US2846862A - Continuous washer - Google Patents

Description

F. B. vMolfeRlLl.

coNTINuous WASHER Aug. l2, 1.9158

3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 27, 1956 INVENTOR. FRANK B. MORRILL agr/MW? ATTORNEYS.

Aug. 12, 1958 F. a MQRRILL 2,846,862

` CONTINUOUS WASHER Filed March 27, 1956 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. l Momu.

Avro RN lxs Aug. 12, 1958 F. B..MoRR1L| .2,8455852 CONTINUOUS WASHER Filed March 27, 1956 INVENTOR.

ATTCRNEYS FRANK MoRRlLL United States atent CONTINUOUS WASHER Frank B. Morrill, North Adams, Mass., assignor to James Hunter Machine Company, North Adams, Mass., a corporation of Massachusetts Application March 27, 1956, Serial No. 574,184

13 Claims. (Cl'. 68-22) This invention relates to continuous textile washers of the type having a series of bowls containing a washing liquid and through which a length of cloth or other textile 1s passed in sequence by way of squeeze rolls for removing liquid picked up by the cloth from each bowl. The invention has particular reference to an improved continuous washer which is more compact, can be manufactured at lowercost and has superior operating characteristics, as compared with prior washers of this type.

In a conventional washer of the type described, each bowl is provided with a pair of squeeze rolls overlying the bowl, and the cloth passes through the nip of the rolls in a series of loops which hang into the corresponding bowl, whereby Washing liquid is squeezed from the cloth and returned to the bowl as the cloth progresses through the loops. The cloth passes through the series of bowls one after the other by way of these loops hanging in the washing liquid of the individual bowls, and the bowls are interconnected to provide liquid ow through the bowls from the last bowl to the first, so that the cloth progresses counter-currently to the washing liquid. To permit access to the squeeze rolls by operating and service personnel, it is necessary to provide a substantial space between adjacent sets or pairs of rolls, and this in turn has required a substantial space between adjacent bowls. Consequently, not only does the washer occupy considerable space, but also it is necessary to interconnect the bowls by means of pumps or piping to providethe counterflow of liquid. The use of a pump between each pair of adjacent bowls is expensive, and the use of pipes between the bowls limits the ow rate of the washing liquid and therefore the elfectiveness of the counterow.

A further disadvantage of the conventional washer of this type is the diiculty in controlling the speed at which the squeeze rolls are driven, to prevent the cloth loops in any of the bowls from becoming too long or too short. Heretofore, it has been common practice to drive all of the squeeze rolls from a common line shaft through variable speed drives for the respective sets of rolls, so that the speed of each set can be varied relative to the speeds of the other sets. The variable speed drive for each set of rolls is controlled by the tension in the cloth between the corresponding bowl and the next bowl of the series, this control being effected through dance rolls, as by means of a range drive. The use of such speed control systems adds greatly to the complexity and cost of the washer.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide a continuous washer which overcomes the abovenoted disadvantages. i

A washer made according to the invention comprises a set of three parallel squeeze rolls forming two nips and including a driven intermediate roll, means for guiding a length of cloth or other textile to one of these nips in a series of loops extending through this n ip and through the washing liquid in a bowl, and means for guiding the cloth length from this one nip to the second nip in a second series of loops extending through the second nip by way of the washing liquid in a second bowl. With this arrangement, two bowls are served by three squeeze rolls disposed in a single set, instead of four squeeze rolls disposed in two sets as heretofore.

In a preferred form of the new washer, a series of four bowls is served by two of these sets of squeeze rolls, and means are provided for guiding the cloth length from the second nip of the first set of rolls to the r'st nip of the second set of rolls in a supply loop extending through the third bowl of the series. Thus, if the speed of the second set of squeeze rolls becomes too fast relative to that of the lirst set, the slack in the intervening supply loop of cloth will enable this condition to be tolerated for a sub stantial period of time; and the reverse condition can be tolerated so long as it does not put excessive slack into the supply loop. Preferably, the two sets of squeeze rolls are driven by separate drives, that is, independently of each other so that one set can be slowed down or stopped independently of the other. In this way, the second set can be slowed down or stopped to restore the supply loop to its normal length whenever it becomes too short, and the rst set can be slowed down or stopped whenever the supply loop becomes too long. This eliminates the need for dance rolls and the complicated drives which they entail.

The new washer in its preferred form also has the series of bowls arranged in closely adjacent relation and separated frorn each other by overllow weirs, so that the counterow of washing liquid is obtained by cascading of the liquid from the last to the rst bowl by way of the intervening bowls. In this way, an adequate throughow rate of the washing liquid is obtained without the use of pumps between the bowls. In addition, at least one walkway is provided between the two sets of rolls and extending over an intervening bowl or Weir generally parallel to the rolls, to permit servicing, etc., of the rolls. By virtue of the fact that only one set of squeeze rolls is required for every two bowls, there is ample space for one or more walk-ways -between the roll sets, in spite of the bowls being located in closely adjacent relation.

These and other features of the invention will be better understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. l is a side elevational view of a preferred form of the new washer;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the washer illustrated in Fig. l, showing the path of the cloth through lthe washer, Fig. 2 being a section on the line 2-2 in Fig. 3;

Fig. 3 is an end view of the washer as seen from its front or cloth inlet end, and

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the washer, the driving connections being shown schematically and some of the external parts being omitted for the sake of clarity.

Referring to the drawings, the washer there shown is mounted on a foundation, such as a concrete oor 10, over a pit 11. The washer comprises a series of at least four bowls 12, 13, 14 and 15 located in the pit 11 (Fig. 2). The last bowl 15 of the series, reckoned in the direction of movement of the cloth, has an inlet 16 for the washing liquid and constituting a means for supplying the wash liquid. The several bowls are arranged in closely adjacent relation in the pit 11 and are separated by overflow weirs 17, 18 and 19. The weir 17 separating the bowls 14 and 15 is somewhat higher than the Weir 18 which separates the bowls 13 and 14; and the latter Weir, in turn, is somewhat higher than the weir 19 separating the lirst and second bowls 12 and 13. The first bowl 12 of the series has a horizontal slot 20 in its end wall, the lower edge of this slot forming an overow Vweir which is somewhat lower than the weir 19.

.2% This slot constitutes a means for discharging washing liquid from the series of bowls.

It will be apparent that when the bowls are filled with the washing liquid and the liquid is continuously supplied to the last bowl through the inlet 16, the liquid will cascade over the weirs 17, 18 and 19 from the last bowl of the series to the rst bowl 12, from which the liquid is continuously discharged through the outlet slot 20 to a suitable Waste collector (not shown).

The washing apparatus also comprises a pair of opposed lateral walls 22 and 22a at the front end portion of the washer where the cloth to be treated is introduced to the washer, and a pair of opposed lateral walls 23 and 23a at the rear or outlet end portion of the washer. These walls are mounted on the foundation 10 along the sides of the pit 11 and form part of a framework for the' apparatus. The framework also includes longitudinal beams 24 and 24a extending lengthwise of the pit 11 and mounted on top of the lateral walls 22-23 and 22a-23a, respectively.

A set of three squeeze rolls 26, 27 and 28 is mounted on the opposed lateral walls 22-22rz, these rolls being mounted one above the other and extending transversely of the pit 11 above the first bowl 12. The intermediate roll 27 is positively driven and has its end shafts journalled in bearings 29 secured to the opposed walls 22 and 22a, respectively. The shaft 27a at one end of the intermediate roll 27 (Figs. 3 and 4) extends through the corresponding bearing 29 and carries at its outer end a sprocket wheel 30 which is driven through a chain 31 from an electric motor 32.

The frame walls 22 and 22a are vertical slots 34 and 34a. bottom squeeze rolls 26 provided with opposed The end shafts of the top and and 2S extend through these slots and are journalled in movable bearings mounted on levers. More particularly, one of the end shafts of the bottom roll 28 is journalled in a lever 35 (Fig. l) intermediate the ends of this lever. At one end, the lever 35 is pivotally mounted on the frame wall 22 by means of a pivot pin 36. The opposite end of the lever 35 is pivotally connected to a piston rod 37 extending downward from a piston (not shown) in a pneumatic cylinder 38. The cylinder 38 is mounted at its Iupper end on a pivot 39 secured to the frame wall 22. The corresponding end shaft of the top roll 26 is journalled in the intermediate portion |of another lever 40, the latter being mounted at one end on a pivot 41 secured to the frame wall 22. The opposite end of the lever is pivotally connected to a piston rod 42 extending upward from a piston (not shown) in a pneumatic cylinder 43. The latter cylinder is mounted at its lower end on a pivot 44 secured to the frame wall 22.

The opposite end shafts of the top and bottom squeeze rools 26 and 28 are similarly mounted on levers pivoted on the frame wall 22a and connected through piston rods t'o pneumatic cylinders, the parts of the mounting system for these ends of the rolls having the same reference numbers as the parts previously described but with the subscript a added.` Thus, in Fig. 3 the pneumatic cylinders connected to the mounting levers for the bottom and top rolls 28 and 26, are shown at 38a and 43a, respectively.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that the intermediate roll 27 of the set of squeeze rolls is positively driven from the electric motor 32, and the top and bottom rolls 26 and 28 are movable vertically toward and away from the intermediate roll by operation of the levers previously described. The cylinders 38, 43, 38a and 43a are connected in the conventional manner to a suitable source of pressure fluid (not shown) so that the nid can be forced into or discharged from the cylinders selectively at the will of the operator. In this way, the vertically movable squeeze rolls 26 and 28 can be moved pneumatically against the intermediate roll 27 so as to maintain a pressure between the rolls during 4 operation of the washer, or the vertically movable rolls can be displaced pneumatically away from the intermediate roll, as will be understood by those skilled in the art.

A second set of squeeze rolls 46, 47 and 48 is mounted on the opposed frame walls 23-23a above the third bowl 14. The top and bottom rolls 46 and 48 of this set are mounted in the same manner as the squeeze rolls 26 and 28 of the first set, and the same reference characters have been applied to the corresponding parts of the mounting means for the rolls 46 and 48. The end shafts of the intermediate squeeze roll 49 extend through the opposed slots 343-3411 in the frame walls 23-23a and are mounted in fixed bearings, as in the case of the end shafts of the intermediate roll 27, of the set, the fixed bearings for the roll 47 being shown at 49. The shaft 47a at one end end of the intermediate roll 47 carries a sprocket wheel 50 which is driven through a chain 51 from a second electric motor 52. The two motors 32 and 52 and their driving connections to the corresponding intermediate rolls 27 and 47 thus constitute separate drives for the intermediate rolls of the two sets of squeeze rolls, whereby these intermediate rolls can be driven independently of each other. These separate drivesy may be made variable as tospeed as by providing variable speed motors 32 and 52, so that the speed of each intermediate roll 27 and 47 can be varied relative to the speed of the other roll.

Directly below the two sets of squeeze rolls 26-2728 and 46-47-48 are collecting troughs or pans 54, 55, respectively, these troughs being positioned to receive soap squeezed from the cloth passing through the washer. The soap collected in the troughs 54 and may be discharged into a waste receptacle (not shown).

An idler roll or guide bar 57 is rotatably mounted at its ends on the opposed frame walls 22 and 22a, this bar extending parallel to the squeeze rolls and being located in front of the bottom roll 28. Below the bar 57 is a rod 58 which is likewise mounted at its ends on the frame walls 22 22z. The rod 58 is provided with a series of guide pins 58a projecting generally horizontally away from the bottom roll 28 and toward the front end of the washer. The guide pins 58a are spaced from each other along the length o-f the rod 58. A second idler roll or guide bar is rotatably mounted at its ends on the frame walls 22 and 22a and extends parallel to the squeeze rolls. This bar 59 is located to the rear of the nip between the squeeze rolls 26-27 and above the front end portion of the second washing bowl 13. Below the bar 59 is a rod 6) extending between the frame walls 22 and 22a and having guide pins 60a which project generally horizontally away from the intermediate squeeze roll 27 and toward the rear end of the washer. Two rotatable bars or shafts 61 and 62 are mounted at their ends on the longitudinal beams 24 and 24a, the peripheries of these shafts being formed with longitudinal flutes. Rotatable shafts 61 and 62 extend parallel to the squeeze rolls and are spaced from each other in the longitudinal direction of the washer, these shafts overlying the second washing bowl 13. A pulley 63 is mounted on the shaft 26a at one end of the top squeeze roll 26 and serves to drive the shaft 61 through a belt 64 and a pulley 61a which is mounted on a projecting end of the shaft 61. The shaft 62 is provided at one end with an extension 62a which is driven from the shaft 61 through a pulley belt 65.

In front of the seco-nd set of squeeze rolls 46-47-48 are a rotatable bar and a rod having a set of guide pins, these parts being similar to and having the same reference numerals as the parts 57, S8 and 58a, respectively located in front of the first set of squeeze rolls. To the rear of the second set of squeeze rolls are a rotatable bar 59, a rod 60 and guide lingers or pins 60a, which are similar to the correspondingly numbered parts located to the rear of the first set of squeeze rolls; A second pair of uted shafts 61 and 62 is mounted to the rear of the second set of squeeze rolls, where they are journalled in the opposed longitudinal walls 24 and Zia, these shafts overlying a fourth washing bowl 1S. The top squeeze roll 46 of the second set is provided at one end with a projecting end shaft 46a (Fig. 4), this shaft serving to drive the second pair of iiuted shafts 61 and 62 through connections similar to those previously described in reference to the first pair of fluted shafts 61-62. The connections from the end shaft 46a to the second pair of fluted shafts 61 and 62 are indicated by the same reference numerals 63-65. A rotatable shaft 66 similar to the shafts 61 and 62 is mounted between the longitudinal beams 24 and 24a at the rear end portion of the washer and is driven from the adjacent shaft 62 through a pulley belt 67, as indicated in Fig. 4.

A rotatable stub bar in the form of a fluted roll is mounted on the frame wall 23a above the squeeze roll 46. This stub roll 68 is located above the rear portion of the third washing bowl 14 and serves as a guide roll, as will be described in greater detail presently. The stub roll 68 is driven from the fluted shaft 61 adjacent the rst set of squeeze rolls through a pulley belt 69 (Figs. 3 and 4).

Between the two sets of squeeze rolls 26-27-28 and 46-47-48 are two Walk- ways 70 and 70a extending generally parallel to the squeeze rolls. As shown, the walk-way 70 overlies the second washing bowl 13, and the walk-way 70a overlies the weir 18 between the bowls 14 and 13. These two walk-ways span the pit 11 and are supported at their opposite ends by the parts of the foundation which border upon the pit. The walkways are provided with railings 71 extending parallel to the walk-ways at the opposite sides thereof, and the railings along the adjacent sides of the two walk-ways are interconnected by railings 72 extending lengthwise of the pit 11. Another walk-way 70b is located to the rear of the second set of rolls and overlies the last bowl of the series of bowls, the latter walk-way being provided with railings similar ot those described in connection with the walk- ways 70 and 70a.

The cloth to be treated, which is indicated at C, is supplied to the front or inlet end of the washer from any suitable source (not shown). This cloth extends over the rotatable bar 57 and through the nip between the squeeze rolls27 and 28, from which the cloth extends downward through the washing liquid in the first tank 12 and then upward between a pair of adjacent guide fingers 58a and thence over the bar 57 and back through the same nip. This looped course of the cloth is repeated to form a series of loops C1 hanging from the rotatable bar 57 and the bottom roll 28 and extending through the liquid in the first bowl 12 and through the nip between the squeeze rolls 27 and Z8, these loops being spaced from each other along the length of the rolls 27-28 by means of the guide ngers 58a. That is, the several loops of the series C extend through the spaces between dilerent pairs of the guide fingers 53a. The cloth from the last loo-p C extends upward and rearward from the nip between the squeeze rolls 27-28, as shown at C2, then over the first pair of liuted shafts 61-62, then downward into the liquid in the second washing bowl 13, as shown at C3, then upward between a pairpof the overlying guide fingers 60a and over the corresponding bar 59, then through the nip between the squeeze rolls 26 and 27, and then back over the corresponding fluted shafts 61 and 62. This looped course of the cloth is then repeated to form a series of loops C3 hanging from the shafts 61-62 and the bar 59 and extending through the nip between the squeeze rolls 26 and 27 by way of the liquid in the second bowl 13. The loops of the series C3 are spaced from each other lengthwise of the rolls by means of the guide fingers 60a, it being understood that the several loops of this series pass through the diiferent spaces between these guide fingers. The cloth 6 from the last loop in the series C3 extends rearward from the corresponding iiuted shaft 62, as shown at C4, and passes over the iiuted stub roll 68 and downward into the liquid in the third bowl 14, from which the cloth passes upward between a pair of the overlying guide fingers 58a, then over the overlying bar 57, then through the nip between the squeeze rolls 47-48, and then downward again into the bowl 14, as shown at C5. This looped course of the cloth is repeated to form a series of loops C5 hanging from the rotatable bar 57 and the squeeze roll i8 and extending through the last mentioned nip by way of the liquid in bowl 14. It will be understood that the loops in the series C5 are spaced from each other lengthwise of the squeeze roll by means of the guide fingers 58a. From the last loop of the series C5 the cloth extends upward and rearward from the nip between the rolls 47-48, as shown at C6, then over the corresponding fluted shafts 61 and 62. From the fluted shaft 62 to the rear of the second set of squeeze rolls, the cloth extends downward into the liquid in the fourth bowl 15, as shown at C7, then upwardly between a pair of the overlying guide fingers 60a, then over the overlying bar 59, then through the nip between the squeeze rolls 46-47, and then back over the corresponding fluted shaft 61-62. This looped course of the cloth is repeated to form a series of loops C7 hanging from the shaft 61--62 and the bar 59 and extending through the nip between the squeeze rolls 46-47 by way of the liquid in the last bowl 15. From the last loop in this series C7, the cloth passes rearward from the corresponding iluted shaft 62 and over the fluted shaft 66, from which the cloth is withdrawn from the washer as indicated at C8.

With the arrangement as described, each of the two sets lof squeeze rolls 26-27-28 and 46--47-48 serves two of the washing bowls of the series 12--15. That is, the first set of squeeze rolls 26-27-28 accommodates the two series of loops C1 and C3 which are suspended in the liquid within the iirst two bowls 12 and 13, respectively. Thus, as the cloth progresses through these two series of loops C1 and C3, due to rotation of the roll 27 and the corresponding fluted shafts 61-62, the liquid picked up by the cloth from these bowls is substantially squeezed from the cloth as it passes through the nips between the rolls 27-28 and the rolls 26-27, respectively,the liquid thus squeezed from the cloth being collected in the trough 54, from which it overflows into the rst bowl 12. In a similar manner, the second Set of squeeze rolls 46-47-48 squeezes a substantial part of the liquid from the cloth progressing through the last two series of loops C5 and C7, this liquid being collected in the trough 55 and overflowing into the bowl 14.

The spacing of the various loops of cloth by means of the guide fingers 58a and 60a may be effected in any desired manner so as to maintain the loops spaced from each other. For example, the loops of the tirst series C1 may be spaced along the rolls 27-28 from the lefthand to the right-hand ends thereof (as seen from the left or front end of the machine in Fig. 2), the cloth C being delivered initially to the left-hand ends of these rolls; and the cloth C2 from the right-hand ends of the rolls 27-28 passes to the second series of loops C3 which are spaced from right to left along the rolls 26-27, the cloth from the last of these loops passing over the stub roll 63 and being delivered via -supply loop C4 to the rst loop C5 at the left-hand ends of rolls 47--4-8. The spacing of the loops C5 and C7 along the corresponding rolls may be as previously described in connection with the loops C1 and C3, respectively.

The cloth passing over the stub roll 68 and into the bowl 14 from the first set of squeeze rolls forms a supply loop C4 from which the cloth is delivered to the second set of squeeze rolls 46-47-48. This supply loop C4 serves to accommodate variations in the relative speeds of the cloth passing through the two sets of squeeze rolls,

In other words, if the cloth passes through the second set of squeeze rolls at a greater linear speed than it passes through the iirst set of squeeze rolls, the slack in the supply loop C4 will accommodate this condition for a substantial period of time; and conversely additional slack will be put into the supply loop C4 when the cloth passes through the first set of squeeze rolls at a greater linear speed than through the second set. If the supply loop C4 becomes too short, the motor 52 for the second set of squeeze rolls is shut oit or slowed down so as to feed additional cloth into this loop until it acquires the desired length; and if the supply loop C4 becomes too long, the motor 32 for the first set vof squeeze rolls is shut ott or slowed down untill a sulcient amount of cloth is drawn out of the supply loop C4 to restore it to the desired length. Thus, it is unnecessary to control the cloth movements by means of the usual dance rolls and associated range drives.

The washer as described and illustrated has the further advantages of compactness and simplicity in construction. The arrangement by which a single set of three squeeze rolls serves two washing bowls not only'reduces the required number of squeeze rolls but also permits the washing bowls to be placed closer together while affording ample space between adjacent sets of squeeze rolls for servicing purposes. The provision of one or more wall -ways between adjacent roll sets enables easy access to the rolls while permitting the interconnection of adjacent bowls by weirs in place of the usual pipes. The walk-ways provided for this purpose do not interfere with the passage of the cloth through the washer, since the walk-ways 70 and 71115 may be located within the two series of loops C3 and C7, respectively, and the walkway 70a may be located below the length C4 of cloth passing from the first to the second roll set.

VI claim:

1. In a continuous washer for textile materials, and the like, having at least two bowls adapted to contain a washing liquid and through which a length of said material is passed serially, the improvement which comprises a set of three parallel squeeze rolls forming two nips and including a driven intermediate roll, means for guiding said length to one of the nips in a series of loops extending through said one nip and the liquid in the iirst bowl, and means for guiding said length from said one nip to the other nip in a second series of loops extending through said other nip by way of the liquid in the second bowl.

2. The improvement according to claim 1, comprising also means for supplying wash liquid to said second bowl, and an overflow weir separating said bowls and over which the liquid is adapted to cascade from the second bowl into the rst bowl.

3. The improvement according to claim 1, comprising also means for supplying wash liquid to said second bowl, an overflow weir separating said bowls and over which the liquid is adapted -to cascade from the second bowl into the first bowl, and a walk-way extending over the second bowl generally parallel to said rolls and located within the loops of said second series, said set of rolls overlying the irst bowl.

4, The improvement according to claim 1, in which said rst guide means include pins disposed in proximity to said first nip and spaced axially of the rolls.

5. The improvement according to claim 1, in which said second guide means include bars supporting the loops of said second series.

6. The improvement according to claim 1, in which said second guide means include bars supporting the loops of said second series, and pins disposed in proximity to said second nip and spaced axially of the rolls.

7. In a continuous washer for textile materials, and the like, having a series of at least four bowls adapted to contain a washing liquid and through which a length of the material is passed in sequence, the improvement which comprises two sets of squeeze rolls, each set having three parallel rolls forming two nips and including a driven intermediate roll, means for guiding said length to one of the nips of the iirst set in a series of loops extending through said one nip and the liquid in the first bowl, second guide means for guiding said length from said one to the other nip of said lirst set in a second series of loops extending through said other nip by way of the liquid in the second bowl, third guide means for guiding said length from said other nip to one of the nips of the second set in a supply loop extending through the liquid in the third bowl, fourth guide means for guiding said length in a third series of loops extending from said supply loop through said one nip of the second set and the liquid in said third bowl, and rifth guide means for guiding said length from said one nip to the other nip of the second set in a fourth series of loops extending through said last nip by way of the liquid in the fourth bowl.

8. The improvement according to claim 7, comprising also means for supplying wash liquid to said fourth bowl, and overflow weirs separating adjacent bowls and over which the liquid is adapted to cascade from the fourth to the iirst bowl by way of the third and second bowls.

9. The improvement according to claim 7, comprising 'also means for supplying wash liquid to said fourth bowl, overtiow weirs separating adjacent bowls and over which the liquid is adapted to cascade from the fourth to the irst bowl by way of the third and second bowls, and a walk-way extending over said second bowl generally parallel to said rolls and located between said roll sets and within said second series of loops.

10. The improvement according to claim 7, in which said second, third and fifth guide means include rotatable bars for supporting the respective loops.

11. The improvement according to claim 7, comprising also separate drives for the intermediate rolls of the respective sets, whereby said intermediate rolls can be driven independently of each other.

12. The improvement according to claim 7, comprising also separate drives for the intermediate rolls of the respective sets, whereby said intermediate rolls can be driven independently of each other, said third guide means including a rotatable bar supporting said supply loop and driven from said drive for the intermediate roll of said rst set.

13. The improvement according to claim 7, comprising also separate drives for the intermediate rolls of the respective sets, whereby said intermediate rolls can be driven independently of each other, said second and third guide means including rotatable bars supporting the corresponding loops and driven from said drive for the intermediate roll of said lirst set, said fifth guide means including a rotatable bar supporting said fourth series of loops and driven from the other of said drives.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 653,485 Palmer July 10, 1900 971,575 Todd Oct. 4, 1910 2,504,554 Lindsay Apr. 18, 1950 2,736,183 Arnold Feb. 28, 1956 FOREIGN PATENTS 706,480 Germany May 28, 1941

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