US3901054A

US3901054A - Apparatus for continuous treatment of webs with hot liquids

Info

Publication number: US3901054A
Application number: US415265A
Authority: US
Inventors: Christian Augu Meier-Windhorst
Original assignee: MEIER WINDHORST CHRISTIAN A
Current assignee: MEIER WINDHORST CHRISTIAN A
Priority date: 1971-12-08
Filing date: 1973-11-12
Publication date: 1975-08-26
Anticipated expiration: 1992-08-26

Abstract

Apparatus for the continuous treatment of webs of textile materials or similar materials in hot liquids, wherein the web and the liquid travel at equal speeds during the treatment with the web floating in the liquid, and wherein the ratio by weight of liquid to the web is between about 10:1 and 50:1, the main features being the introduction of the web into the treatment liquid in irregular, preferably crimped shape, and not in pleated shape, through a port of larger width than the width of the treatment path and at a higher speed than the one at which web and treatment liquid travel during the treatment proper, thereby causing a banking up of the liquid and the web therein, to a thicker sheet, and further subjecting the surface of the web in all its parts to convective or turbulent currents effected in the treatment liquid to bring about a change of shape in said surface parts of the web.

Description

United States Patent Meier-Windhorst APPARATUS FOR CONTINUOUS TREATMENT OF WEBS WITH I-IOT LIQUIDS Inventor: Christian August Meier-Windhorst,

2101 Lindhorst, uber Hamburg-Harburg, Germany Filed: Nov. 12, 1973 Appl. No.: 415,265

Related U.S. Application Data Division of Ser. No. 313,362, Dec. 8, 1972, Pat. No. 3,849,068.

Foreign Application Priority Data Dec. 8, 1971 Germany 2160799 U.S. C1. 68/15; 68/181 R Int. Cl. B05c 3/172; B05c 3/176 Field of Search 68/43, 53, 175, 177, 181 R,

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 4/1953 Pendleton et a1, 68/181 R X 9/1954 Secrist 68/184 X 7/1955 Keggin 68/181 R X FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 59,773 2/1954 France 68/43 Primary Examinerl-1arvey C. Hornsby Assistant ExaminerPhilip R. Coe Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Allison C. Col1ard 5 7] ABSTRACT Apparatus for the continuous treatment of webs of textile materials or similar materials in hot liquids, wherein the web and the liquid travel at equal speeds during the treatment with the web floating in the liquid, and wherein the ratio by weight of liquid to the web is between about 10:1 and 50:1, the main features being the introduction of the web into the treatment liquid in irregular, preferably crimped shape, and not in pleated shape, through a port of larger width than the width of the treatment path and at a higher speed than the one'at which web and treatment liquid travel during the treatment proper, thereby causing a banking up of the liquid and the web therein, to a thicker sheet, and further subjecting the surface of the web in all its parts to convective 0r turbulent currents effected in the treatment liquid to bring about a change of shape in said surface parts of the web.

a 6 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures PATENTEU AUGZGIQTS SHEET 1 OF 2 APPARATUS FOR CONTINUOUS TREATMENT OF WEBS WITH HOT LIQUIDS This is a division of application Ser. No. 313,362 filed Dec. 8, 1972, and now Pat. No. 3,849,068.

The present invention relates to apparatus for the continuous treatment of textile webs or webs of similar materials with hot liquids, preferably on a path of wide dimensions, wherein the liquid and the web under treatment move at equal speeds, The ratio of the liquid and the web under treatment is from about l:l to 50:1 by weight, and the web is floating in the liquid.

The treatment of the web concerns mostlya cleaning treatment, with chemicals effecting an improvement or refinement of the web material, treatment with dyestuffs and the like. For example, cleaning may take place in aqueous cleansing liquids, liquids forde-sizing, boiling and/or bleaching, dyeing, after-treatment after dyeing or printing, or for the finishing of textiles. The process is especially applicable for treatments where due to the long action, a considerable depletion of the effective agent from the liquid is likely to take place, or the treatment liquid becomes exhausted. Other applications relate to liquid treatments in which the time of treatment is shortened by the use of elevated temperatures and/or increased currents, for example, turbulence in the liquid acting on the web and the like.

The apparatus is further applicable for a treatment with a warm liquid as such, e.g. for development of the structure (bulk development) of textile webs, such as texturized fibers or yarns, or for liquid treatment in solvents, such as hydrocarbons, for the removal of spinning oils, sizings and the like, or a combination of treatment with l liquids as mentioned above. One preferred application is for light-weight to medium-heavy weight textile structures, e.g. about 50 to 300 g/m wherein treatment liquid and web to be treated, after introduction into the treatment also move at equal speeds, which are, however, reduced in comparison to the initial speed of the web.

A device has already been proposed for the use of the new continuous treatment of webs in hot liquids for improving textiles of specific weight of 100 250 g/m such as normal fabrics and knitted goods, in paths of wide dimensions for the webs in the treatment liquid wherein the webs were to be arranged in orderly pleats or loops. It was already found that for this type of conducting, the web in the treatment liquid should be limited to cases, in which the treatment liquid was applied to the textile in a first impregnating stage where the textile was conducted over a wide path in a smooth manner. Extensive studies have confirmed the fact that with such a web arranged in substantiallyorderly manner, folded or pleated, it is mainly after-treatments with hot' liquids which can be carried out.;

It is an object of the present invention to provide apparatus for bringing about an even effect of the treat ment over the entire area of the web, in spite of the fact that an orderly arrangement of the web was abandoned. The even effect is also achieved when treatments are applied, such as the continuous dyeing of textile webs, where the highest requirements such as uniform treatment action, dyestuff transfer, and dyestuff incorporation beginning from the first contact of quired.

It is another object of the invention to introduce the web to be treated into a liquid sheet which is banked up by a strongly reduced speed of movement compared to the speed of introduction. One fifth of the original speed or even less is common in these cases.

Considerable advantages are obtained by combining a continuous travel of the web and treatment liquid, and by accurately controling the effects of the treatment agents by and through the hot treatment liquids. To obtain a complete uniform dyeing of continuously travelling piece goods, two prerequisites have to be fulfilled at the same time.

First of all, when the web is introduced into the treatment liquid and it banks up into a multiple sheet thickness, the formation of lasting structural changes, such as loops, folds or zig-zag pleats must be prevented. The web must, however, pass through the treatment irregularly, a curly or crimped shape, preferably in combination with convective and turbulent currents acting through the treatment liquid onto the surface of the web so that all parts of the web surface are subjected to shape-changing motions. Only when the web is introduced into the treatment liquid in a crimped manner, with a constant directed change of shape of all surface parts, will the uneven dye effect become a completely uniform, and smooth dye effect in the application of the process to continuous dyeing be produced.

It is also necessary to maintain a desired ratio of the weights of the treatment liquid to the textile web, of about 10:1 to about 50:1. A uniform distribution must be observed both as to the depth of the layer of the liquid and to the direction of travel of the treatment liquid.

In the process of the present invention for liquid treatments, e.g. chemicals, desirable results can be obtained when, in addition to the proper distribution of the textile web in the treatment liquid, and the shaping combined with the convective and turbulent current action of the treatment liquid onto the web, that care is taken to provide treatment over not only the entire width of the path, but also over the depth or thickness, now multiplied, of the liquid sheet.

A very important feature is the introduction of the web to be treated. According to the invention, the introduction is brought about irregularly, and the distribution of the web in the banked liquid during the common admission into the treatment may be carried out advantageously over the entire width through funnelshaped enlarged port at the inlet adapted to the desired thickness of the liquid sheet in each case. Adjustment takes place automatically with the enlarged port being completely filled with treatment liquid. In order to aid the introduction of the web into the treatment liquid,

it is possible to use an additional quantity of treatment liquid of the same composition, and the same physical characteristics as the treatment liquid freshly admitted. The additional liquid circulates only in the zone of admission and the weight ratio of liquid to web is proportionately increased only at the admission zone.

In order to maintain the web in a constant shape: changing motion, mechanical or hydrodynamic means are provided to perform intermittent kneading or rolling movements on the web during the treatment. During this action an even distribution of treatment liquid and textile web corresponding to the desired weight ratio must be maintained or, restored if necessary.

Similar measures, such as equalizing the concentration of the treatment liquid over the depth and thickness of the liquid should be combined with the equalization of the concentration of treatment agent over the width of the path traveled by the web. To secure equal concentrations near the edges of the web, partial quantities of treatment liquid taken from those regions should be added, preferably from both sides, to the liquid in the path of the web, such as from above and below when the liquid travels horizontally.

In a preferred embodiment, the thickness of the sheet of the mixture of treatment liquid and textile goods should be steadily or gradually increased, either from the start, or in the later course of the process as the concentration of the treatment agents decreases (or their exhaustion increases). The speed of the flow should also be made to drop. This will shorten the entire process to provide an added advantage.

An apparatus for carrying out the process of the invention may comprise a channel for the flow of the treatment liquid. The web is introduced and travels through in a crimped form. The channel is equipped with means for bringing about movements to change the shape of the web. The channel may have the same cross-section throughout the length of treatment, but in preferred embodiments of the invention, the crosssection of the channel may increase in the direction of the travel of the web and the flow of the treatment agents.

At the inlet of the channel, there is an enlarged intake to receive the web at excess speed, to cause an irregular introduction of the web and the treatment liquid hydrodynamically, and automatically. The treatment liquid is conveyed into the channel at the start of the operation by distributing means, circulating means and means for adding fresh liquid. These devices are arranged in front of the funnel-shaped channel enlargement and laterally of the web. In the funnel-shaped enlargement, hydrodynamically acting circulating devices may be arranged for improving the admission of the liquid.

In order to cause shape-changing movements of the web, mechanical impellers have proved to be very effective, when provided with double bearings for vertical and tilting movements. They may act on the liquid causing a simultaneous movement with the web, or conveying or influencing the movement of the liquid. Instead of mechanical means, hydrodynamical impellers may, of course, be used.

In the accompanying drawings, an example of the apparatus according to the invention is schematically illustrated. It should however be understood that many modifications of the device could be made, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

In the drawings, wherein similar reference characters denote similar elements through the several views:

FIG. 1 shows the front part of an apparatus with a channel for receiving the treatment liquid, where the cross-section of the channel remains the same throughout;

FIG. 2 shows the rear part of the apparatus, in which the channel has increasing cross-sections;

FIG. 3 illustrates the travel of the web and the treatment liquid in a somewhat modified embodiment of the intake portion of the channel; and,

FIG. 4'shows a further embodiment having, at its inlet channel, anoverflow weir and a curved slide to accelerate the web.

In FIGS. 1 and 2, the apparatus includes a housing 17 closed at the top in a conventional manner, and at the bottom, a channel 5 which serves to receive a treatment liquid 2 and web 1. Rollers a guide the web on its travel to channel 5, in cooperation with directionchanging rollers b which lead to an enlarged inlet port 15 that, in the example shown, is funnel-shaped.

The treatment liquid is admitted through a tube 20 likewise at enlarged port 15 together with web 1. As shown in FIG. 1, the front part of the channel has a uniform cross-section. The rear part illustrated in FIG. 2 has an increasing cross-section in the direction of flow. As may be seen from the drawing, the web assumes a crimped shape from its entrance into funnel 15, and traverses the entire channel length in a crimped shape to a point 30 near the outlet of the channel. There, it is taken up and straightened by roller 0, and passes out of the apparatus over roller d. The treatment liquid.

leaves the channel by an escape tube 31.

Extending into the channel from above, mechanical impellers 11 and 21, respectively are provided for imparting the necessary movement to liquid 2 and web 1 therein. The impellers are mounted in

bearings

12 and 22, respectively, so as to be capable of a perpendicular as well as a tilting movement, thereby enhancing the flow of the liquid and the movement of the crimped web. In order to bring about a kneading action, the impellers and the liquid may be made to move toward each other. Means to that end are conventional and have been omitted from the drawing for the sake of clarity.

A further mixing system is shown in FIG. 1, which acts transversely. It comprises a number of stations partly arranged below, and above channel 5 and communicative therewith, each of the lower units consisting of a U-shaped tube 13 with a heater 16, while the upper elements 14 are designed as overflow tubes. Pumps 25 circulate the hot water. It is desirable to provide several

such stations

13 and 14 distributed over the length of channel 5, spacing them first at smaller, then at larger intervals from each other. When the treatment is carried out with an aqueous boiling liquid, which is frequently the case, space 18 below the housing top is filled with steam.

FIG. 3 illustrates the intake portion of the channel in another embodiment. Also illustrated is the manner in which the liquid is guided into that portion. The funnelshaped inlet 35 is connected by small slots or tubes 36 to a pipe 37, and over a circulating pump 27, which takes in fresh liquid from a pipe 28 in regulated amounts delivered through a valve 29. Liquid is conveyed over a pipe 32 to both sides of entering web 1 as shown at port 10. if desired, a direction-changing element 19, which may operate hydrodynamically, is provided in a portion 31 of the admission port.

In FIG. 4, there is shown another embodiment of the invention whereby web 41 to be treated passes over input rollers e,f, g, h, and i, and is fed by drive rollers 43 into a curved, liquid slide 51 at the input of the bath. A weir 40 having a trough 44 permits treatment liquid from input pipe 50 to flow over the crest of the weir and along curved slide 51. The liquid enters treatment bath 42 as the web begins to curl. The slide allows the web to travel at excess speed into the treatment bath.

The expression treatment of webs of textile and similar materials in hot liquids should be understood to include cleaning treatments. treatments with chemicals for improving and refining the materials, dyeing treatments. de-sizing, boiling, bleaching, printing and finishing treatments for textiles; also after-treatments of dyed and printed textiles; treatment for development of bulk in textile webs, such as texturized fibers or yarns, or treatment in hot solvents for the removal of spinning oils, and the like. The irregular shape of the web means crimped or curly shape as contrasted to pleats, folds, loops and zigzag pleats which must be avoided.

Finally, treatment agents" refer to known agents which are conventional, such as, for example, dyeing and bleaching.

While only a few embodiments of the present invention are shown and described, it is understood that many changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus for the continuous treatment of a lightto medium-weight laterally moving textile web in a hot treating liquid in which the liquid and the web travel in the same direction and at the same speed during the treatment with the web floating in the liquid, and the ratio of weight of liquid to web is between about l:l and 50:1, and the web after its introduction moves at a speed greatly diminished from the speed of its introduction, said apparatus comprising: an elongated channel for receiving and transmitting treating liquid and web, having a receiving end and a discharge end. and being provided at its receiving end with a funnel-shaped inlet portion to receive treating liquid and web and closely surround the web, and having a substantially uniform cross-section between said receiving end and a portion preceding the discharge end which portion has a progressively and uniformly increasing cross-section. means for introducing treating liquid into said channel; means for introducing said web into said channel in crimped form located in front of said funnel-shaped inlet portion;

mechanical or hydrodynamic impeller means for causing a change in shape of the surface of said web located between the receiving and discharge ends of said channel; and

means for removing treated web and for removing used treating liquid from said apparatus.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1 which further includes a housing provding a treatment chamber of which said channel forms the bottom portion.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, which further includes means located adjacent said funnel-shaped inlet portion for causing the treating liquid to pass therethrough at a higher speed than the rate of flow of said liquid through the length of said channel.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1 which further includes means located at selected positions along said channel for introducing and distributing and heating treating liquid and applying said liquid to both sides of the web.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, comprising double bearings coupled to said impellers to permit vertical as well as tilting movements thereof, thereby enhancing the flow of the liquid and the movement of the web.

6. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said web receiving channel additionally comprises an overflow weir extending over the entire width of the webs, and a curved inclined slide mounted adjacent to said weir to permit the treatment liquid to flow over the weir and along the apparatus to impart an excess speed of the treatment liquid in the receiving portion of the channel.

Claims

1. An apparatus for the continuous treatment of a light- to medium-weight laterally moving textile web in a hot treating liquid in which the liquid and the web travel in the same direction and at the same speed during the treatment with the web floating in the liquid, and the ratio of weight of liquid to web is between about 10:1 and 50:1, and the web after its introduction moves at a speed greatly diminished from the speed of its introduction, said apparatus comprising: an elongated channel for receiving and transmitting treating liquid and web, having a receiving end and a discharge end, and being provided at its receiving end with a funnel-shaped inlet portion to receive treating liquid and web and closely surround the web, and having a substantially uniform cross-section between said receiving end and a portion preceding the discharge end which portion has a progressively and uniformly increasing cross-section. means for introducing treating liquid into said channel; means for introducing said web into said channel in crimped form located in front of said funnel-shaped inlet portion; mechanical or hydrodynamic impeller means for causing a change in shape of the surface of said web located between the receiving and discharge ends of said channel; and means for removing treated web and for removing used treating liquid from said apparatus.