Abstract: A construction for a rubber blanket for use on a fabric compressive shrinkage apparatus is described. The blanket includes an inner bearing surface defining a bearing face and an outer surface defining a working face, with the edges of the belt along the bearing surface being beveled so that the bearing face is relatively narrower than the overall belt width. The specially-configured edge construction reduces the tendency of the edges of the blanket to curve upwardly when the blanket is properly tensioned for operation of the apparatus, and the tendency of water to be flung around the edges of the belt and onto the working face is reduced. Further, the beveled side edges promote longer blanket life by reducing the tendency for the edges to crack. Also as a result of the edge construction, a larger effective working face of the blanket can be attained, thereby enabling larger widths of fabric to be processed on the apparatus than previously achievable with outer surface-beveled blankets.

Abstract: A novel shipping container, package, and method of packaging are provided for facilitating the packaging, shipment and storage of heavy, bulky, and deformable endless belts. The shipping container includes top and bottom members which cooperatively engage each other to provide an interior hollow chamber. Interposed wall portions are provided in the bottom member which extend at an angle between the side walls and bottom wall of the bottom member. The side walls and interposed wall portions of the bottom member cooperate with portions of an endless belt positioned in the container to ensure that the belt maintains its substantially cylindrical configuration during transportation or storage in order to avoid the damaging effects to the belt which result from its collapse within a conventional container.