MACHINE FOR FIXING AND FINISHING GARMENTS COMPRISING A HEAT-RECOVERY EQUIPMENT

Description

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.

[0003] Machines for fixing and finishing textile articles are known from US5094371, WO2005/100670, US4028817 and US53597886.

[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.

Claims

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.

Ansprüche

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.

Revendications

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.

Drawing