Machine for processing leather and fabric

Abstract

A machine for processing leather, fabrics and the like, the main body of which defines at least one chamber for processing the leather; the chamber can be accessed from the outside through at least one loading / unloading opening, and the loading / unloading opening can be closed by means of a door; the processing chamber is configured to internally form a controlled atmosphere environment that is substantially isolated from the external environment.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a machine for processing leather, fabric or the like. Background Art

[0002] Machines known as "roller grinding" are used in the leather finishing process in tanneries. Roller grinding is needed to improve the softness of the leather and give it the desired final appearance. This is achieved through a rocking action and mechanical straining in a temperature and humidity controlled environment.

[0003] Typically, such machines consist of a cylindrical or prismatic enclosure, preferably made of wood, steel or plastic material, designed to contain the hide and turned about a substantially horizontal axis of rotation by suitable motor means.

[0004] The enclosure has an opening for loading / unloading the items to be processed. The opening has one or more closing doors operated by suitable actuators.

[0005] US2017240982A1 discloses a device and method for treating animal skin matrix with multiple solid particles. The device includes a rotatably mounted drum for accommodating an animal matrix, and has an outlet opening and a closure. The closure can be movable between a first position and a second position, wherein in the first position, the outlet opening is closed, and the animal matrix, solid particulate material and treatment liquid cannot pass through the outlet and are retained in the drum, and in the second position, the outlet opening is open, so that the solid particulate material and treatment liquid can leave the drum through the outlet opening. The drum has a perforated screen arranged at the outlet, which is configured to allow solid particulate material and treatment liquid to pass through the outlet opening when the closure is in the second position, and prevent the animal skin matrix from passing through the outlet opening. When the closure is in the second position, the perforated screen can be moved from the outlet opening to allow the animal skin matrix to be loaded and unloaded through the outlet opening.

[0006] GB692207A discloses a drum or similar container for processing leather, having a doorway in its wall through which the contents of the container can be discharged directly into a truck or other container. The container has a door mounted to slide from an open position to a closed position and vice versa between parallel guides, the shape of which conforms to the contour of the outer wall of the container and is fixed to the outer wall of the container on each side of the doorway. A flexible inflation tube is located in an outwardly directed channel arranged around the outer edge of the doorway, and when the door is closed, the flexible inflation tube is arranged to bear between the above-mentioned channel and the edge of the inner door surface during inflation, thereby providing a substantially liquid-tight closure of the doorway.

[0007] IT201900010665A1 discloses a machine for finishing leather, fabric, etc., which has a container mounted on a supporting structure and is connected to a first processing device suitable for rotating the container around a rotation axis. The container has a loading port and an unloading port, which can be temporarily closed by a sliding door, which is operated by a second processing device connected to a command device operated by an operator. The machine has an automatic control system for unloading articles from a container, the system including a detection device suitable for detecting that articles may be present within the scope of action of the door, and an electronic control device suitable for comparing data from the detection device with commands from a collection device for closing / opening commands. In the case of an order to close the door and at the same time there are articles within the scope of action of the door, the second moving device is ordered to prevent the closure of the door, and the first moving device is ordered to move the container in a manner to remove the articles from the scope of action of the door.

[0008] Over the years, the grinding drum has evolved into a truly multifunctional machine that, in addition to the simple dry softening action, can also apply chemicals inside the grinding drum to give hides and skins technical or fashion effects.

[0009] However, performing these processes often requires large amounts of water and chemical products that must be processed prior to setup.

[0010] Additionally, some waste products are often dispersed into the environment in the form of fumes and vapors that are potentially hazardous and harmful and should be removed from production areas where personnel are present. Such removal may require expensive extraction and suppression equipment.

[0011] Another problem with conventional grinding drums is their low thermal efficiency, which is a result of high heat losses due to the materials used to make the enclosure. Low thermal efficiency leads to high energy consumption.

[0012] The object of the present invention is to provide a machine for finishing leather, fabrics or the like which overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art.

[0013] Within the scope of this aim, a particular object of the invention is to provide a machine which achieves a substantial suppression of the atmospheric emission of potentially polluting and / or toxic fumes and vapors.

[0014] Another object of the present invention is to provide a machine that makes leather processing operations more sustainable by reducing the use of water and chemical products, as well as significantly reducing the waste water to be purified.

[0015] Another object of the invention is to provide a machine that is also efficient from a thermal point of view, thereby reducing the cost of the final product.

[0016] This object, as well as the above-mentioned aims and other objects which will become apparent hereinafter, are achieved by a machine for processing leather, fabrics or the like, as set forth in the appended claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Further characteristics and advantages will become more apparent from the description of a preferred but non-exclusive embodiment of the machine according to the invention illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0018] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional elevational view of a machine according to the present invention;

[0019] Figure 2 It is shown Figure 1 Magnified views of details of the machine;

[0020] Figure 3 It is shown Figure 1 an enlarged view of further details of the machine;

[0021] Figure 4 is a perspective view of a machine according to the present invention;

[0022] Figure 5 It is shown Figure 4 Magnified views of details of the machine;

[0023] Figure 6 is a partially exploded perspective view of a machine according to the present invention;

[0024] Figure 7 It is shown Figure 6 Magnified views of details of the machine;

[0025] Figure 8 is another partially exploded perspective view of the machine according to the present invention;

[0026] Fig. 9 It is shown Figure 8 Magnified views of details of the machine; DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] With reference to the cited figures, a machine for processing hides, fabrics or the like is indicated generally by reference numeral 1 and has a supporting structure 2 supporting a body 3 forming an internal processing chamber 4 suitable for mechanical or chemical treatment of hides or fabrics.

[0028] In the example shown, the body 3 has a cylindrical wall 5 with a substantially horizontal axis 100 , closed at both ends by flat walls 6 , 7 .

[0029] A drum 8 is arranged within the stationary body 3. The drum 8 rotates around an axis 100. In the drum 8 are placed the objects to be processed by the machine 1.

[0030] It is obvious to a person skilled in the art that the body 3 can have different construction features than those described and shown; for example, the body 3 can have a polygonal or mixed lateral profile, and / or can be formed integrally with the drum 8 to form a unit that can rotate around the axis 100.

[0031] The process chamber 4 is accessible from the outside through a loading / unloading opening 9 which is preferably arranged at the front of the machine 1 and which can be closed by means of a door 10 associated with the support structure 2, for example in a sliding manner.

[0032] According to the present invention, the process chamber 4 is configured to form a controlled atmosphere environment within the process chamber. The controlled atmosphere environment is substantially isolated from the external environment, and the ventilation level, temperature and humidity are maintained at optimal values ​​for each specific process performed by the machine 1.

[0033] The process chamber 4 has at least one air inlet opening 11 and at least one air outlet opening 12 through which an air flow, preferably from an air treatment unit 13 , can pass.

[0034] Preferably, the apertures of the air inlet opening 11 and the air outlet opening 12 can be adjusted by means of a first flow control element 14 and a second flow control element 15, respectively, which can be moved according to instructions between at least one open position and at least one closed position, in which they allow air flow through the processing chamber 4, and in which they prevent air flow from passing through.

[0035] When closed, the first and second flow control elements 14 and 15 and the door 10 are capable of completely and substantially airtightly isolating the processing chamber 4 from the external environment.

[0036] In the example shown, the first flow control element 14 , substantially at the air inlet opening 11 , has a first closing plate 16 adapted to slide in a first seat 17 formed with the body 3 .

[0037] The first closing plate 16 is movable between an open position and a closed position by means of a first actuating device 18 , for example a linear actuator.

[0038] Likewise, the second flow control element 15 , substantially at the exhaust opening 12 , is constituted by a second closing plate 19 adapted to slide in a second seat 20 formed in the body 3 .

[0039] The second closing plate 19 is movable between an open position and a closed position by means of a second actuating device 21 , for example a linear actuator.

[0040] It is obvious to those skilled in the art that, without departing from the present invention, the first flow control element 14 and the second flow control element 15 may have different construction features; for example, the first flow control element 14 and the second flow control element 15 may be composed of closed doors hinged to one end of the main body 3 at the air inlet opening 11 and the exhaust opening 12, respectively, and operated by means of a first actuator 18 and a second actuator 21.

[0041] Advantageously, the machine 1 comprises temperature and humidity control means for controlling the temperature and humidity in the treatment chamber 4 .

[0042] The temperature and humidity control means are advantageously constituted by the air handling unit 13 described above.

[0043] The term "control" refers to the ability to measure and adjust the temperature and / or humidity in the process chamber 4 by acting on the corresponding parameters.

[0044] In this way, the temperature and / or humidity level may be maintained at an optimal value for the specific process performed by the machine 1 .

[0045] The air handling unit 13 comprises an intake / delivery fan 22, an air filter 23 and a heat exchange assembly 24. The air handling unit 13 is connected to the processing chamber 4 by means of an intake duct 25 and an exhaust duct 26 flowing into the exhaust opening 12 and the intake opening 11 respectively.

[0046] Preferably, the temperature and humidity parameters are managed by means of an electronic control unit 27 which, in addition to controlling the air handling unit 13 , substantially controls the entire machine 1 .

[0047] The control of temperature and humidity within the process chamber 4 is improved by thermal insulation associated with the walls of the body 3, for example in the form of thermal insulation panels arranged on the outer surface of the walls.

[0048] Advantageously, the machine 1 comprises dispenser means for dosing water and / or chemical products in the treatment chamber 4. The dispenser means are constituted for example by a plurality of nozzles (not shown) which atomize / atomize these products into droplets which are absorbed by the leather in a uniform and cohesive manner.

[0049] At least part of the steam generated by the water and / or chemical product distribution device in the treatment chamber 4, once they have completed their function, is passed to a condensation and recovery device not shown in the figure, which converts the steam into a liquid, for example by filtration and decantation, for collection and purification, so that it can be at least partially recycled during the process performed by the machine 1.

[0050] In this way, only a small part of the aqueous solution used by the machine 1 is subsequently treated in a civil sewage treatment plant.

[0051] The operation of the machine according to the invention is apparent from what has been described and shown.

[0052] That is, the items to be processed by the machine 1, in particular animal hides, are introduced into the processing chamber 4 through the loading / unloading opening 9, after which the door 10 is closed and the processing process begins.

[0053] In some steps of the process, a controlled atmosphere environment is also created in the process chamber 4 by the action of the air handling unit 13 which generates a suitably conditioned air flow between the air inlet opening 11 and the air outlet opening 12 .

[0054] If desired, the air handling chamber 4 can be almost completely isolated from the external environment by moving the first flow control element 14 and the second flow control element 15 to the closed position.

[0055] The items contained in the treatment chamber 4 can be sprayed with water and suitable chemical products, which are preferably atomized by means of the above-mentioned dispenser device.

[0056] The used and / or excess liquid may be recovered by a condensation and recovery device so that it can be at least partially recycled.

[0057] The present invention achieves the intended aims and objectives by providing a machine for processing leather, fabrics and the like which does not emit potentially polluting and / or toxic fumes and vapors by creating a controlled atmosphere environment inside which can be completely isolated from the external environment.

[0058] Furthermore, the machine according to the invention achieves a minimization of the consumption of water and electricity for its operation.

[0059] Another advantage of the machine according to the invention is that it has a high thermal efficiency.

[0060] This application claims the benefit of Italian Patent Application No. 10202200002674, filed on June 15, 2022, the subject matter of which is incorporated herein by reference.

Claims

1. A machine for processing articles such as leather and fabrics, the machine comprising a body defining at least one processing chamber; the processing chamber is accessible from the external environment through at least one loading / unloading opening; the opening has a door; the machine is characterized in that the processing chamber forms a controlled atmosphere environment containing the article; the processing chamber is isolated from the external environment.

2. The machine according to claim 1, characterized in that The processing chamber includes at least one air inlet opening and at least one exhaust opening; the air inlet opening and the exhaust opening respectively have a first flow control element and a second flow control element, and the first flow control element and the second flow control element are movable between at least one open position and at least one closed position according to a command, wherein the first flow control element and the second flow control element respectively allow or prevent air from flowing through the processing chamber.

3. Machine according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that When the first and second flow control elements are in the closed position and the load / unload opening is closed by the door, the processing chamber is substantially sealed from the external environment.

4. Machine according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that The first flow control element comprises a first closing plate sliding in a first seat substantially at the inlet opening, the first seat being associated with the body; the first closing plate being movable between the open position and the closed position by means of first actuating means.

5. Machine according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that The first flow control element comprises a first closing door hingedly connected to one end of the main body at the air inlet opening; the first closing door is movable between the open position and the closed position by means of the first actuating device.

6. Machine according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that The second flow control element comprises, at the exhaust opening, a second closing plate sliding in a second seat associated with the body; the second closing plate is movable between the open position and the closed position by means of second actuating means.

7. Machine according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that The second flow control element comprises a second closing door hinged to one end of the body at the exhaust opening; the second closing door is movable between the open position and the closed position by means of the second actuating device.

8. Machine according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that The processing chamber includes thermal insulation that thermally isolates the controlled atmosphere environment from an external environment.

9. Machine according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that The machine comprises a temperature and humidity control device for controlling the internal temperature of the processing chamber and / or the internal humidity of the processing chamber.

10. Machine according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that The machine comprises a dispenser device which doses water and / or a chemical product into the treatment chamber.

11. Machine according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that The machine comprises a condensing and recovery device which condenses and recovers the steam released in the treatment chamber.

12. Machine according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that The machine comprises a rotating drum arranged within the processing chamber.

Images