Method for treatment of fibers with ozone-steam mixtures

• US 4,214,330 A
• Filed: 02/23/1979
• Issued: 07/29/1980
• Est. Priority Date: 02/23/1979
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: United States Department Of Agriculture
• Original Assignee: United States Department Of Agriculture
• Inventors: Thorsen, Walter J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Coe, Philip R.
• Application Number:
  US06/015,503
• Time in Patent Office: 522 Days
• Field of Search: 8/149.2, 8/149.3, 68/5 D, 68/5 E
• US Class Current: 8/149.2
• CPC Class Codes: D06B 19/0052 the textile material passing through a chamber
• CPC Class Codes: D06B 23/16 with means for introducing or removing textile materials without modifying container pressure
• CPC Class Codes: D06B 23/18 Sealing arrangements

Abstract

Fibers are treated with ozone-steam mixtures by conveying them through an open-ended chamber having a horizontal middle section substantially elevated with respect to the open chamber end. The fibers are exposed to the ozone-steam mixture in the horizontal middle section wherein the ozone-steam mixture is centrally introduced.

An apparatus for carrying out this method includes an open-ended chamber having a horizontal middle section substantially elevated with respect to the open chamber end. Also included are means for moving the substances through the chamber and means for supplying an ozone-steam mixture to the horizontal middle region of the chamber.

Claims

1. A method for treating fibers with an ozone-steam mixture, which comprises

(a) conveying the substance through an open-ended chamber having a horizontal middle section,

(b) centrally introducing the ozone-steam mixture in said horizontal middle section,

(c) exposing the fibers to the ozone-steam mixture in said horizontal middle section, and

(d) confining said ozone-steam mixture within said middle section by maintaining the bottom of said section about 15-45 centimeters above the top of the open chamber end.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the ozone-steam mixture is cross-sectionally circulated within the horizontal middle section.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the ozone-steam mixture is compartmentalized within the horizontal middle section of the chamber.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the fibers are treated to shrinkproof them in said middle section.