Classifications

• • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
  • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • D06C—FINISHING, DRESSING, TENTERING OR STRETCHING TEXTILE FABRICS
  • D06C21/00—Shrinking by compressing

Definitions

• limited-area pressure element refers to an element acting on an area of any width and a shorter length of one or more orders of magnitude with respect to the width so as to be comparable to a line.
• the present invention is applicable to the textile field and, in particular, relates to a shrinking machine for fabrics.
• the present invention relates to the shrinking portion of a shrinking machine.
• fabric shrinking machines are known to induce recovery of elongation and stabilize the fabric after processing.
• shrinking machines comprising a felt belt arranged in a closed loop around a series of rollers which manage, among other things, its movement.
• inlet roller and an outlet roller arranged in contact with the inner side of the loop, and an intermediate cylinder interposed between the aforementioned rollers and of considerably greater diameter than these, arranged in contact with the outer side of the loop so as to create a concavity in the latter.
• the fabric to be treated is made to pass between the belt and the intermediate cylinder.
• a flexible sheet generally of Teflon-coated glass fibre, called “shoe”, arranged between the inlet roller and the intermediate cylinder so as to keep the fabric in contact with the belt on a trajectory stretch that develops around the inlet roller upstream of the intermediate cylinder.
• the aforesaid flexible sheet has the advantage of easily adapting to variations in thickness of the fabric, such as those at the seams, while maintaining the fabric adhering to the belt.
• the inlet roller, the intermediate cylinder and the flexible sheet define a trajectory for the fabric which comprises a first stretch with a concavity facing the inlet roller and an immediately following stretch with a concavity facing the intermediate cylinder, i.e. opposed to that of the previous stretch. Advancing along the aforementioned trajectory, the fabric is kept in contact with the surface of the felt belt and undergoes the same surface deformations of the latter.
• the felt belt reverses its curvature so as to shrink its outer surface.
• the aforementioned compression is transmitted to the fabric and causes its shrinking.
• the intermediate cylinder is heated, generally by means of steam injected into a cavity of the cylinder itself, so as to heat the fabric during shrinking so as to make the latter more effective and durable.
• Such operation is known as fabric ironing.
• the outlet fabric tends, over time, to lengthen, thereby partially losing the potential shrinking obtained by affecting the quality of the product.
• the diameter of the intermediate cylinder is also increased to extend the duration of the ironing in order to increase its fixing effect of fabric shrinking.
• the object of the present invention is to overcome at least partially the drawbacks highlighted above by providing a shrinking machine which improves maintenance of the shrinking of fabrics leaving the treatment.
• Another object is that the shrinking machine does not degrade the quality of the outlet fabric.
• a further object is that the shrinking machine of the invention is shaped in such a way as not to present the above-mentioned production speed reduction, so as not to pose an economic damage to the user.
• the shrinking machine of the invention has dimensions as small as possible and low consumption both in mechanical terms and in terms of developed heat, while ensuring a degree of shrinking which lasts longer than the equivalent known machines over time.
• the machine comprises at least one flexible belt for supporting and transporting the fabric.
• This belt is arranged in a closed loop around at least one inlet roller and at least one outlet roller.
• the flexible belt therefore, during its sliding around the inlet roller, sees at least its outer surface extend. In this situation, it receives the fabric, supporting it. Subsequently, the same flexible belt is subjected to a lower curvature, if not null or inverted, as in the case of the drawings. As a consequence, the same outer surface of the flexible belt is shrunk, which induces an equivalent effect on the fabric. The latter, therefore, is shrunk.
• the aforementioned sliding channel allows first of all to keep the fabric arranged in contact with the flexible belt during its shrinking. Furthermore, since the intermediate body is typically heated, in the channel there is a heat transfer to the tissue in order to stabilize its shrinking. In other words, the shrunk fabric is ironed in the channel.
• the shrinking machine also comprises a limited-area pressure element arranged between the intermediate body and the flexible belt for pressing the fabric in a point of the sliding channel.
• this pressure element defines a pressure area with a mainly longitudinal development and which develops transversely to the feed direction of the fabric so as to form a pressure strip or line.
• the limited-area pressure element exerts a pressure on the fabric because it interposes between the intermediate body and the flexible belt.
• This pressure is substantially punctual, given the previously defined definition of a limited-area pressure element.
• This pressure is therefore contained in the space, thereby advantageously avoiding having drastic effects on the fabric.
• the limited-area pressure element acts either on the curvature decrease point of the flexible belt or on a subsequent point.
• These points are those in which the shrinking effect is maximum and begins to combine with the ironing.
• a sudden and punctual increase in the pressure in such points advantageously obtains significant effects on the stabilization of the shrinking of the fabric emerging from the machine of the invention, since it modifies the shape of the fabric mesh in the most important moment of the treatment.
• the fact that such modification takes place during the ironing of the fabric advantageously enhances the stability of the modification.
• FIG. 1 represents a shrinking machine according to the invention in schematic view
• FIG. 2 represents a detail of the shrinking machine of FIG. 1 .
• a shrinking machine 1 for fabrics T is described herein.
• It comprises a flexible belt 2 with which the fabric T to be shrunk is arranged in contact.
• Said belt 2 is arranged in a closed loop around some rollers 3 among which an inlet roller 4 and an outlet roller 5 are identified. The first corresponds to the point from which the fabric T is arranged in contact with the flexible belt 2, while the second identifies the maximum point of the path of the fabric T on the same belt 2.
• the fabric T is taken from the flexible belt 2 to be conveyed to other processing steps.
• the machine 1 For the shrinking of the fabric T, the machine 1 comprises an intermediate body 7 arranged next to the flexible belt 2 between the inlet roller 4 and the outlet roller 5. On the outer surface 8 of the intermediate body 7, a stretch 9 can therefore be identified which, with a corresponding stretch 10 of the flexible belt 2, forms a sliding channel 11 for the fabric.
• the flexible belt 2 during its sliding around the inlet roller, sees at least its outer surface extend. In this situation, it receives the fabric T, supporting it. Next, the same flexible belt 2 is subjected to at least one curvature decrease. As a consequence, the same outer surface of the flexible belt 2 is shrunk, which induces a shrinking of the fabric T.
• the aforementioned sliding channel 11 advantageously allows, first of all, to keep the fabric T arranged in contact with the flexible belt 2 during its shrinking. Furthermore, since the intermediate body 7 is typically heated, in the channel 11 there is a heat transfer to the fabric T in order to stabilize its shrinking. In other words, the shrunk fabric is ironed in the channel 11.
• the stretch 9 of the intermediate body 7 which shares the construction of the channel 11 is convex.
• the intermediate body 7 is arranged in contact with the flexible belt 2 in the corresponding stretch 10.
• the corresponding stretch 10 is shaped with a concavity 15 which in substance is immediately downstream of the convexity 16 generated by the inlet roller 4. Consequently, the flexible belt 2, in the transition from the convexity 16 to the concavity 15, also undergoes a bending inversion which ends the shrinking effect exerted on the fabric T.
• the fabric T which is arranged in contact with the belt 2 in its extended stretch corresponding to the convexity 16, starting from a surrounding area of the curvature inversion point, is substantially shrunk by the narrowing of the belt 2 in the concavity 15.
• the intermediate body 7 contributes to shrinking, primarily by favouring the change in curvature of the belt 2. Moreover, it is generally heated to perform the ironing of the fabric T mentioned above so as to stabilize shrinking over time.
• the shrinking machine 1 also comprises a limited-area pressure element 17 arranged between the intermediate body 7 and the flexible belt 2.
• this pressure element 17 defines a pressure area with a mainly longitudinal development and which develops transversely to the feed direction of the fabric T.
• the pressure area being mainly longitudinal and transverse to the feed direction of the fabric T, is similar to a strip that is as long as or more than the width of the fabric T and of a particularly limited width so as to be similar to a pressure line. In this way, in the feed direction of the fabric T, the additional pressure exerted is substantially punctual.
• the limited-area pressure element 17 acts when the shrinking force exerted on the fabric T is maximal.
• the limited-area pressure element 17 acts at the inlet point of the sliding channel, whereas according to other variants it acts at any point of the channel following this inlet.
• the curvature inversion point is absent and in this case the reference is constituted by the inlet point in the sliding channel.
• this advantageously allows to maximize the effect of the pressure exerted, i.e. to maximize the stabilizing effect it has on the compressed fabric T.
• the punctual pressure acts mechanically on the mesh of the fabric T modifying it so that it does not subsequently release its shrinking.
• the limited-area pressure element 17 acts during the ironing of the fabric T, the obtained effect is even more accentuated, allowing to maximize the stability of the fabric T after the treatment.
• the path of the fabric T in the ironing section can be reduced, that is, still advantageously, an increase in the production speed and, therefore, a better economic yield of the machine 1 , can be obtained. Also, in terms of power consumption, there is an advantageous gain, since the amount of heat necessary for the ironing itself is lower and the power required to move the various components of the machine is lower.
• the shrinking machine also comprises a thrust element arranged opposite to the limited-area pressure element on the other side of the conveyor belt. It acts on the conveyor belt and on the fabric in the direction of the pressure element.
• This thrust element may consist of a cylinder or other without any limitation for the invention. What matters is that it acts at least at the pressure element. In this way, advantageously, the effect of the latter on the fabric is accentuated.
• the thrust element exerts an adjustable thrust so as to adapt it to the need and, in particular, to the fabric to be treated.
• the effect of the pressure element is thus increased and optimized according to the fabric being processed.
• the shrinking machine 1 also comprises a sheet 18 arranged in contact with the flexible belt 2 a starting from a point of the belt in correspondence of the inlet roller 4 and terminating at a subsequent point the curvature inversion point of the flexible belt 2.
• This sheet 18 is supported by a special first cylinder 20 arranged near the inlet roller 4. Obviously, the presence of the first cylinder must not be considered limiting for the invention, the sheet being supported by any other type of component.
• the sheet 18 keeps the fabric T in position until after the curvature inversion point of the belt 2, i.e. up to the shrinking of the fabric T itself.
• the starting point of this action is located laterally to the inlet cylinder 4 positioning the first cylinder 20 at least sideways to the same inlet cylinder 4.
• the fabric T is also shaped with a convexity 22.
• the latter exerts a pressure action on the fabric T which accentuates its adherence to the belt 2.
• the sheet 18 is not always able to correctly adhere the fabric T to the belt 2, especially in the case of difficult fabrics.
• the machine 1 also comprises a pair of tensioning elements 25 of the sheet 18 arranged at the end portions of the sheet 18 itself.
• this pressure makes it possible to increase the adhesion of the fabric T in the stretch of greater extension of the flexible belt 2 and, consequently, to increase the shrinking effect exerted on the fabric T in the subsequent compression of the belt 2.
• the shrinking machine 1 comprises a support body 26 of the inlet roller 4.
• the support body 26 is constituted by a support roller 27 located below the inlet roller 4, but this aspect must not be considered limiting for the invention.
• the number and the form of execution of the flexible belts, of the rollers, of the intermediate bodies, of the sheets and of the tensioning elements must not be considered as limiting.
• a first of them consists of the first cylinder 20 which supports a first end portion of the sheet 18 retaining it.
• a second 30 of the tensioning elements 25 is constituted by means for fixing the second end portion of the sheet to the outer surface 8 of the intermediate body 7.
• the embodiment of the aforesaid fastening means is indifferent to the scope of protection of the present patent, since they can consist of adhesives, screw means, joints made on the intermediate body or other.
• the intermediate body 7 is a fixed and non-moving element.
• the embodiment of the same represented in the figures and constituted by a cylinder must not be considered as limiting the invention.
• the intermediate body 7 can have any shape and profile.
• the second tensioning element comprises means for thrusting the second end portion of the sheet against the outer surface of the intermediate body.
• the latter could be rotating and therefore shaped like a cylinder or similar.
• a further embodiment of the machine of the invention shows the second tensioning element comprising a second cylinder to which the second end portion of the sheet is stably coupled.
• the second cylinder is arranged operatively downstream of the intermediate body, for example near the outlet roller. Even in this case, obviously, the intermediate body can be rotating.
• shrinking machine 1 of the invention Since, from what has been said, it is clear that an important aspect of the shrinking machine 1 of the invention is the increase of the pressure exerted by the sheet 18 on the fabric T against the flexible belt 2 at least in correspondence with the inlet roller 4, the same sheet 18 is subject to greater stresses that could compromise its integrity.
• the sheet 18 is constituted by a metal mesh.
• this embodiment allows to considerably increase the tensioning of the sheet 18 and its consequent effects on the fabric T.
• the metal mesh is of the type woven on a loom, to optimize its flexibility, but also this aspect must not be considered limiting for the invention.
• the same mesh is appropriately subjected to abrasion treatment with abrasive paste that not only smooths out any protrusions, but also fills any depressions, reducing the roughness. Finally, typically, a polishing treatment is carried out to obtain the best possible result.
• the aforementioned limited-area pressure element 17 consists of a cylinder with a mainly longitudinal development arranged in contact with the intermediate body 7. In other words, it is similar to a rod or the like.
• the limited-area pressure element in the case of a shrinking machine with a stationary intermediate body, according to an embodiment not shown in the figures, the limited-area pressure element consists of a rib protruding from the intermediate body.
• This machine however, has small dimensions and low consumption both in mechanical terms and in terms of developed heat, while guaranteeing a degree of shrinking that is durable over time and superior to known equivalent machines.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Textile Engineering (AREA)
• Treatment Of Fiber Materials (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

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Cited By (1)

Family Cites Families (12)

• 2017
  • 2017-04-07 IT IT102017000038512A patent/IT201700038512A1/it unknown
• 2018
  • 2018-03-26 EP EP18723594.0A patent/EP3607133A1/de active Pending
  • 2018-03-26 WO PCT/IB2018/052049 patent/WO2018185604A1/en active Application Filing
  • 2018-03-26 CN CN201880023685.8A patent/CN110520564B/zh active Active

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