Improvements in Apparatus for Stretching or Removing Creases from Woven Fabrics.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 8th Dec., 1891
Complete Specification Left, 7th Apr., 1892-Accepted, 18th June, 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Stretching or Removing Creases
from Woven Fabrics.
1, GEORGE TILSTONE, of Church, in the County of Lancaster, Joiner, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to apparatus for stretching laterally or removing creases
or folds from cloth or woven fabrics as it passes through the various machines in
which it is treated during the processes of dyeing, bleaching, or finishing, being
specially designed for handkerchiefs and shawls though it may be applied to
machines for open soaping and dye gigs or to any other machines when it is desired
that the cloth should be made straight and open either on entering or leaving the
machine.
This class of stretchers or openers as hitherto constructed have been provided
with a pair of cone drums set inclined one to another. These drums have been
mounted to revolve on revolving shafts fixed to them and mounted in bearings at
each end and great difficulty has hitherto been experienced in preventing the cloth
being damaged either by the ends of the cones or by the cover placed over the
junction of the two ends.
This invention consists essentially in constructing the apparatus with the cones
mounted to rotate on a fixed shaft without central bearing and a loose rotating disc
between the ends of the cones and with an adjustable segment or semi-circular
guide board or sectional roller which can be adjusted in its position relative to the
inclined cones by a quadrant and lever.
In carrying out the invention I provide a fixed shaft upon which' the two'cones are
mounted. This shaft is bent or inclined at the inclination the two cones are to be
set to each other.
It is fixed in the end bearing by being set in a square hole or by means of a
bolt or set screw or pin inserted in the end., The shaft is preferably made in
three parts turned true, two parts correspond with a shaft passed through the
cones and the third or central part is in the form of a block or coupling bored at
each side to the required angle into which the two end pieces fit and may be
secured by being shrunk on or by a pin, screw or key. By thus adjusting and
fixing the shaft central bearings or steps for the shafts are entirely dispensed with
the cones' rotating around the fixed shaft.
Upon the central part of the fixed shaft I mount a disc or bush which runs
loosely thereon lighter in the centre than the sides which fills up the space at the
junction of or between the ends of the inclined cones.
The surface of the cones is roughened or serrated in appearance like the surface
of a file or rasp over about two-thirds of their surface extending inwards from the
outer edge the other part being preferably left smooth. The central disc or bush
is turned to shape and smooth the raised or central part of it rising level with the
end of the cones. The cones and central disc or bush may be made of any desired
material such as metal or wood.
Below or in front of the inclined cones I fix a curved or segmental board or metal
rail fixed so that one side of the fabric passes over in contact with' the face of it
and the other side of the fabric passes over in contact with the cones whereby all
crimps, folds or double edges are removed from both sides of the fabric. To the
face or edge of this board or rail may be affixed a serrated crimp rail preferably
semicircular'in cross section. The ends of the board or rail are provided with
slots or a series of holes whereby its position on the bearings which support it can
be adjusted. This may be effected either by a bolt and-winged nut or by a handle

page_text: and lever. By this arrangement if the cloth should not be guided straight to
the opening or stretching cones and one edge is in advance of the other by
adjusting this board to put more friction on the advancing edge the cloth may
be made to pass through straight without any necessity for the attendant
touching it.
In conjunction with this board or rail is a small roller over which the cloth
passes to present the opposite side of it to the cones.
The board or rail and the roller are carried by a bracket depending from or
pivoted upon the centre of the cones and the position adjusted by a quadrant
lever. By lifting up the lever the board and roller are raised to reduce the tension
or strain on the cloth and the stretching power exerted upon it.
The brackets which support the inclined cones and the fixed shaft are mounted
upon a cross bar so that they can be moved backwards and forwards by a screw
engaging with one of the brackets to suit the different width of cloth.
One two or more openers or sets of cones can be mounted on one bar and shifted
by the screw or by hand so that one two or more openers or stretchers can be run
at the same time according to the width of the cloth without fear of one over-
lapping the other.
These openers or stretchers can be fixed within one inch of the drying cams or
cylinders consequently all the width of the fabric secured by the opener is main-
tained as the cloth passes onto the cylinder. The curved or segmental board may
be modified by being formed of a curved roller or made up of a number of graduated
section or rings upon a central shaft.
I consider that by this arrangement and construction better and quicker work
is performed without marking or damage to the cloth hitherto occasioned by the
central cover and that in the case of narrow cloth should it all get upon one cone
it will travel back and forward across the central disc or bush without getting
between the ends of the cones or without damage or mark to a delicate fabric.
Dated this 7th day of December 1891.
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
6, Bank Street, Manchester, Patent Agents.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Stretching or Removing Creases
from Woven Fabrics.
I, GEORGE TILSTONE, of Church, in the County of Lancaster, Joiner, 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 apparatus for stretching laterally or removing creases
or folds from cloth or woven fabrics as it passes through the various machines in
which it is treated during the processes of dyeing, bleaching, or finishing, being
specially designed for handkerchiefs and shawls though it may be applied to
machines for open soaping and dye gigs or to any other machines when it is desired
that the cloth should be made straight and open either on entering or leaving the
machine.
This class of stretchers or openers as hitherto constructed have been provided
with a pair of cone drums set inclined one to another. These drums have been
mounted to revolve on revolving shafts fixed to them and mounted in bearings at
each end with a centre pedestal and great difficulty has hitherto been experienced
in preventing the cloth being damaged either by the ends of the cones or by the
cover placed over the junction of the two ends.
This invention consists essentially in constructing the apparatus with the cones
mounted to revolve on a fixed shaft without central bearing or support and a loose
rotating disc or ring between the ends of the cones and with an adjustable segmental

page_text: Fig. 1. Sectional elevation of
The cones A which are of ordinary construction either plain or serrated I mount
upon a fixed or stationary shaft B upon which the cones A can rotate freely and
independently of each other.
The fixed or stationary shaft B passes through both cones A and is held in
position by the ends being inserted in a square or angular hole in the end plate
or framing C. The ends 6 are preferably square but may be of any shape and
secured in the frame C by set screws bolts, keys or pins. The shaft B is preferably
made in 3 parts, the parts b¹ upon which the cones rotate being fixed at an angle
or inclination one to the other corresponding with the inclination at which the
cones are intended to work. When made in separate parts the two end parts b¹
are turned and the third or central part 6" is in the form of a block or coupling
bored at each side to the required angle into which the two end pieces b₁ fit and
may be secured by being shrunk on or by a pin screw or key. Instead of being
formed from three distinct parts the shaft B may either be cast or forged in one
piece to the required pattern and then turned and finished. By thus adjusting and
fixing the shaft B for the cones to rotate loosely upon it central bearings or steps
to support the shaft are entirely dispensed with.
Upon the central part 1 of the shaft B I mount a small disc bush or ring D, to
run loosely thereon and fill up the space between the ends of the cones A. The
ring D is preferably formed rather higher in the centre than at the sides the lowe
part fitting under the edges of the cone ends and the raised part between the end..
of the two cones.
Below or in front of the inclined cones I fix a curved or segmental board or
metal rail E fixed so that one side of the fabric passes over in contact with the face
of it and the other side of the fabric passes over in contact with the cones A
whereby all crimps folds creases or double edges are removed from both sides of
the fabric. The face or edge of the segmental rail E may be serrated or crimped
as shown for the whole or a part of its length to assist its action of stretching or
straightening out the fabric. The stretching rail E is mounted upon brackets F
upon which it can be moved to or from the cones A and it is secured and its
position adjusted by the screws G. By this arrangement if the cloth or fabric
should not be guided straight to the opening or stretching cones and one edge is in
advance of the other by adjusting this board or rail to put more friction on the
advancing edge the cloth may be made to pass through straight without any
necessity for the attendant touching it.
The segment or rail E may be made in one piece as shown in Figs. 1-4 or may
be made in one or more parts as shown in Figs. 7, 8 and 9 wherein the parts è
which are pivoted to E can be moved in and out by the lever E¹ and connecting
rode to alter or adjust the curve of the rail.
In addition to the to and fro movement upon the brackets F the rail E together

page_text: with the brackets F upon which it is mounted are movable about a fixed centre f
(nearly coincident with the centre of the cones). The position of the bracket F
about the centre fis regulated and adjusted by the quadrant lever H and quadrant /
the bracket being held when adjusted by a pin passed through the holes e.
Mounted upon the brackets and working in conjunction with the rail E is a
small roller I over which the cloth passes to present the opposite side of it to the
cones A.
In order to raise the brackets F at both ends of the machine simultaneously they
may have each affixed to them a strap or chain J passing over a pulley or wheel j
(see Fig. 5) the pulleys at each end being connected together by a shaft, so that
both can be moved at the same time from either end of the machine.
A second curved or segmental rail K may be placed at the other side of the
cones A against which the cloth comes in contact after leaving the cones A. This
rail is preferably provided with a smooth face and is stationary in relation to the
framing C.
The curved or segmental board or rail (E or K) is adapted and may be applied
by itself alone for stretching fabrics in such machines as dye machines, open dyeing
machines, open soapers, open washers, open bleaching machines, printing machines,
calendering machines, steaming machines and any machines requiring cloth to be
kept straight and free from creases. The segmental rail may be in one or more
parts and may be adjusted by screws, levers, rack and pinion, quadrant and rack
or other mechanism from outside the machine. As it will work either in liquor or
out of it the cloth or fabric can be wet or dry.
The cones A may be made of any suitable material wood or metal and the
surface may be rough or smooth preferably roughened or serrated in appearance
like the surface of a file or rasp over about two thirds of their surface extending
inwards from the outer edge the other part being preferably left smooth. The
central disc or bush is turned to shape with a smooth surface the raised or central
part of it rising level with the end of the cones, so that the fabric will pass back-
wards and forwards over the inner ends of the cones without any injury to the
fabric or fear of its getting caught between the cone ends thus dispensing with the
use of guards to cover the ends of the cones.
The frames C which support the inclined cones A and the fixed shaft B are
mounted upon a cross bar L so that they can be moved backwards and forwards by
a screw M engaging with one of the brackets to suit the different widths of
cloth.
Referring to Figs. 10 and 11 it will be evident that one, two, or more openers or
sets of openers may be applied to one machine. Either with two or more of the
openers mounted on one bar L or with two sets of openers mounted on separate
bars L at different levels. As an example in the drawing two are set on one har
and one on the other, all of which can be run at the same time. It will however
be evident that two openers may be mounted on the top bar and three on the
bottom bar so that five pieces of narrow material may be stretched at one time.
Thus with a wide machine a great amount of time and labour may be saved.
In the modification shown in Fig. 5 instead of being mounted upon a bar such
as L the frame C is mounted on an ordinary dovetail slide and is moved to and fro
by the screw M.
These openers or stretchers can be fixed within one inch of the drying cans or
cylinders consequently all the width of the fabric secured by the opener is main-
tained as the cloth passes onto the cylinder or receiver. The curved or segmental
board may be modified by being formed of a curved roller or made up of a number
of graduated sections or rings upon a central shaft.
I consider that by this arrangement and construction better and quicker work is
performed without marking or damage to the cloth hitherto occasioned by the
central cover and that in the case of narrow cloth should it all get upon one cone it
will travel back and forward across the central disc or bush without getting
between the ends of the cones or without damage or mark to a delicate fabric.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what 1
claim is :-
:-
1. A machine or apparatus for stretching or removing creases from woven fabrics
having two cones mounted to run loose upon a stationary inclined shaft substantially
as described.
2. In apparatus for stretching or removing creases from woven fabrics a curved
or segmental rail or board in one or more parts over which the material passes the
ends of which are adjusted by sliding brackets and screws to direct the cloth
substantially as described.
3. In apparatus for stretching and removing creases from woven fabrics the
combination with the stretching cones of a stretching rail and roller over which the
cloth passes and a lever and quadrant 'by which the rail and roller are raised or
lowered and their position adjusted substantially as described.
4. An apparatus for stretching or removing creases from textile fabrics having
the several parts constructed and arranged substantially as described.
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Manchester, Liverpool, and London, Patent Agents.
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Manchester, Liverpool, and London, Patent Agents.