US2867005A - Method and apparatus for continuous production of liquid treated crimped textile fibers - Google Patents

Description

Unite States Silas M. Wheelock, North Andover, Mass., assigner to Pacific Mills, Lawrence, Mass., a corporation of Massachusetts Application June 11, 1953, Serial No. 360,990

2 Claims. (Cl. 19-66) This invention relates to a novel method and apparatus for the continuous production of liquid-treated crimped textile fibers. The strands of fibers are treated with an oil, emulsion or similar fluid hereinafter referred to as finish, the strands being composed of natural and/or synthetic fibers. This treatment imparts desirable 'physical attributes such as anti-static qualities, reduced or increased inter-fiber cohesion, and/or identification marking. I provide an accurate percentage-wise application of finish with reference to the weight of the textile material being so treated. I also secure an even, thorough distribution of the finish throughout the material.

In the annexed drawing the single figure is a side elevation of my apparatus.

' The strands of textile material are delivered at 1 to the nip of the feeding rolls 2, 2 which have hardened and ground smooth steel cylindrical surfaces. The rolls are mounted in journals and are pressed together by suitable means to grip and squeeze the strands between them. They are driven by gearing from an electric motor, not shown. The rolls advance the strands and pack them into the receptacle formed by the bottom plate 4, the side plate 4-A, a similar side plate 4-B and the tongue 5 pivoted at S-A, thereby crimping them as they progress along the receptacle under the pressure of the pivoted tongue 5. To the end of the tongue is secured a pin 6 to which weights may be attached to adjust the amount of crimp imparted to the strands, both with respect to the number of crimps per unit length and/or the depth of crlmp. v

I provide means to apply nish to the textile strands in adjustable, accurately measured amounts per unit Weight of material, thereby eliminating the objectionable features of prior methods in which the application of the finish is not accurately measured.

I also provide a means for applying a finish to textile strand without having said finish soil or contaminate adjacent parts of the machine or surrounding atmosphere as in conventional drip or spray methods.

A supply tank 7 provides a gravity feed of the treating liquid to the pump 9 through the supply line 8. The pump 9 is driven through the spur gears 10 and 11, the latter being driven by the shaft 12 of the apparatus which delivers the strands of textile material at 1. To adjust the amount of finish delivered, the gears 10 and 11 may be changed or the speed of the shaft 12 relative to the speed of the delivery apparatus may be altered by any conventional means.

The pump 9 is a gear type positive displacement pump calibrated to deliver a xed number of grams of finish altent per minute, proportionate to the speed at which it is driven. The finish enters the pump 9 through the hollow pivot arm 17 supported by the casting 19. The rotation of the gears of the pump delivers the finish through the hollow pivot arm 15 from which it is conducted through the pipe 21 to the nozzles 14 from which it drops on to the surface of the roll 2.

Delivery of the finish to the nozzles 14 is under the control of the solenoid operated valve 13 connected to be actuated by the switch 20 which also controls the motor which drives the rolls 2. When the switch 20 is closed to supply current to the motor, the solenoid is energized to open the valve 13 and permit the finish to flow through to the nozzles 14. The finish delivered through the nozzles 14 is deposited on the surface of roll 2 in a very fine continuous stream, or in several such streams depending on the number of nozzles used. When the motor is stopped, the solenoid valve closes and prevents the finish from dripping from the nozzles 14. The fine streams of finish deposited on the roll 2 by the nozzles 14 flow evenly on and around the periphery of the roll. The finish is applied across the Width of the textile strands and is readily distributed to adjacent fibers in the strands. The compression between the rolls 2, 2 causes the finish to be forced through the strands from top to bottom and upon entering the crimping receptacle all fibers are forced into close proximity to each other, thus enhancing the even distribution of finish among the fibers of the textile strands.

If desired, an emulsion composed of Water soluble dye, water and oil may be used to impart an identifying color to the material in addition to the desired physical characteristics imparted by the oil.

I claim:

1. An apparatus for the continuous production of liquid-treated crimped textile fibers which comprises a pair of rotatable feeding rolls which grip and feed strands of fibers, a receptacle into which the strands are fed and in which the strands are crimped, said receptacle diminishing in cross-sectional area in the direction of feed of the strands, and means for applying a finish to the crimped strands comprising a pump to deliver fine streams of the finish to the surface of one of the feeding rolls, a valve for controlling delivery of said finish from said pump and means for opening said valve upon rotation of said rolls and for closing said valve when said rolls are not being rotated.

2. A method for the continuous production of treated crimped textile fibers which comprises feeding strands of fibers by engaging them by moving smooth surfaces, crimping the strands, applying a finish in fine streams to said surfaces, starting said streams whenever the feeding of the strands is started and stopping said streams whenever the feeding of said strandsis stopped.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,230,272 Slayter Feb. 4, 1941 2,311,174 Hitt Feb. 16, 1943 2,575,833 Pfau et al Nov. 20, 1951 2,575,838 Rainard Nov. 20, 1951 2,698,970 Wicker Ian. 11, 1955 FOREIGN PATENTS 508,968 Great Britain July 7, 1939

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