Process and apparatus for the stretching textile fibers

Abstract

For the stretching of textile fibers, a new process is proposed, wherein a portion of the necessary force for stretching is exerted by at least one fluid ( 7 ), which is brought into contact with the fibers to be stretched in such a manner, that the said fluid ( 7 ) entrains the fibers ( 6 ) and brings to bear at least a portion of the necessary tensile force for the stretching thereof. The apparatus for the stretching of textile fibers includes a stretch chamber ( 1 ) in which the fibers are stretched, wherein an inlet apparatus ( 11 ) is located for the injection of at least one fluid ( 7 ) to fibers ( 6 ) being transported within said stretch chamber ( 1 ) and said inlet apparatus, together with the stretch chamber ( 1 ), is so constructed that the added fluid ( 7 ) imparts the necessary tensile force for the stretching to at least a portion of the fibers ( 6 ).

1 . A process for the stretching of textile fibers ( 6 ), therein characterized, in that at least one fluid ( 7 ) is so guided to the fibers to be stretched, that it entrains said fibers ( 6 ) and at least exerts a portion of the necessary tensile force thereon to cause stretching.  
     
     
         2 . A process in accord with  claim 1 , therein characterized, in that at least one fluid ( 7 ) is brought to the fibers ( 6 ) in such a manner, that, in the velocity scale of the fibers ( 6 ) to be stretched, the said fluid ( 7 ) entrains the more rapid moving fibers ( 6 ).  
     
     
         3 . A process in accord with  claim 2 , therein characterized, in that the at least one fluid ( 7 ) exerts on the fibers ( 6 ) an entraining force component in the stretching direction V, so that the possible, present, inter-fiber cohesive forces of the fibers ( 6 ) are less than the total entraining tensile forces to which the fibers ( 6 ) are subjected.  
     
     
         4 . A process in accord with one of the foregoing claims, therein characterized, in that at least one fluid ( 7 ) is conducted to the fibers ( 6 ) in such a manner, that in the velocity scale of the fibers ( 6 ) to be stretched, the said fluid entrains the slower moving fibers ( 6 ).  
     
     
         5 . A process in accord with  claim 4 , therein characterized, in that the at least one fluid ( 7 ) exerts on the fibers ( 6 ) entraining force components in or counter to the direction of stretching (V).  
     
     
         6 . A process in accord with one of the foregoing claims, therein characterized, in that the same fluid ( 7 ) is used for the consolidation or the restraining of slower fibers ( 6 ) on the one hand, and for the acceleration of the relatively more rapid moving fibers ( 6 ) on the other.  
     
     
         7 . A process in accord with one of the foregoing claims, therein characterized, in that as a fluid ( 7 ) a liquid, a liquid mixture, a gas, a gas mixture or a combination of at least two of the named media is employed, in particular, water, air, or a combination of water and air.  
     
     
         8 . A process in accord with one of the foregoing claims, therein characterized, in that at least a portion of the fibers ( 6 ) are restrained for the achieving of a velocity scale of the fibers ( 6 )among one another by means of mechanical, pneumatic and/or by electrostatic force action.  
     
     
         9 . A process in accord with one of the foregoing claims, therein characterized, in that the stretch chamber ( 1 ) is placed in a stretch machine and in that before the stretch chamber ( 1 ) a carding apparatus is located, by means of which the carding of the fibers ( 6 ) at least partially is undertaken by means of a fluid ( 7 ), preferably, this fluid being the same fluid ( 7 ) as is employed in the stretch chamber ( 1 ).  
     
     
         10 . A process in accord with one of the foregoing claims, therein characterized, in that the fibers ( 6 ) are fed to the stretch chamber ( 1 ) as single fibers, fiber flocks, or as a fiber band.  
     
     
         11 . A process in accord with one of the foregoing claims, therein characterized, in that the fluid ( 7 ) is introduced into the stretch chamber by means of an injector.  
     
     
         12 . A process in accord with one of the foregoing claims, therein characterized, in that the Fluid ( 6 ) is circulated in a recycle circuit in or outside of the stretch chamber ( 1 )  
     
     
         13 . A process in accord with one of the foregoing claims, therein characterized, in that an additive for the lessening of the cohesion between the fibers ( 6 ) is added.  
     
     
         14 . A process in accord with one of the foregoing claims, therein characterized, in that the stretch chamber ( 1 ) is installed after a spinning apparatus and that the fluid ( 7 ) conducted out of the said stretch chamber ( 1 ) is employed for the spinning of the fibers ( 6 ) in the said spinning apparatus.  
     
     
         15 . A process in accord with one of the foregoing claims, therein characterized, in that the fibers ( 6 ), upon the use of a liquid fluid ( 7 ), are dried at the end of the stretch chamber ( 1 ).  
     
     
         16 . A process in accord with one of the foregoing claims, therein characterized, in that a control and/or regulating apparatus is installed, which controls or regulates the addition of the fluid ( 7 ), in regard to, for instance, flow cross-section, pressure, kind, length of application.  
     
     
         17 . An apparatus for the stretching of textile fibers, especially by means of a process in accord with one of the foregoing claims, with a stretch chamber ( 1 ) in which fibers ( 6 ) are stretched, therein characterized, in that a feed device ( 11 ) is provided for the feed of at least one fluid ( 7 ) to the transported fibers ( 6 ) in the stretch chamber ( 1 ), and together with the stretch chamber ( 1 ), is built in such a fashion, that the added fluid ( 7 ) exerts at the least a portion of the necessary tensile force necessary for the stretching of the fibers ( 6 ).  
     
     
         18 . An apparatus in accord with  claim 17 , therein characterized, in that the stretch chamber ( 1 ) exhibits a plurality of stretch chamber sections ( 2 ,  3 ,  4 ) which become less in diameter in a stepwise, or continuous manner in the direction of stretching (V).  
     
     
         19 . An apparatus in accord with one of the foregoing apparatus claims, therein characterized in that, the stretch chamber ( 1 ) up to one inlet ( 9 ) and up to one outlet ( 8 ) for the fibers ( 6 ) and if necessary, for the at least one fluid ( 7 ) is essentially provided with sealing.  
     
     
         20 . An apparatus in accord with one of the foregoing apparatus claims, therein characterized in that a fiber supply container ( 20 ) and a transition hood ( 10 ) leading from the fiber supply container ( 20 ) to the stretch chamber ( 1 ) are sealed.  
     
     
         21 . An apparatus in accord with one of the foregoing apparatus claims, therein characterized in that at least one injector for the at least one fluid ( 7 ) is provided, which, advantageously, opens into the stretch chamber ( 1 ).  
     
     
         22 . An apparatus in accord with one of the foregoing apparatus claims, therein characterized in that the injector is so constructed and directed, that the fibers ( 6 ) are accelerated.  
     
     
         23 . An apparatus in accord with one of the foregoing apparatus claims, therein characterized, in that one or a plurality of nozzles charged with the at least one fluid ( 7 ) or one or a plurality of diversion vanes ( 13 ) receiving said fluid ( 7 ) in the stretch chamber ( 1 ) are so situated, that at least one fluid ( 7 ) receives a flow component in or counter to the stretching direction (V).  
     
     
         24 . An apparatus in accord with  claim 23 , therein characterized, in that a plurality of nozzles in the stretch chamber ( 1 ) are placed about the fibers ( 6 ) and/or along the fibers ( 6 ).  
     
     
         25 . An apparatus in accord with one of the foregoing apparatus claims, therein characterized, in that mechanical, and/or pneumatic and/or electrostatic based devices are provided in order to restrain or consolidate fibers ( 6 ) in relation to other fibers ( 6 ) during the stretching process.  
     
     
         26 . An apparatus in accord with one of the foregoing apparatus claims, characterized by a drying apparatus at the end of the stretch chamber ( 1 ) for the drying of the fibers ( 6 ) leaving the said stretch chamber ( 1 ).  
     
     
         27 . An apparatus in accord with one of the foregoing apparatus claims, characterized by a control apparatus or a regulating apparatus for the control or regulating of the stretching of the fibers ( 6 ) in the stretch chamber ( 1 ).