Abstract: In a textile wet processing machine and process wherein an indeterminate length of a textile fabric or other material is washed or otherwise subjected to a wet treatment operation by transportation sequentially through a plurality of processing chambers, the yardage distribution of the fabric among the chambers is controlled by sensing the entrance of the leading end of the fabric into each successive chamber, then measuring separately the actual yardage of fabric entering each chamber in sequence, comparing at least periodically the yardage of fabric instantaneously residing within each respective chamber and, in the event an imbalance in fabric distribution is detected, briefly stopping and then restarting lifter reel assemblies and jet nozzle assemblies by which the fabric is transported so as to correct the imbalance in fabric distribution.

Abstract: Textile yarn package supporting carriers are disclosed for use in textile dyeing machines to enable the machine to be effectively operated at less than full capacity. Each carrier has a base with multiple upstanding package supporting posts each having a longitudinal package supporting portion extending upwardly from the base and dimensioned to securely support a predetermined maximum number of packages on each post. A cap mounts to the spindle portion of each post for movement therealong into engagement with the outermost package on the post. The cap has a latching arrangement with a latch plate disposed to be selectively movable between a disengaged or release position wherein the latch plate does not impede relatively free sliding movement of the cap along the post and a second engaged position wherein the latch plate is braced against the post to prevent sliding movement of the cap along the post.

Abstract: A jet-type textile wet processing machine is equipped with a pivotable inner wall assembly within the entrance end of the fabric chamber in the processing vessel for selective pivotal disposition to control definition of the plug form of the fabric advancing through the chamber and has an internally segmented jet nozzle structure for creating annularly differentiated impinging streams of processing liquid on the traveling fabric rope. Unique processing applications enabled by the machine include simultaneously treating within a single chamber two independent disconnected endless fabric ropes or a single fabric rope or a single fabric rope in doubled form.

Abstract: An adapter for using a yarn package carrier in both vertically and horizontally oriented treatment vats includes a platform for supporting the yarn package carrier, an assembly for engagement of the adapter by a carrier transfer device and a fluid passageway arrangement formed in the platform for directing treatment fluid from the vertically oriented vat into the yarn package carrier.

Abstract: Textile yarn package supporting carriers are disclosed for use in textile dyeing machines to enable the machine to be effectively operated at less than full capacity. Each carrier has a base with multiple upstanding package supporting posts equipped with interchangeable adapters to accommodate differing numbers of yarn packages up to the maximum capacity of the carrier. An upstanding wall on the base defines an enclosure for retaining treating liquid, and the wall has a selectively movable and removable panel for forming a liquid weir at a selectively variable level relative to the base to determine a maximum level of liquid which may be retained in the carrier enclosure.

Abstract: A horizontal package dyeing machine in which yarn packages are supported in carriers that have a base with tubular posts projecting therefrom for stacking yarn packages thereon and a wall secured to and extending upwardly from the periphery of the base to form an enclosure for confining treating liquid. The base is formed with two liquid distribution chambers, one being an upper chamber communicating with the interior of the posts and the other being a lower chamber communicating with the interior of the enclosure. The distribution chambers have open ends that can communicate with liquid supplying and withdrawing ducts of the machine for circulation of treating liquid within the carrier enclosure. The carriers are dimensioned for positioning two carriers in a vessel with the open ends of the distribution chambers in communication for flow of treating liquid therebetween.

Abstract: An apparatus for driving a lifter reel in a machine for wet processing of fabric in endless rope form having a jet for directing a flow of liquid to the fabric rope to cause circulation thereof is disclosed and contains a rotatable lifter reel upstream of the jet and over which the fabric rope travels to the jet. The apparatus includes a baffle wheel affixed coaxially to one end of the lifter reel out of the path of the fabric traveling over the lifter reel. The wheel has radially extending baffles against which a liquid flow nozzle directs a flow of liquid in a direction to drive the lifter reel in the direction of rope travel to the jet. The liquid flow nozzle is adjustable radially with respect to the baffle wheel to vary the driven rate of rotation of the lifter reel. The nozzle is commonly connected with the jet to a source of liquid under pressure for use of liquid from the same source by the jet and the nozzle.

Abstract: An improved toggle assembly for use in a band-type clamping closure assembly such as provided on a textile kier or like pressure vessel for securing a lid or cover in place during operation. The toggle assembly includes a first pair of lugs affixed to one end of the clamping band in laterally spaced facing relation and a second pair of lugs affixed to the other band end in laterally spaced facing relation. A toggle body has a pair of laterally spaced arm portions each pivotably affixed to a respective one of the first lugs and a handle portion extending outwardly from the arm portions. An actuating link is affixed pivotably at one end to each of the arm portions of the toggle body intermediately of the handle portion and the location at which the arm portions are pivoted to the first lugs and is affixed pivotably at the opposite end to each of the second lugs.

Abstract: Apparatus for wet treatment of cloth in endless rope form through a treating chamber in the presence of a treating liquid, with the cloth rope being circulated through a cloth return tube that communicates with the ends of the treating chamber. A front venturi introduces treating liquid into the cloth return tube to apply impetus to the cloth rope to draw it from the treating chamber and circulate it back through the cloth return tube into the other end of the treating chamber.

Abstract: Apparatus for wet processing traveling continuous-length textile material includes a narrow U-shaped container for processing liquid through which the material passes in a U-shaped path and an agitating assembly positioned in the container between the reaches of the material path for reciprocating movement parallel to the material. The agitating assembly includes a plurality of unequally spaced displacement members which extend across the width of the material and a substantial extent of the container transversely between the material reaches to define relatively narrow localized spacings between the displacement members and the container walls. Each reciprocal movement of the agitating assembly displaces a relatively large volume of the contained liquid forcing it to pass through the localized spacings at a relatively higher velocity than the actual movement of the agitating assembly, enhancing the liquid application to the material.

Abstract: A self-cleaning filtering apparatus for use in a material treating system of the type in which treating fluid is recirculated through a treating vessel. The apparatus includes a filtering chamber through which treating fluid flows from a pump to a heat exchanger. A cylindrical perforated filter element in the chamber filters particulate contaminant, such as lint in a textile processing system, onto the element, and a reciprocating cleaning member cleans the contaminant from the surface of the filter element by drawing fluid through an annular slot in a head of the cleaning member, with the fluid being drawn across and through the filter element to remove contaminant therefrom. The contaminant containing fluid is conveyed from the cleaning member back into the treating vessel where it is discharged into a large fabric bag that allows the fluid to filter through into the vessel and obstructs the contaminant for collection in the bag.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for compressing raw fiber stock into a perforated basket for dyeing in a radial-flow dyeing machine. A hollow container is provided by a perforated cylinder section stacked separably on an imperforate section for loading fiber stock into the common interior. A piston movable under force of water pressure is located in the imperforate section to compress the loaded fiber stack into the perforated section. A closure plate is movable with the piston and is attachable to the perforated section following fiber compression to close the perforate section with compressed fiber therewithin, such that the perforated housing may be removed and used as a dyeing basket. A central core element is secured to the closure plate and is movable therewith to maintain an open center in the dyeing basket for use of the basket in a radial dyeing machine.

Abstract: Means for applying foamed treating liquor to a flat width traveling textile substrate using a cylindrical supporting member extending axially transversely across the width of the substrate and supporting a projecting applicator nozzle. A circumferentially extending distribution chamber is formed on the cylindrical supporting member by a cover plate mounted in spaced relation on the cylindrical supporting member by resilient side strips to which the cover plate is tightened circumferentially in sealing disposition. The distribution chamber diverges from an inlet port adjacent the nozzle circumferentially around a major extent of the cylindrical supporting member to the full width of the nozzle. End closures are slidably manipulated in the ends of the nozzle to limit the transverse extent of the nozzle opening in following relation to variations in the transverse positions of the edges of the traveling substrate in response to a sensing device.

Abstract: For use in textile processing, equipment such as jet dyeing machines, a fixed cloth tube for transporting cloth from the jet to the cloth storage compartment, such cloth tube having an exit end portion which is substantially greater in cross-sectional area than the portion extending from the jet, whereby the cloth leaving the cloth tube is permitted to assume a more open condition and whereby the velocity of the liquid flowing with the cloth is reduced as it leaves the cloth tube. A pair of cloth directing liquid jets are disposed oppositely in the exit end of the cloth tube, and a control system is provided for alternately admitting fluid to such cloth directing jets at predetermined time intervals to impose a sinuous path of movement on the cloth as it leaves the cloth tube and thereby provide an orderly and even distribution of the cloth within the cloth storage compartment.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for wet processing an endless rope of material wherein a modified J-box arrangement is provided for storing an accumulation of rope in a treating bath and a combined overflow chamber and liquid jet assembly is provided for circulating the rope to and from the bath in an entraining liquid stream. The storage arrangement includes a partially perforate outer wall and an imperforate partial inner wall spaced inwardly therefrom forming a confinement area therebetween for rope and liquid returning from the circulatory system. The confinement is sufficient to maintain therein a column of the returning liquid extending above the level of the bath whereby gravitational forces acting thereon hydraulically move the rope accumulation through the bath, the rope in the confinement being released to expand as it moves past the terminating end of the inner wall whereby movement of the rope through the bath is enhanced.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for wet processing an endless rope of material wherein a modified J-box arrangement is provided for storing an accumulation of rope in a treating bath and a combined overflow chamber and liquid jet assembly is provided for circulating the rope to and from the bath in an entraining liquid stream. The storage arrangement includes a partially perforate outer wall and an imperforate partial inner wall spaced inwardly therefrom forming a confinement area therebetween for rope and liquid returning from the circulatory system. The confinement is sufficient to maintain therein a column of the returning liquid extending above the level of the bath whereby gravitational forces acting thereon hydraulically move the rope accumulation through the bath, the rope in the confinement being released to expand as it moves past the terminating end of the inner wall whereby movement of the rope through the bath is enhanced.

Abstract: Treating liquor is applied to open-width textile substrate by pressure feeding the liquor in foamed condition to a distribution chamber having gently changing cross sectional areas and contours and arranged to deliver the foamed treating liquor evenly widthwise of the substrate through an application head past which the substrate is caused to travel under conditions that result in liquefying the foamed treating liquor in the course of application to the substrate.

Abstract: An improved jet dyeing machine is provided in which the jet circulation is arranged for extremely low impingement of the treating liquor on the fabric so that fabric composed of low twist spun yarns are handled at particularly good advantage, while excellent operating results are obtained as well with the considerable range of other fabrics that have heretofore been successfully handled by jet processing. The treating liquor circulation arrangement additionally provides for diversion of a major portion of the treating liquor being circulated so that foam generation is minimized and circulation performance is improved.

Abstract: An improved arrangement and method for bleaching textile goods is provided wherein a J-box is employed for storing the goods transiently for the bleach while allowing the travel of the stored goods to shut down whenever desired while leaving the goods in place without damage.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for effective low liquor wet processing of textile piece goods with exceptional flexibility as to type of fabric that may be handled and processing conditions that may be applied.