FIELDS OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to the field of the machines for the production of
garments, in particular, refers to a machine for steam setting and finishing garments,
for example an autoclave, comprising a heat-recovery equipment.
STATE OF THE ART
[0002] It is known, among the different steps of production of garments such as hosiery,
socks and the like, a fixing and finishing step which is performed for fixing and
finishing both the colour and the shape of such textile articles.
[0004] The fixing and finishing step is required to give a particular shape, for example,
in the case of a sock, to give the latter the anatomical shape of the foot, thus the
shape of the heel and toe, and the shape of the leg as well.
[0005] Generally, the fixing and finishing step is carried out by submitting the garment
to a thermal treatment in a fixing-finishing station of a production line.
[0006] Specifically, in the case of the socks, each sock is put on respective support having
a desired anatomical shape; the support is generally made of a metallic material.
[0007] The fixing and finishing station mainly comprises an autoclave with a steam treatment
chamber. The socks arriving sequentially in the fixing and finishing station - boarded
on the respective support - enter the steam treatment chamber where they are subjected
to a steam flow for ironing and fixing the shape thereof. The sock leaves the autoclave
with a certain humidity degree provided by the steam.
[0008] Subsequently to the fixing step, the textile enter in a drying station where it is
dried and the humidity degree thereof is reduced.
[0009] More particularly, the treatment chamber of the autoclave is conformed to selectively
close and open itself. In the open position, the support with the boarded sock is
enabled to enter the treatment chamber; in the closed position the steam fixing-finishing
step takes place.
[0010] The treatment chamber is supplied with a steam-flow entering through a supplying
conduit. Such a steam flow is then dispersed in the environment when the treatment
chamber is opened to receive the next sock to the fixed and finished.
[0011] In view of what above discussed, it is worth noting that a waste of thermal energy
occurs at each treatment cycle of the fixing-finishing machine.
[0012] The considerable heat dispersion entails an increase of the energy consumption of
the plant, due both to the extended time which is initially required to reach the
desired temperature in the treatment chamber, and to the thermal energy to be supplied
cyclically to compensate for the continuous dispersion of heat to the environment
outside the autoclave.
[0013] It is therefore felt the need for exploiting the heat dispersed in the environment
and making use of such a heat in the subsequent drying steps.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0014] An object of the present invention is to provide a machine for fixing-finishing garments
comprising a heat-recovery equipment that overcomes the above described drawbacks.
[0015] A further object of the present invention is to provide a heat recovery equipment,
in a machine for fixing and finishing garments, which is economically advantageous
and simple to construct, and which can also be arranged for retrofitting existing
plants.
[0016] The present invention thus relates 2. to a machine for fixing-finishing garments,
such as socks, hosiery and the like, according to claim 1.
[0017] The fixing-finishing machine comprises a first shell-portion and a second shell-portion
defining together a treatment chamber, an inlet supplying conduit for supplying a
steam-flow into the treatment chamber and an outlet-conduit for evacuating the steam
flow out of the treatment chamber once the treatment step of the garment inserted
therein is over.
[0018] The fixing-finishing machine further comprises actuating means for actuating the
first and second shell portions, in order to selectively drive the treatment chamber
from an opened configuration - which enables garments to be introduced therein- and
a closed configuration which enables the garments to be treated with the steam flow.
The heat-recovery equipment according to the present invention comprises at least
a heat-exchanger in fluid connection with the outlet conduit for the steam flow. The
heat-exchanger comprises a plurality of conducting elements to be heated by the steam
flow. Furthermore, the heat-recovery equipment comprises ventilation means, associated
to the heat-exchanger, that generate an air flow directed to the plurality of conducting
elements to produce a heated air flow.
[0019] The air flow, heated by conduction, is directed to the garments exiting the treatment
chamber of the fixing-machine, in order to at least partially dry them.
[0020] In this way, the heat-recovery equipment makes use of the heat exiting the treatment
chamber, otherwise dispersed, for heating the heat-exchanger. The latter, associated
to the ventilation means, enables to heat an air flow lapping the heat-exchanger,
the heated air flow being subsequently directed onto the garments.
[0021] Therefore a garments pre-drying is achieved that enables to cut subsequent drying
times and to obtain a considerable energy saving. Furthermore, the action of the ventilation
means which quickly remove heat from the steam running in the heat-exchanger, has
a "suction-effect" which helps the steam flow to be evacuated out of the treatment
chamber; advantageously, this enables to reach faster, at the end of each treatment
cycle, the minimum pressure required for permitting opening of the treatment-chamber,
thus enabling the just treated garments to go out and enabling introduction of the
next garments to be treated. All this therefore entail a general advantageous speeding
up of the entire treatment line.
[0022] Preferably, in an automatic or semi-automatic production plant, the heat-exchanger
is arranged, with respect to the advance path along the production line, downstream
of the treatment-chamber and upstream of the drying chamber. A pre-drying station
is therefore defined between the treatment chamber and the drying chamber, in which
the heat-exchanger together with the ventilation means exert the pre-drying action
on the textile articles leaving the treatment chamber.
[0023] Advantageously, the heat-exchanger comprises a connection portion for connecting
to the outlet conduit of the treatment chamber, and at least a pair of column-conduits
extend from the connection portion and are provided with the conduction elements.
[0024] Preferably, the conduction elements are fins mutually aligned that coat at least
partially the column-conduits. In this way, the steam flowing inside the column-conduits
heats the fins which in turn heat the air coming from the ventilation means.
[0025] In particular, the ventilation means are arranged in front of the column-conduits
at the opposite side with respect to the passage of the garments, so as to direct
the air flow to the fins and generate the heated air flow addressed to the garments.
[0026] Advantageously, the ventilation means comprise at least an axial fan.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0027] This and further features and advantages of the invention, will be more clearly described
with reference to a preferential and not limitative embodiment, and to the enclosed
drawings, in which:
Figure 1 shows schematically a heat-recovery equipment in a machine for fixing-finishing
garments, according to the present invention;
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0028] With reference to figure 1, there is schematically shown a heat-recovery-equipment
10 for recovering heat in a machine 1 for fixing and finishing garments 20, such as
socks, hosiery and the like.
[0029] The fixing-finishing machine 1, in particular an autoclave, comprises a first shell
portion 2 and a second shell portion 3 mutually coupleable and defining a treatment
chamber 4. The fixing-finishing machine 1 further comprises an inlet supply conduit
5 for supplying a steam flow into the treatment chamber 4 and an outlet conduit 6
for evacuating the steam flow out of the treatment chamber 4 once the treatment step
of the garment inserted therein is over.
[0030] The fixing-finishing machine 1 further comprises actuating means 7 for the first
2 and second 3 shell portions, which are configured for driving the treatment chamber
4 from an open configuration which enables introduction of the garments 20, and a
close configuration that enables to treat the garments 20 with the steam flow. Suitable
valve control means are provided for controlling the steam pressure inside the treatment
chamber 4 and for enabling the latter to be opened only when the pressure falls to
a prefixed threshold value.
[0031] The fixing-finishing machine 1 comprises a drying chamber placed downstream of the
treatment chamber 4 with respect to an advance path of the garments 20. The heat-recovery
equipment 10 is operatively arranged between the treatment chamber 4 and the abovementioned
drying chamber. A pre-drying station therefore is defined between the treatment chamber
4 and the drying chamber, such a pre-drying station being enclosed by containing walls
suitable for reducing the thermal dissipation to the outside.
[0032] The heat-recovery equipment 10 according to the present invention comprises at least
a heat-exchanger 11 in fluid connection with the outlet conduit 6 for evacuating the
steam flow. The heat-exchanger 11 comprises a plurality of conduction elements 12
arranged to be heated by the steam flow. Furthermore, the heat-recovery equipment
10 comprises ventilation means 13 associated to the heat-exchanger 11 which generate
an air flow 15 directed to the plurality of conduction elements 12 to give rise to
a heated air flow 16.
[0033] The warm air flow 16, heated by conduction, is directed to the garments 20 leaving
the treatment chamber 4 in order to at least partially dry the garments 20.
[0034] In this way, the heat-recovery equipment 10 takes advantage of the steam - otherwise
dispersed - leaving the treatment chamber 4, for heating the heat-exchanger 11. The
heat-exchanger 11, associated to the ventilation means 13, generates the air flow
15 that licks the exchanger thus turning into the heated air flow 16 which is addressed
to the garments 20. Therefore a pre-drying of the garments 20 is achieved which entails
a considerable energy saving and time reduction for the next drying step.
[0035] The heat-exchanger 11 is substantially arranged side by side to the fixing-finishing
machine 1 at the output side of the garments 20. More precisely, the heat-exchanger
11 is substantially arranged downstream of the treatment chamber 4 and upstream of
a possible drying chamber with which the fixing-finishing machine 1 is provided.
[0036] The garments 20, in the production line, run and/or stand in front of the heat-exchanger
11 - arranged downstream of the treatment chamber 4 of the fixing machine 1 - for
being pre-dried through the heated air flow 16.
[0037] Constructively, the heat-exchanger 11 comprises a connection-portion 6a for the connection
to the outlet conduit 6 of the treatment chamber 4. From the connection-portion 6a
at least a first and a second column-conduits 11a extend in sequence, each being provided
with conduction elements 12.
[0038] The conduction elements 12 are pack-stacked fins that coat at least partially the
column-conduits 11a. In this way, the steam running inside the column-conduits 11a
heats the external fins which in turn heat the air flow 15 lapping them, which comes
from the ventilation means 13. The residual steam, after running internally the column-conduits
11a, is returned to a central boiler unit.
[0039] The ventilation means 13, preferably an axial fan, is arranged in front of the column-conduits
11a at the opposite side with respect to the passage of the garments 20.
[0040] In the following it is briefly described the functioning of the fixing-finishing
machine 1 and of the heat-recovery equipment 10. The garments 20 to be treated are
advanced along the advance path, through the treatment chamber 4. The shell portions
2, 3 are moved from the open configuration, to enable the garments 20 to enter the
treatment chamber 4, to the close configuration, which enables steam treatment of
these garments 20 in such a treatment chamber 4. A steam flow is therefore supplied
into the treatment chamber 4 to treat the garments 20. At the end of the treatment,
the steam contained in the treatment chamber 4 is evacuated and is left to flow to
the heat-recovery equipment 10. When the pressure in the treatment chamber 4 falls
to the required value, the actuating means 7 decouple the shell portions 2, 3 from
one other to enable the just treated garments 20 to exit, and to enable entry of the
next garments to be treated.
[0041] In the meantime, the fan 13 generates an air flow 15 that invests the column-conduits
11a and is heated thereby. The heated air flow 16 directed to the garments 20 leaving
the treatment chamber 4 are thus at least partially dried, before entering the drying
chamber located downstream. The residual steam-flow which exits from the heat-exchanger
11 is not dispersed in the environment, but is sent again to the central boiler unit.
[0042] The so configured heat-recovery equipment 10 enables several advantages to be achieved,
which are already evident from the above description, and in particular enables to
reach a considerable overall energy saving in a plant for production and treating
of garments in which such an equipment is provided, and also enables to reach a noticeable
time saving, and thus an increase of the output per hour.
[0043] It should be noted that a further advantageous effect is achieved owing to the heat-recovery
equipment 10. The action of the ventilation means 13 that quickly remove heat from
the steam running in the heat-exchanger and that thus speed up the cooling/condensation
phase of the fluid leaving the treatment chamber 4, cause a "suction effect" which
helps evacuation of the steam flow out of the treatment chamber; this enables, at
the end of each treatment cycle, to cut the pressure in the treatment chamber 4 to
the required minimum value in a faster way, thus achieving a general advantageous
speeding up of the entire treatment line.
1. Machine (1) for fixing and finishing garments (20), comprising:
- a first shell-portion (2) and a second shell-portion ( 3 ) mutually coupleable and
defining a treatment chamber (4) for said garments (20),
- a supply conduit (5) for supplying a steam-flow into said treatment chamber (4),
- an outlet-conduit (6) for evacuating the steam-flow from said treatment chamber
(4),
- actuating means (7) for moving said first (2) and second (3) shell-portions from
an open configuration, which enables said garments (20) to enter said treatment chamber
(4), to a close configuration that enables said garments (20) to be treated with said
steam-flow inside said treatment chamber (4), CHARACTERIZED IN THAT it comprises a heat-recovery equipment (10) which includes:
- at least a heat-exchanger (11) in fluid-connection with said outlet-conduit (6)
for the steam-flow, wherein said heat-exchanger (11) comprises a plurality of conduction
elements (12) arranged for being heated by said steam-flow;
- ventilation means (13) associated to said heat-exchanger (11) and arranged for generating
an air-flow (15) directed to said plurality of conduction elements (12) to generate
a heated air flow (16) addressed to said garments (20) at the exit of said treatment
chamber (4) to at least partially dry said garments (20).
2. Machine (1) according to claim 1, and comprising a drying chamber located downstream
of said treatment chamber (4) with respect to an advance path of said garments (20),
wherein said heat-recovery equipment (10) is operatively arranged between said treatment
chamber (4) and said drying chamber.
3. Machine (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said ventilation means (13) is positioned
to send a heated air flow onto the garments (20) exiting said treatment chamber (4)
and directed to said drying chamber.
4. Machine (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a pre-drying station
is defined between said treatment chamber (4) and said drying chamber, said pre-drying
station being enclosed by containing walls arranged for reducing a thermal dissipation.
5. Machine (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said heat-exchanger
(11) comprises a connection-portion (6a) for the connection to said outlet conduit
(6), wherein from said connection-portion (6a) at least a pair of column conduits
(11a) extend which are provided with conduction elements (12).
6. Machine (1) according to claim 5, wherein said conduction elements (12) are fins mutually
aligned and stacked that coat at least partially said column-conduits (11a).
7. Machine (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said ventilation
means (13) are arranged in front of said column-conduits at an opposite side with
respect to the passage of said garments (20), so as to direct the air flow (15) to
said fins and generate said heated air-flow (16) addressed to said garments (20).
8. Machine (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said ventilation
means (13) comprises at least an axial fan.
9. Method for fixing and finishing garments (20), comprising:
- advancing said garments (20), along an advance path, through a treatment chamber
(4) defined by a pair of mutually coupleable shell-portions (2, 3),
- driving said shell-portions (2, 3) for bringing them from an open configuration,
which enables entry of said garments (20) into said treatment chamber (4), to a close
configuration, which enables steam-treatment of said garments (20) inside said treatment
chamber (4),
- supplying a steam-flow into said treatment chamber (4) for treating said garments
(20),
- evacuating, through an outlet-conduit (6), the steam-flow out of said treatment
chamber (4),
CHARACTERIZED IN THAT there is provided conveying said steam-flow coming out of said treatment chamber
(4) throughout a heat-exchanger (11) in fluid connection with said outlet conduit
(6), for heating with said steam-flow a plurality of conduction elements (12) included
in said heat-exchanger (11), and generating, by ventilation means (13) associated
to said heat-exchanger (11), an air-flow (15) directed to the plurality of conduction
elements (12) for generating a heated air flow (16) directed to the garments (20)
leaving said treatment chamber (4) for at least partially drying said garments (20).
10. Method according to claim 9, further comprising returning the residual steam-flow
coming out of said heat-exchanger (11) to a central boiler unit.
1. Maschine (1) zum Richten und Nachbearbeiten von Bekleidungsstücken (20), umfassend:
- ein erstes Schalenteil (2) und ein zweites Schalenteil (3) wechselseitig koppelbar
und eine Behandlungskammer (4) für die Bekleidungsstücke (20) definierend,
- eine Versorgungsleitung (5) zum Zuführen eines Dampfflusses in die Behandlungskammer
(4),
- eine Auslassleitung (6) zum Evakuieren des Dampfflusses aus der Behandlungskammer
(4),
- Betätigungsmittel (7) zum Bewegen der ersten (2) und zweiten (3) Schalenteile von
einer offenen Konfiguration, die es den Bekleidungsstücken (20) ermöglicht, in die
Behandlungskammer (4) einzutreten, zu einer geschlossenen Konfiguration, die es den
Bekleidungsstücken (20) ermöglicht, mit dem Dampffluss innerhalb der Behandlungskammer
(4) behandelt zu werden,
DADURCH GEKENNZEICHNET, DASS sie ein Wärme-Rückgewinnungs-Equipment (10) umfasst, das einschließt:
- mindestens einen Wärmetauscher (11) in Fluidverbindung mit der Auslassleitung (6)
für den Dampffluss, wobei der Wärmetauscher (11) eine Vielzahl von Leitungselementen
(12) umfasst, die angeordnet sind, um mittels des Dampfflusses geheizt zu werden;
- Ventilationsmittel (13), die mit dem Wärmetauscher (11) assoziiert und zur Erzeugung
eines Luftflusses (15) angeordnet sind, der auf die Vielzahl von Leitungselementen
(12) gerichtet ist, um einen geheizten Luftfluss (16) zu erzeugen, der auf die Bekleidungsstücke
(20) an dem Ausgang der Behandlungskammer (4) adressiert ist, um die Bekleidungsstücke
(20) mindestens teilweise zu trocknen.
2. Maschine (1) nach Anspruch 1, und umfassend eine Trockenkammer, angesiedelt flussabwärts
der Behandlungskammer (4) in Bezug auf einen Vorschubpfad der Bekleidungsstücke (20),
wobei das Wärme-Rückgewinnungs-Equipment (10) betriebsfähig zwischen der Behandlungskammer
(4) und der Trockenkammer angeordnet ist.
3. Maschine (1) nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, wobei die Ventilationsmittel (13) positioniert
sind, um einen geheizten Luftfluss auf die Bekleidungsstücke (20) zu senden, der die
Behandlungskammer (4) verlässt und zu der Trockenkammer gerichtet ist.
4. Maschine (1) nach einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche, wobei eine Vor-Trocken-Station
zwischen der Behandlungskammer (4) und der Trockenkammer definiert ist, wobei die
Vor-Trocken-Station mittels Umfassungswänden eingeschlossen ist, die angeordnet sind,
um eine thermische Dissipation zu reduzieren.
5. Maschine (1) nach einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche, wobei der Wärmetauscher (11) ein
Verbindungsteil (6a) zur Verbindung mit der Auslassleitung (6) umfasst, wobei sich
von diesem Verbindungsteil (6a) mindestens ein Paar von Stützleitungen (11a) erstreckt,
die mit Leitungselementen (12) versehen sind.
6. Maschine (1) nach Anspruch 5, wobei die Leitungselemente (12) Lamellen sind, die wechselseitig
ausgerichtet und gestapelt sind, die mindestens teilweise die Stützleitungen (11a)
umhüllen.
7. Maschine (1) nach einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche, wobei die Ventilationsmittel (13)
vor den Stützleitungen an einem gegenüberliegenden Ende in Bezug auf die Passage der
Bekleidungsstücke (20) angeordnet sind, um den Luftfluss (15) zu den Lamellen zu richten
und den geheizten Luftfluss (16) zu erzeugen, der an die Bekleidungsstücke (20) adressiert
ist.
8. Maschine (1) nach einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche, wobei die Ventilationsmittel (13)
mindestens ein Axialgebläse umfassen.
9. Verfahren zum Richten und Nachbearbeiten von Bekleidungsstücken (20), umfassend:
- Vorschieben der Bekleidungsstücke (20), entlang eines Vorschubpfads, durch eine
Behandlungskammer (4), definiert mittels eines Paars von wechselseitig koppelbaren
Schalenteilen (2, 3),
- Antreiben der Schalenteile (2, 3), um sie aus einer offenen Konfiguration, die Eintritt
der Bekleidungsstücke (20) in die Behandlungskammer (4) ermöglicht, in eine geschlossene
Konfiguration zu bringen, die Dampfbehandlung der Bekleidungsstücke (20) innerhalb
der Behandlungskammer (4) ermöglicht,
- Zuführen eines Dampfflusses in die Behandlungskammer (4) zum Behandeln der Bekleidungsstücke
(20),
- Evakuieren, durch eine Auslassleitung (6), des Dampfflusses aus der Behandlungskammer
(4),
DADURCH GEKENNZEICHNET, DASS Befördern des Dampfflusses, der aus der Behandlungskammer (4) kommt, durch einen
Wärmetauscher (11) in Fluidverbindung mit der Auslassleitung (6) bereitgestellt ist,
zum Heizen mit dem Dampffluss einer Vielzahl von Leitungselementen (12), die in dem
Wärmetauscher (11) eingeschlossen sind, und Erzeugen, mittels Ventilationsmitteln
(13), die mit dem Wärmetauscher (11) assoziiert sind, eines Luftflusses (15), der
auf die Vielzahl von Leitungselementen (12) gerichtet ist, zum Erzeugen eines geheizten
Luftflusses (16), der auf die Bekleidungsstücke (20) gerichtet ist, die die Behandlungskammer
(4) verlassen, zum mindestens teilweisen Trocknen der Bekleidungstücke (20).
10. Verfahren nach Anspruch 9, weiter umfassend Rückführen des restlichen Dampfflusses,
der aus dem Wärmetauscher (11) kommt, zu einer zentralen Heizkesseleinheit.
1. Machine (1) pour la fixation et la finition de vêtements (20) comprenant :
- une première partie de coque (2) et une seconde partie de coque (3) pouvant être
couplées l'une à l'autre et définissant une chambre de traitement (4) pour lesdits
vêtements (20),
- un conduit d'alimentation (5) pour alimenter ladite chambre de traitement avec un
flux de vapeur (4),
- un conduit de sortie (6) pour évacuer le flux de vapeur de ladite chambre de traitement
(4),
- des moyens d'actionnement (7) pour déplacer lesdites première (2) et seconde (3)
parties de coque d'une configuration ouverte, qui permet auxdits vêtements (20) d'entrer
dans ladite chambre de traitement (4), à une configuration fermée permettant auxdits
vêtements (20) d'être traités avec ledit flux de vapeur à l'intérieur de ladite chambre
de traitement (4),
CARACTÉRISÉE EN CE QU'elle comprend un équipement de récupération de chaleur (10) qui inclut :
- au moins un échangeur de chaleur (11) en connexion de fluide avec ledit conduit
de sortie (6) pour le flux de vapeur, ledit échangeur de chaleur (11) comprenant une
pluralité d'éléments de conduction (12) agencés pour être chauffés par ledit flux
de vapeur;
- des moyens de ventilation (13) associés audit échangeur de chaleur (11) et agencés
pour générer un flux d'air (15) dirigé vers ladite pluralité d'éléments de conduction
(12) pour générer un flux d'air chauffé (16) destiné auxdits vêtements (20) à la sortie
de ladite chambre de traitement (4) pour au moins sécher partiellement lesdits vêtements
(20).
2. Machine (1) selon la revendication 1, et comprenant une chambre de séchage située
en aval de ladite chambre de traitement (4) par rapport à un trajet d'avancement desdits
vêtements (20), dans laquelle ledit équipement de récupération de chaleur (10) est
agencé opérationnellement entre ladite chambre de traitement (4) et ladite chambre
de séchage.
3. Machine (1) selon la revendication 1 ou 2, dans laquelle lesdits moyens de ventilation
(13) sont positionnés pour envoyer un flux d'air chauffé sur les vêtements (20) sortant
de ladite chambre de traitement (4) et en direction de ladite chambre de séchage.
4. Machine (1) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans laquelle une
station de pré-séchage est définie entre ladite chambre de traitement (4) et ladite
chambre de séchage, ladite chambre de pré-séchage étant délimitée par le fait qu'elle
contient des parois agencées pour réduire une dissipation thermique.
5. Machine (1) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans laquelle ledit
échangeur de chaleur (11) comprend une partie de connexion (6a) pour la connexion
audit conduit de sortie (6), dans laquelle s'étendent depuis ladite partie de connexion
(6a) au moins une paire de conduits en colonnes (11a) munis d'éléments de conduction
(12).
6. Machine (1) selon la revendication 5, dans laquelle lesdits éléments de conduction
(12) sont des ailettes alignées et empilées mutuellement qui recouvrent au moins partiellement
lesdits conduits en colonnes (11a).
7. Machine (1) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans laquelle lesdits
moyens de ventilation (13) sont disposés devant lesdites conduits en colonnes d'un
côté opposé par rapport au passage desdits vêtements (20), de manière à diriger le
flux d'air (15) vers lesdites ailettes et générer ledit flux d'air chauffé (16) destiné
auxdits vêtements (20).
8. Machine (1) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans laquelle lesdits
moyens de ventilation (13) comprennent au moins un ventilateur axial.
9. Procédé de fixation et de finition de vêtements (20) comprenant :
- faire avancer lesdits vêtements (20), selon un trajet d'avancement, à travers une
chambre de traitement (4) définie par une paire de parties de coque pouvant être couplées
l'une à l'autre (2, 3),
- entraîner lesdites portions de coque (2, 3) pour les amener d'une configuration
ouverte, qui permet l'entrée desdits vêtements (20) dans ladite chambre de traitement
(4), à une configuration fermée, qui permet un traitement à la vapeur desdits vêtements
(20) à l'intérieur de ladite chambre de traitement (4),
- délivrer un flux de vapeur dans ladite chambre de traitement (4) pour traiter lesdits
vêtements (20),
- évacuer, via un conduit de sortie (6), le flux de vapeur hors de ladite chambre
de traitement (4),
CARACTÉRISÉ EN CE QU'il est prévu de transporter ledit flux de vapeur sortant de ladite chambre de traitement
(4) à travers un échangeur de chaleur (11) en liaison fluidique avec ledit conduit
de sortie (6), pour chauffer avec ledit flux de vapeur une pluralité d'éléments de
conduction (12) inclus dans ledit échangeur de chaleur (11), et de générer, par des
moyens de ventilation (13) associés audit échangeur de chaleur (11), un flux d'air
(15) dirigé vers la pluralité d'éléments de conduction (12) pour générer un flux d'air
chauffé (16) dirigé vers les vêtements (20) quittant ladite chambre de traitement
(4) pour sécher au moins partiellement lesdits vêtements (20).
10. Procédé selon la revendication 9, comprenant en outre retourner le flux de vapeur
résiduel sortant dudit échangeur de chaleur (11) vers une unité de chaudière centrale.