Abstract: An apparatus (10) for feeding a tubular fabric (A) in a flattened state includes elements for modifying the flattened configuration of the tubular fabric (A). The elements for modifying the flattened configuration of the tubular material include an upstream part (14) with respective first (13) and second (15) coplanar elements for engaging opposite sides (A1, A2) of the tubular fabric (A) and with respective converging profiles (131, 151), and a downstream part (18) with respective first (17) and second (19) coplanar elements for engaging opposite sides (A3, A4) of the tubular fabric (A), with respective profiles (171, 191) diverging away from the upstream part (14). Actuating elements (120, 122) are provided to move the first and second stretching elements (13, 15 and 17, 19) of the upstream part (14) and the downstream part (14), respectively, relative to each other between respective positions closer together and further apart.

Abstract: Tubular knit goods including natural fibers and synthetic elastomeric fibers are steam treated and then circularly expanded and heat-fixed while being transported vertically downwardly over a circular spreader in a heat fixing chamber. The goods build up a buffer or excess material reserve on the conical feed section of the circular spreader, either by using a greater transport velocity into the feed section than that out of the feed section and along the spreader, or by starting to feed the goods into the feed section for a time before starting to draw the goods out of the feed section and then transporting the goods to and from the feed section at the same velocity. The goods relax in the buffer. Transporting the goods vertically downwardly over the circular spreader during the heat-fixing uses gravity advantageously, and reduces tension in the goods.

Abstract: A folding-shift mechanism for a bag knitting apparatus which folds inward the text-printed side portion of the knitted bag automatically to enhance the structural strength on both side portions and which overcomes the problem met in previous bag knitting apparatus in which the text-printed side portions can not be folded automatically. Therefore, the folding-shift mechanism for a bag knitting apparatus enhances the structural strength and production efficiency of the knitted bag. The folding-shift mechanism is arranged between a set of upper/lower rollers and comprises a pulley stage and a rotating-and-expanding frame. A front side of the pulley stage is provided with an expanding pulley. The rotating-and-expanding frame is provided with supporting rods which extend slantingly backward in right and left directions and a folding pulley arranged on the end of each supporting rod.

Abstract: A mangle for circular knitted fabric has a circular spreader is combined with several mangling stations circularly arranged around the spreader for the removal of treatment liquor from tubular fabrics. In order to protect the fabric against excessive squeezing, an upper roller head is entirely avoided by confining the circular spreader in the horizontal direction exclusively by the mangling stations. The vertical support of the spreader is provided fully by the mangling stations if the mangling rollers are mounted in positions slanting to the vertical. If the mangling rollers are not mounted in slanted positions it is preferred that a lower roller head operated by a lifting mechanism assists the mangling rollers in supporting the spreader (8) vertically. In both instances an upper roller head becomes unnecessary.

Abstract: A singeing device (V) for the gassing of circular goods (1), for instance circular knitted textile goods, having a singe burner (3) and a cloth guide (W) in order to obtain uniform gassing. The guidance of the goods (W) is developed so as to result in flat sides (a) of the circular goods (1) which extend substantially parallel to each other and rounded transition sides (b), and the singe burner (3) gasses the circular goods (1) both on the flat sides (a) and on the transition sides (b).

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: A device (15) for centering a tubular fabric (10) comprises a central fixed supporting portion (16) located within the fabric. A pair of oscillating arms (17) each having an end mounted to said central fixed portion (16), are kept divaricated against the tubular fabric. A motor driven roller unit (18) is secured to the free end of each oscillating arm (17) and has an electric motor (19). Motors (19) control rotation, in the same direction of rotation, of respective supporting members (21) each fitted with a plurality of idle rollers (22). The rollers (22) are angularly equally spaced around their respective supporting member (21) and are free to rotate about respective axes of rotation transverse to the direction of advancement of the fabric. Rotation of supporting members (21) in the same direction causes the fabric to rotate, while oscillating arms (17) keep the fabric stretched.

Abstract: Tubular knitted fabric is circularly spread and simultaneously squeezed for removing treatment liquor. Spreader components are separated from squeezing components in order to relieve the spreader components from the squeezing forces. For this purpose, pairs (23) of squeezer rollers (23A, 23B) are mounted on brackets (24, 25) which are rigidly secured to the outer pipe section (19A) of the central carrier column (19). The brackets (24, 25) are so arranged that they do not interfere with the spaced struts or braces (20, 21) of the spreader rollers (12). Each pair of squeezer rollers (23) cooperates with a revolving single squeeze roller (26) that is radially adjustable by a power drive such as a piston cylinder device (27) relative to the central column (19) to thereby adjust the squeezing gap between the pair of squeezer rollers and the single squeeze roller and thus also the squeezing force.

Abstract: Tubular textile fabric is guided during longitudinal travel substantially without circumferential torque or twisting by a guide apparatus having a series of guide rings which open the tubular fabric into circular form, a drive ring affixed co-axially to the guide rings and mounted rotationally on the apparatus frame, and a drive motor connected to the drive ring through an endless drive belt for incremental reversible rotation of the drive ring and guide rings as a unit as necessary to counteract fabric torque or twisting. A linear guide stripe or line extends lengthwise along the tubular fabric and is monitored by a photo-optic sensor operable in conjunction with a microprocessor to control incremental and reversing operation of the drive motor as necessary to counteract detected non-linearities in the guide line which indicate the existence of fabric torque or twist.

Abstract: A tubular knitted fabric is guided over a first rotatably arranged system of squeezing roller pairs and is then squeezed out, during a simultaneous continuous pulling off of the fabric, by a second system of squeezing rollers cooperating with the first system. The creation of edge markings is thereby completely prevented. An apparatus for the squeezing out process has a first system of rotatably arranged squeezing roller pairs which is held inside of the tubular fabric front the outside thereof and which has an adjustable outer periphery and a second system of rotatably arranged squeezing rollers also held on the outside of the tubular fabric. The second system is adapted to the periphery of the first system of squeezing roller pairs. Both systems cooperate with each other.

Abstract: Circular spreaders for tubular textile goods make it necessary to keep the spreader arms in a desired spread-out condition so that an unintended reduction in the diameter of the circular spreader is prevented. Such unintended reduction could be caused by operational vibrations or by impacts to which the spreader may be exposed during operation. For this purpose the spreader is equipped with a locking mechanism which, on the one hand, permits a continuous adjustment or a stepwise adjustment of the circular spreader to a maximum spread diameter and which, on the other hand, prevents a reduction of the once adjusted spreader diameter. A ratchet mechanism is provided for this purpose.

Abstract: Hollow profile elements are formed by shaping a starting workpiece that consists of multiple layers of a material having a large width-to-thickness ratio, e.g., woven fabrics or laid materials. The layers are joined by seams to define elongated pockets or channels. Shaping tools are inserted into these channels to form the profile elements with a desired cross sectional shape, which can be constant or varied. The shaping tools employ one or more endless belts that extend in closed loops around guide rollers; the belts are driven so that during the shaping process sliding friction is substantially eliminated between the material of the workpiece and the respective shaping tool.

Abstract: The invention relates to apparatus for the continuous wet treatment of a length of tubular material in which a changing device is provided at the inlet and the arrangement for introducing air into the length of material extends over the entire width of the chamber. Such apparatus also permits full utilization of the machine capacity even with narrow material.

Abstract: A tubular textile fabric is advanced through a treatment range having one or several cylindrical expanders. An inlet roller guides the tubular fabric to the expander in a flat shape, whereupon the expander expands the tubular fabric into a substantially cylindrical shape which is again flattened as it moves toward and over an outlet or discharge roller. In the inlet zone between the inlet roller and the expander and in the outlet zone between the expander and the outlet roller, where the fabric changes from the flat form into the expanded form of said cylindrical shape and vice versa, the fabric is exposed to different stretching forces or differing drafts due to differences in the distances that different portions of the fabric must travel while passing through these zones. These different stretching forces or drafts in the inlet zone are effective in the feed advance direction and are compensated by corresponding stretching forces or drafts in the outlet zone.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to the finish processing of tubular knitted fabric in the manner to effect accurate, uniform alignment of the sewn seam at the edge extremity of the fabric tube, as it is being finished and gathered in flat form. Stripe-matched tubular knitted fabric has been slit longitudinally, adjusted to convert stripes from spiral to circular form, and resewn along its entire length. An equipment and method is provided for finish processing of such fabric, wherein a novel arrangement is provided for rotationally manipulating a laterally distended fabric to maintain accurate, uniform edge alignment of the sewn seam.

Abstract: Three consecutive work zones are provided in a drying apparatus for tubular textile wares, equipped with an expander arranged vertically floating in the interior of the tubular textile material. Zones, in which drying air is blown from the outside into the tube interior, are located upstream an entry ring which expands the tube and downstream of a corresponding exit ring of the expander, which may be circular, for example. In a third, center zone located between the entry ring and the exit ring of the expander, the tubular textile material is exposed to substantially radially outwardly directed suction of the drying air which may cause undesirable deformation of the tubular textile material. A gas-permeable substantially cylindrical jacket is provided in the center zone. This jacket envelopes the tubular textile material which bears against the inner wall of the jacket during the drying, whereby such deformations are avoided or controlled.

Abstract: A film or fibrous web which has been stretched by moving at least two laterally spaced first longitudinal portions gripped by a first gripping means along at least two arcuate divergent paths formed jointly by at least two radially disposed first pulleys and endless belt means trained arcuately therearound, is further stretched by moving at least two laterally spaced second longitudinal portions adjacent to the first longitudinal portions gripped by a second gripping means along at least two arcuate divergent paths contiguous to the first arcuate divergent paths, respectively, formed jointly by at least two second pulleys, respectively, disposed downstream of and close to the first pulleys in coplanar relation thereto and second endless belt means trained arcuately therearound. The film while being stretched is heated to a temperature suitable for stretching with heated air and the like, or is softened by immersing in a bath of solvent or plasticizer.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to the finish processing of stripe-matched tubular knitted fabric in the manner to effect accurate, uniform alignment of the sewn seam at the edge extremity of the fabric tube, as it is being finished and gathered in flat form. Stripe-matched tubular knitted fabric has been slit longitudinally, adjusted to convert stripes from spiral to circular form, and resewn its entire length. An equipment and method is provided for finish processing of such fabric, wherein a novel arrangement is provided for rotationally manipulating a laterally distended fabric to maintain accurate, uniform edge alignment of the sewn seam.

Abstract: This invention relates to equipment for gas-singeing runs of textiles comprising a floating expander in which a cylinder spreads approximately cylindrically and which is used for a textile tubular fabric moving over it, and further comprising at least one annular structure surrounding the expander and acting as a support for a plurality of singeing means containing gas-burner nozzles and being displaceable in a radial and synchronous manner with respect to the expander.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improvement in drying equipment for tubular textile ware comprising a vertically floating circular expander adapted to spread the tubular ware from the inside, with drying air being blown from the outside into the tubular ware inside in a first zone and evacuated from the inside to the outside in an adjacent second zone, the improvement which comprises (a) three zones consecutive in the direction of motion of the ware, the zones being mutually bounded by a partition transverse to the direction of motion of the ware and surrounding the circular expander, and being located in the area of an entry part spreading the tubular ware and a corresponding exit part, (b) the zone located between the entry part and the exit part being designed as a suction chamber and the outer zones being designed as blowing chambers, and (c) the entry part and the exit part including axial flow openings for the drying air.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improvement in an externally held cylindrical expander for tubular ware having a central support for radially adjustable expansible props and segment-shaped guide elements borne by the props, in particular for treating the tubular ware with liquid treatment substances, a longitudinally tapered body mounted to each end of the central support as entry and exit parts, and the guide elements extend in the longitudinal direction of the expander between the two bodies, the improvement comprising bearing means adapted to the shape of and surrounding at least in part at least the lower tapered body and including discharge apertures distributed on its interior periphery and issuing into a gap to said body for a fluid adapted to support the expander.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improvement in an externally held cylindrical spreading means for tubular fabric, particularly for the treatment of the fabric with a fluid treating agent, with a central carrier for radially displaceable supports and segment-like guide elements carried by the supports, body means at each end of the central carrier, each of the body means being tapered in the longitudinal direction, and the guide elements extending in the longitudinal direction of the spreading means between the body means, the improvement comprising that the spreading means includes a pair of threaded sleeves mounted on opposite threads on the central carrier, radially-extending means with external magnetic pole means non-rotatably connected to the central carrier, and means for applying an external magnetic force on the magnetic pole means whereby the central carrier may be rotated.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improvement in an externally held cylindrical spreading means for tubular fabric, particularly for the treatment of the fabric with a fluid treating agent, with a central carrier for radially displaceable supports and segment-like guide elements carried by the supports, body means at each end of the central carrier, each of the body means being tapered in the longitudinaL direction, and the guide elements extending in the longitudinal direction of the spreading means between the body means, the improvement comprising pneumatic drive means within the spreading means connected to sleeve means on the central carrier, the sleeve means being connected to the radially displaceable supports and being displaceable on the central carrier, compressed air junction means in at least one of the guide elements and having a back pressure valve means therein, and means connecting the compressed air junction means with the pneumatic drive means.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improvement in an externally held cylindrical spreading means for tubular material, particularly for the treatment of the material with a fluid treating agent, with a central carrier for radially displaceable supports and segment-like guide elements carried by the supports, the improvement comprising body means at each end of the central carrier, each of said body means being tapered in the longitudinal direction, said guide elements extending in the longitudinal direction of said spreading means between said body means, and supporting and transporting roller means mounted against the exterior of said body means, said roller means having a profile adapted to the form of said tapered body means.

Abstract: A method of reducing the liquid content of air-permeable material in tubular form, especially for reducing the moisture content of tubular fabric, involves moving the tube of material longitudinally through a device for applying suction to the outer surface of the tube, either in a single area which extends all round the tube or in a plurality of areas which together extend substantially all round the tube.Means for carrying the method into effect may comprise one or more hollow members defining a frame to surround the tube of material from which liquid is to be removed. Each hollow member has apertures in its inwardly-facing wall, each of which apertures communicates with the hollow interior of its hollow member, and means is provided for creating a sub-atmospheric pressure in each hollow member.

Abstract: A machine to process fabric knit in tubular form which includes apparatus to lay down a stripe of a gumming composition to allow the tubular fabric to be slit in the center of the solidified gumming stripe. The slit knit fabric is then opened up to full width and taken up. The tubular knit goods are conveyed through the gumming and slitting operation by a four belt conveying system which allows the lengthwise tension and the width of the tubular fabric to be controlled.

Abstract: The disclosure is that of conditioning equipment for performing either straightening or overfeed calendering operations upon circular knit fabric tubes and includes a feed stand, a control roll station, a drive roll station, a steaming station and a calender station. A horizontal spreader extends from the control roll station to the calender station and provides a circumferential drive for the fabric tube at the control roll station, a face drive therefor at the drive roll station and an internal edge drive therefor along at least that portion of the length of the spreader that extends from the control roll station through the drive roll station. Thermo-fixing of the conditioned fabric tube also may be effected.

Abstract: The disclosure is that of conditioning equipment for performing either straightening or overfeed calendering operations upon circular knit fabric tubes and includes a feed stand, a control roll station, a drive roll station, a steaming station and a calender station. A horizontal spreader extends from the control roll station to the calender station and provides a circumferential drive for the fabric tube at the control roll station, a face drive therefor at the drive roll station and an internal edge drive therefor along at least that portion of the length of the spreader that extends from the control roll station through the drive roll station. Thermo-fixing of the conditioned fabric tube also may be effected.