Abstract: A stretching machine for webs of textile material includes a feeding region of the machine for receiving a web of material in a given travel direction, a driven drawing-in cylinder for engaging the web of material, mutually and adjustably spaced apart chain tracks being pivotable about vertical axes in the feeding region, endless needle chains each being deflected in a respective one of the chain tracks for running into and out of the web of material, a needle engagement device downstream of the drawing-in cylinder in the given travel direction of the web of material for running the web of material onto the needle chains, a support for the drawing-in cylinder being movable in the given travel direction of the web of material, and a device connected to the support for maintaining a constant distance between the drawing-in cylinder and the needle engagement device.

Abstract: A guide track for a tentering chain carrying tentering clamps supports the clamps by a number of rollers to form a tentering frame, especially for a film stretching machine. The guide track is an endless track with U-turns in which a single semicircle type of U-turn has been replaced by a U-turn including two partial curved sections each having a smaller radius of curvature and the two curved sections are interconnected by a straight intermediate section. The reversing or looping curved section at the beginning of the reverse run is so constructed that at this location a drive sprocket wheel can mesh with the tentering chain. Thus, the drive sprocket which was a source of contamination for the web is located remote from the web to thereby substantially reduce any possibilities of contaminating the web.

Abstract: A support for a textile tensioning machine conveyor chain and wherein a first needle bearing assembly is arranged between the joint bolt and a bushing and a second needle bearing assembly is arranged between the bushing and a protective roller. Such a chain support can be provided with permanent lubrication even at a high conveyor speed and thus requires little maintenance.

Abstract: A tensioning machine for use in the heat treatment of textile fabric for controlling the widthwise dimension of the fabric comprises a pair of continuously movable tenter chains for moving the fabric along a path and supported by guides which are coupled to one or more rotatable spindles operable to adjust the guides transversely of such path. One end of each spindle is both rotatable and axially movable and cooperates with a force sensitive device that is operable in response to an alteration in the force applied thereon to generate a signal. Each spindle is coupled to a rotary drive, the operation of which is controlled by the signal generated by the associated force sensitive device.

Abstract: Pin or clip chain for web tensioning machines, including a pin or clip chain link, a connection chain link, a connection pin holding the links together, the pin or clip chain link having a C-shaped box section with a side disposed in a given plane having an opening formed therein and longitudinal ends, and a bearing half shell being disposed in each of the longitudinal ends of the C-shaped box section, the bearing half shells having axes extended perpendicular to the plane of the side of the C-shaped box section, the connection pin being insertable in the opening formed in the C-shaped box section.

Abstract: A tenter frame drive is illustrated wherein auxiliary power operated means are provided to drive the sprockets at the entrance end of the chain runs, opposite the main drive at the exit end. The auxiliary drives remove the slack in the chains which normally occurs at the exit end opposite the point of driving engagement of the sprockets in such a fashion as to avoid chattering of the chain and tenter clips while providing for a division of the forces so as to some extent reduce the maximum tension in the chain, and at the same time insure sufficient tension for proper gripping of the web at the entrance end of the tenter.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a feed device for continuously feeding strips of material to processing apparatus, and in particular to a feed device for feeding polymer film onto film tenter apparatus. The present invention comprises a pair of endless belts disposed along opposite sides of the path of travel of the polymer film, and cooperating substantially frictionless supports on which the film edges ride, pressed between the belts and said supports. Each endless belt has a lower run which extends between spaced idler pulleys, and means are provided for maintaining the belt full lower run in continuous frictional contact on the advancing polymer film.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for introducing a moving web to a stenter apparatus at the commencement of the stenter apparatus operation comprises gripping and transporting the web between at least two belt conveyors which are driven at a linear speed substantially equal to the linear speed of the edge grips of the stenter apparatus, transferring the moving web into the moving edge grips of the stenter apparatus, and disengaging the belt conveyors from gripping and transporting contact with the moving web when continuous web transportation through the stenter apparatus has been established. Useful in processes for the production of oriented and heat-set thermoplastics films such as polyethylene terephthalate films for feeding the film to the stenter apparatus at the beginning of the film production process or if a malfunction necessitating re-feeding occurs in the stenter apparatus. Preferably incorporates means for feeding the film to a dump until re-feeding can occur, then severing the film and re-feeding.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for introducing a moving web to a stenter apparatus at the commencement of the stenter apparatus operation comprises gripping and transporting the web between at least two belt conveyors which are driven at a linear speed substantially equal to the linear speed of the edge grips of the stenter apparatus, transferring the moving web into the moving edge grips of the stenter apparatus, and disengaging the belt conveyors from gripping and transporting contact with the moving web when continuous web transportation through the stenter apparatus has been established. Useful in processes for the production of oriented and heat-set thermoplastics films such as polyethylene terephthalate films for feeding the film to the stenter apparatus at the beginning of the film production process or if a malfunction necessitating re-feeding occurs in the stenter apparatus. Preferably incorporates means for feeding the film to a dump until re-feeding can occur, then severing the film and re-feeding.

Abstract: This invention relates to the base of tentering clips pivotally connected to form an endless tentering chain and specifically to a structure wherein three rollers are placed in tandem on opposite sides of the base and wherein the roller shaft is also the pivotal connection between adjacent clips.