Autoclave for dyeing textile materials

Abstract

A dyeing autoclave for dyeing textile materials, comprising a substantially cylindrical body (1) in which is formed a dyeing chamber (10) adapted to contain a dyebath and a textile material to be dyed. The body (1) is provided with a lid (2) for opening and closing an upper access opening (10M) of the dyeing chamber (10). The lid (2) is moved to a position for opening and closing the access opening (10M) by an actuator (3) which controls the movement of the lid (2) along a direction (F) parallel to the access opening (10M) between an open position and a closed position controlled by the actuator (3).

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an autoclave for the dyeing of textile materials. [Background technology]

[0002] It is known that autoclaves for dyeing textile materials are generally made by a vessel with a mainly vertical or horizontal cylindrical development, which vessel forms a dyeing chamber containing the dyebath and the material to be dyed, which vessel has an open side for the insertion of said dyebath and the material, and a closure system with a movable lid, which ensures a perfect sealing of said vessel. During this dyeing process, it is necessary to guarantee a perfect seal between said lid and said dyeing chamber in order to adequately counteract the pressure that arises during the increase in temperature of the dyebath.

[0003] Examples of autoclaves for dyeing textile materials are disclosed in Patent Documents 1-4. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] CN203498646U [Patent Document 2] CN203498645U [Patent Document 3] CN210886573U [Patent Document 4] KR200334384Y1 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The main object of the present invention is to provide an autoclave for dyeing textile materials with a movable lid closing system which is more compact than conventional systems and at the same time allows the use of an automatic textile material loading system without requiring significant operating space and excessive volume, in relation to the current need to reduce the space required for the installation of dyeing machines using such autoclaves. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] This object has been achieved according to the invention by adopting the idea of ​​realising an autoclave for the dyeing of textile materials having the features set out in claim 1. Other features of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the invention, the closure system of the autoclave is more compact, especially when the autoclave is in the open configuration, so that the dyeing chamber can be accessed more effectively. The movement of the lid according to the invention makes it possible to use an automatic system for loading / unloading the textile material, while avoiding a significant operating space around the autoclave. In addition, the autoclave for dyeing textile material according to the invention is associated with advantages offered with respect to currently known systems, namely, the fact that it is relatively simple and cheap to manufacture.

[0008] These and further advantages and features of the present invention will be better understood by those skilled in the art from the following description and the accompanying drawings, which should not be considered in a limiting sense but are given by way of example. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 shows a schematic representation of an autoclave for dyeing textile materials according to the invention in a closed configuration. [Diagram 2] 2 represents the dyeing autoclave of FIG. 1 in an open configuration. [Diagram 3]2 shows the dyeing autoclave of FIG. 1 in an open configuration during the loading / unloading phase of the material holder baskets. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a schematic top view of an autoclave for dyeing textile materials according to the invention in an open configuration; [Diagram 5] FIG. 1 is a schematic top view of an autoclave for dyeing textile materials according to the invention in a closed configuration; [Figure 6] 1 shows details of the gasket in a non-pressurized configuration. [Figure 7] 13 shows a detail of the gasket in a pressurized configuration. [Figure 8] FIG. 5 is a schematic diametrical section through an autoclave for dyeing textile materials according to the invention in the configuration of FIG. 4; [Figure 9] FIG. 6 is a schematic diametrical section through an autoclave for dyeing textile materials according to the invention in the configuration of FIG. 5; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] With reference to the attached drawings, and in a simplified essential structure, the autoclave for dyeing textile materials according to the invention comprises a substantially cylindrical body (1) in which is formed a dyeing chamber (10) for accommodating a dyebath and the textile material to be dyed, preferably housed in a material holder basket (1C). In the attached exemplary drawings, said body (1) is mainly developed in the height direction.

[0011] The dyeing chamber (10) has a top access opening (10M).

[0012] Said dyebath is prepared in a manner known per se to those skilled in the art and is fed to the dyeing chamber (10) by means of a feed duct (11) or directly through an upper access opening (10M).

[0013] The dyebath can be discharged from the dyeing chamber (10) through a discharge duct (12). The loading and unloading of the dyebath are also operations known per se to those skilled in the art.

[0014] The body (1) has a lid (2) for opening and closing the access opening (10M) of the dyeing chamber (10). The lid (2) is moved by an actuator (3) to an open position and a closed position of the opening (10M), respectively. The lid (2) is located and acts above the body (1) because the access opening (10M) is on the upper side of the body (1).

[0015] Advantageously, according to the invention, the opening and closing movement of said lid (2) is a movement (F) parallel to said opening (10M).

[0016] With reference to the drawing, said movement (F) is horizontal, and further, in the drawing, said upper opening (10M) is also horizontal, i.e. developed in a horizontal plane.

[0017] According to the embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings, advantageously, the actuator (3) controlling the opening and closing movement of the lid (2) is a piston having a respective skirt portion (30) integral with the upper surface (20) of the lid (2) and a stem (31) fixed to a fixing structure (32).

[0018] In practice, the actuator controls the movement (F) of the lid (2) over the upper opening (10M) of the dyeing chamber (10). In other words, according to the example shown in the drawing, the actuator (3) controls the movement (F) of the lid (2) parallel to the opening (10M).

[0019] The closure system has a constant overall size (h) in each configuration of the lid (2) and in each of its intermediate stages: in fact, instead of a rotational or axial movement (translational movement along the central axis of the lid) as can be provided for known dyeing autoclaves, the opening and closing movement (F) simply involves a translational movement (F) of the lid (2) perpendicular to the central axis (A1) of the body (1), whereas in the known dyeing autoclaves it is consequently necessary to have a larger free space around the body of the autoclave to allow the rotation of the lid, or the lid would limit the access to the material loading / unloading opening, since in the open position the lid would remain in front of the same opening.

[0020] Preferably, the lid (2) is provided with a lower appendix (23) in which a recess (22) is formed so as to receive the edge (13) of the body (1) located corresponding to the opening (10M). With reference to the example shown in Figures 8 and 9, the lower appendix (23) extends along the rear edge of the lid (2), i.e. along the edge of the lid (2) facing the fixing structure (32), and the recess (22) is also configured to receive the edge (13) of the body (1) facing the fixing structure (32).

[0021] Furthermore, preferably, the body (1) comprises an upper appendix (14) provided with a corresponding seat (15) configured to receive the front free end (21) of the lid (2). Preferably, the upper appendix (14) is formed diametrically opposite the outer radial edge (13). With reference to the example shown in figures 8 and 9, the free end (21) of the lid (2) is located diametrically opposite the side of the same lid in which the recess (22) is formed.

[0022] The open autoclave configuration is determined when the lid (2) is in a position such as to completely free the access opening (10M), and this position of the lid (2) is achieved by the actuator (3) moving the lid (2) towards a fixed structure (32) by a translational movement (F).

[0023] The closed autoclave configuration is determined when the lid (2) is in a position such that it completely closes the access opening (10M), the lid appendage (21) fits into the seat (15) of the body (1) and at the same time the appendage (13) of the body (1) fits into the seat (22) of the lid (2).

[0024] This position of the lid (2) is achieved by a complete withdrawal operation of the actuator (3) which moves the lid (2) to its maximum separation position relative to the fixed structure (32). The closed autoclave configuration is also determined by the complete sealing of the dyeing chamber (10) by a gasket (5) which will be described below.

[0025] The pressure normally created inside the chamber (10) is duly maintained by the aforementioned seals and creates a thrust force on the lid (2) that is suitably opposed by suitably sized appendages (23) and (14).

[0026] In this structural arrangement, when the lid (2) is in the closed position, its free end (21) fits into the seat (15) of the body (1), while the edge (13) of the body (1) fits into the recess (22) of the lid (2), thus ensuring a firm fixation of the lid (2) to the body (1).

[0027] The gasket (5) is placed over the opening (10M).

[0028] Preferably, the gasket (5) is of the extended type, which increases its reliability and duration despite the opening and closing movements (F) of the lid (2), the gasket (5) is not pressurized during the opening phase of the lid (2), whereas the gasket (5) is pressurized when the lid (2) reaches the autoclave closing position.

[0029] In the embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings, the gasket (5) is an air-pressure inflatable gasket, equipped with a valve (50) which allows the introduction of compressed air and the extraction of air by respective conduits (51). The presence of the gasket (5) ensures a perfect sealing of the chamber (10) during the dyeing process. In Fig. 6 the gasket (5) is not pressurized, whereas in Fig. 7 it is pressurized. The internal pressure of the gasket (5) is indicated by the letter "P" in Fig. 7.

[0030] The loading and unloading of the textile material into / from the dyeing chamber (10) can be carried out by using an automatic loading and unloading system for handling the material holder basket (1C). For example, an automatic system for loading and unloading the material holder basket of the type described in EP1431436 can be used, i.e. of the type comprising a suitable mechanism for picking up the basket from an unloading point, a mechanism for moving the basket along a predetermined path above a structure housing a predetermined number of dyeing autoclaves, and a suitable mechanism for releasing the basket into or removing the basket from the autoclave. Figure 3 shows diagrammatically the insertion of the material holder basket (1C) into a dyeing autoclave according to the invention with a top-to-bottom movement. The unloading of the basket (1C) from the dyeing autoclave is carried out with a movement opposite to the insertion movement.

[0031] The movement (F) of the lid (2) parallel to the upper access opening (10M) facilitates the introduction of the material holder basket (1C) into the dyeing chamber. Indeed, the material holder basket (1C) can move freely above the body (1) both when it is inserted into the dyeing chamber (10) and when it is removed. In FIG. 3, the arrows "X" and "Y" indicate the trajectories that the material holder basket (1C) can traverse, with a horizontal run (X) of the approach of the material holder basket to the autoclave above this last trajectory, and a vertical run (Y) for inserting the material holder basket into the dyeing chamber (10). When removing the material holder basket from the dyeing chamber, the material holder basket can move vertically in the opposite direction to that indicated by the arrow "Y" and can then move freely above the autoclave.

[0032] From the above description it is clear that the autoclave for dyeing textile materials according to the invention comprises a substantially cylindrical body (1), in which a dyeing chamber (10) is formed, on which there is a lid (2) for opening and closing an upper access opening (10M) of said dyeing chamber (10), said lid (2) being moved to an opening and closing position of said upper access opening (10M) by an actuator (3) which controls the movement of said lid (2) in said opening and closing positions controlled by said actuator along a direction (F) parallel to said upper access opening (10M).

[0033] From the preceding description it is also evident that the autoclave for dyeing textile materials according to the invention may exhibit one or more of the following characteristics, even in combination: - The actuator (3) is constrained to the outer surface (20) of the lid (2). - said access opening (10M) is provided with an expandable gasket (5); - said gasket (5) is an inflatable gasket with an air chamber connected to means (50, 51) adapted to control the introduction of compressed air into said air chamber to pressurize said air chamber and respectively the extraction of compressed air from said air chamber to depressurize said air chamber. - said lid (2) has a recess (22) shaped so as to be able to receive therein an appendage (13) of the body (1) formed corresponding to said access opening (10M); - the recess (22) is formed on the lower appendage (21) of the lid (2). - the body (1) has within it a seat (15) configured to receive the free end (21) of the lid (2); - The said direction (F) is horizontal. The actuator (3) which controls the opening and closing of the lid (2) is a piston having a respective skirt portion (30) integral with the upper surface (20) of the lid (2) and the stem (31) fixed to a fixing structure (32).

[0034] In fact, the details of implementation may be modified in an equivalent manner with regard to the individual elements described and illustrated and their mutual arrangement, without, in any case, departing from the idea of ​​the solution adopted and therefore remaining within the scope of protection granted by this patent in accordance with the following claims.

Claims

1. A dyeing autoclave for dyeing textile materials, comprising a substantially cylindrical body (1) in which is formed a dyeing chamber (10) adapted to contain a dyebath and the textile material to be dyed, A lid (2) is provided on the body (1) for opening and closing an access opening (10M) at the top of the dyeing chamber (10); The dyeing autoclave, wherein the lid (2) is moved to an opening / closing position of the access opening (10M) by an actuator (3) that controls the movement of the lid (2) along a direction (F) parallel to the access opening (10M) between an open position and a closed position controlled by the actuator (3).

2. 2. The dyeing autoclave according to claim 1, wherein the actuator (3) is restrained on an outer surface (20) of the lid (2).

3. 2. A dyeing autoclave according to claim 1, wherein said access opening (10M) is provided with an inflatable gasket (5).

4. 4. The dyeing autoclave according to claim 3, wherein the gasket (5) is an inflatable gasket with an air chamber connected to means (50, 51) configured to control the introduction of compressed air into the interior of the air chamber to pressurize it and to control the extraction of compressed air from the interior of the air chamber to depressurize it, respectively.

5. 2. The dyeing autoclave according to claim 1, wherein the lid (2) has a recess (22) shaped to accommodate an appendage (13) of the body (1) formed corresponding to the access opening (10M).

6. 6. A dyeing autoclave according to claim 5, wherein the recess (22) is formed on the lower appendix (21) of the lid (2).

7. 2. A dyeing autoclave according to claim 1, wherein the body (1) has a seat (15) for receiving therein the free end (21) of the lid (2).

8. 2. The dyeing autoclave according to claim 1, wherein said direction (F) is horizontal.

9. 2. The dyeing autoclave according to claim 1, wherein the actuator (3) controlling the opening and closing of the lid (2) is a piston having a respective skirt portion (30) integral with the upper surface (20) of the lid (2) and a stem (31) fixed to a fixing structure (32).

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