Belt for sanforizing machines

Abstract

Belt (1) for sanforizing machines comprising a main body (2) made of an elastically deformable material, having tubular conformation and windable partly around a plurality of rollers (12, 13) of a sanforizing machine (10), the main body (2) being provided with an inner surface (3) facing, in use, the rollers (12, 13) and with an outer surface (4) intended to contact a fabric (T) to be sanforized, where the belt (1) further comprises a covering element (5) associated with the inner surface (3), made of fabric and intended to contact the rollers (12, 13).

Description

[0001] BELT FOR SANFORIZING MACHINES

[0002] Technical Field

[0003] The present invention relates to a belt for sanforizing machines.

[0004] Background Art

[0005] Sanforization is a mechanical -physical dimensional stabilization treatment on the warp of fabrics and is intended to increase the dimensional stability of the fabric upon washing.

[0006] Sanforizing treatment is carried out aboard special machines provided with a flexible tubular belt that is made to slide around a set of rollers. The fabric is made to pass between a heated drum and the belt so as to induce deformation thereof.

[0007] Sanforization is generally carried out through the use of a rubber belt. In detail, the belt can be made of natural rubber, silicone rubber or rubber from carbonaceous chain derivatives.

[0008] Rubber belts have high elasticity, withstand high temperatures, easily restore their initial conformation and have remarkable mechanical strength.

[0009] In addition to this, the outer surface of the belt, that is, the one in contact with the fabric, is easily regenerated by removing a thin layer of material.

[0010] However, the rubber generates considerable frictional forces with the sliding rollers and the inner surface of the belt is subjected to considerable wear and, for this reason, is lubricated, usually with water. This operation results in a conspicuous consumption of water but this is necessary in order to prolong the service life of the belt.

[0011] In fact, friction can lead to deterioration of the inner surface resulting in abrasion (peeling) and cut formation, making the belt slide unevenly on the rollers and jeopardizing the sanforizing process. In the case of silicone rubbers, then, the formation of cuts quickly induces belt tearing.

[0012] It should also be noted that, unlike the outer surface, regeneration of the inner surface would be complex to achieve and would require the use of special grinding machines and, in addition to that, a subsequent recalibration of the sliding rollers due to the change in the surface extent of the inner surface itself.

[0013] It is evident, therefore, that sanforizing belts are amenable to improvement. Description of the Invention

[0014] The main aim of the present invention is to devise a belt for sanforizing machines which allows reducing the wear phenomena on the inner surface of the belt itself

[0015] Another object of the present invention is to devise a belt for sanforizing machines which allows reducing the need for belt lubrication.

[0016] A further object of the present invention is to devise a belt for sanforizing machines which allows long-term use while providing effective sanforizing treatment of the fabrics.

[0017] Another object of the present invention is to devise a belt for sanforizing machines which allows the aforementioned drawbacks of the prior art to be overcome within the framework of a simple, rational, easy and effective to use as well as cost-effective solution.

[0018] The aforementioned objects are achieved by this belt for sanforizing machines having the characteristics of claim 1.

[0019] Brief Description of the Drawings

[0020] Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of a belt for sanforizing machines, illustrated by way of an indicative, yet nonlimiting example, in the accompanying tables of drawings wherein:

[0021] Figure 1 is an axonometric view of a belt according to the invention;

[0022] Figure 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the belt according to the invention;

[0023] Figure 3 is a view of a sanforizing machine provided with the belt according to the invention.

[0024] Embodiments of the Invention

[0025] With particular reference to these figures, reference numeral 1 globally denotes a belt for sanforizing machines.

[0026] The belt 1 comprises a main body 2 made of an elastically deformable material, having a tubular conformation and windable partly around a plurality of rollers 12, 13 of a sanforizing machine 10.

[0027] The main body 2 is provided with an inner surface 3 facing, in use, the rollers 12, 13 and with an outer surface 4 intended to contact a fabric T to be sanforized.

[0028] The main body 2 also comprises a pair of perimeter edges, which are provided with a rounded profile (Figure 2).

[0029] Conveniently, the main body 2 is made of a material selected from the list comprising: natural rubber, silicone rubber, rubber from carbonaceous chain derivatives.

[0030] The main body 2 has a thickness of between 6 mm and 75 mm.

[0031] According to the invention, the belt 1 comprises a covering element 5 associated with the inner surface 3, made of fabric and intended to contact the rollers 12,

[0032] 13.

[0033] Specifically, the covering element 5 covers the entire inner surface 3 of the belt 1.

[0034] The sanforizing machine 10 comprises a plurality of rollers 12, 13 around which the belt 1 is wound and a finishing drum 14 adapted to contact the outer surface of the belt 1.

[0035] The rollers 12, 13 comprise at least two tensioning rollers 12 adapted to keep the belt 1 taut and to determine the sliding thereof, and a pressure roller 13 adapted to operate in conjunction with the finishing drum 14 to exert a pressing force on the belt itself.

[0036] The sanforizing machine 10 is then adapted to receive the fabric T to be sanforized, which is made to slide between the finishing drum 14 and the belt 1 as a result of the sliding of the latter. The pressure roller 13 is, therefore, configured to compress both the belt 1 and the fabric T. The finishing drum 14 is conveniently heated so as to facilitate the process.

[0037] In actual facts, according to the invention, the belt 1 has a fabric portion, i.e., the covering element 5, arranged to contact the rollers 12, 13, and a rubber portion, i.e., the main body 2, intended to contact the fabric T.

[0038] In this way, the belt 1 generates less friction with the rollers 12, 13 than known solutions and ensures prolonged use over time without affecting the sanforizing process. The fabric T to be sanforized, on the other hand, is in contact with the outer surface 4 made of rubber, which is known to have the best characteristics for this type of processing.

[0039] Therefore, the belt 1 according to the invention enables the need for lubrication to be eliminated or at least reduced.

[0040] In fact, even if the belt 1 required lubrication, the presence of the fabric covering element 5 would allow the amount of water used to be reduced because it would be absorbed by the covering element itself and would be available for numerous passes before having to be reapplied.

[0041] Advantageously, the covering element 5 is deformable. The covering element 5 is substantially deformable jointly with the main body 2. As a result, the pressure force generated by the pressure roller 13 and by the finishing drum 14 results in the deformation of the main body 2, which is necessary for sanforizing operations, which in turn results in the deformation of the covering element 5. Conveniently, the covering element 5 is made of a material selected from the list comprising: cotton, polyester, spandex or a combination thereof.

[0042] According to a possible embodiment, the covering element 5 is made of an elastic fabric.

[0043] In actual facts, the covering element 5 can be made of an elastically deformable material such as, e.g., polyester, a combination of cotton and elastane or a combination of cotton and polyester. It cannot, however, be ruled out that the covering element 5 may be made of a different type of elastically deformable material. In this case, the covering element 5 can be woven in weft.

[0044] In combination or as an alternative thereof, the covering element 5 can be knitted. It is substantially the type of weave that determines the deformability thereof. Thus, in this case, the covering element 5 can also be made of a material that is not itself elastically deformable.

[0045] In addition, according to a preferred embodiment, the covering element 5 is of a substantially tubular conformation. In other words, the covering element 5 is directly woven according to a tubular conformation. In this way, the covering element results in no seam lines.

[0046] Alternatively, the covering element 5 can be of substantially rectangular conformation and be closed on itself at two opposite ends. In actual facts, in this case, the covering element 5 is woven as a planar cloth and then closed on itself to give it a tubular conformation. In this case, the covering element has at least one seam line.

[0047] Alternatively, the covering element 5 can also be arranged in a spiral pattern.

[0048] According to a preferred embodiment, the covering element 5 is partly impregnated with the main body 2. In detail, the covering element 5 is impregnated with the material making up the main body 2 during the relevant preparation.

[0049] This operation allows ensuring the covering element 5 to remain firmly attached to the main body 2 during use.

[0050] Appropriately, the impregnation operation is carried out so that the material making up the main body 2 crosses only part of the thickness of the covering element 5. By doing so, it is possible to prevent the rubber from coming into contact with the rollers 12, 13.

[0051] Alternatively, the belt 1 may comprise adhesive means positioned between the main body 2 and the covering element 5. The adhesive means can be of the type of a glue or resin.

[0052] Conveniently, the covering element 5 has a thickness of between 0.5 mm and 2 mm. In other words, the covering element 5 turns out to be considerably thin compared to the main body 2, which allows the latter to maintain the deformability properties thereof.

[0053] Advantageously, the ratio of the thickness of the main body 2 to the covering element 5 is of between 97:3 and 75:25. At these ratios, it was ascertained that it is possible to achieve an effective reduction in the friction of the belt 1 compared with the rollers 12, 13 while preserving the deformability of the main body 2.

[0054] In addition, the covering element 5 has a very dense weave or knit. In this way, the risk of rubber from the main body 2 crossing the covering element 5 and contacting the rollers 12, 13 can be reduced. It should be noted that this circumstance can occur either as a result of impregnation or as a result of deformation of the belt 1 during use.

[0055] According to a further aspect, the present invention also relates to a sanforizing machine 10. The sanforizing machine 10 according to the invention comprises: at least one base frame 11 ; at least one belt 1 according to one or more of the embodiments described above; a plurality of rollers 12, 13 around which the belt 1 is partly wound and which are adapted to cause the belt to slide; at least one finishing drum 14 adapted to contact the outer surface 4 of the belt 1.

[0056] As previously mentioned, the sanforizing machine 10 may also comprise lubrication means 15 adapted to deliver a lubricating liquid towards the covering element 5.

[0057] It has in practice been ascertained that the described invention achieves the intended objects, and in particular, the fact is emphasized that the belt according to the invention for sanforizing machines makes it possible to reduce wear phenomena of the inner surface of the belt itself

[0058] In addition, this belt makes it possible to reduce the need for lubrication of the belt itself

[0059] Finally, this belt allows for long-term use while providing effective sanforizing treatment for fabrics.

Claims

CLAIMS1) Belt (1) for sanforizing machines comprising a main body (2) made of an elastically deformable material, having tubular conformation and windable partly around a plurality of rollers (12, 13) of a sanforizing machine (10), said main body (2) being provided with an inner surface (3) facing, in use, said rollers (12, 13) and with an outer surface (4) intended to contact a fabric (T) to be sanforized, characterized by the fact that it comprises a covering element (5) associated with said inner surface (3), made of fabric and intended to contact said rollers (12, 13).2) Belt (1) according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that said covering element (5) is deformable.3) Belt (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said covering element (5) is made of an elastic fabric.4) Belt (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said covering element (5) is made of a material selected from the list comprising: cotton, polyester, elastane or a combination thereof.5) Belt (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said covering element (5) is knitted or woven fabric.6) Belt (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said covering element (5) has a substantially tubular conformation.7) Belt (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said covering element (5) has a substantially rectangular conformation and is closed on itself at two opposite ends.8) Belt (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said covering element (5) is partly impregnated with said main body (2).9) Belt (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that it comprises adhesive means positioned between said main body (2) and said covering element (5).10) Belt (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said covering element (5) has a thickness of between 0.5 mm and 2 mm.11) Belt (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the ratio of the thickness of said main body (2) to said covering element (5) is of between 97:3 and 75:25.12) Belt (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said main body (2) is made of a material selected from the list comprising: natural rubber, silicone rubber, rubber from carbonaceous chain derivatives.13) Sanforizing machine (10) characterized by the fact that it comprises: at least one basic frame (11); - at least one belt (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims; a plurality of rollers (12, 13) around which said belt (1) is partly wound and adapted to cause it to slide; at least one finishing drum (14) adapted to contact the outer surface (4) of said belt (1).

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