GB2409211A

GB2409211A - Fabric processing nozzle

Info

Publication number: GB2409211A
Application number: GB0504420A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Tak Ming William Tsui
Original assignee: Falmer Investments Ltd
Current assignee: Falmer Investments Ltd
Priority date: 2001-09-28
Filing date: 2001-09-28
Publication date: 2005-06-22
Anticipated expiration: 2021-09-28
Also published as: CN1408927A; CN1285788C; TWI221165B; GB2380205B; HK1051390A1; CN1202299C; CN1616739A; GB2409211B; GB0123376D0; GB2380205A; GB0504420D0; HK1073675A1

Abstract

A fabric processing nozzle has an inlet, an outlet and an air inlet opening 20. The air inlet opening 20 comprises an air divider 30 which divides and air flow entering the nozzle into a first air jet 32 and a second air jet 34. The nozzle may have the form of a conduit 22 and may be of circular cross-section. The air inlet opening 20 may be provided by an opening in a side wall of the conduit 22. The nozzle may comprise an annular duct 24 divided into a first annular nozzle 26 and a second annular nozzle 28 by the divider 30. Fabric rope passing though the conduit 22 of the nozzle from inlet to outlet is propelled by the air jets 32, 34.

Description

24092 t t

IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO FABRIC PROCESSING

The present invention relates to apparatus for and a method of processing fabric, in particular, although not exclusively to processing textile fabric.

Fabric processing machines, especially fabric dyeing machines, commonly comprise a housing containing a fluid jet nozzle for applying processing liquor to the fabric, an air jet nozzle and a drive roller for propulsion of the fabric through the machine, a fabric chamber for receiving the fabric and a plating device for feeding the fabric into the fabric chamber. The fabric is generally compressed into a rope, which rope circulates 0 within the processing machine.

The drive roller is a cylinder, generally having a smooth outer surface, driven by an external motor to provide continuous rotation of the fabric rope within the machine.

The smooth outer surface of the roller advantageously reduces peeling of the fibres of the fabric as a result of contact of the fabric with the roller.

A fluid jet nozzle is a device that injects fluid, including dye liquor, at high velocity uniformly around the circumference and into the body of the fabric rope. An air jet nozzle is a device designed to propel the fabric rope to move linearly by discharging high velocity air uniformly around the circumference of the fabric rope. The term jet refers to a device that provides some or all of the motive force to impart linear velocity to the fabric rope. The air jet nozzle and the fluid jet nozzle may both impart linear velocity to the fabric rope.

A dyeing machine comprising an air jet nozzle and/or a fluid jet nozzle is commonly called a jet dyeing machine, and is used for dyeing batches of fabric. The term dyeing should be taken to mean the process by which dye in introduced into fabric.

A plaiting device is commonly used to guide fabric exiting the air jet nozzle or fluid jet nozzle into the fabric chamber and is generally arranged to oscillate transverse to the direction of movement of the fabric rope such that the fabric is fed into the fabric chamber as a series of connected transverse layers. The plaiting device is used to help reduce tangling of the fabric rope in the fabric chamber.

In a fabric-processing machine, such as a jet-dyeing machine, the process of dyeing requires movement of the dye liquor to the interior of the fabric rope. Common requirements when processing fabric are to maximise the linear speed of the fabric rope to increase capacity, capability of processing a range of fabric types without causing adverse tension effects which can affect the finish and appearance of the processed fabric and to reduce the working volume of processing liquor. During processing, chemicals are added to the processing liquor and the liquor must generally be heated. A reduction in the volume of processing liquor leads to a reduction in the amount of chemicals additives required and a reduction in the energy required to heat the liquor. If the liquor ratio is large the energy required to heat the liquor is higher and a larger heat exchanger is required.

In conventional fabric processing machines, a pump is used to circulate the lo processing liquor in the housing. The pump suction flow rate generally dictates the liquor ratio used in the process. The liquor ratio is the weight of water required for a set weight of fabric.

Traditionally water is used as the medium in fabric processing, especially in fabric dyeing, for propelling and dyeing of the fabric because it is easily accessible. Also, because the density of water is relatively high the momentum imparted to the fabric by means of the water is relatively high. Therefore, use of water to propel the fabric achieves a good linear speed of the fabric.

However, using a fluid jet nozzle requires use of a relatively large amount of water. Aside from the disadvantages mentioned above, use of a large amount of processing water generates a large amount of waste that must be treated before release as wastewater sewage.

Use of an air jet nozzle to propel the fabric rope has many advantages. For example, the fluid jet nozzle need be used only to impart processing liquor to the fabric, which would necessitate a smaller pump for the nozzle and therefore allow the liquor ratio to be reduced. The amount of wastewater that requires treatment before release as sewage is thereby also reduced. Furthermore, less energy is required to heat the processing liquor so a smaller heat exchanger can be used, providing cost and timesavings. An air jet nozzle is able to drive the fabric rope at a much higher velocity than a conventional fluid jet nozzle because less water is soaked into the fabric during passage through the fluid jet nozzle and therefore the fabric is lighter.

It is an aim of preferred embodiments of the present invention to provide an improved fabric processing apparatus and method.

According to a first aspect, the present invention provides a fabricprocessing machine comprising a fluid jet nozzle, an intermediate chamber, an air jet nozzle, an expansion chamber and a plaiting device, a fabric outlet of the fluid jet nozzle s communicating with an inlet of the intermediate chamber, a fabric inlet of the air jet nozzle communicating with an outlet of the intermediate chamber, a fabric outlet of the air jet nozzle communicating with an inlet of the expansion chamber and an outlet of the expansion chamber communicating with a fabric inlet of the plaiting device.

Suitably, the fabric-processing machine is a fabric-dyeing machine, preferably a lo textile fabric-dyeing machine.

The fluid jet nozzle is suitably provided by any suitable fluid jet nozzle.

The intermediate chamber is suitably arranged to collect excess fluid from a fabric rope during passage of the fabric rope through the chamber.

The intermediate chamber may house a perforated conduit, through which a fabric rope is fed in use. Suitably, the perforated conduit extends from the inlet of the intermediate chamber to the outlet of the intermediate chamber. Suitably, the perforated conduit has a converging tapered profile from the inlet to the outlet.

The perforated conduit is preferably designed at act as a sieve allowing excess fluid to drain from the fabric rope into the intermediate chamber. The converging taper of the conduit advantageously causes the fabric rope to be squeezed slightly during passage thereof through the conduit and thereby aid removal of excess fluid from the fabric.

The intermediate chamber may further comprise a fluid outlet to facilitate removal of fluid from the intermediate chamber. The fluid outlet may comprise an opening in the intermediate chamber. Suitably, the fluid outlet comprises a pipe. The fluid outlet is 2s suitably located in a lower surface of the intermediate chamber when the apparatus is arranged for use.

The inlet of the perforated conduit may be part of the inlet of the intermediate chamber. The inlet of the perforated conduit may provide the inlet of the intermediate chamber. The outlet of the perforated conduit may be part of the outlet of the intermediate chamber. The outlet of the perforated conduit may provide the outlet of the intermediate chamber.

The inlet of the chamber may be separate from the fabric outlet of the fluid jet nozzle. Preferably, the inlet of the intermediate chamber is connected to the fabric outlet of the fluid jet nozzle. The inlet of the intermediate chamber may be directly or indirectly connected to the fabric outlet of the fluid jet nozzle.

The outlet of the chamber may be separate from the fabric inlet of the air jet nozzle. Preferably, the outlet of the intermediate chamber is connected to the fabric inlet of the air jet nozzle. The outlet of the intermediate chamber may be directly or indirectly connected to the fabric inlet of the air jet nozzle.

Excess fluid removed from the fabric rope in the intermediate chamber is suitably lo recirculated in the machine.

Removal of excess fluid from the fabric rope before entry of the fabric rope into the air jet nozzle is advantageous because the airflow of the air jet nozzle has greater impact on the fabric rope, otherwise it may reduce the driving force of the airflow.

Furthermore, the tapered profile of the perforated conduit removes more fluid from the fabric rope allowing the fluid to be recycled sooner and thereby allowing a smaller pump to be used for the fluid jet nozzle and allowing a smaller liquor ratio to be used.

The expansion chamber suitably comprises a conduit. The expansion chamber is suitably provided by an expansion elbow, which comprises a conduit having a curved profile.

The expansion chamber may have any suitable cross-sectional shape, but suitably has a generally circular cross-sectional shape.

The interior diameter of the expansion chamber suitably increases from the inlet of the chamber towards the outlet thereof. The inlet of the expansion chamber, having a smaller diameter, is suitably designed to maintain the air discharging from the air jet nozzle at a high velocity. A region of low pressure is thereby created at the inlet to the expansion chamber and a suction force upstream of the inlet is created. The outlet of the expansion chamber, having a larger diameter, is suitably designed to reduce the air velocity upon exit from the expansion chamber and thereby reduce the linear velocity of the air flow, by making use of the larger cross sectional area when exiting the chamber.

Therefore, the likelihood of the fabric inflating in a fabric chamber of the processing machine is reduced. s

The inlet of the expansion chamber may be separate from the fabric outlet of the air jet nozzle. Preferably, the inlet of the expansion chamber is connected to the fabric outlet of the air jet nozzle. The inlet of the expansion chamber may be directly or indirectly connected to the fabric outlet of the air jet nozzle.

The outlet of the expansion chamber may be separate from the fabric inlet of the plaiting device. Preferably, the outlet of the expansion chamber is connected to the fabric inlet of the plaiting device. The outlet of the expansion chamber may be directly or indirectly connected to the fabric inlet of the plaiting device.

The plaiting device may be provided by any suitable plaiting device. The plaiting lo device is suitably designed to move the fabric rope from side to side relative to the linear movement thereof to prevent tangling of the fabric rope in a fabric chamber of the processing machine. The reciprocating movement of the plaiting device also shakes of any further excess fluid from the fabric rope, which may collect in the bottom of the housing for recycling.

A surface of the plaiting device may be perforated to bleed airflow exiting the air jet nozzle away from the linear direction of travel of a fabric rope passing through the plaiting device. Removal of airflow away from the linear direction of travel of the fabric rope advantageously reduces the likelihood of the fabric inflating in a fabric chamber of the processing machine. Suitably, the perforations are arranged to bleed the airflow substantially perpendicular of the linear direction of travel of the fabric rope.

A fabric-processing machine according to the present invention may further comprise a drive roller. The drive roller suitably comprises a cylinder having a substantially smooth outer surface, which cylinder is preferably driven by an external motor. The drive roller is suitably arranged upstream of the fluid jet nozzle. The drive roller is suitably positioned at the highest point relative to the fluid jet nozzle, the intermediate chamber, the air jet nozzle, the expansion chamber and the plaiting device of the fabric-processing machine. In use of a fabric- processing machine comprising a drive roller, the fabric rope is fed over the drive roller and the drive roller imparts linear movement to the fabric rope. After the fluid jet nozzle imparts processing fluid to the fabric rope, the weight of the fabric rope on a downstream side of the drive roller is greater than the weight of the fabric rope on an upstream side of the roller. Therefore, the unbalanced weight of the fabric increases the speed of movement of the fabric rope from the upstream side of the roller to the downstream side of the roller.

The air jet nozzle may comprise any suitable air jet nozzle. Preferably the air jet nozzle comprises an air jet nozzle in accordance with the second aspect of the present s invention.

According to a second aspect, the present invention provides an air jet nozzle comprising a housing, which housing has a product inlet, a product outlet, an air inlet opening and a channel extending from the product inlet to the product outlet, an annular air duct surrounding part or substantially the whole of the channel, and an air divider lo designed to divide an airflow entering the annular air duct through the air inlet opening into a first air jet and a second air jet, wherein the interior profile of the annular air duct and the profile of the divider are such as to provide substantially laminar air flow though the annular air duct.

The housing may have the general form of a conduit. The conduit may have any is suitable cross-sectional shape, but preferably has a generally circular cross-sectional shape. Suitably, one end of the conduit provides the product inlet and the other end of the conduit provides the product outlet.

Suitably, the air inlet opening is provided by an opening in a sidewall of the conduit. The air inlet opening may comprise an air inlet pipe or may be connectable to an air inlet pipe.

Suitably, products, such as a fabric rope, can pass through the channel in use of the air jet nozzle. The channel suitably extends substantially along the centre longitudinal axis of the conduit.

The annular air duct suitably connects the air inlet opening with the channel.

as Suitably, the air divider is located in the annular air duct. Suitably, the air divider is designed to divide the annular air duct into a first annular nozzle and a second annular nozzle. Suitably, the first annular nozzle and/or the second annular nozzle extend from the air inlet opening to the channel. Suitably, one or both of the first annular nozzle and the second annular nozzle has a convergent tapered profile, with the crosssectional area of the nozzle decreasing from the air inlet opening to the channel. The decreasing cross sectional area of the annular air nozzle effects a gradual acceleration of the airflow in the annular nozzle and thereby rninirnises the loss of kinetic pressure.

The first air jet suitably issues from the first annular nozzle into the channel and the second air jet suitably issues from the second annular nozzle into the channel.

Suitably, the air divider splits the annular air duct into two substantially equally sized nozzles. In this case, the incoming airflow is advantageously substantially equally divided between the first annular nozzle and the second annular nozzle.

Suitably, the first annular nozzle and the second annular nozzle are designed to ensure that the angle of issue of the first air jet and the second air jet into the channel is such as to maximise the driving force imparted to a product passing through the channel.

in The angle of issuance is herein defined to be the interior angle between a first line extending parallel to the direction of flow of the air jet and a second line extending substantially parallel to the central longitudinal axis of the channel.

Suitably, the first annular nozzle and/or the second annular nozzle has a curved profile. Suitably, the first annular nozzle and/or the second annular nozzle curve smoothly from the air inlet opening to the channel, thus encouraging laminar airflow through the annular air duct. Suitably, the first and/or second annular air duct are curved such that the section of the first and/or second annular nozzle adjacent the channel is substantially aligned with the direction of issuance of the respective air jet.

The angle of issuance of the first air jet may be the same as the angle of issuance of the second air jet. Alternatively, the angle of issuance of the first air jet may be different from the angle of issuance of the second air jet.

Suitably, the angle of issuance of the first air jet andlor the second air jet is at least 25 , preferably at least 30 and more preferably at least 35 . Suitably, the angle of issuance of the first air jet and/or the second air jet is less than 50 , preferably less than 2s 45 and more preferably less than 43 . The most preferred angle of issuance of the first and/or second air jet is 35 .

The channel may have a substantially constant cross-sectional area along the full length thereof. However, the channel preferably has a divergent tapered profile along part or substantially the whole thereof. Preferably, the channel has a divergent tapered profile from the downstream edge of the first annular nozzle towards the product outlet of the air jet nozzle. The increasing dimensions of the channel after the first annular nozzle advantageously accommodate the first air jet and subsequently the second air jet with minimal resistance of the airflow within the air jet nozzle. By minimising the resistance to the airflow, the impacting velocity of the air jets on the product passing through the air jet nozzle is maximised.

s It will be appreciated that the air jet nozzle described herein may be used with any other suitably gaseous fluid in place of or in addition to air.

An air jet nozzle according to the second aspect of the invention may be used in a fabric-processing machine, in particular in a fabric-dyeing machine.

According to a third aspect, the present invention comprising a fabric processing lo machine comprising an air jet nozzle according to the second aspect of the present invention. The fabric-processing machine of the third aspect of the invention may comprise a fabric-dyeing machine.

According to a fourth aspect, the present invention provides a method of processing fabric, wherein fabric circulating in a fabric processing machine passes into a fabric inlet of a fluid jet nozzle, from a fabric outlet of the fluid jet nozzle into an intermediate chamber, from the intermediate chamber into a fabric inlet of an air jet nozzle, from a fabric outlet of the air jet nozzle into an expansion chamber and from the expansion chamber to a plaiting device.

Suitably, the method of processing fabric according to the fourth aspect of the present invention is a method of dyeing fabric.

The method may further involve feeding the fabric into the fabric inlet of the fluid jet nozzle by means of a drive roller.

A method of processing fabric according to the fourth aspect of the invention suitably comprises removing excess fluid from the fabric after exit of the fabric from the fluid jet nozzle. Suitably, excess fluid is removed from the fabric during passage thereof through the intermediate chamber. During passage of fabric through the intermediate chamber the fabric may be compressed to aid removal of excess fluid from the fabric.

Excess fluid may al,so be removed from the fabric as the fabric passes through the plaiting device. A reciprocating movement of the plaiting device suitably shakes excess fluid from the fabric. Suitably, excess fluid removed from the fabric is recirculated.

A method of processing fabric according to the present invention may be carried out using a fabric-processing machine according to the first aspect of the present invention. A method of processing fabric according to the present invention may be carried out using an air jet nozzle in accordance with the second aspect of the present invention.

Any feature of any aspect of the present invention may be combined with any feature of any other aspect of the present invention.

The present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the following drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic, cross-sectional side view of part of a fabric processing lo machine, and Figure 2 is an enlarged view of the air nozzle of Figure l.

Figure l shows elements of a fabric processing machine (not shown) comprising a drive roller 2, a fluid jet nozzle 4, an intermediate chamber 6, an air jet nozzle 8, an expansion elbow 10 and a plaiting device 12. Also illustrated in figure 1 is part of a fabric rope 14 as would circulate within the fabric-processing machine when in use. The arrowheads on the fabric rope 14 illustrate the direction of circulation of the fabric rope 14 within the machine.

Figure 1 shows that the drive roller 2 is located upstream of and above the fabric inlet of the fluid jet nozzle 4. The fabric outlet of the fluid jet nozzle 4 is connected to the inlet of the intermediate chamber 6.

Processing fluid enters the fluid jet nozzle 4 through an inlet pipe in the direction illustrated by Arrow A. The intermediate chamber 6 comprises a conduit through which a perforated conduit 16 extends. The perforated conduit 16 extends from the inlet of the intermediate chamber 6 to the outlet thereof. Furthermore, the perforated conduit 16 has a tapered cross-section that converges from the inlet to the outlet. In the embodiment illustrated, the inlet of the perforated conduit 16 provides the inlet of the intermediate chamber 6 and the outlet of the perforated conduit 16 provides the outlet of the intermediate chamber 6.

The intermediate chamber 6 further comprises a drainpipe 18.

Connected to the outlet of the intermediate chamber 6 is the fabric inlet of the air jet nozzle 8. The structure of the air jet nozzle 8 will be described below in more detail with reference to figure 2.

The air jet nozzle 8 comprises an air inlet pipe 20.

The outlet of the air jet nozzle 8 is connected to the inlet of the expansion elbow 10. The expansion elbow 10 has a curved profile and tapers divergently from the inlet to s the outlet.

The outlet of the expansion elbow 10 is attached to the inlet of the plaiting device 12. The plaiting device 12 comprises a perforated surface adjacent the flow path of the fabric rope 14.

Figure 2 illustrates the air jet nozzle 8 in more detail. The air jet nozzle 8 lo comprises a channel 22 extending along the length of the air jet nozzle 8 at substantially the centre thereof, from the inlet to the outlet of the air jet nozzle 8. The channel 22 is surrounded by an annular duct 24. The annular duct 24 is divided into a first annular nozzle 26 and a second annular nozzle 28 by means of the divider 30.

The divider 30 is arranged to provide the first and second annular nozzles 26, 28 Is with a tapered profile that converges from the air inlet towards the channel 22. The first annular nozzle 26 comprises a first air jet 32 and the second annular nozzle 28 comprises a second air jet 34.

The angle of issue Z of each of the first air jet 32 and the second air jet 34 is suitably about 35 to the longitudinal axis of the channel 22.

In use of the apparatus of figures 1 and 2, a fabric rope 14 is circulated in the machine in the direction illustrated by the arrowheads. The fabric rope 14 is driven by the drive roller 2 into the fabric inlet of the fluid jet nozzle 4, wherein fluid is sprayed onto the fabric rope 14 at high velocity. The fabric rope 14 then enters the intermediate chamber 6, wherein excess fluid drains from the fabric rope 14 passing through the perforations of the Is perforated conduit 16 and out of the intermediate chamber 6 via the drainpipe 18 for recirculation. The tapered profile of the perforated conduit 16 increases the amount of excess fluid removed from the fabric rope 14, by compressing the rope 14.

The fabric rope 14 then enters the air jet nozzle 8. Air is fed to the air jet nozzle 8 through the air inlet pipe 20 in the direction indicated by Arrow B. The air jets 32, 34 issue air at high velocity and impart momentum to the fabric rope 14 passing along the channel 22. The angle of issuance Z of the air jets 32, 34 is chosen to maximise the momentum imparted to the fabric rope 14 by the air jets 32, 34.

Upon exiting the air jet nozzle 8, the fabric rope 14 passes through the expansion elbow 10. The smaller diameter at the incoming end of the expansion elbow 10 maintains a high velocity of the air flow exiting the air jet nozzle 8. The high speed air flow helps drive the fabric rope 14 linearly through the expansion elbow 10. The expansion elbow has an increasing cross-sectional area to slow down the air flow as it passes through the expansion elbow 10 in order to reduce inflation of the fabric rope by the air flow. The gradual increase in cross-sectional size of the expansion elbow 10 advantageously reduces the occurrence of peeling of fibres on the exterior of the fabric rope 14.

in The fabric rope 14 then passes into the plaiting device 12, wherein reciprocating movement of an element thereof folds the fabric rope into layers (not shown) as the fabric rope 14 enters the next stage of processing (not shown).

Claims

I. An air jet nozzle comprising an inlet, an outlet and an air inlet opening, wherein the air inlet opening comprises an air divider which divides an airflow entering the nozzle through the air inlet opening into a first air jet and a second air jet.
2. An air jet nozzle according to claim 1, wherein the air jet nozzle has the form of a conduit.
3. An air jet nozzle according to claim 2, wherein the conduit has a circular cross-sectional shape.
4. An air jet nozzle according to claim 2 or 3, wherein one end of the conduit provides the inlet and the other end of the conduit provides the outlet.
5. An air jet nozzle according to any one of claims 2-5, wherein the air inlet opening is provided by an opening in a side wall of the conduit.
6. An air jet nozzle according to any one of claims 2-5, comprising a channel extending along the full length of conduit from the inlet to the outlet.
7. An air jet nozzle according to claim 6, wherein the channel extends substantially along the centre longitudinal axis of the conduit.
8. An air jet nozzle according to claim 6 or 7, comprising an annular air duct surrounding part or substantially the whole of the channel.
9. An air jet nozzle according to claim 6, 7 or 8, wherein the annular air duct connects the air inlet opening with the channel.
10. An air jet nozzle according to any one of claims 6-9, wherein the air divider is located in the annular air duct.
11. An air jet nozzle according to claim 10, wherein the air divider divides the annular air duct into a first annular nozzle and a second annular nozzle.
12. An air jet nozzle according to claim 11, wherein one or both of the first annular nozzle and the second annular nozzle has a convergent tapered lo profile, with the cross sectional area of the nozzle decreasing from the air inlet opening to the channel.
13. An air jet nozzle according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the first air jet issues from the first annular nozzle into the channel and the second air jet issues from the second annular nozzle into the channel.
14. An air jet nozzle according to claim 11, 12 or 13, wherein the air divider splits the annular air duct into two substantially equally sized nozzles.
15. An air jet nozzle according to any one of claims 1 1-14, wherein the first annular nozzle and the second annular nozzle are configured to ensure that the angle of issuance of the first air jet and the second air jet respectively into the channel is such as to maximise the driving force imparted to a product passing through the channel in use.
16. An air jet nozzle according to claim 15, wherein the angle of issuance is the interior angle between a first line extending substantially parallel to the direction of flow of the air jet and a second line extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the channel.
17. An air jet nozzle according to claim 15 or 16, wherein the angle of issuance of the first air jet is the same as the angle of issuance of the second air jet.
18. An air jet nozzle according to claim 15, 16 or 17, wherein the angle of issuance of the first air jet and/or the second air jet is at least 25 .
19. An air jet nozzle according to any one of claims 15-18, wherein the angle of issuance of the first air jet and/or the second air jet is less than 0 50 .
20. An air jet nozzle according to any one of claim 6-19, wherein the channel has a divergent tapered profile along part or substantially the whole thereof, in a direction from the inlet to the outlet of the air jet IS nozzle.
21. An air jet nozzle according to claim 20, wherein the channel has a divergent tapered profile from the downstream edge of the first annular nozzle towards the outlet of the air jet nozzle.
22. An air jet nozzle according to any one of claims 1-21, in use in a fabric processing machine.
23. An air jet nozzle substantially as described herein and with reference to the accompanying drawings.