Abstract: The present invention provides a fugitive ink composition, and a process for providing a fugitive mark on fibrous material. The fugitive ink comprises a dark organic pigment comprising a complex between a polyvalent metal and tannic acid, and a binding agent that is insoluble in water at a pH of about 7 and at a temperature in the range of from 0.degree. to 100.degree. C., and has a T.sub.300 temperature in the range of from about 5.degree. to about 150.degree. C. The fugitive ink composition may further comprise a diluting agent, a dispersing agent, a wetting agent, a defoaming agent, a preservative, a basic reagent, and a viscosity controller. The fugitive ink composition of the present invention provides a dark identification mark that has the ability to withstand the vagaries of weather, yet substantially decolorizes upon being subjected to mechanical processing alone, or in conjunction with scouring and bleaching with a bleaching agent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for dumping the contents of a container. A container dumping apparatus according to the present invention includes a frame and a carrier positioned on the frame for movement relative to the frame. The carrier includes an arrangement for supporting the container to be dumped. An actuating device for moving the carrier between rest and final dumping positions includes a first tilting arrangement having a first portion and a second portion extensible/retractable relative to the first portion. At least one cable is anchored at an outer end to the carrier and at an inner end to the first portion of the first tilting arrangement. The extensible/retractable second portion of the first tilting arrangement is arranged to act upon the cable intermediate the anchored ends thereof to shorten the span of the cable extending between the carrier and the extensible/retractable second portion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for separating trash from irregularly-shaped clusters of material containing trash, fiber motes, and cotton lint. The apparatus comprises a rotatable drum encircled by a screen on an inside periphery thereof. The drum contains a plurality of finger-shaped baffles arranged in rows and extending radially inwardly from the inside periphery of the drum. As material is delivered to the rotating drum, the finger-shaped baffles lift the material toward an upper portion of the drum and drop the material directly on the screen at a lower portion of the drum to break-up clusters of material and to separate the heavy trash. The heavy trash drops through the screen and is removed by a conveyor. The fiber motes and cotton lint, along with smaller trash, are retained within the rotating drum and removed at an outlet end of the drum.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for recovering a fiber fraction from seed cotton. In a first embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of closely spaced, substantially parallel rollers are driven in a continuous path substantially perpendicular to the axes of the rollers. Seed cotton is deposited on a first side of the continuous path of rollers. At least one relatively large diameter nip roll is arranged in abutting engagement with a second side of the continuous path with the nip roll being fixed relative to the continuous path of the roller. A substantially constant quantity of air is drawn substantially straight between the rollers from the first to the second side of the continuous path in an area at least immediately upstream of the nip roll to aid in extending a fiber fraction between adjacent ones of the rollers. The nip roll is rotatably driven for separating the fiber fraction extended between the rollers by the air from the seed.

Abstract: A squeeze roll arrangement and method is disclosed for high expression squeeze roll liquor expression of non-woven fiber batts. An auxiliary conveyor belt is provided to squeeze the batt before passing through the nip of the squeeze rolls with the batt. In this way, a portion of the liquor carried by the batt is expressed prior to passage of the batt through the nip. Since the batt is carried by the auxiliary conveyor belt, disruption of the batt is minimized. Preferably, chains are provided on either side of the batt to maintain a preferred orientation of the batt. Various sprockets and pulleys are provided as desired to guide the chains with various turn rollers provided to carry the conveyor belt. The chains are flexibly attached to the edges of the belt to continuously guide the belt. In this way, alignment of the belt on the turn and squeeze rolls is maintained.

Abstract: A squeeze roll arrangement and method is disclosed for high expression squeeze roll liquor expression of non-woven fiber batts. An auxiliary conveyor belt is provided to squeeze the batt before passing through the nip of the squeeze rolls with the batt. In this way, a portion of the liquor carried by the batt is expressed prior to passage of the batt through the nip. Since the batt is carried by the auxiliary conveyor belt, disruption of the batt is minimized. Preferably, chains are provided on either side of the batt to maintain a preferred orientation of the batt. Various sprockets and pulleys are provided as desired to guide the chains with various turn rollers provided to carry the conveyor belt. The chains are flexibly attached to the edges of the belt to continuously guide the belt. In this way, alignment of the belt on the turn and squeeze rolls is maintained.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for separating trash from irregularly-shaped clusters of material containing trash, fiber motes, and cotton lint. The apparatus comprises a rotatable drum encircled by a screen. The drum contains a plurality of finger-shaped baffles preferably arranged in two rows disposed 180.degree. apart on the inner periphery of the drum. As material is delivered to the rotating drum, the finger-shaped baffles lift and tumble the clusters of material and pull the material apart to separate the heavy trash. The heavy trash drops through the screen and is removed by a conveyor. The fiber motes and cotton lint, along with smaller trash, are retained within the rotating drum and removed at an outlet end of the drum.

Abstract: A total fiber recovery method and apparatus are disclosed which will recover substantially all of the usable fiber contained in discarded waste material comprising a mixture of fibers, motes and trash. The method consists of conveying the input material into a cleaner and opener which rejects a large portion of the heavy trash and motes. The remaining fiber is transported into a lint cleaner which drops out more motes and smaller trash. From there the partially cleaned fiber is transported to a first cleaner and carder which will clean and orient the fiber. The trash and motes rejected by the cleaner and opener, the lint cleaner, and the first cleaner and carder are collected and cleaned in a drum screen cleaner to remove the heavy trash. The partially cleaned fiber is then transported into a carder and opener where the fibers, including the motes, are fully opened. The opened fiber is then transported to a second cleaner and carder for cleaning and orienting.

Abstract: A container dumping mechanism includes first and second sides. A carrier is positioned on the frame for movement relative thereto. The carrier includes a mechanism for supporting a container to be dumped. A dumping assembly is operably connected to the carrier and includes an actuating mechanism which is selectively actuable in first and second modes. In the first mode, the actuating mechanism is actuable to raise and generally invert the carrier at the first side of the frame to dump the contents of the container over the first side. In the second mode, the actuating mechanism is actuable to raise and generally invert the carrier at the second side of the frame to dump the contents of the container over the second side. The actuating mechanism is further actuable in a third mode for rotating the carrier essentially in place about a longitudinal axis to dump the contents of the container directly therebeneath.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for impregnation of a dry fabric is disclosed including a purging device which is provided immediately upstream of a supply of liquid within an impregnation tank. The purging device urges a condensable gas through the dry fabric immediately prior to entry of the fabric into the liquid with the purging device providing a pressure differential across the fabric. The fabric is preferably conveyed by a first endless conveyor belt through a passageway of the purging device and subsequently into the impregnating liquid and beneath a first squeeze roller. The purging device displaces the non-condensable gas or air within the fabric with a condensable gas preferably steam.

Abstract: Processes and apparatus for treating fibrous materials for subsequent processing are described. Such processes and apparatus are able to provide a continuously high throughput, e.g., 400 pounds per hour or more, while achieving an acceptable degree of cleanliness and uniformity with a substantial absence of formation of neps. In a preferred embodiment, the fiber treatment unit includes a train of rolls adjacently mounted for rotation about parallel axes. Adjacent rolls rotate in opposite directions and each is provided with a plurality of fiber grabbing, card clothing teeth. A number of additional carding points about the rotating cylinders are provided. Numerous trash removing assemblies adjacent the rotating rolls provide for removal of trash and other dry particles, thus preventing escape of such particles into the atmosphere and minimizing health hazards at this and subsequent fiber process stages.

Abstract: A durable, multiple-level, pile height is imparted to at least one surface of terry towelling, terry fabric or cut pile cotton fabric by treating the piles in predetermined areas of the surface with caustic paste and allowing the material to stand, with or without heating, so as to shrink and reduce the height of the caustic treated piles. The viscosity, the penetration period, and the manner of applying the paste are selected such that the ground layer of the material is substantially unaffected. The process is compatible with various dyeing techniques to obtain attractive color effects.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing an impregnation/rinsing of a web with fluid is disclosed wherein the web is repeatedly gently squeezed and allowed to open. A preforated conveyor belt carries the web within a longitudinal tank in which a series of squeeze rollers and a series of singular or cooperating rollers are arranged with the cooperating rollers being disposed intermediate the squeeze rollers. The web is carried by the conveyor belt beneath the first squeeze roller where the web is gently squeezed in a nip defined between the conveyor belt and the roller. The conveyor belt then carries the web above a cooperating roller. After the web has been gently squeezed, it is allowed to absorb the fluid in the tank without restraint until the web is gently squeezed again between the conveyor belt and the next squeeze roller. The steps of squeezing and absorbing are repeated throughout the longitudinal tank.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing an impregnation/rinsing of a web with fluid is disclosed wherein the web is repeatedly gently squeezed and allowed to open. A perforated conveyor belt carries the web within a longitudinal tank in which a series of squeeze rollers and a series of singular or cooperating rollers are arranged with the cooperating rollers being disposed intermediate the squeeze rollers. The web is carried by the conveyor belt beneath the first squeeze roller where the web is gently squeezed in a nip defined between the conveyor belt and the roller. The conveyor belt then carries the web above a cooperating roller. After the web has been gently squeezed, it is allowed to absorb the fluid in the tank without restraint until the web is gently squeezed again between the conveyor belt and the next squeeze roller. The steps of squeezing and absorbing are repeated throughout the longitudinal tank.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing an impregnation/rinsing of a web with fluid is disclosed wherein the web is repeatedly gently squeezed and allowed to open. A perforated conveyor belt carries the web within a longitudinal tank in which a series of squeeze rollers and a series of singular or cooperating rollers are arranged with the cooperating rollers being disposed intermediate the squeeze rollers. The web is carried by the conveyor belt beneath the first squeeze roller where the web is gently squeezed in a nip defined between the conveyor belt and the roller. The conveyor belt then carries the web above a cooperating roller. After the web has been gently squeezed, it is allowed to absorb the fluid in the tank without restraint until the web is gently squeezed again between the conveyor belt and the next squeeze roller. The steps of squeezing and absorbing are repeated throughout the longitudinal tank.

Abstract: An improved, safe and economical process for impregnating a cellulose fabric with a flame retardant compound comprises: (a) impregnating the fabric with an aqueous solution of a phosphonium salt precondensate and a buffer; (b) adjusting the wet pick-up of the fabric and the concentration of the phosphonium salt precondensate in the pad bath such that the impregnated fabric has a phosphorus content of from about 3% to about 4% and a moisture content of from about 10% to about 20% both based on the weight of the fabric; and (c) without the necessity of drying the impregnated fabric, exposing it to ammonia in an amount and for a period of time sufficient to cure the compound. The impregnated fabric may then be subjected to conventional oxidation and process washing steps to yield the finished fabric.

Abstract: Processes and apparatus for treating fibrous materials for subsequent processing are described. Such processes and apparatus are able to provide a continuously high throughput, e.g., 400 pounds per hour or more, while achieving an acceptable degree of cleanliness and uniformity with a substantial absence of formation of neps. In a preferred embodiment the fiber treatment unit includes a train of rolls adjacently mounted for rotation about parallel axes. Adjacent rolls rotate in opposite directions and each is provided with a plurality of fiber grabbing, card clothing teeth. A number of additional carding points about the rotating cylinders are provided. Numerous trash removing assemblies adjacent the rotating rolls provide for removal of trash and other dry particles thus preventing escape of such particles into the atmosphere and minimizing health hazards at this and subsequent fiber process stages.

Abstract: Polymer-containing, crosslinked, durable press 100% cotton, high-cotton blend, and other cellulosic fabrics are given a durable pucker without steaming by treatment with a rewetting agent, followed by drying, printing with a caustic printing paste permitting the printed fabric to develop a pucker at room temperature in a substantially tension-free state, and washing. Alternatively, the application of the rewetting agent can be bypassed by adding compatible wetting agents directly to the printing paste. The present process is also compatible with pigment printing processes so that caustic printing and pigment printing can be combined, the cold-puckered fabric being dried and then heated to set the pigment vehicle.

Abstract: Cellulosic fibers are removed from seed hulls such as cottonseed hulls by a process including (a) in the absence of mechanical action sufficient to cause degradation of fiber properties, contacting the seed hulls which comprise both cellulosic fibers (linters and hull fibers) and non-fibrous hull components with an alkaline solution and an oxygen-containing gas until the cellulosic fibers are substantially free of the non-fibrous hull components, and (b) recovering the cellulosic fibers from the non-fibrous hull components so as to produce readily washable cellulosic fibers having substantially unimpaired mechanical properties. The cellulosic fibers may then be washed and separated according to known fiber fractionation procedures. The cellulosic fibers produced according to this improved process have substantially unimpaired mechanical properties and contain substantially no polyphenolic materials or extraneous color components.

Abstract: The dimensional stability, crease retention, wrinkle resistance and smooth drying characteristics of a cellulose fiber-containing material such as a cotton fabric are improved by impregnating the material with an aqueous formaldehyde phase and curing the formaldehyde-containing material at high temperature in the presence of catalyst-forming sulfur dioxide while governing the amount of water in the system to provide a self-limiting reaction system, water being the limiting factor in the reaction by which an acid curing catalyst is formed from formaldehyde, sulfur dioxide and water. The aqueous formaldehyde phase may be applied to the material as such, or it may be formed in the material by exposing the latter in a humidified state to formaldehyde vapor. Sulfur dioxide may be introduced into the system either in the course of the aqueous impregnation step or in the curing step.