymer fibers, continuous filaments of animal origin and/or discontinuous filaments of animal origin, the internal cavities of said hollow- structure natural fibers being in fluid communication with the outside and
- providing a substance suitable for improving the chemical and/or physical properties of said hollow-structure natural fibers,
characterized in that it comprises a step of at least partially internally coating and/or of at least partially filling said hollow-structure natural fibers with said substance in order to obtain an improvement in the chemical and/or physical properties of said hollow-structure natural fibers.
2. Process according to claim 1 , wherein said hollow-structure natural fibers have a length of at least 0.01 m.
3. Process according to claim 1 or 2, comprising a step of preparing a solution comprising said substance, wherein said step of at least partially internally coating and/or of at least partially filling said hollow-structure natural fibers is carried out through immersion of said hollow-structure natural fibers in said solution.
4. Process according to claim 1 , 2 or 3, comprising a step of subjecting said hollow-structure natural fibers to ultrasound treatment during said immersion in said solution.
5. Process according to claim 3 or 4, wherein said step of immersion of said hollow-structure natural fibers in said solution containing said substance is preceded by a vacuum step of said hollow-structure natural fibers to take said hollow-structure natural fibers to an external pressure below atmospheric pressure, said step of immersion of said fibers in said solution being carried out while said fibers are kept at said external pressure below atmospheric pressure.
6. Process according to claim 5, wherein said pressure below atmospheric pressure is a pressure comprised between 20% and 90% of atmospheric pressure, preferably a pressure comprised between 30% and 80% of atmospheric pressure.
7. Process according to any one of claims 3 to 6, comprising a step of drying/desiccating said hollow-structure natural fibers to be carried out after the removal of said hollow-structure natural fibers from said solution, so as to achieve the adhesion of said substance to said hollow-structure natural fibers.
8. Process according to any one of claims 3 to 7, wherein said solution has a pH value comprised between 4 and 7, more preferably a pH value comprised between 4,5 and 7.
9. Process according to any one of claims 3 to 8, wherein said substance is present in said solution with a concentration 0,5-15%) w/v, more preferably with a concentration 1-7% w/v.
10. Process according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein said substance is chitosan, chitosan oligomer and/or chitosan derivatives.
11. Process according to claim 10, wherein said substance is chitosan, chitosan oligomer and/or chitosan derivatives having a molecular weight of less than 200.000 Da, preferably having a molecular weight of less than 100.000 Da, more preferably having a molecular weight of 1.000-50.000 Da.
12. Process according to claim 10, wherein said substance is chitosan, chitosan oligomer and/or chitosan derivatives having a molecular weight of 1.000-5.000 Da, preferably having a molecular weight of the order of 1.000- 2.000 Da.
13. Process according to any one of claims 10 to 12, comprising a chemical and/or ultraviolet ray cross-linking step of said chitosan, of said chitosan oligomer and/or of said chitosan derivatives applied to said hollow- structure natural fibers.
14. Process according to claims 3 and 13, wherein the chemical cross linking of said chitosan, of said chitosan oligomer and/or of said derivatives is ensured by the addition in said solution of citric acid and/or of acrylic monomers.
15. Process according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein said substance is selected from the group comprising: anti-bacterial substances, anti-acari substances, sanitizing substances, perfuming substances, substances to increase the resilience of the fibers and/or substances to increase the breaking resistance of the fibers.
16. Process according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein said substance is carried by cyclodextrin, by nanocapsules and/or by microcapsules.
17. Process according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein said hollow- structure natural fibers comprise kapok fibers.
18. Process according to any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein said hollow- structure natural fibers comprise coarse wools of animal hair.
19. Use of hollow-structure natural fibers, wherein the internal cavities of said natural fibers are in fluid communication with the outside, at pure or blended together with animal natural fibers, vegetable fibers, polymeric synthetic fibers, man-made natural polymer fibers, continuous filaments of animal origin and/or discontinuous filaments of animal origin, for making paddings, yarns, fabrics or unwoven fabrics, characterized in that said hollow- structure natural fibers are at least partially internally coated and/or at least partially filled through a process according to any one of claims 1 to 18.
20. Use of kapok fibers, at pure or blended together with animal natural fibers, vegetable fibers, polymeric synthetic fibers, man-made natural polymer fibers, continuous filaments of animal origin and/or discontinuous filaments of animal origin, for making paddings, yarns, fabrics or unwoven fabrics, characterized in that said kapok fibers are at least partially internally coated and/or at least partially filled through a process according to any one of claims 1 to 18.
21. Use of hollow-structure natural fibers according to claim 19 or 20, wherein said hollow-structure natural fibers have a length of at least 0.01 m.
EP15726311.2A 2014-04-15 2015-04-14 Process for improving the chemical and/or physical properties of hollow-structure natural fibers Withdrawn EP3132085A1 (en)

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