Process for depositing microcapsules into multifilament yarn and the products produced

Abstract

The invention is directed to a process for depositing additives into a yarn having multi-filaments comprising steps of; separating the multi-filaments of the yarn into individual filaments while winding the yarn; injecting the additive onto the individual filaments; and promoting the individual filaments of the yarn to close up one against the other whereby the additive are entrapped within the multi-filaments. The invention also concerns an apparatus for depositing microcapsules into a multi-filaments of a yarn and the multifilament yarn produced.

1 . A process for depositing additives into a yarn having multi-filaments comprising steps of; 
 separating the multi-filaments of the yarn into individual filaments while winding the yarn;    injecting the additive onto the individual filaments; and    promoting the individual filaments of the yarn to close up one against the other, whereby the additives are entrapped within the multi-filaments.    
   
   
       2 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the additives are microcapsules in a range of diameter from 0.1 to 200 μm, wherein the microcapsules comprise an outer wall and a central core.  
   
   
       3 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the steps are performed on the yarn during operation of a textile winding machine.  
   
   
       4 . The process of  claim 3 , wherein the textile winding machine is selected from the group consisting of a winder, a texturing machine and a twister.  
   
   
       5 . The process of  claim 4 , wherein the texturing machine is a false twist texturing machine.  
   
   
       6 . The process of  claim 4 , wherein the texturing machine is an air texturing machine.  
   
   
       7 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein separating multi-filaments of the yarn is produced by an un-tensioning of the yarn between two shafts of a textile winding machine.  
   
   
       8 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein separating of multi-filaments of the yarn is produced by a gas jet directed at the yarn.  
   
   
       9 . The process according of  claim 1 , wherein injecting the additive onto the individual filaments is via a liquid jet.  
   
   
       10 . The process according to  claim 1 , wherein the yarn is selected from the group consisting polyesters, polyamides, polypropylene, polyethylene, aramids, synthetic multifilament yarns and artificial multifilament yarns.  
   
   
       11 . The process according to  claim 1 , wherein the yarn having multi-filaments is produced by texturing a Partially Oriented Yarn (POY) or Fully Oriented Yarn (FOY).  
   
   
       12 . The process of  claim 2 , wherein the central core comprises a material that is chemically, physico-chemically or biologically active, and the material is selected from the group consisting of bioactive agents; drugs and pharmaceuticals; enzymes; dyes and pigments; fragrances; moisturizing agents; bleaching agents; depilatory agents; UV-block agents; softening agents; elasticity improving agents; flame-, moth-, crease- and soil-proofing agents; water repellent agents; anti-shrinking agents; cross-linking agents; magnetic particles; thermochromic, photochromic, electrochromic, piezorochromic, solvatechromic, carsolchromic materials; insects repellents; pesticides; static electricity-controlling or reducing agents; electrically conductive materials; radar-absorbing materials; reflecting particles; heat-absorbing and/or heat-releasing phase change agents; decontamination agents; zeolites; and activated carbon; and combinations thereof.  
   
   
       13 . The process of  claim 2 , wherein the outer wall is a natural, semi-synthetic or synthetic, high molecular weight material such as gelatin; Arabic gum; agar agar; alginic acid and salts thereof; fatty acids; cetyl alcohol; collagen; chitosan; lecithins; albumin; starch; dextran; polypeptides; cellulose and chemically modified cellulose; polyacrylates; polyvinyl alcohol; polyvinyl pyrrolidone; polyurethane; polyolefin; polyamide; an aminoplast; polyester; polysaccharide; silicone resins; epoxy resins and formaldehyde resins.  
   
   
       14 . An apparatus for depositing microcapsules into a yarn having a plurality of filaments, the apparatus comprising; 
 a supply spool,    a take-up spool winding the yarn in a first direction between the supply spool and the take-up spool,    a means for separating the yarn at, at least one separating point disposed between the supply spool and the take-up spool, the means for separating the yarn thereby exposing the filaments, and    at least one nozzle proximate the separating point, the at least one nozzle injecting a liquid onto the filaments in a second direction transverse the first direction, the liquid having the microcapsules suspended therein and thereby injecting the microcapsules.    
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the at least one nozzle is located downstream of the separating point.  
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , comprising; 
 a body disposed between the two spools, the body defining 
 an opening through which the yarn winds in the first direction and  
 the at least one nozzle oriented to intersect the opening, and thereby directing the liquid having the microcapsules towards the yarn.  
   
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the means of separating the yarn comprising 
 a first and a second shaft, the shafts disposed between the supply and the take-up spool,    the first shaft winding the yarn at a first speed and    the second shaft winding the yarn from the first shaft rotating at a second speed lower than the first speed, thereby producing an un-tensioning of the yarn.    
   
   
       18 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the means of separating the yarn comprises 
 at least one aperture defined in the body, the aperture connected to a supply of pressurized gas, passage of the gas through the aperture producing a gas jet directed at the yarn transverse the first direction.    
   
   
       19 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the aperture directs the gas jet to produce an angle when intersecting the first direction, the angle varying from perpendicular to the first direction, to 30° from the perpendicular to the first direction.  
   
   
       20 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the at least one nozzle, is two nozzles.  
   
   
       21 . A multifilament yarn having a cross sectional perimeter, the yarn comprising: 
 individual filaments interconnected together to produce the yarn; and    microcapsules having a range of diameter of 0.1 to 200 μm on the individual filaments within the perimeter of the yarn.    
   
   
       22 . The yarn of  claim 22 , wherein the microcapsules comprise an outer wall and a central core.  
   
   
       23 . The yarn of  claim 23 , wherein central core comprises a material that is chemically, physico-chemically or biologically active and the material is selected from the group consisting of bioactive agents; drugs and pharmaceuticals; enzymes; dyes and pigments; fragrances; moisturizing agents; bleaching agents; depilatory agents; UV-block agents; softening agents; elasticity improving agents; flame-, moth-, crease- and soil-proofing agents; water repellent agents; anti-shrinking agents; cross-linking agents; magnetic particles; thermochromic, photochromic, electrochromic, piezorochromic, solvatechromic, carsolchromic materials; insects repellents; pesticides; static electricity-controlling or reducing agents; electrically conductive materials; radar-absorbing materials; reflecting particles; heat-absorbing and/or heat-releasing phase change agents; decontamination agents; zeolites; and activated carbon; and combinations thereof.  
   
   
       24 . The yarn of  claim 23 , wherein the yarn is selected from the group consisting polyesters, polyamides, polypropylene, polyethylene, aramids, synthetic multifilament yarns and artificial multifilament yarns.