Apparatus and method for dyeing and mercerizing threads or yarns

Abstract

 Apparatus (10) for dyeing and mercerizing threads, comprising first winding means (11) on which a plurality of threads (12) to be dyed and mercerized are wound, dyeing means (15) able to dye the threads (12) and mercerizing means (23) able to mercerize the threads (12). The dyeing means (15) are arranged upstream of the mercerizing means (23) and are able to dye the threads (12) in a single dyeing step. Second winding means (19) are positioned between the dyeing means (15) and the mercerizing means (23) in order to wind the threads (12) after the dyeing step.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention concerns an apparatus and the relative method for dyeing and mercerizing threads or yarns which unwind from one or more feeding beams. The method provides that after a step of warping the yarns, from a plurality of spools to at least one beam, there is a dyeing step, preferably using the pad-batch method, with the yarns being transferred from one beam to another; after which step there follows a step of washing the yarns and then a mercerizing step and a spooling step. In the following description the term threads shall be taken to mean threads or yarns, natural or synthetic, irrespectively.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The Italian patent IT-B-1,239,265 discloses a continuous mercerizing method which comprises the following operating steps: pre-washing of the yarns by immersion in at least a tub containing a bath consisting of hot water with added surface-active agents; impregnation in caustic soda by immersion of the yarns in at least a tub containing a bath of heated caustic soda, in order to obtain the mercerization; a stabilization step, with a control of the feedback of the threads in a stabilization and tensioning chamber; a tensioning and stretching step in the afore-said stabilization and tensioning chamber; a step to neutralize the threads with hot washing; and an oven drying step.

[0003] This method therefore provides that the step of dyeing the threads occurs downstream of the mercerizing step, when the mercerized threads have been spooled.

[0004] This method, which in its day gave very innovative results in the field, has, however, the disadvantage that it does not guarantee a uniform dyeing in all the threads, since they are not dyed together, but each of them is affected by its own dyeing operation downstream of the mercerizing and spooling operation.

[0005] The Applicant has devised and embodied the present invention to overcome this shortcoming and to obtain other advantages which the known method and apparatus did not allow to obtain.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The present invention is set forth and characterized in the main claims, while the dependent claims describe other innovative characteristics of the invention.

[0007] The main purpose of the present invention is to achieve an apparatus, and to perfect a method, for mercerizing and dyeing threads, which is reliable and guarantees a uniform dyeing of all the threads.

[0008] Another purpose of the invention is to optimize conventional methods and apparatuses, so as to reduce the production cycle to a minimum, thus making it more economical, through a smaller number of passes or handling of the material worked.

[0009] In accordance with this purpose, the apparatus according to the present invention comprises first winding means on which a plurality of threads to be dyed and mercerized are wound, dyeing means able to dye this plurality of threads and mercerizing means able to mercerize this plurality of threads and arranged downstream of the afore-said dyeing means. In this way the dyeing means are able to dye the whole plurality of threads in a single dyeing step. Second winding means are positioned between the dyeing means and the mercerizing means to wind the plurality of threads after the dyeing step.

[0010] Between the dyeing means and the mercerizing means advantageously there are washing means.

[0011] Advantageously the first and second winding means comprise beams on which a standardized number of threads, for example 960, are able to be wound.

[0012] All the threads of a beam are subjected together to at least the dyeing step, and advantageously also the washing and mercerizing steps.

[0013] In this way the handling of the threads is considerably reduced.

[0014] Only after the three steps of dyeing, washing and mercerizing does the plurality of threads become divided first into beamlets and then into spools, so that they are ready for the steps of knitting and weaving.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] These and other characteristics of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of a preferred form of embodiment, given as a non-restrictive example with reference to the attached drawings wherein:

• Fig. 1 is a lateral, schematic view of a first part of an apparatus according to the present invention;
• Fig. 2 is a plane view of the part of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1;
• Fig. 3 is a lateral, schematic view of a second part of an apparatus according to the present invention;
• Fig. 4 is a lateral, schematic view of a third part of an apparatus according to the present invention;
• Fig. 5 is a flow chart representing the various steps of the method according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERENTIAL EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0016] With reference to Figs. 1 and 2, an apparatus 10 according to the present invention comprises a first winding beam 11, for example about 2 m wide, onto which a plurality of threads 12 to be treated are wound. This plurality advantageously comprises 960 threads, adjacent and parallel to each other, the length of which depends on their title, which can vary for example from NE20A2 to NE100A2 for cotton threads, and is such that the overall weight of the beam 11 is substantially constant.

[0017] Downstream of the first winding beam 11 there is a dyeing device 15, or padding, using the pad-batch technique, which comprises a dyeing bath 16, in which the threads 12 are able to be immersed continuously and all together, a series of guide rollers 17 and a squeezing calender 18 with two rollers.

[0018] The apparatus 10 also comprises a second winding beam 19, to collect the threads, arranged downstream of the dyeing device 15 and on which the plurality of threads 12 are able to be wound after the dyeing treatment.

[0019] After being dyed, the threads 12 are able to be subjected, all together, to a washing step, in a corresponding washing device 21 (Fig. 3), of a conventional type, before being rewound, still all together, on a third winding beam 22.

[0020] From the beam 22 (Fig. 4) the threads 12, after being washed, are able to be subjected all together to a mercerizing step, in a corresponding mercerizing device 23, also of a conventional type, before being rewound on a plurality of beamlets 25. Advantageously the 960 threads 12 are divided into twenty four beamlets 25 of forty threads 12 each.

[0021] From the beamlets 25 the threads 12 are able to be wound in a plurality of spools 26, so that they are ready for the knitting and spinning steps.

[0022] The method according to the present invention therefore comprises the following steps: a preliminary warping step 30 (Fig. 5), from spools, of a conventional type and not shown in the drawings, to the first beam 11; a dyeing step 31, by means of the dyeing device 15, from the first beam 11 to the second beam 19; a washing step 32, by means of the washing device 21, from the second beam 19 to the third beam 22; a mercerizing step, by means of the mercerizing device 23, from the third beam 22 to the beamlets 25; a spooling step 34, from the beamlets 25 to the spools 26.

[0023] It is clear that modifications and/or additions of parts, or respectively of steps, can be made to the apparatus 10 and to the mercerizing and dyeing method as described heretofore without departing from the field and scope of the present invention.

[0024] It is also clear that, although the present invention has been described with reference to a specific example, a person of skill in the art shall certainly be able to achieve many other forms equivalent to that described above, all of which shall come within the field and scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. Apparatus for dyeing and mercerizing threads, comprising first winding means (11) on which a plurality of threads (12) to be dyed and mercerized are wound, dyeing means (15) able to dye said plurality of threads (12) and mercerizing means (23) able to mercerize said plurality of threads (12), characterized in that said dyeing means (15) are arranged upstream of said mercerizing means (23) and are able to dye said plurality of threads (12) in a single dyeing step, and that second winding means (19) are positioned between said dyeing means (15) and said mercerizing means (23) in order to wind said plurality of threads (12) after said dyeing step.

2. Apparatus as in claim 1, characterized in that washing means (21) to wash said plurality of threads (12) are arranged between said dyeing means (15) and said mercerizing means (23).

3. Apparatus as in claim 1, characterized in that said first winding means comprise a first beam (11) and that said second winding means comprise a second beam (19).

4. Apparatus as in claim 2, characterized in that downstream of said washing means (21) a third beam (22) is arranged, on which said plurality of threads (12) are able to be wound.

5. Apparatus as in claim 1, characterized in that downstream of said mercerizing means (23) a plurality of beamlets (25) are arranged, on which said plurality of threads (12), sub-divided, are able to be wound.

6. Apparatus as in claims 3, 4 and 5, characterized in that each of said beams (11, 19, 22) is able to contain a determined plurality of threads, adjacent to each other, and that each of said beamlets (25) is able to contain a submultiple of said determined plurality of threads.

7. Method for dyeing and mercerizing threads, comprising a warping step (30) of a plurality of threads (12) in a first winding means (11), a dyeing step (31) to dye said plurality of threads (12) and a mercerizing step (33) to mercerize said plurality of threads (12), characterized in that said dyeing step (31) is carried out upstream of said mercerizing step (33) while said plurality of threads (12) passes from said first winding means (11) to a second winding means (19).

8. Method as in claim 7, characterized in that said first winding means comprise a first beam (11) and that said second winding means comprise a second beam (19).

9. Method as in claim 7, characterized in that a washing step (32) to wash said plurality of threads (12) is provided between said dyeing step (31) and said mercerizing step (33).

10. Method as in claims 8 and 9, characterized in that downstream of said washing step (32) said plurality of threads (12) are wound onto a third beam (22).

11. Method as in claim 10, characterized in that downstream of said mercerizing step (33) said plurality of threads (12) are wound onto a plurality of beamlets (25).

12. Method as in claim 11, characterized in that, downstream of said mercerizing step (33), said plurality of threads (12) pass from said plurality of beamlets (25) to a plurality of spools (26), to be ready for knitting or weaving.

Drawing