US3060058A - Textile strand treating apparatus and method - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 23, 1962 R. c. WILKIE ETAL 3,069,058

TEXTILE STRAND TREATING APPARATUS AND METHOD Filed June 12, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 3 \dflz 7 T PS Mi /4 I i I 1962 R. c. WILKIE ET AL I 3,

TEXTILE STRAND TREATING APPARATUS AND METHOD Filed June 12, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 TEXTILE STRAND TREATING APPARATUS AND METHOD Oct. 23, 1962 R. c. WlLKlE ET AL 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed June 12, 1959 W m w W 1962 R. c. WILKIE ET AL 3,060,058

TEXTILE STRAND TREATING APPARATUS AND METHOD 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed June 12, 1959 United States Patent ice 3,06G,i58 TEXTILE ST TREATING APPARATUS AND METHGD Robert C. Wilkie, Millis, and William I. Walter, Need= ham, Mass, assignors to Ludlow Corporation, a corporation of Massachusetts Filed June 12, 1959, Ser. No. 819,934 21 Claims. (Q1. 117-111) The present invention relates to a process and apparatus for the treatment of material in strand form, as to apply a coating material thereto or to smooth the surface thereof. The invention has particular utility in connection with textile strands and therefore will be further described by reference to this application.

An object of the invention is to provide an efficient process and apparatus for the surface treatment at high speed and low cost of textile strands, by which we mean to include all types of continuou length textile materials, e.g., yarns and threads.

A further object of the invention is to provide a process and apparatus for superficially coating textile strands.

A further object is to provide an inexpensive process and apparatus for laying the surface fuzz of textile strands.

Another object is to provide a process and apparatus for coating textile strands whereby the amount of material applied may be very accurately controlled.

Another object is to provide a process and apparatus for coating textile strands which will effectively handle strands of marked non-uniformity of diameter and cross sectional shape along their length.

-Another object is to provide a process and apparatus which will effectively apply a coating material to textile strands which release large amounts of lint or fly, such as jute yarns.

Another object is to provide a process and apparatus of the character described wherein the amount of material applied to the strand per unit length may, if desired, be kept very low.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of presently preferred practices and embodiments thereof in which reference is made to the accompanying drawings, wherein;

FIG. 1 is an elevation of the apparatus;

FIG. 2 is a horizontal sectional view on line 22 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view, partly in elevation taken on line 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a detail sectional view on line 4-4 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a vertical sectional view on line 55 of FIG. 3, showing the driving means;

FIG. 6 is a vertical sectional view on line 6--6 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a detail view partly in section on line 7-7 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a ring forming a part of the apparatus;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view on line 9 9 of FIG. 1, partly in elevation, showing the relationship of the liquid coating material supply to the remainder of the apparatus;

FIG. 10 is a vertical sectional view, partly in elevation, on line 10-10 of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is an elevation, partly broken away, of a modification;

FIG. 12 is an end elevation, partly in section on line 12l2 of FIG. 11; and

FIG. 13 is an elevation of a further modification, partly broken away and somewhat schematic.

In accordance with the invention we surface treat a textile strand by moving the strand in the direction of 3,960,058 Patented Get. 23, 1962 its length through, and in contact with individual members of, a mass of rounded bodies while continuously moving the bodies in a stream or streams with respect to the strand. Preferably the bodies are moved in a stream so that they successively present their surfaces to the strand moving through the stream. Desirably the mass of bodies is moved transversely of the length of the strand.

Preferably the streaming motion of the bodies is provided by rotating the mass of bodies about an axis transverse to the moving strand. When the treatment is a coating treatment, a coating material is supplied to the mass of bodies, and is passed from the supply and from body to body, and thus carried to and placed on the surface of the moving strand. Fly or lint released from the strand is continually carried away from the treatment point by the movement of the bodies.

To perform the process of the invention we provide an apparatus having a mass of such rounded solid bodies of a durable material, e.g., steel balls, confined in a cage which is rotated, whereby the balls are continually moved along paths transverse to the direction of movement of the traveling strand, which is passed through the cage in a direction transverse to its axis of rotation. The cage is provided with a transverse opening, or openings, extending entirely around its periphery along a plane, for the admission of the traveling strand to the mass of balls and for the exit of the strand from the mass of balls. For this purpose the cage is, in a preferred modification, formed by a group of axially aligned rings spaced from each other a distance somewhat less than the diameter of the balls and supported from a plurality of parallel shafts, preferably at least three, at least one of which shafts is rotated to rotate the rings in their respective planes as a group. The shafts may have a series of spaced ribs thereon for the reception of the rings therebetween, corresponding ribs on each of the shafts lying in a common plane.

In the preferred process and apparatus as applied to coating of fibrous textile strands, the strand is passed first through a mass of balls which are moved as described, and which are provided with a liquid coating material to coat the strand. The strand is then passed through a secondmass of balls which is not supplied with a coating material and which, moving as described, serves to remove any excess coating material from the strand, to further level out the distribution of the coating on the strand, and to lay the fibers. Thereafter, the strand is passed through a third mass of balls to finally level the coating and lay and secure the fuzz, after which the strand may be wound up in any conventional manner. Preferably the strand is pulled through the apparatus and is wound up at constant speed. The spacing of the masses of balls and the duration of the passage of the strand through the second and third masses may be such that the coating material is tacky during the passage of the strand through the second 'and/ or third mass so that as the fuzz is laid it is permanently secured in place to leave the strand with a permanently smooth surface.

The invention is particularly useful for applying very small amounts of coating to fibrous textile strands such as yarns or threads and is adapted to apply such coating very rapidly, reliably and at low cost, with accurate control of the amount of coating applied to the strand, even although the strand may be such as to release large amounts of fuzz and lint. Although it is not confined thereto, the invention is particularly valuable for the coating of yarns of jute or other bast fibers.

Turning now to the particular preferred practice and preferred embodiment of the invention to be described in detail for purpose of illustration, and referring to FIG. 1, the strand to be treated, in this instance a jute yarn 2, is supplied from a creel at 4 from a package 6. Although only a single end of yarn 2, taken from a single package 6 is shown, it will be understood that a plurality of ends may be drawn from the creel 4 and simultaneously treated in the apparatus to be described.

The strand 2 passes through three treating units, passing first through an applicator indicated generally at 8, and then making three passes through a wiper 10 and a second wiper 12, and finally passing at 14 to any suitable conventional Winding apparatus to be wound into packages.

All three treating units 8, 10 and 12 are substantially similar in construction and, accordingly, one only will now be described in detail.

Each unit includes an end frame 16 (FIG. 3) and a similar end frame 18. The end frame 16 comprises a circular disc 20 having a central opening 22 and a peripheral groove 24. The disc 20 is fixed in a surrounding frame member 26 by means of three set screws 28, 30 and 32 which pass radially through the frame member 26, at equally spaced points around the periphery of the disc 20 and have their inner ends extending into groove 24, as appears to best advantage in FIG. 4. The frame member 26 is provided with suitable feet 34, 36 which rest on and are bolted to side frame members of the main frame 38 on which all three units 8, 10 and 12 are supported. The end frame 18 is generally similar to the end frame 16, having a frame member 26 with a grooved circular disc 42 secured therein by set screws 28', 30' and 32'. The circular disc 42 is provided with a hole 4|] substantially smaller than the opening 22 in circular disc 20. End frame member 26' likewise is provided with feet bolted to the main frame 38.

End frames 16 and 18 are fixed wth respect to each other in spaced relation by three tie rods 44, 46 and 48 having reduced ends extending through the discs 20 and 42. The disc 20 is secured to the tie rods by nuts 50, threaded on the reduced ends of the tie rods and holding the disc against the shoulders at the inner ends of the reduced ends of the tie rods. A cap plate 52 is secured in spaced relation to the outer face of the end frame 18 to forma housing for the drive mechanism. The cap plate 52is provided with holes for the reception of the reduced ends of tie rods 44, 46 and 48 and is held by nuts 54, threaded on the tie rods, against a cylindrical shell 56 surrounding the tie rods, having its inner surface resting on spacer sleeves 5 8, 59 on the reduced ends of the tie rods and bearing against the outer face of the disc 42. l

A mass of rounded bodies in the form of balls 69 is confined in a cage generally indicated at 62 in the space between the end frames 16 and 18 and the tie rods 44, '46 and 48. For the purpose of supporting and rotating the cage 62, three shafts '64, 66 and 68, journaled in the end frames 16 and 18 and extending through the cap plate 52, are provided. The shafts 64,66 and 68 are driven in unison by a main drive shaft 70 from any suitable source of power (not shown). The main drive shaft 79 is journaled in the hole of the disc 42 and in the cap plate 52. Splined to the shaft within the'housing formed by the disc 42, cap plate 52 and the shell 56 is a driver gear 72 which drives pinions 74, 76 and 78 splined on the shafts 64, 66 and 68 respectively. The shafts 64, 66 and 68 are restrained against endwise movement by suitable collars, indicated at '80 and 82. A similar collar 84 in cooperation with the disc 85 maintains the main drive shaft 70 in proper endwise position.

For supporting and driving the cage 62, each of the shafts 64, 66 and 68 carries a ribbed driving roller 86, 88 and 90 respectively, which may be of nylon. Each driving roller is connected to its shaft for rotation therewith by a spline, such as the spline 92 securing roller 88 to shaft 66 (FIG. 7). The roller 88 is secured against endwise movement on shaft '66 by collars 94, 96 adjustably fastened to the shaft by set screws 98 and 99 respectively.

Each driving roller has thereon a series of ribs 100, equally spaced lengthwise of the roller and providing channels 162 between the ribs. A series of rings 184 (FIG. 8) is positioned between the driving rollers 86, 88 and 90 to be received with a loose fit in the channels 102 and thus supported by and driven by the shafts 64, 66 and 68. In the endmost channels 102 at one end of the rollers is a solid end plate 106. In the endmost channels at the outer end of the rollers is a plate 108 provided with a central opening closed by a closure plate 110 which is secured to the plate 108 by a detachable fastening, such as a series of cap screws 1 12 distributed around the margin of the closure plate 110. Removal of the closure plate 11!), together with the opening 22, provides access to the space inside the group of rings 104 for loading and unloading of the balls 60.

The balls 60 are preferably steel balls and may be conventional ball bearings. In the embodiment described the balls are 7 steel ball bearings, although other sizes from much smaller to much larger than this may be used. The applicator 8 has the cage 62 filled with balls to the amount of about 80% of the volume of the cylindrical space defined by and lying inside the rings and between the end plates. The second unit 10 and the third unit 12 and each filled to the extent of about 40% of this volume.

As the main drive shaft 70, through gear 72 and pinions 74, 76 and 78, rotates the shafts 64, 66 and 68, the cage formed by the rings 104 and the end plates 106, 108, is rotated by the driving rollers 86, 88 and 90, causing the mass of balls to be continually moved so that the balls roll inside the cage and are moved transversely of the strand 2.

The strand 2 is conducted from a fixed guide 114 on the main frame 38 through a space between adjacent rings 104 (or between an end ring 104 and one or the other of the end plates 1'06, 108). The strand 2 continues through the applicator 8 and over a fixed but adjustable guide roller 116 mounted on brackets 118 on the circular discs 20 and 42 in a position such as to cause the strand 2 to be immersed in the mass of balls 60 when the apparatus is in operation. Textile strands run freely through the described apparatus, even when they release large amounts of lint and fly, or are markedly non-uni: form, or contain foreign material.

The treating or coating material is supplied to the cage 62. The preferred applicator unit 8 is provided with a pan 120 disposed beneath the cage 62 for supplying the coating material 121 to the cage. The coating material could be supplied by dripping or pouring it on the top of the cage, or otherwise. Referring particularly to FIGS. 9 and 10, the pan 120 is provided with an inlet connection 122 into which the coating material is conducted from a supply tank 124 (FIG. 1) through a flexible hose 126. Adjacent the opposite end of tank 120 is a cross plate 128 which functions as a weir to maintain the coating material at a fixed level as it flows from the inlet 122 through the body of the pan and over the upper edge of plate .128 to the outlet connection 138. The plate 128 slides in vertical guides in the side walls of pan 120 so that it can be removed and replaced by other plates of different heights to provide different levels of liquid 121 in the pan. It will be understood that instead of removable plates 128, a plate which is adjustable in height may be provided. The coating material 121 is recirculated by pump 132 from the outlet connection 130 to the coating supply tank 124 through a line 134, which may be provided with a filter 136.

The rings 104 dip into the coating material 121 and the lower balls are wetted by the coating material. One or more of the drive rollers 86, 88, 90 may be arranged to dip into the coating material 121 to further supply liquid to the rings 104 and the balls 60. Thus in the particular arrangement of FIG. the drive roller 88 dips into the liquid so that it runs wet and continually supplies liquid to the cage. The roller 90 is wetted by the spillage over the plate 128 and thus carries liquid to the cage. The strand itself can be dipped in the liquid during its passage through the apparatus.

The process and apparatus are effective With various degrees of immersion of the cage below the surface of the treating liquid 121, from just touching the lower periphery of rings 164 to the liquid surface to immersing the cage for more than one-half its height beneath the surface. In general, greater immersion of the cage in the liquid results in application of greater amounts of coating material.

As the cage 62 rotates, the balls are moved in a stream, transferring the coating material from ball to ball and from place to place in the cage. Different balls are continually being carried past and into contact with the traveling strand on and against which they impinge, resulting in a very uniform application of the material to the strand and a very effective removal of lint. The amount of coating on any one ball may be extremely thin and it has been found that the apparatus may be operated to cause the application of only a very small amount of coating material to the strand, while yet producing a very level and uniform distribution of the coating over the entire surface of the strand.

In our apparatus the orifices through which the strand passes in entering and in leaving the treating zone comprising the mass of balls are in effect continually moving orifices so that there is no opportunity for the building up of lint to clog the orifices. Any fibers or fuzz detached from the traveling strand in the cage are carried away from the strand by the stream of balls so that they work outwardly and fall or are thrown from the apparatus or are deposited on the driving rollers 86, 88 and 90 and thus the cage is continually automatically cleaned of such lint. Lint deposited by the strand on the outside of the rings at the side of the cage at which the strand enters will be carried around on the outside of the rings to the opposite side of the cage where it will be pulled off and thrown clear by the exiting strand. Lint deposited inside the cage also may be carried to the exit point and flicked out by the exiting strand.

Scraper blades are provided for the drive rollers to remove lint or other foreign material therefrom. Referring to FIG. 3 and FIG. 6, the shaft 46 carries, opposite the driving roller 88, a tubular member 138 having secured thereto the scraper blade 140 which is provided with a serrated end having a series of teeth 142 interfitting with the ribs 160 to lie in the groove 102 with the ends of the teeth tangent to the bottom of the grooves as appears in FIG. 6. Lint collecting on the grooves or ribs is scraped off by the teeth 138 or the portions of the ends of the blade between the teeth and thus continually re moved from the cage 62. To maintain the teeth 142 in contact with the bottoms of the grooves 102, a coil spring 144 is disposed about the tie rod 46 having one of its ends 146' engaging the scraper blade 140 and the other of its ends 148 maintained in fixed position by a lug 150 on a collar 152 adjustably fixed on tie rod 46, as by a set screw. The collar 152 is fixed in such position on the tie rod 46 as to place the spring 144 under tension to continually tend to rock the blade 141 about the axis of the tie rod in the direction to engage the teeth 142 with the bottoms of the grooves 102.

It will be appreciated that the apparatus for containing and rotating the balls may take many different specific forms. One such modified form of ball retaining cage is shown in FIGS. 11 and 12. In this modification the cage consists of a number of similar cage elements each comprising a ring 154 supported from a hub 156 by means of a thin Web 158. The hubs 156 are carried on a shaft 160 mounted on a suitable bearing 162 supported on the main frame 38. The end cage elements may be the same as the other cage elements or they may have their webs connected to one side of the ring 154 and the hub 156 as shown in FIG. 11. The hubs are slightly longer in the axial direction than the rings 154 so that when the hubs are pulled together on shaft into engagement with each other, by tightening of nut 164, spaces between the rings are provided for the entry and exit of the strand 2 to be treated. The webs, rings and hubs of adjoining cage members form pockets for the retention of masses of balls 60. This modified cage is positioned so that its lower portion extends into the pan 129 for the treating liquid 121, the level of which is controlled, as before, by positioning of a suitable cross-plate 128 in the guideways on the side of the pan 120.

'In the operation of the apparatus, the strand 2 is passed from the package 6 through the guide 114, through the applicator 8, over the guide roller 116, about a guide roller 166 and into the first wiper unit 10. From the roller 166 the strand 2 moves upwardly through a slot between adjacent rings 104 of the first wiper unit 10, through the mass of balls 60, out through a slot between the rings and upwardly to the second wiper unit 12. A heater unit 168 is provided between wiper units 10 and 12 having electrical resistance heating coils 170 disposed on opposite sides of the pathway of the strand 2. The strand passes through the second Wiper unit 12 in the same manner as it passed through the first wiper unit 10 and is led thence about a guide roller 172 and a guide roller 174- for a second pass through both wiper units and thence to the guide roller 176 from which it is led ofi at 14 to any suitable winding apparatus.

The wiper units 10 and 12 are not supplied with liquid. The balls are rolled inside the cage and moved transversely of the strand about an axis transverse to the strand to repeatedly contact the strand as in the applicator unit 3. This operation causes the balls to be wet With the coating material picked up from the strand, which coating material is distributed from ball to ball. Any excess works out to the drive rollers 86, 88, 90 and is removed by the scraper blade teeth 142. Lint released from the strand is continuously and effectively removed from the apparatus as in the applicator 8. This treatment in the wiper units serves further to level out and render uniform the coating on the strand 2. At the same time the fuzz on the strand is laid down against its surface, into the coating.

As the strand passes upwardly from the first to the second wiper units, the coating material thereon is dried at least partially in the first pass and completely by the time the strand has completed the third pass through the second wiper unit.

Desirably the speed of the strand and the temperature of the heater 168 are so adjusted that upon entry of the strand into a wiper unit on at least one of the passes the coating is in a tacky state such that the fuzz may still be secured to it but will not again rise from it after the strand has left the unit.

The applicator and wiper units need not be disposed in the particular spatial arrangement shown in FIG. 1. For example, they may with advantage be arranged along a straight line, vertically or horizontally. Thus in the modification of FIG. 13 the applicator 8, the first wiper 10 and the second wiper 12 are arranged along a horizontal line, the strand 2 passing along a generally straight line from the supply creel through the units in succession, rcpassing twice through the wiper units and then to the winding equipment. A driven, wire-bristle brush is arranged to run in contact with the outer faces of the rings of the cage of the second wiper unit 12 to further aid in removal of lint and fly. It will be understood that such a brush 180 may be included in any of the units 6, 10 or 12, of the modifications of FIGS. 1-9, or of 10-12, or of FIG. 13. A heating unit 178 is located between units 16 and 12, functioning in the same manner as the heater 170.

' It will 'be understood that a heater unit may, if de-' sired, be located between the applicator and the first wip-er unit, either with or without the use of a heater unit between the first and second wiper units, or the heater may be omitted entirely if its function is not needed.

The percentage of the volume of the cage filled with balls, in the cages of the applicator and wipers, may vary over wide limits. The cage must not be so full that the balls cannot move with respect to each other and the strand. In general, larger amounts of balls give'better coating results and give a smoother and harder finish to the strand, but increase the tension in the strand as it is pulled through the cage.

The halls in a single cage need not all be of the same size.

The cage may be rotated at various speeds, over a wide range, the considerations being to maintain the strand Within the mass of balls and to avoid breaking the strands. Speeds from less than /2 r.p.m. to in excess of r.p.m. have been eifectively used with various weight jute fiber strands. In general, the speed of rotation of the cage will be greater with greater yarn speed and with greater yarn diameter. The speeds of the cages of the applicator, first wiper and second wiper need not be the same, and it is generally preferable to run the wiper units somewhat slower than the applicator unit. The wiper units generally need be run no faster than is required to keep the unit free from lint.

Although three units, 8, 10 and 12, are employed in the particular preferred modification disclosed for purposes of illustration, it will be understood that a greater orlesser number may be used.

We have found that yarns may be processed at high speed through the apparatus described. Speeds of over 400 yards per minute have been found practical with juite yarns. The invention is not limited to any particular speed of travel of the yarn, speed of rotation of the cage, direction of rotation of the cage, ball content of the cage, size of the balls or extent of immersion of the cage.

The process has been found to be very useful and eflective in providing a coated jute fiber strand wherein the coating is at the surface of the strand. By the use of such coatings the tensile strength of the strand may at low cost be greatly increased, and the hair or fuzz, normally a notably objectionable feature of jute yarns, can be tightly laid to provide a smooth, hair-free surface, with the use of only a very small amount of coating material and at a very low cost.

The method and apparatus of the invention are useful for a great variety of purposes, for coating uniform as well as non-uniform strands. For example, they may be used for treatment of such strands with a liquid for bleaching, pigmenting or dyeing, or other chemical treatment, or for the purpose of applying a finish, for example, a mildewproofing or mold-resistant finish, or for applying a thermoplastic sheath, or a superficial layer serving the purpose of preventing migration of oil or other liquid from the strand, or they may be used for oiling the strand. The viscosity of the materials which the process and apparatus will apply ranges from thinly fluid to highly viscous. The

applied materials may be hot melts, solvent systems, aqueous or other liquid dispersions, or dry powders. Thermosetting materials may be applied in the applicator 8 and set in the Wipers 10 or 12. The process and apparatus may be usedto treat strands without applying any material thereto, to surface treat a strand to condense or smooth or otherwise aifect the condition of its surface.

An illustrative example of a coating material is the following:

14 parts by weight of polyvinyl alcohol, consisting of the 98% hydrolyzed polyvinyl acetate which is available commercially as PVA 6098 supplied by The Borden Company.

86 parts by weight of water.

A 16-p-ound juteyarn consisting of District Tossa fiber and having a twist of 3.3 turns per inch was coated with the coating material described in the preceding paragraph on the apparatus of FIGS. 1-10 of the drawing at a strand speed of 400 yards per minute, with the applicator cage 8 turning at 12 r.p.m. and each of the wiper cages turning at 3 r.p.m. The cage of the applicator 8 was immersed for about As its diameter in the coating liquid. The finished yarn was substantially free from surface fuzz and its tensile strength was increased more than 20%; Untwisting of a sample of the coated yarn and examination of its fibers showed that the coating material was located entirely at the surface, with the inner fibers being free of coating.

We claim:

1. Apparatus for treating a traveling strand which comprises a mass of rounded bodies, a rotatable cage for confining said bodies within which the bodies are movable, said cage having an opening therethrough for the passage of the strand, said opening extending continuously around a periphery of the cage along a plane, means for rotating the cage about an axis passing through the cage and disposed normal to said plane, and guide means for leading a traveling strand into said cage.

2. Apparatus for treating a traveling strand which comprises a mass of balls, a rotatable cage for confining said balls within which the balls are movable, said cage having an opening therethrough for the passage of the strand, said opening extending continuously around a periphery of the cage along a plane, means for rotating the cage about an axis passing through the cage and disposed normal to said plane, and guide means for leading a traveling strand into said cage.

3. Apparatus for coating a traveling strand which com prises a mass of rounded bodies, a cage for confining said bodies in which the bodies are movable, said cage having an opening therethrough for the passage of the strand, said opening extending continuously around a periphery of the cage along a plane, means for rotating the cage about an axis passing through the cage and disposed normal to said plane, means for supplying a coating material to said bodies, and guide means for leading a traveling strand into said cage.

4. Apparatus for coating a traveling strand which comprises a mas of substantially equal-sized balls, a cage for confining said balls in which the balls are movable, said cage having an opening therethrough for the passage of the strand, said opening extending continuously around a periphery of the cage along a plane, means for rotating the cage about an axis passing through the cage and disposed normal to said plane, means for supplying a coating material to said balls, and guide means for leading a traveling strand into said cage.

5. An apparatus for treating a traveling strand comprising a plurality of rotatable shafts disposed in spaced parallel relation, a plurality of axially spaced rings and a pair of plates disposed between and supported by the shafts and each lying generally in a plane normal to the shafts, said rings lying between said plates, a plurality of rounded bodies each larger than the space between adjacent rings disposed in the space inside said rings, and means for driving at least one of said shafts to rotate said rings in their respective planes.

6. An apparatus for treating a traveling strand'cornprising a plurality of rotatable shafts disposed in spaced parallel relation, a plurality of axially spaced rings and a pair of plates disposed between and supported by the shafts and each lying generally in a plane normal to the shafts, said rings lying between said plates, a mass of balls each of a size larger than the space between adjacent rings disposed in the space inside said rings, means for driving at least one of said shafts to rotate said rings in their respective planes and thereby move the balls, and means for moving the strand through said mass of balls.

7. An apparatus for treating a traveling strand com prising a plurality of rotatable shafts in spaced parallel relation, each shaft having a plurality of substantially equally spaced circumferential ribs connected thereto and rotatable therewith, corresponding ribs on all of the shafts lying in a common plane normal to the shafts, a plurality of axially spaced rings and a pair of plates disposed between and supported by the shafts and each lying generally in a plane normal to the shafts and between adjacent ribs on each shaft, said rings lying between said plates, a plurality of balls disposed in the space inside said rings, and means for driving at least one of said shafts to rotate said rings in their respective planes.

8. An apparatus for coating a traveling strand comprising spaced frame members, at least three rotatable shafts supported on and extending between said frame members in spaced parallel relation, means for driving said shafts at the same speed, each shaft having a plurality of substantially equally spaced circumferential ribs connected thereto and rotatable therewith, corresponding ribs on all of the shafts lying in a common plane normal to the shafts, a plurality of axially spaced rings and a pair of plates disposed between and supported by the shafts and each lying generally in a plane normal to the shafts and between adjacent ribs on each shaft, said rings lying between said plates, and a mass of rounded bodies each larger than the space between adjacent rings confined inside aid rings by means supported on said shafts, means for moving a strand to be coated through said mass of bodies, and means for supplying a coating material to said bodies.

9. An apparatus for coating a traveling strand comprising spaced frame members, tie rods connecting said frame members and holding them in spaced relationship, at least three rotatable shafts supported on and extending between said frame members in spaced parallel relation, means for driving said shafts at the same speed, each shaft having a plurality of substantially equally spaced circumferential ribs connected thereto and rotatable therewith, corresponding ribs on all of the shafts lying in a common plane normal to the shafts, a plurality of axially spaced rings disposed between and supported by the shafts and each lying generally in a plane normal to the shafts and between adjacent ribs on each shaft, a circular plate at each end of the group of rings, each plate being disposed between and supported by said shafts and lying generally in a plane normal to the shafts and between adjacent ribs on each shaft, a mass of steel balls of substantially the same diameter, greater than the space between adjacent rings, confined in the space inside said rings and between said plates, the volume of said mass being less than the volume of the said space, means for moving the strand lengthwise through said mass of balls, and means for supplying a coating material to said balls.

10. The method of surface treating a strand which comprises moving the strand in the direction of its length through and in contact with individual members of a mass of rounded bodies, and continuously rotating said mass about an axis transverse to the moving strand.

11. The method of applying a coating material to a textile strand which comprises moving the strand in the direction of its length through and in contact with individual members of a mass of balls coated with the coating material, and continuously rotating said mass about an axis transverse to the moving strand.

12. The method of treating the surface of a textile strand which comprises continuously moving the strand in the direction of its length through and in contact with individual members of a mass of balls and continuously rotating said mass about an axis transverse to the strand.

13. The method of applying a coating material to and laying the fuzz on a textile strand which comprises continuously moving the strand in the direction of its length through and in contact with individual members of a mass of balls coated with the coating material while continuously rotating said mass about an axis transverse r If to the strand, supplying coating material to said mass of balls, and thereafter moving the strand in the direction of its length through a second mass of balls while rotating said second mass about an axis transverse to the strand.

14. The method of applying a liquid coating material to a textile strand which comprises continuously moving the strand in the direction of its length through and in contact with individual members of a mass of balls supported on each other and by a surrounding cage in which the mass of balls is movable, continuously supplying coating material to the mass of balls at a fixed position and continuously rotating the cage to move the balls in a path which intersects and crosses the strand, to transfer coating material from the supply, from ball to ball and to the moving strand.

15. The method of applying a liquid coating material to and laying the fuzz on a textile strand which comprises continuously moving the strand in the direction of its length through and in contact with individual members of a mass of balls supported on each other and by a surrounding cage in which the mass of balls is movable, continuously supplying coating material to the mass of balls at a fixed position, continuously rotating the cage to move the balls in a path which intersects and crosses the strand, to transfer coating material from the supply, from ball to ball and to the moving strand, and thereafter moving the strand continuously through a second mass of balls while continuously moving the balls of the second mass transversely of the moving strand.

16. The method of treating the surface of a strand which comprises continuously moving the strand in the direction of its length through and in contact with individual members of a mass of rounded bodies supported on each other and by a surrounding cage in which the mass of bodies is movable, and continuously rotating the cage about an axis transverse to the strand to move the bodies transversely of the strand.

17. The method of applying a liquid coating material to and laying the fuzz on a textile strand Which comprises continuously moving the strand in the direction of its length through and in contact with individual members of a mass of balls supported on each other and by a surrounding cage in which the mass of balls is free to move, continuously supplying coating material to the mass of balls at a fixed position, continuously rotaitng the cage about an axis transverse to the strand to move the balls transversely of the strand, to transfer coating material from the supply, from ball to ball and to the moving strand, and thereafter moving the strand continuously through a second mass of balls while continuously moving the balls of said second mass of balls about an axis transverse to the moving strand.

18. The method of surface treating a strand which comprises moving the strand in the direction of its length through and in contact with individual members of a mass of rounded bodies, and continuously moving said rounded bodies generally in planes parallel to the strand.

19. The method of coating a textile strand which comprises moving the strand in the direction of its length through and in contact with individual members of a mass of rounded bodies coated with the coating material, and continuously moving said rounded bodies generally in planes parallel to the strand.

20. The method of surface treating a strand which comprises moving the strand in the direction of its length through and in contact with individual members of a mass of rounded bodies supported on each other and by a surrounding cage in which the mass of bodies is movable, and continuously rotating the cage about an axis transverse to the moving strand.

21. The method of coating a textile strand which comprises moving the strand in the direction of its length through and in contact with individual members of a mass of balls coated with the coating material and sup- 1 1 12 ported on each other and by a surrounding cage in which 2,415,683 F0109 -Feb. 11, 1947 the mass of balls is movable, and continuously rotating 2,477,336 Jennings July 26, 1949 the cage about an axis transverse to the moving strand." 2,693,429 Radtke et a1 1954 2,703,550 Bell Mar. 8, 1955 References Cited in the file of this patent 5 ,330 Whit head Sept. 11, 1956 V UNITED STATES PATENTS FOREIGN PATENTS 752,458 Lehman F b. 16, 1904 290,252 Great Britain Aug. 16, 1928 1,031,616 Benrath et a1. July 2, 1912 136,886 Switzerland Dec. 15, 1929 1,767,209 Gladding June 24, 1930 10 418,024 Great Britain Oct. 17, 1934

Claims (1)

1. 21. THE METHOD OF COATING A TEXTILE STRAND WHICH COM-PRISES MOVING THE STRAND IN THE DIRECTION OF ITS LENGTHASSTHROUGH AND IN CONTACT WITH INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS OF A MASS OF BALLS COATED WITH THE COATING MATERIAL AND SUPPORTED ON EACH OTHER AND BY A SURROUNDING CAGE IN WHICH THE MASS OF BALLS IS MOVABLE, AND CONTINUOUSLY ROTATINGG THE CAGE ABOUT AN AXIS TRANSVERSE TO THE MOVING STRAND

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