Patent DE-19813477-A1 (DE)
Title: Wet treatment and finishing for continuous strands of textile fabrics
Inventor: DOERFER HARALD
IPC: D06B3/28
Filed: 1998-03-27
Abstract: For the processing of textile fabrics of synthetic or natural fibers, or fiber mixtures, the fabric is formed into a continuous strand to be moved by jet units through a closed vessel in a set direction of rotation. The jet units have a gas flow through them, to carry the fabric in the required direction, and the gas is partially extracted from the processing vessel. The gas stream carries a processing liquid, during at least one process stage, added to the propellant gas at the jet. The processing vessel is structured for working at atmospheric pressure, and the process temperature is at most equal to the boiling point of a process liquid while the vessel is held at atmospheric pressure. The volume flows of the propellant gas and/or treatment liquid through the jets, and into the circuit, are controlled according to the processing parameters. The gas flow is recirculated by a blower with rotary speed control. At least two textile fabric strands are processed simultaneously. In preparation for a processing stage, processing liquid is recirculated through the processing vessel, without acting on a fabric, and additives are fed into the liquid during its recirculation. The treatment liquid is extracted by suction under the fabric(s). The fed liquid is passed along surfaces past the fabric, to flow into the bottom of the vessel, and is applied to the recirculating fabric together with a gas stream from the transport jets. The liquid is fed into the gas stream under isothermal conditions, in vols. which ensure that the liquid does not precipitate in droplets on the fabric. As the fabric dries, without any contact with the liquid, a counter gas flow is directed at it. The process temperature, in the vessel, is controlled by gas stream contact with a fluid surface held constantly outside the pleated fabric. Water, at a set temperature, forms a liquid level in the vessel, below the fabric(s), using cooled water. The fabric is additionally treated with steam. An Independent claim is included for an assembly with a vessel (1) which can be closed, containing transport jets (8-10) to move the fabric strand (36) round continuously. A gas recirculation system (15) is connected to the pressure sides of the jets. A feed system (19,20,22) for the treatment liquid delivers the fluid through the jets to the fabric, at a set temperature. A dwell zone (31) stores the fabric in the vessel (1), from the exit sides of the jets, in a pleated fabric structure. A mechanical system (37) assists the movement of the fabric through the jets, with the fabric movement systems (8-10,37) within a vessel (1) structured for operation at atmospheric pressure. Heating and cooling units (21) are at the recirculation flows of the gas and/or the liquid feed, so that the process temperature within the vessel (1) is developed and maintained at most the boiling point of the processing fluid at atmospheric pressure. PREFERRED FEATURES:- The vessel (1) has a generally box shape, and is in two parts. The lower section (2) supports a hood upper section (3) containing the transport jets (8-10) within it. The dwell zone (31), to store the fabric(s), has an extended U-shape, with an angled plane to the outlet sides of the jets. The transport jets have a shrouding steam housing (9) with the feed entry for the liquid feed (22) and gas recirculation (15,16) connections. The liquid is fed into the gas stream, before contact with the fabric(s). The transport jet is extended (11) at the exit side, to swing on a pivot concentric to the center axis of the jet, to move the fabric into a pleated structure. The vessel (1) has its own liquid recirculation, separate from the gas recirculation, with a recirculation pump (20). A heat exchanger (21) is in the liquid recirculation system. The liquid recirculation system is connected to the gas flow by controlled valves (23,30). The liquid recirculation is at a surface in the lower section (2) of the vessel (1), without contact with the fabric(s) (36), using a sump at the bottom (2) of the vessel. The liquid recirculation system has connections (42,44,50) for additives. The gas recirculation system (15) has a steam feed.