ES2726916T3 - Leather and imitation leather miscellaneous items dyeing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

Dyeing machine for miscellaneous articles of leather and synthetic leather comprising: - a support frame (3); - a dyeing unit (2), supported by said frame (3) and comprising: - a dyeing head (5), suitable for applying, by direct contact, a layer of liquid color on the article being processed, - a tray (6), located under the dyeing head (5), for collecting the appropriate color to indirectly contain the color to be deposited on the article, - a device (7) for transporting and dosing the color in said head ( 5) dyeing, - characterized in that said tray (6) for color collection comprises a tray (8) that can be inserted therein, which is disposable and into which the color is contained.

Description

DESCRIPTION

Leather and imitation leather miscellaneous items dyeing machine

The present invention relates to a dyeing machine for miscellaneous articles of leather and synthetic leather. In particular, the present invention finds application in the field of dyeing of the side edge of various articles, for example, small leather articles such as details for bags, saddlery or shoe sole edges, upper parts of shoes, for dyeing of briefcases, purses and wallets, watch straps and irregularly shaped objects made of leather or synthetic leather, and with slits or bends for dyeing. Generally, leather or synthetic leather products undergo a dyeing process, and finally a drying process to fix the color.

Similar items dyeing machines can be in-line systems, comprising consecutive processing stations, or individual machines with which the operator must interact directly. Examples of such individual machines are shown in US 2181852, US 1366441 and US 139407. In other words, for dyeing small products or details of leather or synthetic leather, it is preferable to use machines comprising a dyeing unit mounted on a body that contains a drive motor. This type of machinery is particularly suitable for dyeing both products with regular and rectilinear shapes and products that have particular, irregular shapes, concave and / or sharp convex curves or very small details.

The dyeing unit comprises a dyeing roller having a cylindrical shape, rotatable about a preferably vertical axis. The dyeing roller, correctly fed with liquid color, spreads a uniform layer of dye over the item the operator is approaching.

Under the dyeing roller, there is a tray to collect the color, fixed to the dyeing unit by means of screws.

Color is poured directly into the tray and a color transport device, such as a screw conveyor, a suction pump system connected to a diffuser nozzle or a pad (as is already known in WO 99/57327 ), take the color directly from the tray to pour it on the dye roller. The color is distributed on the surface of the dyeing roller, falling by gravity from above or sprayed through a nozzle directly to the entire surface of the roller.

A scraper or dosing raclette evenly distributes the color throughout the surface of the dyeing roller to avoid excessive color deposits at discrete points of the product.

The excess color, which is not transferred on the product, drips from the roller and is always recovered in the tray below.

After the dyeing process, it is necessary to thoroughly wash all the parts that have been in contact with the color, so that they can also be used later with different colors and avoiding color changes with the alteration of the pigmentation.

Therefore, it is also necessary to remove the tray from the dyeing unit, empty it and wash it thoroughly.

The maintenance operation is not easy because all the screws that hold the tray must be removed, the tray containing the residual color must be transferred to the wash, the liquid color must be removed if it is not reusable and, finally, the tray must be thoroughly washed and dry up. Therefore, before you can resume dyeing, there is a very long downtime of the machine.

In addition, if the color cannot be reused, it must be removed in liquid form, resulting in a notable environmental impact. At present, solid waste is easier to dispose of and treat, while liquid waste cannot simply be discharged into sewers, but must be treated with special methods.

What has just been described makes clear the need to provide a dyeing machine for miscellaneous leather and synthetic leather that is capable of overcoming the drawbacks described above.

The object of the present invention is to provide a dyeing machine for miscellaneous articles of leather and synthetic leather that overcomes the drawbacks of the prior art described.

A further object of the present invention is to propose a dyeing machine for miscellaneous articles of leather and synthetic leather that avoids long and repeated downtime.

A further object of the present invention is to present a dyeing machine for miscellaneous articles of leather and synthetic leather that accelerates the cleaning steps that follow the dyeing and allows a fast and efficient color change.

Finally, an object of the present invention is to provide a dyeing machine for miscellaneous articles of leather and synthetic leather having a low environmental impact.

These and other objects are substantially achieved by a dyeing machine for miscellaneous articles of leather and synthetic leather as described in one or more of the appended claims.

Other features and advantages will become clearer from the detailed description of a preferred and non-limiting embodiment of a dyeing machine for miscellaneous leather and synthetic leather articles in accordance with the present invention.

This description is provided with reference to the attached figures, it is also provided only by way of non-limiting example, where:

- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a dyeing machine for miscellaneous articles of leather and synthetic leather as described and claimed in the present invention, represented in operative position;

- Figure 2a is a perspective view of a dyeing unit, which belongs to the machine illustrated in Figure 1, represented in a non-operative position and in accordance with a first configuration;

- Figure 2b is a perspective view of a dyeing unit, belonging to the machine illustrated in Figure 1, represented in a non-operative position and in accordance with a second configuration;

- Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the dyeing unit belonging to the machine object of the present invention, with some parts removed to make others more visible;

- Figure 4 shows a rear view of the machine object of the present invention with some parts removed in order to see the interior, otherwise hidden;

- Figures 5 and 6 show the machine object of the present invention with the dyeing unit in two different positions.

The number 1 indicates globally a dyeing machine for miscellaneous articles of leather and synthetic leather. The machine 1 for dyeing miscellaneous articles of leather and synthetic leather comprises a dyeing unit 2 and a support frame 3 for the dyeing unit 2.

The support frame 3 also acts as a housing for a drive system 4, for example, a motor adapted to drive the dyeing unit 2.

The dyeing unit 2 comprises a dyeing head 5, adapted to apply by contact a liquid colored layer directly on the article to be treated.

Under the dyeing head 5, the unit 2 comprises a tray 6 that includes a removable tray 8 for collecting the color within which the color used for dyeing the product is contained.

The tray 8 serves both to contain the color to be transferred in the dyeing head 5, and to collect the color that falls from the dyeing head 5 during dyeing of the article to be treated.

The color is transferred from the cuvette 8 to the dyeing head 5 through a device 7 for transporting and dosing the color, which will be described later.

The dyeing head 5 is a roller, rotating around a rotation axis 5a that coincides with its own axis of symmetry. Preferably, the axis of rotation is positioned vertically.

The roller 5 has a conical or conical shape. Preferably, the tip 51 or, in the case of a conical shape, the smaller base 52 of the roller is turned down. Consequently, in both cases, the larger base 53 is facing up. An alternative form, not shown, provides the largest base 53 facing down and the tip 51 or, in the case of a conical shape, the smaller base 52 of the roller is facing up.

The roller 5 can have an external lateral surface 5b having different geometries.

The external lateral surface 5b is obtained by rotating a right triangle around one of the legs. Depending on whether the hypotenuse is rectilinear or has a concave or convex shape, it is possible to have different geometries of the outer lateral surface 5b, always maintaining the conical or truncated conical geometry.

Specifically, the outer lateral surface 5b of the roller 5 may be at least partially flat, to have a lateral profile that is at least partially rectilinear.

Alternatively, the outer side surface 5b of the roller 5 may be at least partially curved, in particular arched, such that it has a side profile that is at least partially concave or at least partially convex.

Mixed solutions are also possible, that is, involving an external lateral surface 5b having a rectilinear, a concave and a convex portion at the same time, or any possible combination of the three, then partially rectilinear and partially concave or partially rectilinear and partially convex or partially concave and partially convex. If the dyeing head 5 has a conical or truncated conical shape, the smaller base may have a diameter between 0.1 mm and 20 mm, preferably between 0.1 mm and 15 mm. The particular geometry of the dyeing roller 5 allows it to more easily adapt to the different dimensions and geometries of the product to be dyed. Specifically, the variation of the radius on the conical or truncated conical surface can be better adapted to the curved shapes of the object to be dyed. The conical or truncated conical shape with the tip 51 or the smaller base 52 preferably oriented downwards improves the visibility of the work area L, since the source of light coming from above does not create areas of shadow.

Advantageously, the lighting is represented by a lighting source 16 placed vertically in the work area L with a diffusion that completely surrounds the dyeing roller 5. Preferably, a plurality of LEDs are used. The layout and type of lighting improve the ergonomic appearance for the operator.

The tip 51 or the smaller base 52 of the dyeing roller 5 is completely contained within the tray 6 for color collection, particularly within the tray 8.

The tray 6 for color collection can be moved relative to the dyeing head 5, such that it can be easily separated from the latter to allow emptying.

The tray 6 can be vertically translatable or rotatable, in both cases towards or away with respect to the dyeing roller 5.

In the attached figures, only the last configuration was represented, without any intention of also excluding the first solution with a removable tray.

As can be seen in Figures 2 and 3, the color collection tray 6 has an articulated side 6a along a horizontal axis 3a parallel to a front wall 31 of the frame 3, to which the unit 2 of the dyeing

The side 6a around which the tray 6 rotates is the rear side of the tray and is adjacent to the front wall 31 of the frame 3.

The tray 6 can be rotatably rotated with respect to said horizontal axis 3a between a working position (Figures 1 and 5) in correspondence which is arranged horizontally and contains the dyeing roller 5, and a emptying position (Figures 2 and 6) in correspondence which rotates around the horizontal axis 3 of the hinge and tilts down, away from the dyeing roller 5. Arrow F in Figure 6 illustrates the direction of rotation.

Advantageously, the tray 6 can have at the front, in the opposite position next to the hinge 6a, 6b, an output peak such that a guide is created to facilitate the discharge of the residual color when the tray is in the emptying position.

The rotation of the tray and the front part 6b of the output spout make the emptying of the dyeing liquid at the end of the work quick and easy.

The dyeing unit 2 comprises a tray 8, which is disposable, which can be inserted into the tray 6.

The tray 8 is supported within the tray 6 without particular restrictions, so that it can be easily removed at the end of the work.

The tray 8 has substantially the same internal shape of the tray 6 with which it is coupled. Preferably, the color is physically collected inside the tray 8 and not directly in contact with the tray 6. This constitutes a significant improvement in terms of cleaning and greater speed to carry out the washing operations at the end of the work, or to change The type of color.

In this way, tray 6 is not affected by color and remains clean, to avoid having to disassemble completely and wash.

The bucket 8 with the residual color can be easily removed from the tray 6 and washed, if necessary, or discarded. Consequently, tray 6 remains constantly attached to unit 2, even if the possibility of completely disassembling the dyeing unit 2, including tray 6, remains anyway.

The liquid color is taken from the cuvette 8 to the dyeing head or roller 5 by means of the device 7 mentioned for transport and dosage.

T to device 7 of this type for transporting and dosing the color comprises a color feed channel 9 within which the liquid color flows.

The feed channel 9 is placed behind the roller 5, in the position opposite to the work area L in which there is contact between the roller 5 and the article to be dyed. Advantageously, the feed channel 9 comprises a first end 9a and a second end 9b, opposite the first and positioned at the top, then near the largest base 53 of the dyeing roller 5. The feed channel 9 is arranged almost horizontally, with a slight downward inclination, so that the liquid color from the first end 9a, placed higher, flows by gravity to the second end 9b, placed lower.

Once it reaches the upper part 53 of the conical or frustoconical roller 5, the color always flows down by gravity. The rotation of the roller 5 around its vertical axis 5a of rotation causes complete fouling of the entire outer lateral surface 5b of the roller 5.

Advantageously, the device 7 for transporting and dosing the color also comprises a scraper or squeegee 10.

The squeegee 10 is placed under the feed channel 9 and is coupled to the dyeing roller 5 to follow its lateral profile.

In fact, the squeegee 10 serves to dose the liquid color on the surface of the roller 5: cooperating with the rotation of the roller 5, the squeegee 10 distributes the color evenly over the entire outer lateral surface 5b of the dyeing roller 5 and avoids localized excesses color.

The squeegee 10 and the feed channel 9 are contained in the same component placed in line behind the roller 5, in the opposite position to the work area L within which the contact between the roller and the article made of leather or leather occurs synthetic that is going to be dyed.

In this way, there is no interference between this component and the work area L, which remains completely free to give the operator maximum freedom of movement of the product during the dyeing stage.

The device 7 for transporting and dosing the color also comprises a transport element 11 adapted to remove the color from the bucket 8 for transporting it to the color feed channel 9.

In particular, the transport element 11 is a wheel, which rotates around a horizontal axis 11a, which extracts the color from the cuvette 8 and places it on top of the color feed channel 9, pouring it in correspondence with the first end 9a of feed channel 9.

The transport element 11 is also placed behind the roller 5, and in particular behind the feed channel 9, so as not to obstruct any operational step.

Therefore, the entire device 7 for transport and dosing has a very compact appearance that groups together in line the feed channel 9 and the squeegee 10 into a single component. In addition, the compactness of the device 7 for transport and dosage is also given by the position of the transport element 11, symmetrical with respect to the longitudinal axis of the feed channel 9 and placed behind the latter.

Generally, the device 7 for transport and dosage occupies an optimal position within the dyeing unit 2 with respect to the work area L, placed in front of the roller, since it is placed exactly on the opposite side with respect to the axis 5a. of roller 5, at the rear of the roller. The squeegee 10, the feed channel 9 and The transport element 11 is in a position opposite the contact zone between the roller 5 and the product to be dyed, so as not to impede the movement of the product around the roller 5.

The colors used are water based, so they are very sensitive to room temperature and humidity.

To allow the use of the machine even in very hot areas, a protective screen 13 applicable to the sides of the dyeing roller 5 is provided, to expose only the work area L, immediately above the tray 6, for form a natural extension up.

In this way, the color inside the cuvette 8 is protected from dust or any other foreign body, in addition to being less subject to evaporation phenomena. Advantageously, the protection provided by the protective screen 13 prevents the formation of a thick colored film on the surface of the same color within the same cuvette 8.

The formation of this film is very detrimental to the quality of the treatment because it changes the percentage of color concentration compared to water and, if it is crushed, it can generate lumps in the color, with the consequent problems of quality and appearance of the application of the color in the product.

All this requires downtime for color cleaning.

The protective screen 13 is removable so that it can freely enter the dyeing unit 2. It can be made of plastic material, preferably transparent, to constantly monitor the interior of the dyeing unit 2.

The protective screen 13 protects the color by avoiding unnecessary waste and limiting its evaporation to significantly reduce the downtime for liquid recovery during processing.

During the processing stage, the detail to be dyed is moved by the operator's hands and placed in front of the machine.

The height of the dyeing unit 2 compared to the operator is therefore an important factor for machine ergonomics.

In known machines, the dyeing unit 2 is at a fixed and unchanging height. This forces the operator to find improvised solutions to bring the dyeing unit 2 to its height, or vice versa.

The object of the dyeing machine 1 of the present invention is able to solve this inconvenience by providing a dyeing unit 2 that can be adjusted in height.

The dyeing unit 2 is slidably restricted to the support frame 3, so that it can move vertically at will, until the optimum height is reached for the operator who at that time must interact with the machine 1.

The frame 3 has, on its front wall 31, a linear guide 14 mounted vertically. The dyeing unit 2 can slide in this guide 14, to regulate the height position of the unit 2 with respect to the front wall 31 of the frame 3 (Figures 5 and 6).

Locking systems are provided, not illustrated, which allow the dyeing unit 2 to be set at the set height. The dyeing unit 2 is connected to the power supply motor 4 through a plurality of components 15, such as return cylinders, tension rollers and a transmission belt, which ensure constant contact with the same drive motor 4, at the same time it allows vertical translation along the guide 14.

The dyeing unit 2 is completely disassembled for routine maintenance and a quick wash.

The invention allows the intended purposes to be achieved in addition to ensuring enormous advantages.

The tray, which can be inserted into the tray for color collection, keeps the tray clean, to avoid necessarily having to disassemble and clean the tray at each color change. It is enough to remove the cuvette 8 and replace it with a new and a clean one.

The bucket can be thrown away or washed and used again.

In this way, the downtime due to color change is simply reduced to the time required to remove the cuvette and insert a clean.

In addition, if it is not reused, the residual color in the bucket can be allowed to dry and then removed, with or without the tray, as a solid residue.

This has a much lower environmental impact compared to the removal of color in liquid form, since solid waste treatment requires a simpler and less invasive process.

Claims (14)

1. Dyeing machine for miscellaneous articles of leather and synthetic leather comprising: - a support frame (3); - a dyeing unit (2), supported by said frame (3) and comprising: - a dyeing head (5), suitable for applying, by direct contact, a layer of liquid color on the article being processed, - a tray (6), located under the dyeing head (5), for collecting the appropriate color to indirectly contain the color to be deposited on the article, - a device (7) for transporting and dosing the color in said dyeing head (5), - characterized in that said tray (6) for color collection comprises a tray (8) that can be inserted therein, which is disposable and within which the color is contained. 2. Machine according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said tray (6) for color collection is mobile relative to the dyeing head (5), such that it can be easily separated from the latter to allow emptying. 3. Machine according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said tray (6) for color collection is translatable with respect to said dyeing head (5). 4. Machine according to claim 2, characterized in that said tray (6) for color collection is rotatably movable with respect to said dyeing head (5). Machine according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said tray (6) for color collection is articulated along a horizontal axis (3a) parallel to a front wall (31) of said support frame (3) ; said tray (6) can be moved between a working position in which it is arranged horizontally and contains said dyeing head (5), and an emptying position in which it rotates around the horizontal axis (3a) of hinge and is Tilt down, away from the dyeing head (5). Machine according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said tray (6) has, at the front part that is coupled with the dyeing head (5), a nozzle (6b) that creates a guide to facilitate the emission of waste colored when the tray is in the emptying position. Machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a protective screen (13) applicable to the sides of the dyeing head (5) to protect the color in the tray (6) and limit its evaporation. Machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said dyeing head (5) is a conical or conical shaped roller having a symmetry axis that coincides with a rotation axis (5a). Machine according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the roller (5) of the dyeing head has an external surface (5b) at least partially flat and / or at least partially concave and / or at least partially convex. Machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said device (7) for transporting and dosing the color comprises a color feed channel (9) and a squeegee (10) which is attached under said channel (9). ) for feeding and is coupled to said dyeing roller (5). Machine according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said raclette (10) follows the side profile of said dyeing roller (5) so that the dyeing liquid is evenly distributed over the entire outer lateral surface (5b) of the roller and to eliminate the possible excess of liquid color. A machine according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that said device (7) for transporting and dosing the color comprises a transport element (11) suitable for removing the color from the tray (6) and delivering it to the channel (9 ) color feed. 13. Machine according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said transport element (11) is a wheel, rotating around a horizontal axis (11a), which picks up the color of the tray and places it on top of the channel ( 9) color feed. 14. Machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said dyeing unit (2) is slidably limited to said support frame (3); said dyeing unit (2) is slidably mounted on a linear guide (14) mounted vertically in said support frame (3), so that said dyeing unit (2) can be adjusted in height.