Colored lines and methods of making colored lines
Colored monofilament ultrahigh molecular weight polyolefin lines, and methods of making such colored lines are disclosed. The colorant can result in a product that provides a visual indication of metered length. When the colorant has a luminescent response to ultraviolet or infrared light, a line can change color based on the environmental conditions to which it is exposed. Methods of making the line can include feeding a substantially untwisted multifilament ultrahigh molecular weight polyolefin yarn; coating the substantially untwisted multifilament yarn with at least one colorant; twisting the coated multifilament yarn; and heating the twisted multifilament yarn to a temperature and for a time sufficient to at least partially fuse adjacent filaments together while stretching the yarn.
1. A method of making colored monofilament ultrahigh molecular weight polyolefin line, the method comprising the steps of:
feeding at least one substantially untwisted multifilament ultrahigh molecular weight polyolefin yarn having a length;
coating at least a portion the length of the substantially untwisted multifilament yarn with at least one colorant;
twisting the coated multifilament yarn; and
heating the twisted multifilament yarn to a temperature and for a time sufficient to at least partially fuse adjacent filaments together while stretching the yarn to a stretch ratio from about 3 to about 10 to form the colored monofilament ultrahigh molecular weight polyolefin line.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of coating comprises coating the substantially untwisted multifilament yarn with a plurality of colorants in series along the length of the substantially untwisted multifilament yarn.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein each colorant is applied as a coloring composition comprising the colorant and a thermoplastic resin carrier.
4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the thermoplastic resin carrier comprises a polyolefin resin.
5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the polyolefin resin comprises a polyolefin copolymer.
6. The method of claim 3 , wherein the thermoplastic resin carrier has a lower melting point than the ultrahigh molecular weight polyolefin yarn.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one colorant has a luminescent response when exposed to ultraviolet light or infrared light.
8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the at least one colorant has a luminescent response when exposed to ultraviolet light.
9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the at least one colorant is applied to the entire length of the substantially untwisted multifilament yarn.
10. The method of claim 7 , wherein the at least one colorant comprises an inorganic material selected from the group consisting of La 2 O 2 S:Eu, ZnSiO 4 :Mn, and YVO 4 :Nd.
11. The method of claim 7 , wherein the colorant is applied as a coloring composition comprising the colorant and a thermoplastic resin carrier.
12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the thermoplastic resin carrier comprises a polyolefin resin.
13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the polyolefin resin comprises a polyolefin copolymer.
14. The method of claim 11 , wherein the thermoplastic resin carrier has a lower melting point than the ultrahigh molecular weight polyolefin yarn.
15. The method of claim 11 , wherein the coloring composition comprises from about 1 to about 40 percent by weight of the multifilament yarn after drying.
16. A monofilament ultrahigh molecular weight polyolefin line made according to the method of claim 1 , wherein the line is selected from the group consisting of fishing line, kite string, bow string, tennis racket string, parachute string, sewing thread, yachting rope, and lifting rope.
17. A method of making colored monofilament ultrahigh molecular weight polyolefin line, the method comprising the steps of:
feeding at least one substantially untwisted multifilament ultrahigh molecular weight polyolefin yarn having a length;
coating the substantially untwisted multifilament yarn with a plurality of colorants in series along the length of the substantially untwisted multifilament yarn;
twisting the coated multifilament yarn; and
heating the twisted multifilament yarn to a temperature and for a time sufficient to at least partially fuse adjacent filaments together while stretching the yarn to a stretch ratio from about 3 to about 10 to form the colored monofilament ultrahigh molecular weight polyolefin line.
18. A method of making colored monofilament ultrahigh molecular weight polyolefin line, the method comprising the steps of:
feeding at least one substantially untwisted multifilament ultrahigh molecular weight polyolefin yarn having a length;
coating at least a portion the length of the substantially untwisted multifilament yarn with at least one colorant, wherein the at least one colorant has a luminescent response when exposed to ultraviolet light or infrared light;
twisting the coated multifilament yarn; and
heating the twisted multifilament yarn to a temperature and for a time sufficient to at least partially fuse adjacent filaments together while stretching the yarn to a stretch ratio from about 3 to about 10 to form the colored monofilament ultrahigh molecular weight polyolefin line.