U.S. patent application number 10/151816 was filed with the patent office on 2002-11-28 for apparatus for wet treatment of rope fabric.
This patent application is currently assigned to FLAINOX SRL. Invention is credited to Bozzo, Giovanni.
Application Number | 20020174694 10/151816 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 11458884 |
Filed Date | 2002-11-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020174694 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bozzo, Giovanni |
November 28, 2002 |
Apparatus for wet treatment of rope fabric
Abstract
An apparatus (AT) for wet treatment of rope fabric (T), in
particular endless-rope fabric, of the type comprising at least one
treatment tank (1) through which the fabric (T) is made to pass in
the presence of a liquid, where at least one portion (TF) of the
fabric (T) is gathered in laps (FT) inside the tank (1).
Motor-driven conveying means (22) for causing stepwise advance of
the laps (FT) of said portion are provided inside said tank.
Inventors: |
Bozzo, Giovanni; (Quaregna,
IT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SUGHRUE MION, PLLC
2100 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE, N.W.
WASHINGTON
DC
20037
US
|
Assignee: |
FLAINOX SRL
|
Family ID: |
11458884 |
Appl. No.: |
10/151816 |
Filed: |
May 22, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
68/177 |
Current CPC
Class: |
D06B 23/04 20130101;
D06B 3/28 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
68/177 |
International
Class: |
D06B 003/28 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 23, 2001 |
IT |
TO2001A000487 |
Claims
1. An apparatus for wet treatment of rope fabric, in particular in
the form of an endless rope, of the type defining a circulation
path for said fabric which comprises: at least one conveying pipe
along which said fabric is forced to advance by the action of
drawing means, and a treatment tank through which said fabric is
made to pass in the presence of a liquid, means for gathering in
laps at least one portion of said fabric inside said tank and
motor-driven conveying means for producing stepwise advance of the
laps of said portion inside said tank.
2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said conveying means
are operative for producing a cyclic raising of the laps of said
portion with respect to a resting surface of said tank, on which
said laps are able to come to rest in a reciprocating way.
3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said conveying means
are operative for producing, at least in the course of said cyclic
raising, a variation in the relative position of said laps with
respect to said resting surface.
4. The apparatus according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein said
resting surface comprises at least one fixed element that extends
longitudinally in the bottom area of said tank, said fixed element
being in the form of a bar.
5. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said conveying means
comprise at least one mobile element that extends longitudinally in
the bottom area of said tank, said mobile element being in the form
of a bar.
6. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein a plurality of said
fixed elements and a plurality of said mobile elements are
provided, said fixed and mobile elements extending substantially
parallel to one another, for at least one prevalent stretch of the
length of said tank.
7. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said mobile elements
are actuated by means of one or more crank mechanisms (MA1, . . . ,
MA6).
8. The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said mobile elements
are actuated by means of an articulation system basically of the
articulated-parallelogram type (MA1, . . . , MA6).
9. The apparatus according to claim 5, comprising translating means
for translating said laps above a bath of said liquid present in
said tank, said translating means including said mobile
elements.
10. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein agitating means are
provided for agitating the liquid forming a bath in said tank.
11. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein sprinkling means
are provided for distributing said liquid in the form of spray on
said laps inside said tank.
12. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said drawing means
comprise an arrangement for the formation of a jet of fluid.
Description
[0001] The present invention relates to an for wet treatment of
rope fabric, which have the characteristics specified in the
preambles of the attached claims 1 and 13, respectively.
[0002] Apparatuses of the above-mentioned type are used in the
textile industry for performing operations of finishing of fabrics
(such as dyeing, washing, bleaching, etc.). For processing
purposes, a piece or bolt of fabric which is to undergo treatment
is loaded in the form of an endless rope into the apparatus and
made to circulate repeatedly through a treatment tank in order to
be brought into contact with the liquid. For the purposes of the
treatment, the piece or bolt is made to fold on itself inside the
aforesaid tank to assume a lap conformation.
[0003] In a first type of known apparatus, the portion in laps of
the piece is immersed completely in a bath of liquid which fills
the tank of the apparatus. In a second type of known apparatus, the
portion in laps of the piece is, instead, wetted inside the tank by
means of sprinklers which form part of a treatment-liquid
circulation circuit, the bottom area of the laps being immersed in
a bath of liquid formed on the bottom of the tank. In both of the
above-mentioned types of apparatus, continuous circulation of the
piece inside the machine is at least in part carried out
pneumatically or hydraulically, i.e., exploiting the effect of a
jet of air or of a jet of the treatment liquid itself.
[0004] In the present state of the art, in tanks of apparatus
belonging to the second type referred to above the level of the
aforesaid bath of liquid must be very high in order to reduce the
passive resistance to advance of the portion in laps of the piece
inside the tank.
[0005] The purpose of the present invention is to overcome the
aforesaid drawback.
[0006] In the above general framework, one first purpose of the
present invention is to provide an apparatus for wet treatment of
rope fabric which will enable the amount of liquid necessary for
the treatment process to be contained, i.e., which will enable
reduction of the so-called "bath ratio" (understood as the ratio
between the amount of the liquid used in the apparatus and the
amount of fabric treated).
[0007] An associated purpose of the invention is to provide such an
apparatus and such a method in which the quality and effectiveness
of treatment will be ensured even in the presence of a modest level
of the treatment liquid inside the tank.
[0008] Another associated purpose of the invention is to provide
such an apparatus and such a method in which, even in the presence
of a modest level of the treatment liquid, an efficient movement of
the portion in laps of the piece inside the tank will be
ensured.
[0009] A further purpose of the invention is to provide an
apparatus that is simple and inexpensive to implement, as well as
ensuring safe and reliable operation over time.
[0010] The above and yet other purposes are achieved, according to
the present invention, by an apparatus for wet treatment of rope
fabric that have the characteristics specified in the attached
claims, which are to be understood as forming an integral part of
the present description.
[0011] Further purposes, characteristics and advantages of the
present invention will emerge clearly from the ensuing detailed
description and from the attached drawings, which are provided
purely by way of explanatory and non-limiting example, and in
which
[0012] FIG. 1 is a schematic representation, by means of a partial
side cross-sectional view, of an apparatus for wet treatment of
rope fabric, built according to the present invention;
[0013] FIG. 2 is a partial and schematic cross-sectional view,
according to the line II-II of FIG. 1, of the apparatus built in
accordance with the present invention; and
[0014] FIG. 3 represents, by means of respective schematic lateral
cross sections, four different operating positions of a crank
mechanism that forms part of the apparatus built in accordance with
the present invention.
[0015] In FIGS. 1 and 2, AT designates, as a whole, an apparatus
for wet treatment of rope fabric built according to the teachings
of the present invention.
[0016] In the above figures, the reference number 1 designates a
treatment tank of the apparatus AT, inside which a piece T of
fabric gathered in the form of an endless rope is made to pass in
order to be treated with a liquid. By way of example, it is
supposed that the said treatment liquid is a dye.
[0017] The tank 1 is equipped with a front door 2 and has a
substantially circular cross section. Inside the tank there are
provided two parallel walls, designated by 1A in FIG. 2, for
lateral containment of the piece T.
[0018] The reference number 3 designates sprinkling members set
inside the tank 1 and designed to distribute the dye in the form of
a spray over the underlying piece T. The various sprinklers 3 are
connected together by a distribution manifold 4, the latter being
supplied by means of a delivery path 5 which forms part of a dye
circulation circuit.
[0019] The reference number 6 designates a pipe for delivery of
water from a water supply (not represented) connected to the
delivery path 5 for possible washing of the piece T after the
latter has been treated with the dye.
[0020] At the opposite end with respect to the one where the door 2
is present, the tank 1 has a through filler 7 to which the end of a
tube 8 for conveying the piece T is connected, the said tube 8
branching off from one inlet mouth 9 for soaking. From the filler 7
there branches off, towards the inside of the tank 1, a
distribution funnel 10, which is designed to bring about, according
to known procedures, the laying-out in laps of the piece T as this
enters the tank 1. In this connection, in FIG. 1 some of the laps
obtained for the piece T are designated by FT, whilst the letters
TF designate, as a whole, the portion in the form of laps of the
said piece T, as this is formed inside the tank 1.
[0021] The reference number 11 designates a nozzle by means of
which dye is introduced into the inlet mouth 9. The nozzle 11 is
supplied by means of a respective pump (not illustrated) the
delivery of which, designated by 12, is connected to an intake sump
13, the said sump 13 having the purpose of taking up some of the
dye bath that gathers in the bottom of the front area of the tank
1. Also reaching the sump 13, via a pipe 14 provided with inlet
mouths 14A and 14B, is dye, which gathers in the bottom of the
intermediate and rear areas of the tank 1.
[0022] The reference number 15 designates a motor-driven reel for
drawing the piece T that comes out of the tank 1, the piece being
guided for this purpose by a guide element 16 and a feeler 17, both
being designed according to the prior art. The reference number 18
designates an idler roller for controlling movement of the piece T,
the said control roller being provided for guiding the piece T
towards the inlet mouth 9. The reference number 19 designates a
meter-counter idler roller of a known type used for measuring the
length of the piece T at input to the apparatus according to the
invention.
[0023] The reference number 20 designates a reel which is used for
carrying out loading of the piece T from an accumulation station 21
to the apparatus AT. The reel 20 is likewise used, at the end of
the treatment process in the apparatus AT, for discharging the
piece T into the station 21.
[0024] According to a primary aspect of the present invention,
there are provided inside the tank 1 conveying means for conveying
the piece T, the said conveying means being designed to bring about
stepwise advance of the portion TF set in laps of the piece T and
to improve soaking of the said portion. The aforementioned
conveying means are in particular made up of a series of mobile
elements 22 basically in the form of parallel bars, between which
there are interspaced fixed elements 23, which are also made in the
form of parallel bars.
[0025] Both the mobile elements 22 and the fixed elements 23 extend
longitudinally inside the tank 1 in the bottom portion thereof and
for at least one prevalent stretch of its length. It may be noted
from FIGS. 1 and 2 how, by means of respective actuating shafts 24,
the various mobile elements 22 may assume a raised position with
respect to the fixed elements 23 for the purposes that will be
clarified in what follows.
[0026] The shafts 24, by which movement of the elements 22 with
respect to the fixed elements 23 is obtained, form part of
respective crank mechanisms, designated as a whole by MA1, . . . ,
MA6.
[0027] The reference number 25 designates, as a whole, an electric
motor designed for producing rotation of a respective shaft. As may
be noted in FIG. 2, at the two ends of the aforesaid shaft, which
is designated by 25A in FIG. 2, there are fitted respective pulleys
26.
[0028] Again in FIG. 2, the reference number 27 designates a
further two pulleys, each of which is fitted to one end of a shaft
28. Between the pulleys 26 and 27 are fitted respective belts or
chains, designated as a whole by 29.
[0029] The pulleys 27 likewise define a respective ring gear 27A,
on which there is fitted a chain, designated as a whole by 30 in
FIG. 1. The chain 30 is fitted on the gears 27A associated to the
crank mechanisms MA2, . . . , MA6. Instead, no pulley 27 is
associated to the crank mechanism MA1 since it is not
necessary.
[0030] Thanks to the aforesaid arrangement, the rotation of the
shaft 25A can be transferred by means of the chains 29 to the
pulleys 27 and then, via the various gears 27A and the chains 30,
to the shafts 28 forming part of the crank mechanisms MA2, . . . ,
MA6.
[0031] In FIG. 3 there may be seen some components of the crank
mechanisms MA1, . . . , MA6 in four different operating
positions.
[0032] In the above-mentioned figures, the reference numbers 22 and
23 respectively designate one of the already mentioned mobile
elements and one of the already mentioned fixed elements that form
part of the means for conveying the piece T. The reference number
24 designates one of the aforesaid actuating shafts for operation
of a respective mobile element 22.
[0033] The top end of each shaft 24 is rendered fixed, in a known
way, to the respective mobile element 22, whilst the bottom end of
each shaft 24 is connected to a joint 31. The joint 31 has a hinge
pin 33 for hinging to a disk 33, the latter being fitted to a
respective shaft 28.
[0034] In the case exemplified in FIG. 2, twelve mobile elements 22
are provided, between which are interspaced eleven fixed elements
23. Fitted to each shaft 28 of the crank mechanisms MA1, . . . ,
MA6 are six disks 33 positioned underneath as many fixed elements
23 and aligned to the latter (in particular, underneath the first,
third, fifth, seventh, ninth and eleventh fixed element 23.
Articulated to the two opposite surfaces of each of said disks 33
by means of a pin 32 are respective joints 31 and shafts 24. In
this way, rotation of the shaft 28 enables simultaneous movement of
all of the mobile elements 22.
[0035] Part A of FIG. 3 illustrates the same position of operation
already illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, i.e., the position in which
the mobile elements 22 are in a raised position with respect to the
fixed elements 23.
[0036] Following upon operation of the motor 25, with the
consequent movement of the shafts 28, the various disks 33 are
caused to rotate, in a counter-clockwise direction in the case
exemplified.
[0037] Part B of FIG. 3 illustrates the condition reached following
upon a movement of 90.degree. of the disks 33. As may be noted, by
virtue of the articulated connection constituted by the pin 32, the
said movement of the disks 33 determines a displacement of the
joints 31 and of the shafts 24 such as to produce simultaneously an
advance (namely, to the left as viewed in the figure) and a
lowering of the mobile elements 22 with respect to the fixed
elements 23 until the top surface of the former is aligned or flush
with the bottom surface of the latter.
[0038] Part C of FIG. 3 illustrates the condition reached following
upon a further movement of 90.degree. of the disks 33. This
movement determines a displacement of the joints 31 and of the
shafts 24 such as to produce simultaneously a further lowering of
the mobile elements 22 with respect to the fixed elements 23 and a
recession of the said elements 22 (namely, towards the right as
viewed in the figure). In this situation, the top surface of the
elements 22 is at a level lower than that of the elements 23.
[0039] Finally, part D of FIG. 3 illustrates the condition reached
following upon a further movement of 90.degree. of the disks 33.
This movement determines a displacement of the joints 31 and of the
shafts 24 such as to produce simultaneously a further recession
(namely, towards the right as viewed in the figure) and a raising
of the mobile elements 22 with respect to the fixed elements 23
until the top surface of the former is again aligned or flush with
the bottom surface of the latter.
[0040] By means of a further movement of 90.degree. of the disks
33, the crank mechanism is brought back to the initial position
illustrated in part A of FIG. 3, thus obtaining a new raising of
the mobile elements 22 with respect to the mobile elements 23 and a
simultaneous advance of the mobile elements 22 (i.e., towards the
left as viewed in the figure).
[0041] Consequently, from the above description it may be seen how
the mobile elements 22 are driven by means of arrangements
basically of the connecting rod-crank type, the joint 31-shaft 24
assembly constituting the connecting rod, and the disk 33 providing
the crank. From another point of view, it emerges clearly how the
set of the various crank mechanisms MA1, . . . , MA6 forms a system
of articulation for the mobile elements 22, which is basically of
the articulated-quadrilateral or articulated-parallelogram
type.
[0042] As regards operation of the apparatus AT, loading of the
desired amount of fabric from the station 21 and its subsequent
unloading in the same station 21 at the end of the treatment
process are performed by means of the reel 20 according to
procedures which are in themselves known and which, consequently,
do not call for a specific description herein. The same applies to
the formation of the piece of endless rope fabric T inside the
apparatus AT and to the loading of the treatment liquid or dye.
Here, however, it will suffice to recall that the amount of liquid
used is basically calculated according to the length, and hence the
weight, of the piece T to be treated, the latter being measured by
means of the meter-counter roller 19. In any case, the said amount
of liquid is always underneath the conveying device, thus obtaining
the dying process with the fabric always outside the bath. There
derives therefrom the advantage represented by the possibility of
operating with reduced bath ratios, in so far as the fabric no
longer requires any liquid as a conveyance means because it is
moved positively by the aforementioned translators. The liquid acts
exclusively as a dyeing agent.
[0043] Also the general operating principle of the apparatus AT is
implemented according to substantially known procedures. In this
connection, it will suffice to point out that the operation
envisages activation of the above-mentioned pump that feeds the
nozzle 11. The consequent jet of liquid at intake to the inlet
mouth 9 brings about, in a way in itself known, progressive advance
of the piece T along the conveyance pipe 8. The liquid injected by
the nozzle 11 traverses the pipe 8 until it reaches the tank 1, to
be then distributed inside the tank 1 itself, but always beneath
the plane identified by the fixed elements 23.
[0044] The piece T is deposited on top of the translator apparatus,
inside the tank 1 and by means of the distribution funnel 10, in
lapped form TF.
[0045] At output from the tank 1, the piece T is guided by the
guide element 16 and by the feeler 17 on the reel 15, which draws
along the piece T, the latter being guided by the roller 18 again
inside the inlet mouth 9.
[0046] In this way, continuous circulation is obtained of the piece
T in the form of an endless rope through the apparatus AT.
[0047] For the purposes of treatment, the piece T is initially
soaked in the liquid that flows inside the pipe 8. Inside the tank
1, the laps FT of the portion TF are spray-wetted by means of the
sprinklers 3.
[0048] Part of the liquid bath present on the bottom of the tank 1
passes, via the pipe 14, to the manifold 13, which sends the liquid
again to the nozzle 11 and to the delivery path 5, the latter
feeding the manifold 4 of the sprinklers 3.
[0049] As has been said, the primary subject of the present
invention regards the fact that there are provided, within the tank
1, specific conveying means 22 for the piece T, which are designed
to produce stepwise advance of the portion TF in laps and to
improve soaking of the latter.
[0050] The said features are obtained by means of cyclic movement
of the elements 22, as previously described with reference to FIG.
3; namely:
[0051] in the position referred to in part A of FIG. 3, the laps FT
of the piece T are raised with respect to the elements 23 and are
resting exclusively on the various elements 22;
[0052] during passage to the position illustrated in part B of FIG.
3, the elements 22 cause advance of the portion TF in laps, at the
same time bringing about lowering thereof towards the elements 23;
when this position is reached, the laps FT are resting both on the
elements 22 and on the elements 23;
[0053] during passage to the position illustrated in part C of FIG.
3, the laps FT are resting exclusively on the elements 23, and the
movement of the elements 22 does not bring about any movement of
the portion FT;
[0054] also during passage to the position illustrated in part D of
FIG. 3, the movement of the elements 22 does not bring about any
movement of the portion TF; when the said position is reached,
however, the laps FT are again resting both on the elements 22 and
on the elements 23;
[0055] the subsequent return to the position illustrated in part A
of FIG. 3 causes raising of the elements 22 with respect to the
elements 23, whereby the laps FT are again resting only on the
elements 22 and the latter bring about new advance of the portion
FT in laps.
[0056] As may be seen, repetition of the sequence described above
brings about progressive advance in successive steps of the portion
FT in laps inside the tank 1.
[0057] The action of the conveying means represented by the
elements 22, in addition to improving advance of the portion TF,
enables a considerable reduction in the level of the liquid bath,
which must be kept below the plane identified by the elements
23.
[0058] As mentioned in the introductory part of the present
description, in apparatus built according to the prior art the
level of the liquid bath must be kept high in order to reduce
passive resistance to the advance of the portion in laps of the
piece inside the tank.
[0059] The aforesaid need does no longer apply in the present
invention thanks to the presence of the elements 22, which enable
elimination of the aforesaid resistance. In this connection, it
should be emphasized how, by means of the action of the elements
22, in the apparatus AT according to the invention, dragging of the
laps on the bottom of the tank 1 is prevented, the said phenomenon
being instead typical of the prior art.
[0060] In the apparatus AT according to the invention the quality
and effectiveness of the treatment are in any case guaranteed even
in the presence of a reduced level of the liquid bath in the tank
1.
[0061] From the above description there emerge clearly the
characteristics of the apparatus and method according to the
present invention, the said characteristics being summarized in the
attached claims. Also the advantages of the present invention
emerge clearly from the foregoing description.
[0062] In the case exemplified previously, advance of the piece T
along the pipe 8 is at least, in part obtained by exploiting the
effect of the jet at output from the nozzle 11, namely by means of
a hydraulic drawing system. It is however clear that,
alternatively, drawing along of the piece T could be obtained by
means of an jet of air, i.e., by means of a pneumatic system of a
type in itself known.
* * * * *