Apparatus for applying hot melt size material to textile yarns

Abstract

A compact apparatus and method for applying hot-melt size in a properly fluid state to a plurality of textile yarns. The apparatus comprises an internally heated rotating cylinder made of heat-conducting material, with deep grooves formed around it, one groove for each yarn strand. The size is preferably applied by urging a block of solid size against the grooves of the hot cylinder. From the point of application the molten size is carried by the rotation of the cylinder to a zone where each moving yarn strand passes briefly through a corresponding size-filled groove, essentially tangentially to the cylinder, and then moves away coated with an optimum amount of size. The method of application is unique in its capacity for placing a quick-setting, high molecular weight, film-forming melt size on yarn at high speed.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An apparatus for applying sizing material to a plurality of textile strands .Iadd.of given diameter, .Iaddend.the sizing material initially being .Iadd.in .Iaddend.solid form, comprising .[.:.]. a roller having a plurality of grooves therein extending circumferentially about the peripheral closed surface thereof, .Iadd.each of said grooves having a depth greater than the given diameter of a textile strand cooperating therewith,.Iaddend.   means for melting the sizing material and means for applying the sizing material to said roller .Iadd.from the exterior of said roller .Iaddend.so that sizing is lodged in said grooves .[.thereof.]. .Iadd.of said roller, .Iaddend.and   means for rotating said roller so that sizing in said grooves is applied to textile strands each moving past said roller, and travelling .[.for.]. at least a short distance in a groove .Iadd.immersed in sizing in said groove .Iaddend.so as to pick up at least a portion of the sizing in that groove.   
     
     
       2. An apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said means for receiving sizing includes means for heating said roller. 
     
     
       3. An apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said grooved roller is aluminum. 
     
     
       4. An apparatus for applying sizing to a plurality of textile strands comprising: a roller having a plurality of grooves therein, extending circumferentially about the peripheral closed surface there,   means for receiving sizing and applying the received sizing to said roller so that sizing is lodged in said grooves, including means for heating said roller and means for holding a solid block of sizing material and urging that block against said heated roller so that portions thereof are melted and lodged in said grooves,   means for rotating said roller so that said sizing in said grooves is applied to textile strands each moving past said roller, and traveling for at least a short distance in a groove so as to pick up at least a portion of the sizing in that groove.   
     
     
       5. A combination for applying sizing to a plurality of textile strands comprising: a roller having a plurality of grooves therein extending circumferentially about the peripheral closed surface thereof,   a solid block of sizing material,   means for heating said roller,   means for receiving a solid block of sizing and holding a portion of said block in contact with said closed surface of said roller so that a portion of said sizing is melted by the heated roller and is lodged in said grooves, and   means for rotating said roller so that said sizing in said grooves is applied to textile strands each moving past said roller, and travelling for at least a short distance in a groove so as to pick up at least a portion of the sizing in that groove. .Iadd. 6. Apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein the depth of each of said grooves is at least three to five times the diameter of a textile strand cooperating therewith. .Iaddend..Iadd. 7. Apparatus as recited in claim 1 further comprising means for cleaning the grooves in said roller after immersion of textile strands therein..Iaddend.