Abstract: Method and apparatus for imparting visual surface effects to a relatively moving, thermally modifiable substrate by application of discrete streams of heated pressurized gas to surface areas of the substrate. The apparatus includes an elongate manifold assembly comprising two gas receiving compartments, each extending across the path of said substrate. Heated gas from the first compartment passes into the second compartment, which is comprised of a series of chambers with an elongate exit slot positioned closely adjacent the substrate surface. The gas is uniformly mixed within this second compartment, and may then be directed from the exit slot onto the substrate as a thin, continuous stream or curtain extending the length of the manifold.

Abstract: An electro-pneumatic valve which includes a spiral coil formed of electrically conductive material bonded to an insulative substrate. A second layer of substrate material is mounted substantially beneath the combination of the spiral coil and insulative substrate. The second layer of substrate has both a recess and an outer edge. There is a first passage communicating between the recess and the outer edge. Within the recess is a magnetic armature that is operatively aligned with the spiral coil. There is a second passage communicating between the spiral coil and the recess. The magnetic armature moves in response to electric current passing through the spiral coil to close the second passage.

Abstract: A textile dyeing apparatus enables the real-time selection of destinations for pattern information. A pattern control system has a plurality of destinations for receiving pattern information. The pattern control system includes means for selecting one of the destinations in response to a selectional signal. A processor coupled to the pattern control system transfers the pattern information. The processor includes a first memory for locally storing the pattern information and a programmable direct memory access controller board, coupled to said first memory. The board initiates the transfer of the pattern information from the first memory in response to a transfer signal from the processor.

Abstract: A diagnostic system checks the major hardware components in a pattern control system used in a textile dyeing apparatus. The system includes bypass logic circuitry which permits selective bypassing of either the look-up tables, stagger memories, or both the look-up tables and the stagger memories in the pattern control system. The diagnostic system checks the look-up tables in the pattern control system to assure that the address lines for the look-up tables operate properly. A prime number pattern is loaded into the look-up tables such that each address location for each look-up table will have a different piece of data. The look-up tables are then read in address sequence and the output thereof compared with a previously stored prime number pattern to determine whether any errors arose. The system further checks the firing times produced by the gatling memory section of the pattern control system by simulating a machine speedup and checking for the onset of machine optimum speed and machine overspeed.

Abstract: A control system for a textile dying apparatus processes and distributes digitally encoded pattern information. A substrate is moved on a path along which the surface of the substrate comes into operative range of a plurality of arrays arranged along the path of the substrate. Each of the arrays has a plurality of individual dye applicators capable of selectively projecting a stream of dye onto a predetermined portion of the substrate corresponding to a pattern element in a pattern composed of a pattern element matrix with a plurality of pattern elements in each of a plurality of pattern rows. Each pattern element is associated with a visually distinct pattern area. The dye applicators project dye for a time period determined by the pattern information. The method first determines a set of initial values.

Abstract: A control system for a patterning device which provides a method for sequentially loading look-up tables, representing pattern conversion values for different patterns to be printed in sequence, into a patterning device in real time. The system also provides a method for reloading a paricular look-up table or group of look-up tables in a prioritized sequence as necessary in order to change the characteristics of the pattern or patterns represented by the table or tables.

Abstract: An apparatus to cause a running length of yarn to vibrate at its harmonic frequency by through utilization of dual orifices through which pressurized air flows at an angle of intersection and to measure electronically the harmonic frequency thereof to provide a signal that can be employed to maintain and/or correct the parameters of the system to maintain a desired tension in the yarn being run.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for continuous treatment of a web of thermoplastic pile fabric comprising heating the fabric to a temperature between the dyeing and heat setting temperature of the fabric, then vibrating the fabric biaxially by means of a rotating cylindrical roll with spaced protrusions or depressions along the exterior surface of the cylinder followed, optionally, by vibrating the fabric uniaxially by means of a second rotating cylindrical roll having flat portions continuously extending along the longitudinal axis of the second cylinder. The repeated and rapid front to back and side to side movement of individual pile fibers caused by multiple vibrational waves during biaxial treatment allows the fibers to return to their preferred heat-set orientation.

Abstract: A novel textile fabric having a napped face which is uniform in height and in which most of the fibers comprising the nap extend from yarns extending in the warp direction of the fabric.

Abstract: A method for patterning a textile fabric in which a hydrophobic composition is uniformly applied to the surface of the fabric, and the resulting product. A high velocity water stream is used to wet areas of the fabric comprising the pattern areas. An aqueous dye is then applied uniformly to the fabric. The unfixed dye is retained by the fabric in those areas wetted by the water stream, the fabric is then treated to fix the retained dye.

Abstract: A collar for partitioning a beam which includes a first c-shaped member and a second c-shaped member operatively attached to said first c-shaped member to form a first ring, and a third c-shaped member and a fourth c-shaped member operatively attached to said third c-shaped member to form a second ring, with said first ring and said second ring operatively attached to each other.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treatment of relatively moving substrate materials by preheating the substrate before precise selective application of discrete, high temperature pressurized streams of fluid against the surface of the materials to impart a visual and tactile change thereto. The apparatus includes an elongate manifold for receiving heated pressurized fluid, such as air, disposed across the width of the relatively moving material and having a single slit the full width of the substrate for directing the fluid into the surface of the material. Pressurized cool fluid, such as air, is directed across selected portions of the manifold discharge slit to deflect pressurized heated air away from the substrate. The manifold is provided with cool air outlets which direct the heated air to a position upstream of the path of movement of the substrate for preheating purposes. The apparatus is further arranged and configured to enhance the visibility of faults in the substrate.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming and selectively interrupting one or more fluid stream which is confined within an open channel. A transverse fluid stream is introduced into the channel at a point under the stream flowing within the channel. Introduction of the transverse stream at relatively low pressure is sufficient to cause the stream within the channel to leave the confines of the channel. If the channel is directed at a target, the method and apparatus will allow intermittent and selective interruption of a fluid stream flowing within the channel and directed at the target. The source of the transverse fluid stream has an arcuate or curved outlet portion to prevent fluid from the open channel from accumulating therein.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for patterning a substrate wherein liquid unfixed dye is applied to the substrate in the form of a spray. One or more streams of pressurized gas such as air are then directed onto the substrate for the purpose of displacing some of the unfixed dye where the streams impinge the substrate, thereby causing a visually distinctive area on the substrate where the relative dye concentration is reduced. Resulting products are also disclosed.

Abstract: A detection system is disclosed for detecting the presence of a marking material placed on a textile substrate prior to a series of dyeing and finishing steps. Following such steps, the substrate carrying the marking material is illuminated by light having a preferred wavelength of about 900 nanometers. The light is preferably absorbed by the marking material, thereby reducing the amount of light reflected from the substrate carrying the marking material and triggering an alarm. In a preferred embodiment, the marking material contains carbon particles.

Abstract: A moveable shield and associated liquid containment system which may be used with machines in which arrays of individual streams of liquid dye are used to pattern substrates. The shield associated with a given array selectively may be interposed between the substrate and the liquid dye streams of that array to prevent substrate contact by the liquid streams as, for example, during cleaning operations, or withdrawn to permit unimpeded substrate contact by the liquid dye stream. One or more arrays may be cleaned or charged with a different color dyestuff while the remaining arrays are used to pattern the substrate, eliminating the down time presently associated with the cleaning or dye changing of individual arrays.