Technical Field

The invention relates to a printing machine system and method used in textile printing processes and operating with ozone nozzle.

Prior Art

Nowadays, there are printing machines that work with different methods in textiles.

One of the techniques suitable for the invention is the octopus printing machine. The prior art in the octopus printing machine is a system that provides the modification of the industrially widely used octopus printing machine;

• which has different head (printing area) numbers,

• where the printing process is done with patterned screen placed on these heads

• where patterns consisting of multiple colors can be easily applied.

Octopus printing machine working with nozzle system is not available at the moment.

Printing processes can be performed with many methods in textiles. In the conventional discharge printing method, printing pastes are used as in the other printing processes.

In discharge printing, there are two different types of printing: color printing and white printing. However, in both printing, chemicals such as reducing agent (Rongalit C etc.) and thickener are added into the printing paste in order to discharge the color on the ground. If the print is desired to be colored, it can be ensured that the print is a color discharge print by adding the desired color to the printing paste.

A sample recipe for the chemicals in the printing paste used in the conventional printing process is given below.

Chemical Agents

Discharging Agent

Sodium Carbonate

Potassium Carbonate

Glycerin Thickening paste

Water and I or Paste

The current discharge printing process consists of the following steps:

1. Preparation of printing paste - 15 min

2. Transfer of printing paste to fabric 1 min

3. Drying 2 min

4. Steaming 10 min

5. Washing

Cold Wash 5 min

Boiling Soaping 15 min

Warm Wash 2 min

Cold Wash 2 min

Application Method:

The discharging agent lightens the desired ground color by discharging it with the effect of steam and temperature. The discharged ground is cleaned with successive washes.

Although this method is very good in terms of print quality, it is a process that needs alternative processes due to the long processing time due to the high number of process steps and the damage to the environment due to the use of chemicals and water.

At the same time, there are also methods made with sodium hypochlorite used by companies in discharging processes (color removal). However, this application is also a process that has a high environmental waste and requires additional processes, as in classical white discharge printing.

As global warming has started to have a severe impact and clean water resources have been depleted, it has become a necessity to produce with more environmentally friendly methods.

Some of the patent applications resulting from technical research are as follows;

In the patent with the application number 2015/00421 "Machine and method for patterning colored fabrics or clothes with ozone", it is possible to lighten or completely remove the color with the effect of ozone in the regions selected according to the desired pattern shape in colored fabrics or clothes. In this way, patterning is made in the desired parts of the fabric or clothing. Less color removal in various parts of the textile material and more color removal in various parts can be achieved with different moisturizing methods. More moisturizing can be done in the areas where more patterning is desired or a second moisturizing and ozonation can be performed after the first moisturizing and ozonation process. The moisturizing process can be done simply by spraying water by hand or by using a system such as digital ink-jet printing machines, water or thickener etc. It has been reported that a water solution containing chemicals can be sprayed on the textile material as desired.

In the patent with the registration number 2005/01322 "Machine for decolorizing of textile products"; a machine design idea that enables faster, economical and environmentally friendly bleaching and bleaching processes to be carried out faster, economically and environmentally friendly in indigo carmen dyed fabrics, also called denim in the textile sector, and garments produced from this fabric, for production or decorative purposes is presented. There is an ozone generator inside the machine and an ozone gas inlet outside. The patent is related to decolorizing in denim fabrics, no patterning process is mentioned during the color bleaching process.

In the patent with the registration number 2007/06822 "A device and decolorization method for decolorization of textile product"; the idea of a device design and method for decolorization of textile product with the use of ozone gas was mentioned. With this design, it is stated that in order to ensure a homogeneous decolorization, it is possible to adjust the decolorization speed by controlling the amount of water and ozone concentration contained in the product.

In the patent with registration number 2009/07093 "Organic washing machine that enables the application of ozone gas, oxygen gas or nitrogen gas to denim fabric" the design idea of a machine that performs organic washing with ozone, oxygen and nitrogen gases is included. In the patent, color removal and giving effects by using ozone and other gases are mentioned, but patterning is not mentioned.

In the patent with application number 2013/04408, "Removal of dyestuff from textile materials by ozonation"; dyestuff removal from textile materials using ozone gas is expressed. The content of the patent is the use of ozone in the removal of dyestuff after faulty dyeing in textile finishing. It is stated that when the defectively dyed textile material (in the form of fiber, tops, yarn or fabric) is treated with ozone gas with oxidative properties, the dyestuff on the material is decolorize, thus performing the process expressed as dyestuff removal, color fading or color removal. This patent is related to the faulty color removal process with ozone gas in dyeing, there is no patterning in its content.

In the patent numbered US 5118322 A (1992), "Color decolorize with ozone gas in fabrics"; the idea of selectively removing the color of a colored cellulosic fabric is included. It is stated that the color removal process will take place as a result of the reaction of the dye or coloring agent as a result of contacting the wetted fabric with ozone. The patent does not mention obtaining any pattern at the end of the color removal process.

In the patent US 5261925 A (1993) numbered 5261925 A, "Method for decolorizing fabrics", the process of selectively removing the colors of the fabric containing cellulosic material is described. It is a process that occurs as a result of contact of the wetted fabric with oxidation gas or vapor. In this patent, there is a color removal process by ozonation, but there is no patterning process.

In the patent numbered US 5613983 A (1997), "Method for removing color from fabrics", the idea of improving the methods of removing color from fabrics with oxidation agent gases is included. In the method applied by randomly applying oxidizing agents on damp fabrics rotated in a tumbling machine, it is stated that after tumbling for a sufficient time, the fabrics can be oxidized with oxidizing agents such as ozone. As a result of this process, a patterning process was not mentioned.

In the patent CN 1287035 C (2006) numbered CN 1287035 C (2006), "Apparatus and method for removing the colors of textile products", an apparatus for the use of ozone in the bleaching of textile products is mentioned. It is stated that homogeneous bleaching can be achieved with adjustable ozone concentration, control of the moisture content of the fiber and color removal adjustment. The color removal rate is adjusted by the degree of drying in the water removal step and the duration of ozone concentration. The patent does not include any ozone patterning process.

In the patent numbered US 7252688 B2 (2007), "An apparatus and method for removing color for textile products"; an apparatus that provides color removal with ozone gas by adjusting the moisture content of the products is described. At the same time, it is ensured that the color removal process is homogeneous with controllable ozone concentration. Although it is similar to the proposed project in terms of adjusting the moisture content of the products, it is a patent that does not include patterning. In the patent numbered EP 1518955 B1 (2007), "Color removal tool and method for textile products", it is stated that the tool to be used for removing the colors of the products is suitable for the use of ozone. It is stated that the water content of the products can be adjusted, and the color removal rates can be adjusted with ozone concentration control and more homogeneous color removal can be achieved. The patterning process is not included in the patent content.

In the patent numbered WO/2008/063177 A1 , "Selective decolorization of fabrics"; the removal of dyes from natural textile surfaces using ozone gas is mentioned. It is stated that the duration and temperature of the process depends on the type of dye and the ongoing process temperature. Such a process can be used in cube dyeing, jet dyeing, bobbin dyeing and similar applications. This patent is related to color removal in fabrics and does not mention patterning.

In the patent CN 202430464 II (2012) numbered 202430464 II (2012), "Device for fading the colors of clothes using ozone gas"; a color removal device design idea using imaging technique that will automatically provide ozone concentration and time control depending on different color removal needs in textile products is presented. It provides a process that is environmentally friendly, safe, water, time and energy saving, without chemical and wastewater application, with easy color removal effect, preventing the spread of colors to unwanted areas and staining problem. Although the patent is similar only in terms of ecological, economic and no wastewater application, it does not include the patterning process.

In the patent numbered US 2014/0068871 A1 , "Use of ozone for color removal in denim fabrics"; it is reported that color removal can be done with ozone gas in 3 different methods to provide aesthetic or fashionable looks. The first of these methods is wetting the entire product, the second is wetting the desired areas using spray, and the third method is oxidizing a piece of cotton fabric and denim fabric with ozone gas in the same drum. The aspects of moisturizing the products are similar to the project planned to be realized. There is no mention of a study on patterning.

In the patent numbered BRPI1000745A2, ozone color removal of moistened parts in machines similar to washing machines is mentioned. The main similarity between this technique and the invention is that ozone gas attacks chromophore groups and causes discharging. The main difference is that the patterns with clear contours in our invention are abraded with ozone gas. In the current technique, patterning is based on the reverse effect by sticking the pattern on the area to be patterned. The samples are placed in cabinets with ozone gas in hangers. In our invention, the desired pattern is written, the pattern is moistened and ozonized. Color printing can also be done on it if desired. In addition, in the existing technique, batik-style patterning is obtained due to the presence of 70-80% water in the non-ozonized parts and the centrifugal effect. In our invention, there is no patterning on the parts outside the pattern. The only difference from standard printing is that it is obtained without the use of chemicals.

There is currently a PhD thesis of Idil Yeti§ir Yigit (2017) titled "Ozone Use Utilize in Discharge Printing". The differences between the system subject to the invention and the mentioned doctoral thesis are compared in the table below.

As a result, due to the above-mentioned negativities and the inadequacy of the existing solutions on the subject, a development in the relevant technical field has become necessary. Purpose of the Invention

The invention purposes to put forward a structure with different technical features that brings a new opening in this field, unlike the structures used in the existing technique. The primary purpose of the invention is to ensure that the nozzle system placed in the octopus printing machine is used to perform the discharging process with ozonation on the moisturized pattern area and to obtain the desired pattern.

Another purpose of the invention is to ensure that after the area to be patterned is moistened with the software, the nozzle moves in the same area with the help of the software and the ozone gas coming out of the nozzle discharges the ground.

In discharge printing with ozone gas, the advantages of the invention compared to other applications are as follows;

• Ozone gas has a short half-life, so it is easily converted into oxygen, no waste is generated

• Low water uses in the process,

• Reduced process steps and time compared to conventional discharge printing and sodium hypochlorite applications,

• No post-processing required,

• Low COD requirement,

In order to fulfill the above-mentioned purposes, the invention is an octopus printing machine system that enables printing on textile fabrics with ozone nozzle, and characterized by comprising;

• a nozzle that allows the gas taken from the ozone generator to be given to the fabric and to obtain a pattern,

• ozone generator that converts oxygen gas into ozone and produces ozone gas,

• CNC software that provides the necessary movements and controls to make the desired pattern in fabric patterning,

• a software driven atomized moisturizing unit that moisten the fabric to ensure that the ozone gas is effective in color removal,

• a drying unit for drying the moistened area after ozonation, drying the first printed color when color printing is done on the pattern or when switching from one color to another after printing,

• ozone cabinet that creates the environment where patterning is done with ozone gas through the nozzle, • a ventilation unit that allows the gas inside the cabin to be absorbed in order to make patterns on the fabric in the ozone cabin,

• a catalyst for the catalytic breakdown of excess gas before it leaves the chimney,

• waste collection tank where vacuumed waste is collected,

• includes an ozone sensor that measures the ambient ozone concentration and provides a warning.

The structural and characteristic features and all advantages of the invention will be more clearly understood by means of the figures given below and the detailed description written with references to these figures, and therefore, the evaluation should be made by considering these figures and detailed description.

Figures to Help Understanding of the Invention

Figure 1 is the side view of the machine which is the subject of the invention.

Figure 2 is the top view of the machine which is the subject of the invention.

Figure 3 is the view of the system inside the head where ozonation will be performed in the machine which is the subject of the invention.

Figure 4 is the general view of the system which is the subject of the invention.

The drawings are not necessarily to scale and details not necessary for understanding the present invention may be omitted. Furthermore, elements that are at least substantially identical or have at least substantially identical functions are indicated by the same number.

Description of Part References

1 . Nozzle

1.1 Ozone inlet

2. Ozone Generator

3. Software

4. Moisturizing Unit

5. Drying unit

6. Ozone Cabinet

7. Ventilation unit

8. Catalyst 9. Waste collection tank

10. Ozone Sensor

K. Fabric

S. Template

BK. Print head

Detailed Description of the Invention

In this detailed description, the preferred embodiments of the invention are described only for a better understanding of the subject matter and without any limiting effect.

The invention relates to an octopus printing machine system and method used in textile printing processes and operating with an ozone nozzle (1 ).

The nozzle (1) ensures that the gas taken from the ozone generator (2) is given to the moisturized fabric (K) and a pattern is obtained.

The ozone generator (2) converts oxygen gas into ozone and produces ozone gas. Oxygen gas can be taken from the air or oxygen cylinder.

CNC software (3) provides the necessary movements and controls for moisturizing the desired pattern area in the patterning to be made on the fabric (K) and abrading it with ozone after moisturizing.

The software-supported atomized moisturizing unit (4) provides moisturizing of the fabric (K) to ensure that the ozone gas is effective in color removal.

Drying unit (5) is used for drying the moist areas after ozonation, drying the first printed color when color printing is done on the pattern or when printing one color and then moving to the next.

Ozone cabinet (6) is the cabinet where patterning is done with ozone gas. The pattern area obtained with CNC software (3) is first moistened and then applied to the fabric (K) with the movement of ozone gas given by nozzle (1 ) in the ozone cabinet (6).

The ventilation unit (7) aspirates the gas from the ozone cabinet (6) into the cabinet for patterning the fabric (K).

The catalyst (8) ensures the catalytic breakdown of the excess gas before it exits through the chimney. The waste collection tank (9) is the tank where the vacuumed waste is collected. The waste collected here is filtered and discharged to the atmosphere.

Ozone sensor (10) ensures that the ozone concentration in the environment is measured, and a warning is given. If the ozone concentration exceeds 0.1 ppm (healthy limit threshold), the ozone generator (2) is stopped.

The working principle of the machine subject to the invention is as follows;

Ozone cabinet (6) with nozzle (1), atomized moisturizing unit (4), ventilation unit (7), catalyst (8) and waste collection tank (9) were modified on the octopus printing machine. The purpose of the modified systems is to print the fabric (K) with ozone discharging according to the desired pattern. Obtaining the desired pattern and transferring it to the system is done with CNC software (3). The software ensures that the pattern area is first moistened with the atomized moisturizing unit (4) and the moistened area is ozonized according to the pattern in the ozone cabinet (6).

Ozone gas is fed to the nozzle (1) from the ozone generator (2) for patterning with ozone. There is an ozone sensor (9) on the generator so that the ozone gas produced does not negatively affect the health conditions in the environment.

The pattern to be obtained by ozonation in the system was moistened beforehand with the atomized humidification unit (4). The generated ozone is given to the nozzle (1) located in the ozone cabinet (6) with Teflon hoses. Ozone gas, which is sprayed onto the fabric (K), enables the pattern to appear in the desired area on the fabric (K). While making pattern formation with ozone, the ozone gas in the cabin must be ventilated with the ventilation unit (7). The ventilated gas is first decomposed in the catalyst (8) and then filtered in the waste collection tank (9) and released to the atmosphere.

The ozonized fabric comes to the drying (10) unit and the moist areas are dried. If color prints (such as reactive printing) will be printed conventionally on the ozonized areas, the coloring process can continue as color + drying with the systems placed on other octopus printing machine heads.

If color printing on ozonized fabrics is considered in the system, the fact that this printing is reactive printing instead of discharge printing will support the aim of the system to be environmentally friendly. Because in discharge printing, the discharging process to be done by the reducing agent (such as Rongalit C) to be put into the paste will be done by ozone gas and a relatively more environmentally friendly approach will be provided without the need for that substance.

The process steps performed with the system which is the subject of the invention are as follows; • the ozone gas obtained from the ozone generator (2) is delivered to the fabric (K) in the ozone cabinet (6) by means of the nozzle (1),

• creation of the desired pattern region by means of CNC software (3), moisturizing of that region by means of atomized moisturizing unit (4) and patterning with ozone gas, • drying of the moisturized and ozonized fabric (K) by means of the drying unit (5),

• absorption of gas by ventilation unit (7) after ozonation in the ozone cabinet (6),

• the gas absorbed by ventilation is decomposed by the catalyst (8) and discharged into the atmosphere through the waste collection tank (9),

• a warning given by the ozone sensor (10), when the ozone gas obtained from the ozone generator (2) is more than the specified values in the environment.