GB2147626A

GB2147626A - Mercerising textile hoseware

Info

Publication number: GB2147626A
Application number: GB08425386A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Christian Strahm; Paul Suss
Original assignee: Pegg Whiteley Ltd
Current assignee: Pegg Whiteley Ltd
Priority date: 1983-10-08
Filing date: 1984-10-08
Publication date: 1985-05-15
Also published as: GB8425386D0; GB2147626B; CH670736GA3; CH670736B5

Abstract

Textile hoseware (1) is mercerised in an apparatus which comprises, viewing in the direction of passage of the hoseware, an externally supported, vertically mounted round stretcher device (10) arranged downstream of a caustic-soda-solution impregnating station (4). The hoseware (1) is conducted downwards over said device (10) in a radially stretched state. The first, upper section (11) of the stretcher device (10) serves for stabilisation of the caustic soda-solution- impregnated ware (1). Along the next following second action (12), spray-nozzles (13) are directed to deliver a rinsing liquid in order to pre-rinse and fix the stabilised ware (1) in a stretched state. Behind the stretcher (10), the pre-rinsed ware (1) is passed in succession to three different rinsing tanks (16, 17, 18) which are vibrated at a frequency of 10 to 150 Hz by means of a vibrator (15). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Method of and Apparatus for Mercerising Textile Hoseware The invention relates to a method of and apparatus for mercerising textile hoseware in which the latter is treated by means of a caustic soda solution, stabilised and subsequently washed, as well as to apparatus for applying said method.

It is already known, for mercerising textile hoseware, to soak the ware, after having passed through a flat, transverse-stretcher unit, in caustic soda solution in a caustic soda tank, allowing the ware to stabilise in a flat and broad-stretched state and then passing itthrough a rinsing bath.

This known method has the drawback that the hoseware is not completely evenly mercerised and, furthermore, that a comparatively large and therefore expensive treating apparatus is required.

It is the aim of the present invention to provide a method which does not have the aforementioned disadvantages, that is to say, which enables a very even mercerisation to be obtained whilst the apparatus required for this process can be simpler and smallerforthe same production performance and an improved scouring and rinsing action can be achieved.

Accordiny to the present invention the hoseware which is being mercerised, after soaking in caustic soda solution is brought, in stretched condition to an at least approximately round or elliptical crosssectional configuration, stabilising being terminated in this stretched state and washing out or scouring, of the caustic soda solution also commencing while the material is in this condition, the said washing out process being subsequently completed by means of at least one vibrating rinsing bath.

In this process, it is preferred that the hoseware which is being mercerised, after soaking in caustic soda solution is squeezed out by application of a sufficiently strong squeezing force to ensure that no bow-markings are produced.

Advantageously the rinsing bath is vibrated at a frequency of the order from 10 to 150 Hz, preferably about 50 Hz.

In order to obtain an optimum rinsing effect, it is further advisable if at least two vibrating rinsing baths are used holding relatively separate liquid, and if the treated hoseware is squeezed out each time before passing into the next rinsing bath.

It is also preferred that the hoseware which is being mercerised is taken out of the rinsing bath at least once, squeezed out and then returned to the bath during the rinsing process.

Also according to the invention, there is provided an apparatus for mercerising textile hoseware comprising an impregnating, a stabiiising and a rinsing station, wherein viewing in the direction of flow of ware being mercerised through the apparatus, there is provided, downstream of the soaking unit, an externally mounted round-stretcher device, a first section of which serves for the stabilisation of the caustic-soda impregnated hoseware and at the next following section of which are directed spraying nozzles designed to deliver a rinsing liquid, and wherein at least one rinsing bath which is adapted to be vibrated is arranged downstream of said round-stretcher device.

Using this type of apparatus is much easier than with hitherto known apparatus.

It is convenient if guide and support means which guide the treated ware through the rinsing bath are supported independently of the bath for improved relative speed between the hoseware being washed and the vibrated washing liquid.

It is an advantage if the rinsing bath can be vibrated by means of a vibrator device preferably at a frequency in the region of 10 to 150 Hz, particularly of about 50 Hz.

It is further useful if the rinsing bath and/or the impregnating bath are provided with a mechanical hydraulic, electromagnetic or ultrasonic vibrator device.

A further advantage is obtained if at least two rinsing baths are provided in succession with one another but relatively isolated in respect of the liquid contained therein, and if the treated hoseware prior to passing into the next rinsing bath runs preferably through a squeezing station.

It is further preferred for the round-stretcher device to be vertically disposed and for the hoseware which is being treated to pass down from top to bottom over this device.

The invention is hereinafter more particularly described with reference to an example of an embodiment thereof illustrated in the accompanying drawing which is a schematic diagram of an apparatus for mercerising textile hoseware.

As will be seen from the drawing, textile hoseware 1 which is to be mercerised is fed into the plant in an unwound form transversely stretched by means of a flat transverse stretcher 2 and thus presented to a feeder unit 3.

Immediately prior to the immersion of the hoseware 1 into caustic soda solution in a bath 4, the hoseware 1 is transversely stretched once more in the direction of its width by means of a second flat transverse stretcher 5. This prevents any pleats or folds in the hoseware 1 on immersion in the solution and also ensures that the treated hoseware 1 has a predetermined width upon immersion in the solution.

By means of reversing rolls 6 and 7, the hoseware 1 is taken several times into and out of the bath 4 and in the course of this process it is completely impregnated with caustic soda solution.

In order to achieve a very fast and yet efficient impregnation of the hoseware 1 by caustic soda solution, the bath 4 which holds the solution, or just the caustic soda solution itself, may be vibrated at a frequency in the region of 10 to 150 Hz by means of vibrator equipment.

At the end of the impregnation stage, the excess caustic soda solution is stripped off by means of a squeezing device 8 with an adjustable gap.

A compensating roller 9 arranged next to the squeezing device and connected with the drive of the device 8 ensures that a constant tension in the hoseware passing through the impregnating station is maintained.

Next to the roller 9, there is provided an externally supported, vertically disposed circular cross-section stretcher 10 of infinitely variably-adjustable diameter for stretching the hoseware radially outwardly. An upstream, upper end section 11 of the stretcher 10 serves for the stabilisation of the caustic-soda solution impregnated hoseware 1 which has been radially stretched to a predetermined dimension. This provision enables optimum mercerisation effects such as shine, grip and form stability to be achieved.

The stabilising section 11 is succeeded by an intermediate rinsing section 12 of the stretcher 10.

Atthissection 12, a plurality of spraying nozzles 13 are directed to deliver a rinsing liquid so that the process of washing out the caustic soda solution has already commenced while the treated hoseware 1 is still maintained radially stretched to the predetermined specified dimension on the round stretcher 10.

The pre-washed hoseware 1 is then passed by a compensating roller 14 which regulates its speed, to three different rinsing baths 16,17, 18 which are relatively distinct in respect of the liquid contained therein and which are vibrated at about 100 Hz by means of a vibrator device 15. During the rinsing process in the baths 16, 17 and 18 the hoseware 1 is squeezed out several times by means of squeezing devices 19 and re-introduced into the washing bath.

Guide rolls 20 which conduct the treated hoseware 1 through the rinsing baths 16, 17, 18 are supported on a non-vibrated, stationary machine frame independently of the vibrating tanks 16, 17 and 18 in order to increase the relative speed between the ware 1 and the rinsing liquid which is vibrated by the vibrator device 15 so that the hoseware 1 is subjected to a strong and turbulent flow of washing and rinsing liquid in a transverse direction relative to the direction of wareadvancement.

This turbulent washing-through action in conjunction with termination of stabilisation while the ware is stretched on the round stretcher and commencement of washing out process in the same stretched state of the ware provides the advantages by comparison with hitherto applied methods which have been mentioned in the introduction.

When the process of rinsing the treated hoseware 1 has been completed, the latter is deposited in a transport container 22 by means of a cuttle motion device 21.

Claims

1. A method of mercerising textile hoseware in which the latter is impregnated with a caustic soda solution, stabilised and subsequently rinsed, wherein after impregnation with the caustic soda solution, the hoseware in a stretched state thereof, is made to assume an at least approximately round or elliptical cross-sectional configuration and, stabilisation is completed and the rinsing out of the caustic soda solution started while the hoseware is in such a stretched state, and subsequently rinsing is completed by means of a vibrating rinsing bath.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the hoseware to be mercerised, after impregnation with caustic soda solution, is squeezed out using a squeezing-off force such as to produce no bowmarkings in the hoseware.

3. A method as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the rinsing bath is vibrated at a frequency of the order of 10 to 150 Hz.

4. A method as claimed in claim 3, wherein the rinsing bath is vibrated at a frequency of about 50 Hz.

5. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein at least two vibrating rinsing baths with relatively separated liquid contents are used, and the treated hoseware is squeezed out each time before being passed to the next bath.

6. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein at least once during the rinsing process, the hoseware is taken out of the bath, squeezed and then returned to the bath.

7. Apparatus for performing a method as claimed in claim 1, comprising a caustic soda solution impregnating station, a stabiliserstation and a rinsing station; wherein downstream of the impregnating station relative to the direction of advancement of the hoseware being mercerised, there is provided an externally supported round, transverse stretcher device having (a) a first section serving for stabilisation of the caustic-soda solutionimpregnated hoseware, and (b) a next-following section at which spray nozzles designed to deliver a rinsing liquid are directed; and wherein at least one vibratable rinsing bath is provided downstream of said stretcher device (10).

8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein for achieving an increased relative speed between the hoseware to be rinsed and the vibrated washing liquid, guide means which guide and support the hoseware through the rinsing bath are mounted independently of the said bath.

9. Apparatus as claimed in claim 7 or 8, wherein the impregnating station includes a bath which is adapted to be vibrated.

10. Apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the impregnating bath is adapted to be vibrated at a frequency of the order of 10 to 150 Hz.

11. Apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the impregnating bath is adapted to be vibrated at about 50 Hz.

12. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 11, wherein the rinsing bath and/or the impregnating bath are provided with a mechanicalhydraulic, electro-magnetic or ultrasonic vibration generator.

13. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 12, wherein at least two rinsing baths are arranged in succession with one another which are relatively separated in respect of their liquid content.

14. Apparatus as claimed in claim 13, wherein the hoseware passes through a squeezing device prior to its transfer into the respective next rinsing bath.

15. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 14, wherein the round transverse stretcher device is vertically disposed and the treated hoseware is arranged to be passed downwardly over the device from top to bottom.