CN114786953A

CN114786953A - Apparatus and method for printing sheet material

Info

Publication number: CN114786953A
Application number: CN202080085196.2A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 路易吉·米利尼
Original assignee: Dover Europe Sarl
Current assignee: Dover Europe Sarl
Priority date: 2019-10-14
Filing date: 2020-10-09
Publication date: 2022-07-22
Also published as: EP4045326A1; IT201900018716A1; WO2021074757A1; BR112022007133A2

Abstract

The invention relates to a digital printing apparatus (1) of sheets (T), said printing apparatus (1) comprising: a treatment device having a conveyor (2) configured to move the sheet (T) along an operating section (3) according to an advancement direction (a) and an applicator (12) configured to dispense a treatment composition destined to treat the sheet (T); a printing station (6) configured to ink-print a sheet (T) placed on the operating section (3). The processing device (70) comprises a moving device (40) carrying the applicator (12) and configured to move it along a direction parallel to the advancement direction (a) at least during the movement of the sheets (T). Furthermore, the invention relates to a printing method using said device.

Description

Apparatus and method for printing sheet material

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an apparatus for printing sheets and an associated method. For example, it is an object of the invention that the printing apparatus and printing method can be applied to inkjet digital printing of sheets, in particular by means of a head that can be moved along the width of the sheet, which in turn can be moved by being advanced perpendicular to the head movement. It is an object of the present invention that the apparatus and associated method can be applied in the field of textile, nonwoven or other sheet printing.

Background

Today, different printing techniques are known for applying inks or coatings to different types of sheets, such as fabrics, nonwovens and other sheets; these materials typically undergo the following initial steps before printing occurs: appropriate pre-treatment of the sheet causes the ink to be deposited as required and fixed to the sheet in an appropriate manner. In particular, the pre-treatment enables the ink droplets to be fixed to the fibres of the material without forming uncontrollable marks or spots: thus, the material pre-treatment step enables good colour yield and suitable definition.

The digital printing process uses a jet head with multiple nozzles having small ink passage ports: in this case, if the ink has too high a viscosity, since this will prevent the ink from flowing uniformly through the head, or if the ink has chemical/physical properties that cannot be easily managed by the system controlling the digital head itself, it will not be possible to perform the pre-treatment by directly adding the ink. For this purpose, the material to be printed is initially processed and is only subjected to digital printing at the second instant.

Of particular interest with respect to the present discussion is the pre-treatment of sheets to be digitally printed by means of a movable head; typically, for such printing processes, the pretreatment solution is continuously applied to the exposed surface of the sheet by a stationary dispenser that functions, in turn, in engagement with a conveyor belt that effects intermittent advancement: the intermittent advance of the conveyor belt, and therefore of the sheet, is synchronized with the transverse movement of the movable head, which normally prints only when the belt is stationary. While such printing devices are widely used, the applicant has noticed that the actual pretreatment process does not uniformly prepare the fibrous material; this situation has a negative impact on the print quality, which is largely dependent on the quality and uniformity of the pretreatment and which in turn will be non-uniform with respect to color yield and sharpness.

In the following, some examples of printing devices or liquid releasing devices are given. A first example of a digital printing device is described in us patent application No. us 2019/275808 a1 in the name of the same applicant. Such an apparatus includes a pre-treatment station configured to dispense a treatment composition to an exposed surface of a conveyor belt configured to receive a sheet to be printed; the conveyor belt is configured to move the sheet material through the printing station. Applying the treatment composition to the belt can apply the treatment composition to the side of the sheet opposite the side to be printed. In the solution described in us patent application No. us 2019/275808 a1, the pre-treatment station is fixed with respect to the longitudinal advancement direction of the sheets placed on the conveyor belt.

A second example described in european patent application No. ep2915677 a1 relates to a liquid discharge device for processing a sheet material. Such an apparatus includes a conveyor belt configured to move a sheet through a liquid discharge station provided with a head reciprocating in a direction perpendicular to an advancing direction of the sheet placed on the conveyor belt. The apparatus has a roller configured to press and flatten the sheet on the conveying belt; the leveling roller is disposed upstream of the liquid discharge station and is capable of reciprocating in a direction parallel to the sheet advancement direction.

A third example of an apparatus for digitally printing fabrics is described in us patent No. us 8,465,143B 1; such an apparatus comprises a conveyor configured to move the fabric from the pre-treatment station to the printing station; the conveyor is defined by a back plate on which the fabric is engaged: the backing plate is configured to move the fabric from the pre-treatment station to a substantially remote printing station at the end of the pre-treatment step. The pre-treatment station comprises a distributor of liquid solution, which is movable in two directions perpendicular to each other. Whilst the solution described in us patent No. us 8,465,143B 1 enables treatment of fabrics, the applicant observes that this us patent is not without drawbacks and can therefore be improved in some respects.

In particular, the applicant observed that the structure of the pretreatment station of us patent No. us 8,465,143B 1 is slightly complex and does not ensure a rapid and uniform treatment of the fabric; in the same way, the structure of the conveyors associated with the structure of the pre-treatment station and the structure of the printing station is also slightly complex and does not ensure a suitable productivity.

Object of the Invention

It is therefore an object of the present invention to address at least one of the inconveniences and/or limitations of the aforementioned solutions.

A first object of the invention consists in providing a device and an associated method that enable an efficient treatment of sheets, such as fabrics, knitted fabrics and/or non-woven fabrics, in order to bring them into an optimal printing condition, in particular for digital printing of the sheets. In particular, it is an object of the invention to provide an apparatus which enables a controlled and uniform sheet processing step. Furthermore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a digital printing apparatus for sheets which allows a suitable printing head to operate at a short distance from the sheet to ensure a high printing resolution.

Another object of the present invention consists in providing a device and an associated method that enable rapid processing of the material to be printed, digital printing of sheets; in particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus that is able to reduce to a minimum the time for processing the sheets, thus reducing to a minimum the time and cost of the printing process. It is then an object of the present invention to provide a printing apparatus and method which can be built at reasonable running costs and which provides a higher productivity, while minimizing the use of pretreatment substances for the environment. Another object of the present invention is to provide a treatment plant having a simple compact structure capable of simplifying the operations of conversion and maintenance of the plant and therefore of reducing the machine downtime to a minimum.

These and other objects, which will appear better from the following description, are substantially achieved by a printing apparatus and a method according to one or more of the appended claims and/or one or more of the following aspects.

Disclosure of Invention

In one aspect, a processing device (70) of a sheet (T) is provided, comprising:

-at least one conveyor (2), said conveyor (2) being configured to move the sheet (T) at least along an operating section (3) according to an advancement direction (A),

-at least one applicator (12), said applicator (12) being configured to dispose of a treatment composition (C) destined to treat at least one side of a sheet (T).

In one aspect according to the preceding aspect, the handling device (70) comprises at least one holding device (71), which holding device (71) is placed above the conveyor (2) in a state in which the handling device (70) is used. In one aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects, the holding device is placed at the applicator (12) in a state in which the treatment device (70) is used. In one aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects, the holding device (71) comprises at least one barrier (72), the at least one barrier (72) being configured to confine the treatment composition (C) inside the deposition area. In one aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects, at least one barrier is configured to prevent the treatment composition (C) from passing through the at least one barrier (72) according to a direction transverse to the advancing direction (a).

In one aspect according to any of the preceding aspects, the conveyor (2) comprises an exposed surface (E) configured to receive the sheet (T) and move the sheet (T) along the operating section (3) along the advancement direction (a). In one aspect according to any of the preceding aspects, at least one barrier (72) is placed on the deposition section of the exposed surface (E) in a state in which the processing device (70) is used. In one aspect according to any of the preceding aspects, the deposition section is planar.

In one aspect according to any of the preceding aspects, the at least one barrier (72) is configured to be positioned relative to the conveyor (2) for preventing the treatment composition (C) handled by the applicator (12) from passing through the barrier itself along a direction transverse to the advancement direction (a) and parallel to the deposition section.

In one aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects, the operating section (3):

at least partially defined at the deposition section, or

-is defined downstream of the deposition section with respect to the advancement direction (a).

In one aspect according to any of the preceding aspects, the at least one barrier (72) comprises a first barrier (72a) and a second barrier (72b) facing and away from each other. In one aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects, the first barrier and the second barrier cooperatively define a deposition area. In one aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects, the deposition area is defined between a first barrier (72a) and a second barrier (72 b). In one aspect according to any of the preceding aspects, the first barrier (72a) and the second barrier (72b) are configured relative to the conveyor and positionable for confining the treatment composition (C) inside the deposition area.

In one aspect according to any of the preceding aspects, the applicator (12) is placed on the at least one barrier (72), optionally on the first barrier (72a) and the second barrier (72b), in a state of use of the treatment device (70). In one aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects, the applicator (12) is configured to dispense the treatment composition (C) inside the deposition area.

In one aspect according to any of the preceding aspects, the holding device (71) comprises at least one positioning device (73), said positioning device (73) being configured to move the barrier (72) at least along a direction parallel to the deposition section and transverse, optionally perpendicular, to the advancement direction (a).

In one aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects, a positioning device (73) acts on at least one of the first and second barriers (72a, 72b) and is configured to move at least one of the first and second barriers (72a, 72b) along a direction parallel to the deposition section and transverse, optionally perpendicular, to the advancement direction (a). In one aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects, the positioning device (73) comprises:

-a support frame (74),

-at least one transverse guide (75), said transverse guide (75) being carried by the supporting frame (74) and extending parallel to the deposition section and transverse, optionally perpendicular, to the advancement direction (A), said transverse guide (75) being placed on the conveyor (2) in a state in which the treatment device (70) is used and extending along the entire width of the conveyor measured perpendicular to the advancement direction (A),

-at least one displacement member (76), said displacement member (76) being slidably movable along a transversal guide (75), said displacement member (76) being configured to move said at least one barrier (72) along a direction parallel to the deposition section and transversal, optionally perpendicular, to the advancement direction (a).

In an aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects, the at least one displacement member (76) is configured to move at least one of the first barrier (72a) and the second barrier (72b) along a direction parallel to the deposition section and transverse, optionally perpendicular, to the advancement direction (a).

In one aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects, the at least one displacement member (76) comprises:

-a first displacement member (76a), the first displacement member (76a) being configured to intercept and move a first barrier (72a),

-a second displacement member (76b), the second displacement member (76b) being configured to intercept and move the second barrier (72 b).

In one aspect according to any of the preceding aspects, the positioning device (73) comprises at least one actuator (73a), optionally an electric motor, said actuator (73a) being configured to move the displacement member (76) along said transversal guide (75).

In one aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects, the at least one barrier (72) comprises:

-an inner containment surface (77), the inner containment surface (77) being configured to directly contact and confine the treatment composition (C),

an outer coupling portion (78), the outer coupling portion (78) being at least partially opposite the inner containment surface (77),

wherein the displacement member (76) is configured to engage with the outer coupling portion (78) of the at least one barrier (72) for moving the outer coupling portion (78) of the at least one barrier (72) along the transverse guide (75).

In an aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects, the outer coupling portion (78) comprises a ferromagnetic or magnetizable material, wherein the displacement member (76) comprises at least one of a magnet and an electromagnet. In one aspect according to any of the preceding aspects, the displacement member (76) is configured to magnetically attract the at least one barrier (72) to the displacement member (76) itself for enabling movement of the at least one barrier (72) along the lateral guide (75). In one aspect according to any of the preceding aspects, the at least one barrier (72) comprises a plate, optionally a plate of a metallic material, more optionally a plate of a ferromagnetic material.

In one aspect according to any of the preceding aspects, the at least one barrier (72) comprises:

-a plate defining an inner containment surface (77),

-a bearing block engaged with the plate opposite the inner containing surface (77) and at least partially defining said coupling portion.

In one aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects, the plate of the at least one barrier (72) extends longitudinally along a direction parallel to the advancing direction (a). In one aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects, the plate of the at least one barrier extends vertically away from the conveyor (2) in a direction perpendicular to the deposition section. In one aspect according to any of the preceding aspects, the first and second barriers (72a, 72b) comprise respective plates facing each other and extending longitudinally and parallel to each other. In one aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects, the inner containment surface (77) of at least one barrier (72) is flat and extends parallel to the advancement direction (a) and perpendicular to the deposition section. In one aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects, the first barrier (72a) and the second barrier (72b) comprise respective inner containment surfaces facing each other and configured to laterally delimit the deposition area according to a direction perpendicular to the advancement direction and parallel to the deposition section.

In one aspect according to any of the preceding aspects, the treatment device comprises at least one pressure member (5a), optionally at least one pressure cylinder, said pressure member (5a) running on the conveyor (2), optionally on an exposed surface (E) of the conveyor (2). In one aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects, the at least one barrier (72) of the holding device (71) is placed at the pressure member (5a), upstream of the pressure member (5a) with respect to the advancing direction (a). In one aspect according to any of the preceding aspects, the at least one barrier (72) is placed adjacent to the pressure member (5a) and has a front profile that is shaped (countershaped) in part against an outer surface of the pressure member (5 a).

In one aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects, the bearing block is of ferromagnetic material and is configured to cooperate with a displacement member (76) for moving the barrier (72) along the transverse guide (75).

In another aspect according to any of the preceding aspects, the positioning device (73) comprises a generator configured to:

-defining the following active states: in this active state, the generator supplies an electric current to the electromagnet of the displacement member (76), so that said electromagnet generates a magnetic field capable of attracting the barrier (72) to the electromagnet itself,

-defining the following inactive states: in this inactive state, the generator does not supply any current to the electromagnet.

In an aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects, the processing device comprises a control unit (50).

In one aspect according to any of the preceding aspects, the command positioning device (73) is acted on by a control unit (50) configured to command the positioning device (73) for moving the at least one barrier (72) along the transversal guide (75) at least between the pick-up position and the operating position. In one aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects, the at least one barrier (72) in the operative position is configured to confine the treatment composition (C) in the deposition area. In one aspect according to any of the preceding aspects, the control unit is configured to move the displacement member (76) at least between:

-a first operating condition in which the displacement member (76) is configured to engage with the barrier (72) in the picking position,

-a second operating condition in which the barrier is in the operating position.

In an aspect according to any of the preceding aspects, the control unit further acts on a command generator associated with the electromagnet and configured to:

-commanding the displacement member (76) to move to the first operating condition,

-commanding an active state of the electromagnet such that the displacement member (76) can engage with the barrier (72),

-commanding the displacement member to move to the second operative condition, so that said displacement member can move the barrier to the operative position.

In an aspect according to any of the preceding aspects, the control unit is further configured to perform the following further steps after commanding the displacement member (76) to move to the second operational state:

-commanding an inactive state of the electromagnet such that the displacement member (76) is disengaged from the barrier (72),

-moving the displacement member from the second operating condition to a away-from-rest condition, in which the displacement member (76) is away from the barrier placed in the operating position, after disengagement from the barrier (72).

In one aspect according to any of the preceding aspects, the processing means comprises:

-a single stationary applicator extending transversely, optionally vertically, with respect to an advancement direction (a), optionally along the entire width of the conveyor; or

-a plurality of discrete applicators, juxtaposed to each other along a direction transversal, optionally perpendicular, to the advancement direction (a), covering at least a portion of the width of the conveyor (2), optionally the entire width of the conveyor (2); or

-at least one applicator reciprocally movable transversely, optionally perpendicularly, with respect to the advancement direction (a) and configured to cover at least a portion of the width of the conveyor (2), optionally the entire width of the conveyor (2).

In one aspect according to any of the preceding aspects, the applicator (12) comprises at least one of:

-at least one spray dispenser (18),

at least one drum placed with its axis of rotation transverse to the direction of advance and with its lateral surface remote from the conveyor belt, having a hollow interior destined to contain a predetermined quantity of treatment composition, in particular treatment foam, and provided with a predetermined number of nozzles or slots for feeding the composition, in particular foam,

-at least one dispenser (90), said dispenser (90) comprising:

-at least one reservoir (91), said reservoir (91) defining, inside it, a compartment (92), said compartment (92) being configured to receive a treatment composition (C), said reservoir (91) comprising at least one inlet (93) and at least one outlet (94), said inlet (93) being configured to be able to introduce a predetermined amount of treatment composition (C) into the compartment (92) of the reservoir itself; the outlet (94) is configured to enable the treatment composition (C) to be expelled from the reservoir itself,

-at least one pusher (95), said pusher (95) being at least partially engaged in the reservoir (91) and configured to be able to dispense a treatment composition (C) according to at least one outlet (94) of the reservoir.

In one aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects, the reservoir (91) of the dispenser (90) extends along a development direction transverse, optionally perpendicular, to the advancement direction (a).

In one aspect according to any of the preceding aspects, the dispenser (90) comprises at least one nozzle that engages with each outlet (94) of the reservoir (91). In one aspect according to any of the preceding aspects, each nozzle extends from the reservoir in the direction of the conveyor, optionally in the direction of the deposition section (3a), and is configured to dispense the treatment composition (C) present in the reservoir (91).

In one aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects, the reservoir (91) has a plurality of outlets (94), said plurality of outlets (94) being distributed along the development direction of the reservoir itself.

In one aspect according to any of the preceding aspects, the reservoir (91) comprises:

a first plurality of outlets (94), said first plurality of outlets (94) being aligned with one another along a first direction transversal, optionally perpendicular, to the advancement direction (A),

-a second plurality of outlets (94), said second plurality of outlets (94) being aligned with each other along a second direction transversal, optionally perpendicular, to the advancement direction (a).

In an aspect according to any of the preceding aspects, the first direction of the first plurality of outlets is parallel to the second direction of the second plurality of outlets. In one aspect according to any of the preceding aspects, the second plurality of outlets is placed in succession with the first plurality of outlets with respect to the advancing direction (a).

In one aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects, the reservoir has a plurality of inlets (93), said plurality of inlets (93) also being distributed along the development direction of the reservoir (91) itself. In one aspect according to any of the preceding aspects, each inlet (93) is placed opposite each outlet (94). In one aspect according to any of the preceding aspects, each outlet (94) is defined on a bottom portion of the reservoir directly facing the conveyor (2), while each inlet (93) is defined on a top portion (91b) of the reservoir.

In one aspect according to any of the preceding aspects, the reservoir (91) extends substantially along the full width of the conveyor, measured perpendicular to the direction of advancement (a).

In one aspect according to any of the preceding aspects, the reservoir (91) has a cross-section of a semi-circular shape defined by a flat base and a semi-circular profile engaging the base. In one aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects, each inlet (93) is defined on a top portion of the profile opposite the base, and each outlet (94) is defined on the base wall.

In one aspect according to any of the preceding aspects, the dispenser comprises a dispensing channel (93a), which dispensing channel (93a) is connected to each inlet (93a) and is configured to supply a treatment composition (C), in particular in the form of a foam.

In one aspect according to any of the preceding aspects, the dispenser (90) comprises at least one fluid intercepting element (98) disposed adjacent the at least one outlet (94), the intercepting element being movable between at least a closed state in which the fluid intercepting element prevents the treatment composition from being ejected from the reservoir and an open state in which the fluid intercepting element allows the treatment composition (C) to be expelled from the reservoir. In an aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects, the fluid intercepting element in a closed state is configured to block at least one outlet (94) of the reservoir.

In one aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects, the reservoir has a fluid intercepting element for each outlet (94).

In one aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects, the dispenser (90) comprises at least one actuator (99), said actuator (99) acting on at least one fluid intercepting element for moving said fluid intercepting element from the closed state to the open state and from the open state to the closed state. In one aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects, the dispenser (90) comprises a plurality of actuators (99), each actuator (99) acting on a respective fluid intercepting element (98). In one aspect according to any of the preceding aspects, the actuator (99) comprises at least one between: hydraulic piston, pneumatic piston, electric motor.

In one aspect according to any of the preceding aspects, the pusher (95) comprises a vane (97), the vane (97) being movable in a rotational manner inside the compartment (92) of the reservoir (91) between a first end-of-travel position and a second end-of-travel position. In one aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects, the vanes (97) are configured to push the treatment composition (C), optionally foam, outside one or more of the outlets (94) during rotation from the first end-stroke position to the second end-stroke position and/or during rotation from the second end-stroke position to the first end-stroke position.

In one aspect according to any of the preceding aspects, the blade (94), during rotation between the first and second operating positions, is configured to rotate by a predetermined angle greater than 90 °, optionally comprised between 90 ° and 200 °, more optionally substantially 180 °.

In one aspect according to any of the preceding aspects, the vane (97) is configured to:

-rotating from the first operating position to the second operating position to enable the treatment composition (C), optionally as a foam, to flow out of the second plurality of outlets,

-rotating from the second operative position to the first operative position to enable the treatment composition (C), optionally as a foam, to flow out of the first plurality of outlets.

In one aspect according to any of the preceding aspects, the rotary blade (97) is moved by at least one electric motor.

In one aspect according to any of the preceding aspects, the control unit is connected to the at least one actuator (99) and acts to command the at least one actuator (99) for controlling the movement of the at least one interception element between the closed condition and the open condition and between the open condition and the closed condition. In a second aspect according to any of the preceding aspects, the control unit is further operative to command the rotating of the blades. In one aspect according to any of the preceding aspects, the control unit is configured to synchronize the actuation of a plurality of actuators connected to the intercepting element with the actuation of an electric motor connected to the blade (97) to control the feeding of the treatment composition (C) through each outlet, optionally through a plurality of outlets.

In one aspect according to any of the preceding aspects, the impeller of the dispenser may comprise one or more transmission means placed inside the reservoir (91) and configured to direct the treatment composition (C), in particular as a foam, outside each outlet (94).

In one aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects, the applicator (12) is placed above the conveyor (2) in a state in which the apparatus is used.

In one aspect according to any of the preceding aspects, the applicator (12) is placed above the deposition section (3a), optionally directly facing said deposition section (3 a).

In one aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects, the applicator (12) comprises at least one spray dispenser (18), said spray dispenser (18) being remote from the conveyor (2) and being reciprocally movable along a dispensing direction (B) transversal, optionally perpendicular, to the advancing direction (a). In one aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects, the spray dispenser (18) is configured to move along the entire transverse width of the sheet (T) measured perpendicular to the advancing direction (a). In one aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects, the treatment device comprises at least one transverse guide (43), said transverse guide (43) extending perpendicular to the advancement direction (a) and along a direction in which the spray dispenser (18) is reciprocally movable. In one aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects, the transverse guide (43) extends substantially along the entire width of the conveyor (2) measured perpendicular to the direction of advance (a). In one aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects, the spray dispenser (18) is movable inside the vertical volume of the deposition area above the conveyor (2) in a state of use of the treatment device (70) and at least during a dispensing state of the treatment composition. In one aspect according to any of the preceding aspects, the aerosol dispenser (18) is movable within a transverse vertical volume defined by a first barrier (72a) and a second barrier (72 b).

In one aspect according to any of the preceding aspects, the conveyor (2) comprises at least one conveyor belt. In one aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects, the conveyor belt has said exposed surface treated with a water-insoluble viscous material, optionally treated with a viscous material comprising a polymer glue sensitive to at least one of pressure and temperature.

In one aspect according to any of the preceding aspects, the treatment composition comprises a treatment foam having at least one of:

-an anti-migration agent which is capable of,

-a pH-controlling agent which,

-a hydrotrope.

In one aspect according to any of the preceding aspects, the treatment foam comprises at least one treatment liquid in an amount comprised between 5% and 75% by weight relative to the total weight of the foam. In one aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects, the treatment liquid comprises:

-at least one anti-migration agent, preferably selected from: alginates, cellulose derivatives, in particular carboxymethylcellulose, hydroxyethylcellulose, acrylic acid (co) polymers, xanthan gum, gum arabic and guar gum, and/or

-a fixative, in particular, the fixative comprising at least one of:

-at least one pH control agent, preferably selected from: sodium bicarbonate, sodium carbonate, ammonium sulphate, ammonium tartrate and citric acid, and preferably at least one hydrotrope selected between urea and thiourea.

-at least one foaming agent in a weight percentage comprised between 0.2% and 5%, preferably between 0.4% and 2%, with respect to the total weight of the foam,

water in an amount required to reach 100%.

In one aspect according to any of the preceding aspects, the processing means comprises at least one moving means (40).

In one aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects, the moving device (40) carries a holding device (71) and is configured to move said holding device (71) along a direction parallel to the advancing direction (a).

In one aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects, the pressure member (5a) is carried by a moving device (40), wherein the moving device (40) is configured to move the at least one barrier (72) and the pressure member (5a) integrally along a direction parallel to the advancing direction (a).

In one aspect according to any of the preceding aspects, the moving device (40) carries at least one applicator, the moving device being configured to move the at least one applicator (12) along a direction parallel to the advancing direction (a), optionally at least during the movement of the sheet (T) along the operating section (3).

In one aspect according to any of the preceding aspects, the moving device (40) stably carries the applicator (12) and the at least one barrier (72), optionally said first barrier (72a) and said second barrier (72b), the moving device (40) being configured to move the applicator (12) and the at least one barrier (72) integrally along a direction parallel to the advancing direction (a).

In one aspect according to any of the preceding aspects, the conveyor (2), optionally the exposed surface (E), always comprises a deposition section (3a), which deposition section (3a) extends upstream of the operating section (3) with respect to the advancing direction (a), the applicator (12) being positioned and configured to deposit the treatment composition (C) on the deposition section (3a) of the conveyor (2).

In one aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects, the conveyor (2) is configured to convey the treatment composition (C) applied to the deposition section (3a), optionally fed along the advancement direction (a) and optionally along said operating section (T), to an initial contact zone in which the conveyor is arranged to come into contact with the sheet (T).

In one aspect according to any of the preceding aspects, wherein the pressure member (5a), optionally comprising at least one pressure barrel, runs above the exposed surface (E) of the conveyor (2) at said initial contact zone, the pressure member (5a) being configured to run by pressure on the sheet and to push the sheet against the exposed surface (E) of the conveyor. In one aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects, the pressure member (5a) is carried by the movement device (40) and is integral with the applicator (12) when translated along a direction parallel to the advancement direction (a).

In one aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects, the mobile device (40) comprises:

-at least one guide (41), said guide (41) being placed alongside the conveyor (2) and extending parallel to the advancement direction (A),

-at least one support structure (42), said support structure (42) being slidably movable along said guide (42), said support structure (42) stably carrying the applicator (12).

In one aspect according to any of the preceding aspects, the support structure (42) stably carries the pressure member (5 a).

In one aspect according to any of the preceding aspects, the at least one guide (41) comprises a first guide and a second guide placed side by side with the conveyor (2) opposite each other with respect to said conveyor (2).

In one aspect according to any of the preceding aspects, the spray distributor (18) is placed above the conveyor (2), optionally above the deposition section (3a), in a state in which the treatment device is used.

In one aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects, wherein the support structure (42) of the moving device (40) comprises said at least one transverse guide (43) extending perpendicularly to the advancing direction (a), wherein the spray distributor (18) is reciprocally movable along said transverse guide (43).

In one aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects, the transverse guide (43) along which the spray dispenser is movable extends substantially along the entire width of the conveyor (2) measured perpendicular to the advancing direction (a). In one aspect according to any of the preceding aspects, the spray distributor (18) is capable of moving at least a portion of the width of the conveyor (2) along the transverse guide (43).

In one aspect, a processing method using a processing apparatus according to any one of the preceding aspects is provided. In one aspect according to the preceding aspect, the method comprises the steps of:

-moving the sheet (T) along an advancement direction (A),

-feeding, by means of an applicator, a treatment composition (C) destined to treat at least one side of the sheet (T) by means of the applicator (12).

In one aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects, the method comprises the steps of: the treatment composition (C) is confined inside the deposition area by at least one barrier (72) of the holding device (71) to optionally prevent said treatment composition (C) from passing through the barrier (72) in a direction transverse to the advancement direction (a).

In one aspect according to any of the preceding aspects, the at least one barrier (72) comprises a first barrier (72a) and a second barrier (72b), the first barrier (72a) and the second barrier (72b) facing each other and cooperatively defining the deposition area with each other. In one aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects, a deposition area is interposed between the first barrier (72a) and the second barrier (72 b). In one aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects, the first barrier (72a) and the second barrier (72b) confine the treatment composition (C) inside the deposition area.

In one aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects, dispensing of the treatment composition (C) by the applicator occurs inside a deposition area defined by at least one barrier, optionally a first barrier (72a) and a second barrier (72 b).

In one aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects, prior to the step of dispensing the treatment composition, the method provides the steps of:

-intercepting at least one barrier (72) placed in a picking position by a displacement member (76) of a positioning device (73),

-moving the barrier (72) from the pick-up position in a direction transverse, optionally perpendicular, to the advancement direction (a) to a confining operation position by a displacement member (76), the barrier (72) in the operation position being configured to confine the treatment composition (C) in the deposition area.

In one aspect according to any of the preceding aspects, moving the sheet (T) occurs by a conveyor (2), said conveyor (2) having an exposed surface (E) configured to receive the sheet (T), the exposed surface (E) always having an operating section (3), the operating section (3) being configured to temporarily receive contact with a first side (T1) of the sheet (T) and to guide said sheet (T) along an advancement direction (a).

In one aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects, the exposed surface (E) of the conveyor (2) always comprises a deposition section (3a), which deposition section (3a) extends upstream of the operating section (3) of the conveyor (2) itself with respect to the advancing direction (a). In one aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects, the step of applying the treatment composition comprises at least the step of depositing a predetermined amount of the treatment composition on the deposition section (3a) of the conveyor (2).

In one aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects, at least one barrier (72) is positioned above the deposition section (3a) of the conveyor (2) and is configured to confine the treatment composition (C) inside a deposition area defined inside said deposition section (3 a).

In one aspect according to any of the preceding aspects, the step of dispensing the treatment composition is performed by one or more of the following sub-steps:

-dispensing by means of a spray dispenser,

-dispensing by means of a drum placed with its rotation axis transverse to the advancement direction (A) and with its lateral surface away from the conveyor, the drum having a hollow interior destined to contain a predetermined quantity of treatment composition and being provided with a predetermined number of nozzles or slots for dispensing the composition,

-dispensing by means of a dispenser (90).

In one aspect according to any of the preceding aspects, wherein after the step of dispensing the treatment composition on the deposition section, the treatment comprises the steps of:

-moving the treatment composition by means of the conveyor (2) to an initial contact zone, in which initial contact zone the conveyor (2) is arranged to start contacting the sheet (T),

-placing a first side (T1) of the sheet (T) in contact with an exposed surface (E) of the conveyor (2) so that the exposed surface (E) of the conveyor (2) may define an operating section (3), in which operating section (3) the conveyor (2) supports the sheet.

In one aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects, the treatment composition (C) comprises a treatment foam comprising at least one of: anti-migration agent, pH control agent and hydrotrope. In one aspect according to any of the preceding aspects, the sheet (T) is in the shape of a continuous sheet. In one aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects, the sheet comprises at least one of the following materials: woven fabric, non-woven fabric.

In a further aspect, an apparatus for printing a sheet (T) is provided, the apparatus comprising a processing device according to any one of the preceding aspects of the processing device.

In one aspect according to any of the preceding aspects, the printing apparatus comprises at least one printing station (6), said printing station (6) being configured to ink-print a sheet (T) placed on the operating section (3).

In one aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects, the printing station (6) comprises at least one head (8), said head (8) being movable transversely with respect to the advancement direction (a). In one aspect according to any of the preceding aspects, the printing station is a digital type printing station.

In one aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects, the printing station (6) is placed downstream of the processing device (70) with respect to the advancing direction (a) of the sheet (T) on the conveyor (2).

In one aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects, the moving device (40) is configured to move the applicator (12) along a direction parallel to the advancing direction (a) at least between a first operating position and a second operating position, wherein the applicator (12) in the first operating position is located at a distance from the printing station (6) measured along the advancing direction and greater than the distance existing between the printing station and the applicator (12) placed in the second operating position.

In one aspect according to any of the preceding aspects, the apparatus comprises a control unit (50). In one aspect according to any of the preceding aspects, the control unit (50) of the apparatus may be the same as the control unit of the processing device or may be defined by a different unit optionally configured to communicate with the control unit of the processing device.

In one aspect according to any of the preceding aspects, a control unit (of the apparatus and/or of the processing device) acts on the command conveyor (2) and on the moving device (40), said control unit being configured to command the conveyor (2) to move the sheet (T) along the operating section (3) according to the intermittent advancement for defining, in an alternating manner:

-an advance condition during which the conveyor (2) moves the sheet (T) at an advance speed greater than 0; and alternately:

-a stop state during which the position of the sheet (T) remains unchanged.

In one aspect according to any of the preceding aspects, wherein two consecutive advancing states alternate one stopping state.

In one aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects, the moving device (40) is configured to move the applicator (12) along a direction parallel to the advancing direction (a) at least during the advancing state of the conveyor (2).

In one aspect according to any of the preceding aspects, the control unit is configured to command the moving device (40) to move the applicator (12) between at least:

-moving the applicator (12) along a forward stroke between a first operating position and a second operating position towards the printing station, at least during an advancing condition of the conveyor (2),

-moving the applicator (12) away from the printing station along a return stroke between the second operating position and the first operating position, at least during a stop condition of the conveyor (2).

In one aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects, an advance speed of the sheet (T) imparted by the conveyor (2) during the advanced state is greater than a speed at which the applicator (12) moves in a direction parallel to the advance direction (a).

In one aspect according to any of the preceding aspects, wherein the moving device is configured to move the applicator (12) parallel to the advancing direction (a) at a predetermined moving speed.

In one aspect according to any of the preceding aspects, the control unit is configured to command the moving device (40) to move the applicator (12) along the forward stroke at a first movement speed substantially equal to a second movement speed at which the same applicator (12) is moved along the return stroke. In an aspect according to any of the preceding aspects, the control unit is configured to:

-commanding the conveyor (2) to move the sheet (T) along the operating section (3) by a predetermined displacement in each advancing condition,

-commanding the moving device (40) to move the applicator (12) parallel to the advancement direction by a predetermined stroke, which is smaller than a predetermined displacement of the sheet (T).

In one aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects, the control unit is configured to command the conveyor (2) such that the sheet (T) moves along the operating section (3) by a predetermined displacement in each advancing state.

In one aspect according to any of the preceding aspects, the ratio of said predetermined displacement of the sheet (T) along the operating section (3) to the forward stroke of the applicator (12) is comprised between 1.5 and 2.5, optionally substantially 2. In one aspect according to any of the preceding aspects, the ratio of said predetermined displacement of the sheet (T) along the operating section (3) to the return stroke of the applicator (12) is comprised between 1.5 and 2.5, optionally substantially 2.

In one aspect according to any of the preceding aspects, the forward stroke and the return stroke define equal but different directions of translation of the applicator (12) along a direction parallel to the advancing direction (a).

In an aspect according to any of the preceding aspects, the control unit is configured to command the mobile device (40) for:

-moving the applicator (12) along a forward stroke during an advancement state of the sheet (T) imparted by the conveyor (2),

-moving the applicator (12) along a return stroke during a stop condition of the sheet (T) imparted by the conveyor (2).

In one aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects, the processing device (70) is placed upstream of the printing station (6) with respect to the advancing direction of the sheets (T) along the operating section (3). In one aspect according to any of the preceding aspects, the treatment device (70) is configured to treat the sheet (T) by applying a treatment composition on the first side (T1) of the sheet (T). In one aspect according to any of the preceding aspects, the printing station (6) is configured to ink-print a second side (T2) of the sheet (T) opposite the first side (T1).

In one aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects, the operative section of the exposed surface (E) of the conveyor (2) is configured to temporarily receive contact with the first side (T1) of the sheet (T) and move said sheet (T) along the advancement direction (a).

In one aspect according to any of the preceding aspects, the control unit is configured to synchronize the forward stroke of the applicator with the forward state of the conveyor and synchronize the return stroke of the applicator with the stop state, respectively.

In one aspect according to any of the preceding aspects, the control unit further acts on the command applicator (12) and the printing head (8), and wherein the control unit is configured to:

-commanding the movement of the conveyor (2) by alternating the advancing state with the stopping state, to move the sheet according to intermittent advancement,

-commanding the printing head (8) to move and supply ink,

-synchronizing the movement of the printing head (8) and the supply of ink by the head itself with the stop of the conveyor (2),

-commanding the applicator (12) to move along a forward stroke during the forward state of the conveyor (2),

-commanding the applicator (12) to move along a return stroke during a stop condition of the conveyor (2).

In one aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects, a control unit acts on the conveyor and applicator (12), the control unit (50) being configured to:

-receiving a desired value of at least one operating parameter representative of an amount of treatment composition applied to the sheet, the at least one operating parameter comprising at least one of:

a percentage by weight of the amount of change per square meter of the sheet between a section located immediately upstream of the treatment device (70), in which the sheet has not received the treatment composition, and a section located immediately downstream of the treatment device (70), in which the sheet has received the treatment composition,

-the weight percentage of the amount of change per square meter of the sheet between the section directly upstream of the processing device (70) and the section directly upstream of the printing station (6),

a volumetric flow rate of the treatment composition exiting the treatment device,

a mass flow of the treatment composition leaving the treatment device,

thickness of the composition at the deposition section (3a),

-command processing means (70) to manage the application of the treatment composition on the sheet (T) as a function of the desired values of the operating parameters and of the motion imparted to said conveyor.

In one aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects, the moving device (40) is configured to move the at least one barrier (72) along a direction parallel to the advancing direction (a) at least between the first operating position and the second operating position. In one aspect according to any of the preceding aspects, wherein in the first operating position the at least one barrier (72) is located at a distance from the printing station (6) measured along the advancement direction and greater than the distance of the at least one barrier (72) located in the second operating position from the printing station (6).

In one aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects, a control unit acts on the command conveyor (2) and on the moving device (40), said control unit being configured to command the conveyor (2) to move the sheet (T) along the operating section (3) according to the intermittent advancement for alternately defining the following conditions:

-an advancing condition, in which the conveyor (2) moves the sheet (T) at an advancing speed greater than 0; and alternately:

-a stop state during which the position of the sheet (T) remains unchanged.

In one aspect according to any of the preceding aspects, the moving device (40) is configured to move the at least one barrier (72) along a direction parallel to the advancement direction (a) at least during the advancement state of the conveyor (2). In an aspect according to any of the preceding aspects, the control unit is configured to command the moving device to move the at least one barrier (72) between at least:

-moving at least one barrier (72) along a forward stroke between a first operating position and a second operating position towards the printing station, at least during an advancing condition of the conveyor (2),

-moving at least one barrier (72) away from the printing station between the second operating position and the first operating position along a return stroke, at least during a stop condition of the conveyor (2).

-moving at least one barrier (72) along a forward stroke during an advancement condition of the sheet (T) imparted by the conveyor (2),

-moving at least one barrier (72) along a return stroke during a stop condition of the sheet (T) imparted by the conveyor (2).

In one aspect according to any of the preceding aspects, the control unit is configured to synchronize the forward stroke of the at least one barrier (72) with the forward state of the conveyor and the return stroke of the at least one barrier (72) with the stop state of the conveyor, respectively. In one aspect according to any of the preceding aspects, the moving device (40) carries at least one barrier (72), optionally said first (72a) and second (72b) barriers, and said applicator (12), the moving device (40) being configured to move the applicator (12) and the at least one barrier (72) integrally along a direction parallel to the advancing direction (a).

In one aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects, the control unit acts on the command applicator (12) and is configured to command the applicator (12) to move along the auxiliary guide (43), wherein the control unit is configured to synchronize the movement of the applicator (12) along said auxiliary guide (43) with the movement of the conveyor (2).

In one aspect according to any of the preceding aspects, a control unit acts on the command applicator (12), the conveyor (2) and the moving device (40), the control unit being configured to determine at least one of the following operating parameters:

-the amount of treatment composition, optionally the amount of treatment foam, dispensed by the dispenser,

-a speed of movement of the sheet (T) along the advancement direction towards the printing station,

-an advancement mode of the sheet (T) along the advancement direction (a) continuously or intermittently.

In one aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects, the control unit is configured to control at least one of said operating parameters by commanding at least one between the applicator (12), the conveyor (2) and the moving device (40), so as to be able to manage the duration of the treatment composition on the sheet (T) before it reaches the printing station.

In one aspect according to any of the preceding aspects, the treatment composition has a duration of equal to or greater than 1 second, optionally comprised between 1 and 20 seconds, on the web between the arrival of the web at the printing station (6).

In another aspect, a digital printing method using a printing apparatus (1) according to any one of the preceding aspects is provided.

In one aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects, the printing method comprises a step of ink printing the sheet (T) by a digital printing station. In one aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects, printing is performed on a sheet placed on the operating section (3). In one aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects, the printing method comprises the steps of:

-moving the sheet (T) along an advancement direction (A),

-dispensing by means of an applicator (12) a treatment composition (C) destined to treat at least one side of the sheet (T).

In another aspect according to any of the preceding aspects, the method comprises moving the applicator (12) along a direction parallel to the advance direction (a) at least during the movement of the sheet (T).

In another aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects, the movement of the sheet (T) occurs according to intermittent advancement in which an advancing state and a stopping state of the sheet (T) alternate.

In one aspect according to any of the preceding aspects, the sheet (T) is moved along the operating section towards the printing station (6) at an advancement speed greater than 0 during an advancement state, wherein during a stop state the sheet (T) maintains its position relative to the printing station (6), wherein two successive advancement states alternate with the stop state.

In one aspect according to any of the preceding aspects, the movement of the applicator (12) provides for:

-a movement along a forward stroke towards a printing station during an advancing condition of the sheet (T),

-a movement away from the printing station along a return stroke during a stop condition of the sheet (T).

In one aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects, the sheet is moved during the advancing state at an advancing speed that is greater than a moving speed at which the applicator (12) is moved in a direction parallel to the advancing direction (a).

In one aspect according to any of the preceding aspects, the ratio of the advancement speed of the sheet (T) during the advanced state to the movement speed of the applicator (12) is comprised between 1.8 and 2.2, optionally substantially 2. In one aspect according to any of the preceding aspects, the movement of the applicator (12) along the forward stroke is at a first movement speed that is substantially equal to the movement speed of the applicator (12) along the return stroke.

In one aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects, wherein during the advancing state the sheet (T) advances towards the printing station (6) by a predetermined longitudinal displacement, wherein the applicator (12) performs a predetermined stroke towards or away from the printing station (6) during the stop state or advancing state of the sheet, the predetermined stroke being smaller than the predetermined longitudinal displacement of the sheet (T).

In one aspect according to any of the preceding aspects, the ratio of the predetermined longitudinal displacement of the sheet (T) to the predetermined stroke of the applicator is comprised between 1.8 and 2.2, optionally substantially 2. In one aspect according to any of the preceding aspects, the ratio of the predetermined displacement of the sheet (T) to the return stroke of the applicator (12) is comprised between 1.8 and 2.2, optionally substantially 2. In one aspect according to any of the preceding aspects, the ratio of the predetermined displacement of the sheet (T) to the return stroke of the applicator (12) is comprised between 1.8 and 2.2, optionally substantially 2.

In one aspect according to any of the preceding aspects, the treatment composition (C) is applied to a first side (T1) of the sheet (T) while the printing step is performed on a second side (T2) of the sheet opposite the first side (T1). In one aspect according to any of the preceding aspects, the step of applying the treatment composition comprises depositing the treatment composition directly on the first side (T1) of the sheet (T), optionally without depositing the treatment composition directly on the second side (T2).

In one aspect according to any of the preceding aspects, the movement of the sheet (T) takes place by means of a conveyor (2) having an exposed surface (E) configured to receive the sheet (T), the exposed surface (E) always having an operating section (3), the operating section (3) being configured to temporarily receive contact with a first side (T1) of the sheet (T) and to guide said sheet in the advancement direction (a).

In one aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects, the exposed surface (E) of the conveyor (2) always comprises a deposition section (3a), which deposition section (3a) extends upstream of the operating section (3) of the conveyor (2) itself with respect to the advancing direction (a), wherein the step of applying the treatment composition comprises depositing at least a predetermined amount of the treatment composition on the deposition section of the conveyor. In one aspect according to any of the preceding aspects, the step of applying the treatment composition is performed by one or more of the following sub-steps:

-application by means of a spray dispenser,

-application by means of a drum placed with its axis of rotation transverse to the direction of advancement (A) and with its lateral surface away from the conveyor, the drum having a hollow interior destined to contain a predetermined quantity of treatment composition and being provided with a predetermined number of nozzles or slots for dispensing the composition,

-by a dispenser (90), the dispenser (90) comprising:

-at least one reservoir (91), said reservoir (91) defining, internally thereof, a compartment (92), said compartment (92) being configured to receive a treatment composition (C), said reservoir (91) comprising at least one inlet (93) and at least one outlet (94), said inlet (93) being configured to be able to introduce a predetermined amount of treatment composition (C) into the compartment (92) of the reservoir itself; the outlet (94) is configured to enable the treatment composition (C) to be expelled from the reservoir itself,

-at least one pusher (95), said pusher (95) being at least partially engaged in the reservoir (91) and configured to be able to dispense the treatment composition (C) according to at least one outlet (94) of the reservoir.

In one aspect according to any of the preceding aspects, wherein, after the step of applying the treatment composition on the deposition section, the conveyor (2) moves the treatment composition to an initial contact zone in which the conveyor (2) is arranged to start to contact the sheet (T).

In one aspect according to any of the preceding aspects, the method comprises at least the following sub-steps:

-bringing a first side (T1) of the sheet (T) into contact with an exposed surface (E) of the conveyor (2) so that the exposed surface (E) of the conveyor (2) can define an operative section (3) in which the conveyor (2) supports the sheet,

-optionally digitally printing, by digital printing, a second side (T2) of the sheet (T) in contact with the conveyor (2), opposite the first side (T1).

In one aspect according to any of the preceding aspects, the treatment composition comprises a treatment foam comprising at least one of: anti-migration agent, pH control agent and water-soluble additive. In one aspect according to any of the preceding aspects, the sheet (T) is in the shape of a continuous sheet. In one aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects, the sheet comprises at least one of the following materials: woven fabric, non-woven fabric.

In one aspect according to any of the preceding aspects, wherein the method comprises the steps of: at least one barrier (72) is moved along a direction parallel to the advancing direction (A) at least during the movement of the sheet (T).

In one aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects, wherein the movement of the barrier (72) provides:

-a movement along a forward stroke towards a printing station (6) during an advancing condition of the sheet (T),

-a movement away from the printing station (6) along a return stroke during a stop condition of the sheet (T).

In one aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects, wherein during the advancing condition the sheet (T) advances towards each printing station (6) by a predetermined longitudinal displacement, wherein the barrier (72) performs a predetermined stroke towards or away from the printing station (6) during the stop condition or advancing condition of the sheet (T), the predetermined stroke being smaller than the predetermined longitudinal displacement of the sheet (T). In one aspect according to any of the preceding aspects, the ratio of the predetermined longitudinal displacement of the sheet (T) to the predetermined stroke of the barrier (72) is comprised between 1.8 and 2.2, optionally substantially 2. In one aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects, wherein the sheet (T) is a woven or nonwoven fabric of: the fabric or non-woven fabric passes from the station for feeding the sheets to be printed through the treatment device (70) and then extends seamlessly to the printing station (6), seamlessly to the station for collecting the treated sheets.

Drawings

Some embodiments and aspects of the invention will be described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are provided by way of indication only and thus are not limiting, in which:

figures 1 and 2 are perspective views of a printing device according to the invention;

figure 3 is a detailed perspective view of the handling means of the printing apparatus;

figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the treatment device;

figure 4A is a detailed view of the processing device of figure 4;

figure 5 is a more detailed view of a cross section of the treatment device;

figure 6 is another perspective view of the handling device;

figures 7 and 8 are schematic top views showing the printing apparatus in different operating conditions;

figure 9 is another perspective view of the treatment device;

figure 10 is a schematic side view of a printing apparatus;

figure 10A is a detailed view of the printing apparatus of figure 10;

figures 11 and 12 are further perspective views of the treatment device;

figures 13 and 14 are detailed perspective views of the handling device;

figure 15 is another perspective view of the handling device according to the invention;

figure 16 is a cross-section along line XVI-XVI of the device of figure 15.

Definition, convention, and measurement parameters

It will be observed that in this detailed description, corresponding parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings are denoted by the same reference numerals. The figures may illustrate the object of the invention by means of representations which are not drawn to scale; accordingly, parts and components relating to the object of the present invention illustrated in the drawings may indicate only schematic representations.

The term ink refers to the following mixture: the mixture is formed by dispersing the pigments or dissolving the dyes in an aqueous or organic medium, destined to be transferred onto the surface of different materials for obtaining one or more prints; it is understood that clear inks and clear coatings are also included.

The term treatment composition C refers to a composition in liquid or foam form. The treatment composition comprises one or more liquid compounds or one or more solid compounds dissolved or dispersed in a suitable liquid phase having the function of preparing and/or treating at least one surface or surfaces of the sheet designated to receive one or more prints. The compound may be derived from natural and/or synthetic (polymer and/or copolymer) sources and have one or more of the following functions: anti-migration agents, thickening agents, surface tension modifiers, acidity modifiers, hydrophilicity modifiers, hydrophobicity modifiers, drying accelerators, fixation modifiers. The liquid phase may be aqueous, organic, polymeric, or a combination thereof.

The treatment composition may be a composition according to the disclosure in international patent application No. wo 2018/020420 a1 from page 36, line 12 to page 53, line 22.

Treating the foam to comprise a dispersion of a gas in a liquid medium; the foam may also be characterized as a colloidal dispersion. Foams can be obtained by blowing high pressure gas directly into the liquid medium or by using a blowing agent. The treatment foam may comprise a treatment liquid as described above and optionally one or more additives, for example: blowing agents, wetting agents and viscosity modifiers. In particular, the treatment foam may be a treatment foam according to the disclosure in international patent application No. wo 2018/020420 a1 from page 53, line 23 to page 57, line 19.

The term sheet T refers to a material formed of a structure having two dimensions (length and width) with a generally predominant dimension relative to a third dimension (thickness). The term sheet refers to both: materials composed of discrete pieces having finite lengths (e.g., formats a0, a1, a2, A3, a4, etc.); and continuous webs having a significant length that can be supplied from a roll on which the sheet is wound or on which it can be dispensed by an in-line printing step. The sheets described herein have two side portions or two major surfaces, on one of which the print is disposed. It should not be forgotten, however, that the invention can also be applied to processes other than ink fixing whenever the sheet should be moved within a controlled environment.

The term fibrous material refers to a material made of different kinds of fibers, such as paper, fabric, nonwoven fabric, knitted fabric or a combination of one or more of the above mentioned supports.

The term advancing direction a of the sheet T refers to the path of the material T extending by advancing from the sheet feeding station towards the sheet processing device 70, said sheet processing device 70 being adapted to process said material by means of the processing composition C.

The terms "upstream" and "downstream" refer to an advancing direction a of the sheet T having a direction directed from the feeding station to the sheet T processing device 70.

The claimed processing device 70 and/or printing apparatus 1 may comprise at least one control unit 50, said control unit 50 being adapted to control the operating states implemented by the same device and/or apparatus, in particular to control the steps of the processing and printing processes. The control unit may be a single unit or may be formed by a plurality of different control units, depending on design choice and operational needs.

The term "control unit" refers to a component of the electronic type that may include at least one of: a digital processor (CPU), an analog type circuit, or a combination of one or more digital processors and one or more analog type circuits. The control unit may be "configured" or "programmed" to perform some of the following steps: in practice this can be done in any way that enables configuration or programming of the control unit. For example, if the control unit includes one or more CPUs and one or more memories, one or more programs may be stored on a suitable memory bank connected to the CPUs; the program comprises instructions which, when executed by the CPU, the control unit is programmed or configured to perform the operations described with reference to the control unit. Alternatively, if the control unit is or comprises an analog type circuit, the circuit of the control unit may then be designed to comprise the following circuits: the circuitry, when in use, is configured to process the electrical signals to perform steps relating to the control unit.

The term actuator refers to any device capable of imparting motion to an object, for example by driving a control unit (receiving instructions from the actuator) output by the control unit. The actuator may be of the type: electric (e.g., electric motor), pneumatic, mechanical (e.g., spring), hydraulic, or other types.

The term digital printing refers to printing using one or more printing heads for applying ink defining motives, patterns, coloration, etc. on a sheet of material.

The term scanning digital printing station refers to a station comprising one or more printing heads 8, said printing heads 8 being movable through the printing station transversally, optionally perpendicularly, to the advancing direction a of the sheets during the step of printing the sheets; in particular, the head 8 is movable along the width of the sheet. During the printing step, the sheet T is configured to be intermittently advanced in the advancing direction, or intermittently advanced by alternating the advancing state of the sheet with the following stop state: during the stop state of the sheet, i.e. in a state in which the sheet is not displaced along the advancement direction a, the head 8 is configured to move transversely (optionally perpendicularly) to the advancement direction a.

Detailed Description

Processing device 70

The treatment device 70 generally indicates a device for treating a sheet T, for example in the form of a continuous web, with a treatment composition C. The treatment device 70 may be used to treat a fabric, a nonwoven fabric, or other types of sheet materials as well. The device 70 can be used in the textile industry and in the field of knitted or non-woven fabrics to be printed by ink.

Conveyor 2 has an exposed surface E configured to receive and support sheet T; the exposed surface E may substantially lie at least partially on a plane: the exposed surface E has a flat deposition section adapted to receive directly the sheet T and/or to receive directly the treatment composition. The exposed surface E of the conveyor 2 is configured to face the first side T1 of the sheet T and directly receive said first side T1 for guiding the sheet T along the advancement direction a; in particular, at least a portion of the exposed surface E of conveyor 2 defines an operating section 3 temporarily received by contacting and moving said first side T1 of sheet T. In other words, the operating section 3 is defined by the portion of conveyor 2 that directly carries and moves the sheet T by contact.

The conveyor, at least at the continuous longitudinal strip of exposed surface E designated to receive sheet T, lacks through openings passing through the thickness of conveyor 2; in particular, at least the exposed surface E destined to receive the sheet T is perfectly smooth, without cavities, recesses or projections.

At least a portion of the exposed surface E of the conveyor 2 may be made tacky so that the conveyor may temporarily restrain the sheet T at the operating section 3. For example, the exposed surface E may be treated with a water-insoluble adhesive material, optionally a water-insoluble adhesive material including a polymeric glue that is sensitive to at least one of pressure and temperature. As an alternative, the conveyor 2 may be air-permeable or may have through holes and may cooperate with a suction system located below the conveyor in order to hold the sheets T not by adhesive but by vacuum.

As can be seen in the figures, the device 70 comprises at least one conveyor 2, said at least one conveyor 2 being configured to support the sheet T and to move the sheet T along the operating section 3 according to the advancement direction a. As illustrated in the accompanying drawings, the conveyor 2 may comprise a closed-path conveyor belt movable about at least one first idle member 2a and one second idle member 2b (see, for example, fig. 1 and 2). The conveyor belt has the following two main surfaces or two main sides: exposing surface E and the inner surface. The inner surface is configured to contact the idle members 2a, 2b, while the exposed surface E is configured to receive the sheet T, as described above. The operating section 3 of the conveyor belt is defined by at least a portion of the upper flat rectilinear section of the closed path of the conveyor belt.

The conveyor belt 2 may be moved by one or more actuators, for example electric motors; if the conveyor 2 comprises a conveyor belt, the movement of the conveyor belt may be performed by at least one motor running on one or more idle members of the conveyor belt. For example, 2 indicates a configuration of conveyor 2 in which the electric motor runs on the second end idle member 2b of the belt.

As can be seen in fig. 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 11 and 12, the exposed surface E of the conveyor 2 (in particular the conveyor belt as illustrated in the figures) may always comprise a deposition section 3a adjacent to the operating section 3 itself of the conveyor 2 and extending upstream of the operating section 3 itself of the conveyor 2 with respect to the advancement direction a. As will be better described below, the deposition section 3a of the exposed surface E is configured to receive a treatment composition suitable for being in contact with the sheet T in the operating section 3. In particular, the deposition section 3a extends on the same flat rectilinear portion of the closed path of the conveyor belt that defines the operating section 3. In particular, the deposition section 3a extends substantially from the first idle member 2a towards the second member 2b to the operating section 3: the deposition section 3a and the operating section 3 are therefore directly consecutive to each other along the advancement direction a of the sheet T.

From a dimensional point of view, the conveyor 2 (particularly the conveyor belt) is configured to have a width equal to or greater than the maximum width of the sheet T; this width is measured perpendicular to the advancing direction a of the sheet T. The operating section 3 may have a longitudinal extension or longitudinal length, measured along the advancement direction a, comprised between 0.5m and 10m, in particular between 0.5m and 6 m. The operating section 3 and the deposition section 3a have respective lengths measured along the advancing direction a of the sheet T; the ratio of the length of the operating section 3 to the length of the deposition section 3a is greater than 1, in particular comprised between 1.5 and 5.

The conveyor 2, optionally a conveyor belt, is configured to move the sheet T along the operating section 3 according to an intermittent advance, or a stepped intermittent advance. In fact, conveyor 2 is configured to advance sheet T in direction 1 by an advancing step, i.e. by alternating the advancing state and the stopping state of the sheet. During the advancement state, the conveyor 2 (optionally a conveyor belt) moves the sheet T along the operating section 3 at a substantially constant advancement speed V greater than 0. Each advancing state is followed by a stop state in which the advancing speed V of the conveyor 2, and therefore the advancing speed of the sheet T, is zero. Still more particularly, during each advancement state, conveyor 2 (and optionally the conveyor belt) is further configured to move sheet T along operative section 3 by a predetermined advancement amount: during each advancing state, the displacement of the sheet T measured along the advancing direction a is constant. The intermittent movement of the conveyor 2 (and optionally of the conveyor belt) can be managed by a control unit 50, which control unit 50 acts on the actuator/motor commanding the conveyor and is configured to command in sequence the advancement state alternating with the stop state. In particular, the control unit 50 is configured to command the stop state between two consecutive forward states. Furthermore, the control unit is configured to manage the motor/actuators of the conveyor 2 so as to be able to adjust at least one of the following parameters:

the speed of advance of the sheet T along the operating section 3 during each advancing condition,

displacement of the sheet T along the operating section 3 during each advancing condition,

-the duration of each forward state,

-the duration of each stop state.

Obviously, the possibility of continuous movement by the conveyor 2 (optionally conveying the belt) and of continuous movement of the sheet T along the advancement direction a at a speed always greater than 0 during predetermined operating conditions is not excluded: during the operational state of the conveyor 2, the conveyor 2 is always moving. In other words, during an operational state of the conveyor 2 (optionally the conveyor belt), the conveyor 2 does not provide an alternating stepwise movement along the direction of movement, and thus, wherein a stop of the conveyor is provided along the direction of movement. In addition, in this configuration, the movement of the conveyor 2 (and optionally the conveyor belt) may be managed by the control unit. In particular, the control unit is configured to define the following operating states: the conveyor 2 is configured to move the sheet T continuously along the advancement direction a at a speed always comprised between 20m/min and 100m/min, in particular between 30m/min and 70 m/min. In configuration, the processing device 70 comprises a motion sensor engaged with the conveyor 2 (optionally a conveyor belt) and capable of emitting a signal related to the movement of the conveyor 2. The control unit is connected to the motion sensor and configured to:

receiving monitoring signals from motion sensors related to the movement of the conveyor 2,

-managing the speed of movement of conveyor 2 and therefore of sheet T along advancement direction a, according to said monitoring signal.

In the figures, the conveyor 2 comprises a closed loop conveyor belt. Obviously, the possibility of using different conveyors, such as movable plates, roller conveyors and chain conveyors, is not excluded.

The treatment device 70 comprises at least one applicator 12 (see, for example, fig. 1, 3, 4A, 6 to 14), said applicator 12 being directed directly towards the conveyor and configured to dispense a treatment composition destined to treat at least one side of the sheet T.

The figure illustrates a treatment device 70 configured to apply a treatment composition C on a first side T1 of a sheet T by one or more applicators 12. In this configuration, the applicator 12 is placed upstream of the first contact zone of the sheet T (fig. 4) and is configured to place the treatment composition C on the exposed surface E of the deposition section 3 a: the applicator 12 is configured to deposit the treatment composition C on the portion of the conveyor 2 (optionally carrying the belt) that remains untouched by the sheet T. In particular, in this configuration, each applicator 12 is placed directly above (directly facing) the deposition section and upstream of the operating section 3 with respect to the advancement direction a.

After the conveyor 2 (and optionally the conveyor belt) moves along the advancing direction a and thus the sheet T moves along the advancing direction a, the treatment composition C is guided to an initial contact area where the treatment composition C directly contacts the first side portion T1 of the sheet T. The conveyor 2 (conveyor belt) is in contact with the sheet T so that the treatment composition C can treat the sheet T starting from the first side T1: due to the porosity and permeability of the sheet material, the treatment composition C at least partially penetrates the thickness of the sheet material T to enable treatment.

The treatment composition C dispensed by the dispenser 12, which may be both a liquid or a treatment foam, may include at least one of the following treatments: anti-migration agent, pH control agent and hydrotrope.

In an alternative embodiment, the applicator 12 may be placed above the sheet T and configured to apply the treatment composition C directly on the following second side T2 of the sheet T, opposite the first side T1: the second side T2 generally defines an exposed side of the sheet T supported by the conveyor 2. In this configuration, the applicator 12 is positioned directly above the operating section 3: each applicator 12 directly faces the operating section 3 where the sheet T is in direct contact with the conveyor (through the exposed surface E of the conveyor belt).

The treatment device 70 may include at least one stationary applicator 12 and/or at least one movable applicator 12. All types of applicators 12 for treatment composition C are coordinated to achieve the same purpose: the sheet T is correctly treated by applying a substantially constant amount of treatment composition C on the sheet T, optionally coating the entire width of the sheet T.

The fixed applicator 12 may have an elongated body extending transversely, optionally perpendicularly, to the advancement direction a substantially along the entire width of the conveyor belt 2 and substantially parallel to the exposed surface E of the conveyor 2 (optionally parallel to the flat deposition section of the exposed surface E). The same function can be performed reciprocally by a plurality of discrete applicators, mutually juxtaposed along a direction substantially parallel to the exposed surface E of the conveyor 2 and transverse, optionally perpendicular, to the advancement direction a, so that they cover at least partially, optionally the entire width of the conveyor 2 (optionally the conveyor belt).

In the case of a movable applicator 12, the movable applicator 12 is reciprocally movable along a direction substantially parallel to the exposed (flat) surface E of the conveyor 2 and transverse, optionally perpendicular, to the advancing direction a of the sheets T; in fact, the movement of the movable applicator 12 may be carried out so that the applicator 12 can cover the entire (or only a portion) of the width of the sheet T, while maintaining a substantially constant distance from the exposed surface of the conveyor 2 during the movement of the applicator 12 itself. For example, if there is only one moveable applicator 12, the one moveable applicator 12 may be configured to travel the full width of the sheet material. If two or more movable applicators 12 are present (see, for example, fig. 1, 3, 6, 9, 10, 11 and 12), the two or more movable applicators 12 may be configured to cover only a portion of the width of the sheet T so that the combined action of the two or more applicators may cover the entire width of the sheet T anyway.

The motion of the applicator 12 along a direction perpendicular to the advancement direction a and parallel to the exposed (flat) surface E is a scanning type motion. In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the movable applicator 12 is configured to translate along a direction perpendicular to the advancement direction a and parallel to the exposed (flat) surface E to dispense the treatment composition C directly onto the deposition section 3 a. In particular, the figures illustrate, in a non-limiting manner, a treatment device 70 comprising two movable applicators 12, said two movable applicators 12 being aligned along a same direction perpendicular to the advancement direction a and parallel to the exposed (flat) surface E, each movable applicator 12 being configured so as to cover substantially half the width of the conveyor 2.

The treatment device 70 may include a plurality of applicators 12:

aligned along the same direction perpendicular to the advancement direction a and parallel to the exposed (flat) surface E, and/or

-diverging along said advancement direction a, parallel to the exposed (flat) surface E.

If there are more applicators 12, each of the applicators 12 may be configured to cover (and thus process) a dedicated spreading section of the sheet T.

In particular, also in the case where one or more movable applicators 12 are present, the treatment device 70 comprises a supporting structure 42 having at least one transversal guide 43, said transversal guide 43 extending perpendicularly to the advancement direction a and parallel to the exposed surface E: each movable applicator 12 is engaged with the lateral guide 43 by a reciprocating sliding movement along the lateral guide 43. The transverse guides 43 extend along the entire width of the conveyor 2: each applicator 12 may translate at least a portion of the width of the conveyor 2 along the lateral guide 43. For example, if there are two applicators 12 as shown in the figures, each applicator 12 is configured to travel a respective half of the guide 43.

According to the description given above, the transverse guide 43 can therefore be placed upstream of the first contact zone: in this configuration, the applicator 12 is configured to dispense the treatment composition C directly onto the exposed surface E of the conveyor 2 at the deposition section 3 a. Alternatively, the transverse guide 43 may be placed downstream of the contact zone so that the applicator 12 can slide by reciprocating to apply the treatment composition C directly on the side T2 of the sheet T.

The movement of the applicator 12 along the transverse guide 43 may be performed by an actuator 73 a. The figures illustrate an applicator 12 having an engagement portion 12a, the engagement portion 12a including a nut screw engaged with an actuating element 44 having a screw. The screw is supported by the supporting structure 42 and is connected at an end to an actuator 73a, in particular an actuator 73a comprising an electric motor: the motor rotation causes the screw to rotate and thus the applicator 12 to slide along the transverse guide 43.

The figures illustrate, in a non-limiting manner, embodiments of a treatment device 70 having two applicators 12 engaged with respective actuating elements 44. The actuating element 44 comprises respective threaded rods with different threads, for example a left-hand thread and a right-hand thread, integral with each other and connected to a single electric motor. Each applicator comprises a respective engagement portion 12a, the engagement portion 12a comprising a nut screw configured to engage with a respective screw (left-handed screw or preferably screw): after rotation of the motor and rotation of the screw, the applicator 12 is moved simultaneously in the same orientation but in opposite directions due to the different threads. More particularly, after a first rotation (e.g., clockwise rotation) of the motor, the applicators 12 are moved toward each other, while after a second rotation (e.g., counterclockwise rotation) in a direction opposite the first rotation, the applicators 12 are moved away from each other.

The following possibilities are not excluded: the movement of at least one applicator 12 along the transversal guide 43 is performed by a different system, for example by an electric motor carrying a mobile crown on a chain or belt with one or more of said applicators 12.

The control unit may be connected to the actuator 73a and act on the command actuator 73a for managing the movement of the applicator 12 along the transversal guide 43. In particular, the control unit is configured to receive an input signal representative of the area to be processed; the control unit is configured to command the actuator 73a to enable the applicator 12 to move reciprocally along the transverse guide 43 above the zone to be treated of the sheet T, according to said signal. For example, in the case where the area to be treated is reduced to the central portion of the sheet T, the control unit may command the actuator 73a so that one or more of said applicators are moved only a certain length along the transverse guide for ensuring the complete treatment of the desired area.

The applicator 12 may include at least one of: an aerosol dispenser 18, a spray-type dispensing head, a dispenser roller, a dispenser drum or a dispenser provided with a doctor blade.

The figures schematically show, in a non-limiting manner, a treatment device 70 comprising a plurality of movable applicators 12 defined by a spray or jetting dispenser 18. The dispenser 18 is configured to slide along the transverse guide 43 perpendicular to the advancement direction a and to dispense the treatment composition C towards the conveyor 2.

The possibility of using a plurality of stationary spray or spray dispensers is not excluded; conversely, the coating drum, roller or dispenser for the treatment composition is suitable to define a stationary applicator 12, i.e. cannot move in a direction perpendicular to the advancement direction a.

In particular, the applicator 12 that can be used may anyway be an applicator 12 of the type disclosed in patent application No. wo 2018/020420 a1, incorporated by reference, from page 42, line 23 to page 46, line 18.

Furthermore, the control unit may act on the command applicator 12 and be configured to:

-receiving a desired value of at least one operating parameter representative of the amount of treatment composition applied to the sheet T, said at least one operating parameter comprising one of:

the weight percentage of the variation per square meter between a section upstream of the treatment device 70, in which the sheet has not been received into the treatment composition, and a section downstream of the treatment device 70, in which the sheet receives the treatment composition,

the percentage by weight of the amount of change per square meter of the sheet between the section upstream of the treatment device 70 and the section downstream of the printing station 6,

the volumetric flow rate of the treatment composition C exiting the treatment device 70,

the mass flow rate of the treatment composition C leaving the treatment device 70,

thickness of the composition at the deposition section 3a,

command the applicator 12 to manage the application of the treatment composition on the sheet T according to the desired values of the operating parameters and the movements imparted to the conveyor belt 2.

In fact, the control unit may be configured to synchronize the movement of the movable applicator 12 (if present) along the transverse guide 43 with the supply of the treatment composition C. In particular, the control unit is configured to synchronize the movement and/or speed of movement of the applicator 12 along the transverse guide 12 with the speed and/or movement of the conveyor 2, and therefore with the speed and/or movement of the sheets T.

The management of the supply of the treatment composition C carried out by the control unit can be carried out according to the following in international patent application No. wo 2018/020420 a 1: from page 36, line 24 to page 37, line 11; from page 41, line 10 to page 42, line 2; page 46, lines 19 to 33; this international patent application is incorporated herein by reference from page 48, line 28 to page 50, line 16.

Fig. 15-16 illustrate an applicator 12 including the following dispenser 90: the dispenser 90 is configured to dispense a predetermined amount of treatment composition C, such as a treatment foam, particularly directly onto the treatment section 3 a. The dispenser 90 includes at least one reservoir 91, the reservoir 91 defining an interior of a compartment 92 configured to receive the treatment composition C; the reservoir 91 extends along a development direction transverse, optionally perpendicular, to the advancement direction a. As shown in fig. 15 and 16, the reservoir 91 extends substantially along the entire width of the conveyor 2, measured perpendicularly to the direction of advance a. The cross-section of the reservoir 91, which is semi-circular in shape, is defined by a flat base 91a and a semi-circular profile 92b which engages with the base 91 a. As shown in fig. 15, the cross-section of the reservoir is constant along the entire development of the reservoir.

The flat base 91a of the reservoir faces the conveyor 2, in particular away from and directly facing the deposition section 3 a. In other words, the reservoir 91 is placed above the deposition section to enable the dispenser to apply the treatment composition C directly above the deposition section 3 a. A semi-circular profile is joined to the base and extends from the base opposite the conveyor. The figures illustrate a dispenser 90 that extends along the full width of the conveyor; obviously, the possibility of providing a small dispenser or a plurality of separate reservoirs configured to cover the entire width of the conveyor is not excluded.

The reservoir comprises at least one inlet 93 configured to be able to introduce a predetermined amount of treatment composition C into the compartment 92 of the reservoir itself; in particular, the reservoir 91 comprises a plurality of inlets 93 distributed along the development direction of the reservoir 91 itself. In particular, a plurality of inlets 93 are defined on the top portion of the semi-circular profile of the reservoir (fig. 16). As can be seen in fig. 15, the dispenser 90 may comprise a dispensing channel 93a connected to each inlet 93 and configured to dispense a treatment composition C, in particular as a foam. In the configuration of dispenser 90 having a plurality of inlets 93, channel 93 is configured to connect a source of treatment composition to the plurality of inlets 93 so that the composition can be introduced into compartment 92 from the plurality of inlets.

Further, the reservoir 91 comprises at least one outlet 94 configured to enable discharge of the treatment composition C from the reservoir 91 itself; each outlet 94 is opposite to the inlet 93 and is defined in particular on the flat base 91a of the reservoir 91. In particular, the reservoir 91 has a plurality of outlets 94 distributed along the development direction of the reservoir itself. The reservoir 91 may further include:

a first plurality of outlets 94, said first plurality of outlets 94 being aligned with one another along a first direction transversal, optionally perpendicular, to the advancement direction a;

a second plurality of outlets 94, said second plurality of outlets 94 being aligned with each other along a second direction transversal, optionally perpendicular, to the advancement direction a.

A first direction of the first plurality of outlets is parallel to a second direction of the second plurality of outlets; more particularly, the second plurality of outlets is placed in succession with the first plurality of outlets with respect to the advancement direction a. Each outlet 94 directly faces the deposition section 3a of the conveyor 2, opposite each inlet 93 of the reservoir 91.

A nozzle may be provided at each outlet 94, extending from the reservoir towards the conveyor 2, optionally towards the deposition section 3a, and configured to supply the treatment composition C present in the reservoir 91.

The dispenser 90 further includes at least one pusher 95 at least partially engaged in the reservoir 91 and configured to dispense the treatment composition C from at least one outlet 94 of the reservoir.

The pusher 95 may comprise at least one blade 97, said blade 94 being movable in a rotary manner inside the compartment 92 of the reservoir 91 between a first end-stroke position and a second end-stroke position; the vanes 97 are configured to urge the treatment composition C, optionally as a foam, outside one or more of the outlets 94 during rotation from the first end-stroke position to the second end-stroke position and/or during rotation from the second end-stroke position to the first end-stroke position.

The blade 97, during rotation between the first and second operating positions, is configured to rotate by a predetermined angle greater than 90 °, optionally comprised between 90 ° and 200 °, more optionally substantially 180 °. More particularly, the vanes 97 are configured to:

rotating from the first operating position to the second operating position to enable the treatment composition C, optionally as a foam, to flow out of the second plurality of outlets,

-rotating from the second operating position to the first operating position to enable the treatment composition C, optionally as a foam, to flow out of the first plurality of outlets.

The rotary blade 97 may be moved by at least one electric motor.

The vane 97 is hinged to at least one outlet, optionally to the base 91a of the reservoir. In particular, the vanes 97 are hinged at a position opposite to the plurality of inlets 93 so that they can receive the treatment composition and can direct said composition C outside at least one outlet during rotation.

The blade is configured to rotate about: which lies on a plane substantially parallel to the deposition section 3a and perpendicular to the advancement direction a.

Inside the reservoir 91, only one blade may be provided extending along the entire extension of the reservoir 91, or a plurality of blades may be provided aligned along the rotational axis of the reservoir 91.

As seen in fig. 16, dispenser 90 may further include at least one fluid arresting element 98 disposed adjacent at least one outlet 94; the interception element is at least movable between a closed condition, in which it prevents the treatment composition from flowing out of the reservoir, and an open condition, in which it allows the treatment composition C to be expelled from said reservoir 91. In particular, in the closed state, the fluid intercepting element is configured to block at least one outlet 94 of the reservoir.

The reservoir has a fluid intercepting member 98 for each outlet 94. Such element 98 is moved by at least one actuator 99 configured to move the fluid intercepting element from the closed state to the open state and from the open state to the closed state. As can be seen in fig. 15, the dispenser 90 may comprise a plurality of actuators 99 each operating on a respective fluid intercepting element 98; the actuator 99 includes at least one of: hydraulic piston, air piston, electric motor.

The dispensing of treatment composition C can be managed by the following control unit 50: the control unit 50 may be connected to the actuator 99 and the blade 97 and act to command the actuator 99 and the blade 97 (optionally, an electric motor to move the blade 97). In particular, the control unit 50 acts to command the at least one actuator 99 to control the movement of the at least one interception element 98 between the closed condition and the open condition and between the closed condition and the open condition. In addition, the control unit may act to command the rotation of the blades. In this way, the control unit may be configured to synchronize the actuation of the plurality of actuators 99 connected to the interception element with the actuation of the electric motor connected to the blade 97 to control the supply of treatment composition C through each outlet 94, optionally through a plurality of outlets.

For example, as can be seen in fig. 4, the treatment device 70 may comprise at least one pressure roller 5a running at an initial contact zone on the exposed surface E of the conveyor 2 (optionally the conveyor belt). The pressure member 5a is configured to operate by pressure on the sheet T fed in the advancing direction a to promote adhesion to the exposed surface E of the conveyor 2. The pressure member 5a may be configured to operate directly by pressure on a second side T2 (fig. 5) of the sheet opposite the first side T1, to enable the first side T1 to contact and adhere to the conveyor 2, in particular the exposed surface E. The pressure roller 5a may be connected to a pushing actuator adapted to move the roller 5a vertically with respect to the conveyor 2; further, a control unit may be connected to and acting on command of the actuator, and the control unit may be configured to control at least one parameter representative of at least one of: the distance of the pressure roller 5a from the exposed surface of the conveyor 2, the pressure/force exerted by the roller 5a on the sheet.

The pressure roller 5a may be of the unloaded type or may be motorized, for example by means of an electric motor, and also controllable by the control unit; the control unit may act on an electric motor commanded to be connected to the pressure roller for defining the rotation speed of the roller according to the stop and advance conditions of the conveyor.

The treatment device 70 may also comprise an anvil pressure member or roller 5b, shown in fig. 5, which anvil pressure member or roller 5b comprises at least one anvil pressure cylinder running at an initial contact zone, below the exposed surface E of the conveyor 2 (optionally conveying the belt). Anvil pressure member 5b may run continuously on the inner surface of conveyor 2 opposite member 5 a. In this configuration, the anvil pressure member 5b is configured to operate to support the conveyor 2 opposite to the pressure roller 5 a.

The initial contact zone of the conveyor belt 2 and the sheets is therefore interposed between the

pressure members

5a and 5 b. At least the pressure member 5a (optionally both the pressure member 5a and the anvil member 5 b) extends transversely (optionally perpendicularly) to the conveyor belt 2 with respect to the advancing direction a of the sheets T: the pressure member 5a has a length substantially equal to the width of the sheet T.

Preferably, the pressure member 5a comprises an annular contact surface which is a waterproof material that is perfectly smooth on the surface (lacking through cavities and/or openings).

For example, as can be seen in fig. 4, the handling device 70 may also comprise a plurality of idle rollers 45, which plurality of idle rollers 45 runs over the conveyor belt 2, in particular over the exposed surface E of the conveyor belt, in a state in which the handling device 70 is in use. As can be seen in fig. 4, the idle roller 45 is placed above the pressure roller 5 a; a plurality of rollers are arranged so as to tension and guide the sheet T to an initial contact area with the conveyor 2, and for example, in particular at the inlet of a pressure roller 5a as shown in fig. 4.

The processing means 70 may comprise the following moving means 40: the moving device 40 carries the applicator 12 and is configured to move the applicator 12 in a direction parallel to the advancement direction a at least during the movement of the sheet T along the operating section 3; such movement of the applicator 12 may be provided, in particular, if the conveyor moves the sheet T according to intermittent advancement or continuous stepwise (discontinuously).

As schematically shown in fig. 7 and 8, the moving device 40 is configured to move the applicator 12 (both an applicator 12 of the type that is laterally movable along the advancement direction and an applicator 12 of the fixed type, in other words, not movable along a direction transverse to the advancement direction a) by translating along a direction parallel to the advancement direction at least between the first operating position and the second operating position and between the second operating position and the first operating position. In particular, the moving device 40 is configured to move the applicator 12 along a direction parallel to the advancement direction at least in the advanced state of the conveyor 2. In particular, the movement of the applicator 12 is carried out along a forward stroke and a return stroke, both of which define the displacement of the applicator 12 to be less than a predetermined displacement performed by the sheet T in the advanced condition.

The forward stroke and the return stroke respectively define the movement of the applicator 12 parallel to the direction of movement a, to be less than the length of the displacement of the sheet T along the operating section 3. In particular, the ratio of the predetermined displacement of the sheet T along the operating section 3 to the displacement of the applicator 12 along the forward stroke is comprised between 1.8 and 2.2, optionally substantially 2. Similarly, the ratio of the predetermined displacement of the sheet T along the operating section 3 to the displacement of the applicator 12 along the return stroke is comprised between 1.8 and 2.2, optionally substantially 2.

Finally, the forward stroke and the return stroke define a translation of the applicator 12 along a direction parallel to the advancing direction a with the same absolute value but with opposite directions.

Thus, the applicator 12 can be moved along the forward stroke by the moving device 40 at a first moving speed, which is less than the moving speed of the sheet T imparted by the conveyor 2. The ratio of the advancement speed of the sheet T in the advanced condition to the movement speed of the applicator 12 along the forward stroke is comprised between 1.8 and 2.2, optionally substantially 2. It is useful to note that the ratio of the advancement speed of the sheet T to the first movement speed of the applicator 12 along the forward stroke may be constant for promoting the uniform application of the treatment composition C, as described hereinbefore, directly on the deposition section 3a or directly on the second side T2 of the sheet T.

In the same way, the moving device 40 enables the applicator 12 to translate along the return stroke at a second movement speed, which may be constant and equal in absolute value to the first movement speed. Thus, the ratio of the advancement speed of the sheet T in the advanced state to the movement speed of the applicator 12 along the return stroke is comprised between 1.8 and 2.2, optionally substantially 2. The ratio of the advancing speed of the sheet T to the second moving speed of the applicator 12 along the return stroke may be constant for promoting the uniform application of the treatment composition C, as described hereinbefore, directly on the deposition section 3a or directly on the second side T2 of the sheet T.

In fact, the moving device 40 is configured to reciprocally move the applicator 12 along a forward stroke and a return stroke, respectively, during each advancing and stopping condition of the conveyor, to maintain the associated movement between the applicator and the sheets T during the intermittent advancement of the conveyor; in particular, the movement device 40 is configured to maintain a substantially constant relative speed between the sheet T and the applicator 12, both in the advanced condition and in the stopped condition of the conveyor, so as to be able to perform a constant and uniform treatment of the sheet also in the intermittent (non-constant) advanced condition: the movement means enable the treatment composition C to penetrate the sheet T uniformly, so that the printing process can be carried out along the entire length of the sheet itself, in the same immersed condition of the sheet T.

Specifically, the moving device 40 includes: at least one guide 41, said guide 41 being shown in fig. 3, being placed alongside the conveyor 2 and extending parallel to the advancement direction a; and at least one support structure 42, said support structure 42 stably carrying the applicator 12 and being able to move slidingly along the guides 41.

The at least one guide 41 comprises a first guide and a second guide placed alongside the conveyor 2 and opposite the conveyor 2 itself (optionally opposite the conveyor belt). The first and second guides thus enable the support structure 42 (at a predetermined speed) to move the applicator 12 along a forward stroke (and at a predetermined speed) and along a return stroke (and thus enable the moving device 40 to move the applicator 12 along a forward stroke (and at a predetermined speed) and along a return stroke (and at a predetermined speed).

For example, as can be seen in fig. 4, the pressure roller 5a and the idle roller 45 can also be stably carried by the supporting structure 42 of the moving device 40, and therefore, the pressure roller 5a and the idle roller 45 can also move along a direction parallel to the advancing direction a, together with the applicator 12.

If the applicator 12 is of the movable type, for example one or more spray dispensers 18, the support structure 42 also stably carries the transverse guide 43, the actuation element 44 and the corresponding actuator 73a, along which the applicator can move slidingly.

The movement of the entire supporting structure 42 (carrying the applicator 12 and optionally the pressure member 5a) along the guide 41 can be transmitted by means of a transmission to one or more actuators, for example one or more electric motors suitably connected to the structure 42. For example, the support structure 42 may be connected to a belt that is moved by one or more transmissions that are rotatably supported by an electric motor.

The control unit may be connected to the moving device 40 and act to command the moving device 40, and may be configured to control the movement of the applicator 12 along the forward stroke (during the forward state of the conveyor 2) and the movement of the applicator 12 along the return stroke (during the stop state of the conveyor 2); the control unit is also configured to synchronize the movement of the conveyor 2 with the movement of the device 40 so as to maintain a predetermined relative movement between the applicators 12, which is also suitable to ensure a uniform treatment of the sheets T during their intermittent advancement (and in particular in the stop condition).

If a mobile applicator 12 is present, the control unit is configured to synchronize the speed of movement of the applicator 12 along a direction parallel to the advancing direction a with at least one between:

the speed of movement of the same applicator 12 along the transversal guide 43,

-movement of the conveyor 2;

-the feeding of the treatment composition C through an applicator.

As can be seen in fig. 4, 4A, 5, 6, 9 and 10A, the handling device 70 may further comprise a holding device 71, which holding device 71 is placed above the conveyor (2) and at the applicator 12 in the state of use of the handling device 70; the retaining means 71 comprise at least one barrier 72, said barrier 72 being configured to confine the treatment composition C inside the deposition area to prevent the composition C from flowing through the barrier 72, optionally in a direction transverse to the advancement direction a through the barrier 72. In particular, the barrier 72 is configured to prevent the treatment composition C dispensed by the dispenser 12 from flowing past the barrier 72 in a direction parallel to the deposition section and transverse, optionally perpendicular, to the advancement direction a.

The applicators 12 (optionally each applicator 12) are configured to dispense the treatment composition C in the deposition area; the barrier 72 restricts the composition C and prevents the composition C from flowing out of the deposition area.

In the condition of use of the treatment device 70, each applicator 12 is positioned above the at least one barrier 72. In particular, each applicator 12 is positioned above the deposition area, and more particularly, within the vertical volume defined by the deposition area, at least in the condition in which the treatment device 70 is in use and at least when the treatment composition C is dispensed.

The figures illustrate, in a non-limiting manner, the condition in which each applicator 12 faces the deposition section 3a and is configured to feed the composition directly to the exposed surface E of the conveyor 2, optionally of the conveyor belt; in this configuration, barrier 72 is also positioned above exposed surface E at deposition section 3a, so that barrier 72 can confine the treatment composition abutting conveyor 2; in particular, in this configuration, at least one barrier 72 is disposed upstream of pressure member 5a with respect to advancement direction a, at pressure member 5 a.

As mentioned above, the possibility of providing to feed the treatment composition C directly to the second side T2 of the sheet T is not excluded: each applicator 12 will directly face the sheet T supported by the conveyor 2. In such a configuration, the at least one barrier 72 may be positioned above the sheet material T, directly above the second side portion T2, or placed side-by-side with the sheet material to prevent the treatment composition C from falling over the conveyor belt 2; in particular, in this configuration, at least one barrier 72 is placed downstream of the pressure member 5a with respect to the advancement direction a.

The figures illustrate, in a non-limiting manner, a holding device 71 having a first barrier 72a and a second barrier 72b (see, for example, fig. 11 and 12) facing each other and defining together the following deposition areas: the deposition area is interposed between the first barrier 72a and the second barrier 72 b. The first and

second barriers

72a, 72b, if present, are configured to confine treatment composition C within the deposition area by confining treatment composition C between the

barriers

72a, 72 b. In this configuration, each applicator 12 is placed above the first and

second barriers

72a, 72 b.

In the case of the fixed applicator 12 (which cannot move perpendicularly to the advancing direction a), the fixed applicator 12 is stably placed above the deposition area at least during the state of feeding the composition C. If there is a movable type dispenser (the state illustrated in the drawings), the movable type dispenser can be slidably moved over the deposition area in a direction perpendicular to the advancing direction. In particular, each applicator 12 is movable above the conveyor 2, inside the vertical volume of the deposition area, in a condition of use of the treatment device 70 and at least during a condition of supply of the treatment composition C.

The figures illustrate, in a non-limiting manner, a treatment device 70 comprising two spray dispensers 18 movable along a guide 43; each spray dispenser is capable of moving a respective length over the deposition area. If present, the first and

second barriers

72a, 72b, the applicator is positioned inside the vertical transverse dimension defined by the first and

second barriers

72a, 72b in the state of use of the treatment device 70 and at least during the dispensing state of the treatment composition C. The figures illustrate two spray dispensers 18 that are movable within a vertical transverse dimension defined by first barrier 72a and second barrier 72 b.

Hereinafter, reference is made to the barrier 72 construction. It is understood that this structure is the same as one of the first barrier 72a and the second barrier 72 b.

Barrier 72 comprises a sheet of an optionally metallic material, more optionally a ferromagnetic material. The plate extends longitudinally along a direction parallel to the advancement direction a and vertically away from the conveyor 2 along a direction perpendicular to the exposed surface E of the conveyor 2, optionally perpendicular to the deposition section. The respective plates of said barrier extend longitudinally parallel to each other and to the advancement direction a, if the first plate 72a and the second plate 72b are present.

As noted above, dispensing of the treatment composition C may occur directly on the exposed surface E of the conveyor 2 (optionally the conveyor belt) or directly on the second side of the sheet T; thus, the plate of the barrier 72 may be more or less distant from the exposed surface E of the conveyor 2. For example, if the composition is dispensed directly on the exposed surface E, the plate of the barrier 72 may be placed in contact with the exposed surface E or at a minimum distance comprised between 0.3mm and 2 mm. Still in this configuration, the plate may be positioned adjacent to the pressure member 5 a; thus, the plate may have a front profile shaped at least partially opposite the outer surface of the pressure member 5a (see, e.g., fig. 5), such that the barrier may confine the treatment composition C up to the initial contact area.

When dispensing the composition directly on the second side T2 of sheet material T, barrier 72, if barrier 72 is placed above the sheet material, is placed at a minimum distance from the surface of the conveyor, for example at a distance comprised between 0.3mm and 2mm, depending on the thickness of the sheet material; conversely, if the barrier 72 is placed alongside the sheet T, it may be placed in contact with the exposed surface or at a minimum distance comprised between 0.3mm and 2 mm.

The plate defines the following inner containment surface 77 configured to directly contact and confine the treatment composition C: the receiving surface is flat and extends parallel to the advancement direction a and perpendicular to the exposed surface E. First barrier 72a and second barrier 72b, if present, include respective following inner receiving surfaces 77: the inner containment surfaces 77 face each other and are configured to laterally delimit a deposition area according to a direction perpendicular to the advancement direction and parallel to the deposition section.

Each barrier 72 may be fixed to the stationary frame of the handling device 70 and carry the conveyor 2; in this configuration, each barrier 72 may only take one position to confine the treatment composition.

Alternatively, the holding device 71 may comprise a positioning device 73, which positioning device 73 is configured to move the barrier 72 (if present the first barrier 72a and the second barrier 72b) at least in a direction parallel to the deposition section and transverse, optionally perpendicular, to the advancement direction, so that said at least one barrier 92 may adopt different positions to confine the treatment composition C.

In particular, the positioning means 73 comprise a supporting frame 74 carrying at least one transversal guide 75, said transversal guide 75 extending parallel to the exposed surface E (optionally parallel to the deposition section) and transversal, optionally perpendicular, to the advancement direction a: the transverse guide 75 is placed above the conveyor 2 in the state in which the handling device 70 is used, extending along the entire width of the conveyor 2 measured perpendicular to the advance direction. Furthermore, the positioning means 73 comprise at least one displacement member 76, said displacement member 76 being able to move slidingly along the transversal guide 75, for example being able to move slidingly along the transversal guide 75 by means of an actuator 73a operating on the member 76: the displacement member 76 is configured to move the at least one barrier 72 along a direction parallel to the exposed surface (optionally parallel to the deposition section) and transverse, optionally perpendicular, to the advancement direction a.

In addition, the control unit may act on the actuator 73a of the command positioning means 73 and be configured to command the positioning means 73 to move the barrier 72 along the transversal guide 75. For example, the actuator 73a may include an electric motor; the control unit, thanks to the control of the electric motor, can manage the positioning of the displacement member 76 along the guides 75 and, consequently, of the barriers 72. The control unit is configured to command the positioning means 73 to move the barrier 72 at least between the pick-up position and the operating position: the barrier 72 in the operative position is configured to confine the treatment composition C in the deposition area. More particularly, due to the control of the actuator 73a, the control unit is configured to move the displacement member 76 at least between:

a first operating position, in which the displacement member 76 is configured to engage the barrier 72 in the picking position,

-a second operating position, in which the barrier adopts the operating position.

If first 72a and second 72b barriers are present, the positioning means comprise respective first 76a and second 76b displacement members, said first 76a and second 76b displacement members running on first 72a and second 72b barriers, respectively, to move first 72a and second 72b barriers along transverse guides 75.

The displacement member 76 may run directly on the plate of the barrier 72. Alternatively, barrier 72 (each barrier) may include an outer coupling portion 78 opposite inner containment surface 77: the displacement member 76 is configured to engage with the outer coupling portion 78 to move the barrier 72 along the lateral guide 75.

The figures illustrate a coupling portion 78, which coupling portion 78 includes a support block engaged with the plate opposite the inner containing surface and has the following grip portion 79 (see fig. 4A, 10A, 11-14) present above the plate of barrier 72: the gripping portion 79 is configured to engage with the displacement member 76 to enable movement of the barrier along the lateral guide 75.

In configuration, the grip portion 79 of the coupling portion 78 is at least partially made of ferromagnetic material; the displacement member 76 includes at least one of a magnet and an electromagnet. In this configuration, the displacement member 78 is configured to be attracted (due to the magnetic effect) by the bearing block of the displacement member 78 itself, and therefore by the following barrier 72: the barrier 72 can then be moved along the transverse guide 75 due to the movement of the displacement member 76.

If the displacement member 76 comprises an electromagnet, the positioning device 73 may comprise a generator configured to:

-defining the following active states: in this active state, the generator supplies an electric current to the electromagnet of the displacement member 76, so that said electromagnet generates a magnetic field capable of (engaging) the attraction by the coupling portion 78 of the electromagnet itself and therefore of the barrier 72,

The control unit acts on the generator commanding the electromagnet and is configured to:

command the movement of the displacement member 76 to the first operating condition,

command the active state of the electromagnet so that the displacement member 76 can engage with the barrier 72,

commanding the movement of the displacement member 76 to the second operating condition, so that said displacement member 76 can move the barrier 72 to the operating position.

The control unit, after driving the movement of the displacement member 76 to the second operative position, is further configured to:

command the inactive state of the electromagnet, so that the displacement member 76 is disengaged from the barrier 72,

after disengagement from the barrier 72, the displacement member 76 is moved from the second operative position to a rest distant position in which the displacement member 76 is distant from the barrier placed in the operative position.

In an embodiment, for example, as shown in fig. 13 and 14, the displacement member 76 may be carried by the movable applicator 12 along the lateral guide 43 by an actuator 73 a. Due to the displacement of the applicator 12, the barrier 72 may be displaced along the transversal guide 75. In this configuration, the control unit acts on the command actuator 73a and the electromagnet to be able to manage the movement of the applicator 12 along the transversal guide 43 and at the same time commands the electromagnet to adopt the active state to control the gripping of the barrier 72 and to adopt the inactive state to control the release of the barrier 72.

As mentioned hereinbefore, the handling device 70 may comprise a moving device 40, which moving device 40 may stably carry the holding device 71 to move the holding device 71 along a direction parallel to the advancement direction a. In particular, the movement device 40 is configured to move the barrier 72 along a direction parallel to the advancement direction a.

The figures illustrate the movement of the applicator 12 and the holding device 71; in this configuration, the moving device 40 is configured to reciprocally move the at least one barrier 72 integrally with the applicator 12 along a direction parallel to the advancing direction a. Thus, the barrier 72 may perform the displacement of the applicator 12 and thus dispense the treatment composition C so that it can be correctly confined inside the deposition area. In particular, the barrier 72 carried by the device 40 is also movable between respective first and second operating positions substantially coinciding with the first and second operating positions of the applicator 12.

Alternatively, the moving device may carry only the applicator 12 to be able to move along a direction parallel to the direction a, while the holding device 71 is carried by the stationary frame of the treatment device: in this configuration, the applicator and the barrier are able to move relative to each other along a direction parallel to the advancement direction a.

Furthermore, the moving device 40 may only carry the holding device 40, while the applicator 12 is only engaged with the stationary frame of the treatment device 70 and may be able to move only in a direction transverse to the advancing direction a. The figures show, in a non-limiting manner, the following processing means: in this handling device, the moving device 40 stably carries the applicator 12 (in particular, a plurality of applicators) movable along the transverse guide 43, the holding device 71 having at least one barrier 72 (in particular, a first barrier 72a and a second barrier 72b), and the pressure roller 5 a: all these elements move integrally along a direction parallel to the advancement direction a.

As can be seen in the figures, the processing device 70 may comprise a feeding station 14, which feeding station 14 is arranged along the operating section 3 upstream of the applicator 12 and of the holding device 71 with respect to the advancement direction of the sheets T, and is configured to bring the sheets T to the processing device 70. The feeding station 14 may comprise a roller of the sheet T resting on a drum driven in rotation by a motor, from which the sheet T unwinds and moves to the processing device 70. In addition, the feeding station 14 may comprise one or more idle rollers 14a, said idle rollers 14a being configured to receive the sheet T unwound from the drum and to suitably stretch the sheet T before conveying it to the processing device 70. In embodiment variants, the sheets T may be picked up from different feeding stations 14 configured to store the sheets T as flat layers or rings (this condition is not shown in the figures). A different stretching system than that described, for example a stretching system using dancers, is provided between the feed station 14 and the processing device 70.

Printing apparatus 1

Another object of the invention is a digital printing apparatus 1 of sheets T, for example a digital printing apparatus 1 of sheets in the shape of a continuous web. The apparatus 1 can be used for ink printing of sheets T, for example comprising textile, non-woven or other types of sheets. The device 1 can be used in the textile field or in a knitted or non-woven fabric to be ink-printed.

The printing apparatus 1 comprises a printing station 6 configured to ink-print the sheets T placed on the operating section 3. In particular, the printing station 6 is configured to print a second side T2 of the sheet T, said second side T2 being opposite to the first side T1 which is in contact with (optionally adhered to) the exposed surface E.

The printing station 6 may be a printing station 6 of the scanning type, in other words with one or more of the following heads 8: the head 8 is configured to perform ink-jet printing on the sheet during movement of the head 8 in a direction transverse to the advancing direction a of the sheet T. In particular, the heads 8 (each head 8) are configured to translate with respect to the sheet T to define the print over the entire width of the sheet T.

In order to be able to correctly print the sheet T by means of the printing station 6 of the scanning type, it is necessary to move the sheet T by means of an intermittent step or continuous step (discontinuous) advancement through the conveyor 2; the movement of the head 8 is synchronized with the stop state of the conveyor 2 so that the head 8 can deposit ink on the sheet T when the sheet T is not moving along the operating section 3. In fact, the head 8 is configured not to print (and generally remains stationary) the sheet T during the advancement state of the conveyor 2, in other words while the sheet moves along the operating section 3.

Furthermore, the movement of the head 8 is transmitted to an actuator, for example an electric motor connected to the control unit 50 and commanded by the control unit 50, said control unit 50 being configured to adjust at least one of the following parameters:

-the speed of movement of the head 8;

movement of head 8 perpendicular to advancement direction a;

duration of movement of head 8.

Furthermore, the control unit 50 acts in a known manner on the command head 8 to be able to supply the desired type and the desired quantity of ink through the nozzles of the head 8. Thus, the control unit is configured to manage the synchronization of the printing steps of the head 8 in the stop and advance states of the conveyor 2, and therefore the movement of the head 8 in the stop and advance states of the conveyor 2, and also the distribution of the ink in the stop and advance states of the conveyor 2.

The possibility of using a printing station 6 comprising at least one of the following printing modules 7 is not excluded: the printing modules 7 extend parallel to the exposed surface E of the conveyor 2 and transversely, optionally perpendicularly, to the advance direction a. Each printing module 7 has a width, measured perpendicular to said direction of movement, which is slightly smaller (for example 5% to 10% smaller), equal to or larger than the width of the conveyor 2. Each printing module 7 is configured to define a width equal to or greater than the width of the fibrous material T that adheres to the conveyor in use. Each printing module 7 is configured, during an operating state of conveyor 2, in which conveyor 2 moves the sheets continuously to a predetermined speed greater than 0:

-defining the print over the entire width of the fibrous material T,

the second side T2, which remains in the fixed position and slides on the operating section 3, of the fibrous material T is printed.

Essentially, the printing module 7 is provided extending along the entire width of the fibrous material T, while keeping the module itself stationary during the operating conditions of the conveyor (continuously moving the sheet T) -in particular it is possible not to perform any type of displacement along the longitudinal and/or transverse direction with respect to the advancement direction a, and to print continuously on the fibrous material T solely by the movement imparted to the fibrous material T.

More specifically, each printing module 7 comprises a plurality of heads 8 configured to cover the entire width of the conveyor, in particular of the fibrous material T, by means of the respective nozzles. The structure of each printing module and the control of each printing module by the control unit can be as described in the patent application No. wo 2018/020420 a1 from page 85, line 25 to page 88, line 5.

The printing station 6 is placed downstream of the processing device 70 with respect to the advancing direction of the sheet T on the operative section 3 of the conveyor 2 along the advancing direction a. In this configuration, the processing device 70 substantially defines a station for pre-processing the sheets T before the printing step: the sheet T is previously processed while moving from the processing device 70, and thereafter printed while moving through the printing station 6.

As described above with reference to the treatment device 70, the applicator 12 may be carried by the moving device 40 and may be movable between a first operative position and a second operative position; the applicator 12 in the first operating position is arranged at a distance from the printing station 6 which is greater than the distance existing between the printing station 6 and the applicator 12 placed in the second operating position. The above-mentioned distance between the applicator 12 and the printing head is measured along the advancement direction a (see fig. 7 and 8).

In this regard, the forward stroke defines the movement of the applicator 12 in the advancing state of the conveyor 2 from the first to the second operating position towards the printing station 6 in a direction equal to the direction of movement of the conveyor 2. Vice versa, the return stroke defines the movement of the applicator 12 away from the printing station 6 from the second operating position to the first operating position during the stop condition of the conveyor 2.

The same movement towards the printing station 6 and away from the printing station 6 can be performed by the holding device 71 in the following configuration: in this configuration, the holding device 71 is stably carried by the moving device 40. In this configuration, too, the barrier 72 is movable along a direction parallel to the advancement direction a at least between a first operating position and a second operating position: the barrier 72 in the first operating position is located at a distance, measured along the advancement direction, from the printing station 6, which is greater than the distance existing between the printing station and the at least one barrier placed in the second operating position.

As mentioned hereinbefore, the printing apparatus 1 may equally comprise a control unit separate from the control unit of the processing device 70 or may be the same control unit 50. Such a control unit is configured to synchronize the movement of the conveyor 2 (and therefore of the sheets) with the printing station 6. In particular, in the case of a scanning printing station 6, the control unit is configured to synchronize the movement of the conveyor 2 with the movement of the movable head 8, so that the printing step can be performed during the stopping step of the conveyor 2. Furthermore, the control unit is configured to synchronize the movement of the head 8 with the movement of the applicator 12 along the guide 42 and the displacement of the moving device 40, optionally the movement of the applicator 12 and/or the barrier 72 along the forward stroke and the return stroke parallel to the advancement direction a.

As described above with reference to the processing device 70, the unit is configured to manage the moving device 40 and the conveyor such that a predetermined ratio of the shift (or moving speed) of the applicator 12, carried by the moving device 40, to the shift (or moving speed) of the sheet T carried by the conveyor 2 is set.

However, the control unit may act on the command applicator 12, the conveyor 2 and the moving means and may be configured to determine at least one of the following operating parameters:

-an amount of treatment composition, optionally treatment foam, dispensed by the dispenser,

-the speed of movement of the sheet T along the advancement direction towards the printing station,

an advancement mode in which the sheet T is continuously or intermittently advanced along the advancement direction a.

The control unit, by driving at least one of the applicator 12, the conveyor 2 and the movement device 40, may be configured to control at least one of said operating parameters, so as to be able to manage the residence time of the treatment composition on the sheet T before said sheet T reaches the printing station 6. For example, the control unit may be configured so that the residence time of the treatment composition on the sheet T before it reaches the printing station 6 is equal to or greater than 1 second, optionally comprised between 1 and 20 seconds.

As described hereinabove, the processing device 70 is placed upstream of the printing station. Additionally or alternatively, the following possibilities are not excluded: the processing device 70 is arranged downstream of the printing station 6, so that said device 70-according to what has been described hereinbefore-can define a station for post-processing the printed sheets T. In this configuration, the treatment device 70, optionally the at least one applicator 12, is configured to apply the treatment composition on the second printed side T2 of the sheet material T. In this case, the treatment composition dispensed by the treatment device 70 may be different from the treatment composition dispensed by the same device 70 positioned upstream of the printing station 6; for example, the treatment composition dispensed by device 70 located downstream of printing station 6 may include a pH control agent and a hydrotrope. In addition, according to what has been described hereinbefore, the possibility of providing the following two processing means 70 is not excluded: a first treatment device 70 placed upstream of the printing station 6 and a second treatment device 70 placed downstream of the printing station 6.

For example, as can be seen in fig. 1 and 3, the printing apparatus 1 may comprise a drying station interposed between the printing station 6 and a processing device 70 placed upstream of the printing station 6 with respect to the advancing direction of the sheets T along the operating section 3. The drying station may be used to dry the sheet T treated with the treatment composition C prior to printing the sheet T in the printing station 6. The drying station may include a heater and/or a blower.

Processing method

Furthermore, the object of the present invention is a method of processing sheets T, in particular a method of processing sheets T performed by a processing device 70 according to any one of the appended claims and/or according to the description given above.

The method comprises the steps of storing the sheet T, for example, from the feed station 14 and conveying the sheet T to the conveyor 2 (optionally a conveyor belt); the conveying step may be performed by continuously unwinding the sheet T from the drum of the feeding station 14. The sheet T may be passed through a set of idler rollers to achieve proper stretching. Thereafter, the sheet T is constrained to the exposed surface E of the conveyor 2 (optionally conveying the belt) to define an operative section 3 of the conveyor 2 supporting the sheet T. Bringing the first side T1 into contact with the exposed surface E of the conveyor belt 2; then, the sheet T is moved in the advancing direction a by the conveyor 2 (optionally conveying a belt). Sheet T may be constrained to exposed surface E of conveyor 2 (e.g., by applying a viscous material) so that exposed surface E of conveyor 2 may stably support moving sheet T.

The movement of the sheet T, by the conveyor 2, may be performed according to intermittent advancement in which the advancing state and the stopping state of the sheet T alternate; in order to intermittently advance the sheet T, two successive advancing states are alternated with the stopping state. As an alternative, the material can be made to advance continuously along the operating section 3 at a speed always greater than 0, in particular comprised between 20 and 70 m/min. This (intermittent and continuous) movement of the sheets can be managed by a control unit acting on a command actuator/motor capable of moving conveyor 2.

The method comprises the following steps: the treatment composition C destined to treat at least one side of the sheet T is dispensed by one or more applicators 12 according to the description given above. This application can be carried out directly on the first side T1 of the sheet T, without being applied directly to the second side T2 to be printed, or can be carried out directly on said second side T1.

The figure illustrates the step of applying the treatment composition C to the side T1 of the sheet T; this step can be performed by applying the composition C directly to the deposition section 3a located upstream of the operating section 3 with respect to the advancing direction of the same sheet, with one or more applicators 12. Then, the sheet T is processed after being brought into contact with the exposed surface E of the conveyor 2. The possibility of dispensing the treatment composition C directly on the second side T2 of the sheet T in contact with the exposed surface E of the conveyor 2 is not excluded.

During the intermittent advance or continuous advance of the sheet T carried by the conveyor 2, the supply of the treatment composition C is continuously carried out. The step of dispensing the treatment composition C may be performed by one or more of the following applications:

dispensing by means of a spray dispenser 18 or by means of a spray head;

application by means of a roller with an axis of rotation transverse to the direction of advancement a and with a lateral surface remote from the conveyor, said roller having a hollow interior destined to contain a predetermined quantity of treatment composition and being provided with a predetermined number of nozzles or slots for dispensing the composition,

application by means of a dispenser 90.

More specifically, the dispensing/application of the treatment composition C can be carried out according to the pattern described in patent application No. wo 2018/020420 a1, from page 53, line 16 to page 56, line 23.

If the sheet T is moved according to the intermittent mode, the method may provide, simultaneously with the movement of the sheet T, the step of moving the applicator 12 in a direction parallel to the advancing direction a. The movement of the applicator 12 is performed by the moving means along a forward stroke and a return stroke; during the forward state of the conveyor 2, the movement along the forward stroke is performed at a first speed that is less than the moving speed of the sheet T. During the stop state of the conveyor 2, the applicator 12 is moved along the return stroke at a second speed substantially equal to the first moving speed of the applicator 12 along the forward stroke, and therefore less than the moving speed of the sheets.

It is useful to observe that the supply of composition C is performed by the applicator 12 during movement of the applicator 12 along the forward stroke and during movement of the applicator 12 along the return stroke. Since the applicator 12 moves at a speed less than the moving speed of the sheet T, the longitudinal movement of the applicator 12 during the advance state and during the stop state is less than the predetermined longitudinal displacement of the sheet T.

In particular, the ratio of the advancing/moving speed of the sheet T to the moving speed of the applicator 12 (first and/or second speed) is comprised between 1.8 and 2.2, optionally substantially 2. Thus, since the movement of the sheet T and the movement of the applicator 12 occur in equal time intervals, the ratio of the predetermined longitudinal displacement of the sheet T to the displacement of the applicator 12 during the forward stroke and during the return stroke is comprised between 1.8 and 2.2, optionally substantially 2.

The method further comprises the steps of: the treatment composition C is restrained inside the deposition area by at least one barrier 72 of the retaining means 71, preventing it from passing through the barrier in a direction transverse to the advancement direction a. Indeed, the dispensing of the treatment composition C takes place directly inside the deposition area delimited by the barriers (by the first barrier 72a and the second barrier 72b, if present), so that said at least one barrier can correctly confine the composition C.

Prior to the step of dispensing the treatment composition C, the method may comprise moving the barrier 72 by the positioning means 73 to the same position as the desired restricted operating position. In particular, the movement of the barrier 72 may provide the following sub-steps:

intercepting at least one barrier 72 placed in the picking position by a displacement member 76 of the positioning device 73,

-moving said barrier 72 from the pick-up position to the restraining operating position in a direction transverse, optionally perpendicular, to the advancement direction a by means of the displacement member 76, the barrier 72 in the operating position being configured to restrain the treatment composition C in the deposition area.

The movement of barrier 72 to the desired limit operating position can be managed by a control unit acting on command positioning means 73. For example, the control unit may be configured to command barrier 72 to move to a desired operating position according to at least one parameter that states:

-a section of the sheet to be treated,

the position of barrier 72 with respect to the predetermined picking position,

-the position of one or more applicators 12,

a travel stroke of the one or more applicators 12,

the width (measured perpendicular to the advancement direction a and parallel to the exposed surface E) of the deposition area extends,

-a predetermined distance from a circumferential edge of the sheet,

-the position of the barrier relative to the longitudinal end edge of the conveyor.

The holding device 71 may be carried by the mobile device 40 as described above with reference to the device 70. Thus, the method may comprise further reciprocating the barrier 72 along a direction parallel to the advancement direction a. If the applicator 12 is carried by the device 40, the barrier 72 may move integrally in the event that the applicator 12 moves.

The movement of barrier 72 by moving device 40 is the same as that described above with reference to the movement of the applicator.

With reference to the above-described method, primarily to the applicator 12 and the barrier 72; however, as described above with reference to the treatment device, the treatment device may include multiple applicators 12 and/or multiple barriers (e.g., first barrier 72a and second barrier 72 b). The method steps associated with the single applicator 12 and the single barrier 72 may be transferred to one or more of the applicators or barriers of the treatment device 70.

Printing method

Another object of the present invention is a method of printing sheets, optionally performed by a printing apparatus 1 according to one or more of the appended claims and/or according to the description given above.

The printing method comprises a printing step of moving the sheet along the operating section 3 in the advancement direction a by the conveyor 2; the sheet T located on the operating section 3 is ink-printed by the printing station 6.

As mentioned above, the printing station 6 may be a printing station 6 of the scanning type (the state of which is shown in the figures), in other words a printing station 6 having at least one head 8 adapted to perform ink printing operations by translation along a direction perpendicular to the direction of movement a. The printing step is synchronized with the forward and stop states of the conveyor 2; specifically, the head 8 is moved over the sheet only during the stop state of the conveyor for depositing ink on the second side T2: during the advanced state, the head 8 is kept side by side with the sheet T (e.g., kept outside the sheet T).

If the method includes a printing step by a scanning station, the sheet is advanced intermittently along the operative sections; in this state, a movement of the applicator 12 (one or more applicators 12) and/or the holding device 71 (optionally one or more barriers) along a direction parallel to the advancement direction a may be provided. This movement provides for movement of the applicator and/or barrier along a forward stroke toward the printing station and along a return stroke away from the printing station. During movement of the applicator 12 and/or the barrier 72 along the forward stroke, the applicator 12 and/or the barrier 72 is moved to the printing station 6, while during movement of the applicator 12 and/or the barrier 72 along the return stroke, the applicator 12 and/or the barrier 72 is moved away from the printing station 6. As described hereinabove, the movement along the forward stroke is synchronized with the forward state of the conveyor, and the movement along the return stroke is synchronized with the stop state of the conveyor.

In addition, according to what has been described above, the possibility of including the following steps is not excluded: the treatment composition C was dispensed on the side placed downstream of the printing station to carry out the post-treatment of the printed sheet. In addition, the possibility of including two different processing steps is not excluded: a step of preprocessing the sheet T before printing the sheet T and a step of post-processing the printed sheet.

THE ADVANTAGES OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The present invention can provide a digital printing apparatus of a sheet T capable of uniformly processing a sheet; in particular, the presence of the moving device 40 ensures that a constant relative movement between the applicator 12 and the sheet T advances according to an intermittent mode, thanks to which the applicator 12 can continuously and uniformly distribute the treatment composition on the sheet T. Therefore, the applicator 12 can maintain high application efficiency and at the same time maintain uniformity of processing of the sheet T.

Claims

1. A digital printing apparatus (1) of sheets (T), said printing apparatus (1) comprising:

-at least one processing device (70), the processing device (70) having:

a conveyor (2), said conveyor (2) being configured to move said sheet (T) along an operating section (3) according to an advancement direction (A),

-at least one applicator (12), said applicator (12) being configured to dispense a treatment composition (C) destined to treat one side of the sheet (T),

-at least one printing station (6) of the digital type, said printing station (6) being configured to ink-print the sheet (T) placed on the operating section (3), said printing station (6) comprising at least one head (8), said head (8) being movable transversely with respect to the advancement direction (a).

Characterized in that said handling device (70) comprises at least one moving device (40), said moving device (40) carrying said applicator (12) and being configured to move said applicator (12) along a direction parallel to said advancing direction (A) at least during the movement of said sheet (T) along said operating section (3).

2. Printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the movement device (40) is configured to move the applicator (12) along a direction parallel to the advancement direction (a) at least between a first operating position and a second operating position, wherein the applicator (12) is at a distance from the printing station (6) in the first operating position, measured along the advancement direction and greater than the distance existing between the printing station and the applicator (12) placed in the second operating position.

3. Printing apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising at least one control unit acting to command said conveyor (2) and said moving device (40), said control unit being configured to command said conveyor (2) to move said sheet (T) along said operating section (3) according to intermittent advances for alternately defining:

-an advance state during which the conveyor (2) moves the sheet (T) at an advance speed greater than 0; and alternately:

-a stop state during which the sheet (T) has its position kept constant.

4. Printing apparatus according to the previous claim, wherein two successive advancing states alternate with one stopping state.

5. Printing apparatus according to claim 3 or 4, wherein said moving device (40) is configured to move said applicator (12) along a direction parallel to said advancing direction (A) at least during said advancing condition of said conveyor (2).

6. Printing apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims 3 to 5, wherein the control unit is configured to command the moving device (40) to cause the applicator (12) to:

-moving along a forward stroke at least between said first and second operating positions towards said printing station, at least during said forward condition of said conveyor (2),

-moving away from the printing station at least between the second operating position and the first operating position along a return stroke at least during the stop condition of the conveyor (2).

7. The printing apparatus according to any of the preceding claims 3 to 6, wherein the control unit is configured to:

-commanding the conveyor (2) to move the sheet (T) along the operating section (3) by a predetermined displacement during each advancing condition,

-commanding the moving device (40) to move the applicator (12) parallel to the advancing direction (a) by a predetermined stroke, which is smaller than the predetermined displacement of the sheet (T).

8. Printing apparatus according to the preceding claim, wherein the control unit is configured to command the conveyor (2) so as to move the sheet (T) along the operating section (3) by a predetermined displacement during each advancing condition,

wherein the ratio of said predetermined displacement of the sheet (T) along the operating section (3) to said forward stroke of the applicator (12) is comprised between 1.5 and 2.5, optionally substantially 2,

wherein the ratio of the predetermined displacement of the sheet (T) along the operating section (3) to the return stroke of the applicator (12) is comprised between 1.5 and 2.5, optionally substantially 2.

9. The printing apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims 6 to 8, wherein the control unit is configured to command the mobile device (40) for:

-moving the applicator (12) along the forward stroke during an advancement condition of the sheet (T) imparted by the conveyor (2),

-moving the applicator (12) along the return stroke during a stop condition of the sheet (T) imparted by the conveyor (2).

10. A printing apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said processing means (70) are placed upstream of said printing station (6) along said operating section (3) with respect to the advancing direction of the sheets (T).

11. Printing apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the treatment device (70) is configured to treat the sheet (T) by applying the treatment composition on a first side (T1) of the sheet (T), wherein the printing station (6) is configured to ink-print a second side (T2) of the sheet (T) opposite to the first side (T1).

12. Printing apparatus according to the preceding claim, wherein the conveyor (2) has an exposed surface (E) configured to receive the sheet (T), said exposed surface (E) having an operating section (3), said operating section (3) being configured to temporarily receive contact with a first side (T1) of the sheet (T) and to move the sheet (T) along the advancement direction (A),

wherein the exposed surface (E) of the conveyor always comprises a deposition section (3a), said deposition section (3a) extending upstream of the operating section (3a) with respect to the advancement direction (A),

the applicator (12) is positioned and configured to dispose of the treatment composition (C) on the deposition section (3a) of the conveyor (2).

13. Printing apparatus according to the preceding claim, wherein the conveyor (2) is configured to convey the treatment composition (C) applied to the deposition section (3a) to an initial contact zone in which the conveyor is arranged to come into contact with the sheet (T), optionally supplied along the advancement direction (a) and optionally along the operating section (T).

14. The printing apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the moving device (40) comprises:

-at least one guide (41), said guide (41) being placed alongside said conveyor (2) and extending parallel to said advancing direction (A),

-at least one supporting structure (42), said supporting structure (42) being slidably movable along said guide (41), said supporting structure (42) stably carrying said applicator (12).

15. Printing apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the applicator (12) comprises at least one spray dispenser (18), the spray dispenser (18) being remote from the conveyor (2) and reciprocally movable along a dispensing direction (B) transversal, optionally perpendicular, to the advancing direction (A).

16. Printing apparatus according to the preceding claim, wherein said supporting structure (42) of said moving device (40) comprises at least one transverse guide (43), said transverse guide (43) extending perpendicularly with respect to said advancement direction (A),

wherein the spray dispenser (18) is reciprocally movable along the transverse guide (43),

wherein the transverse guide (43) extends substantially along the entire width of the conveyor (2) measured perpendicular to the advancing direction (A),

wherein the spray distributor (18) is capable of moving at least a part of the conveyor (2) width along the transverse guide (43).

17. The printing apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 14, wherein the applicator (12) comprises at least one dispenser (90), the dispenser (90) having:

-at least one reservoir (91), said reservoir (91) defining a compartment (92) inside said reservoir (91), said compartment (92) being configured to receive said treatment composition (C), wherein said reservoir (91) extends along a development direction transversal, optionally perpendicular, to said advancement direction (a), said reservoir (91) comprising at least one inlet (93) and at least one outlet (94), said inlet (93) being configured to be able to introduce a predetermined amount of said treatment composition (C) into said compartment (92) of the reservoir itself; the outlet (94) is configured to enable the treatment composition (C) to be expelled from the reservoir itself,

-at least one pusher (95), said pusher (95) being at least partially engaged in said reservoir (91) and being configured to be able to dispense said treatment composition (C) according to at least one said outlet (94) of said reservoir.

18. Printing apparatus according to the preceding claim, wherein the dispenser (90) comprises at least one nozzle (96), the nozzle (96) being engaged with each outlet (94) of the reservoir (91), each nozzle (96) extending from the reservoir in the direction of the conveyor (2), optionally in the direction of the deposition section (3a), and being configured to dispense the treatment composition (C) present in the reservoir (91).

19. Printing apparatus according to claim 17 or 18, wherein said reservoir (91) has a plurality of outlets (94), said outlets (94) being distributed along the development direction of the reservoir itself, optionally said reservoir having a plurality of inlets (93), said inlets (93) also being distributed along the development direction of the reservoir (91) itself.

20. A printing apparatus as claimed in any of claims 17 to 19, wherein each inlet is located opposite each outlet,

optionally, each outlet (94) is defined on a bottom portion (91a) of the reservoir directly facing the conveyor (2), while each inlet (93) is defined on a top portion (91b) of the reservoir.

21. Printing apparatus according to any one of claims 17 to 20, wherein said reservoir (91) extends substantially along the entire width of said conveyor, measured perpendicularly to said advancement direction (a).

22. The device according to any one of claims 17 to 21, wherein the reservoir (91) has a cross-section of a semi-circular shape defined by a flat base and a semi-circular profile engaging with the base,

wherein at least one of said inlets (93) is defined on a top portion of said profile opposite said base, and at least one of said outlets (94) is defined on a base wall.

23. The apparatus of any one of claims 17 to 22, wherein the pusher (95) comprises a vane (97), the vane (97) being movable in a rotational manner inside the compartment of the reservoir between a first end-stroke position and a second end-stroke position, wherein the vane (97) is configured to push the treatment composition (C) outside each of the outlets (94) during rotation from the first end-stroke position to the second end-stroke position and/or during rotation from the second end-stroke position to the first end-stroke position.

24. Apparatus as claimed in the preceding claim, wherein the blade (97) -during the rotation between the first and second operating positions-is configured to rotate by a predetermined angle greater than 90 °, optionally comprised between 90 ° and 200 °, more optionally substantially 180 °.

25. Printing apparatus according to any one of claims 12 to 24, wherein the applicator (12) is placed above the conveyor (2) in a state of use of the apparatus.

26. Printing apparatus according to any one of claims 12 to 25, wherein the applicator (12) is placed above the deposition section (3a), optionally facing directly towards the deposition section (3 a).

27. Printing apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the conveyor (2) comprises at least one conveyor belt having an exposed surface (E) treated with a water-insoluble viscous material, optionally with an exposed surface treated with: the adhesive material comprises a polymer glue sensitive to at least one of pressure and temperature.

28. Apparatus according to any one of claims 6 to 27, wherein the control unit is also operative to command the applicator (12) and the printing head (8), and wherein the control unit is configured to:

-commanding the movement of the conveyor (2) by alternating the advancement state with the stop state, so as to move the sheet according to the intermittent advancement,

-commanding the printing head (8) to move and dispense ink,

-synchronizing the movement of the printing head (8) and the dispensing of ink from the head itself with the stop of the conveyor (2),

-commanding the applicator (12) to move along the forward stroke during the forward state of the conveyor (2),

-commanding the applicator (12) to move along the return stroke during the stop condition of the conveyor (2).

29. Method for digital printing by using a printing apparatus (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising the steps of:

-moving the sheet (T) along an advancement direction (A),

-feeding, by means of an applicator (12), a treatment composition (C) destined to treat at least the side of the sheet (T),

-ink-printing said sheet (T) by a digital printing station.

30. Printing process according to the preceding claim, comprising the following steps: -moving the applicator (12) along a direction parallel to the advancing direction (a) at least during the movement of the sheet (T).

31. Printing method according to claim 29 or 30, wherein the movement of the sheet occurs according to an intermittent advance, wherein the advance state and the stop state of the sheet (T) alternate.

32. Printing method according to the preceding claim, wherein during said advancing condition, said sheet (T) is moved along the operating section towards the printing station (6) with an advancing speed greater than 0.

33. Printing method according to claim 31 or 32, wherein during said stop condition, said sheet (T) maintains its position with respect to said printing station (6).

34. Printing method according to any one of claims 31 to 33, wherein two successive advancing states alternate with one stopping state.

35. The printing method as claimed in any one of claims 31 to 34, wherein the movement of the applicator (12) provides the following movements:

-a movement along a forward stroke towards the printing station during the advancing condition of the sheet (T),

-a movement along a return stroke away from the printing station during the stop condition of the sheet (T).

36. Method according to any one of claims 31 to 35, wherein, during the advancing condition, the sheet is moved with an advancing speed greater than the moving speed of the applicator (12) moving in a direction parallel to the advancing direction (a).

37. Method according to the preceding claim, wherein the ratio between the advancing speed of the sheet (T) during the advancing condition and the movement speed of the applicator (12) is comprised between 1.8 and 2.2, optionally substantially 2.

38. Method according to any one of claims 29 to 37, wherein said treatment composition (C) is applied to a first side (T1) of said sheet (T) while a printing step is carried out on a second side of said sheet opposite to said first side (T1).

39. The method according to the preceding claim, wherein the step of applying the treatment composition comprises: depositing the treatment composition directly onto a first side (T1) of the sheet (T) without any direct deposition of the treatment composition on the second side (T2).