METHOD FOR TREATING A TEXTILE WEB AND DEVICE FOR TREATING A TEXTILE WEB

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for treating a textile web, in particular a woven web suitable for forming an airbag, for reducing the gas or air permeability of the web, in particular in the direction of the web thickness, in which the web comprising a flat first side and an opposite flat second side is transported in a feed direction and guided through at least one treatment gap formed by a treatment roller and a counter-tool designed as a counter-roller. Furthermore, the invention relates to a device for treating a textile web in a feed direction for reducing the gas permeability of the web, in particular in the direction of the web thickness.

[0002] Various such processes are known for the typically continuous treatment of a material web, in particular those for producing a fabric suitable for use as or on an airbag. Such an application is understood, in particular, to mean the use of the fabric for or as an impact cushion or gas bag of an airbag unit or an airbag safety system. The material web can comprise the fabric material for a plurality of such impact cushions, with the fabric or material web generally consisting of interconnected synthetic fibers.

[0003] In the treatment gap, preferably essentially a linear force is exerted on the fabric guided through the gap. For this purpose, the counter tool is designed as a counter roller. The counter roller can therefore form the treatment gap, also called nip, with the treatment roller. It should be clear that in the present case, the flat side is understood to mean a flat side of the material web, in particular a surface of this side. The flat side can in particular form an upper or lower side of the material web. Furthermore, the direction of the material thickness is understood to mean a thickness direction of the material web, i.e. the direction essentially perpendicular to at least one plane spanned by the two flat sides of the material web, in particular essentially perpendicular to a top side and a bottom side of the material web.

[0004] A key criterion for a fabric's use as an airbag - in addition to relatively high tear resistance - is its air and gas permeability. The gas permeability of the airbag fabric plays a key role, particularly in the increasingly common side or pedestrian airbags in vehicles today, where a relatively large-area gas bag is inflated explosively in a very short space of time. This results in the need to suppress gas permeability under high-pressure conditions to a greater extent than with conventional standard airbags. Therefore, even with such large-area airbags, the gas bag must be designed to be relatively gas-impermeable, at least for the initial moment after the airbag unit is deployed and the gas bag is filled with gas, in order to retain the gas at least until a person's body part enters the airbag.

[0005] To produce a fabric with low gas permeability, particularly for use as an airbag, a known, particularly tear-resistant fabric is generally coated over its entire surface with silicone in known processes, for example, using a conventional coating system. The fabric typically has a basis weight of 100 to 500 g / m², preferably 150 to 250 g / m². The silicone seals the pores of the fabric, thereby significantly reducing gas permeability to almost zero. Further optional treatment steps, such as drying the fabric in a drying system, can then be carried out.

[0006] For example, EP 2 199 062 A1 discloses a method for producing a silicone-coated fabric for airbags. The method involves first applying a silicone layer to one of the flat sides of the fabric. The fabric is then fed into a drying oven and pressure-treated using two calender rolls.

[0007] Furthermore, EP 2 586 664 A1 discloses a method for treating an airbag fabric, in which the fabric is sprayed with water before applying a synthetic resin coating, so that the synthetic resin adheres only at intersection points and, in particular, does not penetrate into deeper layers of the fabric.

[0008] EP 2 876 205 A1 discloses a multi-roll calender for calendering paper. The calender has temperature-controlled rolls and devices for moistening the web.

[0009] Disadvantages, however, include the relatively high cost of raw materials such as silicone, the relatively high weight of the fabric resulting from the coating, and the relatively high dimensional rigidity resulting from the coating. This makes it difficult to fold the fabric for packaging and integrating it into other components, such as a gas bag in a steering wheel or a vehicle body pillar. Furthermore, the operating costs of such a device can be relatively high due to the required cleaning effort in the treatment system.

[0010] DE 690 16 007 T2 discloses a manufacturing process for an airbag fabric in which an uncoated, woven fabric is provided and calendered on both sides. A disadvantage of the fabric produced using this manufacturing process is that it has room for improvement in terms of its gas permeability.

[0011] Document KR 100 943 290 B1 discloses a method and apparatus for producing a fabric with a natural leather texture. In this process, a web of fabric is exposed to water on one side and then passes through a roll nip where the web is heat-treated. The subsequently published document WO 2018 204 154 A1 discloses a method for reducing the gas permeability of a fabric, in which a web of fabric is exposed to water and then pressure- and heat-treated in a roll nip.

[0012] The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a method for treating a textile web for use as an airbag, which improves at least one of the aforementioned disadvantages and, in particular, is cost-effective to operate and improves the weight and foldability of the final product. Furthermore, an apparatus for carrying out such a method is to be provided.

[0013] The invention solves the stated problem by a method having the features of the main claim and by a device having the features of claim 7. Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention are disclosed in the subclaims, the description and the figures.

[0014] Surprisingly, it has been shown that the application of water improves the gas permeability of the fabric after calendering compared to dry calendering. Furthermore, it has been shown that the application of water instead of silicone significantly improves the foldability of a fabric produced using the method according to the invention compared to a fabric with a silicone coating.

[0015] The application of water can, in principle, be carried out in any desired manner. Examples include pouring, dipping, doctoring, splashing, or spraying, for example, using a conventional spraying or humidifying device, in particular via one or more spray or mist nozzles. The water is preferably sprayed onto at least one side of the web, particularly preferably using one or more rotor humidifiers.

[0016] According to the invention, water is applied to exactly one of the two flat sides of the web before passing through a treatment gap for calendering.

[0017] In one embodiment, the water is applied in such a way that it penetrates the fabric from the applied side to the non-applied side. Preferably, the fabric web is evenly saturated.

[0018] In another embodiment, the water is applied in such a way that it does not penetrate through the fabric from the applied side to the non-applied side.

[0019] The water can be applied once or multiple times. Multiple applications can be made from one side in the embodiment in which the water is applied in such a way that it does not penetrate through the fabric from the applied side to the non-applied side.

[0020] In the embodiment in which the water is applied in such a way that it evenly wets the web, the multiple application can be carried out several times from any side.

[0021] Multiple applications may be necessary if a single application does not apply enough water.

[0022] As water, for example, ordinary tap water, in particular drinking water, or an aqueous solution, for example mixed with suitable additives such as a wetting agent, can be used.

[0023] The use of water as an application or moistening agent also enables a particularly cost-effective and environmentally friendly treatment of the fabric. Furthermore, the effort required to clean the equipment is minimized. The final product produced by this process, namely a fabric suitable for use as an airbag, is also easy to fold and can therefore be packaged simply and with relatively little effort. A higher production speed can also be achieved compared to the dry calendering process.

[0024] According to the invention, water is applied to only one of the two flat sides of the fabric before it passes through the treatment gap. It has been shown that this alone can reduce gas permeability in the thickness direction of the fabric. It should be clear that when water is applied to one side of the fabric, or to one side of the fabric, the water is applied to the fabric exclusively on that one side.

[0025] The pressure and at least one-sided temperature treatment of the fabric web provided according to the invention, in combination with the previously explained water application, can bring about a particularly significant reduction in the gas permeability of the fabric, particularly in the thickness direction. In particular, the gas permeability of the fabric after calendering is significantly improved by the prior application of water compared to dry calendering of the fabric. Thus, by applying water at least one-sidedly and subsequently, in particular "suddenly," evaporating the water under pressure and temperature in the treatment gap, the fabric can be increasingly densified, thereby closing fabric pores, i.e., reducing the gas permeability of the fabric.

[0026] In particular, it has surprisingly been shown that the water vapor spontaneously formed in the treatment gap after the application of water, in combination with the water film adhering to the fiber surface, causes the fibers to slide or shift relative to each other and thus at least partially close the interfiber spaces, resulting in a compaction process between the fibers. Furthermore, the formed water vapor can transfer thermal energy from the heating roller into the interior of the fabric and thus contribute to the glass transition temperature of the synthetic fibers being briefly exceeded.During subsequent cooling, the fibers, which are at least partially superimposed by the fiber sliding, i.e. arranged partially overlapping in the thickness direction - and preferably partially flattened by the simultaneous pressure treatment - are fixed in this arrangement, in particular closing the interfiber spaces, relative to one another and / or in their partially flattened form, so that the gas permeability of the fabric is reduced.

[0027] After applying water, the fabric web is preferably heat-treated only on one of the two flat sides, in particular on the side to which water is applied, preferably during the pressure treatment of the fabric web. It has been shown that such a temperature and pressure treatment alone can achieve a reduction in gas permeability in the thickness direction of the fabric.

[0028] For temperature treatment, the web is preferably made of synthetic fibers or a mixture of synthetic fibers and natural fibers. It should be clear that in this case, temperature treatment means the application of heat. This can generally take place on one or both flat sides of the web, in particular by means of the treatment roller and / or the counter tool. In the case of one-sided temperature treatment or temperature treatment on one side of the web, the heat is preferably applied to the web exclusively on this one side. Of course, the heat can be transferred from the temperature-treated side through the fabric to the non-temperature-treated side. In the case of two-sided temperature treatment or temperature treatment on both sides of the web, the heat is preferably applied to the web on both sides.A temperature treatment on both sides is preferably carried out in cases where, when water is applied on one side, the water penetrates from the applied side through the fabric to the non-applied side or where water is applied to both flat sides of the fabric web.

[0029] In the case of one-sided temperature treatment, the treatment roller or the counter tool is preferably heated; in the case of two-sided temperature treatment, the treatment roller and the counter tool are preferably heated.

[0030] Thus, in addition to the advantages mentioned above, such as cost-effective implementation and advantageous fabric properties, the process enables a particularly effective treatment to reduce the gas permeability of the fabric, so that comparatively high production speeds are possible compared to dry calendering processes. Tests have shown that a maximum production speed of 5 m / min in dry calendering can be increased to at least 15 m / min by the application of water according to the invention. The production speed depends heavily on the starting material and the air permeability to be achieved. The process according to the invention preferably allows an increase in production speed by a factor of 1.5 to four, particularly preferably by a factor of three, compared to dry calendering.

[0031] The two-stage process according to the invention has proven to be particularly advantageous. This advantageously allows a particularly high reduction in the gas permeability of the fabric in the thickness direction to be achieved. According to the invention, the two-stage process involves two pressure and temperature treatments in two successively arranged treatment columns. The primary goal here is to allow the temperature to act on the web of material from both sides. The side to which water is applied only plays a role if so little is applied that the web of material is not evenly soaked. In this case, the application preferably takes place on the side on which the heat is applied, provided that this only occurs from one side.

[0032] Particularly preferably, the two-stage process is carried out in such a way that in a first treatment gap, the web is heat-treated exclusively on a flat, first side, and in a second treatment gap, the web is heat-treated exclusively on a flat, second side. This is preferably carried out in both treatment gaps by means of a roller with a coating against a heated roller. According to the invention, water is applied before each treatment gap. Since the water is preferably applied in such a way that it evenly wets the web, it is possible, but not necessary, for the application to take place from the side from which heat is introduced in the subsequent treatment gap.

[0033] According to the invention, the two-stage process takes place in such a way that, in a first step, the web of material is moistened or water is applied exclusively on a flat, first side and then pressure-treated in a first treatment gap and - preferably exclusively - the moistened first side is heat-treated. In a subsequent second step, water is applied exclusively to a flat, second side, for example by means of a separately designed second spray device, and then pressure-treated in a separate second treatment gap and - preferably exclusively - the moistened second side is heat-treated. To simplify the implementation of the method, it can be provided that the web of material, before it is provided with water, is picked up or unrolled from a first supply device, such as a winding roller or roller, in particular from a first roller carriage.This allows for the advantageous use of standard roller carriages, also known as docking carriages, to connect or accommodate a web of fabric—for example, one originating from upstream processes such as fabric production—to a device for treating the web. In particular, this allows such a treatment device to be integrated into an existing system, such as a production line, relatively easily and cost-effectively. To regulate the tension of the web of fabric, the bearing roller can be motor-driven or braked.

[0034] It is also possible to integrate the method according to the invention into the production process of the fabric web, i.e., to apply it inline. In this case, it can advantageously be provided that the fabric web is taken over from an upstream facility, for example, a production line, such as a facility for washing the fabric.

[0035] In a further development of the invention, after treatment in the treatment gap, the web is dried in a drying step. For this purpose, the web can, for example, be guided into or onto at least one cylinder dryer, wrapped around it as far as possible, and dried by means of this dryer—for example, by an S-shaped wrapping.

[0036] In a final step, the web can preferably be wound onto a second storage roll, in particular onto a second docking carriage. This allows the web to be fed to a downstream processing device in a particularly simple manner. Furthermore, the quantity or length of the web can be advantageously regulated as required. Standard docking carriages can be used for this purpose to connect to the device, thus enabling relatively uncomplicated and cost-effective operation of the device. To regulate the tension of the web, the storage roll can preferably be driven.

[0037] Preferably, a gas permeability value of the fabric web is recorded or measured in at least one control step. In particular, a deviation of an actual value from a target gas permeability value can be detected and output, for example, in the form of a signal, such as a visual and / or acoustic signal. This ensures consistently consistent fabric quality.

[0038] The realization of a constant and material-friendly fabric tension in a device for treating the fabric web represents a significant process-engineering hurdle. In the present case, the fabric web is compacted in the treatment gap in order to reduce gas permeability. Increased fabric tension after this treatment or calendering would place excessive strain on the fabric material and consequently result in the bonding points in the woven material being pulled apart. This would stretch the fabric material too much. It is therefore preferably provided that at least after the treatment in the treatment gap and / or before the application of water, a tensile stress or a tensile stress value of the fabric web in the feed direction is recorded and / or the tensile stress is kept constant or regulated.Such control of the tensile stress of the web can at least limit, but also regulate the tensile stress of the fabric tension, in particular to keep a certain tensile stress constant. The tensile stress can be detected in the direction of travel of the web at several advantageous points on the web located in a device, for example during all treatment steps following an initial calendering process, in particular after each calendering process, after drying and / or before the web is wound onto a docking carriage. A tensioning device can be provided in the calender inlet in order to build up fabric tension in a targeted manner. Water can be applied before or after the tensioning device.

[0039] The tensile stress can be measured, for example, using a known load cell and / or a force measuring ring and / or other elements for force measurement.

[0040] In particular, the force acting on individual rollers due to the fabric tension can be recorded or determined.

[0041] The radial force acting on these rollers due to the fabric tension primarily causes a change in the support force of these rollers at both ends. This applies regardless of whether these rollers are rollers with rotating journals or rollers with a roller shell rotating around a non-rotating axis.

[0042] Preferably, this change in the support force is measured at least at one end of the roller.

[0043] Maintaining the web tension constant, especially compensating for minor tension changes, can be achieved, for example, using a so-called pendulum roller. In this case, a pendulum arm is usually positioned via a pneumatic cylinder with adjustable pressure against the web tension. As soon as there is a difference between the web conveyance in the outlet area of the pendulum roller and the one in the inlet area of the pendulum roller, the position of the pendulum arm changes, allowing for length compensation and thus maintaining the tension constant.

[0044] Active control of the tensile stress of the web is preferably achieved by means of the provided rollers, for example in a roller nip, by at least partially wrapping around a roller or by wrapping around an additional support roller. For this purpose, rubberized or roughened rollers, which form, for example, a tensile nip through which the web passes, are preferably driven in order to enable gentle transport of the web over the entire length of the treatment device. The rubberized rollers are arranged, for example, after the drying step. Instead of the rubberized rollers forming, for example, a tensile nip, a driven or braked roller can also be provided around which the web is at least partially wrapped, the frictional engagement of which can be increased by a rubber coating or a rough surface.Furthermore, for example, the brake on the supply device, which is designed as a pneumatic brake, for example, which can apply a braking torque indirectly via air pressure, can serve to regulate the fabric tension. Further actuators for regulating the fabric tension can be formed by adjustable drive torques, in particular positive or negative drive torques, for example regulated by oil pressure in oil motors or the torque in electric motors, and finally by the rotational speeds and thus peripheral speeds on the driven rollers. The fabric tension can thus preferably be regulated to a predetermined value in each case, for example to a maximum of 400 N / m before calendering and to a maximum of 250 N / m after calendering. The tensile stress value before the calendering process is particularly preferably greater than the tensile stress value after the calendering process.

[0045] The device according to the invention for the continuous treatment of a textile web in a feed direction, in particular for reducing the gas permeability of the web in the thickness direction, comprises at least one application device for applying water to at least one flat side of the web, as well as at least one treatment roller arranged downstream of the application device in the feed direction and forming a treatment gap with a counter-tool. This allows, in particular, the advantageous method according to claims 1 to 6 to be carried out. In particular, moistening and subsequent pressure treatment or calendering can reduce the fabric pores and thus - as explained in detail above - effectively reduce gas permeability while maintaining a virtually constant weight of the web.The use of water as a moistening agent enables a particularly cost-effective and environmentally friendly treatment of the web. Furthermore, the effort required to clean the device is minimized. The fabric produced, which is suitable for use as an airbag, is also particularly easy to fold and can therefore be packaged particularly simply and with relatively little effort. In the treatment gap, a linear force is preferably exerted on the fabric guided through the gap. For this purpose, the counter-tool is designed according to the invention as a counter-roller. The counter-roller can therefore form the treatment gap, also called the nip, with the treatment roller.

[0046] According to the invention, the device comprises a first application device arranged for applying water to a flat first side of the web of material, and a first treatment roller arranged downstream of the first application device in the advance direction and forming a first treatment gap with a first counter-tool, and a second application device arranged for applying water to a flat second side of the web of material, and a second treatment roller arranged downstream of the second application device in the advance direction and forming a second treatment gap with a second counter-tool.This allows the treatment process to be structured in two stages, so that the web can be treated for gas permeability on a first flat side in a first step, i.e., sprayed with water and then pressure and temperature treated, and then, in a subsequent second step, treated for gas permeability on an opposite, second flat side. Such a two-stage treatment has proven particularly effective and advantageous.

[0047] The treatment roller is designed to be temperature-controlled. In particular, both the first and second treatment rollers can be designed to be temperature-controlled. Particularly preferably, in the arrangement of the treatment roller and the counter-tool, only the treatment roller is temperature-controlled, so that only the moistened side of the web can be temperature-treated in the treatment gap. This allows for a sudden evaporation of at least a portion of the applied water on the moistened side. In principle, the counter-tool or counter-roller can also be designed to be temperature-controlled.

[0048] The counter-tool is designed as a counter-roller, in particular as a system roll, particularly preferably as a deflection-controllable roll, for example as a so-called floating or ram-supported roll. For this purpose, the counter-roller preferably has a composite surface. The counter-roller is preferably rotated in the opposite direction to the treatment roll. The treatment roll is preferably designed as a steel roll with a steel surface. Such a roll pairing, in particular a combination of a smooth steel surface against a softer composite surface, has proven advantageous for treating the material web, in particular for reducing gas permeability.

[0049] In order to be able to maintain the specified values for gas permeability, which are preferably measured online during the treatment process, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, the surface of at least the counter roll has the following parameters: S-roll with cylindrical fiber composite material; a hardness at 20°C of 92+ / -3 Shore D; a hardness at 100°C of 89+ / -3 Shore D. The treatment roll is a steel roll, which is preferably hard chrome-plated.

[0050] In a further development of the invention, at least one dryer, preferably a steam-heated dryer, is provided for drying the web. This dryer can be located downstream of the last treatment gap in the forward direction. This allows the web to be completely dried, for example, for further downstream treatment steps. The dryer can advantageously be designed as a cylinder dryer, in particular with a stainless steel surface.

[0051] Preferably, a fabric unwinding device is provided for unwinding the fabric web from the first supply device, such as a first docking carriage, and a fabric winding device is provided for winding the fabric web onto a second supply device, such as a second docking carriage. This allows, in particular, standardized docking carriages to be used with the device.

[0052] A braking device for braking a bearing roller of the first docking carriage carrying the web of fabric can be provided on at least the fabric unwinding device, in particular for braking the unwinding process. The brake can be designed, for example, as a conventional disc, drum, or band brake. The brake is preferably controllable electronically, hydraulically, or pneumatically. In particular, a disc brake arranged on a console can, for example, be positioned and installed laterally on the first docking carriage. Furthermore, customer-side docking carriages that are not equipped with a brake can preferably be connected via a cardan shaft or a belt to such a brake, for example arranged on the device side. The web of fabric can thus be unwound around its circumference without creases and with tension control.

[0053] In the fabric winding device, the unstretched, compressed fabric material can be wound onto a supply device, such as a storage roll or core of a second docking carriage, using a center unwinder in a low-tension, gentle, and industrially acceptable manner. For this purpose, the second docking carriage can be connected, for example, via an articulated arm to a device-side drive, in particular a rotary drive, for driving the storage roll of the second docking carriage.

[0054] It is particularly preferred that a pendulum roller and / or a load cell for adjusting the fabric tension be arranged in the feed direction between a fabric unwinding device for unwinding the fabric web from a docking carriage and, in particular, a first spraying device, between a treatment gap and a spraying device, between a treatment gap and a dryer and / or between the dryer and a fabric take-up device for winding the fabric web onto a docking carriage. The pendulum roller and / or the load cell can be provided, in particular, to maintain a defined fabric tensile tension, for example a pretension force of 250 N / m. Such monitoring of the tensile tension is particularly advantageous at the calender exit. As a result, an approximately uniform tension force, in particular tensile stress, of the fabric web can be achieved across the entire device in the feed direction.Instead of or in addition to the load cell, a force measuring ring and / or another element for force measurement can be used.

[0055] An embodiment of the invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the figures.

[0056] The Figures 1a and 1b show in a synopsis or overall view schematically in a lateral sectional view an embodiment of the device 100 according to the invention for treating a textile web W. The Figure 1a forms the left part of the overall view and Figure 1b the right part of the overall view. The point Z can be regarded as an intersection point and points to one and the same point on the device 100. According to a feed direction V of the web W guided through the device 100, Figure 1b a first or upstream section of the device 100 and Figure 1aa second section of the device 100 downstream of the first section.

[0057] The one with the in the Figures 1a , 1b The treatment carried out in the device 100 shown serves to reduce the gas permeability of the web W, in particular in the thickness direction Q, and can be part of a production line not shown here, possibly comprising further components.

[0058] The thickness direction Q of the web W is to be understood as the direction substantially perpendicular to at least one of the two sides W1, W2 formed flat by the web W, in particular substantially perpendicular to a top side, such as the side W1, and a bottom side, such as the side W2 of the web W. The Figure 1bThe direction Q shown is therefore only to be understood as an example for the specifically shown location of the web W; in particular, the orientation of the thickness direction Q changes depending on a change in the course of the web W.

[0059] The device 100 can be divided into several sections 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, which are delimited in the present case by a dashed vertical line and which are guided by the web W in the forward direction V, in particular in the present case from the right edge of the Figure 1b to the left edge of the Figure 1a , is passed through.

[0060] In section 1, the web of material is unwound. A web unwinder 12 is provided for this purpose. The web unwinder 12 enables tension-controlled unwinding of the web of material W from a supply device 11, in this case from a storage roll of a docking carriage 10, or also called a tug carriage. The storage roll 11 rotates in the direction shown by the arrow during the unwinding process. In order to prevent the storage roll 11 from rotating too quickly, in particular from the web of material running off or away from the storage roll 11, and to be able to unwind or unroll the web of material W from the storage roll 11 without creases and with tension control, a brake 13 is provided on the storage roll 11, preferably on the docking carriage 10, to slow the rotational movement of the storage roll 11. The brake 13 can, for example, be designed as a multi-disk brake.

[0061] Section 2 comprises an infeed stand for introducing the web W in the feed direction V into the device 100, wherein a first pendulum roller 15 is provided, which serves to control the tension of the web W in the feed direction V in the area of the fabric unwinding device 12. As soon as the pendulum roller 15 detects that a previously defined target tension value is exceeded, in particular by a displacement of the pendulum roller 15, which can be displaced within a limited range and which is in the Figures 1a and 1b is shown in each case by the double arrow, a signal is sent to the brake 13 so that the brake 13 is at least partially released and thereby the tensile stress in the web W can be reduced. If the tension in the web W decreases, the brake 13 intervenes again at least partially and thereby holds back the web in order to increase the web tension and preferably keep it constant.

[0062] In a next step, the web of material W is guided past a first application device 20 designed as a spraying device. The first application device 20 serves to apply water to the web of material W and for this purpose comprises one or more rotary humidifiers 21 or conventional spray nozzles, for example dual-substance spray nozzles. The first application device 20 is arranged relative to the web of material W guided through the device 100 in such a way that only a flat, first side W1, also called the first flat side, of the web of material W is sprayed with water. For this purpose, the first application device 20 sprays in a defined spray direction, which is indicated by arrow 22. The other flat side W2, in particular the second side or flat side, of the web of material W is in particular not sprayed or moistened with water.The web W is then guided relatively far downwards, in particular under a step surface (not shown in detail) which serves to provide access to the machine for an operator, and is then guided via a traction mechanism 34, inlet rollers and a spreader roller 36 to a first calendering device 30.

[0063] The first calendering device 30 comprises a first treatment roller 31, which, together with a first counter-roller 32, forms a first treatment nip 33, wherein the web W is guided through the first treatment nip 33. The first treatment roller 31 is designed as a temperature-controlled steel roller with a chrome-plated surface, against which the web W rests or is in contact with the first side W1, previously sprayed with water. The heat emanating from the first treatment roller 31 and the pressure present in the first treatment nip 33 can evaporate the water located on the first flat side W1, thereby producing a densification effect in the fabric of the web W. In particular, the combination of temperature, pressure and residence time, which is determined by the web speed, can reduce and / or close the fabric pores and thus produce a densification effect of the fabric.In this case, it may be beneficial to adjust the wrap angle of the web W on the heated first roller 31 in order to achieve a certain preheating of the web W. The first calender 30 further comprises a frame on which the two rollers 31, 32 are mounted, a hydraulic lubrication unit, and a pendulum roller 35 in the web outlet for controlling the web tension.

[0064] The pendulum roller 35 functions in the manner already described above for the pendulum roller 15 and, in the present arrangement, regulates the tension of the web W in the region of an outlet of the first treatment nip 33. To regulate the web tension, the pendulum roller 35 can output a signal, for example, to a control of the first calender device 30 for accelerating or decelerating the roller rotation.

[0065] Immediately after the first calendering device 30, a second application device 40 follows in section 3. This in turn serves to spray the web W with water and for this purpose comprises one or more spray nozzles or rotary humidifiers 41. The second application device 40 is arranged relative to the web W guided through the device 100 such that only the second side W2 of the web W is sprayed with water. For this purpose, the second application device 40 sprays in a defined spray direction, which is indicated by arrow 42. In particular, the first side W1 is not sprayed or moistened with water. The second application device 40 is essentially structurally identical to the first application device 20. After moistening on one side, the web W is fed to a second calendering device 50 - in the illustrated embodiment again via inlet rollers 54 and a spreader roller 56.Optionally, a traction device (not shown) can also be arranged in front of the spreader roller 56.

[0066] The second calendering device 50 comprises a second treatment roller 51, which, together with a second counter-roller 52, forms a second treatment nip 53, wherein the web W is guided through the second treatment nip 53. The second treatment roller 51 is in turn designed as a temperature-controlled steel roller with a chrome-plated surface. The web W rests against this surface with the second side W2, previously sprayed with water. Due to the heat emanating from the second treatment roller 51 and the pressure present in the second treatment nip 53, the water located on the second flat side W2 can now evaporate, thereby supporting a compaction effect on this side in the fabric of the web W. The second calender 50 also comprises a frame on which the two rollers 51, 52 are mounted, a hydraulic lubrication unit, and a pendulum roller 55 at the web outlet for fabric tension control.

[0067] The pendulum roller 55 functions in the manner already described above for the pendulum roller 15, 35, and in the present arrangement regulates the tension of the web W in the region of an outlet of the second treatment nip 53. To regulate the web tension, the pendulum roller 55 can output a signal, for example, to a control of the second calender device 50 for accelerating or decelerating the roller rotation.

[0068] Section 4, which follows the second calendering device 50 in the feed direction V, serves to dry the web W. A drying device 60 is provided for this purpose. The drying device 60 is designed as a cylinder dryer with two drying or heating cylinders 61, 62. The cylinder dryers 61, 62 have a stainless steel surface over their circumference, against which the web W rests with a flat side W1, W2, respectively. In particular, the web W in this case rests with the second side W2 on the first cylinder drum 61 and with the first side W1 on the second cylinder drum 62. This allows the fabric, previously loaded with water or moisture, to be effectively and completely dried. Sticking, adhering, or the retention of residues is not to be expected due to the use of pure water. Alternative drying processes or drying devices - not shown here - are also conceivable.In an arrangement 63 downstream of the drying device 60, the web W passes, in particular in an S-shape, through a cooling device 63 comprising two cooling rollers for cooling the web W. Subsequently, a rubberized roller 64 is provided for regulating the tensile stress of the web W.

[0069] Before the web W is wound up in the last section 5 and in a final step again onto a supply device 71, in particular a storage roll of a docking carriage 70, the web W is again guided relatively far downwards so that a step or walkway (not shown) for an operator can be arranged above the web W. In addition, the gas permeability of the finished calendered fabric is continuously measured in a gas permeability control device 65. This allows the gas permeability and thus the result of the calendering effects to be continuously monitored. To regulate the tensile stress of the web W, a load cell 66 is provided immediately before the winding step.

[0070] A center winder 73 is provided for winding the web of material W onto the storage roll 71. For this purpose, the storage roll 71 can be set in rotation, for example by means of a three-phase motor 74. The storage roll 71 rotates in the direction of the arrow shown during the winding process. The center winder 73 thus enables the web of material W to be wound onto the storage roll 71 with low tension, no creases, and with minimal surface damage. At the beginning of the winding process, the center winder 73 is arranged relatively close to the circumference of the winding roll on a shaft of the storage roll 71, which is shown with the web of material W drawn in dashed lines. At the end of the winding process, the center winder 73 is pivoted relatively far upwards, as shown, so that the web of material can be wound evenly around the growing circumference of the storage roll 71. To prevent the formation of creases, a spreader roller 76 interacting with the web of material can be provided.Alternatively, the web W can be fed to a device (not shown) downstream of the device 100, for example a device for coating the fabric.

[0071] The drive motor 74 can be arranged on a mounting block, in particular laterally next to the winder 73 or the docking carriage 70, similar to the brake 13 on the inlet-side first docking carriage 10, and can be connected to the shaft of the bearing roller 71, for example, via a cardan shaft (not shown in detail) or a belt. The pendulum roller 75 serves to control the drive motor 74. Depending on the tension of the web W detected in this area, the pendulum roller can output a signal for adjusting or regulating the drive speed on the drive motor 74, in particular for accelerating or decelerating.

[0072] In summary, the web W is guided at least through the following components of the device 100, arranged in the forward direction V in this order: web unwinding device 12, pendulum roller 15, first application device 20, first treatment gap 33, pendulum roller 35, second application device 40, second treatment gap 53, pendulum roller 55, drying device 60, cooling device 63, gas permeability control device 65, pendulum roller 75 and take-up device 72.

[0073] It should be clear that the scope of the present invention is not limited to the described embodiment. In particular, the structure and arrangement of the individual rollers, rolls, and control devices, such as the pendulum roller and gas permeability control device, can be modified without altering the essence of the invention. List of reference symbols:

[0074] 1 Section 2 Section 3 Section 4 Section 5 Section 10 Docking carriage 11 Provision device 12 Fabric unwinding device 13 Brake 15 Oscillating roller 20 Application device 21 Spray nozzle 22 Spray direction 30 Calendering device, roller pair 31 Treatment roller 32 Counter tool, counter roller 33 Treatment gap 34 Infeed roller 35 Oscillating roller 36 Spreader roller 40 Application device 41 Spray nozzle 42 Spray direction 50 Calendering device, roller pair 51 Treatment roller 52 Counter tool, counter roller 53 Treatment gap 54 Infeed roller 55 Oscillating roller 56 Spreader roller 60 Drying device 61 Dryer 62 Dryer 63 Cooling device 65 Gas permeability control device 70Dock trolley 71Storage roll 72Rewinding device 73Centre winder 74Drive motor 75Pendulum roller 76Spreader roller 100Device QThickness direction VFeed direction WWeb W1Flat side, surface W2Flat side, surface ZIntersection point

Claims

1. Method for treating a textile material web (W) for reducing the gas-permeability of the material web (W), in which method the material web (W) comprising a first side (W1) of planar configuration and an opposite second side (W2) of planar configuration is transported in an advancing direction (V) and guided through at least one treatment gap (33, 53) formed by a treatment roller (31, 51) and a counter tool (32, 52), which is configured as a counter roller, wherein before passing the treatment gap (33, 53), water is applied to at least one of the two sides (W1, W2) of planar configuration of the material web (W), and the material web (W) is subsequently pressure treated in the treatment gap (33, 53) and is thermally treated on at least one of the two sides (W1, W2) of planar configuration, wherein in a first step, water is applied exclusively to the first side (W1) of the material web (W), and the material web (W) in a first treatment gap (33) is subsequently pressure treated and the first side (W1) is thermally treated and, in a downstream second step, water is applied exclusively to the second side (W2), and the material web (W) in a separate second treatment gap (53) is subsequently pressure treated and the second side (W2) is thermally treated.

2. Method according to Claim 1, characterized in that, before the first application of water, the material web (W) is received from a first supply installation (11), in particular from a first batch truck (10), or is acquired from an upstream installation.

3. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, after the treatment in the treatment gap (33, 53), the material web (W) is dried in a drying step (4).

4. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, in a further step, the material web (W) is wound onto a second supply installation (71), in particular a second batch truck (70).

5. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, in at least one testing step (5), a gas-permeability value of the material web (W) is detected.

6. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, at least after the treatment in the treatment gap (33, 53) and / or before the application of water, a tension value of the material web (W) in the advancing direction (V) is detected and / or controlled.

7. Apparatus for carrying out a method according to one of the preceding claims for treating a textile material web (W) in an advancing direction (V) for reducing the gas-permeability of the material web (W), comprising - at least one installation for the application (20, 40) of water to at least one side (W1, W2) of planar configuration of the material web (W), - at least one treatment roller (31, 51) which, while conjointly with a counter tool (32, 52), which is configured as a counter roller, forming a treatment gap (33, 53), is disposed downstream in the advancing direction (V) of the installation for the application of water (20, 40), wherein the treatment roller (31, 51) and / or the counter tool (32, 52) are / is temperature-controllable, characterized in that, for the application of water exclusively to a first side (W1) of planar configuration of the material web (W), a first application installation (20) and a first treatment roller (31) which, while conjointly with a first counter roller (32) forming a first treatment gap (33), is disposed downstream in the advancing direction (V) of the first application installation (20) are provided; and for the application of water exclusively to a second side (W2) of planar configuration of the material web (W), a second application installation (40) and a second treatment roller (51) which, while conjointly with a second counter tool (52) forming a second treatment gap (53), is disposed downstream in the advancing direction (V) of the second application installation (40) are provided.

8. Apparatus according to Claim 7 characterized in that the treatment roller (31, 51) is configured as a steel roller and / or the counter tool (32, 52) is configured as a roller, in particular as a flexurally controllable roller.

9. Apparatus according to one of Claims 7 to 8, characterized in that at least one drying installation (60) is provided for drying the material web (W).

10. Apparatus according to one of Claims 7 to 9, characterized in that a material unwinding installation (12) is provided for unwinding the material web (W) from a first supply installation (11), and a material winding installation (72) is provided for winding the material web (W) onto a second supply installation (71).

11. Apparatus according to one of Claims 7 to 10, characterized in that a dancer roller (15, 35, 55) for setting the tension on the material is disposed in the advancing direction (V) between the material unwinding installation (12) and the first application installation (20), between the first treatment gap (33) and the second application installation (40), between the second treatment gap (53) and the drying installation (60), and / or between the drying installation (60) and the material winding installation (72).

12. Apparatus according to one of Claims 7 to 11, characterized in that the application installations (20, 40) are configured as spraying installations having spray nozzles (21, 41) for spraying water, and / or as rotary moistening apparatuses.