WO2018172867A1

WO2018172867A1 - Transporting device, sheet material treating plant, transporting process, and sheet material treating process

Info

Publication number: WO2018172867A1
Application number: PCT/IB2018/051183
Authority: WO
Inventors: Luigi Milini
Original assignee: MS Printing Solutions SRL
Current assignee: MS Printing Solutions SRL
Priority date: 2017-03-23
Filing date: 2018-02-26
Publication date: 2018-09-27
Anticipated expiration: 2019-09-23
Also published as: IT201700032053A1

Abstract

The present invention refers to a transporting device (1) of sheet material comprising a movement system (16) having a plurality of movable rods (28), which is configured for: disposing a predetermined number of rods (28) of said plurality of movable rods along an operative length (17) interposed between an inlet station (17a) and an outlet station (17b) of the movement system, moving said predetermined number of movable rods (28) along an advancement direction (A) from the inlet station (17a) to the outlet station (17b); the movable rods (28) disposed along the operative length (17) being configured for receiving the sheet material (T), shaping it as loops and moving it along said predetermined advancement direction (A). The transporting device further comprises a coupling device (31) configured for moving a movable rod (28) between: an operative position wherein the movable rod (28) is disposed along the operative length (17) for receiving said sheet material, and an exclusion position wherein the movable rod (28) is disposed transversally to the operative position. Moreover, the present invention refers to a plant for treating sheet material and to a process of transporting and treating a sheet material.

Description

TRANSPORTING DEVICE , SHEE T MATERIAL TREATING PLANT , TRANSPORTING PROCESS , AND SHEE T MATERIAL TREATING PROCESS

D E S C R I P T I O N

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention refers to a transporting device and a sheet material treating plant, and to an associated transporting process and sheet material treating process respectively using such device and such plant. Specifically, the present invention finds application for treating, for example steam treating, sheet material for fixing some types of ink present on the sheet material upon a previous printing step.

However, it is not excluded the possibility of applying the invention to different types of treatments, such as for example, for drying, stretching a sheet material for eliminating possible internal stresses or similar. The device, plant and process object of the present invention can find an advantageous, but non- limiting application, for treating films - such as plastic films, metal films, paper sheets or webs, fabrics or non-woven fabrics - printed on at least one side thereof. STATE OF THE ART

As it is known, conventional printing techniques - i.e., those using cylinders or silk-screen frames - and digital-type printing - i.e., that using one or more printing heads provided with nozzles - are used for applying inks or paints defining patterns, decorations, colors on sheet materials of different type such as for example, paper, plastic, metal, fabric, non-woven fabric, leather, etcetera.

For example, fibrous materials with a laminar structure, destined to conventional and digital printing, are often subjected to a series of steps for preparing the fabric, before printing, and to one or more steps for finishing the fabric, after the printing.

More particularly, after printing, the fibrous material may be subjected to processes for example for drying or fixing the ink or to other processes, wherein the printed material is maintained in an environment under controlled conditions. Exemplifyingly referring to the fixing processes, the printed sheet material must be subjected to suitable pressure and temperature conditions adapted to fix the ink. Afterwards, the sheet material is washed and dried again.

Two main types of steam-treating devices are known: discontinuous and continuous. The discontinuous devices comprise a steam-supplied treating chamber adapted to receive a determined quantity of a printed material: all the printed material is held stationary in the treating chamber for a predetermined period of time required to fix the ink. At the end of the treating step, the chamber is discharged, and the printed material is picked up for then being transported to a drying station. Even though the discontinuous steam-treating devices enable to fix the ink, however they are not devoid of limitations and inconveniences. The batch loading treatment makes the process slow and therefore unsuitable for high-volume industrial productions. It is also observed that the repeated opening of the chamber between one treatment and the following - for discharging the treated material and loading new material to be treated - makes the process highly expensive from an energy point of view; each opening of the steamer disrupts the steam and temperature conditions required for fixing the ink, which must be rapidly reestablished by consuming high amounts of energy which negatively influences the cost of the final treated products.

The continuous devices are provided with a treating chamber in which the printed material is transported at a predetermined speed to stay in the chamber for a time sufficient for enabling to fix the ink. Specifically, the sheet or web material is introduced into the chamber and is laid down on a plurality of rods (also known as "sticks") which enable placing the material according to a series of juxtaposed loops: the rods are slowly advanced to the interior of the treating chamber so that the steam can act for fixing the ink.

For example, German patent application No. DE2419611 describes a steamer having a container in which a first and second fixing chambers are defined; in the first chamber there is a conveyor belt adapted to receive the fabric arriving from the outside of the container and for guiding it towards the fixing chamber: the conveyor belt is sloped upwardly so that the fabric may be transported to a top area of the container. Then, the fabric is dropped from the belt on a series of rods configured for receiving the fabric and placing it according to a series of juxtaposed loops. The rods are slowly advanced to the interior of the second chamber so that the steam can suitably fix the ink. The rods are horizontally moved and held at a predetermined distance from each other by engaging - at the opposite longitudinal ends thereof - two lateral pulling elements .

The described continuous devices enable to rapidly treat great quantities of material: the fixing process is faster than in discontinuous steamers, and consequently generally less expensive. It is also noted that the housing of the steam chamber is always substantially closed: therefore, it is possible to maintain the chamber in an operative state under the desired steam conditions, with a substantial energy saving in comparison with discontinuous steamers.

Even though they represent an improvement, the above described continuous steamers however show some limitations: as discussed, the rods are pulled by two lateral pulling elements, for example by chains, on which the rods are constrained at a predetermined distance from each other. In other words, the distance and horizontal configuration of the rods are maintained along all the path defined by the pulling elements. However, sometimes it is necessary to consecutively treat different types of sheet material, each of which, based on its own characteristics, requires specific treatment times and particular patterns with reference to the loops for ensuring suitable fixation of the ink.

Consequently, in order to treat different types of substrates, the above described known steamers require complex interventions for adapting the movement system; at each intervention, it is necessary to stop the plant, open the treating chamber, and removing or adding a predetermined number of rods from/to the pulling elements. This lack of flexibility impacts the set-up times and makes the treating process expensive from an energy point of view; de facto, at each opening of the steamer - which is necessary to intervene on the movement system - the steam and temperature conditions required for fixing the ink are lost.

An example of a known continuous type steamer is described in patent application No. MI98A000475, which comprises a steam-treating chamber and a fabric moving system (a pulling chain supporting horizontal rods for supporting the fabric) similar to those of the above cited German patent application No. DE2419611. The steamer of patent application No. MI98A000475 additionally comprises a rod storing chamber adjacent and in communication with the chamber for steam treating the fabric; the steamer comprises a pick-up arm configured for picking up the rods from the storing chamber and for positioning them on the fabric movement system in the treating chamber, and viceversa.

While the steamer of the patent application No. MI98A000475 shows a greater flexibility of use than the system described in the above cited German application, the Applicant has observed that also this steamer has a somewhat complicated structure negatively affecting the design costs - and therefore the manufacturing costs - and the required operations for servicing the overall system. A further example of a known continuous steamer is described in international application No. WO2015177745A1 ; inside the treating chamber the steamer is provided with a movement system adapted to transport a plurality of horizontal rods along a predetermined closed path: for this purpose, the rods are engaged, at the respective longitudinal ends, with two opposite lateral chains. A conveyor receives the horizontal rods and moves them at a predetermined speed along a rectilinear horizontal operative path: the rods moving along the operative path are configured for contacting the fabric and shaping it as loops aligned along an advancement direction of the fabric itself. A device for excluding the rods is configured for receiving a first rod and positioning it on the conveyor so that said first rod can contact the fabric, and for receiving a second rod following the first rod and placing it below this latter; in this way, the second rods cannot contact the fabric which is only supported by the first rods, enabling to double the pitch of the layers of fabric in the steamer.

While the steamer described in the application No. WO2015177745A1 is more flexible with reference to its use than the previous known steamers, the movement system in the above cited PCT application is forced to position the rods according to only two different pitches, this condition highly limiting the operative potentiality of the steamer. Moreover, in order to modify the movement system for providing unforeseen pitches, it would be required to stop the overall plant, disassembly the exclusion device and disassembly/displacement of the rods, consequently leading to the same disadvantages of the other previous known solutions.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to solve at least one of the drawbacks and/or limitations of the previous solutions.

A first object of the present invention is making available a device, optionally a steamer, and an associated process, enabling to efficiently treat, for example steam fix, laminar structure materials, such as printed web or sheet materials. The materials processed by the device and process according to the invention may be fibrous materials, such as paper, fabrics, knitted fabrics, and non-woven fabrics, or non-fibrous materials, such as metal films or plastic films. Specifically, it is an object of the invention to make available a device, optionally a steamer, and an associated process enabling to rapidly and efficiently fix ink and/or paints on printed sheets or web materials .

A further object of the present invention consists in making available a device, particularly a steamer, showing flexibility in use, which can enable to effectively treat different types of sheet or web materials without requiring to stop the same device, and therefore without downtimes in the treating process.

It is a further object of the invention to make available a device, optionally a steamer, and an associated process suitably designed for treating laminar fibrous materials, e.g. printed sheet or web fibrous materials, for example, fabrics, knitted fabrics and/or non-woven fabrics, having a simple and economical structure .

These and other objects, which will better appear in the following description, are substantially met by a device and an associated process for treating laminar materials, for example sheet or web materials, according to one or more of the attached claims and/or of the following aspects, considered alone or in any combination with each other, or in any combination with anyone of the attached claims and/or in a combination with anyone of the further aspects or characteristics described in the following.

SUMMARY

Aspects of the invention are described in the following .

In a 1st aspect, it is provided a transporting device (1) of sheet material, optionally to be used in plants (100) for treating sheet material (T) , such as ink drying and/or ink fixing plants, said transporting device (1) comprising:

at least one movement system (16) having a plurality of movable rods (28), said movement system (16) being configured for:

o disposing a predetermined number of rods (28) of said plurality of movable rods along an operative length (17) interposed between an inlet station (17a) and outlet station (17b) of the movement system,

o moving said predetermined number of movable rods (28) along an advancement direction (A) from the inlet station (17a) to the outlet station (17b), the movable rods (28) disposed along the operative length (17) being configured for receiving the sheet material (T) , shaping it as loops and moving it along said predetermined advancement direction (A) , a coupling device (31) configured for moving a movable rod (28) between:

o an operative position, wherein the movable rod (28) is disposed along the operative length (17) for receiving said sheet material, and

o an exclusion position, wherein the movable rod (28) is disposed transversally to the operative position .

In a 2nd aspect according to the preceding aspect, each movable rod (28) - in the exclusion position - extends along a substantially vertical direction.

In a 3rd aspect according to anyone of the preceding aspects, each movable rod - in the operative position - extends along a substantially horizontal direction.

In a 4th aspect according to anyone of the preceding aspects, the coupling device (31) is configured for hooking a movable rod of said plurality in an exclusion position .

In a 5th aspect according to anyone of the preceding aspects, the transporting device (1) comprises a control unit (35) connected to the coupling device (31) and to the movement system, said control unit (35) being configured for:

receiving an input control signal regarding a parameter representative of at least one among:

o a minimum distance between two immediately consecutive movable rods travelling along the operative length (17),

o a movement speed of each movable rod moving along the operative length (17),

o a time each movable rod requires to travel the operative length, optionally a movement time of each movable rod between the inlet station and outlet station,

o a width of the loops of sheet material, measured along the advancement direction of said material ,

o a height of the loops of sheet material, measured transversally, optionally orthogonally, to the advancement direction of said material and transversally, optionally orthogonally, to a development direction (D) of the movable rods travelling along the operative length (17),

o a total number of the movable rods on the operative length,

- as a function of said control signal, commanding the coupling device (31) to move, with respect to a predetermined time interval, a predetermined number of movable rods from the exclusion position to the operative position.

In a 6th aspect according to the preceding aspect, the control unit (35) is further configured for:

- receiving a movement signal representative of at least one of:

o a movement speed of the rods along the closed path of the main conveyor (29) ,

o a position of one or more movable rods (28) with respect to the inlet station (17a) of the operative length (17),

o a movement speed of the sheet material along the operative length,

- as a function both of said control signal and of said movement signal, commanding the coupling device (31) to move, with respect to a predetermined time interval, a predetermined number of movable rods from the exclusion position to the operative position.

In a 7th aspect according to anyone of the preceding aspects, the movement system (16) comprises:

at least one main conveyor (29) carrying the plurality of movable rods (28) and configured for moving a first portion (28a) of these latter along a main path, at least one secondary conveyor (30) configured for receiving the predetermined number of said plurality of movable rods (28), and for moving a second portion

(28b) of these latter along a secondary path, said secondary conveyor being configured for cooperating with the main conveyor (29) for arranging the predetermined number of movable rods along the operative length (17) of transportation and for moving said predetermined number of movable rods along an advancement direction

(A) between the inlet station (17a) and outlet station

(17b), the movable rods (28) moving on the operative length (17) and engaging both the main conveyor (29) and secondary conveyor (30), being configured for receiving the sheet material (T) by shaping it as loops and moving it along the predetermined advancement direction (A) .

In an 8th aspect according to the preceding aspect, the coupling device (31) is active at the inlet station

(17a) of the operative length (17) and is configured for moving a movable rod between:

the exclusion position wherein the movable rod

(28) is exclusively engaged with the main conveyor (29), and

- the operative position wherein the movable rod is engaged both with the main conveyor (29) and the secondary conveyor (30) along the operative length (17) .

In a 9th aspect according to the 7th or 8th aspect, each movable rod (28) is engaged, at the respective first portion (28a) , by a hinge-type constraint to the main conveyor (29) , each rod being rotatively movable with respect to said main conveyor (29) at least between the exclusion position and operative position.

In a 10th aspect according to anyone of the aspects from the 7th to 9th, the main path defined by the main conveyor (29) is a closed path.

In an 11th aspect according to the preceding aspect, the main closed path defined by the main conveyor (29) extends substantially along a lying plane, each rod (28) being rotatively movable with respect to the main conveyor (29) - at least between the exclusion position and operative position - about an axis parallel to the lying plane of the closed path of the main conveyor (29) .

In a 12th aspect according to anyone of the aspects from the 7th to 11th, each movable rod (28) of said predetermined number of rods is engaged with the secondary conveyor (30) exclusively in the operative position in which it defines the operative length (17) .

In a 13th aspect according to anyone of the aspects from the 7th to 12th, the first portion (28a) of each movable rod (28) defines a first end part, while the second portion (28b) of each movable rod defines a second end part opposite to the first end part.

In a 14th aspect according to anyone of the aspects from the 7th to 13th, each rod extends along a predetermined extension direction (D) between the first and second portions (28a, 28b) .

In a 15th aspect according to anyone of the aspects from 7th to 14th, each movable rod (28) is engaged with the main conveyor (29) at the first portion (28a) .

In a 16th aspect according to anyone of the aspects from 7th to 15th, each movable rod is selectively engageable with, optionally may be hooked to, the secondary conveyor (30) at the second portion (28b) .

In a 17th aspect according to anyone of the aspects from 14th to 16th, each movable rod (28) - in the operative position - has the respective development direction (D) extending parallel to the lying plane of the closed main path defined by the main conveyor (29) .

In an 18th aspect according to anyone of the aspects from 14th to 17th, each movable rod (28) - in the exclusion position - has the respective development direction (D) extending, optionally orthogonally, to the lying plane of the closed main path defined by the main conveyor (29) .

In a 19th aspect according to anyone of the preceding aspects, each movable rod (28) - in the operative position - extends along a substantially horizontal direction.

In a 20th aspect according to anyone of the aspects from 7th to 9th, the secondary path of the secondary conveyor (30) is an open path.

In a 21st aspect according to the preceding aspect, said open path of the secondary conveyor is defined by a portion of a complete closed path defined by the secondary conveyor (30) .

In a 21st aspect according to the preceding aspect, wherein exclusively the open path of the secondary conveyor is configured for receiving and moving the predetermined number of movable rods (28) arriving from the coupling device (31) along said operative length (17) .

In a 22nd aspect according to the preceding aspect, the complete closed path of the secondary conveyor (30) extends substantially along a respective lying plane transversal, optionally orthogonal, to the lying plane along which the closed path of the main conveyor (29) extends .

In a 23rd aspect according to the preceding aspect, each movable rod (28) - in the operative position - has the respective development direction (D) extending transversally, optionally orthogonally, to the lying plane of the complete closed path defined by the secondary conveyor (30) .

In a 24th aspect according to the 22nd or 23rd aspect, each movable rod (28) - in the exclusion position - has the respective development direction (D) extending parallel to the lying plane of the closed path defined by the secondary conveyor (30) .

In a 25th aspect according to anyone of the aspects from the 7th to 24th, the coupling device (31) is configured for:

- contacting a movable rod (28) of said plurality in an exclusion position while moving on the main conveyor (29) and passing by the inlet station (17a),

moving said movable rod passing by the inlet station (17a) from the exclusion position to the operative position wherein the movable rod is engaged, on one side, with the main conveyor and, on the other side, with the secondary conveyor,

releasing said movable rod in the operative position so that the same may be moved - by the main and secondary conveyors - along the operative length (17) .

In a 26th aspect according to anyone of the aspects from the 5th to 25th, said control unit (35) is configured for:

- receiving the movement signal representative of at least one of:

o a position of one or more rods (28) with respect to the inlet station (17a) of the operative length (17),

o a movement speed of the sheet material along the operative length,

receiving an inlet control signal regarding a parameter representative of at least one among:

o a movement speed of each movable rod along the operative length (17),

o a height of the loops of sheet material, measured transversally, optionally orthogonally, to the advancement direction of said material and transversally, optionally orthogonally, to the development direction (D) of the movable rods travelling along the operative length (17),

o a total number of the movable rods on the operative length,

- as a function of said movement and control signals, commanding the coupling device (31) to move a predetermined number of movable rods from the exclusion position to the operative position.

In a 27th aspect according to anyone of the aspects from the 7th to 26th, the control unit (35) is connected to the secondary conveyor (30) and is configured for commanding the movement of this latter for guiding the movable rods along the operative length.

In a 28th aspect according to the preceding aspect, the control unit (35), upon receiving and processing at least one between the control signal and movement signal, being configured for synchronizing the movement speed of the main conveyor (29) with the movement speed of the secondary conveyor (30); the movement speed of the main conveyor and the movement speed of the secondary conveyor are respectively the peripheral movement speed of a point integral with the main conveyor and the peripheral movement speed of a point integral with the secondary conveyor. In 29th aspect according to anyone of the preceding aspects, the coupling device (31) comprises:

- an inlet conveyor (36) defining a respective path,

- at least one thrust element (37) movable along the respective path of the inlet conveyor (36) at least between :

o a hooking position, wherein the thrust element (37) is configured for intercepting and hooking a rod in the exclusion position,

o a release position, wherein the thrust element (37) is configured for engaging the rod withdrawn from the hooking position with the secondary conveyor (30) .

In a 30th aspect according to the preceding aspect, the inlet conveyor (36) defines a closed path extending along a lying plane transversal, optionally orthogonal, to the lying plane of the main conveyor (29) .

In a 31st aspect according to the 29th or 30th aspect, the inlet conveyor (36) defines a closed path extending along a lying plane transversal, optionally orthogonal, to the lying plane of the secondary conveyor (30) .

In a 32nd aspect according to anyone of the aspects from the 29th to 31st, the inlet conveyor (36) comprises at least one selected in the group among: a chain, a belt, a rope. In a 33rd aspect according to anyone of the aspects from the 29th to 32nd, the coupling device (31) comprises a single thrust element (37) .

In a 34th aspect according to anyone of the aspects from 29th to 33rd, the thrust element (37) is fixed to the inlet conveyor (36) .

In a 35th aspect according to anyone of the aspects from 29th to 34th, the thrust element (37) comprises:

- a base portion (37a) engaged, optionally directly fixed, to the inlet conveyor (36),

a hooking portion (37b) emerging from the base portion (37a) outside the closed path defined by the inlet conveyor (36),

optionally said base portion (37a) and hooking portion (37b) being integrally joined.

In a 36th aspect according to anyone of the aspects from the 29th to 35th, the control unit (35) is connected to the inlet conveyor (36) and is configured for commanding the movement of this latter for moving the thrust element along the closed path of the inlet conveyor (36) .

In a 37th aspect according to the preceding aspect, the control unit (35), upon receiving and processing at least one between the control signal and movement signal, is configured for synchronizing the movement speed of the main conveyor (29) with the movement speed of the inlet conveyor (36) for enabling to periodically move a predetermined number of movable rods from the exclusion position to the operative position; the term "movement speed" of the inlet conveyor (36) means the peripheral movement speed of a point integral with the inlet conveyor.

In a 38th aspect according to the 36th or 37th aspect, the control unit (35), upon receiving and processing at least one between the control signal and movement signal, is configured for:

determining a number of movable rods to be provided in the operative position for defining the operative length;

- commanding the movement of the inlet conveyor (36) - optionally of the thrust element (37) - as a function of the determined number of movable rods of the operative length (17), optionally synchronizing the speed of the inlet conveyor (36) with the speed of the main or secondary conveyor as a function of the determined number of movable rods of the operative length (17) .

In a 39th aspect according to anyone of the preceding aspects, the movement system (16) comprises a discharge device (41) active at the outlet station (17b) of the operative length (17) which is configured for displacing the movable rods moving on the operative length (17) between the operative position and exclusion position .

In a 40th aspect according to the preceding aspect, the discharge device (41) is configured for displacing the movable rods moving on the operative length between:

- an operative position, wherein the movable rod is engaged with the main conveyor (29) and with the secondary conveyor (30), and

- an exclusion position, wherein the movable rod is exclusively engaged with the main conveyor (29) .

In a 41st aspect according to the 39th or 40th aspect, the discharge device (41) comprises:

an outlet conveyor (42) defining a respective path,

- at least one engagement element (43) movable along the respective path of the outlet conveyor (42) at least between :

o a hooking position, wherein the engagement element (43) is configured for intercepting and hooking a rod in the operative position,

o a release position, wherein the engagement element (43) is configured for releasing the rod withdrawn from the hooking position so that this latter is disposed in the exclusion position.

In a 42nd aspect according to the preceding aspect, the outlet conveyor (42) defines a closed path extending along a lying plane transversal, optionally orthogonal, to the lying plane of the main conveyor (29) .

In a 43rd aspect according to the 41st or 42nd aspect, the outlet conveyor (42) defines a closed path extending along a lying plane transversal, optionally orthogonal, to the lying plane of the secondary conveyor (30) .

In a 44th aspect according to anyone of the aspects from the 41st to 43rd, the outlet conveyor (42) defines a closed path extending along a lying plane substantially parallel to the lying plane of the closed path of the inlet conveyor (36) .

In a 45th aspect according to anyone of the aspects from the 41st to 44th, the outlet conveyor (42) comprises at least one selected in the group among: a chain, a belt, a rope.

In a 46th aspect according to anyone of the aspects from 41st to 45th, the discharge device (41) comprises a number of engagement elements equal to or greater than 1, optionally greater than 10, still more particularly comprised between 25 and 150.

In a 47th aspect according to anyone of the aspects from the 41st to 46th, the engagement element (43) is fixed to the outlet conveyor (42) .

In a 48th aspect according to anyone of the aspects from 41st to 47th, the engagement element (43) comprises :

- a base portion (43a) engaged, optionally directly fixed, to the outlet conveyor (42),

a hooking portion (43b) emerging from the base portion (43a) outside the closed path defined by the outlet conveyor (42),

optionally said base portion (43a) and hooking portion (43b) being integrally joined.

In a 49th aspect according to anyone of the aspects from the 41st to 48th, the control unit (35) is connected to the outlet conveyor (42) and is configured for commanding the movement of this latter for moving the engagement element along the closed path of the outlet conveyor (42) .

In a 50th aspect according to the preceding aspect, the control unit (35), upon receiving and processing at least one between the control signal and movement signal, being configured for synchronizing the movement speed of at least one between the main conveyor (29) and secondary conveyor (30), with the movement speed of the outlet conveyor (36) in order to enable the rods to travel the operative length between the operative position and the exclusion position; the term "movement speed" of the outlet conveyor (42) means the movement speed of a point along a path defined by said conveyor.

In a 51st aspect according to anyone of the aspects from the 41st to the 50th, the engagement element (43) of the discharge device (41) is configured for hooking the rods at the second portion (28b) of this latter.

In a 52nd aspect according to anyone of the aspects from the 7th to 51st, the main conveyor (29) comprises:

- a pulling element (45),

- a plurality of hooking systems (46) hinged to the pulling element (45), each hooking system (46) directly engages a respective rod (28) at the first portion (28a), each movable rod (28) being rotatively movable - in conjunction with the respective hooking system (46) - with respect to the pulling element (34) when the movable rods move from the exclusion position to the operative position.

In a 53rd aspect according to the preceding aspect, the pulling element (45) comprises at least one selected in the group among: a chain, a belt, a rope.

In a 54th aspect according to anyone of the aspects from the 7th to 53rd, the plurality of movable rods (28) are uniformly distributed on the main conveyor (29) , optionally are equidistant from each other along the closed path defined by the main conveyor (29) itself.

In a 55th aspect according to anyone of the aspects from the 7th to 54th, the secondary conveyor (30) exclusively engages a predetermined number of movable rods moving along said operative length (17) in which said predetermined number of movable rods are configured for receiving and moving the sheet material (T) .

In a 56th aspect according to anyone of the aspects from the 7th to 56th, the predetermined number of movable rods (28) - moving along the operative length (17) - are hooked to the secondary conveyor (30), optionally the predetermined number of movable rods (28)

- moving along the operative length (17) - are, on one side, hinged to the main conveyor (29) and, on the other side, stably hooked to the secondary conveyor (30) .

In a 57th aspect according to anyone of the aspects from the 7th to 56th, the secondary conveyor (30) comprises :

- a pulling element (33),

a plurality of hooking systems (34) engaged, optionally fixed, to the pulling element (33) of said secondary conveyor, each hooking system (34) is configured for hooking - along the operative length (17)

- a movable rod (28) at the second portion (28b) . In a 58th aspect according to the preceding aspect, the pulling element (33) of the secondary conveyor (30) comprises at least one selected in the group among: a chain, a belt, a rope.

In a 59th aspect according to the 57th or 58th, the hooking systems (34) are uniformly distributed on the secondary conveyor (30), optionally are equidistant from each other along the respective closed path defined by the secondary conveyor (30) itself.

In a 60th aspect according to anyone of the aspects from 52nd to 59th, the hooking systems (46) of the main conveyor (29) are equidistant from each other according to a predetermined pitch.

In a 61st aspect according to the preceding aspect, the hooking systems (34) of the secondary conveyor (30) are equidistant from each other according to a respective predetermined pitch equal to the pitch between the hooking systems (34) of the main conveyor (29) .

In a 62nd aspect according to anyone of the aspects from 14th to 61st, each movable rod (28) moving along the operative length (17) has the predetermined extension direction (D) placed transversally to the advancement direction of the same.

In a 63rd aspect, it is provided a treatment plant (100) for fixing ink on a sheet material (T), said plant (100) comprising:

- a case (2) defining at least one treatment chamber (3) and having:

o at least one inlet port (4), configured for enabling the sheet material (T) to enter the treatment chamber (3), and

o at least one outlet port (5) configured for enabling the treated sheet material (T) to exit the treatment chamber (3),

- at least one transporting device (1) according to anyone of the preceding aspects housed at least partially in the treatment chamber (3) .

In a 64th aspect according to the preceding aspect, the plant comprises at least one steam generator (20), optionally housed inside said case, and configured for generating steam and delivering it to the treatment chamber (3) .

In a 65th aspect according to the preceding aspect, the steam generator (20) is configured for generating saturated steam and for maintaining inside the treatment chamber (3) a temperature comprised between 100 and 130°C, particularly between 100 and 120°C, still more particularly between 100 and 110°C,

optionally, the steam generator (20) is configured for directly introducing the saturated steam to the interior of the treatment chamber (3) and for maintaining inside the treatment chamber (3) an absolute pressure comprised between 1 and 1.7 bar, particularly between and 1 and 1.5 bar, still more particularly between 1 and 1.2 bar.

In a 66th aspect according to anyone of the aspects from the 63rd to 65th, the plant comprises a transporting member (8) configured for abuttingly receiving the sheet material (T) and releasing it at the inlet station (17a) of the operative length (17) of a first rod of said operative length (17) .

In a 67th aspect according to the preceding aspect, the transporting member (8) is configured for receiving the sheet material and for conveying it to the interior of the treatment chamber through the inlet port (4), the transporting member (8) being positioned with respect to the inlet port (4) in order to constantly have at least one first portion (8a) disposed outside the treatment chamber (3) and a second portion (8b) extending inside the treatment chamber (3) .

In a 68th aspect, it is provided a process of transporting a sheet material (T) , optionally useable in processes of fixing ink, said transporting process comprising : - providing a plurality of movable rods (28),

- moving a predetermined number of movable rods (28) of said plurality from an exclusion position to an operative position,

- moving the predetermined number of movable rods (28) provided in the operative position, along an operative length (17) and according to an advancement direction (A) from an inlet station (17a) to an outlet station (17b) ,

positioning, on the movable rods (28) disposed along the operative length (17), the sheet material (T) for shaping it according to loops and moving it along said predetermined advancement direction (A) ,

wherein each rod (28) in an exclusion position, is disposed transversally to the same rod (28) in an operative position in order to not interfere with said sheet material (T) transported along the predetermined advancement direction (A) .

In a 69th aspect according to the preceding aspect, the movable rods in the exclusion position, are substantially disposed vertically while the rods in the operative position are disposed in a substantially horizontal position.

In a 70th aspect according to the 68th or 69th aspect using a transporting device (1) according to anyone of the aspects from the 1st to 62nd.

In a 71st aspect according to the preceding aspect, the step of moving a predetermined number of movable rods (28) of said plurality from an exclusion position to an operative position, comprises a sub-step of moving - by the coupling device (31) - the rods only moving on the main conveyor (29) from the exclusion position to the operative position for defining said operative length (17) wherein the rods of the predetermined number of movable rods are engaged both with the main conveyor and with the secondary conveyor.

In a 72nd aspect according to the 70th or 71st aspect, the process comprises:

- a step of selecting the predetermined number of movable rods (28) to be arranged on the operative length (17) as a function of at least one of:

o a movement speed of the sheet material along the operative length,

o a minimum distance between two immediately consecutive rods travelling moving the operative length (17),

o a movement speed of each rod along the operative length (17),

o a time each movable rod requires to travel the operative length, optionally a movement time for each movable rod between the inlet station and outlet station,

o a height of the loops of sheet material, measured transversally, optionally orthogonally, to the advancement direction of said material and transversally, optionally orthogonally, to the development direction (D) of the movable rods moving along the operative length (17),

o a total number of the movable rods on the operative length,

after the selecting step, commanding by the coupling device (31) to move the movable rods from the exclusion position to the operative position.

In a 73rd aspect according to anyone of the aspects from 70th to 72nd, the process comprises a step of discharging the movable rods (28) - optionally all the rods - of said predetermined number from the operative length (17) by the discharge device (41) placed at the outlet station (17b) of said operative length (17) .

In a 74th aspect, it is provided a process of treating a sheet material (T) , optionally of fixing ink, said process comprising transporting the sheet material (T) to the interior of a treatment plant, particularly to the interior of an ink-fixing plant, by using the transporting process according to anyone of the aspects from 68th to 73rd.

In a 75th aspect according to the preceding aspect, wherein the treatment plant is a plant for drying and/or fixing ink having a case defining a treatment chamber, and wherein the treatment process comprises at least one selected in the group between the following steps:

generating steam in the treatment chamber (3) during the movement of the sheet material along the advancement direction (A) ,

- blowing air on the sheet material moving, along the advancement direction (A) .

In a 76th aspect according to the preceding aspect, the sheet material (T) is at least one selected in the group among: a sheet of fabric, a sheet of non-woven fabric, a paper sheet, a sheet of a polymeric material, a sheet of metal material, a leather sheet. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Some embodiments and some aspects of the invention will be described in the following with reference to the attached drawings, which are provided only for indicative and therefore non-limiting purpose, wherein:

Figures 1 and 2 are respectively a perspective view and a top view of a treatment plant according to the present invention;

- Figure 3 is a cross-section schematic view of a treatment plant according to the present invention;

Figures 4, 5A, 5B and 5C are respective perspective views of a transporting device according to the present invention;

Figures 6 and 7 are respective detailed perspective views of a movement system of the transporting device according to the present invention;

- Figure 8 is a top view of a part of the movement system of the transporting device according to the present invention;

Figures from 9 to 12 are further views of respective portions of the movement system of the transporting device according to the present invention;

- Figures 13 and 14 are respectively front and rear views of the transporting device according to the present invention. DEFINITIONS AND CONVENTIONS

It is observed that, in the present detailed description, corresponding parts illustrated in the figures are indicated by the same reference numerals. The figures could illustrate the object of the invention with not-to-scale representations; therefore, parts and components illustrated in the figures, regarding the object of the invention, could only refer to schematic representations .

The term "ink" means a mixture formed by a dispersion of pigments or by a solution of dyes in an aqueous or organic medium, destined to be transferred on surfaces of different materials for obtaining one or more prints; the term comprises also transparent inks and paints.

The term "sheet material" means a material formed by a structure having two dimensions (length and width) which are substantially prevalent with respect to a third dimension (thickness) . Sheet material means both a material as discrete sheets having a limited length (for example AO, Al, A2, A3, A4 formats etc.) and continuous webs having a substantial length, which may be supplied by a roll on which the sheet material is wound or supplied by an in-line printing step.

The herein described sheet material has two sides or main surfaces, on at least one of them a print is provided. However, it is reminded that the invention can find an application also for treatments different from the ink-fixing when a sheet material is moved as layers to the interior of a controlled environment.

The term "fibrous material" means a material made of fibers of different types - for example: paper, fabric, non-woven fabric, knitted fabric or combinations of one or more of said supports.

The term "digital printing" means a printing using one or more printing heads provided with nozzles for applying inks defining patterns, decorations, colorations, etc., on sheet materials. The printing heads may be movable transversally to the advancement direction of the sheet material for covering the overall width to be printed, or may be transversally fixed, if the width of the heads is the same as the printing width, in other words the fabric.

The term "standard atmosphere" means an atmosphere at a temperature of 288.15°K (15 °C) , at a pressure of 101.325 kPa (1 atm) , and a moisture of 0.00.

In the following description and claims, the terms "upstream" and "downstream" refer to an advancement direction (A) of the sheet material along a path extending from the inlet station (17a) to an outlet station (17b) of an operative length (17) of the transporting device.

The herein described and claimed transporting device comprises at least one control unit 35 responsible for the control of the operative conditions implemented by the device and/or movement system themselves. The control unit can obviously be single or may be formed by a plurality of distinct control units according to design choices and operative needs.

The term "control unit" means an electronic-type component comprising at least one of: a digital processor (CPU), a memory (or memories), an analog-type circuit, or a combination of one or more digital processing units with one or more analog-type circuits. The control unit may be "configured" or "programmed" for performing some steps: these may be physically done with any means enabling to configure or program the control unit. For example, if a control unit comprises one or more CPUs and one or more memories, one or more programs may be stored in suitable memory banks connected to the CPU or CPUs; the program or programs contain instructions which, once executed by the CPU or CPUs, program or configure the control unit for performing the operations described with reference to the control unit. Alternatively, if the control unit is or comprises an analog-type circuitry, the circuit of the control unit may be designed for including a circuitry configured, in use, for processing electric signals for executing the steps regarding the control unit.

The control unit (35) may comprise one or more digital units, for example of a microprocessor type, or one or more analog units, or a suitable combination of digital and analog units; the control unit may be configured for coordinating all the actions required for executing an instruction or a set of instructions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Transporting device

1 generally indicates a device for transporting sheet materials T which may find an application, in a non-limiting way, in the textile field for treating fabrics, non-woven fabrics, or also beyond the textile field, for example for treating paper, metal, or polymeric material films. In the following description, the transporting device is illustratively used for processing printed matter, for example for fixing an ink on a sheet material which was previously printed. It is not excluded the application of the device and process here described for drying or for other treatments of sheet materials, when it is required to move the sheet material positioned according to vertical layers.

As it is visible in the attached figures, the transporting device 1 comprises a movement system 16 exhibiting a plurality of movable rods or sticks 28; the movable rods 28 are configurable for being capable of receiving the sheet material T, shaping it according to vertical loops and moving it along a predetermined advancement direction A. Specifically, the movement system 16 is configured for disposing a predetermined number (in other words a sub-set) of said plurality of rods 28 along an operative length 17, by moving said predetermined number of rods 28 according to an advancement direction A between an inlet station 17a and an outlet station 17b: the movable rods 28 disposed along the operative length 17 are configured for receiving the sheet material T, shaping it according to loops and moving it along said predetermined advancement direction A (Figure 3) . As it is visible from Figures 3 and 4, each rod 28 extends along a prevalent development direction D between a first and second portions 28a, 28b respectively defining end opposite parts of the rod; as it will be better described in the following, the portions 28a, 28b of each rod are destined to be constrained to one or more conveyors; moreover, each rod 28- between said portions 28a, 28b - has a receiving portion 28c configured for directly contacting the sheet material T, supporting and guiding it along the advancement direction A.

As it is visible from Figures 4, 8 and 9 for example, the movement system 16 may comprise a main conveyor 29 supporting the plurality of rods 28 and configured for moving a portion of these latter along a main path; the rods of the plurality of rods 28 are for example uniformly distributed on the main conveyor 29 and optionally positioned equidistant from each other along the main path defined by the main conveyor 29 itself. Each rod 28 is engaged, at the respective first portion 28a, by a hinge-type constraint exclusively to the main conveyor 29; in other words, all the rods 28 are hinged to the main conveyor 29 at the portion 28a and are rotatively movable with respect to the main conveyor 29.

As it is visible from Figure 4 for example, the main path defined by the main conveyor 29 is of a closed type and extends substantially on a respective lying plane; each rod 28 is rotatively movable with respect to the main conveyor 29 about an axis parallel to the lying plane of the closed main path of the main conveyor 29, to be able to move from a non-horizontal position (in practice substantially vertical) to a horizontal position. More specifically and as it is visible in Figure 4 for example, the closed main path defined by the conveyor 29 may for example comprise a first and second lengths 29a, 29b, which are rectilinear and connected to each other by a third and fourth lengths 29c, 29d, which are arcuate, optionally shaped as an arc of a circle; in the illustrated example, the first and second lengths are parallel and distanced from each other by interposing the third and fourth semi-circle lengths. The third and fourth lengths 29c, 29d are identical to each other and connect respective ends of the first and second lengths.

Since each rod 28 is hinged with respect to the main conveyor 29, the rotation axis of each rod 28 substantially depends on the position of the rod along the development of the main conveyor: with reference to rods positioned along the first length 29a of the conveyor 29, the rotation axis thereof is parallel both the lying plane of the closed path of the main conveyor 29, and the first length 29a. More particularly and as it is visible from Figure 8 for example, the main conveyor 29 comprises a pulling element 45 supporting a plurality of hooking systems 46 hinged to the pulling element 45. Each hooking system 46 directly engages a respective rod 28 at the first portion 28a; each rod 28 is rotatively movable - in conjunction with the respective hooking system 46 - with respect to the pulling element 45. The step of rotating the rod 28 in conjunction with the respective hooking element 46 is illustrated in Figure 9; in this case a starting position and an intermediate position of a rod 28 are indicated by broken lines, and the position of the same rod 28 at the end of the rotation with respect to the pulling element 45 is represented by a continuous line.

From a structural point of view, the pulling element 45 may comprise at least one selected in the group of: a chain, a belt, a rope. The hooking system 46 may comprise, in a non-limitative way as shown in the attached figures, a small "L" shaped square which has one side (at an end) hinged to the pulling element 45, while an opposite side has a hooking portion configured for directly engaging the first portion of a rod 28.

As hereinbefore specified, the conveyor 29 comprises a plurality of rods 28 uniformly distributed along the main path; particularly, the pulling element 45 supports a number of hooking systems 46 equal to the number of rods 28: each hooking system 46 engagingly receives only one rod 28. The hooking systems 46 are uniformly distributed on the pulling element 45 and particularly are disposed according to a predetermined constant pitch so that also all the rods 28 may be uniformly distributed and be equidistant from each other along the main path.

Advantageously, the main conveyor 29 may be driven by an electric motor (not shown in the attached figures); typically, the pulling element 45 may be directly driven by one or more idle elements on which an electric motor is active. The attached figures schematically show, in a non-limiting way, a condition wherein the pulling element 45 is engaged in closed loop between two idle elements; for example the pulling element 45 may comprise a chain engaged, in a closed loop, between two toothed wheels: at least one of said toothed wheels may be connected to an electric motor (active wheel) adapted to put in rotation said toothed wheel for enabling to move the chain. If the pulling element 45 is a belt, the idle elements may comprise toothed wheels, pulleys or friction wheels.

As it is visible in the attached figures, the movement system 16 may further comprise a secondary conveyor 30 configured for receiving the predetermined number of said plurality of rods 28 and at least for guiding a second portion of these latter along a secondary path; in the illustrated example, the secondary conveyor acts, not only as a guiding element, but also as an actual movement member of the second portion of the rods 28 placed on the operative length 17; in the example of the attached figures, the secondary conveyor 30 is configured for cooperating with the main conveyor 28, for disposing the predetermined number of rods along the operative transporting length 17 and for moving said predetermined number of rods along the advancement direction A between the inlet station 17a and the outlet station 17b. The rods 28 moving on the operative length 17 (in other words the predetermined number of rods which, as hereinbefore discussed, are a sub-group of said plurality of rods 28 engaged with the main conveyor 29) engage both the main conveyor 29 and the secondary conveyor 30 and are configured for receiving the sheet material T, shaping it according to loops and moving it along the predetermined advancement direction A. Indeed, only the rods 28 of the predetermined number of rods, in other words a sub-group of said plurality, define the operative length 17 and are engaged with the secondary conveyor 30. More particularly only the predetermined number of rods 28 - moving along the operative length 17 - has rods which are, on one side, hinged to the main conveyor 29 and, on the other side, stably hooked to the secondary conveyor 30. As it is visible from Figure 10A, for example, each rod 28 of said predetermined number is engaged, at the respective second portion 28b, with the secondary conveyor 30. Indeed, as it is visible from Figure 4 for example, the secondary conveyor 30 is opposite to the main conveyor with respect to the sheet material T moving along the operative length 17; each rod defining the operative length 17 is engaged, at the respective first portion 28a, with the main conveyor and, at the second portion 28b, opposite to the first with respect to the body of the rod itself, with the secondary conveyor 30.

The secondary path defined by the secondary conveyor 30 along which the predetermined number of rods are moved, is an open-type path, in particular rectilinear and vertically placed at the same height of the first length 29a of the main conveyor so that the rods travelling along the operative length 17 are substantially horizontal; as it is visible from Figure 4, the secondary open path is, in the non-limitative example shown, a portion of a complete closed path defined by the secondary conveyor 30; in other words, the secondary conveyor 30 also defines a complete closed-loop path, and only part of said closed path is used for engaging and consequently moving the predetermined number of rods 28 along the advancement direction A. Alternatively, as hereinbefore discussed, the open secondary path could be defined by a horizontal guide with a suitably shaped profile capable of capturing and horizontally guiding, along the operative length, the second ends of the rods 18.

However, returning to the detailed description of the example of Figure 4, the complete closed path of the secondary conveyor 30 substantially extends along a respective lying plane transversal, optionally orthogonal, to the lying plane of the closed path of the main conveyor 29. Therefore, each rod 28 of said predetermined number, when disposed on the operative length 17, has a development direction D, transversal, optionally orthogonal, to the lying plane of the complete closed path of the secondary conveyor 30.

More particularly and as it is visible from Figure 4 for example, the complete closed path defined by the conveyor 30 comprises first and second lengths 33a, 33b which are rectilinear and connected to each other by third and fourth lengths 33c, 33d, which are arcuate optionally shaped as an arc of circle: the first and second lengths are parallel and distanced from each other by interposition of the third and fourth semicircular lengths. The third and fourth lengths 33c, 33d are identical to each other and connect respective ends of the first and second lengths 33a, 33b.

De facto, the open secondary path along which the second ends of the rods are moved, is defined at least by part of the first rectilinear length 33a; the rectilinear length 33a is parallel to the lying plane of the closed path of the main conveyor 29, and in particular is parallel to and at the same vertical height with respect to the first rectilinear length 29a of the main conveyor 29. By means of this arrangement, the predetermined number of rods 28 movable along the operative length 17 comprises rods whose ends 28a and 28b are only transported respectively along the first length 29a of the main conveyor 29 and along the first length 33a of the secondary conveyor 30.

More particularly, and as it is visible from Figure 10 for example, the secondary conveyor 30 comprises a pulling element 33 supporting a plurality of hooking systems 34. Each hooking system 34 is configured for directly engaging, in particular for hooking, a respective rod 28 of the predetermined number of rods at the second portion 28b.

From a structural point of view, the pulling element 33 may comprise at least one selected in the group among: a chain, a belt, a rope. The hooking system 34 may comprise, in a non-limitative way and as illustrated in the attached figures, a hooking plate having a seat presenting concavity which - under conditions of use of the transporting device 1 - faces a base of the device 1, i.e., faces the ground; the hooking system 34 is configured for abuttingly receiving inside the seat, the second portion 28b of the rod. Advantageously, the secondary conveyor 30 further comprises a supporting track 44 placed - in conditions of use of the device 1 - below the first length 33a and which is configured for abuttingly receiving the second portion 28b of each rod moving along the operative length. Each rod 28 of the operative length 17 has the second portion 28b constrained between the seat of the respective hooking system 34 and the supporting track 44 as illustrated in Figures from 10A to IOC.

As for the conveyor 29, the hooking systems 34 of the secondary conveyor 30 are uniformly distributed and equidistant along the pulling element 33: each hooking system 34 engagingly receives only one rod 28. More precisely, the hooking systems 34 are disposed on the pulling element 33 according to a predetermined constant pitch identical to the pitch of the hooking systems 46 so that the rods 28 of said predetermined number may be uniformly distributed and particularly equidistant from each other along the operative length 17. Indeed, each rod 28 moving along the operative length 17 has the extension direction D thereof placed transversally to the advancement direction A of the same rods, which, in conditions of use of the transporting device 1, extends horizontally.

As for the main conveyor 29, also the secondary conveyor 30 may be advantageously driven by an electric motor (not illustrated in the attached figures); particularly, the pulling element 33 may be directly moved by one or more idle elements driven by an electric motor. The attached figures schematically, and in a non- limitative way, illustrate a condition wherein the pulling element 33 is engaged as a closed loop between two idle elements; for example, the pulling element 33 may comprise a chain engaged according to a closed loop between two toothed wheels: at least one of said toothed wheels may be connected to an electric motor adapted to rotatively drive said toothed wheel for moving the chain. If the pulling element 33 is a belt, the idle elements may comprise toothed wheels, pulleys, or friction wheels.

As it is visible from the attached figures, the movement system 19 comprises a coupling device 31 configured for moving a rod 28 between an operative position, wherein the rod 28 is disposed along the operative length 17, and an exclusion position, wherein the rod 28 is disposed transversally to the operative position to avoid interfering with said sheet material T transported along the predetermined advancement direction A. Particularly, each rod 28 - in the exclusion position and in conditions of use of the same transporting device 1 - extends along a substantially vertical direction; each rod 28 - in the operative position and under conditions of use of the same transporting device 1 - extends along a substantially horizontal direction. Indeed, the coupling device 31 is configured for moving a rod from a vertical position (exclusion position) to a horizontal position (operative position) in which said rod defines the operative length 17 and is configured for receiving the sheet material T, shaping it as loops and moving it along the direction A.

Figures from 5A to 5C schematically illustrate the operation of the coupling device 31 configured for hooking a rod 28 of said plurality in an exclusion position (Figure 5A) at the second end portion 28b of the rod itself, and for moving said rod - for example by a thrust action exerted on the second portion 28b, to the operative position (Figure 5C) .

More particularly, the coupling device 31 is active at the inlet station 17a of the operative length 17 and is configured for moving a rod 28 between the exclusion position, wherein the rod 28 is only engaged with the main conveyor 29, and the operative position, wherein the rod 28 is engaged both with the main conveyor 29 and the secondary conveyor 30 along the operative length 17. De facto, while all the rods 28 of the movement system 16 (the plurality of rods 28) are always engaged with the main conveyor 29, the coupling device 31 is configured for selectively engaging the second portion 28b only of the selected rods for defining the predetermined number of rods which must be moved along the operative length 17. Consequently, each rod 28 of the predetermined number of rods is engaged with the secondary conveyor 30 only in the operative position in which it defines the operative length 17.

In other words, the coupling device 31 is configured for being selectively active at least on some of the rods moving on the main conveyor 29 and travelling from the inlet station 17a, and for:

- contacting each rod 28 of said plurality of rods which was selected to be moved from the exclusion position to the operative position,

moving such selected rod from the exclusion position to the operative position wherein the rod will be engaged, at one side, to the main conveyor and, to the other side, to the secondary conveyor,

releasing said rod once reached the operative position, so that the same may be moved - by the main and secondary conveyors - along the operative length 17.

As it is visible in Figure 4 for example, each rod 28 - in the operative position - has the respective development direction D disposed horizontally, in other words extending parallel to the lying plane of the main closed path defined by the main conveyor 29 and transversally, in particular perpendicular, both to the advancement direction A and to the lying plane of the complete closed path defined by the secondary conveyor

30.

Instead, in the exclusion position, each rod has the respective development direction D disposed vertically, i.e., extending transversally, optionally orthogonally, to the lying plane of the main closed path defined by the main conveyor 29 (see Figure 3, for example) and parallel to the lying plane of the closed path defined by the secondary conveyor 30.

From a structural point of view, the coupling device

31 comprises an inlet conveyor 36 defining a respective path. The inlet conveyor 36 supports at least one thrust element 37 movable along the respective path of the inlet conveyor 36 at least between a hooking position, in which the thrust element 37 is configured for intercepting and hooking the second end portion 28b of a rod 28 in the exclusion position, by withdrawing it from the main conveyor 29, and a release position, wherein the thrust element 37 is configured for delivering to the secondary conveyor 30 the same second end 28b of the rod previously withdrawn from the main conveyor. The attached figures illustrate a preferred, but non- limiting, embodiment of the invention wherein the inlet conveyor 36 defines a closed path extending along a lying plane transversal, optionally orthogonal, to the lying plane of the main conveyor 29 and optionally also orthogonal to the lying plane of the secondary conveyor 30.

For example, the inlet conveyor 36 comprises at least one selected in the group among: a chain, a belt, a rope disposed according to a closed loop in a vertical lying plane. A hooking system 37 is fixed to the inlet conveyor 26 and is integrally movable with it. The attached figures schematically show an embodiment of the device 31 exhibiting a single thrust element 37 movable along the entire closed path. However, it is not excluded the possibility of making a device 31 having a plurality of thrust elements 37. Moreover, it is not excluded the possibility of making an inlet conveyor 37 defining an open path on which one or more thrust elements are reciprocally movable between at least two operative positions.

Figures 6 and 7 show an embodiment of the thrust element 37 comprising a base portion 37a engaged, optionally directly fixed, to the inlet conveyor 36, and a hooking portion 37b emerging from the base portion 37a outside the closed path defined by the inlet conveyor 36. For example, the thrust element 37 may comprise a small "L" shaped square fixed to the inlet conveyor at an end and - at an opposite end - having a hooking portion configured for engagingly receiving, optionally hooking, the second portion 28b of a rod.

Based on the movement of the thrust element 37 imparted by the inlet conveyor 36 and by means of a suitable synchronization of said movement with the movement of the plurality of rods 28 supported by the main conveyor 29, it is possible to select among all the rods available on the main conveyor, which are those destined to form the predetermined number of rods to be disposed on the operative length 17. More particularly, based on a synchronization of the movement between the thrust element 37 and the main and secondary conveyors, it is possible to select the predefined number of rods 28 to be hooked to the secondary conveyor 30 for defining said predetermined number of rods.

As it is visible in Figure 4 for example, each rod of said predetermined number - in the operative position - is movable along the rectilinear lengths 29a and 33a respectively of the main and secondary conveyors. The coupling device 31 is configured for intercepting the second portion 28b of a rod 28 at an initial length of said first rectilinear length 29a (see Figure 8) and for hooking said second portion of the rod itself to the first rectilinear length 33a of the secondary conveyor 30. If a rod 28 is not hooked to the coupling device 31, the same rod 28 will be moved on the first length 29a and will be held in the exclusion position (see Figures 6 and 7, for example); in such condition, the rods 28 moving on the first length 29a (the rods in the exclusion position) do not engage the first length 33a, and therefore are not capable of receiving the sheet material T. The second rectilinear length 29b in conjunction with the third and fourth arcuate lengths 29c, 29d of the main conveyor substantially define a recirculation path for the rods in the exclusion position .

As hereinbefore discussed, only the first rectilinear length 33a of the secondary conveyor 30 is configured for receiving the rods 28 and particularly the rods in the operative position; the second rectilinear length 33b, in conjunction with the first and fourth arcuate lengths 33c, 33d of the secondary conveyor, substantially define a recirculation path of the hooking systems 34 configured for stably engaging the rods 28.

Advantageously, the transporting device 1 may comprise a control unit 35 connected to the coupling device 31 and to the movement system 16; the control unit 35 may be configured for:

- receiving a movement signal representative of at least one among:

o a movement speed of the plurality of rods of the movement system 16;

o a position of one or more rods 28 with respect to the inlet station 17a of the operative length 17, o a movement speed of the sheet material along the operative length 17,

o a minimum distance between two immediately consecutive rods, moving along the operative length 17,

o a movement speed of each rod along the operative length 17,

o a height of the loops of sheet material, measured transversally, optionally orthogonally, to the advancement direction of said material and transversally, optionally orthogonally, to the development direction D of the rods moving along the operative length 17,

o a total number of the movable rods simultaneously present in the operative length 17, - as a function of said movement and control signals, commanding the coupling device 31 to move a predetermined number of rods from the exclusion position to the operative position.

Particularly, the control unit may be further connected to the conveyors 29 and 30; the movement signal received from the control unit 35 may be further representative of at least one of: a movement speed of the rods along the main path of the main conveyor 29, a movement speed of the rods along the secondary path of the conveyor 30.

The control unit 35 connected to the main 29 and secondary conveyors 30 may be further configured for commanding and managing the movement of these latter, and particularly the travelling speed of the hooking systems 46 and 34 supported by the respective pulling elements 45 and 33; in this way, the control unit 35 may command and manage the movement of said main and secondary conveyors 29, 30 for guiding the rods 28 along the operative length 17.

More particularly, the control unit 35, upon receiving and processing at least one between the control signal and movement signal, is configured for synchronizing the movement speed of the main conveyor 29 with the movement speed of the secondary conveyor 30; "movement speed" of the main conveyor and secondary conveyor respectively means the peripheral speed of a point integral with the main conveyor, and the peripheral speed of a point integral with the secondary conveyor .

Advantageously, the control unit 35 is further connected to the inlet conveyor 35 and is configured for moving this latter for moving the thrust element 37 along the path of the conveyor 36. The control unit 35, upon receiving and processing at least one between the control signal and movement signal, is configured for synchronizing the movement speed of at least one between the main and secondary conveyors 29, 30 with the movement speed of the inlet conveyor 36 for enabling to periodically move a predetermined number of rods from the exclusion position to the operative position; the term "movement speed" of the inlet conveyor 36 means the peripheral speed of a point integral with the inlet conveyor.

Still more particularly, the control unit 35, upon receiving and processing at least one between the control signal and movement signal, is configured for:

- determining the number of rods 28 to be provided in the operative position for defining the operative length 17;

- commanding the movement of the inlet conveyor 36 - optionally of the thrust element 37 - as a function of the determined number of rods which are destined to define the operative length 17. Specifically, the control unit may be configured for synchronizing the speed of the inlet conveyor 36 with the speed of the main conveyor 29 or secondary conveyor 30 (in other words both with the speed of the main conveyor 29 and with the one of the secondary conveyor 30, which as hereinbefore discussed, are synchronized with each other) as a function of the determined number of rods of the operative length 17.

Indeed, based on the movement of the thrust element 37 imparted by the inlet conveyor 36 and on the synchronizing of said movement with the movement of the plurality of rods 28 supported by the main conveyor 29, it is possible to select the predetermined number of rods to be placed on the operative length 17. More specifically, based on a synchronization of the movement between the thrust element 37 and main and secondary conveyors, it is possible to select the predetermined number of rods 28 to be hooked to the secondary conveyor 30 for defining said predetermined number of rods.

In a possible exemplifying embodiment, the control unit is connected to a user interface enabling, for example, an operator to set the desired operative parameters. Illustratively, the operator may set the advancement speed of the rods present in the operative length and the number of rods forming the operative length itself, or the advancement speed of the sheet material along the operative length and the number of loops which the material itself must form. Based on such set, the control unit may suitably move the main conveyor and secondary conveyor, by also synchronizing the operation of the inlet conveyor.

As it is visible in Figures 4, 11, 12 and 14, the transporting device 1 further comprises a discharge device 41 active at the outlet station 17b of the operative length 17, which is configured for moving the rods 28 travelling on the operative length 17 from the operative position to the exclusion position; particularly, the discharge device 41 is configured for moving the rods travelling on the operative length from the operative position, wherein the rod is engaged with the main conveyor 29 and with the secondary conveyor 30, to the exclusion position, wherein the rod is only engaged with the main conveyor 29. Indeed, the discharge device 41 is configured for disengaging the second end portions of the rods defining the operative path from the secondary conveyor 30, while such rods are gradually moving adjacent the discharge station, so that the same rods can return - at the end of the operative length 17 - to the exclusion position on the main conveyor 29.

From a structural point of view, the discharge device 41 comprises an outlet conveyor 42 defining a respective path and supporting at least one engagement element 43 movable along the respective path of the outlet conveyor 42. The engagement element 43 is movable between a hooking position, wherein the engagement element 43 is configured for intercepting and hooking a rod in the operative position, and a release position, wherein the engagement element 43 is configured for releasing the rod withdrawn from the hooking position so that this latter may be placed in the exclusion position. As it is visible in Figure 14 for example, the outlet conveyor 42 defines, in a non-restrictive way, a closed path extending along a lying plane transversal, optionally orthogonal, to the lying plane of the main conveyor 29; the lying plane of the outlet conveyor 42 extends transversally, optionally orthogonally, to the lying plane of the secondary conveyor 30 and particularly parallel to the lying plane of the inlet conveyor 36.

More particularly, the outlet conveyor 42 may comprise at least one selected in the group among: a chain, a belt, a rope; the engagement element 43 is fixed to the outlet conveyor 42 and is movable integrally with this latter.

The attached figures illustrate, in a non- restrictive way, an embodiment of the conveyor 41 supporting only one engagement element 43; it is not excluded the possibility of using a number of engagement elements greater than 1, particularly a number comprised between 1 and 10. Advantageously, the engagement element 43 has the same structure as the thrust element 37; specifically, it comprises a base portion 43a engaged, optionally directly fixed, to the outlet conveyor 42 and a hooking portion 43b, emerging from the base portion 43a outside the path defined by the outlet conveyor 42. For example, the engagement element 43 may comprise a small "L" shaped square, optionally fixed to the conveyor. More precisely, the small "L" shaped square has an end fixed to the conveyor and an opposite end forming a hooking portion configured for engagingly receiving, optionally hooking, the second portion 28b of a rod .

As hereinbefore described, the transporting device 1 may advantageously comprise the control unit 35 which may be also connected to the discharge device 41; the control unit 35 may particularly be configured for commanding and managing the movement of the outlet conveyor 42 in order to command and manage the consequent movement of the engagement elements present on the conveyor 42. In particular, the control unit 35 may be configured for synchronizing the movement of the discharge device with the movement of the main conveyor and/or of the secondary conveyor so that all the rods exiting the operative length 17 may be moved from the operative position to the exclusion one. More specifically, the control unit 35 may be configured for:

- receiving a movement signal representative of at least one among:

o a movement speed of the plurality of rods of the movement system 16;

o a position of one or more rods 28 with respect to the outlet station 17b of the operative length 17,

o a movement speed of the sheet material along the operative length 17,

o a movement speed of each rod along the operative length 17,

o a height of the loops of sheet material, measured transversally, optionally orthogonally, to the advancement direction of said material and transversally, optionally orthogonally, to the development direction D of the movable rods travelling along the operative length 17,

o a total number of the movable rods in the operative length 17,

- as a function of said movement and control signals, commanding the discharge device 41 to move a predetermined number of rods from the operative position to the exclusion one.

For example, the control unit 35 may be configured for synchronizing the movement speed of at least one between the main conveyor and secondary conveyor 29, 30 with the movement speed of the outlet conveyor 42, for enabling to move the predetermined number of rods exiting the operative length 17 from the operative to the exclusion position; analogously to what discussed with reference to the other conveyors, the term "movement speed" of the outlet conveyor 42 means the peripheral speed of a point integral with the same outlet conveyor.

Still more particularly, the control unit 35, upon receiving and processing at least one between the control signal and movement signal, may be configured for :

- determining the number of rods 28 to be arranged in the operative position for defining the operative length 17;

- commanding the movement of the outlet conveyor 41 optionally of the engagement element 43 - as a function of the determined number of rods which are destined to define the operative length 17.

For example, the control unit may be configured for synchronizing the speed of the outlet conveyor 42 with the speed of the main conveyor 29 and/or with the one of the secondary conveyor 30 as a function of the number of rods that was determined to define the operative length 17.

The transporting device 1 may comprise a guide 50 (Figures from 3 to 7) - disposed at a base 18 of the same device 1 - adapted to receive the second portion 28b of the movable rods, when these are placed in the exclusion position; the guide 50 is configured for avoiding undesired oscillations of the rods moving along the main path of the conveyor 29 and placed in the exclusion position. In particular, the guide 50 is placed opposite to the main conveyor 29 with respect to the rods 28 placed in the exclusion position. The guide 50 comprises a first length - opposite to the first length 29a - adapted to receive the second end portions of the rods 28 in the exclusion position and moving under the action of the same first length 29a; the guide 50 further comprises a second length - opposite to the second length 29b - adapted to receive the second end portions 28b of the rods 28 in the exclusion position and moving under the action of the same second length 29b. The attached figures illustrate a preferred, but non-limitative embodiment of the guide 50 further having a third arcuate length connected to the second length which is configured for receiving the second end portions 28 of the rods 28 moving under the action of the third length 29c of the conveyor 29: the third length of the guide 50 is configured for guiding the second portion 28b of the rods at the coupling device 31 so that a rod may be correctly hooked by a thrust element 37 sliding on the inlet conveyor (Figure 6) .

Treatment plant

It is a further object of the present invention a plant 100 for treating a sheet material T, comprising at least one transporting device 1 according to anyone of the attached claims and/or according to the above description .

Figures 1 and 2 illustrate a preferred but non- limitative embodiment of the treatment plant 100 comprising at least one case 2 defining a treatment chamber 3. The case 2 defines a kind of containing body downwardly delimited by a base 18 - which may comprise one or more structures to be constrained to an abutment floor of the plant 100 itself - and in particular of the transporting device 1 - e.g. plates, flanges, tracks or similar - from which base one or more lateral walls perimetrally emerge; further, the case 2 comprises a closing wall 19 (Figures 1 and 2), opposite to the base 18, which is stably engaged to the top of the lateral walls. The case 2 is, for example, in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped: the case 2 in this example extends along a prevalent development direction coincident with an advancement direction of the material T inside of case 2. In the example of the attached figures, the case 2 has a first and second transversal lateral walls 2a, 2b (Figures 1 and 2) - defining the longitudinal extension of the case - which are joined to a first and second longitudinal lateral walls 2c, 2d (Figure 2), defining the width extension of the case.

As it is visible for example from Figure 3, the case 2 comprises at least one inlet port 4 comprising, for example, an opening configured for enabling to introduce the sheet material, and at least one outlet port 5, comprising for example an opening opposite to the inlet port 4 and configured for enabling the sheet material T to exit the case 2. Specifically, as it is visible in Figure 3, the inlet port 4 is defined on the first transversal wall 2a of the case 2 and comprises at least one through opening which may be for example shaped as a slit, i.e., it may have a prevalent development direction substantially horizontal for enabling the material T to enter. As it is visible from the attached figures, the inlet port 4 is placed at a predefined height from the base 18; for example, the inlet port 4 may be placed in the top semi-portion of the transversal wall 2a, optionally in proximity of the closing wall 19 of the case 2, and therefore substantially at the top of the same. As hereinbefore discussed, the case 2 further comprises an outlet port 5 disposed on the second lateral transversal wall 2b and also shaped as a slit: in conditions of use of the treatment plant 100, the outlet port 5 has a substantially horizontal prevalent development direction with dimensions such as to enable the material T to pass through. As it is visible in the attached figures, the outlet port 5 is disposed at a predetermined height from the base 18: for example, the outlet port 5 may be disposed in the top semi-portion of the transversal 2b, optionally may be disposed in proximity of the closing wall 19 of the case 2 and therefore substantially at the top of the same.

As it is visible in Figure 3 for example, the movement system 16 is completely housed inside the case 2; particularly, the inlet station 17a is disposed at the inlet port 4, while the outlet station 17b is disposed at the outlet port 5. More particularly, the movement system 16 is configured for disposing the predetermined number of rods 28 at a suitable height so that said rods 28 - in the operative position - may receive the sheet material T defining the loops so that the material itself contacts the base 18. For this purpose, the main conveyor 29 and secondary conveyor 30 are substantially placed at the same height as the inlet and outlet ports of the case 2. On the contrary, the coupling 31 and discharge devices 41 are respectively disposed at the transversal walls 2a and 2b.

In an embodiment, the plant 100 may comprise - at the closing wall 19 of the case 2 - a heating system 21 configured for heating the same wall 19 at least during the treatment of the material T. Figures 1 and 2 show a heating system 21 comprising, in a non-limitative way, a series of electric resistors uniformly distributed above the closing wall 19, and for example disposed according to one or more serpentines. As an alternative to the electric resistors, a system of hot fluid conduits adapted to enable to suitably heat the wall 19, or a heating system of another kind, may be provided.

The treatment plant 100 may define a steam-treatment plant useable for example for fixing printing inks on a sheet material, particularly on fibrous-type materials, such as fabrics. With such arrangement, the plant 100 may comprise at least one steam generator 20 (Figure 1) configured for producing steam and delivering it to the treatment chamber 3 of the case 2. In an embodiment, the generator 20 is at least partially disposed inside the treatment chamber 3 at the first longitudinal lateral wall 2c: the steam is directly generated in the treatment chamber 3. The steam generator 20 is configured for producing steam and determining in the chamber 3 a saturated steam with a temperature comprised between 100 and 130°C, particularly between 100 and 120°C, still more particularly between 100 and 110°C; in particular, the generator 20 is configured for injecting steam into the chamber 3 and maintaining inside the treatment chamber 3 an absolute pressure comprised between 1 and 1.7 bar, particularly between 1 and 1.5, still more particularly between 1 and 1.2 bar. In an embodiment which is now considered suitable, the temperature in the chamber 3 is maintained comprised between 100 and 110°C, while pressure is maintained at absolute pressure comprised between 1 and 1.2 bar. Injecting steam by the generator 20 into the treatment chamber 3 enables to define inside the same, during the steam-fixing step, a saturated steam condition having a humidity mixing ratio comprised between 0.5 and 1.

As it is visible from Figure 1 for example, the treatment plant 100 comprises a transporting member 8 disposed at the first lateral transversal wall 2a of the case 2 and configured for receiving and guiding the material T to the interior of the treatment chamber 3 through the inlet port 4. More specifically and as it is visible from Figure 3 for example, the transporting member 8 is configured for abuttingly receiving the sheet material T and releasing it at the inlet station 17a of the operative length 17 above a first rod 28 - placed in the operative position - of said operative length 17.

From the structural point of view, the transporting member 8 may be a conveyor belt or a transporting drum or another known type of member having an active surface capable of guiding the material T on the movement system 16.

Moreover, the treatment plant 100 may comprise a station 101 for receiving the material T, disposed immediately upstream the transporting member 8 along the advancement direction A, and which comprises one or more idle rolls adapted to stretch the fibrous material. The receiving station 101 is configured for transporting the sheet fibrous material T to the transporting member 8.

As schematically shown in Figure 2, moreover the treatment plant 100 may comprise a station 102 for withdrawing the material T exiting the movement system 16, and particularly exiting the case 2; the withdrawing station comprises for example a plurality of idle rolls adapted to keep the material T stretched. The 'withdrawing station 102 may be 3SSOCiated to a drying station (not illustrated in the attached figures) or it may directly supply a station 103 for returning the material (Figure 1) . The returning station 103 is engaged above the closing wall 19, The returning station 103 is configured for moving the material T along a return path from the outlet port 5 towards the inlet port 4 according to a direction opposi e to the movement of the material of the system 16. Advantageously, the returning station 103 is adj acent and approached to the heating system 21 of the closing wall 19: particularly, the returning station 103 is configured for placing the material T in proximity and parallel to the heating system so that such material, when moving, may receive heat and therefore dry.

As it is further visible in Figures 1 and 2, the treatment plant 100 may comprise a storing station 104 downstream the returning station 103 and configured for storing the material exiting the system 16, and particularly exiting the case 2.

The above described treatment plant 100 may be used in plants for steam treating a printed sheet material (known also as steam agers); moreover, the plant 100 may be used for defining a different type of plant, for example for drying a sheet material or for any other type of treatment for sheet material, wherein the material itself requires to be disposed as layers.

Transporting process

In addition, it is an object of the present invention a process of transporting a sheet material T by the transporting device 1 according to anyone of the attached claims and/or according to the above given description .

The process comprises: supplying a sheet material to be treated to the device 1, moving such sheet material along the operative length 17, and extracting the treated sheet material from the device 1. According to the invention, in order to move the sheet material to the interior of the device 2, it is provided to use a plurality of rods 28 and select a predetermined number of such rods and to determine the movement of the predetermined number of rods 28 from the exclusion position to the operative position. In other words, on one side, all the rods 28 are moved along the main path of the conveyor 29 and, on the other side, a predetermined number of said rods passing from the inlet station 17a are continuously selected and moved from the exclusion position to the operative one.

More particularly, all the rods 28 moving along the main path and passing on the lengths 29b, 29c and 29d, are disposed in an exclusion position; when the rods travel on the first length 29a, a predetermined number of these are moved from the exclusion to the operative position for defining the operative length 17. As hereinbefore described, the rods in the operative position are constrained, on one side, to the main conveyor and, on the other side, to the secondary conveyor; the rods moving along the operative length 17 are exclusively movable on the respective first length 29a and 33a of the conveyors 29 and 30.

The number of rods 28 moved to the operative position determines the density in terms of rods per meter of the operative length 17, from which it is consequently obtained the number and shape of the loops of the sheet material present on the operative length 17. For example, if an operative length 17 has a high density of the rods 28, it is possible to obtain loops of sheet material T, having a reduced width; viceversa, if the number of rods 28 simultaneously present on the operative length is decreased, it is possible to obtain loops with a greater width. Figure 4 illustrates, for example, an operative condition of the movement system wherein - at the inlet station of the operative length - there are rods immediately consecutive to each other and each placed in the respective operative position: in such condition, the sheet material defines loops with a reduced width, and particularly less than the width of the loops defined at the outlet station 17b; indeed, in the outlet station just one rod each two/three is disposed in the respective operative position: the reduced density of rods 28 in the operative position, in the outlet station, generally enables to obtain loops of material having a width greater than the one of the loops placed at the inlet station 17a.

Moving the predetermined number of rods is performed by the coupling device 31 which is configured for exclusively acting on the rods moving on the main conveyor 29 and for moving them from the exclusion position to the operative position for defining said operative length 17 wherein a predetermined number of rods have ends engaged both to the main conveyor and to the secondary conveyor, as hereinbefore described.

More particularly, the process comprises a step of selecting, among the rods circulating on the main conveyor, the predetermined number of rods 28 to be placed on the operative length 17. Such selection may be done as a function of at least the following parameters, for example, selected by an operator:

o a movement speed of the rods along the closed path of the main conveyor 29,

o a position of one or more rods 28 with respect to the inlet station 17a of the operative length 17,

o a movement speed of the sheet material along the operative length,

o a minimum distance between two immediately consecutive rods moving along the operative length 17, o a movement speed of each rod along the operative length 17,

o a width of the loops of sheet material, measured along the advancement direction of said material, o a height of the loops of sheet material, measured transversally, optionally orthogonally, to the advancement direction of said material and transversally, optionally orthogonally, to the development direction D of the rods moving along the operative length 17,

o a total number of rods on the operative length. At the selecting step, the process comprises commanding by the coupling device 31 the movement of the rods 28 from the exclusion position to the operative position .

The rods, in the operative position, are moved along an operative length 17 according to the advancement direction A, between the inlet station 17a and outlet station 17b; the rods 28 in the exclusion position, are also continuously moved along the main path. In other words, the rods 28 which are maintained in the exclusion position (the rods which were not selected by the coupling device) are moved on the first rectilinear length 29a of the main conveyor 29: as it is visible from the attached figures, and particularly from Figure 4, each rod 28 in the exclusion position is disposed transversally (for example vertically) to the same rod 28 in the operative position (wherein the rod is for example in a horizontal position) for not interfering with said sheet material T transported along the predetermined advancement direction A.

Moreover, the process comprises a step of positioning the sheet material T on the rods 28 movably disposed along the operative length 17 for shaping said material T as loops and therefore enabling to move it along said predetermined advancement direction A.

The sheet material exiting the station 17b is withdrawn from the movement system 6 and particularly is discharged outside the case 2.

All the moving rods exiting the operative length are moved from the operative position to the exclusion position; particularly, the process comprises a step of discharging the rods 28 - optionally all the rods exiting the operative length 17 - by the discharge device 41 placed in the outlet station 17b of said operative length 17. In this way, all the rods 28 may continuously be recirculated on the main conveyor from the outlet station 17b to the outlet station 17a; the recirculation is performed when the rods are in the exclusion position in order to be capable of performing the movement with a minimum volume. In this way, the transporting device 1 may perform an effective displacement of the rods by simultaneously maintaining a suitable compactness.

Process of treating the sheet material

Moreover, it is an object of the present invention a process of treating a sheet material T by a treatment plant 100 according to anyone of the attached claims and/or according to the above description. Specifically, the treatment process may be performed on the sheet material T during execution of the transporting process and, particularly, while being moved by the device 1.

For example, the treatment process may comprise steam treating the sheet material T, for example a fibrous material, for enabling for example to fix an ink on a previously printed material. In such arrangement, the treatment process may provide a step of generating steam at a predetermined temperature and pressure in order to treat the sheet material moving on the system 16 of the transporting device 1. More particularly, the step of steam treating the sheet material T is performed during the step of moving - particularly continuously - this latter, i.e., when the transporting process is performed according to anyone of the attached claims and/or according to the above given description. Advantageously, the steam is generated inside the case 2 in which the sheet material T, shaped according to loops, is moved as per the transporting process according to anyone of the attached claims and/or according to the above given description.

As an alternative, the treatment process may comprise drying the sheet material T, for example a fibrous material; in such arrangement, the treatment process may comprise a step of blowing air on the fibrous material T, shaped according to loops, while moving on the system 16 of the transporting device 1. More particularly, the step of drying the sheet material is performed during the step of moving - particularly continuously - this latter, i.e., during the transporting process according to anyone of the attached claims and/or according to the above given description. Advantageously, the steps of blowing air on the sheet material, shaped in loops, and moving by the transporting process are performed according to anyone of the attached claims and/or according to the above given description.

Claims

C LA I M S

1. Transporting device (1) of sheet material, optionally to be used in plants (100) for treating sheet material (T) , such as ink drying and/or ink fixing plants, said transporting device (1) comprising:

^ at least one movement system (16) having a plurality of movable rods (28), said movement system (16) being configured for:

o moving said predetermined number of movable rods (28) along an advancement direction (A) from the inlet station (17a) to the outlet station (17b), the movable rods (28) disposed along the operative length (17) being configured for receiving the sheet material (T) , shaping it according to loops and moving it along said predetermined advancement direction (A) ,

characterized in that it further comprises:

^ a coupling device (31) configured for moving a movable rod (28) between: o an operative position, wherein the movable rod (28) is disposed along the operative length (17) for receiving said sheet material, and o an exclusion position, wherein the movable rod (28) is disposed transversally to the operative position .

2. Device according to claim 1, wherein each movable rod (28) - in the exclusion position - extends along a substantially vertical direction, and wherein each movable rod - in the operative position - extends along a substantially horizontal direction.

3. Device according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein the coupling device (31) is configured for hooking a movable rod of said plurality in an exclusion position.

4. Device according to anyone of the preceding claims, comprising a control unit (35) connected to the coupling device (31) and to the movement system, said control unit (35) being configured for:

^ receiving an input control signal regarding a parameter representative of at least one among:

o a movement speed of each rod moving along the operative length (17),

o the time each movable rod requires to travel the operative length, optionally a movement time of each movable rod between the inlet station and outlet station,

o a height of the loops of sheet material, measured transversally, optionally orthogonally, to the advancement direction of said material and transversally, optionally orthogonally, to a development direction (D) of the movable rods travelling along the operative length (17), o a total number of movable rods on the operative length,

as a function of said control signal, commanding the coupling device (31) to move, with respect to a predetermined time interval, a predetermined number of movable rods from the exclusion position to the operative position.

5. Device according to the preceding claim, wherein said control unit (35) is further configured for:

^ receiving a movement signal representative of at least one of:

o a movement speed of the sheet material along the operative length,

^ as a function both of said control signal and of said movement signal, commanding the coupling device (31) to move, with respect to a predetermined time interval, a predetermined number of movable rods from the exclusion position to the operative position.

6. Device according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein the movement system (28) comprises:

^ at least one main conveyor (29) carrying the plurality of movable rods (28) and configured for moving a first portion (28a) of these latter along a main path,

^ at least one secondary conveyor (30) configured for receiving the predetermined number of said plurality of movable rods (28), and for moving a second portion (28b) of these latter along a secondary path, said secondary conveyor being configured for cooperating with the main conveyor (29) for arranging the predetermined number of movable rods along the operative length (17) of transportation and for moving said predetermined number of movable rods along an advancement direction (A) between the inlet station (17a) and outlet station (17b), the movable rods (28), moving on the operative length (17) and engaging both the main conveyor (29) and secondary conveyor (30), being configured for receiving the sheet material (T) , by shaping it as loops and moving it along the predetermined advancement direction (A) ,

the coupling device (31) being active at the inlet station (17a) of the operative length (17) and being configured for moving a movable rod between:

^ the exclusion position wherein the movable rod (28) is only engaged with the main conveyor (29) , and ^ the operative position wherein the movable rod is engaged both with the main conveyor (29) and secondary conveyor (30) along the operative length (17) .

7. Device according to claim 6, wherein each movable rod (28) is engaged, at the respective first portion (28a) , by a hinge-type constraint to the main conveyor

(29) , each rod being rotatively movable with respect to said main conveyor (29) at least between the exclusion position and operative position.

8. Device according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the main path defined by the main conveyor (29) is a closed path,

optionally, the main closed path defined by the main conveyor (29) extends substantially along a lying plane, optionally each rod (28) is rotatively movable with respect to the main conveyor (29) - at least between the exclusion position and operative position - about an axis parallel to the laying plane of the closed path of the main conveyor (29) .

9. Device according to anyone of claims from 6 to 8, wherein each movable rod (28) of said predetermined number of rods is engaged with the secondary conveyor

(30) only in the operative position in which it defines the operative length (17) .

10. Device according to anyone of claims from 6 to

9, wherein the secondary path of the secondary conveyor (30) is an open path, optionally said open path is defined by a portion of a closed complete path defined by the secondary conveyor (30),

wherein only said open path of the secondary conveyor is configured for receiving and moving the predetermined number of movable rods (28) arriving from the coupling device (31) along said operative length (17) .

11. Device according to anyone of claims from 6 to

10, wherein the coupling device (31) is configured for:

^ contacting a movable rod (28) of said plurality, in exclusion position, which is moving on the main conveyor (29) and passing from the inlet station (17a) ,

moving said movable rod passing by the inlet station (17a) from the exclusion position to the operative position wherein the movable rod is engaged, on one side, with the main conveyor and, on the other side, with the secondary conveyor, releasing said movable rod in the operative position so that the same may be moved - by the main and secondary conveyors - along the operative length (17)

12. Device according to anyone of claims from 6 to , combined with claim 4, wherein said control unit 5) is configured for:

^ receiving the movement signal representative of at least one of:

o a movement speed of the sheet material along the operative length,

^ receiving an inlet control signal regarding a parameter representative of at least one among:

o a movement speed of each movable rod along the operative length (17),

o a time each movable rod requires to travel the operative length, optionally a movement time of each movable rod between the inlet station and outlet station, o a width of the loops of sheet material, measured along the advancement direction of said material,

o a total number of movable rods on the operative length,

^ as a function of said movement and control signals, commanding the coupling device (31) to move a predetermined number of movable rods from the exclusion position to the operative position.

13. Device according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein the coupling device (31) comprises:

an inlet conveyor (36) defining a respective path, ^ at least one thrust element (37) movable along the respective path of the inlet conveyor (36) at least between :

o a hooking position wherein the thrust element (37) is configured for intercepting and hooking a rod in the exclusion position, o a release position wherein the thrust element (37) is configured for engaging the rod withdrawn from the hooking position to the secondary conveyor (30);

optionally, the inlet conveyor (36) comprises at least one selected in the group among: a chain, a belt, a rope .

14. Device according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein the movement system (16) further comprises a discharge device (41) active at the outlet station (17b) of the operative length (17) which is configured for displacing the movable rods moving on the operative length (17) between the operative position and exclusion position,

optionally, the discharge device (41) is configured for displacing the movable rods moving on the operative length between:

^ an operative position wherein the movable rod is engaged with the main conveyor (29) and secondary conveyor (30), and

an exclusion position wherein the movable rod is only engaged with the main conveyor (29) .

15. Treatment plant (100) for fixing ink on a sheet material (T) , said plant (100) comprising:

^ a case (2) defining at least one treatment chamber (3) and having:

o at least one inlet port (4), configured for enabling the sheet material (T) to enter into the treatment chamber (3), and

^ at least one transporting device (1) according to anyone of the preceding claims at least partially housed in the treatment chamber (3) .

16. Treatment plant (100) for drying a sheet material (T) , said plant (100) comprising:

^ a case (2) defining at least one treatment chamber (3) and having:

^ at least one transporting device (1) according to anyone of the preceding claims housed at least partially in the treatment chamber (3) .

17. Process of conveying sheet material (T) , optionally useable in processes for fixing ink, said process of conveying comprising:

providing a plurality of movable rods (28),

moving a predetermined number of movable rods (28) of said plurality from an exclusion position to an operative position,

moving the predetermined number of movable rods

(28) transported in the operative position along an operative length (17) and along an advancement direction (A) from an inlet station (17a) to an outlet station (17b),

^ positioning, on the movable rods (28) disposed along the operative length (17), the sheet material (T) for shaping it according to loops and moving it along said predetermined advancement direction (A) , wherein each rod (28) in the exclusion position is disposed transversally to the same rod (28) in the operative position so that it does not interfere with said sheet material (T) conveyed along the predetermined advancement direction (A) .

18. Process according to the preceding claim using a transporting device (1) according to anyone of claims from 1 to 14, and wherein the step of moving a predetermined number of movable rods (28) of said plurality from an exclusion position to an operative position, comprises a sub-step of moving - by the coupling device (31) - only the rods moving on the main conveyor (29) from the exclusion position to the operative position for defining said operative length (17) wherein the rods of the predetermined number of movable rods are engaged both with the main conveyor and with the secondary conveyor.

19. Process according to the preceding claim, comprising :

^ a step of selecting the predetermined number of movable rods (28) to be arranged on the operative length (17) as a function of at least one of:

o a movement speed of the sheet material along the operative length, o a minimum distance between two immediately consecutive rods moving along the operative length (17),

o a movement speed of each rod along the operative length (17),

o a width of the loops of sheet material, measured along the advancement direction of said material,

o a total number of movable rods on the operative length,

after the selecting step, commanding by the coupling device (31) the movement of the movable rods from the exclusion position to the operative position .

20. Process of fixing ink or of drying sheet material, said process comprising transporting sheet material (T) into a treatment plant, particularly into a plant according to one of claims 15 or 16, using the transporting process according to anyone of claims from 17 to 19.