Process and apparatus for fabric treatment processification

Abstract

A process for fabric treatment processing, comprising an operation process of a step of printing on a fabric (24), a step of chemically finishing the printed fabric (24), and a drying / polymerization step of the printed fabric (24), wherein the processing step is performed in-line on the fabric (24) passing in a horizontal direction of travel.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] (Cross - reference to related applications) This application claims the priority of Italian Patent Application No. 102022000010919, filed on May 25, 2022 (25.05.22), the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present invention relates to a process and an apparatus for the processing of fabrics.

[0003] More specifically, the present invention relates to a process and an apparatus having the function of performing the treatment of printed fabrics, in particular, a chemical - type finish or finishing treatment aimed at improving the appearance, touch, color, physical properties, elasticity, breathability, and other properties of the fabric, thereby improving the quality of the final product.

Background Art

[0004] As is known, the so - called "nobleization" of fabrics involves the printing and finishing process of printed fabrics.

[0005] Finishing process or finishing aims to improve the appearance, touch, and color of the fabric and enhance mechanical properties such as, for example, resistance to tearing or washing, elasticity, breathability, etc. (therefore, finishing has the function of improving the quality of the final product).

[0006] The finishing process can be of the mechanical type, which has the function of enhancing properties such as resistance to friction, temperature and pressure, and tension (e.g., calendering, pleating, brushing, etc.), or of the chemical type, such as the application of resin, aqueous solution, silicone in the form of microfilm, plasma treatment or enzyme treatment, etc. to improve properties such as water resistance, softness, resistance to dirt or stains. Also, this finishing process can be a combination of the mechanical type - chemical type.

[0007] Normally, the finishing process is carried out with a dedicated finishing machine or device. Here, the fabric is subjected to thermal mechanical or chemical process treatments that can enhance, among other things, the softness, durability, strength, and color space of the fabric.

[0008] Among the finishing machines or devices, the so-called "Rameuse" is known. This is defined as a machine that slides the fabric stretched and tensioned on a roller through various regions (a varying number depending on the machine and the required properties), and it comprises sizing or finishing means, a system for ensuring the correct position of the fabric (correction and width expansion unit), a drying device, and a pin system (i.e., a special support composed of an exchangeable plate with a row of needles or teeth for fixing the fabric) that enables the fabric to slide towards the exit area through a drying chamber.

[0009] However, these known devices are dedicated devices installed in a fabric processing plant and have several significant drawbacks related to the fact that they involve a considerable amount of energy consumption.

[0010] A further drawback of conventional machines, especially the "Rameuse" defined above, is represented by the fact that the fabric coming from a printing machine has to be moved to the finishing device. This requires technical time related to movement, machine preparation, fabric insertion into the machine, etc., all of which correlatively result in an increase in production costs.

[0011] A further disadvantage relates to the problem of managing the physical space required for additional equipment and the problem of surface consumption, which means storage space for semi-finished products.

[0012] A further disadvantage of the known apparatus is represented by the maintenance costs.

[0013] A further disadvantage is represented by the management costs of the apparatus, which also increase the cost of the personnel dedicated to the management and control of the apparatus.

[0014] A further significant disadvantage relates to the inefficiency of the production chain between the printing process and the finishing process due to the difference in the processing speed and installation location of the dedicated apparatus.

[0015] A further disadvantage of the known type of apparatus is represented by the fact that it involves double drying. That is, the fabric is treated in a first drying process after the printing process and then in a second drying process after the finishing process. This operating procedure involves a considerable consumption of energy and chemicals, resulting in an increase in the associated costs.

[0016] The object of the present invention is to eliminate the above-mentioned disadvantages.

[0017] More specifically, the object of the present invention is to provide a fabric treatment process and related apparatus that can be easily installed in a fabric treatment plant and can reduce the space required for the arrangement of this apparatus and the storage of semi-finished products (and thus the required surface area as well).

[0018] A further object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus that can reduce the amount of heat and thus the energy consumption in the printing process and the finish or finishing process of the fabric.

[0019] A further object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus that can reduce the amount of chemicals used in the finishing process or finishing.

[0020] A further object of the present invention is to provide a finishing device that is easy to maintain.

[0021] A further object of the present invention is to provide a device that can follow and participate in the work process and suppress the number of operators involved, thereby suppressing related costs.

[0022] A further object of the present invention is to provide a user with an apparatus and a process for finishing the processing of a fabric in a manner that can guarantee high resistance and durability over a long period of time and can be carried out easily and inexpensively.

[0023] These and other objects are achieved by the process and apparatus of the present invention having the features recited in claim 1.

[0024] According to the present invention, there is provided a process for fabric processing in a process of fabric processing including operations of printing a fabric, chemically finishing the printed fabric, and drying / polymerizing the printed fabric, wherein the processing step is performed in-line on a fabric moving in a horizontal conveying direction.

[0025] Advantageous embodiments of the present invention are disclosed by the dependent claims.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0026] The structural and functional features of the process and apparatus for fabric processing according to the present invention, particularly for finishing the fabric processing of the present invention, can be better understood from the following detailed description, in which reference will be made to the accompanying drawings showing preferred non-limiting embodiments of the present invention.

[0027]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0028] The cited drawings, particularly FIG. 1, show a preferred non-limiting embodiment of a plant for processing a fabric, comprising a printing device 12, a drying / polymerization device 14, and a finishing device 16 of the present invention, with the three devices arranged in-line.

[0029] In the preferred embodiment shown in the figure, the finishing device 16 is arranged at an intermediate position between the printing device 12 and the drying / polymerization device 14.

[0030] However, according to an alternative embodiment, the finishing device 16 can be arranged inside or outside the drying / polymerization device 14 (but always in-line with the printing device and the drying / polymerization device).

[0031] The printing device 12 is of a type known in the art and will not be described in detail, but can be of the type of pigment ink printing, digital printing, or other printing technologies suitable for the function.

[0032] The drying / polymerization device, which is also known in the art and will not be described in detail, comprises a chamber through which the printed and processed fabric passes. Inside this chamber, the fabric is heated at a temperature in the range of 90°C to 180°C for 1 to 4 minutes, and the drying / polymerization process of the print on the fabric, and thus the ennoblement, is carried out.

[0033] The finishing device 16 comprises a support structure 17 that can be moved (or fixed) by a wheel 18. This support structure is designed to support a base 20 whose transverse dimension substantially corresponds to the transverse deployment dimension of the printing device 12 and the drying / polymerization device 14. The base 20 houses a retraction roller 22 that is rotatably arranged in the transverse deployment direction of the base 20 and has the function of sliding a fabric 24 to be described in more detail below.

[0034] On the base 20, a pair of opposing parallel shoulders 26 are fixed. These shoulders support a crossbar 28 incorporating means for applying a chemical solution to the passing fabric 24.

[0035] According to the preferred embodiment shown in the figure, the means for applying the chemical solution comprises a spray element having a plurality of spray nozzles 30 arranged along the longitudinal deployment of the crossbar 28 (as in the embodiment shown in the figure), equidistant from each other, and arranged at the same height or different heights. In an alternative embodiment, the spray element can comprise at least one spray blade.

[0036] According to the preferred embodiment, all the spray nozzles 30 are arranged on the same side of the crossbar. However, according to an alternative embodiment, the spray element can have different arrangements and can be partially arranged on one side of the longitudinal deployment of the crossbar and partially on the opposite side, or arranged in a plurality of rows.

[0037] The application of the chemical solution can also be carried out not only by spraying, but also in combination with spraying or by digital impregnation technology using a dedicated head as an alternative to spraying.

[0038] According to an alternative embodiment, the means for applying the chemical solution can comprise a roller that can be brought into contact with the surface of the fabric 24 that is impregnated with the solution and processed (by a dedicated actuator or by the lowering / raising movement of the crossbar 28).

[0039] According to a further alternative embodiment, the means for applying the chemical solution to the fabric can be defined by one or more doctor blades or by the passage of the fabric 24 in a bath containing the chemical finishing solution.

[0040] Furthermore, according to an alternative embodiment, the means for applying the chemical finishing solution to the fabric can comprise a sizing device with an impregnation tray.

[0041] The structure of the crossbar 28 supported by the parallel and opposing shoulders 26 is covered by a protective case 32 with a door 34 that can be opened for inspection and the like.

[0042] The process of processing the fabric by the device of the present invention comprises three macro processes defined by a printing process, a chemical finishing process, and a drying / polymerization process.

[0043] The printing process of the fabric 24 by ink or by digital type or other known techniques (e.g., coming from a reel not shown) is carried out by the printing device 12, and the fabric 24 coming from the printing device 12 is drawn into the pulling roller 22 of the finishing device 16 (downstream of the printing device with reference to the direction indicated by the arrow "×" in FIGS. 1 and 2) and is pulled (at a fixed, variable, or adjusted speed according to production requirements) by a mat 36 arranged downstream of the finishing device 12.

[0044] The fabric 24 drawn into the roller 22 and pulled by the mat 36 passes under the crossbar 28 of the finishing device 16, and is subjected to the action of a nozzle 30 that sprays (at a variable flow rate) a chemical solution onto the surface of the fabric in the transverse unfolding direction of the fabric. By advancing the fabric 24 under the nozzle 30, the chemical solution can uniformly penetrate into the fibers of the fabric, enabling the chemical solution to be uniformly distributed over the entire surface of the fabric.

[0045] In the finishing device 16, the fabric 24 impregnated with the chemical solution is moved by the mat 36 to the drying / polymerization device 14. Here, as described above, the fabric is heat-treated at a temperature in the range of 90°C to 180°C for 1 to 4 minutes in order to carry out the drying / polymerization process of the printed matter on this fabric.

[0046] The finishing process can be carried out after the drying / polymerization process. In this case, the finishing device 16 is arranged downstream of the drying / polymerization device 14 and in the outlet region.

[0047] Alternatively, the finishing process can also be carried out during the drying / polymerization process. In this case, the finishing device 16 is arranged inside the drying / polymerization device.

[0048] As described above, the advantages achieved by the fabric processing process and each device are obvious.

[0049] The device of the present invention has the advantage that it can simplify the printing, finishing, and drying / polymerization processes of the fabric. This brings the advantage that since the fabric treatment process is carried out in-line, a dedicated device (for example, a Ramu's type device) for transporting the printed fabric is not required.

[0050] A further advantage of the device according to the invention is that it can carry out a process which is characterized by reducing the energy consumption per square meter of the treated fabric. In fact, since there is only one drying step for the fabric, this results in a significant energy saving and also reduces the associated costs.

[0051] A further advantage is that the device according to the invention makes it possible to improve and optimize the management of the physical space of the layout configuration and to solve the problem of surface consumption which represents the storage space for semi-finished products.

[0052] Furthermore, with the in-line configuration, there is also the advantage that the dead time (and consequently the time taken to prepare the device) when transferring the fabric to other devices is reduced. As a result, it is guaranteed that the efficiency of the process is improved.

[0053] A further advantage is obtained from the fact that the process according to the invention can improve the quality of the fabric processed by printing by improving fabric characteristics such as, for example, color, fastness, touch, gloss, etc.

[0054] A further advantage of the device and process according to the invention related to the in-line arrangement of the processing devices is represented by the fact that it is guaranteed to reduce the number of operators involved in the process, which results in savings in terms of labor costs and the associated manufacturing costs.

[0055] The invention has been described above with particular reference to embodiments shown only by way of non-limiting example, and in light of the above description, numerous changes and alternatives will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the invention is intended to embrace all changes and alternatives falling within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. A process for fabric treatment processification, the process comprising the steps of printing on a fabric (24), chemically finishing the printed fabric (24), and drying / polymerizing the printed fabric (24), and the processification process being carried out in-line on the fabric (24) passing in a horizontal direction of travel at a fixed or variable or otherwise adjustable speed.

2. The chemical finishing step is carried out by applying a chemical solution to the printed fabric (24) in the spreading direction across the fabric, and the application of the chemical solution to the fabric is carried out while the chemical solution is uniformly dispersed over the entire surface of the fabric as it progresses, according to the process of Claim 1.

3. The chemical finishing step is carried out between the printing step and the drying / polymerizing step, or following the drying / polymerizing step, or during the drying / polymerizing step, according to the process of Claim 1 or 2.

4. The application of the chemical solution to the fabric (24) is carried out by spraying with a head and / or digital impregnation, according to the process of Claim 1 or 2.

5. The application of the chemical solution to the fabric (24) is carried out by rolling or doctoring or impregnation sizing, according to the process of Claim 1 or 2.

6. A fabric treatment processification apparatus (10) according to the process of any one of the preceding claims, the apparatus comprising a printing device (12), a finishing device (16) and a drying / polymerizing device (14), the devices being arranged in-line on a fabric (24) passing between the devices in a horizontal direction of travel.

7. The finishing device comprises a support structure (17) supporting a base (20) whose cross-sectional dimension corresponds to the cross-sectional spreading dimension of the printing device (12) and the drying / polymerizing device (14). The base (20) is rotatably arranged in the spreading direction across the base (20) and houses a retracting roller (22) having a function of sliding the fabric (24). The base, to which a pair of opposed and parallel shoulders (26) are fixed, supports a crossbar (28) that supports means for applying a chemical solution to the fabric (24) during passage. The apparatus according to claim 6.

8. The apparatus according to claim 7, characterized in that the means for applying a chemical solution to the fabric (24) comprises spray elements and / or heads for digital impregnation arranged in one or more rows along the longitudinal deployment of the crossbar (28).

9. The apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that the means for applying a chemical solution to the fabric (24) comprises a sizing device provided with a roller or a doctor blade or an impregnation tray.

10. The apparatus according to any one of claims 6 to 9, characterized in that the finishing device (16) is movably or fixedly arranged at an intermediate position between the printing device (12) and the drying / polymerization device (14), or within the drying / polymerization device (14), or downstream of the drying / polymerization device (14).

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