GB610102A - Improvements in or relating to method of and apparatus for obtaining moisture regainin fibrous material - Google Patents

Abstract

<PICT:0610102/IV (c)/1> <PICT:0610102/IV (c)/2> A method of rapidly impregnating with moisture and effecting normal moisture regain in fibrous material (such as strip fabric containing less than the normal moisture content), comprises the steps of subjecting the moisture-deficient material to the direct action of damp or saturated steam and immediately subjecting it to an atmosphere at a temperature below 0 DEG F. for a time sufficient to chill the material and solidify and set therein the contained moisture derived from the steam. The amount and percentage of regain can be controlled by regulating the humidity and volume of steam employed and the speed of the textile product through the treating areas. In the event of over-saturation of the textile material, the excess moisture tends to evaporate under normal atmospheric conditions. The fixing or freezing step is preferably performed in a deep freeze unit at about -120 DEG F., the time of treatment at this temperature being normally 30 seconds. Woollen or fibrous stock may be treated in the apparatus shown in Fig. 1. The stock 1 is received on a foraminous conveyer 2 which passes closely over a steam chamber 3 supplied with damp steam from a steam pipe 4. The conveyer then passes immediately between refrigerating plates 6 and 7, which may form a freezing chamber or may be in light contact with the stock. The exact form of freezing apparatus is not critical, as long as the moisture in the stock is frozen almost instantaneously. Finished woollen cloth may be treated in the apparatus shown in Fig. 2. If the cloth proceeds from an apron steamer or semi-decater, this may itself be used as the source of steam, otherwise the cloth 9 is fed once or twice across the top of an open-topped chest 11 having perforated steam pipes 12 inside. It then passes immediately over a guide roll 13 into a refrigerating chamber 14 provided with coils 15 for the circulation of refrigerating fluid. Guide rolls 16 direct the fabric through the chamber. As the cloth leaves the chamber it passes over a guide roll 17 to a positively driven roll 18 resting against the wind-up roll 19. The speed of the cloth through the chamber is regulated by changing the speed of the roll 18.