An apparatus for use in cleaning delicate textile materials and the operation method of said apparatus

Abstract

The invention relates to an apparatus for use in cleaning materials requiring delicate cleaning, such as archaeological textile materials, remains and forensic textile samples, and to an operation method of said apparatus. The apparatus subject to the invention allows the sample material to be supported with the help of special filters, while the small samples with fragile structure can be cleaned with the help of air flow, without damaging them, without contact with any chemicals, and with a vacuum system that changes direction at the desired time.

Description

[0001] AN APPARATUS FOR USE IN CLEANING DELICATE TEXTILE MATERIALS AND THE OPERATION METHOD OF SAID APPARATUS

[0002] Technical Field of the Invention

[0003] The invention relates to an apparatus for use in cleaning materials requiring delicate cleaning, such as archaeological textile materials, remains and forensic textile samples, and to an operation method of said apparatus. The apparatus subject to the invention allows the sample material to be supported with the help of special filters, while without damaging the small samples with fragile structure, the contaminant inside the material can be cleaned with the help of air flow, without contact with any chemicals, and with a vacuum system that changes direction at the desired time.

[0004] State of the Art

[0005] Historic textile conservation is an activity that aims to stabilize the artifact in the conditions it is in, and almost all of the materials handled in this context are organic materials of plant and animal origin. Said materials have a specific lifespan and are fed by the organisms to which they belong during this period. From the moment the fiber to be used as textile material is detached from these organisms, the degradation process begins. On the one hand, while the fiber, which is detached from the living organisms it feeds on, enters the natural degradation process, temperature, relative humidity, light and air pollution accelerate this process [1], In addition, there are also contaminants on the textile material that accumulate over time, such as soot, grease, adhesives left over from previous repairs, residues, mold, and mildew spores, etc., which can be solid, liquid, or gaseous in form and / or airborne, and even if they are too small to be seen with the naked eye, they still have a certain size. These foreign substances are attached to the porous structure of the textile by adsorption, electrostatic attraction and / or secondary bonds, as a result of which they can combine with substances already present in the structure of the textile and transform into a new structure through a chemical reaction. However, since this new formation may cause structural weakening of the textile fiber, it is not appropriate to leave them in the textile, even if they do not undergo any chemical reaction. The purpose of all conservation work carried out on historical textiles is to preserve the chemical balance of the artifact being treated. Cleaning is often an important part of this balancing process. Cleaning of textile surfaces ensures the protection of the material, but can also be a pre-treatment for subsequent applications such as preparing the surface for display [2], In the state of the art, surface cleaning is the removal of dust from the object, which is present in the environment and can enter between the textile yarns and cause abrasion or even breakage of the fibers. There are many methods that can be used to clean the surface and return the object to its natural state, ranging from the use of brushes to the use of vacuum [3], Primarily speaking, the brushing process aims to loosen the dirt and then move it to one side and away from the object, but it does not aim to create a dust cloud that will settle again or to remove any of the surface fibers. It is necessary to choose a brush suitable for the size and surface type of the object. For example, a soft squirrel hair brush can be selected for delicate fabrics such as satin, while a flat bristle brush can be selected for fabrics such as rugs or carpets, in cases such as velvet or carpet, after the direction of the pile is determined by hand, the brush is used to follow this direction. A soft cloth or paper is held close to the brush to remove loosened dirt. Some of the dirt collects on the bristles and the brush needs to be cleaned frequently to prevent dirt from building up on the brush again. Small objects can be cleaned more efficiently with a slightly damp sable brush. The brush is first wiped on a cloth or paper, then moistened with a glass of water and dried. To prevent the dirt from sticking more firmly to the object, it is important to make sure that the object does not get wet. Furthermore, a small blower, such as the one used by a watchmaker in the present art, can reach gaps that would be difficult to reach by other means. However, if blowing is not performed while keeping the rest of the object covered, the dust is merely redistributed [3], In addition to the cleaning methods described above, wet cleaning in the state of the art is often applied to textile materials. The decision to wash the textile is based on the nature and degree of wear of the textile, the length of time it can safely remain wet, the ability to completely separate the detergent from the rinse solution, and aesthetic considerations. In the washing process, water is slowly poured onto the textile surface with a faucet or hose on a flat surface. In said method, the possibility of damage to the structure of the object is considered and the object structure needs to be supported from below [2], but despite this, historical textile materials are at great risk of disintegration when they come into contact with water or any chemical substance. As a result, the removal of deeply embedded dirt and stains from textile materials is often based on wet cleaning methods of agitation of textile fibers, which can lead to damage of the textile fibers. Dirt removal during immersion is traditionally done with brushes and sponges in direct contact with the textile to allow dirt and stains to pass into the solution. Since textile materials, especially archaeological textiles, are composed of natural materials and all natural fibers have more or less hydrophilic characteristics, it is clear that all wet cleaning processes with water will swell the fiber and cause an increase in fiber cross-section. For this reason, wet cleaning of fibers poses a major problem.

[0006] In some cases, dirt and dust may be present on the surface of the fabric, which can be removed with a vacuum cleaner unless the fabric is extremely fragile. It should be ensured that the textile is durable enough to withstand this treatment. Dust removal is an important first step as dust layers can carry corrosive substances such as sulfur dioxide, nitrogen monoxide, or various oily substances [4], Regular surface cleaning by vacuuming is necessary for all kinds of fabrics on display, as well as for textiles with a lot of surface contamination. Any textile object that reaches the point where small pieces break off should never be vacuumed, even under a sieve, as textile loss may occur. It is also possible to clean the surface of a textile using a hand-held nozzle or vacuum, the opening of which is covered with a fine mesh. However, this method is generally not recommended because the vacuuming apparatus has to be held slightly above the fabric and cannot directly contact the fabric without damaging the object. This method requires much more attention than the screening method. Brushing is not recommended, as it only moves the dust rather than removing it and has the potential to cause damage even when done gently [5],

[0007] In the state of the art, vacuum cleaners with high-efficiency particulate capture (HEPA) filters are the preferred choice for cleaning museum textiles. If a HEPA vacuum cleaner is not available, an ordinary household canister vacuum cleaner can be used with the exhaust directed to an external window or hood. It is stated that upright vacuum cleaners and power heads with beater bars are never suitable for this. Regardless of the type of vacuum cleaner used when cleaning museum textiles, the suction power should be reduced. Some vacuum cleaners have a speed control accessory for this purpose. Air venting mechanisms can also be used on the handle part. The suction power can be further reduced by drilling holes in the plastic tube or rod and leaving some or all of these holes open. To prevent anything from being accidentally sucked into the machine, it is recommended to place a piece of curtain or transparent light fabric between the end of the vacuum hose and the apparatus.

[0008] Due to reasons such as the limitations and shortcomings of the solutions in the present art, the methods and apparatus used during the cleaning of fragile historical textile remains damaging the textile fiber, the chemicals used causing deterioration in the textile structure and being unfit to be used for cleaning small textile materials in the form of fiber, yarn fragments, or fabric fragments, and the lack of adjustable vacuuming effect, it is necessary to make an improvement in the devices used in the cleaning of historical textile remains and archaeological textile materials.

[0009] Summary and Objects of the Invention

[0010] The invention describes an apparatus for use in cleaning materials requiring delicate cleaning, such as archaeological textile materials, remains and forensic textile samples, and to an operation method of said apparatus.

[0011] The object of the invention is to clean fragile historical and archaeological textile remains / materials without damaging them. Since the apparatus subject to the invention does not perform wet cleaning, no changes such as swelling etc. are observed in the fiber structure of the textile material. Furthermore, said apparatus comprises a nonwoven surface layer that supports the fibers and prevents damage to the fibers. In addition, since the cleaning of contaminants with the apparatus does not require the use of any chemicals, there is no degradation of the textile structure.

[0012] Another object of the invention is to provide a textile cleaning apparatus for increasing or decreasing the cleaning efficiency. During the use of the apparatus subject to the invention, the vacuum power setting can be changed according to the need, for example, if the cleaning efficiency is to be increased, the vacuum power can be operated at the highest vacuum power or the cleaning process can be performed at the lowest vacuum setting for very delicate materials.

[0013] Description of the Drawings

[0014] Fig. 1. Outline view of the cleaning apparatus subject to the invention. Fig. 2. Representative view of the internal structure of the cleaning apparatus subject to the invention.

[0015] Fig. 3. SEM image of the sample taken before the cleaning process.

[0016] Fig. 4. SEM image taken after the cleaning process.

[0017] Description of the References in the Drawings

[0018] 1. Upper cover

[0019] 2. Non-woven surface filter

[0020] 3. Lower vacuum filter housing

[0021] 4. Sample insertion chamber

[0022] 5. Upper vacuum pump

[0023] 6. Upper vacuum power setting

[0024] 7. Upper vacuum on-off button

[0025] 8. Lower vacuum on-off button

[0026] 9. Lower vacuum power setting

[0027] 10. Upper vacuum air outlet

[0028] 11. Lower vacuum air outlet

[0029] 12. Power input

[0030] 13. Lower vacuum pump

[0031] 14. Upper vacuum filter housing

[0032] Detailed Description of the Invention

[0033] The invention relates to an apparatus for use in cleaning materials requiring delicate cleaning, such as archaeological textile materials, remains and forensic textile samples, and to an operation method of said apparatus. The apparatus subject to the invention allows the sample material to be supported with the help of special filters, while the small samples with fragile structure can be cleaned with the help of air flow, without damaging them, without contact with any chemicals, and with a vacuum system that changes direction at the desired time.

[0034] In the invention, the sample to be cleaned is placed on the non-woven surface filters (2) in the lower vacuum filter housing (3) and sample insertion chamber (4) by opening the upper cover (1) of the device. When the upper cover (1) is closed, the sample remains between the upper vacuum filter housing (14) and the lower vacuum filter housing (3). In the lower vacuum filter housing (3) and the upper vacuum filter housing (14) of the apparatus subject to the invention, there is at least one non-woven surface filter (2) prepared by cutting with a round cutting template with an area of 100 cm2. Non-wovens are used, preferably in 3 layers and with wider pore diameters as it approaches the sample around the sample. With the help of air flow, foreign substances such as dust, soil, etc., which are removed from the sample, move into the non-woven surface filter pores. Small particles can travel to the lower layers of the filter, while large particles remain in the upper layer. With the help of a precision balance, the number of particles removed can be determined gravimetrically and thus it is possible to check whether an effective cleaning process has been carried out.

[0035] There are two vacuuming systems integrated on the cleaning apparatus subject to the invention, namely the upper vacuum pump (5) and the lower vacuum pump (13). These systems can be operated sequentially for desired periods of time and with vacuum power. Each of the vacuum systems operates for an optional period of time and then stops to allow vacuum suction in the other direction. The air flow changing direction one after the other creates turbulence on the sample and increases the cleaning efficiency. The textile sample placed in the sample insertion chamber (4) can be cleaned from the contaminants settled on the sample by subjecting it to vacuum in one or both directions optionally upon operation of the device subject to the invention. This means that, if necessary, it is also possible to eliminate the turbulence effect and to perform and terminate the cleaning process with one-way suction.

[0036] The cleaning apparatus subject to the invention comprises at least one upper cover (1) to allow the sample to remain in the apparatus after the sample has been placed in the sample insertion chamber (4), at least one non-woven surface filter (2), at least one lower vacuum filter housing (3), at least one sample insertion chamber (4) for inserting the sample, at least one upper vacuum pump (5), at least one upper vacuum power setting (6) for changing the power of the upper vacuum pump (5), at least one upper vacuum on-off button (7) to start and stop the upper vacuum pump (5) and at least one lower vacuum on-off button (8) to start and stop the lower vacuum pump (13),

[0037] at least one lower vacuum power setting (9) for changing the power of the lower vacuum pump (13), at least one upper vacuum air outlet (10), at least one lower vacuum air outlet (11), at least one power input (12) to power the apparatus, at least one lower vacuum pump (13), at least one upper vacuum filter housing (14).

[0038] The depth of the sample insertion chamber (4) can vary between 10 mm and 150 mm. Depending on the nature of the material to be cleaned, it allows filters of different thicknesses to be placed inside, with a maximum total thickness of 150 mm. When the upper cover (1) is closed, the sample remains between the filter placed in the upper vacuum filter housing (14) and the filters placed in the lower vacuum filter housing (3) and is supported by contact with the filters.

[0039] The non-woven surface filter (2) can be of different thicknesses and pore sizes (commonly used pore size ranges are 0.3 - 1.0 pm; 1.0 - 2.5 pm, 2.5 - 10 pm, and larger than 10 pm). In an embodiment of the apparatus, the filter papers can also be supported by a layer of sponge (with a density of at least 5 kg / cm3).

[0040] The upper vacuum pump (5) and the lower vacuum pump (13) change direction at the desired time, allowing the contaminants in the material to be cleaned with the help of air flow. When changing direction, one vacuum pump can be switched off and the other switched on automatically, or it can be done by using the upper vacuum on-off button (7) and the lower vacuum on-off button (8) depending on the user's request.

[0041] The operation method of the cleaning apparatus subject to the invention comprises the process steps of:

[0042] i. opening the upper cover (1), inserting a new non-woven filter (2) into the upper vacuum filter housing (14) and the lower vacuum filter housing (3),

[0043] ii. inserting the sample to be cleaned in the sample insertion chamber (4), iii. closing the upper cover (1),

[0044] iv. adjusting the upper vacuum power setting (6) and / or the lower vacuum power setting (9) to the appropriate position for cleaning,

[0045] v. pressing the upper vacuum on-off button (7) and / or the lower vacuum on-off button (8) to start the device,

[0046] vi. after the cleaning process is completed, stopping the device by pressing the upper vacuum on-off button (7) and / or the lower vacuum on-off button (8), vii. opening the upper cover (1) and removing the sample. Textile samples are gold-palladium coated and examined in SEM. It is therefore not possible to give a comparison of cleaned and uncleaned images of the same fiber. However, the cleaning effectiveness is demonstrated by comparing the images obtained after cleaning (Fig. 4) with a sample taken from another area close to the section of the fibers subjected to SEM imaging (Fig. 3). In the samples captured after the cleaning process, as a result of the removal of dust, soil, etc., it is possible to examine the surfaces of the fibers more clearly, which makes it possible to contribute more to the process of illuminating the characteristics such as climate and vegetation of the period in which they were extracted, especially for archaeological fibers. In addition to the evaluation of the SEM image, the change in atomic compositions by SEM EDS shots also shows whether the contaminants on the surface of the fiber to be examined are removed or not.

[0047] Industrial Applicability of the Invention

[0048] The invention relates to an apparatus for use in cleaning materials requiring delicate cleaning, such as archaeological textile materials, remains and forensic textile samples, and to an operation method of said apparatus, and is industrially applicable. The invention is not limited to the above descriptions and the person skilled in the art can readily present other different embodiments of the invention. These should be considered within the protection scope of the invention claimed by the claims. REFERENCES

[0049] [1] Enez. N..”Muze Ortamimn Duzenlenmesi”. II. Muzecilik Semineri Bildirileri (Eylul 1994). Istanbul, 1995.

[0050] [2] Karadag, E. (1999). Tarihi Tekstil Konservasyonunda Temizligin Yeri. Oneri Dergisi, 2(12), 281-283. https: / / doi.org / 10.14783 / maruoneri.691358

[0051] [3] Landi, S., The Textile Conservator’s Manuel, Butterworth-Heineman, 1992.

[0052] [4] Flury-Lemberg, Mechthild. (1988). Textile Conservation and Research. Abegg-Stiftung Bern.

[0053] [5] Finch, Karen & Putnam, Greta. (1985). The Care & Preservation of Textiles. London: B.T. Batsford Ltd

Claims

CLAIMS1. A cleaning apparatus, characterized in that it comprises:• at least one upper cover (1) to allow the sample to remain in the apparatus after the sample has been placed in the sample insertion chamber (4),• at least one non-woven surface filter (2), at least one lower vacuum filter housing (3),• at least one sample insertion chamber (4) for inserting the sample, • at least one upper vacuum pump (5),• at least one upper vacuum power setting (6) for changing the power of the upper vacuum pump (5),• at least one upper vacuum on-off button (7) to start and stop the upper vacuum pump (5) and at least one lower vacuum on-off button (8) to start and stop the lower vacuum pump (13),• at least one lower vacuum power setting (9) for changing the power of the lower vacuum pump (13),• at least one upper vacuum air outlet (10), at least one lower vacuum air outlet (11),• at least one power input (12) to power the apparatus,• at least one lower vacuum pump (13),• at least one upper vacuum filter housing (14).

2. The cleaning apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that said nonwoven surface filter (2) is in 3 layers and has wider pore diameters as it approaches the sample around the sample.

3. The cleaning apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a sponge layer having a density of at least 5 kg / cm3and supporting said nonwoven surface filter (2).

4. The cleaning apparatus according to claim 1 , characterized in that said sample insertion chamber (4) has a depth between 10 mm and 150 mm.

5. The cleaning apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the pore size of said non-woven surface filter (2) is 0.3 - 1.0 pm or 1.0 - 2.5 pm or 2.5 - 10 pm or greater than 10 pm.

6. The cleaning apparatus according to any one of claims 1-5 for use in cleaning archaeological textile materials, remains, and forensic textile samples.

7. An operation method of the cleaning apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises the process steps of:i. opening the upper cover (1), inserting a new non-woven filter (2) into the upper vacuum filter housing (14) and the lower vacuum filter housing (3),ii. inserting the sample to be cleaned in the sample insertion chamber (4), iii. closing the upper cover (1),iv. adjusting the upper vacuum power setting (6) and / or the lower vacuum power setting (9) to the appropriate position for cleaning,v. pressing the upper vacuum on-off button (7) and / or the lower vacuum on-off button (8) to start the device,vi. after the cleaning process is completed, stopping the device by pressing the upper vacuum on-off button (7) and / or the lower vacuum on-off button (8),vii. opening the upper cover (1) and removing the sample.

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