Abstract: A continuous device (1) is provided for impregnating, in a single step, strands or ribbons of natural fibers (100) with a specific aqueous polymer dispersion to consolidate the fibers at the core of the fiber bundle and to improve their mechanical strength without any need for twisting. The device includes a stretching component (10) for elongating by the strand or the ribbon of natural fibers by stretching to give them a required yarn count, an impregnating component (20) for impregnating the fibers with the aqueous dispersion, a shaper for shaping/calibrating the wrung fibers, a dryer (40) for drying the shaped/calibrated fibers, and a conditioner (50) for conditioning the dried fibers to transform them into yarn or ribbon.

Abstract: A method for impregnating strands or strips of natural fibers, using the following successive steps: i) the impregnation of the strands or strips by immersion in a bath containing a fine aqueous polymer dispersion; followed by ii) the drying of the strands or strips using a heating system, with the progressive elimination of the water and the gradual melting of the polymer, and the coating of the strands or strips and the molten polymer incorporated into the core of the strands or strips as a binder between the fibers; iii) optionally, the forming of the treated strands or strips into their final shape; and iv) the cooling of the treated strands or strips. The aqueous polymer dispersion comprises at least one semi-crystalline or amorphous polymer and, in the case of an amorphous polymer, has a Tg varying between 50° C. and 175° C.

Abstract: A continuous device (1) is provided for impregnating, in a single step, strands or ribbons of natural fibers (100) with a specific aqueous polymer dispersion to consolidate the fibers at the core of the fiber bundle and to improve their mechanical strength without any need for twisting. The device includes a stretching component (10) for elongating by the strand or the ribbon of natural fibers by stretching to give them a required yarn count, an impregnating component (20) for impregnating the fibers with the aqueous dispersion, a shaper for shaping/calibrating the wrung fibers, a dryer (40) for drying the shaped/calibrated fibers, and a conditioner (50) for conditioning the dried fibers to transform them into yarn or ribbon.

Abstract: A method for impregnating strands or strips of natural fibres, using the following successive steps: i) the impregnation of the strands or strips by immersion in a bath containing a fine aqueous polymer dispersion; followed by ii) the drying of the strands or strips using a heating system, with the progressive elimination of the water and the gradual melting of the polymer, and the coating of the strands or strips and the molten polymer incorporated into the core of the strands or strips as a binder between the fibres; iii) optionally, the forming of the treated strands or strips into their final shape; and iv) the cooling of the treated strands or strips. The aqueous polymer dispersion comprises at least one semi-crystalline or amorphous polymer and, in the case of an amorphous polymer, has a Tg varying between 50° C. and 175° C.

Abstract: A method is provided for collecting at least partially retted plants and winding them into bales. The method is characterised in that the collected and wound plants are fibrous plants with previously cut tops and bottoms. A machine to perform the method has a gatherer (3) for collecting at least partially retted plants with previously cut tops and bottoms, a crusher (4) for grinding the stems of the plants without tops and bottoms to break the wood filaments therein, a decorticator (10) for scarifying the ground stems to release the wood filaments and shives, a unit (31) for laying flat the fibres scutched in this way, and a baler (32) for winding the same into bales.

Abstract: A method is provided for collecting at least partially retted plants and winding them into bales. The method is characterised in that the collected and wound plants are fibrous plants with previously cut tops and bottoms. A machine to perform the method has a gatherer (3) for collecting at least partially retted plants with previously cut tops and bottoms, a crusher (4) for grinding the stems of the plants without tops and bottoms to break the wood filaments therein, a decorticator (10) for scarifying the ground stems to release the wood filaments and shives, a unit (31) for laying flat the fibres scutched in this way, and a baler (32) for winding the same into bales.