Fibre

Abstract

A fibre comprising a core, a component, for example a liquid crystal, which is susceptible to a change in properties or structure in response to application of the external stimulus and an outer sheath is provided. The component is electrically conductive or adapted to undergo a structural change in response to the applied stimulus.

Claims

1. A fibre comprising a core which is electrically conductive and adapted to selectively receive electric current to heat the core such that the fibre provides a thermochromic effect or undergoes a structural change, the core being sheathed in an outer polymeric layer the fibre further comprising a responsive component interposed between the core and the outer polymeric layer or within the outer polymeric layer which responsive component is susceptible to a change in properties or structure in response to application of the electric current.

2. (canceled)

3. A fibre according to claim 1 wherein the responsive component comprises a colour component within the outer polymeric layer and/or disposed in a region between the core and the outer polymeric layer

4. A fibre according to claim 3 wherein the colour component comprises a liquid crystal.

5. A fibre according to claim 3 wherein the colour component comprises a liquid crystal and colour is initiated by application of electric power to the core which thereby heats and provides a selectively applied stimulus to prompt colour-change.

6. A fibre according to claim 3 wherein the liquid crystal comprises an unencapsulated liquid disposed between the core and the outer layer.

7. A fibre according to claim 3 wherein the liquid crystal is encapsulated and dispersed in the outer polymeric layer.

8. (canceled)

9. A fibre according to claim 1 wherein the electrically conductive core comprises a metal selected from a steel, aluminium or copper wire.

10. A fibre according to claim 1 wherein the electrically conductive core has a pre-selected colour whereby the colour contributes to the visual appearance of the colour-change fibre.

11. A fibre according to claim 1 wherein the outer polymeric layer is transparent or translucent whereby the liquid crystal is visible.

12. (canceled)

13. A fibre according to claim 1 wherein the outer polymeric layer is selected from nylon, modacrylic, polyamide, polyester, polyethylene terephthalate, polyalkylene, a thermoplastic vulcanizate, a thermoplastic polyurethane a thermoplastic elastomer polymer, a synthetic rubber and a thermoplastic olefin.

14. A fibre according to claim 1 wherein the outer polymeric layer comprises a colourant.

15. A fibre according to claim 1 wherein the outer polymeric layer is substantially free of components which impair the visual effect of the liquid crystal.

16. A fibre according to claim 1 further comprising a colourant dispersed or dissolved in the outer layer or a colourant layer disposed between the core and the outer layer.

17. A fibre according to claim 16 wherein the colourant is black and is mixed with the liquid crystal.

18. A fabric comprising a multitude of interlinked fibres, the fibers each comprising a core which is electrically conductive and adapted to selectively receive electric current to heat the core such that each fibre provides a thermochromic effect or undergoes a structural change, the core being sheathed in an outer polymeric layer, the fibres each further comprising a responsive component interposed between the core and the outer polymeric layer or within the outer polymeric layer which responsive component is susceptible to a change in properties or structure in response to application of the electric current.

19. (canceled)

20. A fabric according to claim 18 wherein the fibres are arranged to present a predetermined image in the fabric.

21. A fabric product comprising a fabric, the fabric comprising a multitude of interlinked fibres, the fibres each comprising a core which is electrically conductive and adapted to selectively receive electric current to heat the core such that each fibre provides a thermochromic effect or undergoes a structural change, the core being sheathed in an outer polymeric layer, the fibres each further comprising a responsive component interposed between the core and the outer polymeric layer or within the outer polymeric layer which responsive component is susceptible to a change in properties or structure in response to application of the electric current, the fabric product also including means to provide electrical power to the core.

22. (canceled)

23. (canceled)

24. A process for the production of a fibre, the fibre comprising a core which is electrically conductive and adapted to selectively receive electric current to heat the core such that the fibre provides a thermochromic effect or undergoes a structural change, the core being sheathed in an outer polymeric layer, the fibre further comprising a responsive component interposed between the core and the outer polymeric layer or within the outer polymeric layer which responsive component is susceptible to a change in properties or structure in response to application of the electric current, the process comprising: feeding the electrically-conductive core and a component selected from a liquid crystal and a component which is susceptible to a change in properties or structure in response to application of heat into a first channel having an outlet, feeding a polymer melt into a second channel and extruding the polymer melt through the channel and out of a die nozzle, the second channel being coaxial with and of greater diameter than the first channel and wherein the outlet of the first channel is at the same position or extends beyond the die nozzle, whereby the polymer is extruded to form a sheathe around the first channel and to entrap the component around the core as it emerges from the first outlet thereby forming the fibre.

25. A method of providing at least one of a colour-change effect and a structural change in at least one of a fibre or a fabric comprising an interlinked multitude of the fibre, the fibre comprising a core which is electrically conductive and adapted to selectively receive electric current to heat the core such that the fibre provides a thermochromic effect or undergoes a structural change, the core being sheathed in an outer polymeric layer, the fibre further comprising a responsive component interposed between the core and the outer polymeric layer or within the outer polymeric layer which responsive component is susceptible to a change in properties or structure in response to application of the electric current, the method including providing an external stimulus to the conductive core so as to cause it to change temperature and thereby cause the responsive component to change at least one of its visual appearance and structure.

26. A method according to claim 25 wherein the external stimulus is controllable by a user using an app or a data stream which is communicable with an energy source configured to provide the external stimulus which provides an electrical current or structural change in the core.

Description

EXAMPLES

[0081] Fibres according to the invention were prepared by passing a core through a dye with an outer coaxial zone for passage of the outer polymeric sheath and an intermediate concentric channel for passage of the liquid crystal. The outer polymeric layer enclosed the liquid crystal around the core to produce a fibre according to the invention.

[0082] Fibres having the components listed in Table 2 were prepared. Where the intermediate layer or outer layer comprised additional components to the liquid crystal or polymer respectively, the respective components we pre-mixed with the main component of the layer. The outer polymer was extruded at a draw speed of between 30 and 60 rpm and with an inlet/middle/outlet barrel temperature of 240-320/240-260/250-260. The middle layer was introduce manually.

TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Example Component Ingredient Component Source Concentration (%) 1 Core Stainless Steel multifilament Bekinox VN Bekaert 100 Middle layer thermochromic liquid crystal LCR hallcrest 99 carbon black EMPEROR 1200 Cabot 1 Outer Polyurethane Elastollan B 85A BASF 100 2 Core Stainless Steel multifilament Bekinox VN Bekaert 100 Middle layer thermochromic liquid crystal LCR hallcrest 99 carbon black EMPEROR 1200 Cabot 1 Outer sheath Nylon 6 Nylon 6 Natural A. Schulman 100 BS10 3 Core Stainless Steel multifilament Bekinox VN Bekaert 100 Middle layer thermochromic liquid crystal LCR hallcrest 99 carbon black EMPEROR 1200 Cabot 1 Outer sheath Polyurethane Elastollan B 85A BASF 99 1000 UV Absorber Tinuvin 99-2 BASF 1 4 Core Stainless Steel multifilament Bekinox VN Bekaert 100 Middle layer thermochromic liquid crystal LCR hallcrest 100 Outer sheath Nylon 6 Nylon 6 Natural A. Schulman 98.5 BS10 UV Absorber Tinuvin 99-2 BASF 1 Colourant Heliogen ® Blue BASF 0.5 D 70 5 Core Stainless steel multifilament BekinoxVN Bekaert 100 Middle layer Phenyl benzoate LCR hallcrest 100 ester liquid crystal Outer sheath Polypropylene 25 MFI 100 6 Core Stainless steel multifilament BekinoxVN Bekaert 100 Middle layer Phenyl benzoate LCR hallcrest 100 ester liquid crystal (75) and cholesteric liquid crystal (25%) Outer sheath Polypropylene 25 MFI 100 7 Core Stainless steel multifilament BekinoxVN Bekaert 100 Middle layer Phenyl benzoate LCR hallcrest 100 ester liquid crystal Outer sheath Polypropylene 25 MFI (80%) 100 and LUCENE LC670 (20%) 8 Core Stainless steel multifilament BekinoxVN Bekaert 100 Middle layer Phenyl benzoate LCR hallcrest 100 ester liquid crystal Outer sheath Polypropylene 25 MFI (80%) 100 and LUCENE LC670 (20%) 9 Core Stainless steel multifilament BekinoxVN Bekaert 100 Middle layer Phenyl benzoate LCR hallcrest 100 ester liquid crystal (75) and cholesteric liquid crystal (25%) Outer sheath Polypropylene 25 MFI (80%) 97 and LUCENE LC670 (20%) CESA light stabiliser 3% 10 Core Stainless steel multifilament BekinoxVN Bekaert 100 Middle layer Phenyl benzoate LCR hallcrest 100 ester liquid crystal (75) and cholesteric liquid crystal (25%) Outer sheath Polypropylene 25 MFI (80%) 97 and VISTAMAXX6202 (20%) (ExxonMobil) CESA light stabiliser 3%

[0083] The fibres were produced by extruding the polymer around the core while introducing the liquid crystal middle component. All fibres were adequately formed and flexible with even coating of the liquid crystal on the core and were suitable for processing into a yarn and weaving into a fabric.

[0084] On application of an electric stimulus to the core for each example, the core reached a temperature of at least 35° C. and stimulated the liquid crystal to change colour. Those examples containing solely nematic liquid crystal provided the greater vibrancy and intensity of colour change.

[0085] Example 6 to 10 were repeated including an oil soluble dye in the liquid crystal. The dye provided enhanced brightness of colour