WO2006099891A1

WO2006099891A1 - Apparatus for melt spinning a plurality of composite yarns

Info

Publication number: WO2006099891A1
Application number: PCT/EP2005/010310
Authority: WO
Inventors: Suprit Pal Singh; Markus Reichwein; Roland Nitschke; Hans-Jörg MEISE
Original assignee: Oerlikon Textile Gmbh & Co. Kg
Priority date: 2005-03-19
Filing date: 2005-09-23
Publication date: 2006-09-28
Also published as: KR20070113311A; CN101238246A; EP1871930B1; CN101238246B; EP1871930A1; DE602005022362D1

Abstract

The invention relates to an apparatus for melt spinning a plurality of composite yarns, which each consist of a plurality of extruded filament bundles. To this end, the apparatus comprises a plurality of spinnerets and a cooling device associated to at least one of the spinnerets for cooling the filament bundles, a combining means for bundling the filament bundles forming the composite yarns, and a withdrawal means for withdrawing the filament bundles. To obtain the most identical spacing possible between yarns in the production of the composite yarns, the invention provides for distributing the spinnerets over a plurality of parallel spin groups, with each spin group comprising spinnerets arranged side by side in rows. Each spinneret of a first spin group forms with at least one spinneret of a second spin group arranged in a common spinning plane, a spinning position for producing one of the composite yarns.

Description

APPARATUS FOR MELT SPINNING A PLURALITY OF COMPOSITE YARNS

The invention relates to an apparatus for melt spinning plurality of composite yarns as defined in the preamble of claim 1.

In the production of synthetic yarns, it is known to combine in the melt spinning process a plurality of individual yarns to a composite yarn, and to subsequently wind the composite yarn to a package. In this connection, the individual yarn preferably comprise different physical properties to obtain certain yarn effects in the composite yarn. For example, composite yarns of mixed colors are combined from differently colored individual yarns for the production of carpets. To obtain certain structure effects in a composite yarn, it is possible to combine individual yarns from different polymers or individual yarns with a different degree of orientation in the molecular structure. Common to all these methods is that in a spin- ning apparatus, a plurality of individual yarns are separately extruded, each to a filament bundle, and combined to the composite yarn after undergoing more or less preliminary treatments.

To be able to produce a plurality of composite yarns at the same time, EP 1 035 238 Al discloses an apparatus, wherein the spinnerets are arranged in a row. hi this arrangement, adjacent spinnerets in the row form a spinning position for producing a composite yarn. Depending on the spinnerets installed in each spinning position, large distances result between the individual composite yarns, so that greater yarn deflections cannot be avoided with the use of a common withdrawal means. It is therefore an object of the invention to further develop an apparatus of the generic type for melt spinning a plurality of composite yarns such that it permits maintaining a substantially identical spacing between the composite yarns regardless of the number of spinnerets used for each composite yarn. A further object of the invention is to provide a most flexible possible apparatus for melt spinning composite yarns, which can be used for any methods.

In accordance with the invention, this object is accomplished by an apparatus with the features of claim 1. Advantageous further developments of the invention are defined by the features and feature combinations of the respective dependent claims.

The invention has the special advantage that the spinnerets which each extrude one individual yarn of the composite yarn are arranged side by side to form a spin group. With that, it is possible to associate in a concentrated fashion to the spin group all devices that are needed within the spinning apparatus to produce these individual yarns, such as melt supply lines and cooling devices. The spinnerets that extrude a second or third individual yarn of the composite yarns are likewise arranged as spin groups in parallel rows, so that each of the spinnerets of a first spin group forms with at least one spinneret located in a common spinning plane and pertaining to a second spin group, a spinning position for producing a composite yarn. Regardless of whether the spinning position comprises two, three, or more spinnerets, the distance from the adjacent spinning position is defined solely by the spacing of the spinnerets in the first spin group. Preferably, the spinnerets of a spinning position form an arrangement in a row, which is oriented in or- thogonal relationship with the row of spinnerets of the spin group. With that, high degrees of freedom for producing composite yarns result both in the melt supply and in the cooling of the filaments, so that it is possible to carry out in essence all known melt spinning methods.

To be able to extrude in particular from the spinnerets of the individual spin groups different polymer modifications and polymers, the further development of the invention is especially advantageous, wherein the spinnerets of the first spin group are mounted in a first spin beam, and the spinnerets of the second spin group in a second spin beam, and wherein the spin beams are arranged parallel in side-by-side relationship and made independently heatable for tempering the spinnerets. Thus, the spinnerets of the spin groups are individually heatable and usable for any polymer material.

Alternatively, it is also possible to mount the spinnerets of the two spin groups in one spin beam with two separate heating chambers. In this arrangement, the spinnerets are distributed over the heating chambers in groups, and the heating chambers are constructed for being heated independently of each other. With that, it is possible to realize extremely compact spinning positions and spinning units for melt spinning composite yarns. Preferably, the spinnerets are supplied by a plurality of multiple gear pumps, with a first multiple gear pump supplying the spinnerets of the first spin group, and a second multiple gear pump supplying the spinnerets of the second spin group. In their deliveries, the multiple gear pumps are adjustable separately from each other, so that even when extruding the filament bundles, different configurations in the individual spin groups can be realized.

In particular in the production of composite yarns with structure effects, which are generated, for example, by high shrinkage differences, it is especially preferred to apply the further development of the invention as defined in claims 5 and 6. In this case, the spinnerets of one of the spin groups comprise each a plurality of spin holes, which is equal or unequal to the plurality of spin holes in the spinnerets of the other spin group. Besides the number, also the capillary diameter of the spin holes may be made equal or unequal in the individually spin groups, so that special material combinations become possible to produce the composite yarn.

In the production of a composite yarn, which is formed by a POY yarn and an HOY yarn, as is disclosed, for example, in DE 101 16 294, a constellation has turned out satisfactory, in which the capillary diameter of the spin holes of one of the spin groups has a size < 0.4 mm, and the capillary diameter of the spin holes of the other spin group has a size < 0.25 mm. In this connection, it is preferred to produce the POY individual yarn with higher filament deniers than the HOY individual yarn.

To improve flexibility, a further advantageous development of the invention proposes to associate to each spin group a cooling device, which is made for cooling the associated filament bundles independently of one another. The filament bundles that are extruded within one spin group, can be uniformly cooled, and are thus allowed to solidify under substantially identical conditions. For the separate cooling of the filament bundles associated to the spin groups, the cooling device preferably includes separate air supply lines, through each of which cooling air is supplied in a controlled manner. In the production of composite yarns with different shrinkage characteristics, it has been found especially advantageous that one of the cooling devices comprises for each associated spinneret of the spin group a cooling tube, which connects at one inlet end to a pressure chamber via a screen cylinder downstream of the associated spinneret. With that, it is possible to produce at high speed POY individual yarns, which are then combined, for example, with an HOY individual yarn.

A different type of cooling device can be formed by a cross-flow quench or a radial-flow quench system.

The radial-flow quench system can be constructed as a so-called outflow-inflow quench or as an inflow-outflow quench system. In the latter case, it is preferred to use quenching candles for cooling the filaments.

The flexibility for melt spinning the individual yarns of a spin group can be further improved by providing selectively between the spinnerets and one of the cooling devices, or between the spinnerets and all cooling devices, an annealer zone with passive or active heating. With that, it is possible to use so-called annealer effects during the extrusion of the filaments for generating a delayed crys- tallinity. When producing composite yarns by the melt spinning process, it is common to withdraw the individual yarns separately by separate feed roll systems, as disclosed, for example, in DE 102 36 826 Al, or jointly by a godet unit, as disclosed, for example, in EP 0 485 871 Bl. hi particular, in the case of withdrawing by a common withdrawal means, guidance problems on the godet unit will arise when producing a plurality of composite yarns. Because of the short distances between the individual yarns, undesired superpositions and unsteady threadlines of the individual yarns may develop.

This problem can be advantageously solved in that the combination means is formed by a first entanglement unit upstream of the godet unit and a main entanglement unit downstream of the godet unit. With that, it is possible to combine the individual yarns to a composite yarn already before advancing into the godet unit. The first entanglement can be adjusted such that it largely prevents an intensive combination between the individual yarns, so as to obtain no more than a reliable advance over the godet without impeding drawing. The final yarn cohesion between the individual yarns is realized after their withdrawal from the main entanglement unit. It is thus possible to withdraw a plurality of composite yarns jointly from the spinnerets by a driven godet unit. The godet unit can be formed by a driven godet and a guide roll or a second driven godet, which are looped by the composite yarn several times.

In the production of a composite yarn formed by a POY individual yarn and an HOY individual yarn, the further development of the invention has turned out to be especially useful, in which a driven godet is arranged downstream of the godet unit, and wherein the main entanglement unit extends between the godet unit and the draw godets. This makes it possible to adjust optimal yarn tensions for generating yarn cohesion.

Depending on the requirements for further processing the composite yarns, it may advantageous to advance the composite yarn to a third entanglement unit before winding, so that the filaments undergo an intensive entanglement inside the composite yarn.

When using different cooling devices, it is also possible and advantageous to arrange as a function of the spin groups, the yarn lubricating devices that are pro- vided for wetting the filament bundles, in different positions within the spinning position. In a spinning position, this results both in a short convergence zone and in a long convergence zone. To make the spinning devices as compact as possible, it is preferred to deflect, after lubricating, the filament bundles that advance within a short convergence zone, into the yarn path of the filament bundles asso- ciated to the adjacent long convergence zone. With that, it is possible to compensate in an advantageous manner the distance that is needed for deflecting the filament bundles, so that directly after lubricating the filament bundles in the long convergence zone, both individual yarns can undergo a first entanglement.

In the following, further advantages of the apparatus are described in greater detail by means of some embodiments with reference to the attached Figures, in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic cross sectional view of a first embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention;

Figure 2 is a schematic axially sectioned view of the embodiment of Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 is a schematic cross sectional view of a further embodiment of the inven- tion;

Figure 4 is a schematic axially sectioned view of the embodiment of Figure 3; Figure 5 is a schematic cross sectional view of a further embodiment; and

Figure 6 is a schematic cross sectional view of a further embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention. Figures 1 and 2 schematically illustrate a first embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention. Figure 1 is a cross sectional view of the apparatus and Figure 2 is an axially sectioned view thereof. Unless express reference is made to one of the Figures, the following description will apply to both Figures.

The apparatus shown in Figures 1 and 2 comprises a total of four spinning positions for melt spinning a total of four composite yarns. The spinning positions are indicated at numbers 7.1 -7.4, with Figure 1 showing the spinning position 7.1.

Each of the spinning positions 7.1-7.4 is formed by two spinnerets arranged side by side in one spinning plane. As shown in Figure 1, the spinning position 7.1 comprises spinnerets 5.1 and 6.1. The spinneret 5.1 pertains to a first spin group 5 that comprises a total of four spinnerets arranged in one row. Figure 2 schemati- cally illustrates the arrangement of the spinnerets 5.1-5.4. The second spinneret 6.1 pertains to a second spin group 6, which likewise comprises a total of four spinnerets, which are each arranged with the spinnerets 5.1-5.4 in one spinning plane, and thus form the four spinning positions 7.1-7.4.

The spinnerets of the first spin group 5 are arranged in a spin beam 3.1. The spin beam 3.1 is made heatable. Preferably, the spin beam 3.1 connects via an inlet and an outlet to a heat carrier circulation system. The upper side of the spin beam 3.1 mounts a multiply driven gear pump 2.1, which connects via a plurality of melt distribution lines to the spinnerets 5.1-5.4 of the first spin group. The multiple gear pump 2.1 connects via a melt supply line 1.1 to a source of melt not shown.

As shown in Figure 1 , the spinnerets of the second spin group 6 are mounted in a second spin beam 3.2, which extends parallel to the spin beam 3.1. Likewise, the spin beam 3.2 can be separately heated by a heat carrier circulation system not shown. The upper side of the spin beam 3.2 mounts a second driven multiple gear pump 2.2, which connects via a plurality of melt distribution lines to the spinnerets of the second spin group 6. Figure 1 shows the connection between the multiple gear pump 2.2 and the spinneret 6.1. The other connections between the multiple gear pump 2.2 and the spinnerets of the second spin group 6 are analogous to the situation shown in Figure 2. The multiple gear pump 2.2 connects via a melt supply line 1.2 to a source of melt not shown.

Arranged downstream of the spin beam 3.1 is a first cooling device 8.1. The cooling device 8.1 comprises for each spinneret 5.1-5.4 of the first spin group 5 a screen cylinder 10.1-10.4. These screen cylinders are arranged in substantially concentric relationship with the spinnerets on the underside of the spin beam 3.1. The screen cylinders 10.1-10.4 are accommodated in a pressure chamber 9, which receives cooling air via a blower 11. Arranged downstream of each screen cylinder 10.1-10.4 is a cooling tube 12.1-12.4. The free end of the cooling tubes 12.1- 12.4 forms an outlet from the cooling device 8.1.

Associated to the spinnerets of the second spin group 6 is a second cooling device 8.2. The cooling device 8.2 likewise comprises a plurality of screen cylinders 15, which are arranged in concentric relationship with the respective spinnerets downstream of the spin beam 3.2. The screen cylinders are accommodated in an air chamber 14, which receives cooling air via a blower 16. The free ends of the screen cylinders end in a common cooling shaft 13, which extends substantially parallel to the spin beam 3.2. Thus, the cooling device 8.2 is constructed as a radial-flow quench system, wherein the cooling air stream flows from the outside inward. Arranged downstream of the cooling devices 8.1 and 8.2 are yarn lubrication devices 17.1 and 17.2.

In the following, the advance of the yarn from extruding to winding the composite yarns is described in greater detail with reference to the spinning position illustrated in Figure 1. In the spinning position 7.1, a plurality of filament strands is extruded from the spinneret 5.1. The filament strands emerge as a filament bundle 24.1 from the underside of the spinneret 5.1 and advance through the cooling device 8.1. Parallel thereto, a second filament bundle 25.1 is extruded from the second spinneret 6.1 of the second spin group 6, and cooled by the cooling device 8.2. The filament bundle 25.1 is combined by the yarn lubrication device 17.2 to an individual yarn 27.1, and guided by downstream deflection rolls 18.1 and 18.2 into the path of the adjacent filament bundle 24.1. At the outlet end of cooling device 8.1, the yarn lubrication device 17.1 combines the filament bundle 24.1 to an individual yarn 26.1, which advances together with the individual yarn 27.1 into a first entanglement unit 21. After their first entanglement, the individual yarns 26.1 and 27.1 are combined to a composite yarn 28.1. The filament bundles 24.1 and 25.1 are withdrawn by a withdrawal means 20, which is formed by a driven godet 20 and a guide roll 23. The composite yarn 28.1 loops the godet 20 and the guide roll 23 several times, and subsequently advances via a draw godet 30 to a takeup device 31. To generate a final yarn cohesion in the composite yarn 28.1, a main entanglement unit 29 is arranged between the draw godet 30 and the takeup device 31. In the main entanglement unit, the composite yarn 28.1 advances through a yarn channel, in which a compressed air entanglement occurs to form entanglement knots. In comparison with the entanglement unit 21, the main entanglement unit 29 is operated with a higher overpressure of the compressed air, so as to produce a plurality of entanglement knots.

In the takeup device, the composite yarn 28.1 is wound to a package 32.1, which is arranged on a winding spindle 33.1. The takeup device 31 is formed by an automatic winding head, which comprises a turret 34 with a second winding spindle 33.2. With that, it is possible to wind the yarn alternately on the winding spindles 33.1 and 33.2 in continuous operation. To form the packages, the takeup device is provided with a yarn traversing device 36 and a contact roll 35 downstream thereof, which lies against the surface of the package 32.1. The advance of the yarn described with reference of the spinning position 7.1 proceeds in the same way in each of the adjacent spinning positions 1.2-7.4. As shown in Figure 2, all filament bundles are jointly withdrawn by the withdrawal means 20. Before that, the filament bundles 24.1-24.4 are each cooled in the cooling device 8.1 and combined by yarn lubrication device 17.1, to an individual yarn 26.1-26.4. The zone between the spinnerets 5.1-5.4 and the yarn lubrication device 17.1 is named convergence zone, in which the filament bundles 24.1-24.4 are cooled. Parallel thereto, the filament bundles of the second spin group 6 are each cooled by the cooling device 8.2 in a second convergence zone, and combined to individual yarns by the yarn lubrication device 17.2. The second convergence zone of the filament bundles 25.1-25.4, which are produced in the spin group 6, is substantially shorter than the convergence zone of the filament bundles in the first spin group 5. To keep the overall length of the entire apparatus as short as possible, the filament bundles 25.1-25.4, which are cooled in the short convergence zone, are each deflected into the path of the filament bundles 24.1-24.2 that are cooled in the long convergence zone. To this end, the individual yarns are deflected via individual deflection rolls 18.1-18.4 into the illustrated path of the individual yarns 26.1-26.4. Subsequently, the two individual yarns are jointly combined in the first entanglement unit 21 to composite yarns 28.1-28.4. The entan- glement unit 21 is formed by individual entanglement nozzles that are arranged in spaced relationship. The composite yarns 28.1-28.4 jointly loop the driven godet 22 and guide roll 23 in order to receive a final yarn cohesion in the main entanglement unit 29. After advancing over draw godet 30, the composite yarns 28.1- 28.4 are parallel wound to packages 32.1-32.4. The embodiment of Figures 1 and 2 is especially suited for producing a composite yarn with a high shrinkage difference, as is disclosed, for example, in DE 101 16 294 Al. To carry out the method, the spinnerets 5.1 and 6.1 of the spinning position 7.1 are selected with respect to the number of their spin holes or choice of capillary diameters such that in the composite yarn a certain ratio of the mass of individual yarn 26.1 (POY) to the mass of individual yarn 27.1 (HOY) results. The spin holes of the spinnerets of the first spin group 5 have a capillary diameter of at most 0.25 mm to be able to produce a filament denier in the individual yarn 26.1 of > 2 deniers. The spin holes of the spinnerets of the second spin group 6 are made smaller to be able to produce a filament denier in the individual yarn 27.1 of< 1.5 deniers.

The multiple gear pumps 2.1 and 2.2 can be operated at different speeds with identical delivery volumes, or at the same speeds with different delivery volumes. In the latter case, the two multiple gear pumps may also advantageously be a double gear pump with one drive. To this end, the double gear pump comprises two sets of planetary gears arranged in parallel relationship. Each set of the planetary gears produces a group of partial melt flows corresponding to the number of associated spinnerets. As a result of different tooth face widths, the planetary gear sets thus deliver different volumes at the same drive speed.

The mass of the individual yarn 26.1 as well as the mass of the individual yarn 27.1 are determined by the resultant denier after withdrawing the filaments and by the number of the respective filaments. It is thus possible to make the spinnerets of the two spin groups different not only in their number of spin holes, but also in the size of the capillary diameters. In this connection, the mass ratio that is decisive for the composite yarn is selected as a function of the yarn effect being produced in the composite yarn.

Figures 3 and 4 are each a schematic view of a further embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention, with Figure 3 being a cross sectional view and Fig- ure 4 an axially sectioned view of the embodiment. The embodiment of Figures 3 and 4 is essential identical with the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2, so that the foregoing description is herewith incorporated by reference and only differences are described in the following. In this connection, components of the same function are identified by identical numerals. The embodiment of Figures 3 and 4 likewise comprises four spinning positions 7.1-7.4, with Figure 3 being a cross sectional view of the spinning position 7.1 and Figure 4 an axially sectioned view of the row of spinnerets shown in Figure 3 on the right side of the apparatus. The spinnerets of the spin groups 5 and 6 are arranged in parallel rows, which are mounted in a spin beam 3. The spinnerets 5.1-5.4 of the first spin group 5 are arranged in a first heating chamber 4.1, and the spinnerets 6.1-6.4 of the second spin group in a second heating chamber 4.2. The heating chambers 4.1 and 4.2, which are separated from each other in the spin beam 3 by a partition 37, are heated independently of each other, so that the spinnerets of each of the spin groups 5 and 6 can be heated at the same or different temperatures.

The upper side of the spin beam 3 mounts multiple gear pumps 2.1 and 2.2, which connect via distribution lines to the spinnerets of the spin groups 5 and 6. Downstream of the spin beam 3, the cooling devices 8.1 and 8.2 extend. The cooling device 8.1 is identical with the previously described embodiment, so that it will not be described in greater detail. The cooling device 8.2 is constructed as a cross-flow quench system, wherein on one side of the filament bundles 25.1- 25.4 that are extruded through spinnerets 6.1-6.4, an air-permeable wall 38 is ar- ranged, which connects to an air chamber 39. The air chamber 39 connects to a blower 16. The air-permeable wall 38 ends in a cooling shaft 13, through which the filament bundles 25.1-25.4 jointly advance.

Between the spin beam 3 and the cooling device 8.2, a heating zone 40 is formed by closed shaft walls that extend on each longitudinal side. Inside the heating zone 40, the filament bundles 25.1-25.4 thus undergo no active cooling.

To melt spin a total of four composite yarns in the spinning positions 7.1-7.4, the multiple pumps 2.1 and 2.2 receive from one extruder one polymer melt, or alternatively from two extruders different polymer types. The multiple gear pumps 2.1 and 2.2 supply the polymer melt under pressure to each spinneret of the spin groups 5 and 6, so that a group of filaments is extruded from the spin holes formed in the underside of each of the spinnerets. As a result of the different cooling conditions of the cooling devices 8.1 and 8.2, a POY individual yarn and an HOY individual yarn are produced in each of the spinning positions 7.1-7.4, and combined by a first entanglement unit 21. In comparison with the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2, a treatment distance between the composite yarns of the individual spinning positions is already adjusted before entering the first entanglement unit 21. To this end, the individual yarns 27.1-27.4 are deflected after being lubricated by the yarn lubrication device 17.2 by multi-grooved deflection rolls 41.1 and 41.2, and guided into the path of adjacent individual yarns 26.1- 26.2.

The entanglement unit 21 comprises a yarn channel for each of the composite yarns 28.1-28.4. The yarn channels are each arranged in a common housing. A pressure connection ends in each of the yarn channels, so as to impart by supplying compressed air an entanglement to the filaments of the two individual yarns. The composite yarns 28.1-28.4 and, thus, the filament bundles extruded in the spin groups are withdrawn by a common withdrawal means 20, which is formed by a driven godet 22 and a guide roll 23. The further advance as well as the fur- ther treatment of the composite yarns 28.1-28.4 occurs in the spinning positions 7.1-7.4 in the same way as has been described in the foregoing embodiment.

Figure 5 illustrates a further alternative of an apparatus of Figures 3 and 4 to produce a composite yarn respectively from one POY individual yam and one HOY individual yarn, hi this respect, only differences of the variant shown in Figure 5 are described.

To cool the filament bundles extruded in the first spin group 5, a heating zone 40.1 extends between the cooling device 8.1 and the spin beam 3. On its two longitudinal sides, the heating zone 40.1 has closed shaft walls, so that no active cooling occurs on the filament bundles 24.1 that are directly extruded from the spinnerets 5.1 of the first spin group 5. The downstream cooling device 8.1 is constructed identical with the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2.

To cool the adjacent filament bundle 25.1, a heating zone 40.2 with an annealer 42 arranged therein likewise extends between the cooling device 8.2 and the spin beam 3. In this arrangement, the annealer 42, for example, a radiation heater, heats the heating zone 40.2.

The cooling device downstream of the heating zone 40.2 comprises a plurality of quenching candles 43, which are each associated to one spinneret of the second spin group 6. Thus, in the spinning position 7.1, the quenching candle 43 is directly associated to the spinneret 6.1. To this end, the spinneret 6.1 has an annular arrangement of the spin holes, so that the filaments of the filament bundle 25.1 advance in the shape of a ring. The quenching candle 43 extends inside the filament bundle, and generates a cooling air stream that radially flows from the inside outward. To this end, the quenching candle 43 are jointly connected to a cooling air supply not shown.

The further advance of the yarn for forming the composite yarn 28.1 in the spinning position 7.1 can be configured in accordance with the foregoing embodiments of Figure 1 or 3. To this end, the foregoing description is herewith incorpo- rated by reference.

In an alternative to the foregoing embodiments, the composite yarn 28.1 advances, before being wound, through a third entanglement unit 44, so as to receive an entanglement that is especially directed to the further treatment of the composite yarn. In this process, those regions of the composite yarns are entangled as inten- sively as possible, which extend between the entanglement knots in the composite yarn.

The embodiments of the apparatus according to the invention as shown in Figures 1-5, are all based on the fact that the individual yarns produced in the spinning position are imparted different physical properties under different cooling condi- tions. In this case, the individual yarns within a spinning position are withdrawn by a common withdrawal means. Basically, however, there also exists the possibility of withdrawing the individual yarns from the spinnerets of spin groups 5 and 6 by separate means. Thus, it is possible to draw the individual yarns of the spin groups at different ratios before combining. In this instance, the cooling devices could be made identical, so that the differences result solely from drawing at different ratios.

However, the apparatus of the invention is also advantageous to use for cooling and drawing the filament bundles extruded in the spin groups, for example, under identical conditions. To this end, Figure 6 shows an embodiment, as would be possible for producing a two-color composite yarn. Figure 6 is a cross sectional view of a spinning position. In this embodiment, the spinnerets 5.1 and 6.1 are arranged in one spinning plane. The adjacent spinnerets (not shown) are located in parallel spinning planes, with the spinning plane being the drawing plane of Figure 6. The construction and arrangement of the spinnerets in the spin groups 5 and 6 could be made in accordance with the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2 or in accordance with the embodiment of Figures 3 and 4.

Downstream of spinnerets 5.1 and 6.1, cooling devices 8.1 and 8.2 extend. The cooling devices 8.1 and 8.2 are constructed identical as cross-flow quench systems, with both cooling devices 8.1 and 8.2 receiving cooling air via an air chamber 39 in the center. Associated to the air chamber 39 are air-permeable walls 38.1 and 38.2 of the cooling device 8.1 and 8.2. The air-permeable wall 38.1 ends in the cooling shaft 13.1 of the cooling device 8.1, and the air-permeable wall 38.2 ends in the cooling shaft 13.2 of the cooling device 8.2.

Each of the cooling devices 8.1 and 8.2 comprises a cooling shaft. At the outlet end of the cooling shafts 13.1 and 13.2, yarn lubrication devices 17.1 and 17.2 are each associated to the cooling devices 8.1 and 8.2. The yarn lubrication devices 17.1 and 17.2 combine the respective filaments bundles 24.1 and 25.1 to the indi- vidual yarns 26.1 and 27.1. Subsequently, the individual yarns 26.1 and 27.1 are combined by a first entanglement unit 21 to a composite yarn 28.1. In this process, the composite yarn 28.1 is withdrawn by a withdrawal godet unit 45. Arranged downstream of the withdrawal godet unit 45 is a draw godet unit 46, so that the composite yarn 28.1 undergoes drawing. After drawing, a final cohesion in the composite yarn 28.1 is generated by a crimping device 47. In the present embodiment, the crimping device 47 is formed by a texturing nozzle and a stuffer box chamber, in which the composite yarn 28.1 is compressed to a yarn plug. The yarn plug advances over a cooling device 48, in the present embodiment a cooling drum, and it is withdrawn as the crimped composite yarn 28.1. To this end, the. cooling device 48 is followed by a godet unit 49. In the path of the advancing yarn, a third entanglement unit 44 and a further godet unit 50 are arranged downstream of the godet unit 49. Between the godet units 49 and 50, an optimal yarn tension for the third entanglement of the composite yarn 28.1 is adjusted. At the end, the composite yarn 28.1 is wound to a package by takeup device 31. The embodiment shown in Figure 6 is thus especially suited for producing crimped composite yarns of mixed colors.

Basically, however, there also exists the possibility of using combinations be- tween the embodiments of Figures 1 and 4 and the embodiment of Figure 6 for the production of composite yarns. Thus, it is possible to realize the combination means by a crimping device or an entanglement unit. Essential is that the combination of the individual yarns occurs in several stages. Thus, in each instance, a first entanglement unit needs to precede the main combination means, which forms the necessary yarn cohesion for the common treatment of the individual yarns. Likewise, the number of the spinnerets used within a spinning position is exemplary. It is basically possible to use more than two spinnerets to produce a composite yarn within a spinning position.

NOMENCLATURE

1.1,1.2 Melt supply line

2.1,2.2 Multiple gear pump

3,3.1,3.2 Spin beam

4.1,4.2 Heating chamber 5 First spin group

5.1-5.4 • Spinneret

6 Second spin group

7.1-7.4 Spinning position

8.1,8.2 Cooling device 9 Pressure chamber

10.1-10.4 Screen cylinder

11 Blower

12.1-12.4 Cooling tube

13,13.1,13.2 Cooling shaft 14 Air chamber

15 Screen cylinder

16 Blower 17.1, 17.2 Yarn lubrication device 18.1-18.4 Deflection roll

19.1-19.4 Deflection roll

20 Withdrawal means 21 First entanglement unit

22 Driven godet

23 Guide roll

24.1-24.4 Filament bundle

25.1-25.4 Filament bundle 26.1-26.4 Individual yarn

27.1-27.4' Individual yarn

28.1-28.4 Composite yarn

29 Main entanglement unit

30 Draw godet 31 Takeup device

32.1-32.4 Package

33.1, 33.2 Winding spindle

34 Turret

35 Contact roll 36 Yarn traversing device

37 Partition

38, 38.1, 38.2 Air-permeable wall 39 Air chamber

40, 40.1, 40.2 Heating zone

41.1, 41.2 Deflection roll 42 Annealer 43 Quenching candle

44 Third entanglement unit

45 Withdrawal godet unit

46 Draw godet unit

47 Crimping device 48 Cooling device

49 Godet unit

50 Godet unit

Claims

1. Apparatus for melt spinning a plurality of composite yams (28.1, 28.2), each consisting of a plurality of filament bundles (24.1, 25.1), with a plurality of spinnerets (5.1, 5.2, 6.1, 6.2), and at least one cooling device (8.1, 8.2) associated to at least one of the spinnerets (5.1, 5.2, 6.1, 6.2) for cooling the filament bundles (24.1, 25.1), with combining means (21, 29, 47) for bundling the filament bundles (24.1, 25.1) that form the composite yams (28.1), and with withdrawal means (20, 45) for withdrawing the filament bundles (24.1, 25.1), characterized in that the spinnerets (5.1, 5.2, 6.1, 6.2) are distributed over a plurality of parallel spin groups (5, 6), each spin group comprising spinnerets (5.1, 5.2, 6.1, 6.2) arranged in rows in side-by-side relationship, and that each of the spinnerets (5.1) of a first spin group (5) forms with at least one spinneret (6.1) of a second spin group (6) arranged in a common spinning plane a spinning position (7.1) for producing one of the composite yams (28.1).

2. Apparatus of claim 1 , characterized in that the spinnerets (5.1, 5.2) of the first spin group (5) are accommodated in a first spin beam (3.1), and the spinnerets (6.1, 6.2) of the second spin group (6) in a second spin beam (3.2), and that the spin beams (3.1, 3.2) are arranged side by side and can be heated independently of each other for tempering the spinnerets (5.1, 5.2, 6.1, 6.2).

3. Apparatus of claim 1 , characterized in that the spinnerets (5.1, 5.2, 6.1, 6.2) of the two spin groups (5, 6) are accommodated in a spin beam (3) with two separate heating chambers (4.1, 4.2), with the spinnerets (5.1, 5.2, 6.1, 6.2) being distributed in groups over the heating chambers (4.1, 4.2), and with the heating chambers (4.1, 4.2) being made heatable independently of each other.

4. Apparatus of one of claims 1 -3 , characterized in that the spinnerets (5.1, 5.2) of the first spin group (5) connect to a first multiple gear pump (2.1) and the spinnerets (6.1, 6.2) of the second spin group (6) connect to a second multiple gear pump (2.2), and that the two multiple gear pumps (2.1, 2.2) are separately adjustable with respect to their deliveries.

5. Apparatus of one of claims 1 -4, characterized in that the spinnerets (5.1, 5.2) of one of the spin groups (5) have each a plurality of spin holes, which are equal or unequal to the plurality of spin holes in the spinnerets (6.1, 6.2) of the other spin group (6).

6. Apparatus of one of claims 1-5, characterized in that the spin holes of the spinnerets (5.1, 5.2) of one of the spin groups (5) have a capillary diameter, which is equal or unequal to the capillary diameter of the spin holes in the spinnerets (6.1, 6.2) of the other spin group (6).

7. Apparatus of claim 6, characterized in that the capillary diameter of the spin holes of one of the spin groups has a size < 0.4 mm, and the capillary diameter of the spin holes of the other spin group has a size of< 0.25 mm.

8. Apparatus of one of the foregoing claims, characterized in that to each spin group (5, 6) a cooling device (8.1, 8.2) is associated, with each cooling device (8.1, 8.2) being made operable separately from the other for cooling the associated filament bundles.

9. Apparatus of claim 8, characterized in that the cooling devices (8.1, 8.2) have each separate air supply means (11, 16), through which cooling air can be supplied in a controlled manner.

10. Apparatus of claim 8 or 9, characterized in that one of the cooling devices (8.1) comprises for each associated spinneret (5.1, 5.2) a cooling tube (12.1, 12.2), which connects at an inlet end via a screen cylinder (10.1, 10.2) associated thereto downstream of each spinneret (5.1, 5.2) to a pressure chamber (9).

11. Apparatus of claim 10, characterized in that the other cooling device (8.2) is formed by a cross-flow quench or a radial-flow quench system.

12. Apparatus of claim 11 , characterized in that the radial-flow quench system (8.2) is formed by a plurality of air diffusers (43) respectively associated to the spinnerets (6.1, 6.2), which air diffusers (43) jointly connect to an air supply.

13. Apparatus of one of the foregoing claims, characterized in that an afterheating zone (40, 40.1, 40.2) with passive or active heating is formed selectively between the spinnerets (5.1, 5.2, 6.1, 6.2) and one of the cooling devices (8.1, 8.2), or between the spinnerets (5.1, 5.2, 6.1, 6.2) and both cooling devices.

14. Apparatus of one of claims 1 - 13 or according to the preamble of claim 1 , characterized in that a driven godet unit (22, 23, 45) is associated as common withdrawal means to the spinnerets (5.1, 5.2, 6.1, 6.2), with the combining means being formed by a first entanglement unit (21) upstream of the godet unit (22, 23, 45) and a main entanglement unit (29) downstream of the godet unit (22, 23, 45).

15. Apparatus of claim 14, characterized in that the godet unit is formed by a godet (22) and a guide roll (23) or a second godet, which are looped by the composite yarns several times.

16. Apparatus of claim 14 or 15, characterized in that a driven draw godet (30) is arranged downstream of the godet unit (22, 23), and that the main entanglement unit (29) is arranged between the godet unit (22, 23) and the draw godet (30).

17. Apparatus of one of claims 14-16, characterized in that for a third entanglement of the composite yarn, a third entanglement unit (44) is provided, which is arranged between the draw godet (30) and the takeup device (31).

18. Apparatus of one of claims 8- 17, characterized in that to each cooling device (8.1, 8.2) a yarn lubrication device (17.1, 17.2) is associated for wetting the filament bundles, with the position of the yarn lubrication device (17.1, 17.2) forming a convergence zone, which is made differently long within the spinning positions (7.1).

19. Apparatus of claim 18, characterized in that the yarn lubrication device (17.1) which is arranged to define a long convergence zone, forms with the downstream first entanglement unit (21) a yarn advancing plane, with a plurality of deflection rolls (18.1, 19.1) being arranged between the first entanglement unit (21) and the yarn lubrication device (17.2) that defines a short convergence zone.