ES3042100T3 - Machine for the washing of fabrics - Google Patents

Abstract

Fabric washing machine comprising: - a first fabric collection and supply module with a first motorized fabric winding cylinder, - a second washing module comprising a first and a second tub for housing a fabric treatment bath, - a third fabric collection and supply module with a second motorized fabric winding cylinder, and fabric propulsion and guiding means configured so that the fabric advances from the first module to the third module passing through the first and second tubs of the washing module, and vice versa, characterized in that it comprises a first and a second fabric dryer arranged between the first motorized cylinder and the first tub and between the second tub and the second motorized cylinder, respectively.

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] Fabric washing machine

[0003] The present invention relates to a machine for treating and washing fabrics. More specifically, the present invention relates to a machine for treating and washing fabrics in an industrial setting. In the textile sector, fabric washing is necessary during production. Washing can occur at different phases or stages of fabric manufacturing, which typically involves storing the fabric in the form of rolls. Fabric washing is usually carried out in continuous or batch washing machines.

[0004] Continuous washing machines usually offer high productivity, but nevertheless take up a lot of space, as the fabric usually moves along multiple washing tubs arranged in a line, forming what is commonly known as a washing train.

[0005] In contrast to continuous washing machines, there are discontinuous washing machines in which the fabric unwinding from a first cylinder passes through a tank containing a fabric treatment bath and is wound onto a second cylinder. When the fabric is wound onto the second cylinder, the same operation is performed in reverse: the fabric is unwound from the second cylinder, passed through the treatment bath, and then wound back onto the first cylinder. This alternating process is repeated until the desired treatment is completed. These machines are also known as "jigger" machines.

[0006] Batch machines generally offer lower productivity than continuous machines. However, they also have advantages, as they occupy less space and are usually more economical than continuous machines.

[0007] US Patent 6158256 A describes a "jigger" device in which tissue is alternately passed from one cylinder to another, passing through intermediate buckets. The liquid within these buckets is continuously monitored and supplied via tubing. Both buckets are connected by valves and have the thinnest possible cross-section to minimize the amount of liquid they contain. The patent also describes the use of separator tubes to remove any water layer from one of the two tissue surfaces.

[0008] Document IT MI 940 516 A1 describes a batch machine for the wet offshore processing of textiles. More specifically, this document is cited because Figure 4 shows a connection system between trays and drains.

[0009] It is an object of the present invention to disclose a discontinuous fabric treatment and/or washing machine with higher productivity than known discontinuous machines and greater compactness than known continuous machines. This higher productivity allows for a significant reduction in the operating time of the machine of the present invention. Additionally, the fabric treatment and/or washing machine of the present invention reduces the consumption of energy and chemicals required to perform a given treatment. To this end, the present invention discloses a fabric washing machine comprising:

[0010] - a first fabric collection and supply module with a first motorized fabric winding cylinder,

[0011] - a second washing module comprising a first and a second tub for housing a fabric treatment bath,

[0012] - a third fabric collection and supply module with a second motorized fabric winding cylinder,

[0013] and means for driving and guiding the fabric configured so that the fabric advances from the first module to the third module by passing through the first and second tub of the washing module, and vice versa, comprising a first and a second fabric dryer configured to extract moisture from the fabric, and more specifically, the moisture not fixed to the fibers that is in the interstices between the weft and warp, being a vacuum tube, a system of squeezing rollers (foulards) or an air blowing system, arranged between the first motorized cylinder and the first tub and between the second tub and the second motorized cylinder, respectively.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment, each tub comprises a respective submerged suction device configured to circulate the bath substantially perpendicular to the tissue.

[0015] The submerged suction devices included in the washing module's tanks, as well as the dryers located between the tanks and the cylinders of the fabric collection and supply modules, allow for accelerated penetration of the bath into the fabric being treated. This results in a more efficient process, since by making the bath pass through the fabric being treated, the washing agents and/or other types of auxiliary products (such as dye) penetrate the fabric more quickly, thus reducing processing time and the amount of bath required for a given treatment, as it is used more effectively.

[0016] Although the penetration of the bath into the fabric is maximized with a machine comprising a pair of fabric dryers and a submerged suction device, such penetration is also increased with respect to the prior art in embodiments of the machine of the present invention comprising a submerged suction device and/or a fabric dryer.

[0017] The above allows for a solution to the needs of the most demanding companies seeking to offer better service (greater speed) at a better price (reduced processing times, chemical and energy consumption), while also enabling them to offer products with greater added value manufactured using more environmentally friendly processes (lower chemical and energy consumption). In one embodiment, the machine of the present invention comprises reversible means for controlling the bath level in the vats, configured to treat the fabric in a countercurrent flow. In a preferred embodiment, each vat comprises bath level control means configured so that the bath level is lower in the vat receiving the fabric, and comprising a drain and a bath fluid inlet in each vat. Preferably, the machine of the present invention comprises automatic means for opening and closing said drains. Advantageously, the machine of the present invention comprises a fluid connection between vats that rises above said drains.

[0018] In one embodiment, the washing module further comprises, between the first and second tubs, a motorized drum configured to guide and convey the fabric from the first tub to the second tub and minimize fabric stress. In a preferred embodiment, said drum comprises a plurality of perforations distributed around its entire perimeter.

[0019] Advantageously, the machine of the present invention comprises at least one sprayer for each tub, each sprayer being configured to spray the fabric passing around the drum. Preferably, each sprayer is configured to spray the fabric with the bath from its respective tub. In one embodiment, the machine of the present invention comprises a fabric dryer between the first and second tubs. Preferably, the dryers are configured to dry the fabric by suction or vacuum. Alternatively, the dryers are configured to dry the fabric by blowing, mechanical systems (scarves, etc.), etc.

[0020] Advantageously, said winding cylinders are offset horizontally with respect to the tubs, i.e., said winding cylinders are not located above the tubs.

[0021] In an advantageous embodiment, the machine of the present invention comprises a widening device for each winding cylinder configured to remove possible wrinkles from the fabric before it is wound onto the corresponding cylinder.

[0022] Preferably, each fabric collection and supply module comprises means for wetting the fabric. Advantageously, these means for wetting the fabric are located between the stretching device and the dryer of each cylinder. Preferably, these means for wetting the fabric comprise a sprayer. Preferably, the machine of the present invention further comprises an auxiliary reel holder configured for loading and/or unloading fabric from the machine. This auxiliary reel holder may be supplemented by a winding arm. This winding arm may also replace the auxiliary reel holder.

[0023] Advantageously, each tub has a plurality of rollers configured to guide the fabric circulating inside it.

[0024] Preferably, each bucket has a device for stirring the bath contained therein.

[0025] Advantageously, the machine of the present invention comprises means for heating the bath contained in each tub.

[0026] In one embodiment, the machine of the present invention comprises a housing configured to contain the components of said device. In a preferred embodiment, said housing is covered, at least partially, with insulation.

[0027] Although the machine of the present invention is preferably configured for washing fabric, it can also be configured for dyeing fabric. When configured for washing fabric, the tanks contain, among other things, detergents, while when configured for dyeing fabric, the tanks contain, among other things, dye. In addition to detergents or dyes, the tanks can also contain other types of fabric treatment products.

[0028] In this document the directions: horizontal, vertical, up, down, etc. are understood according to the normal working position of the fabric washing machine that is the subject of the present invention.

[0029] For better understanding, representative drawings of an embodiment of a packaging machine according to the present invention are attached as an explanatory but not limiting example.

[0030] - Figure 1 schematically shows a front elevation view of an example embodiment of a fabric washing machine according to the present invention.

[0031] - Figure 2 schematically shows a front elevation view of the first module of the embodiment shown in Figure 1.

[0032] - Figure 3 schematically shows a front elevation view of the second module of the embodiment shown in Figure 1.

[0033] - Figure 4 schematically shows a front elevation view of the third module of the embodiment shown in Figure 1.

[0034] In the figures, identical or equivalent elements have been identified with identical numerals.

[0035] Figure 1 shows a schematic front elevation of an example of an embodiment of a fabric washing machine according to the present invention. In the embodiment shown, machine 1 comprises three modules 100, 200, and 300. To facilitate the appreciation of details that, due to the scale used in Figure 1, might be difficult to see, Figures 2 to 4 show modules 100, 200, and 300 separately, respectively.

[0036] The embodiment of machine 1 shown in the figures comprises a first module 100 for collecting and supplying fabric, a second module 200 for washing, and a third module 300 for collecting and supplying fabric, the second module 200 being located between the first module 100 and the third module 300.

[0037] Optionally, machine 1 may be equipped with an auxiliary reel holder 400 configured to load and unload fabric 1000 from machine 1, and more specifically, to load and unload fabric from the first motorized cylinder 110 and/or the second motorized cylinder 310. This auxiliary reel holder 400 may be supplemented or replaced by a winding arm (not shown). Loading and unloading of fabric 1000 may be carried out through doors 160 and 360 located in the first and third modules 100 and 300, respectively. Preferably, these doors 160 and 360 are located on the side of the housing 10 of their respective modules, although they may also be located on the front and/or rear. The fabric being loaded or unloaded from machine 1 with the aid of the auxiliary reel holder 400 is shown with a dashed line and reference number 1001. This loading and unloading process of fabric 1001 is only performed at the beginning of the process (loading of fabric 1001) and at its completion (unloading of fabric 1001). During operation, fabric 1000 advances from the first module 100 to the third module 300, and vice versa, without the intervention of the aforementioned auxiliary reel holder 400 or the winding arm, if machine 1 is equipped with one.

[0038] The machine casing 10 may be fully or partially covered with insulation to minimize heat loss and thus improve efficiency. This insulation also protects operators from burns should they touch the casing. The insulation is preferably located on the inside of the casing 10.

[0039] As can be seen, in this embodiment the motorized fabric winding cylinders 110, 310 are arranged facing each other at opposite ends of the machine. Both cylinders 110, 310 can be located at the same height with respect to the floor or base of machine 1, although it is also possible for them to be located at different heights.

[0040] The machine for washing and/or treating fabrics that is the subject of the present invention is of discontinuous operation, in which the fabric is unwound from a first motorized cylinder and wound onto a second motorized cylinder after passing through a treatment bath, and vice versa; that is, once the fabric has been wound onto the second motorized cylinder, the process is reversed and the fabric is unwound from the second cylinder and, after passing through the treatment bath, wound onto the first cylinder. This alternating process is repeated until the desired treatment of the fabric is completed. This type of machine is known in the textile industry as a “Jigger” type machine.

[0041] As can be seen, in the embodiment shown, the two fabric collection and supply modules 100, 300 comprise the same components distributed symmetrically with respect to the washing module 200.

[0042] Figure 2 shows a schematic front elevation view of the first module 100 of the example fabric washing machine 1 shown in Figure 1. In this figure, the fabric 1000 is represented in a solid line in the position where it is unwound from the first motorized cylinder 110. The position of the fabric 1000 and the stretching device 130 when the fabric 1000 is fully wound onto the first motorized cylinder 110 is represented in a dashed line. This stretching device 130 may consist of tilting curved bars and is configured to remove any wrinkles from the fabric 1000 before it passes onto the cylinder 110. Although its use offers obvious advantages, the use of the stretching device 130 in the machine 1 of the present invention is optional. After passing through tank 210 (see Figure 3), fabric 1000 passes through a fabric dryer 120. In the embodiment shown, this fabric dryer 120 is a vacuum tube and serves to extract moisture from fabric 1000, and more specifically, the moisture not bound to the fiber that is located in the spaces between the warp and weft. Although the dryer 120 is preferably a vacuum tube, it can also take the form of wringer rollers, air blowing systems, etc.

[0043] The first module 100 of the shown embodiment also comprises means for wetting the fabric 1000, and more specifically, comprises a sprayer 140, located between the dryer 120 and the stretching device 130. In other embodiments, the sprayer 140 may be located differently within the first module 100. The sprayer 140 is intended to wet the fabric 1000 as it is unwound from the cylinder 110. Although its use is advantageous and recommended, the sprayer 140 is an optional element of the machine 1. Generally, the working fluid of the sprayer 140 is water, although it can also work with other fluids, such as chemicals for treating the fabric.

[0044] This figure also allows one to appreciate the means of propulsion and guidance 150 of the fabric 1000 of the first module 100, which in the example of embodiment shown, are rollers.

[0045] Figure 3 shows schematically in front elevation the second module 200 of the example embodiment of a fabric washing machine 1 shown in Figure 1. This second module 200 is the washing or treatment module for fabric 1000. This washing module 200 comprises two tubs 210, 210’ containing a bath 212, 212’ for the treatment or washing of fabric 1000.

[0046] Although the machine 1 of the present invention preferably has two tubs, other embodiments may have more than two or simply one. Having two tubs 210, 210’ allows for countercurrent washing of the fabric 1000. Countercurrent washing means that, for example, when the fabric advances toward the second cylinder 310, i.e., unwinds from the first cylinder 110 and winds onto the second cylinder 310, the bath in the first tub 210 is dirtier than that in the second tub 210’. As can be seen, in the embodiment shown, the bath 212, 212’ in each tub 210, 210’ is at a different level. To achieve this, the second module 200 comprises means for controlling the level of the bath 212, 212’ in each tub 210, 210’. The bath level control means 212, 212’ comprise, in this embodiment, a drain 260, 260’ and a bath fluid inlet (not shown) in each basin 210, 210’. Machine 1 may comprise automatic means for opening and closing said drains 260, 260’, which in the embodiment shown are gates 261, 261’, although they may also be valves, etc. The embodiment shown further comprises a fluid connection between basins that rises above the drains 260, 260’. In this embodiment, said fluid connection comprises a projection 270 of triangular cross-section, although it may adopt other forms.

[0047] The aforementioned bath level control means 212, 212’ are configured so that the bath level 212, 212’ is lower in the inlet tub 210, 210’ for fabric 1000. Because the machine's operating cycles are alternating (fabric 1000 is unwound from cylinder 110, then, after passing through bath 212, 212’, is wound onto cylinder 310, and vice versa), these control means can be reversible to allow fabric 1000 to be treated countercurrently regardless of which cylinder 110, 310 it is being wound/unwound onto.

[0048] Figures 1 and 3 illustrate the end of a machine work cycle in which the fabric has been unwound from the motorized cylinder 110, entered bath 212 of tub 210, passed through the perforated drum 220, and then entered bath 212’ of tub 210’ before being wound onto the motorized cylinder 310. Therefore, in these figures, the level in bath 212’ is higher than in bath 212. This is because the drain gate 261’ of drain 260’ is closed and the fluid supply means for the bath are supplying fluid to tub 210’ (not shown). When the level of bath 212’ reaches the upper end of the projection 270, bath 212’ overflows into the trough 210, from where it flows to the drain 260 since the gate 261 is open. When the machine's operating cycle is reversed, i.e., when the fabric is unwound from the motorized cylinder 310 and wound onto the motorized cylinder 110, the bath level control means also reverse their operation, and the level of bath 212 becomes higher than that of bath 212’.

[0049] To maximize the effect of bath 212, 212’, each tub 210, 210’ comprises a submerged suction device 211, 211’. Each submerged suction device 211, 211’ is configured to force the circulation of bath 212, 212’ through fabric 1000, thereby increasing the effect of said bath 212, 212’. Said circulation of bath 212, 212’ through fabric 1000 is preferably carried out in a substantially perpendicular manner. These submerged suction devices 211, 211’ can be used to spray the fabric 1000 passing through the drum 220, thereby maximizing the use of bath 212, 212’ and increasing the efficiency of machine 1. To this end, the bath 212, 212’ collected by the submerged suction devices 211, 211’ is pumped by a respective pump 240, 240’ to sprayers 221, 221’ that can be located above the drum 220. This drum 220 can be perforated to maximize its mechanical washing effect. This mechanical washing effect of the drum 220 can be increased by the use of the sprayers 221, 221’. In addition to increasing the washing of the fabric 1000, the drum 220 can also be configured to reduce tension on the fabric 1000 as it passes from one tray to another. Although its use has numerous advantages, it is possible to replace the drum 220 with a drying device similar to those present in the first 100 and the third module 300. In embodiments that include it, this drying device is located between the tubs 210, 210’. There may also be embodiments of fabric washing machines according to the present invention that lack a drum 220 and a replacement drying device.

[0050] Although not visible in Figure 3, the buckets 210, 210’ may include stirring means and means for heating the bath 212, 212’ contained therein, in order to promote the penetration of the bath 212, 212’ into the fabric 1000.

[0051] Analogously to the first module 100, the second module 200 or washing module may comprise drive and guide means 250, 250’ for the fabric 1000. These drive and guide means 250, 250’ of the second module 200 may be supplemented by submerged drive and guide means 213, 213’ for the fabric 1000 in each tub 210, 210’. In the embodiment shown, the drive and guide means 250, 250’ and the submerged drive and guide means 213, 213’ for the fabric 1000 are rollers.

[0052] Figure 4 shows a schematic front elevation view of the third module 300 of the example fabric washing machine 1 shown in Figure 1. In contrast to the first module shown in Figures 1 and 2, in module 300 shown in Figure 4, the fabric 1000 is almost completely wound onto the second motorized cylinder 310, thus allowing observation of the position of the stretching device 330 when the fabric 1000 is wound onto the motorized cylinder 310. Note that this is the opposite configuration to that of the first module shown in Figures 1 and 2. However, as explained above, the fabric 1000 is wound and unwound alternately from the motorized cylinders 110 and 310 until the desired treatment for the fabric is completed.

[0053] The third module 300 comprises a fabric dryer 320 for removing moisture from the fabric 1000, and more specifically, for removing moisture not bound to the fiber located in the spaces between the warp and weft. Although in the embodiment shown the fabric dryer 320 is a vacuum tube, in other embodiments it may be a system of squeezing rollers (foulards), an air blowing system, etc. In addition to the components mentioned above, this third module 300 may also comprise means for driving and guiding 350 the fabric 1000 and a sprayer 340 for moistening the fabric 1000 when it is unwound from the second motorized cylinder 310.

[0054] The operation of the third 300 module is similar to that of the first 100 module described above, although, as described above, the operating cycles of the first and third 100, 300 modules are alternate.

[0055] In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 4, the sprayers 140, 340 (see Figures 2 and 4) are configured such that when the fabric 1000 is unwound from the first motorized cylinder 110, the sprayer 140 moistens said fabric 1000 before it is introduced into the vats 210, 210’ with their respective bath 212, 212’ (see Figure 3). After passing through the vats 210, 210’ and their respective bath 212, 212’, and before being wound onto the second motorized cylinder 310 after passing through the stretching device 330, the dryer dries the fabric 1000 as described above, without the sprayer 340 being activated. The sprayer 340 comes into operation when the work cycle is reversed and the fabric 1000 is unwound from the second cylinder 310 and wound onto the first cylinder 110.

[0056] In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 4, bath 212, 212’ contains detergents, since in the embodiment shown, machine 1 is configured to wash fabric 1000. However, in other embodiments, bath 212, 212’ may contain dye or other chemicals so that the machine dyes or impregnates fabric 1000.

[0058] In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 4, the internal components of the washing and/or fabric treatment machine of the present invention are made of materials resistant to the chemicals used in bath 212, 212’, such as stainless steel. However, it is possible that only the elements most exposed to attack by the chemicals used, such as the tubs 212, 212’, are made of materials resistant to these chemicals, thereby reducing the manufacturing cost of the machine.

Claims (20)

1. CLAIMS 1. Machine (1) for washing fabrics comprising: - a first module (100) for collecting and supplying fabric (1000) with a first motorized cylinder (110) for winding fabric (1000), - a second washing module (200) comprising a first and a second tub (210, 210’) for housing a fabric treatment bath (212, 212’) (1000), - a third module (300) for collecting and supplying fabric (1000) with a second motorized cylinder (310) for winding the fabric (1000), and means (150) for driving and guiding the fabric (1000) configured so that the fabric (1000) advances from the first module (100) to the third module (300) passing through the first and second tubs (210, 210’) of the washing module (200), and vice versa characterized in that it comprises a first and a second fabric dryer (120, 320) configured to extract moisture from the fabric (1000), and more specifically, the moisture not fixed to the fibers that is found between the interstices between weft and warp, being a vacuum tube, a system of squeezing rollers (foulards) or an air blowing system, arranged between the first motorized cylinder (110) and the first tub (210) and between the second tub (210’) and the second motorized cylinder (310), respectively. 2. Machine (1), according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises reversible means for controlling the bath level (212, 212’) of the tubs (210, 210’) configured to treat the fabric in a countercurrent flow. 3. Machine (1), according to claim 2, characterized in that each tub (210, 210’) comprises bath level control means (212, 212’) configured so that the bath level (212, 212’) is lower in the fabric inlet tub (212) and comprising a drain (260, 260’) and a bath fluid inlet in each tub (210, 210’). 4. Machine (1), according to claim 3, characterized in that it comprises automatic means (261,261’) for opening and closing said drains (260, 260’). 5. Machine (1), according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that it comprises a fluid connection (270) between basins (210, 210’) that rises above said drains (260, 260’). 6. Machine (1), according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that each tub (210, 210’) comprises a respective submerged suction device (211, 211’) configured to circulate the bath (212, 212’) substantially perpendicular to the fabric (1000). 7. Machine (1), according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the washing module (200) further comprises between the first and second tub (210, 210’) a motorized drum (220) configured to guide and conduct the fabric (1000) from the first tub (210) to the second tub (210’) and minimize the tensions of the fabric (1000). 8. Machine (1), according to claim 7, characterized in that said drum (220) comprises a plurality of perforations distributed around its entire perimeter. 9. Machine (1), according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that it comprises at least one sprayer (221, 221’) for each tub (210, 210’), each of them being configured to spray the fabric (1000) that passes around the drum (220). 10. Machine (1), according to claim 9, characterized in that each sprayer (221,221’) is configured to spray the fabric (1000) with the bath (212, 212’) from its respective tub (210, 210’). 11. Machine (1), according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a fabric dryer (211, 211’) between the first and second tub (210, 210’). 12. Machine (1), according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the aforementioned dryers (211, 211’) are configured to dry the fabric (1000) by suction, blowing or mechanical systems such as foulards. 13. Machine (1), according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said winding cylinders (110, 310) are horizontally displaced with respect to the tubs (210, 210’). 14. Machine (1), according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a widening device (130, 330) for each winding cylinder (110, 310) configured to remove possible wrinkles from the fabric (1000) before it is wound onto the corresponding cylinder. 15. Machine (1), according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that each module (100, 300) for collecting and supplying fabric (1000) comprises means (140, 340) for wetting the fabric (1000). 16. Machine (1), according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it additionally comprises an auxiliary bobbin holder (400) configured to load and/or unload the fabric (1001) from the machine (1). 17. Machine (1), according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that each tub (210, 210’) has a plurality of rollers (150, 213, 213’, 250, 250’, 350) configured to guide the fabric (1000) that circulates inside it. 18. Machine (1), according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that each tub (210, 210’) has a device for stirring the bath (212, 212’) contained therein. 19. Machine (1), according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises means for heating the bath (212, 212’) contained in each tub (210, 210’). 20. Machine (1), according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a housing (10) configured to house the components of said device.