US2926429A - Apparatus for drying warp and the like - Google Patents

Description

March 1, 1960 I. GRIFFIN ETAL 2,925,429

APPARATUS FOR DRYING WARP AND THE LIKE Filed March 15, 1956 s Sheets-She et 1 INVENTOR: TEA L. GRIFFIN andWILLIAM A. GRlFFIN. -$6M? +2.11

ATTORNEY 5 March 1, 1960 l. GRIFFIN ETAI- 2,926,429

APPARATUS FOR DRYING WAR AND THE LIKE Filed March 15. 1956 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR: IRA L. GRIFFIN 2104' WILLIAM A. GRIFFIN.

ATTORNEYS March 1,1960 l. L. GRIFFIN ETAL 2,926,429

APPARATUS FOR DRYING WARP AND m: LIKE Filed March 15, 1956 V 6 Sheets-Sheet 8 INVENTOR: IRA L. GRIFFIN and WlLLiAM A. GRIFFIN.

BY iafieudmfl ATTORNEYS March 1, 1960 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed March 15, 1956 s m w w TNF M mm o vma n ma m A GA M LA QM MM 1% f M M Q.

m w L a m. Afi/ m I w o m 6 1. r w o J w W O O q d m March 1, 1960 l. L. GRIFFIN ETA!- 2,926,429

APPARATUS FOR DRYING WARP AND THE LIKE Filed March 15, 1956 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 I I I 52a.

INVENTOR. IRA L. GRFFFIN and WILLIAM A. GRIFFIN.

ATTORNEY S March 1, 1960 l. GRIFFIN ETAI- 2,926,429

APPARATUS FOR DRYING WARP AND THE LIKE Filed March 15, 1956 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTOR. IRA L. GRH=FIN 1 1 9 8 and WILUAM A. GRIFFIN. I m AkJ+W ATTORNEYS r 2,926,429 r APPARATUS FOR DRYING WARP AND THE LIKE v Ira L. Gritfin and William A. Griflin, cantons, N.C. Application March 15, 1956, Serial No..571,6162 18 Claims. ct.- 34 159 This inventionirelates to an improved drying apparatus 'for drying webs 'of yarn or other Web materials and is particularly concerned slashers. v

It is an important object of this invention to provide an improved drying apparatus through which two individual. webs may travel simultaneously without contacting each other and which is so arranged that asingle web may be wet-split (when splitting or separating of the yarns-is easiest) after application of size solution and before entering the drying apparatus and wherein the two webs thus formed need not befreunited until the yarn has passed through'the drier.

with driers associated withweb may also .be stopped so that one of the webs may continue movement through the drying apparatus while i ing apparatus of the character described wherein the two spaced parallel hot air ducts or headers are also provided with respective series of ports or nozzles in their distal surfaces to form auxiliary drying spaces adjacent said distal surfaces and wherein means are provided to support parallel reaches of the two respective webs adjacent the last-named ports or nozzles in 'wthecourse of travel of the two webs through the drying .apparatus.

It is still anotherflobject of this invention to provide an elongated exhaust .duct or chamber which is spaced between theproximalzsurfaces of the two hot air headers with suction means connected to opposite sides or at least The upper and lower walls-of :the'

one side thereof. exhaust chamber are provided with passageways or slots therein and a plurality of reaches of the respective webs pass between the proximal surfaces of the ducts or headers and the exhaust chamber thus causing the hot air discharged from .the ports in the proximal surfaces of thetwo headerseor ducts to pass through the reaches tof the web material in substantially perpendicular relation Wet-splitting is a usual procedure, but it has been I necessary, heretofore, to reunite before they had traveled sulficiently within or through the drier to dry the same. As a result,v the sizewould cause some or all of the yarns to re-adhere to each other, thus requiring that such yarns be torn apart. This would cause some yarns to break or cause uneven distribution of the size, or cause roughplaces in certain yarns.

' It is another object of this invention to provide a drying apparatus :for slashers wherein a single webof yarn may be delivered from a single size box and then wetsplit into two webs,'or two separate webs may be delivered from separate size boxes, and the two webs, in

either instance, are dried simultaneously without contacting each .other. v

A further object is to provide a drying apparatus also capable of use with either one or two slasher-front-end take-up units whereby the two webs may be taken up on the same or separate beams and, in the latter instance, a drying apparatus capable of continuous operation even though one or the-other of the Webs may be stopped temporarily.

It is another object of this invention to provide apparatus of the character. described, including) a pair of vertically spaced :hot air .ducts, 'or headers having jets, nozzles or hot air ports in their proximal surfaces and defining a primary drying space'or zone therebetween into which hot air is.forced through the jets or ports and i wherein exhaust meansis provided for withdrawing or exhausting a lesser volume of air from thepr'imary drying space than the volume of air introduced into the zone, withsupporting rollers for supporting several parallel reaches of a single web or two separate webs'in the primary drying zone to thereby subjectboth, sides of each web to the jets or nozzles through which hot air is forced from the ducts as the webs travel through thedrying apparatus.

Itis still another object of this inventionv to provide apparatus of the character described wherein two independent webs may be drawn from individual sources, passed through individual size boxes and then through the improved drying apparatus and then taken :up on separate beams and wherein either of said websimay be stopped independently of the other 'whilethemeans for forcing air out of the previously split webs .to said runs."

Another object is to provide a drying apparatus which occupiesarninimum of vfloor space, but has a high drying capacity for high speed drying ofsingle sheets of yarn.

Some of the objects LQf the invention having been stated, other objects will appear as the description proceeds when taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings in which Figurel :isa schematic view showing ,one form of the improved drying apparatusin association with a slasher wherein two independent webs are processed simultaneously;

Figure 2 is another schematic view of a slasher showing a second form of drying apparatus which may also be substituted for the drying apparatus shown in Figure 1 and 'vice-versa;

Figure .3 is an enlarged longitudinal vertical section through the :form of drying apparatus shown in Figure l with many of the parts being shown somewhat schematically;

' .Figure4 is an elevation looking at the r'i'ght-hand'side of Figure?) with parts :broken away and in section;

Figure 5 is a schematic diagram showing how the travel of either web may-; be controlled independently of the other .while respectively .controlling the air velocity and heat output of the corresponding headers orducts;

Figure 6 is a schematic'view similar to Figure 3 show-r ing how a single web may be threaded through the'first :forni of drying apparatus. while extending past both I parted. surfaces ofiboth headers;

i each webis Wound onto a separate beam. In the other ducts corresponding to the stopped Figure 7 is an enlarged longitudinal vertical sectional view through the form ofdrying apparatus shown in the central portion of Figure"2 with many of the parts being shown somewhat schematically;

Figure '8 is a'view looking at the right-hand side of Figure 7 with parts broken away and with parts in section and also showing many of the parts somewhat schematically. 7 h

In Figures 1 and2 of the drawings, two difierent types of slashers are illustrated, in the first of which each web of yarns is drawn from a separate source and then travels through a "separate size boxfwhere size solution is applied to the web, and then'both of the webs are passed through the improved drying apparatus and then type of slasher shown in Figure 2, a web is drawn from tension in the webs.

a creel and passed through a single size box where a size solution is applied to the web and thereafter the web is wet-split to form two webs or a double web, one of which is heated and dried by thegupper header and the other of which is heated and dried by the lower header. Thetwo webs then pass out of the drying apparatus and are directed to and wound about a common beam.

Either form of drying apparatus may be substituted for the other in the two types of slashers shown in Figures 1 and 2. In some instances, in order to increase production in the drying of worsted yarns, for example it may be desirable to pass a single web through the drying apparatus, as illustrated in Figure 6, wherein the initial run of the web passes adjacent one of the headers and then passes back and 'forth a number of times between the headers and then passes adjacent the other of theheaders and thusout of-the drying apparatus.

' Referring more especially to Figure 1, two webs or sheets of yarn W-l, W-2 are drawn from respective sets of creel beams and 10 from. whence they travel through respective size boxes indicated generally by the numerals 11, 11'. The size boxes 11, 11 may be of conventional or any desired construction and are shown asbeing of a type such as is disclosed in the Ira L. Grifiin Patent No. 2,698,984 of January 11, 1955.

As is usual, each of the size boxes 11, 11' contains a sizing solution which is applied to the corresponding webs W-l, W-2 and then squeezed therefrom by means of rolls 12,12. The rolls 12, 12 of the respective size boxes 11, 11' are driven by respective electric motors 13, 13'. The two webs W-l, W-2 then extend upwardly from the size boxes 11, 11 and over respective idler rolls 15, 15' where they may enter either form of the improved drying apparatus, the form of drying apparatus shown in Figure 1 being broadly designated at 20. The drying apparatus 20.will be later described in detail.

' After passing through the drying apparatus, the dried webs W1, W-2 pass over respective idler rolls 21, 21' and then downwardly and beneath respective idler rolls 22, 22' which direct the webs W-l, W-2 to respective slasher front-end units broadly designated at 23, 23'. The slasher front-end units 23, 23' may be of conventional construction and accordingly, need not be described in detail, it being sufiicient to state that the Webs W-l, W-2 are drawn past respective lease rods 24, 24 and through respective combs 25, 25 by respective delivery rolls 26, 26' which, in turn, deliver the webs W-l, W-2 .to respective take-up beams 27, 27.

The delivery rolls 26, 26' are preferably driven by respective electric motors 30, 30' and the beams 27, 27' are preferably driven by respective electric motors 31, 31'. The. motors 13, 13', 30, 30', 31 and 31 are preferably of variable-speed type or coupled to the corresponding elements driven thereby by means of suitable variable-speed units, not shown, so as to relatively vary the speed of the webs W1, W-2 and/or control the The slasher front end units 23, 23 are preferably, but not necessarily, arranged as shown in Figure l with the beams 27, 27 on the proximal ends thereof so an attendant may observe the yarns passing onto both the beams 27, 27 simultaneously.

In the form of slasher shown in Figure 2, a web of yarn W is drawn from a plurality'of creel beams 10a and then passes through a 'size box 11a for applying sizing solution to the web of yarn W Thereafter, the web W is split into two webs W-l', W-2' which pass upwardly and over respective idler rolls 15a and 15a which guide the webs W-1', W-2' into a second form of theimproved, drying apparatus broadly designated at 35 and which will-also be later described in detail. The drying apparatus 20 may be substituted for the drying apparatus 35 and vice-versa.

7 From the drying apparatus 35 in Figure 2, the webs W-l, W-Z pass outwardly over respective idler'rblls 21a and 21a andthen downwardly beneath a common 'in Figures 2 and 7.

4 idler roll 2211 where the two webs W-l, W-2 are formed into a single web W-3 which is directed, by the idler roll 22a, to a slasher front-end unit broadly designated at 36. The slasher front end unit 36 may be identical to the slasher front end units 23, 23' and serves to guide the web W-3 onto a driven take-up beam 37.

The slashers shown in Figures 1 and 2 are generally described to indicate different ways in which the improved drying apparatus may -be used and it is apparent that both of the websW-l, W-2 in Figure 1 may be taken up on a common beam such as the beam 27. This may be particularly desirable in forming a blend of two different types of yarn, since it may then be necessary to apply a greater or lesser amount of tension to one web than is applied to the other. Of course, in this instance, the foremost slasher front-end unit 23 would not be used.

The first form -of drying apparatus '20, shown in association with the slasher of Figure .1, is shown more in detail in Figures 3 and 4 wherein it will be observed that the drying apparatus is in the form of an enclosure having front and rear walls 40, 41 side walls 42, 43 and top and bottom walls or a ceiling and a floor 44, 45. The forward portions of the side walls 42, 43 each has an elongated vertically disposed grid-type preheating or make-up air heating unit 46 therein which preheats the air drawn into the enclosure 20. The heating units 46 may be heated by steam, hot water, electricity or any other desired controllable means. Although the heating units 46 are shown positioned in the side walls 42, 43, they may be positioned in the front wall 40 as shown Within the enclosure 20 is a pair of lower and upper elongated hot air distributing ducts or headers 50, 50, respectively, having in their proximal surfaces 52, 52 respective series of drying nozzles or air ports 51, 51. A primary drying zone or chamber is defined between the proximal surfaces 52, 52 of-the ducts. The lower and upper ducts 50, 50' are relatively narrow at their forward" ends and the lower and upper surfaces of the respective ducts 50, 50 extend rearwardly in diverging relationto the proximal ported surfaces 52, 52 of the ducts or headers 50, 50'. The distal surfaces of the ducts 5t 50f are generally designated at 54, 54' and are also provided with respective series of drying nozzles or air ports 55, 55. It is apparent, with reference to Figure .4, that said drying nozzles extend substantially throughout thewidth of the enclosure and, thus, extend substantially throughout the width of and adjacent the hat sides of the respective webs '01- reaches thereof. The

20 through the grid-type heating units and forcing the additionally heated air' into each of the ducts 50, 50'. To this end, it will .be observed in Figure 3 that the distal surfaces or walls 54, 54 of the ducts 50,- 50' terminate in substantially spaced relationship forwardly from the rear wall 41 of the enclosure or drying apparatus 20 and secondary heating units 57, 57 are-provided which extend laterally of the enclosure between the distal Walls 54, 54' of the ducts 50, 50 and the floor 45 and roof or top wall 44, respectively. The secondary heating units 57 and 57 may be heated by any suitable means whereby the eifective heat output thereof can be electrically or otherwise controlled. The secondary heating units communicate with respective chambers 60, 60' which house respective air impellers or fan means 61, 61' which are shown in the form of centrifugal blowers in Figure 3. I

- The impellers or centrifugal blower units 61, 61' are provided with respective discharge ports 62, 62' commuor ducts 50, 50. The impellers or centrifugal blowers 61, 61' are driven by respective electric motors 63, 63 which, as shown in Figure 3, are preferably mounted exteriorly of the enclosure or drying apparatus 20. The motors of the impellers orcentrifugal blower units 61, 61' are preferably of variable-speed or two-speed type for purposes to be In some instances, it is desirable .that one broad flat side or" the initial or first reach of each of the Webs W-l, W4; passes closely adjacent the respective drying nozzles 51, 51', shown in Figure 3, and in other instances, it is preferred that bro-ad sides of the initial runs or reaches of the webs W1, W-2 are spaced substantially from the nozzles 51, 51' with other: reaches or runs of the webs being disposed between said initial reaches and the respective seriesof nozzles or air ports 51, 51, in either instance,-it should 'be noted that the nozzles embrace substantially the entire width reaches of the webs. In Figure 3, the first or initial reaches of the webs W4, W-2 are shown with their broad sides traveling closely adjacent the respective series of'nozzles or air ports 51, 51' but this is not to be con strned as a limitation. As a matter of fact, the webs 3L1, W-2 may be entrained over supporting rollers therefor in identically the manner shown in Figure 3 described more in detail hereinafter.

of the respective parallel reaches or runs of the webs W-l, W-Z pass forwardly from the rollers 82,, 82 in close proximity and then pass outwardly through a web egress opening or slot 84 formed in the front central portion of the front Wall of theenclosure or drying apparatus 20. Another web egress slot 88 is spaced above slot 84 to accommodate a single web, as will belater described (Figure 6).

Said suction means .is embodied in suction or air discharge pipes 85,86 which are connectedto the respective side walls .42, 43 for communication with the in.- terior of the enclosure or drying apparatus 20. The

.pipes or conduits 85, 86 may be connected to any suitable suction device and, in Figures 3 and 4, it will be observed that the pipes or conduits 8 5, 86 extend upwith the webs traveling in the opposite direction from that shown, if desired. Of course, in the latter instance, the drying apparatus 20 would be turned around 180 degrees relative to the remainder of the slasher shown in Figure 1. l

Referring again to Figure 3, it will be observed that the rear wall 41 of the drying apparatus 20 is provided with a pair of web ingress, openings or slots 70, 70 through which the initial runs of the respective webs W-l, W-2 pass as they enter the drying apparatus 20.

v The web'ingress slots 70, 70 through which the initial runs of the respective webs W-1, W-2 pass asthey enter the drying apparatus 20. The web ingress slots 70, .70 are disposed closely adjacent the spaced'proximal surfaces 52, 52' of the respective ducts or headers 50, Thus, the initial reaches or runs of the webs W-l, W-2 extend in closely spaced relationship to the respective series of nozzles 51, 51' and then pass partially around respective rollers 72, 72' and then pass the small ends of the respective ducts 50, 50' spective rollers 73, 73'. e l v The rollers 72, 73 and '72, 73 are so arranged that the webs W1, W-2 extend past the narrow forward ends of the ducts 50, 50' to aline the respective webs W-l,

W-Z for movement closely adjacent the nozzles 55, 55' formed in the distal surfaces 54, 54 of the respective ducts 50, 50. Of course, a single relatively large roller may be provided in lieu of the relatively small rollers 72, 73 and 72', 73' in each instance.

The two webs W-l, W-2 extend rearwardly from the rollers 73, 73' closely adjacent the respective series of nozzles 55, 55' to form an inner reach'in each instance and then the webs W-l and W-2 extend partially around respective rollers 75, 75' and then forwardly substantially parallel to the inner reaches thereof and partially around and partially around rewardly adjacent the outer surfaces of the side walls 42, 43 and then inwardly above the top wall or ceiling 44 of the enclosure 20 where they are communicatively connected to a suction means in the form of a housing 87 provided with a suitable air impeller or fan means shown inthe form of a centrifugal blo werunit indicated at 90.

The impeller of the blower unit 90 is driven by an electric motor 91. The blower unit 90 is provided with 'an air dischargeport 92 and preferably withdraws a substantially ,lesser volume of air from within the enclosure 20 than is drawn thereinto through the radiators respective rollers 76, 76. The webs W-l, W-.2then pass upwardly and downwardly respectively, partially around rollers 77, 77'. 1

Itwill be noted that the rollers 77, 77 are disposed closer together than are the rollers 72, 72' to thus guide the respective webs W-L. W-2 rearwardly closely adjacent to, and parallel to, the initial runs of the webs W-l, W-Z. The websW-l, W-Z are then formed into a plurality of parallel reaches between the proximal sur faces 52, 52 of the respective ducts 50,50 by entraining the. same over respective supporting rollers 80, 81, 82 and 80', 81, 82', the rollers 80, 82, 3,0 and .82 being iournaled adjacent'and inwardly of the rear wall-41 and the rollers 81, 81 being journaled inwardly of and adjanozzles :51, 51'.

or grid-type heaters46 'by the blowers 61, 61 inorder to maintain a positive pressure within the enclosure or drying apparatus 20. For example, it has been found desirable in the processing of cotton yarn-to provide blowers 61, 61 .capable of moving air at the rate of approximately 15,000 cubic feet per minute and to provide the blower with a capacity for moving approximately 6,000 cubic feet of air per minute.

It is thus seen that we have provided a drying apparatus having a pair of vertically spaced elongated ducts or headers .with means for emitting heated air from the proximal surfaces, thereof and with means for supporting a plurality of'generally parallel runs or reaches of web material thereb'etween. so that two webs may be processed simultaneously and both sides of the two webs are subjectedto the heat source as embodied in the respective Also, it will be noted that the suction means may be so arranged as to not only induce flow of the air from the nozzles substantially perpendicular of at least those runs or reaches of the webs disposed closely ad: jacent the nozzles, but to also tend to cause the air to fio w generally toward the ingressend or wet? end of the drying apparatus thereby insuring efficient controlled drying of both of the webs simultaneously.

' Thecharacter ofthe materials from which the yarns in the web W-1 are formed may vary with respect to the materials from which the W-2 are formed to the .extent that one ofthe webs may requirea longer drying period than the other in some instances-in which thetwc webs are drawn from separate sources and taken up about separate beams, as shown in Figure 1. In such instances, it is apparent that means should be provided for controlling the speed of the impellers of 1 the blowers 61, 61' independently ,of each other and, of course, the heating units 57, 57. may be controlled in the usual well-known manner for determining the extent of rise in thetemperatureof the ,air as his forced into the ducts or- headers 50, 50 by the impellers or blower units 61, 61'.

. When" two'separatei'webs are to be processed on a slasher such as is shown in Figure 1, it may also be necessary that the operator make alterations in either of 7 the webs independently of theother web. However, in order to insure maximum or continuous operation of the drying apparatus when the webs are arranged as shown in Figure 1, the motors 13, 30, 31 and 63 are controlled independently of the motors 13', 30', 31 and 63'. The

circuit for controlling the individual motors of'conventional slashers is well known and only so much of the circuit is shown in Figure as to generally disclose how the two groups of motors may be independently controlled.

In Figure 5 there is shown a suitable circuit so arranged that the motors which impart movement to each web W-l, W-2 may be controlled independently, or the circuit for all the motors may be arranged in series with means to cut out the motors associated with the slasher front-end section 23' in the event of both webs being taken up on the beam 27. The drive for each of the webs W-1, W-2 may be similar to the well-known Westinghouse type generallv described in a descriptive folder No. B-5616 entitled Westinghouse New Packaged-Type Multi-Motor Slasher Drives and distributed by Westinghouse Electric Corporation, East Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Accordingly, only a general description of the circuit for the slasher drive will be given, since the various electrical components thereof are of the conventional and wellknown type.

Referring particularly to Figure 5. there is shown a pair of conventional combination high-speed," stop and creep-speed switch units 100, 100'. Lead conductors 101, 102 extend from the combination switch units 100' to a suitable source of current exemplified by a plug 103 and the conductors 101, 102 have a master switch 104 interposed therein. Conductors 105, 106 connect the lead conductors 101, 102 with the combination switch unit 100. The exhaust blower 90 is preferablv driven continuously regardless of how the webs .W-l, W 2 may be arranged and accordingly, opposite sides of the motor 91 thereof have conductors 107, 108-leading therefrom to the conductors 105, 106.

As heretofore stated, the motors for the drive for each web are arranged in series and, to this end, a conductor 111 extends from the combination switch unit 100 to one side of motor 13, a conductor 112 extends from motor 13 to motor 73 for the blower unit 61. and a conductor 113' leads from the other" side of the motor 63 to one side of the motor 30 which drives the take-up roll 26 of the first slasher front-end unit 23. A conductor 121 connects motor 30 with motor 31 which drives the beam 27. The side of motor 31 09130- site from that to which conductor 121 is connected has a conductor 123-leading therefrom into the combination switch unit 100. It is thus seen that, when either the creep-speed switch or high-speed switch of the unit 100 is closed, all of the motors 13, 30, 31 and 63 are energized independently of the motors 13', 30, 31

and 63.

Combination stop, creep-speed and high speed switch unit 100' has a conductor 130 leading therefrom to one side of a two-position or double-throw switch 131 which has a conductor 111' leading therefrom to one side of the motor 13'. The motors 13', 63', 30' and 31 are connected in series by conductors 112, 113 and 121' in the same manner in which the motors 13, 63, 30 and 31 are connected by the conductors 112, 113 and The side of the motor 31' opposite from the side to which conductor 121f is connected has a conductor 123 leading therefrom back to the combination switch unit 100. It is apparent that, when the switch 131 is moved to establish contact between conductor 130, 111', and

either the creep-speed". or high spe'ed switchof unit 100 is closed, the motors 13', 63, 30'.and 31' are energized independently of the motors 13, 63, 30, 31.

With this arrangement, it is apparent that either of the webs W-l or L2 may .be stopped relative to, or moved at a slower speed or faster speed than, the other 8 of the webs and, since the motors 63, 63 are de-energized at any time that the motors of the corresponding web are stopped, this insures that the portions of the corresponding web then disposed within the drying apparatus 20 will not become dried at too fast a rate, or unevenly or will not become scorched.

Now, in the event that both of the webs W-l, W-Z are to be wound on a single beam 27, all of the motors for controlling both of the webs W-l, W-2, with the exception of the motors 30', 31 associated with the slasher front end unit 23' may be controlled by the single combination switch unit 100. To this end, the switch 131 may be moved out of engagement with the conductor and into engagement with a conductor 133 which leads to the conductor 111. In order to then complete the circuit to the motors 13, 63 under control of the combination switch unit 100, a branch conductor 134 is connected to a medial portion of conductor 113' and leads therefrom to the conductor 123. The conductor 134 has a manually operable switch 135 interposed therein which is closed only at such times when all of the motors 13, 63, 30, 31, 13 and 63 are to be controlled by the single combination switch unit 100.

It is sometimes necessary to provide a longer drying interval for certain types of heavier-than-normal yarns, such as worsted yarns, for example. In this instance, in order to maintain high-speed operation of the slasher during processing of a web of heavier-than-normal yarns, approximately twice the normal length of web may be enclosed in the drying apparatus 20. To this end, the web formed from such yarns may be passed through the drying unit 20 or 35 in substantially the manner shown in Figure 6 wherein the web, indicated at W-4 may not be split into two webs as shown in Figures 1 and 2, but remains as a single web and enters one or the other of the openings 70, 70 in the drying apparatus or enclosure 20. In Figure 6 the web W-4 is shown entering the opening or slot 70 and its initial reach or run passes closely adjacent the hot air nozzles or drying nozzles 51 in the surface 52 of the lower header 50.

The web W-4 then passes in engagement with the rollers 72, 73, 75, 76, 77, 80, 81 and 82 in the same manner as that described for the web W-l in Figure 3. However, instead of the web W-4 then extending forwardly and through the egress slot 84, the slot 84 is preferably closed and the web W4 travels from the roller 82, forwardly and then partially around the roller 81 and then rearwardly and upwardly at an angle where it by-passes the roller 82 and passes substantially half around the roller 80. Thus, a run or reach is formed from the web W-4 which travels closely adjacent the nozzles 51 in the surface 52 of the upper header 50 as the web W-4 travels from the roller 80 forwardly and partially around the roller 72.

The web then travels upwardly, engages the roller 73' and travels closely adjacent the nozzles 55' in the upper surface 54 of the upper header 50', then partially around the roller 75' and forwardly and down wardly and partially around the rollers 76' and 77 where it then travels outwardly through the auxiliary egress slot 88 and, thence, to the slasher front end unit 23 or 36 (Figures 1 and 2), as the case may be.

. The second form of drying apparatus or enclosure 35 is shown in Figures 7 and 8 wherein, with the exception of the arrangement of the web-supporting rollers, the egress slots, the make-up air heaters and an exhaust duct, the drying apparatus 35 is substantially the same asthe drying apparatus 20 and, therefore, like parts associated with the drying apparatus 35 will bear the same reference characters as those parts associated with the drying apparatus 20, with the letter "a added to avoid repetitive description.

In the form of drying apparatus shown in Figures '7 and 8, the initial runs or reaches of the webs W-1, 'W-2, are shown as being spaced substantially from the nozzles 51a and Fla with one or more runs or reaches W-1, W2' in Figure 7 may pass closely adjacent the nozzlesu51a, 51a, as is shown in Figure 3, if desired. It is apparent, by comparingFigure 3 with Figure 7, that the ingress and egress openings for the webs W-l', W-Z' are arranged somewhat closer vtogether and in alinement as. compared to the web ingress and egress openings 70, 70', 84, 88 in Figure 3, and the make-up air heaters 46a are shown positioned in the front wall 40a. Spaced between the lower and upper headers 50a, 50a in Figures 7 and 8-is a substantially rectangular air exhaust or collection chamberal iflwhich is provided with a plurality of closely spaced transverse slots or openings 141, 142 in the upper and lower surfaces thereof, said upper and lower surfaces extending substantially parallel to and in spaced relation to the proximal surfaces 52a, 52a of the headers 50a, 50a.

While the exhaust conduits or pipes 85, 86 in Figures 3 and '4 are connected to the side walls 42, 43 adjacent the wet" end or rear wall 41 of the enclosure or drying apparatus 20, the pipes or conduits 85a, 86a in Figures 7 and 8 preferably extend through medial portions of the respective side walls 42a, 43a and are connected to op posite sides of medial portions of the side walls of the air exhaust chamber 140 as shown in Figures 7 and 8.

Since the air exhaust chamber 140 is provided between the headers 50a, 50a. the supporting rollers for the v either form of drying apparatus at a relatively slow or creep speed, the speed of the corresponding'blower unit is correspondingly reduced. Of great importance is the fact that both sides of each web, regardless of whether a single web is being run or two webs are being run, are subjected to the direct flow of hot air from the corresponding nozzles or air ports. In other words, alternate reaches of the web expose one side of the web to the hot air nozzles and intervening reaches expose the other sides of the webs to the hotzair nozzles. Also, when two webs are being run, neither will contact the other throughout its travel through the drying apparatus. This obviates the possibility of the webs adhering to each other, with the resultant necessity of tearing them apart,

webs W-l', W-2', are arranged differently than the supporting rollers for the webs W-l, W in Figure 3. In this instance, the webs W-l, W-2 travel through the respective ingress openings 70a, 70a (Figure 7) and the initial runs thereof travel closely adjacent the upper and lower surfaces of the air exhaust chamber 140 and substantially throughout the length thereof.

The webs W-1', W-2, then pass substantially half around rollers 146, 146' then rearwardly and partially around respective rollers 147, 147' and again forwardly closely adjacent the respective nozzles 51a, 51a and par tially around and over respective rollers 72a, 72a. The webs then pass the small ends of the respective headers a, 50a and partially around respective rollers 73a, 73a to form respective reaches which travel closely adjacent the distal surfaces 54a, 54a of the respective headers 50a, 50a and then-partially around respective rollers 75a, 75a. Thereafter, the webs W-1', W-2' travei forwardly generally parallel to the surfaces 54a, 54a,

partially around respective rollers 76a, 76a, then extend toward each other and over respective rollers 77a, 77a,

and, thence,, outwardly through the respective egress openings 84a, 88a.

It is thus seen that the air'discharge chamber 140 as arranged in Figure 7 insures flow of the hot air dis-v charged through the air ports or drying nozzles 51a, 51a substantially perpendicular to the paths of travel a of the respective webs more efficiently thandoes the arweb may vary relative to the air flowing through the other web; and either web may be stopped independently of the other, thus permitting continued operation of the slasher with which the drying apparatus may be associated although one of the-webs may be stopped. It is apparent that, when either of the webstravels through or overriding each other or becoming unevenly elongated.

it is'contemplated that the two webs W4, W4 or W4, W-Z may each be wet-split one or more times before they enter the corresponding enclosures 20, 35 to provide further spacing between adjacent yarns in at least the initial reaches formed therefrom, without departing from the spirit of the invention. This is advantageous because from 50% to 70% of the moisture is generally dissipated from the webs in the initial reaches formed therefrom and, even though the yarns of each web may reunite at the end of the initial reaches, their tendency to re-adhere thereafter is substantially reduced and, thus, the yarns can be separated without materially affecting the same. Of course, additional rollers may be provided adjacent the web-supporting rollers shown in Figures 3, 6 and 7, formaintaining the additional sheets, formed by wet-splitting each of the webs .W-1, W-2, or W-l', W-2, out of interengagement until after they leave the corresponding drying apparatus.

The single web W-4 (Figure 6) may also be wetsplit, before entering the enclosure 20, and entrained therethrough as described above, if desired.

In the drawingsand specification there have been set forth preferred embodiments of the invention and, although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the invention being defined in the claims.

We claim: 1. In a drying apparatus; an enclosure, a pair of .vertically spaced elongated ducts within said enclosure each having a plurality of closely spaced ports along a surface thereof adjacent theother of said ducts and deeach of the ducts, roller means for supporting each of the webs to form a plurality of reaches therefrom adjacent each of said ported surfaces, said supportingmeans being arranged to maintain each web out of contact with the other web and-to lead the webs out of said enclosure, means for sucking air-into the enclosure and delivering the air under pressure into each of said ducts whereby the air is forced through said ports, means to heat the arr as it is delivered into said ducts and means for exhausting the air from the enclosure on a level substantially between the proximal surfaces of the two ducts.

2. A structure according to claim 1 including means to preheat the air as it enters said enclosure.

3. A structure according to claim 1 including means for varying the speed of travel of either web independently of the other.

- 4. Anair dryer for sheets. of warp yarns comprising an enclosure having top, bottom and side walls, at least one ingress opening in one sidewall and at least one egress opening in an opposed side wall, a pair of centrally positioned, vertically spaced, upper and lower elongated ducts, the proximal surfaces of said ducts having a plurality of ports therein anddefining therebetween a primary drying chamber extending substantially across the entire width of said enclosure, the distal surfaces of said ducts also having ports therein and defining with the upper and lower enclosure-walls respective upper and lower secondary drying chambers, means for introducing air into said secondary drying chambers, means for preheating air introduced into said secondary drying chambers, blower means for moving said air from said secondary drying chambers into said ducts, throughthe ports therein, and then into the'primary and secondary drying chambers, and means for exhausting air from the primary drying chamber adjacent the ingress opening of said enclosure, and means for passing at least one sheet of warp yarns through said primary drying chamber and thereafter through at least one of said secondary drying chambers while maintaining said yarns in a plurality of separate reaches within said enclosure. i

5. In a drying apparatus; an enclosure including top, bottom and side walls, a pair of vertically spaced elongated ducts within said enclosure each having a plurality of closely spaced ports along a surface thereof adjacent the other of said ducts, said ducts defining therebetween a primary drying chamber, means for leading at least two 'separated webs into said primary drying chamber, each along a path adjacent to and substantially parallel with the ported surface of one of said ducts, means for supporting each of the webs to form a plurality of substantially parallel independent reaches in said primary drying chamber, the distal surfaces of said ducts defining with said top and bottom enclosure walls respective upper and lower secondary drying chambers, said supporting means being arranged to lead each of the webs from said primary drying chamber through the respective secondary drying chamber and hence out of said enclosure, means for forcing air to flow into the secondary drying chambers and then through said ducts whereby'the air is forced to pass through said ports into the primary drying chamber, means to heat the air prior to its passage through said ports and means for exhausting air from the primary drying chamber on a level substantially between the proximal surfaces of the two ducts.

6. A structure according to claim wherein said distal surfaces of said ducts are elongated and are also provided with a plurality of spaced ports for discharging air into said secondary drying chambers, and said supporting means being so arranged as to cause said webs to pass adjacent to and substantially parallel with the respective distal surfaces in their course of travel through the secondary drying chambers. r

7. A structure according to claim Sincluding means for varying the speed of travel of either web independently of the other and for correspondingly varying the capacity of said air forcing means to vary the volume of air which is delivered into the corresponding ducts.

8. A structure according to claim 5 in which said means to heat the air includes means to preheat the air as it enters said enclosure prior to passing through the secondary drying chambers.

9. A structure according to claim 5 in which said means to heat the air includes means for heating the air to a predetermined temperature prior to its being delivered into each of said ducts by the corresponding air forcing means. I

10. A structure according to claim 5 wherein said means for exhausting air from between the ducts includes at least one discharge pipe communicatively connected to the enclosure for communication with the primary drying chamber.

11. A structure according to claim 5 wherein said means for exhausting air from between said ducts includes an elongated chamber positioned in said primary drying chamber and having its upper and lower surfaces spaced between the proximal surfaces of the ducts, said upper and lower surfaces of said elongated chamber being provided with a series of openings therein, said supporting means for the twowebs being so arranged as to maintain at least some reaches of each web between the first-mentioned ported surface of the corresponding ductsand the adjacent surface of said elongated chamber, and said exhausting means also comprising suction means connected to said chamber for withdrawing air from said chamber exteriorly of said enclosure.

12. A structure according to claim 5 wherein said exhausting means has a capacity for withdrawing a lesser volume of air from the enclosure than that delivered into the ducts in any given period of time.

13. In a drying apparatus; an enclosure including top, bottom and side walls, a pair of upper and lower centrally positioned vertically spaced elongated ducts within said enclosure each having a plurality of closelyspaced ports along its upper and lower surfaces, the proximal walls of said ducts defining therebetween a primary drying chamber and the distal walls of said ducts defining with the top and bottom enclosure walls respective upper and lower secondary drying chambers, means for leading webs into said primary drying, chamber, one each along a path substantially parallel with the ported surface of each of the ducts, means supporting each of the webs to form a plurality of substantially parallel reaches therefrom adjacent each of said ported surfaces in the primary and secondary chambers, said supporting means being arranged to lead the webs out of said enclosure, means for forcing air to flow into said secondary chambers and then into each of said ducts whereby the air is forced through said ports, means for heating said air prior to its being forced through said ports, and means for exhausting air from the enclosure.

14. A structure according to claim 13 including means for varying the speed of travel of either web independently of the other and for correspondingly varying the capacity of said air forcing means to proportionately vary the vloume of air delivered into the corresponding ducts.

15. A structure according to claim 13 wherein said means for exhausting air from the enclosure has a capacity for exhausting a lesser volume of air from the enclosure than the volume of air flowing into the ducts.

16. A structure according to claim 13 wherein said means for exhausting air from the enclosure includes at least one discharge pipe communicatively connected to the enclosure for communication with the interior thereof at a point adjacent the point at which the webs are led into the enclosure.

17. A structure according to claim. 13 wherein said means for exhausting air from said enclosure includes an elongated air collection chamber positioned in said primary drying chamber and having its upper and lower surfaces spaced from the proximal surfaces of the upper and lower ducts, said upper and lower surfaces of said collection chamber being provided with a plurality of openings therein, said supporting means for the two webs being so arranged as to maintain at least 'some reaches of each web between the proximal surface of the corresponding duct and the adjacent surface of said collection chamber, and suction means connected to said collection chamber for exhausting air from said chamber to the exterior of said enclosure.

18. In a slasher having means for applying size solu- 7 tion to yarns in web form, means for delivering yarns from the first-named means and web takeeup means spaced forwardly from the first-named means; the combination of a drying apparatus disposed between said firstnamed means and said take-up means, said apparatus including an enclosure comprising spaced side walls and top and bototm walls and having a pair of upper and lower ducts therein defining a primary drying zone through which the yarns in web form are passed, means to wetsplit said yarns in web form to form a plurality of webs prior to drying, each duct having a plurality of spaced .ports along a surface thereof adjacent the other of said ducts, roller means supporting each of said webs to form a plurality of substantially parallel reaches therefrom in the course of movement of the yarns through the primary drying zone, said roller means being arranged to maintain each web out of contact with the next adjacent web, said top and bottom wallsvand the distal surfaces of the ducts defining respective secondary 5 drying zones therebetween through which the webs are passed after moving through the primary drying zone, means to induce flow of heated air into said secondary drying zones and into said ducts whereby the air is forced through said ports, and means for exhausting air 10 from said apparatus.

UNITED STATES PATENTS Kugler Aug. 31, 19 43 Rose May 25, 1948 Still Aug. 21, 1951 Rusca et al Dec. 18, 1951 Shegda Apr. 1, 1952

Images