Method of treating fine filamentous thread in package form

In treating regenerated cellulose threads in package form such as the cakes obtained by centrifugal spinning, the package is mounted so as to be free to elongate longitudinally to a limited extent during part of the treatment with liquid which is forced transversely through the package. Further elongation is prevented automatically. The process is suitable for washing, bleaching, dyeing, disulphurizing, and other wet treatment of the threads. As shown in the drawings, artificial silk cakes 5 are placed on perforated shell members 6 and are arranged in columns on the washing machine. The cakes are separated from each other by means of spacing members 4 each of which rests on the top of the shell member below it and supports the shell member and cake above it. At the top of the column is positioned a cap member 12. The size of the various parts is such that at the beginning of the washing operations, a small space 8 is left between the top of each cake 5 and the abutment formed by the adjacent spacing member 4 or the cap 12. Treating liquid is supplied under pressure through holes 13 in the base member 3, and passes transversely through the cakes which expand longitudinally until the spaces 8 are filled. The cakes are then confined between the upper and lower faces of adjacent spacing members, so that wash water is prevented from passing over the top of the cakes. In order to prevent further elongation of the cakes, a clamping device is provided. A clamping head 20 has an upper boss 21 in which is fitted a link 23 secured by a pin 24 passing through a vertically elongated slot 25. The pin 24 is normally held in the lowermost position in slot 25 by a coil spring 26. This device serves as a shock-absorber during the clamping of the head 20 upon the cap member 12. The link 23 is operated by a handle 33 pivoted to the frame of the machine at 42, and adapted to make two connections with a locking member 34 by means of a pin 37 which can engage in either of the recesses 35, 36. Columns of cakes may be arranged on each side of the washing frame, and in this case the inner ends of the two oppositely disposed operating handles 33 may be pivotally mounted upon the same pin 42 secured in the body of the bracket 29.