GB800926A - Process and apparatus for treating textile material in continuous length - Google Patents

Abstract

<PICT:0800926/IV (c)/1> <PICT:0800926/IV (c)/2> Apparatus for heat treating textile materials comprises a humidifying chamber having steam-heating coils and banks of steam injection coils 42, 43 and 44 which spray steam either directly on to the fabric 62 double passing through the chamber over rollers 63, 64 and 65, or indirectly on to removable lateral deflecting slats, Fig. 3 (not shown). The textile material may alternately be entered through a port 69 and taken between banks 43 and 44 only in single pass fashion so that the material may absorb a smaller amount of moisture. The amount of absorbed moisture may be further differed if slats and indirect injection are employed, and the supply of steam through line 47 may be regulated by a valve controlled by the main switch operating the material driving electric motor, the valve having time delay opening so that the motor may give intermittent advancement to the material without steam injection. The exhaust steam is vented through intake sections 54, 55 and 56 and a duct 53. In Fig. 1 (not shown) the material passes only once through the humidifier which is provided with two banks only of steam injection coils. In another embodiment, Fig. 6 (not shown), the material is sprayed with water to increase its water content before being passed through a single pass humidifier. From the humidifier the material is moved to a printing machine of known type, and then to washing and neutralizing baths. In yet a further embodiment, Fig. 7, the material passes through a creaseproofing bath 109 containing ureaformaldehyde, for example, a drier 111 and a heating chamber 112 which raises its temperature to 150 DEG C. to cure the resin. Moisture is then restored by a double or single pass humidifier 113, the double pass circuit employing two chill rolls 123 and 129. The roll 123 may, however, be replaced by a water atomizing chamber wherein the coils are supplied with cool air or other gas saturated with water vapour. The steam injectors of the humidifiers may be modified to permit the units to be horizontally operated, and chemical substances such as ethylene glycol may be mixed with the steam for bleaching, fibre softening, curing, mothproofing or mildew preventing.