US1844798A - Dyeing machine - Google Patents

Description

Fe1,9,1932. 1 H. SCHROEDER 1,844,798

DYEING MACHINE Original Filed Dec. 4, 1928 cen-rewanz. i pump H. ,ckroeder Patented Feb. 9, 1932 UNITED sTA'rEs z o I 1,8,'.4,798v

PATENT oFFicE i HAROLD SCHBOEDER, CEATTANOOGA, TENNESSEE, ASSIGNOB. TO SHITH, DRUK COMPANY, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION 'OF PENNSYL- VARIA. i

DYEING MACHINE Application filed December 4, 1928, Serial No. 323,748. Benewed January' 30, 1980.

This invention relates to the art of dyeing and particularly to machines for dyeing silk, rayon or other material in the skein, the present machine being particularly adapted for dyeing, though not limited thereto.

Two general methods for dyeing rayon are i in use today, one in which the movement of v should permit the skeins of rayon to ,have

the skeins is intermittent and second in which the skeins are continually in motion. There is no particular difliculty in the art of dyeing yeither acetate rayon or reconstituted cellulose rayon so as to secure an even and thorough dye at least in so far as direct and similar dyes are concerned, but the main difficulty With any method of dyeing rayon in skeins lies in the effect of the dyeing Operations on the subsequent winding of the rayon from the skein on to a bobbin or cop. It is, therefore, a requisite of any method of dyeing rayon that 'the method must-produce in the Iirst place work which is as level or even as possible and that in the second place, the method tion because no proper and even dyeingcan| be secured unless the dye bath and the yarn are in motion relative to one another; if the yarn be still the bath must 'be in motion,

- and on the other hand if the bath is not in motion, the yarn must be. There have been methods proposed whereby the yarn is kept rigidly in place during the dyeing operation but these 'have not been generally successful because the attainment of perfect mechanical circ ilation in the dye bath is something very di cult to obtain and hard to maintain.

Such methods usually require closed machines operated under pressure and this itself introduces difliculties in securing even shade and even brightness.

The general object of my invention, therefore, is to provide a new and improved means Whereby rayon or other yarn in skeins can be evenly dyed with a minimum of handling, which means shall be simple and capable of general application.

A further object is to provide means whereby a Constant circulation of the dye stuff may be secured and thus the necessary agitation secured, and to provide means whereby the yarn in the skein may be dyed either with the yarn entirely out of the dye vat or with the yarn partly or fully immersed' in the dye vat as desired.

further object and a most important one is to provide a construction of this Character wherein the skeins are held upon the reel with the yarn in a separated condition and floating upon a film of dye liquor formed laround the upper portion of the reel, and

passing down into the tanl or vat, and a fur-y ther object in this connection is to provide means of this character which shall evenly distribute the yarn over the periphery of the reel and prevent the yarn from beooming tangled or prevent the yarn from lying upon the reel with one skein overlapping the other, and in this connection to provide means at the ends of the reel which will prevent the dye liquor issuing from the perforations from sweeping the yarn off of the reel, such means eliminating the necessity of the operator constantly readjusting the yarn, or preventing its floating oif over the ends of the reel.

A further object is to provide a reel which may be fromtime to time, as the dyer wishes, rotated to secure a more even applicationio the dye to the yarn.

A further object is to so discharge the streams of dye through the reel that 'they will cause the skeins to open up and straighten out so that the fibers of the skeins will be parallel, the steady and gentle flow of liquor produced through the perforations of the reel tending to keep the skein in its original condition and preserve its winding quality.

A still further object is to provide rollers with which the lower ends of the skeins are engageable when the reel is turned to raise the skeins to thus smooth out the yarn and keep it taut and straightened out and prevent the lower ends of the skein from floating lupward in the dye bath, thus preventing the formation of bubbles `ipon the surface of the dye liquor which tends to cause the oxidation of the dyes.

My invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein o Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of an apparatus for dyeing skeins constructed in accordance with my invention Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view through the skein supporting reel or drum;

Figure 3 is a diagrammatic view of the reel, theweighted rod and the skein showing the skein raised by the reel and lifting the rod.

Referring to Figure 1, which shows the general arrangement of the dye vat or bath, the reel and allied parts, 10 designates the dye vat or tank. Extending into the dye vat adjacent the top thereof is a tubular shaft 11 which is rigidly connected to the reel which is designated generally 12, this shaft 11 being mounted in bearings 13 and carrying a gear 14 whereby the shaft may from time to time be rotated. A centrifugal pump 15 is provided with the upwardly'extending pipe 16 which has a stuffing box 17 into which the extremity of the pipe 11 extends. The valve 18 controls the flow of liquor from the pump to the pipe 11. From the lower end of the tank 10 extends a pipe 19 which is perforated within the ytank. and this pipe 19 constitutes the inlet pipe for the pump 15 and extends thereinto. The pipe 19 is provided with a steam inlet 20 and intersecting the pipe 19 is a pipe 21 extending'upward to a small tank or receptacle 22 into which fresh dye or salt may be placed. The discharge pipe 16 has extending from it the small pipe 23 which discharges into .the receptacle 22 so that thus new dye or salt is conducted to the pump by this bleed pipe 23. The tank 10 is, of course, provided with a drain pipe 24.

So far I have outlined the general features of a dyeing machine constructed in accordance with my invention. The special feature which is particularly important is the particular construction of the reel 12 which will now specifically describe. Preferably, though I do not wish to be limited to the exact shape and details except as stated in the claims, the reel is in cross section oval with its central axis disposed adj acent one of the foci of the oval. In the particular example illustrated the ratio of the radii of the top portion of the reel relative to the radii of the lower portion is approximately one to three and one-half but I have found a ratio of one to three will give good results. I believe that the ratio should be between one to two and one to four.

The reel is mounted upon the tubular shaft which is concentric to the longitudinal or rotative axis of the drum or reel but I do not wish to be limited to this exact form as this portion of the drum or reel might be circular. I do not wish to be limited to the exact form of the` perforat-ions. These perforations may be round or they may be in the form of llongitudinally elongated slots and these slots may be in staggered relation to each other or extend longitudinally nearly the entire length of the drum or reel. The perforations are placed. sufliciently close together so that there will be no imperforate portions upon which the skeins of yarn can rest.

Extending around the drum or reel from the point ,'1/ to the point at each end of the perforated portion of the drum or reel is a rim or flange 26. Extending radially outward from the ends of the perforated portion of the reel are arms- 27. Any number of these arms may be used. It will be noted that the arms 27 extend radially outward for a distance at right angles to the axis of the reel and then extend laterally outward. This is so as to prevent the yarn from Climbing outward upon the arms. The flange or the arms keep the yarn on the drum and the yarn will not climb if the flange or arms are straight as far up as the yarn touches. Preferably also the rods 27a are provided extending transversely across the tank 10 which confines the yarn and assist in preventing the yarn from passing off the reel or drum.

The arms and the rim or flange and also the' rods 27 prevent the skeins from working ofi` either one or both ends of the reel, thus eliminating the necessity of the dyer pushingl the skeins back on to the reel every little while. If no arms are used, then the rim 26 must have considerable depth in order to prevent the rayon from coming off.

It will be understood that the liquor issu= ing from the perforations 12 is in such quantity and at such pressure as to tend to lift the yarn off of the reel so that practically all the yarn rises and fioats on the film of dye. Assuming that a'circular reel is used with the pump turned on and the yarnfslightly lifted by the film of dye liquor, now it will be obvious that if the reel be turned, that that part of the yarn which contacts with the reel will turn first and that part which ispushed up by the flow -of liquor will be delayed in turning so that the lay or arrangement of the skein will be disarranged unless every part of the yarn is resting upon and engaged with the metal of the reel. I

With the yarn floating upon the reel, it is necessary to provide means at the ends of the reel for preventinglvthe yarnfrom floating off and do away with the necessity of paying constant attention to prevent this. This is secured by the flanges or arms at the ends of the reel which prevent this movementl of the yarn. It is, however, also absolutelnecessary to provide the fianges 26 whether the arms 27 are usedor not in order to prevent the dye liquor from flowing longitudinally of the reel and escaping over the ends thereof. Without these flanges, I have found that the yarn is not lifted by a thin film of dye liquor from the' face of the perforated tube but without these fianges, the skeins `'may be pushed to and fro upon the perforated tube and ofl' the ends of the reel easily. I have found in practice that the liquidissuing from the prefor-ations 12 in the reel acts to shift the skeins across the reel so that the skeins become evenly distributed and So that the yarn becomes evenly distributed without one skein lying over another. Thus there are no vacant places alongthe reel through which jets of dye liquoi' are spurting.

With my elliptical reel, when it is turned, the lower part rises and lifts the yarn just as though the operator had his arm through the skein. There is no sliding between the reel and the yarnbecause the turning of the'skein does not in this "case depend upon friction between the yarn and the reel.

Normally the perforated portion as before stated, is upward and the dye liquor forced out through these perforations Streaming downward upon the skeins, will straighten them out so that the fibers are parallel and the steady flow of liquor tends to keep the arrangement of the skein in its original condition and to preserve its winding quality.

`While I have illustrated a yarn reel of a peculiar form in cross section, I do not wish to lbe limited to this particularshape except as stated in the claims as the yarn reel might be a true oval'or a -true ellipse in cross section but in any case the perforations which `permit the dye liquor to flow through from the inside to the' outside do not extend over all of the surface of the reel as this Would defeat the object of the Vreel although it would, of course, maintain the circulation of the dye bath. The perforations do not extend beyond that .part of the reel which would be covered by the skeins when hanging down Vnormally and duringthe operation of the machine when the reel is not rotating, it is so disposed at all times that the perforations or slits are uppermost and never so that the perforations or slits are pointin'g downward. It is to be also understood that there' is no necessity for the continual motion of the yarn reels.

- These reels may be given a rotary motion which is continuous if desired or intermittent at the pleasure and control of the dyer operating the machine or they need not be given any rotatory motion at all at the pleasure of the dyer. a

Preferably, a weight in the form of a roller or rod is disposed below the reel at such a distance that normally, when the reel is disposed in the position shown in' Figure 1, the roller will not be engaged by the skeins A but that when the reel is turned so as 'to `carry the perforated portion of the reel downward, this will raise the skeins and bring the skeins into engagement with the roller and this lifts the roller slightly. This roller must be sufliciently heavy to smoth out the yarn. The weight of the roller, of course,\would have to var with the weight of the -yarn being dyed an I have illustrated Springs 30 u'rging the roller downward and' resisting upward pull of the skeins, though I do not wish to be limited to the use of these Springs. -Preferably the ends of the roller will be mounted in Vertical slots or guides 31 so locatedrand of such length that the roller, as before stated is supported away from the lower ends of the skeins but will be engaged by said skeins when the skeins are raised by rotating the reel into the position'` shown in Figure 3. The action' of this roller 29 is to cause the yarn to be smoothed out whenever reel was concentrically mounted the bottom i roller would alwaysbe in contact with the yarn; there would 'be no lift of the bottom roll and no intermittent tensioning of the yarn as above described. I regard this bottom roller as being of particular value in ythat 'Without it the lower end of the skeins will tend to rise or fioat to thetop of the bath. This in time would tanglethe yarn.

By usingv the bottom roller 29, the lower end of the skeinst-ill can float but its upward travel is limited and its side travel is also limited because the roller 29 extends entirely across the tank. By using this1 lower roller, the skein can only fioat about six inches -whereas without this roller, the skein canand does fioat to the top of the dye bath about twenty inches. When my oval reel is turned so that its longest radius is upward as in Figure 3, the yarn is drawn against the bottom roll'and this will tend to straighten the skein and start things oif ag'ain as they should be. My construction permits an operation With a bath at any height even with the yarn submerged. This to dyers is a most important and vital feature.

Furthermore by preventing fioatation of the lower ends of the yarn -to the top of the dye bath, the dye flowing down the skeins does not tend to cause bubbles to form upon the surface of the dye bath and, therefore, Jhere is less tendency of oxidation of the While Ihave illustrated the level ofthe dye bath as being approximately an inch and a half below the lower end of the reel, no radical difierence in operation would be involved by placing the reel downward in the tank so that the level would be above the reel. Thus the level of the dye bath may be changed at the Wish of the dyer. Dark shades are best dyed in relatively strong dye baths. Light shades are dyed best in what are called long baths, that is, dilute dye baths. This is easily accomplished by my machine and is something which so far as I know is unique with my mechanism.

While I have heretofore referred to the use of dye in the tank 10, it is to be understood that this machine may also be used for the purpose of Washing the yarn after dyeing and this may be accomplished with none of the yarn under Water, simply by turning city Water or Water from any other suitable source into the hollow reels. This will save wash Water.

The circulation of the dye bath, as before stated, is obtained bythe pump 15 so that a constant movement of the exhausted dye liquor into the pump and dye may be added to this dye liquor through the pipe 21 as previously explained. This constant circulation of the dye bathfhowever, does not in any Way deleteriously affect the skeins, inasmuch as the skeins. cannot be floated off from the reel.

The construction which I have devised is a very ,simple one, the dye liquor is given a constant circulation while the skeins of yarn are moved as little as possible When necessary. With this machine, the skeins of yarn, while opened up bythe gentle flow of dye liquor, are not moved and thus the skeins are in such condition that the yarn therefrom can be readily wound on cops or bobbins. At any time it is desired, the reels may be turned so that the dye will discharge straight down- Ward and at any time desired, the reels may be turned so as to prevent the yarn from floating,` and at this time the yarn is rendered taut and straightened out. a

While I have illustrated a construction which in detail has been found to be particularly efl'ective, I do not wish to be limited to the details so far described, except within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim 1. In a machine for dyeing skeins, a tank and a skein supporting hollow reel disposed above the tank, the hollow reel being approximately oval in cross section, a portion of the reel being perforated, the remainder of the reel being imperforate, manually controllable means Whereby the reel may be rotated from time to time as desired and means for conducting dye liquor into the interior of the hollow reel.

2. In a machine for dyeing skeins, a skein supporting reel, the reel being approximately oval in cross section, a rotatable dye delivery pipe supporting the reel and .dischargin into the interior thereof,'the axis of the pipeeing approximately coincident with one of the foci of the ellipse, that portion of the reel extending around thatl end of the oval adjacent its axis being perforated.

3. In a machine for dyeing skeins, a skein supporting reel, the reel being approximately oval in cross section, a rotatable dye delivery pipe supporting the reel and discharging into the interior thereof, the axis of' the pipe being approximately coincident with one of the foci of ,the oval, that portion of the reel extending around that end of the oval adjacent its axis being perforated, the reel adjacent its ends being formed With a rim;

o 4. In a machine for 'dyeing skeins, a skein supporting reel, the reel being approximately oval in cross section, a rotatable dye delivery pipe supporting the reel and discharging into the interior thereof, the axis of the pipe being approximately coincident with one of the foci of the oval, that portion of the reel extend-' ing around that end of the oval adjacent its axis being perforated, the reel adjacent its ends being formed with means preventing the skeins from moving off the reel.

5. In a machine for dyeing skeins, a skein supporting reel, the reel being approximately oval in cross section, a rotatable dye delivery pipe supporting the reel and discharging into the interior thereof, the axis of the pipe being approximately coincident with one of the foci of the oval, that portion of the reel extending around that end of the oval adjacent its axis being perforated, the reel adjacent each end being provided with a rim and With more or less radially extending arms.

6. In a machine for dyeing skeins, a reel for supporting the skeins in connection with the dye vat, the reel being hollow and being mounted forA rotation around an eccentric axis, the portion of the reel adjacent the axis of rotation being curved and perforated, means for supplying dye liquor to the interior of the reel, and means Whereby the reel may be rotated.

7. In a machine for dyeing skeins, a reel for supporting the skeins in connection with adye vat, the reel being hollow and being mounted for rotation around an eccentric axis, the portion of the reel adj acent the axis above the level of the dye bath, while stretchof rotation being curved and perforated ing the skein longitudinally as it is lifted.

means for supplying dye liquor to the' interior of the reel, means whereby the reel may be rotated as the operator desires, and means exerting a downward pull upon the skeins carried by the `ree1 when the reel is turned, with the perforated portion of the reel downward.

8. In a machine for dyeing skeins, a reel for supporting the skeins in connection with a dye vat, a rod mounted in the dye vat below 1the reel and around which the skeins are' adapted to pass, the rodrbeing so disposed Within the dye vat that it will not normally engage the skeins, and means for intermittently lifting the skeinsby the reel to thus v cause the weight of the rod to bear against the skeins and straighten them.

9. In a'machine for dyeing skeins, a dye vat, a hollow reel for supporting the skeins 'in the dye vat, the reel'being mounted for rotation around an eccentric axis and the reel being approximately elliptical in cross section, the portion of the reel adjacent the axis ofv rotation beingffcurved and perforated, a rod mountad within the dye vat below the reel and adapted to pass through the skeins, the rod being supported normally above the lower ends of the skeins and having free upward movement whereby when the reel is turned in a/position to direct the perforated portion thereof downward, the skeins willLbe raised and engage and lift the rod, means for 14. A method of dyeing which consists in intermittently rotating a skein of yarn with' the -lower portion of the skein immersed in a dye bath while dscharging dye upon the upper portion of the skein to cause the dye to flow down over the skein and intermittentv ly lifting the skein to carry its lower end signature. t

` HAROLD SCHROEDER.

suppling dye liquor to the interior of the f reel, and means whereby the reel may be rotatedsby the dyer.

10. In a machine for dyeinglskeins, a reel for supporting the skeins in connection with a dye vat, the reel being hollow and perforated and being mounted for rotation around an eccentric axis, the interior of the reel being connected to a source of dye liquor.

11. In a machine for dyeing skeins, a reel for supporting the skeins in connection with a dye vat, the reel being hollow and mounted for rotation, around an eccentric axis, the periphery of the reel adjacent the axis being perforated, and means `for supplying dye liquor to the interior of the reel. r

12. A dyeing machine of the character described, including a tank, a hollow 'yarn reel mountetl above the tank for rotation around an eccentric axis, the reel having a portion of its periphery perforated, the remainder being imperforate, means for taking dye liquor from thetank and discharging it into the perforated reel, and means whereby the reel may be continuously or intermittently turned at the -will of the operator.

13., The method of dyeingskeins of yarn which consists in intermittently rotating a skein of 'yarn with the lower portion of the skein immersed in a dye bath, .and as it is rotated raising the yarn to carry its lower end

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