WO2006104010A1

WO2006104010A1 - Artificial feather and apparatus and method for manufacturing the same

Info

Publication number: WO2006104010A1
Application number: PCT/JP2006/305836
Authority: WO
Inventors: Eiji Inoue; Hideo Inoue; Shoji Azuma; Kazunobu Ishikawa
Original assignee: Kurashiki Boseki Kabushiki Kaisha; Ishiken Kabushiki Kaisha
Priority date: 2005-03-25
Filing date: 2006-03-23
Publication date: 2006-10-05
Also published as: JPWO2006104010A1; JP3973681B2

Abstract

An artificial feather and an apparatus and a method for manufacturing the artificial feather. The artificial feather comprises untwisted fiber bundles and binding members binding these fiber bundles to each other. In the method of manufacturing the artificial feather, the untwisted fiber bundles are held, without loosening, between a pair of first rollers and a pair of second rollers which perform intermittent rotating motion in synchronism with each other. Also, a hollow spindle rotatable continuously is disposed between the pair of first rollers and the pair of second rollers, the fiber bundles and a thermally adhesive yarn are passed through the hollow part thereof, and when the pairs of first and second rollers are stopped, the thermally adhesive yarn is wrapped, multiple turns, around the fiber bundles by continuous rotation. For the fiber bundles and the thermally adhesive yarn passed through the pair of second rollers, the thermally adhesive yarn is heated at the multi-wound portion of the fiber bundles to fix the thermally adhesive yarn to the fiber bundles. Next, the fiber bundles are cut at the portion thereof to which the thermally adhesive yarn is not fixed.

Description

Specification

Artificial feather and manufacturing apparatus and method thereof

Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a fiber artificially imparted with a feather-like property, a product using the same, and production thereof.

Background art

[0002] Feathers are used in various applications such as a quilt, a cushion, and a down jacket. Feathers have down and feathers, which are mixed and used as needed. Feathers are lightweight, bulky, contain a lot of air, and have a high degree of warmth. In addition, it is highly elastic against compression and has an excellent restoring force that immediately returns to its original state when pressed.

[0003] Attempts have been made to produce feather substitutes. For example, JP 2002-543300 Gazette provides a material that can be used as a partial or complete substitute for feathers. Into small clusters with shape quality. Further, for example, in the crimped fiber described in JP-A-6-93513, polyester fiber or the like is shrunk by heat treatment so as to have bulkiness and elasticity. Thereby, the fiber is artificially given a feather-like property.

Patent Document 1: Special Table 2002-543300

Patent Document 2: JP-A-6-93513

Disclosure of the invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

[0004] Conventional force Although an artificially imparted fiber-like property has been tried, it has not been widely used.

An object of the present invention is to provide a novel artificial feather.

Means for solving the problem

[0005] The artificial feather according to the present invention includes a bundle of fibers that are not twisted and a coupling member that couples the bundle of fibers to each other. For example, the coupling member can be used to bundle the bundle of fibers. Tightening. The coupling member is, for example, a portion where a part of the bundle of fibers is melted.

The stuffed cotton according to the present invention includes a plurality of the above-described artificial feathers.

Moreover, the bedding, clothing, toy, or furniture according to the present invention includes the above-mentioned stuffed cotton.

[0006] The artificial feather manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention also includes a first roller pair that performs an intermittent rotational motion through a bundle of untwisted fibers, and a bundle of fibers that passes through the first roller pair. Between the first roller pair and the second roller pair, and a bundle of fibers is slackened between the first roller pair and the second roller pair. The second pair of rollers that are held in place and between the first pair of rollers and the second pair of rollers, and when the first and second pairs of rollers are stopped, the yarn is bundled into the fiber bundle. A winding means for multiple winding, a fixing means for fixing the yarn to the fiber bundle at the multiple winding portion with respect to the bundle of fibers and the yarn passed through the second roller pair, and a bundle of the fibers And a cutter that cuts at a portion where the yarn is not fixed. This manufacturing apparatus can manufacture the artificial feather described above.

[0007] In the artificial feather manufacturing apparatus, the fixing means includes, for example, a hollow spindle capable of continuous rotation, and the yarn drawn from the bundle of fibers and the second bobbin is placed in the hollow portion. When the first and second roller pairs are stopped, the yarn is wound around the fiber bundle by the continuous rotation.

[0008] In the artificial feather manufacturing apparatus, for example, the yarn is a heat-sealing yarn, and the fixing means is configured to apply the fiber bundle and the heat-sealing yarn that have passed through the second roller pair. A heat heater that heats the heat-fusible yarn at the multiple winding portion and fixes the heat-bonded yarn to the bundle of fibers.

[0009] In the artificial feather manufacturing method according to the present invention, in order to manufacture the above-described artificial feather, the first roller pair and the second roller that perform intermittent rotational motion in synchronization with a bundle of untwisted fibers. The yarn is held in a slack between the pair of rollers, and when the first and second roller pairs are stopped between the first roller pair and the second roller pair, the yarn is multiplexed into the fiber bundle. Winding, the yarn is fixed to the fiber bundle at the multiple winding portion, and the fiber bundle that has passed through the second roller pair is cut at the portion where the heat fusion yarn is not fixed. The invention's effect

[0010] One of the effects of the artificial feather of the present invention is that bundles of fibers that are not twisted are bundled together by a binding member, so that the fiber spreads at portions other than the binding member and can hold the bulge. is there.

Another effect of the present invention is that since each artificial feather is independent, when a large amount of artificial feathers are collected, there is no bias as a whole.

In the artificial feather manufacturing apparatus and the manufacturing method of the present invention, a bundle of untwisted fibers can be automatically manufactured by bundling them together with a binding member.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0011] [Figure 1] Artificial feathers

[Fig.2] Diagram of a modified artificial feather

[Figure 3] Diagram of artificial feather production equipment

Explanation of symbols

[0012] 2 Untwisted fiber bundles, 4 binding members, 10 bobbins, 12 fiber bundles 14 feed pulleys, 18 heat-bonded yarns, 20 hollow spindles, 22 drive motors, 24 heat heaters, 26 delivery Roller, 28 cutter, 30 controller.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0014] FIG. 1 schematically shows an artificial feather according to one embodiment of the invention. This artificial feather is composed of a bundle 2 of fibers that are not twisted and a binding member 4 that bonds the fibers contained in the bundle of fibers together. The “joining member” bundles the fibers contained in the fiber bundle 2 together and binds them together, so that the fibers contained in the fiber bundle 2 are not separated from each other. Become. The name “artificial feather” does not mean that the shape of the feather of a bird is made artificial. In this specification, “artificial feather” refers to an artificial object having the properties of feathers (especially down) used for bedding, clothing, etc.! Is a property that makes it possible to use feathers for clothing. It is lightweight, bulky, contains a lot of air, has a high thermal insulation effect, is highly resilient to compression, and has an excellent restoring force that immediately returns to its original state when pressed. It is.

[0015] In one embodiment, the coupling member 4 is a bundle member that bundles the fibers included in the fiber bundle. In the production of artificial feathers, a bundle of untwisted fibers (for example, a sliver (coarse yarn) that is a bundle of rope-like fibers) is cut into a predetermined length, and one of the cut fiber bundles 2 is cut. The part (near the center in the example of FIG. 1) is connected and held by a connecting member 4 such as a thread. For example, by winding and tightening the yarn at the position where it should be bundled, the pressure is strongly applied from the surroundings, and the gaps and looseness between the fibers are reduced and bundled. The total length of the fiber bundle 2 is, for example, 20 mm. The total length can be changed according to the purpose. By combining the fiber bundles 2 at one position (bundling position) with the connecting member 4, the cross-sectional area at that position can be made sufficiently smaller than at both ends. On the other hand, since the fiber bundle 2 is not twisted, it spreads on both sides. As described above, this artificial feather has a feature that it can hold a bulge, and the total length of the artificial feather may be an appropriate length that makes use of this feature.

[0016] As fibers used as the fiber bundle 2, synthetic fibers such as polyester, rayon, acrylic and nylon, and natural fibers such as cotton and wool can be used, and the shape of the fibers may be hollow, an irregular cross section, etc. It is not limited. It is also possible to apply untwisted yarn, which is V, by twisting while the fibers are arranged in parallel!

[0017] Generally, the connecting member 4 may be any member that binds the fibers contained in the bundle 2 of unstripped fibers to each other. Since the fibers contained in the fiber bundle 2 are bonded to each other, even if the fibers spread out, they will not be disturbed. “Bonding” refers to an operation that prevents the fibers contained in a bundle 2 of spreading fibers from separating from each other. For example, this includes the operation of tightening the fiber bundle 2 using another material (such as yarn) on the outside, such as bundling or binding. This reduces the gaps and looseness between the fibers and keeps the fibers contained in the fiber bundle 2 from separating from each other. For example, a fiber bundle is wrapped around a thread and tied. “Bonding” also includes operations for bonding fibers contained in the fiber bundle 2 such as fusing and bonding. For example, as will be described later, a heat-sealing yarn may be wound around a bundle of fibers and fused. As a result, the pressure is uniformly and strongly applied from the surroundings to the center to reduce gaps and looseness. Thus, the cross-sectional area of the fiber bundle 2 can be reduced. The fibers are also bonded to each other by the operation of intertwining the bundles 2 of fibers. If the fibers are bonded to each other by, for example, binding or fusing at one location, the cross-sectional area at the corresponding location of the fiber bundle 2 is reduced. The coupling member does not necessarily have to apply pressure uniformly from the periphery toward the center. Since there are various forms of coupling, the coupling member may be expressed by various more specific names such as a bundling member and a fusion member depending on the coupling form.

The artificial feather has a structure in which untwisted fibers are not constrained except in the vicinity of the coupling member 4, so that a large number of fibers spread on both sides of the coupling member 4. For this reason, it is light, bulky and contains a lot of air, just like natural feathers. That is, the artificial feather has a feature that it can hold a bulge. For example, if a large number of artificial feathers are stuffed into cotton bags and blown with air, each artificial feather expands. In addition, cotton stuffed with a large amount of artificial feathers is characterized by the fact that each artificial feather is independent, and as a whole it is biased, that is, it has no directionality.

FIG. 2 shows various modifications of the artificial feather. In one example, a long knot is provided by increasing the width of the coupling member 4. In another example, a plurality of coupling members 4 are provided. In another example, a plurality (for example, two) of artificial feathers are connected at the position of the coupling member 4. In another example, the position of the coupling member 4 is one end of the fiber bundle 2. In another example, the coupling member 4 is provided at a position where the central force of the fiber bundle 2 is also shifted. Both examples have the common feature that, like the artificial feathers in Fig. 1, the bulge can be held and there is no bias. In the artificial feather described above, the connecting member 4 has a cross section of the fiber bundle narrowed to one point, but it is not always necessary to narrow it to one point. For example, they may be grouped so as to have a linear cross section in a direction perpendicular to the fibers. For example, the fiber bundle 2 may be sandwiched from both sides, and the portion may be fixed with a coupling member.

[0020] In another production example, a fiber heater 2 is heated to the melting point by pressing a heat heater against the untwisted fiber bundle 2. When heated to the melting point, the fiber bundle 2 is divided into two, and a coupling member 4 is formed at each end. The coupling member 4 is a part in which a part of the fiber bundle 2 is melted and the fibers are integrated, and is made of the same material as the fiber bundle 2. In this case, as in the example shown in FIG. 2, an artificial feather can be formed in which the position of the coupling member 4 is the end of the fiber bundle 2. Thereafter, the fiber bundle 2 is cut into an appropriate length to obtain an artificial feather. [0021] The artificial feather described above can be applied as stuffed cotton (filling material) for the following uses, which have used feathers and stuffed cotton (filling material).

(1) Bedding

In the bedding, it is filled as batting in a bag-like cloth. For example, the bedding is used as a Japanese-style bedding, a quilt that hangs on the bed when sleeping, a quilt that lays under the body when sleeping, a quilt used in the bed, and a sleeping bag. , Pillows and so on. For example, in a comforter or quilt, it is filled as a filling between the skin side and the outer fabric. It can also be applied to cushions laid down when sitting.

[0022] (2) Clothing

For clothing with a high thermal insulation effect, such as a down jacket, an air layer is formed! Packing cotton between the outer and outer linings increases the thermal and thermal insulation effect. If necessary, a quilting structure is formed.

[0023] (3) Nu !, Gurumi and other toys

For example, in the case of a stuffed animal, it is filled as stuffed cotton in a bag sewn in the shape of an animal or the like.

[0024] (4) Furniture (eg, sofa, sofa)

Filled with cotton in the place where it comes into contact with the body of furniture.

[0025] (5) Material use

[0026] Artificial feathers have a feature that, when twisted! / Bunchy cocoon fiber bundles are synthetic raw materials such as polyester fibers, care is easier than cotton. For example, washing at home becomes possible. In addition, there is a feature that the bundle of untwisted fibers can be kept clean as compared to the case of animal hair such as wool. In addition, since it is a substitute for feathers, it also protects animals. Furthermore, since poultry is decreasing due to causes such as avian influenza, it is an effective material for stable supply.

The artificial feathers shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 can be manufactured manually. In this case, the bundle 2 of unstripped fibers is cut into a predetermined length (for example, 20 mm). Then, each bundle 2 of fibers having a predetermined length is tied with a thread at a predetermined position to form a coupling member 4.

When mass-producing artificial feathers, an apparatus that automatically manufactures artificial feathers is used. FIG. 3 shows an artificial feather manufacturing apparatus according to one embodiment. On the bobbin 10 placed above Pull out a bundle of untwisted fibers (coarse yarn, filament, etc.) 12 that has been wound, and pass it through the feed pulley 14, the hollow spindle 20 and the delivery roller 26. The fiber bundle 1 2 is held without slack between the feed pulley 14 and the delivery roller 26 disposed above and below. The feed pulley 14 and the delivery roller 26 synchronize and repeat intermittent rotation (ie, periodic stop and rotation). Thereby, at the time of rotation, the fiber bundle 12 is sent downward by a predetermined length, and then stopped for a predetermined time. On the other hand, a heat fusion yarn 18 wound around a bobbin 16 is disposed outside the hollow spindle 20, and the heat fusion yarn 18 is pulled out from the bobbin 16 and passes through the hollow spindle 20 from above. Passed down. Accordingly, both the fiber bundle 12 and the heat-sealing yarn 18 pass through the hollow spindle 20. The hollow spindle 20 is continuously rotated via a belt by a drive motor 22. When the feed pulley 14 and the delivery roller 26 are stopped, the heat-sealing yarn 18 is multiplexed into the fiber bundle 12 at the brazing position near the entrance of the hollow spindle 20 to the fiber bundle 12. Attached. In this covering (winding), pressure is applied to the fiber bundle 12 strongly from the surroundings by the heat-sealing yarn 18, so that the gap and looseness of the fiber bundle 12 are reduced, and the cross section becomes smaller at the winding position. And bundled together. Further, while the feed pulley 14 and the delivery roller 26 are rotating, the fiber bundle 12 advances downward while the heat-sealing yarn 18 is wound thereon. A heater 24 is disposed below the hollow spindle 20, and a cutter 28 is disposed below the delivery roller 26. When the feed pulley 14 and the delivery roller 26 are stopped, the heat heater 24 heats the heat-bonding yarn 18 at the multiple winding portion on the fiber bundle 12 to fix it to the fiber bundle 12. As a result, the bonded heat-sealing yarn becomes the above-described coupling member 4. The cutter 28 cuts the fiber bundle 12 into an appropriate length at a portion where the fusion yarn 18 is not fixed. The cut fiber bundle 12 is the artificial feather shown in FIG. The resulting artificial feather falls down. The control device 30 controls intermittent rotation of the feed pulley 14 and the delivery roller 26, heating of the heater 24 and cutting of the cutter 28.

As described above, in the production of artificial feathers, a bundle of untwisted fibers is held without slack between the first roller pair and the second roller pair that perform intermittent rotational motion synchronously. Between the first roller pair and the second roller pair, the first and second roller pairs are stopped. The yarn is wrapped around the bundle of fibers in multiple layers. Then, the yarn is fixed to the fiber bundle at the multiple winding portion, and then the fiber bundle that has passed through the second roller pair is cut at a portion where the heat fusion yarn is not fixed. Specifically, an untwisted fiber bundle 12 is placed between a feed pulley 14 as a first pair of rollers and a delivery roller 26 as a second pair of rollers, which perform intermittent rotational motion synchronously. A hollow spindle 20 that can be held without sagging and can be rotated continuously is disposed between the first roller pair 14 and the second roller pair 26. Pass through. Then, when the first and second roller pairs 14, 26 are stopped, the heat-sealing yarn 18 is wound around the fiber bundle 12 in a multiple manner by continuous rotation. With respect to the fiber bundle 12 and the heat-sealing yarn 18 that have passed through the second roller pair 26, the heat-sealing yarn 18 is heated at the multiple winding portion and fixed to the fiber bundle 12. Next, the fiber bundle 12 is cut at a portion where the heat-sealing yarn 18 is not fixed. The cut portion becomes an artificial feather in which untwisted fibers are bundled with a binding member. In this way, an artificial feather can be manufactured efficiently.

Moreover, you may use a sheet | seat as a fiber which is not twisted. The raw fiber is loosened with a cotton spreader or blended with a cotton blender to form a thin sheet (also called web). An elongated, untwisted bundle of fibers is made from this sheet and used to produce artificial feathers in the same way.

Claims

The scope of the claims

[1] a bundle of untwisted fibers,

A binding member for binding the fibers contained in the fiber bundle to each other;

An artificial feather made of

[2] The artificial feather according to [1], wherein the coupling member fastens the bundle of fibers together.

[3] The artificial feather according to [1], wherein the coupling member is a part in which a part of the bundle of fibers is melted.

[4] The artificial cotton having the artificial feather force according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

[5] A bedding comprising the padding according to claim 4.

[6] A garment comprising the stuffed cotton according to claim 4.

[7] A toy comprising the stuffed cotton according to claim 4.

[8] A furniture comprising the padding according to claim 4.

[9] An artificial feather manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing an artificial feather comprising a bundle of untwisted fibers and a binding member for bonding the fibers contained in the bundle of fibers to each other,

A pair of unrolled fibers in between, a first pair of rollers for intermittent rotation;

A second roller pair that passes through a bundle of fibers passing through the first roller pair and performs intermittent rotational motion in synchronization with the first roller pair, the first roller pair and the second roller A second roller pair that holds the fiber bundle between the pair without sagging,

A winding means disposed between the first roller pair and the second roller pair, and when the first and second roller pairs are stopped, winding means for winding the yarn around the bundle of fibers in a multiple manner;

An adhering means for adhering the yarn to the fiber bundle at the multiple winding portion with respect to the fiber bundle and the yarn passing through the second roller pair;

An artificial feather manufacturing apparatus comprising a cutter that cuts the bundle of fibers at a portion where a yarn is not fixed.

[10] The fixing means includes a hollow spindle capable of continuous rotation, and passes the bundle of fibers and the second bobbin force drawn through the hollow portion, and the first and second rollers. 10. The artificial feather manufacturing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein when the pair is stopped, the yarn is repeatedly attached to the fiber bundle by the continuous rotation.

[11] The yarn is a heat fusion yarn, and the fixing means multiplexes the heat fusion yarn with respect to the fiber bundle and the heat fusion yarn that have passed through the second roller pair. 11. The artificial feather manufacturing apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising a heat heater that heats at a winding portion and adheres to the bundle of fibers.

[12] An artificial feather manufacturing method for manufacturing an artificial feather comprising a bundle of untwisted fibers and a binding member for bonding the fibers contained in the fiber bundle to each other,

Hold a bundle of untwisted fibers without slack between the first roller pair and the second roller pair, which perform intermittent rotational motion synchronously,

Between the first roller pair and the second roller pair, when the first and second roller pairs are stopped, the yarn is wound around the bundle of fibers in a multiple manner.

Fixing the yarn to the bundle of fibers at the multiple winding portion;

Cut the bundle of fibers that passed through the second roller pair at the part where the heat-sealing yarn is not fixed.

Artificial feather manufacturing method.