Abstract: An improved door for a horizontal axis fabric treatment machine. The door is designed to removably cover an access opening in a perforated inner drum and includes a series of interwoven elongated fabric strips which are attached at each end to the drum by a series of buckles. The buckles include a frame portion attached to the drum and a tongue portion attached to an end of the elongated fabric strip. The fabric strips define living hinges adjacent each end thereof, allowing the door to open in a number of directions. The access opening is revealed by opening the buckles on three sides of the door, and pivoting the door about the living hinge provided on the fourth side. The buckles allow the door to be completely removed and replaced without tools. The door exploits membrane stiffness to retain, support, and transfer the weight or load from the door to the surrounding drum.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards a removable heat exchanger for a fabric treating machine. The machine generally includes a perforated spin tub and an imperforate outer shell. In one embodiment the heat exchangers, which are removably mounted to an inner surface of the outer shell, are guided during installation and removal by guide clips. Spacers maintain the heat exchangers a predetermined distance from the inner surface of the outer shell. Retainer clips are provided to releasably retain the heat exchanger in position relative to the spin tub during operation of the machine. In a second embodiment the heat exchangers, which are mounted within side pockets provided by the outer shell. In both the first and second embodiments, the heat exchangers are held in place by jacking bolts. The removable heat exchanger of the present invention improves upon welded-in-place internal heat exchangers and external heat exchangers.

Abstract: An enzyme bath maintenance system is provided for use in such textile treating fields as stonewashing, laundry, cleaning and dyeing, including the use of enzymes as the active agent, in which the enzymes are utilized within narrowly controlled ranges of pH and temperature. As a means for providing heat for controlling the temperature, a heat exchanger in which the heat source is hot water at a temperature not more than 12.degree. C. higher than that of the desired temperature, is disposed within the apparatus. The heat exchanger and the apparatus as a whole are designed to avoid pockets which allow the enzyme to become entrapped therein. The apparatus further includes automated means for detecting, monitoring and reporting bath parameters such as pH and temperature, with output for manual or automatic control thereof, and means for agitating the enzyme bath to maintain uniform distribution of the enzyme.

Abstract: An enzyme bath maintenance system is provided for use in such textile treating fields as stonewashing, laundry, cleaning and dyeing, including the use of enzymes as the active agent, in which the enzymes are utilized within narrowly controlled ranges of pH and temperature. As a means for providing heat for controlling the temperature, a heat exchanger in which the heat source is hot water at a temperature not more than 12 .degree. C. higher than that of the desired temperature, is disposed within the apparatus. The heat exchanger and the apparatus as a whole are designed to avoid pockets which allow the enzyme to become entrapped therein. The apparatus further includes automated means for detecting, monitoring and reporting bath parameters such as pH and temperature, with output for manual or automatic control thereof, and means for agitating the enzyme bath to maintain uniform distribution of the enzyme.

Abstract: A seal and bearing assembly for fabric treatment machines includes a bearing housing mounted on the machine shell providing a bearing journaling a rotatable shaft. A seal retainer is separately mounted on the shell inboard of the bearing housing and provides seals which normally prevent leakage along the shaft toward the bearing. The seal retainer and bearing housing are axially spaced and cooperate to define a drain chamber sufficiently large to prevent clogging by lint and the like. Release of the housing and movement thereof away from the shell provides access to the seal retainer for replacement of worn seals.

Abstract: In a rotary dyeing system for dyeing hosiery articles, a rotary cylinder is divided into a plurality of compartments for receiving bundles of dry articles therein. Each compartment is provided with a pivotable plate means which, upon wetting of the articles and shrinkage thereof, is forced during the dyeing cycle against the articles to maintain them compact and stationary to prevent tangling thereof.