Abstract: An apparatus and method for hydroenhancing fabrics is described. The method uses the force of pressurized liquid passing through elongated orifices and impinging on the fabric. The pressurized liquid exits in a coherent or columnar fashion from elongated orifices that are generally rectangular or linear in shape. The elongated orifices can be arranged so as to produce various effects on a web of fabric, including striping, graduated shading and seer-suckering. The elongated orifices also facilitate the hydroenhancement of high-warp-count fabrics without streak or moire effects. Liquid filtration can be relaxed without clogging the orifices, because the elongated orifices permit larger solid objects to pass. The use of elongated orifices also enhances the energy efficiency of the hydroenhancement process.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for hydroenhancing fabrics is described. The method uses the force of pressurized liquid passing through elongated orifices and impinging on the fabric. The pressurized liquid exits in a coherent or columnar fashion from elongated orifices that are generally rectangular or linear in shape. The elongated orifices can be arranged so as to produce various effects on a web of fabric, including striping, graduated shading and seer-suckering. The elongated orifices also facilitate the hydroenhancement of high-warp-count fabrics without streak or moire effects. Liquid filtration can be relaxed without clogging the orifices, because the elongated orifices permit larger solid objects to pass. The use of elongated orifices also enhances the energy efficiency of the hydroenhancement process.

Abstract: A method for hydroenhancing fabrics is described. The method uses the force of pressurized liquid passing through elongated orifices and impinging on the fabric. The pressurized liquid exits in a coherent or columnar fashion from elongated orifices that are generally rectangular or linear in shape. The elongated orifices can be arranged so as to produce various effects on a web of fabric, including striping, graduated shading and seer-suckering. The elongated orifices also facilitate the hydroenhancement of high-warp-count fabrics without streak or moire effects. Liquid filtration can be relaxed without clogging the orifices, because the elongated orifices permit larger solid objects to pass. The use of elongated orifices also enhances the energy efficiency of the hydroenhancement process.

Abstract: A method for hydroenhancing fabrics is described. The method uses the force of pressurized liquid passing through elongated orifices and impinging on the fabric. The pressurized liquid exits in a coherent or columnar fashion from elongated orifices that are generally rectangular or linear in shape. The elongated orifices can be arranged so as to produce various effects on a web of fabric, including striping, graduated shading and seer-suckering. The elongated orifices also facilitate the hydroenhancement of high-warp-count fabrics without streak or moire effects. Liquid filtration can be relaxed without clogging the orifices, because the elongated orifices permit larger solid objects to pass. The use of elongated orifices also enhances the energy efficiency of the hydroenhancement process.

Abstract: A method and system for improving the appearance, covering ability and physical properties of woven fabrics by supporting the fabric which is to be treated on a foraminous surface, directing a plurality of columnar liquid streams in the form of oblique vanes against the fabric at an angle which is oblique to the warp direction of the cloth. The columnar streams impinge the cloth under pressure which is sufficient to penetrate and effect an enter-entangling of the fibers in the fabric, and the fabric which is thus treated is advanced under similar streams to treat substantially the entire surface of the fabric. The direction of the jets impinges on opposite sides of the fabric and they are oriented in a position which places them in direct opposition of one another.

Abstract: A technique and apparatus for evaluating the degree of hydroenhancement achieved in a woven fabric. The degree of hydroenhancement is related to the permeability of the woven fabric (i.e., the permeability of the woven fabric will decrease as the hydroenhancement increases). The hydroenhanced fabric is pulled over a vacuum source (while a constant vacuum is maintained) and the air flow through the fabric is measured. The air flow per unit area of fabric is then calculated and defined as the permeability. Alternatively, the permeability can be calculated by maintaining a constant air flow and measuring the vacuum drop associated with the treated fabric. The degree of hydroenhancement may then be assessed as related to this permeability measurement.

Abstract: A technique and apparatus for providing reciprocating hydroenhancement includes a pair of fabric spools with a hydroenhancement process disposed therebetween. The hydroenhancement process is configured to impart a minimal amount of hydroenhancement to the fabric passing therethrough and may comprise only a single vacuum roll and associated single hydroenhancement jet (other arrangements may use two or three of vacuum rolls and jets in order to provide controllable "front side" and "back side" treatments on a per pass basis). The fabric to be treated is loaded onto a first spool, passes through the hydroenhancement process and is thereafter taken up on the second spool. Once the entire length of fabric has been treated and loaded onto the second spool the process is reversed; the fabric is unwound from the second spool, treated a second time and re-loaded onto the first spool. The process is reversed once again, and a second "forward" treatment is imparted to the fabric. This "back and forth" (i.e.