Fibers comprising cultivated microalgae, method for manufacturing the same, and yarns, fabrics and garments comprising such fiber.

Abstract

The present invention is directed to fibers, yarns and fabrics comprising at least one cultivated microalgae.

1 . A fiber comprising at least one cultivated microalgae. 
     
     
         2 . A fiber according to  claim 1 , wherein said at least one at least one cultivated microalgae is selected from red algae, brown algae, green algae, red algae, blue algae and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         3 . (canceled) 
     
     
         4 . (canceled) 
     
     
         5 . (canceled) 
     
     
         6 . A fiber according to  claim 1 , wherein said at least one cultivated microalgae is grown/cultivated outside a marine environment. 
     
     
         7 . A fiber according to  claim 1 , wherein said at least one cultivated microalgae comprises at least 5% of the fiber. 
     
     
         8 . A fiber according to  claim 1 , being a cellulose base fiber. 
     
     
         9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . A fiber according to  claim 1 , being a protein based fiber. 
     
     
         11 . A fiber according to  claim 1 , being a petroleum based fiber. 
     
     
         12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . A fiber according to  claim 1 , further comprising at least one of cellulose, saccharide, protein, amino acid, vitamin, metal ion, fiber, unsaturated fatty acid, anti-irritating agent, anti-inflammatory agent, anti-oxidant, anti-viral agent or zeaxanthine, fluridoside and any combinations thereof. 
     
     
         16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A yarn, a fabric or garment comprising fibers according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . (canceled) 
     
     
         24 . (canceled) 
     
     
         25 . A method of manufacturing a fiber comprising the steps of: (a) preparing a base material comprising at least 5% of at least one cultivated microalgae; (b) forming the fiber from said base material through spinneret; (c) fixating the formed fiber; (d) post-treating the fixated fiber. 
     
     
         26 . (canceled) 
     
     
         27 . A method according to  claim 25 , wherein said base material is melted at step (a). 
     
     
         28 . A method according to  claim 25 , wherein fiber fixation of step (c) is performed by airflow cooling. 
     
     
         29 . A method according to  claim 25 , wherein fiber post-treatment of step (d) is performed by drawing. 
     
     
         30 . A method according to  claim 25 , wherein said base material comprises at least one cellulose based material. 
     
     
         31 . (canceled) 
     
     
         32 . A method according to  claim 25 , wherein fiber fixation of step (c) is performed by evaporation of at least one solvent or precipitation of said at least one solvent. 
     
     
         33 . (canceled)