Method and apparatus to loosen and cut the wrapper fibers of spun yarns in woven fabric

• US 5,752,300 A
• Filed: 10/29/1996
• Issued: 05/19/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 10/29/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Milliken Research Corporation
• Original Assignee: Milliken Research Corporation
• Inventors: Dischler, Louis
• Primary Examiner(s): Vanatta, Amy B.
• Application Number:
  US08/738,787
• Time in Patent Office: 567 Days
• Field of Search: 26/27, 26/28, 26/29 R, 26/29 P, 26/7, 26/10.4, 26/11, 451/178, 451/182, 451/188, 451/189, 451/242, 451/244, 451/246, 451/28, 451/11, 451/12, 451/21, 51/309, 28/162, 28/163, 28/165, 28/170
• US Class Current: 26/28
• CPC Class Codes: D06C 11/00 Teasing, napping or otherwise roughening or raising pile of textile fabrics for making patterns or designs D06C23/02

Abstract

A method and apparatus for loosening, cutting, and abrading a web of textile fabric having spun yarns containing wrapper fibers. The textile fabric web is directed under high tension around a rotatable, small diameter tube coated with abrasive particles. Abrasive particles are preferably rounded (nonfaceted) tungsten carbide particles. The tube can be rotated at a slow speed and the surface speed of the tube may be a fixed percentage of the textile fabric web speed. The contact angle of the textile fabric web with the tube is between one (1) and one hundred and twenty (120) degrees. The average pressure between the textile fabric web and the tube should exceed two (2) pounds per square inch (p.s.i.).

Claims

1. An apparatus for loosening and cutting wrapper fibers of spun yarns in a moving textile fabric web comprising:

(a) a frame;

(b) a roll, rotatably mounted on said frame, having a diameter of between one (1) to four (4) inches, wherein said roll is coated with abrasive particles and wherein said textile fabric web approaches said roll at an angle ranging between zero (0) to one hundred twenty degrees (120) with average contact pressure between said textile fabric web and said roll being at least two (2) pounds per square inch (p.s.i.);

(c) a mechanism for supplying said textile fabric web under tension to said roll;

(d) a mechanism for rotating said roll; and

(e) a mechanism for removing said textile fabric web, after treatment, from said roll.

2. An apparatus for loosening and cutting wrapper fibers of spun yarns in a moving textile fabric web as defined in claim 1, wherein said mechanism for supplying said textile fabric web under tension to said roll includes a load cell.

3. An apparatus for loosening and cutting wrapper fibers of spun yarns in a moving textile fabric web as defined in claim 1, wherein said abrasive particles include metallic carbide particles.

4. An apparatus for loosening and cutting wrapper fibers of spun yarns in a moving textile fabric web as defined in claim 3, wherein said metallic carbide particles include tungsten carbide particles.

5. An apparatus for loosening and cutting wrapper fibers of spun yarns in a moving textile fabric web as defined in claim 3, wherein said metallic carbide particles are substantially lacking in facets.

6. An apparatus for loosening and cutting wrapper fibers of spun yarns in a moving textile fabric web as defined in claim 4, wherein said tungsten carbide particles are sprayed onto said roll by thermal spraying.

7. An apparatus for loosening and cutting wrapper fibers of spun yarns in a moving textile fabric web as defined in claim 1, further comprising a mechanism for removing lint and debris from said textile fabric web after treatment by said roll that includes at least one vacuum manifold.

8. An apparatus for loosening and cutting wrapper fibers of spun yarns in a moving textile fabric web as defined in claim 1, wherein said roll has a first end portion and a second end portion, and said mechanism for rotating said roll includes a first idler clamp attached to said first end of said roll and said first idler clamp is selectively attachable to an air cylinder and the second end portion of said roll is attached to an axle that is rotated by a gearbox that is connected to a drive motor.

9. An apparatus for loosening and cutting wrapper fibers of spun yarns in a moving textile fabric web as defined in claim 1, further comprising a calender for applying pressure of at least two hundred pounds per square inch either prior to or after treatment.

10. An apparatus for loosening and cutting wrapper fibers of spun yarns in a moving textile fabric web as defined in claim 1, further comprising a mechanism for projecting a plurality of low pressure, high velocity streams of gaseous fluid against only one side of said textile fabric web in a direction opposite and substantially tangential to a longitudinal axis of said textile fabric web causing vibrations in the textile fabric web to create saw-toothed waves therein having small bending radii which travel down the textile fabric web to increase the drape and flexibility thereof.

11. An apparatus for loosening and cutting wrapper fibers of spun yarns in a moving textile fabric web comprising:

(a) a frame;

(b) a roll, rotatably mounted on said frame, having a diameter of between one (1) to four (4) inches, wherein said roll is coated with abrasive particles and wherein said textile fabric web approaches said roll at an angle ranging between ten (10) to ninety degrees (90) with average contact pressure between said textile fabric web and said roll being at least two (2) pounds per square inch (p.s.i.);

(c) a mechanism for supplying said textile fabric web under tension to said roll;

(d) a mechanism for rotating said roll; and

(e) a mechanism for removing said textile fabric web, after treatment, from said roll.

12. An apparatus for loosening and cutting wrapper fibers of spun yarns in a moving textile fabric web comprising:

(a) a frame;

(b) a roll, rotatably mounted on said frame, having a diameter of between one (1) to four (4) inches, wherein said roll is coated with abrasive particles and wherein said textile fabric web approaches said roll at an angle ranging between thirty (30) to eighty degrees (80) with average contact pressure between said textile fabric web and said roll being at least two (2) pounds per square inch (p.s.i.);

(c) a mechanism for supplying said textile fabric web under tension to said roll;

(d) a mechanism for rotating said roll; and

(e) a mechanism for removing said textile fabric web, after treatment, from said roll.

13. An apparatus for loosening and cutting wrapper fibers of spun yarns in a moving textile fabric web comprising:

(a) a frame;

(b) a roll, rotatably mounted on said frame at a surface speed of between one (1) to ten (10) percent of fabric web speed, having a diameter of between one (1) to four (4) inches, wherein said roll is coated with abrasive particles and wherein said textile fabric web approaches said roll at an angle ranging between zero (0) to one hundred twenty (120) degrees with average contact pressure between said textile fabric web and said roll being at least two (2) pounds per square inch (p.s.i.);

(c) a mechanism for supplying said textile fabric web under tension to said roll;

(d) a mechanism for rotating said roll; and

(e) a mechanism for removing said textile fabric web, after treatment, from said roll.

14. An apparatus for loosening and cutting wrapper fibers of spun yarns in a moving textile fabric web comprising:

(a) a frame;

(b) a roll, rotatably mounted on said frame at a surface speed of between one (1) to ten (10) percent of fabric web speed, having a diameter of between one (1) to four (4) inches, wherein said roll is coated with abrasive particles and wherein said textile fabric web approaches said roll at an angle ranging between ten (10) to ninety (90) degrees with average contact pressure between said textile fabric web and said roll being at least two (2) pounds per square inch (p.s.i.);

(c) a mechanism for supplying said textile fabric web under tension to said roll;

(d) a mechanism for rotating said roll; and

(e) a mechanism for removing said textile fabric web, after treatment, from said roll.

15. An apparatus for loosening and cutting wrapper fibers of spun yarns in a moving textile fabric web comprising:

(a) a frame;

(b) a roll, rotatably mounted on said frame at a surface speed of between one (1) to ten (10) percent of fabric web speed, having a diameter of between one (1) to four (4) inches, wherein said roll is coated with abrasive particles and wherein said textile fabric web approaches said roll at an angle ranging between thirty (30) to eighty (80) degrees with average contact pressure between said textile fabric web and said roll being at least two (2) pounds per square inch (p.s.i.);

(c) a mechanism for supplying said textile fabric web under tension to said roll;

(d) a mechanism for rotating said roll; and

(e) a mechanism for removing said textile fabric web, after treatment, from said roll.

16. An apparatus for loosening and cutting wrapper fibers of spun yarns in a moving textile fabric web comprising:

(a) a frame;

(b) a roll, rotatably mounted on said frame at a surface speed of between one (1) to ten (10) percent of fabric web speed, having a diameter of between one and one half (1.5) to three and one half (3.5) inches, wherein said roll is coated with abrasive particles and wherein said textile fabric web approaches said roll at an angle ranging between zero (0) to one hundred twenty (120) degrees with average contact pressure between said textile fabric web and said roll being at least two (2) pounds per square inch (p.s.i.);

(c) a mechanism for supplying said textile fabric web under tension to said roll;

(d) a mechanism for rotating said roll; and

(e) a mechanism for removing said textile fabric web, after treatment, from said roll.

17. An apparatus for loosening and cutting wrapper fibers of spun yarns in a moving textile fabric web comprising:

(a) a frame;

(b) a roll, rotatably mounted on said frame at a surface speed of between one (1) to ten (10) percent of fabric web speed, having a diameter of between two (2) to three (3) inches, wherein said roll is coated with abrasive particles and wherein said textile fabric web approaches said roll at an angle ranging between zero (0) to one hundred twenty (120) degrees with average contact pressure between said textile fabric web and said roll being at least two (2) pounds per square inch;

(c) a mechanism for supplying said textile fabric web under tension to said roll;

(d) a mechanism for rotating said roll; and

(e) a mechanism for removing said textile fabric web, after treatment, from said roll.

18. An apparatus for loosening and cutting wrapper fibers of spun yarns in a moving textile fabric web comprising:

(a) a frame;

(b) a first roll, rotatably mounted on said frame at a speed of between one (1) to two hundred (200) revolutions per minute, having a diameter of between one (1) to four (4) inches, wherein said first roll is coated with abrasive particles and wherein said textile fabric web approaches said first roll at an angle ranging between zero to one hundred and twenty degrees with average contact pressure between said textile fabric web and said first roll being at least two pounds per square inch;

(c) a mechanism for supplying said textile fabric web under tension to said first roll;

(d) a mechanism for rotating said first roll;

(e) a second roll, rotatably mounted on said frame at a speed of between one (1) to two hundred (200) revolutions per minute, having a diameter of between one (1) to four (4) inches, wherein said second roll is coated with abrasive particles and wherein said textile fabric web approaches said second roll at an angle ranging between zero to one hundred and twenty degrees with average contact pressure between said textile fabric web and said second roll being at least two pounds per square inch;

(f) a mechanism for moving said textile fabric web between said first roll and said second roll which includes a rotatable treatment roll that can move between a first position and a second position;

(g) a mechanism for rotating said second roll; and

(h) a mechanism for removing said textile fabric web under tension from said second roll.

19. An apparatus for loosening and cutting wrapper fibers of spun yarns in a moving textile fabric web as defined in claim 18, wherein said mechanism for supplying said textile fabric web under tension to said first roll includes a load cell.

20. An apparatus for loosening and cutting wrapper fibers of spun yarns in a moving textile fabric web as defined in claim 19, wherein said abrasive particles include metallic carbide particles.

21. An apparatus for loosening and cutting wrapper fibers of spun yarns in a moving textile fabric web as defined in claim 20, wherein said metallic carbide particles include tungsten carbide particles.

22. An apparatus for loosening and cutting wrapper fibers of spun yarns in a moving textile fabric web as defined in claim 20, wherein said metal carbide particles are substantially lacking in facets.

23. An apparatus for loosening and cutting wrapper fibers of spun yarns in a moving textile fabric web as defined in claim 21, wherein said tungsten carbide particles are sprayed onto said roll by thermal spraying.

24. An apparatus for loosening and cutting wrapper fibers of spun yarns in a moving textile fabric web as defined in claim 18, further comprising a mechanism for removing lint and debris from said textile fabric web after treatment by said first roll and said second roll that includes at least one air tube, having a plurality of jets, that direct high pressure air against said textile fabric web in a range of twenty (20) to one hundred and fifty (150) pounds per square inch.

25. An apparatus for loosening and cutting wrapper fibers of spun yarns in a moving textile fabric web as defined in claim 18, further comprising a mechanism for removing lint and debris from said textile fabric web after treatment by said first roll that includes a rotatable roll, having a plurality of longitudinal grooves.

26. An apparatus for loosening and cutting wrapper fibers of spun yarns in a moving textile fabric web as defined in claim 18, further comprising a mechanism for removing lint and debris from said textile fabric web after treatment by said first roll that includes a rotatable roll, having a diameter of between three (3) and sixteen (16) inches and having a plurality of longitudinal grooves, that is rotatable between five hundred (500) to three thousand (3,000) revolutions per minute wherein said groves are spaced apart in a range of between 0.05 and two (2) inches and having a depth of between 0.01 to five (5) inches.

27. An apparatus for loosening and cutting wrapper fibers of spun yarns in a moving textile fabric web as defined in claim 18, further comprising a mechanism for removing lint and debris from said textile fabric web after treatment by said first roll and said second roll that includes at least one vacuum manifold.

28. An apparatus for loosening and cutting wrapper fibers of spun yarns in a moving textile fabric web as defined in claim 18, wherein said first roll has a first end portion and a second end portion, and said mechanism for rotating said first roll includes a first idler clamp attached to said first end portion of said first roll and said first idler clamp is selectively attachable to a first air cylinder and the second end portion of said first roll is attached to a second idler clamp attached to a first axle that is rotated by a first gearbox that is connected to a first drive motor and wherein said second roll has a first end portion and a second end portion, and said mechanism for rotating said second roll includes a third idler clamp attached to said first end portion of said second roll and said third idler clamp is selectively attachable to a second air cylinder and the second end portion of said second roll is attached to a fourth idler clamp that is connected to a second axle that is rotated by a second gearbox that is connected to a second drive motor.

29. An apparatus for loosening and cutting wrapper fibers of spun yarns in a moving textile fabric web as defined in claim 18, further comprising a calender for applying pressure of at least two hundred pounds per linear inch of said web width either prior to or after treatment.

30. An apparatus for loosening and cutting wrapper fibers of spun yarns in a moving textile fabric web comprising:

(a) a frame;

(b) a first roll, rotatably mounted on said frame at a speed of between one (1) to two hundred (200) revolutions per minute, having a diameter of between one and one half (1.5) to three and one half (3.5) inches, wherein said first roll is coated with abrasive particles and wherein said textile fabric web approaches said first roll at an angle ranging between zero to one hundred and twenty degrees with average contact pressure between said textile fabric web and said first roll being at least two pounds per square inch;

(c) a mechanism for supplying said textile fabric web under tension to said first roll;

(d) a mechanism for rotating said first roll;

(e) a second roll, rotatably mounted on said frame at a speed of between one (1) to two hundred (200) revolutions per minute, having a diameter of between one and one half (1.5) to three and one half (3.5) inches, wherein said second roll is coated with abrasive particles and wherein said textile fabric web approaches said second roll at an angle ranging between zero to one hundred and twenty degrees with average contact pressure between said textile fabric web and said second roll being at least two pounds per square inch;

(f) a mechanism for moving said textile fabric web between said first roll and said second roll which includes a rotatable treatment roll that can move between a first position and a second position;

(g) a mechanism for rotating said second roll;

(h) a mechanism for removing lint and debris from said textile fabric web; and

(i) a mechanism for removing said textile fabric web under tension from said second roll.

31. An apparatus for loosening and cutting wrapper fibers of spun yarns in a moving textile fabric web comprising:

(a) a frame;

(b) a first roll, rotatably mounted on said frame at a surface speed of between one (1) to two hundred (200) revolutions per minute, having a diameter of between one (1) to four (4) inches, wherein said first roll is coated with abrasive particles and wherein said textile fabric web approaches said first roll at an angle ranging between zero to one hundred and twenty degrees with average contact pressure between said textile fabric web and said first roll being at least two pounds per square inch;

(c) a mechanism for supplying said textile fabric web under tension to said first roll;

(d) a mechanism for rotating said first roll;

(e) a second roll, rotatably mounted on said frame at a speed of between one (1) to two hundred (200) revolutions per minute, having a diameter of between one (1) to four (4) inches, wherein said second roll is coated with abrasive particles and wherein said textile fabric web approaches said second roll at an angle ranging between zero to one hundred and twenty degrees with average contact pressure between said textile fabric web and said second roll being at least two pounds per square inch;

(f) a mechanism for moving said textile fabric web between said first roll and said second roll which includes a rotatable treatment roll that can move between a first position and a second position;

(g) a mechanism for rotating said second roll; and

(h) a mechanism for removing said textile fabric web under tension from said second roll.

32. An apparatus for loosening and cutting wrapper fibers of spun yarns in a moving textile fabric web, having a top portion and a bottom portion, comprising:

(a) a frame;

(b) a first roll, rotatably mounted on said frame at a surface speed of between one (1) to two hundred (200) revolutions per minute, having a diameter of between one (1) to four (4) inches, wherein said first roll is coated with abrasive particles and wherein said top portion of said textile fabric web approaches said first roll at an angle ranging between zero to one hundred and twenty degrees with average contact pressure between said textile fabric web and said first roll being at least two pounds per square inch;

(c) a mechanism for supplying said textile fabric web under tension to said first roll;

(d) a mechanism for rotating said first roll;

(e) a second roll, rotatably mounted on said frame at a speed of between one (1) to two hundred (200) revolutions per minute, having a diameter of between one (1) to four (4) inches, wherein said second roll is coated with abrasive particles and wherein said top portion of said textile fabric web approaches said second roll at an angle ranging between zero to one hundred and twenty degrees with average contact pressure between said textile fabric web and said second roll being at least two pounds per square inch;

(f) a mechanism for moving said textile fabric web between said first roll and said second roll which includes a first rotatable treatment roll that can move between a first position and a second position;

(g) a mechanism for rotating said second roll;

(h) a third roll, rotatably mounted on said frame at a speed of between one (1) to two hundred (200) revolutions per minute, having a diameter of between one (1) to four (4) inches, wherein said third roll is coated with abrasive particles and wherein said bottom portion of said textile fabric web approaches said third roll at an angle ranging between zero to one hundred and twenty degrees with average contact pressure between said textile fabric web and said third roll being at least two pounds per square inch;

(i) a mechanism for supplying said textile fabric web under tension to said third roll;

(j) a mechanism for rotating said third roll;

(k) a fourth roll, rotatably mounted on said frame at a speed of between one (1) to two hundred (200) revolutions per minute, having a diameter of between one (1) to four (4) inches, wherein said fourth roll is coated with abrasive particles and wherein said bottom portion of said textile fabric web approaches said fourth roll at an angle ranging between zero to one hundred and twenty degrees with average contact pressure between said textile fabric web and said fourth roll being at least two pounds per square inch;

(l) a mechanism for moving said textile fabric web between said third roll and said fourth roll which includes a second rotatable treatment roll that can move between a first position and a second position;

(m) a mechanism for rotating said fourth roll; and

(n) a mechanism for removing said textile fabric web under tension from said fourth roll.

33. An apparatus for loosening and cutting wrapper fibers of spun yarns in a moving textile fabric web as defined in claim 32, wherein said mechanism for supplying said textile fabric web under tension to said first roll includes a load cell.

34. An apparatus for loosening and cutting wrapper fibers of spun yarns in a moving textile fabric web as defined in claim 33, wherein said abrasive particles include metallic carbide particles.

35. An apparatus for loosening and cutting wrapper fibers of spun yarns in a moving textile fabric web as defined in claim 34, wherein said metallic carbide particles include tungsten carbide particles.

36. An apparatus for loosening and cutting wrapper fibers of spun yarns in a moving textile fabric web as defined in claim 34, wherein said metallic carbide particles are substantially lacking in facets.

37. An apparatus for loosening and cutting wrapper fibers of spun yarns in a moving textile fabric web as defined in claim 35, wherein said tungsten carbide particles are sprayed onto said roll by thermal spraying.

38. An apparatus for loosening and cutting wrapper fibers of spun yarns in a moving textile fabric web as defined in claim 32, further comprising a first mechanism for removing lint and debris from said textile fabric web after treatment by said first roll and said second roll that includes at least one first air tube, having a plurality of jets, that direct high pressure air against said textile fabric web in a range of forty (40) to one hundred (100) pounds per square inch and further comprising a second mechanism for removing lint and debris from said textile fabric web after treatment by said third roll and said fourth roll that includes at least one second air tube, having a plurality of jets, that direct high pressure air against said textile fabric web in a range of forty (40) to one hundred (100) pounds per square inch.

39. An apparatus for loosening and cutting wrapper fibers of spun yarns in a moving textile fabric web as defined in claim 32, further comprising a mechanism for removing lint and debris from said textile fabric web after treatment by said first roll that includes a rotatable roll, having a plurality of longitudinal grooves.

40. An apparatus for loosening and cutting wrapper fibers of spun yarns in a moving textile fabric web as defined in claim 32, further comprising a mechanism for removing lint and debris from said textile fabric web after treatment by said first roll that includes a rotatable roll, having a diameter of between three and one half (3.5) and twelve (12) inches and having a plurality of longitudinal grooves, that is rotatable between eight hundred (800) to two thousand and five hundred (2,500) revolutions per minute wherein said groves are spaced apart in a range of between 0.1 and one (1) inches and having a depth of between 0.01 to 0.25 inches.

41. An apparatus for loosening and cutting wrapper fibers of spun yarns in a moving textile fabric web as defined in claim 32, further comprising a first mechanism for removing lint and debris from said textile fabric web after treatment by said first roll and said second roll that includes at least one first vacuum manifold and further comprising a second mechanism for removing lint and debris from said textile fabric web after treatment by said third roll and said fourth roll that includes at least one second vacuum manifold.

42. An apparatus for loosening and cutting wrapper fibers of spun yarns in a moving textile fabric web as defined in claim 32, wherein said first roll has a first end portion and a second end portion, and said mechanism for rotating said first roll includes a first idler clamp attached to said first end portion of said first roll and said first idler clamp is selectively attachable to a first air cylinder and the second end portion of said first roll is attached to a second idler clamp attached to a first axle that is rotated by a first gearbox that is connected to a first drive motor and wherein said second roll has a first end portion and a second end portion, and said mechanism for rotating said second roll includes a third idler clamp attached to said first end portion of said second roll and said third idler clamp is selectively attachable to a second air cylinder and the second end portion of said second roll is attached to a fourth idler clamp that is connected to a second axle that is rotated by a second gearbox that is connected to a second drive motor and wherein said third roll has a first end portion and a second end portion, and said mechanism for rotating said third roll includes a fifth idler clamp attached to said first end portion of said third roll and said fifth idler clamp is selectively attachable to a third air cylinder and the second end portion of said third roll is attached to a sixth idler clamp attached to a third axle that is rotated by a third gearbox that is connected to a third drive motor and wherein said fourth roll has a first end portion and a second end portion, and said mechanism for rotating said fourth roll includes a seventh idler clamp attached to said first end portion of said fourth roll and said seventh idler clamp is selectively attachable to a fourth air cylinder and the second end portion of said fourth roll is attached to an eighth idler clamp that is connected to a fourth axle that is rotated by a fourth gearbox that is connected to a fourth drive motor.

43. An apparatus for loosening and cutting wrapper fibers of spun yarns in a moving textile fabric web as defined in claim 32, further comprising a calender for applying pressure of two hundred pounds per square inch either prior or after treatment.

44. An apparatus for loosening and cutting wrapper fibers of spun yarns in a moving textile fabric web, having a top portion and a bottom portion, comprising:

(a) a frame;

(b) a first roll, rotatably mounted on said frame at a surface speed of between one (1) to two hundred (200) revolutions per minute, having a diameter of between one and one half (1.5) to three and one half (3.5) inches, wherein said first roll is coated with abrasive particles and wherein said top portion of said textile fabric web approaches said first roll at an angle ranging between zero to one hundred and twenty degrees with average contact pressure between said textile fabric web and said first roll being at least two pounds per square inch;

(c) a mechanism for supplying said textile fabric web under tension to said first roll;

(d) a mechanism for rotating said first roll;

(e) a second roll, rotatably mounted on said frame at a speed of between one (1) to two hundred (200) revolutions per minute, having a diameter of between one and one half (1.5) to three and one half (3.5), wherein said second roll is coated with abrasive particles and wherein said top portion of said textile fabric web approaches said second roll at an angle ranging between zero to one hundred and twenty degrees with average contact pressure between said textile fabric web and said second roll being at least two pounds per square inch;

(f) a mechanism for moving said textile fabric web between said first roll and said second roll which includes a first rotatable treatment roll that can move between a first position and a second position;

(g) a mechanism for rotating said second roll;

(h) a third roll, rotatably mounted on said frame at a speed of between one (1) to two hundred (200) revolutions per minute, having a diameter of between one and one half (1.5) to three and one half (3.5), wherein said third roll is coated with abrasive particles and wherein said bottom portion of said textile fabric web approaches said third roll at an angle ranging between zero to one hundred and twenty degrees with average contact pressure between said textile fabric web and said third roll being at least two pounds per square inch;

(i) a mechanism for supplying said textile fabric web under tension to said third roll;

(j) a mechanism for rotating said third roll;

(k) a fourth roll, rotatably mounted on said frame at a speed of between one (1) to two hundred (200) revolutions per minute, having a diameter of between one and one half (1.5) to three and one half (3.5) inches, wherein said fourth roll is coated with abrasive particles and wherein said bottom portion of said textile fabric web approaches said fourth roll at an angle ranging between zero to one hundred and twenty degrees with average contact pressure between said textile fabric web and said fourth roll being at least two pounds per square inch;

(l) a mechanism for moving said textile fabric web between said third roll and said fourth roll which includes a second rotatable treatment roll that can move between a first position and a second position;

(m) a mechanism for rotating said fourth roll; and

(n) a mechanism for removing said textile fabric web under tension from said fourth roll.

45. An apparatus for loosening and cutting wrapper fibers of spun yarns in a moving textile fabric web, having a top portion and a bottom, comprising:

(a) a frame;

(b) a first roll, rotatably mounted on said frame at a surface speed of between one (1) to two hundred (200) revolutions per minute, having a diameter of between two (2) to three (3) inches, wherein said first roll is coated with abrasive particles and wherein said top portion of said textile fabric web approaches said first roll at an angle ranging between zero to one hundred and twenty degrees with average contact pressure between said textile fabric web and said first roll being at least two pounds per square inch;

(c) a mechanism for supplying said textile fabric web under tension to said first roll;

(d) a mechanism for rotating said first roll;

(e) a second roll, rotatably mounted on said frame at a speed of between one (1) to two hundred (200) revolutions per minute, having a diameter of between two (2) to three (3) inches, wherein said second roll is coated with abrasive particles and wherein said top portion of said textile fabric web approaches said second roll at an angle ranging between zero to one hundred and twenty degrees with average contact pressure between said textile fabric web and said second roll being at least two pounds per square inch;

(f) a mechanism for moving said textile fabric web between said first roll and said second roll which includes a first rotatable treatment roll that can move between a first position and a second position;

(g) a mechanism for rotating said second roll;

(h) a third roll, rotatably mounted on said frame at a speed of between one (1) to two hundred (200) revolutions per minute, having a diameter of between two (2) to three (3) inches, wherein said third roll is coated with abrasive particles and wherein said bottom portion of said textile fabric web approaches said third roll at an angle ranging between zero to one hundred and twenty degrees with average contact pressure between said textile fabric web and said third roll being at least two pounds per square inch;

(i) a mechanism for supplying said textile fabric web under tension to said third roll;

(j) a mechanism for rotating said third roll;

(k) a fourth roll, rotatably mounted on said frame at a speed of between one (1) to two hundred (200) revolutions per minute, having a diameter of between two (2) to three (3) inches, wherein said fourth roll is coated with abrasive particles and wherein said bottom portion of said textile fabric web approaches said fourth roll at an angle ranging between zero to one hundred and twenty degrees with average contact pressure between said textile fabric web and said fourth roll being at least two pounds per square inch;

(l) a mechanism for moving said textile fabric web between said third roll and said fourth roll which includes a second rotatable treatment roll that can move between a first position and a second position;

(m) a mechanism for rotating said fourth roll; and

(n) a mechanism for removing said textile fabric web under tension from said fourth roll.

46. An apparatus for loosening and cutting wrapper fibers of spun yarns in a moving textile fabric web comprising:

(a) a frame;

(b) a roll, rotatably mounted on said frame, having a diameter of between one (1) to four (4) inches, wherein said roll is coated with abrasive particles and wherein said textile fabric web approaches said roll at an angle ranging between zero (0) to one hundred twenty (120) degrees with average contact pressure between said textile fabric web and said roll being at least two (2) pounds per square inch (p.s.i.);

(c) a mechanism for supplying said textile fabric web under tension to said roll;

(d) a mechanism for rotating said roll;

(e) a mechanism for removing lint and debris from said textile fabric web after treatment by said roll; and

(f) a mechanism for removing said textile fabric web, after treatment, from said roll.

47. An apparatus for loosening and cutting wrapper fibers of spun yarns in a moving textile fabric web as defined in claim 46, wherein said mechanism for removing lint and debris from said textile fabric web after treatment by said roll includes at least one air tube, having a plurality of jets, that direct high pressure air against said textile fabric web in a range of five (5) to two hundred and fifty (250) pounds per square inch.

48. An apparatus for loosening and cutting wrapper fibers of spun yarns in a moving textile fabric web as defined in claim 46, wherein said mechanism for removing lint and debris from said textile fabric web after treatment by said roll includes a rotatable roll, having a plurality of longitudinal grooves.

49. An apparatus for loosening and cutting wrapper fibers of spun yarns in a moving textile fabric web as defined in claim 46, wherein said mechanism for removing lint and debris from said textile fabric web after treatment by said roll includes a rotatable roll, having a diameter of between three (3) and twelve (12) inches and having a plurality of longitudinal grooves, that is rotatable between five hundred (500) to two thousand four hundred (2400) revolutions per minute (r.p.m.) wherein said groves are spaced apart in a range of between one (1) and twenty (20) degrees and having a depth of at least 0.01 inches.

50. A process for loosening and cutting wrapper fibers of spun yarns in a moving textile fabric web comprising:

(a) supplying said textile fabric web under tension to a roll having a diameter of between one (1) to four (4) inches, wherein said roll is coated with abrasive particles and wherein said textile fabric web approaches said roll at an angle ranging between zero to one hundred and twenty degrees with average contact pressure between said textile fabric web and said roll being at least two pounds per square inch; and

(b) rotating said roll at a speed of between one (1) to two hundred (200) revolutions per minute.

51. A textile fabric having a surface treated in accordance with the process of claim 50.

52. A process for loosening and cutting wrapper fibers of spun yarns in a moving textile fabric web comprising:

(a) supplying said textile fabric web under tension to a roll having a diameter of between one and one half (1.5) to three and one half (3.5) inches, wherein said roll is coated with abrasive particles and wherein said textile fabric web approaches said roll at an angle ranging between zero to one hundred and twenty degrees with average contact pressure between said textile fabric web and said roll being at least two pounds per square inch; and

(b) rotating said roll at a speed of between one (1) to two hundred (200) revolutions per minute.

53. A process for loosening and cutting wrapper fibers of spun yarns in a moving textile fabric web comprising:

a) supplying said textile fabric web under tension to a first roll having a diameter of between one (1) to four (4) inches, wherein said first roll is coated with abrasive particles and wherein said textile fabric web approaches said first roll at an angle ranging between zero to one hundred and twenty degrees with average contact pressure between said textile fabric web and said first roll being at least two pounds per square inch;

(b) rotating said first roll at a speed of between one (1) to two hundred (200) revolutions per minute;

(c) supplying said textile fabric web under tension to a second roll having a diameter of between one (1) to four (4) inches, wherein said second roll is coated with abrasive particles and wherein said textile fabric web approaches said second roll at an angle ranging between zero to one hundred and twenty degrees with average contact pressure between said textile fabric web and said second roll being at least two pounds per square inch; and

(d) rotating said second roll at a speed of between one (1) to two hundred (200) revolutions per minute.

54. A textile fabric having a surface treated in accordance with the process of claim 53.

55. A process for loosening and cutting wrapper fibers of spun yarns in a moving textile fabric web comprising:

(a) supplying said textile fabric web under tension to a first roll having a diameter of between one and one half (1.5) to three and one half (3.5) inches, wherein said first roll is coated with abrasive particles and wherein said textile fabric web approaches said first roll at an angle ranging between zero to one hundred and twenty degrees with average contact pressure between said textile fabric web and said first roll being at least two pounds per square inch;

(b) rotating said first roll at a speed of between one (1) to two hundred (200) revolutions per minute;

(c) supplying said textile fabric web under tension to a second roll having a diameter of between one and one half (1.5) to three and one half (3.5) inches, wherein said second roll is coated with abrasive particles and wherein said textile fabric web approaches said second roll at an angle ranging between zero to one hundred and twenty degrees with average contact pressure between said textile fabric web and said second roll being at least two pounds per square inch; and

(d) rotating said second roll at a speed of between one (1) to two hundred (200) revolutions per minute.

56. A process for loosening and cutting wrapper fibers of spun yarns in a moving textile fabric web, having a top portion and a bottom portion, comprising:

(a) supplying said textile fabric web under tension to a first roll having a diameter of between one (1) to four (4) inches, wherein said first roll is coated with abrasive particles and wherein said top portion of said textile fabric web approaches said first roll at an angle ranging between zero to one hundred and twenty degrees with average contact pressure between said textile fabric web and said first roll being at least two pounds per square inch;

(b) rotating said first roll at a speed of between one (1) to two hundred (200) revolutions per minute;

(c) supplying said textile fabric web under tension to a second roll having a diameter of between one (1) to four inches, wherein said second roll is coated with abrasive particles and wherein said top portion of said textile fabric web approaches said second roll at an angle ranging between zero to one hundred and twenty degrees with average contact pressure between said textile fabric web and said second roll being at least two pounds per square inch; and

(d) rotating said second roll at a speed of between one (1) to two hundred (200) revolutions per minute;

(e) supplying said textile fabric web under tension to a third roll having a diameter of between one (1) to four (4) inches, wherein said third roll is coated with abrasive particles and wherein said bottom portion of said textile fabric web approaches said third roll at an angle ranging between zero to one hundred and twenty degrees with average contact pressure between said textile fabric web and said third roll being at least two pounds per square inch;

(f) rotating said third roll at a speed of between one (1) to two hundred (200) revolutions per minute;

(g) supplying said textile fabric web under tension to a fourth roll having a diameter of between one (1) to four (4) inches, wherein said fourth roll is coated with abrasive particles and wherein said bottom portion of said textile fabric web approaches said fourth roll at an angle ranging between zero to one hundred and twenty degrees with average contact pressure between said textile fabric web and said fourth roll being at least two pounds per square inch; and

(h) rotating said fourth roll at a speed of between one (1) to two hundred (200) revolutions per minute.

57. A textile fabric having a surface treated in accordance with the process of claim 56.

58. A process for loosening and cutting wrapper fibers of spun yarns in a moving textile fabric web, having a top portion and a bottom portion, comprising:

(a) supplying said textile fabric web under tension to a first roll having a diameter of between one and one half (1.5) to three and one half (3.5) inches, wherein said first roll is coated with abrasive particles and wherein said top portion of said textile fabric web approaches said first roll at an angle ranging between zero to one hundred and twenty degrees with average contact pressure between said textile fabric web and said first roll being at least two pounds per square inch;

(b) rotating said first roll at a speed of between one (1) to two hundred (200) revolutions per minute;

(c) supplying said textile fabric web under tension to a second roll having a diameter of between one and one half (1.5) to three and one half (3.5) inches, wherein said second roll is coated with abrasive particles and wherein said top portion of said textile fabric web approaches said second roll at an angle ranging between zero to one hundred and twenty degrees with average contact pressure between said textile fabric web and said second roll being at least two pounds per square inch; and

(d) rotating said second roll at a speed of between one (1) to two hundred (200) revolutions per minute;

(e) supplying said textile fabric web under tension to a third roll having a diameter of between one and one half (1.5) to three and one half (3.5) inches, wherein said third roll is coated with abrasive particles and wherein said bottom portion of said textile fabric web approaches said third roll at an angle ranging between zero to one hundred and twenty degrees with average contact pressure between said textile fabric web and said third roll being at least two pounds per square inch;

(f) rotating said third roll at a speed of between one (1) to two hundred (200) revolutions per minute;

(g) supplying said textile fabric web under tension to a fourth roll having a diameter of between one and one half (1.5) to three and one half (3.5) inches, wherein said fourth roll is coated with abrasive particles and wherein said bottom portion of said textile fabric web approaches said fourth roll at an angle ranging between zero to one hundred and twenty degrees with average contact pressure between said textile fabric web and said fourth roll being at least two pounds per square inch; and

(h) rotating said fourth roll at a speed of between one (1) to two hundred revolutions per minute.

59. A process for loosening and cutting wrapper fibers of spun yarns in a moving textile fabric web comprising:

(a) supplying said textile fabric web under tension to a roll having a diameter of between one (1) to four (4) inches, wherein said roll is coated with abrasive particles and wherein said textile fabric web approaches said roll at an angle ranging between zero to one hundred and twenty degrees with average contact pressure between said textile fabric web and said roll being at least two pounds per square inch;

(b) rotating said roll at a speed of between one (1) to two hundred (200) revolutions per minute; and

(c) displacing lint and debris from said textile fabric web with a plurality of gas jets and a rotating roll with a plurality of longitudinal grooves.

60. A process for loosening and cutting wrapper fibers of spun yarns in a moving textile fabric web comprising:

(a) supplying said textile fabric web under tension to a first roll having a diameter of between one (1) to four (4) inches, wherein said first roll is coated with abrasive particles and wherein said textile fabric web approaches said first roll at an angle ranging between zero to one hundred and twenty degrees with average contact pressure between said textile fabric web and said first roll being at least two pounds per square inch;

(b) rotating said first roll at a speed of between one (1) to two hundred (200) revolutions per minute;

(c) supplying said textile fabric web under tension to a second roll having a diameter of between one (1) to four (4) inches, wherein said second roll is coated with abrasive particles and wherein said textile fabric web approaches said second roll at an angle ranging between zero to one hundred and twenty degrees with average contact pressure between said textile fabric web and said second roll being at least two pounds per square inch;

(d) rotating said second roll at a speed of between one (1) to two hundred (200) revolutions per minute; and

(e) displacing lint and debris from said textile fabric web with a plurality of gas jets and at least one rotating roll with a plurality of longitudinal grooves.

61. A process for loosening and cutting wrapper fibers of spun yarns in a moving textile fabric web, having a top portion and a bottom portion, comprising:

(a) supplying said textile fabric web under tension to a first roll having a diameter of between one (1) to four (4) inches, wherein said first roll is coated with abrasive particles and wherein said top portion of said textile fabric web approaches said first roll at an angle ranging between zero to one hundred and twenty degrees with average contact pressure between said textile fabric web and said first roll being at least two pounds per square inch;

(b) rotating said first roll at a speed of between one (1) to two hundred (200) revolutions per minute;

(c) supplying said textile fabric web under tension to a second roll having a diameter of between one (1) to four (4) inches, wherein said second roll is coated with abrasive particles and wherein said top portion of said textile fabric web approaches said second roll at an angle ranging between zero to one hundred and twenty degrees with average contact pressure between said textile fabric web and said second roll being at least two pounds per square inch; and

(d) rotating said second roll at a speed of between one (1) to two hundred (200) revolutions per minute;

(e) supplying said textile fabric web under tension to a third roll having a diameter of between one (1) to four (4) inches, wherein said third roll is coated with abrasive particles and wherein said bottom portion of said textile fabric web approaches said third roll at an angle ranging between zero to one hundred and twenty degrees with average contact pressure between said textile fabric web and said third roll being at least two (2) pounds per square inch (p.s.i.);

(f) rotating said third roll at a speed of between one (1) to two hundred (200) revolutions per minute;

(g) supplying said textile fabric web under tension to a fourth roll having a diameter of between one (1) to four (4) inches, wherein said fourth roll is coated with abrasive particles and wherein said bottom portion of said textile fabric web approaches said fourth roll at an angle ranging between zero to one hundred and twenty degrees with average contact pressure between said textile fabric web and said fourth roll being at least two pounds per square inch;

(h) rotating said fourth roll at a speed of between one (1) to two hundred (200) revolutions per minute; and

(i) displacing lint and debris from said textile fabric web with a plurality of gas jets and at least one rotating roll with a plurality of longitudinal grooves.