GB584387A - Improvements in textile article treating apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<PICT:0584387/IV/1> <PICT:0584387/IV/2> A chamber for treating textile articles comprises remotely-controlled power means for operating a closure for the charging and discharging opening, means operated by the closure when reaching its closed position to initiate operation of a power means for locking the closure in its closed position and means responsive to pressure within the chamber for holding the power on said locking means to keep the closure locked until said pressure has dropped to a predetermined point. A chamber 12, Fig. 1, for treating polyamide fabrics mounted on forms on a wheeled carriage has a door 14, Fig. 3, slidable up and down in channelled guide members 16 under the action of a pair of pneumatic cylinders 18, each connected to a toothed rack 19 which operates on rack teeth 24 on the door edges through pinions U-shaped clamps 34 are mounted to bear against the door 14 under the action of a pneumatic cylinder 46 linked to a bell-crank lever 3. The air supply for operating the cylinders 18, 46 controls also a steam inlet valve 49 and a steam exhaust valve 54, and is controlled by a system of valves each operated by an electromagnetic switch. A cycle of operations is commenced by the operation of an electric switch to cause air to be supplied to the cylinders 18 to close the door 14. When the door reaches its lowest position, a member 86 on a rack 19 operates, through a roller 88, a switch 91 which causes air to be supplied to the cylinder 46 to clamp the levers 34 against the door 14. In the latter movement the lever 39 operates a switch 96 to cause air to be supplied to open the steam inlet valve 49 and to close the exhaust valve 54. On reaching a predetermined value, the pressure of steam in the chamber operates a switch 130 to start an electrical timing device, and a switch 100 which ensures that the control means maintains an air supply to the cylinder 46 to keep the door 14 clamped as long as the predetermined pressure is maintained in the chamber. When the required length of time for treatment has elapsed, the timing device operates to close the valve 49 and to open the valve 54. As the steam pressure falls, the switch 100 operates to apply compressed air to the cylinder 46 to release the clamps 34. The lever 39 then operates switch 96 to apply air to the cylinders 18 to open the door 14.