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(11) | EP 3 754 086 A1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | MACHINE FOR THE FINISHING TREATMENT OF A TEXTILE WEB |
| (57) A machine (1) for the finishing treatment of a textile web (100) comprising first
and second accumulation chambers (4, 6) for accumulating the web (100) communicated
through a conveyance duct (12) for conveying the web (100). Furthermore, it has gas
drive means (18) for alternately conveying the web (100) between the chambers (4,
6), and at least one impact device (2) at the outlet of the duct (12). The device
(2) also comprises a support (30) and an impact panel (20) assembled on the support
(30). The impact panel (20) has a front finishing surface (22) and a rear finishing
surface (24). Finally, the device (2) further has coupling means (40) removably connecting
the support (30) and the impact panel (20), such that the impact panel (20) can be
assembled and disassembled with respect to the support (30) to place the front surface
(22) or the rear surface (24) facing the corresponding outlet of the duct (12).
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Field of the invention
[0001] The invention relates to a machine for the finishing treatment of a textile web comprising first and second accumulation chambers for accumulating said web, with first and second take-up areas for taking up said web, a conveyance duct for conveying said web extending between first and second ends, communicating said first and second chambers with one another, said duct being configured such that said web is conveyed therein widthwise, gas drive means functionally connected with said duct for insufflating a gas into said duct in an alternating manner and alternately conveying said web between said first and second chambers, and at least one impact device arranged facing the outlet of one of said first and second ends such that during treatment, said web impacts against said at least one device.
State of the art
[0002] Machines for the treatment of textile webs, in which a textile web is moved along a duct between two accumulation chambers for accumulating the web, conveyed by means of a drive gas, usually air, are known in the state of the art. One or more impact devices functionally interacting with the web are provided throughout the duct located between both accumulation enclosures for accumulating the web or at the ends thereof. These devices can be active or passive. In active tapping, the devices tap the web as it moves along. In contrast, in the case of passive tapping, the web impacts against the passive or stationary impact devices with a force directly related to the speed of movement of the web. Thus, in passive tapping the impact devices are motionless, such that the higher the speed of movement, the more intense the impact is. These treatments are known as tumbling. Tumbling causes the textile web to have a softer, more flexible, and bulkier texture due to web structure relaxation.
[0003] Figures 1 and 2 show an example of a machine with a passive impact device 200 of the state of the art. As can be seen, in these enlarged partial views, the textile web 204 is moved along a conveyance duct 208 communicating two accumulation chambers for accumulating the web 204, provided at each of the ends of the duct 208. An impact device 200 is provided at the end of the conveyance duct 208, in the corresponding accumulation chamber 210. This impact device 200 has a curved impact panel 202 formed by parallel bars with a square or circular cross-section, separated at regular distances and attached to one another by their ends to cross bars. In this machine, the textile web 204 is driven so as to impact against the impact panel 202 with a force proportional to the speed of air flow. After impact, as a result of the curvature of the impact panel 202, the textile web 204 falls due to gravity in an orderly manner in a take-up area 206 for taking up the web in the form of a basket.
[0004] This type of machine with passive impact devices is widely used for preferably, but not exclusively, treating towel-type textile webs. Up until now, the machine satisfactorily met prior consumer demands. However, new needs or trends relating to the finish of the textile web have recently emerged. Consumers now want the textile web to have a texture that is even softer than what was common in the art. In other cases, consumers want a textile web with an aged appearance.
[0005] In this sense, machines of the state of the art are not very flexible, since they have an impact device with a certain panel type. For a different finish, the force with which the web impacts against the impact device must be increased. The higher the level of impact of the web against the impact panel is, the higher the level of fiber breakage is. This has a direct effect on the hand and appearance of the web, i.e., softer and/or more aged. However, results are neither optimal. The variability of the finish greatly depends on the energy consumed by the machine because in order to achieve satisfactory results, the speed of movement must be notably increased.
Summary of the invention
[0006] The object of the invention is a machine for the finishing treatment of a textile web of the type indicated above, which allows applying different types of finishes to the web in a rapid manner, with lower energy consumption, and accordingly, lower production costs.
[0007] This object is achieved by means of a machine for the finishing treatment of a textile web of the type indicated above, characterized in that said device comprises a support and an impact panel assembled in said support, said impact panel comprising a front finishing surface and a rear finishing surface, and in that said device further comprises coupling means removably connecting said support and said impact panel, such that said impact panel can be assembled and disassembled with respect to said support for placing said front surface or said rear surface facing the corresponding outlet.
[0008] First, it should be pointed out that in the context of the invention, an impact panel refers to a structure, preferably provided with gas passage openings, which may receive the impact of the textile web to be treated for the purpose of softening or modifying the structure of its fibers.
[0009] It is also important to point out that the concept of finishing treatment does not necessarily mean that it is the last treatment that is applied to a textile web, but rather that the treatment serves to render a textured finish in the web itself.
[0010] Different impact panel configurations are conceivable. In that sense, the impact panel can be planar with a plurality of through openings, but it can also be a wavy plate, a grating formed by multiple parallel bars spaced apart from and attached to one another by cross-members, a stepped surface, a planar or non-planar surface with a surface texturing of the painted or inlaid type, a grating formed from cross bars or wires forming a pattern of squares, diamonds, triangles, or other arbitrary shapes, a surface with recessed elements or the like. In all cases, the impact panel is intended to be lightweight in order to assemble and disassemble it with respect to the machine in a rapid, easy manner, and for its shape or finish to provide a treatment to the fibers of the textile web that modifies the structure thereof.
[0011] In relation to the drive gas according to the invention, the gas is preferably dry air. However, water vapor or other similar gases can also be used.
[0012] Thus, the machine according to the invention provides a simple system such that the machine can carry out different types of treatment, without needing to move heavy and hard to assemble and disassemble elements. The support remains assembled in the machine, whereas the impact panel is a lightweight and manageable element that can be separated from the support, to replace it for another panel. In small machines, this operation can be done by a single operator. In wider machines, it may be advisable changing the panel between two operators. In any case, the system does not require complex implements for replacing the impact panel, such that machine down time is very reduced.
[0013] All this leads to a reduction in costs by maximizing the machine productive time, i.e., by reducing standstills, and by reducing power consumption. An impact panel adapted for providing more aggressive treatments can be assembled in the machine without needing to increase the speed of movement of the web.
[0014] The invention further includes a number of preferred features that are object of the dependent claims and the utility of which will be highlighted hereinafter in the detailed description of an embodiment of the invention.
[0015] In a preferred embodiment, the coupling means are coupling means that can be manually tightened and loosened hereinafter, manually actuated coupling means.
[0016] Manually actuated coupling means refer to means which do not require using adjustable wrench-type tools or the like for tightening or loosening said means. The panel can thereby be assembled and disassembled in a rapid and simple manner. Despite the fact that minimal or nil tightening is required for attaching the support and the panel, there is no risk that the panel will be able to separate from the support as a result of the impacts of the web against the panel. Examples of manually actuated coupling means are, for example, wing screws or nuts, slot and pin systems, dovetails, eccentric lever clamping systems such as those used in bicycle hubs and known to one skilled in the art, or similar systems.
[0017] Going back to the invention, as a result of the manually actuated coupling means, the assembly and disassembly of the impact panel is very rapid. Thus, the machine is very flexible as regards the treatments it can apply to the textile web. Manually, and without requiring special tools, the assembled impact panel can be replaced with another impact panel having different geometric features so as to provide a different finish. Furthermore, by enabling the very rapid replacement of the impact panel, the machine standstill time is minimal. This increases the machine productive operating time, and accordingly, production costs are lowered. Finally, having different types of replaceable panels allows generating different types of finish. Depending on if the treatment is more or less aggressive, different effects are obtained as regards touch, visual appearance, color, or other features. All this is achieved without needing to increase the speed of the web actuating gas. In particular, despite applying one and the same driving speed, the panels allow varying the finishing treatment. This leads to lower power consumption of the machine and, again, provides savings in production costs.
[0018] In a particularly preferred manner, to accelerate the finishing treatment the machine has a first impact device arranged facing the outlet of said first end and a second impact device arranged facing the outlet of said second end such that during treatment, said web impacts against said first and second devices. The web impacts when it exits through any of the ends of the duct, and treatment time is therefore reduced to a half.
[0019] In another embodiment, preferably said coupling means are provided on at least two corresponding opposite sides of said impact panel and of said support.
[0020] Moreover, to achieve a rapid but reliable assembly between the impact panel and the support, preferably coupling means are provided on at least two corresponding opposite sides of said impact panel and of said support, and in that said coupling means are formed by complementary pairs of slots and pins, said slots and said pins being arranged such that in the assembled state of said impact panel in said support, said pins fit in said slots and said impact panel bears its weight on said support. This assures a virtually instantaneous assembly and disassembly of the panel, because dislodging the pins from the slots is enough to replace the panel. Nevertheless, the weight of the panel itself assures proper fixing in the support.
[0021] In another preferred embodiment, said front and rear surfaces are different from one another by at least one among the shape and/or the surface finish and/or the coating and/or the material. This allows treating the web differently, according to the surface against which said textile web impacts. Again, this reduces machine standstill times since one and the same panel can provide two types of finish. Nevertheless, replacement is as easy as disassembling the impact panel from the support, turning it around, and reassembling it. In turn production costs are reduced since fewer spare panels are required to obtain different finishes.
[0022] It is also particularly preferred for the impact panel to be made of metal, metal with different shapes on the front and rear surfaces, metal with minerals elements on the impact surfaces, or metal with an at least partially rough surface coating, or metal with inlays of abrasive materials, which provides sufficient weight for having optimized fixing, taking advantage of the actual weight of the impact panel and provides different finish features.
[0023] In an optional embodiment which has the objective of obtaining a panel with a simple and economical manufacture, said impact panel comprises a perimetric chassis and first and second arrangements of bars, non-coplanar and adjacent with respect to one another and assembled in said chassis to form said front and rear surfaces, respectively. Thus, the front surface is formed by the first arrangement of bars, which are preferably arranged with their axes being coplanar. In turn, the rear surface is formed by the second arrangement of bars, which are preferably arranged with their axes being coplanar. The axes of the first and the second arrangements are not coplanar.
[0024] In an embodiment which has the objective of providing a different treatment in a simple manner, the bars of said first and second arrangements of bars have one or more of the cross-sections of the group formed by circles, triangles, squares, triangles open at the base, U-shaped with a square base, U-shaped with a circular base, C-shaped, or combinations thereof.
[0025] In another alternative embodiment, said impact panel comprises a perimetric chassis and a first arrangement of bars, preferably parallel to one another, assembled in said chassis to form said front and rear surfaces, respectively, and in that the side of said bars forming said front surface is made of a different material with respect to the side of the bars forming said rear surface. Preferably, the bars are bars made of a steel-type, aluminum-type or similar type metal material, whereas the other material consists of abrasive minerals such as pumicite-type stone, popularly known as pumice stone, basalt, agglomerates of stones and cement or the like.
[0026] In a preferred embodiment, said bars are formed by a plurality of hollow metal tubes and abrasive minerals, said tubes forming a housing extending in the longitudinal direction of the bar, said abrasive minerals protruding from said hollow metal tubes.
[0027] In another embodiment which seeks to reduce manufacturing costs, the housing of each of the tubes of said plurality of tubes has a cross-section with a shape that is substantially complementary to the cross-section of said abrasive minerals for surrounding and immobilizing said abrasive minerals in the housing of said tubes. This prevents the need to use attachment elements such as a screw, rivets or the like for attaching the abrasive minerals and the bars.
[0028] Also for the purpose of varying the strength of the impact in a rapid manner without needing to modify the forward movement speed of the web, said at least one impact device is movably assembled with respect to the rest of the machine in order to adjust the distance and/or angle of said device with respect to said duct. As a result, the impact device can be moved closer to or farther away from the outlets of the duct either with linear movement or by rocking.
[0029] In another preferred embodiment which seeks simplicity in adjusting the position of the impact panel, said at least one impact device is rockingly assembled around a rocking shaft, said shaft being perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of said conveyance duct, and said impact device being able to adopt any angular position from: an upper position, in which said impact device is remote from said duct, and a lower position, in which said impact device is close to said duct. The modification of the angle of orientation of the impact panel also modifies the impact angle and varies the force with which the web hits against the panel. This allows varying to a certain extent the strength of the treatment and varying the duration of the work cycle.
[0030] In another embodiment, the lower position is parallel to the vertical direction, and said upper position forms a 75° angle α with respect to said vertical direction. When the impact panel is in the vertical position, the effect of the impact is more intense.
[0031] In a particularly preferable manner, and to facilitate the take-up of the textile web in the first and second chambers, the lower position forms a 10° angle α with respect to said vertical direction, and said upper position forms a 60° angle α with respect to said vertical direction. These ranges of inclination reduce the risks of the textile web becoming entangled at the outlet of the duct of the machine.
[0032] Another relevant problem consists of the fact that according to the treatments, the speed of the element driving the textile web is so high that it complicates the orderly take-up of the textile web in the take-up areas for taking up the web. To prevent the textile web from becoming entangled, the impact device further comprises a deflector panel remote from said impact panel on the side of said rear surface and said deflector panel being assembled to deflect the direction of said drive gas coming out of said impact panel in the take-up direction of said textile web.
[0033] Likewise, the invention also includes other features of detail illustrated in the detailed description of an embodiment of the invention and in the accompanying figures.
Brief description of the drawings
[0034] Further advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from the following description, in which, without any limiting character, preferred embodiments of the invention are disclosed, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 shows a schematic section view of a part of a machine for the treatment of a textile web moved by means of a drive gas according to the state of the art.
Figure 2 shows a partial perspective view of the accumulation chamber for accumulating the textile web of the machine of Figure 1.
Figure 3 shows a schematic section view of a machine according to the invention.
Figure 4 shows a partial perspective view of the accumulation chamber for accumulating the textile web of the machine of Figure 1, with the impact panel assembled.
Figure 5 shows a partial perspective view of the accumulation chamber for accumulating the textile web of the machine of Figure 1, at the time of replacing the impact panel.
Figure 6 shows a schematic partial side view of the accumulation chamber for accumulating the textile web of the machine of Figure 3, with the impact device in the lower position.
Figure 7 shows the side view of Figure 6, with the impact device in the upper position.
Figure 8 shows a schematic front view of an impact panel according to the invention.
Figures 9A to 9G show schematic section views along the IX-IX plane, showing the possible shapes of the bars of the impact panel of Figure 8.
Figure 10 shows a partial perspective view of another embodiment of the impact panel of the chamber according to the invention.
Figure 11 shows a transverse section view of a bar of the impact panel of Figure 10.
Figure 12 shows a schematic partial side view of a second embodiment of the machine according to the invention with the impact device in the lower position.
Figure 13 shows a schematic front view of another impact panel according to the invention.
Figure 14A shows a schematic front view of another impact panel according to the invention.
Figure 14B shows a schematic front rear view of the panel of Figure 14A.
Detailed description of embodiments of the invention
[0035] Figures 3 to 7 show a first embodiment of a machine 1 according to the invention for the treatment of a textile web 100.
[0036] In general, the machine 1 is divided into first and second accumulation chambers 4, 6 for accumulating the web 100. In this embodiment, the web 100 enters the second chamber 6 through the upper part of the machine 1 by means of a feeding roller 32 and is extracted from the first chamber 4 through the upper part of the opposite end by means of an extraction roller 34.
[0037] The feeding roller 32 introduces a sufficient amount of web 100 in the second chamber 6 for said web to accumulate in the second lower take-up area 10 of the machine 1. Likewise, the extraction roller 34 does not pull on the textile web until a certain amount of web 100 accumulates in the first take-up area 8. It is precisely these accumulations of web 100 which leave a sufficient amount of non-tensed web for being able to apply the alternative treatment of the web 100 that will be explained below.
[0038] As can be seen in Figure 3, the first and second chambers 4, 6 are communicated through a conveyance duct 12 for conveying the web 100 extending between a first end and a second end 14, 16, communicating the first and second chambers with one another. The conveyance duct 12 is configured such that the web 100 is conveyed therein widthwise
[0039] The tumbling treatment in this machine 1 consists of the web 100 hitting multiple times against the impact devices 2 assembled at the outlet of the first and second ends 14, 16 of the duct 12. To that end, the machine also has gas drive means 18 which are formed by a motor and a suitable fan. The drive means 18 are functionally connected with the duct 12 through the ducts 36a, 36b for insufflating a gas in the interior of the duct 12.
[0040] Preferably, the gas is dry air, but moist air, vapor, or others can also be used. The fan can be a centrifugal fan, without ruling out other equivalent solutions which can incorporate devices such as a compressor or other similar devices.
[0041] Thanks to valves not shown in detail in the figure, the desired duct 36a, 36b can be selected such that the gas stream exits through the corresponding outlets 38 taking the web 100 to one chamber or the other. Thanks to the inclination of these outlets 38 with respect to the duct 12, the gas insufflated into the duct 12 is oriented towards the corresponding chamber, and by alternating the opening of the valves, the web 100 can be conveyed alternately between the first and second chambers 4, 6.
[0042] At the outlet of the first and second ends 14, 16 of the duct 12 there are arranged, facing the corresponding outlets, impact devices 2 object of the invention receiving the impact of the web 100, thus applying to the web the corresponding tumbling. Optionally, an impact device 2 according to the invention and a second device like the devices from the state of the art described in Figure 1 can be provided.
[0043] As already discussed, in machines of this type, there is a growing need for one and the same machine to be able to apply different types of finishes to the web. Also, changing from one type of finish to another must be done in a rapid manner. All this must be accompanied by a lower power consumption, and accordingly, limited production and investment costs.
[0044] To that end, the device 2 has a support 30 and an impact panel 20 assembled on the support 30. In this preferred embodiment, furthermore, a first impact device 2 is arranged facing the outlet of the first end 14 and a second impact device 2 is arranged facing the outlet of the second end 16 such that during treatment, the web 100 impacts against the first and second devices 2. As can be seen in Figures 6 and 7, the impact panels are intended for receiving the impact of the textile web 100 during treatment. Thus, when the textile web 100 is conveyed by the drive gas between the first and second chambers 4, 6, it exits through the duct 12 projected against the impact panel 20.
[0045] The impact panel 20 has a front finishing surface 22 and a rear finishing surface 24. Both surfaces can thereby serve to apply treatment to the textile web 100. However, in a more general concept of the invention, one and the same panel can have identical front and rear surfaces 22, 24.
[0046] Moreover, as can be seen in Figures 4 to 7, the device 2 further comprises coupling means 40 removably connecting said support 30 and the impact panel 20. Through these coupling means 40 the impact panel 20 can be assembled and disassembled with respect to the support 30 to place the front surface 22 or rear surface 24 facing the corresponding outlet.
[0047] In the preferred embodiment of the invention shown in these drawings, the coupling means 40 are coupling means that can be manually tightened and loosened, i.e., without needing to use tools.
[0048] The coupling means 40 are provided on two corresponding opposite sides 56 of the impact panel 20 and of the support 30. In other words, in this case, there are coupling means only on the right side and only the left side of the impact panel 20 and of the support 30. In this embodiment, the coupling means 40 are formed by complementary pairs of slots 42 and pins 44. The slots 42 are formed in the support 30 and the pins 44 in the impact panel 20. Figure 4 allows observing how, in the assembled state of the impact panel 20 in the support 30, the pins 44 of the impact panel 20 fit in the slots 42 and the impact panel 20 bears its weight on the support 30. This is the case of optimal assembly, since the coupling dispenses with any type of tightening system between both parts.
[0049] Alternatively, the position of the slots 44 and the pins 42 in the device 2 could also be interchanged, such that the slots 44 are formed in the impact panel 20 and the pins 42 in the support 30.
[0050] In any of the solutions presented, the impact panel 20 can be assembled and disassembled with respect to the support 30 manually and in a very rapid manner, to arrange the front surface 22 or the rear surface 24 facing the corresponding outlet depending on the finish to be applied to the textile web 100, or to interchange the impact panel 20 providing a specific characteristic of the finish of the textile web 100 with an impact panel 20 providing other characteristics. Nevertheless, as will be seen below, the front and rear surfaces 22, 24 are preferably different from one another by at least one among the shape and/or the surface finish and/or the coating and/or the material, to increase versatility of the machine 1 without unnecessarily increasing the number of spare panels.
[0051] In this embodiment, the impact device 2 further comprises a deflector panel 28 remote from the impact panel 20 on the side of the rear surface 24. The deflector panel 28 is assembled such that it deflects the direction of the drive gas coming out of the impact panel 20 in the take-up direction of said textile web 100. This prevents the air that goes through the impact panel 20 from causing the textile web 100 being taken up in the first and second areas 8, 10 to become disarranged and creases from being formed.
[0052] In these drawings, it can also be seen that the impact devices 2 are movably assembled with respect to the rest of the machine 1 in order to adjust the distance and/or angle of the device 2 with respect to said duct 12. The closer it is to the outlet of the duct 12, the more intense the impact of the textile web 100 will be.
[0053] More particularly, each one of the impact devices 2 of the machine of Figure 3 is rockingly assembled around a rocking shaft 58. This rocking shaft 58 is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the conveyance duct 12. As a result of the pivoting movement, each of the impact devices 2 can adopt any angular position from: an upper position, in which each of the impact devices 2 is remote from said duct 12, as shown in Figure 6, and a lower position, in which each impact device 2 is close to the duct 12, as shown in Figure 7.
[0054] In one embodiment, the lower position is parallel to the vertical direction, and the upper position forms a 75° angle α with respect to said vertical direction. In another embodiment, the lower position forms a 10° angle α with respect to the vertical direction, and the upper position forms a 60° angle α with respect to the vertical direction. Between these two ends, each of the impact panels 20 can adopt any angle. The way to do so can be by means of a manual system of cranks and gears. Alternatively, the position can be adjusted by actuating the impact device 2 by means of a geared motor system. These mechanisms have not been depicted in the drawings since they are known to one skilled in the art and are part of the common general knowledge of a skilled person.
[0055] Different embodiments of the impact panel 20 which have been schematically depicted can be observed in Figures 8 and 9A to 9G.
[0056] In the impact panel 20 of Figures 9A to 9C, the front and rear surfaces 22, 24 have identical characteristics. Therefore, the treatment applied on the textile web 100 is the same on both sides. Simply said, the strength of the treatment is increased in each example. In Figure 9A, the cross-section is circular and, therefore, there are no sharp edges. In Figure 9B, the cross-section is rectangular and there are sharp edges, but the impact side is the side with the largest dimensions of the rectangle. Finally, in Figure 9C, the web impacts against the smaller side of the rectangle. Nevertheless, in an alternative embodiment of panels of this type, it could be a metal panel with one of the faces finished with an at least partially rough surface coating or with inlays of abrasive materials.
[0057] In the embodiment of Figure 9D, the impact panel 20 comprises a perimetric chassis 46 and first and second arrangements of bars 48, adjacent with respect to one another. With planes P1 and P2 it can be observed how these two arrangements of bars 48 are non-coplanar and that they are assembled in the chassis 46 to form the front and rear surfaces 22, 24, respectively. In this embodiment, the bars 48 are parallel to one another, but this is not essential for the invention. Depending on the type of treatment, the bars could have random orientation directions.
[0058] The bars of each of the arrangements of bars 48 have different geometric characteristics. On the front surface 22 of Figure 9D, the bars have a circular cross-section, whereas on the rear surface 24, the bars 48 have a rectangular cross-section, with the smaller side of the rectangle arranged for receiving the impact of the textile web 100. The treatment applied to the textile web 100 is thereby more aggressive on the side of the rear surface 24 than on the side of the front surface 22.
[0059] This figure shows only a constructive example of an impact panel 20 with two arrangements of bars 48. However, in alternative embodiments, the bars 48 of the first and second arrangements of bars 48 have one or more of the cross-sections of the group formed by circles, triangles, squares, triangles open at the base, U-shaped with a square base, U-shaped with a circular base, C-shaped, or combinations thereof.
[0060] Figures 9E to 9G show examples of impact panels 20 with a single arrangement of bars 48 but which allow applying different treatments depending on the surface of the panel which is placed facing the outlet of the duct 12 of the machine 1.
[0061] Thus, in these examples, the impact panel 20 also has a perimetric chassis 46 and only a first arrangement of bars 48. Again, the bars are be arranged preferably parallel to one another, but they could also be in random directions. The bars 48 are mounted in the chassis 46 to form the front and rear surfaces 22, 24, respectively.
[0062] Figure 9E provides a finish similar to that of Figure 9D, but with a single arrangement of bars. Figure 9F provides planar impact surfaces on the rear surface 24 and virtually linear surfaces on the front surface 22. Finally, the panel of Figure 9G, with the U-shaped profile, has virtually linear surfaces on the front surface 22 and one as a circular section on the rear face 24.
[0063] Figures 10 and 11 show an embodiment of the impact panel 20 different from those described in the preceding paragraphs. The impact panels 20 described in the preceding drawings have the objective of softening the fibers of the textile web to give the fabric a softer hand. However, another treatment in increasingly higher demand in the industry consists of wearing the textile web 100 to give it an aged appearance and hand.
[0064] In this case, the side of the bars 48 forming the front surface 22 is made of a different material with respect to the side of the bars 48 forming the rear surface 24.
[0065] To that end, in this embodiment, the bars 48 are formed by a plurality of hollow metal tubes 50 and abrasive minerals 54. In this embodiment, the tubes 50 are parallel to one another. However, this is not a mandatory configuration. Again, the tubes 50 could be arranged in different directions to achieve a non-uniform aged effect on the entire textile web 100.
[0066] It can also be seen in the drawings that the tubes 50 form a housing 52 extending in the longitudinal direction of the bar 48. In this case, the abrasive minerals 54 are pumicite-type stones protruding from the hollow metal tubes 50 to form the front surface 22.
[0067] The housing 52 of each of the tubes of the plurality of tubes 50 has a cross-section with a shape that is substantially complementary to the cross-section of the pumice stone. Thus, the abrasive minerals 54 are surrounded and immobilized in the housing 52 of each the tubes 50. As a result, using additional fixing elements such as screws or the like can be avoided. Thus, each of the tubes can surround and immobilize the abrasive minerals 54 in the housing 52 of each of the tubes 50.
[0068] The abrasive minerals 50 can be of other types such as, for example, basalt, abrasive minerals bound together with a binder or the like. In this embodiment, the abrasive materials are configured by way of a brick in the form of a triangular prism with rounded edges.
[0069] However, in the context of the invention the abrasive minerals can be configured by way of a brick in the from of a prism having a cross-section selected from one of the group comprising triangles, squares, rectangles, pentagons, hexagons, or other types of polyhedrons. Preferably, the edges of the bricks configuring the cross-section are rounded.
[0070] Also altematively, the bricks of abrasive minerals can be cylinders having a cross-section selected from one of the group consisting of circles, ellipses, or the like.
[0071] Figure 12 shows another embodiment of the machine 1 according to the invention which is virtually identical to the preceding embodiment of Figures 3 to 7. The difference in this case consists of the machine not having a deflector panel 28, because this is not an element that is part of the more general concept of the invention.
[0072] Figure 13 shows another embodiment of an impact panel 20 according to the invention. In this case, the impact panel 20 is formed by a perimetric chassis 46 inside which there is assembled a grating 60 formed by wires.
[0073] Finally, Figures 14A and 14B show another embodiment of the impact panel 20 in which there is assembled inside the perimetric chassis 46 a planar sheet 62 having a plurality of circular holes 64 on the front surface 22. Alternatively, it could also be a press formed sheet, such that the circular holes 64 form a relief on the rear surface.
1. A machine (1) for the finishing treatment of a textile web (100) comprising
[a] first and second accumulation chambers (4, 6) for accumulating said web (100), with first and second take-up areas (8, 10) for taking up said web (100),
[b] a conveyance duct (12) for conveying said web (100) extending between first and second ends (14, 16), communicating said first and second chambers (4, 6) with one another, said duct (12) being configured such that said web (100) is conveyed therein widthwise,
[c] gas drive means (18) functionally connected with said duct (12) for insufflating a gas into said duct (12) in an alternating manner and alternately conveying said web (100) between said first and second chambers (4, 6), and
[d] at least one impact device (2) arranged facing the outlet of one of said first and second ends (14, 16) such that during treatment, said web (100) impacts against said at least one device (2),
characterized in that[e] said device (2) comprises a support (30) and an impact panel (20) assembled in said support (30),
[f] said impact panel (20) comprising
[i] a front finishing surface (22) and
[ii] a rear finishing surface (24), and in that
[g] said device (2) further comprises coupling means (40) removably connecting said support (30) and said impact panel (20), such that said impact panel (20) can be assembled and disassembled with respect to said support (30) for placing said front surface (22) or said rear surface (24) facing the corresponding outlet.
2. The machine (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said coupling means (40) are coupling means that can be manually tightened and loosened.
3. The machine (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it has a first impact device (2) arranged facing the outlet of said first end (14)
and a second impact device (2) arranged facing the outlet of said second end (16)
such that during treatment, said web (100) impacts against said first and second devices
(2).
4. The machine (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said coupling means (40) are provided on at least two corresponding opposite sides
of said impact panel (20) and of said support (30), and in that said coupling means (40) are formed by complementary pairs of slots (42) and pins
(44), said slots (42) and said pins (44) being arranged such that in the assembled
state of said impact panel (20) in said support (30), said pins (44) fit in said slots
(42) and said impact panel (20) bears its weight on said support (30).
5. The machine (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said front and rear surfaces (22, 24) are different from one another by at least
one among the shape and/or the surface finish and/or the coating and/or the material.
6. The machine (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that said impact panel (20) comprises a perimetric chassis (46) and first and second arrangements
of bars (48), non-coplanar and adjacent with respect to one another and assembled
in said chassis (46) to form said front and rear surfaces (22, 24), respectively.
7. The machine (1) according to claim 6, characterized In that the bars (48) of said first and second arrangements of bars (48) have one or more
of the cross-sections of the group formed by circles, triangles, squares, triangles
open at the base, U-shaped with a square base, U-shaped with a circular base, C-shaped,
or combinations thereof.
8. The machine (1) according to any one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that said impact panel (20) comprises a perimetric chassis (46) and a first arrangement
of bars (48), preferably parallel to one another, assembled in said chassis (46) to
form said front and rear surfaces (22, 24), respectively, and in that the side of said bars (48) forming said front surface (22) is made of a different
material with respect to the side of the bars (48) forming said rear surface (24).
9. The machine (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that said bars (48) are formed by a plurality of hollow metal tubes (50) and abrasive
minerals (54), said tubes (50) forming a housing (52) extending in the longitudinal
direction of the bar (48), said abrasive minerals (54) protruding from said hollow
metal tubes (50).
10. The machine (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that the housing (52) of each of the tubes of said plurality of tubes (50) has a cross-section
with a shape that is substantially complementary to the cross-section of said abrasive
minerals (54) for surrounding and immobilizing said abrasive minerals (54) in the
housing (52) of said tubes (50).
11. The machine (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that said at least one impact device (2) is movably assembled with respect to the rest
of the machine (1) in order to adjust the distance and/or angle of said device (2)
with respect to said duct (12).
12. The machine (1) according to claim 11, characterized in that said at least one impact device (2) is rockingly assembled around a rocking shaft
(58), said shaft being perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of said conveyance
duct (12), and said impact device (2) being able to adopt any angular position from:
[a] an upper position, in which said impact device (2) is remote from said duct (12), and
[b] a lower position, in which said impact device (2) is close to said duct (12).
13. The machine (1) according to claim 12, characterized in that said lower position is parallel to the vertical direction, and said upper position
forms a 75° angle (α) with respect to said vertical direction.
14. The machine (1) according to claim 13, characterized in that said lower position forms a 10° angle (α) with respect to said vertical direction,
and said upper position forms a 60° angle (α) with respect to said vertical direction.
15. The machine (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that said impact device (2) further comprises a deflector panel (28) remote from said
impact panel (20) on the side of said rear surface (24) and said deflector panel (28)
being assembled to deflect the direction of said drive gas coming out of said impact
panel (20) in the take-up direction of said textile web (100).