Patent GB-848677-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to heat treatment of filaments, fibres, threads, films and sheet material
Inventor: DOLEMAN JACK
IPC: D06B19/00
Filed: 1957-03-07
Abstract: <PICT:0848677/IV(a)/1> <PICT:0848677/IV(a)/2> <PICT:0848677/IV(a)/3> Apparatus 11, Fig. 1, for treating films comprises a steam-heated bed of solid discrete particles 28, such as very small glass spheres, through which the film and a current of gas such as air are passed, the velocity and nature of the current and the disposition of the material under treatment being so chosen that the forces exerted by the current on the particles are sufficient to counterbalance the gravitational force on the particles and to expand the bed without converting it into a uni-directional stream of particles.  A sealing means for the particles of such a fluidised-bed apparatus comprises an air supply box 16 attached to the frustoconical bottom 30 of the apparatus, compressed air supply pipes 17, and a quantity of steel balls 29, larger than the bed particles 28, which may be partly fluidised by air passing through the box 16 and which prevent the bed particles from leaking out.  In the air supply box 16 a longitudinally slotted plate 32, Figs. 2 and 4, is fixed between portions 30a, and at each side of the slot are air-conducting blocks 33 which may be moved transversely to vary the width of the slot. Other plates 34, also transversely slidable, vary the width of the film entry slot and the air gaps with the blocks 33.  In operation film passes through the apparatus between the plates 34 and also through the fluidised bed particles 28 and the sealing particles 29. Air supplied to the box 16 passes at sufficiently high velocity through the fluidised bed to preclude leakage of particles from the inside of the container, and may if required partially fluidise the sealing particles 29.  The air may pass either through the film aperture itself or through the aperture and air slots, and additional air supplies may be distributed across the base of the bed (Fig. 5 not shown).  Deflectors 27 are provided for diverting part of the fluidising gas to the outer regions of the bed.  Specifications 773,598, 800,091, 814,526 and 838,784 are referred to.ALSO:<PICT:0848677/IV (c)/1> <PICT:0848677/IV (c)/2> <PICT:0848677/IV (c)/3> Apparatus 11, Fig. 1, for treating filaments, fabrics, films &c. (see also Groups IV(a) and XIII), comprises a steam-heated bed of solid discrete particles 28 such as very small glass spheres through which the fabric or film material and a current of gas such as air is passed, the velocity and nature of the current and the disposition of the material under treatment being so chosen that the forces exerted by the current on the particles are sufficient to counterbalance the gravitational force on the particles and to expand the bed without converting it into a uni-directional stream of particles.  A sealing means for the particles of such a fluidized bed apparatus comprises an air supply box 16 attached to the frustro-conical bottom 30 of the apparatus, compressed air supply pipes 17, and a quantity of steel balls 29, larger than the bed particles 28, which may be partly fluidized by air passing through the box 16 and which prevent the bed particles from leaking out.  In the air supply box 16 a longitudinally slotted plate 32, Figs. 2 and 4, is fixed between portions 30a, and at each side of the slot are air conducting blocks 33 which may be moved transversely to vary the width of the slot.  Other plates 34 also transversely slidable vary the width of the fabric entry slot and the air gaps with the blocks 33.  In operation fabric passes through the apparatus between the plates 34 and also through the fluidized bed particles 28 and the sealing particles 29.  Air supplied to the box 16 passes at sufficiently high velocity through the fluidized bed to preclude leakage of particles from the inside of the container, and may if required partially fluidize the sealing particles 29.  The air may pass either through the fabric aperture itself or through the aperture and air slots, and additional air supplies may be distributed across the base of the bed (Fig. 5, not shown). Deflectors 27 are provided for diverting part of the fluidizing gas to the outer regions of the bed.  Specifications 773,598, 800,091, 814,526 and 838,784 are referred to.