Abstract: A textile fabric dryer and method of heat treating a shrinkable web in a range is illustrated wherein a plurality of serially arranged driven conveyor modules are provided for more accurately controlling tension in the web during heat treatment.

Abstract: A batch dyeing machine 10 has separate imperforate compartments A and B for facilitating washing of a length of fabric as it is transported from one compartment to the other. A squeeze roll 50 prevents used wash water from passing from one compartment into the other with the fabric. By separating the compartments, wash liquid is conserved in that only one of the compartments need be filled at a time and a counterflow wash system is provided. Thus, the washing capabilities of a batch dyeing machine have been enhanced.

Abstract: An improved web winder and compensator apparatus with automatic web winding speed compensating controls for selectively winding or unwinding at a uniform tension a roll of traveling continuous web material being selectively fed from or taken up by an associated mechanism, as follows. A tension compensator device passes the traveling web therethrough and compensates for variations in speed of travel of the web for maintaining a uniform tension therein. The compensator device preferably includes stationary rolls for guiding the web through the compensator device and counterbalanced movable rolls for receiving the traveling web therearound and for moving toward and away from the stationary rolls for decreasing and increasing the length of the path of travel of the web through the compensator in relation to the tension on the traveling web. The movable rolls are preferably movable to a threading position for straightline linear threading up of the web through the compensator device.