EP3622108A1

EP3622108A1 - A machine for treating folded printed fabrics

Info

Publication number: EP3622108A1
Application number: EP18728749.5A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Carmelo ZOCCO
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Investimenti Industriali Italia 01 Srl
Priority date: 2017-05-12
Filing date: 2018-05-11
Publication date: 2020-03-18
Anticipated expiration: 2038-05-11
Also published as: EP3622108B1; WO2018207144A1; IT201700051827A1; EP3622108C0

Abstract

A machine for the treatment of folded fabrics comprising: a box frame (10); a plurality of sticks (20), operating in said box frame (10) for supporting a printed fabric (T) and forming folds of said printed fabric (T); a handling structure (30), active on said sticks (20) to advance said sticks (20) along a substantially closed path (P). Said path (P) comprises: an operating stretch (Tl), wherein said sticks support the printed fabric (T), said operating stretch (Tl) having a beginning (T1A) and an end (TIB); a recirculation stretch (T2), wherein the sticks (20) are transported from the end (TIB) of said operating stretch (Tl) to the beginning (T1A) of said operating stretch (Tl). The machine (1) further comprises an uncoupling station (40), active in said recirculation stretch (T2) and configured to adjust a distance between each of said sticks (20) and the next stick.

Description

"A MACHINE FOR TREATING FOLDED PRINTED FABRICS"

DESCRIPTION

[TECHNICAL FIELD ]

The object of the present invention is a machine for the treatment of folded printed fabrics.

In particular, but not exclusively, the invention is advantageously applied to machines or apparatuses for steaming printed fabrics.

[PRIOR ART]

As is known, the operation of steaming serves to stably fix the dyes to the fibre of a fabric by taking advantage of the action of the condensed moisture, combined with the one of the heat of the environment, to result in the dye and all the recipe products present on the surface of the material being spread from the surface layer into the fibre and set therein.

A machine of this type for the treatment of folded fabrics (for example, for preparing, steaming, dyeing, finishing and the like) generally comprises a treatment chamber in which there is supported an endless (continuous) conveyor for transferring the fabric to be treated from an inlet side of said chamber, where a support and fabric feed roller is active, to an outlet side of the treatment chamber.

Such conveyor comprises a pair of endless chains, which are supported and moved close to the longitudinal walls of the chamber and which advancing and return branches extend close to the top and the bottom, respectively, of the chamber itself.

The fabric is supported folded inside the treatment chamber by a plurality of rollers (called sticks in the field and hereinafter in this description) , the ends of which are connected to opposing links of the aforesaid chains.

Generally, a conveyor of this type is caused to advance in a continuous manner to support - close to the inlet side - the formation of next folds of fabric on next sticks, and for the time required for the formation of the folded fabric in the treatment chamber.

International Patent Application WO 2004/074567 to the same Applicant describes a system for moving sticks and forming the related folds wherein each stick is connected to the respective links of the chains by means of a pair of arms, each having a first end constrained to a link of one of the chains, and a second end constrained to a corresponding end of the stick.

Such system provides using shaped plates on which the arms carrying the sticks slide. During the advancement of the fabric, the arms are overturned, lifting the sticks and carrying them from a condition in which they are hung on the conveyor chains in the ascending stretch, to a resting condition on tracks arranged above the active advancement branches of the chains themselves .

The Applicant has noted that such a machine, and other similar ones which provide advancement by means of chains of the sticks that support the folded fabric, may be subjected to drawbacks when used for the treatment of printed fabrics with ink-jet printing or more generally, with fabrics that were the object of a previous digital printing process.

More specifically, the Applicant has verified that the digitally printed fabrics not yet subjected to treatments such as for example, steaming, may transfer the applied colour onto other fabrics, or other portions of the same fabric, also following contacts with very low intensity.

The Applicant has therefore noted that folds that are too tight may promote accidental contact between adjacent portions of the same fold due to which the dye may be transferred from a surface of the fold to the one facing it (that is, the other inner surface part of the same fold) , thus creating problems of undesired patterns on certain portions of fabric.

More generally, the Applicant has perceived the need to prepare a machine in which the width of the folds could be determined with a certain level of freedom, without excessive constraints imposed by the mechanical structure of the machine itself .

[OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION]

It is the object of the present invention to make available a machine that is capable of preventing the formation of undesired patterns on the fabric, also following digital type prints .

It is another object to provide a machine that allows modifying the width of the folds in a simple manner, without being subjected to excessive mechanical constraints.

These and other objects again are substantially achieved by a machine for the treatment of folded printed fabrics, as described in the appended claims.

[BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS]

Further features and advantages shall be more apparent from the detailed description of preferred, but not exclusive, embodiments of the invention.

Such description is made herein below with reference to the accompanying drawings, also provided for indicative purposes only, and therefore not limiting, in which:

- figure 1 shows a diagrammatic side view of a machine according to the invention;

- figures la, lb show the same diagrammatic view of figure 1, with certain parts removed in order to better highlight others ;

- figure 2 diagrammatically shows an element that is part of the machine of figure 1;

- figure 3 diagrammatically shows a cross section of the machine of figure 1, according to line X-X, with certain parts removed in order to better highlight others;

- figure 4 diagrammatically shows different operating conditions of a part of the machine of figure 1;

- figures 4a-4c diagrammatically show plan views of the operating conditions depicted in figure 4;

- figures 4d-4f diagrammatically show front views corresponding to the plan views of figures 4a-4c;

- figure 5a shows a detail of the machine of figure 1; - figure 5b shows the detail of figure 5a, in a different operating configuration;

- figure 5c shows a detail of figure 5a;

- figure 6 shows a block diagram depicting certain parts of the machine of figure 1.

[DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION]

With reference to the accompanying drawings, a machine for the treatment of folded fabrics according to the present invention is indicated as a whole with 1.

The machine 1 comprises a box frame 10 that delimits a substantially pallelepiped chamber.

The box frame 10 (figures 1, 3) preferably comprise a pair of substantially vertical side or longitudinal walls 11, 12, a top 13 and a bottom 14.

Preferably, each of the side walls 11, 12 is provided with a guide G.

Preferably, the guide G (figures 1, 3) is, in a cross section with respect to the planar development of the side walls 11, 12, substantially "C"-shaped, in which the vertical part Gl is a part of the respective side wall 11, 12, and the transverse parts G2, G3 extend from the respective side wall 11, 12, preferably in orthogonal direction thereto.

The guide G serves the purpose of guiding the sticks 20 (which are described below) during the operation of the machine 1.

The guide G preferably substantially is continuous along the closed path P (figure la) that the sticks 20 follow inside the machine 1.

Preferably, the guide G has at least one removable portion so as to allow the insertion/extraction of the sticks, when required .

The frame 10 is provided at the front with an inlet opening 15 of the printed fabric T to be treated, and at the back with an outlet opening 16 of the treated printed fabric T.

Preferably, both openings 15, 16 are located in the top part of the frame 10.

A roller 17 for supporting and feeding fabric is supported in the chamber 1 at the opening 6, while a roller 18 for supporting the fabric is positioned close to the outlet opening 7.

Both rollers 17, 18 preferably have horizontal axis perpendicular to the walls 11, 12.

A treatment process of the printed fabric T is executed inside the chamber delimited by the frame 10.

Preferably, such process is a steaming process. To this end, the machine 1 is equipped with apparatuses (in themselves known and not illustrated) for generating and distributing steam in the aforesaid chamber.

It is worth noting that the invention may also be applied to other types of machines, that is machines configured to perform other processes, in which in any case a fabric is to be arranged folded and caused to advance in a closed treatment chamber.

The machine 1 further comprises a plurality of sticks 20, operating in the box frame 10 for supporting a printed fabric T and forming folds of such printed fabric T.

The sticks 20 are arranged according to a substantially horizontal direction, that is substantially parallel to the bottom 14 of the frame 10.

Preferably, the sticks 20 substantially are perpendicular to the side walls 11, 12 of the box frame 10.

An example of structure of a stick 20 is now described. Preferably, all the sticks in the machine 1 have a same structure .

Preferably, the stick 20 (figure 2) comprises a tubular body

21 for supporting the folded fabric T. The tubular body 21 is substantially cylindrical-shaped. The tubular body 21 has a first axial end 21a and a second axial end 21b opposite to the first axial end 21a.

Preferably, the stick 20 comprises a first toothed wheel 22, mounted on the first axial end 21a of the tubular body 21.

Preferably, the stick 20 comprises a second toothed wheel 23, mounted on the first axial end 21a of the tubular body 21.

Preferably, the first toothed wheel 22 is mounted in axially proximal position and the second toothed wheel 23 is mounted in axially distal position with respect to the first end 21a of the tubular body 21.

Preferably, the first toothed wheel 22 is integral with the tubular body 21.

Preferably, the second toothed wheel 23 is integral with the tubular body 21.

Preferably, the first toothed wheel 22 is mounted coaxially to the tubular body 21.

Preferably, the second toothed wheel 23 is mounted coaxially to the tubular body 21.

Preferably, the first and the second toothed wheel 22, 23 substantially have the same outer diameter. In particular, the first and the second toothed wheel 22, 23 substantially are equal to each other.

Preferably, the stick 20 comprises a driving wheel 24 mounted on the first axial end 21a of the tubular body 21. In particular, the driving wheel 24 is in axial position opposite to the first toothed wheel 22 with respect to the second toothed wheel 23. In other words, starting from the first axial end 21a of the tubular body 21, there are, in order: the first toothed wheel 22, the second toothed wheel 23 and the driving wheel 24.

Preferably, the driving wheel 24 has a greater diameter with respect to the first and/or the second toothed wheel 22, 23. In particular, the driving wheel 24 has a greater diameter with respect both to the first toothed wheel 22 and to the second toothed wheel 23.

Preferably, the driving wheel 24 is mounted coaxially to the tubular body 21.

Preferably, the driving wheel 24 is coupled to the guide G present on one of the side walls 11, 12 described above.

Preferably, the driving wheel 24 is not integral with the tubular body 24.

Preferably, the driving wheel 24 is constrained to the tubular body 21 by means of bearings or other similar members (not illustrated) . Thereby, the driving wheel 24 may rotate with respect to the tubular body 21, to the first toothed wheel 22 and to the second toothed wheel 23.

Preferably, the driving wheel 24 is not a toothed wheel. In particular, the driving wheel 24 may have a substantially smooth circumferential profile.

Preferably, a first toothed wheel 22' and a second toothed wheel 23', which substantially are identical to the aforesaid first toothed wheel 22 and second toothed wheel 23, are also mounted on the second axial end 21b of the tubular body 21. Preferably, the stick 20 comprises a driving wheel 24' mounted on the second axial end 21b and substantially identical to the driving wheel 24 mounted on the first axial end 21a.

Advantageously, the driving wheels 24, 24' are coupled to the guides G so that the sticks 20 are guided by the guides G themselves .

In practical terms, the guides G prevent the sticks 20 from taking on positions that are different from the ones provided (e.g. falling from the chains on which they are resting, and which will be described below, being arranged in non- perpendicular direction with respect to the various chains, etc.), therefore increasing the overall reliability of the machine .

The stick 20 having the above-described structure advantageously may also be used in machines for the treatment of fabrics having different structure and/or function with respect to the machine 1 herein described.

It is worth noting that the reference numeral 20 in the present description generically indicates the sticks present in the machine 1. Reference numerals 20a, 20b...20f indicate sticks that are in specific positions along the path P. The features of the sticks 20a-20f are the ones described above with respect to the stick 20.

The machine 1 comprises a handling structure 30 (figure 6) that is active on the sticks 20 to advance them along a substantially closed path P.

In the diagrammatic view in figure 1, the advancement of the sticks 20 occurs in clockwise direction.

The path P comprises an operating stretch Tl in which the sticks 20 support the printed fabric T. The operating stretch Tl has a beginning T1A and an end TIB.

The beginning T1A of the operating stretch Tl is at the aforesaid inlet opening 15; the end TIB of the operating stretch Tl is at the outlet opening 16.

The handling structure 30 comprises a first motorized chain 60 in the operating stretch Tl, which motorized chain supports the sticks 20a advancing from the beginning T1A to the end TIB of the operating stretch Tl.

In other words, the sticks 20a advancing from the beginning T1A to the end TIB of the operating stretch Tl are resting on the first motorized chain 60 and execute such movement due to the sliding of the latter.

The first motorized chain 60 is moved by a first motor Ml that is active on a respective toothed wheel coupled to the first motorized chain 60 itself.

Preferably, the handling structure 30 comprises a second motorized chain 61 in the operating stretch Tl, the motorized chain being arranged superiorly to the first motorized chain 60.

The second motorized chain 61 cooperates with the first motorized chain 60 to advance the sticks 20a along the operating stretch Tl.

The second motorized chain 61 is moved by a second motor M2 that is active on a respective toothed wheel coupled to the second motorized chain 61 itself.

The first and the second motorized chain 60, 61 extend according to a substantially horizontal direction between the inlet opening 15 and the outlet opening 16.

In one embodiment, the second motorized chain 61 is moved at the same speed as the first motorized chain 60. Thereby, there is no substantial mutual movement between the first and the second motorized chain 60, 61 and the sticks 20a translate along the operating stretch Tl without rotations about its longitudinal axis.

In a different embodiment (or different operating configuration of the machine 1), the second motorized chain 61 is moved at different speeds with respect to the first motorized chain 60. Thereby, the sticks 20a execute a rotation about its longitudinal axis in the operating stretch Tl.

Preferably, the first and the second motorized chain 60, 61 are engaged on the first toothed wheel 22 of the sticks 20a.

The path P comprises a recirculation stretch T2, wherein the sticks 20 are transported from the end TIB of the operating stretch Tl to the beginning TIA of the operating stretch Tl.

Thereby, the sticks 20 may support the folded printed fabric

T along the operating stretch Tl during the treatment process of the printed fabric T itself, to then be separated from the fabric at the end TIB of the operating stretch Tl and be brought back to the beginning TIA to support a new fabric portion.

Preferably, in at least one rectilinear portion of the recirculation stretch T2, the sticks 20 advance at different speeds with respect to the sticks 20a in the operating stretch Tl .

The sticks 20 are arranged according to an ordered sequence. According to such sequence, each stick is preceded, in the advancement direction of the sticks, by a preceding stick, and is followed by a next stick. Preferably, such sequence is not modified during the operation of the machine 1. In other words, given a certain stick, it will always be preceded by the preceding stick and it will always precede the next stick, keeping the order with which such sticks were mounted in the machine. What may vary, as will be clearer below, is the distance between each stick and the adjacent ones, that is between each stick and the preceding one and/or the next one.

Preferably, the recirculation stretch T2 comprises a retrieval zone Zl, in which the sticks 20 from the end TIB of the operating stretch Tl are retrieved and advanced. The handling structure 30 preferably comprises, at the retrieval zone Zl, a first fixed chain or rack 70 and a third motorized chain 80.

Therefore, since the sticks 20b in the retrieval zone Zl are subjected to the action of the third motorized chain 80 and of the first fixed chain or rack 70, they advance rotating about their own longitudinal axis.

Preferably, the first fixed chain or rack 70 and the third motorized chain 80 extend along a vertical stretch, extending from the end TIB of the operating stretch Tl, and along a next horizontal stretch, along part of the length of the side walls 11, 12 of the frame 10.

Preferably, the third motorized chain 80 mechanically is independent of the first motorized chain 60 and of the second motorized chain 61.

Preferably, the third motorized chain 80 is moved independently with respect to the first and the second motorized chain 61, 62.

Preferably, the third motorized chain 80 is moved at a different speed, in particular a greater speed, with respect to the first motorized chain 60 and to the second motorized chain 61.

The third motorized chain 80 is moved by a third motor M3 that is active on a respective toothed wheel coupled to the third motorized chain 80 itself.

Preferably, the first fixed chain or rack 70 and the third motorized chain 80 engage the second toothed wheel 23 of the sticks 20.

Preferably, the recirculation stretch T2 comprises a directing zone Z2 in which the sticks 20 coming from the retrieval zone Zl are directed towards the beginning of the operating stretch TIA and in particular, towards the uncoupling station 40, which is described below.

The handling structure 30 preferably comprises, at the directing zone Z2, a fourth motorized chain 90 that carries the sticks from the retrieval zone Zl towards the beginning TIA of the operating stretch Tl.

Preferably, the fourth motorized chain 90 extends according to a substantially horizontal direction, from the end of the third motorized chain 80 up to the uncoupling station 40.

The sticks 20c preferably are resting on the fourth motorized chain 90 along the directing zone Z2. Such sticks 20 therefore are translated without rotation by the fourth motorized chain 90.

Preferably, the fourth motorized chain 90 engages the first toothed wheel 22 of the sticks 20.

Preferably, the fourth motorized chain 90 is moved at the same speed as the third motorized chain 80.

In particular, the fourth motorized chain 90 may be moved by the same motor that moves the third motorized chain 80.

Preferably, the recirculation stretch T2 comprises an ascent zone Z3, in which the sticks 20 provided by the uncoupling station 40 are guided towards the beginning TIA of the operating stretch Tl.

The handling structure 30 preferably comprises, at the ascent zone Z3, a second fixed chain or rack 100.

The handling structure 30 preferably comprises, at the ascent zone Z3, a fifth motorized chain 110.

Since they are subjected to the action of the fifth motorized chain 110 and of the second fixed chain or rack 100, the sticks 20d in the ascent zone Z3 advance rotating about their own longitudinal axis.

Preferably, the second fixed chain or rack 100 and the fifth motorized chain 110 extend according to a substantially vertical direction, from the uncoupling station 42 up to the beginning TIA of the operating stretch Tl.

The fifth motorized chain 110 is moved by a fourth motor M4 that is active on a respective toothed wheel coupled to the fifth motorized chain 110 itself.

Preferably, the second fixed chain or rack 100 and the fifth motorized chain 110 engage the second toothed wheel 23 of the sticks 20d.

Preferably, the fourth motor M4, which is active on the fifth motorized chain 110, is adjusted at controlled speed so as to provide the accelerations required to form the folds.

The machine 1 comprises an uncoupling station 40 positioned in the recirculation stretch T2.

The uncoupling station 40 is configured to adjust a distance between each stick 20 and the next stick and/or the preceding stick .

Preferably, the uncoupling station 40 is positioned between the directing zone Z2 and the ascent zone Z3 of the recirculation stretch T2.

As will be clearer below, the sticks coming from the directing zone Z2 are caused to remain stationary at the uncoupling station 40 and then to be picked in a controlled manner to continue along the ascent zone Z3.

Preferably, the sticks enter the uncoupling station 40 according to a determined order and leave from the uncoupling station 40 according to the same order.

Preferably, the uncoupling station 40 (figures 5a, 5b) comprises a buffer 41 configured to accommodate one or more sticks 20e coming from the end TIB of the operating stretch Tl and substantially to keep such sticks 20e stationary.

The sticks 20 are fed directly to the uncoupling station 40, and in particular to the buffer 41, by an advancement chain, preferably consisting of the aforesaid fourth motorized chain 90.

Preferably, the buffer 41 comprises a chain portion 41a, kept in motion by a motorized member, and supporting sticks 20e present in the buffer 41.

Preferably, the chain portion 41a is part of the fourth motorized chain 90.

Preferably, the buffer 41 comprises a first locking device 41b for stopping the advancement of the sticks 20 present in the buffer 41 itself while the chain portion 41a is kept in motion.

The first locking device 41b may be made as a piston or other electromechanical device capable of acting on the stick 20e, for example abutting against the stick 20e itself, and of stopping the advancement of the same stick 20e.

The first locking device 41b may for example, act on the tubular body 21 or on the driving wheel 24 of the stick 20e.

The first locking device 41b is controllable between a first condition (figure 5a), in which it acts on a stick 20e present in the buffer 41, thus preventing the same from advancing, and a second condition (figure 5b) , in which it does not act on such stick .

Preferably, the uncoupling station 40 comprises a support element 41c supporting a stick 20f in most advanced position, according to the advancement direction of the sticks 20 along the path P, with respect to the sticks 20e present in the buffer 41.

In other words, the uncoupling station 40 preferably accommodates a plurality of sticks which arrive from the uncoupling station 40 itself in ordered sequence, temporally from a first stick to a last stick, according to the sequence with which the sticks themselves are mounted on the machine 1. The support element 41c supports the first of such sticks (stick 20f) , that is the one which, among the sticks currently present in the uncoupling station 40, is the one that arrived first. The buffer 41 accommodates the remaining sticks 20e that arrived in the uncoupling station 40 after the stick 20f .

Preferably, the first locking device 41b acts on the stick which is in the most advanced position among the ones present in the buffer 41. The remaining sticks 20e are kept stationary by such stick in the most advanced position.

Preferably, the support element 41c is formed by a portion of the guide G present on the side walls 11, 12.

Preferably, the stick 20f supported by the support element 41c is not engaged by any chain or rack.

Preferably, the uncoupling station 40 further comprises a second locking device 41d configured to keep in position the stick 20f supported by the support element 41c.

The second locking device 41d may be made as a piston or other electromechanical device capable of acting on the stick 20f, for example abutting against the stick 20f itself, and of stopping the advancement of the same stick 20f .

The second locking device 41d may for example, act on the tubular body 21 or on the driving wheel 24 of the stick 20f .

The second locking device 41d is controllable between a first condition (figure 5b), in which it acts on the stick 20f, thus preventing the same from advancing, and a second condition (figure 5a) , in which it does not act on such stick.

Preferably, the second locking device 41d operates in an alternating manner with respect to the first locking device 41b.

Preferably, when the first locking device 41b is in the first condition (locking the sticks present in the buffer 41), the second locking device 41d is in the second condition, leaving free the stick 20f (when present) . This situation is diagrammatically depicted in figure 5a. Preferably, when the first locking device 41b is in the second condition (no interference with the sticks present in the buffer 41), the second locking device 41d is in the first condition, leaving free the stick 20f (when present) . This situation is diagrammatically depicted in figure 5b.

The synchronization between the first and the second locking device 41b, 41d may be obtained for example, by means of respective pneumatic actuators managed by the control unit 50, which is described below.

Preferably, the uncoupling station 40 comprises an activation device 42 configured to act on a stick present in the uncoupling station 40 and to advance such stick towards the beginning TIA of the operating stretch Tl.

Preferably, the activation device 42 is controllable between a stand-by condition, in which it does not act on the sticks 20 present in the uncoupling station 40, and an operating condition, in which it acts on at least one stick present in the uncoupling station 40.

Preferably, in the operating condition, the activation device 42 acts on the stick which, according to the advancement direction of the sticks 20, is in the most advanced position in the uncoupling station 40.

Preferably, in the operating condition, the activation device 42 acts on the aforesaid stick 20f supported by the support element 41c.

Preferably, the activation device 42 (figure 5c) comprises a toothed wheel or chain portion 42a which, in the operating condition, couples with a toothed wheel 22, 23 belonging to a stick 20 present in the uncoupling station 40.

Preferably, the activation device 42 further comprises a lever 42b, interlocked to an electromechanical actuator 42c. The lever 42b supports the aforesaid toothed wheel or chain portion 42a. The lever 42b, under the action of the electromechanical actuator 42c, moves the toothed wheel or chain portion 42a so as to engage one of the toothed wheels 22, 23 of the stick 20f (operating condition) , or so as not to engage any of the toothed wheels of the sticks present in the uncoupling station 40.

Preferably, the activation device 42 acts on the second toothed wheel 23 of the stick 20f (or more generally, of the stick which, in the uncoupling station 40, is in the most advanced position with respect to the others) .

Preferably, the toothed wheel or chain portion 42a consists of the end part of the fifth motorized chain 110.

Such stick is moved, under the action of the activation device 42, so as to advance towards the beginning T1A of the operating stretch Tl.

Preferably, the activation device 42 operates in a synchronized manner with respect to the second locking device 41d: when the activation device 42 is to pick the stick 20f (operating condition) , the locking device is driven into its second condition.

Preferably, the machine 1 comprises a control unit 50 configured to send a control signal SIG to the activation device 42 to drive the latter from the stand-by condition to the operating condition.

The control unit 50 may be an electronic unit. In particular, the control unit 50 may be part of the electronic device or control system (e.g. PLC) that manages the whole operation of the machine 1.

In terms of operation of the machine 1, the following is worth noting.

The printed fabric T is inserted into the machine 1 in a known manner, through the inlet opening 15.

The sticks 20 coming from the ascent zone Z3 encounter such printed fabric T and, arriving at the beginning T1A of the operating stretch Tl, form respective folds with the printed fabric T itself.

Once a fold is formed, the respective stick 20 is advanced by the first motorized chain 60 preferably coupled to the second motorized chain 61.

During the advancement of the sticks 20 along the operating stretch Tl, the printed fabric T is subjected to the provided treatment (e.g. a steaming treatment) in a known manner, and therefore not further described.

The control unit 50 of the machine 1 adjusts the speed of the first and of the second motorized chain 60, 61 along the operating stretch Tl to comply with the time the fabric remains in the treatment chamber.

In an operating configuration, the motorized chains 60, 61 process at the same speed to allow the sticks to advance without rotating - that is, the sticks 20a are translated along the advancement direction.

In a different operating configuration, for example for process reasons, it is possible for the rotation of the sticks 20a in the advancement direction to be required simultaneously to the advancement caused by the first motorized chain 60. Here, the second motorized chain 61 has a faster speed than the first motorized chain 60 so as to allow the rotation of the sticks. The speed of the second motorized chain 61 therefore is to be adjusted so as to obtain the rotation required.

Preferably, the rotation of the sticks 20a along the operating stretch Tl is not carried out in time intervals in which there are sticks that are to be transferred from the recirculation stretch T2 to the beginning T1A of the operating stretch Tl or from the end of the operating stretch TIB to the recirculation stretch T2. Preferably, the first and the second motorized chain 60, 61 are moved at the same speed when a stick is to be transferred from the end TIB of the operating stretch Tl to the recirculation stretch T2 and when a stick is to be transferred from the recirculation stretch T2 to the beginning T1A of the operating stretch Tl.

Once it has arrived the end TIB of the operating stretch Tl, the stick 20 is separated from the printed fabric T.

The treated printed fabric T is caused to exit the machine 1 by means of the outlet opening 16.

The stick 20b is moved in the recirculation stretch T2 and in particular, in the retrieval zone Zl.

The control unit 50 of the machine 1 preferably adjusts the passage of the sticks from the end TIB of the operating stretch Tl to the recirculation stretch T2.

In particular, the control unit 50 adjusts the transfer of the sticks from the motorized chains 60, 61 to the kinematic structure C2 formed by the first fixed chain or rack 70 and the third motorized chain 80.

Therefore, the following operations are carried out:

1. The control unit 50 detects that a stick is arriving at the end TIB of the operating stretch Tl by means of a sensor, for example a proximity sensor.

2. The stick leaves the second motorized chain 61 and engages the first fixed chain or rack 70, starting to rotate about its own axis. The passage occurs mechanically, preferably without any particular control action.

3. The third motorized chain 80 is carried by means of the control unit 50 at the same speed as the first motorized chain 60 and in phase with said first motorized chain 60. Preferably speed signals provided by absolute encoders mounted on the drive shaft are used for the first motorized chain 60 and on the end of the third motorized chain 80, to carry out the timing.

4. The stick passes from the first motorized chain 60 to the third motorized chain 80. The third motorized chain 80 may then be accelerated to cause the stick to continue along the recirculation stretch T2, and in particular in the retrieval zone Z 1.

These steps preferably are performed each time a stick approaches the end TIB of the operating stretch Tl.

The stick 20 then continues from the retrieval zone Zl to the directing zone Z2.

The fourth motorized chain 90 of the directing zone Z2 preferably is moved by the same motor M3 of the third motorized chain 80 of the retrieval zone Zl.

Preferably, the motorized chains 80, 90 are in phase with each other by mechanical construction.

The passage from the third motorized chain 80 to the fourth motorized chain 90 may therefore occur without performing particular controls.

As mentioned, the sticks 20c in the directing zone Z2 are resting on the fourth motorized chain 90 and translate advancing towards the uncoupling station 40.

The end part of the fourth motorized chain 90 defines a part of the buffer 41 of the uncoupling station 40.

In particular, the portion 41a of the fourth motorized chain 90 that supports the sticks 20e and which advancement is locked by the first locking device 41b is a part of the buffer 41.

The first locking device 41b normally is in the first condition, that is in the condition in which it stops the advancement of the sticks 20e present on the chain portion 41a.

Preferably, the second locking device 41d normally is in the second condition.

The first locking device 41b is active at the end 90a of the fourth motorized chain 90.

The second locking device is active at the support element

41c.

When a stick 20 arrives close to the end 90a of the fourth motorized chain 90, two scenarios may occur:

- there are no sticks on the chain portion 41a; the stick at hand continues until it is stopped by the first locking device 41b;

- there already are one or more sticks 20e on the chain portion 41a; the advancement of the stick at hand is therefore stopped, since the stick abuts against the latter of the sticks 20e present on the chain portion 41a. In particular, the driving wheel 24 of the above stick rests on the driving wheel of the last stick 20e already present. Since the toothed wheels 22, 23 have a smaller diameter than the driving wheel 24, the toothed wheels of the sticks do not interfere with each other.

It is worth noting that when the sticks 20e are kept in the buffer 41, they do not advance, but the tubular body 21 and the toothed wheels 22, 23 rotate, under the action of the fourth motorized chain 90 and in particular of the portion 41a on which the sticks are resting. Preferably in this situation, the driving wheel 24 does not rotate due for example, to the bearings by means of which it is constrained to the tubular body 21.

To prepare a stick for a new insertion in the operating stretch Tl, the control unit 50 provides to drive the first locking device 41b in the second condition so that the first stick present on the chain portion 41a may translate forwards and become supported by the support element 41c.

The second locking device 41d is carried in the first condition so as to keep in position the stick that arrived at the support element 41c. The first locking device 41b is then brought back to the first condition, so as to lock the next sticks 20e and prevent the same from arriving at the support element 41c while the stick 20f is occupying it.

When there is the need to add a stick to the process, the control unit 50 sends a control signal SIG to the activation device 42.

The activation device 42 is driven by means of the control signal SIG from the stand-by condition to the operating condition.

Thereby, the stick 20 supported by the support element 41c is engaged and moved along the ascent zone Z3.

The second locking device 41d was carried to the second condition in advance so as not to hinder the activation device 42.

It is worth noting that the activation of the activation device 42 is caused by the distance that is to be imposed between the various sticks and therefore, by the width desired for the folds of the fabric T.

Also the first locking device 41b and the second locking device 41d preferably are controlled on the basis of this logic in order to ensure the stick 20f is ready when the activation device 42 is to be activated.

The fifth motorized chain 110 picks the stick 20f stopped in known position, while the speed of the fifth motorized chain 110 itself is detected through an encoder mounted on the end of the fifth motorized chain 110 itself.

When the waiting stick 20f has left the position in which it is supported by the support element 41c, the activation device 42 is brought back to the stand-by condition, waiting for another stick to be directed to the ascent zone Z3.

After being removed from the uncoupling station 40, the stick 20f (that became a "stick 20d") travels the ascent zone Z3 due to the fifth motorized chain 110 and to the second fixed chain or rack 100, and arrives close to the beginning TIA of the operating stretch Tl.

At the end of the ascent zone Z3, the stick 20d is inserted at the beginning TIA of the operating stretch Tl. In particular, the stick leaves the fifth motorized chain 110 and the second fixed chain or rack 100 and is engaged by the first motorized chain 60 (preferably in cooperation with the second motorized chain 61) .

Preferably, the stick leaves the second fixed chain or rack 100 first to engage the second motorized chain 61 (meanwhile, it continues to be engaged also by the fifth motorized chain 110) . To this end, the fifth motorized chain 110 is carried in advance at the same speed and in phase with respect to the first motorized chain 60. Then, the stick leaves the fifth motorized chain 110 to engage the second motorized chain 61. The first motorized chain 60 is already in phase with the second motorized chain 61. Figures 4, 4a to 4f diagrammatically show the passages described above: references "A", "B", "C" indicate the next positions that the stick takes on in passing from the ascent stretch Z3 to the operating stretch Tl.

Preferably, it is worth noting that each motorized chain belonging to the present invention may be provided with a chain tensioner device, made for example by means of a pneumatic actuator and intended to adjust the tension of the respective chain .

Preferably, the support rollers 17, 18 are activated by specific motors which are controlled for example by means of inverter.

In an operating configuration, the support rollers 17, 18 are activated with a constant, equal speed determined by the time the fabric remains in the chamber and the pace of the sticks .

In other operating configurations, it is provided for the rollers to have a non-constant speed. For example, the support roller 17 may be slowed down or even stopped to ensure the correct formation of the fold. Here, the average introduction speed of the fabric shall in any case be kept according to the process parameters and equal to the preferably constant speed of the outlet roller.

It is worth noting that the above description is intended for one side alone of the machine 1. In other words, the first and the second motorized chain 60, 61, the first fixed chain or rack 70 and the third motorized chain 80, the fourth motorized chain 90, the second fixed chain or rack 100, the fifth motorized chain 110, are mounted at one of the side walls 11, 12 of the frame 10. There is a completely similar structure on the other side wall 12, 11, operating on the opposite end of the sticks 20.

The same applies to the chain portion 41a, the first and the second locking device 41b, 41d (in particular, if they operate on the driving wheels 24) and the support element 41c, and also to the activation device 42.

According to one embodiment of the invention, a machine for the treatment of folded fabrics comprises (figure lb) :

- a first kinematic structure CI, formed by the first motorized chain 60, by the second motorized chain 61;

- a second kinematic structure C2, formed by the first fixed chain or rack 70 and the third motorized chain 80;

- a third kinematic structure C3, formed by the fourth motorized chain 90;

- a fourth kinematic structure C4, formed by the second fixed chain or rack 100 and by the fifth motorized chain 110. Preferably, the first kinematic structure CI is moved independently with respect to the second kinematic structure C2.

Preferably, the first kinematic structure CI is moved independently with respect to the fourth kinematic structure C4.

The sticks 20 are moved in sequence by the aforesaid kinematic structures CI, C2, C3, C4.

The sequence of first motorized chain 60, third motorized chain 80, fourth motorized chain 90 and fifth motorized chain 110 defines the path P along which the sticks 20 are caused to advance .

The uncoupling station 40 is interposed between the third kinematic structure C3 and the fourth kinematic structure C4.

The structure of the sticks 20 (schematized in figure 2) is such that each kinematic structure CI to C4 engages the first or the second toothed wheel 22, 23 of each stick, and the kinematic structures adjacent thereto engage the other toothed wheel 23, 22 of said sticks 20.

In other words, if one kinematic structure CI to C4 engages the first toothed wheel 22 of the sticks, the preceding kinematic structure and/or the next kinematic structure engage the second toothed wheel 23 of the sticks. Similarly, if one kinematic structure CI to C4 engages the second toothed wheel 23 of the sticks, the preceding kinematic structure and/or the next kinematic structure engage the first toothed wheel 22 of the sticks.

Generally, the presence of the first and of the second toothed wheel 22, 23 at the ends of the sticks 20 is useful for the transfer of the stick from one kinematic structure CI to C4 to the next .

Preferably, each kinematic structure CI to C4 partly overlaps the preceding kinematic structure and/or next kinematic structure. In other words, the passage from a specific kinematic structure to the next one provides for each stick to be engaged by at least part of the specific kinematic structure and simultaneously with at least part of the next kinematic structure. It is worth noting that the third kinematic structure C3 and the fourth kinematic structure C4 are an exception, because they do not overlap each other, rather they are separated by the uncoupling station 40.

If they are mechanically independent, the two partly overlapping kinematic structures preferably are put into phase with each other before the transfer is carried out. See by way of example, the description relating to the transfer of the sticks from the ascent zone Z3 to the operating stretch Tl. Figures 4, 4a to 4f diagrammatically show that described above: stick 20 occupies the positions A, B, C (figure 4) in sequence.

When the stick 20 is in position A (figures 4, 4a, 4d) , the second toothed wheel 23 is engaged with the fifth motorized chain 110 and with the second fixed chain or rack 100. The first toothed wheel 22 is not engaged with any chain or rack. The wheel 24 is coupled to the guide G.

When the stick 20 is in position B (figures 4, 4b, 4e) , the second toothed wheel 23 is engaged with the fifth motorized chain 110. The first toothed wheel 22 is engaged with the second motorized chain 61. The wheel 24 is coupled to the guide G.

When the stick 20 is in position C (Figures 4, 4c, 4f) , the second toothed wheel 23 is not engaged with any chain or rack. The first toothed wheel 22 is engaged with the first motorized chain 60 and with the second motorized chain 61. The wheel 24 is coupled to the guide G.

Generally, there is a plurality of sticks 20 in the machine 1 which are moved along a closed path P.

There is a respective, substantially continuous guide G on each side wall 11, 12, which defines the aforesaid path P. The sticks 20 extend from the side wall 11 to the side wall 12 and are kept substantially perpendicular to the side walls 11, 12.

The axial ends 21a, 21b of each stick 20 are engaged with the respective guides G, preferably by means of the aforesaid driving wheels 24, 24' .

The sticks 20 are caused to advance along the path P by means of a plurality of motorized chains 60, 61, 80, 90, 110, preferably according to a direction that is substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal development of the sticks 20 themselves .

The invention achieves important advantages.

Firstly, the invention allows significantly reducing the risk that the folds of fabric may be soiled by coming into contact with one another due to undesired oscillations of the folds themselves.

Moreover, the invention allows varying the width of the folds in a simple and dynamic manner, without being subjected to particularly stringent mechanical constraints.

Claims

1. Machine for the treatment of folded fabrics comprising :

a) a box frame (10) ;

b) a plurality of sticks (20), operating in said box frame (10) for supporting a printed fabric (T) and forming folds of said printed fabric (T) ;

c) a handling structure (30), active on said sticks (20) to advance said sticks (20) along a substantially closed path (P) , according to a predetermined advancement direction, wherein said path (P) comprises:

an operating stretch (Tl), wherein said sticks support the printed fabric (T) , said operating stretch (Tl) having a beginning

(T1A) and an end (TIB) ;

a recirculation stretch (T2), wherein the sticks (20) are transported from the end (TIB) of said operating stretch (Tl) to the beginning (T1A) of said operating stretch

(Tl) ,

d) an uncoupling station (40), active in said recirculation stretch (T2) and configured to adjust a distance between each of said sticks (20) and the next stick.

2. Machine according to claim 1, wherein the sticks (20), in at least a portion of said recirculation stretch (T2), advance at different speeds with respect to the sticks (20) in said operating stretch (Tl) .

3. Machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said box frame (10) consists of a pair of side walls (11, 12), substantially parallel to the advancement direction of said sticks (20), each of said side walls (11, 12) being provided with guides (G) for said sticks (20) .

4. Machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said uncoupling station (40) comprises:

a) a buffer (41) configured to accommodate one or more sticks (20) coming from the end (TIB) of said operating stretch (Tl) and to keep said one or more sticks (20) substantially stationary;

b) a support element (41c) for supporting a stationary stick (20f), in a more advanced position with respect to the sticks (20e) accommodated in said buffer (41);

c) an activation device (42) configured to act on the stick (20f) supported by said support element (41c) and advance said stick (20f) towards the beginning

(T1A) of said operating stretch (Tl) .

5. Machine according to claim 4, wherein said activation device (42) is controllable between a stand-by condition, in which it does not act on sticks (20) present in said buffer (41), and an operating condition, in which it acts on said stick (20) .

6. Machine according to claim 5, further comprising a control unit (50) configured to send a control signal (SIG) to said activation device (42) to drive said activation device (42) from said stand-by condition to said operating condition.

7. Machine according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein said activation device (42) comprises a toothed wheel or chain portion (42a) which, in said operating condition, couples with a toothed wheel (22, 23) being part of said stick (20) present in said buffer (41) to promote the advancement of said at least one stick (20) towards the beginning (T1A) of said operating stretch (Tl) .

8. Machine according to any one of claims 4 to 7, wherein said buffer (41) comprises:

a) a chain portion (41a), kept moving by a motorized member, and supporting sticks (20) present in said buffer (41);

b) a first locking device (41b) for stopping the advancement of said sticks (20) present in said buffer (41) while said chain portion (41a) is kept in motion.

9. Machine according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the handling structure (30), in said operating stretch (Tl), comprises a first motorized chain (60) supporting the sticks (20a) advancing from the beginning (T1A) to the end (TIB) of said operating stretch (Tl) , and preferably a second motorized chain (61), arranged superiorly to said first motorized chain (60) and cooperating with said first motorized chain (60) to advance said sticks (20a) .

10. Machine according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the recirculation stretch (T2) comprises a retrieval zone (Zl), in which the sticks (20) coming from the end (TIB) of said operating stretch (Tl) are retrieved and advanced, wherein the handling structure (30), in said retrieval zone (Zl), is preferably provided with a first fixed chain or rack (70) and a third motorized chain (80) .

11. Machine according to claim 10, wherein said recirculation stretch (T2) comprises a directing zone (Z2) wherein the sticks (20) from said retrieval zone (Zl) are directed towards said uncoupling station (40), wherein the handling structure (30), in said directing zone (Z2), preferably comprises a fourth motorized chain (90) which carries the sticks from said retrieval zone (Zl) to said uncoupling station (40) .

12. Machine according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said recirculation stretch (T2) comprises an ascent zone (Z3) in which the sticks (20) provided by said uncoupling station (40) are guided towards the beginning (T1A) of said operating stretch (Tl), wherein the handling structure (30), in said ascent zone (Z3), preferably comprises a second fixed chain or rack (100) and a fifth motorized chain (110) .

13. Machine according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each of said sticks (20) comprises:

a) a tubular body (21) for supporting said folded fabric (T) , said tubular body (21) having a first axial end (21a) and a second axial end (21b) opposite to said first axial end (21a) ;

b) a first toothed wheel (22), mounted to the first axial end (21a) of said tubular body (21) in an axially proximal position;

c) a second toothed wheel (23), mounted to the first axial end (21a) of said tubular body (21) in an axially distal position.

14. Machine according to claim 13, wherein each of said sticks (20) further comprises a driving wheel (24), mounted to said first end axial (21a) in axial position opposite to said first toothed wheel (22) with respect to said second toothed wheel (23), said driving wheel being coupled to the guide (G) present on one of said side walls (11, 12) .

15. Method for handling sticks (20) in a machine (1) for the treatment of folded fabrics, said method comprising:

a) advancing sticks (20) along an operating stretch (Tl) , from a beginning (T1A) to an end (Tib) ;

b) advancing said sticks (20) along a recirculation stretch (T2), from the end (TIB) of said operating stretch (Tl) to the beginning (T1A) of said operating stretch; c) in said recirculation stretch (T2), adjusting the distance between each stick (20) and the next stick .

16. Method according to claim 15, wherein adjusting the distance between each stick (20) and the next one comprises:

a) keeping one or more of said sticks stationary in an uncoupling station (40) arranged on said recirculation stretch (T2);

b) picking one of the sticks (20) present in the uncoupling station (40) and advancing said picked- up stick towards the beginning (T1A) of said operating stretch (Tl) .