CN112760868A

CN112760868A - Device for bleaching or treating an industrial article, such as an article of clothing

Info

Publication number: CN112760868A
Application number: CN202011132757.8A
Authority: CN
Inventors: A·托内洛
Original assignee: Tonello Co ltd
Current assignee: Tonello Co ltd
Priority date: 2019-10-21
Filing date: 2020-10-21
Publication date: 2021-05-07
Also published as: IT201900019436A1; EP3812497A1; US20210156077A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device for decolorizing or treating industrial articles, such as articles of clothing. The device includes: a main frame defining the tub; a basket defining a positioning area of the article of clothing and rotatably mounted within the tub; a door pivoted or constrained to the main frame and movable so as to open or close an access opening to the positioning area; motorized means designed to drive the basket in rotation about the rotation axis; at least one conduit for draining fluid from the localized area; and an electronic control unit, wherein the device comprises: at least one tank containing or arranged to contain at least one first compound; at least one transport duct for the first compound, from the box towards and into the localized zone; at least one ozone generator or vessel; at least one ozone transfer tube from the ozone generator or vessel to a localized area or to at least one cabinet or to at least one transfer tube; means for atomizing or dispensing the first compound in the localized region.

Description

Device for bleaching or treating an industrial article, such as an article of clothing

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an apparatus for decolorizing or treating an industrial article, such as an article of clothing, and a method for treating an industrial article.

Background

Many devices have been proposed to date for decolorizing articles of clothing.

For the purpose of decolorizing the articles, these devices generally use water supplemented with a specific substance, which is fed to a containment area in which a basket for containing the articles is mounted so as to rotate.

Such devices are generally not suitable for ensuring effective decolorization and energy saving without the use of chemicals that are considered hazardous and/or harmful.

DE102011089386a1, EP1518955a1 and US5313811A teach solutions according to the prior art.

Object of the Invention

It is an object of the present invention to provide a new device for decolorizing or treating industrial articles, such as articles of clothing.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a device capable of obtaining a better bleaching or bleaching effect than the solutions proposed so far, thus producing an effect opposite to the original one, which complies with the principles generally specified by the models.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for decolorizing or treating industrial articles that is capable of performing an effective treatment of the articles of clothing without the use of aggressive chemicals.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a device for decolourization or treatment of industrial products, suitable for ensuring a reduced water consumption, if necessary, operating at room temperature.

According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided an apparatus according to claim 1.

The dependent claims relate to preferred and advantageous embodiments of the invention.

Drawings

Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the description of an embodiment of the device, illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

figure 1 is a perspective view with a part of the device according to the invention removed;

figure 2 is a partially transparent front view of the components of the device of figure 1;

figure 3 is a partially transparent rear view of the components of the device of figure 1;

figure 4 is a schematic view of the device according to the invention.

In the drawings, the same portions or components are denoted by the same reference numerals.

Detailed Description

With reference to the accompanying drawings, there has been shown a device or washing machine 1 for the decolorization or treatment of industrial articles of clothing, such as pants, T-shirts, sweaters, jackets and the like, the device or washing machine 1 comprising: a main frame 2, the main frame 2 defining the tub; and a basket 3, which basket 3 defines a positioning zone 4 for the articles and is rotatably mounted within the frame 2 or more precisely within the basin.

By treatment of an industrial article is understood, for example, bleaching or cleaning of an industrial article such as an article of clothing. In this respect, the device according to the invention is capable of producing a uniform or opposite effect on the finished article of clothing, fabric or accessory, in particular by varying the amount of ozone, and thus preventing the article from becoming grey due to the amount of ozone, thus enhancing its originality and aesthetic appearance.

The device 2 is then provided with a door 5 which door 5 is pivoted or constrained to the frame 2 and can move to open or close (of course with a fluid, such as a liquid seal and/or a gas seal) an access opening AA to the positioning area 4, which access area AA is delimited by the frame 2, in particular at a front position thereof.

Obviously, the device is also equipped with motorized means, such as an electric motor (not shown in the figures), designed to drive the basket 3 in rotation about an axis of rotation which, if necessary, is horizontal, for example in a direction from the rear to the front of the device 1 (defined by the door).

The device also has one or more conduits 6 for discharging fluid from the localized area 4 and an electronic control unit or PLC.

The device 1 then further comprises at least one tank 7, which tank 7 contains or is arranged to contain at least one first compound, preferably a liquid compound such as at least one chemical, natural product and/or water, for example a composition of water and an enzyme such as cellulase or alpha-amylase, or any mixture arranged to wash or dye an industrial product such as an item of clothing.

According to the non-limiting embodiment shown in the figures, two cases 7 are provided, for example rigidly connected to each other. Then, in the apparatus, at least one transport duct 9 of the first compound is included, which duct 9 is directed from the tank 7 or from each tank 7 towards and into the positioning area 4.

The first compound may comprise one component or even more components. In this respect, the tank 7 can also be filled with the different components to be mixed before or after feeding in the positioning area 4.

If provided, the enzyme is designed to produce an abrasive and/or biological cleaning effect on the fabric of the article of clothing. The amount of enzyme may be, for example, up to 2/3% relative to the weight (kg) of the product or article to be treated. The enzymes which can be used are preferably operated under cold conditions and are therefore operated at room temperature.

The device then comprises means for atomising or dispensing the first compound in the form of falling droplets or microbubbles or nanobubbles in the localised region 4.

In this respect, the device 1 is preferably equipped with at least one container or generator 8 of compressed gas, for example compressed air. Obviously, the generator of compressed gas may be constituted by a compressor.

To this end, the compressed gas is supplied by a container or generator 8 in a passage conduit 8a, which passage conduit 8a opens or is in fluid communication with the container 7 or with the delivery conduit 9 or with the localized area 4 at one or more nozzles 12, as will be described later, if necessary, or at a discharge or outlet end in the localized area 4 of the delivery conduit 9, in order to determine the dispensing or atomization of the first compound contained in or from the container 7, and the delivery or dispensing of such atomized compound within the localized area 4.

The atomization and dispensing of the first atomized compound is performed for a time between 5 'and 30' for each wash cycle, if desired.

Of course, atomization can also be obtained without compressed gas, for example by pressurizing the first compound or by means of a pressurized liquid (such as water).

With reference to this respect, according to one embodiment, the first compound is pushed into the delivery duct 9 by a pump 9a (suitably operated), for example a diaphragm pump, which pump 9a is fed with air if necessary, while a compressed gas, for example 4 to 8bar, if 6 bar, is delivered to one or more nozzles 12 by means of a respective duct 8a, while a fluid is delivered to these nozzles through the delivery duct 9, so that the compressed gas entering the nozzles 12 determines the atomization of the first compound. Of course, if more nozzles 12 are provided, it is preferable to provide first terminal branches 8b of the duct 8a, each first terminal branch 8b for a respective nozzle 12, and to provide second terminal branches 9b of the transfer duct 9, each second terminal branch 9b being designed for a respective nozzle 12. Alternatively, a plurality of

ducts

8a, 9 can be foreseen.

Obviously, as an alternative to the illustrated embodiment, a suitable fitting or chamber may also be provided with a first suction mouth in fluid communication with or served by the tank or delivery duct 9, at least a second suction mouth in fluid communication with or served by the container or generator 8 of compressed gas or by the passage duct 8a, and at least one mouth for the outflow of the first atomized compound (by means of compressed gas). Of course, in this case, the outflow mouth may lead to a conduit for conveying the atomized first compound (mixed with ozone, if necessary) to the localized area 4.

The device 1 is then equipped with at least one ozone generator or container 10 and at least one ozone transfer tube 11 from the generator 10 to the localized area 4 or to the tank 7.

If desired, according to the non-limiting embodiment shown in the figures, the transfer pipe 11 leads to a discharge duct 6 or to a discharge opening, wherein this discharge duct 6 is mounted in a lower region of the tank and/or on a conduit leading to a lower region of the device.

With reference to this aspect, the discharge duct 6 is intercepted by the transfer duct 11, if necessary, by inserting a dedicated shut-off valve 11 a.

Downstream of the shut-off region through the transfer pipe 11, a storage well 11b may be provided for operating a dedicated discharge pump.

Further, an opening/closing valve 6a of the discharge duct 6 may be provided.

Obviously, when ozone is to be supplied, the valve 6a is closed and the exhaust system is inoperative.

Of course, ozone can be introduced into the localized area 4 of the submerged portion in the first compound, in the portion with air or steam (top), and/or in the service conduit of the present invention.

Furthermore, the control unit is arranged to operate the dispensing of the first compound and ozone within the positioning area 4 at different times or substantially simultaneously. If such dispensing occurs at different times, it is preferred to first dispense the first atomized compound to wet or affect the industrial article and then deliver ozone to the article treated by the first atomized compound.

Thus, in this respect, according to a first variant, it is possible to feed the first compound first in the localized area 4 and then, after a given period of atomization of the industrial article, the ozone, or substantially simultaneously.

Alternatively, the transfer duct 11 may lead to the tank 7 or to the transfer duct 9, so that the ozone is mixed with the first compound, and the mixture thus obtained is subsequently atomized and transferred within the localized area 4.

If desired, the device 1 comprises at least one nozzle 12 supported by the frame 2 or by the door 5, which nozzle 12 is arranged to dispense the first compound in the form of atomized or droplets or micro-or nano-bubbles in the positioning zone 4, the nozzle(s) 12 then being in fluid communication with or served by the transport duct 9 and, if provided, by the passage duct 8a or more precisely by the transport duct for the atomized mixture and opening in the positioning zone.

In this respect, according to the embodiment shown in the figures, one nozzle or a plurality of nozzles is provided, for example two, three, four, five, six or more nozzles 12 supported by the door 5.

With reference to this aspect, the door 5 may be provided with a viewing aperture 5a for inspection of the localized area 4, and one or more nozzles 12 may be mounted, for example but not necessarily, by the viewing aperture 5a or supported. The viewing aperture 5a may be provided in an upper region of the door 5.

Preferably, the nozzle 12 has a body mounted outside the positioning region 4 and a dispensing opening projecting within the positioning region 4, which opening advantageously faces downwards or towards one side of the device 1.

Furthermore, the apparatus may further include: a container 14 for the first compound and the ozonolysis (in oxygen) substance in the industrial product, if necessary, for neutralizing ozone in water and clothing products; and a destructive component 15 of volatile or gaseous ozone present in the localized area 4. In this regard, it is well known that ozone is harmful to the environment and must be destroyed.

The design of the destructive component 15 is essentially to decompose ozone to produce oxygen.

In this regard, the decomposition substance may comprise a compound selected from the group consisting of, for example, sodium metabisulfite, hydroxylamine, oxalic acid and hydrogen peroxide or other suitable chemical compounds. The disintegrating substances can be introduced into the positioning zone 4, automatically through the corresponding ducts or even manually, starting from a specific opening, and then into the first compound and into the article of clothing therein.

If desired, the disintegrating substance is introduced into the water in an amount of 1 to 20 g per liter of the first compound, if desired.

Volatile or gaseous ozone present in the localized zone 4, but not on the industrial product or mixed in the first compound, is discharged from one or more special chimneys of the device and is therefore sent to the destructive component 15, which destructive component 15 provides a suitable treatment or decomposition of the ozone, or more precisely a catalytic destruction of the ozone.

The device 1 may also comprise a hot and/or cold water (also called "hard" water or "soft" water or variants thereof) inlet duct to the localized area 4, which duct communicates with a conventional water supply network.

By means of the device according to the invention, a method for decolorizing or treating an industrial article, such as an article of clothing, can be carried out, comprising the following steps:

-placing an industrial article, such as an item of clothing, in the positioning area 4 and closing the door 5;

in the positioning zone 4, the fed first compound is desirably atomized by means of compressed gas; and

before, during or after dispensing the first compound, if necessary, ozone is fed through the transfer tube 11 in the positioning zone 4, or in the tank 7 or transfer tube 9, in the form of atomized or falling droplets, micro-or nanobubbles, to mix the ozone with the first compound.

The method according to the invention, comprising the steps described herein, is advantageously, but not necessarily, implemented by means of an apparatus as described above.

If desired, but not necessarily, the basket 3 is rotated, for example at a speed of 5RPM to 50RPM for a time between 5 'and 120', before, during or after dispensing the first atomized compound and before, during or after feeding ozone, and the basket 3 is kept rotated for a determined period of time after delivery and feeding. In this regard, the first atomized compound and ozone can be delivered or fed into the positioning zone, and then the first atomized compound and ozone act on the industrial article even when the basket is stationary or subject to small movements/rotations.

According to said, the feeding of the first atomized compound in the positioning zone may be performed by:

feeding the first compound to the localized zone 4, if necessary, in the nozzle 12 by means of a pump in the transfer duct 9 and, if necessary, delivering the compressed gas to the localized zone 4, in the nozzle 12, through one or more respective ducts 8 a; or

Feeding the first compound and the compressed gas into suitable fittings or chambers through a first suction mouth in fluid communication with or served by a tank or transfer pipe 9, at least a second suction mouth in fluid communication with or served by a container or generator 8 of compressed gas, or a passage pipe 8a, and at least one mouth for the outflow of the first atomized compound and opening into a pipe for conveying the atomized first compound (mixed with ozone, if necessary) to the positioning area 4.

Then, the processed industrial product or clothing product is extracted from the positioning area 4. If desired, a drying step for the industrial or clothing article can also be provided in the positioning area 4.

The method according to the invention may also be performed in a plurality of devices and thus need not be performed in one device as shown above. These devices obviously should not comprise all the components as described above, but they may also comprise, for example, only the delivery system of the first compound, or only the ozone delivery system or only the rotating basket or two or more of these components.

To this end, the method for decolorizing or treating an industrial article, such as an article of clothing, can be carried out by at least two devices, each comprising a main frame 2, a basket 3 defining a localized area 4 of the article mounted in the frame 2, a door 5 pivoted or constrained to the main frame 2 and movable so as to open or close an access opening AA to the localized area 4.

Obviously, one or more of such means may be as described above.

Such a method may then comprise the steps of:

-manually or automatically placing an industrial article, such as an article of clothing, in the positioning area 4 of the first device and closing the respective door 5;

-feeding a first compound in the positioning area 4 of the first device in order to wet the industrial article by means of the first compound;

then, the wet industrial product is taken out of the first device manually or automatically and placed in the positioning area of the second device, first, during or after such positioning, ozone is fed into the positioning area 4 of the second device through the respective transfer tube 11.

Further, it is preferable that:

before, during or after feeding ozone, it is possible to rotate the basket 3 in the second device and to rotate the basket 3 for a certain period of time; or

-manually or automatically taking the wet and ozonized industrial product from the second device, placing it in the positioning area 4 of the third device, and rotating the basket 3 in the third device and rotating the basket 3 for a certain period of time.

In this respect, in order to extract the item treated by ozone and insert it into the second device, it is first necessary to reduce the ozone by destroying the parts present in the air and in the water/enzyme solution and on the item, otherwise this operation would be dangerous/harmful to the operator.

If desired, the first compound is dispensed in an amount of between 0.1 and 3 litres per kilogram of product and/or article of clothing placed in the positioning zone 4.

Furthermore, the absorption or bath ratio, i.e. the ratio of the weight of the packaging product to the volume of the first compound, such as water in the positioning area, is preferably in the range between 1:0.1 and 1: 3.

Preferably, the first compound is maintained at room temperature. Typically, the temperature in the localized region during the method is room temperature.

If compressed gas is provided, it may be fed at a pressure between 0.5bar and 8 bar.

If ozone is fed onto the article wetted by the first compound, this step can be performed, for example for a time between 5 'and 120', depending on the desired effect. Over time, for example in hours, the amount of ozone injected depends on the amount of industrial product or article introduced and on the type of ozone generator and the model of washer/appliance used.

The values as described above naturally refer to the processing cycles.

If a container 14 of decomposition substances and a destructive component 15 are provided, the method comprises, after the other indicating steps but before the extraction of the industrial product, a step of inserting in the positioning area 4 decomposition substances of ozone in the first compound and in the industrial product, and a step of destroying the volatile or gaseous ozone (fed to the chimney (s)) by means of the destructive component 15.

If necessary, the first compound is sent to the machine drain, and subsequently to the washing machine, by checking the appropriate electrovalve, before being sent to the positioning area. This step is obviously optional and not necessary.

In any case, if the same can be expected, it is performed for two main reasons:

facilitating cleaning of the ducts from the tank to the nozzles, since it is advisable to clean the ducts before atomizing the new product into the device if a different product was previously used;

in order to be able to atomize the first compound immediately, otherwise air gaps may occur in the pipe before the first compound reaches the positioning region or the nozzle (if provided).

Obviously, the control of the electronic valve, the rotation of the basket and the automatic operation of the device are delegated to the control unit.

Furthermore, a control unit or PLC may be provided in order to be able to control the time, pressure and/or flow rate of the method.

The PLC can also save process constructs or "recipes" if needed, and then call them up in subsequent cycles.

Furthermore, even if they are not described in general terms, special manual and/or automatic valves and their control devices, and, if necessary, motorization of the components and appropriate sensors are provided in the device.

As can be ascertained, the method according to the invention has the advantage of ensuring a better bleaching or bleaching effect, since it is superficial and less aggressive and accelerated than the traditional methods, thus allowing:

-obtaining a unique aesthetic effect on the articles, giving them a pleasant aesthetic;

-no corrosive chemicals are used;

reduced consumption of water (since water is atomized and sprayed, in smaller quantities than in ozone treatment in water) and working at room temperature. Furthermore, this ensures a natural shadow of the article, with a contrasting effect at the seam.

Modifications and variations of the invention are possible within the scope defined by the claims.

Claims

1. An apparatus for decolorizing or treating an industrial article, such as an article of clothing, comprising: a main frame (2) which delimits the basin; a basket (3) defining a positioning region (4) of the item of clothing and rotatably mounted within the tub; a door (5) pivoted or constrained to the main frame (2) and movable so as to open or close an access opening (AA) to the positioning area (4); motorized means designed to drive the basket (3) in rotation about an axis of rotation; at least one duct (6) for discharging fluid from the localized area (4); and an electronic control unit, wherein the apparatus comprises:

-at least one tank (7) containing or arranged to contain at least one first compound, such as at least one chemical, natural product and/or water;

-at least one transport duct (9) of said first compound, which is directed from said box (7) towards and into said positioning area (4);

-at least one ozone generator or container (10); and

-at least one ozone transfer tube (11) from the ozone generator or container (10) to the positioning area (4) or to at least one of the tanks (7) or to at least one of the transfer ducts (9),

the apparatus further comprises means for atomizing or dispensing the first compound in the form of falling or atomized droplets, micro-or nanobubbles in the localized region (4).

2. The device of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first compounds comprises a water and/or enzyme composition, such as a cellulase or an alpha-amylase.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 or 2, comprising:

-at least one compressed gas container or generator (8); and

-at least one passage duct (8a) whose compressed gas is fed by at least one said container or generator (8),

at least one of said passage conduits (8a) opens or is in fluid communication with at least one of said tanks (7) or at least one of said transfer conduits (9) or said localized area (4) so as to determine the distribution of a first compound contained in or coming from at least one of said tanks (7) within said localized area (4).

4. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the electronic control unit is arranged to operate the dispensing of the first compound and the ozone within the localized area (4) at different times or substantially simultaneously.

5. The device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the ozone transfer tubes (11) leads to a discharge duct (6) or discharge opening, wherein the discharge duct (6) is mounted in the lower region of the basin or on a conduit leading to the lower region of the device.

6. The device according to any of the claims from 1 to 4, characterised in that at least one of the transfer ducts (11) opens into at least one of the tanks (7) or at least one of the transfer ducts (9), so that the ozone is mixed with at least one of the first compounds, the mixture thus obtained being subsequently atomized by means of a compressed gas and conveyed inside the localized area (4).

7. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising at least one nozzle (12) supported by the frame (2) or the door (5) or a viewing aperture provided in the door and arranged to dispense at least one first atomized compound in the localized area (4), at least one of the nozzles (12) being in fluid communication with or served by at least one of the transport ducts (9) or a transport duct for the first atomized compound.

8. The apparatus of any one of the preceding claims, comprising: a container (14) of said first compound and ozonolysis substances in said industrial product in said basket (3); and a destructive component (15) of volatile or gaseous ozone present in the localized area (4) and in the basin.

9. A method for decolorizing or treating an industrial article, such as an article of clothing, realized by a device according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising the steps of:

-placing an industrial article, such as an article of clothing, in a positioning area (4) of said device for the decolorization or treatment of the industrial article and closing the corresponding door (5);

-feeding a first compound, such as at least one chemical, natural product and/or water, in the positioning area (4);

-feeding ozone through at least one of the transfer tubes (11) in the localized area (4), or in at least one of the tanks (7) for containing the first compound, or in at least one of the transfer tubes (9) of the first compound, into the localized area (4) from at least one of the tanks (7), before, during or after dispensing the first compound, in order to mix the ozone with the first compound,

wherein the first compound is dispensed in the localized area (4) in the form of atomized or falling droplets or microbubbles or nanobubbles.

10. Method according to claim 9, characterized in that the basket (3) defining the positioning zone (4) is rotated before, during or after dispensing the first compound and before, during or after feeding the ozone and is kept rotated for a certain period of time after the dispensing and feeding.

11. A method for decolorizing or treating an industrial article, such as an article of clothing, by at least two devices, each of said devices comprising: a main frame or tub (2); a basket (3) defining a positioning area (4) for an article mounted within the frame (2); a door (5) pivoted or constrained to the main frame (2) and movable so as to open or close an access opening (AA) to the positioning area (4), comprising the steps of:

-placing an industrial article, such as an item of clothing, in said positioning area (4) of a first device and closing the respective said door (5), said first device being a device according to any one of claims 1 to 8;

-feeding a first compound in said localized area (4) of said first device, so as to wet said industrial product by means of said first compound, said first compound being dispensed in the form of atomized or falling droplets, micro-or nanobubbles in said localized area (4);

-taking the wet industrial product from the first device and placing it in the positioning area of a second device, firstly, during or after such positioning, feeding ozone through a respective transfer tube (11) into the positioning area (4) of the second device.

12. The method of claim 11,

-rotating the basket (3) in the second device before, during or after feeding the ozone and rotating the basket (3) for a certain period of time after feeding the ozone, or

-removing the wetted and ozonized industrial article from the second device, placing the industrial article in the positioning area (4) of a third device, and rotating the basket (3) in the third device and rotating it for a specific period of time.

13. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 12, wherein said first compound is dispensed in an amount of between 0.1 and 3 litres per kilogram of article of clothing in said localized area (4).

14. A method as claimed in any one of claims 9 to 13, wherein the ozone is fed onto the article wetted by the first compound, if necessary, for a time in the range 5 'to 120'.

15. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 14, which is achieved by means of a device according to claim 8, characterized in that, after the further indicating step, a substance for separating ozone is introduced into the localized zone (4) in the first compound and the industrial product, and in that the destroying step is carried out in the localized zone (4) by means of a destructive component (15) of volatile or gaseous ozone, which is fed to at least one chimney of at least one of the devices.

16. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 15, when depending on claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the electronic control unit operates the dispensing of the first compound and the ozone within the positioning area (4) at different times or substantially at the same time.