Method and plant for printing hides

Abstract

A device for printing industrial hides comprises a drying chamber (2) internally housing a support surface (3) for at least one hide (P), a cover (10) placed on the top of the support surface (3) in order to define the drying chamber (2), heating means (6) associated with the support surface (3) in order to bring it to a drying temperature, an impermeable flexible membrane (14) placed on the top of the support surface (3) to divide the chamber (2) into an upper portion (21) and a lower portion (2"), pressure means (13) of vacuum type with a suction line (15) connected to the lower portion (2") of the chamber (2) in order to define a pressure difference between the portions (21, 2") of the chamber (2). The drying chamber (2) internally comprises at least one matrix (4) positioned on the surface (3) and having an upper surface (5) reproducing in negative a pattern to be printed on the hide (P). The vacuum pressure means (13) comprise one or more suction passages (17) made in the support surface (3) in a position substantially facing the cover (10) in order to fluidly connect the lower portion (2") with the suction line (15) and to promote the compression of the hide (P) on the matrix (4) for the printing of the ornamental pattern.

Description

technical field

[0001] The present invention is applicable in the technical field of leather processing in general, and its object is to provide a method and a device for letterpress printing of leather, especially for industrial leather. Background technique

[0002] It is known that industrial leather can be printed on the full grain in order to give it a more aesthetic appearance, eliminating the usual surface irregularities.

[0003] Generally, by using a heat printer, printing is performed after the step of drying the leather and after it has been thermally cured and stabilized.

[0004] One of the main disadvantages of these known solutions is that the relatively high temperatures required for printing lead to damage to the leather fibers, resulting in poor quality.

[0005] In addition, this step entails a non-negligible increase in energy consumption, which is clearly reflected in the cost of the final product.

[0006] Not least, printing after drying requires fur...

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0033] With reference to the above-mentioned figures, an apparatus for printing industrial leather according to the invention, indicated generally at 1, can be incorporated in a leather processing line, the drying station forming part of this apparatus.

[0034] According to the invention, the apparatus 1 comprises a hermetically sealed drying chamber 2 containing inside a support surface 3 for one or more hides P to be treated and one or more Template 4.

[0035] Each stencil 4 has an upper surface 5 which inversely reproduces the pattern to be printed on the leather P. As shown in FIG.

[0036] In particular, stencils 4 that are longitudinally offset from each other may have respective upper surfaces 5 that are shaped differently relative to each other so that on a corresponding leather P or on the same leather P extending over two or more stencils 4 Print the corresponding decorative pattern.

[0037] Associated with the support surface 3 are heating means 6 suitable for ...

technical field

[0001] The present invention is applicable in the technical field of leather processing in general, and its object is to provide a method and a device for letterpress printing of leather, especially for industrial leather. Background technique

[0002] It is known that industrial leather can be printed on the full grain in order to give it a more aesthetic appearance, eliminating the usual surface irregularities.

[0003] Generally, by using a heat printer, printing is performed after the step of drying the leather and after it has been thermally cured and stabilized.

[0004] One of the main disadvantages of these known solutions is that the relatively high temperatures required for printing lead to damage to the leather fibers, resulting in poor quality.

[0005] In addition, this step entails a non-negligible increase in energy consumption, which is clearly reflected in the cost of the final product.

[0006] Not least, printing after drying requires fur...

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0033] With reference to the above-mentioned figures, an apparatus for printing industrial leather according to the invention, indicated generally at 1, can be incorporated in a leather processing line, the drying station forming part of this apparatus.

[0034] According to the invention, the apparatus 1 comprises a hermetically sealed drying chamber 2 containing inside a support surface 3 for one or more hides P to be treated and one or more Template 4.

[0035] Each stencil 4 has an upper surface 5 which inversely reproduces the pattern to be printed on the leather P. As shown in FIG.

[0036] In particular, stencils 4 that are longitudinally offset from each other may have respective upper surfaces 5 that are shaped differently relative to each other so that on a corresponding leather P or on the same leather P extending over two or more stencils 4 Print the corresponding decorative pattern.

[0037] Associated with the support surface 3 are heating means 6 suitable for ...

Images