U.S. patent number 3,768,280 [Application Number 05/111,966] was granted by the patent office on 1973-10-30 for apparatus for printing on textile strips and pieces.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Kannegiesser Machinenfabrik Kommanditgesellschaft. Invention is credited to Richard Juraschek, Herbert Kannegiesser, Klaus Mussiger.
United States Patent |
3,768,280 |
Kannegiesser , et
al. |
October 30, 1973 |
APPARATUS FOR PRINTING ON TEXTILE STRIPS AND PIECES
Abstract
Disclosed herein is an improved system for printing on textile
by sublimation of a dye-coating contained on a printing foil the
printing occurring when the textile and the foil are placed in
contact under the influence of heat and pressure.
Inventors: |
Kannegiesser; Herbert
(Hollwiesen-Vlotho, DT), Juraschek; Richard (Vloth,
Weser am Kinderheim, DT), Mussiger; Klaus (Bad
Salzuflen, DT) |
Assignee: |
Kannegiesser Machinenfabrik
Kommanditgesellschaft (Vlotho/Weser, Hollwiesen,
DT)
|
Family
ID: |
27431017 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/111,966 |
Filed: |
February 2, 1971 |
Foreign Application Priority Data
|
|
|
|
|
Feb 5, 1970 [DT] |
|
|
P 20 05 186.9 |
Feb 27, 1970 [DT] |
|
|
P 20 09 211.9 |
Dec 11, 1970 [DT] |
|
|
P 20 61 026.8 |
Dec 14, 1970 [DT] |
|
|
P 20 61 450.0 |
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
68/5D; 8/444;
68/13R; 101/132; 101/471; 118/257; 118/641; 8/471; 68/200;
118/50 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B41F
17/00 (20130101); B41F 16/02 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B41F
16/00 (20060101); B41F 17/00 (20060101); B41F
16/02 (20060101); D06c 001/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;118/257,50,641,211
;68/200,5D,13R ;34/122,123,125 ;8/2.5 ;156/285,286 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: McIntosh; John P.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A system for printing on and dyeing textile material comprising
a mesh material containing synthetic fibers, said system
comprising:
a. printing foil means coated with a dye, said printing foil means
being brought into contact with one side of said material;
b. first pressure means comprising an air impermeable, flexible
heat resistant surface for maintaining at least an atmospheric
pressure on said printing foil means;
c. second pressure means comprising a cylindrical surface having an
air permeable surface for maintaining a reduced pressure wherein
said printing foil means with said material in contact therewith
are positioned between said first and second pressure means such
that the other side of said material is in contact with said second
pressure means and wherein said second pressure means reduces the
pressure to the extent that said printing foil means is held
against said one side of said material without substantially
changing the thickness of said material; and
d. heater means for heating said printing foil means and said
material such that the dye on said printing foil means is released
therefrom wherein said dye is drawn into said material due to the
pressure differential between said first and second pressure means
whereby said material is dyed in accordance with the dye on said
printing foil means.
2. The system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first pressure
means is a conveyor belt.
3. The system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said heater means are
infra-red heaters.
4. The system as set forth in claim 3 wherein said heater means
includes means for varying the intensity of the heat applied to
said printing foil means and said material.
5. The system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said second pressure
surface means includes a heat resistant fabric covering said
cylindrical surface.
6. A system for printing on and dyeing textile materials comprising
a mesh material containing synthetic fibers said system
comprising:
a. printing foil means comprising a flexible air impermeable
surface for maintaining at least an atmospheric pressure on said
one side of said material, said printing foil means coated with a
dye, said dye being in contact with one side of said material;
b. pressure means comprising a cylindrical surface having an air
permeable surface for maintaining a reduced pressure on the other
side of said material wherein said material is positioned between
said printing foil means and said pressure means such that the
other side of said material is in contact with said pressure means
and wherein said pressure means reduces the pressure to the extent
that said printing foil means is held against said one side of said
material without substantially changing the thickness of said
material; and
c. heater means for heating said printing foil means and said
material such that the dye on said printing foil means is released
therefrom, wherein said dye is drawn into said material due to the
pressure differential between the printing foil means and the
pressure means, whereby said material is dyed in accordance with
the dye on said printing foil means.
7. The system as set forth in claim 6 further including guide
roller means positioned to contact said cylindrical surface, for
guiding said material and said printing foil means.
8. The system as set forth in claim 6 wherein said heater means
includes a heat radiating means and a diaphragm means for movement
between said heat radiating means and printing foil means wherein
the heat applied to said printing foil means and said material is
interrupted.
9. The system as set forth in claim 8 wherein the heat is
interrupted during the movement of the initial and end portions of
said printing foil means and material means along said pressure
means.
10. The system as set forth in claim 9 wherein said diaphragm means
includes drive means and guide means and wherein said diaphragm
means is driven in synchronism with said pressure means.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to apparatus for printing on textile strips
and pieces, preferably those which are made of knit goods with
synthetic fibers, by means of the sublimation of the dyestuff
coating of printing foils, whereby the fabric to be treated is
printed upon by the printing foils between pressure surfaces which
partly rotate with each other, and which thus adjoin each other, or
between such surfaces which can be moved toward each other, with
simultaneous application of pressure and heat.
2. Description of the Prior Art
It is known that textile strips and pieces can be printed on by
means of dye-coated printing foils in calenders, presses and the
like. In all of these cases, the textile strip or the textile
piece, which is to be printed on, is placed, together with the
printing foil, between two working surfaces, which roll upon each
other with relatively strong pressure, which rotate with each
other, or which can be moved toward each other, at least one of
which surfaces is heated. The resultant pressure and heat
transmission produces a sublimation of the dyes on the printing
foil, due to which these dyes are transferred to the textile strip
or the textile piece.
In the case of textile strips and pieces which are made of knit
goods with synthetic fibers, the high pressing pressure which is
exerted during the printing process in the known methods and
devices makes the knit pattern of these fabrics considerably worse.
The reason for this deterioration is that the high pressure exerted
during the printing process upon the textile strips and pieces, in
combination with the very great heating of these strips and pieces,
leads to a lasting deformation of the knit pattern. The distortion
is lasting because the synthetic fibers in the goods must be heated
up to the so-called "start of plasticity" and the pressure exerted
in this area upon the fibers causes them to be permanently
deformed. The deformation can be recognized by the fact that the
thickness of the knit goods, after the printing process, is
considerably smaller. For example, the side portion of a pullover
sweater made of polyester fibers, before printing had a thickness
of 1.1 mm and, after printing, had a thickness of 0.55 mm. The
pressure employed was about 0.2 kg/cm.sup.2.
Further, the dyes from the printing foil cannot penetrate deeply
enough into the knit goods which are compressed with heavy pressure
and whose volume is reduced. As a result, when the knit goods are
stretched, for example in a sweater, the basic color of the fibers
used in making it becomes visible again. This impairs the
quality.
The heavy pressure, which has a bad effect, is due to the design
and construction in the known devices. In particular, it is due to
the fact that either two rigid working surfaces which are flat only
in a limited area, or one rigid and one flexible working surface
are pressed together with mechanical pressure elements. For
example, in the device described in German patent number 845,785,
where two pressure surfaces, made up of one roller and a transport
rotate with each other in a certain area, the pressure rises from 0
kg/cm.sup.2 up to an adjusted maximum pressure and then drops again
to 0 kg/cm.sup.2 in a pressure zone which includes about
180.degree. of the roller circumference. This high and varying
pressure causes the printed fabric to reveal shadings.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art
noted above, and is characterized by the fact that the strips and
pieces, on which a dye-coated printing foil has been placed, are
put between an air-permeable pressure surface, which is connected
to a vacuum device, and an air-impermeable flexible pressure
surface, which is heated directly or indirectly, in such a manner
that the textile strips or pieces come to rest against the
air-permeable pressure surface while the printing foil comes to
rest against the air-impermeable pressure surface. Printing then
takes place due to the action of the atmospheric overpressure
generated by a vacuum device in the area of the pressure surfaces,
while at the same time steam used for heating the textile strip or
piece as well as the printing foil, is suctioned off through the
air-permeable surface. Heating may also be accomplished by
radiation, preferably infrared.
This invention makes it possible for the first time to print on
textile strips and pieces, made of knit fabric with synthetic
fibers, without any noteworthy deterioration in the knit pattern
and with a depth effect that meets the requirements of every day
practice. This can be achieved since the pressure, exerted upon the
textile strips and pieces, is comparatively low and is equally
distributed throughout the entire printing zone. This is also due
to the suction drawing the dyes, which have been dissolved by the
heat, into a knit fabric whose thickness is reduced only very
little during the printing process. This is accomplished by virtue
of the fact that the sublimation of the dyes, from the printing
foil into the textile strip or the textile piece is intensified
through the suction of the vacuum. The side portion of the sweater
mentioned above, when printed according to the method of this
invention, with a pressing pressure of about 0.06 kg/cm.sup.2,
still has a thickness of 0.93 mm. after the printing process. The
volume of the knit fabric has thus been reduced by only about 15
percent. In the known methods, the reduction was about 50
percent.
Another thing that is new and advantageous in this invention is a
device for printing upon textile strips and pieces by means of
dye-coated printing foils placed between pressure surfaces which
partly rotate with each other and thus adjoin each other, using
pressure and heat. One of the pressure surfaces is comprised of an
air-impermeable, flexible, heat-resistant conveyer belt, while the
other pressure surface is made up of a cylinder whose casing is
air-permeable, whereby both of the pressure surfaces can be pressed
upon each other in the area in which they rotate with each other,
through atmospheric overpressure, generated by a vacuum device
which is connected to the inside chamber of the cylinder.
This invention makes it possible to carry out the method mentioned
in the beginning in an optimum fashion. Another advantage is that
the device can be used both for printing of wide, long strips and
for printing smaller pieces.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the
invention.
FIG. 2 is a longitudinal cross section of another embodiment of the
invention.
FIG. 3 shows the beginning of the printing area of the device
illustrated in FIG. 1.
FIG. 4 is a longitudinal cross section of another embodiment of the
invention.
FIG. 5 is a detail of FIG. 4.
FIG. 6 is another detail of FIG. 4.
FIG. 7 is a longitudinal cross section through the device with the
beginning pieces of foil and textile inserted into the printing
area.
FIG. 8 shows the device of FIG. 7 but with the foil and textile
already inserted further into the printing area.
FIG. 9 shows the device of FIG. 7 during the continuous printing
operation.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS.
A device according to this invention is illustrated in FIG. 1. It
essentially consists of an air-permeable pressure surface in the
form of a cylinder 15, an air-impermeable pressure surface in the
form of a flexible conveyer 16, a device in the form of heat
radiator 24 for heating the pressure surfaces 15, 16, the textile
strips 10 and pieces 12, located between them and a device for
generating a vacuum inside the air-permeable pressure surface 15
(cylinder). The device for generating the vacuum is not shown in
the drawing.
The device for heating the pressure surfaces can also be provided
in a different form. For example, high frequency energy can be
used.
In case of heating by means of heat radiators 24, such as infrared
radiators, it suffices, as illustrated in the drawing, to arrange
heat radiators 24 on the side of the air-impermeable pressure
surface which is designed as a conveyor belt 16. The radiation
intensity of the heat radiators 24, can be regulated by changing
the interval between the radiators and the pressure surface 16
and/or by changing the electrical voltage and/or by using
thermostats. It is also advantageous to arrange the individual heat
generators 24 in each case, swingably on their attachment places
26. If necessary, however, heat radiators 24 or other heating
elements can be arranged in the interior of cylinder 15.
The surface of the cylinder 15 is made of screen-like sheet metal
with boreholes 14 which are close to each other, preferably a sheet
metal with a thickness of 0.3-10mm and boreholes with a diameter of
0.3-0.5mm. The use of such a sheet metal offers the advantage that,
when printing on the textile strips 10 or textile piece 12, no
markings will be left on these materials. It is also advantageous
to make the screen-like sheet metal of aluminum or some other
material that will reflect heat rays, and to place, over the
cylindrical pressure surface 15, a coating made of heat-resistant
fabric, for example the kind that is known under the brand name
"Nomex."
The conveyer belt 16 is made of a flexible, heat-resistant material
and it is driven and guided via drive and guide rollers 17.
The rotating pressure surfaces 15 (cylinder), 16 (conveyor belt)
can be driven in the known manner. It is a good idea to drive only
one pressure surface directly, and to have the other pressure
surface taken along as result of friction connection between the
surfaces.
The area of the cylindrical, air-permeable pressure surface 15,
which does not cooperate with the conveyor-belt 16, is covered by a
cover plate 18 made of air-impermeable material, and mounted
preferably on the inside of cylinder 15.
Known devices for the positioning and guidance of the textile
strips and of the pressure foil 11 are provided for the purpose of
printing on the textile strips 10.
The following known devices are illustrated in the drawing in FIG.
1:
Rollers 19, for the placement of the rolled-up textile strips 10
which are to be printed on;
A shaft 20, with its pressure foil 11 which is rolled-up but not
yet used;
A shaft 21, for rolling-up the printed textile strips 10;
A running incline 22 for the shaft 21;
A shaft 23, for rolling-up the used pressure foils.
For the purpose of printing textile pieces 12, especially, in order
to be able to feed such goods into the device to begin with, a
placement surface 27 is provided on the operating side of the
device. This placement surface 27 exists because the conveyer belt
16, which serves as a pressure surface, is so far moved, from
cylinder 15, at the location 27 that the textile piece 12, which is
to be printed on, and the printing foils 13 can easily be placed
upon and lined up on it. The conveyer belt 16 is supported by a
table plate 25 in the area of the placement surface 27.
Furthermore, a removal sheet 28 is provided for collecting the
printed textile pieces 12. Printed pieces 12 can run on this
removal sheet 28 with their pertinent pressure foils 13. The
rotating pressure surfaces are driven in rhythm during the printing
of pieces 12.
The device operates in the following manner:
The rolled-up textile strips 10, which are to be printed on, are
placed on the rollers 19 which are arranged on the operating side
of the device. The shaft 20 with the dye-coated printing foil 11
rolled-up upon it, is positioned on the device in a known manner.
The beginning edge of the textile strip 10 and the edge of the
printing foil 11 are drawn over the placement surface 27 and are
introduced between the pressure surfaces 15 (cylinder), and 16
(conveyer belt). After leaving the area in which the pressure
surfaces 15, 16 rotate with each other, the beginning edges of
textile strip 10 and printing foil 11 are attached to the shaft 21,
23 which are in the upper area of the device. After this operation
has been completed, we can begin printing on the textile strip 10.
This operation is continual.
Textile pieces 12, which are to be printed on, are first placed
upon the placement surface 27 with printing foils 13. The drive of
the rotating pressure surfaces 15 (cylinder), 16 (conveyer belt)
are turned on and the textile piece 12 and the printing foil 13 and
thus fed into the area in which the pressure surfaces 15, 16 rotate
together. After leaving this area, the printing textile piece 12
and the printing foil 13 automatically run upon the removal plate
28.
A further embodiment of this invention concerns a device for
printing on textile strips, preferably those which are made of knit
goods with synthetic fibers, by means of the sublimation of the dye
layer of pressure foils, whereby the textile strips to be printed
on can be printed upon, by the printing foils, between partly
co-rotating and closely adjoining pressure surfaces, with the
simultaneous application of pressure and heat, whereby one pressure
surface is air-impermeable, flexible, and heat-resistant, while the
other pressure surface is air-permeable and has the shape of a
cylinder.
In this embodiment the printing foil is air-impermeable and
flexible so that it simultaneously serves as a pressure surface in
the printing area, an area in which the pressure surfaces rotate
together and in which they can be pressed upon each other by means
of atmospheric over pressure, generated through a vacuum device
which is in contact with the inside chamber of the air-permeable
pressure surface.
In a system in accordance with this embodiment the production and
maintenance cost of the device are reduced. This is clearly seen
since we can now eliminate the conveyor belt, including some of its
guide rollers.
Additional advantageous features of the invention are described in
detail below with the help of FIGS. 2 and 3.
The embodiment illustrated in the drawings in FIGS. 2 and 3
essentially consists of an air-permeable pressure surface in the
form of a cylinder 15, and air-impermeable pressure surface, which
is constituted in the printing area by the dye-coated strip-like
printing foil 11, devices 24 for heating the pressure surfaces 11,
15, (for example infrared radiators) swingably attached to
attachment places 26, and a device for generating a vacuum in the
interior of the air-permeable pressure surface 15. The device for
generating the vacuum is not shown in the drawing.
The outside surface of the cylinder 15 is made of a screen-like
sheet metal with bore holes 14. On the inside, in the area outside
the printing area, it is covered by an air-impermeable cover plate
18.
For printing on the textile strips 10 there is provided known
devices for the positioning and guiding of the strips and printing
foil 11. More specifically, there is provided rollers 19 for
positioning of the rolled-up textile strips 10 which are to be
printed on; shaft 20 with its rolled-up, as yet unused printing
foil 11; shaft 21 for rolling up the printed textile strips 10;
running incline 22 for the shaft 21; shaft 23 for rolling up used
printing foils 11; running incline 29 for the shaft 23; guide
rollers 31, 32 for the guidance of textile strips 10 and printing
foils 11, whereby an introduction belt 30 is from time to time also
guided around the guide roller 32.
For introducing the beginning of textile strips 10 and the printing
foil 11 into the printing area, there is provided, at the end of
the printing area, a shaft 36, with a heat-resistant,
air-impermeable introduction belt 30 which can be rolled-up and off
on this shaft. More specifically, the introduction belt 30, when
the vacuum device is turned on and the air-permeable pressure
surface 15 runs backward in the direction of rotation indicated by
arrow B, will roll off the shaft 36. When the rotation is forward,
along arrow A, it is rolled-up on the shaft 36, whereby the part of
the introduction belt 30 which is to be rolled off or rolled on,
comes to rest against the air-permeable pressure surface 15 in the
pressure area.
At the beginning of the printing area we have provided a scraper 33
which is intended to separate the beginning edge of the
introduction belt 30 from the air-permeable pressure surface 15 and
which is supposed to guide it on the table plate 25 of the
placement surface 27. Furthermore, we have provided a guide roller
34 which has the purpose of pressing the introduction belt 30 and
the beginning pieces of textile strip 10 and printing foil 11,
which are manually placed upon that belt, during the insertion
process, upon the placement surface 27, and at the same time to
make sure that the beginning pieces will be picked up and taken
along by the introduction belt 30.
The scraper 33 and the guide roller 34 are preferably swingably
positioned in a column bearing 35. The scraper 33 can be placed
against the air-permeable pressure surface 15 and the guide roller
34 can be placed on the table plate 25 of the placement surface
27.
The portion of the printing area, in which the heat radiators 24
are arranged, is protected against heat losses by known devices,
such as insulation 37. The air-permeable pressure surface 15 is
driven by known drive means.
The device operates in the following manner:
The rolled-up textile strip 10, which is to be printed on, is first
placed on rollers 19 which are arranged on the operating side of
the device and the shaft 20, while the dye-coated air-impermeable
flexible foil 11, rolled-up upon shaft, is positioned on the device
in the known manner. Then the device is set in motion in such a
manner that the air-permeable pressure surface 15, when the vacuum
device is turned on, will run backward in the direction of arrow B,
whereby the introduction belt 30, at the end of the printing area,
is rolled off the shaft 36. This continues until the beginning
piece of the introduction belt rests on the table plate 25 of the
placement surface 27. After this has been done, the device is
turned off and the beginning pieces of the printing foil 11 and of
the textile strip 10 are placed upon the beginning piece of the
introduction belt 30 which lies on table plate 25. If the device is
now set in motion in such a manner that the air-permeable pressure
surface 15 will run in the direction of arrow A when the vacuum
device is on, then we not only roll up the introduction belt 30 but
simultaneously also introduce the beginning pieces of textile strip
10 and printing foil 11 into the printing area and even move them
beyond that area.
After the beginning pieces of the textile strip 10 and printing
foil 11 have left the printing area, the device is turned off again
in order to wind the beginning pieces by hand upon shaft 21, 23,
respectively, to attach them to the shaft. After this operation has
been completed, we can begin the continuous printing of the textile
strip 10.
It is also possible, in the manner described above, to introduce
only the printing foil 11 into the printing area by means of the
introduction belt 30, to introduce it into the printing area, to
attach it to shaft 23, and then to insert the textile strip 10 into
the printing area by means of printing foil 11.
The device can be equipped with all advantageous features contained
in the invention described in the beginning, to the extent that
they are applicable to it.
The actual printing process takes place in the manner described
earlier.
In another embodiment the device contains, at the beginning of the
printing area, for the purpose of guiding the textile strip and the
printing foil, a guide roller. As a result, the textile strip and
the printing foil are moved toward the air-permeable cylindrical
pressure surface in tangent fashion, at the beginning of the
printing area. This feed operation, however, is disadvantageous
because folds develop as a result of it in the tangent area in the
textile strip and/or printing foil. The folds develop because the
suction, prevailing in the tangent area, springing from the
air-permeable cylindrical pressure surface, caused by the vacuum
prevailing in the interior of the pressure surface, tries to pull
the textile strip and/or the printing foil against the
air-permeable, cylindrical pressure surface at the beginning of the
printing area. The same applies to the end of the printing area,
where, in case of a tangent-like evacuation of the textile strip
and/or printing foil, the latter are not perfectly released by the
vacuum.
In this embodiment the above problems are solved to the extent that
the textile track and the printing foil will be able to run up on
the air-permeable, cylindrical pressure surface without wrinkles
and will leave that surface again without wrinkles.
The device includes, at the beginning and at the end of the
printing area, a guide roller for the guidance of the textile strip
and the pressure foil, which are so positioned that they constantly
come to rest automatically against the air-permeable, preferably
cushioned, cylindrical pressure surface, including the printing
unit consisting of the textile strip and the printing foil.
This embodiment thus eliminates the disadvantageous tangent-like
feeding and evacuation of the textile strip and printing foil to
the air-permeable, cylindrical pressure surface, and, moreoever, it
does this also when the air-permeable, cylindrical pressure surface
is padded and when the thickness of the padding is changed, for
example, during a longer period of printing.
It is also advantageous that it is possible particularly rapidly
and perfectly to insert the beginning edge of a printing foil into
the printing area by means of this embodiment.
Additional advantageous features of the embodiment will emerge from
the following description.
The device shown in FIG. 4 for the purpose of printing on textile
strip 10 by means of sublimation of the dye-coating of the pressure
foil 11 essentially consists of an air-permeable, padded,
cylindrical pressure surface 40, made up of a cylinder 15, whose
outside surface has bore holes 14 and a padding 41, a guide roller
42 at the beginning and the guide roller 43 at the end of the
printing area for the purpose of guiding the textile strip 10 and
printing foil 11, and heat radiators 24 for heating the pressure
surfaces. The printing foil 11 is at the same time the second
pressure surface in the printing area.
The guide rollers 42, 43 are so positioned on the frame of the
device that they will automatically, due to the action of a spring,
rest against the air-permeable, cylindrical pressure 40, during the
pressure process. The spring positioning of the guide rollers 42,
43 is not shown in the drawings.
The interior of the cylinder 15 is connected to a device, not shown
in the drawings for the purpose of generating a vacuum. As a result
the printing unit, made up of the textile strip 10 and the printing
foil 11, in the printing area, rests against the air-permeable,
padded, cylindrical pressure surface 40 under pressure.
For the purpose of printing on textile strip 10 we furthermore have
provided known devices for the positioning and further guidance of
the same as well as of the printing foil 11. These include rollers
19 for the positioning of the rolled-up textile tracks 10 which are
to be printed on, shaft 20 with its rolled-up as yet unused
pressure foil 11, shaft 21 for rolling up the printed-on textile
strips 10 and shaft 23 for rolling up the used printing foil
11.
The device operates in the following manner:
Before the beginning of the pressure process, the beginning edge
11a of the printing foil 11 is moved for a small distance by hand
over the insertion slit 39 which is constituted, at the beginning
of the printing area, by the round portion of the guide roller 42
and the air-permeable, padded, cylindrical pressure surface 40. It
is then placed upon the air-permeable, cylindrical pressure surface
40 which is standing still at that moment (FIG. 5). Because of the
vacuum prevailing in the interior of the cylinder 15, the beginning
piece 11b of the printing foil 11 is then drawn into the insertion
slit 39. (FIG. 6). Then the beginning piece 10b, with the beginning
edge 10a of the textile strip 10, which is to be printed on, is
placed upon the printing foil 11 and the rotation drive of the
cylinder 15 (not shown in the figures) is turned on. As a result
the pressure surface 40 starts to rotate, picking up and taking
along the printing unit consisting of textile track 10 and printing
foil 11, in the direction of arrow "A." The actual printing process
which follows is known. However, because of this invention it can
be performed perfectly, without the formation of wrinkles on the
printing foil 11 and/or the textile strip 10 because at the
beginning and the end of the printing area, the guide rollers 42,
43, and the printing unit, come to rest against the air-permeable,
padded, cylindrical pressure surface 40.
By means of the above-mentioned means for introducing the beginning
piece 11b of the printing foil 11 into the printing area we can
make such that it can be introduced not only quickly and perfectly
but also without any aids such as introduction belts.
A further embodiment proposes additional improvements.
The heat radiation, coming from the heat radiators in the devices
described above, is quite nicely suited for the printing of textile
strips by means of the dye-coating of printing foils. But, at the
beginning and at the end of the printing process, as well as in
case of breakdowns in the device, this sort of heating is not
desirable. At the beginning and end of a printing process, it is
undesirable particularly because a piece of printing foil will then
always run through the device without the textile strip and
because, in this manner, the dye-coating is transferred to the
covering, the winding, or the padding of the pressure surface. In
case of trouble inside the device, heat radiation is undesirable
because, when the rotation or circulation drive of the pressure
surface fails, it can lead to burns on the printing unit consisting
of the textile strip and the printing foil. If one of the pressure
surfaces has a covering or a padding, then this may burn up
also.
Because medium-wave heat radiators, also called infrared radiators,
require a certain time from the moment they are turned on until
they attain their standard output -- which of course applies also
to the turn-off process -- the problem described above cannot be
solved by turning the heat radiators on or off.
In this embodiment this above-mentioned device is improved to the
extent that the heat radiation, coming from the heat radiators can
enter the printing area only if it is needed for the printing
process and furthermore, in case of trouble, the printing area can
be immediately screened against the heat radiation coming from the
heat radiators.
In this embodiment the heat raidation, coming from the heat
radiators and aimed at the pressure surfaces, can be interrupted by
a diaphragm which can be moved between the heat radiators and the
printing surfaces. We can advantageously provide for the following:
during the passage of the beginning pieces (or the end pieces) of
the printing foil and of the textile strip, through the radiation
area, the heat radiation can be interrupted.
By means of the diaphragm it is possible to protect the pressure
surface and/or the printing foil lying between them and/or the
textile strip with comparatively simple means which provide
protection against unwanted heat radiation, and this is true both
during each and every desired phase of the printing process as well
as in case of trouble.
It is furthermore advantageous to attach the diaphragm -- looking
in the direction in which the device works -- laterally on drive
and guide means, which can be driven synchronously with the
pressure surfaces, by means of endless chains. This in particular
facilitates a comparatively simple and safe diaphragm drive.
Additional advantageous features of this embodiment will immerge
from the following description and the drawings contained in FIGS.
7-9.
The device for printing textile strip 10, by means of the
sublimation of the dye-coat on printing foil 11 essentially
consists of a cylinder 15 as an air-permeable, first pressure
surface, a guide roller 42 at the beginning and a guide roller 43
at the end of the printing area for the purpose of guiding the
textile strip 10 and the printing foil 11, heat radiators 24 for
the purpose of heating the pressure surfaces (preferably
medium-wave infra-red radiators) and an insulation 37 for the
pressure area. The printing foil 11 can simultaneously be the
second pressure surface in the printing area, as illustrated in the
drawing in FIGS. 7-9.
The interior of cylinder 15, whose outside surface has boreholes
14, is connected to a device, not shown in the drawing for the
purpose of generating a vacuum. As a result of this the printing
unit, made up of textile strip 10 and printing foil 11, in the
printing area, will rest against the outside of the casing of
cylinder 15 under pressure. The outside of the casing of cylinder
15 can be provided with a covering or a padding (not shown).
The diaphragm 45 looking in the direction of operation of the
device, is attached laterally to drive and guide means which can be
driven synchronously with the pressure surfaces 11, 15 by endless
chains 46. When there is no printing being done or in case of
trouble the diaphragm stands between the air-permeable, first
pressure surface (cylinder 15), and the front of the heat radiators
24. This is its basic position (see FIG. 7).
For printing on the textile strip 10 we have provided known devices
for positioning and guiding of the same and the printing foil 11.
More specifically, there is provided among other things, rollers 19
for the positioning of the rolled-up textile tracks 10 which are to
be printed on shaft 20 with its rolled-up, as yet not used printing
foil 11, shaft 21 for rolling up printed textile tracks 10 and
shaft 23 for rolling up used printing foils 11.
The device operates in the following manner:
As soon as the beginning piece 11b has been inserted with the
beginning edge 11a of the printing foil 11 and as soon as the
beginning piece 10b with the beginning edge 10a of the textile
track 10 has been inserted into the insertion slit 39 of the
printing area (FIG. 7), the diaphragm 45 is driven synchronously
with he air-permeable, first pressure surface (cylinder 15) in the
direction of rotation of the same (arrow "A"). In this way we can
prevent, during the passage of the mutually staggered beginning
pieces of 11b, 10b of printing foil 11 and textile strip 10,
through the printing area, radiation heat from acting upon these
pieces. In other words, it is impossible for the dye-coating of the
beginning piece 11b of the printing foil 11, which is not covered
by the textile track 10, to be transferred to the air-permeable,
first pressure surface (cylinder 15) or upon a covering or padding
which might be arranged upon the latter.
The size of the area of printing foil 11 and textile strip 10,
which is to be screened by diaphragm 45, is adjustable. This area
is preferably selected as large as it is illustrated in FIGS. 7 and
8. FIG. 8 also shows the further course of the insertion
operation.
After the beginning pieces 11b, 10b of printing foil 11 and textile
strip 10 have once again left the printing area, we stop the
turning motion of the cylinder 15, the diaphragm 45 is returned to
its basic position (FIG. 7), and the beginning pieces 11b, 10b are
attached to the shaft 23, 21. The portion of printing unit, which
is in the printing area at that time, consisting of a piece of
printing foil 11 and a piece of textile strip 10, is thus protected
against the effect of heat radiation during a printing pause.
After completion of the printing pause, the cylinder 15 and the
diaphragm 45 are again driven together, whereby the diaphragm 45
however is moved only into the rear portion of the heat radiators
24 (FIG. 9).
In case of trouble in the couse of printing, for example, in the
feed area of pressure foil 11 and textile strip 10 and in case of
the required stoppage of the cylinder 15, the diaphragm 45 is
immediately moved into the basic position shown in FIG. 7. This is
normally done automatically but it can also be done manually.
The end pieces of textile track 10 and pressure foil 11, not shown
here, are likewise screened against radiation heat by diaphragm 45
during their passage through the pressure area.
Although the invention has been described with respect to the
preferred embodiments thereof, it is understood by those skilled in
the art that various modifications can be made in construction and
arrangement within the scope of the invention as defined in the
appended claims.
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