Method and apparatus for controlling the moisture content of fibrous stock

• US 3,881,222 A
• Filed: 11/19/1973
• Issued: 05/06/1975
• Est. Priority Date: 11/19/1973
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: James H. Roberson
• Original Assignee: James H. Roberson
• Inventors: Roberson, James H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Newton, Dorsey
• Application Number:
  US05/417,013
• Time in Patent Office: 533 Days
• Field of Search: 19/66R,105 236/44R
• US Class Current: 19/66.00R
• CPC Class Codes: D01G 99/005 Conditioning of textile fibre during treatment before spinning conditioning during spinning or twisting D01H13/30

Abstract

Moisture control method and apparatus for processing of textile fibrous stock whereby bales of stock are opened and formed into a uniform batt which is conveyed past a first point whereupon the moisture content of the batt is sensed and a signal is generated which varies with variations in the moisture content of the batt. Moisture is added to the fibrous stock at a second point located upstream of the first point. The amount of moisture which is added to the stock is in accordance with the signal generated at the first point and the fibrous stock is mixed after it has been conveyed past the first point.

Claims

1. A process for controlling the moisture content of fibrous stock processed from bales which comprises:

a. opening said bales of fibrous stock;

b. forming said opened stock into a substantially uniform batt;

c. sensing the moisture content of said batt at a first point; and

d. applying moisture directly to said batt at a second point located upstream of said first point in accordance with the sensed moisture content at said first point.

2. The process as set forth in claim 1, which further comprises:

a. adding moisture to said bales when the moisture content sensed at said first point is below a designated value; and

b. mixing said opened stock before it is formed into said batt.

3. The process as set forth in claim 1 wherein said moisture is added to said batt and said process further comprises:

a. adding moisture to said opened fibrous stock before it is formed into said batt when the moisture content sensed at said first point is below a designated value; and

b. mixing said opened stock before it is formed into said batt.

4. Moisture control apparatus for processing of fibrous stock from bales, comprising:

a. means for continuously opening said bales of fibrous stock;

b. means for forming a substantially uniform batt from said opened stock;

c. means for conveying said batt;

d. means for sensing the moisture content of said batt as it is conveyed past a first point and for generating a signal which varies with variations in the moisture content of said batt;

e. means for applying moisture directly to said batt at a second point located upstream of said first point;

f. control means connected to said means for applying moisture and to said sensing means for applying moisture to said batt in accordance with the signal generated by said sensing means; and

g. means for disintegrating and mixing said fibrous batt after it has been conveyed past said first point.

5. The moisture control apparatus as set forth in claim 4, wherein the means for applying moisture to said batt comprises:

a. a source of steam;

b. a plurality of steam nozzles located at said second point for directing steam into said batt; and

c. a proportional valve located between said source of steam and said nozzles under control of said control means.

6. The moisture control apparatus as set forth in claim 5, wherein there are a plurality of said steam nozzles for directing steam into opposite faces of said batt.

7. The moisture control apparatus as set forth in claim 4, comprising:

a. an opening room for containing said bales of fibrous stock;

b. means connected to said control means for adding moisture to said bales; and

c. means for mixing said opened stock before it is formed into said batt.

8. A process for controlling the moisture content of fibrous stock processed from bales which comprises:

a. opening said bales of fibrous stock;

b. forming said opened stock into a substantially uniform batt;

c. sensing the moisture content of said batt at a first point;

d. applying steam directly to said batt at a second point located upstream of said first point in accordance with the sensed moisture content at said first point; and

e. disintegrating said batt and mixing said fibrous stock obtained therefrom.

9. A process for controlling the moisture content of fibrous stock processed from bales which comprises:

a. opening said bales of fibrous stock;

b. forming said opened stock into a substantially uniform batt;

c. sensing the moisture content of said batt at a first point;

d. applying steam to opposite faces of said batt upstream of said first point; and

e. disintegrating said batt and mixing said fibrous stock obtained therefrom.