Abstract: The disclosure relates to the finish processing of tubular knitted fabric in the manner to effect accurate, uniform alignment of the sewn seam at the edge extremity of the fabric tube, as it is being finished and gathered in flat form. Stripe-matched tubular knitted fabric has been slit longitudinally, adjusted to convert stripes from spiral to circular form, and resewn along its entire length. An equipment and method is provided for finish processing of such fabric, wherein a novel arrangement is provided for rotationally manipulating a laterally distended fabric to maintain accurate, uniform edge alignment of the sewn seam.

Abstract: A propeller-spreader for tubular knitted fabric is disclosed, in which internal, fabric edge engaging propeller belts are driven by means of magnetic coupling with internal, magnetic drive sheaves. A spreader frame, of flat configuration, arranged to laterally distend tubular knitted fabric to flat, two-layer form, is supported by means of a pair of spaced, transversely extending rollers. Magnetically coupled drive elements are positioned between the transverse support rollers and are driven to rotate in synchronism with the rotations of the support rollers. Ideally, the spreader frame is supported and positioned exclusively by means of the transverse support rollers, in conjunction with the magnetic attraction of the magnetically coupled drive means.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to techniques for high efficiency drying of wet-processed tubular knitted fabric. The wet tubular fabric is initially spread to flat form and then guided in a controlled manner over a so-called Mach nozzle, at which high velocity gaseous medium, usually steam, at speeds approaching the speed of sound and above, is discharged directly through the fabric, which is maintained in tension as it passes over the nozzle outlet. The thus treated tubular knitted fabric, now with a greatly reduced liquid content, is then immediately directed over a second spreader device, which distends the fabric widthwise to a predetermined, uniform width, to restore the fabric width lost during wet processing and during the relatively high tension nozzle treating operation. In this damp, geometrically stabilized condition, the fabric may be directed immediately into an otherwise conventional tensionless dryer for tubular knitted fabric, where the necessary final drying operations are completed.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to the finish processing of stripe-matched tubular knitted fabric in the manner to effect accurate, uniform alignment of the sewn seam at the edge extremity of the fabric tube, as it is being finished and gathered in flat form. Stripe-matched tubular knitted fabric has been slit longitudinally, adjusted to convert stripes from spiral to circular form, and resewn its entire length. An equipment and method is provided for finish processing of such fabric, wherein a novel arrangement is provided for rotationally manipulating a laterally distended fabric to maintain accurate, uniform edge alignment of the sewn seam.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to techniques for high efficiency drying of wet-processed tubular knitted fabric. The wet tubular fabric is initially spread to flat form and then guided in a controlled manner over a so-called Mach nozzle, at which high velocity gaseous medium, usually steam, at speeds approaching the speed of sound and above, is discharged directly through the fabric, which is maintained in tension as it passes over the nozzle outlet. The thus treated tubular knitted fabric, now with a greatly reduced liquid content, is then immediately directed over a second spreader device, which distends the fabric widthwise to a predetermined, uniform width, to restore the fabric width lost during wet processing and during the relatively high tension nozzle treating operation. In this damp, geometrically stabilized condition, the fabric may be directed immediately into an otherwise conventional tensionless dryer for tubular knitted fabric, where the necessary final drying operations are completed.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for treatment of continuous lengths of tubular knitted fabrics, involving wet processing, drying and then moisture conditioning of fabric. The fabric web is impregnated with a finishing resin in a wet processor, and is passed through a dryer to both eliminate the water of the processing solution and to cure the residual resin. The fabric emerging from the dryer is both extremely hot and, typically, bone dry, a condition considered unsatisfactory for gathering and further processing. In the disclosed invention, fabric enters a moisture conditioning chamber, in the lower portion, passes under a condensation guard, and then is guided vertically upward between opposed sets of finely atomizing spray nozzles. The fabric continues an upward course for a distance, and then is guided to a folder or roll up device.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a finishing treatment for fabrics, either tubular or knitted, having at least some natural fiber content, where the fabrics have been given a compressive shrinkage treatment by an asymmetrical process, sometimes referred to herein as "burnish compacting", in which one side of the fabric is acted upon differently than the other. The process of the invention eliminate or minimize "two sidedness" in the appearance of the fabric, which otherwise can be particularly noticeable with respect to colored fabrics. After passing through an asymmetrical compressive shrinkage process, the fabric is conveyed in a tension free manner through a moisturizing station, in which moisture is sprayed on the opposite surfaces of the fabric in the form of an extremely fine fog or mist, in quantities greater than the natural moisture regain of the fabric after compacting.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to method and apparatus for processing of tubular knitted fabric with a liquid material, for uniformly impregnating the fabric with the liquid. The fabric initially is directed over a propeller-spreader frame, in which the fabric is laterally distended to flat form and to predetermined, uniform width. At the discharge end of the spreader, the fabric is guided directly into the nip of a pair of opposed, resilient pad rollers. Immediately in advance of the pad rollers, both the upper and lower surfaces of the generally horizontally disposed fabric are sprayed with the liquid processing solution. The sprays are directed from a plurality of nozzles, spaced across the width of the fabric, and directed at an angle to the surface of the fabric and toward the nip area of the pad rolls. The spreader frame is inclined downwardly toward the pad rolls, at a slight angle (e.g. 6.degree. or 7.degree.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to the mechanical compacting of woven gauze bandages. An improved bandage gauze, having increased crimp and bulk, and a desirable degree of lengthwise stretch, is produced by passing the gauze through a two-roll compactor which, in its generalities, is of a known type, but which is specifically modified and improved to enable the gauze material to be processed effectively. The compactor comprises opposed feeding and retarding rolls, forming a nip. A compacting shoe is associated with the feed roll and the roller nip so as to drive the fabric to be fed toward the nip. At the nip, the gauze is decelerated by the retarding roll, and the material is continuously and progressively gathered and compacted in a short zone between the terminal edge or tip of the shoe and the roller nip.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to the mechanical compacting of woven gauze bandages, including both method and apparatus features. An improved bandage gauze, having increased crimp and bulk, and a desirable degree of lengthwise stretch, is produced by passing the gauze through a two-roll compactor which, in its generalities, is of a known type, but which is specifically modified and improved to enable the gauze material to be processed effectively. The compactor comprises opposed feeding and retarding rolls, forming a nip. A compacting shoe is associated with the feed roll and the roller nip so as to drive the fabric to be fed toward the nip. At the nip, the gauze is decelerated by the retarding roll, and the material is continuously and progressively gathered and compacted in a short zone between the terminal edge or tip of the shoe and the roller nip.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to the provision of improved and advantageous facilities for the on-line adjustment of the length of the compressive shrinking zone in a so-called two roll compactor. The compactor shoe is supported at each end, by a pair of primary levers arranged to pivot around the axis of a feeding roll. By movement of the primary levers, the tip of the compacting shoe, forming the upstream end of the compressive shrinking zone, is movable toward or away from a roller nip, formed by opposed feeding and retarding rollers and constituting the downstream end of the compressive shrinking zone. A simple, reliable and precise adjustment feature is provided, enabling the operator to easily and quickly effect precision adjustment of the position of the shoe tip, while the equipment is in full speed operation, so that the processing of materials in the compactor may be optimized.