Digital printing and finishing method for fabrics and the like

Abstract

A method of digital printing and finishing for fabrics is provided. The method includes a step of unwinding a fabric from a first reel. A step of compensating the speeds and of spreading the fabric for its positioning on a conveyor belt provided with supporting elements on which a digital printing step occurs is provided. A step of drying the fabric is provided. A step of winding the fabric onto a second reel is provided. These steps are being executed at corresponding stations arranged in sequence with respect to each other and the fabric passing through them continuously, transversely to the conveyor belt, there being a plurality of bars provided with printing heads which are controlled electronically and synchronized with the movement of the conveyor belt.

1 - 9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . A digital printing and finishing method for fabrics and the like, the method comprising:
 unwinding a fabric from a reel,   compensating the speed of the fabric with the speed of a conveyor belt while spreading the fabric on the conveyor belt,   digitally printing the fabric while the fabric continuously moves through a printing station on the conveyor belt, and then   drying the printed fabric,   wherein digitally printing the fabric comprises printing the fabric with electronically controlled printing heads synchronized with the movement of the conveyor belt and mounted on a plurality of bars extending across the conveyor belt, the printing heads being arranged on the bars in such a manner as to together cover the width of the conveyor belt and allow continuous printing of the fabric in a single pass.   
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein the positioned fabric is held to the conveyor belt with adhesive. 
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein the printing heads are piezoelectric ink-jet heads. 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 10 , further comprising a step of immersing the fabric unwound from the first reel in a tank containing an aqueous solution before positioning the fabric on the conveyor belt. 
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 13 , wherein the aqueous solution comprises at least one or more substances selected from the group constituted by pH stabilization compounds and salts. 
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 13 , further comprising, after immersing the fabric in the tank and before positioning the fabric on the conveyor belt, pressing the fabric to remove excess aqueous solution from fibers of the fabric. 
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 15 , further comprising steaming the printed fabric in a steaming chamber to fix the ink to the fabric before drying the fabric. 
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 16 , further comprising washing the printed and steamed fabric before drying the fabric. 
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein the printing heads are arranged in a staggered pattern comprising multiple rows of printing heads. 
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 20 , wherein the printing heads comprise a first set of heads arranged in multiple rows and supported on a first bar extending across the conveyor belt, and a second set of heads arranged in multiple rows and supported on a second bar extending across the conveyor belt. 
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein the fabric is pressed to remove the excess aqueous solution immediately before printing. 
     
     
         21 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein the fabric is pressed to remove the excess aqueous solution after being positioned on the conveyor belt. 
     
     
         22 . A fabric printing and finishing method, comprising:
 pretreating a length of fabric by immersing the fabric in a tank containing an aqueous solution, thereby impregnating the fabric with the aqueous solution;   positioning the pretreated fabric on a continuously moving conveyor belt;   with the fabric remaining on the continuously moving conveyor belt, printing the fabric in a printing station comprising multiple discrete printing heads of discrete width and mounted to span, in combination, a printing width wider than any of the discrete printing heads; and then drying the printed fabric.   
     
     
         23 . The method according to  claim 22 , wherein positioning the pretreated fabric on the conveyor belt comprising adhering the fabric to a surface of the belt. 
     
     
         24 . The method according to  claim 22 , wherein the printing heads are arranged in a staggered pattern comprising multiple rows of printing heads. 
     
     
         25 . The method according to  claim 22 , wherein the printing heads comprise a first set of heads arranged in multiple rows and supported on a first bar extending across the conveyor belt, and a second set of heads arranged in multiple rows and supported on a second bar extending across the conveyor belt. 
     
     
         26 . The method according to  claim 22 , further comprising, after immersing the fabric in the tank and before positioning the fabric on the conveyor belt, pressing the fabric to remove excess aqueous solution from fibers of the fabric. 
     
     
         27 . The method according to  claim 26 , further comprising steaming the printed fabric in a steaming chamber to fix the ink to the fabric before drying the fabric. 
     
     
         28 . The method according to  claim 27 , further comprising washing the printed and steamed fabric before drying the fabric. 
     
     
         29 . The method according to  claim 26 , wherein the fabric is pressed to remove the excess aqueous solution immediately before printing. 
     
     
         30 . The method according to  claim 26 , wherein the fabric is pressed to remove the excess aqueous solution after being positioned on the conveyor belt.