METHOD AND DEVICE FOR DRYING TEXTILE FABRICS

Description

Technical area

[0001] The present invention relates to a device and a method for drying textile fabrics, such as mats or carpets. background

[0002] A device for cleaning mats is known, for example, from EP 0 095 119 A2. This device has a conveyor belt by means of which the mats can be guided past spray nozzles for cleaning the mats. For the treatment, in particular cleaning or washing of mats, such as doormats or similar textile fabrics, it is desirable to increase the throughput of such devices while at the same time lowering the costs for treatment or cleaning. It is particularly desirable to provide an at least partially and, if possible, fully automated device or system by means of which a large number of textile fabrics, in particular mats or carpets, can be treated, in particular cleaned, with high quality in a comparatively short time.

[0003] If mats or similar textile fabrics are cleaned using a cleaning fluid or water, this inevitably leads to moisture being absorbed into the textile fabric. EP 0 095 119 A2 mentions the use of so-called air knives, by means of which pressurized air can be directed onto the back of a mat. The mere use of a compressed air stream is sometimes insufficient for reliable and high-quality cleaning, especially for drying wet-cleaned mats or similar textile fabrics.

[0004] Further devices for drying textile fabrics are also known from the documents US 5 537 758 A, US 2 236 430 A, DE 30 37 406 A1, CN 211 903 636 U or DE 512 329 C.

[0005] The objective of the present invention is to provide a drying device for drying textile fabrics, in particular mats or carpets, that enables particularly effective, rapid, space-saving, and resource-saving drying. Furthermore, it is intended to provide an improved method for drying textile fabrics, in particular mats or carpets.

[0006] This object is achieved with a drying device and a method according to the features of the independent patent claims. Advantageous embodiments are the subject of dependent patent claims.

[0007] According to a first aspect, a drying device for drying textile fabrics, in particular mats or carpets, is provided. The drying device comprises a housing with at least one drying chamber. The drying chamber can be a component of the housing, or the housing can form such a drying chamber.

[0008] The drying device comprises a fan and a heating element, which are fluidically coupled to the drying chamber and designed for fluidically conditioning a drying air flow.

[0009] The drying device further comprises a conveyor device with a continuous conveyor path extending through the at least one drying chamber. The textile fabrics can be conveyed along the conveyor path through the at least one drying chamber. The drying device can be configured, in particular, as a continuous drying device, in which the fabrics to be dried can be conveyed through the drying chamber by means of the conveyor device continuously or intermittently, i.e., either at a constant or variable speed.

[0010] The conveying device has at least a first conveying section and a second conveying section. The second conveying section adjoins the first conveying section via a deflection device within the housing in a conveying direction predetermined by the conveying path. The second conveying section is therefore located downstream of the first conveying section with respect to the conveying direction. With respect to the conveying path or conveying direction, the second conveying section is arranged downstream of the first conveying section. Within the housing, or within the at least one drying chamber in which the first and second conveying sections are located, both the first conveying section and the second conveying section can be subjected to the drying air stream for drying the textile fabrics conveyed by the conveying device.

[0011] By means of first and second conveyor sections and an intermediate deflection device, the length of the conveying path within the housing of the drying device can be increased compared to a straight line of the conveying device, while maintaining the same dimensions of the housing. While maintaining the same conveying speed of the conveying device, the residence time of the fabrics being conveyed by the conveying device through the housing or through the at least one drying chamber can be extended as needed. Extending the residence time of the textile fabrics within the housing of the drying device makes it possible to extend the drying process over time while maintaining the same conveying speed.

[0012] In conjunction with this, the temperature effect on the textile fabrics to be dried, for example the drying temperature achieved by means of the drying air flow, can be reduced in an energy-efficient manner. Furthermore, the drying result can be improved. Due to the longer residence time, a higher degree of drying for the textile fabrics can be achieved. The course of the conveying path inside the housing, which can be achieved by means of the deflection device, for example, curved in some areas or deflected with regard to its conveying direction, also makes it possible to implement a relatively long conveying path in a comparatively small housing with correspondingly small external dimensions. This can prove advantageous if the space available for the drying device is limited in an application environment.

[0013] The drying air flow is directed within the housing counter to the conveying direction or transversely to the conveying direction of the conveying device. Directing the drying air flow counter to the conveying direction, in particular, allows for a type of countercurrent drying device to be implemented. At an end of the drying device housing located in the conveying direction, comparatively warm or hot and dry drying air can be introduced into the housing. This drying air initially comes into contact with the textile fabrics that have already been conveyed substantially through the drying device housing.

[0014] In the direction of the drying air flow, it successively interacts with textile fabrics that exhibit an increasing degree of moisture. On the other hand, and viewed in the direction of the conveying path, the textile fabrics are successively exposed to an increasingly drier and hotter drying air flow along their conveying direction. Such a countercurrent drying principle is particularly advantageous from an energy perspective. In other embodiments, the drying air flow is guided within the housing transversely to the conveying direction of the conveyor device. It can extend approximately perpendicular to the conveying direction. In the case of a meandering, curved, or repeatedly deflected conveyor path, individual conveyor sections of the conveyor device, spaced apart from one another along the conveying path, can be exposed to the same drying air flow almost simultaneously.In particular, it is provided that the conveying sections of the conveying device, which are arranged in a meandering manner but run parallel to one another, are supplied with the drying air flow in a quasi-parallel and simultaneous manner.

[0015] According to a further embodiment, the first conveyor section extends along a first conveying direction. The second conveyor section extends along a second conveying direction. The second conveying direction is inclined relative to the first conveying direction or oriented opposite thereto. The deflection device can be designed, for example, as a 180° deflection. In other embodiments, it can be designed, for example, as a 90° or 45° deflection device. Any other deflection angles, adaptable to the respective specific requirements, for example between 15° and 180°, can also be realized with the deflection device.By means of the at least one deflection between the first conveyor section and the second conveyor section, differently aligned conveyor sections can be realized within the housing, whereby the efficiency of the drying process can be increased and / or the space required for the installation of the drying device, for example in the form of a drying station in a continuous treatment device for textile fabrics, can be reduced as required.

[0016] During operation of the drying device or during operation of the conveyor device, the individual conveyor sections can be adjacent to one another without overlapping along the conveying direction. Thus, for example, a textile fabric can be transported in the area of ​​the first conveyor section toward the second conveyor section and transferred to the second conveyor section via the deflection device. In the area of ​​the first conveyor section and / or in the area of ​​the second conveyor section, the textile fabric is advantageously conveyed with a largely slip-free motion.

[0017] Advantageously, the drying device, in particular its housing, has a feed opening for the textile fabrics, through which the textile fabrics can be fed to the drying device. Likewise, the drying device, or its housing, has a discharge opening for textile fabrics, through which the dried textile fabrics can be removed or fed for further processing. Advantageously, the conveyor device extends completely and continuously from the feed opening to the discharge opening of the drying device. In this respect, the drying device can be implemented in particular as a drying station, which can be designed as a component of a device for treating textile fabrics having several treatment stations.

[0018] For example, the drying device can be integrated in the form of a drying station as a module, in particular as a drying module, into a treatment device for textile fabrics comprising multiple treatment stations. Such a treatment device can typically comprise multiple treatment stations, interconnected by means of the conveyor system, for carrying out different treatment processes for the textile fabrics. It is particularly conceivable to integrate the drying device implemented as a drying station into such a treatment device downstream of a wet cleaning station and / or a mangle station.

[0019] According to a further embodiment, the conveying device has within the housing a plurality of first and second conveying sections, each of which is alternately adjacent to one another via a deflection device and which form a curved or meandering conveying path.

[0020] The individual conveyor sections can, for example, be designed as rectilinear conveyor sections which, via the deflection device, merge into a further conveyor section adjacent in the conveying direction. For example, a first rectilinear conveyor section can merge into a second conveyor section via a first deflection. The second conveyor section can, for example, extend parallel to the first conveyor section but in the opposite direction. The second conveyor section can, via a second deflection device, merge into a third conveyor section. The third conveyor section can, for example, extend parallel to the second conveyor section but in the opposite direction. The third conveyor section can, for example, extend essentially parallel to the first conveyor section and can have a conveying direction which extends parallel to the conveying direction of the first conveyor section.

[0021] By using several conveyor sections that are alternately linked to one another via deflection devices, the volume inside the drying chamber can be optimally utilized for a drying process. For example, by using alternating and oppositely oriented conveyor sections, a meandering conveyor path can be created, which maximizes the residence time of the textile fabrics inside the housing or inside the drying chamber. The drying capacity of such a drying device can be increased in this way.

[0022] A multiply curved or multiply deflected conveyor line with partially straight conveyor sections enables, in particular, the implementation of convection drying of textile fabrics according to the countercurrent principle. For this purpose, the drying air flow must be deflected correspondingly, typically in the opposite direction, along the conveyor line.

[0023] According to a further embodiment of the drying device, a plurality of compartments are arranged or formed within the housing, separated from one another in terms of flow by air guiding elements, through which the conveying section runs. Such compartments can be formed, in particular, by air guiding elements running parallel or along the conveying sections. Thus, the drying air flow can flow through the drying chamber or through the housing of the drying device parallel or opposite to the conveying direction of the individual conveying sections. Individual compartments can, for example, coincide with individual meandering sections of the conveying device or the conveying section. Thus, for example, individual sections of the meandering conveying section can be connected in series with respect to the drying air flow.

[0024] According to a further embodiment, the first conveyor section and / or the second conveyor section has at least one first belt conveyor. The first belt conveyor has at least one circulating flexible belt, which is guided over at least two rollers or cylinders spaced apart from one another in the conveying direction. Some of the rollers or cylinders can be designed as sliding rollers or cylinders. At least some of the rollers or cylinders of the first belt conveyor are designed as drive rollers or cylinders. These are operatively connected to a drive and, if appropriate, to a gear unit in a torque-transmitting manner. A belt conveyor enables continuous transport of the textile fabrics located on the flexible belt or engaged therewith.

[0025] This can be an endless belt guided around at least two rollers or cylinders spaced apart in the conveying direction. The belt can be stretched over the rollers spaced apart in the conveying direction or be subject to a corresponding pre-tension so that it extends essentially in a straight line and parallel to the conveying direction.

[0026] According to a further embodiment, the first conveyor section and / or the second conveyor section has at least one second belt conveyor. The second belt conveyor also has at least one circulating flexible belt, which is guided over at least two rollers or cylinders spaced apart from one another in the conveying direction. These rollers or cylinders can also be designed as loosely mounted sliding rollers or cylinders. Advantageously, one of the rollers or cylinders is coupled to a drive in order to move the flexible belt of the second belt conveyor in the conveying direction. It is conceivable here for a drive roller or cylinder of the first belt conveyor to be coupled to a drive roller or cylinder of the second belt conveyor in a torque-transmitting manner, for example by means of a coupling gear or by means of a chain or belt drive.

[0027] In particular, it is provided that the first and second belt conveyors each rest on opposite outer sides of the textile fabric and, so to speak, hold the textile fabric between them. In this way, slip-free and precise transport of the textile fabric can be achieved. Furthermore, the first and second belt conveyors, which hold the textile fabrics between them, can enable not only horizontal but also vertical or diagonal transport of the textile fabrics, either against or with gravity. This proves particularly advantageous for a wide variety of treatment processes.

[0028] According to a further embodiment, the first belt conveyor and / or the second belt conveyor has a plurality of flexible belts spaced apart from one another transversely to the conveying direction, each of which is guided over at least two rollers spaced apart from one another in the conveying direction. If the first and / or the second belt conveyor has a respective roller instead of individual rollers spaced apart from one another in the conveying direction, one and the same roller can function as a roller for several flexible belts of one and the same belt conveyor. For example, the first belt conveyor can have a plurality of flexible belts spaced apart from one another transversely to the conveying direction, which are guided over a common conveyor roller. For this purpose, the conveyor roller can, for example, have grooves adapted to the width of the flexible belts, by means of which grooves the belts are fixed in the axial direction relative to the conveyor roller.

[0029] The space between the flexible bands allows for the treatment of a specific area of ​​a textile fabric located there.

[0030] According to a further embodiment, the first and / or second belt conveyor comprises a plurality of belts spaced apart from one another transversely to the conveying direction. Individual belts have a width transversely to the conveying direction that is typically smaller than the distance transversely to the conveying direction between adjacent flexible belts of the respective belt conveyor. The clear distance between adjacent belts of a belt conveyor is typically at most equal, but preferably greater than the width of the respective belts. In this way, it can be achieved that the belts of a belt conveyor cover or cover a maximum of 50% of the textile fabric.

[0031] According to a further embodiment, it is particularly provided that the width of the flexible belts transverse to the conveying direction is at most 20%, at most 30%, or at most 40% of the clear width between adjacent belts. In this way, a correspondingly low covering effect of the belts with respect to the textile fabrics can be achieved.

[0032] According to a further embodiment, the belt conveyors of the first and second conveyor sections, which complement one another in the conveying direction or which are designed or arranged adjacent to one another in the conveying direction, each have a plurality of flexible belts spaced apart from one another transversely to the conveying direction. The flexible belts of the belt conveyor of the first conveyor section can be arranged offset transversely to the conveying direction from the position of the flexible belts of the belt conveyor of the second conveyor section. This makes it possible to ensure that those areas of the textile fabric which are covered by flexible belts of the relevant conveyor section in the first conveyor section are accessible for the treatment process from the outside, i.e. typically from above or below, in the subsequent conveyor section, for example in the second conveyor section.Viewed in the longitudinal direction or in the conveying direction, the flexible belts of a first conveying section can run as an extension of the spaces between flexible belts of a second conveying section arranged offset from one another transversely to the conveying direction; and vice versa.

[0033] It is particularly advantageous that flexible belts of a first conveyor section of the conveyor device, which are regularly spaced apart from one another transversely to the conveying direction, are offset in the transverse direction or arranged or aligned with a gap to those flexible belts of a second conveyor section adjoining them in the conveying direction.

[0034] A longitudinal direction of the flexible belts typically extends parallel to the conveying direction.

[0035] According to a further embodiment, the belt of the first belt conveyor and / or the second belt conveyor is perforated. Alternatively or additionally, the belt can have a wide-mesh net structure or consist of a wide-mesh net structure. The net structure can be formed from individual net filaments which have significantly smaller dimensions than the meshes of the net. The net structure can, for example, have a mesh size of several centimeters, while the net filaments forming the meshes of the net have a diameter of a few millimeters. It is particularly conceivable that the size ratio of mesh size to the diameter of the net filaments is greater than 10, greater than 20, greater than 50, or even greater than 100. With such wide-mesh net structures, the coverage of the textile fabric to be treated or cleaned is negligible at best.However, the wide-meshed net structure still allows for a largely slip-free transport of the fabric along the conveyor line.

[0036] It can be provided that the first belt conveyor has one or more flexible belts and that only the second belt conveyor has a wide-meshed net structure.

[0037] In some embodiments, it is further conceivable for the first belt conveyor and the second belt conveyor each to have a wide-mesh net structure. The textile fabric, which is typically held and / or transported simultaneously by the first and second belt conveyor, would then be accessible from different sides, such as a top and bottom, at least for the purposes of surface treatment.

[0038] In a further embodiment, the flexible belt of the first belt conveyor and the flexible belt of the second belt conveyor are arranged to overlap one another at least in some areas. The belts of the first and second belt conveyors are arranged at a distance from one another to form a gap that receives the textile fabric. The flexible belt of the first belt conveyor can, for example, be brought into engagement with an underside of the textile fabric or can be brought into contact therewith, while the flexible belt of the second belt conveyor can be brought into engagement with an opposite upper side of the textile fabric. The contact surfaces of the belts of the first belt conveyor and the second belt conveyor, which can be brought into contact with the textile fabrics, face one another to form the transport gap. This means that their surface normals are aligned opposite one another.

[0039] For flexible surface structures, which are designed as mats, for example as a doormat, the flexible belts of the first and second belt conveyor can be designed differently. Common doormats, for example, have a two-layer structure, with a non-slip carrier and a mat pile arranged on the carrier. The carrier can be made of a flexible elastomer material, such as nitrile rubber or rubber, while the mat pile comprises a fiber mesh or a fiber composite. For a cleaning process, it is primarily the mat pile that needs to be cleaned. For example, for cleaning doormats, the first belt conveyor can be provided with one or more flexible belts that have a comparatively high coefficient of friction for elastomer materials of the mat carrier.

[0040] The first belt conveyor and its flexible belts can, in particular, be brought into contact with the support of a doormat, i.e., with the underside of a doormat. It is advantageous if the flexible belt(s) of the first belt conveyor have a texture or coating that increases static friction. For example, the side of the belts of the first belt conveyor facing the fabrics can be provided with a rubber coating to enable slip-free conveyance of the textile fabrics, in particular the doormats.

[0041] The second belt conveyor, which typically comes into contact with the opposite side of the textile fabrics, such as the mat pile, can comprise, for example, a perforated belt or a wide-mesh net structure. For a completely overlap-free transport of the textile fabrics, typically within a treatment station, the second belt conveyor, in a configuration with several flexible belts arranged transversely to the conveying direction, spaced apart or offset from one another, can also comprise flexible belts arranged transversely to the conveying direction.

[0042] It is therefore conceivable that a belt conveyor of a first type, thus a first belt conveyor, extends continuously over at least two, namely a first and a second conveyor section, while a first belt conveyor of a second type is arranged opposite the belt conveyor of the first type and in order to form the gap receiving the textile fabric in the region of the first conveyor section, and a second belt conveyor of the second type is arranged in the second conveyor section adjacent to it in the conveying direction.

[0043] The first and second belt conveyors, or the first belt conveyor of the first type and the second belt conveyor of the second type, can each have a plurality of flexible belts spaced apart from one another transversely to the conveying direction. The flexible belts of the first belt conveyor of the first type are offset transversely to the conveying direction and arranged at a gap with the flexible belts of the second belt conveyor of the second type. Thus, for example, the entire surface of the textile fabric provided with a mat pile can be subjected to a treatment process without shadowing.

[0044] The provision of a first and a second belt conveyor, which are arranged overlapping one another and spaced apart to form a gap that accommodates the textile fabric, enables a wide variety of transport paths and transport mechanisms for the textile fabrics. Using the first and second belt conveyors, the conveying direction can be both straight and curved. In particular, radii of curvature with axes of curvature that extend perpendicular to the conveying direction and perpendicular to the surface normal of the belt conveyors can be realized.

[0045] The conveying direction can be redirected to suit the treatment process or even directed in the opposite direction. The orientation of the textile fabrics, which are moved by the first and second belt conveyors, can thus be changed as needed within the device and / or within the individual treatment stations.

[0046] According to a further embodiment, the first belt conveyor and the second belt conveyor can be arranged parallel to one another, viewed in the conveying direction. The first and the second belt conveyor can be of approximately the same length, viewed in the conveying direction. In other embodiments, the first and the second belt conveyor can also be of different lengths, viewed in the conveying direction. It is also conceivable that the start and end of the first belt conveyor, viewed in the conveying direction, coincide with the start and end of the second belt conveyor. However, it is also conceivable that the first and the second belt conveyor are of different lengths, viewed in the conveying direction, or that the first belt conveyor forms a comparatively long belt conveyor of a first type and that the second belt conveyor is divided into several belt conveyors of the second type. This is particularly advantageous for redirecting the conveying direction.

[0047] According to a further embodiment, it is further provided that the first conveyor section and the second conveyor section of the conveyor device are arranged without overlapping one another, viewed transversely to the conveying direction. For example, the flexible belts and / or the rollers guiding the flexible belts of the respective belt conveyors of the first and second conveyor sections can be offset transversely to the conveying direction and, so to speak, arranged with a gap between them. However, it is advantageous here that corresponding flexible belts and / or the rollers guiding the belts are arranged at a distance from one another, or at most adjacent to one another, viewed in the conveying direction. This enables the use of guide rollers for the individual belt conveyors.On the other hand, the non-overlapping arrangement of the first and second conveyor sections and the associated non-overlapping arrangement of flexible belts of the first and second conveyor sections of the conveyor device is advantageous for the modular construction and the arrangement of several structurally separate conveyor sections of the conveyor device that complete each other in the conveying direction.

[0048] According to a further embodiment, a sliding guide guiding the textile fabric is arranged in a transition area between the first conveyor section and the second conveyor section. The sliding guide can be arranged stationary between the first and the second conveyor section. In particular, it can be arranged in an imaginary extension of a flexible belt of the first conveyor section, wherein the belt is guided directly adjacent to the sliding guide over a deflection roller that limits the belt conveyor in the conveying direction. Opposite, the sliding guide can be arranged in an imaginary extension of a flexible belt of a belt conveyor of the second conveyor section. The belt conveyor can have a corresponding guide or deflection roller for the flexible belt of the belt conveyor of the second conveyor section directly adjacent to the sliding guide or can be adjacent to it.

[0049] The sliding guide can, for example, be designed in the form of a linear guide rail, by means of which the textile fabrics conveyed by the first conveyor section can be pushed onto the sliding guide and transported over the sliding guide into the area of ​​the second belt conveyor. The sliding guide provides mechanical support for the typically flexible textile fabrics.

[0050] In further embodiments, the sliding guide can also be curved, for example, to deflect the textile fabric according to the predetermined, direction-changing conveying path. The sliding guide can be designed in the form of a curved groove, which allows, for example, a 30°, 45°, 60°, 90°, or 180° deflection, or a deflection at any predetermined angle.

[0051] According to a further embodiment, the flexible belt of the first belt conveyor is designed to be substantially air-impermeable. The flexible belt of the first belt conveyor can in particular be designed as an air-impermeable continuous belt that extends across the entire transverse extent of the first belt conveyor. The transverse extent here refers to the direction along which the axis of symmetry or rotation of the rollers extends, over which the flexible belt in question is guided. An air-impermeable belt of a belt conveyor functions equally as an air-conducting or air-guiding structure. If, for example, the belt of the first belt conveyor runs over several deflection devices in a substantially curved or meandering manner, a corresponding guide structure for the drying air can be provided by means of the air-impermeable flexible belt.This eliminates the need for additional, separate air guidance elements. This allows the available space inside the drying unit's housing to be further optimized, and if necessary, the external dimensions of the drying unit can be reduced while maintaining the same drying performance.

[0052] According to a further embodiment, the flexible belt of the second belt conveyor is designed to be permeable to air. The flexible belt can have a plurality of individual thin belts that are aligned parallel to one another and guided over corresponding rollers arranged transversely to the conveying direction or over a corresponding deflection roller. The flexible belt of the second belt conveyor can also be designed as a net structure. In particular, the second belt conveyor can be designed as a so-called net conveyor. The net structure can have a wide-meshed network of individual net filaments that make the textile fabric arranged between the flexible belt of the first belt conveyor and the flexible belt of the second belt conveyor or guided clamped therebetween accessible to the drying air.

[0053] In particular, it is provided that the flexible belt of the first belt conveyor has a continuous and air-impermeable structure transverse to the conveying direction, which extends across the entire width of the conveyor. The at least one flexible belt of the second belt conveyor can have a plurality of individual belts that are spaced apart from one another and whose width is significantly smaller than the width of the conveyor transverse to the conveying direction. Thus, the flexible belt of the second belt conveyor can have a plurality of comparatively thin belts spaced apart from one another transversely to the conveying direction or a mesh structure extending, for example, across the entire width of the conveyor. The air permeability of the flexible belt of the second belt conveyor makes it possible to expose that side of the textile fabrics that is typically provided with a textile fabric, such as a mat pile, to the drying air flow.

[0054] According to a further embodiment, it is further provided that the first belt conveyor is also designed to be permeable to air. In this respect, the first and second belt conveyors, and thus their respective flexible belts, can be designed to be permeable to air. It is conceivable that the belts of the first and second belt conveyors are each designed as a mesh structure with mesh filaments arranged in a wide mesh. Thus, the front and back of the textile fabrics can be exposed to the drying air flow during transport through the housing of the drying device.

[0055] It is further conceivable and provided that the first belt conveyor and / or the second belt conveyor have individual belts spaced apart transversely to the conveying direction, which are aligned parallel to one another in the conveying direction and, viewed transversely to the conveying direction, terminate approximately flush with one another at the respective end of a conveying section. Here, too, the front and back of the textile fabrics can be exposed unhindered to a drying air flow within the housing of the drying device, thus ensuring effective drying of the textile fabrics.

[0056] In further embodiments, it may also be provided to direct the drying air stream at a predetermined angle relative to the conveying direction onto the conveying device or onto the textile fabrics conveyed by the conveying device. It is provided here that the oblique orientation of the drying air stream has at least one directional component opposite to the conveying direction. In this way, for example, by utilizing a hydrodynamic or pneumodynamic impact effect, excess moisture or droplets can be removed or separated from or from the textile fabrics through the mechanical action of the drying air stream, which is blown in, for example, under high pressure.

[0057] According to a further embodiment, it is further provided that the drying air stream can be directed by means of at least one impact jet nozzle in the form of an impact jet onto the conveying device or onto an outer region of the deflection device, relative to a circumferential direction. An accelerated or pressurized drying air stream can be directed onto the textile fabrics by means of one or more impact jet nozzles. The impact jet of the drying air stream, which impinges on the textile fabrics at a predetermined pressure and / or speed, causes a mechanical separation of liquid, such as droplets, from or on the textile fabric.

[0058] It is advantageous if the drying air stream is directed onto the textile fabrics by means of the impact jet nozzle at a predetermined angle along or against the conveying direction. Furthermore, it can be provided that the impact jet is also directed onto the textile fabrics at a predetermined angle transverse to the conveying direction. An oblique orientation of the impact jet with respect to the conveying direction and / or transverse to the conveying direction is particularly advantageous for separating or removing moisture droplets from or from the textile fabric.

[0059] According to a further embodiment, the impact jet of the drying air stream generated by the impact jet nozzle is directed onto a radially outer or circumferentially outer region of the deflection device. In the outer region of a deflection device, the textile pile provided on the textile fabrics, such as mats or floor mats, can be spread out and, in the spread-out configuration, exposed to the focused impact jet or another, for example, laminar, drying air stream. The mechanical spreading of the mat pile in the region of the deflection device is particularly advantageous for applying the drying air stream. In this way, the effectiveness and efficiency of the drying process can be further increased.

[0060] According to a further embodiment, the housing of the drying device comprises a first drying chamber and a second drying chamber, which is largely fluidically decoupled from the first drying chamber by a partition wall. The first drying chamber can be supplied with a first drying air stream, and the second drying chamber can be supplied with a second drying air stream. The drying device is not limited to just first and second drying chambers. Rather, it can also comprise additional drying chambers, such as a third or fourth drying chamber, each of which is fluidically decoupled from the other drying chambers by corresponding partition walls.

[0061] Providing multiple drying chambers enables the creation of, for example, a heating chamber, a drying chamber, and a cooling chamber. For example, the textile fabrics can be heated in a drying chamber adjacent to a feed opening of the housing of the drying device. The textile fabrics can be conveyed from the first drying chamber to the second drying chamber by means of the conveyor device. In the second drying chamber, drying can primarily take place at a comparatively high temperature. The temperature of the second drying air stream in the second drying chamber can be higher than the temperature of the first drying air stream in the first drying chamber. Furthermore, the first and second drying air streams can have different degrees of humidity.The humidity level of the first drying air stream can, for example, be higher than the humidity level of the second drying air stream. In an optional, downstream third drying chamber, the textile fabrics can, for example, be cooled again so that they can be handled safely upon leaving the drying facility. The temperature of the drying air stream can be significantly above 100°C. In this respect, a hot air stream of more than 120°C, more than 150°C, or more than 160°C can be achieved.

[0062] Typically, the first drying chamber has a first air inlet and a first air outlet. The second drying chamber has a second air inlet and a second air outlet. The air inlets and air outlets of the respective drying chambers can be provided in the housing of the drying device, for example, to implement a countercurrent drying principle. Thus, for each of the drying chambers, the air inlet can be provided downstream, or on the outlet side, in the respective drying chamber with respect to the conveying direction. The air outlet can be provided upstream, or on the inlet side, with respect to the conveying direction of the conveying device.

[0063] In this way, different drying parameters or drying conditions can be set in each of the drying chambers for the respective drying or partial drying process, which are individually tailored to the respective sub-process, in particular with regard to the degree of humidity, flow velocity, air mass flow and / or temperature of the drying air flow.

[0064] According to a further embodiment, sensors, such as temperature and / or humidity sensors, can also be provided in the area of ​​the individual drying chambers. These sensors are linked for data purposes to a controller, which in turn is process-technically connected to a heater and / or a fan for the respective drying chamber and is designed to regulate or control, for example, the temperature and / or flow rate of corresponding drying air streams in the individual drying chambers as needed. In this way, the efficiency of the drying process can be further increased.

[0065] According to a further embodiment of the drying device, the partition wall between the first drying chamber and the second drying chamber has a media passage through which the conveyor extends from the first drying chamber into the second drying chamber. If additional partition walls are provided, for example, to divide the interior of the housing of the drying device into several, for example, up to three or four individual drying chambers, these additional partition walls also each have a media passage for transporting the textile fabrics from one drying chamber to a further drying chamber.

[0066] Typically, the individual drying chambers are connected in series or one after the other for process engineering purposes. The conveyor typically extends from a feed opening through the housing of the drying device into the first drying chamber, through the first drying chamber, then through the partition wall into the second drying chamber, through the second drying chamber, and finally to a discharge opening through the housing. Optionally, the conveyor can also extend through additional drying chambers located, with respect to the conveying direction, between the second drying chamber and the discharge opening of the housing.

[0067] According to a further embodiment, it is further provided that at least the first and second drying chambers are each equipped with their own heater and / or fan. Thus, different drying air flows ideal for the respective drying chamber can be adjusted as needed. It is sufficient if the fan and / or the heater are merely fluidically coupled to the respective drying chamber. The heater and the respective fan do not necessarily have to be located within the respective drying chamber.

[0068] For example, only one heater and / or one fan can be provided for the entire drying system, which can be coupled to the individual drying chambers in a controllable manner for flow control. Thus, a partial air flow can be diverted from a central or global drying air flow provided for the entire drying system for each of the individual drying chambers as required via a suitable valve and / or flap arrangement and by means of air ducts provided for this purpose.

[0069] It is also conceivable and intended, particularly when using multiple drying chambers operating at different temperature levels, to provide one or more heat exchangers, by means of which, for example, still relatively hot exhaust air from one drying chamber can be used to heat air to be supplied to another drying chamber. The energy efficiency of the drying device can be further increased in this way.

[0070] According to a further embodiment, a controller is provided which is data-linked to at least one sensor arranged in the at least one drying chamber. The at least one sensor is designed to measure at least one drying parameter of the drying air flow, such as the temperature, flow velocity, air mass, and / or air humidity. Furthermore, at least one air conditioner for adjusting the relevant drying parameter of the drying air flow is provided in the drying chamber or fluidically coupled thereto. The air conditioner here refers to a heating element, a fan, a dehumidifier, or a combination of these components.

[0071] The air conditioner can be controlled or actuated by the controller. It can be controlled, in particular, depending on signals from the at least one sensor in order to adjust at least one or all of the specified drying parameters as needed and / or to adjust them adaptively depending on the conditions prevailing in the drying chamber.

[0072] For example, one or more dehumidifiers can be provided. These can be located in one of the drying chambers or outside the drying chambers and be fluidly connected to the respective drying chamber. In this way, the humidity of the respective drying air stream can be adjusted as needed.

[0073] In this respect, each of the drying chambers, or selected drying chambers, can be fluidically coupled to its own heater, fan, and / or dehumidifier. The corresponding and resulting drying air flows for individual drying chambers, or for each drying chamber, can be adjusted or adaptively controlled as needed by means of a corresponding data connection between at least one heater, fan, and / or dehumidifier and a control system, such as a central control system.

[0074] Adaptive control by means of a central controller, which is connected to a heater, a fan, and / or a dehumidifier of the drying device, can also be based on measurement signals from corresponding sensors, such as temperature sensors, flow sensors, and / or humidity sensors, located in one or more drying chambers. In this respect, an adaptive control loop can be implemented for individual or for each of the parameters temperature, flow velocity, and / or air humidity in order to ensure the most energy-efficient, yet rapid, drying of the textile fabrics that meets specified quality requirements.

[0075] According to a further aspect, the present invention further relates to a method for drying textile fabrics, in particular mats or carpets. The method comprises conveying at least one textile fabric by means of a conveying device within a housing of a drying device along a first conveying section of the conveying device. In the region of the first conveying section or along the first conveying section, the textile fabric is subjected to a drying air stream. The at least one textile fabric is then conveyed along a second conveying section of the conveying device, which adjoins the first conveying section via a deflection device of the conveying device within the housing in a conveying direction predetermined by the conveying path.In this second area of ​​the conveyor system, the textile fabric is also exposed to the drying air flow and / or another drying air flow.

[0076] The process is therefore characterized by the continuous drying of textile fabrics that undergo a change of direction during the drying process. The textile fabrics are exposed to one or more drying air streams before and after turning. Turning or redirecting one or more textile fabrics during a drying process can increase both the drying capacity of a drying device and the efficiency of the drying process.

[0077] The method can be carried out or implemented using a previously described drying device for drying textile fabrics. In this respect, all features, advantages, and properties previously described with regard to the drying device also apply equally to the drying method provided here.

[0078] The drying air flow is directed onto the at least one textile fabric in a direction opposite to or perpendicular to the conveying direction of the conveyor. This allows, for example, a countercurrent drying principle to be implemented, which is particularly energy-efficient.

[0079] The drying method and the drying device are specifically designed and constructed for drying floor mats used in both household and industrial applications. Such floor mats can typically be contaminated or soiled not only with particles, such as dust, but also with oils or greases. Short description of the characters

[0080] Further objects, features, and advantageous embodiments of the device and method are explained in the following description with reference to the drawings. All features shown in the figures and explained in this description can be combined with one another, provided they are not mutually exclusive from a technical perspective, and thus form or contribute to the subject matter of the invention.

[0081] The figures show: Fig. 1 a block diagram of a device for treating textile fabrics, Fig. 2 a schematic representation of a conveyor device with first and second conveyor section viewed obliquely from above, Fig. 3 the conveyor device according to Fig. 2 , but viewed obliquely from below, Fig. 4 an enlarged section of the conveyor device, viewed from the side, in the transition from the first and second conveyor section, Fig. 5 a plan view of a further embodiment of a conveyor device, Fig. 6 a perspective view obliquely from above of the conveyor device according to Fig. 5. Fig. 7 a schematic representation of a conveyor device with a corner deflection, Fig. 8 a schematic representation of a conveyor device with a 180° deflection, Fig. 9 a further embodiment of a conveyor device with a 90° deflection, Fig. 10 a further embodiment of a conveyor device with a 180° deflection, Fig. 11 a further embodiment of a conveyor device with a sliding guide in the area between the first and the second conveyor section, Fig. 12 a simplified schematic representation of a countercurrent drying device, Fig. 13 a detailed representation of the drying device according to Fig. 12 , Fig. 14 an embodiment of a drying device which is designed as a cross-flow convection dryer, Fig. 15 a simplified schematic representation of the cross-flow dryer according to Fig. 14 , Fig. 16 a cross section AA according to Fig. 15, Fig. 17 the representation of another embodiment of an impingement jet dryer, Fig. 18 a further schematic representation of the dryer according to Fig. 17 , Fig. 19 a cross section along BB according to Fig. 18, Fig. 20 a schematic representation of another embodiment of an impact jet dryer, Fig. 21 a detailed representation of a feed area for feeding textile fabrics into the housing of the drying device. Fig. 22 a flow chart illustrating a method for drying textile fabrics using the drying device. Fig. 23 an embodiment of a mechanical cleaning station with a beating device, Fig. 24 another embodiment of a mechanical cleaning station with a beating device, Fig. 25 another embodiment of a mechanical cleaning station with a brushing device, Fig. 26 another embodiment of a mechanical cleaning station with a compressed air spraying device, Fig. 27 another embodiment of a cleaning station with a suction device, Fig.28 shows a further embodiment of a mechanical cleaning station which has a combination of compressed air spraying device and suction device, Fig. 29 shows a schematic representation of a wet cleaning station with a fluid spraying device, Fig. 30 shows a schematic representation of a movable mounting of several nozzles of the fluid spraying device, Fig. 31 shows a further schematic representation of a movement pattern of spray nozzles of the wet cleaning station, Fig. 32 shows a further schematic representation of the wet cleaning station with rotating or rotatably mounted nozzles, Fig. 33 shows a schematic representation of a wet cleaning station viewed from the side, Fig. 34 shows a side view of a further embodiment of a wet cleaning station, Fig. 35 shows a further embodiment of a wet cleaning station with a cleaning basin filled with cleaning fluid, Fig. 36 shows a further embodiment of a wet cleaning station with a cleaning basin, Fig.Fig. 37 is a schematic representation of a combined mechanical and wet-chemical cleaning process, Fig. 38 is a schematic representation of a further embodiment of a wet cleaning station, and Fig. 39 is a schematic representation of a treatment station designed as a mangle station. Detailed description

[0082] In Fig. 11 shows an embodiment of a device according to the invention for treating, in particular washing, textile fabrics 5, in particular mats 6 or carpets, such as doormats. The device 10 has a plurality of treatment stations 14, 15, 16, 17, which are coupled to one another via a conveyor device 30 for transporting individual textile fabrics 5. The device 10 is designed in particular for an industrial washing or cleaning cycle for mats 6, in particular doormats. This can be an industrial plant which can successively feed a large number of textile fabrics 5 to a cleaning and / or drying process in comparatively short cycle times. The individual treatment stations 14, 15, 16, 17 each serve separate treatment steps, such as mechanical cleaning, for example by beating, brushing, applying compressed air, or vacuuming.

[0083] Some of the treatment stations 14, 15, 16, 17 are configured as wet cleaning stations 90, by means of which the textile fabrics 5 supplied via the conveyor device 30 can be wetted with a cleaning fluid or in the region of which the textile fabrics can be immersed in a cleaning fluid. Further treatment stations are configured, for example, as ironing stations or as drying stations to wring out the previously absorbed cleaning fluid 95 from the textile fabrics 5 and / or to dry the textile fabrics 5 using a warm air stream.

[0084] In the exemplary embodiment shown here, which is not restrictive for the general implementation of the device 10, the cleaning device 10 has a stacking device 11, by means of which textile fabrics 5 located on a stack 4 in the region of a container 24 can first be separated and individually fed to a receiving device 12. The receiving device 12, which can have a horizontally running conveyor belt, for example, is advantageously already designed as a component or as part of the conveyor device 30 extending through the entire cleaning device 10. The conveyor device 30 extends from the receiving device 12 to and through an inspection device 13. The inspection device 13 can be designed as a visual inspection device. It can in particular be designed with a light source and with a camera or with a camera system in order to determine the location, position and, if applicable,to record a condition, in particular a degree of soiling of individual textile fabrics 5.

[0085] Following the inspection device 13 is a first treatment station 14. This can be designed as a mechanical cleaning station 80. It can in particular have a tapping device 82, a brushing device 83, a compressed air spraying device 84 and / or a suction device 85, as shown in the Fig. 19 to 24 will be explained in more detail below. A second treatment station 15 is provided following the first treatment station 14. This can be configured as a wet cleaning station 90. The wet cleaning station 90 is designed to either wet the textile fabric(s) 5 with a cleaning fluid 95 or to immerse the textile fabric 5 in a cleaning fluid 95.

[0086] The further treatment station 16 following the treatment station 15 is designed, for example, as a mangle station 110. The subsequent treatment station 17 is designed as a drying station 100. Following the drying station 100 is an exit inspection device 18, by means of which, similar to the entry inspection 17, the condition and / or position of the textile fabric 5 can be recorded.

[0087] The inspection device 18 is followed by a removal and laying device 19, by means of which the textile fabrics 5 can be removed as needed, for example, from the conveyor device 30 and folded or deposited into a predetermined configuration. Finally, a stacking device 20 is provided, by means of which the treated textile fabrics 5 can be deposited in stacks 4 in containers 24 provided for this purpose.

[0088] The device 10 has in particular an electronic control 25, which is preferably data-linked to all individual stations of the cleaning device 10 and which is further also designed to control the conveyor device 30, for example for its continuous and / or step-by-step transport of the sheet-like structures 5.

[0089] The containers 24 can be grid trolleys which can be positioned in the area of ​​the stacking device 11, for example, via a fixed feed line and optionally via a buffer area in which several such containers 24 can be placed. As soon as a container 24 has been emptied by the stacking device 11, the container 24 in question can be conveyed via a container conveyor line 26 to the output-side stacking device 20, where the empty container(s) 24 is / are refilled with the treated, in particular the cleaned, textile fabrics 5. The conveyor line 26 can provide a guide for the rollable containers 24 and can optionally be provided with one or more drives to move the containers 24 automatically along the conveyor line 26.

[0090] Thus, the conveyor line 26 can have a container receiving device 27 facing the stacking device 11. The conveyor line 26 can have a container discharge device 28 facing the opposite end and the stacking device 20. Furthermore, the conveyor line 26 can be provided with an empty rack loading and / or discharge device 29 to either feed excess or missing empty containers 24 to the conveyor line or manually discharge them from the circuit.

[0091] The treatment station 14 is configured here as a mechanical cleaning station, in particular for removing coarse dirt or particles. It is coupled, in particular, to a dirt removal system 21, by means of which the particles detached from the textile fabrics 5 in the area of ​​the treatment station 14 can be transported out of the treatment station 14. The treatment station 15 is configured as a wet cleaning station 90. The subsequent treatment station 16 is configured as a mangle station 110. Both the mangle station 110 and the wet cleaning station 90 are fluidically coupled to a water and washing media treatment system 22. This can provide the wet cleaning station 90 with the required cleaning fluid and can also absorb and, if necessary, treat excess cleaning fluid or water mechanically extracted from the cleaned textile fabrics 5, which accrues in the mangle station 110.

[0092] The treatment station 17, configured as a drying station 100, is coupled to an air treatment system 23. This system can dry the air supplied to the drying station 100 and heat it to a predetermined temperature level. Furthermore, the air treatment system 23 can absorb residual thermal energy from the air escaping from the drying station 100, for example by means of a heat exchanger, and supply it to the air supplied to the drying station 100. This enables particularly energy-efficient drying of the textile fabrics 5.

[0093] The block diagram of the Fig. 1shows the modular design of the cleaning device 10. This can be equipped with more or fewer treatment stations 14, 15, 16, 17 and can be universally configured for a wide variety of end applications depending on requirements and the nature of the textile fabrics 5 to be cleaned or treated. In particular, the stacking device, the receiving device, and the inspection devices 13, 18, as well as the removal and laying device 19 and the stacking device 20, are to be considered optional components.

[0094] These prove to be particularly advantageous for industrial use of the device and for a high degree of automation in the operation of the device 10. For the treatment or cleaning process, it is in principle sufficient if the device 10 has at least a first treatment station, for example the treatment station 14, and a second treatment station, for example the treatment station 15, 16 or 17, for the successive implementation of several treatment processes. The individual treatment stations 14, 15, 16, 17 are continuously connected or coupled to one another by means of the conveyor device 30, i.e. at least with regard to the transport of the textile fabrics 5.

[0095] The conveyor device 30 is in the Fig. 2 to 11shown in various configurations. The conveyor device 30 typically has several conveyor sections 32, 34, which adjoin one another along the conveying direction F defined by the conveyor line 31. Thus, the second conveyor section 34 adjoins the first conveyor section 32 in the conveying direction F. As shown in the Fig. 2 to 4clarified. The first conveyor section 32 is structurally separated from the second conveyor section 34 or designed separately therefrom. In the conveying direction 31, the first conveyor section 32 and the second conveyor section 34 are designed without overlap, viewed transversely to the conveying direction F. This makes it possible to implement or view each of the conveyor sections 32, 34 as a separate or independent conveyor module. In this respect, a separate conveyor section 32, 34 can be arranged or formed between the treatment stations 14, 15, 16, 17 and the further devices 11, 12, 13, 19, 20. One or more conveyor sections can be arranged or implemented within the treatment stations 14, 15, 16, 17 or also within or in the area of ​​the further devices 11, 12, 18, 19, 20.

[0096] A conveyor section, for example the first conveyor section 32, is characterized by a first belt conveyor 40, which comprises at least one flexible circulating belt 41, which is guided over at least two rollers 43, 44 spaced apart from one another in the conveying direction F. In the Fig. 2 to 4The rollers 43, 44 of the first belt conveyor 40 shown are end-side deflection rollers over which the flexible belt 41 of the first belt conveyor 40 is guided and deflected in direction. The roller 43 of the first belt conveyor 40 essentially forms an input-side end section or an upstream end of the first belt conveyor 40. The roller 44 opposite in the conveying direction F forms a downstream end of the first belt conveyor 40. Additional support rollers can also optionally be arranged between the rollers 43, 44 in order to prevent bending or sagging of the flexible belt 41, which is held under tension, for example, by the rollers 43, 44, or at least to counteract sagging.

[0097] In the Fig. 2 to 4Furthermore, a second belt conveyor 50 is shown in the region of the first conveyor section 32. This also has at least one circulating flexible belt 51, which is guided over at least two rollers 53, 54 spaced apart from one another in the conveying direction F. The first belt conveyor 40 is arranged above the second belt conveyor 50. The first and second belt conveyors, with the mutually facing outer sides of their respective flexible belts 41, 51, form a gap 9 with a gap width that essentially corresponds to the thickness of the textile fabric 5. The first and second belt conveyors 40, 50 can be directed towards one another by means of a tensioning device or tensioning apparatus and subjected to a predetermined pretension, so that the gap 9 formed between the flexible belts 41, 51 is slightly smaller than the thickness of the textile fabric 5 to be transported.In this way, the textile fabric 5 can be transported in a clamped and thus particularly slip-free manner between the first and the second belt conveyor 40, 50.

[0098] At least one of the rollers 43, 44, 53, 54 is provided with a Fig. 2 torque-transmitting drive 48. In this way, the flexible belts 41, 51 can be moved synchronously and with their outer surfaces facing each other along the conveying direction F.

[0099] In the Fig. 2 and 3It is further shown that both the first belt conveyor 40 and the second belt conveyor 50 have not only a single circulating flexible belt, but rather several flexible belts 41, 42 and 51, 52, respectively, spaced apart from one another transversely to the conveying direction. Thus, the first belt conveyor 40 has a first belt 41 and, offset transversely to the conveying direction, a second belt 42. Parallel to this, the second belt conveyor 50 has a first flexible belt 51 and a second flexible belt 52, also offset transversely to the conveying direction, parallel to it or arranged at a predetermined distance. In the illustration according to the Fig. 2 and 3 The first belt conveyor 40 and the second belt conveyor 50 each have a total of six flexible belts 41, 42, 51, 52 spaced apart from one another transversely to the conveying direction F. The flexible belts 41, 42 can be arranged equidistant from one another transversely to the conveying direction F.

[0100] Advantageously, the clear distance between the belts 41, 42 of a belt conveyor 40, which are arranged adjacent to one another transversely to the conveying direction, is greater than the width of the respective belts 41, 42. The belts logically cover a partial area of ​​the textile fabric 5 transported between the belt conveyors 40, 50. In the embodiment shown, the first belt conveyor 40 and the second belt conveyor 50 are of approximately the same length along the conveying path 31. The belts 41, 42 of the first belt conveyor 40 are arranged transversely to the conveying direction F, essentially overlapping the corresponding belts 51, 52 of the second belt conveyor 50. In this way, a particularly good and slip-free reception of the textile fabric 5 between the individual belts 41, 42, 51, 52 of the first and second belt conveyors 40, 50 can be achieved.

[0101] The clear distance between belts 41, 42, 51, 52 of the belt conveyors 40, 50 arranged directly adjacent to each other transversely to the conveying direction is typically greater than the corresponding width of the respective belts 41, 42, 51, 52.

[0102] The second flexible belt 42 of the first belt conveyor 40 is guided over two rollers 45, 46 spaced apart from one another in the conveying direction. These rollers are arranged transversely to the conveying direction, approximately perpendicular to the conveying direction F, in alignment with the rollers 43, 44 of the first flexible belt 41. The same applies to the further rollers 55, 56 of the second belt conveyor 50, over which the second flexible belt 52 of the second belt conveyor 50 is guided. Instead of several individual rollers 44, 46 or 43, 45 arranged transversely to the conveying direction in alignment with one another, a continuous roller (not shown) can also be provided. On such a roller, for example, individual circumferential grooves can be formed, in which the belts 41, 42 run and are thus fixed axially to the axis of rotation of the rollers.

[0103] As can be seen particularly from the presentation of the Fig. 2 and 3As can be seen, the second conveyor section 34 can be designed essentially identically to the first conveyor section 32. The second conveyor section 34 also has a first, overhead belt conveyor 40 and a second, underhead belt conveyor 50. The second conveyor section 34, similar to the first conveyor section 32, also has a plurality of flexible belts 41, 42, 51, 52 that are spaced apart or offset from one another transversely to the conveying direction F and are guided or deflected via corresponding rollers 43, 44, 45, 46, 53, 54, 55, 56 at the opposite longitudinal ends of the conveyor section 34.

[0104] As particularly in Fig. 3As shown, the second conveyor section 34 is offset by a predetermined amount relative to the first conveyor section 32 transversely to the conveying direction F. The offset depends on the width of the belts 41, 42, 51, 52 and / or the distance between the belts transversely to the conveying direction. In particular, it is provided that an imaginary extension of the belts 41, 42, 51, 52 of the first conveyor section 32 comes to lie in spaces between belts 41, 42, 51, 52 of the second conveyor section 34. In this way, it can be achieved that those areas of the textile fabric 5 which are covered by individual belts 41, 42, 51, 52 during transport in the area of ​​the first conveyor section 32 are accessible for the treatment process, in particular for the cleaning process, in the area of ​​the subsequent conveying in the second conveyor section 34.

[0105] In the Figs. 5 and 6A further embodiment of the conveyor device 30 is shown. Here, for example, the overhead belt conveyor 40 is provided with at least two flexible belts 41, 42 spaced apart transversely to the conveying direction. The second belt conveyor 50, on the other hand, has a perforated belt or a wide-meshed net structure 61. The net structure 61 is in the Figs. 5 and 6 conceptually depicted. The mesh structure 61 has comparatively wide meshes 62, which are bounded by longitudinally and transversely extending mesh filaments 64, 65. The depicted configuration of the mesh structure 61 is merely exemplary.

[0106] Of course, the mesh filaments can also be arranged or formed in a diamond shape or in another way to form a mesh structure and to form comparatively wide meshes 62. In the Figs. 5 and 61 shows a view of the conveyor device 30 from below. A textile fabric 5, designed, for example, as a doormat 6, is arranged or clamped between the upper belt conveyor 40 and the lower belt conveyor 50. The lower belt conveyor 50 is designed as a net conveyor 60. The doormat 6 rests against the belt conveyor 40 and its two belts 41, 42 with the underside of its support 7, which is made of an elastomer material and faces away from the mat pile 8, while the mat pile 8 is oriented toward the belt conveyor 50 or the net conveyor 60.

[0107] In the representation according to Fig. 6It is further shown that the net structure 61 can be provided with individual fixing elements 66. The fixing elements 66 can be hooks or small hooks that hook into the mat pile 8 of the mat 6. In this way, a particularly good, slip-free transport of the mat 6 can be provided between the belt conveyor 40 and the belt conveyor 50 or the net conveyor 60, which move synchronously in the conveying direction F. Since the mesh size 62 of the net structure 61 is significantly larger than the diameter of the individual net filaments 64, 65, almost the entire surface of the mat pile 8 is accessible to the treatment process. For a particularly good and slip-free transport of the flat structures 5, it is also conceivable for the belts 41, 42 of the first belt conveyor 40 to be rubberized or provided with static friction.

[0108] In the examples of the Figs. 7 and 8It is specifically shown that the conveyor device 30 is not only suitable for the straight-line conveying of textile fabrics 5, but in particular also for the realization of a curved conveyor line 31. In Fig. 7 A 90° deflection device 35 is shown. This has a first, approximately horizontally extending conveyor section 32 and a second conveyor section 34 adjacent to it in the conveying direction. The first conveyor section extends along a first conveying direction F1. The second conveyor section 34 extends along a second conveying direction F2. Both conveyor sections 32, 34 have a quasi-common second belt conveyor 50. This has a flexible belt 51 that runs continuously around a roller 54.

[0109] In the area of ​​the first conveyor section 32, the belt 51 extends along the first conveying direction F1. Along the second conveyor section 34, the respective flexible belt 51 extends along the second conveying direction F2. In the area of ​​the first conveyor section 32, a first belt conveyor 40 is also arranged, which has a revolving flexible belt 41. This is guided over a roller 44 and, together with the belt 51, forms a gap 9 for receiving textile fabrics 5 along the conveying direction F1. The rollers 44 and 54 are arranged at approximately the same level along the first conveying direction F1. However, they are offset from one another with respect to the conveying direction F2.

[0110] In the area of ​​the second conveyor section 34, another first belt conveyor 40' is implemented. This also has another rotating flexible belt 41', which is guided over a roller 43. The roller 43 forms, with the roller 54, a gap 9 running along the conveying direction F2, in which the textile fabric 5 is guided. The roller 43 is arranged at the same level as the roller 54 with respect to the conveying direction F2. With respect to the conveying direction F1, the roller 43 is arranged offset from the roller 54.

[0111] The rollers 44, 43 are located on the outside of the 90° bend of the deflection device 35. Between the rollers 44, 43 and essentially for guiding the textile fabric 5, a sliding guide 36 is provided, designed according to the angle of the deflection device 35. This can be arranged stationary between the rollers 44, 43. The sliding guide can extend across the entire width or across the entire transverse extent perpendicular to the conveying direction of the belts 41, 51. It can have a guide plate and advantageously extend across the entire width of the conveyor device 30.

[0112] A mat 6 is transported in the area of ​​the first conveyor section 32 across the gap between the belts 51, 41 into the area of ​​the opposing rollers 44, 54. There, the front end of the textile fabric 5 comes into contact with a curved inner side of the sliding guide 36. The textile fabric 5 is deflected in the direction of the further conveying direction F2 and then enters the further conveying gap 9 formed between the flexible belts 51, 41'.

[0113] In Fig. 8 A further embodiment of a deflection device 37 is shown. This has a similar configuration to the deflection device 35 according to the Fig. 7However, here a 180° angle is realized between the two conveying directions F1 and F2. Accordingly, the sliding guide 38 extends almost semicircularly at a predetermined gap distance around the roller 54. The conveying directions F1 and F2 extend essentially parallel, but in opposite directions. Accordingly, the individual rollers 44, 54, 43 of the respective belt conveyors 40, 50, 40' are arranged at the same level in the direction along the conveying directions or at virtually identical positions with respect to the conveying directions F1, F2. Transversely to the conveying directions F1, F2, they are each arranged at a predetermined distance from one another and spaced apart to form the gaps 9 between the respective belts 41, 51 and 51, 41'.

[0114] In Fig. 9 is a Fig. 7A similar design of a deflection device 70 is shown. However, instead of a stationary and immovable sliding guide 36, this has a further belt 71 which is guided over two rollers 73, 74, so to speak, over the outer corner which lies opposite the outer side of the roller 54 in the region of the deflection device 70.

[0115] In the design according to Fig. 10 , which from a technical point of view is approximately the same as the design according to Fig. 8 , a 180° deflection device 70 is implemented. This has a total of four guide rollers 73, 74, 75, 76, which are arranged, for example, in a U-shape and which guide a circulating belt 71. The circulating belt functions as a sliding guide that moves along with the textile fabric 5.

[0116] In Fig. 10Furthermore, a support 72 is indicated, on which the individual rollers 73, 74, 75, 76 are rotatably mounted. The roller 54 of the second belt conveyor 50 can also be mounted on the same support. The support 72 can, in particular, be mechanically coupled to a vibration or tapping device; in particular, it can be mounted in a housing so as to be displaceable along the conveying directions F1 or F2. With such a support, which is mounted in a housing so as to be vibrating, displaceable, and / or pivotable, for example, a tapping effect can be exerted on the textile fabric 5 transported by the conveyor device 30.

[0117] In the further embodiment of a transition area between a first conveyor section 32 and a second conveyor section 34 according to the Fig. 11A substantially rectilinear sliding guide 39 is arranged at the level of the second belt conveyor 50. The sliding guide 39 can, for example, have a slide rail extending substantially transversely to the conveying direction F, which is arranged between the rollers 54, 53 of the second belt conveyors 50, 50' of the first and second conveyor sections 32, 34, which are spaced apart from one another in the conveying direction or almost directly adjacent to one another. By means of the sliding guide 39, a front end of the textile fabric 5, which has been moved beyond the roller 54, is supported against the force of gravity and introduced into the gap 9', which continues therefrom in the conveying direction, between the first and second belt conveyors 40', 50' of the second conveyor section 34.

[0118] In Fig. 121 shows a schematic representation of a drying device 100 designed as a drying station according to the present invention. The drying device 100 has a closed housing 101. The previously described conveyor device 30 leads into and out of the housing, by means of which the textile fabrics 5, which have already been treated with the treatment device 10 and are typically wet-treated, can be conveyed into and out of the interior of the drying device 100. Inside the housing 101, the conveyor device 30 extends along at least a first conveyor section 32 and along a second conveyor section 34. The first and second conveyor sections 32, 34 can adjoin one another along the conveyor path 31 via at least one deflection device 70 within the housing 101.By means of the deflection device 70, it is possible for the first and the second conveying path 32, 34 to have different directions and thus transport the textile fabrics 5 in different directions within the housing 101.

[0119] In this way, the space provided by the housing 101 can be optimally used for drying a large number of textile fabrics 5. As shown schematically in Fig. 12As shown, the conveying device 30 passes through the housing 101 in the region of a feed opening 106. The feed opening 106 can be fluidically sealed from the outside environment by a seal 136. In this way, the escape of comparatively hot and / or dry drying air 160 can be counteracted. On the output side, typically at a section or end of the housing 101 opposite the feed opening 106, a discharge opening 108 for the textile fabrics 5 is provided. The conveying device 30 typically extends through the discharge opening 108. A seal 138 can also be provided in the region of the discharge opening 108 in order to largely prevent the escape of drying air 160' from this region of the housing 108.

[0120] In the illustrated embodiment, the conveyor section 31 runs approximately meanderingly inside the housing 101. Individual straight sections of the meandering conveyor section 31 are referred to as first and second conveyor sections 32, 34. The first conveyor section 32 can connect approximately straight to the feed opening 106. At an end facing away from the feed opening 106, the first conveyor section 32 merges into the second conveyor section 34 via a 180° deflection device 70. At an end facing away from the first conveyor section 32, the second conveyor section 34 again merges into a further conveyor section 32 via a 180° deflection device 70'.

[0121] The further conveyor section 32' typically extends parallel to the first conveyor section 32. The described pattern or sequence of rectilinear conveyor sections 32, 34, 32' can be continued in any desired manner. Thus, the distance or length of the conveyor section 31 within the housing 101 can be maximized while maintaining the housing dimensions. The residence time of individual textile fabrics 5, which are transported through the housing 101 by the conveyor device 30, can be stretched or extended as needed.

[0122] A drying intensity or a drying result can be increased in this way. The housing 101 of the drying device 100 has at least one air inlet 102 and one air outlet 103. The air inlet 102 is arranged near or facing the discharge opening 108, relative to the conveying direction F of the conveying device 30. The air outlet 103 is arranged near the feed opening 106 of the textile fabrics 5. In this respect, a countercurrent drying principle can be implemented. The comparatively hot and / or dry air, or a corresponding drying air stream 160, can be directed into the interior of the housing 101 via the air inlet 102 on the outlet side, relative to the conveying direction F. The corresponding exhaust air can escape from the housing 101 via the air outlet 103 on the inlet side for the textile fabrics.

[0123] In the present embodiment, the housing 101 is divided into at least two drying chambers 107, 109. The first drying chamber 107 is located upstream of the second drying chamber 109 with respect to the conveyor line 31.

[0124] The drying chambers 107, 109 are separated from one another by a partition wall 120. The partition wall 120 ensures a substantial fluidic decoupling of the two drying chambers 107, 109 from one another. Providing multiple drying chambers 107, 109 enables the realization of different drying environments in the respective drying chambers 107, 109. The partition wall 120 is typically provided with a media passage 122 through which the conveying device 30 extends. The media passage can be configured as a gap in the partition wall 120 corresponding to the geometry of the conveying device. This gap can, for example, be fluidically sealed.

[0125] In the illustrated embodiment, the first chamber 107 has a first air inlet 105 and a first air outlet 103. The second drying chamber 109 has a second air inlet 102 and a second air outlet 104. In this way, different drying air flows 160, 160' can be realized in the two drying chambers 107, 109. A first drying air flow 160 flows into the first drying chamber 107 via the air inlet 105 and leaves it again via the first air outlet 103. Accordingly, a second drying air flow 160' can be introduced into the second drying chamber 109 via the second air inlet 102, which then escapes from the second drying chamber 109 again via the second air outlet 104.

[0126] The fluidic conditioning or tempering, in other words, the temperature and flow velocity, air mass and / or humidity of the respective drying air streams 160, 160' is adjusted or regulated as required by means of one or more heating elements 130 and one or more fans 132.

[0127] Within the drying chamber 107 or within the drying chamber 109, a dehumidifier 142 can also be arranged, by means of which the humidity of the drying air flow 160, 160' can be adjusted as required.

[0128] The dehumidifier 142 is shown here as representative of an air conditioner 131. A unit generally referred to as an air conditioner 131 may include a heating element 130, a fan 132, and / or a dehumidifier 142. These elements 130, 132, 142 may be arranged in a common housing or separately from one another within the drying chamber 107, 109 or outside the same.

[0129] Furthermore, one or more sensors 144, 146 can be arranged in the drying chambers 107, 109, by means of which, for example, the temperature and / or humidity of the drying air stream 160, 160' can be measured. Sensor 144 can be implemented, for example, as a temperature sensor. Sensor 146 can be implemented, for example, as a humidity sensor.

[0130] The sensors 144, 146 can be connected to the controller 25 for data transmission. The modules provided for conditioning the drying air, such as the heating element 130, the fan 132, and / or the dehumidifier 142, can also be connected to the controller 25 for data transmission. In this respect, an adaptive control system or a corresponding control loop can be implemented for all or individual drying chambers 107, 109 with respect to each of the parameters: humidity level, flow velocity, air mass flow, and / or temperature of the drying air flow.

[0131] The measured values ​​that can be determined by the sensors 144, 146, such as a temperature, a flow velocity and / or a humidity, can be evaluated by the controller 25 and used to control the modules mentioned, such as the heating element 130, the fan 132 and / or the dehumidifier 142, in order to adjust the drying environment for the textile fabrics 5 as needed and / or to keep the drying environment within predetermined upper and lower limit values ​​with regard to the drying parameters mentioned.

[0132] In different drying chambers 107, 109, different drying parameters or different drying conditions can be set, for example depending on and / or taking into account the measured variables that can be determined by the sensors 144, 146.

[0133] The individual modules or devices for conditioning the drying air flow 160, such as a heating element 130, a fan 132 and / or a dehumidifier 142, can, for example, be Figures 12 and 15 shown, be arranged within corresponding drying chambers 107, 109. Alternatively, the heating element 130, the fan 132 and / or the dehumidifier 142 can also be arranged outside the drying chambers 107, 109 but fluidically coupled or connected to the interior of the drying chamber 107, 109.

[0134] As in Fig. 12As shown schematically, the first air inlet 105 is located at a downstream end relative to the conveying direction 31. The first air outlet 103 is located at an upstream end relative to the conveying direction. Thus, a countercurrent drying principle, in particular in the manner of a countercurrent convection dryer, can be implemented within the first drying chamber 107. Likewise, the second air inlet 102 is located at a downstream end of the conveying section 31 or the downstream end of the conveying device 30 relative to the conveying direction F.

[0135] The second air outlet 104 is located virtually on the inlet side of the second drying chamber 109. The first air inlet 105 and the second air outlet 104 can be arranged in the region of the transport-related end or the transport-related beginning of the respective drying chamber 107, 109. If the second drying air stream 160' in the region of the second drying chamber 109 is at a higher temperature level than the temperature of the first drying air stream 160 in the region of the first drying chamber 107, the second air outlet 104 and the first air inlet 105 can be thermally coupled to one another, for example by means of a heat exchanger 140 (shown only schematically). Excess thermal energy of the second drying air stream 160' can thus be transferred to the first drying air stream 160. This enables particularly energy-efficient operation of the drying device 100.

[0136] In Fig. 12It is further shown that the meandering structure of the conveyor section 31 is divided into several compartments 125, 127 by further air guiding elements 124, 126. The individual air guiding elements 124, 126 can extend substantially parallel to one another. They are typically located between the individual conveyor sections 32, 34, 32', 34' of the conveyor device 30. They can dip on one side into spaces between the first conveyor section 34 and a subsequent conveyor section 32' and thus provide a fluidic separation for the respective conveyor sections 32, 34, 32', 34'. The air guiding elements 124, 126 can preferably extend over the entire transverse extent of the conveyor device 30.In this respect, they form a plurality of blind-hole-like holes or compartments running parallel to one another, in order in particular to guide the drying air flow 160, 160' also in a meandering manner against the conveying direction F of the conveying device 30 past the textile fabrics 5 to be conveyed.

[0137] The individual air guide elements 124, 126 can, for example, be arranged on the partition wall 120. The free end of the air guide elements 124, 126 opposite the partition wall 120 can be directed toward a deflection device 70' and, for example, terminate in the region of a deflection device 70 or be adjacent to it in the longitudinal direction.

[0138] In Fig. 13 An embodiment of the conveyor device 30 running within the drying device 100 is shown in somewhat more detail. The conveyor device 30 is essentially analogous to the one shown in Fig. 10The conveyor device 30 shown is constructed as shown in FIG. 1. The conveyor device has, inside the housing 101, a first belt conveyor 40 with a flexible circulating belt 41, which is guided over rollers 43, 44 spaced apart from one another in the conveying direction F1. In addition, the conveyor device 30 has, in the region of a first conveyor section 32, a second belt conveyor 50, which also has a flexible circulating belt 51, which is guided over at least two rollers 53, 54 spaced apart from one another in the conveying direction F1. At least one of the rollers 53 is optionally located outside the housing 101 in order to convey the textile fabrics, which can be fed, for example, outside the housing 101 via the feed opening 106, into the interior 101 of the housing.

[0139] As previously mentioned regarding the Fig. 2 to 11As explained, the first belt conveyor 40 and the second belt conveyor 50 are arranged at a predetermined gap spacing to form a conveying gap 9. The textile fabric 5, in particular in the form of a doormat 6, can thus be conveyed clamped between the belts 41, 51 of the first and second belt conveyors 40, 50 along the conveying direction F1 in the region of a first conveying section 32.

[0140] A deflection device 70' is arranged at an end of the first conveyor section 32 located in the conveying direction F1. This is designed as a 180° deflection. By means of the deflection device 70', the conveying direction F1 in the region of the first conveyor section 32 can be deflected into an opposite conveying direction F2 in the region of a second conveyor section 34 adjacent thereto in the conveying direction. The first belt conveyor 40 also contributes to the formation of the second conveyor section 34. A further belt conveyor 50' is provided and arranged in the region of the second conveyor section 34. The further belt conveyor 50' is designed similarly, analogously, or largely identically to the second belt conveyor 50. It has a further circumferential flexible belt 51', which extends and / or moves in the conveying direction F2 together with the flexible belt 41 of the first belt conveyor 40 to a further deflection device 70.

[0141] In the area of ​​the further deflection device 70, the conveyor section 31 undergoes a further deflection. Adjacent to the further deflection device 70, it transitions in the conveying direction into a further conveyor section 32', which runs essentially parallel to the first conveyor section 32. In the area of ​​the further conveyor section 32', the gap 9 provided for conveying the textile fabrics 5 is formed by the belt 51' of the further belt conveyor 50 and by a flexible belt 41' of the further belt conveyor 40.

[0142] The first conveyor section 32 and the second conveyor section 34, as well as the further conveyor sections 32', 34', are arranged parallel to one another, but offset or spaced apart from one another along a surface normal of the belts 41, 51 of the respective rectilinear conveyor sections 32, 34 to form the gap 9. In the meandering configuration shown, the individual conveyor sections 32, 34 can be arranged equidistant from one another transversely or perpendicularly to the conveying direction F1, F2.

[0143] The conveying direction F1 in the region of the first conveying section 32 is typically opposite to the conveying direction F2 of the second conveying section 34 following along the conveying path.

[0144] In Fig. 13Furthermore, the flow of a drying air stream 160 flowing counter to the conveying directions F1, F2 is shown. The drying air stream 160 is typically oriented counter to the respective conveying directions F1, F2. In this way, a type of countercurrent convection drying can be realized. In particular, it is provided that the housing 101 or a corresponding drying chamber 107, 109 is divided or separated into individual compartments 125, 127 by means of one or more air guiding elements 124, 126. The air guiding elements 124, 126 are typically designed as air-impermeable wall structures or floors, which can be structurally connected to the housing 101, for example also to the partition wall 120.

[0145] In the Fig. 13In the embodiment shown, an air guide element 126 extends between the second conveyor section 34 and a further conveyor section 32'. The air guide element 126 is located between the rollers 53', 54' of the further belt conveyor 50'. It is located, at least in part, within the area of ​​the further belt conveyor 50' enclosed by the flexible belt 51'.

[0146] A further air guide element 124 is again provided within the next but one belt conveyor 50". It is located at least partially within an area of ​​the further belt conveyor 50" enclosed by a further flexible belt 51". In terms of flow technology, the air guide element 126 separates the second conveyor section 34 from the downstream further conveyor section 32'. The air guide element 124 separates the conveyor section 34' from the downstream conveyor section 32". The air guiding elements 124, 126 and the subdivisions or compartments 125, 127 formed thereby ensure that the drying air flow in the area or adjacent to the conveying section 32' does not mix, or only mixes insignificantly, with the drying air flow 160 in the area of ​​the conveying section 34, but that the respective drying air flows 160 in each of the conveying sections 32, 34, 32', 34', 32" flow essentially opposite to the respective conveying direction F1, F2.

[0147] It is at the Fig. 13 In the embodiment shown, it is advantageously provided that the flexible belt 41 of the first belt conveyor 40 is designed to be air-impermeable and that the flexible belt 51 of the second belt conveyor 50 is designed to be air-permeable. It is further provided that in particular the side of the textile fabric 5 to be dried, in particular a mat pile 8 of a doormat 6, is in contact with the flexible belt 51 of the second belt conveyor 50. The air permeability of the flexible belt 51 enables good air exchange that is sufficient for drying. The rear support 7 of the mats 6 can rest against the air-impermeable flexible belt 41 of the first belt conveyor 40.

[0148] The flexible belt 41 of the first belt conveyor 40 can extend across the entire transverse extent or across the entire width of the belt conveyor 40. In this respect, the air-impermeable flexible belt 41 performs an air-conducting function. Air-impermeable belts of the first belt conveyor 40 and the additional belt conveyors 40' support a meandering air flow within the housing 101 or within the respective drying chamber 107, 109. In the embodiment shown, corresponding air guiding elements 126, 124 are therefore only provided in the area of ​​the second belt conveyor or the additional belt conveyors 50', 50".

[0149] In a further embodiment, not shown here, it is also conceivable for the flexible belt 41 of the first belt conveyor 40, or also of the further belt conveyors 40', to be designed to be permeable to air. Corresponding air guiding elements would then also have to be provided within the area enclosed by the flexible belt 41 of the first belt conveyor 40. If the belts 41, 51 of both belt conveyors 40, 50 are designed to be permeable to air, other deflection devices 70, 70' can also be implemented, in which the belts of a first conveyor section 32 extend continuously into the second conveyor section 34 and, if necessary, into further conveyor sections. The two adjacent belts 41, 51 of the first and second belt conveyors 40, 50 can also be guided continuously over several deflection devices 70, 70', forming the gap 9 guiding and / or receiving the mats 6 or the textile fabrics 5.

[0150] In an embodiment not according to the claims according to the Fig. 14 to 16 A cross-flow convection dryer is shown. The guidance of the textile fabrics 5 is analogous to that in Fig. 13 However, the air flow is different here than in the example of the Fig. 12 and 13 . It is provided that only in the area of ​​the second belt conveyor 50 and the further belt conveyors 50', 50", which are designed with an air-permeable flexible belt 51, 51', 51", is the drying air flow 160 applied within and / or through the circulating flexible belts 51, 51', 51".

[0151] The flow direction of the drying air 160 is transverse or perpendicular to the conveying direction of the conveyor device 30. In the illustration according to Fig. 14The drying air 160 flows perpendicular to the illustrated plane of the drawing. It can extend approximately parallel to the axis of rotation of the individual rollers 43, 44, 53', 54'. In particular, only the intermediate region of the second belt conveyor 50 or the belt conveyors of a second type, which are provided with air-permeable belts 51, 51', 51", is exposed to the drying air flow 160. The drying air is consequently only guided between the respective rollers 53, 54, 53', 54'. In this way, the upper sides of the mats 6 or the textile fabrics 5, which face one another in the region of the respective second belt conveyors or the belt conveyors of the second type 50, 50', 50", and are typically provided with a mat pile 8, can be directly exposed to the drying air flow 160.

[0152] This makes it possible, for example, to supply the individual flow channels located between the rollers 53, 54 and 53', 54', which are spaced apart in the conveying direction, and enclosed by the air-permeable belts 51, 51', with the drying air flow 160 in parallel. A correspondingly parallel division of a drying air flow 160, generated for example by a blower 132 and heated by a heating element 130, into the different flow channels 161, 161', 161" is shown in the schematic representation of the Fig. 15 There, a fan 132 and a heating element 130 are located directly inside the housing 101, or inside a drying chamber 107 of the drying device 100. The fan 132 and / or the heating element 130 can also be arranged outside the housing 101. In the illustration of the Fig. 15 the belt conveyor 50 of the second type is not shown for illustration purposes only.

[0153] In Fig. 15 Two possible arrangements of one or more lint filters or lint traps are also shown. The textile lint that inevitably arises during a drying process and is typically carried along with the drying air stream 160 can be removed, separated, or trapped from the drying air stream by means of a lint filter 148 located upstream of the air outlet 103 and within the drying chamber 107 and / or by means of a lint filter 149 located upstream of the fan 132.

[0154] The lint filter 149 can be used to remove lint from the drying air 160 circulating inside the chamber 107. The lint filter 148 can be used to clean the drying air discharged from the drying chamber 107.

[0155] In the Fig. 16 shown cross section AA through the drying device 100 of the Fig. 151 shows a subdivision of the housing 101 into a first drying chamber 107 and a downstream second drying chamber 109. The first drying chamber 107 can be fluidically coupled to a first heating element 130, and logically also to a first fan 132. The second drying chamber 109 can be fluidically decoupled from this. The second drying chamber 109 can have a further heating element 130' and a further fan 132'. Thus, a first drying air flow 160 can be realized within the first drying chamber 107. In the second drying chamber 109, a second drying air flow 160' can be realized and provided, which can differ from the drying air flow 160 in terms of flow velocity, air humidity, air mass flow, and / or temperature.

[0156] The drying chambers 107, 109 are also in the embodiment of the Fig. 16are largely fluidically decoupled from one another by a partition wall 120. For the transport of the textile fabrics 5 from the first drying chamber 107 into the downstream second drying chamber 109, a media passage 122, for example in the form of a sealed gap, is provided in a section of the partition wall 120.

[0157] In the embodiment of the Fig. 17 to 19 A further implementation of a drying device 100 is shown. This device has several impact jet nozzles 150, by means of which the drying air stream 160 can be focused or directed onto the textile fabrics 5 in the form of an impact jet 162.

[0158] In principle, the design of the conveyor device 30 is also the same in the embodiments of the Fig. 17 to 19 essentially identical, but at least largely similar to the previously described conveyor device 30. Comparable to the design according to Fig. 14Individual impact jet nozzles 150 are typically located within the air-permeable belt 51 of the belt conveyor 50 of the second type. In order to provide sufficient installation space or room for the impact jet nozzles 150, the second belt conveyor 50 can, for example, have a plurality of deflection rollers 53, 53' arranged offset from one another perpendicular to the respective conveying direction F. The extent or dimensions of the second belt conveyor 50 can be increased in this way along the surface normal of the essentially rectilinear and flat conveying sections 32, 34 in order to provide sufficient space for the impact jet nozzle 150 or for a plurality of impact jet nozzles 150.

[0159] The impact jet nozzles 150 can be arranged at a predetermined distance, for example, equidistant from one another, along the conveying direction F. In this way, the drying air stream 160 directed onto the textile fabrics 5 by means of the individual impact jet nozzles 150 can be directed onto the textile fabrics 5 in the form of an impact jet 162. Between the individual impact jet nozzles 150, the drying air can flow back in the form of a return flow 164.

[0160] As particularly shown in the illustration according to Fig. 18As illustrated, the individual impact jet nozzles 150 can have, for example, a slot-like nozzle outlet 152, which extends continuously in the transverse direction across the textile fabrics 5 or across the conveying device 30. The impact jet nozzles 150, or their nozzle outlets 152, can in particular direct a drying air flow 160 directed in the transverse direction, or a correspondingly directed impact jet 162, onto the textile fabrics 5 or onto the conveying device 30. As a result of, for example, a focused impact jet 162, excess water or cleaning fluid can be deposited or separated from the textile fabric 5 in the form of droplets.

[0161] Each of the impact jet nozzles 150 can be provided with its own blower 132 or coupled thereto. Alternatively, it is conceivable that several impact jet nozzles 150 are fluidically coupled to a common blower 132 and / or to a common heating element 130. The assignment of one heating element 130 or one blower 132 to one impact jet nozzle 150 or to several impact jet nozzles 150 makes it possible to individually regulate and / or control the drying effect of individual impact jet nozzles 150. According to the illustration according to Fig. 19 The housing 101 of the impact jet nozzle drying device 100 is also divided into at least two drying chambers 107, 109. The drying chambers 107, 109 are separated from each other by the partition wall 120. The conveying device 30 passes through the partition wall 120 in the area of ​​a media passage 122.

[0162] The individual drying chambers 107, 109 each have a plurality of air guide elements 124, 126, by means of which the respective drying chamber 107, 109 can be divided into different compartments 123, 125, 127. Within each compartment 123, 125, 127, the conveyor line 31 runs essentially in a straight line. A 180° deflection device 70 essentially passes through one of the air guide elements 126 and thus represents a media feedthrough through the partition wall or through the air guide element 126 from the compartment 127 into the adjacent compartment 125.

[0163] A 90° deflection 70' is provided in the area of ​​compartment 125. Starting from the 90° deflection 70', the conveyor line 31 runs to another 90° deflection 70", so that, ultimately and through the combination of the deflection devices 70', 70", a total of 180° deflection is achieved. By providing two 90° deflection devices 70', 70", the distance between respective rectilinear conveying sections 34, 32' can be increased to a predetermined value, so that several impact jet nozzles 150 pointing away from one another can be arranged between the conveying sections 34, 32'. The impact jet nozzles 150 provided in the region of the compartment 125 direct a drying air stream 160 onto the conveying section 34. Impact jet nozzles 150 arranged in the region of the further compartment 123 direct a corresponding impact jet 162 onto the conveying section 32'.

[0164] While the impact jet nozzles 150 of the Fig. 17 to 19shown embodiment are essentially aligned with the straight conveyor sections 32, 34, 32', is according to a further and in Fig. 20 In the embodiment shown, the impact jet nozzles 150 are directed radially onto the outer circumference of a deflection device 70. In the region of the deflection device 70, the mat pile 8 of the radially outward-facing mats 6 is spread out. The spread mats 6, in particular the spread mat pile 8, can be directly exposed to the impact jet 162, which flows out via the nozzle outlet 152 of the impact jet nozzle 150. In this way, a particularly good and effective drying result can be achieved.

[0165] In Fig. 211 shows an enlarged view of a possible implementation of guiding the textile fabrics 5, in particular the guiding of mats 6 in the region of the feed opening 106 of the drying device 100. On the input side and in the region of the feed opening 106, a first belt conveyor 40 and a second belt conveyor 50 can be arranged to form a conveying gap 9. As already described above, the belt conveyor 40 can have a flexible circulating belt 41, which is guided over two rollers 43, 44 spaced apart from one another in the conveying direction F. Likewise, the further belt conveyor 50 has a circulating flexible belt 51, which is guided over rollers 53, 54 spaced apart from one another in the conveying direction F. In this case, both flexible belts 41, 51 can be designed to be essentially airtight. They can also extend across the entire width of the conveying device 30.In this way, in principle, an inlet-side seal for the housing 101 of the drying device 100 can be formed.

[0166] The two belt conveyors 40, 50 can form a first conveyor section 32. Downstream of the conveyor section 32 in the conveying direction F, a sliding guide 134, for example curved and designed to correspond to a roller 135, can be provided. The sliding guide 134 can be arranged at a predetermined radial gap distance from the outside of the roller 135. The sliding guide 134 can be designed like a shell and can extend at least over a quarter circle around the roller 135, or possibly also semicircularly around the roller 135. At least one of the roller 135 or the sliding guide 134 can be provided with an active heating element. In this way, the textile fabrics 5 can be heated to a predetermined temperature level directly at the feed opening 106. In particular, a type of contact heating of the textile fabrics 5 to be dried can take place here.

[0167] Furthermore, for example, the supports 7 of the mats 6 fed through the feed opening 106 can be heated relatively quickly and effectively to a predetermined temperature level, for example, to shorten the warm-up phase of the textile fabrics 5 to be dried within a downstream drying chamber 107, 109. In the conveying direction F, the arrangement of sliding guide 134 and roller 135 is followed by a further conveying section 34. This can, as already described, have a first belt conveyor 40' with a flexible belt 41' and a second belt conveyor 50' with another flexible belt 51'.

[0168] In Fig. 22Finally, a flow diagram of a method for drying textile fabrics is shown, which can be carried out, for example, with a previously described drying device 100. In a first step 200, one or more textile fabrics 5 are conveyed by means of the conveying device 30 within the housing 101 of the drying device 101 along a first conveying section 32 of the conveying device 30. In a further step 202, the textile fabrics in this area are exposed to a drying air stream 160.

[0169] Subsequently, and in step 204, the at least one or more textile fabrics are conveyed along a second conveyor section 34 of the conveyor device 30. The second conveyor section 34 borders on the first conveyor section 32 via a deflection device 70 of the conveyor device 30 within the housing 101. Then, in step 206, further drying of the textile fabric 5 or more textile fabrics 5 takes place with the drying air stream 160' in the region of the second conveyor section 34. Depending on the design of the drying device 100, steps 204 and 206 can be repeated as often as desired, for example if the conveyor section has a meandering design within 31 of the housing 101 of the drying device 100.

[0170] Typically, the drying air flow 160, 160' is directed through the housing 101 of the drying device 100 against the conveying direction F. For this purpose, appropriately designed air guiding elements can be provided.

[0171] In particular, it is provided that several textile fabrics 5 are transported one after the other through the drying device 100 by means of the conveyor device 30, so that they are transported continuously or step by step through the drying device in a quasi-continuous process.

[0172] In Fig. 231 shows an exemplary embodiment of a mechanical cleaning station 80. For example, the treatment station 14 can be designed as such a mechanical cleaning station 80. The mechanical cleaning station 80 has a housing 81 with a feed opening and a discharge opening 88. The textile fabrics 5 or the mats 6 reach the interior of the housing 81 via the feed opening 96. The mats 6 mechanically treated inside the housing 81 are discharged via the discharge opening 88. The conveyor device 30 can extend continuously through the housing 81 of the mechanical cleaning station 80. Furthermore, the mechanical cleaning station 80 can be equipped with at least one separate first conveyor section 32 and / or with a further conveyor section 34. In the area of ​​the feed opening 86 and in the area of ​​the discharge opening 88, the conveyor sections 32 and 6 located inside the mechanical cleaning station 80 can34 connect to conveyor sections 32, 34 of the conveyor device 80 located outside the mechanical cleaning station 80.

[0173] Various rollers 43, 44, 53, 54 of the conveyor device 30 located within the housing 81 are, for the sake of simplicity, Fig. 23 shown merely as an example. Inside the housing 81, a conveying of the textile fabrics 5 or the mats 6 is provided, as described in detail with reference to the Fig. 2 to 11 as described previously.

[0174] In addition to the conveyor device 30 extending through the housing 31, at least one tapping device 82 is provided inside the housing 81. The tapping device 82 can have one or more beaters or clappers 82', by means of which tapping impulses can be exerted on the textile fabrics 5 and / or on the conveyor device 30, thus on the flexible belts 41, 42, 51, 52 of the belt conveyors 40, 50. When cleaning mats 6, the mats are advantageously transported with their mat pile 8 facing downwards in or by means of the conveyor device 30. The tapping device 83 typically interacts with the upper underside of the mats 6 and exerts an impact or vibration effect on the respective support 7 of the mats 6. In this way, dirt or corresponding particles present in the mat pile 8 can fall downwards under the influence of gravity.In the bottom area of ​​the housing 81, a particle conveyor 89 is provided, for example in the form of a vibrating rail or a vibrating plate, by means of which the particles striking the particle conveyor 89 are conveyed out of the housing 81 and into a . Fig. 1 shown dirt removal 21.

[0175] Another form of a knocking device 82 is shown in the embodiment of Fig. 24shown. There, several deflection devices 70, 70', 70", 70‴ and 70ʺʺ are provided, by means of which the conveyor device 30 and the textile fabrics 5 conveyed therein or thereby are conveyed through the housing 81 of the mechanical cleaning station 80 in a quasi-meandering manner or following a double or multiple S-profile. It is provided here that at least one of the deflection devices 70' is mounted in the housing 81 so as to be movable in and / or counter to the conveying direction F. For example, corresponding guide rollers can be mounted eccentrically. This can be the case for both the deflection roller of the deflection device 70' and for the deflection roller of the deflection device 70‴.The intermediate deflection device 70" can, for example, also be movable along or against the conveying direction F against a spring force in order to be able to compensate for a tension on the conveying device 30 caused by the vibration or the displaceable or pivotable mounting of the deflection devices 70', 70‴. The deflection devices 70', 70‴ can be designed as a mechanical knocking device 82 and thus assume a dual function.

[0176] The movable, vibrating, or eccentric mounting of the deflection rollers in the area of ​​the deflection devices 70', 70‴ is advantageous in that the mat pile 9 faces outward in the area of ​​those deflection devices 70', 70‴ and is thus spread out due to the radius of curvature of the deflection devices 70', 70‴. This increases the cleaning effect and improves the beating effect for mechanically removing particles from the mat pile 9.

[0177] In Fig. 25 A further embodiment of a mechanical cleaning station 80 is shown. This also has a housing 81 with a feed opening and a discharge opening 88. The mechanical cleaning station extends between the feed opening 86 and the discharge opening 88. Similar to the embodiment of the Fig. 24Here, too, a meandering or zigzag-shaped conveyor section 31 is implemented. The double deflection by 180° in the area of ​​a deflection device 70' and a deflection device 70‴ has the advantage that in the area of ​​the deflection device 70' the textile fabrics 5 are guided, for example, by a first conveyor section 32 of the conveyor device 30 and that the fabrics 5 in the area of ​​the further deflection device 70‴ are guided by means of a further conveyor section 34 of the conveyor device 30. The conveyor sections 32, 34 can adjoin one another in the conveying direction 31, which is not explicitly shown here. The flexible belts of the conveyor section 32 can be offset transversely to the conveying direction F from the belts of the conveyor section 34 adjoining it in the conveying direction F and can be arranged so as not to overlap one another.In this way, those surface sections of the textile fabrics 5 which are inevitably covered by belts 51, 52 in the conveying section 32 can be exposed in the downstream conveying section 34 and can accordingly be subjected to a corresponding treatment process in this conveying section 34.

[0178] This multi-part division of the conveyor device into several conveyor sections 32, 34 applies to the embodiments of the Fig. 23 to 28 equally or analogously.

[0179] In the embodiment of the Fig. 25 is compared to the design of the Fig. 23 or 24 Instead of a knocking device 82, a brushing device 83 is provided. The brushing device can, as in Fig. 21shown in cross section, have a rotating brush roller 83a, which is arranged adjacent to the conveyor device 30 and is rotatably driven against the conveying direction F. By this counter movement of the brush roller 83a against the conveying direction F of the textile fabrics 5, these, in particular their mat pile 8, can be effectively freed from adhering particles or foreign substances. As already Fig. 23 As described above, the mechanical cleaning stations 80 also have Figs. 24 and 25 each has a particle conveyor 89 on the bottom side.

[0180] In the embodiment of the Fig. 25 the brushing device 83 is arranged adjacent to an outer radius of a deflection device 70', 70‴. In this way, as already described above for Fig. 24As described above, the mat pile 8 is spread out and, in the spread state, combed with the rotating brush roller 83a. This allows for particularly effective removal of dirt particles.

[0181] In Fig. 26 1 shows a further embodiment of a mechanical cleaning station 80. There, a compressed air spray device 84 is provided inside the housing 81. The compressed air spray device 84 has several spray nozzles 84a spaced apart from one another in the conveying direction F, by means of which a directed or focused high-pressure air jet can be directed onto the textile fabrics 5. The mats 6 or textile fabrics 5 are also transported here by means of the conveying device 30 through the interior of the housing 81. Without this being apparent in the side view according to the Fig. 26To illustrate this in more detail, the belts 41, 42, 51, 52 of the conveyor device can extend in the area of ​​a conveyor section 32, for example, adjacent to the feed opening 86, at an angle or offset transversely to the conveying direction F from belts 41, 42, 51, 52 of a conveyor section 34 adjoining this in the conveying direction. In this way, it can be achieved that the effective areas of the spray devices 84, 84' on the respective textile fabrics 5 or mats 6 are directly adjacent to one another or overlap in regions, and thus the entire surface of the mats 6 is ensured by the successive treatment by means of two spray devices 84, 84' arranged one behind the other in the conveying direction F, each with spray nozzles 84a and 84a' provided for this purpose.

[0182] In Fig. 27A further embodiment of a mechanical cleaning station 80 is shown. Here, a suction device 85 is provided, which is arranged adjacent to the conveyor device 30. The spray devices 84, 84' as well as the suction device 85 are advantageous in the embodiments of the Figs. 26 and 27 arranged below the conveyor device 30 in order to remove or separate particles present or adhering in the downwardly directed mat pile 8 from the mat pile 8 by utilizing gravity.

[0183] In Fig. 28 A further embodiment of a mechanical cleaning station 80 is shown. The mat guide or the conveyor device 30 is similar to that of the Fig. 25Instead of brushing devices 83, a suction device is arranged in the radially outer region of the deflection device 70 in the area of ​​a deflection device 70' in order to remove adhering dirt particles from the mat pile 8. In the area of ​​a further deflection device 70‴, a compressed air spray device 84 is directed at the mat pile 8 at a predetermined angle.

[0184] As left in Fig. 28 As indicated, the suction device 85 can also be provided, for example, with rotatably driven brushes 83 or with a corresponding brush device 83. In this way, a combined brushing and suction of the mat pile 8 can be achieved.

[0185] In Fig. 29 An embodiment of a treatment station is shown, which is designed as a wet cleaning station 90. The wet cleaning station 90 also has a housing 91, which is Fig. 29 to 32 not explicitly shown, in the side views of the Fig. 33 to 36 but is indicated. Similar to the mechanical cleaning station 80 described above, the wet cleaning station 90 also has a feed opening and a discharge opening in the housing 91 to enable a defined feed and discharge of the textile fabrics.

[0186] In Fig. 29a spray device 94 is shown with a plurality of nozzles 92, for example arranged on a common carrier 96. The nozzles can be supplied with a cleaning fluid 95. The nozzles 92 are offset or spaced from one another transversely to the conveying direction F. The spacing of the nozzles 92 is determined by the radiation characteristics of the nozzles. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the nozzles 92 spray a comparatively wide-spreading jet onto the textile fabric 5. The individual jets fan out and impinge on the textile fabric 5, forming an effective area 98 there. The respective effective area 98 of each nozzle 92 is the area on the textile fabric 5 which is wetted with liquid or pressurized by a nozzle 92.The arrangement of the nozzles 92 is selected depending on their jet characteristics such that, transversely to the conveying direction, several effective areas 98 are at least seamlessly adjacent to one another or at least partially overlapping. In this way, the entire mat 6 or the textile fabric 5 can be completely wetted with a cleaning fluid 95 or subjected to a high-pressure jet.

[0187] The nozzles 92 or the spray device 94 can be pivotably mounted on the housing 91 of the wet cleaning station 90 with respect to a pivot axis S. Thus, the spray angle can be changed as needed to achieve an optimal cleaning result.

[0188] In the further embodiment of the Fig. 30 The spray device 94 has two nozzles 92 arranged transversely to the conveying direction F. However, their jet characteristics differ from those of the nozzles 92 which are arranged in Fig. 29The nozzles 92 of the Fig. 30 and Fig. 31The spray device 94 shown has a significantly smaller effective area 98 in terms of area. The nozzles 92 can, for example, direct a jet concentrated onto the sheet material 5 or onto the mat 6. This can achieve a significantly higher cleaning effect. So that the entire surface of the sheet material 5 can be treated with the cleaning fluid 95, the individual nozzles 92 or the spray device 94 are movably mounted in the housing 91. The individual nozzles 92 can, for example, be coupled to one another in terms of movement via a common carrier 96. In this respect, it is only necessary to move the carrier 96, on which the nozzles 92 are arranged, back and forth, for example transversely to the conveying direction F. With a continuous back and forth movement of the spray device 94, with simultaneous transport of the sheet materials 5 along the conveying direction F, an approximately V-shaped effective area results over time.In the longitudinal direction, however, the individual legs of the V-shaped effective area are arranged in an overlapping manner.

[0189] In Fig. 31 A further movable mounting of several nozzles 92 is shown. These can be moved continuously and comparatively slowly in a direction transverse to the conveying direction. The nozzles 92 are then abruptly reset, so that the individual effective areas 98 are irradiated or illuminated at an angle, depending on the conveying speed of the mats 6 or the textile fabrics 5.

[0190] In Fig. 32Finally, a further embodiment of a spray device 94 is shown, in which the individual nozzles 92 are arranged so as to be rotatable relative to the housing 91. This results in circular effective areas 98 which are successively supplied with the cleaning fluid 95. The circles or thickness of the circular rings, which correspond to the effective area 98, are adapted to the conveying speed of the mats 6 or flat structures 5 in such a way that the individual effective areas 98, which are achieved as a result of a circular movement of the nozzles 92 relative to the flat structure 5, overlap at least in some areas in the conveying direction F and / or transversely thereto, so that the entire surface of the flat structure 5, thus of the mat 6, can be supplied with the cleaning fluid 95.

[0191] In Fig. 33is shown in a side view that the spray device 94 is preferably arranged below the conveyor line 31 and that the nozzles 92 are directed obliquely upwards, typically with a directional component opposite to the conveying direction F, onto the downward-facing mat pile 8 of a mat 6. The nozzles 92 can be pivotably and adjustably mounted with respect to a pivot axis S. In this way, the application angle or the angle of impact on the mats 6 or flat structures 5 can be adjusted as needed or in an optimized manner. Excess or rundown cleaning fluid 95 is collected in the collecting basin 99 and can be fed to a water and washing media treatment system 22.

[0192] In the embodiment of the Fig. 34It is particularly provided that the spray device 94 with its nozzles 92 are directed towards the outer radius of a deflection device 70 of the conveyor device 30. Analogous to the above with regard to the Fig. 24 As described, the mass pile 8 can be spread out due to this outward curvature in order to improve the cleaning effect.

[0193] In Fig. 35A further embodiment of a wet cleaning station 90 with a housing 91 is shown. A cleaning basin 93 is arranged inside the housing 91, which is at least partially filled with a cleaning fluid. The conveyor device 30 extends in a meandering manner through the cleaning basin 93 with a plurality of deflection devices 70, 70', 70". The flat structures 5 or mats 6, which are guided in a meandering manner along the conveyor path 31 by means of the conveyor device 30, can thus be completely immersed in the stationary cleaning fluid 95. By repeatedly turning in the region of the deflection devices 70, 70', 70", an additional mechanical force and / or cleaning effect is exerted on the flat structures 5 or on the mats 6.

[0194] The embodiment of the Fig. 36 also shows a similar embodiment to the Fig. 31 similar wet cleaning station 90. In contrast to the embodiment of the Fig. 35 In the embodiment of the Fig. 36 It is provided that at least one or two of the deflection devices 70 are movably mounted in the housing 91. This allows a tapping or vibration effect to be exerted on the textile fabrics 5 conveyed by means of the conveyor device 30.

[0195] In the embodiment of the Fig. 37 It is shown that a spray nozzle 92 can also be arranged inside the cleaning basin 93, by means of which either compressed air or cleaning fluid 95 can be sprayed, optionally at high pressure, onto the sheet 5. In the embodiment according to Fig. 37 the nozzle 92 is directed obliquely downwards, while the sheet 5 is guided vertically upwards.

[0196] In the further embodiment of the Fig. 38Within the cleaning basin 93, a nozzle 92 is directed toward the outer region of a deflection device 70. In the area of ​​that deflection device 70, the mat pile 8 can be spread out so that an increased cleaning effect can be achieved here as well.

[0197] In Fig. 39 An embodiment of a treatment station designed as a mangle station 110 is shown. This can be, for example, the treatment station 16 of the Fig. 1The ironing station 110 has a housing 111, which is also equipped with a feed opening and a discharge opening for the flat structures 5 and for the mats 6, respectively. Inside the housing 111, the mats 6 are guided between at least two ironing rollers 112, 114 by means of the conveyor device 30. The ironing rollers 112, 114 are designed to exert a pressing force directed towards one another on the mats 6. In this way, excess water or cleaning fluid 95, particularly that absorbed in the mat pile 8, can be separated. At the bottom of the housing 111, a collecting basin 99 is typically arranged, which is fluid-conductingly connected to a water and washing media treatment system 22. Excess water and / or cleaning fluid 95 can be treated in this way and, if necessary, reused.

[0198] In principle, all operating states or operating modes of the previously described treatment station 14, 15, 16, 17 that have a direct or indirect influence on the treatment process of the textile fabrics 5 can be regulated or controlled by the controller 25 or by the data management unit 150 depending on signals from the inspection device 13. For example, the frequency and / or amplitude of the operation of the head devices 82, the brush devices 83, the spray devices 84, the suction devices 84, as well as any operation of the nozzles 92 provided for wet cleaning can be regulated or controlled depending on signals from the inspection device 13. List of reference symbols

[0199] 4 Stack 5 Textile fabric 6 Mat 7 Backing 8 Pile 9 Gap 10 Cleaning device 11 Stacking device 12 Pick-up device 13 Inspection device 14 Treatment station 15 Treatment station 16 Treatment station 17 Treatment station 18 Inspection device 19 Removal and laying device 20 Stacking device 21 Dirt removal 22 Water and washing media treatment 23 Air treatment 24 Container 25 Control system 26 Conveyor line 27 Container acceptance 28 Container discharge 30 Conveyor device 31 Conveyor line 32 Conveyor section 34 Conveyor section 35 Deflection device 36 Sliding guide 37 Deflection device 38 Sliding guide 39 Sliding guide 40 Belt conveyor 41 Belt 42 Belt 43 Roller 44Roll 45Roll 46Roll 48Drive 50Belt conveyor 51Belt 52Belt 53Roll 54Roll 55Roll 56Roll 60Net conveyor 61Net structure 62Mesh 64Net filament 65Net filament 66Fixing element 70Deflection device 71Belt 72Carrier 73Roll 74Roll 75Roll 76Roll 80Mechanical cleaning station 81Housing 82Beating device 83Brushing device84 Spray device 85 Suction device 86 Feed opening 88 Discharge opening 89 Particle conveyor 90 Wet cleaning station 91 Housing 92 Nozzle 93 Cleaning basin 94 Spray device 95 Cleaning fluid 96 Carrier 97 Actuator 98 Effective area 99 Collection basin 100 Drying station 101 Housing 102 Air inlet 103 Air outlet 104 Air inlet 105 Air outlet 106 Feed opening 107 Drying chamber 108 Discharge opening 109 Drying chamber 110 Ironing station 111 Housing 112 Ironing roller 114 Ironing roller 120 Partition wall 122 Media feedthrough 124 Air guide element 125 Compartment 126Air guide element 127Compartment 130Heating element 131Air conditioner 132Blower 134Sliding guide 135Roller 136Seal 138Seal 140Heat exchanger 142Dehumidifier 144Sensor 146Sensor 148Lint filter 149Lint filter 150Impact jet nozzle 152Nozzle outlet 160Drying air flow 162Impact jet 164Return flow FConveying direction F1Conveying direction F2Conveying direction SPivoting axis

Claims

1. Drying device (100) for drying planar textile structures (5), in particular mats (6) or carpets, wherein the drying device (100) comprises: - a housing (101) which has or forms at least one drying chamber (107, 109), - a blower (132) and a heating element (130), which are fluidically coupled to the drying chamber (107, 109) and are configured for the fluidic treatment of a drying air flow (160, 160'), - a conveying device (30) having a continuous conveying section (31) which extends through the at least one drying chamber (107, 109) and along which the planar textile structures (5) can be conveyed through the at least one drying chamber (107, 109), - wherein the conveying device (30) has at least one first conveying section (32) and a second conveying section (34), wherein the second conveying section (34) is contiguous to the first conveying section (32) in a conveying direction (F) specified by the conveying section (31) by way of a deflection device (70) within the housing (101), and wherein the first conveying section (32) as well as the second conveying section (34) are able to be impinged with the drying air flow (160, 160'), characterized in that the drying air flow (160, 160') within the housing (101) is guided counter to the conveying direction (F) of the conveying device (30), wherein at least one of the first conveying section (32) and the second conveying section (34) has at least a first belt conveyor (40) which has a revolving flexible belt (41) that is guided by at least two rollers (43, 44) mutually spaced apart in the conveying direction (F).

2. Drying device (100) according to Claim 1, wherein the first conveying section (32) extends along a first conveying direction (F1), and wherein the second conveying section (34) extends along a second conveying direction (F2) which is inclined relative to the first conveying direction (F1) or is aligned in an opposite direction.

3. Drying device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the conveying device (30) within the housing (110) has a plurality of first and second conveying sections (32, 34, 32', 34') which are in each case alternately mutually contiguous via a deflection device (70) and form a meandering conveying section (31).

4. Drying device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein disposed or formed within the housing (101) are a plurality of compartments (125, 127) which are fluidically separated from one another by means of air guiding elements (124, 126), and through which the conveying section (31) extends.

5. Drying device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of first conveying section (32) and second conveying section (34) has at least a second belt conveyor (50) which has a revolving flexible belt (51) that is guided by at least two rollers (53, 54) mutually spaced apart in the conveying direction (F).

6. Drying device (100) according to Claim 5, wherein the first belt conveyor (40) and the second belt conveyor (50) are disposed so as to be mutually spaced apart while forming a gap (9) which receives the planar textile structure (5).

7. Drying device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the flexible belt (41) of the first belt conveyor (40) is designed to be substantially impermeable to air.

8. Drying device (100) according to one of the preceding Claims 5 to 7, wherein the flexible belt (51) of the second belt conveyor (50) is designed to be permeable to air.

9. Drying device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing (101) has a first drying chamber (107) and a second drying chamber (109) which is fluidically decoupled therefrom by means of a partition wall (120), wherein the first drying chamber (107) is able to be impinged with a first drying air flow (160), and the second drying chamber (109) is able to be impinged with a second drying air flow (160').

10. Drying device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the partition wall (120) has a media conduit (122) through which the conveying device (30) extends from the first drying chamber (107) into the second drying chamber (109).

11. Drying device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, which furthermore comprises a controller (25), and wherein disposed within the at least one drying chamber (107, 109) is at least one sensor (144, 146), which is connected to the controller (25) in terms of data, for measuring at least one drying parameter of the drying air flow (160, 160'), and wherein the drying chamber (107, 109) is fluidically coupled to an air conditioner (131) which is actuatable by means of the controller (25) in order to set at least one drying parameter of the drying air flow (160, 160').

12. Method for drying planar textile structures (5), in particular mats (6) or carpets, characterized by the following steps: - conveying at least one planar textile structure (5) by means of a conveying device (30) within a housing (101) of a drying device (100) along a first conveying section (32) of the conveying device (30), wherein at least one of first conveying section (32) and second conveying section (34) has at least one first belt conveyor (40) which has a revolving flexible belt (41) that is guided by at least two rollers (43, 44) mutually spaced apart in the conveying direction (F), - fluidically treating a drying air flow (160, 160') by means of a heating element (130) and by means of a blower (132), - impinging the planar textile structure (5) with the drying air flow (160) in the region of the first conveying section (32), - conveying the at least one planar textile structure (5) along a second conveying section (34) of the conveying device (30), which is contiguous to the first conveying section (32) via a deflection device (70) of the conveying device (30) within the housing (101) in a conveying direction (F) specified by the conveying section (31), and - impinging the planar textile structure (5) with the drying air flow (160') in the region of the second conveying section (34), characterized in that the drying air flow (160, 160') is directed onto the at least one planar textile structure (5) counter to the conveying direction (11) of the conveying device (30).