LU82998A1 - METHODS AND APPARATUSES FOR PROCESSING MOBILE SUBSTRATES FOR MODIFYING THE APPEARANCE THEREOF BY APPLICATION OF HEATED FLUID, AND PRODUCTS OBTAINED THEREFROM - Google Patents

Description

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The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for treating materials which are mobile with respect to the apparatus, by currents of a pressurized fluid so that these materials have visual surface effects, as well as products formed by their implementation.

As used herein, the term "fluid" refers to gaseous, liquid and solid materials which exhibit fluidity, which may form one or more coherent streams under pressure directed to the surface of a substrate material. The term "gas" denotes in particular air, water vapor and other gases or vapors and their mixtures, which can be directed in the form of one or more coherent streams under pressure. The term "substrate" refers to any material the surface of which can be struck by one or more streams of pressurized fluid, with change in visual appearance.

Although substrates which are particularly suitable for treatment with streams of pressurized fluid by using the apparatus according to the invention, are textile constructions in the form of fabrics and in particular fabrics containing threads and / or thermoplastic fibers, such as treating the surface of the fabric with streams of fluid heated under pressure causes thermal changes in the yarns or fibers and the formation of a desired surface effect or pattern, the apparatus can be used for the treatment of any substrate as long as the nature of the substrate or of the stream of fluid under treatment pressure causes a visual change in the surface of the substrate due to contact with the stream. For example, the process fluid may be a solvent for the substrate material, where the temperature of the fluid may be such that it thermally modifies or deforms the constituents of the substrate which are in contact with the fluid streams, with the formation of effects. indicated.

In the present specification, the expression "textile fabric" includes all types of continuous or discontinuous sheets or sheets 2, containing fibers or threads, for example constructions of knitted, woven, tufted, clogged, laminated or not fabrics. -woven, as long as fluids heated under pressure can cause a change in the visual appearance of the surface of the fabric.

It is already known to form a pattern on the surface of certain acrylic pile fabrics by calender embossing, the surface of the pile being brought into contact with the projecting surfaces of the roller so that the fibers of the heated pile are compressed towards the 'reverse side of the fabric, the; drawing of the surface of the roll thus being transferred to the surface of the fabric. However, this calendered embossing of heated pile fabrics is very expensive since it requires a roll with a different pattern for each different design to be formed on the fabric, and the length of the pattern for repeating the pattern in the fabric. fabric is limited by / the circumference of the roller bearing the design. Furthermore, it is considered that the patterns formed in the acrylic pile fabrics by embossing cannot be obtained by the calender embossing of fabrics containing thermoplastic yarns spun in the molten state, such as pile fabrics of " Nylon "and polyester, given the difficulty in obtaining the high temperatures necessary for thermal shrinkage and fixing and the resulting tendency of the threads to stick to the embossing calender.

It is known in the field of fabric dyeing, design dyeing on a mobile fabric using continuous liquid dye streams, which are selectively deflected so that they do not strike the fabric, for example. cross-checking of air currents controlled according to the information representing the drawing. U.S. Patents 3,969,779 and 4,059,880 describe an apparatus used for this purpose.

It is known to use an apparatus intended to direct water vapor or pressurized air to the surface of a textile fabric so that it modifies the location or the thermal properties of fibers and threads. 13 and thus causes a change in the appearance of the surface of these fabrics. U.S. Patent 3,010,179 discloses an apparatus for treating synthetic pile fabrics, directing multiple jets of dry steam through distributors, onto the face of a movable fabric so that the fibers of the pile are deflected and disoriented in the regions with which the steam comes into contact, and the fabric is thus dried and heated so that the deflected fibers are thermally fixed and give a visual effect which simulates that of the skins used for furs. U.S. Patent No. 2,563,259 describes a method of forming patterns in flocked pile fabric by projecting multiple streams of air onto the flocked surface of the fabric before hardening. end of the adhesive in which the fibers are coated, so that the fibers of the pile are reoriented and form certain patterns. U.S. Patent 3,585,098 describes an apparatus for treating with dry steam or hot air the surface of a pile fabric so that the stresses are relaxed in the synthetic fibers and cause disorientation and looping of the fibers in the fabric.

U.S. Patent No. 2,241,222 describes an apparatus having a plurality of nozzle orifices for directing water vapor or pressurized air in a direction perpendicular to the surface of a fabric. down so that the down of the fabric is lifted and looped. U.S. Patent No. 2,110,118 discloses a dispenser having a narrow slot for directing compressed air against the surface of a fabric containing a group of tufts so that they form a down during a textile processing operation.

Although the patents cited in the previous paragraph generally indicate that water vapor and compressed air can be used to modify the appearance of the surface of fabrics, it is considered that these known devices do not give precision and! · 4 sufficient accuracy for the adjustment of gas streams at high temperature so that the surface drawings can be very precise and elaborate, with very clear limits, because in general oi} can only use them 5 for the formation of relatively coarse drawings of the surface or for modifications of the fibers on the surface in a random and undefined form In addition, the apparatus appears to limit as to the variety of different designs that can be produced in the fabrics.

The modification of the appearance of the surface of a mobile substrate with respect to an apparatus, for example a textile fabric, by application of fluid currents, presents numerous difficulties relating to the adjustment of the flow rate, of the pressure and of the direction of the currents with a reliability and a precision which are sufficient for the designs formed in the fabric to be delimited with precision and can be complicated. In addition to the precision in the definition of the drawing, the efficient use of fluid at very high temperature, with preservation of a uniform temperature in the fluid streams over the entire width of a moving fabric, and the adjustment of the 'rapid excitation and de-excitation of heated currents using conventional valves mounted in the heated fluid lines, present difficulties.

25 When a heated fluid such as steam or heated air is applied to the surface of a

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fabric in the form of one or more streams spaced along an elongated dispenser, maintaining a uniform temperature in the stream (s) across the width of the dispenser presents difficulties. When the fluid heated under pressure is introduced into the distributor from a single location along its length so that it is evacuated by a narrow and elongated slot or several orifices placed along the distributor, the variable circulation distances of fluid in the distributor, from the heat source of the fluid, causes variable losses of heat in the fluid so that there are differences in temperature in the fluid streams projected by the distributor. When the heat of the current fluid is used for the thermal modification of the thermoplastic yarns and fibers in the fabrics so that the longitudinal shrinkage and the molecular reorientation cause the formation of the desired pattern in the fabric, the differences in temperature of the currents striking the fabric may reveal undesirable irregularities in the pattern formed. It is therefore important as long as all the currents hitting the fabric have practically the same temperature. In addition, the impurities present in the heated fluid can easily clog and seal small individual nozzles of an applicator of a compressed fluid, so that the treatment apparatus 15 must be stopped for the removal of the obstacle, and part of the fabric produced is lost due to the formation of an erroneous pattern by the apparatus during this filling.

The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for forming patterns on the surface of substrates, using streams of pressurized fluid, with reliability and precision greater than those afforded by known methods and apparatus.

It also relates to a method and an apparatus for treating the surface of substrates containing thermoplastic elements by streams of fluid under pressure at elevated temperature, so that the appearance of the surface of the substrates is changed.

It also relates to a method and apparatus 30 for directing precisely delimited streams of compressed gas, having a high temperature, into the surface of a textile fabric containing thermoplastic threads so that these are thermally modified and form a desired pattern on the surface.

It also relates to a method and an apparatus for directing one or more narrow streams of a gas at high temperature, in a substantially continuous direction. Ί * 6 diculaire, in the surface of a textile fabric so that the characteristics of fibers and thermoplastic threads of the fabric are modified thermally, with selective blocking of the passage of the currents or parts of the 5 currents by cooler currents of compressed gas, according to information representing a drawing, so

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that different designs can be formed on the surface.

It also relates to a method and an apparatus for adjusting the temperature of a heated fluid in an elongated distributor which discharges this fluid and which uses several inlet conduits having heating assemblies for the fluid received.

It also relates to a method and apparatus for establishing uniform fluid outlet temperatures of a series of individual heaters mounted in parallel so that a compressed fluid flowing therein to an elongated dispensing compartment is heated.

It also relates to a simple and inexpensive method and apparatus for adjusting the outlet temperature of a fluid from a series of individual heating devices mounted in parallel along a fluid distributor, by progressive adjustment of the flow rates. fluid in the heaters so that the outlet temperatures are balanced, the temperatures then being detected and adjusted from a single point of detection along the dispenser.

It also relates to a valve device mounted in the heated fluid inlet conduits reaching a discharge device with a heated fluid distributor, such as the current of a compressed fluid circulating in the individual heating devices of a series of such associated devices can be adjusted progressively so that the fluid outlet temperatures, for the same amount of energy transmitted to the series of heating devices, are balanced, so that detection, control and the regulation of the energy transmitted to each heating device to maintain the temperature

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* 7 uniform tures during the fluid treatment operation, are no longer necessary.

It also relates to an apparatus for treating the surface of a mobile substrate with one or more streams of heated fluid directed into the surface when the substrate is supported during its movement, by passing over a rotary roller, an apparatus in which a heat transfer fluid circulates in the roller "so that it prevents warping or distortion of the roller as a result of non-uniform heating of its surface: face due to contact with the stream or streams of heated fluid .

It also relates to products in the form of fabrics produced by implementing one or more methods and apparatuses according to the invention.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will be better understood on reading the description which follows of embodiments and with reference to the appended drawings in which: FIG. 1 is a schematic overall side elevation of a apparatus for giving visual surface effects to a mobile substrate, according to the invention; Figure 2 is an enlarged schematic elevation of the pressure fluid heated application portion of the apparatus of Figure 1, showing an arrangement of the various elements for transmitting both a heated compressed gas and a compressed gas relatively cold to the hot gas distributor of the application device; Figure 2A is a block diagram showing how electrical energy is transmitted to the series of heaters of Figures 1 and 2 when adjusting the temperatures of the compressed fluid transmitted to the heated fluid dispenser; FIG. 3 is an enlarged schematic perspective, with parts broken away, showing a part of the hot gas distributor of FIGS. 1 and 2, /

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8 this figure showing some of the internal elements and a shim used in the elongated slot of the dispenser so that a desired surface pattern is formed on the movable substrate with respect to. the device; Figure 4 is a schematic sectional view of the gas distributor of Figure 3 and further illustrates the use of a cooler pressurized gas distribution device to selectively prevent the exit of portions of heated gas the dispenser so that a pattern can be formed in the substrate; Figure 5 is a schematic section of part of the hot gas distributor of Figure 4, along the line V-V of Figure 4, in the direction of the arrows; FIG. 6 is a schematic section of a variant of a hot gas distributor in which the shim is removed from the slot of the distributor, only the relatively cold gas distribution device being used for adjusting the evacuation of the hot gas by 20 the slot; Figure 7 is a schematic section of parts of the dispenser of Figure 6, along the line V-V, in the direction of the arrows; FIG. 8 is an enlarged partial perspective view of a block used in the hot gas distributor, the block allowing the distribution of gas in narrow and distant currents towards the surface of a substrate; FIGS. 9 and 10 are diagrams showing how the treatment apparatus according to the invention can be used for lifting the hairs from a substrate in the form of a textile fabric having the hairs oriented in one general direction only; and FIGS. 11 to 15 are photographs of the surface of certain textile products produced according to the invention by treatment using the apparatus and methods according to the invention.

In its most general form, the invention / 9 relates to methods and apparatuses for precise and high-speed application of one or more streams of a pressurized fluid to the surface of a moving substrate with respect to - · port to the device so that the visual appearance of the surface 5 is changed. More specifically, the device comprises a heated fluid distributor, having an elongated narrow slot placed transversely to the relative path of movement of the substrate and of the device and disposed very close to the surface to be treated. The invention also relates to a method and an apparatus for adjusting the amount of energy supplied to several individual heating devices arranged so that a fluid is heated and under pressure; be directed to uniformly spaced locations. along the compartment of an elongated dispenser, and the fluid heated along the dispenser maintains a uniform temperature.

A pressurized fluid, for example air, having a high temperature, for example between 150 and 370 ° C, is transmitted to the distributor and directed through the slit in a direction substantially perpendicular to the surface of the movable substrate while the The evacuation of hot air through the slit is adjusted so that it forms one or more narrow and precisely defined currents which strike the surface of the substrate causing a desired change in the surface. The heated air which strikes the substrate, in the case of substrates formed by tissue! textiles containing thermoplastic fibers or yarns, causes a thermal modification of the thermoplastic fibers and yarns of the fabric by modifying the physical appearance, with longitudinal withdrawal of the fibers and yarns in selected regions, so that drawings having clear, precise boundaries are formed.

In one embodiment of the invention, a heated fluid such as air is selectively directed in the form of streams delimited precisely by means of an elongated wedge having distant notches along one of its edges, the edge of the wedge having the notches being arranged in the distributor chamber, along the length thereof, and delimiting distant channels intended to direct the air in the form of several narrow streams, towards : the surface of the substrate moved relative to the device. The wedge is also made so that it ensures filtration of the particles in suspension in the air by preventing the obturation of the channels while allowing a continuous circulation of the air currents.

In another embodiment, the processing apparatus 10 comprises a device for selectively directing streams of compressed and relatively cold gas in transverse direction in the slot of the dispenser, at distant locations along it, so that the hot air can no longer circulate and comes, striking the substrate at the corresponding locations, according to a drawing adjustment information. The device for discharging a cold gas under pressure has suitable valves intended to individually regulate the flow rate of each of the streams of cold stop gas, for example air, and the device for blocking by a relatively gas. cold can be used in the slot of the dispenser, with or without the aforementioned shims so that the selective pattern is formed on the surface of the substrate according to drawing information.

The invention also relates to a fluid treatment device intended to maintain a uniform distribution of heated fluid over the entire length of the distributor and of the slot thereof, so that the pattern formed thermally in the substrate has an accuracy and increased accuracy.

In another embodiment, a pressurized ambient fluid, such as air, is transmitted to each heater, through individual conduits each containing a metering or flow control valve for independently and precisely controlling the flow of fluid circulating in each heating / heating device. The heaters are connected electrically in parallel to a common supply and a temperature sensing device such as a thermocouple is disposed at or near the heated fluid outlet in each heater to 5 the distribution compartment. Each thermocouple is connected to a temperature recorder which allows the observation of the fluid outlet temperature corresponding to each heating device. A single sensor in the form of a thermocouple, placed in the center in the fluid distributor, is connected to a supply regulator incorporated in the common supply of the heating devices. When the compressed fluid and energy are initially transmitted to each heater, the individual fluid outlet temperatures of each heater are observed and any variation in temperatures is precisely compensated so that the temperature has a common value obtained by progressive adjustment of the flow rate in one or more heating devices, using the aforementioned metering valves.

Thus, when the fluid outlet temperatures of the heaters are suitably balanced, the temperature in the distribution compartment can be detected at a single location along the length, and ensures uniform and simultaneous adjustment of the supply "25 de all heaters.

The possibility of progressive adjustment of the fluid flow rate in each heating device so that the fluid outlet temperatures are well balanced eliminates the need for individual control and separate adjustment of the energy transmitted to each heating device, subsequently, for the maintaining a uniform temperature over the entire length of the dispenser.

The invention also relates to a device for circulating a heat transmission fluid in a support cylinder which maintains in position a movable substrate near the heated fluid distributor so that the substrate is struck by the 12 heated streams. The heat transfer fluid ensures uniform heat transfer around the cylinder surface and prevents warping or deformation of the cylinder during processing operations due to non-uniform heating of the surface of the cylinder. cylinder following localized contact with the heated treatment fluid.

The process and the apparatus for treatment with a high temperature fluid, according to the invention, are particularly suitable for forming patterns with very precise limits, in pile fabrics containing thermoplastic yarns spun in the molten state. , these drawings have not been able to be formed until now with the hot fluid treatment device of known type.

Surface patterns can also be formed in pile fabrics containing non-thermoplastic threads, for example rayon or acrylic threads, although the definition of the patterns is not generally as good as when processing the fabrics containing the 20 thermoplastic wires. In addition, the method and apparatus can be used for the selective treatment of fabrics containing thermoplastic yarns so that they have blister or crepe patterns.

The invention also relates to a method for uniformly y-scraping the threads of the pile of a fabric having a one-way initial inclination, by applying a stream of heated gas to the surface of the pile, with relative displacement of the fabric in the direction opposite to the direction of inclination of the wires forming the bristles.

Although the apparatus according to the invention is particularly well suited to the treatment of textile fabrics containing thermoplastic fibers and yarns, with the achievement of various visual effects on the surface, the apparatus can also be used for treatment by fluid from very substrates containing thermoplastic elements so that their visual appearance is modified or a desired design is formed therein.

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Reference is now made more precisely to the drawings which represent advantageous embodiments of apparatus as well as certain products in the form 1 - 'of fabrics according to the invention. Figure 1 is an elevation | 5 schematic side view of the assembly of a processing apparatus i | according to the invention. As indicated diagrammatically, I a section of indefinite length of a substrate such as! textile fabric 10, is continuously directed by a reserve such as a roller 11 and by means of 10 rollers driven 12, 13 in advance at variable speed towards a device for treatment with a fluid heated under pressure, carrying the general reference 14. The movable fabric 10 is supported during the application of the heated fluid, by passage over a cylinder or roller 16 of support, and the etof-15 fe treated by the fluid ^ is then directed by pick-up rollers led 18, 19 at variable speed to a collecting roller 20.

A conventional device 21 for guiding a fabric edge, of a type well known in the art, can be arranged in the path of the fabric between the feed rollers 12, 13 and the device 14 for processing so that the fabric is properly aligned during its passage on the cylinder 16, in the lateral direction. The speed of the rollers 12, 13 in advance, of the support cylinder 16 and of the pick-up rollers 18, 19 can be adjusted in a known manner so that the fabric moves at the desired speed, with the desired tensions in the fabric when it enters the processing device 14, when it circulates therein and when it leaves it.

30 As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the device 14 for treatment with a pressurized fluid comprises an elongated distributor 30 of heated gas arranged perpendicular to the path of the fabric 10 and has a narrow and elongated slot 32 for evacuation which directs a stream 35 of heated gas under pressure, for example air, into the surface part of the fabric, in a direction substantially perpendicular to the surface during its movement on the cylinder 16.

A compressed gas such as air is transmitted inside the distributor 30 by a compressor 34 connected by a pipe 36 to the opposite ends of an elongated distributor of cold air or distribution piping 38. A main regulating valve 40 and a pressure regulating valve 42 are arranged in the line 36 and regulate the flow rate and the pressure of the air supplied to the distributor 38. A suitable air filter 44 is also intended to facilitate removal. foreign matter from the air entering the distributor 38.

The compressed air present in the cold air distributor 38 is transmitted by the latter to the interior compartment of the hot air distributor 30 by a series 46 15 of individual electric heating devices, two of which are identified by the reference 48 on Figure 2. Each heater is connected by inlet and outlet conduits 50, 52 respectively, uniformly spaced along the two distributors 38, 30 so that they heat and distribute the compressed air of the distributor 38 evenly. over the entire length of the distributor 30. For example, in the case of a 152.5 cm long distributor, twenty-four 1 kW electric heaters having 25 conduits can be used for the 46 series. 52 outlet spaced with a pitch of 6.35 mm along the length of the distributor. The series of heating devices 46 can be housed in a suitable insulated housing.

An adjustment valve or metering valve 61 which can be adjusted manually is placed in each inlet duct 50 joining each heating device 48 of the series so that it precisely regulates the flow of compressed air transmitted from the piping 38 of distribution in each of the heating devices 48. For example, the valves may be of the needle type allowing precise adjustment and their use will be described below.

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A temperature detection device such as a thermocouple is placed in the air outlet duct 52 of each heating device and the position of a single device 54 has been shown in FIG. 2, 5 so that the temperature of. the air leaving each heater is measured. Each of the thermocouples 54 is electrically connected by suitable wiring (represented by the lines 55 in FIGS. 2 and 2A) to a conventional recording 58 of electrical type with paper strip 10 in which all the temperatures of the outlet conduits of the heating devices can be observed and controlled visually or by an alarm signal. An electric current is transmitted uniformly, with the necessary intensity, to all the individual heating devices 15 by a common power supply identified by the reference 60.

As indicated in FIG. 2A, the electrical heating devices 48 are mounted in parallel by suitable electrical wiring 22 connected to the common power supply 60. A conventional power control member 24 is placed in the main pipe of power supply which joins the individual heating devices 48, and it is for example a thyristor device of the 7301 type, manufactured by Electronic Control Systems. A temperature detection device or thermocouple 26 (FIG. 2A) is placed in the internal compartment of the distributor 30, in a central part, and is connected electrically to a conventional temperature control member 28, by example a control circuit of type 6700, manufactured by Electronic Control Systems. The temperature control member 28 is electrically connected in a known manner to the control member 24 so that a desired temperature can be maintained in the dispenser compartment 30, by periodic transmission of uniform electrical energy to the devices 48 series 46 heaters.

As clearly shown in Figures 3, 4 and ^ 6, the hot air distributor 30 has parts 62, 64 16 forming upper and lower walls / detachably fixed to each other by means of fixing such as distant bolts 66 so that they form the internal compartment 68 of the distributor as well as opposite parallel walls 70, 72 of the elongated evacuation slot.

Before evacuation through the slot 32, the heated air transmitted to the compartment 68 of the distributor 30 through the * outlet ducts 52 of the series of heating devices 48 is directed backwards then forwards along a path with change direction in the distribution compartment (as indicated by the arrows) using a deflector plate 74 which forms a narrow and elongated orifice, back inside the compartment 68, for the passage of the air from the upper part to the lower part of the compartment. This deflector plate 74 thus ensures a more uniform distribution of the air in the distribution compartment and further facilitates the maintenance of temperature and uni-shape pressure of the distributor air. This deflector plate 74 is supported in the compartment 68 by spacer sleeves 76 surrounding the bolts 66.

As clearly indicated in FIGS. 4 to 7, several outlets 78 intended for evacuating cold air 25 are arranged in the surface 72 of the lower wall 64 of the distributor and are spaced along the evacuation slot. Each outlet is individually connected by a suitable flexible conduit 80 and a solenoid valve 82 to a distributor 84 of cold air which is itself connected to the compressor 34 by a conduit 86 (FIG. 2). A main regulating valve 88, an air pressure regulating valve 90 and an air filter 92 are arranged in the duct 86.

As shown schematically in Figure 2, each solenoid valve is electrically connected to a suitable design control device 94 which transmits electrical pulses for opening and closing of the 17 solenoid valves selected according to predetermined design information. Various conventional drawing control devices well known in the art are suitable for the excitation and de-excitation of electrovalves-5 born with the desired sequence. For example, the design control device may be of the type described in United States patent 3,894,413.

As shown in Figures 4 and 6, each of the cold air exhaust ports 78 is placed in the bottom wall surface 72 of the slot 32 so that it; directs a separate stream of relatively cold air under pressure, transversely to the heated air discharge slot, in a direction perpendicular to the stream of heated air. The pressure of the relatively cold air streams 15 is maintained at a value sufficient to stop or block the passage of heated air in the slot in the part or parts in which cold air streams are discharged. Thus, the excitation and de-excitation of the individual streams of cold air by the solenoid valves 82 as a function of the information coming from the drawing control device 94 provide the direction of air heated under pressure passing into the slot under form of one or more distinct streams which strike the surface of the movable fabric at the desired location, thus giving an effect corresponding to a pattern on the surface of the fabric 10 when it passes through the dispenser . The cold air which prevents the passage of hot air exits through the slit in place of the heated air and dissipates around or on the surface of the fabric without changing the thermal characteristics of the fabric. fabric or without appreciable disturbance of the threads or fibers. It should be noted that the arrows indicate the air circulation in FIGS. 4, 6 and 7. Ambient air can be cooled before discharge into the slot 32, by a cold air distributor 35 95 in which are arranged cold air ducts 80 so that the cold stop air is cold enough to. that it does not cause any thermal effect or change in the fabric.

Although the particular device described for stopping, using cold compressed air, is advantageous for the regulation of, the evacuation of the streams of heated compressed gas, other types of devices, for example. movable partitions or the like, can be used in the slot 32 for the selective stop of the passage of the heated compressed air towards the fabric.

During the initial start-up of the fluid treatment apparatus 10, the electrical energy is transmitted uniformly to the heating devices 48 of the series 46 by the supply 60 and the compressed air circulates in the heating devices in from the compressor 34. The member 28 for adjusting the temperature is adjusted to a selected temperature. When the temperature of the air present in the outlet distribution compartment, indicated by the thermocouple 26, reaches the desired set value, the individual air outlet temperatures of each outlet duct of the individual heaters are observed on the recorder 58. If there is a temperature variation for one or more of the air flows from the heating devices, as indicated on the recorder 58, the needle valve 61 of the heater in which a deviation is observed, 25 is adjusted manually gradually so that the air flow in the heater is increased or reduced so that the temperature of the air exiting the particular device decreases or increases correspondingly. Thus, the individual outlet air temperatures of the entire series of heaters can be precisely balanced by gradually adjusting the air flow to a uniform temperature so that variations due to manufacturing tolerances of the heaters or small variations in flow rates in the heaters can be compensated for in the apparatus. Then, a uniform temperature can be maintained over the entire length of the dispensing compartment by adjusting the supply of all the heating devices in a uniform manner, by means of the single thermocouple sensor 26 placed in the center. of the distribution compartment.

The invention also relates to an apparatus intended to circulate a heat-transmitting fluid inside the rotary support cylinder 16 (FIG. 1) around which the continuous section of substrate passes when it comes into contact with the heated fluid coming from the dis-10 tributor 30. It may be noted that, when the streams of heated fluid under pressure strike the surface of the substrate and thermally modify the latter by forming desired visual changes, the heated fluid also ensures the heating of the adjacent part of surface of the support cylinder 16. This localized heating of the latter can cause differential thermal expansion and contraction of the cylinder over its length, especially when the moving substrate can be temporarily stopped during the processing operations. This differential expansion and contraction of the cylinder 16 can cause warping and deformation of the surface of the cylinder near the slot 32 of the dispenser 30 so that the fabric substrate can be kept at different distances from the slot 32 along it and may cause an irregular pattern to form in the substrate due to differences in temperatures and pressures of the streams of hot fluid striking the surface of the substrate.

A device is intended to circulate a heat-transmitting fluid in the rotary cylinder 16 during the treatment operations with a fluid so that such bulging or deformation is avoided, as is the formation of irregular patterns at the surface of the substrate which is the consequence thereof. As shown in Figure 1, a suitable fluid such as cooled or heated water, steam or the like, flows through the cylinder 16, from a suitable reserve 96 and into a conduit 91 connected to the hollow central support shaft of the cylinder. An apparatus for circulating a fluid in a rotary cylinder from a fixed supply is well known and available in the art and is not described in detail in this specification. For example, such a circulation device may be of the type manufactured as 8000 series rotary union fittings, distributed by Duff-Norton Company, Charlotte, North Carolina, E.U.A.

As indicated previously, the heat transfer fluid can be cold water or it can be a heated fluid such as hot water or steam, if necessary so that the heating of the entire substrate is facilitated during the operations of treatment with a fluid. The heat transfer fluid which circulates inside the cylinder 16 ensures a uniform distribution of the heat located on the surface of the cylinder 16 near the slot 32 at the entire periphery of the cylinder, so that the expansion and the Above-mentioned differential thermal contraction of the cylinder during treatment operations is avoided.

The hot gas distributor 30 and its heating devices 48 are articulated at 97 and a piston device 98 is used so that it pivots the distributor and the evacuation slot away from the path 10, so that the fabric cannot be damaged by the presence of heated gas when the fabric no longer advances.

FIG. 3 represents a first embodiment of a heated compressed gas evacuation distributor according to the invention in which an elongated plate or shim 99 having several elongated and parallel notches 100 uniformly spaced along a first edge of the plate, is removably arranged in the compartment-35 ment 68, its notched edge penetrating into the elongated slot 32 and forming, with the walls 70, 72 of the slot, several 'corresponding channels of evacuation of heated air 21 • designed to direct narrow, separate streams of heated compressed gas at the surface of the moving fabric. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the notches 100 of the plate enter the compartment 68 and form an elongated inlet 5 above and below the plate, for each of the discharge channels formed by the notched edge of the wedge and the walls 70, 72 of the slot 32. Thus, the wedge plate not only ensures the direction of the compressed gas in the form of narrow streams intended to be discharged into the distant channels, but also ensures, by the edges which delimit upper and lower orifices of narrow and elongated inlets (see FIG. 4), the trapping and filtering of foreign particles which may be present in the compressed gas, while allowing the continuous circulation of the compressed gas around the particles and in the canals.

It should be noted that the drainage channels formed by the wedge and the slit direct several separate and distant individual streams to the surface of the mo-bile fabric so that these streams form narrow parallel and distant lines, in the direction of movement of the fabric beyond the dispenser. When the temperature and pressure of the heated gas streams are sufficient, the thermoplastic wires of the bristled etof-25 fe, placed in contact with these heated streams, exhibit a longitudinal shrinkage, retract in the surface carrying the bristles, and are thermally attached by forming separate continuous grooves in the fabric, thereby permitting the formation of patterns on the surface of the fabric in various ways some of which are described later in this specification. Changing the design of grooves in the fabric only requires loosening the bolts 66 and replacing an existing shim plate with another having other groove dimensions and / or other groove spacings. along the edge. FIG. 8 shows another plate 102 forming a shim having an irregular spacing of the notches 104, along the plate, so that the design which can be formed on the surface of the fabric can be modified. Thus, it is noted that various surface patterns can be formed on the loose sheet using only wedge-shaped plates, and without additional control of the currents by the relatively cold compressed air outlets described. previously.

Figures 4 and 5 show an embodiment in which wedge plates are used with the relatively cold compressed gas outlets in the slot 32 so that more elaborate or detailed designs are formed in the textile web. As shown in FIG. 5, the evacuation outlets 78 are arranged in the channels formed by the wedge and the walls 70, 72 of the slot so that the channels are selectively blocked by cold gas and thus allow evacuation intermittent of selected streams of heated gas, forming surface patterns which may vary over the width of the fabric as well as in the direction of movement thereof in front of the dispenser.

Figures 6 and 7 show another embodiment of the invention in which patterning in the fabric is provided by an elongated slot 32 and cold compressed gas outlets, without the use of shims. As shown in FIG. 7, the selective excitation of the supply of cold gas to some of the outlets 78, according to drawing information, makes it possible to block the passage of the heated gas in the slot 32 by the relatively cold gas in the corresponding regions of the slot, so that the fabric takes on a corresponding pattern.

The heated compressed gas distributor according to the invention can also be used for the uniform scraping of the thermoplastic threads of a pile fabric having pile of uniform unidirectional orientation, for example of a fabric formed by cutting or shearing the threads. double knit fabric so that two plies / pile fabric are formed. During the implementation 23 of such a process for manufacturing pile fabric, the threads of the two plies are generally uniformly inclined in the opposite direction to the direction of movement of the fabric during the cutting operation.

As shown schematically in FIGS. 9 and 10, it can be seen that, when a pile fabric having a unidirectional inclination passes in front of the narrow and elongated slot 32 of the distributor 30 in the direction opposite to the direction of inclination of the threads, these these are returned in a gripping manner in a position perpendicular to the surface of the fabric, and the stream of heated gas striking the surface of the fabric ensures the thermal fixing of the threads in this position. Figures 9 and 10 show the substrate 106 of the fabric, the threads 108 of the bristles, their inclination, and the direction of the stream 110 of heated gas when it strikes the surface carrying the bristles. As shown, it is advantageous for the stream 110, as indicated by the arrows, to strike the surface at an angle of about 90 ° or more from the direction of movement of the fabric so that the threads are returned vertically. If the fabric is moving in a direction and with a direction other than the direction and direction of inclination of the threads or when the stream of compressed gas is directed with an inclination different from that indicated, the threads 25 do not straighten uniformly but are either more inclined or randomly disoriented on the surface of the fabric.

The use of the apparatus according to the invention for the implementation of some of the methods described appears clearly in the particular examples which follow, giving operating conditions used during the treatment of fabric having threads, allowing the formation of '' a desired design or appearance. The examples are given purely by way of illustration and they in no way limit the use of the apparatus according to the invention.

EXAMPLE 1

A polyester plush knit, having a mass 24 of 440 g per square meter and a pile thread height of 2.5 mm, advances continuously in the apparatus represented in FIG. 1, with a speed of 4, 6 m / min. The temperature and pressure of the heated air in the distribution compartment are maintained at 315 ° C and 0.42 bar respectively. The dispenser evacuation slot is kept at a distance of approximately 1.25 mm from the surface of the bristles and has a notch-like shim shown in FIG. 3. The remote evacuation channels 10 formed in the slot have a rectangular section of 0.28 x 1.57 mm. The length of each channel in the slot is 6.35 mm and the channels have a spacing of 5.1 mm, along the distributor.

The streams of hot gas hitting the surface of the fabric cause the strands to retract longitudinally in the contact areas so that the strands descend and pack in the fabric, forming narrow, elongated and distinct grooves along of the surface displacement path. The wires adjacent to the sides of the grooves 20 remain practically without modification or disturbance and form distant vertical side walls for the grooves. The fabric has a surface appearance as shown in the photograph in FIG. 11.

EXAMPLE 2 In the apparatus of FIG. 1, a polyester weave fabric having a mass of 128 g / m 2 is treated, with a construction of 36 warp threads and 33 picks per centimeter, with a fabric speed of 3.65 m / min and with an overspeed of 12% between the rollers 12, Γ3 30 and the rollers 18, 19. The support cylinder 16 is driven in overspeed when the fabric passes over it.

The temperature and pressure of the heated air, as well as the dimensions and spacings of the discharge channels in the distributor are the same as in Example 1.

The streams of compressed gas at high temperature, striking the overspeeding fabric on the support cylinder, in the direction of the chains, cause a longitudinal thermal shrinkage of the warp threads in contact with the streams continuously on their length. The intermediate parts of the fabric, between the lines containing the threads which are not thermally shrunk, 5 give an appearance of crêpe or gathers as indicated by the photograph in FIG. 12.

EXAMPLE 3

A pile fabric of the type indicated in Example 1 is treated in the treatment apparatus of FIG. 1, 10 with a speed of 1.8 m / min. The temperature of the hot air in the distributor is maintained at 370 ° C. and the pressure is 0.14 bar. For a fabric speed of 1.8 m / min, the hot air exhaust channels from the shim described in Example 1, but spaced at a 2.5 mm pitch, are selectively blocked by cooler compressed air streams from cold air outlets in the distributor slot, based on the drawing information. The cold air pressure is maintained at 0.84 bar in the cold air distributor. The fabric treated has a design 20 comprising a series of distinct narrow grooves and well delimited as indicated by the photograph in FIG. 13.

EXAMPLE 4

Two polyester fabrics indicated in Example 2 are treated with the conditions and the cold air drawing control device of Example 3 so that the warp threads undergo thermal shrinkage at distant locations along the direction of movement of the fabric. The fabric obtained, depending on the drawing information transmitted, has a pleated and blistered appearance as shown in the photographs of Figures 14 and 15.

EXAMPLE 5

A polyester pile fabric is treated in the form of a down velvet, neither thermally fixed, having the construction indicated in example 1, with the apparatus of FIG. 1, for a treatment speed of 1.85 m / min. The fabric has a unidirectional inclination of the threads / forming the bristles and moves opposite the slot of the hot air distributor 26 in a direction opposite to the direction of inclination of the threads in the fabric as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. The compressed air heated to a temperature of 150 ° C in the distributor and to a pressure of 0.11 bar 5 is constantly directed against the moving surface, in a perpendicular direction. The width of the slot is 0.41 mm. The air current striking the surface of the fabric causes it to scrape, which takes a practically uniform perpendicular vertical position relative to the surface of the fabric and upside down thereof. The treated fabric gives a uniform surface appearance with perpendicular pile.

EXAMPLE 6

A knitted down of "Nylon" and a tri-cot of acrylic down, each having a mass of about 406 g / m and a pile height of 2.5 mm, are treated in the apparatus of FIG. 1 and under the conditions of treatment and with the shim described in example 1. The knitted fabric treated with "Nylon" has a distinct and well-defined pattern of surface grooves, the threads which are in contact with the streams of hot air exhibiting a shrinkage longitudinal towards the back of the fabric. The acrylic fabric also has a grooved surface pattern, but with a less distinct appearance and poorer demarcation of the grooves than in the melt-spun thermoplastic yarn fabric, for example polyester and polyester fabrics. "Nylon" from the other examples.

In the foregoing particular examples, the processing speeds of the fabric in the apparatus 30 can be increased by preheating the fabric before it passes in front of the slot of the dispenser. For example, the fabric can be preheated by infrared heaters of known type and / or by heating the support cylinder 16.

35 While the foregoing examples set examples of operating conditions suitable for the treatment of pile textiles and fabrics, giving * 27 visual patterns and surface changes, it should be noted that the processing fluid and the Fluid treatment temperatures and conditions may vary with the particular construction of the substrate and the particular appearance to be given to the surface. Excellent results are obtained for drawing formation in pile fabrics containing thermoplastic yarns for! treatment speeds of approximately 3.6 to 5.5 m / min, with hot air temperatures, at the outputs of the heating devices, between 315 and 370 ° C., for pressures of approximately 0, 14 to 0.49 bar in the distribution compartment. In general, the pressures used can be increased when the discharge slot or the channels formed by the slot have a smaller section. Higher gas scratches may also be desirable when a cold compressed gas is used to control the circulation of the hot gas streams.

A number of substrates having various constructions and compositions are contacted with a stream of heated compressed air directed from an orifice of a single fixed nozzle having a diameter of 0.76 mm in order to show the ability of various substrate materials to exhibit modifications by application of currents of a heated compressed fluid in selected regions of the substrate surface according to the invention. The substrates are moved randomly near the orifice, under the processing conditions indicated in the table below.

/ "> 28

Distance between

Pressure Temperature orifice and air substrate, air bar, ° C substrate surface 1) Fabric containing 5 - a pile surface bonded and formed from a filamentary material based on polyethylene 0 , 07 204 2.5 2) Sheet of paper containing a bonded 15-pile surface having a polyethylene-based filament material 0.21- 177 2.5 3) Non-woven and needle-knitted fabric formed by a filamentary material based on polypropylene j, 05 315 2,5 25 4) Tufted pile fabric formed by polypropylene threads 0.42 315 2.5 5) Rayon fabric • • 30 ne plush 0.35 315 2.5 6) "Nylon" 66 fabric bonded by spinning (34 g / m2) 0.40 315 2.5 Visual observation of the substrate treated under the conditions indicated above shows that narrow grooves are formed in the regions of the surface which are in contact with the current of hot air for the substrates 1 to 5, with a more precise delimitation of the grooves formed in the substrates 1 to 4, containing a fibrous thermo-40 material plastic spun in the molten state, compared to non-thermoplastic fibers such as rayon (substrate 5) or * 12 9 with acrylic fibers, as indicated in Example 6.

In the substrate 6 of the table, the conditions of treatment by the air currents are such that they pass entirely through the substrate, this behavior indi-5 as the invention can also be used for the formation of lace effects in fabrics and web substrates.

Thus, it is noted that the use of the apparatus and the method according to the invention allow the surface of textile fabrics containing thermoplastic yarns and fibers as well as other substrates to be modified, with the formation of precise patterns, although delimited and complex, giving corresponding surface aspects. The treatment of the fabrics can be carried out before dyeing, so that it then presents a differential dyeing sample, in the thermally modified and unmodified fibers and yarns, this behavior giving two-tone coloring effects as well as drawing effects. of surface in fabrics.

It should also be noted that it is advantageous that the heating temperature of the compressed gas is, if necessary, higher than the second order glass transition temperature of 1-a thermoplastic of the fibers or threads.

Of course, various modifications can be made by those skilled in the art to the devices and methods which have just been described only by way of nonlimiting examples without departing from its scope.

/

L

Claims (61)

1. Apparatus for treating a movable substrate with respect to the apparatus / by applying a heated gas under pressure to selected parts of the surface of the substrate so that the visible appearance of the surface of the substrate is modified, said apparatus being characterized in that it comprises: a) a distributor (30) delimiting a compartment intended to receive a gas heated under pressure and comprising a narrow and elongated slot (32) for discharging gas communicating with the compartment and intended to direct a stream of heated compressed gas against the surface of the movable substrate, and a device for selectively stopping the passage of the heated gas through the slot at determined locations along the length thereof, and b) a device for presenting the surface of a substrate in relative movement with respect to the narrow and elongated slot so that the substrate is in contact with one or more streams of hot pressurized gas directed by the slot ( 32) followed nt a direction inclined relative to the direction of relative movement of the substrate. 2. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the device for selectively stopping the passage of heated gas through the slot at determined locations comprises a device (78) intended to selectively direct one or more streams of compressed gas and relatively cold transverse to the slot (32) at selected locations along the latter. 3. Apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that the dispenser (30) further comprises an elongated plate (99) forming a wedge having several elongated notches (100) spaced along an edge of the plate, the latter being disposed in the narrow and elongated slot (32) of the dispenser (30) so that its edge having the notches is disposed in the slot and delimits therewith several distant channels formed in the slot and communicating with the dispenser compartment so that a corresponding number of streams of hot pressurized gas are directed to the surface of a moving substrate passing opposite, and the device for selectively directing one or more streams of gas under pressure. 5 sion and relatively cold transverse to the slot (32) has gas outlets (78) formed in each of the channels and having discharge axes which intersect the discharge axes of said channels. 4. Apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that the device intended to selectively direct one or more streams of cold gas transversely to the slot (32) further comprises a conduit and a valve (80, 82) intended to transmit a cold gas under pressure at each of the gas outlets, and a drawing control device 15 for controlling the valves on the basis of drawing information. 5. Apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that the device for selectively directing the relatively cold compressed gas comprises a device (95) for cooling the gas before it passes transversely to the slot. 6. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the device for presenting the moving substrate comprises a device intended to move the substrate in front of the slot (32) along a longitudinal path which passes very close to the slot, a a device for interrupting the movement of the substrate, and a device (98) for moving the slot (32) of the dispenser away from the surface of the substrate when the latter does not move. 7. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a device intended to introduce a heated compressed gas into the distributor compartment, comprising an elongated distributor (38) of cold gas intended to receive a relatively cold compressed gas, more 35 individual heaters (48) each having a gas inlet and outlet and a device f for heating the compressed gas flowing therein, and a conduit / _ 32 (50, 52) connecting the heaters in parallel so that their gas inlets communicate with the cold gas distributor (38), at distant locations along the length thereof, the gas outlets of the heating devices communicating with the distributor compartment (30) at uniformly spaced locations along the length of this distributor so that uniform distribution of the heated and compressed gas in the distributor compartment (30) is facilitated. 8. Apparatus for treating a mobile substrate with respect to it, by applying a pressurized fluid to selected parts of the surface so that the visual appearance of the substrate is modified and forms a desired pattern, said apparatus being characterized in that it comprises: a) a distributor (30) delimiting a compartment intended to receive a pressurized fluid and comprising a narrow and elongated slot (32) intended to evacuate a compressed fluid from the compartment, and b) a shim device, comprising an elongated plate (99) having a plurality of notches (100) arranged in parallel and spaced from each other along an edge of the plate, the latter being placed in the dispenser compartment (30 ) so that the edge having the notches is in the narrow and elongated slot (32) and along it and delimiting therewith several distant channels formed in the slot and intended to direct a corresponding number of co urants of compressed fluid, against the surface of a movable sub-30 passing in front, and the notches (100) of the plate open into the distributor compartment (30) so that they form elongated inlets towards the channels, lateral parts of the plate delimiting the inlets being intended to cooperate with foreign particles present in the compressed fluid and to prevent their passage through the channels while allowing the continuous circulation of the compressed fluid in these channels. "33 9. Apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that it comprises a device (52) for introducing the fluid I heated under pressure into the compartment, and a deflector device (74) placed in the compartment of the distributor (30) and intended to direct the flow of fluid introduced into the compartment in the opposite direction before the evacuation through the channels. 10. Apparatus according to claim 8, characterized; in that the dispenser (30) has separate upper and lower walls (70, 71) cooperating detachably with each other so that they delimit the narrow and elongated slot (32), these walls upper and lower clamping the wedge plate (99) in the slot so that this plate can be easily removed and replaced by plates having other configurations of notches so that the pattern formed on the surface of the substrate moving in front of the slot (32) of the dispenser can be changed. 11. A method of forming a pattern giving a visual appearance to the surface of a mobile substrate relative to the device and containing thermoplastic elements, said method being characterized in that it comprises: a) the direction d '' one or more streams of a heated and pressurized gas in a defined space 25 then outside of it towards the surface of the substrate at locations spaced apart along the width thereof, with selective circulation control one or more heated gas streams circulating in said space so that the stream is blocked, and b) maintaining the temperature of the heated gas streams at a value sufficient for the thermal characteristics of the thermoplastic elements of the substrate to be modified and give a drawing effect on the surface. 12. The method of claim 11, character ized in that the flow rate of one or more streams is selectively regulated by direction of streams of a gas / / e * 34 compressed relatively cold in transverse direction in the space delimited and transversely to the streams of heated gas which circulate there so that their circulation is interrupted. 13. The method of claim 11, character ized in that the substrate is a textile fabric. 14. Method according to claim 13, characterized in that the fabric contains polyester threads and? polyester yarns, when in contact with the currents, undergo a longitudinal shrinkage. 15. The method of claim 13, characterized in that the textile fabric contains "nylon" threads, and these threads, when in contact with said streams, are thermally modified and give a surface effect forming a pattern . 16. The method of claim 11, characterized in that the substrate is a pile fabric containing thermoplastic son. 17. Method according to claim 16, characterized in that the temperature and the pressure of the streams of heated gas are maintained at values sufficient for the thermoplastic threads to undergo longitudinal shrinkage when they are in contact with the streams, yarn thus undergoing a reduction in height on the side of the surface of the fabric which has the hairs. 18. The method of claim 11, characterized in that the substrate is a fabric containing thermoplastic yarns, and the temperature and pressure of the heated gas streams are maintained at values sufficient for the yarns to undergo longitudinal shrinkage. and for the fabric to wrinkle in regions which are not in contact with the heated gas streams. 19. The method of claim 18, characterized in that it comprises the selective adjustment of the flow rate of the streams heated under pressure to the fabric so that the surface effect formed corresponds to a pattern which varies irregularly in the direction of displacement of the fabric. 20. Product obtained by implementing the method according to claim 11 / characterized in that the thermoplastic elements of the substrate are chosen from the group which comprises the elements of polyester / polyamide and polyolefin. 21. Textile fabric containing thermoplastic yarns having substantially uniform thermal shrinkage characteristics / said fabric having a patterned surface appearance and being characterized in that it comprises warp yarns having undergone longitudinal shrinkage at locations spaced along their length, so that they form folds in portions of the fabric which do not contain portions of yarn having undergone longitudinal shrinkage. 22. A fabric forming a plush pile having a surface appearance forming patterns on the pile side, said fabric being characterized in that it comprises thermoplastic pile threads, some of which have undergone longitudinal thermal shrinkage and have penetrated towards the surface, below the height of the adjacent threads, so that they form narrow grooves on the surface of the fabric, the adjacent threads forming the edges of the grooves having practically not been shrunk and disturbed. 25 tion and being perpendicular so that they form sharp limits to narrow grooves. 23. The fabric of claim 22, characterized in that the pile of the son per unit area is uniform throughout the fabric. 24. The fabric of claim 22, characterized in that the grooves are continuous in one direction of the fabric and are spaced in the transverse direction. 25. The fabric of claim 22, character-ized in that the grooves are discontinuous in one direction of the fabric. 26. The fabric of claim 22, character- / 1 / * Λ 36 risée in that the grooves are spaced in transverse direction, at distances varying intermittently. 27. The fabric of claim 22, characterized in that it is formed of polyester, polyamide or polyolefin type son. 28. Textile fabric having a crepe surface appearance in a pattern, the fabric being characterized in that it contains thermoplastic yarns having substantially uniform thermal shrinkage characteristics, distant groups of adjacent yarns parallel to one another. direction of threads of the fabric, having undergone a longitudinal thermal shrinkage along at least parts of their length, while threads of other parts of the fabric have not undergone a longitudinal shrinkage, the fabric 15 having thus the appearance of a pancake. 29. A fabric according to claim 28, characterized in that the distant groups of threads have undergone thermal shrinkage only at locations spaced along their length. 30. The fabric of claim 28, characterized in that the groups of threads have undergone continuous thermal shrinkage along their length. 31. A fabric according to claim 28, characterized in that the groups of threads are warp threads and these groups have a spacing varying intermittently transversely to the weft direction of the fabric. 32. A fabric according to claim 28, characterized in that the thermoplastic threads are polyester threads. 33. A fabric according to claim 28, characterized in that it forms a polyester fabric with canvas weave. 34. Method for treating a pile fabric 35 having a surface formed by thermoplastic yarns, having a substantially unidirectional inclination relative to the surface, the treatment being intended to redirect the yarns in the direction substantially perpendicular to the fabric, said method being characterized in that it comprises the relative displacement, in the direction opposite to the direction of inclination of the hairs of the surface, of this surface and of an elongated, narrow and continuous current of heated gas arranged transversely to the relative displacement path, this cou-. rant being directed towards the surface in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of movement relative to the point of contact of the current with the surface or in a direction at a greater angle, and the maintenance of the pressure and the temperature of the gas of the current at values which are sufficient for the bristle wires to be reoriented and thermally fixed in a substantially uniform perpendicular position. 35. Method according to claim 34, character ized in that the relative displacement is obtained by displacement of a section of indefinite length of pile fabric | in front of a stream of heated gas having a fixed position, 36. Method according to claim 34, characterized in that the current is directed by passage of a gas I heated under pressure in a narrow and elongated gas discharge slot of a distributor, this slot being arranged transversely. relative travel path. - 37. Method for treating a pile fabric; 25 plush formed of thermoplastic song- said method being intended to modify the visual appearance of the surface and being characterized in that it comprises: a) the direction of several narrow individual streams of a gas heated under pressure towards the surface to 30 pile at distant locations transverse thereto, with relative displacement of the fabric and of the currents so that these come to strike the pile surface according to a corresponding number of narrow and elongated lines arranged along the fabric, and 35 b) adjusting the temperature and the pressure of the heated streams of pressurized gas so that the thermoplastic wires of said lines undergo longitudinal shrinkage * / 38 and contraction forming corresponding narrow grooves in the pile surface without significant disorientation adjacent threads which form side walls of the qpi grooves are substantially perpendicular to the plane of the surface of the fabric. 38. Method according to claim 37, characterized in that the temperature of the heated streams of gas striking the surface of the fabric is higher than the second order glass transition temperature of the thermoplastic threads of the pile of the fabric. 39. Method according to claim 37, characterized in that it comprises the selective adjustment of the flow rate of the currents during the relative movement so that the narrow and elongated grooves which are formed are continuous in the direction of relative movement. 40. Method according to claim 37, characterized in that the currents are directed towards the surface of the fabric by at least one gas discharge outlet from an elongated distributor containing a heated gas, the temperature of the gas in the dispenser being between about 315 and 345 ° C. 41. Method according to claim 40, characterized in that the pressure of the gas in the distributor is between approximately 0.14 and 0.42 bar. 42. Method according to claim 41, character ized in that the speed of relative movement is between approximately 3.6 and 5.5 m / min. 43. The method of claim 37, characterized in that the distance between the gas outlet 30 of the distributor and the pile surface of the fabric does not exceed about 1.25 mm. 44. A method of modifying the visual appearance of the surface of a mobile substrate so that this surface takes on a visual design, said method being characterized in that it comprises: a) the direction of a pressurized fluid intended to create a change in appearance of the surface of the sub- / I · I 39 specific substrate to be treated, by a narrow and elongated slot, with blockage of the passage of the pressurized fluid in parts of the slot so that the pressurized fluid is directed in several separate streams under pressure to the surface of the substrate, and b) the relative displacement of the surface of the substrate and the streams of pressurized fluid so that the streams striking the surface give a desired visual design. jO 45. The method of claim 44, characterized in that the surface of the substrate is formed by a thermally deformable material, and the pressurized streams are maintained at a temperature causing thermal deformation of the material with which they are in contact. 46. Method according to claim 45, characterized in that the substrate is a textile fabric. 47. The method of claim 46, characterized in that the fabric contains elements of fibers or thermoplastic son which undergo a longitudinal shrinkage upon contact with the streams of fluid heated under pressure. 48. The method of claim 47, characterized in that the elements of thermoplastic fibers or yarns form a pile-like surface on the fabric substrate, and the streams of pressurized fluid are controlled so that they form several narrow and distinct grooves in the pile surface, the fibers or threads which are in the grooves and undergoing a longitudinal shrinkage in the pile-bearing surface while the fibers or threads forming the lateral parts of the grooves practically do not undergo shrinkage and are virtually undisturbed by heated fluid streams. 49. Product, characterized in that it is obtained by implementing the method according to claim 48. 50. Method for modifying the visual appearance / / 40 of the surface of a pile textile fabric which is movable and which contains elements of threads or thermoplastic fibers in the pile, the method being intended to form a visual design and being, characterized in that it comprises: a) the direction of several streams of compressed gas at high temperature over the surface of the fabric which carries the bristles, with relative displacement of this surface and of the streams, and B) adjusting the temperature, the pressure and the size of the streams so that the fibers or threads which are in contact with the streams undergo longitudinal shrinkage and that several distinct grooves are formed in the pile surface, the yarns or fibers forming the lateral kings of the grooves which undergo practically no withdrawal and are not disturbed on the surface of the fabric. 51. Textile product, characterized in that it is obtained by implementing the method according to claim 50. 52. Apparatus intended to direct one or more streams of heated fluid under pressure in selected directions, with maintenance of a substantially uniform temperature of the stream (s) of heated fluid, said apparatus being characterized in that it comprises a distributor 25 ( 30) delimiting an elongated compartment intended to receive a heated and pressurized fluid and comprising an outlet device (32) intended to direct the heated fluid outwards in the form of one or more streams placed along the dispenser compartment , a plurality of fluid inlet conduits (50, 52) communicating with the dispenser compartment at uniformly spaced locations along the length of the dispenser, an individual heater (48) associated with each fluid inlet conduit, to that the circulating fluid is heated, a device (24) for transmitting energy in a substantially uniform manner to each heating device so that this is heated, a positive Ift · »41 (28) for determining the temperature of the fluid · heated near the location of communication of each of the inlet conduits with the distributor compartment, and a valve (61) placed in each inlet duct 4 5 and intended to ensure the progressive adjustment of the fluid flow rate in each inlet duct and in the associated heating device so that the temperature of the fluid is adjusted at the locations spaced along the distributor compartment (30) and so that a uniform temperature of the fluid is established along the compartment. 53. Apparatus according to claim 52, characterized in that the device for determining the temperature of the heated fluid comprises a device (54) for temperature detection placed in the stream of fluid near each communication location of the conduit. inlet with the dispenser compartment (30), and a temperature indicator (58) connected to the detector device and intended for observing the temperature of the heated fluid detected by each detection device. 54. Apparatus according to claim 52, characterized in that each valve (61) is a needle valve placed in each of the conduits, upstream of the associated heating device (48). 55. Apparatus according to claim 52, characterized in that the device intended to transmit energy to each heating device comprises a source (60) of energy, a device (26) for detecting the temperature of the heated fluid. at a single location along the distributor compartment (30), and a device (24) for uniform regulation of the transmission of energy to all the heating devices according to the time. detected fishing. 56. Apparatus according to claim 55, character-ized in that each of the heating devices (48) comprises an electrical heating assembly having a fluid inlet and outlet and a fluid passage a / 42 inside, and an electric heating element surrounding the passage and intended to heat the fluid which circulates in the heating assembly. 57. Apparatus according to claim 52, character-ized in that it comprises a distributor (38) of cold fluid delimiting an elongated compartment and receiving a relatively cold and pressurized fluid, each of the fluid inlet conduits (50 , 52) communicating with the cold fluid dispenser compartment at locations uniformly spaced along the length of that dispenser so that cold pressurized fluid can be uniformly distributed to the heated fluid dispenser compartment (30). 58. Apparatus for treating a mobile substrate 15 with a pressurized fluid having a high temperature, said apparatus being of the type which comprises a device (30) intended to direct one or more streams of pressurized fluid at elevated temperature to the surface of the movable substrate so that this surface undergoes a visual effect, and a rotary cylinder (16) intended to support the movable substrate in the position of contact of its surface with the stream or streams of fluid heated under pressure, said apparatus being characterized in that it includes a device (96) for circulating a heat transfer fluid within the cylinder so that heat is transmitted uniformly around the peripheral surface of the cylinder (16) and the cylinder (16) does not undergo deformation and bulging during treatment with a compressed fluid, due to the differential heating of different parts of its peripheral surface. 59. Apparatus according to claim 58, characterized in that the cylinder comprises an elongated and rotary cylinder arranged transversely to the path of movement of the substrate so that it supports the latter, an internal compartment containing a fluid and disposed along the length of the cylinder. , and a device (91) for introducing a cooling liquid t 43 into the compartment so that this liquid circulates and uniformly transmits heat around the periphery of the surface of the cylinder. 60. A method of maintaining a heated and pressurized fluid at a uniform temperature, the fluid being distributed by a compartment of an elongated distributor, in the form of one or more streams formed along the distributor compartment, said fluid. process being characterized in that it comprises: 2Q a) the direction of compressed fluid in the elongated compartment of a distributor, by several inlet ducts and by individual heating devices associated with these ducts, those communicating with the distributor lying at remote locations on its length, b) the transmission of energy to each of the heating devices, in uniform quantity, so that the pressurized fluid which circulates in these devices is heated, 2o c) determining the temperature of the heated fluid circulating in the distributor compartment near each location for introducing pressurized fluid coming from said conduits, d) adjusting the progr flow rate of the heated fluid transmitted in selected inlet conduits and the associated heating devices as a function of the temperature determinations so that a uniform temperature is established in the heated and pressurized fluid opening into the compartment over the length of this, then e) detecting the temperature of the heated fluid transmitted to the distributor compartment at a single location along it and adjusting the amount of energy uniformly transmitted to each of the 35 heating devices. function of this temperature so that the temperature of the fluid present in the compartment remains at the desired value. / 44 61. Method according to claim 60, characterized in that the pressurized fluid passing through the inlet conduits and the heating devices is progressively regulated by manual adjustment of an adjustment valve disposed in each fluid inlet conduit .