WO1999010582A1

WO1999010582A1 - Improved dyeing process

Info

Publication number: WO1999010582A1
Application number: PCT/AU1998/000687
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ian Fayman; John Barrie Knight
Original assignee: Synthetic Dyeworks Industries Pty. Ltd.
Priority date: 1997-08-26
Filing date: 1998-08-26
Publication date: 1999-03-04
Also published as: AUPO877497A0

Abstract

A new apparatus (2) for use in an improved dyeing process is described which allows textile materials, such as cotton yarn, to be treated in one or more consecutive steps at the one location or within the one workstation without manually moving the material so as to reduce the time required for treating the material. One form of the apparatus (2) comprises a main conduit (33) in fluid communication with a distributor (44) comprising a plurality of radial spokes (40) extending from the main conduit (33) to a circular ring main (48) from which a plurality of spindles (50) extend in parallel relationship to each other and to the main conduit (33) for treating the material wound in bobbins (58) located on the spindles (52) by exposing the material to a variety of fluids such as water and air. The main conduit (33) and distributor (44) including its components (46, 48, 50, 54) rotate in unison to effect rotation of the material in order to effect improvement in the processing of the yarn and to reduce the treatment time.

Description

IMPROVED DYEING PROCESS

The present invention relates generally to the textile industry and particularly to the processing of materials, such as dyeing of fibres. More particularly, the present invention relates to improvements in or relating to methods and apparatus used in the continuous dyeing of yarn or other similar filaments or filamentous materials, particularly improvements in the methods and apparatus used in the processing steps subsequent to the actual dyeing step of the process, such as the washing, drying and other post-dyeing steps. Even more particularly, the present invention relates to apparatus and methods of using the apparatus in which a number of separate processing steps may be carried out within the one piece of equipment or apparatus or in the one location, such as the sequential steps of washing and drying of yarns . The present invention finds particular application as an apparatus and method which can be used in the discontinuous dyeing of cotton in which a number of steps for processing the cotton after it has been dyed are conducted in a single enclosure, cabinet or the like without the need for repeated manual handling of the yarn between the successive steps.

Although the present invention will be described with particular reference to an apparatus and method of using the apparatus for carrying out a number of different steps of an overall dyeing process relating to discontinuous dyeing of cotton, it is to be noted that the scope of the present invention is not restricted to the described embodiment, but rather the scope of the present invention is more extensive so as to include other forms of the apparatus, the use of the various forms of the apparatus in connection with other materials and in the use of other methods, processes and applications.

Although continuous yarn dyeing machines have been used in the past to continuously dye some forms of yarn, most notably nylon, wool and the like, the existing equipment used in these processes have a number of shortcomings and disadvantages when dyeing some particular yarns, most notably cotton. One disadvantage associated with existing continuous yarn dyeing machines is that after the dye has been applied to the cotton yarn, further processing steps must occur before completion of the overall dyeing process and before the dyed cotton yarn can be transformed into fabric from which products, such as clothing or the like, can be made. The further processing includes the steps of storing the cotton yarn after the actual dyeing step, followed by washing, hydroextracting and drying of the cotton yarn. With existing dyeing machines, in all of these steps it is necessary to manually manipulate the yarn between each successive step, such as manually moving the yarn between different workstations or locations or between different equipment where the separate processing operations of washing or drying take place. As there are at least four basic steps after the dyeing step to complete the overall process, the yarn must be manually handled between each separate station or step, which means that the yarn must be handled about four times merely to complete the dyeing process. As each one of the various workstations used in the overall process are dedicated to performing one step only in the overall dyeing process, manhandling of the yarn between the various workstations in the overall process is both time- consuming and expensive as well as exposing the yarn to possible damage and/or contamination due to the repeated manhandling between the various stations for carrying out each successive step.

It is to be noted that although the word "continuous" is used to refer to continuous dyeing of cotton yarn, this reference is to one form of the actual dyeing process itself and is not meant to limit the applicability of the present invention to continuous dyeing processes. Rather, the present invention refers to all forms of automated dyeing processes so that the use of the word "continuous" in the present specification encompasses actual dyeing processes which are continuous, semi-continuous, discontinuous, substantially continuous or the like, i.e. all forms of dyeing processes.

Another problem associated with existing methods and apparatus relates to such methods being wasteful of energy and resources, since little or no recycling of the wash water or heated drying air is possible due to the use of a number of different individual workstations, in which the individual workstations perform different steps of the overall process and are located at different locations to each other.

Therefore, there is a need to reduce the amount of manhandling of the yarns to a minimum, and to reduce the number of separate workstations used in the overall processing of the yarns, particularly after the actual dyeing process.

Accordingly, it is an aim of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus which allows yarn or other filamentous material to be treated and/or processed in a single location or in a single apparatus in which more than one step of the overall process can be conducted.

According to the present invention there is provided a device for treating yarn or other filamentous material comprising a first main conduit member connected in fluid communication with a second conduit member, such that said first conduit member is capable of conveying fluid to the second conduit member in use, said first and second conduit members being arranged to rotate in unison, said second conduit member being associated with the yarn or other filamentous material, wherein fluid admitted to the first conduit member is discharged from the second conduit member to contact the yarn or other filamentous material in use in such a manner as to treat the yarn or material .

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of treating a material using an apparatus including a first member in fluid communication with a second member, said members capable of rotation in unison, said method comprising locating the material to be treated in association with the second member, admitting a fluid to the first member, discharging the fluid from the second member to contact the material thereby performing a first operation to treat the material, and performing a second operation on the material to further treat the material, wherein the first and second treatment operations are conducted without the need to handle the material between the first and second operations.

Typically, the material is a textile material. More typically, the textile material is a filamentous material, even more typically a yarn. More typically, the yarn is a cellulosic yarn, a regenerated cellulosic yarn, cotton, a Hercosett/chlorinated woollen yarn, a nylon yarn, a polyamide yarn, a 100% polyamide yarn or a silk yarn, and includes both natural and synthetic yarns or the like.

Typically, the filamentous material can be a yarn of a single component or a combination of different components, such as for example polyester yarns, Lycra yarns, Spandex yarns, polyester/Spandex combination yarns, yarns of polyamide mixtures, secondary acetate yarns, triacetate yarns, polypropylene yarns and the like.

Typically, the filamentous materials that can be treated by the present invention include Hercosett/chlorinated wool fibres and yarns, natural woollen fibres and yarns, natural and synthetic silk fibres and yarns, and lactate fibres and yarns, as well as cotton mixed yarns.

Typically, the fluids used in the process and apparatus include hot water, cold water, hot air or other gases. More typically, the fluids include additives such as cleaning agents, surfactants, detergents and the like, including additives conventionally used in dyeing processes for yarns and textiles generally. Typically, the fluids are recycled or recovered, including the energy associated with the fluids, such as heat energy.

Typically, the first member is a relative longer cylindrical hollow main tube mounted for rotation within a cabine . Typically, the second member is a distributor and/or a plurality of smaller diameter cylindrical hollow rods provided with spaced apart apertures connected to the main tube for rotation therewith. More typically, the hollow main tube, hollow rods and distributor are rotated during treatment of the yarns.

Typically, the yarn to be treated is mounted on the smaller diameter rods so that fluid egressing from the apertures passes through the yarn to treat the yarn. More typically, the fluids form a treatment medium. Even more typically, the medium or fluid is passed through the hollow rods at predetermined or desired conditions of flow rates, pressures, temperatures and periods of time.

Typically, the medium or fluid may be recycled through the yarn or yarn cheeses by repeatedly passing the fluid through the yarn during the period of treatment .

Typically, the main tube and smaller rods form part of a frame. More typically, the frame is movable, such as for example by being provided with wheels or similar that allow the frame to be pushed into and out of the cabinet. More typically, the cabinet is provided with tracks to facilitate entry and removal of the frame.

Typically, the operations performed in the cabinet include storage of the yarns for batching (allowing the dye to take to the filamentous material by curing the dye or the like) , washing of the yarn to remove loose dyestuff that is not fixed to the fibres forming the yarn, hydroextracting the yarn to remove excess moisture to a level of about 50% retained moisture, and drying the yarn to remove further moisture in accordance with the final moisture content required of the yarn.

Typically, when the fluid is hot air, the hot air is passed through the yarn cheeses during the drying step whilst the temperature, flow and pressure are controlled. The hot air is recirculated within the cabinet until the desired moisture content of the yarn is achieved by sensing the humidity of the atmosphere in the cabinet at which time the hot air is exhausted either to atmosphere or to recover heat energy.

The present invention will now be illustrated by a description of a typical example of a preferred embodiment and will be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of one form of the cabinet for enclosing the apparatus of the present invention; Figure 2 is a partial side sectional view of one embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention enclosed within the cabinet;

Figure 3 is an transverse cross-sectional view of the distributor and spindle arrangement of the apparatus of Figure 2 taken along the line 3-3 of Figure 2.

In Figure 1 there is shown one form of the cabinet, generally denoted as 2, housing the apparatus of the present invention and in which the various different steps of the overall process of treating cotton yarn are conducted to process or treat the yarn in accordance with the method of the present invention. Cabinet 2 is formed as an insulated enclosure having insulated walls 4, roof 6 and floor 8, together with an insulated access door 10 which allows access to the interior of cabinet 2. Door 10 can take any suitable form and may comprise a single door, a double door, a sliding door or the like. Cabinet 2 is provided with a temperature sensor 12 and a humidity sensor 14 for sensing the temperature and humidity respectively of the atmosphere inside the cabinet 2. Cabinet 2 is also provided with conduits 16 for admitting fluids, such as water and air which are optionally heated, to the inside of the cabinet in use and a vent or exhaust duct 18 for exhausting gases from the cabinet. Although not shown, cabinet 2 is provided with a drainage system for removing or recycling waste water from cabinet 2 and with tracks or other guidance means for facilitating entry and exit of the apparatus of the present invention into and from cabinet 2 to assist in locating and removing yarn to and from the cabinet .

With particular reference to Figures 2 and 3, one form of the apparatus of the present invention will now be described. In these figures, there is shown a frame, generally denoted as 20, in the form of a subassembly, which is locatable inside cabinet 2 for performing each step in the overall process of the present invention. Frame 20 comprises a substantially flat, horizontally extending platform (not shown) provided with a pair of spaced apart feet (not shown) for supporting frame 20 on the floor or base of cabinet 2. Alternatively, or additionally, the platform may be provided with wheels, casters, slides or similar to facilitate movement of the frame in and out of cabinet 2. A pair of spaced apart pedestals or supports 28, 30 in the form of upwardly extending posts or similar extend substantially vertically upwardly from the platform and are each provided with a bearing arrangement 32 at or towards their respective top surfaces. The bearing arrangement 32 may take any suitable or convenient form and typically uses rotating ball or needle bearings. An elongate hollow cylindrical tube 33 is journalled at or towards both of its ends in the two bearing arrangements 32 for rotation about its central longitudinal axis as shown by arrow A of Figure 2. Tube 33 forms the main member or conduit of the apparatus for conveying fluid to treat the material as will be explained in more detail below.

A motor, such as an electric motor or hydraulic motor 34, is located at or towards one end of the platform, typically the other end from the end closer to door 10, and is provided with a driving shaft 36 to which is fixedly connected a pulley wheel 38 or similar around which part of a pulley belt or V-belt 40 is received. A further part of belt 40 is received around a larger pulley wheel or drum 42 fixedly connected at or towards the proximal end of tube 33 in the vicinity of support 28 so that operation of motor 34 causes tube 33 to rotate accordingly via rotation of driving shaft 36, pulley wheel 38, pulley belt 40 and pulley wheel or drum 42.

The proximal end of tube 33 is in fluid communication with inlet conduit 16 by being connected with a suitable coupling, gland or similar 17, so that fluids of one kind or another, such as hot air or hot or cold water, can be admitted to and conveyed internally within tube 33 in accordance with the specific process occurring in cabinet 2 which will be described in more detail later. In one embodiment, gland 17 is also sealingly connected to the end wall 11 of cabinet 2.

Tube 33 is provided with a distributor 44 located at a location intermediate supports 28, 30 near to drum 42. Distributor 44 is in fluid communication with the inside of tube 33 thereby allowing fluid in tube 33 to flow into distributor 44. One form of distributor 44 which is shown in Figure 3 is wheel-like and comprises four spokes 46 extending radially outwardly in spaced apart relationship from tube 33 to ring main 48 or similar located circumferentially around the collective ends of spokes 46. It is to be noted that spokes 46 interconnect tube 33 and ring main 48. A plurality of spindles 50 extend in spaced apart parallel relationship to each other from one side of ring main 48. Spindles 50 all extend parallel to the lengthwise extending central axis of tube 33 and accordingly all spindles 50 and tube 33 are parallel to each other. Although 12 separate spindles 50 are shown in Figure 3, it is to be noted that any number of spindles 50 may be arranged to extend from ring main 48 in accordance with requirements. Each spindle 50 is provided with a plurality of apertures 52 located in regular spaced apart relationship to each other extending along the entire length of spindle 50 in order to discharge fluid therefrom in use after the fluid has been conveyed from tube 33 through spokes 46 and ring main 48 to spindles 50. A circular disc-like end sealing plate 54 provided with a plurality of sealing cups 56 arranged circumferentially in spaced apart relationship around the periphery of plate 54 is movably mounted on tube 33 intermediate distributor 44 and support 30 for axial movement along tube 33 between two configurations. It is to be noted that the number of sealing cups 56 on plate 54 corresponds to the number of spindles 50 connected to ring main 48. One of the configurations that can be adopted by plate 54, which is the release configuration, is a configuration in which the end plate is spaced apart from the distal ends of spindles 50 to allow bobbins or cones of cotton (yarn cheeses) to be placed over or on spindles 50 in preparation for operation of the apparatus of the present invention which will be described in more detail later. Another of the configurations that can be adopted by plate 54, which is the sealing configuration, is a configuration in which the distal end of each spindle is sealingly received in one of the sealing cups 56 in order to close the distal end of the spindles thereby forcing any fluid being pumped or otherwise admitted internally into the spindle to discharge through the apertures located along the length of the spindles and through any cotton bobbins or cheeses located on or around the spindles. In Figure 2, end plate 54 when in the release configuration is shown in continuous lines whereas when in the sealing configuration is shown in phantom.

End plate 54 is securely connected to the distal ends of spindles 50 to seal spindles 50 so that spindles 50 span between ring main 48 and end plate 54 and end plate 54 is maintained in place on tube 33 by a suitable retaining means. Thus distributor 44 comprises spokes 46, ring main 48, spindles 50 and end sealing plate 54, and is a single interconnected unit which rotates in unison together with tube 33 when tube 33 is rotatingly driven by motor 34.

Any gas or mixture of gases admitted to cabinet 2 is exhausted from the atmosphere of cabinet 2 through exhaust duct 18 whereas any liquid admitted to cabinet 2 is drained away by the drainage system (not shown) located on the floor of or in the base of cabinet 2, and optionally recycled.

The method of the present invention and operation of the apparatus of the present invention will now be described with reference to the apparatus described above.

Cotton yarn which has been previously dyed, such as for example, in a continuous yarn dyeing machine, typically a continuous yarn dyeing machine made by Superba S.A. of France and known as a TFC/MCD/BFC machine, is wound onto bobbins or cones that are provided with a series of holes

(not shown), typically in a grid pattern or arrangement, to form a bobbin or cone of cotton, sometimes known as a cotton cheese. The bobbins or cheeses 58 are placed on spindles 50 in axially abutting and sealing relationship so that the cones of the bobbins interconnect each other to form a sleeve or covering over spindle 50 which prevents fluid from escaping between adjacent cones. When all of the spindles are covered by bobbins, end sealing plate 54 is axially moved along tube 33 so that the distal ends of spindles 50 are received in cups 56 and end plate 54 tightened to seal the end of spindles 50 in cups 56. It is to be noted that no apertures 52 are exposed, but rather are all covered, thereby forcing fluid through the holes of the cones of the bobbins.

The cotton bobbins can be left to rotate (batching) on spindles 50 to allow the dye to cure by frame 20 being moved into cabinet 2, or the cotton bobbins can be placed on spindles 50 after batching.

At the completion of the batching time the frame 20 containing the yarn on the spindles 50 is placed into cabinet 2 for subsequent processing or is in cabinet 2 while batching takes place. After the cotton bobbins are in cabinet 2, the cotton yarn is washed by first admitting hot water to cabinet 2 through inlet conduit 16. The hot water is conveyed from the inlet conduit 16 via gland 17 to tube 33, spokes 46 and ring main 48 to spindles 50 and apertures 52 where it is forced or otherwise squeezed through the cotton yarn by passing through the cotton cheeses 58 and then drained from the cabinet through the drainage system. Whilst the yarn is being washed it is rotated by rotation of the main tube 33 and distributor 44 in unison, typically at 15 to 20 rpm, which assists in squeezing water through the holes of the cones of the bobbins and then through the yearn by centripetal force to wash the yarn. Cold water can be admitted to complete washing of the yarn in a similar manner to the hot water if required.

When the yarn has been washed completely free of excess dye which is indicated by no colouring appearing in the wash water being flung from the yarn cheeses as they rotate , the flow of water is interrupted and tube 33 and distributor 44 rotated at high speed, typically from about 4,000 to 10,000 rpm to hydroextract the cotton, which is to say to remove about 50% of the excess moisture from the cotton. After hydroextracting water from the cotton yarn by rotating the cotton cheeses on spindles 50, the speed of rotation of the frame is slowed to about 15 to 20 rpm. Preheated hot air is introduced into cabinet 2 in a similar manner to the introduction of water, which is via inlet conduit 16, gland 17 and tube 33 into spokes 46, ring main 48, spindles 50 and the like through cotton cheeses 58 in order to dry the yarn in the cheeses.

The humidity of the exhaust drying air and atmosphere in the cabinet is sensed by the humidity sensor and maintained to regulate the final moisture content of the cotton being processed. The yarn is dried to a moisture content of from 8 to 10% depending upon final process requirements. When the final moisture content is attained, the access door 10 of the cabinet 2 is opened and the frame removed from the cabinet .

By using the method and apparatus of the present invention, the cotton yarn after being dyed is handled only twice which is to place the bobbins of cotton onto the frame, more specifically spindles 50, and to remove them after processing, thereby effecting a saving in both cost and effort by not having to manhandle the bobbins between each successive step to mount the bobbins and then remove them each alternate time in the process as is required by the methods of the previously used processes.

The apparatus and method of the present invention may be operated manually or may be computer controlled, such as for example by being provided with operator interactive programmable process control to effect operation of each step in the overall treatment process. When the process and apparatus are programmably controlled, greater reproducibility of the various steps in the overall cycle of operation are possible in order to provide greater quality control and to product yarns with less variability. Some of the process variables in the overall cycle of operation include the following: cold wash flow rate hot wash flow rate cold wash duration/volume hot wash duration/volume compressed air pressure compressed air volume hot air temperature hot air humidity hot air pressure recirculation of hot air venting of hot air sequencing of all of the above.

Modifications to the apparatus and/or method of the present invention include changes to the following components or features of the invention:

Frame variables

1) Diameter of cabinet 2) Length of spindles 3) Number of apertures on the spindle 4) Preparation pattern 5) Diameter of spindle 6) Material of construction 7) Thickness of spindle wall

8) Number of spindles per cabinet

9) Distribution pattern of spindles

10) Configuration of water supply to the spindles 11) Number of distributors supplying liquid to the spindles

12) Type of liquid being passed through cabinet

13) Physical dimensions of the cabinet

14) Spindle end sealing arrangements 15) Method of sliding spindle and sealing unit on machine

16) Rotational speed of main tube and distributor

17) Method of drive of main tube

18) Type of end seal arrangement for distal ends of spindles

19) Type of interconnection of ends of cones of bobbins to effect sealing engagement of cones when placed over spindles .

Cabinet variables

1) Physical dimensions of cabinet

2) Method of heat transferred for hot air

3) Hot air temperature

4) Hot air flow rate 5) Method of temperature sensing

6) Method of moisture contact sensing

7) Mode of control of variables such as a) air temperature b) drying time c) moisture content d) yarn temperature e) hot air flow rates 8) Number of extraction points.

Advantages of the present invention include the following:

• The process of the present invention is continuous or semi-continuous and accordingly is suitable for use with other processes and equipment used for the continuous dyeing of yarns, such as for example, in conjunction with the TFC/MCD/BFC technique of Superba S.A. of France.

• The process and apparatus of the present invention allow a working time of between about 10 to 30 minutes depending on the actual colour that the yarn has been dyed, as compared to the working time in conventional processes of about 2 to 4 hours or more.

• As the yarn being treated is not manhandled between each successive step in the process, there is a considerable saving in labour and time due to the fact that the bobbins containing the yarn are handled only once, which in turn results in cost savings and more beneficial final properties. Additionally, as the bobbins are not being repeatedly handled, there is less chance that the yarn will be damaged or will be contaminated.

• The process and apparatus are totally programmable which results in better reproducibility due to operation by computer.

The described arrangement has been advanced by explanation and many modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention which includes every novel feature and novel combination of features hereindisclosed.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention described herein is susceptible to variations and modifications other than those specifically described. It is understood that the invention includes all such variations and modifications which fall within the spirit and scope.

Claims

CLAIMS :

1. A device for treating a material in two or more successive steps without removing the material from the device, comprising a first conduit member in fluid communication with a second conduit member, wherein the first conduit member is capable of conveying fluid to the second conduit member in use of the device, characterised in that the first and second conduit members are arranged to rotate in unison with each other and the material is associated with the second conduit member, whereby fluid admitted to the first conduit member is discharged from the second conduit member to contact the material to treat the material.

2. A device according to claim 1, characterised in that the material is a textile material, preferably a filamentous material, more preferably a yarn.

3. A device according to claim 2, characterised in that the yarn is a cellulosic yarn, a regenerated cellulosic yarn, a cotton, a Hercosett/chlorinated woollen yarn, a nylon yarn, a polyamide yarn, a 100% polyamide yarn, a silk yarn, Hercosett/chlorinated wool fibres and yarns, natural woollen fibres and yarns, lactate fibres and yarns, cotton mixed yarns, and includes both natural and synthetic yarns.

4. A device according to claim 2 or 3, characterised in that the yarn is a single component yarn or a yarn having two or more different components.

5. A device according to claim 4, characterised in that the yarn is a combination of two or more of polyester yarns, Lycra yarns, Spandex yarns, polyester/Spandex combination yarns, yarns of polyamide mixtures, secondary acetate yarns, triacetate yarns, polypropylene yarns or combinations thereof.

6. A device according to any preceding claim, characterised in that the fluid includes hot water, cold water, hot air, other gases, or the like.

7. A device according to any preceding claim, characterised in that the first member is a cylindrical hollow main tube mounted for rotation about a central axis within an enclosure.

8. A device according to any preceding claim, characterised in that the second member is a distributor and/or a plurality of spindles provided with spaced apart apertures connected to the first member for rotation in unison therewith.

9. A device according to claim 8, characterised in that the second member comprises a plurality of radial spokes, a ring main, and a plurality of spindles fixedly connected to the ring main, wherein the radial spokes extend from the first member to the ring main for rotation with the first member.

10. A device according to any preceding claim, characterised in that the material to be treated is mounted on the second member which is provided with apertures so that fluid egressing from the apertures passes through the material in order to treat the material.

11. A device according to any preceding claim, characterised in that the device further comprises a frame upon which the first and second members are mounted for rotation in unison.

12. A device according to claim 11, characterised in that the frame is movable so that it may be relocatable within an enclosure.

13. A method of treating a material using an apparatus including a first member in fluid communication with a second member, wherein said members are capable of rotation in unison with each other, characterised in that the method comprises locating the material to be treated in association with the second member, admitting a fluid to the first member, conveying the fluid from the first member to the second member, discharging the fluid from the second member to contact the material so as to perform a first operation to treat the material, performing a second operation on the material to further treat the material without removing the material from association with the second member, wherein the first and second operations are conducted at the same location or within the same apparatus thereby obviating the need to manually handle the material from one location to another location between the two operations.

14. A method according to claim 13, characterised in that the treatment of the material is conducted within an enclosure, such as a cabinet.

15. A method according to claim 14, characterised in that the operations performed in the enclosure include storage of the material, washing of the material, hydroextracting the material to remove excess moisture, drying the material, post-dye-treating the material to add additives to the material, or combinations of two or more of the above operations.

16. A method according to claim 15, characterised in that the material is subjected to hydroextrac ion to remove excess moisture to a level of about 50% by weight of retained moisture.

17. A method according to claim 15 or 16, characterised in that the post-dyeing step includes adding additives such as softeners, lubricants or other substances .

18. A method according to any one of claims 13 to 17, characterised in that the fluid is water, air or other gas and that the fluid is passed through the material during the various steps to treat the material .

19. A method according to claim 18, characterised in that the air is hot air and is recirculated within the enclosure until the desired moisture content of the material is achieved in accordance with sensing of the humidity of the atmosphere in the cabinet, at which time the hot air is exhausted to either atmosphere or to recover heat energy.

20. A method according to claim 18, characterised in that the fluid is water, including hot or cold water, used to rinse or wash the material when in the enclosure.

21. A device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any one of the accompanying drawings.

22. A method substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any one of the accompanying drawings.