US3206951A - Apparatus for milling and aftertreatment of textiles - Google Patents

Apparatus for milling and aftertreatment of textiles Download PDF

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Publication number
US3206951A
US3206951A US360796A US36079664A US3206951A US 3206951 A US3206951 A US 3206951A US 360796 A US360796 A US 360796A US 36079664 A US36079664 A US 36079664A US 3206951 A US3206951 A US 3206951A
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Prior art keywords
liquid
receptacle
fabric
water
solvent
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Expired - Lifetime
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US360796A
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English (en)
Inventor
Sieber Johannes Helmut
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Bohler & Weber KG Fa
Bohler & Weber Kg Firma
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Bohler & Weber KG Fa
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Publication date
Priority claimed from US278955A external-priority patent/US3330015A/en
Application filed by Bohler & Weber KG Fa filed Critical Bohler & Weber KG Fa
Priority to US360796A priority Critical patent/US3206951A/en
Priority to FR973669A priority patent/FR1395231A/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3206951A publication Critical patent/US3206951A/en
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    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06C—FINISHING, DRESSING, TENTERING OR STRETCHING TEXTILE FABRICS
    • D06C17/00—Fulling
    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06B—TREATING TEXTILE MATERIALS USING LIQUIDS, GASES OR VAPOURS
    • D06B9/00—Solvent-treatment of textile materials

Definitions

  • My present invention relates to an improved apparatus for treating a fabric, and more particularly, to an apparatus for the controlled treatment of fabric with water and water-soluble substances.
  • It is an object of this invention is to provide an improved apparatus for treating the fabrics and milling wool-containing textiles.
  • the liquid vehicle is preferably composed entirely of a dry-cleaning solvent of conventional type since such solvents are readily removed from the fabric and have a water-saturation point wherein the water content is not insignificant but yet below the level at which undesirable effects will result.
  • a dry-cleaning solvent of conventional type since such solvents are readily removed from the fabric and have a water-saturation point wherein the water content is not insignificant but yet below the level at which undesirable effects will result.
  • the surface-active agent is present in suiiicient quantity to stabilize the water dispersion but not in a quantity capable of solubilizing it within miscelles of the surfactant.
  • the liquid vehicle consisting predominantly of the drycleaning solvent
  • the dry-cleaning machine or immersion receptacle in which the treatment of the fabric is carried out is provided with a solvent-circulating system including pump means capable of effecting a fine dispersion of the water in the solvent and supply means for the water and/or the surface-active agent is disposed rearwardly of the pump in the direction of circulation of the liquid.
  • the system can be provided with means for extracting the liquid vehicle from the fabric at the conclusion of the treatment process, control means being provided to direct a portion of the solvent removed from the treatment vessel to a distilling means for purification.
  • the free liquid within the receptacle is first drained into a storage tank or reservoir with only the tailings, removed by extraction, being fed to the distilling device.
  • the quantity of surface activation may be equal to a small fraction of that of the dispersed water (between 0.1 and 10% by weight of the fabric to be treated), the water being present in an amount ranging between substantially 5 and 50% by weight of the fabric. Best results are obtained when the liquor ratio, i.e. the ratio of fabric in kilograms to total liquid vehicle in liters, ranges between 1:2 to 1:50 and preferably is about 1:10.
  • the relative quantities of water dispersed in the dry-cleaning solvent and surface-active agent are more dramtically demonstrated by noting that the preferred range of surfactant quantities lies between 0.5 and 3% by weight of the fabric while the water quantity is between 5 and 20% by weight of the fabric.
  • any dry-cleaning solvent is suitable for use in the present invention, it being noted that solvents in which water is only slightly soluble are the most satisfactory.
  • the most practical solvents for use in treating fabrics in the manner described above are the chlorinated hydrocarbons and solvent mixtures containing aliphatic, aromatic and alicyclic hydrocarbons of the Stoddard type. Solvents having particular suitability are those described in ASTM Standards D484-52. and hereafter designated as Stoddard solvents.
  • the chlorinated hydrocarbons per-. chlorethylene and trichlorethylene are most suitable since they are readily removed from the fabric at the conclusion of treatment by conventional means.
  • the surface-active agents employed in the present in vention include anionic, cationic and nonionic types as well as conventional soaps. It is desirable, for the most part, to operate at about room temperature when milling and fabric shrinkage are to be carried out, but at higher temperatures (say 30-40 C.) when felting is required. It may be noted that the organic solvents to be used have a water-saturation level on the order of 0.04% by weight at 25 C., a preferred temperature for milling WOOL-COB. taining fabrics.
  • FIG. 1 is an axial cross-sectional view through a drycleaning machine of the rotating-basket type, schematically showing a system embodying the present invention
  • FIG. 2 is a graph of the sequence of operation of the valves and other control elements of the system of FIG. 1.
  • FIG. 1 I show a dry-cleaning machine 10, of a generally conventional type, wherein a receptacle 11 encloses a rotating fabric-receiving basket 12 into which the fabric 13 can be introduced via an opening 14 in the receptacle which can be closed by a door 15.
  • the perforated basket 12 is provided with vanes 16 for agitating the fabric in the liquid 17 contained by the receptacle.
  • the basket 12 is provided with a driven pulley 18 connected via a belt 19 with the drive wheel 20 of a motor M whose two-speed transmission 22 is normally in its low-speed state.
  • An electromagnetically operable clutch C is provided on the transmission for shifting it to its high speed.
  • the motor M also carries a pump for draining solvent from the receptacle 11.
  • a reservoir 24 is disposed above receptacle 11 and is connected thereto by a pipe 25 in which is positioned an electrically operable valve V for controlling the addition of solvent to the receptacle 11.
  • a distilling unit D positioned above the reservoir 24, is connected thereto by another pipe 26 whereby regenerated solvent can be drained into the reservoir 24 by gravity.
  • a conduit 27 leads from the outlet of the pump and supplies a first duct means 28 via an electrically operable valve V 'to convey the liquid vehicle to the distilling unit D.
  • a second duct means 29', having an electrically operable valve V is also provided to convey the liquid directly to the reservoir 24.
  • a conduit means 30' with its valve V forms with line 27 and pipe 25 a closed system for'circulating the solvent, as will be described hereinafter.
  • the intake end of pump 23 is fed by a drain pipe 31 from the receptacle 11 and serves as the termination for a supply line 32 whose gravity-fed dispenser 33 adds water and surfactant to the solvent.
  • the amount of water added can be determined by a manually adjustable valve 34, although sensing means 35, responsive to the water content of the solvent, may be provided in line 27 for automatic control of this valve.
  • a two-position cutoff valve V is provided in supply line 32 for initiating and halting fiow of water into the solvent.
  • a filter F whose inlet 36 is connected to line 27 via an electromagnetically operable valve V can also be provided to remove solid and certain liquid impurities from the solvent stream as desired.
  • the outlet pipe 37 of filter F contains a check valve 38 to prevent backflow of the liquid.
  • Anair-inlet duct 39 supplied by a blowernot shown, is fitted with an electrically controlled valve V for supplying a blast of drying air to the receptacle 11.
  • An outlet duct 40 is designed to carry air saturated with the solvent to the distilling unit D for recovery of the solvent.
  • a timer and programming means 41 which can be of the card-control type, is provided for sequentially operating the valves. Such programmers are well known per se and need not be described in detail.
  • the operation of the apparatus of FIG. 1 will now be described with reference to a five-minute milling operation.
  • the programming sequence may, of course, be altered as desired to suit any particular requirements.
  • the fabric e.g. wool-containing garments to be milled, is introduced into the basket 12 via opening 14 and the door 15 then closed.
  • the programmer is then turned on to operate motor M which functions during the entire cycle (FIG. 2).
  • the programmer also energizes valve V to permit solvent to drain from the reservoir 24 into the receptacle 11.
  • the quantity of solventthus added may be controlled by suitable float means well known inthe art and not shown herein. After approximately threequarters of a minute (FIG.
  • valve V is closed and valve V opened.
  • Valve V has meanwhile been energized so that the pump 23 circulates the dry-cleaning solvent from and back to the receptacle 11.
  • This pump is preferably of the centrifugal type to ensure thorough agitation on the solvent.
  • valve V is opened to admit water and surfactant from the supply means 33 into the solvent stream rearwardly of the pump 23 in the direction of circulation of the liquid.
  • the pump thus constitutes a dispersing means which forms a fine dispersion of Water in the solvent.
  • the water, carried by the solvent is thus brought into contact with the fabric 13 as the drum rotates at low speed for the duration of the milling operation shown to be approximately 4 minutes.
  • valves V and V are closed while valve V remains open and either valve V or V is opened.
  • the pump then displaces the free solvent of receptacle 11 into reservoir 24 directly or 'into the latter via the filter F. Solvent trapped in the fabric 13 is not, however, drained from the receptacle 11 at this time.
  • valve V or V is closed and valve V opened concurrently with energization of clutch C and the distilling unit D. This energization of clutch C shifts the transmission 22 into its high speed whereupon the basket 12 is rotated rapidly to force liquid out of the fabric 13 by centrifugal force.
  • This liquid constitutes the tailings and is conveyed by pump 23 to the distilling unit D via line 28 whose valve 'V has been opened as previously noted.
  • clutch C is de-energized and valve V closed and the basket 12 rotated again at low speed to tumble the fabric 13.
  • the valve V is then operated to admit a stream of drying air, heated if desired, to the receptacle 11.
  • the solvent-containing gas is carried to the distilling unit D wherein the solvent is recovered.
  • motor M is cut off and the fabric removed.
  • Example I In a dry-cleaning machine of the aforedescribed type (FIG. 1), I dispose 4 kg. of a wool-containing knitwear, consisting substantially of 70% wool and 30% viscose rayon. The knitwear is in a damp state and contains 11.5%, by weight, of water. The drycleaning machine is charged with a perchlorethylene cleaning solvent at a liquor ratio of 1:10 (for one kilogram of goods ten liters of solvent). A quantity of a surface-active. agent equal to 1% of the weight of the fabrics is distributed in the solvent. It should be noted that the water/surfactant weight ratio is approximately 11.5 :1. An anionic emulsifier (sodium dodecylbenzinesulfonate) serves as the stabilizer for the dispersion. The milling time is approximately 15 minutes. The dried knitwear is found to have been milled to the desired extent without undue felting.
  • a perchlorethylene cleaning solvent at a liquor ratio of 1:10 (for one kilogram of goods ten liters of
  • Example [I A woven fabric containing approximately 70% wool is treated in the dry-cleaning machine with Stoddard solvent (ASTM D484-52) at a liquor ratio of 1:5 (for one kilogram of fabric five liters of solvent). Approximately 14 kg. of fabric are treated. A paste soap (560 cc.) containing g. of water is then added. In this case it is desirable that a total water content of 17%, based upon the weight of the fabric, be employed. Approximately 2.3 kg. of water must then be added to the dry-cleaning solvent together with or subsequent to the addition of the soap at the supply means whereupon the water is dispersed thoroughly in the solvent by the pump. The fabric is milled for 15 minutes whereupon the solvent is drained to the reservoir, and is then extracted for 3 minutes, the liquid tailings being conducted to the distilling unit. Again the dried fabric shows the desired milling effect.
  • Example III 18 kg. of Woolen blankets, consisting of 30% by weight cotton and 70% by weight wool, just off the loom and still containing size and natural oils, are treated for 5 minutes in 360 liters of trichlorethylene dry-cleaning solvent (liquor ratio 1:20). The blankets are then extracted, with the solvent distilled and returned to the receptacle by way of the pump which disperses 360 g. of a nonionic emulsifier (a nonylphenylethyleneoxide condensate such as the one marketed under the trademark Tergitol NPX) together with 2.2 liters of Water (approximately 12% calculated on the weight of the blankets) in the recirculating solvent stream.
  • a nonionic emulsifier a nonylphenylethyleneoxide condensate such as the one marketed under the trademark Tergitol NPX
  • the spent liquor is returned to the reservoir with the tailings being passed through the distilling unit.
  • the blankets are found to be not only clean but also free of size and provided with the desired milling effect so that only a final carding treatment is necessary to finish the fabric.
  • Example IV A wool cardigan is milled in a perchlorethylene solvent (liquor ratio 1:10) in the presence of 12% water based upon the weight of the fabric. About 1% by weight of the fabric of a quaternary ammonium compound (as a cationic surface-active agent) stabilizes the Water-in-solvent emulsion.
  • the quaternary ammonium compound is a commercially available substance such as that marketed by Armour & Co. under the trade name Arquad HT and containing long-chain alkyl groups. A milling time of approximately 12 minutes is used. If it is desired to apply a filler or softener to the fabric, this adjuvant can be dissolved in the vehicle for transfer to the fabric by the water dispersed therein.
  • the fabric of dextrin can be dissolved in the system just described for the treatment of a woven fabric consisting of viscose rayon and 70% wool. Substantially all of the dextrin dissolved in the vehicle is deposited in the fabric and adsorbed thereby.
  • Example V 100%wool material is felted in the dry-cleaning machine or receptacle of FIG. 1 with a perchlorethylene liquor ratio of 8:1.
  • the solvent contains water, based upon the weight of the fabric, and the aforedescribed nonionic emulsifier is used.
  • the treatment temperature is 40 C.
  • a stiffening adjuvant (10% by weight of the fabric of polyvinyl alcohol) is added to the vehicle for transfer to the felt by the dispersed water. After at least partial drying the felt can be blocked and set.
  • Example VI A cotton-knit fabric is agitated for 5 minutes in perchlorethylene (liquor ratio 1:10) in the presence of a receiving basket for agitating a fabric in said liquid within said receptacle;
  • conduit means for forming a closed path communicating with said receptacle for draining said liquid from said receptacle and returning it thereto;
  • a reservoir disposed above the level of said receptacle and out of said path while communicating therewith for discharge into said receptacle;
  • distilling means disposed above said reservoir for refreshing said liquid
  • first duct means connecting said pump means with said distilling means and second duct means connecting said pump means with said reservoir independently of said path;
  • control means for operating said second duct means to convey liquid from said receptacle directly to said reservoir prior to rotation of said basket at said high speed and for operating said first duct means to convey liquid from said receptacle to said distilling means upon rotation of said basket at said high speed, said first and second duct means being inoperable at said low speed to permit circulation of said liquid along said closed path.
  • Apparatus as defined in claim 1 further comprising filter means connectible with said conduit means for removing impurities entrained by said liquid, and bypass means shunting said filter means.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Textile Engineering (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Treatment Of Fiber Materials (AREA)
US360796A 1963-05-08 1964-04-01 Apparatus for milling and aftertreatment of textiles Expired - Lifetime US3206951A (en)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US360796A US3206951A (en) 1963-05-08 1964-04-01 Apparatus for milling and aftertreatment of textiles
FR973669A FR1395231A (fr) 1963-05-08 1964-05-08 Procédé et dispositif pour le foulage des tricotages, des articles de bonneterie ou des tissus

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US278955A US3330015A (en) 1960-12-23 1963-05-08 Methods for the controlled shrinkage of textile fabrics
US360796A US3206951A (en) 1963-05-08 1964-04-01 Apparatus for milling and aftertreatment of textiles
FR973669A FR1395231A (fr) 1963-05-08 1964-05-08 Procédé et dispositif pour le foulage des tricotages, des articles de bonneterie ou des tissus

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Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3759071A (en) * 1970-09-25 1973-09-18 Boewe Boehler & Weber Kg Masch System for dyeing textiles and the like
US3966602A (en) * 1973-09-17 1976-06-29 E. I. Du Pont De Nemours And Company Process and apparatus for reclaiming and regenerating spent solvent
US20050000028A1 (en) * 2003-06-27 2005-01-06 Baker Keith Homer Method for uniform deposition of fabric care actives in a non-aqueous fabric treatment system
US20090249559A1 (en) * 2003-10-29 2009-10-08 Kohei Sawa Dry cleaning method and apparatus therefor

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2114776A (en) * 1934-05-02 1938-04-19 Prosperity Co Inc Dry cleaning machine
US2967084A (en) * 1952-07-01 1961-01-03 Associates Discount Corp Process and apparatus for controlling water in a dry cleaning solvent composition with a humidity responsive device

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2114776A (en) * 1934-05-02 1938-04-19 Prosperity Co Inc Dry cleaning machine
US2967084A (en) * 1952-07-01 1961-01-03 Associates Discount Corp Process and apparatus for controlling water in a dry cleaning solvent composition with a humidity responsive device

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3759071A (en) * 1970-09-25 1973-09-18 Boewe Boehler & Weber Kg Masch System for dyeing textiles and the like
US3966602A (en) * 1973-09-17 1976-06-29 E. I. Du Pont De Nemours And Company Process and apparatus for reclaiming and regenerating spent solvent
US20050000028A1 (en) * 2003-06-27 2005-01-06 Baker Keith Homer Method for uniform deposition of fabric care actives in a non-aqueous fabric treatment system
US7462589B2 (en) 2003-06-27 2008-12-09 The Procter & Gamble Company Delivery system for uniform deposition of fabric care actives in a non-aqueous fabric treatment system
US8148315B2 (en) 2003-06-27 2012-04-03 The Procter & Gamble Company Method for uniform deposition of fabric care actives in a non-aqueous fabric treatment system
US20090249559A1 (en) * 2003-10-29 2009-10-08 Kohei Sawa Dry cleaning method and apparatus therefor
US7823423B2 (en) * 2003-10-29 2010-11-02 Kohei Sawa Dry cleaning method and apparatus therefor

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