Cold aqueous alkaline treatments for cotton yarn and related systems and methods

Abstract

Methods and systems for treating cotton yarn are provided. Cotton yarn is partially dissolved by applying a cold aqueous alkaline solvent, rinsing the partially dissolved cotton yarn in water and drying the cotton yarn. Temperature of the solvent and time of exposure to the solvent greatly affect the improved mechanical properties of the cotton yarn.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of treating cotton yarn for improved mechanical properties, the method comprising:
 providing a predetermined quantity of cotton yarn;   partially dissolving said cotton yarn by applying a first treatment of aqueous alkaline solvent at a predetermined rate for a predetermined period of time, said first treatment of aqueous alkaline solvent having a predetermined temperature;   applying to said partially dissolved cotton yarn a treatment of water at a predetermined rate such that said treated cotton yarn is rinsed in said water treatment for a predetermined period of time; and   drying said partially dissolved and rinsed cotton yarn.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 applying to said partially dissolved cotton yarn a second treatment of aqueous alkaline solvent gel at a predetermined rate for a predetermined period of time, said second treatment of aqueous alkaline solvent gel having a predetermined temperature, and said second treatment of aqueous alkaline solvent gel includes a predetermined quantity of dissolved cotton cellulose fiber.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said first treatment of aqueous alkaline solvent includes a predetermined quantity of dissolved cotton cellulose fiber 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said predetermined rate of treatment of aqueous alkaline solvent of said cotton yarn comprises pulling said cotton yarn through a first bath of aqueous alkaline solvent in the range of 42 to 286 inches per minute. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said predetermined rate of treatment of water of said cotton yarn comprises pulling said cotton yarn through a water bath in the range of 42 to 286 inches per minute. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said predetermined rate of treatment of aqueous alkaline solvent gel of said cotton yarn comprises pulling said cotton yarn through a second bath of aqueous alkaline solvent gel in the range of 42 to 286 inches per minute. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said predetermined period of time for treatment of said cotton yarn in said first treatment of aqueous alkaline solvent is in the range of 5 seconds to 5 minutes. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said predetermined period of time for rinsing said cotton yarn in said water treatment is in the range of 1 minute to 5 minutes. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said predetermined period of time for treatment of said cotton yarn in said second treatment of aqueous alkaline solvent gel is in the range of 5 seconds to 5 minutes. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said predetermined temperature of said first treatment of aqueous alkaline solvent is in the range of −15° C. to −5° C. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said predetermined temperature of said second treatment of aqueous alkaline solvent gel is in the range of −15° C. to −5° C. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said predetermined quantity of dissolved cotton cellulose fiber is in the range of 1% to 3%. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein said predetermined quantity of dissolved cotton cellulose fiber is in the range of 1% to 3%. 
     
     
         14 . A system for treating cotton yarn for improved mechanical properties, the system comprising:
 a predetermined quantity of cotton yarn;   a yarn-pulling apparatus;   a first bath of aqueous alkaline solvent configured such that said cotton yarn is soaked and partially dissolved when said cotton yarn is pulled through said first bath of aqueous alkaline solvent at a predetermined rate for a predetermined period of time, said first bath of aqueous alkaline solvent having a predetermined temperature;   a bath of water configured such that said soaked and partially dissolved cotton yarn is rinsed when said cotton yarn is pulled through said water bath at a predetermined rate for a predetermined period of time.   
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 a second bath of aqueous alkaline solvent gel configured such that said cotton yarn is soaked and partially dissolved when said cotton yarn is pulled through said second bath of aqueous alkaline solvent gel at a predetermined rate for a predetermined period of time, said second bath of aqueous alkaline solvent gel having a predetermined temperature, and said second bath of aqueous alkaline solvent gel includes a predetermined quantity of dissolved cotton cellulose fiber.   
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein said first bath of aqueous alkaline solvent includes a predetermined quantity of dissolved cotton cellulose fiber