Abstract: Apparatus and a related method control within acceptable limits, of less than two percent (2%), residual shrinkage in garments to be made from a knitted fabric web or other fabrics subject to high shrinkage. The knitted fabric web is passed continuously in a moist condition through a first shrinkage compactor. Then the web is carried on an endless belt through a special dryer in a relaxed condition to allow loops of knits to shorten. The web is caused to wave in the dryer. The web is then conveyed through a second shrinkage range for final shrinking to a desired weight per surface area with less than two percent (2%) residual shrinkage. Thus the garments are safe from further shrinking in home tumble dryers.

Abstract: An apparatus for imparting soft hand to a fabric in web form, especially printed knits and non-wovens, by mechanically introducing localized tension in the web. The web is preferably advanced in continuous rubbing engagement with one or more contact members that can be pairs of nip rollers and/or breaker bars. Nip roller pairs include one knobbed roller deformably engaging a soft roller with the web passing therebetween. Breaker bars can have straight, serrated or curvilinear edges and the web can be passed over or under the breaker bars. Various combinations of nip roller pairs and breaker bars are provided for and a variable drive is employed.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a wet processing system wherein a wet roped knitted fabric is treated to achieve a finished product that is flat and open and accomplished by moving the fabric so that it is transported through the various processing steps in a manner that minimizes distortion and elongation of the fabric. Advantage is also provided by utilizing a J-scray that is moveably disposed in the system to fine tune the accumulation of wetness and control the speed of delivery.

Abstract: A fabric detwister for continuously opening roped knitted fabric operating to open the roped fabric by moving the detwister arrangement in the direction of twist and as this occurs it actuated the turntable to move in the direction to remove the twist.

Abstract: An apparatus for finishing or shrinking webs of material such as textile webs, both of the knit and woven variety; and non-woven like webs, all usually made from fibrous like materials. The apparatus, generally comprises first and second roll like members. One is capable of being driven faster than the other and both are disposed to drive belts for moving the web. The apparatus also includes a compaction or finishing zone formed between the belts by an adjustably disposed idle roll like member and one of the roll like members. The plural belts are disposed to run around the roll like members so that a web may be fed on a sheet like member to facilitate finishing or shrinkage of the web in the finishing or compaction zone formed between the belts which are caused to abut each other by roll like members disposed inside the abutting belts. The sheet like member being disposed relative the zone so that treatment of the web in said zone is optimal.

Abstract: A spreader included in tubular knit conditioning or finishing equipment is disclosed and includes a frame serving to support a pair of support members having fabric gripping means mounted on the spaced and oppositely disposed support members. A series of rolls some of which are driven are connected to the fabric gripping means to cause same to move the fabric through the equipment or the spreader. An actuator is connected to the spreader and arranged to move the fabric gripping means to move the fabric while moving through the equipment to adjust for any changes in dimension of the fabric to a desired dimension.

Abstract: An apparatus for cutting or opening a tube of knit fabric is disclosed and includes a conveyor which moves the fabric along a horizontal axis as it enters the apparatus and continues in this horizontal path and the fabric is expanded cut and moved out of the apparatus along the horizontal axis.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for the compressive shrinking of fibrous web materials is disclosed. The apparatus uses a system of moving rolls of different speeds cooperating with a confining member to form a stuffing chamber wherein a web material moves in a passageway where it is compacted. The addition of means for moving the rolls to provide a substantially uniform dimension to the passageway facilitates the compaction of the web material.

Abstract: An apparatus for finishing a fabric web by subjecting a usually wetted fabric which is carefully handled preferably on a spreader in the case of knits or a tenter-like device in the case of woven or non-woven webs so that it remains flat and smooth and then presenting the fabric to a fabric treating station comprising endless belts in abutting relationship to shrink or finish the fabric and finally removing the fabric from the fabric treating station or arrangement. An apparatus for finishing a fabric by passing a carefully handled fabric onto a device to smooth the fabric and move same to a confined space formed by side by side plural, usually endless, belts with guide means on the outer surfaces thereof and said plural belts arranged to change direction around inner rolls disposed on the opposite ends of said belts to finish or shrink said fabric either as a result of the curvature caused by the change in direction of said belts or in the nip formed by the rolls at one end.

Abstract: This invention is directed to an extractor wherein tubular knitted fabric is ballooned, prior to the extraction of, usually water from the fabric, in an arrangement comprising a nip formed by two rolls. A tubular knit fabric additive applying mechanism is formed by providing a reservoir consisting of these two rolls and sealing or dam members disposed at each of the opposite ends of the above mentioned rolls. A single drive is provided one roll and functions to drive the second roll and a third roll disposed to form a nip with the second roll to extract excess additive from the fabric as it passes through the last mentioned nip. A method of applying an additive to a tubular knitted fabric moving the fabric through a nip to extract liquid therefrom and then immediately subjecting the fabric to an application of additive and immediately following this application by subjecting the fabric to the removal of the additive in a second nip.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for the compressive shrinking of fibrous materials is disclosed. The apparatus uses a system of moving surfaces of different speeds cooperating with a confining blade spaced from the movable surface or surfaces to cooperate to form a stuffing chamber for compaction of the fibrous material. An improved impact blade is provided to facilitate the compression of the fibrous material and the blade includes an apparatus for achieving optimum straightness of the blade among the benefits provided.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to an apparatus for preshrinking fabric which in various forms moves a web of shrinkable material through a nip like configuration and usually by compression reduces the webs potential shrinkage a predetermined amount.More particularly there is shown a system for heating fabric at a controlled temperature by utilizing the normally associated steam heat source of the apparatus which usually functions to dampen the fabric prior to treatment as provided for in the present invention on the one hand along with a heated oil supply which is disposed in a chamber of the shrinking unit to thusly provide an additional heat source for the fabric to facilitate shrinkage or other treatment of the fabric.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to improvements in tenter frames which typically function to move fabric through a fabric processing step which might be fabric curing or drying. The tenter frame contemplated herein includes various adjustable devices for optimizing the position of the fabric as it is being moved to thereby minimize or eliminate any distortions in the fabric construction which can occur in open-type knits, such as pattern distortions and the like. In addition, the apparatus utilizes a series of mechanical variable speed drives and controllers which are all synchronized with an electric driver motor to better control the operation of a tenter frame as it moves fabric through a processing step.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for the compressive treatment of material are disclosed. The method and apparatus use a gull winged confining means in conjunction with two surfaces to form a stuffing chamber. The wing of the confining means which faces the first, faster moving surface is provided with a precompacting zone where the wing and first moving surface are spaced more than at other positions between the wing and first moving surface.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for finishing a tubular fabric where the apparatus includes a fabric spreader for spreading the tubular fabric into a flattened tube. Edge drive means are provided to move the tube of fabric over a spreader past a fabric treating station. Control means are provided for maintaining and controlling a cross-line configuration of the fabric and/or width of the fabric. The control means comprises a pair of spaced opposed control rolls rotatable in opposite directions with the fabric passing over substantial arcs of each of the rolls. Speed control means are included for varying the speed of the control rolls with respect to the edge drive means to tension or bunch the fabric with respect to edge portions of the fabric driven by the edge drive means.

Abstract: A combined oven and fume incinerator having an enclosed housing. A combustion chamber serving as a heat source and fume incinerator is connected by a heat recovery air duct to a process zone which in turn opens into a cool air inlet passage leading to the combustion chamber and blower means are provided to circulate air through the housing, combustion chamber, heat recovery duct, process zone, cool air inlet passage and back to the combustion chamber. The heat recovery duct is in direct thermal contact with the cool air inlet passage. An exhaust fan is located in the cool air inlet passage at a point where there is the least pollution to exhaust a portion of the air in the passage to atmosphere.

Abstract: An apparatus for compressing a web W of fibrous material where the apparatus includes a first surface (3) movable in one direction and a second surface (5) movable in an opposite direction at a speed slower than the speed of movement of the first surface. A confining means (7) having an apex (10) extends between the surfaces. A stuffing chamber (13) is formed between the two surfaces and the confining means. Movement of the first surface feeds a web of material into the stuffing chamber and movement of the second surface moves compressed material out of the chamber.A method of compressing a web W of fibrous material where said material is forced into a stuffing chamber (13) formed between a confining means (7) having an apex (10) and two surfaces (3 and 5). A web of material is fed into the stuffing chamber by moving one of the surfaces in one direction at a particular speed.

Abstract: An apparatus for compressing a web W of fibrous material where the apparatus includes a first surface (3) movable in one direction and a second surface (5) movable in an opposite direction at a speed slower than the speed of movement of the first surface. A confining means (7) having an apex (10) extends between the surfaces. A stuffing chamber (13) is formed between the two surfaces and the confining means. Movement of the first surface feeds a web of material into the stuffing chamber and movement of the second surface moves compressed material out of the chamber.A method of compressing a web W of fibrous material where said material is forced into a stuffing chamber (13) formed between a confining means (7) having an apex (10) and two surfaces (3 and 5). A web of material is fed into the stuffing chamber by moving one of the surfaces in one direction at a particular speed.

Abstract: The disclosure is that of an invention directed to a folder for a continuously advancing web of textile material in which a transverse guide roll assembly provided with a pair of parallel guide rolls is bodily reciprocated horizontally along a supporting frame. The guide rolls are positively driven in the same opposed directions at all times; and the speed of bodily reciprocation of the guide roll assembly is progressively reduced as that assembly approaches the end of each stroke of reciprocation in order to avoid a slack or bunched condition of the web in the central portion of each fold.

Abstract: The disclosure is that of an invention directed to a horizontal padder and extractor for circular knit fabric tubes and includes a pair of squeeze rolls disposed with their axes in the same horizontal plane, thus defining an upwardly open nip for retaining a puddle of impregnating liquid. A safety guard is pivotally mounted over the squeeze rolls and is operably connected to an electrical interlock to deactivate the machine whenever the safety guard is not in proper position. A steaming station is provided ahead of the padder and extractor and a horizontal orienting spreader feeds the spread fabric tube to the padder at a tangent to the upper surface of the front squeeze roll thereof.