CH676408B5 - - Google Patents

Description

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Description

The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for treating materials which are mobile relative to the apparatus, by streams of a pressurized fluid so that these materials have visual surface effects, as well as products formed by their use. .

In the present specification, the term “fluid” designates gaseous, liquid and solid materials which exhibit fluidity, which can form one or more coherent streams under pressure directed towards the surface of a material forming a substrate. The term “gas” designates in particular air, water vapor and other gases or vapors and their mixtures, which can be directed in the form of one or more coherent streams under pressure. The term “substrate” designates any material the surface of which can be struck by one or more streams of fluid under pressure, with a change in visual appearance.

Although substrates which are particularly suitable for treatment by streams of pressurized fluid by using the apparatus according to the invention, are textile constructions in the form of fabrics and in particular fabrics containing yarns and / or fibers thermoplastics, such as treating the surface of the fabric with streams of fluid heated under pressure causes thermal changes in the yarns or fibers and the formation of a desired surface effect or pattern, the apparatus can be used for the treatment of any substrate as long as the nature of the substrate or of the stream of fluid under treatment pressure causes a visual change in the surface of the substrate due to contact with the stream. For example, the process fluid may be a solvent for the substrate material, where the temperature of the fluid may be such that it thermally modifies or deforms the constituents of the substrate which are in contact with the fluid streams, with formation of the indicated effects. .

In this specification, the expression "textile fabric" includes all types of continuous or discontinuous sheets or sheets, containing fibers or threads, for example knitted, woven, tufted, blistered, laminated or nonwoven fabrics, as fluids heated under pressure can cause a change in the visual appearance of the fabric surface.

It is already known to form a pattern on the surface of certain acrylic pile fabrics by calender embossing, the surface of the pile being brought into contact with the protruding surfaces of the roller so that the fibers of the heated pile are compressed towards the back of the 'fabric, the design of the surface of the roll being transferred to the surface of the fabric. However, this calendered embossing of heated pile fabrics is very expensive since a roll with a different design is required for each different design to be formed on the fabric, and the length of the pattern for repeating the design in the fabric is limited by the circumference of the roll bearing the design. Furthermore, it is considered that the patterns formed in the acrylic pile fabrics by embossing cannot be obtained by the calender embossing of fabrics containing thermoplastic yarns spun in the molten state, such as the nylon pile fabrics and polyester, given the difficulty of obtaining the high temperatures necessary for the removal and thermal fixing of the wires and the resulting tendency of the wires to stick to the embossing calender.

It is known, in the field of fabric dyeing, the design dye on a mobile fabric using continuous liquid dye streams, which are selectively deflected so that they do not strike the fabric, by overlapping of drafts controlled according to the information representing the drawing. U.S. Patents 3,969,779 and 4,059,880 describe an apparatus used for this purpose.

We know of the use of an apparatus intended to direct steam or pressurized air to the surface of a textile fabric so that it modifies the location or the thermal properties of fibers and yarns and thus causes a change in the appearance of the surface of these fabrics. U.S. Patent No. 3,010,179 describes an apparatus for treating synthetic pile fabrics, directing several jets of dry steam through distributors, on the face of a movable fabric so that the fibers of the pile are deflected and disoriented in the regions with which the steam comes into contact, and the fabric is thus dried and heated so that the deflected fibers are thermally fixed and give a visual effect which simulates that of the skins used for furs. U.S. Patent No. 2,563,259 describes a process for forming patterns in flocked pile fabric by spraying multiple streams of air onto the flocked surface of the fabric before final hardening of the fabric. adhesive in which the fibers are coated, so that the fibers of the pile are reoriented and form certain patterns. U.S. Patent 3,585,098 describes an apparatus for treating the surface of a pile fabric with dry steam or hot air so that stress is relaxed in the fibers synthetic fibers and cause disorientation and looping of the fibers in the fabric. U.S. Patent No. 2,241,222 describes an apparatus having a plurality of nozzle orifices for directing steam or air under pressure in a direction perpendicular to the surface of a down fabric so that the down of the fabric is lifted and looped. U.S. Patent No. 2,110,118 discloses a dispenser having a narrow slit for directing compressed air against the surface of a fabric containing a group of tufts so that they form a down during a textile processing operation.

Although the patents cited in the previous paragraph generally indicate that water vapor and compressed air can be used to modify the appearance of the surface of fabrics, it is considered that these known devices do not give a sufficient precision and accuracy for the

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adjustment of gas streams at high temperature so that the surface patterns can be very precise and elaborate, with very clear limits, because in general they can only be used for the formation of relatively coarse surface patterns or for modifications of the surface fibers in a random and indefinite form. In addition, the apparatus appears to limit as to the variety of different designs that can be produced in the fabrics.

The modification of the appearance of the surface of a mobile substrate with respect to an apparatus, for example a textile fabric, by application of fluid currents, presents numerous difficulties relating to the adjustment of the flow rate, the pressure and the direction of the currents with a reliability and a precision which are enough so that the drawings formed in the fabric are delimited with precision and can be complicated. In addition to the precision in the definition of the drawing, the efficient use of fluid at very high temperature, with preservation of a uniform temperature in the streams of fluid over the entire width of a moving fabric, and the adjustment of the Rapid excitation and de-excitation of heated currents using conventional valves mounted in the heated fluid lines present difficulties.

When a heated fluid such as steam or heated air is applied to the surface of a fabric in the form of one or more streams spaced along an elongated dispenser, maintaining a Uniform temperature in the stream (s) over the entire width of the distributor presents difficulties. When the heated fluid under pressure is introduced into the distributor from a single location along its length so that it is evacuated by a narrow and elongated slot or several orifices placed along the distributor, the variable distances of circulation of fluid in the distributor, from the heat source of the fluid, causes variable losses of heat in the fluid so that there appear temperature differences in the fluid streams projected by the distributor. When the heat of the current fluid is used for the thermal modification of the threads and thermoplastic fibers in the fabrics so that the longitudinal shrinkage and the molecular reorientation cause the formation of the desired pattern in the fabric, the differences in temperature of the currents hitting the fabric can reveal unwanted irregularities in the pattern formed. It is therefore important that all the currents hitting the fabric have practically the same temperature. In addition, the impurities present in the heated fluid can easily clog and seal small individual nozzles of an applicator of a compressed fluid, so that the treatment apparatus must be stopped for the removal of the obstacle, and a part of the fabric produced is lost due to the formation of an erroneous pattern by the device during this filling.

The invention aims to overcome the aforementioned difficulties by proposing the method defined in claim 1.

The characteristics and advantages of the invention will be better understood on reading the description which follows of exemplary embodiments and with reference to the appended drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic overall side elevation of an apparatus for providing visual surface effects on a moving substrate, according to the invention;

Figure 2 is an enlarged schematic elevation of the application portion of fluid heated under pressure of the apparatus of Figure 1, showing an arrangement of the various elements intended to transmit both a heated compressed gas and a relatively cold compressed gas the hot gas distributor of the application device;

FIG. 2A is a block diagram showing how the electrical energy is transmitted to the series of heating devices in FIGS. 1 and 2, when the temperatures of the compressed fluid transmitted to the heated fluid distributor are adjusted;

Figure 3 is an enlarged schematic perspective, with parts broken away, showing a part of the hot gas distributor of Figures 1 and 2, this figure showing some of the internal elements and a shim used in the elongated slot of the distributor so that a drawing desired surface is formed on the movable substrate relative to the apparatus;

Figure 4 is a schematic section of the gas distributor of Figure 3 and it further shows the use of a device for distributing a cooler gas under pressure intended to selectively prevent the exit of parts of heated gas from the distributor so that a pattern can be formed in the substrate;

Figure 5 is a schematic section of part of the hot gas distributor of Figure 4, along the line V-V of Figure 4, in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 6 is a schematic section of a variant of hot gas distributor in which the shim is removed from the distributor slot, only the relatively cold gas distribution device being used for adjusting the evacuation of hot gas by slot;

Figure 7 is a schematic section of parts of the dispenser of Figure 6, along the line V-V, in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged partial perspective view of a block used in the hot gas distributor, the block allowing the distribution of the gas in narrow and distant currents towards the surface of a substrate;

FIGS. 9 and 10 are diagrams showing how the treatment apparatus according to the invention can be used for lifting the hairs from a substrate in the form of a textile fabric having the hairs oriented in a single general direction; and

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Figures 11 to 15 are photographs of the surface of certain textile products produced according to the invention by treatment using the apparatus and methods according to the invention.

In its most general form, the invention relates to methods and apparatuses for precise and high-speed application of one or more streams of a pressurized fluid to the surface of a substrate movable relative to the apparatus in order to that the visual appearance of the surface be changed. More specifically, the device comprises a heated fluid distributor, having an elongated narrow slot placed transversely to the relative path of movement of the substrate and of the device and disposed very close to the surface to be treated. The invention also relates to a method and apparatus for controlling the amount of energy supplied to a plurality of individual heaters arranged so that a heated, pressurized fluid is directed to uniformly spaced locations along the compartment of a dispenser extended, and the fluid heated along the dispenser maintains a uniform temperature.

A pressurized fluid, for example air, having a high temperature, for example between 150 and 370 ° C, is transmitted to the distributor and directed by the slit in a direction substantially perpendicular to the surface of the movable substrate while the hot air evacuation through the slot is adjusted so that it forms one or more narrow and precisely defined currents which strike the surface of the substrate causing a desired change of the surface. The heated air which strikes the substrate, in the case of substrates formed by textile fabrics containing thermoplastic fibers or threads, causes a thermal modification of the thermoplastic fibers and threads of the fabric by modifying the physical appearance, with longitudinal withdrawal of the fibers and yarns in selected regions, so that patterns with clearly defined boundaries are formed.

In one embodiment of the invention, a heated fluid such as air is selectively directed in the form of streams delimited precisely with the aid of an elongated wedge having distant notches along one of its edges, the edge of the shim having the notches being disposed in the distributor chamber, along the length thereof, and delimiting distant channels intended to direct the air in the form of several narrow currents, towards the surface of the movable substrate with respect At the phone. The wedge is also made so that it ensures the filtration of particles in suspension in the air by preventing the obturation of the channels while allowing a continuous circulation of the air currents.

In another embodiment, the processing apparatus includes a device for selectively directing streams of compressed and relatively cold gas in a transverse direction through the slot of the dispenser, at distant locations along it, so that the hot air can no longer circulate and strikes the substrate at the corresponding locations, according to a drawing adjustment information. The device for discharging a pressurized cold gas comprises suitable valves intended to individually regulate the flow rate of each of the cold stop gas streams, for example air, and the device for blocking by a relatively cold gas. can be used in the dispenser slot, with or without the aforementioned shims so that the selective pattern is formed on the surface of the substrate according to design information.

The invention also relates to a fluid treatment device intended to maintain a uniform distribution of heated fluid over the entire length of the distributor and of the slit thereof, so that the pattern formed thermally in the substrate has precision and accuracy. increased.

In another embodiment, a pressurized ambient fluid, such as air, is transmitted to each heating device, through individual conduits each containing a metering or flow control valve for independently and precisely adjusting the flow rate of fluid circulating in each heating device. The heating devices are electrically connected in parallel to a common supply and a temperature detection device such as a thermocouple is arranged at the outlet of heated fluid or near this outlet in each heater to the distribution compartment. Each thermocouple is connected to a temperature recorder which allows the observation of the fluid outlet temperature corresponding to each heating device. A single sensor in the form of a thermocouple, placed in the center in the fluid distributor, is connected to a supply regulator incorporated in the common supply of the heating devices. When the compressed fluid and energy are initially transmitted to each heater, the individual fluid outlet temperatures of each heater are observed and any variation in temperatures is precisely compensated so that the temperature has a common value obtained by progressive adjustment of the flow rate in one or more heating devices, using the aforementioned metering valves. Thus, when the fluid outlet temperatures of the heating devices are properly balanced, the temperature in the distribution compartment can be detected at a single location along the length, and ensures a uniform and simultaneous adjustment of the supply of all the devices. of heating.

The possibility of progressive adjustment of the fluid flow rate in each heating device so that the fluid outlet temperatures are well balanced eliminates the need for individual control and separate adjustment of the energy transmitted to each heating device, subsequently, for maintaining uniform temperature over the entire length of the dispenser.

The invention also relates to a device for circulating a heat-transmitting fluid in a support cylinder which holds in position a movable substrate near the heated fluid distributor so that the substrate is struck by the heated currents. The transmission fluid of

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heat ensures uniform heat transfer around the cylinder surface and prevents warping or deformation of the cylinder during processing operations due to non-uniform heating of the cylinder surface as a result of localized contact with the heated treatment fluid.

The process and the apparatus for treatment with a high temperature fluid, according to the invention, are particularly suitable for forming patterns having very precise limits, in pile fabrics containing thermoplastic yarns spun in the molten state, these drawings have not been able to be formed until now with the hot fluid treatment device of known type. Surface patterns can also be formed in pile fabrics containing non-thermoplastic threads, for example rayon or acrylic threads, although the definition of the patterns is generally not as good as when processing the fabrics containing the threads thermoplastics. In addition, the method and apparatus can be used for the selective treatment of fabrics containing thermoplastic yarns so that they have blister or crepe patterns.

The invention also relates to a method of uniformly scraping the threads of the pile of a fabric having a one-way initial inclination, by applying a stream of heated gas to the surface of the pile, with relative displacement of the fabric in the opposite direction to the direction of inclination of the wires forming the bristles.

Although the device according to the invention is particularly well suited to the treatment of textile fabrics containing thermoplastic fibers and yarns, with the obtaining of various visual effects on the surface, the device can also be used for treatment with the fluid of other substrates containing thermoplastic elements so that their visual appearance is changed or a desired design is formed there.

Reference is now made more precisely to the drawings which represent advantageous embodiments of apparatus as well as certain products in the form of fabrics according to the invention. Figure 1 is a schematic side elevation of the assembly of a treatment apparatus according to the invention. As shown schematically, a section of indefinite length of a substrate such as a textile fabric 10 is continuously directed by a reserve such as a roller 11 and by means of rollers driven 12, 13 in advance to variable speed towards a device for treatment with a fluid heated under pressure, bearing the general reference 14. The movable fabric 10 is supported during the application of the heated fluid, by passing over a cylinder or roller 16 of support, and the fabric treated by the fluid is then directed by pick-up rollers driven 18,19 at variable speed towards a collecting roller 20.

A conventional device 21 for guiding the edge of a fabric, of a type well known in the art, can be arranged in the path of the fabric between the feed rollers 12, 13 and the device 14 for processing so that the fabric is properly aligned during its passage on the cylinder 16, in the lateral direction. The speed of the feed rollers 12, 13, of the support cylinder 16 and of the take-up rollers 18, 19 can be adjusted in a known manner so that the fabric moves at the desired speed, with the desired tensions in the fabric when 'It enters the processing device 14, when it circulates therein and when it leaves it.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the device 14 for treatment with a pressurized fluid comprises an elongated distributor 30 of heated gas arranged perpendicular to the path of the fabric 10 and has a narrow and elongated slot 32 for evacuation which directs a stream of gas heated under pressure, for example air, in the surface part of the fabric, with a direction substantially perpendicular to the surface during its movement on the cylinder 16.

A compressed gas such as air is transmitted inside the distributor 30 by a compressor 34 connected by a pipe 36 to the opposite ends of an elongated distributor of cold air or distribution piping 38. A main regulating valve 40 and a pressure regulating valve 42 are disposed in the line 36 and regulate the flow rate and the pressure of the air transmitted to the distributor 38. A suitable air filter 44 is also intended to facilitate the removal of the foreign matter from the air entering the dispenser 38.

The compressed air present in the cold air distributor 38 is transmitted by the latter to the interior compartment of the hot air distributor 30 by a series 46 of individual electric heating devices, two of which are identified by the reference 48 on the Figure 2. Each heating device is connected by inlet and outlet conduits 50, 52 respectively, uniformly spaced along the two distributors 38, 30 so that they heat and distribute the compressed air uniformly from the distributor 38 over the entire the length of the distributor 30. For example, in the case of a 152.5 cm long distributor, twenty-four 1 kW electric heaters can be used for the 46 series, having outlet ducts 52 spaced 6.35 mm apart over the length of the distributor. The series of heating devices 46 can be housed in a suitable insulated housing.

An adjustment valve or metering valve 61 which can be adjusted manually is placed in each inlet conduit 50 joining each heating device 48 of the series so that it precisely regulates the flow of compressed air transmitted from the distribution piping 38 in each of the heating devices 48. For example, the valves can be of the needle type allowing precise adjustment and their use is described below.

A temperature detection device such as a thermocouple is placed in the air outlet duct 52 of each heating device and the position of a single device 54 has been shown in FIG. 2, so that the temperature of the the air leaving each heater is measured. Each of the thermocouples 54 is electrically connected by suitable wiring (represented by lines 55

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in FIGS. 2 and 2A) to a conventional recording 58 of the electrical paper strip type in which all the temperatures of the outlet ducts of the heating devices can be observed and controlled visually or by an alarm signal. An electric current is transmitted uniformly, with the necessary intensity, to all the individual heating devices by a common power supply identified by the reference 60.

As shown in FIG. 2A, the electrical heating devices 48 are mounted in parallel by suitable electrical wiring 22 connected to the common supply 60. A conventional supply control member 24 is placed in the main supply pipe which joins the individual heating devices 48, and it is for example a thyristor device of the 7301 type, manufactured by Electronic Control Systems. A temperature detection device or thermocouple 26 (FIG. 2A) is placed in the internal compartment of the distributor 30, in a central part, and is electrically connected to a conventional temperature adjustment member 28, for example a control circuit of the type 6700, manufactured by Electronic Control Systems. The temperature control member 28 is electrically connected in a known manner to the control member 24 so that a desired temperature can be maintained in the distributor compartment 30, by periodic transmission of uniform electrical energy to the heating devices 48 from the 46 series.

As clearly shown in Figures 3, 4 and 6, the hot air distributor 30 has parts 62, 64 forming upper and lower walls, removably fixed to each other by fixing devices such as distant bolts 66 so that they form the internal compartment 68 of the distributor as well as the opposite parallel walls 70, 72 of the elongated evacuation slot.

Before evacuation through the slot 32, the heated air transmitted to the compartment 68 of the distributor 30 through the outlet conduits 52 of the series of heating devices 48 is directed backwards then forwards along a path with change of direction. in the distribution compartment (as indicated by the arrows) using a deflector plate 74 which forms a narrow and elongated orifice, back inside the compartment 68, for the passage of air from the part above the lower part of the compartment. This deflector plate 74 thus ensures a more uniform distribution of the air in the distribution compartment and further facilitates the maintenance of uniform temperature and pressure of the distributor air. This deflector plate 74 is supported in the compartment 68 by spacer sleeves 76 surrounding the bolts 66.

As clearly indicated in FIGS. 4 to 7, several outlets 78 intended for evacuating cold air are arranged in the surface 72 of the lower wall 64 of the distributor and are spaced along the evacuation slot. Each outlet is individually connected by a suitable flexible conduit 80 and a solenoid valve 82 to a distributor 84 of cold air which is itself connected to the compressor 34 by a conduit 86 (FIG. 2). A main regulating valve 88, an air pressure regulating valve 90 and an air filter 92 are arranged in the duct 86.

As shown schematically in FIG. 2, each solenoid valve is electrically connected to a suitable design control device 94 which transmits electrical pulses intended to open and close solenoid valves chosen as a function of predetermined design information. Various conventional drawing control devices well known in the art are suitable for energizing and de-energizing the solenoid valves with the desired sequence. For example, the design control device may be of the type described in United States patent 3,894,413.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, each of the cold air discharge orifices 78 is placed in the bottom wall surface 72 of the slot 32 so that it directs a separate stream of relatively cold pressurized air, transversely to the heated air exhaust slot, in a direction perpendicular to the stream of heated air. The pressure of the relatively cold air streams is maintained at a value which is sufficient to stop or block the passage of heated air in the slot in the part or parts in which cold air streams are discharged. Thus, the excitation and de-excitation of the individual streams of cold air by the solenoid valves 82 as a function of the information coming from the design control device 94 ensure the direction of air heated under pressure passing through the slot in the form of one or more distinct currents which strike the surface of the movable fabric at the desired location, thus giving an effect corresponding to a pattern on the surface of the fabric 10 when the latter passes through the dispenser. The cold air which prevents the passage of hot air exits through the slot in place of the heated air and dissipates around or in the surface of the fabric without modifying the thermal characteristics of the fabric or without significant disturbance of the threads or fibers. It should be noted that the arrows indicate the air circulation in FIGS. 4, 6 and 7. Ambient air can be cooled before discharge into the slot 32, by a cold air distributor 95 in which are placed cold air ducts 80 so that the cold stop air is cold enough so that it does not cause any effect or any thermal modification of the fabric.

Although the particular device described for stopping, using cold compressed air, is advantageous for regulating the evacuation of the streams of heated compressed gas, other types of devices, for example movable partitions or analogues, can be used in the slot 32 for the selective stopping of the passage of the heated compressed air towards the fabric.

During the initial start-up of the fluid treatment device, the electrical energy is transmitted uniformly to the heaters 48 of the series 46 by the supply 60 and the compressed air circulates in the heaters from of compressor 34. The temperature regulating member 28

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The temperature is adjusted to a selected temperature. When the temperature of the air present in the outlet distribution compartment, indicated by the thermocouple 26, reaches the desired set value, the individual air outlet temperatures of each outlet duct of the individual heating devices are observed on the recorder 58. If there is a temperature variation for one or more of the air flows from the heating devices, as indicated on the recorder 58, the needle valve 61 of the heating device in which a gap is observed, is adjusted manually gradually so that the air flow in the heating device is increased or reduced so that the temperature of the air leaving the particular device decreases or increases correspondingly. Thus, the individual outlet air temperatures of the entire series of heaters can be precisely balanced by gradually adjusting the air flow to a uniform temperature so that variations due to manufacturing tolerances of the heaters or small variations in flow rates in the heaters can be compensated for in the unit. Then, a uniform temperature can be maintained over the entire length of the distribution compartment by adjusting the supply of all the heating devices in a uniform manner, using the single thermocouple sensor 26 placed in the center of the distribution compartment.

The invention also relates to an apparatus for circulating a heat transfer fluid inside the rotary support cylinder 16 (FIG. 1) around which the continuous section of substrate passes when it comes into contact with the heated fluid coming from the distributor. 30. It can be noted that, when the streams of heated fluid under pressure strike the surface of the substrate and thermally modify it by forming desired visual changes, the heated fluid also ensures heating of the adjacent surface portion of the support cylinder 16 . This localized heating of the latter can cause differential thermal expansion and contraction of the cylinder over its length, especially when the moving substrate can be temporarily stopped during the processing operations. This differential expansion and contraction of the cylinder 16 can cause warping and deformation of the surface of the cylinder near the slot 32 of the dispenser 30 so that the fabric substrate can be kept at different distances from the slot 32 the along it and may cause an irregular pattern to form in the substrate due to differences in temperature and pressure of the hot fluid streams hitting the surface of the substrate.

A device is intended to circulate a heat transmitting fluid in the rotary cylinder 16 during the treatment operations with a fluid so that such bulging or such deformation is avoided, as well as the formation of irregular patterns on the surface of the substrate which is the consequence. As indicated in FIG. 1, a suitable fluid such as cooled or heated water, steam or the like, circulates in the cylinder 16, from a suitable reserve 96 and in a conduit 91 connected to the hollow central cylinder support shaft. An apparatus for circulating a fluid in a rotary cylinder from a fixed supply is well known and available in the art and is not described in detail in this specification. For example, such a circulation device may be of the type manufactured as Union rotary unions of the 8000 series, distributed by Duff-Norton Company, Charlotte, North Carolina, E.U.A.

As indicated previously, the heat transmission fluid can be cold water or it can be a heated fluid such as hot water or steam, if necessary so that the heating of the entire substrate is facilitated during the treatment operations with a fluid. The heat transmission fluid which circulates inside the cylinder 16 ensures a uniform distribution of the localized heat on the surface of the cylinder 16 near the slot 32 at any periphery of the cylinder, so that the expansion and contraction the above-mentioned differential thermal values of the cylinder during the processing operations are avoided.

The hot gas distributor 30 and its heating devices 48 are articulated at 97 and a piston device 98 is used so that it pivots the distributor and the evacuation slot away from the path 10, so that the fabric cannot be damaged by the presence of heated gas when the fabric is no longer advancing.

FIG. 3 represents a first embodiment of a heated compressed gas discharge distributor according to the invention in which an elongated plate or shim 99 having several elongated and parallel notches 100 uniformly spaced along a first edge of the plate, is removably arranged in compartment 68, its notched edge penetrating into the elongated slot 32 and forming, with the walls 70, 72 of the slot, several corresponding channels for discharging heated air intended to direct narrow and separate streams of compressed gas heated on the surface of the moving fabric. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the notches 100 of the plate penetrate into the compartment 68 and form an elongated entry above and below the plate, for each of the discharge channels formed by the notched edge of the wedge and the walls 70, 72 of the slot 32. Thus, the wedge plate not only ensures the direction of the compressed gas in the form of narrow streams intended to be evacuated in the distant channels, but also ensures, by the edges which delimit upper and lower openings for narrow and elongated inlets (see Figure 4), trapping and filtering out foreign particles that may be present in the compressed gas, while allowing continuous circulation of the compressed gas around the particles and in the channels.

It should be noted that the drainage channels formed by the wedge and the slit direct several distant and separate individual currents to the surface of the moving fabric so that these currents form lines.

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narrow parallel and distant, in the direction of movement of the fabric beyond the dispenser. When the temperature and pressure of the heated gas streams are sufficient, the thermoplastic threads of the pile fabric, placed in contact with these heated streams, exhibit a longitudinal shrinkage, retract in the surface carrying the pile, and are thermally fixed in forming separate continuous grooves in the fabric, thereby permitting the formation of patterns on the surface of the fabric in various ways some of which are described later in this specification. Changing the design formed by grooves in the fabric only requires loosening the bolts 66 and replacing an existing plate forming a shim with another having other groove dimensions and / or other groove spacings along oord. FIG. 8 shows another plate 102 forming a shim having an irregular spacing of the notches 104, along the plate, so that the design which can be formed on the surface of the fabric can be modified. Thus, it is noted that various surface patterns can be formed on the movable sheet using only wedge-shaped plates, and without additional control of the currents by the relatively cold compressed air outlets, described above.

Figures 4 and 5 show an embodiment in which wedge plates are used with the relatively cold compressed gas outlets in the slot 32 so that more elaborate or detailed drawings are formed in the textile web. As indicated in FIG. 5, the evacuation outlets 78 are arranged in the channels formed by the wedge and the walls 70, 72 of the slot so that the channels are selectively blocked by cold gas and thus allow intermittent evacuation selected streams of heated gas, forming surface patterns which may vary over the width of the fabric as well as in the direction of movement thereof in front of the dispenser.

Figures 6 and 7 show another embodiment of the invention in which the pattern formation in the fabric is provided by an elongated slot 32 and cold compressed gas outlets, without the use of shims. As indicated in FIG. 7, the selective excitation of the supply of cold gas to some of the outlets 78, according to drawing information, makes it possible to block the passage of the heated gas in the slot 32 by the relatively cold gas in the corresponding regions of the slit, so that the fabric takes on a corresponding design.

The heated compressed gas distributor according to the invention can also be used for the uniform scraping of the thermoplastic threads of a pile fabric having pile of uniform unidirectional orientation, for example of a fabric formed by cutting or shearing the threads. '' a double-sided knit, so that two layers of pile fabric are formed. When implementing such a pile fabric manufacturing process, the threads of the two plies are generally uniformly inclined in the opposite direction to the direction of movement of the fabric during the cutting operation.

As shown diagrammatically in FIGS. 9 and 10, it can be seen that, when a pile fabric having a unidirectional inclination passes in front of the narrow and elongated slot 32 of the distributor 30 in the direction opposite to the direction of inclination of the threads, these are surprisingly returned to the position perpendicular to the surface of the fabric, and the stream of heated gas striking the surface of the fabric ensures the thermal fixing of the threads in this position. FIGS. 9 and 10 represent the substrate 106 of the fabric, the threads 108 of the bristles, their inclination, and the direction of the stream 110 of heated gas when it strikes the surface carrying the bristles. As shown, it is advantageous for the current 110, as indicated by the arrows, to strike the surface at an angle of about 90 ° or more with respect to the direction of movement of the fabric so that the threads are delivered vertically. If the fabric is moving in a direction and with a direction other than the direction and direction of inclination of the threads or when the stream of compressed gas is directed with an inclination different from that indicated, the threads will not not straighten evenly but are either more inclined or randomly disoriented on the surface of the fabric.

The use of the apparatus according to the invention for the implementation of some of the methods described appears clearly in the particular examples which follow giving operating conditions used during the treatment of fabric having threads, allowing the formation of a desired design or appearance. The examples are given purely by way of illustration and they in no way limit the use of the apparatus according to the invention.

EXAMPLE 1

A polyester plush knit, having a mass of 440 g per square meter and a pile height of 2.5 mm, advances continuously in the apparatus shown in Figure 1, with a speed of 4.6 m / min. The temperature and pressure of the heated air in the distribution compartment are maintained at 315 ° C and 0.42 bar respectively. The dispenser discharge slot is kept at a distance of approximately 1.25 mm from the surface of the bristles and has a notch-like shim shown in Figure 3. The remote discharge channels formed in the slot have a rectangular section of 0.28 x 1.57 mm. The length of each channel in the slot is 6.35 mm and the channels have a spacing of 5.1 mm along the distributor.

The streams of hot gas hitting the surface of the fabric cause the threads to shrink longitudinally in the contact areas so that the threads drop and pack in the fabric, forming narrow, elongated and distinct grooves along the travel path of the surface. The wires adjacent to the sides of the grooves remain practically without modification or disturbance and form lateral walls.

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distant vertical lines for the grooves. The fabric has a surface appearance as shown in the photograph in FIG. 11.

EXAMPLE 2

In the apparatus of FIG. 1, a polyester weave fabric having a mass of 128 g / m2 is treated, with a construction of 36 warp threads and 33 picks per centimeter, with a fabric speed of 3.65. m / min and with an overspeed of 12% between the rollers 12,13 and the rollers 18,19. The support cylinder 16 is driven in overspeed when the fabric passes over it. The temperature and pressure of the heated air, as well as the dimensions and spacings of the discharge channels in the distributor are the same as in Example 1.

The streams of compressed gas at high temperature, striking the fabric advancing in overspeed on the support cylinder, in the direction of the chains, cause a longitudinal thermal withdrawal of the warp threads in contact with the streams continuously along their length. The intermediate parts of the fabric, between the lines containing the threads which are not thermally shrunk, give an appearance of crêpe or gathers as indicated by the photograph in FIG. 12.

EXAMPLE 3

A pile fabric of the type indicated in Example 1 is treated in the treatment apparatus of FIG. 1, with a speed of 1.8 m / min. The temperature of the hot air in the distributor is maintained at 370 ° C and the pressure is 0.14 bar. For a fabric speed of 1.8 m / min, the hot air exhaust channels from the hold described in example 1, but spaced with a pitch of 2.5 mm, are selectively blocked by currents cooler compressed air from the cold air outlets in the distributor slot, based on the drawing information. The cold air pressure is maintained at 0.84 bar in the cold air distributor. The treated fabric has a design comprising a series of distinct narrow grooves well delimited as indicated by the photograph in FIG. 13.

EXAMPLE 4

Two polyester fabrics shown in Example 2 are treated with the conditions and the cold air drawing control device of Example 3 so that the warp threads undergo thermal shrinkage at distant locations along the direction of displacement of the fabric. The fabric obtained, as a function of the design information transmitted, has a pleated and blistered appearance as indicated in the photographs in FIGS. 14 and 15.

EXAMPLE 5

A polyester pile fabric is treated in the form of a down velvet, neither thermally fixed, having the construction indicated in example 1, with the apparatus of FIG. 1, for a treatment speed of 1.85 m / min. . The fabric has a unidirectional inclination of the threads forming the bristles and moves opposite the slot of the hot air distributor in a direction opposite to the direction of inclination of the threads in the fabric as indicated in FIGS. 9 and 10. Compressed air heated to a temperature of 150 ° C in the distributor and to a pressure of 0.11 bar is constantly directed against the moving surface, in a perpendicular direction. The width of the slot is 0.41 mm. The current of air striking the surface of the fabric causes it to scrape, which takes a vertical position which is practically uniform perpendicular to the surface of the fabric and upside down. The treated fabric gives a uniform surface appearance with perpendicular pile.

EXAMPLE 6

A “Nylon” down knit and an acrylic down knit, each having a mass of approximately 406 g / m2 and a pile height of 2.5 mm, are treated in the apparatus of FIG. 1 and under the conditions treatment and with the shim described in Example 1. The knitted fabric treated with "Nylon" has a distinct and well-defined pattern of surface grooves, the threads which are in contact with the streams of hot air having a longitudinal withdrawal towards the reverse side of the fabric. The acrylic fabric also has a grooved surface pattern, but with a less distinct appearance and poorer demarcation of the grooves than in the fabric with thermopiastic threads spun in the molten state, for example polyester and " Nylon ”from the other examples.

In the foregoing particular examples, the processing speeds of the fabric in the apparatus can be increased by preheating the fabric before it passes in front of the slot of the dispenser. For example, the fabric can be preheated by infrared heaters of known type and / or by heating the support cylinder 16.

Although the foregoing examples set examples of operating conditions suitable for the treatment of pile textile fabrics and fabrics, giving designs and visual changes of

10

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

55

60

65

CH 676 408G A3

the surface, it should be noted that the treatment fluid and the temperatures and conditions of treatment with the fluid may vary with the particular construction of the substrate and the particular appearance which must be given to the surface. Excellent results are obtained for the formation of patterns in pile fabrics containing thermoplastic threads for treatment speeds of approximately 3.6 to 5.5 m / min, with hot air temperatures, at the outlet of the heating devices, between 315 and 370 ° C, for pressures of approximately 0.14 to 0.49 bar in the distribution compartment. In general, the pressures used can be increased when the discharge slot or the channels formed by the slot have a smaller section. Higher gas temperatures may also be desirable when a cold compressed gas is used to control the circulation of hot gas streams.

A number of substrates having various constructions and compositions are brought into contact with a stream of heated compressed air directed from an orifice of a single fixed nozzle having a diameter of 0.76 mm in order to show the ability to various substrate materials exhibit modifications by application of currents of a heated compressed fluid in selected regions of the substrate surface, according to the invention. The substrates are moved randomly near the orifice, under the processing conditions indicated in the table below.

Substrate

Air pressure,

Temperature

Distance between hole

air bar, ° C

and the surface of the substrate

1) Fabric containing a pile surface

0.07

204

2.5

glued and formed of a material

polyethylene filamentary

2) Sheet of paper containing one on

0.21

177

2.5

face to hair bonded having fila material

polyethylene based

3) Nonwoven and needled fabric formed

1.05

315

2.5

by a filamentary material based on

polypropylene

4) Tufted pile fabric formed by threads

0.42

315

2.5

poiypropylene

5) Plush rayon fabric

0.35

315

2.5

6) “Nylon” 66 fabric linked by spinning

0.40

315

2.5

(34 g / m2)

Visual observation of the substrate treated under the conditions indicated above shows that narrow grooves form in the regions of the surface which are in contact with the current of hot air for the substrates 1 to 5, with a more precise delimitation of the grooves formed. in substrates 1 to 4, containing a thermoplastic fibrous material spun in the molten state, relative to non-thermo-plastic fibers such as rayon (substrate 5) or with acrylic fibers, as indicated in Example 6 .

In the substrate 6 of the table, the conditions of treatment by the air currents are such that they pass entirely through the substrate, this behavior indicating that the invention can also be used for the formation of lace effects in fabrics and sheet substrates.

Thus, it is noted that the use of the apparatus and the method according to the invention allow the modification of the surface of textile fabrics containing thermoplastic yarns and fibers as well as other substrates, with the formation of precise, well-defined patterns. and complex, giving corresponding surface aspects. The treatment of the fabrics can be carried out before dyeing, so that it then presents a differential dyeing sample, in the thermally modified and unmodified fibers and yarns, this behavior giving two-tone coloring effects as well as drawing design effects. surface in fabrics.

It should also be noted that it is advantageous that the heating temperature of the compressed gas is, if necessary, higher than the second order glass transition temperature of the thermoplastic of the fibers or threads.

Claims (19)

Claims 1. A method of treating a mobile substrate by applying a gas heated under pressure to parts of the surface of the substrate so that the visible appearance of the surface is modified, method in which (a) a mass of gas under pressure, uniformly heated, in an elongated distributor, (b) a stream of gas under pressure, uniformly heated, is directed against the surface of the substrate, from the distributor and through a slot extending along the distributor and across the path of 11 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 CH 676 408G A3 substrate, selectively adjusting the flow of at least part of the heated gas stream from spaced locations along the slot from within the slit, while (c) maintaining the temperature of the heated gas at a level sufficient to modify the thermal characteristics of substrate components and create a surface drawing effect. 2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the flow rate is selectively regulated by directing streams of gas under cooler pressure across the slot and across the stream of heated gas in order to stop the latter. 3. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that one selectively regulates the flow by passing the stream of heated gas through the notched parts of an elongated plate forming a shim, disposed in the slot, in order to stop parts of the gas stream. 4. Method according to claim 3, characterized in that one regulates the flow rate of the heated gas passing through the notched parts of the wedge plate by intermittently directing streams of gas under cooler pressure across the slot and across the notches on the plate. 5. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that, in order to maintain the temperature of the heated gas in the distributor, (a) a fluid under pressure is directed into the elongated internal compartment of the distributor through a plurality of conduits d inlet and associated heating devices, which ducts communicate with the elongated distributor at locations spaced along its length, (b) each heating device is supplied with energy at a uniform flow rate in order to heat the pressurized fluid passing through the device, (c) the temperature of the heated fluid entering the distributor compartment is determined, near each point of introduction of the pressurized fluid coming from the conduits, (d) the flow rate of the heated fluid is gradually adjusted passing through some of the intake ducts and the associated heating devices, in response to temperature determinations, in order to blir a uniform temperature in the pressurized heated fluid entering the compartment along it, then (e) the temperature of the heated fluid supplied to the dispenser compartment is detected, at a single location along its length and the the flow of energy supplied uniformly to each heating device is adjusted as a function of this temperature, in order to maintain the temperature of the fluid present in the compartment at the desired value. 6. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the substrate is a textile fabric comprising components of heat-shrinkable wire, in that the gas heated under pressure is air. 7. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the substrate is a woven fabric containing thermoplastic threads, in that the temperature of the streams of heated gas is kept at a level sufficient to cause a longitudinal retraction of the threads and to pleat the fabric in areas which do not come into contact with the streams of heated gas, the temperature of the heated gas being selectively adjustable to create a surface design effect which may vary irregularly along the direction of movement of the fabric. 8. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the fabric comprises a pile fabric, in that the heat-shrinkable wire components constitute at least part of the pile threads and in that the design effect comprises a plurality distinct zones, with in these zones fibers or threads retracted longitudinally towards the inside of the hairy surface and forming the borders of these zones, threads practically not shrunk by the heated air. 9. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the substrate is a pile fabric having a thermally modifiable pile surface and an inclination of the pile generally in one direction with respect to the surface, in that the '' a relative movement is caused, in a direction opposite to the direction of inclination of the pile thread, between the hairy surface of the fabric and a narrow, elongated stream of heated gas extending across the direction of relative movement and directed against the hair surface at an angle of 90 ° or more, relative to the direction of movement relative to the point of contact of the current with the hair surface, and in that the pressure and temperature of the gas stream are maintained at values sufficient to reorient and thermally fix the pile threads in a generally uniform position. 10. A textile fabric produced according to the method according to claim 6, containing thermoplastic yarns having generally uniform thermal shrinkage characteristics and having a patterned surface, the fabric containing yarns thermally shrunk longitudinally on at least part of their length and of threads not retracted longitudinally in other parts of the fabric, containing warp threads and weft threads, characterized in that the thermally retracted threads are warp threads and in that the threads shrinks produce a pleated or crimped appearance in the fabric. 11. The textile fabric as claimed in claim 10, containing thermoplastic yarns having generally uniform heat shrinkage characteristics and having a surface with a drawing effect, the fabric containing yarns heat shrunk longitudinally over at least part of their length and threads not retracted longitudinally in other parts of the fabric, characterized in that the threads retracted longitudinally are pile threads and in that some of the pile threads are thermally retracted longitudinally and packed in the pile surface below of the height of adjacent pile threads, thus forming distinct zones in the pile surface, with adjacent pile threads forming borders of these zones, these adjacent pile threads being generally not retracted, undisturbed and straightened in order to clearly delimit the distinct zones. 12 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 CH 676 408G A3 12. Apparatus for implementing the method according to claim 1 comprising (a) a distributor delimiting a compartment for gas heated under pressure and comprising a gas ejection slot which communicates with the compartment to direct a stream of heated gas under pressure against the surface of the movable substrate, and (b) means for passing the surface of the substrate in front of the slot so that this surface comes into contact with at least one stream of heated gas under pressure directed by the slot at an angle by relative to the direction of movement of the substrate, characterized in that it includes, inside the distribution means, means for selectively regulating the passage of the heated gas through the slot at selected locations along its length. 13. Apparatus according to claim 12, characterized in that the means for selectively regulating the passage of the heated gas comprise means for selectively directing at least one stream of relatively cold gas under pressure across the slot at selected locations along its length , these directing means possibly comprising means for cooling the gas under pressure before it passes through the slot. 14. Apparatus according to claim 13, characterized in that the means for selectively directing at least one stream of relatively cold pressurized gas across the slot comprises means with conduit and valve for supplying cold pressurized gas to each outlet from gas, and design control means for actuating each of the valve means in response to design information. 15. Apparatus according to claim 12, characterized in that the means for selectively adjusting the passage of the heated gas comprises a plate forming a wedge and having a plurality of elongated notches, spaced on an edge along the plate, the latter being disposed in the distributor slot with its notched edge extending through the slot to form with the slot a corresponding plurality of spaced channels communicating with the distributor compartment to direct a corresponding plurality of streams of pressurized gas against the surface of the substrate passing in front of the slit. 16. Apparatus according to claim 15, characterized in that the means for selectively adjusting the passage of the heated gas comprise cold gas outlets arranged in each of the channels, the axes of ejection of the outputs intersecting the axes of ejection of the channels. 17. Apparatus according to claim 12, characterized in that it comprises rotary roller means for supporting the mobile substrate in position of contact of its surface with the stream or streams of gas heated under pressure, the roller means further comprising means for circulating a heat transfer fluid through the interior of the roller means to uniformly transfer the heat around the peripheral surface of the roller means and to prevent deformation and bending of the roller means during processing caused by differences in the heating of parts of its peripheral surface. 18. Apparatus according to claim 12, characterized in that it comprises a distributor forming an elongated compartment for receiving a fluid heated under pressure and an outlet for directing the fluid towards the outside in at least one current disposed along the compartment. dispenser, a plurality of fluid inlet conduits communicating respectively with the dispenser compartment at locations spaced apart uniformly along its length, an individual heating device associated with each of the fluid inlet conduits for heating the fluid passing therethrough the device, means for uniformly supplying each heating device with energy for heating it, means for determining the temperature of the heated fluid near the location of communication of each inlet duct with the compartment, and, in each duct d inlet, valve means for gradually adjusting the flow rate of the fluid in each inlet conduit and its heater to adjust the temperature of the fluid in the spaced locations along the dispenser compartment and establish a uniform temperature of the fluid along the compartment. 19. Apparatus according to claim 18, characterized in that the means for determining the temperature of the heated fluid comprise a temperature sensing device disposed in the fluid stream near each location of communication of an inlet conduit with the compartment of the distributor, and temperature indicating means connected to the detector device for observing the temperature of the heated fluid detected by each detector device, and in that the means for supplying each heating device with energy comprise a source of energy, means for detecting the temperature of the heated fluid at a single location along the dispenser compartment, and means for uniformly adjusting the supply of energy to all of the heating devices in response to this detection. 13