APPARATUS WITH DUAL MODES OF USE FOR DYEING OF FABRICS AND YARNS

Abstract

A dyeing apparatus (10) is described which is provided with a single tank (12) comprising: side walls (14); a bottom wall (16), which has a convex outer surface; a first inner partition wall (18) and a second inner partition wall (20), which delimit a dyeing compartment (26) and define respectively a first interspace (28) and a second interspace (30); and at least one mobile and/or removable upper lid (32), which closes the dyeing compartment in a watertight sealed manner. A first hydraulic circuit (34, 36; 38, 40) is designed for circulation of a first process fluid (B), whereas a second fluid circuit (42) is designed for circulation of a second process fluid (N). The first hydraulic circuit comprises first means (34, 36) for entry/exit of the first process fluid, which are designed to feed the first process fluid up to a first predefined filling level (L1) both in the dyeing compartment and in the interspaces, and second means (38, 40) for entry/exit of the first process fluid, which are designed to feed the first process fluid up to a second predefined filling level (L2) both in the dyeing compartment and in the interspaces. The second distance (D2) is greater than the first distance (D1), so that the second predefined filling level (L2) is greater than the first predefined filling level (L1).

Claims

1. A dyeing apparatus (10) for dyeing a continuous and moving textile support (100), the dyeing apparatus (10) comprising a single tank (12) which comprises in turn: at least one side wall (14), which is substantially vertical and completely surrounds said tank (12); at least one bottom wall (16), which has a convex outer surface; at least one first inner partition wall (18), which faces a first inner surface (14A) of said side wall (14) placed at an edge (22) for the entry of said textile support (100) into said tank (12), and at least one second inner partition wall (20), which faces a second inner surface (14B) of said side wall (14) placed at an edge (24) for the exit of said textile support (100) from said tank (12), wherein at least one dyeing compartment (26) of said tank (12) is provided between said first inner partition wall (18) and said second inner partition wall (20), wherein a first interspace (28) for the passage of said textile support (100) from said entry edge (22) to said dyeing compartment (26) is provided between said first inner partition wall (18) and said first inner surface (14A) of said side wall (14), and wherein a second interspace (30) for the passage of said textile support (100) from said dyeing compartment (26) to said exit edge (24) is provided between said second inner partition wall (20) and said second inner surface (14B) of said side wall (14); at least one upper lid (32), which engages in a mobile or removable manner on said first inner partition wall (18), on said second inner partition wall (20) and on the upper side channels of said tank (12), forming a perimeter system for watertight sealing of said dyeing compartment (26); a first hydraulic circuit (34, 36; 38, 40), which is designed to feed a first process fluid (B) into said tank (12), to circulate said first process fluid (B) inside said tank (12) and to discharge said first process fluid (B) from said tank (12), so that said first process fluid (B) can flow both in said dyeing compartment (26) and in said first interspace (28) and second interspace (30); and a second fluid circuit (42), which is designed to feed a second process fluid (N) into said dyeing compartment (26), to circulate said second process fluid (N) inside said dyeing compartment (26) and to discharge said second process fluid (N) from said dyeing compartment (26), so that said second process fluid (N) can only flow into said dyeing compartment (26) due to the watertight seal performed by said first process fluid (B) contained in said first interspace (28) and second interspace (30), wherein said first hydraulic circuit (34, 36; 38, 40) for feeding said first process fluid (B) into said tank (12), for circulating said first process fluid (B) inside said tank (12) and for discharging said first process fluid (B) from said tank (12) comprises: first means (34, 36) for entry/exit of said first process fluid (B), which are operatively connected to said tank (12) and are positioned at a first distance (D1) from the lower end of said bottom wall (16), so as to feed said first process fluid (B) up to a first predefined filling level (L1) both in said dyeing compartment (26) and in said first interspace (28) and second interspace (30); and second means (38, 40) for entry/exit of said first process fluid (B), which are operatively connected to said tank (12) and are positioned at a second distance (D2) from the lower end of said bottom wall (16), wherein said second distance (D2) is greater than said first distance (D1), so as to feed said first process fluid (B) up to a second predefined filling level (L2) both in said dyeing compartment (26) and in said first interspace (28) and second interspace (30), and wherein said second predefined filling level (L2) is greater than said first predefined filling level (L1).

2. The dyeing apparatus (10) according to claim 1, wherein said tank (12) is provided with means (44) for thermoregulating said first process fluid (B).

3. The dyeing apparatus (10) according to claim 2, wherein said thermoregulating means (44) consist of one or more coils for the circulation of a thermoregulating fluid, said coils being positioned on respective outer surfaces of said bottom wall (16).

4. The dyeing apparatus (10) according to claim 1, wherein said tank (12) is internally provided with a plurality of return rollers (46) for said textile support (100), wherein said return rollers (46) are designed to transfer said textile support (100) from said first interspace (28) to said dyeing compartment (26), in order to increase the drawing-in of said textile support (100) inside said dyeing compartment (26) and to transfer said textile support (100) from said dyeing compartment (26) to said second interspace (30).

5. The dyeing apparatus (10) according to claim 1, further including a first device (48) for squeezing said textile support (100), wherein said first squeezing device (48) is positioned at said edge (24) for the exit of the textile support (100) from the second interspace (30) of said tank (12) and is configured to extract excess liquids from said textile support (100).

6. The dyeing apparatus (10) according to claim 5, further including a second device (50) for squeezing said textile support (100), wherein said second squeezing device (50) is positioned at said edge (22) for the entry of said textile support (100) into the first interspace (28) of said tank (12) and is configured to extract excess liquids from said textile support (100).

7. The dyeing apparatus (10) according to claim 1, further including a third hydraulic circuit (54) for feeding at least one third process fluid (W; T) into said tank (12), for the circulation of said at least one third process fluid (W; T) inside said tank (12) and for the discharge of said at least one third process fluid (W; T) from said tank (12), wherein said third hydraulic circuit (54) is hydraulically connected to said first hydraulic circuit (34, 36; 38, 40), so as to feed said at least one third process fluid (W; T) up to said first predefined filling level (L1) or up to said second predefined filling level (L2) both in said dyeing compartment (26) and in said first interspace (28) and second interspace (30).

8. The dyeing apparatus (10) according to claim 7, wherein said dyeing compartment (26) is internally provided with at least one volume reducer device (52) having the function of reducing the volume of the first process fluid (B) or the third process fluid (W; T) contained in said dyeing compartment (26).

9. The dyeing apparatus (10) according to claim 7, wherein said tank (12) is internally provided with at least one ultrasound generator (56) adapted to increase the efficiency of the first process fluid (B) or the third process fluid (W; T) when circulated inside said tank (12).

10. A method for dyeing a textile support (100) using a dyeing apparatus (10) according to claim 1, wherein said first process fluid (B) consists of a bath for dyeing based on indigo or other reduction dyes for said textile support (100).

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein said second process fluid (N) consists of an inert gas which is capable of generating an inert environment inside said dyeing compartment (26).

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein said inert gas is nitrogen.

13. The method according to claim 10, wherein said third process fluid (W; T) is selected from the group consisting of: a washing fluid (W); and a fluid (T) for carrying out treatments complementary to the dyeing on said textile support (100).

Description

[0042] The features and advantages of an apparatus with dual modes of use for dyeing of fabrics and yarns according to the present invention will become more apparent from the following description, provided by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the appended schematic drawings, in which:

[0043] FIG. 1 is a schematic view in lateral elevation of a preferred embodiment of the dyeing apparatus with dual modes of use according to the present invention;

[0044] FIG. 2 is a schematic view in lateral elevation of the dyeing apparatus of FIG. 1 in the mode of use for dyeing with indigo with a full volume, in air;

[0045] FIG. 3 is a schematic view in lateral elevation of the dyeing apparatus of FIG. 1 in the mode of use for dyeing with indigo with a reduced volume, in an inert environment;

[0046] FIG. 4 is a schematic view in lateral elevation of the dyeing apparatus of FIG. 1 used for complementary pre- and post-treatment operations of the cycle for dyeing with indigo, in particular of washing, wherein the tank has a full volume;

[0047] FIG. 5 is a schematic view in lateral elevation of the dyeing apparatus of FIG. 1 used for complementary pre- and post-treatment operations of the cycle for dyeing with indigo, in particular of washing, wherein the tank has a reduced volume;

[0048] FIG. 6 is a schematic view in lateral elevation of the dyeing apparatus of FIG. 1 used for possible treatments with particular products, wherein the tank has a reduced volume;

[0049] FIG. 7 is a schematic view in lateral elevation of a dyeing section of a line for continuous dyeing with indigo of the chains of warp for denim fabrics, in flat and/or in rope systems, wherein this dyeing section comprises a plurality of dyeing apparatuses according to the present invention, and wherein these dyeing apparatuses are illustrated in the dual mode of supply and return of the dye bath;

[0050] FIG. 8 is a schematic view in lateral elevation of an entire line for continuous dyeing with indigo of the chains of warp for denim fabrics, wherein the pre-treatment, dyeing and post-treatment sections are illustrated; and

[0051] FIG. 9 is a schematic view in lateral elevation of the dyeing apparatus of FIG. 1 for the uses according to FIGS. 1 to 6, but in a particular version in order to operate with the fabric and/or the chains of warp moved discontinuously, in alternating directions.

[0052] It is specified that, in the following description and in the appended figures, there is no illustration, since they are well known to persons skilled in the art, of numerous components, accessories and instruments with which all dyeing machines are normally equipped, such as, for example, regulators for the level of the bath, thermoregulation units, preparation containers, containers for recovery of the dye bath and for supply of auxiliary products, automatic dosing systems, command and control instruments, etc. It is also specified that the appended figures illustrate hydraulic circuits without respective pumps, etc., which will not be described in detail hereinafter, since they are also well known to persons skilled in the art.

[0053] The figures show a preferred embodiment of the apparatus with dual modes of use for dyeing of fabrics and yarns according to the present invention. The dyeing apparatus is indicated as a whole by the reference number 10. The dyeing apparatus 10 is designed for the dyeing of a continuous and moving textile support 100, which can preferably, but not exclusively, be constituted by a weft-warp and knitwear fabric, or by a chain of warp yarn for denim fabrics. The means for the movement of the textile support 100 entering into and exiting from the dyeing apparatus 10 can be of the type known in the prior art, and will therefore not be illustrated in detail.

[0054] The dyeing apparatus 10 comprises a single tank 12. In turn, the tank 12 comprises at least one side wall 14, which is substantially vertical and surrounds the tank 12 completely. The tank 12 can thus have any form in plan view, such as, for example, circular, with a single side wall 14 with a cylindrical form, or quadrangular, with four side walls 14 which are orthogonal to one another.

[0055] The tank 12 also comprises at least one bottom wall 16, which has a convex outer surface. In other words, the profile of the bottom wall 16, which can have any form, is advantageously rounded or cambered in such a way as to avoid stagnation of dirt inside the tank 12, and to facilitate the cleaning thereof.

[0056] The tank 12 also comprises at least one first inner partition wall 18, which faces a first inner surface 14A of the side wall 14 placed at an edge 22 of entry of the textile support 100 into the tank 12, and at least one second inner partition wall 20, which faces a second inner surface 14B of the side wall 14 placed at an edge 24 for exit of the textile support 100 from the tank 12. At least one dyeing compartment 26 of the tank 12 is provided between the first inner partition wall 18 and the second inner partition wall 20. On the other hand a first interspace 28 for the passage of the textile support 100 from the entry edge 22 of the tank 12 to the dyeing compartment 26 is provided between the first inner partition wall 18 and the first inner surface 14A of the side wall 14. Finally, a second interspace 30 for the passage of the textile support 100 from the dyeing compartment 26 to the exit edge 24 of the tank 12 is provided between the second inner partition wall 20 and the second inner surface 14B of the side wall 14.

[0057] At least one upper lid 32 engages in a mobile and/or removable manner on the first inner partition wall 18, on the second inner partition wall 20 and on the upper side channels of the tank 12, forming a perimeter system for watertight sealing of the dyeing compartment 26. The upper lid 32 can thus be opened and/or removed in order to carry out traditional dyeing in air of the textile support 100 inside the dyeing compartment 26.

[0058] A first hydraulic circuit 34, 36 and 38, 40, which is designed to feed a first process fluid B into the tank 12, to circulate the first process fluid B inside the tank 12 and to discharge the first process fluid B from the tank 12, so that the first process fluid B can flow both in the dyeing compartment 26 and in the first interspace 28 and second interspace 30, is connected operatively to the tank 12. Preferably, the first process fluid B consists of a dye bath based on indigo and/or other reduction dyes for the textile support 100.

[0059] A second fluid circuit 42, which is designed to feed a second process fluid N into the dyeing compartment 26, to circulate the second process fluid N inside the dyeing compartment 26 and to discharge the second process fluid N from the dyeing compartment 26, so that the second process fluid N can only flow into the dyeing compartment 26 due to the watertight seal performed by the first process fluid B contained in the first interspace 28 and second interspace 30, is also connected operatively to the tank 12. Preferably, the second process fluid N consists of an inert gas which is designed to generate an inert environment inside the dyeing compartment 26. Even more preferably, this inert gas is nitrogen.

[0060] The first hydraulic circuit 34, 36 and 38, 40 for feeding the first process fluid B into the tank 12, for circulation of the first process fluid B inside the tank 12 and to discharge the first process fluid B from the tank 12, comprises first means 34, 36 for entry/exit of the first process fluid B, which are operatively connected to the tank 12 and are positioned at a first distance D1 from the lower end of the bottom wall 16. The first means 34, 36 for entry/exit of the first process fluid B are thus designed to feed this first process fluid B up to a first predefined filling level L1 both in the dyeing compartment 26 and in the first interspace 28 and second interspace 30. This operative configuration of the tank 12 is shown in FIG. 3, where it can be seen that, above the first predefined filling level L1 of the first process fluid B, the second process fluid N is present.

[0061] The first hydraulic circuit 34, 36 and 38, 40 for feeding the first process fluid B into the tank 12, for circulation of the first process fluid B inside the tank 12 and to discharge the first process fluid B from the tank 12 also comprises second means 38, 40 for entry/exit of the first process fluid B, which are also operatively connected to the tank 12 but are positioned at a second distance D2 from the lower end of the bottom wall 16. The second means 38, 40 for entry/exit of the first process fluid B are thus designed to feed this first process fluid B up to a second predefined filling level L2 both into the dyeing compartment 26, and into the first interspace 28 and the second interspace 30.

[0062] As shown in FIG. 1, the second distance D2 is greater than the first distance D1. Consequently, the second predefined filling level L2 is greater than the first predefined filling level L1. This operative configuration of the tank 12 is shown in FIG. 2, where it can be seen that above the second predefined filling level L2 of the first process fluid B, only air is present.

[0063] Preferably, the tank 12 is provided with means 44 for thermoregulating the first process fluid B. Even more preferably, these thermoregulating means 44 can consist of one or more coils for the circulation of a thermoregulating fluid. The coils are advantageously positioned on respective outer surfaces of the bottom wall 16 of the tank 12.

[0064] Again preferably, the tank 12 is internally provided with a plurality of return rollers 46 for the textile support 100. The return rollers 46 are designed to transfer the textile support 100 from the first interspace 28 to the dyeing compartment 26, in order to increase the drawing-in of the textile support 100 inside the dyeing compartment 26 and to transfer the textile support 100 from the dyeing compartment 26 to the second interspace 30.

[0065] In the embodiment of the dyeing apparatus 10 in FIG. 1, this dyeing apparatus 10 comprises a first device 48 for squeezing the textile support 100. This first squeezing device 48, which is preferably of the type with opposite cylinders and is defined in technical terms as a foulard, is positioned at the edge 24 for the exit of the textile support 100 from the second interspace 30 of the tank 12 and is configured to extract excess liquids from the textile support 100.

[0066] In the embodiment of the dyeing apparatus 10 in FIG. 9, this dyeing apparatus 10 comprises on the other hand, in addition to the first aforementioned squeezing device, also a second device 50 for squeezing the textile support 100. This second squeezing device 50, which is preferably identical to the first squeezing device 48, is positioned at the edge 22 for entry of the textile support 100 into the first interspace 28 of the tank 12, and is again configured to extract excess liquids from the textile support 100. The presence on the dyeing apparatus 10 of both the squeezing devices 48 and 50 permits dyeing of the textile support 100 in the operative condition in which this textile support 100 is being moved discontinuously, in alternating directions (forwards-backwards).

[0067] As well as for dyeing of the textile support 100, the dyeing apparatus 10 according to the present invention can advantageously be used to carry out other treatment operations on the textile support 100, and/or operations of washing in the tank 12. As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the dyeing apparatus 10 can thus comprise a third hydraulic circuit 54 for feeding at least one third process fluid W, T into the tank 12, for the circulation of this third process fluid W, T inside the tank 12 and for the discharge of this third process fluid W, T from the tank 12. The third hydraulic circuit 54 is hydraulically connected to the first hydraulic circuit 34, 36 and 38, 40, so as to feed the third process fluid W, T up to the first predefined filling level L1 or up to the second predefined filling level L2 both in the dyeing compartment 26, and in the first interspace 28 and in the second interspace 30. In this condition of use of the dyeing apparatus 10, the respective tank 12 can be internally provided with at least one ultrasound generator 56, which is designed to increase the efficiency of the first process fluid B and/or the third process fluid W, T when circulated inside the tank 12.

[0068] Preferably, the dyeing compartment 26 is internally provided with at least one volume reducer device 52. Each volume reducer device 52, which consists substantially of a chamber which acts as a volume reducer chamber, has in fact the function of reducing the volume of the first process fluid B and/or the third process fluid W, T contained in the dyeing compartment 26.

[0069] On the basis of the use of the dyeing apparatus 10 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, i.e. with the tank 12 used for washing operations, the third process fluid W, T consists of a washing fluid W. In FIG. 4, the tank 12 operates with a full volume of washing fluid W, whereas in FIG. 5 the tank 12 operates with a reduced volume of washing fluid W.

[0070] On the basis of the use of the dyeing apparatus shown in FIG. 6, i.e. with the tank 12 used for possible treatments of the textile support 100 with particular products, the third process fluid W, T consists of any fluid T designed for implementation on the textile support 100 of treatments complementary to the dyeing, such as, for example, pre-fulling, pre-dyeing, overdyeing, fixing, and others.

[0071] It is thus shown that the apparatus with dual modes of use for dyeing of fabrics and yarns according to the present invention achieves the scopes previously set out.

[0072] The apparatus with dual modes of use for dyeing of fabrics and yarns thus designed can in any case undergo numerous modifications and variants, all of which come within the same inventive concept; in addition, all the details can be replaced by technically equivalent elements. In practice, any materials, as well as forms and dimensions can be used, according to the technical requirements.

[0073] The scope of protection of the invention is thus defined by the appended claims.