Apparatus and method for wet treatment of rope fabric

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for wet treatment of rope fabric, which have the characteristics specified in the preambles of the attached Claims 1 and 7, respectively.

[0002] Apparatuses and methods of the above-mentioned type are used in the textile industry for performing operations of finishing of fabrics (such as dyeing, washing, bleaching, etc.). For processing purposes, a piece or bolt of fabric which is to undergo treatment is loaded in the form of an endless rope into the apparatus and made to circulate repeatedly through a treatment tank in order to be brought into contact with the liquid. For the purposes of the treatment, the piece or bolt is made to fold on itself inside the aforesaid tank to assume a lap conformation.

[0003] In a first type of known apparatus, the portion in laps of the piece is immersed completely in a bath of liquid which fills the tank of the apparatus. In a second type of known apparatus, the portion in laps of the piece is, instead, wetted inside the tank by means of sprinklers which form part of a treatment-liquid circulation circuit, the bottom area of the laps being immersed in a bath of liquid formed on the bottom of the tank. In both of the above-mentioned types of apparatus, continuous circulation of the piece inside the machine is at least in part carried out pneumatically or hydraulically, i.e., exploiting the effect of a jet of air or of a jet of the treatment liquid itself.

[0004] In the present state of the art, in tanks of apparatus belonging to the second type referred to above the level of the aforesaid bath of liquid must be very high in order to reduce the passive resistance to advance of the portion in laps of the piece inside the tank.

[0005] EP0531868 discloses an apparatus for wet treatment of a textile material through a treating chamber in the presence of a treatment liquid with the textile material being circulated through a predetermined path of treatment on oscillating support members in the form of parallel beams arranged in rows and caused to oscillate in an alternate manner in which altemate support members are driven through a raised support and movement path wherein the textile material is supported and moved forward thereon while intermediate support members are moved through a lowered return path out of supporting engagement with the textile material.

[0006] A first purpose of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and method for wet treatment of rope fabric which will enable the amount of liquid necessary for the treatment process to be contained, i.e., which will enable reduction of the so-called "bath ratio" (understood as the ratio between the amount of the liquid used in the apparatus and the amount of fabric treated).

[0007] An associated purpose of the invention is to provide such an apparatus and such a method in which the quality and effectiveness of treatment will be ensured even in the presence of a modest level of the treatment liquid inside the tank.

[0008] Another associated purpose of the invention is to provide such an apparatus and such a method in which, even in the presence of a modest level of the treatment liquid, an efficient movement of the portion in laps of the piece inside the tank will be ensured.

[0009] A further purpose of the invention is to provide an apparatus that is simple and inexpensive to implement, as well as ensuring safe and reliable operation over time.

[0010] The above and yet other purposes are achieved, according to the present invention, by an apparatus and a method for wet treatment of rope fabric that have the characteristics specified in the attached claims, which are to be understood as forming an integral part of the present description.

[0011] Further purposes, characteristics and advantages of the present invention will emerge clearly from the ensuing detailed description and from the attached drawings, which are provided purely by way of explanatory and non-limiting example, and in which

• Figure 1 is a schematic representation, by means of a partial side cross-sectional view, of an apparatus for wet treatment of rope fabric, built according to the present invention;
• Figure 2 is a partial and schematic cross-sectional view, according to the line II-II of Figure 1, of the apparatus built in accordance with the present invention; and
• Figure 3 represents, by means of respective schematic lateral cross sections, four different operating positions of a crank mechanism that forms part of the apparatus built in accordance with the present invention.

[0012] In Figures 1 and 2, AT designates, as a whole, an apparatus for wet treatment of rope fabric built according to the teachings of the present invention.

[0013] In the above figures, the reference number 1 designates a treatment tank of the apparatus AT, inside which a piece T of fabric gathered in the form of an endless rope is made to pass in order to be treated with a liquid. By way of example, it is supposed that the said treatment liquid is a dye.

[0014] The tank 1 is equipped with a front door 2 and has a substantially circular cross section. Inside the tank there are provided two parallel walls, designated by 1A in Figure 2, for lateral containment of the piece T.

[0015] The reference number 3 designates sprinkling members set inside the tank 1 and designed to distribute the dye in the form of a spray over the underlying piece T. The various sprinklers 3 are connected together by a distribution manifold 4, the latter being supplied by means of a delivery path 5 which forms part of a dye circulation circuit.

[0016] The reference number 6 designates a pipe for delivery of water from a water supply (not represented) connected to the delivery path 5 for possible washing of the piece T after the latter has been treated with the dye.

[0017] At the opposite end with respect to the one where the door 2 is present, the tank 1 has a through filler 7 to which the end of a tube 8 for conveying the piece T is connected, the said tube 8 branching off from one inlet mouth 9 for soaking. From the filler 7 there branches off, towards the inside of the tank 1, a distribution funnel 10, which is designed to bring about, according to known procedures, the laying-out in laps of the piece T as this enters the tank 1. In this connection, in Figure 1 some of the laps obtained for the piece T are designated by FT, whilst the letters TF designate, as a whole, the portion in the form of laps of the said piece T, as this is formed inside the tank 1.

[0018] The reference number 11 designates a nozzle by means of which dye is introduced into the inlet mouth 9. The nozzle 11 is supplied by means of a respective pump (not illustrated) the delivery of which, designated by 12, is connected to an intake sump 13, the said sump 13 having the purpose of taking up some of the dye bath that gathers in the bottom of the front area of the tank 1. Also reaching the sump 13, via a pipe 14 provided with inlet mouths 14A and 14B, is dye, which gathers in the bottom of the intermediate and rear areas of the tank 1.

[0019] The reference number 15 designates a motor-driven reel for drawing the piece T that comes out of the tank 1, the piece being guided for this purpose by a guide element 16 and a feeler 17, both being designed according to the prior art. The reference number 18 designates an idler roller for controlling movement of the piece T, the said control roller being provided for guiding the piece T towards the inlet mouth 9. The reference number 19 designates a metre-counter idler roller of a known type used for measuring the length of the piece T at input to the apparatus according to the invention.

[0020] The reference number 20 designates a reel which is used for carrying out loading of the piece T from an accumulation station 21 to the apparatus AT. The reel 20 is likewise used, at the end of the treatment process in the apparatus AT, for discharging the piece T into the station 21.

[0021] According to a primary aspect of the present invention, there are provided inside the tank 1 conveying means for conveying the piece T, the said conveying means being designed to bring about stepwise advance of the portion TF set in laps of the piece T and to improve soaking of the said portion. The aforementioned conveying means are in particular made up of a series of mobile elements 22 basically in the form of parallel bars, between which there are interspaced fixed elements 23, which are also made in the form of parallel bars.

[0022] Both the mobile elements 22 and the fixed elements 23 extend longitudinally inside the tank 1 in the bottom portion thereof and for at least one prevalent stretch of its length. It may be noted from Figures 1 and 2 how, by means of respective actuating shafts 24, the various mobile elements 22 may assume a raised position with respect to the fixed elements 23 for the purposes that will be clarified in what follows.

[0023] The shafts 24, by which movement of the elements 22 with respect to the fixed elements 23 is obtained, form part of respective crank mechanisms, designated as a whole by MA1, ..., MA6.

[0024] The reference number 25 designates, as a whole, an electric motor designed for producing rotation of a respective shaft. As may be noted in Figure 2, at the two ends of the aforesaid shaft, which is designated by 25A in Figure 2, there are fitted respective pulleys 26.

[0025] Again in Figure 2, the reference number 27 designates a further two pulleys, each of which is fitted to one end of a shaft 28. Between the pulleys 26 and 27 are fitted respective belts or chains, designated as a whole by 29.

[0026] The pulleys 27 likewise define a respective ring gear 27A, on which there is fitted a chain, designated as a whole by 30 in Figure 1. The chain 30 is fitted on the gears 27A associated to the crank mechanisms MA2, ..., MA6. Instead, no pulley 27 is associated to the crank mechanism MA1 since it is not necessary.

[0027] Thanks to the aforesaid arrangement, the rotation of the shaft 25A can be transferred by means of the chains 29 to the pulleys 27 and then, via the various gears 27A and the chains 30, to the shafts 28 forming part of the crank mechanisms MA2, ..., MA6.

[0028] In Figure 3 there may be seen some components of the crank mechanisms MA1, ..., MA6 in four different operating positions.

[0029] In the above-mentioned figures, the reference numbers 22 and 23 respectively designate one of the already mentioned mobile elements and one of the already mentioned fixed elements that form part of the means for conveying the piece T. The reference number 24 designates one of the aforesaid actuating shafts for operation of a respective mobile element 22.

[0030] The top end of each shaft 24 is rendered fixed, in a known way, to the respective mobile element 22, whilst the bottom end of each shaft 24 is connected to a joint 31. The joint 31 has a hinge pin 33 for hinging to a disk 33, the latter being fitted to a respective shaft 28.

[0031] In the case exemplified in Figure 2, twelve mobile elements 22 are provided, between which are interspaced eleven fixed elements 23. Fitted to each shaft 28 of the crank mechanisms MA1, ..., MA6 are six disks 33 positioned underneath as many fixed elements 23 and aligned to the latter (in particular, underneath the first, third, fifth, seventh, ninth and eleventh fixed element 23. Articulated to the two opposite surfaces of each of said disks 33 by means of a pin 32 are respective joints 31 and shafts 24. In this way, rotation of the shaft 28 enables simultaneous movement of all of the mobile elements 22.

[0032] Part A of Figure 3 illustrates the same position of operation already illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, i.e., the position in which the mobile elements 22 are in a raised position with respect to the fixed elements 23.

[0033] Following upon operation of the motor 25, with the consequent movement of the shafts 28, the various disks 33 are caused to rotate, in a counter-clockwise direction in the case exemplified.

[0034] Part B of Figure 3 illustrates the condition reached following upon a movement of 90° of the disks 33. As may be noted, by virtue of the articulated connection constituted by the pin 32, the said movement of the disks 33 determines a displacement of the joints 31 and of the shafts 24 such as to produce simultaneously an advance (namely, to the left as viewed in the figure) and a lowering of the mobile elements 22 with respect to the fixed elements 23 until the top surface of the former is aligned or flush with the bottom surface of the latter.

[0035] Part C of Figure 3 illustrates the condition reached following upon a further movement of 90° of the disks 33. This movement determines a displacement of the joints 31 and of the shafts 24 such as to produce simultaneously a further lowering of the mobile elements 22 with respect to the fixed elements 23 and a recession of the said elements 22 (namely, towards the right as viewed in the figure). In this situation, the top surface of the elements 22 is at a level lower than that of the elements 23.

[0036] Finally, part D of Figure 3 illustrates the condition reached following upon a further movement of 90° of the disks 33. This movement determines a displacement of the joints 31 and of the shafts 24 such as to produce simultaneously a further recession (namely, towards the right as viewed in the figure) and a raising of the mobile elements 22 with respect to the fixed elements 23 until the top surface of the former is again aligned or flush with the bottom surface of the latter.

[0037] By means of a further movement of 90° of the disks 33, the crank mechanism is brought back to the initial position illustrated in part A of Figure 3, thus obtaining a new raising of the mobile elements 22 with respect to the mobile elements 23 and a simultaneous advance of the mobile elements 22 (i.e., towards the left as viewed in the figure).

[0038] Consequently, from the above description it may be seen how the mobile elements 22 are driven by means of arrangements basically of the connecting rod-crank type, the joint 31 - shaft 24 assembly constituting the connecting rod, and the disk 33 providing the crank. From another point of view, it emerges clearly how the set of the various crank mechanisms MA1, ..., MA6 forms a system of articulation for the mobile elements 22, which is basically of the articulated-quadrilateral or articulated-parallelogram type.

[0039] As regards operation of the apparatus AT, loading of the desired amount of fabric from the station 21 and its subsequent unloading in the same station 21 at the end of the treatment process are performed by means of the reel 20 according to procedures which are in themselves known and which, consequently, do not call for a specific description herein. The same applies to the formation of the piece of endless rope fabric T inside the apparatus AT and to the loading of the treatment liquid or dye. Here, however, it will suffice to recall that the amount of liquid used is basically calculated according to the length, and hence the weight, of the piece T to be treated, the latter being measured by means of the metre-counter roller 19. In any case, the said amount of liquid is always underneath the conveying device, thus obtaining the dying process with the fabric always outside the bath. There derives therefrom the advantage represented by the possibility of operating with reduced bath ratios, in so far as the fabric no longer requires any liquid as a conveyance means because it is moved positively by the aforementioned translators. The liquid acts exclusively as a dyeing agent.

[0040] Also the general operating principle of the apparatus AT is implemented according to substantially known procedures. In this connection, it will suffice to point out that the operation envisages activation of the above-mentioned pump that feeds the nozzle 11. The consequent jet of liquid at intake to the inlet mouth 9 brings about, in a way in itself known, progressive advance of the piece T along the conveyance pipe 8. The liquid injected by the nozzle 11 traverses the pipe 8 until it reaches the tank 1, to be then distributed inside the tank 1 itself, but always beneath the plane identified by the fixed elements 23.

[0041] The piece T is deposited on top of the translator apparatus, inside the tank 1 and by means of the distribution funnel 10, in lapped form TF.

[0042] At output from the tank 1, the piece T is guided by the guide element 16 and by the feeler 17 on the reel 15, which draws along the piece T, the latter being guided by the roller 18 again inside the inlet mouth 9.

[0043] In this way, continuous circulation is obtained of the piece T in the form of an endless rope through the apparatus AT.

[0044] For the purposes of treatment, the piece T is initially soaked in the liquid that flows inside the pipe 8. Inside the tank 1, the laps FT of the portion TF are spray-wetted by means of the sprinklers 3.

[0045] Part of the liquid bath present on the bottom of the tank 1 passes, via the pipe 14, to the manifold 13, which sends the liquid again to the nozzle 11 and to the delivery path 5, the latter feeding the manifold 4 of the sprinklers 3.

[0046] As has been said, the primary subject of the present invention regards the fact that there are provided, within the tank 1, specific conveying means 22 for the piece T, which are designed to produce stepwise advance of the portion TF in laps and to improve soaking of the latter.

[0047] The said features are obtained by means of cyclic movement of the elements 22, as previously described with reference to Figure 3; namely:

• in the position referred to in part A of Figure 3, the laps FT of the piece T are raised with respect to the elements 23 and are resting exclusively on the various elements 22;
• during passage to the position illustrated in part B of Figure 3, the elements 22 cause advance of the portion TF in laps, at the same time bringing about lowering thereof towards the elements 23; when this position is reached, the laps FT are resting both on the elements 22 and on the elements 23;
• during passage to the position illustrated in part C of Figure 3, the laps FT are resting exclusively on the elements 23, and the movement of the elements 22 does not bring about any movement of the portion FT;
• also during passage to the position illustrated in part D of Figure 3, the movement of the elements 22 does not bring about any movement of the portion TF; when the said position is reached, however, the laps FT are again resting both on the elements 22 and on the elements 23;
• the subsequent return to the position illustrated in part A of Figure 3 causes raising of the elements 22 with respect to the elements 23, whereby the laps FT are again resting only on the elements 22 and the latter bring about new advance of the portion FT in laps.

[0048] As may be seen, repetition of the sequence described above brings about progressive advance in successive steps of the portion FT in laps inside the tank 1.

[0049] The action of the conveying means represented by the elements 22, in addition to improving advance of the portion TF, enables a considerable reduction in the level of the liquid bath, which must be kept below the plane identified by the elements 23.

[0050] As mentioned in the introductory part of the present description, in apparatus built according to the prior art the level of the liquid bath must be kept high in order to reduce passive resistance to the advance of the portion in laps of the piece inside the tank.

[0051] The aforesaid need does no longer apply in the present invention thanks to the presence of the elements 22, which enable elimination of the aforesaid resistance. In this connection, it should be emphasized how, by means of the action of the elements 22, in the apparatus AT according to the invention, dragging of the laps on the bottom of the tank 1 is prevented, the said phenomenon being instead typical of the prior art.

[0052] In the apparatus AT according to the invention the quality and effectiveness of the treatment are in any case guaranteed even in the presence of a reduced level of the liquid bath in the tank 1.

[0053] From the above description there emerge clearly the characteristics of the apparatus and method according to the present invention, the said characteristics being summarized in the attached claims. Also the advantages of the present invention emerge clearly from the foregoing description.

[0054] In the case exemplified previously, advance of the piece T along the pipe 8 is at least in part obtained by exploiting the effect of the jet at output from the nozzle 11, namely by means of a hydraulic drawing system. It is however clear that, alternatively, drawing along of the piece T could be obtained by means of an jet of air, i.e., by means of a pneumatic system of a type in itself known.

Claims

1. An apparatus for wet treatment of rope fabric (T), in particular in the form of an endless rope, of the type defining a circulation path (8, 1) for said fabric (T), which comprises at least:

- one conveying pipe (8) along which said fabric (T) is forced to advance by the action of drawing means (9, 11), and

- one treatment tank (1) through which said fabric (T) is made to pass in the presence of a liquid,

   the apparatus comprising means (10) for forming and/or gathering in laps (FT) of at least one portion (TF) of said fabric (T) inside said tank (1) and motor-driven conveying means (22) for producing an advance of the laps (FT) of said portion (TF),
   said motor-driven conveying means comprising a first set of bars (23) and a second set of bars (22) that extends longitudinally in the bottom area of said tank (1), the first and the second set of bars (23, 22) being interspaced between the others and extending substantially parallel to one another, for at least a prevalent stretch of the length of said tank (1),
   characterized in that
   the first set of bars (23) is fixed and forms a resting surface on which said laps (FT) come cyclically to rest,
   the second set of bars (22) being cyclically movable with respect to the first set of bars for producing a cyclic raising of the laps (FT) of said portion (TF) with respect to said resting surface (23) and a stepwise longitudinal advance of said laps (FT) with respect to said resting surface (23).

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the second set of bars (22) is actuated by means of one or more crank mechanisms (MA1, ..., MA6).

3. The apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that the second set of bars (22) is actuated by means of an articulation system of the articulated-quadrilateral or articulated-parallelogram type (MA1, ..., MA6).

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the second set of bars (22) is operative for translating said laps (FT) above a bath of liquid present in said tank (1).

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that sprinkling means (3) are provided for distributing said liquid in the form of spray on said laps (FT) inside said tank (1).

6. The apparatus according claim 1, characterized in that said drawing means (9, 11) are of a hydraulic or pneumatic type and comprise an arrangement for the formation of a jet of fluid.

7. A method for wet treatment of rope fabric (T), in particular in the form of an endless rope, of the type in which said fabric (T) is made to follow a circulation path (8, 1) which comprises at least one conveying pipe (8), along which said fabric (T) is forced to advance by the action of drawing means (9, 11), and at least one treatment tank (1), through which said fabric (T) is made to pass in the presence of a liquid, said method envisaging the formation and/or gathering in laps (FT) of at least one portion (TF) of said fabric (T) inside said tank (1), the passage of said fabric (T) through said tank (1) being at least in part obtained by stepwise advance of the laps (FT) of said portion (TF), characterized in that each of said steps comprises a cyclic displacement of said laps (FT) above a stationary resting surface (23), and at least one step of deposition of said laps (FT) on said stationary resting surface (23), said cyclic displacement producing also a longitudinal advance of said laps (FT) with respect to the stationary resting surface (23).

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that it envisages sprinkling of said liquid in the form of spray on said laps (FT) inside said tank (1).

Ansprüche

1. Vorrichtung zur Naßbehandlung von Stranggewebe (T), insbesondere in der Form eines Endlosstrangs, von dem Typ, welcher einen Umlaufpfad (8, 1) für das Gewebe (T) definiert, wobei die Vorrichtung mindestens umfasst:

- ein Förderrohr (8), entlang dem das Gewebe (T) durch die Wirkung von Zugmitteln (9, 11) weiter geschoben wird; und

- einen Behandlungstank (1), durch den das Gewebe (T) unter der Anwesenheit einer Flüssigkeit hindurchgeführt wird;

wobei-die Vorrichtung Mittel (10) zum Bilden und/oder Ansammeln von mindestens einem Anteil (TF) des Gewebes (T) in Schlaufen (FT) innerhalb des Tanks (1), und ein motorgetriebenes Fördermittel (22) zum Erzeugen eines Vorschubs der Schlaufen (FT) des Anteils (TF) umfasst,
wobei das motorgetriebenene Fördermittel einen ersten Satz von Stangen (23) und einen zweiten Satz von Stangen (22) umfasst, und das sich longitudinal in dem unteren Bereich des Tanks (1) erstreckt, wobei der erste und der zweite Satz von Stangen (23, 22) zwischen den anderen mit Zwischenraum angeordnet sind und sich im Wesentlichen parallel zu einander über mindestens eine überwiegende Ausdehnung der Länge des Tanks (1) erstrecken,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
der erste Satz von Stangen (23) fest ist und eine Auflageoberfläche bildet, auf der die Schlaufen (FT) zyklisch zum Aufliegen kommen,
der zweite Satz von Stangen (22) in Bezug auf den ersten Satz von Stangen zyklisch bewegbar ist, um ein zyklisches Anheben der Schlaufen (FT) des Anteils (TF) in Bezug auf die Auflageoberfläche (23) und einen schrittweisen longitudinalen Vorschub der Schlaufen (FT) in Bezug auf die Auflageoberfläche (23) zu erzeugen.

2. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der zweite Satz von Stangen (22) durch einen oder mehrere Kurbelmechanismen (MA1, ..., MA6) betätigt wird.

3. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der zweite Satz von Stangen (22) durch ein Gelenksystem vom Trapezoid-Gelenk- oder Parallelogramm-Gelenk-Typ (MA1, ..., MA6) betätigt wird.

4. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der zweite Satz von Stangen (22) funktionsfähig ist, um die Schlaufen (FT) oberhalb eines Bads von Flüssigkeit, die in dem Tank (1) vorhanden ist, zu verschieben.

5. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass Berieselungsmittel (3) zum Verteilen der Flüssigkeit in der Form eines Sprühnebels auf den Schlaufen (FT) innerhalb des Tanks (1) bereitgestellt sind.

6. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Zugmittel (9, 11) von einem hydraulischen oder pneumatischen Typ sind und eine Anordung für die Bildung eines Fluidstrahls umfassen.

7. Verfahren zur Naßbehandlung von Stranggewebe (T), insbesondere in der Form eines Endlosstrangs, von dem Typ, bei dem das Gewebe (T) dazu gebracht wird, einem Umlaufpfad (8, 1) zu folgen, der mindestens ein Förderrohr (8), entlang dem das Gewebe (T) durch die Wirkung von Zugmitteln (9, 11) vorgeschoben wird, und mindestens einen Behandlungstank (1) umfasst, durch den das Gewebe (T) in der Anwesenheit einer Flüssigkeit hindurchgeführt wird, wobei das Verfahren die Bildung und/oder das Ansammeln von mindestens einem Anteil (TF) des Gewebes (T) innerhalb des Tanks (1) in Schlaufen (FT) vorsieht, wobei der Durchgang des Gewebes (T) durch den Tank (1) mindestens teilweise durch schrittweisen Vorschub der Schlaufen (FT) des Anteils (TF) erhalten wird, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass jeder der Schritte eine zyklische Verschiebung der Schlaufen (FT) oberhalb einer stationären Auflageoberfläche (23), und mindestens einen Schritt des Ablegens der Schlaufen (FT) auf der stationären Auflageoberfläche (23) umfasst, wobei die zyklische Verschiebung ebenso einen longitudinalen Vorschub der Schlaufen (FT) in Bezug auf die stationäre Auflageoberfläche (23) erzeugt.

8. Verfahren nach Anspruch 7, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass es ein Berieseln der Schlaufen (FT) innerhalb des Tanks (1) mit der Flüssigkeit in der Form eines Sprühnebels vorsieht.

Revendications

1. Appareil pour le traitement humide d'un tissu sous la forme d'une bande (T), en particulier sous la forme d'une bande sans fin, du type comprenant un chemin de circulation (8, 1) pour ledit tissu (T), qui comprend au moins :

- une conduite de transport (8) le long de laquelle ledit tissu (T) est forcé à avancer par l'action de moyens d'entraînement (9, 11), et

- un réservoir de traitement (1) à travers lequel ledit tissu (T) est forcé à passer, en présence d'un liquide,

   l'appareil comprenant des moyens (10) pour conformer et / ou réunir en plis (FT) au moins une portion (TF) dudit tissu (T) à l'intérieur dudit réservoir (1) et des moyens de transport (22) entraînés par moteur pour obtenir un avancement des plis (FT) de ladite portion (TF),
   lesdits moyens de transport entraînés par moteur comprenant un premier ensemble de barres (23) et un deuxième ensemble de barres (22) qui s'étendent longitudinalement dans la région inférieure dudit réservoir (1), le premier et le deuxième ensemble de barres (23, 22) étant intercalés les uns par rapport aux autres et s'étendant d'une manière sensiblement parallèle les uns par rapport aux autres sur au moins la plus grande partie de la longueur dudit réservoir (1),
   caractérisés par le fait que
   le premier ensemble de barres (23) est fixe et forme une surface de support sur laquelle lesdits replis (FT) viennent s'appuyer cycliquement,
   le deuxième ensemble de barres (22) étant cycliquement mobile par rapport au premier ensemble de barres pour produire une montée cyclique des replis (FT) de ladite portion (TF) par rapport à ladite surface d'appuis fixe (23) et obtenir un avancement longitudinal par palier successifs des dits plis (FT) par rapport à ladite surface de support fixe (23).

2. Appareil selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que le deuxième ensemble de barres (22) est actionné par un ou plusieurs mécanismes à excentrique (de MA1 à MA6).

3. Appareil selon la revendication 2, caractérisé en ce que le deuxième ensemble de barres (22) est actionné au moyen d'un système d'articulation du type à articulation quadrilatérale ou articulation en parallélogramme (de MA1 à MA6).

4. Appareil selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que le deuxième ensemble de barres (22) est utilisé pour la translation desdits plis (FT) au dessus d'un bain de liquide présent dans ledit réservoir (1).

5. Appareil selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que des moyens gicleurs (3) sont fournis pour répartir ledit liquide sous la forme d'un nuage vaporisé, sur lesdits plis (FT), à l'intérieur dudit réservoir (1).

6. Appareil selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que lesdits moyens d'entraînement (9, 11) sont de type hydraulique ou pneumatique et comprennent un dispositif pour la formation d'un jet de fluide.

7. Procédé pour le traitement humide d'un tissu sous la forme d'une bande sans fin, du type dans lequel ledit tissu (T) est poussé à suivre un chemin de circulation (8, 1) qui comprend au moins une conduite de circulation (8) le long de laquelle ledit tissu (T) est forcé à avancer par l'action de moyens d'entraînement (9, 11) et au moins un réservoir de traitement (1) dans lequel ledit tissu (T) est forcé à passer en présence d'un liquide, ledit procédé prévoyant la conformation et / ou la réunion de plis (FT) d'au moins une portion (TF) dudit tissu (T) à l'intérieur dudit réservoir (1), le passage dudit tissu (T) à travers ledit réservoir (1) étant au moins en partie obtenu par un avancement par paliers des plis (FT) de ladite portion (TF), caractérisé par le fait que chacun desdits paliers comprend un déplacement cyclique desdits plis (FT), au dessus d'une surface d'appui fixe (23), et au moins un palier pendant lequel lesdits plis (FT) sont déposés sur ladite surface d'appui fixe (23), ledit déplacement cyclique produisant également un avancement longitudinal desdits plis (FT) par rapport à la surface d'appui fixe (23).

8. Procédé suivant la revendication 7, caractérisé en ce qu'il prévoit l'aspersion dudit liquide sous la forme d'un nuage sur lesdits plis (FT) à l'intérieur dudit réservoir (1).

Drawing