Abstract: This disclosure teaches an apparatus for longitudinally compressively shrinking a textile fabric web by continuously feeding the web between a thick elastomeric belt and a heated polished cylinder having a low frictional resistance. The apparatus of this invention is characterized by selectively varying tension of the belt as well as selectively manually varying contact pressure between the belt and the polished cylinder. According to this invention skipping at high speeds is avoided and there is control of pressure of the belt on the cylinder over a greater arc than by prior art apparatus.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a continuous process for the treatment, with liquid ammonia, of moving webs of fabric, the fabric having at least a partial content of natural or regenerated cellulose fiber. Fabric in substantially continuous web form is guided into a treatment chamber and there impregnated with liquid ammonia, desirably by immersion in a bath thereof. The advantageous effects of the liquid ammonia reaction are substantially realized, while undesirable excessive shrinkage of the fabric is avoided, by strictly limiting the time within which liquid ammonia reactions may occur and controllably terminating the reaction at the end of the controlled period. In the process of the invention, the liquid ammonia reaction period commences when the fabric is first introduced into the bath of liquid ammonia and is controllably terminated by bringing the ammonia-saturated web of fabric into contact with a heated drum.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for mixing and feeding a volatile liquid, such as liquid ammonia, with a non-volatile material, such as a fabric finisher; the method comprising the steps of feeding the liquid to a mixing vessel and, by volatilizing a portion of the liquid, cooling the vessel and, while continuing to feed the liquid and after the cooled liquid has reached a predetermined level in the vessel, adding to the liquid a measured amount of non-volatile material, continuing the liquid feed until the liquid level reaches the measured amount, agitating the liquid and material and, as the liquid volatilizes, adding additional of such liquid to maintain the liquid level at the measured amount; the apparatus comprising a mixing tank having a cover, a coolant coil in the mixing tank, first feed means having a valve for feeding a volatile liquid to the tank, second feed means having a valve for feeding a non-volatile material to the tank, a float and switch in the tank for controlling the liquid feed valve, a float a

Abstract: This disclosure teaches a method of longitudinally compressively shrinking a textile fabric web with the method comprising known steps of preconditioning the web, continuously feeding the web between a thick elastomeric belt and a heated polished cylinder having a low frictional resistance and thereafter drying the web. The method of this invention is characterized by selectively varying tension of the belt as well as selectively manually varying contact pressure between the belt and the polished cylinder. According to this invention skipping at high speeds is avoided and there is control of the pressure of the belt on the cylinder over a greater arc than by prior art methods.