Device for continuously processing a thread-like material

Abstract

A method for continuously processing a thread-like material with a plurality of method steps and a device for carrying out the method, wherein a feed mechanism (10), a treating (35) and depositing device (36), a transporting device (14), a thermosetting mechanism (32) and a length compensating mechanism (37) are arranged in a common closed system (5) and the closed system (5) differs from the surroundings in its interior by at least one first physical property and sub-systems (31, 32, 33, 35, 36, 37) that are shielded from one another are present within the system (5) for the various method steps, to which sub-systems supply mechanisms (25, 26, 27) are connected, which produce at least partially different temperatures in the sub-systems (31, 32, 33, 35, 36, 37) as the second physical property.

Claims

1. Device for continuously processing a thread-like material (1), comprising a common closed system (5) containing a plurality of sub-systems which include a feed mechanism (10), a treating device (35), a depositing device (36), a transporting device (14), a thermosetting mechanism (32) and a length compensating mechanism (37) arranged in the common closed system (5) and wherein the closed system (5) comprises supply mechanisms (25, 26, 27) for imposing a consistent prevailing interior pressure within the plurality of sub-systems different from the ambient environment surroundings the closed system and in that predetermined sub-systems (31, 32, 33, 35, 36, 37) that are shielded from one another within the system (5) for executing a plurality of respective processing steps, and the supply mechanisms (25, 26, 27) are connected to the predetermined sub-systems (31, 32, 33, 35, 36, 37) for producing at least partially different temperatures in the sub-systems (31, 32, 33, 35, 36, 37).

2. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that the system (5) comprises limits at which the thread-like material (1) enters or exits, the limits being formed by sluices (4, 6) which suppress a pressure compensation with the ambient environment and the sub-systems comprises respective limits (39) at which temperature shields are disposed.

3. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that the treating device (35) is a shaping mechanism.

4. Device according to claim 3, characterised in that the treating device (35) is a combined device for producing a frieze effect or alternatively a straight set effect.

5. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that the treating device (35) is a dyeing mechanism.

6. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that a device for opening a compressed thread deposit produced by the depositing device (35) on the transporting device (14) is arranged upstream of the length compensating mechanism (37).

7. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that the length compensating mechanism (37) comprises is a control mechanism, which, taking into account material-specific properties of the thread-like material (1), ensures that delivery fluctuations of the thread-like material (1) are compensated and draw-off of the thread-like material (1) to leave the system (5) takes place substantially uniformly.

8. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that individual sub-systems (31, 32, 33, 35, 36, 37) form a structural unit and can be removed from the closed system (5).

9. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that the supply mechanisms are connected to a central supply.

10. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that system parameters can be adjusted.

11. Device according to claim 1, characterized further by a device for automatically threading the thread-like material (1).

12. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that the system is a part of a thread run of a cabling or twisting machine.

13. Device according to claim 12, characterised in that the system is operable independently of the cabling or twisting machine.

14. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that the system is set up to process individual threads.

15. Device according to any claim 1, characterised in that the system is set up for processing a thread sheet.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The invention will be described in more detail below with the aid of an embodiment shown in the drawings, wherein:

(2) FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of the integration of the method according to the invention;

(3) FIG. 2 shows a schematic view of the device according to the invention;

(4) FIG. 3 shows a schematic view of the thread deposit for the combined frieze/straight set mechanism;

(5) FIG. 4 shows a schematic view of the tube-in-tube variant.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(6) FIG. 1 shows, schematically and in a highly simplified manner, how the method according to the invention can be integrated into a thread production or thread processing process 2, the cabling or twisting process here. After the cabling/twisting 2, the thread 1 is transferred into the system 5 by an entry sluice 4. Once the desired effect has been given in the system 5 and has then been set, the thread 1 arrives through an exit sluice 6 back into the atmosphere in order to then be wound in the winding device 7 on the cross-wound bobbin 9 held by a creel 8.

(7) This means that the thread 1 runs untreated into the system 5 and leaves the system completely finished.

(8) FIG. 2 schematically shows the device according to the invention. The system 5 is limited by housing 38.

(9) A first sub-system is the compressed air zone 31 that is under system pressure, depending on the requirement, with an increased temperature as the preheating zone and optionally also a compressed air/steam mixture.

(10) As a further sub-system, a combined frieze/straight set mechanism 35, which also works fully in the system pressure, is integrated therein.

(11) The thread 1 is drawn via a delivery mechanism 10 through the entry sluice 4 into the system 5. The thread 1 is continuously conveyed into a compression chamber 11 and pressed at the exit against a spring-loaded retaining flap 12, which closes the exit of the compression chamber 11. Owing to the mechanical back pressure in the compression chamber 11, the thread is three-dimensionally bent and/or kinked (crimped) in a geometrically irregular manner. The thread sheet crimped in the compression chamber 11, also called a stuffer box, forms a thread plug against the force-loaded retaining flap 12, which, as soon as the plug pressure exceeds the counter-force of the retaining flap 12, leaves the compression chamber again. The level of the retaining flap resistance inter alia determines the intensity here of the three-dimensional forming formed in the plug, i.e. the intensity of the frieze character.

(12) The next sub-system 36 ensures the controlled depositing on a transporting mechanism (for example a conveyor belt). From the compression chamber 11, the thread 1 runs through a depositing tube 13, the exit opening of which is fixed and points in the direction of the conveyor belt 14. The frieze yarn formed slips down under its own weight and as a result of the continuous replenishment in the interior of the depositing tube that is placed on the conveyor belt 14.

(13) The sub-system of the steam zone 32 follows this. The deposited thread 1 runs at a defined speed on the conveyor belt 14 through a separating point 39 and arrives in the steam zone 32. The heating to the so-called thermosetting temperature or bulking temperature takes place there, in practice generally by means of saturated steam or overheated steam. In the process, the thread undergoes a shrinkage and bulking caused by the material.

(14) To stabilise the steam zone 32, corresponding mechanical separating elements 39, a slotted screen here, are provided. Moreover, the upstream compressed air zone 31 or downstream cooling zone 33 is loaded with compressed air and a pressure substantially corresponding to the steam pressure. Both ensure a low media exchange between the individual zones.

(15) In the following sub-system cooling zone 33, the thread 1 is cooled by compressed air to below the material-specific glass transition temperature so that the state present in the steam zone 32 is permanently stabilised or set and therefore becomes resistant to mechanical loads in the following processes, such as, for example, winding, tufting or weaving and in the finished carpet.

(16) As the thread 1 is then to leave the system 5 drawn for further processing and winding on a bobbin, the thread 1 has to be brought again into the drawn state. The drawing is produced by a loop store 20 with a loading weight 42, so a thread tensile force is produced between the exit delivery mechanism 24 and a binding point on the conveyor belt 14.

(17) A permanent up and down movement takes place in the thread or loop store 20, in the case of the straight set yarn production by the length of an entire depositing arc being released in each case. The position of the loading weight 42 is scanned by means of suitable Hall sensors 21, 22. By means of a two-position detection, the draw-off delivery mechanism 24 is activated, the controller 44, on reaching the lower sensor 21, allowing the draw-off delivery mechanism 24 to run slightly faster and activating the draw-off delivery mechanism 24 more slowly on reaching the upper sensor 22.

(18) The thread 1, which is now delooped, is then guided by means of the exit delivery mechanism 24 to the exit sluice 6 and drawn through by means of a main draw-off.

(19) The system 5 is supplied by means of the inlet for compressed air 25, the inlet for saturated steam 26 and the inlet for compressed air for the cooling zone 27. Together with the outlet for air 28, the outlet for steam/condensate 29 and the outlet for air from the cooling zone 30, a continuous supply to and disposal from the system 5 are ensured.

(20) As a particular feature, the depositing tube 13 has a drive (not shown), for example a stepping motor. When straight set yarn is produced, in the sub-system effect production 35, the retaining flap 12, which is attached by a joint to the wall of the compression chamber 11, is placed in the rear position and remains there for the entire production time. The compression chamber 11 has thus become an obstacle-free guide for the thread 1 that is running through. At the same time, the depositing tube 13 is rotatably driven. The thread 1, coming from the delivery mechanism 10, is hurled outwardly by the centrifugal force effect being produced and runs in a drawn manner within the compression chamber 11. With the combination of centrifugal force and the thread 1's own weight, the thread 1 is placed on the conveyor belt 14 arranged in the form of an arc of a circle. The depositing radius, which is influenced by the level of the centrifugal force, the thread 1's own weight and the conveyor belt speed, is adjusted here to be so large that the arc of a circle characteristic is still represented as almost straight in the yarn tufts of the finished carpet.

(21) In this manner, a change from the production of frieze yarn to straight set yarn is possible without changing mechanical components and without rethreading the yarn.

(22) As can be seen in more detail from FIG. 3, the binding point on the conveyor belt 14 is defined with a freely rotatably mounted binding roller 17 with a defined linear load. This binding roller 17 forms a binding to the conveyor belt piece 14 located in front of it, so only the respective thread piece, which is currently running through the pressure line, is drawn by the weight 42 in the loop store 20. With an arc of a circle deposit in the case of the straight set yarn production, a whole arc is always released. In the case of frieze yarns, the three-dimensional arc characteristic is drawn out. The thread store 20 is designed for the maximum thread length being released in both cases.

(23) FIG. 4 shows the device according to the invention with a plurality of sub-systems, including the sub-system compressed air zone 31, the sub-system steam zone 32 and the sub-system cooling zone 33, which are assembled together on a slide 43; the thread store 20 is also encompassed by the housing. The slide 43 is located as a whole in a housing 38 under compressed air. Thus, the entire system 5 can be drawn forward as a drawer for maintenance purposes and cleaning and, depending on requirement, the corresponding sub-system 31, 32, 33 or the corresponding sub-systems 31, 32, 33 can be removed. In this manner, moreover, no pressure difference acts on the wall of the steam zone 32, which allows substantially smaller wall thicknesses in the structural design for the zones 31, 32, 33. Only the housing 38 then has to be adapted with respect to its stability to the pressure difference of the ambient atmosphere from the internal system pressure.

(24) The present invention has been herein described in relation to an exemplary embodiment or embodiments for purposes of providing an enabling disclosure of the invention. However, it will be understood by persons skilled in the relevant art that the present invention is susceptible of a broader utility and application. Accordingly, it is to be expressly understood that the present invention is not to be construed as limited to the embodiments, features and aspects herein described, but only according to the appended claims.