Patent Publication Number: US-2022235505-A1

Title: Compactor for lengthwise compressive shrinkage of fabrics

Description:
FIELD 
     This application relates to a compactor for lengthwise compressive shrinkage of fabrics and specifically for a compactor with infeed and outfeed nip-points with gaps that dynamically adjust to a fabric&#39;s thickness. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Compactors for fabrics are generally either of a belt design type or a mechanical roller and shoe design type. 
     Belt design type compactors, while producing a good product, can be expensive and difficult to maintain. While most knitted fabrics require at least a 10% per compaction unit of compaction at finishing, felt belt type and rubber belt type compactors generally compact only about 5% per compaction unit, which is much less than mechanical roller type compactors. As a result, most belt type compactors require at least two compaction units in series, which increases their initial expense as well as their operation and maintenance expenses. In addition, belt type compactors usually operate at a maximum speed of forty meters per minute, about half the speed of mechanical roller type compactors, increasing production times and associated costs. 
     Mechanical roller and shoe design type compactors may operate at speeds and compaction rates higher than those of belt design type compactors. Mechanical roller and shoe design type compactors use heated rollers and heated shoes that pass a fabric to be compacted through narrow gaps that need to be slightly larger than the fabric&#39;s thickness. A fabric is compacted by reducing that fabric&#39;s speed as it exits the compactor through the narrow gap resulting in a lengthways shrinkage of that fabric. However, these narrow gaps are often difficult to maintain due to thermal warpage resulting from heat originating from the heated rollers and shoe. Further, these narrow gaps may be subject to variations resulting from the motion imparted during the compactor&#39;s operation. Also, fabrics that are compacted within a mechanical roller and shoe design type compactor may suffer from shine or glaze on one side of that fabric as a result of how the fabric is driven through the compactor. 
     What is needed is a compactor with the benefits of a mechanical roller and shoe design type compactor that eliminates the belt, dynamically adjusts their narrow gaps according to a fabric&#39;s thickness and minimizes the creation of shine and glaze on that fabric. 
     SUMMARY 
     In an effort to address the above-described needs, a compactor for lengthwise compressive shrinkage of fabrics is disclosed. In some embodiment, the compactor for lengthwise compressive shrinkage of fabrics comprises an infeed roller rotating about an infeed center axis that is fixed and having an infeed outer surface, an outfeed roller rotating about an outfeed center axis that is fixed and having an outfeed outer surface, the infeed center axis and the outfeed center axis positioned parallel to one another as to define a compaction zone between the infeed roller and the outfeed roller, the compaction zone having a first longitudinal length and a first transversal width, a pressure roller rotating about a pressure center axis that is movable and having a pressure outer surface, the pressure center axis movable above the compaction zone as to be self-centering between the infeed roller and the outfeed roller and as to define an infeed nip-point between the infeed roller and the pressure roller and an outfeed nip-point between the outfeed roller and the pressure roller, and a saddle assembly within the compaction zone, the saddle assembly including a bed liner having an upper surface facing the pressure roller and a lower surface opposite the upper surface, the upper surface having a second longitudinal length that traverses a portion of the first longitudinal length and having a second transversal width that traverses a portion of the first transversal width. 
     In some embodiments, a method for lengthwise compressive shrinkage of fabrics is disclosed. The method for lengthwise compressive shrinkage of fabrics providing an infeed roller rotating about an infeed center axis that is fixed and having an infeed outer surface, providing an outfeed roller rotating about an outfeed center axis that is fixed and having an outfeed outer surface, positioning the infeed roller and the outfeed roller parallel to one another as to define a compaction zone between the infeed roller and the outfeed roller, the compaction zone having a first longitudinal length and a first transversal width, providing a pressure roller rotating about a pressure center axis that is movable and having a pressure outer surface, moving the pressure center axis above the compaction zone as to be self-centering between the infeed roller and the outfeed roller and as to define an infeed nip-point between the infeed roller and the pressure roller and an outfeed nip-point between the outfeed roller and the pressure roller, and providing a saddle within the compaction zone, the saddle assembly including a bed liner having an upper surface facing the pressure roller and a lower surface opposite the upper surface, the upper surface having a second longitudinal length that traverses a portion of the first longitudinal length and having a second transversal width that traverses a portion of the first transversal width. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The drawings described below are for illustrative purposes only and are not necessarily drawn to scale. The drawings are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure in any way. Wherever possible, the same or like reference numbers are used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a compactor for lengthwise compressive shrinkage of fabrics according to the embodiments disclosed herein. 
         FIG. 2  is a front cross-sectional view along line A-A′ in  FIG. 1  of a compactor for lengthwise compressive shrinkage of fabrics according to the embodiments disclosed herein. 
         FIG. 3  is a front view of a flexible saddle assembly within a compactor for lengthwise compressive shrinkage of fabrics according to an embodiment disclosed herein. 
         FIG. 4  is a front view of a flexible saddle assembly within a compactor for lengthwise compressive shrinkage of fabrics according to another embodiment disclosed herein. 
         FIG. 5  is a front view of a rigid saddle assembly within a compactor for lengthwise compressive shrinkage of fabrics according to an embodiment disclosed herein. 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a flexible saddle assembly within a compactor for lengthwise compressive shrinkage of fabrics according to an additional embodiment disclosed herein. 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a rigid saddle assembly within a compactor for lengthwise compressive shrinkage of fabrics according to another additional embodiment disclosed herein. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     As mentioned above, this application relates to a compactor for lengthwise compressive shrinkage of fabrics and specifically to a compactor with infeed and outfeed nip-points with gaps that dynamically adjust to a fabric&#39;s thickness. 
     According to embodiments disclosed herein, the compactor for lengthwise compressive shrinkage of fabrics includes an infeed roller and an outfeed roller that are fixed to define a space between the infeed and outfeed rollers. The compactor further includes a pressure roller that is positioned between the infeed and outfeed rollers and is movable within the space defined between these rollers. An infeed nip-point is defined at a point where the pressure roller may come into contact with the infeed roller. An infeed gap is created at the infeed nip-point by a fabric that is being driven into the compactor. An outfeed nip-point is defined at a point where the pressure roller may come into contact with the outfeed roller. An outfeed gap is created at the outfeed nip-point by the fabric that is being driven out of the compactor. The size of the infeed gap and the outfeed gap is automatically adjusted to the fabric&#39;s thickness by the movement of the pressure roller within the defined space. 
     Individual variable-speed drives rotate each of the infeed, outfeed, and pressure rollers. Compaction of the fabric within the compactor is achieved by rotating the outfeed roller at a slower rate than the infeed roller. The actual rate of compaction is proportional to the difference in rotation speed between the infeed roller and the outfeed roller. The pressure roller is rotated at the same rate as the infeed roller to help minimize the creation of shine and glaze on the fabrics being driven through the infeed nip-point. 
     The infeed, outfeed, and pressure rollers may be heated to help increase the efficiency of the compactor. As a result of heating, slight thermal warpage of the infeed and outfeed gaps may occur. However, thermal warpage of the infeed and outfeed gaps is mitigated by the movement of the pressure roller in response to the fabric&#39;s thickness. 
     A saddle assembly may be positioned within a defined space between the infeed and outfeed rollers. The saddle assembly supports the fabric against the pressure roller as it traverses across a compaction zone within the defined space. The compaction zone encompassing an area between the infeed and outfeed nip-points and below the pressure roller in which the fabric is supported against the pressure roller. 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a compactor  100  for lengthwise compressive shrinkage of fabrics according to the embodiments disclosed herein. The compactor  100  may include an infeed roller  102 , an outfeed roller  104 , a pressure roller  106 , and a saddle assembly  108 . 
     The infeed roller  102  may be cylindrical with an infeed outer surface  110  that rotates about an infeed center axis  112 . Similarly, the outfeed roller  104  may be cylindrical with an outfeed outer surface  114  that rotates about an outfeed center axis  116 . The infeed center axis  112  and the outfeed center axis  116  are fixed to position the infeed and outfeed rollers  102 ,  104  parallel to one another within the same plane. The fixed positions of the infeed and outfeed centers axis  112 ,  116  define a gap  118  between the infeed and outfeed outer surfaces  110 ,  114  that is fixed. 
     The infeed and outfeed outer surfaces  110 ,  114  may be comprised of any durable material with appropriate frictional qualities known to one of ordinary skill in the art, including chrome-plated stainless steel. A thermal spray may also be applied to each of the infeed and outfeed outer surfaces  110 ,  114 . The thermal spray providing a traction coefficient that is sufficient to drive and retard the movement of a fabric  120  through the compactor  100 . 
     Specifically, the infeed outer surface  110  may have a first traction coefficient and the outfeed outer surface  114  may have a second traction coefficient. As will be apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art, the first and second traction coefficients may be selected to accommodate a specific fabric type to be driven through the compactor  100 . Moreover, as will also be apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art, the first and second coefficients may be equal or different from one another. 
     Returning to  FIG. 1 , the pressure roller  106  may be cylindrical with a pressure outer surface  122  that rotates about a pressure center axis  124 . The pressure center axis  124  is positioned above the gap  118  and is movable within the gap  118  as to enable the pressure roller  106  to self-center itself between the infeed and outfeed outer surfaces  110 ,  114 . The pressure center axis  124  is movable by any reasonable means known to one of ordinary skill in the art, including a spring-biased swing arm or a hydraulic or pneumatic actuator coupled to the pressure center axis  124 . The pressure applied to the infeed and outfeed roller  102 ,  104  in addition to the weight of the pressure roller  106  itself may be adjustable as provided by how the pressure roller  106  is made movable, including additional pressure that is spring-bias based or a hydraulic or pneumatic actuator based. 
     The pressure outer surface  122  may comprise any low friction and durable material known to one of ordinary skill in the art, including chrome-plated stainless steel. Also, a thermal spray may be applied to the pressure outer surface  122 . The thermal spray provides a traction coefficient that is sufficient to drive and retard the movement of a fabric  120  through the compactor  100 . Specifically, the pressure outer surface  122  may have a third traction coefficient. As will be apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art, the third traction coefficient may be selected to accommodate a specific fabric type to be driven through the compactor  100 . Moreover, as will also be apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art, the third traction coefficient may be purposely equal to or different from the first and second traction coefficients. 
     A separate variable-speed drive may rotate each of the infeed center axis  112 , the outfeed center axis  116 , and the pressure center axis  124 . Specifically, the infeed center axis  112  may be rotated by a first variable-speed drive  126 , the outfeed center axis  116  may be rotated by a second variable-speed drive  128 , and the pressure center axis  124  may be rotated by a third variable-speed drive  130 . 
     Each of the variable-speed drives rotates a center axis to provide a surface speed to a corresponding outer surface. Specifically, the first variable-speed drive  126  may rotate the infeed center axis  112  to provide the infeed outer surface  110  a first surface speed. Similarly, the second variable-speed drive  128  may rotate the outfeed center axis  116  to provide the outfeed outer surface  114  with a second surface speed. Lastly, the third variable-speed drive  130  may rotate the pressure center axis  124  to provide the pressure outer surface  122  with a third surface speed. 
     To enable compaction of the fabric  120 , the second surface speed of the outfeed outer surface  114  is less than the first surface speed of the infeed outer surface  110 . 
     The rate of compaction is proportional to the difference in the first surface speed of the infeed roller  102  and the second surface speed of the outfeed roller  104 . In an exemplary embodiment, the second surface speed of the outfeed roller  104  is twenty-five percent less than the first surface speed of the infeed roller  102 . This results in a compaction rate of approximately twenty-five percent. 
     The third surface speed of the pressure outer surface  122  may be the same as the first surface speed of the infeed outer surface  110  of the infeed roller  102 . This ensures that there is no or minimal rubbing of any surface of the fabric  120  that would create a shine or glaze on either side of the fabric  120 . 
     Because the third surface speed is equal to the first surface speed, the third surface speed of the pressure outer surface  122  will also be different than the second surface speed of the outfeed outer surface  114  of the outfeed roller  104 . As with the difference between the first and second surface speeds, the difference between the third surface speed of the pressure outer surface  122  and the second surface speed of the outfeed outer surface  114  is proportional to the rate of compaction. To minimize the creation of shine or glaze on the pressure roller  106  side of the fabric  120 , the third traction coefficient of the pressure outer surface  122  is selected to be sufficiently low to prevent the creation of a shine or haze on the pressure roller  106  side of the fabric  120 . The specific value of the third traction coefficient may be dependent on the type of fabric being compacted. 
     The infeed and pressure rollers  102 ,  106  may be heated to a nominal temperature. In an exemplary embodiment, the infeed and pressure rollers  102 ,  106  are heated to a nominal temperature by circulating hot oil through each of the infeed and pressure rollers  102 ,  104 . Any other means of heating the infeed and pressure rollers  102 ,  106  to a nominal temperature known to a person of ordinary skill in the art may be implemented while remaining within the scope of the present disclosure. 
     The nominal temperature may be in a range of temperatures that will prevent a substantial heat transfer from a preheated fabric to the infeed roller  102  and the pressure roller  106 . In an exemplary embodiment, the nominal temperature may be maintained generally around 180 degrees Fahrenheit. 
     The saddle assembly  108  may be positioned within the gap  118  between the infeed and outfeed roller  102 ,  104 . Within the gap  118 , the saddle assembly  108  is positioned proximate to the pressure roller  106  to help support the fabric  120  against the pressure outer surface  122  as the fabric  120  traverse across the gap  118 . 
     A heater  132  may be positioned within the path of the fabric  120 . The heater  132  functioning to heat the fabric  120  before it enters into the compactor  100  across the infeed roller  102  and the pressure roller  106 . The heater  132  may heat the fabric using any reasonable means known to one of ordinary skill in the art, including electric-based heat, steam-based heat, and circulating oil-based heat. The fabric  120  is heated upon its entry into the compactor to help lubricate the threads of the fabric  120  and make them more pliable during compaction within the compactor  100 . 
       FIG. 2  is a front cross-sectional view of a compactor  200  for lengthwise compressive shrinkage of fabrics along line A-A′ in  FIG. 1  according to the embodiments disclosed herein. 
     The infeed roller  102  and the pressure roller  106  may combine to form an infeed nip-point  202 . Specifically, the infeed nip-point  202  may be formed in an area where the infeed outer surface  110  may come into contact with the pressure outer surface  122  once the pressure roller is self-centered between the infeed and outfeed roller  102 ,  104 . 
     Similarly, the outfeed roller  104  and the pressure roller  106  may combine to form an outfeed nip-point  204 . Specifically, the outfeed nip-point  204  may be formed in an area where the outfeed outer surface  114  may come into contact with the pressure outer surface  122  once the pressure roller is self-centered between the infeed and outfeed roller  102 ,  104 . 
     An infeed gap  206  is created at the infeed nip-point  202  by the fabric  120  positioned between the infeed outer surface  110  and the pressure outer surface  122 . Similarly, an outfeed gap  208  is created at the outfeed nip-point  204  by the fabric  120  positioned between the outfeed outer surface  114  and the pressure outer surface  122 . 
     The movement of the pressure roller  106  provides for the infeed and outfeed gaps  206 ,  208  to have a size determined by the thickness of the fabric  120  currently traversing through the infeed and outfeed nip-points  202 ,  204 . 
     As discussed above, the pressure roller  106  is movable in a shown general direction  210  to allow it to self-center itself between the infeed and outfeed outer surfaces  110 ,  114 . This movement of the pressure roller  106  in the shown general direction  210  further allows the infeed and outfeed gaps  206 ,  208  to automatically adjust their size to accommodate for the thickness of the fabric  120  currently traversing through the infeed and outfeed nip-points  202 ,  204 . 
     A compaction zone  212  defines that portion within the gap  118  where the fabric  120  may be in contact with the pressure outer surface  122 . The compaction zone  212  has a first transversal width  214  spanning a length between the infeed and outfeed nip-points  202 ,  204  and a first longitudinal length  216  spanning a longitudinal length of the pressure roller  106 . 
     To ensure the proper creation of the infeed and outfeed nip-points  202 ,  204 , a diameter of the pressure roller  106  is greater than the first transversal width  214  of the compaction zone  212 . 
     Returning to  FIG. 2 , the saddle assembly  108  may include a bed liner  218  that is positioned within the compaction zone  212 . The bed liner  218  has an upper surface  220  that is concave and a lower surface  222  opposite the upper surface  220  that is convex. The upper surface  220  faces the pressure outer surface  122  and the lower surface  222  faces away from the pressure outer surface  122 . 
     The upper surface  220  has a second transversal width  224  and a second longitudinal length  226  that each may be customized to accommodate the dimensions of the fabric  120  to be driven through the compactor  100 . Specifically, the second transversal width  224  may traverse a portion or all of the first transversal width  214  of the compaction zone  212 . Similarly, the second longitudinal length  226  may traverse a portion or all of the first longitudinal length  216  of the compaction zone  212 . 
       FIG. 3  is a front view of a flexible saddle assembly  300  within a compactor for lengthwise compressive shrinkage of fabrics according to an embodiment disclosed herein. The flexible saddle assembly  300  may include a flexible bed liner  302  and a saddle  304 . 
     The flexible bed liner  302  may be formed of any flexible material known to one of ordinary skill in the art that is both spring-like and heat resistant, including stainless steel, bronze, and plastic. The transversal edges  306  of the flexible bed liner  302  are profiled to sit flush against and ride along on the infeed and outfeed outer surfaces  110 ,  114 . 
     The flexible bed liner  302  is sufficiently spring-like to bend into a concave form under the weight of the pressure roller  106  while it is self-centered between the infeed and outfeed rollers  102 ,  104 . Once the pressure roller  106  is moved away from between the infeed and outfeed roller  102 ,  104 , the flexible bed liner  302  may return to its original relaxed form. While the flexible bed liner  302  is concave, the upper surface  308  of the flexible bed liner  302  conforms itself to the convex shape of the pressure outer surface  122 . 
     Moreover, the flexible bed liner  302  is sufficiently heat resistant to withstand heat originating from the infeed and outfeed rollers  102 ,  104  once they have been heated to the nominal temperature. Similarly, the flexible bed liner  302  is sufficiently heat resistant to withstand heat originating from a preheated fabric pressed against the upper surface  308  by the pressure outer surface  122 . 
     A rib  310  may be coupled to the lower surface  312  of the flexible bed liner  302 . The rib  310  extends downward from the lower surface  312  into an insert  314  within the saddle  304 . The rib  310  may extend along the full length or only a portion of the second longitudinal length  226  of the flexible bed liner  302 . 
     The rib  310  may be comprised of any rigid material known to one of ordinary skill in the art, including stainless steel, bronze, and plastic. 
     The rib  310  is shaped and dimensioned to move freely in a shown vertical direction  316  within the insert  314  as the flexible bed liner  302  bends and retracts in response to the position of the pressure roller  106 . While allowing free movement of the rib  310  in the shown vertical direction  316 , the placement of the rib  310  within the insert  314  helps restrict the movement of the flexible bed liner  302  in a shown horizontal direction  318 . This restriction of movement in the shown horizontal direction  318  helps ensure that the flexible bed liner  302  remains centered between the infeed and outfeed roller  102 ,  104 . 
     The saddle  304  may be comprised of any rigid material know to a person of ordinary skill in the art, including stainless steel and plastic. The saddle  304  may be secured to an adjacent fixture such as a frame member, floor, or wall to prevent movement of the saddle  304 . 
       FIG. 4  is a front view of a flexible saddle assembly  400  within a compactor for lengthwise compressive shrinkage of fabrics according to another embodiment disclosed herein. In this embodiment, the flexible saddle assembly  400  further includes saddle strips  402  coupled to each of the transversal edges  306  of the flexible bed liner  302 . 
     Each of the saddle strips  402  may run along the full or a portion of the second longitudinal length  226  of the flexible bed liner  302 . Each of the saddle strips  402  may extend along a portion of the second transversal width  224 , such as not to impede the flexibility of the flexible bed liner  302 . 
     Moreover, each of the saddle strips  402  may have an elongated profiled edge  404  in a manner similar to the transversal edges  306  of the flexible bed liner  302 . As with the profile edges of the  306  of the flexible bed liner  302 , the elongated profiled edges  404  sit flush against and ride along on the infeed and outfeed outer surfaces  110 ,  114 . The elongated profiled edges  404  help to further minimize movement of the flexible bed liner  302  in the shown horizontal direction  318 . 
     The saddle strips  402  may be comprised of any material known to a person of ordinary skill in the art to be rigid and heat resistant, including stainless steel, bronze, and plastic. 
       FIG. 5  is a front view of a rigid saddle assembly  500  within a compactor for lengthwise compressive shrinkage of fabrics according to an embodiment disclosed herein. The rigid saddle assembly  500  may include a rigid bed liner  502  and a saddle  504 . 
     The rigid bed liner  502  may be formed of any material known to a person of ordinary skill in the art that is both rigid and heat resistant, including stainless steel, bronze, and plastic. The transversal edges  506  of the rigid bed liner  502  are profiled to sit flush against and ride along on the infeed and outfeed outer surfaces  110 ,  114 . The transversal edges  506  of the rigid bed liner  502  have a sufficient depth to help minimize movement in a shown horizontal direction  508  while the rigid bed liner  502  is positioned between the infeed and outfeed roller  102 ,  104 . 
     The rigid bed liner  502  has an upper surface  510  that has been machined to conform to the shape of the pressure outer surface  122 . 
     The rigid bed liner  502  is sufficiently heat resistant to withstand heat originating from the infeed and outfeed rollers  102 ,  104  once they have been heated to the nominal temperature. The rigid bed liner  502  is also sufficiently heat resistant to withstand heat from a preheated fabric pressed against the upper surface  510  by the pressure outer surface  122 . 
     A rib  512  may be coupled to the lower surface  514  of the rigid bed liner  502 . The rib  512  extends downward from the lower surface  514  into an insert  516  within the saddle  504 . The rib  512  may extend along the full or a portion of the second longitudinal length  226  of the rigid bed liner  502 . 
     The rib  512  may be comprised of any rigid material known to a person of ordinary skill in the art, including stainless steel, bronze, and plastic. The rib  512  is shaped and dimensioned to fit securely within the insert  516 . The rib  512  within the insert  516  helps to further restrict the movement of the rigid bed liner  502  in the shown horizontal direction  508 . This restriction of movement in the shown horizontal direction  528  ensures that the rigid bed liner  502  remains centered between the infeed and outfeed roller  102 ,  104 . 
     The saddle  504  may be comprised of any rigid material know to a person of ordinary skill in the art, including stainless steel and plastic. The saddle  504  may be secured to an adjacent fixture such as a frame member, floor, or wall to prevent movement of the saddle  504 . 
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a flexible saddle assembly  600  within a compactor for lengthwise compressive shrinkage of fabrics according to an additional embodiment disclosed herein. As disclosed in the above-described embodiments, the flexible saddle assembly  600  may include a flexible bed liner  602 , a saddle  604 , and saddle strips  606  coupled to each of the transversal edges  608  of the flexible bed liner  602 . 
     In this embodiment, the flexible bed liner  602  further includes a plurality of holes  610 . The plurality of holes  610  running along a portion of the full longitudinal length of the flexible bed liner  602  on each side of saddle  604  and is positioned between the saddle  604  and the saddle strips  606 . 
     The plurality of holes  610  allows for the application of steam onto a fabric positioned on the flexible bed liner  612 , the steam having been injected into the compaction zone from beneath the flexible saddle assembly  600 . 
     Any reasonable means of generating and injecting steam into the compactor zone from beneath the flexible saddle assembly  600  known to a person of ordinary skill in the art may be implemented while staying within the scope of the present disclosure. 
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a rigid saddle assembly  700  within a compactor for lengthwise compressive shrinkage of fabrics according to another embodiment disclosed herein. As disclosed in the above-described embodiments, the rigid saddle assembly  700  may include a rigid bed liner  702  and a saddle  704 . 
     In this embodiment, the rigid bed liner  702  includes a pair of embedded channels  706  embedded within the rigid bed liner  702  on each side of the saddle  704  and running along a portion of the full longitudinal length of the rigid bed liner  702 . The rigid bed liner  702  further includes a plurality of holes  708  running along a portion of the full longitudinal length of the rigid bed liner  702  on each side of saddle  704  and positioned above each of the embedded pair of embedded channels  706 . 
     The pair of embedded channels  706  allows for the channeling of steam through the rigid bed liner  702 . 
     The plurality of holes  708  allows for the application of steam onto a fabric positioned on the rigid bed liner  702 , the steam having been injected into and distributed down each of the pair of embedded channels  706 . 
     The foregoing description discloses only example embodiments. Modifications of the above-disclosed assemblies and methods which fall within the scope of this disclosure will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. 
     This disclosure is not intended to limit the invention to the particular assemblies and/or methods disclosed, but, to the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the claims.