Process for Conditioning Spun Cotton
Year: 1897

page_text: We. THOMAS
Process for Conditioning Spun Cotton.
EDWARD WILSON, and PAUL KESTNER, both of No. 32, Rue
Faidherbe, Lille, France, Manufacturers, do hereby declare the nature of this inven-
tion to be as follows:-
The conditioning of cotton after spinning has for its object to facilitate the
subsequent operations to which the thread is subjected.
The direct result of such conditioning consists in:
1. That the twist of the thread is permanently set.
2. A certain quantity of water is added.
The means heretofore employed for the purpose consist:
1. In steaming at a temperature of 100° C. and higher.
2. In subjecting the cotton to a moist atmosphere.
3. In subjecting the cotton to direct contact with damp cloths.
These processes are subject to the following disadvantages:-
The first named process is a very rapid one, but has the objection that it some-
time discolours the thread, and always prejudicially affects its strength.
If, namely, the cotton is exposed to a temperature that is above the melting
point of the wax or resin accompanying the cotton, the wax or resin is melted, and
the fibre is weakened.
This critical temperature is about 85° C.
The second method does not affect the fibre but it has the disadvantage of being
very slow in action.
The third method also does not affect the fibre, and is decidedly much more
rapid than the second method; its disadvantages are the liability of spoiling the
cops through necessary handling besides being more expensive in wages.
The process which forms the subject of the present invention allows the con-
ditioning to be effected in the most perfect manner without being subject to the
above named disadvantages.
It consists in treating the cotton with steam in closed vessels and under a pressure
which is below that of the atmosphere, in such manner that the temperature of
the steam shall always be below the melting point of the wax or resin.
This can only be attained by expelling the air from the vessel before the steam
is introduced.
For this purpose, after the cotton filament which is to be conditioned and which
is generally wound on bobbins or cops, has been introduced into the closed vessel,
a vacuum is produced by connecting the vessel with the condenser of a steam engine,
or with a special air pump.
Steam is then admitted while carefully preventing the entrance of air, in order
to maintain a partial vacuum, which may vary according to the desired tempera-
ture. As will be readily understood, the material will at once be surrounded by
and impregnated with steam at whatever temperature may be desired.

page_text: It is preferable to maintain a temperature of about 80° C.
The action of the steam is maintained until the twist of the thread is sufficiently
set, which will be the case in about a quarter of an hour. Air is then again
admitted, and the bobbins are removed from the vessel.
If the degree of moisture thus obtained should not be sufficient, the operation
can be repeated, or the bobbins can be subjected to a moist atmosphere, as in the
old process.
The desired degree of moisture will then be rapidly attained because
the capillary action is greatly facilitated by the described process.
Dated this 6th day of August 1897.
ABEL & IMRAY,
Agents for the Applicants.
Process for Conditioning Spun Cotton.
F
We, THOMAS EDWARD WILSON, and PAUL KESTNER, both of No. 32, Rue
Faidherbe, Lille, France, Manufacturers, do hereby declare the nature of this iúven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described
and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
-
The conditioning of cotton after spinning has for its object to facilitate the
subsequent operations to which the thread is subjected.
The direct result of such conditioning consists in:
1. That the twist of the thread is permanently set.
2. A certain quantity of water is added.
The means heretofore employed for the purpose consist:
1. In steaming at a temperature of 100° C. and higher.
2. In subjecting the cotton to a moist atmosphere.
3. In subjecting the cotton to direct contact with damp cloths.
These processes are subject to the following disadvantages.
な 1
The first named process is a very rapid one, but has the objection that it some-
times discolours the thread, and always prejudicially affects its strength.
If, namely, the cotton is exposed to a temperature, that is. above the melting
point of the wax or resin accompanying the cotton, the wax or, resin is melted, and
the fibre is weakened.
This critical temperature is about 85° C.
"
197
The second method does not affect the fibre but it has the disadvantage of being
very slow in action.
1
...
The third method also does not affect the fibre, and is decidedly much more
rapid than the second method; its disadvantages are the liability of spoiling the
cops through necessary handling besides being more expensive in wages.
The process which forms the subject of the present invention allows the con-
ditioning to be effected in the most perfect manner without being subject to the
above named disadvantages.
:
It consists in treating the cotton with steam in closed vessels and under a pressure
which is below that of the atmosphere, in such manner that the temperature of
the steam shall always be below the melting point of the wax or resin.
$
This can only be attained by expelling the air from. the vessel before the steam
is introduced.
For this purpose, after the cotton filament which is to, be conditioned and which
is generally wound on bobbins or cops, has been introduced into the closed vessel,
a vacuum is produced by connecting the vessel with the condenser of a steam engine,
or with a special air pump, or air ejector.
. I

page_text: Steam is then admitted while carefully preventing the entrance of air, in order
to maintain a partial vacuum, which may vary according to the desired tempera-
ture. As will be readily understood, the material will at once be surrounded by
and impregnated with steam at whatever temperature may be desired.
It is preferable to maintain a temperature of about 80° C.
The action of the steam is maintained until the twist of the thread is sufficiently
set, which will be the case in about a quarter of an hour. Air is then again
admitted, and the bobbins are removed from the vessel.
If the degree of moisture thus obtained should not be sufficient, the operation
can be repeated, or the bobbins can be subjected to a moist atmosphere, as in the
old process. The desired degree of moisture will then be rapidly attained because
the capillary action is greatly facilitated by the described process.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is:-
:-
The process for conditioning spun cotton consisting in subjecting the same to
the action of steam at a pressure below that of the atmosphere within a closed vessel
that has previously been partially exhausted of air, so that the temperature of
the steam is maintained below the melting point of the wax or resin carried by
the fibre, substantially as described.