Device and method for treating textile fabrics, in particular mats or carpets

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for treating textile fabrics (5), in particular mats (6) or carpets, wherein the apparatus (10) comprises: - at least a first treatment station (14, 15) for carrying out a first treatment process of the textile fabric (5), - at least a second treatment station (16, 17) for carrying out a second treatment process of the textile fabric (5), and - a conveying device (30) with a continuous conveying section (31) extending at least from the first treatment station (14, 15) to the second treatment station (16, 17), - wherein the conveying device (30) has, at least sectionally along the conveying section (31), a first belt conveyor (40) with a flexible belt (41) and a second belt conveyor (50) with a flexible belt (51) running parallel to it.which are arranged at intervals from one another to form a gap (9) that receives the textile surface structure (5).

Description

Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a device and a method for treating, in particular for cleaning, 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 reducing 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 cleaned in a comparatively short time and with high quality. A device for cleaning textile fabrics according to the preamble of claim 1 is known from EP3287199 A1.

[0003] -The present invention is based on the object of providing a system or device for treating textile fabrics which, on the one hand, enables particularly effective and thorough treatment and, from a cost perspective,

[0004] This enables the cleaning of such surface structures, such as mats or carpets. On the other hand, the device should be as universally adaptable as possible to different requirements and as easy to configure or restructure for different treatment processes. Furthermore, the device should provide a high degree of automation for the treatment of surface structures.

[0005] This object is achieved by a device and a method according to the features of the independent patent claims. Advantageous embodiments are the subject of dependent patent claims.

[0006] According to one aspect, a device is provided for treating textile fabrics, in particular mats or carpets. The device is designed in particular for cleaning such fabrics. The device has a plurality of treatment stations, at least a first treatment station for carrying out a first treatment process on the textile fabric. The device further has at least one second treatment station for carrying out a second treatment process on the textile fabric. Furthermore, the device has a conveyor device with a continuous conveyor section. The conveyor section is typically formed by the conveyor device. The conveyor device, and thus the conveyor section, extends at least from the first treatment station to the second treatment station.With at least two treatment stations, two different treatment processes can typically be performed on the textile fabric. The conveyor system can transport the textile fabric from the first treatment station to a downstream second treatment station.

[0007] The conveyor device has, at least in sections along the conveyor line, a first belt conveyor with a flexible belt and a second belt conveyor running parallel to the first and second belt conveyors with a flexible belt. The first and second belt conveyors are arranged at a distance from one another to form a gap that receives the textile fabric. Typically, and in the case of longitudinally extending, parallel sections of the first and second belt conveyors, the belt conveyors are spaced from one another in the direction of a surface normal of their flexible belts, maintaining a predetermined gap width. The gap width typically corresponds to the material thickness of the textile fabrics to be treated, so that they can be transported by both belt conveyors from the first to the second treatment station and / or through the respective treatment station with as little slippage as possible.

[0008] The device is designed in particular as a system for treating, in particular cleaning, textile fabrics. The individual treatment stations can be designed as so-called treatment modules, each designed to carry out a single treatment process. The device is designed modularly by providing multiple treatment stations or modules. By means of the conveyor device, the individual treatment stations, i.e. the treatment modules, can be configured and coupled to one another as required. Using such a modular concept, the device can be configured as required. It can be equipped with at least two treatment stations.Optionally, it can also have several treatment stations, such as three, four or up to five or six treatment stations, which are each technically connected to one another via the conveyor system for transporting the respective fabrics from one treatment station to the next treatment station.

[0009] The first and second treatment stations are characterized by the implementation of different first and second treatment processes. In typical embodiments, the first treatment station can be configured, for example, as a mechanical cleaning station, by means of which a preliminary cleaning of the textile fabrics supplied, for example, via the conveyor device can be carried out. The first cleaning station and the first treatment process that can be implemented with it can serve, in particular, to remove particles from or from the textile fabric.

[0010] The second treatment station can be configured, for example, as a wet cleaning station. In this respect, the second treatment process can be implemented as a wet cleaning process. Here, the textile fabrics, which can be fed via the conveyor system, are exposed to a cleaning fluid in order to wash or wet clean the fabrics. Further treatment stations and further treatment processes include, for example, ironing and / or drying the textile fabrics. In this respect, further treatment stations can be configured, for example, as ironing stations and / or drying stations.

[0011] The conveyor device and the continuous conveyor line it forms are designed to transport the textile fabrics fed to the conveyor device continuously and / or step by step from the at least first treatment station to the at least second treatment station and, if necessary, to further treatment stations. The treatment stations can be coupled to one another in terms of process technology by means of the conveyor device extending between or across the treatment stations.

[0012] In some embodiments, the conveyor device is located only between the individual treatment stations. The textile fabrics can be picked up or removed by means of the conveyor device, for example, at a discharge or discharge opening of the first treatment station. They can be transported to the second treatment station by means of the conveyor device, where they can be fed to a feeder of the second treatment station by means of the conveyor device.

[0013] Advantageously and according to a further embodiment, the conveyor line extends through the first treatment station and / or through the second treatment station.

[0014] In particular, it is provided that the conveying device simultaneously provides a supply of textile fabrics to the first treatment station as well as a removal of textile fabrics from the second treatment station.

[0015] Thus, the conveyor device or its conveyor path can extend continuously at least from an entrance of the first treatment station through the first treatment station, from an exit of the first treatment station to an entrance of the second treatment station, and also through the second treatment station. Furthermore, and when implementing additional treatment stations, the conveyor device, and thus its conveyor path, can also extend from an exit of the second treatment station to the additional treatment stations.

[0016] This is advantageous in that the textile fabrics are transported by one and the same conveyor system throughout the entire treatment process across multiple treatment stations. This simplifies the handling of a large number of textile fabrics. It is only necessary to provide the textile fabrics at the inlet side of a first treatment station and to remove the textile fabrics treated by the multiple treatment stations from a final treatment station.

[0017] The conveyor system, which extends across multiple treatment stations, enables continuous or step-by-step transport of all fabrics across multiple treatment stations. Manual handling of individual fabrics between treatment stations is no longer required. This allows for increased automation of the treatment process, particularly for cleaning textile fabrics such as mats or carpets.

[0018] The first and / or second treatment station can have their own housing, each of which has a feed opening and a discharge opening for the textile fabrics. The conveyor device can be directly adjacent to the feed opening or discharge opening from the outside and / or from the outside, or it can extend beyond the feed opening and / or discharge opening.

[0019] Furthermore, according to a further embodiment, the conveying device is enclosed in regions between a first treatment station, in particular in a region in which the conveying device is located downstream of a discharge opening of the first treatment station and upstream of a feed opening of the second treatment station. Such an enclosure or covering enables extensive isolation of textile fabrics located between individual treatment stations from the external environment; and vice versa.

[0020] According to a further development, the flexible belt of the first belt conveyor comprises a revolving 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 necessary, 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.

[0021] 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.

[0022] According to a further embodiment, the belt of the second belt conveyor also has a rotating 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 that a drive roller or cylinder of the first belt conveyor is 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.

[0023] 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.

[0024] According to a further embodiment, the conveying device has a first conveying section and a second conveying section. The second conveying section adjoins the first conveying section in a conveying direction predetermined by the conveying path. Thus, the conveying path is structurally divided into several, at least a first and a second, conveying sections. The individual conveying sections can be structurally separated from one another and complement one another, at least in terms of process technology, to form a continuous conveying path extending over the first and second conveying sections.

[0025] The structural division of the conveyor system into several sections enables and / or simplifies the modular design of the device for treating textile fabrics. For example, the first treatment station can have a first conveyor section. The space between the first and second treatment stations can have a second conveyor section. The second treatment station can have a third conveyor section, etc. This makes it possible, for example, to equip each of the treatment stations with its own conveyor section, so that when several treatment stations are arranged one behind the other, their individual conveyor sections complement each other to form a continuous conveyor line.

[0026] Dividing the conveyor line into several conveyor sections, which are structurally adapted, for example, to the size of the respective treatment stations, enables and simplifies the modular design of the device for treating textile fabrics. It is conceivable, for example, that at least some or each of the treatment stations is / are equipped with its own conveyor section and / or that a corresponding conveyor section is integrated into some or each of the treatment stations.

[0027] According to the invention, the first conveyor section comprises a first and a second belt conveyor. The second conveyor section, adjacent to it in the conveying direction, also comprises a first and a second belt conveyor. The first belt conveyor of the first conveyor section is directly adjacent to the first belt conveyor of the second conveyor section.

[0028] Likewise, the second belt conveyor of the second conveyor section can be directly adjacent to the second belt conveyor of the second conveyor section. The longitudinal extension of the first and / or second belt conveyor can coincide with the longitudinal extension of the respective conveyor section. Using the first and second conveyor sections, the continuous conveyor path of the conveyor system can be divided into several structurally separate sections. This simplifies the modularization and design of a device for treating textile fabrics, for example, a cleaning system.

[0029] 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.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 has 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 the same size, 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. The transverse direction of the belt conveyor typically extends along or parallel to a rotational axis of the rollers over which the flexible belts are guided.

[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. In this way, it can be achieved 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 in the subsequent 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 relative to the flexible belts of a second conveyor section adjoining them in the conveying direction. A longitudinal direction of the flexible belts typically extends parallel to the conveying direction.

[0034] According to a further embodiment, the flexible belts of a first belt conveyor of a first conveyor section are offset in the transverse direction or arranged with a gap to flexible belts of a first belt conveyor of a second conveyor section, and the first and the downstream second conveyor section are located within a common treatment station. For example, a mechanical or wet-chemical treatment process can be provided or implemented equally in the region of the first conveyor section and in the downstream second conveyor section. Thus, those areas of the textile fabric that are covered by belts of a belt conveyor in the first conveyor section can be treated in the region of the second conveyor section; and vice versa.

[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 regions. In particular, the belts of the first and second belt conveyor are arranged at a distance from one another to form a gap which receives the textile fabric. The flexible belt of the first belt conveyor can, for example, engage 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, curvature radii 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, the first conveyor section extends along a first conveying direction. The second conveyor section, adjacent to it in the conveying direction, extends along a second conveying direction. The first and second conveying directions are inclined to one another or aligned opposite to one another. The division of the conveyor device into first and second conveyor sections enables the conveying path to be redirected, typically in the area of individual treatment stations or in the transition between treatment stations. Thus, individual conveyor sections can, for example, run horizontally, while other conveyor sections are inclined to the horizontal or even aligned vertically.Because the textile fabrics are held in a quasi-clamping manner between the first and second belt conveyors by a corresponding delivery of the first and second belt conveyors and can be transported equally by both, a correspondingly flexible guidance and transport of the textile fabrics that is variable in direction or orientation can be made possible.

[0049] 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.

[0050] 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.

[0051] 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.

[0052] According to a further embodiment of the device, at least one of the first and second treatment stations is a mechanical cleaning station. The mechanical cleaning station has at least one beating device, one brushing device, one compressed air spray device and / or one suction device. These devices are designed to remove particles from the textile fabric. This can be done by beating, by brushing, by applying compressed air and / or by suction using the suction device. A treatment station can be designed to carry out a single mechanical treatment process. For example, a treatment station can have exclusively one or more head devices, exclusively one or more brushing devices, exclusively one or more compressed air spray devices or only one or more suction devices.In this respect, individual treatment stations can be specifically designed for a separate mechanical cleaning process, depending on the mechanical cleaning device(s) provided. A mechanical treatment station can be equipped as a mechanical tapping station, a brushing station, a compressed air spraying or compressed air treatment station, or a suction station.

[0053] The individual stations can be connected to one another via the conveyor system. The conveyor system can also extend through the individual treatment stations. It is also conceivable for the device to have several such mechanical cleaning stations, for example, a tapping station and a brushing station, as well as a compressed air treatment station and / or a suction station. Such mechanical cleaning stations can be provided as needed and enable a configuration of the entire device or the system formed thereby that can be adapted to the specific treatment process.

[0054] According to a further embodiment, at least one of the first and second treatment stations comprises a wet cleaning station or is designed as a corresponding wet cleaning station. The wet cleaning station wets the textile fabric with a cleaning fluid. For this purpose, it comprises at least one fluid spray device and / or a cleaning basin that can be filled with a cleaning fluid and through which the conveyor path of the conveyor device runs. The fluid spray device can be designed, in particular, to implement a wet-chemical cleaning process.

[0055] The fluid spraying device can comprise a high-pressure spraying device with one or more nozzles, by means of which the surface of the textile fabric to be treated can be sprayed with the cleaning fluid. The wet cleaning station can, in particular, be provided with or coupled to a heater. In this respect, the cleaning fluid can be heated or warmed to a predetermined temperature. A wet-chemical cleaning process can be carried out at a predetermined washing or cleaning temperature.

[0056] The fluid spraying device can have a plurality of nozzles which are arranged, for example, transversely to the conveying direction and / or offset from one another along the conveying direction.

[0057] The fluid spray device can, for example, be arranged so as to be movable relative to a housing of the respective treatment station. In particular, the nozzles of the fluid spray device can be designed either as flat jet nozzles or as rotating nozzles. The nozzles can, in particular, direct a focused cleaning jet onto the textile fabrics. If, for example, the effective area of the nozzles should not cover the entire width of the textile fabric transversely to the conveying direction, the nozzles can be arranged so as to be movable transversely to the conveying direction in the respective treatment station.

[0058] They can be mounted in the treatment station so that they can be pivoted or moved longitudinally in order to treat the textile fabric as completely as possible with the cleaning fluid.

[0059] If a cleaning basin that can be filled with cleaning fluid is provided, the conveyor device can be arranged to run through the cleaning basin. The conveyor device can have one or more deflection devices so that, for example, a meandering conveying direction is provided for the textile fabrics in the area of the cleaning basin. In this way, the exposure time of the cleaning fluid can be increased with continuous transport of the textile fabrics through the entire device. On the other hand, an improved cleaning effect can be achieved, in particular, by deflecting the textile fabrics in the area of a cleaning basin or in the effective range of the fluid spray device or even in the effective range of the mechanical cleaning devices.This is achieved in particular when the textile fabric is guided with its side to be cleaned, for example with a mat pile, over a deflection roller or a corresponding deflection device of the conveyor device pointing radially outwards.

[0060] According to a further embodiment, at least one of the first and second treatment stations is designed as a drying station or as a mangle station. When implemented as a drying station, this has a housing with an air inlet and an air outlet. The air inlet and air outlet are arranged offset from one another with respect to the conveying direction of the conveyor, which typically extends through the drying station. The air inlet is typically located in a downstream region of the housing and the air outlet is typically located in an upstream region of the housing. In particular, the air inlet can be arranged near a discharge opening of the drying station, through which the dried mats are discharged. The air outlet can typically be located near a feed opening of the housing, through which the mats to be dried are received into the interior of the drying station.

[0061] In this way, a type of countercurrent drying can be achieved. The conveyor system can have a meandering course inside the drying station. With continuous transport of the textile fabrics by means of the conveyor system, the residence time of the textile fabrics in the area of the drying station can be extended to the required length. Furthermore, the air inlet and outlet can be arranged or designed according to a countercurrent principle with respect to the conveying direction of the conveyor system. The efficiency and effectiveness of the drying process can thus be increased.In particular, comparatively dry air heated to a predetermined temperature level can be supplied to the air inlet of the drying station, which, when a countercurrent drying principle is implemented in the area of the drying station, hits those textile fabrics that have been inside the drying station for the longest time.

[0062] According to a further embodiment and when implementing a mangle station, the relevant treatment station has one or more mangle rollers, by means of which a predetermined mangle pressure can be exerted on the textile fabric to dewater the fabric. The mangle rollers typically extend transversely to the conveying direction of the textile fabrics. The flexible belts or the wide-mesh net structure of the belt conveyors of the conveyor device can be brought into the space between the mangle rollers together with the textile fabrics. The textile fabrics can therefore be guided through the arrangement of mangle rollers by means of the conveyor device. Advantageously, at least two mangle rollers are provided which engage on opposite sides of the fabrics and exert a predetermined surface pressure on the textile fabrics to dewater or squeeze out the textile fabrics.A collecting basin can be provided below the ironer rollers, by means of which excess cleaning fluid or a corresponding rinsing liquid can be collected and fed into a treatment process.

[0063] According to a further aspect, the invention further relates to a method for treating, in particular cleaning, textile fabrics, in particular mats or carpets. The method is characterized by the transfer of the textile fabric to a conveyor device. The conveyor device has or forms a continuous conveyor line. The conveyor line extends at least from a first treatment station to a second treatment station. After at least one or more textile fabrics have been transferred or placed on the conveyor device, the textile fabric is conveyed by means of the conveyor device to a first treatment station. In the region of the first treatment station, the textile fabric is subjected to a first treatment process. The textile fabric is then conveyed by means of the conveyor device from the first treatment station to the second treatment station.In the second treatment station, the textile fabric is then subjected to a second treatment process.

[0064] The method is advantageously carried out using the previously described device for treating textile fabrics. In this respect, all features, advantages, and effects described for the device apply equally to the method provided here; and vice versa.

[0065] According to a further embodiment, several fabrics are transferred successively to the conveyor device, and the respective textile fabrics are conveyed continuously or step by step through at least one of the first and second treatment stations by means of the conveyor device. In particular, it is provided that the conveyor device extends through both the at least first treatment station and the at least second treatment station. In this respect, by transferring one or more textile fabrics to the conveyor device, the respective textile fabrics can be conveyed across several treatment stations and through corresponding treatment stations.

[0066] Depending on the configuration and number of treatment stations, the textile fabrics can be subjected to different treatment processes one after the other. For example, the textile fabrics can be subjected to a purely mechanical treatment in a first treatment process. The purely mechanical treatment can include, for example, beating, brushing, compressed air treatment and / or vacuuming of the textile fabrics. Some treatment stations can also be implemented as wet cleaning stations, by means of which a cleaning fluid can be sprayed onto the textile fabrics, for example. Optionally, a wet cleaning station can also have a cleaning basin that can be filled with a cleaning fluid. By means of the conveyor device, the textile fabrics can be transported past cleaning nozzles or into the cleaning basin and thus immersed in the cleaning fluid.

[0067] In addition, additional mechanical cleaning processes can also be implemented in the cleaning tank or in the area of cleaning nozzles. For example, mechanical cleaning devices such as a beating device, a brushing device, or a spraying or suction device can be implemented inside the cleaning tank. Accordingly, the textile fabrics can also be subjected to a combined mechanical-wet chemical treatment process in the area of a wet cleaning station.

[0068] According to further aspects, the device and the method can also be equipped with at least one inspection device that performs a visual inspection of the textile fabrics fed via the conveyor device before and / or after one or more treatment processes. An initial inspection can, for example, serve to identify particularly heavily used or soiled areas of a textile fabric and use this information for a particularly efficient subsequent cleaning or treatment process.

[0069] An outbound inspection can be used to check the quality of the treatment process, especially the quality of the cleaning process. Inadequately treated or inadequately cleaned textile fabrics can be sorted out using automatic sorting.

[0070] According to a further aspect, the device and the method further relate to the automated stacking of textile fabrics, which are fed, for example, in stack form by means of a container to the device for treating textile fabrics. The stacking device can, for example, have a gripper designed to take individual textile fabrics from a stack and feed them individually to a receiving device. The receiving device can already be designed as part of the conveying device. By depositing the textile fabrics taken from a stack on the receiving device, they can be fed quasi-automatically to the conveying device and transported along the conveying path of the conveying device.

[0071] The stacking device can, for example, comprise a robot, in particular a robot arm with a head configured to grasp individual textile fabrics. The head can, for example, be coupled to a vacuum lifter configured to selectively suction-apply an air-impermeable carrier of a textile fabric configured as a mat and lift it upwards from the stack of textile fabrics.

[0072] The method and device can be implemented and used variably. The treatment, in particular the cleaning of textile fabrics, can be variably coordinated with respect to different treatment parameters, in particular with respect to temperature exposure, the type and intensity of mechanical action, the type and concentration of cleaning agents used, and / or with respect to the treatment duration of the entire treatment process or individual sub-processes in the area of the treatment stations. The relevant cleaning parameters can be variably set or adjusted, in particular depending on a degree of soiling previously determined, for example, by means of the inspection device.

[0073] In particular, the method and device are intended and designed for cleaning textile fabrics, in particular doormats, which are used both in the household and, for example, in the industrial sector. Such doormats can typically be contaminated or soiled not only with particles, such as dust, but also with oils or greases.

[0074] The inspection device can be designed, in particular, to detect different types of contamination, such as particles adhering to or on the textile fabric, or liquids, oils, or greases absorbed into the textile fabric. Depending on the detection of a specific contamination, the individual cleaning stations or the partial cleaning processes running successively within the individual cleaning stations can be modified as needed with regard to heat exposure, the type and intensity of mechanical action, the duration of treatment, and / or the selection and concentration of chemical cleaning agents in order to achieve optimal cleaning results in the shortest possible time while simultaneously minimizing energy consumption. Short description of the characters

[0075] 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.

[0076] 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 perspective representation of an embodiment of a stacking device when removing a textile fabric from a stack, Fig. 13 a further perspective representation of the stacking device according to Fig. 12 with a textile fabric removed from the stack, Fig. 14 a further perspective view of the stacking device according to the Figures 12 and 13when laying down a textile fabric in the area of a receiving device, Fig. 15 a first example of a laying pattern of several textile fabrics in the area of the receiving device or conveying device, Fig. 16 a top view of a further example of a laying pattern of several textile fabrics in the area of a receiving device or conveying device, Fig. 17 a schematic representation for lifting and laying down a folded textile fabric, Fig. 18 the perspective representation of the lifting and laying down of a further example of a fabric folded on a stack, Fig. 19 a schematic representation of a mechanical cleaning station with a beating device, Fig. 20 a further embodiment of a mechanical cleaning station with a beating device, Fig. 21 a further embodiment of a mechanical cleaning station with a brushing device, Fig.22 shows a further embodiment of a mechanical cleaning station with a compressed air spray device, Fig. 23 shows a further embodiment of a cleaning station with a suction device, Fig. 24 shows a further embodiment of a mechanical cleaning station which has a combination of compressed air spray device and suction device, Fig. 25 shows a schematic representation of a wet cleaning station with a fluid spray device, Fig. 26 shows a schematic representation of a movable mounting of several nozzles of the fluid spray device, Fig. 27 shows a further schematic representation of a movement pattern of spray nozzles of the wet cleaning station, Fig. 28 shows a further schematic representation of the wet cleaning station with rotating or rotatably mounted nozzles, Fig. 29 shows a schematic representation of a wet cleaning station viewed from the side, Fig. 30 shows a side view of a further embodiment of a wet cleaning station, Fig.31 shows a further embodiment of a wet cleaning station with a cleaning basin filled with cleaning fluid, Fig. 32 shows a further embodiment of a wet cleaning station with a cleaning basin, Fig. 33 shows a schematic representation of a combined mechanical and wet-chemical cleaning process, Fig. 34 shows a schematic representation of a further embodiment of a wet cleaning station, Fig. 35 shows a schematic representation of a treatment station designed as a mangle station, Fig. 36 shows a schematic representation of a treatment station designed as a drying station and Fig. 37 shows a flow chart illustrating the method for treating textile fabrics. Detailed description

[0077] 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.

[0078] 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.

[0079] 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.

[0080] 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.

[0081] 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.

[0082] 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.

[0083] 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.

[0084] 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.

[0085] 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.

[0086] 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 system 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.

[0087] 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.

[0088] 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.

[0089] 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.

[0090] 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.

[0091] 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.

[0092] 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.

[0093] 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.

[0094] 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.

[0095] 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.

[0096] 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.

[0097] 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.

[0098] 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.

[0099] 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.

[0100] 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.

[0101] 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.

[0102] 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.

[0103] 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.

[0104] 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.

[0105] 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.

[0106] 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.

[0107] 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'.

[0108] 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'.

[0109] 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.

[0110] 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.

[0111] 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.

[0112] 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.

[0113] In the Fig. 12 to 14An embodiment of a destacking device 11 is shown. This device has a gripper 120, by means of which the uppermost mat 6 of a stack 4 of mats 6 can be lifted from or by a container 24 and fed to a receiving device 12 of the cleaning device 10 or the system 10. The gripper 120 of the destacking device 11 has a robot 121 with a robot arm 122. A head 123 is arranged on the robot arm 122. The robot arm 122 is typically designed with multiple links. Furthermore, the head 123 is pivotably or rotatably arranged on the robot arm 122. In the embodiment shown here, a vacuum lifter 124 is arranged on the head 123. The vacuum lifter 124 has a carrier 125, for example in the form of a substantially flat support frame.

[0114] Several suction cups 126 are arranged or formed on the support 125. These can be subjected to a negative pressure. To lift an uppermost mat 6 of a stack 4, it is provided that the mats 6 are stacked with their air-impermeable support 7 facing upwards. The suction cups 126 of the vacuum lifter 124 can be arranged in the Fig. 12 shown embodiment, in this respect, come into contact with the underside or upwardly facing back of an upper mat and suck the mat, in particular its air-impermeable carrier 7.

[0115] Then, as soon as a mat 6 is lifted by the vacuum lifter 124, the robot arm 122 can be moved into the Fig. 13 shown intermediate position, in which the robot arm 122 is typically located from the position shown in Fig. 12 shown starting position into the Fig. 14 shown end position. If the robot 121 has reached the Fig. 14Once the end position shown is reached, the mat 6, which is detachably arranged on the vacuum lifter 124, is located above a receiving device 12. The receiving device 12 has a flat receiving surface or storage surface. The receiving device 12 can, in particular, be provided with a horizontally extending conveyor belt. This can be integrated into the conveyor device 30 and ensure at least horizontal transport of the textile fabric 5 along the conveyor path 31.

[0116] When using a robot 121, different laying patterns 130 for differently dimensioned mats 6 can be realized on a base or on the receiving device 12 and / or on or at the conveyor device 30. The laying pattern according to Fig. 15 shows several rectangular or square textile fabrics 5, in particular floor mats 6, arranged regularly along and across the conveyor line 31. In the laying pattern according to the Fig. 16Rectangular textile fabrics 5 or mats 6 are arranged next to one another transversely to the conveyor line 31. Rows of mats 6 aligned along the conveyor line 31 are arranged offset from one another along the conveyor line 31 or along the conveying direction F.

[0117] By means of the robot 121, mats of different sizes can also be deposited on the conveyor line 31 in a particularly space-saving manner in order to optimally utilize the capacity of the device. In this respect, mats of different geometries and / or different dimensions can be fed successively to the stacking device 11 and, with optimal utilization of the area of the conveyor line, can be placed next to one another by the robot 121 on the receiving device 12 and / or on or at the conveyor device 30 without overlapping.

[0118] The textile fabrics 5 can be laid in a lying position on a substantially horizontally extending conveyor belt in the area of the receiving device 12 and the subsequent inspection device 13. This can be configured as part of, for example, a second belt conveyor 50 located underneath, the conveyor device 30. At least in the area of the treatment stations 14, 15, 16, 17, the conveyor device has first and second belt conveyors 40, 50, arranged one above the other, for example, to ensure safe and slip-free conveyance of the textile fabrics 5 throughout the treatment processes.

[0119] The use of a programmable robot 121, which is typically controlled by the controller 25, has the advantage that any desired laying pattern 130 can be realized when stacking a stack 4 of individual mats 6. In this way, the conveying area provided by the conveyor device 30 can be optimally utilized. Furthermore, the use of a robot 121, particularly in combination with a vacuum lifter 124, also enables the removal and depositing of folded and stacked mats 6, as is the case, for example, in the Fig. 17 and 18 is clarified.

[0120] In Fig. 17The left-hand image shows, for example, a textile fabric 5 configured as a mat 6 comprising at least two mat sections 131, 132. In the stacked configuration, the mat sections 131, 132 are folded onto one another and are essentially folded over with respect to a fold line 134. The upper mat section 131 can, as previously described, be lifted by means of the vacuum lifter 124. Consequently, the adjoining mat section 132 hangs downward from the edge of the mat section 131 due to gravity.

[0121] In this configuration, the mat 6 raised in this way can be moved in the same position into an area above the receiving device 12 and above a conveyor belt of the conveyor device 30 running there. As a result of a slow lowering, the hanging mat section 132, with its end facing away from the mat section 131, is the first to reach the receiving device 12. If a belt conveyor 50 of the conveyor device 30 provided there moves along the conveying direction F, the free end of the hanging mat section 132 is moved along the conveying direction F. Overlapping with this and controlled by the controller 25, the entire mat 6 can be slowly lowered, resulting in a crease-free deposit of the entire mat 6 on the belt conveyor 50.

[0122] In a similar way, Fig. 18shown that a mat 6, for example, has a total of three mat sections 131, 132, 133. A middle mat section 131 is on top in the folded configuration and can, as previously described, be lifted by the vacuum lifter 124 into the Fig. 8 raised position shown on the left. In this position, the two mat sections 132, 133 connected to opposite longitudinal ends of the mat section 131 hang downwards.

[0123] The robot 121 is designed, in particular by the rotatable mounting of its head 123, to align the orientation of the raised and originally folded mat 6 such that the folding lines 134, 135 extend approximately transversely to the conveying direction F of the conveyor device. In this respect, by gently lowering the mat 6, the mat section 132 located at the front in the conveying direction F can first reach the contact position with the belt conveyor 50 moving in the conveying direction F, as a result of which the mat section 132 moves in the conveying direction F and the entire mat can finally be deposited on the conveyor device 30 without any creases.

[0124] In Fig. 191 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.

[0125] Various rollers 43, 44, 53, 54 of the conveyor device 30 located within the housing 81 are, for the sake of simplicity, Fig. 19 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.

[0126] 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.

[0127] Another form of a knocking device 82 is shown in the embodiment of Fig. 20shown. 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.

[0128] 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.

[0129] In Fig. 21 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. 20Here, 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.

[0130] This multi-part division of the conveyor device into several conveyor sections 32, 34 applies to the embodiments of the Fig. 19 to 24 equally or analogously.

[0131] In the embodiment of the Fig. 21 is compared to the design of the Fig. 19 or 20 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. 19 described, the mechanical cleaning stations 80 also have, according to the Figs. 20 and 21 each has a particle conveyor 89 on the bottom side.

[0132] In the embodiment of the Fig. 21 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. 20As 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.

[0133] In Fig. 22 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. 22To 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.

[0134] In Fig. 23A 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. 22 and 23 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.

[0135] In Fig. 24 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. 21Instead 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.

[0136] As left in Fig. 24 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.

[0137] In Fig. 25 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. 25 to 28 not explicitly shown, in the side views of the Fig. 29 to 32 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.

[0138] In Fig. 25a 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.

[0139] 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.

[0140] In the further embodiment of the Fig. 26 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. 25The nozzles 92 of the Fig. 26 and Fig. 27The 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.

[0141] In Fig. 27 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.

[0142] In Fig. 28Finally, 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.

[0143] In Fig. 29is 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 counter 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.

[0144] In the embodiment of the Fig. 30It 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. 20 As described, the mass pile 8 can be spread out due to this outward curvature in order to improve the cleaning effect.

[0145] In Fig. 31A 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.

[0146] The embodiment of the Fig. 32 also shows a similar embodiment to the Fig. 31 similar wet cleaning station 90. In contrast to the embodiment of the Fig. 31 In the embodiment of the Fig. 32 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.

[0147] In the embodiment of the Fig. 33 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. 33 the nozzle 92 is directed obliquely downwards, while the sheet 5 is guided vertically upwards.

[0148] In the further embodiment of the Fig. 34Within 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.

[0149] In Fig. 35 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.

[0150] In Fig. 36Finally, an example of a drying station 100 is shown. The drying station 100 is typically arranged downstream of a mangle station 110 and, of course, downstream of a wet cleaning station 90. In the embodiment of the Fig. 1 the treatment station 17 may be a drying station 100.

[0151] The drying station 100 has a largely enclosed housing 101. The housing 101 has a feed opening 106 for mats 6 and a discharge opening 108 for mats 6. The conveyor device 30 extends through the feed opening 106 as well as the discharge opening 108 or is directly adjacent thereto with corresponding conveyor sections 32, 34. Inside the housing 101, the mats are guided in a meandering manner by means of the conveyor device 30. In this way, a comparatively large number of mats can be accommodated in the drying station 100 simultaneously. Furthermore, at a constant conveying speed of the conveyor device 30 predetermined by the other processes, the residence time of the individual mats 6 or flat structures 5 inside the drying station 100 can be extended as needed.

[0152] In the illustrated embodiment, the housing 101 has at least one air inlet 102 and one air outlet 103. The air inlet 102 is arranged at an end of the conveyor section 31 facing the discharge opening. The air outlet 103 is arranged at an end of the conveyor section 31 facing the feed opening 106. In this way, the air flow can flow through the interior of the housing 101 against the conveying direction F predetermined by the conveyor device 30. Thus, a type of countercurrent drying principle can be implemented for the flat structures 5 or mats continuously transported by the conveyor device 30.

[0153] In the specific embodiment shown, the drying station 100 is divided into two drying chambers 107, 109. These can be largely decoupled from each other in terms of flow. However, the conveyor device 30 extends from the drying chamber 107 into the drying chamber 109 and transports the fabrics 5 from the drying chamber 107 into the drying chamber 109. Each of the drying chambers 107, 109 has its own air inlet 102 or 105 and its own air outlet 104 or 103. In this respect, the air exchange inside the housing 101 can be increased. Furthermore, a multi-stage drying principle can be implemented, so that ultimately a more effective and energy-saving drying of the textile fabrics 5 can be achieved. Preferably, the air inlets 102, 105 are supplied with comparatively dry warm air or hot air.

[0154] The provision of different treatment stations, such as mechanical cleaning stations 80, wet cleaning stations 90, drying stations 100, or ironing stations 110, each of which is provided with a separate housing, enables a modular design of the cleaning or treatment device 10. The treatment processes that can be carried out in the respective treatment stations have no influence on the treatment processes to be carried out in other treatment stations. The different treatment processes cannot influence each other due to the enclosure of the respective treatment stations.

[0155] In Fig. 37Finally, a flow diagram of a method for treating textile fabrics is shown, which can be carried out, for example, using a device 10 described above. In a first step 200, one or more textile fabrics 5 are transferred to a conveyor device. The conveyor device 30 forms a continuous conveyor line that extends at least from a first treatment station to a second treatment station. In a subsequent step 202, the textile fabric or several textile fabrics are successively conveyed to the first treatment station by means of the conveyor device. In step 204, a first treatment process of the textile fabric or fabrics is carried out by means of the first treatment station. In the subsequent step 206, the textile fabric 5 orThe textile fabrics are typically continuously conveyed by means of the conveyor device from the first treatment station to the second treatment station before, in the further step 208, a second treatment process of the textile fabric(s) is carried out by means of the second treatment station.

[0156] In particular, it is provided that several textile fabrics 5 are transferred successively to the conveyor device 30 and that the textile fabrics 5 are conveyed continuously or step by step by means of the conveyor device through at least one of the first and second treatment stations 14, 15, 16, 17 and from the first to the second treatment station. In the area of the treatment stations 14, 15, 16, 17, various treatment processes are carried out, such as mechanical treatment processes such as beating, brushing, applying compressed air, or vacuuming. At other cleaning stations, wet cleaning of the fabrics 5 is carried out by wetting the fabrics 5 with a cleaning fluid 95, for example using fluid spray devices and / or corresponding nozzles 92 provided for this purpose.Alternatively or additionally, the textile fabrics 5 are immersed into a cleaning basin 93 filled with a cleaning fluid 95 by means of the conveyor device 30 extending through a wet cleaning station 90.

[0157] Further treatment steps, which can be carried out with additional, separate treatment stations, involve mangling the textile fabrics and drying them, typically using a drying and / or hot air stream. List of reference symbols

[0158] 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 29 Container loading or 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 44 Roller 45 Roller 46 Roller 48 Drive 50 Belt conveyor 51 Belt 52 Belt 53 Roller 54 Roller 55 Roller 56 Roller 60 Mesh conveyor 61 Mesh structure 62 Mesh 64 Mesh filament 65 Mesh filament 66 Fixing element 70 Deflection device 71 Belt 72 Carrier 73 Roller 74 Roller 75 Roller 76 Roller 80 Mechanical cleaning station 81 Housing 82 Knocking device82 Flail 83 Brushing device 84 Spraying device 84 Spray nozzle 85 Suction device 86 Feed opening 88 Discharge opening 89 Particle conveyor 90 Wet cleaning station 91 Housing 92 Nozzle 93 Cleaning basin 94 Spraying device 95 Cleaning fluid 96 Carrier 97 Actuator 98 Effective area 99 Collecting 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 Gripper 121Robot 122Robot arm 123Head 124Vacuum lifter 125Carrier 126Suction cup 130Laying pattern 131Mat section 132Mat section 133Mat section 134Folding line 135Folding line FConveying direction F1Conveying direction F2Conveying direction SSwivel axis

Claims

1. Apparatus (10) for cleaning sheet-like textile structures (5), in particular mats (6) or carpets, wherein the apparatus (10) comprises the following: - at least a first treatment station (14, 15) for carrying out a first treatment process on the sheet-like textile structure (5), - at least a second treatment station (16, 17) for carrying out a second treatment process on the sheet-like textile structure (5) and - a conveying device (30) having a continuous conveying section (31) which extends at least from the first treatment station (14, 15) to the second treatment station (16, 17), - wherein the conveying device (30) extends between the first treatment station (14, 15) and the second treatment station (16, 17) and along the conveying section (31) has a first belt conveyor (40) with a flexible belt (41) and a second belt conveyor (50), running parallel to the first belt conveyor, with a flexible belt (51) which are arranged spaced apart from each other so as to form a gap (9) receiving the sheet-like textile structure (5), characterized in that - the conveying device (30) has a first conveying portion (32) and a second conveying portion (34), wherein the second conveying portion (34) adjoins the first conveying portion (32) in a conveying direction (F) specified by the conveying section (31), - wherein the first conveying portion (32) has the first belt conveyor (40) and the second belt conveyor (50), - wherein the second conveying portion (34) has a further first belt conveyor (40) and a further second belt conveyor (50), and - wherein the first belt conveyor (40) of the first conveying portion (32) directly adjoins the first belt conveyor (40) of the second conveying portion (34).

2. Apparatus (10) according to Claim 1, wherein the second belt conveyor (50) of the first conveying portion (32) directly adjoins the second belt conveyor (50) of the second conveying portion (34).

3. Apparatus (10) according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the conveying section (31) extends through the first treatment station (14, 15) and / or through the second treatment station (16, 17).

4. Apparatus (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the flexible belt (41) of the first belt conveyor (40) is a circulating flexible belt (41) which is guided over at least two rollers (43, 44) spaced apart from each other in the conveying direction (F).

5. Apparatus (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the flexible belt (51) of the second belt conveyor (50) is at least one circulating flexible belt (51) which is guided over at least two rollers (53, 54) spaced apart from each other in the conveying direction (F).

6. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first belt conveyor (40) and / or the second belt conveyor (50) have / has a plurality of flexible belts (41, 51) which are spaced apart from each other transversely to the conveying direction (F) and are each guided over at least two rollers (43, 44, 45, 46, 53, 54, 55, 56) spaced apart from each other in the conveying direction (F).

7. Apparatus (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the belt (41, 51) of the first belt conveyor (40) and / or the second belt conveyor (50) is perforated or has a wide-meshed net structure (61).

8. Apparatus (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the flexible belt (41) of the first belt conveyor (40) and the flexible belt (51) of the second belt conveyor (50) are arranged overlapping each other at least in regions and spaced apart from each other for forming the gap (9) receiving the sheet-like textile structure (5).

9. Apparatus (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first conveying portion (32) and the second conveying portion (34) are arranged without overlapping each other as viewed transversely to the conveying direction (F).

10. Apparatus (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first conveying portion (32) extends along a first conveying direction (F1) and wherein the second conveying portion (34) adjoining the first conveying portion in the conveying direction (F) extends along a second conveying direction (F2) which is inclined in relation to the first conveying direction (F1) or is oriented in the opposite direction.

11. Apparatus (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a sliding guide (36, 38, 39) guiding the sheet-like textile structure (5) is arranged in a transition region between the first conveying portion (32) and the second conveying portion (34).

12. Apparatus (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the first and second treatment stations (14) is a mechanical cleaning station (80) which has at least one beating device (82), one brushing device (83), one compressed-air spraying device (84) and / or one suction device (85), each of which is designed to remove particles from the sheet-like textile structure (5).

13. Apparatus (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the first and second treatment stations (15) is a wet-cleaning station (90) which, for wetting the sheet-like textile structure (5) with a cleaning fluid (95), has at least one fluid-spraying device (94) and / or has a cleaning basin (95) which can be filled with a cleaning fluid (95) and through which the conveying section (31) of the conveying device (30) runs.

14. Apparatus (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the first and second treatment stations (16, 17) is in the form of a drying station (100) or in the form of a mangling station (110), - wherein the drying station (100) has a housing (101) with an air inlet (102) and with an air outlet (103) which are arranged offset in relation to each other with respect to the conveying direction (F) of the conveying device (30) and / or - wherein the mangling station (110) has at least one or more mangle rollers (112, 114) by means of which a specified mangle pressure can be exerted onto the sheet-like textile structure (5) in order to remove water from the sheet-like textile structure (5).

15. Method for cleaning sheet-like textile structures (5), in particular mats (6) or carpets, by means of an apparatus (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by the steps of: - transferring the sheet-like textile structure (5) to the conveying device (30) of the apparatus (10) having a continuous conveying section (31) which extends at least from the first treatment station (14, 15) to the second treatment station (16, 17), and which along the conveying section (31) has a first belt conveyor (40) with a flexible belt (41) and a second belt conveyor (50), running parallel to the first belt conveyor, with a flexible belt (51) which are arranged spaced apart from each other so as to form a gap (9) receiving the sheet-like textile structure (5), - conveying the sheet-like textile structure (5) to the first treatment station (14, 15) by means of the conveying device (30), - carrying out a first treatment process on the sheet-like textile structure (5) by means of the first treatment station (14, 15), - conveying the sheet-like textile structure (5) from the first treatment station (14, 15) to the second treatment station (16, 17) by means of the conveying device (30), - carrying out a second treatment process on the sheet-like textile structure (5) by means of the second treatment station (14, 15).

Images