NOZZLE BAR AND METHOD

Abstract

A jet manifold (10) and a method for a hydroentanglement device (1) are provided. The jet manifold (10) has a hollow housing (11) that includes a housing shell (12). An opening (13) is provided in the housing shell. A nozzle strip (16) is located in the housing (11) and has a tub-shaped cross-section with a nozzle body (19). The nozzle body (19) is recessed in the opening (13) in the housing shell.

Claims

1. A nozzle bar for a fluid jet treatment device, especially a hydroentanglement device, the nozzle bar comprising: a hollow housing with a housing jacket and with a jacket opening; and a nozzle strip arranged in the housing, wherein the nozzle strip has a trough-shaped cross section with a nozzle body that is arranged retracted in the jacket opening.

2. A nozzle bar in accordance with claim 1, wherein: the nozzle strip is configured as a metal profile; and the nozzle body has an essentially U-shaped or V-shaped cross section with a side body wall and with a body bottom, in which nozzle orifices are arranged for a discharge of a fluid jet.

3. (canceled)

4. A nozzle bar in accordance with claim 2, wherein the body bottom is arranged in an area of an external edge of the jacket opening.

5. A nozzle bar in accordance with claim 1, wherein the housing jacket has a conical configuration on an outside of the housing.

6. A nozzle bar in accordance with claim 1, wherein: the nozzle strip has a retaining flange, arranged laterally on the nozzle body; and the retaining element flange is supported on the housing jacket next to the jacket opening.

7. (canceled)

8. A nozzle bar in accordance with claim 1, wherein: a perforated cover is arranged at an access opening of the nozzle body; and a cross bracing is arranged in the nozzle body.

9. (canceled)

10. A nozzle bar in accordance with claim 1, wherein: the housing has a slot jacket opening and extends along a longitudinal axis of the housing; and the jacket opening and the nozzle body have cross-sectional contours which correspond to one another and are conical.

11. (canceled)

12. A nozzle bar in accordance with claim 1, wherein the nozzle body is in contact with a lateral edge of the jacket opening with it's a side body wall thereof and is supported thereby.

13. A nozzle bar in accordance with claim 1, wherein the nozzle body is in contact with a front-side edge of the elongated jacket opening with an oblique front side body wall and is supported thereby.

14. (canceled)

15. A nozzle bar in accordance with claim 1, wherein the nozzle orifice has a conical shape in at least some areas in a longitudinal section.

16. (canceled)

17. A fluid jet treatment device or hydroentanglement device, the device comprising: a nozzle bar with a hollow housing with a housing jacket and with a jacket opening; and a nozzle strip associated with the housing, wherein the nozzle strip has a trough-shaped cross section and is arranged in the jacket opening.

18. (canceled)

19. A fluid jet treatment device in accordance with claim 17, further comprising a jet device with the nozzle bar and with a pressurized water supply (9).

20. A fluid jet treatment device in accordance with claim 17, further comprising a carrier and a conveying device for a fibrous nonwoven web, to be entangled.

21. A fluid jet treatment device in accordance with claim 17, wherein: the carrier is configured permeable to fluids as a screen roller a suction device is arranged on another side of the carrier in the area of a nozzle bar.

22. (canceled)

23. A fluid jet treatment device in accordance with claim 17, wherein a plurality of nozzle bars are arranged distributed on the circumference of a cylindrical carrier.

24. A fluid jet treatment device in accordance with claim 23, wherein one or more nozzle bars are arranged on the bottom of the carrier.

25. A fluid jet treatment device in accordance with claim 17, wherein an adjusting device is arranged between the nozzle bar and the carrier for changing the a distance and the free jet length of the fluid jet emitted.

26. A method for fluid jet treatment or hydroentanglement, the method comprising: directing fluid jets toward a material web with a nozzle bar comprising a hollow housing with a housing jacket and with a jacket opening as well as with a nozzle strip arranged in the housing, wherein the fluid jets are emitted by a nozzle strip, which has a trough-shaped cross section with a nozzle body that is arranged retracted in the jacket opening.

27. A method in accordance with claim 26, wherein the material web is supported on a perforated and rear-suctioned carrier.

28. A method in accordance with claim 26, wherein one or more nozzle bars emit fluid jets against gravity vertically or obliquely upwards against the material web.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] In the drawings:

[0020] FIG. 1 is a hydroentanglement device with a plurality of nozzle bars in a schematic view;

[0021] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a nozzle bar together with material web and carrier;

[0022] FIG. 3 is a top view of a nozzle strip;

[0023] FIG. 4 is a section through the nozzle strip according to section line IV-IV of FIG. 3 together with a part of the nozzle bar;

[0024] FIG. 5 is a broken-off longitudinal section through the nozzle strip and the nozzle bar at the end area on the front side according to section line V-V of FIG. 4;

[0025] FIG. 6 is a longitudinal section through a nozzle orifice in the nozzle strip;

[0026] FIG. 7 is a top view, in sections, of an arrangement of rows of nozzle orifices at a nozzle strip;

[0027] FIG. 8 is a variant of the nozzle strip; and

[0028] FIG. 9 is another variant of the nozzle strip.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0029] Referring to the drawings, the present invention pertains to a nozzle bar (10) and a spraying method for a fluid jet treatment device (1). The present invention pertains, further, to a fluid jet treatment device (1) with one or more such nozzle bars (10) and to a method for the fluid jet treatment of a material web (2).

[0030] The fluid is preferably water. As an alternative, it may be a different liquid. Reference is made below to water and to a water jet treatment, wherein the technical teaching with corresponding adaptation also applies to other liquids.

[0031] The water jet treatment and the water jet treatment device (1) may concern the entanglement of a material web (2). As an alternative, they may concern a surface treatment, especially a finish, or other treatments of a material web (2). A method for hydroentanglement and a hydroentanglement device (1) are described below. The technical teaching applies with corresponding adaptation also to other water jet treatments and intended uses. The hydroentanglement device (1) and the method are also designated as spunlace or hydroentanglement.

[0032] The material web (2) may consist of any desired material that can be treated with water jets (5) and is especially capable of entanglement. In the preferred exemplary embodiment shown, the material web (2) consist of textile fibers, especially natural fibers and/or synthetic fibers in the cut short form (so-called staple fibers) or in the long form (so-called tow). It is preferably configured as a fibrous nonwoven web. Such a fibrous nonwoven is sometimes designated as a fibrous web as well. The compacting effect of the material web (2) occurring due to the hydroentanglement is schematically shown in FIG. 2. As an alternative, other textile, e.g., woven, material webs (2) are also possible.

[0033] A relative motion in a conveying direction (28) by means of a conveying device (27) takes place between the material web (2) and the hydroentanglement device (1). In the embodiment shown, the material web (2) is moved in relation to a preferably stationary hydroentanglement device (1). The conveying device (27) has, e.g., rollers for guiding and possibly for driving the material web (2). Such rollers are shown schematically and only partially in FIG. 1.

[0034] A carrier (3) is provided for supporting the material web (2) during the hydroentanglement and during the conveying. This carrier may have a planar or curved shape. The carrier (3) may, in addition, have a plurality of passage openings. It may be configured, e.g., as a screen belt, as a cylinder cover or as a grid.

[0035] In FIG. 1, the carrier (3) is formed, e.g., by adjacent rollers (29) and the cylinder cover thereof. FIG. 2 schematically shows the possibility of a screen belt (3), which is planar in at least some areas and which can be configured as inherently stable or flexurally elastic. The carrier (3) may be configured as stationary or movable. In FIG. 1, e.g., the rollers, especially screen rollers (29) rotate and are equipped with corresponding drives.

[0036] The hydroentanglement device (1) has a jet device (8), which emits one or more, and preferably a plurality of water jets (5) against the material web (2) and the carrier (3) lying under it. Further, a suction device (4) may be present and be arranged beyond the material web (2) on the other side of the carrier (3). The medium mentioned water is defined as, besides H2O, other fluids, especially liquids, which are suitable for the entanglement of a material web (2).

[0037] The jet device (8) has a nozzle bar (10) and a compressed water supply (9) shown schematically in FIG. 1. A plurality of nozzle bars (10) may also be present. In this case, a plurality of nozzle bars (10) may be connected to a common compressed water supply (9) or could, as an alternative, have their own compressed water supply each. In the compressed water supply (9), the water used for the hydroentanglement is prepared and fed under pressure into the hollow nozzle bar (10) on the inside. The water running off after the material exposure is collected and may possibly be fed again after a preparation in the closed circuit of the compressed water supply (9). As an alternative, it is possible to work with fresh water.

[0038] The nozzle bar (10) has an elongated bar shape and extends obliquely over the material web (2). In the embodiment shown, the nozzle bar (10) is arranged relatively stationary relative to the material web (2). The nozzle bar (10) has a hollow housing (11) with an interior (31) and a surrounding housing jacket (12). The housing jacket (12) may be a single part or multiple parts. It may be formed, e.g., by a plurality of side walls connected to one another. The nozzle bar (10) is suitably closed on the front side by a cover or the like. A high water pressure is built up in the hollow interior (31).

[0039] The housing (11) may have a shape and a water feed in any desired, suitable configuration. It may have, e.g., a tubular configuration and have one or two housing openings on the front side for water feed. As an alternative or in addition, one or more jacket openings are possible for water feed. Guiding means for the water flow and the distribution thereof may be present in the hollow interior (31) of the housing (11). It is achieved by means of suitable actions for generating and guiding a uniform, especially laminar flow, that the same water pressure prevails at the nozzle strip (16) over the entire length and identical discharge conditions prevail at the nozzle orifices (24).

[0040] The nozzle bar (10) may have any desired cross-sectional geometry. In the embodiment shown, the cross section is rectangular, especially square. As an alternative, it may have a rounded, especially circular or oval configuration. Further, any desired, other prismatic cross-sectional shapes or the like are possible.

[0041] In the housing jacket (12), a jacket opening (13) is arranged on the side pointing toward the material web (2). The jacket opening (13) may extend in the longitudinal direction of the nozzle bar (10). A plurality of jacket openings (13) may also be present, e.g., in a parallel arrangement. The jacket opening (13) may continue in one piece over the bar length or may be interrupted. It preferably has a straight extension aligned along the bar axis.

[0042] A nozzle strip (16) is arranged within the housing (11) as well as at and preferably in the jacket opening (13). This nozzle strip (16) has a trough-shaped cross section. The nozzle strip (16) is also designated as a nozzle configuration. It preferably consists of a thin-walled material.

[0043] FIGS. 2 through 5 illustrate the arched, omega-shaped cross-sectional geometry of the nozzle strip (16). This nozzle strip (16) has a centrally arched nozzle body (19) and possibly retaining elements (18), which are arranged on the edge thereof on one side or on both sides and protrude laterally. The retaining elements (18) may be configured, e.g., as bent retaining flanges.

[0044] The jacket opening (13) has a slot-like configuration in the exemplary embodiments shown and represents an opening in the housing jacket (12). The nozzle strip (16) preferably has a consistent cross-sectional shape over its length and is configured as a thin-walled profile (17). It preferably consists of metal, especially of steel or a non-ferrous metal.

[0045] In the exemplary embodiments shown, the metal profile (17) is bent in one piece from a thin-walled sheet metal strip. As an alternative, it may be a drawn or pressed metal profile. The nozzle strip (16) or the profile may also be manufactured from a solid material by means of machining or in a different way. As an alternative, other materials, e.g., a high-strength plastic or the like are also possible. The nozzle strip (16) or the profile (17) may also have a multipart configuration.

[0046] As FIGS. 3 through 5 illustrate, the nozzle body (19) has an essentially U-shaped or V-shaped cross section. The V-shaped or conical cross section tapers in the jet emission direction (5). The nozzle body (19) is hollow and open towards the interior of the nozzle bar (10). It has a side body wall (20) and a body bottom (21) with a plurality of nozzle orifices (24) for the discharge of a water jet (5) there. The body bottom (21) preferably has a planar configuration. The body bottom (21) may be aligned parallel to the material web (2) or to the carrier (3).

[0047] As FIGS. 2, 4 and 5 illustrate, the nozzle body (19) is arranged retracted in the jacket opening (13). The retaining elements (18) lie on both sides of the jacket opening (13) on the adjoining housing jacket (12) and are supported here. A seal (30) may be arranged under the retaining elements (18) and/or under the body wall (20).

[0048] FIG. 2 also shows, in dotted line, the state of the art, in which a planar nozzle strip provided with a row of holes lies on the inside on the housing jacket (12) and over the jacket opening (13). The water jet (5) being discharged at prior-art nozzle strips must first pass through the jacket opening extended towards the row of holes before it is discharged from the nozzle bar (10). Because of the high water pressure and the necessary strength, the housing jacket (12) or the side housing wall has a certain wall thickness, which is noticeably included in the opening depth and the free jet length.

[0049] In the exemplary embodiments shown, the nozzle strip (16) with its body bottom (21) protrudes beyond the external edge of the jacket opening (13) and projects a little above the outside of the bar. As an alternative, the nozzle strip (16) may line up precisely with the external edge of the jacket opening (13) or possibly also end before this edge.

[0050] FIG. 4 illustrates, in addition, two variants in the configuration of the housing jacket area (12) adjacent to the jacket opening (13). The housing jacket (12) has a consistent thickness in the left half of the figure, the jacket outside being aligned parallel to the body bottom (21). The right half of the figure shows a variant with a tapered jacket outside. In this variant, the same jacket slope is arranged mirror-inverted to the water jet axis (5), so that the housing jacket (12) is configured as conical on the outside and thickening toward the jacket opening (13).

[0051] As FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate, the jacket opening (13) ends on each front side at a distance in front of the nozzle bar end or the cover there. The jacket opening (13) may in this case have a shape that is both conical in cross section and in longitudinal section and tapering toward the outside of the bar. The jacket opening (13) has oblique side walls (14) and oblique front walls (15).

[0052] The nozzle body (19) may have a corresponding cone shape tapering toward the outside of the bar or in the jet emission direction and have a oblique side body wall (20) as well as oblique front sides (22). The front sides (22) are flatly in contact with the respective corresponding and preferably planar front wall (15) or possibly with a seal (30) inserted there.

[0053] The side body wall (20) and the side walls (14) of the jacket opening (13) likewise preferably have a planar configuration and are flatly in contact with one another. Consequently, the side walls (14) support the body wall (20) against the pressure applied. The cone shape is advantageous for the water jet pressure, on the other hand. In addition, the width of the body bottom (21) is reduced, which is advantageous for the strength and inherent stability thereof.

[0054] In the body bottom (21), a plurality of nozzle orifices (24) are lined up one behind the other in the longitudinal direction of the nozzle bar (10). One or more rows of holes (23) can be formed hereby. Their length reaches at least over the width of the material web (2). FIG. 7 shows the variant with a single row of holes (23). In an arrangement with a plurality of rows of holes, two or more rows of holes (23) can be arranged in parallel, wherein they can be aligned synchronized in the longitudinal direction or offset to one another about the hole spacing.

[0055] FIG. 6 shows a longitudinal section through a nozzle orifice (24) in the body bottom (21) as an example. The nozzle orifice (24) has, e.g., an upper orifice area (25), which may have a cylindrical shape, pointing toward the hollow interior of the nozzle bar (10). A lower and preferably longer orifice area (26), which extends conically in the jet direction in this exemplary embodiment, is connected hereto in the discharge direction of the water jet (5). The upper orifice area (25) may have a very small diameter. This may be, e.g., on the order of 0.01 mm to 0.30 mm, and preferably 0.07 mm to 0.17 mm.

[0056] As FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate, the water jets (5) being discharged from the nozzle orifices (24) are directed at a suitable angle, preferably vertically against the material web (2), this material web (2) being supported on the perforated carrier (3). Corresponding to the row of holes configuration, one or more rows of water jets are generated obliquely over the material web (2). The nozzle orifices (24) are arranged at a distance above the material web (2), wherein a free jet length is obtained between the discharge at the respective nozzle orifice (24) and the striking of the material web (2).

[0057] An adjusting device (34), which is schematically indicated with arrows in FIG. 1, for changing the distance, may be arranged between the nozzle bar (10) and the material web (2), and especially the carrier (3). For example, the nozzle bar (10) is mounted in a vertically adjustable manner. The desired free jet length of the emitted fluid jet (5) or water jet can be adjusted by the adjusting device (34).

[0058] The striking water jets (5) move and deform the fibers in the material web (2), and they compact and entangle the fiber composite. Some of the water jets (5) are reflected by the material web (2) and the carrier (3) as splash water or spray water (7). The spray water (7) may be taken up by the outside of the housing jacket (12) possibly as condensation water, and it remains outside of the area of the emitted water jet. The preferred embodiment with a nozzle strip (16) protruding from the jacket opening (13) or lining up precisely with the jacket outside is hereby advantageous.

[0059] By means of the suction device (4) arranged below the carrier (3), the other water can be suctioned off on the rear side of the perforated carrier (3) and be removed from the material web (2). In this case, ambient air may be suctioned through the gap between the nozzle bar (10) and the material web (2) as well. FIG. 2 schematically shows the air flows (6). In case of the screen rollers (29) of FIG. 1, the suction devices (4) are located stationarily within the rotating screen rollers (29).

[0060] In the embodiment of a hydroentanglement device (1) shown in FIG. 1, the material web (2) is guided via two adjacent and countercurrently rotating screen rollers (29) and is thereby entangled in a plurality of steps by means of a plurality of nozzle bars (10). The nozzle bars (10) are aligned radially to the respective screen roller and are arranged distributed on the circumference thereof. In this connection, one or more nozzle bars (10) may emit the water jets against gravity vertically or obliquely upwards. They are arranged, e.g., on the bottom of the lower screen roller (29).

[0061] FIG. 8 shows a variant of the housing (11) and of the nozzle strip (16) or of the nozzle body (19). The housing (11) has a housing jacket (12) with a bottom part (33) detachably fastened, especially bolted to the bottom, which accommodates the jacket opening (13) and the nozzle strip (16).

[0062] In the variant of FIG. 8, the nozzle strip (16) only has the nozzle body (19), wherein the retaining elements (18) are dispensed with. The seals (30) for the nozzle body (19) running conically in the jet direction are arranged on the corresponding side walls (14) of the jacket opening (13). In this embodiment as well, the planar body bottom (21) with the nozzle orifices (24), especially with the one or more rows of holes, projects a little above the lower edge or the mouth of the jacket opening (13).

[0063] FIG. 8 illustrates, in addition, the arrangement of a guide (35) for the nozzle strip (16) on one or both front sides. The guide (35) is formed, e.g., by an axial, strip-like projection on one or both front walls (15) of the jacket opening (13) and by a part of the nozzle strip (16) interacting with it. The nozzle strip (16) may have a front wall with a recess corresponding to the projection for a positive-locking connection. On the other hand, the projection may be spaced a little upwards, so that the body bottom (21) according to FIG. 8 can be axially pushed in under the projection.

[0064] FIG. 9 shows a second nozzle variant, which differs from the above-mentioned first variant by a perforated cover (32) at the inlet opening of the nozzle body (19). The cover (32) is configured, e.g., as a perforated plate, which can be retained and fastened to upwards-angled, lateral retaining elements (18) of the nozzle strip (16). The perforated cover (32) is located between the interior (31) of the housing (11) and the interior of the hollow nozzle body (19).

[0065] Further, in this and in the other embodiments, cross bracings, e.g., in the form of installed or welded cross ribs, can be arranged in the interior of the nozzle body (19).

[0066] A variety of variants of the embodiments shown and described are possible. The individual features of the above-described exemplary embodiments and of the variants mentioned may, in particular, be combined with one another as desired, and may especially also be transposed.

[0067] Another variant concerns the cross-sectional geometry of the jacket opening (13) and of the nozzle strip (16), and especially of its nozzle body (19). A U shape may be provided instead of the conical shape. A V shape is also possible.

[0068] In the nozzle orifice (25) in the variant of FIG. 7, the lower orifice area (26) pointing toward the material web (2) may have a cylindrical configuration or conically tapering configuration. Further, a reversal of the geometries is possible, wherein the narrow, especially cylindrical orifice area is arranged on the outside of the nozzle orifice (24) pointing toward the material web (2). It may have a short length. The upper and possibly longer orifice area is then configured in a suitable manner, e.g., conically, wherein it extends toward the hollow interior of the nozzle bar (10).

[0069] In a variant of the embodiment of FIG. 1, the hydroentanglement device (1) may have a planar conveying path for the material web (2) and one or more nozzle bars (10) arranged next to one another along the conveying path. These nozzle bars (10) may be directed from one side, especially from the top side, or from both sides against the material web (2) and work with the water jets (5) emitted.

[0070] While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown and described in detail to illustrate the application of the principles of the invention, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise without departing from such principles.