Abstract: Apparatus for applying fluent material to a moving surface comprising a housing having an elongated continuous opening therein positioned adjacent to and extending generally transversely across the path of a moving surface, a row of rotatable spray heads mounted in the housing for rotation about parallel axes and positioned along the elongated opening to direct fluent material through the elongated opening and onto the moving surface, with next adjacent spray heads rotating in opposite directions to centrifugally discharge fluent material onto the moving surface in multiple overlapping patterns to blend the material in a substantially uniform concentration across the width of the moving surface.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for rapid and repeated interchange between liquid in a tank and liquid or air trapped in fabric and/or yarn interstices. This allows for a more rapid and uniform penetration of liquid into interstices of a textile material such as fabric and/or yarn. This is accomplished by means of an oscillating member within the tank that creates a plane of liquid that impinges upon the face of said fabric and/or yarn. Some examples of potential applications, but by no means limited thereto, include desizing, scouring, chemical impregnation, bulking, and softening.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for rapid and repeated interchange between liquid in a tank and liquid or air trapped in fabric and/or yarn interstices. This allows for a more rapid and uniform penetration of liquid into interstices of a textile material such as fabric and/or yarn. This is accomplished by means of an oscillating member within the tank that creates a plane of liquid that impinges upn the face of said fabric and/or yarn. Some examples of potential applications, but by no means limited thereto, include desizing, scouring, chemical impregnation, bulking, and softening.

Abstract: A continuous method is provided for mechanically conditioning a textile sheet material having a face and a back moving in a longitudinal direction, which comprises subjecting successive adjacent sections of both the face and back of the material across the entire width of the material to impact and friction with flexible impact means such that at least some simultaneous impact occurs with at least one impact means on the face of the material and at least one impact means on at least a portion of a corresponding section on the back of the material.

Abstract: Method and apparatus to subject the face and back side of a fabric to successive impacting by a plurality of flaps to break up the fiber or filament bond thereof and increase the yarn-to-yarn mobility therein. The fabric is supplied at an angle to the impacting flaps and the flaps do not compact the fabric therebetween and cause a streak or lie therein.

Abstract: A process is provided for mechanically surface-finishing a textile fabric which comprises continuously feeding said fabric from a source of supply, such that said fabric lies in a single plane, subjecting successive adjacent sections of the fabric to intermittent mechanical impact with an abrasive means across the width of said fabric thereby avoiding substantial sustained contact between the fabric and the abrasive means, the mechanical impact being at a force and frequency sufficient to cause a substantially uniform modification of the surface characteristics of the fabric. Textile fabrics with modified surface which may be made by the above process are also provided. Apparatus for mechanically surface-finishing a textile fabric according to the aforedescribed process is further provided.

Abstract: A process is provided for mechanically surface-finishing a textile fabric which comprises continuously feeding said fabric from a source of supply, such that said fabric lies in a single plane, subjecting successive adjacent sections of the fabric to intermittent mechanical impact with an abrasive means across the width of said fabric thereby avoiding substantial sustained contact between the fabric and the abrasive means, the mechanical impact being at a force and frequency sufficient to cause a substantially uniform modification of the surface characteristics of the fabric. Textile fabrics with modified surface which may be made by the above process are also provided. Apparatus for mechanically surface-finishing a textile fabric according to the aforedescribed process is further provided.

Abstract: A process is provided for mechanically surface-finishing a textile fabric which comprises ccontinuously feeding said fabric from a source of supply, such that said fabric lies in a single plane, subjecting successive adjacent sections of the fabric to intermittent mechanical impact with an abrasive means across the width of said fabric thereby avoiding substantial sustained contact between the fabric and the abrasive means, the mechanical impact being at a force and frequency sufficient to cause a substantially uniform modification of the surface characteristics of the fabric. Textile fabrics with modified surface which may be made by the above process are also provided. Apparatus for mechanically surface-finishing a textile fabric according to the aforedescribed process is further provided.

Abstract: A method for modifying fibers of a fabric which comprises applying an effective amount of an aqueous salt solution to the fabric to sufficiently wet all of the fibers of the fabric with the salt solution, removing excess solution from the fabric, contacting the wetted fabric with a pair of electrodes through which a sufficient electromotoric force is aplied to the salt solution in the fabric to generate an acidic and/or caustic solution at or near the surface of the fabric. Thereafter, the fabric is heated for a period of time and at a temperature effective to produce a chemical reaction between the fibers wet with the acidic and/or caustic constituent resulting from the above electrolysis of the aqueous salt solution. After the desired degree of fiber modification has occurred, the chemical reaction is quenched and the resulting product recovered. The particular salt constituent employed in the aqueous salt solution will be dependent upon whether the desired fiber modifying agent is an acid, base, or both.

Abstract: A method for modifying fibers of a fabric which comprises the steps of applying an effective amount of a heat activated fiber modifying agent to a fabric, heating a portion of the fabric for a period of time effective to initiate a chemical reaction between the fibers of the fabric being heated and the fiber modifying agent while maintaining a temperature differential between the heated portion of the fabric and the remainder of the fabric to thus control the area of penetration of the chemical reaction into the fabric, quenching the chemical reaction, and thereafter recovering the product.

Abstract: A method for modifying fibers of a fabric which comprises applying an effective amount of a heat activated fiber modifying agent to a fabric, applying an effective amount of a deactivating agent to one surface of the fabric, such surface being opposite a surface containing fibers wet with the heat activated fiber modifying agent, heating the surface of the fabric containing the heat activated fiber modifying agent for a period of time effective to initiate a chemical reaction between the fibers wet with the heat activated fiber modifying agent and such agent while maintaining a temperature differential between the heated surface of the fabric containing the fibers wet with the heat activated fiber modifying agent and the opposite surface of the fabric containing the deactivating agent, quenching the resulting chemical reaction and recovering a product having controlled fiber modification.