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Title:
APPARATUS AND PROCESS FOR ROPE DYEING FABRICS OR OTHER PIECE LIKE, SHEET LIKE OR MEMBRANE LIKE MATERIAL
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2022/070120
Kind Code:
A1
Abstract:
The machine (1) according to the invention for rope treating fabrics comprises a tank assembly (3) configured for contain the fabric or other material to be processed (TC) and a treatment liquid and in turn comprising at least one treatment tank (7) and a buffer tank (9). The machine (1) further comprises a logic unit (11) configured for perform the following operations: S1) acquire a predetermined target level; S2) transfer treatment fluid from the treatment tank (7) to the buffer tank (9) and/or vice versa so as to bring or keep the bath level detected in the treatment tank (7) close to the predetermined target level within a predetermined tolerance. The machine makes the dyeing results more uniform.

Inventors:
CROTTA EMANUELE (IT)
Application Number:
PCT/IB2021/058977
Publication Date:
April 07, 2022
Filing Date:
September 30, 2021
Export Citation:
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Assignee:
MCS OFFICINA MECC S P A (IT)
International Classes:
D06B23/20
Foreign References:
US3510251A1970-05-05
JPS5118543B11976-06-10
GB796168A1958-06-04
JPH02139471A1990-05-29
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
BONATTO, Marco (IT)
Download PDF:
Claims:
26

CLAIMS

1) Machine (1) for rope treating fabrics, nets, gauze, felts, non-woven fabrics or other materials in the piece, sheet or membrane, comprising a tank assembly (3) configured for containing the fabric or other material to be processed (TC) and a treatment liquid and in turn comprising :

-at least one treatment tank (7) , configured for containing at least part of the treatment liquid and at least part of the material to be processed (TC) , allowing the latter to advance along the at least one treatment tank (7) ;

-a buffer tank (9) configured for containing at least part of the treatment liquid; the machine (1) further comprises a logic unit (11) configured for performing the following operations: -acquiring a predetermined target level;

-transferring at least part of the treatment fluid from the at least one treatment tank (7) to the buffer tank (9) and/or vice versa so as to bring or keep the detected bath level in the treatment tank (7) close to the predetermined target level within a predetermined tolerance ; and wherein said machine (1) is of the horizontal dyeing type and the buffer tank (9) if said machine (1) has only one thereof, or the buffer tank assembly (9) if the machine (1) has more than one thereof, have an overall capacity :

-equal to or greater than 100 litres; and/or -comprised between 10% and 100% of the capacity of the treatment tank (7) . 2) Machine according to claim 1, wherein the tank assembly (3) comprises an outer container casing (13) inside which at least part of the buffer tank (9) is formed .

3) Machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the tank assembly (3) comprises at least one load channel (5) configured for containing at least part of the material to be processed (TC) and to allow its advancement along the same load channel (5) itself, and wherein the at least one treatment tank (7) contains at least part of the at least one load channel (5) and is configured for containing and/or controlling the outflow of the treatment liquid from the at least one load channel (5) .

4) Machine according to one or more preceding claims, wherein the tank assembly (3) comprises an outer container casing (13) containing inside the at least one treatment tank (7) and/or the at least one load channel (5) .

5) Machine according to one or more preceding claims, comprising a treatment liquid distribution system configured for supplying fresh treatment liquid to the at least one load channel (5) and/or to the at least one treatment tank (7) through the buffer tank (9) .

6) Machine according to at least claim 2 and/or 4, wherein the outer container casing (13) has one or more shapes selected from the following list: overall oblong shape, substantially cylindrical shape. 7) Machine according to one or more preceding claims, wherein the at least one treatment tank (7) and the at least one load channel (5) have substantially square, rectangular or polygonal shaped cross sections.

8) Machine according to one or more preceding claims, wherein the at least one treatment tank (7) and the at least one load channel (5) have one or more shapes selected from the following group: overall oblong shape, substantially parallelepiped, substantially prismatic.

9) Machine according to one or more of the preceding claims, comprising a recirculation system configured for recirculating the treatment liquid by recovering the treatment liquid flown from the load channel (s) (5) , from one or more treatment tanks (7) and/or from one or more of the buffer tanks (9) and feed it into the load channel (s) (5) , into one or more of the treatment tanks (7) and/or into one or more of the buffer tanks (9) .

10) Machine according to claim 9, wherein the recirculation system is configured for recirculating the treatment liquid only at certain predetermined time intervals .

11) Process for in rope treating fabrics, nets, gauze, felts, non-woven fabrics or other materials in the piece, sheet or membrane, comprising the following operations: S.12.1) providing a machine (1) comprising a tank assembly (3) configured for containing a fabric or other material to be processed (TC) and a treatment liquid and in turn comprising: 29

-at least one load channel (5) configured for containing at least part of the material to be processed (TC) and allowing its advancement along the same load channel (5) itself;

-at least one treatment tank (7) containing at least part of the at least one load channel (5) and configured for containing and/or controlling the outflow of the treatment liquid from the at least one load channel (5) ; -a buffer tank (9) configured for containing at least part of the treatment liquid;

-a logic unit (11) ;

5.12.2) acquiring through the logic unit (11) a predetermined target level;

5.12.3) transferring at least part of the treatment fluid from the at least one treatment tank (7) to the buffer tank (5) and/or vice versa so as to bring or keep the bath level detected in the treatment tank (7) close to the predetermined target level within a predetermined tolerance .

AMENDED CLAIMS received by the International Bureau on 22 March 2022 (22.03.22)

1) Machine (1) for rope treating fabrics, nets, gauze, felts, non-woven fabrics or other materials in the piece, sheet or membrane, comprising a tank assembly (3) configured for containing the fabric or other material to be processed (TC) and a treatment liquid and in turn comprising :

-at least one treatment tank (7) , configured for containing at least part of the treatment liquid and at least part of the material to be processed (TC) , allowing the latter to advance along the at least one treatment tank (7) ;

-a buffer tank (9) configured for containing at least part of the treatment liquid; the machine (1) further comprises a logic unit (11) configured for performing the following operations: -acquiring a predetermined target level;

-transferring at least part of the treatment liquid from the at least one treatment tank (7) to the buffer tank (9) and/or vice versa so as to bring or keep the detected bath level in the treatment tank (7) close to the predetermined target level within a predetermined tolerance ; and wherein said machine (1) is of the horizontal dyeing type and the buffer tank (9) if said machine (1) has only one thereof, or the whole of the buffer tanks (9) if the machine (1) has more than one thereof, have an overall capacity:

-equal to or greater than 100 litres; and/or -comprised between 10% and 100% of the capacity of the treatment tank (7) .

AMENDED SHEET (ARTICLE 19) 2) Machine according to claim 1, wherein the tank assembly (3) comprises an outer container casing (13) inside which at least part of the buffer tank (9) is formed .

3) Machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the tank assembly (3) comprises at least one load channel (5) configured for containing at least part of the material to be processed (TC) and to allow its advancement along the same load channel (5) itself, and wherein the at least one treatment tank (7) contains at least part of the at least one load channel (5) and is configured for containing and/or controlling the outflow of the treatment liquid from the at least one load channel (5) .

4) Machine according to one or more preceding claims, wherein the tank assembly (3) comprises an outer container casing (13) containing inside the at least one treatment tank (7) and/or the at least one load channel (5) .

5) Machine according to one or more preceding claims, comprising a treatment liquid distribution system configured for supplying fresh treatment liquid to the at least one load channel (5) and/or to the at least one treatment tank (7) through the buffer tank (9) .

6) Machine according to at least claim 2 and/or 4, wherein the outer container casing (13) has one or more shapes selected from the following list: overall oblong shape, substantially cylindrical shape.

AMENDED SHEET (ARTICLE 19) 7) Machine according to one or more claims from 3 to 6, wherein the at least one treatment tank (7) and the at least one load channel (5) have substantially square, rectangular or polygonal shaped cross sections.

8) Machine according to one or more claims from 3 to 7, wherein the at least one treatment tank (7) and the at least one load channel (5) have one or more shapes selected from the following group: overall oblong shape, substantially parallelepiped, substantially prismatic.

9) Machine according to one or more claims from 3 to 8, comprising a recirculation system configured for recirculating the treatment liquid by recovering the treatment liquid flown from the load channel (s) (5) , from one or more treatment tanks (7) and/or from one or more of the buffer tanks (9) and feed it into the load channel (s) (5) , into one or more of the treatment tanks (7) and/or into one or more of the buffer tanks (9) .

10) Machine according to claim 9, wherein the recirculation system is configured for recirculating the treatment liquid only at certain predetermined time intervals .

11) Process for in rope treating fabrics, nets, gauze, felts, non-woven fabrics or other materials in the piece, sheet or membrane, comprising the following operations:

5.12.1) providing a machine (1) having the features according to one or more of the previous claims;

5.12.2) acquiring through the logic unit (11) a predetermined target level;

AMENDED SHEET (ARTICLE 19) S.12.3) transferring at least part of the treatment liquid from the at least one treatment tank (7) to the buffer tank (5) and/or vice versa so as to bring or keep the bath level detected in the treatment tank (7) close to the predetermined target level within a predetermined tolerance .

AMENDED SHEET (ARTICLE 19)

Description:
APPARATUS AND PROCESS FOR ROPE DYEING FABRICS OR OTHER

PIECE LIKE, SHEET LIKE OR MEMBRANE LIKE MATERIAL

This international application claims the priority of the Italian application No. 102020000023293 filed on 02/10/2020 and incorporates its contents in full by reference .

Field of the invention

[1] The present invention relates to a machine and process for rope treating fabrics, nets, gauze, felts, non-woven fabrics or other materials in the sheet, piece or membranes that are substantially flexible such as ordinary fabrics.

Background

[2] Dyeing machines are currently known for rope treating fabrics comprising an autoclave or closed treatment tank into which the fabric is inserted and brought into contact with a suitable treatment liquid, such as a dyeing, washing, rinsing, scouring or bleaching bath.

[3] Some of these operations are carried out at higher or lower temperatures depending on the material to be processed, for example at no more than 98°C for natural textile fibres and up to 143°C for synthetic textile fibres .

[4] Rope dyeing machines can be roughly divided into two families, the so-called vertical dyeing machines and the so-called horizontal dyeing machines.

[5] An example of a vertical dyeing machine is shown in Figure 1 of the French patent application FR2720082 : the treatment tank of these machines is relatively short and squat, and the fabric is laid pleated in an annular interspace extending along the cylindrical wall of the treatment tank so that the weight of the fabric laid upstream makes the previously laid fabric advance downstream into the interspace.

[6] Examples of horizontal dyeing machines are shown in Figure 11 of the French patent application FR2720082 or in Figure 1 of the Japanese patent application JPH8- 296167 filed under the names 0N0M0RI TEKKOSHO KK and KOMATSU SEIREN CO: the treatment tank of the horizontal dyeing machines is longer than that of the horizontal dyeing machines: this allows the fabric to be advanced along the length of the treatment tank by letting it float in the treatment bath and dragging it with a suitable drawing system.

[7] This advancement system puts less strain on the fabric - or other material to be processed - and makes horizontal dyeing machines particularly suitable for treating fabrics made of relatively delicate textile fibres such as for example those containing polyester, polyamide, Lycra.

[8] On the other hand, horizontal dyeing machines generally consume more water than vertical dyeing ones.

[9] In horizontal dyeing machines, the characteristics of the fabric may vary during dyeing, e.g. depending on temperature, thus leading to a variation in the position of the waterline.

[10] An increased floating reduces the creeping of the string of material to be dyed against the bottom of the dyeing tank, thus reducing damage - such as wear, abrasion or creasing - to the string itself but reduces the amount of immersed fabric compared to the amount of the bath present.

[11] The author of the present invention has observed that it would therefore be desirable allowing the height of the treatment liquid wing be adjusted in which the dyeing material floats in the treatment tank during the dyeing process, preferably in real time, so as to compensate for the variations in the waterline of the dyeing material caused by the variations in the conditions (e.g. the temperature or the amount of the fabric to be treated, i.e. the so-called "charge") of the dyeing bath, by increasing or reducing the amount of treatment liquid present in the treatment tank.

[12] However, in today's dyeing machines this implies varying the liquor ratio and consequently, with the same recipe, the dyeing results.

[13] Liquor ratio means the ratio of the amount of dyeing bath required to dye a certain quantity of fabric or other material to be dyed, to the weight of that quantity of fabric.

[14] For reasons of chemical kinetics the dyeing results - in both horizontal and vertical dyeing machines - also vary according to the liquor ratio and number of litres of the dyeing bath, in the latter case even without varying the recipe of the dyeing bath.

[15] Therefore, varying the liquor ratio with respect to the dye manufacturer's recommendations, in order to compensate for the variations in the floating of the fabric string to be dyed or to adapt to the different fabric charges (kg of fabric to be dyed) by modifying the amount of treatment liquid and/or of new chemical reagents and dyes, implies varying the bath recipe itself and the dyer is forced to further modify the bath recipe suggested by the manufacturer of the dyes and other chemical reagents by making numerous, laborious and costly attempts to obtain the desired dyeing results.

[16] Therefore, for reasons of simplification of production planning, "standardisation" thereof and repeatability even on machines of different capacities, the modification of the liquor ratio is not usually carried out during treatment.

[17] Patent US3510251 and patent applications JPS51- 18543 and GB796168 describe known vertical dyeing machines .

[18] The dyeing machine shown in Figure 15 of patent US3510251 comprises a treatment tank 13 in which the fabric or other material to be processed transits, and an additional tank 71.

[19] The dyeing machine described in patent application JPS51-18543 is provided with a treatment tank 3a in which the fabric or other material to be processed transits, and a regulating tank 9.

[20] The dyeing machine described in patent application GB796168 comprises a U-shaped treatment tank comprising in turn two branches 1, 2 and in which the fabric or other material to be processed transits; through a perforated grid or wall the treatment bath may pass into a conduit 13, the lower section of which could be considered as an additional tank.

[21] Patent application JPH02-139471 describes a horizontal dyeing machine provided with a treatment tank 1, in which the fabric or other material to be processed transits, and a level sensor 30 comprising in turn a small tray whose capacity can be added to that of the treatment tank.

[22] US3510251, JPS51-18543, GB796168 and JPH02-139471 do not provide any indication or suggestion as to the capacity of the respective additional tank 71, regulating tank 9, lower section of the conduit 13 and tray 30, and thus as to the actual suitability of these auxiliary tanks in making the liquor ratio more constant, especially from a practical point of view.

[23] An object of the present invention is therefore to remedy the drawbacks of the state of the art by providing a device and a process for rope treating or in any case rope treating fabrics, nets, gauze, felts, non-woven fabrics or other materials in the piece, sheet or membrane, which is an improvement for known devices and processes, avoids the need of modifying the recipe of the dyeing bath in order to be able to vary the floating level of the fabric and/or the charge of fabric or other material to be dyed or more generally to be treated in a dyeing tank.

Summary of the invention

[24] In a first aspect of the present invention, this object is achieved with a machine having the characteristics according to claim 1.

[25] In a second aspect of the present invention, such object is achieved with a process having the characteristics according to claim 11.

[26] In a third aspect thereof, the invention relates to a machine (1) for rope treating fabrics, nets, gauze, felts, non-woven fabrics or other materials in the piece, sheet or membrane, comprising a tank assembly (3) configured for containing the fabric or other material to be processed (TC) and a treatment liquid and in turn comprising :

-at least one treatment tank (7) configured for containing at least part of the treatment liquid and at least part of the material to be processed (TC) allowing the latter to advance along the at least one treatment tank (7) ;

-a buffer tank (9) configured for containing at least part of the treatment liquid;

-an outer container casing (13) containing inside the at least one treatment tank (7) and at least part of the buffer tank (9) .

[27] In a particular embodiment of a machine according to the third aspect of the invention, the tank assembly (3) comprises at least one load channel (5) contained in the outer container casing (13) .

[28] In a fourth aspect thereof, the invention relates to a machine (1) for rope treating fabrics, nets, gauze, felts, non-woven fabrics or other materials in the piece, sheet or membrane, comprising a tank assembly (3) configured for containing the fabric or other material to be processed (TC) and a treatment liquid and in turn comprising :

-at least one treatment tank (7) , configured for containing at least part of the treatment liquid and at least part of the material to be processed (TC) , allowing the latter to advance along the at least one treatment tank (7) ;

-one or more buffer tank (s) (9) each configured for containing at least part of the treatment liquid;

-a recirculation system configured for recirculating the treatment liquid by recovering the treatment liquid flown from the at least one treatment tank (7) and/or from one or more of the buffer tanks (9) and feed it into the load channel (s) (7) and/or into one or more of the buffer tanks (9) . [29] Further features of the invention are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

[30] The advantages attainable with the present invention shall become more readily apparent, to the person skilled in the art, by the following detailed description of a particular, non-limiting example of embodiment, illustrated with reference to the following schematic figures.

List of Figures

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a dyeing machine according to a particular embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 shows a partially sectioned side view, according to an ideal vertical plane longitudinal to the tank assembly, of the machine of Figure 1;

Figure 3 shows a perspective view of some elements inside the tank assembly of the machine of Figure 1;

Figure 4 shows a perspective view of a load channel and of the relative treatment tank of the machine of Figure 1;

Figure 5 shows a perspective view, partially exploded, of two load channels and of the relative treatment tank of the machine of Figure 1;

Figure 6 shows a perspective view in section, according to an ideal section plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the tank assembly, of the machine of Figure 1;

Figure 7 shows a simplified fluidic diagram of the machine of Figure 1.

Detailed description

[31] Figures 1-7 relate to a machine, indicated by the overall reference 1, for dyeing or more generally rope treating materials to be processed TC in the piece, sheet or membrane according to a particular embodiment of the present invention.

[32] In this description, the expressions "upstream, downstream; of upstream, of downstream" unless otherwise specified refer to the flow direction of the treatment liquid or to the advancement direction of the string of material to be processed TC in the machine 1.

[33] The machine 1 can process materials in the piece, sheet or membrane such as for example warp and weft or knitted fabrics, gauzes, felts, non-woven fabrics, nets, gauzes .

[34] Such materials to be processed may be obtained, for example, from natural textile fibres such as for example cotton, wool, silk or viscose, and/or from synthetic textile fibres such as for example polyester, polyamide, Lycra, Elastane (R) .

[35] The machine 1 comprises a tank assembly 3 configured for containing the fabric or other material to be processed TC and a treatment liquid.

[36] The tank assembly 3 in turn preferably comprises at least one load channel 5, at least one treatment tank 7, at least one buffer tank 9.

[37] Preferably the tank assembly comprises several load channels 5.

[38] A treatment tank 7 may also optionally contain two or more load channels 5.

[39] Preferably the tank assembly 3 comprises an outer container casing 13 preferably gas-tight and capable of withstanding internal pressures equal to or greater than 1 relative bar, or internal pressures equal to or greater than 2 bar, 3 bar, 4 bar, 5 relative bars, allowing the machine 1 to function substantially as an autoclave.

[40] The outer container casing 13 can possibly separate the environment inside from the environment outside the machine 1.

[41] The machine 1 is configured for heating and/or maintaining the treatment liquid within the tank assembly 3 at a temperature of up to 143°C, and for example comprised between 80-90°C, or between 90°-120°C or between 120°-143°C.

[42] The machine 1 further comprises at least one logic unit 11.

[43] Each load channel 5 is configured for containing at least part of the material to be processed TC and allowing its advancement along the at least one load channel 5 itself.

[44] Preferably, each load channel 5, the relative treatment tank 7 and the outer container casing 13, if any, have an overall oblong shape, so as to enable the machine 1 to operate as a dyeing machine of the horizontal dyeing type.

[45] In this respect, the ratio of the overall length LS to the average diameter DS of the outer container casing 13 is preferably equal to or greater than 0.8 times, more preferably equal to or greater than once, more preferably equal to or greater than 1.5 times or three times or five times.

[46] This ratio may for example be equal to or less than 8 times or 7 times or 6 times.

[47] The outer container casing 13 may have for example a cylindrical shape, more preferably with circular cross-sections (Figures 1, 2, 6, 8) , or for example a prismatic, oval, elliptical or parallelepiped shape. [48] The machine 1 is configured for advancing the material to be processed TC in the form of a string or strip longitudinally -at least in one section thereof- to the outer container casing 13 and inside it (Figure 2, the material TC is indicated with a line and two dots) .

[49] The string or strip of the material to be processed TC while being treated in the machine 1 is preferably knotted, sewn or otherwise closed on itself to form a loop (Figure 2) .

[50] The machine 1 is preferably provided with a drawing system 33 configured for dragging and advancing the rope fabric TC along a suitable path within the machine 1 itself and comprising, for example, one or more cylinders or other drive pulleys 15 configured for advancing the string of material to be processed TC.

[51] Each load channel 5 is provided with a bottom 50 and sidewalls 52 (Figure 5) ; the upper part of each channel 5 is preferably open.

[52] Each load channel 5 is provided with two ends, respectively upstream 54 and downstream 56, whose bottom and/or sidewalls are preferably perforated or in any case provided with one or more openings that allow the treatment liquid to drain and flow from the channel 5 itself or, on the contrary, to flow back from the load tank 7 surrounding the channel 5 towards the latter.

[53] Preferably, the perforated portions and/or the other openings that put in fluidic communication the load tank 7 and the load channel (s) 5 therein are of such shape, number and size such as to ensure that there is no great difference between the level of the treatment liquid in the load tank 7 and the load channel (s) 5 therein .

[54] Each load channel 5 is provided with an intermediate section 58 preferably free of openings and in any case made sealingly so as to retain the treatment liquid in the channel 5 as much as possible.

[55] Each treatment tank 7 contains at least part of a respective load channel 5 and is configured for preventing or otherwise controlling the outflow of the treatment liquid from the load channel 5.

[56] For this purpose each treatment tank 7 is preferably provided with a bottom 70 and sidewalls 72 which is (are) without openings and in any case made sealingly so as to contain or in any case retain the treatment liquid in the tank 7 itself as much as possible.

[57] Each treatment tank 7 preferably contains the lower portion of one or more load channels 5.

[58] Each treatment tank 7 can also completely contain one or more (Figure 6) respective load channels 5.

[59] Each load channel 5 and each treatment tank 7 preferably have substantially square, rectangular or polygonal, semicircular, oval shaped or more or less rounded cross sections (Figure 6) .

[60] Preferably, each treatment tank 7 has a substantially parallelepiped shape (Figure 4, 6) .

[61] Such shapes make it possible to obtain in the tank assembly 3 one or more particularly large buffer tanks 9, making better use of the space inside the outer container casing 13.

[62] Each buffer tank 9 is configured for containing an appropriate amount of treatment fluid.

[63] For this purpose the buffer tank 9 if the machine 1 has only one thereof, or the buffer tank assembly 9 if the machine 1 has more than one thereof, preferably have an overall capacity equal to or greater than 100 litres, more preferably equal to or greater than 200 litres, 500 litres , 1000 litres or 2000 litres .

[64] The overall capacity of all tanks 9 is preferably comprised between 10% and 100% of the capacity of the tank 7, and possibly comprised between 20-80%, between 30-70% or between 40-60% of the capacity of the tank 7.

[65] Advantageously, the overall capacity of all tanks 9 is greater than 40% of the capacity of the tank 7 so that, taking into account the volume occupied by the material processed in the treatment tank 7, the capacity of all tanks 9 can be greater than the volume of the bath present in the tank 7; for this purpose, the overall capacity of all tanks 9 can for example be comprised between 40-100% of the capacity of the tank 7.

[66] The overall capacity of all tanks 9 can clearly also be greater than the capacity of the tank 7, and be for example comprised between 40-200%, between 10-300% or between 10-500% of the capacity of the tank 7.

[67] Such overall capacities of the tanks 9 are particularly effective and advantageous for eliminating or reducing the variations in the dye bath recipe, in the liquor ratio and in the floating conditions of the material to be processed that are necessary to compensate for the variations in other parameters of the process to be performed.

[68] The overall capacity of all tanks 9 may be equal to or less than 10000 or 15000 litres.

[69] The logic unit 11 may comprise, for example, a microprocessor circuit, a PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) or other electronic processor. [70] According to an aspect of the invention, the logic unit 11 is configured for performing the following operations :

-acquire (and preferably store or otherwise preserve) a predetermined target level;

-transfer at least part of the treatment liquid from the treatment tank (s) 7 to the buffer tank 9 and/or vice versa so as to bring the bath level detected in the treatment tank (s) 7 close to the predetermined target level within a predetermined tolerance.

[71] This predetermined tolerance is preferably equal to or less than +- 30% of the predetermined target level.

[72] More preferably this predetermined tolerance is equal to or less than, 20%, 10%, 5% or 1% of the predetermined target level.

[73] Advantageously, the outer container casing 13 contains at least partially, and preferably completely, the treatment tank 7.

[74] Advantageously, an interspace or more generally a space is interposed between the outer container casing 13 and the treatment tank 7, and the at least one buffer tank 9 is at least partly, and possibly completely, formed in this interspace or space (Figure 6) .

[75] In this way, the at least one buffer tank 9 is housed inside the outer container casing 13 making the best use of the capacity thereof and of the internal spaces and avoiding the encumbrance of the external buffer tanks 9 that should otherwise be provided.

[76] As shown, for example, in Figure 6, three buffer tanks 9, a lower tank 9, located below the treatment tank, and two side tanks 9 located at the sides of the treatment tank 7, can be formed in the spaces between the treatment tank 7 and the outer container casing 13.

[77] Preferably the three buffer tanks 9, or more generally the buffer tanks 9, are fluidically communicating and allow the treatment liquid to pass from one buffer tank to another 9.

[78] Preferably each treatment tank 7 is suitably fixed to the outer container casing. 13.

[79] The machine 1 is preferably provided with a support machine bed 21 configured for resting on an underlying floor - e.g. of cement - or ground and to support the tank assembly 3 and possibly other members of the machine 1.

[80] The machine bed can be formed, for example, by a frame of welded steel beams.

[81] Preferably, the machine 1 is provided with one or more bath feeding nozzles 23 each of which is configured for spraying the treatment liquid onto the string of material to be processed TC, possibly so as to push the string of material to be processed TC forward (Figure 2, 3, 10) .

[82] Preferably each bath feeding nozzle 23 is configured for spraying the treatment fluid on a section of the string TC not immersed in the bath of treatment fluid, preferably on a section just downstream of a drive pulley 15.

[83] Preferably, the machine 1 is provided with one or more fabric transport pipes 25 configured for guiding the string of material to be processed TC up to an area of the tank assembly 3 which is conventionally referred to as the upstream area 27 or upstream end (Figure 2, 3) .

The end of the tank assembly opposite the upstream end 27 is conventionally referred to in this description as the downstream end 53.

[84] Each fabric transport pipe 25 preferably forms an elbow 29 with the convexity turned downwards during normal operation of the machine 1.

[85] Preferably the elbow separates two sections of the transport pipe 25, one section upstream of the elbow 29 and one section downstream of the elbow 29 which is much longer than the upstream section.

[86] Each transport pipe 25 is preferably configured for depositing in a respective load channel 5 the section of material string to be treated TC which has travelled along the pipe 25 itself, for example which has travelled along the section downstream the elbow 29 (Figure 2) .

[87] Preferably, the machine 1 is configured for taking from the load channel (s) 5 the section of material string to be treated TC which has travelled along the load channel 5 itself and feed it into a respective transport pipe 25 (Figure 2) .

[88] The machine 1 is preferably provided with a distribution system and a recirculation system for the treatment liquid.

[89] The recirculation system, which can possibly be part of the distribution system and share conduits, any valves and other components with it, is configured for recovering the treatment fluid flown from the load channel (s) 5, from the treatment tank and/or tanks 7 and/or from one or more of the buffer tanks 9 and feed it into the load channel (s) 5, in the treatment tank and/or tanks 7 and/or in one or more of the buffer tank ( s ) 9.

[90] This recirculation system helps to economise, homogenise and keep the used treatment liquid moving as much as possible in the whole machine 1 by avoiding stagnations thereof.

[91] For this purpose, the recirculation system can comprise a first outflow conduit 31 and a first inlet conduit 33; the first outflow conduit 31 collects the treatment liquid flowing from the load channel (s) 5 and/or of the treatment tank and/or tanks 7 and directs it to the first inlet conduit 33, which in turn feeds the treatment liquid into the load channel (s) 5 and/or into the treatment tank and/or tanks 7 (Figure 10) .

[92] Preferably, the recirculation system comprises a heat exchanger 35 or other heater configured for heating the treatment liquid coming from the load channel (s) 5 and/or from the treatment tank and/or tanks 7 before feeding it back into the load channel (s) 5 and/or in the treatment tank and/or tanks 7.

[93] Preferably, the recirculation system comprises a first recirculation pump 57 configured for sucking the treatment liquid coming from one or more of the treatment tanks 7, from the conduit 37 and/or more generally from one or more of the buffer tanks 9 and/or to push it into the first inlet conduit 33, more generally towards the nozzle 23, if any, or towards one of the fabric transport pipes 25 and/or towards the conduit 62 or more generally towards one or more buffer tanks 9.

[94] Advantageously, the recirculation system is designed -for example, through the conduit 37— to collect the treatment liquid coming from one or more of the buffer tanks 9 and to feed it into the load channel (s) 5 and/or into the treatment tank and/or tanks 7 and/or into one or more buffer tanks 9 so as, as mentioned above, to economise, homogenise and keep the treatment liquid used moving as much as possible and to be able to make the string or strip of material to be processed TC travel along the treatment circuit several times.

[95] For this purpose, the conduit 37 can be configured for feeding the treatment fluid coming from one or more of the buffer tanks 9 into conduit 31, e.g. through the branch conduit 62 which can be branched off from the conduit 31 (Figure 7) .

[96] Advantageously, the recirculation system may comprise a diverter valve 63 placed at the point in which the conduit 62 derives from the conduit 31.

[97] The diverter valve 63 is preferably configured for diverting only a part of the treatment fluid coming from the upstream section of the conduit 31 into the conduit 62.

[98] Preferably, the diverter valve 63 is configured for switching reversibly over time between an activation condition, in which it diverts the treatment fluid towards the branch conduit 62, and an inactivity condition in which it does not divert the treatment fluid towards the branch conduit 62.

[99] In this way, the valve 63 can recirculate the treatment fluid to and from the buffer tanks 9 only at particular predetermined periods, thereby avoiding excessively reducing the flow rate of treatment fluid sent towards the conduit 33 as would be the case if the conduit 62 permanently diverted the treatment fluid from the conduit 31 to the buffer tanks 9.

[100] Again for this purpose, the recirculation system preferably comprises a second recirculation pump 55 configured for sucking the treatment liquid coming from one or more buffer tanks 9 and/or to push it towards the conduit 31 or in any case towards the bath feeding nozzle 23, if any, towards one of the fabric transport pipes 25 and/or more generally towards the one or more load channels 5 and/or the one or more treatment tanks 7.

[101] Advantageously, the recirculation system is configured for taking the treatment liquid from one or more of the buffer tanks 9 and to re-introduce it through intake and delivery mouths -such as, for example, the mouths with which the conduits 37 and 51 fluidly connect to the respective buffer tanks 9- that are relatively distant from each other, so as to move and homogenise the treatment liquid more in the whole machine 1 and to minimise if not eliminate stagnations in the buffer tanks 9.

[102] For this purpose, said intake and delivery mouths are separated by a minimum distance DRM equal to or greater than one metre, more preferably equal to or greater than two, three or four metres at least when they take and re-introduce treatment liquid to and from a same buffer tank.

[103] Again to move, make the treatment liquid in the buffer tanks 9 more homogeneous and to reduce stagnations, said intake and delivery mouths can take the treatment liquid from a first buffer tank 9 and reintroduce it into a second and different buffer tank 9.

[104] The treatment liquid distribution system is preferably configured for introducing fresh treatment liquid into the load channel (s) 5 and/or into the treatment tank and/or tanks 7, that is, it has not yet been used to treat the material TC in the machine 1.

[105] For this purpose the distribution system comprises one or more chemical additive loaders 41A, 41B.

[106] Each chemical additive loader 41A, 41B is configured for containing, dosING -eventually with controlled release over time- and eventually pre-mixING with a suitable amount of water or other substances, the chemical reagents -e.g. sodium chloride or dyes for dyeing the material to be processed TC- or other treatment substances to be mixed with water to give rise to the treatment liquid or other suitable working fluid to be used in the machine 1.

[107] Each chemical additives loader 41A, 41B is configured for containing liquid or solid substances - e.g. in granular or powder form - and can have a capacity for example comprised between 50-1000 litres.

[108] The treatment liquid distribution system is preferably configured for introducing the content of the loaders 41A, 41B for example through the conduits, 47, 49, 51 into the load channel (s) 5 and/or into the treatment tank and/or tanks 7 (Figure 7) .

[109] The conduits, 47, 49 may for example flow into the conduit 51 and the latter preferably conveys the treatment liquid into one of the buffer tanks 9.

[HO] Preferably the conduits 37 and 51 connect to the buffer tanks 9 and more generally to the tank assembly 3 in areas relatively distant from each other, for example the conduit 37 at or near the downstream end 53 and the conduit 51 at or near the upstream area 27 of the tank assembly 3.

[Ill] For this purpose, the areas for connecting the conduits 37 and 51 to the buffer tanks 9 and more generally to the tank assembly 3 are separated by a minimum distance DRM equal to or greater than one metre, more preferably two, three or four metres.

[112] Again for this purpose and more generally, the distribution system is advantageously configured for introducing the content of the loaders 41A, 41B, or more generally the fresh treatment liquid or other fresh working fluid, into one or more of the buffer tanks 9, from where said liquid or fluid can then be introduced into the load channel (s) 5 and/or in the treatment tank and/or tanks 7.

[113] In this way the chemicals coming from the loaders 41A, 41B have more time to dilute in the treatment liquid already present in the tank assembly 3, preventing them from coming into direct contact with the fabric or other material to be processed TC while they are still too concentrated, with the risk of damaging the material TC itself .

[114] Advantageously, the treatment liquid distribution system is configured for introducing the content of the loaders 41A, 41B, or more generally the fresh treatment liquid or other fresh working fluid, directly into the recirculation system, for example into the conduit 31 or 33, allowing the dilution of the dyeing bath or more generally of the treatment liquid to be varied.

[115] The load channels 5, the treatment tanks 7, the outer container casing 13, the fabric transport pipes 25, the nozzle 23, the conduits 31, 33, 37, 47, 49 are preferably made of stainless steel or another metallic material .

[116] An example of possible operation and use of the machine 1 shall now be described.

[117] While performing a dyeing treatment, the machine 1 preferably advances, by means of the drawing system 33, the string or strip of fabric or other material to be processed along a path or closed circuit: for example, the string or strip of fabric or other material to be processed reaches the drive pulley 15 by winding around it, then reaches a respective bath feeding nozzle 23 which sprays against it, by sprinkling it, the dye bath or other treatment fluid recovered from the recirculation system and coming for example from the conduit 33.

[118] While continuing to advance, the string or strip of material to be processed may, for example, travel along the downward section and then, past the elbow 29, the upward section of a respective fabric transport pipe 25 entraining a flow of treatment liquid with it.

[119] Up on reaching the downstream end of the transport pipe 25 the string or strip of material to be processed and the treatment liquid entrained by it may for example fall into a dye bath contained in a respective load channel 5 and travel along it by floating -at least partially- in the bath itself.

[120] Preferably, the string or strip of material to be processed and the treatment liquid entrained by it fall into the dye bath at or near the upstream area 27 of the tank assembly 3 (Figure 2) .

[121] Thereafter, the string or strip of material to be processed and the treatment liquid of the dyeing, washing, rinsing, scouring or bleaching bath contained in the respective load channel 5 and in the respective treatment tank 7 collectively advance from the upstream end 27 towards the downstream end 53 of the tank assembly 3.

[122] Upon reaching the downstream end 53 of the tank assembly 3 and of the load channel 5 the string or strip of material to be processed and the treatment liquid in which it floats and which it entrains along are preferably separated by the perforated portion 71 of the downstream end 56 of each load channel 5.

[123] The perforated portion 71 retains and preferably diverts upwards the string or strip of material to be processed while it is crossed by the treatment liquid, which thus flows from the respective load channel 5 into the respective treatment tank 7 and from the latter it can thus outflow in a suitable drain, which for example can send the treatment liquid towards the conduit 37.

[124] The string or strip of material to be processed may instead be lifted from the drive pulley 15 and extracted from the dye bath.

[125] The string or strip of material to be processed can thus, for example, reach the respective drive pulley 15 again and start another turn of the treatment circuit.

[126] The perforated portion 71 therefore separates the string or strip of material to be processed from the treatment liquid essentially like a filter or sieve.

[127] Preferably, in order to undergo a complete dyeing treatment, the string or strip of material to be processed travels along the previously described treatment circuit several times.

[128] Moreover, in order to carry out a complete dyeing treatment, the machine 1 preferably does not carry out only a real dyeing step in which it immerses the string or strip of material to be processed into a dyeing bath containing suitable coloured pigments, but it also carries out the washing and/or rinsing and/or scouring and/or bleaching steps. [129] In order to treat a batch of fabric or other material in the piece or membrane of a different amount from the previous batch -or more in general from a previous batch- without having to vary the dyeing bath recipe nor the liquor ratio nor the floating conditions of the material to be processed, it is possible to load in the machine 1 a suitable amount -or a suitable number of litres- of treatment bath so as to have the same liquor ratio as the previous dyeing batch and to make the floating of the material to be dyed equal to those of the previous batch simply by keeping in each treatment tank 7 an amount of dyeing bath - or more generally of treatment liquid - that makes the material to be processed float in the load channels 5 in the same way as in the previous batch, varying at the same time the amount of treatment liquid which is stored overall in the buffer tank (s) 9, in other words by storing in the or by taking from the tank or in/from the buffer tanks 9 also the difference of the treatment liquid present in the treatment tank (s) 7 with respect to the previous batch .

[130] This liquor ratio is preferably the one recommended by the suppliers of chemicals which are dissolved in water to form the dye bath.

[131] In this way, by keeping the same liquor ratio as in the previous dyeing cycle and recommended by the manufacturers of the dyeing bath chemicals, there is no need to modify the bath recipe recommended by the suppliers of the chemicals from which the bath is obtained; furthermore, by keeping the same floating conditions of the fabric or other material to be processed simply through the addition or removal of treatment liquid from the tanks 7, the floating conditions can be easily maintained within very narrow tolerances both during the same dyeing cycle and in different production batches; likewise, the dyeing results between different batches are also very constant and uniform.

[132] The embodiments described above are susceptible to numerous modifications and variants, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[133] For example, in a particular embodiment variant, the buffer tank (s) 9 may also be external to the tank assembly 3 and in particular to the outer container casing 13.

[134] Every reference in this description to "an embodiment", "an example of embodiment" means that a particular characteristic or structure described in relation to such embodiment is comprised in at least one embodiment of the invention and in particular in a particular variant of the invention as defined in a main claim .

[135] The fact that such expressions appear in various passages of the description does not imply that they are necessarily referred solely to the same embodiment.

[136] In addition, when a feature, element or structure is described in relation to a particular embodiment, it is observed that it is within the competence of the person skilled in the art to apply such feature, element or structure to other embodiments.

[137] Numerical references which only differ in terms of different superscripts 21' , 21", 21 111 unless specified otherwise indicate different variants of an element with the same name. [138] Furthermore, all of the details can be replaced by technically equivalent elements.

[139] In practice, the materials used, as well as the dimensions thereof, can be of any type according to the technical requirements.

[140] It must be understood that an expression of the type "A comprises B, C, D" or "A is formed by B, C, D" also comprises and describes the particular case in which "A consists of B, C, D" .

[141] The expression "A comprises a B element" unless otherwise specified is to be understood as "A comprises one or more elements of B".

[142] References to a "first, second, third, ... n-th entity" have the sole purpose of distinguishing them from each other but the indication of the n-th entity does not necessarily imply the existence of the first, second ... (n-l)th entity.

[143] The examples and lists of possible variants of the present application are to be construed as non- exhaustive lists.