US1698778A

US1698778A - Apparatus and process for dyeing

Info

Publication number: US1698778A
Application number: US3714A
Authority: US
Inventors: Frank W Clark
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1925-01-21
Filing date: 1925-01-21
Publication date: 1929-01-15
Anticipated expiration: 1946-01-15

Description

Jan. 15, 1929.

F. w. CLARK APPARATUS AND PRocEss FOR DYEING Filed Jan. 2l, 1925 lnvenTor. FranK W. CiarK M Ay.

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THTMMHIWTM mw wd Cal Patented Jan. l5, 1929.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANK W. CLARK, OF SANFORD, MAINE.

APPARATUS AND PROCESS FORy DYEING.

Application filed Januaryal, 1925. sei-iai No:3,714;

ilar pieces of fabric'to be dyed to precisely the saine shade. IVliile theoretically a single dye tub may be made of any size, there are practical and economical limitations, so thatas a resultit is found desirable to restrict the size of a dye tub. 'But when the number of articles to be dyed is larger than the capacity of a single d ve tub so 4that several tubs 4are required, it is found to beextremely difficultand practically impossible to produce precisely t-lie saine shade of color in the articles dyed in all of the different tubs. `It is fiequently a matter of great. import-ance that the shade shall be precisely the same. For exan'lple, at the present time it is not uncoinmon for an automobile manufacturer vto super-impose fty pieces of upholstery fabric and cntl them up simultaneously. It is obvious thatI all these fifty pieces must be of the same shade or discrepancies of shade will be likely to appear in the upholstery of the cars.

The present invention.presents an apparatus and a process which not only enables practically any desired number of articles readily and easily to be dyed to the same shade. but also one which may be employed for dyeing any less number and for dyeing to different shades and colors. In other words. a very flexible system is presented by this invention which is adaptable to a wide range of work. This system enables the particular object of dyeing a large number of articles to the saine shade to be secured without a large capital outlay for thatparticular purpose, because the main units of the apparatus are available for use independently.

The objectl of the invention is further to provide an apparatus and process for the dyeing by grt ups of a large number of articles in which the conditions of temperature and circulation of the dye liquor with respect to the articles are independently controllable with respect. to each group.

The nature and object of the invention will appear more fully from the accompanying description and drawings and will be psrticularly pointed out in the. claims.

The drawings illustrate'in a forni which is largely diagrainmatical a simple and preferred type ofapparatus embodying the invention and adapted to carry out the process of the invention as applied to the dyeing of i a large number of pieces of fabric.

In the drawings:

l is -a View lin elevation and largely in vertical cross section showinglthe entire apparatus .With duplicate portions thereof broken away.

F ig. 2 is an end elevation of of one of the supply branches.

F'g. 3 is an end elevation of the lower end of one of the steamoutlets. y

Fig. -l is an end elevation of a portion of one of the reel mechanisms. i

The geiieial nature and scope of the invention will be best understood by the description of a simple, practical and preferred forni of apparatus for dyeing a large number of similar pieces of fabric. Such pieces are usually somewhat over forty yards in length and of one of the standard Widths.

As illustrated, the floor l of the dye liouse is shown located well above the foundationl 2 so as to provide between a basement cha1n-. ber 3, This enables the various tanks and tubs to be set at such a level as to be readily operated from the dye house floor 1.

One feature of the apparatus resides in the master mixing tank 4. This is built of suitable material, preferably wood, supported at the bottoni upon a platform 5 and of ample size. v

Another important feature of the apparatus resides in the unitdye tubs, of which two are shown at G and 7. But there may be as many of these dye tubs as required. They should all be of such size as to be readily available for independent pieces ot' dye appaiatus. In the illustration, each tubv is assumedpto be of a capacity to hold ten pieces i of material S, as indicated in Fig. l. There is practicallyno limit to the number of these individual units or dye tubs that may be employed. provided themaster mixing tank is made of suiiicient capacity.

The dye liquor is mixed in the tank 4, but as the several tubs are filled with water, as is usual at the beginning of the dyeing operation, itl is only necessary' for the tank to liavea capacity sufiicient to take care of the lcirculation hereinafter described. It will be observed. therefore, that the master mixing tank does not have to be increased materially in size with additional units, nor does it have the lower' end to equal in capacity the total capacity of the tubs. It is suicient only that the master tank have a capacity such that will enable the required cireulationthrough the tubs to be maintained.

The tubs 6, 7 etc., are mounted upon plati forms 9 and 10 so that the tubs preferably stand on the same level as the tank 4. Vhere such articles as pieces of fabric are to be dyed, suitable means are provided in each tub for circulating the articles through the dye liquor. Such means may be of the usual type, as, for example, a reel 11 mounted above the tub, driven by a motor 12 geared to the'reel. A suitable idler roll or bar 13 guides and separates the pieces. Each tub, in the illustrated case, is provided with a Separate motor 12, thus enabling the speed of the reel to be controlled and thus .affording a means whereby the speed of circulation of the pieces malty be adjusted to be the same in all the tu s.

Each tub is preferably divided into three compartments by the solid partition 14 having the overflow opening 15 and by the grill 16. The compartment to the right of the grill 16 is provided to receive the water, dye

liquor and steam admitted to the tub and thus prevent the agitation resulting therefrom extending with full force intothe body of the tub. The partition 14 determines the level of the dye liquor in the tub and consequently the quantity of the dye ,liquor in which the arl ticles are submerged and circulated'. The dye liquor is drawn off from the compartment formed at the left of this partition.

Each tub is provided with a suitable drain shown as a pipe 17 tapped into the bottom of the tub and covered by a strainer 18. This pipe has an outlet 19 over adrain or sewer 20 and is opened and closed by a valve 21.

An important feature of the invention resides in the circulation of the dye liquor. In the construction illustrated, a suitable suction pump 22 is mounted adjacent the tank 4. A supply main 23 leads from the bottom of the mixing tank 4 to the pump and is covered at its outlet from the tank by the strainer 24. This branch of the supply mainis also conveniently utilized when required to drain the tank. For that purpose it is provided with an outlet Section 25 opening over a drain or sewer 26, and with a valve 27 by means of which this outlet section may be shut olf or opened. The supply main continues at 28 from the pump up through the floor 1 and in a long run 29 above the seriesof tubs. Its eXtreme end 30 is preferably connected to an auxiliary return pipe 31 which discharges at 32 into the tank 4 and is provided with a shut of valve 33. This auxiliary return pipe prevents any dead end in the supply main and serves to equalize the flow.

Thesupply main is provided with a shutoff valve 34 and directlybelow this valve -into the tank and into the several tubs.

with a branch 35 opening from the supply main into the tank 4. This branch 35 is provided With a shut-off valve 36 which is closed when the dyeing opera-tion is proceeding. A relief valve 37 is conveniently located in the branch 35 so that if the pressure exerted by the pump becomes too great, the valve will open and allow the circulating liquor to discharge into the tank 4.

The supply main 29 is provided opposite each tub with an outlet branch 38 opening into thevcompartment of the tub to the right of the grill 16. This branch at its lower end is preferably shaped as shown in Fig. 2 so as to have two discharge openings 39 pointed away from the center of the tub. A throttle valve 40 in each branch enables the rate of flow through'the branch to be regulated or adjusted accurately. A shut-olf valve 41 in each branch enables the flow through the branch to be shut off Without disturbing the regulating valve 40. A return main 42 extends through the basement chamber 3 beneath all the tubs and discharges into the tank 4. This return main is connected by branches with each tub. The return branch 43 opens out from the chamber at the left of the partition 14 in each tub so as to take the liquor overflowing from the main compartment of the dye tub. Each return branch is provided with a shut-off valve 44.

It will be seen that the supply main 23, 28, 29 extends fromthe master tank past the series of dye tubs andthat the return main 42 extends past the series of dye tubs to the tank and that the dye tubs are connected, by means of the supply branch pipes 38 and the return branch pipes 43, in parallel between and to said supply and return mains. Consequently, when the pump is in operation, the circulation takes place through the supply main, thence through the several tubs to the return main and thence through the return main to the tank.

Means are provided for introducing water For that purpose a water main 45 extends through the basement and is provided with a branch 46 having an outlet over the top of the tank controlled by a valve 4T and with a branch 48 at each tub having an outlet 49 over the top of each tub controlled by a valve 50.

Suitable means are also provided for heating the water or dye liquor in the tank and tubs. This is conveniently secured by injecting steam into the liquor. For this purpose a steam main 51 extends above the tank and series of tubs. A branch 52 extends into the tank 4 and is provided with a spray section 53. This branch 52 is provided with a valve 54, by means of which the amount of steam admitted to the tank, and consequently the temperature of the liquoi inthe tank, may be controlled.

VEach of these branches is also provided witha regulating valve 57 by means of which the' flow of steam, and consequently the temperature, can be accurately regulated.

It Will be noted that the Water outlet 49.

the branch 38 from the circulating main, and the branch 55 from thel steam main all enter the chamber in the tub at. the right of the grill 16 so as to prevent,l so far as possible,

. agitation of the main body of liquor in which the articles to be dyed are located.

Assuming now that it is desired to dye a large number of pieces of fabric to the same shade, the required number of tubs are provided and in each tub is mounted a given number of pieces. In the particular apparatus illustrated, each tub would have ten pieces.

The dye liquor is then mixed in the mastei mixing tank 4. In order to circulate and mix tlirouglily the ingredients of this liquor, the shut-olf valve 34 is closed and the valve 36 opened and the pump set in motion. This causes a circulation from the tank through the main 23 and 28, through the branch 85 back into the tank. The -required amount of water is added through the Water branch -l6 and the liquor brought to the required temperature by the introduction of steam through the pipe 52.

In the meantime each tub is lled with cold water from the pipe 49 and the reels 11 set in motion to circulate the pieces through the vvater.

N ext the valve 36 is closed and the valve 3-l opened. This opens the circulatory system and at once the dye liquor in the master mixing tank l begins to circulate through the supply main, thence through the supply branches into the several tubs, mixing With the Water in the tubs, and thence the mixture passes out through the return branches into the return main and back into the mixingtank. As this circulation proceeds, the conditions in the several tubs are equalized. In the firstplace, the quantity of liquor present in each tub is maintained ata predetermined,

and preferably at the same, amount by reason of the overflow 15 in the partition l-l, which regulates the height of liquid in the tub. In the second place, the rate of flow of the liquor from the supply main into each tub is controlled by the valve 40. so as to be the same at each tub. In the third place, the tenip perature conditions in each tub are controlled by means of the valve 57 in the branch 55 from the steam main, and preferably controlled so as tohe the same in each tuh.

In the preferred form of the invention Where all the articles are to ,he dyed to the same shade. these controls are arranged so 'that there shall be the saine quantity of dye liquor in each tub, the same rate of How into each tub and the same temperature conditions in each tub.'- .Under these circumstances the circulation of the dye liquor through the system causes the same conditions to be present in each tub. Steam injected in the tank and tubs to produce the required temperature condenses, but the resulting dilution is equalized throughout by means of the circulation.

rl`he 'rate of circulation should be such that the total quantity of liquor in the apparatus shall circulate through the complete cycle a pluralityv of times during a given dyeing operation'. It has been found, for example. that in a dyeing operation requiring about an hour. from eight to ten complete cycles of circulation produce most satisfactory results. The invention produces an apparatus and presents a process of great flexibility. Practically any -nuinber of dye tubs may be employed so that the total number of articles dyed at the saine time to the same shade may be as many as required.

Each dye tub is an independent unit and may be cut out from the system and used independently in the usual manner that such tubs are used. All that it is necessary to do is to close the valves 4l and 44, rl`hen the dye may be mixed and used in the individual tub.

'hile the invention is illustrated particularly in relation with piece dyeing. stock. various materials orv articles may he dyed by proper location of the overflow and adjustment of the conditions.

Int-he process of this invention by which a large nuinher of articles may readily and expeditiously be dyed to the same shade, it will be seen that a master pool of dye liquor is maintained in the tank 4 and that the tubs contain baths of dye liquor of a predetermined dept-h. In these baths the articles to he dyed are circulated by groups, that is, one group in each bath. A constant circulation of the dye liquor is maintained from the pool at an equal rate through each bath and then back to the pool. and preferably this iate of lui) circulation is such that the total quantity of i dye liquor in the pool and baths circulates through the complete cycle a plurality of times during the dyeing operation.

An essential element` of the apparatus is a uniform concentration 'of t-,he coloring matter in the dye liquor on the articles contained in the several tubs, so that all of the articles f are dyed precisely alike, or to the same shade. In practice I experimentally valves -lO before the dyeing opei'ation. until it is known that the liquor is entering the adjust the i several tubs at the same rate. When the desired adjustment, is attained, the valves 40 are allowed to remain in their adjusted positions, and the dyeing operation proceeds as above described.

thereof maintained substantially vertically While a movement of liquor is produced substantially horizontally across the sheets. This causes the liquor topass through the openings and interstices of the fabric and at the same time to produce a uniform impregnation and dyeing of its constituent yarns, dyeing conditions being maintained substantially uniform as the total quantity of dye liquor passes from the master pool through the baths a plurality of times While the sheets vare being passed therethrough during a dyeing operation.

Having thus described the invention, what isclaimed as new, and desired to be secured by Letters Patent, is:

1. An apparatus for dyeing a plurality of articles, comprising a master mixing tank, a supply main from the master tank, having a plurality of branches, a plurality' of dye tubs o'pen to the atmosphere and arranged to receive dye liquor from said branches, a return mainconnected with the master tank and vthe tank through the supply main, its

. branches, the tubs, the return main branches,

and the return main, back to the tank, and

means having provisions for moving the liquor horizontally through the tubs, and independently regulable valves in the supply main branches for equalizing the How of the 'dye liquor through said supply main, its branches and the tubs, so that the coloring matter is uniformly concentrated on the articles inthe several tubs.

:2. An apparatus for dyeing a plurality of articles, comprising a master mixing tank, a supply main from the master tank having a plurality of branches, a plurality of dye tubs open to the atmosphere and arranged to receive dye liquor from said branches, a return main connected with the master tank and having branches connected with the several tubs, means for circulating dye liquor from the master tank through the supply main, its branches, the tubs, the return main branches, and the return main, back to the master tank, said means havlng provisions `the recirculation of the total quantity for moving/'the liquor horizontally through the tubs, means for equalizing the How of the dye liquor through said supply main and its branches, and the tubs, so that the coloring matter is uniformly concentrated on the articles in the several tubs, and means for maintaining a predetermined depth of dye liquor in each tub, the supply main branches communicating with one end of the storage spaces in the tubs, While the return main branches communicate with the opposite ends of said spaces, so that the liquor maintained at a. predetermined depth, is adapted to flow horizontally across articles supported in intermediate portions of the tubs.

3. A process of dyeing articles in a plurality of dye baths to a uniform shade, Which comprises maintaining a master pool of dye liquor in independent circulatory communication with each of the dye baths, and While the articles are immersed in the dye baths causing circulation of the liquor through the baths at a rate ensuring the recirculation of theA total quantity of liquor from the master pool through the baths a plurality of times during a dyeing operation, thereby maintaining substantially uniform dyeing conditions in all the baths.

4. A process of dyeing articles at elevated temperature in a plurality of dyeing baths to a uniform shade, which comprises maintaining a master pool of dye liquor in independent circulatory communication With each of the dye baths, injecting steam directly into the dye liquor to maintain it at elevated temperature, and While the articles are immersed in the dye baths causing circulation of the liquor through the baths at a rate ensuring o liquor from the master pool through the baths a plurality of times during the dyeing operation, thereby maintaining substantially uniform elevated temperature dyeing conditions in all the baths.

5. A process of dyeing a plurality of sheets of fabric to a uniform shade, which comprises lnaintaining a master pool of dye liquor in circulatory communication with a bath of dye liquor, passing the sheets progressively through the bath of liquor, and while the sheets are being passed therethroughcirculating the total quantity of dye liquor several times lfrom the pool through the bath during the'dyeing operation, thereby ensuring substantially uniform dyeing conditions during the operation.

6. A process of dyeing a plurality of sheets of fabric to a uniform shade in a plurality of dye baths, which comprises maintaining a master pool of dye liquor inindependent circulatory communication with each of the baths of dye liquor, passing the sheets progressively through the lbaths of liquor, and while the sheets are being passed therethrough producing a continuous movement llty gressively through the baths of dye liquor communication with each of the` baths of dye liquor, passing the sheets pros with stretches thereof maintained substantially vertically, and While the sheets are thus being passed therethrough producing a continuous movement of the liquor through each of the baths substantially horizontally across the sheet and at the same time circulating the total quantity of dye liquor several times from the pool through the baths during a dyeing operation, thereby ensuring substantially uniform dyeing conditions dur' ing the operation.

In testimony whereof, I name to this specification.

FRANK W. CLARK.

have signed my