TWI388705B - Jet fabric dyeing machine - Google Patents

Description

Spray fabric dyeing machine

The present invention relates to a jet fabric dyeing machine and to improvements in the dyeing machine.

A spray-type fabric dyeing machine is used for wet processing (dyeing) of fabrics and textile materials arranged in the form of a continuous rope, the material being circulated around the machine for guiding the dye liquor to the fabric at a high speed The upper spray nozzle contacts the dye liquor and advances the material in the direction of travel.

Traditionally, such machines include a nozzle through which the fabric is advanced; a conductive tube coupled to the outlet of the nozzle, the fabric traveling along the conductive tube, and wherein the fabric is immersed in the dye liquor a main storage chamber through which the fabric passes into the main storage chamber, wherein an excess of the dye liquor is discharged therefrom, and the fabric is accumulated therein; and a roller that transports the fabric from the storage chamber It is used to pass the lower cycle of the machine before the inlet of the nozzle. The conductive tube and the reservoir are disposed substantially horizontally, the nozzle directs the fabric downward, and the nozzle and the conductive tube together form an L-shaped structure.

A similar machine is described in U.S. Patent No. 4,019,351 and Japanese Patent No. 6-272,152.

By allowing the length of the fabric to be accommodated, this type of slender machine maximizes the number of fabrics that can be handled by the single machine.

For woven fabrics, especially lightweight materials and those sensitive to creases, such as polyester and microfiber fabrics, the dyeing temperature and the exchange between the dye liquor and the fabric are successful and quality for the dyeing process. important. However, a slender machine occupies a large span such that at one end of the machine the temperature can be significantly different from the temperature at the other end. The large fabric length may also make it difficult to achieve the desired exchange between the dye liquor and the fabric at an acceptable time interval, where improper fabric-dye exchange will increase the number of creases. The fabric is therefore typically cycled at high speed to give a fabric turnaround time of less than two and a half minutes.

A first aspect of the present invention is directed to a fabric dyeing machine comprising: a conductive tube; a storage chamber communicating with both ends of the conductive tube to form a circulating conductive path for the circulating fabric rope; a nozzle operable to guide the circulating fabric rope around the conductive path by directing the dye jet to the loop fabric rope; and an outer container surrounding the storage chamber and the conductive tube .

Many parameters affect the quality of the dyeing process, one of which is temperature. Dyeing is generally carried out at a high temperature, such as by applying heat to the dye liquor of the fabric. A conventional jet dyeing exposes the conductive tube and reservoir, which causes a temperature differential and gradient between one end and the other end of the machine. The machine is typically slender and has a substantial length. This uneven temperature can be detrimental to the quality of the dye. The present invention proposes to address this problem by surrounding both the conductive tube and the storage container in the same outer container, which acts to reduce temperature differences and maintain a more uniform and constant temperature distribution across the machine.

In some embodiments, the outer container can define the storage chamber and the conductive tube is contained within the outer container. This structure is a particularly simple way of carrying out the invention, since the use of the storage chamber itself as the outer container and the inner side of the conductive tube, instead of the conventional outer position, does not require an additional outer container.

In this configuration, the conductive tube can be positioned at a lower portion of the outer container. This is advantageous in that the conductive tube takes up a volume of dye liquor collected in the bottom of the storage chamber/outer container for recycling to the nozzle such that the entire volume of dye liquor is lower And the dye bath ratio can be smaller.

The machine can additionally include an array of rods positioned above the conductive tube and defining a lower boundary of the storage chamber. The rods define the boundaries of the storage chamber from the conductive tubes in the base of the outer container and allow excess dye liquor separated by the fabric in the storage chamber to be discharged to the base of the container for collection and recycling to The nozzle.

The rods may be provided with a coating of a low friction material. This reduces the friction between the rods and the fabric and facilitates passage of the fabric along the circulating conductive path and also reduces wear on the fabric and can otherwise be derived from contact with the rods. Tearing.

In some embodiments, one end of the conductive tube can be coupled to an outlet of the nozzle and tilted downwardly from the nozzle. This allows gravity to assist in propelling the fabric rope, which increases the speed of travel of the fabric without the need to increase the power of the dye jet applied by the nozzle.

The conductive tube can be inclined downward at an angle of at least 3 degrees relative to the horizontal plane. For example, the conductive tube may be inclined downward at an angle of between 3 and 5 degrees with respect to the horizontal plane. This range of angles is included in an angle between a sufficient depth for infiltrating the fabric by maximizing the useful gravity contribution with a large bevel and providing a dye liquor capacity in the tube, which requires a shallow or zero Beveled.

The storage chamber can be tilted upwardly through the storage chamber with respect to the direction of travel of a circulating fabric rope. An upwardly sloping storage chamber improves the separation of the dye liquor from the fabric in the storage chamber and also improves the collection of the separate dye liquor as it is discharged to the lower end of the chamber. For example, the storage chamber can be tilted upward at an angle of between 3 and 5 degrees (inclusive) relative to the horizontal plane.

In a particular embodiment having a tilting component, the conductive tube and the reservoir can be substantially parallel. This reduces the overall volume of the machine and minimizes the capacity of the outer container.

The fabric dyeing machine can further comprise a work door through which the interior of the dyeing machine can be accessed, the work door being located on one end wall of the outer container and in a substantially upright plane. The end wall of the outer container in which the work door is located can be raised. The outer container has a non-horizontal longitudinal axis in the region of the end wall, the longitudinal axis being substantially non-orthogonal to the upright plane of the door. The work door configured in this manner is easier to handle and provides easier and safe access to the interior of the machine. Particularly in machines where the conducting tube and the storage chamber are tilted, the working door can be positioned at a significant height above one of the ground such that its partial angle will suitably improve accessibility and ease of use.

In another embodiment, the fabric dyeing machine may further comprise a second conductive tube, the storage chamber being in communication with the two ends of the second conductive tube to form a second circulating conductive path for the circulating fabric rope And a second nozzle operable to direct a circulating fabric rope around the second conductive path by directing the dye jet to the circulating fabric rope; wherein the outer container also surrounds the second conductive tube. a second conductive tube and a nozzle sharing the same storage chamber with the first conductive tube and the nozzle double the capacity of the machine without increasing its size, and requiring fewer components and having two separate parts The machine is cheaper. For machines with a double capacity, the ratio of dye liquor can be less than for a machine that separates one fabric rope for each machine.

As for a machine having a single conduction path, the outer container can define the storage chamber such that both the conductive tube and the second conductive tube are contained within the outer container. The conductive tube and the second conductive tube can be positioned in a lower portion of the outer container.

The fabric dyeing machine can further comprise a partition dividing the storage chamber into two portions, a portion being contained within the circulating conductive path and a portion being contained within the second circulating conductive path. This prevents the two ropes of the fabric from becoming entangled in the storage chamber.

At least a portion of the or each conductive tube has a rectangular cross section. The application of the dye jet in the nozzle tends to twist and rotate the fabric, which is undesirable. A rectangular conductive tube reduces this effect compared to a conventional circular cross-section conducting tube. In particular, the or each conductive tube may have a rectangular cross section, where it is connected to an outlet of its associated nozzle; this is close to its source against the torsion and spiraling effect, such that it is Reduce more effectively.

Figure 1 shows an external side view of a conventional high speed jet fabric dyeing machine, a circulating fabric rope looped through the dyeing machine by directing a jet of dye liquor onto the fabric with a nozzle, the dye liquor being attached to the machine The inner circulation is such that the dye liquid that has been applied to the fabric and subsequently discharged is supplied back to the nozzle.

The dyeing machine 1 comprises a main storage chamber 11 in the form of a horizontally arranged large diameter tube or cylindrical container. One end of the reservoir is inclined upwardly and has an outlet therein that is connected to the inlet of a tubular nozzle 12. The nozzle 12 is also cylindrical in shape, has a smaller diameter than the reservoir 11, and is guided in a substantially downward direction. The fabric can pass through the nozzle 12, which is provided with a nozzle gap or a jet, and a high-speed jet or a plurality of jets of the dyeing liquid are guided downwardly and inwardly to the fabric inside the nozzle, so as to be in a forward circulation direction. The fabric is advanced through the nozzle.

The nozzle 12 is connected at its outlet to a conductive tube 13 disposed substantially horizontally below the reservoir chamber 11 and has a smaller diameter than the reservoir chamber 11. The end of the conductive tube 12 remote from the nozzle 12 is turned upside down and connected to the end of the storage chamber 11 remote from the nozzle 12. Thus, the main storage chamber 11, the nozzle 12, and the conductive tube 13 together form a container in the shape of a continuous slender tubular ring of varying diameter. This defines a circulating conductive path through the container along which a continuous fabric rope can be cycled for dyeing.

A work door 10 is provided at the end of the storage chamber 11 closest to the nozzle 12, giving access to the interior of the machine 1 so that the fabric can be placed and removed. The machine 1 further comprises a rotating drum positioned inside the storage chamber 11 and slightly upstream of the inlet of the nozzle 12, i.e. at this position 14. The axis of rotation of the drum is orthogonal to the plane of the path of the fabric rope such that the fabric rope is pulled through the drum and through the drum so that the fabric is fed into the nozzle 12 from the storage chamber 11.

The machine 10 is also incorporated into a dye liquor circulation system that collects the dye liquor exiting the fabric and supplies it to the nozzles 12 to be sprayed onto the fabric. A volume of dyeing liquid is contained in the conductive tube 13 so that the fabric can be immersed in the dyeing liquid as it passes through the conductive tube. When the fabric is tied to the storage chamber 11, the dye liquor is later discharged from the fabric and collected from the bottom of the storage chamber and returned to the nozzle 12.

Along with the dyeing cycle required for the fabric, the speed of travel of the fabric limits the maximum length that the fabric can circulate within the machine. This capacity can therefore be quite low, especially for lightweight fabrics. In order to increase the total output capacity of the machine, the speed of travel can be increased. To increase the speed of travel, the nozzle is positioned substantially upright, as in Figure 1, and the fabric is advanced downward.

However, for high speeds, it still needs to allow sufficient time for the dye liquor exchange between the fabric and the dye liquor. Most of this occurs in the conductive tube 13, where the fabric is soaked for about four or five seconds before being transferred to the storage container 11. The conductive tube is positioned horizontally to maintain a stock of dye liquor throughout its entire length. The combination of the upright nozzle 12 and the horizontal conductive tube 13 together comprise a long L-shaped structure.

After the fabric has been immersed in the conducting tube 13, it moves up into the main storage chamber 11. In order to reduce the water consumption per weight of fabric, it is known that the dye liquor ratio is separated from the fabric in the storage chamber 11 by allowing it to be discharged from the fabric, and is accumulated in the storage chamber 11. In the middle. The separate dye liquor enters the circulation conduit and is returned to the nozzle 12 by a pump. Once the accumulated fabric has moved forward to the front of the storage chamber 11, it is rolled up by the drum and fed into the nozzle 12 for another dye exchange cycle.

The jet of dye liquor onto the fabric typically results in a transport speed in the range of 200 to 300 meters per minute. This is the highest suitable speed typically achieved in a machine such as that of Figure 1, and balances the cycle time, dye bath ratio, and the smooth running of the fabric. The temperature at which the dyeing process is carried out is also important, and the dye liquor is typically heated, such as by passing through a heat exchanger incorporated into the dye liquor circulation pipe system.

Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional side view of a jet fabric dyeing machine in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The machine 3 includes a main storage chamber 36, a drum 32, a nozzle 38, and a conductive tube 39 which are arranged in the order of the conventional machine as in Fig. 1. The dyeing of the endless fabric rope 34 is carried out in a conventional manner as described above, the direction of travel of the fabric being indicated by the arrows. However, the machine 3 contains several additional features for improving the dyeing process.

Mainly, the storage chamber 36 and the conductive tube 39, which are arranged in a slender shape and stacked one on top of the other, are placed in a common outer container 35 which surrounds the two components (and in this example also the nozzle 38) And the drum 32). This structural treatment can occur in the temperature difference between the storage chamber and the conductive tube of a machine, and also across its different ends, where the components are external and separate as in Figure 1. Reducing or eliminating temperature differences improves the quality of the dyeing process, giving a more evenly dyed fabric because the dyed results are temperature dependent.

In the example of FIG. 2, the outer container 35 and the storage chamber 36 are defined by the same tubular wall surface, and the conductive tube 39 is located inside the tubular wall surface. The use of a common wall for the outer container 35 and the storage chamber 36 provides a simple structure with less material needed to make the machine 3. Alternatively, however, both the storage chamber 36 and the conductive tube 39 can be discrete structures that are positioned to surround the outer container 35, which do not form either the storage chamber 36 or the conductive tube 39. Part. This configuration improves temperature uniformity since the dye liquor in both the reservoir 36 and the conductive tube 39 is separated by the external environment by the two walls.

Another advantage of this prior configuration is that the conductive tube displacement collects the dye liquor in the bottom of the storage chamber/outer container, allowing the use of a smaller total volume of the dye liquor, thereby reducing the dye bath ratio of the machine, where An outer container defines the storage chamber and the conductive tube is located within the lower portion of the outer container. A lower dye liquor ratio is more cost effective because a smaller amount of dye liquor can be used to dye the same weight of fabric.

And to reduce the temperature difference, it is desirable to achieve a higher fabric circulation speed than is possible in conventional machines. Increasing the propulsive power generated by the dye jet from the nozzle can be used for this, but this increases the dye bath ratio, which is not desirable. A higher pressure liquid jet also creates more friction between the fabric and the dye liquor, which can damage the structure and surface texture of the fabric.

Accordingly, the present invention proposes to address this problem by arranging the conductive tube 39 from the outlet of the nozzle 38 along a downward slope and replacing the conventional horizontal conductive tube.

A downwardly sloped surface for the conductive tube 39 allows gravity to assist the movement of the fabric rope 34 along the conductive tube 39, thereby increasing the speed of travel of the fabric without increasing the dye liquor applied by the nozzle 38. The pressure of the jet. However, the angle of the downward bevel should be carefully selected to balance the advantages imparted by gravity and the need for topping to maintain a sufficient volume of dye liquor in the conductive tube 39 for the exchange of dye liquor with the fabric.

It has been found to be particularly advantageous to have an angle of 3 degrees or more from the horizontal plane for the downward slope of the conductive tube 39, at an optimum angle to the horizontal plane, in the range of 3 to 5 degrees (inclusive).

The storage chamber 36 can also be usefully positioned at a small angle relative to the horizontal plane, but inclined obliquely upwardly relative to the direction of travel of the fabric rope 34, i.e., upwardly up to the drum 32 and the nozzle 38. 3 to 5 degrees (including The scope of the) is again beneficial. The reservoir 36 can also be configured to be parallel to the conductive tube 39. This minimizes the capacity of the outer container 35 and, as a whole, minimizes the overall space occupied by the machine. The upward slope on the storage container 36 facilitates separation of the dye liquor from the fabric and also facilitates collection of the dye liquor at the end 37 of the storage chamber 36. As such, the dye separation is more efficient and occurs earlier, and the separate dye solution can be more easily collected into the circulation conduit. However, the bevel should not be too dangerous because the fabric needs to travel up through the storage chamber 36, which is more difficult for a more dangerous angle.

Figure 3 shows an external side view of the machine of Figure 2 showing how the outer container 35 surrounds all of the components. The slender outer container 35 is supported on the legs 22 near each end, the legs being longer at the end closest to the nozzle to provide the desired relative to the conductive tube and the storage container The slope. The machine is also provided with a work door 21 in the outer container 35. The work door 21 is given to the inside of the machine, and the fabric for dyeing is allowed to be placed in the machine 3 and removed after dyeing. The work door 21 is provided in an end wall surface of the outer container 35 closest to the end of the machine, and the nozzle is located at this position. In a conventional machine such as that of FIG. 1, the work door is likewise positioned in the end wall of the storage chamber, wherein the end wall is substantially at its end orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the storage chamber . However, if such a configuration is employed in a machine having a tilted configuration in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the work gate 21 will be inaccessible since the nozzle end of the machine is derived from the height of the ramp. Thus, in a particular embodiment of the invention, it is proposed to retain a working door in the end wall of the machine adjacent the nozzle, but at an angle relative to a plane orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the end of the outer container The end wall/work door is configured such that the work door is closer to the upright than it would otherwise be achieved. This gives a work door that is easier to access and operate. In some embodiments, the work door 21 is disposed in an upright plane.

In another embodiment, it is proposed to increase the capacity of the machine by grouping it into a two-cycle fabric rope. This can be achieved by providing two nozzles and two conducting tubes arranged side by side under the storage chamber. Each nozzle and conductive tube assembly houses a separate fabric cord. However, the two nozzles and the tube assembly share a common storage chamber. A vertical partition that is upright can be provided to partially separate the storage chamber. When in the storage chamber, this separates the two loops and prevents them from becoming entangled.

Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional view of a cross-section through a machine in accordance with this embodiment and is located along a portion of the outer container. This shows that the two conductive tubes 39 are arranged adjacent to each other in the bottom of the outer container 35, which are shared by the two conductive tubes. An upright partition or splitter plate 42 disposed along the center of the storage compartment 36 divides the storage compartment into a left portion 41A and a right portion 41B to provide a storage chamber portion for each of the conductive tubes 39. The lower boundary of the storage chamber portions 41A, 41B is in line with an array of grid or grid spaced metal bars 43. These rods are preferably coated with PTFE/Telfon or a similar non-adhesive or low-friction material to reduce the friction between the rods and the fabric which can abrade or damage the fabric. Thus, the rods 43 are located between the storage chamber 36 and the conductive tubes 39. The rods 43 hold the circulating fabric in the storage chamber while allowing the dyed drops separated by the fabric to enter the lower portion of the outer container for collection and recirculation by the dye liquor circulation system (not shown) . The circulation system uses a single pump to supply the dye liquor to the two nozzles to ensure that the dyeing parameters for each fabric rope remain the same. This is enhanced by the shared storage tank, which also allows one of the dye liquors to be used in a shared capacity for the two fabric ropes. In this way, the same dyeing effect is achieved for both ropes and the quality is maintained between the ropes while the capacity is doubled.

The coated metal rod can also be used in a machine that has just one nozzle and a conductive tube assembly.

Figure 5 shows a perspective view of a portion of a parallel nozzle and conductive tube assembly. In this example, the two nozzles 38 are defined in a single nozzle element 50; however, separate components can be used. The nozzles are circular apertures through which the fabric passes. The gap defined in the wall of each orifice directs the jet of dye liquor onto the fabric rope to push it into the associated conductive tube 39. The conductive tubes 39 are connected to tubes or tubes at the outlet of the associated nozzle 38. The tubes may have a circular cross-sectional profile (not shown) along their entire length.

However, the use of a liquid jet to propel the fabric, and the high travel speed, tends to impart a slight twist to the fabric. This can cause problems after long-term use. So what it wants is to minimize this twist.

One embodiment of the present invention addresses this problem by proposing the use of a conductive tube having a rectangular cross-sectional profile (where the rectangle includes a square) instead of the conventional circular cross-sectional profile tube. A rectangular conductive tube reduces the helical movement of the fabric rope caused by the dye jet, and thus effectively reduces the twist of the conductive fabric. Figure 5 shows two parallel conducting tubes 39 having a rectangular cross-section that is connected to the outlet of the two parallel nozzles 38. The rectangular cross-sectional profile can extend over all or a portion 51 of the conductive tube 39, which can then be coupled to a circular tube 52 for easier connection to other parts of the machine (connected to the storage chamber 36) .

A rectangular cross-section can also be used in machines having only one conductive tube and nozzle.

Likewise, other features of the fabric dyeing machine described above may be employed without other features of these features. For example, a tilted conductive tube and/or a tilted storage chamber can be used in a machine that does not include an outer container to enclose both of those components. Only one of the conductive tube and the reservoir can be inclined. A work door at an angle relative to the general longitudinal axis of the machine, or a work door that is generally angled toward the upright surface may be used to enhance accessibility to the interior of any dyeing machine where work is performed The door will be difficult to reach in other ways.

reference

[1] U.S. Patent No. 4,019,351 [2] Japanese Patent No. 6-272,152

1. . . Dyeing machine

3. . . Dyeing machine

10. . . Work door

11. . . Storage Room

12. . . nozzle

13. . . Conduction tube

14. . . position

twenty one. . . Work door

twenty two. . . Feet

32. . . roller

34. . . Fabric rope

35. . . External container

36. . . Storage Room

37. . . Rear end

38. . . nozzle

39. . . Conduction tube

41A. . . Left side

41B. . . Right

42. . . Separate plate/separator

43. . . Rod

50. . . Nozzle element

51. . . section

52. . . tube

A better understanding of the present invention and how to implement the present invention will now be described by way of example, in which: FIG. 1 shows an external side view of a conventional high speed jet fabric dyeing machine; FIG. 2 shows a A cross-sectional side view of a spray fabric dyeing machine of the specific embodiment; FIG. 3 shows an external side view of the jet fabric dyeing machine of FIG. 2; and FIG. 4 shows a spray fabric dyeing according to another embodiment of the present invention. A transverse cross-sectional view of the machine; and Figure 5 shows a perspective view of a dual nozzle assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

3. . . Dyeing machine

32. . . roller

34. . . Fabric rope

35. . . External container

36. . . Storage Room

37. . . Rear end

38. . . nozzle

39. . . Conduction tube

Claims (18)

A fabric dyeing machine (3) comprising: a traveling tube (39); a storage chamber (36) communicating with both ends of the conducting tube to form a loop fabric rope (34) a circulating conductive path; a nozzle (38) operable to advance the circulating fabric rope around the conductive path by directing the dye jet to a circulating fabric rope; an outer container (35) Surrounding the storage chamber and the conductive tube; and an array of rods (43) positioned above the conductive tube and defining a lower boundary of the storage chamber; wherein the storage chamber is formed with respect to a horizontal plane Inclining upwards at an angle greater than or equal to 3 degrees and less than or equal to 5 degrees. A fabric dyeing machine according to claim 1, wherein the outer container defines the storage chamber, and the conductive tube is contained in the outer container. A fabric dyeing machine according to claim 2, wherein the conductive tube is positioned in the lower portion of the outer container. A fabric dyeing machine according to claim 1, wherein the rods are provided with a coating of a low friction material. The fabric dyeing machine of claim 1, wherein one end of the conductive tube is connected to an outlet of the nozzle, and is tilted downward by the nozzle oblique. A fabric dyeing machine according to claim 5, wherein the conductive tube is inclined downward at an angle of at least 3 degrees with respect to the horizontal plane. A fabric dyeing machine according to claim 5, wherein the conductive tube is inclined downward at an angle of greater than or equal to 3 degrees and less than or equal to 5 degrees with respect to the horizontal plane. A fabric dyeing machine according to claim 1, wherein the storage chamber is inclined upward with respect to a circulation fabric rope passing through the storage chamber. A fabric dyeing machine according to claim 5, wherein the conductive tube and the storage chamber are substantially parallel. A fabric dyeing machine according to claim 1 further comprising a work door (21) through which the interior of the dyeing machine is accessible, the work door being located at one end wall of the outer container and located substantially In the plane of erect. A fabric dyeing machine according to claim 10, wherein the end wall of the outer container in which the work door is located is raised. A fabric dyeing machine according to claim 10, wherein the outer container has a non-horizontal longitudinal axis in the region of the end wall, the longitudinal axis being substantially non-orthogonal to the upright plane of the door. The fabric dyeing machine of claim 1, further comprising: a second conductive tube (39) communicating with both ends of the second conductive tube to form a second for the loop fabric rope Circulating conduction path; and a second nozzle (38) operable to advance a circulating fabric rope around the second conductive path by directing a jet of dye liquor onto the endless fabric rope; wherein the outer container also surrounds the Two conductive tubes. A fabric dyeing machine according to claim 13 wherein the outer container defines the storage chamber and both the conductive tube and the second conductive tube are contained within the outer container. A fabric dyeing machine according to claim 14 wherein the conductive tube and the second conductive tube are positioned in the lower portion of the outer container. A fabric dyeing machine according to claim 13 further comprising a partition (42) which divides the storage chamber into two parts (41A, 41B), a part of which is contained in the circulating conduction path, and A portion is included in the second cyclic conduction path. A fabric dyeing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein at least a portion of the or each conductive tube has a rectangular cross section. A fabric dyeing machine according to claim 17, wherein the or each conductive tube has a rectangular cross section, wherein the cross section is connected to an outlet of its associated nozzle.