US3659410A

US3659410A - Spinning machine and method

Info

Publication number: US3659410A
Application number: US107361A
Authority: US
Inventors: Antonin Barochovsky; Ladislav Horacek; Zdenek Krulik; Miloslav Snitily; Frantisek Stanci; Milos Wilfert; Dlouha Trebova
Original assignee: Vyzk Ustav Banlnarsky
Current assignee: Vyzkumny Ustav Bavlnarsky AS
Priority date: 1970-03-09
Filing date: 1971-01-18
Publication date: 1972-05-02
Anticipated expiration: 1989-05-02
Also published as: FR2081779B1; GB1298417A; DE2055831A1; FR2081779A1; CS151710B1

Abstract

A spinning machine has a rotary spinning chamber whose inner circumferential surface annularly surrounds its axis of rotation and diverges from an open side of the spinning chamber towards a transverse surface extending transversely to the axis and provided with an axial recess into which air-escape channels open. A liquid is admitted into the open side of the chamber so that it becomes deposited as a liquid layer on the inner surface of the chamber and the transverse surface is provided with a plurality of liquid-escape apertures for the escape of excess liquid, these apertures surrounding the axis of rotation. Fibers are admitted into the chamber for deposition on the inner circumferential surface of the chamber and in the liquid of the layer, to thereupon become converted into a yarn which is then withdrawn from the chamber. The liquid may be a dye, a yarntreating agent, a yarn-sizing agent, an antistatic agent or the like, but serves primarily to exert drag on the fibers as the yarn is withdrawn, and may only secondarily be a treating agent.

Description

I United States Patent 1151 3,659,410

Barochovsky et al. 1 May 2, 1972 54 SPINNING MACHINE AND METHOD 2,972,221 2/1961 Wilke et al ..57/58.89 x Inventors: Ammvlin Bamchovsky; Ladislav Hmek; 3,597,911 8/1971 Sch1ltknecht ..57/58.89 X

ps Kruhlq Smuly Nad Primary Examiner-Stanley N. Gilreath f i 9"? Trebovai Assistant Examiner-Wemer l-l. Schroeder Mllos Wllfelt, Usu Nad Orl1c1, Czecho- An0mey MiCh-ae| striker Slovakia [73] Assignee: Vyzkumny Ustav Banlnarsky, Usti nad Or- [57] ABSTRACT Czecmslovakia A spinning machine has a rotary spinning chamber whose [22] Filed: Jan. 18 1971 inner circumferential surface annularly surrounds its axis of rotation and diverges from an open side of the spinning [21] Appl. No.: 107,361 chamber towards a transverse surface extending transversely to the axis and provided with an axial recess into which airescape channels open. A liquid is admitted into the open side [30] Foreign Apphcamn Pnomy Dam of the chamber so that it becomes deposited as a liquid layer Mar. 9, 1970 Czechoslovakia l 54 1 [70 on the inner surface of the chamber and the transverse surface is provided with a plurality of liquid-escape apertures for the 52 U.S. c1 ..57/5s.s9, 57/35, 57/164 escape of excess liquid, these apertures Surrounding the axis of 51 1111.01. ..00111 1/12 rotation Fibers are admitted into the Chamber for deposition 58 Field of Search ..57/35, 58.89, 58.91, 58.93, on the inner circumferential surface ofthe chamber and in the 57/5895 64 liquid of the layer, to thereupon become converted into a yarn which is then withdrawn from the chamber. The liquid may be [56] References cited a dye, a yam-treating agent, a yam-sizing agent, an antistatic agent or the like, but serves primarily to exert drag on the NI STATES N S fibers as the yarn is withdrawn, and may only secondarily be a treating agent. 2,817,947 12/1957 Strang ..57/58.89 UX 2,853,847 9/1958 Keeler et al ..57/58.89 X 11 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures PATENTEDMAY 2M2 m f r A ZZZ u 03 r m u v L un 3 Haw? awn" w 00 I We? 0 0 ATTORNEY SPINNING MACHINE AND METHOD BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to the spinning of fibers into yarn, and more particularly to an improved fiberspinning method. The invention also relates to an improved apparatus for carrying out the method.

It is known in so-called open-end or spindleless spinning of fibers, to supply the separated or carded fibers into the interior of a substantially cup-shaped rotating spinning chamber so that they become deposited on a fiber-collecting surface provided in the interior and annularly surrounding the axis of rotation of the chamber. Under the influence of centrifugal force this deposition takes place and the fibers become converted into a yarn which is then withdrawn from the chamber. To facilitate insertion of the fibers into the chamber, the latter is provided with a plurality of air-escape apertures or vents through which air rushes out under the influence of the centrifugal force resulting from rapid rotation of the spinning chamber, so that an underpressure develops in the interior of the chamber which serves to draw fibers into the latter.

These spinning chambers are known in a variety of types and configurations. Thus, it is known to provide the spinning chambers with a smooth fiber-collecting surface on which the fibers become deposited for conversion into a yarn. Again, it is known to provide such spinning chambers with a fiber-collecting surface which is provided with needle-like projections and with openings. In any case, however, the separated fibers fed into the respective chamber become deposited on the fibercollecting surface thereof in the form of a ribbon of fibers which is continuously wrapped and twisted about its longitudinal axis by the fact that the chamber rotates and that yarn is constantly being withdrawn from the rotating chamber. If the collecting surface is smooth, the yarn obtained usually has a lesser strength than that which is obtained by conventional yarn spinning devices, that is by the ring-traveller system. Also, if the fiber-collecting surface is smooth, a phenomenon occurs which is known as the opposite wrapping of the fiber ribbon, meaning that the ribbon tends to twist in a direction reverse or opposite to the rotary motion of the spinning chamber. This results in a substantial and undesired reduction of the yarn strength as is known to those skilled in this field.

It is for this reason that the type of rotary spinning chamber was developed which utilizes a fiber collecting surface provided with needle-like projections. The purpose is that these projections will exert a greater force upon the fibers being withdrawn, with the force acting in such a manner as to increase the axial tension in the yarn and thus to increase its strength. It was found, however, that in actual fact this type of spinning chamber also does not provide the desired improvement. The yarn is less uniform when produced in this type of spinning chamber and the increase in strength obtained has not been as significant as had been hoped. Also, the spinning of finei.e., high-quality-yams has not become possible with this type of rotary spinning chamber because the increased axial tension frequently results in yarn breakage and a consequent deterioration of the yarn quality. This latter type of chamber is, however, very expensive to produce, a consideration which is an additional disadvantage to be added to the ones just outlined.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is, accordingly, an object of the present invention to provide improvements over what has been set forth above and what is known from the prior art.

More particularly it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved method of spinning yarn from fibers in a rotary spinning chamber.

Still more specifically it is an object of the present invention to provide such an improved method which makes it possible to obtain a yarn of higher strength, having a level of strength at least equal to that of the so-called standard yarn made by conventional methods which do not utilize rotary spinning cham- 'bers.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide such an improved method which is relatively simple and which makes possible the application of a liquid of desired character, such as a dye, a sizing agent or the like, directly onto the yarn during the formation of the same.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel apparatus for carrying out the method. In purusance of the above objects, and others which will become apparent hereafter, one feature of the invention resides, briefly stated, in a method of spinning yarn from fibers deposited on an interior fiber-collecting surface of a rotary spinning chamber, wherein there are provided the steps of forming on the collecting surface a layer of liquid, admitting the fibers into the spinning chamber and depositing them into the liquid, converting the thus deposited fibers into a yarn, and withdrawing the yarn from the spinning chamber against the resistance exerted by the liquid.

The liquid itself may, as already suggested above, be a yarn finishing agent, a dyeing, a sizing agent, an anti-static agent, or any other liquid agent with which it is desired to treat the fibers and therefore the yarn.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a somewhat diagrammatic, partially sectioned overview illustrating an apparatus according to the present invention; and

FIG. 2 is a sectional detail view, on an enlarged scale, illustrating a detail of a rotary spinning chamber in the apparatus according to the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Discussing now the drawing in detail, it will be seen that reference numeral 1 identifies a partially illustrated frame of a spinning machine. The non-illustrated components of the spinning machine are of no importance in the context of the present invention. It must simply be kept in mind that such spinning machines usually will have quite a large number of the spinning units of which one is illustrated in FIG. I by way of example.

Mounted on the frame 1 there is secured a housing 2 of the exemplary spinning unit. The housing 2 is provided with bearings 3 in which a shaft 4 is mounted for rotation. Secured to one end of the shaft 4 is a rotary spinning chamber 5 so that it will rotate with the shaft 4 as the latter is turned by means of the'pulley 6 secured to the remote end of the shaft 6 and driven by a non-illustrated prime mover via a drive belt 7.

The basic construction of the rotary spinning chamber 5 is already known. The spinning chamber 5 has a front opening or open side 9 which communicates with an interior space 8 bounded by a so-called sliding surface 10 which conically diverges in direction away from the open side 9 to the fibercollecting surface 11, from which a transverse surface 12 extends transversely to the axis of rotation of the spinning chamber 12 in inward direction. The surface 12 is provided with a central axially extending recess 121 and ventilation or air-escape vents l3 communicate with the recess l2ll.

' In accordance with the present invention the surface 12 is provided with relief apertures 14 which surround the axis of rotation and are equi-distantly spaced therefrom. The purpose of the apertures 14, which in the illustrated embodiment communicate with the air escape vents 13, but which may also communicate directly with the outer surface of the spinning chamber 5 entirely separately from the vents 13, is to permit the escape of excess liquid from the layer of liquid medium 15 which is to be formed in the chamber. Thus, by their distribution about the axis of rotation and by their spacing from the 3. axis of rotation-and of course thereby from the fiber-collecting surface l1-they also define the physical area which can be covered by the layer of liquid medium 15, it being evident that when the liquid medium of the layer reaches the apertures 14, it will escape therethrough rather than continuing to spread inwardly towards the center recess 12].

Reference numeral 17 identifies the mounting body of the fiber separating mechanism which forms a part of the illustrated spinning unit. It is provided with a cylindrical projection 16 which extends through the open side 9 into the spinning chamber to the indicated extent. A known carding roller 18 is mounted for rotation in a recess provided in the body 17 for this purpose, and a feed roller 19 is located adjacent to the carding roller 18 and serves to feed the same a fibrous sliver 20. The carding roller 18, which is in conventional manner provided with carding teeth or the like (not illustrated) separates the sliver 20 into its constituent fibers which are supplied because of the velocity imparted to them by the rotation of the carding roller 18, through a supply channel 21 into the interior of the spinning chamber 5.

A yarn withdrawing channel or opening 22 is provided in the projection 16 and communicates with the interior 8 of the spinning chamber 5, so as to permit the withdrawal of spun yam 23 therefrom. The inlet opening to the withdrawing channel 22 in the illustrated embodiment is located coaxially with the axis of rotation of the spinning chamber 5. A sensor 24, for instance for detecting yarn breakage, is provided exteriorly of the body 17 and the yarn 23 is withdrawn through or over the sensor 24 by the action of a pair of conventional withdrawing rollers 25 which supply the yarn 23 to a known friction-distributing roller 26 against which a bobbin 27, mounted on arms 28, bears to be rotated by the driven roller 26.

As shown, channel 22 communicates via a bore 29 provided for this purpose in the body 17, with a liquid dosing or metering device 30 which in turn communicates with a supply source 31 of a suitable liquid medium.

The dosing or metering device 30 supplies predetermined quantities of liquid medium derived from the supply 31 into the bore 29. This may take place for instance at regular intervals and the medium may be of any type with which it is desired to treat the fibers and the yarn, such as a dye solution, a sizing agent, an anti-static agent, or whatever medium it is desired to employ. Because the interior 8 of the chamber 5 is under underpressure due to the escape of air under the infiuence of centrifugal forces through the vents l3, and because the bore 29 communicates with the interior 8 via the withdrawing channel 22, the liquid supplied by the metering device 30 is aspirated from bore 29 into withdrawing channel 22 and from there into the interior 8 of the chamber 5. On entryv into the chamber 5 the liquid becomes deposited on the fiber-collecting surface 11, forming a layer 15 of liquid medium thereon. The doses of liquid are so chosen that the liquid will form on the collecting surface a continuous annulus which extends radially inwardly to the liquid relief apertures 14, through which excess liquid is relieved, that is vented to the outside.

The incoming fibers supplied by the carding roller 18 enter the chamber 5 and impinge upon the sliding surface, 10, being aided in their entry and impingement by the underpressure existing in the chamber. The air flow existing in the chamber due to the escape of air through the vents l3, aided by the divergence of the surface and by the centrifugal forces acting upon the fibers, causes the fibers to slide along the surface 10 until they reach the fiber-collecting surface 11 where they become immersed in the layer 15 of liquid medium, forming a 1 ribbon-shaped web on this surface 1 1. Due to the fact that this ribbon adheres to the respectively trailing end portion of the yarn 23 being withdrawn, the fibers of ribbon 24 are wrapped around the trailing end of the yarn 23 which is being withdrawn by the rollers 25, and thus the ribbon becomes twisted about its longitudinal axis and converted into additional yarn increments.

The presence of the liquid medium layer 15 on the fiber-collecting surface 11 exerts a resistance upon the fiber ribbon 24 and consequently upon the yarn 23, so that the fibers are withdrawn from the surface 11 against this resistance while they are becoming twisted to take the shape of yarn 23. Because of this, the quality of the yarn produced is increased in the same manner in which this was sought to be obtained by providing needle-like projections on the fiber-collecting surface of prior-art rotary spinning chambers, but without the disadvantages accruing from the use of such projections. In other words, the advantages are obtained which result from having the resistance of the liquid exert a retarding force upon the fibers of the ribbon 24, but none of the disadvantages are experienced which result from the prior-art use of needle-like projections rather than the liquid layer 15.

It is clear that because of this primary use of the liquid layer 15, any suitable liquid medium may be used, and that it is not essential for the basic purpose of the present invention that the liquid medium be capable of affording any type of treatment to the fibers and the yarn other than to exert a drag or resistance upon the fibers of the ribbon 24. it is equally clear, however, that a suitable treating medium of liquid nature may be employed, or may be admixedwith whatever other liquid medium is used, for instance a dyestufl' which thus simultaneously dyes the fibers and the yarn as the latter comes into being. Also, sizing agents or the like can be employed as already indicated earlier.

. It will be appreciated that it is not necessary to supply the liquid medium to the interior of the spinning chamber 5 via the withdrawing channel 22. For instance, to name just one other posibility, an independent separate channel could be provided in the body 17 and communicate with the dosing or metering device 30. This independent channel could for instance have an outlet within the interior of the chamber 5 which is oriented radially or tangentially with reference to the surface 10. It would also be posible to have the device 30 supply liquid continuously, rather than to supply it intermittently. Still further modifications will offer themselves to those skilled in the an and are intended to be encompassed within the scope and concept of the present invention.

It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together, may also find a useful application in othertypes of construction differing from the types described above.

While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in a spinning machine, it is not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can by applying current knowledge readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention and, therefore, such adaptations should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalence of the following claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims:

1. In a method of spinning yarn from fibers deposited on an interior fiber-collecting surface of a rotary spinning chamber, the steps of forming on said collecting surface a layer of liquid; admitting the fibers into said spinning chamber and depositing them into said liquid; converting the thus deposited fibers into a yarn; and withdrawing said yarn from said spinning chamber against the resistance exerted by said liquid.

2. In a method as defined in claim 1, wherein the step of forming said layer comprises admitting into said chamber a liquid yarn finishing agent.

3. In a method as defined in claim 1, wherein the step of forming said layer comprises admitting into said chamber a liquid dyeing agent.

4. In a method as defined in claim 1, wherein the step of forming said layer comprises admitting into said chamber a liquid sizing agent.

5. In a method as defined in claim 1, wherein the step of forming said layer comprises admitting into said chamber a liquid antistatic agent.

6. In a method as defined in claim 1, said chamber having an interior which is at underpressure and being provided with one outlet through which said yarn is withdrawn; and wherein the step of forming said layer comprises drawing a liquid medium into said chamber through said outlet as a function of said underpressure.

7. In a spinning machine, in combination, a rotary spinning chamber mounted for rotation about a predetermined axis and having an interior bounded by an inner circumferential surface annularly surrounding said axis, said spinning chamber having an open side and said surface diverging radially away from said open side in axial direction of said chamber, a transverse surface extending inwardly from said circumferential surface remote from said open side and transversely of said axis, and a central axial recess in said transverse surface; air

escape vents communicating with said recess; liquid-admitting means for admitting a liquid into said chamber so as to form a liquid layer on said surfaces; and relief openings in said transverse surface for escape of excess liquid from said chamber.

8. In a spinning machine as defined in claim 7, wherein said relief openings surround and are equi-distantly spaced from said axis of rotation.

9. In a spinning machine as defined in claim 7; further comprising a cover extending across said open side and provided with a yarn-withdrawing channel.

10. In a spinning machine as defined in claim 9, said liquidadmitting means comprising a liquid supply, a liquid metering device receiving liquid from said supply and metering it in predetermined doses, and conduit means connecting said device with said yarn-withdrawing channel for admitting the doses of liquid into said chamber.

11. In a spinning machine as defined in claim 7, wherein said relief openings communicate with said air-escape vents.

i i t i l

Claims

7. In a spinning machine, in combination, a rotary spinning chamber mounted for rotation about a predetermined axis and having an interior bounded by an inner circumferential surface annularly surrounding said axis, said spinning chamber having an open side and said surface diverging radially away from said open side in axial direction of said chamber, a transverse surface extending inwardly from said circumferential surface remote from said open side and transversely of said axis, and a central axial recess in said transverse surface; air escape vents communicating with said recess; liquid-admitting means for admitting a liquid into said chamber so as to form a liquid layer on said surfaces; and relief openings in said transverse surface for escape of excess liquid from said chamber.

10. In a spinning machine as defined in claim 9, said liquid-admitting means comprising a liquid supply, a liquid metering device receiving liquid from said supply and metering it in predetermined doses, and conduit means connecting said device with said yarn-withdrawing channel for admitting the doses of liquid into said chamber.