Abstract: For continuously drying a cloth, the cloth is subjected to a drying process in which high pressure dry hot air is jetted against the cloth in a zigzag pattern from both sides thereof while transporting the cloth continuously through a cloth passage. The cloth passage is a gap formed between a pair of horizontally extending parallel endless net conveyors located one above the other. In accordance with the rotation of the two conveyors the cloth is vigorously beat and vibrated as it passes through the gap in a snaky state under no tension to afford drying of the cloth. When the drying process is effected by stepwise lowering the temperature of the cloth, or is repeated by cooling the heated cloth in the open atmosphere, the drying resembles natural drying, preventing the cloth from becoming fragile, and moreover, in particular heat energy is saved. A cloth in a ropy state can also be dried satisfactorily and effectively by inserting a cloth untwisting process and a cloth expanding process prior to drying.

Abstract: In a pressure seal apparatus for a high pressure steamer, seal rolls form a nip in a roll seal mechanism mounted on the fiber products feed in and take out openings of a high pressure steamer vessel body. The roll seal mechanisms shield the inside of the vessel from external air when fiber products are fed in or taken out and are positioned on the upper planes of a seal block through which a fiber products passage extends. Different members can be combined with the seal rolls in forming the seal mechanism, such as intermediate rolls formed as water permeable hoses are inserted into concave parts provided on opposite sides of the fiber products passage through the seal block. In another embodiment an elastic sealing member is placed in contact with the seal block and the seal rolls. In still another embodiment a shielding valve is provided at one end of the fiber products passage for regulating vessel internal pressure and preventing sudden pressure leakage.