GB2425543A

GB2425543A - Dip/squeeze roller installation

Info

Publication number: GB2425543A
Application number: GB0607632A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Oliver Alexander Stang
Original assignee: Mageba Textilmaschinen GmbH and Co KG
Current assignee: Mageba Textilmaschinen GmbH and Co KG
Priority date: 2005-04-30
Filing date: 2006-04-18
Publication date: 2006-11-01
Also published as: GB0607632D0; DE102005020165A1; TR200601901A2

Abstract

Dip/squeeze roller installation for dyeing textile webs, having squeeze rollers arranged arranged to include the formation of at least two squeezing nips, characterised in that the squeeze rollers are provided in horizontal side-by-side disposition, that at least one dip basin is disposed underneath the squeeze rollers which basin is passed through in first instance by the web during a saturation step, and in that at least one of the squeeze rollers is adjustable against another fixed squeeze roller.

Description

1 2425543 Dip/squeeze roller installation The invention relates in first

instance to a dip/squeeze roller installation for dyeing textile webs having squeeze rollers arranged to include the formation of at least two squeezing nips.

In the textile industry, dyeing installations for treating textiles are long since known.

Installations of this kind are also known to the man skilled in the art as 2-roller or 3- roller Foulards, in this regard the numeric qualification in each case relating to the 0 number of rollers. In the main, the endless web passes within the Foulard through one or more dip basins filled with liquor. By means of the rollers, the excess liquor can be squeezed out of the dye-soaked web. The squeezing-out action on the web also serves for the realization of homogeneous penetration by the dye. Especially in the case of thicker webs, it has been established time and again that these have an undesired non- uniformity of colouration after the dyeing process.

In DE 87 07 411, an installation is illustrated and described for the continuous application of liquors to textile fibre webs, in four different embodiments. In each of the exemplary embodiments, the rollers forming a squeezing unit are in each case in vertical superposition, the rollers for squeezing-out being pressable both vertically and horizontally via hydraulic or pneumatic components.

In DD 120 126, an apparatus is illustrated and described for treatment of textile webs with liquid, the rollers also here being disposed in vertical superposition. It is also provided in this case that the web, after the final dipping step, is squeezed-out once.

In JP 2001 049 571, an apparatus is illustrated and described which serves for ammonia treatment of a cellulose fibre textile and in order to achieve a smoothing of the textile product. It is there provided that the textile product, after the dipping step, passes several times through a gap between rollers, the rollers here also being in a vertical arrangement. The passage of the textile product through the gap serves not only for squeezing-out, but also to achieve an evening-out of tension in regard to the shrinkage of the textile product which occurs.

It is an object of the invention to provide, by a constructional development, a dip/squeeze roller installation for the dyeing of textile webs, by means of which an improved uniformity of colouration of the web is achievable.

This task is solved first and foremost in the case of a dip/squeeze roller installation having the features of the preamble of Claim 1, it being the case that the squeeze rollers are provided in horizontal side- by-side disposition, that at least one dip basin is disposed underneath the squeeze rollers, which basin is passed through in first instance by the web during a saturation step, and in that at least one of the squeeze rollers is adjustable against another fixed squeeze roller. As a result of such a configuration, a squeeze roller arrangement is created which is adjustable in the horizontal plane, by means of which an additional and individually controllable squeezing-out of the dye-soaked web is achievable. In practical experiments, it has, surprisingly, turned out that as a result of this, the web receives in advantageous manner a continuous homogeneous colour appearance. Undesired non-uniformities in colouration, such as for example the formation of a cloudy appearance or the like, are thus inhibited, so that in advantageous manner a reduction in scrap web product is achievable. The effect of uniformity in dyeing may also be achieved both for thinner and thicker webs. In this regard, the web strength may lie in the range from 0.4 to 10 mm, preferably in the range from 0.5 to 6 mm. By individual adjustment of the pressing thrust of the squeeze roller, different webs may in each case be dyed in advantageous manner within the Foulard, the webs differing in each case in known manner by virtue of their material properties and soaking behaviour. The horizontally executed stroke of the squeeze roller may in this regard, according to the construction of the Foulard, be effected either hydraulically or pneumatically, an electronic control element being able to serve for monitoring of the respective pressing thrust. The magnitude of the pressing thrust may in this regard be in a range from I to 8 bar, a pressing thrust of 6 bar being preferably provided. I t is further advantageous that in regard to the horizontal side-by-side disposition of the squeeze rollers, a space-saving and maintenance- friendly dip/squeeze roller installation is created. In addition, the positioning of the liquor dip basin underneath the squeeze rollers is advantageous in so far as, in this respect, no additional and cost- incurring liquor-return means are necessary for capture of the squeezed- out liquor.

The invention further relates to a dip/squeeze roller installation according to the features of the preamble of Claim 1, it being the case that four squeeze rollers are provided in side-by-side disposition, that at least one dip basin is disposed underneath the squeeze rollers, which basin is passed through in first instance by the web during a saturation step, and in that at least one of the squeeze rollers is adjustable against another fixed squeeze roller. According to the invention, a squeeze roller arrangement with a total of four squeeze rollers is created, by means of which the liquor-impregnated web can be squeezed-out one further time. The addition of the fourth squeeze roller means also formation of a third squeezing gap. This is advantageous in so far as the liquor-impregnated web can then be squeezed-out even three times in the direction of its passage through. The magnitude of the pressing thrust may in this regard be in a range from 1 to 8 bar, a pressing thrust of 6 bar being preferably provided. In this regard, an increase in the dye penetration is effected by the additional squeezing-out of the liquorimpregnated web. In this regard, the web strength may lie in the range from 0.4 to 10 mm, preferably in the range from 0.5 to 6 mm. It is advantageous also that according to requirement, the side-by-side arrangement of the squeeze rollers may be laid out either horizontally or vertically.

Alternatively, an obliquely-oriented layout of the squeeze rollers may also be realized.

The subsidiary claims are of significance both in combination with the subject matter of Claims I or 2 and moreover in combination with Claims I and 2, but may also be of significance in their independent formulation.

Thus is has proven to be advantageous that in each case one of the squeeze rollers is looped around over half of its periphery by the through-running web. In this way, a squeeze roller contact surface for the web extending up to about 180 is created. This reinforces the space- saving configuration of the entire installation. Because of this, the treatment path for the web in the through passage direction is shortened and thus faster treatment of the web within the installation results. In order to minimize the time window for the continuous process on the web, it may in advantageous manner be provided that two squeeze rollers are looped around over half of their periphery by the through-running web. As a result of this, during operation of the installation, a contact surface of about 360 is provided in total for the through-running web, by the rotating squeeze rollers, which are disposed horizontally side-by-side, the web then having a S-shaped course in the direction of its passage through. The run-through speed of the web within the Foulard is in this case as a rule in a range between 2 to 30 rn/rn in. In order to effect a safe through passage of the textile web within the roller arrangement, in each case the outer sleeve surface of the squeeze rollers is rubberized.

In a practical configuration of the invention, it may be provided that the web traverses a penetration stage between two squeezing nips. In this regard, the liquor applied to the web by the dipping step may act on the fabric of the web for a longer period and more intensively. This is, if needs be, necessary, since in each case the fabric of the different webs differs significantly in its liquor soak-up behaviour. It is also advantageous for the penetration stage to be located above the squeeze rollers. As a result, the liquor, because of gravity, runs back against the direction of advance of the web, thus in the direction of the dip basin, so that the excess liquor can be captured again for further use. It may also be provided that for purification of the returned liquor, the dipping basin has a filter element at the opening region, in order to cleanse the returned liquor of impurities such as for example textile particles or the like. In order to drive the required diverting roller of the penetration stage only by way of the through-running web, it is provided according to the invention that the penetration stage is associated with a squeeze roller which cooperates with two neighbouring squeeze rollers. The invention further proposes that two squeeze rollers are adjustable, by virtue of which even an improvement in the colour uniformity on the web is achievable. In a constructionally simple manner, it is provided that the squeeze roller which is to be adjustable is an outer roller in regard to the at least three squeeze rollers. In regard to this, it is provided according to the invention that the squeeze roller which is adjustable in the horizontal plane is the last of the squeeze rollers in the direction of run-through of the web. In this connection, the squeeze roller can be displaced from the pressing region in the most simple manner, either hydraulically or pneumatically, as required for maintenance or the like. A still further advantage is yielded by the measure that two dip basins are provided. A second dip basin traversed by the web increases the take-up of liquor by the web textile. For optimal recovery of liquor, it is in advantageous manner provided that the second dip basin is associated with the second squeeze roller in the passage through of the web.

For speedier advance of the web passing through within the installation, the invention proposes that three squeeze rollers are looped around over half of their periphery by the through-running web. In this way, an optimal utilization of the rotationally symmetrical rollers in regard to the spatial extent of the entire Foulard is effected. In order to achieve a uniform drive transmission for the rollers during operation of the squeeze roller device, it may be provided that all squeeze rollers have the same diameter, the diameter of the squeeze rollers in each case being in a range between 100 and 400 mm. In order to achieve optimal dye results for the web, the invention proposes that the squeeze rollers each have the same roller length. The length of the rollers can according to the specification of the Foulard be 3 to 7 times the diameter of the rollers. Alternatively, both the roller diameter and the roller length of the Foulard rollers may be formed differently.

Three exemplary embodiments of the invention will be explained below with reference to the drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a schematically represented perspective view of the dip/squeeze roller installation relating to a first embodiment; Figure 2 shows the section on the line ITTI in Figure 1; Figure 3 shows an alternative embodiment of the first installation with a penetration stage represented, and Figure 4 shows the schematic representation of the second exemplary embodiment.

Represented and described is in first instance with reference to Figure 1, a first embodiment of a dip/squeeze roller installation 1, which is also known on the market as a Foulard roller unit. In the textile industry, but also in other branches of industry, an installation I of this type serves for dyeing textile webs 2. The spectrum of use of textile webs 2 in industry is very varied and is therefore capable of being applied in different embodiments, such as for example in a light and elastic embodiment for the laundry industry or the like. Moreover, there are webs 2 also in an embodiment which is heavier and capable of being more highly loaded, these serving for example as lashing belts, load belts, vehicle security belts, or military belts.

As can be seen in Figure 1, the basic feature of the schematically represented installation 1 is an approximately quadrilateral-shaped carrier frame 3. This includes two dip basins 4, 4', each of which is formed substantially in the shape of a trough and is disposed transversely to the longitudinal extent of the frame 3. In the dip basins 4, 4', the liquor 5 (dye fluid) is in each case accommodated. It is further provided that in each case a dip basin 4, 4' has, in the longitudinal direction, a rotatably-mounted web-diverting roller 6, which for its part is positioned at a spacing from the base of the dip basin. For rotatable mounting of the diverting rollers 6, there serve in each case axial shafts 7, which for their part are in each case journalled at their ends on the narrow sides of the dip basins. In the longitudinal direction of the dip basins 4, 4', there are disposed within these basins, displacers 8. The crosssection of the displacers 8 corresponds substantially to the crosssections of the dip basins 4, 4', the displacers 8 in each case extending centrally from the openings of the dip basins at an acute angle towards the diverting rollers 6 and flanking these with a certain amount of spacing from them. By the arrangement of the displacers within the dip basins 4, 4', there are in each case formed, on the respective sides of the diverting rollers 6, web introduction channels 9 and web exit channels 10. Also by virtue of the extent of the displacers 8 within the dip basins 4, 4', the volume of liquor accommodated in the dip basins 4, 4' is limited.

Above the dip basins 4, 4', there is disposed on the frame 3 a squeeze roller arrangement W, which in its longitudinal extent conforms with the dip basins 4, 4, thus oriented transverse to the longitudinal extent of the frame 3. The roller arrangement W consists of four individual Foulardrollers, designated by the Roman numerals I-TV. These Foulard-rollers ITV, which are in each case mounted on an axial shaft 11, have an outer sleeve surface, for example of hard rubber, which rubberization is in known manner resistant to acids or lyes. Furthermore, the Foulard- rollers 1-TV have both the same roller diameter and the same roller length. For a compact construction of the installation 1, the Foulard- rollers I-TV are positioned in a horizontal side-by-side arrangement. That is, the rollers are disposed in horizontal line-up, in each case rotationally symmetrically about the axial shafts 11. As is to be gathered from the representations, the Foulard-roller TI which is flanked by the Foulard-rollers I and IV, is mounted at each of its ends in a stationary, rotatable manner on the frame 3 by means of bearing points 12. In addition, a gear drive 13 which is not described in more detail is associated with the Foulard-roller II at one end on one side at the bearing point 12. By means of this gear drive 13, the Foulard- roller 11 assumes the function of the essential drive roller A, rotating about the axial shaft 11, for the squeeze roller arrangement W. The Foulard-rollers I and IV which flank the Foulard-roller II and are parallel to it are in each case individually engageable or urgeable against the Foulard-roller II via adjustment elements which are not illustrated. For this, the adjustment elements for the Foulard-rollers I and IV may be driven either hydraulically or pneumatically. For monitoring and regulation of the engagement pressure, an electronic control element, not illustrated, may be used.

Independently of the adjustable Foulard-rollers I and IV, it may be provided that the final Foulard-roller III in the through-running direction x of the web 2 may in addition be individually engageable or urgeable against the Foulard-roller IV. In this connection, the Foulardroller III is disposed within its own pressing device V. This latter schematically represented pressing device V consists substantially of a mounting section 14 which is formed in the shape of a U, the longitudinal extent of which is dimensioned to be somewhat greater that the roller length of the Foulard- roller III. For bearing mounting of the axial shaft 11 of the Foulard- roller III, the mounting section 14 which is formed in the shape of a U has oppositely disposed U- legs 14'. On the cross-member 14" of the mounting section 14, there are in each case provided on the edge region of the narrow sides of the cross- member 14", on its underside and facing away from the Foulard-roller III, adjustment elements in the form of piston and cylinder devices 15. These piston and cylinder devices 15, which extend in parallel, may be driven either hydraulically or pneumatically. Alternatively, a number of three or four piston and cylinder devices 15 may be provided. Here also, the monitoring and regulation of the engagement pressure of the Foulard- roller III is possible by means of an electronic control element, not illustrated.

In the embodiments, the Foulard-roller III is urgeable against the Foulard-roller IV horizontally in the same plane via the pressing device V. Alternatively, it may be provided that the pressing device V with the Foulard-roller III can be swung away, via constructional elements not illustrated and not described in more detail, from the horizontal pressing plane, for example for a change of the Foulard-roller HI.

The installation I further has a diverting roller 16, positioned upstream of the squeeze roller arrangement W, above the first dip basin, which roller for its part is mounted on bearing points 17 of the frame 3.

As is to be gathered in particular from the illustrations in Fig. 2 and 3 of the first embodiment, the through passage and dyeing process for the web 2 is effected within the installation 1. The rotational movements of the entire squeeze roller arrangement W are indicated by the arrows. Both the drive Foulard-roller II and the individually pressable Foulard-roller III accordingly rotate in the clockwise direction. Both the Foulardroller I and the Foulard-roller IV rotate in the direction opposite thereto, thus counter-clockwise, each Foulard-roller 1-Tv rotating, in the operating condition, about its axial shaft 11.

The web 2 first of all passes over the diverting roller 16 and through the first liquor dip basin 4 in the direction x and is then directed, soaked with dye, via the diverting roller 6 of the dip basin 4, to the Foulard-roller I, the web 2 assuming a peripheral engagement on the Foulard-roller I of approximately 1800. Carried forward from looping around the Foulard-roller I, the web 2 undergoes a first stage of squeezing-out in a first squeezing gap (nip) a defined by the Foulardroller I and the Foulard-roller II, in order to render the colouration uniform. The excess liquor 5 squeezed out may be conducted to the second dip basin 4' for further use, via a capturing channel 4".

After passing through the first squeezing nip a, the web 2 dips through the second liquor container 4' around the diverting roller 6, in order to then pass through a second squeezing nip b. This latter is defined by the Foulard-roller II and the Foulard-roller IV. By virtue of the second squeezing nip b, an increase in the uniformity of the dyeing effect of the liquor 5 on the web 2 is achieved.

As in the case of the Foulard-roller 1, the web 2 contacts the Foulardroller iv, after the second squeezing-out operation, with an engagement of approximately 180 , Foulard-roller IV delivering the web 2 into a third squeezing nip c in the direction of passage x. This third squeezing nip c is on the one hand defined by the Foulard-roller IV and on the other hand by the adjustable Foul ard-roller III according to the invention. That is to say that during the through-passage of the web 2, the web is squeezed-out for a third time within the squeezing nip c. Tests have shown that by this, there results an enhanced uniformity of dyeing on the web, the excess liquor squeezed out here also being able to be conducted via a capturing channel to the second dip basin 4' for further use. By virtue of the individual adjustability of the Foulard- roller III relative to the Foulard-roller IV, the desired colour appearance may be achieved in a very easy manner by increasing the pressing, according to the characteristics of the web 2.

After the third squeezing step, the web 2 is conveyed to further processing in a peripheral engagement of approximately 1800 around the Foulard-roller III, the web 2 having an S-form extent in its direction of run-through, engaging on the rollers IV, III.

For better transport of the web 2, the Foulard-rollers 1-TV are, as mentioned at the beginning, fitted with a hard rubber outer sleeve surface.

Depending on the soaking capability of the web 2 and following on its material properties, it may be provided that in the dip/squeeze roller installation 1, a further diverting roller 18 is disposed at a spacing in a superposed position relative to the Foulard-roller IV. The web 2 can be diverted via this roller during the continuous process, so that in this way a penetration stage P for the web 2 is formed. As a result of this, a dye penetration time window for the liquor 5 of the soaked web 2 is, so to speak, created before the third squeezing-out, so that the fabric of the web 2 may soak up the liquor for a longer period.

The third variant of the dip/squeeze roller installation 1 is represented in Fig. 4, the Foulard-roller TV being no longer a component of the installation 1. The construction and function of the installation I corresponds to the subject matter previously described. Similar constructional elements carry therefore the same reference numerals. As is to be gathered, the device V has only three Foulard-rollers 1-Ill, as a result of which also only two squeezing nips a and b are formed. Furthermore, one only dip basin 4 is provided. As in the case of the first embodiment, the Foulard- roller II has the gear drive 12. The configuration and function of the pressing device V and of the Foulard-rofler III mounted therein conforms to the Foulard-roller III of the first embodiment shown in Figures 1-3. Moreover, a penetration stage P may also be provided here, this however not being absolutely necessary.

In this regard, the penetration stage P is disposed above the Foulardroller II.

While the embodiment of the installation 1 illustrated in Figures 1-3 can be used, especially for the treatment of thicker-formed webs 2, the embodiment of the installation I illustrated in Fig. 4 serves in particular for the use of a thinner-formed web 2. Independently of this, an enhanced uniformity of colouration on the web 2 may be achieved in each case in a very easy manner by extending the configuration of the Foulard-roller III, in the case of both two Foulard-rollers and three Foulard-rollers.

Alternatively, there is also possible a further increase in the number of rollers in respect of a better colour appearance.

By virtue of this configuration according to the invention, in particular by virtue of the adjustable Foulard-roller II, the problem of non-uniform colouration of the web 2 is countered.

In the exemplary embodiments described above, a horizontal side-by-side disposition of the squeeze rollers is illustrated and described. Alternatively, the squeeze rollers may also be positioned in a vertical lined-up position. As a further alternative, the squeeze rollers can also be disposed at an inclined orientation relative to one another, this then also enabling a position slightly deviating from the planar to be assumed.

All features disclosed are (inherently) pertinent to the invention. In the disclosure of the application, the disclosure content of the associated/accompanying priority documents (copy of the prior application) is also to be taken into account as to its full content, also for the purpose of incorporating features of these documents in claims of the present application.

Claims

1. Dip/squeeze roller installation (1) for dyeing textile webs, having squeeze rollers (I, II, III) arranged to include the formation of at least two squeezing nips (a, b), characterized in that the squeeze rollers (I, II, III) are provided in horizontal side- by-side disposition, that at least one dip basin (4) is disposed underneath the squeeze rollers (I, II, III), which basin is passed through in first instance by the web (2) during a saturation step, and in that at least one (III) of the squeeze rollers is adjustable against another fixed squeeze roller (II).

2. The dip/squeeze roller installation according to the features of the preamble of Claim I or in particular according thereto, characterized in that four squeeze rollers (I, II, III, IV) are provided in side-by-side disposition, that at least one dip basin (4) is disposed underneath the squeeze rollers (I, II, III, IV), which basin is passed through in first instance by the web (2) during a saturation step, and in that at least one (III) of the squeeze rollers is adjustable against another fixed squeeze roller (II).

3. The dip/squeeze roller installation according to one or more of the preceding claims or in particular according thereto, characterized in that in each case one squeeze roller (III) is looped around over half of its periphery by the through-running web (2).

4. The dip/squeeze roller installation according to one or more of the preceding claims or in particular according thereto, characterized in that two squeeze rollers (I, III) are looped around over half of their periphery by the through-running web (2).

5. The dip/squeeze roller installation according to one or more of the preceding claims or in particular according thereto, characterized in that the web (2) traverses a penetration stage (P) between two squeezing nips (a, b).

6. The dip/squeeze roller installation according to one or more of the preceding claims or in particular according thereto, characterized in that the penetration stage (P) is located above the squeeze rollers (I, II, III, IV).

7. The dip/squeeze roller installation according to one or more of the preceding claims or in particular according thereto, characterized in that the penetration stage (P) is associated with a squeeze roller (II, IV) which cooperates with two neighbouring squeeze rollers (I, III and II, III).

8. The dip/squeeze roller installation according to one or more of the preceding claims or in particular according thereto, characterized in that two squeeze rollers are

adjustable.

9. The dip/squeeze roller installation according to one or more of the preceding claims or in particular according thereto, characterized in that the squeeze roller (III) which is to be adjustable is an outer roller in regard to the at least three squeeze rollers (I, II, IV).

10. The dip/squeeze roller installation according to one or more of the preceding claims or in particular according thereto, characterized in that two dip basins (4, 4') are provided.

11. The dip/squeeze roller installation according to one or more of the preceding claims or in particular according thereto, characterized in that the second dip basin (4') is associated with the second squeeze roller (II) in the passage through of the web (2).

12. The dip/squeeze roller installation according to one or more of the preceding claims or in particular according thereto, characterized in that three squeeze rollers (I, 11, IV) are looped around over half of their periphery by the through- running web (2).

13. The dip/squeeze roller installation according to one or more of the preceding claims or in particular according thereto, characterized in that all squeeze rollers (I, II, 111, IV) have the same diameter.