Abstract: A machine is provided for the liquid or gaseous treatment of textile or other materials having a material carrier and comprising, in a lower part thereof, a false bottom in which is formed a housing adapted to receive a heat exchanger, the false bottom defining a space or compartment with the bottom of the machine. A pipe having a vertical axis is mounted at the base of the machine, substantially in the axis of the latter. The space may be either isolated from the rest of the machine, or placed in communication with the upper part thereof through external or internal ducts, and inert bodies may be provided in the machine.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process and apparatus for wetting textile fibers and the like. The process comprises supporting a mass of fiber to be wetted upon an air and water permeable support, the support being mounted between the closed bottom and the open upper end of a kier or the like. With a mass of fiber in place, liquid such as water or the like is applied to the top of the mass of fiber. This forces the occluded air out of the fiber in a downward direction and this air is removed from beneath the support. The disclosed apparatus is capable of carrying out the foregoing process. Essentially, the kier is provided with a vent to atmosphere just below the bottom of the support. A supply of liquid is maintained in the bottom of the kier and a pump is provided to supply this liquid to the top of the mass of fiber, for wetting the same.

Abstract: A unit for automatically cleaning items such as laundry or the like comprises a plurality of reciprocating plungers mounted to engage the items within a tank containing the items and a cleaning liquid. Each plunger comprises a piston mounted within a canister. The piston is mounted within the canister in an arrangement which permits a limited relative movement between the piston and canister, thus developing a bi-directional pumping action. With each stroke of the plunger, the piston forces liquid through the items to be cleaned, first in one direction and then the other, by virtue of the limited movement of the piston relative to the canister, the latter serving to assist in holding the items to be cleaned in a position for encountering the liquid being driven by the piston. The combined rotary reciprocating action of the plungers not only serves to clean the items in the tank but also to slowly propel them from the inlet to the outlet end of the tank so that a continuous cleaning process is performed.