US3323176A

US3323176A - Method and apparatus for the continuous introduction of liquid into a staple fiber web or the like

Info

Publication number: US3323176A
Application number: US326058A
Authority: US
Inventors: Naegeli Werner
Original assignee: Pavena AG
Current assignee: Pavena AG
Priority date: 1962-12-07
Filing date: 1963-11-26
Publication date: 1967-06-06
Anticipated expiration: 1984-06-06
Also published as: GB1036770A; NL143147B; AT271276B; BE646798A; CH397581A; CH1435962A4; NO123018B; ES294323A1; DE1460326A1; FR1522219A; NL300745A; FI40870B; DK109252C

Description

u 6, 1967 w. NAEGELI METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR THE CONTINUOUS INTRODUCTION OF LIQUID INTO A STAPLE FIBER WEB OR THE LIKE Flled Nov 26 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet L INVENTOR. JJERNER N nzgaLi June 6, 1967 w. NAEGELI 3,323,176

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR THE CONTINUOUS INTRODUCTION OF LIQUID INTO A STAPLE FIBER WEB OR THE LIKE Filed NOV. 26, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. (116mm Nnegali United States Patent 3,323,176 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR THE CONTIN- UOUS INTRODUCTION OF LIQUID INTO A STAPLE FIBER WEB OR THE LIKE Werner Naegeli, Winterthur, Switzerland, assignor to Pavena A.G., a corporation of Switzerland Filed Nov. 26, 1963, Ser. No. 326,058 Claims priority, application Switzerland, Dec. 7, 1962, 14,359/62 18 Claims. (CI. 1966) The present invention relates to an improved method for continuously introducing liquid into a staple fiber web as produced by drafting as well as to an improved apparatus for carrying out the aforesaid method.

Processes for the moistening or wetting of staple fibers are already known to the art which are based upon the principle of either spraying the card web or conducting the staple fiber band or sliver through a liquid bath. However, if a web is sprayed then the wetting thereof is very small. On the other hand, if the compact staple fiber band or sliver is conducted through a liquid bath then there results reduced degrees of moistening from the outside towards the inside of the sliver, completely considered apart from the air inclusions which cannot be eliminated.

The mentioned disadvantages cannot be tolerated, for example, when performing a spinning operation in accordance with assignees process taught in copending United States application, Ser. No. 299,550, filed Aug. 2, 1963, now United States Patent 3,191,375, granted June 29, 1965, and invented by Werner Naegeli. These disadvantages do not appear with the present invention since the proposed method resides in the features that a liquid which is at a pressure in excess of atmospheric pressure is forced or pressed through a staple fiber layer exhibiting a given cross-section in the presence of backing support therefor, and the excess liquid is removed or squeezed out in a pressure zone effecting withdrawal with simultaneous compression, forming and smoothing of the band or sliver. Generally speaking, the apparatus for carrying out the aforedescribed process or method embodies a liquid supply means arranged to one side of the fiber layer, guide surface means for supporting the side of the fiber layer opposite said one side and constructed to permit passage of the liquid, and a pair of calender rollers for withdrawing the formed band or sliver from the guide surface means.

In consideration of the foregoing it should, therefore, be appreciated that a primary object of the present invention is to provide an improved method and apparatus for the continuous application of a liquid to a staple fiber Web as produced by drafting which overcomes the disadvantages present in prior art devices as mentioned herein.

A further important object of the present invention is the provision of an improved method and apparatus for the continuous introduction of liquid to a web or the like as produced by drafting and formed into a thicker fiber layer wherein there is undertaken substantially uniform and effective wetting or moistening of the entire fiber layer.

Still further objects and the entire scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter; it should be understood, however, that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.

3,323,176 Patented June 6, 1967 In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 schematically illustrates a first embodiment of an entire sliver or band machine here employed in carrying out the inventive process;

FIGURE 2 illustrates details of the liquid applying apparatus of the sliver machine of FIGURE 1, partly in cross-section;

FIGURE 3 illustrates a detail, in cross-section, of the guide surface means employed in the liquid applying apparatus of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines IVIV of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 5 illustrates in cross-sectional view a modified form of liquid applying apparatus;

FIGURE 6 is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus of FIGURE 5 taken along lines VIVI thereof;

FIGURE 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines VII-VII of FIGURE 5;

FIGURE 8 is a longitudinal section through a variant form of liquid applying apparatus;

FIGURE 9 is a longitudinal section through another embodiment of liquid applying apparatus;

FIGURE 10 is a longitudinal section through still a further embodiment of liquid applying apparatus; and

FIGURE 11 is a cross-sectional vie-w of the embodiment of FIGURE 9 taken along lines XI-XI thereof.

Referring now to the drawings and, more particularly to the embodiment depicted in FIGURES 1-4, it will be seen that a staple fi-ber web 1 subjected to a drafting operation at a group of rollers 2a of a drafting arrangement 2, arrives at a liquid applying or introducing device 3 supplied with liquid from a pressure tank or vessel 4. The thus formed sliver or band is removed from this location by means of a pair of calender rollers 5 and delivered to a suitable depositing mechanism 6 eg funnel or trumpet wheel for laying out in a conventional sliver can 6a. The liquid removed by the calender rollers 5 is collected in appropriate receiver vats or collecting troughs '7 and though the agency of a pump 8 and filter 9 is again returned in convenient manner to the pressure tank or vessel 4.

As best seen by referring to FIGURE 2, the liquid ap plying device 3 of FIGURE 1 essentially embodies a web forming element 10 constructed such to transform the web 1 from a fiat or plane configuration into tubular,

form. More specifically, such transformation of the shape of the web as aforedescribed, occurs by providing an increasing curling or rolling-in of both sides of the web edges 11 towards the center of the web (see FIGURE '4), and for such" length of time until there results mutual contact of the aforesaid edges 11, as shown. Further details of the exact structure of the web forming element 10 for producing such a tubular cross-section are not believed necessary for the understanding of the teachings of the present invention, and thus, will not be undertaken herein, especially since these details constitute the subject matter of a separate application.

Shortly before the location at which the circular-shaped closing of the Web appears there is introduced into the not yet closed sliver or band liquid supply means, here shown to be a liquid infeed or supply conduit 12 possessing a curved portion 12a and which extends in the direction of travel of the material, as best seen from FIGURE 2. Afterwards the thus formed fiber layer is compacted under the action of an inlet guide or nozzle 14 so that the conduit mouth 13 disposed further below is completely encircled by fiber material, in order that this fiber material can then be handled by an externally support-, ing guide surface means which narrows towards the bottom, in this embodiment incorporating a spiral or helical wire 15.

The pitch of the spiral wire 15 i advantageously selected such that sufiicient intermediate space remains to permit the liquid streaming out of the discharge mouth 13 of the supply conduit 12 to be easily removed radially from internally of the spiral wire 15 through the fiber layer towards the outside, with simultaneous displacement of air. The encasing or covering 16 disposed about the spiral wire 15 serves solely to protect the surrounding regions from spray. The wire itself from which the spiral wire 15 is wound, is advantageously covered with a wearresistant, anti-adhesive jacket 17 providing small frictional resistance as possible, for example formed of Teflon or similar material (see FIGURE 3).

After the formed sliver or band has passed through the spiral wire 15 and the liquid has moved from the inside to the outside thereof and the entrained air displaced, such is pressed by a pair of calender rollers 18 with high specific pressure, so that excess liquid escapes and is separated therefrom. Under the term excess liquid as employed herein there is to be understood a quantity of liquid which is greater than that quantity which the fiber layer or material can retain, even under the most favorable conditions. At the same time there results a smoothing of the highly compacted or compressed sliver coming from the calender rollers 18 with substantially rectangular cross-sectional form. The calender rollers 18 preferably embody disks or plates 18a which correspond to the width of the sliver or band. Additionally, this pressure zone or region is laterally closed or bounded by a respective plate 19. It should be appreciated that such pressure zone builds up liquid pressure to obtain a hydrodynamic action which compacts, forms and smooths the band.

Another embodiment of the present invention is de picted in FIGURES to 7. In this instance, the infeed conduit 20, as best shown in FIGURES 6 and 7, widens into a hood or cap 22 connected with a spiral wire 21 providing the guide surface means. The guide surfaces of the spiral wire 21 itself transform from an initial oval cross-section into a tubular cross-section at the mouth thereof (see FIGURES 5 and 7). The hood 22 extends approximately to the center of the shorter sides 21a of the spiral wire 21 as clearly shown in FIGURE 7, in order on the one hand to guarantee for the passage of liquid from the hood 20 into the longer side 2112 of the aforesaid spiral wire 21 and through the sliver or band and, on the other hand, again out of this spiral wire as a transverse throughfiow. Above the spiral wire 21 there is arranged the inlet guide or nozzle 144. At the lower end of the arrangement there is again provided a small pair of calender rollers 23a embodying disks 23 (FIGURE 5) advantageously corresponding to the desired sliver or band width, the clamping line of which is located within the cover or boundary plates 24 disposed at both sides of said disks 23. These cover plates 24 together with the disks 23 form a pressure zone and free the sliver or band leaving the spiral wire 21 from surplus or excess liquid. This removed excess liquid is collected in containers or vats 25 and from there is again delivered to the circulation system. A generally indicated in FIGURE 5, one of the calender rollers is mounted to be stationary and the other is displaceably mounted under spring pressure, as at 2312, for generating pressure.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGURE 8 the internal surfaces 26 of the multiple threads 27 which narrow towards the bottom undertake the function of the guide surface means. The liquid introduced via the pipe or tube 28 thus flows, after radial passage through the fiber layer exhibiting ring-shaped cross-section, downwardly in the spiral-shaped constructed course of threads 29, where it discharges or escapes.

In the modification shown in FIGURES 9 and 11 the introduction of liquid occurs in a nozzle cascade, generally denoted by reference numeral 30. This nozzle cascade 30 is advantageously formed by threading or other- Wise connecting circular plates 31 having nozzle-shaped bores 32 onto one another, and from which bores radial grooves or channels 33 are milled, or otherwise formed, which serve for the discharge of air and liquid escaping from the formed band or sliver. The diameter of the respective bores 32 of the individual plates 31 reduces in size in the direction of material or band travel towards the discharge mouth.

A further possibility for introducing liquid into the fiber layer is depicted in FIGURE 10. In this embodiment the fiber layer is directly conducted into the spiral wire 34 with the elimination of an inlet nozzle. For this purpose the spiral wire 34 is pronouncedly displaced above the discharge mouth of the liquid infeed conduit or delivery pipe 35, as shown, and forms from the outset a strongly narrowing guide surface means.

While there is shown and described present preferred embodiments of the invention it is to be distinctly understood that the invention is not limited thereto but may be otherwise variously embodied and practised within the scope of the following claims.

Having thus described the present invention, what is desired to be secured by United States Letters Patent, is:

1. Method for the continuous introduction of liquid into a fiber layer formed from a staple fiber web as produced by drafting comprising the steps of: forming the web into a thicker fiber layer possessing a determined cross-section, forcing a liquid which is subjected to a "pressure in excess of atmospheric pressure through the fiber layer while providing backing support for said fiber layer, forming the fiber layer into a band, and removing excess liquid in a pressure zone effecting withdrawal of the thus formed band while simultaneously compacting, further forming and smoothing said band.

2. Method for the continuous introduction of liquid into a fiber layer formed from a staple fiber web according to claim 1 wherein the step of removing excess liquid N is achieved by squeezing such out of the band.

- fiber layer from the inside thereof radially towards the outside.

4. Method for the continuous introduction of liquid into a fiber layer formed from a staple fiber web according to claim 1 wherein the fiber layer possesses a substantially oval cross-section and the liquid is forced from one longer side of the oval cross-section fiber layer to the oppositely disposed longer side thereof.

5. Apparatus for the continuous introduction of liquid into a fiber layer formed from a staple fiber web, comprising means for forming the staple fiber web into a fiber layer, liquid infeed means disposed at one. side of the fiber layer for forcing an excess of liquid transversely through the entire fiber layer, said forming means including stationary guide surface means for supporting the side of the fiber layer opposite said one side and including means to permit passage of the liquid therethrough, a pair of calender rollers for withdrawing the fiber layer formed into a band from said guide surface means, and a lateral cover plate arranged at each side of said pair of calender rollers for forming a pressure zone extending at all sides of the band to provide substantial uniform removal of excess liquid.

6. Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said liquid infeed means comprises a pipe member which is disposed in a central position with respect to said stationary guide surface means.

'7. Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said stationary guide surface means is hollow and said pipe member extends into said hollow stationary guide surface means in the direction of travel of the fiber layer.

8. Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said stationary guide surface means narrows in the direction of travel of the fiber layer.

9. Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said forming means further includes inlet guide means operatively communicating with said stationary guide surface means.

18. Apparatus for the continuous introduction of liquid into a fiber layer formed from a throughpassing staple fiber web, comprising means for forming the staple fiber Web into a fiber layer, liquid infeed means disposed at one side of the fiber layer, said forming means including guide surface means for supporting the side of the fiber layer opposite said one side constructed to permit passage of the liquid, said guide surface means comprising a spiralshaped wire, the inner surface of which provides guide surfaces for the fiber layer, and a pair of calender rollers for withdrawing the fiber layer formed into a band from said guide surface means.

11. Apparatus for the continuous introduction of liquid into a fiber layer formed from a throughpassing staple fiber web, comprising means for forming the staple fiber web into a fiber layer, liquid infeed means disposed at one side of the fiber layer, said forming means including guide surface means for supporting the side of the fiber layer opposite said one side constructed to permit passage of the liquid, said guide surface means being provided with a bore having multiple threads, the inner surfaces of which provide guide surfaces for the fiber layer, said liquid infeed means extending into said bore, and a pair of calender rollers for withdrawing the fiber layer formed into a band from said guide surface means.

12. Apparatus for the continuous introduction of liquid into a fiber layer formed from a throughpassing staple fiber web, comprising means for forming the staple fiber web into a fiber layer, liquid infeed means disposed at one side of the fiber layer, said forming means including guide surface means for supporting the side of the fiber layer opposite said one side constructed to permit passage of the liquid, said guide surface means embodying a nozzle cascade provided with radial fluid outlet channel means, and a pair of calender rollers for withdrawing the fiber layer formed into a band for said guide surface means.

13. Apparatus for the continuous introduction of liquid into a fiber layer formed from a throughpassing staple fiber web, comprising means for forming the staple fiber web into a fiber layer, liquid infeed means disposed at one side of the fiber layer, said forming means including guide surface means for supporting the side of the fiber layer opposite said one side constructed to permit passage of the liquid, a pair of calender rollers for withdrawing the fiber layer formed into a band from said guide surface means, said pair of calender rollers comprising two disk members urged towards one another, a lateral cover plate arranged at each side of said two disk members for forming a pressure zone extending at all sides of the band to provide substantial uniform removal of excess liquid.

14. Apparatus for the continuous introduction of liquid into a fiber layer formed from a throughpassing staple fiber web, comprising means for forming the staple fiber web into a fiber layer, liquid infeed means disposed to one side of the fiber layer for forcing an excess of liquid at a pressure greater than atmospheric pressure substantially tansversely through the entire fiber layer from the inside towards the outside, said forming means including stationary guide surface means for supporting the side of the fiber layer opposite said one side and including means to permit passage of the liquid therethrough said stationary guide surface means being con- "structed to impart a band-like configuration to the fiber layer departing therefrom, and means providing a pressure zone for withdrawing the fiber layer formed into a band from said stationary guide surface means while simultaneously compacting, forming and smoothing said band into desired configuration.

15. Method for the continuous introduction of liquid into a fiber layer formed from a staple fiber web as produced by drafting, comprising the steps of: forming the web into a thicker fiber layer of substantiaily round configuration and possessing a predetermined cross-section, forcing a liquid which is subjected to a pressure in excess of atmospheric pressure through the fiber layer and in an excess quantity while providing backing support for said fiber layer, simultaneously forming the fiber layer into a band while subjected to the action of the backing support, and removing excess liquid in a pressure zone effecting withdrawal of the thus formed band while simultaneously compacting, further forming and smoothing said band.

16. Apparatus for the continuous introduction of liquid into a fiber layer formed from a staple fiber web, comprising means for forming the staple fiber web into a fiber layer, liquid infeed means disposed at one side of the fiber layer for forcing an excess of liquid transversely through the entire fiber layer, said liquid infeed means incorporating mechanism for forcing said liquid at pressure in excess of atmospheric pressure through said fiber layer, said forming means including stationary guide surface means for supporting the side of the fiber layer opposite said one side and including means to permit passage of the liquid therethrough, means encircling said stationary guide surface means to protect the surrounding regions against liquid spray which results when forcing said liquid at excess pressure through said fiber layer, and a pair of calender rollers for withdrawing the fiber layer formed into a band from said guide surface means.

17. Apparatus for the continuous introduction of liquid into a fiber layer formed fro-m a staple fiber web, comprising means for forming the staple fiber web into a fiber layer, liquid infeed means disposed at one side of the fiber layer for forcing an excess of liquid transversely through the entire fiber layer, said forming means including stationary guide surface means for supporting the side of the fiber layer opposite said one side and including means to permit passage of the liquid there-through, said stationary guide surface means providing a spiral-shaped support for the fiber layer which forms the latter into a fiber band upon leaving said stationary guide surface means, and a pair of calender rollers for withdrawing the fiber layer formed into a band from said guide surface means.

18. Apparatus for the continuous introduction of liquid into a fiber layer formed from a staple fiber web, compris ing means for forming the staple fiber web into a fiber layer, liquid infeed means disposed at one side of the fiber layer for forcing an excess of liquid transversely through the entire fiber layer, said forming means including stationary guide surface means for supporting the side of the fiber layer opposite said one side and including means to permit passage of the liquid therethrough, said stationary guide surface means being formed to possess a substantially oval cross-section, said liquid infeed means being disposed in the region of the longer external side of said stationary guide surface means such that the liquid is supplied in a direction transverse to the direction of travel of the fiber layer, and a pair of calender rollers for withdrawing the fiber layer formed into a band from said guide suface means.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,956,450 4/1934 McGinnis l966 2,115,218 4/1938 Siever 1966 2,665,189 1/1954 Cox 1966 X 2,803,125 8/1957 Mesek 19-66 X 2,979,781 4/1961 Reider 19-7 3,214,819 11/1965 Guerin 2872 MERVIN STEIN, Primary Examiner. DORSEY NEWTON, Examiner.

Claims

1. METHOD FOR THE CONTINUOUS INTRODUCTION OF LIQUID INTO A FIBER LAYER FORMED FROM A STAPLE FIBER WEB AS PRODUCED BY DRAFTING COMPRISING THE STEPS OF: FORMING THE WEB INTO A THICKER FIBER LAYER POSSESSING A DETERMINED CROSS-SECTION, FORCING A LIQUID WHICH IS SUBJECTED TO A PRESSURE IN EXCESS OF ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE THROUGH THE FIBER LAYER WHILE PROVIDING BACKING SUPPORT FOR SAID FIBER LAYER, FORMING THE FIBER LAYER INTO A BAND, AND REMOVING EXCESS LIQUID IN A PRESSURE ZONE EFFECTING WITHDRAWAL OF THE THUS FORMED BAND WHILE SIMULTANEOUSLY COMPACTING, FURTHER FORMING AND SMOOTHING SAID BAND.