Patent GB-810605-A (GB)
Title: Machine for processing textile goods
Inventor: HELLIWELL GUY STORR
IPC: D06C5/00
Filed: 1955-10-10
Abstract: Apparatus for treating stockings or drying knitted garments is described only for its application to preboarding stockings by steam, and comprises two form-carrying carriages A, B which may be alternately propelled on rails into a treating zone beneath a vertically reciprocable bell, and control means for carrying out a cycle which comprises the interchange of carriages in the zone, the mounting of the bell to enclose the working carriage, the supply of treating fluid to the enclosed carriage, and the subsequent removal of the bell from the treating zone.  Form carrying carriages.-Each of the carriages A, B which are similar but of reversed construction, comprises a wheeled chassis 19, Fig. 3, and is driven by an electric motor 11 through gears 12 which engage a rack 23.  Spaced platforms 24, 26 mounted on the chassis 19 carry forms 27 which may be pivoted about pins 29 and are arranged in two rows.  A stem 42 which may rotate in a bearing 43 mounts a cam 41, Figs. 3, 4 and arms 46, 125, provided with depending studs 47 and 126 respectively engaging in channelled guides 48 mounted on the base of the apparatus, so that as the carriage A moves inwardly towards the treatment zone the stem 42 and cam 41 are rotated to push plungers 37 against the ends of arms 31 which pivot to move the loaded forms into close packed parallel relationship like the leaves of a book.  As the carriage A is moved radially inwards by its motor 11 it abuts the carriage B already in the treatment zone carrying treated stockings, the plungers 55, 65 press together to lift latching hooks 59, 67, and the coupling hooks 52, 64 engage.  Thereafter the two carriages move together until A replaces B in the zone.  At this point a roller 54 on an arm 53 fixed to the hook 52 meets a projection 69 on the base and the carriages are uncoupled, the rods 55, 65 released by the uncoupling are projected by their springs 61, 68 as the carriage B is drawn away by its own motor 11 which has taken over from the motor 11 of the carriage A, and the hook 59 on the carriage A is allowed to drop down and latch the carriage beneath the bell.  Control switches 15, 16, 17 and 18 are provided and operated for automatic and sequential operation.  The treating chamber.-This is provided by the vertically reciprocable bell 1 which may be locked down by a ring 78 when turned by pneumatic cylinders 82 operating latches 80 pivoted on a fixed ring 77 over the bell flange 75.  Mounted on the base is a steam admission pipe 86, and ports are also provided in the base for the exhaustion of steam and for the application of suction. The movement of the bell is performed by pneumatic piston and cylinder assemblies 95, Fig. 1, and guide bars 99 and sliders 98 are provided.  Control unit.-A motor 109, Fig. 1, on the base of the apparatus rotates four cams which operate a valve system (Fig. 5, not shown).  The cam 112 controls the air supply to the bell locking cylinders 82, the cam 113 operates a timing device 123, the cam 114 controls the bell movement, and the cam 115 controls the bell exhaust period.  Operation.-With the bell raised and the carriage B beneath carrying treated stockings, an operator presses the right-hand switch 14 to start the motor 11 of the carriage A.  The <PICT:0810605/IV (c)/1> <PICT:0810605/IV (c)/2> <PICT:0810605/IV (c)/3> carriage A then runs inwardly, has its loaded forms folded and locked by rotation of the cam 41 and the arms 31, and eventually it abuts and couples to the carriage B.  As B is pushed outwardly by A the left-hand switch 15 is operated by B and the left-hand motor 11 is started.  At about the same time the right-hand switch 18 is broken to halt the motor 11 of the carriage A. Eventually, during the inward pull on the carriage A, uncoupling takes place and A is left locked in position beneath the bell.  The carriage B then continues alone, its forms are unlocked and opened out, and a trip arm 124 thereon operates the switch 16 to start the cam motor 109 and thereby commence the bell closing and treatment cycle. The arm 124 on B then operates switch 17, so arresting the motor 11 and bringing B to a halt.  The motor 109 now rotates the first effective cam 114 which operates the valve system to pull the bell down.  The limit switch 101 then breaks the circuits of the motors 11 which prevents them being accidentally re-started, and a projection 103 on the bell operates the switch 102 which stops the cam motor 109 and thereby prevents rotation of the cam shaft until the switch 104 is operated by projection 105 on the bell, which again starts motor 109.  The next cam 112 operates the cylinders 82 controlling the bell locking ring 78 which itself controls one switch stopping the motor 109, and another switch which energizes the prepared circuit of the thermostatically controlled timing device 123 which controls the steam valves.  After a pre-set period the steam inlet is closed and the exhaust valve opened, the motor 109 is re-started and cam 115 opens valves connecting the steam line 87 to the exhaust line 90 and connects the bell to the suction line 91. Further rotation of the cam shaft closes the steam and suction valves and unlocks and raises the bell.  In rising, the bell operates switch 104 to stop the motor 109, and the switch 101 is actuated so that it no longer interrupts the circuits of the motors 11.  The carriages are then moved to place B in the treating zone.