US1623080A - Method of and apparatus for finishing knitted articles - Google Patents

Description

April 5 192T E. J. zlocK METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR FINISHING KNITTED ARTICLES Filed May '7, .1924 8 Sheets-Shae 1 A til 5 1921.

p E. J. ZIOCK METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR FINISHING KNITTED ARTICLES Filed May '2, 1924 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 April 5, 1927.

E. J. ZIOCK METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR FINISHING KNITTED ARTICLES Filed May 7. 1924 8 Sheets-Sheet 3 April 5, 1927. 1,623,080

E. J. ZIOCK METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR FINISHING KNITTED ARTICLES Filed May 7, 1924 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 j 2 i l 5 g 11$. 5""?? 5 x L g PE Q; 1 l .l i m w 1 L l 5 ":1 1 L j? 7 LJ fiff flqram E. J. ZlOCK April 5 1927.

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR FINISHING KNITTED ARTICLES Filed May '7. 1924 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 April 5, 1927.

E. J. ZIOCK METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR FINISHING KNITTED ARTICLES Filed May 7, 1924 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 A ril 5 1927.

p E. J. ZIOCK METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR FINISHING KNITTED ARTICLES led May 7. 1924 1,623,080 Aprll 5, 1927- E, J. ZIOCK METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR FINISHING KNITTED ARTICLES ed May '1. 1924 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 Patented Apr. 5, 1927. v UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EDWARD J. ZIOCK, F ROCKFORD, ILLINOIS.

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR FINISHING KNITTED ARTICLES. Application filed Kay. 7, 1984. Serial 1W0. 711,565.

This invention relates to the finishing of sively to different stations at which the knitted articles after they have been manustockings are singed, wetted out,.dyed, subfactured, that is, knitted and otherwise oomjected to a scroupe bath, dried, shaped, and pleted in so far as their fabric structure is finally delivered to an inspection station and 5 concerned. By finishing I refer to operaunloaded. This method, the several steps of ac tions and processes which follow the manuwhich will be explained more fully herein tacturing operations and are performed in after, makes possible and my invention probleaching, mercerizing, dyeing, etc., and vides as one of its objects, combining into a which may consist in developing, singeing, single machine, devices for performing in a dyeing, drying, ressing and the like. By new and better way certain o erations which 65 knitted articles I mean fabric articles, heretofore were performed y independent either knitted or woven, and especially machines. The many advantages of this hosiery. While the present invention is apmethod will be apparent to those skilled in plicable to the finishing of various knitted this art when it is considered that under the articles it is intended primarily for finishprior ractice the machines for performing 7 ing stockings, especially those of a hlgli the di erent operations were segregated, due grade and texture which require a fine deto the nature of their construction and opergree of finish. ation, making it necessary to handle and One of the purposes of my invention is to truck the stockings between each operation.

provide a new method of and apparatus for This ractice also imposed a comparatively 7 finishing knitted articles, whereby to matehigh abor and operating cost and, morerially lower the cost of production of such over, made it necessary to allow for each articles and at the same time obtain greater batch or lot of stockings a comparatively uniformity and fineness ofv finish in the relarge surplus number of stockings in order sultant product. toprevent delay due to losses occasioned by In furtherance of the foregoing In invenimperfections and roughingthe stockings tion contemplates broadly, certain new during certain operations, and for other methods, principles and apparatus so coorreasons well known in this art. It also re dinated as to perform in a single machine quired matching the stockings as to shades the many operations required in finishing and length. These limitations imposed a stockings or other knitted articles, and doing considerable amount of time so that in some in a comparatively short time, in fact a' hosiery mills it required several weeks or matter of minutes, what heretofore required more for the passage of a stocking through in the 1 commercial finishing of stockings the mill for finishing. According to my in- 35 in large quantities, many days from the time vention practically all of the operations are the stockings entered a stock room where performed on a stocking while it is on a the lots were made up preparatory to enterboard or form and by employing an endless ing upon the finishing operations until the carrier for moving the boarded stockings finished articles reached the shipping room. from station to station and novel devices for 40 This method consists, generally stated, in performing the several processing or finishcompletely finishing the knitted articles by ing operations. Thus the many manual 11 series of operations performed in succesoperations heretofore required are elimision 01' progressively bv coordinated devices. nated. a uniform product is obtained and the These operations are all performed on each time for finishing is reduced to a matter of knitted article while it is boarded, that is, minutes. 1

carried or held on a board or form which is My invention also contemplates the propreferably flat and shaped to conform subvision of an improved method of performing stantially to the shape of the article and to certain of the processes in which the stockhold the fabric extended to permanent diings are subjected to liquid solutions, conmansions. More particularly the method sisting in spraying such solutions onto the consists, but not necessarily, in boarding the boarded stockings as will be explained more stockings or other articles at a loading stafully hereinafter. This is especially desirtion, carrying the boarded stockings at uni able and advantageous in applying the dye formly spaced intervals by means of an endsolution and in this regard the manner in less continuously traveling carrier succeswhich the dye is sprayed onto the stockings and the time elements involved are important factors in the practical application of my invention.

Still another object is to provide upparatus for performing these methods; and while this apparatus embodies certain principles of operation and construction which are very desirable and advantageous, nevertheless it should be understood that my invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the use of the apparatus disclosed herein nor to the mode of operation disclosed.

Other objects and attendant advantages will be appreciated by those skilled in this art as the invention becomes better under stood by reference to the following description when considered in connection witht-he accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a side elevation, diagrammatic,

of one half the length of a machine embodying my invention, showing the loading and unloa ing end;

Fig. 2 is a similar view of the other half of the machine;

Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic view illustrat ing the air circulating system;

Figs. 4, 5 and 6 are diagrammatic views illustrating the different stations at which the stockings are subjected to processing operations:

Fig. 7 is an enlarged vertical transverse section through the machine taken substantially on the line 7-7 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 8 is a section taken on the line 88 of Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is an enlarged horizontal sectional view of the carrier return end of the machine, taken substantially on the line 99 of Fig. 10;

Fig. 10 is a vertical section taken substantially on the line 1010 of Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is an enlarged vertical sectional view showing in side elevation the air injector end, also referred to hereinafter as the stockingexit end, of the drying compartment:

Fig. 12 is a section taken substantially on the line 12-12 of Fig. 11;

Fig. 13 is a cross-sectional detail showing the action of one set of the liquid spray-delivering nozzles;

Fig. 14 is a face view of one of the spray nozzles;

Fig. 15 is a section taken on the line 15-45 of Fig. 14;

Fig. 16 is a side elevation of a clamping device employed with each of the stocking holding forms;

Fig. 17 is an end view device;

. Fig. 18 is an enlarged section taken on the line 18-18 of Fig. 16;

Fig. 19 is a top' view of one of the clamping members removed from the device;

of said clamping Fig. 20 is a section taken on the line 20-2O of Fig. 16; and

Figs. 21 and 22 are side and end views respectively, of the singeing device.

lefore entering into a detailed descri tion of the apparatus herein disclosed I will de'cribe brie y the method of finishing stockings, taking the operations as they are performed in sequence. At a loading station the stockings are boarded, that is, they are drawn onto boards or forms which are preferably comparatively flat and shaped to conform to the shape of the knitted stocking so as to hold the fabric extended. That is, the stocking is held to permanent dimensions so that the fabric will be uniformly presented throughout its area to the action of the several processing devices. The

stocking will be drawn onto the form to predetermined length and held. to such ength by a suitable clamping or holding device. The stocking forms are attached at uniform intervals to an endless. carrier which in the present instance has an upper and a lower run or flight and is propelled continuously so that the stocking forms travel in one direction on the upper run and in the opposite direction on the lower run. In this instance the stockings are boarded at a loading Station located at the end of the upper run. The boarded stockings will he carried from the loading station by travel of the carrier to the beginning of the lower run at which is located a singeing device. This device includes singeing elements on opposite sides of the forms, which devices may be either stationary or caused to move relatively to the forms so that the heating elements travel across the flat sides of the stockings at a uniform speed, according to the nature of the singeing elements employed. It will be here noted that each stocking form is arranged with its flat plane parallel with the travel of the carrier so that the knitted fabric at each side of the board will be at a uniform distance from the singcing devices, spray nozzles, heating medium and other instrumentalities which may be employed in the different proce:scs, with the result that the fabric of each stocking will be uniformly treated over its entire surface as will be more fully described hereinafter. The boarded stockings will then be carried between opposed spray nozzles which deliver an alkaline solution, this operation being termed wetting out. The. purpose of this is to condition the fibres so as to aid penetration and precipitation of the dye. The dye is also applied prcferably by means of spray nozzles positioned in opposed relation so that the boarded stockings travel between the nozzles. A series of dye sprays are spaced apart in the direction of travel so that a time element intervenes between each dyeing opera- ,7 preferably, but not necessar stocking will be drawn onto the tion. The purpose of this and the advan-' tages of this method of dyeing will be exlained hereinafter. Following this, the will be carried between lural series, of sp ys which deliver a deve oping solution, asoap or acid solution or both, known as scroupe, the purpose of which is to remove surplus dye, fix the dye and to condition the dyed fabric as is well known in this art. These spraying operations are i performed in succession during travel of the boarded stockings on the lower run. From here the stockings will be raised to the beginning of the upper run and carried into a drying compartment which in the present embodiment of my invention extends throughout the major portion of the upper run. The drying process also shapes the stockings on the forms so that the stockings emerge from the drying compartment finished and ready for inspection. The stockings will be 1nspected on the forms and will be carried to an unloading station at which they will be removed and packed in boxes ready for shipping. The unloaded forms are then carried to the loading station and the operation repeated.

The ap aratus herein disclosed for performing t is method just described of completely finishing stockings by progressive steps or operations performed on the stockings while they are held on continuously traveling forms, is merely for purposes of illustration and other constructions might be employed with variations in the steps and operations, although the resent apparatus embodies certain novel principles which are desirable and beneficial in the practical application of my improvements to finishing knitted articles such as stockings. The boards or forms designated generally by 21 are preferably of aluminum, shaped'to conform to the knitted shape of the article or to any given shape which it is desired the article shall conform to when finished, except that the form is flat and tapered at its edges to a sharp but rounded ed e so that the fabric of the stocking is he d extended or taut without appreciable stretching. Each form to a predetermined length and held at such a length throughout the operation by a suitable clam ing or holding device which will be descri ed presently. These forms are suitabl attached to an endless carrier designa generally by 22 which in the present instance comprises a pair of roller chains (Fig. 7 connected toge her by cross bars 23 which may serve to carry the stocking forms. The carrier chains are trained over sprock wheels 24 a d 25 horizontally spaced apart and supported for rotation on 'a suitable frame structure. This provides upper and lower carrier runs or flights which are supported from end to end by and 27 respectively (Figs. 7 and 8). In this case the stocking forms extend outwardly from the carrier and are spaced apart at umfor'm intervals as indicated by the dotted line positions in Figs. 1 ranged in a common plane with the flat plane of the forms para lel with the line of travel of the carrier as clearly shown in Figs. '7 and 8. The purpose of this is to uniformly present the fabric at each side of a form to the act-ion of the singeing device, s rays and drying agencies, so that the actron and effect of each such instrumentality and process will be the same on the fibres throughout the area of the entire fabric of each stocking. The carrier will be ropelled by suitable mechanism (not shown preferably continuously at a constant speed, in a clockwise direction viewing Figs. 1 and 2.

The frame supporting the endless carrier is at present composed of structural iron such asangle irons and suitable intermediate connections, braces, side walls and partitions which enclose and house the operating devices and provi sages, conduits, compartments, etc. The frame and housing might obviously be of any suitable construction best adapted for the particular conditions at hand and the size of machine desired. In the instant case the machine has a total overall length of approximately 160 feet. For convenience in building this machine I employ upright angle iron frame members 28 spaced apart transversely as shown in Fig. 7 to define a comparatively narrow passage way between which the stocking forms travel and upon which the carrier tracks 26 and 27 are mounted. These upright frame members are also spaced apart lengthwise of the machine, in thisinstance approximately 10 feet apart defining between adjoining pairs of frame members a section, these sections being indicated in Figs. 1, 2, 4, 5 and 6, by reference numerals 29 to 45 inclusive. The frame structure intermediate the uprights defining these sections may be suitable for the purposes for which such sections are devoted, and in the drawings I have therefore for purpose of simplicity and clarity shown only such frame structure and such transverse and longitudinal sections through the ma chine as are necessary for an understanding of the invention. The reference herein to sections is therefore simply for purpose of illustration and clarity and in no way a limitation on the scope of the invention.

Referring to Fig. 1 it will be observed that above the sections 30, 3i and 32 I provide at each side of the carrier a platform 46 on which the operators stand for performing the operations of inspection, unloading and loading. At these sections the forms are exposed and freely accessible, whereas atpracsuitable tracks 26 and .2 and are ar de the desired pas ltlll tically all other times the forms are carried within an enclosure of one form or another as will be presently apparent but to which access may be had at convenient points for inspection of the different rocessmg operations. The section 30 at he upper run of the carrier, may therefore be termed the loading station. The stockings may be loaded onto the forms by operators positioncd on both sides of the carrier, although the particular means and method employed for drawing the knitted articles onto the forms is not essential since the forms might be loaded when detached from the carrier and after being loaded might be operatively attached thereto.

It is important however in loading or boarding the stockings that they shall be drawn down onto the form a predetermined distance and held at such position until removed from the form when completely {inished. Any of various clampin or holding devices might be employed for t is purpose, but preferably one which will not obstruct the dye and other solutions unless a dye excluding clamp such as disclosed in my copendin application Serial Number 58 5,828 is emp oyed for the purpose of making a trade mark or other impression. In the present instance I employ a clamping device for each form, shown in Figs. 16 to 20 1nelusive, covered in my copending application, Serial No. 738,756, filed Septem er 20, 1924. The stocking form 21 is carried in an upright position by a bracket 47 the base of which is bolted to one of the carrier chain connecting-bars 23, above mentioned. To each side of the form is fixed above the formsupporting bracket, a clamp-supporting part 48 the up er portion of which 18 convex on its outer time and serves as a platen against which the stocking fabric is adapted to be clamped. The converging taper at each end of these convex sides is continued on the interposed form plate providing pointed edges. The hem of the stocking will be drawn down over this platen portion and clam ed thereagainst by wire clamping members 49. These are carried by clamping evers 50 and 50 which are pivotally mounted on the clam supporting part 48 so as to swing into and out of clamping osition. The clamping levers are adapted to e operatcd by a thrust rod 51 vertical] slidahle in the bracket 47 and connected by means of a cross-head 52 and links 53 to the levers. A coiled compression spring 54 acting against the lower end of said rod constantly urges the latter upwardly in a direction to transmit clamping pressure and hold the clampin wires yieldmgly against the fabric with su cient tension to prevent the fabric from creeping on the form. Suitable means may be provided for releasing the clamping wires, such for example as one or more stationar cams 55 located at the loading and union ing stations which enga e rollers 56 carried by the thrust rod 51 at t e outer side of the bracket 47 and retract the thrust rod against the pressure of the spring 54 thus withdrawing the clamping wires. The clamps will he held in the open position by the stationary cam structure 55 until a stocking has been drawn onto the form again to the proper length, whereupon the roller 56 will be released to actuate the clamps and grip the stocking as described. The stocking will he held by the clamping wires throughout the process- III" operations.

rom the loading station the boarded stockings will be carried to the lower run throu h the end section 29 and during passage t rough the section 30 will be singed by a, suitable device such as that shown in igs. 21 and 22 covered in my copending application, Serial No. 738,754, filed September 20, 1924. his comprises a pair of singeing elements, in the present instance a pair of vertical gas burners 57 or the equivaent and means for moving them back and forth in a quicksingeing stroke in which the gas flames rapidly traverse both sides of a stocking during its travel and in a return stroke into operative relation succeeding stocking for repeating the operatron. The burners 57 are mounted on a carrings 58 which is supported by rollers to travel back and forth on the upright flanges of the carrier tracks 27, a suitable guide bemg in this case employed for preventing lateral displacement of the lower end of the burners. A gas supply hose is attached to sa1d lower end, as shown in Fig. 22. The carriage has a, pair of pawls 59 adapted to engage a. connector bar 23 for movement therewith and to he released therefrom at a predetermined point by striking a stationary abutment 60. burners normally occupy a position intermediate two adjoining stocking forms as shown in Fig. 21 with the pawls 59 engaging a bar 23 on the carrier, so that the burner carriage travels with the carrier. During travel of the burner carriage the distance between centers of said two adjoining forms, a spring tension will be stored up in a coiled contractile spring 6 0' attached to the carriage and to a sta tionary part, with the result that when the pawls 59 are released at the end of said travel the spring will return the carriage in a r a id movement to a starting position at whic the pawls will be engaged by the next succeeding connector bar 23. During this rapid stroke the burners traverse the stockmg in a movement opposite to the travel of the stockm and thus singe any rotruding e surface thereof. he rapid smgemg stroke may be cushioned by any suitable means such as an air cylinder 60" to the next permitting the spring 54 I llltl which in the present case serves as a housing for the spring 60. This operation is repeated, automatically, on each stocking. It should be understood however, that the singeing device herein disclosed is for purpose ot illustration merely, and that any suitable or preferred device may be employed for this purpose if in the particular nishing job at hand the stockings require a singein'g operation. When gas burners are used for sin sing, the jets should deliver a uniform lengt 1 flame from end to end 0 each burner.

Following the singeing operation the boarded stockings will be wetted out, thus extinguishing any continued combustion of the fibres and also conditioning them preparatory to the dyeing process. The wetting out process is performed in the section 31 by a series of spray nozzles carried by headers 61 (Fig. 4) located at each side of the stocking passage so that each stocking travels between successive sets of o posed sprays andis subjected to a series 0 spray baths from each side. The arrangement of a single set of headers is shown in Fig. 13 and the construction of one of the nozzles in Figs. 14 and 15. Each nozzle delivers what is known as a fish tail spray and the nozzles are so arranged as shown in Fig. 13 that the spray from one nozzle will overlap that of the next adjoining nozzle, thus delivering a. continuous line like spray from tog to bottom of the stocking, the velocity an volume of which will be substantially uniform throughout the length of such spray. These nozzles may be used as gas burners for the singeing operation above described and also throughout the various processes which follow and in which various liquids such as dye solutions and others are sprayed onto the stockings. As shown in Fig. 15 the nozzle 62 has a countersunk face 63 intersected by a horizontal narrow slot-like ori- .fice 64. The fluid delivered through this orifice under pressure builds up opposing forces in such manner that as it passes out of the nozzle it is flattened into a fish tail shape at right angles to the slot. This thin wide spray covers a. maximum area per nozzle, thus reducing the number of nozzles necessary to be used and likewise reducing pump sizes. One of the greatest advantages of this type of nozzle is the fact that the fluid strikes a stocking throughout the length of the spray under approximately un1 form velocity which it will be shown later 18 an important factor in effecting uniform dyeing. The first spray delivered by these nozzles may be located relatively close tov the point at which the stockings leave the singeing device. thus serving as a quenching means. Suitable bafiies 65 at each side of the stockings intercept passage of the spray into the singeing compartment. The following spray headers 61 deliver an alkaline solution such for exam is as brine at a high temperature and v ocity. The stockmg f abricwill be wetted from the outer side by direct impact of the spray and from the inner side by rebound impact resulting from the actlon of the spray striking the solid, nnperforate form. Thus the fibres will receive the full benefit of the salt contents in the solution. this content being in practice carried preferably almost to the saturation polnt. The time interval between the successive sets of headers permits the brine contents to penetrate the fibres without washing off.

The foregoing spray-delivering unit is in principle and construction very similar to other units of the same kind which function at later stages in performing other rocesses. This unit includes as shown in i 4.- a suitable pump 66, in this case motor driven, which draws the solution from a tank or sump 67 beneath the nozzles and delivers the solution under pressure through a strainer 68, heater 69 and suitable piping connecting the spray nozzle headers 61. In practice the headers 61 are adjustable on overhead supply headers 71 so as to vary the time element between the successive sprays to suit the particular job. It will be manifest that the sides of the section 31 and all similar sections in which a spray is delivered will be suitably enclosed so as to confine the solution and prevent loss. Suitable baflles are also interposed between adjoining sections as a means of further separat' the different solutions. In reference ,to t c section 31, one end is protected by the bafiles 65 and the other endv by baflles 72. Suitable drain boards 73 collect any solution which dripsfrom the forms or from the battles and carry it back to the tank. The spray compartment is closed at its top by suitable baffles 74 (Fig. 7) which prevent the spray from striking the carrier.

The next operation, dyeing, involves a new method. This consists in spraying a dye solution onto the stockings preferably after they have been treated by a wetting out process, allowing a time interval to elapse, and applying one or more additional spray solutions with intervening time intervals. In this case the first dye spray is administered by the headers 75 in the section 32, these. headers and nozzles being similar in construction and arrangement to those shown in Figs. 13, 1 4 and 15 described above. In the event that an alkaline solution is used in the wetting out process the presence of the salt in solution in the fibres hastens penetration and precipitation of the dye. The dye will be applied to the stockin by external and internal impact as escribed above with reference to the wetting out process and the dye content per unit of area will be uniform by reason of the method of delivering the s ray and by the fact that the stocking trave s past the spray at a constant speed. Following this application of dye by spraying, a time interval, (in this case a proximately one minute) elapses before t e stocking reaches the next succeeding set of spray headers 76. During this interval the stocking carries a film of dye in solution which penetrates the fibres so that the dye content of the solution is utilized to the greatest degree and becomes efiectlve without bein washed off. The spray headers 76 repeat the dyeing operation with the result that loosesurfaice dye is washed oil and a new application of dye administered, the impact efiect of which is the same as in the first instance. This may be repeated with the intervening time interval by succeeding sets of dye spra headers 77 and 78. By this method the ye content in solution may be kept low which is desirable for reasons well known in this art, and the number of d ye sprays will determine the depth of color. It will be manifest that in practice a star or lesser number of dye sprays ma em-.

loyed and the time interval varie accordmg to the location of the s ray headers and depending on the shade or epth of color desired. As shown in Figs. 4 and 5 the dye is delivered to the spray headers to 78 inclusive by a um mg and heating unit similar to that escribed with reference to the wetting out process.

Following the dyeing process the stockings will, during their travel of the remainder of the lower run, be sprayed by a developing solution, a soap solution and an acid solution, the latter two solutions being a finishing process known to the trade as scroupe. These solutions may be ap lied by sprays in the order mentioned, in t e same manner as the wetting out and dyeing processes, the developing solution being applied by the spray headers 81, the soap solution by headers 82 and the acid solution by headers 83. In other words, for each solution there is a unitary system adapted for independent control as to the temperature and contents of the solution, and the number and spacing of the spray nozzles. The foregoin processes are used in dyeing black an other colors, and in the case of bleaching and mercerizing processes and the like, the requisite solutions will be used.

Following the final spraying process the stockings will be carried through the end section 45 up onto the upper run and into a drier which in the present machine extend, from the beginning of the upper run to the inspection station above mentioned located at the section 32. This drier is in the form of a long narrow compartment formed between the uprights 28 by side walls 84 and a top wall 85 of insulation material and a bottom wall 86. Within this compartment extending longitudinall there of at each side of the stockings are eating pipes 87, at present supported directly by the side walls. These heating pipes extend from the section 33 to the section 44: and may be su plied with a heating medium in any suitab e manner to maintain the desired temperature in the drier, although an additional temperature control is rovided as will be presently apparent. T 1e stockings thus travel through this drying compart ment 89 from the inlet end thereof at the beginning of the upper run to the outlet end at the inspection station. In order to hasten the drying, and the carrying off of the moisture contents and to aid in shaping the stockings on the forms, I have rovided an air circulating system a: fully s iown in my copending application, Serial No. 738,755,

filed September 20, 1924, which will now be described. By means of this circulating system and the heating pipes or coils the stockings are dried and shaped according to a process or method which is an im ortant factor contributing to the practicability of my invention. Air circulation is produced by a centrifugal fan or blower 88 (Figs. 3, 9 and 10) located in the present instance at one side of the drier com artment with the. intake opening 91 of the an in communication with the drier compartment. The fan discharges through a conduit '92 into a conduit 93 beneath the drier compartment and extendingethe full length thereof, the conduit' 93 ing separated by a partition 94 from the compartment 95 in which the lower run of the carrier travels, this compartment 95 constituting an air passa as will be presently de:cribed. The air fiischar ed by the fan into the conduit 93 will flow l en hwise therein as indicated by arrows in ig. 3 and will be discharged therefrom through air nozzles 96 Fig. 12) into the drier compartment in close proximity to and at each side of the stocking forms. At this end the conduit or passage 93 is divided into two laterally spaced passages 97, one at each side of the drier compartment, which passages are turned at 98 and terminate in the air nozzles 96 above-mentioned which discharge the air into the air drier compartment in the direction opposite to the travel of the stocking forms therein. Air. willthus be delivered under pressure into the drier compartment at the carrier outlet end thereof and will flow in the same direction the full length of such compartment. Inasmuch as there is a 90 turn in the flow of air from the drier compartment into the fan intake a slight pressure will be built up at this end which prevents air from being drawn into the fan from the adjacent spraying compartment below, that is from the lower compartment in the sections 44 and 45, although off or exhausted throu h a bleeder the only passage way between the spray compartment in the section 44 is between the bullies 99.

In order to prevent saturation of the air a. predetermined volume is'constantly bled ipe 101 at the end of the conduit 93 remote m the fan. This blceder pi discharges into the compartment or con nit 95 located immediately above the spray compartment and having a vent pipe 102 at its end nearest the fan. As a result of this conztruction a predetermined volume of air will be continuously exhausted through the bleeder pipe 101, conduit 95 and vent pipe 102, thus keep- 1 ing the moisture content in the air circulating s stem comparatively low and promoting rying efliciency. The volume of air exhausted in this manner may) be controlled by suitable means such as a utterfly valve 103 in the pipe 101. As a result of continuously exhausting agiven percentage of the ill air in circulation, fresh air will be drawn into the system by an in'ector action of the nozzles 96, the air inlet ing between said nozzles. Thus a cool, comparatively dry fresh air is continuously drawn ast the stockings as they emerge from the rier, the effect of which is beneficial in its final drying, and in cooling and contracting the stockings which will better adhere to the shape of the form. By reason of this method it will be apparent that the air is coolest at the end it enters the drying compartment and is gradually raised in temperature as it approaches the end of the compartment at which the stockings enter in the moistened condition. Thus the greatest moisture content is carried off at the end of the compartment at which the stockings enter and carry the greatett moisture, and, inversely, the dry stockings leave the drier at a point at which the air has the lowest moisture content. The warm air passing out through the compartment or conduit 95 draws oil with it,the steam and vapors rising from the spray compartments, thus greatly reducing the tendency for vapor to esca and also promoting greater efliciency in t e general operation.

The stockings emerging from the drier will be inspected by operators at each side of the carrier and will then be removed from the forms and packed in boxes ready for shipping.

It is believed that the foregoin conveys a clear understanding of the ob ects and principles of my invention which is herein illustrated simply in one embodiment as applied to certain operations in the finishing of knitted stockings. A plicant believes that the present invention Iscloses broadly new methods and principles as ap lied to the finishing of fabric articles an 'therefore, that suitable construction and a wide range of mechanical equivalents may be employed in practice without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims, in which- I claim:

1 The method of finishing stockings consisting in boarding the stockings, moving the boarded stockings on an endless continuously traveling carrier, subjecting the boarded stockings at progressive stages of their travel on the carrier to different processing operations in which splutions are ap liedto t e stockings, ap lyllng said solutions by spraying devices rom opposite sides of the stockings with predetermined time intervals intervening between the s raying operations, and passing the boar ed stockings on said carrier through a drying compartment.

2. The method of dyeing stockings consisting in boarding a stockm on a shaped form, and deliveringa unifbrm spray of dye solution over the entire area of the stocking.

3. The herein described method of finishing stockings including boarding a stocking on a shaped form; holding the stocking to a predetermined length on the form, delivering a spray of dye solution onto the boarded stocking by a s ray impact over the entire area of the stoc ing, and drying the stocking while it is on the form.

4. The method of dyeing stockings consisting in boardIn a stocking on a shaped form, and delivering a line spray against each side of the stocking from end to end thereof accompanied with relative movement between the stocking and spray so that the spray operates across the stocking at a constant speed.

5. The method of dyeing knitted articles consIsting in passing them on forms between sets of nozzles which deliver the dye solu tion in a spray onto the articles by direct. im pact and by rebound impact from striking the form.

6. The method of dyeing knitted articles consisting in passing them on forms between a plural series of spray nozzles which deliver a dye solution onto the article from opposite sides and are spaced apart 'so that a time interval intervenes between the spraying operations.

7. The method of dyeing stockings consisting in spraying a dye solution onto a boarded stocking in a line spray of substantially uniform velocity from end to end of the stocking during relative movement between the stocking and spray so that the latter operates at a constant speed across the stocking.

8. The method of dyeing stockings consisting in spraying a dye solution onto a boarded stocking in a line spray of substantially uniform velocity from end to end of the stocking during relative movement between the stocking and spray so that the 'stocking, the spray beln latter operates at a constant speed across the stock said line spray being applied simultaneous y from each side of the stocking.

9. The method of dyeing stockings con- .sisting in s raying a dye solution onto a boarded stoc ing in a line spray of substantially uniform velocity from end to end of the stocking during relative movement between the stocking and spray so that the latter operates at a constant speed across the composed of a series of separate fish tai sprays relatively disposed so that the individual sprays overlap one another. a

10. The method of dyeing stockings consisting in passing boarded stockings between opposed sets ofs ay-deliverin devices with the flat plane 0 the stocking orm arallel with the direction of travel and de ivering a line spray onto each side of the boarded stockings by said devices.

11. The method of applying dyeing and proccssin solutions to knitted ,articles consisting in boarding the knitted articles, passing them at a constant speed between plural opposed sets of spraying devices, spacing each opposed set of spraying device's apart in the direction of travel of the boarded articles so that a time interval intervenes between each dye spraying operation, and delivering a uniformly distributed spra by each set of spray devices onto each side of the boarded articles so that the spray is applied from end to end of the boarded articles in successive operations with intervening time intervals.

, 12. The method of dyein stockings consisting in boarding each stoc ing on a shaped form, moving the boarded stockings at constant speed between lural sets of spraying devices, each set of w llCh delivers a spray of dye solution substantially from end to end of the stockings on opposite sides thereof, and successively subjecting each stocking to such sprayin operation by spacing said sets of spraying evices apart in the direction of travel of the stockings so that a predetermined time interval intervenes between each spraying operation.

'13. The method of dyeing stockings consisting in boarding a stocking on a shaped comparatively flat form, the sides of which are imperforate, delivering a spray of d e solution onto each side of the boarded stoc ing substantially from end to end thereof, and efl'ecting relative movement between the boarded stocking and spray in a direction transverse to the lane of the spray.

14. The metho of dyeing stockings consisting in boarding a stocking on a shaped comparatively fiat form, the sides of which are imperforate, delivering a spray of dye solution onto each side of the boarded stocking subsantially from end to end thereof, and effecting relative movement between the boarded stocking and spraying device in a direction transverse to the plane of the spray and repeating said spraying operation after a predetermined time interval.

15. The method of finishing knitted articles consisting in boarding the articles, each on a com aratively flat form shaped to conform to e desi of the articles, carrying the boarded artic es on a continuously moving endless carrier with the flat plane of the form parallel with the direction of travel so as to present substantially the entire body of the knitted fabric at opposite sides, carrying each boarded article at successive periods during its travel between opposed processing devices which function to slnge, wet out, dye, (levelo and d the boarded articles.

16. he met od of completely finishing stockings consisting in boarding each stocking on a comparatively flat, shaped form, mounting the forms in uniformly spaced relation on an endless continuously traveling carrier with the flat plane of each form parallel with the direction of travel, causing the carrier to travel in an upper and lower horizontal run, performing successive pocessing operations on the boarded stockings as they travel along the lower run, said operations being performed by devices at different stations 0 rating on opposite sides of the boards stockings and consisting in singeing, wetting out, dyeing, and developing, and drying and shaping the boarded stoc ings during their travel along the upper run until reaching an'inspection station, mspectillllg the boarded stockings, and unloading 17. The method of completely finishing stockings consisting in boarding each stocking on a com aratively flat, shaped form, 10.1 mounting the ihrms in uniformly spaced relation on an endless continuously traveling carrier with the flat plane of each form 1miallel with the direction of travel, causing the carrier to travel in an upper and a lower horizontal run, performin successive processing operations on the boarded stockings as they travel along the lower run, said operations being performed by spraying devices at different stations operating on opposite sides of the boarded stockings, causing a predetermined time interval to intervene between each operation, and drying and shaping the boarded stockings during their travel along the u per run.

18. The moth of completely finishing stockings consisting in boarding each stocking on a comparatively flat, shaped form, mounting the forms in uniformly spaced relation on an endless continuous traveling 12.1 carrier with the flat plane of each form parallel with the direction of travel, causing the carrier to travel in an upper and a lower horizontal run, with the forms extending outwardly, boarding the stockings at a loadof spray delivering 1,eas,oso

ing station near the end of the upper run, singeing the boarded stockings by devices operating on both sides of the stockings at t e beginning of the lower run, performing -success1ve processing operations on the boarded stockings as they travel along the lower run, said operations being performed by spraying devices at difierent stations, each spraying device comprising a plural set nozzles, each set having spray nozzles in opposed relation on opposite sides of the stockings for delivering a line spray from end to end of the stockings and t e spray sets of each device being spaced a art so that a predetermined time interval intervenes between each spraying operation, said spraying operations consisting in wetting out, dyein and developing, and drying and shaping the boarded stockings during their travel along the upper run until reaching an ins ection station, the drying being accomp ished by passing the boarded stockings through a drying comartment having heating ipes between which the stockings pass and y discharging air into said compartment so that it travels lengthwise therein toward the stocking entrance end of the compartment, inspecting the boarded stockings, and unloadin them.

19. Apparatus for finishing stockings including dyeing the same comprising, in combination, a traveling carrier, stocking forms spaced thereon, means for holding each stocking to a predetermined length on its form, means for subjecting each stocking while on its form to a series of liquid processing operations with a predetermined time interval between each dyeing operation, and

b means for drying each stocking while on its form.

20. Apparatus for finishing stockings comprising, in combination, a traveling carrier, stocking forms spaced thereon, means for holding each stocking to a predetermined lenglth on its form, means for subjfcting'eac stocking while on its form to a quid processing and dyeing operation, means for drying each stocking while on its form, and means for causing said carrier to move the stocking forms so as to subject each stocking to said processing and dyeing and drying operations.

21. Applaratus for finishing stockings 1ncluding t e dyeing thereof comprisingin combination, a traveling carrier, stoc mg forms spaced thereon, means for holding each stocking to a. predetermined length on its form, means for spraying a processin solution and also a dyeing solution onto each stockin from opposite sidesthereof, each solution ing applied during a given period in the stockings travel, an means for drying each stocking on its form during a subsequent period.

22. pparatus of the character described comprising, in combination, an endless continuousl traveling carrier, stocking forms mounts on said carrier at uniformly spaced intervals and arranged with the flat plane of each form parallel with the direction of travel, and devices at different stages in the travel of the carrier for subjecting the stockings on the forms to different operatlons including the sprayin of dye, said devices including plural series of spray deliverin headers, each set comprising a pair of hea ers in opposed relation on opposite sides of the forms equipped with spray delivering nozzles for delivering a spray onto the stockings as they pass between the nozzles, said sets of spray delivering headers being spaced apart in the direction of travel of the forms so that a predetermined time interval intervenes between each spraying operation. 85 23. Apparatus of the character described comprising, in combination, anendless continuousl traveling carrier, stocking forms mounts on said carrier at uniformly spaced intervals and arranged with the flat plane of each form parallel with the direction of travel, and devices at difierent stages in the travel of the carrier for sub'ecting the stockings on the forms to di erent operations such as the spraying thereon of dye, includ- 95 ing plural series of spray delivering headers, each set comprising a pair of headers in op posed relation on opposite sides of the forms equipped with spray delivering nozzles for dellvering a spray onto the stockings as they pass therebetween, said sets of spray delivering headers bein spaced apart in the direction of travel 0 the forms so that a predetermined time interval intervenes between each sprayin operation, a drying W5 compartment throng which the stockings travel and means for blowing heated air through said compartment in the direction opposite to the travel of the forms therein.

24. Apparatus for finishing knitted arti- U0 cles comprising, in combination, an endless carrier having an upper and a lower horizontal run, article holding forms at spaced intervals on the carrier rojecting outwardly therefrom, each form ein comparatively 1 flat, shaped to conform to t 0 design of the article so as to hold it extended and being arranged with its flat plane parallel with the direction of travel, a loading station at the upper run adjacent to the end thereof at 1 w ich station the articles are adapted to be drawn onto the forms, a singcing station at the beginning of the lower run at which the boarded articles are singed, a series of processing stations at the ower run following 2 the smgeing station and consisting in apparatus for wetting out the boarded articles, dyeing them and subjecting them to a developing bath while the are traveling along said lower run, and a rying station at the 18 upper run reaching substan thereof tothe loading and unloadning to said loadin and unloa h the boarded through which the arded stockings travel.

be nni g1 ng through whic ing station forms are carried.

25. Apparatus for fini cles comprising, continuously tra spaced intervals with 0 forms shaped for hol ]with the fabric avin an n pe so tha t the article h opposite directions, tions at the lower boarded articles are carrie drying compartment at th an enclosure 0 rough which 1: means for causing heated air to be c through said compartment in the opposite to the travel of the board s for finishing knitted artieluding a return air passage connectin said combination, an endless ends 0 carrier equipped at mediate the compartment and said processy pro ecting mg devices. ti d articles 3 1. Apparatus as set forth in claim 34, in said carrier havin which he last mentioned apparatus for izontal run, a loa circulating heated air lengthwise through 11 at which finished said drying compartment includes a blower m the form and 1111- connected with t a araof the compartment, and means atthe air inticles at l end for producing an in'ector action for thei tr l t a drawing fresh air into the ryin system.

ing, a dry- 3?- Apparatus as set forth m c aim34, in the bearded ivhlth the last mentioned apparatus for d, circulating heated air lengthwise through rough said drying compartment, includes a blower re ti it t connected with the air inlet and outlet ends Ki d 26. Apparatu cles comprising continuously trav spaced forms spaced 0 with the fabric e an upper and a lower hor ing and unloading static are removed fro ded thereon, e boarded ar artic treated articles are loa tus for subjecting th pen'ods durin series of processes inclu ing compartment throu h articles are carried a te and means for circulatin said com artment in a the trave of the carrier. 27. Apparatus for fin cles comprising, continuously tra spaced intervals com aratively different hol tended and the form parallel wit rier, a loading static boarded, apparatus ed stockings at difl'e including dye e ing the boarded artic are board their travel, zles f spaced interva 28. Apparatus for cles comprising traveling carrier havin lower horizontal run an spaced intervals with on forms shaped for h with the fabric exte unloading station run, devices at sp run for so articles to and a drying compa r and a lower with outward r holding kni heate Elliih incombinatzon, an endless drawing i d t and means for continuously exhausting a rejecting predetermined volume of air from the sysd for th f j 33. Apparatus of the character described d ith th fl t plane of com rising, 1n combination, an endless carveling carrier e forms each s a g a knitted article with n at which in combi n olding kni ded, a loadin near the end of t aced intervals at subjecting the boarded a centrifugal fan the intake opening of g operations, which is in communication with said dr i xtendmg along compartment at a point adjacent to the entially from the the upper run from substantial}; its beginngstation 29. Apparatus for finishing knitted artishing knitted articles comprising, in combination, an endless in combination, an endless traveling carrier havin an up r and a carrier equipped at lower horizontal run an equip e at closely pro ecting spaced intervals with outwardly itted articles forms shaped for holding knitted articles extended, the endless carrier with the fabric exten ed, devices at spaced horizontal run intervals at the Iowe run for successively rms travel in subjecting the boarded articles to diiferen-t aseries of processin sta processing operatioiis, a drying compartrough whic d in succession, a which the boarded stockings travel, and a e u per run comparatus for discharging heated air into said en on y at opposite compartment adjacent to the carrier-outlet pass, and end thereof and for drawing said air from irculated the compartment adjacent to its carrier-inlet direction end.

projecting the meat extending along the upper run through 30. Apparatus as set forth in claim 34, in-

the compartment and located interie air inlet and outlet ends of t e compartment, means at the air inlet i hi k itt d tL end for producing an injector action for resh air into the drying system,

1 th t l f th rier avm an upper and a, lower horizontal th ti l run, stocking holding forms mounted on f processing th the carrier at uniformly spaced intervals exi d d i tend ng outwardly therefrom, means for holding each stocking to a predetermined es t length on its form, a sprayi device below the lower run includin plura sets of spray fi i hi k itt d mnozzles, each set inclu g nozzles at oppo.

n an dl site sides of the stockin for delivering a an up er d a spray from end to end t ereof, said sets of equip g t l l spray nozzles being spaced a art in the di- 1 y j ti rection of travel of t {t d ti l predetermined time interval intervenes bed an tween each spraying o eration, and means e upper for drying the board stockings including the lower a drying compartment along the upper run,

e stockings so that a trance of the boarded stockin s into said compartment, a discharge con uit connecting said fan for discharging air into said compartment adjacent to the end at which the boarded stockings leave the compartment, whereby an air circulation is produced in which the air travels through said compartment in the direction opposite to the travel of the boarded stockings, and means for heating said air.

34. Apparatus of the character described comprising, in combination, an endless carrier having an u per and a lower horizontal run, stocking holding forms mounted on the carrier at uniformly spaced intervals extending outwardl therefrom, means for holding each stoc ing to a predetermined length on its form, a sprayin device below the lower run includin plura l sets of spray nozzles, each set including nozzles at oppo site sides of the stockings for delivering a spray from end to end thereof, said sets of spray nozzles being s aced apart in the direction'of travel of t e stockings so that a predetermined time interval intervenes between each spraying operation, and means for drying the boarded stockings including a drying compartment along the upper run, a centrifugal fan the intake opening of which is in communication with said drying compartment at a point adjacent to the entrance of the boarde stockings into said compartment, a discharge conduit connecting said fan for discharging air into said compartment adjacent to the end at which the boarded stockings leave the compartment, whereby an air circulation is produced in which the air travels through said compartment in the direction opposite to the travel of the boarded stockings, means for heating said air, and means for continuously exhausting a predetermined volume of said air for maintaining a low moisture content.

35. Apparatus of the character described in combination, an endless carrier havin an upper and a lower horizontal run, stoc ing holding forms mounted on the carrier at uniformly spaced intervals extending outwardly therefrom, means for holding each stocking to a predetermined length on its form, a spraying device below the lower run including lural sets of spray nozzles, each set including nozzles at opposite sides of the stockings for delivering a spray from end to end thereof, said sets of spray nozzles being spaced apart in the direction of travel of the stockings so that a predetermined time interval intervenes between each spraying operation, and means for drying the boarded stockin including a dryin compartment alonv t 1e upper run, a centri ugal fan the inta c openin of which is in communication with said rying compartment at a point adjacent to the entrance of the boarded stockings into said compartment, a discharge conduit connecting said fan for discharging air into said compartment adjacent to the end at which theboarded stocklngs leave the compartment, whereby an air circulation is produced in which the air travels through said compartment in the direction opposite to the travel of the boarded stockings, means for heating said air, means for continuously exhausting a predetermined volume of said air for maintainin a low moisture content, and means where y an injector action is produced by the discharge of said air into the drying compartment so that fresh air is drawn in it each side of the stockings emerging thererom.

EDWARD J. ZIOCK.

trance of the boarded stockin s into said compartment, a discharge con uit connecting said fan for discharging air into said compartment adjacent to the end at which the boarded stockings leave the compartment, whereby an air circulation is produced in which the air travels through said compartment in the direction opposite to the travel of the boarded stockings, and means for heating said air.

34. Apparatus of the character described comprising, in combination, an endless carrier having an upper and a lower horizontal run, stocking holding forms mounted on the carrier at uniformly spaced intervals extending outwardl therefrom, means for holding each stoc ing to a predetermined length on its form, a spraying device below the lower run includin plural sets of spray nozzles, each set inclu ing nozzles at oppo site sides of the stockings for delivering a spray from end to end thereof, said sets of spray nozzles being spaced apart in the direction of travel of the stockings so that a predetermined time interval intervenes between each spraying operation, and means for drying the boarded stockings including a drying compartment along the upper run, a centrifugal fan the intake opening of which is in communication with said drying compartment at a point adjacent to the entrance of the boarded stockings into said compartment, a discharge conduit connecting said fan for discharging air into said con'ipartment adjacent to the end at which the boarded stockings leave the compartment, whereby an air circulation is produced in which the air travels through said compartment in the direction opposite to the travel of the boarded stockings, means for heating said air, and means for continuously exhausting a predetermined volume of said air for maintaining a low moisture content.

35. Apparatus of the character described in combination, an endless carrier havin an upper and a lower horizontal run, stoc ing holding forms mounted on the carrier at uniformly spaced intervals extending outwardly therefrom, means for holding each stocking to a predetermined length on its form, a spraying device below the lower run including lural sets of spray nozzles, each set including nozzles at opposite sides of the stockings for delivering a spray from end to end thereof, said sets of spray nozzles being spaced apart in the direction of travel of the stockings so that a predetermined time interval intervenes between each spraying operation, and means for drying the bearded stockings including a drying compartment along the upper run, a centrifugal fan the intake openin of which is in communication with said rying compartment at a point adjacent to the entrance of the boarded stockings into said compartment, a discharge conduit connecting said fan for discharging air into said compartment adjacent to the end at which the board ed stockings leave the compartment, whereby an air circulation is produced in which the air travels through said compartment in the direction opposite to the travel of the boarded stockings, means for heating said air, means for continuously exhausting a predetermined volume of said air for maintainin a low moisture content, and means where y an injector action is produced by the discharge of said air into the drying compartment so that fresh air is drawn in fit each side of the stockings emerging thererom.

EDWARD J. ZIOCK.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION.

Patent No. l, 623, 080.

Granted April 5, 1927, to

EDWARD J. ZIOCK.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 10, lines 86. 91 and 99, claims 30, 31 and 32 respectively, for the numeral "34" read "29"; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 10th day of May, A. D. 1927.

Seal.

M. J. Moore. Acting (Jommissioner of Patents.

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