Device and method for treating filament yarn and fancy knotted, migrated, and false-twist yarn

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for treating filament yarn by means of air nozzles comprising at least two injector/cover plates that can be clamped together, and at least one air supply channel. Said injector/cover plates form a yarn treatment chamber in the assembled state. According to the invention, the yarn treatment chamber is formed between the injector/cover plates that can be clamped together, in the longitudinal direction of the plates, and the air nozzle is embodied as an open nozzle comprising a threading slit and an individual air supply channel for the yarn channel in the injector/cover plates. The invention has two decisive advantages. The shape of the injector/cover plates is limited to the inherent core functions, namely a yarn channel formed in the plates, the threading slit, and the individual air supply channel for the yarn channel in the plate. The miniaturisation of the injector/cover plates significantly simplifies the production problems.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to a device for treating filament yarn by means of a nozzle having a yarn channel, which is developed as open and divided nozzle with threading slit and channel to supply the medium into the yarn channel, as well as a method for treating filament yarn by means of a nozzle having a yarn channel which is developed as divided open nozzle with free threading slit and channel to supply the medium into the yarn channel. The invention furthermore relates to a knotted yarn, a migrated yarn and a false-twisted yarn.

STATE OF THE ART

In the course of spinning, filament yarn is subjected to an air treatment after the spinning process to improve the coherence of the individual filaments for the processing of the yarn. Two separate steps are used here:

• • the migration for the production of migrated yarn, and
  • the swirling [inter-mingling] for the production of knotted yarn.
    The swirling primarily leads to an improvement in the coherence and also in an increase of the operational safety, such as in the winding and unwinding of the filament yarn. During the swirling, the blast air is injected vertically or at a slight slope approximately into the center of the yarn channel. For the migration, reference is made to the international application WO00/52240. The goal of migration is to provide the thread with sufficient cohesion in the immediately subsequent processing of the yarn so that the immediately following subsequent steps can be performed without any problems. With migration, the filaments in the composite thread are crossed only slightly so that no individual filaments project from the thread. Until recently, migration was performed by means of regular swirling nozzles. In doing so, the swirling proceeded under the worst possible operating conditions, and thus hardly any knots were generated. The sole purpose of the migration and the swirling is to improve the cohesion of the individual filaments of the thread for the processing of the yarn, as well as for the winding and unwinding with the many deflections. The goal is to prevent any operational failures or breakage of the threads without creating a negative effect in the finished fabric because of the knots.

In the course of spinning, the aforementioned treatments are often used with individual- or multiple nozzles. Often, the nozzles are used as dual nozzles in swirling. With multiple nozzles, the number of the nozzles corresponds to the number of the yarn paths. There may be 6 to 12, 16, 20 and, more recently, even 24 yarn paths. The next goal is to double the yarn paths to 50, for example.

An interesting development of a nozzle body is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,157,819. The nozzle body is comprised of a larger number of flat plates which can be clamped together through a screw connection. The yarn channel is formed by means of perpendicular through holes in each plate. In each plate, the through holes are precisely coordinated so that a cylindrical, closed yarn channel is created through all plates after the plates have been assembled. Alternately, plates can be formed with and without air supply channels and clamped together as a packet with two end plates. This is a closed nozzle without a threading slit. The goal of the solution according to U.S. Pat. No. 5,157,819 was to provide an optimum number of air supply channels, and it was provided to use one and the same nozzle concept to produce knotted yarn as well as false-twisted yarn.

JP-200375802 shows an open, divided air nozzle for the production of knotted yarn. The divided nozzle body, comprised of a nozzle body as well as a reflecting or cover plate, is assembled on a supply element for medium and/or air. Both components are screwed individually onto the air supply element. The nozzle body has an air supply channel as well as a cross hole for injecting the treatment medium into the yarn channel. For the yarn channel, yarn channel profiles are attached in the nozzle body as well as in the cover plate. The yarn channel between the nozzle body and the cover plate is formed only in assembled condition. A gap is provided between the two bodies, which forms the threading slit on the side facing away from the air supply element. Only the nozzle body with the air supply channel is sealed relative to the air supply element with a ring seal. The nozzle is a typical swirling nozzle with an approximately centered and perpendicular arrangement of the air supply into the yarn channel. Using two- or multiple nozzles would require two- or multiple uses of the respective nozzle body as well as the respective cover plate, which is disadvantageous with respect to a narrow gauge for the yarn paths.

A special case for the application of swirling is warping plants, where 500 to 2,000 parallel yarn paths are treated simultaneously in a very narrow gauge. This type of special device for swirling multi-file threads is shown in EP 0 216 951. The swirling takes place on two levels, an upper level and a lower level. The swirling channels are arranged in an extremely small space for the corresponding number of yarn paths and thus the bout of warp threads can be supplied with very narrow spacing. The device for the swirling has a number of slits that are arranged side-by-side in parallel. They are formed between plates and spacing elements of a nozzle bar. The individual plates are annular in shape, with compressed air being supplied to each plate over the central area, and said air being supplied through appropriate cross holes to the individual swirling zones, which are developed as slits. The threads are transported through the device with clearance to the bottom of the slit, in the area of influence of the blast air. On the input- as well as on the output-side, the plates have thread guides. So-called nozzle bars are formed after a plurality of plates with intermediate elements are assembled outside face to outside face. This solution saves considerable space and results in a gauge for the yarn paths in the magnitude of 4 mm. To prevent the warp threads from jumping out of the treatment slits, a wire is pulled in the outer area of the slits. The plates are made of ceramic, in particular oxide ceramic. This results in a long service life, with the ceramic plates being produced in the forming process and subsequently fired. By means of clamping bolts, the plurality of ceramic disks with intermediate plates to self-bearing nozzle rods is held stable at a support frame. The solution in accordance with EP 0 216 951 has proven very useful in the scope of warping plants. However, it was not possible to apply the concept of the nozzle bar comprised of plates to the area of swirling in the scope of spinning plants, as described earlier. In the scope of spinning plants, the number of the parallel threads to be treated is much lower, but continues to increase in the current trend. At the same time, a narrow gauge of the parallel threads is also desired in the area of spinning.

A completely different approach for a solution to increase the textile quality of the final product, i.e., the fabric, is achieved by generating a false-twist. Here, the twisting power of the blast air is used for an immediately upstream thermal treatment, i.e., heating and cooling of the yarn, to achieve a lasting change in the molecular structure of the individual filaments, thus creating significant bulkiness at the thread. Reference is made to EP-PS 0 532 458 as an example for false-twisting. The false-twisting is supposed to provide the filament yarn and the finished fabric with a bulky, textile character.

In various yarn treatments, there is an increasing demand for the narrow gauge for a plurality of parallel running threads. Both state of the art solutions mentioned above, i.e., EP-PS 0 532 458 as well as U.S. Pat. No. 5,157,819, result in a relatively large clearance between two parallel yarn paths. In the solution according to WO00/52240, the resulting gauge, at least with two yarn paths, is approximately 8 to 10 mm. Only EP 0 216 958 allows a gauge to approximately 4 mm.

The explanations above result in two principal facts in the solutions from the state of the art:

• • Three different nozzle concepts have gained acceptance:
    • 1. Nozzles with a continually open threading slit. They are called open nozzles, such as in EP 0 532 458 and WO03/029539 (FIG. 8).
    • 2. Nozzles that can be moved into an open threading position as well as a closed operating position by a sliding plate. They are called open-closed nozzles, such as in EP 0 216 951 and WO03/029539 (FIG. 8a).
    • 3. Closed nozzles: Here, the yarn generally has to be threaded through the yarn channel with a special air pistol designed for that purpose, such as with U.S. Pat. No. 5,157,819.
  • The second fact is that two completely different nozzle constructions have gained acceptance for each specific yarn treatment method. Therefore, we distinguish between the following:
    • Detorque nozzles for the secondary treatment of false-twisted yearn,
    • Swirling nozzles for the production of knotted yarn, and
    • migration nozzles for the production of migrated yarn.

Therefore, the inventors' objective was to find solutions for developing cost-efficient nozzles for the yarn treatment in the scope of open nozzles, even for gauges between two or multiple parallel yarn paths in the range of only a few millimeters, with the concept being suitable for use in particular for single- or dual nozzles as well.

REPRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION

The device in accordance with the invention is characterized in that the nozzle is formed by injector/cover plates having one each injector- and cover plate side, and that it can be assembled on an element supplying the medium to form a yarn channel between two adjacent injector/cover plates.

The method in accordance with the invention in characterized in that the yarn for the treatment is guided between two like plates which together form a yarn channel, with the plates being sealed relative to one another relative to the side of the supply of the medium.

The knotted- or migrated yarn in accordance with the invention, in particular as micro filament yarn, is characterized in that it is guided between two like plates for the treatment, which together form a yarn channel, and that the result is a knotted or migrated yarn.

The false-twisted yarn in accordance with the invention is characterized in that it was guided and false-twisted between two like plates for the treatment, which together form a yarn channel.

The new solution offers various critical advantages. The configuration of the plates, in particular the ceramic plates, is limited to the actual core functions, i.e.:

• • a yarn channel-side inserted in both sides of each plate,
  • the threading slit, as well as
  • the individual air supply channel for the yarn channel into the plate.

In this respect, the injector/cover plates of a nozzle are alike. Inherent to each of the injector/cover plates are the two functions of injector plate and cover- and/or twist plate. Separate cover plates, such as according to JP-20-0375802, for example, are obsolete. The plates can be produced with very small external dimensions, such as 1 cm to 2 cm, and a thickness of 4 mm or less, for example. The simple form of the plates makes their production, especially in ceramics, significantly easier because they can now be produced with the much more inexpensive injection method. At least the blanks for the plates can be produced in larger piece numbers and therefore more economically and because the plates of a nozzle can be produced identically, they can be assembled at a 180° rotation in the case of an individual nozzle so that the service life of the unused yarn channel profiles can be doubled with respect to wear and tear. The miniaturization of the plates enormously simplifies the production problems. As will be explained in the following, with the new solution, the plates can be produced in the injection moulding process, which is much more cost efficient than the pressing process, such as in EPO 0 216 951, for example. The second enormous advantage is that according to the new invention, the yarn channel, which is developed as a mere slit in EP 0 216 951, can be adapted to the specific treatment. The disks in EP 0 216 951 offer the enormous advantage that two yarn paths are formed between two disks. On the other hand, the disadvantage of the solution according to EP 0 216 951 is that the simultaneous integration of the yarn guides as well as the air supply into the plate concept results in almost palm-sized disks that can be produced only with compression moulding.

The new plate concept can be used on filament yarns with various treatment methods such as swirling, migrating, false-twisting and other texturing. It can be used in reed systems as a multiple nozzle and in texturing systems as single- or dual nozzle, but also in stretching systems and in systems for false-twist texturing.

In any case, equal injector/cover plates are always used for single nozzles, dual nozzles or multiple nozzles in each specific application. Each of the injector/cover plates has a nozzle plate side as well as a cover plate side and preferably also respective air supply channels. Each side is freely accessible for processing. This has the enormous advantage that the two yarn channel profiles can be created easily in any plate, and designed individually for the nozzle side as well as the reflecting plate or cover plate side, and that they can also be integrated, for example. In technical circles, swirl nozzles are called a nozzle plate as well as a reflecting plate. The nozzle plate has the cross hole for at least the main air for one double swirl. The reflecting plate has the opposite side where the treatment air impacts. With detorque nozzles, the objective is to generate a strong rotation flow with the air, i.e., to generate a false twist for the yarn. That is were a gauged nozzle has a cover plate rather than a reflecting plate. Because the new solution can include both applications, the term “injector/cover plate” was chosen. Each injector/cover plate has one each half for both modifications, which can fulfill the function only after they have been assembled.

The new solution allows a number of especially advantageous modifications. In this context, reference is made to the claims 2 to 21 as well as 23 to 29. It is especially preferred to develop the yarn channel half-round on the nozzle plate side and flat on the cover plate side. Because the yarn channel is formed in the plates, it is possible to influence the form of the yarn channel in almost any way. The same also applies to the air supply channel. It is especially preferred to develop the plates on the one hand as a nozzle plate and on the other hand as a cover plate and corresponding to about half of the yarn channel.

The miniaturization of the plates makes it possible to develop the plates as flat ceramic plates produced in the injection molding process, which can be clamped together into a unit with two each end plates. The injection molding method is significantly more economical relative to the compression molding proposed in EP 0 216 951. The entire unit can be fastened to a support base with integrated air feed channel to which the air supply channels in each plate can be connected. The support base can be of metal or plastic. In accordance with the new invention, the relatively expensive ceramic is used only where the required functions demand the highest quality and precision. In accordance with another modification, each of the plates has at least one cross hole for the supply of the medium on the side of the nozzle plate for the individual air delivery into the yarn channel. Advantageously, each of the at least two plates has a supply channel for a medium, which can be activated individually through corresponding connection openings in the supply element of the medium, so as to prevent the free discharge of the unused air supply opening. Each of the at least two plates of a nozzle is developed identical at least with respect to the yarn channel profiles and has a respective yarn channel profile on the nozzle plate side and the cover plate side, which forms a yarn channel only after assembly. Because only two plates together form a yarn channel, each pairing of two or more plates results in two respective outer sides, which are not used. With a simple nozzle, this offers the great advantage that after significant wear and tear of the active yarn channel profiles, both plats can be installed with an 180° rotation so that the service life of a nozzle can be doubled.

The injector/cover plates are preferably developed as ceramic plates or have, at least in the area of the yarn channel profile, an appropriate highly wear-and-tear resistant surface area coating. The at least two like injector/cover plates have a reduced thickness in the threading area relative to the air delivery area and in the air delivery area a planar sealing surface on both sides. The sealing surfaces are provided with a very high surface area quality so that they seal air-tight upon compression without any special gasket. In this way, it is also possible to ensure a high precision for the yarn channel in the assembly of the plates. Preferably, the individual supply channel for the medium is guided into the yarn channel approximately centered, with at least two through-openings arranged on both sides perpendicular to the planar sealing surfaces for a precise positioning of the plates and/or their yarn channel profiles by means of motion bars. When the through-openings are unequal, they simultaneously serve as a safety against an improper installation.

In accordance with another especially advantageous modification idea, each of the plates has lateral adjusting notches, preferably in the area of the planar sealing surfaces, for closely pressing all plates to the element supplying the medium. On the side of the supply of the medium, it is advantageous if additional sealing elements are installed between the plates and the element supplying the medium.

The new solution allows the assembly of any number of injector/cover plates for a corresponding number of yarn paths. A simple nozzle for only one yarn path is comprised of two injector/cover plates. A dual nozzle for two yarn paths is comprised of three injector/cover plates. For the treatment of two or more yarn paths, the number of plates corresponds to the number of yarn paths+1.

In accordance with a first application as a swirling nozzle for the production of knotted yarn, the cross hole for the supply of the medium runs approximately centered perpendicular or with a slight conveying effect into the yarn channel. In particular for the production of fine knotted yarn with high regularity of the knots, a blast air channel expansion is formed in the orifice area of the blast air supply channel in the yarn treatment channel to form an air twist chamber for two opposite-sense stationary twist flows.

In accordance with a second application with false-twisting, the cross hole for the supply of the medium runs tangentially into the yarn channel. The appropriate device is developed as a detorque-nozzle.

The plates are configured as flat plates and have planar sealing surfaces on both sides, with two through holes in the area of the planar sealing surfaces. By means of the through holes, the plates are moved individually on motion bars to a nozzle block, positioned precisely relative to one another, and pulled together into a nozzle block perpendicularly to the planar sealing surfaces by means of screwed connections at the motion bars. On both sides of the nozzle block, one each stable end plate can be placed, through which the ceramic plates are clamped together. The element supplying the medium furthermore can have a support base on which each of the injector/cover plates of the nozzle block can be fastened tightly through the adjusting notches. The support base or the end plates can be color-coded, with the color indicating the type of nozzle that has been installed. The nozzle block is fastened on a base for the supply of medium which has an integrated air supply channel, to which the air supply channels to be activated can be connected. If the nozzle is a multiple nozzle, said multiple nozzle will be connected with a corresponding number of plates as a nozzle group and/or nozzle block with a nozzle holder to which a thread guide is attached. The clampable plates are fastened with two each end plates as a unit on the support base, with thread guides being arranged in thread guide supports fastened to the nozzle holder and preferably being configured as a comb. In accordance with another preferred embodiment of the method, the plates are combined into a nozzle block through motion bars and the nozzle block is clamped through adjusting cams through gaskets on an element that supplies the medium. To ensure a precise positioning of the ceramic plates relative to the yarn channel, the ceramic plates are guided over motion bars and joined into a nozzle block. The nozzle block is braced air-tight on a support base that is preferably color coded, with a common air delivery.

According to another especially advantageous embodiment of the method for the production of knotted yarn from smooth- and textured filament yarn, air is blasted into a through yarn channel of a swirl nozzle with a main boring directed centrally into the yarn channel axis for the primary air as well as at least one auxiliary boring in a distance to the main boring for secondary air. The primary air is supplied into the yarn channel between perpendicular and with only little conveying effect or little effect against the direction of the yarn path, and the secondary air through at least one auxiliary boring, which is sloped toward the yarn channel axis and runs differently than the primary air, and supports the swirl flow.

In accordance with another idea of the embodiment for the production of fine knotted yarn with high regularity of the knots, blast air is injected in a yarn treatment channel transversely to the yarn treatment channel by means of air nozzles. In the direction of the yarn delivery as well as in opposite direction of the yarn delivery, the blast air forms one each double swirl to generate the knots. In the entry area into the yarn treatment channel, the blast air is placed into two strong stationary twist flows undisturbed by filament bundles in an air twist chamber which is short in the longitudinal direction of the yarn channel. The cross holes for the air delivery on the side of the nozzle plate are preferably arranged centered approximately longitudinally in the yarn channel, cross-wise or slightly sloped relative to the axis of the yarn channel, for nozzles that are provided for the swirling or migrating of yarn. On the other hand, the cross holes are affixed tangentially in the yarn channel for nozzles identified for the false-twisting of yarn.

Preferably, thread guides are arranged for each thread run on both sides of the support base and in distance before the entry into the yarn channel and after the exit from the yarn channel. The support base assumes the two auxiliary functions of thread guide as well as air supply and air flow to the individual plates. The device is developed as a single- or dual nozzle with two each end plates which can be clamped together with the adjusting means. In the case of multiple nozzles, said nozzles are configured for the provided thread runs with a corresponding number of plates as a nozzle group with an air supply channel in the support base and with a thread guide. Advantageously, all clampable plates with two each end plates are fastened as a unit on the support base with an air supply channel in the support base, with the thread guides being arranged in thread guide supports fastened at the support base.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the following, the invention is explained with the help of several examples of embodiments and further details. The figures show:

FIG. 1a a injector/cover plate 1 in accordance with the invention, approximately in double its physical size;

FIG. 1b a section A-A of FIG. 1 in strong magnification;

FIG. 2 a unit with a plurality of injector/cover plates and 8 yarn paths, on the top in perspective representation and on the bottom as section A-A of the top figure;

FIG. 3 a schematic lateral view of FIG. 2 (top) and on the bottom a section B-B of the top figure;

FIG. 4 shows a single nozzle in perspective view (top left) as top view (bottom left), as lateral view (top right) as well as section A-A;

FIG. 5 a dual nozzle analogously to the representations in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6a a complete nozzle block with 24 yarn paths, on the top in a view [?] and on the bottom in a top view;

FIG. 6b various sections B-B to F-F;

FIG. 6c the complete nozzle block in three different views;

FIGS. 7a and 7b a solution with a special adjusting means for the nozzle block;

FIGS. 8 and 9a a particularly interesting embodiment of the orifice area of the cross-channel with the formation of an air twist chamber;

FIG. 9b to 9d show various knot structures in the yarn;

FIG. 10a to 10c a solution with primary- and secondary air for the treatment medium, with the FIGS. 10b and 10c representing special developments of the crosswise channels;

FIG. 11a to 11d the application of the new nozzle as detorque nozzle for the false-twisting of yarn with various forms of the tangential air injection and the threading slit;

FIGS. 12 and 13 show an example for the application of the new solution in the scope of the POY process;

FIG. 14 shows the use of the new solution in the scope of the POY process with four examples.

WAYS AND EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

The FIGS. 1 and 1a show an injector/cover plate 1, which simultaneously is a cover plate as well as nozzle plate, with corresponding half yarn channel 17. The front side shows the cover plate side 2 and the back side shows the nozzle plate side 3, with one each half of the yarn channel 17. On the front side 2, the yarn channel half 4 and the reflecting plate 5 are formed in the injector/cover plates 1. On the rear side of the nozzle plate side, the yarn channel have 6 is shown. In the FIG. 1a and FIG. 2 (bottom), the sectional view shows an air supply channel 8. The air supply channel 8 leads with a cross hole 9 into the yarn channel half 6 with the nozzle plate 7. The injector/cover plate 1 has two through borings 10 as well as 10′ for clamping the plates 1 together. As shown by FIG. 2, in this way two each nozzle-/cover plates 1 tightly abut face to face. The appropriate sealing surface element 11 is labeled with the measuring information h and L, with L simultaneously denoting the yarn channel length and/or half of the yarn channel length (L/2) according to FIG. 2. The top surface area 12 is marked with the dimensions X as well as L and is slightly offset to the rear to the measurement Z opposite the sealing surface element 11. A slightly sloped surface area 13 above the surface area 12 simplifies the introduction of the thread into the yarn channel 17. A special characteristic of the injector/cover plates 1 is that they have an upper threading segment Ef and a lower yarn channel segment GK as well as a lower sealing segment DF. The sealing segment DF has the two sealing surfaces 11, 11′ as well as a lower support surface area 7. The support surface area 7 must be sealed relative to a support base 24, as marked with the reference symbol 7′ in FIG. 2. The borings 10 and 10′ are preferably unequally sized so that the injector/cover plates 1 are properly installed with appropriate motion bars 18.

The FIGS. 2 and 3 show that the geometric arrangement of the appropriate surface area elements on the side of the nozzle plate as well as on the side of the cover plate result in a threading slit 14 in assembled condition. The new solution results in a small, relatively simply formed plate which, as explained earlier, can be produced cost-efficiently in the injection molding process as a ceramics part. In the FIGS. 2 and 3, a number of ceramic plates has been assembled into a nozzle block with one each end plate 15 and 16 for eight yarn paths. All plates are clamped together into a unit 20 with clamping screws and/or motion bars 18, which are guided through the borings 10, 10′. Each of the injector/cover plates 1 has an air supply channel 8 (FIG. 1a), which is open on the bottom. The measurement H refers to the crosswise dimension of the unit 20 which, depending on the number of plates 1, is either larger or smaller than the thickness “d”. FIG. 2 shows a complete device as nozzle group 25 for a spinning plant. The yarn generally travels perpendicular from top to bottom, as indicated with arrows 21. FIG. 2, as in FIG. 3, shows eight yarn paths, with each individual yarn having the reference symbol 22. The unit is screwed air-tight to a support base 24 with fastening screws 23. The support base 24 has an air supply channel 26 from which compressed and/or blast air is delivered to the individual air supply channels 8. The intake side of the nozzle group is labeled “in” and the outflow side is labeled “out.” On the intake as well as the outflow side is a yarn guide bar 27, which is fastened to the support base 24 with screws 28. Corresponding to the number of thread runs 21, comb-like thread guides 31 with teeth 29 are attached at the thread guide bar 27. The yarn is guided laterally in the tooth gaps 30. The tooth base is aligned with the base of the yarn channel. The thread guide bar 27 as well as the support base 24 can be made of aluminum or cost-efficient plastics material. The thread guide comb is preferably made of ceramic to provide the wear-and-tear parts with a maximum service life.

FIG. 4 shows the use of the new solution as a single nozzle. The yarn channel is comprised of two injector/cover plates 1. The representations in FIG. 4 are designed for only one yarn path. The design of the single nozzle is the same as that of a multiple nozzle with a support base 24. The representations in FIG. 4, top left, show a complete unit for a single nozzle with two injector/cover plates 1 with a support base 24 and a nozzle holder 19.

The representations in FIG. 5 show a dual- or double-nozzle with three injector/cover plates 1 in perspective view (top left) in a top view (bottom left), a lateral view (top right) as well as a section A-A (bottom right). Because each of the plates is developed alike, three injector/cover plates are required for the dual nozzle.

The FIGS. 6a, 6b and 6c show another very interesting development of a multiple nozzle for 24 yarn paths. This solution is principally suitable for more than two yarn paths. The top figure shows a nozzle block 25 with 25 injector/cover plates 1, which are held together by two motion bars 18 and are tightly clamped onto one another at great force after assembly. Each of the injector/cover plates has adjusting notches 30 on both sides. Two clamping bars 31 brace each injector/cover plate air-tight onto a seal 32. To that end, a number of clamping screws 22 are clamped against a compression spring 34, as shown in FIG. 6b. FIG. 6c shows a complete nozzle unit 20. The nozzle block 25 represents an independent unit, which is inserted and fastened on the support base 24 during assembly. Then the support base 24 and the nozzle block 25 are screwed air-tight on a nozzle holder 19. In a suitable development, the nozzle block 25 can be first inserted on one side through the motion bars and then lowered and fastened on the support base.

The FIGS. 7a and 7b show an analogous embodiment where the nozzle block 25 is pulled together by a cable-like strength member 35. The exact guidance for the injector/cover plates is ensured here by the fitting sleeves 36. Like the FIG. 6b, the FIG. 7b show a nozzle block with a support base 24 from two different sides (top and bottom) as a view from the bottom with the contact surface area 37 toward the nozzle holder 19. The reference symbol 38 shows an elastic seal.

The FIGS. 8 and 9a show a particularly advantageous modification. Reference to that effect is made to the complete Swiss patent application No. 00482/05 of 20 Mar. 2005, which has not yet been published. Here, the yarn treatment channel 17 additionally has an air twist chamber 41, which represents a direct continuation of the blast air supply channel and/or the cross hole 9 into the yarn treatment channel 17. At the location of the blast air supply channel 9, the yarn treatment channel 17 is spherically diverged. This creates an additional twist flow. The spherical divergence allows a stationary twist flow without the influence of the non-stationary swirl motion in the subsequent part of the yarn treatment channel 17. The stationary twist flow directly transitions into a non-stationary swirl flow. In the entry area into the yarn treatment channel, the blast air is placed into two strong stationary twist flows that are undisturbed by filament bundles in a short air twist chamber in longitudinal direction of the yarn channel. A short area with a stable twist flow is generated in the air twist chamber, which is followed in the direction of the yarn transport as well as in the opposite direction of the yarn transport by a reciprocal swirl zone. For the processing of micro filament yarns, a pressure of 0.5 to 1.5 bar is used for the blast air to produce soft knots that can untangle in the further processing, or compressed air of more than 1.5 bar is used for the blast air to produce hard knots that do not untangle in further processing. In this way, fine yarns smaller than 10 to 15 dpf, preferably smaller than 2 dpf can be treated. The air twist chamber is developed at least approximately symmetrically to the center axis of the yarn channel and projects on both sides by less than 0.5 mm past the lateral walls of the yarn channel. Preferably, the air twist chamber projects past the blast air supply channel in longitudinal direction of the yarn channel by less than 0.5 mm. The FIGS. 8 and 9a show the respective result of a theoretical calculation of the flow. FIG. 8 clearly shows the blast air delivery BL from bottom to top. The upper level bears the reference symbol E and represents the surface area where the blast air flow BL impinges on the reflecting plate. The air twist chamber is formed by the two small spherical recesses 42. FIG. 8 clearly shows the two twist flows 43, which result in a very stable flow form in a range of less than 1 to 2 mm in longitudinal direction. FIG. 8 shows (without the presence of yarn) in the center the stationary twist flow and at the top of the figure the two double swirls 44, based on the same calculation model. FIG. 9a is a drawing that schematically shows the two flow forms. Only more extensive studies in recent times have revealed that the knowledge about the formation of knots was quite incomplete. In fact, the knots are not formed simply from the two stable double swirls. One of the basic conditions for the formation of knots is the following fact:

• a) A double swirl is generated in the yarn treatment channel with the blast air jet BL (FIGS. 1a and 1c).
• b) However, the double swirl is completely disturbed when a filament yarn 22 enters the yarn treatment channel 17. Within milliseconds, the stable swirls are destroyed after the yarn enters. A one-sided swirl 44^x is created in the one half of the yarn treatment channel, whereas the swirl 44^x collapses. As a result, all filaments in the yarn treatment channel 3 are forced to the right side. However, the collection of all filaments on the right side immediately destroys said double swirl so that without barely any delay a correspondingly large swirl 44^x is created on the left side. This pendulum movement is a completely unstable permanent state when the blast air and the filament yarn are present, and this is the secret of knot formation.

FIG. 9b, top, shows a smooth, i.e., unswirled, yarn 2. The straight lines indicate the single filaments. Secondly, a softly swirled yarn, which typically has shorter knots K, with the knots being symbolized with thin straight lines. The third representation shows hard, relatively long knots K between the swirled open locations. The hard knots are symbolized with thicker lines. The fourth representation shows a typical knotted yarn of the state of the art with very irregular knots.

FIG. 9c shows a few examples with irregular knot formation. FIG. 9d is a comparison of hard and soft knots, which can be generated with the new invention. FIG. 9d shows a typical associated area of the use of compressed air of 1.5 to 3 bar and/or 0.5 to 1.5 bar. Depending on the market, there is a demand for either hard knots or soft knots.

The new solution according to FIG. 10a proposes the supply of primary air (PL) as well as secondary air (SL). Because the compressed air supply is slightly sloped into the direction of transport in the example, a stronger swirl flow is created in the direction of the yarn channel exit Ak2. This is evident from the larger line concentration in the exit area. In the FIGS. 10b and 10c, two auxiliary borings for secondary air SL are arranged at an angle δ with a relatively strong slope in the direction of transport. Both auxiliary borings are arranged symmetrically in the respective peripheral areas of the yarn channel, as marked by the distance measurement Z. As a variation, δ′ indicates another option. FIG. 10a shows three noticeable zones A, B and C. A slightly intensified Zone A is created in the area Ak1 and a corresponding Zone C is created in the area Ak2. Quite surprisingly, a very stable peripheral flow zone B1 and/or B2 adjusts in the main swirl zone V-V on both sides of the yarn channel. This is the zone where the knots are actually strongly affected, unlike to the segment Ö, which is primarily for the opening of the yarn. Because the secondary air stabilizes the lateral peripheral area and also generates a strong delivery effect, the formation of knots can be influenced quite surprisingly and positively in all essential quality criteria, as explained above. The FIG. 10b and 10c show two examples of the arrangement of the main boring 50 as well as the auxiliary boring 51 for the secondary air (SL).

The FIG. 11a to 11d show the application of the new nozzle as detorque nozzle for the end-twisting of filament yarn with various forms of blast air injection and the threading slit. In the schematically shown false-twist texturing device shown in FIG. 11a to 11d, a multi filament yarn 22 to be textured is delivered to a swirl inducer 61 such as a friction swirl inducer, for example, through a first heating means 60. The textured yarn that leaves the twist inducer 61 is bulky and highly elastic. The rotation provided to the yarn by the twist inducer 61 unravels after the twist inducer. In the known false-twist texturing devices, a moment of torsion prevails in the yarn, which attempts to rotate the yarn again. The yarn is then usefully guided in the known manner through a second heating means 62 downstream of the twist inducer 61, which reduces the elasticity of the yarn. In accordance with the invention, a nozzle 63 in accordance with the invention downstream of the second heating means 62 again provides the yarn running through the heating means 62 with a false twist in a direction that runs opposite to the direction of the twist generated in the twist inducer 61. This reduces the aforementioned moment of torsion in the yarn in the second heating means 62, or it practically eliminates it completely. The nozzle 63 is supplied with compressed air by a compressed air line 64. The nozzle 63 has a blast air channel 65 that runs tangentially into the yarn channel 17. The FIG. 11a to 11d also show a single nozzle, which is used to generate a false-twist on the yarn. Reference is made to EP 0 532 458 for the false-twist process. The two plates have to be developed with tangential air inlet to generate a false twist. According to their other function, the two plates are labeled with the reference symbol 1′ and 1″.

The FIGS. 12 and 13 show the POY process. In both cases a pre-swirl and an actual swirl are performed. FIG. 12 shows a parallel POY/HOY spinning system. This process does not involve any deflection rollers. The thread tension for the swirl can be regulated only with the speed of the spooler. This solution is used mostly in Europe or in the United States. FIG. 13 shows a POY spinning system with deflection rollers. The advantage of this POY process is that it allows a better control of the thread tension. The deflection rollers are not heated in this process. This solution is mostly used in Asia, but also in Europe and in the United States.

FIG. 14a represents an FDY process with a migration as well as a swirl. This is the standard with FDY spinning. This process involves two heated monos or duos. It allows a good adjustment of the thread tension. FIG. 14b is an FDY process (H4S or H5S) and represents and example of a pre-swirl as well as a swirl. This process involves cold godets for the stretching, and the yarn is subsequently relaxed with steam. FIG. 14c is an FDY process and shows in succession a migration as well as two swirls. In this process, the yarn is heated with a heater prior to preparation and then stretched with cold godets. FIG. 14d is an FDY process and shows a migration as well as a swirl, but without the use of heat. The yarn is loaded with hot air before preparation and then stretched with cold godets.

Claims

1. Device for the treatment of filament yarn by means of a nozzle having a yarn channel which is developed as open and divided nozzle with threading slit and a channel to supply medium into the yarn channel, characterized in that the nozzle is formed by injector/cover plates which have a respective nozzle- and a respective cover plate side, can be assembled on an element that supplies medium, and forms a yarn channel between two adjacent injector/cover plates.

2. Device in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that there are at least two plates with formed yarn channel profiles which form a yarn channel in assembled condition.

3. Device in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that each plate has at least one cross hole for the supply of medium on the nozzle plate side for individual air injection into the yarn channel.

4. Device in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that there are at least two plates, and each plate has a channel for the supply of medium, which can be activated individually through corresponding connection openings of the element for the supply of medium.

5. Device in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the injector/cover plates are formed as ceramic plates or have at least in the area of the yarn channel profile an appropriate highly ear-and-tear resistant surface area coating.

6. Device in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that each of the at least two plates of a nozzle is formed identically at least with respect to the yarn channel profiles and each has a yarn channel profile on the nozzle plate side and the cover plate side, which form a yarn channel in assembled condition.

7. Device in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the injector/cover plates have in the threading area relative to the air delivery area a reduced thickness around the threading slit, and in the air supply area on both sides a planar sealing surface area.

8. Device in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the individual supply channel for the medium is guided approximately centered into the yarn channel and on both sides, perpendicular to the planar sealing surface area, at least two through openings are arranged for a precise positioning of the yarn channel profiles.

9. Device in accordance with claim 8, characterized in that the through openings are not equal to safeguard against incorrect installation.

10. Device in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that each of the plates has lateral adjusting notches, preferably in the area of the planar sealing surfaces, to tightly press all plates on the element for the supply of the medium.

11. Device in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that it has two injector/cover plates and is developed as a single nozzle for a yarn path.

12. Device in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that it is developed as dual- or multiple nozzle for two or more parallel yarn paths, with a respective additional injector/cover plate relative to the number of yarn paths.

13. Device in accordance with claim 3, characterized in that the cross hole for the supply of the medium runs into the yarn channel approximately centered perpendicularly or with a slight conveyance effect and that the device is developed as a swirl nozzle.

14. Device in accordance with claim 13, characterized in that the production of fine knotted yarn with a high regularity of the knots takes place in a continuous yarn treatment channel as well as a blast air supply channel, with the blast air supply channel being directed to the longitudinal center axis of the yarn treatment channel, and in the area of the orifice of the blast air supply channel, a blast air channel divergence is formed in the yarn treatment channel to form an air twist chamber for two opposite stationary twist flows.

15. Device in accordance with claim 3, characterized in that the cross hole(s) for the supply of the medium run(s) tangentially into the yarn channel and the device is developed as detorque nozzle.

16. Device in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the plates are developed as flat plates which have on both sides planar sealing surface areas with two through holes in the area of the planar sealing surfaces, and that they can be slipped individually onto slide bars to a nozzle block by means of the through openings, that they can be precisely positioned relative to one another and vertically to the planar sealing surface areas, and that they can be clamped together into a nozzle block at the slide bars by means of screw connections.

17. Device in accordance with claim 16, characterized in that the nozzle block has on both sides one each stable end plate to clamp the ceramic plates together.

18. Device in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the element for the supply of the medium has a support base on which each of the injector/cover plates of the nozzle block can be tightly fastened with adjusting notches, and that the support base or the stable end plates are color-coded.

19. Device in accordance with claim 16, characterized in that the nozzle block can be fastened on a base for the supply of medium with integrated air supply channel to which the air supply channels to be activated can be connected.

20. Device in accordance with claim 16, characterized in that it has a multiple nozzle with a corresponding number of plates and can be connected as a nozzle group and/or nozzle block to a nozzle holder which has a thread guide.

21. Device in accordance with claim 20, characterized in that the clampable plates with two each end plates are fastened to the support base as a unit, with the thread guides being arranged in thread guide supports fastened at the nozzle holder and preferably being developed as a comb.

22. Method for the treatment of filament yarn by means of a nozzle having a yarn channel, which is developed as a divided open nozzle with free threading slit and a channel for the supply of medium into the yarn channel, characterized in that for the treatment, the yarn is guided between two equal plates which together form a yarn channel, with the plates being sealed relative to one another and relative to the side of the supply of the medium.

23. Method in accordance with claim 22, characterized in that for the treatment of two or a plurality of yarn paths, the number of plates corresponds to the number of yarn paths+1.

24. Method in accordance with claim 22, characterized in that the plates are assembled into the nozzle block by slide bars and the nozzle block is braced on gaskets of an element for the supply of medium through cams.

25. Method in accordance with claim 22, characterized in that to ensure a precise positioning of the ceramic plates relative to the yarn channel, the ceramic plates are guided on slide bars and assembled into a nozzle block, with the nozzle block being braced air-tight on a color-coded support base with common air injection.

26. Method in accordance with claim 22, characterized in that for the supply of medium and in particular the injection of air into the yarn channel through a cross hole in a plate about longitudinally in the center of the yarn channel, crosswise or slightly sloped relative to the axis of the yarn channel, whereby the filament yarn is twisted or migrated.

27. Method in accordance with claim 22, for the production of knotted yarn from smooth- and textured filament yarn in a continuous yarn channel of a swirl nozzle with a main boring directed centrally into the yarn channel axis for the primary air, as well as at least one auxiliary boring in a distance to the main boring for secondary air, with the primary air being delivered into the yarn channel between perpendicular and with only little conveying effect or little effect against the direction of yarn path, and the secondary air through at least one auxiliary boring, which is sloped toward the yarn channel axis and runs differently than the primary air, and supports the swirl flow.

28. Method in accordance with claim 22 for the production of fine knotted yarn with a high regularity of the knots by means of air nozzles with a yarn treatment channel as well as blast air, which is injected transversely to the yarn treatment channel, with the blast air in the direction of the yarn delivery as well as in opposite direction of the yarn delivery forming one each double swirl to generate the knots and the blast air being mixed in the entry area into the yarn treatment channel in two strong stationary twist flows undisturbed by filament bundles in an air twist chamber which is short in the longitudinal direction of the yarn channel.

29. Method in accordance with claim 22, characterized in that the medium, in particular the air supply into the yarn channel, is guided tangentially through a cross hole into the yarn channel for the false-twisting of the filament yarn.

30. Knots or migrated yarn in accordance with claim 22, characterized in that for the treatment, it is guided between two plates which together form a yarn channel, and that a knotted yarn or migrated yarn is generated.

31. False-twisted yarn in accordance with claim 29, characterized in that for the treatment, it was guided and false-twisted between two equal plates which together form a yarn channel.