Process for Producing Milk Protein Fibers and Milk Protein Fiber Products Obtained Therefrom

Abstract

Milk protein fibers are produced by an extrusion process for the textile industry inter alia, in which at least one thermoplasticizable protein obtained from milk is plasticized with a plasticizer, for example water or glycerol, at temperatures between room temperature and 140° C., under mechanical stress and spun to fibers by means of a jet.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for producing milk protein fibers, wherein at least one protein obtained from milk is plasticized together with a plasticizer at temperatures comprised between room temperature and 140° C. under mechanical stress and is spun to fibers through a jet, characterized in that the plasticizer is selected from the group: aqueous polysaccharide solution, alcohol, polyalcohol or mixtures of these substances. 
     
     
         2 . A method according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the protein obtained from milk is produced in situ by precipitation from milk. 
     
     
         3 . A method according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the protein obtained from milk is used in form of a previously separately obtained protein. 
     
     
         4 . A method according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the protein obtained from milk is casein. 
     
     
         5 . A method according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the protein obtained from milk is lactalbumin. 
     
     
         6 . A method according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the plasticizing takes place at temperatures up to maximum 80° C. 
     
     
         7 . A method according to  claim 1 , characterized in that other additives and auxiliary agents are added to the starting substance to be plasticized. 
     
     
         8 . A method according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the plasticizing is carried out by means of an extruder and the fiber is pressed through a jet at the exit of the extruder and formed thereby. 
     
     
         9 . A method according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the formed fiber is wound up. 
     
     
         10 . A method according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the formed fiber is dried. 
     
     
         11 . A method according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the formed fiber is cut immediately after it has left the jet. 
     
     
         12 . A method according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the formed fiber passes through a bath before being wound up. 
     
     
         13 . A method according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the formed fiber is subjected to a spraying treatment before being wound up. 
     
     
         14 . A milk protein fiber product which contains fibers that have been produced according to the method of  claim 1 .