US2040454A

US2040454A - Apparatus for preshrinking cloth

Info

Publication number: US2040454A
Application number: US754577A
Authority: US
Inventors: Henry A Woodhead
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1934-11-24
Filing date: 1934-11-24
Publication date: 1936-05-12
Anticipated expiration: 1953-05-12

Description

, May 12, 1936.

H. A. WOODHEAD APPARATUS FOR PRESHRINKING CLOTH Filed Nov. 24, 1934 llflllnl -r dllllll II IQ Patented May 12, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 10 Claims.

This invention relates to apparatus for preshrinking cloth for the purpose of substantially eliminating shrinkage in both weft and warp in subsequent laundering operations.

I have found that the shrinkage resulting from laundering operations is not due solely to increased crinkle which may be induced in the warp or weft yarns but that it is also due to the physical rearrangement and readjustment of the yarns and fibers due to the mechanical working and reconditioning and flexing of the fabric in all directions while in its plastic condition during laundering. I obtain this rearrangement of the warp and weft yarns by mechanically working the web rapidly and positively. My process for pre-shrinking is preferably carried out after the usual preliminary steps, such as singeing, removing the warp sizing, bleaching, dyeing, printing, mercerizing, drying calendering and polishing, or other customary operations have been performed upon the web so that no subsequent operation is necessary which might impair the full advantages of the pre-shrunk condition attained.

In my co-pending application Serial No. 674,495, filed June 6, 1933, now Patent No. 1,982,720, dated December 4, 193.4, I have disclosed processes and apparatus for mechanically working a fabric web to readjust the positions of the component yarns of the web within the body thereof in order to impose a pre-shrunk condition on the web. The present invention is similar in its more general aspects to that disclosed in said application, inasmuch as herein also the pre-shrunk condition is imposed upon the web by mechanically working within the body of the web. In carrying out the present invention a plurality of resilient fingers are provided which mechanically work the web as it passes over a roll that forms a working surface for the fingers. The fingers are caused to penetrate the web, or at least firmly grip the latter, for compressing the web warp-wise by effecting readjustment of the positions of the yarn components of the web within the body thereof.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view in simplified diagrammatic form of apparatus embodying the present invention;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary plan view on an enlarged scale of a portion of the apparatus illustrated in Figure 1; and

Figure 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the end portion of one of the resilient fingers that mechanically work the web.

I preferably carry out my pre-shrinking operations as part of the finishing operation upon a fabric and in Figure 1 the dotted line I0 represents the center line of a fabric Web which it is assumed has previously been subjected to processing operations such as bleaching, dyeing, printing, calendering, etc., or combinations thereof. The web [0 is drawn from a bin or truck I over guide rolls 2 by a pair of feed rolls 3, 4.

Although I have successfully carried out my pre-shrinking operation while the fabric is in a dry condition, I prefer to have it in a plastic condition. While the fabric may be processed in a wet condition resulting from some preliminary operation, I have illustrated my pre-shrinking operations as commencing by passage of the fabric over a steam chest 5 where thefabric is moistened and rendered plastic. If desired the fabric may be rendered plastic by passing it through a mangle in which a final sizing is imparted to the web. The plasticizing of the web permits it to be more easily adaptable to the mechanical working which I impose upon it for effecting a rearrangement of the component yarns and fibres to thus attain a pre-shrunk condition in which the yarns are in a state of substantial equilibrium.

The feed roll 4 is positively driven as by a chain 6 operated, for example, from the variable speed shaft 1 of a Reeves variator 8. The web is taken up on delivery from rolls 3, 4 by a pair of rolls ll, l2 the latter of which is also positively driven, as by a chain l3 operated from the constant speed shaft l4 of variator 8. Rolls l I, I2 are driven at a slightly slower rate than feed rolls 3, 4 for a purpose which will be apparent later.

The roll l2 constitutes a working surface against which the ends of a plurality of spaced resilient fingers l5 operate for imposing a preshrunk condition on the web. The free end portions of fingers l5 are bent at an angle to their shanks [6 by means of which they are supported in a clamp bar I! extending parallel to roll I2. The clamp ll bar is supported for vertical and horizontal adjustment so that the free ends of fingers I5 may be adjusted vertically and horizontally with respect to the nip between the rolls II and I2. Clamp bar I! is also rotatably adjustable to regulate the pressure with which fingers l5 bear against the roll I2 and Web thereon. The detailed construction of clamp bar I! and the manner in which it is adjustably mounted are described in my co-pending application Serial No. 754,575, filed, November 24, 1934. Briefly, the

adjusting arrangement consists of discs 18 that support the bar I! at each'end and which are rotatably adjustable on slides 20. The slides 20 are horizontally adjustable toward and away fro-m roll I2 on blocks 2| which in turn are vertically adjustable on side members 22 of the machine frame. 7

The shanks I6 of the fingers l5 extend between spacers 24 located intermediate a series of irregularly shaped fiat-sided cams 25 on a cam shaft 26 also mounted parallel to roll [2. The cams 20, one of which is provided for each finger, are

adapted to act on the shanks I6 of the fingers I5 for rapidly moving their end portions over the surface of roll I2 to grip the web and force it toward the nip between the latter and roll II. The resilience of the fingers I5 causes their retraction from engagement with the web. 7

As shown in Figure 3, the undersides of the end portions of fingers l5 are channelled or other wise formed to provide two points 21 on each finger for penetrating the surface of the web and firmly gripping the latter. the fingers that are located between the points 21 act to limit the extent to which the points penetrate the web. The ends of the fingers are also chamfered or cut back at 28 so that the points 21 may readily penetrate the surface of the web and be'withdrawn from the latter without tearing or otherwise injuring the web. 7

Cam shaft 26 is operated from drive I by 'a chain 29. The cams operate against the shanks Hi to cause the fingers l5 to grip the web and force it forwardly toward the nip between rolls II and I2 at a slightly faster rate than the web is advanced by these rolls. The fingers I5 are operated at a rate with respect to feed rolls 3, 4 that prevents the undue accumulation of slack in the web while at the same time permitting the Web to be forced forward by the fingers into the confined zone formed by the nip between rolls II, I2 without imposing warp-wise tension on the web due to its forward movement.

As shown'in Figure 2, the series of cams 25 on cam shaft 26 form several groups of evenly spaced cams 25a, 25b, and 250, arranged so that the groups operate in rapid succession for continuously engaging fingers with the web. Each group consists of a plurality of cams as 250., etc. acting in unison on related evenly spaced fingers I5a, etc., so that the web is always gripped by the points 21 of a number of fingers I5 spaced evenly across the width thereof in order that it may be advanced evenly.

Due to the operation of rolls I I, I2 at a slightly slower rate than feed rolls 3, 4 the web in is free from warp-wise tension as it is shoved and pushed forwardly into the rolls II, l2. Upon being engaged with the web by the cams 25 the points 21 of the fingers I5 are forced into and between the fibres of both the weft and warp yarns of the web. The points 21 of the fingers I5 are so small that they tend to operate not only upon the individual weft yarns but also actually into and betweenthe fibres making up the warp yarns. The points 2] are forced into the web at a slight angle to its surface due to the direction of movement of the fingers I5 and the curvature of the-web in passing over the roll I3.

Thus, on penetrating, or at least firmly gripping, the web while it is free from tension the fingers I5 tend to loosen the component yarns of the web and exert a shoving'action thatpositions the weft yarns more closely together and acts longitudinally of the warp yarns to shove The end portions of them together into a fatter or'thicker state, i. e. with increased diameters.

As mentioned above, the fingers I5 are operated by the cams 25 to force the web toward the nip between rolls I I, I2 at a faster rate than these rolls act to take up the web from feed rolls 3, 4 and advance it. Consequently, the forward movements of fingers l5 on the surface of roll I2 cause a shoving together of the fibres of the warp yarns as well as a compacting action on the weft yarns that are gripped by the points of the fingers. As a result, there is a mechanical readjustment and repositioning of the component yarns of the web, as distinguished from a mere crinkling of the yarns. Thus, a pre-shrunk condition is imposed on. the web by actually compressing and contracting it warp-wise.

The surfaces of rolls II and I2 may be heated V in any suitable manner so that the web is set and dried in its pre-shrunk condition as it passes between these rolls. Additional drying cans may, of course, be used. The web is delivered by rolls II, I2onto a platform 3!! that supports the web to prevent the imposition of warp-wise, tension thereon, due to sagging, that might diminish the pre-shrinking effect attained by fingers I5. The web is taken up from platform 39 by an endless band 3| and carried forwardly to folding apparatus 32 that folds the finished fabric in piles in a bin or truck 33. The carrier band 3| is operated to take up and advance the web at its rate of delivery from rolls I I, I2 in order to avoid imposing Warp-wise tension on the web that might act to diminish the pre-shrunk effect attained.

The web on passing between the feed rolls, 3, 4, after being pla-sticized, may be found to have the width desired in the finished pre-shrunk fabric. In this event the web may be delivered directly from feed rolls 3, 4 to the rolls II, I2 for working by the fingers I5 to compress it warp-wise. If, however, the web is found to have a greater width than desired it may be reduced weft-wise by passing it through a. tentering frame, or other suitable device, as disclosed in the above mentioned application. In such case the tentering frame would take up the web from rolls 3, 4,

stretch it weft-Wise to the desired-width and deliver it torolls II, I2 for working by the fingers Although an illustrative embodiment of my invention has been shown and described in detail, there are many changes and variations that may be made without departing from the invention and, therefore, I desire and intend to include all such changes and variations within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim: I

1. In apparatus for mechanically working a fabric web to impose a pre-shrunk condition thereon; a plurality of spaced, reciprocable fingers adapted to grip the web at points spaced transverselythereof; and means for reciprocating said fingers for causing them to grip the web and exert loosening, pulling and shoving actions on the component yarns thereof for rea-djusting their positions within the body of the web to effect a warp-wise compression thereof.

2. In apparatus for mechanically working a fabric web to impose a pro-shrunk condition thereon; web-carrying means; a plurality of spaced, reciprocable web-working fingers having end portions adapted to grip the web at a plurality of points spaced transversely thereof; and means for reciprocating said fingers-tougripthe web as it is advanced by said carrying means and force it forwardly at a faster rate than it is advanced by said carrying means for causing said fingers to readjust the positions of the compo-' nent yarns of the web and effect a warp-wise compression thereof.

3. In apparatus for mechanically working a fabric web to impose a pro-shrunk condition thereon; a web-supporting surface; a plurality of evenly spaced, reciprocable web-working fingers adapted to grip the web and advance it on said surface; and means for reciprocating said fingers in unison to cause them to grip the web at a plurality of points spaced evenly across the width thereof for advancing the web evenly over said surface.

4. In apparatus for mechanically working a fabric web to impose a pre-shrunk condition thereon; a web-supporting surface; a plurality of spaced web-working fingers adapted to grip the Web and advance it on said surface; and means for rapidly and successively operating independent groups of said fingers, each group comprising a number of fingers, for continuously gripping and advancing the web.

5. In an apparatus for mechancally working a fabric web to impose a pre-shrunk condition thereon; a web-supporting surface; a plurality of web-working fingers supported in spaced relation adjacent said surface and operable to grip the web and move it on said surf-ace; and means for operating independent groups of said fingers in rapid succession, each group comprising a number of evenly spaced fingers gripping the web simultaneously, whereby the web is continuously and evenly advanced on said surface by fingers gripping the latter at points spaced evenly across the width thereof.

6. In apparatus for mechanically working a fabric web to impose a. pre-shrunk condition thereon; web-supporting means; means for driving said supporting means to advance the web; a plurality of spaced fingers mounted adjacent said web-supporting means adapted to be moved into gripping engagement with the web as it is advanced by said supporting means; cam means for engaging said fingers with the web and moving them forwardly with respect to said web supporting and advancing means; and means for operating said cam means to move said webgripping fingers forwardly with respect to said supporting means at a faster rate than the latter advances the web for causing said fingers to exert shoving actions on the component yarns of the web to compress the latter warp-wise.

'7. In apparatus for mechanically working a fabric web to impose a pre-shrunk condition thereon; web-supporting means; means for driving said supporting means to advance the web; a plurality of spaced, resilient fingers mounted adjacent said web-supporting means adapted to be moved into gripping engagement with the web as it is advanced by said supporting means; and cam means periodically acting on said fingers for engaging them with the web and moving them forwardly with respect to said web supporting and advancing means at a faster rate than the latter advances the web for causing said fingers to exert shoving actions on the component yarns of the web to compress the latter warp-wise, the resiliency of said fingers acting to retract them from gripping engagement with the Web when said cams are ineffective to move them forwardly with respect to said web-supporting means.

8. In apparatus for mechanically working a fabric web to impose a pre-shrunk condition thereon; web-feeding means; web-carrying means for taking up the web from said feeding means and. advancing it; driving means for said feeding means; means for driving said carrying means at a slower rate than said feeding means to relieve the web of warp-wise tension as it is taken up by said carrying means; a plurality of spaced Webworking fingers adapted to grip the web on said carrying means; and means for operating said fingers to cause them to grip the web and force it forwardly on said carrying means at a faster rate than it is advanced by the latter, whereby said fingers exert shoving actions on the web, while it is relieved of warp-wise tension, to readjust the positions of the component yarns of the web for compressing it warp-wise.

9, In apparatus for mechanically working a fabric web to impose a pre-shrunk condition thereon; web-feeding means; web-carrying means for taking up the web from said feeding means and advancing it; driving means for said feeding means; means for driving said carrying means at a slower rate than said feeding means to relieve the web of warp-wise tension as it is taken up by said carrying means; a plurality of spaced webworking fingers adapted to grip the web on said carrying means; and means for operatingsaid fingers to cause them to grip the web and force it forwardly on said carrying means at a faster rate than it is advanced by the latter, whereby said fingers act to prevent the accumulation of slack in the web between said feeding and carrying means and exert shoving actions on the component yarns of the web to readjust their positions within the body of the web to effect a warpwise compression of the latter.

10. In apparatus for mechanically working a fabric to impose a pre-shrunk condition thereon; a pair of rolls for engaging and advancing the web; means for driving said rolls; a plurality of spaced fingers supported adjacent said rolls adapted to grip the web and press the latter against the surface of one of said rolls; and means for engaging said fingers with the web and moving them forwardly over the surface of said roll at a rate to force the web toward the nip between said rolls faster than it is advanced by said rolls for causing said fingers to exert shoving actions on the component yarns of the web to readjust their positions within the body of the web and effect warp-wise compression thereof.

HENRY A. WOODHEAD.