DE2953321A1 - Method and apparatus for heat-treating tubular knit fabrics - Google Patents

Description

Fabric, simultaneously maintaining a predetermined width and a released or reduced longitudinal tension in this fabric remains. Such a method and apparatus enable the mesh geometry of fabrics made of synthetic fibers, mixtures of synthetic and natural fibers or with thermoplastic resins treated fibers change and adjust significantly, so that a balanced shrinkage control of the The fabric is maintained in both the width and length directions and the fabric maintains predetermined dimensions after being cut into sections of clothing.

It is a further object of my invention to provide a method and an apparatus for heat treating knitted fabrics Fabrics with a brush-like surface, whereby the nub of the fabric is due to the particular application any heat treatment is not reduced.

Disclosure of the invention

In a broader sense, the method encompasses my invention following steps:

Moving a knitted, tubular fabric over a Expanding means for expanding the fabric into a flattened tubular shape of predetermined width while simultaneously lateral tension is applied to the fabric. The inner edges of the flattened, hose-like Forms are engaged by a first edge drive means to pull the flattened tubular form over the expansion means toward an edge drive transfer station, wherein

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the predetermined width is maintained. At the At the edge drive transfer station, the first drive means is disengaged from the tubular shape and. replaced by a second edge drive means while still maintaining the predetermined width. The speed of the first drive means is regulated with respect to the second drive means in order to adjust the longitudinal tension in the flattened tube shape while it is gripped by the second drive means. The tube shape will then by the second drive means through a dry temperature heat treatment station moved while maintaining the predetermined width. Sustained the control of the longitudinal tension applied to the tubular shape in the heat treatment station also remains in order to produce the knitted To cause mesh geometry to change and remove any lateral tension from it. The fabric is then removed from the heat treatment station and allowed to cool as well as set while from the second drive means is detected. If desired, the fabric can be used prior to going through the heat treatment station Steam pretreated to achieve temporary cessation while being subjected to the dry heat treatment will.

The device according to my invention comprises in the broader sense an expanding means for expanding a knitted, tubular shape to a flattened shape of predetermined width. A first drive means is provided for detection the inner edges of the flattened tube shape to move the shape over the expansion means and you the giving a predetermined width, which then results in lateral tension being imposed on the mold. One Drive transfer unit is provided to capture of the first edge drive means to a second edge drive

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means to transfer, the predetermined width of the ^: tubular shape is maintained. Means are provided for varying the speed of the second drive means with respect to the first drive means so that the speed of the fabric moved by the first drive means can be regulated with respect to the fabric which is engaged by the second drive means to control the longitudinal tension. The second drive means passes through a heat treatment station in which dry heat, preferably above 300 ° F, can be applied to the fabric to alter the mesh geometry of the fabric and to relieve lateral tension. A cooling station is provided through which the second drive means runs and in which the fabric can cool down in order to give the changed mesh geometry a permanent setting.

Preferably, the first and second edge drive means each comprise a driven, endless belt attached to engages an inboard edge of the flattened tubular shape, the belt of the second drive means through the heat treatment station passes through it and is made of heat-resistant material.

Furthermore, the device can station an air cooler at the cooling to direct a stream of cooling air to the hose shape and thereby the adjustment of the to support modified mesh geometry.

Brief description of the drawing

Figure 1 is a side view of the apparatus constructed in accordance with the invention;

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FIG. 2 is a broken away plan view of the device of FIG Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an enlarged partial view of Figure 2 with the Illustration of an expansion means and an edge drive means;

Figure 4 is an enlarged side view of Figure 2 taken along lines 4-4;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view of a portion of FIG Figure 3 along lines ".5-S;

Figure 6 is an enlarged sectional view of Figure 3 taken along lines 6-6;

Figure 7 is an enlarged partial sectional view of Figure 3 taken along lines 7-7 and

Figure 8 is an enlarged sectional view of Figure 2 taken along lines 8-8.

Best way to carry out the invention

Referring to Figure 1, there is a machine 1 for heat treatment shown knitted, tubular fabrics, the device having an inlet station 1o, an expansion control station 2o, an edge drive transfer station 6o, a heat treatment station 7o, a cooling station 8o and a Has removal station 9o.

The inlet station 1o comprises a frame 11, which one

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Supply roll 12 for a knitted, tubular fabric. ". A tubular web W is pulled off the roll 12 and runs over upper idler rollers 13 and 14 ^: _ and continues over tension rods 15 and then over idler rollers 16. The web W then runs over an expanding means 21 which extends into the interior of the tubular: hineinerstreckt substance to the fabric to a predetermined _width expand and to provide at the same time the tubular web W is a lateral voltage.

The expansion station 2o, which includes the expansion means 21, is with greater. Detail shown in Figure 3 and includes in part a gently curved portion 22 which is capable of to lie against the inner edges of a fabric tube, u to expand in this to a flattened tube shape of the desired width. The arch section 22 has an expanding side frame 23 connected, which extend through the greater part of the length of the machine 1, starting from a Place in front of the expansion control station 2o up to and including the cooling station 8o and through it. The frames 23 are used to support two first edge drive means 24 and two second edge drive means 25 in order to move the web W of the tubular Of fabric through the machine, each of the edge drive means being capable of driving an inner edge of the to capture flattened, tubular shape.

As shown in Figure 3, each includes first edge drive means 24 an endless belt 24 ', which over a front idler roller 26, a rear, driven roller 27 and several additional idle rollers 28 and a movable tension adjustment roller 29 runs, all rollers being rotatable are held by the frame 23. Furthermore, the belt runs over a frustoconical idler wheel 3o, which is supported on the frame 23 and with the mediation of the web W,

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as shown in FIG. 7, is supported by the rubber-coated rollers 31 which are mounted on axles 32. The rollers 31 thus serve as a free support for the front end of the expansion means within the tubular shape of the fabric.

The expansion control station 2o can - although this is not necessary - also an upper control roller 35 and a lower Include control roller 36, which are capable of each in opposite directions by a not .represented, variable speed drive to be driven. The rollers 35 and 36 are adjustable by means shown in FIG my Patent No. 3,973,3o5 are shown, wherein the clearance between the rollers can be varied. Furthermore you can the axles 32 on which the rubber-coated feed rollers may be driven by a variable speed drive (not shown). Through change the relative speed of the control rollers and the rubber feed rollers 31 can be used by the control station as an alignment calender used to be striated or patterned ^ circular to subject knitted fabrics to a finishing treatment in the manner disclosed and in my Patent No. 3,973,3o5 is described.

A support roller assembly 45 is shown more fully in the figure and is mounted on the expansion frame 23. It includes rollers 46 which are rotatably mounted with respect to the expansion frame 23 and over which the web W runs in such a way that the web is inserted between the rollers 46 and the control rollers 35 and 36. The support rollers thus serve to position the widening means in the longitudinal direction in the machine 1 and to prevent the widening means from being pulled through the machine ⁷ⁱ "n when a fabric is passed through the machine.

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As can be seen from Figure 3 and 5 to 8 / is the second Edge drive means. 25 similar to the first edge drive means capable of abutting each inside edge of a flattened tube shape and comprises an endless belt 5o which extends over a front idler roller 51, additional idler rollers and a rear driven roller 53 extends. The strap comprises a refractory material, and preferably one stainless steel belt that can withstand the high temperatures generated at the heat treatment station.

An edge drive transfer station 6o through which the Drive engagement of the first drive means with respect to the hose shape is transmitted to the second drive means, is shown in detail in FIGS. As shown, the rear driven roller 27 comprises the first edge drive means a middle part 61 which is fixedly mounted on a shaft 62 and over which the belt 24 ' runs. Furthermore, outer parts 63 are fixedly arranged on the shaft 62, each of which has a convex end face having. The convex end surfaces 64 of the parts 63 are complementary to the concave surface 65 of a driven edge drive member 66, as shown in FIG. When the drive member 66 engages the outer edge ler web W, transmits there is driving force via the track on the outer parts 63 and thereby in turn on the middle part 61 and on the drive belt 24 'to provide the driving force required is to pull the web over the expanding means 21 and cause the web to stretch to a predetermined width. Furthermore, the driven member 66 mediates because of the engagement between the concave surfaces 65 and the convex ones Areas 64 provide vertical support for the rear driven roller 27 and the associated expansion frame 23.

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As an alternative construction, the first drive means could comprise the rear driven roller 27 alone, the curved section 22 extending to the transfer station would extend. With such a design, the wheel 27 driven by the drive roller 66 would be the inner ones Grasp edges of the tubular fabric to act as an edge driving means and provide sufficient force ready to move the tubular shape over the expander to the transfer station and the speed of the tubular shape with respect to the second edge drive means.

The front idler roller 51 of the second edge drive means 25 is mounted on a shaft 54. Furthermore are on the shaft Sections 55 attached, which are freely rotatable with respect to the roller 51 and have convex outer surfaces 56. the Surfaces 56 cooperate with the concave surface via web W to provide vertical support for the expansion frame in the same way as with the first edge drive means.

The driven member 66 is by means of a variable speed control 67 and a belt 68 connected to a drive motor 69 of the machine that the Speed Control provides a means of regulating the speed of the first edge drive means.

The rear roller 53 of the second edge drive means has a convex outer surface 57 that is complementary to a concave one Surface 58 of a drive wheel 59 is of the type that the drive wheel provides vertical support for the idler roller 53 and the assigned expander 53 mediates. Driving force for the second Kcui ^ en drive means to the tube shape from the Moving the cantan drive transfer station away will therefore

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by the drive roller 59 over the web W on the driven Roller 53 mediates and thus on the belt 5o, which engages the inner edges of the tubular shape. The Drive wheel 59 is connected to a variable speed control unit 85 which in turn is connected to the main drive motor 69 connected to the machine by a belt 86; is.

The heat treatment station 7o comprises a housing 71 with a plurality of heaters 72 for generating dry high temperature, these heaters being located in station 7o below and above the fabric so that they can be used by the heating station Can heat running fabric to above 3oo F. Preferably the heaters are :: infrared heaters, they can however, it can also be of a different type, for example gas heaters. The required number of heaters is partly determined by the Determines the speed of the material passing through the heat treatment station, with higher speeds more heaters are required than at lower speeds, since the fabric temperature increases to high temperatures in a shorter time must be lifted than when the fabric is moving at slower speeds.

The heating station may also include an air knife fan unit 73 which supplies air lengthways to the tube shape circulated in the heat treatment station when the machine is stopped so as to overheat the fabric to prevent. In addition, an outlet housing 74 is provided to remove smoke generated in the heat treatment station. to eliminate.

The cooling station 8o includes air coolers 81 for blowing cooling air on both sides of the tubular form of the fabric to aid the setting of the fabric

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and to promote. If the cooling station is long enough and the speed of movement of the fabric is slow enough the coolers 81 can be omitted, allowing the fabric to cool sufficiently to cool before it is removed set in station 9o.

The take-off station 9o includes conventional powered take-off rollers 91 and 92 for moving the fabric out of the cooling station out and a powered take-up spool 93 onto which the treated fabric is wound.

In certain circumstances it may be desirable to clean the tubular fabric prior to entering the heat treatment station treat with steam. As shown in FIG. 1, a steaming unit 75 can be provided for this purpose will.

As shown in Figure 2, the expansion frames extend from a position in front of the control station 2o to a position behind the cooling station 8o. This length of the expander is permitted it is the tubular shape of the fabric to be formed by the sheet 22 to the predetermined width. This width will be maintained during the passage of the fabric through the machine and especially during the passage through the Heat treatment station in which the mesh geometry is changed in order to release lateral tension. The width remains also maintained in the cooling station, where the reoriented fibers are set. The required vertical support for an expander of such length is provided in at least two positions by the edge drive transfer station which construction utilizes the concave driven member 66, as well as the edge drive construction of the second edge drive means, in

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which the concave driven gear 58 applies. In addition, a support can be provided by the rubber-coated: Roles 31 of the control station are conveyed. The invention is to be understood, however, that the control station and their Components are not necessarily part of my invention. ;

The operation of the machine is as follows: when the tubular web W is driven by the first edge drive means 24 is pulled over the arch 22, the tubular web becomes a flattened, tubular shape deformed, the straps 24 'resting on both inner edges of the tubular shape. The expansion of the tubular Shape gives it a lateral tension. The flattened shape is transferred to the edge drive transfer station by the belts 24 ' moved where the outer edge of the tube shape is captured by drive wheel 66 and to parts 55 of the second edge drive means is moved over. The speed of the first edge drive means is usually set greater than that of the second edge drive means so that the tube shape bundles together on the second edge drive means, to form transverse or sideways pleats P, as shown in FIG. This concentration relaxes the Lengthways fabric and reduces and controls the lengthways tension. The bundled tubular form is then transferred by the second edge drive means to the heat treatment station where the mesh orientation of the fabric passes through the heat is changed and a side tension related is released or balanced on the longitudinal tension. Under however, in certain circumstances it may be desirable to introduce longitudinal tension into the fabric during its treatment. In this case, the speed of the first drive means would be set lower than that of the second Drive means, so that the transfer means

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moving fabric has a lower advance than the fabric moving away from the transfer means.

The second edge drive then moves the tube form to the cooling station, where the fibers of the reoriented meshes can adjust. The tube shape is thereupon by the take-off rollers 91 and 92 of the removal station from the second edge drive means withdrawn. The winding movement of the winding roller 93 also contributes to this removal.

It can be seen that the machine 1 provides a support for provides the tube shape by means of the second edge drive means both in the heat treatment station as well as in the cooling station / to ensure that the lateral and longitudinal tensions of the fabric are balanced and the fabric is balanced when it is cooled down Maintains Constitution.

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Claims (8)

- 17 -HOEGER, STELLRECHT & PARTNER PATENTANWÄLTE UHLANDSTRASSE 14 c ■ D 7000 STUTTGART 1 ry Q Γ O O 0 A 44 264 m Applicant: Catallo Frank m - 193 84 Wheatley Road 1o July 198o Old Westbury, New York 11568 Claims 1. A method of treating a knitted, tubular '- ■ shaped material, in order to apply a permanent setting, comprising the steps: a) Moving the tubular material over an expansion means in order to convert it into a flattened, tubular material To expand the shape of a certain width and to give it a lateral tension; b) Detecting the inner edges of the flattened, hose-like Shape by first edge drive means to form the flattened, tubular shape of said Expanding means while maintaining said predetermined lateral width to an edge drive transfer station to move; c) releasing the first edge drive means from engagement with the flattened, tubular shape at said edge drive transfer station and gripping the inside edges of the flattened tubular Shape by second edge drive means, said predetermined lateral width being maintained remains; d) controllable movement of the flattened, hose-like Form from said first edge drive means to said second edge drive means on said Edge drive transfer station to relieve longitudinal tension in said flattened, tubular shape 030601/0058 m - 193 -IB- 1ο July 198ο controlling while it is detected by the second edge drive means; e) moving the flattened, tubular shape by the second edge drive means from the edge drive transfer station by a heat treatment station located at dry high temperature if maintained the predetermined width and maintaining the control of the longitudinal tension and f) applying dry heat to said tubular Fabric as it passes the heat treatment station to modify the knitting stitch geometry. 2. A method of treating a knitted, tubular The fabric of claim 1 including the additional step: g) Treating the fabric with steam before passing through the heat treatment station. 3. Device for the heat treatment of a knitted, tubular Substance to apply a permanent setting thereon, comprising a widening means for widening ' of the knitted, tubular fabric into a flattened tubular shape, a first drive means for detecting the Inner edges of the flattened tube shape to move the fabric over the expanding means and the tube shape to impart a predetermined width and lateral tension to a second drive means for engaging the inside edges of the flattened.! Tube shape while maintaining their - 19 03060 1/0058 ^νΛ Ϊ ^ Υί ^^ m - 193.
lo. July 198o predetermined width, an edge drive transfer means for transferring the abutment of the flattened hose shape from the first drive means to the second drive means, Means for changing the speed of the second drive means with respect to the speed of the first Drive means, so that the feed speed of the flattened tube shape, which is to the transfer means:;. moved towards, with regard to the feed rate of the ".. Tube shape is changed away from the transfer means to control the longitudinal tension in the tube shape while it is engaged by the second drive means, and a heating station through which the second drive means passes includes means for applying dry heat to the fabric to modify its mesh geometry. 4. Apparatus according to claim 3 further including a steam treatment unit through which the first edge drive means runs through it. 5. Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the first and second edge drive means are each a driven, endless one Include straps for abutment against an inside edge of the flattened, tubular shape. 6. The device of claim 5, wherein the belt of the second Edge drive means a metallic, heat-resistant Material includes. 7. Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said means for Application of heat has the capacity to heat the fabric to greater than 300 ° F. - 2o '-0306 01 / 0058- A 44 264 m πι ι y ώ lo-c July 198o 8. Apparatus- according to claim 3 with an additional Cooling station through which the second edge drive means runs therethrough including an air cooler for directing cooling air onto the fabric coming out of the heating station runs out to facilitate permanent adjustment in the fabric. 0 3060 1/0058 - 21 HOEGER, LEGAL LAW & PARTNER UHLANDSTRASSE 14C-D 7000 STUTTGART 1 A 44 264 m Applicant: Catallo Frank m - 193 84 Wheatley Road lo. July 198o Old Westbury, New York 11568 Improved claims (Received at the International Bureau on March 21, 1980). -. (03/21/80) 1. A method of treating a knitted, tubular Substance to apply a permanent attitude to it, comprising the steps: a) moving the tubular material over an expansion means, to expand it into a flattened, tubular shape of predetermined width and give it a to provide lateral tension; b) engaging the inner edges of the flattened, tubular shape by a first edge drive means, around said flattened tubular shape of said expanding means to an edge drive transfer station move while maintaining the predetermined lateral width; c) detaching the first edge drive means of the inner edges of the flattened tubular form predetermined from its engagement with the flattened tubular form to said edge drive-Uber transfer station and detecting by a second edge drive means while the '* ■, maintaining lateral width; , d) controllable movement of the flattened, hose-like i Shape from the first edge drive means to the second edge | - 22 - ■ i 03 0 60 1/00 58 j 7953321 A 44 264 m "/ JOOO ^ i m - 193
lo. July 198o drive means at said edge drive transfer station, to control the longitudinal tension in the flattened, tube-like shape while it is from the second Edge drive means is detected; e) moving the flattened, tubular shape through said second edge drive means from the edge drive transfer station through a dryer High temperature equipped heat treatment station while maintaining the predetermined width and maintaining control of the longitudinal tension and f) applying dry heat above a temperature of 300 ° F on the tubular fabric, - while he passes through the heat treatment station to modify the knitted stitch geometry. 2. A method for treating a knitted, tubular fabric according to claim 1 including the additional Step: g) Treating the fabric with steam before passing through the heat treatment station. 3. Device for the heat treatment of a knitted, tubular Substance to apply a permanent adjustment to it, comprising an expanding means for expanding the knitted, tubular fabric into a flattened tubular shape, a first drive means for detecting the Inner edges of the flattened tube shape to move the fabric over the expanding means and the tube shape one to give a predetermined width and a lateral tension, ~ 23 - 030601/0058 A 44 264 m - 23 - m - 193 July 10th, 198o a second drive means for engaging the inner edges of the flattened tube shape while maintaining the same predetermined width, an edge drive transfer means for transferring the abutment of the flattened tube shape from the first drive means to the second drive means, means to change the speed of the second drive means with respect to the speed of the first drive means, so that the feed speed of the flattened tube shape, which moves towards the transfer means, is varied with respect to the feed speed of the tubular form away from the transfer means to the longitudinal tension to control in the tube shape while it is engaged by the second drive means and a heating station, through which the second drive means extends including means for applying dry heat above a temperature of 300 ° F on the fabric to modify the stitch geometry. 4. Apparatus according to claim 3 with the additional inclusion of a steam treatment unit through which the first Edge drive means extends. 5. Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the first and second edge drive means each have a driven, include endless belts for engaging the inside edge of the flattened tube shape. 6. Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the belt of the second edge drive means is a metallic, refractory one Material includes. 7. The device according to claim 3 with an additional cooling station, through which the second edge drive means - 24 - 030601/0058 9953321 A 44 264 m ,, Δ ^ ΟόόΔ I m - 193 ⁴ to.JuIi 198o extends therethrough including an air cooler for directing cooling air onto the fabric when it comes out of the Heat station runs out to facilitate permanent adjustment in the fabric. 030601/0058