WO2018063018A1

WO2018063018A1 - Process of manufacturing a cork thread with low thickness

Info

Publication number: WO2018063018A1
Application number: PCT/PT2017/050025
Authority: WO
Inventors: Mónica Sofia DA FONSECA ÁGUAS GONÇALVES
Original assignee: Star Busy Investimentos E Inovacao Lda
Current assignee: Star Busy Investimentos E Inovacao Lda
Priority date: 2016-09-30
Filing date: 2017-09-29
Publication date: 2018-04-05
Anticipated expiration: 2019-03-30
Also published as: PT109648A

Abstract

The present invention pertains to a process of manufacturing a cork thread (3) with low thickness, which sequentially comprises four main stages, specifically, cutting a cork canvas (1) into cork canvas strips (2), spraying the cork canvas strips (2) with an aqueous potato starch solution (4), twisting the cork canvas strips (2) and finally spraying the cork thread (3) with the aqueous potato starch solution (4). The cork thread (3) with low thickness, as well as the respective cork canvas strips (2), twisted around their respective axes, are impregnated with an aqueous potato starch solution (4).

Description

SPECIFICATION

"PROCESS OF MANUFACTURING A CORK THREAD WITH LOW THICKNESS" BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention pertains to a process of manufacturing a cork thread with low thickness, which includes two alternate stages, in which they are sprinkled or sprayed with an aqueous potato starch solution, according to the respective stages of said manufacturing process, the cork canvas strips and the cork thread with low thickness.

The aqueous potato starch solution will confer, to the intermediate product, specifically to the cork canvas strips and subsequently to the end product, specifically the cork thread with low thickness, a supplementary resistance to the level of its rupture and stretching and will also confer a solidity in the agglutination between thin strips of cork twisted around their respective axes, so that they are not destroyed.

The properties cited, conferred by the aqueous potato starch solution will mean that the cork thread with low thickness requires no structural reinforcement, as is the case, among others, of a seam along the length of the thin cork canvas strips.

The cork thread with low thickness manufactured in accordance with the process described in the present invention due to its high resistance to rupture and stretching is indicated to be used in the manufacture of cork fabrics and meshes.

Said cork fabrics and meshes are resistant to rain water, can be ironed and also be washed by hand or in the washing machine, if necessary.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The process of manufacturing a cork thread with low thickness, described in the present invention comprises sequentially four main stages and two sub-stages:

Sub-stage 1 - Preparing the cork canvas;

1^st STAGE - Cutting the cork canvas into cork canvas strips ;

2^nd STAGE - Spraying the cork canvas strips, produced in the prior stage, with the aqueous potato starch solution;

Sub-stage 2 - Rolling the cork canvas strips onto the reel;

3^rd STAGE - Twisting the cork canvas strips; and

4^th STAGE - Spraying the cork thread, produced in the prior stage, with said aqueous potato starch solution.

The two sub-stages respectively precede one of the four main stages.

The sub-stage 1 which precedes the 1^st stage, specifically the stage of cutting the cork canvas into cork canvas strips, is only carried out if the raw material used in the process, specifically cork canvas, which is commercialized in rolls, presents a cork canvas roll having greater width than the width of the unraveling roll, which is one of the five components that make up a cutting machine, which will cut a cork canvas into thin cork canvas strips.

The sub-stage 2 which precedes the 3^rd stage, specifically the stage of twisting the cork canvas strips, includes winding the cork canvas strips, produced in the prior stage, in the 2^nd stage, onto a reel.

Said cutting machine used in the 1^st stage of the process, specifically in the stage of cutting the cork canvas into cork canvas strips was developed specifically for the effect and same comprises five components:

- Unraveling roll;

- the guillotine mechanism which is coupled to the set of blades parallel and equidistant to each other; a traction roll, situated beneath the guillotine mechanism and the set of blades;

- a winding roll; and

- a motor which simultaneously drives the traction roll and also the winding roll clockwise.

Cork thread with low thickness produced by way of said process, comprises between two and ten cork canvas strips twisted around their respective axes.

The cork canvas strips and cork thread are impregnated with a potato starch solution.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The description below makes reference to the accompanying drawings which are presented merely as reference, without being limitative in nature, wherein:

Figure 1 - shows a layout of the process of manufacturing a cork thread with low thickness;

Figure 2 - shows a layout of the four main sequential stages that make up the process of manufacturing a cork thread with low thickness;

Figure 3 - shows a diagram of the process of manufacturing a cork thread with low thickness;

Figure 4 - shows a cork thread with low thickness; and

Figure 5 - shows a layout of the process of manufacturing a cork thread with low thickness, with the set of raised blades .

Key to the reference numbers

Cork canvas ( 1 ) ;

Strips of cork canvas (2);

Cork thread ( 3 ) ;

Aqueous potato starch solution (4); Unraveling roll (5); Cutting machine (6); Reel (7) ; Blades (8) ; Traction roll (9); Winding roll (10); Motor (11) ; and Twisting machine (12) .

DE TAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The purpose of the process of manufacturing a cork thread (3) with low thickness, described in the present invention is to produce a cork thread (3) with low thickness which includes the spraying with an aqueous substance made of potato starch (4), in two alternate stages of the process, as can be seen in figures 1, 2, 3 and 5.

The cork thread (3), produced by way of the process of manufacturing a cork thread with low thickness, described in the present invention is made by the twisting or intertwining of two to ten cork canvas strips (2) and does not present an entirely regular or uniform perimeter, regarding the number of faces or sides, and accordingly, nor does it present a fully cylindrical perimeter, as can be noted in figure 4. For reasons merely relating to an improved understanding of the text of the present invention, specifically the title or heading, which refers to the thickness of the cork thread (3), as being in fact a width.

Said thickness of the cork thread (3), hereinafter, shall also be referred to as the width of the cork thread (3) .

The spraying with the aqueous potato starch solution (4) will contribute for the intermediate product and the end product, respectively the cork canvas strips (2) and the cork thread (3), represented in figure 4, to increase their resistance to rupture and stretching.

The aqueous potato starch solution (4) will also contribute to the increase in solidity in the agglutination between the cork canvas strips (2), represented in figure 4, when twisted or intertwined around their respective axes, so that they are not destroyed or unwound.

The manufacture of said cork thread (3) with low thickness comprises sequentially four main stages:

- Cutting the cork canvas (1) into cork canvas strips (2);

Spraying the cork canvas strips (2) with the aqueous potato starch solution (4);

- Twisting the cork canvas strips (2); and

Spraying the cork thread (3) with the aqueous potato starch solution. Depending on the embodiment of the present invention, specifically the embodiments of the production process, the four main sequential stages may require the respective addition of one or two sub-stages, specifically sub-stage 1 and sub-stage 2.

The two said sub-stages 1 and 2, also for reasons merely relating to an improved understanding of the text, hereinafter will always be described as being an integral part, respectively, of one of the four main sequential stages, specifically of the 1^st stage, of cutting the cork canvas (1) into cork canvas strips (2), of the 3^rd stage, of twisting the cork canvas strips (2) .

This sub-stage 1 which precedes the 1^st stage is carried out according to the embodiment of the present invention, i.e. this sub-stage 1 is only carried out if the raw material used in the process, specifically the cork canvas (1), which is commercialized in rolls, presents a cork canvas roll (1) having greater width than the width of the unraveling roll (5) , which is one of the five components that make up a cutting machine (6), which will cut a cork canvas (1) into cork canvas strips (2) .

The sub-stage 2 which is also carried out according to the embodiment of the present invention can be suppressed, due to an improvement in the present process of manufacturing a cork thread (3) with low thickness.

This sub-stage 2 which precedes the 3^rd stage, specifically the stage of twisting the cork canvas strips (2), includes winding the cork canvas strips (2) onto the reel (7) . Accordingly, depending on the embodiment of the present invention, as represented in the diagram of figure 3, the process of manufacturing a cork thread (3) with low thickness comprises sequentially four main stages and two sub-stages :

Sub-stage 1 - Preparing the cork canvas ( 1 ) ;

1^st STAGE - Cutting the cork canvas into cork canvas strips (2) ;

2nd STAGE - Spraying the cork canvas strips (2) , produced in the prior stage, with the aqueous potato starch solution (4) ;

Sub-stage 2 - Winding the cork canvas strips (2) onto the reel ( 7 ) ;

3rd STAGE - Twisting the cork canvas strips (2) ; and

4^th STAGE - Spraying the cork thread (3) , produced in the prior stage, with the aqueous potato starch solution (4) .

1^st STAGE - Cutting the cork canvas (1) into some cork canvas strips (2)

Sub-stage 1 - Preparing the cork canvas (1)

The cork canvas (1) used in the first stage of the process of manufacturing a cork thread (3) with low thickness is formed by two components, a cork skin and a cotton fabric. The cork canvas (1) is commercialized in rolls whose dimensions may be different to the width of the unraveling roll (5), represented in figure 1.

Generally the rolls of cork canvas (1) available on the market present a height of cork canvas (1) of about 1.0mm, a width of about 1.0m and a length of at least 40.0m.

The variation in the length of the cork canvas roll (1) will be directly related to the variation in the length of the cork thread (3), i.e. if a roll has a length of 10.0m, each of the cork canvas strips (2) to be produced and subsequently the end product, the cork thread (3), will also be approximately 10.0m.

The sub-stage 1 of preparing the cork canvas (1), not represented in the accompanying drawings, will also be decisive for the end product, cork thread (3) with low thickness to achieve the desired resistance to rupture and stretching, due to the need to cut the sheet of cork canvas (1) in parallel to one of the threads of the web of said cotton fabric, which constitutes the cork canvas (1) .

Accordingly, the cork canvas (1) has to be cut with the same width size unraveling roll (5) and in parallel to the respective thread of the web of the cotton fabric which makes up the cork canvas (1) .

If the aforementioned procedure is not carried out, the intermediate product and the end product, respectively the cork canvas strips (2) and the cork thread (3), will follow on to their normal use. The cork canvas (1), according to the embodiment of the present invention, will be cut to the width size of the unraveling roll (5) by means of cutting equipment, which may be manual or mechanical.

The manual cutting equipment used to cut the cork canvas (1), may be scissors or a utility knife.

The mechanical cutting equipment used to cut the cork canvas (1) may be the same as that used in the textile industry, as is the case, among others, of the electric vertical-blade scissors, electric circular-blade scissors, band saw, with automatic cut and laser cut.

The surpluses of cork canvas (1) originating from this sub- stage 1 are reused in different ways in the manufacture of clothing items produced from cork thread (3) .

The sub-stage 1 of preparing the cork canvas (1) ends with winding the cork canvas (1), previously cut according to the width size of the unraveling roll (5), onto the unraveling roll (5) .

Once the unraveling roll (5) with the cork canvas (1) has been duly placed on a cutting machine (6), the stage of cutting the cork canvas (1) into cork canvas strips (2) begins .

This 1^st stage of cutting the cork canvas (1) includes the cutting per se of the cork canvas (1), by means of a cutting machine (6) into cork canvas strips (2) .

The cutting machine (6), represented in figure 1, comprises five components:

- unraveling roll (5);

- guillotine mechanism that is coupled to the set of blades (8), in parallel and equidistant to each other;

- traction roll (9);

- winding roll (10); and

- motor (11) .

As can be seen in figure 1, in the cutting machine (6) the unraveling roll (5), the traction roll (9) and the winding roll (10), are disposed in parallel and sequentially to each other.

The unraveling roll (5), the traction roll (9) and the winding roll (10), both have the same sizes, specifically a width varying between 150.0mm, a maximum diameter of 100.0mm and a shaft diameter of 16.0mm.

In another embodiment of the present invention the width size of the unraveling roll (5), the traction roll (9) and the winding roll (10), may vary between 150.0 and 1000.0mm.

The unraveling roll (5) is not directly driven by any mechanical means, and it turns clockwise around its axis, by traction force of the cork canvas (1) which is pulled, in a first phase, across the traction roll (9) and subsequently by means of the winding roll (10) . The traction roll (9), located beneath the guillotine mechanism and the set of blades (8), simultaneously with the winding roll (10) will respectively traction and pull the cork canvas (1) so as to perform, by means of the set of blades (8) represented in figures 1 and 5, the multiple cuts parallel and equidistant to each other, on the cork canvas (1) and subsequent production of the intermediate product, the cork canvas strips (2) .

The traction roll (9) and the winding roll (10) are both driven simultaneously clockwise around their respective axes, by means of the driving force of the motor (11) .

The winding roll (10), like the traction roll (9), will also pull the cork canvas (1) and simultaneously winds the cork canvas strips (2) .

In the cutting machine (6) the blades (8) present a rectangular trapezium shape, similar to the blades used in utility knifes.

The blades (8) are disposed in parallel and equidistant to each other, its set covering a distance equal to the width size of the traction roll (9) .

The blades (8) are disposed in parallel and at a distance of 1.0mm from each other.

If an unraveling roll (5) has a width of 150.00mm, the set of blades (8) will comprise 149 blades (8) .

Accordingly, the number of blades (8), according to the embodiment of the present invention may vary according to a width of the unraveling roll (5) .

The cork canvas strips (2), produced in the cutting machine (6), has a width between 1.0mm and 1.3mm and a height of about 1.0mm.

The length of each of the cork canvas strips (2), produced in the cutting machine (6), depends on the length of the roll of the cork canvas (1) .

Coupled to the set of blades (8) is a guillotine mechanism, which makes the set of blades (8) go up and down, represented in figures 1 and 5, according to whether the motor (11) is switched on or off.

When the motor (11) is switched on, the set of blades (8) is at a lower position, as can be seen in figures 1, i.e. when the set of blades (8) is in contact with a cork canvas (1) .

When the motor (11) is switched off, the set of blades (8), represented in figure 5, is at a higher position, so as to enable the operator to handle the cork canvas (1), without being subject to any type of cut or scratch.

Accordingly, before switching on the motor (11) of the cutting machine (6), the operator raises the set of blades

(8), as represented in figure 5, places the roll on the unraveling roll (5), passes the cork canvas (1) through the traction roll (9) and will fix the respective cork canvas

(1) with adhesive tape to the winding roll (10) .

Once this operation is concluded, the operator lowers the set of blades (8) and switches on the motor (11) of the cutting machine (6), which will make the traction roll (9) and also the winding roll (10) turn clockwise simultaneously and at the same speeds.

The operation of switching on the motor (11) of the cutting machine (6) will start the cycle of cutting the cork canvas (1) into cork canvas strips (2) .

This cycle, of cutting the cork canvas (1) into cork canvas strips (2), ends when the cork canvas (2), which is wound on the unraveling roll (5), comes to an end.

The cutting machine (6) which will cut a cork canvas (1) into cork canvas strips, described previously, according to the embodiment of the present invention may be replaced by another more automated cutting machine (6) and that uses other cutting means, different to the set of blades (8), such as, among others, laser cutting.

2^nd STAGE - Spraying the cork canvas strips (2) with the aqueous potato starch solution (4)

In the stage of spraying the cork canvas strips (2), produced in the prior stage, the cork canvas strips (2) will be sprayed in all its extension, specifically throughout its length and also around the four sides of its perimeter, with an aqueous potato starch solution (4) .

The spraying of the cork canvas strips (2) with an aqueous potato starch solution (4) is carried out according to one of the respective embodiments of the present invention, in manual or automated form. The manual way of spraying the cork canvas strips (2) with an aqueous potato starch solution (4) is carried out with a manual or electric sprinkler or sprayer.

When the spraying of the cork canvas strips (2) with an aqueous potato starch solution (4) is performed in fully automated form, an oven with sprinklers is used for the effect, uniformly distributed inside said oven.

The aqueous potato starch solution (4) is obtained by dissolving about 100. Og of potato starch powder in about 1.0L of water .

3^rd STAGE - Twisting the cork canvas strips (2)

Sub-stage 2 - Winding the cork canvas strips (2) onto the reel (7)

At the start of the 3^rd stage of twisting the cork canvas strips (2) it may be necessary to carry out a sub-stage 2, as shown in the diagram of figure 3, which consists of winding the cork canvas strips (2), produced in the prior stage, onto the reel (7), represented in figure 1.

In the sub-stage 2 an automatic rewinder is used to wind the various cork canvas strips (2) onto the reel (9) .

The end of each of the cork canvas strips (2) is manually fixed onto the reel (7) of the automated rewinder.

The sub-stage 2 which is also carried out according to embodiment of the present invention may also be suppressed, due to an improvement in the present process of manufacturing the cork thread (3) with low thickness.

This improvement of the present invention includes the cork canvas strips (2), when leaving the cutting machine (6), being automatically connected to a twisting machine (12) .

The 3^rd stage of twisting the cork canvas strips (2) includes the twisting or the intertwining per se of cork canvas strips (2) around their respective axes and subsequent production of the end product, the cork thread (3) .

In this stage of twisting the cork canvas strips (2), two, three or ten cork canvas strips (2) are twisted around their respective axes and subsequently produce the end product, the cork thread (3) .

To execute each of the specifications of the end product, the cork thread, according to the embodiment of the present invention, between two and ten cork canvas strips (2) are twisted around their respective axes.

Due to the fact of twisting or intertwining of two to ten cork canvas strips (2), the cork thread (3) does not present an entirely regular perimeter, regarding the number of faces or sides, and accordingly, nor does it present a fully cylindrical perimeter, as can be noted in figure 4.

The twisting of the two to ten cork canvas strips (2), twisted around their respective axes, is carried out by means of one of the twisting machines (12) existing on the market for the respective effect. Said twisting machine (12), according to the embodiment of the present invention, will simultaneously pull two or three, up to a maximum of ten reels (7) with the cork canvas strips (2) to proceed with the respective twisting thereof, around their respective axes.

The end of each of the cork canvas strips (2) is manually fixed onto the reel of the rewinder of the automated twisting machine (12) .

The twisting of the cork canvas strips (2), by way of the twisting machine (12), is carried out with the cork canvas strips (2) in tension, meaning the length, width and or thickness of the end product, the cork thread (3), presents the respective sizes similar to the sizes of the cork canvas strips (2) .

The cork threads (3), comprised of two to ten cork canvas strips (2), respectively twisted around their respective axes, present a width varying between 1.0 and 1.3mm.

4^th STAGE - Spraying the cork thread (3) with the aqueous potato starch solution (4)

The stage of spraying the cork thread (3) with the aqueous potato starch solution (4) is carried out in identical fashion and also uses the same manual or mechanical means as used in the akin stage, specifically in the 2^nd stage of spraying the cork canvas strips (3) with the aqueous potato starch solution (4) .

In this 4^th and last stage, the cork thread (3), produced in the prior stage, will be sprayed in all its extension, specifically throughout its length and also around its perimeter, comprised by the sides of each of the two to ten cork canvasses twisted around their respective axes.

The spraying of the cork thread (3) with an aqueous potato starch solution (4) is carried out according to one of the respective embodiments of the present invention, in manual or automated form.

The manual way of spraying the cork threads (3) with an aqueous potato starch solution (4) is carried out with the use of a sprinkler or a manual or electric sprayer.

When spraying of the cork threads (3) with an aqueous potato starch solution (4) is carried out entirely in automated fashion, an oven with sprinklers is used for the effect, uniformly distributed inside said oven.

This aqueous potato starch solution (4), like the 2^nd stage, is also obtained by dissolving about 100. Og of potato starch powder in about 1.0L of water.

The cork thread (3), described in the present invention, comprises between two and ten cork canvas strips (2) twisted around their respective axes.

The cork canvas strips (2), which consist of cork (3), are impregnated with a potato starch solution (4), in all its extension, specifically throughout its length and also around each of the four sides of its perimeter, as is also the case of the side that includes a cotton fabric. The potato starch solution (4) will also be impregnated around the perimeter of the cork thread (3), which is comprised by the sides of the two to ten cork canvas strips

(2) , twisted around their respective axes.

The cork canvas strips (2), which constitute the cork thread (3), in a cross-sectional cut present a rectangular profile, and with a height of 1.0mm and a width varying between 1.0 and 1.3mm and with a minimum length of 40.0m.

Since it is made by the twisting or intertwining of two, three to ten cork canvas strips (2), the cork thread (3) does not present a fully cylindrical perimeter, as can be noted in figure 4.

The minimum width of the cork thread (3) varies within an interval of between 1.0 and 1.3mm.

This variation is due to the fact that the perimeter of the cork thread (3) is irregular, and that the same cork thread

(3) may present different widths at various points, and these widths vary between 1.0 and 1.3mm.

In other embodiments of the present invention, the cork thread (3) may have a superior width to the aforementioned minimum width, specifically varying within an interval between 1.0 and 1.3mm.

The length of each of the cork canvas strips (2), which constitute the cork thread (3), is at least 40.0m, according to the length of the roll of the raw material, specifically the roll of the cork canvas (1) .

Claims

The present invention shall be limited only by the spirit of the accompanying claims. Lisbon, CLAIMS

1. A process of manufacturing a cork thread with low thickness characterized by comprising sequentially four main stages:

- Cutting the cork canvas (1) into some cork canvas strips (2) ;

Spraying the cork canvas strips (2) with an aqueous potato starch solution (4);

- Twisting the cork canvas strips (2); and

- Spraying a cork thread (3) with the aqueous potato starch solution ( 4 ) .

2. The process of manufacturing a cork thread with low thickness according to the prior claim, characterized wherein the 1^st stage of cutting the cork canvas (1) into cork canvas strips (2), comprises a sub-stage 1 of preparing the cork canvas (2), if the width size of the cork canvas roll (2) is greater than the width of an unraveling roll (5) .

3. The process of manufacturing a cork thread with low thickness according to the prior claims, characterized wherein the sub-stage 1 of preparing the cork canvas (1) includes cutting a sheet of cork canvas (1) with the same width size as the unraveling roll (5) .

4. The process of manufacturing a cork thread with low thickness according to the prior claims, characterized whereby in sub-stage 1 of preparing the cork canvas (1), the width of the unraveling roll (5) varies between 150.0 and 1000.0mm.

5. The process of manufacturing a cork thread with low thickness, according to the prior claims, characterized whereby in sub-stage 1 of preparing the cork canvas (1), the sheet of cork canvas (1) is cut with the same width size as the unraveling roll (5) and in parallel to the respective thread of the web of the fabric that makes up the cork canvas (1) .

6. The process of manufacturing a cork thread with low thickness according to the prior claims, characterized whereby the sub-stage 1 of preparing the cork canvas (1) includes winding the cork canvas (1) onto the unraveling roll (5) .

7. The process of manufacturing a cork thread with low thickness according to claim n.° 1, characterized wherein the 1^st stage of cutting the cork canvas (1) includes the cutting per se of the cork canvas (1) by means of a cutting machine (6) and subsequent production of the intermediate product, the cork canvas strips (2) .

8. The process of manufacturing a cork thread with low thickness according to claim n.° 1, characterized wherein the cutting machine (6) comprises five components:

- an unraveling roll (5);

- a guillotine mechanism that is coupled to the set of blades (8) parallel and at a distance of 1.0mm between each other;

- a traction roll (9), located beneath the set of blades (8), which will traction the cork canvas (6) so as to promote the multiple parallel cuts in the cork canvas (1) and subsequent production of cork canvas strips (2) ;

- a winding roll (10), which like the traction roll (9), will also pull the cork canvas (1) and simultaneously wind the cork canvas strips (2) ; and

- a motor (11) that drives the traction roll (9) and also the winding roll (10) in a clockwise movement.

9. The process of manufacturing a cork thread with low thickness according to claim n.° 1, characterized whereby in the 1^st stage of cutting the cork canvas (1), the cutting machine (6) cuts the cork canvas (1) into cork canvas strips (2), at a height of 1.0mm and at a width varying between 1.0 and 1.3mm.

10. The process of manufacturing a cork thread with low thickness according to claim n.° 1, characterized whereby in the 1^st stage of cutting the cork canvas (1), the cutting machine (6) cuts the cork canvas (1) into cork canvas strips (2) with a length equal to the length of the respective cork canvas roll (1) .

11. The process of manufacturing a cork thread with low thickness according to claim n.° 1, characterized whereby in the 1^st stage of cutting the cork canvas (1), the cutting machine (6) cuts the cork canvas (1) into cork canvas strips (2) with a minimum length of 40.0m.

12. The process of manufacturing a cork thread with low thickness according to claim n.° 1, characterized whereby in the 2^nd stage of spraying the cork canvas strips (2) with the aqueous potato starch solution (4), the cork canvas strips (2) are sprayed in all its extension, specifically throughout its length and also around the four sides of its perimeter, with the aqueous potato starch solution ( 4 ) .

13. The process of manufacturing a cork thread with low thickness according to claim n.° 1, characterized whereby in the 2^nd stage of spraying the cork canvas strips (2) with the aqueous potato starch solution (4), the aqueous potato starch solution (4) is obtained by dissolving about 100. Og of potato starch powder in about 1.01 of water.

14. The process of manufacturing a cork thread with low thickness according to claim n.° 1, characterized wherein the 3^rd stage of twisting the cork canvas strips (2) comprises the sub-stage 2 of winding the cork canvas strips (2) onto the reel (7) .

15. The process of manufacturing a cork thread with low thickness according to claim n.° 1, characterized wherein the 3^rd stage of twisting the cork canvas strips (2) includes the twisting per se of cork canvas strips (2) around their respective axes.

16. The process of manufacturing a cork thread with low thickness according to claim n.° 1, characterized whereby in the 3^rd stage of twisting the cork canvas strips (2), according to the intended specifications of the cork thread (3) to be produced, respectively between two and ten cork canvas strips (2) are twisted around their respective axes.

17. The process of manufacturing a cork thread with low thickness according to claims n.°s 1 and 13, characterized whereby in the 4^th stage of spraying the cork thread (3) with an aqueous potato starch solution (4), the cork thread

(3) is sprayed in all its extension, specifically throughout its length and also around its perimeter, comprised by the sides of the two to ten cork canvas strips

(2) twisted around their respective axes.

18. A cork thread with low thickness characterized by comprising :

- between two to ten cork canvas strips (2) twisted around their respective axes;

- cork canvas strips (2), impregnated with a potato starch solution (4), in all its extension, specifically throughout its length and also around the four sides of its perimeter; and a potato starch solution (4) impregnated around the perimeter of the cork thread (3), which is comprised by the sides of the two to ten cork canvas strips (2) twisted around their respective axes.

19. The cork thread with low thickness according to the prior claim, characterized wherein the aqueous potato starch solution (4) is obtained by dissolving about 100. Og of potato starch powder in about 1.01 of water.

20. The cork thread with low thickness produced according to claim n° 18, characterized wherein the cork canvas strips (2) that make up the cork thread (3), have a rectangular profile, with a height of 1.0mm and a width varying between 1.0 and 1.3mm.

21. The cork thread with low thickness produced according to claim n° 18, characterized wherein the minimum width of the cork thread (3) varies between 1.0 and 1.3mm.

22. The cork thread with low thickness produced according to claim n° 18, characterized wherein the length of each of the cork canvas strips (2), that make up the cork thread (3), are at least 40.0m, according to the length of the roll of the raw material, specifically the roll of the cork canvas ( 1 ) .

23. The cork thread with low thickness produced according to claim n° 18, characterized wherein the length of the cork thread (3) is at least 40.0m, according to the length of the roll of the raw material, specifically the roll of the cork canvas (1) .

Lisbon,