EP1559824A1

EP1559824A1 - A machine for processing fabric in rope form

Info

Publication number: EP1559824A1
Application number: EP04425058A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Gianpietro Brazzoli
Original assignee: Brazzoli SpA
Current assignee: Brazzoli SpA
Priority date: 2004-02-02
Filing date: 2004-02-02
Publication date: 2005-08-03

Abstract

A machine for processing fabrics in rope form comprises a tank (2); a treatment bath (5) for fabrics in rope form (4) contained in the lower part (6) of the tank (2); at least one power-driven reel (8) to support and guide the fabric in rope form (4) along a closed path placed at least partly in the bath (5); a basket (20) to collect the fabric (4), located in the lower part (6) of the tank (2), and at least one stirring element (34,35,38,43) movable with respect to the basket (20) in the tank (2) to produce at least one flow transverse to the advancing direction of the fabric in rope form (4) in the bath (5).

Description

The present invention relates to a machine for processing fabrics in rope form of the type comprising the features set out in the preamble of claim 1.
In the following by the term "fabric in rope form" it is intended a fabric such twisted as to take the conformation of a rope.
In more detail, the machine in accordance with the invention is used during industrial processes concerning production of fabrics, and lends itself to perform different working operations, such as dyeing, bleaching or washing.
For the purpose machines are used that among other things comprise a tank containing a bath of a processing or treatment liquid. Such a type of machine is described in document IT 1304158.
Placed in the upper part of the tank is a power-driven reel on which the fabric in rope form to be processed is supported, which fabric, closed in the form of a loop, goes down from the reel to the inside of the bath and then from the bath rises along the opposite side of the reel.
Circulation of the fabric in rope form takes place both through rotation of the reel and by means of a jet of the treatment liquid being sprayed from suitable nozzles and impinging thereon.
A perforated vat is placed in the lower part of the tank, being partly or fully immersed in the bath; said perforated vat, hereinafter referred to as "basket", is susceptible of movement along a direction transverse to the advancing direction of the fabric.
This movement of the basket in combination with the advancing movement of the fabric allows the fabric to be piled up at the basket bottom so that it is disposed like a serpentine on several layers in an even manner.
The fabric in the form of a loop is rotated within the machine during the necessary time for making the process optimal.
The Applicant has found that the machines of the above described type are susceptible of improvements under different points of view, in particular as regards process efficiency, quality of the treated product and reduction in the processing costs.
In this connection, the Applicant itself has already proposed to set a plurality of blades immersed in the treatment bath and integral with the basket, so as to be moved together with said basket within the treatment bath. Movement of the blades together with the basket greatly increases the turbulence introduced in the treatment bath following movement of the bath itself, thereby ensuring a better efficiency and yield in the fabric treatment.
A machine made in accordance with the above description is the subject matter of the European Patent Application EP1262588, in the name of the same Applicant.
In accordance with the present invention, the Applicant has identified the possibility of improving the above described machines so as to simplify structure of same and reduce the production costs, the fabric treatment having the same effectiveness.
In particular, it has been found that the reciprocating motion of the basket within the treatment bath needs transmission of forces of great amount with consequent oversizing of the components intended for the purpose.
The amplitude of the stroke that the basket must carry out within the tank further involves oversizing of the tank itself.
In accordance with the present invention, the above described limits are overcome by a machine for processing fabrics in rope form comprising the features set out in claim 1 and/or in one or more of the following claims.
Further features and advantages will become more apparent from the detailed description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment of a machine for processing fabrics in rope form in accordance with the present invention. This description will be taken hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, given by way of nonlimiting example, in which:

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic diametrical section of a machine for processing fabrics in rope form made in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention;
Fig. 2 diagrammatically shows a second embodiment of the invention in diametrical section;
Fig. 3 is a diametrical section diagrammatically showing a third embodiment of the invention;
Fig. 4 is a diametrical section illustrating a fourth embodiment of the invention;
Fig. 5 is a diametrical section of a fifth embodiment of the invention.

With reference to the drawings, a machine for processing fabrics in rope form in accordance with the present invention has been generally identified with reference numeral 1.
The machine 1 comprises a tank 2 set to receive a treatment liquid 3, that can be either a dye to colour a fabric in rope form 4, or a detergent to submit the fabric 4 to a washing cycle. The liquid 3 forms a bath 5 filling the lower part 6 of tank 2.
Associated with the machine 1 is means for supporting and guiding a fabric in rope form 4 along a treatment path extending loop-wise. In more detail, in the upper region 7 of the machine 1 a power-driven reel 8 is disposed the rotation axis 9 of which is horizontal. The reel 8 supports and guides the rope 4 formed by the fabric.
When the fabric 4 is introduced into the machine 1, a first end of the fabric in rope form 4 is passed over the reel 8 going down until the inside of bath 5, and joined to a second end opposite to the first one, to form a loop. The fabric in rope form is thus supported and guided along a closed path comprising a delivery stretch 10a extending from the upper part 7 of the machine 1 to the lower part 6 of tank 2, a return stretch 10b extending from the lower part 6 of tank 2 to the upper part 7 of the machine 1, and a storage stretch 10c extending between the delivery stretch 10a and return stretch 10b. The delivery 10a and return 10b stretches substantially extend in a vertical common plane, and the fabric in rope form 4 has such a length that most of said fabric is gathered in the storage stretch 10c being immersed in bath 5.
In a preferred embodiment shown in Fig. 1, reel 8 is placed above the tank 2 and closed in an appropriate chamber 11; chamber 11 is connected with tank 2 by two tubular entry/ exit portions 12, 13 through which the delivery stretch 10a and return stretch 10b of the fabric in rope form 4 respectively pass.
Reel 8 can also be placed within tank 2, in the upper part thereof not filled with the treatment bath 5.
The machine 1 can also consist of several reels 8 disposed internally or externally of tank 2 to uniformly distribute the load of the wet fabric in rope form 4 on each of them.
In known manner, in the tubular entry portion 12 one or more nozzles are inserted that are oriented at an acute angle with respect to the delivery stretch 10a of the fabric in rope form 4, to deliver at least one jet of treatment liquid 3 against it, which liquid is drawn from the bottom of tank 2 through an appropriate recycling circuit not shown as known.
Said nozzles also not shown as known, perform a dual function, that of wetting the fabric 4 before immersion and that of supplying the necessary thrust to cause advancing of said fabric towards bath 5.
Therefore, during operation, the fabric in rope form 4 is moved in tank 2 both by the action of the nozzles and by rotation of reel 8 along the loop-shaped path formed by it.
In order to receive the storage stretch 10c of the fabric in rope form 4, a collecting basket 20 is provided in the lower part of tank 2; said basket is at least partly immersed in bath 5 and provided with a plurality of homogeneously distributed holes on its walls to allow passage of the treatment liquid 3.
Fastening means consisting of brackets or other equivalent members for example, not described or shown as known by themselves, keep basket 20 to a fixed position within tank 2.
Advantageously, both tank 2 and basket 20 have a substantially cylindrical shape and are disposed in coaxial relationship with respect to each other.
In more detail, tank 2 has a perimetral wall 24 extending in a cylindrical conformation around a horizontal axis X, substantially normal to the vertical plane containing the delivery 10a and return 10b stretches of the fabric 4 being processed. In engagement through the perimetral wall 24 are the tubular entry and exit portions 12 and 13.
Joined to the perimetrical wall 24, at axially opposite positions, are two closing side walls 25, an inspection door 26 possibly provided with a portlight being associated with at least one of said walls.
Basket 20 in turn has at least one perimetral wall 27 extending in a cylindrical conformation around the horizontal axis X, concentric with the perimetral wall 24 of tank 2 and at least two side walls 28 associated with the perimetral wall 27 at laterally opposite positions.
The machine 1 further comprises stirring means 30 for the treatment bath 5, disposed in the lower part 6 of tank 2 and at least partly immersed in the bath 5 itself.
As better clarified in the following, this stirring means 30 takes advantage of at least one stirring element movable with respect to basket 20 and tank 2, to produce at least one liquid flow transverse to the advancing direction of the fabric in rope form 4 in the treatment bath 5. Preferably, the direction of the transverse flow is periodically reversed, so as to promote a homogeneous action of the treatment bath on the fabric in rope form 4. The alternating course of the flow produced in the treatment bath 5 in addition promotes arrangement of fabric 4, at the storage stretch 10c, like a serpentine at the bottom of basket 20, avoiding irregular superposition of lengths of the fabric 4 itself that would form undesirable localized accumulations.
In a first embodiment of the invention shown in Fig. 1, the stirring means 30 provides for the presence of a first and second passage 31, 32 respectively, formed through the respective closing side walls 25 of tank 2, in the lower part of the latter, which passages are each oriented towards one of the side walls 28 of basket 20.
The first and second passages 31, 32 are mutually interconnected by a recycling duct 33 extending externally of tank 2, along which at least one pump 34 of the centrifugal type for example, operates. The action of pump 34 induces part of the liquid constituting the treatment bath 5 to circulate along the recycling duct 33, for example coming out of tank 2 through the first passage 31 to be then admitted to the tank again through the second passage 32. Under this circumstance the impeller of pump 34 and the fluid ejected from the second passage 32 upon effect of the pump itself perform the function of stirring element of the treatment bath 5, producing a liquid flow therein that is transverse to the advancing direction of the fabric in rope form 4. Pump 34 can be driven by an electric motor 34a provided with a timed change-over switch or equivalent reversing means not shown as it is obtainable in known manner, to periodically reverse the rotation direction of pump 34 and, consequently, the direction of the transverse flow produced in the treatment bath 5.
In the embodiment in Fig. 2, the stirring element of the stirring means 30 is represented by at least one powered propeller 35 disposed between tank 3 and basket 20, along a rotation axis oriented towards a side of the basket itself. In particular, as clearly shown in Fig. 2, two powered propellers 35 are preferably provided and they are disposed alongside basket 20 at respectively opposite positions, at the lower part of tank 2. Each of the propellers 35 facing a respective side wall 28 of basket 20, is supported by a propeller shaft 35a rotatably and sealingly engaged through a sleeve 36 integral with one of the closing side walls 25 of tank 2.
An electric motor 37 integral with sleeve 26 carries out operation of the respective propeller 35 through the propeller shaft 35a.
In the same manner as described with reference to Fig. 1, a timed change-over switch or equivalent reversing means can be associated with motors 37, upon the action of said means the propellers 35 being operated individually and selectively in an alternating sequence, so as to cause periodical direction reversal of the transverse flow produced by said propellers in the treatment bath 5. Alternatively, the timed change-over switch can carry out reversal of the rotation direction of the propellers.
Referring now to the embodiment shown in Fig. 3, the stirring element being part of the stirring means 30 in this case comprises a plurality of blades 38 oriented in vertical planes respectively, disposed in side by side relationship and carried by at least one bar 39 extending between the perimetral wall 27 of basket 20 and the perimetral wall 24 of tank 2, at the bottom of the tank itself. In more detail, bar 39 extends parallel to the horizontal axis X and is driven by a movement actuator 40 preferably of the fluid-operated type, acting on the bar itself so as to drive blades 38 in a reciprocating motion. In the embodiment shown, bar 39 slidably and sealingly passes through one of the closing side walls 25 of tank 2, for engagement with actuator 40 placed externally of the tank itself. However it is also possible for actuator 40 to be directly housed within tank 2.
In the embodiment shown in Fig. 4, the stirring element is represented by air or other compressed gas fed through a feeding duct 41 connected with at least one delivery member 42 immersed in the treatment bath 5 and oriented towards basket 20. In more detail, at least two delivery members 42 are provided that are fed by respective feeding ducts 41 extending externally of tank 2 and sealingly passing through the closing side walls 25 of said tank.
Each delivery member 42 is operatively oriented towards one of the side walls 28 of basket 20 and preferably comprises a manifold 42a extending transversely of the feeding duct 41 and carrying a plurality of respectively aligned nozzles 42b. For each delivery member 42 only one of nozzles 42b is shown in Fig. 4.
The feeding ducts 41 are connected with a supply source of compressed air, a bottle for example fed from a compressor (bottle and compressor not shown). Through suitable solenoid valves not shown as known by themselves, each delivery member 42 lends itself to be selectively activated to deliver compressed air in the direction of the respective side wall 28 of basket 20, so as to cause formation of the transverse flow in the treatment bath 5. More particularly, through said solenoid valves, the delivery members 42 lend themselves to be individually and selectively activated in an alternating sequence, to periodically reverse the direction of the transverse flow produced in the treatment bath 5.
In the embodiment shown in Fig. 5, the stirring means 30 comprises at least one Archimedean-screw element 43 extending between tank 2 and basket 20, and an electric motor or other rotary actuator 44 acting on the Archimedean-screw element 43 to drive it in rotation. More particularly, the Archimedean-screw element 43 is essentially defined by a rod 43a extending parallel to axis X between the perimetral wall 27 of basket 20 and the perimetral wall 24 of tank 2, close to the tank bottom and carrying a helical element 43b that, due to rotation imparted by motor 44, gives rise to generation of the transverse flow in the treatment bath 5. In this case too, associated with motor 44 can be timed change-over switches or other reversing means to cause periodical reversion of the rotation direction of the Archimedean-screw element 43 and, as a result, of the direction of the transverse flow produced thereby.
The present invention achieves important advantages.
The machine in reference in fact is able to submit the fabric to three distinct actions by the liquid 3 employed in the treatment bath 5: the first one is due to direct spraying of the liquid against fabric 4 by the nozzles set in the tubular entry portion 12; the second one is created by the fabric moving forward in bath 5 and by the simultaneous circulation of the liquid carried out by the recycling circuit connected with said spraying nozzles; the third one is obtained by effect of movement of the bath 5 itself carried out by the stirring means 30 generating a motion of the liquid 3 orthogonal to the advancing motion of fabric 4, which means is also able to displace the liquid 3 to the upper part of tank 2 to wet portions of the fabric 4 that possibly have not-been immersed.
The movement generated by the transverse flow produced in the treatment bath ensures a homogeneous and quick mixing of detergents or dyes in the bath, the process times becoming therefore shorter.
In addition the fabric is impinged on by the fluid in a multiplicity of directions obtained by the combination of the three above mentioned movements. Thus a satisfactory molecular exchange between the fibre and bath is ensured that results in an excellent penetration of the colouring substances, in the case involving dyeing, and in an efficient elimination of the dirt particles, in case involving washing, and consequently in a qualitative improvement of the treatment itself.
Finally, the whole bath, by effect of mixing, takes part in the cycle in an active manner because renewal of the liquid particles close to the fabric is continuous, which makes it possible to use a smaller amount of liquid, already reduced with respect to the known art in the embodiment referred to in the above mentioned European Patent Application of the same Applicant.
It will be also appreciated that the invention further improves the machines of the type described in Patent Application EP 1262588 in the name of the same Applicant, above all in terms of structural simplification, size reduction and manufacturing costs.
In fact an efficient stirring effect is achieved in the treatment bath 5 by directly acting on the bath itself, without requiring any movement of the great mass represented by basket 20 and the wet fabric contained therein.
The members intended for producing a possibly alternating flow within the treatment bath 5, in any embodiment, are therefore greatly simplified as compared with those necessary for movement of the whole basket, as it happens in the known art.
In addition, the possibility of maintaining basket 20 fixed within tank 2 allows the tank sizes to be compacted, because the space necessary in known solutions for allowing axial movement of the basket is no longer required within said tank.
The above gives rise to an advantageous reduction in the overall dimensions of the machine, in addition to a reduction in the inner volume of the tank that can appear to be advantageous in terms of reduction in the amount of liquid employed in the treatment bath and consequent less consumptions for heating said liquid, which will bring about a reduced pollution due to use of said liquid.

Claims

A machine for processing fabrics in rope form, comprising:

a tank (2) for containing a bath (5) of a treatment liquid for fabrics in rope form;

means (8) to support and guide a fabric in rope form (4) along a closed treatment path or loop, said closed path comprising a delivery stretch (10a) extending from an upper part (7) of the machine (1) to a lower part (6) of the tank (2), a return stretch (10b) extending from the lower part (6) of the tank (2) to the upper part (7) of the machine (1), and a storage stretch (10c) extending between the forward stretch (10a) and return stretch (10b);

a perforated vat or basket (20) placed in the lower part (6) of the tank (2) to receive the storage stretch (10c) of the fabric (4);

stirring means (30) for the bath (5) operating in the tank (2),

characterised in that said stirring means operates between the tank (2) and basket (20) to produce at least one flow of liquid in the treatment bath (5) that is transverse to the advancing direction of the fabric in rope form (4).
A machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein said basket (20) is fastened to the inside of the tank (2).
A machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein said stirring means (30) comprises at least one stirring element (34, 35, 38, 43) that is movable relative to the basket (20).
A machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein said tank (2) and basket (20) each comprise a perimetral wall (24, 27) extending around a horizontal axis (X) substantially normal to a vertical plane containing the delivery (10a) and return (10b) stretches of said treatment path, and two side walls (25, 28) located on opposite sides with respect to the perimetral wall (24, 27).
A machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein said stirring means comprises at least one first and one second passage (31, 32) disposed on opposite sides relative to the basket (20), a recycling duct (33) extending externally of the tank (2) between said first and second passages (31, 32), and at least one pump (34) operating along the recycling duct (33) to produce said transverse flow in the treatment bath (5).
A machine as claimed in claims 4 and 5, wherein said first and second passages (31, 32) are formed through the side walls (25) of the tank (2) respectively, and are each oriented towards one of the side walls (28) of the basket.
A machine as claimed in claim 5, further comprising reversing means associated with said pump (34) to periodically reverse the direction of the transverse flow produced in the treatment bath (5).
A machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein said stirring means (30) comprises at least one power-driven propeller (35) disposed between the tank (2) and the basket (20) along a rotation axis oriented towards a side of the basket itself.
A machine as claimed in claim 8, comprising two of said power-driven propellers (35) disposed alongside the basket (20) at respectively opposite positions and individually and selectively operable in an alternating sequence to periodically reverse the direction of the transverse flow produced in the treatment bath (5).
A machine as claimed in claims 4 and 8, wherein said at least one power-driven propeller (35) faces a side wall (28) of the basket (20).
A machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein said stirring means (30) comprises a plurality of blades (38) carried by at least one bar (39) extending between the tank (2) and the basket (20), and a movement actuator (40) acting on the bar (39) to cause a reciprocating motion of the blades (38).
A machine as claimed in claims 4 and 11, wherein said bar (39) extends between the perimetral wall (24) of the tank (2) and the perimetral wall (27) of the basket (20).
A machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein said stirring means (30) comprises at least one feeding duct (41) for compressed gas connected with at least one delivery member (42) immersed in the treatment bath (5) and oriented towards the basket (20).
A machine as claimed in claim 13, comprising at least two of said delivery members (42) disposed alongside the basket (20) at respectively opposite positions and adapted to be individually and selectively activated in an alternating sequence to periodically reverse the direction of the transverse flow produced in the treatment bath (5).
A machine as claimed in claim 4 and 13, wherein said at least one delivery member (42) is oriented towards a side wall (28) of the basket (20).
A machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein said stirring means comprises at least one Archimedean-screw element (43) extending between the tank (2) and the basket (20) and a rotary actuator (44) acting on the Archimedean-screw element (43) to drive it in rotation.
A machine as claimed in claims 4 and 16, wherein said Archimedean-screw element (43) extends between the perimetral wall (24) of the tank (2) and the perimetral wall (27) of the basket (20).
A machine as claimed in claim 16, further comprising reversing means associated with said rotary actuator (44) to periodically reverse the direction of the transverse flow.