US2944317A - Method and apparatus for treating tubular fabrics - Google Patents

Description

July 12, 1960 CQHN ETAL METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TREATING TUBULAR FABRICS Filed Aug. 25, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 mini? w o om NCCI. W E hm o 2 In H A N. 1d

a BY 8 fl-k/M W u zi July 12, 1960 s. COHN EIAL 2,944,317

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TREATING TUBULAR FABRICS Filed Aug. 23, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I ATTORNEYS United States i METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TREATING TUBULAR FABRICS Samuel Cohn and Joseph Cohn, New York, and Eugene Cohn, Great Neck, N.Y., assignors to Samcoe Holding Corporation, Woodside, N.Y., a corporation of New York Filed Aug. 23, 1955, Ser. No. 530,114 17 Claims. (Cl. 26-185) This application is a continuation-in-part of our copending application SerialNo. 462,584, filed October l5,

1954, and now abandoned. I a

This invention relates to a method and apparatus for finishing transfer or transfer type fabrics, for example sweater fabrics in which each sweater length comprises a body portion and an elastic or resilient waist-band.

portion. More especially. the invention. is concerned with a method and apparatus by which such fabrics may; i

be finished in continuous tubular knitted lengths which include successive segmental lengths connected; together, for example by draw threads or the like. .1

By definition a transfer fabric is one having different stitch constructions throughout its length. Thus. a. sweater fabric having different knit portions, one for.

example knit with a jerseystitch and another for example with a rib stitch is a true transfer fabric.

ferences in widths. example be those used to make girdles and sn'uggi'es or the like, or those that are shaped in knitting for .use in' making formed womens slips, bathing suits, etc. We have therefore adopted herein the term transfer type fabric to include within its meaning all of these vari ous specific fabrics as well as any other tubularknitted fabric in which successive portions thereof are dissimilar in any way and hence may have to be finishedin different Ways. For the sake of simplicity, however, and as the problems involved in the finishing of all are much.

the same, we shall hereinafter refer specifically, primarily to sweater fabrics, it being understood that most of what is said in their connection is equally applicable to any of what we have termed the transfer type fabrics.

It is common .practice to knit sweater fabrics continuously on appropriate tubular knitting machines which first knit a sweater body portion in one stitch, for example in a jersey stitch, then knit a waist band portion integral with the body portion but of a different stitch,

for example a rib stitch which lends to this portion an elasticity or resiliency, then inserts a draw thread section separator and then begins again to knit a subsequent body portion, the draw thread section separator merely tacking the end of one sweater length (body portion plus integral waist-band portion) to a succeeding sweater length. It has heretofore been the practice, however, in finishing such sweater fabrics tohandle the various sweater lengths separately, these having been separated by removal of the draw threads. Hence it has been the practice to place eachsweater length on an individual spreader frame and to steam and press the bodyv portion thereof while on such a spreader. In some instances the waist-band section is also spread, though it is more often not, but in no case is the waist-band subjected to steam- Our 'inven-" tion is applicable, however, not only to such fabrics but: also to other knit fabrics knit with butone'type of ,stitchr construction but in different portions knit with different: types of yarns or with the same yarn but under differentconditions, e.g., dilferences in yarn tension to give dif- Such other knit fabrics may for- Ice 4 17 2 ing or pressing while spread as this would adversely affect its elasticity or resilience. More recently, in an effort to avoid the time-consuming and, therefore, costly individual hand steaming operation, a plurality of spreader frames havebeen mounted to be passed successively through steamers.

vidually and manually placed on the frame spreaders. Also the finishingelfected by this type of operation is inferior. This is so primarily because uniformity of finish is not achieved,-the lack of uniformity being apparent particularly in the matter of finished length.

There also have, we believe, been'attempts made recentlyto finish sweater fabrics in continuous lengths made up of sweater lengths secured together bydraw threads as delivered from-a knitting machine. These attempts have; involved the use of conventional wire spreaders over which the continuous length of sweater fabric has been drawn by calender rolls, the fabric being;

steamed while on the spreader. Such attempts have been unsuccessful fora number of reasons, however, among which are that the waist-band portions have been pulled out of shape, the fabric as a whole has been flattened or ironed, whereas it should preferably be maintained fluffy, and the lengths of the body portions have neither been accurately controllable nor satisfac torily uniform. We have discovered a method of and apparatus for finishing sweater and other transfer type fabrics in continuous lengths without incurring any of.

the above difiiculties and' with results that are equal to or even better than those'achieved by the aforementione hand steaming type of finishing operation.

.Accordingto, our invention, a continuous length of sweater fabric for example, made up of. successive% sweater lengths (body .portion and integral :waist-band portion) securedtogether by draw threads in continuously and progressively spread. Thefabric isthen advanced while spread through rearward and forward speed zones, the speed of advance in the forward zo'ne being,

speed zones and for adjustment of the degree of: spread.

for purposes that will be hereinafter set forth. The

fabric is then conveyed, in relaxed condition both lo'ngitudinally and laterally, toa folding apparatus by which it may be conveniently folded up in accordion type pleats for transfer or shipment, or to a windup apparatus by' whichit'may be wound in rolls for the same purpose. Folding of the fabric is preferred, however, for reasons that will subsequently be set forth.

Our invention also includes, as indicated, apparatus by which the above-described method of finishing sweater or other transfer type fabric may be carried out.

i For a more detailed understanding of our invention, reference may be made to the more specific description thereof set forth hereinbelow in connection with 'the.

accompanying drawings illustrating one form of appa ratusaccording to our invention and in which:

Fig. 1.is aplan view ofv that apparatus;

Fig.2 is aplan view'of a continuous length of F a sweateffabriqin which form it is finished by our ap-t paratus and in accordance with our method.

l atented July 1 2,

In this type of operation,- however, the separate sweater lengths must still be indi-,

Referring'now to the drawings, and particularly to Fig.

2 thereof, there is illustrated a portion of a length of sweater fabric in the form in which it comes from a.

tubular knitting machine and in the form in which it will be finished in accordance with the process of our invention. As illustrated in Fig. 2, a continuous length of sweater fabric with the finishing of which this invention is concerned comprises a plurality of body portions separated by a plurality of waist-band portions 11. As shown in the drawings, each waist-band portion 11 is knit integrally with the body portion lying to the left thereof. The body portion and the waist-band portion integrally knit therewith is hereinafter referred to as a sweater length. The body portion 10 of each sweater lengthis knit in one stitch, for example a jersey stitch, whereas the waist-band portion is knit of another, for example a rib stitch, the latter form of stitch being chosen so that the waist-band portion will possess a certain degree of elasticity or resilience. The sweater lengths, as knit on a tubular knitting machine, are secured together by the insertion between the waist-band portion 11 of one and the upper end of the body portion 10 of another of a draw thread section separator 12 hereinafter referred to, however, merely as a draw thread.

In finishing sweater lengths of the type illustrated in Fig. 2 it is important, as hereinbefore set forth, that the waist-band portions 11 not be subjected to steam while spread because of the loss of elasticity or resilience as a result thereof. It is, however, equally important, as well understood by the trade, that during finishing the body portions be steamed while spread and be maintained spread for at least a short period of time after steaming so that the steam may effect certain changes in the physical characteristics of the yarn and in the stitch formation. Because of the conflict of these two requirements and the fact that for continuity of process with a continuous length of fabric made up of sweater lengths secured end to end all portions lengthwise of the continuous length must be subjected to the same amount of spreading, we have realized that the solution must include the intermittent application of steam to the fabric. Our process and apparatus therefore provide for such intermittent application of steam.

The process of our invention involves taking a continuous length of a transfer or transfer type fabric, such as the sweater fabric partially illustrated in Fig. 2, which is in substantially completely relaxed form and passing it over a propelling device which will both spread it to flattened form and advance it while so spread so that portions of it are successively and completely relaxed longitudinally and, if desirable, compressed longitudinally. A propelling device of the type fully illustrated and described in Patent 2,589,344 dated March 18, 1952 and assigned to the same assignee as is this invention is ideally suited for this purpose. Such a propelling device comprises a rearward section made up of a pair of suitably supported and spaced continuous belts which are adapted to engage the inner wall of the tubular fabric and advance the fabric in flattened form uniformly, maintaining substantially straight stitch lines across the fabric. The propeller device also includes a forward section made up of a pair of suitably mounted spaced continuous belts which receive the fabric spread to flattened form from the rearward section and advance it uniformly to a discharge point. Both sets of belts of the propelling device are driven by common drive rolls which engage through the fabric pulleys which support and drive the belts at their adjacent ends. As fully explainedin the aforementioned patent, the relative speeds of .the rearward and forward belts may be adjusted with respect to one another by substitution of different sets of drive pulleys having belt-receiving grooves of different depths therein. Also provision is made for adjusting the spacing of the belts to effect different degrees of spread.

As the substantially relaxed fabric is drawn onto the propelling device it is first spread to flattened form on the rearward section of the propelling device. It is then transferred to the forward section of the propelling device while still spread to flattened form and further adcessive portions of the fabric will be permitted to more completely relax in a longitudinal direction and may even be, if desired, longitudinally compressed. We prefer to steam the fabric for finishing during its travel over the forward section of the device, though in certain instances it may be perfectly satisfactory, and perhaps even desirable, to steam it while passing over the rearward section of the propelling device. As previously indicated, the waist-band portions of the fabric should not be steamed, particularly while spread if substantial reduction of their elasticity or resilience is to be avoided. We therefore provide for intermittent steaming of the fabric, the application of steam being effected by steamers of the type, for example, illustrated in Patent 2,602,314, dated July 8, 1952, and assigned to the same assignee as is this invention, except that the steamer we prefer to employ here should have but one steam slot, the reason for this being that it provides for a more accurate and well defined area of steam application. Means are provided so that the steamers may be readily, and with timed accuracy, turned on and off to start and complete each steaming operation. Each steaming operation is initiated substantially immediately after a waist-band portion of the fabric has passed between the steamers and is continued until a succeeding or following waist-band portion is adjacent the steamers at which point the application of steam to the fabric is terminated to be initiated again after the last-mentioned waist-band portion has passed therebetween. To more accurately confine the area of steam application, we provide means for passing an air blast through the fabric from beneath, just rearwardly of the steamer. This is particularly important at the end of each steaming operation to properly avoid steaming of an approaching waist-band.

As is well known, a finishing operation must be such that it gives uniform results. It is also desirable, if possible, that it include provision for sizing uniformly all portions of a fabric. In other words, it is desirable during finishing, if possible, to adjust the lengths of successive.

portions of a fabric, in the present instance it being desirable to adjust uniformly the length of the body portions of the sweater lengths. Normally this involves shortening the body portions from their length as found prior to being subjected to the finishing process. We may accomplish this in our process by compressing the fabric longitudinally during and after steaming, or at least providing it with a" period of time during which it is spread,

during which it is at least completely relaxed so that it may shorten itself as a result of the steaming thereof. This results from our provision for overfeeding the fabric to the forward section of the propelling device. By lowering or raising the speed of propulsion of the forward section of the propeller relative to that of the rearward section thereof and/ or by adjusting the degree of spread of the fabric by adjusting the spacings of the belts as heretofore suggested, the finished lengths of the body portions may be decreased to greater or lesser degree as desired.

Once the relative speeds of the forward and rearward sections of the propeller are set, however, the finished length of the body portions will be uniform, providing of course they have been knit'substantially uniformly and are spread uniformly.

a Following steaming, the sweater fabric is discharged from the propelling device onto an open conveyor, e.g., one made up ofan open mesh screen material, a plurality of parallel strings or wires, etc., and delivered therefrom either to a windup apparatus or to a folding apparatus. We prefer in most instances to fold the fabric'because when folded, though the body portions of the successive sweater lengths can be maintained fairly fiat, the waista'mrsir hand portions thereof are permitted to contract laterally of the fabric. Such contraction of the waist-band portions is not so readily permitted when the fabric is rolled. To accentuate this advantage of fold-up over roll-up, we

- fold the fabric in folds of sweater length, the waist-band portions therefor lying adjacent the ends thereof. It should be clearly understood, however, that our invention also contemplates roll-up of the fabric. In this case only the pelling device for drawing the fabric into the apparatus is also supported on frame and comprises a pair of grooved drive rolls 23 mounted on gear boxes 24 which are transversely spaced for adjustment by a'threaded shaft 25 when the latter is rotated by hand wheel 26. Drive rolls 23 support between them a belt type spreader made up of two side frames 27 and 28 secured together by an extensible connecting member indicated generally at 29. On each side frame are rotatably mounted four' pulleys 30,- 31, 32 and 33. Endless belts 34 and 35 are mounted respectively on pulleys 30 and 31 and on pulleys 32 and 33. The section of the belt type spreader including pulleys 32 and 33 and belts may be termed the rearward section of the propelling device, and that portion in-- cluding pulleys 30 and 3-1 and belts 34 the forward portionof the propelling device. The belts are received in grooves in pulleys 31 and 32 and are driven by such pulleys, the peripheral portions of thelatter being engaged by a drive roll 23 through the fabric which is adapted:

to pass over the spreader. v

A propelling device of this type is fully disclosed and described in the aforementioned Patent 2,589,344 and hence need not further be described herein except to point out that by replacement of pulleys 31 with other pulleys of the same outer diameter but having belt receiving grooves of different depth therein, the speed of belts 34 may be adjusted relative to the speeds of belts 35 and the degree of overfeed of the fabric from the rearward section of the propelling device to the forward section thereof altered. The importance of such adjustment of the overfeed has been pointed out hereinabove. It might also be noted that the driving power for drive rolls 23 is obtained from an electric motor through belt 41, pulley 42, drive shaft 43, sprocket 44 mounted thereon, chain 45, sprocket 46, a sprocket 47 mounted on the same shaft as is sprocket 46, chain 48, sprocket 49 and shaft 50 which carries sprocket 149 and extends into both gear boxes24. To prevent tilting of the spreading device lengthwise thereof, we provide a cross roller 52 underlying it at its forward or lead-in end to the right of its main points of support bydrive rolls. 23 as seen in Figs. 1'

and 2.

frame 20, one being positioned to lie below the fabric as it passes through the apparatus over the belt spreader and the other being positioned to lie thereover. Steamers 55 and 56 are preferably of the type illustrated and described in aforementioned Patent 2,602,314 so that steam applied to the fabric, and particularly that applied by steamer 55, will be dry steam, that is, steam free from condensate. The steamers are, however, for use in this apparatus modified so that each has but a single slot outlet. As previously indicated, this affords a more careful controlling and confining of the area of steam application which is important in view of the intermittent nature of the steaming operation as a whole. Each steamer is also provided with a solenoid operated valve 58 in its inlet pipe 59 (one of each only being shown in Fig. 1). The solenoid valves 58 are electrically connected by leads 60 to a single electric circuit not shown for simultaneous operation to allowsteam to enter the steamers and to terminate the admission of steam thereto.

The electric circuit by which the solenoid valves are energized and de-energized is controlled from a control box 61 connected into it by leads 62. Control box 61 contains a photoelectric scanning head controlled controller 63 and interdependent timers 64 and 65. Controller 63 is controlledby a scanning head 66, being electrically connected thereto through a cable conduit 67.

' Scanning head 66 is supported by a bracket 68 from one gear box 24 of the propelling mechanism. It is so supportedas to extend out from the gear box over a length of fabric being treatedthat is, it is so mounted that fabric being treatedpasses lengthwise therebeneath. A reflector plate 69 is mounted on the belt propeller adjacent side neath the scanning head, the photoelectric cell is energized frame 28 so that it will lie within a length of fabric passing over the propelling device and in such position as to be beneath scanning head 66. The scanning head 66 in the illustrated apparatus is of the type including both a light source and a photoelectric pickup cell, the cell being energized only upon reflection of the.light beam from the light source, which is directed toward reflector plate 69, back from the reflector plate'6-9. This type of scanning head is well known and may, for example, be any of many models of the well-known CR7515 series manufactured by the GeneralvElectric Company, for example specifically the model CR7515P200 scanning head. The controller head 63 may also be of conventional form, its function being primarily to receive a signal from the photoelectric cell of the scanning head 66 and, as a result, to trigger the first of the two photoelectric timers.

Both timers are alsoof conventional construction, the type we have used specifically in one construction being the CR7504-Al42 photoelectronic timer manufactured and sold by the General Electric Company.

In the operation of our apparatus, the steamers are normally on. However, when a draw thread passes beby reason of the fact that at these portions of a continuous length of fabric openings through the fabric are present (the draw, thread acting merely to tack the successive sweater lengths together and not to bind them tightly and continuously throughout their widths) and the light beam from the light source may pass through these openings in the fabric and be reflected by the reflector plate 69 back to the photoelectric cell. Upon energization of the photoelectric cell, a signal is conveyed to controller 63 which triggers the first photoelectric timer 64. The first timer 64, after timing out, its timing period being the length of time it will take for the remainder of the body portion of the sweater length curently being steamed to pass between the steamer outlet slots, actuates the second timer which immediately effects an opening of the circuit to the solenoid valves 58 thereby turning off the steam and at the same time begins its timing period, the length of which is equal to the time it takes for the waist-band portion of the currently steamed sweater length to pass completely between the outlet slots ofthe. steamers. When the second timer has timed out, the solenoidvalves 58 are immediately'energized to put the steamers in operation again to steam 7 the body portion of the suuccessive sweater length which at this instant is beginning to pass between theoutlets slots of the steamers.

It will be clear that the scanning head-timer control for the steaming of the fabric has to be inter-related with the drive mechanism of the apparatus so that the periods of steaming and non-steaming will properly be related to the positions of the body portions and waist-band portions of the sweater lengths with respect-to the steamers. This, of course, can be accomplished by any skilled engineer and need not, therefore, be here described. It should be noted, however, that, while we have chosen to employ a scanning head dependent upon an opening in the fabric for operation, other types of scanning heads might be employed that would be operable merely by a change in stitch construction, color or type of yarn employed, etc.

As previously mentioned herein, confining of the steam from the steamers to a proper fabric area is more of a problem at the end of a steaming operation than at the beginning. In order to overcome any difiiculty resulting from a lack of such confinement as a waist-band ap proaches the steamers, we provide an air blast upwardly through the fabric adjacent but rearwardly of the steamers. Such an air blast is provided from a nozzle 70, the exit orifice of which extends completely across the fabric, being substantially coextensive in length with the steamers, the orifice, however, being relatively narrow. Air may be supplied to nozzle 70 from any convenient source through a conduit 71.

After the fabric has been steamed, it is further advanced, for a short distance at least, on the forward section of the propeller. It is discharged onto a conveyor 74 which may be of string, open mesh screening'or in fact any type of material that is relatively open in construction. The conveyor 74 is endless, being supported at one end by an idler roll 75 which spans framework 20 and at the other end by a driven roll 76 which also spans framework 20. Driven roll 76 is driven from the main drive shaft 43 through belt 77, pulley 78, sprocket 79 mounted on the same shaft as the pulley 78, chain 80 and sprocket 83. which is fixed to shaft 82 which supports the drive roll 76. A takeup idler roll 51 is provided to engage the lower flight of the conveyor a short distance rearwardly of drive roll 76. I

The reason conveyor 74 extends so far rearwardly (rearwardly of the steamers) is because we find that the sweater fabric which is rather loosely knit sags quite pronouncedly particularly on the forward end of the propeller where it is longitudinally completely relaxed and hence needs support intermediate the opposite sides of the propeller. This support is provided by the rearward portion of the conveyor. It will be clear that, because of this, the conveyor must as indicated be of open construction to permit passage of steam (and air) therethrough.

Means in the form of a nozzle 84, the exit orifice of which is positioned below the conveyor adjacent the forward end thereof, may be provided to direct a cooling air blast to the fabric. Nozzle 84 is of a construction similar to aforementioned nozzle 70 and may be supplied through a conduit 85 with air or other cooling gaseous medium from a blower 86. An idler roll 83 may be mounted above the aforementioned nozzle 84 to prevent the air or other cooling gaseous medium from overly disturbing the fabric on the conveyor.

As previously indicated, the fabric, after discharge from the conveyor 74, may either be rolled up or may be folded, though as indicated we prefer folding in most instances. Hence in the apparatus illustrated we disclose a folding mechanism which comprises a table 90 reciprocaily mounted by wheels 91, attached to its opposite edges, in U-shaped guideways 92 which extend longitudinally of the machine. The folding table 90 is moved back and forth beneath the discharge end of the conveyor 74 by a chain 93 a. link of which is secured to the table by-a connectingdevice 94. The connecting device 94 is broken intermediate the ends thereof to pivot in a vertical planeto accommodate passage of the chain link to which its outer end is connected from the upper flight of the chain to the lower flight thereof. Chain 93 is mounted on a pair of sprockets 96 and 97 the latter of which-is an idler. Sprocket 96 is mounted on a shaft 98 which ex-' tends into and is driven by any suitable form of variable speed gear transmission 99. The input shaft 100 of the variable speed transmission carries a pulley 101 by means ofwhich it is driven by belt 102 from main drive shaft 43. By properly relating the speed of reciprocation of the folding table'90 with the speed of conveyor 74, the length of fold made in the sweater fabric as it is deposited on the folding table may be varied. As indicated, we find that folds of sweater length are the most desirable, the waist-band portions thereof being located adjacent the ends of the folded pile.

We have spoken hereinabove only of the use of steam for finishing but'. it will be understood in theart that this is so because steam is the conventional form in which to applymoisture to knitted fabrics. In some in stances moisture in other forms, such as in finely divided spray form, might be satisfactory. Hence where"steam, steaming, and similar terms have hereinbefore been employed and are employed in the claims, it should be understood that these terms should also include within their meaning, as equivalents at least, other forms of moisture application such as that suggested above, namely, finely divided spray. I

Various changes and modifications may of course be made in the preferred manner of carrying out our process for finishing sweater fabrics hereinabove specifically described and in the particular apparatus hereinabove particularly described for carrying out the method in accordance with the preferred manner without departing from the scope of our invention. It should'be understood, therefore, that the above description is primarily illustrative and that the invention should therefore be limited only to the extent set forth in the appended claims. It should also be remembered that the method and apparatus of the invention, perhaps with slight modification though not necessarily so, is applicable to all transfer type fabrics as hereinbefore defined and is not to be limited to its applicability to sweater fabrics alone.

We claim:

1. A process of finishing sweater fabrics in continuous tubular knitted lengths which include successive sweater lengths separated by draw threads, each sweater length including a body portion and a waist-band portion integral therewith, said process including spreading both portions of the fabric to predetermined width in a spreading zone, advancing said spread fabric through the zone, applying steam intermittently to'the spread and advancing fabric so that steam is applied only to the body portions thereof, and conveying the fabric from the spreading zone in substantially completely relaxed condition both longitudinally and transversely, whereby the waist-band portions return to a narrower width than the body portions.

2. A process of finishing sweater fabrics according to zone, means for steaming the spread andadvancingfabric in'said zone, means responsive to said dissimilar character of said first and second portions for intermittently-oper- Q ating said steaming means, whereby only one of said portions of each fabric section is steamed, and means for conveying the fabric from the zone.

5. Apparatus according to claim- 4, which includes means for passing a stream of air or other gaseous medium through said fabric substantially immediately prior to steaming. v

6. Apparatus according to claim 4, in which the means for operating the steaming means comprises a photoelectric cell containing a scanning head located rearwardly of said steaming means, and controls responsive to said cell for terminating and initiating the operation of said steaming means.

7. Apparatus according to claim 4, in which the means for conveying maintains the fabric in substantially completely relaxed condition.

8. Apparatus according to claim 7, which includes means for folding said fabric after it has been conveyed from said spreading and advancing means.

9. Apparatus according to claim 7, -in which the conveying means extends rearwardly a substantial distance into said zone beneath and in close proximity to said fabric advancing means.

10. Apparatus according to claim 9, in which the steaming means is located adjacent the zone and in which the conveying means extends rearwardly of the steaming means and is made of an open mesh material.

11. Apparatus for finishing transfer type fabrics in continuous tubular knitted lengths which include successive sections secured together end to end, each section having first and second portions of dissimilar character, said apparatus comprising means for spreading both portions of said fabric to predetermined width in a spreading zone, means for advancing said fabric through the zone, means for steaming the spread and advancing fabric, means for intermittently operating said steamingfmeans whereby only one of said portions of each successive section is steamed, means for passing a stream of air or other gaseous medium through said fabric substantially immediately prior to steaming, and means for removing the fabric from the spreading zone.

12. Apparatus for finishing transfer type fabrics in continuous tubular knitted lengths which include successive sections secured together end to end, each section having first and second portions of dissimilar character, said apparatus comprising means for spreading both portions of said fabric to predetermined width in a spreading zone, means for advancing said fabric through the zone, means for steaming the spread and advancing fabric, means for intermittently operating said steaming means whereby only one of said portions of each successive section is steamed, and conveying means extending rearwardly a substantial distance into said zone beneath and in close proximity to said fabric advancing means for removing the fabric from the zone.

13. A process of finishing sweater fabrics in continuous tubular knitted lengths which include successive sweater lengths separated by draw threads, each sweater length including a body portion and a waist-band portion integral therewith, said process including spreading both portions of the fabric to predetermined width in a spreading zone, advancing said spread fabric through the zone, applying steam intermittently to the spread and advancing fabric in response to the dissimilar character of said body portions and waist-band portions and in such manner that steam is applied only to the body portions, and removing the fabric from the spreading zone.

14. A process of finishing transfer type fabrics in continuous tubular knitted lengths which include successive sections secured together end to end, each section having first and second portions of dissimilar character, said process including spreading both portions of the fabric to predetermined width in a spreading zone, advancing said spread fabric through the zone, applying steam intermittently to the spread and advancing fabric'so that steam is applied only to one of said portions of each fabric section, removing the fabric from the spreading zone, whereby the dissimilar portions return to different widths, the unsteamed portion of each fabric section returning to a narrower width than the steamed portion, and folding the fabric after conveying from said zone.

15. A process of finishing transfer type fabrics according to claim 14, in which the fabric is folded in folds the length of each of which is equal to a section length.

16. A process of finishing transfer type fabrics in continuous tubular knitted lengths which include successive sections secured together end to end, each section having first and second portions of dissimilar character, said process including spreading both portions of the fabric to predetermined width in a spreading zone, advancing said spread fabric through the zone, applying steam intermittently to the spread and advancing fabric so that steam is applied only to one of said portions of each fabric section, passing a stream of air or other gaseous medium through said spread and advancing fabric substantially immediately prior to the application of steam thereto whereby the area of steam application is confined longitudinally of the fabric, applying a cooling air blast to the fabric just before it leaves the spreading zone and removing the fabric from the spreading zone.

17. A process of finishing transfer type fabrics according to claim 16, which includes conveying said fabric from said zone in relaxed condition and in which the fabric is folded so that each fold contains a section length.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 912,934 Black Feb. 16, 1909 2,020,694 Mauritsch et a1 Nov. 12, 1935 2,340,664 Holmes et al. Feb. 1, 1944 2,391,547 Cohn et al. Dec. 25, 1945 2,589,344 Cohn et al. Mar. 18, 1952

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