Textile treatment machines are known in the textile field, and generally comprise one or more heated cylinders on which the textile to be compacted or heat-set is wound, and a closed-ring strip, generally a felt, suitable to apply pressure to the textile to be treated.

Treatment machines are known, which have two treatment units of the type described above, disposed in sequence with respect to each other, to induce compaction, or heat-setting, first on one side of the textile and then on the opposite side.

It is also known that a textile has a natural moisture content, or recovery rate, which depends on the type of fiber it is made of. This natural moisture content is intrinsic to the textile and is naturally recovered after excessive drying or humidification.

Determining the natural moisture content of the textile, in addition to being important to guarantee an optimal treatment process, is also fundamental for the subsequent marketing of the treated textile that is generally done in units of weight.

To increase the effectiveness of the treatment of the textile, it is also known to provide a steam delivery device located upstream of the first treatment unit to compensate for the partial drying of the textile.

This steaming gives the textile greater plasticity and, therefore, greater capacity and predisposition to receive the action of compaction of the textile.

In the treatment machines described above with two treatment units located in sequence, it happens that the textile, advancing through the first treatment unit, is partly dried by the heated cylinder.

In the second treatment unit, the textile is further dried, thus risking being over- dried at exit from the treatment machine, and therefore not guaranteeing an optimal result of the treatment.

To restore humidity to the treated textile and to cool it down, humidification devices, or water nebulization devices, are provided downstream of the treatment machine. These devices, however, are not easily controllable, since they do not guarantee a control of the humidity conferred on the textile, and are therefore able to determine an excessive humidification.

Furthermore, once treated, the textile is collected in coils, which prevents or slows down, at least in the less superficial layers of the textile, the recovery of the natural moisture content both in the case of over drying and in the case of excessive humidity.

This disadvantage is more accentuated if the coil is packed with polymer material, for example a heat-shrinkable film, which prevents the breathability of the textile.

One purpose of the present invention is to provide a treatment machine which improves the treatment efficiency of the textiles.

Another purpose of the present invention is to provide a machine for treating textiles which guarantees a plasticity of the textile for the whole duration of the treatment.

Another purpose is to provide a machine for treating textiles which supplies at exit a treated textile having a correct natural moisture content.

Another purpose is to perfect a method for treating textiles that allows to obtain a treated textile having at exit a correct relative moisture content.

Given the above, the present invention is set forth and characterized in the independent claims, while the dependent claims describe other features of the present invention or variants of the main inventive idea.

In accordance with the above purposes, the present invention concerns a machine for treating textiles comprising:

- a first treatment unit and at least a second treatment unit located one in succession to the other;

- each treatment unit is provided with at least one heated cylinder and a felt having a closed-ring development defined by rolls configured to take a portion of the felt into contact with a part of an external surface of the heated cylinder;

- at least a first steam delivery device installed upstream of the first treatment unit.

According to the present invention, the treatment machine comprises at least a second steam delivery device installed between the first treatment unit and the second treatment unit.

Advantageously, the second steam delivery device allows to confer plasticity to the textile again even downstream of the first treatment unit, thus preparing it for subsequent treatment in the second treatment unit.

The use of steam, instead of traditional humidification devices, for example with nebulized water, has a double effect on the textile, that is, to restore and increase the humidity of the textile and to heat it, thus making the fibers more plastic and suitable to receive another compaction action. With the present invention it is possible to obtain an increase in the compaction capacity of at least 30%, or more, compared to traditional solutions.

Moreover, part of the steam delivered by the steam delivery devices, and in particular by the second intermediate steam delivery device between the two treatment units, contributes to softening and extending the life of the felts, since the latter are affected by the flow of steam generated.

In one embodiment, the treatment machine can comprise a third steam delivery device installed downstream of the second treatment unit.

In a further embodiment, the treatment machine can comprise a third treatment unit disposed downstream of the second treatment unit to perform a further treatment step on the textile.

According to this embodiment, the third steam delivery device can be installed between the second treatment unit and the third treatment unit.

The present invention also concerns a method for treating textiles using the above treatment machine.

The drawings in this document illustrate the characteristics described above, as well as others, which will become clear from the following description, provided as a non-restrictive example, in which:

- fig. 1 is a schematic view of a treatment machine in accordance with embodiments described here in a first configuration;

- fig. 2 is a schematic view of a treatment machine in accordance with embodiments described here in another configuration;

- fig. 3 is a schematic front view of a treatment machine of fig. 2;

- fig. 4 is a schematic view of a treatment machine in accordance with embodiments described here in a second configuration; - fig. 5 is a schematic view of a treatment machine in a third configuration;

- fig. 6 is a schematic view of a treatment machine in an alternative configuration to fig. 2.

Embodiments described here in figs. 1 to 6 concern a machine 10 for treating a textile T, able to perform treatments such as, for example, compaction or heat- setting of the textile T, or suchlike.

The textile T in question can be made of a natural fiber, such as cotton, wool, silk, linen, hemp, jute, or a synthetic or mixed fiber, such as acetate, viscose, jersey, or suchlike.

The textile T, depending on the fiber of which it is made, has a specific natural moisture content, or recovery rate, which indicates the maximum percentage of water that a textile fiber can have at certain environmental temperature conditions, for example 20°C, and humidity.

For example, cotton fiber can have a natural moisture content equal to 8.5% - 9.5%.

According to the embodiments described here, during the advance in the treatment machine 10, the textile T can advance with a single layer, or it can advance in a tubular shape.

The treatment machine 10 comprises a first treatment unit 1 1 and at least a second treatment unit 12 disposed one in succession to the other.

Each treatment unit 1 1, 12 is provided with at least one heated cylinder 13, around which the textile T winds, and a felt 14 having a closed-ring development. The felt 14 is configured to keep the textile T in contact, under pressure, with the heated cylinder 13 and to at least compact and heat-set the textile T during the insertion of the latter between itself and the heated cylinder 13.

Each treatment unit 1 1, 12 is also provided with a plurality of rolls 19, 20, 21 configured to take a portion of the felt 14 into contact with a part of an external surface 16 of the heated cylinder 13.

The rolls 19, 20, 21 are disposed around the heated cylinder 13 and the felt 14 winds on them and is kept under tension.

The plurality of rolls 19, 20, 21 of each treatment unit 1 1, 12 comprises at least one entrance roll 19, at least one intermediate roll 20 and at least one exit roll 21. The entrance roll 19 is located on the periphery of the heated cylinder 13 and defines in the felt 14 an entrance segment 42 comprised between the entrance roll 19 and the heated cylinder 13 and through which the textile T is introduced into the treatment unit 1 1, 12, possibly subjected to the compaction action of the textile.

The exit roll 21 is located on the periphery of the heated cylinder 13, in a position substantially opposite to the exit roll 21, and with respect to the heated cylinder 13.

The exit roll 21 defines in the felt 14 an exit segment 43 comprised between the exit roll 21 and the heated cylinder 13 and through which the textile T is made to exit the treatment unit 1 1, 12.

According to an example embodiment shown in figs. 1 to 6, each treatment unit 1 1 , 12 can comprise two intermediate rolls 20.

According to possible embodiments, at least the roll 19, 20, 21, for example the exit roll 21, is motorized to make the felt 14 move.

According to possible solutions, at least the entrance roll 19, in the zone where the textile T is introduced, can be moved towards/away from the heated cylinder 13 in order to adjust the tension of the felt 14 and modify the winding angle of the textile T around the heated cylinder 13.

The treatment machine 10 also comprises a first steam delivery device 17 installed upstream of the first treatment unit 1 1 and configured to emit a flow of steam to the textile T passing and entering the first treatment unit 1 1.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the treatment machine 10 also comprises a second steam delivery device 18 installed between the first treatment unit 1 1 and the second treatment unit 12.

After passing through the first treatment unit 1 1 , in which it loses some of its moisture, the textile T is made to pass through the second steam delivery device

18, where it is humidified and heated by the steam and acquires further plasticity, facilitating the subsequent treatment thereof in the second treatment unit 12.

By way of example only, the flow of steam can have an exit temperature from the first steam delivery device 17 and from the second steam delivery device 18 between about 100°C and about 120°C.

In another embodiment, the second steam delivery device 18 is installed between the exit roll 21 of the first treatment unit 1 1 and the entrance roll 19 of the second treatment unit 12, that is, between the segment of textile T which is generated between the first treatment unit 1 1 and the second treatment unit 12.

The first steam delivery device 17 and the second steam delivery device 18 are provided with one or more steam delivery apertures which, during use, face upward. This embodiment prevents the flow of steam that is delivered from being able to stagnate as a consequence of the slowing down of the flow and from generating condensation which falls on the textile T itself.

The upward positioning of the apertures, instead, causes the steam to pass through the textile T itself and is not further hindered in direct proximity to the textile T. The steam delivered can subsequently affect the felts 14 of the first treatment unit 1 1 and of the second treatment unit 12, increasing their working life.

Moreover, the second steam delivery device 18 can be installed at least partly below the first treatment unit 1 1 and the second treatment unit 12, in order to deliver a flow of steam both on the textile T and in at least one of the felts 14.

According to one embodiment, the first steam delivery device 17 and/or the second steam delivery device 18 can comprise at least one delivery body 22 with an oblong development.

According to a variant embodiment, at least the second steam delivery device 18 can comprise two delivery bodies 22 installed in opposite positions, each facing respectively one side of the textile T. This solution is particularly advantageous in the case of treatment of a textile T of a tubular type.

According to a first variant embodiment, the delivery body 22 can be configured as a vaporizing tray.

According to another variant embodiment, the delivery body 22 can be provided with a plurality of delivery apertures, for example nozzles.

The plurality of delivery apertures are disposed facing at least one side of the textile T.

According to a variant embodiment, the delivery body 22 is an oblong prismatic shape.

According to another variant embodiment, the delivery body 22 is a tubular shape.

According to one embodiment, the delivery body 22 can be installed, during use, with the oblong development transverse to the direction of feed of the textile T. In other words, the delivery body 22 is installed with the oblong development concordant with the width of the textile T.

In this case, the oblong development of the delivery body 22 is at least equal in size to the width of the textile T.

The delivery body 22 can be connected to a steam generation and delivery device, not shown in the drawings, by means of a flexible connector.

According to one embodiment, the flow rate of steam arriving from the steam generation and delivery device can be divided up so as to be distributed at least between the first steam delivery device 17 and the second steam delivery device 18.

According to embodiments described here, each treatment unit 1 1, 12 can comprise an introduction device 25, or "shoe" configured to introduce the textile T between the felt 14 and the heated cylinder 13.

According to one solution, the introduction device 25 can be movable to adjust its distance from the entrance roll 19 according to the type and thickness of the textile T.

According to embodiments described here, the treatment units 1 1 , 12 can also comprise a return roll 26 configured to divert, in a desired manner, the path of the textile T exiting from the respective treatment units 1 1, 12.

The return roll 26 is positioned between the exit roll 21 of the first treatment unit 1 1 and the entrance roll 19 of the second treatment unit 12.

The return roll 26 defines for the textile T a first return branch 44 and a second return branch 45 comprised between the exit roll 21 and the entrance roll 19. The second steam delivery device 18 is positioned in correspondence with the first return branch 44 or the second return branch 45.

The return roll 26 can be provided with a load cell 27 configured to detect the degree of tension of the textile T and to be able to correct, in this way, the position of the return roll 26.

According to an embodiment shown by way of example in figs. 1, 2 and 6, the treatment machine 10 can comprise a third steam delivery device 24 installed downstream of the second treatment unit 12.

The third steam delivery device 24 can have the same configurations as described for the first steam delivery device 17 and for the second steam delivery device 18, or a combination thereof according to the treatment needs of the textile T. The third steam delivery device 24 has the function of restoring at least part of the moisture of the textile T which has been lost in the passage through the second treatment unit 12.

According to another embodiment, shown by way of example in figs. 2 and 6 and combinable with the previous embodiment, the treatment machine 10 can comprise a third treatment unit 23 installed downstream of the second treatment unit 12.

In particular, the third treatment unit 23 is installed downstream of the third steam delivery device 24.

According to embodiments shown by way of example in figs. 2 and 6, the third steam delivery device 24 can be installed between the exit roll 21 of the second treatment unit 12 and the entrance roll 19 of the third treatment unit 23, that is, between the segment of textile T which is generated between the second treatment unit 12 and the third treatment unit 23.

According to another embodiment, the treatment machine 10 can be associated, in correspondence with the exit of the textile T, with a collection unit 28 (figs. 2 and 6).

The collection unit 28 allows the treated textile T to be collected in an orderly manner.

Furthermore, the collection unit 28 can comprise a cooling element 29 to cool the textile T, which allows to cool the textile T before it is positioned in the collection unit 28. The cooling element 29 can be chosen from a group comprising an air suction device, a nebulization device, a humidification device. According to embodiments described in figs. 2 to 6, the treatment machine 10 can comprise a support structure 30 which comprises two support flanks 31, 32, or bearing shoulders, each equipped with at least three groups of support elements 33.

The groups of support elements 33 are positioned between an entrance side 37 and an exit side 38 of the treatment machine 10 in order to support and drive the first treatment unit 1 1, the second treatment unit 12 and the third treatment unit 23, respectively. The entrance side 37 and the exit side 38 are defined by the direction of feed of the textile T when the treatment machine 10 is operating.

According to possible solutions, the zone where the textile T is introduced into each treatment unit 1 1, 12, 23 is positioned in correspondence with a central zone on the height of the support structure 30, while the textile T is wound on the heated cylinders 13 in correspondence with the lower part and/or the upper part of the support structure 30. This allows to facilitate the operations to insert the textile T at least into the first treatment unit 1 1 by the operators.

According to embodiments described using fig. 3, the support flanks 31, 32 can be connected to each other and kept in a reciprocal position by one or more transverse elements 36, which, for example, connect respectively the upper and lower ends of the support flanks 31, 32.

According to some embodiments, the support flanks 31, 32 face one another, with the respective groups of support elements 33 disposed on the respective facing walls of the support flanks 31, 32, in a specular position with respect to each other, in order to support the respective treatment units 1 1, 12, 23.

According to a possible solution, the support structure 30 comprising the two support flanks 31 , 32 constitutes a unitary monoblock or monocoque structure. A support structure 30 thus defined allows to obtain a further advantage deriving from the presence, in a reciprocally close position, at least of the first steam delivery device 17 and the second steam delivery device 18.

Thanks to the fact that the treatment units 1 1, 12, 23 can be disposed in respective lower and upper parts of the supporting structure 30, and thus partly overlap, so that part of the steam delivered by the steam delivery devices 17, 18, and by the possible third steam delivery device 24, affects the surface of the respective felts 14. This allows a greater capacity for deformation of the felt 14, when it comes into contact with the textile T, thus increasing the effectiveness of the treatment.

According to some embodiments, at least one support flank 31, 32 is an operating bearing shoulder, that is, it comprises control and management means and/or means to supply motion in order to drive the treatment units 1 1, 12, 23. The other support flank 32, 31 can also be an operating bearing shoulder, or can have only a support function for the treatment units 1 1, 12, 23. Each group of support elements 33 can comprise holes, hooks, support elements, attachment elements, flanges, plates, protrusions, joining elements, bearings, rotation pins, or other elements suitable for the insertion, installation, assembly, support and motorization of a respective treatment unit 1 1, 12, 23.

According to some embodiments, the specialized components of each treatment unit 1 1, 12, 23, that is, the heated cylinder 13, the felt 14, the rolls 19, 20, 21 and the introduction device 25, can be functionally associated with the respective group of support elements 33 in relation to the type of treatment performed on the textile T, in particular in relation to the side of the textile T on which they have to operate.

According to a possible solution, each treatment unit 1 1, 12, 23 can have its components directly connectable and attachable to the components of a respective group of support elements 33 present on the support flanks 31, 32. According to possible solutions, each group of support elements 33 can comprise an exit hole 39 to install the heated cylinder 13 and an exit hole 40 to install the motorized exit roll 21. In particular, through the exit holes 39, 40, the heated cylinder 13 and the exit roll 21 can be connected to motion supply means, not shown in the drawings, present in at least one of the support flanks 31 , 32, to be driven and made to rotate.

According to a variant embodiment, the treatment units 1 1, 12, 23 can be pre- assembled and associated at both ends with intermediate plates 41, which can be applied and attached on the support flanks 31, 32 using one or more components of a group of support elements 33.

Consequently, the treatment units 1 1, 12, 23 can be substantially identical to each other, and can therefore be interchangeable with each other and installed indifferently on any of the groups of support elements 33 whatsoever. In fact, the installation is reversible, and this allows to have a very versatile treatment machine 10 which can be modified simply and quickly, simply by mounting and removing the treatment units 1 1, 12, 23 on and from the respective groups of support elements 33.

Moreover, the fact that the treatment units 1 1, 12, 23 are substantially identical to each other allows to keep fewer spare parts for possible breakdowns and malfunctions. According to some embodiments, the groups of support elements 33 can be disposed according to a triangular disposition. In this way adjacent treatment units 1 1, 12, 23 can partly overlap in the vertical direction.

According to some embodiments, two groups of support elements 33 can be positioned below or in correspondence with a median line M which passes through the support flank 31, 32 during use, in a horizontal direction, while the remaining group of support elements 33 can be disposed above the median line M.

According to possible embodiments, one of the three groups of support elements 33 can be disposed in an intermediate position between the remaining two groups of support elements 33, so as to reduce the transverse size of the support flank 31, 32 and therefore the overall bulk of the treatment machine 10.

According to a possible variant described using fig. 6, two groups of support elements 33 can be positioned in the upper part of the support flank 31, 32, while the remaining group of support elements 33 can be disposed in the lower part of the support flank 31, 32.

In this way a substantially specular configuration is determined with respect to that in fig. 2.

According to a possible embodiment, the first treatment unit 1 1 and the third treatment unit 23 can be configured to operate on the same side of the textile T, while the second treatment unit 12 can be configured to operate on the opposite side of the textile T.

With the configurations in figs. 2, 3 and 6, the treatment machine 10 can perform, for example, a first steaming with the first steam delivery device 17 and a first treatment on a first side of the textile T with the first treatment unit 1 1 , a second steaming with the second steam delivery device 18 and a treatment on the other side of the textile T with the second treatment unit 12, a third steaming with the third steam delivery device 24 and a second treatment on the first side of the textile T with the third treatment unit 23.

With the configuration in fig. 1 the treatment machine 10 can perform, for example, a first steaming with the first steam delivery device 17 and a treatment on a first side of the textile T with the first treatment unit 1 1 , a second steaming with the second steam delivery device 18, a treatment on the other side of the textile T with the second treatment unit 12 and a third steaming with the third steam delivery device 24.

With the configuration in fig. 4, the treatment machine 10 can perform, for example, a first steaming with the first steam delivery device 17 and a treatment on a first side of the textile T with the first treatment unit 1 1 , a second steaming with the second steam delivery device 18 and a treatment on the other side of the textile T with the second treatment unit 12.

With the configuration in fig. 5, the treatment machine 10 can perform, for example, a first steaming with the first steam delivery device 17, a first treatment on a first side of the textile T with the first treatment unit 1 1 , a second steaming with the second steam delivery device 18 and a second treatment again on the first side of the textile T with the second treatment unit 12.