Abstract: The disclosure is directed principally to a novel apparatus for finish processing of knitted sweater body sections in a continuous, flow-through manner. Knitted tubular sweater sections, including a body section and a relatively elastic cuff section, are applied in succession to a spreading frame and are distended to a predetermined, uniform width throughout. The spreader frame discharges the distended sweater sections into a processing section, including a pair of opposed conveyor blankets. In a controlled space interval, between the end of the spreading frame and the line of engagement of the sweater section by the opposed conveyor blankets, controllable width contraction of the sweater section is caused or permitted to occur.

Abstract: Knitted tubular sweater sections, including a body section and a relatively elastic cuff section, are applied in succession to a spreading frame and are distended to a predetermined, uniform width throughout. The distended sweater sections are then discharged from the spreader frame into a processing section, including a pair of opposed conveyor blankets. In a controlled space interval, between the end of the spreading frame and the line of engagement of the sweater section by the opposed conveyor blankets, controllable width contraction of the sweater section is caused or permitted to occur.Immediately thereafter, the fabric section is engaged by the opposed conveyor blankets, which grip and confine the fabric section lightly over substantially its entire surface area to retain the geometry of the fabric. While thus gripped and confined, the fabric section is steamed, conveyed for a short distance further between the conveyor blankets, and then released.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to an apparatus for steam processing tubular knitted fabric, as in a spreading or calendering operation. The steamer apparatus of the invention is characterized by its ability effectively to impart steam to the fabric at much higher rates than has been possible heretofore, consistent with satisfactory quality. Since the steaming of the fabric heretofore has constituted a limiting or bottleneck stage of calendering or similar processing operations, the ability of the new steaming device to increase the effective rate of steam application can be translated directly into higher production rates in the fabric processing operation as a whole.The new steaming apparatus includes a pair of dripless steam boxes of heretofore known construction arranged above and below the plane of the fabric in a manner well known per se.

Abstract: The invention relates to control of the cut end of a fabric web during batching and doffing thereof to provide positive engagement of the cut end with a new mandrel after cutting.Included herewith is a tucking mechanism rotatable into and out of engagement with the bite between a winding roll and an empty mandrel which provides simultaneously positive pressure against the web during the first several windings on the empty mandrel with tucking engagement of the loose end of the web into the bite. The tucking mechanism includes a transverse bar receiving a plurality of reversible holders which are displaceable along the transverse bar for accommodating different widths of fabric. The holders contain opposed tucking feelers of different lengths for differing fabric characteristics.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for increasing the production over a given period of time of the finishing of tubular knitted fabric and to the semi-automatic control of the batching and doffing thereof.Included herewith are methods for enhancing the speed of steam treatment of such fabrics by increasing impregnation thereof with steam boxes enclosed in a steam chamber, and methods for limiting roll pressure during stretching of the fabric to reduce marking.Also included is a semi-automatic batching and doffing device incorporating controls for sequentially inserting an empty mandrel, cutting, and positively controlling the cut loose end of fabric web for engagement with the new mandrel, with such sequence being initiated by removal of the previous wound-up roll. The cutter and the air jet control for the cut loose end of fabric are movable into and out of engagement with the web path of movement for enhancing the positioning thereof for action upon the web.