Method for drying tubular knitted fabric

Abstract

The disclosure relates to techniques for high efficiency drying of wet-processed tubular knitted fabric. The wet tubular fabric is initially spread to flat form and then guided in a controlled manner over a so-called Mach nozzle, at which high velocity gaseous medium, usually steam, at speeds approaching the speed of sound and above, is discharged directly through the fabric, which is maintained in tension as it passes over the nozzle outlet. The thus treated tubular knitted fabric, now with a greatly reduced liquid content, is then immediately directed over a second spreader device, which distends the fabric widthwise to a predetermined, uniform width, to restore the fabric width lost during wet processing and during the relatively high tension nozzle treating operation. In this damp, geometrically stabilized condition, the fabric may be directed immediately into an otherwise conventional tensionless dryer for tubular knitted fabric, where the necessary final drying operations are completed. More typically, the fabric is loosely folded and then dried later. Significant production economies are realized pursuant to the invention, both in energy savings and labor savings, as well as reduction in capital equipment costs. The process also makes wet-on-wet foam processing relatively attractive for certain tubular knitted fabrics.