Imparting stretch characteristics to woven fabrics

Claim 1

Apparatus for producing fabric having stretch characteristics comprising a plurality of rolls for conducting fabric into a first tank of chemical reagent, a second tank of reagent, a pair of squeeze rolls at least one of which is partially immersed in said second tank, a control roll constructed and arranged to apply tension on fabric delivered from said squeeze rolls, a plurality of successive enclosed treatment zones located after said control roll, the first of said treatment zones having a sealed entrance vestibule to receive fabric each said treatment zone having located therein a plurality of rolls at least some of which are positioned above the others, motive means to drive at least those in the first zone at a first peripheral speed, devices driving rolls in at least one successive treatment zone at a higher peripheral speed, thereby providing progressively increased tension on fabric as it is advanced over said rolls and into successive zones, steam headers located in at least one successive treatment zone, flexible seals located at the exit of each zone constructed and arranged to permit the passage of fabric while maintaining the internal conditions in each zone substantially constant, a liquid seal located after the last of said successive treatment zones through which fabric passes to an exit vestibule, a first washing tank, a control roll constructed and arranged to apply tension on fabric delivered to said washing tank, a second washing tank and a pair of exit squeeze rolls, at least one of said squeeze rolls being partially immersed in said second washing tank.