US3443009A - Process for relaxing filamentary material - Google Patents

Process for relaxing filamentary material Download PDF

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Publication number
US3443009A
US3443009A US389833A US3443009DA US3443009A US 3443009 A US3443009 A US 3443009A US 389833 A US389833 A US 389833A US 3443009D A US3443009D A US 3443009DA US 3443009 A US3443009 A US 3443009A
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United States
Prior art keywords
filamentary material
retraction
fibers
chamber
tow
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Expired - Lifetime
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US389833A
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English (en)
Inventor
Lester Daniel Chirgwin Jr
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Wyeth Holdings LLC
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American Cyanamid Co
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Publication date
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    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D01—NATURAL OR MAN-MADE THREADS OR FIBRES; SPINNING
    • D01D—MECHANICAL METHODS OR APPARATUS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF ARTIFICIAL FILAMENTS, THREADS, FIBRES, BRISTLES OR RIBBONS
    • D01D10/00—Physical treatment of artificial filaments or the like during manufacture, i.e. during a continuous production process before the filaments have been collected
    • D01D10/04—Supporting filaments or the like during their treatment
    • D01D10/0436—Supporting filaments or the like during their treatment while in continuous movement
    • D01D10/0481—Supporting filaments or the like during their treatment while in continuous movement the filaments passing through a tube

Definitions

  • tow as used herein is intended to refer to a rather large bundle of endless filaments disposed substantially parallel to each other without any interconnecting means preventing easy separation of any given filament or group thereof from the remainder of the bundle.
  • Such a tow may comprise a bundle of as few as several thousand filaments up to several million or more as is well known in the production of synthetic yarns.
  • the endless length of filamentary material is continuously passed lengthwise through an elongated chamber or confined zone, which may be of the nature of a pipe open at both ends.
  • heated gas such as heated air
  • a specially bafiied entranceway so that the general motion of this turbulent gas is substantially parallel to the axis of the chamber through which the filamentary material is passing.
  • time and temperature of this operation cannot reasonably be set forth since the time and the temperature depend upon each other and upon the fiber composition.
  • suitable time and temperature conditions may readily be determined for any given application since the combined effect of the time and temperature must be sufficient to cause the desired retraction or relaxation without seriously degrading the fibers.
  • a time of between about 0.1 second and 30 seconds with a temperature between about 250 F. and about 600 F. for the hot turbulent gas as it enters the confining chamber have been found to be satisfactory for the treatment of acrylic fibers which had previously been dried and were moving concurrently with the fiow of the heated turbulent gas.
  • about 0.5 to about 5.0 seconds of contact with turbulent gas at a temperature of between about 400 F. and 550 F. can be used for optimum retraction of acrylic fibers.
  • the movement of the endless length of filamentary material through the confining zone wherein the retraction occurs can be effected by passing the filamentary material around or between rolls located near the inlet end of the confining zone which feed the filamentary material to rolls located near the outlet end of the confining zone.
  • the outlet rolls are rotated at a peripheral speed which is lower than the peripheral speed of the inlet rolls. Control of the relative speeds of these two sets of rolls controls the degree of retraction permitted, which may be any value less than the maximum retraction possible.
  • the gas moving through the confined zone for heating up the filamentary material being retracted may move at any velocity within a wide range of conditions.
  • the velocity must be sufficient to produce adequate turbulence for effective transfer of heat to all of the fibers within the tow bundle but should not be enough to seriously disarrange the tow bundle or to restretch the filaments by frictional drag when maximum retraction is desired.
  • This velocity range is therefore a function of apparatus design and the size of the tow bundle as well as being a function of the tension generated between the aforementioned two sets of rolls used to control the degree of retraction permitted.
  • the gas velocity be substantially equal to the sum of the velocity neces sary to float the tow and the lengthwise velocity of the endless filaments through the retraction unit. This gas velocity can be readily determined for any particular operation by varying the gas velocity until the tension on the filaments exiting from the confined chamber is reduced to about zero and the tension on the filaments entering the confined chamber is minimized.
  • the fibers should be dry when introduced into the confining zone for retraction. Otherwise, the heat load for evaporation of variable amounts of moisture contained in the tow would be too variable to permit satisfactorily uni-form retraction by the use of this process since the heating medium (heated gas) has a relatively low heat capacity compared with the demands made when water must be evaporated from wet fibers. This highly variable heat load would result in extremely non-uniform retraction.
  • the filaments in the tow should contain a suitable lubricant thereon. A listing of suitable lubricants for this high temperature operation with acrylic fibers may be found in column 5 lines 1 through 28 of US. Patent 3,130,249 issued Apr. 21, 1964, to Wishman and Preece.
  • the present process is useful for retraction of a tow having any number of filaments up to one million or more.
  • the tow bundle have a cross-section which is relatively ribbon-like rather than one which is relatively ropelike (i.e., preferably a cross-section which is relatively flat rather than relatively round) in order to facilitate the transfer of heat uniformly to all filaments within the tow bundle from the hot turbulent gases.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of apparatus according to the present invention
  • FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the upper portion of the apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the lower portion of the apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line IVIV of FIG. 3;
  • the apparatus comprises generally an elongated tube-like confining chamber 11 through which the endless length of filamentary material in the form of an endless tow 13 is passed in an upward direction by means of inlet rolls 15 and outlet rolls 16. Concomitantly with the passage of endless tow 13 longitudinally through chamber 11, hot turbulent gas is also passed longitudinally through chamber 11 in an upward direction by means of blower 18 and heater 19 which are connected in a closed loop with chamber 11 by means of conduits 20, 21.
  • conduit 20 may be provided with a valved opening into which ambient air may be drawn when found necessary or desirable for smoothness of operation of the entire retraction unit.
  • suitable bafiling arrangement is provided in the lower portion of chamber 11 to provide a turbulent flow of hot gas which will move longitudinally through chamber 11. It is important for the performance of this method and the operation of this apparatus that any tendency of the hot turbulent gas to swirl and move helically through chamber 11 be minimized. Accordingly, the bottom end of chamber 11 is provided with a closure plate 24 to which is secured a central tube 25 which is mounted coaxially with chamber 11 around opening 23 in plate 24. Central tube 25 extends upwardly to a point above the opening where conduit 21 enters chamber 11, and downwardly to opening 23 in closure plate 24 through which tow 13 enters chamber 11.
  • a plurality of tubular bafile members 26 which extend parallel to the axis of chamber 11 from the upper end of central tube 25 toward the top of the opening where conduit 21 enters chamber 11.
  • heated gas entering chamber 11 from conduit 21 is distributed around the periphery of chamber 11 and directed upwardly in a direction substantially parallel to the axis of chamber 11 with a minimum of swirling.
  • chamber 11 is provided with a bafile plate 28 which is provided with an orifice 29 which is centrally disposed in the path through which tow 13 and heated gas must pass in rising through chamber 11.
  • the relatively small size of orifice 29 causes the heated gas to flow radially inwardly towards the axis of chamber 11 immediately below baffle plate 28 and then outwardly above baflle plate 28.
  • This non-swirling radial motion of the heated turbulent gas serves to permit uniform contact between the heated gas and all the filaments in tow bundle 13 so as to permit uniform and rapid heat transfer and retraction of the tow 13.
  • each cover plate 35 is provided with a large centrally disposed slot 36 through which tow bundle 13 can pass with adequate clearance when cover plates 35 are in place.
  • Cover plates 35 are each provided with a pair of fastening slots 37 which are suitably positioned to coact with fastening bolts 38 which are threaded into closure plates 24 and 31.
  • These cover plates 35 are normally removed from the ends of chamber 11 until after tow 13 has been threaded through from inlet rolls 15 to outlet rolls 16, after which cover plates 35 are slid across the ends of chamber 11 with the fastening slots 37 surrounding bolts 38 and the centrally disposed slot 36 surrounding tow 13.
  • bolts 38 are tightened securing cover plates 35 in position.
  • the method of continuously retracting filamentary material comprising continuously feeding endless lengths of said filamentary material substantially vertically upward into the lower portion of a confined zone at a first linear velocity and continuously removing said filamentary material from the upper portion of said confined zone at a second linear velocity lower than said first linear velocity while concomitantly heating said filamentary material solely by exposure to hot gas flowing substantially vertically upward in turbulent flow through said confined zone.
  • the method of continuously retracting filamentary material comprising continuously feeding endless lengths of said filamentary material substantially vertically upward into the lower portion of a confined zone at a first linear velocity and continuously removing said filamentary material form the upper portion of said confined zone at a second linear velocity lower than said first linear velocity while concomitantly heating said filamentary material solely by exposure to hot gas flowing substantially vertically upward in turbulent flow through said confined zone for a time and at a temperature sulficient for said filamentary material to retract but not sufiicient to materially degrade said filamentary material.
  • the method of continuously relaxing a tow of filamentary material comprising continuously feeding endless lengths of dry lubricated filamentary material in the form of a relatively ribbon-like tow band substantially vertically upward through an elongated confined zone while concomitantly heating said material for a time and at a temperature sufiicient for said filamentary material to retract but not sufficient to materially degrade said filamentary material solely by exposure to hot gas flowing in turbulent flow substantially vertically upward through said elongated confined zone, at a velocity suflicient to produce adequate turbulence for uniform and elfective heat transfer but less than that at which said filamentary material is seriously disarranged or substantially elongated and then cooling the thus heated and relaxed filamentary material.
  • a method of continuously relaxing filamentary material comprising continuously exposing, for a time and at a temperature suflicient for said fiilamentary material to relax but not suflicient to materially degrade said filamentary material a substantially vertically upward moving endless length of said filamentary material to turbulent flow of heated gas moving generally substantially vertically upward in a confined zone at a velocity sufficient to produce adequate turbulence for uniform and effective heat transfer but less than that at which said filamentary material is seriously disarranged or substantially elongated.
  • a method according to claim 5 in which said filamentary material is fed upwardly into the lower portion of the confined zone at a first substantially constant linear velocity and continuously removed from the upper portion of said confined zone at a second substantially constant linear velocity controlled at a value lower than said first linear velocity.
  • a method for continuously relaxing dry acrylic filamentary material comprising exposing for from 0.1 to 30 seconds a substantially vertically upward moving endless length of said filamentary material to turbulent flow of a gas heated to a temperature between 250 and 600 F. moving generally substantially vertically upward in a confined zone at a velocity sufficient to produce adequate turbulence for uniform and effective heat transfer but less than that at which said filamentary material is seriously disarranged or substantially elongated.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Textile Engineering (AREA)
  • Yarns And Mechanical Finishing Of Yarns Or Ropes (AREA)
  • Treatment Of Fiber Materials (AREA)
  • Spinning Methods And Devices For Manufacturing Artificial Fibers (AREA)
US389833A 1964-08-17 1964-08-17 Process for relaxing filamentary material Expired - Lifetime US3443009A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US38983364A 1964-08-17 1964-08-17

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US3443009A true US3443009A (en) 1969-05-06

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US389833A Expired - Lifetime US3443009A (en) 1964-08-17 1964-08-17 Process for relaxing filamentary material

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US (1) US3443009A (xx)
JP (1) JPS528413B1 (xx)
BE (1) BE668411A (xx)
ES (1) ES316563A1 (xx)
GB (2) GB1075982A (xx)
LU (1) LU49231A1 (xx)
NL (1) NL6503812A (xx)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4507163A (en) * 1981-08-27 1985-03-26 Johnson & Johnson Baby Products Company Imparting an inelastic and elastic character to predetermined portions of an elastic web for use in making disposable diapers
US20120168698A1 (en) * 2009-09-18 2012-07-05 Ccm Research Limited Improved materials

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2661618A (en) * 1950-01-17 1953-12-08 American Viscose Corp Tube for treating fibers and the like with fluid under pressure
US3107140A (en) * 1960-08-13 1963-10-15 Hoechst Ag Process for the manufacture of fibers and filaments of linear polyesters having improved properties
US3156752A (en) * 1961-09-11 1964-11-10 Du Pont Method and apparatus for heat treating filaments
US3241212A (en) * 1961-02-27 1966-03-22 Deering Milliken Res Corp Apparatus for crimping thermoplastic yarn

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2661618A (en) * 1950-01-17 1953-12-08 American Viscose Corp Tube for treating fibers and the like with fluid under pressure
US3107140A (en) * 1960-08-13 1963-10-15 Hoechst Ag Process for the manufacture of fibers and filaments of linear polyesters having improved properties
US3241212A (en) * 1961-02-27 1966-03-22 Deering Milliken Res Corp Apparatus for crimping thermoplastic yarn
US3156752A (en) * 1961-09-11 1964-11-10 Du Pont Method and apparatus for heat treating filaments

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4507163A (en) * 1981-08-27 1985-03-26 Johnson & Johnson Baby Products Company Imparting an inelastic and elastic character to predetermined portions of an elastic web for use in making disposable diapers
US20120168698A1 (en) * 2009-09-18 2012-07-05 Ccm Research Limited Improved materials
US9446985B2 (en) * 2009-09-18 2016-09-20 Ccm Research Limited Method of treating cellulose material with CO2 or source thereof

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
ES316563A1 (es) 1966-04-01
GB1075982A (en) 1967-07-19
NL6503812A (xx) 1966-02-18
BE668411A (xx) 1966-02-17
JPS528413B1 (xx) 1977-03-09
LU49231A1 (xx) 1965-11-09
GB1075981A (en) 1967-07-19

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