Patent GB-789648-A (GB)
Title: Apparatus for drying tubular fabric and the like
Inventor: JOHNSON EDWIN HERBERT
IPC: D06C5/00
Filed: 1956-04-30
Abstract: 789,648. Drying tubular fabric in long lengths. FITCH TEXTILE CO., Inc. April 30, 1956, No. 13136/56. Class 34(1) Continuously moving tubular fabric is dried in a spread-out position by hot air flowing in the direction of movement of the fabric. In the apparatus shown in Fig. 2 the fabric 16 passes through a duct 18 and is spread-out by means comprising nose-piece 20, perforated conical portion 21, drum 24 and cylindrical cage 28, 30. Parts 20, 21, 24, 28, 30, are secured together with the aid of a shaft 32. The latter connects with a shaft 36 which carries a flat rectangular frame 38, Fig. 3. This frame supports arms 40 and circular bar 42 which act to spread the fabric coming from the cage 28, 30, into a flattened form. Take off rolls 48, 50, feed the flattened fabric to a collecting roll 52. The tendency of the spreader parts 20 ... 30 and shaft 36 frame 38, arms 40 and bar 42 to move with the cloth is counteracted by the provision of guide rolls, 44, 46, Fig. 2. which abut, through the fabric 16, the bar 42. Support and vertical adjustment of parts 20, 21, 24, 28, 30, 36, 38, 40, 42, is effected by a vertically-adjustable cradle 87, Fig. 1, which is secured by rack and pinion mechanism to the housing 70 of the apparatus and carries rollers 84, 86, Fig. 2, which co-operate through the fabric with a roller 80 carried by the shaft 32. Lateral movement of parts 20...30 is prevented by guide rolls 91, 92, mounted on parallel vertical axles supported from the cradle 87. The hot drying air issues from a blower and heater housing 10 and is directed over the moving fabric through a duct 12 and housing 64. Most of the moisture-laden air is discharged to atmosphere, but some is returned to the housing 10 for re-use through a duct 76, Fig. 5, shows apparatus with conically shaped pre-spreader means comprising a horizontal delivery roll 100, Fig. 6, and a ring 102 joined by ribs 104 to an annular spider. The latter comprises arms 106 radiating from the main shaft 108 of the apparatus. These arms are joined by rods 113 mounting rollers 110. Associated with rollers 110 are rollers 114 which in operation of the apparatus are disposed on the outside of the fabric being dried whilst rollers 110 are disposed within. The assembly of outer rollers 114 is supported from fixed parts of the apparatus by arms 117. The fabric being dried passes through tube 118 and over spreader parts 121, 122, 124. Hot air is supplied through conduit 127 and passes through a casing 130 which encloses the spreader means. Fabric passing off drum 124 is cylindrical and guide means comprising a plurality of rods 128, Fig. 8, a transverse flat bar 129 and an oval ring 130 fixed to and within the rods 128 together with take-off rolls 148, 150, are provided such that the fabric may be rolled on to collecting roll 152 in a flattened condition. Forward movement of the spreader is prevented by the provision of a non-rotatable cylinder 142 mounted on arms 128e extending beyond the bar 129. A roller 133 mounted between fixed parts of the apparatus and disposed outside the fabric being dried supports the bar 129. Fig. 7 shows a further form of pre-spreader which may be used with the apparatus of Figs. 1 or 5. This comprises a wire opening loop 200 mounting a roll 280 and having an axial rod 232 which' connects it to the nose of the spreader proper. Rolls 284, 286, mounted between fixed parts of the drying apparatus and disposed outside the tubular fabric being opened by the loop 200 is provided to support the loop by engagement through the fabric with roll 280. Rolls 284, 286, are power driven - preferably through pulley 288 and belt 289 by the drive of take-off rolls 48, 50 or 148, 150.