JP2017523314A - Textile material dyeing and finishing method and corresponding apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

A method of dyeing a fiber material (14) with an ammonia solution (13) containing a dissolved dye and finishing it simultaneously. The method comprises the following steps: preparing an ammonia solution (13) containing a dye and sending the ammonia solution (13) to a machine (11) for treating the fiber material (14), the fiber material (14) Adjusts the proportion of water present in the fiber material (14) before entering the fiber material processor (11) and is present in the proportion of all water contained in the ammonia solution (13) and in the textile fibers. A step in which the proportion of water is up to 20% by weight relative to the total weight of the ammonia solution, the step in which the fiber material (14) enters the fiber material processor (11) through the safety seal (15), 14) is maintained in a mechanically constrained state at least between the inlet tensioning element (19) and the outlet tensioning element (23), so that the fibrous material (14) has an ammonia solution (13). Impregnate for at least 2-3 seconds Thus, excess ammonia is squeezed out of the fiber material (14) that remains mechanically constrained and has an adjustable impregnation rate of about 80-100% based on the dry weight of the fiber material (14). The process of evaporating ammonia from the fiber material (14) in the fiber material processor (11), the dyed and dried fiber material (14) passing through the safety seal (115) in the fiber material processor (11). 11). [Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a method for dyeing and finishing using a solution of a dye dissolved in liquid ammonia and a corresponding apparatus.

  The present invention is applied to woven fabrics, non-woven fabrics, knitwear and yarns to dye products and generally improve product properties.

  In finishing treatments aimed at improving the product properties of textile products made of cellulose fibers, methods using liquid ammonia baths have been studied and used for a long time. In this method, the fabric is impregnated with liquid ammonia, usually at a temperature varying from 1 to 30 seconds, at a temperature of −34 ° C., that is, ammonia is liquefied at atmospheric pressure.

  Ammonia exerts a swelling action on the cellulose fibers that brings about the crystalline orientation of the cellulose without damaging the structure of the cellulose fibers, thereby improving the quality of the fabric.

  When impregnated with cellulose fiber, small molecules of liquid ammonia penetrate not only into the amorphous part of cellulose but also into the crystalline part, breaking hydrogen bonds, so the cellulose fiber swells as a whole be able to. In the next evaporation stage, new hydrogen bonds occur and the cellulose, which was initially type I, changes to cellulose III type at a certain rate.

  In particular, the conversion of cellulose from type I to type III occurs at a progressively higher rate as the impregnation time with liquid ammonia increases.

The main benefits given to cellulosic fabrics by this finishing treatment are:
Become silky,
Dimensional stability becomes better,
Mechanical resistance is improved,
Wash and wear characteristics that can be worn with no iron just washed are greatly improved,
The appearance will improve,
Cellulose fabric looks “new” even after repeated washing,
Soft touch,
Improves affinity for dyes,
Dyeing becomes uniform,
Etc.

  In the textile industry, it has been found that liquefied ammonia can be used and reused without any problems. On the other hand, regulations for protecting the environment are becoming stricter, which is a good reason to consider the use of liquid ammonia as a solvent in dyeing processes.

  Since many of the dyes used to dye fabrics in aqueous media are dissolved in liquid ammonia, these methods can be used to dye many types of fibers.

  The method of dyeing with dyes dissolved in liquid ammonia has the advantage of eliminating all problems that correlate with water quality, water consumption and subsequent purification. Such methods also eliminate the need for numerous auxiliaries and chemical products such as wetting agents, electrolytes, softeners, carriers, retarders and equalizers.

  U.S. Pat. No. 3,824,076 discloses a dyeing method, in which reference is made to tests performed on very small fabric samples in the laboratory. In this patent document, the fiber material is dyed with an ammonia solution mainly composed of liquid ammonia, a dye, caustic soda and water. The dyeing method disclosed in this patent document is effective in tests conducted on small samples of fabrics or knitwear, but cannot be applied industrially to dye large quantities of fabrics.

  This is often the case in fabrics that are processed for industrial use, where the moisture is not evenly distributed, and these fabrics may have uneven shrinkage in various parts of the fabric, resulting in shades that can be obtained. Is not uniform, and the dye may not be sufficiently fixed to the fiber.

  An object of the present invention is to obtain an industrial method and a corresponding apparatus for dyeing fiber materials, and in these industrial method and corresponding apparatus, dyeing is performed using an ammonia solution containing a dye. This industrial process combines the benefits of fixing guaranteed by liquid ammonia with the dramatic savings of dyes, auxiliaries, water and steam during the dyeing process.

  The Applicant has devised, tested and embodied the present invention, overcoming the shortcomings of the prior art, and achieving these and other objects and unique effects.

  The invention is described and characterized in the independent claims, while the dependent claims disclose other features of the invention, i.e. modifications to the main idea of the invention.

According to the present invention, a method of dyeing a fiber material with an ammonia solution containing dissolved dye and simultaneously finishing it comprises the following steps:
Preparing an ammonia solution containing a dye and sending the ammonia solution to a textile material processing machine, wherein the step of preparing the ammonia solution is preferably water relative to the total weight of the ammonia solution containing liquid ammonia and water. Further comprising controlling the rate,
Adjusting the ratio of water present in the fiber material to the dry weight of the fiber material before the fiber material enters the fiber material processor;
The process of the textile material entering the textile material processor through a safety seal;
Maintaining the fiber material in a mechanically constrained state so that the fiber material is impregnated with an ammonia solution for at least 2-3 seconds to prevent unwanted shrinkage;
Squeezing excess ammonia solution from the fiber material that remains mechanically constrained to obtain an adjustable impregnation rate of about 80-100% based on the dry weight of the fiber material;
Evaporating ammonia entirely from the fiber material that is still mechanically constrained in the fiber material processing machine;
A process in which the dyed and dried fiber material exits the fiber material processing machine through a safety seal;
Is included.

  In one example embodiment, upon exiting the fiber material processor, the fiber material is subjected to a steam treatment cycle.

  In the case of steam treatment, the steam treatment may be carried out using saturated or superheated steam in a pad steam steam processor at atmospheric pressure or pressure to firmly fix the dye to the textile fibers.

  In one example embodiment, at the exit from the fiber material processor, the fiber material is subjected to a wash cycle using water and soaping as necessary to remove small amounts of dye that did not settle on the fiber.

  According to a variant, the ammonia solution containing the dye further comprises an amount of caustic hydrate, for example selected from sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide or lithium hydroxide.

  According to another variant, the ammonia solution containing the dye further comprises an amount of sodium carbonate.

  According to another variant, the ammonia solution containing the dye further comprises an amount of distilled water.

  In one example embodiment, the ammonia solution containing the dye is preferably always kept at a low temperature and is prepared separately from the fiber material processor in one or more tanks.

  Thus, using the method according to the present invention described above, all selected cellulose fibers (cotton, flax, hemp, jute, ramie, etc.), mixtures of those fibers, theirs, using a selected dye dissolved in liquid ammonia Fibers and synthetic fibers, blends of artificial fibers (viscose, polynosic, modal, acetate, triacetate, cupra, etc.), blends of artificial fibers, blends of artificial fibers and cellulose fibers, blends of artificial fibers and synthetic fibers, animal origin Fibers (wool, cashmere, mohair, angora, goat hair, silk, etc.), a mixture of animal-derived fibers and the above fibers can be dyed and finished at the same time.

  Some synthetic fibers, such as polyamide, can be similarly dyed using the present invention.

  The method according to the invention can be applied continuously or discontinuously with a medium maintained at an atmospheric pressure or an adjustable pressure lower than atmospheric pressure or an adjustable pressure higher than atmospheric pressure.

  The dye to be used may be selected from reactive dyes, direct dyes, disperse dyes, and to a narrower range, sulfur dyes, acid dyes, metal-containing acid dyes, and vat dyes if previously reduced.

  The dye used may be in the form of a powder or a liquid already dissolved in water.

  The wetness rate is 18.25% for wool, 8.5% for cotton, 12% for hemp, 13.75% for jute, 12% for flax, 13% for viscose, 9% for acetate, And triacetate is known to be 7%.

  This wetness may vary depending on the fiber source, count, product weight and type, and other parameters.

  This wetness can also vary between the middle and end of the fabric, or between the beginning and end of the same counter. This humidity may be unevenly distributed throughout the fabric.

  When various cotton fabrics having the same weight and structure of the same impregnation ratio but different wetness are impregnated with dyes dissolved in liquid ammonia, these cotton fabrics have different colors after dyeing and drying. May have a lightness or darkness.

  Ammonia molecules that soak into the cellulose fibers cause the cellulose fibers to swell and consequently shrink.

For example, cotton fabric weighing 120 g / m ² , combed yarn Ne 80, almost entirely shrinking of cotton fabric impregnated with a mechanical ammonia-free impregnation rate of 150% liquid ammonia with respect to the dry weight of the cotton fabric ( About 10% in the vertical direction and about 7% in the horizontal direction) occurs in less than 4 seconds.

  Nearly full shrinkage of cotton fabric impregnated with the same cotton fabric product, impregnated mechanically, with a 100% impregnation rate relative to the dry weight of the cotton fabric, occurs in less than 6 seconds.

  Nearly full shrinkage of the cotton fabric impregnated with the same cotton fabric product, impregnated mechanically, with a 60% impregnation rate relative to the dry weight of the cotton fabric, occurs in less than 12 seconds.

  When a fabric having a predetermined impregnation rate and not mechanically constrained is impregnated with a dye dissolved in liquid ammonia, the dried fabric is dried between the center portion and the end portion, or the fabric product. The intensity of the color may vary between the beginning and end of the fabric, and this phenomenon is due to the irregular thickness of the fabric material caused by uneven shrinkage at various points in the fabric.

  In the method according to the invention, the moisture is regulated and distributed uniformly throughout the fiber material. This is because each time the moisture changes during the dyeing process, the concentration of the dye dissolved in the liquid ammonia adhering to the fiber immediately changes, resulting in corresponding different shades of color in different parts of the fabric.

  For this reason, according to the present invention, before impregnating with the ammonia solution, the fiber material is dried to have a predetermined moisture ratio evenly distributed.

  The fiber material may be dried using a dryer installed opposite the dyeing machine, or alternatively using a ramuse to dry the fabric. The percentage of water left in the fiber material monitored by the humidity detector is adjustable and can vary from product to product. In general, cellulosic fibers and animal-derived fibers have been found to have a wetness of about 4-5% based on the dry weight of the fibers.

  Removing the water from cellulose fiber material containing a large amount of water or non-uniformly distributed water to obtain 4-5% residual moisture relative to the dry weight of the cellulose fiber material is quick and relatively In contrast to this, it is a time consuming process to evaporate the final proportion of water still remaining in the core of the textile fiber.

  For this reason, in this invention, it is preferable to stop at the said ratio of the water distributed uniformly over the whole fabric or knitwear. In the case of synthetic fibers, the residual moisture is about 0.5-1% based on the dry weight of the fiber material.

  As explained, in a preferred solution, the ammonia dyeing solution may be produced in one or more tanks fed to the textile material processor, the temperature of the ammonia dyeing solution being such that the operation is carried out at atmospheric pressure, In order to be ready to be introduced into the fabric impregnated fabric in the processor, it must always be kept at a low temperature around −30 ° C. to −36 ° C., which is the liquefaction temperature of the ammonia dyeing solution.

Ammonia staining solution based on dye:
Mainly liquid ammonia,
A powder dye in a proportion of g / L dissolved in liquid ammonia, or a dye-containing aqueous solution in an amount of cc / L,
If necessary, a minimum proportion of distilled water. In the case of dark colors where it is necessary to increase the weight of the dye to be dissolved, that is, g / L, some powder dyes have problems with solubility in a single liquid ammonia. Therefore, a proportion of water must be added to be able to dissolve such powder material. The proportion of water varies from 3% to 10% with respect to the total weight of the ammonia dyeing solution containing liquid ammonia and water.
Optionally, a variable proportion of caustic hydroxide at 0.5% to 2% based on the total amount of caustic hydroxide solution concentrated to 50 Baume. The caustic hydroxide may be sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide or lithium hydroxide,
If necessary, a minimal proportion of sodium or potassium carbonate,
May be included.

  In order not to interfere with the reaction between liquid ammonia and cellulose fibers and thereby the conversion from cellulose type I to cellulose type III, according to the present invention, all the water, ie the water in the cellulose fibers and the water of the ammonia dyeing solution ( The proportion of distilled water added to the ammonia dyeing solution as needed, including increased amounts of dye moisture and caustic hydroxide moisture as needed) is the total weight of the ammonia dyeing solution containing liquid ammonia and water. On the other hand, it is preferable not to exceed the maximum value of 20%. This maximum, which is predetermined and monitored during the processing cycle, is selected as a function of the dyes dissolved in the cellulose fibers and the ammonia dye solution. The proportion of water in the ammonia dyeing solution can be monitored at atmospheric pressure with, for example, an electron density meter. For example, 1 liter of water weighs 1 kilogram and 1 liter of liquid ammonia weighs 0. 682 kilograms.

  In another solution, before being dyed with ammonia solution, the fiber material is treated with an aqueous solution containing caustic hydroxide and optionally carbonate, and then contains the salts before being dried. A predetermined proportion of moisture is left in the fabric.

  The proportion of caustic hydroxide at 50 Baume may be increased to about 5-10% of the total amount of ammonia solution to increase the dyeing yield and improve the properties of the cellulose fibers.

  In fact, increasing the proportion of caustic hydroxide produces an ammonia solution containing selected dyes and caustic hydroxide that has increased mercerizing effect on cellulose fibers compared to treatment with liquid ammonia alone. To do.

  When the wool product is treated with the ammonia solution described above, optimal fixation to all fibers is achieved.

With the present invention, there are many unique effects such as:
Cellulose fiber is finished,
The surface part and the deep part of the fiber are uniformly dyed,
The color is vivid
The dyeing yield is very high. In the case of reactive dyes, the reactive dye reacts only with the hydroxyl groups of cellulose and does not react with the hydroxyl groups of water, as in the case of dyeing carried out in an aqueous medium.
The color is very robust and difficult to discolor.
During dyeing, almost all chemical auxiliaries present in the aqueous medium are no longer needed,
Almost no water is needed,
Thermal energy savings dramatically,
There is no undesirable shrinkage of the fiber material,
Since ammonia can be continuously regenerated and reused, dyeing can be carried out almost without contamination,
A unique effect is obtained.

  An example of an embodiment of the present invention, an example of which is shown in the accompanying drawings, will be described in detail.

1 schematically shows a textile product dyeing and finishing device according to the invention.

  For the purpose of illustrating the invention, an example is provided, which should not be construed as limiting the invention. For example, features shown or described as being part of one configuration of an embodiment may be incorporated into or combined with another configuration of the embodiment. Another configuration can be made. The present invention is considered to include all such modifications and variations.

  An apparatus for dyeing and finishing textile products is shown generally in the accompanying drawings by reference numeral 10 in its entirety.

  This textile product dyeing and finishing device comprises a processing machine 11, which in this example is provided with a bat 12 which contains a solution of a dye dissolved in liquid ammonia indicated by reference numeral 13. Yes.

  The fiber material 14 prepared with predetermined moisture is introduced into the processing machine 11 through the safety seal 15 and is dyed by being immersed in a solution of dye and liquid ammonia.

  The fiber material 14 is dried by the two heated cylinders 16a and 16b before being introduced and then cooled by the cooled cylinder 17 to lower the temperature of the fiber material.

  At the outlet from the cooled cylinder 17, the moisture detector 18 monitors the proportion of moisture remaining in the fiber material 14. In the case of cellulose fibers or animal-derived fibers, the residual moisture is preferably kept at 4-5% with respect to the dry weight of the fabric.

  Of course, for different types of fibers and / or depending on the processing conditions, the value of residual moisture at the outlet from the drying unit may differ from the values indicated above.

  The fiber material 14 is then dipped in the vat 12 and impregnated with a dye and liquid ammonia solution.

  During the dipping and impregnation process and throughout the passage of the fiber material through the processor 11, the fiber material 14 has a first tensioning roll 19 disposed inside the processor 11 near the inlet of the processor, It is kept in a mechanically constrained state with the second tension applying roll 23 disposed inside the machine 11 and in the vicinity of the outlet of the processing machine.

  Accordingly, the fiber material 14 is tensioned at a desired degree of tension between the tension applying roll 19 and the tension applying roll 23.

  In the example shown here, the second roll 20 is partially immersed in the dye and liquid ammonia solution, routes the fiber material 14 within the bat 12 and is provided at the outlet from the bat 12. The electrically driven third roll 21 cooperates with the squeeze roll 22 to perform a first removal of excess dyeing solution from the fiber material 14.

  During the impregnation process, small molecules of ammonia quickly soak into the amorphous and crystalline parts of the cellulose, carrying dyes and hydrates with the dyes, and the moisture still remaining in the cellulose fibers Swelling is further promoted by the swelling of the fibers. The fiber material 14 is maintained in a mechanically constrained state with adjustable tension between the tensioning roll 19 and the tensioning roll 23, and impregnation typically takes place within the bat 12 for about 2-3 seconds. Is called.

  The fabric product exiting the impregnating vat 12 is immediately squeezed between a third roll 21 and a squeeze roll 22 and about 80 of the ammonia solution 13 is distributed evenly throughout the cellulose fibers relative to the dry weight of the fiber material 14 Ensure an adjustable impregnation rate of ~ 100%.

  A tunable impregnation rate of about 80-100% of the uniformly distributed ammonia solution is an optimal value to prevent deformation of the swollen plastic state cellulose fibers during squeezing.

  In the solution presented here, at the exit from the squeezing unit, the fiber material 14 evaporates all the ammonia present and is subjected to a drying cycle in which only dye, caustic hydroxide and a minimal amount of water remain in the cellulose fibers. Is done.

  The total evaporation of ammonia is achieved by bringing the fiber material 14 into direct contact with the surface of a series of heated cylinders 24, which are successively provided, preferably at a preset temperature, each in contact with one another. Made.

  In this step, the moisture present in the cellulose fiber is heated to a temperature of about 100 ° C. along with the evaporation of ammonia, so that the dye adhering to the fiber material 14 is chemically prefixed or fixed on the cellulose fiber.

  In fact, the fixing of reactive dyes to cellulose fibers in the presence of caustic hydroxide is caused by an increase in the temperature of water present in the cellulose fibers and an increase in the temperature of the dye and the fibers themselves.

  The ammonia gas and the water vapor that may be generated from the drying device by the plurality of intake units 25 may then be sent to the precondensing device and then condensed into a liquid state by the cooling device.

  In a preferred solution, the ammonia gas may subsequently be condensed back into a liquid state in a known manner, and the liquid ammonia thus obtained can be immediately used again for other applications.

  After the drying process, the dried and dyed fiber material 14 is removed from the processor through a safety seal 115.

  The working pressure in the processor 11 is preferably kept at a slightly reduced pressure to prevent ammonia from leaking into the workplace. As a variant, this working pressure may be maintained at atmospheric pressure or an adjustable pressure higher than atmospheric pressure in the case of a discontinuous machine kept fully closed.

  After leaving the processor, the fiber material 14 may be subjected to a steam processing cycle, which in the illustrated solution is performed in the steam processor 26, to ensure or complete the fixing of the dye to the cellulose fibers.

  The steam processor 26 may be of a pad steam type using saturated steam or superheated steam.

  The steam treatment cycle may be performed for a predetermined time, at atmospheric pressure, or under pressurized conditions as required.

  In a different dyeing process, after leaving the drying zone of the processor 11, the dyed fiber material 14 is impregnated with an aqueous solution containing caustic hydroxide and, if necessary, carbonate, and then the fiber material is used. Steam treatment is performed in a steam treatment machine for fixing the dye to the cellulose fiber.

  At the end of the steam treatment, a small amount of dye that has not settled on the cellulose fibers is preferably removed by a washing cycle carried out in the washing machine 27, which in the case of this exemplary embodiment is heated. A first washer 28 that performs soap treatment using water as needed, and a second washer 29 that performs final cleaning are provided.

  Since the proportion of the dye not fixed to the cellulose fiber is very small, even when the cellulose fiber is dyed with a reactive dye, the washing time is short and the amount of water consumption is extremely limited.

  In order to dye the yarn with the ammonia solution of the dye, the dyed fabric arranged at the exit from the processor 11 is wound from beam to beam, i.e. from the beam which feeds the fabric arranged at the inlet of the processor 11. Must be done to the beam to take. In other words, the yarn is kept in an adjacent state and wrapped around a suitably sized beam.

  It will be apparent that modifications and / or partial additions may be made to the methods and apparatus described above without departing from the scope and scope of the present invention.

Claims (10)

A method of dyeing a fiber material (14) with an ammonia solution (13) containing a dissolved dye and finishing it simultaneously, comprising the following steps:
Preparing an ammonia solution (13) containing a dye and sending the ammonia solution (13) to a machine (11) for processing the fiber material (14) in which the impregnated bat (12) of the fiber material is disposed; ,
Before the fiber material (14) enters the processor (11), the proportion of water present in the textile fibers is adjusted by adjusting the proportion of water present in the fiber material (14) relative to the dry weight of the fiber material. The ratio of water contained in the ammonia solution (13) to be added is a maximum of 20% by weight with respect to the total weight of the ammonia solution containing liquid ammonia and water,
The fiber material (14) entering the processor (11) through a safety seal (15);
The fiber material (14) is maintained in a mechanically constrained state at least between the inlet tensioning element (19) and the outlet tensioning element (23), and the fiber material (14) includes a dye. Impregnating the ammonia solution (13) for at least 2-3 seconds;
Excess ammonia is squeezed out of the fiber material (14) maintained mechanically constrained to obtain an adjustable impregnation rate of about 80-100% based on the dry weight of the fiber material (14). ,
Evaporating ammonia from the fiber material (14) in the processor (11);
The dyed and dried fiber material (14) exiting the processor (11) through a safety seal (115);
Including methods.   2. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the fiber material (14) is subjected to a steam treatment cycle as it leaves the processor (11) to fix the dye to the fiber.   The method according to claim 2, wherein the steam treatment may be performed at atmospheric pressure or high pressure using saturated or superheated steam.   The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the dyeing and finishing cycle is carried out continuously or discontinuously.   At the outlet from the processor (11), the fiber material (14) is subjected to a washing cycle using soap if necessary with water to remove small amounts of dye that did not settle on the fibers. Item 5. The method according to any one of Items 1 to 4.   6. The ammonia solution (13) comprising a dye further comprises an amount of a caustic hydroxide, for example selected from sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide or lithium hydroxide. The method according to any one of the above.   7. A process according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the ammonia solution (13) containing the dye further comprises an amount of sodium carbonate, sodium hydrogen carbonate or potassium hydrogen carbonate.   8. A process as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ammonia solution (13) containing the dye further comprises an amount of distilled water. An apparatus for dyeing a fiber material (14) with an ammonia solution (13) containing a dissolved dye and simultaneously finishing it,
A processor (11) comprising at least a vat (12) containing an ammonia solution (13) containing a dye;
The proportion of the total water contained in the ammonia solution (13) and the proportion of water present in the textile fibers is 20 wt. Max with respect to the total weight of the entire ammonia solution. Means (18) for adjusting the ratio of water present in the fiber material to the dry weight of the fiber material (14), adjustable to be%;
The fiber material (14) is arranged to cooperate with the inlet and outlet of the processor (11), respectively, and during the ammonia solution (13) impregnation step and subsequently the fiber material proceeds in the processor (11). Tensioning means (19, 23) for maintaining the tension at an adjustable tension;
Means disposed at least downstream of the impregnation vat (12) to squeeze excess ammonia from the fiber material (14) to obtain an adjustable impregnation rate of about 80-100% relative to the dry weight of the fiber material (14); ,
Means for evaporating ammonia from the fiber material (14), for example a cylinder which is arranged in the processor (11) and is heated to a predetermined temperature,
A device characterized by comprising.   10. The apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising at least a steam processor (26) and / or a washer (27) arranged downstream of the processor (11).

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