Apparatus and method for pre-shrinking a wet fabric prior to drying

An apparatus for pre-shrinking a wet fabric prior to drying, comprising:

• a) a balloon extractor station;
• b) a hydro-sizer compression station;
• and
• c) an entry system station;
• wherein said balloon extractor station is for removing some water from the wet fabric;
• wherein said hydro-sizer compression station is operatively connected to said balloon extractor station;
• wherein said hydro-sizer compression station is disposed downstream of said balloon extractor station;
• wherein said hydro-sizer compression station is for compressing the wet fabric in a lengthwise direction, and in so doing, pre-shrinks the wet fabric prior to drying;
• wherein said entry system station includes “O” ring guiders;
• and
• wherein said “O” ring guiders of said entry system station have powered width control;
• wherein said balloon extractor station is operatively connected to said entry system station;
• wherein said balloon extractor station is disposed downstream of said entry system station;
• wherein said entry system station includes:
• a) an hydraulic turntable;
• b) a twist sensor;
• c) a driven cloth lifter;
• and
• d) a motorized pot-eye de-twister;
• wherein said “O” ring guiders of said entry system station have hole detectors;
• wherein said twist sensor of said entry system station is for automatic de-twisting;
• and
• wherein said driven cloth lifter of said entry system station is for automatic de-twisting.