WO1998022224A9 - Method for treating travelling textile material - Google Patents

Abstract

A method for treating a travelling length of textile material (12) includes the steps of providing a textile machine (10) defining a travel path for the textile material (12), providing a predetermined amount of treatment liquid with the treatment liquid being formed from at least one active agent and at least one release agent. Optionally, lubricant may be applied as well. The textile material (12) is treated by applying a predetermined amount of treatment liquid thereto, using an applicator (14) associated with a textile machine (10). The textile material (12) is then directed across a first pair of heated coils (22) which are heated to a first predetermined temperature and then directed across a second pair of heated rolls (30) which are heated to a second predetermined temperature, with the second predetermined temperature being greater than the first predetermined temperature. Finally, the textile material (12) is wound on a winder (38) to form a finished, textile material package.

Description

METHOD FOR TREATING TRAVELING TEXTILE MATERIAL

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates broadly to methods for treating textile material and more particularly to a method for wet treatment of a traveling textile material wherein the textile material is treated continuously along a portion of its running length prior to winding. The present invention is adaptable for use on virtually any type of textile material form, be it tape, strand, thread, filament, multi-filament, film, or web.

One of the problems in finishing or treating the aforesaid textile material is the speed of production compared to the quality of the finished product. Typically, rapidly produced materials exhibit poor finishing quality and even materials that are finished in a slower process can sometimes exhibit poor quality in package form. The poor quality can be exhibited in any of the finishing treatments applied to textile material, including dyeing, bonding, applying lubricant, or any other finish that is applied in a wet form. For example, batch or package dyeing can result in incomplete dye penetration and can result in a completely wasted package if portions of the package are not dyed or otherwise finished in a non-uniform manner.

Currently, running lengths of textile material are typically dyed in fluid baths and passed through nip rolls for squeezing excess treatment fluid therefrom. Air dryers are used which can be detrimental to the finish as well as taking an inordinate time for drying. Therefore, the results of the present methods are typically not uniform and may be unacceptable. Further, current processes are relatively slow which adds to the cost of the finished product.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide a method for accurately and rapidly finishing a traveling textile material wherein the material starts with an unfinished traveling element, which may be the aforesaid strand, thread, filament, tape, web, or other textile form with the end result being a finished, wound package possessive of high quality.

It is further an object of the present invention to provide a method for finishing textile material wherein the finished product is a dyed, wound elastomeric thread.

It is another object of the present invention to use such a method to produce a dyed and bonded sewing thread.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a method for finishing textile material which results in a coated intractable fiber.

It is another object of the present invention to provide such a method which results in a colored intractable fiber.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide such a method which results in a dyed sewing thread. To these collective ends, a method for treating a traveling length of textile material includes the steps of providing a textile machine for travel of the textile material along a travel path at least partially defined by the textile machine for wet treatment thereof by the textile machine; providing a predetermined amount of treatment liquid, the treatment liquid being formed from at least one active agent and at least one release agent, the release agent being compatible with the active agent; and treating the textile material by applying a predetermined amount of treatment liquid to the traveling textile material using an applicator associated with the textile machine. The method further includes the steps of directing the textile material across a first pair of heated rolls associated with the textile machine with the heated rolls being heated to a first predetermined temperature; directing the textile material across a second pair of heated rolls associated with the textile machine, the second pair of rolls being heated to a second predetermined temperature with the second predetermined temperature being greater than the first predetermined temperature, and, finally, winding the textile material on a winder associated with the textile machine to form a textile material package. The positioning of the winder is not particularly important, as it need not be mounted to the textile machine. Accordingly, the association of the winder with the textile machine may be no more than its connection to the textile material exiting the textile machine.

It is preferred that the textile material be in a form selected from the group consisting of strands, filaments, tapes, films, yarns, threads, and webs. It is further preferred that the active agent be selected from the group consisting of pigment dyes, acid dyes, dispersion dyes, reactive dyes, thermoplastic bonding agents, thermosetting resins, reactive resins, and plasticized resins. Preferably, the release agent is selected from the group consisting of silicone, glycol, TEFLON®, and mineral oil.

It is preferred that the step of providing a treatment liquid includes providing the treatment liquid formed with lubricant in addition to the active agent and the release agent. It is further preferred that the lubricant be selected from the group consisting of silicone and paraffin.

The step of providing a first pair of heated rolls preferably includes heating the first pair of rolls to a temperature between 70°C and 150°C. Further, the step of providing a second pair of heated rolls includes heating the second pair of rolls to a temperature between 150°C and 250°C. Preferably, the textile material travels across the applicator to define a control volume of the textile material at the applicator and the step of applying the treatment liquid includes applying a predetermined amount of the treatment liquid which will at least saturate the control volume. Preferably, the method of the present invention further includes providing a predetermined quantity of a second treatment liquid, applying the second treatment liquid to the textile material using an applicator disposed intermediate the first heated roll pair and a second heated roll pair and associated with the textile machine. Preferably, the step of providing a second treatment liquid includes providing a second treatment liquid having a release agent and the second release agent is a release agent selected from the group consisting of silicone oil glycol, TEFLON®, and mineral oil. The present invention further includes the step of providing an additional treatment liquid and applying the additional treatment liquid to the textile material downstream along the travel path from the second pair of heated rolls. Preferably, the step of providing the additional treatment liquid includes providing a lubricant. Preferably, the step of providing a lubricant includes providing a lubricant selected from the group of paraffin and silicone.

The present invention further defines a method for treating a traveling length of textile material to achieve a wound package of dyed thread and includes the steps of providing a traveling length of textile material for treatment; providing a textile machine for travel of a thread filament along a travel path defined by the textile machine for wet treatment thereof by the textile machine; providing a predetermined quantity of treatment liquid, the treatment liquid being formed from a dye liquid and a release agent; treating the traveling textile material by applying a predetermined quantity of treatment liquid thereto using an applicator associated with the textile machine; directing the textile material across a first pair of heated rolls associated with the textile machine, the heated rolls being heated to a first predetermined temperature; directing a textile material across a second pair of heated rolls associated with the textile machine, the second pair of heated rolls being heated to a second predetermined temperature, the second predetermined temperature being greater than the first predetermined temperature and winding the textile material on a winder associated with the textile machine to form a wound package of dyed thread.

Preferably, the step of providing a textile material includes providing at least one elastomeric filament formed from a material selected from the group consisting of natural latex and spandex. Preferably, the step of providing a predetermined quantity of dye includes providing a predetermined quantity of dye selected from the group consisting of a dispersion dye and an acid dye. It is further preferred that the step of providing a treatment liquid includes providing a treatment liquid includes providing a release agent selected from the group consisting of silicone, glycol, TEFLON®, and mineral oil. It is further preferred that the first pair of heated rolls be heated to a temperature between 70°C and 150°C, while the second pair of heated rolls is heated to a temperature between 150°C and 250°C.

The method further includes the step of providing an air entanglement jet associated with the textile machine upstream from the applicator and the step of providing textile material includes providing a textile material formed as a plurality of traveling filaments and the method further includes the step of entangling the plurality of filaments using the entanglement jet to form a traveling thread.

According to another aspect of the method of the present invention, a method for treating a traveling length of textile material to achieve a wound package of dyed and bonded sewing thread includes the steps of providing a traveling length of textile material for treatment, providing a textile machine for travel of the textile material on a travel path defined by the textile machine for wet treatment thereof by the textile machine; providing a predetermined quantity of treatment liquid, the treatment liquid being formed from a dyeing agent, a bonding agent, and a release agent; treating the traveling textile material by applying a predetermined quantity of treatment liquid thereto using an applicator associated with the textile machine; directing the textile material across a first pair of heated rolls associated with the textile machine, the heated rolls being heated to a first predetermined temperature; directing the textile material across a second pair of heated rolls associated with a textile machine, the second pair of rolls being heated to a second predetermined temperature, the second predetermined temperature being greater than a first predetermined temperature and winding the textile material to form a wound textile material package of dyed and bonded sewing thread.

It is preferred that the step of providing a predetermined quantity of treatment liquid includes providing a treatment liquid formed from a dispersion dye, polyester bonding agent, and a silicone release agent. Preferably, the step of providing the textile material includes providing at least one filament formed from a material selected from the group consisting of nylon and polyester. It is further preferred that the method further include the step of providing an air entanglement jet associated with a textile machine upstream from the applicator and the step of providing a textile material includes providing a textile material formed as a plurality of traveling filaments and the method further includes the steps of entangling the plurality of filaments using the entanglement jet to form a traveling thread. It is preferred that the step of providing the heated rolls includes heating a first pair of rolls to a temperature between 70°C and 150°C and the step of providing a second pair of rolls preferably includes heating the second pair of rolls to a temperature between 150°C and 250°C. It is further preferred that the textile material travel across the applicator to define a control volume of the textile material at the applicator and the step of providing the treatment liquid includes applying a predetermined amount of the treatment liquid which will at least saturate the control volume.

The present invention further includes providing an additional treatment liquid and applying the additional treatment liquid to the textile material downstream along the travel path from the second pair of heated rolls. It is additionally preferred that the step of providing additional treatment liquid include providing a lubricant, with the lubricant being selected from the group consisting of paraffin and silicone.

The present invention further discloses a method for treating a traveling length of textile material to achieve a wound package of coated intractable fiber including the steps of providing a traveling filament for treatment; providing a textile machine for travel of the filament along a travel path defined by the textile machine for wet treatment thereof by the textile machine; providing a predetermined quantity of treatment liquid with the treatment liquid being formed from a dye liquid and a release agent; treating the traveling textile material by applying a predetermined quantity of treatment liquid thereto using an applicator associated with the textile machine; directing the textile material across the first pair of heated rolls associated with the textile machine, with the heated rolls being heated to a first predetermined temperature and directing the textile material across a second pair of heated rolls associated with the textile machine with the second pair of rolls being heated to a second predetermined temperature, the second predetermined temperature being greater than the first predetermined temperature and winding the textile material on a winder associated with the textile machine to form a wound textile package coated intractable fiber.

It is further preferred that the step of providing a predetermined quantity of treatment liquid includes providing a treatment liquid formed from silicone and a dyeing agent selected from the group consisting of a plasticized dye and a pigmented dye. It is preferred that the step of providing the textile material includes providing at least one filament formed from a material selected from the group consisting of glass, SPECTRA®, carbon, and KEVLAR®. The method further preferably includes the step of providing an air entanglement jet associated with the textile machine upstream from the applicator and the step of providing the textile material includes providing a textile material formed as a plurality of traveling filaments. The method further comprises the step of entangling the plurality of filaments using the entanglement jet to form a traveling thread. While it may be difficult to use air entanglement on such stiff filament as glass, SPECTRA®, carbon, and KEVLAR®, it is certainly not impossible and can be accomplished without undue experimentation .

Preferably, the step of providing a first pair of heated rolls includes heating the first pair of rolls to a temperature between 70°C and 150°C and the step of providing a second pair of rolls includes heating the second pair of rolls to a temperature between 150°C and 220°C. The method preferably further includes the step of providing an additional treatment liquid and applying the additional treatment liquid to the textile material using an applicator disposed downstream on the travel path from the second pair of heated rolls. Preferably, the additional treatment liquid includes lubricant which preferably is selected from the group consisting of paraffin and silicone. The method of the present invention further includes a method for treating a traveling length of textile material to achieve a dyed sewing thread including the steps of providing a traveling length of textile material for treatment; providing a textile machine for travel of at least one filament along a travel path defined by the textile machine for wet treatment thereof by the textile machine; providing a predetermined treatment liquid, the treatment liquid being formed from a dyeing agent, a release agent, and a lubricant; treating the traveling textile material by applying a predetermined quantity of treatment liquid thereto using an applicator associated with the textile machine; directing the textile material across a first pair of heated rolls associated with the textile machine, the heated rolls being heated to a first predetermined temperature; directing a textile material across a second pair of heated rolls associated with the textile machine, the second pair of rolls being heated to a second predetermined temperature, the second predetermined temperature being greater than the first predetermined temperature, and winding a textile material on a winder associated with the textile material to form a textile material package of dyed sewing thread. Preferably, the step of providing a textile material includes providing at least one filament formed from a material selected from the group consisting of nylon and polyester. It is further preferred that the present invention include the step of providing an air entanglement jet associated with the textile machine upstream from the applicator, and the step of providing the textile material includes providing a textile material formed as a plurality of traveling filaments, and the method further includes the step of entangling the plurality of filaments using the entanglement jet to form a traveling thread. Preferably, the step of providing a first pair of heated rolls includes heating the first of rolls to a temperature between 70°C and 150°C. Further, the step of providing a second pair of heated rolls includes heating the second pair of rolls to a temperature between 150°C and 220°C.

The present invention further preferably includes providing an additional treatment liquid and applying the additional treatment liquid to the textile material using an applicator disposed downstream along the travel path from the second pair of heated rolls. Preferably, the additional treatment liquid includes lubricant which is selected from the group consisting of paraffin and silicone.

By the above, the present invention provides a method of treating a traveling length of textile material which results in a package of enhanced quality and uniformity regardless of the specific type of textile material or treatment liquid provided.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view of a textile machine configured for carrying out a method of treating a traveling length of textile material according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a diagrammatic view of a textile machine configured for conducting wet treatment of a traveling length of textile material according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 3 is a diagrammatic view of a textile machine configured for conducting wet treatment of a traveling length of textile material according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Turning now to the drawings and, more particularly to

Figure 1, a textile machine is illustrated diagrammatically at 10 and is configured for carrying out the method of the present invention. Other forms of the textile machine are illustrated in Figures 2 and 3 which take the basic structure illustrated in Figure 1 and add components as necessary to perform various embodiments of the method according to other preferred embodiments of the present invention.

Referring again to Figure 1, the textile machine 10 is fitted with an applicator 14 for application of treatment liquid which is contained in a reservoir 18. A metering pump 16 is disposed intermediate the applicator 14 and the reservoir 18 for delivery of a predetermined amount of treatment liquid to the applicator 14. A traveling length of textile material 12 is illustrated as entering and leaving the applicator 14 and, from there, traveling along the textile machine 10 for further processing. As will be seen, the traveling textile material defines a control volume as it passes through the applicator 14 and the metering pump 16 supplies a sufficient amount of treatment liquid from the reservoir 18 so as to apply just enough treatment liquid as the control volume will hold so that the textile material 12 becomes saturated without application of excessive treatment liquid. The textile machine 10 also includes two pair of heated rolls 22,30. The first pair of heated rolls 22 is formed from two conventional rolls 24,26 which are in spaced, aligned relation with one another. A similar, second pair of rolls 30 includes two spaced, aligned rolls 32,34. These rolls are heated to predetermined temperatures, with the first pair of heated rolls 22 being heated to a predetermined temperature which is lower than that to which the second pair of rolls 30 is heated. In order to preserve the heat, as well as to contain any fumes which may be emitted from heated treatment fluid, the rolls are contained in a hood 20 to create an oven. An exhaust line 36 is provided for removal of gases from the hood 20. As can be seen, the textile material 12 is trained around both rolls 32,34 and is ultimately wound on a winder 38 associated with the textile machine.

It should be noted that the basic components necessary to carry out the method are illustrated diagrammatically in Figures 1, 2, and 3. The components necessary to carry out the method are well within the range of skill of one of ordinary skill in this art. The diagrams serve to illustrate the necessary components associated with the textile machine to carry out the present invention and their proper positioning with respect to a textile material travel path which is illustrated by the textile material 12 in Figures 1-3. Accordingly, the exact structure of the components necessary to carry out the method of the present invention are not necessarily unique with respect to the present invention. Nevertheless, their placement and alignment along the textile material travel path is of sufficient importance to warrant their appearance in the drawings .

As will be seen in greater detail hereinafter, the method of the present invention takes on several different forms and can require the addition of several different components beyond what is illustrated in Figure 1. For example, in Figure 2, the practitioner of the method according to one preferred embodiment begins with a plurality of strands or filaments which are combined to form a thread prior to treatment, In that regard, a conventional jet entanglement unit 46 is provided upstream from the applicator and is supplied with pressurized air from a pressurized air source (not shown) through lines 48. As may be expected, the multiple filaments 12 are entwined, twisted, or otherwise entangled within the entanglement jet 46 prior to passing through the applicator 14 for application of treatment fluid. Additionally, it may be noted that additional treatment fluid should be applied to the textile material 12 after it exits the final roll pair 30. To that end, a second applicator 40 is provided downstream from the second roll pair 30 along the travel path. This second treatment fluid is contained in a reservoir 44 and a metering pump 42 is provided intermediate the second applicator 40 and the reservoir 44 for supplying a predetermined amount of treatment fluid to the second applicator 40 for application to the textile material 12 as it moves along the travel path prior to winding.

With reference to Figure 3, the textile machine becomes a bit more complex by the addition of further treatment liquid applicators. A third applicator 62 is placed along the travel path intermediate the roll pairs 22,30 and is illustrated within the hood 20. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the applicator 62 may be intermediate the roll pairs 22,30 outside of the hood 20 and guide rolls or other such textile material directing structures may be fitted to the textile machine 10 as necessary to route the textile material 12 out of the hood 20, across the third applicator 62, and back into the hood 20 for engagement with the second roll pair 30. A reservoir 68 is provided for the third treatment fluid with a metering pump 64 intermediate the reservoir 68 and the applicator 62.

Finally, it may be necessary to apply treatment fluid, such as a release agent, to the textile material 12 as it is passing over the roll pairs 22,30. To that end, a fourth applicator 50 is disposed adjacent one of the rolls 26 within the first roll pair 22 and is supplied from a reservoir 54 by a metering pump 52 disposed intermediate the reservoir 54 and the applicator 50. Similarly, a fifth applicator 56 is provided adjacent one of the rolls 34 of the second roll pair 30. This applicator 56 is supplied from a fifth reservoir 60 using a fifth metering pump 58 which is disposed intermediate the fifth applicator 56 and the fifth reservoir 60. Therefore, and as is seen above, there at least five different positions along the yarn travel path for application of various treatment fluids according to the method of the present invention. As will be illustrated presently, the apparatus described as being associated with the textile machine 10 in various combinations is adaptable for carrying out the method of the present invention.

Generally, the present invention is adaptable for producing wound packages of dyed sewing thread, bonded thread, dyed elastic yarns, colored fiberglass yarns, colored and intractable yarns, such as SPECTRA®. SPECTRA® is a registered trademark for polyethylene fiber owned by Allied-Signal, Incorporated of Morristown, New Jersey. SPECTRA® is an intractable fiber. To achieve the end product, the present method begins with textile material which may take many different forms including strands, threads, filaments, films, tapes, and webs. These forms may be constructed of various types of textile forming material such as thermoplastics including PET, nylon 6,6, and PE. Additionally, ceramics such as glass fibers may be processed. Further, natural fiber such as cotton and structural fiber such as carbon fiber or boron fiber are adaptable to the present invention. Elastomerics, such as natural latex or spandex or covered elastomerics such as natural latex and spandex covered with synthetic or natural fibers are also adaptable for use with the method according to the present invention. Some form of textile material as referenced above is caused to transit the travel path defined by the textile machine 10.

Initially, the textile material encounters an applicator for precision metering of treatment liquid thereto. The treatment liquid is supplied by a precision metering pump from a reservoir. The treatment liquid may take several different forms. Initially, it should contain some active agent. This can be a dye which can be a pigment dye, acid dye, dispersed dye, or reactive dye. Typically, it is applied in a range of 0.1% to 6% weight ratio by the weight of the component to the weight of the feed filament. Typically, the ratio is 1%. Additionally, a bond agent may be present in the treatment liquid. The bond agents include thermoplastics such as polyesters, thermosetting resins, reactive resins such as acrylics or urethanes, and plasticized resins such as PVC or PVDF. The applicator is configured for applying the treatment liquid uniformly circumferentially around any strand, film, or filament passing therethrough to saturate a control volume or predetermined sectional volume thereof.

An important aspect of the present invention is the presence of release agents in the treatment liquid. One of the problems associated with training recently-treated textile material around heated rolls is the tendency of the textile material to stick to the rolls, a phenomenon not experienced with the present invention due to the presence of the release agent in the treatment fluid. These can include silicones which are applied from a range of 1% to 25% ratio of component weight to feed filament weight. Typically, 15% is used. Further, glycol, TEFLON®, or mineral oil may be applied as a release agent. As will be seen, the application of the release agent prevents the textile material from becoming adhered to the upcoming heated rolls.

After the applicator 14, the textile material 12 encounters the first pair 22 of heated rolls 24,26. These rolls are heated to a first predetermined temperature in the range of 70°C to 150°C. This is typically 100°C. These rolls act to remove any water acting as a carrier for the treatment liquid. Optionally, an additional dose of release agent may be metered onto one or both of the rolls 24,26 to aid in the prevention of adhesion between the heated roll and the textile material. The release agent actually forms a film between the heated roll and the filament and provides sufficient heat transfer therethrough to allow the roll heat to act on the textile material. As previously stated, the heated roll pairs 22,30 are contained within a hood 20 to form an oven. This hood 20 is conventionally known to contain the heat and any sort of vapors which are omitted from the textile material upon heating. Accordingly, and as previously stated, a proper exhaust 36 is provided to remove the vapors from the hood 20.

From the first heated roll pair 22, the textile material 12 encounters the second heated roll pair 30. These rolls 32,34 are similar to the first pair 22 yet are heated to a much higher temperature, typically in a range from 150°C to 250°C with a typical average temperature of 220°C. This higher temperature acts to set the coating or other treatment in the textile material. As was the case with the first heated roll pair 22, another applicator 56 may be used to apply an additional release agent directly to the heated rolls 32,34. It should be noted that while a two-stage roll set is provided, i.e., two sets of two rolls, other roll pairs could be provided as needed for processing textile material in accordance with other versions of the present invention.

Finally, the textile material is wound on a bobbin to provided a finished yarn package. Prior to winding, and as will be seen specifically hereinafter, a lubricant such as paraffin or silicone typically in the range of 0.2 to 5.0 ratio of component weight to feed filament weight may be applied.

By using the general method described with the present invention, speeds of textile material processing may exceed 1,000 meters per minute. This is far in excess of the typically 400 meters per minute rate associated with other, conventional systems. Several specific applications of the method according to the present invention will now be described. The method of the present invention may be used to produce dyed, wound elastomerics which may consist of natural latex, spandex, or elastomerics covered with synthetics or natural fibers. This is typically done in the form of filaments. With reference to Figure 1, the elastomeric filaments 12 are caused to travel through the applicator 14 wherein a mixture of dispersion and acid dyes in the range of 0.1 to 6.0 weight ratio are combined in the reservoir with release agents in the range of 3% to 25% weight ratio and are delivered in a precision amount to the applicator 14 by the metering pump 16. The treatment liquid is applied to a running length of textile material 12 in a manner such that the material passing through the applicator defines a control volume and the treatment liquid is metered onto the control volume to saturate the control volume as it passes the applicator 14. Therefore, the running length of textile material 12 emerges from the applicator 14 in a saturated condition. From there, it is directed across the first heated roll pair 22 which is heated in a range of

70°C to 150°C. Therefore, any aqueous carrier is heated and removed from the textile material 12. The textile material 12 then crosses the second heated roll pair 30 which is heated to a predetermined temperature within the range of 150°C to 250°C. This acts to set the dye. The finished, dyed elastomeric is then wound on a bobbin to form the finished textile package. According to the method of the present invention, the dyed elastomerics can be produced at a speed of 1,000 meters per minute. Another process which can be accomplished according to the method of the present invention is the formation of a dyed, bonded sewing thread. The structure necessary to carry out this aspect of the present invention is illustrated basically in Figure 2. There, the plurality of filaments 12 converge at the aforesaid entanglement jet 46. The filaments may be nylon 6,6 or polyester. The filaments 12 are entangled in the jet 46 and emerge therefrom as a twisted multi-filament thread. From there, the thread 12 travels to the applicator wherein in a liquid amalgam of dispersion dyes, bonding agents, and silicone is applied in a precision metering manner as discussed above. The dispersion dyes are provided typically in the range of 0.1% to 6% weight ratio while the bond agent is present in the 0.5% to 150% weight ratio, with a bond agent being formed typically from polyester. The release agent is silicone in a range of 1% to 25% weight ratio. The thusly formed treatment liquid is applied to the traveling thread 12 in the applicator 14 and from there, the thread is trained around the first heated roll pair 22. The first heated roll pair 22 is once again heated in a range of 70°C to 150°C to remove the aqueous carrier from the thread. After the first heated roll pair 22, the second heated roll pair 30 takes the thread 12 and heats it within a range of 150°C to 250°C. From the second heated roll pair 30, the thread 12 is caused to pass through a second applicator 40 wherein a lubricant, typically paraffin in a weight ratio of 0.2% to 5.0% is applied. As before, the lubricant is applied in a precision, metered manner. The final step is the winding of the finished dyed, bonded sewing thread onto a bobbin.

Another aspect of the method of the present invention provides a coated, intractable fiber such as glass. The configuration of the textile machine 10 associated with this aspect of the present invention is illustrated in Figure 2. Initially, filaments of glass are directed into the entanglement jet 46 where they are caused to become entangled to form a traveling thread. After the entanglement jet 46, the thread 12 encounters the first applicator 14 wherein another treatment liquid is applied. This treatment liquid is comprised of plasticized PVC in a range of 0.5% to 150% weight ratio and pigmented dyes in a range of 0.1% to 6.0% weight ratio. These active agents form the coating. Once again, a release agent in the form of silicone in a range of 1% to 25% weight ratio is included in the treatment liquid. The treatment liquid is applied to the traveling thread 12 using the applicator 14 and the thread is then directed around the first heated roll pair 22 which, once again, is heated in a range of 70°C to 150°C. After the first heated roll pair 22, the second heated roll pair 30 takes up the traveling thread 12. The second heated roll pair 30 is once again heated to a range of 150°C to 250°C. From the second heated roll pair 30, the thread 12 is caused to encounter the second applicator 40 wherein paraffin in a range of 2% to 5% weight ratio is metered on to the thread. The thusly finished, coated intractable fiber is then wound onto a bobbin to provide the finished yarn package.

Another application of the present invention acts to produce colored, intractable fiber such as SPECTRA®, carbon, and KEVLAR®. KEVLAR® is a registered trademark of E. I. Du Pont de Nemours & Company and is used to represent aramid fibers. Once again, Figure 2 may be used as a reference for this version of the present inventive method. There, a plurality of filaments is directed into an air entanglement jet 46 which causes the fibers to become entangled to form a traveling thread 12. Pigmented dyes are disposed in solution in the reservoir 18 along with release agents which may be silicones, glycols, TEFLONs®, or mineral oils. It should be noted that whatever release agent is chosen, it must be compatible with the pigment dyes which appear in a range of 0.1% to 6% weight ratio. The release agents and dyes must form a uniform treatment liquid for application to the traveling thread 12. From the applicator 14, the traveling thread 12 is caused, to become entrained about the first heated roll pair 22 which is once again heated to a range of 70°C to 150°C. From there, the thread is caused to become entrained about the second heated roll pair 30 which is heated to a range of 150°C to 250°C. After the second heated roll pair 30, the thread 12 encounters the second applicator 40 at which is applied paraffin for lubricant in the range of 0.2% to 5% weight ratio. Once the paraffin is applied, the intractable fiber is wound on to a bobbin as a dyed intractable thread. The thusly formed yarn package is then ready for use. Once again, this process may be performed at speeds exceed 1,000 meters per minute.

Finally, another aspect of the present invention involves typical dyed sewing thread. A plurality of polyester or nylon 6,6 filaments are fed into the entanglement jet 46 where they are caused to become entangled and form a traveling yarn. Once again, following the entanglement jet, the thread 12 is caused to pass through the first applicator 14. There, the treatment liquid is applied. In this version of the present invention, the treatment liquid includes compatible active agents, lubricants, and release agents. The active agents are dispersion dyes which are added at greater than 70% weight ratio as a dispersion. The lubricants may be paraffin or silicone and a silicone release agent is included in a range of 1% to 25% weight ratio. This treatment liquid is then metered onto a control volume of thread 12 passing through the applicator 14. After the applicator 14, the thread 12 is trained around the heated roll pair which is heated to a range of 70°C to 150°C to remove the aqueous carrier from the treatment liquid. From there, the second heated roll pair 30 takes up the traveling thread 12 for heating to a range of 150°C to 250°C. After the second heated roll pair 30, the traveling thread 12 is passed through a second applicator 40 which applies paraffin at a weight ratio of 0.2% to 5.0%. The paraffin acts as a lubricant for the sewing thread. The thusly finished sewing thread is wound onto a bobbin to form a yarn package. This sewing thread process may be performed at speeds of 1 to greater than 1,000 meters per minute.

By the above, the present invention provides a unique method for processing various forms of textile material to achieve a finished product in a continuous, in line manner which produces superior results at a greater rate than has been previously known.

It will therefore be readily understood by those persons skilled in the art that the present invention is susceptible of broad utility and application. Many embodiments and adaptations of the present invention other than those herein described, as well as many variations, modifications and equivalent arrangements will be apparent from or reasonably suggested by the present invention and the foregoing description thereof, without departing from the substance or scope of the present invention. Accordingly, while the present invention has been described herein in detail in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that this disclosure is only illustrative and exemplary of the present invention and is made merely for purposes of providing a full and enabling disclosure of the invention. The foregoing disclosure is not intended or to be construed to limit the present invention or otherwise to exclude any such other embodiments, adaptations, variations, modifications and equivalent arrangements, the present invention being limited only by the claims appended hereto and the equivalents thereof .

Claims

I claim :

1. A method for treating a traveling length of textile material comprising the steps of: providing a textile machine for travel of the textile material along a travel path at least partially defined by said textile machine for wet treatment thereof by said textile machine; providing a traveling length of textile material at least temporarily associated with said textile machine; providing a predetermined amount of treatment liquid, said treatment liquid being formed from at least one active agent and at least one release agent, said release agent being compatible with said active agent; treating the textile material by applying said predetermined amount of treatment liquid to the traveling textile material using an application associated with said textile machine; directing the textile material across a first pair of heated rolls associated with said textile machine, said heated rolls being heated to a first predetermined temperature; directing the textile material across a second pair of heated rolls associated with said textile machine, said second pair of rolls being heated to a second predetermined temperature being greater than said first predetermined temperature; and winding said textile material on a winder associated with the textile machine to form a textile material package.

2. The method for treating a traveling length of textile material according to claim 1, wherein the step of providing textile material includes providing textile material in a form selected from the group consisting of strands, filaments, taper, film, yarns, threads, and webs.

3. The method for treating a traveling length of textile material according to claim 1, wherein said step of providing said treatment liquid includes providing an active agent selected from the group consisting of pigment dyes, acid dyes, dispersed dyes, reactive dyes, thermoplastic bonding agents, thermosetting resins, reactive resins, and plasticized resins.

4. The method for treating a traveling length of textile material according to claim 1, wherein said step of providing said treatment liquid includes providing a release agent selected from the group consisting of silicone, glycol, TEFLON®, and mineral oil.

5. The method for treating a traveling length of textile material according to claim 1, wherein the step of providing said treatment liquid includes providing said treatment liquid formed with a lubricant in addition to said active agent and said release agent.

6. The method for treating a traveling length of textile material according to claim 5, wherein the step of providing said treatment liquid includes providing a lubricant selected from the group consisting of silicone and paraffin.

7. The method for treating a traveling length of textile material according to claim 1, wherein the step of providing a first pair of heated rolls includes heating said first pair of rolls to a temperature between 70┬░C and 150┬░C. 8. The method for treating a traveling length of textile material according to claim 1, wherein the step of providing a second pair of heated rolls includes heating said second pair of rolls to a temperature between 150┬░C and 250┬░C. 9. The method for treating a traveling length of textile material according to claim 1, wherein said textile material travels across said applicator to define a control volume of textile material at said applicator and said step of applying a predetermined amount of said treatment liquid includes applying an amount of treatment fluid which will at least saturate said control volume.

10. The method for treating a traveling length of textile material according to claim 1 and further comprising the steps of providing a predetermined amount of second treatment liquid and applying said second treatment liquid to said textile material using an applicator disposed intermediate said first heated roll pair and said second heated roll pair.

11. The method for treating a traveling length of textile material according to 10, wherein said step of providing a second treatment liquid includes providing said second treatment liquid having a second release agent. 12. The method for treating a traveling length of textile material according to claim 11, said second release agent is a release agent selected from the group consisting of silicone, glycol, TEFLON®, and mineral oil.

13. The method for treating a traveling length of textile material according to claim 1 and further comprising providing an additional treatment liquid and applying said additional treatment liquid to said textile material using an applicator associated with said textile machine and disposed downstream along said travel path from said second pair of heated rolls.

14. The method for treating a traveling length of textile material according to claim 13, wherein the step of providing said additional treatment liquid includes providing a lubricant. 15. The method for treating a traveling length of textile material according to claim 14, wherein said step of providing a lubricant includes providing a lubricant selected from the group consisting of paraffin and silicone. 16. A method for treating a traveling length of textile material to achieve a wound package of dyed thread comprising the steps of: providing a traveling length of textile material for treatment; providing a textile machine for travel of a thread filament along a travel path defined by said textile machine for wet treatment thereof by said textile machine; providing a predetermined quantity of treatment liquid, said treatment liquid being formed from a dye liquid and a release agent; treating the traveling textile material by applying said predetermined quantity of treatment liquid thereto using an applicator associated with said textile machine; directing the textile material across a first pair of heated rolls associated with said textile machine, said heated rolls being heated to a first predetermined temperature; directing the textile material across a second pair of heated rolls associated with said textile machine, said second pair of rolls being heated to a second predetermined temperature being greater than said first predetermined temperature; and winding said textile material on a winder associated with the textile machine to form a textile material package. 17. A method for treating a traveling length of textile material according to claim 16, wherein the step of providing said textile material includes providing at least one elastomeric filament formed from a material selected from the group consisting of natural latex and spandex. 18. A method for treating a traveling length of textile material according to claim 16, wherein said step of providing a predetermined quantity of dye includes providing a predetermined amount of dye selected from the group consisting of a dispersion dye and an acid dye. 19. A method for treating a traveling length of textile material according to claim 16, wherein said step of providing said treatment liquid includes providing a release agent selected from the group consisting of silicone, glycol, TEFLON®, and mineral oil. 20. A method for treating a traveling length of textile material according to claim 16, wherein the step of providing a first pair of heated rolls includes heating said first pair of rolls to a temperature between 70°C and 150°C.

21. A method for treating a traveling length of textile material according to claim 16, wherein the step of providing a second pair of heated rolls includes heating said second pair of rolls to a temperature between 150┬░C and 250┬░C.

22. A method for treating a traveling length of textile material according to claim 16, wherein said textile material travels across said applicator to define a control volume of textile material at said applicator and said step of applying a predetermined amount of said treatment liquid includes applying an amount of treatment liquid which will at least saturate said control volume.

23. A method for treating a traveling length of textile material according to claim 16 and further comprising providing an additional treatment liquid and applying said additional treatment liquid to said textile material using an applicator disposed downstream along said travel path from said second pair of heated rolls.

24. A method for treating a traveling length of textile material according to claim 23, wherein the step of providing said additional treatment liquid includes providing a lubricant.

25. A method for treating a traveling length of textile material according to claim 24, wherein said step of providing a lubricant includes providing a lubricant selected from the group consisting of paraffin silicone.

26. A method for treating a traveling length of textile material according to claim 16 and further comprising the step of providing an air entanglement jet associated with said textile machine upstream from said applicator, and the step of providing said textile material includes providing a textile material form as a plurality of traveling filaments and the method further comprises the step of entangling said plurality of filaments using said entanglement jet to form a traveling thread.

27. A method for treating a traveling length of textile material to achieve a wound package of dyed and bonded sewing thread includes the steps of: providing a traveling length of textile material for treatment; providing a textile machine for travel of the textile material along a travel path defined by said textile machine for wet treatment thereof by said textile machine; providing a predetermined quantity of treatment liquid, said treatment liquid being formed from a dyeing agent, a bonding agent, and a release agent; treating the traveling textile material by applying said predetermined quantity of treatment liquid thereto using an applicator associated with said textile machine; directing the textile material across a first pair of heated rolls associated with said textile machine, said heated rolls being heated to a first predetermined temperature; directing the textile material across a second pair of heated rolls associated with said textile machine, said second pair of rolls being heated to a second predetermined temperature being greater than said first predetermined temperature; and winding said textile material on a winder associated with the textile machine to form a textile material package.

28. The method for treating a traveling length of textile material according to claim 27, wherein the step of providing a predetermined quantity of treatment liquid includes providing a treatment liquid formed from a dispersion dye, a polyester bonding agent, and a silicone release agent.

29. A method for treating a traveling length of textile material according to claim 28, wherein the step of providing said textile material includes providing at least one elastomeric filament formed from a material selected from the group consisting of nylon and spandex.

30. A method for treating a traveling length of textile material according to claim 28 and further comprising the step of providing an air entanglement jet associated with said textile machine upstream from said applicator, and the step of providing said textile material includes providing a textile material form as a plurality of traveling filaments and the method further comprises the step of entangling said plurality of filaments using said entanglement jet to form a traveling thread.

31. A method for treating a traveling length of textile material according to claim 27, wherein the step of providing a first pair of heated rolls includes heating said first pair of rolls to a temperature between 70┬░C and 150┬░C.

32. A method for treating a traveling length of textile material according to claim 27, wherein the step of providing a second pair of heated rolls includes heating said second pair of rolls to a temperature between 150┬░C and 250┬░C.

33. A method for treating a traveling length of textile material according to claim 27, wherein and further comprising providing an additional treatment liquid and applying said additional treatment liquid to said textile material using an applicator disposed downstream along said travel path from said second pair of heated rolls.

34. A method for treating a traveling length of textile material according to claim 33, wherein the step of providing said additional treatment liquid includes providing a lubricant.

35. A method for treating a traveling length of textile material to achieve a wound package of coated intractable fiber comprising the steps of: providing a traveling length of textile material for treatment; providing a textile machine for travel of a .filament along a travel path defined by said textile machine for wet treatment liquid by said textile machine; providing a predetermined quantity of treatment liquid, said treatment liquid being formed from a dye liquid and a release agent; treating the traveling textile material by applying said predetermined quantity of treatment liquid thereto using an applicator associated with said textile machine; directing the textile material across a first pair of heated rolls associated with said textile machine, said heated rolls being heated to a first predetermined temperature; directing the textile material across a second pair of heated rolls associated with said textile machine, said second pair of rolls being heated to a second predetermined temperature being greater than said first predetermined temperature; and winding said textile material on a winder associated with the textile machine to form a textile material package.

36. The method for treating a traveling length of textile material according to claim 35, wherein the step of providing a predetermined quantity of treatment liquid includes providing a treatment liquid formed from silicone and a dyeing agent selected from the group consisting of a plasticized dye and a pigmented dye.

37. A method for treating a traveling length of textile material according c.o claim 16, wherein the step of providing said textile material includes providing at least one intractable filament formed from a material selected from the group consisting of SPECTRA®, carbon and KEVLAR®.

38. A method for treating a traveling length of textile material according to claim 36 and further comprising the step of providing an air entanglement jet associated with said textile machine upstream from said applicator, and the step of providing said textile material includes providing a textile material form as a plurality of traveling filaments and the method further comprises the step of entangling said plurality of filaments using said entanglement jet to form a traveling thread.

39. A method for treating a traveling length of textile material according to claim 35, wherein the step of providing a first pair of heated rolls includes heating said first pair of rolls to a temperature between 70┬░C and 150┬░C.

40. A method for treating a traveling length of textile material according to claim 35, wherein the step of providing a second pair of heated rolls includes heating said second pair of rolls to a temperature between 150┬░C and 250┬░C.

41. A method for treating a traveling length of textile material according to claim 35, wherein and further comprising providing an additional treatment liquid and applying said additional treatment liquid to said textile material using an applicator disposed downstream along said travel path from said second pair of heated rolls.

42. A method for treating a traveling length of textile material according to claim 41, wherein the step of providing said additional treatment liquid includes providing a lubricant.

43. A method for treating a traveling length of textile material to achieve a dyed sewing thread includes the steps of: providing a traveling length of textile material for treatment; providing a textile machine for travel of at least one filament along a travel path defined by said textile machine for wet treatment thereof by said textile machine; providing a predetermined quantity of treatment liquid, said treatment liquid being formed from a dyeing agent, a release agent, and a lubricant; treating the traveling textile material by applying said predetermined quantity of treatment liquid thereto using an applicator associated with said textile machine; directing the textile material across a first pair of heated rolls associated with said textile machine, said heated rolls being heated to a first predetermined temperature; directing the textile material across a second pair of heated rolls associated with said textile machine, said second pair of rolls being heated to a second predetermined temperature being greater than said first predetermined temperature; and winding said textile material on a winder associated with the textile machine to form a textile material package.

44. A method for treating a traveling length of textile material according to claim 43, wherein the step of providing said textile material includes providing at least one elastomeric filament formed from a material selected from the group consisting of nylon and spandex.

45. A method for treating a traveling length of textile material according to claim 43 and further comprising the step of providing an air entanglement jet associated with said textile machine upstream from said applicator, and the step of providing said textile material includes providing a textile material form as a plurality of traveling filaments and the method further comprises the step of entangling said plurality of filaments using said entanglement jet to form a traveling thread.

46. The method for treating a traveling length of textile material according to claim 43, wherein the step of providing a first pair of heated rolls includes heating said first pair of rolls to a temperature between 70┬░C and 150┬░C.

47. The method for treating a traveling length of textile material according to claim 43, wherein the step of providing a second pair of heated rolls includes heating said second pair of rolls to a temperature between 150┬░C and 250┬░C.

48. The method for treating a traveling length of textile material according to claim 43 and further comprising providing an additional treatment liquid and applying said additional treatment liquid to said textile material using an applicator disposed downstream along said travel path from said second pair of heated rolls.

49. The method for treating a traveling length of textile material according to claim 43, wherein the step of providing said additional treatment liquid includes providing a lubricant.

50. The method for treating a traveling length of textile material according to claim 14, wherein said step of providing a lubricant includes providing a lubricant selected from the group consisting of paraffin and silicone.

AMENDED CLAIMS

[received by the International Bureau on 30 March 1998 (30.03.98); original claims 1-50 cancelled; new claims 1-50 added (11 pages)]

An in-line continuous process for treating, drying, and winding thread, comprising the steps of providing a traveling thread along a travel path defined by six processing stations including, in sequence, a first applicator, a first pair of heated rolls, a second applicator, a second pair of heated rolls, a third applicator, and a winder, metering a first treatment liquid onto said traveling thread by said first applicator at said first station along said travel path, heating said traveling thread by training said traveling thread about said first pair of heated rolls at said second station disposed next along said travel path successively following said first station, metering a second treatment liquid onto said traveling thread by said second applicator at said third station disposed next along said travel path successively following said second station, again heating said traveling thread bv training said traveling thread about said second pair of heated rolls at said fourth station disposed next along said travel path successively following said third station, metering a third treatment liquid onto said traveling thread by said third applicator at said fifth station disposed next along said travel path successively following said fourth station, and winding said traveling thread on a bobbin with said winder at said sixth station disposed next along said travel path successively following said fifth station to thereby form a wound package of treated and dried thread

2. A process according to claim 1 wherein said first treatment liquid includes a bonding agent.

3. A process according to claim 2 wherein said bonding agent is aqueous polyester.

4. A process according to claim 3 wherein said traveling thread is polyester.

5. A process according to claim 3 wherein said traveling thread is nylon.

6. A process according to claim 2 wherein said first treatment liquid further includes a dye.

7. A process according to claim 6 wherein said first treatment liquid further includes a release agent.

8. A process according to claim 7 wherein said release agent comprises one of silicone, glycol, synthetic resinous fluorine-containing polymers, and mineral oil.

9. A process according to claim 1 wherein said second treatment liquid includes a release agent.

10. A process according to claim 9 wherein said release agent comprises one of silicone, glycol, synthetic resinous fluorine-containing polymers, and mineral oil.

11. A process according to claim 1 wherein said third treatment liquid includes a lubricant.

12. A process according to claim 1 1 wherein said lubricant comprises one of silicone and paraffin.

13. A process according to claim 1 wherein said traveling thread comprises a plurality of filaments.

14. A process according to claim 1 wherein said traveling thread comprises a monofilament.

15. An in-line continuous process for treating, drying, and winding thread, comprising the steps of: providing a traveling thread along a travel path defined by five processing stations including, in sequence, a first applicator, a first pair of heated rolls, a second pair of heated rolls, a second applicator, and a winder; metering a first treatment liquid onto said traveling thread by said first applicator at said first station disposed first along said travel path; heating said traveling thread by training said traveling thread about said first pair of heated rolls at said second station disposed next along said travel path successively following said first station; again heating said traveling thread by training said traveling thread about said second pair of heated rolls at said third station disposed next along said travel path successively following said second station; metering a second treatment liquid onto said traveling thread by said second applicator at said fourth station disposed next along said travel path successively following said third station; and winding said traveling thread on a bobbin with said winder at said fifth station disposed next along said travel path successively following said fourth station to thereby form a wound package of treated and dried thread.

16. A process according to claim 14 wherein said first treatment liquid includes a bonding agent.

17. A process according to claim 16 wherein said bonding agent is aqueous polyester.

18. A process according to claim 17 wherein said traveling thread is polyester.

19. A process according to claim 17 wherein said traveling thread is nylon.

20. A process according to claim 16 wherein said first treatment liquid further includes a dye.

21. A process according to claim 20 wherein said first treatment liquid further includes a release agent.

22 A process according to claim 21 wherein said release agent comprises one of silicone, glycol, synthetic resinous fluorine-containing polymers, and mineral oil.

23 A process according to claim 15 wherein said second treatment liquid includes a lubricant.

24. A process according to claim 23 wherein said lubricant comprises one of silicone and paraffin.

25. A process according to claim 15 wherein said traveling thread comprises a plurality of filaments.

26. A process according to claim 15 wherein said traveling thread comprises a monofilament.

27. An in-line continuous process for treating, drying, and winding thread, comprising the steps of: providing a traveling thread along a travel path defined by five processing stations including, in sequence, a first applicator, a first pair of heated rolls, a second applicator, a second pair of heated rolls, and a winder; metering a first treatment liquid onto said traveling thread by said first applicator at said first station disposed first along said travel path; heating said traveling thread by training said traveling thread about said first pair of heated rolls at said second station disposed next along said travel path successively following said first station; metering a second treatment liquid onto said traveling thread by said second applicator at said third station disposed next along said travel path successively following said second station; again heating said traveling thread by training said traveling thread about said second pair of heated rolls at said fourth station disposed next along said travel path successively following said third station; and winding said traveling thread on a bobbin with said winder at said fifth station disposed next along said travel path successively following said fourth station to thereby form a wound package of treated and dried thread.

28. A process according to claim 27 wherein said first treatment liquid includes a bonding agent.

29. A process according to claim 28 wherein said bonding agent is aqueous polyester.

30. A process according to claim 29 wherein said traveling thread is polyester.

31. A process according to claim 29 wherein said traveling thread is nylon.

32. A process according to claim 28 wherein said first treatment liquid further includes a dye.

33. A process according to claim 32 wherein said first treatment liquid further includes a release agent.

34. A process according to claim 33 wherein said release agent comprises one of silicone, glycol, synthetic resinous fluorine-containing polymers, and mineral oil.

35. A process according to claim 27 wherein said second treatment liquid includes a release agent.

36. A process according to claim 35 wherein said release agent comprises one of silicone, glycol, synthetic resinous fluorine-containing polymers, and mineral oil.

37. A process according to claim 27 wherein said traveling thread comprises a plurality of filaments.

38. A process according to claim 27 wherein said traveling thread comprises a monofilament.

39. A machine for in-line continuous treating, drying, and winding of thread, comprising: a first and a second pair of heated rolls; a first and a second applicator; and a winder, all defining a travel path for a traveling thread along the machine; said first applicator being disposed first along said travel path and including a meter pump for metering a first treatment liquid to a thread traveling along said travel path; said first pair of heated rolls being disposed next along said travel path successively following said first applicator for heating the traveling thread, said travel path extending around said first pair of heated rolls; said second pair of heated rolls being disposed along said travel path following said first pair of heated rolls for again heating the traveling thread, said travel path extending around said second pair of heated rolls; said second applicator being disposed next along said travel path successively following said second pair of heated rolls and including a meter pump for metering a second treatment liquid to the traveling thread; and said winder being disposed at the end of said travel path successively following said second applicator for winding said traveling thread on a bobbin with said winder to thereby form a wound package of treated and dried thread.

40. A machine according to claim 39 further including a third applicator also defining said travel path, said third applicator being disposed along said travel path successively following said first pair of heated rolls and immediately preceding said second pair of heated rolls, said third applicator including a meter pump for metering a third treatment liquid onto the traveling thread.

41. A machine according to claim 39 further including a first reservoir containing said first treatment liquid including therein a bonding agent comprising aqueous polyester.

42. A machine according to claim 41 wherein said first treatment liquid further includes a dye.

43. A machine according to claim 42 wherein said first treatment liquid further includes a release agent comprising one of the group of silicone, glycol, synthetic resinous fluorine-containing polymers, and mineral oil.

44. A machine according to claim 39 further including a second reservoir containing said second treatment liquid including a release agent comprising one of the group of silicone, glycol, synthetic resinous fluorine-containing polymers, and mineral oil.

45. A machine for in-line continuous treating, drying, and winding of thread, comprising: a first and a second pair of heated rolls; a first and a second applicator; and a winder, all defining a travel path for a traveling thread along the machine; said first applicator being disposed first along said travel path and including a meter pump for metering a first treatment liquid to a thread traveling along said travel path; said first pair of heated rolls being disposed next along said travel path successively following said first applicator for heating the traveling thread, said travel path extending around said first pair of heated rolls; said second applicator being disposed next along said travel path following said first pair of heated rolls and including a meter pump for metering a second treatment liquid to the traveling thread; said second pair of heated rolls being disposed next along said travel path successively following said second applicator for heating the traveling thread, said travel path extending around said second pair of heated rolls; and said winder being disposed at the end of said travel path successively following said second pair of heated rolls for winding said traveling thread on a bobbin with said winder to thereby form a wound package of treated and dried thread.

46. A machine according to claim 45 further including a first reservoir containing said first treatment liquid including therein a bonding agent.

47. A machine according to claim 46 wherein said bonding agent is aqueous polyester.

48. A machine according to claim 47 wherein said first treatment liquid further includes a dye.

49. A machine according to claim 47 wherein said first treatment liquid further includes a release agent comprising one of the group of silicone, glycol, synthetic resinous fluorine-containing polymers, and mineral oil.

50. A machine according to claim 45 further including a second reservoir containing said second treatment liquid including a release agent comprising one of the group of silicone, glycol, synthetic resinous fluorine-containing polymers, and mineral oil.