GB1090003A - Process for steaming fabrics - Google Patents

Abstract

Apparatus for steaming textile material comprising a chamber having a steam inlet and an opening to the exterior atmosphere, means for maintaining a temperature above 120 DEG C in the chamber and means for progressively advancing the material into and through the chamber. In the preferred embodiment, Fig. 1 (not shown), the chamber comprises a cylindrical tower (1) having a centrally disposed heater (5) and an externally lagged jacket (3); the heater (5) and jacket (3) being heated by flow of heating fluid, electricity or other means. The heating fluid is preferably pressurised steam which flows, for example, through spiral pipes 6. The textile material is guided through the chamber in close proximity to the heater (5). Steam is introduced into the chamber by means of a perforated pipe (12), the steam being sprayed onto the walls of the chamber and is thus heated to a temperature above 120 DEG C. In an alternative embodiment, Fig. 3 (not shown), a plurality of guide rollers (26), (27) and heating panels (29) are provided so that the textile material follows a zig-zag path between the panels. A further embodiment, Fig. 5 (not shown), employs a plurality of guide rollers (46) and heating panels (51), (52) so arranged that the textile material follows a progressively decreasing circular path through the chamber. Examples given of processes effected using the apparatus of the invention include the fixation of dye on textile material and the fixation of fluorescent brightening agents on cellulose, protein or synthetic textile materials.