GB2062036A

GB2062036A - Horizontal dyeing machine

Info

Publication number: GB2062036A
Application number: GB7938630A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Lightning Fasteners Ltd
Current assignee: Lightning Fasteners Ltd
Priority date: 1979-11-07
Filing date: 1979-11-07
Publication date: 1981-05-20
Also published as: PT72038B; PT72038A; DE3041709A1

Abstract

Horizontal dyeing machines are loaded and unloaded with packages (36) of textile using package carriers (27a, 27b) movable along rails (23, 24) on a shuttle (20) transversely movable on further rails (18) [Fig. 1]. The rails (18) are mounted on a fixed stand (16) spaced from the dye vessel (11) so that the door can be opened. Bridging rails (35) are used to span the gap therebetween so that the carriers can be loaded and unloaded using rails (14) within the vessel. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Horizontal dyeing machine This invention relates to a horizontal dyeing machine and is particularly concerned with apparatus and processes for loading and unloading dyeing packages into and from such machines.

A dyeing machine generally comprises a vessel into which one or more dyeing packages are loaded for pressure dyeing. Such dyeing packages typically comprise beams or spools on which are wound yarn, piece-goods (such as narrow fabrics) or wide fabrics, and may also comprise yarn cops and cheeses and also any other assembly of material to be dyed. Such dyeing machines may be arranged so that dyeing packages are loaded either vertically or horizontally, but the present invention only relates to dyeing machines in which the dyeing packages are loaded horizontally, and such a machine is referred to herein as a horizontal dyeing machine.

Conventionally, the loading and unloading of horizontal dyeing machines is facilitated by using a wheeled trolley which is wheeled along the floor towards, and away from, the vessel to allow an access door in the end of the vessel to be opened and closed. Dyeing packages of undyed goods are mounted on a carrier supported by rollers from rails which are carried by the wheeled trolley. This trolley is then wheeled towards the vessel and manoeuvred to register the forward ends of its rails with ends of a mating pair of rails secured to the inner surface of the vessel so that the carrier can be rolled along its rails into the vessel and vice versa. The trolley is then wheeled away from the vessel to disconnect its rails from the mating rails within the vessel, thereby enabling the access door to be closed so that the dyeing cycle can commence.After the dyeing cycle has been completed, the access door is opened and the trolley again has to be wheeled towards the vessel and manoeuvred until its rails register with the mating rails within the vessel so that the carrier can be rolled back onto the trolley. The dyeing packages may then be unloaded from the carrier and replaced by further packages of goods for dyeing whilst the trolley is still in position in front of the vessel. Alternatively, the trolley may be wheeled away from the vessel for unloading and reloading of its carrier.

Since horizontal dyeing machines are invariably mounted either on a grated floor, or sometimes on a sloping floor, to facilitate drainage of residual dye liquor as the dyed goods are removed from the vessel and from their carrier, it is particularly difficult and time-consuming to manoeuvre the trolley so that its rails are accurately registered with the rails of the vessel. The process is further complicated by the necessity of engaging a locking means to prevent the trolley from being pushed away from the vessel as the heavy carrier is withdrawn. An object of the present invention is to provide a horizontal dyeing machine and process which is considerably easier to operate and particularly avoids the inconveience of having to manoeuvre a heavy trolley and carrier combination into accurate registration with the rails within the vessel.

According to one aspect of the present invention, a horizontal dyeing machine includes a pressure dyeing vessel having an access door permitting a dyeing package carrier to be transferred horizontally into and from the vessel, a stationary stand carrying support surfaces aligned with corresponding support surfaces within the vessel, the support surfaces of the stand being spaced from the support surfaces within the vessel to permit opening and closing of the door, the carrier being movable along the support surfaces of the stand in a direction towards and away from the vessel, and a bridging support means operable when the door is open to connect the support surfaces of the stand to the support surfaces within the vessel for the carrier to be transferred into and from the vessel.

The support surfaces carried by the stand may be secured directly to the stand. Alternatively, the support surfaces carried by the stand may form part of a shuttle supported by the stand for movement transverse to the direction of carrier movement into and from the vessel, the shuttle supporting two carriers whereby one carrier can be offset from the vessel for loading or unloading of dyeing packages whilst the other carrier is within the vessel. In this case the stand preferably supports rails extending transversely of the direction of carrier movement into and from the vessel and the shuttle is movable along the rails.

The bridging support means may be mounted from the stand. Alternatively, a separate bridging support means may be provided for each carrier and be mounted from the shuttle.

Instead of rails and wheels, the stand may alternatively support slide ways on which the shuttle is mounted, for example by linear roller bearings. The carriers may be moved manually into and from the vessel. Alternatively, mechanical, pneumatic or hydraulic means may be provided to move the carriers.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a process of loading a horizontal dyeing machine includes mounting one or more dyeing packages on a carrier supported by support surfaces aligned with but spaced from corresponding support surfaces within the vessel, connecting bridging support means between the support surfaces and the corresponding support surfaces within the vessel, moving the carrier horizontally along the support surfaces and across the bridging support means until the carrier is supported by the corresponding support surfaces within the vessel, and subsequently disconnecting the bridging support means to permit closure of an access door of the vessel.

The process preferably includes opening the door after the dyeing package or packages have been dyed within the vessel, reconnecting the bridging support means, and withdrawing the carrier horizontally across the bridging support means onto the support surfaces.

The process may also include loading the dyeing package or packages onto a first carrier at a loading station displaced transversely from the vessel whilst a second loaded carrier is inside the vessel, opening the door after the dyeing package or packages on the second carrier have been dyed within the vessel, reconnecting the bridging support means, withdrawing the second carrier horizontally across the bridging support means onto its support surfaces, displacing both carriers transversely until the support means of the first carrier are aligned with the corresponding support means within the vessel and the second carrier is at an unloading station, and moving the first carrier horizontally across the bridging support means into the vessel.

The invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a side elevation of part of a horizontal dyeing machine; Figure 2 is a plan view of the machine shown in Figure 1; Figures 3a to 3e are diagrammatic plan views indicating a sequence of operations of the machine shown in Figures 1 and 2, and Figure 4 is a side elevation which is similar to Figure 1 but illustrates an alternative form of horizontal dyeing machine.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, a horizontal dyeing machine includes a pressure dyeing unit which is indicated generally by arrow 10 and is of conventional construction having a cylindrical pressure dyeing vessel 11 supported on legs 12.

One end of the vessel has an opening with a hinged access door 13. A pair of rails 14 are supported along the inner wall of the vessel.

The horizontal dyeing machine is provided, in accordance with the invention, with a stationary stand 1 5 which may be of fabricated construction as shown having legs 1 6 connected by bars 1 7 to form a rigid structure which is rectangular in plan view. A pair of parallel rails 1 8 are supported from the stand 1 5 by brackets 1 9 and extend along the inside of the longer sides of the stand 1 5 so that they are directed transversely of the dyeing vessel 11 to form a track for a shuttle 20. The shuttle 20 is also a rigid structure of fabricated construction having uprights 21 connected by bars 22.

Two pairs of rails 23,24 are secured to the top of the shuttle 20 and are parallel with the pair of rails 14 within the dyeing vessel 11.

A set of wheels 25 are mounted on stub axles 26 secured to the frame of the shuttle 20 for movement along the rails 1 8 of the stand 1 5, whereby the shuttle 20 is movable across the stand 1 5 in a direction transverse to the direction of the rails 14, 23 and 24.

Two dyeing package carriers 27a and 27b of known construction are carried by the shuttle 20.

Each carrier comprises a rigid frame 28 having rollers 29 arranged to travel along the corresponding pair of rails 23 or 24. Cross members 30 at each end of the frame 28 support ends 31 of a hollow conduit 32 of which the lefthand end is closed off upon closing the door 13, and the other end connects with the supply of dye liquor. A drum 33 is secured approximately midway along and communicates with the interior of the conduit 32. The drum has a series of cantilever mounted supports 34 extending from each side. These supports 34 may be of perforated tubular construction or be provided with external ribs to provide a flow path for the dye liquor. In an alternative arrangement, the drum 33 may be arranged at one end of the conduit 32 and be provided with one or more cantilever supports 34 extending only from one side.The stand 15 is secured to the floor at a predetermined distance from the adjacent end of the dyeing vessel 11 to permit opening and closing of the hinged access door 13 and in a predetermined position such that the pairs of rails 23 and 24 may alternatively be aligned with the rails 14 within the vessel 11.

Bridging support means in the form of a pair of removable rails 35 are provided to bridge the space between the ends of the rails 23 or 24 and the rails 14 when one of the carriers 27a or 27b is to be transferred either into or from the vessel 11.

Each rail 35 is preferably supported at or adjacent its ends so that it can be located in alignment with its mating rail 14 within the vessel 11, and the appropriate rail 23 or 24 of the shuttle 20. In this manner the pair of rails 23 or 24 define support surfaces which are carried by the stand 1 5 and can be aligned with the corresponding support surfaces defined by the rails 14 within the vessel 11.

In a typical use of the machine, dyeing packages 36 (in the form of spools wound with narrow fabric) are loaded onto the supports 34, the shuttle 20 is transversely positioned so that the rails 23 or 24 of the loaded carrier 27a or 27b are aligned with the rails 14, the door 13 is opened, the rails 35 are placed in position to bridge the space between the shuttle and the vessel by connecting the rails 23 or 24 to the rails 14, and the loaded carrier 27a or 27b is transferred into the dyeing vessel 11. The rails 35 are removed, the door 13 is closed, and pressure dyeing of the narrow fabric is carried out in conventional manner by pumping dye liquor along the hollow conduits 32 to the drum 33, from where it is distributed along the supports 32 and through the dyeing packages 36. To ensure uniformity of dyeing, it is common practice to reverse the direction of the flow of the dye liquor.

The use of the stationary stand and the rails 35 to bridge the space between the shuttle and the dyeing vessel ensures the accurate alignment and connection of the rails 23 or 24 with the rails 14.

Furthermore, locking means are unnecessary to prevent the stand being moved away from the dyeing vessel 11 upon withdrawing the loaded carrier.

The sequence of operations is depicted in Figures 3a to 3e. Starting with Figure 3a, the first carrier 27a is within the dyeing vessel 11 and the second carrier 27b is supported on the shuttle 20 which is positioned at a loading station on the right-hand side of the stand 1 5. In this position the second carrier 27b is transversely offset from the vessel 11 whilst packages 36 are loaded onto it.

At the completion of a dyeing cycle, the access door 1 3 is opened as shown in Figure 3b, the bridging rails 35 are located in position, and the first carrier 27a withdrawn from the vessel 11 onto the shuttle 20.

The shuttle is then moved towards the lefthand side of the stand 1 5 as shown in Figure 3c, to position the first carrier 27a at an unloading station whilst bringing the second carrier 27b into alignment with the dyeing vessel 11. The carrier 27b is then transferred from the shuttle across the bridging rails 35 into the vessel as shown in Figure 3d. The bridging rails 35 are then removed and the access door 1 3 is closed as shown in Figure 3e before a further dyeing cycle is carried out whilst the dyed packages on the first carrier 27a are unloaded and the carrier 27a is reloaded with further undyed packages. This operating sequence reduces the time taken to reload dyeing machines with resultant benefits in productivity.It will be noted that the carrier 27a is always loaded and unloaded at the station on the left-hand side of the frame 1 5 whilst the carrier 27b is always loaded and unloaded at the station on the righthand side of the frame 1 5. By providing the shuttle 20 and the two carriers 27a and 27b, the loadingdyeing-unloading cycle is condensed as the unloading-loading cycle of one carrier is performed during the dyeing cycle of the other carrier.

In those applications where the dyeing cycle is longer than the unloading-loading cycle, this arrangement additionally provides extra time during which excess liquor can drain from the dyed packages before they are unloaded, thereby allowing the excess liquor to be collected adjacent the dyeing machine without extending the cycle time.

The bridging support means may be operable in any convenient manner. For example, it may be completely removable from the space between the stand and the dyeing vessel, or it may be pivotally mounted adjacent the stand so as to be swingable towards and away from the vessel, or it may be slidably mounted from the stand or from within the vessel.

Whereas the above described dyeing machine provides a shuttle 20 to move the carriers 27a and 27b transversely of the dyeing vessel 11 , the alternative construction shown in Figure 4 dispenses with the shuttle and provides a single carrier 27 which is carried on rails 24 secured directly to the stationary stand 1 5. The carrier 27 is therefore loaded and unloaded on the stand 1 5 whilst stiil in alignment with the dyeing vessel 11.

Although this is a simpler construction, the loading-dyeing-unloading cycle will be longer as the single carrier does not enable unloading and loading to take place during the dyeing portion of the cycle. The lower capital cost of this alternative construction is particularly attractive for those applications where the unloading-loading cycle is a small proportion of the loading-dyeingunloading cycle.

Claims

1. A horizontal dyeing machine including a pressure dyeing vessel having an access door permitting a dyeing package carrier to be transferred horizontally into and from the vessel, a stationary stand carrying support surfaces aligned with corresponding support surfaces within the vessel, the support surfaces of the stand being spaced from the support surfaces within the vessel to permit opening and closing of the door, the carrier being movable along the support surfaces of the stand in a direction towards and away from the vessel, and a bridging support means operable when the door is open to connect the support surfaces of the stand to the support surfaces within the vessel for the carrier to be transferred into and from the vessel.

2. A horizontal dyeing machine, according to Claim 1, in which the support surfaces carried by the stand are secured directly to the stand.

3. A horizontal dyeing machine, according to Claim 1, in which the support surfaces carried by the stand form part of a shuttle supported by the stand for movement transverse to the direction of carrier movement into and from the vessel, the shuttle supporting two carriers whereby one carrier can be offset from the vessel for loading or unloading of dyeing packages whilst the other carrier is within the vessel.

4. A horizontal dyeing machine, according to Claim 3, in which the stand supports rails extending transversely of the direction of carrier movement into and from the vessel and the shuttle is movable along the rails.

5. A horizontal dyeing machine, according to Claim 3 or 4, in which the bridging support means is mounted from the stand.

6. A horizontal dyeing machine, according to Claim 3 or 4, in which a separate bridging support means is provided for each carrier and is mounted from the shuttle.

7. A horizontal dyeing machine substantially as described herein with reference to and as shown in Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings.

8. A horizontal dyeing machine substantially as described herein with reference to and as shown in Figure 4 of the accompanying drawings.

9. A process of loading a horizontal dyeing machine including mounting one or more dyeing packages on a carrier supported by support surfaces aligned with but spaced from corresponding support surfaces within the vessel, connecting bridging support means between the support surfaces and the corresponding support surfaces within the vessel, moving the carrier horizontally along the support surfaces and across the bridging support means until the carrier is supported by the corresponding support surfaces within the vessel, and subsequently disconnecting the bridging support means to permit closure of an access door of the vessel.

10. A process, according to Claim 9, including opening the door after the dyeing package or packages have been dyed within the vessel, reconnecting the bridging support means, and withdrawing the carrier horizontally across the bridging support means onto the support surfaces.

11. A process, according to Claim 9, including loading the dyeing package or packages onto a first carrier at a loading station displaced transversely from the vessel whilst a second loaded carrier is inside the vessel, opening the door after the dyeing package or packages on the second carrier have been dyed within the vessel, reconnecting the bridging support means, withdrawing the second carrier horizontally across the bridging support means onto its support surfaces, displacing both carriers transversely until the support means of the first carrier are aligned with the corresponding support means within the vessel and the second carrier is at an unloading station, and moving the first carrier horizontally across the bridging support means into the vessel.

12. A process of loading a horizontal dyeing machine substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 3a to 3e of the accompanying drawings.