DE1954177A1 - Method for treating fabrics and apparatus therefor - Google Patents

Description

Burlington Industries Inc., 301 North Eugene Street,

Greensboro, North Carolina, U.S.A.

"Methods of Treating Textile Fabrics and device for this "

The invention relates to a method and apparatus for treating fabrics and, more particularly, although not limited to fabrics in woven form so that the material can be treated continuously. The procedure and the devices are also suitable for handling divided quantities or items.

The concurrent German patent application P 17 85 278.7 of the applicant describes a method and a device. for degassing a fabric in either fabric or gob form prior to treating the fabric with an impregnating agent. This treatment is made considerably easier by the degassing preceding the treatment with an impregnating agent. The invention represents an extension and improvement of the? .ü ^; - R ösutsohen patent application P 17 278.7 of the applicant described the process * used

009823/1256

ÖAD OHiGIRAt

In addition, however, a vacuum, not only for degassing the textile fabrics, but also for evaporating any liquids that may be present, such as water and / or other solvents, which can remain in the material, for example after a treatment, so that the fabric after the vacuum treatment in the is essentially dry and suitable for any further treatment stage.

The invention therefore has the object of providing a method of treatment of textiles for the purpose of removing liquids and / or solvents, the textile fabric is exposed to a vacuum in a closed vessel, the temperature in this closed vessel is controlled in this way that it is high enough to prevent evaporation in the material effect existing water and / or solvent and the textile fabric and the liquid and / or the solvent be removed separately from the enclosed space.

Before it is introduced into the closed vessel, the material can be treated with a medium containing a solvent and a treatment agent, the solvent evaporating in the closed vessel and the treatment agent being attached to the material. The treatment agent is, for example, a chemical preparation or a dye. The temperature in the closed vessel is preferably set to a · ** ■ · ■ -. · '. äem Veröampfiaigs ^ under the solvent unsi ψ &% in & Temper. » ⁵ u «bp * oht, in which the treatment agent is applied to the material. Aff * ΙΦ OBiSWAL

009823/12 SB

Heretofore, in the textile industry, solvents have been removed from fabrics by treatment with steam, hot water, hot air, or by contact with hot cylinders. Although these systems are fast and cheap enough to be used now, they do not allow the satisfactory, complete removal of the solvent vapor from the treated material or from the treatment atmosphere. This led to a foul smelling pollution of the treatment atmosphere and to a certain loss of the solvent. It was also easy using the previously known methods for removing the solvent is not possible, the solvent almost completely zn from the treated material to remove and win again, or this solvent quickly and effectively remove from the atmosphere. Further treatment of the textile material was therefore not possible without soiling.

The removal of the solvent from the treatment atmosphere is particularly critical when in the subsequent treatment stage a high temperature should be used as such high temperatures decompose everything in the material remaining solvent and the formation of toxic gases.

In a preferred embodiment the inventive method comprises cooling of the solvent or by this to condense the moisture for reuse.

009 8 23 / 12BS ^ _0RIG inal

According to a further feature of the invention, it comprises one Apparatus for treating fabrics to remove moisture and / or solvents therefrom, comprising a chamber removing the water and / or solvent, means for maintaining a vacuum therein Chamber, means for passing a textile through this chamber, means for sealing the inlet and the outlet the chamber, in order to maintain the vacuum therein as the textile material passes through, means for heating the textile material in the chamber to cause the moisture and / or the solvent to evaporate in the material, Means for removing the moisture and / or the solvent from the chamber and means for treating the textile material immediately before it enters or leaves the chamber.

Further features and advantages of the invention emerge from the following description by way of example with the aid of the enclosed Drawings. It shows Fig. 1 a schematic vertical cross section of a

Embodiment of the device according to the invention, FIG. 2 shows a schematic, vertical cross section, similar to FIG. 1, of a second embodiment the device according to the invention,

Fig. 3 is a schematic, vertical cross section of a third embodiment of the device according to the invention and

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Pig. 4 is a schematic vertical cross section of a fourth embodiment of the invention Contraption.

Although the method according to the invention is also suitable for Items of various types of fabrics are dealt with below with regard to an embodiment for removing moisture and / or solvents from a Textile material described by the continuous treatment of the same; this can be done after a treatment, which the application of moisture or solvents to the Material, or in a treatment during which a substance from a solvent is deposited on the textile material or before a treatment which requires a solvent-free atmosphere or a solvent-free atmosphere free material required. In the following the invention is also described with regard to fabrics in the form of continuous Lengths of woven, nonwoven, knitted and other fabrics are described, it should also be noted that materials other than the aforementioned "conventional" materials, such as paper, leather or plastic with the material according to the invention Method and the device according to the invention can be treated.

In the figures of the drawing, the same reference symbols represent corresponding or similar parts.

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1 shows a long, rigid, box-shaped structure 10 which defines a vacuum chamber 12. The box-shaped one Structure 10 is made of, for example, stainless steel and is designed to withstand partial or substantially complete vacuum.

A pair of sealing rubber rollers 14 form a seal for 'one' inlet port 16 of the chamber 12. The textile T enters the chamber 12 through the gap between the rollers 14, the gap being filled with a solvent 18 which is a chemical preparation or contains a dye in solution, serves as a treatment agent and is applied by a pad to the textile T as it passes through the gap between the rollers 14 into the chamber 12. A motor (not shown) drives the rollers 14 in the direction indicated by arrows A. '

An outlet port 20 of the chamber 12 is vacuum sealed 22 through which the textile emerges from the chamber 12. In the chamber 12 are heating elements 24 ■ arranged for heating the chamber 12! these radiators are for example infrared emitters, resistance elements or radiating elements. Suitable, not shown Control means are provided so that the temperature in the chamber is suitable for the treatment Value can be adjusted. At the lower end of the chamber 12, a plurality of cooling coils 26 are provided, which a coolant through a line 28 of one not

009 823/12 BS

IAD ORIGINAL

shown capacitor is fed. These cooling coils 26 have the task of condensing the solvent vapor when it comes into contact with the cooling coils, the resulting liquid being drawn off from the chamber 12 by a vacuum pump j50 via a line 29 and entering a tank 352, from which it can be sent for reuse. Obviously, however, the solvent vapor can be at a different location in the chamber 12 or at a distance from the outside

Chamber to be condensed.

The structure of the in Pig. The apparatus shown in Figure 2 is generally similar to that of Figure 1; However, here is the embodiment of the vacuum seal 22 ^f of the inlet opening I6 ¹ the chamber 12 similar to the sealing of the outlet opening 22 in FIG. In the embodiment of FIG. 2, a pair of ball rollers 14 ¹ for applying the solvent immediately adjacent to the vacuum seal 22 ', but not as this for the inlet opening 1 (> · of the chamber 12, instead of the rollers 14 in FIG. 1.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 3, the forms box-shaped structure 10 * a substantially horizontally extending vacuum chamber 12 '. One of the inlet port In Fig. 1 corresponding inlet opening 16 is provided at one end of the structure 10 'in its upper wall. With the Opening 16 sealing rubber rollers 14 cooperate, which

009823/1255

not only serve to apply the solvent 18 to the textile material apply, but also act as a vacuum seal for the opening 16. At the other end of the assembly is 10 ' an outlet vacuum seal 22 for the outlet opening 20 is provided in one end wall thereof.

The bottom 40 of the container 10 'is inclined and carries in Inside the same a multiplicity of cooling coils 28, which are supplied with a coolant via lines 28, to condense the solvent vapors. The solvent condensate is through a line 29 by means of a Vacuum pump 30 withdrawn and recycled.

The chamber 12 ^{f of} the box-shaped structure 10 'differs from the chamber shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 in that the textile material runs over a plurality of rollers generally designated 42, the upper rollers of which are hollow and are supplied with steam or hot water can to heat them up. According to FIG. 3, a steam line 46 leads from a suitable steam or hot water generator, not shown, and supplies steam or hot water to the upper rollers 44, the line 46 being connected to the individual rollers via a distributor 48.

In the embodiments described in FIGS. 1 to J, running the textile material T with the solvent applied thereon into a vacuum chamber and then goes out continuously the chamber in a completely dry state, whereby the

009823/1265

Solvent from the material evaporates, condenses and withdrawn as a liquid from the chamber and re-used is forwarded. By controlling the heating of the material in the chamber, the chemical agents react or dyes and are deposited on the textile T. Naturally the temperature must be high enough to cause evaporation of the solvent in the existing vacuum. These However, the temperature is much lower than that which would be required for evaporation at atmospheric pressure. It is now clear that when the material exits the vacuum chamber, all of the solvent is removed and collected while the material is dry and ready for further treatment.

Fig. 4 shows a further embodiment of the invention. This embodiment comprises a washing tank 50 in a known embodiment for the washing of the fabric prior to its entry into the channel formed by the box-shaped structure 5 ^ vacuum chamber 52. The washing tank 50 comprises a series of baths B, B ¹ and B ¹ V which is a washing solution and a Contain solvents. Bath B contains the strongest solution and the other baths B * and B ″ receive the overflow from the neighboring bath.

Between the vacuum chamber 52 and the interior of the tank 50 a vacuum inlet seal 56 is disposed through which the material T runs as it leaves the tank 52 and into the Chamber 50 enters. Before going through the seal

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- ίο -

the textile material T passes through a pair of pressure rollers 58 which squeeze excess washing solution from the material, this solution falling back into the bath B. The heating elements provided in the chamber 52 cause the vapor in the textile material to evaporate. T remaining solvent so that upon exiting vacuum seal 60 at the exit of chamber 52, material T is dry and any solvent has been removed therefrom. The solvent itself is recovered by condensation on the coils 26 and is passed from the chamber 52 through a line 62 to a vacuum pump (not shown) and a container (also not shown). It can be seen that the vacuum treatment can be carried out both before and after any treatment step, or it can form an integral part of a treatment step, such as, for example, deposition of substances, aging, etc. A particularly good field of application of the invention is after conventional evaporation of Solvent - this normally leaves about 0.5 to 1 % solvent residue in a quick and economical process. Further recovery of the solvent is impossible in the conventional steam process, but can be accomplished by means of the process of the invention.

The heat within the chamber can be controlled so that they the attachment and the reaction of every chemical substance or dye effects on the textile material while removing the solvent while the material is through

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pWGJNAL

passes through the chamber. By using a vacuum in the Chamber can be used for rapid vaporizing or for vaporizing the temperature necessary for the solvent and the temperature necessary for removing such solvents Time can be shortened considerably. The advantages of this process are summarized in Table 1 below.

Tabel 1

Boiling points of chlorinated solvents at lower pressures The following summarizes the boiling points of perehloroethylene, trichlorethylene and water at various lower pressures, both in terms of the absolute pressure and the vacuum used.

100 60 -40 20 10 5 1

61 49 4o 26 14 2 -21

31 20 5 -1 -12 -23 -44 52 42 34 22 11 1.0 -

From Table 1 it can be seen that when the atmospheric Pressure reduced both the temperature required to evaporate the solvent and the time required for this will. After the solvent removed from the textile material has evaporated, it is present as a vapor Solvent condenses and evolves automatically from the chamber.

009823 / 12ES

Pressure (mm) 760 400 200 Perchloric
ethylene
⁰ C 121 100 80 Trichloro
ethylene
⁰ C 87 67 48 water 100 83 66

removed so that the solvent is recovered and again can be used. This effect can of course be due to this be improved that the given temperature for a given pressure is increased in order to accelerate the evaporation.

Although the inventive method is suitable with to be applied in a partial to full vacuum, To remove and recover solvents, it has been found that the best vacuum range is between 556 mm and 7βθ mm of mercury. In this Table 1 shows a relationship between the boiling points different solvents at atmospheric pressure and at different vacuum pressures.

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Claims (1)

Bu. XI Expectations; 1. A method for treating textile materials for removing moisture and / or solvents therefrom, characterized in that the textile material (T) in a closed container (12) is subjected to a vacuum that the temperature in the closed λ container (12) is so is controlled that it is brought to a value which is sufficient to bring the moisture and / or the solvent to evaporate, and that the textile material (T) and the moisture and / or the solvent automatically from the closed container (12) removed. 2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the textile material (T) continuously through the closed container (12) is moved through. ?. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that that the textile material (T) the vacuum and the temperature is exposed for a certain time, which is sufficient to make the textile material essentially perfect to dry. 009823/1265 4. The method according to claim 1 to 3, characterized in that ' that the textile material (T) with a treatment agent containing solvent is treated before it runs into the closed container, wherein the Solvent evaporates in the closed zone (12) and the treatment agent is deposited in the textile (T). 5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that the temperature in the closed container is increased above the boiling point of the solvent and to a value, which is sufficient to deposit the treatment agent on the textile. 6. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized characterized in that the temperature in the closed container (12) by radiating, resistance or other Heat is applied. 7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5 »characterized in that that the textile material (T) with a heated surface (44) is brought into contact to his Increase temperature. 8. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized characterized in that the textile material (T) before its entry into the closed container (12) with a a solvent containing detergent is washed *. 009823/1255 9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that the textile material (T) is treated after washing and before entering the closed container (12), to remove some of the solvent from the textile, the remainder of the solvent in the closed container (12) being removed. 10. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the evaporated solvent and / or g the moisture is cooled in order to condense it for reuse. 11. Device for treating text Ils teffen for removing moisture and / or solvents from the same, characterized by the moisture and / or the; Solvent removing chamber (12), means for maintaining a vacuum in the chamber (12) _x means (! ^ "L ^ *) · for passing a textile material (T) through the chamber (12), sealing means (lA, l6 ', 22.60) at the inlet and outlet of the chamber (12) for maintaining the vacuum in the chamber (12) when the textile material passes through the same, means (24, Λ4) for heating the textile material (T) in the chamber (12) to cause the evaporation of the moisture and / or the solvent in the material (T), means (29,30,32) for removing the evaporated moisture and / or the solvent from the chamber (12) and means (18,50) for treating the textile material (T) immediately before it enters or leaves the chamber exit. 0Qä82; 3/12 £ p 12. The device according to claim 11, characterized in that that the means (29,30, ^ 2) for removing evaporated moisture and / or solvents from the chamber (12) Include cooling coils (26) which are inside or outside the chamber (12) are arranged and cause the condensation of the moisture and / or the solvent. 13 · Device according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that that the means (24,44) for heating infrared, are radiating or resistive elements. 14. Apparatus according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that that the means (44) for heating comprise heating surfaces within the chamber (12), with which at Operation of the device the textile material (T) comes into contact. 15. Device according to one of claims 11 to 14, characterized characterized in that the means (18, 50) for treating the textile material comprise a treating tank (50), which comprises at least one treatment bath (Β, Β ', ΒΒ "), · in which the textile material (T) is immersed for treatment. 009823/1255 16. The apparatus according to claim 15 * characterized in that means (58) for removing solvents between the treatment tank (B) and the chamber (52) are provided are to remove solvents from the textile material (T) while this is the treatment tank (B) leaves and runs into chamber (52) to remove some of the excess solvent from the textile material to remove. 009823/1256 49. Blank page