Patent ID: 6615462
Filing Date: 2003-09-09
Classification: D06C

Abstract:
A circular spreader apparatus for spreading textile tubular goods, comprising:a spreader arrangement including radially outwardly directed spreading guide elements adapted to guide and support the tubular goods in a tubular expanded condition thereon; a magnetic inlet mandrel connected to an inlet end of said spreader arrangement and adapted to have the tubular goods transported thereover; a magnetic outlet mandrel connected to an outlet end of said spreader arrangement opposite said inlet end and adapted to have the tubular goods transported thereover; a magnetic inlet support structure arranged radially outwardly around at least a portion of a perimeter of said inlet mandrel, forming an inlet guide gap adapted to have the tubular goods transported therethrough between said inlet mandrel and said inlet support structure; and a magnetic outlet support structure arranged radially outwardly around at least a portion of a perimeter of said outlet mandrel, forming an outlet guide gap adapted to have the tubular goods transported therethrough between said outlet mandrel and said outlet support structure; wherein said magnetic inlet mandrel and said magnetic inlet support structure respectively have such a magnetic polarization so as to magnetically repel each other across said inlet guide gap; and wherein said magnetic outlet mandrel and said magnetic outlet support structure respectively have such a magnetic polarization so as to magnetically repel each other across said outlet guide gap.