GB957278A - Method and apparatus for treating tubular knitted fabric by lateral distention - Google Patents

Abstract

957,278. Finishing fabrics. SAMCOE HOLDING CORPORATION. Nov. 19,1962 [Nov. 29,1961], No. 43662/62. Heading D1S. Apparatus for internally stretching a web of tubular knitted fabric 10 comprises a frame 14 mounted to be received internally of the fabric 10 and sets of belts 40, 39 mounted on the frame 14 to diverge with respect to the long tudinal axis of the fabric 10, the speeds of the belts being such that the fabric 10 is advanced along its longitudinal axis a slower velocity by belts 39 than by the belts 40. In one embodiment, Figs. 1 and 4,the fabric 10 passes over the internal stretcher 14 comprising pairs of belts 38, 39,40,41 passing around pulleys 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, as shown. The pulleys are mounted between plates 31, 32 comprising frame sections 16,17 connected by at least one adjustable cross-bar 18. Pulleys 34, 35 are driven by convex annular surfaces thereon mating with concave annular grooves in drive rolls 19, 20 mounted on adjustable slides 21, 22. The spaced belts 40,41 pass around the large diameter portions of the differential pulley 36 and straddle the belt 39 passing around the small diameter portion thereof so that the belt 39 is travelling at a slower speed than the belts 40,41. The belt 38 is recessed into a deeper groove in the pulley 34 than the belt 39 in the pulley 35 so that the belt 38 travels at a slower speed than the belt 39. Due to these speed changes the fabric 10 becomes gathered each time it transfers from one pair of belts to the next. The outer runs of the belts 40,41 are inclined to the central longitudinal axis at a greater angle than the outer run of the belt 39. Preferably the outer run of each belt 38 is parallel to this axis. Spring urged belt tensioning elements 42 (Fig. 3, not shown) are provided. Steamers 43, 44 (the latter not shown) may be disposed above and below the fabric to set the stretched tube. The fabric may pass between calender rolls 45,46 (the latter not shown). In a modification, Fig. 7, the internal stretcher comprises at each side two belts 61, a belt 60, two belts 63 and a belt 62. The belt 62 travels at a slower speed than the belt 60 which travels at a slower speed than the belts 61, the belts 63 travelling at the same speed as the belt 62. The fabric is over-spread by the belts 60 and is set to the desired width whilst engaged by the belts 62. In a further modification, Fig. 10, belts 79, 80, 92, 81 are provided, the belt 81 travelling at a slower speed than the belt 80 which travels at a slower speed than the belt 79. The belt 92 may travel at a slower speed than the belt 80. Drive rolls 20, 20a are provided. The belt 92 may be omitted.