Abstract: A web e.g. a fibre web as used in the manufacture of textiles is inspected e.g. for thickness uniformity or the like by transillumination, where the web is subject to ambient illumination, the transillumination being effected in modulated fashion whereby to distinguish measuring illumination from ambient illumination. Modulation may be effected by time-chopping a beam or by a narrow spectral band filter to improve signal-to-noise ratio.

Abstract: Thick textile structures such as cross folded card webs, where most of the transmitted light is light that has passed through the fibres of the textile structure, can be measured by measuring transmission through the said structure from an infra-red source, such for example, as a tungsten filament lamp run at a dull glow.

Abstract: A fibre metering arrangement comprises a supply conveyor carrying fibre to a weighplate, and a nip roller arrangement removing the fibre from the weighplate, and being sufficiently spaced from the weighplate so as not to cause the fibre to accumulate over the weighplate. If the gap is such that some fleece might sag, a bridging plate or a take-off conveyor can be inserted. Preferably, there is a draft between the supply conveyor and the take-off conveyor or nip rollers.

Abstract: A method for cyclically weighing flowable bulk solid material as part of a dispensing process which includes the steps of supplying the material from a continuously operating controllable delivery feed arrangement to a weigh-pan; generating a signal indicative of the amount of material in the weigh-pan; terminating supply of the material from the feed arrangement when the signal indicates a predetermined amount of material in the weigh-pan; causing the weigh-pan, after receiving and weighing all the materials supplied by the feed arrangement up to such termination of the supply, to deliver its contents; preparing the weigh-pan for the next cycle; predetermining a rate of delivery from the weigh-pan in accordance with the requirements of the dispensing process in terms of the average amount delivered per cycle in a cycling frequency; supplying from the feed arrangement material to the weigh-pan through a valve mechanism in which the material accumulates when the weigh-pan is not receiving material from the val

Abstract: A weighpan is controlled by a microprocessor to tare itself between successive weighings and the microprocessor resets the weight at which supply to the weighpan is regulated in accordance with a shortfall or excess delivered on previous weighings.

Abstract: A fleece fabric is produced by feeding a fiber web to a reciprocating compound needle row and extending the web fibers across the needle row. A reciprocatory, rotary brush or comb, or a pin bar is used to feed the fibers to the needle row. The conventional cross folder can be dispensed with, and the fabric is stronger than when the web fibers are orientated before they are fed to the needles. The fabric has a density between twice and 15 times that of the constituent web.

Abstract: A fleece fabric is produced by first consolidating a fleece into a primary fabric by fleece knitting, and then stitch bonding the primary fabric with warp yarn.The fabric is at least as strong and stable as ordinary stitch bonded fabrics, but has substantially improved pilling and abrasion resistance, and a much wider range of patterning and surface texture possibilities.

Abstract: A weighpan is controlled by a microprocessor to tare itself between successive weighings and the microprocessor resets the weight at which supply to the weighpan is regulated in accordance with a shortfall or excess delivered on previous weighings.