GB742207A - Process and apparatus for the manufacture of printed fabrics - Google Patents

Abstract

<PICT:0742207/IV(c)/1> <PICT:0742207/IV(c)/2> <PICT:0742207/IV(c)/3> Figs. 1 and 2 show an apparatus for printing piece goods comprising a pigment padder P, and washer W of conventional design and an ager A. The fabric F after padding at P with a solution containing a reducing agent is passed for a period of 5-30 seconds into the ager A which contains an atmosphere of wet steam, free from oxygen at a temperature of 212 DEG F-220 DEG F. The entrance to the ager is heated by steam pipes 16, 20 to prevent condensate from dripping on to the fabric which passes over guide roller 22 and driven conveyer rolls 10 and finally out into washer W. The fabric F is supported on the unprinted side only thus preventing the running of colours and condensation from the walls of the ager chamber 5 is prevented by heating with steam pipes or coils 32, 48. Mounted above the floor is a perforated baffle 34 through which runs a steam pipe 36. Any condensate is discharged through funnels 40, 41 and the ager is insulated by lagging 52 the steam pressure in the chamber prevents the entrance of air from outside. In a modification Figs. 3 and 4 (not shown) the ager chamber is supported from the ceiling is slightly arcuate and has a flat perforated baffle supported from its floor. The fabric after passing from the padder ascends vertically through an insulated steam heated conduit into the ager and descends vertically through a similar conduit on the exit side of the ager before passing into the washer. In a further modification Fig. 5 (not shown) the padder is located at a higher level than the washer and the ager approximates in shape to an inverted J the steam distributer comprising a series of transversely extending perforated pipes each provided with a semi-circular baffle. In a modification shown in Fig. 6 the fabric path through the ager may be changed thus permitting different periods of exposure whilst allowing the same rate of travel. The ager is of inverted U-shape and steam is blown in from steam pipes 95 cooperating with perforated cylindrical baffles 96. The fabric F may take any of three different paths viz. over guide rollers 10a, 10b, 10c or 10a, 10d, 10e, 10c or 10a, 10f, 10h, 10i, 10j, 10k, 10g, 10c.