CONDITIONING APPARATUS FOR TEXTILES

Abstract: Apparatus for the conditioning of textile articles comprises an elongate tunnel (1), conveyor means (10) for moving hanging articles through the tunnel, means (7, 8) for extracting air from the tunnel, for treating the extracted air to adjust the humidity and/or temperature thereof and for reintroducing the treated air back into the tunnel, and at each of a plurality of portions of the tunnel, separate means (6, 9) for extracting air from the tunnel and for blowing the extracted air on to the articles passing through the respective portion. A packaging system for textile articles comprises such a conditioning apparatus and, at the end of the tunnel (1) from which the articles emerge, vacuum packing apparatus for sealing the articles in plastics film under reduced pressure.

Description: CONDITIONING APPARATUS FOR TEXTILES Field of the Invention This invention relates to apparatus for conditioning garments and other textile articles prior to packaging, and to a packaging system for textile articles. Background to the Invention The trade in textile articles such as garments, bedding, towels and the like is increasingly carried on internationally, resulting in such articles being transported large distances. The cost of transporting the articles becomes as a result a significant factor in the selling price of the article. A particular problem with transporting textile articles is that they are relatively bulky in comparison with their weight especially where the articles include thermally-insulating materials such as down, fibres, or plastics foam, or padding materials. Increasing the density of packing during transporting carries with it the risk of unwanted creasing, reducing the value of the articles or requiring remedial treatment on delivery, adding to the cost of the articles. One way of reducing the volume of articles during transporting is to vacuum pack the articles in plastics bags or the like, either singly or in multiples. While this has proved a very effective way of reducing transport costs, it has been found to be very important in avoiding permanent creasing to ensure that the moisture content of the articles is reduced before packing. Moisture can be introduced during processing of the textile articles, or even by exposure to the humid environments which can be experienced in some countries where manufacture is carried out, for example Far Eastern countries. Removal of moisture is also important to avoid the risk of mould growth during transportation. Treatment of articles to lower the moisture content must, however, be carried out in such a way that the cost does not negate the savings achievable in transport costs by vacuum packing. Following removal of the articles from the plastics bags, different materials recondition themselves to varying degrees and at different rates, depending on local conditions of humidity and temperature. Typically, this re-conditioning is carried out by simply hanging the articles in a warehouse for a period of time. This is, however, a costly operation, both in the labour involved and in the storage space required, and these costs can reduce the cost advantages of the initial vacuum packaging. Summary of the Invention According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided apparatus for the conditioning of textile articles prior to packaging, comprising an elongate tunnel, conveyor means for moving hanging articles through the tunnel, means for extracting air from the tunnel, for treating the extracted air to adjust the humidity and/or temperature thereof and for reintroducing the treated air back into the tunnel, and at each of a plurality of portions of the tunnel, separate means for extracting air from the tunnel and for blowing the extracted air on to the articles passing through the respective portion. Preferably, at least one of the separate means is arranged to blow air downwardly on to the articles and to extract air from beneath the articles. Another aspect of the invention provides apparatus for the conditioning of textile articles prior to packaging, comprising an elongate tunnel, conveyor means for moving hanging articles through the tunnel, and means for blowing air downwardly over the articles from above as they move through the tunnel. Preferably, the means for blowing air are disposed at intervals along the tunnel, each said means being associated with means for extracting air from the tunnel below the articles. Dehumidifying means may be provided for dehumidifying air from within the tunnel and returning the dehumidified air to the tunnel. The tunnel is suitably of rectangular section, and may be bent so as to accommodate a long tunnel in a smaller floor area. The conveyor means is preferably arranged to ensure that each article is separated from the adjacent articles, for example by a distance of 35-50 mm, so that air can pass between the articles. If desired, means for heating or cooling the air in the tunnel may be provided. The invention also provides a packaging system for textile articles comprising conditioning apparatus in accordance with the invention and, at the end of the tunnel from which the articles emerge, vacuum packing apparatus for sealing the articles in plastics film under reduced internal pressure. It has been found that use of the apparatus in accordance with the invention enables the textile articles to be vacuum packed for transport, the articles being readily restored to saleable condition by removing them from the packaging and hanging them for a short period of time. Any creases apparent on first removal from the packaging drop out of the article during hanging, without requiring further, labour-intensive, treatment. A further advantage has been found with the apparatus in which air is recirculated in the tunnel independently of the flow through the dehumidifying means and that is that the maximum conditioning effect can be achieved with a smaller dehumidifying plant than is required if all the airflow directed over the articles is passing through the dehumidifier, as with some conventional systems of this general type. This can reduce capital costs. Brief Description of the Drawings In the drawings, which illustrate an exemplary embodiment of the invention: Figure 1 is a plan view of the apparatus in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view of one segment of the tunnel; Figure 3 is a side elevation of the segment shown in Figure 2; and Figure 4 is an end elevation of the same segment. Detailed Description of the Illustrated Embodiment Referring first to Figure 1 , the apparatus illustrated is configured as a transportable ready-to-use unit. It will be appreciated, however, that the apparatus may be constructed as a fixed installation configured quite differently from that shown in the drawings. The apparatus comprises a tunnel 1 formed by partitioning a rectangular enclosure 2 into three parallel sections 3, 4 and 5, one leading into the next, to reduce the overall length of the apparatus. A plurality of modules 6, illustrated in more detail in Figures 2 to 4, are arranged at spaced intervals along the path of the tunnel 1. In the roof of the tunnel, ducting 7 and 8 runs along with openings into the spaces between the modules 6. The ducting 7 and 8 is linked to dehumidifying apparatus (not shown) which extracts air from the tunnel, for example at one end thereof, or from floor-level or under-floor openings and reduces the moisture content before returning it to the ducting 7 and 8 for reintroduction to the tunnel. Heat may be added or removed from the air during the dehumidifying process, according to the requirements for treating the textile articles. Each module 6, as will be explained in more detail hereinafter, is generally hollow and has a fan 9 in the ceiling part to propel air downwardly from within the hollow section on to the articles being conveyed along the tunnel. The hollow section opens adjacent the floor of the tunnel to admit air. A conveyor track 10 extends through the tunnel from a loading point 1 1 to an unloading point12, or to an alternative unloading point 13. At the end of each of the first two parallel sections 3 and 4 of the tunnel, the track 10 curves round through 180° to enter the next section 4 or 5. The track 10 suitably provides carrying hooks at predetermined intervals along its length, for example 35-50mm, to enable articles to hang as they are conveyed, in the case of garments by hangers of conventional form. Referring now to Figures 2 to 4, the modules 6 are in the form of hollow inverted L-shaped units having an opening 14 near to the floor of the tunnel through which air may be drawn by an electric fan 9 mounted in an opening in the hollow ceiling 15 of the module 6. Air is blown downwardly by the fan 9 out of the hollow unit and passes over the articles as they move along the tunnel. Because the airflow is downwards over the articles, there is no tendency for the articles to flap, ensuring that the shape is not distorted and that unwanted creases are not introduced, while the effectiveness of the drying is maximised. Because the articles are separated one from another along the conveyor, there is no possibility of portions of the articles remaining unaffected by the airflow and thus having an undesirably high local moisture content. Adjacent to the unloading point 12 or 13 is located a vacuum packing machine for use in sealing the garments individually or in batches into plastics bags from which air is first withdrawn to reduce the bulk of the garments. It has been found desirable to leave some air in the bags to act as a cushion to protect the articles during transport. The amount left is such as to avoid pulling the plastics film into intimate contact with the articles, but not so much as to permit the articles to move freely within the bag. Some types of article, for example those containing wadding or other insulating material of high volume, can be compressed to a greater degree. While the apparatus has been particularly described with reference to de- humidification prior to packaging and transport, it will be appreciated that a similar apparatus may be used for the re-humidification of the articles after they are unpacked at the destination, the dehumidifying apparatus being replaced by humidifying apparatus arranged to increase the humidity to a degree where the articles are rapidly returned to normal condition, and therefore a state in which they may be sold, as they pass through the tunnel. It will be appreciated that it is much less labour-intensive to load the articles on to and off the conveyor than to load on to racks in a warehouse, and then remove them again after a period of time, perhaps measured in days.

Claims: C.LAIMS 1. Apparatus for the conditioning of textile articles, comprising an elongate tunnel, conveyor means for moving hanging articles through the tunnel, means for extracting air from the tunnel, for treating the extracted air to adjust the humidity and/or temperature thereof and for reintroducing the treated air back into the tunnel, and at each of a plurality of portions of the tunnel, separate means for extracting air from the tunnel and for blowing the extracted air on to the articles passing through the respective portion. 2. Apparatus according to Claim 1 , wherein at least one of said separate means is arranged to blow air downwardly on to the moving articles and to extract air from beneath the articles. 3. Apparatus for the conditioning of textile articles, comprising an elongate tunnel, conveyor means for moving hanging articles through the tunnel, and means for blowing air downwardly over the articles from above as they move through the tunnel. 4. Apparatus according to Claim 3, wherein the means for blowing air are disposed at intervals along the tunnel, each said means being associated with means for extracting air from the tunnel below the articles. 5. Apparatus according to Claim 3 or 4, comprising dehumidifying means for dehumidifying air from within the tunnel and returning the dehumidified air to the tunnel. 6. Apparatus according to Claim 3 or 4, comprising humidifying means for increasing the humidity of air extracted from the tunnel and for returning the humidified air to the tunnel. 7. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the tunnel is of rectangular section. 8. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the tunnel is bent so as to accommodate a long tunnel in a smaller floor area. 9. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the conveyor means is arranged to ensure that each article is separated from the adjacent articles so that air can pass between the articles. 10. Apparatus according to Claim 9, wherein the conveyor means is arranged to space the article by 35-50mm. 1 1. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, comprising means for heating or cooling the air in the tunnel. 12. A packaging system for textile articles, comprising conditioning apparatus in accordance with any of the preceding claims and, at the end of the tunnel from which the articles emerge, vacuum packing apparatus for sealing the articles in plastics film under reduced internal pressure.

Inventors: DAVIS ROBERT, DAVIS, ROBERT
Applicants: DAVIS ROBERT, PLADREST HEATING LIMITED, DAVIS, ROBERT
Application year: 1998
Main classification: D06B3
IPC codes: B65B25, D06B3