Classifications

• • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
  • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • D06B—TREATING TEXTILE MATERIALS USING LIQUIDS, GASES OR VAPOURS
  • D06B3/00—Passing of textile materials through liquids, gases or vapours to effect treatment, e.g. washing, dyeing, bleaching, sizing, impregnating
  • D06B3/10—Passing of textile materials through liquids, gases or vapours to effect treatment, e.g. washing, dyeing, bleaching, sizing, impregnating of fabrics

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a machine and a method for industrial continuous, open-width washing of fabrics.
• a fabric washing process includes the successive steps of wetting with a solution of water and a product, mechanical rubbing to remove contaminant particles entangled in the fibers and squeezing to remove excess water and the dirt carried thereby.
• the product that is used in the washing process (detergent, softener, etc.), which has the purpose of facilitating removal of contaminant particles, requires a minimum time of action on the fabric for optimized action and performance. Therefore, the addition of periods in which the fabric is at rest, once it has been wetted with the product, leads to a general performance improvement.
• This treatment is performed on mainly cellulose fabric and includes the addition of special enzymes to the bath, whose action tends to clean and shorten the surface fibers of the fabric. This provides a particular soft and/or wom-in feel.
• Treatment times may be adjusted substantially as desired in batch washing machines, in which a given amount, possibly a large amount of fabric, is loaded, treatment is carried out for as long as desired and the machine is unloaded by removing the treated fabric, and new fabric may be later introduced.
• washing treatments such as the enzyme treatment, considerably improve in combination with a strong mechanical action on the fabric being treated. Since enzymes are substances that work on the surface of the fabric, the “enzyme-bound” part must be mechanically removed for a further layer of fabric to be attacked by other enzymes. In this respect, prior art continuous washing machines are not suitable to exert significant mechanical actions on the fabric being washed.
• EP2845940A1 discloses a plant for continuous, open-width washing of fabrics, which plant has a longitudinally-extending treatment unit which comprises a plurality of cylinders that together define a washing path extending between the inlet and the outlet of the unit.
• a pair of conveyor belts having a plurality of through openings, are supported by cylinders in part of the washing path and in part of the return path with which each of them forms a closed loop path.
• At least one of the cylinders is motorized and the closed loop paths share the same cylinders that define the washing path and are completely superimposed along it.
• the treatment unit also comprises a plurality of nozzles arranged along the entire washing path, facing the perforated belts, and connected to washing fluid sources.
• Plants of the above described type both have a considerable structural complexity due to the presence of conveyor belts, rollers and cylinders, and cannot perform, as mentioned above, long-duration washing processes or treatments requiring a strong mechanical action.
• prior art machines for continuous, open-width washing of fabrics are structurally complex, unable to efficiently perform relatively long-duration treatments and substantially unable to combine washing with mechanical actions on the fabric being processed.
• rope treatment of fabrics is also known to greatly simplify the technology to be implemented on the machine, to generally reduce its dimensions and to avoid the problems due to the need to check that fabric can be closed on itself, turned, pleated, like in open-width treatment machines.
• rope washing of fabrics clearly limits the ability of the treatment liquid to evenly and easily access the entire surface of the fabric to be treated.
• certain steps of a few common types of washing processes cannot be carried out in rope form. For example, when washing after reactive printing, salts and excess dyes must be eliminated in the first steps and these steps cannot be performed in rope form, otherwise the results will not be uniform. For this reason, certain manufacturers usually combine open-width machine modules with rope machine modules.
• Machines for rope washing of a fabric having a pneumatic duct for conveying the fabric, are disclosed in EP0215745A1 and EP0312509A1 for batch washing and in WO0198576A1 for continuous washing.
• W02007054994A1 discloses a machine for rope-treatment of fabric, which machine comprises a pneumatic fabric dragging system and can be configured for washing treatments (see Fig. 5).
• the machine may be integrated in a treatment line with an open-width entry and an open-width exit for the fabric, which are formed by an open- width fabric feeder at the entry and a rope opener at the exit (see Fig. 6).
• the Applicant is not aware of machines for continuous washing of a fabric that can overcome the limits of the above described prior art equipment.
• the main object of the invention is to provide a machine and a method for continuous open-width washing of fabrics that can overcome the limits of prior art continuous washing machines.
• an object of the invention is to provide a machine and a method for carrying out industrial washing processes, such as washing after dyeing, washing after printing, enzyme washing and fibrillation and bleach washing, with a high throughput and without using complex and expensive modular arrangements.
• an additional object of the invention is to provide a washing machine and method that can be implemented in relatively limited spaces.
• a further object is to provide a washing method and machine that can efficiently carry out relatively long-duration treatments.
• An auxiliary object of the invention is to provide a washing method and machine that can combine the washing process with mechanical actions on the fabric being processed.
• At least one of the above listed objects is substantially achieved by a machine and a method for continuous, open-with treatment of a fabric as defined in one or more of the accompanying claims.
• fabric is washed continuously and fabric is driven inside the machine using a pneumatic duct (or“gun”) that transfers the wet fabric being processed alternately between two accumulation tanks.
• a pneumatic duct or“gun”
• all the washing steps - feeding, bath, driving and removing- are carried out with the fabric in open-width form, i.e. open transverse to the direction of feed of the fabric along the operating path provided by the machine.
• the machine and method of the invention afford various types of washing, in an efficient, relatively simple and inexpensive way.
• a great number of wetting and squeezing sequences may be performed on the fabric between the entry and the exit of the machine.
• the strength of the mechanical action on the fabric and/or the total treatment time are adjustable and can reach high values.
• a minimum time may be set for rest incubation of the washing products in solution on the fabric.
• a machine for continuous open-width washing of a fabric (T) which comprises: - at least one first tank (10) and one second tank (12), each of said first and second tanks being configured to hold an amount of a washing liquid and to contain an accumulation of the fabric (T),
• At least one pneumatic transfer device (30), interposed between and communicating with said tanks (10, 12), said pneumatic transfer device being configured to alternately transfer the fabric (T) between the first and second tanks (10, 12);
• the machine further comprising at least one irrigation device (50, 52), configured to sprinkle washing liquid on at least one exposed surface of the fabric (T) that comes out of the pneumatic transfer device (30).
• the pneumatic transfer device (30) comprises a first outlet (32) that faces the first tank (10) and a second outlet (34) that faces the second tank (12).
• the machine comprises a respective irrigation device (52, 54) at each of said first and second outlets (32, 34).
• the or each irrigation device (50, 52) comprises a plurality of nozzles arranged transverse to the fabric (T).
• the nozzles of the or of each irrigation device (50, 52) have respective sprinkling openings arranged transversely side by side to cover at least a major part of the transverse dimension.
• the nozzles of the or each irrigation device (50, 52) have respective sprinkling openings arranged transversely side by side to cover the entire transverse dimension of the respective one of said first or second outlet openings of the pneumatic transfer device (30).
• the machine comprises at least one liquid separator (40, 42).
• the/each liquid separator is arranged in front of at least one of said first or second outlet opening (32, 34) of the pneumatic transfer device (30).
• the/each liquid separator (40, 42) is placed above said first or second tank (10, 12) or at an upper portion of said first or second tank (10, 12).
• the/each liquid separator (40, 42) is configured to intercept the fabric that comes out of the pneumatic transfer device (30) and to cause at least partial separation of liquid from the fabric before the latter moves down toward a bottom of one of said first and second tanks (10, 12).
• the machine comprises a respective liquid separator (40, 42) at each of said first and second outlet openings (32, 34) of the pneumatic transfer device.
• the or each separator device (40, 42) comprises a respective impact grid placed in front of a respective one of the two outlet openings (32, 34) of the duct (30).
• the nozzles of the or of each irrigation device (50, 52) have respective sprinkling openings, which are:
• the nozzles of the or each irrigation device (50, 52) have respective sprinkling openings, which are:
• the pneumatic transfer device comprises a pneumatic duct, wherein the first and second openings are horizontally aligned.
• the pneumatic transfer device comprises a/the pneumatic duct which is a duct having a constant passage section.
• the pneumatic transfer device comprises a/the pneumatic duct extending along a horizontal longitudinal axis.
• the pneumatic transfer device comprises a/the pneumatic duct that is a duct having a length ranging from 1.5 to 3 meters.
• the pneumatic transfer device comprises a/the pneumatic duct, that is a flat and elongate duct with a passage section having a uniform thickness and a constant width that is considerably greater than the thickness, to thereby define a thin and wide passage window to maintain the fabric that is being washed and is passing through the pneumatic duct in a substantially flat position.
• the pneumatic transfer device comprises a/the pneumatic duct and at least one fan (60, 61) which is designed to generate an airstream toward the pneumatic duct.
• the pneumatic transfer device comprises at least one two-way conveyor (64, 65) interposed between the fan (60, 61) and the pneumatic duct.
• the two-way conveyor has flow switching means (e.g. a valve or a flow-diverting swing panel) for selectively directing the airstream inside the pneumatic duct in two opposite directions to thereby selectively convey the fabric from the first tank to the second tank or vice versa.
• flow switching means e.g. a valve or a flow-diverting swing panel
• the pneumatic transfer device comprises a/the pneumatic duct and first and second fans (60, 61).
• the first fan is designed to generate an airstream toward an upper side of the pneumatic duct, at least one first two-way conveyor (64, 65) being interposed between the first fan and the pneumatic duct and terminating on an upper side of the pneumatic duct, the first two-way conveyor having first flow switching means for selectively directing the airstream in the pneumatic duct in two opposite directions to thereby selectively convey the fabric from the first tank to the second tank or vice versa.
• the second fan is designed to generate an airstream toward a lower side of the pneumatic duct, at least one second two-way conveyor (64, 65) being interposed between the second fan and the pneumatic duct and terminating on a lower side of the pneumatic duct, the second two-way conveyor having second flow switching means for selectively directing the airstream in the duct in two opposite directions to thereby selectively convey the fabric from the first tank to the second tank or vice versa.
• the liquid separator (40) operating at the first outlet opening (32) directly faces said first outlet opening and covers at least the entire transverse and vertical extent thereof.
• the liquid separator (42) operating at the second outlet opening (34) directly faces said second outlet opening and covers at least the entire transverse and vertical extent thereof.
• the machine comprises introducing means (20) for introducing the fabric (T) into the first tank (10), said introducing means being configured to feed to the fabric (T) into the first tank (10) at full width;
• the machine comprises removing means (22) for removing the fabric (T) from the second tank (12), said removing means being configured to remove the fabric (T) from the second tank (12) at full width.
• the machine comprises a control unit connected with the introducing means (20) and the removing means (22) and configured to:
• V L a line speed
• the machine comprises a/said control unit which is connected to the transfer device and is configured to:
• o receive a set point of a transfer parameter selected from: a transfer speed (V T ) of the fabric in the transfer device, a pneumatic power to be imparted to the pneumatic transfer device, or a residence time of each fabric section in each tank, from an input member communicatively connected with the control unit or from a memory connected with the control unit,
• a/said control unit is configured to control the pneumatic transfer device to impart a transfer speed (V T ) at least 5 times greater than said line speed (V L ). to the fabric that passes through the transfer device.
• one or the control unit is communicatively connected with the transfer device and is configured to control the flow switching means of the pneumatic transfer device to obtain a plurality of passes in opposite directions to thereby selectively convey the fabric from the first tank to the second tank or vice versa a plurality of times.
• the switching means are controlled in response to detection by a weight sensor or a mass sensor or a level sensor or a tension sensor on the fabric in the first tank or the second tank respectively, or after a predetermined residence time has elapsed.
• a or the control unit is communicatively connected with the transfer device and is configured to control the pneumatic transfer device and synchronize the first and second flow switching means for the airstream from both the first and second fan to be directed in the pneumatic duct either entirely toward the first outlet opening or entirely toward the second outlet opening, to thereby selectively and alternately convey the fabric from the first tank to the second tank or vice versa.
• a bottom (14, 15) of each tank (10, 12) has fluid passages, optionally in the form of holes (17), which provide communication between the bottom and an underlying compartment (11,13).
• said bottom (14, 15) is preferably formed by a thin wall, for example a sheet metal portion (16).
• the bottom (14,15) is formed in a wall having holes (17) and removably mounted above said compartment (11,13).
• said first and/or said second accumulation tanks (10, 12) have - as seen in longitudinal sectional - a concave profile with an upwardly facing concavity and a greater curvature in the portion at the bottom of the tank and a smaller curvature in the portion between the bottom and the corresponding outlet opening (32,34) of the pneumatic transfer device (30).
• said portion between the bottom of each of the first and/or second tanks and the corresponding outlet opening (32,34) of the pneumatic transfer device (30) is in the form of a chute (18,19) having an inclination to the horizontal plane that gradually changes toward the bottom.
• said inclination gradually changes from an inclination angle ranging from 40° to 60°, preferably from 45° to 50° at the outlet opening of the pneumatic transfer device (30) to an angle of less than 10°, particularly of 0°, at the bottom of the tank.
• a liquid delivery nozzle (24) is provided in each tank below the outlet opening of the pneumatic transfer device (30) and is configured and oriented to generate a liquid cushion (26) for the fabric along said portion in the form of a chute (18, 19).
• ducts (84) are provided under each tank for feeding liquid into the tanks through holes (82) formed at different heights in said portion in the form of a chute (18, 19).
• arcuated profiles (86), preferably consisting of pipes having a circular section, are provided in each tank, and extend in longitudinally parallel positions on said portion in the form of a chute (18,19) while conforming with its curvature.
• said arcuated profiles (86) have holes (88) at their top for feeding liquid into the tanks.
• the machine comprises at least one hydraulic circuit (5) having an inlet (59) that is or may be connected to a source of washing liquid and/or a water source.
• each of said irrigation devices (50,52) is fed by said hydraulic circuit (5).
• the hydraulic circuit (5) comprises at least one washing liquid feeding channel, which at one end is hydraulically connected to at least one tank and at the other is connected to a respective irrigation device, and flow regulating means (54).
• the flow regulating means (54) comprise at least one pump and/or at least one valve unit, located on the feeding channel for controlling the flow sent to the or each irrigation device.
• one or said control unit is connected with the flow regulating means and is configured to:
• each liquid feeding channel is connected to the respective bottom compartment (11,13) of each tank and to the respective irrigation device.
• the hydraulic circuit comprises at least one filter (55) and liquid heating means (56), optionally placed on the or each feeding channel for feeding the washing liquid to the/each irrigation device.
• said hydraulic circuit (5) comprises two separate and independent twin parts having identical structures, one for each tank (10,12).
• said hydraulic circuit comprises a connecting duct (58) between the two tanks (10, 12), said regulating means simultaneously regulating the flow of washing liquid toward the irrigation devices (50,52) of both tanks.
• said fabric introducing means and/or said fabric removing means each comprise at least one of:
• respective intake hoods (70, 72) are provided above each of said first and second tanks (10, 12).
• the intake hoods are connected together by an interconnecting duct (71) which provides communication between the two tanks of accumulation.
• the interconnecting duct (71) is connected to the delivery side of the fan/s.
• the pneumatic transfer device, the hoods and the interconnecting duct form a closed system with the machine not air exhausting to the outside.
• the machine comprises one or more sensors for measuring at least one parameter of the fabric in at least one of said tanks, said one or more sensors detecting at least one of the weight, the mass, the volume, the tension of the fabric in its respective tank, said sensors being communicatively connected with a/the control unit.
• the unit or a control unit is configured to:
• a 64th aspect relates to a method for continuous, open-width washing of a fabric (T).
• a 65th aspect provides a washing method according to the preceding aspect which uses a machine according to any one of the 1st to the 63rd aspects.
• the washing method comprises:
• pneumatic transfer from the first tank to the second and vice versa occurs at a transfer speed (V T ) that is much higher than the introduction speed and the removal speed.
• the introduction speed and the removal speed are equal and constant and define the line speed (V L ) of the washing machine.
• the transfer speed is at least 5 times greater, optionally 5 to 10 times greater than the line speed.
• At least one longitudinal section of the fabric is accumulated in the first tank and is wetted in that state to complete impregnation with the washing liquid and said at least one longitudinal section of the fabric is later accumulated in the second tank and wetted in that state to complete impregnation with the washing liquid.
• a step is provided of wringing out the fabric that comes out of the transfer device before accumulation in the first or the second tank, optionally while causing it to hit against impact grids (40,42).
• a step is provided of sprinkling the liquid on the fabric that comes out of the transfer device before accumulation in the first tank or the second tank.
• the step of sprinkling washing liquid is carried out before the step of wringing out.
• the step of sprinkling is carried out by direct sprinkling on a surface of the fabric that faces upwards as it comes out of the transfer device.
• the fabric at full width accumulates, it forms a plurality of regular loops (F) in each of said first and second tanks.
• a liquid cushion is formed under the fabric accumulating in said first and/or said second tanks (10, 12), with the liquid that has been fed from the bottom of said first and/or said second tanks.
• said step of wetting the fabric (T) in the first or the second tank comprises sprinkling washing liquid on the top side the fabric and injecting washing liquid into said tanks (10, 12) beneath the loops (F) being formed.
• the method comprises a step of drawing in air and moisture from above said first and said second tanks (10, 12) and feeding such air and moisture to the pneumatic transfer device.
• the amount of fabric that is fed to the first tank at the beginning of the washing process and before the alternate pneumatic transfer steps is selected according to at least one of the total washing time and the speed (V L ) with which the fabric is fed during washing.
• An 80th aspect relates to a method for continuous, open-width washing of a fabric (T).
• An 81 st aspect provides a washing method according to the previous aspect is provided using a machine according to any one of the aspects from 1° to 63°.
• the method for continuous open-width washing of a fabric (T), namely according to one of the two preceding aspects, comprises the steps of:
• the pneumatic transfer from the first tank to the second tank and vice versa occurs using at least one pneumatic transfer device that imparts a transfer speed (V T ) to the fabric from the first tank to the second tank and vice versa that is much higher than the speed with which the fabric is introduced into the first tank and the speed with which the fabric is removed from the second tank.
• V T transfer speed
• the introduction speed and the removal speed are equal and constant and define the line speed (V L ) of the washing machine.
• the transfer speed is at least 5 times greater, optionally 5 to 10 times greater than the line speed.
• At least one longitudinal section of the fabric is accumulated in the first tank and is wetted in that state to complete impregnation with the washing liquid and said at least one longitudinal section of the fabric is later accumulated in the second tank and wetted in that state to complete impregnation with the washing liquid.
• the method includes the step of wringing out the fabric that comes out of the transfer device before accumulation in the first or the second tank, optionally while causing it to hit against impact grids (40,42).
• the method includes a respective step the method includes of sprinkling the liquid on the fabric that comes out of the transfer device before accumulation in the first tank and/or the second tank.
• the step of sprinkling washing liquid is carried out before the step of wringing out.
• the step of sprinkling is carried out by direct sprinkling on a surface of the fabric that faces upwards as it comes out of the transfer device.
• the fabric at full width accumulates, it forms a plurality of regular loops (F) in each of said first and second tanks.
• a liquid cushion is formed under the fabric accumulating in said first and/or said second tanks (10, 12), with the liquid that has been fed from the bottom of said first and/or said second tanks.
• said step of wetting the fabric (T) in the first or the second tank comprises sprinkling washing liquid on the top side the fabric and injecting washing liquid into said tanks (10, 12) beneath the loops (F) being formed.
• the method includes the a step of drawing in air and moisture from above said first and said second tanks (10, 12) and feeding such air and moisture to the pneumatic transfer device.
• the amount of fabric that is fed to the first tank at the beginning of the washing process and before the alternate pneumatic transfer steps is selected according to at least one of the total washing time and the speed (V L ) with which the fabric is fed during washing.
• the fabric being washed is held lying at full width during the entire washing treatment.
• the fabric being washed is held lying at full width as it is fed to the first tank, as it accumulates in the first tank, as it is alternately transferred, as it accumulates n in the second tank and as it is removed from the second tank.
• the method provides for the use of a washing liquid comprising enzymes.
• At least 200 m, optionally at least 300 m, of fabric are loaded into the machine and an enzyme washing treatment is carried out in no longer than 30 minutes.
• the enzyme washing treatment is carried out for a time ranging from 20 to 30 minutes by loading an amount of fabric ranging from 200 to 400 meters into the machine, optionally with at least 5 passes through the pneumatic transfer device.
• FIG. l is a general perspective view a machine of the invention according to a first embodiment
• FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of the machine of Fig. 1;
• FIG. 6.1 is a perspective view of the hydraulic circuit in the machine
• FIG. 6.2 is a side view of the hydraulic circuit connected to one of the accumulation tanks
• FIG. 8 is a general perspective view of a machine of the invention having a preferred air recirculation system.
• Fabric a woven or nonwoven textile material whose longitudinal dimension (or length) is substantially greater than its transverse dimension (or width).
• Open-width fabric The term full-width fabric or open-width fabric is intended to designate a fabric lying at least transversely, i.e. lying in a substantially uncrimped form, in a direction perpendicular to its main direction of extension.
• the open-width fabric may be arranged flat both longitudinally and transversely or follow a predetermined path in which it can be arranged longitudinally in laps while lying in the transverse direction.
• washing or industrial washing of a fabric designates a wet treatment in which the fabric (or a portion of a fabric) being treated is wetted with a washing liquid which impregnates the fabric throughout its thickness.
• washing treatments are considered:
• Washing liquid a liquid comprising at least water.
• the washing liquid may also comprise one or more of the following additional components: soaps, enzymes, fabric treatment additives (such as softeners or else).
• a machine according to the invention for continuous open-width washing treatment of a fabric T, substantially comprises:
• a pneumatic transfer device 30 comprising at least one pneumatic duct (or “gun”), interposed between and communicating with the tanks 10,12, for repeated transfer of the fabric T from the first tank 10 to the second tank 12 and vice versa at a transfer speed V T greater than the line speed Vi.
• the machine may further comprise a liquid separator 40,42 located in front of one or both of said first and second outlet openings 32,34 of the pneumatic transfer device 30.
• each liquid separator 40,42 is placed above said first or second tank 10, 12 and comprises a respective one of two impact grids 40,42 placed in front of the two outlets 32,34 of the duct 30.
• an irrigation device 50, 52 is placed at each outlet 32,34 of the duct 30 and comprises a plurality of nozzles arranged transverse to the fabric T, for sprinkling washing liquid on the fabric.
• the nozzles 50, 52 and the grids 40, 42 cover a major part of and preferably the entire width of the delivery openings 32, 34 of the transfer device.
• each tank 10, 12 has holes providing communication between the bottom and an underlying compartment 11,13 which is provided for feeding the washing liquid into the tanks, at the beginning of the treatment, and for collecting the liquid released from the fabric during treatment.
• the bottom 14 of the tank 10 is preferably formed by a portion of sheet metal 16 having holes 17 (see Fig. 3.1.). Said portion of sheet metal 16 is arranged above the collection compartment 11 to close it and can be removed for inspection and cleaning of the compartment.
• the accumulation tanks 10, 12 have a concave shape, as seen in longitudinal section (see Fig. 3.2). with the concavity facing upwards and a greater curvature in the portion between the fabric introducing/removing means 20,22 and the bottom of the tank and smaller curvature in the bottom portion.
• the latter portion is advantageously formed as a chute 18, 19 whose inclination to the horizontal plane gradually varying from about 60°, and preferably from about 50°, on the side of the duct 30 to zero inclination at the bottom of the tank.
• the particular shape of the tanks affords proper uniform accumulation of the fabric in regular laps F during repeated transfers between the tanks.
• a plurality of second nozzles 24 may be provided in each tank, for delivering washing liquid under the outlet mouth of the duct 30, which is oriented as to generate a liquid cushion 26 for the fabric laps F along the chute 18, 19 (see. Fig. 4.1).
• a fluid cushion 80 may be obtained under the fabric laps F, by injecting liquid into the tank through holes 82 formed at different heights in the chute 18,19 and fed by underlying transverse ducts 84.
• low pressure liquid may be used, and more evenly distributed over the entire extent of the tank.
• Figs. 5.1 and 5.2 show a further variant embodiment of the accumulation tanks, in which arcuated profiles 86 are provided, preferably consisting of pipes having a circular section, arranged in longitudinally parallel on the chutes 18, 19 and conforming with their curvature.
• arcuated profiles 86 are provided, preferably consisting of pipes having a circular section, arranged in longitudinally parallel on the chutes 18, 19 and conforming with their curvature.
• said arcuated profiles 86 have holes 88 at their top for receiving liquid.
• At least a fan 60, a duct 62 and a two-way conveyor 64 having a flow switching valve in the upper part or in the lower part of the duct 30 are provided for introducing air into the duct 30.
• a second fan 61, a second duct 63 and a second two-way conveyor 65 with a flow switching valve in the lower part or the upper part of the duct 30 may be provided.
• the sprinkling nozzles 50,52 are supplied by a hydraulic circuit 5 (see Figs. 6.1, 6.2 and 7), which is connected to the bottom compartment 11, 13 of each tank and comprises at least one pump 54 and, preferably, a filter 55 and means 56 for heating the liquid.
• the hydraulic circuit may be formed with two twin parts, one for each tank, separated from each other (see Fig. 2), or may be configured (see Fig. 7) with the two accumulation tanks connected via a duct 58, to maintain the working conditions such as amount of liquid, product concentration, contaminants, temperatures, or other parameters, perfectly balanced in the two accumulation zones.
• the treatment or washing liquid collected from the bottom of the two tanks is transferred via the pump 54 to the sprinkling nozzles 50,52 located in both tanks, to the outlets of the pneumatic duct.
• the hydraulic circuit also has an inlet 59 for introduction of a first amount of a washing liquid into the tanks 10,12 at the beginning of the treatment and for replenishing of the liquid, if required, during the treatment.
• the pneumatic duct 30 is preferably formed with a length ranging from 1.5 to 3 meters.
• the means for introducing/removing the fabric may consist of reels 20,22 (see Fig. 2) or pairs of squeezing rollers at the inlet and/or outlet or other means such as conveyor belts.
• extractor hoods 70,72 for extracting air and atomized liquid may be provided above the tanks 10,12, such hoods being connected together via a duct 71 which is in turn connected to the delivery fan(s) 60,61 which feed, via a plenum 74, the pneumatic duct 30.
• a washing treatment according to the invention takes place as described below.
• a first amount of washing liquid is introduced into the tanks 10,12 via the hydraulic circuit 5.
• the fabric T is fed at full width, for example by means of a motor-driven reel 20, at a line speed V L , into the first tank 10, in which it accumulates at full width and is impregnated with washing liquid. From the first tank 10 the fabric T is drawn in by the pneumatic duct 30 and is transferred at a transfer speed V T , much higher than the line speed V L , toward the second tank 12.
• the fabric T impacts the impact grid 42 placed in front of it. This will reduce the speed of the fabric and will cause it to fall into the second tank 12, in which, due to the particular curvature, the fabric will accumulated in small regular laps, partially superimposed, along the entire extent of the chute 19.
• the fabric remains for the time required for all the fabric in the first accumulation tank 10, to be transferred to the second tank. In the meantime, the fabric is exposed to the continuous action of the jets of the mixture of water and treatment product that comes out of the nozzles 50,52.
• the fabric While being transferred in the reverse direction, the fabric will hit the impact grid 40 in the first tank 10 and will accumulate therein in the same manner as described above, the tanks 10,12 having a mirror-like arrangement.
• the washing liquid is collected from the bottom compartments 11,13 of the tanks and is pumped to the sprinkling nozzles 50,52 in the upper part of the tank, at the outlets of the pneumatic duct 30.
• the nozzles sprinkle the washing liquid directly above the fabric, which is thus kept constantly under the continuous action of the bath, even during the time in which it is still inside each of the two accumulation tanks.
• the liquid that has been used can be removed from the machine, for example via a drain at the base of each tank 10,12.
• the line speed VL is selected as a function of the amount of fabric that is being or is to be loaded into the machine and the total washing time required. Then, the transfer speed (VT) may be set to determine the number of back- and-forth cycles in the duct and thus indirectly determine the desired rest time of the fabric in each tank, known as relaxation time.
• the method of the invention provides, optionally in combination, one or more of the following steps:
• V T » V L can provide a large number of wetting and squeezing sequences on the fabric between the entry and the exit of the machine without requiring the fabric to stay still in the same position for too long and possibly create defects in the folding areas.
• the large amount of fabric in the tanks and the high transfer speed V T will allow a relaxation time for the fabric in the bath to be set during accumulation, to obtain a desired incubation time for the products.
• the fabric will move from a wet relaxed state in the tanks 10,12 to a fast driven state inside the duct (with V T 100 - 300 m/min and an air velocity typically of 200 - 600 m/min), which will cause a very high acceleration, thereby causing atomization of the surface layers of the impregnation liquid.
• the fabric impacts the grid in front of the mouth of the duct at high speed.
• the fabric is compacted by the impact and is thus squeezed, thereby releasing a large amount of liquid.
• the particular curvature of the accumulation tanks, and especially the chute portion thereof, allows large amounts of regularly arranged fabric to be introduced therein and can withstand the force required with the fabric is drawn by the duct, to be transferred to the opposite tank.
• the differentiated curvature causes accumulation in regular laps, with the ones placed at a lower level slowly sliding toward the bottom of the tank without winding into skeins and leaving room for the new ones that will be deposited above. This is particularly advantageous for washing treatments in which, if the fabric is not regularly lapped, defects and inhomogeneities may occur.
• Uniform fabric lapping also reduces friction when the fabric is drawn by the duct, which translates into high transfer speeds.
• the method pf the invention includes the additional step of sprinkling water film on the surface of the tank to form a cushion underneath the fabric laps.
• An additional squeezing step - which is carried out by suitable pairs of squeezing rollers - may be carried out at the outlet of and/or at the inlet of the machine, with the advantage of reducing the consumption of fluid and products dissolved therein.
• Mechanical squeezing at the outlet of the second accumulation tank also provides the advantage of significantly reducing the amount of liquid inside the fabric, if additional drying steps are to be carried out by continuously connected machines for open-width drying, such as, for example, free, stenter, or tumbler dryers.
• inlet squeezing is useful if the fabric comes from preparation steps in which it has absorbed substances that are not suitable for the type of washing to be carried out.
• exhaust air from the duct is channeled outside or (see Fig. 8) advantageously returned to the delivery fan.
• the machine and method as described and claimed herein use at least one control unit CU for controlling the various operating conditions implemented by the machine as it carried out the washing method.
• control unit is communicatively connected with the above described mechanical or pneumatic drive means and with the various active parts of the hydraulic circuit as well as with all the sensors located in the machine and/or used in the above described method.
• the control unit may be a single unit or may be composed of a plurality of distinct control units based on the design choices and operating requirements.
• control unit is intended to designate an electronic component which may comprise at least one of: a digital processor (CPU), an analog circuit, or a combination of one or more digital processors and one or more analog circuits.
• the control unit may be "configured” or "programmed” to perform certain steps: this may be achieved in practice by any means that is able to configure or program the control unit.
• a control unit comprising one or more CPUs and one or more memories
• one or more programs may be stored in appropriate memory banks connected to the CPU/s; the program/s contain instructions that, when executed by the CPU/s, program or configure the control unit to perform the operations as described herein with respect to the control unit.
• the control unit is or comprises analog circuitry
• the control unit circuit may be designed to include circuitry that is configured, in operation, to process electric signals to perform the steps associated with the control unit.
• the first tank is loaded with 400 meters of fabric.
• the washing process may be carried out with an efficient enzyme treatment in 20 minutes only, i.e. at a line speed V L of 20 meters/minute.
• V L line speed
• the ability to carry out a quick and efficient enzyme treatment is believed to be obtained by constant maintenance of fabric at full width, and by reciprocating pneumatic movement, which tends to“open” the fabric for easy liquid penetration and effective enzyme action.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Textile Engineering (AREA)
• Treatment Of Fiber Materials (AREA)
• Accessory Of Washing/Drying Machine, Commercial Washing/Drying Machine, Other Washing/Drying Machine (AREA)

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• 2020
  • 2020-06-11 WO PCT/IB2020/055497 patent/WO2020250177A2/en unknown
  • 2020-06-11 CN CN202080041680.5A patent/CN113950548A/zh active Pending
  • 2020-06-11 BR BR112021024752A patent/BR112021024752A2/pt unknown
  • 2020-06-11 EP EP20753797.8A patent/EP3983593A2/en active Pending

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