Abstract A process and apparatus is disclosed for preparing Moresque (multicolored) yarn from thermoplastic polymers. An elongated flat die is utilized to extrude parallel streams of molten polymers of alternating colors onto a casting roll to form a thermoplastic polymer film. Desired color combinations can be obtained by preselecting the colors of the molten polymer streams. The congealed film is oriented in the longitudinal direction to increase the longitudinal strength. The stretched film is cut in strips of uniform width by means of a cutting tool with a series of cutting heads. In order to obtain a random color distribution on the edges of individual strips, the film is oscillated across the direction of the longitudinal axis prior to cutting. These strips are fibrillated to produce a fibrous network which upon twisting simulates natural yarns suitable for indoor-outdoor carpets or general commercial textile use.
A process for producing Moresque yarn according to claim 1 in which said thermoplastic polymeR is polypropylene and said continuous sheet of multicolored film is oriented 6 to 9 times its original length in the longitudinal direction.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
26 words
A process for producing Moresque yarn according to claim 1 in which said continuous multicolored sheet contains colored stripes of equal width which alternate in sequence.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
A process for producing Moresque yarn according to claim 1 in which said stripes in said continuous multicolored sheet are of varying widths which alternate in sequence.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
52 words
A process for producing Moresque yarn in accordance with claim 1 in which both edges of said continuous sheet of multicolored film are formed with the same color, both edges being continually trimmed to maintain preset proportions for the constituent colors, said trimmings being recycled to the screw extruder for said color.