Fabric nozzles for textile processing machines

Abstract

 A dyeing vessel (1) has a housing which includes a first fabric nozzle (5) with a fabric tunnel for receiving fabric rope (8) to be dyed. A removable second fabric nozzle (6) can be fitted within the first fabric nozzle (5) so as to provide a narrower fabric tunnel. A removable third fabric nozzle (7) can further be fitted within the second fabric nozzle (6) to provide a still narrower fabric tunnel. The readily adjustable diameter of the fabric tunnel of the dyeing vessel (1) allows fabrics of different densities to be dyed.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to fabric nozzles for textile processing machines, such as jet dyeing machines.

[0002] Textile processing machines, in particular jet dyeing machines, utilise fluid jet nozzles for applying processing fluid such as dye liquor to and into the running fabric during the dyeing operation. In general, these nozzles have a tunnel of fixed diameter for fabric to pass through. Dye liquor is jetted on to and into the fabric as it travels through the nozzle tunnel. Different kinds of fabric have different densities and hence different volume and diameter when in fabric rope form during the dyeing process. It is difficult for a fabric rope of large diameter to pass through a nozzle having a comparatively small tunnel diameter. However, using a nozzle tunnel of large diameter for thin fabric ropes would lead to a significant waste of dye liquor. Thus, if the user of a dyeing machine needs to dye different kinds of fabric having different fabric density, it is known to provide a set of complete fabric nozzles having different diameters and to fit the nozzle with the best dyeing characteristics for the required fabric type. However, the procedure for removing one fabric nozzle and re-installing a different fabric nozzle is generally a time-consuming process which leads to significant machine down-time, thereby reducing productivity.

[0003] It is an aim of at least an embodiment of this invention to provide an improved technique for adapting nozzle characteristics to different types and densities of fabric, in a simpler manner than the time intensive processes described above.

[0004] According to the present invention there is provided a dyeing vessel comprising a housing including a first fabric nozzle with a fabric tunnel for receiving fabric rope to be dyed, and a removable second fabric nozzle fitting within the first fabric nozzle, so as to provide a narrower fabric tunnel.

[0005] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a removable third fabric nozzle may fit within the second fabric nozzle, so as to provide a still narrower fabric tunnel.

[0006] In the preferred embodiment of the invention, a fabric nozzle assembly is provided, which can be based on an assembly of only five major components, and which is capable of allowing the tunnel diameter to be adjustable in a simple and timesaving manner.

[0007] The easily removable funnel(s) allow(s) the user to select different diameters of fabric tunnel in order to suit the particular requirement of each dyeing specification. The removal and selection procedure shortens the installation time and increases productivity.

[0008] The present invention will now be further described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a cross-sectional representation of a dyeing vessel including primary, secondary and third fabric nozzles, according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 is view similar to that of Figure 1, but with the third fabric nozzle removed; and

Figure 3 is a view similar to those of Figures 1 and 2, but with the secondary and third fabric nozzles removed.

[0009] The application of the presently-described technique involves the ability to dye different types of fabric, and operational modes involving this technique will be described below.

[0010] With reference to Figure 1, a dyeing vessel 1 includes a housing with a side inlet pipe 2 for dye liquor allowing access to a hollow nozzle ring 3 which surrounds the nozzle tunnel and allows dye liquor to enter the tunnel through a nozzle gap 4. A funnel extending upwards from the nozzle ring 3 constitutes a primary fabric nozzle 5. As shown in Figure 1, fitting within the primary fabric nozzle 5 is a secondary fabric nozzle 6. Also, fitting within the secondary fabric nozzle 6 is a third fabric nozzle 7.

[0011] Fabric rope 8 is shown in Figure 1 as passing through the tunnel in the dyeing vessel 1.

[0012] An alignment opening 10 is provided in each of the fabric nozzles 5, 6, 7 to aid in alignment of these components, and an alignment/retaining means such as a screw 9 is fitted in the alignment opening 10.

[0013] The arrangement of the inter-fitting fabric nozzles 5, 6, 7 is such that, as shown in the drawings, the nozzle gap 4 is effectively extended by the fitting of the secondary and/or third fabric nozzles 6, 7 into the primary fabric nozzle 5, so that the dye liquor may be effectively introduced into the tunnel, irrespective of which fabric nozzles have been fitted. Seals 11, preferably of rubber, are provided adjacent the nozzle gap 4, and these prevent leakage of dye liquor that would otherwise occur as a result of the pressure of the dye liquor inside the nozzle ring 3 from the clearance between the primary nozzle 5 and the secondary nozzle 6, or between the secondary nozzle 6 and the third nozzle 7. Drain tunnels 12 are provided in the secondary and third nozzles 6, 7 to allow splashed dye liquor which has entered the funnels of the nozzles 5, 6, 7 to drain away into the tunnel.

[0014] In a first operation mode, dyeing of a light fabric with a relatively low density is required. Low density fabric usually has a smaller fabric rope diameter when being dyed in rope form, compared to higher density fabric. In this dyeing process, the three fabric nozzles 5, 6, 7 are installed inside the dyeing vessel 1, which can be of any suitable shape. Fabric to be dyed is in the form of fabric rope 8 which is passed through the fabric tunnel to circulate through the dyeing vessel 1 during the dyeing process. Dye liquor enters the dyeing vessel 1 through the side inlet pipe 2, and fills the hollow nozzle ring 3 of the primary fabric nozzle 5. Pressure then builds up in the nozzle ring 3 and accordingly dye liquor exits from the nozzle gap 4 in the primary fabric nozzle 5, into that of the secondary fabric nozzle 6, and then into that of the third fabric nozzle 7 and finally is jetted out into the tunnel, on to and into the fabric rope 8. As previously mentioned, leakage of dye liquor from the clearances between the fabric nozzles 5 and 6, and between the fabric nozzles 6 and 7, is prevented by the seals 11.

[0015] In a second operation mode, for medium fabric with medium density higher than that of the first operation mode, and therefore having a larger fabric rope diameter, the third fabric nozzle 7 is removed to provide a larger diameter of fabric tunnel, as shown in Figure 2. This can be simply achieved by removing the screw 9 from the alignment opening 10 whereupon the third fabric nozzle 7 can be slid out of the throat of the secondary fabric nozzle 6. The screw 9 is then replaced in the alignment opening 10, and the primary fabric nozzle 5 and the secondary fabric nozzle 6 are aligned and fixed together.

[0016] In a third operation mode, suitable for even heavier fabric with still higher density and hence still larger fabric rope diameter, the secondary nozzle 6 can also be removed in similar manner to that described above, resulting in an arrangement as shown in Figure 3. This will provide an even larger diameter of the fabric tunnel.

[0017] It will be seen from the drawings that the hollow nozzle ring 3 is shown as having an uneven cross-sectional area, in that the chamber on the left side of the drawings is larger than that on the right side. In a plan view, this would be seen as the nozzle ring 3 being defined by two eccentric (i.e. non-concentric circles), with a larger volume on the left side than on the right side. This is a preferred feature, since it overcomes the problem of uneven pressure which would arise with an even and symmetric nozzle ring. In that case, there would be a pressure drop on the right side of the nozzle ring, due to the greater distance from the side inlet pipe 2. This would result in an uneven jet of dye liquor. With the asymmetric design as shown in the drawings, the pressure is balanced due to the nozzle ring having a smaller volume towards the right side, and this results in a more even distribution of the dye liquor.

[0018] In the preferred embodiment as described above, three fabric nozzles can be used in the dyeing vessel. However, it will be apparent that, in alternative designs, as few as two fabric nozzles could instead be provided, or four or more. The principle of the above-described technique would remain unchanged.

Claims

1. A dyeing vessel (1) comprising a housing including a first fabric nozzle (5) with a fabric tunnel for receiving fabric rope (8) to be dyed, and a removable second fabric nozzle (6) fitting within the first fabric nozzle (5), so as to provide a narrower fabric tunnel.

2. A dyeing vessel (1) according to claim 1, including a removable third fabric nozzle (7) fitting within the second fabric nozzle (6), so as to provide a still narrower fabric tunnel.

3. A dyeing vessel (1) according to claim 1 or claim 2, comprising alignment and fixing means (9, 10) for aligning and fixing the fabric nozzles.

4. A dyeing vessel (1) according to claim 3, wherein the alignment and fixing means comprises an alignment opening (10) in the fabric nozzles, and a screw (9) for fitting in the alignment opening (10).

5. A dyeing vessel (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, including a fabric nozzle ring (3) within the housing for receiving and distributing dye liquor, and a nozzle gap (4) provided by each of the fabric nozzles for allowing the dye liquor to be jetted on the fabric rope (8).

6. A dyeing vessel (1) according to claim 5, wherein the fabric nozzle ring (3) has an uneven cross-sectional area so as to balance the pressure of the dye liquor within the fabric nozzle ring (3).

7. A dyeing vessel (1) according to claim 5 or claim 6, wherein the nozzle gaps (4) of each of the fabric nozzles are aligned to form a contiguous nozzle gap when the fabric nozzles are fitted together.

8. A dyeing vessel (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, including seal means (11) between the fabric nozzles.

9. A dyeing vessel (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, including drain means (12) provided in the fabric nozzles so as to allow drainage of dye liquor occurring between the fabric nozzles.

10. A dyeing vessel (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fabric nozzles each have fabric tunnels of circular section.

Drawing