Abstract: Various embodiments disclose a printing apparatus. The apparatus includes a ribbon supply spool configured to facilitate traversal of ribbon along a ribbon conveyance path. Further, the apparatus includes a ribbon take-up spool positioned downstream of the ribbon supply spool along the ribbon conveyance path configured to receive the ribbon after a printing operation. Further, the apparatus includes a ribbon support plate positioned in the ribbon conveyance path between the ribbon supply spool and the ribbon take-up spindle, wherein the ribbon support plate includes a plurality of protruding segments extending along the ribbon conveyance path, wherein the plurality of protruding segments facilitates stretching of the ribbon as the ribbon traverses along the ribbon conveyance path.

Abstract: A method of making a laminate for an absorbent article is provided. The laminate comprises elastic elements disposed at least partially intermediate two substrates. The first substrate has a primary fiber bond pattern formed therein and comprising a plurality of primary fiber bonds. The method comprises forming densified regions in the first substrate. A perimeter of each of the densified regions is larger than a perimeter of each of the primary fiber bonds. The densified regions together form a pattern of densified regions in the first substrate. The method comprises adhesively attaching the elastic elements to the first substrate, joining the second substrate to the first substrate or to some of the elastic elements, and forming a plurality of rugosities in the first substrate by allowing the elastic elements to at least partially contract. The frequency and amplitude ranges of the rugosities result from the pattern of the densified regions.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a composite material part comprises fiber reinforcement densified by a matrix. The method comprises the following steps: making a fiber fabric by weaving yarns having an initial mean fiber percentage; and densifying the fiber fabric with a matrix. The fiber fabric is subjected, prior to densification, to one or more jets of water under pressure so as to reduce the mean fiber percentage in the fabric to a value lying in the range 20% to 45%.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method and an apparatus for applying a compaction pressure to a fabric during formation of a fabric preform. One end of the fabric is applied to the form having a central axis. The form with the fabric applied thereto is at least partially surrounded with a film. This film extends along a film path to the form and around at least a portion of the form. The fabric and the film are fed onto the form such that the fabric is wrapped around the form to create the fabric preform while the film is fed around the form. A vacuum is drawn to evacuate a gas from between the form and the film, thereby pressing the film onto the fabric and applying the compaction pressure to the fabric.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for compacting a material web made of fibers and/or filaments, comprising a first revolving endless belt which carries the material web and is tensioned around guide rollers, and a second endless belt which is tensioned around guide rollers and revolves counter to the first belt at the same speed, wherein the first and second endless belts form a conical compacting region in a first region in the conveying direction of the material web and run at an angle with respect to each other, whereby the material web located between the belts is increasingly pressed, wherein subsequent to the first region a first nozzle beam is disposed for a first fluid application onto the material web still located between the two endless belts, wherein the two belts in this region of the first fluid application are in each case guided to run in a tensioned manner in a straight direction.

Abstract: A two-stage process and apparatus for compacting tubular knitted fabrics, wherein at each stage the fabric, is acted upon by cooperating feeding and retarding rollers spaced apart a distance greater than the thickness of the fabric. Opposite fabric sides thus cannot be in simultaneous contact with the feeding and retarding rollers at the same point along the fabric. Fabric is transferred from a feed roller to a retarding roller while opposite sides of the fabric are closely confined in a compacting zone, free of contact with either roller. Fabric is longitudinally compacted during its traverse of that zone. In the second stage, the rollers are reversely oriented with respect the fabric. Unlike known two-stage procedures, not more than 60% of the compacting effort is imparted in either one of the stages. Preferably each stage imparts about 50% of the compacting effort. Higher production speeds and superior product quality are achieved.

Abstract: An apparatus for transporting a fabric having first and second transport faces for gripping a fabric therebetween and to displace the fabric along its length, in which at least one of the transport faces has an irregular surface.

Abstract: A method of producing an entangled sheet of microfine long fibers using long fibers for forming microfine fibers. The method includes a step of forming a long-fiber web made of long fibers for forming microfine fibers, at least one component of the long fibers being a water-soluble, thermoplastic polyvinyl alcohol resin; a step of entangling the long-fiber web to form a long-fiber entangled sheet; a step of shrinking the long-fiber entangled sheet to form a long-fiber shrunk sheet; and a step of converting the long fibers for forming microfine fibers in the long-fiber shrunk sheet to microfine long fibers, thereby producing the entangled sheet of microfine long fibers. The step of entangling is conducted so as to allow the long-fiber entangled sheet to have an interlaminar peel strength of 2 kg/2.5 cm or more. The step of shrinking is conducted so as to shrink in an areal shrinkage of 35% or more.

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: 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 stationary working surface of a one roll microcreper member is of plastic resin having low wear and friction properties. As a primary pressing member subject to concentrated force it is 0.040 inch thick. One or both opposed retarder members of a bladed microcreper are of the plastic. Thermoplastics meeting wear and friction limits, e.g. ultra high density polyethylene, are employed. Primary extensions, some having openings, slots or holes serve as flexible retarders to engage treated material. By a load-spreading surface, the thermoplastic primary member is restrained without distortion. By this surface being linear it slideably inserts into a mounting. By this surface being parallel to the roll axis the primary member is free for cross-machine thermal expansion. A primary member shown is sheet form, mounted between sheet metal members, one with a restraint surface. Sheet materials of polyolefins, wood pulp, etc.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a apparatus for compacting (10) a web (N) of flexible fiber-based or filament-based material. The apparatus (10) includes at least one pair of superimposed plates (11), whose facing surfaces (11a, 11b) create therebetween at least one compaction space (12). The apparatus is fed with the continuous web (N), that is moved through said at least one space (12), so as to be subjected to compaction by the closure of the plates, actuated by thrust means (25). Moreover, the invention relates to a method for compacting webs (N) of flexible fiber-based or filament-based materials.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a apparatus for compacting (10) a web (N) of flexible fiber-based or filament-based material. The apparatus (10) includes at least one pair of superimposed plates (11), whose facing surfaces (11a, 11b) create therebetween at least one compaction space (12). The apparatus is fed with the continuous web (N), that is moved through said at least one space (12), so as to be subjected to compaction by the closure of the plates, actuated by thrust means (25). Moreover, the invention relates to a method for compacting webs (N) of flexible fiber-based or filament-based materials.

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: The present invention relates to a apparatus for compacting (10) a web (N) of flexible fiber-based or filament-based material. The apparatus (10) includes at least one pair of superimposed plates (11), whose facing surfaces (11a, 11b) create therebetween at least one compaction space (12). The apparatus is fed with the continuous web (N), that is moved through said at least one space (12), so as to be subjected to compaction by the closure of the plates, actuated by thrust means (25). Moreover, the invention relates to a method for compacting webs (N) of flexible fiber-based or filament-based materials.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a apparatus for compacting (10) a web (N) of flexible fiber-based or filament-based material. The apparatus (10) includes at least one pair of superimposed plates (11), whose facing surfaces (11a, 11b) create therebetween at least one compaction space (12). The apparatus is fed with the continuous web (N), that is moved through said at least one space (12), so as to be subjected to compaction by the closure of the plates, actuated by thrust means (25). Moreover, the invention relates to a method for compacting webs (N) of flexible fiber-based or filament-based materials.

Abstract: A compressible resilient fabric can include a ground layer of knitted yarn, and a loop layer comprising a plurality of loops of yarn, each loop having a point knit into the ground layer. The fabric can be compressible from an non-compressed configuration, in which each loop has an apex extending substantially perpendicularly outward from the ground layer, into a compressed configuration, in which each loop is collapsed onto the ground layer. The fabric can further be resilient so as to substantially resume the non-compressed configuration when compression is relieved. The loop layer yarn can include a multifilament yarn having a high denier per filament ratio. The ground layer yarn can include a yarn shrinkable substantially more than the loop layer yarn. The loops can be densely knit so as to support the extension of the loops outward from the ground layer.

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 device for finishing woven denim textiles is described which, proceeding from unfinished goods, is supposed to be brought to predetermined reference values for finished width, skew and woof thread density. The device is supposed to be designed for continuous operation for regulating all three reference values. According to the invention, a stretching device, such as a rack or a loop dryer, and a shrinkage system for continuous throughput of the woven denim textile, are arranged one after the other. Directly behind the stretching device, particularly, at the same time, behind the shrinkage system, a single measuring device, preferably as an optical detector having a digital camera, is provided. The measuring device is designed, at the same time, for detecting the actual values of finished width, skew and woof thread density, and is supposed to be connected, in control circuits, with devices for achieving the reference values.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for compressive shrinking a textile web of material (9) with the aid of a rubber blanket shrinking system, wherein the rubber blanket (3) is cooled after the main cylinder is discharged.

Abstract: A method for forming a wiping product. In particular, the wiping product contains a fabric formed from a nonwoven web that is bonded by microcreping at least one side of the web. The nonwoven web can contain melt-spinnable fibers, such as polyolefins, as well as various other fibers, such as pulp fibers, staple fibers, etc. For example, the nonwoven web can contain at least about 20% by weight of polyolefin fibers. By bonding the web using microcreping, the resulting bulk, absorption capacity, and softness of the fabric can be improved.

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: In an apparatus for feeding a fiber fleece web to a needling machine, a compacting means is arranged between a pre-compressor and a supply roller pair, said compacting means having rollers provided with teeth at their circumference. These rollers compress the fiber fleece and effect a partial re-orientation of the fibers from the horizontal into the vertical, which contributes to substantially maintaining the compacting of the fiber fleece. The compacting means may together with the supply roller pair form a drawing zone for the fiber fleece web. The compacting means preferably includes at least one roller triple that consists of two lower rollers arranged at a low mutual distance in juxtaposition, and upper rollers bridging over the gusset between the lower rollers. The rollers of the roller triple are provided on their periphery with all-steel armaments, and the supply rollers are preferably also provided with all-steel armaments and have higher speeds of rotation than the rollers of the roller triple.

Abstract: A fabric for use in an air bag is provided. The fabric of the invention is produced by mechanically compressing a preliminary fabric constructed substantially of synthetic yarn such that the packed volume per unit area of the compressed fabric is less than the packed volume per unit area of the preliminary fabric. Air permeability is not adversely affected.

Abstract: A fabric for use in an air bag is provided. The fabric of the invention is produced by mechanically compressing a preliminary fabric constructed substantially of synthetic yarn such that the packed volume per unit area of the compressed fabric is less than the packed volume per unit area of the preliminary fabric. Air permeability is not adversely affected.

Abstract: A device is known in which the bulky nonwoven arriving on a continuous belt for water needling is slowly compressed between a needling drum and another belt and at the same time is wetted by a first water curtain from the nozzle bank; its water jets first flow through the continuous belt and then the fiber web and ultimately the needling drum. There is a simpler and thus more economically producible device of this type when instead of the needling drum this compacting unit consists only of two continuous belts which however should be guided such that at the inlet the two working sides of the continuous belts slowly compact and press the incoming nonwoven, and then the belts lying on one another are moved past the nozzle bank as they are held pressed. Additional deflection rollers are used for this purpose.

Abstract: A fabric for use in an air bag is provided. The fabric of the invention is produced by mechanically compressing a preliminary fabric constructed substantially of synthetic yarn such that the packed volume per unit area of the compressed fabric is less than the packed volume per unit area of the preliminary fabric. Air permeability is not adversely affected.

Abstract: A method for continuous conditioning of a rubber blanket such as the type used on compressive shrinkage apparatus is described. The blanket includes an inner bearing surface defining a bearing face and an outer surface defining a web-contacting face. The web-contacting face is contacted under pressure with an abrasive conditioning roll while the blanket is in its regular, web treating operation. The blanket working face can thus be continuously conditioned without the need for lengthy machine stops. In this way, the conventional grinding and cleaning operations can be minimized or eliminated.

Abstract: Apparatus and a related method control within acceptable limits, of less than two percent (2%), residual shrinkage in garments to be made from a knitted fabric web or other fabrics subject to high shrinkage. The knitted fabric web is passed continuously in a moist condition through a first shrinkage compactor. Then the web is carried on an endless belt through a special dryer in a relaxed condition to allow loops of knits to shorten. The web is caused to wave in the dryer. The web is then conveyed through a second shrinkage range for final shrinking to a desired weight per surface area with less than two percent (2%) residual shrinkage. Thus the garments are safe from further shrinking in home tumble dryers.

Abstract: A fabric for use in an air bag is provided. The fabric of the invention is produced by mechanically compressing a preliminary fabric constructed substantially of synthetic yarn such that the packed volume per unit area of the compressed fabric is less than the packed volume per unit area of the preliminary fabric. Air permeability is not adversely affected.