Method and apparatus for liquid processing of tubular knitted fabrics

Abstract

The disclosure is directed to method and apparatus for processing of tubular knitted fabric with a liquid material, for uniformly impregnating the fabric with the liquid. The fabric initially is directed over a propeller-spreader frame, in which the fabric is laterally distended to flat form and to predetermined, uniform width. At the discharge end of the spreader, the fabric is guided directly into the nip of a pair of opposed, resilient pad rollers. Immediately in advance of the pad rollers, both the upper and lower surfaces of the generally horizontally disposed fabric are sprayed with the liquid processing solution. The sprays are directed from a plurality of nozzles, spaced across the width of the fabric, and directed at an angle to the surface of the fabric and toward the nip area of the pad rolls. The spreader frame is inclined downwardly toward the pad rolls, at a slight angle (e.g. 6.degree. or 7.degree.) such that the inevitable sagging of the wet fabric, in the area slightly in advance of the roller nip, is compensated for by the slight incline of the spreader, preventing puddling of the processing solution on the upper surface of the fabric.