Method and an apparatus of producing ultra thin chitosan fibers and non-woven fabrics

Abstract

This invention provides a method of producing chitosan non-woven fabrics and an apparatus thereof. At first, a chitosan acidic solution is extruded to form a chitosan fibrous stream. Then, a solidifying agent is ejected to form a solidifying agent stream. The solidifying agent stream and the chitosan fibrous stream are combined to form a pre-solidified chitosan fiber. Then, high-pressure air is ejected on the pre-solidified chitosan fiber to stretch the pre-solidified chitosan fiber. Finally, the chitosan fibers are collected to form chitosan non-woven fabrics.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the invention, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings, FIG. 1 is an apparatus of producing chitosan non-woven fabrics in one preferred embodiment of the invention.

Claims

1. A method of producing chitosan non-woven fabrics, comprising: dissolving chitosan in an acidic solution to form a chitosan acidic solution;extruding the chitosan acidic solution to form a chitosan fibrous stream;ejecting a solidifying agent to form a solidifying agent stream;combining the chitosan fibrous stream and the solidifying agent stream to form at least one pre-solidified chitosan fiber, wherein the chitosan fibrous stream and the solidifying agent flow forms a non-zero first angle;ejecting a high-pressure air on the pre-solidified chitosan fiber to stretch the chitosan fiber, wherein the high-pressure air and the pre-solidified chitosan fiber form a non-zero second angle; andcollecting the chitosan fiber to form chitosan non-woven fabrics.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first angle is less than 90°.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the second angle is less than 90°.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the solidifying agent is a base solution.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the solidifying agent is a solution of sodium hydroxide.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the pressure range of the high-pressure air is about 1˜20 psi.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the temperature range of the high-pressure air is about 1˜100° C.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising filtering the chitosan acidic solution before the step of extruding the chitosan acidic solution.

9. An apparatus of producing chitosan non-woven fabrics, comprising: a raw material provider to provide a chitosan acidic solution;at least a spinning nozzle, wherein each of the spinning nozzle comprises: a raw material nozzle applied to extrude the chitosan acidic solution;a solidifying agent nozzle positioned around the raw material provider, wherein the solidifying agent nozzle and the raw material nozzle form a non-zero first angle and the solidifying agent nozzle is applied to eject a solidifying agent stream to solidify the chitosan acidic solution to a fiber; anda high-pressure nozzle positioned around the solidifying agent nozzle, wherein the high-pressure nozzle and the raw material nozzle form a non-zero second angle and the high-pressure nozzle is applied to eject high-pressure air to stretch the fiber; anda collecting apparatus applied to collect the fiber.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the length of the solidifying agent nozzle is about 6˜40 mm.

11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the first angle is less than 90°.

12. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the second angle is less than 90°.

13. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising a filter positioned between the raw material provider and the spinning nozzle, wherein the filter is applied to filter the chitosan acidic solution.

14. A spinning nozzle, comprising: a raw material nozzle applied to extrude a chitosan acidic solution;a solidifying agent nozzle positioned around the raw material nozzle, wherein the solidifying agent nozzle and the raw material nozzle form a non-zero first angle and the solidifying agent nozzle is applied to eject a solidifying agent stream to solidify the chitosan acidic solution to a fiber; anda high-pressure nozzle positioned around the solidifying agent nozzle, wherein the high-pressure nozzle and the raw material nozzle form a non-zero second angle and the high-pressure nozzle is applied to eject high-pressure air to stretch the fiber.

15. The spinning nozzle of claim 14, wherein the length of the solidifying agent nozzle is about 6˜40 mm.

16. The spinning nozzle of claim 14, wherein the first angle is less than 90°.

17. The spinning nozzle of claim 14, wherein the second angle is less than 90°.