ITFI20070197A1 - "MACHINE AND METHOD FOR THE CONTINUOUS TREATMENT OF ROPE FABRICS" - Google Patents

Description

Machine and method for the continuous treatment of rope fabrics

DESCRIPTION

Technical field

The present invention refers to a machine for the treatment of textile pieces or articles, such as for example knitted orthogonal fabrics, and to the relative process for their processing, dry or wet or still wet, such as for example processing of drying, washing, dyeing and finishing.

State of the art

In the field of fabric processing and finishing, machines with rotating baskets or drums similar to domestic washing machines are known for performing dry or wet processing on pieces of fabric or textile articles or in the bathroom, such as for example drying, washing, dyeing and finishing.

In some cases these machines are of the discontinuous type and require that a fabric rope of finished length (several tens of meters) is introduced into the machine and closed, possibly joining together the head and tail of the rope itself to form a sort of ring. The fabric is kept in motion for a sufficient time inside the machine to achieve the desired characteristics and effects on the fabric. At the end of the treatment, the machine is stopped, possibly depressurized, opened and the treated fabric is extracted from it to be replaced with a new fabric to be treated.

Discontinuous machines with rotating basket are described for example in the patents US3601903, US3696643, DE3934406 and EP1702095.

These machines find a particularly advantageous use for the finishing of soft or particularly delicate fabrics, since during processing the fabric is free to move inside the basket without creating tension or traction in its fibers.

In this way, the "re-entry" effect of the fabric is also maximum, both in the weft and in the warp (due to the decrease in size that the fabric undergoes mainly due to the processing to which it is subjected).

At the same time, these machines have various drawbacks, including the need for a frequent stop for the loading and unloading of the fabric, which must be sewn in a loop, joining the two ends of the piece by sewing, an operation that further lengthens the processing times. loading and unloading of the machine. Furthermore, the formation of knots in the fabric during the treatment involves the need for further lengthy operations to dissolve said knots formed in the fabric during the working cycle, all carried out manually by an operator. This involves a high loss of production and a high incidence of labor.

Furthermore, the final effect of the treatment may be affected by the fact that the random and free movement of the piece inside the rotating basket causes a natural predisposition of the fabric to form knots or bottlenecks. Furthermore, any internal fins of the basket have a casual grip on the mass of the fabric during processing which favors the penetration of free loops with neighboring loops. The final effect of the processing on the fabric results in an alternation of stitches with complete processing and points with insufficient processing, which an attempt is made to remedy by having the fabric perform various processing cycles and / or by unloading the product from the machine, untying the knots. and reloading it in the machine itself, as mentioned above.

Furthermore, the finishing effect between one process and the next is not accurately controllable and repeatable, as is increasingly required by the market.

Furthermore, the machine cost / production rate ratio is high, since for high productions this type of machines must be structured with distinct machining units.

Furthermore, the need to depressurize and cool the machine (when it works under pressure and / or temperature) also involves a considerable energy expenditure.

In order to try to improve productivity, innumerable types of machines have been developed for the processing of rope and also wide fabrics in a continuous cycle. These machines substantially have a dragging path with treatment sections or tanks which generally allow to obtain a good treatment on the surface of the fabric and more effective and vigorous mechanical treatments without the need for frequent stops; therefore productivity increases and the incidence of labor decreases.

Some of these machines are described for example in the patents US4766743, US5431031, US5311627, US5243840, US5520027, US6148648 and in EP1425454, EP0808930, EP1781854.

This last type of machine therefore finds an effective application in the processing of fabrics that require energetic processing and in particular a consistent softening.

These machines are generally complicated in construction and use and the dragging of the fabric can be difficult due to the tortuosity of the paths or the limited efficiency of the dragging systems.

Continuous cycle machines have also been studied which include rotating baskets that process rope fabrics. This type of machine generally includes one or more rotating baskets in which the fabric is introduced into an inlet section, crosses the machine according to a dragging path in any intermediate baskets and is gradually extracted from the outlet section at the opposite end of the path. - therefore without creating a closed path inside the machine - see for example patents US4010550, FR2345548, EP0495761, EP0633340, IT1308505 and EP1415031.

In this way it is possible to increase productivity and reduce the incidence of labor, without the need for frequent machine stops.

A disadvantage of this type of basket machines is the tendency to form knots or bottlenecks in the fabric, due to the presence of long lengths in each basket. The knots that form in the stock of fabric contained in a basket jeopardize the final result of the processing, as radial streaks form in the piece of treated fabric. The rotation of the basket (s), although in altering directions, causes the formation of twists in the piece of fabric, which likewise generate so-called accordion-like wrinkles and streaks in the treated piece.

Summary of the invention

According to one aspect, the invention provides a machine for treating rope fabric which overcomes or reduces one or more of the aforementioned disadvantages of existing machines and a related processing method.

In particular, the purpose of an embodiment of the invention is to provide a machine with at least two consecutive treatment sectors, and a relative processing method which allow to obtain more uniform treatments on a fabric cord, with limited formation of knots and / or twists.

The purpose of another embodiment is to treat a rope fabric with a continuous type process, obtaining a degree and quality of processing that are generally typical of discontinuous type processes.

Basically, according to an embodiment of the invention, a machine is provided for the continuous treatment of a rope fabric comprising: a plurality of treatment sectors rotating around at least a first axis of rotation, arranged in series along a path of advancement of the fabric; and a respective system for dragging the fabric between consecutive treatment sectors, for transferring said fabric along said advancement path from an upstream sector to a downstream sector with respect to the dragging system. The entrainment system is configured to reduce the twisting induced in the fabric by the rotation of the sector upstream of the entrainment system.

In this way, the twisting or winding of the fabric rope on itself is reduced. By providing multiple treatment sectors, rather than a single basket or treatment sector, a large amount of fabric can be efficiently treated by forming stocks of limited length in each treatment sector. With this expedient the formation of knots, bottlenecks or twisting of the rope itself during processing is reduced.

The effect of reducing the torsion can be advantageously obtained by providing that the dragging system rotates, preferably but not necessarily at the same speed as the treatment sector associated with it, around an axis substantially oriented according to the path of the fabric through the system of drag itself. This can be achieved by making the dragging system integral with the treatment sector to which it is associated, or also by supporting the dragging system in a rotating unit with a rotation movement controlled by a separate motorization with respect to that of the treatment sector, to causing the dragging system to rotate in a manner coordinated with the rotation motion of the treatment sector.

In some embodiments, the treatment sector can comprise a rotating basket, or a rotating drum, with or without perforations for the passage of a bath of treatment liquid. The treatment sectors can consist of compartments separated by dividing walls of the same rotating drum, so that a limited supply of fabric is formed in each compartment or sector, while a large length of fabric is being treated overall in the machine. The division of the fabric into several stocks of limited length and the provision of an intermediate dragging system between sector and sector or compartment and compartment allows to substantially reduce the formation of twists, loops and / or knots. This configuration is also particularly simple and economical.

Similar results are obtained if the sectors consist of baskets, drums or other separate rotating organs or chambers, controlled by a common motorization or even by independent motors. A solution of this type is mechanically more complex but could allow to obtain greater flexibility in the management of treatments on the various portions of fabric in the various sectors or treatment rooms.

In particular, the fabric rope being processed forms a stock of fabric that opens or partially melts inside the treatment compartment or sector, facilitating the re-entry of both the weft and the warp of the fabric - as in traditional discontinuous basket machines. - obtaining at the same time a much more uniform degree of processing than the same discontinuous machines, thanks to the fact that the formation of knots or bottlenecks or twisting of the fabric rope on itself is enormously reduced.

Consequently, the final effect of the processing on the fabric cord is more complete, penetrating and uniform and the quality of the finished product is much higher than traditional batch processes in the basket.

By treatment room or sector is meant any structure suitable for forming at least one treatment volume for the containment and processing of the fabric, inside which the aforementioned stock of fabric is formed and processed.

The treatment sectors can be made with treatment baskets or drums suitably configured and made in various ways according to particular construction, space and / or processing requirements.

Furthermore, it cannot be excluded that several machines or treatment sections that are independent of each other can be connected in series to form a (semi) complete finishing line with modular units.

The dragging system according to the invention advantageously and preferably comprises at least one motorized towing element (or a pair of elements) for dragging or pushing the fabric rope along the dragging direction, such as for example a pair of cylinders or towing reels. or other.

Advantageously, in a possible embodiment, at least one towing motor drive for activating the towing element or elements is associated with the frame of the machine, i.e. external to the treatment compartment or sector, and is mechanically connected to the towing element (s) by means of a push-fit joint; alternatively, a drive motor is associated with each drive system and rotates with it, see description below.

Advantageously, the dragging system or systems can be motorized in a bidirectional way, to move the fabric alternately in opposite directions inside the machine, with a speed greater than that of introducing and extracting the fabric from the machine itself, so as to allow a repeated treatment in each single treatment sector.

A further embodiment provides that the dragging system or systems are placed at such a height as to create an axial tension on the fabric cord (mainly obtained from the fabric's own weight) during its activation to drag the fabric, so to stretch the rope further facilitating the dragging and untying of knots and inlets.

In another particularly advantageous embodiment, the treatment sectors include a rotation axis around which they rotate to perform the treatment and a geometric or symmetry axis; the axis of rotation is different from the aforementioned geometric axis, that is, they are skewed to each other or inclined and incident. An inlet section and an outlet section from the sector for the fabric are also provided, advantageously positioned approximately at the level of the rotation axis of the sectors.

In this way, rotating treatment sections are created which move the fabric alternately in opposite directions within them during the treatment with a beneficial effect on processing.

It should be noted that the latter embodiment can also be achieved with a single treatment sector and / or without dragging systems configured to reduce or eliminate torsion in the fabric being treated.

A further advantage of some embodiments of the machine according to the invention is that it is extremely versatile, since it allows to perform different treatments in each sector with the same machine, providing distinct and separate pumping and / or circulation systems for each fluid. treatment (washing or drying air, finishing liquids or other).

By providing bidirectional dragging systems, it is possible to obtain a high quality treatment with an extremely small-sized machine, providing different sectors for different processes and carrying out more dragging depending on the degree of machining required. In this case, both costs, production times and energy expenditure are therefore considerably reduced, while increasing productivity.

According to another aspect, the invention relates to a method for the continuous treatment of a rope fabric, comprising the following steps:

a) arranging, in series along a fabric dragging path, at least two consecutive rotating treatment sectors and a dragging system for the fabric between said consecutive treatment sectors;

b) gradually dragging the fabric along the dragging path through said treatment sectors;

c) rotating said treatment sectors around a first axis of rotation to work the fabric;

d) by means of said dragging system to reduce the twisting or winding of the rope fabric during processing.

Further advantageous characteristics and embodiments of the method and of the machine according to the invention are indicated in the attached claims and will be further described below with reference to some non-limiting embodiments.

Brief description of the drawings

The present invention can be better understood and its numerous objects and advantages will become evident to those skilled in the art with reference to the attached schematic drawings, which show a practical non-limiting example of the invention itself. In the drawing: the

Fig.1 shows an axonometric view of a machine in drying configuration in an embodiment of the invention; there

Fig.2 shows an axonometric view of a machine in a washing configuration in another embodiment of the invention; there

Fig.3 shows a detail of the dragging system used in Figs.1 and 2; there

Fig.4 shows a partially sectional side view of another embodiment of the invention in drying configuration; there

Fig.5 shows a detail of the dragging system of Fig.4; there

Fig.6 shows a partial sectional side view of a machine in a further embodiment; the

Figs 7 and 8 show further embodiments of a machine according to the invention; there

Fig.9 shows a section according to a longitudinal vertical plane of a further embodiment of a machine according to the invention, with treatment sectors presenting a geometric axis inclined with respect to the rotation axis of the sectors themselves; and the

Figs. 10 and 11 show in longitudinal section angular positions rotated by 90 ° and 180 ° respectively of one of the treatment sectors of Fig.9.

Detailed description of some embodiments of the invention

In the drawings, in which equal numbers correspond to equal parts in all the different Figures, two configurations of a machine according to the invention are indicated with 1A and 1B, see Figs. 1 and 2 respectively, and comprise a frame 2 on which they are mounted three treatment sectors of the basket type 3, 5 and 7 coaxial and rotating - according to the arrow F2 - around a first axis of rotation X to treat a fabric T in rope. These treatment sectors are also arranged in succession to each other along a direction of advancement F1 parallel to their axial development.

In one embodiment, the treatment sectors 3, 5 and 7 are of a substantially traditional type. They comprise substantially cylindrical side walls 3P, 5P and 7P with a plurality of holes for the circulation of air or liquids.

Advantageously, the machine 1A or 1B comprises an inlet section 5A with an opening for inserting a fabric rope T into the first basket or treatment sector 3 and an opposite outlet section 7A with an opening for extracting the rope of fabric T from the third and last basket or treatment sector 7.

The first treatment sector 3 has a substantially vertical wall 3S (left in the drawing) and another opposing substantially vertical 3D wall (right in the drawing). The second basket or treatment sector 5 has a vertical wall 5S (left in the drawing) and another opposite one 5D (right in the drawing) and the last basket 7 has a vertical wall 7S (left in the drawing) and a other opposite wall 7D (on the right in the drawing).

The vertical wall 3S of the first basket 3 is associated with the inlet section 5A of the machine 1A-1B; the vertical wall 7D of the last basket 7 is associated with the outlet section 7A of the same machine 1A-1B. The vertical walls between adjacent baskets are side by side, i.e. the 3D wall of the basket or sector 3 is flanked to the wall 5S of the basket 5 and forms an intermediate section 6 while the wall 5D of the basket or sector 5 is flanked to the wall 7S of the basket 7 and forms an intermediate section 8.

On each intermediate section 6 and 8 (formed by the vertical walls 3D, 5S and respectively 5D, 7S) there is a through opening of suitable dimensions to house a respective dragging system 19 suitable for transferring the fabric T from a basket or sector to the basket or adjacent sector. In some embodiments the dragging system 19 is supported inside a frame 20 fixed to one or the other or to both walls defining the respective section 6 and 8, as shown in the figure.

In a modified embodiment, instead of pairs of walls 3D, 5S and 5D, 7S, a single wall can be arranged between the different treatment sectors, on which the respective drive system 19 is fixed. What is relevant is only the the fact that a single basket or drum is divided into various treatment sectors, in order to be able to divide the stock of fabric T into a plurality of portions or stocks formed by smaller quantities of fabric, in order to limit or reduce the risk of formation of knots, with a system of dragging from one treatment sector to another, which reduces the formation of twists in the piece of fabric.

Advantageously, each dragging system 19 is positioned spaced apart from the first axis of rotation X and comprises towing elements made by means of two towing cylinders or rollers 25 and 26 placed side by side so that the T-woven cord, as described in more detail below. With this arrangement, when the treatment sectors 3, 5, 7 rotate around the X axis, the dragging systems 19 rotate integrally with the sectors 3, 5, 7 around the same axis.

In some embodiments, from the cylindrical walls 3P, 5P and 7P the ribs 16 extend radially towards the inside for dragging and flapping the fabric T being processed.

The baskets or treatment sectors 3, 5 and 7 rotate integrally according to the arrow F2 in a clockwise or anti-clockwise direction or alternatively in one direction and the other. This rotation is obtained by means of a rotation mechanism 9 which, in this embodiment, comprises a plurality of rollers 9A integral with a respective rotation shaft 9B on which the cylindrical walls 3P, 5P and 7P rest and able to transmit the rotary motion from a motor - shown for simplicity only in Fig.1 and indicated with 10 - to the cylindrical walls 3P, 5P and 7P. In some embodiments the rollers 9A can be toothed and meshing with toothed rings integral with the drum or cylinder formed by the set of baskets or sectors 3, 5 and 7.

To treat a fabric T with the machine 1A-1B in a first loading phase, the fabric cord T is arranged along the entire path inside the machine itself, i.e. the fabric T is arranged inside each basket or sector 3 , 5 and 7 so as to form a predetermined amount of stock (advantageously and preferably of about 10 - 20 meters, but also up to 70 meters and more in each basket or treatment sector 3, 5, 7) depending mainly on the type of fabric and processing to be performed. The stock formation can also be gradual, in the sense that in a first phase the fabric is pulled through the machine so that the head of the piece comes out of the section 7A and then the actual treatment phase is started, during which the fabric is gradually advanced through the treatment sectors 3, 5, 7, forming an adequate supply of fabric in one sector after another. In this way, each section of fabric is processed for the time necessary within each treatment sector.

In the embodiments shown in Figs. 1 and 2, a feed roll 13 feeds fabric wide to an inlet reel 15A through an introducing ring 151 adapted to form a fabric cord T before entering the machine 1A-1B . The fabric cord thus made is fed into the machine 1A-1B through the inlet section 5A through an inlet conduit 14A with invitation. The fabric cord T forms a stock inside the first basket or treatment sector 3 and is subsequently gradually dragged into the adjacent basket or treatment sector 5 by means of a first dragging system 19 placed on the intermediate section 6. In the basket 5 the fabric rope forms another reserve which is gradually dragged into the last basket or treatment sector 7 by means of a second dragging system 19 placed on the intermediate section 8. From the last basket 7 the rope is extracted by means of a reel outlet 15B through the outlet section 7A and an outlet conduit 14B by invitation.

The reels 15A and 15B are advantageously motorized to facilitate the feeding of the fabric T.

The machine 1A illustrated in Fig.1 is in a drying configuration and comprises a drying system which substantially provides a fan 27 suitable for creating a stream of drying fluid (generally ambient air) and connected by means of a connection pipe 31 to a heating battery 29 placed above the treatment baskets 3, 5 and 7 which serves to heat the treatment fluid. The heated fluid is subsequently introduced into the baskets or treatment sectors 3, 5 and 7 through the holes in their cylindrical walls, passes through underlying drawer filters 33 placed under the baskets 3, 5 and 7 to be then sucked again by the fan 27 On the delivery duct of the fan 7 there is a branch 35 forming a chimney for discharging the air from the circuit described above. A valve or other adjustable system, not shown, allows to divide the flow outgoing from the fan 27, discharging a part of it through the chimney 35 and recirculating a part of it through the duct 31 towards the heating battery. An external air intake (not shown) is provided on the suction line of the fan 37, to suck a part of fresh air from the environment to be introduced into the heating battery. The amount of air discharged through the chimney 35 can vary to obtain, for example, a more or less rapid drying, as the greater the flow of air discharged from the circuit and replaced by ambient air, the higher the drying speed and vice versa.

Fig.2 shows the machine 1B similar to the previous one in Fig.1, but which differs from it because it is in the washing configuration. In Fig.2 the same elements of Fig.1 correspond to the same reference numbers.

This machine 1B provides a washing system - instead of the drying system - substantially comprising an introduction vessel 131V for the washing liquid (generally water) which feeds a circulation filter 133 through a 131A connection pipe. circulation 127 sucks the washing liquid from the filter 133 to push it into a heating exchanger 129 adapted to heat the liquid itself and then push it to a series of sprayers 131 S through a pipe 131 B. The sprayers 131 S are arranged above the baskets 3, 5 and 7 to spray the washing liquid inside them through the treatment holes.

Fig. 3 shows in greater detail an advantageous embodiment of the drive system 19. It comprises a feed unit with two drive rollers 25 and 26 mounted on support and rotation shafts 25X and 26X respectively, so that the rope of fabric T passes through the rollers 25-26 to receive the feed motion therefrom. In the illustrated embodiment both rollers are motorized, but the possibility of motorizing only one of the rollers or even of using a single roller is not excluded.

The rollers 25 and 26 shown in Fig. 3 are shaped to facilitate the passage of the fabric cord T between them. It is clearly not to be excluded any other type or conformation for the rollers according to specific construction or processing needs.

The support shafts 25X and 26X are supported by a pair of bearings 25C and 26C and are preferably and substantially transverse with respect to the dragging direction F1 of the fabric T and therefore advantageously oriented at 90 ° with respect to the first axis of rotation X of the baskets or sectors. treatment 3-7. In other embodiments different orientations can be provided with respect to that indicated in the figure.

The bearings 25C and 26C are fixed on the frame 20 integral with the side-by-side walls 3D and 5S of the intermediate section 6 between the baskets 3 and 5 or to the side-by-side walls 5D, 7S of the intermediate section 8 between the baskets or treatment sectors 5 and 7. The shafts 25X and 26X are spaced by a distance D1 and D2 respectively with respect to the first axis X.

Advantageously, the drive rollers 25 and 26 are motorized to rotate around the rotation shafts 25X and 26X respectively - see arrow F3 - dragging the fabric cord T from one basket or sector to the other thanks to a coupling drive motor 37 arranged on the frame 2 outside the baskets 3, 5 and 7.

In some embodiments the towing motorization 37 comprises a motor M sliding according to the double arrow F4 on translation guides 41 A of a structure 41 fixed on the frame 2 of the machine. The motor M is kinematically connected to a shaft 37A by means of gears not shown, housed in a box 37D and adapted to transmit the rotation motion from the motor M to the shaft 37A.

The shaft 37A is mechanically connectable to one 25X of the support shafts 25X and 26X by means of a coupling coupling 37 made with a male splined end 37E of the movable shaft 37A which can be inserted into a splined hole 37B of a respective shaft end support 25X. A 37C cardan joint is provided on the 25X shaft before the 37B hole to facilitate its engagement and transmission of motion.

A pneumatic actuator 43 is associated with the structure 41 and is connected by means of a rotating connection joint 43A to the movable shaft 37A so as to approach or move away - according to the arrow F4 - the shaft 37A (to which the motor M sliding on the guides 41 A) to the support shaft 25X to insert or disengage the push-in coupling 37.

Therefore, the configuration described above provides for the coupling between the drive motor 37 and the drive system 19 stopping the rotation F2 of the baskets 3, 5 and 7 in a predetermined coupling point, in which the support shaft 25X it is coaxial with the mobile shaft 37A.

Advantageously, the aforementioned coupling point between the drive motor 37 and the drive system 19 is provided at the maximum height with respect to the rotation axis X, so as to create a further traction on the fabric rope T due to its weight for further facilitate the stretching, untying and handling of the fabric rope T.

Once the engagement has taken place, the motor M imparts a rotation to the movable shaft 37A which transmits it to the support shaft 25X by means of the coupling 37; in turn the support shaft 25X transmits the rotation of to the support shaft 26X by means of a gear transmission comprising a toothed wheel 39A on the support shaft 25X meshing with a respective toothed wheel 39B on the support shaft 26X . The support shafts 25X and 26X transmit the drive rotation F3 to the rollers 25 and 26 respectively to drag the fabric T.

The aforementioned coupling drive motor 37 is clearly described for purely indicative purposes, as it may be of any other type suitable for the purpose. For example, it is also possible to use a roller or two motorized drawing rollers with an internal motor, for example coaxial to the respective roller. In this case, a simple electrical connection is provided in the engagement position which, when the drum in which the treatment sectors 3, 5, 7 are made, stops in the desired position, is connected to the internal motors of the rollers to cause their rotation. Furthermore, it cannot be excluded that a different coupling position can be provided, depending on particular construction or machining requirements. Instead of electric motors, hydraulic motors can also be used, for example.

The rollers 25, 26 can also have a different shape with respect to that illustrated or be replaced by other drawing or dragging systems, such as reels of suitable shape.

An embodiment similar to the previous one - not illustrated for the sake of brevity - provides for associating the aforementioned dragging system 19 (comprising the rollers 25/26 or other towing devices suitable for the purpose) in an axial position on at least one of the sections 6 or 8, i.e. on one of the pairs of vertical walls 3D, 5S and / or 5D, 7S, so that the axis of rotation X around which the drive systems 19 rotate and the treatment sectors 3, 5, 7 crosses in an approximately median position the groove between the rollers 25, 26.

Advantageously, in some embodiments the dragging system 19 comprises guide elements 25G, such as for example fabric detachable sickles, suitable for accompanying and facilitating the fabric cord T as it enters / exits during dragging.

It is clear that the aforesaid treatment sectors 3-7 are in no way limited in the number and type described, representing an exemplary embodiment for a machine according to the invention.

Fig.4 shows a machine 100A in drying configuration according to another embodiment of the invention.

This machine 100A substantially comprising a frame 102 on which three treatment sectors of the basket type 30, 50 and 70 respectively coaxial and rotating around a first rotation axis 100X - see arrow F2 - are associated to treat a fabric T in rope and comprising side walls 30P, 50P and respectively 70P having a substantially cylindrical shape with a plurality of treatment holes, similar to the embodiments described above.

The rotation according to the arrow F2 of the baskets 30, 50 and 70 is controlled by a rotation mechanism schematized in a manner substantially similar to that described in Figs. 1 and 2, and again indicated as a whole with 9. It comprises rollers or toothed wheels 9A keyed on a shaft 9B rotated by a motor 10. The baskets or treatment sectors 30, 50, 70 rest on the rollers 9A. , when toothed wheels 9A are used, these mesh with toothed crowns integral with the baskets or treatment sectors 30, 50, 70. Similarly to what has been described above, an inlet section 105A of the machine 100A is provided with an opening for inserting the fabric cord T in the machine 100A and an opposite outlet section 107A with an opening for extracting the fabric cord T from the machine 100A.

Furthermore, the first basket 30 has a vertical wall 30S and another opposite wall 30D. The second basket 50 has a vertical wall 50S and another opposite wall 50D and the last basket 70 has a vertical wall 70S and another opposite wall 70D.

The main difference with respect to the embodiments illustrated in Figs.1 and 2 consists in the fact that the baskets 30, 50 and 70 are arranged spaced apart along the dragging direction F1 rather than forming portions of a common drum.

Therefore, between the vertical walls of adjacent baskets - i.e. the walls 30D and 50S of the adjacent baskets 30 and 50 and between the walls 50D and 70S of the adjacent baskets 50 and 70 - intermediate sections 60 and 80 respectively comprising paths or dragging channels are provided of the fabric indicated with 111 and 112 respectively. In a position in the channels 111 and 112 a respective dragging system 119 is provided.

More particularly, in the embodiment illustrated in Fig.4, the dragging channel 111 is formed by a first part 111 A adapted to make the fabric T pass from an outlet opening of the wall 30D of the first basket 30 to the first delivery system drive 119 and from a second part 111 B adapted to make the fabric T pass from the first drive system 119 to an inlet opening of the left wall 50S of the second basket 50.

Similarly, the dragging channel 112 is formed by a first part 112A adapted to make the fabric T pass from an outlet opening of the wall 50D of the second basket 50 to the second dragging system 119 and by a second part 112B adapted to make passing the fabric T from the second dragging system 119 to an inlet opening of the wall 70S of the third basket 70.

The first and second parts 111A, 111B and 112A, 112B of the channel 111 and 112, respectively, each preferably have a lower arched leading surface to facilitate the sliding of the fabric inside them.

In an embodiment of the invention, each dragging system 119 rotates according to the arrow F5 on itself around a second axis of rotation 100Y spaced by a distance D3 with respect to the first axis 100X and substantially parallel thereto.

Advantageously, in one embodiment there is provided a motor 157 adapted to make the two drive systems 119 rotate on themselves with an angular speed which can be advantageously equal to the angular speed with which the baskets or treatment sectors 30, 50 rotate, 70. The transmission is obtained by means of a shaft 157C on which pulleys 157P are keyed which transmit the motion by means of belts 157T to a toothed crown 147 (Fig. 5) in which are supported, by means of a frame 148 integral with the toothed crown 147, rollers of drive 125, 126 between which the fabric T advances. The toothed crown 147 of each drive device or system 119 is rotatably supported to the fixed structure of the machine for example by means of a frame 150 (Fig.5).

Therefore, the machine described above is particularly efficient, since it is possible to rotate the fabric cord T on itself by means of the drive systems 119 at the same rotation speed of the baskets 30, 50 and 70. In this way the possibility of formation of twisting in the stocks of fabric T in the various baskets or treatment sectors 30, 50 and 70 during processing.

Furthermore, by suitably adjusting the distance D3 between the first and second axis 100X and 100Y, it is possible to create an adequate distension tension on the fabric cord T capable of further stretching and loosening it.

The axes of rotation of the drawing rollers 125, 126 are preferably and substantially perpendicular with respect to the dragging direction F1 of the fabric T and therefore advantageously oriented at 90 ° with respect to the first axis of rotation 100X of the baskets 30-70. Clearly, any other provision suitable for this purpose cannot be ruled out.

In one embodiment, the drawing rollers 125 and 126 are of the inflatable chamber type so as to grip the fabric cord T and damage it as little as possible; it is clear that this type of cylinders is only indicative of an embodiment, being of any other type, such as for example of the type described above with reference to Fig. 3, or being replaced by towing elements of a different type , according to specific construction and / or processing needs.

It is clear that the external motorization 157 and the conformation of the dragging system 119 with the support frame 147 of circular shape described above are indicative, as they can be made of any other convenient type and therefore do not want to be in any way limiting of the invention.

The drawing rollers 125 and 126 can be made to rotate around their respective axes, for example by means of internal motors (not shown), powered from the outside. Alternatively, the drive motors of the rollers 125, 126 can be external to the rollers and carried by the toothed wheel 147. In one embodiment, the electrical supply to the motors of the rollers 125, 126 can be obtained with a system of sliding contacts, which allows the feeding during the rotation of the loom 147. In this case the rotation according to F5 of the drive system and the rotation of the drive rollers 125, 126 around the respective axes can occur simultaneously, so that the advancement of the fabric from a sector of treatment 30, 50, 70 to the other can take place during the treatment.

Alternatively, a coupling can be provided for the electrical power supply of the rotation motors of the rollers 125, 126 in a fixed angular position of the respective toothed wheels 147, in a similar way to the mechanical connection for the rotation of the drive systems of Figs. 1 and 2.

As an alternative still, a motorization by means of hydraulic motors of the rollers 125, 126 can be provided, a solution which can also be adopted in the machine of Figs. 1 and 2. A manifold can supply hydraulic fluid while rotating the frame 147.

In a modified embodiment, not shown, the rotation around the axis 100Y of each drive system 119 can be controlled by an independent motor, instead of providing a single motor which drives all the drive systems 119 through a common shaft. A solution of this type can be adopted for example by providing that the individual treatment sectors or baskets 30, 50, 70 are also controlled by independent motors. In this way it is possible to release the rotation of one sector with respect to the other.

The rope fabric is fed to the machine 00A by an inlet reel 115A which picks it up from a supply 113 to pass through the inlet section 105A via an inlet duct 117A. The fabric rope T forms a stock inside the first treatment basket 30 and is subsequently gradually dragged into the adjacent basket 70 by means of the first dragging system 119 inside the dragging channel 111. In the basket 50 the fabric rope forms another stock and is further dragged into the last basket 70 by means of the second dragging system 119 inside the dragging channel 112. From the last basket 70 the rope T is extracted by means of an output reel 115B through the section 105D and an inlet duct 117B.

The reels 115A and 115B are advantageously motorized to facilitate the feeding of the fabric.

In an advantageous embodiment, upstream of the reel 115B there is a winder comprising a dragging duct 118 inside which the rope T exiting the machine 100A passes. The dragging duct 118 of the rewinder can be made to rotate around its own axis according to the arrow F6 by means of a further rotation motor, schematized with 181. The rewinding devices of this type are known per se and do not require a detailed description. here. The rotation of the duct 118 by means of the motorization 181 is controlled when a suitable sensor detects the presence of twisting on the fabric. The rotation of the duct 118 and the internal configuration of the duct itself are such as to tend to eliminate these twists from the piece of rope fabric that passes through the duct 118. The rewinder forms part of a cord opener or is placed upstream of a cord opener, not shown and also known per se.

The machine 100A in the configuration described in Fig. 4 also comprises a drying system in which a fan 127 creates the flow of drying fluid (generally ambient air) and connected in series by means of a connecting pipe 131 to a plurality of heating coils 129 to heat the treatment fluid, each coil placed over a respective basket 30, 50 and 70. The fluid is introduced into the baskets or treatment sectors 30, 50 and 70 through the holes made on their cylindrical walls 30P, 50P and 70P while they rotate, it is discharged into a drawer filter 133 placed under the same baskets 30, 50 and 70, and comes out from an exhausted fumes outlet chimney 135.

In Fig.4 a dragging system 119 between the baskets 30 and 50 and another dragging system 119 between the baskets 50 and 70 is schematised, i.e. inside the dragging channel 111 and 112 respectively; it is clearly not to be excluded that this system 119 is provided in different numbers and in different positions, such as for example also at the entrance and / or exit from the machine.

Fig.6 shows an embodiment similar to that illustrated in Fig.4, in which similar numerical references correspond to similar elements, comprising a dragging system 219 between the baskets 30 and 50 and another dragging system 219 between the baskets 50 and 70. This latter embodiment differs from that of Fig. 4 substantially due to the fact that each dragging system 219 comprises a towing element of the reel type 192 (replacing the tow cylinders 25, 26 or 125, 126) which it rotates to drag the fabric T but is fixed with respect to the machine frame.

The dragging system 219 also includes a dragging duct 128 inside which the fabric rope T slides to connect a treatment basket with the towing reel 192.

Advantageously, the further dragging duct 128 is made with an inclined and incident pipe with respect to the first axis of rotation 100X of the baskets or treatment sectors and has a second axis of rotation 200Y. This duct 128 is placed in rotation around the axis 200Y by an external motorization 257.

In one embodiment, the second external motorization 257 comprises a motor 257M and a transmission element 257T of the belt type or the like; it is clear that such an embodiment of the towing motorization 257 is purely indicative, as it can be realized in any other way suitable for the purpose. The dragging duct 128 is made in a similar way to the duct of a rewinder which, rotating in a manner coordinated with the rotation of the upstream treatment sector, eliminates or reduces any residual torsions in the rope fabric T which is dragged through the duct 128.

In a variant embodiment, the dragging duct 128 can be combined with twist detection systems, known per se and not described in detail here, which detect the presence of any torsions in the fabric and control the rotation of the duct 128 when this is necessary to eliminate any twists in the fabric. In this case, a motor is associated with each duct 128 and is operated only when a residual twist is detected in the rope fabric that passes through the duct itself.

Figures 7 and 8 show very schematically further configurations of a machine according to the invention with different arrangements and numbers of the baskets or treatment sectors.

In particular, Fig. 7 shows a machine 200 which includes a first series of three treatment baskets 230I, 250I and 270I coaxial and side by side along a dragging direction F10 orthogonal to their longitudinal development and a second series of three baskets 230II, 250II and 270II coaxial and side by side along the dragging direction F11 orthogonal to their longitudinal development and parallel to the dragging direction F10.

The first and second series of baskets are placed side by side horizontally and connected by an appropriate deviation path 200D of the fabric T.

Drive systems 319 according to the invention are arranged between the various baskets 230I, 250I, 270I and 230II, 250II, 270II and along the deviation path 200D.

Fig.8 shows a machine 300 which includes a first series of three treatment baskets 330I, 350I and 370I coaxial and side by side along a dragging direction F12 orthogonal to their longitudinal development and a second series of three baskets 330II, 350II and 370II coaxial and side by side along the dragging direction F13 orthogonal to their longitudinal development and parallel to the dragging direction F12.

The first and second series of baskets are placed side by side vertically, that is, one below the other, and connected by an appropriate 300D deviation path of the T fabric.

Dragging systems 419 according to the invention are arranged between the various baskets 330I, 350I, 370I and 330II, 350II, 370II and along the deviation path 300D.

It should be noted that the aforementioned dragging systems 319 and 419 of Figs. 7 and 8 are represented very schematically with tow rollers associated with the vertical dividing walls of each basket or treatment sector. It is clear that this representation is purely indicative, one or the other of the configurations described with reference to the previous embodiments or their combinations or other equivalent systems may be adopted.

The rotation of the baskets 230I, 250I, 270I and 230II, 250II, 270II of Fig. 7 and of the baskets 330I, 350I, 370I and 330II, 350II, 370II of Fig. 8 realized by a rotation mechanism schematized therein substantially similar to that 9 described in Figs. 1, 2, 4 and 6; it cannot clearly be excluded that this rotation mechanism may be of any other type suitable for the purpose, in particular according to the conformation of the external surface of the baskets.

Fig.9 shows a machine 400 which includes three baskets or treatment sectors 430, 450 and 470 aligned with each other along the direction of advance F1 and between which drive systems 519 according to the invention are arranged.

Advantageously, each treatment basket 430, 450 and 470 rotates around a common axis of rotation 200X extending along the direction of advancement F1 of the fabric, to carry out the treatment on the fabric. In addition, each basket or treatment sector 430, 450, 470 is shaped so that its internal cylindrical surface S for containing the fabric has a geometric or Z symmetry axis inclined with respect to the rotation axis 200X. Preferably the two axes Z and 200X are incident, i.e. they intersect, but the possibility that said two axes are slightly skewed, i.e. they do not lie on the same plane, is not excluded.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 9, the substantially cylindrical internal surface S is made with a cylindrical wall 495 having a plurality of holes and fixed (for example by welding) to its ends with flanges 480, 490 comprising cylindrical walls 480C and 490C coaxial to the axis of rotation 200X of the treatment sectors 430, 450, 470. The cylindrical walls 480C, 490C rest on wheels or rollers 9A keyed on shafts 9B of a system for transmitting the rotation motion to the baskets or treatment sectors 430, 450, 470. 10 again shows a shaft drive motor 9B. The rollers or wheels 9A can be replaced by toothed wheels meshing with toothed crowns made on or integral with the cylindrical walls 480C, 490C.

In this way, the cylindrical bodies defined by the walls 495 are made to rotate around the axis 200X, with a rotational movement which, unlike traditional machines, does not occur around the geometric axis of the treatment basket (axis Z).

It must be understood that such an implementation is purely indicative, as it can be carried out in any other way suitable for the purpose. For example, the walls 495 forming the treatment sectors or baskets 430, 450, 470 can be placed inside cylindrical bodies with a geometric axis coinciding with the axis 200X, rather than simply being provided with end flanges 480, 490. In this case the external cylindrical bodies are preferably perforated to allow the circulation of air or treatment liquids.

Each basket 430, 450, 470 has an inlet opening I and an outlet opening 0 for the fabric. Preferably these openings I and 0 are arranged approximately coaxial and approximately at the height of the rotation axis 200X. Even in the latter configuration, between adjacent baskets or treatment sectors 430, 450, 490, drive systems 519 are provided, equivalent to systems 19, 119, 219 or 319 and represented in a very schematic way for purely indicative purposes. They can be advantageously made according to one of the configurations described above, or combinations thereof.

The particular conformation of the baskets or treatment sectors 430, 450, 470 illustrated in Fig. 9 and described above can be advantageously used also in single basket machines, or in multiple basket machines, without intermediate dragging systems between baskets or sectors of adjacent treatment.

The substantial advantage of the basket or treatment sector configured as illustrated in Fig. 9 consists in the fact that by rotating the basket around the axis 200X inclined with respect to the geometric axis Z, the stock of fabric inside it suffers due to the effect of the gravity and rotation a forward and backward movement according to the arrow Ff. In fact, starting from the arrangement of Fig. 9, where the fabric is all collected in the lowest point of each basket 430, 450, 470 which turns out to be the one furthest to the right in the drawing, after a rotation of 180 ° around the axis 200X the fabric is moved from right to left since the lowest point of each basket or treatment sector 430, 450, 470 will now be at the extreme left of each sector. By continuing to rotate, the fabric stock is slammed back and forth as a result of this change in height of the internal surface of the drum, as well as undergoing a mechanical effect due to the component of the movement of the drum in the circumferential direction at the axis 200X.

The movement of the fabric caused by the reciprocal inclination between the Z and 200X axes can be better understood by observing the sequence of Figs. 9, 10 and 11, where Fig. 10 shows one of the baskets or treatment sectors of Fig. 9 after a rotation of 90 ° and Fig. 11 the same sector rotated by a further 90 ° and therefore by an overall angle equal to 180 ° with respect to the position of Fig. 9. The tissue stock T contained in the represented treatment sector has moved from right to left during this rotation. By continuing the rotation in the same direction or also in alternating directions of the treatment sector, a back and forth movement of the fabric between the head walls of the treatment sector is obtained, in addition to the normal movement due to rotation.

The cylindrical walls 495 can be equipped with ribs or other elements protruding radially towards the inside of the drum and suitably shaped to obtain a mechanical action on the fabric being treated.

It is clear that, as described above, it is possible to perform different treatments in each of the respective baskets 3, 5, 7 with the same machine 1A, 1B, 100A, 100B, 200, 300 or 400; 30, 50, 70; 230I, 250I, 270I, 230II, 250II, 270II; 330I, 350I, 370I, 330II, 350II, 370II; 430, 450, 470 providing distinct and separate pumping systems for each treatment fluid (washing or drying air, finishing liquids or other).

Therefore, it can be envisaged to realize a (semi) complete and automatic finishing line in dry and / or wet in an easily modulated and simple control way, providing suitable input / output units to the aforementioned machine 1A, 1B, 100A, 100B, 200, 300 or 400, such as, for example, a large roll of fabric unwinder or an external machine to create the rope, an impregnation pad, any pre-drying cylinders to increase drying productivity, a continuous rope opener and a reel out of the machine.

In another embodiment of the invention, the cylindrical walls 3P, 5P, 7P; 30P, 50P, 70S of the baskets can be made with a single elongated cylindrical wall divided by suitable intermediate sections fixed on the frame of the machine or integral with the same elongated cylindrical wall.

Advantageously, at least some of the vertical walls 3S, 3D; 5S, 5D; 7S, 7D and 30S, 30D; 50S, 50D; 70S, 70D can be fixed with respect to the respective baskets themselves, as described in the previous embodiments, or they can be fixed with respect to the frame of the machine.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the dragging systems 19, 119, 219, 319, 419 or 519 which serve to drag the fabric cord T from one basket or treatment sector to another can be activated simultaneously with the rotation. treatment F2 of the treatment baskets, if the construction characteristics of the machine allow it. In this way, the processing of the T fabric is extremely fast and efficient.

Alternatively, the dragging systems 19, 119, 219, 319, 419 or 519 can be activated in succession to the treatment rotation F2 of the treatment baskets, so as not to drag the fabric from one basket to another during processing.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is also provided that the aforementioned dragging systems 19, 119, 219, 319, 419 or 519 can drag the fabric T with an alternating motion in opposite directions with a higher dragging speed than that of introducing and removing the fabric T from the machine 1A, 1B, 100A, 100B, 200, 300 or 400, so as to allow repeated treatment in the single treatment basket.

In the latter case, a control unit and sensor means are advantageously provided - not shown in the previous figures for the sake of simplicity - in each treatment basket, such as for example load cells or the like, to independently control the stock of fabric that is stored in the respective treatment baskets and to control the system for reversing the direction of advancement of the fabric in each basket.

Preferably, the speed of advancement of the fabric between the baskets and the inversion of the movement imposed by each drive system are adjustable independently of the speed of insertion and exit of the fabric from the machine 1 A, 1 B, 100A, 100B, 200, 300 or 400.

In this way it is possible to advance the fabric at high speed passing it several times from one of the treatment baskets and vice versa, before transferring it to the next basket so that each portion of fabric is treated several times in each basket and the passage of the fabric from one basket to another takes place in a controllable way regardless of the machine entry / exit speed.

Furthermore, it is advantageously provided to compensate or recover the "return" effect, avoiding that a supply of fabric can run out in a treatment basket; at each decrease in the inversion time of each dragging system, a speed decrease is foreseen in the advancement phase of the fabric from one basket to the adjacent one.

In this way it is possible to make the fabric come out continuously from the machine at a perfectly synchronized speed, equal to - or rather lower due to the re-entry effect - to that of the machine itself.

Control systems for a continuous alternating movement of a fabric cord between several adjacent sections are described in more detail, for example in the patent application WO-A-2007054994.

Furthermore, the advancement movement of the fabric from one basket to a subsequent basket can be at a constant or variable speed according to specific construction and / or processing requirements.

Furthermore, it is possible to partially combine two or more of the aforesaid embodiments according to particular construction and / or processing requirements or according to the type of fabric to be processed.

For example, it can be provided to make the dragging channels 111 and 112 of the dragging system 119 described in Fig.4 rotate on themselves by means of an external motorization similar to the external motorization 257 of Fig.6.

Another example is that the dragging element 118 described with reference to Fig. 4 can be provided positioned at the inlet and / or outlet of any of the aforementioned machines 1A, 1B, 100A, 100B, 200, 300 or 400 or in proximity of at least some of the dragging systems 19, 119, 219, 319, 419 or 519 described above to further facilitate the rotation of the cord fabric T on itself.

It is understood that what is illustrated represents only possible non-limiting embodiments of the invention, which may vary in forms and arrangements without departing from the scope of the concept underlying the invention. The possible presence of reference numbers in the attached claims has the sole purpose of facilitating their reading in the light of the above description and the attached drawings and does not in any way limit the scope of protection.

Claims (13)

CLAIMS 1) A machine for the continuous treatment of a rope fabric comprising: a plurality of treatment sectors rotating around at least a first axis of rotation, arranged in series along a path of advancement of the fabric; and a respective system for dragging the fabric between consecutive treatment sectors, for transferring said fabric along said advancement path from an upstream sector to a downstream sector with respect to the dragging system; characterized in that said at least one dragging system is configured to reduce the torsion induced in the fabric by the rotation of the sector upstream with respect to the dragging system. 2) The machine as per claim 1, characterized in that said dragging system rotates around a second axis of rotation, oriented approximately in the direction of advancement of the fabric through said dragging system. 3) The machine as per claim 2, characterized in that said second axis of rotation is approximately parallel to said first axis of rotation of the respective upstream treatment sector. 4) The machine as per claim 2 or 3, characterized in that said second axis of rotation crosses said dragging system. 5) The machine as per claim 2 or 3, characterized in that said second rotation axis is spaced apart from the dragging system. 6) The machine according to one or more of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that said second axis of rotation coincides with the first axis of rotation, around which the treatment sector upstream of said dragging system rotates. 7) The machine according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said treatment sectors comprise a substantially cylindrical rotating wall with an inlet and an opposite outlet for the fabric. 8) The machine as per one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said dragging system comprises a fabric feed unit, with at least one motorized towing element for gripping and dragging the fabric, said feed unit being equipped with a rotation movement coordinated with the rotation movement of the respective upstream treatment sector, to reduce or eliminate the twisting induced in the fabric by the rotation of said respective treatment sector. 9) The machine as per claim 8, characterized by the fact that said feed group comprises a pair of pulling elements, at least one of which is motorized, for gripping and dragging the fabric, arranged with respective rotation axes substantially orthogonal to the direction of advancement of the fabric through said advancement assembly, said pair of driving rollers being rotatable around an axis oriented at approximately 90 ° with respect to the rotation axes of the driving rollers. 10) The machine as per claim 8 or 9, characterized in that said drive elements or elements consist of rollers or reels. 11) The machine as per one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said drive system rotates integrally with the respective upstream treatment sector. 12) The machine as per one or more of claims 1 to 10, characterized by the fact that said dragging system is supported independently by said consecutive treatment sectors and is equipped with an autonomous motorization, which controls its rotation around an axis substantially orthogonal to the direction of advancement of the fabric through said dragging system. 13) The machine as per claim 12, characterized by the fact that a fabric feed duct is arranged between consecutive treatment sectors, the respective dragging system being arranged in said feed duct 14) The machine as per one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a rotating drum divided by a plurality of intermediate dividing walls into a plurality of treatment sectors. 15) The machine as per claim 14, characterized in that said dragging systems are carried by said intermediate dividing walls and rotate integrally with the drum. 16) The machine according to one or more of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that said treatment sectors each comprise a rotating drum in which a stock of fabric is formed and through which said fabric is made to advance. 17) The machine as per claim 16, characterized in that said rotating drums are rotated by a common motor. 18) The machine according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said treatment sectors are equipped with an alternating rotation movement. 19) The machine as per one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the movement of each dragging system and the respective upstream treatment sector are controlled in such a way that while the treatment sector rotates around said first axis the dragging system rotates around a respective second axis of rotation, without advancing the fabric through the dragging system, and that during a phase of stopping the rotation of the treatment sector, the dragging system is activated to extract fabric from said treatment sector . 20) The machine as per one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least one drive motor drive to activate said drive system or systems, said drive drive being fixedly mounted with respect to a frame of said machine, and mechanically connected to said or said dragging systems by means of a coupling joint. 21) The machine as per one or more of claims 1 to 20, characterized in that a towing motor drive is associated integral with said at least one dragging system. 22) The machine according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said drive system or systems are motorized in a bidirectional way, to advance the fabric along said advancement path in alternating directions. 23) The machine according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said treatment sectors each comprise a rotation axis around which they rotate to perform the treatment of the fabric and a geometric or symmetry axis; said axis of rotation being inclined with respect to said geometric axis. 24) The machine as per one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said dragging system is placed at such a height as to create an axial tension on the fabric during its activation, so as to stretch the fabric. 25) A method for the continuous treatment of a rope fabric, comprising the following steps: to. arranging, in series along a fabric dragging path, at least two consecutive rotating treatment sectors and a dragging system for the fabric between said consecutive treatment sectors; b. gradually dragging the fabric along the dragging path through said treatment sectors; c. rotating said treatment sectors around a first axis of rotation to work the fabric; d. by means of said dragging system to reduce the twisting or winding of the rope fabric during processing. 26) The method according to claim 25, characterized by the fact of rotating the dragging system in a manner coordinated with the rotation of the upstream treatment sector, around a second axis extending approximately according to the advancement path of the fabric through said dragging system. 27) The method according to claim 26, characterized by the fact of rotating said dragging system at the same speed as the treatment sector. 28) The method as per claim 25, 26 or 27, characterized in that the fabric dragging phase (b) and the rotation phase (c) of said treatment sector are simultaneous. 29) The method according to claim 25, 26 or 27, characterized by the fact that the phase (b) of dragging the fabric and the phase (c) of rotation of said treatment sector are in succession. 30) The method according to one or more of claims 25 to 29, characterized by the fact of dragging said fabric in reciprocating motion in opposite directions through said treatment sectors.