A method of treating a web includes directing the web toward an apparatus having a first roller and a second roller together defining a nip. The first roller is rotated in a first direction and includes two ends, a length extending between the two ends, a raised area adapted to treat the web, and a bearer ring. The bearer ring extends around the circumference of the first roller and is disposed at a location between and spaced from the ends of the first roller. The second roller of the apparatus is rotated in a second direction opposite to the first direction. The web is fed to the nip of the apparatus such that the web is contacted by the raised area on the first roller to treat the web.

A method of treating a web includes directing the web toward an apparatus having a first roller and a second roller together defining a nip. The first roller is rotated in a first direction and includes two ends, a length extending between the two ends, a raised area adapted to treat the web, and a bearer ring. The bearer ring extends around the circumference of the first roller and is disposed at a location between and spaced from the ends of the first roller. The second roller of the apparatus is rotated in a second direction opposite to the first direction. The web is fed to the nip of the apparatus such that the web is contacted by the raised area on the first roller to treat the web.

A pile fabric includes ground yarns constituting a ground structure; pile fibers that are tangled with the ground yarns, the pile fibers including portions standing on a front surface side of the ground structure; and an organically-modified silicone-based softener adhered to the pile fibers located on a back surface side of the pile fabric. The pile fibers include at least one selected from the group consisting of acrylic fibers and modacrylic fibers, and have a softening point lower than a softening point of the ground yarns. The portions standing on the front surface side of the ground structure are not fused to each other, and on a back surface side of the ground structure, at least part of the pile fibers located outside of the ground yarns are fused to each other.

A pile fabric includes ground yarns constituting a ground structure; pile fibers that are tangled with the ground yarns, the pile fibers including portions standing on a front surface side of the ground structure; and an organically-modified silicone-based softener adhered to the pile fibers located on a back surface side of the pile fabric. The pile fibers include at least one selected from the group consisting of acrylic fibers and modacrylic fibers, and have a softening point lower than a softening point of the ground yarns. The portions standing on the front surface side of the ground structure are not fused to each other, and on a back surface side of the ground structure, at least part of the pile fibers located outside of the ground yarns are fused to each other.

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.

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.

A process is described wherein pile yarn is woven with cotton weft and warp yarns to produce terry fabrics, such as towels. The fabric is then washed in warm water to dissolve the PVA fibers. The amount of fibers dissolved, depends upon the count of the yarn or yarns used. By dissolving the PVA fibers, a hollow air space is produced throughout the pile yarn, corresponding to an increase in the air space in the pile yarn. By increasing the air space in the pile yarn, the resulting towels are softer and bulkier than standard cotton towels. The present invention further relates to pile yarn in terry woven fabric (warp yarn), or weft yarn, in the case of flat fabrics.

A process is described wherein pile yarn is woven with cotton weft and warp yarns to produce terry fabrics, such as towels. The fabric is then washed in warm water to dissolve the PVA fibers. The amount of fibers dissolved, depends upon the count of the yarn or yarns used. By dissolving the PVA fibers, a hollow air space is produced throughout the pile yarn, corresponding to an increase in the air space in the pile yarn. By increasing the air space in the pile yarn, the resulting towels are softer and bulkier than standard cotton towels. The present invention further relates to pile yarn in terry woven fabric (warp yarn), or weft yarn, in the case of flat fabrics.

A process is described wherein pile yarn is woven with cotton weft and warp yarns to produce terry fabrics, such as towels. The fabric is then washed in warm water to dissolve the PVA fibers. The amount of fibers dissolved, depends upon the count of the yarn or yarns used. By dissolving the PVA fibers, a hollow air space is produced throughout the pile yarn, corresponding to an increase in the air space in the pile yarn. By increasing the air space in the pile yarn, the resulting towels are softer and bulkier than standard cotton towels. The present invention further relates to pile yarn in terry woven fabric (warp yarn), or weft yarn, in the case of flat fabrics.

A process is described wherein pile yarn is woven with cotton weft and warp yarns to produce terry fabrics, such as towels. The fabric is then washed in warm water to dissolve the PVA fibers. The amount of fibers dissolved, depends upon the count of the yarn or yarns used. By dissolving the PVA fibers, a hollow air space is produced throughout the pile yarn, corresponding to an increase in the air space in the pile yarn. By increasing the air space in the pile yarn, the resulting towels are softer and bulkier than standard cotton towels. The present invention further relates to pile yarn in terry woven fabric (warp yarn), or weft yarn, in the case of flat fabrics.