In-situ patterning of fibre articles

Abstract

The present invention relates to methods for preparing a crease patterned fibre article, a crease patterned fibre article obtainable by said method as well as the use of a crease patterned fibre article as a packaging, design article, fabrics, bio-tissue implant, organ substitute, organ regeneration (patch), organ model, tissue substitute, tissue model, tissue scaffolds, cell growth support, cell maturing support or bone reinforcement.

1 . A method for preparing a crease patterned fibre article, the method comprising the steps of
 c) depositing an aqueous suspension comprising fibres onto one surface of a crease patterning device and filtrating the aqueous suspension to form a patterned fibre web, and   d) drying the patterned fibre web to obtain the crease patterned fibre article.   
     
     
         2 . A method for preparing a crease patterned fibre article, the method comprising the steps of
 c1) depositing an aqueous suspension comprising fibres onto a wire mesh and filtrating the aqueous suspension to form a fibre web,   c2) patterning the fibre web by using a crease patterning device to form a patterned fibre web, and   d) drying the patterned fibre web to obtain the crease patterned fibre article.   
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the crease patterning device is made from a material selected from the group consisting of alloy and non-alloy steel, cast steel, cast iron, aluminium, ceramics, sintered metal, brass, titanium, copper and polymer materials. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the crease patterning device is a mesh. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 4 , wherein the wire mesh comprises wires having a diameter ranging from 20 to 500 μm, and/or an amount of warp wires ranging from 20 to 90 warp wires/cm, and/or an amount of weft wires ranging from 20 to 90 weft wires/cm. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the crease pattern of the crease patterning device is created by engraving, laid wires, chain wires, soldering, embossing, 3D printing or melt moulding. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the aqueous suspension comprises the fibres in an amount ranging from 0.5 to 30 wt.-%, based on the total weight of the aqueous suspension. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the fibres in the aqueous suspension are biocompatible and/or the fibres in the aqueous suspension comprise cellulose. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the fibres in the aqueous suspension have an average diameter ranging from 1 to 35 μm, and/or an average length ranging from 0.7 to 250 mm. 
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the depositing in step c) or step c1) is carried out by jetting, casting, spray coating, curtain coating, slide bed coating, film pressing, metered film pressing, blade coating, brush coating or paper press forming. 
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein drying step d) is carried out under vacuum and/or a temperature ranging from 80 to 200° C. 
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the process comprises a further step e) of separating the crease patterned fibre article from the crease patterning device and/or wire mesh. 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein the process comprises a further step f) of folding the crease patterned fibre article into a 3D shape. 
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the process comprises a further step g) of applying cells and/or enzymes and/or pharmaceuticals onto at least one side of the crease patterned fibre article. 
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein the cells and/or enzymes and/or pharmaceuticals are provided in a carrier material selected from the group consisting of gelatin, methylcellulose, alginate, agarose, fibrin, hyaluronic acid, K-carrageenan, poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG), polycaprolactone (PCL), matrigel, gelatin methacrylate, poloxamer, nanocellulose, peptide, silk fibroin and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         16 . A crease patterned fibre article obtainable by a method according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         17 . The crease patterned fibre article according to step  16 , wherein the article is a packaging, design article, fabrics, bio-tissue implant, organ substitute, organ regeneration (patch), organ model, tissue substitute, tissue model, tissue scaffolds, cell growth support, cell maturing support or bone reinforcement. 
     
     
         18 . (canceled)