Abstract: A washer that washes a continuous piece of tubular knitted fabric material. The washer includes a frame, a set of rollers, an air nozzle rack, and a controller. The frame rests on a support surface. The set of rollers are rotatably attached within the frame and guide the material through a washing liquid to wash the material. The air nozzle rack is replaceably attached to within the frame and blows air onto the material to cause ballooning of the material to maximize exposure of a total surface area of the material to the washing liquid. The controller is operatively connected to the set of rollers and minimizes and keeps constant the tension of the material as the material passes through the washing liquid under an influence of the air nozzle rack to thereby provide a more effective wash of the material.

Abstract: A spring steel slip sheet for a compactor and for extending into a compression zone defined by a feed roll and a retard roll for shrinking a fabric. The slip sheet is for the compactor, extends into the compression zone defined by the feed roll and the retard roll for shrinking the fabric, and is made of spring steel. The slip sheet is sheet-like and includes a mounting portion and a compressing portion. The compressing portion extends from the mounting portion at an interface line. The mounting portion usually is flat and the compressing portion usually is arcuate. The compressing portion curves similarly as the feed roll of the compactor does, and presses the fabric against the feed roll of the compactor as the fabric enters the compression zone of the compactor.

Abstract: A device for preventing jamming of a fibrous material subject to a compressive treatment in a stuffing chamber defined by a feed roll and a retard roll. The device includes an impact blade and a stabilizing apparatus. The impact blade is rigid and interchangeable. The stabilizing apparatus stabilizes the impact blade against moving away from the feed roll to prevent the jamming of the fibrous material between the feed roll and the impact blade during the compressive treatment of the fibrous material.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for correcting deflection in small diameter feed and retard rolls of an open width stabilizer so as to create a straight line nip with uniform pressure across the nip. The improved apparatus provides apparatus for adjusting deflection of the rolls to thereby maintain a desired size to a passageway between them so as to optimize compaction of a fabric web material. A wedge-like member is disposed between, and in moving relationship to, feed and retard roller bearings. The wedge-like member is asymmetrical, has feed and retard sides that engage the feed and retard roller bearings, respectively, and exerts reaction forces against each of the respective bearings. Improvement resides in the reaction forces causing the rolls the rolls to not deflect downwardly.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for correcting deflection in small diameter feed and retard rolls of an open width stabilizer so as to create a straight line nip with uniform pressure across the nip. The improved apparatus provides apparatus for adjusting deflection of the rolls to thereby maintain a desired size to a passageway between them so as to optimize compaction of a fabric web material. A wedge-like member is disposed between, and in moving relationship to, feed and retard roller bearings. The wedge-like member is asymmetrical, has feed and retard sides that engage the feed and retard roller bearings, respectively, and exerts reaction forces against each of the respective bearings. Improvement resides in the reaction forces causing the rolls the rolls to not deflect downwardly.

Abstract: A device for preventing jamming of a fibrous material subject to a compressive treatment in a stuffing chamber defined by a feed roll and a retard roll. The device includes an impact blade and a stabilizing apparatus. The impact blade is rigid and interchangeable. The stabilizing apparatus stabilizes the impact blade against moving away from the feed roll to prevent the jamming of the fibrous material between the feed roll and the impact blade during the compressive treatment of the fibrous material.

Abstract: A spring steel slip sheet for a compactor and for extending into a compression zone defined by a feed roll and a retard roll for shrinking a fabric. The slip sheet is for the compactor, extends into the compression zone defined by the feed roll and the retard roll for shrinking the fabric, and is made of spring steel. The slip sheet is sheet-like and includes a mounting portion and a compressing portion. The compressing portion extends from the mounting portion at an interface line. The mounting portion usually is flat and the compressing portion usually is arcuate. The compressing portion curves similarly as the feed roll of the compactor does, and presses the fabric against the feed roll of the compactor as the fabric enters the compression zone of the compactor.

Abstract: A machine for converting a fabric from a rolled fabric into a superimposingly folded fabric for delivery to a dyeing machine. The machine includes a frame, a cradle, and a carriage. The frame rests on an unyielding surface. The cradle is operatively connected to the frame, holds the rolled fabric, and dispenses the fabric from the rolled fabric. The carriage is movably mounted to the frame, and receives the fabric dispensed from the rolled fabric, and in response thereto, moves back and forth relative to the frame to dispense the fabric into the superimposingly folded fabric for delivery to the dyeing machine.

Abstract: A modular tenter frame for guiding a pair of chains with pins through a predetermined path to transport an open width tubular knit web through a drying oven and/or a steaming station to a compressive treating station to improve quality of the open width tubular knit web. The frame includes a rail section. The rail section guides an associated chain with the pins through the predetermined path to transport the open width tubular knit web through the drying oven and/or the steaming station to the compressive treating station to improve the quality of the open width tubular knit web. The rail section has a pair of recessed tracks being longitudinal, facing in a same direction, being spaced-apart from each other by a space therebetween defined by a web, and receiving the chains.

Abstract: Devices for adjusting positions of: a removable slip sheet in a compression zone defined by a pair of rollers of an open width textile compressive shrinking machine to adjust a size of the compression zone for various thickness and types of textiles; a wedge between the pair of rollers for spacing apart the pair of rollers a predetermined dimension; and a shoe in the compression zone for allowing for different thickness and types of textiles.

Abstract: A machine for converting a fabric from a rolled fabric into a superimposingly folded fabric for delivery to a dyeing machine. The machine includes a frame, a cradle, and a carriage. The frame rests on an unyielding surface. The cradle is operatively connected to the frame, holds the rolled fabric, and dispenses the fabric from the rolled fabric. The carriage is movably mounted to the frame, and receives the fabric dispensed from the rolled fabric, and in response thereto, moves back and forth relative to the frame to dispense the fabric into the superimposingly folded fabric for delivery to the dyeing machine.

Abstract: A modular tenter frame for guiding a pair of chains with pins through a predetermined path to transport an open width tubular knit web through a drying oven and/or a steaming station to a compressive treating station to improve quality of the open width tubular knit web. The frame includes a rail section. The rail section guides an associated chain with the pins through the predetermined path to transport the open width tubular knit web through the drying oven and/or the steaming station to the compressive treating station to improve the quality of the open width tubular knit web. The rail section has a pair of recessed tracks being longitudinal, facing in a same direction, being spaced-apart from each other by a space therebetween defined by a web, and receiving the chains.

Abstract: Devices for adjusting positions of: a removable slip sheet in a compression zone defined by a pair of rollers of an open width textile compressive shrinking machine to adjust a size of the compression zone for various thickness and types of textiles; a wedge between the pair of rollers for spacing apart the pair of rollers a predetermined dimension; and a shoe in the compression zone for allowing for different thickness and types of textiles.

Abstract: A machine for processing a pair of wetted knit fabric tubes from a common control simultaneously and independently. A pair of wetted knit tube processors are operatively connected to a frame, are disposed side-by-side to each other, and are spaced-apart from each other so as to form a common operator alleyway therebetween. A controller is accessible from the operator alleyway for convenient access to either of the processors eliminating an operator from having to walk around or duck under the processors to make adjustments to the processor requiring attention.

Abstract: A machine for processing a pair of wetted knit fabric tubes from a common control simultaneously and independently. A pair of wetted knit tube processors are operatively connected to a frame, are disposed side-by-side to each other, and are spaced-apart from each other so as to form a common operator alleyway therebetween. A controller is accessible from the operator alleyway for convenient access to either of the processors eliminating an operator from having to walk around or duck under the processors to make adjustments to the processor requiring attention.

Abstract: A method and related apparatus for shrink-proofing a fabric, typically a knitted textile composed of interlocked loops of yarn made of natural and/or man-made fibers. The loops interlock along stitch rows that may become skewed. According to the invention the fabric is confined from expanding as it is delivered to and discharged from an in-line compression zone free of obstructions such as crimps, bends or kinks. The fabric is confined, preferably resiliently, coming to, passing through and leaving the compression zone so as to accommodate variation of thickness and irregularities of the fabric being compacted in the compression zone. The interlocked loops are organized whereby they are allowed to move toward each other orthogonally along their related stitch row so as to reduce volume of the fabric. Non-woven textiles, papers, papers with additives and the like are shrink-proofed in the same manner.

Abstract: A nozzle for a fabric dryer whose cross sectional area tapers from the proximal end thereof to the distal end thereof. The nozzle has a fabric side that is juxtaposed relative to the fabric. The fabric side of the nozzle is provided with a slot that extends therealong. The slot has flanges that penetrate away from the fabric side of the nozzle and open inwardly into the nozzle. A plurality of baffles are positioned between the flanges, along the slot. Each of the plurality of baffles is directed toward the fabric side of the nozzle and is inclined toward the proximal end of the nozzle to deflect hot air from the slot, so that the hot air projects normally onto the fabric so as to avoid moving the fabric off the fabric conveyor of the fabric dryer.

Abstract: A folder for fabric includes a traversing assembly which receives a fabric web and deposits the fabric in a Z fold as the traversing assembly reciprocates relative to a base. A pressing assembly includes a pair of pressing rollers which move in a direction substantially parallel to the surface of the folded fabric. A pressing roller presses on the fabric as it moves toward the fold. Shock absorber assemblies absorb stress at the ends of strokes of the traversing assembly as it reciprocates relative to the base.

Abstract: A folder for fabric includes a traversing assembly which receives a fabric web and deposits the fabric in a Z fold as the traversing assembly reciprocates relative to a base. A pressing assembly includes a pair of pressing rollers hwich move in a direction substantially parallel to the surface of the folded fabric. A pressing roller presses on the fabric as it moves toward the fold. Shock absorber assemblies absorb stress at the ends of strokes of the traversing assembly as it reciprocates relative to the base.

Abstract: An apparatus for imparting soft hand to a non-woven, paper, paper with synthetic fibers and/or additives, printed knit fabrics and the like in web form, by mechanically introducing localized tensions on diverse preselected situses of the web. The web is preferably advanced in continuous rubbing engagement with one or more contact members that can be pairs of nip rollers and/or breaker bars. Nip roller pairs include one irregularly surfaced roller deformably engaging into a soft roller with the web passing therebetween. Breaker bars can have straight, serrated or curvilinear edges and the web can be passed over or under the breaker bars. Various combinations of nip roller pairs and breaker bars are provided for and preferably a variable drive can be employed.