WO2020183410A1

WO2020183410A1 - Machine for compacting textile structures of fabrics and corresponding compaction method

Info

Publication number: WO2020183410A1
Application number: PCT/IB2020/052217
Authority: WO
Inventors: Antonio Panozzo
Original assignee: Sintec Textile S.R.L.
Priority date: 2019-03-13
Filing date: 2020-03-12
Publication date: 2020-09-17
Also published as: EP3938568A1

Abstract

Machine for compacting textile structures of fabrics (T), comprising a conveyor belt (4), elastically extensible, closed in a ring on a first motor roller (5) and a second motor roller (6) both driven in rotation at different rotation speeds (V1, V2) to determine a lengthening of one segment (Z1) of the conveyor belt (4), and a shortening of another segment (Z2) of the conveyor belt (4). Contrast pressure means (8, 11) configured to selectively clamp, temporarily, respective portions of the conveyor belt (4) against the motor rollers (5, 6) are provided.

Description

MACHINE FOR COMPACTING TEXTILE STRUCTURES OF FABRICS AND CORRESPONDING COMPACTION METHOD.

DESCRIPTION

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention concerns a machine for compacting textile structures of fabrics and a compaction method, generally able to be used for compacting portions of fabrics in a longitudinal direction thereof, in particular during the finishing operations of the fabrics.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Machines are known which are used in the textile industry for compacting continuous portions of fabric in a preferential direction.

In particular, the latter are pre-packaged in long continuous strips in which the textile fibers are disposed intertwined with each other, forming weft and warp, according to the inter-distances, or so-called pitches, defined between the needles of the frames of the weaving machines.

Typically, the compaction operation is necessary to bring the distanced textile fibers closer to each other according to the pitches of the needles, typically in the longitudinal direction of the fabric, so that in the subsequent uses in the workings provided to produce the finished products, for example, items of clothing, the fabrics are structurally more compact and, consequently, less limp and subject to generating unwanted deformations.

Apparatuses and methods for compacting fabrics are known in the state of the art. Examples of the apparatuses and methods known in the state of the art consist of the compacting machines of the“Sanfor” type, and felt compacting machines.

One disadvantage of these apparatuses of the type known in the state of the art is that they are not suitable to work different types of fabrics. For example, some embodiments of compacting machines of the“Sanfor” type are suitable to work canvas fabrics, also called woven fabrics, but not knitted fabrics, while on the other hand some embodiments of the felt compacting machines are suitable to work knitted fabrics, but not canvas fabrics.

Over time, with the aim of expanding the range of fabrics that can be worked by the compacting machines known in the state of the art, embodiments of the“Sanfor” machine able to work knitted fabrics have been developed, as well as embodiments of felt compacting machines able to work canvas fabrics. However, these embodiments are expensive and bulky, and in any case do not allow to reach high quality standards.

Another disadvantage of these solutions known in the state of the art is that they are not suitable to work delicate fabrics, such as for example viscose fabrics, without compromising their quality. For example, the“Sanfor” type compacting machines implement a“wet” compaction method, in which it is provided to wet or humidify the fabric, which can indeed damage some types of delicate fabric.

Other examples of an apparatus for compacting fabrics are known from patent documents n. US 3866277 and EP 1657340, which describe apparatuses and methods for the compaction of textile substrates.

According to the teachings of EP 1657340, a first simplified version of the apparatus comprises a frame that supports a flexible and elastically extensible conveyor belt, which is closed in a ring on two end motor rollers and on an intermediate tensioner roller.

The two motor rollers are driven in rotation by respective independent motors which impart different rotation speeds to them.

The conveyor belt defines, between the two motor rollers, an active transport surface on which there is located in contact the peripheral facing surface of a drum which is also supported rotating to the frame, in a position such that, between the peripheral surface and the transport surface, there is defined a thin passage zone for the traction and compaction of a continuous portion of a fabric to be compacted.

The passage zone has an entrance of the fabric which is located in the proximity of the motor roller which rotates with a higher rotation speed, and an exit which is located in the proximity of the roller which rotates with a lower rotation speed.

Both the rollers and also the drum have axes of rotation horizontal and parallel to each other and the drum is idle, drawn in rotation by the same sliding of the belt and by the contact with the fabric that passes between the transport surface and its peripheral surface.

The difference in speed between the roller located at the entrance of the passage zone and the one located at the exit generates an elastic stretching of the belt which progressively lengthens in its sliding direction, until it reaches the maximum lengthening before the entrance zone, in order to then progressively shorten, in the subsequent compaction zone, to return to its primitive form.

The portion of fabric which is transported and which is introduced into the passage and compaction zone, is pressed throughout the entire passage zone by the forced contact with the active transport surface of the conveyor belt due to the pressure that the peripheral surface of the drum exerts on it, forcing it to follow by adherence every variation in length of the belt.

For this reason, in the zone where the belt is shortened, following the stretching, the same effect also occurs in the textile structure of the transported fabric which, therefore, shortens as a consequence, compacting its fibers before exiting (now compacted) from the exit of the passage zone.

In the second version of the apparatus described in document EP 1657340, the simplified base structure is made more complete with the addition of a series of motorized rollers which are supported on the frame and interposed on the return section of the conveyor belt.

These added rollers are disposed in such a position as to create, in the return section of the belt, an idle serpentine path, that is, which generates alternately opposite sliding loops, with the purpose of improving the adherence forces between the same conveyor belt and the two motor rollers, preventing slippage between the surfaces in reciprocal contact.

This state of the art has some disadvantages.

One disadvantage is that the adherence forces that develop tangentially between the surfaces of the motor rollers and the conveyor belt are not sufficient to guarantee the absence of relative slippage between the reciprocal surfaces in contact.

The slippages generate an imperfect translation of the belt and, therefore, of the fabrics to be compacted, which are transported and adhere to it, especially in the passage zone in which the peripheral surface of the drum acts under pressure and in which the compaction of the fabric has to occur.

The undesired slippages are transformed into a non-uniform compaction of the fibers of the fabrics, thus generating, at the end of the process, fabrics that are compacted in an imperfect manner and which, as mentioned, when used to produce final textile products, will generate problems of working and finishing. Another disadvantage is that the tensioning forces of the belt cannot be measured accurately and continuously during the compaction steps and this prevents the personnel in charge from promptly detecting possible anomalies in the compaction cycle.

Another disadvantage is that the overall costs of a known apparatus for compacting fabrics, and in particular of that described in patent application n. EP 1657340, are high, particularly in the more complete version of the latter in which there are provided more additional motorized rollers whose costs increase the overall cost of the apparatus itself and, ultimately, of the treated fabrics.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One purpose of the invention is to improve the state of the art by making available a machine for compacting textile structures suitable to work effectively and reliably both canvas fabrics, also called woven fabrics, and also knitted fabrics. It is also a purpose of the invention to make available a machine for compacting textile structures suitable to work also delicate fabrics, such as for example viscose fabrics or fabrics comprising parts of pile or fur, which are difficult to work with machines known in the state of the art, which risk damaging them.

Another purpose of the invention is to provide a machine for compacting textile structures of fabrics that allows to obtain an effective compaction in order to prevent irregularities in the weavings of the structures of the fabrics.

Another purpose of the invention is to provide a machine for compacting textile structures of fabrics which allows to continuously detect its functioning status and to adjust, in a continuous or programmed manner, its operating parameters according to requirements and as a function of the structures of the fabrics to be compacted.

According to one aspect of the invention, a machine for compacting textile structures of fabrics is provided, comprising a conveyor belt, elastically extensible, closed in a ring on a first motor roller provided with a first peripheral surface, on a second motor roller provided with a second peripheral surface, and on tensioning means, with a variable position, configured to pre-tension said conveyor belt.

According to embodiments of the compacting machine provided here, there is defined a first segment of the conveyor belt which is interposed between the first motor roller and the second motor roller, and a second segment of the conveyor belt interposed between the second motor roller and the tensioning means and intended to be coupled to the fabric. According to some embodiments, the first and second motor roller are configured to move the conveyor belt as above, and the first and second peripheral surfaces as above are intended to be in contact with the conveyor belt.

According to embodiments provided here, the compacting machine of the present invention also comprises a rotating drum provided with a peripheral surface on which it is provided to wind the fabrics, and cooperating with the conveyor belt to press the fabric against the belt so as to make it temporarily adhere to the second segment of the conveyor belt.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, the first peripheral surface and the second peripheral surface are configured to increase the adherence between the conveyor belt and the motor rollers as above.

According to another characteristic of the present invention, the compacting machine comprises contrast pressure means acting on portions of the conveyor belt to selectively clamp them, temporarily, against the motor rollers as above.

According to one embodiment, the contrast pressure means comprise at least one contrast pressure roller cooperating with the first motor roller to selectively clamp a portion of the conveyor belt against the latter.

According to embodiments provided here, the contrast pressure means comprise another contrast pressure roller cooperating with the second motor roller to clamp another portion of the conveyor belt against the latter.

In a preferred embodiment, the other pressure roller is made up of the heated drum as above.

According to another characteristic of the present invention, the machine comprises drive means acting on the rotating drum to keep it pressed against the conveyor belt with a desired, predetermined, compression force so that the thrust of the rotating drum automatically adapts to the degree of tension of the conveyor belt. For example, the drive to move the rotating drum closer can occur by means of pneumatic or hydraulic actuators (pneumatic cylinders, or oil-dynamic cylinders) thanks to which the distance between the second motor roller and the rotating drum can automatically self-adjust according to the variation in thickness of the conveyor belt, which depends on the percentage of lengthening set, that is, on its degree of pre-tensioning.

In another embodiment, the other pressure roller comprises a suitable roller, different from the drum as above.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a compaction method for compacting textile structures of fabrics which provides to pre-tension the conveyor belt by the action of tensioning means driven by means of pneumatic or hydraulic actuators (pneumatic cylinders, or oil- dynamic cylinders) because it is important to check the pre-tensioning lengthening percentage set of the conveyor belt in a precise and repeatable manner, before reaching the high tensioning step in the zone comprised between the first and second motor roller. In one embodiment, the pre tensioning step is achieved thanks to the action of tensioning means, for example configured as a roller with adjustable position, on which one of the cylinders as above acts to modify the position of the roller and, as a consequence, the tensioning of the conveyor belt.

The compaction method according to the present invention provides to drive the first and second motor rollers in rotation at different rotation speeds so as to selectively determine a lengthening of the conveyor belt in a first segment of the belt itself which is interposed between the first motor roller and the second motor roller, and a shortening of the conveyor belt in a second segment of the belt itself which is interposed between the second motor roller and the tensioning means and which is intended to be coupled with the fabric. The compaction method then provides to feed the fabric to be compacted to the compacting machine and make the fabric temporarily adhere to the second segment through the cooperation of a rotating drum.

According to some aspects of the compaction method in accordance with the present invention, it is provided that the peripheral surfaces respectively of the first and second roller that are intended to be in contact with the conveyor belt are configured to increase the adherence of the conveyor belt to the motor rollers, and it is also provided to selectively clamp, temporarily, respective portions of the conveyor belt against the motor rollers by means of contrast pressure means.

In accordance with some embodiments of the compaction method according to the present invention, it is provided to drive the second motor roller at a second rotation speed that is greater than a first rotation speed at which the first motor roller is made to rotate.

According to a characteristic aspect of the compaction method in accordance with present invention, it is provided to equip the rotating drum with drive means intended to keep it pressed against the conveyor belt with a desired, predetermined, compression force so that the thrust of the rotating drum can adapt automatically to the degree of tensioning of the conveyor belt.

Thanks to the present invention it is possible to obtain the following advantages:

- continuously and uniformly compacting textile structures of fabrics, in particular pre-packaged fabrics wound into reels or rolls, from which the fabric is unwound in order to carry out the compaction;

- improving, in a machine for compacting textile structures of fabrics, the adherence between the motor rollers and the conveyor belt drawn by them and which transports the fabrics that have textile structures to be compacted, preventing relative slippages between them;

- reducing the production costs of machines for compacting textile structures of fabrics, simplifying their structure and functioning;

- allowing a continuous control of the functioning of machines for compacting textile structures of fabrics, alerting the operators in charge if unwanted malfunctions occur.

Furthermore, the present invention advantageously allows to make available a compacting machine, and a corresponding method, which are very flexible and easy to control since the operator can quickly and easily set the desired degree of compaction of the fabric, and on the basis of this information, the functioning parameters to achieve this are automatically set in the machine, such as for example the rotation speed of the motor rollers, and/or the position of the tensioning means, and/or the strength of the contrast pressure means. Advantageously, the machine and the method according to the present invention allow to effectively compact many different types of fabrics, in particular both canvas fabrics, or woven fabrics, and knitted fabrics, and also delicate fabrics, preserving their quality.

Another advantage of the machine and of the method according to the present invention is being able to reach high degrees of compaction of the fabric, generally higher than those obtainable with the compacting machines known in the state of the art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description of preferred, but not exclusive, embodiments of a machine for compacting textile structures of fabrics, given as a non-restrictive in the attached drawings wherein:

- fig. 1 is a lateral, schematic and interrupted view of a part of a compacting machine according to the present invention, in the compacting zone;

- fig. 1 a is a lateral, schematic and simplified view of one variant of the compacting machine of fig. 1 ;

- fig. 2 is a lateral, schematic and interrupted view of a part of a compacting machine according to the present invention, in the compacting zone, in a possible variant;

- fig. 3 is a schematic and interrupted top view of a segment of a conveyor belt on which a portion of a fabric is located, which has a textile structure to be compacted and in which it is possible to notice the modification of the textile structure in the respective subsequent sections of the conveyor belt;

- fig. 4 is a schematic view, on an enlarged scale, of a motor roller according to the invention;

- fig. 5 is a schematic view, on a reduced scale, of one variant of a rotating drum comprised in the compacting machine according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

With reference to the drawings as above, 1 indicates as a whole a machine for compacting textile structures of fabrics, shown schematically in the attached drawings, suitable to compact portions 2 of fabrics T, hereafter machine 1 for short.

The machine 1 comprises a support frame 3 which holds an elastically extensible conveyor belt 4 mobile with respect to the frame 3, for example according to a clockwise movement, indicated by the arrow D1.

The belt 4 comprises an active transport section 4a and a return section 4b. According to an example embodiment, the conveyor belt 4 is made of a silicone rubber that has suitable elasticity characteristics, of a type known in the state of the art.

In a preferred embodiment, the conveyor belt 4 is formed by a plurality of modular elements, joined together, each having - in the non-tensioned inactive condition - an amplitude indicated by the letter“A” in the attached drawings. According to embodiments described here, the belt 4 is closed in a ring on a first motor roller 5, which is driven in rotation with a first rotation speed V1 about a first axis of rotation R1, substantially horizontal, and provided with a first peripheral surface S1 , and on a second motor roller 6 driven in rotation about a second axis of rotation R2, in particular also substantially horizontal and parallel to the first axis of rotation R1, and provided with a second peripheral surface S2.

As will be described in greater detail below, the second motor roller 6 is driven in rotation with a second rotation speed V2 different from the first rotation speed V1 , typically greater than the latter.

According to embodiments described here by way of a non-limiting example, the second rotation speed V2 can be considerably greater than the first rotation speed V1 , for example, it can even be 50% higher than the latter. In particular, according to one example embodiment, the second rotation speed V2 can be equal to 15 m/s, and the first rotation speed V1 can be equal to 10 m/s.

The frame 3 supports the first motor roller 5 and the second motor roller 6 in a rotatable manner, so that they can rotate with respect to the frame 3, which is fixed.

The frame 3 also supports tensioning means 7 which have an adjustable position, as indicated by dashed lines in figs. 1 and 2 and are configured to pre-tension the conveyor belt 4 by the desired quantity.

Thanks to the tensioning means 7 it is possible to give the conveyor belt 4 a determinate pre-tensioning which facilitates the adherence of the belt itself on the motor rollers 5 and 6.

On the frame 3 there is supported a drum 8 which is driven in rotation about a third axis of rotation R3, substantially horizontal, and comprising a peripheral surface S8 which, at least for an arc“a” of circumference, is facing and parallel to at least one portion of the active section 4a of the conveyor belt 4, defining a zone Z2, hereafter also called second shortening segment (figs. 1a and 3), in which the coupling by adherence occurs between the portion 2 of fabric T which has the textile structure to be compacted, which is shown schematically in fig. 3 with a wide-meshed grid 9, and the corresponding portion of active section 4a of the conveyor belt 4.

With the definition “coupling by adherence”, we mean, in the present description, that the fabric T adheres in a substantially complete manner to the surface of the active section 4a, but without being stably constrained thereto in any way, so as to follow every movement and deformation thereof, without appreciable slippages occurring between them in tangential directions, typically in the direction of motion indicated by the arrow D1.

In fig. 3 it can also be noted in detail that the textile fibers of the fabric T, downstream of the zone Z2, are significantly more compacted than their degree of compaction in the zone Z1 , and this greater compactness is schematically indicated with the grid 9A with narrower meshes.

According to embodiments provided here, both the first peripheral surface S1 and also the second peripheral surface S2 are configured to prevent any slippage of the conveyor belt 4. For this purpose, the first peripheral surface S1 and the second peripheral surface S2 can comprise, for example, a respective coating 10 made of elastic or elastomeric material, which has a high coefficient of adherence.

As a non-limiting indication, a preferred absolute value of the selected coefficient of adherence is comprised between 0.75 and 0.85.

Advantageously, the embodiment of the coating 10 can be chosen from various solutions such as, for example, in the form of a continuous sleeve or a plurality of parallel rings, in both cases fitted on both the first peripheral surface S1 and also on the second peripheral surface S2.

Alternatively, the coating 10 can be made in the form of a spiral made of rubber or elastomer, wound and attached on each first peripheral surface S1 and second peripheral surface S2.

Furthermore, the coating 10 can be made in the form of a plurality of buttons made of a rubber or elastomeric material, adhering to each first peripheral surface S1 and second peripheral surface S2, distributed according to predetermined patterns and slightly protruding therefrom toward the outside.

All the possible variants of the coating 10 have not been shown in detail in the drawings, since they would be immediately evident to the person of skill in the art.

According to a variant of the rotating drum 8, its peripheral surface S8 comprises another coating 18 made of a material that has a low coefficient of adherence, shown schematically in fig. 5. In a particular embodiment, the other coating 18 is made of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). According to embodiments provided here, the other coating 18 can completely cover the entire peripheral surface S8 of the rotating drum 8. In accordance with some embodiments, a preferred absolute value of the selected coefficient of adherence is less than 0.20, preferably less than 0.15.

With the first motor roller 5 there are associated contrast pressure means 11 which, in the preferred form, comprise at least one pressure roller 12 which is supported on the frame 3 and which can rotate about an axis of rotation horizontal and parallel to the first axis of rotation R1 and to the second axis of rotation R2.

The pressure roller 12 has a peripheral pressure surface 12a which is kept elastically pressed against the first peripheral surface S1 , as indicated by the arrow F1.

It should be noted that, in a completely similar manner, the peripheral surface S8 of the drum 8 is also kept elastically pressed against the second peripheral surface S2, as indicated by the arrow F2. In this way, the drum 8 can be configured as a contrast pressure mean, operatively associated with the second motor roller 6, and completely equivalent, structurally and functionally, to the pressure means 11 described above.

According to one embodiment described here, the machine 1 comprises drive means 20 comprising a piston-cylinder assembly 21 , 22, with fluid drive, in particular hydraulic or pneumatic, provided with a piston 21 which is sliding within a chamber 23 defined in the cylinder 22. The drive means 20 can comprise pressure regulating means 24, known in the state of the art, configured to maintain constant, in particular equal to a pre-set value, the pressure of the drive fluid in the chamber 23.

In one variant, the piston 21 is connected to the rotatable shaft on which the rotating drum 8 is keyed, defining the third axis of rotation R3, by means of mechanical connections well known to the person of skill in the art, which for this reason will not be described here in detail.

This embodiment advantageously allows an automatic, self-adaptive adjustment of the thrust of the rotating drum 8 against the conveyor belt 4 which guarantees that they are always kept in reciprocal elastic contact, as indicated by the arrow F2. According to this embodiment, the operator sets, in an initial set-up step of the machine, the thrust force that the rotating drum 8 exerts against the conveyor belt 4. During use, thanks to the pressure regulating means 24 which keep the pressure of the drive fluid in the chamber 23 constant, the drive means ensure that the rotating drum 8 always exerts the set pressure. This is particularly advantageous when compared with the state of the art in which, when the tensioning of the conveyor belt 4 varies, the operator has to stop the machine and perform laborious and delicate calibration operations to bring the rotating drum 8 back to the desired thrust conditions with respect to the conveyor belt 4. In fact, as the degree of tensioning of the belt varies, its thickness also changes. It is known, in fact, that if the degree of tensioning of the conveyor belt 4 increases (that is, the belt is more tensioned), its thickness decreases, which can cause - in the solutions known in the state of the art - the rotating drum 8 to no longer correctly contact the conveyor belt 4 and/or no longer exert the thrust force expected. On the contrary, thanks to this advantageous embodiment of the present invention, even a modification of the degree of tensioning, and therefore of the thickness, of the conveyor belt 4, is automatically compensated by means of the drive means 20, in the manner described above.

The tensioning means comprise a tensioner roller 7 which is supported rotating on the frame 3 about an axis of rotation that is horizontal and parallel to the first axis of rotation R1 and the second axis of rotation R2.

Between the frame 3 and the axis of rotation of the tensioner roller 7 there are interposed means for adjusting the position of the roller 7, schematically indicated with the arrow W in figs. 1 and 3, to adjust the distance between the axis of rotation of the roller 7 and the first axis of rotation R1 and the second axis of rotation R2.

According to one embodiment, the means for adjusting the position of the roller 7 are configured as a cylinder, for example of the pneumatic or oil-dynamic type.

In another embodiment of the machine 1, visible in fig. 2, it is provided to mount, between the first motor roller 5 and the second motor roller 6, detection means 13 to detect the tensioning forces of the conveyor belt 4.

The detection means are schematically shown in fig. 2 as another roller 14 which is kept elastically thrust from the outside toward the conveyor belt 4 (in particular, toward a first segment Z1 of the conveyor belt), so as to create in the latter a loop which, due to the reaction to the imposed deformation, transmits to the roller 14 a tensioning force of the belt 4 itself.

To detect the forces transmitted by the belt 4, with the other roller 14 there can be associated detection members such as load cells, and/or dynamometers, of a type known in the state of the art, which will not be described in detail here.

With reference to fig. 1 a, following the direction of motion D1 it is possible to notice, overall, a first lengthening, or stretching, segment Z1 of the conveyor belt 4, interposed between the first motor roller 5 and the second motor roller 6, a second shortening segment Z2 of the conveyor belt 4, already mentioned above, interposed between the second motor roller 6 and the tensioning means 7.

It should be noted that the second segment Z2 is defined in the active section 4a, while in the return section 4b of the belt 4, there is defined a third slackening segment of the conveyor belt 4 interposed between the tensioning means 7 and the first motor roller 5.

It should be noted that, in the different segments listed above it is possible to obtain a different desired degree of tensioning of the conveyor belt 4. For example, in the first segment Z1 , thanks to the action of the motor rollers 5, 6, of the pressure roller 12 and of the drum 8 acting as contrast pressure means, each module which makes up the belt 4 can be considerably lengthened, even by an extension equal to even 40-60% of its original amplitude A. Furthermore, thanks to the action of the tensioning means 7, in the portion of belt 4 disposed downstream of the second segment Z2, and upstream of the third segment Z3 (that is, the portion interposed between the drum 8 and the tensioner roller 7), each module that makes up the belt 4 can be lengthened, for example, by an extension equal to 10-15% of its original amplitude A.

In the preferred embodiment of the machine 1, the first motor roller 5, the second motor roller 6 and the drum 8 are driven in rotation with respective motorization units, independent of each other, for example of the self-braking type.

In an alternative embodiment, the drum 8 can be idle and drawn in rotation by the movement of the conveyor belt 4.

Furthermore, the drum 8 can comprise heating means known to the person of skill in the art and, for this reason, not described here in detail and not shown in the attached drawings, which are configured to heat the peripheral surface S8. According to embodiments provided here, the heating means can be of the electric type and comprise, by way of a non-limiting example, one or more suitable electric resistances integrated inside the drum 8.

It should be noted that also in this embodiment in which the drum 8 comprises heating means, the peripheral surface S8 can comprise the other coating 18 mentioned previously and visible in fig. 5, made with a material that has a low coefficient of adherence. In a particular embodiment, the other coating 18 can be made of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). It should be noted, in fact, that this material is particularly suitable to withstand high temperatures, even up to 300°C, without any deterioration of its chemical-physical characteristics.

According to some embodiments, the machine 1 can comprise control means 15, for example of the optical type, configured to measure the degree of compaction imparted to the fabric T by the machine itself. For this purpose, the control means 15 can be disposed in the proximity of the exit of the machine itself, in a suitable position in which the fabric T is clearly visible to the control means 15.

In one embodiment, by way of example, the control means 15 comprise a high-resolution camera able to count the number of wefts of the fabric T, and their reciprocal distance. Once the distance between the wefts of the fabric T before the compaction is known, the control system of the machine 1 , thanks to the presence of the control means 15, is able to calculate the degree of compaction imparted to the fabric T by the machine itself, in order to verify if it complies with that set on machine 1. According to an example embodiment, the control means 15 comprise the camera called “Elcount” produced by Erhardt+Leimer Gmbh.

The compaction method for compacting textile structures of fabrics T according to the invention, initially provides to tension the conveyor belt 4 by means of the tensioning means 7 with a desired tensioning/tension force. According to embodiments described here, the method provides to be able to adjust the position of the tensioning means 7, with respect to the motor rollers 5, 6, in order to obtain the desired tensioning/tension force.

The method described here then provides to move the conveyor belt 4 by means of the action of the first motor roller 5 and the second motor roller 6, on which the conveyor belt 4 is closed in a ring.

According to one embodiment, in order to move the conveyor belt 4 it is provided to drive in rotation the first motor roller 5 and the second motor roller 6 at different rotation speeds from each other, so as to selectively determine a lengthening of the conveyor belt 4 in a first segment Z1 of the conveyor belt which is interposed between the first motor roller 5 and the second motor roller 6, and a shortening of the conveyor belt 4 in a second segment Z2 of the conveyor belt which is interposed between the second motor roller 6 and the tensioning means 7 and which is intended to be coupled to the fabric T to be compacted. In one particular embodiment, it is provided to drive the motor rollers 5, 6 so that the rotation speed V2 of the second motor roller 6 is greater than the rotation speed V1 of the first motor roller 5.

The method described here also provides to feed the fabric T to be compacted to the compacting machine and temporarily make the fabric T adhere to the second segment Z2 by means of the cooperation of a rotating drum 8.

In accordance with a possible embodiment, the compaction method according to the present invention provides to equip the peripheral surfaces S1 , S2 respectively of the first motor roller 5 and the second motor roller 6, which are intended to be contacted by the conveyor belt 4, with suitable means able to promote the adherence of the conveyor belt 4 to the motor rollers 5, 6, and also provides to selectively and temporarily clamp respective portions of the conveyor belt 4 against the motor rollers 5, 6 by means of contrast pressure means 8, 11. In one embodiment, the contrast pressure means comprise a contrast pressure roller 12 and another contrast pressure roller which can, for example, be defined by the drum 8 itself.

The difference between the rotation speeds V1 , V2 of the motor rollers 5, 6 allows to elastically lengthen the conveyor belt 4 in the first segment Z1 , interposed between the two motor rollers 5, 6.

The elastic lengthening according to the compaction method described here also occurs thanks to the pressure action exerted by the pressure roller 12 and the stabilizing drum 8, respectively against the first motor roller 5 and the second motor roller 6 in combination with the drive thereof at differentiated rotation speeds V1 , V2.

The shortening of the second segment Z2 of the conveyor belt 4 occurs while a portion 2 of fabric T, whose textile fibers are to be compacted, is coupled and adherent to the conveyor belt 4. In this way, since the fabric T is kept in contact with the second segment Z2, adhering to it, it forcibly follows all its structural modifications and in particular, since in the second segment Z2 the conveyor belt 4 undergoes a shortening, the same effect is transmitted to the fabric T, whose fibers are compacted uniformly.

It should be noted that the coupling between the portion 2 of the fabric T and the active surface 4a of the conveyor belt 4 is maintained thanks to the pressure action exerted by the drum 8, possibly facilitated by the fact that the peripheral surface S8 of the drum 8 can be heated.

It should also be noted that the embodiment in which the coating 10 with high coefficient of adherence is provided on both the first motor roller 5 and also the second motor roller 6, allows to prevent relative slippages between the surfaces S1 and S2 of the motor rollers 5 and 6 and the contact surface of the conveyor belt 4. The presence of the coating 10, together with the pressure action exerted by the pressure roller 12 and the stabilizer drum 8, guarantee that the desired lengthening of the first segment Z1 and the desired shortening of the second segment Z2 are obtained in an effective and reliable manner.

In one embodiment, according to the variant shown in fig. 5, in which the peripheral surface S8 of the drum 8 is coated with the other coating 18, as soon as the pressure rollers 12, 8 cease to exert the pressure action, the fabric T, together with the conveyor belt 4, are conveyed quickly downstream (in the direction indicated by the arrow D1) without any passive contrast action exerted by the drum 8. To better understand this advantageous effect, fig. 3 schematically shows, with a dotted line, the plan projection of the drum 8 with respect to the conveyor belt 4 below. As can be clearly seen from this drawing, the drum 8, as well as being always in contact with the fabric T, is also in direct contact with portions of the conveyor belt 4, in particular in correspondence with opposite lateral ends of the drum itself. Consequently, it is evident that - in the absence of the other coating 18 - the reciprocal direct contact between the lateral ends of the drum 8 and the conveyor belt 4 would determine a friction force which opposes the movement of the fabric T and of the conveyor belt 4 downstream, after the pressure action between the drum 8 and the second motor roller 6 has ceased.

Therefore, thanks to the presence of the other coating 18 with a low coefficient of adherence, the drum 8 advantageously does not hinder the movement of the fabric T and of the conveyor belt 4, which can slide away quickly on the other coating 18, further improving the desired compaction effect.

In one implementation, the method according to the invention provides to check the degree of compaction of the fabric by means of the control means 15, for example of the optical type, configured as a high-resolution camera, to verify whether the desired degree of compaction has been achieved.

In one embodiment, the method provides to continuously check the tensioning force of the conveyor belt 4 thanks to the detection means 13, and possibly easily modify the tensioning force by acting on the actuator means able to modify the position of the tensioning means.

In practice, it has been verified that the invention achieves the intended purposes.

The invention as conceived is susceptible to modifications and variants, all of which are within the scope of the inventive concept.

Furthermore, all the details can be replaced with other technically equivalent elements.

In their practical embodiment, any other materials, as well as shapes and sizes, can be used according to requirements, without departing from the scope of protection of the following claims.

Claims

1 ) Machine for compacting textile structures of fabrics (T), comprising a conveyor belt (4), elastically extensible, closed in a ring on a first motor roller (5) provided with a first peripheral surface (S1 ), on a second motor roller (6) provided with a second peripheral surface (S2), and on tensioning means (7), with a variable position, and configured to pre-tension said conveyor belt (4); wherein there is defined a first segment (Z1 ) of the conveyor belt which is interposed between said first motor roller (5) and said second motor roller (6), and a second segment (Z2) of the conveyor belt interposed between said second motor roller (6) and said tensioning means (7) and intended to be coupled to said fabric (T), and wherein said first motor roller (5) and said second motor roller (6) are configured to move said conveyor belt (4) and said first and second peripheral surfaces (S1 , S2) are intended to be in contact with said conveyor belt (4); said machine (1 ) also comprises a rotating drum (8) provided with a peripheral surface (S8) on which it is provided to wind said fabrics (T), and said drum (8) cooperates with said conveyor belt (4) to press the fabric (T) against said conveyor belt (4) so as to make it temporarily adhere to said second segment (Z2), wherein said first peripheral surface (S1 ) and said second peripheral surface (S2) are configured to increase the adherence between said conveyor belt (4) and said motor rollers (5, 6), and wherein said machine also comprises contrast pressure means (8, 11 ) acting on portions of said conveyor belt (4) to selectively clamp them, temporarily, against said motor rollers (5, 6), said machine being characterized in that it comprises drive means (20) acting on said rotating drum (8) to keep it pressed against said conveyor belt (4) with a desired, predetermined compression force so that the thrust of the rotating drum (8) automatically adapts to the degree of tensioning of said conveyor belt (4), and in that said drive means (20) comprise a piston-cylinder assembly (21 , 22) with fluid drive, in particular hydraulic or pneumatic, provided with a piston (21 ) sliding within a chamber (23) defined in said cylinder (22), and pressure regulating means (24) configured to maintain constant, in particular equal to a pre-set value, the pressure of the fluid in said chamber.

2) Machine as in claim 1 , characterized in that said first and second peripheral surface (S1 , S2) each comprise a respective coating (10) of elastic/elastomeric material having a selected coefficient of adherence. 3) Machine as in claim 2, characterized in that said selected coefficient of adherence is comprised between 0.75 and 0.85.

4) Machine as in claim 2 or 3, characterized in that said respective coating (10) is selected between a continuous sleeve or a plurality of parallel rings fitted on each of said first and second peripheral surfaces (S1 , S2), or a spiral wound on each first and second peripheral surface (S1 , S2), or a plurality of buttons associated with each first and second peripheral surface (S1 , S2).

5) Machine as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that said peripheral surface (S8) of said rotating drum (8) comprises another coating (18) made of a material that has a desired coefficient of adherence, in particular made of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), wherein a preferred absolute value of the coefficient of adherence is less than 0.20, preferably less than 0.15.

6) Machine as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that said drum (8) comprises heating means configured for heating said peripheral surface (S8).

7) Machine as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that said contrast pressure means (11 ) comprise at least one contrast pressure roller (12) cooperating with said first motor roller (5) to selectively clamp a portion of said conveyor belt (4) against the latter, wherein said contrast pressure roller (12) is provided with a peripheral pressure surface (12a) held elastically pressed toward said first peripheral surface (S1 ).

8) Machine as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that said contrast pressure means (11 ) comprise another contrast pressure roller (8) cooperating with said second motor roller (6) to selectively clamp a portion of said conveyor belt (4) against the latter, wherein said drum (8) defines said other contrast pressure roller.

9) Machine as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that said tensioning means comprise a tensioner roller (7); actuation means being provided, in particular of a pneumatic type, configured to adjust the position of said tensioner roller (7) with respect to said first and second motor rollers (R1 , R2).

10) Machine as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that between said first motor roller (5) and second motor roller (6) detection means (13) for detecting the tensioning forces of said conveyor belt (4) are interposed, wherein said detection means (13) are configured as another roller (14) which is kept elastically thrust from the outside toward said first segment (Z1 ) of said conveyor belt (4), and with which detection members are associated, such as load cells and/or dynamometers.

11 ) Machine as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that said first motor roller (5) and second motor roller (6) are driven in rotation by means of respective motorization units, independent of each other, in particular of the self-braking type; and in that said drum (8) can be idle or driven in rotation by a respective independent motorization unit.

12) Compaction method for compacting textile structures of fabrics (T), which provides to:

- pre-tension a conveyor belt (4), elastically extensible, by the action of tensioning means (7), having an adjustable position to vary the degree of pre-tensioning of the conveyor belt (4),

- move said conveyor belt (4) by the action of a first and a second motor roller (5, 6) on which said conveyor belt (4) is closed in a ring, wherein said first and a second motor roller (5, 6) are provided respectively with a first and a second peripheral surface (S1 , S2) both configured to increase the adherence between said conveyor belt (4) and said motor roller (5, 6),

- drive the first and second motor rollers (5, 6) in rotation at different rotation speeds so as to selectively determine a lengthening of said conveyor belt (4) in a first segment (Z1 ) of the conveyor belt which is interposed between said first motor roller (5) and said second motor roller (6), and a shortening of said conveyor belt (4) in a second segment (Z2) of the conveyor belt which is interposed between said second motor roller (6) and said tensioning means (7) and which is intended to be coupled with said fabric (T),

- feed the fabric (T) to be compacted to the compacting machine and make said fabric (T) temporarily adhere to said second segment (Z2) through the cooperation of a rotating drum (8),

- selectively clamp, temporarily, respective portions of said conveyor belt (4) against said motor rollers (5, 6) by means of contrast pressure means (8, 1 1 ),

wherein said compaction method is characterized in that it provides to equip said rotating drum (8) with drive means (20) intended to keep the rotating drum (8) pressed against said conveyor belt (4) with a desired, predetermined, compression force so that the thrust of the rotating drum (8) can adapt automatically to the degree of tensioning of said conveyor belt (4).