EP3483323B1

EP3483323B1 - Apparatus and process for treating textile articles

Info

Publication number: EP3483323B1
Application number: EP18205777.8A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Paolo Lodi
Original assignee: Tintoria Emiliana Srl
Current assignee: Tintoria Emiliana Srl
Priority date: 2017-11-14
Filing date: 2018-11-12
Publication date: 2024-05-29
Anticipated expiration: 2038-11-12
Also published as: EP3483323A1

Description

Technical field of the invention

The present invention refers to an apparatus for treating textile articles, specifically an apparatus for atomizing a fluid on textile articles, such as articles of clothing, and refers also to the associated process.

Prior art

The application of fluid substances to textile articles is long since known, for example, for dyeing them or, after dyeing them, for obtaining visual effects on the textile articles. An example of a visual effect is bleaching the color of the article, in order to give this latter a worn appearance.
Applying these fluid substances is nowadays performed by known apparatuses, which provide to dip in or cause the articles to come in contact with a solid support containing the fluid substance, for distributing the same only on the surface of the articles. The contact between the solid support and articles causes some fluid substance to be uniformly and superficially released to the article, on the parts of the articles which come in contact with the solid support. Then, the solid support, typically being in the shape of granules, must be taken away from the articles at the end of the step of applying the fluid substance.
A disadvantage of the known apparatuses, and of the associated process, is due to the very use of the granules themselves because a step of taking the same away, further steps of washing the treated articles, and an additional treatment or disposal of the granules (as a function of a possible future reuse of the same) following the application of the fluid substance, are required.
Another disadvantage of the known apparatuses, and of the associated process, is due to the difficulty in understanding how much active principle of the fluid substance was effectively transferred from the solid support to the article.
In the effort to solve this problem, apparatuses for applying the fluid substance by spraying it were devised. Spraying is performed through a plurality of nozzles disposed inside the apparatus itself. Such apparatuses enable to better control the amount of the fluid substance applied to the articles and also to reduce the consumption of the fluid substance because it is only superficially applied to the item of clothing, unfortunately they do not provide satisfying results with reference to the treatment quality, because the articles treated in this way exhibit blots and/or creepings of the fluid substances instead of a uniform application of the same.
In order to prevent an undesired formation of blots and creepings, and for consequently homogeneously treating the articles by the known spraying apparatuses, it is required to use large quantities of the fluid substance for saturating the fiber by the fluid substance. Typically, treating 1 kilogram of articles requires to use 1 liter of the fluid substance.
Document JPS6029124 illustrates such known apparatus, wherein a plurality of nozzles are arranged inside the basket and are oriented orthogonally to the rotation axis of the basket, so that the supplied fluid flow is orthogonal to the trajectory of the textile articles during the basket rotation. The apparatus is also provided with a lift system suitable to tilt the basket in a single direction, in order to downwardly move the open end of the basket. Such tilt is for making easier to unload the textile articles when the treatment ends. Document JP2003290587 illustrates another of such apparatuses, wherein the nozzle is disposed at one end of the basket and the basket is inclined during the spray of the fluid.

Brief summary of the invention

Therefore, the object of the present invention is that of proposing a process of treating textile articles, enabling to apply a fluid substance to said articles without using any solid support, and also an apparatus enabling to implement such process.
In the scope of such object, it is a further object of the invention to propose a process and apparatus requiring a smaller amount of the fluid substance for treating the articles.
A further object of the invention is that of proposing a process and apparatus enabling to apply a minimum amount of the fluid substance only superficially and uniformly on the articles.
Another object of the invention is that of providing a process and apparatus enabling to control the amount of the fluid substance that is applied on the articles of clothing, and consequently to adjust the final effect obtained on the articles through the treatment.
This and other objects are met by an apparatus for treating textile articles according to claim 1, and by a process for treating textile articles according to claim 9.
The dependent claims define possible advantageous embodiments of the invention.

Brief description of the drawings

In order to better understand the invention and appreciate the advantages, some exemplifying non-limiting embodiments thereof will be described in the following with reference to the attached figures, wherein:

Figure 1 is a side view of an apparatus for treating textile articles according to the invention, in a first operative configuration;
Figure 2 is a front view of the apparatus of Figure 1 in the first operative configuration;
Figure 3 is a perspective view of a detail of the apparatus according to the invention;
Figures 4 and 5 are side cross-section views of the apparatus of Figure 1, in two further operative configurations; and
Figures 6 and 7 are respectively a side cross-section view and a longitudinal cross-section view of another detail of the apparatus of Figure 1.

Description of the embodiments of the invention

An apparatus for treating textile articles T according to the invention is indicated in the attached figures by reference 1. The apparatus 1 can be of the type indicated in the introductory part of the present description.
Generally, the apparatus 1 comprises an upper body 1A and a lower body 1B acting as a base for the apparatus 1, and on which the upper body 1A is movably mounted.
The apparatus 1 comprises a drum 2 in the shape of a body of revolution, preferably cylindrical, developing along a longitudinal axis A (Figure 1), and which is open at at least one end 2A. Such drum 2 is mounted in the upper body 1A. Preferably, the drum 2 is open at both the ends 2A thereof, as in the example shown in the figures. Obviously, the drum 2 is hollow.
The drum 2 is also motorized in order to rotate about its own longitudinal axis A. For this purpose, the apparatus 1 comprises a motor member 3 disposed, in the illustrated example, below the drum 2, advantageously in the upper body 1A. Preferably, the motor member 3 is provided with a suitable transmission 3A, still more preferably provided with rubberized wheels. Obviously, the motor member 3 is adjustable, in order to be capable of controlling and adjusting the rotation speed of the drum 2.
Moreover, the apparatus 1 comprises at least one openable closure element 4 disposed at said open end 2A of the drum 2, in order to enable to close the drum 2 or to gain access to the interior of the drum 2 itself through the open end 2A itself. Preferably, the apparatus 1 is provided with two closure elements 4, each closing a respective one of the ends 2A of the drum 2 (Figures 1 and 2).
Preferably, such closure elements 4 are substantially in the shape of a disc. Advantageously, they are movably connected to the apparatus 1, particularly to the upper body 1A, in order to be capable of being moved between a closure position of the drum 2 and an open position of the drum 2.
Advantageously, the closure elements 4 are mounted to adapted movable supports 5, which are in turn hinged to the upper body 1A of the apparatus 1 (see Figures 1 and 2). Obviously, the closure elements 4 are provided with block members 4A enabling to block the closure elements 4 in the closure position.
The apparatus 1 comprises also at least one element 10 (Figure 3) for atomizing a fluid suitable to be applied on the textile articles T when they are inside the drum 2. According to the invention, the atomization element 10 is disposed at the open end 2A of the drum 2 for supplying said fluid inside the drum 2, and consequently applying the fluid on the moving textile articles T. It is preferred the presence of two atomization elements, each at a respective open end 2A of the drum 2 (Figures 4 and 5).
Advantageously, the atomization element 10 is disposed through the open end 2A of the drum 2 during the atomization of the fluid. Moreover, it is advantageous to provide the atomization element 10 with an orientation towards the opposite end of the drum 2 with reference to the end at which is disposed. For this purpose, preferably the atomization element is longitudinally oriented with respect to the drum 2, in other words parallel to the longitudinal axis A or tilted with respect to the same, but anyway oriented towards any zones of the opposite end of the drum 2. Preferably, the atomization element 10 is arranged at the upper half of the open end 2A of the drum 2, still more preferably coaxially with the same.
According to the preferred embodiment of the invention, the atomization element 10 comprises a nozzle (shown in Figure 3) which, as it is known, supplies both a fluid flow and an air flow, through different dedicated holes. It is also possible to provide the use of airless nozzles, in other words ones which atomize the fluid without pressurized air, but only through the pressure of the fluid.
According to the present invention, the apparatus 1 comprises also a lift device 6 on which the drum 2 is mounted, such lift device 6 being adapted to lift and tilt the drum 2 along the longitudinal axis A thereof (Figures 3 and 4).
Advantageously, the lift device 6 is disposed in the lower body 1B of the apparatus 1, still more advantageously below the drum 2. The lift device 6 is provided with at least one pair of lift members 6A disposed so that they are capable of lifting a respective end of the drum 2 for tilting.
Advantageously, the lift members 6A are disposed at a respective half of the drum 2 in a direction longitudinal to it. More advantageously, they are aligned parallel to the longitudinal axis A of the drum 2. Still more advantageously, the lift members 6A are substantially disposed below a respective end of the drum 2. Such lift members 6A are individually actuatable, and therefore can be individually actuated for tilting the drum 2 (Figures 4 and 5) or can be simultaneously lowered, for maintaining the drum 2 in a horizontal position.
Due to the presence of the lift device 6, it is possible to atomize the fluid at an end 2A of the 2, at an appropriate distance from the atomization element. In this way, it is provided a sufficient gap between the articles and the nozzle for enabling the fan of the atomized fluid substance to open as much as possible, enabling to obtain an homogeneous application of the fluid on the textile articles T. The present invention enables to obtain an application of the fluid with a homogeneity which was not possible until now with the known apparatuses made to spray the fluid.
Therefore, it is understood that during the operation of the apparatus 1, which will be explained in the following, the drum 2 is required to be tilted so that the end 2A where the fluid is atomized is at a height greater than the one of the other end 2A of the drum 2, as illustrated in Figures 4 and 5.
Due to the fluid atomization elements 10, it is possible to reduce the amount of the fluid substance required to treat the textile articles T, which are not soaked in the fluid substance as before, but they are simply coated by it on the external surface thereof. It has been verified that it is possible to homogeneously treat 1 kilogram of textile by the apparatus 1 by using only 100 ml of the fluid substance. Obviously, it is possible to apply a greater amount of the fluid substance by adjusting the atomization and duration of the treatment, according to the needs.
The homogeneous application of the fluid substance is obtained because the textile articles T brush the internal surfaces of the drum 2, so that the fluid substance is prevented from being deposited by condensation. It is important to avoid the formation of condensate of the fluid substance on the internal surfaces of the drum 2 because the condensate causes the formation of drops of the fluid substance which, if it comes in contact with the textile articles T, would form dishomogenities on the same.
According to a preferred embodiment, the closure element 2 comprises a through opening 4B through which the atomization element 10 is inserted during the atomizing step, and with a dimension such to enable the air to circulate inside the drum (Figures from 1 to 3). More specifically, the through opening 4B has dimensions so that it enables the air to freely pass through also when the atomization element 10 is at least partially inserted therein. For this purpose, the through opening 4B has suitably a maximum lateral dimension greater than the maximum lateral dimension of the atomization element, preferably greater than at least 50%. Advantageously, the maximum lateral dimension of the through opening 4B is equal to at least the 30% of the maximum lateral dimension of the closure element 4. It is preferable the through opening 4B has a circular cross-section.
The through opening 4B has the double advantage of enabling to atomize the fluid inside the drum 2 even though the atomization element is held at least partially outside the machine 1 and closure element 4 is in a closure position of the drum 2, and also of enabling the air to pass through the drum 2, for better distributing the fluid inside the drum 2 and consequently for a better homogeneity of its application on the textile articles T.
For this purpose, it is to be specified that the air is moved in order to be suctioned towards the inside the drum 2, for flowing together with the spray of the fluid substance towards the articles placed on the other side of the drum 2. Another advantage of suctioning air towards the inside of the drum 2 is that the sprayed fluid substance does not exit the drum 2, and therefore does not come in contact with the external environment of the apparatus 1 or with the operator.
As can be seen in the illustrated example (particularly in Figures from 1 to 3) it is advantageous for the through opening 4B to be centrally placed in the closure element 4, in other words coaxial with it.
It is observed that it is possible to provide plugs 7 for closing the through opening 4B (Figure 2). The plugs 7 can also provide a seat 7A for receiving an accessory 8 according to the needs, for example, a probe or a camera for monitoring the right course of the textile articles treatment.
It is observed that the presence of the holes 4B in both the closure elements 4 and particularly in a coaxial position, provides the possibility of disposing a washing device for the inside the drum 2 (not illustrated in the attached drawings) comprising, for example, a rod provided with a plurality of dispensers (as illustrated in document JPS6029124 ) for supplying a washing product. It is also advantageous to provide a receiver element 9, typically a tank, disposed below the drum 2, preferably in the lower body 1B (Figures from 1 and 3).
According to another advantageous aspect of the invention, the closure element 4 rotates with the drum 2. In this way, zones of the internal surface of the closure element 4 are prevented from not being brushed by the textile articles T. Such not-brushed zones could be subjected to the formation of a fluid condensate, and therefore of drops which will cause the formation of blobs and dishomogeneities on the treated article. The provision of the closure element 4 rotating with the drum 2, enables to obtain a perfectly homogeneous application of the fluid to the articles T.
For this purpose the closure elements 4 are suitably rotatively mounted to their suitable supports 5. The closure elements 4, tightly closing the ends 2A of the drum 2 by a circumferential contact, are put in rotation by the drum 2 itself.
Advantageously, the closure element 4 comprises a perimetral edge 4C fixed to the support 5 (Figure 1). In the example illustrated in the figures, only an internal part of the closure element 4 rotates with the drum 2. Indeed, the closure element 4 comprises an external wall 4D (facing the outside of the apparatus 1 when the closure element 4 is closed) integral with the perimetral edge 4C, and a rotatively mounted internal panel 4E (Figure 2) suitable to be rotated by the drum 2 through a circumferential contact, while the external surface 4D of the closure element 4 remains immovable. Preferably, bearings are placed around the through opening 4B for enabling a correct rotation of the internal panel 4E around such through opening 4B, in other words a rotation of the internal panel 4E at the same speed as the drum 2 rotation.
According to still another advantageous aspect, the atomization elements 10 are movable along a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis A of the drum 2, between an atomization position, wherein the atomization element has at least one cross-section coplanar with the open end 2A of the drum 2 (or also disposed inside the drum 2), and a rest position, wherein the atomization element is completely outside the drum 2. It is preferable that the atomization element, when in the atomization position, has at least one cross-section disposed inside the drum 2.
Since it is preferable that the atomization elements 10 are placed along the longitudinal axis A of the drum 2, it is also preferable that they are movable along the longitudinal axis A itself.
In order to enable to displace the atomization elements 10, they are preferably mounted on suitable movable guide supports 11 oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis A of the drum 2, which are in turn preferably fixed on supports 12 fixed to the closure element 4, particularly on the external surface (Fig-ure 3). Alternatively, the guide support 11 can be mounted on the movable supports 5 of the closure element 4.
Advantageously, the atomization elements 10 are provided with movement members 13, for example pistons, which are preferably mounted to the guide support 11 itself. For this purpose, the atomization elements 10 can be mounted on a respective carriage 14 sliding along the guide support 11 and moved by the movement member 13 (Figure 3).
The provision of retractable atomization elements 10 and of arranging them completely outside the drum 2 when not in use, enables to prevent interferences between an inoperative atomizer and the textile articles T during the apparatus 1 operation. Indeed, as already discussed, during the operation, the drum 2 is tilted and the textile articles T are placed in proximity of the drum end 2A at a height lower than the other one (as shown in Figures 4 and 5). When the inoperative atomizer, which is arranged also at the lower end 2A, is just partially placed inside the drum 2, there is the risk of compromising the movement of the textile articles T during the application of the fluid substance, this can result in a dishomogeneous application of the fluid substance to the articles.
For optimizing the movement of the textile articles inside the drum 2, it is advantageous to provide it with at least one internal stir member 20, for example a fin projecting from the internal surface of the drum 2 (Figures 6 and 7). In this case it is particularly preferable the internal stir element 20 exhibits edges or lateral surfaces 21 which are blunt, in order to prevent the fluid substance from condensing at the sharp corners.
Preferably, the apparatus 1 comprises an air circulation device preferably providing at least one fan (preferably a plurality of fans) disposed below the drum 2, in the lower body 1B. The efficiency of the air circulation device is improved by the presence of the through holes 4B in the closure elements 4, which enable a more efficient air circulation, particularly inside the drum 2. It is advantageous to provide the lateral wall of the drum 2 with holes, preferably provided with a plurality of holes, for enabling a more efficient air circulation.
The presence of a plurality of fans is preferred because it enables a wider range of possibilities to adjust the air speed.
Lastly, it is outlined that the apparatus 1 is preferably made of a stainless material, particularly stainless steel.
The operation of the apparatus 1 is described in the following.
After loading a plurality of textile articles T to be treated inside the drum 2, both the closure elements 4 are closed. At least one of the through holes 4B remains open, the other one can be left open or closed by a plug 7.
The body 1A is tilted along the longitudinal axis A of the drum 2, by actuating only one of the lift members 6A, particularly the one disposed on the side wherein the through opening 4B of the closure element 4 is left open. In this way, this closure element 4 is taken to a higher height than the other one. The longitudinal axis A of the drum 2 is tilted through an angle α with respect to the horizontal (Figure 4).
Then, the motor member 3 is actuated for rotating the drum 2 about its own longitudinal axis A, to a predetermined work speed. Such predetermined work speed is selected as a function of the angle by which the textile articles T drop inside the drum 2.
As it is known, during the rotation of the drum 2, the articles inside it are entrained along the rotation direction until a height which varies according to the rotation speed of the drum 2, then they drop downwards, along a direction tilted by a drop angle with respect to the vertical. Preferably, the work speed is adjusted for obtaining a drop angle of the articles which is comprised between 25° and 90°, more preferably between 40° and 50°, still more preferably of 45° with respect to the vertical.
When the work rotation speed is attained, the atomization element 10 that is at the higher height is moved into the atomization position (the one on the right in Figure 4), and the step of atomizing the fluid substance is started.
After a predefined treatment time, the atomization step is ended by stopping the fluid substance flow only but not the flow of the air ejected from the atomization element 10. Then, this latter is moved back to the rest position, in other words completely outside the drum 2.
Now, the drum 2, which is still rotating, is moved with its longitudinal axis A to a substantially horizontal position, and is allowed to rotate for a predetermined time, for distributing the fluid substance among the textile articles T by a mechanical action among the same. This distribution step enables to further improve a perfectly homogeneous application of the fluid on the articles, however it is not essential.
The drum 2 rotation is then stopped, and the upper body 1A is tilted through an angle α' opposite to the previous angle α (Figure 5). In other words, the lift element 6A which was raised, is moved back to the start (lowered) position, while the other lift element 6A is raised.
The previous steps are repeated, by always performing the atomization of the fluid substance from the side of the drum 2 which is raised.
It is observed that the operation of the above apparatus 1 enables to obtain a homogeneous application of the fluid sprayed on the articles T. Moreover, the homogeneity of the application is obtained by supplying a smaller amount of the same fluid than the known apparatuses (it is not needed to saturate the fiber by the fluid). The homogeneity of the application is due to the inclination of the drum 2 during the fluid spraying step, which distances the articles T from the atomization element 10, and because the condensate formation of the fluid is prevented inside the apparatus 1.
A process for treating a textile article T with a fluid by means of the above described apparatus 1 falls also in the scope of protection of the present invention. Such process comprises at least one step wherein the drum 2 is tilted along its own longitudinal axis A and rotates about the same longitudinal axis A, and during which the fluid is atomized.
According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the process comprises the steps of:

a) tilting the drum 2 along its own longitudinal axis A;
b) rotatively actuating the drum 2 until it attains a predetermined work speed;
c) atomizing the fluid inside the drum 2, by an atomization element 10 disposed at the end 2A of the drum 2 which is at a height greater than the one of the other end;
d) ending the atomization of said fluid.

Preferably, said atomization step c) comprises, before the atomization itself, displacing the atomization element 10 to an atomization position, wherein it has at least one cross-section coplanar with the open end 2A of the drum 2, and the step d) of ending the atomization comprises, after the end of the atomization, displacing the atomization element 10 to a rest position, wherein it is completely outside the drum 2.
As already discussed, it is preferable that the atomization element 10, when in the atomization position, has at least one cross-section disposed inside the drum 2, in other words, is at least partially introduced inside the drum 2.
Preferably, and independently from the displacement of the atomization element 10 between the atomization position and rest position, the process, according to the invention, comprises, after the step d) of ending the atomization, the following steps of:

f) stopping the drum 2 rotation;
g) tilting the drum 2 along the longitudinal axis A thereof through an angle α' opposite to the angle α of the first tilt of the drum 2 with respect to the horizontal.

According to another preferred aspect of the process, it comprises, after the step d) of ending the atomization but before the step f) of stopping the drum 2 rotation, a step e) of distributing the fluid, wherein the drum 2 is disposed with its longitudinal axis A in a substantially horizontal position and is kept rotating at said work speed.
During this step, the treatment of the textile articles T is made more homogeneous since the previously atomized fluid substance is distributed, in other words is spread, by a mechanical action between the textile articles. It is important for the atomization elements 10 to not operate and to be in the rest position. Such distribution step can be performed after each step of atomizing the fluid substance.

Claims

Apparatus for treating textile articles, comprising:
a drum (2) being in a shape of a body of revolution, developing along a longitudinal axis (A), said drum (2) being open at at least one end (2A), and comprising an opposite end (2A), and being motorized for rotating about its own longitudinal axis (A);

at least one openable closure element (4) disposed at said at least one end (2A) of the drum (2) for enabling to close the drum (2) or gaining access to the interior of the drum (2) itself, through the open end (2A);

at least one element (10) for atomizing a fluid suitable to be applied on said textile articles (T) when they are inside said drum (2);

said atomization element (10) being disposed at said open end (2A) of the drum (2) in order to supply said fluid in the interior thereof;

a lift device (6) on which said drum (2) is mounted, said lift device (6) being suitable to lift and tilt said drum (2) along the longitudinal axis (A) thereof;

characterized in that the lift device (6) comprises a pair of lift members (6A) arranged in order to lift the respective ends of the drum (2) for tilting.
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the atomization element (10) is disposed through the open end (2A) of the drum (2) during the atomization of the fluid.
Apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the atomization element (10) is oriented towards the opposite end (2A) of the drum (2) with respect to the end (2A) at which is disposed.
Apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the atomization element (10) is longitudinally oriented with reference to the drum (2) .
Apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the closure element (4) comprises a through opening (4B) through which the fluid is atomized, and of a dimension such as to enable air to circulate inside the drum (2).
Apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the closure element (4) rotates with the drum (2).
Apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the atomization element (10) is movable along a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis (A) of the drum (2), between an atomization position, wherein the atomization element (10) has at least one cross-section coplanar with the open end (2A) of the drum (2), and a rest position, wherein the atomization element (10) is completely outside the drum (2).
Apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the drum (2) comprises at least one inner stir member (20), said inner stir member having blunt corners.
Process for treating textile articles by a fluid, by means of the apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, comprising at least one step wherein the drum (2) is tilted along the longitudinal axis (A) thereof, and rotates about said longitudinal axis (A), and during which said fluid is atomized .
Process according to claim 9, comprising the steps of:
a) tilting the drum (2) along the longitudinal axis (A) thereof through an angle (α) with respect to the horizontal;

b) rotatively actuating said drum (2) until it attains a predetermined work speed;

c) atomizing the fluid inside the drum (2), by means of an atomization element (10) disposed at the end (2A) of the drum (2) which is at a height greater than the one of the other end;

d) ending the atomization of said fluid.
Process according to claim 10, wherein the atomization step c) comprises, before the atomization, displacing the atomization element (10) to an atomization position, wherein the atomization element (10) has at least one cross-section coplanar with the open end (2A) of the drum (2) of the apparatus (1), and the step d) of ending the atomization comprises, after the end of the atomization, displacing the atomization element (10) to a rest position, wherein the atomization element (10) is completely outside the drum (2).
Process according to claim 10 or 11, comprising, after the step d) of ending the atomization, the following steps of:
f) stopping the drum (2) rotation;

g) tilting the drum (2) along the longitudinal axis (A) thereof through an angle (α') opposite to the angle (α) of the first tilt of the drum (2) with respect to the horizontal.
Process according to one or more of claims from 10 to 12, comprising, after the step d) of ending the atomization but before the step f) of stopping the drum (2) rotation, a step e) of distributing the fluid, wherein the drum (2) is disposed with the longitudinal axis (A) in a horizontal position and is maintained in rotation at the work speed.