Patent ID: 8590122
Filing Date: 2013-11-26
Classification: D06C

Abstract:
1. A method of imparting lengthwise compacting to tubular knitted fabric in which, a dry tubular knitted fabric is spread internally to a flat two-layer form of predetermined width having first and second layers, and is steamed while being spread, and the fabric is subjected to two successive mechanical compacting operations in succession, performed with two-roll compactors each having a feed roller and a retarding roller, with opposite sides of the fabric being reversely oriented with respect to the successive compacting operations, the improvement characterized by the spread and steamed fabric being advanced to bring the first layer of the fabric into contact with a surface of a first stage feed roller of a first stage compactor, with said first stage feed roller being driven at a controllable first surface speed to advance the fabric substantially at said first surface speed, redirecting the fabric out of contact with the surface of said first stage feed roller, advancing the fabric for a distance free of contact with feeding or retarding roller surfaces, and thereafter bringing the second layer of the fabric into contact with a surface of a first stage retarding roller of said first stage compactor, said first stage retarding roller being spaced from said first stage feed roller by a minimum distance that is substantially greater than a thickness of the two-layer fabric, such that directly opposed areas of the fabric on opposite sides thereof are not contacted simultaneously by said first stage feed roller and said first stage retarding roller, said first stage retarding roller being driven at a controllable second surface speed which is less than said first surface speed, closely confining the opposite sides of a portion of said fabric during transfer of said fabric portion across a space from said first stage feed roller to said first stage retarding roller and while said fabric portion is free of contact with either of said first stage rollers, whereby said fabric portion is caused to be compressed in a lengthwise direction of the fabric during said transfer, advancing the fabric from said first stage retarding roller to a second stage feed roller of a second stage compactor and bringing said second fabric layer into contact with a surface of said second stage feed roller, driving said second stage feed roller at a third surface speed substantially equal to an exit speed of partially compacted fabric leaving said first stage retarding roller, redirecting the partially compacted fabric out of contact with the surface of said second stage feed roller, advancing the fabric for a distance free of contact with feeding or retarding roller surfaces, and thereafter bringing the first layer of the fabric into contact with a surface of a second stage retarding roller of said second stage compactor said second stage retarding roller being spaced from said second stage feed roller by a minimum distance that is substantially greater than the thickness of the two-layer fabric, such that directly opposed areas of the fabric on opposite sides thereof are not contacted simultaneously by said second stage feed roller and said second stage retarding roller, said second stage retarding roller being driven at a controllable fourth surface speed which is less than said third surface speed, closely confining the opposite sides of a portion of said fabric during transfer of said fabric portion across a space from said second stage feed roller to said second stage retarding roller, and while said fabric portion is out of contact with either of said rollers, whereby said fabric portion is caused to be compressed in a lengthwise direction of the fabric during said transfer, conveying the compacted fabric from said second stage retarding roller and gathering the compacted fabric for further processing, and the respective first stage and second stage compacting operations being so controlled and carried out that not more than 60% of the total lengthwise compacting of the fabric is carried out in a single compacting stage.