GB938734A - A new or improved method of, and means for, patterning a pile fabric - Google Patents

Abstract

<PICT:0938734/IV(a)/1> Yarn printing apparatus is characterized in that the yarns to be printed are drawn in sheet form across a series of dye-troughs each containing a different colour and a pick-up roller partially immersed therein, means are provided whereby the sheet of yarns is normally supported clear of the several pick-up rollers, and control means are provided which operate in accordance with the pattern to be produced whereby the yarns can be pressed either collectively or individually against any selected pick-up roller, or any two or more selected rollers in succession, during their passage through the apparatus to suitable take-up means. In the apparatus shown several yarns A are drawn-off and wound-on beams B and C respectively. Rollers D at opposite ends of the apparatus and similar rollers E in a finishing chamber behind the printing unit G maintain the yarns A in parallel coplanar relationship. Mounted within unit G are a series of dye-troughs H disposed transversely of and beneath the sheet of yarns. Each trough A contains a partly immersed pick-up roller K which extends the full width of the sheet of yarns A and rotates in the opposite sense to the direction of movement of the yarns. Somewhat in front of each roller K is situated an applicator roller L operated by solenoid M so as to cause all the yarns A to be pressed against roller K. Energization of each solenoid M is effected by micro-switch N having its operating lever O actuated by cam P which is continuously rotated at a speed dependent on the linear speed of the yarns. The profile of cam P and the speed thereof controls the length of and the interval between the periods during which the yarns engage the roller K, the arrangement being such that the gaps left unprinted by the first roller K are printed in one or more different colours by subsequent rollers. Directly above each roller K is a row of pads Q depressible by solenoids R to apply selected individual yarns to the roller. The solenoids R are operated by a conducting cylinder S and spring contacts T so as to produce repeated pattern effects. On completion of the printing the yarns are subjected to fixing, washed off and dried within the chamber E, prior to being reeled up at C.