Claims
- 1. An apparatus for removing generally diametrically opposed longitudinally extending creases from a tubular fabric comprising:
- (1) means for causing the fabric to travel in a longitudinal path with the creases extending longitudinally along side portions of the tubular fabric;
- (2) fabric tensioning means for opening the tubular fabric at a predetermined location along the path of fabric travel by internally engaging the fabric at the location of the generally diametrically opposed creases in the fabric and holding a localized lengthwise extent of the fabric in tensioned open-width form; and
- (3) means for directing and applying steam localized to essentially only the side portions of the fabric while traveling across said tensioning means, said steam directing and applying means directing steam from laterally outwardly of the side portions of the fabric in a direction laterally inwardly across a fabric plane and transverse to fabric movement thereby directing steam essentially only locally to the exterior of the fabric at the location of the generally diametrically opposed creases.
- 2. An apparatus for removing generally diametrically opposed longitudinally extending creases from a tubular fabric according to claim 1 wherein said means for causing the fabric to travel longitudinally includes a plurality of guide rollers, at least one of said guide rollers being driven, mounted to a frame in spaced-apart opposed facing relation for engagement of the fabric exteriorly to cause the fabric to travel longitudinally.
- 3. An apparatus for removing generally diametrically opposed longitudinally extending creases from a tubular fabric according to claim 2 wherein said guide rollers are arranged in pairs, at least one guide roller in each pair being driven.
- 4. An apparatus for removing generally diametrically opposed longitudinally extending creases from a tubular fabric according to claim 3 wherein said driven guide rollers may be individually driven at various predetermined rates allowing said driven rollers to be selectively driven simultaneously at different rotational speeds for localized lengthwise stretching of the fabric for enhanced crease removal.
- 5. An apparatus for removing generally diametrically opposed longitudinally extending creases from a tubular fabric according to claim 1 wherein said fabric tensioning means includes a pair of wheels spaced transversely with respect to the direction of fabric travel for engaging the interior of said fabric at said diametrically opposed creases.
- 6. An apparatus for removing generally diametrically opposed longitudinally extending creases from a tubular fabric according to claim 5 wherein said fabric tensioning means includes a bar extending intermediate said wheels, said bar including means for adjusting the length of said bar for selectively increasing and decreasing the tension applied interiorly to the fabric.
- 7. An apparatus for removing generally diametrically opposed longitudinally extending creases from a tubular fabric according to claim 1 wherein said steam applying means includes a steam housing adjacent said guide rollers, said steam housing having a steam emission opening formed therein for applying steam locally to the fabric in the area of fabric stretching.
- 8. A method for removing generally diametrically opposed, longitudinally extending creases from a tubular fabric comprising the steps of:
- (1) causing the tubular fabric to travel in a longitudinal path;
- (2) opening the tubular fabric at a predetermined location along the path of fabric travel by internally engaging the fabric at the location of the generally diametrically opposed creases in the fabric; and
- (3) during said opening, directing and applying steam locally to the exterior of the fabric essentially only at the location of the generally diametrically opposed creases.
- 9. An apparatus for removing generally diametrically opposed longitudinally extending creases from a tubular fabric comprising:
- (1) means for causing the fabric to travel in a longitudinal path including at least two guide rollers mounted to a frame in generally longitudinal alignment along the fabric travel path with a spacing therebetween, said spacing defining a zone therebetween;
- (2) fabric tensioning means for opening the tubular fabric at a predetermined location along the fabric travel path including means for internally engaging the fabric at the location of the generally diametrically opposed creases, said engaging means including at least one wheel for engaging said guide rollers to direct the creases through said zone; and
- (3) means for applying steam to the fabric including a housing mounted to said frame with at least one portion of said housing extending intermediate said guide rollers, said at least one portion including a steam application nozzle configured to apply steam directly to the fabric creases as said fabric transits said zone.
- 10. An apparatus for removing generally diametrically opposed longitudinally extending creases from a tubular fabric comprising:
- (1) means for causing the fabric to travel in a longitudinal path;
- (2) fabric tensioning means for opening the tubular fabric at a predetermined location along the path of fabric travel by internally engaging the fabric at the location of the generally diametrically opposed creases in the fabric and holding a localized lengthwise extent of the fabric in tensioned open-width form; and
- (3) means for applying steam localized to essentially only the generally diametrically opposed creases of the fabric while traveling across said tensioning means.
Parent Case Info
This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 08/108,339, filed Aug. 18, 1993, now abandoned.
US Referenced Citations (19)
Continuations (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
108339 |
Aug 1993 |
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