Method for manufacturing a non-woven fabric based on natural wool, plant for applying such method, and product obtained by such method

Abstract

A plant and method for manufacturing a wool-based, non-woven fabric is disclosed, wherein the steps are carried out of providing flocks based on natural wool fibres, of carrying out a carding and veiling of the flocks based on wool fibres, up until obtaining a veil based on wool fibres, and of carrying out needle-punching on the veil based on wool fibres, wherein at the end of the needle-punching a water-jet interleaving step is also carried out. Some products which may advantageously be obtained through such method and plant are also disclosed.

1 . Plant for manufacturing non-woven fabric based on natural woollen fibres in flocks, characterised in that it comprises in succession at least one needle-punching station and one water-jet interleaving station. 
     
     
         2 . Plant as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein upstream of the needle-punching station there is furthermore prearranged a carding and veil-forming station. 
     
     
         3 . Plant as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein there is further provided, upstream of the needle-punching station, a flock-mixing station, capable of mixing wool fibre flocks with synthetic fibre flocks in an amount from 20 to 50% by weight. 
     
     
         4 . Manufacturing method of a wool-based, non-woven fabric, comprising the steps of
 providing flocks based on natural wool fibres,   carrying out carding and veiling of said flocks based on wool fibres, up until obtaining a veil based on wool fibres,   performing needle-punching on said veil based on wool fibres to obtain a needle-punched carpet, characterised in that at the end of the needle punching the following step is also carried out   water-jet interleaving of said needle-punched carpet.   
     
     
         5 . Manufacturing method as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein before said carding and veiling, said flocks based on wool fibres are mixed with flocks of synthetic fibres to an amount of 20-50% by weight. 
     
     
         6 . Manufacturing method as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein said flocks of synthetic fibres are flocks of splittable microfibres. 
     
     
         7 . Manufacturing method as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein said wool-based veil has a thickness above 8 cm. 
     
     
         8 . Wool-based, non-woven fabric, characterised in that it is obtained through a method as claimed in  claim 4 . 
     
     
         9 . Insulating blanket, characterised in that it consists of a non-woven fabric as claimed in  claim 8 . 
     
     
         10 . Fabric for lining, characterised in that it consists of a non-woven fabric as claimed in  claim 8 . 
     
     
         11 . Clothing component, characterised in that it consists of at least in part of a non-woven fabric as claimed in  claim 8 . 
     
     
         12 . Plant as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein there is further provided, upstream of the needle-punching station, a flock-mixing station, capable of mixing wool fibre flocks with synthetic fibre flocks in an amount from 20 to 50% by weight. 
     
     
         13 . Manufacturing method as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein said wool-based veil has a thickness above 8 cm. 
     
     
         14 . Manufacturing method as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein said wool-based veil has a thickness above 8 cm.