US3643477A

US3643477A - Programmed centrifuge drum for treating sheetlike material

Info

Publication number: US3643477A
Authority: US
Inventors: Fritz Lorenz
Original assignee: Heberlein and Co AG
Current assignee: Heberlein and Co AG
Priority date: 1968-07-30
Filing date: 1969-04-18
Publication date: 1972-02-22
Anticipated expiration: 1989-02-22
Also published as: GB1204280A; FR2007279A1; CH525034A; DE1920900A1; NL6905616A

Abstract

Programmed centrifuge drum to treat thread and sheetlike material wound on the drum according to which selected parts of the material are subjected to treatment fluid passing through areas of the drum jacket according to a desired program; and means for controlling such passage.

Description

Knitted States Loren/z 1 lFellri 22, 11972 [54] PRU GRAMMEIU QEN'IFKMIFEJGJE lii lMJM IFQR 'lii lilEfili'lllil m @HEE'IFMHKE MATEEHMAL [72] Inventor: ll rltr Lorene, Wattwil, Switzerland {73] Amiignce: llllelzterlein dz fin, A61, Wattwil, fiwitzerland [22] Filed: flips", llil, 1969 [21] Appl. No; 617,344

[30] Foreign Application Priority Date Apr. 30, 1968 Switzerland .6441/68 [52] U.S.Cl .Mi/ifill, 8/1551 l37/624.18 [51] lint. 1C1. E052 W112, BOSc 11/122, 1106f 39/00 [58] Field etfiearrli ..68/150;8/155.1;137/624.l8

[56] llteterences lCited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,145,398 8/1964 Wyatt ....8/155.1

3,296,841 1/1967 Fischer .J. ..68/ l 50 3,426,973 2/1969 Ordway ..137/624.l8 X

FORJEIIGN PATENTS OR APPLlCATiONS 1,495,636 8/1967 France ..8/l55.l

OTHER PUBLICATIONS 1,159,891 12/1963 German Wrichs et a1. 68 150 1 2 Printed Application.

Primary Examiner-Robert 1R. Mackey Attorney-Ward, MclElhannon, Brooks and Fitzpatrick Programmed centrifuge drum to treat thread and sheetlike material wound on the drum according to which selected parts of the material are subjected to treatment fluid passing through areas of the drum jacket according to a desired program; and means for controlling such passage.

111 tilauims, 15 Drawing Figures PWWEHBEE I972 g g g AT? SHEU $5 OF T lPlROGltAll/llMlElD ClEN'llltlll lJGlE DRUM lFOllt TllitlEATlhlG SlflllElETlLllllflE MATlElRllAL Apparatuses for use in the treatment of thread or sheetlike textile material with fluid agents are known in which the material to be treated is wound on the perforated jacket of a rotating drum, the interior of which is fed with treatment fluid which is pressed through the material to be treated by centrifugal force and pressure produced by means ofa pump.

Such apparatuses are widely used for various kinds of treatment with fluid or gaseous agents,such as, for example, washing, desizing, deacidification, boiling, bleaching or dyeing of woven and knitted goods in full breadth as well as of warp threads for weaving.

Those persons skilled in the art recognize that in apparatuses of this kind, it is necessary to limit the diameter of the fabric roll and to extend the length of treatment time which is expensive, as well as to interrupt the treatment which it is desired to effect continuously, so that approximately equal quality can be achieved over the whole breadth and in each layer of the fabric. in particular, the formation of stripes randomly distributed over the whole breadth of the fabric is the most difficult problem to resolve.

As to the effect of the treatment agent on the various layers of the fabric roll, it has been proven that the current, because of the common effects of centrifugal force and of gravity, indeed passes through the fabric radially and in a straight line from the center of the axis ofthedrum with a lateral deviation in the upper fabric layers; and that, as the lateral distance from the center of the drum axis increases, the current shows an im' portant lateral deviation, particularly in the upper layers ofthe fabric roll. Consequently, there are lateral zones towards both sides of the fabric roll which are reached by the treatment agent in an increasingly insufficient manner. This, as a rule, leads to relatively high liquid consumption in order to achieve the desired effect of the treatment.

Various processes and apparatuses have already been developed to overcome these difficulties. in one of these apparatuses, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,233,437, the rotatable drum is rigidly fixed on a hollow shaft which is also perforated to enable the treatment fluid to penetrate into the interior of the drum. The interior of the drum contains several perforated flexible stripes distributed over the whole length of the drum which are applied to the inner face of the jacket of the drum, which can be displaced with respect to each other and selectively cover the perforations of the jacket of the drum inside and outside the portion of the jacket which is covered by the fabric, the stripes running in parallel with the axis of the drum and peripherally with respect to the jacket of the drum. It is intended hereby to effect treatment of the fabric roll in annular sections. in a known apparatus of this kind, an improved circulation was achieved according to US. Pat No. 3,296,841 by providing a hollow shaft for the introduction of the treatment agents, the shaft being axially rigidly connected to the drum and passing through same with a number of intermediate walls perpendicular to the axis of the drum and extending between the hollow shaft and the inner wall of the jacket to form a number of tight chambers. The hollow shaft, in its parts running through one terminal chamber and through the central chamber, is provided with perforations for the introduction of the treatment liquid, whereas the remaining chambers situated on both sides of the central chamber are provided with treatment liquid by means of further introduction tubes from the terminal chamber, these chambers being arranged radially and in axial parallelism with respect to and around the hollow shaft, and the introduction tubes can be selectively opened or shut in order to feed the chambers with the treatment agents. These tubes, in the section which runs through the chamber which is associated with the same, are perforated to permit the introduction of the treatment agent into the respective chamber. The introduction is simultaneously effected in two chambers which are at equal distance from the central chamber.

Both apparatuses require interruption of the treatment procedure and consequently also of the rotation of the drum and of centrifuging in order to permit manipulation of the regulating devices for the covering stripes of the first-mentioned apparatus or of the control devices of the feed tubes in the second apparatus. The number of interruptions depends on the program selected for a certain treatment and on the hereby determined number of changes of partial programs.

The total unproductive down time, as well as the resulting personnel occupation, increase the cost of operations; and, of equal importance, are the adverse effects of these down periods on the quality of the final product.

Furthermore, the last-mentioned apparatus only makes possible symmetrical treatment of the annular sections of the fabric which are situated over the chambers; and this, in certain cases, is not sufficient.

Accordingly, I have conceived a method and apparatus intended to reduce the difficulties, unresolved up to now, of the circulation of the treatment agents, and to make possible continuous evolution of the treatment which can be adapted to the actual state of the treatment.

According to my invention, this problem is resolved by a process for continuous gas or liquid treatment of thread or sheetlike material, particularly of textile fabrics which are wound in full width on a drum with a perforated jacket and which can be rotated about its longitudinal axis and which is divided into a number of chambers, the treatment agents being introduced into the interior of the drum through an axial hollow shaft and selectively fed to the respective chambers, wherefrom they are fed to corresponding parts of the fabric roll through the perforations in the drum jacket, which is characterized in that opening and closing of the chambers is effected by means ofa control device by means of known program means so that, in a preselected way, single chambers or respectively groups of chambers which are situated symmetrically or asymmetrically with respect to the middle ofthe drum are fed with at least one treatment agent within selected periods.

My invention also relates to an apparatus for executing the present process which includes a drum rotatable about its axis and having a perforated jacket, which is rigidly fixed on an axial hollow shaft which serves to feed the treatment medium from outside, the drum being divided into a number of chambers by intermediate walls extending perpendicular to its longitudinal axis, the chambers being connected with the axial hollow shaft by means of a device for selectively feeding the treatment agents to the chambers, which is characterized in that the feeding device contains stationary and/or moveable shafts which can be controlled by means of a control device situated inside or outside the drum and connected with a program device so that preselectable opening or closing of flowthrough openings for the introduction of the treatment medium into the chambers is effected.

There has thus been outlined rather broadly the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course. additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject of the claims appended hereto. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which this disclosure is based may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures for carrying out the several purposes of the invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent construction as do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention.

A specific embodiment of the invention has been chosen for purposes of illustration and description, and is shown in the accompanying drawings, forming a part of the specification wherein:

FIG. l is a schematic view of a drum with seven chambers; FIG. 2 shows a scheme of progressive programming; FIG. 3 shows a scheme of individual programming; H6. 4 shows a scheme of symmetric individual programming;

FIG. 5 is a central longitudinal section through a first type of the apparatus of the invention:

FIG. 6 illustrates a detail of FIG. 5 on an enlarged scale;

FIG. 7 is a central longitudinal section through a modification of the apparatus of the invention;

FIG. 8 illustrates a detail of FIG. 7 on an enlarged scale;

FIG. 9 is a central longitudinal section through a further modification of the invention;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a central longitudinal section through a variant of the modification of apparatus of FIG. 9; I

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line B-B of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a central longitudinal section through a fourth modification of the apparatus of the invention;

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC of FIG. 13; and

FIG. 15 is a central longitudinal section through a fifth modification ofthe apparatus of the invention.

The drum shown schematically in FIG. 1 consists of a central chamber 2,

chambers

3, 4, 5 on the left, as viewed, and right-

hand side chambers

7, 8 and 9, symmetrically associated with the central chamber 2.

The progressive programming shown in FIG. 2 is effected so that, from the central chamber 2, the lateral chambers 3 and 7 which are in symmetrical position with respect to chamber 2, then the

lateral chambers

4, 8 and finally the

lateral chambers

5, 9 are inserted in the fluid circulation as shown by the arrows. The disconnection of the lateral chambers is effected in reverse direction towards the central chamber 2.

In individual programming, as shown in FIG. 3, the central chamber 2 as well as the

lateral chambers

3, 4, 5 and 7, 8, 9 are fed with fluid in any preselected positions, such as, for example, according to the scheme only the chamber 2, or only the chambers 5 and 7, the

chambers

3, 5, 9, the chambers 2,7, respectively, or only the chamber 8.

The symmetrical individual programming shown in FIG. 4 may begin with central chamber 2 and proceed with

lateral chambers

3, 7, 4, 8 and 5, 9. Thereafter, e.g., the central chamber 2, then the

lateral chambers

3, 7 and 4, 8 are disconnected; or else a left or right chamber selected at will, but always in symmetry with the central chamber 2, is connected or disconnected.

An apparatus which may, for example, be used for progressive programming is shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. It consists of a drum 1, perforated jacket 1', antechambers l1 and 12, a central chamber 2 and

lateral chambers

3, 4, 5 and 7, 8, 9 arranged on the left andright-hand side of the central chamber 2, respectively. These chambers are formed by circular walls 13 the outer faces of which are tightly connected with the inner face of the jacket of the drum.

The introduction of the treatment mediums into the chamber 2 is effected through a tight jacket 17, a drum hub 16 with a flow-through passage, the cylindrical opening of the hub having flow-through

openings

38, 38 and through the antechamber 12 with conduits 19, 19' connected therewith as well as by means of the massive shaft 15.

Openings 73 (FIG. 6) arranged in the center of the walls of the chambers make it possible to shift the massive shaft 15 axially together with

plate valves

20, 20, 21,21, 22, 22, solidly fixed on the shaft 15 by means of abutments 24 and resiliently open and close the opening 73 by means of valve springs 23. From the central chamber 2, first the lateral chambers 3 and 7, then the

chambers

4 and 8, and finally the

lateral chambers

5 and 9 are fed with liquid. The closing of the chambers begins with the

lateral chambers

5 and 9 in reverse succession. The massive shaft 15 is supported to permit axial shifting within the drum hub 16 at one end and in the drum hub 16' and the tight jacket 17 at its other end. The tight jacket 17 is connected with a mechanical or an electronic control device 18 and with a programing device 72.

IRA

The apparatus of FIGS. 7 and 8 may also be used for progressive programing. In this case, the treatment mediums are also fed through the tight jacket 17 and are then immediately brought into the central chamber through flowthrough openings 27 provided in the hollow shaft 15. The centrally arranged openings 74 of the chamber wall however, are tightly applied to the surface of the hollow shaft 15. In the surface of this shaft,

annular grooves

28, 28, 29, 29, 30, 30 are arranged at such axial distances that, upon axial shifting of the shaft 15 into a position shown in FIG. 8 at A only the central chamber 2, and in position B, the central chamber 2 and the two chambers 3 and 7 next thereto, and in the position shown in FIG. 7, all the chambers, receive the treatment liquid. By opposite shifting of the hollow shaft 15, the lateral chambers which are symmetrically situated with respect to the central chamber 2 are disconnected from the outermost lateral chambers towards the central chamber 2. The axial shifting of the shaft 15 is effected by means of a control device connected with the jacket 17 and by means of the programming device 72 connected therewith.

The apparatus of FIGS. 9 and 10 includes a drum 1 with a perforated jacket 1' which is provided with lateral chambers arranged symmetrically on both sides of a central chamber (not shown), of which the fourth chamber 9 and a fifth chamber 10 are shown. The treatment mediums are introduced into an antechamber 11 in direction of the arrows through the perforated hollow shaft 41 through the

inlet openings

38, 38 provided in the continuation 25 of the drum hub 16', and reach the range of the valve bodies 37 which open or close flow-through tubes or feed

tubes

52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60 shown in FIG. 10.

The feeding of the drum is effected so that the flow-through tubes with

perforations

31, 31 serve to connect with the lateral chambers 3, 7; 4, 8; 5, 9 and 6, 10 which are symmetrically arranged with respect to the central chamber a special feed tube connected with only one chamber being provided for each single lateral chamber. The control of the valves 32 and of the valve bodies 37 is effected by means of the hollow shaft 41 which is moveable axially and rotatably in the hub 16 and which, as shown in FIG. 9, is provided with flow-through openings 39. By means of the control device 18, the hollow shaft 41 is shifted or rotated with respect to the drum hub 16 so that certain selected flow-through openings are brought into connection with the corresponding pressure conduits 40 leading to the valves, whereupon the hollow shaft 41 is secured in this position. So long as no relative rotation occurs between the drum hub 16 and the shaft 41 (i.e., when both rotate at the same speed), and so long as no axial shifting of the shaft 41 occurs, the particular flow-through openings which have been opened will remain open.

Thus, it will be seen that the selected valves 32 open or close the flow-through tubes 52-60 associated therewith. These valves 32 are composed of the housing 32 with safety valve 33, the membrane 34, a counterpressure spring 35, the valve shaft 36 and the valve body 37. When using five flowthrough tubes, the treatment steps can be selected according to the progressive programming method or according to the symmetrical individual programming method; in the arrangement of nine flow-through tubes, the individual programming method may be used in addition to the two above-mentioned programming methods.

A simplified execution with respect to the apparatus of FIGS. 9 and 10 is shown in FIGS. 11 and 12. Thus, within the drum 1 with the perforated jacket 1, there are arranged symmetrical lateral chambers to the left and right of a central chamber (not shown) of which the fourth chamber 9 and the fifth chamber 10 are shown. The treatment mediums are introduced into the antechamber 12 in the direction shown by the arrows through the hollow shaft which is tightly and rigidly connected with the hub 16' and through the flow-through

openings

38, 38 arranged in the drum hub 16- and reach the range of valves 37 which open and close the five flow-through

tubes

52, 53, 54, 55, 56 shown in FIG. 12. The association of mini the flow-through tubes is the same as already described in the discussion of FIG. 9. The control of the valves and, therefore, of the valve bodies is achieved through the valve pressure tubes 40 which pass through the hub 16.

The valve pressure tubes 40 issuing from the hub 16' end in annular grooves 42 of the distributor block 76 of the control device 18. As can be seen, the tubes 4'1) and the block 76 rotate together with the drum 1 and the hub ll6'. These grooves 42 are fed with treatment mediums through five

valves

79, 80, 81, 82, 83 and through the pressure tubes 13 (FIG. l1), arranged in the bearing block. The regulation of the control device 18 is effected by a programming device 72. By means of this apparatus it is possible to effect progressive programming only.

FIGS. 13 and 14 show a further form of the drum l with a central chamber 2 and the four lateral chambers 3, 7; 4i, 8; 5, 9 and 6, 10 the walls of which are tightly and rigidly connected with the hollow drive shaft 77. The hollow shaft 77 is rigidly supported by the two drum hubs l6, 16.

Within the range of the central chamber 2, a fixation ring 65 adapted to receive the annularly arranged tube ends 64 is pro vided for receiving the treatment mediums for each of the flow-through tubes 52, 53, Ed, 55, 56, 57, 56, 59, 6t) and 611 and for the single chambers connected with each of these tubes. The introduction of the treatment mediums into the tube ends is effected, as shown in PK]. 13, by means of an axially and radially moveable hollow cylinder 78 which has been tightly and rigidly inserted into the hollow shaft 77, and through flow-through openings 63 arranged in the hollow cylinder 78. A regulating bar 62 shown partially broken away to expose the openings 63, is fixed in the bottom plate of the hollow cylinder 76 and passes to the control device 16 connected with the programming device 72 through a bore 66 of the hub 16. The bore 66 also serves to let the treatment mediums flow into the hollow shaft.77 and the hollow cylinder 76. The regulating bar 62, after the flow-through openings 63 and tube ends 64 have been brought into connection with each other, is secured to prevent further radial and axial changes of position. The drum 1, the hubs i6 and 16, the hollow cylinder 78 and the regulating bar 6.2, when rotated together at the same speed, allow particular ones of the openings 63 to communicate between selected chambers and the bore 66. Any relative rotation or relative axial movement between the drum 1 and the hollow cylinder 78, however, will result in communication between the bore 66 and different ones of the chambers.

This arrangement is suitable for selective execution of progressive, symmetric individual or individual programming.

Another device for progressive programming is shown in FIG. 15. The drum consists ofa central chamber 2 and

lateral chambers

7, 8, 9, 10 directed towards the hub 16', which chambers are tightly separated from each other by walls 13. These chambers are connected with the corresponding lateral chambers symmetrical with respect to central chamber 2 of the other half of the drum (not shown) by means of flow through tubes 45 passed through the walls 13. The treatment mediums are fed to the chamber 2 by means of the feed tube 46, to the chamber 7 by means of tube 17, to the chamber 8 by means of tube 48, to the chamber by means of tube 49 and to the chamber 10 by means of tube 56 supported in the drum hub 16. The feed tubes are tightly and rigidly connected with their respective wall 13 in central openings therein and coaxially placed in each other so that, between the outer and inner walls of the single tubes, there is sufficiently

wide space

79, 80, 81, 82, 63 for flow-through. The feed tubes 46, 41-7, 48, d9, 50, rotate at the same angular speed as the drum 1 and are thus supported in the hub l6 facing away from the drum as well as in a rotatable distribution block 76 of the control device. The feed tubes are positioned in close contact with pacltings 71 in the distribution block. The distribution block rotates at the same angular speed as the drum and the feed tubes. The distribution block is surrounded by a stationary bearing block 67 into which run the conduit-pipes coming LIAN from the

valves

79, 80, bl, 82', 83'. The valves and the distribution block, together, form the control device which is connected with the programming device 72.

From the foregoing description, it will be seen that the advantages of the process of my invention, as well as of the apparatus for its execution with respect to known treatment methods, consist in that the treatment process can be programmed and controlled so that zones of the fabric roll which are at a disadvantage as to fluid circulation may be subjected to further treatment in selected areas until the desired effect is obtained by switching to symmetric-individual or individual programming until the intended result of the treatment is achieved. The further advantage resulting therefrom is that the diameter of the layers of the fabric roll may amount to several times the diameter of the drum which means that longer lengths of fabric may be treated in one single procedure. It will further be seen that the duration of the treatment is essentially shortened with respect to known processes. Up to now, there was the following loss in time for manually operating the chamber valves during one treatment procedure:

Approximately 5 minutes braking, approximately 5 minutes acceleration of the drum which, when effecting two changes, totalled approximately 20 minutes. This down time is eliminated by the programmed switching now effected without interruption of rotation, whereby the economy of the process is essentially improved.

I believe that the method and apparatus of my new invention will now be understood, and that the advantages thereof will be fully appreciated by those persons skilled in the art.

I claim:

II. An apparatus of the class described comprising a drum which is rotatable about its axis and having a perforated jacket which is rigidly fixed on an axial hollow shaft for introducing a treatment medium from the outside, said drum being divided into a number of chambers, which chambers are connected with the axial hollow shaft by means for selectively feeding the treatment medium to the chambers, characterized in that said selective feeding means comprises means defining a plurality of fluid flow paths, each extending from a different one of said chambers through said axial hollow shaft and out from said drum through said shaft for connection to a source of treatment medium, plural valve means interposed along said fluid flow paths for separate control of the flow of fluid through each path and valve control means located remotely of said drum and coupled to said valve means for controlling operation of the same during and independently of rotation of said drum, whereby the amount of treatment medium supplied to material wound upon said drum can be applied in different amounts to different regions of the material according to a predetermined program.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the chambers are defined by walls perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the drum and said means defining a plurality of fluid flow paths include a further shaft extending axially of the drum and through openings in said walls and chambers, said plural valve means being associated with said further shaft and walls, said further shaft being shiftable axially to control said valve means to permit communication symmetrically between a central chamber and chambers on both sides ofsame.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said plural valve means comprise valve bodies resiliently mounted on said further shaft to control said in said walls openings upon axial shifting of said further shaft.

4,. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said further shaft is hollow and has openings communicating with the central chamber and has exterior annular grooves arranged to be positioned opposite the openings in said walls when said further shaft is in one position thus to allow communication between chambers separated by respective walls, said grooves being positioned away from said wall openings to prevent such communication when said further shaft is axially shifted.

lili lni 5. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said means defining a plurality of fluid flow paths includes a further hollow shaft connected to the control means for axial and annular movement relatively thereto, a drum antechamber, said further shaft feeding said antechamber feed pipes leading to the remaining chambers, said plural valve means controlling flow to said feed pipes conduits leading to said plural valve means, said further shaft being provided with flow-through openings which may selectively be brought into correspondence of position with said conduits leading to said plural valve means foropening and closing same, by shifting the further shaft relatively to its axis.

6. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the means defining a plurality of fluid flow paths includes a further hollow shaft coaxial with the drum and a cylinder moveable in said further shaft and terminating within a central chamber, closure means closing the end of said cylinder, a regulating bar connected to said closure means and extending to a control device, openings in said cylinder, feed pipes opening into respective chambers, and means effecting fluid flow communication between said further shaft and respective of said feed pipes when said cylinder is shifted by said control device through said regulating bar to position said openings in a preselected manner relatively to said further hollow shaft.

7. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the means defining a plurality of fluid flow paths includes several pipes, lying one inside the other and coaxial with the drum, the diameters of such pipes being of such dimensions that there is a flowthrough space between the pipes, the pipe end facing the drum being tightly and rigidly secured to respective annular openings in the chamber walls on one side of the drum, said feeding means further including a distribution block and valve means associated with same, each pipe end outside the drum being secured to said distribution block, and pipes connecting the chambers situated on one side of the drum to symmetrically respective chambers lying on the other side of the drum,

8. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said means defining a plurality of fluid flow paths includes a drum antechamber into which said hollow shaft opens, feed pipes leading from the antechamber to different ones of the remaining chambers respectively, said plural valve means comprising valves arranged to control flow through said feed pipes, and said valve control means including distribution valve means and pressure tubes connecting said valves and said distribution valve means for selectively controlling said valves to control fluid communication between said antechamber and other chambers.

9. Apparatus according to claim 8, further including a distribution block having a stationary member and a rotary member which turns inside said stationary member, said stationary member being provided with plural fluid flow passageways each connected to an associated one of the distribution valve means, said rotary member also being provided with a plurality of fluid flow passageways each connected to one of said pressure tubes and coupling means between said rotary and stationary members allowing pressure communication between each valve and an associated valve pressure tube regardless of the rotation of the rotary member inside the stationary member,

10. Apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the coupling means comprises a plurality of annular chambers formed about the mating surfaces of said members. each muting chamber being in fluid communication with an associated passageway of each member.

Claims

1. An apparatus of the class described comprising a drum which is rotatable about its axis and having a perforated jacket which is rigidly fixed on an axial hollow shaft for introducing a treatment medium from the outside, said drum being divided into a number of chambers, which chambers are connected with the axial hollow shaft by means for selectively feeding the treatment medium to the chambers, characterized in that said selective feeding means comprises means defining a plurality of fluid flow paths, each extending from a different one of said chambers through said axial hollow shaft and out from said drum through said shaft for connection to a source of treatment medium, plural valve means interposed along said fluid flow paths for separate control of the flow of fluid through each path and valve control means located remotely of said drum and coupled to said valve means for controlling operation of the same during and independently of rotation of said drum, whereby the amount of treatment medium supplied to material wound upon said drum can be applied in different amounts to different regions of the material according to a predetermined program.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the chambers are defined by walls perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the drum and said means defining a plurality of fluid flow paths include a further shaft extending axially of the drum and through openings in said walls and chambers, said plural valve means being associated with said further shaft and walls, said further shaft being shiftable axially to control said valve means to permit communication symmetrically between a central chamber and chambers on both sides of same.

4. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said further shaft is hollow and has openings communicating with the central chamber and has exterior annular grooves arranged to be positioned opposite the openings in said walls when said further shaft is in one position thus to allow communication between chambers separated by respective walls, said grooves being positioned away from said wall openings to prevent such communication when said further shaft is axially shifted.

5. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said means defining a plurality of fluid flow paths includes a further hollow shaft connected to the control means for axial and annular movement relatively thereto, a drum antechamber, said further shaft feeding said antechamber feed pipes leading to the remaining chambers, said plural valve means controlling flow to said feed pipes conduits leading to said plural valve means, said further shaft being provided with flow-through openings which may selectively be brought into correspondence of position with said conduits leading to said plural valve means for opening and closing same, by shifting the further shaft relatively to its axis.

7. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the means defining a plurality of fluid flow paths includes several pipes, lying one inside the other and coaxial with the drum, the diameters of such pipes being of such dimensions that there is a flow-through space between the pipes, the pipe end facing the drum being tightly and rigidly secured to respective annular openings in the chamber walls on one side of the drum, said feeding means further including a distribution block and valve means associated with same, each pipe end outside the drum being secured to said distribution block, and pipes connecting the chambers situated on one side of the drum to symmetrically respective chambers lying on the other side of the drum.

9. Apparatus according to claim 8, further including a distribution block having a stationary member and a rotary member which turns inside said stationary member, said stationary member being provided with plural fluid flow passageways each connected to an associated one of the distribution valve means, said rotary member also being provided with a plurality of fluid flow passageways each connected to one of said pressure tubes and coupling means between said rotary and stationary members allowing pressure communication between each valve and an associated valve pressure tube regardless of the rotation of the rotary member inside the stationary member.

10. Apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the coupling means comprises a plurality of annular chambers formed about the mating surfaces of said members, each mating chamber being in fluid communication with an associated passageway of each member.