US3357611A

US3357611A - Textile treating method

Info

Publication number: US3357611A
Application number: US345547A
Authority: US
Inventors: Emil J Berger; Howard K West
Original assignee: Turbo Machine Co
Current assignee: Warner and Swasey Co; Turbo Machine Co
Priority date: 1960-08-29
Filing date: 1963-12-30
Publication date: 1967-12-12
Anticipated expiration: 1984-12-12

Description

DeC- l2, 1967 E. J. BERGER ETAL. 3,357,611

TEXTILE TRETING METHOD Original Fil-ed Aug. 29. 1960 l5 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTORS.

Emi! Je/yerd'.

A TTORNE YS.

DeC- 12, 1967 E. .1. BRGx-:R ETAL 3,357,611

TEXTILE THEATTNG METHOD Original Filed Aug. 29, 1960 l5 Sheets-Sheet S:

Appui A TTORNE YS.

E. J. BERGER ETAL. 3,357,611

TEXTILE TREATlNG METHOD Dec. l2, 1 967 l5 Sheets-Sheet I;

Original Filed Aug. 29. 1960 l l l I I I l l l l I I I I I lll u l n... l I 1 r l: n: I l l l I I I l I l I I..

ma u @n A TTORNE YS Dec. 12, 1967 EJ. BERGER ETAL 3,357,611

TEXTILE TREATING METHOD 1 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Original Filed Aug. 29, 1960 70 NOIZLE s avE WA 75N 9/ A ND /v w ,-e wn mr/ INVENTORS.

ATTORNEYS.

Dec. 12, 1967 E. :BERGER ETAL 3,357,511

TEXTILE TRETING METHOD Original Filed Aug. 29. 196C l5 Sheets-Sheet 5 mvmofzs. [09 Em//Jer er Q f @Wrd/ as',

A TTORNE YS.

De 12, 1967 EJ. BERGER r-:TAL 3,357,511

TEXTILE TREATING METHOD 15 Sheets-Sheet G Original Filed Au 1 1 1 11711 1 1111 11 1111/1711111 1111 11 ////////////1 r//r/d Emanm a 1 ..1 /1.//1 1 /M/// /r//1 /1 1// V/r ///1//M/ ////r/r/ /1//r//j 11 /Vf//////////////// 111 11 11 1111111111 1/ 11 11 111111 11111111111 1111.1111 1.1 111 111.1.1111111 1 11111 1.111. 1 1.1 1 111111 111111.111111111 1.1.11*1/ 111 1 11 111 1 111 1 1 1 111 1111/1/111/ 11 1 1 1111 1 1 1111 1 Dec. l2, 1967 E. J. BERGER ETAL 3,357,611

TEXTILE TREAMNG METHOD Original Filed Aug. 29, 1960 l 15 Sheets-Sheet 7 4,0 FIG if, l

46 f' am: /N

ATTORNEYS.

Dec. 12,1967 E. J. BERGER s-:TAL 3,357,611

TEXT ILE TREAT I NG METHOD Original Filed Aug. 29, 1960 15 Sheets-Sheet @y 43 FIG. la

INVENTORS. 7x/iz] Jf er A TTORNE YS.

Dec. 12, 1967 E.J. BERGER ETAL 3,357,611

TEXTILE TREATING METHOD Original Filed Aug. 29. 1960 15 Sheets-Sheet u MMM;

W475i Mw .arf/wx L A TTORNE YS.

Dec. l2, 1967 EJ. BERGER ETAL 3,357,611

TEXTILE TREATING METHOD Original Filed Aug. 29, 1960 15 Sheets-Sheet 10 ffl/V55 WATER A TTORNE YS.

DCC 12, 1967 E. J. BERGER ETAL 3,357,611

` TEXTILE TREATING METHOD Original Filed Aug. 29, 1960 l5 Sheets-Sheet 1l Il] STA/f7 z/P warm IFE] zal l0 {Z mmmmuu fl A TTORNE YS.

DCC- l2, 1967 E. .1. BERGER ETAL v3,357,611

TEXTILE TREATING METHOD Original Filed Aug. 29, 1960 15 Sheets-Sheet 1:2

A TTORNE YS.

Dec. 12, 1967 E. J. BERGER ETAL l5 Sheets-Sheet 1 www A TTORNE YS.

arde.

- 1 5 sheetsl-Sheet 14 FIG- B0- nr f 5 m m l f v ME J 1.1 N 6 N Ir .z WWWWM u. T anna .0v DL/ 'y l M I 5 il: w n EH 5 m, 3 i H :x Ef i 1 uw a M T w TEXTILE TREATlNG METHOD Dec. 12, 1967 l EJ. BERGER ETAl.

Original Filed Aug. 29, 196C ZTIGEJEL DCC-.12, 1967 E. J. BERGER ETAL 3,357,511

TEXTILE 'IE/''llIIGv METHOD Original Filed Aug. 29. 1960 1 5 Sheets-Sheet l5 ll'llllll//lll/ l f f l 1 1 United States Patent() 3,357,611 TEXTILE TREATING METHOD Emil I. Berger and Howard K. West, Lansdale, Pa., as-

signors to Turbo Machine Company, Lansdale, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania @riginal application Aug. 29, 1960, Ser. No. 57,098, now Patent No. 3,131,840, dated May 5, 1964. Divided and this application Dec. 30, 1963, Ser. No. 345,547

14 Claims. (Cl. 223-76) This invention relates to apparatus and methods for treating textiles. More particularly, it is concerned with apparatus and methods for treating textile articles, such as hosiery, sweaters and the like, knitted from thermoplastic yarn, such as nylon, while stretched upon fiat profiled shaping forms.

This application comprises a division of our pending patent application Ser. No. 57,098, filed Aug. 29, 1960, now Patent No. 3,131,840 of May 5, 1964, for Textile Treating Apparatus. The said application Ser. No. 57,098 is a continuation-impart of our `now abandoned patent application Ser. No. 830,678, filed July 30, 1959, for Textile Treating Apparatus and Method, the latter application being, in turn, a continuation-in-part of our abandoned application Ser. No. 779,113, filed Dec. 9, 195S,`

for Textile Treating Apparatus.

In the treatment of textile articles knitted from thermoplastic yarns, many separate process steps are required in order to convert goods in the greige into finished products ready for sale. With respect to ladies hosiery, for example, between the time that the articles are examined in the greige and then are paired in their finished condition, they are subjected to the steps of presetting, scouring, dyeing, finishing and final setting, all of which involves many separate handlings. With goods knit from fine denier yarns, such multiple handling subjects them to a high risk of irreparable damage such as runs and tears, resulting in a high loss factor. While numerous attempts have been made to reduce or combine a number of the processing steps necessary to convert greige goods into finished goods, and otherwise reduce the extent to which the articles are handled, such attempts have not proven to be commercially successful.

A chief object of this invention is the provision of apparatus whereby the various process steps necessary for converting knitwear from the greige into finished articles may be combined in a single machine processing cycle involving a minimum of handling of the articles.

Another important object of this invention is the provision of apparatus whereby the presetting, scouring, dyeing, finishing, final setting, rinsing and drying of textile articles may be accomplished in a single machine processing cycle in a minimum of time within an autoclave or treating chamber.

A further object of this invention is to provide such apparatus having an automatic control system whereby the presetting, dyeing, finishing, final setting, rinsing and drying operations are carried out during controlled, predetermined intervals.

A further object of this invention is to provide such apparatus wherein the scouring, dyeing, finishing and setting operations may occur simultaneously, or Where one or more of such operations may occur successively to one or more of the other such operations within the time interval of the machine processing cycle.

A further object of this invention is to provide apparatus for treating textile articles wherein dyeing of the articles may take place at a certain predetermined tempcrature and final setting thereof may thereafter take place at a higher predetermined temperature, and wherein presetting of the articles may take place either prior to or during dyeing thereof, all during a single machine processing cycle.

3,357,611 Patented Dec. 12, 1967 ICC A further object of this invention is to provide apparatus which may be used for carrying out the aforementioned `multi-purpose objectives, and which may also be used as either a preboarding or a final boarding machine for textile articles knitted from thermoplastic yarns.

A further object of this invention is to provide apparatus of the type aforementioned wherein finishing and rinsing may occur simultaneously.

A further object of this invention `is to provide a method of treating textile articles wherein the article may first be scoured,.dyed and heat set during a definite time interval, and thereafter rinsed during a definite time interval.

A further object of this invention is to provide a method of treating textile articles wherein the articles may first be dyed at a predetermined temperature and thereafter set by heat at a higher predetermined `temperature during a single processing cycle.

A further object of this invention is to provide a method of treating textile articles wherein the articles, `during a single processing cycle, may be preset at a predetermined temperature prior to dyeing and final setting.

How the foregoing as well as other important objectives and attendant advantages of our invention are realized in practice will appear from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereof shown in the attached drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary view in front elevation of an integrated textile treating apparatus embodying our in- Vention.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary View in end elevation as seen when looking from the right of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 3 and 4 are fragmentary perspective views from different angles of the rear of the apparatus.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional View of the treating chamber taken as indicated by the angled arrows V-V in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a transverse sectional view taken as indicated by the angled arrows VI-VI in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a horizontal sectional view taken as indicated by the angled arrows VII-VII in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary view in elevation, partly in section, taken as indicated by the angled arrows VIII- VIII in FIG. 3 showing storage reservoirs for the various liquids used in treating textiles.

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary view in plan taken as indicated by the angled arrows IX--IX in FIG. 6.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged fragmentary View in perspective showing one type of nozzle for spraying textile articles with the treating liquids while in the treating chamber.

FIGS. l1 and 12 are diagrammatic views, partly in section, of the control valves used in the treating liquid spraying system.

FIG. 13 is a diagrammatic View of the electric controls for governing the admission of rinse liquid and air to the rinse reservoir.

FIGS. 14, 15 and 16 are diagrammatic views showing successive stages in the treatment of textile articles.

FIG. 17 is a wiring diagram showing the various electrically actuated instrumentalities by which automatic operation of the apparatus is controlled.

FIG. 18 is a fragmentary sectional viewtin perspec` FIG. 22 is a fragmentary perspective view of a second modification of the treating chamber with the outside wall partly broken away.

FIG. 23 is a fragmentary sectional view in side elevation of the chamber, with the door closed, of said second modification.

FIG. 24 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view iu side elevation of the means of said second modification whereby steam is introduced d-irectly into the dye solution as it travels through the liquid spraying system.

BASIC APPARATUS Basically, the apparatus herein illustrated is generally of the construction disclosed in E. J. Berger and H. W. Matthews, U.S. Patents Nos. 2,321,452 and 2,736,105, issued June 8, 1943 and Feb. 28, 1956, respectively. It includes an upright rectangular treating chamber or autoclave 1 (FIGS. 1 and 2) having a retractable door 2 at the front hung from suspension trolleys 3 which are constrained to travel back and forth upon track bars 4 extending forwardly from the top of said chamber. When closed, as in FIGS. 2 and 5, door 2 is held tluid tight by retractable latches 6 against strip packing 5 disposed perimetrically about the opening of chamber 1. Through rack and pinion means designated 7 in FIGS. 1 and 2, the door 2 is moved to opened and closed positions by a reversible electric motor 8 and an associated speed reduction unit 9 mounted atop the chamber 1.

Extending longitudinally of the front of chamber 1 beyond the opposite side walls thereof are aligned stationary tracks 10 and 11 for the guidance, respectively, of

collapsible carriages

12 and 13 upon each of which multiple upstanding text-ile forms F are mounted. Supported on the back of the door 2 is a track section 1S (FIGS. 3 and 5) which, when the door is fully open, registers with said stationary tracks. The

carriages

12 and 13 are propelled along the stationary tracks 10 and 11 to and from the track section 15 on door 2, when the latter is open, by a conveyor means, similar to that of the aforesaid Patent No. 2,736,105, which includes a rack bar 16 (FIG. l) having teeth in mesh with a spur gear 17 on a transverse shaft 18 suitably journalled in the open base frame 19 on which the treating chamber 1 is supported. As shown in FIG. 2, shaft 18 is driven, through a speed reducer 28, by a reversible electric motor 21 mounted within base frame 19.

Ey means similar to that described in the aforesaid Patent No. 2,736,105, the

carriages

12 and 13 are automatically disconnected from the rack bar 1d upon being advanced to position upon the track section 15 at the back of the retractable door 2. In the use of the apparatus, textile articles are drawn downwardly over the forms F on one carriage when such carriage is expanded and positioned on its stationary track while the other carriage, with its forms loaded, is collapsed and positioned with-in the chamber 1 for treatment of the articles. The apparatus is provided with a limit switch 22 (FIG. 1) adapted to be operated by the

carriages

12 and 13, and with door actuabie limit switches 24 and 25 (FIG. 2), all of which will be referred to again hereinafter. For the purposes of illustration, the forms F on the

respective carriages

12 and 13 are adapted for the treatment of ladies hosiery and are arranged in two rows, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 5. When the carriages are collapsed, as shown in FIG. 9, the forms F of one row are staggered with respect to the forms F of the other row.

Supply equipment for the treating liquids The supply equipment for the treating liquids includes a tank 30 which is subdivided, as shown in FIG. 8, into three

compartments

31, 32 and 33 which serve as reservoirs, respectively, for a concentrated dye solution, a dye diluting liquid (which may be water) and a wash or rinse liquid (which likewise may be water). The dye solution preferably includes a detergent for scouring the textiles, a

dye and a wax. If desired, the dye solution may also contain a textile iinishing compound whereby the textile articles to be treated in the apparatus may be simultaneously scoured, dyed and finished. By suitable framing, which has been omitted from the drawings, the tank 30 may be supported at the rear of the chamber 1 (FIG. 3) at an elevation above a well 1a in the bottom of said chamber. The dye diluent, which is indicated in the drawings to be water, is introduced into reservoir 32 through a pipe 34 under control of a solenoid valve 35. A predetermined quantity of such water is maintained in reservoir 32 by overflow ot' the excess through an adjustable stand pipe 36 which, at its bottom connects with a waste pipe 37 leading to drain pipe 53. Similarly, rinse liquid, also indicated in the drawings to be water, is introduced into t'he reservoir 33 through a pipe 3S having a hand valve 39 and a check valve 40 interposed therein. Connecting into the top of the reservoir 33 is a branch 41 of a pipe 42 which leads from a source of compressed air (not shown), said branch 41 being fitted with a normally closed solenoid valve 43, a pressure switch 43a and a relief valve 44. An electric probe 8() is disposed -in reservoir 33 for a purpose presently to be explained.

A horizontal conduit 45 is connected, through

vertical branches

46 and 47, respectively, to the bottoms of

reservoirs

32 and 33.

Branches

46 and 47 have

valves

43 and 49, respectively, interposed therein.

Within the reservoir 31, at the top thereof, is a small measuring vessel or metering container 5G. Leading downwardly from vessel 50 and connecting into branch 46 of the conduit 45 above valve 48 is a tube 51 in which a normally closed valve 52 is interposed. The drain pipe 53 leads from the bottom of the reservoir 31. Flow through pipe 53 from tank 31 is prevented by keeping the hand valve 55 closed. Connecting to the pipe 53 immediately above hand valve 55 is a

pipe line

56, 57, 53 through which the dye solution is drawn from the reservoir 31 by a pump 59 and discharged into the top of the measuring vessel Si), said pump 59 being constantly driven by an electric motor 60 during use of the apparatus. Interposcd in the delivery section 58 of the piping is a solenoid valve 61. At certain times during the operation of the apparatus, as hereinafter explained, the valve 61 is closed whereupon the circulated dye solution is diverted upward through pipe 62 and discharged directly into the reservoir 31. The

measuring vessel 5G is provided with a vertically adjustable depth gauge 63 for regulation oi the amount of dye solution retained therein.

As an alternative, pipe 58 may be connected to the plunger of a solenoid 61', as shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, in a manner to position pipe 58 so that dye solution normally rs discharged directly into the top of reservoir 31.. In such arrangement, when the coil of the solenoid 61 is energized, its plunger is actuated to position pipe 5S over vessel Si) (FIG. 2G) and thus permit dye solution to discharge into the vessel. The solenoid 61' is electrically controlled so as to remain energized for a period of time sufficient to ensure the filling of vessel 5G with dye solution. When the coil of solenoid 61 is deenergized, the plunger thereof returns pipe 58 to its normal position (FIG. 19). ln the foregoing arrangement, of course, the distal end of pipe 58 must be shortened suiiciently to clear the top of vessel Si), and vessel 5G may be formed with a lip 55 to aid in the discharge 0f dye solution into said vessel. In such arrangement also, pipe 62 is dispensed with, and a by-pass pipe 62 may be interposed in pipe 57 below pipe 58.

As best seen in FIGS. ll and 12, operating

arms

48a and 52a, respectively, of the

valves

48 and 52 are coupled for simultaneous actuation by a link 65. Arm 52a is connected to the spring retracted piston rod 66 of an air cylinder 67 pivotally suspended from a bracket t58 (FIG. 8) clamped to the branch conduit 46. Admission of compressed air into the cylinder 67 is controlled by an attached solenoid valve 69 which is in communication, through a branch 70, with the air pipe 42. Similarly, the operating arm 49a of the valve 49 is connected to the spring retracted piston rod 75 `of an air cylinder 76 pivotally suspended from a bracket 77 (FIG. 8) clamped to the branch conduit 47. Admission of compressed air into the cylinder 76 is `controlled by an attached solenoid valve '78 which is in communication, through a sub-branch 79 of the branch '70, with the air pipe 42.

Flow of compressed air into the top of the reservoir 33 by way of the branch pipe 41 is controlled by the electrical system diagrammatically illustrated in FIG. 13 comprising a relay-transformer 81, probe S0, pressure switch 43a and solenoid valve 43. The A side of relaytransformer 31 is connected to a source of electric power (not shown in FIG. 13) while its B side is connected to probe 80 and grounded at S2. Compressed air is introduced into reservoir 33 for the purpose of shutting oft flow of rinse liquid from pipe 38 and also to facilitate the flow of rinse liquid from reservoir 33 through branch 47 when valve 49 is open. As will be readily understood, when the air pressure in reservoir 33 exceeds the water pressure in pipe 38 check valve 40 will close to shut off further flow from pipe 38. In the event the liquid level of reservoir 33 should rise so as to contact probe 80, as indicated by the dot-dash line in reservoir 33 in FIG. 13, a circuit is completed to the B side of relay-transformer 81 thereby closing the relay thereof. The closing of this relay completes a circuit through pressure switch 43a to solenoid valve 43 to open that valve and thereby admit compressed air from pipe 41 into reservoir 33. When the air pressure in reservoir 33 reaches a predetermined amount, suicient to shut check valve 40, pressure switch 43a opens to break the circuit to valve 43 whereupon that valve closes shutting off further flow of compressed air to reservoir 33. The relay of relay-transformer 81 remains closed so long as the rinse liquid remains in contact with probe 80. If, in the meantime, the air pressure in reservoir 33 should drop to a point suicient to cause check valve 40 to open and admit more rinse liquid to the reservoir, pressure switch 43a` will again close to complete the circut to solenoid valve 43 to open that valve and again admit compressed air into reservoir 33.

If desired, the textile finishing compound may be mixed with the rinse liquid as it is discharged from reservoir 33, instead of being mixed with the dye solution. For this purpose, a supply of such finishing compound may be maintained in a tank 195 (FIG. 8) connected to branch 47 by a pipe 196. The amount of nishing compound discharged from tank 195 into branch 47 is controlled by a valve 197.

In FIG. 21 there is shown more detailed means for introducing controlled quantities of the finishing cornpound into the rinse liquid. Such means includes a venturi 300 connecting pipe 196 to the suction side of pump 105 and a bleeder pipe 301 interposed between the discharge side of pump 105 and the venturi 300. Interposed in pipe 196 are a check valve 302, a needle valve 303 and a solenoid valve 304. Solenoid valve 304 is connected in parallel in the circuit of solenoid valve 49, and thus the two valves will operate simultaneously. By suitable adjustment of needle valve 303, controlled quantities of nishing compound will iiow through pipe 196 from tank 195 to venturi 300 when solenoid valve 304 is open. As pump 105 discharges rinse liquid through pipe 100, a small quantity of such liquid is hy-passed through bleeder pipe 301 and venturi 300 to the suction side of pump 105. As a result of the venturi action upon the by-passed liquid, the iinishing compound in pipe 196 is drawn through the centuri to the suction side of pump 105 where it is mixed with the rinse liquid drawn from reservoir 33.

LIQUID SPRAYING SYSTEM As shown in FIGS. and 6, arranged crosswise within the treating chamber 1 at the top thereof are spaced spray manifolds comprising tubes 85 each of which is provided with a series of downwardly directed jet nozzles 6 86. The tubes are closed at one end and are connected at the other end to a supply manifold 87.

Similarly arranged crosswise within the treating chamber 1 at the back thereof, and at a level somewhat .above the bottom of said chamber, is a spray manifold comprising a tube S8 which is provided along both its top and bottom with a series of jet nozzles 39 of the type illustrated in FIG. 10. Tube 88 is closed at one end and is connected at its other end to a downward extension 87a of supply manifold 87. As shown in FIG. 10, each nozzle 89 of tube 88 has an elongated body 90 whereof one end is closed and the other end is screwed to an elbow 91 that connects into the tube 88. The nozzle body 90 preferably is disposed in substantially parallel relation to the tube 88, and is formed with axial flow bore a in communication with tube 88 through elbow 91. Disposed in the body 90 of the nozzle 89 are two axially spaced, elongated, radial spray notches 92 in communication with the axial flow bore 90a of the nozzle.

Another spray manifold comprising a tube 95 (FIGS. 3 and 5) also having nozzles 39 of the type shown in FIG. 10` is mounted on the back of the door 2 `at the same level as tube 88. Tube 95 is closed at one end and is connected at its other end to a vertical tube 96 secured to the door 2 by straps 97. As best shown in FIG. 5, a fitting 98 at the top of the tube 96 has a protruding nipple which is tapered to engage into the coznplementally` tapered mouth of a fitting 99 at one end of the supply manifold 87 to form a fluid tight connection. Thus, liquid is conveyed from manifold 87 through ttings 99 and 9S to tube 96 for delivery to nozzles 89 of tube 95.

The sprays from the two opposing banks of nozzles 89 are directed toward the forms F in the manner indicated by the broken lines in the lower portion of FIG. 5 and in FIG. 9. The sprays from the nozzles 86 are directed downward toward the forms F in the manner indicated by the broken lines in the upper portion of FIG. 5.

Disposed exteriorly of one side wall of the chamber` 1 is a vertical pipe 100 (FIG. 3) which is provided at its upper end with a tting 101 from which a horizontal branch pipe 102 extends into the chamber 1 for connection to the nozzle supply manifold 87 in the top of said chamber. At its lower end, pipe 100 is connected to the discharge end of a rotary pump 105 which, together with its electric driving motor 107, is mounted on a floor base 106. As shown in FIG. 4, the intake end of the pump 105 is connected by a pipe 108 to the vertical branch 109 which extends down from the well 1a in the bottom of treating chamber 1. A solenoid valve 119 is interposed in the pipe 108 between pump 105 and `branch 109. Beyond branch 109, pipe 108 is connected to an exhaust pipe 120 by a solenoid valve 121. The horizontal conduit 45 is connected to pipe 108 between pump 105 and valve 119.

The valves 119 and `121` are connected by operating arms 119e and 121a, respectively, to a common link 250 (FIG. 4) which, in turn, is connected to the spring retracted piston (not shown) of an air cylinder 251. Admission of compressed air from branch 252 of air pipe 42 into cylinder 251 is controlled by a normally closed solenoid valve 253. When valve 253 is closed, the piston of cylinder 251 is retracted to retract link 250 and thereby open valve 121 and close valve 119. When solenoid valve 253 is energized, it opens to admit compressed air into cylinder 251 and thus actuate link 250 to close valve 121 and open` valve 119. Thus,

valves

119 and 121 operate in tandem,

the one always being open while the other is shut, and 1 l exchanger 110, the steam is conducted from the bottom thereof through an exhaust pipe 116, having a trap 117 interposed therein, to drain pipe 176 and thence to the waste manifold 118.

1n the embodiment of FIGS. 5, 6 and 7, the treating chamber 1 is shown as having internal steam radiators 165 or equivalent heat exchanger means `which are arranged vertically along opposite side walls of the chamber and along the back wall thereof on each side of the

poppet valves

127, 128. The radiators 165 are connected at their tops and bottoms by

crosswise tubes

166 and 167, as best seen in FIG. 6. Additionally, in this embodiment, a horizontal radiator 170 also is disposed within the chamber 1 immediately below the roof thereof and is connected by

tubes

171 and 172 to the tops of the radiators 165. Steam is conducted through a pipe 173 and an elbow 175 to the radiator 170 from whence it passes through the

tubes

171 and 172 to the radiators 165. Pipe 173 has a hand valve 174 (FIG. 4) interposed therein and is connected to main steam line 112 by branch pipe 111. The condensate from the radiators 165 is carried off through a pipe 176 connected to one of the radiators 165 by an elbow 177. Pipe 176 has a trap 178 (FIG. 3) interposed therein and connects to the waste manifold 118.

The embodiment of FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 is adapted for the simultaneous scouring, dyeing and heat setting of the textile articles. To ensure proper treatment of the textiles, the sprays of the

nozzles

86 and 89 preferably are directed so that a portion of the liquid being sprayed strikes the radiators 165 and thus is vaporized. The vaporization of the dye liquid in this manner brings the heat in chamber 1 up to heat setting temperature, which is determined, of course, by the character of the textile articles being treated. If desired, jacket 110 may be dispensed with, in which event the liquids being sprayed would be heated solely by the radiators 165, 170.

DRYING FACILITIES As shown in FIG. 5, there are disposed within the back wall of the chamber 1, adjacent the bottom and top thereof, two spaced

tubular housings

125 and 126 for

poppet valves

127 and 128, respectively. The

valves

127 and 128 open inwardly and close against the inner ends of their

housings

125 and 126. The stems 129 and 130 of the

poppet valves

127 and 128 are slidingly supported in bearings sustained by

spiders

131 and 132 disposed within the

housings

125 and 126, respectively.

The

valves

127 and 128 are arranged to be actuated by an air cylinder 133 which is pivotally connected to one arm of a bell crank lever 134 fulcrumed at 135 to a lug on the housing 126. The other arm of the lever 134 extends through a clearance slot 136 in housing 126 and engages between two studs 137 on the stern 130 of the valve 128. The piston rod 138 of the cylinder 133 is pivotally connected to one arm of another bell crank lever 140 fulcrumed at 141 to a lug on the housing 125. The other arm of the lever 140 extends through a clearance slot 142 in housing 125 and engages between two studs 143 on the stem 129 of the valve 127. Afxed to the side of the cylinder 133 is a solenoid valve 145 for controlling admission of compressed air into the top of the cylinder when the poppet valves are to be opened and to the bottom of the cylinder when said valves are to be closed, said solenoid valve being connected by a branch pipe 146 to the air line 42 (FIG. 4).

Connected to the outer end of the housing 126 is a rotary air blower 150 which is arranged to be driven by an electric motor 151 (FIGS. 2, 5). To the inner side of the rear wall of chamber 1 is secured an elongated, transversely-extending box-like structure 152 which serves as a shroud about the poppet valve 128 and which has a longitudinal slit 153 in its front wall. As best shown in FIG. 7, the shroud 152 is offset at its opposite ends to overlap the rear wall portions of the radiators 165. Connected to the outer end of the housing 125 is an air exhaust pipe 154 (FIG. 4). When the

poppet valves

127 and 128 are open and the blower 150 is started, air is forced past the valve 128 and through the slit 153 of the shroud 152 toward the forms F. The air is diffused upwardly about the forms F to absorb moisture from the textile articles thereon and finally escapes through the open poppet valve 127 to exhaust pipe 154.

Before reaching the blower 150, the air is drawn through a vertical casing 155 (FIG. 4) attached to the exterior of one side wall of the treating chamber 1 adjacent the back thereof. The casing 155 has an air inlet opening 156 adjacent the top thereof. Extending down through the casing 155 are nned tubes 157 which, at their upper ends, are connected to the steam supply pipe 112 and which, at their lower ends, are connected to a steam exhaust pipe 160 having a trap 161 interposed therein. Thus, by the means just described, the air is heated before being introduced by the blower 150 into the treating chamber 1.

While heated air is the preferred drying medium used in the practice of this invention, any equivalent gaseous drying media, including superheated steam, may be utilized.

START UP The commencement of the operative cycle of the apparatus is illustrated diagrammatically in FIG. 14. With reservior 32 and vessel 50 properly lled,

valves

35, 5S, 61 and 121 are closed and

valves

43, 52 and 119 are opened whereby the dye solution in vessel 50 passes through tube 51 into branch 46 where it is mixed with dye diluent from reservoir 32. The resulting dye mixture passes through valve 48, conduit 45, pipe 108, branch 109 to the well 1a in the bottom of chamber 1.

At the same time,

valves

113, 114, 115 and 174 in the

steam supply llines

112, 111 and l173 are opened, permitting steam to pass through the heat exchanger jacket 10, through the radiators and 170 in chamber 1 and through the air heating tubes 157. Since valve 61 is closed, pump 59 draws dye solution from the bottom of reservoir 31 and circulates it through

pipes

56, 57 and 62 directly to the top of reservoir 31.

DYE CYCLE The dye cycle of the apparatus is diagrammatically illustrated in FIG. l5. After the predetermined quantities of dye solution and dye diluent have been delivered to well 1a,

valves

48 and 52 are closed, shutting off further flow of these liquids. Valve 61 is opened to permit resumption of delivery of dye solution to vessel 50 by pump 59 and valve 35 is opened to permit resumption of flow diluent to reservoir 32.

Following the closing of

valves

48 and 52, the pump 105 is started. The mixture of dye solution and dye diluent is then circulated by pump 105 from well 1a through branch 109, pipe 108, pump 105, pipe 100, branch pipe 102 to the nozzles `86 and 89 via their respective manifolds Iand supporting tubes. The dye mixture sprayed by the nozzles on the textile articles mounted on the forms F drains to the well 1a, from whence it is recirculated by pump 105, in a closed system, during a time interval suicient for the proper setting, scouring and dyeing of the articles.

By reason of steam passing through the jacket 110 and the radiators 165 and 170, a portion of the dye mixture is vaporized, thereby bringing the chamber 1 up to setting temperature. In treating ladies nylon hoisery, the temperature in the chamber 1 for proper simultaneous setting, scouring and dyeing preferably should be on the order of 230 F. for a dye cycle of two minutes duration. This temperature range is achieved in practice when the steam passing into pipe 173 is under approximately 100 lpounds pressure and at a temperature of approximately 300 F.

Following the lapse of the time interval required for proper setting, scouring and dyeing, valve 121 is opened and the -dye mixture is carried olf through exhaust pipe 120. The cycle is now completed.

RINSE CYCLE The rinse cycle of the apparatus takes place next, and is diagrammatically illustrated in FIG. 16. At the completion of the dye cycle, when valve 121 is opened, valve 119 is closed and valve 49 also opens.

Upon the opening of valve 49, pump 105 draws rinse liquid from tank 33 through branch 47, conduit 45 and pipe 108 and pumps the rinse liquid through pipe 100 and pipe 102 to the

nozzles

86 and 89 where it is sprayed on the textiles mounted on the forms F. The rinse liquid drains to well 1a and immediately is exhausted from the chamber 1 through branch 109 and exhaust pipe 120. Valve 121 remains open during rinsing.

Rinse liquid is pumped to the

nozzles

86 and 89 for a predetermined period of time. During the rinse operation, the discharge of rinse liquid into branch 47 causes the air pressure to drop in reservoir 33, thus permitting check valve 40 to open for resumption of flow of rinse liquid from pipe 38.

Followingy the lapse of the predetermined time interval, suflicient to ensure thorough rinsing of the textile articles, valve 49 is closed and the operation of pump 105 ceases. After the remaining rinse liquid is drained from the well 1a, valve 121 is closed.

Following the rinse cycle, the drying cycle takes place with the passage of heated air through the cham-ber 1 in the manner previously described. After a predetermined time interval, the drying cycle is completed, the door 2 opens and the forms F are delivered to their corresponding stationary track for removal of the finished articles. It is to be noted that both rinsing and drying take place at atmospheric pressure.

AUTOMATIC CONTROL MEANS An electrical system for automatically controlling the operation of the apparatus is illustrated diagrammatically in FIG. 17. Power is supplied to the system by main lines 225 having a transformer 226 interposed therein. Transformer 226 is electrically connected 'to the control system through a starting relay 220.

In describing the operation of the electrical system, it will be assumed that the empty forms F of carriage 13 are positioned on track 11, to the right of the apparatus, in the manner illustrated in FIG. 1. Door 2 is open with the forms F of carriage 12 positioned on the track section 15 thereof.

Operation of the apparatus is commenced upon the closing of main switch 200 which completes a circuit through relay 221 to the motor 60 of the dye circulating pump 59. Pump 59 commences circulation of dye solution from the bottom of reservoir 31 through

pipes

56, 57 and 58 to the metering Vessel 50.

Next, starting switch 201 is closed to complete a circuit to the starting relay 220 which thereupon closes. Relay 220 remains closed throughout the operation of the apparatus. The closing of relay 220 completes a circuit through temperature switch 219 to steam solenoid valve 114 and thereby opens that valve. With the hand valves also open, steam passes through supply main 112 and

pipes

111 and 173 to the heat exchanger jacket 110, radiators 165 and 170 and air heating tubes 157.

The closing of relay 220 also completes several other circuits. A circuit is completed through a contact of dye timer 207 to solenoid valve 253 to open that valve. As a result, compressed air is admitted to cylinder 251 to actuate the piston rod thereof and link 250 to open valve 119 and close valve 121 simultaneously. A circuit also is completed through a contact of relay 217 and through time delay 203 to

solenoid valves

35 and 61. After a predetermined period of time, suicient to ensure the filling of dye diluent tank 32 and dye solution vessel 50,

valves

35 and 61 are closed by time delay relay 203, thereby shutting otl flow of dye solution to vessel 50 and ow of dye diluent to reservoir 32. At the moment that time delay relay 203 closes valves 35 and `61, it completes a circuit to the coil of relay 217, whereupon relay 217 closes. The closing of rel-ay 217 completes a circuit through time delay relay 202 to solenoid valve 69 whereby valve 69 is opened to permit passage of compressed air into the cylinder 67. The entry of compressed air into cylinder 67, as shown in FIG. 1l, depresses piston rod 66 to open dye diluent supply valve 48 and dye solution supply valve 52 and permit these liquids to disch-arge to chamber well 1a.

Valves 4S and 52 remain open for a predetermined period of time under the control of time delay relay 202 after which they are closed. Meanwhile,

valves

35 and 61 remain closed for a predetermined period of time under the control of time delay relay 203 following which they are opened.

Valves

35 and 61 do not open until after

valves

48 and 52 have been closed.

The forms F of carriage 13 now are loaded with the textile articles which are to be treated. Following loading, switch 204 is pressed to complete a circuit through rel-ay 205 to conveyor motor 21 which operates to move carriage 13 to the left, as viewed in FIG. 1, onto track section 15 of door 2. At the same time, the forms F of carriage 12 are moved from track section 15 onto stationary track 10. The closing of switch 2.04 also completes a circuit to relay 223 which thereupon closes.

As the loaded forms F of carriage 13 move onto track section 15, they -actuate track limit switch 22 to open the circuit to motor 21, thereby halting the carriage 13, in its collapsed condition, on track section 15. The actuation of limit switch 22 closes a circuit through relays 223 and 206 to door motor 8 whereupon that motor operates to close door 2 through the interposition of rack and gear 7.

When door 2 closes, it actuates switch 25 to open the circuit to motor 8 and stop that motor. The actuation of switch 25 sets up an open circuit through temperature switch 219 and

relays

240 and 241 to the motor M of the dye timer 207. Following the closing of door 2, the temperature in chamber 1 rises rapidly. When this temperature rise reaches a predetermined point, sutlicient for proper setting, scouring and dyeing of the textile articles, temperature switch 219 is actuated to open the circuit to solenoid valve 114, thus closing that valve to shut oir further How of steam. The actuation of switch 219 also energizes the circuit through

relays

240 and 241 to the motor M of dye timer 207 to start that motor and thus commence the dye cycle. Should the temperature in chamber 1 drop to a predetermined low point, switch 219 is thereupon actuated to close the circuit to solenoid valve 114 to open that valve and again admit steam to the radiators 165 and 170 and the jacket 110. The actuation of switch 219, as a result of the temperature drop in chamber 1, deenergizes and hence opens relay 240. Because of relay 241, however, a circuit to the motor M of the dye timer is maintained, and thus the dye cycle is not interrupted.

In addition to the foregoing, the actuation of switch 25 by door 2 completes a circuit through a contact of rinse timer 209 and relay 208 to the nozzle pump motor 107 to start pump 105. With

valves

48 and 52 now closed (by time delay relay 202), pump continuously circulates the mixture of dye solution and dye diluent from Well 1a to the

nozzles

86 and 89.

The closing of switch 25 also completes a circuit to time delay relay 203 which opens

valves

35 and 61 to resupply dye diluent to reservoir 32 and dye solution to vessel 50, in the manner diagrammatically illustrated in FIG. 15.

Upon termination of the dye cycle, timer 207 opens the circuit to solenoid valve 253 to close that valve and thereby open exhaust valve 121 and simultaneously close nozzle pump valve 119. At the same time, timer 207

Claims

1. IN A METHOD FOR SETTING AND FINISHING TUBULAR TEXTILE ARTICLES COMPOSED OF HEAT-SETTABLE YARN THE STEPS OF MOUNTING THE ARTICLES UPON SHAPING FORMS, ENCLOSING THE MOUNTED ARTICLES IN A SEALED CHAMBER AND, BEFORE OPENING SAID CHAMBER TO REMOVE SAID MOUNTE D ARTICLES THEREFROM, PERFORMING THE TREATMENT OF SPRAYING THE ARTICLES WITH DYE LIQUID WHILE MAINTAINING THE INTERIOR OF SAID CHAMBER AT A PREDETERMINED ELEVATED TEMPERATURE, THEN TERMINATING SPRAYING AND THEREAFTER INTRODUCING STEAM AT A PREDETERMINED HIGHGER TEMPERATURE FOR A PERIOD OF TIME

11. IN TEXTILE TREATING APPARATUS OF THE TYPE INCLUDING A TREATIG CHAMBER FOR DYEING HOSIERY OR THE LIKE THE METHOD OF DISPENSING MEASURED QUANTITIES OF LIQUID DYE INTO A MIXING FLUID LINE COMPRISING PUMPING LIQUID DYE FROM A RESERVOIR INTO A METERING CONTAINER OF LESS CAPACITY THAN THE METERING CONTAINER TO THE RESERVOIR, AFTER THE METERING CONTAINER IS FLL ISOLATING THE METERING CONTAINER FROM THE RESERVOIR AND CONCURRENTLY DISCHARGING THE MEASURED QUANTITY OF LIQUID DYE FROM ONE END OF THE METERING CONTAINER INTO A MIXING FLUID LINE FOR DISCHARGE OF THE RESULTING MIXTURE INTO THE TREATING CHAMBER TO DYE THE HOSIERY THEREIN.