EP0074284B1 - Dye autoclave - Google Patents

Abstract

1. Vat for processing a substance of a nature permeable by a fluid, particularly but not exclusively a dye vat, in which the substance is soaked in the processing fluid and/or is traversed by the latter, including means for the introduction and removal of the fluid, and means of circulating the fluid placed in the vat, characterized by the fact that it includes mobile means of piping the fluid having a position in which the means of circulation create a forced circulation of the fluid in closed circuit within the vat, and a position in which the same means of circulation create a forced circulation of the fluid in open circuit over the remainder of the processing installation.

Description

The invention relates to a tank for treating a material having a fluid-permeable nature. More specifically, the invention relates in particular but not exclusively to a dye tank, integrated into a dyeing installation.

In the case of such installations, a tank, inside which is the material to be treated, is filled with a fluid, which can be for example a dyeing, fixing, rinsing liquid, or steam. , then this fluid is driven into forced circulation inside the tank, so as to carry out a homogeneous treatment of the material.

It is necessary for such a tank to have on the one hand a filling or emptying pump, and on the other hand means ensuring the forced circulation of the fluid in the volume which it defines. Furthermore, the treatment, corresponding to a forced circulation of the fluid, and the filling or emptying are operations which must be carried out one independently of the other.

On the other hand, the treatment fluid loses its effectiveness during treatment, and can hardly be renewed or recycled during treatment, due to the independence of the treatment phase and of the filling or emptying phases. This is particularly sensitive for a flushing operation. Indeed, the rinsing water gets dirty, and this must be carried out in several stages, hence several phases of filling and emptying of the tank.

One of the aims of the present invention is to provide a tank for which unique circulation means are capable of ensuring both the forced circulation of the fluid for the treatment phase, and the filling or emptying phase.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a tank, for which the treatment phase can start before the filling of the tank is completed, and possibly can continue during the emptying phase thereof.

Another object of the invention is to provide a tank for which the treatment fluid can be renewed or recycled during the treatment phase.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will emerge during the description which follows, which is however only given for information, and which is not intended to limit it.

The treatment tank, according to the invention, of a material having a permeable nature to a fluid, in particular but not exclusively a dye tank, in which the material is immersed in the treatment fluid and / or is traversed by it, comprising means for introducing and discharging the fluid, as well as means for circulating the fluid placed in the tank, is characterized in that it comprises movable means for channeling the fluid, having a position in which the means of circulation establish a forced circulation of the fluid in closed circuit inside the tank, and a position in which the same circulation means establish a forced circulation of the fluid in open circuit on the remainder of the treatment installation.

• La figure 1 représente de manière schématique, en coupe, une cuve, à titre d'illustration de la présente invention.
• La figure 2 représente en coupe la partie inférieure de la cuve de la figure 1, et plus particulièrement les moyens mobiles de canalisation du fluide, dans un mode non limitatif de réalisation.
• La figure 3 est une vue semblable à celle de la figure 2, dans laquelle les moyens mobiles de canalisation sont dans une autre position.

The invention will be better understood if reference is made to the description below, as well as to the accompanying drawings which form an integral part thereof.

• Figure 1 shows schematically, in section, a tank, by way of illustration of the present invention.
• 2 shows in section the lower part of the tank of Figure 1, and more particularly the mobile means for channeling the fluid, in a non-limiting embodiment.
• Figure 3 is a view similar to that of Figure 2, in which the movable channeling means are in another position.

FIG. 1 shows by way of illustration of the invention a treatment tank 1 of a known type, preferably cylindrical, forming part of a treatment installation.

Inside this tank are arranged, for example, coils 2 of fibers to be treated. These coils are strung in batches on pins 3, which are themselves integral with a material-carrying plate 4.

The material-carrying plate and the pins 3 are traversed by the treatment fluid, which also passes, from the pins 3, the coils 2 to be treated.

Circulation means carry out a forced circulation of the fluid inside the volume defined by the tank. These means are for example constituted by a turbine 5, preferably coaxial with the tank, driven by a motor 6 or by any other suitable device.

To facilitate forced circulation, the turbine 5 is arranged inside a duct 7, coaxial with it, and in communication in its upper part with the interior of the material-carrying plate 4 and therefore with the inside the pins 3.

The tank also has reversible means for introducing and discharging the fluid, 8 and 9. These means are located in the lower part of the tank. These means consist of pipes which open into the interior of the tank, which are optionally provided with valves.

In the following, it will be considered the case where the fluid circulates from the introduction means 8 to the discharge means 9. However, as will appear, reverse circulation is also possible, and comes within the scope of this invention.

The tank 1 also has other means of a known type, which are not shown in the figures, and which consist for example of a device for controlling the level of liquid in the tank, means for putting the tank under pressure or under vacuum, means for heating the fluid, etc.

Figures 2 and 3 show the tank 1, in partial view, at its lower part 10. At this level, the introduction means 8 open into the volume of the tank via a housing 11, and a communication orifice 12 Preferably, the orifice is circular and has the axis 13 of the tank as its axis. Furthermore, the bottom wall of the housing 11 is substantially perpendicular to the axis 13. The housing 11, in the case of the figures, is crossed by the axis 14 of the turbine 5.

According to the invention, mobile means for channeling the fluid are located in the lower part of the tank. These means have two positions. In one of these positions, the turbine 5, or more generally the circulation means, establish a forced circulation of the fluid in a closed circuit in the tank. In this position, the tank is sealed from the outside. In the other extreme position, the same circulation means establish a forced circulation of the fluid in an open circuit over the remainder of the treatment installation. This circulation in open circuit can allow the filling of the tank, its emptying, or the renewal of the treatment fluid.

In the first extreme position, sealing means close the orifice 12 for communication of the introduction means 8 with the interior volume of the tank. The introduction means are therefore isolated from the tank. In parallel, the discharge means 9 can be closed off by means of a valve. The circulation means 5 carry out a forced circulation of the liquid which passes through the conduit 7, the material-carrying plate 4, the pins 3, then the coils 2. The fluid is then directed by its own movement towards the lower part of the tank, where it is again driven by the turbine 5.

In the second extreme position, shutter means close off the zone 15 between the lower part of the duct 7 and the lower wall of the tank, and the introduction means 8 are in communication with the volume of the tank. Therefore, the circulation means 5 carry out a forced circulation of the fluid coming from the introduction means 8. In the case where the fluid is renewed, or recycled outside the installation, it can be evacuated by the means of evacuation 9.

In the case of the figures, the closure means respectively comprise two closure rings 16 and 17. These rings are removable, and their movement is linked. In other words, in normal operation, the closed position of one of the rings corresponds to the withdrawal or the non-closed position of the other. The two closure rings 16 and 17 can be integral with one another and be moved by unique means, or have their own means of movement.

Preferably, the ring 17 is located outside the duct 7, and slides in leaktight manner along the latter. The ring 17 is shown in FIG. 2 in a non-obturation position, and in FIG. 3 in a obturation position where it closes the zone 15 comprised between the lower part of the duct 7, and the lower wall of the tank, or an annular stop 18, situated at the level of the orifice 12, and which projects substantially towards the interior of this orifice.

The ring 16 preferably has a diameter, in its lower part 19, greater than that of its upper part 20. The diameter of its upper part 20 is less than the internal diameter of the duct 7. Its maximum diameter is substantially equal to the diameter of the orifice 12, or to the internal diameter of the annular stop 18, as is the case in FIGS. 2 and 3.

Figure 2 shows the ring 16 in the closed position. In this position, its lower part is housed in the orifice 12, or in the annular ring 18, and its upper part 20 fits into a plate 21, which achieves its closure. Figure 3 shows the ring 16 in its non-shutting position. Preferably, in this case, its lower part 19 comes into contact with the lower wall of the housing 11.

Figures 2 and 3 respectively represent the channeling means, constituted by the rings 16 and 17, in their two extreme positions corresponding to normal operation of the tank in closed circuit or in open circuit. The distance of movement of the two rings 16 and 17 from a non-closing position to a closed position is substantially identical.

The two rings can be joined together, or be controlled by separate means, which allows in particular to switch from an open circuit regime to a closed circuit regime, or vice versa, by placing the two rings in position shutter.

In FIG. 2, the arrows 22 show diagrammatically the circulation of the fluid in a closed circuit in the tank, at the level of the lower part thereof. The arrows 23 schematize a circulation in the opposite direction, obtained in the reversal of the circulation means 5. In the case of arrows 22, the fluid returning from the coils 2 is sucked by the means 5, and passes between the outer wall of the ring 16, and of the plate 21, of the inner wall of the conduit 7. Then, it is forced back by the means 5 towards the plate 5, the pins 3 and the coils 2. To facilitate this circulation, the extreme part of the conduit 7 has a swan neck shape, as well as the end part of the ring 17, and as shown in FIG. 2, these two swan neck parts are in line with one another. The ring 16, for its part, has at its lower part 19 a flared shape towards the outside, as can be seen in FIG. 2.

In FIG. 3, the arrows 24 show diagrammatically the circulation of the fluid introduced into the tank by the introduction means 8. The arrows 25 show diagrammatically a reverse circulation, obtained by reversing the means 5. In the case of arrows 24, the fluid is channeled by the ring 17, which is in the closed position, towards the circulation means 5, and is put into forced circulation towards the plate 4, the pins 3, and the coils 2.

The circulation of the fluid shown diagrammatically by the arrows 24 can correspond to a filling of the tank, or to an introduction of fluid, while it is evacuated by the evacuation means 9. Likewise, the arrows 25 can correspond to a drain from the tank or to a fluid discharge. It should be noted that the flared shape of the lower part 19 of the ring 16 also facilitates the circulation of the fluid in the case of FIG. 3.

Naturally, suitable sealing means ensure sealing, or leaktight sliding of the rings 16 and 17.

Thus, the present invention allows a more flexible use of a treatment tank, and a shorter treatment time.

By way of example, the processing of a material may begin during the phase of introduction of the fluid, as shown in FIG. 3. In fact, the means 5 carry out a forced circulation in the pins 3 and the coils 2 of the fluid introduced.

In the case of rinsing, it will be possible to rinse permanently with clean water by introducing it by means 8 and by evacuating it by means 9, or vice versa. This also applies to a treatment with a product which is recycled outside the tank. On the other hand, the circulation means 5 make it possible to accelerate the filling or emptying of the tank via the means 8.

The channeling means also allow the pressurization or vacuum of the tank, and to achieve this pressurization or this vacuum from the outside of the material to the inside or vice versa.

The present invention is capable of numerous applications, not only in the textile field, but also in the food industry.

Naturally, the present description is given for information only, and other implementations of the invention could be adopted without departing from the scope thereof.

Claims (10)

1. Vat for processing a substance of a nature permeable by a fluid, particularly but not exclusively a dye vat, in which the substance is soaked in the processing fluid and/or is traversed by the latter, including means for the introduction and removal of the fluid, and means of circulating the fluid placed in the vat, characterized by the fact that it includes mobile means of piping the fluid having a position in which the means of circulation create a forced circulation of the fluid in closed circuit within the vat, and a position in which the same means of circulation create a forced circulation of the fluid in open circuit over the remainder of the processing installation.

2. Vat in accordance with claim 1, characterized by the fact that the means of circulation are located within a pipe inside the vat, and that the piping facilities include first removable means of sealing the area between the lower end of the pipe and the wall of the vat and of direct communication between the means of introduction or the emptying facilities and the pipe for the means of circulation..

3. Vat in accordance with claim 2, characterized by the fact that the means of circulation additionally include second removable means of sealing off communication between the means of introduction or the emptying facilities and the inside of the vat.

4. Vat in accordance with claims 2 and 3, characterized by the fact that the movement of the removable means of sealing is connected, that in normal functioning the first means in sealing position correspond to the second means in non-sealing position and effect circulation of the fluid in open circuit, and that the second means in sealing position correspond to the first means in sealing position, which effects circulation of the fluid in closed circuit in the vat.

5. Vat in accordance with claim 2, characterized by the fact that the pipe is coaxial with the vat, and that the first sealing means consist of a ring coaxial with the pipe, capable of sliding in a sealed manner along the pipe and, in the extreme position, of sealing off the area between the lower part of the pipe and the wall of the vat, and of establishing direct communication between the pipe and the means of introduction or of emptying which open into the area of contact between the vat and the ring.

6. Vat in accordance with claims 3 and 5, characterized by the fact that communication between the means of introduction or the means of emptying and the vat consists of a case opening into the vat through an orifice coaxial with the vat, and that the second means include a coaxial ring to seal the coaxial communication orifice.

7. Vat in accordance with claim 6, characterized by the fact that, in the sealing position, the ring in the second means is in contact at its top with a plate which tightly seals off its upper orifice.

8. Vat in accordance with claim 7, characterized by the fact that the outer diameter of the upper part of the ring constituting the second means is less than the internal diameter of the pipe for the means of circulation.

9. Vat in accordance with claims 6, 7 and 8, characterized by the fact that, in the sealing position, the lower end of the ring forming the second means is practically at the level of the lower wall of the vat, that, in the sealing position of the first means, the lower part of the ring of the second means is practically at the level of the bottom of the case, that the outer wall of the ring opens outwards at the bottom in such a way as to facilitate channelling the fluid in the direction of the pipe and of the means of circulation.

10. Vat in accordance with claim 5, characterized by the fact that the lower part of the pipe and of the ring forming the first means of sealing is in the form of a swan's neck, and such swan's neck forms are in the extension one of the other when the ring of the first means is in the non-sealing position.

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