EP0254789B1 - Method and apparatus for wet treatment of textile materials - Google Patents

Abstract

A method of treating textile materials and an equipment for carrying out this method are provided, notably for dyeing miscellaneous textile materials or articles, whether woven, knitted or unwoven, of synthetic, artificial or natural origin and of various configurations. The method comprises a sequence of steps consisting in disposing the textile material to be treated on a support matching the configuration of the textile material and having at least one inner cavity in its peripheral area as well as a pervious surface contiguous to the textile material; hot-impregnating the textile material to be treated by using a dyeing solution forced through the material from the back side to the right side thereof at a predetermined temperature, and rinsing the textile material by means of a rinsing liquid forced through the material from the back side to the right side thereof during a predetermined time and at a predetermined temperature.

Description

The invention relates to a process for treating textile materials as well as to a treatment installation allowing the implementation of said process.

It will in particular find its application for the dyeing of all types of textile materials such as fabrics, knits or nonwovens, synthetic, artificial or natural, of various configurations. It should be noted that in the following description, it will therefore be necessary to take the term "textile materials" in the broad sense, as it has just been defined.

In the field of wet textile treatment such as in particular for dyeing, generally several successive phases are carried out: soaping, dyeing, skinning, drying.

Depending on the textile materials to be treated and according to their configuration, these different stages are currently carried out in two types of known installations: the first, more traditional, which comprises an autoclave tank capable of being filled with fluid in which the material is placed on material carriers to facilitate the treatment, the other type of installation allowing a continuous treatment, more adapted to the tablecloths of moving textile materials, which is successively carried out in different work stations in line.

Currently, there are different types of dye solutions that are suitable for the textile material to be treated and the treatment process. Generally, these dyeing solutions are produced from insoluble dyes which are dispersed by a dispersant and then transported during the dyeing with water.

As regards the rinsing liquids, they are respectively adapted to the coloring matters and the skilled person determines them as a function of these.

Furthermore, in the various known treatment methods, the impregnation and dyeing phases are sometimes carried out with a bath of cold solution but more generally with a bath brought to a predetermined temperature depending on the behavior of the textile material, and the nature of the dyes, and their solvent.

During the implementation of these various processes, the skilled person takes care not to deteriorate the textile material and to produce a solid dye which gives the material thus treated a pleasant appearance and feel. However, textile materials are generally dyed before making finished products.

Indeed, either the textile material in different forms is treated, or the web fabric, or else made-up textile articles fixed beforehand but rarely made-up textile articles not fixed.

However, if this were the case, these products would be made beforehand by cutting and sewing different pieces of fabric according to traditional making processes.

On the other hand, the fact of carrying out the dyeing phase at temperatures above 100 ° C. is not without posing certain problems because on the one hand it is necessary to plan the installation in such a way that it can bring the treatment solution at these temperatures without being detrimental to the effectiveness of the treatment. In fact, generally the carrier is water and, moreover, the dispersants used on poor behavior at very high temperatures.

The aim of the present invention is to propose a process for treating textile materials which finds in particular its application for the dyeing of fabrics, knits or nonwovens, synthetic, artificial or natural, of various configurations, calling into question certain dyeing traditions such as the removal of water as a carrier for the dye and which makes it possible to dye the textile material to be treated in a rapid manner while preserving the qualities of appearance and feel of the textile material and giving a perfectly uniform shade.

One of the main aims of the present invention is to propose a process for treating textile materials which allows the dyeing of fabrics, knits or nonwovens, delicate knits without mark and with good leveling and which simultaneously authorizes the definitive forming of the treated piece. thus avoiding subsequent preparation steps.

One of the aims of the present invention is to propose a process for treating textile materials as well as an installation allowing the implementation of the process which authorizes the dyeing of pieces of textiles having physical properties which allow them under the effect of heat to adopt a final form during the hot dyeing phase, this operation being carried out without any mark or defect in dyeing detrimental to the finished product.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a continuous textile treatment process which differs essentially from the state of the art in the phase of impregnation and fixing of the coloring matter while avoiding the use of carriers. such as water to allow faster treatment of fabric or knitted fabrics.

Another object of the present invention is to provide different embodiments of textile processing facilities which make it possible to carry out the process, either discontinuously or continuously, depending on the form and the context of the material to be treated.

Other aims and advantages will appear during the description which follows which is however given only for information and which is not intended to limit it.

• on place la matière textile à traiter sur un support adapté à sa configuration et présentant au moins une cavité interne dans sa zone périphérique ainsi qu'une surface perméable contigue à la matière textile,
• on imprègne à chaud la matière textile à traiter d'une solution de teinture en forçant la circulation de la solution de teinture à travers la matière textile de l'envers vers l'endroit pendant un temps et à une température prédéterminés,
• on rince la matière textile par l'action d'un liquide de rinçage dont on force la circulation à travers la matière textile, de l'envers vers l'endroit pendant un temps et à une température prédéterminés.

According to the present invention, the process for treating textile materials, which will find its application in particular for dyeing fabrics, knits or nonwovens, synthetic, artificial or natural, of various configurations, is characterized by the fact that:

• the textile material to be treated is placed on a support adapted to its configuration and having at least one internal cavity in its peripheral zone as well as a permeable surface contiguous to the textile material,
• the textile material to be treated is hot-impregnated with a dye solution by forcing the circulation of the dye solution through the textile material from the wrong side towards the place for a predetermined time and temperature,
• the textile material is rinsed by the action of a rinsing liquid, the circulation of which is forced through the textile material, from the reverse towards the place for a predetermined time and temperature.

• un élément support, adapté à la configuration de la matière textile à traiter, présentant au moins une cavité interne dans sas zone périphérique et une surface perméable contigue à la matière textile à traiter, et apte à être disposé dans l'enceinte de traitement,
• des moyens de circulation forcée des liquides de traitement aptes à faire circuler à travers la matière textile, de l'envers vers l'endroit, soit la solution de teinture, soit le liquide de rinçage.

In this regard, the installation of the present invention comprises at least one treatment enclosure, means for supplying dye solution and rinsing liquid, means for channeling and circulating the various treatment liquids, is characterized by the fact that it includes at least:

• a support element, adapted to the configuration of the textile material to be treated, having at least one internal cavity in its peripheral zone and a permeable surface contiguous to the textile material to be treated, and capable of being placed in the treatment enclosure,
• means for forced circulation of the treatment liquids capable of circulating through the textile material, from the wrong side upwards, either the dye solution or the rinsing liquid.

The invention will be better understood on reading the following description accompanied by the accompanying drawings which form an integral part thereof.

FIG. 1 represents an installation for treating textile materials according to the present invention which will in particular allow the dyeing of pieces of fabric, knitted or non-woven, to shape.

FIGS. 2a to 2c represent another implementation of the installation for treating textile materials according to the present invention which will allow the dyeing of pieces of fabric, knitted or non-woven to form like that illustrated in FIG. 1 but in which the different stages will be carried out in successive work stations, namely impregnation, rinsing and drying respectively.

FIG. 3 represents an installation for treating textile materials according to the present invention which will in particular allow the dyeing of a web of fabric, knitted or non-woven in a continuous manner.

The present invention relates to a process for treating textile materials which will find its application in particular for dyeing which may be used for the two types of known treatments, namely bath treatment or continuous treatment.

Although this dyeing process has been more particularly developed for dyeing on the form of pieces of synthetic fabric in order to dye and form them definitively without thereby altering the quality of the dye or the appearance of the fabric, the process of the invention could be extended to any type of method, in particular in the bath or continuously, to any type of fabric, knitted or non-woven, synthetic, artificial or natural, loose, in pieces, or in the form of a sheet, more generally referred to below as "textile material".

The main objectives for making such dyes are as follows: leveling of the dye produced, absence of mark on and in the treated textile materials, maintenance of the qualities of the treated textile material, good resistance of the dye to wear and washing . By implementing the processing method of the invention, all of these objectives are achieved simultaneously.

• on place la matière textile à traiter 1 sur un support 2 adapté à sa configuration et présentant au moins une cavité interne 3 dans sa zone périphérique ainsi qu'une surface perméable 4 contigue à la matière textile 1.
• on imprègne à chaud la matière textile à traiter 1 d'une solution de matière en forçant la circulation de la solution de teinture à travers la matière textile, de l'envers vers l'endroit comme le montrent les flèches 5 sur les figures, pendant un temps et à une température prédéterminés.
• dans certains cas, selon la matière à traiter ou selon les effets recherchés, par exemple redressement du poil, on refroidit progressivement la matière textile ainsi traitée,
• on rince la matière textile ainsi refroidie par l'action d'un liquide de rinçage dont on force la circulation à travers la matière textile, de l'envers vers l'endroit, pendant un temps et à une température prédéterminés.

The treatment method of the invention comprises at least the following steps:

• the textile material to be treated 1 is placed on a support 2 adapted to its configuration and having at least one internal cavity 3 in its peripheral zone as well as a permeable surface 4 contiguous to the textile material 1.
• the textile material to be treated 1 is hot impregnated with a solution of material by forcing the circulation of the dye solution through the textile material, from the reverse towards the place as shown by the arrows 5 in the figures, during a predetermined time and temperature.
• in certain cases, depending on the material to be treated or according to the desired effects, for example straightening of the pile, the textile material thus treated is gradually cooled,
• the textile material thus cooled is rinsed by the action of a rinsing liquid, the circulation of which is forced through the textile material, from the reverse towards the place, for a predetermined time and temperature.

Furthermore, to avoid cooling of the dyeing solution during the impregnation phase, the impregnation times being relatively short, the support 2 of the textile material is preheated and / or the textile material to be treated 1 is preheated during the impregnation phase of the dye solution, by known means and / or by sending a gaseous fluid through the support 2 and / or the textile material to be treated 1 from the wrong side towards the place.

In addition, to improve efficiency and taking into account the thermal inertia of the installation, the treatment enclosure and the installation pipes will also be advantageously preheated.

Furthermore, during the impregnation phase, during the circulation of the dye solution through the textile material to be treated placed on the support 2, the circulating dye temperature is controlled and regulated.

In addition, to carry out the dyeing treatment of the present invention, the textile material thus treated is cooled by circulation of a gaseous fluid through the textile material from the wrong side upwards, before the rinsing phase. .

The different stages of the treatment process of the present invention having been described, we will now describe a first type of ins installation in a nonlimiting embodiment which will allow the treatment of pieces of fabric, knitted or nonwoven, synthetic, artificial or natural, of various configurations. Such an installation is notably illustrated in FIG. 1.

This installation 6 will in particular allow the treatment of textile materials in order to carry out dyeing in the form of pieces of fabric, knitted or non-woven, synthetic and / or artificial, and / or natural, of various configurations.

In fact, in this case, according to the present invention, a form 7 adapted to its configuration is used as the support 2 of textile material to be treated 1 and as textile material 1, a flat piece of textile having physical properties which allow it under the 'effect of heat during dyeing to take a plastic state and then to retract to adopt the configuration of form 7 during the cooling phase.

As an example of non-limiting application of this process, it will be possible, in particular for forming and tinting seat covers, to use it on pieces of fabric based on polyester such as polyester velvet for example.

Thus, in the same step, the envelope of the seat will be formed and tinted, which will then be filled according to methods known to those skilled in the art considered by foam to form the seat cushions. Thanks to this process, we will avoid their manufacture in two stages, dyeing then confection: we will eliminate all the phase of confection which required the sewing of several pieces of fabric precut tinted.

In this case, the treatment will advantageously be carried out in a closed and heated sealed enclosure 8 which will make it possible to benefit from certain advantages which will be developed later.

In addition, the installation 6 will comprise means for supplying dyeing fluid 9, means for supplying rinsing liquid 10, means for channeling and circulating 11, 12 of the various treatment liquids. These various elements will be produced according to traditional techniques known and available to those skilled in the art.

• un élément support 2, adapté à la configuration de la matière textile à traiter 1 et apte à être placée dans l'enceinte 8, qui présente principalement une cavité interne 3 dans sa zone périphérique et une surface perméable 4 contigue à la matière textile,
• des moyens de circulation forcée des liquides de traitement aptes à faire circuler à travers la matière textile 1, de l'envers vers l'endroit comme le montrent les flèches 5, soit la solution de teinture, soit le liquide de rinçage.

Furthermore, in accordance with the present invention, the installation comprises at least:

• a support element 2, adapted to the configuration of the textile material to be treated 1 and able to be placed in the enclosure 8, which mainly has an internal cavity 3 in its peripheral zone and a permeable surface 4 contiguous to the textile material,
• means for forced circulation of the treatment liquids capable of circulating through the textile material 1, from the reverse towards the place as shown by the arrows 5, either the dye solution or the rinsing liquid.

In addition, in many cases depending on the material to be treated or according to the desired effects, the installation will present progressive cooling means capable of lowering the temperature of the textile material after the hot impregnation phase and before the rinsing phase. .

More specifically, in the case of the treatment installation of FIG. 1, the support element 2 is constituted by a hollow shape 7 adapted to the configuration and the maintenance of the piece of textile material to be treated 1. This shape will have a permeable outer surface so that, when its internal cavity 3 has been filled with the desired treatment liquid, the latter can, during the forced circulation of the liquid, pass through the permeable external surface of the form 7 then the textile piece 1 to be treated from the reverse towards the place as shown in particular by the arrows 5.

Furthermore, to minimize the volume of the treatment liquid circulating inside the form 7, the latter advantageously will have a core 13. In addition, the form 7 will also have means for attaching the textile material which will allow hooking of the latter without trace for example by means of needles or hooks.

Depending on the configuration of the shape and the nature of the work to be performed during forming, a counterform 14 will be applied to the shape 7 which will allow on the one hand a good maintenance of the part 1 to be treated and on the other hand marking lines for example to simulate false seams.

As regards the channeling and circulation means 11, 12, they will consist of pipes, suitable for being heated, respectively connecting the various members as shown in FIG. 1 and on which valves 15 will be inserted to direct and to establish certain forced circulation circuits by means of a circulation pump 16.

In addition, to allow the implementation of a characteristic step of the method of the present invention, the installation 6 comprises means for preheating the support 2 of the textile material and / or the textile material 1 to avoid the cooling of the dye solution during the impregnation phase.

In addition, it further comprises suction means 17 capable of creating the vacuum inside the enclosure 8.

In the case of FIG. 1, the pre-heating means of the form 7 and / or of the part to be treated 1, as well as the means of progressive cooling of the part to be treated 1, are constituted by an inlet for gaseous fluid 18 which, according to a command not shown, will make it possible to fill the enclosure 8 with a gaseous fluid while circulating it from the reverse towards the location of the part to be treated 1, hot or cold respectively.

The temperatures of these fluids will be determined by a person skilled in the art as a function of the material to be treated and of the times allowed for preheating or cooling. The gaseous fluids may consist, as the case may be, of air or neutral gases such as nitrogen or freon.

The suction means 17, substantially constituted by a vacuum pump, will allow create a vacuum inside the enclosure 8 but will also favor during the pre-heating and cooling phases the circulation of the gaseous fluid through the piece of fabric to be treated 1.

• on crée le vide à l'intérieur de l'enceinte 8 pour éviter l'oxydation lors du traitement de teinture et la formation de bulles de gaz lors de la circulation forcée de la solution de teinture et pour favoriser une répartition uniforme du bain sur la matière textile,
• ou, on remplit l'enceinte 8 d'un gaz neutre et on maintient ce gaz pendant toute la phase d'imprégnation pour également éviter l'oxydation de la solution de teinture.

Thanks to these devices 18 and 17, by means of the valves 15 and pipes 11, one or other of the following process steps will be authorized, before the part 1 impregnation phase with the dye solution:

• a vacuum is created inside the enclosure 8 to prevent oxidation during the dyeing treatment and the formation of gas bubbles during the forced circulation of the dye solution and to promote a uniform distribution of the bath over the textile material,
• or, the enclosure 8 is filled with a neutral gas and this gas is maintained throughout the impregnation phase to also avoid the oxidation of the dye solution.

Furthermore, the installation according to the present invention includes means for controlling the temperature 19 of the circulating treatment liquid as well as means 20 for heating the liquid. Thus, during the treatment, and more particularly during the impregnation phase, the temperature of the dye solution is kept hot by means of the heating means 20 controlled by the temperature measurement device 19 which controls the liquid in circulation. .

Finally, to achieve substantial savings in terms of treatment products, the dye solution and / or the rinsing liquid are recovered in the different phases.

The dyeing solution is directed to a nurse 21 which, for example, receives the solution from a mother supply tank 22. Thus, new product will be mixed with slightly used product in order to maintain a certain level of dye.

As regards the rinsing liquid, in order to be able to process and "clean" it, the installation includes a distillation station 23 for the "dirty" rinsing liquid capable of separating at least the pure rinsing liquid and the dye solution . This distillation station will be made up according to the chemical nature of the products used as carrier, dye, solvent.

In addition, flushing liquid in the supply station 24 comprises at least two reservoirs 25, a first containing the rinsing liquid "clean _'' in return of distillery for example, while a second feature the rinse"use".

It will thus be possible to reuse a portion of rinsing liquid lightly loaded with dye to carry out for example the first rinsing.

It should be noted that the following nonlimiting example has given good results and makes it possible to specify the different stages of the process implemented in an installation as it has just been described with regard to FIG. 1.

The application of the method of the present invention was made on a piece of fabric previously flat without shape based on polyester such as a polyester velvet.

This piece of fabric was placed on a shape 7 adapted to the final configuration of the piece of fabric to be formed.

During the impregnation phase of the piece of fabric to be treated with the coloring matter, dispersed dyes were used which are insoluble in water but soluble in a heat transfer fluid of the diester type.

Such a vehicle is for example that marketed by the company "CRUCIBLE CHEMICAL COMPANY" under the name "CRUESTER 1000- X 80WS". The advantage of this carrier essentially lies in the fact that it has a very high boiling point, at least greater than 250 ° C., increased activity and a significant wetting effect. However, it has the disadvantage of having a high cost price which requires its recovery and its reprocessing as described above.

• pré-chauffage de la forme 7 et de la pièce à traiter 1 à une température comprise entre 180 et 200°C par circulation d'air chauffé, de l'envers vers l'endroit de la pièce à traiter, introduit par la canalisation repérée 18 des moyens de pré-chauffage,
• création d'un vide d'air à l'intérieur de l'enceinte 8 au moyen de la pompe à vide 17 pour d'une part éviter l'oxydation lor de l'imprégnation et d'autre part éviter la formation de bulles lors de la circulation forcée de la solution de teinture,
• ensuite pendant la phase d'imprégnation, alimentation d'un volume approprié du fluide de teinture préalablement portée à une température voisine de 180 à 200°C dans la nourrice 21 puis maintenue en permanence pendant toute la phase d'imprégnation par les moyens de réchauffage 20 asservis au dispositif de mesure 19,
• circulation de cette solution de teinture, en circuit fermé par l'intermédiaire de la pompe 12 à travers la pièce à traiter 1, de l'envers vers l'endroit du tissu, pendant une à quatre minutes, recyclage de la solution de teinture vers la nourrice 21 par l'intermédiaire de la pompe 16,
• refroidissement progressif de la pièce ainsi teintée 1 pour abaisser sa température jusqu'à une température voisine de 70°C soit par admission d'air progressivement refroidi et introduit par la canalisation 18 soit en faisant le vide par l'intermédiaire de la pompe à vide 17,
• alimentation en permanence pendant la phase de rinçage avec le liquide de rinçage prélevé au début du rinçage dans le récipient 24 puis dans la phase finale du rinçage dans le récipient 25,
• circulation de ce liquide de rinçage, à base de perchloréthylène, par l'intermédiaire des canalisations 11 et la pompe 12, de l'envers vers l'endroit du tissu traité, pendant une à quatre minutes,
• pendant la phase de rinçage, le liquide est prélevé des réservoirs 25, le liquide "propre" est prélevé du premier réservoir 25 et recyclé vers le deuxième réservoir 25 de liquide "usagé"; ces circulations sont possibles par le biais de la pompe de circulation 16 et en jouant sélectivement sur les vannes 15 pour ouvrir et fermer les canalisations 11 correspondantes;
• ensuite la pièce de tissu est toujours maintenue sur sa forme 7 et progressivement séchée par exemple par circulation d'air toujours de l'envers vers l'endroit de la pièce 1 introduit par la canalisation 18.

The color treatment of this piece of polyester velvet was carried out as follows:

• preheating of the form 7 and of the part to be treated 1 at a temperature between 180 and 200 ° C by circulation of heated air, from the reverse towards the place of the part to be treated, introduced by the marked pipeline 18 pre-heating means,
• creation of an air vacuum inside the enclosure 8 by means of the vacuum pump 17, on the one hand to prevent oxidation during the impregnation and on the other hand to prevent the formation of bubbles during forced circulation of the dye solution,
• then during the impregnation phase, supply of an appropriate volume of the dyeing fluid previously brought to a temperature in the region of 180 to 200 ° C. in the feeder 21 and then permanently maintained throughout the impregnation phase by the reheating means 20 controlled by the measuring device 19,
• circulation of this dye solution, in a closed circuit via the pump 12 through the workpiece 1, from the wrong side towards the place of the fabric, for one to four minutes, recycling of the dye solution to the nurse 21 by means of the pump 16,
• progressive cooling of the part thus tinted 1 to lower its temperature to a temperature in the region of 70 ° C either by admitting air gradually cooled and introduced by the line 18 or by creating the vacuum via the vacuum pump 17,
• supply continuously during the rinsing phase with the rinsing liquid withdrawn at the start of the rinsing in the container 24 and then in the final rinsing phase in the container 25,
• circulation of this rinsing liquid, based on perchlorethylene, via the pipes 11 and the pump 12, from the back towards the place of the treated fabric, for one to four minutes,
• during the rinsing phase, the liquid is taken from the reservoirs 25, the "clean" liquid is taken from the first reservoir 25 and recycled to the second reservoir 25 for "used"liquid; these circulations are possible by means of the circulation pump 16 and by playing selectively on the valves 15 to open and close the corresponding pipes 11;
• then the piece of fabric is always maintained on its shape 7 and gradually dried for example by air circulation always from the reverse towards the place of the piece 1 introduced by the pipe 18.

The result was a uniformly dyed, unmarked piece of fabric, with a pleasing appearance and feel, and shaped, ready for later use without the need for traditional confection.

While in the embodiment which has just been described as illustrated in FIG. 1, there is only one treatment enclosure 8 in which the textile material 1 undergoes the various stages of the process, FIGS. 2a to 2c show another embodiment in which the installation comprises at least three separate enclosures 8 each assigned to an essential operation of the process of the present invention.

This arrangement will advantageously increase the handling rates which, thanks to an automatic system, will reduce the intermediate times between each step.

FIG. 2a shows a first station 50 in which the impregnation phases of the textile material to be treated will essentially be carried out with the dyeing fluid, then optionally the progressive cooling phase as described above.

To this end, the installation will include the various essential means which have been described above and which, to simplify understanding, bear the same references.

Then, as shown in FIG. 2b, the installation comprises a station 51 which essentially comprises a sealed enclosure 8 of the same type as the previous one but connected and equipped so that the rinsing phase of the process of the present invention can be carried out such as previously described.

Finally, FIG. 2c shows a drying station 52 which also includes a sealed enclosure 8 of the same type as the previous two and which is equipped to allow the circulation of a gaseous fluid from the reverse towards the place of the textile material. treated to dry it gradually. This drying will be done for example by injecting air whose temperature is gradually lowered.

In addition, it should be noted that these different stations 50 to 52 are connected to the dyeing fluid and rinsing liquid supply circuit and include a distillation station of the same type as that described above for the installation of the figure. 1.

FIG. 3 represents a treatment installation which allows the implementation of the dye treatment method described previously but in a "continuous" version for treating a sheet of textile material formed by fabric, knitted or non-woven, synthetic and / or artificial, and / or natural. This installation will successively include the various workstations necessary for the implementation of the various stages.

• un poste de pré-chauffage 27 dans lequel on élève la température du support 2 de la nappe 1 à traiter et/ou de la nappe 1, préalablement à la phase d'imprégnation à chaud de la solution de teinture, en envoyant un fluide gazeux à travers le support 2 et/ou la nappe 1 de l'envers vers l'endroit de la nappe à traiter,
• un poste d'imprégnation 28 de la matière textile de la solution de teinture dans lequel on imprègne à chaud la nappe en forçant la circulation de la solution de teinture à travers la nappe à traiter 1 de l'envers vers l'endroit de la matière textile pendant un temps et à une température prédéterminés,
• un poste de refroidissement 29 dans lequel on abaisse progressivement la température de la nappe ainsi teintée,
• un poste de rinçage 30 dans lequel on élimine le surplus de solution de teinture non fixée par l'action d'un liquide de rinçage dont on force la circulation à travers la nappe 1 de l'envers vers l'endroit pendant un temps et à une température prédéterminés,
• un poste de séchage 31 de la nappe ainsi traitée,
• et un poste de distillation qui permet de séparer et de récupérer d'une part la matière colorante et d'autre part le liquide de rinçage propre afin de les recycler dans l'installation.

In particular, the continuous treatment installation 26 successively comprises:

• a preheating station 27 in which the temperature of the support 2 of the sheet 1 to be treated and / or of the sheet 1 is raised, prior to the hot impregnation phase of the dye solution, by sending a gaseous fluid through the support 2 and / or the sheet 1 from the reverse towards the location of the sheet to be treated,
• a station 28 for impregnating the textile material with the dye solution in which the sheet is hot-soaked by forcing the circulation of the dye solution through the sheet to be treated 1 from the wrong side towards the place of the material textile for a predetermined time and temperature,
• a cooling station 29 in which the temperature of the sheet thus tinted is gradually lowered,
• a rinsing station 30 in which the excess of non-fixed dye solution is removed by the action of a rinsing liquid, the circulation of which is forced through the ply 1 from the wrong side towards the place for a time and at a predetermined temperature,
• a drying station 31 of the sheet thus treated,
• and a distillation station which makes it possible to separate and recover on the one hand the coloring matter and on the other hand the clean rinsing liquid in order to recycle them in the installation.

Unlike the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the impregnation of the dye solution will take place in an enclosure 8 which is closed but not sealed, which will prevent the creation of a vacuum. To overcome this drawback and to avoid oxidation of the dyeing solution during the impregnation phase, the treatment enclosure 8 will be filled with a neutral gas, this via the pipe 33 for example, and this neutral gas will be maintained throughout the impregnation phase. Furthermore, during the progressive cooling phase, a layer of air progressively cooled through the pipe 34 will be injected into the treatment enclosure 8.

As regards the rinsing and drying stations, they will be built according to achievements known to those skilled in the art in the field of continuous treatment. However, it should be noted that during rinsing, use will be made of devices which make it possible to force the circulation of the rinsing liquid from the reverse towards the location of the sheet as shown in particular by arrows 35.

As regards the supply of rinsing liquid 43 and the distillation station 32, they will be of similar constitution to those described above. ment and a selective rinsing will also be carried out first with a rinsing product already loaded with dye solution and finally with a pure rinsing product.

On the other hand, as regards the support 2 of the sheet to be treated 1, a flat conveyor 36 in continuous movement will be used and able to scroll the sheet 1 to be treated.

As in the previous installation, the support of the sheet, that is to say the flat conveyor 36, comprises an internal cavity 3 as well as a permeable surface 4 contiguous to the sheet 1 which has hooking means for holding the tablecloth when it scrolls.

In order to be able to authorize the implementation of the process of the present invention in the impregnation phase and also to allow the recovery of the dye solution, the installation 26 for continuous treatment will present inside the enclosure. treatment 8 advantageously a plurality of conveyors 36 arranged in series to increase the treatment and to allow the dye solution to circulate through the web from the wrong side towards the place at a temperature and for a predetermined time.

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the installation comprises a supply system 42 for dye solution which has a nurse 37 which receives the solution from a mother tank 38, a set of pipes and circulation means 39 at 41, heating means 45 of the dyeing solution subject to temperature control means 46, which successively allow the forced circulation of the solution through the sheet, according to the arrows marked 5, all along the path of the tablecloth in treatment, these different means being placed in series to promote the unison of the dye.

The number of carriers 36 will be adapted by those skilled in the art and will in particular depend on the textile nature of the sheet to be treated, the running speed of the sheet and the required impregnation time.

Claims (22)

1. A method of treating textile materials, applicable notably to the dyeing of woven, knitted or unwoven textile materials, whether of synthetic, artificial or natural origin, and of various forms, which comprises the steps of:

disposing the textile material to be treated on a support consistent with the configuration of the textile material and having at least one inner cavity in its peripheral area as well as a previous surface contiguous to the textile material,

impregnating in the hot state the textile material to be treated with a dyeing solution by forcing this solution through the textile material from the back side to the right side thereof during a predetermined time and at a predetermined temperature, and

rinsing the textile material by means of a rinsing liquid forced through the textile material from the back side to the right side thereof during a predetermined time and at a predetermined temperature.

2. The treatment method of Claim 1, wherein said support carrying the textile material to be treated and/or the textile material proper is or are heated before the hot impregnation of the textile material with said dyeing solution, by forcing a gaseous fluid through said support and/or said textile material from the back side to the right side thereof.

3. The treatment method of Claim 1, in which the impregnation of the textile material with said dyeing solution is effected in a closed, fluid-tight chamber, wherein, prior to said impregnation step, said chamber is vacuumized to prevent the oxidation and the building up of bubbles therein during the forced circulation of the dyeing solution while promoting a uniform distribution of the solution in the textile material.

4. The treatment method of Claim 1, wherein said textile material to be treated is cooled gradually between said hot impregnation step and said rinsing step.

5. The treatment method of Claim 1, in which the step consisting in impregnating the textile material with the dyeing solution is carried out in a pervious chamber, wherein, prior to the impregnation step, said chamber is filled with a neutral gas, the gas supply being maintained throughout the impregnation step to prevent the oxidation of the dyeing solution.

6. The treatment method of Claim 1, wherein said support for the textile material consists of a form consistent with the configuration of the textile material, said textile material consisting for example of a flat piece tending to assume a plastic condition when heated during the dyeing step and to subsequently shrink to conform with said form during the cooling step.

7. The treatment method of Claim 1, wherein said support for the textile material consists of at least one plane conveyor operating continuously and, as the textile material, a textile web adapted to be moved continuously by means of said at least one conveyor.

8. The treatment method of Claim 1, wherein said dyeing solution is caused to circulate through said textile material disposed on said support, while controlling and regulating the temperature of the dyeing solution.

9. The treatment method of Claim 1, wherein the dyed textile material is cooled by either causing a gaseous fluid to circulate through said textile material from the back side to the right side thereof, or creating at least a partial vacuum in said dyeing chamber before said rinsing step.

10. The treatment method of Claim 1, wherein during the impregnation and/or rinsing step the dyeing solution and/or the rinsing liquid are fed to the treatment chamber, respectively.

11. The treatment method of Claim 1, wherein during the hot impregnation step the temperature of the dyeing solution is kept at the desired value by means of heating devices responsive to temperature measuring means for controlling the circulation of the solution.

12. The treatment method of Claim 1, wherein during the rinsing step the used rinsing liquid is recovered after the treatment and distilled in order to separate and re-use the 'clean' dyeing solution and the pure, 'clean' rinsing liquid.

13. The treatment method of Claim 1, applied to a polyester base woven or knitted material such as polyester velvet, wherein:

during the impregnation step a solution of water-insoluble dyestuff of the dispersed type, and a heat-conveying fluid of the diester type for said dyestuff, are used at a temperature of about 180 to 200°C,

said solution is caused to circulate through the woven or knitted or unwoven material during one to four minutes, and

a perchloroethylene base rinsing liquid is used and the thus dyed textile material is rinsed during one to four minutes.

14. An equipment for treating textile materials according to the treatment method set forth in Claim 1, which comprises at least one treatment chamber, means for supplying a dyestuff solution and a rinsing liquid, and conduit and circulation control means for the various treatment liquids, said equipment comprising at least:

one support adapted to conform to the configuration of the textile material to be treated, said support having at least one inner cavity in its peripheral area and a pervious surface contiguous to the textile material and adapted to be disposed within said treatment chamber, and

means for causing the forced circulation of the treatment liquids through said textile material from the back side to the right side thereof, said treatment liquids being either the dyeing solution or the rinsing liquid.

15. The treatment equipment of Claim 14, which further comprises means for gradually cooling said textile material after said hot impregnation step and before said rinsing step.

16. The treatment equipment of Claim 14, wherein heating means are provided for heating said textile material support and/or the textile material to be treated, to prevent the cooling of the dyeing solution during the impregnation step.

17. The treatment equipment of Claim 14, which comprises a closed and fluid-tight chamber and suction means adapted to vacuumize the inner space of said chamber.

18. The treatment equipment of Claim 14, wherein said treatment chamber is closed and further comprises means for supplying a gaseous fluid for filling said chamber with a neutral gas.

19. The treatment equipment of Claim 14, wherein heating means are further provided together with temperature measuring and control means for regulating the temperature of the treatment liquid in said chamber.

20. The treatment equipment of Claim 14, wherein said support consists of a hollow form matching the configuration of, and adapted to hold, the piece of textile material to be treated, said form having a pervious outer surface for the dual purpose of filling said form with the treatment liquid and permitting the circulation of liquid from the back side to the right side of the textile material.

21. The treatment equipment of Claim 14, wherein said support consists of plane conveyor means driven to impart a continuous motion thereto and having a continuously moving pervious surface adapted to hold the web of textile material and to cause said web to travel continuously, said treatment liquid circulating from the back side to the right side of said web.

22. The treatment equipment of Claim 14, wherein a station is also provided for distilling the 'used' rinsing liquid and separating the pure rinsing liquid from the dyeing solution.

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