Heat setter for delicate and/or sensitive knit fabrics

Abstract

A heat setter that heat-sets delicate knit fabrics, sensitive knit fabrics, similar constituted fabrics, and analogously constituted fabrics that may include metal, other threads, and panels in or appended to the delicate knit fabrics and the sensitive knit fabrics, and supports and avoids stretching, marking, and drooping of the delicate knit fabrics and the sensitive knit fabrics going through the heat setter. The heat setter includes a main portion. The main portion heat-sets the delicate knit fabrics, the sensitive knit fabrics, the similar constituted fabrics, and the analogously constituted fabrics that may include the metal, the other threads, and the panels in or appended to the delicate knit fabrics and the sensitive knit fabrics, and supports and avoids the stretching, the marking, and the drooping of the delicate knit fabrics and the sensitive knit fabrics going through the main portion.

Claims

1. A heat setter for heat-setting at least one of delicate knit fabrics and sensitive knit fabrics having a width and that may include at least one of metal, other threads, and panels disposed at one of in and appended to the at least one of the delicate knit fabrics and the sensitive knit fabrics, and for supporting and avoiding at least one of stretching, marking, and drooping of the at least one of the delicate knit fabrics and the sensitive knit fabrics going through the heat setter, said heat setter comprising: a main portion; wherein said main portion is for heat-setting the at least one of the delicate knit fabrics and the sensitive knit fabrics that may include the at least one of the metal, the other threads, and the panels disposed at one of in and appended to the at least one of the delicate knit fabrics and the sensitive knit fabrics; wherein said main portion is for supporting and avoiding the at least one of the stretching, the marking, and the drooping of the at least one of the delicate knit fabrics and the sensitive knit fabrics going through the main portion; wherein said main portion comprises a heater assembly; wherein said main portion comprises a housing; wherein said heater assembly of said main portion comprises an input fan; and wherein said input fan of said heater assembly of said main portion is disposed internal to said housing of said main portion, at an uppermost portion thereof; wherein said heater assembly of said main portion is for heat-setting the at least one of the delicate knit fabrics and the sensitive knit fabrics that may include the at least one of the metal, the other threads, and the panels disposed at one of in and appended to the at least one of the delicate knit fabrics and the sensitive knit fabrics; wherein said main portion comprises a support assembly; wherein said support assembly of said main portion is disposed in operative relationship with said heater assembly of said main portion; wherein said support assembly of said main portion forms a heating zone with said heater assembly of said main portion; wherein said support assembly of said main portion is arranged for supporting and avoiding the at least one of the stretching, the marking, and the drooping of the at least one of the delicate knit fabrics and the sensitive knit fabrics going through said heater assembly of said main portion; wherein said housing of said main portion is for resting on a support surface; wherein said heater assembly of said main portion comprises a gas-fired burner; wherein said gas-fired burner of said heater assembly of said main portion is disposed on said housing of said main portion; wherein said gas-fired burner of said heater assembly of said main portion is external to said housing of said main portion; and wherein said gas-fired burner of said heater assembly of said main portion supplies heated air to said heating zone of said heater assembly of said main portion.

2. The heat setter of claim 1, further comprising a fabric detwister and spreader; wherein said fabric detwister and spreader is operatively connected to said main portion; wherein said fabric detwister and spreader is upstream of said main portion; wherein said fabric detwister and spreader is for detwisting and spreading the at least one of the delicate knit fabrics and the sensitive knit fabrics prior to the at least one of the delicate knit fabrics and the sensitive knit fabrics being fed into said main portion; and wherein said fabric detwister and spreader is for facilitating moving the at least one of the delicate knit fabrics and the sensitive knit fabrics, while maintaining the width of the at least one of the delicate knit fabrics and the sensitive knit fabrics.

3. The heat setter of claim 1, further comprising a fabric receiver; wherein said fabric receiver is operatively connected to said main portion; wherein said fabric receiver is downstream of said main portion; and wherein said fabric receiver is for receiving and protecting the at least one of the delicate knit fabrics and the sensitive knit fabrics after the at least one of the delicate knit fabrics and the sensitive knit fabrics has exited said main portion.

4. The heat setter of claim 1, wherein said heating zone of said heater assembly of said main portion includes a passageway; wherein said passageway of said heating zone of said heater assembly of said main portion is internal to said housing of said main portion; and wherein said passageway of said heating zone of said heater assembly of said main portion provides a passage for said heated air for contacting, and passing through, the at least one of the delicate knit fabrics and the sensitive knit fabrics.

5. The heat setter of claim 4, wherein said heater assembly of said main portion comprises an upper nozzle plenum; wherein said upper nozzle plenum of said heater assembly of said main portion is internal to said housing of said main portion; and wherein said upper nozzle plenum of said heater assembly of said main portion receives said heated air.

6. The heat setter of claim 5, wherein said heater assembly of said main portion comprises upper nozzles; and wherein said upper nozzles of said heater assembly of said main portion are in fluid communication with said upper nozzle plenum of said heater assembly of said main portion to distribute said heated air to said passageway of said heating zone of said heater assembly of said main portion.

7. The heat setter of claim 6, wherein said heater assembly of said main portion comprises a lower nozzle plenum; wherein said lower nozzle plenum of said heater assembly of said main portion is internal to said housing of said main portion; and wherein said lower nozzle plenum of said heater assembly of said main portion receives said heated air.

8. The heat setter of claim 7, wherein said heater assembly of said main portion comprises lower nozzles; and wherein said lower nozzles of said heater assembly of said main portion are in fluid communication with said lower nozzle plenum of said heater assembly of said main portion to distribute said heated air to said passageway of said heating zone of said heater assembly of said main portion.

9. The heat setter of claim 8, wherein said heater assembly of said main portion comprises an exhaust fan; wherein said exhaust fan of said heater assembly of said main portion is disposed on top of said housing of said main portion; and wherein said exhaust fan of said heater assembly of said main portion fluidly communicates with said passageway of said heating zone of said heater assembly of said main portion.

10. The heat setter of claim 1, wherein said input fan of said heater assembly of said main portion pressurizes and forces heated air into an upper nozzle plenum of said heater assembly of said main portion and a lower nozzle plenum of said heater assembly of said main portion; wherein said heated air leaves said upper nozzle plenum of said heater assembly of said main portion and said lower nozzle plenum of said heater assembly of said main portion and enters upper nozzles of said heater assembly of said main portion and lower nozzles of said heater assembly of said main portion, respectively; wherein said heated air leaves said upper nozzles of said heater assembly of said main portion and said lower nozzles of said heater assembly of said main portion and enters into a passageway of a heating zone of said heater assembly of said main portion for interfacing with the at least one of the delicate knit fabrics and the sensitive knit fabrics; and wherein said heated air leaves said passageway of said heating zone of said heater assembly of said main portion where an exhaust fan of said heater assembly of said main portion exhausts said heated air therefrom, while a portion returns.

11. The heat setter of claim 1, wherein said support assembly of said main portion comprises a tenter frame; wherein said tenter frame of said support assembly of said main portion is internal to said housing of said main portion; wherein said tenter frame of said support assembly of said main portion traverses said heating zone of said heater assembly of said main portion; and wherein said tenter frame of said support assembly of said main portion is for assisting in moving the at least one of the delicate knit fabrics and the sensitive knit fabrics through said heating zone of said heater assembly of said main portion so as to preserve the width of the at least one of the delicate knit fabrics and the sensitive knit fabrics as the at least one of the delicate knit fabrics and the sensitive knit fabrics passes through said heating zone of said heater assembly of said main portion.

12. The heat setter of claim 1, wherein said support assembly comprises an array of hollow tubes; wherein said array of hollow tubes of said support assembly are disposed internal to said housing; and wherein said array of hollow tubes of said support assembly are for supporting and avoiding the at least one of the stretching, the marking, and the drooping of the at least one of the delicate knit fabrics and the sensitive knit fabrics going through said heating zone of said heater assembly of said main portion.

13. The heat setter of claim 12, wherein said array of hollow tubes of said support assembly are cylindrical tubes.

14. The heat setter of claim 12, wherein said array of hollow tubes of said support assembly introduce a waving effect to keep the at least one of the delicate and the sensitive knit fabrics from overheating on said array of hollow tubes of said support assembly.

15. The heat setter of claim 12, wherein said support assembly comprises a coolant; wherein said coolant of said support assembly passes in said array of hollow tubes of said support assembly; wherein said coolant of said support assembly is circulated by said array of hollow tubes of said support assembly; and wherein said coolant of said support assembly flows counter to a path of the at least one of the delicate knit fabrics and the sensitive knit fabrics.

16. The heat setter of claim 15, wherein said coolant of said support assembly is at least one of air, water, an inert gas, a commercially available liquid coolant, and a commercially available gaseous coolant.

17. The heat setter of claim 15, wherein said support assembly comprises spargers; wherein said spargers of said support assembly are disposed at each end of said array of hollow tubes of said support assembly, respectively; wherein said spargers of said support assembly are shaped to provide a smooth flow of the at least one of the delicate knit fabrics and the sensitive knit fabrics onto said array of hollow tubes of said support assembly; wherein said spargers of said support assembly are shaped to provide a smooth flow of the at least one of the delicate knit fabrics and the sensitive knit fabrics away from said array of hollow tubes of said support assembly; wherein said spargers of said support assembly deliver said coolant of said support assembly to said array of hollow tubes of said support assembly; and wherein said spargers of said support assembly collect said coolant of said support assembly from said array of hollow tubes of said support assembly.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES OF THE DRAWING

(1) FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic side elevational view of the heat setter of the embodiments of the present invention heat-setting at least one of delicate knit fabrics and sensitive knit fabrics that may include at least one of metal, other threads, and panels disposed at one of in and appended to the at least one of the delicate knit fabrics and the sensitive knit fabrics, and supporting and avoiding at least one of stretching, marking, and drooping of the at least one of the delicate knit fabrics and the sensitive knit fabrics going through the heat setter;

(2) FIG. 2 is diagrammatic top plan view of the heat setter of the embodiments of the present invention taken generally in the direction of ARROW 2 in FIG. 1;

(3) FIG. 3 is an enlarged diagrammatic front view of the main portion of the heat setter of the embodiments of the present invention identified by ARROW 3 in FIG. 1;

(4) FIG. 4 is diagrammatic side elevational view of the main portion of the heat setter of the embodiments of the present invention identified by ARROW 4 in FIG. 3;

(5) FIG. 5 is diagrammatic opposite side elevational view of the main portion of the heat setter of the embodiments of the present invention identified by ARROW 5 in FIG. 3;

(6) FIG. 6 is diagrammatic top plan view of the main portion of the heat setter of the embodiments of the present invention identified by ARROW 6 in FIG. 3; and

(7) FIG. 7 is an enlarged diagrammatic perspective view of the area generally enclosed by the dotted curve identified by ARROW 7 in FIGS. 4 and 5.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS UTILIZED IN THE FIGURES OF THE DRAWING

(8) A. Introductory. 10 heat setter of embodiments of present invention for heat-setting at least one of delicate knit fabrics, sensitive knit fabrics, similar constituted fabrics, and analogously constituted fabrics 12 that may include at least one of metal, other threads, and panels disposed at one of in and appended to at least one of delicate knit fabrics and sensitive knit fabrics 12, and for supporting and avoiding at least one of stretching, marking, and drooping of the at least one of the delicate knit fabrics and sensitive knit fabrics 12 going through heat setter 10 12 at least one of delicate knit fabrics, sensitive knit fabrics, similar constituted fabrics, and analogously constituted fabrics

(9) B. Overall Configuration of Heat Setter 10. 14 main portion for heat-setting at least one of delicate knit fabrics, sensitive knit fabrics, similar constituted fabrics, and analogously constituted fabrics 12 that may include at least one of metal, other threads, and panels disposed at one of in and appended to at least one of delicate knit fabrics and sensitive knit fabrics 12, and for supporting and avoiding at least one of stretching, marking, and drooping of at least one of delicate knit fabrics and sensitive knit fabrics 12 going through main portion 14 16 fabric detwister and spreader for detwisting and spreading at least one of delicate knit fabrics and sensitive knit fabrics 12 prior to at least one of delicate knit fabrics and sensitive knit fabrics 12 being fed into main portion 14, and for facilitating moving at least one of delicate knit fabrics and sensitive knit fabrics 12 while maintaining width of at least one of delicate knit fabrics and sensitive knit fabrics 12 18 fabric receiver for receiving and protecting at least one of delicate knit fabrics and sensitive knit fabrics 12 after at least one of delicate knit fabrics and sensitive knit fabrics 12 has exited main portion 14

(10) C. Specific Configuration of Main Portion 14. 20 heater assembly of main portion 14 for heat-setting at least one of delicate knit fabrics and sensitive knit fabrics 12 that may include at least one of metal, other threads, and panels disposed at one of in and appended to at least one of delicate knit fabrics and sensitive knit fabrics 12 22 support assembly of main portion 14 24 heating zone of heater assembly 20 of main portion 14 26 housing of main portion 14 for resting on support surface 28 28 support surface

(11) D. Specific Configuration of Heater Assembly 20 of Main Portion 14. 30 gas-fired burner of heater assembly 20 of main portion 14 32 heated air 34 passageway of heating zone 24 of heater assembly 20 of main portion 14 36 upper nozzle plenum of heater assembly 20 of main portion 14 38 upper nozzles of heater assembly 20 of main portion 14 40 lower nozzle plenum of heater assembly 20 of main portion 14 42 lower nozzles of heater assembly 20 of main portion 14 44 exhaust fan of heater assembly 20 of main portion 14 45 input fan of heater assembly 20 of main portion 14 46 ARROWS 48 ARROWS 50 ARROWS 52 ARROWS

(12) E. Specific Configuration of Support Assembly 22 of Main Portion 14. 54 tenter frame of support assembly 22 of main portion 14 for assisting in moving at least one of delicate knit fabrics and sensitive knit fabrics 22 through heating zone 24 of heater assembly 20 of main portion 14 so as to preserve width of at least one of delicate knit fabrics and sensitive knit fabrics 22 as at least one of delicate knit fabrics and sensitive knit fabrics 22 passes through heating zone 24 of heater assembly 20 of main portion 14 56 array of hollow tubes of support assembly 22 for supporting and avoiding at least one of stretching, marking, and drooping of at least one of delicate knit fabrics and sensitive knit fabrics 12 going through heating zone 24 of heater assembly 20 of main portion 14 58 coolant of support assembly 22 60 spargers of support assembly 22 62 each end of array of hollow tubes 56 of support assembly 22

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(13) A. Introductory.

(14) Referring now to the figures of the drawing, in which like numerals indicate like parts, and particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2, the heat setter of the embodiments of the present invention is shown generally at 10 for heat-setting at least one of delicate knit fabrics, sensitive knit fabrics, similar constituted fabrics, and analogously constituted fabrics 12 that may include at least one of metal, other threads, and panels disposed at one of in and appended to the at least one of the delicate knit fabrics and the sensitive knit fabrics 12, and for supporting and avoiding at least one of stretching, marking, and drooping of the at least one of the delicate knit fabrics and the sensitive knit fabrics 12 going through the heat setter 10.

(15) B. Overall Configuration of the Heat Setter 10.

(16) The heat setter 10 comprises a main portion 14.

(17) The main portion 14 is for heat-setting the at least one of the delicate knit fabrics, the sensitive knit fabrics, the similar constituted fabrics, and the analogously constituted fabrics 12 that may include the at least one of the metal, the other threads, and the panels disposed at one of in and appended to the at least one of the delicate knit fabrics and the sensitive knit fabrics 12. The main portion 14 is further for supporting and avoiding the at least one of the stretching, the marking, and the drooping of the at least one of the delicate knit fabrics and the sensitive knit fabrics 12 going through the main portion 14.

(18) The heat setter 10 further comprises a fabric detwister and spreader 16.

(19) The fabric detwister and spreader 16 is operatively connected to, and upstream of, the main portion 14, is for detwisting and spreading the at least one of the delicate knit fabrics and the sensitive knit fabrics 12 prior to the at least one of the delicate knit fabrics and the sensitive knit fabrics 12 being fed into the main portion 14, and is for facilitating moving the at least one of the delicate knit fabrics and the sensitive knit fabrics 12 while maintaining the width of the at least one of the delicate knit fabrics and the sensitive knit fabrics 12.

(20) The heat setter 10 further comprises a fabric receiver 18.

(21) The fabric receiver 18 is operatively connected to, and downstream of, the main portion 14, and is for receiving and protecting the at least one of the delicate knit fabrics and the sensitive knit fabrics 12 after the at least one of the delicate knit fabrics and the sensitive knit fabrics 12 has exited the main portion 14.

(22) C. The Specific Configuration of the Main Portion 14.

(23) The specific configuration of the main portion 14 can best be seen in FIGS. 3-7, and as such, will be discussed with reference thereto.

(24) The main portion 14 comprises a heater assembly 20.

(25) The heater assembly 20 of the main portion 14 is for heat-setting the at least one of the delicate knit fabrics and the sensitive knit fabrics 12 that may include the at least one of the metal, the other threads, and the panels disposed at one of in and appended to the at least one of the delicate knit fabrics and the sensitive knit fabrics 12.

(26) The main portion 14 further comprises a support assembly 22.

(27) The support assembly 22 of the main portion 14 is disposed in operative relationship with the heater assembly 20 of the main portion 14, forms a heating zone 24 with the heater assembly 20 of the main portion 14, and is arranged for supporting and avoiding the at least one of the stretching, the marking, and the drooping of the at least one of the delicate knit fabrics and the sensitive knit fabrics 12 going through the heater assembly 20 of the main portion 14.

(28) The main portion 14 further comprises a housing 26.

(29) The housing 26 of the main portion 14 is for resting on a support surface 28.

(30) D. The Specific Configuration of the Heater Assembly 20 of the Main Portion 14.

(31) The heater assembly 20 of the main portion 14 comprises a gas-fired burner 30.

(32) The gas-fired burner 30 of the heater assembly 20 of the main portion 14 is disposed on, but external to, the housing 26 of the main portion 14, and supplies heated air 32 to the heating zone 24 of the heater assembly 20 of the main portion 14.

(33) The heating zone 24 of the heater assembly 20 of the main portion 14 includes a passageway 34.

(34) The passageway 34 of the heating zone 24 of the heater assembly 20 of the main portion 14 is internal to the housing 26 of the main portion 14, and provides a passage for the heated air 32 for contacting, and passing through, the at least one of the delicate knit fabrics and the sensitive knit fabrics 12.

(35) The heater assembly 20 of the main portion 14 further comprises an upper nozzle plenum 36.

(36) The upper nozzle plenum 36 of the heater assembly 20 of the main portion 14 is internal to the housing 26 of the main portion 14, and receives the heated air 32.

(37) The heater assembly 20 of the main portion 14 further comprises upper nozzles 38.

(38) The upper nozzles 38 of the heater assembly 20 of the main portion 14 are in fluid communication with the upper nozzle plenum 36 of the heater assembly 20 of the main portion 14 to distribute the heated air 32 to the passageway 34 of the heating zone 24 of the heater assembly 20 of the main portion 14.

(39) The heater assembly 20 of the main portion 14 further comprises a lower nozzle plenum 40.

(40) The lower nozzle plenum 40 of the heater assembly 20 of the main portion 14 is internal to the housing 26 of the main portion 14, and receives the heated air 32.

(41) The heater assembly 20 of the main portion 14 further comprises lower nozzles 42. The lower nozzles 42 of the heater assembly 20 of the main portion 14 are in fluid communication with the lower nozzle plenum 40 of the heater assembly 20 of the main portion 14 to distribute the heated air 32 to the passageway 34 of the heating zone 24 of the heater assembly 20 of the main portion 14.

(42) The heater assembly 20 of the main portion 14 further comprises an exhaust fan 44.

(43) The exhaust fan 44 of the heater assembly 20 of the main portion 14 is disposed on top of the housing 26 of the main portion 14, and fluidly communicates with the passageway 34 of the heating zone 24 of the heater assembly 20 of the main portion 14.

(44) The heater assembly 20 of the main portion 14 further comprises an input fan 45.

(45) The input fan 45 of the heater assembly 20 of the main portion 14 is disposed internal to the housing 26 of the main portion 14, at an uppermost portion thereof.

(46) In operation, as shown by ARROWS 46, the input fan 45 of the heater assembly 20 of the main portion 14 pressurizes and forces the heated air 32 into the upper nozzle plenum 36 of the heater assembly 20 of the main portion 14 and the lower nozzle plenum 40 of the heater assembly 20 of the main portion 14. The heated air 32 leaves the upper nozzle plenum 36 of the heater assembly 20 of the main portion 14 and the lower nozzle plenum 40 of the heater assembly 20 of the main portion 14 and enters the upper nozzles 38 of the heater assembly 20 of the main portion 14 and the lower nozzles 42 of the heater assembly 20 of the main portion 14, respectively. The heated air 32 leaves the upper nozzles 38 of the heater assembly 20 of the main portion 14 and the lower nozzles 42 of the heater assembly 20 of the main portion 14 and enters into the passageway 34 of the heating zone 24 of the heater assembly 20 of the main portion 14 for interfacing with the at least one of the delicate knit fabrics and the sensitive knit fabrics 12. As shown by ARROWS 48, the heated air 32 leaves the passageway 34 of the heating zone 24 of the heater assembly 20 of the main portion 14 where, as shown by ARROWS 50, the exhaust fan 44 of the heater assembly 20 of the main portion 14 exhausts the heated air 32 therefrom, while, as shown by ARROWS 52, a portion returns.

(47) E. The Specific Configuration of the Support Assembly 22 of the Main Portion 14.

(48) The support assembly 22 of the main portion 14 comprises a tenter frame 54.

(49) The tenter frame 54 of the support assembly 22 of the main portion 14 is internal to the housing 26 of the main portion 14, traverses the heating zone 24 of the heater assembly 20 of the main portion 14, and is for assisting in moving the at least one of the delicate knit fabrics and the sensitive knit fabrics 22 through the heating zone 24 of the heater assembly 20 of the main portion 14 so as to preserve the width of the at least one of the delicate knit fabrics and the sensitive knit fabrics 22 as the at least one of the delicate knit fabrics and the sensitive knit fabrics 22 passes through the heating zone 24 of the heater assembly 20 of the main portion 14, as opposed to, as taught by the prior art, by one of drawing the at least one of the delicate knit fabrics and the sensitive knit fabrics 22 through the heating zone 24 of the heater assembly 20 of the main portion 14 by tension on the at least one of the delicate knit fabrics and the sensitive knit fabrics 22, which likely would decrease the width of the at least one of the delicate knit fabrics and the sensitive knit fabrics 22 and by one of wire brush rollers and wires spanning the heating zone 24 of the heater assembly 20 of the main portion 14 that tend to at least one of damage, mark, and streak the at least one of the delicate knit fabrics and the sensitive knit fabrics 22.

(50) The support assembly 22 further comprises an array of hollow tubes 56.

(51) The array of hollow tubes 56 of the support assembly 22 are disposed internal to the housing 26, are for supporting and avoiding the at least one of the stretching, the marking, and the drooping of the at least one of the delicate knit fabrics and the sensitive knit fabrics 12 going through the heating zone 24 of the heater assembly 20 of the main portion 14, and are sized and cooled to perform their intended roles, as opposed to, as taught by the prior art, using longitudinal wires that mark the at least one of the delicate knit fabrics and the sensitive knit fabrics 12.

(52) Spacing and sizing of the array of hollow tubes 56 of the support assembly 22 must take into account that the array of hollow tubes 56 of the support assembly 22 are to support the moving of the at least one of the delicate knit fabrics and the sensitive knit fabrics 12 as the at least one of the delicate knit fabrics and the sensitive knit fabrics 12 traverses the heating zone 24 of the heater assembly 20 of the main portion 14, as well as keep the array of hollow tubes 56 of the support assembly 22 from overheating the at least one of the delicate knit fabrics and the sensitive knit fabrics 12.

(53) Cylindrical tubes for the array of hollow tubes 56 of the support assembly 22 are generally preferred because of economics, yet non-cylindrical tubes for the array of hollow tubes 56 of the support assembly 22 could also be used.

(54) The array of hollow tubes 56 of the support assembly 22 are shown horizontally oriented, however, the array of hollow tubes 56 of the support assembly 22 are arrangeable longitudinally or otherwise so long as the array of hollow tubes 56 of the support assembly 22 do not damage the at least one of the delicate knit fabrics and the sensitive knit fabrics 12, i.e., the array of hollow tubes 56 of the support assembly 22 can be arranged perpendicularly, horizontally, diagonally, or otherwise relative to a path of the at least one of the delicate knit fabrics and the sensitive knit fabrics 12, however, transverse organization of the array of hollow tubes 56 of the support assembly 22 relative to the path of the at least one of the delicate and the sensitive knit fabrics 12 is preferred for maximum heat exchange.

(55) When the array of hollow tubes 56 of the support assembly 22 are arranged transversely relative to the path of the at least one of the delicate knit fabrics and the sensitive knit fabrics 12, the array of hollow tubes 56 of the support assembly 22 introduce a waving effect to keep the at least one of the delicate knit fabrics and the sensitive knit fabrics 12 from overheating on the array of hollow tubes 56 of the support assembly 22.

(56) The array of hollow tubes 56 of the support assembly 22 can be manifolded.

(57) The support assembly 22 further comprises a coolant 58.

(58) The coolant 58 of the support assembly 22 passes in, and is circulated by, the array of hollow tubes 56 of the support assembly 22, flows counter to the path of the at least one of the delicate knit fabrics and the sensitive knit fabrics 12, and is at least one of air, water, an inert gas, and one of a commercially available liquid coolant and a commercially available gaseous coolant.

(59) The array of hollow tubes 56 of the support assembly 22 and the coolant 58 of the support 22 are of materials selected as being suited for support of, heat exchange of, and delivery of, the at least one of the delicate knit fabrics and the sensitive knit fabrics 12.

(60) The support assembly 22 further comprises spargers 60.

(61) The spargers 60 of the support assembly 22 are disposed at each end 62 of the array of hollow tubes 56 of the support assembly 22, respectively, are shaped to provide a smooth flow of the at least one of the delicate knit fabrics and the sensitive knit fabrics 12 onto, and away from, the array of hollow tubes 56 of the support assembly 22, and deliver the coolant 58 of the support assembly 22 to, and collect the coolant 58 of the support assembly 22 from, the array of hollow tubes 56 of the support assembly 22.

(62) F. Impressions.

(63) It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together, may also find a useful application in other types of constructions differing from the types described above.

(64) While the embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described as embodied in a heat setter for delicate and/or sensitive knit fabrics, nevertheless, they are not limited to the details shown because it is understood that various omissions, modifications, substitutions, and changes in the forms and details of the embodiments of the present invention illustrated and their operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from a main theme or spirit of the embodiments of the present invention.

(65) Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the embodiments of the present invention that others can by applying current knowledge readily adapt them for various applications without omitting features that from the standpoint of prior art fairly constitute characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of the embodiments of the present invention.