FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention concerns a continuous high temperature, high pressure calendering/decatising/fixing
method for fabrics and the relative device as set forth in the respective main claims.
[0002] The invention is applicable to the finishing cycles, after dying, of woollen fabrics,
wool mix, silk, cellulose or synthetic, non-waven fabric or similar, in order to permanently
bestow on the carded and combed fabrics the high characteristics of quality and the
properties normally required for a finished, ready-for-use fabric.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] In the textile field the state of the art includes finishing processes to which woollen
fabric or similar is subjected to confer or fix particular surface characteristics
which enhance the quality or confer particular properties.
[0004] Among these finishing processes there is continuous calendering, which consists of
making the fabric pass between two surfaces, generally metallic and pressing against
each other, in order to increase the compactness and shine of the fabric.
[0005] The two metallic surfaces are advantageously heated, normally by steam.
[0006] The calender normally consists of a hollow cylinder, which rotates on its axis, and
a so-called basin which is arc-shaped and also hollow so as to allow the heating steam
to pass.
[0007] The basin presses against the cylinder, and the piece of cloth, which is drawn by
the cylinder, flows over the surface of an extremely smooth metallic sheet covering
the basin.
[0008] The result of the calendering operation is a combination of two factors: the pressure
of the basin against the cylinder and the sliding friction of the fabric against the
smooth surface of the basin.
[0009] The first factor makes the fabric compact, the second makes it shiny.
[0010] Calendering has some undesirable consequences: the fabric may stretch due to the
strong drawing pressures, and it may be made too shiny, which is often unwanted.
[0011] The decatising treatment, which may be performed after or as an alternative to the
calendering process, substantially has the function of giving the fabric fullness
of touch and permanent stability.
[0012] If carried out in combination with calendering, decatising also serves to diminish
any excessive shininess of the fabric.
[0013] Decatising is based on the characteristic property of plasticisation of the wool
fibre when acted on by steam or water at high temperature.
[0014] Wool fibre, when acted on by steam, modifies its chemical/physical characteristics,
and its texture with respect to the surrounding fibres becomes permanent, particularly
when the subsequent cooling is done quickly.
[0015] There are many methods, in the state of the art, to carry out decatising.
[0016] A first, fundamental differentiation is between dry decatising, with steam, and wet
decatising, with hot water.
[0017] A second differentiation is between continuous decatising and discontinuous decatising,
that is to say, with the piece of cloth staying stationary on the cylinder.
[0018] One dry decatising technique provides to wind the fabric together with a sub-fabric
on a holed cylinder from which a flow of water vapour emerges for a determined period
of time and at a determined pressure.
[0019] Dry decatising on the cylinder may be performed in the air, with the steam at a temperature
of 98°C, or in an autoclave with the steam at a temperature which can reach 120ö125°C.
[0020] Decatising in air with a temperature of 98°C is simple and economical, as a plant;
however, in functioning it causes disadvantages because of the considerable amount
of steam required to replace what condenses and to heat the metallic parts.
[0021] Moreover, decatising with a semi-permanent effect is not always uniform, either in
height or in the various layers, and can cause a marbling effect, particularly in
the inner layers.
[0022] Decatising in air, moreover, cannot easily be adapted in continuous decatising; machines
developed so far give regular processing but bland finishing effects.
[0023] Decatising in an autoclave provides to arrange the cylinder on which the fabric is
wound in a boiler or cistern which is under pressure and hermetically sealed; the
steam is injected therein at a temperature of 120ö125°C.
[0024] Using this method confers on the fabric a permanent feel and stability which cannot
be obtained with air decatising.
[0025] However, it is not possible to prevent discontinuity and irregularity in the processing;
moreover, the process requires a long time to carry out and high equipment costs.
[0026] Some improvements have been made in the process by working the fabric in an autoclave
in a damp state, with a humidity rate of between 20 and 80%, but even these improvements
have not been completely satisfactory.
[0027] Another evolution in the decatising process, as taught by EP-A-293.028, has been
the development of a decatising machine working continuously and under pressure. Here,
the fabric is accompanied like a "sandwich" between two pieces of steam-permeable
felt which wind continuously around portions of a cylinder, and is then subjected
successively to a treatment with saturated, pressurised steam up to a temperature
of 135°C and to a subsequent step of cooling to stabilise the surface and the size.
[0028] In this embodiment, there are sealing means at inlet to and outlet from the steam
chamber, in the form of rubber blocks or rollers made of elastic material, which are
pressed against the surface of the outer felt at a pressure strictly correlated to
that of steam, in order to seal the steam chamber.
[0029] Although this solution is conceptually valid, it has not had a real industrial success
because of the technical problems inherent in the construction of the machine and
the costs of the plant, which are too high.
[0030] Furthermore, this embodiment only performs the decatising operation on the fabric,
and can in no way perform treatments even remotely comparable to calendering.
In fact, if the sealing means are pressed against the outer felt with a pressure greater
than that required for sealing alone, as a consequence the pieces of felt are themselves
compacted, and as a consequence of this their permeability to steam is reduced and
therefore the decatising effect, with every pass, is drastically reduced.
Moreover, also when the fabric is pressed, the fact that there are felts located between
the pressure element and the fabric does not allow to obtain any effect of compactness
and shine on the fabric but, on the contrary, causes troublesome marbling and marking
on the fabric.
Therefore, if on the one hand this solution allows to achieve a satisfactory continuous
decatising process, on the other hand it does not allow in any way to perform processes
comparable with calendering, which therefore, should it be required, must be made
in a previous or subsequent step and with a different machine.
[0031] A further solution proposed to obtain an efficient decatising, combining the effects
of high pressure, high temperature and mechanical pressure, is to combine the techniques
of calendering and decatising.
[0032] In practice, it has been suggested to wet the fabric before treating it, using pure
water or water to which chemical reducing compounds have been added, and then to transport
it sandwich-like between a heated cylinder, which carries out a steam treatment, and
a belt or other appropriate element which exerts thereon a defined surface pressure
so as to obtain steam at high temperature.
[0033] The rapid evaporation of the water with which the fabric is impregnated causes steam
to develop at a temperature of up to 135°C, which gives optimum conditions so that
the mechanical pressing performed by the pressing organs gives a very good fixing
result.
[0034] There have been various proposals for techniques and the relative machines, more
or less sophisticated, for example to accurately control the humidity content applied
to the fabric as it enters the decatising machine so as to optimise the efficiency
of the treatment.
[0035] By exploiting the principle of the combined effect of steam, temperature and pressure,
a plurality of constructors have proposed substantially similar machines, comprising
a cumbersome containing structure inside which there is housed a humidifier assembly,
followed by the pressing-steaming assembly followed in turn by a cooling assembly.
[0036] All the plants proposed and present on the market have not been used widely and efficaciously
due to their high cost, the large amount of space they occupy, their need for constant
and costly maintenance.
[0037] Moreover, these plants have the problem that their productivity is very low.
[0038] Furthermore, the finishing effect is not always satisfactory and uniform for all
types of fabric.
[0039] This is due to the fact that the stability effect of the fibres in a woollen fabric
heated to a high temperature using the humidity transformed into steam at high temperature
is much less accentuated than the effect obtained on a fabric steamed at high temperature
with live steam. Therefore, even the solutions described above do not obtain fully
satisfactory results with economical and practical solutions.
[0040] The present applicant has tested and embodied this invention to overcome all these
shortcomings and to obtain further advantages.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0041] The invention is set forth and characterised in the respective main claims, while
the dependent claims describe variants of the idea of the main embodiment.
[0042] The purpose of the invention is to combine the teachings of the state of the art
to obtain a combined and continuous calendering/decatising/fixing treatment with high
temperature and high pressure steam wherein the fabric is subjected to a treatment
with live steam inside a sealed pressure chamber consisting of pairs of cylinders
arranged peripherally in contact and delimited at the front by sealing plates.
[0043] At the inlet and outlet of the sealed chamber, the fabric is subjected to a pressing
calendering action as it passes between the pairs of cylinders.
[0044] Each pair of cylinders defining the inlet to and outlet from the sealed chamber comprises
at least a first cylinder made of at least partly elastic material, which functions
as an adjustable pressure cylinder, and at least a second return cylinder the surface
of which is rigid and made of or lined with a desired material (steel, paper, ebonite,
fabric), the function of which is to give the desired effect - both of touch and of
appearance - to the fabric subjected to calendering.
Advantageously, the material which the return cylinder is lined with is interchangeable.
With the machine configured in this way, the fabric is subjected to calendering immediately
after it has been steamed with live steam, under pressure and at high temperature,
consequently obtaining that the calendering occurs on a fabric which is in a modified
chemical-physical state with respect to its normal condition.
[0045] By using this calendering procedure on a steamed fabric, the invention makes it possible
to obtain, among other advantages, a high level of compactness, a drapery finishing
effect, a greater permanence of the fixing effect on the fibres and a greater stability
of size of the fabric.
[0046] The invention is embodied moreover as a very simple device, which requires limited
investment, is limited in size and requires very limited maintenance.
[0047] Moreover, the invention is extremely versatile and can be adapted to every type of
fabric and can obtain any type of result, inasmuch as it can be used to intervene
easily and rapidly and possibly to regulate an extremely high number of parameters
so as to adapt to the needs of every occasion.
[0048] According to a variant, the fabric to be decatised is first dampened and then sent
to a pressing and steam treatment assembly where it is treated with live steam under
pressure in a closed chamber configured in the known form of a foulard.
[0049] In the case that the fabric should be dampened, there may also be included a suitable
humidifier assembly upstream of the sealed chamber, or the fabric may arrive at the
device already dampened.
[0050] According to another variant, the fabric is introduced into the sealed chamber not
dampened.
[0051] According to a further variant, the fabric is pre-heated before being sent into the
sealed chamber.
[0052] The foulard, for example but not exclusively in the form of four cylinders, defines
a sealed, pressurised chamber inside which the fabric is subjected to the action of
the high pressure, high temperature live steam.
[0053] According to the invention, the pressure of the live steam introduced inside the
sealed chamber can reach maximum values of 4ö6 atmospheres, while the temperature
can reach up to 140ö160°C.
[0054] At the inlet and outlet of the live steam treatment zone, the fabric is pressed between
two pressing cylinders, with at least one possible accompanying element, such as a
piece of felt or similar, interposed.
[0055] In the sealed chamber, the fabric has one of its faces directly in contact with at
least one of the return and/or pressure cylinders.
[0056] At the outlet of the pressing and steam treatment assembly the fabric is then cooled
in order to fix both the arrangement of the surface fibres and the size of the fabric.
[0057] This cooling treatment is achieved by subjecting the fabric to a current of cold
air at a pre-determined temperature.
[0058] According to a variant, the cooling treatment is achieved by using azote vapours.
[0059] According to a variant, the fabric emerging from the pressurised sealed chamber,
before being cooled is subjected to a steam treatment with steam at atmospheric pressure.
[0060] The pressurised sealed chamber wherein the live steam treatment is carried out is
defined, according to one embodiment of the invention, by a pressing cylinder at inlet,
a pair of return cylinders and by a pressing cylinder at outlet.
[0061] According to a variant, the return cylinders also function as pressure cylinders.
[0062] The return cylinders, according to a variant, are driven and heated and have their
surface covered with steel, paper, ebonite, rubber, non-woven fabric or similar material.
[0063] The pressure cylinders are also heated and, according to a variant, are covered with
rubber.
[0064] According to a further variant, they are associated with means to regulate the pressure
with which they act on the fabric.
[0065] According to a variant, the return cylinders and/or the pressure cylinders are associated
with means to regulate the temperature.
[0066] According to another variant, the pressure cylinders and the return cylinders have
lining rings made of hard rubber at their ends; these cooperate by friction with lateral
sealing plates associated with thrust means.
[0067] The rings of hard rubber, according to a further variant, may be associated with
lubrication means, for example with a mixture of air and water or with air mixed with
oiling and/or lubricating products.
[0068] According to another embodiment of the invention, inside the sealed chamber the fabric
is subjected to a treatment with super-heated water at a maximum temperature of around
140°C and a maximum pressure of around 4 bar.
[0069] This embodiment is preferentially used on 100% woollen products or wool mix, either
raw or dyed, to ensure a permanent fixing.
[0070] The device adopted for this embodiment is substantially the same as the one which
achieves the steam treatment, with the exclusion of the dampening process before the
fabric enters the sealed chamber and the steam treatment at the outlet thereof.
[0071] The circuit to feed the steam, or the super-heated water, inside the sealed chamber
comprises valve means to regulate the pressure, advantageously located both at the
inlet and the outlet of the chamber, by means of which it is possible to regulate
the pressure of the steam or water introduced.
[0072] According to another variant, when steam treatment is used, the sealed chamber has
breather means to discharge any possible condensation which might have accumulated
during the processing.
[0073] The procedure according to the invention, according to the type of fabric to be treated
and/or the type of result to be obtained, provides to intervene on one and/or another
of the following parameters:
- pressure and/or temperature of the steam or water;
- tension of the accompanying element, if any, interposed between the fabric and the
pressing cylinders;
- pressure of the inlet and/or outlet pressing cylinder and/or of the return cylinders;
- temperature of the pressing cylinders and/or the return cylinders;
- speed of feed of the fabric;
- intensity of the cooling treatment and/or the steam/cooling;
- dampening of the fabric upstream of the steam treatment;
- type of lining used for the cylinders.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0074] The attached Figures are given as a non-restrictive example as follows:
- Fig. 1
- shows a calendering/decatising/fixing device;
- Fig. 2
- shows a first variant of Fig. 1;
- Fig. 3
- shows a second variant of Fig. 1;
- Fig. 4
- shows an embodiment of the invention
- Fig. 5
- shows a third variant of Fig. 1;
- Fig. 6
- is a diagram of the sealing system and the system to feed steam inside the sealed
chamber according to the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0075] The attached Figures 1-3 and 5 are not part of the invention whereas fig. 4 shows
an embodiment of the calendering/decatising/fixing device 10 for fabrics 11 according
to the invention, in diagram form.
[0076] In the embodiments shown, the fabric 11 is first dampened by being passed through
a humidifier device 12 until it reaches a desired rate of humidity; then it is pre-heated
and sent inside a sealed chamber 13 inside which a pressurised environment is created
by means of introducing high pressure, high temperature live steam.
[0077] The humidifier device 12 can be omitted, in which case the fabric 11 can arrive already
dampened by an appropriate assembly upstream, or it may not be dampened.
[0078] The pressures which may be reached inside the sealed chamber 13 may have values of
up to 4ö6 atmospheres, while the temperatures attainable may be as much as 140ö160°C.
[0079] According to a variant which is not shown here, the fabric 11 is subjected inside
the sealed chamber 13 to treatment with water super-heated to a maximum temperature
of 140°C, there not being included, in this case, any humidifier device 12.
[0080] In this case, the sealed chamber 13 is defined by four cooperating cylinders, respectively
two counter-opposed pressure cylinders 14a and 14b, and two counter-opposed return
cylinders 15a and 15b.
[0081] According to variants which are not shown here, the device 10 comprises six or more
cylinders arranged so as to constitute several sealed chambers 13 through which the
fabric 11 is made to pass in succession.
[0082] Each of the return cylinders 15a and 15b, which may also have a pressure function,
has its respective surface tangent to the surface of both the pressure cylinders 14a
and 14b so that the four respective lines of tangency 16a, 16b, 16c and 16d define
the limits of the sealed chamber 13.
[0083] The inlet return cylinder 15a also has the function of pre-heating the fabric 11
before it enters the sealed chamber 13.
[0084] Before entering the sealed chamber 13, the fabric 11 is made to pass on an inlet
return cylinder 21 which causes it to wind onto a defined arc of the heated return
cylinder 15a.
[0085] At the front, the sealed chamber 13 is defined by sealing plates 17 cooperating with
the ends of the cylinders 14a, 14b and 15a, 15b.
[0086] The plates 17 cooperate by friction, in this case, with rings 18 made of hard rubber
and applied to the ends of the cylinders 14a, 14b, 15a, 15b. The plates 17 are associated
with compression means 19 which ensure that the sealed chamber 13 is maintained sealed
with respect to the outer environment.
[0087] The rings 18 of hard rubber may cooperate with a lubrication system, which is not
shown here, which acts, for example intermittently, delivering a lubrifying flow based
on a mixture of air and water or air to which oiling products or lubricants of another
type have been added.
[0088] The fabric 11 is introduced inside the sealed chamber 13 through an inlet pressure
zone, defined by the line of tangency 16a between the pressure cylinder 14a and the
return cylinder 15a.
[0089] In this case, the fabric 11 is pressed along the line of tangency 16a with an accompanying
element interposed; the said element consists of a piece of felt 20 which, in Fig.
1, winds around the arc of the return cylinder 15a inside the sealed chamber 13, the
pressure cylinder 14b and the return cylinders 21.
[0090] The surface of the fabric 11 subjected to treatment is in direct contact with the
relative return cylinder 15a so that pressure is exerted in a regular and uniform
manner without marbling or marking the surface.
[0091] The accompanying element interposed between the cylinders and the fabric 11 may consist,
apart from a piece of felt, of a strip made of polyester, polyester-wool, wool, cotton
or of another suitable material, even synthetic.
[0092] The material which constitutes the accompanying element 20 will vary according to
whether the treatment is achieved with live steam or in super-heated water.
[0093] The return cylinders 21 may have an adjustable position so as to vary the tension
imparted to the fabric 11 compressed by the pressure cylinders 14a and 14b.
[0094] The pressure cylinders 14a and 14b, in this case, are covered by a layer of rubber
22 and can be regulated radially in the direction of the arrows 23 to regulate the
intensity of the pressure on the fabric 11.
[0095] By regulating the pressure acting on the fabric 11, on the one hand it is possible
to guarantee that the sealed chamber 13 remains sealed, and on the other hand to regulate
the level of pressure on the fabric 11 entering the sealed chamber 13 or emerging
therefrom according to the desired calendering treatment to be made and/or the type
of fabric to be calendered.
[0096] The return cylinders 15a and 15b are driven and are covered by a lining made of rubber,
ebonite, steel, paper, non-woven fabric or similar material. The pressure cylinders
14a and 14b and the return cylinders 15a and 15b are also associated with heating
means which include the possibility of regulating their temperature according to the
type of fabric 11 and the result of the treatment to be obtained.
[0097] The material which lines the return cylinders 15a and 15b and the pressure cylinders
14a, 14b will also vary according to the type of treatment performed inside the sealed
chamber 13.
[0098] The fabric 11 emerging from the sealed chamber 13 and the treatment with steam or
super-heated water is sent to a cooling system 24.
[0099] In the case shown in Fig. 1, the cooling system comprises a plane of feed with a
conveyor belt 25 over which the fabric 11 passes; a ventilation system acting from
above cooperates therewith.
[0100] The cooling flow can consist of air or mixtures of steam-air or other cooling fluids,
such as for example azote vapours.
[0101] The cooling flow can also be sent from below through holes included on the plane
of feed-conveyor belt 25.
[0102] In the variant shown in Fig. 2, the cooling system 24 comprises a holed cylinder
26 cooperating along one of its arcs with a compression system consisting of a piece
of felt 120 which acts as an accompanying and pressure element and is guided by return
cylinders 121 against the fabric 11.
[0103] In the variant shown in Fig. 3, the fabric 11 emerging from the steam treatment zone
inside the sealed chamber 13 is made to cooperate with a steaming assembly 27 while
it is winding around the cooling cylinder 26 and is pressed against the cylinder 26
by the piece of felt 120.
[0104] Following the steaming treatment, the fabric 11 is subjected to cooling by delivering
a cooling fluid from the cylinder 26.
[0105] In the variant shown in Fig. 4, the fabric 11 is introduced into the sealed chamber
13 without being accompanied by the piece of felt.
[0106] In the further variant shown in Fig. 5, in order to ensure a prolonged action of
compression after the steam treatment, the fabric 11, together with the piece of felt
20, follows a winding path around the pressure cylinder 14a inside the sealed chamber
13, and then winds for the whole arc of the return cylinder 15b outside the sealed
chamber 13.
[0107] Then, it re-enters inside the sealed chamber 13, winding around the arc of the pressure
cylinder 14b, and is then sent to the cooling system 24, where it winds around the
cooling cylinder 26 in cooperation with the piece of felt 120.
[0108] Fig. 6 shows a diagram of a system to introduce the steam inside the sealed chamber
13, defined by the cylinders 14a, 14b, 15a and 15b, wherein there is a conduit 28
associated with an inlet valve 29a and with an outlet valve 29b and with a condensation
separator 30 placed at the inlet.
[0109] The valves 29a and 29b make it possible to regulate the pressure and quantity of
the steam introduced inside the sealed chamber 13 so as to obtain the desired treatment
of the fabric 11.
[0110] There are also valves which are not shown here to discharge any possible condensation
before the steam is introduced inside the sealed chamber 13.
1. Continuous combined high temperature and high pressure calendering and decatising
method for woollen fabric, wool mix, silk, cellulose, synthetic fabrics or non-woven
fabrics, wherein the fabric (11) is subjected to steam treatment or treatment in super-heated
water, the method comprising introducing the fabric (11) inside a sealed chamber (13)
defined by at least four cylinders, respectively two pressure cylinders (14a, 14b)
and two return cylinders (15a, 15b) arranged in pairs in a foulard configuration,
and by front sealing plates (17) associated with the ends of said cylinders (14a,
14b, 15a, 15b), said cylinders being suitable to be pressed in pairs one against the
other to define a sealed inlet and a sealed outlet of said chamber (13), the method
being characterised in that inside the sealed chamber (13) at least one face of the fabric (11) is in direct
contact with the surface of at least one of said cylinders (14a, 14b, 15a, 15b), at
least said surface of said return cylinders (15a, 15b) being covered with a material
as steel, paper, ebonite or rubber to define a smooth surface suitable to calender
the fabric (11) at said inlet and at said outlet of said sealed chamber (13) under
pressure of said pressure cylinders (14a, 14b).
2. Method as in Claim 1, characterised in that the steam inside said sealed chamber (13) has a temperature of up to 160°C and a
pressure of up to 6 bar.
3. Method as in Claim 1, characterised in that the super-heated water inside said sealed chamber (13) has a temperature of up to
140°C and a pressure of up to 4 bar.
4. Method as in any claim hereinbefore, characterised in that, in the case of steam treatment, the fabric (11) is dampened before being introduced
into said sealed chamber (13).
5. Method as in any claim hereinbefore, characterised in that the fabric (11), on its path inside the sealed chamber (13) defined between the inlet
pressure cylinder (14a) and the outlet pressure cylinder (14b), winds around at least
an arc of a return cylinder (15a, 15b) and/or at least an arc of a pressure cylinder
(14a, 14b).
6. Method as in any claim hereinbefore, characterised in that at the outlet of said sealed chamber (13), the fabric (11) is subjected to cooling
in order to fix both the arrangement of the surface fibres and the size of the fabric.
7. Method as in Claim 6, characterised in that, in the case of steam treatment, between the treatment in the sealed chamber (13)
and the cooling treatment, there is a steam treatment with steam at atmospheric pressure.
8. Method as in any claim hereinbefore, characterised in that said pressure cylinders (14a, 14b) and/or said return cylinders (15a, 15b) are heated.
9. Method as in any claim hereinbefore,
characterised in that according to the type of fabric to be treated and/or the type of calendering/decatising
result to be obtained, the method provides to intervene on one and/or another of the
following parameters:
- pressure and/or temperature of the steam or the super-heated water;
- pressure of the inlet pressure cylinder (14a) and/or the outlet pressure cylinder
(14b);
- temperature of the pressure cylinders (14a, 14b) and/or the return cylinders (15a,
15b);
- speed of feed of the fabric;
- intensity of the cooling treatment and/or the steaming/cooling;
- dampening of the fabric upstream of the steam treatment;
- the type of lining used for the return cylinders (15a, 15b).
10. Continuous combined high temperature and high pressure calendering and decatising
device (10) for woollen fabric, wool mix, silk, cellulose, synthetic fabrics or non-woven
fabrics, wherein the fabric (11) is subjected to steam treatment or treatment in super-heated
water inside a sealed pressurised chamber (13) defined by a first pair of pressure
cylinders, respectively an inlet pressure cylinder (14a) and an outlet pressure cylinder
(14b), and by a second pair of return cylinders (15a, 15b), the sides of said sealed
chamber (13) being defined by the respective lines of tangency (16a, 16b, 16c, 16d)
between said pressure cylinders (14a, 14b) and said return cylinders (15a, 15b), said
sealed chamber (13) being defined at the front by sealing plates (17) cooperating
with the ends of said cylinders (14a, 14b, 15a, 15b), said sealed chamber (13) cooperating
with means to introduce the live steam at a temperature of up to 160°C and a pressure
of up to 6 atmosphere or with means to introduce super-heated water at a temperature
of up to 140°C and a pressure of up to 4 bar, the device being characterised in that at least the surface of said return cylinders (15a, 15b) is covered with a material
as steel, paper, ebonite or rubber to define a smooth surface suitable to calender
the fabric (11) at said inlet and at said outlet of said sealed chamber (13) under
pressure of said pressure cylinders (14a, 14b).
11. Device as in Claim 10, characterised in that the means to introduce steam or super-heated water (28) cooperate with means to regulate
the pressure (29a, 29b).
12. Device as in any claim 10 or 11, characterised in that upstream of and outside said sealed chamber (13) there is at least a humidifier assembly
(12).
13. Device as in any claim from 10 to 12 inclusive, characterised in that downstream of and outside said sealed chamber (13) there is a cooling system (24).
14. Device as in Claim 13, characterised in that said cooling system (24) comprises a plane of feed-conveyor belt (25) cooperating
with means to deliver a flow of ventilation.
15. Device as in Claim 13, characterised in that said cooling system (24) comprises a holed cooling cylinder (26) on which the fabric
(11) is wound.
16. Device as in any claim from 10 to 15 inclusive, characterised in that, in the case of steam treatment, between said sealed chamber (13) and said cooling
system (24) there is a steaming assembly (27) with steam at atmospheric pressure.
17. Device as in any claim from 10 to 16 inclusive, characterised in that said return cylinders (15a, 15b) are able to function as pressure cylinders.
18. Device as in any claim from 10 to 17 inclusive, characterised in that said pressure cylinders (14a, 14b) are associated with means to regulate the pressure
exerted on the fabric.
19. Device as in any claim from 10 to 18 inclusive, characterised in that said pressure cylinders (14a, 14b) and/or said return cylinders (15a, 15b) are heated
and associated with means to regulate the temperature..
20. Device as in any claim from 10 to 19 inclusive, characterised in that said pressure cylinders (14a, 14b) and said return cylinders (15a, 15b) have rings
(18) made of hard rubber at the ends which cooperate through friction with said sealing
plates (17).
21. Device as in claim 10, characterised in that said sealing plates (17) are associated with compression means (19).
22. Device as in claim 20, characterised in that said hard rubber rings (18) cooperate with a lubrication system.
23. Device as in any claim from 10 to 22 inclusive, characterised in that the means to deliver the steam (28) cooperate with a condensation separator/collector
(30).
1. Kombiniertes Hochtemperatur- und Hochdruckverfahren zum endlosen Kalandern und Dekatieren
von Wollstoff, Mischwolle, Seidengewebe, Zellulosegewebe, Kunst- oder Vliesstoff,
wobei das Gewebe (11) einer Dämpfung oder einer Behandlung mit überheiztem Wasser
unterzogen ist, wobei das Verfahren die Einführung des Gewebes (11) in eine abgedichte
Kammer (13) umfaßt, die von mindestens vier in einer Foulard-Gestaltung paarweise
angeordneten Walzen, d. h. zwei Druckwalzen (14a, 14b) bzw. zwei Umlenkwalzen (15a,
15b), sowie von mit den Enden dieser Walzen (14a, 14b, 15a, 15b) verbundenen vorderen
Dichtplatten (17) bestimmt ist, wobei diese Walzen geeignet sind, gegeneinander paarweise
gedrückt zu sein, um einen abgedichten Eingang und einen abgedichten Ausgang dieser
Kammer (13) zu bestimmen, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß innerhalb der abgedichten Kammer (13) mindestens eine Seite des Gewebes (11) mit
der Oberfläche von mindestens einer dieser Walzen (14a, 14b, 15a, 15b) in unmittelbarer
Berührung steht und mindestens diese Oberfläche dieser Umlenkwalzen (15a, 15b) durch
einen Werkstoff wie Stahl, Papier, Ebonit oder Gummi überzogen ist, um eine glatte
Oberfläche zu bestimmen, die geeignet ist, das Gewebe (11) bei diesem Eingang und
diesem Ausgang dieser abgedichten Kammer (13) unter dem Druck dieser Druckwalzen (14a,
14b) zu kalandern.
2. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der Dampf innerhalb dieser abgedichten Kammer (13) eine Temperatur bis 160°C und
einen Druck bis 6 Bar aufweist.
3. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß das überheizte Wasser innerhalb dieser abgedichten Kammer (13) eine Temperatur bis
140°C und einen Druck bis 4 Bar aufweist.
4. Verfahren nach dem einen oder dem anderen der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß bei Dämpfung das Gewebe (11) vor der Einführung in diese abgedichte Kammer (13) angefeucht
wird.
5. Verfahren nach dem einen oder dem anderen der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß das Gewebe (11) auf seiner innerhalb der abgedichten Kammer (13) vorgesehenen Fahrt,
die zwischen der Eingangsdruckwalze (14a) und der Ausgangsdruckwalze (14b) bestimmt
ist, sich um mindestens einen Bogen einer Umlenkwalzen (15a, 15b) und/oder mindestens
einen Bogen einer Druckwalzen (14a, 14b) aufwickelt.
6. Verfahren nach dem einen oder dem anderen der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß am Ausgang dieser abgedichten Kammer (13) das Gewebe (11) einer Kühlung unterzogen
ist, um sowohl die Anordnung der Oberflächenfasern als auch die Abmessungen des Gewebes
festzusetzen.
7. Verfahren nach Anspruch 6, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß, bei Dämpfung, eine Dämpfung mit Dampf unter Luftdruck zwischen der Behandlung in
der abgedichten Kammer (13) und der Kühlung durchgeführt wird.
8. Verfahren nach dem einen oder dem anderen der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß diese Druckwalzen (14a, 14b) und/oder diese Umlenkwalzen (15a, 15b) geheizt werden.
9. Verfahren nach dem einen oder dem anderen der vorhergehenden Ansprüche,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß gemäß der Art des zu behandelnden Gewebes und/oder der Art des zu erreichenden Ergebnisses
des Kalanderns/Dekatierens das Verfahren einen Eingriff in den einen und/oder den
anderen folgender Parameter vorsieht:
- Druck und/oder Temperatur des Dampfs oder des überheizten Wassers;
- Druck der Eingangsdruckwalze (14a) und/oder der Ausgangsdruckwalze (14b);
- Temperatur der Druckwalzen (14a, 14b) und/oder der Umlenkwalzen (15a, 15b);
- Zufuhrgeschwindigkeit des Gewebes;
- Stärke der Kühlung und/oder der Dämpfung/Kühlung;
- Anfeuchten des Gewebes stromauf der Dämpfung,
- Art des für die Umlenkwalzen (15a, 15b) angewandten Überzugs.
10. Kombinierte Hochtemperatur- und Hochdruckvorrichtung (10) zum endlosen Kalandern und
Dekatieren von Wollstoff, Mischwolle, Seidengewebe, Zellulosegewebe, Kunst- oder Vliesstoff,
wobei das Gewebe (11) einer Dämpfung oder einer Behandlung mit überheiztem Wasser
innerhalb einer druckfesten abgedichten Kammer (13) unterzogen ist, die von einem
ersten Druckwalzenpaar, d. h. einer Eingangsdruckwalze (14a) bzw. einer Ausgangsdruckwalze
(14b), und einem zweiten Umlenkwalzenpaar (15a, 15b) bestimmt ist, wobei die Seiten
dieser abgedichten Kammer (13) von den jeweiligen Tangenslinien (16a, 16b, 16c, 16d)
zwischen diesen Druckwalzen (14a, 14b) und diesen Umlenkwalzen (15a, 15b) bestimmt
sind, wobei diese abgedichte Kammer (13) von vorne von Dichtplatten (17) bestimmt
ist, die mit den Enden dieser Walzen (14a, 14b, 15a, 15b) mitwirken, wobei diese abgedichte
Kammer (13) mit Mitteln zur Einführung des Frischdampfs unter einer Temperatur bis
160°C und einem Druck bis 6 Atmosphären oder Mitteln zur Einführung des überheizten
Wassers unter einer Temperatur bis 140°C und einem Druck bis 4 Bar mitwirkt, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß mindestens die Oberfläche dieser Umlenkwalzen (15a, 15b) durch einen Werkstoff wie
Stahl, Papier, Ebonit oder Gummi überzogen ist, um eine glatte Oberfläche zu bestimmen,
die geeignet ist, das Gewebe (11) bei diesem Eingang und diesem Ausgang dieser abgedichten
Kammer (13) unter dem Druck dieser Druckwalzen (14a, 14b) zu kalandern.
11. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 10, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Mittel zur Einführung von Dampf oder überheiztem Wasser (28) mit Mitteln zur
Druckregelung (29a, 29b) mitwirken.
12. Vorrichtung nach dem einen oder dem anderen der Ansprüche 10 oder 11, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß mindestens eine Feuchteinheit (12) stromauf und außerhalb dieser abgedichten Kammer
(13) vorhanden ist.
13. Vorrichtung nach dem einen oder dem anderen der Ansprüche 10 bis 12 einbegriffen,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß ein Kühlsystem (24) stromab und außerhalb dieser abgedichten Kammer (13) vorhanden
ist.
14. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 13, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß dieses Kühlsystem (24) eine mit Mitteln zur Lieferung eines Lüftungsstroms mitwirkende
Auflagefläche (Förderband) (25) umfaßt.
15. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 13, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß dieses Kühlsystem (24) eine durchgebohrte Kühlwalze (26) umfaßt, auf der das Gewebe
(11) aufgewickelt wird.
16. Vorrichtung nach dem einen oder dem anderen der Ansprüche 10 bis 15 einbegriffen,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß bei Dämpfung eine Dämpfungseinheit (27) mit Dampf unter Luftdruck zwischen dieser
abgedichten Kammer (13) und diesem Kühlsystem (24) vorhanden ist.
17. Vorrichtung nach dem einen oder dem anderen der Ansprüche 10 bis 16 einbegriffen,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß diese Umlenkwalzen (15a, 15b) geeignet sind, als Druckwalzen zu wirken.
18. Vorrichtung nach dem einen oder dem anderen der Ansprüche 10 bis 17 einbegriffen,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß diese Druckwalzen (14a, 14b) mit Mitteln zur Regelung des auf das Gewebe ausgeübten
Druckes verbunden sind.
19. Vorrichtung nach dem einen oder dem anderen der Ansprüche 10 bis 18 einbegriffen,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß diese Druckwalzen (14a, 14b) und/oder diese Umlenkwalzen (15a, 15b) geheizt und mit
Mitteln zur Temperaturregelung verbunden sind.
20. Vorrichtung nach dem einen oder dem anderen der Ansprüche 10 bis 19 einbegriffen,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß diese Druckwalzen (14a, 14b) und diese Umlenkwalzen (15a, 15b) an ihren Enden Ringe
(18) aus Hartgummi aufweisen, die mit diesen Dichtplatten (17) durch Reibung mitwirken.
21. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 10, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß diese Dichtplatten (17) mit Druckmitteln (19) verbunden sind.
22. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 20, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß diese Ringe (18) aus Hartgummi mit einem Schmiersystem mitwirken.
23. Vorrichtung nach dem einen oder dem anderen der Ansprüche 10 bis 22 einbegriffen,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Mittel (28) zur Dampflieferung mit einem Kondenswasserabscheider/-fänger (30)
mitwirken.
1. Procédé combiné de calandrage et décatissage continu à haute température et haute
pression pour tissus de laine, mi-laine, soie, tissus cellulosiques, synthétiques
ou tissus non tissus, dans lequel le tissu (11) est soumis à un traitement à la vapeur
ou un traitement par eau surchauffée, le procédé comprenant l'introduction du tissu
811) dans une chambre étanche (13) définie par au moins quatre cylindres, respectivement
deux cylindres presseurs (14a, 14b) et deux cylindres de renvoi (15a, 15b) disposés
par couples dans une configuration à foulard, et par des plaques antérieures de fermeture
étanche (17) associées aux extrémités desdits cylindres (14a, 14b, 15a, 15b), lesdits
cylindres étant aptes à être pressés l'un contre l'autre par couples pour définir
une entrée étanche et une sortie étanche de ladite chambre (13), le procédé étant
caractérisé en ce qu'à l'intérieur de la chambre étanche (13) au moins un côté du tissu (11) est en contact
direct avec la surface d'au moins un desdits cylindres (14a, 14b, 15a, 15b), au moins
ladite surface desdits cylindres de renvoi (15a, 15b) étant revêtue d'un matériel
tel que acier, papier, ébonite ou caoutchouc, pour définir une surface lisse apte
à calandrer le tissu (11) à ladite entrée et à ladite sortie de ladite chambre étanche
(13) sous la pression desdits cylindres presseurs (14a, 14b).
2. Procédé selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que la vapeur à l'intérieur de ladite chambre étanche (13) a une température jusqu'à
160°C et une pression jusqu'à 6 bar.
3. Procédé selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que l'eau surchauffée à l'intérieur de ladite chambre étanche (13) a une température
jusqu'à 140°C et une pression jusqu'à 4 bar.
4. Procédé selon l'une ou l'autre des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que, en cas de traitement à la vapeur, le tissu (11) est humidifié avant d'être introduit
dans ladite chambre étanche (13).
5. Procédé selon l'une ou l'autre des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que le tissu (11), sur son parcours à l'intérieur de la chambre étanche définie entre
le cylindre presseur d'entrée (14a) et le cylindre presseur de sortie (14b) s'enroule
autour d'au moins un arc d'un cylindre de renvoi (15a, 15b) et/ou d'au moins un arc
d'un cylindre presseur (14a, 14b).
6. Procédé selon l'une ou l'autre des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que, à la sortie de ladite chambre étanche (13), le tissu (11) est soumis à refroidissement
afin de fixer soit l'arrangement des fibres sur la surface soit les dimensions du
tissu.
7. Procédé selon la revendication 6, caractérisé en ce que, en cas de traitement à la vapeur, entre le traitement dans la chambre étanche (13)
et le traitement de refroidissement il y a un traitement à la vapeur avec de la vapeur
sous pression atmosphérique.
8. Procédé selon l'une ou l'autre des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que lesdits cylindres presseurs (14a, 14b) et/ou lesdits cylindres de renvoi (15a, 15b)
sont réchauffés.
9. Procédé selon l'une ou l'autre des revendications précédentes,
caractérisé en ce que, selon le type de tissu à traiter et/ou le type de résultat du calandrage/décatissage
à obtenir, le procédé prévoit d'intervenir sur l'un et/ou l'autre des paramètres suivants:
- pression et/ou température de la vapeur ou de l'eau surchauffée;
- pression du cylindre presseur d'entrée (14a) et/ou du cylindre presseur de sortie
(14b);
- température des cylindres presseurs (14a, 14b) et/ou des cylindres de renvoi (15a,
15b);
- vitesse d'alimentation du tissu;
- intensité du traitement de refroidissement et/ou de vaporisage/refroidissement;
- humidification du tissu en amont du traitement à la vapeur;
- type de revêtement utilisé pour les cylindres de renvoi (15a, 15b).
10. Dispositif (10) combiné de calandrage et décatissage continu à haute température et
haute pression pour tissus de laine, mi-laine, soie, tissus cellulosiques, synthétiques
ou tissus non tissus, dans lequel le tissu (11) est soumis à un traitement à la vapeur
ou traitement par eau surchauffée à l'intérieur d'une chambre étanche pressurisée
(13) définie par une première couple de cylindres presseurs, respectivement un cylindre
presseur d'entrée (14a) et un cylindre presseur de sortie (14b), et une deuxième couple
de cylindres de renvoi (15a, 15b), les côtés de ladite chambre étanche (13) étant
définis par les respectives lignes de tangence (16a, 16b, 16c, 16d) entre lesdits
cylindres presseurs (14a, 14b) et lesdits cylindres de renvoi (15a, 15b), ladite chambre
étanche (13) étant définie de front par des plaques de fermeture étanche (17) qui
coopèrent avec les extrémités desdits cylindres (14a, 14b, 15a, 15b), ladite chambre
étanche (13) coopérant avec des moyens d'introduction de vapeur fraîche à une température
jusqu'à 160°C et à une pression jusqu'à 6 atmosphères ou des moyens d'introduction
d'eau surchauffée à une température jusqu'à 140°C et à une pression jusqu'à 4 bar,
le dispositif étant caractérisé en ce qu'au moins la surface desdits cylindres de renvoi (15a, 15b) est revêtue d'un matériel
tel que acier, papier, ébonite ou caoutchouc, pour définir une surface lisse apte
à calandrer le tissu (11) à ladite entrée et à ladite sortie de ladite chambre étanche
(13) sous la pression desdits cylindres presseurs (14a, 14b).
11. Dispositif selon la revendication 10, caractérisé en ce que les moyens d'introduction de vapeur ou d'eau surchauffée (28) coopèrent avec des
moyens de réglage de la pression (29a, 29b).
12. Dispositif selon l'une ou l'autre des revendications 10 ou 11, caractérisé en ce qu'il y a au moins un groupe humidificateur (12) en amont et à l'extérieur de ladite
chambre étanche (13).
13. Dispositif selon l'une ou l'autre des revendications 10 à 12 incluse, caractérisé en ce qu'il y a un système de refroidissement (24) en aval et à l'extérieur de ladite chambre
étanche (13).
14. Dispositif selon la revendication 13, caractérisé en ce que ledit système de refroidissement (24) comprend un plan d'alimentation-bande transporteuse
(25) qui coopère avec des moyens de distribution d'un flux de ventilation.
15. Dispositif selon la revendication 13, caractérisé en ce que ledit système de refroidissement (24) comprend un cylindre de refroidissement découpé
(26), sur lequel le tissu (11) est enroulé.
16. Dispositif selon l'une ou l'autre des revendications 10 à 15 incluse, caractérisé en ce que, en cas de traitement à la vapeur, entre ladite chambre étanche (13) et ledit système
de refroidissement (24) il y a un groupe de vaporisage (27) avec de la vapeur à pression
atmosphérique.
17. Dispositif selon l'une ou l'autre des revendications 10 à 16 incluse, caractérisé en ce que lesdits cylindres de renvoi (15a, 15b) sont aptes à fonctionner comme des cylindres
presseurs.
18. Dispositif selon l'une ou l'autre des revendications 10 à 17 incluse, caractérisé en ce que lesdits cylindres presseurs (14a, 14b) sont associés à des moyens de réglage de la
pression exercée sur le tissu.
19. Dispositif selon l'une ou l'autre des revendications 10 à 18 incluse, caractérisé en ce que lesdits cylindres presseurs (14a, 14b) et/ou lesdits cylindres de renvoi (15a, 15b)
sont réchauffés et associés à des moyens de réglage de la température.
20. Dispositif selon l'une ou l'autre des revendications 10 à 19 incluse, caractérisé en ce que lesdits cylindres presseurs (14a, 14b) et lesdits cylindres de renvoi (15a, 15b)
ont des bagues faites de caoutchouc dur (18) aux extrémités, qui coopèrent par frottement
avec lesdites plaques de fermeture étanche (17).
21. Dispositif selon la revendication 10, caractérisé en ce que lesdites plaques de fermeture étanche (17) sont associées à des moyens de compression
(19).
22. Dispositif selon la revendication 20, caractérisé en ce que lesdites bagues de caoutchouc dur (18) coopèrent avec un système de lubrification.
23. Dispositif selon l'une ou l'autre des revendications 10 à 22 incluse, caractérisé en ce que les moyens de distribution de vapeur (28) coopèrent avec un séparateur/collecteur
d'eau de condensation (30).