FIELD OF INVENTION
This invention relates to stenter machine used for wrinkle free'drying of fabric in a stretched condition, and more particularly to a stenter machine having economized space and energy requirement.
BACKGROUND
Drying of a fabric is one of the essential steps of textile manufacturing in which the water content of the fabric, acquired by the fabric while undergoing various processes such as washing, dying, chemical treatment and the like, is removed. Specifically, there is a need to stretch and straighten the fabric while the same is being dried, to avoid formation of any wrinkles. For ages, stenter machines have been utilized for wrinkle-free drying of a fabric. The stenter machine is configured to stretch the fabric width-wise while it is being dried, thereby compensating the fabric for contraction it may have suffered due to mechanical stress in the earlier processes. The stenter machine is also utilized for thermosetting of fabrics made from thermoplastic fibers. A typical stenter machine may be explained with reference to Fig. 1.
Particularly, Fig. 1 illustrates a known stenter machine 100 used for stretching and straightening a fabric to ensure a wrinkle-free drying thereof. The stenter machine 100 includes a series of insulated enclosures 10, 20 and 30 extending longitudinally and a pair of positively driven fabric stretching assemblies extending through the series of insulated enclosures 10, 20 and 30. In Fig. 1, only one fabric stretching assembly 40 of the pair of fabric stretching assemblies is shown.. Each of the pair of fabric stretching assemblies include at least a pair of wheels and a link chain running on guide rails. For instance, the fabric stretching assembly 40 includes a pair of wheels 50, 60 configured in a horizontally spaced apart manner and a closed loop link chain 70 mounted thereon, as shown in Fig. 1. Specifically, the link chain 70 extends through the series of insulated enclosures 10, 20 and 30 and is supported on guide rails (not shown) mounted on a support structure (not shown). Further, the pair of wheels 50, 60 are sprocket wheels that are capable of rotating about their respective axis. The sprocket wheel 50 is negatively
driven and acts as a tensioner for the link chain 70. Consequent to rotation of the pair of wheels 50, 60, the chain 70 mounted on the pair of wheels 50, 60 moves through the series of insulated enclosures 10, 20 and 30.
The other fabric stretching assembly (not shown) of the pair of fabric stretching assemblies has a similar configuration as that of the fabric stretching assembly 40 and is configured at a horizontally spaced apart distance from the fabric stretching assembly 40 such that the fabric is held in a width-wise manner between the two fabric stretching assemblies.
Particularly, each of the link chains, such as link chain 70, of the pair of fabric stretching assemblies is configured to have gripping members (not shown), such as pins or clips that are capable of holding to an edge portion of fabric T" that is to be dried. In a typical stenter machine, such as stenter machine 100, the fabric 'F' to be dried is held between two chains of the horizontally separated pair of fabric stretching assemblies with the help of respective gripping members thereof. The gripping members are configured on inner edge portions of each of the chains such that the gripping members of both chains face each other while holding the fabric 'F' therebetween. The positively driven wheel, such as wheel 60, of each of the pair of fabric stretching assemblies is driven by an appropriate driving means for rotating the positively driven wheel on its respective axes thereby moving forward the chains and the fabric 'F' held therebetween. Specifically, consequent to the rotation of the wheels of the pair of fabric stretching assemblies, the chains and therefore the fabric 'F' held therebetween move through the series of insulated enclosures 10, 20 and 30.
The series of insulated enclosures 10, 20 and 30 are configured with a drying mechanism (not shown) having a series of blowers (not shown) and heat exchangers (not shown). The temperature within the series of insulated enclosures 10, 20 and 30 is maintained at a desired level by blowing air over heat exchangers. The air heats the environment in vicinity of the fabric T" moving through the enclosures 10, 20 and 30. As
a result, the fabric T" is dried while it advances through the enclosures 10, 20 and 30. As shown in Fig. 1, the fabric T" enters the enclosures 10, 20 and 30 through an entrance opening 10A configured in the enclosure 10 and exits through an exit opening 30A configured in the enclosure 30. A series of guide screws, such as screws 'S' , are configured along the extension of the chains to render required tension to the fabric T" while it advances along with the chains. Further, the movement of the two chains of the pair of fabric stretching assemblies is synchronized for enabling proper movement of the fabric 'F held between the chains.
In such conventional sterner machines, the size of the enclosures 10, 20 and 30, the length of the stenter machine 100, the energy required to drive the machine including the blowers, and the heat energy required to heat the enclosures and maintain a predetermined temperature therein depends upon a number of factors such as the composition of fabric 'F, the weight per square meter of the fabric T', the residence time (i.e. the time for which the fabric 'F' remains in the enclosures) and the quantity of fluid the stenter machine 100 is required to evaporate to completely dry the fabric 'F. The need to economize the space requirement and energy required to operate the machine has always been of utmost importance for the textile industry. One of the known techniques employed in some conventional stenter machines is making the machine multi-pass instead of single pass, however such a technique has found very limited application due to its complicated designs and ineffectiveness to reduce the energy costs substantially. Specifically, although such an arrangement helps to make a stenter machine compact, thereby saving the floor space, it will be apparent that the said arrangement requires a greater number of sprocket wheels and a longer link chain for which the energy requirement for driving the sprocket wheels would be more. Accordingly, the said arrangement is not capable of economizing the energy requirement of the stenter machine.
Accordingly, there exists a need for a stenter machine that effectively economizes the space requirement as well as energy consumption in a convenient, cost-effective and
easy manner.
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION:
In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the prior art, the general purpose of the present invention is to provide a stenter machine that economizes the space and energy requirement.
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a stenter machine for wrinkle free drying of a fabric in a stretched condition that has an economized space requirement and which is configurable in a simple, convenient and cost-effective manner.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a stenter machine that is adapted to economize the energy consumption thereof in a simple, cost-effective and convenient manner.
These and other objects and advantages of the invention will be clear from the ensuing description.
SUMMARY:
In light of the above objects, a stenter machine for wrinkle free drying of a fabric in a stretched condition is disclosed. The stenter machine of the present invention economizes the space and energy requirement. In accordance with the present invention, the stenter machine includes an enclosure having an entrance opening and an exit opening, and a pair of fabric stretching assemblies configured for stretching the fabric therebetween in a width-wise direction. The pair of fabric stretching assemblies are adapted to facilitate entry of the fabric in the enclosure through the entrance opening, traversal of the fabric within the enclosure in a substantially circular path and exit of the
fabric through the exit opening. The stenter machine also includes a drying mechanism configured within the enclosure for drying the fabric traversing within the enclosure. The present invention contemplates that the entrance opening and the exit opening are configured on the same wall of the enclosure such that the fabric enters and exits the enclosure through the same side of the enclosure. A combined effect of having the entrance opening and the exit opening of the same wall of the enclosure and the traversal of the fabric on the substantially circular path is that the space requirement of the stenter machine is economized. Specifically, consequent to the specific configuration of the stenter machine, a single smaller enclosure is required to dry the fabric. Moreover, as a result of the single and smaller enclosure, the amount of heat energy required to heat the enclosure is less.
Thus, the present invention contemplates a stenter machine which economizes the space requirement and at the same time reduces the energy consumption, thereby addressing the problems encountered in the known prior arts.
In another embodiment of the present invention, each of the pair of fabric stretching assemblies include a guide rail assembly configured inside the enclosure and having a substantially circular shape, a closed loop chain adapted to be supported on the substantially circular guide rail assembly in a manner to form the substantially circular path, and one sprocket wheel operatively coupled to the chain. The sprocket wheel is adapted to rotate about its axis to pull the chain for facilitating movement thereof. Further, the chains of the pair of fabric stretching assemblies hold the fabric therebetween for stretching the fabric such that the movement of the chains facilitates entry of the stretched fabric in the enclosure, traversal thereof on the substantially circular path and exit thereof from the enclosure.
In still another embodiment of the present invention, the drying mechanism includes a series of heat radiators.
In still another embodiment of the present invention, the heat radiators are heated either by gaseous fuel or thermic fluid or electrical energy.
In still another embodiment of the present invention, the drying mechanism includes a series of air blowers such that the blowers blow air over the heat radiators for uniformly heating the enclosure to dry the fabric traversing therewithin.
In still another embodiment of the present invention, each circular guide rail assembly of the pair of fabric stretching assemblies has a diameter of about 3 meters (m).
In still another embodiment of the present invention, the chains of the pair of fabric stretching assemblies include gripping members for holding the fabric therebetween.
In still another embodiment of the present invention, the pair of fabric stretching assemblies also include a series of guide screws configured along the extension of the guide rail assemblies for rendering pre-determined tension to the stretched fabric being held by the chains.
In still another embodiment of the present invention, the guide rail assemblies of the pair of fabric stretching assemblies are movable along their common axis such that the horizontal separation therebetween may be varied depending upon the width of the fabric to be dried.
The present invention achieves the object of economizing the space requirement and energy consumption of the stenter machine in a simple, convenient and cost-effective manner as will be evident from the description of the invention that follows hereinafter.
These aspects together with other aspects of the present invention, along with the various features of novelty that characterize the present invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed hereto and form a part of this present invention. For a better understanding of the present invention, its operating advantages, and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawing and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
STATEMENT OF INVENTION:
According to the present invention, there is provided a stenter machine for wrinkle free drying of a fabric in a stretched condition. The stenter machine of the present invention economizes the space and energy requirement. In accordance with the present invention, the stenter machine includes an enclosure having an entrance opening and an exit opening, and a pair of fabric stretching assemblies configured for stretching the fabric therebetween in a width-wise direction. The pair of fabric stretching assemblies are adapted to facilitate entry of the fabric in the enclosure through the entrance opening, traversal of the fabric within the enclosure in a substantially circular path and exit of the fabric through the exit opening. The stenter machine also includes a drying mechanism configured within the enclosure for drying the fabric traversing within the enclosure. The present invention contemplates that the entrance opening and the exit opening are configured on the same wall of the enclosure such that the fabric enters and exits the enclosure through the same side of the enclosure. Moreover, the fabric traverses within the enclosure on the substantially circular path, thereby economizing the space requirement of the stenter machine.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ACCOMPANYING DRAWING:
The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 illustrates a typical stenter machine as known in the art.
FIG. 2 illustrates a stenter machine, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 3 illustrates a sectional view of the stenter machine of Fig. 2 along the section line A-A'.
Fig. 4 illustrates a view of an enclosure of the stenter machine of Fig. 2, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION WITH REFERENCE TO DRAWINGS:
The exemplary embodiments described herein detail for illustrative purposes are subject to many variations in structure and design. It should be emphasized, however, that the present invention is not limited to a particular stenter machine as shown and described. It is understood that various omissions and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstances may suggest or render expedient, but these are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present invention.
The terms "a" and "an" herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced item.
Fig. 2 illustrates a stenter machine 200, configured in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, for wrinkle free drying of a fabric 'F in a stretched condition. The stenter machine 200 is adapted to economize the space requirement and the energy consumption thereof, as will be evident from the ensuing description. As shown in Fig.
2, the stenter machine 200 includes an enclosure 210 having an entrance opening 210A and an exit opening 210B. The enclosure 210 is a cubical double walled structure made of mild steel sheets, plates, sections and angles. The insulation between the walls of the double-walled structure is provided by disposing glass wool therebetween. Further, the entrance opening 210A and the exit opening 210B are configured on the same wall 210C of the enclosure 210. The stenter machine 200 also includes a pair of fabric stretching assemblies horizontally spaced apart from each other along a width (not shown) of the enclosure 210. In Fig. 2, only one of the fabric stretching assembly 220 of the pair of fabric stretching assemblies is shown. The other fabric stretching assembly of the pair of fabric stretching assemblies is similar in configuration to the fabric stretching assembly 220 and the description of fabric stretching assembly 220 shall also pertain to the other fabric stretching assembly. A detailed description of the other fabric stretching assembly has been avoided for the sake of brevity.
As shown in Fig. 2, the fabric stretching assembly 220 extends along a length 'L' of the enclosure 210 from the exterior of the enclosure 210 to its interior. As stated earlier, the fabric stretching assembly 220 and the other fabric stretching assembly are horizontally spaced apart from each other along the width of the enclosure and are adapted to hold the fabric therebetween for stretching it in a width-wise manner. Specifically, the pair of fabric stretching assemblies hold the opposite edge portion of the fabric to stretch the fabric in a width-wise manner. The fabric is adapted to be moved along the length of the fabric stretching assemblies, as will be explained later in detail. In an embodiment of the present invention, the fabric stretching assembly 220 and the other fabric stretching assembly may be parallely aligned to each other. In another embodiment of the present invention, the fabric stretching assembly 220 and the other fabric stretching assembly may be obliquely arranged such as in form of a 'V shape so that the fabric is stretched as it moves along the fabric stretching assembly from the narrow end of the 'V to the broader end thereof. As shown in Fig. 2, the fabric stretching assembly 220 is configured to enter the enclosure 210 through the entrance opening 210A and exit the enclosure 210 through the exit opening 210B. Specifically, the pair of fabric stretching assemblies is adapted to facilitate entry of the stretched fabric T" (held therebetween) in
the enclosure 210 through the entrance opening 210A, traversal of the stretched fabric within the enclosure 210 in a substantially circular path 'C and exit of the stretched fabric through the exit opening 210B.
Further, each of the fabric stretching assembly, such as the fabric stretching assembly 220, includes at least one sprocket wheel, such as a first wheel 230, a guide rail assembly 240 (for a link chain) configured to have a substantially circular shape and a closed loop link chain 250 adapted to be supported on the guide rail assembly 240 in a manner to form a substantially circular path 'C along the periphery of the guide rail assembly 240. Each of the guide rail assemblies, such as the guide rail assembly 240, has an axis 'X'. The guide rail assemblies are aligned to each other such that they are substantially parallel and their imaginary axes 'X' align with each other to form a common axis. The configuration of the guide rail assembly 240 and the chain 250 shall be further explained in conjunction with Fig. 3.
As shown in Fig. 2, the guide rail assembly 240 extends from exterior of the enclosure 210 to its interior such that a major portion thereof is configured substantially within the enclosure 210. Accordingly, the link chain 250 supported on the guide rail assembly 240 is also configured to extend from the exterior of the enclosure 210 to the interior portion thereof. Further, the first wheel 230 is operatively coupled to the chain 250 such that the first wheel 230 rotates about an axis thereof, thereby pulling the chain 250 and enabling movement of the chain 250. The first wheel 230 and the guide rail assembly 240 are spaced apart horizontally along the length 'L' of the enclosure 210. Furthermore, upon movement, the chain 250 of the fabric stretching assembly 220 is configured to enter the enclosure 210 through the entrance opening 210A and exit the enclosure 210 through the exit opening 210B, as shown in Fig. 2.
The chain 250 is configured with a series of gripping members (not shown) at appropriate intervals that are adapted to hold an edge portion of the fabric 'F'. Thus, the chains of the horizontally separated pair of fabric stretching assemblies hold the fabric T" therebetween for stretching the fabric T" in a width-wise direction. As explained
earlier, upon rotation of the first wheel 230, the chain 250 is pulled and a movement thereof is enabled. As a result of the movement of the chains of the pair of fabric stretching assemblies, the fabric T" held between the chains enters the enclosure 210 in width-wise stretched condition, traverses on the substantially circular path 'C and exits from the enclosure 210.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the stenter machine 200 may also include another sprocket wheel 230A that acts as a chain tensioner wheel and is adapted to be operatively coupled to the chain 250 for enabling movement thereof. However, in the said embodiment, only the first wheel 230 shall be the driven wheel and the second wheel 230A is adapted to rotate freely.
Referring now to Fig. 3, the configuration of the guide rail assembly 240 and the chain 250 shall be explained. Specifically, Fig. 3 is a sectional view of the guide rail assembly 240 along the section line A-A'. The sectional view illustrates the view of the guide rail assembly 240 of the fabric stretching assembly 220 and the guide rail assembly 240A of the other (horizontally spaced apart) fabric stretching assembly 220A. As shown in Fig. 3, the guide rail assembly 240 and the guide rail assembly 240A have a substantially rectangular cross section having four walls. Particularly, the guide rail assembly 240 has a hollow rectangular configuration with a gap G configured in a wall W thereof. Similarly, the guide rail assembly 240A has a hollow rectangular configuration with a gap G' configured in a wall W thereof. As shown in Fig. 3, the gaps G and G' are configured on the walls W and W that face each other. Further, the chain 250 is supported on an inner surface I of the guide rail assembly 240 and is adapted to slide thereon upon the movement of the chain 250 being facilitated by rotation of the first wheel 230. In a similar manner, chain 250' is supported on an inner surface I' of the guide rail assembly 240A.
Further, each of the chains 250 and 250' have a gripping member 300 attached thereto. The gripping member 300 of each of the chains 250 and 250' is attached thereto by means of attachment fixture P. Specifically, the attachment fixture P is attached to an
edge portion of the chain 250. The edge portion is purposefully chosen to be one that is nearest to the gap G so that the attachment fixture may protrude from the gap G. The gripping member 300 is coupled to the attachment fixture P in a manner such that it is positioned away from the guide rail assembly 240 and in the space between the two guide rail assemblies 240 and 240A. In a similar manner, the attachment fixture P of the chain 250' protrudes from the gap G' for attachment of the gripping member 300 thereto. As shown in Fig. 3, the two gripping members 300 are linearly aligned to each other in the space between the two guide rail assemblies 240 and 240A. Each of the gripping members 300 is adapted to hold an edge portion of the fabric 'F' such that the fabric is held in a width wise stretched manner between the two gripping members 300 in the space between the two guide rail assemblies 240 and 240A. In an embodiment of the present invention, the gripping members 300 may include pins or clips. It will be evident to a person skilled in the art that a series of gripping members are attached along the entire length of the chains 250 and 250' for conveniently holding the fabric T" in width-wise stretched condition between the chains 250 and 250'.
Referring to Fig. 4, the stenter machine 200 also includes a drying mechanism configured within the enclosure 210. The drying mechanism is adapted to dry the fabric 'F' traversing within the enclosure 210. In conventional stenter machines, such as stenter machine 100, the drying mechanism is generally disposed outside the enclosures (10, 20, 30) whereas in the present invention, on account of space available within the enclosure due to use of substantially circular path chains, the drying mechanism is configured within the enclosure 210 thereby improving the heating efficiency. The drying mechanism is adapted to preheat the enclosure 210 to 150° C prior to use thereof for drying the fabric. The temperature of the enclosure is maintained at 150° C.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the drying mechanism includes a series of heat radiators (300A', 300B' and 300C as shown in Fig. 4) adapted to heat the interior of the enclosure 210. The heat radiators 300A', 300B' and 300C' may be heated by gaseous fuel, thermic fluids or electrical energy. In another embodiment of the present invention, the drying mechanism may also include a series of air blowers provided along with the
heat radiators. The series of air blowers are adapted to blow the air heated by the heat radiators for uniformly heating the enclosure 210 to dry the fabric 'F' traversing within the enclosure 210. The air blowers and heat radiators are appropriately located within the enclosure 210 for ensuring uniform heating of the enclosure 210.
Fig. 4 illustrates the arrangement of air blowers 300A, 300B and 300C in the enclosure 210, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, one of the air blowers (300A) in disposed at the center while the other two air blowers (300B and 300C) are placed at opposite walls for ensuring an effective heating of the enclosure 210. The air blowers blow air over the fabric 'F' at a velocity of 1 m/s. The present invention shall, however, not be construed to be limited to the proposed arrangement of air blowers as shown in Fig. 4. Any other suitable arrangement of the air blowers within the enclosure that enables effective heating shall also lie within the scope of this invention.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the drying mechanism also includes an exhaust system 270 configured on the enclosure, as shown in Fig. 2, for enabling moisture removal from the enclosure 210 during drying of the stretched fabric.
The working of the present invention shall now be explained to bring out the advantageous effects achieved by the present invention. As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the fabric 'F' is held in a width-wise stretched condition between the chains of the pair of fabric stretching assemblies. As described, the pair of fabric stretching assemblies may be configured in a parallely aligned manner or an obliquely arranged manner, as per the requirement, to stretch the fabric in width-wise direction. The stretched fabric 'F' held between the chains of the pair of fabric stretching assemblies enters the enclosure 210 through the entrance opening 210A and traverses within the enclosure 210 along the substantially circular path 'C configured along the periphery of the guide rail assemblies, such as guide rail assembly 240. The stenter machine 200, in an embodiment of the present invention, also includes a series of guide screws configured along the extension of the chains for rendering pre-determined tension to the fabric T"
being held by the chains and being traversed into, within and out of the enclosure 210. A number of such guide screws 'S' are shown in Fig. 2. The screws S have opposite threading on both ends and the screws are configured to extend between the horizontally separated guide rail assemblies 220 and 220A such that upon the screws S being rotated the guide rail assemblies 220 and 220A move either opposite to each other or towards each other depending upon the direction of rotation. Consequently the fabric F held by the gripping members 300 will be stretched or relaxed based on the away or towards movement of the guide rail assemblies 220 and 220A. Further, as shown in Fig. 2, the circular path 'C is the periphery of major sector of the guide rail assembly 240.
While the fabric 'F' traverses within the enclosure 210 along the substantially circular path 'C, it is dried by the hot air being circulated within the enclosure 210 due to the drying mechanism. Accordingly, as the fabric 'F' traverses within the enclosure, the liquid retained by it evaporates, thereby drying the fabric 'F' in the width-wise stretched condition. Further, upon travelling the substantially circular path, the dried fabric 'F' exits the enclosure 210 through the exit opening 210B. Accordingly, the fabric 'F' enters and exits the enclosure 210 from the same wall 210C thereof. Also, the diameter of the guide rail assemblies, such as guide rail assembly 240, is purposefully kept large to compensate for the lateral extension of the enclosure, as in the conventional stenter machines. Specifically, unlike conventional stenter machines, the fabric 'F' in the present invention is not required to travel a substantial lateral distance within the enclosure 210, thereby limiting the length of the enclosure 210 as compared to that in conventional machine. By traversing the fabric on a substantially circular path 'C, the need for traversing the fabric on a lengthier lateral path is dispensed with, thereby economizing the space requirement of the stenter machine 200. Moreover, consequent to smaller dimensions of the enclosure 210, the drying mechanism works effectively in drying the fabric and as a result a considerable amount of heat energy is not required contrary to the requirement in conventional stenter machines having multiple and lengthier heating enclosures. Thus, the present invention also helps to reduce energy consumption due to lesser heat energy requirement.
In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the guide rail assemblies, such as the guide rail assembly 240 may be configured to have a diameter of 3 meters (m). Such a configuration of the guide rail assemblies may help to economize space requirement by up to 50%. Typical calculations for arriving at such deduction is as follows. Considering the total length-wise space required for a conventional stenter machine, such as stenter machine 100, the entry zone requires a length of 3 m, three heating enclosures (10, 20, 30) require a length of 3.1 m each (i.e. a total length of 9.3 m) and the exit zone requires a length of 1.5m. Thus, the total space required for length wise extension of the conventional stenter machine is 13.8m. The present invention dispenses with the need to have multiple enclosures and for almost same heating length (i.e. 3 x 3.14 m = 9.42m) as that of the conventional machines (i.e. 9.3 m), the lateral extension of the enclosure 210 is reduced since the entry and exit openings are configured on the same wall of the enclosure 210. Further, in the present embodiment of the present invention, the ground space requirement of the enclosure 210 is only 3.6 m by considering a diameter of 3 m for guide rail assemblies and 0.6 m space for two blowers 300B and 300C. Accordingly, on account of the substantially circular guide path being configured, the stenter machine 200 has an overall length of around 6.6 m which is approximately half of that of the conventional stenter machines. Similarly, the width-wise requirement of the stenter machine 200 is reduced by about 30% than that of the conventional machines, thereby further saving space. Specifically, the width of the stenter machine 200 is 2.4 m as against 3.4 m of conventional stenter machines. This is made possible by configuring the blower and heat radiators inside the chamber on account of the space available therein as compared to conventional machines.
Moreover, the length of the chain, such as chain 250 required in the present invention is 15.3 m as compared to a length of (13.8m x 2) 27.6 m as required in any conventional stenter machine. Additionally, the length of chains that remains un-utilized, i.e. does not hold the fabric, in any conventional stenter machine is 13.8 m whereas in the present invention, owing to the traversal of the fabric on a substantially circular path, the length of chains that remains un-utilized is a mere 1.5 m of the entire length (15.3 m )of the chains. Thus, there is a better utilization of the chains in the present invention over the
conventional machines. In addition, the electrical energy required for drying the fabric depends upon the internal space and the mass in the enclosure 210. In the present invention, on account of lesser space and reduced mass within the enclosure 210, an energy saving of around 50% over the conventional machine is obtained.
With regard to further economizing the energy requirement, the stenter machine 200 would require a motor of half the capacity to that of the motor used in conventional stenter machines since the length of the chains has been reduced to half. Also, by using a single enclosure 210 and a single drying mechanism configured therein, the electrical energy requirement of the stenter machine 200 is reduced by over 50%. Based on the foregoing, it will be apparent that the stenter machine 200 economizes the space and energy requirement over the conventional stenter machines, such as stenter machine 100, in an easy, convenient and cost-effective manner, thereby achieving the intended object of the present invention. Moreover, since the fabric entry and exit is from the same side of the enclosure 10, the operation of the stenter machine 200 may be carried out by a single operator without requiring involvement of number of operators as may be required in a conventional machine having length more than 13 m. Thus, the drying of the fabric 'F' may be carried out in a convenient and cost-effective manner.
Further, the present invention should not be construed to be limited to the configuration of the stenter machine 200 as described herein only. Various configurations of the stenter machine 200 are possible which shall also lie within the scope of the present invention. For instance, in one embodiment of the present invention, the entrance opening and the exit opening on the enclosure 210 may be configured on opposite walls of the enclosure 210. In the said embodiment, the pair of fabric stretching assemblies may be configured in a manner that the fabric T" traverses a substantially circular path 'C and thereafter exits the enclosure 210 through the exit opening. Such a configuration would also exhibit the advantages of the present invention by considerably reducing the overall length of the enclosure, as compared to that in prior arts.
The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been
presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the present invention and its practical application, and to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the present invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstances may suggest or render expedient, but such omissions and substitutions are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present invention.

We claim:
1. A stenter machine for wrinkle free drying of a fabric in stretched
condition, the stenter machine having economized space requirement, the
stenter machine comprising:
an enclosure having an entrance opening and an exit opening;
a pair of fabric stretching assemblies horizontally spaced apart and configured for stretching the fabric width-wise therebetween, the pair of fabric stretching assemblies adapted to facilitate entry of the stretched fabric in the enclosure through the entrance opening, traversal of the stretched fabric within the enclosure in a substantially circular path and exit of the stretched fabric through the exit opening; and
a drying mechanism configured within the enclosure for drying the stretched fabric traversing within the enclosure,
wherein the entrance opening and the exit opening are configured on same wall of the enclosure to enable the stretched fabric to enter and exit the enclosure from same side thereof and traverse within the enclosure in the substantially circular path, thereby economizing space requirement of the stenter machine.
2. The stenter machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the pair
of fabric stretching assemblies comprises:
a guide rail assembly configured within the enclosure, the guide rail assembly having a substantially circular shape,
a closed loop chain adapted to be supported on the circular guide rail assembly to form the substantially circular path, the chain configured to enter the enclosure through the entrance opening, traverse within the enclosure and exit the enclosure through the exit opening, and
a sprocket wheel operatively coupled to the chain, the sprocket wheel adapted to rotate about an axis to pull the chain for facilitating movement thereof,
wherein the guide rail assemblies are substantially parallel having their respective axis aligned with each other, and
wherein chains of the pair of fabric stretching assemblies hold the fabric therebetween for stretching the fabric such that the movement of the chains facilitates entry of the stretched fabric into the enclosure, traversal thereof on the substantially circular path and exit thereof from the enclosure.
3. The stenter machine as claimed in claim 2, wherein the drying mechanism comprises a series of radiators.
4. The stenter machine as claimed in claim 3, wherein the drying mechanism comprises a series of air blowers adapted to blow air over the series of heat radiators for uniformly heating the enclosure to dry the stretched fabric traversing within the enclosure.
5. The stenter machine as claimed in claim 4, wherein the heat radiator are heated by either gaseous fuel, thermic fluids or electrical energy.
6. The stenter machine as claimed in claim 5, wherein each circular
guide rail assembly of the pair of fabric stretching assemblies has a diameter of about 3 meters (m).
7. The stenter machine as claimed in claim 6, wherein the chains of the pair of fabric stretching assemblies comprise gripping members for holding the fabric therebetween.
8. The stenter machine as claimed in claim 7, wherein the pair of fabric stretching assemblies comprises a series of guide screws configured along the extension of the guide rail assembly for rendering predetermined tension to the stretched fabric being held by the chains.
9. The stenter machine as claimed in claim 8, wherein the guide rail
assemblies of the pair of fabric stretching assemblies are movable along
their common axis such that the horizontal separation therebetween may
be varied depending upon the width of the fabric to be dried..
10. The stenter machine, substantially as hereinbefore described with
reference to the accompanying drawings.