FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970 (39 of 1970)
& THE PATENTS RULES, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
[See section 10, Rule 13]
OPEN WIDTH PROCESSING OF TEXTILE FABRIC IN TENSIONLESS CONDITION;
CHANDAN STEEL LTD, A COMPANY INCORPORATED UNDER THE LAWS OF INDIA, WHOSE ADDRESS IS PLOT J11.12 AND 13, GIDC, UMBERGAON, GUJARAT 396171, INDIA.
THE FOLLOWING SPECIFICATION
PARTICULARLY DESCRIBES THE INVENTION AND THE MANNER IN WHICH IT IS TO BE PERFORMED.

FIELD OF INVENTION:
The present invention generally relates to processing of textile fabric and more particularly to open width treatment of textile fabric.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION:
Processing of textile fabric includes scouring, bleaching and dyeing. Fabric in open width form can be processed either in batch form or in continuous form. Processes which need temperatures below 100 deg C can be performed in continuous form whereas those which require temperature above 100 deg C need to be carried in pressurized autoclave in batch form.
Beam Dyeing Machine is well known in the art for processing fabric in the open form. As shown in Figure 1A, fabric 7 is wound by a separate winding apparatus under controlled tension on a perforated Cylinder (Beam) 1 as per the required quantity but within the capacity of Beam Dyeing Machine. Beam is then loaded into the Autoclave 2 and autoclave Lid 3 is shut. Required amount of water is taken in the autoclave and Pump 4 is started. Pump 4 forces the water from inside the perforated beam through the layers of fabric to the autoclave and back to the suction of the pump. Water is heated as per requirement and desired chemicals/dyes are added at appropriate temperature.
Essentially, the fabric in this method is under tension throughout the process. When fabric is processed under such tensed conditions, the feel and texture is inferior to what is achievable when the fabric is processed in relaxed condition without tension. Another method known in the art of textile fabric processing is High Pressure Jigger as shown in Figure 1B. Roller TV and roller 'B' having positive drives are placed in

the autoclave. Fabric of required quantity but within the capacity of autoclave is first wound in on roller 'A' and subsequently passed through guide rolls placed in the trough and wound on the roller 'B'. Water is filled in the trough and circulated through filter and heat exchanger by a pump. Fabric; is passed from roller A to roller B and then back to roller A and so on throughout the process. Water is heated to desired temperature and required chemicals and cjyes are added as per process requirement.
As may be apparent to a person skilled in the art, the fabric during the processing in a high pressure jigger has to be kept under tension for proper crease free winding from one roll to the other. Therefore, the process is unable to impart the same feel and texture as can be obtained when processed in relaxed condition. An alternate way of processing textile fabric to impart soft feel and texture is to process it in the rope form. A winch roll is placed above a water trough. Fabric in the form of rope is lifted from the trough by the rotating winch and re-deposited in the trough. Here, the fabric is moving but water is stationary and exchange of liquor from trough to fabric is slow.
Jet Dyeing Machine is another method of processing textile fabric in rope-form. With the help of a Jet (venturi) fabric is imparted motion with water and, in some cases, further assisted by a rotating winch so that the fabric is subjected to a minimum tension and it remains in substantially relaxed form when stored in the autoclave (basket).
It is known in the art to process textile fabric in relaxed (tensionless) condition for batch processing in the form of a rope. While processing in rope form, creases in the

fabric are set which need to be removed by drying the fabric at elevated temperature
in stretched condition. Besides, certain fabrics made from twisted yarn develop
crispy texture when treated in hot water. In the rope form, the texture developed is
not even.
As a result, separate process is required which incurs extra cost and man-hours. For
removing rope marks (creases) fabric needs to be dried at elevated temperature on
another machine. To acquire even texture, the fabric needs to be processed on
another machine before it can be scoured, bleached or dyed in the rope form.
There is a need for a method and apparatus which processes the fabric in a
tensionless open-width form and does away with the disadvantages of the existing
systems stated above.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An objective of the invention is to provide an open width jet dyeing machine which
processes fabric in a tensionless form.
Another objective of the invention is to provide an open width jet dyeing machine
which reduces the cost and time involved in processing textile fabric.
Another objective of the invention is to provide a method for processing textile fabric
in an open width tensionless form.
Accordingly, the present invention provides a method and apparatus to process
textile fabric in a tensionless open width form so as to avoid any rope marks and
uneven texture and obviate the necessity of further processing.
Brief description of the drawings

So that the manner in which the above recited features of the present invention can
be understood in detail, a more particular description of the invention, briefly
summarized above, may be had by reference to various embodiments, some of
which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is to be noted, however, that the
appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of this invention and are
therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to
other equally effective embodiments.
Fig. 1A shows a schematic representation of a beam dyeing machine for processing
fabric in open form in the prior art.
Fig. IB shows, a schematic representation of a high pressure jigger for processing
fabric in the prior art.
Figs. 2A and 2B are different views of an open width jet dyeing machine, in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 3 shows a venturi of the open width jet dyeing machine in two views, in
accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Fig. 4 shows a door and sealing arrangement of the open width jet dyeing machine,
in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Fig. 5 shows the open width jet dyeing machine with water filled in an autoclave up
to a desired level, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figs. 6, 7, 8 and 9 show the open width jet dyeing machine in operation, in
accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION:

Various embodiments of the invention provide a method and apparatus to process
textile fabric in a tensionless open width form.
In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, apparatus for processing textile
fabric is an open width jet dyeing machine which includes an autoclave 2, venturi 1,
basket 3, winch roll 4, window 5, lid 18, striking plate 6, guide roll 7, pump 8, filter 9,
heat exchanger 10, water feed valve 11, level tube 12, means for regulating speed
13, and service tank 14, as shown in Figure 2A.
Autoclave 2 has dished ends at each end as it is a pressure vessel. Window 5 is an
opening for introducing/taking out the fabric in the autoclave 2. Lid 18 is for keeping
window open or closed from inside the autoclave with pneumatic cylinder 16 and
lever 17 fitted at each end of the lid, details of which are given with reference to Fig.
4.
With reference to Figures 2 A and 2B, venturi 1 is connected through a pipe to a
pump 8 via filter 9 and heat exchanger 10. Striking plate 6 has oscillating movement
in the direction shown by arrow. Basket 3 is for accommodating desired quantity of
fabric. Winch roll 4 is a positively driven winch to lift the accumulated fabric from the
Basket 3 and present it to the venturi 1.
Water is filled in the autoclave 2 through water feed valve 11 to the desired level as
indicated on the level gauge 12 and depicted in Figure 5. Pump 8 is switched on.
Water gushes into the venturi 1 creating vacuum at the mouth of the venturi, strikes
on the striking plate 6 at high velocity, falls into the basket 3, and returns to the
pump via suction pipe. This process is continued as depicted in Figure 6.

Venturi 1 is described in details with reference to Figure 3. Figure 3 shows top plate 1, bottom plate 2, spacer 3, bolt and nut 4, clamping bolt and nut 5, header 6 and inlet pipe 7.
Top plate 1 and bottom plate 2 is assembled together by clamping bolts and nuts 5 on one side and using spacer 3 of required thickness with bolts and nuts 4 on the other side. This completes the assembly of top venturi having required gap created by spacer uniform throughout the full width to form a narrow slit. In order to impart required velocity to fabric the pressure inside the venturi has to be at least 10 met of water column. The gap between top and bottom plate of venturi has to be uniform throughout the width of the venturi. A typical value of which is generally 200 mm plus of the fabric width. Bolts "4" at a typical pitch of 250 mm across the width with spacer enable uniform gap as well as provides rigidity against buckling. Uniform gap to impart uniform velocity on every cm width of fabric is of utmost importance to avoid creases in the fabric and have uniform impact with striking plate to get even texture on the fabric.
Similarly, bottom venturi is assembled with identical spacer thickness. Top and bottom venturies are then bolted on to the side header 6 at both ends maintaining uniform gap throughout the width as shown in the side view. Inlet pipes 7 are welded to the bottom of each Header. Inlet pipes are connected to the pump as shown in Figure 2.
It may be apparent to a person skilled in the art that pipe connections are into two side headers from bottom, as a result of which, water is allowed to drain out by gravity when pump is stopped.

Liquor is pumped into the inlet pipes and is forced through the narrow slits. Due to
conversion of potential energy to kinetic energy liquor emerges out of slits at a very
high velocity. It also creates a negative pressure at the mouth of the venturi enabling
fabric to be sucked in the gap open between top and bottom venturies.
In accordance with an embodiment of the invention open width jet dyeing machine
includes a door (Lid) & sealing arrangement, which is being described herein with
reference to Figure 4. Figure 4 shows part of autoclave 1, window 2, flange 3, lid 4,
hinge pin 5 for the lid, mounting plate 6 for lid, lever 7, hinge pins 8a and 8b,
mounting plates 9a & 9b, rubber "0" ring 10, ribs 11, pneumatic cylinders 12, hinge
pins 13a and 13b for pneumatic cylinder and mounting plate 14 for pneumatic
cylinder.
With reference to Figure 4, rectangular shaped window 2 made from thick sheet
having length equal to fabric width plus approximately 200 mm Is welded on to the
cut-out made of identical shape on to the autoclave 1. Flange 3 of 'L' shape made
from thick flat section is welded around the window 2. Rib 11 is welded on all the
four sides of flange 3 at a desired distance to withstand the pressure inside the
autoclave 2.
Hinge pin 5 is inserted between the pair of hinge plate 6 welded at the edges of the
flange 3 and "C" shaped lid door 4 made out of solid thick rectangular plate with end
brackets to suspended the door lid on to the hinge pin 5.
Mounting plates 9a of suitable shape is welded on to the flange 3 at each end.
Mounting plate 9b is of suitable shape and is welded on outside surface of the lid 2.
Lever 7 is inserted using hinge pin 8a & 8b at each end. Free end of the lever 7 is

joined to piston rod of pneumatic cylinder 12 using pin 13a. The other end of cylinder
is joined to hinge plate 14 welded to autoclavel at both ends.
Lid 4 is swiveled to close the window against rubber "0" Ring 10 by supplying
compressed air to pneumatic cylinder 12. Pressure of air exerts adequate force to
swivel the lid 4 and press the rubber 'O' Ring 10 against the flange 3. Any increase
in pressure inside the autoclave 1 increases the force on the lid 4 making it to exert
more pressure on the rubber 'O' ring 10 ensuring zero leakage automatically.
To open the Lid 4 compressed air is introduced from the piston end of the pneumatic
cylinder 12. The force exerted through lever 7 is just adequate to swing open the lid
4. If the autoclave 1 is pressurized the Jid 4 will not open as force from inside will be
much higher. This arrangement ensures positive and fool-proof sealing as well
safeguards opening the lid 4 until autoclavel is completely de pressurized.
When Autoclave 1 is pressurized the internal force will tend the widow 2 along with
rib 11 and flange 3 to open up. In such case 'L' shaped flange 3 will get locked
against 'C shaped lid 4 keeping the lid 4 under stress. The cross section of lid 4 is
designed to withstand the stress.
The 'C channel shape of the lid ensures that when the window frame tries to open
up at elevated pressure, the shape of the lid prevents further opening. Lid
automatically remains in stressed condition which also prevents bowing of Lid in
vertical plane.
In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the open width jet dyeing
machine includes a fabric spreading and centering device as shown in Fig 2A. With
reference to Figure 2A perforated pipe 19 along full width of fabric is placed on either

side of fabric exactly opposite to each other. Perforations are fixed with spray nozzles at angles close to 45 degrees.
Both spray pipes have partition in the middle. Spray nozzle on left side of partition are at 45 degrees towards left while spray nozzles on the right side of partition are at 45 degrees towards right. Pipe line from Pump 8 is connected to both spray pipes on either side through a Spray Control Valve 20.
When water is continuously sprayed at 45 degrees on either side of the fabric, it has tendency to push the fabric on right as well as left from centre. This makes fabric to spread and thus avoid forming folds and creases. Equal numbers of electronic sensors 21 are placed on top of the Autoclave 2 at a predetermined gap from centre to cover full width of fabric. A typical value of the gap may be in the order of 200mm. When fabric passes through venturi on to the striking plate, electronic sensors get an electric signal interruption. If these signals are of even numbers, it means that fabric is running in the centre of the Autoclave. If these are odd it means that fabric has shifted from centre. If fabric has shifted to right side then right side flow of spray pipe is reduced through flow control valve and vice versa. The difference in flow on fabric on each half makes it shift towards the side where flow is more. In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, method for processing fabric in open width form includes presenting the fabric in open width manually at the mouth of the venturi 1 through the open window 5. Due to vacuum fabric is automatically sucked in and carried at a high velocity to strike on the striking plate 6. On striking the plate, the fabric loses its momentum and falls into the basket 3 by gravity as

depicted in Figure 7. Full quantity of fabric is fed and stored in the basket in the
described manner. Pump 8 is stopped.
By inserting a hook from the open window 5 into the basket 3, initial end of the fabric
is manually pulled out and stitched with the last end of the fabric to make it an
endless loop as depicted in Figure 8.
Pump 8 and winch 4 are simultaneously switched ON. Window 5 is closed by
shutting the Lid 18 with pneumatic cylinders 16 to withstand elevated pressure.
Fabric now automatically circulates through venturi on to the striking plate,
accumulates in the basket, is lifted by winch and presented, back to the venturi as
depicted in Figure 9.
Fabric can move upto a speed of 600 m/min. In accordance with an embodiment of
the invention, open width jet dyeing machine includes means for regulating the
speed of water. For example, a butter fly valve or by varying pump speed by way of
variable frequency drive or any other mechanical or electrical means.
It may be apparent to a person skilled in the art that desired process may be carried
out by elevating the temperature by any heating source through heat exchanger,
adding chemicals and dyes through addition tank 14 etc.
The present invention enables open-width processing of textile fabric in a
tensionless form and therefore does not need pre or post processing of textile fabric
to remove rope marks/creases and ensures even texture whereby providing
substantial savings in man-hours and processing cost. This present invention
enables the removal of rope marks and uneven texture on the fabric without
undergoing any other pre or post process.

We Claim :
1. An apparatus for processing fabric comprising:
a. an autoclave, the autoclave being a dish-ended high pressure vessel
containing a predetermined amount of water, the autoclave having a window,
the window being an opening for feeding the fabric to the autoclave;
b. a venturi mounted on the autoclave, the venturi being fed the water through a
pump;
c. a striking plate in the autoclave, the striking plate having an oscillatory
movement;
d. a winch roll, the winch roll being a positively driven winch lifts the fabric from a
basket and presents the fabric to a mouth of the venturi; and
e. means for regulating the speed of the water, the fabric striking the striking
plate as a result of the pressure created by water through the venturi.
2. The apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a spreading and centering device for controlling the motion of the fabric, the spreading and centering device comprising a plurality of spray pipes and electronic sensors, the electronic sensors communication signal based on the motion of the fabric, the pressure of the water in the spray pipes being changed based upon the signal.
3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the venturi comprises a top venturi and a bottom venturi, the top and bottom venturies being bolted on to a header on either side, the venturi having means for maintaining a predetermined uniform gap between the top and bottom venturies.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein each of the top and bottom venturies comprises a top plate and a bottom plate, the top and the bottom plates being assembled together by a plurality of clamping bolts and nuts.
5. The apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a plurality of guide rolls to guide the movement of the fabric in the autoclave.
6. The apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a heat exchanger to control the temperature of the water in the autoclave.
7. The apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a door and sealing arrangement, the door being 'C shaped, the sealing arrangement shutting the window once the fabric has been fed into the autoclave.
8. A method for processing fabric in an open width-form, the method comprising:
a. creating vacuum at a mouth of a venturi;
b. presenting fabric at the mouth of the venturi;
c. striking the fabric fed on to a striking plate;
d. collecting the fabric in a basket after it has struck the striking plate;
e. lifting the fabric with the help of a winch; and
f. spreading and centering the fabric using spray nozzles.
9. The method according to claim 8, wherein creating vacuum at the mouth of the venturi includes forcing water through the venturi.
10. The method according to claim 8, wherein presenting fabric at the mouth of the venturi includes presenting fabric in an open-width form initially at the mouth of the venturi through a window.

11. The method according to claim 8 further includes switching on the pump and a winch simultaneously after closing a lid of the window.
12. The method according to claim 8, wherein spreading and centering the fabric using spray nozzles includes receiving electronic signal based on the motion of the fabric and controlling the pressure of water based on the signal to affect the motion of the fabric.
13. The method according to claim 8 further includes stitching the fabric into an endless loop.