Composite cotton and hemp yarn and method for making the same

Abstract

A composite hemp and cotton yarn is formed by blending hemp fibers with cotton fibers which have been regenerated from waste cotton material such as trimmings and cuttings from the apparel manufacturing industry. The fibers are cleaned and blended, then carded to align the fibers into strands. Depending on the size and texture of the desired yarn, the fibers are stretched and drawn into slivers prior to spinning to join the fibers together. The hemp fibers are up to three time longer than the regenerated cotton fibers, so that the hemp fibers overlap and braid onto the regenerated cotton fibers during spinning. The resultant yarn is stronger and more absorbent than yarns made solely out of regenerated cotton fibers or a blend of cotton and acrylic or cotton and polyester fibers.

1 . A method for making eco-friendly yarn, comprising the steps of
 (a) sorting waste cotton fabric comprising cuttings and trimmings of previously bleached, dyed and treated cotton fabric by color;   (b) garnetting the sorted waste cotton fabric to produce cotton shoddy fibers of the same color therefrom;   (c) blending cotton shoddy fibers of the same color with natural hemp fibers; and   (d) spinning the blended cotton fibers and hemp fibers to form a yarn having a uniform color without bleaching or dyeing.   
   
   
       2 . (canceled) 
   
   
       3 . A method as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the amount of cotton shoddy fibers is less than the amount of natural hemp in the yarn. 
   
   
       4 . A method as defined in  claim 3 , wherein the yarn comprises 30-45% cotton shoddy fibers. 
   
   
       5 . A method as defined in  claim 2 , where in said natural hemp fibers are longer than said cotton fibers. 
   
   
       6 . A method as defined in  claim 2 , and further comprising the step of cleaning said blended cotton and hemp fibers prior to said spinning step. 
   
   
       7 . A method as defined in  claim 2 , wherein said fibers are carded to align said fibers into strands prior to said spinning step. 
   
   
       8 . A method as defined in  claim 7 , and further comprising the step of forming said fibers into smaller strands. 
   
   
       9 . A method as defined in  claim 8 , wherein said forming step comprises drawing said carded fibers into slivers and subsequently roving said slivers into smaller strands. 
   
   
       10 . A yarn for making fabric, comprising
 (a) regenerated cotton fibers formed from waste cotton fabric that has previously been bleached, dyed and treated and sorted by color; and   (b) natural hemp fibers spun with regenerated cotton fibers of the same color, whereby said yarn is colored without bleaching or dyeing.   
   
   
       11 . A yarn as defined in  claim 10 , wherein the amount of cotton is less than the amount of hemp on the yarn. 
   
   
       12 . A yarn as defined in  claim 11 , wherein the yarn comprises 30-45% regenerated cotton fibers. 
   
   
       13 . A yarn as defined in  claim 10 , wherein said hemp fibers are longer than said cotton fibers. 
   
   
       14 . A yarn as defined in  claim 10  and having a fine count of up to 28 Ne.