EP2203578B1 - Method and device for producing a multi-colored composite thread - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method and a device for producing a multi-colored composite thread made of a plurality of extruded colored filament bundles. To this end, a plurality of different dyed polymer melts is generated and extruded in parallel through a plurality of spinnerets to form the colored filament bundles. The colored filament bundles are brought together as a mixed color to form the composite thread. In order to generate a color pattern or to correct the mixed color of the composite thread, according to the invention, the generation of the dyed polymer melts is modified during the extrusion of the filament bundle in order to modify the mixed color of the composite thread.

Description

The invention relates to a method for producing a multi-colored composite thread according to the preamble of claim 1 and to an apparatus for carrying out the method according to the preamble of claim 8.

A generic method and a generic device are from the EP 1 035 238 A1 or EP 0924 321 A1 known.

In the known method and the known device for producing a multi-colored composite yarn initially several colored polymer melts are produced in parallel side by side and extruded through a plurality of separate spinnerets to each a colored filament bundle. The filament bundles consist of a plurality of individual filament strands, which are extruded through the nozzle openings of a spinneret to endless strands. After several treatment steps by cooling and stretching the colored filament bundles are combined to form a composite thread. The composite yarn thus receives a mixed color, which arises from the merger of the colored filaments of the individual filament bundles.

Such multicolor composite yarns are used in particular in the production of BCF yarns, in which in particular the mixed color of the composite yarn determines the visual appearance of the carpet. Depending on the compound color of the composite thread, different color patterns result in the carpet fabric. Therefore, in practice, there is a desire to combine the colored filament bundles as flexibly as possible to a desired mixed color of the composite thread.

In the case of the known method and the known device, the number of filament bundles which are combined to form a composite thread can be changed for this purpose. Thus, for example, two- or three-color filament bundles can be combined to form a composite thread, each having a mixed color.

However, this results in variants of a composite thread, which are different in number of filament bundles.

In order to form a composite thread of several colored filament bundles with the same number of filament bundles, other devices and methods are known in the prior art. So goes for example from the EP 0 485 871 A1 a variant in which the filament bundles are vortexed separately from each other by additional means prior to merging into the composite thread.

From the DE 42 02 896 A1 Another method is known in which a false twist is generated in the filament bundles prior to merging into the composite thread.

In the from the EP 0 133 198 known device and method, the filament bundles are constantly changed in their relative position to each other, so as to obtain again before entering a texturing a mixing of the filaments into a composite thread. For this purpose, some of the filament bundles are moved back and forth with small strokes.

All known from the prior art methods and apparatus for producing a multi-colored composite thread is common that solely by the manner of bringing together the filament bundles a certain appearance and appearance of the composite yarn, in particular the mixed color of the composite yarn is to be achieved. However, such processes are an increasing burden on the filament strands within the filament bundles that In addition, it can have a negative effect on a previously introduced in the filaments crimp. The changes in the mixed color achieved with the mixing of the individual filaments of the filament bundles are also possible only within narrow limits, since the total number of colored filaments within the composite thread remains constant.

It is indeed from the DE 1 805 954 already a method is known in which the mixed color of the composite thread by changing the number of colored filament strands is changeable. Thus, combinations of colored filament strands can be combined with each individual number of individual filaments. However, this method is extremely expensive for practical use, since a change in the number of filament strands within a filament bundle is accompanied by a change of the spinneret.

It is therefore an object of the invention to develop a method and an apparatus for producing a multi-colored composite thread of the generic type such that a mixed color of the composite thread is flexibly adjustable and changeable.

A further object of the invention is to provide a method and an apparatus for producing a multi-colored composite yarn in which the composite yarn can be produced with predetermined color effects in the mixed color.

This object is achieved by a method having the features of claim 1 and by a device having the features of claim 8.

Advantageous developments of the invention are defined by the features and feature combinations of the respective subclaims.

The invention has the particular advantage that no additional intervention for mixing the filaments of the colored filament bundles is required to the To change the mixed color of the composite thread. To change or adjust the mixed color of the composite thread, the production of the colored polymer melts during the extrusion of the filament bundles is changed according to the invention. It is thus possible to influence the extrusion of the filament bundles in such a way that the filaments forming the filament bundle are already produced in a desired visual appearance, in order to obtain the desired mixed color of the composite filament in combination with the remaining filament bundles.

In order to obtain a composite yarn with the same physical properties as possible despite the altered production of the colored polymer melts and the associated changes in the extrusion of the filament bundles, the process variant in which the composite yarn is determined by a total titer before and after the change is preferably carried out the mixed color of the composite thread is the same size. This variant of the method thus makes it possible to intervene in the melt-spinning process for producing the composite thread in order to change only the mixed color and thus the appearance of the composite thread.

The production of the colored polymer melt provided for the extrusion of one of the filament bundles can be carried out according to a process variant such that the delivery rate of the polymer melt to be extruded is increased or decreased. Thus, an increase in the delivery rate of the polymer melt would cause the spinneret to have a higher melt throughput during the extrusion of the filament bundle and thus to set a higher spider titer of the filament bundle. Thus, the color content within the composite thread relative to the remaining filament bundles, which is determined by the filament bundle, is increased overall due to the large mass. The color of the filament bundle thus emerges stronger. Despite the same color concentrations within the filaments, different color effects can be produced in the composite thread by changing the throughput of the melt and thus changing the filaments of the filaments. So have thick and thin filaments basically different light reflections. As the filament titer increases, the appearance becomes darker.

In order to enhance such coloring effects in the composite yarn, the process variant in which a plurality of delivery rates of the polymer melts are changed simultaneously in relation to a total delivery amount of all the polymer melts for extruding all the filament bundles. Thus, for example, a polymer melt in a first color with a larger delivery rate and a second polymer melt with a second color with a smaller delivery rate can be combined so that the color dominance of the filament bundle, which is extruded at a higher delivery rate, is even higher in the composite thread.

In order to obtain as constant as possible a total titer of the composite thread in a plurality of filament bundles, the delivery rates of the polymer melts are changed such that the sum of all delivery rates is equal to the total delivery. Thus, the filament bundles can be extruded in different spun titer without exceeding or falling short of the total denier of the composite thread after the merger.

In the case that the coloring of the polymer melts takes place by means of a liquid paint, the method variant is used in which a feed of a liquid paint into at least one of the polymer melts is changed by increasing or decreasing an amount of the paint. This advantageously allows the degree of coloring of the polymer melt to be influenced before and during the extrusion of the filament bundles so that the filament bundle can be extruded directly from a more colored polymer melt or a less strongly colored polymer melt.

Here, too, the mixed color effects can be improved, in particular, by the fact that the feeds of several liquid colors into several polymer melts is simultaneously changed by increasing or decreasing the amounts of colors.

The method according to the invention is therefore particularly suitable for setting a desired mixed color in the composite thread at a start of the process without interrupting the process.

For the production of carpet yarns, the process variant is preferably used, in which the production of the polymer melts is changed repeatedly in a predetermined time interval. This allows regular color patterns to be created in the composite thread, which in turn could be used to create special visual effects in a carpet pattern of a carpet fabric.

Alternatively, the method can be operated such that the production of the polymer melt is determined by a machine setting, wherein the extrusion of the filament bundles takes place with changing machine settings. This can be defined, for example, by empirical experiments machine settings that lead to certain mixed colors of the composite thread. Thus, the pattern of mixed colors in the composite thread can be specified by regularly changing the machine setting.

For carrying out the method according to the invention, the device according to the invention has a control device which is connected to at least one of the means for producing the polymer melt and which controls the generating means for changing the color mixing of the composite thread during the extrusion of the filament bundles.

In order to maintain an overall titer of the composite thread, it is provided according to a development of the device according to the invention that the control device has a microprocessor, by means of which at least arithmetic operations for Determining a control signal supplied to the generating means in compliance with the total titre of the composite thread can be executed. Thus, the production of the polymer melt can be controlled and changed in coordination with the other polymer melts.

To influence the flow rate, the means for producing the polymer melts on a plurality of spinning pumps, which are independently driven by a plurality of pump drives. In this case, at least one of the pump drives for changing a drive speed of the associated spin pump is coupled to the control device. Thus, by increasing or decreasing the drive speed of the spinning pump, the delivery rate of the spinning pump can be changed.

To maintain a total delivery rate, all pump drives of the spinning pump are preferably connected together with the control device, so that the increase in the drive speed of one of the pump drives can be compensated with a corresponding reduction in the drive speed of another pump drive or a reduction in the drive speed of a plurality of pump drives. The sum of the delivery rates thus corresponds to a total delivery, which remains constant during the extrusion of the filament bundles.

Depending on the manner in which the polymer melt is colored, the device according to the invention can be developed in such a way that the means for producing the polymer melts have a plurality of feed devices for feeding in a plurality of liquid colors, the feed devices having a plurality of metering pumps which can be driven by separate metering drives, and at least one of the metering drives for Changing a drive speed of the associated metering pump is connected to the control device. Thus, the color of the individual polymer melts can be influenced individually by increasing or decreasing the addition of the colorant.

In order to obtain a mixed color effect on the composite thread, the device according to the invention is preferably operated in the embodiment in which the control device has at least one control program, by which a plurality of machine settings are alternately adjustable to the means for generating the polymer melt. Thus, for example, the spinning pumps can be moved back and forth between two operating speeds, so that each adjustment results in a mixed color change of the composite thread.

The method according to the invention and the device according to the invention are fundamentally suitable for producing multicolored composite threads of a polyamide material, for example a polyester, polypropylene or polyamide or combinations of such materials. In particular, the method and the device for the production of so-called BCF yarns is suitable. For this purpose, the development of the device according to the invention is used, in which the composite means comprises at least one crimping device, by which the filament bundles are gathered together curled to form the composite thread. Such crimped composite threads can be used directly for further processing of a carpet fabric.

Alternatively, however, there is also the possibility that the composite means has at least one swirling nozzle through which the filament bundles are brought together to form the composite thread. Again, combinations can be carried out such that both the filament bundles are crimped separately before vortexing or the composite thread after vortexing in a crimping device. In addition, additional treatments on the filament bundles as well as in the composite thread before or after the merger are possible. Such treatments may be formed by swirling, stretching and relaxation.

The method according to the invention will be described in more detail below with reference to some embodiments of the device according to the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1

schematisch eine Ansicht eines ersten Ausführungsbeispiels der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung zur Durchführung des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens

Fig. 2

schematisch eine Ansicht eines weiteren Ausführungsbeispiels der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung

Fig. 3

schematisch ein weiteres Ausführungsbeispiel der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung

Fig. 4 und Fig. 5

schematisch einige Ausführungsbeispiele eines Verbundmittels zum Zusammenführen mehrerer Filamentbündel

They show:

Fig. 1

schematically a view of a first embodiment of the device according to the invention for carrying out the method according to the invention

Fig. 2

schematically a view of another embodiment of the device according to the invention

Fig. 3

schematically a further embodiment of the device according to the invention

4 and FIG. 5

schematically some embodiments of a composite means for merging multiple filament bundles

In Fig. 1 a first embodiment of the device according to the invention for carrying out the method according to the invention is shown schematically. For extruding several colored filament bundles, the device has a plurality of spinnerets 4.1, 4.2 and 4.3. The spinnerets 4.1, 4.2 and 4.3 are arranged on an underside of a heated spinneret 3. For extruding a plurality of fine filaments, which are respectively guided to the filament bundles 13.1, 13.2 and 13.3, have the spinnerets 4.1, 4.2 and 4.3 on their underside nozzle plates, which contain a plurality of nozzle openings. Such spinnerets are well known and therefore not described here.

To extrude the filaments, the spinnerets 4.1, 4.2 and 4.3 are each fed with a colored polymer melt. For this purpose, each spinneret 4.1, 4.2 and 4.3 is associated with a spinning pump 2.1, 2.2 and 2.3, via the distribution lines 6.1, 6.2 and 6.3 supply the respective polymer melts under pressure to the spinnerets 4.1, 4.2 and 4.3. The spinning pumps 2.1, 2.2 and 2.3 are arranged side by side on an upper side of the spinning beam 3. Each of the spinning pumps 2.1, 2.2 and 2.3 is assigned a separate pump drive. Thus, the spinning pump 2.1 is driven by the pump drive 7.1, the spinning pump 2.2 by the pump drive 7.2 and the spinning pump 2.3 by the pump drive 7.3. For controlling the drives, a control device 8 is provided, which is coupled to the pump drives 7.1, 7.2 and 7.3. Each of the pump drives 7.1, 7.2 and 7.3 is to be controlled individually via the control device 8, so that the polymer melt streams generated by the spin pumps 2.1, 2.2 and 2.3 are supplied separately and uniformly to the spinnerets 4.1, 4.2 and 4.3.

On an inlet side, the spinning pumps 2.1, 2.2 and 2.3 are each connected via a melt line to an extruder. In this embodiment, a first extruder 1.1 is coupled via the melt line 5.1 with the spinning pump 2.1. Accordingly, a second extruder 1.2 is connected via the melt line 5.2 with the spinning pump 2.2 and the extruder 1.3 via the melt line 5.3 with the spin pump 2.3. In each of the extruder 1.1 to 1.3, a colored polymer melt is produced. For this purpose, the granules of a polymer material and additives and colorants can be added to the extruder.

To produce a composite thread, the filament bundles 13.1, 13.2 and 13.3 are withdrawn from the spinnerets 4.1, 4.2 and 4.3 after cooling and after being combined by a respective thread guide 10 by means of a treatment device 11. The treatment device 11 is shown only symbolically, since the process units are formed within the treatment device 11 as a function of the thread type to be produced in each case and individually assembled. Thus, for example, a stretching can be carried out both on the individual filament bundles and in the composite thread. The treatment device 11 could thus be preparation device, drawing devices, turbulators, relaxation devices and / or Have curling devices. Essential for the production of the composite thread 14, however, is a composite agent which brings together the filament bundles 13.1, 13.2 and 13.3 within the treatment device 11 and produces a composite thread 14 with a mixed color from the differently colored filament strands of the filament bundles 13.1, 13.2 and 13.3.

Some exemplary embodiments of the composite means which can alternatively be used in the treatment device 11 are described in further detail in FIGS 4 and 5 shown.

In Fig. 4 For example, an embodiment of a composite 12 is shown as it is preferably used to make so-called BCF yarns. Here, the composite 12 is formed by a crimping device 20, which is formed in this embodiment by a delivery nozzle 25 and a stuffer box 21. Here, the filament bundles 13.1, 13.2 and 13.3 are pulled together into a thread channel of the delivery nozzle 25 and conveyed together by means of a preferably heated fluid into a stuffer box 21. In the stuffer box 21, a yarn plug 22 is formed, so that the individual filaments of the filament bundles 13.1, 13.2 and 13.3 place themselves as loops and bows on the surface of the yarn plug 22 and mix. The thread plug 22 is compressed and then cooled by a cooling drum 23 and dissolved into the crimped composite thread 14. The mixing of the individual filaments of the filament bundles 13.1, 13.2 and 13.3 leads to a mixed color on the now crimped composite thread 14.

Alternatively, the filament bundles 13.1, 13.2 and 13.3 can also be used with a Fig. 5 shown embodiment of the composite 12 merge. In this case, the composite means 12 is formed by a swirl nozzle 24. Within the swirl nozzle 24, a stream of compressed air is introduced into a thread channel, in which the filament bundles 13.1, 13.2 and 13.3 are guided. Consequently this results in a swirling of the individual filaments and a mixing which leads to the composite thread 14.

Depending on the desired thread type, the in Fig. 1 shown treatment device 11 with a composite means 12 after Fig. 4 or after Fig. 5 To run.

For storage of the produced composite thread 14 this is usually wound into a coil 16. Thus, the treatment device 11 is followed by a winding device 15, which has in this embodiment two held on a spindle carrier 18 winding spindle 17.1 and 17.2, so that the composite thread 14 can be wound continuously to a coil 16. The winding of the bobbin 16 is effected by means of a traversing device 19 which reciprocates the composite yarn along the bobbin surface so that a cross-wound bobbin is wound.

In the Fig. 1 shown device can basically operate in two different ways. In a first variant, a colored polymer melt is produced in each of the extruders 1.1, 1.2 and 1.3, the colored polymer melts differing in their base color. Thus, for example, the extruder 1.1 could produce a blue-colored polymer melt, the extruder 1.2 a yellow-colored polymer melt, and the extruder 1.3 a red-colored polymer melt. The polymer melts can in this case be produced both from an identical polymer material and from different polymer materials. To produce the polymer melts, the spinning pumps 2.1, 2.2 and 2.3 are initially driven with identical drive speeds by the pump drives 7.1, 7.2 and 7.3. Thus, the flow rates of the polymer melts generated by the spinning pumps 2.1, 2.2 and 2.3 are the same, so that at each of the spinneret 4.1, 4.2 and 4.3 an equal melt throughput for the extrusion of the filament bundles 13.1, 13.2 and 13.3 prevails. The filament bundles 13.1, 13.2 and 13.3 are front Filaments identical, so that each filament bundle 13.1, 13.2 and 13.3 has an equal spinning titer. After merging the filament bundles thus sets a total titre of the composite thread 14 a. Thus, the blue-colored filaments of the filament bundle 13.1, the yellow-colored filaments of the filament bundle 13.2 and the red-colored filaments of the filament bundle 13.3 would together lead to a mixed color of the composite thread 14.

In the event that the mixed color is not yet the desired appearance of the composite thread 14, the production of the polymer melt is changed. For this purpose, a change in at least one drive speed of one of the pump drives 7.1, 7.2 and 7.3 is initiated via the control device 8. Thus, for example, the delivery rate of the spinning pump 2.1 could be increased, so that a larger amount of blue-colored polymer melt for extrusion of the spinneret 4.1 is supplied. This results in the extrusion of the filament bundle 13.1 a larger spider titer, so that the total mass fraction of the blue-colored filaments increases and thus the mixed color in the composite thread 14 receives a correspondingly stronger blue tint.

However, this variant of the method is preferably carried out in such a way that if there is a change in the delivery rates of one of the spinning pumps 2.1, 2.2 and 2.3, as far as possible no change in the total titre of the composite thread 14 occurs. Thus, a microprocessor 9 is provided within the control device 8, in which a total delivery amount is deposited, which is the sum of the individual delivery rates of the three spinning pumps 2.1, 2.2 and 2.3 sets to obtain the total titre of the composite thread 14. In the event that a higher delivery rate is set to change the mixed color of one of the spinning pumps 2.1, 2.2 and 2.3, a corresponding compensation calculation is carried out via the microprocessor 9 in such a way that at least one or both other spinning pumps reduce the delivery rate he follows. Thus, corresponding control signals can be generated and the pump drives 7.1, 7.2 and 7.3 individually adjust in combination, without thereby exceeding a total delivery of the three spinning pumps.

The method according to the invention and the device according to the invention are therefore particularly suitable for producing a mixed color with a high degree of flexibility on a composite thread 14 on the basis of provided base colors.

Alternatively, the in Fig. 1 illustrated device also operate such that in the control device 8, a control program is deposited, which has, for example, machine settings with two operating points, in which the pump drives 7.1, 7.2 and 7.3 are adjusted at regular time intervals. Thus, the composite thread 14 can be advantageously produced with a continuous and uniform color pattern. Thus, in a first operating state, certain mass ratios of the filament bundles 13.1, 13.2 and 13.3, which result in a first mixed color of the composite thread 14, would be generated by the set delivery quantities at the spinning pumps 2.1, 2.2 and 2.3. After conversion to a second operating point, the pump drives 7.1, 7.2 and 7.3 controlled via the control device 8 would lead to the respective change in the flow rates of the polymer melts and thus change the mass ratio of the filament bundles 13.1, 13.2 and 13.3 produced during the extrusion. After merger of the filament bundles 13.1, 13.2 and 13.3, an altered mixed color thus sets on the composite thread 14. The conversion of the operating points could be done in short time intervals, so that a pattern formation on the composite thread 14 is possible. The operating states can advantageously be stored as machine settings in the control program of the control device 8, wherein the control program could selectively start one, two or three or even more machine settings.

For carrying out the method according to the invention is in Fig. 2 another embodiment of the device according to the invention shown. Here, only the means for producing the polymer melt are shown. All the rest here not listed and described device parts are identical to the embodiment according to Fig. 1 , so that reference is made below to the above description and only the differences will be explained.

At the in Fig. 2 illustrated embodiment, the coloring of the polymer melts outside the extruder is performed. For coloring the polymer melts, a plurality of feed devices 27.1, 27.2 and 27.3 are provided which are respectively assigned to the melt lines 5.1, 5.2 and 5.3 on the outlet sides of the extruders 1.1, 1.2 and 1.3. The feed devices are constructed identically, so that the construction on the feed device 27.1 is intended to be exemplary for the description of all feed devices. The feed device 27.1 has a tank 30.1, to which a metering pump 28.1 is connected. The metering pump 28.1 is driven by a metering drive 29.1. The metering pump 28.1 is connected to an outlet side of the melt line 5.1. Thus, a liquid color can be taken out of the tank 30.1 by the metering pump 28.1 and continuously supplied to the melt guided in the melt line 5.1. The liquid color and the polymer melt are then mixed in a mixing device 26.1 and fed to the spinning pump 2.1.

Thus, each melt line 5.1, 5.2 and 5.3 each one of the feed devices 27.1, 27.2, 27.3 and one of the mixing devices 26.1, 26.2 and 26.3 assigned.

The metering drives 29.1, 29.2 and 29.3 of the metering pumps 28.1, 28.2 and 28.3 are coupled together with the control device 8, so that by adjusting the flow rates to the metering pumps 28.1, 28.2 and 28.3 individual amounts of colors for coloring the polymer melts can be supplied.

In the operating state, a mixed color of a composite thread 12 can thus be changed in a simple manner in such a way in which via the control device 8 at least one of the metering drives 29.1 to 29.3 is controlled to change the feed amount of the color. Thus, the drive speed of the metering pump can be increased or decreased via the metering drive, so that a greater or lesser amount of the liquid ink is supplied to color the polymer melt in each case. This process variant also has the advantage that the change in the production of the polymer melt set during the extrusion does not affect the spinning titre of the filament bundles 13.1, 13.2 and 13.3. The spun titers of the extruded filament strands remain substantially constant, as the liquid color essentially changes only the visual appearance of the filament strands.

In Fig. 3 a further embodiment is shown, which is essentially a combination of the embodiments according to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 forms. This in Fig. 3 illustrated embodiment also shows only the means for producing the polymer melts, so that to the previous description of the embodiment according to Fig. 1 Reference is made.

At the in Fig. 3 In the embodiment shown, the polymer melt is produced by an extruder 1. The extruder 1 is connected via the melt line 5.1, 5.2 and 5.3 with the spinning pumps 2.1, 2.2 and 2.3. Within each melt line 5.1, 5.2 and 5.3, a mixer device 26.1, 26.2 and 26.3 is arranged, which cooperates with each one feed device 27.1, 27.2 and 27.3. Thus, the partial flows of the polymer melts produced by the extruder 1 can be colored with different colors immediately before the extrusion.

To change the mixed color of the filament bundles 13.1, 13.2 and 13.3 formed composite thread 14 can be both via the controller 8, the pump drives 7.1, 7.2 and 7.3 of the spinning pumps 2.1 to 2.3 and the metering 29.1, 29.2 and 29.3 of the metering pumps 28.1 to 28.3 in their operating settings change. The operating settings of the metering pumps and the operating settings The spinning pumps can be changed alternatively or together. Thus, there is maximum flexibility in the visual design of a composite thread through color combinations of multiple filament bundles.

The method according to the invention and the device according to the invention are therefore particularly suitable for producing spun-dyed composite threads and mixed colors. The number of filament bundles and device parts shown in the embodiments for extruding the filament bundles is exemplary. Thus, the composite thread can also be formed by two, four or more filament bundles.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3

extruder

2.1, 2.2, 2.3

spinning pumps

3

spinning beam

4.1, 4.2, 4.3

spinneret

5.1, 5.2, 5.3

melt line

6.1, 6.2, 6.3

distribution line

7.1, 7.2, 7.3

pump drive

8th

control device

9

microprocessor

10

thread guides

11

treatment facility

12

composite means

13.1, 13.2, 13.3

filament bundles

14

composite thread

15

takeup

16

Kitchen sink

17.1, 17.2

winding spindle

18

spindle carrier

19

Traversing device

20

crimping

21

stuffer

22

yarn plug

23

cooling drum

24

swirl jet

25

feed nozzle

26.1, 26.2, 26.3

mixing device

27.1, 27.2, 27.3

feed device

28.1, 28.2, 28.3

metering

29.1, 29.2, 29.3

metering

30.1, 30.2, 30.3

tank

Claims (15)

1. A method for producing a multi-color composite thread from a plurality of extruded colored filament bundles, wherein a plurality of differently dyed polymer melts are produced, wherein the polymer melts are extruded in parallel through a plurality of spinnerets to form the colored filament bundle, and wherein the colored filament bundles are brought together to form the composite thread in a mixed color,
   characterized in that
   for changing and/or setting the mixed color of the composite thread the production of the dyed polymer melts is changed during the extrusion of the filament bundles, namely by increasing or reducing a conveying amount of at least one of the polymer melts for the extrusion of one of the filament bundles and/or by changing a feeding of a liquid dye into at least one of the polymer melts by means of increasing or reducing an amount of the dye.
2. The method according to claim 1,
   characterized in that
   the composite thread is determined by a total yarn count, which is of equal count before and after the change of the mixed color of the composite thread.
3. The method according to claim 1,
   characterized in that
   a plurality of conveying amounts of the polymer melts is simultaneously changed in relation to a total conveying amount of all polymer melts for the extrusion of all filament bundles.
4. The method according to claim 3,
   characterized in that
   the conveying amounts of the polymer melts are changed such that the sum of all conveying amounts is equal to the total conveying amount.
5. The method according to one of claims 1 to 4,
   characterized in that
   a plurality of feeds of a plurality of liquid dyes is simultaneously changed in a plurality of polymer melts.
6. The method according to one of claims 1 to 5,
   characterized in that
   the production of the polymer melts is repeatedly changed at a predetermined time interval.
7. The method according to claim 6,
   characterized in that
   the production of the polymer melts is determined by means of a machine setting, wherein the extrusion of the filament bundles is carried out at alternating machine settings.
8. A device for carrying out the method according to one of the claims 1 to 7, comprising a plurality of means (1.1, 1.2, 2.1, 2.2, 27.1, 27.2) for producing a plurality of colored polymer melts, having a plurality of spinnerets (4.1, 4.2) for the extrusion of a plurality of filament bundles (13.1, 13.2) made from the plurality of polymer melts, and having a composite means (12) for bringing together the colored filament bundles (13.1, 13.2) to form a composite thread (14) in a mixed color,
   characterized in that
   at least one of the means (2.1) for producing the polymer melts is coupled to a controller (8) such that a change and/or setting of the mixed color of the composite thread (14) may be carried out during the extrusion of the filament bundles (13.1).
9. The device according to claim 8,
   characterized in that
   the controller (8) comprises a microprocessor (9), by means of which at least calculation operations may be executed for determining a control signal fed to the means (2.1) while maintaining a total yarn count of the composite thread (14).
10. The device according to claims 8 or 9,
    characterized in that
    the means for producing the polymer melts has a plurality of spinnerets (2.1, 2.2) for the separate conveying of the polymer melts, the spinning pumps may be driven independently of each other via a plurality of pump drives (7.1, 7.2), and at least one of the pump drives (7.1, 7.2) is coupled to the controller (8) for changing a drive speed.
11. The device according to claim 10,
    characterized in that
    the pump drives (7.1, 7.2) of the spinning pumps (2.1, 2.2) are collectively connected to the controller (8) such that a plurality of pump drives (7.1, 7.2) may be controlled simultaneously for changing the drive speeds, wherein the conveying amounts of the spinning pumps (2.1, 2.2) corresponding to the drive speeds may be determined by the controller (8) in terms of a total conveying amount.
12. The device according to one of the claims 8 to 11,
    characterized in that
    the means for producing the polymer melts have a plurality of feed units (27.1, 27.2) for feeding a plurality of liquid dyes, the feed units (27.1, 27.2) have a plurality of dosing pumps (28.1, 28.2) driven by separate dosing drives (29.1, 29.2), and at least one of the dosing drives (29.1, 29.2) is connected to the controller (8) for changing a drive speed.
13. The device according to one of the claims 8 to 12,
    characterized in that
    the controller (8) has at least one control program by means of which a plurality of machine settings may be set at the means for producing the polymer melts in an alternating manner.
14. The device according to one of the claims 8 to 13,
    characterized in that
    the composite means (12) comprises at least one crimping unit (20), by means of which the filament bundles (13.1, 13.2) are brought together to form the composite thread (14) in a crimped manner.
15. The device according to one of the claims 8 to 14,
    characterized in that
    the composite means (12) comprises at least one twisting nozzle (24), by means of which the filament bundles (13.1, 13.2) are brought together to form the composite thread (14).

Images