PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR TREATING CELLULOSIC FIBER-CONTAINING FABRIC TO IMPROVE DURABLE PRESS AND SHRINKAGE RESISTANCE

摘要

An apparatus for treating cellulosic fiber containing fabrics to improve durable press and shrinkage resistance includes using steam as a vehicle to supply vaporized liquid cellulosic cross-linking agent and vaporized liquid catalyst to a reaction chamber in which the fabric articles are treated by cross-linking the cellulose. Normally liquid cross-linking agent and liquid catalysts are directly injected into a stream of treating steam to cause vaporization of the cross-linking agent and catalyst. Alternatively, a steam driven ejector type pump is utilized to entrain and vaporize liquid cross-linking agent and liquid catalyst in a flowing stream of steam supplied to the reaction chamber. Gaseous ammonia may also be supplied to the reaction chamber to condition the cellulosic material containing fabric before cross-linking.