US1746509A - Method of treating and packaging slivers and resulting packages - Google Patents

Description

Feb. 11, 1930. E. J. ABBOTT 1,746,509

' A METHOD OF TREATING AND PACKAGING SLIVERS ANDRESULTING'PACKAGES Filed-March 26. 1926 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Feb. 11,1930;

5.11. ABBOTT METHOD OF. TREATING AND PACKAGING SLIVERS AND RESULTING PACKAGES Filed March 26. 1926 3 Sheets-Shut 2 I v $33 w t N. U. MN m w m W 1 wk. I t v v A @Xv fux w .6 Q q \mfi N .7 I

Ill/Mill! Edward (Runes 'fi ott Feb. 1151 30;

E; J. ABBOTT METHOD OF TREATING AND PACKAGING SLIYERS AND RESfiLTING PACKAGES Filed March 26, 1926 .3. Sheets-Sheet eoaeoeoeoeooooeao OOOOOOOGQQOGOOOGYO iiwani James cflfiatt.

Patented Feb.'11, 1930b UNITED STATES PATENT-OFFICE EDWARD JAMES ABBOTT, 0F WILTON, NEW HAMPSHIRE METHOD OF TREATING AND PACKAGING SLIVERS AND RESULTING PACKAGE S 7 Application filed March 26,1926. Serial No. 97,588.' i

after comprehensively denominated slivers,

' together with apparatus useful in practising runs off through D said method.

The improved method comprises the basic step of winding a sliver, substantially devoid of permanent twist, in such a manner as to produce a package or mass, the sliver being wound under tension and compression and being laid up during winding to form a dense mass of substantially uniform but porous tex'- ture, preferabl of self-sustaining character. This method a so comprises in its more specific aspects the fluid treatment (for example dyeing) and also, if desired, the. drying of the 'yarn mass so produced and preferably a ''pre limina'ry working or treatment of the sliver for bringing its fibers more or-less into parallelism. The mass is preferably wound upon a rigid spool and when the complete process, including either or both fluid treatment and drying, is to be performed, the spool isprovided with a perforated barrel for the passage of the fluid and drying media.

.While the present invention may be found useful in preparing wool, cotton or other fibrous materials or mixtures of such materials, the invention is herein described by way of specific example as applied to the production and/or treatmentof slivers from wool curly onwavy. Usually this sliver is received at this stage of the'operation in the form ofa more or less spherical ball about twelve inches in diameter. Commonly this ball is a self-supporting package made by cross winding the sliver upon a tapered stick which is afterward withdrawn. In a ball produced in this manner by an open or repeated cross winding the layers tend to build up unevenly with frequent spots where a large number of slivers cross at the same point. The sliver as thus received is now drawn, usually several times to reduce its diameter, and in drawing it several of the balls ,are placed in a creel or on spindles and the sliver '11s and drawing boxes where the several slivers are laid more or less parallel anddrawn out, the composite sliver being rewoundto form a new yarn mass after each drawing operation. 1

In some types of machine the sliver is delivered to a conical wooden stick or lap stick resting on a pair of corrugated drive rolls which cause the yarn, mass to rotate and there by to build up a ball similar to the original ball and having similar characteristics. Other types of machines deliver the sliver after drawing to a coiling can, whileflstill other machines wind thesliver upon vertical spindles or small spools by means of a flier which'puts a slight twist into the sliver as it is wound upon the spool. Not only doesthe flier put a permanent twist into the sliver but it also rubs the outer fibers of the sliver so that they tend to curl and this tednency to curl often produces bunches or uneven places in the strand at a later stage in the process.

For the production of the best. results in treating the textile fiber in the form of a strand with any fluid reagent, ,for example an aqueous solution of dyestufi', it is essential to have thestrand as free of-permanent twist as possible since any crossing of the fibers tendsto prevent uniformity in the absorption of the fluid reagent, whereas if the fluidfbe applied to a sliver having all of its constituent fibers substantially parallel, it is possible to treat the sliver in a very uniform manner.

When as previously referred to the sliver is wound in balls, it isof uneven density and contains spots where many strands cross at the same point and in dyeing such a ball either by the open vat or ,by the ressure method, the inequalities in density 0 the ball result in uneven absorption of the dye stuff which greatly detracts from the value of the product.

, Obviously when slivers are coiled in a can they can not as a practical matter be dyed in this form since sliver having its fibers substantially parallel to each other is too weak usual type of spool acquires a very considerable permanent twist during the several operations and is thus unfitted for uniform dyef n accordance with my present invention I avoid the introduction of permanent twist into the sliver throughout the entire operation, layin the fibers as nearly parallel as possible and winding the sliver under tension to form a package of substantially uniform present method consists in winding the sliver under compression directly onto a rigid spool, employing a loose type of wind and keeping the sliver under tension but avoiding introduction of permanent twist in laying up the coils u on the spool. Preferably as a step prelimmary'to winding, I bring the fibers comprising the sliver into more or less parallel relation by drawing, or a combination of gilling and drawing. If several stages of drawing are employed, the sliver may be wound directly upon a spool of ordinary type at the completion of each drawing, but at the end of the last drawing the sliver is preferably wound upon a spool having a perforated barrel to facilitate later operations.

Preferably, though not necessarily, thespool upon which the sliver is wound its axis substantiall horizontal and rests upon a power driven driving roll by which it is frictionally rotated, the spool-being reciprocated uniformly in an axial direction to lay the yarn upon the spool in any desired type of wind. The sliver is delivered into the bite between the spool barrel and drive roll and the weight of the spool compresses the sliver as it is wound. To facilitate dyeing, an open or Fiji wind is preferred. Preferably to avoid undue traverse movement of the spool and to keep the mechanism within practical dimensions and to reduce the time of winding to a minimum, a plurality of slivers may simultaneously be wound upon the same spool.

Preferably the yarn is so wound as to form a package of self-sustaining type regardless of whether the spool is provided with heads or not and as above stated I prefer to'employ an open wind to facilitate penetration of the d e liquor, although the winding should be of a character to produce a substantially uniform texture throughout the entire length of the yarn mass. The sliver being wound in a self-sustaining type of package 11 on a rigid core is capable of withstanding t 1e pressure necessary to force the dye liquor through it without slumping down along the barrel of the spool, or other substantial distortion or relative displacement 'of its coils or layers and is superior in uniformity to material dyed upon supports of resilient and collapsible character such as are sometimes employed and wherein the yarn mass is placed under a compressive stress that shifts the coils from the position in which they were originally laid in a manner which can not well be predetermined. 7

After winding and before dyeing the sliver upon the spool may be covered with a pervious textile fabric to protect it during the subsequent steps. The spools with the sliver wound thereon are now set vertically in a dye kettle or tank and clamped in position and the dye liquor is forced through the layers of sliver either from the interior outwardly or vice versa or by alternation of-the two methods. During this operation the sliver is supported internally by the spool as well'as b the self-sustaining wind employed so that t ere is little chance of abrasion of the outer layers, while this self-sustaining wind prevents the wet and heavy sliver from slumping down from the upper part of the spool barrel and uncovering the perforations in the latter which would permit the dye liquor to rush out at abnormal velocity thereby snarling or injuring the sliver. Thus the fibers all remain substantially straight, untwisted, and under the original tension with which they were wound.

When the dyeing operation is complete the spools are removed from the dye kettle and the sliver is dried upon the spool, preferably by forcing air, heated or not, as desired, through the layers of sliver.

While it has heretofore been attempted to dry yarn upon perforated spools by forcing air t irough the yarn upon the spool, the compressed air for this purpose has usually been provided by the use of a constant volume pump or blower. Since a very high pressure is necessary at the beginning to force the air through the wet stock, the apparatus is usually designed with particular reference to the production of such high pressure and when most of the water had been expelled and the resistance decreases, there is no way to increase the volume of air, so that the drying is unduly delayed. In accordance with the present invention the pressure of the air is gradually diminished while the volume of air is increased as the drying process progresses; This resultsv in rapid and uniform drying with less expenditure of power and no damage whatever to the material. The sliver, having thus been dried without twist or bias in any particular direction, may be delivered directly from the spool to the next machine employed in making the yarn and since the fibers have been straightened, and set during the drying process the sliver is in the best trated with re ,trating the drawing gear, the driving con nections for the gill'box, and the position of possible condition for the production of high grade yarn.

'2-2 of Fig. 1.;

Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic plan view illusthewinding mechanism relatively thereto;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary vertical section substantially on the line 44 of Fig. 2 but 'to larger scale;

Fig. 5 is a horizontal section on the line 5-5 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is an elevation, partly in longitudinal section, of a perforated spool usefulin performing the process;

Fig. 7 ,'s' an elevation partly in vertical section illustrating apparatus useful in performing the drying step of the process; and

Fig. 8 is a view in elevation showing the parts illustrated in Fig. 7, viewed from the left hand side of the latter. I

Referring to the drawings Fig. 3 illustrates diagrammatically a gill box of well known type but having the usual balling device replaced by winding mechanism constructed in accordance with the present invention. In this figure the numeral 1 designates the driving shaft, the numeral 2 the back shaft, and

' 3 the shaft change gears. The back drawing rolls are shown at 4 and the front drawing rolls at 5 but most of the other features of the gill box structure are omitted since the present invention does not in any way relate to the specific details of the gill box structure.

At the front of the machine I arrange a driving shaft 6 carrying a friction driving drum 7 (Figs. 1, 2 and 3 preferably provided with a, corrugated sur ace. To the rear of the shaft 6 and parallel thereto is a fixed.

guide rod R (see Fig. 2) and the shaft 6 and the rod R constitute guides for a sliding traverse frame comprising the spaced vertical end members8 and 9 (Fig. 1) and the transverse connectin bar B.

The en members 8 and 9 of' the traverse frame constitute guides for vertical sliding weights '10 and 11 respectively. These weights are furnished with downwardly directed bills providing retaining slots 12 (Fig.

' 2) which-are adapted to take over the. opposite ends 13 and 14 respectively of aspool supporting spindle and to hold said spindle 1n engagement with the vertical front surfaces of the members 8 and 9 of the traverse 3 frame.

The spool spindle is provided with suitable'means, not shown, for centering the hollow, rigid, and preferabl perforated barrel 15 of a spool provided with beads 16 and 17 at its opposite ends. While I prefer to use The transverse member B of the traverse '85 frame is provided with a rack 18 (Figs. 1 and 2) which meshes with a driving plnion 19 carried by a vertical shaft 20 suitably journalled in the machine frame. The shaft 20 is furnished with a mangle-gear 21 of well known type provided with pins which are engaged by a pinion 22 carried by a driving shafti23. This driving, shaft is journalled in bearings which permit it to move bodily to the extent necessary to allow the pinion 22 constantly to mesh with thepins of the mangle-gear 21. The upper bearing for the shaft 23 is formed in a bracket 25 which is adjust-- ably mounted upon the forward part 26 of the machine frame.

A pinion 24 is secured to the upper end of the shaft 23 and meshes with a pinion 27 on a transverse shaft journalled in a bearing 28 carried by the frame. This shaft is furnished with a pinion 29 meshing with a gear 30 which. in turn meshes with a gear 31 carried by the shaft 6. The opposite end of the shaft 6 is furnished with a gear 6' (Fig. 1)

which receives its motion through a suitable train of mechanism (see Fig.3) from the front drawing .rolls.

At a point intermediate the front drawing rolls 5 and the windin drum 7, the frame is provided with a pair of upstanding brackets 32 and 33 (Fig. 1) respectively providing journals 34 for rotary trumpet guides 35.

.Each of these trumpet guidesis provided with. a pulley 37 (Fig. 2) for engagement with a belt 38. The belt 38 passes around guide rolls 39 at its opposite ends, such rolls being supported in fixed brackets 40 mounted on the machine frame. Preferably the belt 38 makesa' complete turn around each of the pulleys 37 so as to obtain a firm frictional engagement therewith. With the parts thus arranged lateral reciprocation of the traverse frame causes the trumpet guides to oscillate first in one direction and then'in the other. The trumpet guides are furnished with axial openings 41 preferably of angular transverse sections so that'they obtain a partial grip upon the sliver S passin therethroug'h.

The machine thus far escribed is arranged to wind two slivers simultaneously upon the same spool with a rapid traverse or cross winding so as to build a self-sustaining yarn jaekage of more or less open wind but of uniorm texture throughout. While as here shown the apparatus is intended for winding two slivers simultaneously it is contemplated that so far as the broader aspects ofthe invention are concerned the machine may be designed to wind but a single sliver on the spool or on the other hand to wind a greater number than two. One advantage in winding more than one sliver upon the same spool is that the traverse frame is not required to make so long a reciprocation as it would he were a single sliver to be wound on the long spool which it is'desired to employ for the purpose, while the time required for filling a spool is correspondingly reduced.

The operation is briefly as follows, it being assumed that as a preliminary step the sliver is drawn, or drawn and gilled, although it is to be understood that this preliminary step may be omitted, and that the sliver may be presented to the winding means from any suitable source.

The sliver being treated passes from the back rolls 4 to the front rolls 5 which are suitably geared to give the desired draft to the sliver, thus drawing it out and tending to bring. the fibers into parallel relation. This drawing of the fibers and laying them in parallel relation may be assisted by the other and usual elements of a gill box which tend to lay the fibers composing the sliver in more or less parallel relation.

Whether or not the drawing and gilling step, or either of them is employed, the sliver or slivers emerge from between the front rolls 5 or equivalent means for providing tension, pass through the trumpet guides 35, and thence pass between the driving drum 7 and the barrel 15 of the spool. The weights 10 and 11 press the spool downwardly against the driving drum and as the driving drum turns the slivers are wound under compression upon the spool, the speed of the drum being such relative to the rate of delivery of the rolls 5'as to place the sliver under a constant tension during the winding suflicient to straighten normally curly or wavy fibers. If the drawing or gilling steps are omitted, the

rolls 5 or their equivalent may be regarded as representativeof the delivery of'any other sliver handling machine.

The mangle wheel 21 causes the traverse frame to reciprocate and this reciprocation is properly timed with reference to the rotation of the spool driving drums to'produce the desired wind of the-slivers upon the spool whereby to form a self-sustaining package. As the frame'reciprocates the trumpet guides oscillate and thus prevent the sliver from receiving any permanent twist as it approaches either end of its traverse. The sliver is thus wound upon the spool under constant tension, and with substantially no permanent twist, in the form of an open and pervious package of uniform density and texture.

In accordance with the present invention the spool, filled during the last winding operation, (if a series of successive windings and rewindings are involved) is withdrawn from the winding apparatus, which may readily be done by lifting the weights l0 and 11 to release the spool spindle, and the spool'maythen be placed in a suitable dyeing apparatus '(not shown) for dyeing the sliver upon the spool. Preferably such apparatus may 'comprise the usual dye kettle used in ressure dyeing having means for clamping t 1e spool in proper position and for forcing the dye liquor through the material upon the spool.

The dye liquor may traverse the material on the spool from the outside inwardly or from the inside outwardly in accordance with the form of apparatus em loyed, the particular method of dyeing being immaterial; By reason of the loose and open wind of the yarn mass upon the spool the dye liquor is able to traverse the mass in a uniform manner'so that the sliver when removed from the spool is of uniform color while there is substantially no loss of material through abrasion or snarling during the entire process.

When the material upon the spool has been properly dyed the spool is removed from the dye apparatus and may be dried by the use of the apparatus shown in Figs. 7 and 8.

Referring to these figures the numeral 42 indicates a centrifugal blower of a type such that the volume of air delivered increases as the back pressure decreases. This blower has a delivery pipe 43 which delivers air under, pressure into the tank or drum 44. This tank or drum is connected with a horizontal header 45 from which extends a series of substantially vertical pipes 46. These pipes are closed at their lower ends and preferably provided with feet 47 adapted to rest upon the floor or other suitable support. vertical pipes 46 are furnished at intervals with T-connections 48 which carry the horizontally'exten'ding perforated tubular supports 49.- These supports 49 are sufficiently rigid to support the weight of a spool filled with the wet sliver.

Each of the supports 49'is preferably provided with a conical spool centering member 50 at its rear and with aclosure member or plug 51 at its front end. The closure mem-- her 51 supports a screw-threaded rod 52.

The spool from the dye kettle is slipped over the support 49 as indicated at the upper The part of Fig. 7, the rear end of the barrel of the spool fitting snug against the centering member 50 to make a tight joint therewith, slich centering member being of resilient material if desired. The forward end of the barrel of the spool is now closed by means of a centering cap- 53 through which the threaded rod 52 projects and the spool is clamped in position by means of a nut 54 engaging the end of the rod. I preferably provide drip pans 55 extending between each horizontal tier of spools and such drip pans may if'desired be connected to suitable drain pipes not shown.

After the spools havebeen mounted upon the supports 49 the blower is started and the e alr under pressure passes down through the pipes .46 and out through the perforations in the supports 49. The pressure at the start of the operation is sufiiclent to blow the air through the wet mass Y of material upon the 'spool, but as the Water'is forced out of the Wet material the pressure necessary to-force the air therethrough becomes less and for this reason the blower 42 is so chosen that as the resistance decreases the volume of air increases. This results in rapid drying of the material and without danger of damage thereto through the use of excessive pressure after the material has become partlyor wholly dry. 1

After the material upon the spool has been thoroughly dried it may be drawn ofi directly from the spool for delivery to the next machine or'apparatus employed in the process of making yarn. Since the sliver was originally laid upon the spool under constant tension but without twist and since .it has been dyed and dried without disturbance it leaves the "spool with its fibers substantially parallehuntwisted, and with a distinct set 40 Which is of great assistance 1n preventlng snarling or bunching in subsequent operations.

While certain apparatus has herein been illustrated as desirable for performingthe improved process it is to be understood that the process is not necessarily dependent on the employment of this specific apparatus but that other and equivalent means may be found usefulin obtaining the desired results. It is also to be understood that certain of the steps of the process as above described may be omitted or used in a different order or that other andequivalent steps or reagents may be substituted therefor 'WltllOllt departing from the broad invention involved.

Having'thus described the invention together with a preferred mode-of practising the same, I claim:

1. That method of preparing untwisted textile sliver having its constituent fibers predominately straight and parallel which comprises winding the sliver without substantially deranging its fibers to form hollow package of dense but substantially uniform and porous texture and of self-sustaining character.

I 2 That method of preparing textile sliver substantially devoid of permanent twist and having its fibers predominantly straight and parallel which comprises winding the sliver under tension. and compression and without twist to form an open wind upon a perforated spool of fixed length. n

- 3. That method of preparing untwistedstrands which comprises as steps bringing the fibers composing the strand .into substantial parallelism, and subjecting the strand while under tension to the action of a boiling fluid while substantially mainta'ining the parallel relation of the fibers.

4. That method of preparing textile" strands substantially devoid of permanent twist which comprises-as steps winding the type, and moistening the package with a hot.

fluid and drying the package while maintaining its length substantially unchanged. 6. That method of preparing untwisted textile strands which comprises as steps winding the strand with a cross wind and without substantial twist upon a perforated rigid spool, covering the material upon the spool With a layer of pervious textile fabric, forcing a fluid medium radially through the mass on the spool, and drying the material upon the spool.

7. That method of preparing textile sliver which comprises as steps bringing the fibers composing the sliver into substantially parallel relation, Winding the sliver without substantial twist directly upon a perforated.

spool of fixed length, and forcing a liquor reagent through the sliver upon the spool.

8. That method of preparing textile sliver which comprises gilling the sliver to lay its fibers substantially parallel, winding the sliver without permanent twist directly upon a perforated spool of fixed length, moisten ing the sliver' upon the spool with a boiling liquid, and subsequently drying the sliver upon the spool.

9. That method of preparing textile slivers substantially devoid of permanent u twist which comprises as steps simultaneously winding a plurality of untwisted slivers under tension upon a hollow perforated core with an open Wind to form an elongate package of substantially uniform density, and moistening and'drying said package.

10. That method of preparing textile slivers substantially devoid of permanent twist which comprises as steps simultaneously winding a plurality of said untwisted slivers upon a hollow perforated spool under tension and compression while relatively traversing the slivers andgthe spool axially to lay the sliver under tension to form a hollow pack tcrial age, forcing a liquid reagent radially through-the package, and drying the package by forcing air through it, the pressure of the air being gradually decreased as the package'dries.

13. That method of preparing textile slivers which comprises as steps winding the sliver under tension to form a hollow pack- -age, impregnating the package with boiling aqueous fluid, and drying the package forcing air through it from its interior outwardly, the pressure of the air being diminished as the package dries.

14. That method of preparing textile slivers which comprises as steps boiling the sliver under substantially constant tension inan aqueous fluid, and subsequently drying the untwisted sliver under tension.

15. That method of preparing untwisted textile slivers which comprises as steps winding the sliver under tension and withouttwist to form a self-sustaining package consisting of helical coils, and subjecting the package to'the action of a boiling aqueous fluid while maintaining the several coils in substantially the position in which they were wound.

16. That method of preparing untwisted textile strands which comprises as steps winding the strand under tension without imparting permanent twist to the sliver to form an elongate hollow package of self-support ing type, moistening the material by forcing liquid from the interior of the package outwardlp through the mass, and drying the may forcing air outwardly from the interior of the package.

17. That method of preparing untwisted textile strands which'comprises as steps simultaneously gilling a plurality of strands, winding said strands under tension and without twist upon a hollow support, and wetting and drying the strands upon the support. 18. That method of preparing textile sliver which comprises as steps working the sliver its fibers substantially parallel, winde sliver under tension and without substantially deranging its fibers to form an elongate hollow package, and treating the sliver composing the package with a hot fluid while maintaining unchanged the relative position of the layers of sliver comprising the package.

19. That method of preparing textile sliver substantially devoid of permanent twist which comprises as steps winding the sliver with a cross wind to form an elongate package while maintaining the sliver in its untwisted condition and without substantially deranging its. fibers, and maintaining the length of the package substantially unchanged while moistening and drying the package.

' 20. That method of preparing textile sliver substantially devoid of permanent twist which comprises as steps winding the sliver without twist upon a hollow perforated spool of fixed length, and subjecting the sliver upon the spool to the action of a fluid reagent.

21. That method of preparing textile sliver substantially devoid of permanent twist which comprises as steps winding the sliver under tension and without twist upon. a hollow perforated spool of fixed length, moistening the sliver, and drying the sliver upon the spool.

22. That method of preparing textile SllV- e'r which comprises as steps laying the fibres composing the sliver in substantially parallel relation, winding the sliver without twist and under tension upon a spool having heads at its ends and a perforated barrel, and subofahot fluid medium.

23. A textile package comprising un- I ecting the sliver upon the spool to the action twisted sliver in the form of an open wound pervious mass upon a hollow, perforated rigid core, the fibers comprising the sliver be ing substantially straight, parallel and under tension. 4

24. A textile package comprising untwisted dyd and dried sliver consisting of fibers WhlCll in their normal state are wavy, said sliver being wound upon a rigid core to form a pervious mass, the fibers comprising the sliver forming said ackage having a permanent. set and belng substantially straight.

--25. A textile sliver comprising .un-

twisted fiber, the individual fibers composing the'sliver having a permanent set and being substantially parallel, said sliverv being dry and dyed to a substantially-uniform shade throughout its length.

26. A textile package comprising untwisted sliver wound-under tension to form an elongate substantially cylindrical mass wherein each convolution of the sliver occupies substantially the position in which it was originally laid, the mass being capable of retaining its shape when wet and placed on end.

27. A textile package comprising an un- 'to form an elongate substantially cylindrical mass wherein each convolution occupies substantially the position in whichit was originally placed, the winding bein of such charactor as to prevent the mass rom slumping down when placed on end and subjected to a pressure dyeing operation. a

28. A textile package comprising an elongate substantially cylindrical hollow mass consisting "of a cross wound fibrous strand and'wherein each convolution occupies substantially the position in which it originally laid, said package being capable of maintaining its shape without substantial deformation when placed on end and subjected to pressure dyeing and drying.

29. That method of preparing untwisted textile sliver having its constituent fibers predominantl parallel which comprises as steps winding t e sliver without twisting to form .an open .wound package of self-sustaining structure and substantially uniform texture,

tensioning the strand while winding it, and

I stit'uent windings 'substantiall boiling the package in an aqueous fluid while maintaining the relative position of'its conunchanged. 30. That method of preparing untwisted textile sliver having its constituent fibers pre dominantly parallel anduntwisted which comprises placing; such sliver under tension, winding it under compression upon a perforated hollow core while maintaining it in its untwisted condition, thereby donning an elongate mass, and boilin the mass upon the core in an aqueous'fiuid w ile maintaining its length substantially unchanged.

31. That. method of preparing untwisted textile sliver having its constituent fibers predominantly parallel which comprises winding the sliver without substantially deranging its fibers upon a rigid core to form a substantially cylindrical package while maintaining the sliver in its untwisted condition, and boils ing and drying the package while keeping its length substantially unchanged.

32. That method of preparing untwisted textile sliver having its constit-u'entfibers substantially straight and set in predominantly parallel relation which comprises winding the sliver without substantially deranging its fibers to form a hollow package of dense but substantially uniform and porous texture, and of self-sustaining character, dyeing the package by forcing dye stuflf radially through the package, and drylng the package, by forcing air radially through it.- I

33. That method of treating wool sliver whose constituent fibers have a normal tendency to curl which comprises as steps tensioning the sliver whereby substantially to straighten its constituent fibers, subjecting the sliver while still un-der tension to the action of a boiling-fluid, and drying the sliver while keeping it under tension.

34. That method of treating sliver pre-' pared from normally wavy wool tops which comprise as steps tensioning the sliver sufficiently substantially to remove the waviness from its constituent fibers, winding the sliver without twisting itto form a package, impregnating the package with a boiling fluid, and drying the package thereby to impart a permanent set to the straightened fibers constituting the sliver.

35. That method of treating untwisted sliver prepared from normally wav wool topswhich comprise as steps tensioning the untwisted sliver sufficiently substantially to remove the waviness from -its constituent fibers, winding the sliver without twisting it to form a pervious package of self-sustaining character, circulating a boiling liquid through the package, and drying the package 36. That method of preparing wool sliver,

for spinning which comprises as steps windas substantially to straighten it and remove the natural waviness of the constituent fibers,

treating the mass of material on the spool with a boiling aqueous fluid, subjecting the material on the spool to the action of dry air whereby to dry and set the straightened fibers, and unwinding the dry sliver from the spool.

37. That method of treating an unspun textile strand prepared from normally wavy wool tops which comprise as steps tensioning the strand sufliciently substantially to remove the waviness from its constituent fibers, winding the strand to form a cylindrical pervious self sustaxilning package, circulating hot fluid throu-g t e package while keeping the length of the package substantially unchanged, and drying the package whereby to impart a per manent set to the straightened fibers constituting the strand. a

38. That method of treating wool fiber having a. normal tendency tocurl which com-- prises as steps disposing the fiber'in predominately parallel relation without twisting, straightening the fibers whereby substantially to remove their curl, treating the fibers with a hot fluid-while restraining them to prevent resumption of their natural curl, and drying the fibers while still under restraint whereby to give them a permanent set.

39. That method of preparin normally wavy wool fiber for spinning whic 7 comprises as steps arranging the fiber to form a sliver substantially devoid of twist, winding the whose constituent fibers are normally wavy,

natural waviness of the constituent fibers of the sliver, moistening the material upon'the .spool, and drying the material on the spool thereby giving the straightened fiber a permanent set, and unwinding the sliver from the spool.

40. That method of treating Wool sliver whose constituent fibers are normally wavy, which comprises as steps winding the sliver under tension and without substantially twisting it upon a spool, thereby straightening out the natural waviness of the constituexit fibers of the sliver, and treating the sliver upon the spool to the action of agents which substantially neutralize the normal tendency of the fiber to resume its original waviness when the sliver is subsequently unwound from the spool.

41. That method of treating wool sliver consisting of normally curly fibers to produce a sliver whose constituent fibers are permanently and predominately substantially straight, said method comprising as steps placing the sliver under such tension as substantially to straighten the normally curl v fiber while winding the sliver to form a sel sustaining package of fixed length, subjecting the package to the action of a reagent which temporaril tendency of the fih er to curl, and subjecting the package to a treatment which causes the fibers to take a permanent set in their straightened condition.

42. That method of treating unspu'n wool sliver which comprises as steps keeping the sliver under tension sufiicient to make its constituent fibers substantially straight while treating the sliver with a hot fluid,

. and expelling the fluid from the sliver while still keeping the latter under tension whereo by to cause its constituent fibers to take a permanent set .in their straightened condition.

Signed by me at Wilton, New Hampshire, this 20th day of March, 1926. Y

EDWARD JAMES ABBOTT.

at least neutralizes the

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