GB1287646A - Improvements in the dyeing and processing of yarns - Google Patents

Abstract

1287646 Processing yarn MLG (COMBER) Ltd 19 April 1971 [1 April 1970] 15386/70 Headings D1B D1F and D1S Yarns, e.g. acrylic yarns, are processed by knitting the yarn loosely into a sock, subjecting the sock to a dyeing and/or bulking process, and then deknitting the sock. The word "loosely" is defined in terms of the number of intersections per unit area of the fabric after processing but before deknitting when the fabric is stretched in both dimensions to the limit of resilience, the number of intersections being not more than 10 times greater than the worsted count of the deknitted yarn. As shown in the Fig. a knitted sock is passed from bin 2 through dyeing rollers 4 (various methods of space dye application are described and then into steamer 10 via overfeeding apparatus 6 onto conveyer 8, the amount of overfeed being sufficient to allow shrinkage of the sock. After steaming the sock is passed in the same way through washer 12, optional scouring and finishing stages and dryer 14 and finally to bin 16. The sock may be deknitted by drawing the yarn from bin 16 through a guide for rewinding. Bulking may be improved by a second steaming step after drying and before deknitting. The process may be continuous. The dye may be applied to the sock by (a) dipping the rollers into dye baths and controlling the amount of dye reaching the sock by scraper blades, the rollers scraper blades and sock optionally being moved from side to side, (b) metering dye directly onto the rollers, the streams of dye being moveable from side to side, (c) metering dye directly onto the sock in streams or drops before passing the sock through the rollers, or (d) applying the dye from the flat topped spikes of a spiked roller, the spikes dipping into a dyebath or being provided with dye through bores in the spikes. The sock may be dyed overall to provide a background colour.