Device and a process for applying a preparation fluid to an advancing thread

Abstract

A device and process for applying a preparation fluid to an advancing thread or yarn, which includes a housing having a thread inlet opening and an thread outlet opening. A preparation device is provided in the housing for applying a preparation fluid to the advancing thread and for applying a swirling air stream against the advancing thread to cause the fluid to penetrate into the interior of the thread. The housing and the preparation device are both divided so that they may be opened to facilitate the initial thread up of the thread through the housing. Also, the inlet and outlet openings are configured to provide a seal between the advancing yarn and the housing to minimize leakage of the fluid from the housing.

1 . A device for applying a preparation fluid to an advancing thread comprising 
 a housing which comprises an inlet opening and an outlet opening for permitting the thread to advance therethrough,    a preparation device disposed within the housing for applying a preparation fluid to the advancing thread, and    wherein the housing is divided at the inlet opening and the outlet opening to facilitate the thread up of the thread through the housing, and wherein the inlet opening and the outlet opening are each formed to provide a sealing effect about the thread.    
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1  further comprising a collecting system for collecting the preparation fluid from the housing for reuse.  
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the preparation device includes a fluid delivery system and an air operated thread swirling system.  
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the preparation device comprises a divided thread channel which can be separated to facilitate the thread up of the thread therethrough.  
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the inlet opening and the outlet opening each comprises a seal selected from the group consisting of a labyrinth seal, an opening closely surrounding the thread, low pressure in the housing, a seal formed by compressed air, and combinations thereof.  
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 3  wherein the fluid delivery system comprises a pin oiler.  
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 6  further comprising an oil recycling line connected to a collection chamber in the housing.  
   
   
       8 . The device of  claim 7  further comprising an oil container connected to the recycling line and to the pin oiler.  
   
   
       9 . The device of  claim 8  further comprising a plurality of regulators for respectively regulating the amount of oil supplied to the pin oiler, the amount of oil recycled to the oil container, and the amount of compressed air supplied to the thread swirling system.  
   
   
       10 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the preparation device includes a thread channel which is closed along one side with a spring loaded baffle.  
   
   
       11 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the inlet opening, the outlet opening, and the preparation device are each composed of a ceramic material.  
   
   
       12 . The device of  claim 1  wherein a plurality of said preparation devices are disposed within the housing for simultaneously processing a plurality of said threads.  
   
   
       13 . The device of  claim 1  wherein both the housing and the preparation device are divided to facilitate the thread up of the thread through the housing.  
   
   
       14 . A process for applying a preparation fluid to an advancing thread comprising the steps of 
 providing a housing which comprises a thread inlet opening and a thread outlet opening, with the housing being divided at the inlet opening and the outlet opening,    opening the housing so as to laterally open the inlet opening and the outlet opening,    threading the thread through the open inlet opening and outlet opening,    closing the housing so as to close the inlet opening and the outlet opening about the thread, and then    advancing the thread through the housing and past a preparation device within the housing so as to apply a preparation fluid to the advancing thread.    
   
   
       15 . The process of  claim 14  wherein the preparation device also acts to supply a pressurized air stream laterally against the advancing thread.  
   
   
       16 . The process of  claim 15  wherein the step of applying a preparation fluid to the advancing thread and the step of supplying a pressurized air stream laterally against the advancing thread are both started when the housing is closed.  
   
   
       17 . The process of  claim 14  wherein the preparation device is divided so as to facilitate the thread up of the thread when the housing is opened.  
   
   
       18 . The process of  claim 14  wherein the inlet opening and the outlet opening are each sealed with compressed air when the housing is closed.