IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF VELVETEENS
Year: 1885

page_text: We, GEORGE ALFRED SHIERS of Prestwich near Manchester, Manufacturer;
ABRAHAM WRIGHT of Oldham, Manager; and EDWARD HADFIELD of Oldham,
Salesman; do hereby declare the nature of our invention for "IMPROVEMENTS
IN THE MANUFACTURE OF VELVETEENS;" and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement
The improvements relate to the manufacture of velveteens, or woven fabrics in
which the pile is formed by floating the weft on the surface of the cloth, and
consist of a peculiar method of actuating the healds or harness of the loom for the
purpose.
"
In velveteens as at present manufactured, whether the same be such as are known
as fast-pile-velvet," "E, 1, patent," or other names, they are, for the most part
manufactured by so actuating the healds of the loom that the weft has an uniform
distance of float, at those picks where floatation takes place. In some cases the
weft is caused to float over five warp threads, and in others seven warp threads,
and even a greater number.
In a tie-up of eight shafts the warps may be so actuated that the weft is floated
over five or seven threads. A specimen of the former with 10 or more picks
to the round is known as "fast pile velvet; while an example of the second kind
is found in what is known as "E, 1, patent," with 10 picks to the round.
Each of these types represent certain advantages, and the object of the present'
invention is to combine the two kinds into one forms of weaving.
To accomplish this and to effect our improvements, we adopt one of two special
modes of combination, each of which carry out the object of our invention.
In the first mode or variation of proceedure we combine the two several
actuations of the warps by alternating them in the length of the round forming
the series of picks; and in the second mode or variation of proceedure we combine
the two several actuations of the warp by alternating them both in the shafts of
healds and in the length of the round of picks.
Thus, in the first case we retain the number of shafts at that which is required
for one of the forms desired to be combined, while in the second we augment the
number of shafts to the sum of the shafts required in the two separate forms to be
put in combination,

page_text: In the case of combining two forms-say a floatation over five or seven warp
threads in the length of the round only, we alternately float the weft over five
tbreads in one pick and seven threads in another pick, inserting the requisite
binder" picks at the proper places between; whereas in the case of combination
by augmentation of the number of shafts, we are able to alternate the two numbers
both in one pick and in succeeding picks.
The manner of combination, that is to say the arrangement of the intervening
picks may be varied, in detail, to a considerable extent, and the combining numbers
of floatation may be other than five and seven, as for instance five and nine, or
seven and nine, without departing from the peculiar character of the invention,
which consists of the two varieties of method in combining two different numbers
of warp threads floated over by the weft in weaving pile fabrics wherein the weft
forms the pile, such as are known as velveteens.
The diagrams give examples of how this combination is effected. Fig 1. shews
a combination of five and seven thread floatation, in the length of the round only,
and Fig 2 shews a combination of the same numbers of floatation when the same
is accomplished by augmentation of the shafts in addition.
Fig 1, is a tread of eight shafts having 38 picks to the round, and is a combination
of an eight shaft "fast-pile-velvet" having 10 or more picks to the round, and an
eight shaft "E, 1, Patent" having 10 or more picks to the round with the necessary
additional picks.
Fig 2, is a tread of 14 shafts having 70 picks to the round, and is a combination
of a six shaft "velvet" having 30 picks to the round and an eight shaft "E, 1,
Patent," having 10 or more picks to the round, with the necessary additional
picks.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is
The combination, either by augmentation of the number of shafts, or in the
number of picks to the round, or both, of two floatation numbers, that is to say, the
numbers of threads of warp over which the weft yarn is floated, in the weaving or
manufacture of weft piled fabrics such as velveteens, in manner and for the purpose
substantially as shewn and described.
WILLIAM GADD, C.E.,
64, Barton Arcade, Manchester,
Agent.