Systems, methods, and machine for metallization of fabric

Abstract

Systems and methods, as well as a machine, which can be used to improve constancy of fabric exposure to chemicals in a liquid bath and particular in the process of metallization. These systems and methods can be used to provide for more effective batch processing of fabric but can also be linked together to provide for what is effectively a continuous process as well.

1 . A method for treating a length of fabric, the method comprising:
 providing a chemical bath divided among a plurality of shallow trays positioned on a frame;   feeding a first end of said length of fabric over a first roller and into said chemical bath in a first tray in said plurality of trays;   keeping said length of fabric suspended in said chemical bath without contacting said first tray while said length of fabric traverses said first tray;   directing said first end over a second roller and into said chemical bath in a second tray in said plurality of trays;   keeping said length of fabric suspended in said chemical bath without contacting said second tray while said length of fabric traverses said second tray; and   directing said first end over a third roller.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said length of fabric passes through said first tray in a first direction and said second tray in an opposing second direction. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said chemical bath in said first tray flows in a flow direction generally parallel to said first direction. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein said flow direction is in a direction generally the same as said first direction. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein said chemical bath in said second tray flows in a flow direction generally parallel to said second direction. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein said flow direction in said second tray is in a direction generally the same as said second direction. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein said flow direction in said second tray is in a direction generally opposing said second direction. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said chemical bath in said first tray flows in a flow direction generally perpendicular to said first direction. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein said chemical bath in said second tray flows in a flow direction generally perpendicular to said second direction. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein said flow direction in said second tray is in a direction generally the same as said flow direction in said first tray. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said flow direction in said second tray is in a direction generally opposing said flow direction in said first tray. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said chemical bath metalizes said length of fabric. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said first end is connected to a second opposing end of said length of fabric to form a loop. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1  wherein there is a laminar flow of said chemical bath over said length of fabric in said first tray. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1  wherein temperature of said chemical bath is generally the same in said first tray as said second tray. 
     
     
         16 . A method for treating a length of fabric, the method comprising:
 providing a roll of fabric and a plurality of reactors, each of said reactors comprising a plurality of shallow trays positioned on a frame;   directing a first end of said roll of fabric into a first reactor in said plurality of reactors;   while in said first reactor:
 feeding a first end of said length of fabric over a first roller and into a chemical bath in a first tray in said plurality of trays; 
 keeping said length of fabric suspended in said chemical bath without contacting said first tray while said length of fabric traverses said first tray; 
 directing said first end over a second roller and into said chemical bath in a second tray in said plurality of trays; and 
 keeping said length of fabric suspended in said chemical bath without contacting said second tray while said length of fabric traverses said second tray; 
   directing said first end over a third roller and into a second reactor in said plurality of reactors;   while in said second reactor:
 feeding a first end of said length of fabric over a first roller and into a chemical bath in a first tray in said plurality of trays; 
 keeping said length of fabric suspended in said chemical bath without contacting said first tray while said length of fabric traverses said first tray; 
 directing said first end over a second roller and into said chemical bath in a second tray in said plurality of trays; and 
 keeping said length of fabric suspended in said chemical bath without contacting said second tray while said length of fabric traverses said second tray; and 
   directing said first end from said plurality of reactors into a later process.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein temperature of said chemical bath is generally the same in all of said trays in all of said reactors. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16  wherein said chemical bath in all of said trays in all of said reactors is supplied from a common source. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16  wherein said later process comprises a drying process. 
     
     
         20 . A reactor for metalizing a length of fabric, the reactor comprising:
 a frame;   a plurality of shallow trays positioned on said frame so as to be stacked generally vertically;   a chemical bath divided among said plurality of shallow trays; and   a pair of rollers associated with each of said shallow trays in said plurality of trays, wherein said pair of rollers suspend said length of fabric in said chemical bath in said associated tray without said length of fabric contacting said associated tray while said length of fabric traverses said associated tray;   wherein, after traversing a first tray in said plurality of shallow trays, said length of fabric traverses a second tray in said plurality of shallow trays.