A system and method for in-line treatment of one or more threads for use with thread consuming device

Abstract

A system for in-line treatment of one or more threads for use with a thread consuming device is provided. The system includes a treatment unit having a plurality of nozzles being distributed in at least a first and a second dispensing zone, the dispensing zones being separated in a direction being perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the at least one thread, said thread being in motion in use, each nozzle being configured to dispense one or more coating substances at least onto the at least one thread when activated, and a control unit being configured to control activation of each dispensing zone of nozzles independently. A method is further provided.

1 - 17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . A system for in-line treatment of one or more threads for use with a thread consuming device, comprising:
 a treatment unit having a plurality of nozzles being distributed in at least a first and a second dispensing zone, the dispensing zones being separated in a direction being substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the at least one thread, said thread being in motion in use, each nozzle being configured to dispense one or more coating substances at least onto the at least one thread when activated; and   a control unit being configured to control activation of each dispensing zone of nozzles independently.   
     
     
         19 . The system according to  claim 18 , wherein the plurality of nozzles are arranged in one or more nozzle arrays. 
     
     
         20 . The system according to  claim 19 , wherein the plurality of nozzles are arranged in one nozzle array and wherein the nozzle array is arranged at an angle in relation to the direction of the at least one thread. 
     
     
         21 . The system according to  claim 19 , wherein the plurality of nozzles are arranged in at least two nozzle arrays. 
     
     
         22 . The system according to  claim 21 , wherein the at least two nozzle arrays are parallel to each other. 
     
     
         23 . The system according to  claim 19 , wherein the nozzle arrays are arranged at an angle in relation to the direction of the at least one thread. 
     
     
         24 . The system according to  claim 21 , wherein at least a part of the nozzles of the first nozzle array are distributed in the first dispensing zone and at least a part of the nozzles of the second nozzle array are distributed in the second dispensing zone. 
     
     
         25 . The system according to  claim 24 , wherein all of the nozzles of the first nozzle array are distributed in the first dispensing zone and all of the nozzles of the second nozzle array are distributed in the second dispensing zone. 
     
     
         26 . The system according to  claim 18 , wherein the system is arranged for in-line treatment of at least a first thread and a second thread, and wherein the control unit is configured to control activation of the nozzles of each dispensing zone independently such that the first thread can be treated by the first dispensing zone, while the second thread can be simultaneously treated by the second dispensing zone. 
     
     
         27 . The system according to  claim 26 , wherein control unit is configured to control activation of each dispensing zone by transmitting trigger signals to the nozzles being arranged in the specific dispensing zone. 
     
     
         28 . The system according to  claim 27 , wherein the control unit is further configured to activate the nozzles of one dispensing zone individually. 
     
     
         29 . The system according to  claim 28 , wherein the control unit is further configured to activate the nozzles of one dispensing zone individually with a predetermined offset from receiving the trigger signal. 
     
     
         30 . The system according to  claim 26 , wherein the first thread and a second thread are different from each other. 
     
     
         31 . The system according to  claim 18 , wherein the nozzles are inkjet nozzles. 
     
     
         32 . The system according to  claim 18 , further comprising a thread consuming device. 
     
     
         33 . The system according to  claim 32 , wherein the thread consuming device is an embroidery machine, a sewing machine, a knitting machine, a weaving machine, a tufting machine, a thread winding machine, and or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         34 . A method for in-line treatment of at least one thread, comprising:
 providing a treatment unit having a plurality of nozzles being distributed in at least a first and a second dispensing zone, the dispensing zones being separated in a direction being perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the at least one thread, said thread being in motion in use, each nozzle being configured to dispense one or more coating substances at least onto the at least one thread when activated; and   providing a control unit being configured to control activation of each dispensing zone of nozzles independently.