A MACHINE FOR SINGKING WOVEN FABRICS OR COTTON, WOOL, OR SILK BY MEANS OF GAS OR ALCOHOL
Year: 1862

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to George Davies, of No. 1, Serle Street, Lincoln's
Inn, in the County of Middlesex, and No. 28, St. Enoch Square, in the
City of Glasgow, Civil Engineer and Patent Agent, for the Invention
of "A MACHINE FOR SINGKING WOVEN FABRICS OR COTTON, WOOL, OR SILK BY
MEANS OF GAS OR ALCOHOL."—A communication from abroad by Alexandre
Mario Fortung Talpin of Puris Engineer
Sealed the 3rd February 1863, and dated the 27th August 1862.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said George Davies at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 27th
August 1862.
I, G. ORGE DAVIES, of No. 1, Serle Street, Lincoln's Inn, in the County of
Middlesex, and No. 2:, St. Enoch Square, in the City of Glasgow, Civil
Engineer and Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of the said Inven-
tion for "A MACHINE FOR SINGEING WOVEN FABRICS OF COTTON, WOOL, OR SILK
BY MEANS OF GAS OR ALCOHOL," (a communication to me from abroad by
Alexandre Marie Fortuné Tulpin, of Paris, Engineer,) to be as follows:-
The machine is constructed as follows:-The main framing supports in
suitable bearings several carrying rollers, and a pair of drawing rollers, by
means of which the fabric to be singed is drawn through the machine. The
frame also supports two pairs of revolving iron tension bars or rollers, arranged
parallel to each other in a horizontal direction, and supported in bearings so

page_text: constructed that each pair of rollers can be set nearer together or further apart
as required. Below each pair of rollers is a gas pipe, furnished with a row
of burners so placed that the flame issuing therefrom in a vertical direction
passes between the pair of revolving tension bars or rollers, and singes the
fabric, passing round each of them simultaneously, so that each row of flame
singes the fabric twice at one operation. Over the machine is an exhaust fan
or ventilator, the pipe from which is furnished with two branches having lon-
gitudinal openings immediately over each pair of rollers, the draught from
which strengthens and steadies the flame, and at the same time carries off the
down or dust produced by the singeing process. The gas pipes are mounted
on cross bars at each end, so arranged as to be capable of being raised or
lowered so as to raise or lower the flame as required. The machine is also
provided with brushes, either fixed or revolving, to raise the pile at the
moment of singeing.
The principal novel features of this machine consist, Firstly, in applying
the flame in such a manner as to allow of singeing the same side of the fabric
twice simultaneously by each flame.
Secondly, in so arranging the passage of the fabrics to the flame, that the
fabric can be singed at pleasure either on the two sides alternately (each side
twice) at one operation, or one side only four times successively at one
operation, or one side twice only, according to the nature of the fabric.
Thirdly, in the employment of two separate rows of flame moveable in a
vertical direction, so as to be brought nearer to or further from the fabric to
be singed, in order to render their action more or less intense. A greater
number of rows offlame may be employed, so as to singe the fabric a greater
number of times if required.
Fourthly, in the application of two separate pairs of iron tension bars(made
with journals at their ends revolving in bearings), round which the fabrics
pass; the movement which is communicated to them allows of their regular
expansion, and thus prevents their distortion. These bars are acted upon by
means of right and left-handed screws, so as to cause them to approach or
recede from each other at will,according to the direction of the motion com-
municated to the screws, thus forming between them a longitudinal space
variable in width, through which the flame passes, being drawn directly by a
chimney surmounted by a powerful ventilator. The fabric to be singed is
acted upon more or less by the flame according to the distance apart of the
said revolving tension bars.
Fifthly, in the direction given to the flame, which acting vertically, licks
(as it were) the same surface (of the side of the fabric which is exposed to it)

page_text: twice simultaneously. The flame has no tendency to pass through the fabric
the latter being stretched tightly over the revolving bars above mentioned,
a condition very favorable to certain fabrics, such as wool, silk, and light
goods.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said George Davies in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 27th
February 1863.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, GEORGE
DAVIES, of No. 1, Serle Street, Lincoln's Inn, in the County of Middlesex,
and No. 28, St. Enoch Square, in the City of Glasgow, Civil Engineer and
Patent Agent, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Twenty-seventh day of August, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-two,in the twenty-sixth year of
Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto
me, the said George Davies, Her special licence that I, the said George
Davies, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the
said George Davies, my executors, administrators, and assigns,should at any
time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times there-
after during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use,
exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland,
the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "A MACHINE FOR
SINGEING WOVEN FABRICS OF COTTON, WOOL, OR SILK BY MEANS OF GAS OR
ALCOHOL," being a communication to me from abroad by Alexandre Marie
Fortuné Tulpin, of Paris, Engineer, upon the condition (amongst others) that
I, the said George Davies, my executors or administrators, by an instru-
ment in writing under my, or their, or one of their hands and seals, should
particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in
what manner the same was to be performed, and cause the same to be filed
in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next and imme.
diately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said George Davies, do hereby declare the
nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed,
to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following state-

page_text: ment in writing, and on reference to the accompanying Drawings, that is
to say:-
The machine is constructed in the following manner:-The main framing
supports in suitable bearings several carrying rollers, and a pair of drawing
rollers, by means of which the fabric to be singed is drawn through the
machine. The frame also supports two pairs of revolving iron tension bars
or rollers, arranged parallel to each other in a horizontal direction, and
supported in bearings so constructed that each pair of rollers can be set
nearer together or further apart as required. Below each pair of rollers is a
gas pipe furnished with a row of burners so placed that the flame issuing
therefrom in a vertical direction passes between the pair of revolving tension
bars or rollers, and singes the fabric passing round each of them simul-
taneously, so that each row of flame singes the fabric twice at one operation.
Over the machine is an exhaust fan or ventilator, the pipe from which is
furnished with two branches having longitudinal openings immediately over
each pair of rollers, the draught from which strengthens and steadies the
flame, and at the same time carries off the down or dust produced by the
singeing process.., The gas pipes are mounted on cross bars at each end,so
arranged as to be capable of being raised or lowered so as to raise or lower
the flame as required. The machine is also provided with brushes, either fixed
or revolving, to raise the pile at the moment of singeing.
The principal novel features of this machine consist, Firstly, in applying
the flame in such a manner as to allow of singeing the same side of the
fabric twice simultaneously by each flame.
Secondly, in so arranging the passage of the fabrics to the flame, that the
fabric can be singed at pleasure either on the two sides alternately (each side
twice) at one operation, or, one side only four times successively at one
operation, or one side twice only, according to the nature of the fabric.
Thirdly, in the employment of two separate rows of flame, moveable in a
vertical direction, so as to be brought nearer to or further from the fabric to
be singed, in order to render their action more or less intense.
A greater
number of rows of flame may be employed, so as to singe the fabric a greater
number of times if required.
Fourthly, in the application of two separate pairs of iron tension bars
(made with journals at their ends, revolving in bearings), round which the
fabrics pass; the movement which is communicated to them allows of their
regular expansion, and thus prevents their distortion. These bars are acted
upon by means of right and left-handed screws,so as to cause them to approach
or recede from each other at will, according to the direction of the motion

page_text: communicated to the screws, thus forming between them a longitudinalspace,
variable in width, through which the flame passes, being drawn directly by a
chimney surmounted by a powerful ventilator. The fabric to be singed is
acted upon more or less by the flame according to the distance apart of the
said revolving tension bars.
Fifthly, in the direction given to the flame, which acting vertically, licks
(as it were) the same surface (of the side of the fabric which is exposed to it)
twice simultaneously. The flame has no tendency to pass through the fabric,
the latter being stretched tightly over the revolving bars above mentioned, a
condition very favorable to certain fabrics, such as wool, silk, and light
goods.
Sixthly. In the employment of a flame-divider, which separates the
flame into two parts, and forces it to remain longer in contact with the fabric.
Seventhly, in the quincuncial arrangement of the holes pierced in the surface
of the tubes, a condition very favorable to the development of the flame, which
consequently divides itself in a more regular manner, and operates better upon
the fabric.
Eighthly, in the employment at the ends of the flues of slides split into the
form of rakes, intended to close the space of the said flues beyond the width
of the fabrics to be singed, in order to confine the action of the ventilator
in proportion to the width of the fabric, which renders its action more
regular.
Ninthly, in the employment, at will, of a mixture of cold air with coal gas,
which mixture may be obtained by the following means:-The first method
consists in the application of a chimney forming a reservoir, pierced at its
lower part with small holes in a sufficient quantity, so that air may introduce
itself through the orifices, and mix with the gas which is supplied by the
conduit pipe. The mixture having taken place, it spreads itself into the
burning tube, where it finds an exit by small holes pierced in the upper part,
on its issue from which the combustion takes place. Each gas conduit is
furnished with this apparatus. The second method consists in the employment
of a reservoir of compressed air, of the same length as the gas-distributing
tube. The air is forced into the reservoir by a small fan, and its exit there-
from to mix with the gas is by small conduits furnished with a stop-cock.
There is one to each burner tube. The advantage of this mixture of air and
gas
in both cases is to give a more intense heat with a less expenditure of gas,
and more especially to avoid smoke.
Tenthly, in the employment of moveable cross bars carrying the gas-
distributing pipes, by which means the position of the latter, and consequently

page_text: of the flame produced by the burner tubes, may be varied at will. Each
cross bar is fixed on a moveable sliding rod guided by two supports. On the
sliding rod is placed a ring (capable of adjustment), carrying a lug through
which a small screwed rod passes, and to the latter is fastened a chain
attached to a weighted lever, by means of which the cross bar is raised or
lowered. When it is desired to remove the flames further from the fabric to
be singed, it is only requisite to raise the lever and fix it by a pin; and when
it is desired to bring the flames nearer to the fabric, the said lever must be
depressed to the required degree,and fixed by a pin placed in a corresponding
hole, when the flame can be adjusted to a nicety by means of a nut on the
small screwed rod above named. This apparatus is double, and exists on each
side of the machine, being connected together by the shaft which forms the
fulcrum of the weighted lever above referred to.
Eleventhly, in the employment of fixed brushes, serving to raise the pile of
the fabric before it is submitted to the action of singeing by each of the flames.
These brushes may be cylindrical, and driven at a great speed.
Twelfthly, in the application of two exhaust pipes, one at each side of the
fan, causing a stronger and more regular exhaust.
Thirteenthly,in the employment,at will, (by the adaptation of the system of
moveable cross bars) of the flame produced by alcohol instead of coal gas, in
order to completely avoid smoke and its inconveniences. To employ alcohol
it is only necessary to remove the gas-distributing tubes (avery easy operation),
and to replace them by other tubes receiving alcohol from a reservoir placed
above.
Such being the nature and object of the said Invention for "A Machine
for Singeing Woven Fabrics of Cotton, Wool, or Silk by Means of Gas or
Alcohol," I will now proceed to describe more in detail the manner in which
the same is to be or may be performed or carried into practical effect; and in
order that the same may be distinctly understood, I have annexed hereunto a
Sheet of Drawings illustrative thereof, and have marked the same with figures
and letters of reference corresponding with thosein the following explanation
thereof, that is to say :-
Figure is a front view of the machine; Figure 2, a vertical section
through about the line a, b; Figure 3 is a plan view, with a fan and upper
part of the exhaust apparatus removed; Figure 4 is a detached view of the
apparatus for employing gas with the surrounding atmosphere; Figure 5isa
similar view of the details for employing rich gas mixed with compressed air;
and Figures 6 and 7 are detached views of the apparatus for employing
spirits of wine or alcohol instead of gas.

page_text: DESCRIPTION OF CURES AND U.
A, A, are the side frames of the machine connected together by the cross
framing a, a; B, B¹, brackets supporting the drawing rollers b, b¹, and a guide
roller c; b,b,rollers for drawing the fabric through the machine; C,0¹, various
supports for the guide rollers c, c; D, a fixed bar at the front of the machine,
and serving to keep the fabric distended breathwise; E,E,guide rollers round
which the fabric passes at the moment of singeing, the distance apart of these
rollers in order to allow fabrics of all natures to be submitted more or less to the
action of the flames; F, F',flues for exhausting the productsof combustion, the
upperpartbeing a semi-cylinder terminated by twostraight parts,againstwhich
the fabric presses in its progress, an important arrangement relatively to the
exhaust by the fan; f. f, elbow pipes placed at the ends of the flues F, F', to
join them to the general exhaust pipes G, G; f,f, flame-dividers serving
to prolong the contact of the flame with the fabric. These flame-dividers are
composed (lengthwise) of three pieces, and are longer or shorter according to
the width of the fabric under operation. (", ", are slides split into the form
of rakes, terminated by plates of thin sheet iron, intercepting all communi-
cation between the extremities of the flues and the external air. These slides
are guided in grooves made in the sides of the flues F, F, and are brought
nearer to or further from each other according to the width of the fabric.
The object of these slides is to confine the action of the fan to the width of
the cloth; ff", plates of sheet iron extending the whole length of the
flues, and serving to effect the exhaust in the said conduits; G, G+, general
exhaust pipes communicating between the flues F, F", and the fan H;
9, 9', elbow pipes c nnecting the pipes G, G, with the fan H; H, ventilating
fan, the aspiration of which serves to accelerate the flames, and also to take
away the products of combustion; h, h³, exhaust orifices of the fan H;
, exit orifices of the fan H; hu, driving pulley of the fan; I, I', supports
for the flues F, F¹; i, i, , ¿, doors which can be removed at pleasure for
cleaning the flues and the tube G, G ; J, J', general gas-supplying tubes;
,,supports for the same; K, K', supports for the burner tubes placed in
the middle of the machine; k, k, supports for the burner tubes placed at the
extremities of the machine. They are provided with a tap to allow of the
variation of the length of the line of flames according to the breadth of
the fabric. 1, 1, burner tubes pierced at their upper sides with two rows
very small holes arranged in quincunx (that is, with the holes alter-
nating, each hole in each row being opposite to a space in the other
row), for the issue of gas only, or gas mixed with air. This arrangement
of

page_text: of the holes of the said burner tubes is intended to furnish, with the
same number of holes as would be pierced in a single line, a flame of
wider expansion, a condition very favorable to the twice-repeated singeing
of the same side of the fabric by the action of one frame only. L, L',
sliding rods fixed to the cross bars j, ; 1, 1, guides for the said rods;
M, M³, weighted levers for raising or depressing the tubes J, J¹; m, a shaft
connecting the two levers M, M¹; N, N¹, rings fixed on the rods L, L, and
connected to the levers M, M¹, by chains; n, n, small screws serving to regu-
late perfectly the distance of the burner tubes k¹¹ from the rollers E, E¹
³,², counterpoise weights placed at the extremities of the levers M, M³, in
order to balance the weight of the gas tubes and their supports; O, lever
handle serving to operate instantaneously the displacement of the tubes J, J¹;
0, 0¹, stop pins for the lever O, serving to hold the tubes J, J', in the desired
position; P, P¹, driving pulleys of the machine mounted on the axis of the
roller 6; p, p, driving pulleys of the cage p₁, pl, cage for drawing the
fabric as it issues from the rollers b, b'; R, R, flat fixed brushes serving to
raise the pile of the fabric which rubs against them. These brushes may be
circular, and have a rotary movement given to them; r, 71, 711, supports for
the brushes.
The fabric may be singed in this machine in three different manners, that
is to say, firstly, it can be singed twice on each face at one passage, and that
with two flames only, as represented by the blue line; secondly, it can be
singed four times on the same face at one passage with only two flames, as
represented by the red line; and, thirdly, it can be singed twice on the same
face at one passage and with one flame only, as represented by the green
line. In these two latter cases the guide roller c³ is placed at c³, and the
brush R¹ is placed in the supports r².

page_text: A, reservoir for alcohol or spirits of wine, furnished with cocks a, a, a¹¹;
B, small reservoir for the distribution of the alcohol; b, small reservoir by
which a current of cold air is continually introduced; C, elbow pipe by which
the alcohol is introduced into the burner tubes; D, elbow pipe carrying a
current of cold water round the burner pipes ; E, E, burner tubes, each com-
posed of a large and a small tube touching each other interiorly. The alcohol
is introduced into the small tube, and the cold water into the larger one, and
by its contact with the exterior surface of the small tube the alcohol is always
kept cold, which is an indispensible condition. F, F, cress bars sustaining the
system of burner tubes.
The principal advantages of the said Invention are as follows :-
Firstly, in singeing twice with each flame, an economy of fifty per cent. in
the expense of the gas is effected.
Secondly, in singeing the fabric four times on the same side in a single
passage through the machine, there will be also a similar economy in the
werking.
Thirdly, in singeing each side of the fabric twice at one passage, there will
be, besides the economy of fifty per cent. on the labor, the great advantage of
not injuring the fabric by a prolonged manipulation.
Fourthly, the economy in the expence is increased in proportion to the
number of rows of flames.
Fifthly, the facility of varying the height of the burner apparatus allows
of the attainment of the same degree of singeing whatever may be the height
of the flames, (which varies with the pressure,) and gives a greater regularity to
the singeing.
Sixthly, the power of moving the rollers E, E¹ (round which the fabric
passes at the moment of singeing) nearer to or farther from each other
admits of the regulation of the amount of singeing according to the nature of
the fabric.
Seventhly, the vertical direction given to the flame allows of singeing the
fabric by merely licking, as it were, the surface, and obviates the danger of
the deposit of extraneous matter by badly-purified gas.
Eighthly, the direct aspiration of the flame without forcing it to pass
though the fabric,as in the ordinary system,protects from singeing the fibres
which are not raised.
Ninthly, the mixture of air with the
gas
allows of the employment of rich

page_text: gas without fear of smoke, gives a more intense heat, and effects a great
reduction in the expense of the gas.
Tenthly, the employment of fixed or rotary brushes is intended to improve
the singeing by raising the fibres before passing each row of flame.
Eleventhly, the employment of the moveable cross bars admits of the sub-
stitution of singeing by the flame of alcohol, burning without smoke, instead of
that of coal or other gas.
And, twelfthly, the facility of burning in this machine any kind of gas or
spirit burning with a flame.
In witness whereof, I, the said George Davies, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty-seventh day of February, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-three.
GEORGE DAVIES. (L.B.)