EP1837431A1

EP1837431A1 - Textile Processing Machine

Info

Publication number: EP1837431A1
Application number: EP06251590A
Authority: EP
Inventors: William Tsuit Tak Ming
Original assignee: Falmer Investments Ltd
Current assignee: Falmer Investments Ltd
Priority date: 2006-03-24
Filing date: 2006-03-24
Publication date: 2007-09-26
Also published as: KR20070096732A; CN101041929A; TW200736441A; EP1837431A8

Abstract

A textile processing machine (M/C) comprises a kier (2), which is arranged horizontally. A carrier (1) or a series of carriers (1) is receivable into the kier (2). The carrier includes structural means (8) for carrying textile material into the kier (2) and fluid flow penetration means (10) that allow fluid flow into the textile material to be carried. A flow reversal device (4), which is connectable to both the kier (2) and the carrier (1) controls flow of fluid through the kier (2), the carrier (1) and the textile material during processing.

Description

The present invention relates to a textile processing machine, in particular, but not exclusively to a textile processing machine for wet-treatment, such as dyeing, of textile materials.
Traditional package dyeing machines comprise a main kier, which is a vertically orientated cylindrical vessel, which during the dyeing process contains the yarn packages to which the dye is to be applied. Yarn packages are generally loaded onto suitable carriers that transport the yarn into the kier. When inside the kier, the carrier(s) are connected to the circulation system of the dyeing machine that circulates dye to ensure suitable penetration of the dye into the yarn packages.
The height of the dyeing machine together with the height of the main kier relates to the capacity of the dyeing machine. Therefore, a higher machine provides a greater capacity. Moreover, the required operation height is usually double the height of the dyeing such as to provide the required height for loading and unloading with package carriers, the operating height being substantially equivalent to the sum of the kier height and the carrier height. It will be appreciated that larger capacity machines would be unsuitable for application in an environment such as a factory having a relatively low ceiling height. Therefore, such factories would require to purchase/use a number of smaller capacity machines, which would increase their running costs substantially compared to using a single larger capacity machine.
Vertical package dyeing machines are therefore not suitable for use in certain locations. Therefore, the problem associated with vertical dyeing machines is how to use a larger capacity machine in a restricted space. A possible solution may be to provide a package-dyeing machine having the main kier arranged horizontally. Such an arrangement effectively reduces the operation height, whilst substantially retaining the desired larger capacity. However, in the horizontal arrangement it has been found that the liquor ratio of horizontal package-dyeing machines is higher than the traditional vertical package-dyeing machines. In addition, the pressure head distribution inside the packages carriers loaded in the horizontal kier is uneven due to a side flow entrance design.
Introducing hollow containers inside the main kier is known to reduce the liquor ratio. However, the flow pattern though the carriers, in the side-flow entrance design, provides flow which is directed in to several straight passages before being distributed to the yarn packages, which leads to uneven pressure distribution. As a result, uneven distribution of the dye occurs, wherein the packages at the entrance side are lighter in colour than those further from the entrance.
Therefore, the problem associated with horizontal package machines is how to modify the above arrangement such as to optimise the liquor ratio and to improve the distribution of dye in the yarn or textile to be treated.
Accordingly, a first aspect of the present invention provides a textile processing machine comprising a kier, which is arranged horizontally; a carrier which is receivable into the kier, the carrier having structural means for carrying textile material into the kier and having fluid flow penetration means that allow fluid flow into the textile material to be carried; and a flow reversal device, which is connectable to both the kier and the carrier such that in use the flow reversal device produces two modes of fluid flow through the kier, the carrier and the textile material.
The flow reversal device is preferably of the type, disclosed in UK patent application Publication No. GB-A-2 384 287 , the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Preferably, the fluid flow reversal device comprises a first conduit, the first conduit having a first arm and a second arm, the first arm intersecting with the second arm, such that the interior of the first arms is fluid flow communicable with the interior of the second arm, the first arm and the second arm both having an opening at each end, a second conduit arranged concentrically about the full circumference of the first arm of the first conduit, a first end of the second conduit being connectable to an impeller and a second end of the second conduit being closed, a first end to the first arm of the first conduit stopping short of the closed second end of the second conduit, the second arm of the first conduit being arranged to extend through opposing sides of the second conduit, and a valve, located at the point of intersection of the first and second arms of the first conduit, designed to control the direction of fluid flow through the second arm of the first conduit, in use.
The flow reversal device facilitates inside-out flow and outside-in flow of dye-liquor through the textile material. Therefore, the combination of the horizontal kier, the carrier and the flow reversal device provides an improved distribution of fluid through the textile material compared with the prior art arrangement.
In its preferred form the kier is cylindrical and may have a circular cross-section. The kier is a hollow structure, which may have a cross-sectional shape which is circular or any other suitable shape.
The horizontal kier may be suitable for loading one or more carriers within it. Suitably, the one or more carriers are connected in series. One end of the carrier may be operable to connect with a reducer connection which is connectable to the flow reversal device and the other end of the carrier is connectable with another carrier. Alternatively, the other end may be blocked off by a blocking member such that fluid flow is controlled through the carrier. Preferably, the flow reversal device is situated at one end of the kier. The flow reversal device may connect the kier to a circulation pump.
The internal volume of the kier may include partition members, which divide the internal volume to provide a dummy volume and a loading volume. The loading volume may be substantially the same shape and size as the carrier(s) received therein. The loading volume is the space in the main kier that can be filled by yarn packages and the dummy volume is the space in the kier that, due to the cross-sectional shape of the kier cannot be filled by yarn packages.
A second aspect of the present invention provides a carrier for a textile processing machine, the carrier comprising a base having a hollow structure formed of an upper and a lower passage; a plurality of perforated tubular members upstanding from the base and being arranged in a staggered format and a plurality of non-perforated pillars upstanding from the base.
The distribution of the perforated tubes in a staggered format improves space allocation of the yarn packages. The non-perforated pillars may occupy the area of the carrier, which is not occupied by textile material/yarn packages. The arrangement of the perforated tubes and the non-perforated pillars further reduces the volume of treatment liquid used during a wet treatment process, such as dyeing. Furthermore, the arrangement of the perforated tubes may provide an even distribution of pressure and improved flow inside the carrier such that more even distribution of dye may be obtained.
Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings, in which:

Figure 1 illustrates a textile-processing machine having a horizontal kier;
Figure 2 illustrates a partial section of a carrier for use with the textile-processing machine of figure 1;
Figure 3 illustrates a carrier having a fluid flow connection at one end; and
Figure 4 illustrates an internal view of the horizontal kier for use with the textile-processing machine of figure 1.

Referring to figure 1, the textile-processing machine M/C comprises a cylindrical main kier 2, which is arranged horizontally. At one end of the kier 2 there is provided a door 3, for transporting and allowing access to the textile material which is loaded on the carrier 1. The other end of the kier is in the form of a torispherical dish, to which is connected a flow reversal device 4 and a pump 5. In the system illustrated by figure 1 two carriers 1 are connected in series.
As illustrated in figure 2, the carrier 1 comprises a hollow rectangular base 8, which is provided by two hollow rectangular members 6', 7'. The first hollow rectangular member 6' is smaller than the other member 7' and the first rectangular member 6' is placed inside the other member 7' to form two passages 6, 7; a lower passage 6 and an upper passage 7. A plurality of perforated spindles 10 upstand from the base 8. In figure 2 a single perforated spindle 10 is illustrated for clarity; figures 1 and 3 illustrate the carrier having a plurality of perforated spindles. In the upper passage 7 a plurality of hollow tubes 11 occupy the space provided between the top of the first rectangular member 6' and the top of the other rectangular member 7'. The tubes 11 vertically interconnect the lower passage 6 and the top plate of the base 8. The number of supporting tubes 11 corresponds with the number of the perforated spindles 10. Each spindle 10 is supported at its lower end inside a corresponding hollow tube 11. The arrangement of the spindles 10 on the base is in a staggered format as can be seen by the arrangement of the holes 23 in figure 2. The base 8 also includes a number of openings 23' in the form of circular holes to allow fluid flow between the upper passage 7 and the base 8. The number of holes 23' may typically correspond with the number of perforated spindles 10 and are also arranged in a staggered format.
Figure 3 illustrates the carrier 1 loaded with a plurality of perforated spindles 10. In addition, the carrier comprises a number of dummy pillars 14, which are arranged on the base 8 in the area that is not occupied by the perforated pillars 10 and yarn packages. The dummy pillars 14 are aligned vertically. The volume occupied by the dummy pillars 14 has the effect of reducing the volume of treatment liquid required to fill the kier 2.
Connected at one end of the carrier is a hollow connector 13', which connects the carrier 1 to the flow reversal device 4 (figure 1). The connector 13' has a rectangular form at one end to correspond with the cross-sectional shape of the base 8 of the carrier 1, and at the other end the connector 13' is round in cross-section to correspond with the form of the connection to the flow reversal device 5. At the other end of the carrier 1, the passages 6, 7 may be closed off by an end plate 12, as illustrated in figure 3 or may be connected in series to another carrier 1, as illustrated in figure 1. It will be appreciated that the last carrier 1 in a series will be attached at one end to an adjacent carrier 1 and furnished with the end plate 12 at the other end. Such an arrangement ensures during operation that fluid flow is restricted to flow to and from the passages 6, 7 through the holes 23' on the base and through perforated spindles 10 carrying the yarn packages 9.
The connector 13' comprises an outer connector and an inner connector forming a passage therebetween. The inner connector 15 is in direct fluid communication with the lower passage 6, whereas the outer connector 13 is in direct fluid communication with the upper passage 7.
Referring to figure 4, the main kier 2 is a cylindrical vessel having a plurality of partition members 16 in the form of plates, which are placed around the internal volume to divide the internal volume of the kier into a separate loading volume 19 and a dummy volume 21. The loading volume 19 is the space that is occupied by the loaded carriers 1 during operation and the dummy volume 21 is effectively the space that, due to the form of the carriers 1, would be unoccupied during operation. Further partition members 18 occupy part of the lower region of the kier 2 thereby creating a confined volume, which is free of treatment liquid during operation, thereby reducing the liquor rate.
The dummy volume 21 and the loading volume 19 are in fluid communication by means of holes 17 provided near the bottom of the partition plates.
An air inlet 20 is provided through the kier wall in the region of the dummy volume 21, such that compressed air can be injected into the dummy volume 21. An air outlet 22 is provided in the kier wall in the region of the loading volume 19 such that any excess air in the loading volume is expelled.
The wet treatment process, such as dyeing, utilising the textile-processing machine M/C as described above is as follows:
Yarn packages 9 are arranged on the perforated spindles being carried on the (or each) carrier 1. When the yarn packages 9 are ready for the dyeing process they are loaded into the kier 2, which is then closed. Transportation of the carrier(s) 1 into the kier may be provided by friction reducing guides such as roller tracks (not illustrated).
After loading, the kier 2 is then filled with treatment liquid to a certain level such that the yam packages are partially immersed. Compressed air is then forced into the kier 2 through the air inlet 22 such as to occupy the dummy volume 21 and to force any treatment liquid, such as dye from the dummy volume 22 to the loading volume 19. Consequently, the level of treatment liquid inside the loading volume 19 increases such that the yarn packages are fully immersed in the treatment liquid. If the loading volume 19 is occupied by any excess air it is vented through a vent valve (not illustrated) and expelled through the air outlet 22.
The flow of treatment liquid, such as dye, is generated from the pump 5 and the flow reversal device 4. The structure and form of the reversal device may be as described in UK patent application Publication No. GB-A-2 384 287 , the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
In one mode of operation the pump 5 and flow reversal device 4 operate to produce inside-out flow, wherein the treatment liquid, such as dye, is directed through the inner connector 15 and enters the lower passage 6 of the base 8 of the carrier 1. The treatment liquid then flows from the lower passage 6 into the supporting tubes 11 and hence the perforated spindles 10 such that the treatment liquid penetrates the yarn packages 9 from the inside. Excess treatment liquid passes from the outside of yarn packages 9 into the loading volume of the kier and is returned to the upper passage 7 of the carrier through the holes 23'. The returning fluid then passes from the upper passage 7 into the outer connector 13 and back to the reversal device.
In the second mode of operation the pump 5 and flow reversal device 4 operate to produce outside-in flow, wherein the treatment liquid, such as dye, is directed through the outer connector 13, and then enters the upper passage 7 of the carrier 1. The treatment liquid then flows from the upper passage 7 through the holes 23' into the loading volume of the kier 2 such that the treatment liquid penetrates the yarn packages 9 first before the treatment liquid enters the perforated spindles 10. The fluid then passes from the inside of the perforated spindles 10 down through the supporting tubes 11 and into the lower passage 6. The returning fluid then passes from the lower passage 7 into the inner connector 15 and back to the reversal device.

Claims

A textile processing machine comprising a kier, which is arranged horizontally; a carrier which is receivable into the kier, the carrier having structural means for carrying textile material into the kier and having fluid flow penetration means that allow fluid flow into the textile material to be carried; and a flow reversal device, which is connectable to both the kier and the carrier such that in use the flow reversal device produces two modes of fluid flow through the kier, the carrier and the textile material.
A textile processing machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the kier is cylindrical.
A textile processing machine as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the fluid flow reversal device comprises a first conduit, the first conduit having a first arm and a second arm, the first arm intersecting with the second arm, such that the interior of the first arms is fluid flow communicable with the interior of the second arm, the first arm and the second arm both having an opening at each end, a second conduit arranged concentrically about the full circumference of the first arm of the first conduit, a first end of the second conduit being connectable to an impeller and a second end of the second conduit being closed, a first end to the first arm of the first conduit stopping short of the closed second end of the second conduit, the second arm of the first conduit being arranged to extend through opposing sides of the second conduit, and a valve, located at the point of intersection of the first and second arms of the first conduit, designed to control the direction of fluid flow through the second arm of the first conduit, in use.
A textile processing machine as claimed in claim 3, wherein one end of the second arm of the first conduit is connectable to the kier and the other end of the second arm is arranged to be in fluid communication with the carrier.
A textile processing machine as claimed in claim 4, wherein one end of the carrier is operable to connect with a reducer connection which is connectable to the fluid flow reversal device and the other end is connectable with another carrier or is blocked with a blocking member.
A textile processing machine as claimed in claim 3, 4 or 5, wherein the kier comprises two ends, one end providing access to inside the kier and the other end is connectable to the fluid flow reversal device.
A textile processing machine as claimed in claim 6, wherein the other end of the kier which is connectable to the fluid flow reversal device is in the form of a torispherical dish.
A textile processing machine as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 7, wherein partition members are insertable into the kier such as to reduce internal volume of the kier to provide a dummy volume and a loading volume, which loading volume is substantially the same cross-sectional shape as the carrier received therein.
A textile processing machine as claimed in claim 8, wherein the dummy volume and the loading volume are connected in fluid communication by holes provided in the partition member.
A textile processing machine as claimed in claim 8 or 9, wherein in use the dummy volume is filled with compressed air such that any processing fluid continued therein is expelled from the dummy volume and moved into the loading volume.
A textile processing machine as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the carrier comprises a base having a hollow structure formed by an upper passage and a lower passage; a plurality of perforated tubular members arranged in a staggered format and upstanding from the base a plurality of non-perforated pillars upstanding from the base.
A textile processing machine as claimed in claim 11, wherein the perforated tubular members penetrate the top surface of the base and upstand from the surface forming the base of the upper passage.
A textile processing machine as claimed in claim 11 or 12, further comprising a plurality of hollow supporting members upstanding from the surface forming the base of the upper passage.
A textile processing machine as claimed in claim 13, wherein each of the perforated tubular members is concentrically supported in a corresponding hollow supporting member.
A textile processing machine as claimed in claim 13 or 14, wherein the hollow supporting members connect the lower passage with the top surface of the base such that the lower passage and the base above are in fluid communication.
A textile processing machine as claimed in claims 13 to 15, wherein the hollow supporting members are arranged in a staggered form corresponding with that of the plurality of perforated tubular members.
A textile processing machine as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 16, wherein the base comprises a plurality of holes therethrough such that the upper passage and the base above are in fluid communication, the holes being arranged in a staggered format in one mode of fluid flow.
A textile processing machine as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 17, wherein the upper and lower passages are formed of two hollow members having substantially the same cross-sectional shape, one hollow member being smaller than the other such that when interconnected a continuous upper passage and lower passage are defined therein.
A textile processing machine as claimed in claim 18, wherein the base is provided by the larger hollow member and wherein the two hollow members are rectangular in cross-section.
A textile processing machine as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 19, wherein the non-perforated pillars are arrangeable on top of the carrier at positions, when in use that are not occupied by perforated tubular members.
A carrier for a textile processing machine comprising a base having a hollow structure formed by an upper passage and a lower passage, a plurality of perforated tubular members upstanding from the base and arranged in a staggered format and a plurality of non-perforated pillars upstanding from the base.
A carrier as claimed in claim 21, wherein the perforated tubular members penetrate the top surface of the base and upstand from the surface forming the base of the upper passage.
A carrier as claimed in claim 21 or 22, further comprising a plurality of hollow supporting members upstanding from the surface forming the base of the upper passage.
A carrier as claimed in claim 23, wherein each of the perforated tubular members are concentrically supported in a corresponding hollow support member.
A carrier as claimed in claim 23 or 24, wherein the hollow supporting members connect the lower passage with the base such that in use fluid flows between the lower passage and the base above.
A carrier as claimed in any of claims 23 to 25, wherein the hollow supporting members are arranged in a staggered format corresponding with that of the plurality of perforated tubular members.
A carrier as claimed in any one of claims 21 to 26, wherein the base comprises a plurality of holes therethrough such that the upper passage and the base above are in fluid communication; the holes being arranged in a staggered format.
A carrier as claimed in any one of claims 21 to 27, wherein the upper and lower passages are formed of two hollow members having substantially the same cross-sectional shape, one hollow member being smaller than the other, such that when interconnected a continuous upper passage and lower passage are defined therein.
A carrier as claimed in claim 28, wherein the larger of the two hollow members forms the base and wherein the two hollow members are rectangular in cross-section.
A carrier as claimed in any one of claims 21 to 29, wherein the non-perforated pillars are arrangeable on top of the carrier at positions, when in use that are not occupied by perforated tubular members.
A carrier as claimed in any one of claims 21 to 30, further comprising at one end an opening which is connectable with a flow reversal device which is operable to provide two modes of fluid flow and at the other end the carrier is connectable to another carrier member or a blocking member.
A carrier as claimed in claim 31, wherein the connection between the carrier and the flow reversal device is provided by a reducer connection.