<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?><!DOCTYPE Zthes SYSTEM "http://zthes.z3950.org/xml/zthes-05.dtd">  <Zthes><term><termId>31422217</termId><termName>stuffer boxes</termName><termType>PT</termType><termNote><![CDATA[ Mechanized devices consisting of a confined box chamber, which may be heated, cooled, or exposed to a steam injection, designed to crimp, fold, bulk, and bend the individual fibers of a tow, converted tow, sliver, or similar assemblage of filaments. To facilitate this method of texturing, these devices are attached to a series of either feed rollers or fluid jets onto which textile fibers are packed or compressed; these rollers then force the fibers into the stuffer box chamber where they are exposed temperature changes while being pressed into a zig-zag pattern. Though this device was originally created for crimping carpets, it was eventually adapted to the textile industry by Joseph Bancroft & Sons. ]]></termNote><termCreatedDate>2026-03-30 20:45:01</termCreatedDate><relation><relationType>UF</relationType><termId>31422218</termId><termName>stuffer box</termName><termType>ND</termType></relation><relation><relationType>BT</relationType><termId>31353962</termId><termName>textile fabricating tools and equipment</termName><termType>PT</termType></relation></term>  </Zthes>