IE53698B1 - Adjustable-bath dyeing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

1. An equipment for the treatment of textiles by a wet process with a variable volume of bath, suitable for operation both with a long bath and with a short bath, of the type comprising a transport pipe (2) and a treatment chamber (3) running essentially in a horizontal longitudinal direction, the pipe (2) and chamber (3) together forming a channel that is closed in on itself in which the circulation of the fabric, in the form of an endless tube, is ensured by the actual circulation of the treatment bath, characterized in that the equipment (1) is suitable for tilting relatively to the horizontal so as to reduce the actual treatment zone of the treatment chamber and to reduce the tension on the fabric when the bath ratio diminishes.

Description

The present invention relates to a dyeing apparatus. More particularly this invention concerns a jet-type dyer.

A so-called jet dryer for textiles has a housing forming a closed annular path having a transport stretch of small cross-sectional area and a treatment stretch of much greater cross section and extending either above or below the transport stretch. This treatment stretch forms a treatment compartment that holds a dye bath. The textiles to be dyed are formed into an annulus that is circulated in the housing by pumping of the liquid dye solution through it. This is usually done by continuously withdrawing the dye solution from a downstream end of the treatment compartment and injecting it into the upstream end of the transport stretch or compartment, thereby creating a circulating flow in the apparatus. To assist the movement of the dye goods it is standard in many machines for the floor of the treatment compartment to be tipped toward its downstream end.

The continuous agitation and kneading of the goods in such an apparatus gives a very even dye job and cuts dyeing time substantially.

The problem with this type of apparatus is that it is designed to work with a bath of a predetermined length, and indeed does not function properly with a larger or smaller bath, λ machine set up for use with a long bath has a treatment chamber specially designed to prevent the goods being dyed from knotting up. If the bath depth in the chamber is decreased the goods will not have enough liquid supporting them to move properly in the machine. On the other hand a short-bath machine is constructed to support the goods in a minimal quantity of liquid, and simply cannot hold a larger quantity.

This inability to vary the bath volume is particulary troublesome in the treatment of small batches or with chemicals that can be used in great concentration where a shore dye bath can be used. One must either make a large expensive bath, with the concomitant disposal problems, or resort to other equipment which might not dye so effectively. In particular it is impossible to use so-called short-bath techniques where the ratio of volume of goods being dyed to dye-solution volume is 1:4 to 1:8. such techniques are desirable in that they use the expensive dyestuffs or other chemicals very frugally, and when the operation is complete there is that much less liquid to dispose of.

It has been suggested further in U.S. patent 3,690,128 to provide a basket in the treatment chamber, and means for periodically lifting it above the liquid level therein to partially drain out the goods being dyed. Such action insures that the dye will permeate the goods thoroughly. Nonetheless although treatment time can thus be reduced, it in no manner allows the bath volume to be similarly reduced.

It is therefor an object of the present invention to provide an improved dyeing apparatus.

Another object is the provision of such a dyeing 10 apparatus which overcomes the above-given disadvantages, that is which can operate with a shallow as well as with a deep bath, depending on process requirements.

Specifically the invention provides a dyeing apparatus comprising: a housing forming a closed annular path having a transport stretch of small cross-sectional area and a treatment stretch of much greater cross section and vertically offset from the transport stretch, the treatment stretch forming a treatment compartment; a dye bath in the treatment compartment; means for continuously withdrawing dye solution from a downstream end of the treatment compartment and for injecting it into an upstream end of the transport compartment, whereby an annulus of fabric to be dyed is cir25 culated in the housing with the dye solution; means including a pivot supporting the housing for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis; and means for pivoting the housing about the axis between a lower long-bath position and an upper short30 bath position such that the apparatus is capable of tilting relative to the horizontal so as to reduce the actual treatment zone of the treatment compartment and to reduce the tension on the fabric when the bath ratio diminishes.

With the adjustable system of this invention the bath is normally of maximum length when the elongated treatment chamber is horizontal, and can be made quite short by tipping it greatly. It is therefore possible to use the smallest bath size capable of giving the desired results, so that chemical costs are minimized as is the disposal problem.

It is possible according to this invention for the same apparatus to work with textile/bath ratios of 1:20 to 1:40 for situations where a very long bath is needed, as well as ratios of 1:4 for textiles permitting such operation. In addition the same apparatus can use different bath sizes for the same process but where the batch size is different.

According to this invention the means for pivoting includes a fluid-powered jack, either mechanical, hydraulic or pneumatic. It is also possible to use a winch and cable setup.

For easiest tipping of the apparatus the pivot axis is generally at the center of gravity. In such an apparatus it can be at the apex of a V-shaped treatment chamber so the apparatus can be tipped either way from a central position intermediate the long- and short-bath positions.

It is also possible for the apparatus to have one end at which the axis is located and an opposite end at which the pivoting means is provided. Such a setup can easily be retrofitted on an existing piece of equipment.

The above and other features and advantages will become more readily apparent from the following, reference being made to the accompanying drawing in which: Figs. 1 and 2 are largely schematic side views of prior-art dyers; 1° Figs. 3 and 4 are views similar to Figs. 1 and 2 and showing a dyer according to the invention in the long-bath and short-bath positions, respectively; Figs. 5 and 6, 7 and 8, 9 and 10, 11 and 12, and 13 and 14 are views like Figs. 3 and 4, respectively, showing further dyers according to the invention.

As seen in Fig. 1 a standard prior-art machine 1 has a transport tube 2, a treatment chamber 3, a treatment bath 4, and means 8 for circulating the solution forming the bath 4 through the machine. The floor of the treatment compartment 3 ie tipped. In Fig. 2 the prior-art machine la has its transport tube 2a and pump 8a above the treatment compartment 3a and can have two different bath depths L and L'. In Figs. 1 and 2, as hereinbelow, the dye-solution reservoir and feed system is not shown, nor are the textile loop and roller feeds for admitting it into and taking out of the apparatus.

According to this invention as seen in Figs, 3 and 4 a jet apparatus lb has its transport tube 2b, as in Fig. 2, above the treatment compartment 3b holding the bath 4b. Here, however the entire apparatus 1 is articulated about a horizontal pivot 5b and can be moved up and down about this pivot5b by a hydraulic jack 6b at the opposite end of the apparatus lb. when tipped down as seen in Fig. 3 the machine operates with a so-called long bath. When tipped up as seen in Fig. 4 it has a short bath. The bath size is steplessly variable between these two levels.

The jet apparatus lc of Figs. 5 and 6 is of the overflow l type, having an injection tube 2c and a basket 7c. Here the jack 6c for pivoting the entire assembly about the pivot 5c is pneumatic. The treatment compartment 3c can therefore have a long bath 4c as shown in Fig. 5, or a short one as seen in Fig. 6.

The arrangement of Figs. 7 and 8 is again of the overflow type, with functionally identical structure identified with the same reference numerals as in Figs. 3 and 4, but using postscript d’s. In this arrangement the pivot 5d is very close to the center of mass of the apparatus Id. 3 6 3 8 Another injection-type machine le with a basket 7e is seen in Figs. 9 and 10, with other corresponding reference numerals bearing a postscript e.

Figs. 11 and 12 show the machine of Fig. 1 adapted to 5 the system of this invention, with corresponding reference numerals here bearing a postscript f.

Finally Figs. 13 and 14 show a machine lg with a lower circulation or transport tube 2g, an upper V-shaped treatment chamber 3g holding a bath 4g, and a central pivot 5g. A winch arrangement 6g allows the machine to be tipped between the long-bath position of Fig. 13 and the short-bath position of Fig, 14.

The system of this invention therefore allows the level of the bath to be maintained at any desired height virtually regardless of the bath volume. Thus the bath volume can be exactly tailored to the treatment being done and to the quantity of goods being treated, rather than to the equipment size as in the prior-art arrangements.

Claims (14)

1. A dyeing apparatus comprising: a housing forming a closed annular path having a transport stretch of small cross-sectional area and a treatment stretch of much greater cross section and vertically offset from the transport stretch, the treatment stretch forming a treatment compartment; a dye bath in the treatment compartment; means for continuously withdrawing dye solution from a downstream end of the treatment compartment and for injecting it into an upstream end of the transport compartment, whereby an annulus of fabric to be dyed is circulated in the housing with the dye solution; means including a pivot supporting the housing for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis; and means for pivoting the housing about the axis between a lower long-bath position and an upper short-bath position such that the apparatus is capable of tilting relative to the horizontal so as to reduce the actual treatment zone of the treatment compartment and to reduce the tension on the fabric when the bath ratio diminishes.

2. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, which is articulated by its lower portion about a horizontal axis and means are provided to make said apparatus tilt progressively about said axis according to the desired bath ratio.

3. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the means provided to make the apparatus tilt about said axis are selected from mechanical, hydraulic or pneumatic actuators.

4. A dyeing apparatus as claimed in Claim 3, wherein the means for pivoting comprises a fluid-powered jack.

5. A dyeing apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, wherein the means provided to make the apparatus tilt about said axis are selected from chains and cables, with or without pulleys.

6. .A dyeing apparatus as claimed in Claim 5, wherein the means for pivoting comprises a winch.

7. A dyeing apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the apparatus has a center of gravity and 5 the axis is generally at the center of gravity.

8. A dyeing apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the apparatus can be tipped either way from a central position intermediate the long- and short-bath positions.

9. 10 9- A dyeing apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the treatment stretch lies above the transport stretch. 10. A dyeing apparatus as claimed in any of claims 1-8, wherein the treatment stretch lies below the transport 15 stretch.

10.

11. A dyeing apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the apparatus is elongated and has one end at which the axis is located and an opposite end at which the pivoting means is provided. 20

12. A dyeing apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, substantially as hereinbefore described with particular reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

13. A method of dyeing fabric using the apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 1-12.

14. Fabric whenever dyed by a method as claimed in Claim 13.