U.S. patent application number 11/548116 was filed with the patent office on 2007-07-12 for device and a process for applying a preparation fluid to an advancing thread.
Invention is credited to Hans-Dieter Scherpf, Jorg Spahlinger.
Application Number | 20070158485 11/548116 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34964134 |
Filed Date | 2007-07-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070158485 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Spahlinger; Jorg ; et
al. |
July 12, 2007 |
DEVICE AND A PROCESS FOR APPLYING A PREPARATION FLUID TO AN
ADVANCING THREAD
Abstract
A device and process for applying a preparation fluid to an
advancing thread or yarn, which includes a housing having a thread
inlet opening and an thread outlet opening. A preparation device is
provided in the housing for applying a preparation fluid to the
advancing thread and for applying a swirling air stream against the
advancing thread to cause the fluid to penetrate into the interior
of the thread. The housing and the preparation device are both
divided so that they may be opened to facilitate the initial thread
up of the thread through the housing. Also, the inlet and outlet
openings are configured to provide a seal between the advancing
yarn and the housing to minimize leakage of the fluid from the
housing.
Inventors: |
Spahlinger; Jorg;
(Oberthulba, DE) ; Scherpf; Hans-Dieter;
(Hammelburg, DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ALSTON & BIRD LLP
BANK OF AMERICA PLAZA
101 SOUTH TRYON STREET, SUITE 4000
CHARLOTTE
NC
28280-4000
US
|
Family ID: |
34964134 |
Appl. No.: |
11/548116 |
Filed: |
October 10, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
PCT/EP05/51573 |
Apr 8, 2005 |
|
|
|
11548116 |
Oct 10, 2006 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
242/366 |
Current CPC
Class: |
D06B 23/18 20130101;
D06B 1/08 20130101; D02G 1/161 20130101; D01D 5/096 20130101; D02G
1/164 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
242/366 |
International
Class: |
B65H 51/02 20060101
B65H051/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 10, 2004 |
DE |
10 2004 017 210.2 |
Claims
1. A device for applying a preparation fluid to an advancing thread
comprising a housing which comprises an inlet opening and an outlet
opening for permitting the thread to advance therethrough, a
preparation device disposed within the housing for applying a
preparation fluid to the advancing thread, and wherein the housing
is divided at the inlet opening and the outlet opening to
facilitate the thread up of the thread through the housing, and
wherein the inlet opening and the outlet opening are each formed to
provide a sealing effect about the thread.
2. The device of claim 1 further comprising a collecting system for
collecting the preparation fluid from the housing for reuse.
3. The device of claim 1 wherein the preparation device includes a
fluid delivery system and an air operated thread swirling
system.
4. The device of claim 1 wherein the preparation device comprises a
divided thread channel which can be separated to facilitate the
thread up of the thread therethrough.
5. The device of claim 1 wherein the inlet opening and the outlet
opening each comprises a seal selected from the group consisting of
a labyrinth seal, an opening closely surrounding the thread, low
pressure in the housing, a seal formed by compressed air, and
combinations thereof.
6. The device of claim 3 wherein the fluid delivery system
comprises a pin oiler.
7. The device of claim 6 further comprising an oil recycling line
connected to a collection chamber in the housing.
8. The device of claim 7 further comprising an oil container
connected to the recycling line and to the pin oiler.
9. The device of claim 8 further comprising a plurality of
regulators for respectively regulating the amount of oil supplied
to the pin oiler, the amount of oil recycled to the oil container,
and the amount of compressed air supplied to the thread swirling
system.
10. The device of claim 1 wherein the preparation device includes a
thread channel which is closed along one side with a spring loaded
baffle.
11. The device of claim 1 wherein the inlet opening, the outlet
opening, and the preparation device are each composed of a ceramic
material.
12. The device of claim 1 wherein a plurality of said preparation
devices are disposed within the housing for simultaneously
processing a plurality of said threads.
13. The device of claim 1 wherein both the housing and the
preparation device are divided to facilitate the thread up of the
thread through the housing.
14. A process for applying a preparation fluid to an advancing
thread comprising the steps of providing a housing which comprises
a thread inlet opening and a thread outlet opening, with the
housing being divided at the inlet opening and the outlet opening,
opening the housing so as to laterally open the inlet opening and
the outlet opening, threading the thread through the open inlet
opening and outlet opening, closing the housing so as to close the
inlet opening and the outlet opening about the thread, and then
advancing the thread through the housing and past a preparation
device within the housing so as to apply a preparation fluid to the
advancing thread.
15. The process of claim 14 wherein the preparation device also
acts to supply a pressurized air stream laterally against the
advancing thread.
16. The process of claim 15 wherein the step of applying a
preparation fluid to the advancing thread and the step of supplying
a pressurized air stream laterally against the advancing thread are
both started when the housing is closed.
17. The process of claim 14 wherein the preparation device is
divided so as to facilitate the thread up of the thread when the
housing is opened.
18. The process of claim 14 wherein the inlet opening and the
outlet opening are each sealed with compressed air when the housing
is closed.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The present application is a continuation of international
application PCT/EP2005/051573, filed 8 Apr. 2005, and which
designates the U.S. The disclosure of the referenced application is
incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The invention relates to a device and a process for applying
a preparation fluid to threads of the type which comprises a
housing which includes an inlet opening for a thread, an outlet
opening for a thread, and a preparation device disposed in the
housing.
[0003] There are different known processes and possibilities for
applying fluid preparations to a thread, which as used herein
includes a yarn. The application is accomplished, for example, by
the thread being moistened with oil by being conducted over rollers
which rotate through an oil bath. An additional possibility
consists in the yarn running over a preparation pin. The pin
includes an orifice via which the preparation oil is supplied and
the thread receives the application of oil via contact with the
pin. Then there are processes in which the preparation is applied
by an oil spray mist or by a combination of swirling and supplying
oil.
[0004] In DE 102 20 508 A1 such a device is described. The swirling
oil device is positioned in a housing which can be opened to lay up
the thread. Beneath the housing sits a curved tube which comprises
a threading slot for threading the thread. The tube serves for
recycling excess preparation fluid. The swirling nozzle comprises a
threading slot into which the thread can be laid. The nozzle also
remains open during operation. It is a positive aspect of this
device that due to the swirling along with the application of the
oil there is a good mixing of the yarn filaments with the
preparation oil. However, it is disadvantageous in this embodiment
that the swirling nozzle has an open yarn channel, and it cannot be
ensured that the thread is always uniformly covered by the air/oil
jet. It is a further disadvantage of this embodiment that excess
preparation mist, or even preparation fluid, is blown through the
opening slots of the housing and tube.
[0005] DE 102 05 005 A1 describes a preparation device in which the
preparation fluid is applied by a spray mist. The dosing is matched
to the thread using a screen which shields the thread from a part
of the spray jet. The excess preparation is trapped via a trap
plate in the spray cabinet and recycled via a drain into the oil
circuit. The disadvantage of this embodiment is the fact that more
oil than is needed is brought into circulation and not all of the
excess oil mist is trapped via the trap plate and thus a part of
the oil mist escapes through the inlet opening and the outlet
opening of the spraying cabinet. A further disadvantage is the fact
that in using the spray mist, the oil is only applied on the
surface and the oil is not completely mixed with the thread
filaments.
[0006] Particularly at high spinning speeds, the thread cannot take
up enough preparation by applying the preparation on the surface
and faults occur in the process and also in subsequent further
processing.
[0007] It is an objective of the invention to provide a preparation
device in which the thread preparation fluid is supplied to the
thread in a precisely dosed manner and the preparation fluid is
mixed with the thread, where the device is embodied so that the
excess preparation or oil mist cannot get out of the device but
rather is drained off for reuse.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The above and other objects and advantages of the present
invention are achieved by the provision of a device and process for
applying a preparation fluid to threads, and which comprises a
housing which comprises an inlet opening for the thread and an
outlet opening for the thread. In the housing a preparation device
is disposed. According to the invention, the housing is divided at
the inlet opening and the outlet opening so that the thread can be
laid into the housing without difficulty. By the division of the
housing it is avoided that the thread has to be threaded through a
small opening of the housing, guided through the housing, and at
the end of the housing guided out of the housing once again. This
significant expenditure of effort is no longer required with the
present invention since the housing is divided in the area of the
inlet opening and the outlet opening and can be opened there. When
the housing is open, the thread is laid in so as to be transverse
to the direction of the run of the thread and the housing is
subsequently closed. The thread is thus ready for a preparation, in
particular with preparation oil. Through the division of the
housing at the inlet opening and the outlet opening the housing can
be opened by a pivoting motion or a linear motion in the direction
of the run of the thread.
[0009] Along with the easier thread up of the thread into the
housing there is, vis-a-vis the state of the art, the further
advantage that the housing is essentially closed during the
preparation of the thread. On the one hand, sufficient space to let
the thread pass through is found only at the inlet opening and the
outlet opening. On the other hand however, these openings are so
narrow that they have a sealing effect. Hardly any preparation
fluid gets out through these openings. Due to this, as is not the
case in the state of the art, preparation fluid is spared and
moreover the environment of the device is not contaminated.
[0010] In order to avoid contamination of the environment of the
device, it is thus particularly advantageous if the division of the
housing and/or the inlet opening and the outlet opening are sealed
or act as seals. The sealing ensures that the preparation fluid
remains within the housing. Due to this, contamination of the
environment of the housing is avoided, even though the housing is
divided for the simple introduction of the thread into the
housing.
[0011] If a collecting device for reusable preparation fluid is
disposed at the housing, then the fluid can also be collected
within the housing and conveyed to the preparation device or a
collecting container.
[0012] It is particularly advantageous if the preparation device
comprises a swirling device and an oil device. Thereby one realizes
a uniform application of the preparation fluid, in particular oil,
onto the thread. The oil is uniformly atomized by the swirling
device and thus can moisten the thread uniformly.
[0013] If the preparation device comprises a divided yarn channel
for laying in the thread, then it is possible to lay the thread
into the preparation device in a very simple manner by the thread
channel in the preparation device being opened. After the thread is
in the divided yarn channel, the preparation device is closed once
again and is ready for the preparation of the thread.
[0014] For the sealing of the inlet device and the outlet device, a
labyrinth seal, an opening closely enclosing the thread, low
pressure in the housing, and/or a seal at the inlet opening and the
outlet opening and pressurized with compressed air, among other
possibilities, are advantageous. The labyrinth seal, just as the
inlet opening closely encircling the thread or the outlet opening
closely encircling the thread, can be realized by purely structural
means. However, it is frequently sufficient if the low pressure in
the housing, which, for example, arises through the suctioning of
the reusable preparation fluid, already produces a sufficient seal.
In order to obtain a particularly reliable sealing of the inlet
opening and the outlet opening, it can advantageously be provided
that a seal pressurized by compressed air is disposed at the
respective opening. If compressed air is blown in at both the inlet
opening and the outlet opening, then a type of air curtain arises
there which essentially prevents the penetration of the preparation
agent.
[0015] It is particularly simple and economical if a pin oiler is
used as an oil device. The pin oiler known per se is disposed
within the housing and causes the thread being coated as it passes
by the pin oiler to be uniformly and sufficiently prepared.
[0016] If an oil recycling line is disposed in the housing, then in
a particularly advantageous manner the reusable preparation fluid
can be collected and conveyed to an oil container, or even a used
oil container, disposed at the housing.
[0017] In order to be able to adjust the amount of oil supplied,
the amount of oil recycled, and/or the amount of compressed air
supplied in the swirling device as needed in order to obtain
optimal results in the preparation of the thread, it is
particularly advantageous if a regulator is disposed at the
housing. Via the regulator, the amount of oil supplied to the
threads or the preparation device can be adjusted. Via the
regulation of the compressed air supply for the swirling device,
the preparation application can moreover be set to special threads
or the desired amount of the preparation applied.
[0018] In order to achieve precise guiding of the thread and an
optimal contact of the thread with the preparation fluid, it is
advantageous if the yarn channel is closed in the radial direction
with the spring-loaded baffle. Via the spring it is ensured that
the baffle is always pressed against a bearing surface and only the
yarn channel for the passage of the thread remains open. In
particular, a lateral escape of the thread from the yarn channel is
avoided thereby. The thread is exposed in a completely targeted
manner to the preparation fluid acting on the thread in the yarn
channel. A constant preparation without the use of an unnecessary
amount of preparation fluid is ensured thereby.
[0019] It is particularly advantageous if housing parts and
preparation device parts which come into contact with the thread
are made of wear-resistant material, in particular ceramics. In so
doing, the preparation device, and, for example, the inlet opening
and the outlet opening of the housing, are protected against wear
and ensure a long service lifetime of the housing.
[0020] The device according to the invention can be used not only
for the treatment of a single thread but rather also for the
treatment of a bundle of threads. For this, the housing is equipped
with several preparation devices. In particular, there are as many
preparation devices as there are threads per spinning location.
With this, the simultaneous laying of a plurality of threads into a
single open housing is simplified in particular. In addition, the
production of a single housing for a plurality of threads is more
economical than if individual threads were prepared separately.
[0021] If the preparation device is opened at the same time as the
housing is opened, then very simple handling is ensured. In so
doing, the thread is laid into the inlet opening and the outlet
opening as well as into the preparation device itself.
Subsequently, the housing, together with the preparation device, is
once again closed and the thread is available for a preparation
with preparation agent.
[0022] In a process according to the invention for applying a
preparation fluid to threads in a housing which comprises an inlet
opening for the thread and an outlet opening for the thread and a
preparation device for preparing the thread with preparation agent,
the housing is opened for laying a thread in the direction of the
run of the thread and the housing division and/or the inlet opening
and the outlet opening are sealed on closing the housing. With this
process, the thread is very quickly made ready for the preparation
fluid. Through the tight closure of the housing after laying in the
thread, the housing is essentially sealed so that no preparation
fluid gets out of the housing. Thus it is made possible to prepare
the thread in a very reliable manner as well as in a very
economical manner, since there is no loss of preparation fluid.
[0023] If the housing is divided at the inlet opening and the
outlet opening, then the laying in of the thread is possible in a
particularly simple manner. The threading of eyes is avoided
thereby.
[0024] If the air and/or preparation fluid supply into the housing
is interrupted when the housing is opened, then it is ensured that
preparation fluid does not get out of the housing. Contamination of
the environment of the housing is avoided.
[0025] Via control of the air and/or preparation fluid supply it
can be realized that in an advantageous manner the air and/or
preparation fluid supply is started automatically when the housing
is closed. By so doing, the restart after a thread break can be
carried out in a very simple manner by the housing being opened,
whereupon the air and/or preparation fluid supply automatically
cuts off, the thread then being laid into the housing and into the
preparation device, and finally the housing once again being closed
and the air and/or preparation fluid supply being started once
again.
[0026] The re-threading of the thread is possible in a particularly
simple and quick manner if the preparation device is always opened
at the same time as the housing is opened. Merely a hand grip is
required in order to open, and to close once again, the housing and
the preparation device.
[0027] If the inlet opening and the outlet opening are sealed with
compressed air, then a housing which is very tight with respect to
the preparation agent is obtained, where in the housing the inlet
opening and the outlet opening can be embodied to be relatively
large so that the thread can be moved through the housing without
hindrance.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0028] Some of the objects and advantages of the present invention
having been stated, others will appear as the description proceeds,
when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in
which
[0029] FIG. 1 is a partly sectioned schematic view of a device
according to the invention for applying a preparation,
[0030] FIG. 2 is a similar view of an additional device according
to the invention,
[0031] FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a preparation device,
[0032] FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a device according to the
invention in the open position,
[0033] FIG. 5 is a sectional view of an additional device according
to the invention in the open position,
[0034] FIG. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view of an embodiment of a
seal with air support in cross section and longitudinal
section,
[0035] FIG. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view of an embodiment of a
seal without air support in cross section and longitudinal
section,
[0036] FIG. 8 is a plan view of a device according to the invention
for several threads,
[0037] FIG. 9 is a sectional view of a device according to FIG. 4
in the closed position,
[0038] FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view of a preparation device,
and
[0039] FIG. 11 is a cross sectional view of an additional
preparation device.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0040] FIG. 1 shows a complete device for applying a preparation to
an advancing thread or yarn in accordance with the invention. A
thread 1 runs through a thread inlet opening 3 of a housing 2, is
moistened in the preparation device 4, here a pin oiler, with oil
as the preparation agent, and is subsequently swirled in a swirling
device 5. Due to the swirling there is a uniform mixing and
moistening of the individual filaments of the thread 1 with the
oil. After the swirling, the thread 1 exits the housing 2 at the
other end through an outlet opening 6.
[0041] The oil supply from an oil container 7 is controlled with an
oil regulator 8. The thread 1 is tangent to the preparation device
4 and is pressurized with oil which flows out of a supply orifice
of the preparation device 4. The embodiment of the preparation
device 4 can be according to the present state of the art as
generally known. In the direction of the run of the thread after
the preparation device 4 the swirling device 5 is located. The
thread 1 runs through a closed yarn channel 9 of the swirling
device 5 and is pressurized with compressed air via a compressed
air channel 10. The compressed supply air supply is regulated via a
pressure regulator 11. The amount of air is determined via the
swirling pressure and the form of the compressed air channel
10.
[0042] The thread inlet opening 3 and the thread outlet opening 6
are embodied as a seal 12. The sealing is accomplished by means of
an air stream which is supplied laterally through compressed air
orifices 13 of the seal 12. Due to the build-up of pressure in the
thread inlet opening 3 and the thread outlet opening 6, no oil or
mist of oil can exit.
[0043] The housing 2 is provided in its lower area with an
indentation 20 in which the oil not taken up by the thread 1
collects and is conducted via an oil recycling line 14 and an oil
recycling regulator 15 back to the oil container 7 for reuse.
[0044] In order to keep the yarn channel 9 closed in the radial
direction and thus to be able to swirl the thread 1 with the oil
properly and uniformly, a part of the yarn channel 9 is embodied as
a baffle 17 preloaded with a spring 16. With this, the baffle 17
presses against the base element of the swirling device 5 and seals
the yarn channel 9 in the radial direction.
[0045] FIG. 2 shows an additional embodiment of the device. The
preparation device 4 and the swirling device 5 are combined in one
unit. The thread 1 runs through the common yarn channel 9 of the
preparation device 4 and the swirling device 5 and at that point is
first moistened with oil and then pressurized with compressed
air.
[0046] The seals 12 at the thread inlet opening 3 and the thread
outlet opening 6 are without additional air orifices. The sealing
to the outside is accomplished by narrow yarn passages and/or low
pressure in the housing 2, the low pressure being generated by the
oil recycling line 14. The excess oil is conducted back via the oil
recycling line 14 into the oil container 7. Along with the recycled
oil, fresh oil is conveyed via an oil supply device 18 to the oil
container 7.
[0047] FIG. 3 shows a combined oil-swirling device. The oil supply
line 22 and the compressed air channel 10 meet in a common channel.
The oil-air mixture resulting thereby reaches the yarn channel 9
and pressurizes the thread 1. With this, there is an intensive
application of oil and the amount of oil can be reduced. The yarn
channel 9 is in turn closed with the baffle 17.
[0048] FIG. 4 shows the housing 2 in the open position in cross
section. One half 2' of the housing 2 with the baffle 17 and spring
16 is pivoted up, via a hinge 23, in the radial direction away from
the half 2''. Thus, the yarn channels of the seals 12 (not
represented) at the thread inlet opening 3 and the thread outlet
opening 6 as well as the preparation device 4 and the swirling
device 5 are opened and the thread 1 can be laid in. After closing
the half 2', the yarn channel 9 is closed with the spring-loaded
baffle 17. The housing 2 is sealed at the points of separation of
the two halves 2' and 2'' with a seal 24. The opening/closing
mechanism can be actuated manually or automatically coupled to the
machine control. It is particularly advantageous if the compressed
air supply and the oil supply are stopped when the housing 2 is
opened. After closing the housing 2 it can be started once again
manually or automatically.
[0049] FIG. 5 shows a housing 2 which is designed similarly to FIG.
4. However, the halves 2' and 2'' are embodied so that they can be
moved in a straight line for opening and closing. For this, a
sliding device 25 is provided. The half 2' with the baffle 17 and
spring 16 is opened in a straight line in order to lay in the
thread 1. The actuation can in turn be done manually or
automatically with the machine control.
[0050] FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of a seal 12 with air support.
Compressed air is introduced into the yarn channel of the thread
inlet opening 3 and the thread outlet opening 6 via the compressed
air orifice 13. Due to the excess pressure in the thread inlet
opening 3 and the thread outlet opening 6 the oil or the oil mist
in the housing 2 and cannot escape through the thread inlet opening
3 and the thread outlet opening 6.
[0051] FIG. 7 shows an embodiment of a seal 12 without air support.
The thread inlet opening 3 and the thread outlet opening 6 are
embodied to be very narrow. The thread 1 contacts the respective
opening 3 or 6 and takes with it the excess oil which runs into the
opening 3 or 6. Thus, the oil does not drop from the housing 2 but
rather additionally moistens the thread 1.
[0052] FIG. 8 shows a multi-thread housing 2. In one housing 2
several thread inlet openings 3 or the thread outlet openings 6 are
disposed. All the threads 1 can be laid into the housing 2
simultaneously. The spacings of the yarn passages are dimensioned
in accordance with the spacings required for the machines. From
this representation the division not only of the housing 2 but also
rather also of the seals 12 can be seen, which simplifies the
laying in of the threads.
[0053] FIG. 9 shows the housing 2 from FIG. 4 in closed position in
cross section. The divisible housing 2 is sealed with the seal 24.
The seal 24 encircles the entire housing 2.
[0054] The baffle 17 is pressed against the base element of the
swirling device 5, whereby the yarn channel of the oil swirling
device is closed. The baffle 17 is set with the spring 16 in order
to ensure a secure closure of the yarn channel. The yarn channel is
embodied in the form of a semi-circle.
[0055] Different variants of the yarn channel of the preparation
device 4 and the swirling device 5 are shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. In
FIG. 10 the yarn channel has a 3/4-circle cross section while in
FIG. 11 the yarn channel is formed to have a V-shaped channel cross
section. Depending on the type of thread 1 different channel cross
sections can be particularly well-suited for a preparation of the
thread.
[0056] The present invention is not limited to the exemplary
embodiments shown. Modifications and combinations within the
framework of the claims can also fall within the scope of the
invention.
* * * * *