This application is a United States National Phase Application of International Application PCT/EP2015/057254 filed Apr. 1, 2015, and claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. ยง 119 of German Application 20 2014 101 647.3 filed Apr. 8, 2014, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
The pertains to a nozzle bar and to a method for a fluid jet treatment device, and especially for a hydroentanglement device, the nozzle bar having a hollow housing with a housing jacket and with a jacket opening as well as with a nozzle strip arranged in the housing.
A nozzle bar for a hydroentanglement device which has a tubular housing with a housing jacket and with a slot-like, axial jacket opening there is known from practice. A flat nozzle strip is arranged on the inside in the housing and over the jacket opening. The water jets being discharged here are directed through the jacket opening and further to a material web to be entangled after discharge at the opening mouth. The results that can be achieved with such nozzle bars in practice are still not optimal.
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to demonstrate an improved nozzle technology.
According to the invention, a nozzle bar for a hydroentanglement device or other fluid jet treatment device, comprises a hollow housing with a housing jacket and with a jacket opening. A nozzle strip is arranged in the housing and has a trough-shaped cross section with a nozzle body that is arranged retracted in the jacket opening.
According to another aspect of the invention, a fluid jet treatment device, especially hydroentanglement device comprises a nozzle bar that has a hollow housing with a housing jacket and with a jacket opening as well as with a nozzle strip arranged there. The nozzle strip has a trough-shaped cross section and is arranged in the jacket opening.
According to another aspect of the invention a method is provided for fluid jet treatment, especially hydroentanglement, wherein fluid jets are directed toward a material web by means of a nozzle bar. The nozzle bar has a hollow housing with a housing jacket and with a jacket opening as well as with a nozzle strip arranged in the housing. Fluid jets are emitted by a nozzle strip, which has a trough-shaped cross section with a nozzle body that is arranged retracted in the jacket opening.
The nozzle technology according to the invention, i.e., the nozzle bar and the spraying method as well as the nozzle strip have a variety of advantages. On the one hand, a considerably improved jet guiding and jet action can be achieved. The fluid jets being discharged, and especially water jets, can be focused narrowly and sharply. In addition, the free jet length until striking the material web to be treated, especially to be entangled, is shortened. This leads to a reduction in divergence phenomena and to an optimization of the jet energy introduced to the material web. Diffusor effects and energy losses connected therewith can be mostly avoided.
Furthermore, a lateral pulling of condensation water in the jet discharge area at the nozzle bar can be avoided. The effects of thrown-back splash water are also reduced. Further, possibilities for improving the air guiding arise in case of a hydroentanglement device, which has a suction device on the other side of the material web, which acts on the fluid or water jets being discharged at the nozzle bar and on the ambient air.
Due to the configuration of the nozzle bar and of the nozzle strip according to the present invention, the discharge location of the fluid or water jets at the nozzle bar can be placed further outwards, as a result of which the free jet length is shortened in the manner mentioned above.
The improved jet guiding also permits an arrangement and alignment of nozzle bars and fluid or water jets being discharged, which were not possible up to now. In particular, the fluid or water jets being discharged can be directed from below upwards, which makes possible a tighter nozzle bar arrangement at the material web and a compact construction of the hydro entanglement device.
Thanks to the trough-shaped configuration according to the present invention, a plurality of rows of holes of fine nozzle orifices can be arranged next to one another at a nozzle strip. Consequently, the jet density can be increased, on the one hand. The water jets or nozzle jets being discharged do not interfere with each other thanks to the shortened free jet length and the convergence of jets, on the other hand. The claimed nozzle configuration can improve the constancy of the fluid jets being discharged under high pressure. A perforated cover on the nozzle body may also have a quality-increasing effect. The entanglement effect that can be achieved with the nozzle technology according to the present invention can thereby be considerably improved and optimized compared to the state of the art.
Further advantages are a reduction in air swirlings in the jet discharge area between the nozzle bar and the material web. The free jet length now starting on the outside of the nozzle bar permits, on the other hand, a greater distancing of the nozzle bar from the material web, which is advantageous for said swirl reduction.
In the case of the configuration and arrangement of the nozzle bar, the person skilled in the art has a greater variation and configuration range than in the state of the art. He can, e.g., minimize the free jet length in the manner mentioned or leave the free jet length in the same magnitude as in the state of the art and increase the distance between the nozzle bar and the material web for it. In the nozzle technology according to the present invention, the thickness of the housing jacket is no longer or hardly any longer included in the free jet length. In addition, the compression and pressure effect in the interior of the housing is improved by the trough-like cross-sectional shape of the nozzle strip. In the interior of the housing guiding means can distribute the fluid fed in better and ensure constant pressures over the nozzle length and at the jet discharge openings.
The reflection characteristics of the fluid jets or water jets on a carrier for the material web, which is improved thanks to improved utilization of energy, is advantageous as well. This improves the entanglement effect. In addition, a prewetting of the material web, especially a fibrous nonwoven web can be achieved. The prewetting leads to an improved bonding and adhesion of the fibers in the material web.
Further, a reduction in drag water on the material web results in being an advantage. As a result of this, the jet interferences originating from drag water can also be reduced. The air guiding, which is optimized thanks to the improved nozzle technology, permits, in addition, an improved removal of the water. Especially in case of a jet direction vertically or obliquely from below upwards, the splash water or spray water reflected by the material web and by the carrier can be led away better. The effect of gravity can be advantageously utilized for this.
The claimed nozzle technology leads, in addition, to a marked reduction in the consumption of fluid or water at the water entanglement device. Overall, the latter can be optimized in terms of its floor space requirement and in terms of its operating efficiency, as a result of which the cost is reduced as well and, on the other hand, the cost effectiveness compared to prior-art constructions increases markedly. In addition, the sealing technology improved thanks to the claimed nozzle technology is also advantageous.
The present invention is described in detail below with reference to the attached figures. The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and specific objects attained by its uses, reference is made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated.
In the drawings:
Referring to the drawings, the present invention pertains to a nozzle bar (10) and a spraying method for a fluid jet treatment device (1). The present invention pertains, further, to a fluid jet treatment device (1) with one or more such nozzle bars (10) and to a method for the fluid jet treatment of a material web (2).
The fluid is preferably water. As an alternative, it may be a different liquid. Reference is made below to water and to a water jet treatment, wherein the technical teaching with corresponding adaptation also applies to other liquids.
The water jet treatment and the water jet treatment device (1) may concern the entanglement of a material web (2). As an alternative, they may concern a surface treatment, especially a finish, or other treatments of a material web (2). A method for hydroentanglement and a hydroentanglement device (1) are described below. The technical teaching applies with corresponding adaptation also to other water jet treatments and intended uses. The hydroentanglement device (1) and the method are also designated as spunlace or hydroentanglement.
The material web (2) may consist of any desired material that can be treated with water jets (5) and is especially capable of entanglement. In the preferred exemplary embodiment shown, the material web (2) consist of textile fibers, especially natural fibers and/or synthetic fibers in the cut short form (so-called staple fibers) or in the long form (so-called tow). It is preferably configured as a fibrous nonwoven web. Such a fibrous nonwoven is sometimes designated as a fibrous web as well. The compacting effect of the material web (2) occurring due to the hydroentanglement is schematically shown in
A relative motion in a conveying direction (28) by means of a conveying device (27) takes place between the material web (2) and the hydroentanglement device (1). In the embodiment shown, the material web (2) is moved in relation to a preferably stationary hydroentanglement device (1). The conveying device (27) has, e.g., rollers for guiding and possibly for driving the material web (2). Such rollers are shown schematically and only partially in
A carrier (3) is provided for supporting the material web (2) during the hydroentanglement and during the conveying. This carrier may have a planar or curved shape. The carrier (3) may, in addition, have a plurality of passage openings. It may be configured, e.g., as a screen belt, as a cylinder cover or as a grid.
In
The hydroentanglement device (1) has a jet device (8), which emits one or more, and preferably a plurality of water jets (5) against the material web (2) and the carrier (3) lying under it. Further, a suction device (4) may be present and be arranged beyond the material web (2) on the other side of the carrier (3). The medium mentioned water is defined as, besides H2O, other fluids, especially liquids, which are suitable for the entanglement of a material web (2).
The jet device (8) has a nozzle bar (10) and a compressed water supply (9) shown schematically in
The nozzle bar (10) has an elongated bar shape and extends obliquely over the material web (2). In the embodiment shown, the nozzle bar (10) is arranged relatively stationary relative to the material web (2). The nozzle bar (10) has a hollow housing (11) with an interior (31) and a surrounding housing jacket (12). The housing jacket (12) may be a single part or multiple parts. It may be formed, e.g., by a plurality of side walls connected to one another. The nozzle bar (10) is suitably closed on the front side by a cover or the like. A high water pressure is built up in the hollow interior (31).
The housing (11) may have a shape and a water feed in any desired, suitable configuration. It may have, e.g., a tubular configuration and have one or two housing openings on the front side for water feed. As an alternative or in addition, one or more jacket openings are possible for water feed. Guiding means for the water flow and the distribution thereof may be present in the hollow interior (31) of the housing (11). It is achieved by means of suitable actions for generating and guiding a uniform, especially laminar flow, that the same water pressure prevails at the nozzle strip (16) over the entire length and identical discharge conditions prevail at the nozzle orifices (24).
The nozzle bar (10) may have any desired cross-sectional geometry. In the embodiment shown, the cross section is rectangular, especially square. As an alternative, it may have a rounded, especially circular or oval configuration. Further, any desired, other prismatic cross-sectional shapes or the like are possible.
In the housing jacket (12), a jacket opening (13) is arranged on the side pointing toward the material web (2). The jacket opening (13) may extend in the longitudinal direction of the nozzle bar (10). A plurality of jacket openings (13) may also be present, e.g., in a parallel arrangement. The jacket opening (13) may continue in one piece over the bar length or may be interrupted. It preferably has a straight extension aligned along the bar axis.
A nozzle strip (16) is arranged within the housing (11) as well as at and preferably in the jacket opening (13). This nozzle strip (16) has a trough-shaped cross section. The nozzle strip (16) is also designated as a nozzle configuration. It preferably consists of a thin-walled material.
The jacket opening (13) has a slot-like configuration in the exemplary embodiments shown and represents an opening in the housing jacket (12). The nozzle strip (16) preferably has a consistent cross-sectional shape over its length and is configured as a thin-walled profile (17). It preferably consists of metal, especially of steel or a non-ferrous metal.
In the exemplary embodiments shown, the metal profile (17) is bent in one piece from a thin-walled sheet metal strip. As an alternative, it may be a drawn or pressed metal profile. The nozzle strip (16) or the profile may also be manufactured from a solid material by means of machining or in a different way. As an alternative, other materials, e.g., a high-strength plastic or the like are also possible. The nozzle strip (16) or the profile (17) may also have a multipart configuration.
As
As
In the exemplary embodiments shown, the nozzle strip (16) with its body bottom (21) protrudes beyond the external edge of the jacket opening (13) and projects a little above the outside of the bar. As an alternative, the nozzle strip (16) may line up precisely with the external edge of the jacket opening (13) or possibly also end before this edge.
As
The nozzle body (19) may have a corresponding cone shape tapering toward the outside of the bar or in the jet emission direction and have a oblique side body wall (20) as well as oblique front sides (22). The front sides (22) are flatly in contact with the respective corresponding and preferably planar front wall (15) or possibly with a seal (30) inserted there.
The side body wall (20) and the side walls (14) of the jacket opening (13) likewise preferably have a planar configuration and are flatly in contact with one another. Consequently, the side walls (14) support the body wall (20) against the pressure applied. The cone shape is advantageous for the water jet pressure, on the other hand. In addition, the width of the body bottom (21) is reduced, which is advantageous for the strength and inherent stability thereof.
In the body bottom (21), a plurality of nozzle orifices (24) are lined up one behind the other in the longitudinal direction of the nozzle bar (10). One or more rows of holes (23) can be formed hereby. Their length reaches at least over the width of the material web (2).
As
An adjusting device (34), which is schematically indicated with arrows in
The striking water jets (5) move and deform the fibers in the material web (2), and they compact and entangle the fiber composite. Some of the water jets (5) are reflected by the material web (2) and the carrier (3) as splash water or spray water (7). The spray water (7) may be taken up by the outside of the housing jacket (12) possibly as condensation water, and it remains outside of the area of the emitted water jet. The preferred embodiment with a nozzle strip (16) protruding from the jacket opening (13) or lining up precisely with the jacket outside is hereby advantageous.
By means of the suction device (4) arranged below the carrier (3), the other water can be suctioned off on the rear side of the perforated carrier (3) and be removed from the material web (2). In this case, ambient air may be suctioned through the gap between the nozzle bar (10) and the material web (2) as well.
In the embodiment of a hydroentanglement device (1) shown in
In the variant of
Further, in this and in the other embodiments, cross bracings, e.g., in the form of installed or welded cross ribs, can be arranged in the interior of the nozzle body (19).
A variety of variants of the embodiments shown and described are possible. The individual features of the above-described exemplary embodiments and of the variants mentioned may, in particular, be combined with one another as desired, and may especially also be transposed.
Another variant concerns the cross-sectional geometry of the jacket opening (13) and of the nozzle strip (16), and especially of its nozzle body (19). A U shape may be provided instead of the conical shape. A V shape is also possible.
In the nozzle orifice (25) in the variant of
In a variant of the embodiment of
While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown and described in detail to illustrate the application of the principles of the invention, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise without departing from such principles.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
20 2014 101 647 U | Apr 2014 | DE | national |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
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PCT/EP2015/057254 | 4/1/2015 | WO | 00 |
Publishing Document | Publishing Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
WO2015/155104 | 10/15/2015 | WO | A |
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