Patent GB-1212133-A (GB)
Title: Method and apparatus for treating textile filaments or spun yarns
IPC: D06C29/00
Filed: 1968-11-18
Abstract: 1,212,133. Finishing and tensioning yams. PLUTTE, KOECKE & CO. 18 Nov., 1968 [18 Nov., 1967], No. 54640/68. Headings D1D and D1F. A method of treatng filaments by "a process involving dimensional changes" e.g. shrinking, high-bulking or texturing comprises the steps of continuously feeding a filament etc. to an elongated treatment chamber, admitting treatment gas and/or liquid media at a temperature of 60-250‹C to the chamber at an upstream location under pressure of more than one e.g. 1.05-1.5, atmosphere, allowing escape of fluid from an adjoining, downstream cooling compartment whereby the filament is entrained by the fluid into the compartment wherein it accumulates for a limited period e.g. 10-120 seconds, continuously withdrawing the filament etc. from the compartment and, optionally, subjecting it to stalbilising heat treatment under tension, prior to winding. The supply rate of the filament etc. may be regulated, in response to the back presure of fluid in the chamber, for maintaining a constant rate of accumulation in the compartment. In the apparatus shown in Fig. 1, yarn 1 drawn from supply reel 2 traverses a brake 3, passes several times (as directed by a guide 9) about rollers 4 and 5, thence under tension to a tubular shrinkage chamber 7 the entrance end 12 of which is defined by a nozzle 6 to which treatment fluid, e.g. superheated steam or hot air, is admitted through conduit 10. Fluid from additional conduits, as at 10", may also enter the tube at lower levels. As the yarn travels downwardly in the tube, it is struck by entering fluid with a force due to the pressure differential between conduit 10 and a perforated section 13 of a cooling tube 8 enclosed within a cooling tank 14 from which condensate drains at 15 and wherein a partial vacuum is maintained by an exhaust pump. The travel of the yarn permits changes, e.g. curling, to develop therein. At the lower end of the tube 8 the yam is supported on a plate 16 so positioned as to provide lateral clearance for radially discharged yarn. Treated yam then passes around deflecting pins 17 which unravel loops, across a thread brake 18, thence to, and several turns around, roller members 20 and 19 whilst passing between pins on guide 9 and undergoing some stretch. Electric heaters 21 and/or 22 assist(s) stabilisation of the molecular structure of the yarn. In the operation of mechanism, Figs. 2 and 3, for monitoring the back pressure of the filament &c. in a chamber 34 (corresponding to 7) to control delivery of yarn 32, normal escape of fluid through perforations 42 of tube 35 (corresponding to 8) reduces back pressure in chamber 34 sufficiently to allow a loaded diaphragm in a housing 37 to lower stud 39 so that tug 40 is disengaged from normally closed switch 41 whereby an electromagnet 28 is energised and feed rate of the yarn is thereby increased due to reduced drag exerted by a mechanical brake. If filament &c. in tube 35 obstructs perforations 42 so that back pressure rises above a value predetermined by weights 38, lug 40 rises and spins switch 41 to deenergise electromagnet 28 whereby the brake is correctively operated. The brake comprises stationary deflecting pins 25 and 26 and a movable filament &c. engaging pin 29 interleaved therewith and mounted on an arm pivoted to a supporting plate at 27 which is integral with, and operated (against the bias of a spring 30) by, the armature of the electromagnet 28. A modification of the cooling tube (8 and 35) comprises an upper section (43) lying within the cooling tank and a lower section (44) with external cooling ribs (46) and an adjustable filament &c. delivery device; a heated body for setting the filament &c. prior to cooling may be incorporated, Figs. 4 and 5 (not shown).