Dyeing range unloader

An apparatus for removing a continuous length of fabric from a dyeing range, said apparatus comprising:

• (a) a fabric receptacle for receiving the fabric from said dyeing range;
• (b) a first folder for folding the fabric in a first orientation, said first folder including:
• (i) a track positioned adjacent to said fabric receptacle;
• and (ii) a track follower movably attached to said track and movable along the length of said track, wherein the fabric is guided by said track follower to guide and fold the fabric in said first orientation;
• (c) a second folder for folding the fabric in a second orientation across said fabric receptacle, said second folder including:
• (i) a fabric guide for guiding the fabric;
• (ii) a second track extending across the width of said fabric receptacle;
• and (iii) means for reciprocating said fabric guide across said second track, wherein said first folder and said second folder reciprocate simultaneously to fold the fabric being unloaded into said fabric receptacle;
• and
• (d) a control system for controlling the speed and tension of the fabric to prevent tearing or sagging of the fabric during unloading, wherein said control system includes a first nip drive for controlling the speed of said continuous fabric through said apparatus, said first nip drive having a first roller and a second roller spaced apart a fixed distance to allow the fabric to feed between as said rollers are rotated.

An apparatus for folding a continuous length of fabric extracted from a dyeing range, said apparatus comprising:

• (a) a fabric receptacle for receiving the fabric from said dyeing range;
• (b) a plaiting system for folding the fabric, said plaiting system having a first folder for folding the fabric in a first orientation, said first folder including:
• (i) a track positioned adjacent to said fabric receptacle;
• and (ii) a track follower movably attached to said track and movable along the length of said track, wherein the fabric is guided by said track follower to guide and fold the fabric in said first orientation;
• and a second folder for folding the fabric in a second orientation across said fabric receptacle, said second folder including:
• (i) a fabric guide for guiding the fabric;
• (ii) a second track extending across the width of said fabric receptacle;
• and (iii) means for reciprocating said fabric guide across said second track, wherein said first folder and said second folder reciprocate simultaneously to fold the fabric being unloaded into said fabric receptacle;
• (c) a control system for controlling the speed and tension of the fabric to prevent tearing or sagging of the fabric during unloading;
• and
• (d) a pulley and squeegee system for receiving the continuous fabric and extracting liquid from the fabric, said pulley and squeegee system having a first nip drive and a second nip drive, each of said drives including a pair of rollers spaced apart to allow said continuous fabric to feed through said nip drives.