Fluid-driven apparatus for feeding a fabric in a process tumbler

Abstract

A fluid-driven apparatus continuously feeds fabric in open-width form. The apparatus is associated in combination with a tumbler processing the fabric. The apparatus includes a tubular duct, with a substantially rectangular transversal cross section, has boundary walls which delimit an internal cavity inside the duct. A manifold supplies gaseous fluid into the duct through an opening formed in the top or bottom wall of the duct. Ports for the fluid extend in a direction longitudinal to the duct, into and out of the cavity. The manifold abuts the opening to divide the duct into two distinct stretches delimited by the manifold and by the ports. The manifold includes a diverter for selectively directing the fluid towards one of the stretches of the duct. A portion of one of the duct stretches is divergent in shape, with a transversal cross section increasing from the manifold to the respective end port.

1 . A fluid-driven apparatus for feeding a fabric in open-width form and continuously, the apparatus being associated in combination with a tumbler processing the fabric, the apparatus comprising:
 a tubular duct with substantially rectangular transversal cross section, having boundary walls which delimit an internal cavity inside the duct;   a manifold for supplying gaseous fluid into the duct through at least one opening formed in a top wall or a bottom wall of the duct;   ports for passage of the fluid in a direction longitudinal to the duct, into and out of the cavity;
 the manifold being abutted against the at least one opening, at a position to divide the duct into two distinct stretches delimited by the manifold and by one of the ports, respectively; 
   
       the manifold being equipped with diverting means for selectively directing the fluid towards one or the other of the stretches of the duct; 
       wherein at least one portion of at least one of the stretches of the duct is divergent in shape, with a transversal cross section which increases in size from the manifold to the respective end port. 
     
     
         2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein divergence of said portion of at least one of the stretches is obtained by inclining only the top wall relative to the bottom wall. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the stretches is entirely divergent in shape, with increasing transversal cross section. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein both the stretches are entirely divergent in shape, with increasing transversal cross section. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the divergent shape has an angle of divergence not greater than three sexagesimal degrees. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus according to,  claim 1 , wherein the fluid is thermally conditioned.