MACHINE FOR TREATING TEXTILES

Description

[0001] The present invention concerns a machine for treating textiles, such as for example a compacting machine or a heat-setting machine, applicable in the field of the textile industry.

[0002] Textile treatment machines are known in the textile field, and generally comprise one or more heated cylinders on which the textile to be compacted or heat-set is wound, and a closed-ring strip, generally a felt, suitable to apply pressure to the textile to be treated.

[0003] Treatment machines are known, which have two treatment units of the type described above, disposed in sequence with respect to each other, to induce compaction, or heat-setting, first on one side of the textile and then on the opposite side. Examples of treatment machines known in the art are described in patent documents US 5052069, EP 3121323 and EP 0950748.

[0004] It is also known that a textile has a natural moisture content, or recovery rate, which depends on the type of fiber it is made of. This natural moisture content is intrinsic to the textile and is naturally recovered after excessive drying or humidification.

[0005] Determining the natural moisture content of the textile, in addition to being important to guarantee an optimal treatment process, is also fundamental for the subsequent marketing of the treated textile that is generally done in units of weight.

[0006] To increase the effectiveness of the treatment of the textile, it is also known to provide a steam delivery device located upstream of the first treatment unit to compensate for the partial drying of the textile.

[0007] This steaming gives the textile greater plasticity and, therefore, greater capacity and predisposition to receive the action of compaction of the textile.

[0008] In the treatment machines described above with two treatment units located in sequence, it happens that the textile, advancing through the first treatment unit, is partly dried by the heated cylinder.

[0009] In the second treatment unit, the textile is further dried, thus risking being over-dried at exit from the treatment machine, and therefore not guaranteeing an optimal result of the treatment.

[0010] To restore humidity to the treated textile and to cool it down, humidification devices, or water nebulization devices, are provided downstream of the treatment machine. These devices, however, are not easily controllable, since they do not guarantee a control of the humidity conferred on the textile, and are therefore able to determine an excessive humidification.

[0011] Furthermore, once treated, the textile is collected in coils, which prevents or slows down, at least in the less superficial layers of the textile, the recovery of the natural moisture content both in the case of over drying and in the case of excessive humidity.

[0012] This disadvantage is more accentuated if the coil is packed with polymer material, for example a heat-shrinkable film, which prevents the breathability of the textile.

[0013] One purpose of the present invention is to provide a treatment machine which improves the treatment efficiency of the textiles.

[0014] Another purpose of the present invention is to provide a machine for treating textiles which guarantees a plasticity of the textile for the whole duration of the treatment.

[0015] Another purpose is to provide a machine for treating textiles which supplies at exit a treated textile having a correct natural moisture content.

[0016] Another purpose is to perfect a method for treating textiles that allows to obtain a treated textile having at exit a correct relative moisture content.

[0017] Given the above, the present invention is set forth and characterized in the independent claims, while the dependent claims describe other features of the present invention or variants of the main inventive idea.

[0018] In accordance with the above purposes, the present invention concerns a machine for treating textiles comprising:

• a first treatment unit and at least a second treatment unit located one in succession to the other;
• each treatment unit is provided with at least one heated cylinder and a felt having a closed-ring development defined by rolls configured to take a portion of the felt into contact with a part of an external surface of the heated cylinder;
• at least a first steam delivery device installed upstream of the first treatment unit;
• at least a second steam delivery device installed between the first treatment unit and the second treatment unit.

[0019] Advantageously, the second steam delivery device allows to confer plasticity to the textile again even downstream of the first treatment unit, thus preparing it for subsequent treatment in the second treatment unit.

[0020] The use of steam, instead of traditional humidification devices, for example with nebulized water, has a double effect on the textile, that is, to restore and increase the humidity of the textile and to heat it, thus making the fibers more plastic and suitable to receive another compaction action. With the present invention it is possible to obtain an increase in the compaction capacity of at least 30%, or more, compared to traditional solutions.

[0021] Moreover, part of the steam delivered by the steam delivery devices, and in particular by the second intermediate steam delivery device between the two treatment units, contributes to softening and extending the life of the felts, since the latter are affected by the flow of steam generated.

[0022] According to the invention, the treatment machine comprises a third steam delivery device installed downstream of the second treatment unit and a third treatment unit disposed downstream of the second treatment unit to perform a further treatment step on the textile,
wherein the third steam delivery device is installed between the second treatment unit and the third treatment unit.

[0023] The present invention also concerns a method for treating textiles using the above treatment machine.

[0024] The drawings in this document illustrate the characteristics described above, as well as others, which will become clear from the following description, provided as a non-restrictive example, in which:

• fig. 1 is a schematic view of a treatment machine in accordance with embodiments described here in a first configuration;
• fig. 2 is a schematic view of a treatment machine in accordance with embodiments described here in another configuration;
• fig. 3 is a schematic front view of a treatment machine of fig. 2;
• fig. 4 is a schematic view of a treatment machine in accordance with embodiments described here in a second configuration not forming part of the invention;
• fig. 5 is a schematic view of a treatment machine in a third configuration not forming part of the invention;
• fig. 6 is a schematic view of a treatment machine in an alternative configuration to fig. 2.

[0025] Embodiments described here in figs. 1 to 6 concern a machine 10 for treating a textile T, able to perform treatments such as, for example, compaction or heat-setting of the textile T, or suchlike.

[0026] The textile T in question can be made of a natural fiber, such as cotton, wool, silk, linen, hemp, jute, or a synthetic or mixed fiber, such as acetate, viscose, jersey, or suchlike.

[0027] The textile T, depending on the fiber of which it is made, has a specific natural moisture content, or recovery rate, which indicates the maximum percentage of water that a textile fiber can have at certain environmental temperature conditions, for example 20°C, and humidity.

[0028] For example, cotton fiber can have a natural moisture content equal to 8.5% - 9.5%.

[0029] According to the embodiments described here, during the advance in the treatment machine 10, the textile T can advance with a single layer, or it can advance in a tubular shape.

[0030] The treatment machine 10 comprises a first treatment unit 11 and at least a second treatment unit 12 disposed one in succession to the other.

[0031] Each treatment unit 11, 12 is provided with at least one heated cylinder 13, around which the textile T winds, and a felt 14 having a closed-ring development.

[0032] The felt 14 is configured to keep the textile T in contact, under pressure, with the heated cylinder 13 and to at least compact and heat-set the textile T during the insertion of the latter between itself and the heated cylinder 13.

[0033] Each treatment unit 11, 12 is also provided with a plurality of rolls 19, 20, 21 configured to take a portion of the felt 14 into contact with a part of an external surface 16 of the heated cylinder 13.

[0034] The rolls 19, 20, 21 are disposed around the heated cylinder 13 and the felt 14 winds on them and is kept under tension.

[0035] The plurality of rolls 19, 20, 21 of each treatment unit 11, 12 comprises at least one entrance roll 19, at least one intermediate roll 20 and at least one exit roll 21.

[0036] The entrance roll 19 is located on the periphery of the heated cylinder 13 and defines in the felt 14 an entrance segment 42 comprised between the entrance roll 19 and the heated cylinder 13 and through which the textile T is introduced into the treatment unit 11, 12, possibly subjected to the compaction action of the textile.

[0037] The exit roll 21 is located on the periphery of the heated cylinder 13, in a position substantially opposite to the exit roll 21, and with respect to the heated cylinder 13.

[0038] The exit roll 21 defines in the felt 14 an exit segment 43 comprised between the exit roll 21 and the heated cylinder 13 and through which the textile T is made to exit the treatment unit 11, 12.

[0039] According to an example embodiment shown in figs. 1 to 6, each treatment unit 11, 12 can comprise two intermediate rolls 20.

[0040] According to possible embodiments, at least the roll 19, 20, 21, for example the exit roll 21, is motorized to make the felt 14 move.

[0041] According to possible solutions, at least the entrance roll 19, in the zone where the textile T is introduced, can be moved towards/away from the heated cylinder 13 in order to adjust the tension of the felt 14 and modify the winding angle of the textile T around the heated cylinder 13.

[0042] The treatment machine 10 also comprises a first steam delivery device 17 installed upstream of the first treatment unit 11 and configured to emit a flow of steam to the textile T passing and entering the first treatment unit 11.

[0043] According to one aspect of the present invention, the treatment machine 10 also comprises a second steam delivery device 18 installed between the first treatment unit 11 and the second treatment unit 12.

[0044] After passing through the first treatment unit 11, in which it loses some of its moisture, the textile T is made to pass through the second steam delivery device 18, where it is humidified and heated by the steam and acquires further plasticity, facilitating the subsequent treatment thereof in the second treatment unit 12.

[0045] By way of example only, the flow of steam can have an exit temperature from the first steam delivery device 17 and from the second steam delivery device 18 between about 100°C and about 120°C.

[0046] In another embodiment, the second steam delivery device 18 is installed between the exit roll 21 of the first treatment unit 11 and the entrance roll 19 of the second treatment unit 12, that is, between the segment of textile T which is generated between the first treatment unit 11 and the second treatment unit 12.

[0047] The first steam delivery device 17 and the second steam delivery device 18 are provided with one or more steam delivery apertures which, during use, face upward. This embodiment prevents the flow of steam that is delivered from being able to stagnate as a consequence of the slowing down of the flow and from generating condensation which falls on the textile T itself.

[0048] The upward positioning of the apertures, instead, causes the steam to pass through the textile T itself and is not further hindered in direct proximity to the textile T. The steam delivered can subsequently affect the felts 14 of the first treatment unit 11 and of the second treatment unit 12, increasing their working life.

[0049] Moreover, the second steam delivery device 18 can be installed at least partly below the first treatment unit 11 and the second treatment unit 12, in order to deliver a flow of steam both on the textile T and in at least one of the felts 14.

[0050] According to one embodiment, the first steam delivery device 17 and/or the second steam delivery device 18 can comprise at least one delivery body 22 with an oblong development.

[0051] According to a variant embodiment, at least the second steam delivery device 18 can comprise two delivery bodies 22 installed in opposite positions, each facing respectively one side of the textile T. This solution is particularly advantageous in the case of treatment of a textile T of a tubular type. According to a first variant embodiment, the delivery body 22 can be configured as a vaporizing tray.

[0052] According to another variant embodiment, the delivery body 22 can be provided with a plurality of delivery apertures, for example nozzles.

[0053] The plurality of delivery apertures are disposed facing at least one side of the textile T.

[0054] According to a variant embodiment, the delivery body 22 is an oblong prismatic shape.

[0055] According to another variant embodiment, the delivery body 22 is a tubular shape.

[0056] According to one embodiment, the delivery body 22 can be installed, during use, with the oblong development transverse to the direction of feed of the textile T.

[0057] In other words, the delivery body 22 is installed with the oblong development concordant with the width of the textile T.

[0058] In this case, the oblong development of the delivery body 22 is at least equal in size to the width of the textile T.

[0059] The delivery body 22 can be connected to a steam generation and delivery device, not shown in the drawings, by means of a flexible connector.

[0060] According to one embodiment, the flow rate of steam arriving from the steam generation and delivery device can be divided up so as to be distributed at least between the first steam delivery device 17 and the second steam delivery device 18.

[0061] According to embodiments described here, each treatment unit 11, 12 can comprise an introduction device 25, or "shoe" configured to introduce the textile T between the felt 14 and the heated cylinder 13.

[0062] According to one solution, the introduction device 25 can be movable to adjust its distance from the entrance roll 19 according to the type and thickness of the textile T.

[0063] According to embodiments described here, the treatment units 11, 12 can also comprise a return roll 26 configured to divert, in a desired manner, the path of the textile T exiting from the respective treatment units 11, 12.

[0064] The return roll 26 is positioned between the exit roll 21 of the first treatment unit 11 and the entrance roll 19 of the second treatment unit 12.

[0065] The return roll 26 defines for the textile T a first return branch 44 and a second return branch 45 comprised between the exit roll 21 and the entrance roll 19. The second steam delivery device 18 is positioned in correspondence with the first return branch 44 or the second return branch 45.

[0066] The return roll 26 can be provided with a load cell 27 configured to detect the degree of tension of the textile T and to be able to correct, in this way, the position of the return roll 26.

[0067] According to an embodiment shown by way of example in figs. 1, 2 and 6, the treatment machine 10 can comprise a third steam delivery device 24 installed downstream of the second treatment unit 12.

[0068] The third steam delivery device 24 can have the same configurations as described for the first steam delivery device 17 and for the second steam delivery device 18, or a combination thereof according to the treatment needs of the textile T.

[0069] The third steam delivery device 24 has the function of restoring at least part of the moisture of the textile T which has been lost in the passage through the second treatment unit 12.

[0070] According to another embodiment, shown by way of example in figs. 2 and 6 and combinable with the previous embodiment, the treatment machine 10 can comprise a third treatment unit 23 installed downstream of the second treatment unit 12.

[0071] In particular, the third treatment unit 23 is installed downstream of the third steam delivery device 24.

[0072] According to embodiments shown by way of example in figs. 2 and 6, the third steam delivery device 24 can be installed between the exit roll 21 of the second treatment unit 12 and the entrance roll 19 of the third treatment unit 23, that is, between the segment of textile T which is generated between the second treatment unit 12 and the third treatment unit 23.

[0073] According to another embodiment, the treatment machine 10 can be associated, in correspondence with the exit of the textile T, with a collection unit 28 (figs. 2 and 6).

[0074] The collection unit 28 allows the treated textile T to be collected in an orderly manner.

[0075] Furthermore, the collection unit 28 can comprise a cooling element 29 to cool the textile T, which allows to cool the textile T before it is positioned in the collection unit 28. The cooling element 29 can be chosen from a group comprising an air suction device, a nebulization device, a humidification device.

[0076] According to embodiments described in figs. 2 to 6, the treatment machine 10 can comprise a support structure 30 which comprises two support flanks 31, 32, or bearing shoulders, each equipped with at least three groups of support elements 33.

[0077] The groups of support elements 33 are positioned between an entrance side 37 and an exit side 38 of the treatment machine 10 in order to support and drive the first treatment unit 11, the second treatment unit 12 and the third treatment unit 23, respectively.

[0078] The entrance side 37 and the exit side 38 are defined by the direction of feed of the textile T when the treatment machine 10 is operating.

[0079] According to possible solutions, the zone where the textile T is introduced into each treatment unit 11, 12, 23 is positioned in correspondence with a central zone on the height of the support structure 30, while the textile T is wound on the heated cylinders 13 in correspondence with the lower part and/or the upper part of the support structure 30. This allows to facilitate the operations to insert the textile T at least into the first treatment unit 11 by the operators.

[0080] According to embodiments described using fig. 3, the support flanks 31, 32 can be connected to each other and kept in a reciprocal position by one or more transverse elements 36, which, for example, connect respectively the upper and lower ends of the support flanks 31, 32.

[0081] According to some embodiments, the support flanks 31, 32 face one another, with the respective groups of support elements 33 disposed on the respective facing walls of the support flanks 31, 32, in a specular position with respect to each other, in order to support the respective treatment units 11, 12, 23. According to a possible solution, the support structure 30 comprising the two support flanks 31, 32 constitutes a unitary monoblock or monocoque structure. A support structure 30 thus defined allows to obtain a further advantage deriving from the presence, in a reciprocally close position, at least of the first steam delivery device 17 and the second steam delivery device 18.

[0082] Thanks to the fact that the treatment units 11, 12, 23 can be disposed in respective lower and upper parts of the supporting structure 30, and thus partly overlap, so that part of the steam delivered by the steam delivery devices 17, 18, and by the possible third steam delivery device 24, affects the surface of the respective felts 14. This allows a greater capacity for deformation of the felt 14, when it comes into contact with the textile T, thus increasing the effectiveness of the treatment.

[0083] According to some embodiments, at least one support flank 31, 32 is an operating bearing shoulder, that is, it comprises control and management means and/or means to supply motion in order to drive the treatment units 11, 12, 23. The other support flank 32, 31 can also be an operating bearing shoulder, or can have only a support function for the treatment units 11, 12, 23. Each group of support elements 33 can comprise holes, hooks, support elements, attachment elements, flanges, plates, protrusions, joining elements, bearings, rotation pins, or other elements suitable for the insertion, installation, assembly, support and motorization of a respective treatment unit 11, 12, 23. According to some embodiments, the specialized components of each treatment unit 11, 12, 23, that is, the heated cylinder 13, the felt 14, the rolls 19, 20, 21 and the introduction device 25, can be functionally associated with the respective group of support elements 33 in relation to the type of treatment performed on the textile T, in particular in relation to the side of the textile T on which they have to operate.

[0084] According to a possible solution, each treatment unit 11, 12, 23 can have its components directly connectable and attachable to the components of a respective group of support elements 33 present on the support flanks 31, 32. According to possible solutions, each group of support elements 33 can comprise an exit hole 39 to install the heated cylinder 13 and an exit hole 40 to install the motorized exit roll 21. In particular, through the exit holes 39, 40, the heated cylinder 13 and the exit roll 21 can be connected to motion supply means, not shown in the drawings, present in at least one of the support flanks 31, 32, to be driven and made to rotate.

[0085] According to a variant embodiment, the treatment units 11, 12, 23 can be preassembled and associated at both ends with intermediate plates 41, which can be applied and attached on the support flanks 31, 32 using one or more components of a group of support elements 33.

[0086] Consequently, the treatment units 11, 12, 23 can be substantially identical to each other, and can therefore be interchangeable with each other and installed indifferently on any of the groups of support elements 33 whatsoever. In fact, the installation is reversible, and this allows to have a very versatile treatment machine 10 which can be modified simply and quickly, simply by mounting and removing the treatment units 11, 12, 23 on and from the respective groups of support elements 33.

[0087] Moreover, the fact that the treatment units 11, 12, 23 are substantially identical to each other allows to keep fewer spare parts for possible breakdowns and malfunctions.

[0088] According to some embodiments, the groups of support elements 33 can be disposed according to a triangular disposition. In this way adjacent treatment units 11, 12, 23 can partly overlap in the vertical direction.

[0089] According to some embodiments, two groups of support elements 33 can be positioned below or in correspondence with a median line M which passes through the support flank 31, 32 during use, in a horizontal direction, while the remaining group of support elements 33 can be disposed above the median line M.

[0090] According to possible embodiments, one of the three groups of support elements 33 can be disposed in an intermediate position between the remaining two groups of support elements 33, so as to reduce the transverse size of the support flank 31, 32 and therefore the overall bulk of the treatment machine 10.

[0091] According to a possible variant described using fig. 6, two groups of support elements 33 can be positioned in the upper part of the support flank 31, 32, while the remaining group of support elements 33 can be disposed in the lower part of the support flank 31, 32.

[0092] In this way a substantially specular configuration is determined with respect to that in fig. 2.

[0093] According to a possible embodiment, the first treatment unit 11 and the third treatment unit 23 can be configured to operate on the same side of the textile T, while the second treatment unit 12 can be configured to operate on the opposite side of the textile T.

[0094] With the configurations in figs. 2, 3 and 6, the treatment machine 10 can perform, for example, a first steaming with the first steam delivery device 17 and a first treatment on a first side of the textile T with the first treatment unit 11, a second steaming with the second steam delivery device 18 and a treatment on the other side of the textile T with the second treatment unit 12, a third steaming with the third steam delivery device 24 and a second treatment on the first side of the textile T with the third treatment unit 23.

[0095] With the configuration in fig. 1 the treatment machine 10 can perform, for example, a first steaming with the first steam delivery device 17 and a treatment on a first side of the textile T with the first treatment unit 11, a second steaming with the second steam delivery device 18, a treatment on the other side of the textile T with the second treatment unit 12 and a third steaming with the third steam delivery device 24.

[0096] With the configuration in fig. 4, not forming part of the present invention, the treatment machine 10 can perform, for example, a first steaming with the first steam delivery device 17 and a treatment on a first side of the textile T with the first treatment unit 11, a second steaming with the second steam delivery device 18 and a treatment on the other side of the textile T with the second treatment unit 12.

[0097] With the configuration in fig. 5, not forming part of the present invention, the treatment machine 10 can perform, for example, a first steaming with the first steam delivery device 17, a first treatment on a first side of the textile T with the first treatment unit 11, a second steaming with the second steam delivery device 18 and a second treatment again on the first side of the textile T with the second treatment unit 12.

Claims

1. Machine for treating textiles (T) comprising:

- a first treatment unit (11) and at least a second treatment unit (12) located one after the other,

- said first treatment unit (11) and said second treatment unit (12) being provided each with at least one heated cylinder (13) and a felt (14) with a closed-ring development defined by rolls (19, 20, 21) configured to take a portion of said felt (14) into contact with a part of an external surface (16) of said heated cylinder (13),

- at least one first steam delivery device (17) installed upstream of said first treatment unit (11) and configured to emit a flow of steam to the textile (T) passing and entering said first treatment unit (11),

- a second steam delivery device (18) installed between said first treatment unit (11) and said second treatment unit (12) for humidifying and heating the textile (T) by the steam,

said machine being characterized in that it comprises a third steam delivery device (24) installed downstream of said second treatment unit (12) having the function of restoring at least part of the moisture of the textile (T) which has been lost in the passage through said second treatment unit (12) and a third treatment unit (23) located downstream of said second treatment unit (12), said third steam delivery device (24) being installed between said second treatment unit (12) and said third treatment unit (23).

2. Treatment machine as in claim 1, characterized in that said steam delivery devices (17, 18, 24) are provided with one or more steam delivery apertures which face upward during use.

3. Treatment machine as in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said steam delivery devices (17, 18, 24) comprise at least one delivery body (22) with an oblong development and provided with at least one delivery aperture, said delivery body (22) being installed with its oblong development transverse to a direction of feed of said textile (T).

4. Treatment machine as in any preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a support structure (30) comprising two support flanks (31, 32) with respective facing walls equipped in a specular manner with at least three groups of support elements (33) with each of which one or the other of said treatment units (11, 12, 23) can be associated.

5. Treatment machine as in claim 4, characterized in that said groups of support elements (33) are disposed according to a triangular disposition in order to install said treatment units (11, 12, 23) at least partly overlapping in a vertical direction.

6. Machine as in claim 5, characterized in that said second steam delivery device (18) is installed at least partly below said first treatment unit (11) or said second treatment unit (12) in order to deliver a flow of steam both into said textile (T) and also at least into one of said felts (14).

7. Machine as in any preceding claims, characterized in that said third treatment unit (23) is provided with at least one heated cylinder (13) and a felt (14) with a closed-ring development defined by rolls (19, 20, 21) configured to take a portion of said felt (14) into contact with a part of an external surface (16) of said heated cylinder (13).

8. Machine as in any preceding claims, characterized in that each treatment unit (11, 12, 23) comprises an introduction device (25), configured to introduce the textile (T) between said felt (14) and said heated cylinder (13) and being movable to adjust its distance from an entrance roll (19) of said rolls (19, 20, 21) according to the type and thickness of the textile (T).

9. Method for treating textiles (T) using a treatment machine (10) that provides to:

- carry out a first treatment of compacting or heat setting on said textile (T) by means of at least a first treatment unit (11),

- carry out a second treatment of compacting or heat setting on said textile (T) by means of at least a second treatment unit (12) located after said first treatment unit (11),

- carry out at least a first steaming of said textile (T) by means of a first steam delivery device (17) installed upstream of said first treatment unit (11) and configured to emit a flow of steam to the textile (T) passing and entering said first treatment unit (11),

- carry out a second steaming of said textile (T) by means of a second steam delivery device (18) installed between said first treatment unit (11) and said second treatment unit (12) for humidifying and heating the textile (T) by the steam,

said method being characterized in that it provides to carry out a third steaming of said textile (T) by means of a third steam delivery device (24) installed downstream of said second treatment unit (12) for restoring at least part of the moisture of the textile (T) which has been lost in the passage through said second treatment unit (12), and in that it provides to carry out a third treatment on said textile (T) by means of at least a third treatment unit (23) located downstream of said second treatment unit (12), wherein said third steam delivery device (24) is installed between said second treatment unit (12) and said third treatment unit (23).

10. Method as in claim 9, characterized in that said first and second steaming provide to steam the textile (T) with a flow of steam between about 100°C and about 120°C.

Ansprüche

1. Maschine zur Behandlung von Textilien (T) umfassend:

- eine erste Behandlungseinheit (11) und zumindest eine zweite Behandlungseinheit (12), die hintereinander gelegen sind,

- wobei die genannte erste Behandlungseinheit (11) und die genannte zweite Behandlungseinheit (12) jeweils mit zumindest einem beheizten Zylinder (13) und einem Filz (14) mit einem geschlossenen Ringverlauf versehen sind, der durch Rollen (19, 20, 21) definiert ist, die dafür ausgelegt sind, einen Abschnitt des genannten Filzes (14) in Kontakt mit einem äußeren Teil (16) des genannten beheizten Zylinders (13) zu bringen,

- zumindest eine erste Dampfabgabevorrichtung (17), die stromauf der genannten ersten Behandlungseinheit (11) installiert ist und dafür ausgelegt ist, einen Dampfstrom dem Textil (T) auszugeben, das durch die genannte erste Behandlungseinheit (11) läuft und darin eintritt,

- eine zweite Dampfabgabevorrichtung (18), die zwischen der genannten ersten Behandlungseinheit (11) und der genannten zweiten Behandlungseinheit (12) zur Befeuchtung und zur Beheizung des Textils (T) durch den Dampf installiert ist,

wobei die genannte Maschine dadurch gekennzeichnet ist, dass sie eine dritte Dampfabgabevorrichtung (24), die stromab der genannten zweiten Behandlungseinheit (12) installiert ist, die die Funktion hat, zumindest einen Teil der Feuchtigkeit des Textils (T) wiederherzustellen, die beim Durchlauf durch die genannte zweite Behandlungseinheit (12) verloren ging, und eine dritte Behandlungseinheit (23) umfasst, die stromab der genannten zweiten Behandlungseinheit (12) gelegen ist, wobei die genannte dritte Dampfabgabevorrichtung (24) zwischen der genannten zweiten Behandlungseinheit (12) und der genannten dritten Behandlungseinheit (23) installiert ist.

2. Behandlungsmaschine nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die genannten Dampfabgabevorrichtungen (17, 18, 24) mit einer oder mehreren Dampfabgabeöffnungen versehen sind, die während der Benutzung nach oben zugewandt sind.

3. Behandlungsmaschine nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die genannten Dampfabgabevorrichtungen (17, 18, 24) zumindest einen Abgabekörper (22) mit einem länglichen Verlauf und mit zumindest einer Abgabeöffnung umfassen, wobei der genannte Abgabekörper (22) mit seinem länglichen Verlauf quer zu einer Zufuhrrichtung des genannten Textils (T) installiert ist.

4. Behandlungsmaschine nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass sie eine Stützstruktur (30) umfasst, die zwei Stützflanken (31, 32) mit jeweiligen zugewandten Wänden aufweist, die in einer spiegelnden Weise mit zumindest drei Gruppen von Stützelementen (33) ausgestattet sind, mit jedem von welchen die eine oder die andere der genannten Behandlungseinheiten (11, 12, 23) verbunden werden können.

5. Behandlungsmaschine nach Anspruch 4, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die genannten Gruppen von Stützelementen (33) nach einer dreieckigen Anordnung angeordnet sind, um die genannten Behandlungseinheiten (11, 12, 23) zumindest teilweise überlappend in einer vertikalen Richtung zu installieren.

6. Maschine nach Anspruch 5, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die genannte Dampfabgabevorrichtung (18) zumindest teilweise unter der genannten ersten Behandlungseinheit (11) oder der genannten zweiten Behandlungseinheit (12) installiert ist, um sowohl in das genannte Textil (T) als auch zumindest in einen der genannten Filze (14) einen Dampfstrom zu liefern.

7. Maschine nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die genannte dritte Behandlungseinheit (23) mit zumindest einem beheizten Zylinder (13) und einem Filz (14) mit einem geschlossenen Ringverlauf versehen ist, der durch Rollen (19, 20, 21) definiert ist, die dafür ausgelegt sind, einen Abschnitt des genannten Filzes (14) in Kontakt mit einem Teil einer Außenoberfläche (16) des genannten beheizten Zylinders (13) zu bringen.

8. Maschine nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass jede Behandlungseinheit (11, 12, 23) eine Einführungsvorrichtung (25) umfasst, die dafür ausgelegt ist, das Textil (T) zwischen den genannten Filz (14) und den genannten beheizten Zylinder (13) einzuführen, und die beweglich ist, um ihren Abstand von einer Eingangsrolle (19) der genannten Rollen (19, 20, 21) je nach dem Typ und der Dicke des Textils (T) einzustellen.

9. Verfahren zur Behandlung von Textilien (T) unter Verwendung einer Behandlungsmaschine (10), das vorsieht:

- eine erste Behandlung des Verdichtens oder des Thermofixierens am genannten Textil (T) durch zumindest eine erste Behandlungseinheit (11) durchzuführen,

- eine zweite Behandlung des Verdichtens oder des Thermofixierens am genannten Textil (T) durch zumindest eine zweite Behandlungseinheit (12) durchzuführen, die nach der genannten ersten Behandlungseinheit (11) gelegen ist,

- zumindest ein erstes Bedampfen des genannten Textils (T) durch eine erste Dampfabgabevorrichtung (17) durchzuführen, die stromauf der genannten ersten Behandlungseinheit (11) installiert ist und dafür ausgelegt ist, einen Dampfstrom dem Textil (T) auszugeben, das durch die genannte erste Behandlungseinheit (11) läuft und darin eintritt,

- zumindest ein zweites Bedampfen des genannten Textils (T) durch eine zweite Dampfabgabevorrichtung (18) durchzuführen, die zwischen der genannten ersten Behandlungseinheit (11) und der genannten zweiten Behandlungseinheit (12) zur Befeuchtung und zur Beheizung des Textils (T) durch den Dampf installiert ist,

wobei das genannte Verfahren dadurch gekennzeichnet ist, dass es vorsieht, ein drittes Bedampfen des genannten Textils (T) durch eine dritte Dampfabgabevorrichtung (24) durchzuführen, die stromab der genannten zweiten Behandlungseinheit (12) installiert ist, um zumindest einen Teil der Feuchtigkeit des Textils (T) wiederherzustellen, die beim Durchlauf durch die genannte zweite Behandlungseinheit (12) verloren ging, und dass es vorsieht, eine dritte Behandlung am genannten Textil (T) durch zumindest eine dritte Behandlungseinheit (23) durchzuführen, die stromab der genannten zweiten Behandlungseinheit (12) gelegen ist, worin die genannte dritte Dampfabgabevorrichtung (24) zwischen der genannten zweiten Behandlungseinheit (12) und der genannten dritten Behandlungseinheit (23) installiert ist.

10. Verfahren nach Anspruch 9, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das genannte erste und das genannte zweite Bedampfen vorsehen, das Textil (T) mit einem Dampfstrom zwischen ungefähr 100°C und ungefähr 120°C zu bedampfen.

Revendications

1. Machine de traitement de textiles (T) comprenant:

- une première unité de traitement (11) et au moins une deuxième unité de traitement (12) situées l'une à la suite de l'autre,

- ladite première unité de traitement (11) et ladite deuxième unité de traitement (12) étant munies chacune d'au moins un cylindre chauffé (13) et d'un feutre (14) avec un développement en anneau fermé défini par des rouleaux (19, 20, 21) configurés pour mettre une partie dudit feutre (14) en contact avec une partie d'une surface externe (16) dudit cylindre chauffé (13),

- au moins un premier dispositif de distribution de vapeur (17) installé en amont de ladite première unité de traitement (11) et configuré pour émettre un flux de vapeur vers le textile (T) passant et entrant dans ladite première unité de traitement (11),

- un deuxième dispositif de distribution de vapeur (18) installé entre ladite première unité de traitement (11) et ladite deuxième unité de traitement (12) pour humidifier et chauffer le textile (T) par la vapeur,

ladite machine étant caractérisée en ce qu'elle comprend un troisième dispositif de distribution de vapeur (24) installé en aval de ladite deuxième unité de traitement (12) ayant pour fonction de restaurer au moins une partie de l'humidité du textile (T) qui a été perdue lors du passage à travers ladite deuxième unité de traitement (12) et une troisième unité de traitement (23) située en aval de ladite deuxième unité de traitement (12), ledit troisième dispositif de distribution de vapeur (24) étant installé entre ladite deuxième unité de traitement (12) et ladite troisième unité de traitement (23).

2. Machine de traitement selon la revendication 1, caractérisée en ce que lesdits dispositifs de distribution de vapeur (17, 18, 24) sont pourvus d'une ou plusieurs ouvertures de distribution de vapeur qui sont tournées vers le haut pendant l'utilisation.

3. Machine de traitement selon la revendication 1 ou 2, caractérisée en ce que lesdits dispositifs de distribution de vapeur (17, 18, 24) comprennent au moins un corps de distribution (22) avec un développement oblong et pourvu d'au moins une ouverture de distribution, ledit corps de distribution (22) étant installé avec son développement oblong transversal à une direction d'alimentation dudit textile (T).

4. Machine de traitement selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisée en ce qu'elle comprend une structure de support (30) comprenant deux flancs de support (31, 32) avec des parois en regard respectives équipées de manière spéculaire d'au moins trois groupes d'éléments de support (33) avec chacun desquels l'une ou l'autre desdites unités de traitement (11, 12, 23) peut être associée.

5. Machine de traitement selon la revendication 4, caractérisée en ce que lesdits groupes d'éléments de support (33) sont disposés selon une disposition triangulaire afin d'installer lesdites unités de traitement (11, 12, 23) se chevauchant au moins partiellement dans une direction verticale.

6. Machine selon la revendication 5, caractérisée en ce que ledit deuxième dispositif de distribution de vapeur (18) est installé au moins partiellement au-dessous de ladite première unité de traitement (11) ou de ladite deuxième unité de traitement (12) afin de distribuer un flux de vapeur à la fois dans ledit textile (T) et également au moins dans l'un desdits feutres (14).

7. Machine selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisée en ce que ladite troisième unité de traitement (23) est pourvue d'au moins un cylindre chauffé (13) et d'un feutre (14) avec un développement en anneau fermé défini par des rouleaux (19, 20, 21) configurés pour prendre une partie dudit feutre (14) en contact avec une partie d'une surface externe (16) dudit cylindre chauffé (13).

8. Machine selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisée en ce que chaque unité de traitement (11, 12, 23) comprend un dispositif d'introduction (25), configuré pour introduire le textile (T) entre ledit feutre (14) et ledit cylindre chauffé (13) et étant mobile pour ajuster sa distance par rapport à un rouleau d'entrée (19) desdits rouleaux (19, 20, 21) en fonction du type et de l'épaisseur du textile (T).

9. Procédé de traitement de textiles (T) utilisant une machine de traitement (10) qui permet de:

- effectuer un premier traitement de compactage ou de thermofixage sur ledit textile (T) au moyen d'au moins une première unité de traitement (11),

- effectuer un deuxième traitement de compactage ou de thermofixage sur ledit textile (T) au moyen d'au moins une deuxième unité de traitement (12) située après ladite première unité de traitement (11),

- effectuer au moins une première vaporisation dudit textile (T) au d'un premier dispositif de distribution de vapeur (17) installé en amont de ladite première unité de traitement (11) et configuré pour émettre un flux de vapeur vers le textile (T) passant et entrant dans ladite première unité de traitement (11),

- effectuer une deuxième vaporisation dudit textile (T) au moyen d'un deuxième dispositif de distribution de vapeur (18) installé entre ladite première unité de traitement (11) et ladite deuxième unité de traitement (12) pour humidifier et chauffer le textile (T) par la vapeur,

ledit procédé étant caractérisé en ce qu'il prévoit d'effectuer une troisième vaporisation dudit textile (T) au moyen d'un troisième dispositif de distribution de vapeur (24) installé en aval de ladite deuxième unité de traitement (12) pour restaurer au moins une partie de l'humidité du textile (T) qui a été perdue dans le passage à travers ladite deuxième unité de traitement (12), et en ce qu'il prévoit d'effectuer un troisième traitement sur ledit textile (T) au moyen d'au moins une troisième unité de traitement (23) située en aval de ladite deuxième unité de traitement (12), dans lequel ledit troisième dispositif de distribution de vapeur (24) est installé entre ladite deuxième unité de traitement (12) et ladite troisième unité de traitement (23).

10. Procédé selon la revendication 9, caractérisé en ce que lesdites première et deuxième vaporisations permettent de vaporiser le textile (T) avec un flux de vapeur compris entre environ 100°C et environ 120°C.

Drawing