Improved Means of and Apparatus for Steaming, Humidifying, or Conditioning Yarns and other substances.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 23rd Mar., 1892
Complete Specification Left. 23rd Dec., 1892-Accepted, 28th Jan., 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improved Means of and Apparatus for Steaming, Humidifying, or
Conditioning Yarns and other substances.
I, JAMES TOWNSLEY PEARSON of St. James Hall, Burnley, in the County of
Lancaster, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
This invention relates to an improved means of and apparatus for humidifying
various substances, particularly cotton, woollen and worsted yarns. For this
purpose, I employ an endless travelling sheet of canvas suitably moistened, and
mounted on rollers, one at each end of the machine or apparatus.
The yarn or the like to be conditioned or humidified is deposited upon this
travelling sheet or conveyor, and is gradually transferred from one end of the
machine to the other, after undergoing the process of conditioning or humidification
as hereinafter described.
The length and breadth of the endless sheet or conveyor may be in accordance
with the extent of the process to be carried on. A continuous revolving motion is
imparted to one or other or both of the rollers, on which the endless cloth is mounted,
and one or other or both of the said rollers may be rendered adjustable by screws
or the like to tighten the endless canvas or sheet; and to prevent the yarn or the
like, when deposited, from slipping off the sides of the sheet of canvas, I employ
suitable sideboards or guides. Above the yarn deposited upon the travelling sheet
or conveyor, or in any other suitable position, I arrange a system of jets or nozzles
communicating with a water cistern, from which water is raised and discharged
through the jets or nozzles in a finely distributed spray upon the yarn by a swift
current of air, forced over the ends of the nozzles or jets by the action of a fan or
the like, so as to produce a vacuum between the nozzles and the water space in
the reservoir or cistern, causing the water to ascend to the nozzles, where it is
then broken up into the finest minute particles by the currents of air, and distributed
in a continuous spray. The density of the spray may be regulated by means of a
damper, so as to increase or diminish the force of the air pressure passing over the
ends of the nozzles.
The operation of the apparatus may be thus described :-The yarn or the like
is emptied from the doffing cans or skips upon a rising and falling table, actuated
by screws or the like, or upon au adjustable inclined shoot, down which it falls by
gravitation to the travelling sheet of canvas, which conveys it under the nozzles
to receive the spray, and forwards it to the discharging end of the machine, when
it is then deposited into packing skips for storage or transit. If desired, the
travelling sheet of canvas may be submerged in a water tank, and the surplus
moisture expressed therefrom in its return movement, and before receiving the
deposits of yarn or the like, or providing the moisture imparted to the travelling
canvas or cloth by the spray producing apparatus be excessive, the surplus moisture
may be expelled therefrom by squeezing rollers.
When conditioning hanks, warps, piece goods or the like, the moisture imparted
to such goods, either from the spray producing apparatus or from the damp travelling
surface or sheets, such moisture may be squeezed into the body of the material by
compressing rollers or other like compressing medium, the distance between such
rollers or pressor pieces being made adjustable by screws eccentrics or the like to
regulate the extent of pressure required for the purpose.
I would here observe that the endless conveyor on which the yarn is deposited
may be constructed of gauze or netted fabric instead of canvas, in which case I
prefer to use an additional system of water jets or nozzles similar to the former to

page_text: act upon the underside of the yarn through the interstices of the conveyor; or, in
substitution of the endless canvas or gauzed or netted fabric as above described,
I employ a series of perforated or gauzed trays, constructed of any suitable material
to carry yarn, which is acted upon by the spray from the water jets or nozzles.
Each tray follows the other in succession upon a travelling belt to the end of the
machine, where each tray is taken off separately, and turned over into the packing
skip the yarn thus turned over having previously been secured to the tray by
cross cords or strings or other like attachments, which are now loosened, and drawn
from under the layer of yarn previously secured to the tray, each succeeding tray
of yarn being treated in the same manner on arriving at the end of the machine.
;
I would also observe that the top and underside of the machine may be covered
with a suitable curved covering, so that the moisture collected on the inside will
gravitate to and be conveyed away by suitable conductors or channels.
To further simplify the arrangement, the conveyor may be dispensed with, and
the trays carrying their respective yarns may be deposited singly or collectively
between the two systems of water jets or nozzles to receive the shower or spray of
moisture as above described, and after being sufficiently impregnated, it or they
are then withdrawn from between the jets or nozzles when the yarn from the trays
is then deposited in the packing skips.
In substitution of the water spray, steam may be distributed from the jets or
nozzles upon the
may, if desired, comingle with the air currents from the
fan before coming in contact with the yarn upon the trays.
yarn, and
Dated this 22nd day of March 1892.
THOS. RICHMOND,
Agent.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improved Means of and Apparatus for Steaming, Humidifying, or
Conditioning Yarns and other substances.
I, JAMES TOWNSLEY PEARSON of St. James Hall, Burnley, in the County of
Lancaster, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in
and by the following statement :-
This invention relates to an improved means of and apparatus for humidifying
various substances, particularly cotton woollen and worsted yarns. For this
purpose, I employ an endless travelling sheet of canvas suitably moistened and
mounted on rollers, one at each end of the machine or apparatus.
The yarn or the like to be conditioned or humidified is deposited upon the
travelling sheet or conveyor, and is gradually transferred from one end of the
machine to the other after undergoing the process of conditioning or humidification
as hereinafter described. The length and breadth of the endless sheet or conveyor
may be in accordance with the extent of the process to be carried on. A continuous
revolving motion is imparted to one or other or both of the rollers on which the
endless cloth is mounted, and one or other or both of the said rollers may be
rendered adjustable by screws or the like to tighten the endless canvas or sheet;
and to prevent the yarn or the like from slipping off the sides of the sheet of canvas,
I employ suitable side-boards or guides. Above the yarn deposited upon the
travelling sheet or conveyor or in any other suitable position, I arrange a system
of jets or nozzles communicating with a water-cistern, from which water is raised
and discharged through the jets or nozzles in a finely distributed spray upon the
yarn by a swift current of air forced over the ends of the nozzles or jets by the
action of a fan or the like, so as to produce a vacuum between the nozzles aud
the water-space in the reservoir or cistern, causing the water to ascend to the nozzles,
where it is then broken up into the finest minute particles by the currents of air
and distributed in a continuous spray. The density of the spray may be regulated

page_text: by means of a damper, so as to increase or diminish the force of the air passing
over the ends of the nozzles.
When conditioning hanks, warps, piece goods or the like, the moisture imparted
to such goods, either from the spray producing apparatus, or from the damp
travelling surface or sheet, such moisture may be squeezed into the body of the
material by compressing rollers or other like compressing medium, the distance
between such rollers or presser pieces being made adjustable by screws, eccentrics
or the like to regulate the extent of pressure required for the purpose.
I would here observe that the endless conveyor, on which the yarn is deposited
may be constructed of gauze or netted fabric instead of canvas, in which case, I
prefer to use an additional system of water jets or nozzles, similar to the former
to act upon the underside of the yarn through the interstices of the conveyor, or
in substitution of the endless canvas or gauzed or netted fabric as above described,
I employ a series of perforated or gauzed trays, constructed of any suitable
material to carry yarn, which is acted upon by the spray from the water jets or
nozzles. Each tray follows the other in succession upon a travelling belt to the
end of the machine, where each tray is taken off separately and emptied.
To further simplify the arrangement, the conveyor may be dispensed with, and
the trays carrying their respective yarns may be deposited singly or collectively
between the two systems of water jets or nozzles to receive the shower or spray of
moisture as above described, and after being sufficiently impregnated, it or they
are then withdrawn from between the jets or nozzles, when the yarn from the trays
is then deposited in the packing skips.
In the accompanying drawings,
Fig. 1 is a side view of a machine, constructed in accordance with my invention
for the humidification or conditioning of yarn and other substances.
A is an endless travelling sheet of canvas mounted on the rollers B and C, one
at each end of the machine, and caused to travel slowly through the machine by
being between the grip or nip of the rollers D and E. To the arbor of the roller É
is secured worm wheel F in gear with the worm G, which is driven by the bevel
wheels H from the driving shaft I, to which is secured grooved pulley J driven
by the cord K.
The yarn to be humidified is deposited on the travelling sheet of canvas at one
end of the machine, and carried forward into an enclosed receptacle, a portion of
the roof and sides of which is removed to shew more particularly the construction
of the interior of the receptacle and internal mechanism.
Above the yarn deposited upon the travelling sheet or conveyor is arranged a
system of jets or nozzles M, communicating with a water cistern N, from which
water is raised and discharged through the jets or nozzles in a finely distributed
spray upon the yarn by a swift current of air forced over the ends of the nozzles
or jets by the action of a fan or the like in connection with a cross tube O. This
tube is provided with air nozzles O' at right angles to the water nozzles. Therefore,
a strong current of air from the air nozzles O' will pass over the water jets or
nozzles M, and produce a vacuum between the said nozzles and the water space in
the cistern, causing the water to ascend the nozzles M, when it is met by the air
currents, and broken up into the finest minute particles, and distributed in a
continuous spray.
It will be obvious, that the density of the spray may be regulated by the taps O³,
so as to increase or diminish the force of the air.
The two rollers R and R' are employed to cause the travelling sheet of canvas
at the receiving end to assume a suitable degree of inclination in passing over the
top roller, whilst in passing under the bottom roller, the conveyor assumes a straight
line. When the yarn has been fed into the machine, it is carried forward by the
travelling sheet of canvas A, until it reaches the top roller R, when it then falls
on the canvas at a lower level as shewn, and thus tends to present a fresh surface
to the action of the spray.
Fig. 2 represents another arrangement for the same purpose.

page_text: Two rollers W W are placed near the surface of the travelling canvas A, and
cause the endless sheet or conveyor X, which envelops them, to travel at a slightly
accelerated speed to the canvas A. The yarn or the like is thus continually being
turned over between the two conveyors in its course to the delivery end of the
machine.
a
The yarn or the like after humidification is carried away from the machine by
system of conveyance in a peculiar manner. After having received the desired
degree of humidification, the cops or hanks come in contact with a conveyor or the
like consisting of a travelling endless sheet of canvas or cloth mounted on two
rollers suitably inclined. These rollers are provided with pressor or tension pieces,
so that as regards the roller S, the tension may be regulated by the pressor piece P,
whilst as regards the roller S' that is provided with the pressor piece U for applying
pressure, in certain cases, to the yarn as it is leaving the machine, and in order to
squeeze out the surplus moisture. The yarn after passing from the nip of the
rollers S and B then falls between the surfaces of the two similar conveyors T,
and thence is carried forward by conveyor V to any convenient or desirable
position.
This system of conveyance may also be used to feed or deliver the yarn to the
machine at the opposite end.
I would observe, in conclusion, that steam instead of air currents may be used to
force the water through the water nozzles, and distribute it upon the surface of the
yarn in a spray like form.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. In a machine for the humidification of yarn, the arrangement of the travelling
canvas or sheet A, water cistern N and nozzles M, the latter acted upon by the air
nozzles to produce a spray, substantially as described and illustrated for the
purpose specified.
2. The system of conveyors and pressor roller S₁ for conveying and pressing
the yarn as it leaves or enters the machine, substantially as described and
illustrated.
3. In a humidifying or conditioning machine, the construction of the endless
conveyor of gauze or netted fabric, on which yarn is deposited, and acted upon by
two systems of water jets, substantially as described.
4. The employment of perforated or gauzed trays to carry yarn, which is acted
upon by the spray from the jets or nozzles, substantially as described.
5. The general arrangement and construction of the machine and driving gear,
substantially as described and illustrated.
Dated this 21st day of December 1892.
THOS. RICHMOND,
Agent.