Machinery for Stretching and Drying Textile
Year: 1851

page_text: In ch
AD. 1851
'
N° 13,694.
+
.. Machinery for Stretching and Drying Textile
2 i
1. Yo
Fabrics, &c.
MC NAB'S SPECIFICATION. :
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOHN
MO NAB, of Midtownfield, in the County of Renfrew, North Britain, Bleacher,
send, greeting,
WHEREAS, Her present-most; Excellent, Majesty Queen Victoria, by,
Her Royal Letters, Patent under the Great Seal of the, United Kingdom
of Great Britain and Ireland, bearing date at Westminster, the Seventeenth
day of July, in the fifteenth year of Her reign, did, for, Herself, 'Her heirs.
and successors; give and grant unto me, the said John MC Nab, my.exors,
admors; and assigns,: Her, especial licence, full, power, sole privilege, and
authority, that I, the said John Mc Nab, my exors, adñiors, and assigns,
and such others as I, the said John M, Nab, myrexors, admors, or assigns,
should,at any, time agree, with, and; no others, from itime to time' and' at
all times during, the term, of years. therein expressed, should and law-
fully might-make, use, .exercise, and vend, within England, Wales, and the
Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, my, Invention of" CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN
STRETCHING AND DRYING, TEXTILE FABRICS OR MATERIALS: AND IN THE MACHINERY
OR APPARATUS EMPLOYED THEREIN;" in which, said Letters Patent is contained
a proviso requiring that I, the said John McNab, by an instrument in
writing under my hand and seal, shall particularly describe and ascertain the
nature of my Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed,
and shall cause the same to be inrolled in Her Majesty's High Court of
Chancery within six calendar months next and immediately after the date of
the said in part recited Letters Patent.

page_text: NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
John Mc Nab, do hereby declare the nature of my Invention, and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascer-
tained in and by this present Instrument in writing as follows, reference being
had to the Drawings hereunto attached, and to the letters and figures marked
thereon, that is to say :-
My said Invention relates to certain arrangements of mechanism, apparatus,
or means for treating thread, yarns, or other textile fabrics or materials, for
the purpose of stretching and drying the same, by the joint action of frictional
tension and heat, so as to strengthen, improve the quality, remove "snarls,"
twists, or irregularities, and give a finished appearance to the materials.
And in order that my said Invention may be properly understood, I shall
now proceed to describe the several Figures on the Sheets of Drawings
hereunto attached.
Figure 1, on Sheet 1, of my Drawings, is an external side elevation of one
form of machine or apparatus as arranged according to my improvements, for
the purpose of drying and finishing thread, the heated air box being removed
from the base on one side. Figure 2, on the same Sheet, is a corresponding
end elevation of the machine. Figure 1, on Sheet 2 of my Drawings, is a
complete plan of the machine. Figure 2, on the same Sheet, is a detail
exhibiting a back view of the apparatus, shewing the adjusting gearing for the
tension of the thread. Figure 3, on Sheet 2, is a transverse sectional elevation
of one of the hollow stretching and drying chambers, with the pipes leading
thereto. The frame of the machinc consists of two longitudinal standards A,
arranged parallel to each other, and bound together at the top by two end
frame pieces B.
In the arrangement delineated in the Drawings, there are eight separate
finishing actions combined together, this number, of course, being capable
of modification to any extent to suit circumstances. Each of these separate
finishing actions is fitted up with a pair of closed steam-heating chambers C,D,
polished on their exterior surfaces. In each case the upper chamber C is in
transverse section, somewhat like a blunted wedge, with the point E turned
upwards, and it is bolted by one end to the outside of its main standard A,
so as to project from it to a considerable distance, as in Figure 2 on Sheet 1
of the Drawings. The lower chamber D is similarly bolted to the standard
just beneath, forming as it were the lower blunt end of the wedge in reference
to the upper chamber C, both chambers being in connection through the
medium of a steam branch F. These chambers throughout the series are
kept supplied with steam at the required-pressure, by the main horizontal

page_text: pipes G running along inside each standard near the top,and having a series
of branches H, each opening into the inner end of each of the upper
chambers C, the lower chambers D being supplied by the connecting
branches F. Immediately beneath each main steam pipe is a horizontal
wooden air case or pipe I, for the conveyance of heated air to the materials
being heated. These wooden cases or ducts have each a series of branches J,
projecting out horizontally at right angles to the line of the ducts, and filling
up the space between each steam chamber C and D, that is, each branch is
set immediately over the top of the chamber D, and just beneath the base of
its corresponding upper wedge, chamber C. The air, suitably heated, is
blown or forced along the two main ducts, and passing into the branches is
blown out in a thin sheet through horizontal slots cut one in each side of
the branches, the rate of air discharge being regulated by adjustable slide
or throttle valves K. The necessary motion for the production of the fric-
tional finishing action is derived from the main horizontal shaft L, shewn as
broken away from the moving power. This shaft carries on its inner end a
bevil wheel M gearing with a second bevil wheel N on a short vertical shaft
beneath, having also upon it a small spur wheel O. This spur wheel being
set in the centre of a line of spur wheels and carrier pinions P, Q, is thus
caused to actuate the whole series. Each of the spur wheels P rests by a
collar bearing on the bottom frame of the machine, their respective shafts
R being connected to them by fixed feathers so as to revolve with the wheels,
whilst they are at liberty to rise and fall vertically through the wheel bosses.
The upper end of each shaft carries a bevil wheel S in gear with a second
bevil wheel T fast on the horizontal transverse shaft U carried in bearings in
brackets in each of the standards of the framing, and projecting through the
standards to carry a swift or thread barrel V placed to revolve at some distance
beneath the lower steam chamber D. In this way the entire series of swifts
are made to revolve at a greater or less speed as may be found necessary for
different materials, or for the production of different qualities of finish. Each of
the swifts, together with the lower portions of the hanks of thread under treat-
ment,are surrounded by wooden air chambers W standing up from the hori-
zontal air ducts ✗, which are supplied with heated air from the same source
as the upper lines of pipes. Each of these upright chambers has a long,
narrow,air discharge slit on each side, like that in the upper air branches, and
arranged to open in near contact with the outside of the thread as it is carried
along by the revolution of the swift. In treating thread by this machine,
the banks, in their wet state, are passed over the blunt ridge E of the upper
steam chamber C, and over the corresponding świft V. When so placed, the

page_text: swifts, with their gearing and shafts, are caused to descend and give tension
to the thread by their weight, and by the action of the tension weights Y,
thus drawing the thread tight over the upper ridge of the steam chainber C.
The swifts are then caused to revolve, and the thread so stretched over the
ridge E is carried round with the swifts, and traversed over the sides of the
two steam chambers Cand D. At the same time heated air is blown through
the slits of the upper branches J against the interior surfaces of the traversing
hanks of thread, whilst the exterior surfaces of the thread are similarly acted
upon by air currents from the upright cases or chambers W. In this way
each set of hanks is acted on by heated air on both sides by four air jets, and
the effect of this treatment is, that whilst the tensional strain of the thread
over the upper steam chest removes the snarls or irregularities of twist, and
stretches out the fibres to a uniform bearing,giving a rubbing finishing action
to the material, the heated air blown upon it carries off whatever moisture
is present, and aids the effect by the heat so supplied. When the operation
upon a supply of thread has been completed, the swifts are stopped and
elevated, to admit of the removal of the treated material, the air blasts being
at the same time shut off. To allow of this raising and lowering action, the
main portion of the gearing is arranged to be capable of vertical motion being
guided by vertical slots a, in the side standards of the framing. The tension
weights Y, of which there is one for each finishing arrangement, are hung to
sliding brackets b, in which are the bearings for the horizontal shafts of the
swifts; and these brackets are bolted to and suspended from opposite ends of
the horizontal crosshead or framepiece c contained in the open space above
the gearing, and between the two standards. This crosshead also serves in each
case as a support and connection for the vertical shaft R, with its bevil wheel
S, by means of a pendant bracket d bolted to the under side of the cross-
head, and having at its lower end a collar fitting to the upper end of the
shaft beneath a collar or head formed on the latter. By this connection, the
bevil wheel S and shaft Rare traversed vertically along with the cross head
and the rest of the moving apparatus. Ate, the cross head c is jointed by a
central eye to the lower end of a connecting rod f, which has an adjustable
strap or slotted end to allow of the weight coming fairly down upon. the
thread when in various lengths of hanks. The upper end of the connecting
rod is jointed by an eye to a pin in the side of the ratchet wheel g,
loose on the overhead horizontal shaft h, which is carried on one side in
an eud bearing on the top of one of the main standards, and on the other in. a.
similar bearing on the supporting frame bari. This shaft receives motion from
the vertical shaft j, having on its lower end. a bevil, pinion.k, driven by the

page_text: bevil wheel on the main driving shaft beneath; the connection at the upper
end of this shaft being, through the intervention of the bevil pinion m,in gear
with the bevil wheel n, fast on the central horizontal shaft o, revolving in end
bearings on the two main standards, and in an intermediate bearing. on the
beam i. On this shaft is a spur pinion p in gear with the two central
spur wheels g,on the two central shafts, which again respectively actuate the
two remaining shafts h, by means of a second pair of spur wheels q. In this
way the whole of the four shafts h are actuated by the vertical shaft so as to
work simultaneously, and be capable of carrying round the series of ratchet
wheels g, the teeth in each of the outside pairs of which are set in opposite
directions. This system of gearing is put in motion, or disengaged, by means
of a line of separate disengaging shafts 7,carried in overhead brackets s, and
each fitted with a disengaging lever t,counterweighted at u; to retain that end
down, and keep the chutch out of gear until the attendant draws down the
handle end to start the elevating apparatus. Whilst the machine is in action
the whole of the gearing is in constant regular motion, with the exception of
the series of ratchet wheels, which, as represented in the end elevation,
Figure 2, on Sheet1 of the Drawings, are disconnected from and kept out of
gear with their shafts h, on which they are carried by means of the sliding
clutches v, which work on fixed feathers on the shafts h. When. the thread
has been sufficiently treated in the manner which I have already herein-before
described, the attendant draws down the long projecting handle of the'disen!
gaging lever t, the short projecting arin w of which,at the opposite side of the
lever's centre of motion, then presses forward the upper shaft r as a centre, and
the opposite lower end of this lever fitting into a ring groove of the sliding
clutch, forces the latter into gear with the fast revolving clutch on the wheel g:
By this means any single ratchet wheel is connected with the driving gear,aud,
as it commences to revolve, gradually draws up the cross heade by means. of
the connecting rod f jointed to the face or crank pin of the ratchet wheel: As
the pin slowly revolves it draws up the swifts and the whole of the moveable
gearing,as represented in the extreme right-hand arrangement in Figure 1,on
Sheet 1 of the Drawings, where the elevation is deliueated as being nearly,
completed. Whilst this ascent is taking place, the long verticalrody is being
carried I up by the cross head c, until, when the necessary elevation has been
attained by the ratchet pin arriving at its highest point, the adjustable catch z
on the rod y strikes against the lower side of the long end of the disengaging
lever overhead, and thus throws the clutch out of gear, when the ratchet
wheel at once stops, the apparatus being prevented from again descending by,
its own gravity by the arrangement of duplex detents 1. This elevation of the

page_text: swifts, two opposite ones being of course lifted at the same time, then slackens
thehanksofthread,andallowsoftheir removal from the machine in their finished
state. Fresh untreated hanks are now supplied, when the swifts and gearing
are allowed to descend, to give the requisite tension as before. To accom-
plish this descent the disengaging lever t is by its lateral elasticity slipped
aside from the line of traverse of the catch, when its handle end may be
drawn down to re-engage the ratchet wheels with the moving spur wheels q.
The several movements are then repeated, and the onward revolution of the
ratchet wheels in the direction of the arrows carries the crank pins past their
centres, causing the cross head weights and swifts to descend as before, the
ratchet detents slipping to allow of the motion. Although the disengaging
leverstarecounterweighted to keep the clutches out of gear, the weights are not
so great as to bear down their ends of the levers whilst the driving and tensional
strain is upon the clutches. The clutches, therefore, remain in gear until they
are relieved.from torsional strain bythe resting of the whole suspended weight
upon the banks of thread. The counterweights then disengage the clutches,
and the finishing action goes on as before, the heated air blasts being again
applied. It will be obvious to the practical man that this arrangement may
be variously modified to produce the same or similar effects. For example,
instead of the wedge-shaped steam chamber, the hanks may be passed over a
revolving steam-heated cylinder, set in bearings at the same place, whilst the
lower bends of the hanks are passed over swifts, in the manner herein-before
described. Or, by another modification, fixed steam chambers may be dis-
pensed with altogether, the hauks being simply passed over upper and lower
or variouslyarranged rotatory steam cylinders,either having different surface
speeds to produce friction, or having the same, rate for mere tension, the air
blast being of course always applied for the purposes herein-before described.
The thread or other materials so treated have an excellent finish given to them
at a very economical cost, whilst the fibres, being stretched to a regular
uniform, bearing, superior strength and uniformity of appearance is produced.
And although I have herein-before described the finishing process as being
conducted with heated air blasts, I wish it to be understood that cold air may
be, used instead. And, as another modification of my improvements, the
hanks may be stretched on stretchers in the ordinary manner, having a cold
or hot air blast supplied to effect the. herein-before described purposes.
Having now.described and particularly ascertained the nature of my said
Invention and the manner in which the same is or may be used or carried into
effect may observe, in conclusion, that I do not confine or restrict myself to
the precise details or arrangements which I have had occasion to describe or

page_text: refer to, as many variations may be made therefrom without deviating from the
principles or main features of my Invention. But what I consider to be novel
and original,and therefore claim as the Invention secured to me by the herein.
before in part recited Letters Patent is,―
First, the general arrangement of machinery, apparatus, or means for
the treatment and finishing of thread and other textile materials, as herein-
before described.
Second, the system or mode of treating thread and other textile materials
by the combined action of frictional tension, or tension alone, heat, and air
blasts.
Third, the employment and use of wedge-shaped or angular steam-heated
chambers for giving frictional tension to the treated materials as herein-before
described.
Fourth, the system or mode of finishing thread and other textile materials
by passing such materials over revolving steam-heated cylinders, either
combined or not with swifts or carrying barrels, as herein-before described.
Fifth, the system or mode of giving tension to textile materials during the
finishing operation, as herein-before described.
In witness whereof, I, the said John McNab, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, the Fourteenth day of January, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and fifty-two.
AND BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the Fourteenth day of January, in
the year of our Lord 1852, the aforesaid John M Nab came before our said
Lady the Queen in Her Chancery, and acknowledged the Specification
aforesaid, and all and every thing therein contained and specified, in form above
written. And also the Specification aforesaid was stamped according to the
tenor of the Statute made for that purpose.
Enrolled the Sixteenth day of January, in the year of our Lord One