Patent GB-826404-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in textile treating machine and method
IPC: D06B5/24
Filed: 1955-11-16
Abstract: Apparatus for boarding, scouring, dyeing, and drying textile articles such as stockings, comprises linked tables 30, 301, Fig. 1, on which are mounted form carrying wheels 36, and which may be moved back and forth in unison by pistons and rams to and from a treating position beneath a vertically movable sealing bell 71.  The tables run on rollers, and those rollers beneath the bell are spring mounted so that a table positioned beneath the bell may adjust itself for sealing.  Each table has a central opening 33, Fig. 14, to receive a series of lugs 35, Figs. 11, 12, extending out from a form wheel or carrier 36 which normally rests on the chamfered edge 34 of the table, the spokes 37 of the wheel pivotally mounting the stocking forms 41.  The rim 46 of the carrier is engaged by a spider 47, Fig. 10, which is held on a plunger 48 of a spring <PICT:0826404/IV(c)/1> <PICT:0826404/IV(c)/2> <PICT:0826404/IV(c)/3> retracted hydraulic ram 50.  The ram carries a pulley 52 so that the form carriers 36 in the stripping and loading position may be raised slightly from and rotated with respect to their tables by electric motors, and belts 53.  From an abnormally raised position indicated by dot and dash lines 57 the carrier may be removed and replaced by a lift truck.  At the centre position, Fig. 1, the dyeing container consists of an open dish 70 beneath the level of the tables, and a co-operating bell 71 which may be moved upwardly or downwardly by hydraulic cylinders and rollers moving in guides, Fig. 17 (not shown), the lower end of the bell and the top of the dish for example being provided with a gasket and automatic sealing latches.  The treatment liquor is made up in a mixing tank 122, Fig. 4, and repeated fillings of the tank are lifted by pump 130 to heated storage tanks 134 or 137.  From these storage tanks measured quantities of solution are withdrawn by a tank 164 which measures a charge into the dish 70 for one set of forms, the solution is then circulated via pipe 157, pump 158 and pipe 160 to spray line 114 and rotating sprays 118 and 121.  A rinsing line 138 may be operated from the pump 130 for washing out the spray nozzles, and each of the <PICT:0826404/IV(c)/4> storage tanks has a continuous liquor circulating system 143, 145. The dish 70 and storage tanks 134, 137 are heated by steam coils 191, 176 and 185 respectively.  In operation, whilst one set of forms is being stripped and reloaded from a raised and turning carrier at one end of the machine, the other treated set is in position under the raised bell.  The operator then starts a timer (not shown) which causes the reloaded carrier to be lowered on to its table by rod 48 and cylinder 50, Fig. 10. Cylinders 58 on each side are then actuated to shift the tables endwise and place the reloaded form beneath the bell, the treated carrier which was originally beneath the bell being shifted to the stripping position.  The measuring tank 154 then discharges heated treating liquor into the dish 70, the bell is locked down, and the pump 158 circulates liquor to the sprays which rotate.  The liquor is heated under pressure without boiling to 230 DEG  F.  At the end of the dyeing cycle the pump 158 stops and the liquor is drained off, the blower 194 is then started to force air or steam through pipe 195 and into the bell 71 over heating coil 191, the heated gas leaving the bell via a solenoid-operated valve 197.  After drying, the bell is unlatched and raised and the whole cycle repeated.