U.S. patent number 3,899,903 [Application Number 05/344,998] was granted by the patent office on 1975-08-19 for apparatus for the local treatment of yarns, for example the non-continuous dyeing of textile yarns.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Societe Anonyme dite: Omnium de Prospective Industrielle S.A.. Invention is credited to Philippe D. Lapierre.
United States Patent |
3,899,903 |
Lapierre |
August 19, 1975 |
Apparatus for the local treatment of yarns, for example the
non-continuous dyeing of textile yarns
Abstract
The invention provides an improved apparatus for the irregular
local treant of yarn, for example for non-continuous dyeing of
textile yarn. The yarn is moved through one or more treatment zones
at constant or varying velocity and is sprayed with a treatment
fluid from a moving nozzle. According to the invention at least one
of the drive mechanisms for the yarn or nozzle is of variable
speed.
Inventors: |
Lapierre; Philippe D. (Saint
Quentin, FR) |
Assignee: |
Societe Anonyme dite: Omnium de
Prospective Industrielle S.A. (Neuville Saint-Amand,
FR)
|
Family
ID: |
9095948 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/344,998 |
Filed: |
March 26, 1973 |
Foreign Application Priority Data
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Mar 28, 1972 [FR] |
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72.10915 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
68/205R; 118/323;
118/315 |
Current CPC
Class: |
D06B
11/0023 (20130101); B05B 13/0405 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
D06B
11/00 (20060101); B05c 005/00 (); B05b
013/04 () |
Field of
Search: |
;68/25R,200
;118/315,323,325 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Hornsby; Harvey C.
Assistant Examiner: Coe; Philip R.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Eslinger; Lewis H. Sinderbrand;
Alvin
Claims
I claim:
1. An apparatus for the irregular treatment of at least one yarn
including a treatment station, first drive means for moving the
yarn to be treated continuously through said station in an axial
and relatively fixed direction; at least one fluid supply nozzle
movably mounted in said treatment station in a plane extending
generally perpendicular to the yarn passing therethrough; means for
supplying fluid to said nozzles; second drive means for
reciprocating said nozzle transversely to the direction of travel
of yarn through said treatment station; and regulating means for
varying at least one of the speed of movement of the yarn or the
speed of reciprocation of the nozzle during treatment of said yarn
whereby irregular treatment of the yarn is effected; wherein said
regulating means comprises at least three successive guides located
between said first drive means and said nozzle at the treatment
station; the outer two of said guides being fixed and a middle one
being movably mounted and displaceable relative to the other two
guides.
2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the middle
yarn-guide is mounted on a support element; and means for
displacing said element along a path having at most one point in
common with the linear path of travel of the yarn between the two
end yarn-guides.
3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein said displacing
means includes means for reciprocating the support element of the
middle yarn-guide.
4. An apparatus as claimed in claim 3, including means for varying
the velocity of reciprocation of the support element of the middle
yarn-guide.
5. An apparatus for the irregular treatment of at least one yarn
including a treatment station, first drive means for moving the
yarn to be treated continuously through said station in an axial
and relatively fixed direction; at least one fluid supply nozzle
movably mounted in said treatment station in a plane extending
generally perpendicular to the yarn passing therethrough; means for
supplying fluid to said nozzles; second drive means for
reciprocating said nozzle transversely to the direction of travel
of yarn through said treatment station; and regulating means for
varying at least one of the speed of movement of the yarn or the
speed of reciprocation of the nozzle during treatment of said yarn
whereby irregular treatment of the yarn is effected; said apparatus
including a plurality of fluid supply nozzles movably mounted in
said treatment station in a plane extending generally perpendicular
to the yarn passing therethrough; said second drive means being
operatively connected to all of said nozzles for reciprocating said
nozzles transversely to the direction of travel of said yarn and
including control means for shifting the phase of reciprocation of
said nozzles with respect to each other and for varying the
relative phase shift therebetween during treatment of the yarn.
6. An apparatus as defined in claim 5, including means for
synchronizing the speed of operation of said second drive means and
said control means for shifting the phase of reciprocation of said
nozzles whereby the spacing between successive treatments of yarn
by the nozzles is controlled.
Description
Different apparatus are already known for the local treatment of
yarns, for example of textile yarns. Such apparatus can be used for
the non-continuous dyeing of textile yarns, for the manufacture of
fancy yarns.
However, the known processes and apparatus for non-continuous
dyeing have various disadvantages. In general, they do not allow
dyeing to be carried out during continuous axial displacement of
the yarn at high speed; moreover, they do not prevent the periodic
reproduction of certain effects on the yarn, which causes unsightly
faults in the finished articles.
The object of the present invention is therefore an improved
apparatus for the local treatment of at least one yarn moving
axially continuously and, preferably, at high speed. The invention
will be applicable to all sorts of yarns, whether textile or
otherwise, and whatever may be the nature of the treatment. It
appears, however, to be particularly advantageous in the case of
noncontinuous dyeing of textile yarns, also known as
"space-dyeing".
In accordance with the ivention, the apparatus essentially
comprises:
A. A DRIVE MECHANISM FOR THE YARN TO BE TREATED;
B. A NOZZLE MOUNTED ON A MOBILE SUPPORT AND FED, PREFERABLY
CONTINUOUSLY, BY A CHANNEL SUPPLYING A TREATEMENT FLUID, FOR
EXAMPLE A LIQUID, THE DIRECTION OF THE JET OF FLUID AT THE NOZZLE
OUTLET BENG SITUATED IN AN AREA THROUGH WHICH THE YARN PASSES AND
WHICH IS PREFERABLY SUBSTANTIALLY PERPENDICULAR TO THE SAID
YARN;
C. A DRIVE MECHANISM FOR THE NOZZLE SUPPORT.
At least one of these drive mechanisms is of variable speed.
Several factors are therefore available, in particular the velocity
of yarn passage under the nozzle and the frequency of passage of
the axis of the nozzle over the axis of the yarn, to avoid too
great a regularity both in the length of the treated zones and in
their distribution, and to obtain a large variety of products.
The invention will, moreover, be better understood and its
advantages and various secondary features will become apparent
during the following description of some embodiments, with
reference to the attached drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a schematic view of the whole of an apparatus in
accordance with the invention for treatment of a yarn;
FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a portion of another apparatus in
accordance with the invention permitting the simultaneous treatment
of several yarns;
FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a portion of a modification of the
invention.
If reference is made firstly to FIG. 1, a yarn 1 to be treated, for
example to be dyed locally, will be seen passing from an unwinder 2
and entering a chamber 3. The bottom of chamber 3 is formed into a
tank collecting the excess treatment fluid 4 which is delivered,
preferably continuously, by channels 5 and 6 and a pump 7, to a
nozzle 8. For reasons which will become apparent below, channel 6
has at least one flexible and deformable portion 6a in the
proximity of the nozzle.
Nozzle 8 is mounted on a shaft 9 substantially parallel to yarn 1
and mounted to pivot in suitable bearings. The axis of the nozzle
is perpendicular to shaft 9, to which is in addition keyed a lever
10 linked to a rod 11. The other end of the rod is hinged to a
plate or lever 12 rotated by a motor 13, preferably through a speed
variator 14. The length of lever 10 and the distance from the pivot
of rod 11 to the axis of plate 12 are such that one complete
rotation of the latter causes a reciprocating oscillation of nozzle
8, during which the axis of the nozzle and, consequently, the jet
of fluid, intersects yarn 1.
Of course, if the apparatus is intended for the simultaneous
treatment of several parallel yarns, it could include either a
single nozzle, the oscillation of which will have a sufficient
amplitude for its jet to intersect all the yarns, or else several
nozzles. In the latter case, the treatments carried out on the
yarns may differ, provided of course that the treatment fluid
collection tanks are isolated from each other.
It is also obvious that several apparatus like the one described
above could be arranged successively on the same yarn.
Finally, a mechanism is provided for traction of yarn 1, consisting
of a bobbin 15 rotated by a motor 16, preferably through a speed
variator 17.
The operation of the apparatus is as follows. Yarn 1, being
advanced by bobbin 15, moves axially continuously in chamber 3. By
means of motor 13, the nozzle effects oscillations of constant
amplitude but of a frequency which can be adjusted by means of
variator 14 as a function of the velocity of the yarn and of the
desired result of the treatment.
When pump 7 delivers fluid to nozzle 8, the jet from the latter
periodically intersects the yarn, thus treating the latter locally.
In other words, the jet of fluid moves along an area, in this case
a vertical plane, through which the yarn moves and which is
substantially perpendicular to the latter.
If the velocity of the yarn passing through chamber 3 is constant,
the frequency of the nozzle oscillations itself being constant, the
treated zones of the yarn are uniformly spaced and generally
equidistant. This can be disadvantageous in certain cases, for
example in the case of dyed textile yarns for knitting,
particularly on circular machines. Geometrical effects (bars,
lines, etc.), which can be unsightly, are then observed on the
finished articles.
The invention also permits, if necessary, independence of a too
regular arrangement of the treated zones. All that is necessary for
this purpose is to vary, for example cyclically, the velocity of
the yarn in chamber 3 and/or the frequency of oscillations of
nozzle 8. The latter result can easily be obtained by means of a
variator 14 of conventional type, the reduction ratio of which
oscillates about a mean value which the operator can select.
A means will now be described for periodically varying the velocity
of yarn 1 in chamber 3, again with reference to FIG. 1. Firstly, a
suitable variator 17 can be used which has similar operating
characteristics to those just described for variator 14. However,
it appears perferable, particularly if bobbin 15 is to turn at high
speed, to have this bobbin turn at constant speed and to use the
means shown in FIG. 1.
At the outlet of chamber 3, yarn 1 passes through three yarn-guides
18, 19 and 20, yarn-guides 18 and 20 being fixed and preferably
aligned with bobbins 2 and 15. The intermediate yarn-guide 19 is
mounted at one end of a lever 21 oscillating about a pivot 22 and
the other end of which carries a roller 21a, caused to remain in
contact with a rotating cam 23, for example by means of a spring
21b. The cam could have any suitable profile, for example circular
and eccentric relative to its rotational drive shaft. This
rotational drive is provided by a motor 24 through a variator 25
which can, if necessary, itself have a reduction ratio oscillating
about a mean value which the operator can select.
However, if the rotational velocity of cam 23 is constant, pivoting
of lever 21 on its axis 22 causes reciprocating motion of
intermediate yarn-guide 19 between two extreme positions 19a and
19b. Consequently, the velocity of the yarn between yarn-guide 20
and take-up bobbin 15 being supposed constant, the length of yarn
between fixed yarn-guides 18 and 20 varies periodically, which
causes a periodic variation in the velocity of the yarn between
yarn-guide 18 and unwinder 2.
Of course, the drive mechanism of the intermediate yarn-guide could
be of a different type from the one just described, provided
however that this yarn-guide describes a closed or reciprocating
path causing periodic variation in the length of yarn 18 - 19 - 20.
In particular, yarn-guide 19 could be mounted eccentrically at the
end of a shaft driven by a motor, the said shaft perferably being
eccentric relative to the line 18 - 20 and in any case intersecting
this line at one point at the most.
Where the apparatus is intended for the simultaneous treatment of
several yarns, the traction mechanism for each yarn can still be
similar to the one just described, the various organs permitting
periodic variation of the velocity of the yarns being synchronised
or, on the contrary, set out of phase, or even having different
variation periods.
A modification of the treatment apparatus will now be described,
with reference to FIG. 2, in the case in which the treatment
apparatus is intended for the simultaneous treatment of several
yarns. The same references have been used as before, but increased
by the number 100, to indicate the same organs as those described
above and which will not again be described in detail.
The apparatus is intended for the treatment of four yarns 101
passing from unwinders and advance by take-up bobbins which are not
shown. The four nozzles 108 are mounted on a bar 109, preferably
arranged transversely to the direction of motion of the yarns and
mounted to slide along its axis in suitable slides. Channels 106
running from a pump or several pumps 107 have flexible portions
106a feeding nozzles 108.
Bar 109 is linked at one end by means of a rod 111 to a plate or
lever 112 rotated by a motor 113, preferably fitted with a speed
variator 114. Rotation of plate 112 causes reciprocating motion of
bar 109 and the nozzles 108 which it supports. During this motion,
the jet from each nozzle 108 intersects the yarn 101 associated
with it, or possibly two or more of these yarns. It is to be noted
that by modifying the linkage point of rod 111 to bar 109, the
point of the paths of the nozzles corresponding to the passage of
the jets over the yarns can be varied. The same result can, of
course, be obtained by modifying the position of the nozzles on the
bar. The ratio of the distances separating three consecutive
treated zones of the yarn can thus be adjusted.
Of course, the mechanism or mechanisms for traction of yarns 101
will advantageously be of the type described with reference to FIG.
1 and, if they exist, the velocity variations of the yarns in
chamber 103 may be synchronised or, conversely, independent.
Another means will now be described for departing from a too
regular arrangement of the treated zones, in the case in which the
apparatus is intended for the local treatment of a yarn by one or
more treatment fluids distributed by several successive nozzles. In
this case a yarn is obtained bearing groups of stains. To avoid the
transposition of these groups of stains, the same frequency is
imparted to the oscillations of all the nozzles.
It is obvious that a variation in the frequency of the oscillations
of the nozzles will bring about a variation in the density of the
groups of stains, but will cause superimpositions and
transpositions of the stains at high frequencies. To avoid this
fault, the stains of a same group must keep between them a spacing
inversely proportional to the density of the groups of stains on
the yarn. In other words, the stains must move nearer each other
when the frequency of the oscillations increases and vice versa. It
is therefore necessary to make the oscillations of the nozzles out
of phase and to synchronise the variations in the oscillation
frequency of the nozzles and the variations in the phase-shift of
these oscillations.
FIG. 3 shows an example of an embodiment of such an apparatus
enabling the required result to be obtained, in the case of three
nozzles positioned on the path of a same yarn.
This figure does not show the whole of the apparatus for local
treatment of the yarn, which is substantially identical to that
shown in FIG. 1, but only the particular mechanism for driving
nozzles downstream of rods 111.
A single motor 213, with variable speed, drives the three nozzles
(not shown) at a same frequency by means of various linkage organs,
in particular comprising pullies 221, 222 and 223 and belts 221a,
222a and 223a corresponding respectively to the first, second and
third nozzles.
To adjust the distance between the stains deposited by each nozzle
on the yarn to be treated, a phase shift is applied to the
oscillations of the first and the third nozzles symmetrically
relative to the oscillations of the second nozzle. To do this, the
paths of pullies 221a and 223a are modified by two additional
pulley systems 224 and 225. The belts are tensioned by spring
devices 226.
Pulley systems 224 and 225 are both attached to an oscillating
shaft 227 and the pullies are themselves arranged symmetrically of
each other relative to shaft 227. The positions of pulley systems
224 and 225 are such that any action on shaft 227 causing a
positive phase shift in one of the nozzles causes an equal but
negative phase shift in the other. Thus, by acting on shaft 227,
variations are obtained in the distance between the zones treated
by each of the nozzles.
To maintain between the treated zones a distance inversely
proportional to the density of these zones on the yarn, a detector
228 of instantaneous position of shaft 227 regulates the velocity
of motor 213 through a synchronisation box 229. A single control,
represented schematically by device 230, permits simultaneous and
synchronised action on shaft 227 and on motor 213.
Control 230 can be of various forms, in accordance with the role of
the machine and in accordance with the required effect, and in
accordance with the manner, manual or mechanical, in which it is to
be operated. Of course, a regular effect will be obtained on the
yarn by locking this control in a position predefined by a scale.
In general, conversely, irregular effects are sought. In this case,
control 230 will transfer a cyclic motion or even a pseudo-random
motion, for example from a judiciously selected magnetic
recording.
The invention is not limited to the embodiments described and
illustrated, but, on the contrary, covers all their
modifications.
* * * * *