Decolorizing device

Abstract

The present invention efficiently performs decolorization treatment.　A decolorizing device 1 comprises: a treatment tank 23 of a decolorization part 2 that stores a decolorizing liquid Q; a treatment tank 43 of a rinsing part 4 that stores the decolorization liquid; and a conveyance part 10 that conveys a workpiece W containing fibers dyed or colored by a disperse dye. The decolorizing device 1 decolorizes the workpiece W by continuously conveying the workpiece W to the treatment tank 23 and the treatment tank 43 by the conveyance part 10.

Description

Decolorization device

[0001] The present invention relates to a decolorizing device.

[0002] Dyeing can be performed on workpieces containing fibers such as polyester by sublimation transfer of dye. A technology has been proposed that makes the workpiece recyclable by bleaching the dyed workpiece (see, for example, Patent Document 1). For example, the workpiece is immersed in a bleaching solution and heated, and then pressed onto an absorbent material. This transfers the dye from the workpiece to the absorbent material, thereby bleaching the workpiece.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-224128

[0004] However, heating and pressing the workpiece may put stress on the workpiece, making it more susceptible to wear. In addition, the work of setting the workpiece in the press and pressing the workpiece requires time and labor costs, which may affect the efficiency of the decolorization process.

[0005] In the decolorizing device, it is required to perform the decolorizing treatment efficiently.

[0006] In addition, the bleaching solution may contain an organic solvent. If the bleaching solution leaks from a treatment section that uses the bleaching solution and comes into contact with electrical equipment, it may ignite. To prevent contact between the bleaching solution and electrical equipment, it is possible to make the treatment section that uses the bleaching solution explosion-proof, but this increases the equipment cost.

[0007] In decolorizing devices, there is a demand for reducing equipment costs while preventing contact between the decolorizing solution and electrical equipment and improving safety.

[0008] In one aspect of the present invention, the decolorizing device comprises: (1) a first treatment tank containing a first decolorizing liquid; a second treatment tank containing a second decolorizing liquid; and a transport unit that transports a workpiece including fibers dyed or colored with a dye, and the transport unit transports the workpiece successively from the first treatment tank to the second treatment tank, thereby decolorizing the workpiece.

[0009] (2) In the decolorization device of (1), the first treatment tank and the second treatment tank are arranged side by side along the transport direction of the workpiece, the transport section has a transport surface on which the workpiece is placed, and the transport surface has a portion that passes through the interior of the first treatment tank and a portion that passes through the interior of the second treatment tank.

[0010] (3) In the decolorizing device of (2), at least one of the first treatment tank and the second treatment tank has an opening at the top, the conveying surface has a recess at a portion that overlaps the opening of at least one of the treatment tanks when viewed from the vertical line direction, and at least a portion of the recess is immersed in the first bleaching liquid or the second bleaching liquid contained inside at least one of the treatment tanks.

[0011] (4) The decolorizing device according to any one of (1) to (3) above, further comprising a case that houses the transport unit and has the first treatment tank and the second treatment tank disposed at the bottom thereof.

[0012] (5) The decolorization device of (4) comprises: one treatment tank provided at the bottom of the case; and a partition wall that divides the one treatment tank into a first area that functions as the first treatment tank and a second area that functions as the second treatment tank.

[0013] (6) In the decolorizing device of (5), the length of the first region in the workpiece transport direction is longer than the length of the second region.

[0014] (7) In the decolorizing device of (5), the first decolorizing liquid and the second decolorizing liquid are a common decolorizing liquid, the bottom of the first region is located vertically lower than the bottom of the second region, and an outlet for the decolorizing liquid provided in the second region is connected to a supply port for the decolorizing liquid provided in the first region.

[0015] (8) In the decolorizing device of (4), an opening is provided in the bottom of the case, and each of the treatment tanks is removably attached to the opening.

[0016] (9) The decolorizing device according to any one of (1) to (8) above, further comprising a hood that covers an opening of at least one of the first treatment tank and the second treatment tank.

[0017] (10) The decolorizing device of (9) is provided with a heating device for heating at least one of the treatment tanks, the hood has an exhaust port through which fumes from the first decolorizing liquid or the second decolorizing liquid heated by the heating device are discharged, and the exhaust port is connected to a recovery device that returns the fumes to a liquid and recovers the first decolorizing liquid or the second decolorizing liquid.

[0018] (11) In the decolorizing device of (3), a workpiece holder is provided inside at least one of the treatment tanks, facing the recessed portion of the conveying surface, and preventing the workpiece from floating up.

[0019] (12) In the decolorizing device of (11), the workpiece holder has a guide portion, facing the recess, that guides the movement of the workpiece in the conveying direction.

[0020] (13) In the decolorizing device of (12), the conveying section and the workpiece holder are each composed of a belt conveyor supported by a drive shaft and a driven shaft, and a power transmission mechanism is provided that transmits the rotational force of the driven shaft of the conveying section to the drive shaft of the workpiece holder.

[0021] (14) In the decolorizing device of (13), the power transmission mechanism transmits the rotational force of the driven shaft of the conveying unit to the drive shaft of the workpiece holder at a variable speed, and the rotational speed of the workpiece holder is faster than the rotational speed of the conveying unit.

[0022] (15) In any of the decolorizing devices (11) to (14), the work holder has a hole at the portion facing the recess through which the first decolorizing liquid or the second decolorizing liquid can pass, and a stirring mechanism for stirring the first decolorizing liquid or the second decolorizing liquid is provided above the facing portion.

[0023] (16) In any of the decolorizing devices (1) to (15), the transport section has a step section that descends from the upper side to the lower side in the vertical direction toward the downstream side of the transport direction between the first treatment tank and the second treatment tank in the transport direction.

[0024] (17) In any of the decolorizing devices (1) to (16), a drying section is provided for drying the workpiece, and the conveying section passes the workpiece through the drying section in succession after passing it through the second treatment tank.

[0025] (18) In the decolorizing device of (17), the conveying section has a step section that descends from the upper side to the lower side in the vertical direction toward the downstream side of the conveying direction between the second treatment tank and the drying section in the conveying direction of the work.

[0026] (19) In the decolorizing device of (17) or (18), the conveying section has a conveying surface on which the work is placed, and the drying section has a guide section arranged opposite the conveying surface and guiding the conveyance of the work.

[0027] (20) In the decolorizing device of (19), the guide section has a roller that contacts the work on the conveying surface, a frame that rotatably supports the roller, and a support section that supports the frame, and when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the conveying surface, the frame is supported by the support section so as to be swingable.

[0028] (21) In the decolorizing device of (20), when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the conveying surface, the frames are arranged on one side and the other side of the midline of the conveying surface in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the work, and the frames on one side and the frames on the other side are supported by the support part so that the distance between their ends on the upstream side in the conveying direction is narrower than the distance between their ends on the downstream side in the conveying direction.

[0029] (22) In the decolorizing device of (19), the guide section has a roller that contacts the work on the conveying surface, a shaft inserted into the roller, and a frame that supports both ends of the shaft, and when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the conveying surface, the rollers are arranged so that their rotation axes extend in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the work, and multiple rollers are arranged at intervals in the conveying direction, and the roller located upstream in the conveying direction is curved so that its middle part in the direction perpendicular to the conveying direction is located downstream in the conveying direction relative to both ends.

[0030] Furthermore, a decolorizing device in one aspect of the present invention is (23) a decolorizing device that decolorizes a workpiece containing fibers dyed or colored with a dye using a decolorizing solution, and at least a portion having electrical equipment is positioned away from a processing portion where there is a possibility of leakage of the decolorizing solution.

[0031] (24) The decolorizing device of (23) further comprises a heating device for heating the decolorizing liquid, and a recovery device for recovering the decolorizing liquid vaporized by the heating device by returning it to a liquid, and the recovery device is disposed away from the electrical equipment.

[0032] (25) The bleaching device according to (23) or (24) above, further comprising a storage section for the bleaching solution, the storage section being disposed apart from the electrical device.

[0033] (26) In the decolorizing device according to any one of (23) to (25), the decolorizing solution contains an organic solvent having a boiling point higher than the heating temperature in the processing section.

[0034] (27) In the decolorizing device according to any one of (23) to (26), the separation distance between the processing section and the section having the electrical equipment is set in accordance with the regulations of the installation location.

[0035] According to the present invention, the decolorization treatment can be carried out efficiently. Furthermore, according to the present invention, in the decolorization device, it is possible to prevent contact between the decolorization solution and electrical equipment while reducing equipment costs, thereby improving safety.

[0036] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a decolorizing device according to an embodiment; FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram explaining the internal configuration of the decolorizing device; FIG. 3 is a diagram explaining the decolorizing section; FIG. 4 is a diagram explaining the decolorizing section; FIG. 5 is a diagram explaining the rinsing section; FIG. 6 is a diagram explaining the rinsing section; FIG. 7 is a diagram explaining the drying section; FIG. 8 is a diagram explaining the drying section; FIG. 9 is a diagram explaining the guide section according to Modification 1; FIG. 10 is a diagram explaining the guide section according to Modification 2; FIG. 11 is a diagram explaining the guide section according to Modification 3; FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram explaining the configuration of a decolorizing device according to Modification 4; FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram explaining the configuration of a treatment tank and the flow of decolorizing liquid; FIG. 14 is a partial enlarged view of a belt conveyor and a work holder;

[0037] An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a decoloring device 1 according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the internal configuration of the decoloring device 1. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a cross section of the decoloring device 1 taken along the conveyance direction. Note that in FIG. 2, the workpiece holders 3 and 5 are shown spaced apart from the workpiece W to make it easier to understand their positional relationships. In the following description, the positional relationships will be described based on the X, Y, and Z directions in FIG. 1. The Z direction is a direction along the vertical line (the direction of gravity) and is the up-down direction on the paper surface of FIG. 1. The X and Y directions are directions along the horizontal direction and perpendicular to the Z direction. The X direction is a direction along the conveyance direction of the workpiece in the decoloring device 1, and the Y direction is a direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction.

[0038] The decolorizing device 1 according to this embodiment decolorizes a workpiece containing fibers dyed or colored with a disperse dye (dye) using a bleaching solution. <Workpiece> The workpiece includes fibers that can be dyed or colored with a disperse dye. The fibers are, for example, polyester or nylon fibers. The workpiece may include, for example, a knit or woven fabric formed from polyester yarn, nylon yarn, polyester-blend yarn, or nylon-blend yarn. Fibers blended with polyester or nylon include cotton, polyurethane, rayon, linen, etc., and also polyester-nylon blends. The blend ratio of polyester or nylon to other blended yarns (polyester or nylon: other blended yarn) can be set at any ratio ranging from 50:50 to 90:10, for example. The workpiece can be any item that uses, at least in part, the above-mentioned fibers. Examples of the workpiece include clothing such as T-shirts, cloth accessories such as bags and scarves, decorative panels, advertising banners, tapestries, etc.

[0039] <Disperse dye> The disperse dye is not limited to a specific one as long as the pigment contained therein is incorporated into the gaps in the molecular chains of polyester fibers or nylon fibers, thereby dyeing or coloring the fibers. Examples of dyeing methods using disperse dyes include sublimation transfer printing, direct sublimation printing, exhaust dyeing, and thermosol dyeing.

[0040] <Bleaching Liquid> The bleaching liquid is heated and used in the bleaching device 1. The bleaching liquid is not limited to a specific one as long as it (i) has a boiling point higher than the heating temperature in the bleaching device 1, (ii) can migrate the disperse dye into the bleaching liquid, and (iii) does not have a significant adverse effect on the workpiece. Adverse effects on the workpiece that should be avoided include, for example, changes in the color tone of the fibers themselves that make up the workpiece, deterioration in the texture of the fibers, and shrinkage of the fibers.

[0041] The main component of the bleaching solution may be, for example, an organic solvent. Examples of such organic solvents include dimethyl succinate (boiling point: 200°C), dimethyl glutarate (boiling point: 214°C), dimethyl adipate (boiling point: 245°C), dihexyl ethyl acetate (boiling point: 218°C), 3-methoxy-N,N-dimethylpropanamide (boiling point: 215°C), benzyl benzoate (boiling point: 325°C), diethylene glycol (boiling point: 245°C), trichloroethane (boiling point: 74°C), dimethyl sulfoxide (boiling point: 189°C), acetone (boiling point: 56°C), methyl ethyl ketone (boiling point: 80°C), and propylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate (boiling point: 146°C). The bleaching solution may be prepared by diluting these components with water or other organic solvents.

[0042] <Overview of the bleaching device> In this embodiment, as an example of processing by the bleaching device 1, a bleaching process in which disperse dye is extracted from the gaps between the fibers of the workpiece and separated, a rinsing process in which the workpiece from which the disperse dye has been separated is rinsed, and a drying process in which the bleaching liquid absorbed by the workpiece is dried will be described.

[0043] 1, the bleaching apparatus 1 includes a bleaching section 2 that performs a bleaching process, a rinsing section 4 that performs a rinsing process, and a drying section 8 that performs a drying process. The bleaching apparatus 1 also includes a transport section 10 that transports the workpiece W. The transport section 10 transports the workpiece W successively to the bleaching section 2, the rinsing section 4, and the drying section 8, whereby the workpiece W is subjected to the bleaching process, rinsing process, and drying process.

[0044] The decolorizing device 1 also includes a circulation section 6 that circulates the decolorizing liquid between the decolorizing section 2 and the rinsing section 4, a recovery section 7 that recovers fumes from the decolorizing liquid, a compressor 18 used to drive the conveying section 10, and a control section 19 that controls the operation of each section of the decolorizing device 1.

[0045] The compressor 18 is connected to an air motor M1 of the bleaching section 2, an air motor M2 of the rinsing section 4, and an air motor M3 of the drying section 8, which will be described later, via air piping (not shown).

[0046] The control unit 19 performs the bleaching process by controlling the operation of each unit of the bleaching device 1. The control unit 19 can be configured from an electronic device including, for example, a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a storage device such as a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), a HDD (Hard Disk Drive), or an SSD (Solid State Drive), an input device such as a keyboard, a mouse, or a touch panel, and a display device such as a display. The control unit 19 controls the operation of the bleaching device 1 by executing a program stored in the storage device.

[0047] The control unit 19 is electrically connected to each unit of the bleaching device 1 via wiring La. Although not shown, the wiring La includes electric wires for supplying power to each unit and signal wires for transmitting signals from the control unit 19 to each unit. The control unit 19 is supplied with power from a power source (not shown) via a power supply line L.

[0048] Here, it is desirable to locate at least electrical equipment in the circulation section 6, recovery section 7, compressor 18, and control section 19, etc., away from the treatment sections (bleaching section 2, rinsing section 4, and drying section 8) where the bleaching solution may leak. The separation distance is not limited to a specific distance, but can be determined by conducting simulations of the anticipated leakage range of the bleaching solution Q. Furthermore, if there are any regulations regarding separation distances in the location (country or region) where the bleaching apparatus 1 is installed, the separation distance should be set to comply with those regulations. Examples of electrical equipment include electronic devices constituting the control section 19, and power sources (not shown) for the compressor 18, pumps 63 and 64 of the circulation section 6, and the fume recovery device 70 of the recovery section 7. In the example of FIG. 1 , the bleaching section 2, rinsing section 4, and drying section 8 are located within a predetermined bleaching area A1, while the circulation section 6, recovery section 7, compressor 18, and control section 19 are located in an area A2 that avoids at least the bleaching area A1. The bleaching area A1 can be set by assuming the leakage range of the bleaching liquid from the bleaching section 2, the rinsing section 4 and the drying section 8.

[0049] In the bleaching area A1, the bleaching unit 2, the rinsing unit 4, and the drying unit 8 are arranged side by side in the X direction. In the X direction, the bleaching unit 2 is located on the X2 side, the drying unit 8 is located on the X1 side, and the rinsing unit 4 is located between the bleaching unit 2 and the drying unit 8.

[0050] The bleaching area A1 can be defined as a range in which leakage of bleaching solution from the bleaching unit 2, the rinsing unit 4, and the drying unit 8 is expected. For example, the bleaching area A1 can be defined as an area surrounded by a position at least 2 meters away from the bleaching unit 2 on the X2 side, a position at least 2 meters away from the drying unit 8 on the X1 side, and positions at least 2 meters away from the bleaching unit 2, the rinsing unit 4, and the drying unit 8 on the Y1 side and the Y2 side, respectively. In this case, the circulation unit 6, the recovery unit 7, the compressor 18, and the control unit 19 are disposed at positions at least 2 meters away from the bleaching unit 2, the rinsing unit 4, and the drying unit 8 in the X and Y directions.

[0051] 2 , the conveying unit 10 is provided in a range in the X direction that crosses the bleaching unit 2, the rinsing unit 4, and the drying unit 8. The conveying unit 10 conveys the workpiece W dyed or colored with a disperse dye from the X2 side (right side in the figure) in the X direction to the X1 side (left side in the figure), causing the workpiece W to pass successively through the bleaching unit 2, the rinsing unit 4, and the drying unit 8. That is, in the illustrated example, the direction from the X2 side toward the X1 side in the X direction is the conveying direction of the workpiece W in the bleaching device 1.

[0052] The transport unit 10 is composed of, for example, three belt conveyors. Specifically, the transport unit 10 is composed of a belt conveyor 11 that circulates inside the bleaching unit 2, a belt conveyor 12 that circulates inside the rinsing unit 4, and a belt conveyor 13 that circulates inside the drying unit 8.

[0053] 2, when viewed from the Y2 direction, the belt conveyors 11, 12, and 13 each rotate counterclockwise CCW. The areas of the belt conveyors 11, 12, and 13 that move from the X2 side to the X1 side form transport surfaces 11a, 12a, and 13a for the workpieces W, respectively.

[0054] The bleaching section 2 is provided with a treatment tank 23 (first treatment tank) storing bleaching solution Q at a position where the conveying surface 11a of the belt conveyor 11 passes. The rinsing section 4 is provided with a treatment tank 43 (second treatment tank) storing heated bleaching solution Q at a position where the conveying surface 12a of the belt conveyor 12 passes. The drying section 8 is provided with a dryer D at a position where the conveying surface 13a of the belt conveyor 13 passes.

[0055] The workpiece W transported on the transport surface 11a of the belt conveyor 11 comes into contact with the heated bleaching solution Q (first bleaching solution) as it passes through the treatment tank 23, thereby undergoing a decolorizing treatment. The workpiece W transported on the transport surface 12a of the belt conveyor 12 comes into contact with the heated bleaching solution Q (second bleaching solution) as it passes through the treatment tank 43, thereby undergoing a rinsing treatment. The workpiece W transported on the transport surface 13a of the belt conveyor 13 is dried as the bleaching solution Q evaporates as it passes through the dryer D. Note that, as will be described in detail later, the drying section 8 is further provided with a guide section 9, so that wrinkles in the workpiece W are also smoothed out in parallel with drying by the dryer D.

[0056] The conveying unit 10 can adjust the processing time in the bleaching unit 2, rinsing unit 4, and drying unit 8, for example, by controlling the rotation speed of the belt conveyors 11, 12, and 13. The processing time can also be adjusted by changing the length of the belt conveyors 11, 12, and 13 in the X direction. For example, the bleaching time of the workpiece W in the bleaching unit 2 can be set to 2 minutes, the rinsing time of the workpiece W in the rinsing unit 4 can be set to 1 minute, and the drying time of the workpiece W in the drying unit 8 can be set to 2 minutes. The processing time can be changed as appropriate depending on the type and temperature of the bleaching solution, etc.

[0057] As shown in FIG. 2, these belt conveyors 11, 12, and 13 are connected to the adjacent belt conveyors in the X direction, and the workpieces W are transferred seamlessly between the belt conveyors 11, 12, and 13.

[0058] As shown in Figure 2, the treatment tank 23 of the decolorizing unit 2 is located higher in the Z direction than the treatment tank 43 of the rinsing unit 4. As shown in the enlarged area of ​​Figure 2, the height h11 in the Z direction of the conveying surface 11a of the belt conveyor 11 is higher than the height h12 in the Z direction of the conveying surface 12a of the belt conveyor 12 (h11 > h12). Furthermore, the X1-side end of the conveying surface 11a of the belt conveyor 11 and the X2-side end of the conveying surface 12a of the belt conveyor 12 are arranged to overlap each other when viewed from the Z direction. Therefore, a step 14 descending toward the downstream side in the conveying direction (from the X2 side to the X1 side) is formed between the conveying surface 11a of the belt conveyor 11 and the conveying surface 12a of the belt conveyor 12.

[0059] As shown in the enlarged area of ​​Figure 2, the height h12 of the conveying surface 12a of the belt conveyor 12 in the Z direction is higher than the height h13 of the conveying surface 13a of the belt conveyor 13 in the Z direction (h12 > h13). In addition, the X1-side end of the conveying surface 12a of the belt conveyor 12 and the X2-side end of the conveying surface 13a of the belt conveyor 13 are arranged to overlap each other when viewed from the Z direction. Therefore, a step 15 that descends toward the downstream side in the conveying direction (from the X2 side to the X1 side) is formed between the conveying surface 12a of the belt conveyor 12 and the conveying surface 13a of the belt conveyor 13.

[0060] In this way, the conveying section 10 is configured so that the height in the Z direction of the conveying surfaces 11a, 12a, 13a of the workpiece W decreases from the bleaching section 2 toward the drying section 8. Therefore, when the workpiece W is transferred between the belt conveyors 11, 12, 13, it falls down the step sections 14, 15 toward the downstream side in the conveying direction. In other words, the workpiece W is transferred seamlessly between the bleaching section 2, the rinsing section 4, and the drying section 8 by utilizing its own weight. After the bleaching process, the workpiece W is discharged from the belt conveyor 13 and collected in a collection box 16.

[0061] 2, the bleaching unit 2 includes a case 21 that houses the belt conveyor 11 and the treatment tank 23, a hood 22 that closes the upper opening of the case 21, and a support unit 20 that supports the case 21 at a distance in the Z direction from the floor G. The support units 20 are provided at both ends of the case 21 in the Y direction (see FIG. 1).

[0062] Fig. 3 is a diagram illustrating the bleaching unit 2. Fig. 3 is an enlarged view of the periphery of the case 21 in the bleaching unit 2. Fig. 4 is a diagram illustrating the bleaching unit 2. Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram of the AA cross section in Fig. 2.

[0063] As shown in Fig. 3, the case 21 has a box shape that is open upward in the Z direction. Specifically, the case 21 has a bottom 211 that extends along the X and Y directions, and sidewalls 212 and 213 that connect to the X2-side and X1-side ends of the bottom 211, respectively. As shown in Fig. 4, the case 21 has sidewalls 214 and 215 that connect to the Y2-side and Y1-side ends of the bottom 211, respectively. The sidewalls 212 to 215 extend upward from the bottom 211 along the Z direction.

[0064] 3, a supply port 212a for the workpiece W is formed in the side wall portion 212 on the X2 side (right side in the figure). A discharge port 213a for the workpiece W is provided in the side wall portion 213 on the X1 side (left side in the figure). The supply port 212a and the discharge port 213a are formed in an area overlapping the transport surface 11a of the belt conveyor 11 when the side wall portion 212 and the side wall portion 213 are viewed from the X direction.

[0065] 4, flanges 216, 216 extending outward from the case 21 along the Y direction are provided at the upper ends of the side wall portions 214, 215 of the case 21. The flanges 216, 216 are respectively suspended from upper plates 202, 202 of the support portion 20, which will be described later.

[0066] As shown in Fig. 4, the support portion 20 supports side wall portions 214, 215 of the case 21 on the Y2 side and the Y1 side of the case 21, respectively. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the support portion 20 has a pair of legs 203, 203 extending along the Z direction. The pair of legs 203, 203 are spaced apart in the X direction. The support portion 20 also has a lower plate 201 connecting the lower ends of the pair of legs 203, 203, and an upper plate 202 connecting the upper ends of the pair of legs 203, 203.

[0067] As shown in Fig. 2, a lower plate 201 of the support part 20 is placed on a floor surface G. As shown in Fig. 4, an upper plate 202 of the support part 20 supports the case 21 and a hood 22, which will be described later.

[0068] 3, in the X direction, the distance D20 between the pair of legs 203, 203 is narrower than the overall length L21 of the case 21 (D20<L21). Also, in the Y direction, as shown in FIG. 4, the distance between the legs 203, 203 located on the Y2 side and the Y1 side of the case 21 is approximately equal to the width W21 of the case 21.

[0069] 4, the side walls 214, 215 of the case 21 abut against the legs 203, 203 from the Y2 side and the Y1 side, respectively. As a result, the case 21 is clamped relative to the support part 20 so as to be immovable in the Y direction. Furthermore, the flanges 216, 216 of the case 21 are suspended from the upper side in the Z direction on the upper plate 202 of the support part 20. The flanges 216, 216 are fixed to the upper plate 202 by bolts (not shown). As a result, the case 21 is supported relative to the support part 20 so as to be immovable in the Z direction and the X direction as well.

[0070] As shown in FIG. 3 , the treatment tank 23 has a box shape that opens upward in the Z direction. Specifically, the treatment tank 23 has a bottom portion 231 extending along the X and Y directions and side portions 232 and 233 connected to the X2-side and X1-side ends of the bottom portion 231. A liquid receiver 233a is provided at the upper end of the side portion 233 to collect the bleaching solution Q squeezed by the squeezing roller SR (described below). As shown in FIG. 4 , the treatment tank 23 has side portions 234 and 235 connected to the Y2-side and Y1-side ends of the bottom portion 231. The side portions 232 to 235 extend upward in the Z direction from the bottom portion 231. The top of the treatment tank 23 is open. The bleaching solution Q (first bleaching solution) is stored in the internal space formed by the bottom portion 231 and the side portions 232 to 235. The decolorizing solution Q can be any of the decolorizing solutions exemplified above.

[0071] As shown in FIG. 3, a heating device 25 is attached to the underside of the bottom surface portion 231. The heating device 25 may be, for example, an induction heater. The heating device 25 has a heating plate (not shown) on its upper surface. A wiring La extending from the control unit 19 (see FIG. 1) is connected to the heating device 25, and the heating device 25 is turned ON / OFF in response to instructions from the control unit 19. When the induction heater is turned ON, the decolorizing solution Q in the treatment tank 23 is heated to a predetermined temperature T1.

[0072] Here, the temperature T1 of the bleaching solution Q in the bleaching section 2 is preferably equal to or higher than the temperature at which the gaps between the molecular chains of the fibers contained in the workpiece W loosen, facilitating the release of the disperse dye (hereinafter referred to as the "fiber-opening temperature"). For example, the temperature T1 of the bleaching solution Q may be equal to or higher than the glass transition point of the polyester or nylon fibers contained in the workpiece W. Furthermore, when the workpiece W is dyed using an exhaust dyeing method, the temperature T1 of the bleaching solution Q is preferably equal to or higher than the dyeing temperature of the workpiece W. In particular, when the workpiece W contains polyester fibers, the temperature T1 of the bleaching solution Q can be 110°C or higher, 115°C or higher, 120°C or higher, 125°C or higher, or 130°C or higher. Furthermore, when the workpiece W contains nylon fibers, the temperature T1 of the bleaching solution Q can be 70°C or higher, 80°C or higher, 90°C or higher, or 100°C or higher. Furthermore, the temperature T1 of the bleaching solution Q is preferably lower than the boiling point of the bleaching solution Q.

[0073] As shown in Fig. 4, the treatment tank 23 communicates with a waste liquid tank 60 of the circulation unit 6 (described later) via a drain path OL for the decolorizing solution Q, which opens in the bottom surface 231. The treatment tank 23 also communicates with a liquid level adjustment unit 26 (described later) via a flow path FL for the decolorizing solution Q, which opens in the bottom surface 231. The treatment tank 23 also communicates with a treatment tank 43 (see Fig. 2) of the rinsing unit 4 (described later) via a supply path SL for the decolorizing solution Q, which opens in the side surface 235.

[0074] As shown in Fig. 1, the liquid level adjusting unit 26 is attached across a pair of legs 203, 203 of the support unit 20. As shown in Fig. 4, the liquid level adjusting unit 26 has a liquid tank 261 that stores the decolorizing solution Q, and a float-type level sensor 262 that detects the liquid level of the decolorizing solution Q in the liquid tank 261. As shown in Fig. 4, a bottom surface 261a of the liquid tank 261 is provided at the same height as a bottom surface 231 of the treatment tank 23. A flow path FL for the decolorizing solution Q opens in the bottom surface 261a of the liquid tank 261. As a result, the decolorizing solution Q stored in the treatment tank 23 and the decolorizing solution Q stored in the liquid tank 261 are maintained at the same liquid level.

[0075] The level sensor 262 has a guide tube 263 arranged along the Z direction, and a float 264 supported by the guide tube 263 so as to be movable up and down and arranged in the liquid tank 261. The level sensor 262 is suspended from a fixed plate 265 extending in the Y2 direction from the upper side of the liquid tank 261.

[0076] The float 264 floats on the decolorizing solution Q contained in the liquid tank 261. When the liquid level of the decolorizing solution Q in the liquid tank 261 changes, the position of the float 264 in the Z direction changes due to buoyancy. Although not shown, a magnet is built into the float 264, and a reed switch is housed inside the guide tube 263. The level sensor 262 can detect the liquid level by activating the reed switch due to the magnetic force of the magnet inside the float 264. As described above, the liquid levels of the decolorizing solution Q in the liquid tank 261 and the decolorizing solution Q in the treatment tank 23 are the same, so the liquid level in the treatment tank 23 can be grasped by detecting the height of the decolorizing solution Q in the liquid tank 261 with the level sensor 262.

[0077] The level sensor 262 is not limited to the float type, and may be, for example, a level sensor that uses ultrasonic waves or capacitance, or a level sensor that measures water pressure. The detection result of the level sensor 262 is transmitted to the control unit 19 (see FIG. 1). Based on the detection result of the level sensor 262, the control unit 19 adjusts the amount of the decolorizing solution Q supplied to and discharged from the treatment tank 23 so that the liquid level in the treatment tank 23 remains constant.

[0078] As shown in Fig. 3, the belt conveyor 11 is an endless annular member wound around the outer peripheries of a drive pulley Pa and a plurality of driven pulleys Pb. The drive pulley Pa and the plurality of driven pulleys Pb are rotatable about a rotation axis along the Y direction relative to the case 21. In Fig. 3, the drive pulley Pa is cross-hatched and its size is exaggerated to make the positional relationship easier to understand.

[0079] 3, the drive pulley Pa and the multiple driven pulleys Pb are spaced apart so as to surround the treatment tank 23 in a cross-sectional view along the X direction. Therefore, the belt conveyor 11 wound around the drive pulley Pa and the multiple driven pulleys Pb moves around so as to surround the treatment tank 23. The region of the belt conveyor 11 that moves above the treatment tank 23 in the Z direction constitutes the transport surface 11a for the workpieces W.

[0080] 4, the belt conveyor 11 may be formed of, for example, a mesh belt. Chain belts Cb, Cb are provided at the Y1-side end and the Y2-side end of the belt conveyor 11 in the Y direction, respectively. In the Y direction, the width W11 of the belt conveyor 11 including the chain belts Cb, Cb is set to be narrower than the width W23 of the treatment tank 23 (W11<W23).

[0081] The chain belt Cb on the Y1 side and the chain belt Cb on the Y2 side are connected to each other via a connecting member Cm1 (see the dashed line in the figure). The connecting member Cm1 is a bar material arranged along the Y direction. Multiple connecting members Cm1 are arranged at intervals in the rotation direction of the belt conveyor 11 (see FIG. 3). The connecting member Cm1 penetrates the inside of the belt conveyor 11, which is made of a mesh belt, in the Y direction and is connected to the chain belt Cb on the Y1 side and the chain belt Cb on the Y2 side. The connecting member Cm1 suppresses bending of the belt conveyor 11 in the Z direction and makes it less likely that the chain belt Cb on the Y1 side and the chain belt Cb on the Y2 side will become out of sync when they rotate.

[0082] The chain belt Cb meshes with gears formed on the outer periphery of the drive pulley Pa and the plurality of driven pulleys Pb. The plurality of driven pulleys Pb meshing with the chain belt Cb are provided at positions symmetrical with respect to the belt conveyor 11 when viewed from the X direction. In the following description, the driven pulley Pb on one side of the belt conveyor 11 and the driven pulley Pb on the other side will be collectively referred to as the driven pulleys Pb.

[0083] As shown in Fig. 3, the drive pulley Pa is provided below the treatment tank 23 and on the X1 side of the heating device 25. As shown in Fig. 4, the drive pulley Pa is connected to an air motor M1. The drive pulley Pa rotates around a rotation axis Y11 along the Y direction by the rotational driving force of the air motor M1. When viewed from the X direction, a driven pulley Pb is provided on the opposite side of the drive pulley Pa across the belt conveyor 11.

[0084] As shown in Figure 3, when the drive pulley Pa rotates around the rotation axis Y11, the chain belt Cb meshing with the drive pulley Pa and the belt conveyor 11 connected to the chain belt Cb rotate together. The driven pulley Pb rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the chain belt Cb. In the illustrated example, the drive pulley Pa rotates counterclockwise around the rotation axis Y11, causing the belt conveyor 11 to rotate counterclockwise. Therefore, when viewed from the Y2 direction, the conveying surface 11a of the belt conveyor 11 moves above the treatment tank 23 from the X2 side (right side in the figure) to the X1 side (left side in the figure).

[0085] The conveying surface 11a of the belt conveyor 11 moves from the X2 side to the X1 side via six driven pulleys Pb (Pb1 to Pb6) arranged at intervals in the X direction. The driven pulleys Pb1 and Pb6, located at both ends in the X direction, are located away from the treatment tank 23 when viewed from the Z direction. The driven pulleys Pb2 to Pb5, located between the driven pulleys Pb1 and Pb6, are located in positions overlapping with the treatment tank 23 when viewed from the Z direction.

[0086] Furthermore, driven pulleys Pb1 and Pb2 located on the supply port 212a side and driven pulleys Pb5 and Pb6 located on the discharge port 213a side are located above the treatment tank 23 in the Z direction. On the other hand, driven pulleys Pb3 and Pb4 located between driven pulleys Pb2 and Pb5 are located below driven pulleys Pb1, Pb2, Pb5, and Pb6 in the Z direction and are immersed in the bleaching solution Q within the treatment tank 23. Although not shown, driven pulleys Pb1, Pb2, Pb5, and Pb6 are rotatably supported by side wall portions 214 and 215 (see FIG. 4) of the case 21. Furthermore, driven pulleys Pb3 and Pb4 are rotatably supported by side surface portions 234 and 235 (see FIG. 4) of the treatment tank 23.

[0087] The conveying surface 11a of the belt conveyor 11 is wound around the driven pulleys Pb1, Pb2, Pb5, and Pb6 so as to pass around the upper outer periphery in the Z direction, and around the driven pulleys Pb3 and Pb4 so as to pass around the lower outer periphery in the Z direction. Therefore, a trapezoidal recess 11b recessed downward in the Z direction is formed on the conveying surface 11a of the belt conveyor 11 in an area passing through the driven pulleys Pb2 to Pb5.

[0088] As described above, the belt conveyor 11 is made of a mesh belt and has many holes 110 through which the bleaching solution Q can pass (see the enlarged area in Figure 3). Therefore, in the recess 11b, the bleaching solution Q passes through the holes 110 and reaches the area inside the recess 11b. That is, the bleaching solution Q in the treatment tank 23 passes through the recess 11b and is stored above the area between the driven pulleys Pb3 and Pb4 on the belt conveyor 11. That is, at least the area of ​​the recess 11b between the driven pulleys Pb3 and Pb4 is immersed in the bleaching solution Q in the treatment tank 23.

[0089] As shown in Figure 3, in the decolorizing section 2, the workpiece W supplied from the supply port 212a moves from the X2 side to the X1 side on the conveyor belt 11 (in the direction of the arrow in the figure) along the conveying surface 11a as the conveyor belt 11 rotates. As the workpiece W passes through the recess 11b in the conveying surface 11a, it is immersed in the decolorizing solution Q in the treatment tank 23. As the workpiece W moves through the recess 11b from the X2 side to the X1 side, it is decolorized by the decolorizing solution Q. The decolorizing solution Q is heated to a predetermined temperature T1 by the heating device 25. After passing the recess 11b, the workpiece W moves further along the conveying surface 11a toward the X1 side and is finally discharged from the discharge port 213a.

[0090] The driven pulley Pb6 is located at a position that protrudes further toward the X1 side than the side wall portion 213 of the case 21. As will be described in detail later, the driven pulley Pe1 that supports the belt conveyor 12 is located below the driven pulley Pb6 in the Z direction (see the imaginary line in the figure). When viewed from the Z direction, the driven pulleys Pb6 and Pe1 overlap. The belt conveyor 11 supported by the driven pulley Pb6 and the belt conveyor 12 supported by the driven pulley Pe1 also overlap when viewed from the Z direction. As a result, after the workpiece W on the conveying surface 11a is discharged from the discharge port 213a, it moves downward in the Z direction under its own weight and is transferred to the belt conveyor 12.

[0091] 3, a guide roller GR is disposed on the opposite side of the driven pulley Pb1 in the Z direction across the conveying surface 11a. Although not shown, the guide roller GR is rotatably supported by the Y direction sidewalls 214, 215 of the case 21 (see FIG. 4).

[0092] The guide roller GR is in elastic contact with the conveying surface 11a of the belt conveyor 11 and can rotate in conjunction with the rotation of the belt conveyor 11. Therefore, when a workpiece W is inserted between the guide roller GR and the conveying surface 11a of the belt conveyor 11 from the supply port 212a, the workpiece W is automatically taken into the case 21.

[0093] 3, a squeezing roller SR is provided between the driven pulleys Pb5 and Pb6. The squeezing roller SR is disposed on the opposite side of the driven pulleys Pb5 and Pb6 in the Z direction, with the conveying surface 11a sandwiched between them. Although not shown, the squeezing roller SR is rotatably supported by the Y-direction sidewall portions 214 and 215 of the case 21 (see FIG. 4).

[0094] When viewed from the Z direction, the squeezing roller SR is disposed in a position overlapping the liquid receiver 233a of the treatment tank 23. The squeezing roller SR is in elastic contact with the transport surface 11a of the belt conveyor 11 and is rotatable in conjunction with the rotation of the belt conveyor 11. When the workpiece W that has passed through the recess 11b passes between the squeezing roller SR and the transport surface 11a, the decolorizing solution Q contained in the workpiece W is squeezed out and flows back into the treatment tank 23 through the liquid receiver 233a.

[0095] 3, the bleaching section 2 is provided with a workpiece holder 3 at a position facing the recess 11b of the belt conveyor 11 in the Z direction. The workpiece holder 3 is provided to prevent the workpiece W from floating up in the bleaching solution Q when it passes through the recess 11b.

[0096] As shown in Fig. 3, the workpiece holder 3 has an endless annular belt 31 wound around the outer peripheries of a plurality of driven pulleys Pc (Pc1 to Pc4). Also, as shown in Fig. 4, the workpiece holder 3 has a frame 32 that supports the plurality of driven pulleys Pc. The plurality of driven pulleys Pc are supported by the frame 32 so as to be rotatable around a rotation axis along the Y direction.

[0097] The belt 31 can have the same configuration as the belt conveyor 11. For example, the belt 31 can be made of a mesh belt. As shown in Fig. 4, chain belts Cb, Cb are connected to both ends of the belt 31 in the Y direction. In the Y direction, the width W31 of the belt 31 including the chain belt Cb is set to be narrower than the width W11 of the belt conveyor 11 (W31<W11).

[0098] The chain belt Cb meshes with gears formed on the outer peripheries of a plurality of driven pulleys Pc. When viewed from the X direction, the plurality of driven pulleys Pc that mesh with the chain belt Cb are provided at positions that are symmetrical across the belt 31. In the following description, the driven pulley Pc on one side of the belt 31 and the driven pulley Pc on the other side will be collectively referred to as the driven pulleys Pc.

[0099] As shown in FIG. 3 , the belt 31 is wound around the four driven pulleys Pc (Pc1 to Pc4). When viewed from the Y direction, the belt 31 has a trapezoidal shape that conforms to the recess 11b of the belt conveyor 11. At least a portion of the belt 31 is accommodated in the recess 11b. The belt 31 has a bottom surface 31a and a top surface 31b extending along the X and Y directions, and inclined surfaces 31c and 31d connecting the X2-side and X1-side ends of the bottom surface 31a and the top surface 31b, respectively. The X2-side inclined surface 31c is inclined in the direction from the X2 side toward the X1 side as it extends from the top surface 31b toward the bottom surface 31a. The X1-side inclined surface 31d is inclined in the direction from the X1 side toward the X2 side as it extends from the top surface 31b toward the bottom surface 31a.

[0100] In the illustrated example, the bottom surface 31a of the belt 31 and the lower parts of the inclined surfaces 31c and 31d are located within the recess 11b. Within the recess 11b, the bottom surface 31a of the belt 31 faces the belt conveyor 11 passing between driven pulleys Pb3 and Pb4. Also within the recess 11b, the lower part of the inclined surface 31c of the belt 31 faces the belt conveyor 11 passing between driven pulleys Pb2 and Pb3. The lower part of the inclined surface 31d of the belt 31 faces the belt conveyor 11 passing between driven pulleys Pb4 and Pb5. In other words, the bottom surface 31a of the belt 31 and the lower parts of the inclined surfaces 31c and 31d function as opposing parts to the recess 11b.

[0101] The belt 31 is provided so as to be displaceable in the vertical direction via biasing mechanisms 34, 35 (see FIG. 4) described below. Therefore, the gap CL between the recess 11b and the belt 31 is maintained in a state in which the belt 31 can contact the workpiece W in the recess 11b and does not interfere with the conveyance of the workpiece W by the belt conveyor 11. Note that in FIG. 3, the workpiece W is shown spaced apart from the recess 11b and the belt 31 to make it easier to understand the positional relationship between the recess 11b and the belt 31.

[0102] When the belt 31 of the workpiece holder 3 comes into contact with the workpiece W being transported in the recess 11b, a force acts on the belt 31 via the workpiece W in the transport direction of the belt conveyor 11. As a result, the bottom surface 31a and inclined surfaces 31c, 31d of the belt 31 move from the X2 side to the X1 side. At this time, the driven pulleys Pc (Pc1 to Pc4) supporting the belt 31 rotate in the clockwise direction CW around their respective rotation axes. As a result, the belt 31 rotates in the clockwise direction CW as viewed from the Y2 direction. In other words, the bottom surface 31a and inclined surfaces 31c, 31d (opposing portions) of the workpiece holder 3 function as guides that prevent the workpiece W from floating up in the processing tank 23 and guide the movement of the workpiece W in the transport direction.

[0103] The portion of the belt 31 located within the recess 11b is immersed in the bleaching solution Q contained in the treatment tank 23. As described above, the belt 31 is made of a mesh belt and has a large number of holes 310 through which the bleaching solution Q can pass. That is, the bleaching solution Q in the treatment tank 23 passes through the holes 310 and is stored above the bottom surface 31a of the belt 31. Furthermore, by having the holes 310, the workpiece W sandwiched between the belt conveyor 11 and the belt 31 in the recess 11b comes into uniform contact with the bleaching solution Q over substantially the entire surface.

[0104] As shown in FIG. 4 , the belt 31 is supported by the hood 22 via a frame 32. The frame 32 has a pair of side plates 324, 325 disposed on one side and the other side of the belt 31 in the Y direction. The pair of side plates 324, 325 are disposed parallel to each other along the Z direction. The pair of side plates 324, 325 are disposed in a range extending from the top surface 31b to the bottom surface 31a of the belt 31. A plurality of driven pulleys Pc are rotatably supported on the pair of side plates 324, 325. The frame 32 also has a top plate 321 that connects the upper ends of the pair of side plates 324, 325 and extends along the X and Y directions.

[0105] Connection portions 322, 323 for connecting to a hood 22, which will be described later, are provided at both ends of the top plate 321 in the Y direction. The connection portion 322 protrudes toward the Y2 side relative to the side plate 324. The connection portion 323 protrudes toward the Y1 side relative to the side plate 325. An opening 326 for circulating fumes from the decolorizing solution Q is provided at the center of the top plate 321 in the Y direction.

[0106] The lower ends of the pair of side plates 324, 325 are located in the processing tank 23 and are immersed in the bleaching solution Q. An agitation mechanism 33 is provided in the area of ​​the pair of side plates 324, 325 that is immersed in the bleaching solution Q. The agitation mechanism 33 is provided in an area inside the belt 31 (see FIG. 3).

[0107] As shown in FIG. 4 , the stirring mechanism 33 includes a shaft 331 penetrating the pair of side plates 324, 325 in the Y direction and a screw 332 mounted on the outer periphery of the shaft 331. Although not shown in detail, the shaft 331 is connected to an air motor Ma mounted outside the case 21 via an intermediate gear or the like. Driving the air motor Ma rotates the shaft 331 and the screw 332, stirring the bleaching solution Q in the treatment tank 23. This generates convection in the bleaching solution Q within the treatment tank 23, allowing the disperse dye to escape through gaps between the workpieces W and move more easily into the bleaching solution. The stirring mechanism 33 may also be configured with a propeller rotating with the shaft 331 instead of the screw 332. Alternatively, or in combination with the stirring mechanism 33, a vibrator (e.g., an ultrasonic vibrator) may be provided in the treatment tank 23 to vibrate the bleaching solution Q and promote decolorization.

[0108] As shown in Figure 2, the hood 22 covers the top opening of the case 21 and also covers the opening of the treatment tank 23 housed inside the case 21. As mentioned above, the bleaching solution Q can be one whose main component is an organic solvent. When heated, the organic solvent partially evaporates, which can produce an odor. Furthermore, when the evaporated bleaching solution is cooled in the air, it becomes fine particulate fumes F. By covering the opening of the treatment tank 23 containing the bleaching solution Q with the hood 22, it is possible to reduce the diffusion of odors and capture the fumes F of the bleaching solution Q.

[0109] 2, the hood 22 has a box shape with an opening facing downward. The hood 22 has a bottom wall 220 perpendicular to the Z direction and a cylindrical wall 221 surrounding the outer periphery of the bottom wall 220.

[0110] An exhaust port 225 is opened in the bottom wall 220. An intake duct 71 of the recovery unit 7 (see FIG. 1 ), which will be described later, is connected to the exhaust port 225. The cylindrical wall 221 has inclined portions 222 and 223 at the portions where the cylindrical wall 221 connects to the bottom wall 220 on the X2 side and the X1 side, respectively. The inclined portions 222 and 223 are inclined in a direction approaching the exhaust port 225 as they extend upward in the Z direction.

[0111] When the recovery unit 7, which will be described later, is driven, a negative pressure is created around the exhaust port 225 in the bottom wall 220. As a result, fumes F of the decolorizing solution Q generated inside the case 21 rise toward the bottom wall 220. At this time, the fumes F also move in the X direction by traveling along the inclined portions 222 and 223 of the hood 22, and naturally gather around the exhaust port 225. The fumes F that have gathered around the exhaust port 225 pass through the intake duct 71 and are collected in the recovery unit 7.

[0112] As shown in Figure 4, the lower end of the cylindrical wall 221 of the hood 22 is placed on the upper plates 202, 202 of the support parts 20, 20, and is fastened and supported by bolts or the like (not shown). Arm parts 224, 226 that face each other in the Y direction are provided on the inner periphery of the cylindrical wall 221 of the hood 22. The arm parts 224, 226 extend in directions approaching each other in the Y direction. The arm part 224 has a portion that overlaps with the connection part 322 of the work holder 3 when viewed from the Z direction. The arm part 226 has a portion that overlaps with the connection part 323 of the work holder 3 when viewed from the Z direction.

[0113] The connecting portion 322 and the arm portion 224 are connected by a biasing mechanism 34. The biasing mechanism 34 supports the workpiece holder 3 on the hood 22 and biases it downward in the Z direction. The connecting portion 323 and the arm portion 226 are connected by a biasing mechanism 35. The biasing mechanism 35 supports the workpiece holder 3 on the hood 22 and biases it downward in the Z direction. The biasing mechanisms 34 and 35 have the same configuration. In the following explanation, each part of the biasing mechanism 34 will be described using the biasing mechanism 34 as an example.

[0114] The biasing mechanism 34 has a shaft S having a screw groove formed on its outer periphery and extending in the Z direction, nuts N threaded onto the upper and lower ends of the shaft S, and a spring Sp extrapolated onto the shaft S between the nuts N on the upper and lower ends.

[0115] The shaft S passes through both the arm portion 224 and the connecting portion 322 in the Z direction. The nuts N, N that are threaded onto the upper and lower ends of the shaft S are provided at positions that sandwich the arm portion 224 and the connecting portion 322 in the vertical direction. Therefore, the work holder 3 is suspended from the hood 22 by the shaft S and the nuts N, N.

[0116] The workpiece holder 3 suspended from the hood 22 is movable in the vertical direction along the shaft S. A spring Sp is provided between the arm 224 and the connecting portion 322 in the vertical direction. The workpiece holder 3 is in a state in which the connecting portion 322 is pressed against the nut N on the lower side by the biasing force of the spring Sp.

[0117] When the workpiece W comes into contact with the belt 31 of the workpiece holder 3 as it passes through the recess 11b, the workpiece holder 3 is subjected to a force in the conveying direction as well as an upward force (reaction force) from the workpiece W. Here, the workpiece holder 3 is biased downward by the biasing mechanisms 34, 35. This reduces the possibility that the overall position of the workpiece holder 3 will shift significantly upward during the decolorizing process due to, for example, the influence of the shaking of the decolorizing solution Q in the processing tank 23, and appropriately prevents the workpiece W from floating up in the recess 11b.

[0118] Furthermore, when the upward force acting from the workpiece W on the belt 31 becomes greater than the biasing force of the spring Sp, the workpiece holder 3 is displaced upward. In other words, the entire workpiece holder 3 shifts upward so as not to impede the transport of the belt conveyor 11. For example, even if multiple workpieces W of different thicknesses are mixed, the workpiece holder 3 moves up and down in accordance with the thickness of the workpieces W while elastically deforming the spring Sp, so that the belt 31 can be kept in contact with the workpieces W while maintaining a position that does not interfere with the transport of the belt conveyor 11.

[0119] Furthermore, the initial position of the workpiece holder 3 in the vertical direction can be adjusted by shifting the screwing position of the nut N on the lower end side of the shaft S. For example, the initial position of the workpiece holder 3 can be set to a position where the belt 31 can contact the workpiece W in the recess 11b for the thinnest possible workpiece W, and where the belt conveyor 11 does not interfere with the transportation of the workpiece W.

[0120] 2, the rinsing section 4 has a case 41 that houses the belt conveyor 12 and the treatment tank 43, a hood 42 that closes the upper opening of the case 41, and a support section 40 that supports the case 41 at a distance in the Z direction from the floor surface G. The support sections 40 are provided at both ends of the case 41 in the Y direction (see FIG. 1).

[0121] Fig. 5 is a diagram illustrating the rinsing unit 4. Fig. 5 is an enlarged view of the periphery of the case 41 in the rinsing unit 4. Fig. 6 is a diagram illustrating the rinsing unit 4. Fig. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line BB in Fig. 2.

[0122] As shown in Fig. 5, the case 41 has a box shape that is open upward in the Z direction. Specifically, the case 41 has a bottom 411 that extends along the X and Y directions, and sidewalls 412 and 413 that connect to the X2-side and X1-side ends of the bottom 411, respectively. As shown in Fig. 6, the case 41 has sidewalls 414 and 415 that connect to the Y2-side and Y1-side ends of the bottom 411, respectively. The sidewalls 412 to 415 extend upward from the bottom 411 along the Z direction.

[0123] 5, a supply port 412a for the workpiece W is formed in the side wall portion 412 on the X2 side (right side in the figure). A discharge port 413a for the workpiece W is provided in the side wall portion 413 on the X1 side (left side in the figure). The supply port 412a and the discharge port 413a are formed in areas where the side wall portions 412 and 413 overlap the transport surface 12a of the belt conveyor 12 when viewed from the X direction.

[0124] 6, flanges 416, 416 extending outward from the case 41 in the Y direction are provided at the upper ends of the side wall portions 414, 415 of the case 41. The flanges 416, 416 are respectively suspended from upper plates 402, 402 of the support portion 40, which will be described later.

[0125] As shown in Fig. 6, the support portion 40 supports side wall portions 414, 415 of the case 41 on the Y2 side and the Y1 side of the case 41, respectively. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the support portion 40 has a pair of legs 403, 403 extending along the Z direction. The pair of legs 403, 403 are spaced apart in the X direction. The support portion 40 also has a lower plate 401 connecting the lower ends of the pair of legs 403, 403, and an upper plate 402 connecting the upper ends of the pair of legs 403, 403.

[0126] 2, the lower plate 401 of the support part 40 is placed on the floor G. As shown in Fig. 6, the upper plate 402 of the support part 40 supports the case 41 and a hood 42, which will be described later.

[0127] 5, in the X direction, the distance D40 between the pair of legs 403, 403 is narrower than the overall length L41 of the case 41 (D40<L41). Also, in the Y direction, as shown in Fig. 6, the distance between the legs 403, 403 located on the Y2 side and the Y1 side of the case 41 is approximately equal to the width W41 of the case 41.

[0128] 6, the side walls 414, 415 of the case 41 abut against the legs 403, 403 from the Y2 side and the Y1 side, respectively. As a result, the case 41 is clamped relative to the support part 40 so as to be immovable in the Y direction. Furthermore, the flanges 416, 416 of the case 41 are suspended from above in the Z direction on the upper plate 402 of the support part 40. The flanges 416, 416 are fixed to the upper plate 402 by bolts (not shown). As a result, the case 41 is supported relative to the support part 40 so as to be immovable in the Z direction and the X direction as well.

[0129] As shown in FIG. 5 , the treatment tank 43 has a box shape that opens upward in the Z direction. Specifically, the treatment tank 43 has a bottom portion 431 extending along the X and Y directions, and side portions 432 and 433 connected to the X2-side and X1-side ends of the bottom portion 431. A liquid receiver 433a is provided at the upper end of the side portion 433 to collect the bleaching solution Q squeezed out by the squeezing roller SR (described below). As shown in FIG. 6 , the treatment tank 43 has side portions 434 and 435 connected to the Y2-side and Y1-side ends of the bottom portion 431. The side portions 432 to 435 extend upward in the Z direction from the bottom portion 431. The top of the treatment tank 43 is open. The bleaching solution Q (second bleaching solution) is stored in the internal space formed by the bottom portion 431 and the side portions 432 to 435.

[0130] Any of the bleaching solutions listed above can be used as the bleaching solution Q. The bleaching solution Q used in the rinsing unit 4 may be the same as or different from the bleaching solution Q (first bleaching solution) used in the bleaching unit 2. In the illustrated example, the same bleaching solution Q is circulated and used in the bleaching unit 2 and the rinsing unit 4.

[0131] As shown in FIG. 5, a heating device 45 is attached to the underside of the bottom surface portion 431. The heating device 45 may be, for example, an induction heater. The heating device 45 has a heating plate (not shown) on its upper surface. A wiring La extending from the control unit 19 (see FIG. 1) is connected to the heating device 45, and the heating device 45 is turned on and off in response to instructions from the control unit 19. When the induction heater is turned on, the decolorizing solution Q in the treatment tank 43 is heated to a predetermined temperature T2.

[0132] Here, the temperature T2 of the bleaching solution Q in the rinsing section 4 is preferably lower than the temperature T1 of the bleaching solution Q in the bleaching section 2 (T1 > T2). In the bleaching section 2, the workpiece W is heated with the bleaching solution Q at a temperature T1 equal to or higher than the fiber-spreading temperature, loosening and widening the gaps between the fiber molecular chains. When the workpiece W comes into contact with the bleaching solution Q in the rinsing section 4 at a temperature T2 lower than that in the bleaching section 2, the workpiece W is cooled below the fiber-spreading temperature, narrowing the loosened gaps between the fiber molecular chains again. This reduces the reabsorption of the disperse dye remaining on the surface of the workpiece W into the gaps in the workpiece W. Furthermore, the temperature T2 of the bleaching solution in the rinsing section 4 is preferably 140°C or higher. This allows for additional decolorization of incompletely bleached portions after bleaching in the treatment tank 43 and prevents contaminated bleaching solution Q adhering to the workpiece W from soaking back into the workpiece W, thereby improving rinsing efficiency.

[0133] As shown in Fig. 6, the treatment tank 43 communicates with the treatment tank 23 (see Fig. 2) of the decolorizing unit 2 via a supply channel SL that opens to the bottom surface 431. The treatment tank 43 also communicates with a liquid level adjusting unit 46 (described later) via a circulation channel FL that opens to the bottom surface 431. The treatment tank 43 also communicates with a separation device 61 of the circulation unit 6 (described later) and a new liquid tank 65 via a return channel RL that opens to the side surface 435.

[0134] As shown in FIG. 1 , the liquid level adjusting unit 46 is attached across a pair of legs 403, 403 of the support unit 40. As shown in FIG. 6 , the liquid level adjusting unit 46 has a liquid tank 461 that stores the decolorizing solution Q, and a float-type level sensor 462 that detects the liquid level of the decolorizing solution Q in the liquid tank 461. As shown in FIG. 6 , a bottom surface 461a of the liquid tank 461 is provided at the same height as a bottom surface 431 of the treatment tank 43. A flow path FL for the decolorizing solution Q opens in the bottom surface 461a of the liquid tank 461. This allows the decolorizing solution Q stored in the treatment tank 43 and the decolorizing solution Q stored in the liquid tank 461 to be maintained at the same liquid level.

[0135] The level sensor 462 has a guide tube 463 arranged along the Z direction, and a float 464 supported by the guide tube 463 so as to be movable up and down and arranged in the liquid tank 461. The level sensor 462 is suspended from a fixed plate 465 extending in the Y2 direction from the upper side of the liquid tank 461.

[0136] The float 464 floats on the decolorizing solution Q contained in the liquid tank 461. When the liquid level of the decolorizing solution Q in the liquid tank 461 changes, the float 464 changes its position in the Z direction due to buoyancy. Although not shown, a magnet is built into the float 464, and a reed switch is housed inside the guide tube 463. The level sensor 462 can detect the liquid level by activating the reed switch due to the magnetic force of the magnet inside the float 464. As described above, the liquid levels of the decolorizing solution Q in the liquid tank 461 and the decolorizing solution Q in the treatment tank 43 are the same, so the liquid level in the treatment tank 43 can be determined by detecting the height of the decolorizing solution Q in the liquid tank 461 with the level sensor 462.

[0137] The level sensor 462 is not limited to the float type, and may be, for example, a level sensor that uses ultrasonic waves or capacitance, or a level sensor that measures water pressure. The detection result of the level sensor 462 is transmitted to the control unit 19 (see FIG. 1). Based on the detection result of the level sensor 462, the control unit 19 adjusts the amount of decolorizing solution Q supplied to and discharged from the treatment tank 43 so that the liquid level in the treatment tank 43 remains constant.

[0138] As shown in Fig. 5, the belt conveyor 12 is an endless annular member wound around the outer peripheries of a drive pulley Pd and a plurality of driven pulleys Pe. The drive pulley Pd and the plurality of driven pulleys Pe are rotatable about a rotation axis along the Y direction relative to a case 41. In Fig. 5, the drive pulley Pd is cross-hatched and its size is exaggerated to make the positional relationship easier to understand.

[0139] 5, the drive pulley Pd and the multiple driven pulleys Pe are spaced apart so as to surround the treatment tank 43 in a cross-sectional view along the X direction. Therefore, the belt conveyor 12 wound around the drive pulley Pd and the multiple driven pulleys Pe moves around so as to surround the treatment tank 43. The region of the belt conveyor 12 that moves above the treatment tank 43 in the Z direction constitutes the transport surface 12a for the workpieces W.

[0140] 6, the belt conveyor 12 may be formed of, for example, a mesh belt. Chain belts Cb, Cb are provided at the Y1-side end and the Y2-side end of the belt conveyor 12 in the Y direction, respectively. In the Y direction, the width W12 of the belt conveyor 12 including the chain belts Cb, Cb is set to be narrower than the width W43 of the treatment tank 43 (W12<W43).

[0141] The chain belt Cb on the Y1 side and the chain belt Cb on the Y2 side are connected to each other via a connecting member Cm2 (see the dashed line in the figure). The connecting member Cm2 is a bar material arranged along the Y direction. Multiple connecting members Cm2 are arranged at intervals in the rotation direction of the belt conveyor 12 (see FIG. 5). The connecting member Cm2 penetrates the inside of the belt conveyor 12, which is made of a mesh belt, in the Y direction and is connected to the chain belt Cb on the Y1 side and the chain belt Cb on the Y2 side. The connecting member Cm2 suppresses bending of the belt conveyor 12 in the Z direction and makes it less likely that the chain belt Cb on the Y1 side and the chain belt Cb on the Y2 side will become out of synchronization when they rotate.

[0142] The chain belt Cb meshes with gears formed on the outer periphery of the drive pulley Pd and a plurality of driven pulleys Pe. The plurality of driven pulleys Pe that mesh with the chain belt Cb are provided at positions symmetrical with respect to the belt conveyor 12 when viewed from the X direction. In the following description, the driven pulley Pe on one side of the belt conveyor 12 and the driven pulley Pe on the other side will be collectively referred to as the driven pulley Pe.

[0143] As shown in Fig. 5, the drive pulley Pd is provided below the treatment tank 43 and on the X1 side of the heating device 45. As shown in Fig. 6, the drive pulley Pd is connected to an air motor M2. The drive pulley Pd rotates around a rotation axis Y12 along the Y direction by the rotational driving force of the air motor M2. When viewed from the X direction, a driven pulley Pe is provided on the opposite side of the drive pulley Pd across the belt conveyor 12.

[0144] As shown in Figure 5, when the drive pulley Pd rotates around the rotation axis Y12, the chain belt Cb meshing with the drive pulley Pd and the belt conveyor 12 connected to the chain belt Cb rotate together. The driven pulley Pe rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the chain belt Cb. In the illustrated example, the drive pulley Pd rotates counterclockwise CCW around the rotation axis Y12, causing the belt conveyor 12 to rotate counterclockwise CCW. Therefore, when viewed from the Y2 direction, the conveying surface 12a of the belt conveyor 12 moves above the treatment tank 43 from the X2 side (right side in the figure) to the X1 side (left side in the figure).

[0145] The conveying surface 12a of the belt conveyor 12 moves from the X2 side to the X1 side via six driven pulleys Pe (Pe1 to Pe6) arranged at intervals in the X direction. The driven pulleys Pe1 and Pe6, located at both ends in the X direction, are located away from the treatment tank 43 when viewed from the Z direction. The driven pulleys Pe2 to Pe5, located between the driven pulleys Pe1 and Pe6, are located in positions overlapping with the treatment tank 43 when viewed from the Z direction.

[0146] Furthermore, driven pulleys Pe1 and Pe2 located on the supply port 412a side and driven pulleys Pe5 and Pe6 located on the discharge port 413a side are located above the treatment tank 43 in the Z direction. On the other hand, driven pulleys Pe3 and Pe4 located between driven pulleys Pe2 and Pe5 are located below driven pulleys Pe1, Pe2, Pe5, and Pe6 in the Z direction and are immersed in the bleaching solution Q within the treatment tank 43. Although not shown, driven pulleys Pe1, Pe2, Pe5, and Pe6 are rotatably supported by side wall portions 414 and 415 (see FIG. 6) of the case 41. Furthermore, driven pulleys Pe3 and Pe4 are rotatably supported by side surface portions 434 and 435 (see FIG. 6) of the treatment tank 43.

[0147] The conveying surface 12a of the belt conveyor 12 is wound around the driven pulleys Pe1, Pe2, Pe5, and Pe6 so as to pass around the upper outer periphery in the Z direction, and around the driven pulleys Pe3 and Pe4 so as to pass around the lower outer periphery in the Z direction. Therefore, a trapezoidal recess 12b recessed downward in the Z direction is formed on the conveying surface 12a of the belt conveyor 12 in an area passing through the driven pulleys Pe2 to Pe5.

[0148] As described above, the belt conveyor 12 is made of a mesh belt and has many holes 120 through which the bleaching solution Q can pass (see the enlarged area in Figure 5). Therefore, in the recess 12b, the bleaching solution Q passes through the holes 120 and reaches the area inside the recess 12b. That is, the bleaching solution Q in the treatment tank 43 passes through the recess 12b and is stored above the area between the driven pulleys Pe3 and Pe4 on the belt conveyor 12. That is, at least the area of ​​the recess 12b between the driven pulleys Pe3 and Pe4 is immersed in the bleaching solution Q in the treatment tank 43.

[0149] As shown in Figure 5, in the rinsing section 4, the workpiece W supplied from the supply port 412a moves from the X2 side to the X1 side on the conveyor belt 12 (in the direction of the arrow in the figure) as the conveyor belt 12 rotates. As the workpiece W passes through the recess 12b on the conveyor belt 12a, it is immersed in the bleaching solution Q in the treatment tank 43. As the workpiece W moves through the recess 12b from the X2 side to the X1 side, it is rinsed with the bleaching solution Q. The bleaching solution Q is heated to a predetermined temperature T2 by the heater 45. After passing the recess 12b, the workpiece W moves further toward the X1 side on the conveyor belt 12a and is finally discharged from the discharge port 413a.

[0150] The driven pulley Pe1 is provided at a position that protrudes toward the X2 side beyond the side wall portion 412 of the case 41. The driven pulley Pb6 that supports the belt conveyor 11 is located above the driven pulley Pe1 in the Z direction (see the imaginary line in the figure). As described above, the workpiece W discharged from the belt conveyor 11 moves downward in the Z direction due to its own weight, is transferred to the belt conveyor 12, passes through the supply port 412a, and is transported into the inside of the case 41.

[0151] The driven pulley Pe6 is provided at a position that protrudes further toward the X1 side than the side wall portion 413 of the case 41. As will be described in detail later, the X2-side end of the belt conveyor 13 is located below the driven pulley Pe6 in the Z direction (see the imaginary line in the figure). When viewed from the Z direction, the belt conveyor 12 supported by the driven pulley Pe6 and the belt conveyor 13 overlap. As a result, after the workpiece W on the transport surface 12a is discharged from the discharge port 413a, it moves downward in the Z direction under its own weight and is transferred to the belt conveyor 13.

[0152] 5, a guide roller GR is provided between driven pulleys Pe1 and Pe2. The guide roller GR is disposed on the opposite side of the driven pulleys Pe1 and Pe2 in the Z direction, with the conveying surface 12a sandwiched between them. Although not shown, the guide roller GR is rotatably supported by side wall portions 414 and 415 (see FIG. 6) of the case 41 in the Y direction.

[0153] The guide roller GR is in elastic contact with the conveying surface 12a of the belt conveyor 12 and can rotate in conjunction with the rotation of the belt conveyor 12. Therefore, when a workpiece W is inserted between the guide roller GR and the conveying surface 12a of the belt conveyor 12 from the supply port 412a, the workpiece W is automatically taken into the case 41.

[0154] 5, a squeezing roller SR is provided between driven pulleys Pe5 and Pe6. The squeezing roller SR is disposed on the opposite side of the driven pulleys Pe5 and Pe6 in the Z direction, with the conveying surface 12a sandwiched between them. Although not shown, the squeezing roller SR is rotatably supported by side wall portions 414 and 415 (see FIG. 6) of the case 41 in the Y direction.

[0155] When viewed from the Z direction, the squeezing roller SR is disposed in a position overlapping the liquid receiver 433a of the treatment tank 43. The squeezing roller SR is in elastic contact with the transport surface 12a of the belt conveyor 12 and is rotatable in conjunction with the rotation of the belt conveyor 12. When the workpiece W that has passed through the recess 12b passes between the squeezing roller SR and the transport surface 12a, the decolorizing solution Q contained in the workpiece W is squeezed out and flows back into the treatment tank 43 through the liquid receiver 433a.

[0156] 5, the rinsing section 4 is provided with a workpiece holder 5 at a position facing the recess 12b of the belt conveyor 12 in the Z direction. The workpiece holder 5 is provided to prevent the workpiece W from floating up in the decolorizing solution Q when it passes through the recess 12b.

[0157] As shown in Fig. 5, the workpiece holder 5 has an endless annular belt 51 wound around the outer peripheries of a plurality of driven pulleys Pf (Pf1 to Pf4). Also, as shown in Fig. 6, the workpiece holder 5 has a frame 52 that supports the plurality of driven pulleys Pf. The plurality of driven pulleys Pf are supported by the frame 52 so as to be rotatable around a rotation axis along the Y direction.

[0158] The belt 51 may have the same configuration as the belt conveyor 12. For example, the belt 51 may be made of a mesh belt. As shown in Fig. 6, chain belts Cb, Cb are connected to both ends of the belt 51 in the Y direction. In the Y direction, the width W51 of the belt 51 including the chain belt Cb is set to be narrower than the width W12 of the belt conveyor 12 (W51<W12).

[0159] The chain belt Cb meshes with gears formed on the outer peripheries of the plurality of driven pulleys Pf. The plurality of driven pulleys Pf meshing with the chain belt Cb are provided at positions symmetrical with respect to the belt 51 when viewed from the X direction. In the following description, the driven pulley Pf on one side of the belt 51 and the driven pulley Pf on the other side are collectively referred to as the driven pulleys Pf.

[0160] As shown in FIG. 5 , the belt 51 is wound around the four driven pulleys Pf (Pf1 to Pf4). When viewed from the Y direction, the belt 51 has a trapezoidal shape that conforms to the recess 12b of the belt conveyor 12. At least a portion of the belt 51 is accommodated in the recess 12b. The belt 51 has a bottom surface 51a and a top surface 51b extending along the X and Y directions, and inclined surfaces 51c and 51d connecting the X2-side and X1-side ends of the bottom surface 51a and the top surface 51b, respectively. The X2-side inclined surface 51c is inclined in the direction from the X2 side toward the X1 side as it extends from the top surface 51b toward the bottom surface 51a. The X1-side inclined surface 51d is inclined in the direction from the X1 side toward the X2 side as it extends from the top surface 51b toward the bottom surface 51a.

[0161] In the illustrated example, the bottom surface 51a of the belt 51 and the lower parts of the inclined surfaces 51c and 51d are located within the recess 12b. Within the recess 12b, the bottom surface 51a of the belt 51 faces the belt conveyor 12 passing between driven pulleys Pe3 and Pe4. Also within the recess 12b, the lower part of the inclined surface 51c of the belt 51 faces the belt conveyor 12 passing between driven pulleys Pe2 and Pe3. The lower part of the inclined surface 51d of the belt 51 faces the belt conveyor 12 passing between driven pulleys Pe4 and Pe5. In other words, the bottom surface 51a of the belt 51 and the lower parts of the inclined surfaces 51c and 51d function as opposing parts to the recess 12b.

[0162] The belt 51 is provided so as to be displaceable in the vertical direction via biasing mechanisms 54, 55 (see FIG. 6 ), which will be described later. Therefore, the gap CL between the recess 12b and the belt 51 is maintained in a state in which the belt 51 can contact the workpiece W in the recess 12b and does not interfere with the conveyance of the workpiece W by the belt conveyor 12. Note that in FIG. 5 , the workpiece W is shown spaced apart from the recess 12b and the belt 51 to make it easier to understand the positional relationship between the recess 12b and the belt 51.

[0163] When the belt 51 of the workpiece holder 5 comes into contact with the workpiece W being transported in the recess 12b, a force acts on the bottom surface 51a of the belt 51 via the workpiece W in the transport direction of the belt conveyor 12. As a result, the bottom surface 51a and inclined surfaces 51c, 51d of the belt 51 move from the X2 side to the X1 side. At this time, the driven pulleys Pf (Pf1 to Pf4) supporting the belt 51 rotate in the clockwise direction CW around their respective rotation axes. As a result, the belt 51 rotates in the clockwise direction CW as viewed from the Y2 direction. In other words, the bottom surface 51a and inclined surfaces 51c, 51d (opposing portions) of the workpiece holder 5 function as guides that prevent the workpiece W from floating up in the treatment tank 43 and guide the movement of the workpiece W in the transport direction.

[0164] The portion of the belt 51 located within the recess 12b is immersed in the bleaching solution Q contained in the treatment tank 43. As described above, the belt 51 is made of a mesh belt and has a large number of holes 510 through which the bleaching solution Q can pass. That is, the bleaching solution Q in the treatment tank 43 passes through the holes 510 and is stored above the bottom surface 51a of the belt 51. Furthermore, by having the holes 510, the workpiece W sandwiched between the belt conveyor 12 and the belt 51 in the recess 12b comes into uniform contact with the bleaching solution Q over substantially the entire surface.

[0165] As shown in FIG. 6 , the belt 51 is supported by the hood 42 via a frame 52. The frame 52 has a pair of side plates 524, 525 disposed on one side and the other side of the belt 51 in the Y direction. The pair of side plates 524, 525 are disposed parallel to each other along the Z direction. The pair of side plates 524, 525 are disposed in a range extending from the top surface 51 b to the bottom surface 51 a of the belt 51. A plurality of driven pulleys Pf are rotatably supported on the pair of side plates 524, 525. The frame 52 also has a top plate 521 that connects the upper ends of the pair of side plates 524, 525 and extends along the X and Y directions.

[0166] Connection portions 522, 523 for connecting to a hood 42 (described later) are provided at both ends of the top plate 521 in the Y direction. The connection portion 522 protrudes toward the Y2 side relative to the side plate 524. The connection portion 523 protrudes toward the Y1 side relative to the side plate 525. An opening 526 for circulating fumes from the decolorizing solution Q is provided in the center of the top plate 521 in the Y direction.

[0167] The lower ends of the pair of side plates 524, 525 are located in the treatment tank 43 and are immersed in the bleaching solution Q. Agitation mechanisms 53 are provided in the areas of the pair of side plates 524, 525 that are immersed in the bleaching solution Q. The agitation mechanisms 53 are provided in the area inside the belt 51 (see FIG. 5).

[0168] As shown in FIG. 6 , the agitation mechanism 53 includes a shaft 531 that penetrates the pair of side plates 524, 525 in the Y direction and a screw 532 attached to the outer periphery of the shaft 531. Although not shown in detail, the shaft 531 is connected to an air motor Mb attached to the outside of the case 41 via an intermediate gear or the like. Driving the air motor Mb rotates the shaft 531 and the screw 532, agitating the bleaching solution Q in the treatment tank 43. This generates a convection current of the bleaching solution Q within the treatment tank 43, and the disperse dye that has escaped from the workpieces W is carried by the convection current of the bleaching solution Q and quickly separated from the workpieces W, thereby facilitating rinsing. The agitation mechanism 53 may also be replaced by a propeller that rotates with the shaft 531 instead of the screw 532. Alternatively, or in combination with the agitation mechanism 53, a vibrator (e.g., an ultrasonic vibrator) may be provided within the treatment tank 43 to vibrate the bleaching solution Q and thereby promote rinsing.

[0169] 2, the hood 42 covers the upper opening of the case 41 and also covers the opening of the treatment tank 43 housed inside the case 41. By covering the opening of the treatment tank 43 containing the bleaching solution Q, the hood 42 can reduce the diffusion of odors and also capture fumes F from the bleaching solution Q.

[0170] 2, the hood 42 has a box shape with an opening facing downward. The hood 42 has a bottom wall 420 perpendicular to the Z direction and a cylindrical wall 421 surrounding the outer periphery of the bottom wall 420.

[0171] An exhaust port 425 is opened in the bottom wall 420. An intake duct 71 of the recovery unit 7 (see FIG. 1 ), which will be described later, is connected to the exhaust port 425. The cylindrical wall 421 has inclined portions 422, 423 at the portions where it connects to the bottom wall 420 on the X2 side and the X1 side, respectively. The inclined portions 422, 423 are inclined in a direction approaching the exhaust port 425 as they extend upward in the Z direction.

[0172] When the recovery unit 7, which will be described later, is driven, a negative pressure is created around the exhaust port 425 in the bottom wall 420. As a result, fumes F from the decolorizing solution Q generated inside the case 41 rise toward the bottom wall 420. At this time, the fumes F also move in the X direction by traveling along the inclined portions 422 and 423 of the hood 42, and naturally gather around the exhaust port 425. The fumes F that have gathered around the exhaust port 425 pass through the intake duct 71 and are collected in the recovery unit 7.

[0173] As shown in Figure 6, the lower end of the cylindrical wall 421 of the hood 42 is placed on the upper plates 402, 402 of the support portions 40, 40, and is fastened and supported by bolts or the like (not shown). Arm portions 424, 426 that face each other in the Y direction are provided on the inner periphery of the cylindrical wall 421 of the hood 42. The arms 424, 426 extend in directions approaching each other in the Y direction. The arm portion 424 has a portion that overlaps with the connection portion 522 of the workpiece holder 5 when viewed from the Z direction. The arm portion 426 has a portion that overlaps with the connection portion 523 of the workpiece holder 5 when viewed from the Z direction.

[0174] The connecting portion 522 and the arm portion 424 are connected by a biasing mechanism 54. The biasing mechanism 54 supports the workpiece holder 5 on the hood 42 and biases it downward in the Z direction. The connecting portion 523 and the arm portion 426 are connected by a biasing mechanism 55. The biasing mechanism 55 supports the workpiece holder 5 on the hood 42 and biases it downward in the Z direction. The biasing mechanisms 54 and 55 have the same configuration. In the following explanation, each part of the biasing mechanism 54 will be described using the biasing mechanism 54 as an example.

[0175] The biasing mechanism 54 has a shaft S having a screw groove formed on its outer periphery and extending in the Z direction, nuts N threaded onto the upper and lower ends of the shaft S, and a spring Sp extrapolated onto the shaft S between the nuts N on the upper and lower ends.

[0176] The shaft S passes through both the arm portion 424 and the connecting portion 522 in the Z direction. The nuts N, N that are threaded onto the upper and lower ends of the shaft S are provided at positions that sandwich the arm portion 424 and the connecting portion 522 in the vertical direction. Therefore, the work presser 5 is suspended from the hood 42 by the shaft S and the nuts N, N.

[0177] The workpiece holder 5 suspended from the hood 42 is movable in the vertical direction along the shaft S. A spring Sp is provided between the arm portion 424 and the connecting portion 522 in the vertical direction. The workpiece holder 5 is in a state in which the connecting portion 522 is pressed against the nut N on the lower side by the biasing force of the spring Sp.

[0178] When the workpiece W comes into contact with the belt 51 of the workpiece holder 5 as it passes through the recess 12b, the workpiece holder 5 is subjected to a force in the conveying direction as well as an upward force (reaction force) from the workpiece W. Here, the workpiece holder 5 is biased downward by the biasing mechanisms 54, 55. This reduces the possibility that the overall position of the workpiece holder 5 will shift significantly upward during the decolorizing process due to, for example, the influence of the shaking of the decolorizing solution Q in the processing tank 43, and appropriately prevents the workpiece W from floating up in the recess 12b.

[0179] Furthermore, when the upward force acting from the workpiece W on the belt 51 becomes greater than the biasing force of the spring Sp, the workpiece holder 5 is displaced upward. In other words, the entire workpiece holder 5 is shifted upward so as not to impede the transport of the belt conveyor 12. For example, even if multiple workpieces W of different thicknesses are mixed, the workpiece holder 5 moves up and down in accordance with the thickness of the workpieces W while elastically deforming the spring Sp, so that the belt 51 can be kept in contact with the workpieces W while maintaining a position that does not interfere with the transport of the belt conveyor 12.

[0180] Furthermore, the initial position of the workpiece holder 5 in the vertical direction can be adjusted by shifting the screwing position of the nut N on the lower end side of the shaft S. For example, the initial position of the workpiece holder 5 can be set to a position where the belt 51 can contact the workpiece W in the recess 12b for the thinnest possible workpiece W, and where the belt conveyor 12 does not interfere with the transportation of the workpiece W.

[0181] 2, the drying section 8 has a support section 80 that supports the belt conveyor 13 at a distance from the floor surface G in the Z direction, and a hood 82 that is supported by the support section 80 and that houses the guide section 9 and the dryer D therein. The hood 82 is supported by the support sections 80, 80 at both ends in the Y direction (see FIG. 1).

[0182] 1 and 2, the support unit 80 has a pair of legs 803 extending along the Z direction. The pair of legs 803 are spaced apart in the X direction. The support unit 80 also has a lower plate 801 connecting the lower ends of the pair of legs 803 and an upper plate 802 connecting the upper ends of the pair of legs 803.

[0183] As shown in the enlarged area of ​​Figure 2, leveling bolts 86 are provided between the lower plate 801 of the support unit 80 and the floor G. The leveling bolts 86 are provided at both ends of the lower plate 801 in the X direction. The leveling bolts 86 are arranged at the four corners of the drying unit 8 when viewed from the Z direction (see Figure 1).

[0184] The leveling bolt 86 has a head 861 placed on the floor surface G, a shaft 862 extending upward in the Z direction from the head 861 and having a threaded groove formed on its outer periphery, and a nut 863 threaded onto the shaft 862.

[0185] The leveling bolts 86 have shafts 862 that penetrate the lower plate 801, and nuts 863 that support the lower plate 801. Therefore, by adjusting the screwing positions of the nuts 863, the support part 80 is displaced in the Z direction. By adjusting the screwing positions of the nuts 863 of the leveling bolts 86 arranged at the four corners of the drying part 8, the entire drying part 8 can be leveled.

[0186] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the drying unit 8. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of the CC cross section in FIG. 2. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating the drying unit 8. FIG. 8(a) is a schematic diagram of the A-A cross section in FIG. 7. FIG. 8(b) is a schematic diagram of the A-A cross section in the enlarged area of ​​FIG. 8(a). In FIG. 8(a), the workpiece W and the shelf portion 81 are hatched with different types of hatching to make their positions easier to understand.

[0187] 7, a shelf portion 81 is provided between adjacent support portions 80, 80 in the Y direction. The shelf portion 81 has a plate-shaped plate portion 810 extending in the X direction and the Y direction, and flange portions 811, 812 provided on both ends of the plate portion 810 in the Y direction.

[0188] A heating device 85 is installed on the upper surface 810a of the plate portion 810. The heating device 85 can be an induction heater. The heating device 85 has a heat-generating plate (not shown) on its upper surface. Wiring La extending from the control unit 19 (see FIG. 1) is connected to the heating device 85, and the heating device 85 is turned ON / OFF in response to instructions from the control unit 19. When the heating device 85 is turned ON, the workpiece W is heated via the heat-generating plate. This causes the decolorizing solution Q that has soaked into the workpiece W to evaporate.

[0189] A flange 811 of the shelf 81 is fixed to the leg 803 of the support 80 on the Y2 side with a bolt (not shown). A flange 812 of the shelf 81 is fixed to the leg 803 of the support 80 on the Y1 side with a bolt (not shown).

[0190] 8 , when viewed from the Z direction, the flange portions 811 and 812 are provided parallel to each other and oriented along the X direction. An X1-side end 811a and an X2-side end 811b of the flange portion 811 each protrude in the X direction from the plate portion 810. An X1-side end 812a and an X2-side end 812b of the flange portion 812 also each protrude in the X direction from the plate portion 810.

[0191] The shelf portion 81 supports rollers in regions of the flange portions 811 and 812 that protrude toward the X1 and X2 sides from the plate portion 810. Specifically, the shelf portion 81 supports the drive roller 88 at the X1-side end portions 811 a and 812 a of the flange portions 811 and 812, and supports the driven roller 89 at the X2-side end portions 811 b and 812 b.

[0192] The drive roller 88 and the driven roller 89 are oriented along the Y direction, and both ends of each are rotatably supported by flanges 811 and 812. An air motor M3 is connected to the drive roller 88. The drive roller 88 rotates around a rotation axis Y13 along the Y direction by the rotational driving force of the air motor M3. The drive roller 88 may be directly connected to the air motor M3, or may be connected to the air motor M3 via multiple gears.

[0193] As shown in FIG. 2 , the belt conveyor 13 is wound around the outer periphery of a drive roller 88 and a driven roller 89. When the drive roller 88 rotates around the rotation axis Y13, the belt conveyor 13 rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the drive roller 88. The driven roller 89 rotates around the rotation axis Y13′ along the Y direction in conjunction with the rotation of the belt conveyor 13. In the illustrated example, the drive roller 88 rotates counterclockwise around the rotation axis Y13, causing the belt conveyor 13 to rotate counterclockwise CCW. Therefore, when viewed from the Y2 direction, the conveying surface 13a of the belt conveyor 13 moves from the X2 side (right side in the figure) to the X1 side (left side in the figure). The belt conveyor 13 can be, for example, a flat belt made of silicone rubber. Using silicone rubber can improve the heat resistance and friction coefficient of the belt conveyor 13.

[0194] 2, in a state in which the belt conveyor 13 is wound around the drive roller 88 and the driven roller 89, the X1-side end of the conveying surface 12a of the belt conveyor 12 in the rinsing section 4 is located above the X2-side end of the conveying surface 13a in the Z direction. As a result, the workpiece W that has moved to the X1 side on the conveying surface 12a of the belt conveyor 12 is transferred to the conveying surface 13a of the belt conveyor 13 by its own weight.

[0195] As shown in Fig. 7, the heating device 85 provided on the plate portion 810 is disposed on the rear side of the transport surface 13a of the belt conveyor 13 in the Z direction. As shown in Fig. 2, the workpiece W moving on the transport surface 13a of the belt conveyor 13 is heated when passing over the heating device 85. This causes the decolorizing solution Q remaining in the workpiece W to evaporate.

[0196] <Hood> As shown in Fig. 1, a hood 82 is provided on the upper plate 802 of the support part 80. As shown in Fig. 2, the hood 82 has a box shape with an opening facing downward. The hood 82 has a bottom wall 820 that is perpendicular to the Z direction, and a cylindrical wall 821 that surrounds the outer periphery of the bottom wall 820.

[0197] An exhaust port 825 is opened in the bottom wall 820. An intake duct 71 of the recovery unit 7 (see FIG. 1 ), which will be described later, is connected to the exhaust port 825. The cylindrical wall 821 has inclined portions 822 and 823 at the portions where it connects to the bottom wall 820 on the X2 side and the X1 side, respectively. The inclined portions 822 and 823 are inclined in a direction approaching the exhaust port 825 as they extend upward in the Z direction.

[0198] When an intake fan (not shown) of the collection unit 7, which will be described later, is driven, a negative pressure is created around the exhaust port 825 in the bottom wall 820. As a result, fumes F of the bleaching solution Q generated in the drying unit 8 rise toward the bottom wall 820. At this time, the fumes F also move in the X direction by traveling along the inclined portions 822 and 823 of the hood 82, and naturally gather around the exhaust port 825. The fumes F that have gathered around the exhaust port 825 pass through the intake duct 71 and are collected in the collection unit 7.

[0199] 7, a heat insulating material 82S is provided over the entire inner peripheral surface 82a of the hood 82. Therefore, the temperature inside the drying section 8 is maintained at a substantially constant level. The lower end 821a of the cylindrical wall 821 of the hood 82 abuts against the upper plates 802, 802 of the support sections 80, 80, and the hood 82 is fastened and supported by bolts or the like (not shown).

[0200] When viewed from the X direction, the hood 82 accommodates a dryer D that dries the workpiece W and a guide unit 9 that guides the transport of the workpiece W. The dryer D and the guide unit 9 are attached to the hood 82 via brackets 83 and 84.

[0201] Brackets 83 and 84 face each other in the Y direction inside cylindrical wall 821 of hood 82. Bracket 83 is generally L-shaped when viewed from the X direction, and has an arm 831 extending along the Y direction and a connecting portion 832 extending along the Z direction. Bracket 84 is generally L-shaped when viewed from the X direction, and has an arm 841 extending along the Y direction and a connecting portion 842 extending along the Z direction.

[0202] The connecting portions 832, 842 are fastened to and supported by bolts or the like (not shown) on the cylindrical wall 821 of the hood 82. The arm portions 831, 841 extend from the upper ends of the connecting portions 832, 842 in directions approaching each other in the Y direction.

[0203] The dryer D has a main body Da equipped with a heater and a blower (not shown), and an outlet Db for the dry air Dw generated by the main body Da. An intake duct Dc is connected to the main body Da, allowing air to be taken in from outside the drying unit 8.

[0204] The dryer D has a main body Da installed across the arms 831 and 841 of the brackets 83 and 84, and an air outlet Db extending downward in the Z direction between the arms 831 and 841. When viewed from the Z direction, the air outlet Db of the dryer D overlaps with the belt conveyor 13.

[0205] A wiring La extending from the control unit 19 (see FIG. 1) is connected to the main body Da of the dryer D, and the air blowing is switched on and off according to instructions from the control unit 19. When the dryer D is turned on, the decolorizing solution Q that has soaked into the workpiece W evaporates from the workpiece W. Note that instead of the dryer D, a heater such as an infrared irradiator that evaporates the decolorizing solution Q that has soaked into the workpiece W by heating may be used.

[0206] Here, it is conceivable that the workpieces W may be lifted by the drying air Dw from the dryer D and fall off the belt conveyor 13. In this embodiment, in order to prevent the workpieces W from falling off the belt conveyor 13, a guide portion 9 is provided.

[0207] 7, the guide unit 9 is provided between the dryer D and the belt conveyor 13 in the Z direction. The guide unit 9 has rollers 94 and 95 that face the conveying surface 13a of the belt conveyor 13, frames 92 and 93 that hold the rollers 94 and 95, respectively, and a support beam 91 that supports the frames 92 and 93.

[0208] The frames 92 and 93 are fixed to the support beam 91 by bolts B. The support beam 91 is provided in a direction along the Y direction, and is suspended from brackets 83 and 84 via biasing mechanisms 87A and 87B, which will be described later.

[0209] 8A, the support beam 91 is a linear, long plate extending along the Y direction. Two support beams 91 are provided spaced apart in the X direction, and are arranged on the drive roller 88 side and the driven roller 89 side, respectively. In the following description, the support beam 91 on the drive roller 88 side will also be referred to as support beam 91A, and the support beam 91 on the driven roller 89 side will also be referred to as support beam 91B.

[0210] The frames 92 and 93 are provided across two support beams 91A and 91B that are aligned in the X direction. When viewed from the Z direction, the frames 92 and 93 are disposed on one side and the other side of the midpoint line Xc of the belt conveyor 13 in the Y direction.

[0211] The frame 92 has a rectangular shape when viewed from the Z direction. Specifically, the frame 92 has long sides 921 and 922 oriented along the X direction and short sides 923 and 924 connecting the ends of the long sides 921 and 922. The frame 92 is fixed to the support beams 91A and 91B by bolts B screwed into the short sides 923 and 924.

[0212] As shown in Figure 8(a), the rollers 94 are arranged parallel to the short sides 923, 924 and are rotatably supported by the long sides 921, 922. A plurality of rollers 94 are arranged at intervals in the X direction. As shown in Figure 7, the outer peripheral surfaces 940 of the rollers 94 press the workpieces W on the conveying surface 13a of the belt conveyor 13 in the Z direction by the biasing forces of biasing mechanisms 87A, 87B, which will be described later. This prevents the workpieces W from falling off the belt conveyor 13 even when they are exposed to the drying air Dw from the dryer D.

[0213] 8A, the frame 93 has a rectangular shape when viewed from the Z direction. Specifically, the frame 93 has long sides 931 and 932 extending along the X direction and short sides 933 and 934 connecting the ends of the long sides 931 and 932. The frame 93 is fixed to the support beams 91A and 91B by bolts B threaded into the short sides 933 and 934.

[0214] As shown in Fig. 8(a), the rollers 95 are arranged parallel to the short sides 933, 934 and are rotatably supported by the long sides 931, 932. A plurality of rollers 95 are arranged at intervals in the X direction. As shown in Fig. 7, the outer peripheral surfaces 950 of the rollers 95 press the workpieces W on the conveying surface 13a of the belt conveyor 13 in the Z direction by the biasing forces of biasing mechanisms 87A, 87B, which will be described later.

[0215] 8A, two bolts B are provided at intervals in the Y direction on each of the short sides 923 and 924 of the frame 92 and the short sides 933 and 944 of the frame 93. Insertion holes 911 to 914 for these bolts B are provided at intervals in the Y direction on the support beams 91A and 91B.

[0216] 8A, when viewed from the Z direction, the insertion holes 913, 914 of the support beam 91B are arc-shaped along a common imaginary circle Im. The insertion holes 913, 914 are curved in a direction such that the separation distance in the Y direction increases from the side surface 91a on the X2 side of the support beam 91B toward the side surface 91b on the X1 side. The angular range of the insertion holes 913, 914 in the direction along the imaginary circle Im can be, for example, 30°.

[0217] 8A, when viewed from the Z direction, the insertion holes 911 to 914 of the support beam 91A and the insertion holes 911 to 914 of the support beam 91B are provided line-symmetrically with respect to the midline Yc between the support beams 91A and 91B in the X direction. Also, in each of the support beams 91A and 91B, the insertion holes 911 and 912 and the insertion holes 913 and 914 are provided line-symmetrically with respect to the midline Xc.

[0218] The short sides 923, 924 of the frame 92 and the short sides 933, 934 of the frame 93 are fixed to the support beams 91A, 91B, respectively, by tightening the bolts B inserted into the insertion holes 911 to 914 (see, for example, FIG. 8B). On the other hand, the fixation between the frames 92, 93 and the support beams 91A, 91B is released by loosening the bolts B.

[0219] When the bolt B is loosened, the bolt B threaded into the short side portions 923, 924 of the frame 92 and the short side portions 933, 934 of the frame 93 is loosely fitted into the insertion holes 911 to 914. In other words, the frames 92, 93 are supported so as to be swingable relative to the support beams 91A, 91B within the angular range of the insertion holes 911 to 914 when viewed from the Z direction.

[0220] For example, as shown in the enlarged area of ​​Figure 8 (a), in the insertion holes 913, 914, the bolt B can be displaced in the clockwise direction (CW) or counterclockwise direction (CCW) between the Y2 side end portions 913a, 914a of the insertion holes 913, 914 and the Y1 side end portions 913b, 914b.

[0221] 7, the support beam 91 of the guide portion 9 is provided with biasing mechanisms 87A and 87B on the Y2 side of the frame 92 and the Y1 side of the frame 93. The biasing mechanisms 87A and 87B are provided in a direction along the Z direction and are provided across the arm portions 831 and 841 of the brackets 83 and 84 and the support beam 91 of the guide portion 9. In the following description, the biasing mechanisms 87A and 87B will be simply referred to as the biasing mechanism 87 unless otherwise distinguished.

[0222] The biasing mechanism 87 has a shaft S having a screw groove formed on its outer periphery and extending in the Z direction, nuts N threaded onto the upper and lower ends of the shaft S, and a spring Sp extrapolated onto the shaft S between the nuts N on the upper and lower ends.

[0223] The shaft S penetrates the arms 831, 841 of the brackets 83, 84 and the support beam 91 in the Z direction. The nuts N, N that are screwed onto the upper and lower ends of the shaft S are provided in positions that sandwich the arms 831, 841 and the support beam 91 of the guide unit 9 in the vertical direction. Therefore, the guide unit 9 is suspended from the brackets 83, 84 by the shaft S and the nuts N, N.

[0224] The guide portion 9 suspended from the brackets 83, 84 is movable in the vertical direction along the shaft S. A spring Sp is provided between the arms 831, 841 and the support beam 91 in the vertical direction. The guide portion 9 is in a state in which the support beam 91 is pressed against the nut N on the lower side by the biasing force of the spring Sp.

[0225] The spring Sp constantly applies a downward biasing force to the guide portion 9, so that the rollers 94, 95 maintain a state in which they press the workpiece W downward in the Z direction on the conveying surface 13a of the belt conveyor 13. The rollers 94, 95 rotate while pressing the workpiece W, thereby preventing the workpiece W from being lifted by the drying air Dw from the dryer D and guiding the conveyance of the workpiece W in the X direction (white arrow in (a) of FIG. 8).

[0226] Here, the guide unit 9 is configured to adjust the inclination of the rotation axes Lm, Ln of the rollers 94, 95 when viewed from the Z direction. (i) For example, as shown in Figure 8(a), the orientations of the frames 92, 93 can be displaced so that their X2-side ends approach each other in the Y direction and their X1-side ends move away from each other in the Y direction. In this case, the distance W1 between the frames 92, 93 in the Y direction on the X2 side is narrower than the distance W2 on the X1 side (W1<W2).

[0227] 8A, when the bolt B in the insertion hole 913 of the support beam 91B moves in the clockwise direction CW along the imaginary circle Im, it abuts against the end 913a on the Y2 side. When the bolt B in the insertion hole 914 moves in the clockwise direction CW, it abuts against the end 914a on the Y2 side. The bolts B in the insertion holes 913 and 914 of the support beam 91A each abut against the end on the Y1 side.

[0228] In this state, bolt B is tightened to fix frame 93 to support beams 91A and 91B, causing roller 95 to rotate around rotation axis Ln inclined by angle θB in the clockwise direction relative to rotation axis Y13 of drive roller 88. For example, angle θB can be set to 15°.

[0229] 8A, when viewed from the Z direction, by displacing the frame 92 counterclockwise, the bolts B in the insertion holes 911 and 912 of the support beam 91B come into contact with the ends on the Y1 side, and the bolts B in the insertion holes 911 and 912 of the support beam 91A come into contact with the ends on the Y2 side.

[0230] In this state, bolt B is tightened to fix frame 92 to support beams 91A and 91B, causing roller 94 to rotate around rotation axis Lm inclined counterclockwise by angle θA with respect to rotation axis Y13 of drive roller 88. For example, angle θA can be set to 15°.

[0231] As a result, the rollers 94 and 95, which are inclined with respect to the rotation axis Y13, apply uniform tension to the workpiece W moving on the belt conveyor 13 in the direction away from each other in the Y direction (arrows a and b in FIG. 8A). In other words, the guide unit 9 functions as a tenter. This allows shrinkage and wrinkles that have occurred in the workpiece W to be smoothed out in parallel with the transport of the workpiece W. The workpiece W transported past the rollers 94 and 95 to the X1 side is ultimately discharged into the collection box 16 (see FIG. 2). For example, by adjusting the angles θA and θB to be smaller than 15°, the tension in the Y direction acting on the workpiece W can be reduced. This allows the drying unit 8 of this embodiment to be used for workpieces W with weak tensile strength, for example.

[0232] (ii) The frames 92, 93 may also be arranged so that the rotation axes Lm, Ln of the rollers 94, 95 are parallel to the rotation axis Y13 of the drive roller 88. In this case, for example, in the example of the enlarged area in FIG. 8A, the bolts B in the insertion holes 913, 914 of the support beam 91B are arranged approximately midway between the Y2-side ends 913a, 914a and the Y1-side ends 913b, 914b. This prevents tension in the Y direction from acting on the workpieces W on the belt conveyor 13. This arrangement can be used, for example, when it is desired to prevent the workpieces W from extending in the Y direction.

[0233] (iii) Furthermore, when the workpieces W are transferred from the belt conveyor 12 (see FIG. 2) of the rinsing section 4 to the belt conveyor 13 of the drying section 8, they may be positioned in a position that is biased toward the Y1 or Y2 side of the belt conveyor 13. In this case, it is considered that the drying air Dw of the dryer D does not properly hit the workpieces W. In particular, in the case of small-sized workpieces W, the positions of the workpieces W on the belt conveyor 13 are likely to vary when viewed from the Z direction.

[0234] Therefore, the frames 92 and 93 are also able to be displaced in a direction such that the ends on the X1 side approach each other in the Y direction and the ends on the X2 side move away from each other in the Y direction.

[0235] At this time, for example, in the example of the enlarged region in Figure 8(a), the bolt B in the insertion holes 913, 914 of the support beam 91B abuts against the Y1-side end portions 913b, 914b of the insertion holes 913, 914 of the support beam 91B, respectively. When the bolt B abuts against the end portions 913b, 914b, the rotation axis Ln of the roller 95 is tilted 15° counterclockwise with respect to the rotation axis Y13 of the drive roller 88. Note that, although not described further, the rotation axis Lm of the roller 94 can also be tilted 15° clockwise with respect to the rotation axis Y13 of the drive roller 88 in a similar manner.

[0236] The workpieces W that are delivered biased toward the Y1 or Y2 side of the belt conveyor 13 are guided toward the midpoint line Xc by passing through the guide section 9. This allows the drying air Dw from the dryer D to be appropriately applied to the workpieces W on the belt conveyor 13.

[0237] In this way, as described above in (i) to (iii), the guide unit 9 can guide the workpiece W on the belt conveyor 13 in multiple ways, such as applying tension to the workpiece W in the Y direction by adjusting the inclination of the rollers 94 and 95 when viewed from the Z direction, simply guiding the transport of the workpiece W in the X direction, or moving the workpiece W to a position where it will be appropriately exposed to the drying air Dw from the dryer D.

[0238] <Circulation Section> As shown in FIG. 1 , the circulation section 6 includes a waste liquid tank 60 that stores used bleaching solution Q, a separation device 61 that separates disperse dye from the used bleaching solution Q, and a new liquid tank 65 that stores the bleaching solution Q before use. The separation device 61 can be, for example, a filter or a distillation device. The waste liquid tank 60 is connected to the treatment tank 23 (see FIG. 4 ) of the bleaching section 2 via a discharge line OL, and used bleaching solution Q discharged from the treatment tank 23 of the bleaching section 2 is stored in the waste liquid tank 60. The waste liquid tank 60 is connected to the separation device 61 via a pipe. The disperse dye is separated from the used bleaching solution Q stored in the waste liquid tank 60 in the separation device 61. This makes the bleaching solution Q reusable.

[0239] The separation device 61 is connected to the treatment tank 43 of the rinsing unit 4 via a reflux path RL (reflux section) for the decolorizing solution Q. The reflux path RL is provided with a valve 62 for switching the flow of the decolorizing solution Q and a pump 63 for discharging the decolorizing solution Q. A new solution tank 65 is connected to the valve 62 of the reflux path RL. The valve 62 allows the treatment tank 43 of the rinsing unit 4 to be supplied with either the reusable decolorizing solution Q from the separation device 61 or new decolorizing solution Q from the new solution tank 65, by switching between the two. As described above, the treatment tank 43 of the rinsing unit 4 and the treatment tank 23 of the decolorizing unit 2 are connected via the supply path SL (supply section). The supply path SL is provided with a pump 64.

[0240] The control unit 19 controls the operation of the pumps 63, 64 of the circulation unit 6 and the switching of the valve 62, so that the circulation unit 6 circulates the bleaching solution Q in the decolorizing device 1. The control unit 19 can perform control such that the bleaching solution Q in the treatment tanks 23, 43 is replaced at regular intervals, for example. Alternatively, the control unit 19 can replace the bleaching solution Q when the concentration of the disperse dye in the bleaching solution Q in the treatment tanks 23, 43 reaches or exceeds a threshold value. In this case, the treatment tanks 23 and 43 may be provided with sensors that measure the concentration of the disperse dye in the bleaching solution Q. Alternatively, the control unit 19 can control the circulation unit 6 so that the liquid level in the treatment tanks 23, 43 is constant, based on the liquid level detected by the liquid level adjustment units 26, 46.

[0241] The rinsing process in the rinsing section 4 is intended to remove disperse dye adhering to the surface of the workpiece W. Therefore, it is desirable to use a new bleaching solution Q or a reusable bleaching solution Q from which the disperse dye has been removed for the rinsing process. On the other hand, the decolorizing process in the decolorizing section 2 is intended to heat the workpiece W to widen the gaps between the fibers, making it easier for the disperse dye to escape. Therefore, even if a certain amount of disperse dye is present in the bleaching solution Q, it can be used for the decolorizing process.

[0242] Therefore, the circulation unit 6 supplies the decolorizing solution Q used in the treatment tank 43 of the rinsing unit 4 to the treatment tank 23 of the decolorizing unit 2 via the supply line SL. The circulation unit 6 returns the decolorizing solution Q that has become reusable in the separation device 61 to the treatment tank 43 of the rinsing unit 4 via the return line RL. Alternatively, the circulation unit 6 supplies new decolorizing solution Q stored in the new solution tank 65 to the treatment tank 43 of the rinsing unit 4 by switching the valve 62. Therefore, there is no need to supply new decolorizing solution Q to each of the decolorizing unit 2 and the rinsing unit 4. Furthermore, not only new decolorizing solution Q but also the decolorizing solution Q that has become reusable in the separation device 61 is supplied to the rinsing unit 4. In other words, the provision of the circulation unit 6 in the decolorizing device 1 of this embodiment reduces the amount of new decolorizing solution used. Furthermore, by reusing used decolorizing solution Q instead of discarding it, disposal costs and environmental impact can be reduced.

[0243] The waste liquid tank 60 and new liquid tank 65 of the circulation unit 6 are used to store the bleaching liquid. Therefore, when using a bleaching liquid containing an organic solvent, it is desirable to locate the waste liquid tank 60 and new liquid tank 65 away from the electrical equipment to avoid ignition.

[0244] <Collection Unit> As shown in FIG. 1 , the collection unit 7 includes an intake duct 71 connected to the exhaust ports 225, 425, and 825 of the bleaching unit 2, rinsing unit 4, and drying unit 8, a fume collection device 70, and an exhaust duct 72. Although not shown, the intake duct 71 is provided with an intake fan. By driving the intake fan, air containing fumes F of the bleaching solution generated in each of the bleaching unit 2, rinsing unit 4, and drying unit 8 is exhausted from the exhaust ports 225, 425, and 825 and supplied to the fume collection device 70. The fume collection device 70 recovers the fumes F of the bleaching solution contained in the air by returning them to a liquid. Although not shown, the fume collection device 70 may include, for example, an electronic cooler that cools the fumes F to condense them, and a collection tank that collects the condensation dripping from the surface of the electronic cooler. The air from which the fumes F have been removed by the fume collection device 70 is exhausted into the atmosphere via an exhaust duct 72. The decolorizing solution returned to a liquid state by the fume collection device 70 can be reused in the decolorizing device 1. Although not shown, the fume collection device 70 may be connected to the return path RL, and the decolorizing solution returned to a liquid state by the fume collection device 70 may be supplied to the treatment tank 43 of the rinsing section 4.

[0245] When using a decolorizing solution containing an organic solvent, it is desirable to place the fume recovery device 70 away from electrical equipment to avoid ignition.

[0246] <Processing Flow in the Decoloring Apparatus> The processing flow in the decoloring apparatus 1 will be described. As shown in FIG. 3 , the workpiece W to be decolorized is inserted into the supply port 212a formed in the case 21 of the decolorizing section 2. The workpiece W is sandwiched between the transport surface 11a of the belt conveyor 11 and the guide roller GR and guided into the case 21. The workpiece W placed on the transport surface 11a is transported in the transport direction by the belt conveyor 11 rotating counterclockwise (CCW). When the workpiece W moves to the recess 11b of the transport surface 11a, it is immersed in the decolorizing solution Q contained in the treatment tank 23. Inside the recess 11b, the workpiece W is sandwiched between the recess 11b and the workpiece holder 3, reducing the amount of floating up while immersed in the decolorizing solution Q.

[0247] The bleaching solution Q is heated by the heating device 25 to a temperature T1 that is equal to or higher than the fiber-spreading temperature, and is stirred by the stirring mechanism 33. When the workpiece W comes into contact with the convection of the heated bleaching solution Q, the gaps between the fibers contained in the workpiece W expand, and the disperse dye escapes from the gaps between the fibers and moves into the bleaching solution Q.

[0248] After the workpiece W passes through the recess 11b, the decolorizing liquid Q is squeezed out by the squeezing roller SR, and the workpiece W is transported to the outside of the case 21 through the discharge outlet 213a, falls down the step 14, and moves to the transport surface 12a of the belt conveyor 12 in the rinsing section 4.

[0249] As shown in Figure 5, the workpiece W enters the case 41 of the rinsing section 4 from a supply port 412a formed in the case 41, sandwiched between the conveying surface 12a and the guide roller GR, and is guided into the case 41. The workpiece W placed on the conveying surface 12a is conveyed in the conveying direction by the rotation of the belt conveyor 12 in the counterclockwise direction CCW. When the workpiece W moves to the recess 12b of the conveying surface 12a, it is immersed in the bleaching solution Q contained in the treatment tank 43. Inside the recess 12b, the workpiece W is sandwiched between the recess 12b and the workpiece holder 5, so that the workpiece W is less likely to float up while immersed in the bleaching solution Q.

[0250] The bleaching solution Q is heated by the heating device 45 to a temperature T2, which is lower than the temperature T1, and is stirred by the stirring mechanism 53. When the workpiece W comes into contact with the convection current of the bleaching solution Q at temperature T2, the disperse dye adhering to the surface of the workpiece W moves into the bleaching solution. In addition, the gaps between the fibers of the workpiece W that had expanded narrow again, reducing the chance of the disperse dye re-entering the gaps.

[0251] After the workpiece W passes through the recess 12b, the decolorizing liquid Q is squeezed out by the squeezing roller SR, and the workpiece W is transported to the outside of the case 41 through the discharge outlet 413a, falls down the step portion 15, and moves to the transport surface 13a of the belt conveyor 13 in the drying section 8.

[0252] As shown in Figure 2, the workpiece W placed on the conveying surface 13a is conveyed in the conveying direction by the rotation of the belt conveyor 13 counterclockwise (CCW). As the workpiece W is conveyed in the conveying direction, it passes over the heating device 85 and also passes under the dryer D provided in the hood 82. The heating device 85 and the dryer D evaporate the decolorizing solution Q that has soaked into the workpiece W, and the workpiece W dries. The workpiece W passes under the dryer D while being sandwiched between the conveying surface 13a and the guide unit 9. This prevents the workpiece W from lifting up due to the drying air Dw from the dryer D, and guides it in the conveying direction. Furthermore, tension in the Y direction is applied to the workpiece W by the guide unit 9, which smooths out any shrinkage or wrinkles that may have occurred during drying (see Figure 8).

[0253] As described above, the bleaching device 1 described in the embodiment has, for example, the following configuration: (1) The bleaching device 1 includes: a treatment tank 23 (first treatment tank) in the bleaching unit 2 that contains a bleaching solution Q (first bleaching solution); a treatment tank 43 (second treatment tank) in the rinsing unit 4 that contains a bleaching solution Q (second bleaching solution); and a transport unit 10 that transports workpieces W including fibers dyed or colored with a disperse dye (dye). The bleaching device 1 decolorizes the workpieces W by transporting them successively between the treatment tank 23 and the treatment tank 43 using the transport unit 10.

[0254] The decolorizing apparatus 1 of this embodiment can efficiently perform the decolorizing process. In the decolorizing apparatus 1, the conveying unit 10 continuously conveys the workpieces W to the treatment tank 23 of the decolorizing unit 2 and the treatment tank 43 of the rinsing unit 4, allowing the workpieces W to be decolorized in the decolorizing unit 2 and rinsed in the rinsing unit 4 seamlessly. This eliminates the need to manually transfer the workpieces W between each treatment, enabling automation and speeding up of the treatment, while reducing labor costs. Note that the decolorizing solution Q (first decolorizing solution) contained in the treatment tank 23 and the decolorizing solution Q (second decolorizing solution) contained in the treatment tank 43 may be the same or different, as described in the embodiment. Furthermore, while FIG. 2 illustrates the treatment tanks 23 and 43 as being approximately the same size, the present invention is not limited to this example. As described above, for example, the depth of the treatment tank 23 and the treatment tank 43 and the area of ​​the bottom portions 231 and 431 can be varied depending on the treatment time required in each of the decolorizing unit 2 and the rinsing unit 4. Furthermore, the length in the X direction of the belt conveyors 11 and 12 and the size of the recesses 11b and 12b can be adjusted according to the size of each of the treatment tanks 23 and 43.

[0255] (2) The treatment tank 23 of the decolorizing unit 2 and the treatment tank 43 of the rinsing unit 4 are arranged side by side along the conveying direction of the workpieces W. The conveying unit 10 includes conveying surfaces 11a and 12a of belt conveyors 11 and 12 on which the workpieces W are placed in the decolorizing unit 2 and the rinsing unit 4, respectively. The conveying surface 11a has a recess 11b as a portion that passes through the interior of the treatment tank 23 of the decolorizing unit 2. The conveying surface 12a has a recess 12b as a portion that passes through the interior of the treatment tank 43 of the rinsing unit 4.

[0256] With this configuration, the workpieces W can be immersed in the decolorizing solution contained in the treatment tanks 23 and 43 while remaining placed on the transport surfaces 11a and 12a. This eliminates the need for a mechanism to move the workpieces W from the transport surfaces 11a and 12a into the treatment tanks 23 and 43, and also enables faster processing.

[0257] In the embodiment, an example has been described in which the conveying unit 10 is configured with belt conveyors 11, 12, and 13 provided in the bleaching unit 2, the rinsing unit 4, and the drying unit 8, respectively. However, the present invention is not limited to this example. The conveying unit 10 may be, for example, a single belt conveyor that continuously conveys the workpieces along the entire lengths of the bleaching unit 2, the rinsing unit 4, and the drying unit 8. Alternatively, the conveying unit 10 may be configured with a single continuous belt conveyor for the bleaching unit 2 and the rinsing unit 4, and a separate belt conveyor for the drying unit 8. Alternatively, a separate belt conveyor may be provided for the bleaching unit 2, and a single continuous belt conveyor for the rinsing unit 4 and the drying unit 8. For example, the conveying unit 10 may be configured with rails arranged along the conveying direction and a cart that can slide on the rails, and a conveying surface on which the workpieces W are placed may be provided on the cart. Furthermore, in the embodiment, an example has been described in which the bleaching unit 2 and the rinsing unit 4 have generally similar configurations, but they may have different configurations. For example, either the bleaching unit 2 or the rinsing unit 4 may be configured to include a belt conveyor, while the other may be configured to include, for example, rails and a cart.

[0258] (3) Treatment tank 23 is disposed below conveying surface 11a in the Z direction (vertical direction) and has an opening at the top. Conveying surface 11a has a recess 11b at a portion overlapping the opening of treatment tank 23 when viewed from the Z direction. Recess 11b is at least partially immersed in the bleaching solution Q contained inside treatment tank 23. Treatment tank 43 is disposed below conveying surface 12a in the Z direction and has an opening at the top. Conveying surface 12a has a recess 12b at a portion overlapping the opening of treatment tank 43 when viewed from the Z direction. Recess 12b is at least partially immersed in the bleaching solution Q contained inside treatment tank 43.

[0259] This allows the workpieces W to pass through the treatment tanks 23 and 43 while being transported, with a simple configuration in which the transport surfaces 11a and 12a are provided with recesses 11b and 12b. The configuration for transporting the workpieces W through the treatment tanks 23 and 43 on the transport surfaces 11a and 12a is not limited to recesses. For example, if the transport unit 10 is configured with rails and a cart, the rails may be provided to penetrate the side surfaces 232 and 233 of the treatment tank 23 and the side surfaces 432 and 433 of the treatment tank 43, respectively. When the workpieces W placed on the cart enter the treatment tanks 23 and 43, the liquid level in the treatment tanks 23 and 43 rises, so that the workpieces W placed on the cart are immersed in the bleaching solution. Alternatively, the bleaching solution Q may be sprayed toward the workpieces W from above the treatment tanks 23 and 43, immersing the workpieces W in the bleaching solution.

[0260] (4) The decolorizing device 1 includes a hood 22 that covers the opening of the treatment tank 23 and a hood 42 that covers the opening of the treatment tank 43 .

[0261] The bleaching solution Q may be, for example, one containing an organic solvent as its main component. When heated, the organic solvent partially evaporates, which can produce an odor. Furthermore, when the evaporated bleaching solution Q is cooled in the air, it turns into fine particulate fumes F. By providing hoods 22, 42 that cover the openings of the treatment tanks 23, 43, it is possible to reduce the diffusion of odors and capture the fumes F of the bleaching solution Q.

[0262] (5) The decolorizing apparatus 1 includes a heating device 25 that heats the treatment tank 23 of the decolorizing unit 2. The hood 22 of the decolorizing unit 2 has an exhaust port 225 through which fumes F of the decolorizing solution Q heated by the heating device 25 are exhausted. The exhaust port 225 is connected to a fume recovery device 70 (recovery device) that returns the fumes F to a liquid and recovers the decolorizing solution Q. The decolorizing apparatus 1 includes a heating device 45 that heats the treatment tank 43 of the rinsing unit 4. The hood 42 of the rinsing unit 4 has an exhaust port 425 through which fumes F of the decolorizing solution Q heated by the heating device 45 are exhausted. The exhaust port 425 is connected to the fume recovery device 70.

[0263] By recovering the fumes F of the bleaching solution Q from the exhaust gas generated in the bleaching section 2 and the rinsing section 4, the exhaust gas can be safely released into the atmosphere, thereby reducing the burden on the environment. In addition, for example, by reusing the bleaching solution Q recovered by the fume recovery device 70 for treatment in the bleaching device 1, the treatment cost can be reduced.

[0264] (6) The decolorizing device 1 is provided with a workpiece holder 3 that is disposed inside the treatment tank 23 of the decolorizing section 2, facing the recess 11b of the conveying surface 11a of the belt conveyor 11, and that prevents the workpiece W from floating up. The decolorizing device 1 is provided with a workpiece holder 5 that is disposed inside the treatment tank 43 of the rinsing section 4, facing the recess 12b of the conveying surface 12a of the belt conveyor 12, and that prevents the workpiece W from floating up.

[0265] When the workpiece W is immersed in the decolorizing solution Q in the recesses 11b and 12b, if the workpiece W floats up and separates from the conveying surfaces 11a and 12a, there is a possibility that the workpiece W will not be conveyed properly. By providing the workpiece holders 3 and 5 so as to face the recesses 11b and 12b, the floating of the workpiece W can be reduced. This allows the workpiece W to be conveyed more reliably.

[0266] (7) The workpiece holders 3 and 5 have portions facing the recesses 11b and 12b (for example, the bottom surfaces 31a and 51a and the lower portions of the inclined surfaces 31c, 31d, 51c, and 51d). The workpiece holders 3 and 5 can be configured, for example, as a belt conveyor that rotates in conjunction with the belt conveyor 12. In this case, the portions of the workpiece holders 3 and 5 facing the recesses 11b and 12b function as guides that guide the movement of the workpiece W in the conveying direction.

[0267] The workpiece W is sandwiched between the recesses 11b, 12b and the workpiece holders 3, 5 within the recesses 11b, 12b, but the movement of the workpiece W in the conveying direction is guided by the guide portions, so the workpiece W can be conveyed smoothly. Note that the workpiece holders 3, 5 are not limited to examples in which the entire workpiece holders are configured as belt conveyors. For example, conveyor rollers may be provided as guide portions on at least one of the bottom surface 31a and the inclined surfaces 31c, 31d.

[0268] (8) The workpiece holder 3 has holes 310 through which the bleaching liquid Q can pass, on its bottom surface 31a, which faces the recess 11b. An agitation mechanism 33 that agitates the bleaching liquid Q (first bleaching liquid) is provided above the bottom surface 31a. The workpiece holder 5 has holes 510 through which the bleaching liquid Q can pass, on its bottom surface 51a, which faces the recess 12b. An agitation mechanism 53 that agitates the bleaching liquid Q (second bleaching liquid) is provided above the bottom surface 51a.

[0269] The agitation mechanisms 33, 53 must be positioned so as not to obstruct the transport of the workpieces W and so as to be immersed in the bleaching solution Q. The agitation mechanisms 33, 53 can be positioned, for example, below the recesses 11b, 12b of the treatment tanks 23, 43. However, in this case, the space required for arranging the agitation mechanisms 33, 53 increases the size of the treatment tanks 23, 43 and the amount of bleaching solution Q required. In this embodiment, the workpiece holders 3, 5 are configured as mesh belts, and holes 310, 510 are formed in the workpiece holders 3, 5. The bleaching solution Q passes through the holes 310, 510 and is also stored above the bottom surfaces 31a, 51a of the workpiece holders 3, 5. This allows the agitation mechanisms 33, 53 to be positioned by utilizing the space above the bottom surfaces 31a, 51a in the recesses 11b, 12b. This allows the treatment tanks 23, 43 to be made more compact and the amount of bleaching solution Q required to be reduced. In this embodiment, the workpiece holders 3 and 5, along with the belt conveyors 11 and 12, are also configured as belt conveyors. That is, both the belt conveyors 11 and 12 and the workpiece holders 3 and 5 are formed with a large number of holes 110, 120, 310, and 510 through which the bleaching solution Q can pass. This allows substantially the entire surface of the workpiece W to be uniformly contacted with the bleaching solution Q when the workpiece W is sandwiched between the recesses 11b and 12b and the workpiece holders 3 and 5. Furthermore, even if the workpiece holders 3 and 5 are displaced in the Z direction or the recesses 11b and 12b of the belt conveyors 11 and 12 are bent in the Z direction, the liquid level of the bleaching solution Q in the treatment tanks 23 and 43 is less likely to fluctuate.

[0270] In the above embodiment, the belt conveyors 11, 12 and the work holders 3, 5 are made of mesh belts to form the holes 110, 120, 310, 510, but the configuration is not limited to this example. For example, a plurality of holes may be formed in a belt-like belt.

[0271] (9) The transport unit 10 has a step portion 14 that descends from the upper side to the lower side in the Z direction toward the downstream side in the transport direction between the processing tank 23 and the processing tank 43 in the transport direction.

[0272] With this configuration, the conveying unit 10 can smoothly move the workpiece W from the bleaching unit 2 to the rinsing unit 4 by utilizing the weight of the workpiece W. While a slope may be provided instead of the step 14 from the viewpoint of utilizing the weight of the workpiece W, the step 14 contributes to the miniaturization of the bleaching device 1 because the distance in the X direction is shorter than that of a slope. While FIG. 2 illustrates an example in which the treatment tank 43 of the rinsing unit 4 is located lower in the Z direction than the treatment tank 23 of the bleaching unit 2, the position of the treatment tank 43 is not limited to this example. It is sufficient that the conveying unit 10 is located so as to descend toward the downstream side in the conveying direction at least in the transfer portion from the bleaching unit 2 to the rinsing unit 4. The treatment tank 43 may be located at the same position as the treatment tank 23 in the Z direction, or may be located higher than the treatment tank 23, for example. If the treatment tank 43 is provided at a higher position than the treatment tank 23, the decolorizing solution Q can be supplied from the treatment tank 43 to the treatment tank 23 by utilizing the head difference between the decolorizing solution Q in the treatment tank 43 and the decolorizing solution Q in the treatment tank 23. In this case, the pump 64 (see FIGS. 1 and 6) in the supply line SL does not need to be provided.

[0273] (10) The drying unit 8 dries the workpiece W. The transport unit 10 passes the workpiece W through the treatment tank 43 (second treatment tank) and then the drying unit 8 in succession.

[0274] With this configuration, the series of processes of bleaching, rinsing, and drying can be automated, reducing labor costs and enabling the bleaching process to be performed at a higher speed.

[0275] (11) The transport unit 10 includes a belt conveyor 13 that transports the workpieces W placed on a transport surface 13a in the area passing through the drying unit 8. The transport surface 13a of the belt conveyor 13 is located lower than the transport surface 12a of the belt conveyor 12 (the area passing through the second treatment tank). The transport surface 13a has a step 15 that slopes downward toward the X1 side (downstream in the transport direction) between the rinsing unit 4, which has the treatment tank 43, and the drying unit 8.

[0276] With this configuration, the workpieces W transported on the belt conveyor 12 fall down the step 15 between the rinsing section 4 and the drying section 8. In other words, the workpieces W can be moved by utilizing gravity, so there is no need to use a separate device for transfer (for example, a robot arm), making transfer easy.

[0277] (12) The drying section 8 is disposed opposite the conveying surface 13a and includes a guide section 9 that guides the conveyance of the workpiece W.

[0278] With this configuration, it is possible to prevent the workpiece W from being lifted up by the drying air Dw of the dryer D and falling off the belt conveyor 13, for example.

[0279] (13) The guide unit 9 has rollers 94, 95 that come into contact with the workpiece W on the conveying surface 13a, frames 92, 93 that rotatably support the rollers 94, 95, and support beams 91A, 91B that serve as support units that support the frames 92, 93. When viewed from the Z direction (the direction perpendicular to the conveying surface), the frames 92, 93 are supported by the support beams 91A, 91B so as to be able to swing.

[0280] With this configuration, the rotation axes Lm, Ln of the rollers 94, 95 supported by the frames 92, 93 can be inclined with respect to the rotation axis Y13 of the drive roller 88 (see FIG. 8A). By adjusting the orientation of the rollers 94, 95, it is possible to guide the workpieces W on the belt conveyor 13 in a number of ways, such as applying tension in the Y direction to the workpieces W on the belt conveyor 13 while preventing the workpieces W from falling off the belt conveyor 13, simply guiding the transport of the workpieces W in the X direction, or moving the workpieces W to a position where they are appropriately exposed to the drying air Dw from the dryer D.

[0281] (14) When viewed from the Z direction, the frames 92 and 93 are disposed on one side and the other side of the midline Xc of the conveying surface 13 a in the Y direction (the direction perpendicular to the conveying direction). The frame 92 on one side and the frame 93 on the other side are supported by support beams 91A and 91B so that the distance W1 between the short sides 923 and 933, which are the ends on the X2 side (the upstream side in the conveying direction), is narrower than the distance W2 between the short sides 924 and 934, which are the ends on the X1 side (the downstream side in the conveying direction).

[0282] With this configuration, the rollers 94 and 95, which are inclined with respect to the rotation axis Y13, apply uniform tension to the workpieces W moving on the belt conveyor 13 in directions away from each other in the Y direction (arrows a and b in FIG. 8A). In other words, the guide unit 9 functions as a tenter. This allows shrinkage and wrinkles that have occurred in the workpieces W to be smoothed out in parallel with the transport of the workpieces W.

[0283] The bleaching device 1 described in the embodiment has, for example, the following configuration: (I) The bleaching device 1 bleaches a workpiece W containing fibers dyed or colored with a dye using a bleaching solution Q. In the bleaching device 1, at least a portion having electrical equipment is disposed away from the bleaching unit 2, the rinsing unit 4, and the drying unit 8, which are processing units from which the bleaching solution Q may leak.

[0284] The bleaching solution Q may contain an organic solvent. Contact of the bleaching solution Q leaking from the bleaching section 2, rinsing section 4, drying section 8, etc. with electrical equipment may result in fire. However, designing the bleaching section 2, rinsing section 4, drying section 8, etc. with an explosion-proof structure to prevent contact between the bleaching solution Q and electrical equipment increases equipment costs. By locating the bleaching section 2, rinsing section 4, and drying section 8, which may leak the bleaching solution Q, away from at least the electrical equipment in other processing sections (e.g., the circulation section 6, the recovery section 7, the compressor 18, and the control section 19), equipment costs can be reduced while improving the safety of the bleaching apparatus 1. Furthermore, in this embodiment, air motors M1, M2, and M3 are used to rotate and drive the belt conveyors 11, 12, and 13 in the bleaching section 2, rinsing section 4, and drying section 8. This allows the bleaching apparatus 1 to be operated without locating electrical equipment in areas where the bleaching solution Q may leak.

[0285] (II) The decolorizing device 1 includes heating devices 25, 45 that heat the decolorizing solution Q, and a fume recovery device 70 that recovers the decolorizing solution Q vaporized by the heating devices 25, 45 by returning it to a liquid state. The fume recovery device 70 is disposed away from the electrical equipment.

[0286] When an organic solvent is used as the bleaching solution Q, there is a possibility that the bleaching solution leaking from the fume collection device 70 may ignite if it comes into contact with electrical equipment. On the other hand, if the fume collection device 70 is explosion-proof, the equipment cost increases. By locating the fume collection device 70 away from the electrical equipment, the equipment cost can be reduced while the safety of the bleaching device 1 can be improved.

[0287] (III) The decolorizing device 1 includes a waste liquid tank 60 and a new liquid tank 65, which are storage units for the decolorizing liquid Q. The waste liquid tank 60 and the new liquid tank 65 are disposed away from the electrical equipment.

[0288] When an organic solvent is used as the decolorizing solution Q, there is a possibility that the decolorizing solution Q leaking from the waste liquid tank 60 and the new liquid tank 65 may ignite if it comes into contact with electrical equipment. On the other hand, if the waste liquid tank 60 and the new liquid tank 65 are explosion-proof, the equipment costs increase. By locating the waste liquid tank 60 and the new liquid tank 65 away from the electrical equipment, the equipment costs can be reduced while the safety of the decolorizing device 1 can be improved.

[0289] (IV) The bleaching solution Q may contain an organic solvent having a boiling point higher than the heating temperature in the bleaching section 2, the rinsing section 4 and the drying section 8.

[0290] By using an organic solvent with a high boiling point, the safety of the decolorizing device 1 can be further improved.

[0291] (V) The distances between the bleaching section 2, rinsing section 4, and drying section 8 and the section having electrical equipment can be set in accordance with the regulations of the installation location.

[0292] This can further improve the safety of the bleaching device 1.

[0293] <Modification 1> Fig. 9 is a diagram illustrating a guide section 9A according to Modification 1. Fig. 10 is a diagram illustrating a guide section 9A according to Modification 1. Fig. 10 is a schematic diagram of a cross section taken along line A-A in Fig. 9. Figs. 9 and 10 show a guide section 9A that is Modification 1 of the guide section 9 of the drying section 8. In Modification 1, the same components as those in the embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted. Furthermore, in Figs. 9 and 10, parts for which reference numerals are omitted can be considered to be denoted by the same reference numerals as in Figs. 7 and 8.

[0294] As shown in Figure 9, the guide section 9A of the modified example has a roller 99 that faces the conveying surface 13a of the belt conveyor 13, a shaft 98 inserted into the roller 99, and frames 96 and 97 that support both ends of the shaft 98.

[0295] The roller 99 and shaft 98 are oriented along the Y direction. The frames 96 and 97 are suspended from the brackets 83 and 84 via the biasing mechanisms 87A and 87B. The guide portion 9A is in a state in which the frames 96 and 97 are in pressure contact with the lower nut N due to the biasing force of the spring Sp. The outer peripheral surface 990 of the roller 99 presses the workpiece W on the conveying surface 13a of the belt conveyor 13 in the Z direction due to the biasing forces of the biasing mechanisms 87A and 87B.

[0296] 10 , the frames 96 and 97 are linear, long plates oriented along the X direction and spaced apart in the Y direction. The biasing mechanisms 87A are provided at the X2-side end 96a and the X1-side end 96b of the frame 96 in the X direction. The biasing mechanisms 87B are provided at the X2-side end 97a and the X1-side end 97b of the frame 97 in the X direction.

[0297] When viewed from the Z direction, a roller 99 is provided between the frames 96 and 97 in the Y direction. The roller 99 is supported by the frames 96 and 97 and rotates around a rotation axis Lp that is parallel to the rotation axis Y13 of the drive roller 88. A plurality of rollers 99 are provided at intervals in the X direction.

[0298] Here, as shown in Figure 10, among the multiple rollers 99 lined up in the X direction, the roller 99' arranged in the region on the X2 side of the midpoint Yc of the frames 96 and 97 in the X direction is formed to be curved toward the X1 side when viewed from the Z direction.

[0299] Specifically, the roller 99' has a middle portion 99c in the Y direction that protrudes further toward the X1 side than both end portions 99a, 99b. The shaft 98' that penetrates the roller 99' in the Y direction also has a middle portion 98c in the Y direction that protrudes further toward the X1 side than both end portions 98a, 98b, forming an arc shape. The shaft 98' is fixed to the frames 96, 97 so as not to rotate relative to them. In the illustrated example, four rollers 99' and four shafts 98' are provided on the X2 side of the midpoint line Yc.

[0300] The roller 99' is made of, for example, a flexible material (such as sponge) and is rotatable around an arc-shaped shaft 98'. As a result, the roller 99' rotates around an arc-shaped rotation axis Lq, with a middle portion 99c in the Y direction extending further toward the X1 side than both end portions 99a, 99b.

[0301] As a result, when the workpiece W moving on the belt conveyor 13 is transported from the X2 side to the X1 side, tension is applied by the rollers 99' in directions away from the workpiece W in the Y direction about the midpoint Xc (arrows a and b in FIG. 10). This makes it possible to smooth out shrinkage and wrinkles in the workpiece W. In other words, the guide section 9A functions as a tenter. The workpiece W that has passed the rollers 99' is further guided by the rollers 99 toward the X1 side and is finally discharged into the collection box 16 (see FIG. 2).

[0302] As described above, the guide unit 9A according to the modified example has, for example, the following configuration. (15) The guide unit 9A has a roller 99 that contacts the workpiece W on the conveying surface 13a, a shaft 98 inserted into the roller 99, and frames 96, 97 that support both end portions 98a, 99b of the shaft 98. When viewed from the Z direction, the rollers 99 are provided along the Y direction, and a plurality of rollers 99 are provided at intervals in the X direction. The roller 99' located on the X2 side is curved so that the middle portion 99c in the Y direction is located closer to the X1 side than both end portions 99a, 99b.

[0303] With this configuration, when the workpiece W moving on the belt conveyor 13 is transported from the X2 side to the X1 side, tension is applied by the rollers 99' in directions away from the center line Xc to both sides in the Y direction (arrows a and b in FIG. 10). This makes it possible to smooth out shrinkage and wrinkles in the workpiece W. In other words, the guide unit 9A functions as a tenter. This makes it possible to smooth out shrinkage and wrinkles that have occurred in the workpiece W in parallel with the transport of the workpiece W.

[0304] <Modifications 2 and 3> Fig. 11 is a diagram illustrating a guide portion 9B according to Modification 2. Fig. 12 is a diagram illustrating a guide portion 9C according to Modification 3. Note that the curvatures of the rollers 99A and 99B are exaggerated in Figs. 11 and 12. In Modifications 2 and 3, the same components as those in Modification 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0305] 11 , in a guide unit 9B according to Modification 2, a roller 99A is provided between frames 96 and 97 in the Y direction when viewed from the Z direction. One end 991 and the other end 992 of the roller 99A are rotatably supported by the frames 96 and 97, respectively. The roller 99A rotates around a rotation axis Lp along the Y direction. A plurality of rollers 99A are provided at intervals in the X direction.

[0306] The roller 99A is a crown roller whose outer diameter increases from one end 991 and the other end 992 in the Y direction toward an intermediate portion 993. When the roller 99A rotates around the rotation axis Lp, the peripheral speed of the one end 991 and the other end 992 is different from the peripheral speed of the intermediate portion 993. The portion of the workpiece W that contacts the intermediate portion 993 of the roller 99A moves faster than the portion that contacts the one end 991 and the other end 992.

[0307] As a result, tension acts on the work W moving on the belt conveyor 13 in directions away from each other in the Y direction with the midpoint Xc as the center (arrows a and b in FIG. 11 ), thereby smoothing out shrinkage and wrinkles in the work W. In other words, the guide section 9B functions as a tenter.

[0308] 12 , in a guide unit 9C according to Modification 3, a roller 99B is provided between frames 96 and 97 in the Y direction when viewed from the Z direction. One end 994 and the other end 995 of the roller 99B are rotatably supported by the frames 96 and 97, respectively. The roller 99B rotates around a rotation axis Lp along the Y direction. A plurality of rollers 99B are provided at intervals in the X direction.

[0309] The roller 99B is an inverted crown roller whose outer diameter decreases from one end 994 and the other end 995 in the Y direction toward an intermediate portion 996. When the roller 99B rotates around the rotation axis Lp, the peripheral speed of the one end 994 and the other end 995 is different from the peripheral speed of the intermediate portion 996. The portion of the workpiece W that contacts the intermediate portion 996 of the roller 99B moves at a slower speed than the portion that contacts the one end 994 and the other end 995.

[0310] As a result, tension acts on the work W moving on the belt conveyor 13 in directions away from each other in the Y direction with the midpoint Xc as the center (arrows a and b in FIG. 12 ), thereby smoothing out shrinkage and wrinkles in the work W. In other words, the guide section 9C functions as a tenter.

[0311] Furthermore, the shape of the roller is not limited to these shapes, and may be any shape that applies tension in the Y direction to the workpiece W. Although not shown in the drawings, for example, a spiral groove or spiral protrusion having phases that move away from each other from the middle to both ends in the Y direction may be formed on the outer circumferential surface of a cylindrical roller.

[0312] <Modification 4> Fig. 13 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of a bleaching device 1D according to Modification 4. As shown in Fig. 13, in the bleaching device 1D according to Modification 4, three processing sections (a bleaching section 2D, a rinsing section 4D, and a drying section 8D) are housed inside a single case 27, resulting in a compact and highly airtight structure.

[0313] In the fourth modification, the case 27 has a box shape. The case 27 is supported at its four corners by a frame FR and is disposed at a distance in the Z direction from the floor G. The case 27 has an upper portion 271 and a bottom portion 272. The upper portion 271 and the bottom portion 272 extend along the X and Y directions and are disposed at a distance from each other in the Z direction. The case 27 has sidewall portions that connect the outer edges of the upper portion 271 and the bottom portion 272 and extend along the Z direction. In the drawings, only the sidewall portions 276, 277 on the X2 side (right side in the drawing) and the X1 side (left side in the drawing) in the X direction are shown, and the sidewall portions on both sides in the Y direction are not shown. The upper portion 271 of the case 27 may be provided with a door portion 271a that can open the interior of the case 27.

[0314] 13 shows an example in which the workpiece W is transported from the X2 side to the X1 side in the X direction inside the case 27. Inside the case 27, the upstream side (X2 side) of the transport direction of the workpiece W is the area of ​​the bleaching section 2D, the downstream side (X1 side) is the area of ​​the drying section 8D, and the area between the bleaching section 2D and the drying section 8D is the area of ​​the rinsing section 4D.

[0315] A supply port 276a for the workpiece W is formed in a side wall portion 276 on the X2 side (right side in the drawing) of the case 27. A discharge port 277a for the workpiece W is provided in a side wall portion 277 on the X1 side (left side in the drawing) of the case 27.

[0316] The bottom 272 of the case 27 has a first bottom 273 disposed on the X2 side in the X direction and a second bottom 274 disposed on the X1 side. An opening 275 is formed between the first bottom 273 and the second bottom 274 in the X direction of the bottom 272. A treatment tank 28 for storing a decolorizing solution Q is attached to the opening 275. The treatment tank 28 is movable in the Z direction by a movement mechanism (not shown). The treatment tank 28 closes the opening 275 of the case 27 at an upper position in the Z direction indicated by the solid line in the figure. When the treatment tank 28 moves to a lower position in the Z direction indicated by the dashed line in the figure, it moves away from the opening 275 and is removed from the case 27. Making the treatment tank 28 removable from the case 27 in this way facilitates maintenance of the treatment tank 28 (e.g., removing lint and other impurities from the workpiece W).

[0317] The treatment tank 28 has a box shape that opens upward in the Z direction. At the position indicated by the solid line in the figure, the side surface 281 on the X2 side of the treatment tank 28 contacts the first bottom 273 of the case 27, and the side surface 282 on the X1 side contacts the second bottom 274. In this state, the interior of the treatment tank 28, which stores the decolorizing solution Q, is integrated with the interior of the case 27.

[0318] The treatment tank 28 is provided with a partition wall 284 that divides the interior of the treatment tank 28 into two regions. The partition wall 284 extends in the Y direction and is connected to each of the side portions (not shown) provided on both sides of the treatment tank 28 in the Y direction. The partition wall 284 divides the treatment tank 28 into a first region 285 on the upstream side (X2 side) in the conveyance direction of the workpiece W and a second region 286 on the downstream side (X1 side). The position of the upper end of the partition wall 284 in the Z direction is lower than the upper ends of the side portions 281 and 282 and is set to a position corresponding to the water level of the decolorizing solution Q required in the first region 285 and the second region 286.

[0319] The first region 285 functions as a treatment tank (first treatment tank containing a first bleaching solution) for the bleaching section 2D. The second region 286 functions as a treatment tank (second treatment tank containing a second bleaching solution) for the rinsing section 4D. A heating device 25 is provided on a bottom portion 285a of the first region 285 and a bottom portion 286a of the second region 286. As in the embodiment, the heating device 25 heats the bleaching solution Q stored in each region. Although not shown, at least one of the first region 285 and the second region 286 of the treatment tank 28 may be provided with a stirring mechanism for stirring the bleaching solution Q, as in the embodiment.

[0320] FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of the treatment tank 28 and the flow of the decolorizing solution Q. As shown in FIG. 14, a step 287 is provided between the bottom surface 285a of the first region 285 and the bottom surface 286a of the second region 286. Note that the step 287 is exaggerated in FIG. 14. The Z-direction position Zp1 of the bottom surface 285a of the first region 285 is lower than the Z-direction position Zp2 of the bottom surface 286a of the second region 286. As a result, the liquid level LS1 of the decolorizing solution Q stored in the first region 285 is located lower in the Z-direction than the liquid level LS2 of the second region 286 and has a head difference HD with respect to the liquid level LS2.

[0321] Furthermore, the length L1 of the first region 285 in the X direction (the direction in which the workpiece W is transported) is set to be longer than the length L2 of the second region 286 in the X direction (L1>L2). Here, the length L1 of the first region 285 in the X direction corresponds to the distance between the side surface 281 on the X2 side of the processing tank 28 and the partition wall 284. The length L2 of the second region 286 in the X direction corresponds to the distance between the side surface 282 on the X1 side of the processing tank 28 and the partition wall 284.

[0322] In the decolorization device 1D of variant example 4, as in the embodiment, new decolorization liquid Q or reusable decolorization liquid Q is supplied to the second area 286 of the treatment tank 28 where the rinsing process is performed, and the decolorization liquid Q used in the rinsing process is supplied to the first area 285 where the decolorization process is performed.

[0323] A supply port SPa and discharge ports OPa and OPb for the bleaching solution Q are provided on the bottom surface 285a of the first region 285. The supply port SPa is connected to discharge ports OPc and OPd of the second region 286 (described later) via a supply path SL for the bleaching solution Q. The discharge ports OPa and OPb are each connected to a waste liquid tank 60 via a discharge path OL. The discharge port OPa is connected to the waste liquid tank 60 via a valve V. By opening the valve V, the bleaching solution Q is discharged from the discharge port OPa to the waste liquid tank 60.

[0324] The outlet OPb is formed as a cylindrical portion protruding upward in the Z direction from the bottom surface portion 285a. The upper end of the outlet OPb is open. The Z-direction position of the upper end of the outlet OPb is set according to the required water level (height of the liquid level LS1) in the first region 285. When the liquid level LS1 of the decolorizing solution Q in the first region 285 exceeds the upper end of the outlet OPb, the decolorizing solution Q enters the interior of the outlet OPb and is discharged into the waste liquid tank 60 via the discharge path OL. This facilitates maintaining the liquid level LS1 in the first region 285 at the required water level. In other words, the outlet OPb functions as a liquid level adjuster in the first region 285. In this case, the liquid level adjuster 26 (see FIG. 1) described in the embodiment may be omitted. This allows for a more compact decolorizing device 1D. Alternatively, the liquid level adjuster 26 of the embodiment may be provided together with the outlet OPb to enable more precise liquid level adjustment.

[0325] 14, the waste liquid tank 60 can be connected to a separator 61, as in the embodiment. The separator 61 separates the disperse dye from the bleaching solution Q, making it reusable. The reusable bleaching solution Q is supplied to a supply port SPb of a second region 286 (described later) via a return path RL.

[0326] A supply port SPb and discharge ports OPc and OPd for the decolorizing solution Q are provided on a bottom surface 286a of the second region 286. The supply port SPb is connected to the separation device 61 of the circulation unit 6 and the new solution tank 65 via a return path RL. The return path RL is provided with a valve V for switching the flow of the decolorizing solution Q and a pump P for transporting the decolorizing solution Q. The valve V allows the second region 286 to be supplied with either the decolorizing solution Q that has been made reusable by the separation device 61 or new decolorizing solution Q from the new solution tank 65, by switching between the two.

[0327] The outlets OPc and OPd are connected to the supply port SPa of the first region 285 via a supply path SL. The outlet OPc is connected to the supply path SL via a valve V, and by opening the valve V, the bleaching solution Q is discharged from the outlet OPc to the supply path SL. The outlet OPd is formed as a cylindrical portion that protrudes upward in the Z direction from the bottom surface portion 286a. The upper end of the outlet OPd is open. The position in the Z direction of the upper end of the outlet OPd is set according to the water level required in the second region 286 (the height of the liquid surface LS2).

[0328] When the liquid level LS2 of the decolorizing liquid Q in the second region 286 exceeds the upper end of the outlet OPd, the decolorizing liquid Q enters the interior of the outlet OPd and is discharged. That is, the outlet OPd functions as a liquid level adjuster in the second region 286, similar to the outlet OPb in the first region 285. Note that, like the first region 285, the second region 286 may also be provided with the liquid level adjuster 26 (see FIG. 1) as in the embodiment, or may be omitted.

[0329] As described above, the liquid level LS2 in the second region 286 is located above the liquid level LS1 in the first region 285 in the Z direction, and there is a head difference HD. This allows the decolorizing solution Q to be supplied from the outlets OPc and OPd of the second region 286 to the supply port SPa of the first region 285 using the siphon principle. This eliminates the need for a pump to discharge the decolorizing solution Q in the supply path SL. The decolorizing solution Q stored in the second region 286 is heated by the heating device 25. Discharging the heated decolorizing solution Q using a pump requires the pump to be heat-resistant. In the fourth modification, a pump can be omitted from the supply path SL through which the heated decolorizing solution Q passes, thereby reducing equipment costs.

[0330] If the liquid level LS2 in the second region 286 exceeds the partition wall 284, the decolorizing solution Q may flow over the partition wall 284 and into the first region 285. That is, in the fourth modification, in addition to the outlet OPd, the partition wall 284 also functions as a liquid level adjusting unit for the second region 286.

[0331] As shown in FIG. 13 , in Modification 4, a single belt conveyor 10D functions as a conveying unit that transports workpieces W to the bleaching unit 2D, rinsing unit 4D, and drying unit 8D. While detailed description is omitted, the belt conveyor 10D can be configured from a mesh belt and a chain belt, as in the embodiment. The belt conveyor 10D traverses the interior of the case 27 from the X2 side to the X1 side, and has areas located in the bleaching unit 2D, rinsing unit 4D, and drying unit 8D. The X2-side end of the belt conveyor 10D is located near a workpiece W supply port 276a provided in a side wall 276 of the case 27. The X1-side end of the belt conveyor 10D is located near a workpiece W discharge port 277a provided in a side wall 277 of the case 27.

[0332] Similar to the embodiment, a drive pulley Pg around which the belt conveyor 10D is wound and a plurality of driven pulleys Ph are arranged inside the case 27. Driven pulleys (not shown) are arranged at positions symmetrical to the drive pulley Pg in the Y direction across the belt conveyor 10D. In addition, another driven pulley (not shown) is arranged at positions symmetrical to each driven pulley Ph in the Y direction across the belt conveyor 10D.

[0333] The drive pulley Pg is connected to a motor M provided outside the case 27 via a power transmission mechanism (not shown) arranged inside the case 27. The motor M may be an air motor as in the embodiment. Alternatively, if the case 27 is highly sealed and the possibility of leakage of the bleaching solution Q is sufficiently reduced, the motor M may be an electric motor.

[0334] The belt conveyor 10D is wound around a drive pulley Pg and a plurality of driven pulleys Ph. The drive pulley Pg rotates when a motor M is driven. The rotation of the drive pulley Pg causes the belt conveyor 10D to rotate, and the driven pulleys Ph rotate in conjunction with the rotation of the belt conveyor 10D.

[0335] In the illustrated example, the drive pulley Pg rotates counterclockwise, causing the belt conveyor 10D to rotate counterclockwise. The region of the belt conveyor 10D that moves from the X2 side to the X1 side (the upper region in the Z direction) forms the conveying surface 101 for the workpieces W. As the workpieces W are conveyed on the conveying surface 101 of the belt conveyor 10D, they pass through the bleaching section 2D, the rinsing section 4D, and the drying section 8D in succession, and are processed in each processing section.

[0336] As shown in Figure 13, for example, the drive pulley Pg is disposed inside the case 27 near the discharge port 277a for the workpiece W on the X1 side. Multiple driven pulleys Ph are disposed on the X2 side of the drive pulley Pg. The conveying surface 101 of the belt conveyor 10D moves from the X2 side to the X1 side via the drive pulley Pg and driven pulleys Ph (Ph1 to Ph8) arranged at intervals in the X direction. The drive pulley Pg is located at the end of the conveying surface 101 on the X1 side.

[0337] The driven pulley Ph1 is located on the X2 side of the case 27, near the supply port 276a for the workpiece W. The drive pulley Pg is located at the end of the X2 side of the conveying surface 101. The driven pulley Ph2 is located on the X1 side of the driven pulley Ph1, and is located near the X2-side side surface 281 of the treatment tank 28 when viewed from the Z direction. The driven pulley Ph5 is located on the X1 side of the driven pulley Ph2, and is positioned so as to overlap the partition wall 284 of the treatment tank 28 when viewed from the Z direction. In other words, the driven pulley Ph5 is located between the bleaching section 2D and the rinsing section 4D in the X direction. The driven pulley Ph8 is located on the X1 side of the driven pulley Ph5, and is located near the X1-side side surface 282 of the treatment tank 28 when viewed from the Z direction.

[0338] The driven pulleys Ph3 and Ph4 are disposed between the driven pulleys Ph2 and Ph5 at a distance from each other in the X direction. When viewed from the Z direction, the driven pulleys Ph3 and Ph4 overlap a first region 285 of the treatment tank 28 that is disposed within the bleaching section 2D. The driven pulleys Ph6 and Ph7 are disposed between the driven pulleys Ph5 and Ph8 at a distance from each other in the X direction. When viewed from the Z direction, the driven pulleys Ph6 and Ph7 overlap a second region 286 of the treatment tank 28 that is disposed within the rinsing section 4D of the treatment tank 28.

[0339] The driven pulleys Ph2, Ph5, and Ph8 are disposed at intervals in the Z direction with respect to the treatment tank 28. The driven pulleys Ph3, Ph4, Ph6, and Ph7 are disposed lower in the Z direction than the driven pulleys Ph2, Ph5, and Ph8, and are provided in positions where at least a portion of each of the driven pulleys is immersed in the bleaching solution Q in the treatment tank 28. The conveying surface 101 of the belt conveyor 10D is wound around the X2 side of the driven pulley Ph1, the upper side of the driven pulley Ph2, the lower sides of the driven pulleys Ph3 and Ph4, the upper side of the driven pulley Ph5, the lower sides of the driven pulleys Ph6 and Ph7, the upper side of the driven pulley Ph8, and the outer periphery of the X1 side of the drive pulley Pg.

[0340] A recess 102 recessed downward in the Z direction is formed on the conveying surface 101 in the region of driven pulleys Ph2 to Ph5. A recess 103 recessed downward in the Z direction is also formed on the conveying surface 101 in the region of driven pulleys Ph5 to Ph8. When viewed from the Z direction, the recess 102 overlaps with the first region 285 of the treatment tank 28, and at least a portion of the recess 102 is immersed in the bleaching solution Q stored in the first region 285. When viewed from the Z direction, the recess 103 overlaps with the second region 286 of the treatment tank 28, and at least a portion of the recess 103 is immersed in the bleaching solution Q stored in the second region 286. When passing through the recess 102, the workpiece W conveyed on the conveying surface 101 of the belt conveyor 10D is immersed in the bleaching solution Q in the first region 285 and is bleached. When the workpiece W passes through the recess 103, it is immersed in the decolorizing solution Q in the second region 286 and rinsed.

[0341] A workpiece holder 3D is provided above the belt conveyor 10D in the Z direction. The workpiece holder 3D prevents the workpiece W transported on the belt conveyor 10D from floating up when immersed in the bleaching solution Q. In FIG. 13 , the workpiece holder 3D is shown with a dashed line to make it easier to distinguish it from the belt conveyor 10D. Also, in FIG. 13 , some of the driven pulleys Pj that support the workpiece holder 3D are not shown. When viewed from the Z direction, the workpiece holder 3D is provided in an area spanning the bleaching section 2D and the rinsing section 4D. The workpiece holder 3D is positioned opposite the belt conveyor 10D in the Z direction. When viewed from the Z direction, the workpiece holder 3D is provided in an area overlapping the recesses 102 and 103 of the belt conveyor 10D. In Modification 4, the workpiece holders 3D of both the bleaching section 2D and the rinsing section 4D are formed by a single belt conveyor.

[0342] A drive pulley Pi around which the workpiece holder 3D is wound and multiple driven pulleys Pj are arranged inside the case 27. A driven pulley (not shown) is arranged at a position symmetrical to the drive pulley Pi in the Y direction across the workpiece holder 3D. Furthermore, a driven pulley (not shown) is arranged at a position symmetrical to each driven pulley Pj in the Y direction across the workpiece holder 3D. Note that the workpiece holder 3D has a narrower width in the Y direction than the belt conveyor 10D to avoid interference with the driven pulleys Ph3 to Ph7 located above the conveying surface 101 of the belt conveyor 10D. Therefore, the drive pulley Pi and driven pulley Pj of the workpiece holder 3D are each arranged closer to the center in the Y direction than the driven pulleys Ph3 to Ph7 of the belt conveyor 10D.

[0343] The drive pulley Pi of the workpiece holder 3D is connected to the driven pulley Ph5 of the belt conveyor 10D via a speed change device TM (power transmission mechanism). When the driven pulley Ph5 rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the drive pulley Pg of the belt conveyor 10D, the rotation of the driven pulley Ph5 is transmitted to the drive pulley Pi of the workpiece holder 3D via the speed change device TM. The rotation of the drive pulley Pi causes the workpiece holder 3D to rotate, and each driven pulley Pj rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the workpiece holder 3D. In the illustrated example, the workpiece holder 3D rotates clockwise in conjunction with the counterclockwise rotation of the belt conveyor 10D. The speed change device TM accelerates the rotation of the driven pulley Ph5 and transmits it to the drive pulley Pi. As a result, the rotation speed V2 of the workpiece holder 3D becomes faster than the rotation speed V1 of the belt conveyor 10D (V1 < V2).

[0344] The region of the workpiece holder 3D that moves from the X2 side (right side in the drawing) to the X1 side (left side in the drawing) (the region below in the Z direction) becomes an opposing surface 36 that faces the conveying surface 101 of the belt conveyor 10D in the Z direction. The opposing surface 36 prevents the workpiece W being conveyed on the conveying surface 101 from floating up in the decolorizing solution Q, and also functions as a guide portion that guides the movement of the workpiece W in the conveying direction (from the X2 side to the X1 side).

[0345] In the embodiment, an example has been described in which the workpiece holder 3D moves in the conveying direction due to the force acting in the conveying direction of the belt conveyor 11 via the workpiece W (see FIG. 3 , etc.). In Modification 4, the workpiece holder 3D itself is driven by the drive pulley Pi, and the opposing surface 36 moves in the conveying direction. This allows the workpiece holder 3D to more smoothly guide the movement of the workpiece W in the conveying direction. Furthermore, because the rotation speed V2 of the workpiece holder 3D is faster than the rotation speed V1 of the belt conveyor 10D (V1<V2), the movement speed of the opposing surface 36 in the conveying direction is faster than the movement speed of the conveying surface 101. This allows the opposing surface 36 to guide the movement of the workpiece W while smoothing out wrinkles in the workpiece W being conveyed on the conveying surface 101.

[0346] FIG. 15 is a partial enlarged view of the belt conveyor 10D and the workpiece holder 3D. In FIG. 15, areas other than the conveying surface 101 of the belt conveyor 10D are omitted from the illustration. Areas other than the opposing surface 36 of the workpiece holder 3D are also omitted from the illustration. Also, driven pulleys Ph3, Ph4, Ph6, and Ph7 (see FIG. 13) of the belt conveyor 10D are also omitted from the illustration. As shown in FIG. 15, the opposing surface 36 of the workpiece holder 3D moves from the X2 side to the X1 side via the drive pulley Pi and the driven pulleys Pj (Pj1 to Pj6) arranged alongside the drive pulley in the X direction. As an example, when viewed from the Z direction, the drive pulley Pi is positioned so as to overlap the driven pulley Ph5 of the belt conveyor 10D and the partition wall 284 of the processing tank 28.

[0347] The driven pulleys Pj1 to Pj3 are disposed on the X2 side of the drive pulley Pi, and when viewed from the Z direction, overlap a first region 285 of the treatment tank 28, which is disposed within the bleaching unit 2D. The driven pulley Pj1 is disposed spaced apart from the drive pulley Pi in the X direction, and when viewed from the Z direction, is located near the X2-side side surface 281 of the treatment tank 28. The driven pulley Pj1 is located closer to the X1 side than the driven pulley Ph2 of the belt conveyor 10D. The driven pulleys Pj2 and Pj3 are disposed between the drive pulley Pi and the driven pulley Pj1, spaced apart from each other in the X direction. The driven pulleys Pj4 to Pj6 are disposed on the X1 side of the drive pulley Pi, and when viewed from the Z direction, overlap a second region 286 of the treatment tank 28, which is disposed within the rinsing unit 4D. The driven pulley Pj6 is disposed apart from the driving pulley Pi in the X direction, and is located near the side surface portion 282 on the X1 side of the treatment tank 28 when viewed from the Z direction.

[0348] The drive pulley Pi, the driven pulley Pj1, and the driven pulley Pj6 are disposed at intervals in the Z direction with respect to the treatment tank 28. The driven pulleys Pj2, Pj3, Pj4, and Pj5 are located lower in the Z direction than the drive pulley Pi, the driven pulleys Pj1, and Pj6, and are provided at positions where at least a portion of them is immersed in the bleaching solution Q in the treatment tank 28.

[0349] The opposing surface 36 of the workpiece holder 3D is wrapped around the X2 side of the driven pulley Pj1, the lower sides of the driven pulleys Pj2 and Pj3, the upper side of the drive pulley Pi, the lower sides of the driven pulleys Pj4 and Pj5, and the outer periphery of the X1 side of the driven pulley Pj6. As a result, a convex portion 37 that protrudes downward in the Z direction is formed on the opposing surface 36 in the region from the driven pulley Pj1 to the drive pulley Pi. Furthermore, a convex portion 38 that protrudes downward in the Z direction is formed on the opposing surface 36 in the region from the drive pulley Pi to the driven pulley Pj6.

[0350] The convex portions 37 and 38 are formed along the concave portions 102 and 103 of the belt conveyor 10D, respectively. At the convex portions 37 and 38 and the concave portions 102 and 103, the conveying surface 101 and the opposing surface 36 face each other with a small gap between them. When viewed from the Z direction, the convex portions 37 overlap the concave portions 102 and the first region 285 of the processing tank 28, and at least a portion of the convex portions 37 is immersed in the bleaching solution Q stored in the first region 285. When viewed from the Z direction, the convex portions 38 overlap the concave portions 103 and the second region 286 of the processing tank 28, and at least a portion of the convex portions 38 is immersed in the bleaching solution Q stored in the second region 286.

[0351] When the workpiece W being transported on the transport surface 101 of the belt conveyor 10D passes through the first region 285, it is sandwiched between the recessed portion 102 and the protruding portion 37. When the workpiece W passes through the second region 286, it is sandwiched between the recessed portion 103 and the protruding portion 38. This prevents the workpiece W immersed in the bleaching solution Q in the first region 285 and the second region 286 from floating up from the transport surface 101.

[0352] As described above, the length L1 in the X direction of the first region 285 of the processing tank 28 (see FIG. 14) is longer than the length L2 of the second region 285 (L1 > L2). Therefore, as shown in FIG. 15, the length L3 of the portion of the recess 102 immersed in the bleaching solution Q is also longer than the length L4 of the portion of the recess 103 immersed in the bleaching solution Q (L3 > L4).

[0353] In Modification 4, the transport section is composed of a single belt conveyor 10D, so the workpiece W is transported at the same speed through the bleaching section 2D and the rinsing section 4D. Therefore, the time for which the workpiece W is bleached and rinsed depends on the lengths L3 and L4 of the belt conveyor 10D that are immersed in the bleaching solution Q in the first region 285 and the second region 286, respectively. In other words, if L3 > L4, the time for the bleaching process of the workpiece W can be set longer than the time for the rinsing process.

[0354] When viewed from the Z direction, a drive pulley Pi of the workpiece holder 3D and a driven pulley Ph5 of the belt conveyor 10D are provided between the convex portion 37 and the concave portion 102 and the convex portion 38 and the concave portion 103. The drive pulley Pi and the driven pulley Ph5 are provided above the partition wall 284 of the treatment tank 28 in the Z direction. This allows the opposing surface 36 and the conveying surface 101 to span the upper side of the partition wall 284 in the Z direction while avoiding interference with the partition wall 284. The workpiece W conveyed by the belt conveyor 10D is decolorized in a first region 285 of the treatment tank 28, then temporarily lifted out of the treatment tank 28, passes above the partition wall 284 in the Z direction, and is rinsed in a second region 286 of the treatment tank 28.

[0355] 13 , the drying section 8D is provided on the X2 side of the second region 286 of the treatment tank 28, and overlaps the second bottom 274 of the case 27 when viewed from the Z direction. An air duct 274a is attached to the second bottom 274. The air duct 274a is connected to a dryer (not shown) provided outside the case 27. Dry air Dw supplied from the dryer is blown into the inside of the case 27 via the air duct 274a. When the workpiece W being transported on the transport surface 101 is pulled up from the second region 286 of the treatment tank 28 and passes through the drying section 8D, the workpiece W is dried by being blown with dry air Dw.

[0356] As in the embodiment, the drying section 8D is provided with a guide section 9D for preventing the workpiece W from floating up due to the drying air Dw. The guide section 9D can be configured in the same manner as in the embodiment (see FIGS. 7 and 8, etc.) and Modifications 1 to 3 (see FIGS. 9 to 12, etc.), and therefore a detailed description thereof will be omitted. As in the embodiment, the guide section 9D functions as a tenter that smooths out shrinkage and wrinkles that have occurred in the workpiece W in parallel with the transport of the workpiece W.

[0357] As shown in FIG. 13 , an intake duct 273a is attached to the first bottom 273 of the case 27. Air containing fumes F from the bleaching solution Q generated inside the case 27 is discharged to the outside of the case 27 via the intake duct 273a. The intake duct 273a is connected to the fume collection device 70 (see FIG. 1 ). As in the embodiment, the fume collection device 70 recovers the fumes F from the bleaching solution Q contained in the air by returning them to a liquid form. The bleaching solution Q returned to a liquid form by the fume collection device 70 can be reused in the bleaching device 1D, as in the embodiment. Although not shown, the fume collection device 70 may be connected to the return path RL, and the bleaching solution Q returned to a liquid form by the fume collection device 70 may be supplied to the second region 286 of the treatment tank 28, which is located in the rinsing section 4D.

[0358] As described above, in the fourth modification, three processing sections (the bleaching section 2D, the rinsing section 4D, and the drying section 8D) are housed in a single case 27 and unitized. Therefore, the workpieces W are not transported outside the case 27 between the processing sections. The case 27 only needs to be provided with one supply port 276a and one discharge port 277a for the workpieces W. This improves the airtightness of the case 27 and reduces the possibility of the bleaching solution Q leaking to the outside. Reducing the possibility of the bleaching solution Q leaking makes it easier to arrange electrical equipment near the case 27. For example, as described above, the motor M driving the belt conveyor 10D can be an electric motor. Furthermore, because the workpieces W are not transported outside the case 27 between the processing sections, the temperature of the bleaching solution Q immersed in the workpieces W is less likely to drop. This facilitates enhancing the bleaching effect of the workpieces W and facilitating temperature control of the bleaching solution Q in each processing section.

[0359] As described above, the bleaching device 1D according to Modification 4 has, for example, the following configuration: (4) The bleaching device 1D includes a case 27. The case 27 houses the belt conveyor 10D (transport unit). The first area 285 (first treatment tank) and the second area 286 (second treatment tank) of the treatment tank 28 are disposed on the bottom 272 of the case 27.

[0360] This configuration eliminates the need to move the workpieces W outside the case 27 when the belt conveyor 10D transports the workpieces W from the bleaching section 2D to the rinsing section 4D. Furthermore, since the case 27 can be easily constructed with a highly airtight structure, the possibility of leakage of the bleaching solution Q can be reduced. Even if the bleaching device 1D is designed to be explosion-proof, only one case 27 needs to be explosion-proof, thereby reducing costs. Furthermore, by unitizing the system, the transport section can be constructed with a single belt conveyor 10D, and the bleaching section 2D and the rinsing section 4D can be constructed with a single treatment tank 28, thereby enabling compactness and cost reduction. While Variation 4 describes an example in which a single treatment tank 28 is divided by a partition wall 284, the method of dividing the treatment tank 28 is not limited to this. For example, two independent treatment tanks (a first treatment tank and a second treatment tank) may be disposed on the bottom 272 of the case 27.

[0361] (5) The decolorizing apparatus 1D includes a partition wall 284 that divides a single treatment tank 28 provided in the bottom 272 of the case 27 into a first region 285 that functions as a first treatment tank and a second region 286 that functions as a second treatment tank. (24) The decolorizing apparatus 1D includes a treatment tank 28, a case 27, and a belt conveyor 10D (transport unit). The treatment tank 28 contains a bleaching solution Q and is divided into the first region 285 and the second region 286 by the partition wall 284. The treatment tank 28 is provided in the bottom 272 of the case 27. The belt conveyor 10D is disposed inside the case 27 and decolorizes the workpieces W, which include fibers dyed or colored with a dye, by continuously transporting the workpieces W to the first region 285 and the second region 286.

[0362] By dividing one treatment tank 28 by a partition 284 and having it function as the treatment tank 28 for the decolorizing section 2D and the rinsing section 4D, it is possible to make the decolorizing device 1D more compact and reduce equipment costs. In addition, maintenance of the treatment tank 28 is also made easier.

[0363] (6) The length L1 of the first region 285 of the processing tank 28 in the X direction (the direction in which the workpiece W is transported) can be made longer than the length L2 of the second region 286.

[0364] In the case of the fourth modification, the transport section can be configured with a single belt conveyor 10D, in which case the transport speed of the workpieces W is the same in the decolorizing section 2D and the rinsing section 4D. Therefore, by making the length L1 in the X direction of the first region 285 of the treatment tank 28 longer than the length L2 of the second region 286, the decolorizing treatment time can be made longer than the rinsing treatment time.

[0365] (7) A common decolorizing solution Q is used in the first region 285 and the second region 286. The bottom surface 285a (bottom) of the first region 285 of the processing tank 28 is located lower in the Z direction (vertical direction) than the bottom surface 286a (bottom) of the second region 286. Discharge ports OPc and OPd for the decolorizing solution Q provided in the second region 286 are connected to a supply port SPa for the decolorizing solution Q provided in the first region 285.

[0366] With this configuration, even if the water levels in the first region 285 and the second region 286 are the same, the liquid level LS1 in the first region 285 can be made lower than the liquid level LS2 in the second region 286. By generating a head difference HD between the first region 285 and the second region 286, the bleaching solution Q can be supplied from the second region 286 to the first region 285 using the siphon principle. This eliminates the need for a pump to discharge the bleaching solution Q into the supply path SL, thereby reducing equipment costs.

[0367] (8) An opening 275 is provided in the bottom 272 of the case 27. The treatment tank 28 is removably attached to the opening 275.

[0368] Making the treatment tank 28 detachable from the bottom 272 of the case 27 facilitates maintenance of the treatment tank 28. For example, a moving mechanism that can move the treatment tank 28 in the Z direction can be provided. By moving the treatment tank 28 in the Z direction with the moving mechanism, it can be easily attached to and detached from the case 27.

[0369] (13) The belt conveyor 10D (transport section) and the workpiece holder 3D can be configured as belt conveyors supported by drive pulleys Pg and Pi (drive shafts) and driven pulleys Ph and Pj (driven shafts), respectively. The decolorizing device 1D includes a speed change device TM (power transmission mechanism) that transmits the rotation of the driven pulley Ph5 of the belt conveyor 10D to the drive pulley Pi of the workpiece holder 3D.

[0370] By transmitting the rotation of the belt conveyor 10D to the workpiece holder 3D, the opposing surface 36 (guide portion) of the workpiece holder 3D moves in the X direction together with the conveying surface 101 of the belt conveyor 10D. When the workpiece W is sandwiched between the conveying surface 101 of the belt conveyor 10D and the opposing surface 36 of the workpiece holder 3D, both move in the X direction, which helps reduce the occurrence of wrinkles in the workpiece W. Furthermore, by driving both the belt conveyor 10D and the workpiece holder 3D with a single motor M, equipment costs can be reduced and the device can be made more compact compared to when separate motors are provided for each. Note that this configuration in which the rotation of the conveying unit is transmitted to the workpiece holder by the speed change device TM is not limited to Modification 4 and can be applied to the configurations of the embodiments and other modifications.

[0371] (14) The speed change device TM changes the rotation of the driven pulley Ph5 of the belt conveyor 10D and transmits it to the drive pulley Pi of the workpiece holder 3D. The rotation speed of the workpiece holder 3D is set to be faster than the rotation speed of the belt conveyor 10D.

[0372] With this configuration, the speed at which the opposing surface 36 of the workpiece holder 3D, which functions as a guide portion, moves in the conveying direction of the workpiece W can be made faster than the moving speed of the conveying surface 101. This makes it easier to smooth out wrinkles in the workpiece W sandwiched between the conveying surface 101 of the belt conveyor 10D and the opposing surface 36 of the workpiece holder 3D.

[0373] (23) The decolorizing device 1D includes a case 27. The case 27 houses the belt conveyor 10D therein, and a first region 285 (first treatment tank) and a second region 286 (second treatment tank) of the treatment tank 28 are disposed on a bottom 272. Inside the case 27, a drying unit 8D is provided downstream (X1 side) of the second region 286 of the treatment tank 28 in the conveying direction of the workpiece W.

[0374] In addition to the treatment tank 28 that performs the decolorization treatment and the rinsing treatment, the drying section 8D is also housed in a single case 27 as a unit, which further reduces the possibility of leakage of the bleaching solution Q. In addition, the entire decolorization device 1D can be made more compact.

[0375] In the embodiment and the above-described modified examples 1 to 4, the decolorizing device has been described as using a decolorizing solution to separate disperse dyes from the workpieces for decolorization. However, this is not limiting. For example, the decolorizing device may decolorize workpieces W that have been dyed or colored by chemical reaction with a dye other than a disperse dye. In this case, the first decolorizing solution used in the decolorizing unit may contain, for example, a bleaching agent that bleaches the pigment of the dye. Examples of bleaching agents include oxidizing bleaches such as chlorine bleaches or oxygen bleaches, and reducing bleaches. Furthermore, the second decolorizing solution used in the rinsing unit may contain, for example, water as a primary component.

[0376] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment and modified examples, and can be modified as appropriate within the scope of the technical concept of the present invention. Furthermore, the modified examples may not only be applied to the embodiment, but at least a portion of the content of each modified example may also be applied to other modified examples.

[0377] 1, 1D: Bleaching device 2, 2D: Bleaching section 22: Hood 225: Exhaust port 23: Treatment tank (first treatment tank) 25: Heating device 27: Case 272: Bottom 275: Opening 28: Treatment tank 284: Partition 285: First area (first treatment tank) 285a: Bottom surface (bottom) 286: Second area (second treatment tank) 286a: Bottom surface (bottom) 3, 3D: Work holder 310: Hole 33: Stirring mechanism 4: Rinsing section 42: Hood 425: Exhaust port 43: Treatment tank (second treatment tank) 45: Heating device 5: Work holder 510: Hole 53: Stirring mechanism 6: Circulation section 60: Waste liquid tank (storage section) 61: Separation device 65: New liquid tank (storage section) 8, 8D: Drying section 82: Hood 9, 9A, 9B, 9C, 9D: Guide section 94, 95: Roller 92, 93: Frame 91A, 91B: Support beam (support section) 923, 933: Short side section (upstream end in conveying direction) 924, 934: Short side section (downstream end in conveying direction) 96, 97: Frame 98: Shaft 99: Roller 99': Roller 99c: Middle section 99a, 99b: Both ends 7: Recovery section 70: Fume recovery device (recovery device) 10: Transport section 10D: Belt conveyor (transport section) 11, 12, 13: Belt conveyor 11a, 12a, 13a: Transport surface 11b, 12b: Recess 14, 15: Step section 18: Compressor 19: Control section Q: Bleaching liquid SL: Supply path (supply section) RL: Reflux path (reflux section)

Claims

1. A decolorizing device comprising: a first treatment tank containing a first decolorizing solution; a second treatment tank containing a second decolorizing solution; and a transport unit that transports a workpiece containing fibers dyed or colored with a dye, wherein the workpiece is decolorized by being transported successively by the transport unit from the first treatment tank to the second treatment tank.

2. A decolorization device according to claim 1, characterized in that the first treatment tank and the second treatment tank are arranged side by side along the transport direction of the workpiece, the transport section has a transport surface on which the workpiece is placed, and the transport surface has a portion that passes through the interior of the first treatment tank and a portion that passes through the interior of the second treatment tank.

3. A decolorizing device according to claim 2, wherein at least one of the first treatment tank and the second treatment tank has an opening at the top, the conveying surface has a recess at a portion that overlaps the opening of at least one of the treatment tanks when viewed from the vertical line direction, and the recess is at least partially immersed in the first bleaching solution or the second bleaching solution contained inside at least one of the treatment tanks.

4. A decolorizing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it comprises a case that houses the transport unit therein and has the first treatment tank and the second treatment tank arranged at the bottom.

5. A decolorizing device according to claim 4, characterized in that it comprises: one treatment tank provided at the bottom of the case; and a partition wall that divides the one treatment tank into a first area that functions as the first treatment tank and a second area that functions as the second treatment tank.

6. A decolorizing device according to claim 5, wherein the length of the first region in the workpiece transport direction is longer than the length of the second region.

7. A decolorizing device according to claim 5, characterized in that the first decolorizing liquid and the second decolorizing liquid are a common decolorizing liquid, the bottom of the first area is located vertically lower than the bottom of the second area, and a discharge outlet for the decolorizing liquid provided in the second area is connected to a supply inlet for the decolorizing liquid provided in the first area.

8. A decolorizing device according to claim 4, wherein an opening is provided in the bottom of the case, and each of the treatment tanks is removably attached to the opening.

9. A decolorizing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it is provided with a hood that covers the opening of at least one of the first treatment tank and the second treatment tank.

10. A decolorizing device according to claim 9, further comprising a heating device for heating at least one of the treatment tanks, the hood having an exhaust port through which fumes from the first decolorizing liquid or the second decolorizing liquid heated by the heating device are discharged, and the exhaust port is connected to a recovery device that returns the fumes to a liquid and recovers the first decolorizing liquid or the second decolorizing liquid.

11. A decolorizing device according to claim 3, characterized in that it is provided with a workpiece holder disposed inside at least one of the treatment tanks, facing the recessed portion of the conveying surface, for preventing the workpiece from floating up.

12. A decolorizing device according to claim 11, characterized in that the work holder has a guide portion at the portion facing the recess for guiding the movement of the work in the conveying direction.

13. A decolorizing device according to claim 12, wherein the conveying section and the workpiece holder are each composed of a belt conveyor supported by a drive shaft and a driven shaft, and the device is provided with a power transmission mechanism that transmits the rotation of the driven shaft of the conveying section to the drive shaft of the workpiece holder.

14. A decolorizing device according to claim 13, characterized in that the power transmission mechanism transmits the rotation of the driven shaft of the conveying section to the drive shaft of the work holder at a variable speed, and the rotation speed of the work holder is faster than the rotation speed of the conveying section.

15. A decolorizing device according to claim 11, characterized in that the work holder has a hole portion at the portion facing the recess through which the first decolorizing liquid or the second decolorizing liquid can pass, and above the facing portion is provided a stirring mechanism for stirring the first decolorizing liquid or the second decolorizing liquid.

16. A decolorizing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the transport section has a step section that descends from the upper side to the lower side in the vertical direction toward the downstream side of the transport direction between the first treatment tank and the second treatment tank in the transport direction.

17. A decolorizing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a drying section for drying the workpiece, wherein the conveying section causes the workpiece to pass through the second treatment tank and then continuously pass through the drying section.

18. A decolorizing device as claimed in claim 17, characterized in that the conveying section has a step section that descends from the upper side to the lower side in a vertical line direction toward the downstream side of the conveying direction between the second treatment tank and the drying section in the conveying direction of the work.

19. A decolorizing device according to claim 17, characterized in that the conveying section has a conveying surface on which the work is placed, and the drying section has a guide section arranged opposite the conveying surface and guiding the conveyance of the work.

20. A decolorizing device according to claim 19, characterized in that the guide section has a roller that contacts the work on the conveying surface, a frame that rotatably supports the roller, and a support section that supports the frame, and when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the conveying surface, the frame is supported by the support section so that it can swing.

21. A decolorizing device as set forth in claim 20, characterized in that, when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the conveying surface, the frames are arranged on one side and the other side of a midline of the conveying surface in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the work, and the frames on one side and the frames on the other side are supported by the support part so that the distance between their ends on the upstream side in the conveying direction is narrower than the distance between their ends on the downstream side in the conveying direction.

22. A decolorizing device according to claim 19, wherein the guide section comprises a roller that contacts the work on the conveying surface, a shaft inserted into the roller, and a frame that supports both ends of the shaft, and when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the conveying surface, the rollers are arranged so that their rotation axes extend in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the work, and a plurality of rollers are arranged at intervals in the conveying direction, and the roller located upstream in the conveying direction is curved so that its middle part in the direction perpendicular to the conveying direction is located downstream in the conveying direction relative to both ends.

23. A decolorizing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising: a drying section for drying the workpiece; and a case that houses the transport section and has the first treatment tank and the second treatment tank arranged at the bottom, wherein the drying section is provided inside the case downstream of the second treatment tank in the transport direction of the workpiece, and the transport section causes the workpiece to pass through the second treatment tank and then continuously pass through the drying section.

24. A decolorizing device comprising: a treatment tank containing a decolorizing solution and divided into a first area and a second area by a partition; a case with the treatment tank at the bottom; and a transport unit placed inside the case, which transports a workpiece containing fibers dyed or colored with a dye between the first area and the second area in succession, thereby decolorizing the workpiece.

25. A decolorization device that decolorizes a workpiece containing fibers dyed or colored with a dye using a decolorization solution, characterized in that at least a portion having electrical equipment is positioned away from a processing portion where there is a possibility of leakage of the decolorization solution.

26. A decolorizing device according to claim 25, comprising a heating device for heating the decolorizing liquid, and a recovery device for returning the decolorizing liquid vaporized by the heating device to a liquid and recovering it, wherein the recovery device is positioned away from the electrical equipment.

27. A decolorizing device according to claim 25, further comprising a storage section for the decolorizing solution, the storage section being disposed apart from the electrical device.

28. A decolorizing device according to claim 25, wherein the decolorizing solution contains an organic solvent having a boiling point higher than the heating temperature in the processing section.

29. A decolorizing device according to claim 25, characterized in that the separation distance between the processing section and the section having the electrical equipment is set in accordance with the regulations of the installation location.

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