WO2010009859A1

WO2010009859A1 - Method and device for conditioning textile products

Info

Publication number: WO2010009859A1
Application number: PCT/EP2009/005279
Authority: WO
Inventors: Roland Affolter; Peter R. Phillip
Original assignee: Xorella Ag
Priority date: 2008-07-24
Filing date: 2009-07-21
Publication date: 2010-01-28
Also published as: DE102008034840A1

Abstract

In a method for conditioning textile material, including yarn and fiber material, the textile material is inserted into a treatment chamber of a treatment device charge-by-charge, and there subjected to a vacuum and heat treatment. Either before or after said treatment the textile material is further charged with moisture in a process step by means of exposure to water vapor or moist air having a relative humidity of greater than 65% during a time period of more than one hour.

Description

Method and device for conditioning textile goods

The invention relates to a method and apparatus for conditioning textile material, including yarn and fiber material. "Conditioning" of textile material is generally understood to mean a process which serves to increase the moisture content of the textile material, for example of yarns and fiber material, in order, in particular, to achieve the so-called "commercial moisture content", at least approximately.

Both textile natural fibers and partially synthetic fibers absorb and desorb more or less moisture depending on the relative humidity of their environment. In order to do justice to this circumstance, the trade in such fibers defines a so-called "commercial moisture content." This commercial moisture content differs depending on the fiber type and is standardized in the trade.

Cotton = 8.5% Viscose = 13% Wool = 14% - 19% Silk = 11%, etc. In the processing of the fibers, for example in the context of a spinning process, the original moisture of the fiber material decreases to a greater or lesser extent. Thus, for example, at the end of a spinning process, a cotton yarn angled on cones typically only has a moisture content of about 4.5 to 5.5 weight percent. As mentioned above, since the commercial moisture content for such yarn is 8.5% by weight, the moisture content of the spun yarn can be increased by "conditioning" before the yarn is put on the market for further processing: the value of the commercial moisture content about the original moisture content is advantageous because with increasing water content of the yarn, its tensile strength and elongation increase, thereby allowing the stresses occurring during knotting or weaving to be better absorbed without fiber tears, which is why the yarn manufacturer has taken into consideration the quality of the product, but also for commercial reasons. an interest in yarn or generally textile materials, ie yarns, fiber material, nonwovens, but also woven and knitted goods and made-up articles, as far as they are traded by weight, with the commercial water content to deliver.

In order to increase the humidity of textile materials, various methods are known:

In practice, the moisture of textile material is often increased by so-called atmospheric conditioning. In this case, the textile material, in particular yarn, stored in chambers with high humidity, which is generated for example by spray nozzles in the closed chamber chamber. It is also known to use humidifying chambers in which a controlled climate is created by active air circulation and regulated moisture supply. Because of the absorbency of the textile material, its moisture is increased in the course of the residence time envisaged for the treatment. For example, in the case of yarns wound on cones, a problem with this approach is the uneven moisture absorption of the cones, with the result that the outer yarn layers have higher moisture than the inner yarn layers. On the one hand, this is due to the structure of the respective cone itself and, on the other hand, to the bearing of the cone, for example piled up on the ground or on plug-on or top-mounted trucks, stands and the like, which can not ensure uniform flow around the moisture-laden air. Taken as a whole, practical experience shows that the potential increase in moisture in the textile material is influenced by many different factors, so that it is therefore difficult to predict or define.

EP 0 938 603 A1 discloses a method and a device for the heat treatment of textiles in which textile material, for example yarn, is treated with saturated steam in a conditioning chamber under vacuum. The condensation of hot saturated steam on the cool yarn heats the material and also absorbs moisture. The moisture gain achieved depends on the process control and the temperature increase of the textile material. Theoretically, the following increase in the moisture content is achievable: G * AT * c

AG =

are:

ΔG = weight gain in kg

G = weight in kg

ΔT = increase in temperature of the material in ⁰ K.

(Maximum temperature - initial temperature) c = heat capacity of the material in kJ / kgK

(for example 1.44kJ / kgK for cotton with 5% moisture) r = condensation energy of saturated steam in kJ / kg with corresponding ΔT

The limits of the aforementioned method are, inter alia, that the increase in weight which can be achieved by increasing the moisture content of the textile material is limited. During the cooling process to ambient temperature following the saturated steam treatment at elevated temperature, the textile material again loses part of its moisture content. By fractionating the conditioning, ie by repeatedly repeating the vacuum and saturated steam treatment, it is possible to achieve an almost complete uniformity of the moisture distribution, for example via the cones and their bearing structure. After conditioning as described, the textile material is moved out of the conditioning chamber and stored open. At the same time, the material begins to cool due to the condensation and evaporation of the condensate. This cooling process must last between 0.5 hours and 1 hour, otherwise condensation drops will form on the surface when packaging the material. which can reduce the quality of the material, in particular of the yarn. In addition, the textile material loses the evaporation of moisture again.

It is also known to proceed in such a way that at the end of the

Steaming process fine water aerosol is injected into the conditioning chamber. The aerosol should cool down the textile material so that it loses less moisture during the actual cooling process. For example, in the treatment of yarns wound on cones, in turn, uneven moisture absorption may result because the aerosol mist can reach only the outermost layer of the cones. If the material is stacked on pallets, only the outermost layer of the stack is treated here.

Finally, EP 1 333 117 B1 discloses a method and an arrangement for moistening textile materials, in particular textile yarns, which have lost moisture originally present in the fiber raw material during spinning to a residual moisture during spinning. The moistening takes place by the action of steam under reduced pressure on the textile material or yarn, the procedure being such that the textile material is subjected to active cooling before the action of the steam in a separate space or zone. This is done in a closed chamber in the externally supplied air is moved and guided so that the yarn packages are lapped on all sides by the cooling air. The externally supplied cooling air is actively cooled by air conditioning units to at least 20 ° below the ambient temperature. As a result of this cooling, the factor .DELTA.T in the equation given above for the increase in weight .DELTA.G is compared to the subsequentconformance. However, this active pre-cooling of the material, for example yarn, has several disadvantages: Since yarn is usually a good heat insulator, it takes a relatively long time until the cones are distributed uniformly over the rolls, and low temperatures are reached. If the cooling times are too short, the moisture absorption is no longer evenly distributed over the cone, because the temperature in the core is higher than in the outside. Finally, a very high energy consumption is required to cool the material, since refrigeration systems have a lower efficiency compared to pure heating systems.

Based on this prior art, the invention has for its object to provide a method and an apparatus which allow the moisture content of textile materials, including yarns and fiber materials, which have only a residual moisture below the so-called commercial moisture, at least approximately on the To increase trade moisture and thereby to ensure a uniform distribution of moisture over the textile material and in particular on wound on bobbins or cones package, in order to ensure a uniform and reproducible quality of the final product.

To solve this problem, the inventive

Method on the features of claim 1, while a device according to the invention is the subject of claim 33.

In the new method, the textile material is introduced in batches into a treatment room of a treatment device and conditioned there. For this purpose, the textile mate- rial in the treatment space treated by vapor deposition in such a way that the textile material during a first vacuum cycle exposed to a first negative pressure and heated in a steam atmosphere to a predetermined first temperature and held thereon for a predetermined first holding time. In one step before or after this treatment, the textile material is preconditioned or post-conditioned by additionally being charged with moisture by the action of water vapor or humid air having a relative humidity of more than 65% during a period of more than one hour. The textile material thus treated is finally cooled in or outside the treatment device and then supplied for further use.

The steam used is usually saturated steam, but may, depending on the respective textile material and further process steps, also be used at least temporarily during steaming and / or pre- or post-conditioning with steam in another state.

In one embodiment, the textile material may be treated by fractional vapor deposition, wherein the textile material is subjected to a second negative pressure after the said holding time during a second vacuum cycle, and then heated to a predetermined second temperature in a steam atmosphere and then over a predetermined second temperature Holding time for which the second temperature is higher than the first temperature. Here, too, preferably saturated steam but also steam in another state can be used as water vapor. Between the consecutive damping methods In the case of fractionated conditioning, the textile material can in each case be cooled. The fractionated steaming under reduced pressure in a steam atmosphere, if appropriate with subsequent cooling, can also be repeated more than twice so that several such vacuum cycles adjoin one another.

The additional loading of the textile material with moisture in the context of the mentioned pre- or post-conditioning is carried out, for example, until the textile material absorbs at least between 0.4% and 1% (wt.%) Of moisture. The required residence time in the moist air or steam atmosphere is, depending on the textile material and the process conditions, several hours, usually between 2 and 12 hours and ideally between 4 and 8 hours. When using air of high relative humidity (≥ 97% RH), the moistening is expediently carried out in a temperature range of 15 ° to 60 ° C. If the textile material is treated for a period of 2 to 12 hours, preferably for 6 to 8 hours in a steam atmosphere , It is conveniently maintained there at a temperature of 40 ° to 90 ° C, preferably 45 ° to 80 ⁰ C when using saturated steam. If water vapor is used in another state, other temperature and time conditions apply depending on the textile material being treated.

The cooling of the textile material in the course of the entire conditioning treatment takes place without the use of refrigerating machines or cooling apparatus, which require a high expenditure of energy. The cooling can be done in a closed room, for example in a climatic chamber or in the humidifier. or on a free conveyor section of the individual chambers and / or zones of the device interconnecting funding happen. It is preferably carried out with fresh air, which is circulated in the closed space and the moisture content is increased if necessary by adding water or steam to a value required in each case. However, the textile material can also be cooled substantially by air convection or in a closed space in such a way that a water film is present in the space on the walls, the circulated cooling air being in contact with the water film and the textile material. Advantageously, the cooling takes place with cooling air of relatively high humidity (97% to 100% RH), the desired goal is to the textile material to a temperature in the loading area between the room temperature and 60 ⁰ C, preferably between 35 ° to 60 ⁰ C, is to cool. At the end of the conditioning, that is, before forwarding the treated textile goods for further use, the textile material is to be cooled to room temperature plus 10 ⁰ C of <1 hour within a time (in particular, about 30 minutes), so that it can be directly packaged , When cooling the textile material during the conditioning process, for example after the damping and after the holding time, the textile material is usually within a time of <2 hours, preferably within one hour, cooled and prepared for the next Bedämpfungszyklus.

The new conditioning method is capable of a number of modifications, whereby the individual treatment steps can be combined in different orders with different treatment, dwell and hold times, as the type of each to be conditioned Textile material and its intended final moisture appear to be appropriate.

The method ensures that, on the one hand, the commercial moisture content of the treated textile material can be achieved in virtually any approximation, with the possibility of also controlling the moisture achieved appropriately. At the same time the uniformity of the moistening of the textile material and in particular of yarn, cores and coils is ensured, which results in a uniform and reproducible quality of the treated end product.

The method can be carried out in different variants with advantage in a device which forms a self-contained procedural apparatus which ensures that possible processing errors in the process are minimized.

The new device has at least one closable treatment space for textile material, which is arranged in the form of successively arranged in a conveying direction batches on conveying means, which are associated with the at least one treatment room. By means of the conveying means, the textile goods batches can be conveyed intermittently in the conveying direction from a loading station to an unloading station, where the treated batches can possibly also stay for a certain time before they are fed to further use.

In the conveying direction behind the loading station, at least one closed treatment space is arranged, which is provided with a equipped for additional moisture loading of therein batches of textile material. This treatment room, which in some embodiments may be referred to as a humidification chamber or climatic chamber, is adjacent in one embodiment in the conveying direction at least one further vacuum-resistant treatment space, which is connected to means for generating a negative pressure in the treatment room and with vapor supply means through which in the treatment room Underpressure and a steam vapor atmosphere at a predetermined temperature are adjustable.

Alternatively, only a single treatment room can be present, which is equipped both with means for additional moisture loading of textile material batches therein also with means for generating a negative pressure in the treatment room and with Dampfzulei- processing facilities, by, as mentioned, in the treatment room a negative pressure and a Wasserdampfatmo- sphere are adjustable at a predetermined temperature.

This single treatment room can be contained in a chamber, the opposite sides each have a closable door and extend through the funding. Alternatively, the chamber may also have only one closable door, through which the loading and unloading of the treatment space takes place alternately. The loading and unloading then fall together to a combined loading / unloading station, which is formed in front of the door.

In this context, "conveying means" are understood as meaning all devices which allow a cyclical transport of the batches in a conveying direction. len- and belt conveyor, conveyor chains and the like, but also in the conveying direction movable pallet truck, trolleys, floor conveyor and the like. With only a single processing chamber, manual batch transport by operators may be included.

The conveying means expediently extend through at least one cooling zone, which are associated with means for cooling the textile material batches through which the cooling zone passes. This cooling zone can be arranged in a closed treatment space, in which, as already explained, cooling air is circulated and which is optionally provided with means for forming a water film on its inner walls. However, the cooling zone may also be formed by a free conveying path section of the conveying means, to which fan devices for generating an air flow cooling the textile material batches located in the cooling zone are optionally assigned. Finally, in the mentioned embodiment, with only one treatment chamber, the cooling can also take place in this single treatment chamber or a cooling zone can follow this treatment chamber.

The device advantageously has control means, by means of which the clockwise movement of the conveying means can be controlled according to the program, so that the dwell and holding times of the individual textile material batches in the various treatment zones can be adjusted as required. The control means may be connected to temperature and / or humidity sensor means which transmit signals indicative of the temperature and / or humidity of textile batches located in the loading station and / or the unloading station, and allow it to control the individual treatment steps in the different treatment zones so that the particular desired commercial moisture (or in some cases another desired moisture) safely achieved and also excessive moisture loading of the textile material is avoided with certainty.

Modifications and further embodiments of the method and the device according to the invention are the subject of dependent claims.

In the drawings, embodiments of the subject matter of the invention are shown. It shows, in a schematic representation:

FIG. 1 shows a device according to the invention for conditioning (moistening) textile material, for example in the form of textile yarn,

FIG. 2 shows a diagram for illustrating the method sequence in the device according to FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 shows the device according to FIG. 1 in a modified embodiment with cooling of the textile material, in each case outside a closed treatment space on a free route of the conveying means,

FIG. 4 shows a diagram to illustrate the treatment procedure in the device according to FIG. 3,

FIG. 5 shows the device according to FIG. 1 in a modified embodiment with one of the fractionated dampers. following additional humidification (post-conditioning),

FIG. 6 shows the device according to FIG. 3 in a modified embodiment with only one treatment space for steaming the textile material and with conveying means movable forwards and backwards,

FIG. 7 shows a diagram for illustrating the method sequence in the device according to FIG. 6 and FIG

FIG. 8 shows a device according to the invention with only a single treatment space for carrying out all method steps.

The device according to the invention shown in FIG. 1 in a first variant is used for conditioning textile articles of all kinds and will be described below (as well as the following variants) in connection with the conditioning of yarns wound on bobbins or cones.

The device 1 has a first treatment chamber 2, which contains a treatment space and which may be formed, for example, in the form of a rectangular container in cross-section. The first treatment chamber 2 is closed on opposite sides in each case by a door 300 or 4. Both doors can be opened and closed as needed.

The first treatment chamber 2 is adjoined by a second treatment chamber 3, which may likewise be designed in the form of a container of rectangular cross-section and which is designed to be suppressed. The second treatment chamber 3 is also provided on two opposite sides with two doors 5, 60, which allow a pressure-tight closure of the chamber.

Adjoining the second treatment chamber 3 is a third treatment chamber 4 of the same shape, whose doors, which are provided on opposite sides, are designated 7, 8 and which encloses a treatment space forming a cooling zone in which the textile material contained therein can be cooled. The third treatment chamber 4 is followed immediately thereafter by a fourth treatment chamber 5 which, in the same purpose as the treatment chamber 3, is used for steaming and vacuum treatment. tion of the textile material contained in the treatment room enclosed by it. The two treatment chambers 3, 5 are the same. The arranged on opposite sides of the doors of the treatment chamber 5 are designated 9, 10.

Finally, the fourth treatment chamber 5 is followed by a fifth treatment chamber 6, which has the same configuration as the third treatment chamber 4 and serves to cool the textile material in the cooling zone enclosed by it. Their doors are labeled 11, 12. It is formed in the same shape as the third treatment chamber. 4

Through the treatment chambers 2 to 6, which are arranged coaxially with each other and immediately adjacent to each other, extending in the form of a roller conveyor or a conveyor belt, a conveyor chain or the like conveyor 13 extends, which is divided into individual chambers 2 to 6 each in sections, which extend from door to door. The conveyor may also be an industrial truck that operates with cars, forklifts, trolleys, and the like; The term "conveying means" is to be understood in a general sense and is not limited to special means or devices The conveying means 13 is movable in a cyclic manner in a conveying direction indicated by an arrow 14 and extends from a loading station 15 located in front of the door 3 of the first chamber 2 to an unloading station 16 provided behind the door 12 of the last chamber 6. In the loading station 15, textile material, for example yarn cones, which are suitably arranged on thorn trolleys, pallets or stacked, in the form of individual batches (English: Badges) applied to the conveyor 13. Such charged in the loading station 15 batch is denoted by 17. It is clocked by the conveyor 13 through the treatment chambers or zones contained in the individual treatment chambers 2 to 6 in a predetermined cycle step by step until it arrives in the unloading station 16, where they are from the conveyor 13 - possibly after a certain residence-time decreased and the further use is supplied.

In the loading station 15, temperature and humidity sensor means 18 or 19 can be provided which allow the temperature of the charges 17 applied to the conveying means 13 in the loading station to be measured and to supply signals indicative of this temperature and humidity to a control device 20, where they are stored automatically and can be used to control the process. Alternatively, the initial temperature and moisture of the textile material before loading can also be manually measured for each batch and manually entered into the controller 20. The control device 20 controls the cycle of the conveying means 13 and the treatment parameters in the individual treatment chambers 2 to 6 in such a way that the batch, upon arrival in the unloading station 16 after cooling, has the desired moisture, which in particular does not exceed the commercial temperature.

The first treatment chamber 2 is provided with devices in the form of nozzles indicated at 21, via which an air circulation in the treatment space enclosed by the chamber can be maintained, whose flow direction arrows 22 designate. The air flow is generated by a blower indicated at 23, via lines 24 is connected to the nozzles 21. In the generated air flow can be sprayed from the fan 23 at 25 water on the pressure side to increase the moisture content of the circulated air to, for example, 97% to 100% RH. A valve 26 allows the control device 20 to regulate the addition of water and thus the moisture content of the air appropriately. The described humidifier is generally indicated at 27 and also includes temperature and humidity measuring means 28, 29 for the recirculated air and a heater indicated at 30 to heat the air to an appropriate temperature, if necessary. One at

31 indicated ventilation device allows it to remove excess air from the interior of the treatment chamber 2. The humidifying device 27 and the ventilation device 31 can be controlled by the control device 20.

The adjoining second treatment chamber 3 serves to vaporize the textile material contained therein in such a way that the textile material during a first vacuum cycle exposed to a first negative pressure Vl and heated in a steam atmosphere to a predetermined first temperature Tl and held thereon for a predetermined first holding time becomes. For this purpose, the interior of the treatment chamber 3 with a vacuum pump

32 connected via a valve 33 and a valve 34 containing a vapor supply line 35. Via the steam supply line 35, steam can be introduced into the treatment space enclosed by the treatment chamber by a steam accumulator which is not further shown in the drawing. At the prevailing negative pressure usually creates a saturated steam atmosphere but are also other steam conditions conceivable for the treatment. The temperature and the pressure in the treatment chamber can be measured at 36, 37, whereby corresponding signals are fed to the control device 20. A ventilation device 38 allows to ventilate the treatment room after completion of the treatment. At 39 finally a safety valve is shown.

The third treatment chamber 4 adjoining the second treatment chamber 3 serves to cool the textile material contained therein after the damping treatment in the second treatment chamber 2. For this purpose, the third treatment chamber 4, similar to the first treatment chamber 2, is provided with a blower 40 which allows, via nozzles 41 inside the treatment chamber enclosed by the chamber, to circulate cooling air in the treatment space containing textile material is supplied via lines 42. The cooling air, regulated by a valve 43, may be added at 44 ° C to properly regulate its moisture content. In addition, the cooling air may, if necessary, be brought to a temperature by means of a heater indicated at 45, the value of which is determined by the target temperature for the textile material to be cooled, which is generally of the order of room temperature plus 10 ^° C. A ventilation device for the chamber is indicated at 46. At 47, 48, the temperature and humidity of the atmosphere in the treatment room can be measured. Corresponding signals are given to the control device 20, which can also control the blower 40, the valve 43, the heating device 45 and the ventilation device 46.

The subsequent fourth treatment chamber 5 is the same as the second treatment chamber 3 constructed. Same Parts are therefore provided with the same reference numerals and need not be explained again.

The same applies to the adjoining cooling treatment chamber 6, which corresponds to the third treatment chamber 4 with its associated already described means for cooling the textile material. Equal parts of these devices are therefore designated in the two chambers 4, 6 with the same reference numerals and not explained again.

The conditioning of batch-input textile material 17 to be carried out in the described device is explained in the following in principle with reference to the method sequence schematically reproduced in FIG. 2 for an example:

The textile material, for example in the form of yarn wound into cones, is, as already mentioned, applied to the conveying means 13 in the form of batches 17, each on a pallet or a spiked trolley (pin trolley) in the loading station 15. In the example described, it is assumed that the yarn of each batch had a starting moisture of 5% (wt%) measured at 19 (Figure 1). Ideally, this example becomes one every hour

Charge 17 in the treatment chamber 2, with a short open door 300, introduced, while the already therein, the opposite door 4 adjacent charge 17 out of the chamber and into the subsequent treatment chamber 3 at short time correspondingly open doors 4, 5 brought becomes. The treatment chamber 2 has a length in the conveying direction 14, the simultaneous recording of eg 6 textile batches 17a to 17f allowed. In the treatment chamber 2, the yarn is circulated with air of very high air humidity, ie greater than or equal to 97% RH, while the individual batches are clocked through the humidification section formed by this treatment space, which is designated "preconditioning", in a 1-hour cycle. the residence time is in each case several, ideally between 4 and 8 hours, in the illustrated example, 6 hours for each batch 17a to 17f. the temperature in the chamber 2 is in the range of room temperature (15 ° to 40 ⁰ C), at the selected Example at 25 ° C.

During the treatment time in the chamber 2, the yarn is loaded with an additional moisture of 0.6% to 1.0% (wt.%) Of moisture, in the present example it is assumed that the yarn absorbs plus 0.7% moisture.

Adjacent to the moistening section of the treatment taking place in the treatment chamber 2 is a treatment section of the fractionated damping. For this purpose, a batch 17 is passed on each hour, which is contained as a batch 17g in Figure 2 in the treatment chamber 3, while at the same time a new batch 17 is introduced into the chamber 2. In the present example, the treatment chambers 3, 4, 5, 6 are each dimensioned to receive a single batch 17g to 17k. However, embodiments are also possible in which the chambers can simultaneously accommodate two or more batches. In the treatment chambers 3, a so-called fractionated damping or conditioning takes place. For this purpose, each of the batches 17g to 17k is subjected to the treatment in the treatment chamber 3 for one hour each, before it enters the next treatment zone the appropriate chamber is further clocked. This fractional damping adds moisture to the yarn while at the same time improving the moisture distribution in the cones.

Specifically, the fractional damping is done in the following manner:

The yarn is first subjected to a first vacuum cycle (V1) in the form of the charge 17g in the second treatment chamber 3 and is heated to a specific temperature T1 and kept there for a first holding time in a saturated steam atmosphere. In the chosen embodiment, Vl = 150 mbar. The temperature Tl is 6O ⁰ C and the holding time about 5 minutes.

After the first holding time has elapsed, a second vacuum cycle V2 takes place in the same treatment chamber of the treatment chamber 3. In the chosen embodiment, V2 = 160 mbar. Heat is removed from the yarn so that its temperature drops again by about 5 ° C. In this process, first, residual air is drawn out of the treatment chamber 3 and, secondly, condensate is evaporated, which in turn draws residual air out of the cones and also distributes the moisture in the cones evenly. Thereafter, the yarn is heated to a second temperature T2 for which T2 ≥ T1 applies. In the chosen embodiment, T2 = 65 ^° C. At this temperature, the yarn is held in a saturated steam atmosphere for a predetermined second hold time of about 20 minutes. During this fractionated damping in the treatment chamber 3, the moisture in the charge 17g increases by approximately 3.3%.

At the next following cycle of the 1-hour cycle sequence, the charge 17g is further cycled from the second treatment chamber 3 into the subsequent third treatment chamber 4, where it is cooled as charge 17h in the cooling section formed by the chamber 4. The cooling takes place in the closed space formed by the treatment chamber for one hour by supplying cool outside air, which is not actively cooled and has a high relative humidity of ≥ 97% -100% RH. The cooling air is circulated in the treatment chamber 4. The cooling target is a temperature of the yarn between room temperature and 60 ⁰ C, preferably between 35 ° to 60 ⁰ C, in the present embodiment, room temperature plus a maximum of 10 ⁰ C. The circulated cooling air can, if necessary, at 45 heated (Figure 1) and at 43, 44 are loaded with additional finely divided water spray. The endeavor in the cooling in the closed space of the treatment chamber 4 is as far as possible to lose any additional moisture in the yarn. However, a certain loss of moisture is unavoidable.

In the next 1-hour cycle, the batch is brought into the subsequent fourth treatment chamber 17 for 17 h in the case of briefly opened doors 8, 9, where it becomes batch 17i, which is again fractionally steamed for one hour. This second, second fractionated attenuation is the same as or different from the first fractionated attenuation in the second treatment chamber 3. In the case of - Embodiment, the temperatures Tl, T2 and the negative pressure Vl, V2 are the same for both fractionated damping, whereby also for the second fractional damping in the treatment chamber 5, the condition V2≥V1 and T2≥T1 applies.

In the subsequent 1-hour cycle, the charge 17i is transferred to the fifth treatment chamber 6 in the case of briefly opened doors 10, 11, where it becomes the charge 17k, which is again cooled in the second cooling section formed by this chamber. The cooling is effected again by the circulated cooling air of high humidity (97-100% RH), with the cooling target in the chosen embodiment room temperature + 1O ⁰ C. The cooling time can also be reduced to <1 hour, in the selected embodiment to about 30 minutes. In any case, however, the charge 17k is transferred from the cooling zone of the chamber 6 to the unloading station 16 at the next following 1-hour cycle, where it can remain as a batch 171 for a while and / or be packed immediately before it is sent for further use ,

In the second fractionated vaporization carried out in the treatment chamber 5, the moisture load of the yarn increases by plus 4.3% (ie, 9.3% in total). Taking into account the moisture losses in the two cooling zones, the yarn in the batch 171 on arrival at the unloading station has a total moisture content of 8.7%, ie starting from an initial moisture of 5% in the chosen embodiment, the moisture content is as described Conditioning has been increased by 3.7%. Assuming that the yarn loses about 0.2% moisture in the unloading station 16 in the described embodiment, Thus, the trading moisture of 8.5% for cotton is exactly reached.

The described embodiment is not restrictive. The conveying system of the device 1 can be clocked differently by the control device 20, i. There are also other time intervals when loading, driving through the individual treatment zones in the respective treatment chambers and unloading possible. The IL hour clock described is merely a preferred example.

During conditioning, the characteristics of different textile materials can be taken into account by appropriate variation of the clock and the control intervention on the vacuum pumps 32 and the humidifying devices 27 and the cooling fans 40. This means that e.g. one batch sequence is treated with longer and the next with shorter treatment times in the individual treatment zones. In addition, for example, one charge can be treated with a higher temperature and the next with a lower temperature by correspondingly varying the air and steam parameters in the treatment chambers 2, 4 and 6 or 3 and 5 via the control device 20. This is e.g. necessary to handle waxed and unwaxed yarn in the same device 1 batch by batch.

The described device according to FIGS. 1 and 2 can be modified in such a way that in the manner shown in FIG. 3 the cooling which follows the fractionated damping in the treatment chamber 3 or in the treatment chamber 5 is not in a closed manner Space of the treatment chambers 4 and 6 takes place, but outside of a closed space on a free stretch 400 and 600 of the conveyor 13. The sections 400, 600 are each in the conveying direction 14 twice as long as a treatment chamber 4 and 6 of FIG .. 1 so that each of these links can receive two (or more) batches 17hl and 17h2, and 17kl and 17k2, respectively. As a result, it is achieved that a batch requires two cycle times in order to pass through the cooling zone formed by the line section 400 or 600, whereby the cooling time is reduced by one cycle time, ie by one cycle time in the selected embodiment, compared to the embodiment according to FIG Hour is extended. This can be clearly seen from the process flow diagram of FIG. 4.

The cooling in the sections 400, 600 is carried out by fresh air, which is sucked in via fans 50 and passed over the batches, that they are washed around evenly. Incidentally, the fans 50 can also be assigned air humidification and air heating devices by means of which the cooling air can be adjusted with the respectively required humidity or temperature. Alternatively, it is also conceivable to dispense with the fans 50 when the ambient atmospheric conditions ensure adequate cooling of the batches, to which end, if necessary, the cycle times can be set appropriately.

The remaining parts of the device according to FIG. 3 correspond to those of the device according to FIG. 1. The same parts are provided with the same reference symbols and require no further explanation. Also in this embodiment, similarly to the embodiment of Fig. 1, the number of successive moistening, damping and cooling steps may be increased as necessary, as well as the order of these steps depending on the particular textile material to be treated can.

The embodiment of the device 1 according to FIG. 1 can also be modified according to FIG. 5 in such a way that the first treatment chamber 2, in which the additional moistening of the charges 17a to 17f takes place, is arranged behind the treatment chamber 5 in the transport direction 14 of the conveying means 13 is where the second fractional damping occurs. The batches 17 are introduced intermittently from the loading station 15 by the conveying means 13 into the second treatment chamber 3, in which the already described first fractionated damping with negative pressure treatment takes place. After a cycle time, the batches are transferred from the treatment chamber 3 into the treatment chamber 4, which forms a cooling zone and in which the batches are cooled. Subsequently, at the next cycle, the batches enter the treatment chamber 5, in which the second fractionated damping takes place with the already described underpressure treatment. The batches thus treated are then clocked into the downstream treatment chamber 2, in which the textile material of the batches is additionally loaded with moisture, as has already been described in connection with FIG. Finally, with the next cycle, the respective treated batch is taken to the unloading station 16, where it is, optionally after a certain residence time, packaged or otherwise supplied for further use. Alternatively, it is also possible to proceed in such a way that the treatment temperature T2 is kept longer, ie for a period of 4 to 10 hours, in the treatment chamber 3 during the first fractionated damping with negative pressure treatment, in order to increase the moisture loading of the batches. During this time, the respective batches are in a water vapor, in particular saturated steam atmosphere with the result of an additional moisture absorption. This extended compared to the embodiments of Figures 1 and 3 hold time must be compensated by a corresponding length of the treatment chamber 3, such that the batches have the respective required residence time in the treatment room when passing through the treatment chamber 3. In this embodiment, the treatment chamber 2 can either be omitted or used only to cool the batches coming from the treatment chamber 5 after the second fractionated damping, ie to take over the function of the treatment chamber 6 according to FIG.

Compared to the embodiment according to Figures 1 and 2 can thus account for the second cooling zone in the treatment chamber 6 of FIG. 1, because the cooling before the transfer to the Endladestation 16 can be made directly in the treatment chamber 2, the moistening device 27 of the Control device 20 can be controlled accordingly. Alternatively, however, it is also possible to provide a second cooling zone with its own treatment chamber 6, as illustrated in FIG.

Otherwise, the conditioning takes place in a manner similar to that already explained with reference to FIGS. 1 and 3. de, so that additional explanations are unnecessary. Identical parts are provided in Figures 1 and 5 with the same reference numerals and not explained again.

Instead of keeping the temperature constant, it may also drop during the hold time to cool the fabric. If the target temperature is then not reached (for example, ambient temperature plus 1O ⁰ C), the textile material is cooled and then again fractionally damped attenuated.

Incidentally, this also applies in principle to the embodiments according to FIGS. 1 and 3, in which the holding temperatures for the fractionated damping can be varied if necessary.

FIG. 6 illustrates a third modified embodiment of the device 1 according to FIG. In this embodiment, in addition to the first treatment chamber 2, the humidification, only a further treatment chamber 3a corresponding to the treatment chamber 3 or 5 of Figure 1 for steaming the textile material by fractional damping provided: The treatment chamber 2 is used to moisten the textile material in a row in the lot contained in the chamber 17a to 17f. It is immediately followed by a cooling zone, which is formed in a similar manner as in Figure 1 in a treatment chamber 4a, and followed by the treatment chambers 3a, in which the textile material is fractionally damped. The treatment chamber 3a is followed by a second cooling zone, which in turn is formed in a treatment chamber 6a and from which the batches enter the discharge station 16. In comparison to the embodiment According to FIG. 1, the treatment chamber 3a has such a length in the conveying direction 14 that it can accommodate at least two charges 17gl, 17hl. The same applies to the two treatment chambers 4a, 6a of the cooling zones.

The conveying means 13 are subdivided into two sections 13a, 13b, of which the first section 13a is associated with the first treatment chamber 2, while the second section 13b extends through the treatment chamber 4a, through the treatment chamber 3a and the second treatment chamber 6a into the Unloading station 16 extends. The two conveyor sections 13a, 13b can be actuated separately from the control device 20, such that the second section 13b in the direction indicated by a double arrow 14a convey both in the conveying direction 14 of the first section 13a and in the conveying direction opposite thereto, ie can perform a pendulum movement.

The treatment of the batches 17 takes place in this device in the following manner, to which reference is made to the schematic representation of FIG. 7:

When the door 4 is open, the conveying means section 13a delivers two successive batches 17e, 17f to the conveyor section 13b, which transfers them, the treatment chamber 4a passing through the first cooling zone, directly into the treatment chamber 3a, where they are fractionally steamed as batches 17gl, 17hl. as has already been explained in connection with the treatment in the treatment chamber 3 of FIG. 1. At the same time from the loading station 15 two consecutive batches 17al 17bl in the Humidification / treatment chamber 2 is introduced, the door 300 is then briefly closed again closed.

After completion of the first fractional damping of the two batches 17gl, 17hl in the treatment chamber 3a, both batches for cooling in the conveying direction 14 (in FIG. 6 to the right) are brought into the cooling zone, the treatment chamber 6a, where they are cooled. At the same time in the now empty treatment chamber 3a from the treatment chamber 2, the next pair of door 4 adjacent batches 17e, 17f, the treatment chamber 4durchlaufend introduced.

Upon completion of the first fractionated attenuation of the newly introduced two batches, i. after a cycle time of one hour, the two batches 17gl, 17hl located in the cooling zone of the treatment chamber 6a are returned to the treatment chamber 3a again in a conveying direction 14 (FIG fractional damping, while the two batches, already steamed for the first time, in the treatment chamber 3a are transferred to the left into the cooling zone of the treatment chamber 4a, where they are cooled.

After expiration of the cycle time, ie one hour later, the conveyor section 13b moves back in the conveying direction 14 to the right and brings the already fractionally damped for the second time two batches 17gl, 17hl in the cooling zone of the treatment chamber 6a, while ne in the cooling of the Treatment chamber 4a next succeeding batches are moved back into the treatment chamber 3a to be subjected to the second fractional damping.

At the next clock, i. one hour later, the conveyor section 13b moves back in the conveying direction 14, in Fig. 6 to the right, whereby the two batches located in the treatment chamber 6a 17gl ', 17hl' are transferred to the unloading station 16, while the next two, in the treatment chamber 3a and there for the second time damped two batches enter the cooling zone of the treatment chamber 6a. At the same time, when the doors 4, 5 are open, the two following batches from the humidifying treatment chamber 2, passing through the treatment chamber 4a, are transferred directly to the now empty damping / treatment chamber 3a, in which they are closed after closing the doors 60, 5 subjected to first fractional damping.

The game continues until all the batches to be treated which have been provided in the loading station 15 have left the device 1 after completion of the conditioning and arrived at the unloading station 16.

With this double conditioning every two hours, 2x2 batches are delivered to the unloading station 16 in four hours.

It should be noted that the embodiment according to FIG. 6 can also be designed in such a way that only a single charge is attenuated at least once in the damping / treatment chamber 3a. In place of the cooling zones formed in the closed chambers 4a, 6a could the cooling zones may also be designed as free cooling zones formed by the sections 400, 600, as in FIG. 3. The free sections 400, 600 would then be sized so that they can accommodate 4 batches in the described embodiment. On the other hand, it would also be conceivable in principle to treat more than two batches at the same time, if this proves to be expedient in individual cases.

A further modified embodiment of a device according to the invention for carrying out the new method is illustrated in FIG. 8. In this embodiment, all process steps take place in a single closed space, which is formed by a treatment chamber 200, which is designed similar to the treatment chamber 2 of the device according to FIG. Corresponding parts are therefore denoted by the same reference numerals as in Fig. 1 and not explained again. In addition to the humidifying and humidifying means 27 shown in FIG. 1, the chamber interior is connected to a vacuum pump 32 and a steam supply line 35 controlled by a valve 34 corresponding to the treatment chamber 3 of the apparatus of FIG. Accordingly, the textile material contained in the treatment chamber 200 can be additionally loaded with moisture in this chamber as well as at least once fractionally damped and cooled.

The process sequence can basically be similar to the device according to FIG. 1:

The textile material is introduced in the form of batches 17 into the treatment chamber 200 via the conveying means 13, it being assumed, for example, that in the treatment chamber 200 for the simultaneous treatment of six consecutive batches 17a to 17f. After closing the doors 300, 4, the introduced into the treatment chamber 3 textile material of the batches 17a to 17f is moistened only at ambient pressure. This is followed by the fractional damping process which was carried out batchwise in the second treatment chamber 3 in the apparatus according to FIG. In contrast, in the embodiment of Fig. 8, all the batches 17a to 17f are treated simultaneously.

The first fractionated damping is followed by a first cooling, followed by the second fractionated damping and then finally the subsequent targeted cooling of the textile material. After opening the door 4 finally all now conditioned batches 17a to 17f are brought into the unloading station 16, while on the other side of the treatment chamber 200 with the door open 300, the subsequent six batches from the loading station 15 in the treatment chamber 200 move up.

Instead of two doors 300, 4, the treatment chamber 200 could also have only one door, for example the door 300. In this embodiment, the loading and unloading stations then fall together to form a combined loading / unloading station 15, 16.

The additional moisture loading of the textile material could also take place during a prolonged holding time during vapor deposition in a steam atmosphere, as has been explained with reference to FIG. The entire process usually takes between 6 hours and 12 hours. The finished conditioned material, in the selected embodiments yarn on cones is unloaded in the unloading station 16 and can be packed directly. The treatment chamber 200 is formed suppressed and must have a corresponding volume so that at the same time six to twelve batches (six batches in the present embodiment) can be accommodated therein.

The control of the procedure is carried out by the

Control device 20, which controls the humidifier 27, the ventilation device 31, the vacuum pump 32, the vacuum valve 33, the steam supply valve 34 and the doors 3, 4 and the conveyor 13 accordingly. After introducing a series of batches 17 into the treatment chamber 200, the batches 17 remain stationary during the entire process time until they are brought out of the batches 17 again.

During conditioning in the apparatus described above in several embodiments, the textile material, in the example described yarn, absorbs moisture already during the additional moistening during pre- or post-conditioning (for example in FIG. 1 or FIG. 5 in the treatment chamber 2) on, which increases the weight. By the first fractionated steaming (for example in Figure 1 in the treatment chamber 3), a second increase in moisture and weight is achieved, wherein the moisture is distributed evenly over the cone. During the subsequent cooling (in the treatment chamber 4 in FIG. 1), the material for a possible second fractionated vapor deposition (for example in the treatment chamber 5 of FIG 1) prepared. By the second fractionated steaming, the moisture and the weight of the material are increased again, the moisture distribution in the textile material, here in the cones, is further uniformed. Cooling at the end of the process (for example, in Figure 1 in the treatment chamber 6) prepares the conditioned fabric for packaging so as to minimize the loss of moisture level achieved and to package the yarn without causing condensate in the package can.

It is common to all the variants of the process sequence and the design of the associated device that the maximum moisture to be achieved (for example, 8.5% for cotton yarn) can be achieved in a single overall process. In this case, the moisture to be reached can be controlled in a simple manner, for which purpose the control device 20 can intervene both on the cycle times of the conveying means 13 or 13a, 13b and on the individual treatment parameters of the process steps (for example temperature, pressure, vapor state and the like). The method ensures that the uniform distribution of moisture over the textile material, here on the cones, as well as on the entire loading structure, for example in an arrangement on Dornwagen, stack on pallets, etc., can be ensured. Because of the uniform procedure, possible human processing errors in the process (for example, confusion of treated and untreated yarn) are largely eliminated.

In all the described embodiments, which work with a closed cooling chamber containing a closed treatment chamber 4 or 6 (see, for example, Figure 1), the cooling device be designed so that in these chambers, a water curtain is provided, the interior walls, at least partially, sprinkled and is in contact with the circulated by the respective fan 40 via the nozzles 41 air flow, which flows around the batches located in the chamber at the same time. The devices required to produce such a water curtain are schematically indicated in FIG. 1 in the treatment chamber 4, 6. Water 56 can be led to the spray nozzles 57 via a line 56 containing a valve 55. Distributed 6 are arranged such that the water emerging from them on opposing side walls of the chamber runs down. At the bottom of the treatment chamber, the water is collected. The collected water is either discharged to the outside or recycled. The water valve 55 can be controlled by the control device 20, so as to control the cooling effect in the treatment chamber. If necessary, the water curtain can also be switched off.

Claims

claims

A method of conditioning textile material, including yarn and fiber material, in which

the textile material is introduced batchwise into a treatment chamber of a treatment device, the textile material in the treatment chamber is treated by steaming in such a way that the textile material is exposed to a first negative pressure (Vl) during a first vacuum cycle and to a predetermined first temperature (A) in a steam atmosphere ( Tl) is heated and held thereon for a predetermined first holding time and the textile material in a process step before or after this treatment by the action of water vapor or humid air having a relative humidity of more than 65% during a period of more than one hour in addition is loaded with moisture and

the textile material treated in this way is cooled in or outside the treatment device and fed to further use.

2. The method according to claim 1 or 2, that is used as steam saturated steam.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the textile material by fractional vapor deposition wherein the textile material is exposed to a second negative pressure (V2) at the end of the first holding time, during a second vacuum cycle and subsequently heated to a predetermined second temperature (T2) in a steam atmosphere and held there for a predetermined second holding time, where (T2) ≥ (Tl).

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that the textile material is exposed after the second vacuum cycle and after the second holding time, at least one further vacuum cycle in which it is heated in a steam atmosphere to a respective predetermined further temperature and on this via a respective predetermined additional holding time is maintained.

5. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the textile material is moistened in a closed space of the treatment device with steam or humid air having a relative humidity of more than 65%.

6. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the textile material is additionally loaded with moisture during such a period of time that it absorbs at least between 0.4% and 1.0% moisture.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that the textile material is loaded during a residence time of between 2 and 12 hours in a water vapor and / or air high relative humidity atmosphere containing moisture.

8. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that the residence time is between 4 hours and 8 hours.

9. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that for humidification air with a relative humidity of ≥ 97% is used.

10. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, character- ized in that the moistening in a temperature range of 15-8O ⁰ C is made.

11. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that the textile material is maintained in the additional humidification for a period of 2 to 12 hours, preferably 6 to 8 hours, in a steam atmosphere.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that the textile material at a temperature of 40 ° -90 ⁰ C, preferably 45 ° -80 ⁰ C is maintained.

13. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the textile material is cooled with cooling air of high relative humidity> 65%.

14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that the cooling air has a relative humidity of 97-100%.

15. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the textile material to a temperature which is in a range between the room temperature and 60 °, preferably between 35 ° to 60 ⁰ C is cooled.

16. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that the textile material is cooled to room temperature plus a maximum of 1O ⁰ C.

17. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the textile material is cooled in the cooling after a Bedämpfungsbehandlung within a time of <2 hours.

18. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that the textile material is cooled in a time of <1 hour.

19. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the textile material before further use within a time of <30 minutes to a temperature which is between the room temperature and 6O ⁰ C, preferably between 35 ⁰ C and 6O ⁰ C, is cooled.

20. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that the textile material is cooled by means of circulated fresh air, the moisture content is increased if necessary by adding water or steam to a value required in each case.

21. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that the cooling of the textile material is carried out essentially by air convection.

22. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the textile material is cooled in a closed space, on the walls of which a water film is present and is circulated in the cooling air, which is in contact with the water film and the textile material.

23. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 21, characterized in that the cooling of the textile material takes place on a free conveyor line, outside of a treatment room, optionally in the air flow of fan means.

24. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least the process steps of the damping treatment and, the additional humidification in a single common treatment space of the treatment device are performed.

25. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 24, characterized in that the process steps of the damping treatment and / or the additional moistening and / or cooling, are performed in treatment zones of the treatment device, at least partially in each treatment step individually or for at least two Treatment steps lie common treatment rooms, which are interconnected by conveying means for the textile material.

26. The method according to claim 25, characterized in that the textile material is clocked through by the conveying means in the form of individual batches by the treatment device.

27. The method according to claim 26, characterized in that all located on the funding batches each ge in common are advanced by one clock step in a conveying direction and the time during which the individual batches are treated according to the respective process step, determined by the lying in the conveying direction length of the individual treatment zones, either in the respective treatment room or on a free conveying path of the conveyor lying in front of or behind a respective treatment room.

28. The method according to claim 25, characterized in that at least one treatment space is arranged for receiving a plurality of batches arranged one behind the other on the conveying means.

29. Method according to claim 28, characterized in that the conveying means are carried out through a treatment chamber for the steaming treatment of the batches, which can receive at least one charge arranged on the conveying means and in that the conveying means alternately each at least one batch in the conveying direction and at least one batch then move into or out of the treatment space opposite to the conveying direction.

30. The method according to claim 26, characterized in that the promotion takes place with different cycle times for different batches of textile material.

31. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, character- ized in that by textile processing, in particular yarn material after completion of the treatment has at least approximately trade moisture.

32. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least the process steps of damping and moistening are carried out in the same treatment room.

33. Apparatus for carrying out the method according to one of the preceding claims, which has at least one closable treatment space for textile material which is arranged in the form of successively arranged in a conveying direction batches (17) on conveying means (13), the at least one treatment room are assigned and by the batches in cycles in the conveying direction (14) from a loading station (15) to a discharge station (16) are conveyed, wherein

in the conveying direction behind the loading station (15) at least one closed treatment space (200,2) is arranged, which is equipped with means (27) for additional moisture loading of therein batches of textile material and either with means (32) for generating a negative pressure in the treatment room and is connected to steam supply means (35) through which a negative pressure and a steam atmosphere at a predetermined temperature are adjustable in the treatment chamber or downstream of at least one further suppressed treatment chamber (3) in the conveying direction, such means for generating a negative pressure and a steam atmosphere assigned.

34. Apparatus according to claim 33, characterized in that the conveying means (13) extend through at least one cooling zone, the means (40, 50) for cooling the assigned by the cooling zone durchgetakteten textile material batches.

35. Apparatus according to claim 33, characterized in that the treatment space (2) for additional moisture loading of the textile material batches, seen in the conveying direction (14), has a length which allows the simultaneous recording and treatment of at least two successive batches.

36. Apparatus according to claim 34, characterized in that the cooling zone is formed in a traversed by the conveyor closed space (4).

37. Apparatus according to claim 36, characterized in that the closed space is formed with means for forming a water film on its inner walls and associated with it air circulation means (40), by the air is circulated, with the water film and the textile material - batches in Touch stands.

38. Apparatus according to claim 34, characterized in that the cooling zone by a free conveying path section

(400,600) of the conveying means (13) is formed, to which optionally blower devices (50) are assigned for producing a cooling air flow which cools the textile material batches located in the cooling zone.

39. Apparatus according to claim 33, characterized in that at least one treatment chamber (3a) for the vacuum and steam treatment in the damping of the textile material for receiving a plurality of successively lying textile material - Batches is set up and the conveying means (13) are designed such that they can perform a cyclic advance in the conveying direction (14) and a return movement against the conveying direction, such that TextilmaterialChargen from the treatment room alternately in and against the conveying direction into the treatment room and are movable out of this.

40. Device according to one of claims 33 to 39, characterized in that it comprises control means (20) through which the clock movement of the conveying means can be controlled according to the program.

41. Apparatus according to claim 40, characterized in that the control means (20) with temperature and / or humidity sensor means (18,19) are connected, which are located for the temperature and / or humidity of the loading station and / or the unloading station Transmitting characteristic batches of textile material batches.

42. Device according to one of claims 33 to 41, characterized in that the increase in the textile material moisture is controllable.

43. Apparatus according to claim any one of claims 33 to 42, characterized in that it comprises means (19,20) for controlling the process sequence taking into account the moisture content of the textile material measured by the treatment.

44. Apparatus according to claim 43, characterized in that it comprises sensor means (19) for measuring the moisture content of the textile material before the treatment.