(19)
(11)EP 2 751 324 B1

(12)EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION

(45)Mention of the grant of the patent:
23.09.2015 Bulletin 2015/39

(21)Application number: 12769737.3

(22)Date of filing:  14.08.2012
(51)International Patent Classification (IPC): 
D06B 3/28(2006.01)
D06B 23/04(2006.01)
D06B 23/00(2006.01)
D06B 23/20(2006.01)
F04D 29/70(2006.01)
(86)International application number:
PCT/IB2012/054138
(87)International publication number:
WO 2013/030705 (07.03.2013 Gazette  2013/10)

(54)

MACHINE FOR THE TREATMENT OF FABRICS, NETS, GAUZES, FELTS, NON-WOVEN FABRICS AND OTHER PIECE OR SHEET MATERIAL

MASCHINE ZUM BEHANDELN VON GEWEBE, NETZEN, GAZE, FILZEN, VLIESSTOFFEN UND ANDEREN STÜCKEN VON BAHNENMATERIALIEN

MACHINE POUR LE TRAITEMENT DE TISSUS, FILETS, GAZES, FEUTRES, NON-TISSES ET AUTRE MATERIAU EN PIECES OU EN FEUILLE


(84)Designated Contracting States:
AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

(30)Priority: 29.08.2011 IT MI20111553

(43)Date of publication of application:
09.07.2014 Bulletin 2014/28

(73)Proprietor: MCS Officina Meccanica S.p.A.
24059 Urgnano (IT)

(72)Inventor:
  • CROTTA, Emanuele
    24059 Urgnano (IT)

(74)Representative: Bonatto, Marco et al
Barzanò & Zanardo Milano S.p.A. Via Borgonuovo, 10
20121 Milano
20121 Milano (IT)


(56)References cited: : 
EP-A1- 1 884 583
US-A- 3 685 325
WO-A1-2011/117763
US-A- 4 036 038
  
      
    Note: Within nine months from the publication of the mention of the grant of the European patent, any person may give notice to the European Patent Office of opposition to the European patent granted. Notice of opposition shall be filed in a written reasoned statement. It shall not be deemed to have been filed until the opposition fee has been paid. (Art. 99(1) European Patent Convention).


    Description

    Field of the invention



    [0001] The present invention concerns a machine for the treatment of fabrics, nets, gauzes, felts, non-woven fabrics and other sheet or piece materials that are substantially flexible like ordinary fabrics. In particular, the invention concerns a system for recirculating a dye bath, an aqueous washing solution or other treatment liquid with which the fabric or other material is treated in the machine.

    State of the art



    [0002] There are currently known machines for the treatment of fabrics comprising an autoclave or closed treatment tank in which the fabric is inserted and brought into contact with a suitable treatment liquid, like for example a dying, washing, rinsing, scouring or bleaching bath. An example of this type of known machine is shown in Figure 1 and is indicated with overall reference number 1. The treatment liquid, after having been brought into contact with the fabric to be treated, collects on the bottom of the treatment chamber 3, and through two collecting pipes 7A, 7B reaches a collector 9 and then a recirculation pump 11.

    [0003] The latter pumps the treatment liquid towards the heat exchanger 13. The liquid is heated and then reintroduced into the treatment chamber through the recirculation pipes 15, 17, 19.
    The collector 9 and in many cases also a treatment chamber 3 each have a substantially elongated shape, with substantially horizontal axes. Since the collecting pipe 7B enters into the collector 9 much further downstream than the pipe 7A, the treatment liquid that flows through the pipe 7B undergoes less head losses than the liquid that flows through the pipe 7A and therefore, when the head of the treatment liquid in the chamber 3 - i.e. the so-called "bath level" - is relatively very low, above the entry mouth into the pipe 7B still tends to be lower than above the entry mouth of the pipe 7A, as shown schematically in Figure 1, with a high risk of aspiring air into the pipe 7B and of consequent cavitation phenomena in the pump 11.

    [0004] Also in the case of aspirations arranged centrally on the collector this phenomenon is less accentuated but is still present, since the flow of the bath still takes a preferential path, penalizing one or more aspirations; it must be kept in mind that a collector can even have up to six aspirations.
    A known solution to such a drawback in current machines is to increase the bath level in the treatment chamber by increasing the amount of treatment liquid circulating in the machine itself.
    However, current production and commercial trends of the Italian and European textile industries require working in ever smaller production batches, changing production increasingly frequently, making it increasingly desirable to have machines capable of operating with ever smaller amounts or flow rates of treatment liquid.

    [0005] Therefore, a purpose of the present invention is to avoid the aforementioned drawbacks of known machines, and in particular to provide a machine for the treatment of solid materials to be treated, like for example yarns, fabrics, non-woven fabrics, felts and gauzes, which can operate with smaller quantities or flow rates of treatment liquid with respect to those of current machines.

    Summary of the invention



    [0006] In a first aspect of the invention, these and other purposes are accomplished by making a machine for the treatment of fabrics, nets, gauzes, felts, non-woven fabrics and other piece or sheet material having the characteristics according to claim 1.
    In a second aspect of the invention, such purposes are accomplished with a machine for the treatment of fabrics, nets, gauzes, felts, non-woven fabrics and other piece or sheet material having the characteristics according to claim 14.
    Further features of the machine are the object of the dependent claims.
    The publications EP 1 884 583 A1 and US 4 036 038 disclose further examples of known machines for the treatment of fabrics in rope. However none of these documents is concerned with providing specific head losses within the ducts for evacuating the treatment liquid from the dyeing tank, in particular with making these ducts symmetrical.
    The advantages that can be obtained with the present invention will become clearer to the man skilled in the art from the following detailed description of a particular example embodiment, not for limiting purposes, illustrated with reference to the following schematic figures.

    List of Figures



    [0007] 

    Figure 1 shows a fluid diagram of a machine for dyeing rope fabrics according to the state of the art;

    Figure 2 shows a fluid diagram of a machine for dyeing rope fabrics according to a particular embodiment of the invention;

    Figures 3 and 4 respectively show a side view and a view from above of the machine of Figure 2;

    Figure 5 shows a view from above of the collector of the machine of Figure 2;

    Figure 6 shows a section, according to the section plane VIII-VIII, of the collector and of the recirculation pump of the system of Figure 2.


    Detailed description



    [0008] Figures 2-6 are relative to a machine for the treatment of rope fabric according to a particular embodiment of the invention. Such a machine, indicated with overall reference numeral 30, comprises:
    • a treatment tank 3 arranged for containing the rope fabric to be treated TC and a suitable treatment liquid;
    • a drive system 33, arranged for driving and advancing the rope fabric TC along a suitable path inside the machine 1 and comprising for example a reel or cylinder, not shown;
    • a recirculation system arranged for collecting and reusing the treatment liquid still contacted by the rope fabric TC in the machine 1.


    [0009] The machine 30 can be arranged for carrying out the typical finishing operations, for example washing, dyeing, scouring and bleaching, and the treatment liquid, according to the treatment to be carried out, can for example be simply water, suitable aqueous solutions or other liquids. As shown in Figure 4, the tank 3 and its inner chamber can, for example but not necessarily, have a substantially cylindrical shape with horizontal axis.

    [0010] The recirculation system comprises:
    • a recirculation pump 11';
    • one or more nozzles 35 fed by the recirculation pump 11', and situated for example downstream of the drive system as well as outside and upstream of the tank 3;
    • one or more collecting ducts 37A, 37B each of them arranged for taking the treatment liquid from the bottom of the treatment tank 3 and bringing it to a collector 39 that feeds the recirculation pump 11'.


    [0011] Each collecting duct 37A, 37B enters into the collector 39 at a relative entry nozzle 370A, 370B (Figure 5).

    [0012] According to an aspect of the invention, all of the collecting ducts 37A, 37B mutually feed in parallel the collector 39, and the head losses that the treatment liquid undergoes along the different collecting pipes 37A, 37B between the treatment tank 3 and the relative entry nozzle 370A, 370B are substantially the same; moreover, the head losses that the treatment liquid is subject to between an entry nozzle 370A, 370B and the entry mouth, or in any case the entry section 410 into the chamber 41 of the pump impeller are substantially the same for all of the entry nozzles 370A, 370B (Figures 5, 6).

    [0013] In the present description the head losses along two ducts are considered to be the same if they differ from one another by no more than ± 10%.
    Preferably the head losses that the treatment liquid undergoes along the different collecting ducts (37A, 37B) between the treatment tank (3) and the relative entry nozzle (370A, 370B) into the collector (39) mutually differ at most by ± 5% of the losses themselves, and the head losses that the treatment liquid undergoes between each entry nozzle (370A, 370B) into the collector (39) and the entry (410) into the chamber (41) of the pump impeller differ at most of ± 5% between the various entry nozzles (370A, 370B).

    [0014] More preferably, the head losses that the treatment liquid undergoes along the different collecting ducts (37A, 37B) between the treatment tank (3) and the relative entry nozzle (370A, 370B) into the collector (39) mutually differ at most by ± 2,5 % of the losses themselves, and the head losses that the treatment liquid undergoes between each entry nozzle (370A, 370B) into the collector (39) and the entry (410) into the chamber (41) of the pump impeller differ at most of ± 2,5 % between the various entry nozzles (370A, 370B).

    [0015] In this way, the treatment liquid that has accumulated on the bottom of the treatment tank 3 encounters, at the mouth 372A, 372B of the collecting ducts 37A, 37B into the tank 3 itself, resistances to outflow that are the same or very similar, and therefore it tends to divide evenly in the different collecting ducts 37A, 37B themselves. Consequently, the level of the treatment liquid accumulated on the bottom of the tank 3 is more even with respect for example to the known machine 1 of Figure 1, even when on average it is very low, and it is thus possible to make the machine 30 work with much lower bath levels with respect to those of current known machines 1 using water without risks of aspiring air into the recirculation pump 11'.
    Indicatively, the invention makes it possible to reduce the level of the bath on the bottom of a treatment tank of a generic machine, by about 15-40% with respect to known machines.

    [0016] Advantageously, the pump 11' is a centrifugal turbopump, preferably with axial intake and radial delivery direction, as shown for example in Figures 5, 6. In this way, the pump 11' can offer much higher performance, in terms of head, flow rate and hydraulic efficiency, with respect to other types of pump, like for example positive-displacement or self-priming pumps. Thanks to the better performance, the pump 11' can have a smaller size and this, together with its much simpler mechanical construction with respect for example to positive-displacement pumps, makes the testing and qualification procedures of the machine 1 easier: indeed, often this type of machine must operate with a pressure of about 3-4.5 bar in the tank 3 and in the recirculation system.

    [0017] Advantageously, the pump 11' is a centrifugal turbopump made self-priming thanks to the presence of:
    • a priming propeller 397, mounted on the same drive shaft as the centrifugal impeller 396 farther upstream than the latter, with reference to the flow of liquid that crosses the pump 11';
    • a priming duct 394.
    As shown in Figure 6, the priming propeller 397 can be provided for example with a helical thread that winds around the drive shaft for about half a turn.
    In any case, the priming propeller 397 is arranged a certain axial distance from the centrifugal impeller 396. The latter can comprise for example a disc that extends substantially in a radial plane, and on which there is a plurality of paddles projecting in the axial direction. As shown in Figure 5, such paddles can for example have a spiral shape or in any case a curved and not necessarily helical shape.

    [0018] The priming duct 394 is arranged for concentrating around the priming propeller 397 the treatment liquid aspired by the propeller itself.
    As shown in Figure 6, the priming duct 394 can be formed for example inside a cylindrical bush the inner radius of which is slightly greater than, and in any case very close to, the maximum radial bulk of the priming propeller 397. Between the most outer portions, in the radial direction, of the propeller 397 and the inner walls of the priming duct 394 there is preferably a port equal to or smaller than quarter the maximum width, in the radial direction, of the propeller, more preferably, equal to or smaller than one fifth and, even more preferably, equal to or smaller than one tenth radially of such a maximum width of the propeller.
    Preferably, such a port is a few millimetres or even a few tenths of a millimetre. For this purpose, the inner walls of the priming duct can be made from graphite or another material much softer than that from which the propeller 397 itself is made, so that by rotating on itself the latter cuts away at the duct 394 so as to create the aforementioned minimum port.
    The priming propeller 397 and the centrifugal impeller 396 are fixedly connected with the drive shaft that actuates them.

    [0019] Advantageously, during its normal operation, the rotary axis AR of the impeller of the recirculation pump 11' is substantially vertical, where by such an expression we mean that the rotary axis AR has an inclination with respect to the line of a plumb line, comprised between 0° and 40°. In this case, advantageously the propeller 397 is situated lower than the centrifugal impeller 396.

    [0020] The centrifugal impeller 396 and the priming propeller 397 of the pump 11' can be actuated by an electric motor, not shown and preferably arranged above, or in any case at a greater height than, the impeller 396 and the propeller 397. The motor that actuates the pump clearly may also not be electric and for example pneumatic, hydraulic or an internal combustion engine. In any case, the fact that it is arranged above or in any case at a greater height than the impeller 396 and its chamber 392 makes it possible to position the impeller 396 and its chamber 392 very low down, and more specifically much lower down with respect to the treatment tank 3, contributing to reducing the risks of cavitation.

    [0021] The collector 39 preferably comprises an outer casing 390 that internally forms an outer chamber 392, which in turn encloses the priming duct 394.
    Advantageously, in order to make the different flows of treatment liquid coming from the different ducts 37A, 37B even more uniform, the latter and the collector 39 are symmetrical at least with respect to a vertical symmetry plane VIII-VIII (Figure 5).
    Advantageously, again to make the different flows of treatment liquid coming from the different ducts 37A, 37B even more uniform, the latter are substantially the same length and the same shape and size of their passage sections.

    [0022] Advantageously, again to make the different flows of treatment liquid coming from the different ducts 37A, 37B even more uniform, the entry mouths 370A, 370B of such ducts into the collector 39 are arranged symmetrically and substantially equidistant from the centre of the entry opening 410 of the chamber 41 of the pump (Figure 5).
    Advantageously, to make the different flows of treatment liquid coming from the different ducts 37A, 37B even more uniform, in the middle of each of their outlets into the collector 39 there is a deflector 398 arranged to limit the turbulence at the entry and bring the entering flows alongside one another gradually. Like in Figures 5, 6 the deflector 398 can be a flat plate arranged vertically, for example made from metal sheet. Alternatively, each deflector can be a flat plate that is not vertical or a suitably curved plate, with single or double curvature.

    [0023] The collector 39 and the priming duct 394 of the impeller can be made for example from welded sheet. In the example of Figure 5 the outer casing 390 is substantially the shape of a prism whose base is an irregular octagon. In Figures 2, 5, 6 reference numeral 38 indicates the delivery of the pump 11'.

    [0024] Now we will describe the operation of the machine 30.
    The drive system 33 advances the rope fabric TC, or other rope material to be treated, along the desired treatment path and closed upon itself, by lifting the rope fabric along the vertical length between the tank 3 and the drive system itself. The rope of fabric or other material to be treated, when it is treated in the machine 1, is also preferably closed upon itself, so as to substantially form a ring or loop.
    At the height of the drive system 33 the rope fabric TC is wetted by the treatment liquid sprayed by the nozzles 35, and then slides along the inclined duct downstream of the drive system 33 once again towards the tank 3, where the rope fabric once again collects possibly forming loops and curls, after which it is pulled back up again by the drive system 33 until the desired number of treatment cycles has been completed.

    [0025] The treatment liquid sprayed by the nozzles 35 and not held in the rope fabric TC drips downwards, collects on the bottom of the tank 3 and through the collecting ducts 37A, 37B reaches the recirculation pump 11'. Thanks to the various provisions of the recirculation system described above, the head losses that the treatment liquid undergoes by passing through the various collecting ducts 37A, 37B are substantially the same as one another or in any case sufficiently similar, and therefore the treatment liquid collected on the bottom of the tank 3 is sucked into the entry mouths 372A, 372B much more evenly that what occurred in known rope dyeing machines, for example in that of Figure 1.

    [0026] The recirculation pump 11' pumps the treatment liquid 3 back towards the nozzles 35, to be reused. More specifically, the two flows of treatment liquid coming out from the entry mouths 370A, 370B enter into the outer chamber 392, from here pass with much lower head losses in the priming duct 394, are sucked and expelled radially by the centrifugal impeller 396 and head towards the nozzles 35 along the delivery duct 38 (Figure 6).

    [0027] The pump 11' can continue to rotate also in the case of loss of prime, i.e. when the level of the treatment liquid in the collector 39 lowers to the point of leaving the centrifugal impeller 396 and at the extreme even the priming propeller 397 uncovered. Indeed, it is sufficient for the level of the treatment liquid to rise enough so as to resubmerge at least the priming propeller 397, for the latter, helped by the priming duct 394, to be able to suck an amount of liquid such as to prime the pump again.

    [0028] From the previous teachings it is clear how a machine according to the invention can work with much lower bath ratios and bath levels, collected on the bottom of the tank 3, with respect to known machines, without worsening, and often substantially reducing, their electrical energy consumption. If the machine is for the treatment of rope fabrics of the so-called water-based type, thanks to the invention it can save the electricity consumption of a current water-based machine, maintaining comparable consumption of treatment liquid and bath levels, if not lower, than those of current air-based machines. For reasons of clarity, examples of machines for the dyeing or in any case the treatment of rope fabrics are described in Italian patents IT 1 291 626, IT 1 300 541, IT 1 366 872 and in Italian patent application n° MI2005A2083 filed by the same Applicant. The system for moving the rope of fabric inside the dyeing machine is basically formed from one or more roller conveyors, either smooth or with slats, and one or more nozzles. The machines for dyeing rope are commonly referred to as "water-based" if such nozzles are fed by a flow of water generated by suitable pumps (JET or FLOW systems or systems with nozzles having variable section), and "air-based" if the nozzles are fed by a flow of air produced by suitable fans.

    [0029] A contribution to the reduction of the risks of cavitation is also made by the vertical arrangement of the axis AR of the pump 11': indeed, such an arrangement contributes to increasing the level and the head of the liquid aspired by the pump 11', as well as making the pressures of the treatment liquid at the outlets of the various ducts 37A, 37B into the collector 39 more similar to one another.
    The particular choice of self-priming pump equipped with a centrifugal impeller 396 coaxial with a priming propeller 397 allows the recirculation system to operate with lower bath levels, with respect to known machines, in the treatment tank 3 and allows possible transients in which the centrifugal impeller 396 is not submerged to be overcome.

    [0030] The example embodiments described above can undergo various modifications and variations without departing from the scope of protection of the present invention. For example, a recirculation system according to the invention can be applied not only to machines for the treatment of rope fabrics, but to any machine in which fabrics or other piece materials are treated by recirculating a treatment bath or in any case a treatment liquid. A machine according to the invention can be used to treat not only fabrics, knitted or of the warp/weft type, but also other flexible piece or sheet materials like for example nets, gauzes, felts, non-woven fabrics, sheets formed by extrusion or lamination. The recirculation system according to the invention can be applied not only to machines for the treatment of fabrics with a treatment tank having horizontal axis, but also to machines of a substantially different type like for example machines different from those for treating rope fabrics, machines with a treatment tank having a vertical axis or jiggers.

    [0031] A machine according to the invention can also be provided with more than two collecting ducts 37A, 37B, and can for example have a number of between two and six, and more preferably between two and five.
    The priming propeller 397 can also be provided with many helical threads, and each helical thread can wind around the drive shaft even for more or less than half a turn, for example for a quarter turn, three quarters of a turn or a complete turn.
    Moreover, all of the details can be replaced by technically equivalent elements. For example, the materials used, as well as the sizes, can be whatever according to the technical requirements. The example and lists of possible variants of the present application should not be taken to be exhaustive lists.


    Claims

    1. A machine (1) for the treatment of fabrics, nets, gauzes, felts, non-woven fabrics and other piece or sheet material, comprising:

    - a treatment tank (3) arranged for containing the fabric or other material (TC) to be treated and a treatment liquid;

    - a recirculation system arranged for collecting the treatment liquid still contacted by the fabric or other material to be treated in the treatment tank (3), wherein the recirculation system comprises:

    - a recirculation pump (11') arranged for pumping the treatment liquid towards the treatment tank (3);

    - a plurality of collecting ducts (37A, 37B), each of them arranged for taking the treatment liquid out the treatment tank (3) and bringing it to a collector (39) feeding the recirculation pump (11'), wherein the recirculation system is so provided that:

    - each collecting duct (37A, 37B) enters the collector (39) at a corresponding entry nozzle (370A, 370B);

    - all collecting ducts (37A, 37B) mutually feed in parallel the collector (39);

    - the head losses which the treatment liquid undergoes along the various collecting ducts (37A, 37B) between the treatment tank (3) and the corresponding entry nozzle (370A, 370B) in the collector (39) mutually differ at most of ± 10% of the losses themselves;

    - the head losses which the treatment liquid undergoes between each entry nozzle (370A, 370B) in the collector (39) and the entry (410) in the chamber (41) of the pump impeller differ at most of ± 10% among the various entry nozzles (370A, 370B).


     
    2. The machine (1) according to claim 1, wherein:

    - the head losses which the treatment liquid undergoes along the various collecting ducts (37A, 37B) between the treatment tank (3) and the corresponding entry nozzle (370A, 370B) in the collector (39) mutually differ at most of ± 5% of the losses themselves;

    - the head losses which the treatment liquid undergoes among each entry nozzle (370A, 370B) in the collector (39) and the entry (410) in the chamber (41) of the pump impeller differ at most of ± 5% among the various entry nozzles (370A, 370B).


     
    3. The machine (1) according to claim 1, wherein the collecting ducts (37A, 37B) are substantially symmetrical at least with respect to a vertical symmetry plane (VIII-VIII).
     
    4. The machine (1) according to claim 1, wherein the collector (39) is substantially symmetrical at least with respect to a vertical symmetry plane (VIII-VIII).
     
    5. The machine (1) according to claim 1, wherein the recirculation pump (11') comprises a centrifugal impeller (396) and a priming propeller (397), wherein:

    - the centrifugal impeller (396) and the priming propeller (397) are arranged for pressing the treatment liquid downstream by rotating around a common rotary axis (AR), are mounted on the same drive shaft which actuates them and the priming propeller (397) is mounted substantially more upstream with respect to the centrifugal impeller (396).


     
    6. The machine (1) according to claim 5, wherein the priming propeller (397) is arranged for pressing the treatment liquid towards the centrifugal impeller (396) even when the latter is not submerged by the treatment liquid whereas the priming propeller (397) is submerged by the treatment liquid.
     
    7. The machine (1) according to claim 5, comprising a priming duct (394) at least enclosing the priming propeller (397) and is arranged for collecting around it the treatment liquid aspired by the propeller itself.
     
    8. The machine (1) according to claim 1, wherein the recirculation pump (11') comprises a centrifugal impeller (396) arranged for rotating around a rotary axis (AR) which, during its normal operation, is substantially vertical.
     
    9. The machine (1) according to claim 1, wherein the recirculation pump (11') is a turbopump with a radial discharge.
     
    10. The machine (1) according to claim 7, wherein the centrifugal impeller (396) during its normal operation is placed substantially underneath or in any case lower than the treatment tank (3).
     
    11. The machine (1) according to claim 1, comprising a drive system (33) arranged for advancing the fabric or other rope material (TC) to be treated along a suitable path inside the machine (1) itself and inside the treatment tank (3).
     
    12. The machine (1) according to claim 11, wherein the drive system (33) comprises a roll or reel external to the treatment tank (3) and arranged for extracting the fabric or other rope material (TC) to be treated from the tank (3).
     
    13. The machine (1) according to claim 1, wherein the recirculation system comprises one or more nozzles (35) arranged for spraying on the fabric or other rope material (TC) to be treated the treatment fluid coming from the recirculation pump, possibly by spraying it upon a portion of fabric or other rope material (TC) to be treated, said portion of fabric being placed outside the treatment tank (3).
     
    14. A machine (1) for the treatment of fabrics, nets, gauzes, felts, non-woven fabrics and other piece or sheet material, comprising:

    - a treatment tank (3) arranged for containing the fabric or other material (TC) to be treated and a treatment liquid;

    - a recirculation system arranged for collecting the treatment liquid still contacted by the fabric or other material to be treated in the treatment tank (3), wherein the recirculation system comprises:

    - a recirculation pump (11') arranged for pumping the treatment liquid towards the treatment tank (3);

    - a plurality of collecting ducts (37A, 37B), each of them arranged for taking the treatment liquid out the treatment tank (3) and bringing it to a collector (39) feeding the recirculation pump (11'), wherein the recirculation system is so provided that:

    - each collecting duct (37A, 37B) enters the collector (39) at a corresponding entry nozzle (370A, 370B);

    - all collecting ducts (37A, 37B) mutually feed in parallel the collector (39);

    - all collecting ducts (37A, 37B) and/or the collector (39) are substantially symmetrical at least with respect to a vertical symmetry plane (VIII-VIII), so as to render substantially same or similar the head losses which the treatment liquid undergoes along the various collecting ducts (37A, 37B) between the treatment tank (3) and the corresponding entry nozzle (370A, 370B) in the collector (39), and the head losses which the treatment liquid undergoes between each entry nozzle (370A, 370B) in the collector (39) and the entry (410) in the chamber (41) of the pump impeller.


     


    Ansprüche

    1. Maschine (1) zum Behandeln von Geweben, Netzen, Gaze, Filzen, Vliesstoffen und anderem Stück- oder Bahnmaterial, umfassend:

    - einen Behandlungstank (3), der dazu eingerichtet ist, das zu behandelnde Gewebe oder sonstige Material (TC) und eine Behandlungsflüssigkeit zu enthalten;

    - ein Rückführsystem, das dazu eingerichtet ist, die noch in Berührung mit dem im Behandlungstank (3) zu behandelnden Gewebe oder sonstigem Material befindliche Behandlungsflüssigkeit zu sammeln, wobei das Rückführsystem Folgendes umfasst:

    - eine Rückspeisepumpe (11'), die dazu eingerichtet ist, die Behandlungsflüssigkeit zum Behandlungstank (3) zu pumpen;

    - eine Vielzahl von Sammelrohren (37A, 37B), von denen jedes dazu eingerichtet ist, die Behandlungsflüssigkeit dem Behandlungstank (3) zu entnehmen und zu einem Sammler (39) zu bringen, der die Rückspeisepumpe (11') speist, wobei das Rückführsystem derart vorgesehen ist, dass:

    - jedes Sammelrohr (37A, 37B) bei einem entsprechenden Eintrittsstutzen (370A, 370B) in den Sammler (39) eintritt;

    - alle Sammelrohre (37A, 37B) den Sammler (39) gemeinsam parallel speisen;

    - sich die Druckverluste, welche die Behandlungsflüssigkeit entlang der verschiedenen Sammelrohre (37A, 37B) zwischen dem Behandlungstank (3) und dem entsprechenden Eintrittsstutzen (370A, 370B) in den Sammler (39) erfährt, höchstens um ± 10% der Verluste selbst voneinander unterscheiden;

    - sich die Druckverluste, welche die Behandlungsflüssigkeit zwischen jedem Eintrittsstutzen (370A, 370B) in den Sammler (39) und dem Eintritt (410) in die Kammer (41) des Pumpenlaufrads erfährt, unter den verschiedenen Eintrittsstutzen (370A, 370B) höchstens um ± 10% unterscheiden.


     
    2. Maschine (1) nach Anspruch 1, wobei:

    - sich die Druckverluste, welche die Behandlungsflüssigkeit entlang der verschiedenen Sammelrohre (37A, 37B) zwischen dem Behandlungstank (3) und dem entsprechenden Eintrittsstutzen (370A, 370B) in den Sammler (39) erfährt, höchstens um ± 5% der Verluste selbst voneinander unterscheiden;

    - sich die Druckverluste, welche die Behandlungsflüssigkeit zwischen jedem Eintrittsstutzen (370A, 370B) in den Sammler (39) und dem Eintritt (410) in die Kammer (41) des Pumpenlaufrads erfährt, unter den verschiedenen Eintrittsstutzen (370A, 370B) höchstens um ± 5% unterscheiden.


     
    3. Maschine (1) nach Anspruch 1, wobei die Sammelrohre (37A, 37B) zumindest zu einer senkrechten Symmetrieebene (VIII-VIII) im Wesentlichen symmetrisch sind.
     
    4. Maschine (1) nach Anspruch 1, wobei der Sammler (39) zumindest zu einer senkrechten Symmetrieebene (VIII-VIII) im Wesentlichen symmetrisch ist.
     
    5. Maschine (1) nach Anspruch 1, wobei die Rückspeisepumpe (11') ein Zentrifugallaufrad (396) und einen Ansaugpropeller (397) umfasst, wobei:

    - das Zentrifugallaufrad (396) und der Ansaugpropeller (397) dazu eingerichtet sind, die Behandlungsflüssigkeit durch Drehen um eine gemeinsame Drehachse (AR) stromabwärts zu drängen, und auf dieselbe Antriebswelle montiert sind, die sie in Bewegung setzt, und der Ansaugpropeller (397) im Wesentlichen weiter stromaufwärts als das Zentrifugallaufrad (396) montiert ist.


     
    6. Maschine (1) nach Anspruch 5, wobei der Ansaugpropeller (397) dazu eingerichtet ist, die Behandlungsflüssigkeit auch dann in Richtung des Zentrifugallaufrads (396) zu drängen, wenn Letzteres nicht von der Behandlungsflüssigkeit überflutet ist, während der Ansaugpropeller (397) von der Behandlungsflüssigkeit überflutet ist.
     
    7. Maschine (1) nach Anspruch 5, die ein Ansaugrohr (394) umfasst, das zumindest den Ansaugpropeller (397) umschließt und dazu eingerichtet ist, um ihn herum die vom Ansaugpropeller selbst angesaugte Behandlungsflüssigkeit zu sammeln.
     
    8. Maschine (1) nach Anspruch 1, wobei die Rückspeisepumpe (11') ein Zentrifugallaufrad (396) umfasst, das zum Drehen um eine Drehachse (AR) eingerichtet ist, die während seines normalen Betriebs im Wesentlichen senkrecht ist.
     
    9. Maschine (1) nach Anspruch 1, wobei die Rückspeisepumpe (11') eine Turbopumpe mit einem radialen Austritt ist.
     
    10. Maschine (1) nach Anspruch 7, wobei das Zentrifugallaufrad (396) während seines normalen Betriebs im Wesentlichen unterhalb des Behandlungstanks (3) oder in jedem Fall tiefer als er angeordnet ist.
     
    11. Maschine (1) nach Anspruch 1, die ein Antriebssystem (33) umfasst, das dazu eingerichtet ist, das zu behandelnde Gewebe oder sonstige Strangmaterial (TC) entlang eines geeigneten Wegs innerhalb der Maschine (1) selbst und innerhalb des Behandlungstanks (3) vorwärts zu bewegen.
     
    12. Maschine (1) nach Anspruch 11, wobei das Antriebssystem (33) eine Walze oder Rolle umfasst, die sich außerhalb des Behandlungstanks (3) befindet und dazu eingerichtet ist, das zu behandelnde Gewebe oder sonstige Strangmaterial (TC) aus dem Tank (3) zu ziehen.
     
    13. Maschine (1) nach Anspruch 1, wobei das Rückführsystem einen oder mehrere Düsen (35) umfasst, die dazu eingerichtet sind, die von der Rückspeisepumpe kommende Behandlungsflüssigkeit auf das zu behandelnde Gewebe oder sonstige Strangmaterial (TC) zu sprühen, indem sie es nach Möglichkeit auf einen Abschnitt von zu behandelndem Gewebe oder sonstigem Strangmaterial (TC) sprühen, wobei sich dieser Gewebeabschnitt außerhalb des Behandlungstanks (3) befindet.
     
    14. Maschine (1) zum Behandeln von Geweben, Netzen, Gaze, Filzen, Vliesstoffen und anderem Stück- oder Bahnmaterial, umfassend:

    - einen Behandlungstank (3), der dazu eingerichtet ist, das zu behandelnde Gewebe oder sonstige Material (TC) und eine Behandlungsflüssigkeit zu enthalten;

    - ein Rückführsystem, das dazu eingerichtet ist, die noch in Berührung mit dem im Behandlungstank (3) zu behandelnden Gewebe oder sonstigem Material befindliche Behandlungsflüssigkeit zu sammeln, wobei das Rückführsystem Folgendes umfasst:

    - eine Rückspeisepumpe (11'), die dazu eingerichtet ist, die Behandlungsflüssigkeit zum Behandlungstank (3) zu pumpen;

    - eine Vielzahl von Sammelrohren (37A, 37B), von denen jedes dazu eingerichtet ist, die Behandlungsflüssigkeit dem Behandlungstank (3) zu entnehmen und zu einem Sammler (39) zu bringen, der die Rückspeisepumpe (11') speist, wobei das Rückführsystem derart vorgesehen ist, dass:

    - jedes Sammelrohr (37A, 37B) bei einem entsprechenden Eintrittsstutzen (370A, 370B) in den Sammler (39) eintritt;

    - alle Sammelrohre (37A, 37B) den Sammler (39) gemeinsam parallel speisen;

    - alle Sammelrohre (37A, 37B) und/oder der Sammler (39) im Wesentlichen zumindest zu einer senkrechten Symmetrieebene (VIII-VIII) symmetrisch sind, um die Druckverluste, welche die Behandlungsflüssigkeit entlang der verschiedenen Sammelrohre (37A, 37B) zwischen dem Behandlungstank (3) und den entsprechenden Eintrittsstutzen (370A, 370B) in den Sammler (39) erfährt, und die Druckverluste, welche die Behandlungsflüssigkeit zwischen jedem Eintrittsstutzen (370A, 370B) in den Sammler (39) und dem Eintritt (410) in die Kammer (41) des Pumpenlaufrads erfährt, im Wesentlichen gleich oder ähnlich zu machen.


     


    Revendications

    1. Machine (1) pour le traitement de tissus, filets, gazes, feutres, tissus non-tissés et autre matériau en pièce ou en feuille, comprenant :

    - un réservoir de traitement (3) agencé pour contenir le tissu ou autre matériau (TC) à traiter et un liquide de traitement ;

    - un système de recirculation agencé pour recueillir le liquide de traitement encore en contact avec le tissu ou autre matériau à traiter dans le réservoir de traitement (3), dans lequel le système de recirculation comprend :

    - une pompe de recirculation (11') agencée pour pomper le liquide de traitement vers le réservoir de traitement (3) ;

    - une pluralité de conduits collecteurs (37A, 37B), chacun d'eux agencé pour prélever le liquide de traitement du réservoir de traitement (3) et l'amener à un collecteur (39) alimentant la pompe de recirculation (11'), dans laquelle le système de recirculation est prévue de manière que :

    - chaque conduit collecteur (37A, 37B) entre dans le collecteur (39) au niveau d'une buse d'entrée correspondante (370A, 370B) ;

    - tous les conduits collecteurs (37A, 37B) alimentent en parallèle le collecteur (39) ;

    - les pertes de charge que le liquide de traitement subit le long des divers conduits collecteurs (37A, 37B) entre le réservoir de traitement (3) et la buse d'entrée correspondante (370A, 370B) dans le collecteur (39) diffèrent mutuellement au maximum de ± 10% des pertes elles-mêmes ;

    - les pertes de charge que le liquide de traitement subit entre chaque buse d'entrée (370A, 370B) dans le collecteur (39) et l'entrée (410) dans la chambre (41) de la roue de pompe diffèrent au maximum de ± 10% entre les diverses buses d'entrée (370A, 370B).


     
    2. Machine (1) selon la revendication 1, dans laquelle :

    - les pertes de charge que le liquide de traitement subit le long des divers conduits collecteurs (37A, 37B) entre le réservoir de traitement (3) et la buse d'entrée correspondante (370A, 370B) dans le collecteur (39) diffèrent mutuellement au maximum de ± 5% des pertes elles-mêmes ;

    - les pertes de charge que le liquide de traitement subit entre chaque buse d'entrée (370A, 370B) dans le collecteur (39) et l'entrée (410) dans la chambre (41) de la roue de pompe diffèrent au maximum de ± 5% entre les diverses buses d'entrée (370A, 370B).


     
    3. Machine (1) selon la revendication 1, dans laquelle les conduits collecteurs (37A, 37B) sont sensiblement symétriques au moins par rapport à un plan de symétrie vertical (VIII-VIII).
     
    4. Machine (1) selon la revendication 1, dans laquelle le collecteur (39) est sensiblement symétrique au moins par rapport à un plan de symétrie vertical (VIII-VIII).
     
    5. Machine (1) selon la revendication 1, dans laquelle la pompe de recirculation (11') comprend une roue centrifuge (396) et une hélice d'amorçage (397), dans laquelle :

    - la roue centrifuge (396) et l'hélice d'amorçage (397) sont agencées pour presser le liquide de traitement en avant en tournant autour d'un axe de rotation commun (AR), sont montées sur le même arbre d'entraînement qui les actionne et l'hélice d'amorçage (397) est montée sensiblement plus en amont par rapport à la roue centrifuge (396).


     
    6. Machine (1) selon la revendication 5, dans laquelle l'hélice d'amorçage (397) est agencée pour presser le liquide de traitement vers la roue centrifuge (396) même quand cette dernière n'est pas submergée par le liquide de traitement alors que l'hélice d'amorçage (397) est submergée par le liquide de traitement.
     
    7. Machine (1) selon la revendication 5, comprenant un conduit d'amorçage (394) enfermant au moins l'hélice d'amorçage (397) et est agencé pour collecter autour de celle-ci le liquide de traitement aspiré par l'hélice elle-même.
     
    8. Machine (1) selon la revendication 1, dans laquelle la pompe de recirculation (11') comprend une roue centrifuge (396) agencée pour tourner autour d'un axe de rotation (AR) qui, durant son fonctionnement normal, est sensiblement vertical.
     
    9. Machine (1) selon la revendication 1, dans laquelle la pompe de recirculation (11') est une turbopompe avec un refoulement radial.
     
    10. Machine (1) selon la revendication 7, dans laquelle la roue centrifuge (396), durant son fonctionnement normal, est placée sensiblement au-dessous ou dans tous les cas plus bas que le réservoir de traitement (3).
     
    11. Machine (1) selon la revendication 1, comprenant un système d'entraînement (33) agencé pour faire avancer le tissu ou autre matériau en corde (TC) à traiter le long d'un parcours approprié à l'intérieur de la machine (1) et à l'intérieur du réservoir de traitement (3).
     
    12. Machine (1) selon la revendication 11, dans laquelle le système d'entraînement (33) comprend un rouleau ou une bobine externe au réservoir de traitement (3) et agencé pour extraire le tissu ou autre matériau en corde (TC) à traiter du réservoir (3).
     
    13. Machine (1) selon la revendication 1, dans laquelle le système de recirculation comprend une ou plusieurs buses (35) agencées pour pulvériser sur le tissu ou autre matériau en corde (TC) à traiter le fluide de traitement arrivant de la pompe de recirculation, éventuellement en le pulvérisant sur une portion de tissu ou autre matériau en corde (TC) à traiter, ladite portion de tissu étant placée à l'extérieur du réservoir de traitement (3).
     
    14. Machine (1) pour le traitement de tissus, filets, gazes, feutres, tissus non-tissés et autre matériau en pièce ou en feuille, comprenant :

    - un réservoir de traitement (3) agencé pour contenir le tissu ou autre matériau (TC) à traiter et un liquide de traitement ;

    - un système de recirculation agencé pour recueillir le liquide de traitement encore en contact avec le tissu ou autre matériau à traiter dans le réservoir de traitement (3), dans lequel le système de recirculation comprend :

    - une pompe de recirculation (11') agencée pour pomper le liquide de traitement vers le réservoir de traitement (3) ;

    - une pluralité de conduits collecteurs (37A, 37B), chacun d'eux agencé pour prélever le liquide de traitement du réservoir de traitement (3) et l'amener à un collecteur (39) alimentant la pompe de recirculation (11'), dans laquelle le système de recirculation est prévue de manière que :

    - chaque conduit collecteur (37A, 37B) entre dans le collecteur (39) au niveau d'une buse d'entrée correspondante (370A, 370B) ;

    - tous les conduits collecteurs (37A, 37B) alimentent mutuellement en parallèle le collecteur (39) ;

    - tous les conduits collecteurs (37A, 37B) et/ou le collecteur (39) sont sensiblement symétriques au moins par rapport à un plan de symétrie vertical (VIII-VIII), de manière à rendre sensiblement identiques ou similaires les pertes de charge que le liquide de traitement subit le long des divers conduits collecteurs (37A, 37B) entre le réservoir de traitement (3) et la buse d'entrée correspondante (370A, 370B) dans le collecteur (39) et les pertes de charge que le liquide de traitement subit entre chaque buse d'entrée (370A, 370B) dans le collecteur (39) et l'entrée (410) dans la chambre (41) de la roue de pompe.


     




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    Cited references

    REFERENCES CITED IN THE DESCRIPTION



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    Patent documents cited in the description