Shifted angle fabric

An apparatus for producing a shifted angle fabric, said apparatus comprising:

• (a) a supply of fabric;
• (b) a differential tenter frame including (i) a frame, (ii) a pair of opposing rails, each tapered towards one another;
• and (iii) a differential drive, said differential tenter frame located downstream from the supply of fabric for receiving the opposing edges of the fabric and advancing the opposing edges at different speeds to shift a weft angle of the fabric as the fabric travels the length of said differential tenter frame;
• (c) a high velocity, drying range for simultaneously drying the fabric as the fabric travels the length of said differential tenter frame;
• and
• (d) a take-up roll downstream from said differential tenter frame for taking up the dried fabric.

A method for producing a shifted angle fabric, said method comprising the steps of:

• supplying a fabric;
• receiving the fabric on a differential tenter frame having a pair of opposing rails, and advancing the opposing edges of the fabric at different speeds to shift a weft angle of the fabric;
• reducing the distance between the opposing edges of the fabric as the weft angle of the fabric is shifted by the pair of opposing rails, each tapered towards one another;
• and
• simultaneously setting the fabric at the shifted weft angle of the fabric.

A method for producing a shifted angle fabric from a supply of pre-formed fabric, said method comprising the steps of:

• receiving the opposing edges of the fabric on a differential tenter frame having a pair of opposing rails, and advancing the opposing edges at different speeds to shift a weft angle of the fabric as the fabric travels the length of the differential tenter frame;
• reducing the distance between the opposing edges of the fabric as the weft angle of the fabric is shifted by the pair of opposing rails, each tapered towards one another;
• and
• simultaneously drying the fabric as the fabric travels the length of said differential tenter frame using a high velocity, drying range.

A method for producing a shifted angle fabric, said method comprising the steps of:

• supplying a fabric;
• receiving the opposing edges of the fabric on a differential tenter frame having a pair of opposing rails, and advancing the opposing edges at different speeds to shift a weft angle of the fabric as the fabric travels the length of the differential tenter frame;
• reducing the distance between the opposing edges of the fabric as the weft angle of the fabric is shifted by the pair of opposing rails, each tapered towards one another;
• simultaneously drying the fabric as the fabric travels the length of said differential tenter frame using a high velocity, drying range;
• and
• taking up the dried fabric downstream from said differential tenter frame.