Coating Device for Coating an Elongated Substrate

Abstract

A device and system for dynamically applying liquid to a single thread for a thread consuming device as said thread moves relative to the device along a path of movement. The device is configured to apply liquid to said thread by means of an electrospraying unit. A method for applying liquid to a single thread for a thread consuming device as said thread moves relative to the device along a path of movement is also provided.

1 .- 42 . (canceled) 
     
     
         43 . A device for applying liquid to a single thread as said thread moves relative to the device along a path of movement, wherein said device is configured to apply liquid to said thread by means of an electrospraying unit comprising:
 at least one emitter for discharging liquid through a respective discharge nozzle towards the thread in a discharge direction, such that a respective discharge zone is formed,   thread guiding means configured to guide the thread through each respective discharge zone,   liquid supplier for supplying liquid to said at least one emitter, and voltage supply means, configured to provide an electric potential between the at least one emitter and a counter electrode means, said emitter and said counter electrode means being configured, such that an electric field created between each respective emitter and the counter electrode means discharges liquid into said discharge zone.   
     
     
         44 . The device according to  claim 43 , wherein said electrospraying unit further comprises a liquid flow controller configured to control the liquid supply means and the voltage supplying means in response to a control signal. 
     
     
         45 . The device according to  claim 43 , wherein said device comprises a plurality of said emitters. 
     
     
         46 . The device according to  claim 45 , wherein the emitters are arranged in series along said path of movement. 
     
     
         47 . The device according to  claim 43 , wherein each respective emitter is coated with a hydrophobic material. 
     
     
         48 . The device according to  claim 43 , wherein the at least one emitter comprises a capillary tube with a central passage defining the discharge orifice. 
     
     
         49 . The device according to  claim 43 , wherein each emitter is coupled to an individual liquid supply means comprised in said liquid supply means. 
     
     
         50 . The device according to  claim 43 , wherein said electrospraying unit is further provided with a thread contacting means configured to provide electrical contact between the voltage supplying means and the thread, wherein the voltage supplying means is also configured to provide a potential between each respective emitter and the thread. 
     
     
         51 . The device according to  claim 43 , further comprising a treatment device in form of a wetting means, configured to make at least a portion of the thread electrically conductive by application of electrically conductive liquid. 
     
     
         52 . The device according to  claim 43 , wherein the liquid-flow controller is configured to operate in a micro dripping mode. 
     
     
         53 . The device according to  claim 43 , further comprising a fixation device for fixing non-fixated liquid to the thread. 
     
     
         54 . The device according to  claim 43 , further comprising a thread treatment device for treatment of the thread. 
     
     
         55 . The device according to  claim 54 , wherein the thread treatment device is configured to wash the thread. 
     
     
         56 . The device according to  claim 54 , wherein the thread treatment device is configured to lubricate the thread. 
     
     
         57 . The device according to  claim 43 , wherein said device is a coating device for applying ink on a single thread. 
     
     
         58 . The device according to  claim 43 , wherein the device is or is a part of a thread consuming device, for dynamically applying liquid, such as ink, to a single thread. 
     
     
         59 . The device according to  claim 58 , wherein the thread consuming device is a sewing machine or an embroidery machine, for dynamically applying liquid, such as ink, to a single thread. 
     
     
         60 . A system for applying liquid, such as ink, to a single thread, said system comprising:
 a device according to  claim 43 ; and   thread feeding means configured to feed the thread through said thread guiding means.   
     
     
         61 . The system according to  claim 60 , wherein said system is an embroidery system further comprising:
 embroidery means, for embroidering a pattern on a substrate using the thread, based on pattern information, and   a pattern controller providing control signals to a liquid flow controller in response to at least the pattern information.   
     
     
         62 . A method of applying liquid, such as ink, to a thread, comprising the steps:
 feeding a thread through a discharge zone;   applying a voltage between at least one emitter and a counter electrode means, and electrospraying liquid at said thread as a result of said voltage.   
     
     
         63 . The method according to  claim 62 , further comprising applying liquid, such as ink, to the thread by means of a device according to  claim 43 , and feeding a thread through the device according to  claim 43  while discharging liquid onto said thread using said electrospraying unit. 
     
     
         64 . The method according to  claim 62 , comprising a further step of wetting at least a portion of the thread with a wetting agent before feeding said portion through a discharge zone. 
     
     
         65 . The method according to  claim 64 , wherein the wetting agent is a polar wetting agent when the liquid is a polar liquid, and wherein the wetting agent is a non-polar wetting agent when the liquid is non-polar. 
     
     
         66 . The method according to  claim 62 , comprising a further step of lubricating at least a portion of the thread before or after feeding said portion through a discharge zone. 
     
     
         67 . A device for applying liquid to a single thread as said thread moves relative to the device along a path of movement, wherein said device is configured to apply liquid to said thread by means of at least one emitter for discharging liquid through a respective discharge nozzle towards the thread in a discharge direction,
 liquid supplier for supplying liquid to said at least one emitter, and   a thread treatment device for treatment of the thread, wherein the thread treatment device is configured to wash the thread, lubricate the thread, or wet the thread.