GB2051156A

GB2051156A - Mercerising Apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2051156A
Application number: GB8013616A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: ROBUR WERKE ZITTAU VEB
Current assignee: ROBUR WERKE ZITTAU VEB
Priority date: 1979-06-08
Filing date: 1980-04-24
Publication date: 1981-01-14
Also published as: NL8001836A; DD143165B1; DD143165A1; FR2458620A1; DE3010680A1; JPS56366A

Abstract

Mercerising apparatus wherein the textile is subject to constrained guidance around a series of rolls arranged in staggered rows, is modified in that the rolls (9) of one of the rows are movable away from the rolls (5) of the other row so that the length of the constrained guidance path can be varied to suit the nature of the textile. The rolls (9) may be mounted for pivotal movement [Fig. 1] or parallel displacement [Fig. 2]. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Mercerising Apparatus The present invention relates to a washing and stabilisation section of mercerising apparatus, preferably a chainless merceriser, for the treatment of textile fabrics and sets of thread bundles.

To mercerise fabric webs, use is primarily made of caustic sodu solution as a swelling agent, or of other media. Known mercerisers are, apart from their inlet and outlet sections, chiefly divided into two sections separated by a squeezer. In the first section, the fabric web is constrainedly guided and treated with, for example, caustic soda solutions of different temperatures and at a concentration usually of 14 to 25% by weight.

The object of the treatment is to impart various quality-improving properties to cellulose fibres by a preferably full-scale impregnation of the fabric web. Swelling tends to make the web shrink, and it is attempted to avoid such shrinkage by passing the web under continuous tension through the merceriser section. When completely wetted with the swelling agent, the web is fed via a squeezer which is as efficient as possible, to the second section, namely the washing and stabilisation section. There, the web is subjected to washing in order to remove the applied solution. In this section there is also continuous guidance of the web under tension to prevent shrinkage.It is imperative to quickly pass critical concentrations of the swelling agent in the web (with caustic soda solution, approximately 8 to 10% in weight) and also to obtain a low residual concentration, for example approximately 4 to 7% by weight for caustic soda solution, over as short a stretch as possible. After this low residual concentration is reached, the achieved characteristics of the mercerised web are stabilised. It is then possible to depart from the constrained web guidance, as the web no longer shrinks. To obtain the maximum allowable residual concentration with certainty, the critical limit is usually underrun by some percent by weight toward a lower swelling agent concentration.Due to the lengthy constrained web guidance needed for a good washing effect, the unit has to be extended, or the web cannot be handled at optimum speed since the washing effect is dependent on the material used.

In neutralizer apparatus associated with the merceriser, the swelling agent residue in the web is completely washed out in a manner which is known in connection with full-width washing machines. In doing so, all known factors to achieve a good wash-out will become effective.

Such a merceriser is described in German (Fed.

Rep.) patent specification No 1 8 05 11 9.

Along with the increasing variety of fibre composition and fabric formation of materials to be mercerised or caustic-soda treated on mercerisers, there are increasingly diverse characteristics with regard to fibre wetting, fibre shrinkage, fibre stability, web run on the unit and other factors having a significant effect on merceriser design. This entails drawbacks, because the two essential merceriser sections can no longer be optimally suited in size to all the different materials. This, in turn, implies that such units are incapable of being run at optimum speed, since they must be designed to accept the least favourable web type.

There is accordingly a need for mercerising apparatus with washing and stabilising means where the criteria of constrained continuous web guidance and partial departure from that constrained guidance can be translated into practice with consideration of the tendency of the web to shrink and of the web guidance most favourable to wash-out.

According to the present invention there is provided mercerising apparatus comprising washing and stabilising treatment means for the continuous treatment of textile or filamentary material, the treatment means comprising at least two rows of mutually parallel rolls for guiding the material during treatment thereof, the rolls of each of said two rows being staggered in relation to the rolls of the respective other row to define a continuous treatment path which extends partly around each of the rolls and so passes along the rows as to alternate from one row to the other at the transitions between the rolls, and moveable support means supporting the rolls of one of said two rows, the support means being movable to vary the spacings of the rolls of said one row from the rolls of the other row.

The configuration of rolls provided at an inlet of the treatment means to ensure constrained guidance of the or each material length is preferably invariable with respect to roll centreto-centre spacing. At an outlet of the treatment means there may be arranged a spreader for spreading the or each material length. In one embodiment, the rows of rolls are arranged in a horizontal and parallel configuration. In another embodiment, the rows of rolls are arranged to extend at an angle to the horizontal. The rolls of at least one row are mounted on a support variable from one position to another, and preferably the spacing of the variable row from the fixed row is individually changeable.In one embodiment of the present invention, it is envisaged that rolls are so arranged preferably in a downstream portion of the treatment means as to provide a twin web guideway, with an upper row of rolls, and a row adjacent thereto, being capable of radial displacement.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be more particularly described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a schematic elevation of a washing and stabilisation section of mercerising apparatus according to a first embodiment of the invention; Fig. 2 is a schematic elevation of a washing and stabilisation section of mercerising apparatus according to a second embodiment of the invention; Fig. 3 is a schematic elevation of a washing and stabilisation section of mercerising apparatus according to a third embodiment of the invention; and Fig. 4 is a schematic elevation of a washing and stabilisation section of mercerising apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the invention; Referring now to Fig. 1 of the drawings, there is shown a mercerisation section 1 at the outlet of which is arranged a squeezer 2.A succeeding washing and stabilisation section 3 has a plurality of driven rolls 4 and 5 arranged in a horizontal row. The transition from the squeezer 2 to the driven rolls 4 and 5 is provided by an intermediate roll 6. Above the rolls 4 there is a roll 7 enabling a continuous constrained guidance of a fabric web to be treated. A support 8 carries a row of rolls 9 so arranged as to interact with the respective lower rolls 5. The support 8 with the rolls 9 can be pivoted about a pivot 10 by a hydraulic lift 70 from a horizontal position A up to a position B at an angle to the horizontal. Between the rolls 9 there are arranged lances 11 on the support 8. At the outlet of the section 3 there is a spreader 13, a pendulum roll 14, and a further squeezer 12 downstream thereof.The washing and stabilisation section 3 is provided with an enclosure 1 5 filled with washing liquor in the bottom part between bulkheads 16.

Via the squeezer 2 and intermediate roll 6, a fabric web 17 is fed to the rolls 4, 5, 7 and 9 in the section 3. The fabric web 17, with the rolls 9 in position A, always passes in a constrained continuous guideway through the section 3 from the surface of each roll 5 to that of the respectively adjacent roll 9 and then immediately to following roll 5. Due to the constrained continuous guidance, the web 1 7 is largely prevented from shrinking. Lances 11 dispense washing liquor onto web 17. Although there is still a liquor concentration of some 25% by weight on the web 17 at the inlet of the section 3, this concentration, and the tendency of the web to shrink, decrease towards the outlet of the section 3, depending on the material used.

In so doing, a critical concentration of 8 to 10 percent by weight needs to be passed as quickly as possible. The more intensive the washing action inside the washing and stabilisation section 3, the lower is the liquor concentration at its outlet, the faster the mercerising effects stabilise, and the speedier the web 1 7 can run through the section 3. The constrained continuous guidance of the web, however, is contrary to a good wash-out effect. As the liquor concentration, as mentioned before, decreases towards the outlet of the section 3 down to some 4 to 7% by weight, the constrained guidance can be progressively relieved in favour of improved wash-out.In dependence on the characteristics of the web 17 to be treated, the support 8 with the rolls 9 and lances 11 can be pivoted upwards into an inclined position, thus providing a gradual transition from a constrained continuous guidance to an unconstrained non-continuous guidance, with consequent improved washing effect. The web 17 takes the course designated by 17'.

The embodiment according to Fig. 2 is similar in design to that of Fig. 1. Via a squeezer 18, a web 19 is fed over an intermediate roll 20 to a washing and stabilisation section 21. To ensure a constrained continuous web guidance, a roll 23 interacts with two driving rolls 22. At the bottom of this section there are arranged a number of rolls 24 on which supported rolls 26 rest, the rolls 26 being held by a support 25. Downstream of these rolls are a pendulum roll 27, a spreader 28 and a squeezer 29. Lances 30 are again interposed between the rolls 26.

The operation is similar to that of Fig. 1 except that the support is not pivoted but, remaining parallel to the rolls 24, is raised from position C to position D by means of hydraulic lifts 71. The web 1 9 then passes through the washing and stabilisation section 21 on the path designated with 19'.

In the embodiment according to Fig. 3, arranged at the outlet of the mercerisation section is another squeezer 31 ,followed by four rolls 33, 34, 35 and 36 providing constrained continuous web guidance at the inlet of a washing and stabilisation section 32. In contrast to the embodiments according to Fig. 1 and 2, additional driven rolls 37 and 38 with cooperating rolls 39 and 40 are positioned in vertically extending rows to minimise the length of the section 32. The rolls 39 and 40 are mounted on supports 41 and 42 respectively, the support 41 being carried by a pivot 43.

Pivotal and parallel displacement of the supports 41 and 42 is carried out by hydraulic lifts 72 and 73. The rolls 39 can be radially moved in relation to rolls 37 from position E to position F, while the rolls 40 can be radially moved relative to the rolls 38 from position G to position H. The supports 41 and 42 carry lances 44 disposed between the rolls 39 and 40. At the outlet of the section 32, a web 45 passes over a spreader 46.

A pendulum roll 47 controls a squeezer 48 which forms the transition unit to a succeeding neutralisation and washing section. The operation is similar to that of the previously described embodiments. The path of the web 45, with the supports 41 and 42 displaced, is designated by 45'.

Finally, in Fig. 4 there is shown an embodiment in which a web 49 is introduced into a washing and stabilisation section 51 via a squeezer 50, which is followed by an intermediate roll 52 and three rolls 53, 54 and 55 for providing constrained continuous web guidance. Cooperating with driven rolls 56 are upper rolls 58 carried by a support 57 and lances 59 are attached to a support 57 and arranged between the rolls 58 to supply washing liquor for washing the web 49. The support 57 can be pivoted by means of a hydraulic lift 74 from position I to position K.

This arrangement is then followed by a twin web-guideway defined by a bottom row of driven rolls 60, a respective pair of smaller rolls 61 and 62 arranged above each of the rolls 60, the roll 62 being arranged above the roll 61, and a respective larger roll 63 arranged above each pair of rolls 61 and 62, so as to provide an extended web guide path. The rolls 62 and 63 are positioned on supports 64 and 65, respectively, together with lances 66. The supports 64 and 65 can be raised and pivoted by means of a hydraulic lift 75 from a basic position I, L or M into position K, N or 0. At the outlet of the section 51 there is arranged a squeezer 67, in front of which is located a spreader 68 and a pendulum roll 69.

The passage of the web 49 is essentially the same of that described for the preceding embodiments. The web 49, constrainedly guided, passes over the rolls 53, 54 and 55 before reaching the rolls 56 and 58. Depending on the properties of the web to be treated, the rolls 58 are pivoted by an appropriate amount. The supports 64 and 65 with the rolls 62 and 63 of the twin web guideway are raised and pivoted in accordance with the process requirements. The lances 66 dispense washing liquid onto the web 49. The path of the passing web 49, as altered by raising and pivoting the supports 57, 64 and 65, is designated by 49'.

The four embodiments described above are merely examples of the present invention and it will be appreciated that other combinations may be devised within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

With the described washing and stabilising means, adaptation to the requirements of different fabric web characteristics is possible.

Thus optimum washing effects can be achieved, making possible a higher throughput speed of the web to be treated and/or a reduced length of the washing and stabilisation means, together with savings in water and energy.

Claims

1. Mercerising apparatus comprising washing and stabilising treatment means for the continuous treatment of textile or filamentary material, the treatment means comprising at least two rows of mutually parallel rolls for guiding the material during treatment thereof, the rolls of each of said two rows being staggered in relation to the rolls of the respective other rdw to define a continuous treatment path which extends partly around each of the rolls and so passes along the rows as to alternate from one row to the other at the transitions between the rolls, and movable support means supporting the rolls of one of said two rows, the support means being movable to vary the spacings of the rolls of said one row from the rolls of the other row.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , the treatment means comprising hydraulic displacing means operable to move the support means.

3. Apparatus as claimed in either claims 1 or 2, the treatment means comprising a plurality of rolls arranged at fixed spacings in the region of an inlet of the treatment means to define an upstream extension of the treatment path.

4. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, the treatment means comprising spreader means arranged at an outlet end of the treatment means to spread such material.

5. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said two rows extend horizontally and parallel to each other in at least one position of the support means.

6. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein said two rows each extend at an angle to the horizontal in at least one position of the support means.

7. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, the support means being movable to vary the spacings of the rolls of said one row from the rolls of said other row by a uniform amount.

8. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, the treatment means comprising two further such rows of rolls, a further such movable support means supporting the rolls of one of the further rows, and a respective subsidiary row of rolls associated with each of the further rows, the subsidiary rows being so arranged that the treatment path in each alternation from one of the further rows to the other is defined to pass partly around a respective roll of each of the subsidiary rows, and the rolls of the subsidiary row associated with said one further row being displaceable to vary their spacings from the rolls of the other subsidiary row.

9. Apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein the further rows of rolls and the subsidiary rows of rolls are arranged downstream of the firstmentioned rows of rolls with respect to a given direction of movement of material lengths along the treatment path.

10. Mercerising apparatus comprising washing and stabilising treatment means substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Fig. 1 of the accompanying drawings.

11. Mercerising apparatus comprising washing and stabilising treatment means substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Fig. 2 of the accompanying drawings.

12. Mercerising apparatus comprising washing and stabilising treatment means substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Fig. 3 of the accompanying drawings.

1 3. Mercerising apparatus comprising washing and stabilising treatment means substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Fig. 4 of the accompanying drawings.