Pressure-sealing device

943,324. Textile treating apparatus. AMERICAN CYNAMID CO. March 26,1962 [April 4,1961], No. 11402/62. Heading D1L. A pressure sealing device adapted to permit the continuous passage therethrough of elongated material 28 (Fig. 8) comprises two counter-rotatable sealing members 30, 32 that mate to form a divided roll, and each consists of a base, an extension which is fixedly attached to and extends forward from said base, and a shaft which is fixedly attached to and extends rearward from the base for mounting, for rotational movement, on a seal enclosure, the forward ends of the extensions of the two sealing members contacting, respectively, the base portion of the other, and means for maintaining the forward end of each extension in positive contact with the opposite base portion. As shown the device consists of an enclosure comprising a plate 14 and a member 12 housing therein the two sealing members 30, 32. The plate 14 can be attached to any pressure vessel through which elongated material 28 e.g. yarn, fabric, rope, tow, sheets is to be passed for treatment purposes, so that an effective seal is formed, whilst allowing the material to pass in to or out of the vessel. Each sealing member 30, 32 consists of a cylindrical base 34, 40, an extension 36,42 the outside curvature of which is the same as the respective base portions, and a shaft 38, 44 by means of which the members are rotatably mounted in the enclosure member 12. End plates 46, 54 are detachably fastened to the main body of enclosure 12 and rotatably support the shaft portions of the sealing members 30, 32. In addition plate 46 houses springs 70, 72 which act on the base 34 of member 30 so as to keep the respective extensions and base portions of the two sealing members in contact. The device also includes spring-loaded means for the rotatable sealing members and safety means to prevent accidental full opening of the seal during operation. For this purpose wheels 74, 74 are fixed to shafts 44, 38 respectively and have secured thereto handles 76, 76 for opening the sealing members. Each handle is acted upon by adjustable spring means 82, 82 for holding the sealing members closed against material passing through the seal, an adjusting screw 84 being provided to set a minimum closure. A safety latch 96 prevents the seal being accidentally opened in excess of the normal operating amount.