CONTINUOUS HIGH TEMPERATURE, HIGH PRESSURE CALENDERING/DECATISING/FIXING METHOD FOR FABRICS AND RELATIVE DEVICE

Description

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.

Claims

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).

Ansprüche

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.

Revendications

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).

Drawing