GB760553A - Improvements in or relating to fabric napping mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

760,553. Finishing fabrics. PARKS & WOOLSON MACHINE CO. Oct. 22, 1954, No. 30461/54. Class 42 (1). A fabric napping mechanism comprises counter-pile rolls 22 and pile rolls 23 arranged in pairs on fixed axes; rolls 22 are rotated in the direction of movement of the fabric at a peripheral speed greater than that of the fabric, while rolls 22 are controlled so as to rotate in the same direction but at a speed not greater than that of the fabric, the relative speeds of the pile and counterpile rollers being variable. As shown, Fig. 2, the napping rolls are arranged in three banks A, B, C; the rolls 22 of each bank are driven at the same speed by a chain 30, while the rolls 23 are similarly driven by a chain 38, the chains being driven via coaxial sprockets 32, 42 and separate variable-speed transmissions from a single motor. The fabric is advanced through the machine by driven drums 16; the peripheral speed of rolls 23 is arranged to be slightly greater than the speed of the fabric, while the speed of rolls 22 is not greater and ordinarily slightly less than the fabric speed. The needles 26 of rolls 22, 23 point in the direction shown; alternatively the needles of rolls 22 may be straight and radial. Rolls 24 cause the fabric to engage an arcuate portion of each roll 22, 23, and may be simultaneously adjustable horizontally to vary the extent of such arcuate contact. In another embodiment, rolls 23 are driven as above, but the chain connecting rollers 22 passes around a sprocket which is subjected to a controlled frictional braking action. In a further embodiment, rolls 23 are driven by a variable-speed electromagnetic drive, while the rotation of rolls 22 is controlled by a variable electromagnetic brake.