US2325545A - Apparatus for preshrinking fabrics - Google Patents

Description

July 27, 1943.

F. a. REDMAN APPARATUS FOR PRESHRINKING FABRICS Original Filed Aug. 2s, 1941 e Shee ts-Sheet 1 \Wh Wt 5 w July 27, 1943. F. R. REDMAN APPARATUS FOR PRESHRINKING FABRICS Original Filed Aug. 28, 1941 July 27, 1943, F. R. REDMAN APPARATUS FOR PRESHRINKING FABRICS Original Filed A 28, 1941 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 July 27, 1943. R REDMAN 2,325,545

APPARATUS FOR PRESHRINKING FABRICS Original Filed Aug. 28, 1941 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 July 27, 19430 F. R. REDMAN 2,325,545

APPARATUS FOR PRESHRINKING FABRICS Original Aug. 28, 6 s t s t 5 F. R. REDMAN 2,325,545

APPARATUS FOR PRESHRINKING FABRICS July 27, 19430 Original Filed Aug. 28, 1941 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 T 7 M10 6/ 5 m Patented July 27, 19 3 APPARATUS FOR. PRESHRINKING FABRICS Frank Robert Redman, Yardley, Pa.

Original application August 28, 1941, Serial No. 408,676. Divided and this application April 23,

1943, Serial No. 484,187

Claims.

This invention primarily relates to the preshrinking of textile fabrics, and in particular to an apparatus to control the amount of shrinkage in a fabric. 7 I

Most natural textile fibres, prior to being formed into yarns or threads. have at least some inherent irregularities, such as spiral twists, curves and kinks, throughout the length of each individual fibre. In the case of synthetic fibres, such as rayon and Nylon, the filaments, as formed, are substantially straight. In some instances these filaments are cut into staple lengths, which are frequently artificially crimped. When formed into yarns, such fibres are twisted together and thereby assume spiral twists, curves or other de viations from the purely straight character of the original fibres, and take on a permanent "set which closely approaches the permanent "set" of the inherent irregularities of natural fibres. Thus, artificial fibres, if tensioned and then released, will reassume their irregular form rather than return to the purely straight line character of the original filament. During the fabrication of the yarns, composed of natural or synthetic fibres, into a fabric, the individual irregularities are temporarily reduced and the fibres straightened as a result of the more or less tight interengaging relationship of the yarns or parts of yarns with each other in a finished fabric, and the fibres are held in that abnormal condition, with the permanent twists, kinks, bends and curves of a large percentage of the fibres practically straightened out. However, in the course of bleaching, dyeing, and other wet processing, a fabric frequently increases to a considerable amount in length, as a result of the tension under which the fabric is maintained. This further reduces the extent of the "set" irregularities of the individual fibres.

I have found, by extensive research, that the above noted conditions are responsible for subsequent shrinkage of the fabric each time the fabric is laundered, in bulk or after having been made up into garments. I have found that such shrinkage will continue until the fset original irregularities of the natural or synthetic fibres return to the individual fibres.

I have also found, as a result of further extensive research, that all or any predetermined part of the manufacturing and processing gain,

, resulting from the above noted condition of the fibres, can be removed from the fabric at one time, and subsequent shrinkage eliminated, by pretreating the fabric before final finishing in a manner such as to permit the twists, kinks, bends and curves to return to the individual fibres.

. In preparing yarns for use in weaving, knitting and braiding, the fibres are put through a number of operations which includes mixing, opening and picking, carding, drawing, slubbing, roving, spinning, doubling and slashing.

In the carding, drawing, slubbing and roving operations, particularly, the fibres or slivers there of are constantly placed and held under longitudinal tension, for the purpose of drawing the fibres out as straight as possible preparatory to twisting the sliver or roving, as the case may be,

into a thread or yarn ready for singeing, or-slashing (sizing).

During the slashing (sizing) operation, the yarn or thread is held under longitudinal tension while the sizing is applied to the outer surface thereof and dried. The drying of the sizing on the tensioned yarn keeps the'fibres under tension, after the tension on the yarn as a whole has been released. During the slashing operation. a yam frequently gains in length from 2% to 7%, due to the tension under which the yarn is held.

In weaving a fabric, the warp yarns are under high tension at all times during the weaving operation. The tension on the filling yarns (weft) is increased when the warp shed changes to bind in each newly inserted weft. Thus, in weaving, all the threads or yarns are placed and held under tension in the fabric.

In knitting, the thread is maintained under tension when fed to the needles of the knittin machine, and although this tension may be reduced to some extent as the newly formed stitches are cast from the needles, there still remains a certain amount of tension in the yarn when the fabric is removed from the knitting machine.

In braided fabrics, the interlacing'of the various threads is effected with the threads under relatively high tension and, due to this tension, the interengaging relationship of the yarn parts holds the fibres in straightened condition.

After a fabric is completed on a loom, knitting machine, or braiding machine, it is frequently subjected to a wet finishing process in which it may gain 10% or more in length. Cotton shirting's, for example, are bleached, dyed and finished. In the bleachery, the fabric is singed, while held under tension in a fiat open form. The fabric is then wetted and reduced to a rope form. From the singeing house. which is more or less remotely situated with respect to'the bleaching as a matter of precaution against spread of fire. the

I sion'. The fabric is then opened up again into a fiat form and passed through a mangle, while being held under high tension.

From the mangle the fabric is passed, under tension, about a series of drying cylinders, known as a can drier. From the drier, the flattened fabric may pass to and through a mercerizing solution, after which it is again reduced to a rope form for passage three or more times through the washing machine, under high tension. From the washing machine, the fabric again returns to-the keir for another boilingr After this treatment in the keir, the fabric is again run in rope form, under high tension, through the washing machine at least five times. From the washing machine the fabric rope may be run through a bleaching solution and subsequently given at least two more washings, under high tension. The fabric is then spread out and run through a mangle from which it passes to and through a loop drier or around the cylinders of a can drier preparatory to dyeing or starching, under high tension constantly.

If the fabric is to be dyed, it is held out fiat. under high tension, in order that the dye will enter it evenly,'without streaking. If the cloth is to be starched, it is likewise held out flat, under high tension. to permit the starch to spread uniformly. After dyeing or starching, etc., the cloth is applied to a tenter frame to pullit out to uniform predetermined width, under heavy tension, for final drying.

From the foregoing, it will be clear that from the time the treatment of the fibres begins until the fabric is finished, the fibres are held, constantly, under longitudinal strain.

In order to prevent the fabric from shrinking after it has been made up into garments, etc., it

' is essential that the gain which'the yarns and the fabric attain during manufacture be eradicated,

and that the tense, abnormal condition of the fibres of the yarns be nullified.

The present invention relates to an-apparatus for shrinking textile fabrics comprising the combination of, a fabric-supporting surface, means for repeatedly rumpling a fabric reposlng on said surface, and means for applying moisture and heat to the fabric on said surface. It will be readily conceivable that many different forms of apparatus may be utilized within the scope of the invention.

The invention is adapted for use with woven,

knitted, braided, netted, twist-lace and other varieties of textile fabrics, made of cotton, wool, artificial silk, etc., or combinations thereof, in fiat-sheet, tubular, or strip form.

Referring to the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 illustrates a yarn or thread composed of textile fibres having set irregularities;

Fig. 2 illustrates a, greatly magnified fragmentary portion of the yarn or thread of Fig. 1, showing the component fibres under longitudinal tension;

Fig. 3 illustrates the yarn or thread of Fig. 2 after treatment of the fabric according to the present invention;

Figs. 4a, 4b, 4c and 4d collectively constitute a sectional plan view of one form of apparatus adapted for use under the method of the present invention; 7

Figs. 5a, 5b, 5c and 5d collectively constitute a vertical longitudinal sectional elevation through the portions of the structure shown in Figs. 4a, 4b, 4c and 4d respectively;

Fig. 6 is a transverse section on the line 8 -8,

Fig. 7 is a transverse section on the line 1--'l, Fig. 5c; and

Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic plan view of a modified form of apparatus.

The yarn or thread A, shown in Fig. l, is composed of a multiplicity of intertwisted individual fibres a, a, of long, short, or intermediate length, depending upon the use to which the yarn or thread is to be put and the class and quality of the fabric in which the yarn or thread is to be incorporated.

As shown in Fig. 2, the individual fibres a, a, when the yarn or thread is under tension, are

relatively straight and in general parallel relav or easy curved condition.

loose, free, relaxed tion to each other.

As shown in Fig. 3, the fibres a 0. when the yarn is relieved of tension, return to their set irregularly wavy, twisted, kinked, sharply bent,

When the fibres are in the strained, abnormal condition illustrated in Fig. 2, the fabric will have a tight, relatively harsh feel or hand" as it is commonly termed in the art; whereas, when the fibres return to their set irregular condition, illustrated in Fig. 3, the fabric will have a softer, fuller feeling,

The transition of the fibres from the condition illustrated in Fig. 2 to the condition illustrated in Fig. 3, is attained by working the fabric, and consequently the individual fibres, constantly, in the presence of moist heat, with the fabric in a fully relaxed state. This working is preferably carried on in such a manner that the fabric, in relatively small spaced local areas thereof, is bunched up and then released, repeatedly, by which the fibres are placed under more or less longitudinal compression, intermittently, and are then permitted to relax. These localized areas are distributed over the length and breadth of the fabric and their relative positions are changed constantly so that the entire area of the fabric receives the treatment repeatedly. The condition of the fabric, as a whole, permits the bunching up of the fabric in adjacent local areas without placing the fabric lying intermediate spaced local areas under any tension whatsoever, at any time.

In order to work over the entire length of a continuous strip or web of fabric, I prefer to advance the fabric lengthwise along an elongated table, by pushing the fabric, at all times, which produces the above noted bunching of the fabric and the consequent intermittent longitudinal compression of the individual fibres.

As the fabric is pushed in the direction of its length along the work table, it is also pushed inwardly from both of its marginal edges, simultaneously or alternately, which contributes to the bunching action above referred to and places the fibres of any threads which extend transversely of the fabric (filling for example) under lengthwise compression at the same time as the fibres of the longitudinal threads (warps for example) are placed under lengthwise compression.

The above noted lateral inward pushing and bunching of the fabric is repeated a number of times as the fabric is pushed longitudinally along the work table, and. intermediate these inward pushings, the fabric may be spread laterally, outwardly, without being tensioned.

In Figs. a, 5b, and 5c, the elongated work table, referred to above, is illustrated at I. As illustrated in Figs. 4a, 4b and 4c, the work table I is provided with vertical side walls! and 3, respectively, which extend from said table upwardly to a roof structure 4, spaced above the table I, and which therewith form a closed processing chamber ,5.

At spaced intervals throughout the length of the-processing chamber 5, and extending transversely thereof, are three series of rotary buncher units 6a, 6b, 6c, in the present instance, of which there may be as many or as few individual units in each series as desiredor necessary for any particular job. 4

Associated with the three series of rotary buncher units 6a, 6b, 6c, are three series of stationary buncher units la, 1b, and 1c, respectively.

Following each series of bunchers 6a, la: 6b, lb: lic, 1c: is a transfer roll 8a, 8b or Go, 'as the case may be.

Each rotary buncher 6a, lib, or 60, as the case may be, comprises a central axially elongated hub section9 which preferably extends completely across the chamber 5, between and, if desired, beyond the side walls 2 and 3. Projecting radially from and arranged in a spiral course around and along each hub section 9 is a series of resilient fingers III, the tips of which, as the buncher revolves about its horizontal axis, makes light but firm contact with the work table I or any piece of fabric spread out or lying thereon. At the feed end l5 of the chamber 5, is a pair of resilient faced rolls H and I2 which receive a fabric F in full width and in a substantially smooth, flat condition. The rolls II and I2 pass the fabric F into the bite of a pair of parallel conveyer belts l3 and I4. These belts l3--l4 deliver the fabric onto the upper end of a downwardly inclined portion la of the stationary work table I As the belts l3-l4 continue to feed the fabric F onto the incline la, the fabric slides down said incline, by gravity, and builds up in folds f along said incline.

As the number of folds f increases, the weight of the fabric lying on the incline la forces the folds f along a contiguous horizontal portion lb of the work table I, until the folded fabric comes under the rotating fingers ll) of the first rotary buncher 6a.

The fabric F, in entering the chamber 5, may be in a dry or moist state. A moisture content amounting to not more than 80% of the dry weight per square yard of the fabric is referred. As the folds ,f of the fabric F slide down the incline la, onto and along the fiat part lb of the table I, they come under the influence of moist heat in the form of steam sprays lia impinging thereon from a. transversely extending steam pipe Ho. The steam sprays Ilia warm and moisten the fabric as it comes under the influence of the first rotary buncher 6a. As the folds 1 advance downwardly along the incline la, the longitudinally extending fibres, i. e., the fibres of the threads which extend longitudinally of the fabric, are placed under a longitudinal compression which is provided by the weight of the fabric pushing the folds 1 down the incline la.

As the folds 1 advance toward the fingers Ill of the rotary buncher 6a, these fingers, one after another, press into the folds j and advance the fabric further along the horizontal portion lb of the work table I. As shown in Fig. 4a, the fingers in are arranged spirally about the hub 9 and in successively contacting the transversely extending folds f, the fingers lll break u such transverse folds into local relatively spaced irregularly distributed bunches of fabric, indicated produced by the fingers are permitted to relax.

Thus, the intermittent compressions and relaxations in the local areas of the fabric are effected.

The forward progression of the fabric as a whole is retarded by the fabric coming in contact with the forwardly inclined face of the first stationary buncher la. The buncher la is in the form of a transversely extending inverted V- shaped ridge formed in or on the work table I. The upper edge of the stationary buncher la is low at the central portion of the work table I and is inclined upwardly and rearwardly, with respect to the direction of progress of the fabric, from the center of the work table I toward each of the side walls 2 and 3. The stationary buncher 'Ia presents a vertical concave dam or barricade to the progress of the fabric passing along the Work table I.

As the fabric builds up against the stationary buncher 10., it is pushed up the forwardly inclined face thereof and over the top edge of the barricade, by the advancing action produced in the fabric by the first rotary buncher 6a. As the fabric slides over the concave upper edge of the barricade la, the marginal edges of the fabric, those portions intermediate the marginal edges, and the central part of the fabric, tend to slide down the lateral inclines of the upper edge of the barricade lying adjacent the opposite sides re spectively of the work table I, toward the center thereof as a result of the downwardly converging inclinations of the vertical concave upper edge of the stationary barricade 1a.

The inward transverse movement of the fabric, as afforded by the concave surface of the stationary buncher la, tends to produce local bunching of the fabric transversely thereof, in conjunction with the local bunching produced by the longitudinal advancement of the fabric by the rotary buncher 6a. This action places the transverse fibres, or the fibres of the transversely extending threads of the fabric, under longitudinal compression. At the same time, the transverse bunching reduces the overall width of the forwardly advancing fabric.

As the fabric is advanced over the first stationary buncher 1a, it slides down the forward inclined face thereof toward the second rotary buncher 60. Intermediate the second rotary buncher 6a and the first stationary buncher la,

' the bunched fabric is subjected to moist heat 'in the form of steam sprays lBb impinging upon the fabric from a transversely extending pipe Mb.

The weight of the fabric sliding down the forward face of the stationary buncher la under the of the work table until it comes under the influence of the fingers l of the second rotary buncher \6a.

The fingers In of the second rotary buncher 6a are in offset or staggered rela'tion, or in some other predetermined irregular relationship with respect to the fingers III of the first rotary buncher, so that the fingers of the second rotary buncher engage the fabric in different spots from those engaged by the fingers of the first rotary 10 buncher, thus, some of the bunches created by the first rotary buncher are upset by the fingers of the second rotarybuncher, which, as a matter of fact, were previously modified by the movement of the fabric over the first stationary buncher la.

The above noted operations are repeated any desired number of times as the fabric advances along succeeding fiat portions |c Id, Ie, if and lg, for example, with the fabric, in each instance,

first coming under the influence of a rotary buncher and being pushed thereby over a stationary buncher in the presence of moist heat admitted from the pipes "c, I 1d, l'l'e, l'lf.

As the fabric passes over the stationary bunchers I la, one after another, the marginal edges thereof are worked inwardly toward the central portion of the fabric, by sliding down the inwardly anddownwardly inclined surface of the stationary bunchers. After leaving the last rotary buncher of the series 6a, the fabric is pushed thereby onto the upper surface of the first rotary spreader 8a, which, as shown in Fig. 4b, is of a convex construction, being of larger diameter at the central vertical plane of the work table l than it is adjacent the side walls 2 and 3 of the chamber 5, thus, as the convex roll 8a is rotated, the fabric is pushed onto its rotating surface and has a tendency to fall of its own weight from the central portion of the surface fabric as it passes over the surface of the roll,.,5

thus preventing tensioning of the fabric.

The spreading roll 8a delivers the fabric onto a downwardly inclined section In of the work table I, in the form of a newly arranged series of folds 12 which then come under the influence of the first rotary buncher of the second series of units 6b, 6b. I

Intermediate the individual units of the second series of rotary bunchers, 6b, the work table I is provided with a second series of stationary bunchers lb and with flat sections ii, If and lie of the table l between said stationary bunchers. These fiat sections provide for horizontal movement of the bunched fabric along the table I.

The fabric receives substantially the same treatment by the rotary bunchers of the second series 6b and the associated stationary bunchers 1b as it had received from the rotary buncher 6a and stationary buncher 1a of the first series thereof. Moist heat is provided from the trans- 7 verse pipes "a, "It and Hi impinging steam against the fabric in the manner previously described.

The last of the rotary bunchers of the series 6b pushes the fabric longitudinally onto a second convex spreader roll 8b, which, like the spreader roll 8a, rotates about an axis disposed preferably below the work table I. a

The spreader roll 8b delivers the fabric in the form of rearranged folds 73 onto a downwardly. inclined portion ll of the work tablei, said folds being subjected to moist heat from .theLtranSVerse pipe l'li, Fig. 5b. At the bottom of theincline It, the fabric passes along a horizontal portion lm of the work table I and comes under the influence of the first unit of a third series of rotary bunchers 8c. The section I m of the work table under t e influence of the series of rotary, bunchers 6c.

Intermediate the feeding aprons I3 and I4, and the spreader roll 80, the fabric, assuming it to have been dry or substantially dry when fed into the chamber 5 by the rolls Ii and It, will have preferably absorbed not more than of the dry weight per square yard of the. fabric in moisture. While in this moist condition, the fabric is continuously maintained under longitudinal and transverse compression in the plane of the fabric, and is continuously worked over in a multiplicity of ever-changing local areas by the rotary and stationary bunchers. Such continuous working of the fabric in the presence of the moist heat, with the fabric in a damp condition, causes a relative loosening of the individual fibres in the component yarns or threads of the fabric and affords a complete relaxation of the fibres from the tension under which the fibres had been placed during the manufacture of the yarn, and the subsequent manufacture of the fabric from a multiplicity of such yarns. This relaxation from tension, andthe loosening of the fibres with respect to each other, permits the fibres of each component yarn or thread to change from the relatively straight form of Fig. 2, in which the fibre are deformed, to their normal or set state illustrated in Fig. 3, where the set irregularities, including curves, bends, kinks, etc., are returned to the fibres.

The return of the set irregularities of the fibres is further assisted as the fabric is dried, after leaving the spreading roll 80. For this purpose, the fabric is delivered by the spreading roll 8c onto a carrying run of a horizontal belt conveyor 20, Figs. 5c and 5d. The conveyor 20 travels in a horizontal plane through a drying chamber 2|, in which dry heat is circulated in the manner shown in Fig. 6.

As shown in Fig. 6, the drying chamber 2| is provided with a circulating chamber 22in which are installed air-heating pipes, or the equivalent, 23, and a fan 24 by which air is drawn from the lower portion 25 ofthe chamber 2|, below the carrying run of the conveyor 20, and passed upwardly through the air heater 23 into the upper portion of the chamber 2|, where the air travels transversely across the worked over fabric Fl, suitable deflectors 28, 26 being provided to cause the air moving transversely of the chamber 2| to descend into contact with the fabric Fl, thereby efiecting a drying of the fabric. After passing across the conveyor 20 with the fabric Fl thereon, the air passes through a second cire culating chamber 2'|,by which it is directed into the lower portion 25 of the drying chamber 2| for a repeat of the circulating cycle. Obviously, any suitable form of air-circulating means or airheatin means may be provided.

Inst ad of permitting the fabric to lie in a quiescent state on the conveyor 20 as it is being dried, I prefer to work the fabric continuously during the drying thereof in a multiplicity of local areas thereof, and for this purpose, the conveyor 20 is preferably composed of two series of relatively narrow bands 30a, 30a and 30b, 3%, arranged in parallel alternating succession across the width of the drying chamber 2|, as shown in Figs. 4c, 4d, and 7..

At the end of the drying chamber 2l, adjacent the spreading roll 80, the bands 30a pass around wheels 3|, which are secured to a transverse shaft 32. The shaft 32 is suitably mounted for rotation in the drier. Intermediate the tight wheels 3| on the shaft 32, the .bands 3% extend around wheels 33, which are loosely mounted on the shaft 32.

At the opposite end of the dryer, the bands 30b pass around wheels 34, which are secured to the transverse shaft 35, mounted for rotation in the dryer, while the bands 30a pass around intermediate wheels 36, which are loosely mounted on Y the shaft 35.

On one end of the shaft 32 is secured an elliptical gear 31, which meshes with a corresponding elliptica1 gear 38 secured to a transverse shaft 39, mounted for rotation outside the dryer chamber. The shaft 35 is provided with an e1- liptical gear 40, rigidly secured thereto, which meshes with a corresponding elliptical gear 4|, secured to a transverse shaft 42, mounted for rotation outside the dryer chamber. The shaft 42 is coupled by miter gearing 43 to a longitudinal shaft 44, which is also coupled by miter gearing 45 with the shaft 39. The shaft 39 is provided with a drive wheel 46, which is rotated by a belt or chain, etc., 41, from any suitable source of power, such as an electric motor, etc., (not shown).

As shown in Figs. 5c and 5d, the longer diameters of the elliptical gears 31 and 40 on the shafts 32 and 35, respectively, are set at 90 with respect to each other, i. e. when the ellipitcal gear 31 is in a position with its longer diameter vertically disposed, the elliptical gear 40 is in a position with its longer diameter horizontally disposed, as shown in Figs. 5c and 5d, respectively. The corresponding elliptical gears 38 and 4| are likewise set at 90 apart.

The gears 38 and 4| are driven at constant, uniform speeds, and transmit, through the elliptical gears, variable speeds to the shafts 32 and 35, which, while rotating in the same direction, are each accelerated in one portion of each cycle of rotation and decelerated in another portion of the cycle.

As a result of the two series of conveyor bands 30a and 30b being driven by the shafts 32 and 35, respectively, the carrying runs of these bands, while they move continuously in one direction through the drying chamber 2|, are alternately accelerated and decelerated, i. e. the alternate bands will move under increased speed for a relatively short period while the intermediate bands are moving at a slower speed, after which the intermediate bands will increase in speed while the alternate bands decrease in speed, thus, these portions of the width of the fabric lying on the respective bands are constantly being moved with respect to immediately adjacent portions of the width of the fabric.

The surface speed of the spreading roll is greater than the linear speed of the carrying run of the conveyor 20, thus, the roll 80 delivers the fabric Fl to the conveyor 20 in the form of transverse folds 13. These folds provide sufficient looseness in the fabric lying on the conveyor 20 to prevent any tensioning between adjacent parts of the fabric, during the differential movements of the adjacent bands 30a and 30b of which the conveyor 20 is composed.

Intermediate the opposite ends of the drying chamber 2 I, said chamber is provided with transversely extending rolls 50a and 5017, Figs. 5c and 541, respectively, which, as shown in Figs. 4c, and 4d, respectively, are corrugated throughout their length, said corrugations comprising circumferentially extending high portions 5| alter- 7 nating with circumferentially extending low portions 52. The high portions 5|, 5| of the rolls 50a and 50b are disposed in alignment, longitudinally of the chamber 2|, with the low circumferential portions 52, of each other. v

As the fabric Fl is advanced through the drying chamber 2|, it asses first over the roll 50a and then over the roll 5%. The corrugations of the roll 50a upset or disturb thepositions of the folds or bunchings f3 of the fabric Fl and redeposit the fabric Fl on the bands 30a, 30b of the conveyor 20 in a new arrangement illustrated at f4 in Figs. 5c and 5d. The corrugated roll 50b then lifts the fabric off the conveyor and upsets the bunchings f4 and redeposits the fabric in a new arrangement of folds f5. In other words, the high and low parts of the rolls 50a and 53b tumble the fabric about transversely as it is ad vanced by the bands 30a and 301), thus, the entire area of the fabric is undergoing a working action, both longitudinally and transversely, while the fabric is'being dried.

The constant overall working of the fabric permits the kinks, bends, etc., of the fibres to return to their set" condition. The fabric Fl is finally passed over a delivery roll 55 adjacent the shaft 35 and passes from the drying chamber in a dry, normalized state, as indicated at F2, Fig. 5d. The peripheral speed of the delivery roll 55 would substantially correspond to the peripheral speed of the feed rolls ll and I2 and the feed aprons l3 and I4 located at the opposite end of the apparatus less the reduction per yard effected by the process according to the invention. The fabric F2, as delivered from the dryer 2|, may be passed through any further finishing or additional processing that may be desired without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

In some instances, due to processing of the fabric prior to its entrance into the chamber 5, the moisture content of the fabric may be in excess of of the weight of the fabric per square yard. Under such circumstances, the weight of the water itself prevents the return of the fibres to their set condition, should an attempt be made to normalize the fibres of the present invention.

Under such circumstances, I prefer to reduce the moisture content to not more than 80% of the dry weight of the fabric per square yard, prior to feeding the fabric between the rolls II and I2 for entrance into the normalizing chamber 5. When such conditions are encountered, the fabric can be run through any suitable dryer, for example, an ordinary loop dryer or over drying cans, etc., to reduce the moisture content. Such predrying and constant working of the fabric prior to its entrance into the main working chamber takes some shrinkage out of the fabric.

In order to operate the fabric working apparatus within the chamber 5 at a high rate of speed, for example, with the fabric passing into and out of the apparatus at the rate of 45 to 100 yards per minute, I provide suitable means for preventing the fabric from clinging to the fingers II) of the rotary bu'nching units. In the presentinstance, this means comprises a series of stripper rings I50 for each of the rotary bunching units, as shown clearly in Figs-4a and 5a. As shown in Figs. 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b and 6, the fingers III are spaced apart along the length of the hub section 9, in addition to being spaced apart circumferentially of said Hub section. Preferably, thereis a stripper ring 60 placed between each adjacent pair of fingers I0. Each stripper ring-60 is eccentrically disposed with respect to the axis of rotation of the hub 9. Each ring 80 passes under the hub section 9, and its axis of rotation is disposed above and forward of the axis of rotation of the hub section.

Each ring 60 is maintained in alignment with the space between the two fingers I0, III, with which the ring cooperates by fitting into grooves BI formed in guide rolls 62, 63 and 64, the axes of which are spaced apart circumferentially of the stripper ring 60 and extend parallel to the axis'of the hub 9.

Located in aplane parallel to and intersecting the axis of the hub 9, the common axis of each set of rings 60, and the axis of the grooved roller 63, and engaging the inside surfaces of-the rings 60 of each set thereof is a driving roller 65, which extends transversely of the chamber 5, parallel The humidity and temperature within the chamber 8 may be automatically maintained and controlled by the usual form of dry and wet bulb thermometers commonly used for such purposes. I prefer to maintain a temperature of about 215 F. within the processing chamber 5; and a dry temperature of about 240 F. upwardly in the drying chamber 2|. However, these temperatures may be varied if and when conditions require. For example, compact woven or braided fabrics may require higher humidity and/ or temperature than the more open knitted, netted or lace-twist fabrics.

Insofar as the fundamental principles of the present invention are concerned, the apparatus may be efliciently worked by relieving a piece of fabric of all tension in all directions, steaming the fabric until it absorbs moisture to the extent of from 25% to 80% of its own dry weight, a range from 40% to being the most desirable, constantly working the fabric by spreading the tips of the fingers of one or both hands over spaced local areas, respectively, of the fabric and drawing the fingers of each hand toward a common focal point to bunch the fabric up under each hand, then relaxing the fingers to release the fabric, spreading the fingers again over different local areas and repeating the bunching and relaxing operation until the entire area of the fabric has been worked over many times as steam is being applied.

Such constant working of the fabric in everchanging localized areas thereof, in the presence of the heat and moisture absorbed from the steam by the fabric, effectively releases the fibres so that the set irregularities of, the fibres return thereto.

eral speeds'which are in excessof the tip speeds of the fingers I0 of the rotary buncher with which the set of stripper rings is associated. The directions of rotation of the fingers I0 and the set of rings associated therewith are the same in each instance. Any fabric which may tend to adhere to the tips of the fingers will be stripped therefrom as the fingers rotate and recede between adjacent stripper rings 60. The circular paths traveled by the rings intersect the circular paths traveled by the (tips of the fingers I0. By this'arrangement the fabric is atall times cleared from the fingers.

The friction drive roller for the rings 60 is preferably composed of natural or synthetic rubber, in order to provide a resilient friction contact with the inner surface of the rings 60. The driving rollers 65 are formed about a transversely extending shaft 66.

It will be understood that the apparatus may include any suitable form of framework having suitable bearings for rotatably supporting the various feed rolls, rotary bunchers, spreader rolls, etc., and any suitable means may be provided for driving these rotary elements at the relative speeds necessary for accomplishing the result desired, without departing from the spirit of the invention. In the present instance, sprocket wheels 61 and sprocket chains 68 are provided in lieu of belts, gears, or equivalent power-transmitting mechanism.

As shown in Figs. 4a, 4b and 4c, the steam pipes Ila, l'lb, etc., are connected to a manifold 69, which, in turn, may be connected to any suitable source of steam.

Where the working is continued during the drying, the time of working in the presence of the moist heat can be reduced and the return of the fibres to normalcy quickened.

Any apparatus which would simulate the massage-like working of the fabric, or which would work the fabric in an equivalent manner to intermittently compress the fibres lengthwise thereof, could be used to put the invention into commercial use without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Fig. 8 illustrates one modified form of apparatus for practicing the invention. In this instance the fabric is fed to a stationary work table la in the same general manner as described with respect to the work table I. Operating over the work table I2 is a series of longitudinal bunchers alternating with transverse bunchers in the same general manner as heretofore described, except that in this instance the bunchers are in the form of rollers, preferably of the soft face type, which bear against the cloth and push it along the work table Is. For example, the one longitudinal buncher I06 pushes the full-width cloth into bunches and passes it inthis form along the work table to a pair of divergently arranged transverse rollers I01, I01, which, due to the angles of their respective axes with respect to the longitudinal center line of the work table, work the fabric into rearranged bunches and pass these along to the next right angle transverse buncher roller Iflfia. This roller works and passes the fabric to another pair of divergent buncher rolls Ifl'la, Ili'la. By and from the rolls Ill'la, I0'Ia, the fabric is pushed to a right angle buncher roll I061), thence to divergent rolls I072), I012), etc.

The right angle bunchers ms, Iota. etc., alterhating with the divergent bunchers I01, I'Ia, etc., work the fabric continuously in a longitudinal direction and in a transverse direction.

There may be a number ofseries of the above noted rollers, arranged in tandem, with spreader rolls between the successive series, the same as previously noted with regard to the preferred form of apparatus previously described.

It will be understood that steam is applied to the cloth in this case also as the fabric is 'advanced along the work table Iz by the rollers I06, I01, and that a drying unit may be used behind and/or in front of this shrinking unit, the same as previously noted.

Any suitable means may be employed to drive the variou rollers I06, etc., I01, etc., without departing from the spirit of the invention.

From the foregoing descriptions, it will be clear that the present invention has provided an apparatus which will rumple the fabric repeatedly over its length and breadth, to cover substantially the entire area of the fabric, without placing an portion of the fabric under tension, and which applies heat to initially wet fabrics or heat and moisture to substantially dry fabrics. Thus, the present invention will effect either a complete return of the set irregularities to the fibres, or partial return, depending upon the length of time over which the treatment is continued, and will consequently reduce shrinkage of the fabric to zero or to any percentage it may be desired to leave in the fabric.

No claim is made to the process of shrinking fabric as such matter is claimed in my copending application, Serial No. 408,676 filed August 28, 1941, of which this application is a. division.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In an apparatus for shrinking textile fabrics, the combination of, a fabric-supporting surface, means for advancing longitudinally and repeatedly rumpling a fabric lengthwise and transversely in difierent areas while it i supported on said surface, and means for applying moisture and heat to the fabric on said surface.

2. In an apparatus for shrinking textile fab-- rics, the combination of a fabric-supporting surface, means for advancing longitudinally and working a fabric together lengthwise and widthwise repeatedly in different areas while it is supported on said surface; and means for applying moisture and heat to the. fabric on said surface.

3. In an apparatus for shrinking textile fabrics, the combination of, a fabric-supporting surface, means for advancing longitudinally and pushing a fabric in one direction along-said surface and for compressing it repeatedly in different areas, means for pushing said fabric in a transverse direction on said surface and for compressing it repeatedly in different areas, and

means for applying moisture and heat to the fabric on said surface.

4. In an apparatus for shrinking textile fabrics, the combination of, a fabric-supporting said surface, and mean positioned between said points for periodically spreading the fabric crosswise as it is pushed lengthwise along said surface. I

6. In an apparatus for shrinking textile fabrics, the combination of, a fabric-supporting surface, rotary means at spaced intervals along said surface for pushing'the fabric into folds on and advancing the fabric along said surface lengthwise, and transversely extending barriers intermediate said rotary means for working the fabric inwardly crosswise as it is pushed along said surface by said rotary means.

'7. In an apparatus for shrinking textile fabrics, the combination of, a fabric-supporting surface, means for pushing a fabric lengthwise along said surface at spaced points, means for pushing the fabric widthwise at intermediate points on said surface, and means for applying heat to the fabric on said surface.

8. In an apparatus for shrinking textile fabrics, the combination of, a fabric-supporting surface, means for pushing a fabric lengthwise along said surface at spaced points, means for pushing the fabric widthwise at intermediate points on said surface, and means for applying moisture and heat to the fabric on said surface.

9. In an apparatus for shrinking textile fabrics, the combination of, a fabric-supporting urface, means for pushing a fabric lengthwise along said surface at spaced points, means for pushing the fabric widthwise at intermediate points on said surface, a conveyor belt receiving the fabric from said pushing means at a linear speed greater than the speed of the belt, and means for applying heat to the fabric in transit.

10. In an apparatus for shrinking textile fabrics, the combination of, means for pushing a fabric lengthwise comprising a sectional conveyor belt including a plurality of parallel sections, means for driving the belt as a whole at a predetermined general average linear speed, means for feeding fabric onto said belt at a linear speed in excess of said average speed of the belt, and means for alternately accelerating the speed of adjacent sections relative to each other.

FRANK ROBERT REDMAN.

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