US2293599A

US2293599A - Combination beam and package dyeing machine

Info

Publication number: US2293599A
Application number: US355612A
Authority: US
Inventors: Harry S Drum; William C Dodson; William H Jaxheimer
Original assignee: Smith Drum and Co
Current assignee: Smith Drum and Co
Priority date: 1940-09-06
Filing date: 1940-09-06
Publication date: 1942-08-18
Anticipated expiration: 1959-08-18

Description

Aug. 18, 1942. H. s. DRUM ETAL COMBINATION BEAM AND PACKAGE DYEING MACHINE 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 6, 1940 Mu fl 3 0 4 1 0 z 6 F a w m a z a m Km L w I M m m m M J MM h A J m z. 1: J4 a M a a y w z 2 W, F I 1 a fi 42L, 51 m m 1 1 m A H A: w w M m 4 2 4% w H M 3 pl Ms L fi w z z m M 1 a w m j A W r 5 a w M TE m F L4 m m. w

.Attorngys Aug. 18, 1942.

H. SQD'RUM ET AL COMBINATION BEAM AND PACKAGE DYEING MACHINE Filed Sept. 6, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 lnventazzs Hang $.Drum "William afiodsarwv ,L'ZZiaJII/ 1f. Jrwlzez'rrzer 3 6;, w

Aug. 1.8, 1942. s, DRUM ETAL 2,293,599

COMBINATION BEAM AND PACKAGE DYEING MACHINE Filed Sept. 6, 1940 s Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Aug. 18, 1942 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE COMBINATION BEAM AND PACKAGE DYEING MACHINE Application September. 6, 1940, Serial No. 355,612

12 Claims.

The present invention relates to the dyeing or treating of yarn and more particularly to a multichamber assembly for carrying out such operations in a novel manner.

Some of the objects of the present invention are to provide a yarn dyeing apparatus wherein both yarn wound on beams or yarn in package form can be efiiciently dyed; to provide a yarn dyeing apparatus wherein yarn in package form can be dyed simultaneously with a yarn beam and produce uniform dyeing in each instance; to provide a multi-chamber apparatus for dyeing wherein one dye bath serves for any yarn capacity; to provide a multi-chamber apparatus for dyeing wherein a uniform liquor ratio is maintained for any yarn; to provide a dyeing apparatus wherein a number of yarn carriers can be accommodated, each in its own chamber, While the dye liquor is fed into a distributor common to all chambers; to provide a dyeing apparatus wherein a number of yarn carriers can be accommodated, each in its own chamber, While the dye liquor returns to the source of delivery from a distributor common to all the chambers; to provide an accessory for a dyeing apparatus which maintains substantially the same liquor ratio to yarn when dyeing less than a full load as exists when dyeing a full load; and to provide other improvements as will hereinafter appear.

In the accompanying drawings Fig. 1 represents a sectional elevation on line Il of Fig. 3, of a multi-chamber treating apparatus embodying one form of the present invention;, and showing an arrangement arranged respectively for beam and package dyeing or treating; Fig. 2 represents a sectional elevation on line 22 of Fig. 3 of the same showing the use of a different type of package carrier and a novel unit for the blanking off of one of the treating chambers; Fig. 3 represents a section on line 33 of Fig. 1 but with the treating chambers empty; Fig. 4 represents a perspective of one form of blanking ofi device; Fig. 5 represents a sectional elevation showing another form of blanking off device; Fig. 6 represents a perspective of an adapter serving as a basal support for a package carrier when positioned in a treating chamber; Fig. 7 represents a section on line '|1 of Fig. 1; Fig. 8 represents a sectional elevation, taken diametrically through two of the chambers of the apparatus, showing a modified form of the invention as applied to a unit having a plane surface cover and a plane surface bottom;

Fig. 9 represents a section on line 8-9 of Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 represents a section on line Ill-l0 of Fig. 8 and Fig. 11 represents a detail in perspective of the upper ends of the chambers to show the notches for intercommunication.

Referring to the drawings one form of the present invention comprehends a yarn dyeing or treating apparatus wherein a plurality of treating chambers are embodied as a unitary structure, the arrangement being such that in accordance with the invention both package and beam dyeing can be simultaneously carried out, or all beam dyeing, or all package dyeing, or one or more of the chambers can be closed off while continuing dyeing in the remaining chambers. As shown a unit of four chambers is illustrated, by way of example, but the invention is not limited to this number as other arrangements are within the scope of the invention. As shown the apparatus consists of a housing ll! of metal (such, for example, as stainless steel) having a contour such as to provide four open ended treating chambers II. The housing I0 is formed with a convex bottom I2 and a cover [3, also convex, which is hinged at M and arranged to be locked and sealed in closed position by turnbuckle clamps I5 and gasket It. A filler plate I! is welded or otherwise secured to the upper end of the housing to close the space formed by the adjacent chamber walls. At the lower end of the housing there is an internal flange l8 welded or otherwise fastened in place to serve under certain conditions as a supporting ring for a removable part. These open ends of the chambers provide access to the respective chambers wherein the yarn beams, or package carriers are to be received. With the cover [3 closed, its concave face forms an upper dome 20 normally in communication with the several chambers II. The concave face of the bottom i2 forms an in verted manifold 21.

In order to support whatever unit is to be placed in a chamber and also to permit treating liquor to enter such unit, the bottom I2 is provided with a plurality of sets of upstanding posts 23, each set being concentrically disposed with respect to the axis of a chamber I I, Within each set of posts 23 there is a tubular liquor inlet member 24 coaxially located with respect to its superposed chamber II and terminating in relatively close proximity to the lower end of that chamber, where it forms an annular seat for supporting whatever unit is to be used in that chamber. Preferably a gasket 25 is located on this seat to form a leak-proof joint with the aforesaid unit. These inlet members 24 are connected to a liquor circulating pipe 26 leading to a control valve (not shown) by which the direction of the circulation is reversed according to requirements in a well known manner. A main liquor port 21 forms a communication between the manifold 21 and a circulating pipe 30 also leading to the aforesaid control valve. Thus while the member 24 is referred to as an inlet it also serves as an outlet when the circulation is reversed, and likewise the port 21 is also alternately an inlet and an outlet according as to the source of liquor supply is controlled by the control valve. This reversal of circulation is to cause the liquid to flow from the outside of the packages or beam to the inside and then from the inside to the outside, the changes of direc tion of circulation being alternate and according to certain predetermined time intervals.

In order to anchor a treating unit in operative position, each member 24 is formed with a transverse web 3| to which an elongated bolt shank 32 is fixed and rises axially throughout the length of its vat to terminate in a. threaded end portion 33. Each unit is arranged to be anchored in place by a nut 34 threaded on this portion 33, such nut taking different forms to conform to the particular unit to be used.

The chamber H at the left in Fig. l is shown with a standard type of yarn beam 35 located therein with its lower annular end seated upon an annular supporting adapter 36, this latter being bolted or otherwise fastened in registered relation upon the member 24 and posts 23. Thus as positioned the bottom head 3'! of the beam 35 is within its chamber relatively close toits lower r which seats in an annular boss 45 forming a part of an adapter 47. This latter is bolted or otherwise made fast to the posts 23 in registering relation with the member 24 and sealing the joint therewith by the gasket 25. Rising from the upper side of the header 4| is a shank 48 so shaped at its upper end as to be engaged by a suitable lifting device as well understood. The nut 34 being threaded on the bolt 32 anchors the carrier in place within its vat.

In Fig. 2, the chamber to the left is shown as having a yarn package carrier therein of the type having a circular manifold 59 arranged to support a plurality of upstanding spindles 51, each of which carries a plurality of yarn packages 52 in superposed relation and numbering in this instance eight packages to a spindle. These spindles 5| rise circumferentially from the outer margin of the manifold 50, while from the center of the manifold rises a clamping tube 53 which telescopes over the bolt shank 32 to hold the carrier in place when the nut 34 is tightened. The upper face of the manifold 50 lies in a plane above the bottom l2, namely, within the chamber while its lower face converges inwardly and downwardly to communicate with the port 24 while forming an annular circular passage 54 between the chamber II and the manifold 2|. The annular bottom of the manifold 50 seats on the gasket 25 in register with the inlet member 24 and is held fast by the bolt shank 32 and nut 34 as already described.

In Fig. 2, the chamber to the right is shown as having a blank-off unit therein for the pur- 5 pose of rendering any selected chamber temporarthe other operating chamber.

ily idle while others are in use, such action being accomplished without disturbing the liquor ratio or the pressure of the liquor. In other words a variation in the capacity of the multi-chamber assembly does not vary the dye bath and provides a uniform liquor ratio at all times. As shown this form of blankoif unit consists of a bottom head 55 of a size and shape to close the lower end of a chamber where it is arranged to seat on the upper face of the flange I 8. A gasket 56 serves to seal the joint between the two parts. The head 55 is preferably welded to an elongated tube 51 arranged to telescope with the bolt shank 32 so that tightening of the nut 34 effectually clamps the head 55 in place. Radially disposed webs 58 brace the head 55 from the tube 51. For closing the upper end of the chamber a top head 50 is provided having a hub 6| slidable over the threaded end of shank 32 and engageable by the nut 34 to cause the head 60 to be pressed into sealing relation with the upper face of the top plate I! and thus close the upper end of the chamber. Radial webs 62 reinforce the head 60 as will be understood.

In order that the blanking off of a chamber does not disturb the liquor pressure and liquor to yarn ratio to any chamber in use, the bottom head 55 of the blank-ofi unit is provided with a depending baffle 63 coaxially located with respect to the inlet member 24 and vertically spaced therefrom to form an annular passage 64 which directs liquor from or to the manifold 21-. The dimensions of the baffle in an axial direction are so proportioned as to give the passage 64 such predetermined area as will by-pass precisely the quantity of liquor which would circulate through the chamber were it to be in use with either a beam or a package carrier therein. Thus if three chambers are in use and one blanked off, the by-passed liquor compensates for the situation and the liquor to yarn ratio and pressure in the three chambers remains the same as when all four chambers are in use. Uniform treatment or dyeing is thus obtained regardless of the capacity of the assembly.

In Fig. 5 another form of blanking-off device is shown, the same comprising a closed hollow cylinder 65 arranged to be mounted coaxially within a chamber H to serve as a dummy. The length and diameter of this cylinder 65 are so proportioned as toreduce the volumetric area of the chamber by an amount calculated to equal the volume of liquor displaced by a yarn beam or a package carrier filled with packages. Thus a clearance passage is formed between the cylinder 65 and the wall of the chamber through which the required measured quantity of liquor can flow and thereby have no effect upon'the pressure on the bath or liquor to yarn ratio of In other words uniform conditions are maintained regardless of one chamber being intentionally put out of commission. In view of the fact that the circulated liquor is under pressure of seldom under forty pounds it is preferable to fill the cylinder 65 with air under a pressure sufiicient to, in a measure, resist the exterior pressure of the liquor. In this way the material of the cylinder 65 can be kept of a minimum thickness without danger of the cylinder collapsing under such exterior pressure. Thus if the internal trapped pressure in the cylinder is twenty pounds and the exterior liquor is under forty pounds pressure the material and assembly of the cylinder has to withstand only twenty pounds exterior pressure. As shown the dummy cylinder 65 has an axially disposed tube 66 passing therethrough in order to telescope with the bolt shank 32 and be anchored by the nut 34. Eyes 61 are provided for lifting the cylinder 65 as required. A suitable pressure valve 63 is provided whereby a medium under pressure is admitted to the cylinder 65 and this can also be used for temporarily attaching a pressure gauge to check the pressure of the air confined in the cylinder.

In the foregoing the upper and lower manifolds are formed by reason of the curvature of the cover and bottom plate and hence there is free circulation of liquor from one chamber to another. Where, however, the cover and bottom of the housing are formed by flat plane surfaces provision has to be made for manifolds of sufficient capacity to permit the required chamber to chamber circulation. Such conditions have been met by the form of the invention shown in Figs. 8 to 11 inclusive, wherein the cover is formed of a casting 10, of dome shape provided with a face plate ll formed of stainless steel which seats upon the upper edge of the housing which shapes the several chambers. In order to form this required upper manifold intercommunication between the chambers segmental openings 12 are formed by notching the upper margin of the walls of the chambers between the points of substantial contact, such notching being of a depth and length to allow the proper circulation from one chamber to another. Partitions are welded respectively across the juxtaposed ends of these notches to prevent escape of liquor to the outside of the housing. A plate 14 of proper contour to seal the'upper end of the space formed by the juxtaposed sides of the walls of the chamber, is welded or otherwise made fast to the aforesaid walls and partitions 13. Thus when the cover is in closed position the openings 12 serve as passages for the liquor from one chamber to another.

In this form of the invention the bottom is formed as a casting 15 having a flat plane surface plate 16 of stainless steel attached thereto and arranged to seat against the lower end of the housing. This casting 15 and plate 16 are provided with a central liquor port 11 and ports 18, these latter being respectively coaxial with the several chambers. Circulation is to port I! from the pump and return through ports 18 to the pump or vice versa as will be understood. In order to form the required lower manifold intercommunication between the chambers, segmental openings 80 are formed by notching the lower margin of the walls of the chambers between the points of substantial contact, such notching being of a depth and length to allow the proper circulation from one chamber to another. Partitions 8| are welded respectively across juxtaposed ends of these notches to prevent escape of liquor to the outside of the housing. A plate 82, of proper contour to seal the lower end of the space formed by the juxtaposed sides of the walls of the chamber, is welded or otherwise made fast to the aforesaid walls and partitions 8|.

Where the cover and bottom of treating kiers are cast of stainless steel of the generally curved type defects, such as blow-holes in the casting, often develope which means the expensive casting is a total loss. Such defects are seldom found until the apparatus is in use so that not only does the manufacturer suffer loss but the customer loses time waiting for the replacement. By the novel composite cover and bottom of this invention these losses and inconveniences are overcome because a blow-hole in the casing makes no difference since the sheet facing of stainless steel effectually prevents any liquor reaching the outer defective part.

It will now be apparent that a unitary yarn treating apparatus has been devised wherein a plurality of yarn carriers are so exposed to a common bath under balanced pressure as to maintain a ratio of liquor volume to yarn capacity lower than could be possible were all the yarn carriers in a bath formed by one open vat. Also by a novel feature of the invention it is possible to totally disconnect one of a series of yarn carrier chambers from the others while maintaining approximately the same liquor to yarn ratio and/ or pressure in the remaining operating chambers. In other words the liquor to yarn ratio and/ or pressure is maintained substantially constant in changing from a full load to less than a full load.

Having thus described our invention, we claim:

1. A dyeing apparatus comprising means forming a plurality of chambers, means for closing the upper ends of said chambers to the atmosphere, passages for liquor interconnecting the top of each chamber with another chamber, means for closing the lower ends of said chambers to the atmosphere, passages for liquor interconnecting the bottom of each chamber with another chamber, conduit members from a source of liquor supply and including a plurality of ports communicating respectively with said chambers, means to mount a. yarn supporting device within each chamber to establish communication between each port and the interior of said device, a conduit member from said liquor source communicating with all of said chambers, means to cutoff the supply of liquor to one chamber, and means for maintaining the liquor to yarn ratio in the remaining chambers substantially the same as though all chambers were in operation.

2. A dyeing apparatus comprising means forming a plurality of chambers, means for closing the upper ends of said chambers to the atmosphere, passages for liquor interconnecting the top of each chamber with another chamber, means for closing the lower ends of said chambers to the atmosphere, passages for liquor interconnecting the bottom of each chamber with another chamber, conduit members from a source of liquor supply and including a plurality of ports communicating respectively with said chambers, means to mount a yarn supporting device within each chamber to establish communication between each port and the interior of said device, a conduit member from said liquor source communicating with all of said chambers, means to cut-off the supply of liquor to one chamber, and means for maintaining the liquor pressure in the remaining chambers substantially the same as though all chambers were in operation.

3. A dyeing apparatus comprising means forming a plurality of chambers, means for closing the upper ends of said chambers to the atmosphere, passages for liquor interconnecting the top of each chamber with another chamber, means for closing the lower endsof said chambers to the atmosphere, passages for liquor interconnecting the bottom of each chamber with another chamber, conduit members from a source of liquor supply and including a plurality of ports communicating respectively with said chambers, means to mount a yarn supporting device within each chamber to establish communication between each port and the interior of said device, a conduit member from said liquor source communicating with all of said chambers, means to cut-off the supply of liquor to one chamber, and means for maintaining the liquor to yarn ratio and pressure in the remaining chambers substantially the same as though all chambers were in operation.

4. In a dyeing apparatus, the combination of means forming a plurality of intercommunicating chambers, each arranged to receive a carrier for packages of yarn, means for circulating liquor under a predetermined pressure through said chambers to treat said packages, a device arranged to stop the circulation as to one chamber only, and means to maintain said predetermined pressure in the remaining chambers during said stop.

5. In a dyeing apparatus, the combination of means forming a plurality of chambers, each arranged to receive a carrier for packages of yarn, a passage for liquor forming a communication between the upper end of each chamber and an adjacent chamber, means to circulate treating liquor through said chambers, said passages, and

said packages, a device arranged to stop the circulation as to one chamber only, and means to maintain said predetermined pressure in the remaining chambers during said stop.

6. A dyeing apparatus, comprising means forming a plurality of chambers, means for circulating liquor through said chambers, and a blankoff member for insertion in one of said chambers.

7. In a dyeing apparatus, the combination of means forming a plurality of treating chambers, and a blankofi member for insertion in one of said chambers, comprising a hollow body filled with a medium under pressure.

8. In a dyeing apparatus, the combination of -means forming a plurality of treating chambers,

and a blank-01f member for insertion in one of 1 said chambers comprising a hollow body filled with a medium under pressure, and means to anchor said body in a chamber.

9. A dyeing apparatus comprising means forming a plurality of treating chambers, means for closing the respective ends of said chambers to the atmosphere, each of said chambers being arranged to receive a yarn supporting device of the type to circulate liquor therethrough, liquor circulating pipes arranged to communicate respectively with the interior of said devices and the interior of said chambers, means to seal both ends of one of said chambers to prevent liquor circulation therethrough, and means to maintain a predetermined liquor pressure in the chambers remaining in operation, said pressure being substantially the same as that existing with all of said chambers in operation.

10. In a dyeing apparatus, comprising means forming a plurality of chambers to receive yarn supporting devices respectively, means for circulating liquor through said chambers under a predetermined pressure, a hollow dummy blankofi member sealed with a medium under pressure therein for insertion in one of said chambers and so designed with respect to said chamber that the liquor pressure in the operating chambers remains substantially unchanged from what it was with a loaded yarn supporting device in said chamber.

11. In a dyeing apparatus, the combination of means forming a plurality of treating chambers, and a blank-oil member for insertion in one of said chambers comprising a hollow body filled with a medium under pressure, said body being so proportioned with respect to said chamber as to provide a predetermined clearance about said body, and means to position said body in one of said chambers, whereby said clearance permits such a liquor flow as will maintain substantially the normal liquor to yarn ratio and pressure for all of said chambers.

12. In a dyeing apparatus, the combination of means forming a plurality of intercommunicating chambers, each arranged to receive a carrier for packages of yarn, means for circulating liquor through said chambers to treat said packages in a predetermined ratio of liquor volume to package volume, and a device arranged to be substituted for a selected one of said carriers to control the liquor flow through the selected chamber so that the predetermined ratio in the remaining chambers is substantially unchanged.

HARRY S, DRUM. WILLIAM C. DODSON. WILLIAM H. J AXI-IEIMER.