Abstract: A system is disclosed wherein fibers are mounted on pallets for ease in handling and storage. The system uses the pallets to provide a continuous, uniform rate of fiber feed to other apparatus for subsequent fiber processing. A positioning system arranges pallets in end-to-end abutting relationship to provide the uniform rate of fiber feed generally desired for fiber processing. A plurality of vertically spaced horizontally disposed rotating augers engage the advancing face of fibers on a pallet to remove the bulk of fibers therefrom. The pallet surface is subsequently engaged by a pallet sweeper which removes any fibers not removed by the rotating augers. The loosened fibers are deposited on a transverse conveyor which overlies the pallet surface and moves the fibers transversely of the pallet unloading apparatus for delivery to the fiber processing apparatus.

Abstract: In a cotton packaging system including a press section, transfer section, strapping section, bagging section and shrink section in longitudinal alignment, a cotton bale is formed by successive compression of overlapping cotton layers and is thereafter tied and bagged. The press section includes a vertically movable lower platen and stationary upper platens each presenting transient compression and conveyor surfaces that are oscillated during bale formation.

Abstract: A system is disclosed wherein fibers are mounted on pallets for ease in handling and storage. The system uses the pallets to provide a continuous, uniform rate of fiber feed to other apparatus for subsequent fiber processing. A positioning system arranges pallets in end-to-end abutting relationship to provide the uniform rate of fiber feed generally desired for fiber processing. A plurality of vertically spaced horizontally disposed rotating augers engage the advancing face of fibers on a pallet to remove the bulk of fibers therefrom. The pallet surface is subsequently engaged by a pallet sweeper which removes any fibers not removed by the rotating augers. The loosened fibers are deposited on a transverse conveyor which overlies the pallet surface and moves the fibers transversely of the pallet unloading apparatus for delivery to the fiber processing apparatus.

Abstract: In a cotton packaging system including a press section, transfer section, strapping section, bagging section and shrink section in longitudinal alignment, a cotton bale is formed by successive compression of overlapping cotton layers and is thereafter tied and bagged. The press section includes a vertically movable lower platen and stationary upper platens each presenting transient compression and conveyor surfaces that are oscillated during bale formation.

Abstract: Apparatus for the formation and feeding of a cotton batt including a cotton retention chamber in which a first conveyor conveys cotton in a generally lateral direction toward a batt exit opening in a chamber and a second conveyor of the endless belt type with a lower drive roll conveys cotton away from the opening in an upward direction generally transverse to the lateral direction to establish a rotating batt supply body in the chamber. A rotatable stripper disposed between the front end of the first conveyor and the lower drive roll of the second conveyor forms the exit opening between the stripper and the front end of the first conveyor, and strips a batt from the supply body.

Abstract: An apparatus for the continuous treatment of an advancing web such as a cotton fabric with one or more reactive gases comprises one or more reaction chambers, each including fluid dicharge means for directing a treating gas onto the web in the chamber and evacuation means disposed on both ends of the chamber to prevent both the fluid from escaping from the chamber and the fluid outside the chamber from entering the chamber. Heating means adapted to heat the continuously advancing web of fabric material may also be provided, if desired.Such an apparatus may be used for the application of gases such as ammonia to a fabric impregnated with monomeric tris (hydroxymethyl) phosphine to form on the fabric a polymerized phosphorus-containing material and to impart flameproofing properties thereto. The apparatus can also be used to apply gases such as formaldehyde or sulfur dioxide or both to a cellulose fiber-containing fabric at an elevated temperature and in the presence of controlled amounts of moisture.

Abstract: A thin sheet metal orifice plate is disclosed having at least one orifice therethrough with a rounded inlet to improve flow and an outlet defined by an encircling projection whose axis accurately conforms to a predetermined direction. Apparatus for the production of such an orifice plate is disclosed and includes a forming tool operable to form a spherical boss in a flat intermittently advanced thin metal sheet of orifice blank material. The apparatus includes an orifice plate blank trimming tool having a punch and die assembly for accurately trimming the spherical boss from a continuous strip such that an annular flange is provided therearound. An orifice punching apparatus is provided having a chuck for holding an orifice plate blank adjacent to a resilient backing material. The chuck is supported by an angular adjustment apparatus which, in turn, is rotatably supported on a base and provided with a pair of detent mechanisms. The detent mechanisms secure the angular position of the adjustment apparatus.

Abstract: A liquid atomizing method and apparatus including a conduit member having an annular ring eccentrically mounted thereon such that a radial port in the ring is aligned with a radial aperture in the conduit member. A thin flexible orifice ribbon is intercalated between the ring and the conduit member. In one embodiment of the invention, a vibratory device is rigidly mounted upon the exterior surface of the conduit member and functions to induce the formation of uniform droplets within fluid flowing through apertures in the orifice ribbon. In another embodiment of the invention an elongate flexible orifice ribbon, having a plurality of spaced orifice zones, may be mounted upon an advancement mechanism to facilitate maintenance of a clean unobstructed set of apertures in communication with the conduit port. The atomizing apparatus is readily serviceable without special tools.

Abstract: An improvement in a process for imparting flame retardant properties to textile materials by reacting the textile materials with phosphorus-containing compounds or salts thereof and aftertreating the textile material with a salt of a heavy metal is disclosed. In the improved process, the phosphorus-containing compounds are applied in correlation with antimony oxide and a polymeric halogen-containing material. Reduced amounts of phosphorus may be affixed on the textile material (thus substantially reducing fabric shrinkage during processing) without substantially adversely affecting the flame retardant properties of the treated material. Titanyl sulfate is utilized as the heavy metal salt. In addition, the treatment is applicable to cellulosic fibers, e.g., cotton or rayon, as well as to wool, silk and other natural and man-made fibers or blends of these fibers.

Abstract: A process for imparting durable flame-retardant properties to cellulosic fiber-containing materials without detrimentally affecting other properties (e.g., shrinkage, hand, etc.) of the material is disclosed. The material is contacted with cyanamide; at least one phosphonic acid represented by the structural formula: ##EQU1## wherein R.sup.1 represents a monovalent radical selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halogen, hydroxy, lower alkyl and lower alkoxy, and wherein R.sup.2 represents a monovalent radical selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and lower alkyl; antimony oxide; and a polymeric halogen-containing material.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for removing fibers from fiber-laden pallets is disclosed in which the bulk of fibers is removed in a primary unloading area thus leaving a thin layer of fibers that are removed by a surface cleaning device. The surface cleaning device included a multiple-blade rotary sweeper which is spaced vertically above the uppermost portion of a pallet to enable the pallet to move therebelow without mechanical interference with the rotary sweeper. A cowling encloses a portion of the periphery of the rotary sweeper to increase the efficacy of fiber removal by the rotary sweeper. The rotary sweeper mechanically engages an upper portion of the thin layer and removes it from the pallet. A suitable gas blast device impinges upon the pallet surface at a location substantially below the rotary sweeper to engage a lower portion of the thin layers of fibers. The gas blast device causes fibers to be lifted upward and into mechanical engagement by the blades of the rotating sweeper.

Abstract: In a cotton packaging system including a press section, transfer section, strapping section, bagging section and shrink section in longitudinal alignment, a cotton bale is formed by successive compression of overlapping cotton layers and is thereafter tied and bagged. The press section includes a vertically movable lower platen and stationary upper platens each presenting transient compression and conveyor surfaces that are oscillated during bale formation.

Abstract: The abrasion and wear resistance of edge portions of garments made of cellulose-containing fabrics which have durable press properties imparted thereto by exposing the garments to vapors containing formaldehyde and sulfur dioxide and curing them are improved by selectively applying a barrier to the edge portions prior to exposure of the garments to the reactive vapors. This barrier may be physical in nature, such as a plastic resin film applied to the edges to be protected, or it may be a catalyst poison or inactivator which prevents the crosslinking reaction from taking place in the protected portions of the fabric.