ES344761A1 - Fabric treating apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

Apparatus for washing, fulling, felting or milling fabric comprises a passage 8 through which the fabric 7 is passed and which is defined by opposed surfaces, the first surface comprising a plurality of each of first and second compressing elements 20, 20b, 20d and 20a, 20c, 20e, respectively, disposed alternately and extending transversely of the passage 8 in spaced relation reciprocating means being coupled to the compressing elements to displace them toward and away from the second surface to provide an undulatory compression of the fabric 7 between the surfaces, the elements 20, 20b, 20d being displaced simultaneously with and oppositely to the displacement of the elements 20a, 20c, 20e adjusting means 15 to displace the second .surface toward and away from the first surface and feed means 5, 6 at the entrance end of the passage 8. In one embodiment, Fig. 1, the apparatus comprises, a trough-shaped container 2 in which feed rolls 5, 6 are rotatably mounted. One or both of the rolls 5, 6 is positively driven through a speed-changing transmission. The fabric 7 is formed into an endless band and may be an open-width woven fabric or in the form of a rope or twist. A frame 9 pivoted about the shaft 10 of the roll 5 has a wall 11 to define part of the upper surface of the passage 8. The remainder of this surface is defined by idler rollers 12 mounted an a frame 13 and which are slightly spaced from each other to allow treatment liquid, supplied from a header 18 through nozzles 19, to flow downwardly onto the fabric 7. The frame 13 is secured to the frame 9 and is pivotable about the shaft 10 by a pneumatic cylinder 15 to exert a predetermined pressure on the fabric 7. The frame 9 includes a pair of swingable arms 23 pivotable about the shaft 10a of the roll 6, which carry a wall 21 to define part of the lower surface of the passage 8 and which also carry bearings 22 to support the element 20. The compressing elements 20, .., 20e comprise freely rotatable rollers Adjacent rollers are connected together by links, e.g. 40, 40a. The rollers are reciprocated through rods 24, 24a, 24b, 24c, 24d, 65, bell-crank levers 27, 63, T-levers 47, 60 and links 29, 50, 49, 61 by bell-crank levers 30 swung back and forth about their pivots 31 by a pair of driven crank discs 33 through rods 32 slidable in slots 31a in the bell-cranks 30 so that the rollers 20, 20b, 20d move toward the fabric 7 whilst the rollers 20a, 20c, 20e move away therefrom and vice versa. The speed of reciprocation of the rollers 20, ., 20e may be adjustable. In a modification. Fig. 3 (not shown) each compressing element is formed by a pair of freely rotattable rollers (100), (101) which move in 'unison and are mounted on a U-shaped element (102) on reciprocating rods (103). In a further modification, Fig. 4 (not shown), the compressing elements are formed by plates (104) each having curved side edges extending transversely of the passage and which are carried by reciprocating rods (105) connected by links (106). In another embodiment, Fig. 5, apparatus for washing and for milling a fabric 204 comprises feed rolls 202, 203, idler rolls 205 and compressing rolls 206 reciprocable similarly to those of Fig. 1. The liquid which has passed through the fabric is collected in a tank 207 having an outlet 208 connectable through pneumaticallyactuated valves 209, 211 either to discharge means 212 or to a recirculating means including a conduit 210 and an open-topped vessel 219 containing a steam coil 220 to heat the liquid therein. A mesh filter 221 is provided at the top of the vessel 219. A conduit 222 connects the vessel 219 to a pump 223 connected to a conduit 224 which communicates through a pneumatic valve 225 with one or other of a pair of conduits 226, 228 connected to headers 227, 229, respectively, carrying spray nozzles. The nozzles on the header 227 provide a lesser flow of liquid in a given time than those on the header 229. The treatment liquid is introduced into a tank 201a forming 'the lower part of the apparatus by pipes (not shown). When the. liquid in the tank has reached a predetermined level, the tank 207 is disconnected from the recirculating means and connected to the discharge means 212 until all the liquid is discharged. In a further embodiment, Fig. 6, a stationary wall 321 is provided downstream of feed rolls 305, 306 and has a curved semi-cylindrical surface 380 facing .the first of the compressing rollers 309. A reduction unit (not shown) drives the rollers 309 through a cam 383, and rod 384, pentagonal plates 385, 387, rods 389, 390 and links 382. In a still further embodiment. Figs, 7 and 8 (both not shown), the rollers (400) are driven by shafts (404) having offset cams (405) mounted thereon, the cams (405) carrying connecting rods (406) coupled by spherical heads (407) and rods (408) to the rollers (400). In yet another embodiment. Figs. 9 and 10 (both not shown), compressing rollers (500) are not interconnected by links but are fixed or rotatably mounted on shafts (501) having ball bearings (502) of larger diameter than the rollers (500) thereon. The bearings (502) on each shaft (501) are maintained in contact by spring loaded pusher devices (503). The rollers (500) are driven similarly to the rollers (400) of Figs. 7 and 8. In a further embodiment. Fig. 11, interconnected compressing rollers 600 are operated by double-acting pneumatic or hydraulic jacks 601 controlled through electro-magnetic valves 602 connected to a programming device 603 comprising a variable speed electric motor 604 the shaft 605 of which operates two mutually offset cams 606 to control alternate excitation of valve windings 607. In another embodiment, Fig. 12 (not shown), compressing rollers (700) are interconnected to one another and the rods (701) each pivoted on a pin (707) offset mounted on a gear wheel (705) carried on a shaft (706). The gears (705) intermesh and are driven by a motor through a gear (707).