Equipment for continuously steaming fabric

Abstract

An apparatus for continuously steaming a fabric, comprising: a motorized or idling steaming roller having a side wall and being heated from inside by steam at an adjustable pressure Pc and temperature Tc; a fabric fed and drawn by a lining cloth or felt made of a breathable textile material, the lining cloth or felt being advanced by at least one motorized roller; a lining cloth pre-tensioned to a desired value to press the fabric against the side wall of the roller; a sealed semi-cylindrical first chamber which is supplied with saturated steam at a pressure Pv1 and a temperature Tv1 through a first supply pipeline and is arranged in a first lower peripheral area of the steaming roller and outside and close to the side wall; and a sealed semi-cylindrical second chamber which is supplied with saturated steam at a pressure Pv2 and a temperature Tv2 through a second supply pipeline and is arranged at the second lower peripheral area of the steaming roller and outside the side wall and close to the side wall. The first and second chambers are adjacent and independently supplied with saturated steam at respective pressures and temperatures.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for continuously decatizing a fabric. Background Art

[0002] Decatizing or steaming is an operation used for finishing wool fabrics and has the following main objectives:

[0003] Stabilization or "setting" of the fabric.

[0004] Improving the surface (feel, softness, texture, surface smoothness, pleasant appearance...).

[0005] The terms "stabilization" or "setting" are defined as the degree of retention of deformation imparted by an industrial process when the fabric is continuously subjected to specific relaxation treatments, which can be distinguished between:

[0006] Cohesive stabilization, which is eliminated by soaking in water at 20 °C for 30 minutes; and

[0007] Permanent stabilization, which resists a similar treatment at 70 °C. (As an alternative to vaporization for 30 seconds in a Hoffmann press)

[0008] To clarify by way of example, let us imagine an industrial process that imparts to the fabric a pleasant appearance, a smooth surface, and a desired thickness.

[0009] Then, we imagine that the fabric must be washed by soaking it at a temperature of 70 °C for 30 minutes or that it must be vaporized for 30 seconds. If, at the end of these processes, the fabric retains the characteristics of a pleasant appearance, a smooth surface, and a desired thickness, then we can say that it is permanently stabilized; the industrial process has imparted permanent characteristics to the fabric. Conversely, if the characteristics of the fabric are not retained, this is called cohesive stabilization.

[0010] Wool fibers ( Figure 1 ) include crystalline elements immersed in an amorphous matrix. The stabilization characteristics depend to a large extent on the matrix (which accounts for 70% - 75% of the total mass), within which two forces act between the polypeptide molecular chains: "weak" bonds (especially H-bridges and salt bonds) and "strong" bonds (mainly the -S-S- groups of cystine).

[0011] Under normal environmental conditions of recovery (R) and temperature (T), wool behaves like a vitreous solid because the mobility of the chains within the matrix is restricted by two types of bond forces: the fibre is thus not particularly deformable (and thus the "plasticity" of the fabric will be poor), and any deformation imposed by an external force will result in a state of tension within the matrix.

[0012] For each humidity recovery value R (see the first curve in Figure 2 ), there exists a glass transition temperature T1. Above T1, the fibre becomes rubbery because the thermal energy supplied by the environment is sufficient to overcome the bonds of the molecular chains: thus, the fibre is able to deform easily, and by repositioning the chains, the internal tension is rapidly relaxed.

[0013] When the fibre is deformed while in the rubber state (e.g., immersed in cold water, or in a humid and hot atmosphere), and then dried and / or cooled, the transition curve of the glassy direction is shifted back, and the mobility of the chains is suddenly reduced (the chains are "frozen"): cohesive stabilization occurs.

[0014] By this stabilization, if we subject the fabric to a relaxation treatment, such as immersion at a temperature close to room temperature and drying without tension, the transition curve T1 is exceeded, and the cohesive stabilization is eliminated.

[0015] Permanent stabilization responds to a mechanism similar to the one described so far, but for the same R, the transition curve passes through higher temperature values (the curve T2 in Figure 2 ), because higher thermal energy must be provided to cause the repositioning of the strong bonds of the molecular chains.

[0016] During the finishing cycle, the "setting" phenomenon occurs each time the fabric is subjected to the action of water or steam: the measurable effects (especially related to dimensions and thickness) depend on the presence of mechanical constraints during the treatment.

[0017] In summary, during the finishing "setting" process, the variable parameters that affect the result are:

[0018] The temperature and recovery of the fabric (factors interacting through the Figure 2 transition curve);

[0019] Time (due to the viscoelastic properties of the fibre, the duration of the treatment interacts with the previous factors, and thus the relaxation rate of the tension depends on this under various conditions of temperature and humidity recovery);

[0020] The thermal shock due to cooling (used to fix the wool, which occurs on those fibres that have been expanded by steam but are pressed tightly against each other).

[0021] The lateral pressure (in the thickness direction) applied to the fabric during wet fixation or steaming is usually applied in the form of the radial component of the longitudinal tension of the interlining or the accompanying belt.

[0022] This pressure actually depends first on the change in the thickness of the fabric and has a considerable effect on the "surface", and also depends on the persistence of the effect obtained.

[0023] In particular, it has been experimentally observed that, in terms of thickness, the optimum value of the mechanical pressure on the fabric should not be less than about 0.4 kg / cm².

[0024] Time, temperature and humidity content are related to each other because changing one of the three can be compensated for by modifying the other two of the three.

[0025] The KD or steaming treatment carried out in an autoclave under pressure is part of the discontinuous steaming process.

[0026] The purpose of this treatment is to improve the surface, dimensional stability and gloss fastening of the fabric. This treatment is carried out on wool or blended wool fabrics.

[0027] The treatment includes: joining the fabric to be steamed to a felt or interlining made of a breathable material, and winding the felt and the fabric around a steaming roller perforated for the passage of steam.

[0028] After the fabric roll is placed in the autoclave, steam is passed through the layers of the fabric and at the same time through the felt wound around the cylinder (winding the felt allows adjustment of the mechanical pressure on the fabric).

[0029] The fixing cycle in the pressure chamber usually lasts from 2 minutes to 5 minutes at a temperature of 110°C to 130°C.

[0030] After the fabric is removed from the autoclave, the fabric is unwound and cooled at room temperature or in an air cooling system.

[0031] Steaming changes the surface of the fabric according to the pressure applied to the fabric and the type of felt or interlining selected.

[0032] During the steaming treatment, the fabric undergoes both the phenomena of cohesive stabilization and permanent stabilization.

[0033] The amount of permanent stability depends on: temperature (between 110°C and 130°C), treatment time (2 minutes to 5 minutes), moisture content in the fabric (usually between 5% and 15%), pH value of the fabric, and the pressure applied in the thickness direction.

[0034] The maximum temperature and time limits are set to prevent the fabric from yellowing and being damaged.

[0035] In Figure 3 is shown an example of a typical steaming process.

[0036] In particular, as can be seen from the above Figure 3 the fabric is initially at 20 °C (point C) at a humidity regain of 14%.

[0037] After steaming with pressurized steam, the fabric rises to 120 °C (point K) at a humidity regain of 20%.

[0038] Under these conditions, there is a reorientation of the strong bonds and thus a good permanent stabilization effect. The stabilization may take several minutes to complete.

[0039] After the process is completed and the fabric has cooled, the fabric returns to its initial state (ellipse around point C).

[0040] During this process, the humidity of the fabric may increase by 6% to 8%.

[0041] During autoclave steaming, the temperature and pressure limits are maintained by control.

[0042] In particular, we have learned that if the fabric reaches too high a temperature, the fabric will turn yellow. This is closely related to the type of steam injected into the autoclave, the initial percentage of moisture in the fabric, and the ability of the lining cloth to absorb moisture.

[0043] Autoclave steaming tends to harden the structure of the fabric and has a negative impact on the surface and elasticity, especially if the pressure exerted by the lining cloth is too high.

[0044] When the fabric is rolled up, the innermost layer is subjected to greater mechanical pressure than the outermost layer. This results in non-uniformity between the layers of the fabric wound on the reel.

[0045] Many machines have been manufactured to make this process continuous.

[0046] Unlike a discontinuous process - in which the work is carried out by stations (winding preparation, autoclave treatment, opening and reel cooling) - in a continuous process, the fabric continuously enters and exits through a pressurized vessel, where an attempt is made to simulate these physical conditions that occur in the above discontinuous process.

[0047] An example is EP1010797, which describes a machine for continuous steaming of fabrics, the machine comprising a steam-heated steaming roller.

[0048] The fabric is partially wound around the roller, and the textile covering is partially wound around the fabric and the roller. The textile covering is typically a felt or backing sheet made of a breathable textile material.

[0049] The machine includes means for moving and tensioning the textile covering, the purpose of which is to advance the fabric and press the fabric against the steaming roller.

[0050] In addition, the machine includes an isolation tank near the steaming roller, and the isolation tank contains saturated steam in a predetermined and controlled pressure and temperature state.

[0051] The fabric enters the channel formed by the steaming roller and the tank. The fabric is pressed against the steaming roller by the lining cloth and is exposed to the influence of saturated steam.

[0052] When the fabric leaves the channel, the fabric is cooled by an air suction system.

[0053] Another example is ITV I20130121, which describes a machine for continuously steaming fabrics. ITV I20130121 is similar to EP1010797, except that: an infrared drying system is used instead of an air cooling system.

[0054] EP1428923 is also described. EP1428923 describes a similar machine in the form of EP1010797, but with a completely different purpose, that is, transferring moisture to the fabric. Such patents are necessary for the present invention as well.

[0055] Essentially, EP1428923 teaches the following: by independently adjusting the steam pressure of the steaming roller relative to the steam pressure of the tank, moisture can be transferred to the fabric.

[0056] In particular, by setting the tank steam pressure to a value higher than the steam pressure of the steaming roller, the tank steam forms condensate when contacting the surface of the cooler steaming roller, and the condensate is absorbed by the fabric.

[0057] For example, if the saturated steam in the tank is at 1.8 bar and thus at 131 degrees, and the steaming cylinder contains steam at 1.6 bar (129 degrees), then as long as the saturated steam at 131 degrees contacts the surface of the roller at 129 degrees, the steam produces condensate.

[0058] By adjusting this pressure difference, the desired amount of condensate can be adjusted.

[0059] The problems of the prior art solutions can be summarized as follows.

[0060] First, all the steaming machines of the prior art have a steaming roller and a single tank supplied with saturated steam.

[0061] Therefore, in known steaming machines, it is not possible to utilize the teachings of EP1428923 to regulate the steam pressure of the can relative to the steam pressure within the steaming roller.

[0062] The mechanical pressure exerted on the fabric pressed against the steaming roller by a textile covering, typically made of felt or cloth, is insufficient. In particular, by pre-tensioning the felt, it is not possible to achieve a mechanical pressure value greater than 0.4 kg / cm² on the fabric. To achieve this type of value, the substrate sheet must be pre-tensioned with a value in the tens of thousands of kg, leading to the breakage of the felt.

[0063] Another known problem is the difficulty in ensuring steam saturation and non-overheating within the can. In particular, it has been seen that during the steaming process, the fabric must raise the temperature of the fabric to approximately 130 degrees without losing any humidity and practically without absorbing a portion of the humidity of the fabric.

[0064] To ensure this, steam saturation must be ensured. Due to leaks in the can where the felt and fabric continuously enter and leave, steam under a certain pressure state may enter the can, causing the can itself to be in a low-pressure environment due to the leak and thus becoming superheated steam.

[0065] For example, if saturated steam at 2 bar enters the can at 1.7 bar, the steam will become superheated. Due to possible leaks in the can, it is difficult to ensure the perfect maintenance of the steam pressure, and the resulting superheated steam will greatly damage the process because superheated steam will remove moisture from the fabric. Summary of the Invention

[0066] Therefore, there is a felt need to address the drawbacks and limitations mentioned with reference to the prior art.

[0067] This need is met by an apparatus for continuously steaming a fabric according to claim 1. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0068] Additional features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred non-limiting embodiments of the present invention, in the drawings:

[0069] Figure 1 is a diagram of the two-phase structure of keratin in wool fibers;

[0070] Figure 2 is a diagram of the transformation curve of wool fibers;

[0071] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a prior art steaming process;

[0072] Figure 4Cross-section of an apparatus for the continuous steaming and stabilization of fabrics according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0073] Figure 5 Shows Figure 4 A partial view of two semi-cylindrical tanks or chambers of the apparatus, each tank containing independently adjustable saturated steam;

[0074] Figure 6 Shows a partial view of the shell of the semi-cylindrical tank or chamber and details of the coil system for heating the shell of the tank;

[0075] Figure 7 Cross-section of another embodiment of the apparatus according to the present invention for the continuous steaming and stabilization of fabrics;

[0076] Figure 8 Shows a perspective view of a pad according to a possible embodiment of the present invention.

[0077] Elements or parts of elements common to the embodiments described hereinafter will be denoted by the same reference numerals. Detailed description

[0078] Referring to the above-mentioned drawings, reference numeral 4 generally represents an overall schematic view of an apparatus for continuous steaming according to the present invention.

[0079] Such a machine includes a steaming roller 3 made of steel, which can be motorized or idling.

[0080] The roller 3 has a side wall 2 made of solid steel plates, and the roller 3 is internally heated by steam at an adjustable pressure Pc and temperature Tc maintained stable by feedback control.

[0081] Such feedback control includes: measuring Tc and Pc using appropriate sensors and comparing Tc and Pc with reference values set by the user. According to the deviation of Tc and Pc from the expected values, the control system adjusts the device for adjusting the supply steam pressure of the roller 3.

[0082] Such a steam pressure regulating device can be a pneumatically actuated regulating valve (not shown in the figure).

[0083] The wall 2 of the roller 3 can be covered with a sleeve or lining cloth 1 made of textile material.

[0084] The fabric 6 is fed and pulled by a lining cloth or felt 7 made of breathable textile material.

[0085] The lining cloth 7 is advanced by motorized rollers 8 and 10.

[0086] The backing fabric 7 is pre-tensioned to a desired value so that the backing fabric 7 presses the fabric 6 against the surface 2 of the roller 3.

[0087] Indicatively, by pre-tensioning the backing fabric 7, the mechanical pressure value on the fabric 6 does not reach more than 0.4 kg / cm². We will see in Figure 7 the second embodiment how to overcome this limitation.

[0088] Returning to Figure 4 , the fabric 6 and the backing fabric 7 are advanced towards the roller 3 by means of motorized rollers 8 and 10.

[0089] The guide roller 9 guides the fabric 6 unwound from the roller 3 towards a conveyor belt (not shown) located at the outlet of the machine.

[0090] The backing fabric 7 has the shape of a closed loop without joints.

[0091] The backing fabric 7 is unwound from the roller 3 by the drive roller 10, and the backing fabric 7 is guided to slide around a closed loop (only partially shown), which is preferably connected to a second drive roller 11.

[0092] The roller 10 can be set to a tangential speed greater than the tangential speed of the roller 8, in order to increase the pre-tension of the backing fabric 7 and thus increase the mechanical pressure exerted by the backing fabric 7 on the fabric 6 pressed against the roller 3.

[0093] The sealed semi-cylindrical first chamber 12 is supplied with saturated steam at a pressure Pv1 and a temperature Tv1 through a first supply pipe 22. The sealed semi-cylindrical first chamber 12 is arranged in the first lower peripheral region of the steaming roller 3, outside the side wall 2 and close to the side wall 2.

[0094] Pv1 and Tv1 can be adjusted and maintained stable through feedback control.

[0095] This feedback control includes: measuring Tv1 and Pv1 using appropriate sensors, and comparing Tv1 and Pv1 with reference values set by the user. According to the deviation of Tv1 and Pv1 from the expected values, the control system adjusts the device for regulating the supply steam pressure to the first chamber 12.

[0096] This steam pressure regulating device can be a pneumatically actuated regulating valve (not shown in the figure).

[0097] The first chamber 12 is formed by a semi-cylindrical tank 15, which is provided with longitudinal scraping gaskets 14 and 16, and a semi-circular gasket 19 of the scraping slider type, which are similar to the gaskets described in EP1010797. The semi-cylindrical tank 15 constitutes the housing for the first chamber 12.

[0098] In the case of Figure 4 the semi-cylindrical first chamber 12 extends around the roller 3 by an angle of approximately 90 degrees.

[0099] There is nothing to prevent this angle from being increased arbitrarily. Obviously, the larger the angle, the longer the fabric 6 is subjected to treatment, which advantageously conforms to what is explained by the steaming process theory. For example, in Figure 7 the second embodiment shown, the first chamber 12 extends around the roller 3 by an angle of approximately 120 degrees.

[0100] Hereinafter, for simplicity, we will describe a machine for the steaming process using two cans.

[0101] Nevertheless, the following patent also aims to cover the case of three or more cans around the steaming roller, since the advantages are the same and there can be some additional possibilities.

[0102] The sealed semi-cylindrical second chamber 13 is supplied with saturated steam at a pressure Pv2 and a temperature Tv2 through a second supply pipe 23. The sealed semi-cylindrical second chamber 13 is arranged in the second lower peripheral region of the steaming roller 3 and outside and close to the side wall 2. The semi-cylindrical can 15 also forms a housing for the second chamber 13.

[0103] Pv2 and Tv2 can be adjusted through feedback control and kept stable.

[0104] This feedback control includes: measuring Tv2 and Pv2 using appropriate sensors and comparing Tv2 and Pv2 with reference values set by the user. According to the deviation of Tv2 and Pv2 from the expected values, the control system adjusts the device for regulating the steam supply pressure to the second chamber 13.

[0105] This steam pressure regulating device can be a pneumatically actuated regulating valve (not shown in the figure) conveniently.

[0106] The second chamber 13 is formed by a semi-cylindrical can 15 provided with longitudinal scraping pads 16 and 20, and a semi-circular pad 19 of the scraping slider type, which are similar to the pads described in EP1010797.

[0107] In the case of Figure 4 the semi-cylindrical second chamber 13 extends around the roller 3 by an angle of approximately 90 degrees.

[0108] There is nothing to prevent this angle from being increased arbitrarily. Obviously, the larger the angle, the longer the fabric 6 is subjected to treatment, which advantageously conforms to what is explained by the steaming process theory. For example, in Figure 7In the second solution shown, the second chamber 13 extends around the roller 3 at an angle of approximately 120 degrees.

[0109] The two chambers 12 and 13 each have separate pipes 32 and 33 for discharging condensate.

[0110] Advantageously, in order to reduce the formation of condensate in chambers 12 and 13 and thus maintain the steam at the desired temperature, the housings 15 of chambers 12 and 13 can be heated by a coil 50. Preferably, the housings 15 of chambers 12 and 13 can be heated by steam through an inlet 51 and an outlet 52. There is nothing to prevent electrical heating by heating cables.

[0111] Advantageously, the housing 15 of the tank is insulated from the external environment by an insulating material 65, which can be rock wool for example, thus limiting heat diffusion and the formation of condensate.

[0112] In Figure 4 the machine, the two chambers 12 and 13 advantageously have a common skirt 15, and these chambers are separated by a slider 16. As Figure 7 shown, it is clearly possible to have two chambers 12 and 13 with two separate and independent housings 15. This last configuration involves adding a slider 21.

[0113] Advantageously, in order to better control the saturation of the steam and thus the moisture content of the steam, a water injector 60 is inserted into the supply pipes 22 and 23 of chambers 12 and 13. Such an injector can be a mechanical atomizing desuperheater for reducing the steam temperature.

[0114] Advantageously, the desuperheater 60 prevents the formation of superheated steam.

[0115] Water is directly injected into the steam, thus converting the water into flash steam, which is very useful for humidifying the fabric.

[0116] Therefore, the independent control of chambers 12 and 13 includes the following combination:

[0117] Detecting the steam temperature (Tv1, Tv2) and steam pressure (Pv1, Pv2);

[0118] The control system adjusts the supply steam pressure regulating device according to the reference Tv1, Tv2, Pv1, Pv2 set by the user.

[0119] If it is necessary to reduce the steam temperature, the desuperheater intervenes to ensure that the steam is saturated and not superheated. Otherwise, the desuperheater is only activated in order to provide more moisture to the fabric.

[0120] Thereby, the passage for the fabric 6 and the lining cloth 7 to pass through is determined.

[0121] This passage is formed by the walls 1 of the two chambers 12, 13 and the roller 3.

[0122] The passage starts from the slider 14 to the slider 20.

[0123] Two regions of the passage are defined, one region is upstream of the slider 16 and one region is downstream of the slider 16.

[0124] Therefore, when the fabric 6 passes through the passage, it will be found that the fabric 6 is under various conditions of steam, temperature and humidity, so a formulation with improved or even new steaming effects (surface effects, aesthetics, softness, etc.) can be made for the fabric.

[0125] For example, it is known from theory that suddenly increasing the temperature and humidity of the fabric in the first part of the passage and then maintaining this state until the end of the passage is a favorable combination for obtaining good steaming results.

[0126] In the prior art, this is impossible because there is a single tank and a single passage, and the various regions of the passage may not be distinguishable.

[0127] In addition, in the prior art, there is no difference in the steam supply to the steaming cylinder and the tank, but steam is used under the same pressure and temperature conditions.

[0128] Advantageously, the system 70 for cooling and drying the fabric can be inserted at the outlet of the passage. In the known systems, there is air suction or drying using infrared rays.

[0129] In the present invention, blowing is preferably used, which allows the temperature to be reduced and thus allows a thermal shock to occur and dries the lining cloth.

[0130] Figure 7 The embodiments of

[0131] always involve the use of the steaming roller 3 and the two chambers 12 and 13. In this case, the chambers do not share the lining of the tank 15, but are two distinct chambers. In this case, an additional slider 21 needs to be provided to hold the steam inside the second chamber 13.

[0132] Figure 7 The chambers 12 and 13 of each tank of

[0133] Advantageously, in Figure 7 a pressure roller 80 has been inserted inside the chambers 12 and 13, and this pressure roller presses against the roller 3.

[0134] This pressure roller 80 significantly increases the mechanical pressure applied to the fabric against the wall 1 of the cylindrical member 3, and as required, this pressure roller 80 significantly increases the mechanical pressure applied to the fabric against the wall 1 of the cylindrical member 3.

[0135] The pressure roller 80 can be pushed against the roller 3 by a pneumatic or electric actuator.

[0136] From what has been described, it can be understood that the present invention overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art.

[0137] In particular, as can be observed, the device according to the present invention contemplates the use of a steaming roller, but the steaming roller is no longer wrapped by a single tank, but by two or more tanks.

[0138] By increasing the number of tanks, the steam pressure of each tank can be adjusted independently relative to the steam pressure of the steaming cylindrical member.

[0139] In this way, a passage for the fabric to pass through is formed between the tank and the steaming roller, wherein different regions are at steam pressures that can be adjusted independently of each other.

[0140] For example: For the purpose of heating and humidifying the fabric more quickly, the first tank can be set to have a steam pressure inside the tank higher than the steam pressure of the steaming roller, and thus the first part of the passage is set to have a steam pressure inside the tank higher than the steam pressure of the steaming roller.

[0141] Then, there will be a second part of the passage, in which the steam pressures of the tank and the roller are equalized so as to interrupt the increase in humidity at the desired value and possibly reduce the humidity.

[0142] The flexibility and effects that can be obtained on the fabric by different adjustments of multiple parts of the passage are countless.

[0143] For example, the humidity of the fabric can be precisely controlled simply by adjusting the steam pressure in the tank relative to the steaming roller.

[0144] Special formulas can be created for different types of fabrics, in which, within the passage, the temperature and humidity trends for the fabric are not uniform, but there may be variations involving effects related to surface, aesthetics, and new stability.

[0145] This opens up new paths and possibilities that were unthinkable for the previous use of a single tank with a steam pressure equal to that of the heating roller.

[0146] Another advantage of the present invention is the insertion of means adapted to increase the mechanical pressure on the fabric against the steaming roller, thereby overcoming the limitations of the prior art, which only provides the use of a lining cloth for this purpose.

[0147] Another advantage of the present invention is the insertion of means, such as a desuperheater, adapted to spray water leaving the steam pipe connected to the tank, with the aim of ensuring steam saturation. The atomized water meets the steam and reduces the temperature of the steam by evaporation. Thus, by using a desuperheater, it is possible to ensure that the steam does not become overheated.

[0148] Another advantage of the present invention is given by the following: the insertion of means adapted to heat the surface of the tank, with the aim of helping to keep the steam at a stable temperature, thereby, for example, avoiding a pressure drop in the tank causing the formation of overheated steam at the inlet.

[0149] For the purpose of meeting accidental and specific requirements, those skilled in the art can make many modifications and variations to the above solutions.

[0150] The protection scope of the present invention is defined by the following claims.

[0151] List of reference numerals

[0152] 1: Sleeve or lining cloth

[0153] 2: Side wall

[0154] 3: Steaming roller

[0155] 4: Equipment

[0156] 6: Fabric

[0157] 7: Lining cloth or felt

[0158] 8: Driving roller

[0159] 9: Guide roller

[0160] 10: Driving roller

[0161] 11: Driving roller

[0162] 12: First chamber

[0163] 13: Second chamber

[0164] 14: Longitudinal scraping gasket or slider

[0165] 15: Semi-cylindrical tank or housing

[0166] 16: Longitudinal scraping gasket or slider

[0167] 18: Figure-eight-shaped gasket

[0168] 19: Semi-circular scraping gasket

[0169] 20: Longitudinal scraping gasket or slider

[0170] 21: Additional slider

[0171] 22: First supply pipe

[0172] 23: Second supply pipe

[0173] 32: Independent pipe for discharging condensate

[0174] 33: Independent pipe for discharging condensate

[0175] 50: Coil

[0176] 51: Input part

[0177] 52: Output part

[0178] 60: Water injector or desuperheater

[0179] 65: Insulating material

[0180] 70: Fabric cooling and drying system

[0181] 80: Pressure roller.

Claims

1. An apparatus (4) for continuously steaming fabrics, the apparatus (4) comprising: - a motorized or idle steaming roller (3) having a side wall (2) and heated from the inside by steam at an adjustable pressure Pc and temperature Tc; - a fabric (6) which is fed and drawn by a backing cloth or felt (7) made of air-permeable textile material, which is advanced by at least one motorized roller (8, 10); - the backing cloth (7) which is pretensioned to a desired value in order to press the fabric (6) against the side wall (2) of the roller (3); - a sealed semi-cylindrical first chamber (12) supplied with saturated steam at a pressure Pv1 and a temperature Tv1 via a first supply conduit (22), the first chamber (12) being arranged in a first lower peripheral region of the steaming roller (3) outside the side wall (2) and close to the side wall (2); - a sealed semi-cylindrical second chamber (13) supplied with saturated steam at a pressure Pv2 and a temperature Tv2 via a second supply duct (23), said second chamber (13) being arranged in a second lower peripheral region of said steaming roller (3) and outside said side wall (2) and close to said side wall (2), - The first chamber (12) and the second chamber (13) are adjacent and are independently supplied with saturated steam in respective states of pressure (Pv1, Pv2) and temperature (Tv1, Tv2).

2. The device (4) for continuous steaming of fabrics according to claim 1, wherein: The device comprises feedback control means for feedback controlling the pressure Pv1 and the temperature Tv1 in the first chamber (12).

3. The device (4) for continuously steaming fabrics according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The device comprises feedback control means for feedback controlling the pressure Pv2 and the temperature Tv2 in the second chamber (13).

4. The device (4) for continuous steaming of fabrics according to claim 3 in combination with claim 2, wherein: The feedback control device for feedback-controlling the pressure Pv2 and the temperature Tv2 in the second chamber (13) is independent of the feedback control device for feedback-controlling the pressure Pv1 and the temperature Tv1 in the first chamber (12).

5. The apparatus (4) for continuous steaming of fabrics according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: The steaming roller (3), the first chamber (12) and the second chamber (13) are supplied with saturated steam at a temperature and pressure state that can be adjusted by independent steam pressure regulating means, the steam pressure regulating means comprising a regulating valve, preferably the regulating valve is pneumatically operated.

6. The apparatus (4) for continuous steaming of fabrics according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein: The semi-cylindrical first chamber (12) extends around the steaming roller (3) at an angle of at least 90 degrees.

7. The apparatus (4) for continuous steaming of fabrics according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein: The semi-cylindrical second chamber (13) extends around the steaming roller (3) at an angle of at least 90 degrees.

8. The apparatus (4) for continuous steaming of fabrics according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein: The first chamber (12) and the second chamber (13) each include a conduit (32, 33) for draining condensate, and the conduits (32, 33) are independent of each other.

9. The apparatus (4) for continuous steaming of fabrics according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein: The first chamber (12) and the second chamber (13) have a common housing (15) separated by a slide (16).

10. The device (4) for continuous steaming of fabrics according to claim 9, wherein: The first chamber (12) and the second chamber (13) are sealingly bounded by a gasket (18) in the form of a figure 8, which may be a single piece or a plurality of pieces.

11. The apparatus (4) for continuous steaming of fabrics according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein: The first chamber (12) and the second chamber (13) are bounded by two completely separate and independent shells (15).

12. The apparatus (4) for continuous steaming of fabrics according to claim 9, 10 or 11, wherein: The housing (15) is provided with a coil (50), and preferably, the housing (15) is heated by steam through an inlet (51) and an outlet (52).

13. The apparatus (4) for continuous steaming of fabrics according to claim 9, 10, 11 or 12, wherein: The housing (15) is provided with an electric heating element.

14. The apparatus (4) for continuous steaming of fabrics according to claim 9, 10, 11, 12 or 13, wherein: The housing (15) is thermally isolated from the external environment by an insulating material (65).

15. The apparatus (4) for continuous steaming of fabrics according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein: The device comprises water ejectors (60) which are arranged in the supply ducts (22, 23) for steam of the chambers (12, 14), respectively.

16. The apparatus (4) for continuous steaming of fabrics according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein: The device comprises a pressure roller (80) which pushes the backing cloth (7) and the fabric (6) against the steaming roller (3).

17. The apparatus (4) for continuous steaming of fabrics according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein: The apparatus comprises a fabric cooling and drying system (70) which blows air onto the lining fabric (7) output from the steaming roller (3).

18. The apparatus (4) for continuous steaming of fabrics according to any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein: The first chamber (12) is formed by a semi-cylindrical barrel (15) provided with longitudinal scraping pads (14, 16) and semi-circular pads (19) of the scraping slide type.

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