Electrostatic intermingling device and a process for intermingling filaments

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to an electrostatic intermingling device and a process for intermingling filaments. The filaments are intermingled to produce a yarn. The electrostatic intermingling device comprises a funnel, an expansion tube, a plurality of slits, a plurality of electrodes, and an electrically grounded disc. The plurality of slits are configured on the periphery of the expansion tube to receive a plurality of electrodes. The funnel is adapted to statically charge the filaments passing therethrough. The polarity of the plurality of electrodes is selectively altered to modify the spatial configuration of the statically charged filaments, so as to intermingle the statically charged filaments and obtain intermingled charged filaments. The electrically grounded disc is adapted to receive and neutralize the intermingled charged filaments. The electrostatic intermingling device and the process of the present disclosure are economical.

1 . An electrostatic intermingling device ( 100 ) for intermingling filaments, said electrostatic intermingling device ( 100 ) comprising:
 a) a funnel ( 1 ) adapted to statically charge the filaments passing therethrough;   b) an expansion tube ( 2 ) adapted to receive and allow the passage of said statically charged filaments therethrough, said expansion tube ( 2 ) is detachably attached to an operative lower portion of said funnel ( 1 ) and has a plurality of slits ( 3 ) configured on the periphery thereof to receive a plurality of electrodes ( 3 ′),
 wherein, the polarity of said plurality of electrodes ( 3 ′) is selectively altered to modify the spatial configuration of said statically charged filaments, thereby intermingling said statically charged filaments to obtain intermingled charged filaments; and 
   c) an electrically grounded disc ( 4 ) adapted to receive and neutralize said intermingled charged filaments, said electrically grounded disc ( 4 ) is detachably attached to said expansion tube ( 2 ) and is having an opening ( 0 ) configured thereon, to allow the passage of said intermingled charged filaments therethrough.   
     
     
         2 . The electrostatic intermingling device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein each of said plurality of electrodes ( 3 ′) is electrically coupled to a high voltage generator (V). 
     
     
         3 . The electrostatic intermingling device as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein said high voltage generator is in data communication with a microcontroller (M). 
     
     
         4 . The electrostatic intermingling device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said funnel ( 1 ) is made of at least one material, selected from the triboelectric series, having a positive charge. 
     
     
         5 . The electrostatic intermingling device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said funnel ( 1 ) is a glass funnel. 
     
     
         6 . A process for intermingling filaments in said electrostatic intermingling device as claimed in  claim 1 , said process comprising the following steps:
 i. allowing said filaments to pass through said funnel ( 1 ) and rub against a wall of said funnel ( 1 ) to obtain statically charged filaments;   ii. allowing said statically charged filaments to pass through said expansion tube ( 2 );   iii. selectively altering the polarity of said plurality of electrodes ( 3 ′) received in said plurality of slits ( 3 ) to modify the spatial configuration of said statically charged filaments, thereby intermingling said statically charged filaments to obtain intermingled charged filaments; and   iv. neutralizing said intermingled charged filaments, by allowing said intermingled charged filaments to pass through said electrically grounded disc ( 4 ), to obtain neutralized intermingled filaments.